Beauty of Seasons: Winter Solstice

People's Daily Online) 09:46, December 21, 2025

Hello everyone, I'm Sisi, a travel enthusiast! Today is Dongzhi, or the winter solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Come with me as we step into Xi'an, an ancient capital of 13 dynasties in China, to experience its thousands of years of history and the hustle and bustle of local life.

For the ancients, Dongzhi was the starting point for calculating the 24 Solar Terms, symbolizing the beginning of a new cycle. As the saying goes, "The winter solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival." This day carries the beautiful promise of family reunions and bids farewell to the old while welcoming the new.

In Xi'an, the essence of Dongzhi is found in a steaming bowl of dumplings. Northerners love dumplings. Legend has it that eating these ear-shaped treats prevents frostbitten ears all winter long  a simple bowl embodying the wisdom of warding off the cold. Meanwhile, in the south, Dongzhi isn't complete without a bowl of soft tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), symbolizing reunion and togetherness.

With Dongzhi comes the Chinese tradition of Shujiu, or "counting the nines." The ancients divided the 81 days following Dongzhi into nine sets of nine days, composing a folk song about the "Nines of Winter" that vividly depicts the shift from bitter cold to the warmth of spring.

Dongzhi is not only an important Chinese solar term, but also a cultural moment shared globally. In South Korea, the custom of eating red bean porridge stems from an ancient belief in "warding off evil and disaster." In the U.K., at the Neolithic monument of Stonehenge, countless visitors gather every year on this day to witness the sun rising through the stones. Although the forms differ, they all share a common longing for light, warmth and togetherness.

A light layer of snow covers the Grand Tang Mall, where ancient architecture and sequentially lit lanterns create a charming contrast. Dongzhi here carries both the ancient charm of the prosperous Tang Dynasty and the modern fun of young people strolling in Hanfu. "Heaven and earth press to change from day to day. From the winter solstice, spring will come without delay." How is Dongzhi celebrated where you are? Come share it in the comments section!

Yu Yiran, as an intern, also contributed to this article.

(Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Wu Chengliang)
Feature: Italian chef cooks up culinary dialogue in China

Xinhua) 10:19, December 22, 2025

Francesco Sanna presents a Chongqing spicy chicken pizza at the Niccolo Hotel in Chongqing, southwest China, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyan)

CHONGQING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- In the open kitchen of a hotel in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the air was thick with the mouth-watering aroma of baking dough and sizzling meat, as executive chef Francesco Sanna was busy preparing his signature creation, the Chongqing Spicy Chicken Pizza.

He spread a mix of local green and red chili peppers and Chongqing-style stir-fried chicken over a hand-tossed pizza base, sprinkled it generously with cheese, and slid it into a high-temperature oven. Once out of the oven, the pizza was finished with a drizzle of garlic oil, creating a tantalizing fusion of spicy zest and creamy richness that brought Chinese and Italian flavors into a harmonious dialogue.

"Spicy chicken is a local Chongqing dish, and now it shines as a pizza topping. We use local chilies instead of the usual bell peppers, which gives the flavor more layers," Sanna said. Today, this innovative pizza has become a crowd favorite at the hotel's restaurant.

Sanna hails from the Italian island of Sardinia and currently helms the kitchen at the Niccolo Hotel in Chongqing. The hotel's name pays homage to Niccolo Polo, a 13th-century Italian explorer and father of the legendary adventurer Marco Polo, who traveled to China along the ancient Silk Road. For an Italian chef who has made China his home for over a decade, this connection feels like a serendipitous echo across time.

Sanna told Xinhua that his fascination with China began early. As a child, images of the country in his textbooks -- streets filled with bicycles and the beauty of Chinese characters and calligraphy -- left a lasting mark.

When he was around 20, Chinese restaurants began popping up in his neighborhood, piquing his curiosity. He fondly remembers his first attempts at using chopsticks. "They showed me a few times, and I learned it quickly," Sanna recalled, adding that he even insisted on using them at home. "It made the meal more relaxing and allowed me to better savor the flavors."

That spark of curiosity eventually led him to China. In 2009, Sanna landed a job at a hotel in Shanghai. "I originally planned to stay for two or three years," he said. "But now it has been 16 years."

Over the past 16 years, Sanna has traveled to nearly 30 provincial-level regions in China, living and working in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Foshan and Kunming. His journey has given him a profound appreciation for the diversity of Chinese cuisine. "The culinary differences across China's various regions are huge, and even neighboring cities can have very different flavors," he said.

When he first arrived in Chongqing, known for its bold and fiery cuisine, the spiciness proved challenging. He recalled his stomach protesting the day after his first authentic hotpot meal. "But I didn't give up," he said. "Week by week, month by month, I gradually adapted." Today, he has found his own balance between spicy and non-spicy tastes.

For Sanna, Italian and Chinese cuisines share a core philosophy rooted in regionality.

"Both cuisines are highly regional," he explained. With Italian cuisine recently recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, Sanna sees parallels in China. "China has a similar kind of culinary culture. I have always advocated using local ingredients because the freshest and best ingredients often grow right around you."

This philosophy guides his kitchen. In Chongqing, he embraces local chilies; in other Chinese cities, he seeks out their signature ingredients.

In his Chongqing kitchen, Sanna has been working to interpret local flavors through Italian techniques. "Culinary exchange isn't about simply copying; it's about learning from each other while respecting local traditions," he said. "I'm not just teaching Chinese chefs; I am learning from them as well."

Beyond fusion, Sanna is dedicated to bringing authentic Italian and Mediterranean flavors to Chinese diners. Classic dishes such as handmade truffle pasta and Valencian seafood paella remain staples on his menu, prepared with traditional methods to showcase their original essence.

Sanna said that he has witnessed a growing sophistication among Chinese diners regarding Italian cuisine. Years ago, pasta served "al dente" was often considered "undercooked." Now, requests for authentic Roman or Milanese styles are common.

As exchanges between China and Italy flourish, Sanna feels the cultural bond deepening. "More and more Chinese people are going to Italy, and more Italians are coming to China," he said. "People's understanding of each other's culture and cuisine is becoming richer and more profound."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
December 22, 2025: South Korea is the tenth largest weapons exporter worldwide. South Korea is also the fifth largest defense manufacturer with $10 billion a year in defense exports. South Korea is increasing its own defense budget by 8.6 percent to $47 billion in 2026. South Korea also helps the US Navy, which lacks sufficient shipyards for maintenance. South Korea is now doing a lot of work on U.S. warships in South Korean shipyards. South Korea is also developing a 4.5 generation version of its KF-21 fighter for delivery in 2026. South Korea is a major exporter of defense systems, ammunition and weapons for warships. South Korea is providing European NATO nations with munitions and weapons to prepare for a potential Russian attack on those nations by 2030.

As a result of the Ukraine War, Poland, which borders Ukraine and Russia, decided to expand its armed forces, including purchasing a thousand new South Korean K2 tanks. Most of these tanks will be produced in Poland under license, in cooperation with the South Korean manufacturer, which continues to supply some components. This will begin in 2026 and make Poland the largest user of K2s, as South Korea only has a few hundred. Poland will also become the European country with the largest force of modern tanks. This is mainly to deter any Russian attacks on Poland or the neighboring Baltic States.

Currently, Poland has nearly 200 K2 tanks, and similar quantities of K9 self-propelled 155mm howitzers, and Homar-K rocket launchers. Homar is similar to the American HIMARS vehicles. The Homar fire control system can handle rockets used in HIMARS, along with several other rocket types. Poland can use HIMARS rockets as well as a wide variety of South Korean rockets.

South Korea is not only much wealthier than North Korea but also a major manufacturer and exporter of industrial goods, including modern South Korean-designed weapons. One of the best examples is the K2 Black Panther tank, which compares favorably with the latest version of the American M1. Unlike earlier South Korean-designed tanks, the K2 contains no American technology and is a completely South Korean creation. This allows the K2 to be freely exported, leading to over a thousand K2s in production or on order, most for export customers.

The high quality of the K2 comes with a high price of over $8 million each, making it the most expensive tank in the world. In 2023, South Korea approved the production of the fourth batch of K2s, giving South Korea a total of 410 K2s. Thats fewer than the 980 K2s Poland is acquiring. Poland faces a more formidable threat from Russia than South Korea faces from North Korea. While the K2 was a significant investment in South Koreas defense capabilities against the persistent threat posed by North Korea, it has also proven to be a highly profitable export item.

Poland received its first 180 K2s in 2025 and has begun producing the remaining 820 in Poland under a manufacturing license. The K2 was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. Introduced in 2014 after over two decades of development, the first model was a 56-ton tank armed with a 120mm NATO-compatible main gun, carrying 40 shells. The main gun has an autoloader, reducing the crew size from four to three. The autoloader enables the K2 to fire ten or more aimed shells per minute.

Tank-to-tank combat is usually short and intense. The tank that can fire first and deliver the most well-aimed shells will win, even against multiple opponents. K2 armor includes metal and ERA explosive reactive armor in addition to an APS Active Protection System to intercept anti-tank guided missiles ATGMs and rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade RPGs. The 12.7mm machine guns on top of the turret can be operated from inside the tank using RWS/Remote Weapons System technology. The K2 also includes NBC/Nuclear-Biological-Chemical protection.

The K2s armament is equally impressive. Its main armament is a domestically produced Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun equipped with an autoloader. This gun, compatible with all standard NATO tank rounds, can also launch the advanced KSTAM Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition, an intelligent, fire-and-forget projectile that targets the thinner top armor of most tanks. Secondary armament includes a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm machine gun.

The tank is further enhanced by a domestically developed auto-target detection and tracking system, incorporating hunter-killer functionality. The K2s electric gun and turret driving system, along with the stabilization of its gunners primary sight and commanders panoramic sight, enable effective day and night operations. The K2 also features an advanced suspension system that offers multiple positioning options to maximize combat effectiveness across various terrains.

With a top speed of 68 kilometers per hour on roads and 40 kilometers per hour cross-country, an auxiliary power unit allows the tank to remain stationary while keeping all its electronics powered waiting for action, without operating the main engine. The success of the K2 design has attracted numerous export customers.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, an unexpected supplier for Ukraine was South Korea. These weapons did not go directly from South Korea to Ukraine. South Korean laws prohibit supplying weapons to nations at war. South Korea honors and evades this prohibition by selling weapons to Ukrainian allies. These allies then provide Ukraine with the weapons the South Korea items replaced. This matters because by 2019 South Korea was the 10th largest defense manufacturer in the world. Thats up from 13th a few years earlier. In 2024 South Korea was number 8 with a 2.8 percent share of defense exports. The top three are the United States with 39 percent, Russia with 19 percent and France with 11 percent.
How to combat teacher shortages and an increase in fees for private schools made the front pages of Monday's papers.

The Irish Times leads with new initiatives, including targeted bursaries for teachers and a universal teaching qualification, which will have to be considered to resolve recruitment challenges faced by schools, particularly around Dublin, the Department of Education believes

The Irish Examiner reveals gardai are seeking charges against the drug gang known as The Family.

The Echo leads with the man who was killed in a collision in Cork over the weekend.

The Irish Independent leads with fees at private schools increasing by up to 2,000.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with comments from Micheal Martin, as he claims homeless figures are increasing due to migration.

The front page of the Irish Daily Mirror features Donald Trump accused of ordering a photo to be removed of him from the Epstein files.

The Irish Daily Star leads with a man jailed for stabbing another man over a row to do with cocaine.
WHEN 16-year-old Samuel Donald Huggard was told that students couldnt make feature films, he said: Well, bugger that, I'm going to make one. During his summer holidays from school, Samuel from Ardattin in Carlow, undertook a huge project which saw the delivery of a 90-minute feature film that was filmed recently in a creative centre called Croi Anu in Moone, County Kildare.

Samuel played the main character of Percy and recruited TV actor, Paul Ronan, whos also the father of Hollywood actor, Saoirse Ronan to act alongside him. Croi Anus Mary Pat Moloney also played a key role.

The film, Footsteps in the Sand, follows protagonist Percy Fleming who is a 16-year-old boy navigating life after his mother remarries a grieving widower  a man who turns out to be very angry and violent.

Samuel describes the film as a coming of age story that is more focused on character than plot. He said: The central theme of the film is forgiveness and it's personified through Percy. He learns that he has to forgive his mother and his stepsister, even his stepfather, and most importantly, how he has to forgive himself.

Samuel Donald Huggard who made the film walks the red carpet at the screening

With acting experience from being part of short films, musicals and plays in the past, Samuel said: I took all of that experience forward to write the script and to make this film, and to gather the cast and crew. Samuel managed to gather around 40 people to star in the film, ranging from secondary characters to extras.

A lot of them [the cast] are non-actors who are neighbours or friends that wanted to be in the film and wanted to support the cause, said Samuel. It was a huge community project. Filmmaker Samuel is hugely grateful to everyone who pitched in to make the story come together, including Mark Ronan, who not only starred in the film, but helped Samuel with tips on how to develop scenes and how to go from script to screen with his ideas.

He was also extremely grateful to Mary Pat Moloney, who also helped out hugely with the film and offered up her space in Croi Anu for the films first screening.

Shooting was done by Mark Shilov  a student at the Royal Academy of Music, who also composed the films score.

Urte Ramamauskaite plays Rachel in the film

He did a huge amount of work, said Samuel. He was on set every day and has also done all the editing. With a great head on his shoulders, Samuel wanted to get ahead of the crowd and begin creating films while still in school to better equip himself for the future.

This is absolutely what I would love to do after school. Its an abnormal business, and the advice I always got from my tutors was to make your own stuff. And so I decided I would go above and beyond that, he explained.

xxx

Mary Pat Moloney plays Aunt Daisy in the film

Mark Shilov composed music and edited Footsteps on the Sand, pictured here with Paul Huggard

Jane Donald pictured with Gwendolyn McClure who sings her original work in the film. She travelled from Arizona, USA for the screening

Samuel called this project a real triumph for the youth as it shows the immense ambition and energy young people have to create. It shows were not just on our phones all the time, he said.
Advertisement

Omans construction industry is under growing pressure to comply with stricter energy-efficiency and carbon-reduction requirements as sustainability targets move from policy ambition into regulatory enforcement.

At the Green Build Oman Summit in Muscat, expanded polystyrene (EPS) cement composites were highlighted as a potential solution for developers seeking to reduce both operational and embodied carbon.

Speaking at the event, Youssif Abdel Aleem, technical manager at Al Madina Cement Products, said future construction in Oman must prioritise materials that deliver energy efficiency across the full lifecycle of a building.

EPS-cement systems rely on entrapped air for insulation rather than manufactured gases, which have come under scrutiny due to their high global warming potential. Industry analysts note that many conventional insulation products using synthetic gases are likely to face tighter controls under international climate agreements, increasing interest in alternatives with lower environmental impact.

EPS-based cementitious and geopolymer materials also offer durability advantages in Omans hot and humid climate, retaining thermal performance even when exposed to moisture or ultraviolet radiation. Their breathability helps limit condensation and premature building deterioration, a growing concern as energy-efficient envelopes become more airtight.
Advertisement

Indias largest cement maker, UltraTech Cement, has received a Goods and Services Tax (GST) demand notice totalling INR7.82bn (US$87m) from Indian tax authorities, the company said in a regulatory filing.

The notice, issued by the Joint Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax & Central Excise in Patna, alleges short payment of GST and improper utilisation of Input Tax Credit during the period from 201819 to 202223.

UltraTech said the order was passed without due consideration of the Companys submissions.

According to the filing, the core tax liability upheld by the authorities is approximately INR3.91bn with an equal amount sought as penalty, along with interest, bringing the total to INR7.82bn.

UltraTech, part of the Aditya Birla Group and currently operating close to 200Mta of cement capacity, said it intends to challenge the demand through appropriate legal channels and is reviewing the order and its options.

The notice adds to ongoing regulatory scrutiny faced by major Indian corporates, with companies across sectors increasingly contesting substantial GST claims. UltraTech did not indicate any immediate operational or financial impact as it pursues its challenge.
December 22, 2025: Last month in the southwest, three dozen people were killed and many more wounded during several clashes between farmers and herders. Overgrazing has forced the herders to move into areas where farmers grow crops. Some of the farmers and many of the herders are armed and this has led to a growing number of deadly clashes. Last June the United States banned Chadian citizens from entering the country. In retaliation Chad halted the issuance of travel visas for Americans seeking to visit Chad.

Chad is a landlocked nation in North Africa that shares a border with Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. While 55 percent of the 19 million population is Moslem, 41 percent are Christian. Chad is poor, with a GDP per capital of $700. This is one of the five lowest in the world. From 1900 to 1960 Chad was a French colony. Unlike other French colonies in Africa, not much was done to modernize Chads economy and infrastructure. After 1960 Chad was ruled by a few dictators and regularly ravaged by civil wars. After 1990 democracy took root and there have been several elections since then. Chad has even become a major supplier of peacekeepers throughout Africa, especially in Nigeria against Boko Haram.

Unfortunately, some ambitious projects have been stymied by unrest elsewhere in the region. For example, Egypt planned to build a highway from Egypt to Chad. The route would include 2,570 kilometers of highway through Libya. But fighting in Libya and the nearby Darfur region of Darfur have made construction impossible. When and if this highway is completed, it would rejuvenate the economies of every area it passed through. Meanwhile, refugees from the fighting in Sudan continue to arrive in Chad, seeking refuge.
Site surveyors for the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) recently visited Cleveland State Community College and found no deficiencies in the Medical Assisting Program at the college. This step in the re-accreditation process occurs every eight years. Karmon Kingsley, CMA (AAMA), a certified medical assistant, has been leading the program for almost 20 years.



Sandra Godsey, Interim Dean of Healthcare, said Karmons leadership and commitment to

excellence have elevated the Medical Assisting Program to the highest standards of quality and

performance. Receiving a report with no deficiencies is a rare accomplishment that speaks

volumes about her dedication to student success and program integrity.



Prior to the site visit, surveyors reviewed program reports documenting compliance and

competency in over 200 areas including test scores, graduate job placement and attrition rates.

While on campus, surveyors met with current students, recent graduates and administrators; they

completed a thorough inspection of the state-of-the-art simulation lab and evaluated classroom

instruction.



Kingsley was named the second director of the medical assisting program in 2005 after the first

director, Sylvia Taylor, retired. A graduate of the program, Kingsley earned an Associate of

Applied Science in Medical Assisting in 2000.



My whole vision was to teach for the program when Sylvia retired, Kingsley said. She told

me to get experience in all areas. I had hands-on experience in the exam rooms, treatment rooms,

laboratory, but I needed more experience.



A Bradley County native, Kingsley began her career in healthcare with a position as medical

secretary at Bradley Memorial Hospital. After two years, a physician asked her to work in his

office.



What I didnt realize at the time, was that I was a medical assistant, said Kingsley. I learned

the medical side assisting him with procedures, running tests in the lab, scheduling appointments

and surgeries and processing insurance billing. Now, medical assistants are trained in medical

and administrative duties.



Kingsley had taken general education classes at Cleveland State for several years, but she had

not completed her degree. After teaching First Aid/CPR, I realized that I really liked teaching.

Thats when I decided that I needed to finish my degree.



Because of the courses she had taken over the years, Kingsley was able to earn a general transfer

associate degree before earning her medical assisting degree.



As a certified medical assistant, Kingsley worked for two years at an oncology office and taught

as an adjunct for the medical assisting program at the college. With a goal to gain experience in a

variety of areas, she worked as a pharmacy tech at a local pharmacy; she worked in the insurance

department at the hospital for a few months and taught medical assisting at Miller-Motte College

in Chattanooga before she was hired as the program director at Cleveland State.



Since then, she has earned a Bachelor of Science in Medicine and Education from East

Tennessee State University as well as a Master of Science in Allied Health from Middle

Tennessee State University.



When asked what makes her most proud of this program, Kingsley said, Im a graduate of the

program, and I am proud to be continuing what Sylvia Taylor started. Medical assisting has

developed and advanced over the years. We give injections; we draw blood; we do EKGs; we

take out sutures; were assisting in so many procedures. In our program, we teach all of it and

everything is hands on. Im proud that we have such a thorough program, and the students are

fully trained and ready to work in a medical office when they graduate.



The medical assisting program at Cleveland State is a three-term certificate program starting

each fall. Students then have the option to complete the remaining eight general education

courses to complete the two-year associate degree.



Administrators expect the re-accreditation of the program to be official in 2026 by the

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the

recommendation of MAERB.
State Rep. Michele Reneau (RHixson) officially announced her re-election campaign during the Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner, a grassroots fundraiser and policy-focused event held in Chattanooga.

Speaking to supporters, Rep. Reneau "reaffirmed her commitment to defending medical freedom, food freedom, parental rights, property rights, and limited government, while outlining priorities for the upcoming 2026 legislative session."

The work isnt finished, Rep.

Reneau told the crowd. Families still need a voice. Small farmers still need a seat at the table. And Tennesseans deserve leaders who choose principle over politics every single time.

The Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner, featuring nationally recognized constitutional attorney Robert Barnes and MAHA Institute Director of States Amy Miller, centered on the connection between health, liberty and accountable government. Rep. Reneau used the occasion to highlight how her personal journey - as a mother, community advocate, and supporter of local farmers - has shaped her legislative priorities.

During her remarks, Rep. Reneau reflected on her first legislative session, pointing to the successful passage of HB130, which expanded Tennessees Cottage Food law. The bill reduced regulatory burdens on home-based food producers by allowing Tennesseans to make and sell time and temperature controlled food products - that can now include products containing dairy and poultry - directly to consumers without inspection or permitting requirements when goods are exchanged person-to-person.

HB130 was about trusting people, empowering small businesses, and getting government out of the way, Rep. Reneau said. Its exactly the kind of common-sense reform Tennessee families want and deserve.

Her campaign said, "Supporters of Rep. Reneau have come to recognize a hallmark of her service: a commitment to transparency and accountability. Throughout her first legislative session, she published weekly vote explanations and detailed remarks on controversial legislation in her newsletter, outlining the reasoning behind each decision.

"Supporters frequently remark that they appreciate Reneaus willingness to explain her votes thoughtfully and openly - even when they may not agree with every outcome  noting that her decisions consistently reflect the principles and promises she campaigned on.

"Rep. Reneau first won her seat with strong grassroots support during the Republican primary in 2024 and has continued to maintain a loyal and engaged base of supporters throughout her term. She enters the next election cycle with that same grassroots foundation as she seeks re-election in the August 5, 2026 Republican primary."

Rep. Reneau represents Tennessee House District 27, which includes parts of Hamilton County including Lookout Valley, Lookout Mountain, Red Bank, Signal Mountain, part of Hixson, Soddy Daisy to Mowbray and Flat Top Mountains.
Road construction wont delay travelers during the Christmas and New Years holidays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.AAA expects an estimated 2.8 million Tennesseans to travel between Dec.20 and Jan. 1, with 2.6 million of them driving.Safety is our top priority, and with so many people expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the holidays, we want to keep traffic moving and get everyone to their destinations, said TDOT CommissionerWill Reid, P.E. As always, please wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and move over for emergency vehicles as our HELP Truck drivers will be on patrol.Except for a few long-term closures that must remain for safety, all construction-related closures will be suspended during the holiday period. Workers may still be on-site in some construction zones. Drivers should obey all posted speed limits, particularly in construction areas. Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway and will be enforced. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possibly increased insurance premiums.Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 for statewide travel information. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
If you lose a presidential election and refuse to examine why, you are not leadingyou are hiding.

The Democratic National Committees decision not to release a full autopsy of the 2024 presidential campaign is not just a missed opportunity for reflection. It is a glaring act of political malpractice. In any serious institutionmedicine, aviation, education, even sportsfailure is studied so it is not repeated. Yet the DNC has chosen silence over scrutiny, ego over evidence, and insulation over accountability.

That silence is not neutral. It is tone-deaf.

And it trickles down.

What begins in Washington inevitably shows up in state parties like the Tennessee Democratic Party and local organizations like the Hamilton County Democratic Party. When the national party refuses to reckon honestly with its losses, it sends a clear message to state and local leadership: you dont owe the base answersonly obedience.

This is how trust erodes.

Party elites and the donor class continue to thumb their noses at the very people who knock doors, make phone calls, organize block by block, and vote consistently even when hope feels thin. Instead of listening to working-class voters, young voters, Black voters, rural voters, and disillusioned independents, leadership doubles down on closed-door strategies, recycled consultants, and risk-averse messaging that excites no one and convinces even fewer.

The disconnect is no longer subtleit is structural.

Grassroots Democrats are asking reasonable questions:

Why did turnout fall in key communities?

Why did the economic messaging fail to connect with people who are struggling?

Why does the party talk at voters instead of with them?

Why are local organizers blamed for losses while national strategy remains untouchable?

Refusing to release a campaign autopsy tells the base that their lived experience does not matter. That their insights are inconvenient. That accountability is optional if you have the right title or donor list.

This approach is not just arrogantit is dangerous.

The consequences will not wait until the next presidential cycle. They will show up in the 2026 midterms, in statewide races, and in local elections where margins are thin and enthusiasm is everything. Voters who feel ignored do not magically reappear because its an important election year. They disengage. They stay home. Or worse, they stop believing the party represents them at all.

Democrats do not lose because voters are uninformed. They lose because voters feel unheard.

Tennessee already knows this story too well. A state party that struggles to build durable coalitions, empower local leadership, and invest meaningfully beyond election season cannot afford to mirror the national partys refusal to self-correct. Local parties cannot keep asking volunteers for more while offering them less voice, less transparency, and less respect.

Accountability is not disloyalty. Transparency is not weakness. Listening to the base is not radicalit is required.

If the Democratic Party wants to win again, it must stop protecting its pride and start rebuilding trust. That begins with telling the truth about 2024fully, publicly and honestlyand inviting the people who power this party to be part of the solution.

No autopsy means no learning. No learning means repeated failure.

And voters are running out of patience.

Sean Nix

Former Vice Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party

* * *

Thanks, Sean Nix. Well said, accurate and timely statements.

The national party management of both parties is a very bad joke. But it seems the Democrat national leadership is deaf, dumb and stupid and also a corrupt star chamber.

Perhaps the real solution is for the Democrat Party to continue it destructive mismanagement until it self destructs fragments and ceases to exist. Now that is an idea I can get behind and support.

Leaders of the other major party should pay attention as they are headed down a similar but different path and do not have the intelligence to figure it out.

The old adage "The Democrat Party leadership are crooks and the Republican Party leadership are idiots" seems appropriate and also accurate, alive and well.

The average voter has lost all respect for politics and politicians in general, and that is not good news for the United States of America or the rest of the world.

Pete Clark
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.

Originally published on parentherald.com
Chattanooga Police said a gang of thieves have been stealing and reselling a large amount of boots and other merchandise taken from local stores.

Tyler James Browning, 19, and Makalia Alexandria Mangram, 19, both of 4278 Green Acres Dr., Ooltewah, have been arrested for organized retail crime.

Police said as of last Thursday, they had been responsible for stealing over $2,500 in merchandise.

Police said a Christopher Jones was also involved in stealing over $2,200 in items.

A fourth unnamed person was also listed as being in the theft ring.

Police responded on Dec. 14 to the Boot Barn, 2020 Gunbarrel Road. The store manager said three suspects had walked into the store and shoplifted over $2,030 worth of items. One of the suspects walked out of the store wearing a pair of $300 boots and the other two people carried out several other boots and various items.

The manager said that two days earlier the same group of people, accompanied by a younger man, took almost $1,000 in merchandise.

Police were given video showing the four suspects in the store. They did not make any purchases.

Police were able to identify two of the suspects as Browning and Ms. Mangham. Police said they also identified Jones.

It was discovered that the group has been selling the stolen merchandise on Facebook Marketplace.

Officers were notified on Thursday that the thieves had hit another local Boot Barn store - the one at Highway 153 in Hixson. Video was obtained of Browning conceling merchandise and walking out without paying. He took a pair of boots worth $600, it was stated.

On Saturday, an off-duty city police officer working at Hamilton Place Mall responded to a shoplifting call. He observed Browning and Ms. Mangham inside the American Eagle store.

The same officer had just sworn out the organized retail crime warrants for the pair. He placed them in custody.

During a search, the officer found brass knuckles, which is a prohibited weapon, on Browning.

It was also found that they were in possession of $143 worth of stolen items from the Palmetto Moon store.

Both Browning and Ms. Mangham were trespassed from all CBL properties for life.
The Tennessee Supreme Court held today, in Brian Coblentz et al. v. Tractor Supply Company, that workers compensation law does not prevent an employee of a product vendor, injured on the job while at a retail store, from suing the store for his injuries.The employee, Brian Coblentz, was employed by Stanley National, a company that sold hardware. Mr. Coblentzs job included stocking Stanley National products in retail stores. While Mr. Coblentz was at a Tractor Supply retail store in Fayetteville, Tennessee, stocking Stanley National product in a display rack, part of the display rack fell on his head and caused him significant injuries.Mr. Coblentz received workers compensation benefits from his employer, Stanley National.Mr. Coblentz filed a tort lawsuit against Tractor Supply. The lawsuit alleged that Tractor Supply was negligent and its product display rack was in unreasonably dangerous and unsafe condition. Tractor Supply claimed that Tennessees workers compensation laws shielded it from tort liability to Mr. Coblentz.Under workers compensation law, employers must pay workers compensation benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. In exchange, the workers compensation law shields the employer from further claims by the employee, like tort liability.Workers compensation law also says that a principal contractor who hires a subcontractor may have to pay workers compensation benefits to injured employees of the subcontractor, if the subcontractor does not pay benefits to its own employees. The principal contractor is then a statutory employer, and would have the same liability as the actual employer. In exchange for that potential liability, statutory employers are also shielded from tort claims by the subcontractors injured employees.In this case Tractor Supply claimed it was Mr. Coblentzs statutory employer, even though Stanley National had already paid Mr. Coblentz workers compensation benefits. As a result, Tractor Supply argued that workers compensation law prevented Mr. Coblentz from suing Tractor Supply. The trial court agreed with Tractor Supply and dismissed Mr. Coblentzs lawsuit. On appeal, a majority of the Court of Appeals agreed with the trial court. The Tennessee Supreme Court granted Mr. Coblentz permission to appeal.The Tennessee Supreme Court reversed. It held that the arrangement between Stanley National and Tractor Supply was not a contractor-subcontractor relationship; it was for product vendor Stanley National to sell merchandise to Tractor Supply. Mr. Coblentz did not do work for Tractor Supply; any services he rendered were incidental to Stanley Nationals sale of merchandise to the retail store. For that reason, Tractor Supply is not Mr. Coblentzs statutory employer and Tennessee workers compensation law does not shield Tractor Supply from Mr. Coblentzs tort lawsuit.To read the opinion in Brian Coblentz et al. v. Tractor Supply Company authored by Justice Holly Kirby, visit the Supreme Court opinions section of tncourts.gov.
Home News 5 Christians sentenced to combined 50 years in Iranian prison: advocacy orgs

Five Iranian Christians have been sentenced to a combined 50 years in prison for religious activities, including prayer, baptism and distributing Bibles, according to watchdog organizations.

All five, including two previously imprisoned men and three women, were convicted by Tehrans Revolutionary Court under amended articles of Irans penal code, according to Article 18, a United Kingdom-based organization that monitors religious freedom in Iran.

The sentencing judge was Abolqasem Salavati, known for imposing lengthy terms in cases involving perceived threats to national security.

The court handed 10-year sentences to Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, Aida Najaflou, and a third woman whose identity has not been made public.

Najaflou received an additional two years over social media posts, while Shahbazians wife, Lida, received eight years.

The five were accused of gathering and collusion and spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic. The verdicts were reportedly not communicated to the defendants until late November and early December, although the hearing was in October.

All five have been given 20 days to appeal the ruling before the same court that convicted them.

Personal belongings, including Christian texts and Bibles, were confiscated from the defendants and assigned to the Ministry of Intelligence for examination. The action mirrors earlier cases in which Christians were imprisoned for similar charges and had religious materials seized by the state.

Both Shahbazian and Gol-Tapeh had previously served prison sentences for their involvement in Irans underground house-church networks, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. Gol-Tapeh was released in 2022 after nearly five years. Shahbazian was freed in 2023 after serving more than one year of a 10-year term before being re-arrested.

The state demanded what rights groups have called unprecedented bail amounts from several of the Christians.

Najaflous bail was set at approximately $130,000, and Gol-Tapehs at nearly $250,000. Shahbazian was never issued an official bail figure, though his family was misled into believing one had been set.

Najaflou, 44, suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and had recently undergone spinal surgery at the time of her arrest.

On Oct. 31, she fell from her top bunk in Evin Prison and fractured her spine. Although briefly taken to a hospital, she was returned to custody the same day without receiving full treatment. Her wounds later became infected, prompting another hospital visit on Nov. 16.

Her lawyer wrote on X, Today, I shed tears for my aggrieved client Aida Najaflou, tears that had been in my heart for days and today flowed from my eyes during my visit to Evin Prison. I humbly request all judicial authorities of the country to come to the aid of this prisoner at risk of spinal cord severance.

The indictment against the five included references to a 2010 speech by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in which he called the spread of house churches a national security threat. The indictment described Protestantism and Zionist Christianity as synonymous and accused the defendants of serving foreign intelligence agendas.

The document stated that Shahbazian was proud of his criminal activities and aimed to fulfil the command and will of Christ to deliver the message of the Gospel.

In Gol-Tapehs case, the indictment cited his distribution and storage of Bibles as part of illegal evangelistic activity. It included his own words: This action is part of my faith as a Christian. I would like to learn Christian theology and share it with my loved ones in Christ.

Article 18 reported that the trial process involved months of pre-trial detention.

Shahbazian, Gol-Tapeh and Najaflou were held for seven months before any court appearance.

Mansour Borji of Article18 said the case bore many hallmarks of a lack of due process, including prolonged detentions and the extreme bail conditions.

In March, Gol-Tapeh suffered a stroke following a hunger strike to protest his re-arrest. Shahbazian has also experienced health complications during his incarceration.
Home News Arizona man threatened with arrest after sharing Christian beliefs at Christmas festival: attorneys

Arizona city officials allegedly threatened a resident with arrest after he and a group of friends attempted to share their Christian beliefs during a Christmas festival, which the First Liberty Institute says infringed on the mans right to religious expression.

First Liberty Institute, a legal organization dedicated to defending religious freedom, sent a letter last week to the City of Tucson, accusing officials of restricting resident David Hoffmans religious speech at the annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights. In the letter, the organization threatened legal action if it did not receive a response by Friday.

The City of Tucson is unlawfully suppressing Mr. Hoffmans speech by removing his religious expression from public property and separating his speech from fellow attendees by placing a barricade between them, Nate Kellum, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, said in a statement provided to The Christian Post.

The city isolates religious speech for censorship. Its unconstitutional. Like any other kind of speech, religious speech is protected under the First Amendment, Kellum added.

The City of Tucson and the citys attorney did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

On Dec. 13, Hoffman and his friends visited the Winterhaven neighborhood during the festival, which runs from Dec. 13 through Dec. 27. As the letter noted, the event is free and open to the public, and Hoffmans group wanted to attend and share their Christian faith with attendees.

The festival of lights is an annual holiday event occurring on the public streets, sidewalks, and rights-of-way of the historic Winterhaven neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, the document said about the event.

Each year, the general public is invited to walk through the public ways that wind through the neighborhood to take in and enjoy light displays, food and drink supplied by local vendors.

Hoffman and his friends were not selling items or asking for donations, nor did they obstruct the public walkway, according to First Liberty Institutes letter.

Yet, after conducting this religious activity for a short while, City police officers approached Hoffmans group and warned them to halt their expression, citing the festivals solicitation policy as basis, the document stated. This solicitation policy, enforced by the City, prohibits all 'political, religious, or commercial materials or messaging.

The police officers reportedly told Hoffmans group that their religious messaging was relegated to a small space outside of the festival footprint, a free speech zone titled Designated Space for Peaceful Messaging and Literature Distribution.

Officers also threatened Hoffman with arrest and a trespass charge if he failed to comply, according to the letter.

Fearing arrest, Hoffman and his group forsook their speech inside the festival. But they wish to resume sharing their faith for the remainder of this years festival, and all future Winterhaven Festivals, First Liberty Institute explained in its letter to city officials. Through counsel and this letter, they hope to resolve this conflict without resorting to litigation.

The legal organization argued that Hoffmans evangelistic speech, literature distribution and oral expression are protected under the First Amendment, and that the presence of a festival doesnt alter the streets' status as traditional public fora.

Furthermore, First Liberty Institute claimed that the citys treatment of Hoffman violated his rights under Arizonas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The act prohibits government entities from substantially burden[ing] a persons exercise of religion, unless an agency demonstrates a compelling governmental interest and uses the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

To resolve the situation, the legal group requested that the City of Tucson provide Hoffman with written assurance that it will no longer banish religious speech to a speech zone within the Citys public rights-of-way during the remainder of the Winterhaven Festival, as well as any future festivals.
Home News Former police officer arrested for sharing meme after Charlie Kirk shooting sues sheriff

A retired police officer who spent 37 days in jail after posting a meme on Facebook about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against a Tennessee sheriff and his county, alleging they violated his constitutional rights in retaliation for protected speech.

Larry Bushart, with help from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), sued Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems and the county in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee last Wednesday.

Bushart was arrested Sept. 21 on a charge of threatening mass violence at a school, based on a meme he shared that quoted President Donald Trumps remarks about a 2024 school shooting in Iowa. The meme featured a photo of Trump with the quote We have to get over it, alongside commentary reading, This seems relevant today.

Authorities held Bushart on a $2 million bond he could not afford. He was released after widespread backlash and media attention, and the charge was later dropped.

The lawsuit  which also names investigator Jason Morrow and seeks damages from Weems and Morrow in their personal capacities  claims Weems concocted a pretext that the meme could be seen as a threat to Perry County High School in Tennessee because it referenced a shooting at Perry High School in Iowa. The complaint also alleges law enforcement omitted key context from the arrest warrant application, including that Weems knew the post was a pre-existing meme and not a local threat.

Bushart says he lost his job and missed his wedding anniversary and the birth of his grandchild while in jail.

I spent over three decades in law enforcement, and have the utmost respect for the law, Bushart said in a statement via his attorneys. But I also know my rights, and I was arrested for nothing more than refusing to be bullied into censorship.

Local police first visited Busharts home around 8 p.m. Sept. 21 to warn him about the post. Body camera footage shows an officer telling Bushart, So Im going to be completely honest with you, I have really no idea what theyre talking about, adding that the sheriff mentioned some concerning posts that were made. ... I dont know, I just know they said something was insinuating violence.

Bushart replied, No, it wasnt, and said, Im not going to take it down.

Hours later, after 11 p.m., police returned with an arrest warrant and took him into custody. Footage from that encounter shows Bushart saying, I threatened no one, with an officer responding, Thats not illegal.

Weems later said in an interview that he believed the arrest was justified because the post caused mass hysteria in the community.

But the lawsuit says Facebook's responses to the post showed no one interpreted it as a threat, the Perry County school district has no records of complaints and officials have not responded to public records requests for evidence of hysteria.

If police can come to your door in the middle of the night and put you behind bars based on nothing more than an entirely false and contrived interpretation of a Facebook post, no ones First Amendment rights are safe, said FIRE senior attorney Adam Steinbaugh.

The suit alleges violations of Busharts First Amendment right to free speech and Fourth Amendment right against unlawful seizure.

This lawsuit goes beyond Larry, said FIRE attorney David Rubin. Its about making sure police everywhere understand that they cannot punish or intimidate people for sharing controversial opinions online. Law enforcement across the country should be on notice: Respect the First Amendment, or prepare to face the consequences.

While Busharts arrest over a meme brought national attention, authorities have continued to crack down on social media content in other states, including in Texas, where last month, sheriffs deputies arrested a local activist and Navy veteran after he posted a satirical meme on social media.

Hood County Sheriffs deputies arrested Kolton Krottinger, 38, of Granbury, on Nov. 5 for felony online impersonation after he allegedly created an Oct. 2 Facebook post that appeared to come from another local activist, showing her endorsing Granbury ISD school board candidate Monica Brown.

Prosecutors cited Texas Penal Code 33.07, which prohibits using another persons name or persona online without obtaining the other persons consent and with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person.

The arrest caught the attention of several local and state officials, including former Hood County GOP Chair Nate Criswell, who launched online petitions to drop the charges and urged prosecutors to dismiss the case.

Unfortunately, I believe the arrest and jailing of Kolton Krottinger is simply the latest in a series of incidents in Hood County that appear to be orchestrated to silence the voice of a segment of our population, Criswell said. These actions seem to be devised to discourage a selected group from their participation in the political process here in Hood County.
Home News Misconduct lawsuit against New York City church dismissed following investigation

A complainant has dropped a lawsuit filed against a New York City church over allegations of abuse and failure to properly respond to the accusations after a third-party investigation could not substantiate the claims.

The complaint had been filed against Saint Thomas Episcopal Church of New York (also known as Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue), the Episcopal Diocese of New York, a current staff member and a former employee.

At issue were a 31-year-old male's allegations that individuals affiliated with the church sexually assaulted him and that Episcopal leaders failed to respond to the alleged abuse appropriately.

In a statement posted to Anglican Ink last Friday, St. Thomas leadership announced that the complainant has officially withdrawn his case, with no out of court settlement or other payments made to the complainant or any third party.

Signed by St. Thomas Rector, the Rev. Canon Carl Turner, as well as wardens Lloyd Stanford and Gregory Zaffiro, the statement stated that the decision followed a thorough third-party investigation of the allegations that found no evidence to substantiate the allegations of misconduct, and questioned the veracity of those allegations.

The plaintiffs decision to withdraw his allegations and voluntarily discontinue this lawsuit with prejudice means that these allegations cannot be brought again, they stated.

This finally draws to a close the matter, and offers great relief to our Saint Thomas Church community  most especially to those who were unjustly accused and personally suffered under the cloud of the baseless and unsubstantiated attacks.

St. Thomas leadership stressed that safety of all those in our communities is of paramount importance and that they are grateful to be able to put this matter behind us.

We take any allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously and have taken steps to ensure that we have the highest regard for the safeguarding of our community, the church added.

Anglican Watch, an unofficial anti-abuse watchdog group focused on The Episcopal Church, took issue with the statement, claiming that the announcement was misleading and dishonest.

According to the watchdog group, two of the alleged abusers did not deny that they sexually assaulted the plaintiff, and while the parties did not pay the plaintiff, the Episcopal Churchs captive insurance carrier, the Church Pension Group (CPG), settled the matter.

That speaks volumes, because CPG is not one to part with money willy-nilly, reports Anglican Watch, which claimed that the parish has failed for years to run even basic background checks.

We also want to remind members of STC: You have a right to the truth about whats going on in your church. You also have the right to demand an end to the childish, misleading, and un-Christian impression management games going on in the parish.

In September, a 31-year-old individual filed a complaint against individuals affiliated with St. Thomas, accusing them of having sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions.

The suit alleged that the Rev. Mark Schultz and his same-sex spouse, Erich Erving, each assaulted the plaintiff at a gathering held at an apartment in Manhattan owned by the church.

Additionally, the complaint accused a registered nurse named William Davis, who was a member and employee of the congregation, of inappropriately touching him while at the church.

In response to the litigation, which also named Bishop Matthew Heyd of the Diocese of New York as a defendant, Schultz was put on administrative leave.
An MIT professor was shot and killed at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Monday night, prompting a major homicide investigation and shocking a community known for its safety.

Nuno Loureiro, 47, the director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the foyer of his apartment building on 15 December. He died in the hospital the following morning. Authorities have not yet made any arrests or announced a motive for the killing.

Details of the Attack

Brookline police received calls reporting gunshots at approximately 20:30 on Monday evening. When they arrived at the apartment building on Gibbs Street near Coolidge Corner, they found Loureiro with several gunshot wounds. Paramedics transported him to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning.

Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell told reporters that no arrests have been made. The Norfolk District Attorney's office confirmed that it is 'an active and ongoing homicide investigation' but stated that no other details would be released at this time.

A Leading Figure in Fusion Science

Loureiro was a prominent figure in fusion science. He had been appointed director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Centre in May 2024. The centre is one of the university's largest labs, with over 250 researchers and staff. He also held teaching positions in both the Nuclear Science and Engineering and the Physics departments.

Originally from Viseu, Portugal, Loureiro completed his undergraduate degree in Lisbon before earning his PhD at Imperial College London in 2005. He joined MIT in 2016. His research focused on plasma behaviour and fusion science, intending to develop clean energy from fusion reactors.

MIT confirmed his death Tuesday. 'Sadly, I can confirm that Professor Nuno Loureiro, who died early this morning, was a current MIT faculty member,' said spokesperson Kimberly Allen. 'Our deepest sympathies are with his family, students, colleagues, and all those who are grieving.' The university's providing support for people who knew him.

In January, Loureiro received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President Joe Biden, one of the highest honours in American science. He was nominated for his work on how magnetic fields are generated in the universe. He had previously won the American Physical Society's Thomas H. Stix Award in 2015 and the NSF CAREER award in 2017.

Community in Shock

Anne Greenwald, a resident of the area for 40 years, told reporters she and her husband heard what sounded like shots on Monday evening. 'He had a young family, they went to school here,' she said. 'It's horrible, very scary.'

Another neighbour said he heard 'three loud bangs' and initially thought someone was kicking a door. 'I called the neighbours and they said no, they thought it was gunshots,' he told CBS News.

County records show Loureiro owned a unit in the building at 9 Gibbs Street. After the shooting, local schools put extra police officers around to reassure parents and kids, though officials said there's no ongoing threat to the community.

BREAKING: MIT professor shot, killed at his Massachusetts home, 'active and ongoing homicide investigation,' prosecutors say pic.twitter.com/BcW075WEnW  Fox News (@FoxNews) December 16, 2025

International Shock and Ongoing Investigation

The US Ambassador to Portugal, John J Arrigo, said in a statement: 'I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Nuno Loureiro, who led MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center,' he wrote. 'We honor his life, his leadership in science, and his enduring contributions.'

Brookline police are working with Massachusetts State Police, MIT police and the Norfolk District Attorney's office on the investigation. They are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Home News Pastor shuts down church without warning congregants

A Tennessee pastor who reportedly shut down his church, seized control of the congregations cash and real estate, then took up another preaching job in a different town has agreed to return control of the churchs assets to the congregation following pushback from members.

Members of the congregation formerly known as Connect Church in Halls told WMC Action News 5 that their former pastor, Ron Smith, informed them on Nov. 9 that the church would close immediately due to low membership and poor cash flow.

Ive been in ministry 52 years. I have never in 52 years been through this. Ive never had a church quit tithing, Smith said in a recording of the Nov. 9 announcement, cited by WMC. The church in its present condition cannot sustain itself.

The independent non-denominational church has been registered as a nonprofit since 1999, but has undergone multiple name and leadership changes over the years. In 2020, when Smith became the churchs pastor, he changed the name to Connect Church.

Even though congregants had voted to keep the church open prior to Smith making his Nov. 9 announcement, he told them that the vote wasnt legally binding because he did not approve the meeting when the vote was held.

This little vote you had today was not called by me or approved by me. So, this little vote is null and void, Smith told congregants in a recording.

He further stated that if they wanted to continue worshiping in their church building, they would have to meet in the building under a new name and pay rent to the Connect Church Corporation, where he sits as president and his wife, Donna, serves as secretary.

Now, if you want to get together and you want to have a church in this building, then youre welcome to create a new church and rent this property, Smith insisted.

Members, like Regina Nash, told the news outlet that the congregation owned the building.

There is no rent on this building, she said.

After announcing the closure, Smith reportedly changed the nonprofit's address, establishing the church at an address in Atoka, Tennessee, and replaced all board members with new ones.

Police in Halls told WMC that an investigation and found that Smith and his wife did not break any laws but made themselves the sole signees on the churchs bank account after removing church secretary Anita Cates.

Cates challenged Smiths claim that the church did not have enough funds to operate, noting that the congregation had about $13,000 in the bank and property valued at about $400,000.

We own two other buildings right beside  and a property on the bypass, which could have been sold to help compensate if we did get too low, Cates said, challenging Smiths claim of not having sufficient funds to keep the church open.

Smith pledged to return control of the churchs assets following a meeting with a mediator; however, Smith would not tell WMC when he would relinquish control of the building and bank account.

The church is now open again under a new name  Real Life Community Church.
Home News University of Washington wrong to punish professor for parodying school policy: appeals court

A University of Washington professor cannot be punished for making fun of a school policy in his syllabus, an appeals court panel has ruled.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling last Friday in the case of Stuart Reges v. Ana Mari Cauce, et al. At issue is Professor Stuart Reges decision to make fun of a university policy that officially acknowledged that the land the campus was built on originally belonged to Native Americans.

Circuit Judge Daniel Bress, a Trump appointee, authored the majority opinion, which overturned a lower court ruling against Reges and sent the case back to the court for further proceedings.

Bress wrote that debate and disagreement are hallmarks of higher education and that any discomfort with a professors views can prompt discussion and disapproval.

But this discomfort is not grounds for the university retaliating against the professor, he wrote. We hold that the universitys actions toward the professor violated his First Amendment rights.

Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas, a Clinton appointee, authored a partial dissent to the panel opinion, writing that he believed the university had a valid interest in disciplining Reges.

I respectfully disagree with the majoritys conclusion that Regess speech interests outweigh the University of Washingtons interests. Universities have a responsibility to protect their students, wrote Thomas.

This University, like other universities in the American West, has a particular obligation to its Native students. The disruption Regess speech caused to Native students learning outweighed his own First Amendment interests.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which is representing Reges, released a statement celebrating the appeals court panel decision.

Todays opinion recognizes that sometimes, exposure to views that distress and offend is a form of education unto itself, stated FIRE Legal Director Will Creeley. As we always say at FIRE: If you graduate from college without once being offended, you should ask for your money back.

In 2015, the university adopted a land acknowledgment statement, which read The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.

Responding to a recommendation to include the statement in course syllabi, Reges parodied it in a class syllabus in January 2022, writing I acknowledge that by the labor theory of property the Coast Salish people can claim historical ownership of almost none of the land currently occupied by the University of Washington.

This was in reference to Enlightenment philosopher John Lockes theory of property rights, which argued, in part, that people own the natural resources they labor on.

Reges faced backlash from students and school officials, and a university investigation in June 2023 concluded that the professor likely violated university policy with the parody.

In 2022, as the investigation was ongoing, Reges filed a lawsuit against university officials, alleging viewpoint discrimination and violation of First Amendment rights.
Home News 'A declaration of vengeance': US strikes ISIS targets in Syria after 3 Americans were killed

The United States launched military strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday in response to the killing of three Americans during a counterterrorism operation. The offensive aimed to destroy IS (also known as ISIS) infrastructure believed to be linked to the Dec. 13 attack.

The military campaign, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, involved coordinated air and artillery strikes against locations identified as IS strongholds, NBC News reported. Officials said the targets included weapons sites, command centers and infrastructure used by militants attempting to regroup in the region.

The U.S. carried out the mission using A-10s, F-16s, Apache helicopters and HIMARS rocket systems. Jordanian F-16 fighter jets also supported the strikes.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. was inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible and said Syria was a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted on X that the U.S. launched the operation to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces. He added, This is not the beginning of a war  it is a declaration of vengeance.

The attack that prompted the strikes occurred during a joint engagement in Palmyra, where U.S. forces were meeting local partners. A gunman opened fire at the site, killing two U.S. Army soldiers and one civilian American interpreter.

The shooter, a Syrian security officer who had joined the internal forces two months earlier, was killed at the scene. He had recently been reassigned after authorities raised suspicions of a possible connection to IS, a terror organization that controlled regions of Iraq and Syria during the mid-2010s.

The Department of War identified the two soldiers killed as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa. Both were members of the Iowa National Guard.

The civilian who was killed was Ayad Mansoor Sakat, 34, a U.S. citizen and contract interpreter from Macomb, Michigan. He had worked with U.S. forces in the region for over a year, according to a Pentagon official.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said three other U.S. personnel were wounded in the attack. He stated that the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement as part of the broader mission to disrupt IS activity in eastern Syria, as reported by NBC.

Parnell said Syrian security personnel were also injured in the shooting, which unfolded rapidly after the attacker opened fire inside the secured compound. Medical teams at the site provided emergency treatment before airlifting the wounded.

The military operation is expected to continue for up to a month, depending on battlefield developments and intelligence gathered in the aftermath of the Palmyra attack.

Officials described the operation as one of the largest direct strikes against IS in Syria in recent years.

While casualty estimates were not immediately available, initial assessments indicated that the attacks had significantly degraded several IS facilities.

Intelligence gathered from recent raids pointed to increased communication and coordination among surviving fighters.

American forces have maintained a presence in parts of Syria as part of ongoing efforts to combat remaining elements of IS.

In November, Syrian security forces carried out a nationwide crackdown on suspected IS operatives ahead of President Ahmed al-Sharaas scheduled visit to Washington. The Interior Ministry reported 61 coordinated raids across the country, resulting in 71 arrests and the seizure of weapons and explosives.

Officials said the arrests were based on specific intelligence linking the detainees to planned terrorist operations and recruitment efforts targeting youth. The raids were conducted days before al-Sharaa became the first sitting Syrian president to visit the U.S. since Syrias independence in 1946.

Al-Sharaa, who previously led the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front, took office following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad last year. Since assuming power, he has moved to distance himself from extremist groups and sought alignment with U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

The November visit to Washington included discussions about Syria potentially joining the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition.
Home News US to boost Christian hospitals in Nigeria amid efforts to protect believers from violence

Quick Summary AI Summary The U.S. has signed a $5.1 billion health agreement with Nigeria to enhance faith-based healthcare.

Funding will support over 900 Christian health facilities serving more than 30% of Nigeria's population.

The agreement aims to protect vulnerable Christian communities amid rising violence in Nigeria. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

The United States has signed a $5.1 billion, five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria, directing substantial new funding toward Christian faith-based healthcare providers to expand health services and protect vulnerable Christian populations.

The move marks a new phase in U.S.-Nigeria cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy.

The memorandum of understanding, formalized over the weekend, commits nearly $2.1 billion from the U.S. government toward prevention and treatment of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio and maternal and child health, according to the U.S. State Department.

Nigeria has pledged an accompanying $3 billion in domestic health investment over the same period, the largest co-investment made by any nation under the strategy to date.

Of the U.S. funding, around $200 million will go to more than 900 Christian health facilities operating across Nigeria. These clinics and hospitals serve over 30% of the population, despite representing just 10% of healthcare providers, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said in a statement.

The agreement ties U.S. support to recent Nigerian government reforms aimed at protecting Christian populations from targeted violence. It includes provisions to expand integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child care at Christian-run facilities.

Northern Nigeria is predominantly Muslim, with many states enforcing Sharia law alongside federal law, and religious police like the Hisbah regulating public morality. The south is largely Christian, with no religious law and a strong presence of churches and Evangelical movements. This divide influences politics, education and social life, while the central Middle Belt region remains religiously mixed and often experiences violent clashes rooted in both faith and ethnicity.

Tens of thousands of Nigerian Christians have been killed in the last decade, while many others have been displaced amid the rise of Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in the northeast and the increase of attacks carried out by radicalized Fulani militias against predominantly Christian communities in the Middle Belt states.

The global Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors has warned in recent years that more Christians are killed in Nigeria for their faith annually than in all other countries.

The State Department said these investments are designed to complement public-sector efforts and strengthen Nigerias overall health infrastructure.

The MOU was signed in the context of a larger U.S. push to recalibrate global health assistance toward bilateral cooperation models.

Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the agreement is part of a new strategy that seeks increased financial participation from partner nations and a stronger focus on healthcare system resilience.

Nigerias maternal and child health indicators remain among the worst globally, with the country accounting for 30% of the worldwide malaria burden.

The State Department said the U.S. president and secretary of state retain authority to pause or end assistance programs that no longer align with national interests.

U.S. officials said they expect continued progress from Nigeria in addressing extremist violence affecting Christian communities.

The America First Global Health Strategy, launched in September, covers countries receiving U.S. health assistance.
RFK Jr. Targets Transgender Procedures, Greg Locke Lawsuit, Texas Bathroom Tip Line

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:13 07:13

Top headlines for Monday, December 22, 2025

In todays episode, authorities issue an arrest warrant in the Brown University shooting that left two students dead, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveils new measures targeting transgender procedures for minors, and Tennessee Pastor Greg Locke hints at legal action amid allegations from former church leaders.

00:11 Brown U shooter, former student, found dead in storage unit

00:59 RFK Jr. announces HHS crackdown on 'sex-rejecting' surgeries

02:03 Attendee injured by camel during megachurch Christmas show

02:47 Greg Locke threatens lawsuit after former pastors' allegations

03:40 Texas AG tip line lets public report men in women's bathrooms

04:30 Christian girl under pressure to drop charges against Muslim rapist

05:22 The Pendragon Cycle brings faith-driven drama to DailyWire+
As the year comes to a close, looking back on the Express Entry draws conducted in 2025 provides clear insight into the types of candidates Canada prioritized for permanent residence (PR).

Over the course of 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a total of 58 Express Entry draws, across numerous draw types (as of December 22).

This article will present fictional profiles of candidates that would've likely succeeded in getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR through the Express Entry system this year.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams



Here are some basic takeaways based on these draws:

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws occurred most frequently, making up 24 out of 58 drawsdespite this, they only accounted for 9,775 invitations issued (out of a combined total of 117,998 issuances across all draw types).

French language proficiency draws had the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-offs this year, and saw the most ITAs issued (48,000). This shows that French-language speakers had a big advantage in securing an ITA for PR in 2025.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws were held regularly throughout the year, making CEC the second most common draw type with 15 draws and 35,850 total ITAs issued this year. The CRS cut-offs for these draws were relatively high (515547), suggesting that CEC candidates needed strong overall profilesthrough factors such as language, education, age, and additional experienceto receive an ITA.

The healthcare and social service category issued 14,500 ITAs in total, with much lower CRS cut-offs than CEC. Medical professionals in the pool were thus far more likely to have received an ITA for Canadian PR in 2025 (when compared to those with Canadian work experience in other occupations).

Based on these findings, here are four fictional candidate profiles that were most likely to receive an ITA in 2025.

Example 1: Felix, a French-speaker, from Cameroon

Felix Hamadou is a single 32-year-old banking professional from Cameroon.

He holds a two-year post-secondary diploma in finance and has three years of foreign work experience as a banking operations manager.

Felix has strong French-language abilities (Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens level 9) and adequate EnglishCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 across all four language abilities.

He has not worked or studied in Canada.

This is his CRS breakdown:

Factors determining CRS score Qualifications Points accrued Age 32 94 Level of education 2-year post-secondary diploma 98 Official languages French (NCLC 9) + English (CLB) 7) 136 Canadian work experience 0 0 Skill transferability: Education (language + educational qualifications) 2-year post-secondary diploma + NCLC 9 25 Skill transferability: Foreign work experience (language + foreign work experience) NCLC 9 + 3 years of foreign work experience 50 Additional Factors NCLC 9 50 Total score 453

French language proficiency draws require candidates to show a minimum score of NCLC 7 in all 4 language abilities, which means Felix would qualify for these drawswhich in 2025 ranged between 379 and 481. With a CRS score of 453, Felix would have qualified for seven of this year's French-language draws.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams

Example 2: Anjana, a data analyst, living in Toronto

Anjana Patel is an Indian national, born and raised in Beirut, where she has worked for a year as an e-commerce professional.

She moved to Canada to pursue a three-year-long bachelors degree in data science at the age of 20.

At the age of 23, she graduates and successfully applies for a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

With this permit, she joins a Canadian company as a data analyst. Unfortunately, she gets laid off after a year but manages to find another job after six months, leading to over two years of Canadian work experience in total.

At the age of 26, Anjana submits her profile into the pool.

She does not speak French, but has strong English language skills (CLB 10).

Here is her score breakdown below:

Factors determining CRS score Qualifications Points accrued Age 26 110 Level of education Bachelors degree 120 Official languages English (CLB 10) 136 Canadian work experience 2 years 53 Skill transferability: Education (language + Canadian work experience + educational qualifications) CLB 10 + over 2 years of Canadian work experience + Bachelors degree 50 Skill transferability: Foreign work experience (language + Canadian work experience + foreign work experience) CLB 10 + over 2 years of Canadian work experience + 1 year of foreign work experience 50 Additional Factors 3-year post-secondary education in Canada 30 Total score 549

Based on her qualifications, Anjana has a CRS score of 549.

Thanks to the Canadian work experience she gained, Anjana is eligible for the CEC program and CEC draws. Her CRS score is higher than any of the cut-off scores for CEC draws held throughout 2025, meaning if she was in the Express Entry pool this year, she would have likely gotten an ITA for PR.

3. Marie, a social worker, from Brazil

Marie Silva is a 28-year-old married woman from Brazil.

She has a Masters degree and four years of foreign work experience as a social service worker for an NGO in Brazil. She speaks English fluently (CLB 9) but does not speak any French.

Her husband Gabriel also speaks fluent English (CLB 9) and has a PhD in computer science.

After hearing that social services occupations were added to Canadas category-based selection under the Healthcare category in 2025, Marie decided to submit a profile to Express Entry.

Her CRS breakdown is as follows:

Factors determining CRS score Qualifications Points accrued Age 28 100 Level of education Masters degree 126 Official languages English (CLB 9) 116 Canadian work experience 0 0 Skill transferability: Education (language + educational qualifications) Masters degree + CLB 9 50 Skill transferability: Foreign work experience (language + foreign work experience) CLB 9 + 4 years of foreign work experience 50 Additional Factors 0 0 Spousal Factors Level of education PhD 10 First official language CLB 9 20 Total score 472

Based on these factors, Marie would have gotten a CRS score of 472. There have been three healthcare and social service occupations draws that Marie would have qualified for in 2025, which means she would have likely received an ITA for PR in Canada had she submitted a profile into the pool this year.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams

4. Jack, a UX designer, from England

Jack Andrews is a 35-year-old UX designer from Reading, England.

He has a two-year post-secondary diploma and three years of foreign work experience.

After receiving a job offer from a fintech in Alberta, he moves to Canada. He works there for a year, submits an expression of interest profile, and receives an ITA through the Alberta Opportunity Stream.

He submits an application and receives a provincial nomination, allotting him 600 additional CRS points.

He has adequate English abilities (CLB 7), and no French-language abilities.

His CRS breakdown is as follows:

Factors determining CRS score Qualifications Points accrued Age 35 77 Level of education 2-year post secondary degree 98 Official languages English (CLB 7) 68 Canadian work experience 1 year 40 Skill transferability: Education (Education + official language + Canadian work experience) 2-year post-secondary diploma + CLB 7 + 1 year of Canadian work experience 26 Skill transferability: Foreign work experience (language + Canadian work experience + foreign work experience) CLB 7 + 1 year of Canadian work experience + 3 years of foreign work experience 50 Additional Factors Provincial nomination 600 Total score 959

With 959 as his CRS score, Jack would have gotten an ITA for PR through any of the Express Entry PNP draws held in 2025.

See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams


Lets be honest: our data systems are struggling to keep up with AI. Businesses everywhere talk about artificial intelligence, but many are running these futuristic models on data infrastructures that are recognizable leftovers from years past. It feels like trying to power a self-driving car with a steam engine. A lot of investment is poured into AI, yet it gets plugged into systems built for yesterdays problems.

Why does this happen? If I have to sum it up, the struggle comes down to three main challenges.

Data is everywhere

Data is not sitting inside one neat database anymore. Instead, its streaming from millions of sources at once  apps, manufacturing sensors, connected devices, the works. This edge data is essential for anything real-time, like a system that inspects products on a fast-moving line or robotic equipment that has just milliseconds to react. The old approach of sending everything to a central database is too slow and expensive for todays demands (Data Mesh Principles). Businesses have to rethink their pipelines from the ground up, not just patch what exists.
The administrator overseeing the wind-down of Do Kwons Terraform Labs has filed a lawsuit against Jump Trading, alleging the Chicago-based firm illegally profited from  and helped to accelerate  its 2022 collapse.

The Office of the Terraform Labs Plan Administrator has filed a $4B lawsuit against Jump Trading over its direct role in the collapse of Terraform Labs, seeking to hold Jump to account for enriching itself through illicit market manipulation, self-dealing, and misuse of assets, the administrator said in post on X Friday.

The action aims to recover value for creditors and hold Jump responsible for exploiting the ecosystem, leaving unsuspecting investors to bear the losses, the post said.

Terraform unraveled in 2022 when its algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD lost its dollar peg, triggering a death spiral that also wiped out its sister token Luna. The combined $40 billion wipeout devastated investors globally and set off a chain reaction of failures across the crypto industry, ultimately contributing to the downfall of Sam Bankman-Frieds FTX exchange.

This is a desperate attempt by Terraform Labs to shift blame and financial responsibility away from the crimes that Do Kwon committed, a Jump spokesperson said in a statement. We will defend ourselves vigorously against these baseless claims.

The Wall Street Journal reported news of the lawsuit earlier.

Terraform, a digital-asset business co-founded by Kwon, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US in January last year. Kwon was earlier this month sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fraud that led to the companys collapse.

Photo: The Terra Luna stablecoin logo on a smartphone arranged in the Brooklyn borough of New York, on Monday, May 16, 2022. The collapse of the Terra ecosystem, and the tokens Luna and UST, will go down as one of the most painful and devastating chapters in crypto history. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
Google parent Alphabet on Monday announced it will acquire Intersect, a data center and energy infrastructure company, for $4.75 billion in cash in addition to the assumption of debt.

Alphabet said Intersect's operations will remain independent, but that the acquisition will help bring more data center and generation capacity online faster.

In recent years, Google has been embroiled in a fierce competition with artificial intelligence rivals, namely OpenAI, which kick-started the generative AI boom with the launch of its ChatGPT chatbot in 2022. OpenAI has made more than $1.4 trillion of infrastructure commitments to build out the data centers it needs to meet growing demand for its technology.

With its acquisition of Intersect, Google is looking to keep up.

"Intersect will help us expand capacity, operate more nimbly in building new power generation in lockstep with new data center load, and reimagine energy solutions to drive US innovation and leadership," Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, said in a statement.
CHINA - 2021/04/02: In this photo illustration the American English language commercial broadcast television and radio network CBS logo is seen on an Android mobile device with United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US), flag in the background. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

CBS News pulled a "60 Minutes" report on El Salvador's CECOT prison just hours before its scheduled Sunday broadcast, saying it would air at a future time.

"The broadcast lineup for tonight's edition of 60 Minutes has been updated," the program posted on social media. "Our report 'Inside CECOT' will air in a future broadcast," the program posted on X and other social media platforms three hours before it was slated to air.

A CBS News spokesperson said in an email that the segment "needed additional reporting."

The New York Times, quoting from a copy of a note written by Sharyn Alfonsi, a correspondent who reported the segment, said CBS pulled the segment for "political" reasons.

"Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices," Alfonsi wrote in the note, a copy of which was obtained by the Times.

"It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one."

She told the newspaper on Sunday evening: "I refer all questions to Bari Weiss."

CECOT is a mega-prison in El Salvador where the U.S. has sent hundreds of mostly Venezuelan migrants without trial. It has been condemned by human rights groups for its harsh conditions.

Link removed

CBS removed a link to the "Inside CECOT" segment page on Sunday. The page, which previously featured a trailer, now displays "The page cannot be found" message.

However, a description on its Paramount Plus website earlier said the segment was scheduled to air at 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday, with Alfonsi speaking to recently released deportees about the "brutal and torturous" conditions they had endured in the prison.

Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss raised several concerns with "60 Minutes" producers about Alfonsi's segment and requested a substantial amount of new material to be added, NYT reported, citing sources.

She suggested adding an interview with White House official Stephen Miller or another senior Trump administration figure, the report said. Weiss further questioned the use of the term "migrants" to describe the Venezuelan men who were deported, noting they were in the U.S. illegally, the report added.

In her note, Alfonsi stated that her team had sought comments from the White House, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

"If the administration's refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a 'kill switch' for any reporting they find inconvenient," Alfonsi was quoted as saying.

CBS News and Alfonsi did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report outside normal business hours.

The decision comes as the network goes through changes under Weiss, who was picked to lead CBS News in October after CBS parent company Paramount Skydance acquired the online publication she founded, The Free Press.

Weiss, a former New York Times and Wall Street Journal opinion writer, was considered by some analysts as a controversial choice as she had never managed a television newsroom or produced broadcast news content before.

On December 10, she named Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor of its flagship "CBS Evening News" segment, replacing the dual anchor team of John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois.
China on Monday announced tariffs of up to 42.7% on dairy products from the European Union, following the results of an anti-subsidy investigation that began in August 2024.

In a statement by the country's Ministry of Commerce, China said that EU subsidies for dairy products had caused "substantial damage" to China's domestic dairy industries.

The tariffs are set to take effect on Dec. 23, the ministry said, and the rates would be determined by the amount of "ad valorem subsidy rates" from the country's Customs Tariff Commission.

The tariffs range from 21.9% to 42.7%, with companies "who cooperated with the investigation" subject to tariffs of 28.6%, and those that "did not cooperate" facing the top rate of 42.7%, according to a statement from a Commerce Ministry official.

Products that will be affected include fresh, processed and blue cheeses  such as the famous Roquefort blue cheese aged in the caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, France  as well as some kinds of milk and cream.

The latest tariffs mark an escalation in trade tensions between the regions, which flared up when Brussels slapped tariffs of up to 45% on electric vehicles imported from China in October last year.

Separately, the bloc in November challenged China's imposition of tariffs on imports of EU brandy at the World Trade Organisation, saying "China's provisional measures on EU brandy are not in line with WTO rules."

An EU spokesperson described the measures as "unjustified and unwarranted" on Monday, according to Reuters, and said the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, would be providing comments to the Chinese authorities.

The Commission was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC Monday.

Last week, Beijing sharply cut its duties on pork imports and pig by-products from the European Union, with new tariff rates ranging from 4.9% to 19.8% on dozens of European pork exports.

It comes after the country in September imposed temporary anti-dumping tariffs of up to 62.4% in the form of cash deposits on pork imports from the EU.

 CNBC's Anniek Bao contributed to this report.

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that China's tariffs will come into force on Dec. 23.
Senator Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., listens during a panel titled ''Make the Greatest Economy in the World Work for All Americans'' at the America First Policy Institute America First Agenda Summit in Washington, July 26, 2022.

The cryptocurrency industry is mourning the loss of its fiercest advocate on Capitol Hill after Sen. Cynthia Lummis announced Friday she would not seek reelection.

Lummis, R-Wyo., said last week that the "difficult, exhausting" final weeks of this year's Congress led her to withdraw her reelection bid, saying she's "come to accept that I do not have six more years in me."

Lummis is chair of the Senate Banking Committee's crypto subpanel and a reliable ally for the industry  helping muscle through the Genius Act, a first-of-its-kind bill regulating stablecoins, in July. She is currently negotiating legislation as part of an industry-backed push for broader regulation of cryptocurrency.

Crypto interests bemoaned her retirement, which sets up a primary for her seat in ruby-red Wyoming in 2026.

"Senator Lummis has been a great ally on crypto  very sorry to see her go!" said David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto czar, in a post to X.

Conner Brown, the head of strategy and the Bitcoin Policy Institute, called Lummis "the Senate's first and finest bitcoiner."

"We are incredibly lucky to have had her leadership at so many critical moments for bitcoin policy over these critical years," Brown said.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said Monday he will summon the U.S. ambassador to Denmark for a conversation about President Donald Trump's appointment of a special envoy to Greenland.

"I'm deeply upset about the appointment and the statement, which I find completely unacceptable," Lkke Rasmussen told Danish media TV2 in an interview Monday morning. He added he hoped a meeting could take place today or tomorrow.

Since starting his second term as president, Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. needs the resource-rich Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, for security reasons. He has refused to rule out the use of force.

Meanwhile, Greenland has shown little interest in becoming a top mining nation, and its leaders have criticized the U.S. administration's calls for the country to become a U.S. territory.

Late Sunday, Trump posted on social media that he had appointed Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry, as the U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland.

"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World," the president wrote.
Jeff Landry, governor of Lousiana, speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Monday rebuked President Donald Trump's appointment of a special envoy to Greenland, the U.S. president's latest move in his long-running effort to acquire the autonomous island territory of Denmark.

"Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people, and territorial integrity must be respected," Nielsen said in a statement. "We are happy to cooperate with other countries, including the United States, but this must always take place with respect for us and for our values and wishes."

Trump on Sunday appointed Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry to the new envoy post. He said Landry understands "how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World."

Landry, in a post on his X account, thanked Trump for the appointment and said, "It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S."
The Instacart website on a laptop computer arranged in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Instacart said Monday it will cease the use of artificial intelligence-driven pricing tests on its grocery delivery platform after the practice was scrutinized in a wide-ranging study and rebuked by lawmakers.

The company said in a blog post that retailers will no longer be able to use its Eversight technology to run pricing experiments on its platform, effective immediately.

"We understand that the tests we ran with a small number of retail partners that resulted in different prices for the same item at the same store missed the mark for some customers," the company wrote. "At a time when families are working exceptionally hard to stretch every grocery dollar, those tests raised concerns, leaving some people questioning the prices they see on Instacart. That's not okay  especially for a company built on trust, transparency, and affordability."

Instacart acquired Eversight for $59 million in 2022. Eversight's software allows retailers to carry out pricing tests to gauge shoppers' reactions to higher or lower prices on certain items.

Instacart said at the time that the technology would help retailers improve sales and growth, while "also surfacing the best deals for customers."
Significant uncertainty remains, as Beijing has yet to approve any H200 purchases and the timeline could shift depending on government decisions, the sources said.

Nvidia has also told Chinese clients that it plans to add new production capacity for the chips, with orders for that capacity opening in the second quarter of 2026, the third source said.

The U.S. chipmaker plans to fulfil initial orders from existing stock, with shipments expected to total 5,000 to 10,000 chip modules  equivalent to about 40,000 to 80,000 H200 AI chips, the first and second sources said.

Nvidia has told Chinese clients it aims to start shipping its second-most powerful AI chips to China before the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

"The whole plan is contingent on government approval," the third source said. "Nothing is certain until we get the official go-ahead."

The sources declined to be identified as the discussions are private. Nvidia and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The planned shipments would mark the first deliveries of H200 chips to China after U.S. President Donald Trump said this month that Washington would allow such sales with a 25% fee.

Reuters reported last week that the Trump administration had launched an inter-agency review of license applications for H200 chip sales to China, making good on his pledge to allow the sales.

The move represents a major policy shift from the Biden administration, which banned advanced AI chip sales to China, citing national security concerns.

The H200, part of Nvidia's previous-generation Hopper line, remains widely used in AI despite being superseded by the firm's newer Blackwell chips. Nvidia has focused production on Blackwell and its upcoming Rubin line, making H200 supply scarce.

Trump's decision comes as China pushes to develop its domestic AI chip industry. Local firms have yet to match the H200's performance, raising concerns that allowing imports could slow domestic progress.

Chinese officials held emergency meetings earlier this month to discuss the matter and are weighing whether to allow shipments, Reuters reported this month. One proposal would require each H200 purchase to be bundled with a set ratio of domestic chips, according to the report.

For Chinese technology giants such as Alibaba and ByteDance, which have expressed interest in buying H200 chips, the potential shipments would provide access to processors roughly six times more powerful than the H20, a downgraded chip Nvidia designed for China.
In this article PSKY

NFLX

WBD Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Ted Sarandos, left, co-CEO of Netflix, and David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. Mario Anzuoni | Mike Blake | Reuters

Hours before Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to sell its studio and streaming assets to Netflix , Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, called WBD CEO David Zaslav to inform him Netflix wouldn't be bidding any higher. WBD shareholders now have a chance to call Sarandos' bluff. WBD shareholders have until Jan. 21 to tender their shares to Paramount for $30 in cash, though that deadline may be artificial. Paramount can extend it all the way to WBD's annual meeting, which hasn't been set yet but this year took place June 2. If Paramount acquires 51% of outstanding WBD shares, it would control the company, even though the WBD board already agreed to sell the company's studio and streaming assets to Netflix. Both Netflix and Paramount can use the coming days and weeks to speak with WBD shareholders to gauge whether they'd like to take Paramount's offer or stick with the board's recommendation to sell to Netflix. To tender or not to tender, that is the question. There are sound arguments for both sides. The decision also presents a game theory element for shareholders who may simply want a bidding war rather than caring about the right buyer.

To tender

There are two overarching reasons why a shareholder might tender their holdings to Paramount. The first is if the investor believes Paramount's $30-per-share, all-cash offer for the entirety of WBD is more valuable than Netflix's $27.75-per-share bid for just the Warner Bros. film studio and HBO Max streaming business. The second is a belief that tendering shares is the best way to force a bidding war between Netflix and Paramount. A shareholder could decide Paramount's current offer is better than Netflix's if they think it has a higher likelihood of regulatory approval or if they believe Discovery Global  the portfolio of linear cable networks including CNN, TNT, Discovery, HGTV and TBS that's set to be spun out  will have minimal value as a publicly traded company. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison told CNBC earlier this month he values Discovery Global at $1 per share, given his prediction on the likely multiple (two times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) at which it will trade based on current valuations for similar linear cable networks. If WBD doesn't agree to sell the entire company to Paramount, it plans to split Discovery Global out as its own publicly traded entity in mid-2026. Paramount's argument is that $30 per share is already greater than Netflix's $27.75-per-share offer plus $1 per share for Discovery Global.

David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, exits following an interview at the New York Stock Exchange, Dec. 8, 2025. Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters

Paramount's bid is also all cash, while Netflix's bid includes 16% equity with a so-called collar, which means shareholders won't know exactly how much Netflix stock they'll actually receive until the deal closes. As for regulatory approval, Paramount has played up arguments that a combined Netflix and HBO Max streaming business would be anticompetitive. Netflix has more than 300 million global paying customers. The idea of the largest streamer buying HBO Max has already raised concerns with politicians, including President Donald Trump, who said there may be a "market share" issue with a Netflix deal. While Paramount would combine Paramount+ with HBO Max, Paramount+ has about 80 million subscribers, presenting less of a risk to competition. The second, more nuanced argument to tender is to maximize upside even if the assets ultimately go to Netflix. Ellison has already made it known Paramount's $30-per-share offer isn't best and final. Tendering could cause Netflix to come back with a higher offer, which may then prompt Paramount to raise its bid as well. GAMCO Investors chairman and CEO Mario Gabelli told CNBC earlier this month "the notion of Company A and Company B having a bidding war  that's what we like as part of the free market system." He added last week that while he was previously leaning toward tendering his shares to Paramount, "the most important part is to keep it in play."

Not to tender

Other shareholders may believe, in contrast, that not tendering is the best way of jumpstarting a bidding war. If Paramount sees that it's not getting traction with shareholders as the annual meeting gets closer, it may raise its bid to get more shareholders on board. There are additional reasons not to tender. Shareholders may want the Netflix and Discovery Global equity portion of the Netflix proposal. In a WBD filing last week, the company said a mystery "Company C" proposed to acquire Discovery Global and its 20% stake in WBD's streaming and studios business for $25 billion in cash. That bid was rejected by the WBD board as "not actionable." Still, the mystery bid suggests there may be an interested buyer in all of Discovery Global if it gets spun out, which could result in far more than $1 per share, according to Rich Greenfield, an analyst at LightShed Partners. That's a good reason not to tender, he said, because it makes the Netflix offer much more valuable than Paramount's bid. Ensuring WBD splits Discovery Global is also the safe play for shareholders in case regulators block a Paramount-WBD merger, Greenfield said. Since the Paramount deal is for all of WBD, including CNN, Ellison's bid  which includes roughly $24 billion from Middle Eastern sovereign funds  may run into regulatory and political hurdles, Greenfield noted. "You want the split to happen," Greenfield said in an interview. "If the Paramount deal doesn't get regulatory approval, now you've prevented the split from happening. You're stuck in 2027 with declining cable networks, and you haven't spun them off. Does the U.S. really want a company funded by more Middle Eastern money than money from the Ellisons owning CNN?"
A U.S. military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard, days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea on Dec. 20, 2025.

The escalating U.S. campaign to seize tankers linked to Venezuelan oil could also escalate tensions between the U.S. government and China if more crude oil intended for the Chinese market is caught up in the U.S. military campaign.

On Saturday, the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries was seized carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil, a move condemned by China. The seizure was the latest in the President Donald Trump's vow to block tankers carrying Venezuelan oil. Maritime experts say the move may have relied on a legal authority that suggests more seizures will be coming, and potentially target more oil intended for the Chinese market.

According to Dimitris Ampatzidis, senior risk and compliance analyst at Kpler, the seizure of the Panama-flagged Centuries may have been conducted under the 2002 Salas-Becker agreement, which allows U.S. authorities to board Panamanian-flagged vessels with just two hours' notice.

"The most interesting part of the Centuries seizure is the suggestion of the U.S. likely relying on its prior boarding agreement with the Panama Maritime Authority," said Ampatzidis, adding that the use of this agreement can lead to additional seizures.

Kpler analysis shows that out of the total of 23 shadow tankers currently identified within Venezuela's exclusive economic zone, three of those vessels are operating under the Panama flag and are loaded with sanctioned Venezuelan crude.

"If the Ragnar, Balsa, and Larko attempt to depart, it places them in the higher-risk enforcement category because they are operating under the Panama flag," Ampatzidis said. "We can see seizures as we saw with the Centuries."

Ragnar was loaded on Dec. 16, and Balsa and Larko were loaded on Dec. 17.

"Beyond already-sanctioned vessels, the U.S. appears increasingly willing to target other ships linked to the shadow fleet when they attempt to depart Venezuela with cargo  particularly if they are stateless (no flag) or Panama-flagged," Ampatzidis said.

"The most interesting aspect of all of this is that by squeezing Venezuelan oil, you are not only putting tremendous pressure on the Maduro regime, but you are also impacting China strategically," said Aaron Roth, retired Coast Guard captain and principal, federal strategy & security, for the Chertoff Group. "The longer it goes on and it may create negotiating space in U.S.-China diplomacy, because Venezuelan oil is discounted to China, and it's the type of heavy crude that China can refine," he said. "Without VZ oil, China will have to go to the market to Russia and the Middle East, which will be more costly to them," he added.

Venezuela has produced around 900,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate so far in 2025, accounting for roughly 1% of the total global supply. Kpler data indicates China buys about 76% of Venezuela's output. The U.S. has imported around 17% of Venezuela's output in 2025. That is about half of the percentage of output imported in 2024. Cuba, Spain and Italy are the other significant customers of Venezuela's oil.

Both the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Department of Transportation referred requests for comment to the White House, which did not respond by press time.

Recent history of the seized Centuries tanker

Kpler data showed Centuries had previously been actively involved in multiple operations linked to the transportation of Venezuelan crude and fuel oil, both as a long-haul tanker loading at Jose Oil Terminal in Venezuela, and as a transshipment vessel operating offshore in Venezuela and Malaysia.

Kpler data showed the U.S. seized Centuries after it loaded crude at Jose Oil Terminal. Kpler data detected spoofed AIS positions concealing the location of the tanker just before the vessel was loaded. The erroneous signals showed the vessel was sailing toward the Caribbean in early December, reached the northern coast of Curacao on December 12, and remained ostensibly stationary in that area.

However, imagery analysis by Kpler showed that the vessel had in fact been off the coast of Venezuela since at least Dec. 4. Additional supporting imagery indicated the tanker was empty during that period. But on December 9, satellite imagery confirmed the tanker was being loaded at the Venezuelan port JOT's west pier.
In this article D Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Dominion Energy's wind turbines located 27 miles off of Virginia Beach in the Atlantic Ocean, July 17, 2023. Kendall Warner | Virginian Pilot | Getty Images

The Trump administration on Monday halted Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, the largest project of its kind in the U.S., as well as four other projects under construction off the East Coast in a devastating blow to the wind industry. Shares of Dominion Energy , the utility developing the Virginia project, dropped nearly 4% on the news. The administration also paused leases for Vineyard Wind 1 off Massachusetts, Revolution Wind off Rhode Island, Sunrise Wind off Long Island and New England, and Empire Wind 1 south of Long Island. The projects taken together would provide enough power for more than 2 million homes, according to statements from the developers. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the administration paused leases for the projects due to national security concerns identified by the Pentagon.

watch now

Shares of Denmark's Orsted, the developer of the Revolution and Sunrise projects, tumbled 11%. Norway's Equinor , the developer of Empire Wind 1, fell about 1%. Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind is a 176 turbine project that would provide enough power for more than 600,000 homes, according to Dominion. The project was expected to be complete next year. Dominion said the massive project is essential for U.S. national security and Virginia's dramatically growing energy needs. Northern Virginia is the largest hub for data centers in the world. Growing demand from artificial intelligence is contributing to higher electricity prices in the state. "Stopping CVOW for any length of time will threaten grid reliability for some of the nation's most important war fighting, AI, and civilian assets," Dominion said in a statement. "It will also lead to energy inflation and threaten thousands of jobs," the utility said. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, supports the project. Incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, won the gubernatorial election in November on a promise to address rising electricity costs in part by expanding renewable energy. The Interior Department said in a statement that the pause will give the federal government time to "work with leaseholders and state partners to assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects."

watch now
Chinese tech giant Baidu has announced plans to bring robotaxis to London starting next year through its partnerships with Lyft and Uber, as the UK emerges as a growing autonomous vehicle battleground.

The announced collaborations will bring Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to the British capital through the Uber and Lyft platforms, the companies said on their respective social media accounts.

Lyft's testing of Baidu's initial fleet of dozens of vehicles will begin in 2026, pending regulatory approval, "with plans to scale to hundreds from there," Lyft CEO David Risher said in a post on social media platform X on Monday.

Meanwhile, Uber said that its first pilot is expected to start in the first half of 2026. "We're excited to accelerate Britain's leadership in the future of mobility, bringing another safe and reliable travel option to Londoners next year," the company added.

The moves add to Baidu's growing global footprint, which it says includes 22 cities and more than 250,000 weekly trips, as it races against other Chinese players like WeRide and Western giants like Alphabet 's Waymo.

The UK, in particular, has seen a wave of interest from driverless taxi companies, following the government's announcement in June that it would accelerate its plans to allow autonomous vehicle tech on public roads.

The government now aims to begin permitting robotaxis to operate in small-scale pilots starting in spring 2026, with Baidu likely aiming to be among the first.

The city of London has also established a "Vision Zero" goal to eliminate all serious injuries and deaths in its transportation systems by 2041, with autonomous driving technology expected to play a large role.

News of Baidu pilots comes as its competitor, Waymo, also looks to begin testing in London, with plans for a full-service launch in 2026. Waymo currently operates, is testing, or has plans to launch in at least 26 markets, including major cities like Tokyo and New York City.

Baidu, for its part, has been aggressively expanding globally, with testing rolling out in international markets like the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.
Planet A Foods' ChoViva chocolate alternative Planet A Foods

If you're unwrapping chocolate this holiday season, it might not contain any actual cocoa. Market turbulence, ethical concerns and sustainability questions have sparked a movement among some chocolate makers to scrap cocoa in favor of alternative ingredients  prompting calls that the real deal could soon become a "luxury" for consumers.

Market upheaval

Poor agricultural conditions in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire  the world's leading cocoa producers  have damaged crop yields in recent years, sending cocoa prices on a rollercoaster ride. After surging to all-time highs of more than $12,000 toward the end of last year, cocoa futures have tumbled more than 50% over the course of 2025 amid tentative signs of crop recovery.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Cocoa futures

Price volatility has left businesses in the industry on edge, and it's ultimately found its way into consumer goods, with data from Circana and the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics showing chocolate prices surged 30% in the year to October. In its third-quarter earnings report, Mondelez International  the maker of Cadbury, Milka and Toblerone  flagged "volatility of cocoa" and its "ability to effectively hedge against" related cost pressures as potential problems that could derail the company from meeting its financial targets. As manufacturers grapple with that unpredictability, some are opting to reduce their exposure to the cocoa market by shaking up their ingredient mix. Earlier this year, a change to the composition of McVitie's Club and Penguin candy bars made waves in the U.K., when it was reported that the products could no longer be referred to as chocolate. Both products must now be labeled "chocolate flavored," after parent company Pladis cut the cocoa content in a bid to reduce costs.

'Real' chocolate becoming a luxury

Pladis declined to comment on whether the changes had impacted sales when contacted by CNBC. However, according to Massimo Sabatini, co-founder and CEO of Italian startup Foreverland, a move away from cocoa is gaining traction among international confectioners, so much so that it could become the norm to see "fake" chocolate used in more budget-friendly products. Foreverland uses carob, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas to produce a chocolate-like product that's sold to companies producing confectionery, baked goods, and ice creams. "In the chocolate space there are many products, from [bars] to products in which cocoa is not really the protagonist but a participant," he told CNBC, referring to goods like cookies, chocolate flavored cereal and chocolate-coated snacks. "I believe the alternative chocolate will substitute this big market, while [pure chocolate bars] will be more and more a luxury product." Sabatini pointed to the recent Dubai chocolate trend to illustrate his point, noting that some of these chocolate bars were selling for as much as 80 euros ($93.09) per kilogram. "[The chocolate market] is already going in this direction," he argued.

watch now

On top of the pricing pressure, Foreverland and other alternative makers tout their products as solutions to longstanding concerns about sustainability and ethical procurement in the cocoa industry. "If you compare this alternative to other alternatives on the market, like a plant-based burger, chocolate is used in so many different applications, while a burger is a burger," Sabatini said. "Chocolate can be a snack, can be a bar, can be a biscuit, can be whatever. There are hundreds of different products in which chocolate is not a protagonist, in which alternative chocolate can really be a solution, to bring more sustainable products on the market, but at the same time depressurize the cocoa supply chain." Drew Geraghty, a New York-based commodity broker at ICAP, told CNBC that despite signs of price recovery on the futures market, pure chocolate could continue to command high prices for some time to come. Large cocoa users typically lock in prices far in advance, often covering eight to ten months of production, which gives them more control over price risk, but Geraghty said smaller manufacturers don't have that flexibility, so they usually only hedge three to six months out. Futures are contracts in which the buyer of the contract agrees to buy something  in this case, cocoa  for a set price on a set date. Cocoa futures for March delivery were last seen trading at $5,897 a ton in New York. Geraghty noted that manufacturers who bought futures eight months ago were buying the higher prices seen throughout late 2024 and early 2025. "If you look back when the prices really skyrocketed in 2023 and 2024 and early '25, the price on the shelf did not respond as quickly because the end users were still getting through their lower price futures cover  what they bought in the futures market six to eight months ago was going to dictate pricing," he explained. "Cheaper prices today, with the market being down, say 50% from the beginning of the year, that will translate into cheaper prices six to eight months down the road on the retail side."

watch now

Jessica Karch, the marketing manager for German firm Planet A Foods  which makes a chocolate alternative derived from sunflower seeds  agreed that cocoa alternatives will become increasingly prevalent in the future. "We do believe that the issues that we see currently in the supply chain of cocoa won't go away," she said. "So, the prices might stabilize to a certain point, but it will not go back to how [cheap] it was in the past."

Planet A Foods' ChoViva chocolate alternative Planet A Foods

Karch said Planet A was already seeing growing demand, and noted that there was an increasing variety of alternatives coming onto the market. "We do love chocolate, we do not want to replace chocolate, but we see a growing gap as well," she added. "Because on the one hand, you have the issues in the supply chain, but on the other hand, you have the demand growing, especially in countries like China and India, and that's why we see a gap, and we want to help fill that gap."

Market 'PTSD' driving alternatives market

Both Karch and Sabatini told CNBC that demand was rising for their products. And they aren't alone in the market  a number of startups, including the U.K.'s Nukoko and America's Voyage Foods  offer what the former calls "cocoa-free chocolate." Natasha Linhart, CEO of fast-moving consumer goods wholesaler Atlante, told CNBC that chocolate alternatives would likely become more prevalent in "specific niches and hybrid applications." "Cocoa-free or fermentation-based masses are increasingly being used in coatings, fillings and bakery to substitute part of the cocoa content," she said. "Many manufacturers are already diluting cocoa by shifting their mix towards 'filled' products. Brands like Milka, for instance, have expanded ranges where a significant share of the bar is filled with yoghurt cream or rice crispies, lowering the cocoa intensity while keeping the perception of indulgence and value."

watch now
IT services company HCLTech Ltd on Monday (December 22) announced that its software business division HCLSoftware announced its intent to acquire Wobby, an early-stage startup based in Antwerp, Belgium, that provides AI data analyst 'agents for data warehouses.

The acquisition aims to accelerate clients value realisation from generative AI by adding AI data analyst capabilities. Wobbys AI Data Analyst Agents enable users to query complex datasets through a natural language interface and receive actionable insights instantly.

The solution uses a proprietary semantic layer and agentic architecture to interpret business context, automate complex workflows, and deliver high-quality analytical output at scale.

Also Read: HCLTech signs multi-year deal with ASN Bank to drive digital transformation

HCLSoftware's Data & AI division, Actian, has seen increased demand for its metadata management, data catalogue, and data governance solutions, showing strong growth over the last five years, driven by enterprise data management solutions.

The addition of agentic AI data analyst capabilities is expected to further enhance the knowledge graph functionalities of the Actian data intelligence platform.

"Customers want self-service analytics with AI-driven insights that they can trust. With Wobby, Actian provides LLM-powered natural-language analytics on a unified, governed semantic layer, enabling self-service analytics that deliver context-rich, accurate insights and a foundation for scaling GenAI initiatives with confidence," said Marc Poeer, CEO, Actian, & Portfolio General Manager of HCLSoftwares Data & AI division.

Wobby is reinventing how teams do business intelligence by building AI agents that not only answer questions, but also are evolving toward proactive analytics by sharing automated insights. Combining Wobbys capabilities with Actian data intelligence platform will offer customers a differentiated approach to data management," said Amra Dorjbayar, CEO and Co-Founder, Wobby.

Also Read: HCLTech analysts do not see material gains from latest acquisition, find stock expensive

The acquisition is expected to close by February 2026.

Shares of HCL Technologies Ltd ended at 1,665, up by 1.38, or 22.60%, on the BSE today, December 22.
Bangladeshs political unrest deepened after Motaleb Shikder, a prominent student leader who played a key role in the 2004 uprising, was gunned down in Khulna just days after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, linked to the 2024 movement that toppled Sheikh Hasinas government.

Mahmuda Mitu, joint principal coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), confirmed the attack in a Facebook post, saying Shikder was shot in southwestern Khulna city and rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where he received emergency treatment.

The Khulna Division head of NCP and central coordinator of the partys workers front, Motaleb Shikder, was shot a few minutes ago, Mitu wrote.

Shikder, who was shot on the left side of his head and lost a lot of blood, was to City Imaging Centre, according to PTI. Police have launched an "immediate manhunt" to arrest the attackers.

This second death was reported amid widespread unrest over death of Hadi who was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections. He was shot in the head on December 12 in central Dhakas Bijoynagar area.

Thousands reportedly showed up for Hadi's funeral prayers with many chanting anti-India slogans like Delhi or Dhaka - Dhaka, Dhaka and brother Hadis blood will not be allowed to go in vain.

Many allege that Hadis attackers fled to India and are demanding that the government hold India accountable for alleged interference in Bangladesh.

Indian visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chattogram was also suspended on Sunday (December 21) over security concerns.
Canada has closed its Start-up Visa (SUV) programme and announced plans to launch a new, targeted immigration pathway for entrepreneurs through a pilot scheme in 2026, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).As part of the changes, IRCC has immediately stopped accepting new applications for the optional work permit linked to the Start-up Visa. The only exception applies to applicants already in Canada who are seeking to extend an existing SUV work permit. The department also confirmed that no new Start-up Visa applications will be accepted after 11.59 pm on December 31.However, IRCC said applicants who have already secured a valid commitment certificate from a designated organisation issued in 2025 will remain eligible to apply, provided their applications are submitted by June 30, 2026.The government has also extended the pause on the Self-Employed Persons Programme until further notice. This programme has been closed to new applications since April 30, 2024.According to IRCC, the move forms part of a broader transition towards a "new, targeted pilot programme for immigrant entrepreneurs." Further details of the pilot are expected to be announced in 2026.The federal government said the measures are aimed at reducing the growing backlog of applications across Canadas business immigration streams and ensuring closer alignment with the countrys Talent Attraction Strategy, as outlined in the latest Immigration Levels Plan.While IRCC has not yet detailed how the new entrepreneur pilot will differ from the existing Start-up Visa Programme, it indicated that the revised pathway would be more focused and better aligned with Canadas long-term immigration objectives.
Pakistan and China have signed 24 MoUs aimed at strengthening digital collaboration between the two countries, state media reported on Monday.The MoUs were signed in Beijing under the Joint Working Group on IT Cooperation and included one government-to-government, seven government-to-business, and 16 business-to-business agreements, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.The initiative focuses on developing an innovative and pragmatic digital corridor to enhance cooperation in the IT industry.The digital corridor will create new avenues for Pakistani technology companies and expand cooperation in ICT infrastructure development.The Ministry of IT and Telecom has been pursuing multiple international collaborations to train up to 300,000 Pakistani youths in advanced digital skills, promote AI adoption and expand IT exports and digital capacity, according to the report.The countries are in the process of implementing the second phase of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, which was launched in 2014. Cooperation in IT is a key component of the CPEC, which connects Chinas Xinjiang with Pakistans Gwadar port in Balochistan. The CPEC is regarded as the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the pet scheme of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Saudi Arabia quietly expands access to only alcohol store for non-Muslim residents

Saudi Arabia has awarded its highest national honor to Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during his visit to Riyadh, Pakistans military said Monday, December 22, underscoring deepening ties between the two countries, including cooperation on counterterrorism.Munir received the King Abdulaziz Medal of the Excellent Class on Sunday, December 21, months after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a defense pact with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighting the longstanding strategic relationship between the two countries.In September, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said his nations nuclear program will be made available to Saudi Arabia if needed under the countries new defense pact.Munirs visit to Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries is his first since his promotion to Pakistans newly created post of chief of defense forces, aimed at improving coordination among the army, navy, and air force.Saudi Arabia has maintained close economic, religious, and security ties with Pakistan for decades.Munir rose to prominence earlier this year after Pakistan said it repelled India in a four-day border conflict. The nuclear-armed rivals exchanged tit-for-tat strikes in May following an Indian operation targeting militants inside Pakistan, which New Delhi accused of involvement in the killing of 26 tourists in India-controlled Kashmir.The confrontation eased after US President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire.In a statement, Pakistans military said the conferring of the award upon Munir underscores the depth of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and the shared determination of both nations to strengthen further strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace.It said the honor recognises Munirs military service, leadership and efforts in advancing defense cooperation, strategic coordination and institutional links between the two nations.During meetings with Saudi officials on Sunday, December 21, the two sides discussed regional security, defense and military cooperation, strategic collaboration and evolving geopolitical challenges, the military said. Both countries reaffirmed their deep-rooted, historic and brotherly relations.Saudi leaders praised Munirs professionalism and strategic outlook, the statement said. Munir expressed gratitude for the honor, calling it a reflection of the enduring ties between the two nations, and reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to the kingdoms security, stability and prosperity.Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained defense ties for decades, partly based on Islamabads stated willingness to help protect the Islamic holy sites of Mecca and Medina. The Kingdom has also financially helped Pakistan to overcome default on the payments of foreign debts.
Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a sharp attack on interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of pushing the country into instability and seeking proximity with Pakistan for political legitimacy. In an exclusive interview with News18 India, Hasina alleged that Yunus lacks both the mandate and experience to conduct diplomacy, and claimed his outreach to Pakistan reflects desperation rather than strategic foresight.She also expressed appreciation for Indias patience", arguing that DhakaNew Delhi ties have suffered due to what she described as a temporary and illegitimate interlude in Bangladeshs governance. According to Hasina, Yunuss actions have alarmed Bangladeshis at home and drawn criticism from international bodies, even as his government faces resignations and growing dissent.Here are the edited excerpts of the interview:Question: If a political party is banned and its leader is sentenced to death, then how will the future of that party remain secure?Sheikh Hasina: The Awami League is woven into Bangladeshs history and independence. We have survived assassination, military rule, and repeated attempts at political elimination. This death sentence comes from a kangaroo court acting at the behest of an unelected interim government. Our hope and expectation is that, sooner or later, democracy will return to Bangladesh, and with it an appropriate role for our party. The current ban on party only exposes the interim governments sense of insecurity and fear of genuine democratic contest.Banning us doesnt erase the millions who support us. The Awami League has been elected nine times by our people because we are rooted in every village and neighbourhood. We will continue fighting through legal, diplomatic and peaceful means to give Bangladesh back to its people.Question: ISIs activities, meetings with Pakistani Army Chiefs, portraying Indias North-East as Greater Bangladesh, comments on the Siliguri Corridor  Dr. Yunuss growing proximity to Pakistan and provoking India  what is your view on all these developments?Sheikh Hasina: International bodies have unanimously condemned Yunus actions, members of his government are resigning in protest, and millions of Bangladeshis are increasingly wise to his game. It comes as no surprise that Yunus is rushing to embrace Pakistan, a regional player he doesnt understand, begging for any form of international validation.Yunus has neither the expertise nor the mandate to conduct diplomacy, which is about long-term partnerships and the nations strategic interests. I appreciate Indias patience as it waits for a leader who can represent our nation, rather than just a handful of unpopular extremists.Question: In 1971, more than 200,000 Bangladeshi women were raped by the Pakistan Army  do you think Pakistan is today trying to recreate a similar oppressive environment or instability?Sheikh Hasina: The violence were witnessing today  the targeting of minorities, the attacks on women, the attempts to erase our liberation history  are disturbing echoes of 1971.We fought against this ideology in the war, and we built Bangladesh to be a strong, secular, and safe state  especially for women and minorities. Its in our countrys interest to have a stable, constructive relationship with Pakistan. But we also need strong leadership: not just to protect our nation, but to protect those within it.Question: After you left office, the rift that has emerged in IndiaBangladesh relations  is it possible for these ties to improve again?Sheikh Hasina: I have no doubt that our relationship with India can withstand the silliness of the Yunus interlude, which will be temporary. India is not just a strategic partner, it is a friend with whom we share cultures, histories, and a 4,000km border. Once Bangladeshis can vote freely, they will elect a leader that can be the friend India deserves, and I appreciate our neighbours patience as it waits for common sense to prevail.Question: Bangladeshs interim government has officially requested your extradition from India; if India agrees to send you back to Dhaka, will you return to face the trial, or will you oppose it, considering it a scheme of political assassination?Sheikh Hasina: This is a political assassination dressed in judicial robes. The so-called International Crimes Tribunal is neither international nor impartial, as numerous respected foreign jurists have pointed out. Its verdict was engineered by my political opponents. To return to Dhaka under the Yunus regime would obviously not be safe for me.I have repeatedly challenged the interim government to bring these charges before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Yunuss refuses because they know the ICC would acquit me and scrutinise his governments own dismal record of human rights breaches.Question: A Dhaka court has sentenced you to death in a Crimes against Humanity case, but you are living in India under asylum. Do you believe that now both your life and your path to justice depend on decisions taken in New Delhi?Sheikh Hasina: I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me. I did not want to leave my home, but remaining would have risked violence not only against me but against those trying to protect me.Justice will come through international pressure and the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh. The international community  Human Rights Watch, the UN High Commissioner, Amnesty International  have all condemned these proceedings. My path to justice depends on Bangladesh returning to constitutional governance and the rule of law, not any single nations decision.Question: Do you trust that the next election under Dr Yunus will truly be free and fair?Sheikh Hasina: No election can be free, fair or inclusive if the ban on the Awami League is maintained. Yunus has disenfranchised tens of millions of citizens, depriving them of their vote, and depriving the nation of choice. Any election without us undermines the legitimacy of the next government.This administration has banned our party, detained thousands on fabricated charges, silenced journalists, and destroyed judicial independence. So my answer to your question I hope is clear.Question: In the future, will you hand over the political legacy of the Awami League to your son Sajeeb Wazed and your daughter Saima Wazed? Will they take up the responsibility of leading the party in the coming years?Sheikh Hasina: The Awami Leagues future will be decided by its members and supporters. Our party has deep roots in every corner of Bangladesh, with millions of dedicated members who have kept the spirit of 1971 alive through decades of struggle.My family has paid for Bangladeshs independence with its own blood. But leadership isnt about inheritance  its about earning the trust of the people. The party will choose its path when Bangladesh returns to democracy. What matters now is that we remain united, peaceful, and committed to restoring genuine democracy to our nation.
Source: IDCs 2025 Worldwide Digital Sovereignty Survey (Aug. 2025). IDC

That shift has forced vendors to respond. As interest in digital sovereignty has grown, European technology vendors have sought to capitalize on demand.

SAP has launched its own Sovereign Cloud service, with the option to use its cloud provider subsidiary, Delos, and plans to invest 20 billion (about $23.5 billion US) in its sovereign cloud. The German business software vendor has also partnered with European AI firm Mistral to create the first full AI stack for Europe.

Other software vendors are taking a similar approach. Nextcloud, for example, has partnered with German cloud provider IONOS to deliver what it describes as an open-source alternative to Microsoft 365 for European businesses.

As demand is coming up, offerings are being developed in the market  something that we had not seen before up to one year ago, said Maisto from Forrester.

European infrastructure providers such as OVHcloud, IONOS, and Scaleway are also keen to emphasize their digital sovereignty credentials, touting European ownership and operations as an alternative to US cloud providers.

Yet European cloud providers struggle to rival hyperscalers services, with trade-offs in areas such as functionality and scalability. Almost two thirds (65%) of respondents to the Accenture survey said they cant remain competitive without non-European technology providers.

At the same time, US cloud providers have introduced their own sovereign-cloud variants to reassure customers with data residency services, as well as options for management by European citizens.

Microsoft expanded its Soveriegn Cloud plans this year, for example, introducing a Data Guardian service that ensures only Microsoft staff residing in European countries can access customer data. It launched a Sovereign Private Cloud option, as well as Microsoft 365 Local, essentially a version of Microsofts cloud productivity apps that can be installed locally on a customers own servers. AWS, Google, and Oracle have also announced plans to launch or expand sovereign cloud services in the region.

These sovereign cloud services offered by hyperscalers have the benefit of access to familiar technologies and some of the scale of public cloud, albeit with some constraints.

However, they typically cost significantly more than the standard public cloud option: between 10% and 20% more for Google Sovereign Cloud, for example, and 15% to 30% for Oracle EU Sovereign Cloud, according to Boston Consulting Group. And while these sovereign-cloud models may reduce the risk of data being subject to access or transfer requests by foreign governments, they do not eliminate it entirely, and questions remain over how sovereign such services are in practice.

Alongside these approaches, a third model has emerged that seeks to combine local control with access to hyperscaler technology. Here, US cloud providers software is delivered through infrastructure operated by local partners. In Germany, for instance, Google is working with StackIT to deliver its Workspace apps, while Microsoft offers Azure and Microsoft 365 services in France via Bleu (a joint venture between Orange and Capgemini), an example of Microsofts National Partner Cloud strategy.

How to make decisions around digital sovereignty

So how should organizations navigate this complex landscape? Its best to start by taking a risk management approach, said Gartners Buest, and categorize workloads by placing them on a spectrum in terms of whats most critical.

For applications where a high level of sovereignty is required, a local or regional provider may be preferable, he said. At the other end of the spectrum would be tools that pose less of a risk in a hyperscaler cloud  an office room-booking application, for instance.

If its not available, well, it hurts, but it doesnt have a very huge impact on your organization, said Buest. Its different if your ecommerce website is down, or other types of processes you need to exist as an organization.

Source: 2025 Gartner report on digital sovereignty strategy Gartner

Its also important to consider how easy it is to move away from a particular vendor if necessary. This is where open standards and open source can be helpful, as well as technologies such as containers that make it easier to move if necessary. Portability is something that becomes more and more important, said Buest.

Adoption of cloud-native technologies can, generally-speaking, improve workload portability.

Craig Tivendale, Volvo Connected Solutions cloud provisioning manager, said the firm has used AWS for around a decade to store and process data locally in several regions where it operates  including Europe, the US, China, Japan, and South Korea  to meet data residency requirements and reduce latency. He said the company is satisfied with the service provided by AWS and wouldnt seek to change this relationship (or move to the European Sovereign Cloud service that AWS has begun rolling out) unless new legal requirements were to emerge.

Should that need arise in the future, he said, the companys cloud systems are architected to support portability. We could move a lot of our workloads as theyre containerized, he said. From that perspective, it shouldnt be too difficult.

A bigger challenge would lie in the various external services the company depends on, such as mapping platforms and telecoms providers, which would need to be reconnected and tested in a new environment. If youre using provider-specific services, you need to figure out what the equivalent is elsewhere, and then go through the whole development and testing cycle again, he said.

Alongside these technical considerations, there are organizational challenges to address too. For IT leaders who want to change their cloud strategy, its important to get senior executives and CEOs on board.

Sovereignty was  and still is  mostly a topic relegated to compliance and technical managers, said Accentures Capo, while this transition towards a new set of ecosystem partners is really a board-level discussion. Moving this topic to the board and to the CEO is an imperative that we urge clients to proceed with.

Senior leaders may be more willing to support a change in strategy once they are aware of both the risks associated with global cloud services and, importantly, the options that support digital sovereignty. Give them alternatives, suggested the Austrian Ministrys CIO, Ollrom.

They know the most common tools like Microsoft Teams; they dont think about alternatives. If you give them a very clear and logical strategy why Microsoft Teams or any other cloud service is maybe an enterprise risk, I [have had the experience] that they never say no, he said.

You have to be open-minded. And you have to transport this open-mindedness to the next management level.

Ultimately, its about shifting expectations, said Zinnagl, the Ministrys CISO. They didnt believe before that its possible to use other tools than Microsoft here  we showed that it is, he said. There are a lot of other really cool enterprise tools out there: open source or not open source, but from a local or European vendor.

More on digital sovereignty:
Google is now suing US data scraping company Serpapi for using hundreds of millions of fake search queries to bypass Googles protection system and illegally obtain copyrighted material from search results, Reuters reports.

According to the lawsuit, Serpapi then resold the collected data to third-party customers. The company denies the allegations and says it will defend itself in court.

Serpapi says its service only provides information that is already publicly available through a standard web browser. According to the company, Google is trying to limit competition from companies building new AI and web services on open web data.
Former Japanese PM Ishiba says possessing nuclear weapons would "never be beneficial for Japan"

Xinhua) 10:23, December 22, 2025

TOKYO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Saturday that possessing nuclear weapons would "never be beneficial for Japan," in response to a senior Japanese official's controversial remarks that Japan should possess nuclear weapons.

"If Japan possesses nuclear weapons, we will have to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the International Atomic Energy Agency," Ishiba said on a live TV program, noting that "Japan's nuclear policy, which supports its energy needs, will become unviable."

"It will never be beneficial for Japan," Ishiba said.

Kyodo News reported on Thursday that a senior official, who is involved in devising security policy under the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, told media that Japan should possess nuclear weapons, which has immediately drawn strong criticism at home.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers are increasingly exploiting Microsofts legitimate OAuth 2.0 device authorization process to hijack enterprise accounts, bypassing multifactor authentication protections and gaining persistent access to sensitive organizational data, a report said.

Researchers at Proofpoint tracked multiple threat clusters  both financially motivated and state-aligned  that were using device code phishing techniques to trick users into granting unauthorized access to their Microsoft 365 accounts. The campaigns have surged since September 2025, representing a significant shift from limited, targeted attacks to widespread exploitation.

While this is not necessarily a novel technique, it is notable to see it used increasingly by multiple threat clusters, the Proofpoint Threat Research Team wrote in a blog post.
Francois Dallegrets The Environment-Bubble, realized in Central Park for Performa 17. Photo: Paula Court/Courtesy of Performa.

Twenty years ago, the curator and art historian RoseLee Goldberg began to think about what it might mean to frame a work of performance art. She had moved from London in 1975 to a loft on Mercer Street, just across from Joan Jonass studio and up the street from Donald Judd and Nam June Paiks  all artists who blended art into their surroundings. So when Goldberg organized the first edition of her biennial dedicated to performance art, Performa, in 2005, she made the city itself its stage.

Goldberg, who is 79, has since scouted hundreds of sites with artists to choose what she calls the perfect frame for their work. Among the earliest was the Noho McDonalds, where artist Christian Holstad installed a vintage jukebox that played Will Oldham, and the Slipper Room burlesque bar, where artist Francis Alys had a dancer tease her clothes back on. The venues took even more experimental turns as the years went on. In 2013, guests derobed at the Russian and Turkish baths to watch Rashid Johnsons steamy rendition of Amiri Barakas play Dutchman, which the artist just revived again for the latest edition of Performa in November. Then, in 2015, the artist Robin Rhode chose Times Square on a Saturday night as the site for his interpretation of a slow-motion, atonal Arnold Schonberg opera. Instead of a moonlit forest, he used the vertical architecture of New York itself as the set, he has said. Times Square, with its simultaneity of movement, light, and sound, resonated profoundly with Schoenbergs fractured tonality and heightened emotional register.

On the occasion of Performas 20th anniversary, we spoke to Goldberg about commissioning art in unconventional places, and how performance arts history has been woven into the geography of New York for decades.

From the beginning, Performa has been inspired by the city. How did you take advantage of your surroundings during the inaugural biennial?

The city of New York has been this centerpiece of live performance for artists for the last 80 years, going back to the early days of happenings. The city is already the entire history of art and culture. We just endlessly follow this tour back and forth, up and downtown, across into Brooklyn and across the east and west. The geography is marked by different cultural places and landmarks. We underscore that even further with the biennial. We started right from the beginning with this idea of collaboration, of working with as many institutions as we could get to in time, because we put the first one together very quickly, in six months. I went to everybody Id known so long in New York  the Kitchen to Artist Space to Art in General to the Guggenheim to MoMA  to sort of nudge it all into November so that we could really conjure a new idea about how to use the city as a stage.

I see it as a kind of radical urbanism. Events can change the feel of the street or a neighborhood. So we were constantly programming to remind people about the vitality and the richness of this city and how it all threads together and sustains us. Having watched it for all these different decades, to see it turn from the 70s, when it was $200 a month for a 2,000-square-foot loft, into the 80s, where suddenly the prices went up three or five times, and its the Reagan and Thatcher 80s. And until the 90s there was no Chelsea. We see how those parts of the city shift because the art world goes and then real estate follows.

How do you find what you call the perfect frame for an artist?

We see what the work is going to be about and we think, Okay, where do we put this? Whats the frame for that work? So putting Tschabalala Self in the band shell in Harlem, or Shikeith on the beach at Far Rockaway, or Harlem parish, where we worked with Julie Mehretu, or the Leman Ballroom, which was absolutely gorgeous for Julien Creuzet last year. Were endlessly discovering spaces people had no idea existed. We make it a part of the pleasure of discovery during the biennial.

Each piece has a wonderful story. The record was Tarik Kiswanson, one of the artists we worked with a few biennials back, I think we showed him 30 different spaces. And he actually went back to the very first place we showed him, which was Custom House downtown, in the same building with the American Indian Museum. It was a beautiful, beautiful space. When you have something you want to put in the frame it has to enhance the work and somehow, complement it and highlight the work, rather than subdue it. Most theaters actually have a way of subduing the work. Some festivals use the same space every day  you know exactly what youre getting  whereas we were looking for spaces that just give another, entirely different quality to the work. We spent the last six months looking for a space for one young artist, Diane Severin Nguyen. She wanted it to look like a sound studio, somewhere that a band was being recorded, so that took a while. We finally got the BRIC arts center in Brooklyn. We could make things easier for ourselves by taking the same space every year, but we really look to follow the imagination of the artist.

Are the spaces usually chosen by artists or curators? Id love to know how some of these more unusual venues come to be, such as Rashid Johnsons performance inside the East Village baths.

We essentially find the spaces for the artist. With Rashid, that was his genius idea. Id been saying to him for years, I know you dont do live performance, but if you ever do, please let me know. Three years later, after me bringing it up every time I met him, he suddenly said, Oh, I know what I want to do: Dutchman at the baths on 10th Street, and I was like, Great, lets go. It was because he had seen a version of Dutchman a couple years earlier, but then told me that he has this whole relationship with bathhouses from when he was a student in Chicago, and how long ago he would sit there thinking, Wouldnt this be a nice place for theater?

Did you ever try to reactivate those old spaces that performance artists were using in, say, the 1970s?

Absolutely. In fact, Mike Kelleys was such a memorable piece. He was determined that wed go back to Judson Church for his 2009 performance of a teenage psychodrama. In the 70s, Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown and that whole generation was fixated on the church, so that was very important.

I hear the government shutdown caused some problems this year. The Lithuanian artist Lina Lapelyte was supposed to have her performance  which involves children walking around making animal sounds  in Federal Hall. Did that happen?

Lina loved this idea of all the conversations that would have gone on in Federal Hall, which is where George Washingtons presidency was inaugurated. She was fascinated by this idea of free speech, and being in the place where the constitution was put into the hands of the first president of the United States. It just seems so interesting and ironic to do something where kids are all using the language of animals and communicating in a completely different way. So it seems a lovely reference to whats going on and what the piece is about. Its a pity, but weve landed another space, Harlem Parish.

Is there a venue on your bucket list?

I enjoy using spaces that reveal New York Citys history in extraordinary ways and that open new places to the public. The city feels even richer than ever when we get to know the architectural gems that were designed to give authority to the new world and that are still in use. City Hall, described as a fantastic mix of French Renaissance on the outside and American Georgian inside, has been in constant use since it opened in 1812 as the house of city government. It is precisely because it is a beacon of civic architectural presence, but which is closed to the public, that makes me eager to get inside.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Little by little, Labour is sneaking this country back into the European Union. Youd think Brexiteers would complain but we barely hear a squeak of protest.

The Government has already reset our relationship with Brussels. Last week, it proudly announced that Britain will join the EUs ruinously expensive Erasmus scheme, which will lead to many more European students studying in the UK on favourable financial terms.

Labour yearns to return cap in hand to the EU. It is extremely likely that the process will speed up if, as almost everyone thinks inevitable, the Prime Minister is removed from office next year.

Starmer is of course passionately pro-EU, and in opposition tried to undo the 2016 referendum. But his zeal has been tempered by caution. He has edged step by step into the maw of Brussels, insisting that his red lines will prevent our reintegration.

His likely successors would be more daring. Yesterday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the Observer newspaper that Britain had taken a massive economic hit by leaving the EU (an habitual assertion by Remainers, not often challenged by Brexiteers) and that we should rejoin the customs union.

When Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy made the same proposal a few weeks ago, no one took much notice because he is unlikely ever to be very close to the levers of power, and wouldnt know which one to pull if he was.

Streeting is different. This bumptious and ambitious politician could be Prime Minister in six months. But if he were to slip as he reaches for Starmers crown, the other contenders would prove no less determined to ease us towards the EU.

Keir Starmer is passionately pro-EU, and in opposition tried to undo the 2016 Referendum

Andy Burnham (ridiculously styled the King of the North) said in September that he hoped to see this country rejoin the European Union in his lifetime. Since he is already 55, that could be quite soon.

Ed Miliband (another contender  God save us) is also a paid-up Europhile who would willingly surrender powers to Brussels. Angela Rayner is perhaps less infatuated with the flagging economic bloc that is the EU, but in a remotely sane world she is surely unlikely ever to be Prime Minister.

Whoever succeeds Starmer would hasten our reabsorption into the EU. But thats actually only the beginning of the nightmare. What haunts me is the thought that the next Government could be a Labour-Lib-Dem-Green coalition hellbent on rejoining the European Union.

Dont imagine, if such a coalition were to emerge, that there would be any guarantee of a national referendum on the issue. The electorate would be in the role of gullible tourists being subjected to the three-card trick. One moment we would still be a sovereign nation, the next we wouldnt.

If Im even half right, you would think that Brexiteers would be mustering their forces. Youd hope they would be tackling the endless falsehoods about how leaving the EU has terminally damaged our economy. Theres little evidence of their doing so.

Nigel Farage, who can lay claim to being the architect of Brexit, seems oddly quiet. He may think defending the status quo isnt an election winner when, according to YouGov, 56 per cent of people believe that leaving the European Union was a mistake, and only 32 per cent the right choice.

Besides, Farage himself injudiciously said in 2023 that Brexit has failed, though he rightly blamed Tory ministers for not taking advantage of the new powers won by escaping from the grip of Brussels. He doesnt appear eager to don his old armour and climb on to his trusty steed.

We dont hear much from Kemi Badenoch either. A few weeks ago  much to the delight of the fanatically pro-EU Financial Times  she listed Brexit alongside Covid-19 and the financial crisis as being shocks that had damaged the UK. She could have been Alastair Campbell or Michael Heseltine in full flood.

To be fair to Kemi, she reacted sensibly to the Governments announcement about rejoining Erasmus, even though many Tories probably think the scheme is a good one that might benefit their children.

It wont  or at least not more than Britains existing Turing scheme. It will, however, be a great boon to EU students, twice as many of whom are expected to flock to our shores as go in the opposite direction.

Why not, some will say? Arent we all Europeans? Yes, we are. But the cost of Erasmus will quickly rise from 570 million a year to nearly a billion. EU students will be the main beneficiaries since, according to authoritative rankings, the UK has as many universities in the worlds top 100 as all 27 EU nations combined.

Nigel Farage injudiciously said in 2023 that Brexit has failed, though he rightly blamed Tory ministers for not taking advantage of the new powers won by escaping from the grip of Brussels

The foolishness of signing up again to Erasmus is dwarfed by the prospective idiocy of our rejoining the customs union, as Streeting, Lammy and many Labour (and all Lib Dem) MPs want us to do.

We would be required to accept the rules of the customs union without having any say in their development. Even more seriously, we would have to scrap trade deals with India and Australia plus any in the pipeline. Wed also have to quit the CPTPP, a free trade bloc of mostly fast-expanding Pacific Rim countries.

Joining the customs union would also entail Britain tearing up its interim trade deal with the United States, which gives us much more preferential tariff rates on our exported goods than those enjoyed by the European Union. Why would anyone but a lunatic agree to that?

Brexiteers should also rebut Streetings charge (parroted by almost every Rejoiner) that we have suffered massive economic harm by leaving the EU. This is largely based on a prediction by the Office for Budget Responsibility of a 4 per cent reduction in the potential productivity of the UK economy over 15 years.

However, that is only a forecast, and one from an organisation with a remarkable track record for wonky forecasts. And yet its flawed stargazing is cited by Rejoiners as though it is established fact.

Granted, there have been downsides, not least in the export of agricultural produce being impeded by EU red tape.

And yet, to quote the House of Commons library: In 2024, UK exports of services to the EU were 19 per cent above their 2019 level in real terms. Exports to non-EU countries were 23 per cent above their 2019 level.

Since Britain left the EU, its economic growth rate, though sluggish, has been roughly the same as Frances and Italys, and significantly higher than that of Germany, Europes largest economy.

How convenient for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and Wes Streeting to blame Brexit for Labours failings!

Nor should we forget many other Brexit bonuses  from the power to control our borders (admittedly abused) and our fishing grounds, to relief from paying tens of billions of pounds into the EU budget.

Brexiteers with unstiffened spines would do well to read 75 Brexit Benefits, an excellent new book by an author using the nom de plume Gully Foyle.

A huge battle lies ahead in which a blizzard of twisted statistics and half-truths and downright lies will be unleashed by a Labour Government pining for EU membership.

Unless those who believe in an independent Britain wake up, well soon be back under the heel of Brussels.
The great judge Oliver Wendell Holmes once quipped that hard cases make bad law. It is equally true that bad people create bad precedents, which are ultimately applied to good people.

The current frenzy over the Jeffrey Epstein files has already led to a dangerous statute to be enacted by Congress, requiring the selective disclosure of accusations but not of information that might disprove some of those accusations.

On Friday, a tranche of materials, released by the Justice Department, included photographs of former President Bill Clinton, entrepreneur Bill Gates and celebrities like Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson.

In weeks prior, selective Epstein emails were released by House Democrats, revealing ambiguous references to President Donald Trump.

Many Democrats are suggesting that President Trump must be complicit in some wrongdoing because he was associated with Epstein, while Republicans are making similar claims with regard to former President Clinton, even though there is no evidence of any criminal behavior on the part of any of these men, or on the part of many others whose names or photos have been released pursuant to the recent statute.

Of course, what Jeffrey Epstein did was terrible.

If anyone was complicit in his crimes, they should be punished. If anyone was aware in real time of his ongoing crimes and remained silent, they should be criticized.

But merely associating with this bad person before his extensive criminal behavior was known  or being his lawyer and defending him legally, as I was (between 2005 and 2008, when he pleaded guilty, as part of a plea bargain, to soliciting sex from two females, one of whom was over 18 and the other 17 years old)  is not a proper basis for McCarthyistic attacks.

A tranche of materials, released by the Justice Department, included photographs of former president Bill Clinton, entrepreneur Bill Gates and celebrities like Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson (Pictured: Bill Clinton and Epstein, released by Justice Department)

Republicans are making claims with regard to former President Clinton, even though there is no evidence of any criminal behavior on his part (Pictured: Bill Clinton in pool, released by Justice Department)

In weeks prior, selective Epstein emails were released by House Democrats, revealing ambiguous references to President Donald Trump

These recent releases have fueled unproven, often-partisan accusations against people who did nothing wrong  and are now being denied a fair opportunity to defend themselves.

When people of good conscience stay silent in the face of injustice, they run the risk that one day these injustices will be turned on them. And I cannot help but feel that America is living through a new age of McCarthyism.

McCarthyism destroyed lives  many of them innocent  by promiscuously hurling accusations of communist affiliation, while denying those accused any semblance of due process.

During the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy would stand on the floor of the Senate holding a list of government employees he claimed were communists or 'fellow travelers,' a label he assigned suspected communist sympathizers.

Because McCarthy was a member of Congress, he was immune from being sued for defamation. Similarly, current members of Congress have threatened to read lists of accused sexual offenders.

Indeed today, nearly all the denials of civil liberties that characterized the original McCarthyism are being replicated in this new Epstein-McCarthyism.

Among these injustices are guilt by association, which implies that anyone who knew Epstein must be somehow complicit in his crimes; anonymous accusations which deny the accused the right to confront their accusers; guilt by accusation, which assumes that all accusations must be believed, even if made by alleged 'victims' or 'survivors' with histories of lying; suppressing evidence that would prove that some accusers may not be credible or may themselves have been perpetrators; attacking lawyers who defend accused perpetrators, and accusing them of being facilitators; refusal by politicians on both sides, as well as the media and civil liberties groups, to raise civil liberties concern, out of fear they will be accused of victim shaming and siding with perpetrators.

Members of both political parties have demanded that the names of anyone accused of misconduct be disclosed while insisting that the names and backgrounds of their victim-accusers be redacted.

This unfairness would deny wrongly accused individuals the right to confront their accusers and to present evidence regarding the credibility, or lack thereof, of false accusers. There is irrefutable evidence that some accusers have lied or exaggerated, while others, while adults, were themselves complicit in recruiting underage females for Epstein.

Merely associating with this bad person before his extensive criminal behavior was known  or being his lawyer and defending him legally, as I was, is not a proper basis for McCarthyistic attacks (Pictured: Photo of Epstein and Dershowitz released by Justice Department)

When someone accuses another of wrongdoing, they forgo any right of privacy or anonymity. Accusations are not the same as findings of guilt following a fair evidentiary process, even in the context of sexual misconduct. The presumption of innocence must be applied in all cases.

During McCarthyism, many people were afraid to speak out against its abuses for fear of being accused of being sympathetic to communism. They were called 'commy-symps' and some lost their jobs.

Today, few if any politicians would risk being labeled 'victim-shamers' or Epstein supporters.

Even many in the media, civil liberties organizations and defense lawyers have remained silent about the denial of the most basic rights to those who have been and will be found guilty in the court of public opinion of guilt by association or accusation.

Just as half-truths are often worse than full-out lies, so too half-disclosures may be worse than full disclosure.

From the beginning, I have called for full disclosure of everything, with no redactions. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, especially in politics.

Full disclosure is the best remedy to the new McCarthyism. Let a fully informed public, not government officials, judge what is relevant, incriminating or exculpatory. Selective disclosure is censorship, and government censorship rarely produces the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Moreover, it generates distrust and conspiracy theories that create a never-ending cycle of accusations and counteraccusations.

The only way to end the new Epstein-McCarthyism is for the government to disclose every document and permit anyone whose name, image or email are among them to explain, defend their past connections to Epstein.
Alarm bells were today raised over the never-ending 'bed-blocking' crisis as the crippled NHS heads towards another winter meltdown.

Jam-packed hospitals, battling the worst flu outbreak on record, have lost almost 13,000 beds to the legion of patients fit enough to be sent home.

But rates soar as high as one in four beds at the worst-hit hospitals, a Daily Mail investigation found.

A&E units are consequentially clogged during the busiest time of year, with patients left waiting days for a bed instead being treated in corridors.

Meanwhile, ambulance crews can be delayed from attending life-threatening 999 calls because they can't hand patients over to casualty teams.

Ongoing strikes by doctors, orchestrated to coincide with staff holidays, have sparked fears that thousands of patients declared fit enough to be sent home but unable to be discharged could be stranded in hospitals over the festive period.

Your browser does not support iframes.

In an attempt to 'get people home in time for Christmas', hospital bosses have been told to make a 'huge effort' to discharge as many patients as possible.

The majority of bed-blocking patients are elderly, with nowhere to go because of a lack of space in social care.

But the absence of thousands of resident doctors, whose five-day walkout ends Monday, will leave staff stretched thin, potentially stopping them from carrying out the necessary checks to discharge patients who could be passed over.

NHS figures show 12,386 beds were taken up by patients declared fit for discharge, as of December 14th. The crisis is thought to cost the NHS 2.6billion-a-year, according to internal estimates.

A quarter of beds were occupied by patients fit enough to go home at four major NHS trusts  Epsom and St Helier (24.2%), Warrington and Halton (23.3%), Morecambe Bay (23.3%) and East Sussex (23.1%).

Together, these hospitals house up to 2,500 patients at any one time.

In Epsom and St Helier, 144 out of 596 beds were blocked, with 130 out of 557 in Warrington, 137 out of 589 in Morecambe Bay, and 160 out of 692 in East Sussex.

NHS chiefs this summer named delayed discharges as one of their top priorities in its own Urgent and Emergency Care Plan. Yet, the problem remains, with the toll standing at 12,331 this time last winter.

Pre-Covid, the comparable figure hovered around the 5,000 mark.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Dr Ian Higginson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told the Mail: 'When patients are ready to leave hospital, but cannot do so, this causes problems throughout the system.

'In our A&E departments, we have people waiting, sometimes for days, for a bed to become free.

'And the scale of the problem is so bad that we have resorted to looking after some of these patients in overflow areas such as hallways, a practice known as 'corridor care' which we know exposes them to greater risk of harm.'

He added: 'For the people experiencing the delay in discharge themselves, we know that extended inpatient bed stays can lead to deconditioning and increase the risk of catching a hospital-born infectious disease.

'We must end unacceptable, dangerous and sometimes deadly waits in A&Es.

'But for that to happen, we need to see improvements to bed capacity, social care and other wrap-around services to help people leave hospital faster.

'The government must listen to the experts, who are desperate for this to be faced head-on.'

Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, told the Mail: 'Pressure on social care funding, a lack of care home beds and delays to discharge packages are some of the key causes of patients being stuck in hospital beds when medically fit enough to go home.

'These delayed discharge are a major challenge for the NHS in winter when demand surges due to flu and seasonal viruses, as they can create bottlenecks in the hospital that result in ambulance handover delays and long waits in A&E for beds.'

It comes as the Mail last week revealed that half of hospitals were experiencing their worst ever flu outbreaks for this time of the year, driven by a heavily mutated strain of influenza and damp weather, offering 'perfect' spreading conditions.

Nationwide, the number of flu-infected patients in hospitals has snowballed to more than 3,100.

In south-east England, flu hospitalisations were up 33 per cent, in north-east England and Yorkshire they were up 21 per cent, while in London they rose 18 per cent.

Despite signs that the flu crisis might be easing, officials have warned even worse could be to come.

In scenes reminiscent of Covid, some hospitals have reintroduced masking rules for staff, patients and visitors to thwart flu's spread.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Schools fighting flu outbreaks have shut and pivoted back to pandemic-era 'learning from home'.

Meanwhile, health leaders have urged anyone with the sniffles to stay home and skip Christmas parties, and MPs have called for an emergency vaccination drive.

Thousands of resident doctors  formerly known as junior doctors  began strike action at 7am Wednesday in pursuit of a 26% pay rise. Walk-outs won't stop until 7am Monday.

Resident doctors make up half the medical workforce and includes all those below the rank of consultant.

They have already seen their pay balloon by 28.9% over the past three years and each five-day walkout costs the NHS around 300million in lost activity and overtime payments to covering consultants.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting accused the doctors of 'abandoning patients in their hour of greatest need' and warned the walkout was occurring at a moment of 'maximum danger'.

Hospitals have been told they should aim to deliver 95% of usual activity during the strike, though health leaders have conceded this could be 'more challenging due to the onset of winter pressures and rising flu'.

This latest action will be the 14th round of strikes by resident doctors since March 2023, resulting in 59 days of disruption to NHS services.

Mike Prentice, the NHS national director for emergency planning, had urged leaders in a memo to focus on reducing hospital bed occupancy 'ahead of, during and after the industrial action, as we go into the peak holiday period'.

'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,' he said.

Even before the pandemic, the bed-blocking situation prompted warnings that the knock-on effects, including having to cancel operations due to a lack of space, were killing thousands every year.

Bed-blockers, despite being well enough to leave hospital, still take up staff time and resources, needing to be washed, fed, and kept active to avoid complications like bed sores.

Elderly patients who have ongoing conditions like dementia can also wander off confused into other parts of the hospital, potentially injuring themselves by falling, so need to be monitored by staff.

People who remain in hospital longer than necessary also risk other hazards such as hospital-acquired infections, delirium and muscle wastage from lying in bed all day.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: 'The longer an older person is stuck in hospital the lower their chances of making a full recovery and maintaining their independence. Older people can be unable to leave hospital for a number of reasons, but we know that an inability to put together the right social care support for them is a major cause.

'Sometimes this happens because there isn't enough home care on offer in their area, or a suitable care home place, but it can also be because there isn't the money in the system to buy the care that is actually available.

'High vacancy rates in social care are another bugbear - one set to get worse too because the Government has decided to make it much harder for care staff from abroad to come and work here.

'At the moment all hospitals are under increased pressures due to the high numbers of patients with severe flu. However, having many thousands of older people stuck in hospital beds when medically fit for discharge is a big problem in our country every day of the year.

'The Government has made a strategic choice to postpone serious reform of social care until beyond the next General Election and what we're seeing now is in large part the result of that pigeon coming home to roost.

'The NHS and social care are two sides of the same coin and trying to improve one while leaving the other largely untouched, and struggling, is a triumph of hope over experience. We hope that when Baroness Casey produces her interim report next year on the future of social care she urges the Government to act sooner rather than later, for the benefit of us all.'

A Department of Health spokesperson said: 'Flu continues to put strain on the NHS, and while there are early signs that cases are slowing in some areas, frontline services remain under relentless pressure.

'Our entire focus is on keeping patients safe through the strikes and this peak period for the NHS.

'There's a long road to go but we are working to turn around the shocking delays to hospital discharges we inherited, preparing for this winter earlier than ever before - stress testing hospital plans, working closely with care homes and local leaders, and ramping up vaccination programmes, with hundreds of thousands more jabs delivered compared to this time last year.'
The multinational health care company Abbott has issued a sweeping recall of its defective continuous glucose monitoring sensors in more than a dozen countries over concerns of inaccurate readings that could have deadly consequences.

Abbott announced the recall this week of certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors to test blood sugar in type 1 and 2 diabetics, which gave inaccurately low readings, a defect that Abbott said may be tied to the deaths of seven people as well as 736 serious health incidents, including 57 in the US.

Roughly three million defective sensors were distributed in the US, while millions more were sold in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Diabetics rely on accurate blood sugar readings to stay safe. An inaccurately high reading is especially dangerous. If a diabetic believes their glucose is normal or high when it is actually low, they may fail to eat the necessary fast-acting carbs to raise it, risking a severe drop in blood sugar, hypoglycemia.

An inaccurately low reading suggests blood sugar is dangerously low when it's actually normal. This may cause someone to take unnecessary insulin, which then drives their real blood sugar to a dangerously low level.

Failure to recognize and treat true high blood sugar can allow glucose levels to rise into the danger zone of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication.

The sensor issue stemmed from a single production line among many that make the Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors, according to Abbott. Anyone with an impacted device should stop using it, Abbott and the FDA said.

Abbott added: The company continues to produce Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors to fulfill replacement and new orders and does not expect significant supply disruptions.

Inaccurate glucose readings pose direct risks. A falsely high reading may cause a diabetic to miss a dangerous low reading, while a falsely low reading can prompt an insulin overdose and severe hypoglycemia (stock)

Your browser does not support iframes.

Roughly 1.8million Americans have type 1 diabetes and 34million have type 2. Around 2.5million of them use glucose monitors to keep track of their blood sugar peaks and valleys.

To use the sensors, a tiny, flexible filament coated with a special enzyme is inserted just under the skin in the interstitial fluid, not blood.

Glucose from the interstitial fluid diffuses into the sensor. The enzyme glucose oxidase catalyzes a reaction between glucose and oxygen in the fluid, producing gluconic acid and a small electrical current.

The sensor's electronics measure this tiny electrical current. The strength of the current is directly proportional to the glucose level, in which more glucose equates to a stronger current.

People can monitor their levels on their smartphones.

According to Abbott, sampling of products from a single production line gave inaccurately low readings.

The company said: If undetected, incorrect low glucose readings over an extended period may lead to incorrect treatment decisions for people living with diabetes, such as excessive carbohydrate intake or skipping or delaying insulin doses.

These decisions may pose serious health risks, including potential injury or death, or other less serious complications.

The above graph shows estimates for global diabetes cases. It is predicted that the number of people with the condition will more than double by the year 2050 compared to 2021

According to Abbott, seven people have reportedly died due to inaccurate readings from the devices, while hundreds, including 57 Americans, have been injured in some way

A person might eat more sugar than they need, causing their blood sugar to spike dangerously high. Or, they might skip or delay their insulin dose because they're scared of going low, which also lets their blood sugar rise too high.

Over time, these mistakes from faulty data can lead to severe long-term health damage, including nerve damage, kidney disease and cardiovascular risk, and increase the risk of emergencies, such as seizures, loss of consciousness and coma.

The company did not elaborate on the kinds of injuries, including the 57 reported in the US, that people suffered in relation to the faulty sensors.

Abbott added: Abbott has identified and resolved the cause of the issue, which relates to one production line among several that make Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors.

The company continues to produce Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors to fulfill replacement and new orders and does not expect significant supply disruptions.

The model numbers for the affected FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors are 72081-01 and 72080-01, and the unique device identifiers are 00357599818005 and 00357599819002.

The model numbers for the affected FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors are 78768-01 and 78769-01, and the unique device identifiers are 00357599844011 and 00357599843014.

Abbott has created a site that allows people to see if their monitors are affected.
Doctors have sounded the alarm over rising numbers of young people leaning on AI chatbots for emotional support.

Researchers at University College London warned that youngsters are at risk of struggling to form lasting emotional bonds, in research published today.

They also called for chatbots to be programmed to augment social interactions - but not replace them - following cases where people have become too reliant on AI companions.

Figures suggest that around 810million users use ChatGPT, a chatbot funded by the company OpenAI, every week.

Reports also place therapy and companionship as a top reason for its use.

It comes as experts have long warned the UK faces a loneliness epidemic, with nearly half of adults reporting feeling lonely and almost one in 10 experiencing loneliness almost all of the time.

Research earlier this year suggested Britain's loneliness epidemic was fuelling a rise in people creating virtual 'partners'.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the scientists said: 'Unlike real human interactions, chatbots offer boundless availability and patience, and are unlikely to present users with challenging counter-narratives.

Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of premature death, anxiety and depression

'A worrying possibility is that we might be witnessing a generation learning to form emotional bonds with entities that, despite their seemingly conscious responses, lack capacities for human-like empathy, care, and relational attunement.'

They added: 'Future systems might further benefit users by recognising references to loneliness, and encouraging users to seek support from friends or family, or providing personalised guidance on accessing local services.'

The scientists performed a meta-analysis of studies related to AI use to identify concerns surrounding potential psychological and social harms.

One study from OpenAI involving more than 980 ChatGPT users found that those who logged the most amount of hours on the interface over a month, experienced greater loneliness and socialised with people less, they said.

Signs of loneliness and emotional dependence were more pronounced in those who expressed a sense of trust in the chatbot.

Another study published by Common Sense Media, found that one in ten young people found conversations with AI agents more satisfying than human interactions.

One in three said they would choose AI companions over humans for serious conversations.

While further research is vital to determine the long-term impact of such companionship, the researchers said, health professionals should discuss chatbot use with their patients.

Over half a million ChatGPT users exhibit signs of mania, psychosis or suicidal thoughts every week, according to OpenAI. A further 1.2 million users send messages that contain 'explicit indicators of potential suicidal planning or intent' each week

They said: 'This should be followed by more directed questions to assess compulsive use patterns and dependence, emotional attachment such as referring to the AI chatbot as a friend, and deferring to the chatbot for major decisions.'

Red flags may include an individual believing they have a 'special relationship' with the chatbot that drives this behaviour or results in increases social isolation.

It comes as dependence on AI has been found to contribute to the deaths of some young people.

In February, 14-year-old, Sewell Setze, took his own life after forming a relationship with a customisable chatbot designed for role playing, constantly according to his mother.

The family has now brought a legal claim against Character AI, claiming its chatbot encouraged self-harm and ultimately suicide.
When Clare Davis-Eaton found a pea-sized lump on her neck, she didn't really think much of itand she certainly didn't think it might be a sign that she had cancer.

However, after her GP ordered a series of tests, she was given the devastating news that she had tongue cancer, and it had spread to her lymph nodes.

Upon being diagnosed with the rare but aggressive disease in March 2016, the now 51-year-old support worker's 'whole world fell apart.'

Within weeks, Ms Davis-Eaton started a six-week course of radiotherapy, used to destroy the cancer cells, alongside chemotherapy.

'It wasn't just scary for me, it was scary for my kids,' she recalled.

'It takes everything out of you, the chemo made me feel sick. I was drained.'

Luckily by November that year, the mother-of-two received the news that she was officially in remission, allowing her to look forward Christmas with her family without the underlying fear her treatment wasn't working.

Just before Christmas, she had her feeding tube removed, which was used to ensure she was still getting all the nutrients she needed to fight the cancer whilst being unable to chew or swallow.

Clare was diagnosed with tongue cancer, which started at the base of the tongue, close to her throat

'I felt like Christmas had come early,' she said. 'It wasn't an easy journey and I had to keep going back for more checks - but it was amazing, I felt on top of the world.'

But unfortunately, Ms Davis-Eaton still struggled with eating after having the tube removed.

She said: 'Christmas wasn't the same. I couldn't eat meat, I couldn't do the dinners, I had no finance to do Christmas because of all the knock-on effects.'

Devastatingly, a few years later, in June 2019, Ms Davis-Eaton found another lump, whichpaired with her extreme fatigueshe knew was a tell-tale sign the cancer had returned.

Three months later, she was told the cancer was not only back, but it had spread.

Following her diagnosis, Ms Davis-Eaton underwent an operation to remove the cancer and a margin of normal tissue from her lymph nodes in the right side of her neck, known as a neck dissection.

All surgeries come with risks, and with a neck dissection these include changes in eating, infection and blood clots, and unfortunately, in Ms Davis-Eaton's case, the surgery didn't remove all the cancer cells.

Faced with either more radiotherapy, which she was told could kill her, or being left with just six months to live, the mother-of-two went ahead with further treatment, as advised by her oncologist.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

She said: 'I asked what would happen if I didn't undergo any further treatment and I was told six months.

'I didn't want the rest of that sentence. It could have been six months until I started to feel unwell. I just said where do I sign.'

But, this time around, she found the treatment much more gruelling.

'At the time, I felt like I couldn't do it, I was just ready to give up,' she recalled.

'I didn't think I was going to see that Christmas, to be totally honest. If I saw it, I felt it would be my last.'

Desperate to experience some version of the holidays, Ms Davis-Eaton put her Christmas tree up in October that year, determined to remain positive despite being hospitalised for the last three-and-a-half weeks of her treatment.

'I was determined to fight and get home for Christmas, no matter what,' she said.

She finished treatment on 9 December 2019 and she rang the bell to mark the occasion.

Ms Davis-Eaton was determined to be able to celebrate Christmas with her family, but lived in fear that her cancer would return

Your browser does not support iframes.

But it wasn't until August last year, on her 50th birthday, that she was told she was officially cancer free, five years since its occurence.

'It was a present no one could buy,' she said.

'After spending eight years fighting it in one way or another, it was a very bizarre feeling.'

The disease has changed the course of Ms Davis-Eaton's life in more ways than one, leaving her struggling to swallow at times, but a newfound appreciation for the little moments in life.

'I don't mind having side effects, they're my free gifts because I'm here to have them, she said.

'Cancer isn't just a physical illness, it's a mental illness as well. It does have positive in that it brings life appreciation - I now know tomorrow isn't a given, it's a privilege.'

Her story underlies a growing problem.

Rates of mouth cancer - including those of the tongue - have soared by more than a third in the UK over the past decade, with around 10,800 people now diagnosed every year.

After ringing the bell in 2019, this year marks five years since she finished treatment

More than a half of cases occur on the tongue or tonsils.

In Ms Davis-Eaton's case, the cancer developed on the base of the tongue, known as an oropharyngeal cancer.

While survival rates are typically good if caught early-with more than 80 per cent of patients living at least five years-the outlook is much bleaker once the disease begins to spread.

Typically warning signs include an ulcer or sore that doesn't heal within three weeks, red or white patches on the tongue, difficulty swallowing, persistent pain, a lump in the neck, earache and unexplained weight loss.

Smoking and heavy drinking remain the biggest risk factors, with the two combined posting the biggest threat.

Oral cancer is also more common in men than women, with 1 in 55 men diagnosed at some point in their life.

But doctors stress that the disease is increasingly seen in people with no obvious risk factors making vigilance especially important.

It is not uncommon for cancers of the mouth to spread to lymph nodes in the neck when they break away from a primary cancer, which are responsible for filtering body fluid and fighting infection.

The small glands also trap damaged or harmful cells, including cancer cells.

Due to her still ongoing health battles, Ms Davis Eaton had to leave her job as a community support officer for those with learning disabilities, but she now volunteers with Macmillan Cancer Support.

She said: 'Macmillan came into my life when I was my lowest, but they kept me afloat and they're still in my life now.

'They were also there for my family and no one was forgotten about - what they do is amazing and I just can't say enough about them.'
READ MORE: Symptoms of deadly 'super flu' sweeping the US explained

An already brutal virus and 'super flu' season is about to get even worse, experts have warned.

The latest CDC data shows positive influenza tests are up 56 percent compared to the week before, and the amount of people hospitalized has surged 47 percent. Positive tests are also up 50 percent compared to this time last year, while hospitalizations have doubled.

The newest data, which goes through December 13, shows 'very high' flu transmission in New York City, New York state, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Colorado and Louisiana.

Experts believe the surges are largely driven by the dangerous new flu strain H3N2 subclade K, which CDC data shows is on the rise in all but four US states: Arkansas, Wyoming, Utah and Hawaii.

While the classic signs like fever, cough, fatigue and body aches are the same as previous strains, doctors believe H3N2 subclade K's symptoms are more severe.

Dr Neal Shipley, medical director of Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, told Daily Mail it is important to recognize the symptoms that ring alarm bells so you know when to seek expert help.

Shipley said that in children, the flu comes on suddenly and may also cause vomiting and diarrhea. He said people over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of complications, including hospitalization and death.

'If your symptoms worsen quickly, or you have trouble breathing, weakness, dehydration or symptoms that dont improve after a few days, you should find your nearest urgent care,' he added.

A surge in 'super flu' cases has prompted school closures and some hospitals to reintroduce masking guidelines (file photo)

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Several schools across the country have closed for days at a time after hundreds of students came down with flu-like symptoms, and a growing number of hospitals have reintroduced mask policies for patients, visitors and doctors.

Dr Ken Redcross, an internal medicine physician in New York and spokesperson for Boiron USA, told the Daily Mail: 'Flu season typically peaks from December to February, and were still on the upswing. Even if this year doesnt reach last seasons historic highs, we expect cases and hospitalizations to increase in the coming weeks.'

He urged Americans to seek medical care immediately if symptoms become severe or worse, including 'especially trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, dehydration, or a high fever that doesnt come down.'

'In children, red flags include fast breathing, blueish lips, extreme fatigue, or fever with a rash,' he added.

Meanwhile, Covid strain XFG, also known as Stratus, has become that virus' dominant variant and is growing or 'likely growing,' according to CDC figures, in more than two dozen states.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is particularly dangerous for infants and older adults, is also growing or 'likely growing' in at least two dozen states.

However, norovirus, which causes violent, rib-cracking vomiting and diarrhea, is showing signs of a slight decline.

As of December 6, the latest data available, nine percent of all norovirus tests came back positive compared to 12 percent the week before.

Frederick G Hayden, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, co-authored a paper published in JAMA last week that analyzed the latest flu data. He warned that because subclade K is a subtype of the strain that contributed to last year's 'severe' flu season, this season will likely be severe as well.

Hayden said in a university press release: 'The 2024-25 influenza influenza season, largely due to influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 viruses, was associated with high severity across all age groups, including an exceptionally high number of pediatric deaths.

'Unfortunately, we are seeing the circulation of a new variant of H3N2 virus for which our vaccines may be somewhat less effective.

'However, available vaccines will reduce the risk of serious illness and potentially the spread of this virus.'

Influenza A, which includes subclade K and accounts for three in four flu cases, can best be prevented with an annual vaccine, which is 30 to 75 percent effective. As of late November, 40 percent of American adults have received this season's flu shot, which is in line with last year's figures.

Dr Redcross also suggested handwashing and steering clear of anyone who may be sick, especially during the holidays. 'The best way to reduce flu risk during and after the holidays is to limit exposure where possible,' he said.

This years dominant flu strain is brand new to peoples immune systems, making them highly vulnerable and at an increased risk of severe, hospitalizing illness.

CDC data from December 13 shows 15 percent of influenza tests came back positive that week compared to 8.4 percent the week before. The hospitalization rate has increased from 4.8 per 100,000 to 11 per 100,000.

The above CDC graph shows the gradual increase in positive influenza tests through December 13, the latest available data

About 3 million Americans have contracted influenza A, which accounts for three in four flu cases, so far this season, and there have been 1,200 deaths. Approximately 30,000 people have been hospitalized.

As for Covid, the latest data from December 13 shows 81 percent of samples found in wastewater were from the XFG variant.

Wastewater data, which tracks virus spread in communities, shows nationwide viral activity for Covid is 'low' and that the Midwest has the highest activity level as of December 13.

RSV is also increasing in two dozen states and is 'very high' in Wyoming and Louisiana while being 'high' in Kentucky.

RSV is a particularly dangerous infection for young children because it can cause inflammation that may block their small airways, potentially leading to death. About 58,000 to 80,000 children younger than five years old are hospitalized every year due to RSV, and 100 to 500 children die from the infection.

It spreads via respiratory droplets often from coughs and sneezes, and causes symptoms including a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and exhaustion. In severe cases, patients can start wheezing.

The disease can also be fatal for older adults who are more prone to complications such as pneumonia.
A woman who was put into the Witness Protection Program at seven years old has laid bare her horrifying experience, claiming she was taken from her home in the middle of the night by the government, forced to live in a 'fleabag motel' and was told she'd be killed if she ever told people her real identity.

Jackee Taylor, 51, explained to the Daily Mail that her father, Clarence Crouch, was a member of the Cleveland chapter of the infamous Hells Angels, a motorcycle club with a history of involvement in organized crime.

Clarence left the group in 1981 and agreed to tell the government everything he had witnessed during his years with the Hells Angels.

In exchange, they vowed to keep him and his family safe, forcing Clarence, Jackee, her mom and two younger siblings into the Witness Protection Program when she was just seven years old.

The family was whisked away from their home in the middle of the night, forced to leave almost all of their belongings behind and start over in a new state with new identities.

It was extremely 'traumatic' for Jackee, who said she was told if she ever told anyone the truth about who she was she'd be killed.

In addition, she said they had very little help from the government and were forced to reside in a 'fleabag motel' as her mom struggled to make ends meet.

Jackee said the ordeal led to her turning to drugs and alcohol as a teen, before she was ultimately committed to a psychiatric hospital.

Jackee Taylor (seen recently), 51, was put into the Witness Protection Program at seven years

Her father, Clarence Crouch, was a member of the Cleveland chapter of the infamous Hells Angels. Jackee is seen with her mother and father as a baby

Even now, decades on, Jackee is still grappling with the effects of being put into the program, both mentally and logistically - as she has struggled to get a marriage license and even health insurance without a birth certificate.

Now, she has detailed her grueling journey exclusively with the Daily Mail.

Jackee claimed that her father had been 'very abusive' to her mom during the early years of her childhood.

Right before he decided to turn on the Hells Angels, she said her mom had finally found the strength to leave him and had taken Jackee and her siblings to Florida.

'My mom had absolutely no contact with my father, she was hiding from him. She had finally left him and was starting over again,' recalled Jackee.

'But my dad wanted his family back, so he said to the government, "'I have a wealth of information for you but I want my wife and kids back."

'My father said, "The only way I'd cooperate and turn on the Hells Angels is if you convince my wife to come back to me and enter witness protection with me."

'So my mom started getting phone calls at work [from the government]. They went to visit her at work and said, "You're life's in danger."'

Jackee is seen during the early years of her life when her dad was still a member of Hells Angels

Clarence left the group in 1981 and agreed to tell the government everything he had witnessed during his years with the Hells Angels. Jackee is seen as a child with her brother and dad

Jackee's father is seen at the Hell's Angels clubhouse before he left the group

Jackee said her mom agreed to join the program because she wanted to protect her kids, and the family was taken into the government's custody in the middle of the night.

Jackee remembered officers barging into their house in the wee hours of the morning; they were only allowed to bring small bags, which meant most of their belongings were left behind. At just seven years old, she was terrified.

'They came at 3 o'clock in the morning, they scared the s**t out of us,' she explained.

'It was all dark, no lights were turned on. They were like, "Get up let's go," we were so scared. My mother's calming presence and voice kept us from having a complete meltdown.

'They ushered us into vans, then we went to a hotel. My father met us at the hotel. Then they took us to a safe house in Tampa.'

At the safe house, Jackee said they all received new identities and spent hours going over the story they would have to tell people.

'In 1981, there was no internet, so they gave us dead people's social security numbers not thinking it would later [cause problems],' she explained.

'We had to practice our stories, practice writing our new names. I had to fill a notebook up over and over with [my new name].

Jackee's parents are pictured in the safehouse after the government whisked the family away from their home in the middle of the night

Jackee is seen in the safe house

'At seven years old, I am told by the marshals and my mother and father that if I do not lie to every person I know about who I am and where I came from, we will all be killed.

'It was [traumatizing]. I remember sitting in class and being nervous that somebody was going to ask me a question and I was going to get it wrong. Like, what if I say my name wrong?'

To make matters worse, Jackee said she didn't really understand why because they told her very little about what was going on.

'We just knew we were hiding from the Hell's Angels and they wanted to kill us. If we saw a motorcycle we had to hide, that's what they were telling us,' she said.

'I never had a problem with peeing my pants as a kid before that, but when I heard a motorcycle sometimes I couldn't hold it out of fear.'

After leaving the safe house they were put into a 'fleabag motel' in Montana.

'It was the nastiest possible [place]. I drive by that place today and I can smell the meth coming out of it, it's just disgusting,' she said.

They received $1,261 a month from the government, but were left to manage everything else on their own.

The family then went to live in Montana, where the government put them up in a 'fleabag motel.' Jackee is seen after moving to Montana and starting her new life

Jackee is seen during her years in Montana

Jackee's mom, who had worked as a nurse before entering the Witness Protection Program, had to find a new home for them as well as all new clothes and furniture.

All the while, she struggled to get a job because having a new identity meant all her past experience was erased, and she sometimes wondered if she'd have enough money to buy food to feed Jackee and her siblings.

'They're giving her $1,261 a month. I've had people say, "That was a lot for 1981," but if you're coming from Florida to Montana and you have no clothes for your three children in Montana in the winter...' Jackee said.

'She had to pay for the motel, she had to get us new clothes, buy a car, get an apartment and try to feed a family of five on $1,261 a month. She was responsible for everything.

'My mom had worked for 19 years but she was having a really hard time gaining employment because they were having a hard time with her documentation, [she couldn't even prove] she graduated from nursing school.

'There were weeks where she had $5 at the end of the week and no food, just crackers. She didn't know how she was going to feed us.'

But the worst part, according to Jackee, was that her mom was forced back into a home with her abusive husband.

Clarence spent about a year living with them in Montana while he testified in various trials before he eventually went to prison for murder; he had confessed to shooting and killing an 18-year-old years prior.

Jackee is seen with her parents right before her dad went to prison

Jackee is seen with her dad in Montana

'He confessed to murder and the marshals threw us all in a motel together in Montana. They left us with a man who just confessed to murdering,' Jackee alleged.

But things didn't get better after her dad went to prison.

'We should have had counseling or support. My mom had no one to talk to, she wasn't allowed to talk to her family or friends, she had to leave everything behind,' shared Jackee. 'All that trauma, it led to a very tumultuous [few years].'

As Jackee entered her teenage years, she said she started to become fiercely 'angry' about what had happened, and she began 'experimenting' with drugs and alcohol.

She ultimately spent 30 days in rehab and was committed to a psychiatric hospital after threatening suicide.

During her treatment, she began to open up about what happened to her as a child for the first time after years of secrecy and immense fear, but she said her doctor didn't believe her.

'Then the misdiagnoses started coming in. They said I had paranoid delusions of grandeur, and wondered if I was schizophrenic,' Jackee revealed.

'It hit me that this is a weird story and no one will ever believe me. That's when I realized, I'm the only one who is ever going to be able to help myself.'

Jackee experimented with drugs and alcohol during her teenage years and ultimately ended up in rehab

She spent 30 days in rehab and was committed to a psychiatric hospital after threatening suicide. She's seen during her 'troubled' teen years

Thankfully, Jackee was able to get clean but when it came time for college, she faced another major roadblock: she didn't have a birth certificate which was needed to enroll.

'Lucky for me, the head of admissions for Montana State University lived next to our home growing up,' she explained.

'I had to go before the entire admissions board and plead my case without a birth certificate.

'I was able to get in thankfully, I don't know if she pulled strings but I'm sure she did. If I didn't know her I probably wouldn't have gotten in college.'

Jackee ultimately pursued a degree in psychology in the hopes of helping others who may be going through something similar.

'I had been through everything you could possibly think of and I knew I could [use my experience to] make a difference in someone's life,' she said.

When she applied to get a marriage license years later, she was denied because she didn't have a birth certificate.

And in 2009, her children's health insurance was canceled due to the same problem.

She said she tried calling and writing to the US marshals for help, but got no response. So she decided to go to the media.

Jackee pursued a degree in psychology in the hopes of helping others who may be going through something similar

Jackee, who shared that she still works to 'keep her mental health in check every day,' is now extremely outspoken about what she went through in the hopes of helping others

She even started a podcast about it, called Relative Unknown, in 2020 and is set to release a book soon about her experience. She's seen recording the podcast with her son

And one day after a news article covering her story came out, she said she received a call from a US marshal.

She was ultimately given a passport, but she claimed that she hasn't heard from them since then.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the US marshals for comment.

Even now, over a decade on, Jackee said she still has problems due to her identity, or lack thereof.

'I had issues with my daughter getting a driver's license [recently] because I had lost her birth certificate, and to get a new one they needed documentation about who I was,' she shared.

Jackee, who shared that she still works to 'keep her mental health in check every day,' is now extremely outspoken about what she went through in the hopes of helping others.

She even started a podcast about it, called Relative Unknown, in 2020 and is set to release a book soon about her experience.

'My story is one of thousands. [This program] is not working. There are so many more people like this,' Jackee concluded. 'This program needs to be dismantled.'
Melania Trump is showcasing herself on a different kind of world stage with the release of the trailer for her upcoming documentary film, simply titled: MELANIA.

The film, slated for a January 30 theatrical release, was licensed by Amazon MGM Studios as part of a $40 million deal. It follows the 55-year-old in the days leading up to her husband Donald Trumps second inauguration.

While the preview for it is only a minute long, it is jam-packed full of tiny insights into the First Lady's life and details of her relationship with her husband of nearly 20 years.

The trailer begins with Melania at Trump's inauguration, donning her infamous wide-brimmed hat as she looks around the Rotunda and resignedly says: 'Here we go again.'

The preview then cuts to a series of shots stitched together like a trailer for a thriller, including dramatic clips of her getting out of cars, on and off Air Force One and even a private phone call between her and Trump with music swirling in the background.

The dramatic shots of Melania were spliced with footage of Washington DC and facades of the White House, Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower in New York City.

Melania admits she knows what people are curious about, telling the camera: 'Everybody wants to know, so here it is.'

The 60-second trailer is full of suspense, tension, and promises 'unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration  through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself.'

Melania Trump is showcasing herself on a different world stage, with the recent release of the trailer for her upcoming film, simply titled: MELANIA

The film follows the 55-year-old in the days leading up to her husband Donald Trumps second inauguration

There was an immediate reaction online to the trailer, with some people admitting they thought the film was a parody after seeing the trailer, and others joking they thought AI had made it.

While it's only a sneak peek into Melania's reprised role as the First Lady of the United States, the trailer also gave some insight into her marriage and her feelings about moving back into the White House.

Viewers immediately noticed the opening shot showed one of her controversial outfit choices from Trump's swearing-in ceremony.

Slow-motion clips showcase her wearing the large navy wide-brimmed hat with a flat top and white trimming, designed by Eric Javits.

Social media ran amok with comments about the hat during Trump's inauguration, with many joking at the time that she looked like the Hamburglar from McDonald's.

Others noticed that its wide brim meant Trump was unable to kiss her.

In one poignant clip from the preview, in which the First Lady is being lauded as 'iconic,' Melania takes a phone call from her husband, where she interestingly refers to him as 'Mr. President.'

'Did you watch it?' Trump says after her greeting.

In one poignant clip from the preview, Melania takes a phone call from her husband, where she interestingly refers to him as 'Mr. President.' They're seen here together in 2018

The trailer shows clips of the First Lady in the lead up to the inauguration

'I did not,' she quickly replies. 'I will see it on the news.'

Viewers were quick to post theories about her calling him 'Mr. President' and discuss the pace at which she dismissed his question.

The movie is helmed by Brett Ratner, who faced six accusations of sexual assault or misconduct in 2017.

Sources previously told Puck's Kim Masters that Ratner was given unprecedented and 'unfettered' access to the Trump White House, and filmed there for 30 days, which reportedly made Secret Service agents uncomfortable.

Ratner was once considered one of Hollywood's most in-demand directors, but was caught up in the #MeToo movement in 2017 when a Los Angeles Times expose revealed that six women had accused him of sexual misconduct.

Ratner denied the allegations 'categorically' at the time and was never charged.

The Rush Hour maker had not led a film for a decade when he was tapped for the Melania project. A source told Masters that Melania was a fan, and that she even liked the idea he had been 'canceled.'

The preview then cuts to a series of shots cut together like the trailer for a thriller movie, with dramatic shots of her getting out of cars and Air Force One

Director Brett Ratner (seen in 2021) was given unprecedented and 'unfettered' access to the Trump White House, and filmed there for 30 days

Users on social media did not hold back with sharing their thoughts about the upcoming film, and many seemed divided.

'Trump will blame Biden for the poor turnout,' joked someone on X, formerly known as Twitter.

'Not going to lie, she kind of ate with that,' wrote someone else.

'She's an icon. She's a legend. She is the moment,' declared someone else.

One critic, however, compared it to Succession, but 'without all the good writing and acting.'

It's not the first time the First Lady has published an autobiographical piece with her name as the title.

In October 2024, she published a book also titled Melania, which covered her life from her childhood in Slovenia, her modeling career, as well as meeting her now-husband Donald Trump and her first time as First Lady.
An avid traveler who has been to all 50 states in the US has warned about a common vacation practice that many may not realize is actually putting them in danger.

Emily Hart, 40, from Boulder, Colorado, known online as EmilyVentures, took her first solo trip in her early 30s, and it quickly became her passion.

Over the last decade, she has not only visited every state in America, but she's also hiked all 63 US National Parks, all while documenting her endeavors online.

Hart - who ultimately quit her job to become a full time travel content creator - has taken most of her trips on her own, but being a solo female traveler comes with a slew of risks.

Thankfully, over the course of her travels, Hart has uncovered a slew of important safety tips and hacks to protect herself and avoid risky situations.

She broke them down exclusively to the Daily Mail, while also highlighting a popular travel practice that she believes is a lot more dangerous than people realize: posting about your vacation on social media in real time.

Have you ever taken a snap of a stunning view out your resort window or the ocean from your lounge chair and immediately shared it to your Instagram Stories or Facebook feed?

Well, according to Hart, the seemingly innocent activity may be putting you at severe risk.

Avid solo traveler Emily Hart, 40, from Boulder, Colorado, has been to all 50 states in the US warned about a common vacation practice that many may not realize is dangerous

Over the last decade, she has not only visited every state in America, but she's also hiked all 63 US National Parks, all while documenting her endeavors online

She pointed out that constantly sharing your travels online could allow predators to figure out exactly where you're staying or what you're doing.

'Never post your travels in real time. Even if you have a private profile, dont think many people are looking at your social media, or that you dont tag the specific location, there are many ways to figure out exactly where a person is from a photo, and it is not safe,' she stressed.

In addition, she recommended you always 'tell others about your plans or share your location with trusted friends or family' if you're planning a solo trip.

'I sometimes go on hikes or long drives where I have no cell service, but I have shared my plans with others in case I dont return as expected,' she explained.

Hart also stressed the importance of not giving out too much information to any strangers you meet along the way.

'Lie when necessary. I often lie about who I am with, where I am staying/my plans when asked by a stranger,' she said.

'Even if someone seems friendly or harmless, it's better safe than sorry. This could look like telling an Uber driver you are meeting friends at the hotel, telling a waiter that your boyfriend is picking you up, that you are saving the seat next to you if someone is making you uncomfortable and asks to sit down, that you dont have a social media if someone asks, or that you are heading home when you are still going to be staying in the area.'

Hart admitted that there have been situations during her travels that made her so uncomfortable she's had to change hotels or alter her itinerary, and recommended solo travelers 'always have a plan B and the resources to execute it if necessary.'

But the content creator highlighted a popular travel practice that she believes is a lot more dangerous than people realize: posting about your vacation on social media in real time

She recommended you always 'tell others about your plans or share your location with trusted friends or family' if you're planning a solo trip

Hart is seen in Arches National Park in Utah

She recommended solo travelers 'always have a plan B and the resources to execute it if necessary'

'Listening to your intuition is key,' she added. 'If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, or if your intuition tells you something is off, go/turn around/change plans without feeling bad about it.'

Hart also shared a slew of hacks to save money while traveling.

She explained to the Daily Mail that 'booking well in advance and traveling during the off-season' are his biggest pieces of advice.

'Planning and research have saved me the most throughout the years. If you are left to find last-minute lodging or a rental car, you will ultimately pay a premium,' she dished.

She also recommended 'deciding on a daily budget in advance' so you know before you leave what's worth spending on and what's not, making decisions in the moment much easier.

'If I want to take myself out to a nicer dinner, then the rest of the day will have to be cheaper,' she said.

In addition, she said she takes advantage of credit card points, hotel reward programs and airline miles, which she described as a 'game changer.'
HGTV's David Bromstad has revealed he checked himself into rehab as he grappled with substance abuse during his extensive house renovation.

The television personality and designer, 52, sought professional help when his life began to derail after a storm destroyed his dream home in Florida halfway through the project.

Bromstad opened up about how he was able to overcome his 'unhealthy behaviors' in My Lottery Dream Home: David's Happy Ending, which aired on December 19.

Recalling his lowest point, he said: 'My mind is going crazy. The sleep is becoming less and less and less, 'cause the stress is rising, rising, rising.

'I was starting to spiral. I got into some unhealthy behaviors. It's really easy to go there when you're under distress.

'You know, using substances it's a real easy escape to take yourself out of a stressful situation. I knew I was in trouble.'

Bromstad's home was ruined by extreme water damage, flooding and excessive mold which meant that he had to start building his 'childhood fantasy' home from scratch.

After noting how the setback had impacted his mental health, Bromstad said he knew it was time to seek professional help.

HGTV's David Bromstad shared that he checked himself into treatment for substance abuse

The host said he 'got into some unhealthy behaviors' after he faced a huge set back while renovating his dream home in Florida

'I think with the house, with where I'm at emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, everything has stopped,' he said. 'I was literally screaming out for help.'

He continued: 'I need to put my house on hold, and I need to check myself into some sort of program.

'I need to talk. I need to climb out of this hole. I need to understand why I climbed into it in the first place.'

Bromstad explained that he had hoped that his dream home would help heal the trauma he endured in his younger years.

As a child, he dealt with bullying and depression on top of growing up as a closeted queer man.

'I was exactly this amount of gay, this amount of perfect, but that was not celebrated,' he said. 'That was looked [at] in a different way back then.

'I was super depressed. I was super bullied. And so, for me to idealize my childhood was a complete defense mechanism that was beautiful; it saved me.'

In August 2023, Bromstad revealed he was sober in an Instagram post in which he celebrated his 50th birthday.

Join the debate How should public figures talk about addiction and recovery while inspiring real change?

As a child, Bromstad revealed he endured bullying and depression, on top of navigating life as an LGBT+ person

His show My Lottery Dream Home has been airing on HGTV for a decade

'Feels good to be present, sober and living the life I was intended to live,' he captioned the upload.

Bromstad's candor prompted viewers to reach out and share their support.

One wrote: 'Major respect. Asking for help is very brave. Your story resonates with me. I'm happy you are here.'

'You are loved David!' said another. 'Please take care of yourself and your health and wellbeing! We are all rooting for you! You are a bright shining light in this world and radiate nothing but love!'

A third continued: 'Watching that episode last night, seeing what happened, how it broke your heart, broke my heart for you. That was so devastating.

'I'm glad that you got the help you needed, and took time off, found yourself and started to heal. Stay strong. You're lovely and precious to so many people. Remember to take care of yourself.'

'You're a beautiful, wonderful gift to this crazy world David!' added a fourth. 'Love you just the way you are!'

Speaking to TVInsider, Bromstad said it was important for him to be frank about his past struggles in the episode.

'I have a very blessed and incredible life, and I do know this,' he said. 'But it doesn't negate the fact that I've had really hard times in my existence.

'I only allowed people to see the bright and shiny parts of me because that was all I was willing to accept from myself.

'So, to tell my honest and unapologetically unique story has been something I've been looking forward to, but I didn't want to rush it, and I wanted it to be at the right time.

'You can't have the bright and shining times without the darkness. I don't push away the darkness.

'I bring it in because I know the darkness only makes my bright and shiny parts shine that much bigger.'

Bromstad has fronted My Lottery Dream Home since it premiered on the channel in 2015. It is currently airing its 19th season.
Ordering Tom Kerridge's beef wellington for Marks & Spencer last month gave me triggering flashbacks to last year when I tried to buy Oasis tickets.

Clearly deluged with customers, the M&S Christmas ordering platform kept crashing and I had to sit patiently, constantly refreshing the page as I tried to bag one.

Thankfully, unlike Oasis tickets, the wellington wasn't subject to 'dynamic pricing', meaning that the price didn't creep up with demand. Which is just as well, given it costs 195!

Eventually I managed to secure a wellington and paid my 50 deposit, ready to collect it on December 22, the earliest date available.

If, like me, you're a fan of M&S food then you're used to spending a little more than you do in other supermarkets  that's the price you pay for amazing quality.

However, when the store revealed it would be selling this beef wellington as part of its ongoing collaboration with triple Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, even the brand's loyal customers were stunned at the hefty price tag.

'It's not just spending on Christmas, it's M&S overspending on Christmas,' said one online wit, parodying the shop's famous advertising slogan. Another remarked 'that price is only justifiable if it includes Tom Kerridge to do the cooking and the cleaning up'.

M&S, which lost around 324 million in sales earlier this year thanks to a crippling cyber attack, was quick to defend the high cost. Marketed as a 'Christmas Eve showstopper', it pointed out that it was of the highest quality and would 'leave guests speechless'.

Claudia Connell puts the M&S 195 beef wellington to the test

Pictured: M&S's beef wellington created by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge

On Monday, an M&S spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail that the wellington had been a sell-out nationwide.

So  controversy and eye-watering price aside  was the dish worth the wait, hype and cost?

My local M&S's collection point in Brighton was already buzzing when I turned up at 8.30am on Monday morning. I could see the person ahead of me in the queue pick up their Christmas turkey, as well as the Kerridge wellington  the 'Christmas Eve showstopper' sell had clearly worked.

Mine is handed over and, from the box alone, it looks classy and impressive, weighing 2.1kg (4.6lb) and claiming to feed six people.

Having sampled several other supermarket beef wellingtons in recent weeks for the Daily Mail, I'm baffled by how they decide what a serving is.

Take Fortnum & Mason, grocer to the King for example. It says its wellington, comparably a snip at 120, serves 6-8 people, and yet at 1.4kg it's significantly smaller than the M&S one.

The high-end frozen food retailer Cook states its 1.6kg wellington serves six, as does Asda (the winner of my initial taste test earlier this month) even though its one is 1kg (44.97), the same weight as Waitrose's Michel Roux wellington that serves four. It's all very confusing.

Before I rip open my box I see that there's a message on the side from super-chef Kerridge: 'The festive season for me is about being together, eating good food and creating special memories. It's not about stress and being stuck in the kitchen for hours. My wellington centrepieces are perfect for entertaining and give you that something extra special. Enjoy.'

Elsewhere on the box it states that the wellington comes with a 'Tom Kerridge and M&S twist'. Let's hope it's something other than a massive dent in my finances.

The cooking instructions are detailed and a little faffy, but I follow them to a T, as I don't want to mess up such a pricey dish.

The 1kg Michel Roux beef wellington (pictured), 95, from Waitrose serves four

I need to remove all the packaging and let the wellington rest at room temperature for 45 minutes, then place on a preheated baking tray in a 200-degree fan oven.

The reason for the hot baking tray is to seal the bottom of the pastry and prevent the dreaded 'soggy bottom'.

I then need to cook for 45 minutes, being sure to 'turn' the tray around halfway through the process. After that it's important to let the wellington rest for 45 minutes before cutting into it with a sharp knife with a serrated edge.

I remove it from the oven and let out a gasp, it really is a thing of beauty. The 'all butter hot water crust pastry' is browned and glossy. Unlike other wellingtons I've cooked recently, there is no leakage of meat juices  it's all perfectly intact.

Waiting 45 minutes before eating is a big ask when it looks so mouthwatering, but, finally, it's time. With my newly sharpened knife I cut in. The pastry is wonderfully crisp and flaky and, for a minute, I wonder if they forgot to actually put a slab of the beef fillet in there.

My knife just goes straight through in seconds, no resistance, no sawing required  surely that can't be right? But, no, there it is in all its pink glory.

The instructions are for a medium cook, I'd say it's more medium-rare, but as that's how I always order my steaks that's fine by me.

The pastry is thick and, despite containing a huge hunk of juicy beef, it remained totally non-soggy. The beef is encased in a portobello mushroom duxelles and smooth chicken mousse flavoured with black truffle.

The high-end frozen food retailer Cook states its 1.6kg 90 wellington (pictured) serves six

After drizzling over the supplied beef and red wine gravy, I'm ready for my first mouthful. As I chew, it feels like I might have died and gone to culinary heaven. It's simply sensational. I've never tasted beef so tender  it melts in the mouth and is beautifully complemented by the rich, earthy duxelles.

On the downside, I see that just one slice contains 501 calories, roughly the same as a McDonald's Big Mac. I don't care and instantly devour another helping.

I can taste the buttery pastry, the rich truffle and the delicious beef with every bite. It also might just be the only time I've ever cooked something that ends up looking exactly like the picture on the package.

I'd query whether six people could be satisfied (given I easily scoff half of it on my own), but I think M&S is right  guests will be 'speechless' if they're served this at Christmas  if only because they'd rather be chewing than chatting.

I like to cook but I have to be honest, there's no way I'd be able to rustle up a wellington that tasted half this good.

So, if you did fork out, fear not  you're in for a delicious treat that's worth the overdraft.
A brand new Kmart work tote has sent shoppers into a spin

Kmart has sparked another shopping frenzy after a new $29 work tote began quietly appearing in stores - and shoppers say it solves one of the biggest everyday annoyances in modern life.

The bag, which isn't yet listed online, has been spotted on shop floors across Australia and is already being dubbed a 'sell-out in waiting' thanks to its clever design.

The buzz started after Sydney-based content creator Karly Louise shared her find on TikTok, urging shoppers to move fast.

'This bag has been the ultimate game changer for girls,' Karly told the Daily Mail.

'You could say it is three in one - a handbag, laptop bag and meal prep bag. It saves the hassle of carrying three bags on your commute to work.'

What sets the tote apart is its insulated base compartment, designed to store meals and snacks separately from work essentials.

Inside, it also features a padded laptop sleeve, a detachable purse and multiple zippered sections for everyday items like phones, wallets, keys, and headphones.

Karly said the design makes it far more versatile than a standard work bag.

Sydney-based content creator Karly Louise raved about the new office handbag from Kmart. What sets the tote apart is its insulated base compartment, designed to store meals and snacks separately from work essentials

'It could definitely be deemed multipurpose and double as a baby bag, gym bag, or even a beach bag,' she said.

'The insulated compartment was very well thought out, the bag in general is such good quality, there is so much space - and the best part is it is only $29.'

The tote comes in two colours - black and a dark brown crocodile-print finish - and is large enough to carry a laptop, lunch, snacks and daily essentials without needing a second bag.

Shoppers say that's exactly why it's resonating at a time when Australians are trying to simplify routines and cut costs.

Melbourne shopper Alex said she'd been searching for a solution for years.

'I always find myself needing three separate bags to leave the house - my laptop, my lunch, everything,' she said.

'I've been looking online and most bags like this are $140. Finding one for $29 honestly felt like a win.'

Karly said the bag's price is what truly sets it apart from similar products on the market.

Join the debate Is it time big brands learned from Kmart and stopped overcharging for everyday essentials?

The tote comes in two colours - black and a dark brown crocodile-print finish - and is large enough to carry a laptop, lunch, snacks and daily essentials without needing a second bag

The excitement comes as more Australians turn to Kmart over higher-end retailers, prioritising practicality and affordability amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures

'I haven't seen anything else like it online,' she said.

'I imagine there would be something similar out there, but maybe double or triple the price. I would highly recommend this over others on the market. Kmart is definitely upping their game.'

The excitement comes as more Australians turn to Kmart over higher-end retailers, prioritising practicality and affordability amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Shoppers increasingly say they're choosing functional, well-designed pieces at budget prices rather than investing in premium brands.

Parents have also jumped on the trend, with many praising the insulated base as ideal for storing baby bottles, snacks or even medication.

'Perfect mum bag - it's so inventive,' one shopper commented.

'My son is type 1 diabetic and the insulated section would be a game changer for keeping insulin cool on hot days,' another added.

Karly warned that shoppers shouldn't wait if they spot the bag in-store.

'This bag will definitely sell out once it fully hits the shelves. I was lucky enough to find it in store on a trolley as they were restocking. I would run to Kmart to make sure you get one before they're gone.'

With demand building fast and word spreading on social media, the $29 tote is shaping up to be Kmart's next viral hit - and further proof that, for many Australians, smart design at a low price now beats luxury labels every time.
A mom making a living by 'dumpster diving' for thrown-out goods is taking her children on a lavish Christmas trip  all paid for by reselling the items she finds.

Tiffany Butler earns up to $4,000 a month from her unusual endeavor, which see her digging around in shop bins to see what they have thrown out.

The 35-year-old manages to find all sorts of things in the trash, which she then sells to others.

This year has been particularly fruitful, and is how she is managing to take her kids Mia, 13, Blake, 12 and Ruxton, 11, for a dream holiday to one of the largest indoor water parks at a resort in Texas.

'Dumpster diving is my "job," so it's funded our Christmas trip,' Butler, from Denton, Texas, told What's The Jam recently.

'I've been finding some pretty cool stuff recently. I make about $3,000-$4,000 a month from diving.

'Last year we took the kids on a cruise, and this year we're staying at a resort in Texas with one of the largest indoor waterparks.

'I feel so blessed that I'm able to do awesome things like this for my family  all because I dumpster dive.'

A mom making a living by 'dumpster diving' for thrown-out goods is taking her children on a lavish Christmas trips  all paid for by reselling the items she finds

Tiffany Butler earns up to $4,000 a month from her unusual endeavor, which see her digging around in shop bins to see what they have thrown out

As well as the trip, Butler has been able to source Christmas gifts for her brood while digging through bins, saving an estimated $200  all while opting only for brand new items.

The mom-of-three has been dumpster diving for the past few years, and goes on to resell things like groceries, make-up and electrical goods.

She completed her first dumpster dive at Ulta shortly afterward and scored about $1,500 worth of makeup.

Her hobby is now a full-time job, and she documents her finds with her following of 3.3 million on TikTok.

Butler, who sorts items into bins which she then goes through at home or at her warehouse, rescues thousands of items from the landfill.

Her husband, an electrician, helps make the required repairs and the pair then sells around 75 percent of her finds, donating or keeping the remaining items.

The treasures include everything from pricey hair wrap tools to fish tanks, treadmills, makeup and snacks.

In October, she went viral after she found a Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven in the trash behind a Pottery Barn.

Join the debate Is it right to give children gifts sourced from dumpster diving, or does it send the wrong message?

The 35-year-old manages to find all sorts of things in the trash, which she then sells to others. Pictured are some of the beauty products she's found in the dumpster

This year has been particularly fruitful, and is how she is managing to take her kids Mia, 13, Blake, 12 and Ruxton, 11, for a dream holiday to one of the largest indoor water parks

As well as the trip, Butler has been able to source Christmas gifts for her brood while digging through bins, saving an estimated $200. Seen are some of the items she's found

The mom-of-three has been dumpster diving for the past few years, and goes on to resell things like groceries, make-up and electrical goods

The peche-colored kitchen item from Williams Sonoma is worth between $420 and $460.

Butler spotted the Dutch oven in the product box, which was in sturdy condition.

It had a small scratch on the lid and had ink scribbled all over the inside of the Dutch oven and its lid. It also came with a small recipe booklet that had little to no damage.

She used rubbing alcohol on the marked area and scrubbed away the stains, leaving it looking good as new.

While Williams Sonoma product was a great find, Butler considers her coolest dumpster dive treasure to be a whale's vertebrae.
An emergency room doctor has issued a dire warning about a common household chore - especially during the holiday season.

Dr Darria Long Gillespie, a US emergency physician, cautioned that a cleaning task often attempted more frequently after hosting a party or celebration can easily land people in hospital.

And it revolves around the act of hand washing wine glasses.

'This is a request from your local ER doctor,' Dr Darria cautioned in a video. 'Stop using a sponge to wash your wine glasses.'

'Here's what happens. People have a party and they have all these wine glasses they have to wash,' she explained.

'They grab the soapy sponge, they shove their hand in and they're cleaning that bowl of the wine glass and the glass breaks.

'And it happens so quickly that the glass - the sharp glass - cuts their arteries, cuts their nerves, cuts their tendons. Just so much damage in next to no time.'

The board certified ER doctor and founder of No-Panic Parenting said it was something she and other emergency medical staff encounter 'every single year' around the holiday period.

US emergency physician Dr Darria Long Gillespie issued a warning about the common household chore of handwashing wine glasses

Dr Darria explained in a video shared to her @drdarria Instagram account how people were more likely to hand wash a wine glass after hosting a party when the dishwasher is full - and explained how quickly it could result in severe cuts to the hand

To avoid this accident, Dr Darria explained in the video under her @drdarria account how a simple dish cleaning tool should be used instead of hand washing a wine glass.

'Get a wine glass brush and use that whenever you wash wine glasses,' she said.

'They come in different shapes and sizes for different wine glasses too and you can really get it in there, clean it really well without endangering your hands.'

The comments section of Dr Darria's cautionary video was filled with messages from people who had never considered the risk of a glass shattering while being hand washed  and thanked her for the suggestion of getting a wine glass brush.

There were also remarks from people who had unfortunately learned this lesson the hard way.

'This happened to me,' one reply confirmed. 'Never again!'

Join the debate Should people risk hand-washing delicate glasses for guests, or is safety more important than tradition?

Dr Darria, who is board certified ER doctor, professor and founder of No-Panic Parenting, alternatively suggested investing a wine glass brush

Where to buy the perfect cleaning brush for your wine glasses Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission. Click here for more information. Shoppers can get a 3 piece wine glass brush set ($16.99) on Amazon Australia. This particular set contains three different varieties of wine glass brushes: one for goblets, one for champagne flutes and even a longer thin brush for narrow-neck bottles. On Amazon Australia a 3 piece wine glass brush set costs $16.99 Advertisement

However, a number of replies questioned why people weren't simply using a dishwasher to wash their stemware and avoid any risk.

On this, Dr Darria pointed out that while many might do this during the year, the particular circumstances of increased entertaining over the holiday season often means a full dishwasher.

She explained: 'Often after a party, someone's dishwasher is full and they end up deciding to just quickly hand wash a few of them.'

She added that the risk is often increased because the party host may have even had a few cheeky beverages themselves, which means theyre less careful than usual when handling glassware.
Fans have slammed what Conde Nast Traveler has listed as the 'best food destinations' for 2026 after an unexpected city earned the top spot.

The list, part of Conde Nast Traveller's Best Places to Go guide, was shared last week and highlighted destinations that are so renowned for their food, you might even want to plan an entire trip with the aim of testing out the culinary delicacies on offer.

10 cities all over the world were hailed as the best places to eat this new year by the publication - but some people did not agree with the place that came in first.

Boston, Massachusetts, topped the ranking thanks to its appeal for foodies worldwide, per the publication.

Coming in at number two was Crete, Greece, followed by Fes, Morocco, Hong Kong, and Medellin, Colombia.

After Medellin was Minas Gerais, Brazil, Parramatta, Australia, Patan, Nepal, Prince Edward County, Canada, and Seville, Spain.

Interestingly enough, cities that are often regarded as the top dining destinations, like New York City and London, didn't make this year's list.

Fans were so shocked by some of the places that were included on Conde Nast Traveler's roundup that they took to X to air their grievances.

Last week, Conde Nast Traveler listed Boston, Massachusetts, as the 'best food destination' for 2026 and it has sparked outrage (stock image)

According to the outlet, the appeal of Boston as a top food destination is its 'global flavors, waterfront dining, and more neighborhood action than ever' (stock image)

People seemed especially perplexed that Boston had taken the number one spot, including those who live there.

'Boston is in fact underrated, but as a Bostonian, that's complete bulls**t,' one person wrote.

Another agreed: 'Boston isnt even top 10 in America.'

'Boston number one? Guess the judges got lost in a nor'easter and mistook chowder for haute cuisine. Italy's pasta is rolling in its grave!' someone else typed.

A different user seconded: 'Boston is my home. I love Boston. It doesnt belong anywhere near this list.'

'Who in the world is doing these reports? Boston? Really? Not even San Francisco, New York City, Houston, etc,' another lamented.

'Not having India in the list surely raises concerns about your taste buds... get them tested,' someone else typed.

One person chimed in: 'I think that a Bostonian must have hacked this list as a joke (as much as Boston punches above its weight for food).'

Join the debate What city do you believe truly deserves to be named the worlds top food destination and why?

Fans were so shocked by some of the places that were included on Conde Nast Traveler's roundup that they took to X to air their grievances.

Coming in at number two was Crete, Greece, followed by Fes, Morocco, Hong Kong, and Medellin, Colombia (stock image)

According to the outlet, the appeal of Boston as a top food destination is its 'global flavors, waterfront dining, and more neighborhood action than ever.'

It's famous for its fresh seafood - especially lobster rolls and clam chowder.

But over the years, it has also expanded its repertoire, becoming a veritable foodie hub with a fabulous local restaurant scene and an atmosphere of innovation.

Last year's list crowned Clare Valley, Australia, as number one, followed by Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Genoa, Italy.
Chances are you'll spend some extra time in bed with your partner over the Christmas period  but are you dreading it or delighted by the prospect?

Do you drift off blissfully wrapped around them or do you cling resentfully to the mattress edge? Experts suggest your preferred sleeping pose could reveal much about the health of your relationship.

Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire surveyed 1,000 sleepers and found 94 per cent of couples who touched during the night classed themselves as happy, compared with 68 per cent who kept their distance.

And a 2025 poll of 2,000 people by the bed company Dreams showed a third of couples admit they are not 'sleep compatible' thanks to snoring or duvet-hogging, and one in five already decamp to separate rooms.

So what does your sleeping position say about you and your love life? Here's the experts' verdict...

Partners face away with a gap between them: This can signal healthy independence  or resentment. If this isn't a normal sleep position, it may be because there is an unspoken tension

THE SPOON

What it looks like: One partner curls protectively around the other from behind.

Wiseman's study found that spooning  classic, cosy, and rom-com endorsed  is a favourite of about 31 per cent of couples.

It's a pose that floods the brain with oxytocin, the 'love hormone' key to bonding, higher levels of which are linked to fewer sleep problems.

'This position usually shows intimacy, closeness and trust,' says psychotherapist Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar. 'This dynamic can be healthy and comforting when both partners feel safe and content, but can lead to imbalance if one partner's needs overshadow the other's.'

THE DIVORCE RED FLAG

What it looks like: The woman wraps around her partner.

Sounds cosy, but a survey of nearly 10,000 divorced Britons found 86 per cent had slept this way before splitting. With women initiating 63 per cent of UK divorces, researchers suspect the pose may reflect a last bid to chase closeness when she feels he has turned his back on romance.

Shaheen-Zaffar says this position 'can reveal an emotional imbalance'. Think about whether the daytime workload  emotional or practical  is just as lopsided, and look for ways to rebalance things together.

HONEYMOONERS ONLY

What it looks like: Partners lie nose to nose, with their hands or legs intertwined.

Couple lie nose to nose, with their hands or legs intertwined. The position suggests passion and is common in new relationships

Only 4 per cent of couples fall asleep nose-to-nose. The position suggests passion and is common in new relationships. However, it can feel claustrophobic, and morning breath does little to enhance romance.

'Sleeping face-to-face indicates emotional closeness and open communication,' says Shaheen-Zaffar. 'But it can also indicate insecurity. Think about whether the intimacy feels natural or driven by anxiety.'

Sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley says it is unrealistic to think you can sleep well if entangled all night. He adds: 'If you say you like knowing your partner is there, they're disturbing your sleep, or you wouldn't notice.'

BACK TO BACK

What it looks like: Partners face away, but backs, bottoms or feet stay in contact.

Partners face away, but backs, bottoms or feet stay in contact is especially popular with extroverts, who get energy from connection

Chosen by 42 per cent of partners, 94 per cent of whom report relationship happiness. Professor Wiseman says it's especially popular with extroverts, who get energy from connection.

Shaheen-Zaffar says: 'There's an unspoken message in this position: I'm here for you, and I trust you're here for me.' Light physical contact promotes sleep-enhancing, bond-building oxytocin, while each body enjoys its own cool flow of air.

BACK TO BACK  BUT SEPARATELY

What it looks like: Partners face away with a gap between them.

A gap can signal healthy independence  or resentment, says Shaheen-Zaffar. 'If it isn't your normal sleep position, it may hint at unspoken tension.'

But Dr Stanley says not touching can reflect personal comfort rather than an emotional statement. 'At night, we move for pressure relief or to find a cooler patch, but if you bump into an obstruction, it can wake you. Prioritise your sleep.' If your distance feels emotionally frosty, schedule a chat during your waking hours.

THE CLIFFHANGER

What it looks like: Both partners cling to opposite edges of the bed.

Professor Wiseman's study shows happiness plunges from 86 to 66 per cent once the gap between sleeping couples exceeds 30 inches  though only 2 per cent drift that far.

'Context matters,' says Shaheen-Zaffar, and some simply crave space. Consider investing in a bigger bed. If rolling over takes the duvet with you, that can trigger conflict. A simple solution: Two single duvets. You can hold hands but wake warm and resentment-free.

THE STARFISH

What it looks like: One partner sprawls spread-eagle, the other hugs a sliver of sheet.

'This can signal subconscious dominance or an unconscious need for more personal space,' says Shaheen-Zaffar.

'It might also reflect one partner feeling undervalued or overlooked, subconsciously taking up more space to assert their presence.' However, Stanley points out couples in a standard double bed each have nine inches less room than a child in a single bed.

Consider upgrading to a king size  and apply a nudge with an elbow when needed.

THE 'SLEEP DIVORCE'

What it looks like: Separate beds or even separate rooms.

'Think of separate rooms as a luxury rather than a sign of emotional failure. If you sleep better apart, you might just love each other more in the morning,' says Dr Stanley, author of The Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart

In 2020, one in six UK couples snoozed separately  twice the number in 2009. Actress Cameron Diaz, married to rocker Benji Madden, has previously said sleeping in separate beds should be 'normalised'.

Dr Stanley, author of A Sleep Divorce: How To Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart, says separate bedrooms can be a pragmatic solution to a problem, rather than a reflection on your relationship.

'You can kiss and cuddle, then go to your own bed. That's better for your relationship than waking up exhausted.

'Think of separate rooms as a luxury rather than a sign of emotional failure. If you sleep better apart, you might just love each other more in the morning.'
A veteran 60 Minutes correspondent has hit out at her new boss Bari Weiss for pulling her segment on the Trump administration's deportation of migrants to a notorious El Salvador prison just two hours before it was set to air.

Sharyn Alfonsi, a reporter for the news magazine since 2015, accused the new CBS News editor-in-chief of censoring her work and bowing to the Trump administration over her decision to suddenly scrap her segment.

It was set to feature interviews with a group of Venezuelan men who thought they were being sent back to their home country, only to end up at the notorious CECOT prison, which they described as 'brutal and torturous.'

The news program instead aired a segment from Nottingham, England, where Jon Wertheim interviewed a family of celebrated classical musicians.

In a fiery email to other correspondents, including Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, and Anderson Cooper, Alfonsi said she had 'asked for a call' with Weiss 'to discuss her decision,' but 'she did not afford us that courtesy/opportunity.'

The longtime reporter then argued, in the letter cited first by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, that she and her team followed all journalistic standards, requesting comment from the White House, State Department and the Department of Homeland Security

By deciding not to run the segment, Alfonsi argued, Weiss was censoring her work and destroying 60 Minutes' reputation.

'I care too much about this broadcast to watch it be dismantled without a fight,' she warned, ominously.

60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi accused new CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of censoring her work

Weiss had requested numerous changes to the segment before it was pulled from the program Sunday night

Alfonsi told her colleagues in the email that the segment was 'screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct.'

'In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.'

Weiss denied her decision was political, arguing it is standard practice to hold back stories until they're perfect.

'My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that aren't ready for whatever reason  that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices  happens every day in every newsroom,' she told The Times.

'I look forward to airing this important piece when it's ready.'

But Alfonsi argued that the segment was only killed because the Trump administration refused to comment on the segment, saying if that is a 'valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a 'kill switch' for any reporting they find inconvenient.'

'If the standard for airing a story becomes 'the government must agree to be interviewed,' then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast,' she claimed.

'We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state.'

60 Minutes announced on Sunday it was pulling Alfonsi's segment about the Trump administration's deportation efforts just hours before it was set to air

The segment documented a group of Venezuelan men who thought they were being sent back to their home country - only to end up at the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador

She then declared that the men she spoke with 'risked their lives' by being interviewed.

'We have a moral and professional obligation to the sources who entrusted us with their stories,' Alfonsi said. 'Abandoning them now is a betrayal of the most basic tenet of journalism: giving voice to the voiceless.'

CBS News had included the segment on the 60 Minutes schedule just last week.

'Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a country most had no ties to, claiming they were terrorists,' it advertised.

'This move sparked an ongoing legal battle and nine months later, the US government still has not released the names of all those deported and placed in CECOT, one of El Salvador's harshest prisons.'

In her note to colleagues on Sunday, Alfonsi noted that the network has 'been promoting this story on social media for days. Our viewers are expecting it.'

'When it fails to air without a credible explanation, the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship,' she wrote.

'We are trading 50 years of 'gold standard' reputation for a single week of political quiet,' Alfonsi concluded.

Viewers were also left fuming by the decision, with some accusing Weiss of bowing to the Trump administration's interests.

Some CBS News employees are now even threatening to quit, CNN reports.

Alfonsi (left) sent the email to her colleagues at 60 Minutes, including Lesley Stahl (right)

Prior to the schedule change, Weiss had requested numerous changes to the segment, according to The New York Times.

She asked for a significant amount of new material to be added, including an interview with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who designed the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, or another high-ranking official, those familiar with the production told The Times.

She also reportedly questioned the use of the term 'migrants' to describe the Venezuelan men who were deported, noting that they were in the US illegally.

But with just two hours to go before the program aired, 60 Minutes announced online that the segment would not debut Sunday night.

'The broadcast lineup for tonight's edition of 60 Minutes has been updated,' the program announced. 'Our report 'Inside CECOT' will air in a future broadcast.'

A source at CBS News then explained to Deadline that they determined the CECOT segment 'needed additional reporting.'

Join the debate Do YOU think CBS pulled the segment to avoid upsetting Trump?

Alfonsi's segment was set to feature her interviews with a group of Venezuelan men who were sent to the notorious CECOT prison

She argued in her email that they risked their lives to be interviewed

But on social media, some accused Weiss of bowing to the Trump administration's interests.

'Bari's CBS pulled their CECOT report, which included interviews with migrants who were tortured in this concentration camp,' liberal reporter Krystal Ball posted on Bluesky.

'The Trump regime does not want you to know what was done to these people.'

'Bari Weiss was heavily involved in the Twitter Files expose, about the govt pushing social media companies to censor speech, and now she is censoring a 60 Minutes investigation into the federal government sending people without due process to a torture chamber,' journalist Ryan Grim added, calling it an 'utter disgrace.'

Journalist Dave Itzkoff, meanwhile, concluded that 'Bari Weiss is really bad at her job, until you realize it's her job to be really bad at her job, in which case she is excellent at her job.'

Others declared that their reputation has been destroyed.

'I grew up watching 60 Minutes every Sunday with my dad,' one Bluesky user wrote. 'I continued that tradition with my own family. No more. You have really failed us.

'What a sad end to such a storied and long-running institution.'

Many online were left outraged by the schedule change - with some accusing new CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss of bowing to Trump's interests

Another Bluesky user said that Weiss 'torched' the legacy 60 Minutes built up over 55 years.

Some were also taken aback by how unprecedented it was for the news magazine to make a schedule change.

'Am I forgetting things? I don't recall 60 Minutes ever announcing a scheduled story would not be broadcast like this,' wrote one X user.

'The Bari Streisand Effect is at work here, too,' he suggested.

Journalist Jennifer Schulze also asked: 'What changed between now and Friday's press release about this now delayed (or actually canceled?) [60 Minutes] segment on the CECOT torture prison? Seems very odd.

'Anyone know if 60 Minutes has ever delayed a piece at the last minute before?'

The postponement of the segment comes as David Ellison, the owner of CBS's parent company, Paramount Skydance, tries to court the president to support his hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros-Discovery

Trump told a North Carolina rally that he 'loves' the new owners of CBS - the Ellison family, who own the network's parent company, Paramount

The postponement of the segment comes as David Ellison, the owner of CBS's parent company, Paramount Skydance, tries to court the president to support his hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros-Discovery.

On Friday, Trump told a North Carolina rally that he 'loves' the new owners of CBS.

'CBS, I mean, I love the new owners of CBS,' the president beamed, though he argued '60 Minutes has treated me worse under the new ownership. They just keep hitting me. It's crazy.'

He has used recent episodes of the program to suggest he is displeased with Ellison's stewardship at the network.

'For those people that think I am close with the new owners of CBS, please understand that 60 Minutes has treated me far worse since the so-called 'takeover' than they have ever treated me before,' he wrote on his Truth Social platform last week.

'If they are friends, I'd hate to see my enemies.'

Still, Trump has also given his seal of approval to Weiss, who took the helm of CBS News in October.

She was handpicked by Paramount boss David Ellison - a former Hollywood producer and the son of billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison - to head an increasingly new-look for CBS following the network's settlement with Trump.

The president had accused 60 Minutes last year of deceptively editing an interview with then-Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Network executives initially called the claims baseless, but Paramount ultimately agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle the lawsuit.

That paved the way for the administration's approval of an $8billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount over the summer.

Bari Weiss's stint at CBS News has already been met with ridicule, with several industry sources telling the Daily Mail that she has already become the 'laughing stock' of the industry

'I think you have a great new leader, frankly, 'cause the young woman that's leading your whole enterprise is a great - from what I know, I don't know her - but I hear she's a great person,' the president told correspondent Norah O'Donnell last month.

'I see good things happening in the news. I really do. And I think one of the best things to happen is this show and new ownership, CBS and new ownership.'

But Weiss has never led a major news organization and her stint at CBS News has already been met with ridicule, with several industry sources telling the Daily Mail that she has already become the 'laughing stock' of the industry.

An ambitious, weekslong search she masterminded in hopes of finding a new face to head CBS Evenings ended up showing her inexperience, one insider said.

Instead of securing a big name like Bret Baier or Anderson Cooper as she had hoped, the search ended with CBS Mornings' Tony Dokoupil being elevated to the position internally.

Several insiders who spoke to the Mail also panned Weiss for pursuing outside stars locked in lengthy contracts.

Bringing on a little-known ABC reporter, Matt Gutman, to be CBS's next chief correspondent was one 'rookie' move from Weiss, one network source said - claiming the signing was her 'scraping the depths of her rolodex.'

Weiss, a former New York Times opinion writer, had previously founded the right-leaning Free Press, which was bought by Ellison during her October hiring for $150million.
Jimmy Kimmel has been slammed as 'out of touch' and a 'joke' after it was revealed that he would be delivering an alternative Christmas Message about fascism to British audiences.

The comedian is set to lecture Britons on the rise of authoritarianism on Channel 4's version of the traditional speech, which will run counter to the annual address given by King Charles on Christmas Day.

Kimmel reportedly decided to use the speech to poke fun at 2025 as a 'great year' from a 'fascism perspective', in reference to his show being taken off the air for comments he made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Viewers in Britain and America alike hit out at the comedian for his anticipated anti-Trump rant and expected omission of censorship issues plaguing Sir Keir Starmer's government.

'Hes going to whine about free speech and fascism,' said GB News presenter Alex Armstrong on X.

'He wont be referring to our govt, will he? Itll all be Trump. [Channel Four] deeply out of touch as usual.'

Commentator Paul Thacker also pointed to the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for making anti-trans jokes as evidence of the 'double standard' in choosing Kimmel for the alternative message.

'The British establishment chose Jimmy Kimmel to speak out against fascism and in favor of free speech. This is the same government that only recently arrested comedian Graham Linehan,' Thacker wrote.

Jimmy Kimmel sparked backlash after it was revealed he will poke fun at a 'great year' from a 'fascism perspective' when he delivers the Channel 4 Alternative Christmas Message

GB News presenter Alex Armstrong was among those who criticized the decision to have Kimmel deliver an anti-Trump rant for the Channel 4 Christmas Message

Commentator Paul Thacker also pointed to the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for making anti-trans jokes as evidence of the 'double standard' in choosing Kimmel for the alternative message

Other critics waded into the controversy of Kimmel's upcoming address by saying they wish he 'stayed fired'

'Everything is upside down in England and the funniest joke is Jimmy Kimmel.'

Other critics waded into the controversy of Kimmel's upcoming address by saying they wish he had 'stayed fired.'

'His intent isn't about UK residents who have been getting arrested for making Facebook posts about migrant rape gangs - It's about Trump,' said another critic.

In reports of Kimmel's plans for his speech, the comedian is said to compare the US administration to the rise of fascism.

Kimmel has unabashedly hit out at Trump throughout the year, using his platform to criticize the President's policies, rhetoric, and character, leading to a long-standing rivalry.

He was taken off the air in the aftermath of Kirk's assassination, as he delivered a monologue claiming the 'MAGA gang' was 'desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it'.

He also accused them of 'working very hard to capitalize on the murder', before claiming Trump was grieving like a 'four-year-old mourns a goldfish'.

Disney-owned ABC took his show off the air in response, while FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned the network its license could be at risk because of Kimmel's content.

Trump later suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press 'maybe their license should be taken away.'

Kimmel's chat show was pulled off air in September after accusing Trump and his allies of capitalizing on Charlie Kirk's murder

His monologue claimed the 'MAGA gang' was 'desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it'

The controversy led to backlash as the White House was accused of infringing on free speech and freedom of the press.

As well as slating Trump, Kimmel's speech will also reflect on the events of the past year, sharing his own personal experiences and insights after being at the center of one of the stories that rocked the US.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: 'Donald Trump's return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025 and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the front line of America's battle over free speech.'

Kimmel's wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, has previously admitted that she and her husband had thought his career was effectively over.

But his show has secured a one-year contract extension, which will keep him on air until May 2027.

Channel 4's annual broadcast, which first aired in 1993, aims to bring viewers a message about that year's events.

Kimmel's address follows on from previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including British comedian Chris McCausland, who addressed ableism last year after becoming the first blind person to win UK show, Strictly Come Dancing.

Other presenters have included former president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer.

The Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 5.45pm on Christmas Day.
Paramount is building out its $108 billion Warner Bros Discovery bid to include a $40 billion guarantee from Larry Ellison.

The billionaire father of Paramount chief executive David Ellison put up the sum on Monday, a regulatory filing showed.

The move was made in clear response to concerns aired by Warner Bros Discovery's board last week, when shareholders voted to reject the deal.

A $40.65 billion equity commitment from Paramount that relied 'on an unknown and opaque revocable trust' sat high on the list of the board's complaints.

Paramount has since confirmed what the SEC filing indicated, saying in a press release that the elder Ellison had 'agreed to provide an irrevocable personal guarantee' that makes him fully responsible.

Previously, the details present in Paramount's equity commitment did not offer a 'full backstop' from the Ellison family.

It is now insured by the elder Ellison's entire $240 billion fortune rather than a revocable trust, the company said.

Warner, led by chief executive David Zaslav, is now expected to respond to the new-and-improved offer later today, The New York Post reported.

Larry Ellison, the billionaire father of Paramount CEO David Ellison (right), has agreed to put up $40billion of his own personal money for his son's $108billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery

Warner Bros Discovery - led by CEO David Zaslav - was worried that language used in Paramount's earlier proposal left the family off the hook if financing for the deal fell through

Paramount appeared to take a shot at Warner's board's on Monday, after members maintained a 'revocable trust is no replacement for a secured commitment.'

The company noted how 81-year-old Oracle founder Ellison holds the majority of the trust's assets and that Warner had not previously asked for a personal guarantee.

'Paramount is publishing records confirming that the Ellison family trust owns approximately 1.16 billion shares of Oracle common stock and that all material liabilities of the Ellison family trust are publicly disclosed,' the company said.

The offer still clocks in at $30-a-share and values Warner at $108.4billion.

It comes in contrast to a competing $82.7 billion offer from Netflix, which is a mix of cash and stock. The streamer's bid is only for Warner's studio and streaming business, whereas Paramount wants declining cable assets like CNN as well.

The elder Ellison - an outspoken Donald Trump ally - floated firing some of CNN's top talent if his son is able to acquire Warner Bros Discovery during calls with White House officials, sources told the Guardian last month.

He also reportedly pondered a programming change that would put CBS's 60 Minutes on CNN.

His son, in his first speech as Paramount boss in July, aired plans to return the studio to its glitzy glory days by building on already popular franchises.

Last week, Warner's board warned shareholders a competing $82.7 billion offer from Netflix was 'superior'. Pictured, Netflix CEO Greg Peters (left), Zaslav and Ted Sarandos (right) touring the Warner Bros Studio Lot on Wednesday

Paramount wants the entirety of Warner Bros Discovery, including stations like CNN , TBS and TNT, whereas Netflix only wants the company's studio and streaming business

Paramount is now giving Warner shareholders until January 21 to 'tender' their shares.

The younger Ellison wrote Monday that Paramount's offer 'continues to be, the superior option to maximize value for WBD shareholders.'

Ellison told CNBC last week he had already told WBD boss Zaslav that his bid is not the companys 'best and final' offer, suggesting a larger one could be on the horizon.

Zaslav formally rejected Paramount's old offer on Wednesday, accepting Netflix's. He was seen posing for photos with Netflix co-CEOs Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos while giving them a tour of Warner Bros' facilities in Los Angeles.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has offered more insight about her last-minute decision to shelve a segment on the 'brutal and tortuous conditions' at a prison in El Salvador where the Trump administration has deported illegal immigrants.

Weiss, 41, told colleagues that she spiked the segment simply because it 'did not advance the ball' during the network's typical 9am editorial call on Monday, The New York Times reported.

She pointed out how the the Times and other publications have 'previously done similar work' while maintaining that fresh, through-provoking content was her 'north star.'

'To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more,' Weiss told staff. A manager meeting was held later in day to address backlash caused by the decision, The Guardian reported.

Panelists on MS NOW's Morning Joe viewed it as an affront to journalism, with Joe Scarborough pointing to 60 Minutes Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi's claims that the piece was 'factually correct' and had cleared standards review five times.

Co-host Mika Brzezinski agreed, saying 'Ive been there in those screenings. Personally, I worked there, and they are a living hell.'

CBS News employees, meanwhile, have threatened to quit over Weiss's decision, CBS sources told CNN. Insiders told the Guardian that Weiss promised to air the story as the backlash continues.

CBS News boss Bari Weiss, 41, told colleagues on Monday that she spiked a segment about a prison in El Salvador where the Trump administration has deported illegal immigrants because it contained no new information

Panelists on MS NOW's Morning Joe, however, had a different stance. Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Jonathan Lemire and Pablo Torre all slammed the decision as unethical

'The most rigorous, most difficult process, it is an important process. And every frickin word, every frame of video is picked apart by editors to make sure it is correct. I mean, that I- they promoted it? I mean, come on,' Brzezinski complained on Monday.

The report was set to speak on 'brutal' conditions at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, and was spiked on Saturday, after the story had been fully vetted by researchers and lawyers, sources who spoke with CNN said.

Contributor Pablo Torre griped that Weiss was 'not a reporter, not a journalist, [and] is cosplaying as one and is poisoning the well of one of the last bastions of investigative reporting that gets funded.'

'And Sharyn Alfonsi is a very good reporter,' Brzezinski added.

Weiss's Monday call elaborated on a Sunday note she sent to top 60 Minutes brass that claimed Afonsi's team did not get enough administration officials on the record for the 'important piece.'

'At present, we do not present the administration's argument for why it sent 252 Venezuelans to CECOT,' Weiss wrote in the memo, according to Axios.

'What we have is Karoline Leavitt's soundbite claiming they are evildoers in America (rapists, murderers, etc.). But isn't there much more to ask in light of the torture that we are revealing? Tom Homan and Stephen Miller don't tend to be shy.

'I realize we've emailed the DHS spox, but we need to push much harder to get these principals on the record.'

Earlier in the day, an internal memo sent by Alfonsi to her fellow staffers was leaked to the press.

Sharyn Alfonsi, the correspondent who reported the story, argued the las-minute move from Weiss was a form of censorship

Alfonsi, the correspondent who reported out the story, slammed Weiss's decision as a form of censorship.

Weiss - a former New Yorker Times opinion writer who is only weeks into her CBS News tenure - told the Times late Sunday night: 'My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be.

She said that 'folding stories that arent ready for whatever reason - that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices - happens every day in every newsroom.'

She maintained that the 60 Minutes team would get the greenlight to publish the piece when it adheres to her standards.

But, according to Alfonsi and the two CBS sources who spoke with CNN, the story 'was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices' as of Friday.

The sources also that the number of screenings before the initial signoff was somewhat out of the ordinary, with other shows being screened fewer times..

Despite the enhanced scrutiny, Weiss still had questions about the following morning, the sources said. It was lack of a response from the Trump administration that was her chief, CNN reported.

Alfonsi argued that she and her team 'requested responses to questions and/or interviews with DHS, the White House, and the State Department.'

Pictured, police officers escorting a prisoner at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador. US officials have deported alleged illegal immigrants to the prison in recent months, amid reports of 'brutal' conditions

The segment was set to follow a group of Venezuelan men who thought they were being sent back to their home country - only to end up at the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador

'Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story,' she told colleagues.

'If the administrations refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a "kill switch" for any reporting they find inconvenient.'

The segment was set to surround a group of Venezuelan men who thought they were being sent back to their home country, only to end up at the Terrorism Confinement Center, widely known as CECOT.

Following Weiss's statement to the Times, it remains unclear when it will air.

Weiss was hired by Paramount CEO David Ellison back in October.

She is the founder of the right-leaning Free Press, which was bought by Ellison during for $150million. Ellison, 42, is the son of billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison. He took the helm after the merger between Paramount and Skydance over the summer.

The deal caused over the editorial direction of CBS. The network was accused of bowing to pressure from the Trump administration by settling a suit with the president over a 60 Minutes interview in 2024 with Kamala Harris he said was 'deceptively' edited.

Days after the suit was settled, the $8billion merger Paramount-Skydance was approved by the FCC.

Paramount is now launching a hostile takeover bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN.
CNN's Jake Tapper has slammed 'bigoted' fans of Candace Owens amid her feud with Ben Shapiro.

Owens - despite being absent - was the subject of discussion during a hectic day one of the Turning Point USA AmericaFest event on Thursday.

The display quickly devolved into conservative in-fighting after a frustrated Shapiro took aim at fellow conservatives for failing to condemn Owens' conspiracy theories.

Resharing footage of Owens responding to barbs from Shapiro on Sunday, Tapper told followers: 'Its insane that this rabid antisemite who relies on lies and long-discredited bigoted bullshit is a popular conservative voice.

'Its also profoundly disappointing that powerful conservative voices whom I once thought knew better stand by her - or are silent.'

Owens was seen flaunting a copy of a 1871 book widely seen as antisemitic propaganda in the footage. The tome, The Talmudic Jew, openly criticizes the Talmud - the central text of Rabbinic Judaism used as the guide for Jewish daily life.

Owens used the text to attack Shapiros faith, saying 'You have absolutely no values that exist outside of the Talmud.'

'That's what your people believe in. You believe that you are contract lords and that people are not allowed to violate contracts, so you will ruin them for years,' she said.

'Ive put up with a lot of it, but today I draw the line. I draw the line with this miserable imp when it comes to Charlie Kirk.

CNN star Jake Tapper took to X to slam Candace Owens as antisemitic on Sunday, after Owens was seen flaunting a copy of a 1871 book widely seen as antisemtic propaganda on her show Friday

Owens had been responding to a speech from Ben Shapiro at the first Turning Point USA AmericaFest conference since the death of founder Charlie Kirk in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, accusing her of engaging in antisemitic conspiracy theories

'Dont try me on this, but you keep trying me on this. You are an impostor, Ben. Youre an impostor.

'You pay to pretend that you're friends, that you have a right to be on that stage because you get donors to pressure people, because you know Jewish people who can threaten to take money, where you say, I'm going to do an advertising spend.

Shapiro, meanwhile, used his podium time to slam Owens' repeated claims that Israel may have played a part in Kirks death, which has caused her popularity to skyrocket.

'The people who refuse to condemn Candaces truly vicious attacks, and some of them are speaking here, are guilty of cowardice. Yes, cowardice,' Shapiro told the crowd, calling figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly 'charlatans' and 'grifters.'

'The fact that they have said nothing while Candace has been vomiting all sorts of hideous and conspiratorial nonsense into the public square for years is just as cowardly,' Shapiro said.

He urder another point told the audience: 'We have an obligation to clarity and to honesty.

'We should not traffic in generality. We should not say things like, "They shot Charlie" without specifying whom we mean by they.'

Owens has accused Turning Point USA of participating in or hiding the truth about its founders' death at various points since Kirk's assassination.

Join the debate Do YOU think Candace Owens has really shifted to the political moderate middle?

Owens used the text to attack Shapiros faith, saying 'You have absolutely no values that exist outside of the Talmud'

She revived this claim during an interview with New York Magazine on Monday, where, over the course of 3,500 words, she explained she has devoted most of her time to an investigation into Kirk's murder.

Owens does not believe was carried out by 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson.

She claimed that her quest for truth was only made possible by abandoning any loyalty to the Trump administration, Turning Point, and the GOP.

She also said that she would rather be called a 'moderate' than a conservative, despite her hardline views.

She also recalled a dream she said had shortly after Kirk's death where the slain youth leader 'said he was betrayed.'

'And then I said, "By who?"' she recalled.

'I saw one person who I recognized in that dream, who is at Turning Point. I woke up and I texted him immediately, and I said, "I just had a dream and Charlie told me you betrayed him."'

Owens viewership, meanwhile, has benefited from her discourse about Kirk's assassination.

At various points since Kirk's assassination last September, Owens has accused Turning Point USA of participating in or hiding the truth about its founders' death

She currently has 5.8million subscribers on YouTube, making her one of the most-watched people in the world.

She left a job at Shapiro's Daily Wire after four years in 2024, after rising to fame as a fringe, far-righ internet personality in 2018.

In June of that year, she received praise from Donald Trump when a video of her berating black protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles, as 'privileged Americans' obsessed with 'shouting about slavery' took off.

.Shortly after, rapper and outspoken antisemite Kanye West tweeted, 'I love the way Candace Owens thinks.'

At the time, Owens worked as the communications director of Turning Point USA. She resigned in 2019 following a controversy over comments she made about Adolf Hitler.

She referred to the 20th century dictator's desire 'to make Germany great' as 'fine.'

The problem is that he wanted  he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalize, he wanted everybody to be German, everybody to be speaking German,' she said.
British oil and gas explorer Harbour Energy is snapping up a rival in the Gulf of Mexico for 2.4billion as it continues to expand beyond the North Sea.

The FTSE 250 firm said it would buy deepwater oil and gas group LLOG Exploration, which put itself up for sale following the death of its founder Gerald Boelte.

The deal comes as Harbour looks beyond the North Sea to areas such as Norway, Argentina and the Gulf of Mexico to boost production.

North Sea operators are still reeling from the windfall tax on the sector with Harbour shedding 700 jobs since the so-called Energy Profits Levy was introduced in 2022.

Labour has also banned new oil and gas exploration licences.

Industry group Offshore Energies UK estimates 1,000 jobs are being lost in the North Sea every month the windfall tax is in place.

The oil and gas industry estimates 1,000 jobs are being lost in the North Sea every month

At the same time, the Gulf of Mexico remains a prime target for the industry because of its vast deepwater reserves, easy access to US infrastructure and long-term production potential.

Its appeal has been boosted by Donald Trump's drill, baby, drill promotion of oil and gas exploration over investment in renewable energy.

The President has even sought to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

The acquisition will help Harbour's overall production reach about 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of the decade, the company said.

Shares in the company fell more than 7 per cent in early trading however, which Jefferies analyst Mark Wilson attributed to investor concern over the effect of the deal on Harbour's balance sheet.

The deal will consist of 2billion in cash and 400million in Harbour shares.

Harbour chief executive Linda Cook said: Today's announcement delivers on Harbour's long-standing ambition to establish a presence in the deepwater Gulf of America. With LLOG, we found the right combination of high-quality assets and a talented team, providing a strong strategic and cultural fit with our company.

The transaction positions us as a leading player in a region with well-established infrastructure, a supportive fiscal and regulatory environment and opportunities for additional growth.
The Labour tax raid on pubs threatens to tear the heart out of rural communities, robbing the elderly of social hubs.

Bars face an average hike of 15 per cent in business rates next year, costing them an extra 1,400, UK Hospitality analysis shows. By 2028-29, theyre expected to be 7,000 higher on average than this year.

More than 1,000 pubs are thought to have barred Labour MPs in protest. The Mail on Sunday revealed this includes Rachel Reeves local  the Marsh Inn in her Leeds constituency  after it was hit with a 2,500 hike.

Dorset landlord Andy Lennox, who organised the No Labour MPs campaign, described the rates sting as the straw that broke the camels back.

Campaigners fear many pubs could now close. Luke Honeychurch, owner of The Hog in Gloucestershire, said: For older people in my pub, its often their only interaction of the whole week.

Matt Todd, at The Wonston Arms in Winchester, said: People need the pub, its an open door, a landlord is not just a pint pulling person, theyre a friend too.

Tax raid: Bars face an average hike of 15% in business rates next year, costing them an extra 1,400, UK Hospitality analysis shows

Charities have shed light on the importance of local taverns for retirees.

Ruth Lowe, head of loneliness services at Age UK, said: Socialising within the community is hugely important for many older people.

'Visiting local groups and community settings, including pubs, provides the opportunity to meet others, have a friendly chat and build connections, which can offer real comfort to someone feeling alone.

Proprietors are already under strain after last years cuts to business rates relief and higher energy bills.

Steve Alton, head of the British Institute of Innkeeping, which has more than 13,500 members, said: The simple truth that we have consistently taken to Government is that money in the tills does not mean profit.

'We stand to lose community hubs, and the Government stands to lose millions in uncollected VAT, rates and employment taxes.
The CEO of Barnes & Noble has issued a defiant response to the owners of a mom and pop bookstore that claims it is being forced to close due to the chain opening an outlet nearby.

In an echo of a real-life 'Youve Got Mail' movie plot, two sisters who run Volumes Bookcafe in Chicagos Wicker Park say business has suffered since a Barnes & Noble opened a few minutes away in October 2024.

Co-owner Rebecca George told the Daily Mail her store has seen a 30 percent plunge in sales which has led to the difficult decision to close the shop, which also has a cafe, at the end of January 2026 after almost a decade.

However Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt was not taking the accusation that his new store was behind their closure lightly.

He claimed the sisters' business is not a 'full-fledged bookstore' and in an email to Daily Mail he wrote: 'I am sorry that Volumes Bookcafe believes that our bookstore is the cause for their difficulties. This is unlikely to be the case.

'We do not have a cafe in our bookstore and do not run events within it. Volumes Bookcafe is not a full-fledged bookstore, as you will know if you have visited it: it is a cafe with a very limited selection of books in the rear.

'If the sales of these books has been impacted, it can only have been to a limited extent.

'Neither Barnes & Noble, nor Waterstones, have opened a bookstore under my tenure which directly impacts an independent bookstore.'

The mom and pop store has a cafe area for people to enjoy a coffee while browsing, they also hold various literary events at the store

The planned closure of the store echoes the plot to You've Got Mail - the 1998 film that saw a small store owned by Meg Ryan's character have to compete with a new chain store that moved in nearby

Meg Ryan starred alongside Tom Hanks in the movie that saw the duo unaware that they were writing to each other online while their stores were competing in real-life

Trouble began when the book giant revealed its new store's location less than 10 minutes walk from Volumes.

When Barnes & Noble opened in October 2024, George said her stores sales were hit hard.

'The holiday season last year hit the hardest, because you're expecting the amount you make that month to "pay off you're debts" right?' George told the Daily Mail.

'[Our] last holiday season was down about $15,000 to $20,000 if memory serves from the year before or any year for a while,' she added.

George claims the new Barnes & Noble has been '100 percent' behind her having to close her store.

'Nothing else was happening during [the holiday season] that would have had that dramatic of an effect,' she told the Daily Mail.

Amid plunging profits and sales that had slowed to just a dozen books on some days compared to highs of 100 per day, Volumes announced in November that it would close.

George has received overwhelming support from the community since Barnes & Noble announced it was moving into the area and supporters have had tense exchanges with Daunt.

CEO of Barnes & Noble James Daunt responded to emails from concerned members of the community before a new branch of the chain opened

Volumes Bookcafe owners Rebecca and Kimberly George announced they would close the store at the end of January

Your browser does not support iframes.

One of Georges close friends, Katie Sparks, who works in the publishing industry as a developmental book editor, contacted Daunt, stressing the value of independent stores and urging him to reconsider the location.

Daunt answered, writing in an email dated February 10, 2024, and viewed by Daily Mail: 'As a chain bookseller we should never intrude on the locality of an independent bookseller of new books.

'This is rooted not in my running of Waterstones, which is the UK equivalent of Barnes & Noble, but of my having set-up, and continued ownership, of my own independent bookstore in London, Daunt Books.'

But Daunt went on to add what appeared to be a pointed jab at independents, claiming his general bookstore is more inclusive than local shops.

'A general bookstore selling new books, however, fulfills a very different role to other forms of bookstore.

'A general bookstore, whether independent or Barnes & Noble, allows access to newly published books and is essentially democratic and inclusive  that is, everyone, of every age, feels welcome in the store.

'Teenagers after school come to a new bookstore to pass the time, so everyone else of whatever age or educational attainment. We are not as important in this respect as public libraries, but we are important.

'Other forms of bookstore, from specialists to those selling used books, are much more exclusive. They are exclusive in what they sell and exclusive in their narrow appeal. No gang of teenagers piles out of school to go hang out at the local used bookstore.'

The new Barnes & Noble location down the street from Volumes, at 1601 N Milwaukee Ave in Chicago

The plot of the 1998 movie You've Got Mail that starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan saw her small bookshop battling against his corporate chain

Daunt again called Volumes 'a cafe with a very small selection of books' and defended the opening of his new mega store.

Sparks told the Daily Mail she 'was extremely upset' and found it 'very insulting that he labeled Volumes a cafe with a small selection of books.'

'They are 100 percent an independent bookstore. A very popular and loved one at that,' she said.

Sparks highlighted that Daunt 'mentioned twice in his email that a chain bookseller should never intrude on the locality of independent bookstores that could threaten the sales and livelihood of indie booksellers.'

'That's unfortunately exactly what happened here,' she continued. 'People have stated it correctly: its unfortunately a Youve Got Mail situation in real life.

'It's a real shame because I think there is an opportunity for all of them to exist without being one of the causes for the others to go out of business.'

The 1998 film stars Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks as Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox, online pen pals who fall in love while unknowingly competing in real life - her small bookshop against his encroaching corporate chain.

Volumes has built a strong following: 30,000 in its loyalty program and 12,000 on its email list. It has seen authors launch their debut books and hosted a number of literary events - just like The Shop Around The Corner in You've Got Mail.

Rebecca George and her sister Kimberly with Carla Bruni (right) who is the author of the book Chicago Homes

Meg Ryan's store in the movie also held many events for customers including children's book readings

The shop opened in 2016 and has stood its ground in Wicker Park for nearly a decade

Daunt referred to Volumes as 'a cafe with a very small selection of books' but the owners insist have operated as a full fledged book store since 2016

George was also frustrated that Daunt called Volumes a 'cafe' despite operating as a full bookstore since 2016, prompting a neighboring bookstore owner, Rachel Weaver, to also contact the CEO.

She defended Volumes, saying it 'always has been a full-service independent bookstore,' adding 'what they lack in size they make up for in knowledge and service.'

'Call this a cafe with a few books if you like, but they operate suspiciously like a bookstore,' Weaver wrote in an email.

Emphasizing the use of Volumes' cafe, she added: 'Their cafe is a literary event space, just like so many independent bookstores provide. They're not serving lattes just to serve lattes - they are feeding and nurturing a literary community.'

Pushing back on the CEO, she wrote: 'If you're going to operate B&N like all of your predecessors, just say so. Don't pretend like you're the perfect gentleman, insisting you'll never encroach on others' territory.'

Daunt replied, emailing: 'My understanding is that it is an inspiring cafe/bar with a vibrant literary events program.'

Furthering his 'understanding,' he wrote: 'Volumes has a limited range of books. It is, in their own words, heavily curated.

George said sales have struggled and some days she has sold just 12 books

The emails from Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt to members of the community

'It is not a general bookstore in the way that yours is. It is a place to drop into for a coffee, to meet people, and perhaps pick up a book. That will not change.'

Daunt then said he is not 'denigrating' Volumes but believes his new location could strengthen the local business, writing: 'When you strengthen bookselling in an area, complementary booksellers all benefit.'
To mark the 37th anniversary of the Lockerbie Bombing, the Daily Mail has launched a new minute-by-minute podcast reconstruction of how the attack unfolded, narrated by veteran broadcaster Michael Buerk.

The podcast features Buerk's devastating firsthand account of arriving at Lockerbie the morning after Pan Am Flight 103 was blown apart at 31,000 feet, killing all 259 people on board and 11 residents below.

Alongside the podcast, the Daily Mail's award-winning Deep Dive team has created an interactive reconstruction of the Lockerbie bombing, which can be found here.

Orchestrated by Libyan intelligence agents under Colonel Gaddafi, the attack on December 21, 1988 killed passengers from 21 countries, including 35 Syracuse University students flying home for Christmas.

The podcast features Buerk's devastating firsthand account of arriving at Lockerbie the morning after Pan Am Flight 103 was blown apart at 31,000 feet

Orchestrated by Libyan intelligence agents under Colonel Gaddafi, the attack on December 21, 1988 killed passengers from 21 countries

Listen to Minute by Minute: The Lockerbie Bombing now, wherever you get your podcasts

Only one person, Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, has ever been convicted for the attack, though a second suspect was arrested in 2022 and awaits trial.

Buerk covered the breaking news on the BBC Nine O'Clock News that evening, then flew to Scotland at dawn, arriving at Lockerbie the morning after the bombing.

'I was doing the news the night Pan Am flight 103 was blown out of the sky over Lockerbie', the broadcaster recounted.

'The story broke at two minutes past seven that evening. We got the first call about ten minutes later and from then on the newsroom was a madhouse.

'After a lot of lobbying late into the night, I talked my way onto the first flight up to Glasgow at six the following morning, hired a car and was in Lockerbie just after breakfast.

'The wreckage of the Jumbo was actually spread across much of Southern Scotland. Charred bits of the plane were found 90 miles away.

'But the bulk of it, including the engines, came down on and around Lockerbie with the force of an earthquake.

'One of the wings, loaded with fuel, had scythed down onto Sherwood Crescent like a gigantic flaming sword. The explosion vaporised houses and the people inside them; no trace of them was ever found.'

The Boeing 747 had been destroyed by a Semtex bomb hidden in a Toshiba radio cassette player in the forward cargo hold

Buerk recounted the devastating scenes he witnessed that morning

Only one person, Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, has ever been convicted for the attack

The Boeing 747 had been destroyed by a Semtex bomb hidden in a Toshiba radio cassette player in the forward cargo hold, which detonated 38 minutes after takeoff from London Heathrow.

The bomb was concealed in a suitcase that had been loaded at Malta's Luqa Airport. Libyan intelligence operatives had routed the unaccompanied bag through Frankfurt before it was transferred onto Pan Am 103.

Buerk recounted the devastating scenes he witnessed that morning.

He said: 'All that was left was a giant crater, 155 feet wide and 191 feet long, still steaming in the early mist.

'Many of the bodies of the passengers were terribly mangled by the giant forces that were exerted when the plane broke up.

'But many looked as though they were sleeping. One was still in his airline seat, apparently still holding the miniature bottle of red wine he was being served when the bomb went off.

'On the outskirts of town we found a field that seemed to be covered with bits of body; the pink of human brains stood out against the dull winter greens and greys.

'In that town, working amongst the human and mechanical debris, it was impossible not to keep thinking of what that moment of horror had been like and, worse, wonder how long people were conscious before they died.

'I found it difficult to see how any human being could do that to innocent people they did not know, and hated whoever had done it with all my heart.'

Buerk's full account appears in his 2004 autobiography The Road Taken.

Listen to Minute by Minute: The Lockerbie Bombing now, wherever you get your podcasts.
The Utah dad charged with torturing and abusing his three young children for taking them on a dangerous hike that left them all hospitalized, had accused his wife of cheating on him during a disturbing run-in with police just a week earlier.

Micah Smith, 32, is currently being held without bond on multiple felony counts of aggravated child abuse and child torture at the Salt Lake City Metro Jail, following a near-fatal trek in the Wasatch Mountains in October.

The construction company boss was arrested late last month, weeks after his two sons, aged two and four, and eight-year-old daughter, were left fighting for their lives  with one suffering a stroke due to severe hypothermia.

Smith, who recently separated from his wife Samantha, remains in custody pending a court hearing January 6.

The Daily Mail has now uncovered a police report that sheds light on Smith's state of mind in the days leading up to the nightmare hike.

According to the October 4 report, Cottonwood Heights police spotted the father-of-three pulled over at the side of the road in his white GMC Sierra truck around 9.45am after noticing the vehicle had no license plate.

Inside was a bleary-eyed Smith who admitted to officers that he had no insurance, driver's license, or plate  resulting in multiple citations.

When asked if he had been smoking weed, Smith said no but 'advised he was not telling [the officer] he was sober', the report states.

He went on to tell police: 'I'm going through a really hard time. Can't even believe my wife's cheating on me. She didn't come home unt[il] [redacted] kids.'

Micah Smith, made a virtual court appearance, as remains locked up in Salt Lake City Metro Jail, pending a January court hearing for multiple felony counts of aggravated child abuse and child torture

The father-of-three was arrested late last month after taking his two sons and daughter  aged two, four, and eight  on a dangerous trek through the Wasatch Mountains in October

He also told the officer he was looking for the Lone Peak trailhead and planned to go hiking but denied he was planning to kill himself.

He also insisted he had no intentions to kill his wife or his wife's lover, though he admitted he had firearms in the vehicle, including a handgun, an AR-15 rifle, and an ax  all of which were confiscated due to the officer's concern over 'Smith's mental state'.

Smith's truck was also impounded with cops noting that after a friend arrived to collect him, the weapons were returned minus their magazines.

Just one week later, on October 11, Smith embarked on a hike through the Broads Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon that would upend his family's life.

The dad and children were reported missing later in the day after becoming stranded on a mountain overnight in near-freezing temperatures.

The four were rescued the next morning, when search and rescue units found the family suffering from severe hypothermia  with the youngest two children left unconscious.

The older son, four-year-old Ezra, had to endure 25 minutes of CPR after being found 'lifeless' and later suffered a stroke while being treated at the Primary Children's Hospital of Utah  forcing doctors to remove part of his skull to save his life.

Smith's encounter with police in early October has come to light after his estranged wife Samantha, 29, told cops last month that the couple was divorcing following a domestic incident at a Salt Lake City Airbnb she has been renting since the incident to be closer to her children.

The Daily Mail has learned that just a week before the hike, Smith had an encounter with police  during which he claimed his wife was cheating on him

Samantha Smith has been mount

Smith's wife Samantha, 29, has since told police that the couple are in the midst of a divorce

The devoted mom has staged a daily vigil at her son Ezra's bedside  in stark contrast to Smith who was booted from the hospital on November 10 for allegedly 'interfering' with his son's treatment and for 'attempting to interfere' with medical equipment.

Until October, Smith and Samantha had been living an outwardly idyllic existence in a four-bedroom rental home in the Salt Lake City suburb of South Jordan.

But the tragic hike turned the family's life upside down - with the couple's marriage deteriorating rapidly and culminating in a fight at the Airbnb that saw Smith allegedly threaten his wife with a hatchet.

The November 15 drama saw Smith nabbed by police and hit with two more charges  one of misdemeanor assault and another of destroying a communications device.

Referring to the fateful hike in a motion for pre-trial detention, Salt Lake City District Attorney Sim Gill characterized Smith's behavior as 'extremely selfish.'

The veteran prosecutor wrote that 'what seemed like an innocent hike with his three children quickly turned into a nightmare when the defendant chose to summit a mountain over the safety of his kids'.

He also noted that Smith had been 'ill-prepared' and made the trip with minimal supplies that included several cans of tuna, five bottles of water and some pretzels.

In a police interview, Smith admitted that he hadn't checked trail reports or the weather before starting the trek up the treacherous Broads Fork Trail in the Wasatch Mountains.

Smith is facing child abuse and torture charges after taking his children, aged two, four and eight on a nine-mile trek through the Big Cottonwood Canyon, causing all three to become hypothermic

His four-year-old son remains critically ill at Salt Lake City's Primary Children's Hospital after suffering a stroke, charging documents say

Despite the children being exhausted and struggling, the four managed to make it to the summit.

According to charging documents, eight-year-old Ember had begged her dad to let them leave  only to be told 'you shall not pass'.

It was then that a storm rolled in, showering the youngsters with freezing snow, hail and rain and soaking their clothes.

Meanwhile, Smith was involved in a text fight with his wife, who begged him to bring their kids down  at one point, responding to a message with: 'child endangerment. Not cool.'

Despite repeated follow-up texts, Smith and the children only made it 600ft back down the trail where they were found by Search and Rescue, 24 hours after setting out.

By that point, both boys were unconscious and 'appeared lifeless' while all three were suffering from extreme hypothermia after temperatures dipped to lows of 34F during the night.

Smith, meanwhile, was described as appearing unconcerned about his children's welfare and even telling rescuers one of the children had died.
Two senior prison officers allegedly had an affair before one of them held a jail baby shower for the lovechild, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The pair held management roles at HMP Downview in Surrey when they embarked on a sexual relationship while the male officer was married, it is claimed.

Shocked inspectors at the women's prison heard what was happening and told the jails governor, Amy Dixon, over fears there could be a risk of blackmail.

While criticising their conduct, the Daily Mail understands Ms Dixon allowed a baby shower to be held on prison grounds.

The female officer went on to bring the child to a Family Day for staff and inmates.

The man transferred to another prison and now has a senior role. He is also a member of a group that is tasked with setting policy across the female prison estate.

The Prison Service said an 'internal review had found no breaches of conduct, no corruption concerns, and no grounds for disciplinary action'.

Former governor Professor Ian Acheson warned inappropriate relationships between prison staff left them 'wide open to potential manipulation'.

Shocked inspectors at the women's prison heard what was happening and told the jails governor, Amy Dixon (pictured), over fears there could be a risk of blackmail

Ms Dixon receiving an award from Princess Anne for helping challenging and vulnerable female prisoners at HMP Holloway

'Junior staff are hung out to dry for inappropriate relationships at work - the same rules must apply to senior staff,' he said.

'The state has no business in people's bedrooms but when that behaviour spreads into our jails it must be dealt with swiftly and severely.'

The alleged relationship was common knowledge among staff and inmates at Downview, and the pair were seen behaving flirtatiously in each other's company.

Both officers held the rank of governor, which is used by managers who report to a single 'governing governor'.

Ms Dixon has been in charge at Downview since 2022 after spells at several other prisons.

The Daily Mail put the affair allegations to Downview's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) after being contacted by a whistleblower.

A spokesperson replied: 'We are aware of the allegations. Members of our Board received various reports from staff and prisoners about the incidents mentioned.

'We escalated the Board's concerns to Governor Dixon on a number of occasions, both in a Board setting and in one-to-one meetings. She appeared highly frustrated about our monitoring of the issue.

'Our particular concern we expressed was that there was a corruption risk: the male governor was married, we were told, and some of the couple's intimate behaviour was visible to other prisoners (for example, in the staff mess where prisoners worked).

'We also had concerns about the environment which the relationship was creating for female prisoners. Prisoners complain a lot (often justifiably) about arbitrary behaviours and expectations from staff, and the lack of procedural justice in a prison setting.

'Prisoners at HMP Downview are also subject to a "healthy relationships policy" themselves.

'It's clearly difficult for them when they see staff behaving in a way that sends out a conflicting message about behaviours expected of prisoners and can impact on positive relationships with staff generally.'

HMP Downview is a closed women's prison on the outskirts of Banstead in Surrey

The Downview IMB said it had passed the claims to HMPPS' national and regional Counter-Corruption Unit.

The spokesperson added that the IMB had been 'surprised to receive a response from the regional team saying that they would not need to interview members of the Board who had relevant information, or to take any further details from us'.

A Prison Service spokesman said: An internal review concluded there were no breaches of conduct here or corruption concerns.

There have been numerous scandals about inappropriate relationships within UK jails in previous years, most of them involving guards becoming intimate with prisoners.

Downview saw its own scandal in 2011, when acting governor Russell Thorne received a five-year prison sentence for having an affair with a female prisoner.

Thorne, then 41, was convicted at Guildford Crown Court of misconduct in a public office between 2006 and 2010.

The inmate - who was not named in court proceedings - described how she made Thorne 'pay' for his infidelities in cash or with gifts picked from an Argos catalogue.

Concerns have been raised more recently about failings at Downview, including a major security breach in October that saw a bungling employee walk an inmate out of the gates.

As the Daily Mail previously revealed, the male kitchen worker wanted to leave the jail to pick up tomatoes from nearby HMP Highdown - and took the extraordinary decision to take a prisoner with him to help.

Russell Thorne, the former acting governor of Downview, received a five-year prison sentence in 2011 for having a three-year affair with a female prisoner

The member of staff was able to walk with the inmate out of the gate past security staff, who 'didn't bat an eyelid', before guards arriving for their shift saw what was happening and raised the alarm.

The prison went into full lockdown, and all the governors were summoned. The inmate was put into segregation before being transferred to another prison.

Downviews latest IMB inspection raised several concerns, including the 'alarmingly' low number of inmates being temporarily released to carry out work with potential future employers.

Prison minister James Timpson has repeatedly described the provision of work programmes for inmates as a priority for the government.

The IMB also raised concerns about the number of acutely mentally unwell women being held at Downview.

Inspectors found there has been a 90 per cent increase in the number of inmates facing extended delays during transfers to secure psychiatric settings over the last two years.

Downview is Britain's only prison with a dedicated wing for transgender women with a history of violent or sexual offenders.
Until last week, horrific acts of violence perpetrated by Islamic State extremists had seemingly faded out of Australian public consciousness after years elapsed - fortunately - without any major events.

That was until December 14, when 15 innocent people were allegedly shot dead and dozens more were wounded at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach.

IS - also known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) - is a transnational militant organisation that represents one of the most radical applications of Salafi Jihadism - an ideology that seeks to establish a global caliphate through armed struggle.

Authorities have declared the incident as a terror attack and will allege two IS flags were located at the scene. A propaganda video was later recovered during a raid of a property rented out by the alleged gunmen - father and son duo Sajid, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, in the lead-up to the attack.

Detectives are now investigating whether the father and son engaged in IS military training during a four-week trip to the Philippines in November, while they stayed in Mindanao, an island in the country's south with a long history of Islamist insurgency.

While IS was linked to a series of high-profile Western attacks around a decade ago - such as the Paris and San Bernardino 2015 attacks and Brussels bombings and Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016 - there have been few incidents in Australia.

The last well-known IS-implicated attack was the Lindt Cafe siege by Man Haron Monis, who held 18 people hostage at gunpoint for more than 16 hours in Martin Place, in Sydney's CBD, on December 15, 2014.

Monis, an Iranian-born radical self-styled sheikh, shot dead cafe manager Tori Johnson, before he was killed in a shootout with police. A second hostage, lawyer Katrina Dawson, was killed by the ricocheting bullets.

Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly murdered 15 people and injured another 40 in a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on the first day of Hanukkah on December 14

The first clear photo of Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram (pictured) has emerged as new details about his trips to India are revealed

Father Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene

A screenshot from a video found on Naveed Akram's phone shows his father conducting firearms training, police allege

During the attack, Monis claimed allegiance to IS but authorities later ruled he was a mentally unstable lone-wolf gunman with no direct connection to the terror group.

Although there had previously been no mass casualty IS-related attacks in Australia in the past decade, experts warn the threat never disappeared  it merely lay dormant.

Associate Professor Josh Roose, a Deakin University expert on political and religious violent extremism and terrorism, says Islamic State 'never really went away'.

'It was defeated militarily in 2017 and 2018, however, the core organisational and ideological aspects remain,' he told Daily Mail.

'Islamic State has been resurgent globally in recent months. They have been most active in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia, it has been resurgent in Mozambique and Somalia, and there was recently a targeted attack on a US citizen in Syria.

'They are not only seeking to rebuild as a terror organisation, but the threat never really went away.

'In fact, it has been heightened in the context of the October 7 attack, subsequent Gaza conflict, and divided western societies, including Australia, that haven't dealt adequately with Jihadi violence.'

Professor Adrian Cherney, an expert on terrorism at The University of Queensland, said the organisation has long remained active in other parts of the world.

Naveed Akram was also allegedly caught on camera as he passed through Philippines immigration

The suspected Bondi beach terror attacker is alleged to have conducted firearms training at a location thought to be in New South Wales

Police will allege the attack was motivated by Islamic State ideology

'It continues to exert global influence in regions such as the Middle East and Africa and maintains a strong online presence,' he said.

'This influence has not diminished. Attacks are still carried out by ISIS and by individuals indoctrinated and inspired by its ideology.'

Here, Daily Mail takes a closer look into the Akrams' background which police are now investigating.

THE PHILIPPINES TRIP

While Australian officials are investigating whether the father and son engaged in terror-related activities during their November trip, the Philippines government has quickly distanced itself from the attack.

President Ferdinand Marcos says he 'strongly rejects the sweeping statement and the misleading characterisation of the Philippines as an ISIS training hotspot'.

'No evidence has been presented to support claims that the country was used for terrorist training,' presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro said this week.

'There is no validated report or confirmation that individuals [allegedly] involved in the Bondi Beach incident received any form of training in the Philippines.'

The father and son travelled to the Philippines for four weeks in November

The pair visited Davao (pictured), in Mindanao, in the country's south

Associate Professor Roose said it's vital authorities gather more information before drawing conclusions.

'It's important to find out more before ruling anything out,' he said.

As investigations continue, Professor Cherney said: 'More information will no doubt emerge regarding their travels to the Philippines.'

RECRUITMENT

While Islamic State has not taken responsibility for the Bondi massacre, it has publicly expressed pride in the attack.

Associate Professor Roose said the organisation's ability to mobilise extremists across the world without direct contact is one of its defining features.

'The key part of the success of the Islamic State has been its ability to inspire lone acts of terrorism in its name globally,' he said.

'Islamic State is particularly popular or inspirational for extreme Salafi jihadists who draw upon its history of atrocity, its acts of violent terror in public spaces, and commitment to the establishment of a caliphate.'

Associate Professor Roose said IS extremists tend to be recruited by people they know, in face-to-face community settings, before utilising encrypted messaging apps to maintain contact.

He said the internet and social media also play a role in recruitment, especially in the case of lone actors, who may become radicalised and flock online to engage in content or meet other people.

Pictured: Deakin University Associate Professor Josh Roose

WHAT DOES AN ISIS SUSPECT LOOK LIKE?

Sajid Akram was an Indian national who had lived in Australia for more than two decades after migrating to the country in 1998 on a student visa.

His 24-year-old son, Naveed, was born and raised in Australia.

Associate Professor Roose said the Salafi-Jihadist world is 'highly multicultural' and is not linked to certain ethnicities.

Instead, he said it is 'linked to extremist ideologies of Islam that promote a narrative of strength and the notion of a war on Islam and the promotion of a global caliphate'.

However, Professor Roose said specific sociocultural factors may make an individual more susceptible to adopting IS beliefs.

'The traditional trajectory is that the first generation come out here and work their butt off to make a better life for their family... It is unusual that you would see first generation migrants get involved in a situation like this,' he said.

'But the second and third generations feel things more deeply - such as experiences of racism or ostracism - and those are powerful because these movements offer strength and inspiration to people who may be going nowhere in life.

'[That is why] ISIS has gained the most traction among second and third generation, western born, individuals.

'Their messaging and displays of aggression and attempts to display strength resonate with young men.'

Pictured: University of Queensland Professor Adrian Cherney

HOW IS ISIS RELATED TO ANTISEMITISM?

Associate Professor Roose said ISIS attacks can be random by nature as the group and its followers do not exclusively target one demographic.

'They [IS extremists] are not purists. They are not following orders from a central hierarchy, but they are still carrying out the attack to advance the ideology,' he said.

However, Associate Professor Roose said current political climates may play a role.

'In the context of everything happening in Australia at the moment, like the conflict in Gaza and the deep antisemitism that has been prevalent, this is an attack that the Jewish community has seen coming,' he said.

'And it was a cowardly attack on a soft, relatively unprotected gathering'.

'Radical Sunni Islam promotes hatred of Jews as a prominent narrative.

'As for why the two men [allegedly] targeted Jews, further details about their underlying motivations will become clearer as the investigation progresses.'

Experts say IS extremists are recruiting others in community settings and sharing propaganda through encrypted messaging platforms

SHOULD AUSTRALIANS AVOID BIG EVENTS OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD?

Associate Professor Roose said it was natural for people to be concerned in the wake of the Bondi massacre as terror attacks are designed to target our way of life.

However, Professor Cherney said people should not be too deterred from carrying out normal activities over the festive period and beyond.

'People should continue to go out and not restrict their movements,' he said. 'For New Year's Eve events, there will be an increased security and police presence.

'Curtailing our movements is not the solution to this incident, though it is understandable that some people may feel apprehensive.'

However, Associate Professor Roose said it was important that Australians follow advice from authorities actively monitoring risks and implementing preventative measures.

In response to the tragedy, Sydneysiders have been urged to stay away from Bronte on Christmas Day due to overcrowding concerns, after more than 15,000 people congregated on the beach last year.

NSW Police have also warned people against partaking in mass protests, arguing 'large gatherings may heighten tension or create further risk to the safety of the community'.

Professor Cherney said people should not be too deterred from carrying out normal activities over the festive period and beyond. Pictured are lifeguards at the Bondi memorial on Saturday

Aussies hug in the water during a paddle out for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack

Meanwhile, other events such as Sydney's annual Carols in the Domain, have been given the green light.

Although people should not live in fear, Associate Professor Roose said there can be instances of individuals being inspired to undertake secondary attacks - though investigators will be monitoring for potential copycat attacks.

With that in mind, he said greater messaging is needed by authorities to clearly communicate safety measures and reduce the strain on emergency services.

'It is critical that the government messaging demonstrates that it is safe to go out or not at the end of the day,' he said.

'We are not hearing about those concerns being addressed at the moment by our politicians or our security measures.

'I, myself, will be having a quiet and reflective Christmas.'
Days after the atrocities unleashed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, when our minds were still reeling from that darkest day, I remember clutching my young son's hand as we walked through the doors of our local supermarket.

I didn't notice he was still wearing his kippah, which he wears every day at his Jewish primary school - but someone else had.

'Why don't you f*** off and go back to your own country?' the man shouted at us.

But I am in my country, I whispered fearfully under my breath.

My son didn't need to be told twice either. He whipped that kippah off his head, the clips still attached to his hair, and stuffed it into his pocket.

Apart from with my husband, I have seldom spoken of that story until now. Because in my heart I believed Britain was and still is the tolerant country I had grown up in. This man was a racist, but an anomaly.

In all my years, I had been very thankful not to have ever personally experienced any incidents of anti-Semitism. Britain has been good to the Jews, my parents and grandparents constantly told me, and I had no reason to believe otherwise.

But the events of the last two years have shown a series of disquieting incidents that have increasingly led British Jews to believe they are no longer as safe as they were.

And if you can't be safe in your own home, where can you be?

Pandora's antisemitic box has been opened and we don't know how or even if we can close it, writes Francine Wolfisz

The sickening truth is that it's not just in Britain but around the world that Jewish communities are feeling alarmed, fearful, on edge.

This week's horrific antisemitic attack in Bondi Beach that left 15 dead and more than 40 injured was just the latest in a spate of hate-driven killings targeting Jewish people.

It matters little that events took place more than 10,000 miles away. The sight of Jewish families gathering together to light candles on the first night of the Chanukah festival was one repeated thousands of times over within Jewish communities around the world.

The shootings happened in Australia, but many were thinking this could have been the UK.

In fact two men are on trial right now in Britain charged with plotting a large-scale terrorist attack in Manchester, having been found with 'two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol and almost 200 rounds of ammunition'.

The pair - who have been described as Islamist extremists - planned to 'kill as many Jewish people as they could', prosecutors have alleged.

This trial is entirely separate to October's terror attack on Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, which killed two worshippers and left a third seriously injured.

In light of these incidents, security measures - which were already considered high in comparison to other communities - have been ramped up even further.

Mourners attended a makeshift memorial at the Bondi Pavilion on Monday, less than 24 hours after 15 innocent lives were lost and dozens left injured during a mass shooting

Professional security guards, crash-proof metal fencing and CCTV were all par for the course before October 7, because of fears of synagogues and schools being targeted.

Now youngsters also undergo specialist terror training, where a codeword will trigger them all to immediately lie on the ground, under tables, or crouched beneath windows. They must stay silent and still until they are given the all-clear.

As a parent I should feel reassured by such measures, which have become normalised in our life as Jews in Britain today.

But just because it is normalised, does not mean I will ever accept this as normal.

Neither is it normal to have to go through security barriers before attending a communal gathering for Chanukah, which was additionally flanked by police officers and volunteers from Community Security Trust (CST), a dedicated charity aimed at keeping British Jewry safe.

Even with all these reassurances, the emotional toll has been high. I've done my best to shield my children from the stark reality of these terror incidents, but such things always have a way of filtering through to young ears.

In the weeks after October 7, I will never forget how my son would cry himself to sleep because of a recurring nightmare.

'Is a bad man going to come through the window and get me?' he would ask.

Of course not, I would tell him. We are safe here. I said the words even as I began to doubt them for myself.

British Jews increasingly believe they are no longer as safe as they were. Pictured: The aftermath of October's terror attack on Heaton Park synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, which killed two and left a third person seriously injured

Amid the background of such stark moments, these troubling times have led me to consider whether there really is a future for my children in Britain.

My mind thinks of the disquieting correlation between what we are experiencing now - and what my great-grandparents must have been going through more than 130 years ago.

They lived in the shtetls, small Jewish communities sprinkled around the Pale of Settlement, for centuries until the surging viciousness of pogroms led them to pack their bags and leave for a better life in Britain.

They saw the UK as their sanctuary, their haven. A place where they were finally safe.

Britain again came to the rescue for my husband's family - his grandmother escaping from her home on the German-Polish border just before the war; his Polish grandfather, liberated from a Soviet labour camp by the British, before going on to join their army and proudly serve as a paratrooper.

He was the sole survivor of his family, all of whom were murdered at Auschwitz. But Britain gave him a new life when everything else had been taken from him.

Now two generations on, we are aghast at sitting round the kitchen table and having the same conversations again.

The sad, petrifying truth is our tolerant country has been too tolerant to hatred also. Pandora's antisemitic box has been opened and we don't know how or even if we can close it.

Many will not realise that the Jewish population, numbering 270,000 people, makes up just 0.4 per cent of the UK population. My greatest fear is anti-Jewish hatred will begin driving thousands away - and within the blink of an eye this country will change beyond recognition.

My family fled their homes to come to Britain because of antisemitism.

It should be a source of national shame that Jewish people would consider leaving Britain for the same reason decades later.
Plans to install solar panels on the Grade I listed home of the new Archbishop of Canterbury have been branded a 'complete disgrace'.

Dame Sarah Mullally will become the first female principal leader of the Church of England next year and is set to be installed during a ceremony in January.

But the Church, soon to be under her leadership, has already upset both locals in the Kent city of Canterbury and conservation experts with two sets of plans for renovations at the official residence at Old Place.

The building sits in the centre of the city, next to the Cathedral.

Under the plans, solar panels would be installed on the roof of the Old Palace and a new toilet and bathroom and several stairlifts would be put in.

But heritage campaigners from the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum (CHDF) said the plans were 'not aesthetically pleasing' and local residents said it would 'ruin' the building.

Roger Collingwood, 73, has lived in Canterbury for 30 years and said he thought the plans were 'very poor'.

The retired engineer said: 'Why can't things be kept how they are? It'll ruin the building.

Dame Sarah Mullally (pictured) will become the first female principal leader of the Church of England next year and will be installed during a ceremony in January

Canterbury cathedral, which sits next to the official residence at Old Place

Wendy and Sean Larkin, who are regular visitors to Canterbury and live just outside, said they opposed the plans

'Why does the church need to go woke? Why can't we keep with some tradition? It's a complete disgrace to want to tamper with the building to such an extent.

'I'm not against solar panels or new energy. But there's thousands of new homes being built everywhere, so do it to them, not historic buildings.

'This is the heritage of the area and the community. It makes no sense.'

Mr Collingwood said he would put in an objection against the plans.

He added: 'Where will it stop? If you let significant changes like this in, what next?'

Wendy and Sean Larkin, who are regular visitors to Canterbury and live just outside, said they also opposed the plans.

Wendy, 60, said: 'It'll just cause disruption. Why would you want to mess with tradition? They're not crucial. It can operate and run without solar energy, so why mess with it?

'I don't agree with it. It doesn't seem right to me.'

Sean added: 'You don't come to Canterbury to see solar panels. There's not many places in the country like Canterbury anymore.

'We need to keep as much tradition and heritage as we can. These plans do the opposite to that.

'I don't agree with them. The benefits don't outweigh the negatives.'

The Church has angered locals with two sets of plans for renovations at the official residence at Old Place

Mamun Shaikh, 41, said he supports the idea of solar panels but was concerned about the building

Janet Wood, 67, has lived in Canterbury for 40 years and said the plans would 'ruin' the heritage of the area.

The retired customer service manager said: 'I think it'll just look terrible.

'It will just ruin it forever. This is history. It's hundreds years old. The idea of solar panels makes me upset because we need to protect our history all we can.

'This is so special.

'It's not a great way to try and build a relationship with local residents. I've often thought the church do what they want anyway.

'After what happened with the resignation of the previous Archbishop, you'd have thought they'd listen to locals.'

Mamun Shaikh, 41, said he supports the idea of solar panels but was concerned about the building.

He said: 'We received a letter about it. It's a very historic area. The shops and homes are. I would be worried about that changing because of this.

'It needs to stay the way it is.'

But local Mark Bateson, 66, said he was happy with the changes.

He said: 'I've lived in Canterbury for around 30 years. I am ok with these plans.

'I don't think it'll have a significant impact.'

Fire alarms and smoke detectors would also be added to the property and a 'commercial kitchen' in the palace would be reworked, with units removed and a partition wall knocked down.

Mark Bateson, 66, said he was happy with the changes. He said: 'I've lived in Canterbury for around 30 years. I am okay with these plans'

The Church Commissioners also want to undertake outside alteration work, including repairs and partial replacement to roof coverings, replacement rainwater goods and stonework conservation.

Canterbury Heritage Design Forum (CHDF) said the plans were 'not aesthetically pleasing'.

The group said: 'CHDF find it hard to like these proposals, necessary though they may be to meet access requirements and to improve sustainability.

'Most of the changes seem to be reversible, which is fortunate as they are not aesthetically pleasing as far as can be seen.'

And Canterbury District Swifts group said swifts could be present in the eaves of the historic building.

Swifts are considered an endangered species in the UK and are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species because of population declines in recent decades.

Savills, representing the Church Commissioners, said of the proposals: 'Although the area has undergone significant alteration over time, it retains considerable historic value and sensitivity.

'The proposals are intended to improve functionality while respecting the historic character of the building and are accompanied by minor repair works.

'The works are fully reversible and have been designed to respect the character of the space while improving its functionality.'

They added that in terms of heritage terms, the level of harm is 'considered none'.

Dame Sarah is the current Bishop of London and Archbishop-elect of Canterbury and will replace Justin Welby who quit over an abuse scandal which has hit the church.

A spokesman for the Church Commissioners told The Telegraph: 'The building is in need of maintenance and repair, which is routinely carried out when a property is empty  this includes roof works, damp proofing and the general maintenance required for a Grade 1 historic building of this kind, consistent with our obligations as good asset managers.

'We are of course mindful of the views of the local community and will do everything we can to ensure the works cause minimal disruption  both to the locals as well as the wildlife that has made its home on the site.

'The installation of solar panels is designed to 'future-proof' the site, cutting emissions and reducing running costs over the long term and is part of the Church of England's ambition to become net zero by 2030, as approved by Synod in 2022.'
A Florida tow truck driver was charged with a third-degree felony for towing a man's car while his daughter was inside.

On December 14, driver Sergio Suarez hauled away a car parked in a fire lane outside a restaurant in Sunrise, seemingly unaware that there was a little girl still inside.

The girl's distressed father was caught on surveillance footage waiting inside of Bistro Creole Restaurant.

He told police that he left his daughter alone in the car for just two minutes, when he saw the truck pull up to take it away, per WSVN.

The father quickly ran outside and began to pound on the truck's window, trying to inform Suarez that his four year old daughter was in the back seat.

Suarez reportedly ignored the father's desperate pleas because he though he 'might become aggressive,' per the arrest report obtained by ABC News.

Instead, he pulled away, leaving the panicked dad to dash after him.

'The driver is speeding, and the dad is behind, screaming, 'My daughter is in the car, my daughter is in the car, my daughter is inside,' a witness told WSVN.

Sergio Suarez, 34, was arrested after towing a car that had a little girl still inside

The father of the little girl reportedly ran after the tow truck in a panic, yelling and banging on the windows

The father was inside of Bistro Creole Restaurant in Sunrise, Florida and said he'd only left his daughter alone for two minutes

He can be seen in footage of the incident running after the tow truck on foot, even yanking open the door of his own gray sedan as it was pulled away.

Despite the terrified father's efforts, Suarez, 34, kept on driving.

When it became clear that Suarez was not going to stop, the horrified father 'observed his daughter fall out of the vehicle and into the roadway,' per the arrest report.

Some witnesses reported that she jumped out to escape the terrifying chase.

The father 'immediately ran into traffic, picked up his daughter from the middle of West Oakland Park Boulevard and moved her to safety,' said the report per WCVB.

She suffered 'superficial injuries' to her arms and leg. She was taken to the hospital and treated for scrapes and bruises.

Her dad told reporters that she was recovering just fine.

Even before Suarez pulled away, the unidentified father was banging on the tow truck window

The dad ran out of the restaurant the moment he notices his car being pulled away

Even after the little girl fell out, officers said Suarez continued driving away.

That is, until authorities called Suarez's company  All-Ways Towing & Storage and instructed the runaway driver to bring the vehicle back to the restaurant.

Police said Suarez tried to stealthily drop off the car and flee, but he was quickly arrested.

He allegedly admitted to officers that he failed to check the car for passengers before towing it.

The tow truck driver also reportedly divulged that he 'received multiple calls' from his company that there was someone in the vehicle.

But he claimed that he pulled over to check and no one was inside, per the report.

When Suarez appeared in court on December 15, his attorney stated that the defendant checked the vehicle 'three times and there was no child inside.'

As the dad pursued the tow truck on foot, he yanked open the back door. His daughter later fell out of the car

The dad (pictured) said his daughter would be okay after being treated for 'superficial' injuries

'He doesn't know how it came about,' his lawyer said.

Suarez was arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

He was advised to avoid driving until further notice.

It is unclear whether the girl's father will face charges for leaving her alone in the vehicle.

The Daily Mail contacted the Sunrise police for more information.
I've always found our traditional festive feast one of the most dreary dinners of the year  dry turkey, overcooked sprouts and lumpen Christmas pudding. Not so much a celebration as a barely edible dirge.

I blame Charles Dickens who, with A Christmas Carol, helped to push the traditional stuffed boar's head, beef and goose off the festive table and replace them with that dreary American gobbler.

If only Scrooge had ignored those pesky ghosts and remained an old miser, turkey would have stayed in the butcher's window, well away from the Great British Christmas lunch.

Yes, I know, I know, there are some very fine British turkeys out there, packed with flavour and bursting with succulence. And, yes, turkey is hardly a stranger to our native table, devoured by the rich right back to the reign of Henry VIII.

But I do sometimes wish we could return to the pagan Christmas of old, an epic, no-holds-barred Bacchanalia, where things got rather wild.

Or perhaps we could look around the world for inspiration, including some traditional alternatives that are very strange indeed...

Take what's said to be the most popular Christmas lunch of all: a festive feast so sought-after, loved and adored, that it sells out in a matter of minutes. Millions log on to secure their reservation as soon as orders open on November 1, then queue to pick them up on Christmas Day.

But this Yuletide delicacy is neither rare nor exalted. Miles removed from white truffles and golden caviar, it's not even a turkey.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol helped to push the traditional stuffed boar's head, beef and goose off the festive table and replace them with that dreary American gobbler

No, in Japan, it is all about the Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas Party Barrel, a 25 special-edition bucket packed with eight pieces of fried chicken, a gratin and some form of pudding. As the popular slogan goes, 'Kentucky is Christmas!'

The festival is very much a secular, commercial affair in Japan and it's business as usual on the 25th.

So, how did Colonel Sanders, that strangely goateed Southern gent, become so intrinsically linked with Yule? It started in 1970 with the opening of the first 'Kentucky' (as it's known in Japan) in the city of Nagoya, where manager Takeshi Okawara apparently overheard an expat bemoaning a lack of turkey on Christmas Day.

And so he came up with the Christmas Party Barrel, chicken being similar to turkey. In 1974, it went nationwide, with Colonel Sanders dressed in Father Christmas garb  and it's been Christmas at Kentucky ever since.

Some traditional dishes from other countries sound less familiar  and a little less appealing.

To make 'kiviak', a festive speciality from Greenland, a seal is disembowelled and stuffed with up to 500 small Arctic birds, before being sewn back up and sealed with fat to keep those pesky flies out.

In Japan it is all about the Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas Party Barrel, a 25 special-edition bucket packed with eight pieces of fried chicken, a gratin and some form of pudding

The whole thing is then buried to ferment for up to 18 months. When suitably rotten, the birds are removed and eaten by biting off the head and sucking the juices out.

Another Christmas classic in these parts is 'mattak', whale skin with a bit of blubber attached, eaten raw, deep fried or pickled. Far be it from me to pass judgment on the culinary quirks of other cultures, but I think even I'd stick with turkey.

The Polish feast on Christmas Eve  when the festival is celebrated in many Catholic countries  is more up my street. Made up of 12 dishes representing the 12 Apostles and the 12 months of the year, it involves carp  a fish eaten all over central and eastern Europe  'barszcz' (beetroot soup, known in Ukraine and Russia as borsch), pierogi dumplings and various fruit and poppy-seed puddings.

On the same day in the west of Norway, the scent of dry-cured lamb ribs, or 'Pinnekjtt', cooked slowly over birch wood, fills the icy streets  accompanied, of course, by a bracing shot of aquavit.

The ribs are followed by 'risgrt', a rice pudding in which an almond is hidden. The person who finds the nut traditionally wins a marzipan pig.

A similar rice pudding in Denmark is called 'risalamande'. Here, too, there is a hidden almond and a similar porcine prize. Alongside roast pork, herring plays a starring role for the Danes.

From the west of Norway, the scent of dry-cured lamb ribs, or 'Pinnekjtt', cooked slowly over birch wood, fills the icy streets

No surprises there, but 'julesild' sees the fish pickled and spiced with cinnamon, cloves and sandalwood. It's served as a starter in the splendidly monikered 'julefrokost', or Christmas lunches, throughout December.

Over to the east in Finland, roast ham, smoked fish and pickled beetroot salad are devoured with typically Nordic gusto, alongside 'lanttulaatikko', a spiced swede bake.

You won't be surprised to hear that in France, they take Le Reveillon, or the Christmas Eve feast, very seriously.

Expect platters of oysters, langoustines, rillettes, gougeres, (baked cheese puffs), foie gras and pain d'epices (spiced bread), some form of soup, snails swimming in garlic butter, lentil salads, turkey with chestnut stuffing, roast quails, capons, ducks, coq au vin, boeuf en daube, gratin dauphinoise, a glut of cheese, all ending with a buche de Noel, their take on the Yule Log.

Everything, basically, that makes French food delectable.

The Germans have mastered the festive feast, too, traditionally going for fish on Christmas Eve  usually carp, salmon or hake  with fried potatoes and sauerkraut. Lunch involves a roasted duck, turkey or goose, with plump bread dumplings and braised red cabbage. For pudding it's stollen, obviously.

Things get resolutely carnivorous down in Catalonia, where Christmas lunch begins with 'sopa de galets'. A broth made from beef and ham bones, plus chicken feet and pig trotters, is simmered with meatballs and galets, those giant Catalonian pasta shells.

'Sorpotel' is a lovely dish eaten at Christmas in Goa, as well as at weddings and other celebrations. This is a vindaloo-style pork-and-offal stew, tangy with vinegar and with a good chilli whack

Adifferent sort of pasta and broth, 'anolini in brodo', is eaten on Christmas Eve in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Rolling and filling the tiny meat-filled pasta parcels is all part of the fun, and that great chef Angela Hartnett  whose grandparents hailed from that part of Italy  keeps up the tradition to this day, roping in the entire family in this delectable ritual.

Some say the feast is based upon the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church; others argue it references the seven hills of Rome. What is absolutely agreed upon is this feast must go on for hours.

Around the world, of course, billions do not celebrate Christmas at all. But in Goa, the southern coastal state of India, the Portuguese influence is still strong. It's one of the very few places in India where pork is widely eaten.

'Sorpotel' is a rather lovely dish eaten at Christmas, as well as at weddings and other celebrations. This is a vindaloo-style pork-and-offal stew, tangy with vinegar and with a good chilli whack.

Over in the Philippines  which thanks to 300 years of Spanish rule has the largest Catholic population in Asia  the mighty 'lechon', or whole roasted pig, is the centrepiece of the Christmas Eve celebrations.

In the Philippines, the mighty 'lechon', or whole roasted pig, is the centrepiece of the Christmas Eve celebrations

The skin should be as brittle as stained glass, the meat seductively soft. Seasoned with salt, lemongrass, garlic and bay leaves, it tastes as triumphant as it looks.

In Mexico, that most magnificent of countries, they take the feasting to ever headier heights, with 'Nochebuena' on Christmas Eve. Tables are laden with 'tamales' (corn dough stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings, then steamed in corn husks or banana leaves), 'pozole' (a hearty stew made from hominy, or corn kernels, and various meats and chilies), 'moles' (a sauce that takes many forms) and churros.

In Australia which, like the rest of the Southern hemisphere, celebrates Christmas in the summer heat, the barbie is king.

And it's not just shrimp thrown on top, but crayfish and other local crustaceans, such as yabbies and lobsters like Moreton bay bugs, too. Alongside a great glazed ham, turkey, salads, gingerbread, trifle and, of course, the mighty pavlova.

The truth is that turkey is the star of the Parker Bowles's Christmas dinner for the wider family, with my mother, step-father, children, sister, brother-in-law, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews gathered round the table.

It's held the week before Christmas, before everyone disappears in different directions around the country.

But for my own Christmas Day at home, the gobbler is out of the question. I adore goose, but the kids tend to moan. So beef it is, a great four-rib roasting joint cooked very rare, with gravy, roast potatoes, sprouts with bacon, and pigs in blankets. Obviously. Because Christmas simply isn't Christmas without an excess of chipolatas wrapped in bacon.

Yet the truth is I still yearn for the old Twelve Days of Christmas, a time of much carousing, mischief and merry-making, all fuelled by industrial amounts of booze. Plus ca change, I hear you cry.

But when the Victorians put the emphasis back on family  aided, once more by Dickens, and the high-church Oxford Movement of the 1830s and 1840s  we lost dishes such as the Christmas Pie.

For this, pheasants, hares, rabbits, capons and pigeons were deboned, chopped and mixed with their livers and hearts, along with two sheep's kidneys, forcemeat balls, pickled mushrooms, salt, pepper, spice and vinegar.

The mixture was stuffed into a 'crust of good bake' shaped like a bird, and the whole thing filled with stock. This mighty melange was then baked and finished with a pheasant's head and feathers. Now that's what I call a proper Christmas feast.
A convicted neo-Nazi who changed gender has avoided being sent to a men's prison and has now applied to be legally recognised as non-binary - despite being on the run from authorities.

Marla-Svenja Liebich, a far-Right extremist convicted of inciting hatred, has submitted a new request to alter gender status after previously registering as a woman ahead of sentencing in Germany.

The move comes after Liebich skipped bail and failed to report to a women's prison in Chemnitz, Saxony, where the sentence was due to be served. Authorities say Liebich is now a fugitive.

In comments to Euronews, Liebich said the latest application was driven by personal distress and public backlash.

'I want to separate my private life from my public persona,' Liebich said.

'I no longer want to be Marla Svenja because others have ruined it for me. Being a woman no longer feels right. Because of all the hate and smear campaigns against me.

'I really do have doubts about my gender identity; the harassment makes me feel neither like a fully fledged woman nor a man, so it must be something else.'

Marla-Svenja Liebich, a far-Right extremist convicted of inciting hatred, has submitted a new request to alter gender status after previously registering as a woman ahead of sentencing in Germany

The move comes after Liebich skipped bail and failed to report to a women's prison in Chemnitz, Saxony

Liebich was sentenced in July 2023 for multiple offences, including slander and incitement to hatred, after being photographed at far-Right rallies wearing a Nazi-style uniform.

The case attracted international attention in late 2024 when Liebich applied to change gender from male to female shortly before sentencing - a move that resulted in plans for the sentence to be served in a women's prison rather than a male facility.

Before the gender change, Liebich had a long record of anti-LGBT rhetoric and had previously referred to LGBT people as 'parasites of society'. Liebich also disrupted a Pride event in Halle, in eastern Germany, fuelling speculation that the transition was politically motivated or intended to secure more favourable prison conditions.

Despite being ordered to report to Chemnitz women's prison, Liebich failed to appear and later posted 'love from Moscow' on social media, alongside an AI-generated image depicting the Russian capital.

Now, while still on the run, Liebich has submitted a further request to change gender status to non-binary.

German rules require individuals to appear in person at a registry office to formally change gender.

Liebich is arguing that this requirement violates personal rights, claiming attendance would result in immediate arrest and prevent the gender change from going ahead. An official technical supervisory complaint has been lodged on that basis.

The case has become a flashpoint in the debate surrounding Germany's self-determination law, introduced in 2023 under Olaf Scholz.

The legislation allows citizens to change their legal name and gender through a registry office without medical assessments or expert opinions.

Liebich, previously known as Sven Liebich, is considered by German domestic intelligence services as a 'right-wing extremist'

Under the law, individuals may change gender up to twice a year, and deliberately using incorrect pronouns can be treated as a criminal offence.

While the reforms were designed to support transgender, intersex and non-binary people, critics argue Liebich's case exposes loopholes that can be exploited by offenders seeking to influence sentencing or prison placement.

The controversy mirrors similar disputes elsewhere. In Scotland, convicted rapist Isla Bryson transitioned while awaiting trial for two rapes committed while living as a man and was initially placed in a women's prison before being moved following public outrage.

Attempts to introduce comparable gender reforms in Scotland in 2023 were blocked by the UK government.

In England, Jessica Winfield was transferred to a women's prison in 2017 after transitioning while serving a life sentence for offences including rape.
Passengers on the flight on which a British grandmother was found dead have claimed the elderly woman's carers propped up her head to allegedly try and conceal her passing.

Personal trainer and wellbeing expert Petra Boddington said that many of those on board thought the 89-year-old was already no longer alive when she was first wheeled onto the easyJet flight from Malaga, Spain to London's Gatwick Airport, The Sun reported.

The woman - described by passengers as looking 'lifeless' - is believed to have been helped on to the aircraft by relatives who, witnesses claim, told airline staff she was unwell and had fallen asleep.

But just before take off, cabin crew were alerted that the woman had passed away. The plane was turned around before it left the runway - and the flight was delayed by 12 hours.

The case has made headlines around the world, with many users online drawing parallels with the 1989 film Weekend At Bernies, in which two employees attempt to pass off their dead boss as alive in order to avoid being targeted by the mob.

EasyJet rejects the narrative put forward by some of the concerned passengers that the woman was deceased when brought on board.

The budget airline says the grandmother had a valid 'fit to fly' certificate - and that medical professionals travelling with her can confirm that she was alive when she entered the plane.

Ms Boddington said she first noticed the 'fragile' woman when she was still inside the airport.

Passenger Petra Boddington (pictured) took to Facebook to claim that the elderly British woman was 'clearly not ok' when she was wheeled on to the flight from Malaga to Gatwick - although easyJet insist the pensioner had a 'fit to fly' certificate and was still alive when she boarded the flight with her medical escorts

After boarding and taking her seat in the middle of the plane, she saw the pensioner arriving on to the aircaft in a wheelchair, pushed by a member of ground staff.

Hunched over in an uncomfortable-looking position, Ms Boddington and other fliers suspected the worst.

'People turned in their seats and went, "Oh my god, she looks dead",' she said.

'Anybody with eyes could see that she was not fit to fly and it wasn't just me that thought it, it was everybody else that she went past.'

Ms Boddington even says that other passengers claimed to have seen the carers either side of the deceased woman propping her head up to disguise her death.

'People sat in front of me even said they'd seen the people that were with her holding her head up. We all thought that she looked dead,' she added.

The dead grandmother was reportedly sat in special assistance seat at the end of a row, flanked by her two carers.

The flight was due to take off at 11.15am, but as the airplane began to taxi along the runway, cabin crew carried out their final pre-flight checks and realized that the woman was unresponsive, witnesses said.

Noticing the grandmother's condition, a doctor was called - who pronounced her dead while she was still on board.

The exact time of her death remains a mystery but easyJet is steadfast in its claim that the concerned passengers were wrong, the passenger had a fit to fly certificate - and was alive when she boarded the plane.

Another passenger Tracy-Ann Kitching (pictured) claimed that she believed that the woman, 89, was already dead when her family wheeled her onto the the plane

Another passenger, Tracy-Ann Kitching, took to social media to express her outrage about the incident.

She wrote on Facebook: 'easyJet  you are unbelievable! Why did you let a dead person on our flight?!

'Special assistance [the service for boarding passengers with a disability or reduced mobility] are responsible too; they should have raised the issue.'

'I saw her wheeled onto the plane; someone was holding her head as they went past me! An actual doctor onboard [confirmed] she was already dead when they put her in her seat.'

She went on: 'However I must show empathy for the poor person who died and the family as well as your cabin and ground crew; what a terrible situation for them.

'I must also praise the First Officer [co-pilot] who came out and patiently answered our questions. He was professional and personable  thank you.'

She said, of the party who brought the dead woman onboard: 'I hope the Spanish authorities throw the book at them!'

Ms Kitching continued: 'We've just seen the family looking very sheepish as they b****y should. Should have been removed in handcuffs.'

She went on to explain that the co-pilot told passengers he would write a report on the events of the flight, using their testimonies.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the customer who sadly passed away and we are offering support and assistance at this difficult time.

'She was permitted to fly because she had a medical fit to fly certificate and was being supported by medical personal during her journey.

'It was only after boarding the customer then required medical assistance and she sadly passed away.'

'The wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority and we would ask customers for their understanding in these circumstances.'
IT is a vital element of any Christmas dinner.

But health chiefs have warned festive revellers of the dangers of gravy this Christmas, after citing it as one of the main reasons for festive visits to A&E.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has listed a number of common festive mishaps that result in hospital visits.

As well as falls from ladders and digestive issues sparked by over-indulgence, the health board lists gravy burns among the most frequent reasons for attending emergency departments over the Christmas period.

Cuts from box cutters and craft knives are also included in the list, along with upset stomachs and respiratory problems.

Upset stomachs and seasonal respiratory illnesses also feature among those who self-present at A&E - conditions that can often be treated elsewhere.

Dr Claire Harrow, deputy medical director for acute services, said: Christmas Day is full of excitement, and lets be honest, a bit of chaos.

When things get hectic, accidents can happen in seconds. Were asking everyone to enjoy the celebrations but take care, especially in the kitchen.

Gravy burns are cited as a leading cause of Christmas A&E visits

NHS chiefs are urging caution to ease pressure on overstretched hospitals

She added: A&E is for urgent injuries and life-threatening emergencies.

For minor injuries or illnesses, you should start by trying to treat from home or call NHS 24 on 111 if youre unsure. Theyll give advice and arrange an appointment if needed, either virtually or in person.

No one wants to spend Christmas Day in a waiting room.

Paediatricians are urging parents and carers to be extra careful to prevent children from sustaining such injuries.

NHSGCC warned that button batteries and water beads are sometimes swallowed by children, and things such as hair straighteners can cause burns.

It also warned that children may swallow liquitabs and other cleaning products, believing them to be sweets.

Jenna Hill, major trauma co-ordinator at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, urged parents to take care when giving kids certain gifts.

She said: Bikes and scooters without motors are popular gifts.

If Santa is delivering any unmotorised items with wheels, then we would also encourage this to come with a helmet.

Our campaign alongside Police Scotland recently highlighted the dangers of (motorised) eScooters and eBikes, and the risk of serious injury is real and rising.

Its important that people remember that eScooters are illegal to use in public spaces and it is illegal for under-14s to ride on eBikes in Scotland.

The warning comes as NHS chiefs warn that A&E departments face added pressure as cases of flu sweep the country.

From December 8 to 14, there were 76 deaths that mentioned influenza on the death certificate - 39 more than the previous week.

Last December, flu cases have surged, with almost 1,700 people waiting over 12 hours to be treated in A&E over Christmas.
A transgender killer who murdered her parents told a judge she has converted to Islam behind bars as she was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Mia Bailey, 30, begged the judge to let her skip the hearing in a Utah court on Friday, voicing concerns that reliving details of her crimes could spark a mental breakdown.

She was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life for murdering her parents, Joseph and Gail Bailey.

Bailey also received up to five years for aggravated assault for shooting at her brother during the same incident. He had locked himself in a bedroom with his wife.

In a statement read to the courtroom by Bailey's attorney Ryan Stout on her behalf, the convicted killer revealed she had become a devout Muslim behind bars.

'Because of my religious beliefs as a Muslim, it would be appropriate to take my life for atonement for what I did,' she said.

Stout also explained that Bailey, who changed her name and gender about a year before the June 2024 murders, had been diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, psychosis, possible bipolar disorder with psychosis, and schizophrenia.

'The most recent time she committed herself [to the hospital], she was discharged three days later, and 10 days later she murdered her parents,' Stout said.

Mia Bailey, 30, begged the judge to let her skip the hearing in a Utah court on Friday, voicing concerns that reliving details of her crimes could spark a mental breakdown

Bailey transitioned and changed her name about a year before the tragic 2024 slayings

Gail had been shot four times while Joseph had been shot twice in the head. Police said Bailey broke into their home ahead of the horrific slayings

Bailey gunned down her parents, Gail and Joseph Bailey, inside their Utah home on June 18, 2024.

She was found 16 hours later following a widespread manhunt.

Gail had been shot four times while Joseph had been shot twice in the head. Police said Bailey broke into their home ahead of the horrific slayings.

Her brothers also provided statements to the court, indicating they feared for their lives.

'What's best for us and what's best for Mia is probably staying in prison for as long as possible,' Corey Bailey told the judge.

'We've lost our parents, and we've lost a sibling in many ways as well. So either way, no matter what, we are losing as a family on this sentence.'

He acknowledged that he doesn't believe Bailey was in the right mind at the time of the murders, but that he is still afraid of what might happen.

Bailey's other brother, Dustin, addressed her directly with his statement, noting: 'It was clear you were not safe or well.'

In a statement read to the courtroom by Bailey's attorney Ryan Stout on her behalf, the convicted killer revealed she had become a devout Muslim behind bars

Bailey gunned down her parents Gail and Joseph Bailey, inside their Washington, Utah, home on June 18, 2024. She was found 16 hours later following a widespread manhunt

Bailey had pleaded guilty to the charges

But Dustin said their mother, Gail, was always Bailey's most prominent defender and advocate, and did whatever she could to get Bailey help.

'When Mia struggled, Gail's response was not frustration or withdrawal. It was persistence,' Dustin said.

Bailey had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called for NSW Premier Chris Minns to lead the country, arguing he would better keep Australians safe in the aftermath of the Bondi attack.

Abbott said Minns has shown the strength and conviction lacking from the Federal government since the horrific shooting that claimed 15 lives during a Jewish festival on December 14.

'I just wish we had someone like Chris Minns as our Prime Minister right now,' Abbott said on Radio 2GB on Monday.

'The contrast between a Prime Minister who has lacked all conviction from the beginning, and a New South Wales Labor Premier who at least sounded like he wanted to do the right thing could hardly be greater.'

Abbott accused Anthony Albanese's government of failing to tackle rising antisemitism and extremist hate in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.

'At every level, this is a government which hasn't seemed fair dinkum about tackling the dual hatred in our midst,' Abbott said.

'It all started with the appalling reaction of so many so-called Islamic community leaders to the original October 7 atrocity. Then we had that day of infamy in front of the Opera House where an angry mob was yelling unspeakable things against Jewish people.'

He criticised the federal government for indecision when it comes to tackling extremist slogans and cracking down on hate preachers.

Tony Abbott (pictured) praised Chris Minns' response to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack

'Even now, we have a federal government that can't quite decide what slogans are going to be banned, what marches are going to be banned, what's going to happen to hate preachers. It's just not good enough,' he said.

'We need at least a few people with a national security mindset in these perilous times, and that appears to be completely lacking in a government which is just not up to the job of keeping our country safe.'

Abbott's remarks come as Minns continues to win praise for his decisive and empathetic response to the Bondi Beach tragedy.

Within 24 hours of the attack, Minns appeared on ABC's 7.30 and acknowledged shortcomings in his government's response.

'I'm sure if we had our time again, we would have responded differently,' Minns said.

Days later, he was met with a standing ovation at Sydney's Central Synagogue after expressing deep regret.

'The first duty of any state is to protect its citizens. The sad reality for me and our state is we didn't do that. I bear a deep responsibility for that as Premier.'

Minns has attended every victim's funeral, supported calls for a federal royal commission, and promised stronger security for Jewish communities.

Chris Minns (pictured) received a standing ovation at the Bondi memorial on Sunday night

Anthony Albanese (pictured) was booed by attendees at the Bondi Beach vigil on Sunday

By contrast, Albanese faced a hostile crowd at Sunday night's vigil near Bondi Pavilion.

Declaring a national Day of Reflection, the Prime Minister was booed on arrival, and one man charged at him, shouting 'blood on your hands.'

Jewish leaders have since supported a royal commission, with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip publicly thanking Minns for his leadership and prompting another standing ovation.

Albanese was then booed for a second time.

Abbott said Minns' approach was a stark contrast to what he described as a 'social justice mindset' in the Albanese government.

'We need at least a few people who've got a national security mindset in these perilous times, and that appears to be completely lacking in a government which is just not up to the job of keeping our country safe,' Abbott said.

'I just wish Labor could find someone like Chris Minns in their ranks to lead the country,' he added. 'Because right now, we need strength, and we're not getting it.'
This is the moment a huge fire caused plumes of thick black smoke to billow over Methil Harbour in Scotland.

Drone footage shows firefighters working to tackle the blaze at a yard in Fife, while trailers and lorries caught fire.

Crews managed to extinguish the blaze by 11.30am on Sunday and left the scene at around 1pm.

Emergency services, including the Scottish Fire and Rescue and police, were alerted to the fire at 9.10am.

Seven appliances attended the scene to extinguish the blaze.

There are no reports of any injuries, and people at the time were told to avoid the area due to the level of smoke.

Local residents were asked to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.

A fire that caused a huge explosion caused plumes of thick black smoke to billow over Methil Harbour in Scotland

Emergency services, including the Scottish Fire and Rescue and police, were alerted to the fire at 9.10am

Scottish Fire and Rescue urged people to keep away from the scene due to the volume of spoke

Police said the area is now safe again and the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

No fire investigator was requested to attend the scene.

A SFRS statement read: 'We were called at 9.11 am to reports of a fire affecting multiple heavy goods vehicles and trailers near Methil Harbour in Fife.

'Operations control has mobilised seven fire appliances to the scene, where crews are working to extinguish the fire.

'There are no reported casualties, and crews remain in attendance.

'Due to the volume of smoke, people are asked to avoid the area. Local residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.'
Melbourne woman Nikkita Azzopardi had her bags packed and was ready to start a new life when she was beaten to death with a fire iron by her crazed partner.

But her body wasn't found for another two days, until her brothers broke down the door of her home to confront Joel Micallef inside - and made the horrific discovery.

The Victorian justice system has now found Micallef, 34, was not responsible for his actions.

He was found not guilty of murder because of mental impairment, after the Supreme Court of Victoria heard he had schizophrenia and was in the grips of 'acute psychosis' when he killed Ms Azzopardi, 35.

Ms Azzopardi's brothers Shaun and Darren discovered her battered body two days after Micallef killed her on October 26 last year inside their South Morang home, in Melbourne's north-east.

The scene of horror remains seared in their memory.

But now, Micallef's planned transfer to Thomas Embling Hospital, a mental health facility, has hurt them just as deeply.

The brothers allege Micallef's mental health was exaggerated to excuse what they see as cold-blooded murder.

'There was enough hard evidence there displaying motive, displaying intent,' Darren told an upcoming episode of Daily Mail's The Trial Australia podcast.

Nikkita Azzopardi (pictured) had her bags packed and was ready to start a new life

'Our sister was taken on the Saturday. The night before on the Friday, there was an argument. My sister had intentions to leave him, started packing her car.'

Darren claims Micallef then imprisoned his sister within the family home, deadlocking the doors with her inside before leaving.

'Basically it's imprisonment where he had taken her keys, car keys, so she can't leave. Taken the house keys, locked the house,' Darren said.

'And despite all that, to me, in the research I've been doing, that's enough evidence there to rule out mental impairment, because there was motive, there was intent, there was a lot of questionable things going on at that time.

'He was out and about. Apparently he saw my sister as a threat.'

Ms Azzopardi had been in contact with her partner's father while locked in the house, but those messages were later deleted.

'Around 6pm there was that 38-minute WhatsApp conversation, a video call. It was also revealed the text exchanges between Joel's father and our sister were deleted by Nikki,' Shaun said.

'So it showed what that demonstrates to us is control. He was going through her phone, who knows how often, but she wanted to just remove everything there.

'There's definitely the element of control there. And I think she feared for her life and she didn't know what to do.'

The court heard evidence from two forensic psychiatrists who said Micallef was acutely psychotic and experiencing paranoid delusions when he attacked Ms Azzopardi in their home.

Nikkita Azzopardi was beaten to death by Joel Micallef

Joel Micallef locked Nikkita Azzopardi in their home (pictured) before returning and bashing her to death

'He believed his partner had in some way been replaced by a demon,' Dr Andrew Carroll told the court.

Ms Azzopardi's devastated family rejected the diagnosis.

'If he really saw my sister as a threat to his safety, his life, which he had stated, then why wouldn't you let her go?' Darren said.

'Why, why leave her in the house? Why would you stop her from leaving against her will? These are the questions that we can simply not get answered.

'And during that court, the last court hearing at Supreme, they were just purely focusing on Joel's history and the Mental Impairment Act and nothing more.

Shaun claimed Micallef had been off his medication at the time of the attack, despite assertions he had been taking them.

'When I went to the property in South Morang to collect Nikkita's things, I went upstairs and I found two bags of medication,' he revealed.

'They were dated June and July... I've got proof the medication was still in blister packs and not taken.'

The brothers believe there was enough evidence to run a trial, but prosecutors refused to push ahead.

Shaun Azzopardi and his family pictured outside the Supreme Court of Victoria

'We wanted a jury from the start,' said Shaun.

'And I have to say the first session that we had with the OPP, it was, there was empathy shown and they were going to work with us all the way to bring justice.

'We were told we will get justice. As the meetings went on, we definitely saw a shift in mindset.'

Shaun claimed prosecutors wanted little to do with his family upon making their decision to accept the mental impairment plea.

'During our latest Teams meeting, our father tried to speak but was muted,' Shaun said.

'Now that's crazy. So we're not heard and justice, there was no justice provided at all. So yeah, we want a jury and we want the decision made that way.'

The brothers believe their sister's case was simply placed in the 'too hard basket'.

Shaun added: 'Pretty much they made their mind up straight away.

Shaun and Darren Azzopardi and their sister and step mum

'In our second session we had a mental health expert sitting in on the meetings telling us all about what could take place and what the processes are.

'So we knew straight away which way they were going.'

The family is calling for reforms to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act of 1997 in the hope others don't suffer their fate.

A spokesperson for the OPP told Daily Mail it had acted on the advice of health officials.

'Joel Micallef was individually assessed by two very experienced and reputable forensic psychiatrists, one on behalf of the defence and one on behalf of the prosecution,' the spokesperson said.

'Both found that he was mentally impaired at the time of the offending. Upon receipt of medical evidence from properly qualified medical practitioners, as well as a verifiable relevant history, the prosecution accepted that Mr Micallef had the defence of mental impairment available to him, and the matter proceeded in court on that basis.

'The family of the deceased were extensively conferenced and kept informed throughout.'
Labour has been accused of launching a fresh attack on rural England by outlawing trail hunting.

Ministers will on Monday announce a ban on the field sport  in which hunters follow packs of hounds through the countryside in search of pre-laid scents rather than live animals  as part of a wider Animal Welfare Strategy.

They say they are taking action over fears that trail hunting is being used to cover up the hunting of foxes, which the previous Labour government made illegal.

Environment minister Baroness Hayman said: 'In our manifesto we said we would ban trail hunting, and that's exactly what we'll do.

'There is evidence that trail hunting is being used as a smokescreen for the hunting of wild animals and that's not acceptable. We are working out the best approach to take the ban forward and will run a consultation to seek views in the new year.'

But campaigners said the ban represented another attack on the countryside following Labour's inheritance tax raid on family farms.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: 'More legislation on trail hunting is the last thing the countryside needs and it is extraordinary that the Government thinks this is a priority.

'The last Labour government spent hundreds of hours of parliamentary time banning traditional hunting, but it remains obsessed with the issue. When rural people are reeling from the imposition of inheritance tax on family farms and a hike on rural business rates, the last thing they need is another attack on the countryside.'

Ministers will on Monday announce a ban on trail-hunting  in which hunters follow packs of hounds through the countryside in search of pre-laid scents rather than live animals

The looming ban on trail hunting in England and Wales  which will follows a similar move in Scotland in 2023  is likely to spark fears for the future of the packs of foxhounds, beagles and other dogs used by hunters.

Mr Bonner added: 'Hunts are committed to the welfare of their hounds and to maintaining the social networks that are vital to so many rural communities.

'We will fight for a future for hunts and for hounds, and just as the last time Labour tried to get rid of hunting, we will endure.'

On Sunday night, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote online: 'So now Labour wants to ban trail hunting. You might as well ban walking dogs in the countryside as they chase rabbits, hares, deer and foxes. Labour are authoritarian control freaks.'

The Animal Welfare Strategy will also ban snare traps because they can catch pets as well as causing suffering, and outlaw shooting hares during their breeding season.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it would 'end the cruel practice' of puppy farming and consider introducing licences for dog rescue and rehoming organisations. Electric shock dog collars could also be banned.

Defra also vowed to improve welfare on farms by 'moving away from confinement systems' for caged hens, and introducing 'humane slaughter requirements' for farmed fish.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 'This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation. Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm and in the wild.'
Wes Streeting has said he would go even further than Keir Starmer in reversing Brexit as he again refused to deny he wants to run the country.

The Health Secretary on Sunday described the Prime Minister's 'reset' deal with Brussels, branded a surrender by the Tories and Reform, as a 'good start'.

But, he added, the best way to boost the economy would be a 'closer trading relationship' with the European Union  indicating his support for rejoining the customs union.

While Mr Streeting, who last month was accused by Downing Street insiders of plotting a coup, insisted Sir Keir has his 'absolute support', he added he thought the country is ready for its first gay prime minister.

Despite rejoining the customs union being a breach of one of Sir Keir's three political 'red lines', the MP for Ilford North said: 'The best way for us to get more growth into our economy is a deeper trading relationship with the EU.

'The reason why leaving the EU hit us so hard as a country is because of the enormous economic benefits that came with being in the single market and the customs union

'The challenge is any economic partnership we have can't lead to a return to freedom of movement.'

In an interview with The Observer, Mr Streeting also broke ranks with Sir Keir by suggesting he supports Australia's ban on social media for under16s.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said he would go even further than Keir Starmer in reversing Brexit

Mr Streeting insisted Sir Keir Starmer had his full support despite being accused by Downing Street insiders of plotting a coup last month

The Prime Minister recently said he opposes a 'blanket ban' but Downing Street on Sunday night said it is 'closely monitoring the policy'.

The Health Secretary said the Government should follow Australia's results to 'see if that's something we should consider doing here'.

In a further sign Mr Streeting wants Labour to adopt policies that would appeal to Remainers, he said: 'We're not going to win the next election by trying to outReform Reform. That's not who we are. Those aren't our values and we've got to beat them, not join them.'

Asked if he wants to be leader, he said: 'The closer I see that job and the pressure on Keir and the demands of that job, the more I wonder why anyone would want it.'

But he refused to rule himself out, saying: 'I'm diplomatically ducking the question to avoid any more of the silly soap opera we've had in the last few months.'

He agreed Britain would vote for a gay PM, but added: 'I want to make it explicitly clear this is not a pitch or a job application. The Prime Minister's got my absolute support.'

But a Tory spokesman on Sunday night said: 'Instead of focusing on running the health service, Wes Streeting is busy courting Leftwing, proEU Labour Party members  now even floating the idea of dragging Britain back into the EU's customs union. Patients and NHS staff deserve a Health Secretary focused on delivery, not political pitchmaking.'

Reform's Deputy Leader Richard Tice said: 'We've heard it straight from the horse's mouth, Labour Remoaners will not be satisfied until every valuable Brexit freedom is surrendered directly to Brussels.'
A Parkland school shooting survivor has died by suicide after spending years battling mental health issues.

Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, 26, was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire and killed 17 people on Valentine's Day 2018.

Metayer struggled with mental health issues in the years that followed and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

He took his own life on December 15, his sister, Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Bowen, announced on Facebook the following day.

'It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of my baby brother, Donovan JL Metayer,' she wrote. 'He was deeply loved.'

An online fundraiser set up by his family described how Metayer was a 'radiant' child' who 'always excelled academically, with an intellect matched only by a magnetic humor and warmth that could light up any room, effortlessly.'

'But beneath that light, Donny carried unimaginable sorrow.'

The fundraiser then goes on to explain that the trauma of the school shooting and the loss of his classmates 'lingered long after graduation and profoundly altered the course of his life.'

Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, 26, has died of suicide after spending years battling mental health issues

Metayer was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida when convicted gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire on Valentine's Day 2018, killing 17 people

Maria Reyes, Stacy Buehler and Tiffany Goldberg light candles around a cross as they attend a candlelight memorial service for the victims of the shooting

'In the months that followed, Danny began to withdraw,' it says. 'Depression, guilt, emotional instability and long periods of isolation replaced the vibrant young man we once knew.'

'Though he had dreamt of college and a future in computer science, his worsening mental health made those dreams difficult to reach.'

In the years that followed, the family said, Metayer would be hospitalized multiple times for suicidal ideation as he 'struggled to accept a mental health diagnosis.'

'Treatment - therapy, medication and constant adjustments - was a journey marked by exhaustion,' the fundraiser says, noting that Metayer 'often masked his pain to not burden those he loved, even as our family fought alongside him.'

The family finally seemed to find some hope when Metayer was admitted to the Henderson Clinic and started seeing a private psychiatrist, who they said offered 'guidance, compassion and hope for his future.'

'With their support, Donny began to heal, earning an IT certificate and joining the team at Office Depot in Coral Springs, where he was quickly promoted.

'After years of challenges, he was beginning to carve out a sense of independence and a future he could believe in,' the fundraiser says. 'His progress was a sense of immense pride for his family.'

But then, Metayer took his own life inside the family home.

He had dreamed of attending college and pursuing a career in computer science

'The loss of our family's youngest child is a sorrow beyond words - one that will echo through our lives forever,' the family wrote.

'Yet even in our grief, we are choosing to speak Donovan's truth so that other families do not have to suffer in silence the way we have.'

They called Metayer's death a 'heartbreaking reminder of the mental health crisis plaguing our youth and the lasting trauma of gun violence on our community.

'Though Donny's life was brief, his impact will be everlasting,' the Metayer family said as they asked for monetary donations to assist with his celebration of life service.

The money will also be used to endow a fund at the Henderson Clinic 'that will provide healthcare, housing and hope for people of all ages with behavioral health conditions throughout Florida.'

His family is now asking for donations to start a fund in his name at the Henderson Clinic to help other Floridians who are battling mental health issues

His sister also shared the fundraiser online, thanking the community for their love and support.

'I see your messages, hear your voicemails and [am] deeply grateful for every expression of remorse,' Bowen wrote on Facebook over the weekend.

'To honor Donovan's life and legacy, our family is establishing a mental health fund in his name,' which she said 'will expand access to mental health services and support for individuals and families who need it most.

'Your generosity, compassion and continued support mean more than words can express during this time,' she wrote.

'Thank you for holding our family in your thoughts and for honoring Donovan's memory with such grace, compassion and love.'

As of Sunday night, the fundraiser had already amassed more than $19,000.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
Accused Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly posed for photographs with guns and home-made devices in the lead-up to December 14 terror attack.

The images were included in a statement of facts which was released by a Sydney court on Monday.

The key documents had been suppressed until a NSW Court lifted the suppression order earlier today.

The documents alleged the two men were armed with homemade pipe bombs and an explosive tennis ball bomb which they threw towards the crowd at Bondi as they launched their attack but which did not detonate.

'Upon parking the vehicle, the accused and (Sajid Akram) removed the IS flags from the vehicle and placed them on the inside of the front and rear windscreen respectively,' documents stated.

'Sajid Akram proceeded to remove the three firearms from the vehicle, as well as the pipe bombs and tennis ball bombs, moved towards the footbridge.

'Upon approaching the footbridge, investigators believe the three pipe bombs and the tennis ball bomb were thrown towards the crowd of people in Archer Park.

'Preliminary analysis indicates the pipe bombs were made of sealed aluminum piping containing explosives, black powder, and steel ball bearings.

'The pipe bombs did not detonate, however, preliminary analysis indicates both items were assessed as viable improvised explosive devices.'

In one video, recorded in October, the pair allegedly posed in front of an Islamic State flag and outlined what police would allege was their explanation for the attack at Bondi Beach.

Pictured below - the Akrams' car seen at Bondi on December 12

Pictured above - the Akram's car is seen in Ocean St Woollahra shortly before the attack was launched

'The accused is recorded appearing to recite, in Arabic, a passage from the Quran,' documents stated.

'Following the recitation, both the accused and (Sajid Akram) speak in English and make a number of statements regarding their motivation for the "Bondi attack" and condemning the actions of "Zionists".'

The court document also includes key CCTV footage of pairs movement in the lead up to the alleged offences.

'Police allege that the accused Naveed and his father, Sajid adhere to a religiously motivated extremist ideology linked to Islamic State,' the document states.

'This is demonstrated by their videoed speech and use of Islamic State flags during the attack.

'There is evidence that the Accused and his father, Sajid Akram meticulously planned this terrorist attack for many months through actions including.

'i) Making an ISIS inspired video; ii) Making of ISIS flags; iii) Firearms training; iv) Making of pipe bombs and improvised explosive devices; v) Booking of accommodation to act as a staging post; and vi) Transportation of firearms and ammunition for the attack.'

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrim, who heard Naveed's matter this morning, said he planned to suppress the names of some survivors of the attack listed in the police statement of facts unless they consented to speaking about their experiences with media outlets.

'I understand that there is understandable public interest in these proceedings,' Magistrate Antrim said.

'Bail is not applied for and is formally refused.'

CCTV images allegedly captured the pair at the scene of the massacre in Bondi on December 12 and then as they left an Airbnb property about 2.16am on the day of the attack.

'On Monday, October 20 2025 the accused rented a room within a five bedroom house,' the document stated.

'This booking was made online through the website Airbnb.

'About 2.16am, on Sunday, December 14 2025 the accused and his father Sajid Akram, were captured by closed circuit television at the premises.

'At this time, the accused and Sajid Akram were observed carrying long and bulky items wrapped in blankets. These items were placed into a 2001 silver Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle was registered to the accused.'

Police alleged the men loaded into their vehicle two single barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle, four homemade improvised explosive devices in brackets, three times, pipe bombs, one times tennis ball bomb, one times large IED bomb, and two Islamic State flags.

They were seen leaving the premises again about 5.09pm.
The Department of Justice was forced into a U-turn on its release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein after a photo of President Donald Trump was temporarily removed from the files.

The missing photo depicted Trump alongside his wife Melania, Epstein, and the pedophile's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

It was taken in February 2000 at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and was one of the few photos in which the president appeared in the documents as federal agents raided Epstein's New York City townhouse.

Another photo from one of Epstein's open desk drawer showed him posing with four women in swimwear.

The photograph of both images are now once again included in the files, the Department of Justice announced Sunday, following accusations of a cover-up.

'The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims,' the department explained on social media.

'Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review.

'After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction.'

Still, Representatives Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, announced Sunday that they are speaking with their fellow members of Congress about holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt.

They claimed that is the best way to hold the Justice Department accountable for its failure to release all eligible files related to Epstein's crimes by Friday's deadline.

The only photos that featured Donald Trump were seen in an image of Epstein's drawers during the FBI raid on his townhouse in New York City (left)

One of the two photos of Trump shows the president with his wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell circa February 2000

The Department of Justice claimed the photo was removed to ensure no victims were pictured

'The quickest way, and I think the most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to brig inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, Massie said on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday when he was asked how Congress could force the DOJ to release the rest of the files it has on the sex pest.

Khanna went even further in his remarks, warning of possible impeachment.

'Congress is talking about possible impeachment. They're talking about inherent contempt for the attorney general or deputy attorney general,' he told CNN on Friday.

'Any Justice Department official who has obstructed justice could face prosecution in this administration or a future administration,' the Democrat warned.

He also told NBC News that he and Massie are 'building a bipartisan coalition, and it would fine Pam Bondi for every day that she's not releasing these documents.'

If Bondi were now to be charged with contempt, she could face these hefty fines, and could even be censured in an effort to compel the Justice Department to release the files.

The two congressmen led efforts last month to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compelled the Trump administration to release all unclassified files it had on the late financier by December 19.

But it soon became clear that the files released on Friday were missing certain information, including the photo of Trump with Epstein, prompting some to accuse the White House of a cover-up.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led the criticisms, alleging it 'could be one of the biggest cover ups in American history' as he demanded 'transparency for the American public.'

Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie warned on Sunday that Attorney General Pam Bondi could face contempt charges for the heavily-redacted files

The two congressmen led efforts last month to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compelled the Trump administration to release all unclassified files it had on the late financier by December 19. They are pictured with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee also pointed to the missing image featuring a Trump photo, writing: 'What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.'

Schumer, referencing a comment made by Trump's Chief of Staff, said the removal of the files is what 'Susie Wiles meant when she said Trump and Epstein were "young, single playboys together".'

Wiles, in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, addressed the Epstein files and Trump's relationship with the pedophile.

'They were, you know, sort of young, single, whateverI know it's a passe word but sort of young, single playboys together,' Wiles told the outlet. She also admitted Trump 'is in the file' but that 'he's not in the file doing anything awful.'

Schumer's post added: 'And if theyre taking this down, just imagine how much more theyre trying to hide

'This could be one of the biggest cover ups in American history.'

Democrats have now accused the White House of a cover-up and are demanding 'transparency for the American public'

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, though, insisted that all of the files would be released - but said that Department of Justice attorneys were still working to redact information and photos related to Epstein's victims.

'We're going through a very methodical process with hundreds of lawyers looking at every single document and making sure that victims' names and any of the information from victims is protected and redacted, which is exactly what the Transparency Act expects,' he said on Meet the Press.

He added that he does not take the threats from Khanna and Massie seriously, 'not even a little bit.'

'Bring it on,' he urged, saying: 'We are doing everything we're supposed to be doing to comply with this statute.

'And Congressman Massie and these other congressmen that are coming out speaking negatively about [FBI] Director [Kash] Patel and the attorney general have no idea what they're talking about.'

Still, the question over the missing photo deepened concerns that had already emerged from the Justice Department's much-anticipated document release.

The Trump administration has been accused of a cover-up

There was a series of never-before-seen photos of former President Bill Clinton but fleetingly few of Trump. Both have been associated with Epstein, but both have since disowned those friendships

The tens of thousands of pages made public offered little new insight into Epstein's crimes or the prosecutorial decisions that allowed him to avoid serious federal charges for years, while omitting some of the most closely watched materials, including FBI interviews with victims and internal Justice Department memos on charging decisions.

Some of the most consequential records expected about Epstein were nowhere to be found in the Justice Department's initial disclosures, which span tens of thousands of pages.

Along with the missing photo were FBI interviews with survivors and internal Justice Department memos examining charging decisions - records that could have helped explain how investigators viewed the case and why Epstein was allowed in 2008 to plead guilty to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge.

The records also hardly reference several powerful figures long associated with Epstein, including Britain's former Prince Andrew, renewing questions about who was scrutinized, who was not, and how much the disclosures truly advance public accountability

Among the fresh nuggets: insight into the Justice Department's decision to abandon an investigation into Epstein in the 2000s, which enabled him to plead guilty to that state-level charge, and a previously unseen 1996 complaint accusing Epstein of stealing photographs of children.

The releases so far have been heavy on images of Epstein's homes in New York City and the US Virgin Islands, with some photos of celebrities and politicians.

There was a series of never-before-seen photos of former President Bill Clinton but fleetingly few of Trump.

Both have been associated with Epstein, but both have since disowned those friendships.

Neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and there was no indication the photos played a role in the criminal cases brought against him.

But Trump spent months trying to block the disclosure of the files linked to Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

The Republican president ultimately bowed to mounting pressure from Congress - including members of his own party - and last month signed the law compelling publication of the materials.

The documents that have been made public were a sliver of potentially millions of pages records in the department's possession.

In one example, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Manhattan federal prosecutors had more than 3.6 million records from sex trafficking investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, though many duplicated material already turned over by the FBI.

Many of the records released so far had been made public in court filings, congressional releases or freedom of information requests, though, for the first time, they were all in one place and available for the public to search for free.

Ones that were new were often lacking necessary context or heavily blacked out.

A 119-page document marked 'Grand Jury-NY,' likely from one of the federal sex trafficking investigations that led to the charges against Epstein in 2019 or Maxwell in 2021, was entirely blacked out.

It is has since become un-redacted.

Photographs of celebrities including Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Richard Branson, and Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, were released by the US Justice Department as part of the long-awaited Epstein files

Pictured: Redacted pages from the Epstein files

There were also photos of Epstein with actors Chris Tucker and Kevin Spacey, and even Epstein with TV newscaster Walter Cronkite. But none of the photos had captions and was no explanation given for why any of them were together.

The meatiest records released so far showed that federal prosecutors had what appeared to be a strong case against Epstein in 2007 yet never charged him.

Transcripts of grand jury proceedings, released publicly for the first time, included testimony from FBI agents who described interviews they had with several girls and young women who described being paid to perform sex acts for Epstein. The youngest was 14 and in ninth grade.

One had told investigators about being sexually assaulted by Epstein when she initially resisted his advances during a massage.

Another, then 21, testified before the grand jury about how Epstein had hired her when she was 16 to perform a sexual massage and how she had gone on to recruit other girls to do the same.

'For every girl that I brought to the table he would give me $200,' she said. They were mostly people she knew from high school, she said. 'I also told them that if they are under age, just lie about it and tell him that you are 18.'

The documents also contain a transcript of an interview Justice Department lawyers did more than a decade later with the US attorney who oversaw the case, Alexander Acosta, about his ultimate decision not to bring federal charges.

Acosta, who was labor secretary during Trump's first term, cited concerns about whether a jury would believe Epstein's accusers.

He also said the Justice Department might have been more reluctant to make a federal prosecution out of a case that straddled the legal border between sex trafficking and soliciting prostitution, something more commonly handled by state prosecutors.

'I'm not saying it was the right view,' Acosta added. He also said that the public today would likely view the survivors differently.

'There's been a lot of changes in victim shaming,' Acosta said.
If the Prime Minister didn't know it before last night, he certainly does now: those mourning the Bondi attack blame him personally for allowing antisemitic hatred to foment, and they now loathe him because of that.

The boos that rang out when Albo arrived and departed from the beachside vigil spoke volumes. The rejection of his offer to speak was a deliberate snub.

If the PM wanted to kid himself that this was all some sort of anti-Labor attitude that's developed during a crisis, last night dispelled that too. The standing ovation Labor's NSW Premier Chris Minns received was in stark contrast to Albo's treatment.

This is personal. Albo is the problem, not Labor.

An overnight Resolve poll revealing a collapse in Albo's personal support highlights that the anger and loathing directed his way isn't limited to the Jewish community. Many other Australians feel the same way. Albo has let us all down.

He'll probably recover his standing over time. In politics, the dogs bark but the caravan usually moves on. And the opposition hasn't exactly got its act together as an alternative government anyway. But for now, at least, the PM is persona non grata - as he should be.

The boos at the Bondi vigil were the sounds of a community concluding that Albo hadn't merely failed to stop a crisis from getting worse. He spent too long managing the optics instead of confronting it with the urgency it demanded -- arrogantly dismissing fears.

Labor's National President, Wayne Swan, doesn't agree. He criticised those at the Sunday vigil, reposting a tweet claiming Jewish people booing were hypocrites because 'they support #Netanyahu who allowed 1200 Israelis to be slaughtered by Hamas then murdered 70000 innocent people in Gaza'.

A rain-soaked Anthony Albanese is seen leaving the Bondi massacre vigil with his wife, Jodie Haydon, on Sunday

Albanese was heckled upon arriving at the event, and booed when his name was announced at the ceremony itself

When contacted by the media Swan said that he 'didn't know' if those attending the vigil supported the 'slaughter' of Palestinians in Gaza, but he did say that he's 'not happy' that Albo was booed, claiing that the response was 'politicising' what has happened.

It is hard not to wonder if Swan just said the quite part out loud within Albo's inner circle. Is that how the PM also feels, but he can't say so given the circumstances? If mourners are politicising the tragedy why are they so grateful and complimentary of the way Labor's NSW Premier is handling the situation?

Bondi didn't emerge from nowhere. It landed on top of two years of rising tensions, public rallies, ugly slogans and a grinding sense in parts of the Jewish community that they were being asked to endure a new normal: extra security, extra fear, extra vigilance and very little certainty that the country's leader understood the scale of what was taking hold.

I live not far from Bondi. Last night, police and security were everywhere, stationed in front of Jewish schools, aged care facilities and places of worship. It's a part of Sydney now forced to live in fear, because of profound failures ahead of time. Jewish friends of mine have had their homes vandalised. I knew one of the victims from last Sunday's attack. Albo's disregard of rising hate and extremism has had real consequences for the community in which I live.

Jillian Segal's antisemitism plan, delivered to Albo months before the attack, hadn't even received a formal government response by the time the terrorists struck. She was issuing warnings with extreme urgency, but Albo's attention was elsewhere. Unfortunately, the government didn't seem to care about the issues that are now front and centre when caring might have made a difference.

The contrast between the PM and Minns was on clear display at St Mary's Cathedral during the week. At the interfaith service, Rabbi Benjamin Elton delivered a blunt assessment: antisemitism in Australia had 'run riot' and what had been done to address it 'has been insufficient'. Words well said.

The congregation applauded, Minns applauded, Albanese did not. He couldn't bring himself to. Instead he sat there, hands clasped together, stone faced. How dare he be criticised or truths be called out. Albo hasn't joined the bandwagon at that point in time, perhaps unaware of the backlash that was brewing against him.

Leaders are allowed to be solemn, but when the room rises to endorse a hard truth and the PM visibly can't bring himself to join in, people don't see that as silent dignity. They see it as him being out of touch. More concerned not to offend constituencies in safe Labor seats, perhaps, who might not agree that antisemitism has 'run riot'. Or was he upset at being criticised for 'insufficient' action?

Then we had the funerals. Minns attended all of them, which he was loudly applauded for doing from the stage at the Sunday vigil. In sharp contrast Albo didn't attend any, his office using the excuse that he wasn't invited. Neither was Minns, incidentally. Politicians rarely are. Unsurprisingly, grieving families have other things on their minds. The protocol is for politicians to reach out if they wish to pay their respects, which is what Minns did. Albo decided not to. A telling contrast to be sure.

If the PM wants to know why in the eyes of many the boos were deserved, he should start with the simple fact that his approach has too often treated antisemitism as a communications problem, rather than a real world concern.

And yes, some of the anger is sharpened by the broader context of how federal Labor has handled the Israel-Gaza conflict domestically. Albo formally recognised the State of Palestine in September. He justified it as momentum builder towards a two state solution, insisting there would be 'no role for Hamas'. As if Albo can hold any sway whatsoever to ensure that stays the case.

A sign that would send chills up the spines of Labor MPs: A Bondi local put 'Welcome to Albo's Australia' in their window, in the wake of the massacre

Closer to home, Labor figures have been willing to lend legitimacy to protest movements that have, at various points in time, been polluted by extremist imagery and rhetoric.

A number of Labor MPs publicly defied Minns by supporting and attending the Harbour Bridge march in August. Across the country, police and courts have been wrestling with the appearance of terrorist symbols at rallies, including a Hamas flag at a Brisbane protest. Hezbollah flags have appeared at other rallies. Pictures of Iran's supreme leader too, and even chants to 'globalise the intifada'.

No honest observer claims that most marchers are terrorists, or supporters of terrorism. Of course they aren't. That's not the argument. The argument is that Albo and parts of his inner sanctum have been far too comfortable occupying a grey zone: loudly empathising with Palestine in the wake of the barbarism of the Hamas attack on innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023. Now we have been attacked too, at one of the country's most iconic locations.

This is why the Bondi boos last night landed so loudly.
Sir Keir Starmer is weighing up an Australian-style social media ban for children aged under 16.

The Labour Prime Minister previously said he was 'personally' against the ban for teenagers but is understood to be 'closely monitoring' the policy.

The world-first law was introduced on December 10 by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and sees under 16s barred from Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch.

The social media platforms face fines of up to 25million if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove children's accounts.

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister said 'it's more about how you control content children can see' as he appeared to rule out introducing the scheme.

But Health Secretary Wes Streeting challenged his party to 'think much more radically' about online safety restrictions with social media now a 'place of bullying, intimidation, sometimes misogyny, even radicalisation'.

Cultural Secretary Lisa Nandy last week admitted the Government were considering the ban but had concerns over 'enforceability'.

Downing Street is now said to be 'closely monitoring' the policy.

Sir Keir Starmer is weighing up an Australian-style social media ban for children aged under 16

Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children with sites ordered to take steps to prevent under 16s accessing accounts

Discussions have begun between Sir Keir and Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, about introducing a similar law if the Australian ban proves successful, according to The Telegraph.

A Government spokesperson said: 'We understand parents' concerns about the impact of social media on children, which is why we've taken some of the boldest steps globally to ensure online content is genuinely age-appropriate.

'It's important we protect children while letting them benefit safely from the digital world, without cutting off essential services or isolating the most vulnerable.

'The Government is closely monitoring Australia's approach to age restrictions. When it comes to children's safety, nothing is off the table, but any action must be based on robust evidence.'

Mr Streeting on Sunday said children are able to access 'the most extreme content' and contrasted it to the difficulty he faced trying to get into a 15 or 18-rated film at the cinema as a child.

Social media is becoming more 'anti-social media', he added. 'That's why I think what Australia's doing is interesting and we should follow the results closely and see if that's something we should consider doing here.'

Ms Nandy added: 'We're obviously keeping a very close eye on the way that this is playing out in Australia because we know that young people are really struggling with the amount of time that they spend online and what is happening to them online.'

Ms Kendall, who is in talks with the Prime Minister over the policy, has previously signalled her opposition to the ban.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described the social media ban as 'one of the biggest social and cultural changes our nation has faced'

Earlier this month, at a House of Commons select committee, she said there was 'really important balance to be struck' between helping children deal with the online world 'while making sure that they do not face harmful content'.

'I am not currently in favour of a ban on smartphones until 16. It is good they are not at school and there is more we have to do to help kids deal with it.

'I am worried about chatbots and I am worried about sleep. If you said, 'nothing until you are 16', then how are they going to cope? That is how I am thinking about it.

Albanese described the social media ban as 'one of the biggest social and cultural changes our nation has faced'.

'It is profound reform which will be a source of national pride in years to come,' he added.
The wife of a fisherman who went missing at sea wrote a devastating plea to her community in hopes of finding him.

Deborah Billmaier's husband, Brandon, 33, and his uncle, Randall Spivey, 57, left for a bottom fishing trip from Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday morning.

Billmaier expected her husband home by late afternoon the same day. But their empty boat has been recovered, and they are still nowhere to be found.

During the three days they have been missing, she launched search efforts to bring her husband and his uncle back home.

In her heartbreaking post, Billmaier begged loved ones to come together in prayer and in action.

'I am heartbroken posting this,' she wrote on Saturday.

'My husband Brandon went out fishing yesterday with his uncle off the coast of Fort Myers. They left early in the morning on Friday Dec 19th and were meant to come back that afternoon.

'At 7.30[pm] we had not heard back from them, and we contacted the US Coast Guard. At approximately 11pm they deployed a helicopter.'

Deborah Billmaier's husband, pictured together, went missing on Friday during a fishing trip

Brandon Billmaier (left) and his uncle Randall Spivey were expected home only hours later

An empty boat that belonged to the two missing fishermen was recovered late that night

'At 1.30am on Dec 20th we received a call that they had found the boat (70 miles off the coast) but no one was there,' she continued.

'The helicopter has continued searching throughout the night. As the sun rises, we are looking for additional help in the search efforts. If you or someone you know can help, please reach out to us.

'If you cannot, please keep them in your prayers as we continue to have faith that we will find them.'

A spokesman for the US Coast Guard Southeast District told Fox Digital that the boat was still running when it was found.

'The boat was in gear,' Riley Perkofski said. 'We deployed a swimmer, and then the swimmer deployed the vessel's anchor so that it wouldn't keep moving.'

The Coast Guard reportedly found that the boat's transmitter, known as an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, was still on the vessel.

That device would have allowed the men to send out a distress signal.

Deborah has rallied loved ones, friends and social media followers to help find her husband

The men's empty boat was found 70 miles from the coast of Fort Meyers, Florida

The life jackets, however, were not on board.

Billmaier organized a major volunteer effort with the help of the US Coast Guard on Sunday morning.

Boaters have searched within a 70-mile radius of the shore.

'Thank you to all the local heroes who are working to bring my husband Brandon and uncle Randy home,' Billmaier wrote in her latest post.

'We cannot thank you enough, and are eternally grateful. They have yet not been found, but we are staying positive and know they will come home, please continue to pray for us.'

According to Gulf Coast News, Coast Guard officials remain optimistic.

'We are continuing to do a search and find, not a search-and-recovery mission,' Civilian Rescue Coordinator Scott Smith told the outlet.

'There's a very good chance, even though it's been 36 hours since they've been in the water or so that they're still alive, and we're going to find them today and bring them home.'

Deborah organized a massive search effort Sunday morning with another coming today

According to Fox4, Spivey is a Fort Myers attorney. He is the founder and president of Spivey Law Firm.

'Hes an amazing husband, an amazing father,' his wife told the outlet.

Billmaier's husband, Brandon, lives in Weston, Florida, and also practices law. She told the outlet that the entire situation has 'been a nightmare.'

'[It] feels like Im in a horror movie,' she said.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office appears to be assisting with the search. Officials asked offered a detailed description of the missing men to anyone who may be able to help.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno described Spivey as a white male, 61", 245lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark-colored shirt.

'[Brandon] Billmaier is a white male, 62, 250lbs, with strawberry hair and brown eyes.'

'If you know the whereabouts of Spivey and Billmaier, you're asked to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office,' Marceno continued.

The US Cost Guard believed that the relatives may be wearing their life jackets

Another community search will take place Monday morning, this time in a 225-mile range.

Billmaier called any and all volunteers with boats capable of helping to contact her.

'On behalf of our family, thank you for your continued support, willingness to help, and prayers. Your assistance truly matters,' she said.

The Daily Mail contacted the US Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff's Office for more information.
A barber accused of trying to whip up a Cronulla-style riot in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre has been slammed by a magistrate as his bid for freedom failed.

Ryder Shaw, 20, appeared in court on Monday charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass, offend and publicly threaten violence on grounds of race/religion.

He was arrested in Narara, on the NSW Central Coast, about 1.40pm on Sunday after he allegedly masterminded a flyer advertising a planned 'bashing day' on Cronulla Beach, south Sydney, to be held on December 27.

The post, which read 'WE RIOT. WOG/MIDDLE EASTERN BASHING DAY. SPREAD THE WORD AUSTRALIA! STAND THE F*** UP', went viral on Snapchat, Facebook and TikTok.

Dressed in a grey t-shirt and shorts, Shaw looked down and kept his hands in his lap as his lawyer Brian Quinn made an application for bail.

The court heard Shaw has been working part-time as a barber on the Sunshine Coast, where he lives with his partner.

The court heard police will allege Shaw was one of the organisers of the proposed event and the flyer was posted online while he was still in Queensland.

He was visiting family on the NSW Central Coast, where he grew up and his mother still resides, when he was arrested, the court heard.

Ryder Shaw, 20, has been charged with allegedly trying to organise a 'Middle Eastern bashing day'

A flyer (pictured) advertising a 'bashing day' in Cronulla was shared widely online

Prosecutor Felicia Lay argued Shaw should remain in custody due to the risk of further offending and the seriousness of the alleged offence.

The post included a date and location. It is submitted it was not just a hateful post, but it was encouraging [people to participate], she said.

Mr Quinn argued his client was not previously known to police and if he was granted bail his partner would have to leave her aged care job in Queensland to relocate to NSW.

Mr Quinn said bail restrictions could be imposed to mitigate risks, such as Shaw living at one of two possible addresses on the Central Coast, barring him from entering Sydney, limiting social media access, and mandatory bi-weekly reporting to police.

However, Magistrate Margaret Quinn said the allegations were very serious and could possibly result in jail time if proven.

'I dont know if that young man who [allegedly] killed all those people in Bondi had a record either, she said.

'Inciting people to violence because of race or religion is repulsive.

'That young man [Shaw] should realise that the person who saved people [at the Bondi shooting] was a Muslim.

Shaw has been denied bail after Magistrate Margaret Quinn ruled that his release would have posed an 'unacceptable risk' to the community

The event ignited fears of the 2005 Cronulla Riots (pictured) reoccurring in response to the Bondi Beach massacre

'This young man seems to be a Muslim hater. That is what his text suggests.'

Magistrate Quinn said the alleged offending was made even more serious by the fact feelings are running high at the moment and event details were specified.

There is a date involved and a place. They are not just a random declaration to kill or do something to others. It actually sets down a date and place, she said.

Magistrate Quinn denied Shaw bail, arguing there was an unacceptable risk to endangering others in the community.

The viral call to action followed a mass shooting at Bondi on December 14, when father and son Sajid, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly murdered 15 and injured dozens more after opening fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.

Police will allege the pair carried out a terror attack in the name of Islamic State ideology.

One of the heroes amid the attack was Muslim tobacconist owner, Ahmed Al Ahmed, who was injured while disarming Sajid.

The Daily Mail understands Shaw runs a barbershop, called Ryder's Chops, in Gympie on the Sunshine Coast.

The flyer came after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach - which saw two men allegedly shoot dead 15 people at a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (pictured, memorial at Bondi for the victims)

On December 14, the business issued a post on social media advising customers of its opening hours during the festive season.

'Closed from Friday 19th December - 6th January,' the post reads.

'Last day will be open Thu [sic] 18th.'

Police will allege Shaw did not obtain the correct authorisation for an assembly, making anyone who chose to attend the event on Saturday 'not legally protected'.

'The organiser has not obtained authorisation for the assembly under Part 4 of the Summary Offences Act 1988,' NSW Police said in a statement.

'Without this authorisation, the event is not legally protected as an authorised assembly and individuals who choose to attend may be liable for obstruction and unlawful assembly offences.'

While the public has a right to protest, NSW Police has called on the community to do so in a peaceful way.

'The public are reminded that anyone considering violence, retribution or vigilante behaviour can expect a swift and decisive response from police,' the statement read.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon warned police will be at Cronulla on the day the event is scheduled and that anyone who engages in violence will be dealt with accordingly

'While the NSW Police Force recognises people may want to protest due to recent events both here and overseas, we are asking the community to choose other ways to come together peacefully.

'The NSW Police Force will also continue to take strong action against anyone who engages in criminal activity that is motivated by hate.'

The social media post received a barrage of comments, with many condemning the apparent call to action.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon urged Australians to resist violence in their response to the shootings.

'When I asked for calm, that is really important. This is not a time for retribution,' Commissioner Lanyon said.

'This is a time to allow the police to do their duty.'

Commissioner Lanyon added police will be at Cronulla on Saturday - the day the event is set to go ahead.

'If people think they're going to engage in violence, they're wrong,' Commissioner Lanyon said.

'The police will be there, the police will take appropriate action, and I want to make that really clear  calm is what is required at the moment. Retribution is inappropriate.'

NSW Premier Chris Minns also weighed in on the 'bashing day', warning anyone planning to attend would be 'met with the full force of the law'.

'There will be no tolerance, no tolerance for any kind of retribution, or some kind of vindictive counterassault on anyone in our community,' Mr Minns said last week.

Shaw is next due before court on February 20 next year.
A Pennsylvania bus driver who was fired for put up a 'no speaking Spanish' sign has admitted she 'should've worded it different.'

Diane Crawford, 66, was fired from Juniata County School District after posting a sign on her bus that banned bilingual students from speaking Spanish.

'Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus,' the handwritten note read. It was signed by 'ownership/management.'

The jarring, anonymous note prompted an investigation from the school district. Crawford was subsequently fired on February 1, a week after she posted the sign.

After ten months of silence Crawford is finally defending her actions.

'I didn't mean to be racially insensitive or anything like that,' she told CBS 21 on December 18.

The note was directed at one bilingual student who reportedly had a history of 'riling up' other kids.

'I didn't know if he was bullying somebody, telling them to do something they shouldn't do,' Crawford added.

The controversial message reads: 'Out of respect to English only students there will be NO speaking Spanish on this bus'

Diane Crawford, 66, was fired in February after posting the note in her bus

'Maybe it should have said, "No bullying in any language," but I didn't mean it to be anything but to correct him.'

At the time, the county claimed to have suspended her as a 'precautionary measure' while they conducted the investigation.

Rohrer Buses and Junita County said it wrapped up quickly when she admitted to putting up the sign, which they condemned as 'racially insensitive.'

But, Crawford said neither the suspension nor the investigation ever existed, per CBS 12.

'I would like them to admit that they were wrong,' she said she is asking for $30,000 to cover her losses.

She bought her bus in 2024 after being subcontracted for the route by Rohrer Buses for almost 12 years.

'I don't know what else to do. I'm on Medicare and Medicaid now and SNAP,' she said to CBS 21. 'I had to go on antidepressants because of this.'

The Juniata County School District alongside Rohrer Bus are investigating the note, which was allegedly written and posted by a 'separate entity' (pictured: one of the district's schools)

A 'racist' note left on a Pennsylvania school bus prohibiting students from speaking Spanish has sparked fierce outrage from community members

Rohrer Buses and Juniata County responded to Crawford's claims on Thursday.

The agencies said that her 'conduct did not align with the standards and expectations for student transportation providers.'

'Juniata County School District and Rohrer Bus stand by the decision made in this matter and remain committed to providing a safe and inclusive transportation environment for all students,' they wrote.

After Crawford was fired, the district conducted professional training for all transportation providers in April.

'This training focused on employer responsibilities, professional expectations, student equity, and appropriate response protocols,' it said.

Ninety four percent of people living in Juniata County are white, according to US Census data. Just over 900 residents are Hispanic or Latino.

Crawford was a bus driver for the school district for more than 30 years.

'I dedicated everything I had to driving the bus,' she said. 'And it was for the kids I loved the kids.'
READ MORE: The comment from Bondi vigil host that has divided Aussies

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised to Australia's Jewish community, eight days after ISIS-inspired terrorists unleashed horror at Bondi Beach, allegedly killing 15 people and injuring 40 more.

Albanese was twice booed as he attended a vigil for the victims held at Bondi on Sunday night, while Labor NSW Premier Chris Minns got a standing ovation.

On Monday, Albanese for the first time acknowledged the raw emotions in the crowd and the anger directed at him over his government's perceived failure to act on antisemitism before Sunday's bloodshed.

'I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst I'm Prime Minister,' he admitted at a press conference in Canberra.

'And I'm sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced.'

Albanese unveiled his Cabinet's suite of draft measures to respond to the attack - including changes to visa rules and hate preaching - as part of a drive to crack down on antisemitism.

But he resisted a push by the Opposition to order a federal Royal Commission into what led to the worst terrorist attack in Australian history.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has apologised to the Jewish community after the Bondi attack

Albanese also acknowledged booing against him at the vigil on Sunday night at Bondi Beach

Albanese suggested a Royal Commission would take too long to set up and deliver its findings.

'We want urgency and unity, not division and delay,' he said.

Albanese also said that the Opposition proposal was too broad.

'If you have a look at the broader issues that are proposed by the opposition, they are in education, the arts, culture, migration... the university sector, into Home Affairs, into the relationship between the Commonwealth and States and the nature of our Federation,' he said.

'What we need to do is to work immediately.'

The NSW government has suggested running a Royal Commission where federal agencies, such as ASIO and the Federal Police, would participate, rather than a full national inquiry.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley slammed Albanese for rejecting calls for a Royal Commission, in a fiery statement released on Monday afternoon.

'What Australians saw from the Prime Minister today was not leadership equal to the gravity of this moment,' she said in response to his comments.

Albanese (pictured) is under growing pressure to establish a Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack

Ley said his reasoning against holding a Royal Commission 'speaks volumes'.

'He says he cannot support it because it would involve a full examination of the relationship between Commonwealth and state agencies and the parts of our society where antisemitism has been allowed to fester,' she said.

'That is not an argument against a Commonwealth Royal Commission, it is the case for one.'

Ley also reiterated her calls for the Parliament to be recalled before Christmas.

'Repeating the words unity and urgency does not make them real,' she said.

'Urgency would mean recalling the Parliament this week to act now. Leadership is demonstrated through action, not slogans, and Australians can see the difference.'

Powers under consideration by the government include creating an aggravated offence for hate preaching that advocates violence against protected groups, and increasing penalties for existing hate speech offences  particularly those that advocate violence or property destruction.

Another measure would make hateful motivations a factor in sentencing for Commonwealth crimes.

Sussan Ley (pictured) criticised Albanese for rejecting calls for a Federal Royal Commission

The government has also proposed new powers to list prohibited hate organisations, making it a criminal offence to join, recruit or support any group named by the Home Affairs Minister and Attorney-General.

Draft options for fresh racial vilification or racial supremacy offences are under consideration.

Visa cancellation powers could be strengthened, allowing the Home Affairs Minister to revoke visas from individuals suspected of promoting hate speech, displaying hate symbols, or associating with terrorist or banned hate groups.

The government also plans to introduce a new mechanism to target extremist groups that have evaded terrorist listings by avoiding explicit calls for violence.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said organisations such as radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir and the National Socialist Network have exploited legal loopholes to spread hate without crossing the threshold into illegality.

Under the proposed framework, authorities will be able to prescribe and ban groups whose conduct is considered unacceptable or unlawful, even if they do not meet the strict definition of a terrorist organisation.

Hizb ut-Tahrir, accused of infiltrating pro-Palestine protest organisations in Australia, is already a proscribed terror group in the United Kingdom, and has been banned in countries such as France, Indonesia and most Arab nations.

Their behaviour needs to be unlawful, their behaviour needs to be enough that we can prescribe the organisation and prohibit their activity in Australia,' Burke said.

Asked about the possibility of recalling Parliament early, Albanese declined to give a direct answer, saying drafting new legislation would require time and consultation.
A pair of baby-faced Florida teenagers will be tried as adults after they allegedly killed a 14-year-old girl and set her body on fire.

Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, of Pace, were indicted Friday on first-degree premeditated murder charges in the death of Danika Troy late last month, WEAR reported.

They now face spending the rest of their lives behind bars if they are convicted. Troy's mother told The New York Post she prays they get the maximum penalty.

Ashley Troy had last seen her little girl on November 30, and reported her missing as a runaway the next morning.

'Unbeknownst to the mother, Troy was murdered the previous night,' Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said at a news conference.

Her dead body was found - charred with gunshot wounds - in a remote wooded area on December 2 at around 11am.

Investigators found multiple rounds of live ammunition nearby and evidence of a fire.

Authorities said Williams stole his mother's handgun to carry out the crime, but none of the parents have been charged with any wrongdoing.

According to police, the alleged killers were friends with Troy from school, but the three teenagers ended up on bad terms over Thanksgiving break.

Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, of Pace, will be tried as adults for the murder of 14-year-old Danika Troy

Troy's body was found charred and with riddled with bullet holes in the woods on December 2

The boys allegedly plotted to kill Troy because she blocked Blevins on social media and called Williams 'worthless and a gang-banger,' Law and Crime reported.

A witness allegedly told investigators that Williams and Blevins had planned out the murder, but had only anticipated shooting her once.

Williams was allegedly the one who escalated the heinous crime by setting Troy on fire.

On the night of the murder, Blevins' mother caught him sneaking back into his house, according to Law and Crime.

He allegedly told his mother that he went out to have a cigarette, but she told police that she did not smell any smoke on him.

Both Blevins and Williams have since allegedly confirmed that there was a 'falling out' with Troy.

The young girl's mother now claims Williams lured her into meeting them the night of the murder by pretending to have a crush on her.

The accused murderers have had 'run-ins' with the law in the past, but the sheriff did not say if they had ever been arrested.

Now, Ashley said, she needs more answers.

'I'm just left asking why,' she said. 'She just wanted to be loved.'

She was found dead after an alleged 'falling out' with the two accused killers

Troy was last seen alive by her mother on November 30. She was reported missing the following morning

Despite the heinous murder, Ashley said she does not 'blame those boys.'

'I blame evil influence,' she explained. 'I don't hate them, I hate what they did to my baby.'

Still, she said, she is struggling to accept what happened.

'Every other day, every new wave of pain and denial of how this could be real - my baby, killed. It's nothing I ever imagined, my worst nightmare,' she told the Post, saying she and her other daughter have been left reeling as they prepare for Christmas.

'There's an emptiness where we were once three and are now just two.'

As Troy's loved ones continue to grieve her untimely death, a GoFundMe has been created to help her family cover funeral expenses.

The fundraiser has garnered more than $30,000 in donations as of Sunday night.

'This is a hard time for the family and anything will help. Im not just asking for donations, but for prayer as well,' the page organizer wrote.

Williams and Blevins are now being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond. They are due back in court for an arraignment on January 8.
Striking doctors will return to work today following five days of strikes which crippled hospital services across the country.

Resident doctors took industrial action after rejecting a new offer by the Government.

The strikes came as flu cases surged, causing chaos in hospitals across the UK, with the number of people in hospital with the virus remaining at a record level for this time of year.

Health experts have warned that the impact of the strike will be felt into the new year 'and beyond'.

It comes as the number of flu patients in hospitals in England rose to an average of 3,140 on Thursday, nearly five times higher than two years ago.

British Medical Association (BMA), the union which represents resident doctors, were calling for a 26 per cent pay rise on top of the extra 28.9 per cent it received over the past two years  the highest in the public sector.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously warned that the NHS could collapse and patients could die, as he urged resident doctors not to go ahead last week as the super-flu continued to surge.

Now he has said he wants to end the dispute, and vowed to get around the table with the BMA in the new year.

Staff members pictured with placards outside St Thomas' Hospital in central London on December 17

Train travellers wear masks at London Waterloo Station on Wednesday after NHS leaders urged people coughing and sneezing to wear masks on public transport

During a visit to an ambulance station in London last week, he said: 'I do want to end this dispute.

'I don't want us to be locked in a bitter dispute, and I'm never going to shut the door to talks, and I will do my best to see if we can start 2026 off on a better foot.'

However, Mr Streeting said the BMA is 'demanding an extra 26 per cent on top of what we've already given'.

'That is not a figure that we can afford but we will get around the table with them again in the new year,' he added.

The strike followed the rejection of a new Government offer by BMA members, which aimed to tackle issues with training and job security.

According to the union, 83 per cent of resident doctors voted to carry on with strike action while 17 per cent said the offer was enough. Turnout was 65 per cent.

On the first day of the walkout, Dr Layla McCay, from the NHS Confederation, told Sky News: 'What healthcare leaders are telling us is that the impact we will see from these particular strikes will affect particularly things like the waiting lists, and the disruption that is being caused this week will be felt all the way into January and beyond.'

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the resident doctors committee at the BMA, said the union is keen to get round the table with Mr Streeting.

He said: '2026 must see less name-calling and more deal-making. What we need is a proper fix to this jobs crisis and a credible path towards restoring the lost value of the profession.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has vowed to end the dispute, and get around the table with the BMA in the new year

'That must mean the creation of genuinely new jobs and it could involve a responsible multi-year approach to restoring doctors' pay.

'Those are solutions that mean we can build out our future workforce to end the current crisis, solutions which are very much within the Government's power.'

Mr Streeting told MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee he is 'just as, if not more, worried' about the weeks that follow the strike.

On Thursday, figures revealed the number of flu patients in hospitals in England had continued to rise - increasing by 18 per cent to an average of 3,140 - although the rate of growth had slowed.

At the same point last year, the number was 2,629 while in 2023 it was just 648.
Disturbing footage showing the moment a member of the Alameddine crime family was stabbed in jail has been released.

The confronting video shows Talal Alameddine in a prison yard inside Goulburn Supermax's high risk management unit on the morning of January 23, 2022.

Inside the exercise yard with Alameddine is 'DM', a man who was sentenced to decades behind bars for his involvement in the murder of a service station worker in Queanbeyan, near Canberra, in 2017.

The first part of the inmates' exchange takes place out of the view of CCTV cameras but DM is eventually seen stalking Alameddine with a homemade shiv.

Alameddine repeatedly attempted to deter DM by punching, kicking and pushing him but the violent inmate eventually landed several puncture wounds to Alameddine's neck.

The stabbing took place out of view of cameras but Alameddine could be seen touching his neck several times and examining the blood left on his hand.

Alameddine was later hospitalised with four puncture wounds to his neck and face.

He is serving 17 years for supplying the gun used in the targeted killing of police accountant Curtis Cheng in 2015.

Talal Alameddine (left) was stabbed in an exercise yard inside Goulburn Supermax prison in early 2022

Alameddine (pictured) is serving 17 years for supplying the gun used in the fatal shooting of a police accountant

When asked about the 2022 jail yard stabbing, Alameddine claimed to have no recollection of the event.

At that time he was on heavy prescription medication for depression and PTSD which left him feeling 'zombied out'.

DM was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but was acquitted on grounds of self-defence.

During Alameddine's short appearance in the trial, he claimed he knew DM but had no recollection of signing paperwork to allow them exercise time together or the actual stabbing.

'I'm not able to recall exactly where or how . looking back at it now it's going to be . I can't really recall how the incident happened,' he told the court.

'I don't want to just make up words or story  just for the sake of it. You know, I don't want to mislead the court  I just don't remember how it happened.'

DM's legal team successfully claimed that since the beginning of the confrontation had not been filmed, it was impossible to prove who started the argument.

'The most significant part of the evidence is going to be the CCTV, and ultimately we say it is unclear from that evidence what precipitated this fight, what set off this fight, or the reasons for it, or indeed, who was the initial aggressor,' DM's barrister said.

Alameddine (left) later claimed to have no recollection of the attack, which left him with four puncture wounds to the neck and face

'And in those circumstances  my final submission will be, [we simply] won't know what caused the fight to start or who started.'

Two shivs were recovered following the stabbing. Prosecutors claimed both belonged to DM while the defence argued one belonged to Alameddine.

DM's case came under further scrutiny following the release of a recorded jail phone call in which he called Alameddine a 'f***ing dog' and boasted 'I took the Alameddine out'.

However, the judge ruled the prosecution could not prove DM initiated the attack beyond a reasonable doubt, so the charge against DM was dropped.

Ultimately, Judge Jeffreys found the Crown had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Talal Alameddine told a court he had no recollection of much of a two-year period spent at Goulburn jail, let alone minute details of a prison stabbing that left him with four puncture wounds to his neck and face.
Britain's internet cables and gas pipelines could be in the crosshairs of a shadowy Russian underwater unit, the head of the Royal Navy has warned.

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said Moscow is once again pouring money into its elite deep-sea sabotage force - a highly secretive group capable of operating at extreme depths and carrying out what he described as 'physical action' against vital seabed infrastructure.

The stark warning came as the First Sea Lord revealed that Russia's Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, known as GUGI, is back in action after a period of problems and delays.

'We've seen GUGI's subsurface capabilities restarting,' Jenkins said. 'We know that they've had some issues with that programme. It appears that they have reset that programme. So we're expecting them to deploy again'.

The unit, made up of expert submariners and specialised mini-submersibles, is tasked with mapping and potentially sabotaging the undersea cables and pipelines that keep Britain and its NATO allies connected and powered.

According to Jenkins, GUGI's ability to operate at crushing depths gives the Kremlin dangerous options.

Russia's underwater reach, he warned, is 'improving all the time'.

Its activities have long been cloaked in secrecy, with UK naval chiefs previously reluctant even to acknowledge the unit exists.

Russian survey ship Admiral Vladimirskiy being shadowed by Royal Navy Minehunter HMS Cattistock (foreground) through the English Channel on March 25, 2025

Your browser does not support iframes.

Underwater fibre-optic cables which lie on the ocean floor allow for global communication and internet connectivity between continents, whilst other cables are responsible for carrying electricity (stock image)

But growing concern in Whitehall has now dragged it into the open.

Russia's deep-sea programme suffered a major blow in 2019 when 14 senior officers were killed in a devastating fire aboard Losharik, a deep-diving submarine on a mysterious Arctic mission east of Norway.

This year, however, an investigation revealed that one of GUGI's spy ships, Yantar, had been loitering over cables linking the UK and Ireland.

Moscow insists the vessel is merely a 'research' ship - despite its ability to deploy submersibles capable of diving to depths of 6,000metres.

Jenkins declined to spell out exactly what 'physical action' might involve, but experts have warned that cables could be severed or explosives planted at key junctions.

'You have an aggressive regime with an acknowledged capability, an acknowledged desire to implement sabotage and transition towards points of tension, and you have a facility that enables them to go to depths with submersibles on mapped infrastructure that is sensitive to us,' Jenkins said.

'That doesn't seem like a good combination to me.'

Despite the enormous cost of its war in Ukraine, he added, Moscow has 'continued to invest' in GUGI.

In response, the Royal Navy has unveiled a new defence pact with Norway - a crucial partner in tracking Russian ships and submarines entering European waters through the so-called GIUK gap between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK.

The Navy has also announced 4million worth of contracts for a new underwater surveillance network dubbed Atlantic Bastion, featuring acoustic sensors and autonomous vessels designed to detect hostile activity.

A further 35million is expected next year, although the funding is still being argued over behind closed doors between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.

Join the debate How should Britain respond to the growing threat of Russian sabotage targeting vital undersea infrastructure?

Your browser does not support iframes.

Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan (background) shadowing Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov as it sails through UK waters in the English Channel, on October 22, 2025

Ministers have already been warned that Britain may not be able to stop attacks on its undersea cables, or repair them quickly if they are damaged, despite the creation of a new oversight board.

Some defence experts have gone further, arguing that Atlantic Bastion should be reinforced with long-range strike weapons to deter sudden Russian submarine 'surges' from Arctic bases.

Jenkins stressed that the threat is not distant or theoretical.

'We effectively... do have a border with Russia. It's the open seas to our north, and any complacency that somehow we have eastern Europe between us and that threat is a misplaced complacency,' he said.

The Royal Navy chief added that as Russians continue to invest in these naval capabilities, which are improving all the time, Britain should take that threat 'very seriously, because the comfort that we take from being an island that is separated from continental Europe is a false comfort.'

Tensions flared last month when the Yantar shone lasers at RAF aircraft as it approached British waters near Shetland - prompting a rare public rebuke from the Ministry of Defence.

Defence Secretary John Healey warned the UK had 'military options ready' if such behaviour continued.

Jenkins said the incident highlighted the danger of miscalculation.

'There is no way for us to tell the difference [as to] whether that is somebody who's drunk too much vodka on the Yantar and decides to shine his laser... or whether it's a deliberate provocative act that's designed to test our response,' he said.

'The Russian ability to understand their own escalations and their responses... there is an opaqueness in that, which concerns me.'

His comments come amid mounting alarm from Britain's intelligence and military chiefs.

MI6 head Blaise Metreweli has accused Russia of 'testing' the UK through sabotage, cyber attacks, and drone harassment, while the head of the Armed Forces warned Moscow wants to 'challenge, limit, divide, and ultimately destroy NATO'.

Healey said: 'We are living in a new era of threat which is less predictable and more dangerous.'

'We see the threat that Russia poses to our nation,' he said. 'They are mapping our undersea cables, our networks and our pipelines  and those of our allies.'

Atlantic Bastion, he added, would 'detect, deter and defeat those who threaten us'.
With its reputation for being a hotbed for the criminal underworld, Croydon is perhaps the least likely place to go to catch a glimpse of some of Hollywood's A-listers.

The south London town's name is usually seen amongst Britain's most unwanted polls: its own locals have previously described it as 'an absolute toilet', while a former Met Police officer dubbed it one of the country's most dangerous areas, rife with knife-wielding gangs.

Yet Croydon's infamy has not dissuaded LA's filmmakers from pinpointing the town as the perfect spot for its latest blockbuster.

The likes of Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, and Idris Elba have all appeared on set near the town's crime-ridden streets.

Hit films such as Heads of State, Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, Jason Bourne and The Da Vinci Code have all picked the town to provide a gritty backdrop.

While sections of the town centre have doubled as Cold War Berlin, Istanbul, New York, and Gotham City.

Andrew Haigh's popular 2023 All of Us Strangers, starring Pascal Mescal, was the first film to be set and filmed in Croydon and has been described as a 'real love letter' to the town.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Taylor Swift recently flew 3,500 miles by private jet in secret to film a music video in the partially derelict Whitgift shopping centre.

Croydon has become an unlikely hotspot for Hollywood filmmakers, with its skyscraper skyline earning it the nickname 'Little Manhattan'

Most recently, John Cena and Idris Elba filmed in the south London town for Amazon MGM action movie Heads of State

The lecture delivered by Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) in 2006's The Da Vinci Code was filmed at the Fairfield Halls Concert Hall

London-based TV locations specialist FilmFixer helps movie makers who want to film in the town and collects fees for the local council.

It has estimated that nearly 5million has been injected into Croydon, according to Bloomberg.

Sian Green, marketing manager at FilmFixer, told the Daily Mail: 'Croydon is a versatile borough and one that we're proud to work with.

'The dynamic skyline is often a real draw; filmmakers are able to replicate an inner city feel outside of central London.

'We're committed to helping London maintain its status as a world leader in filming whilst ensuring that the positive impacts of filming are felt by local residents and businesses.

'An example - we run a free Set Ready training programme for residents of the boroughs that we manage, affording people an opportunity to take their first steps into a career behind the camera.'

She told The Times that she had a 'soft spot' for the town with its reputation as an 'underdog'.

'It's got a lot going for it: there is a real mixture of parks and green spaces along with high-rise buildings which is rare,' Ms Green said.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Idris Elba and recently retired WWE wrestler John Cena pictured here starring in Heads of State

Here, St George's Walk in Croydon has been transformed into Istanbul for the 2017 movie American Assassin

2012's Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, starring Christian Bale and Gary Oldman, also shot scenes for the film in Croydon

The BT offices at Delta Point were transformed into Gotham General Hospital for the final film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy

Matt Damon appearing in Jason Bourne is involved in a fight for his life in Berlin which is actually taking place in Croydon's Old Art College

St George's Walk has been used in both Made in Dagenham and 2017's The Long Walk. In the latter, the area was transformed into Istanbul in Turkey

Made in Dagenham, based on the women's strike action at the Ford Dagenham car plant in 1968, used St George's Walk and Fairfield Halls

Here David Mitchell and Robert Webb film a scene inside the iconic South London tower block

This Croydon tower block was featured in the hit Channel 4 comedy Peep Show

'That is something that makes Croydon more unique compared with some other London boroughs. The skyline is just that bit more interesting.'

Paige Neilson, film service manager at the Croydon Film Office run by FilmFixer, noted the town's versatility of being able to double for places in the US as being attractive to film crews.

The building boom in the 1950s to 1970s transformed the town from brick buildings into a mismatch of skyscrapers, earning Croydon the nickname 'Little Manhattan'.

'You can at one moment be in a street in New York and then go down the road and be in a quaint English village,' Ms Neilson told Bloomberg.

As well as blockbuster movies, the area has featured in adverts for brands such as O2, H&M and Lucozade and was used as a back drop for Channel 4's Adult Material'.

It has also made an impact on the small screen from late 70s sitcom Terry and June, which was based in suburban Croydon, to Peep Show where the main characters lived in a fictional tower block in the town.

Peep Show co-writer Sam Bain told The Guardian last year the town was the ideal location for how he and fellow creator Jesse Armstrong's vision for the hit comedy series.

'It was the Croydon of the mind we were going for. You would like to live in Notting Hill, but you're living in Croydon and having to deal with that,' he said.
Britain's new equalities watchdog faced a furious reaction today after warning against talking up the 'risks' of immigration.

Mary-Ann Stephenson hit out at the 'demonisation of migrants' and people 'creating this idea' that the level of arrivals was a problem.

In her first major intervention since being appointed by Labour ministers, the Equality and Human Rights Commission chair also insisted leaving the European Convention on Human Rights would be a 'mistake'.

The comments mark a shift in approach from Ms Stephenson's predecessor Baroness Falkner, who voiced concerns about integration of communities.

They were condemned as a 'disgrace' by the Tories, who accused the commission chief of branding those concerned about mass immigration 'racist'.

Immigration has been rising up the agenda after long-term arrivals reached a record high, although they have since subsided somewhat.

Keir Starmer has sparked a bitter debate in Labour circles by stressing the need to curb numbers and get back control of borders, as the party faces huge pressure from Reform.

Mary-Ann Stephenson hit out at the 'demonisation of migrants' and people 'creating this idea' that the level of arrivals was a problem

Your browser does not support iframes.

The ECHR has been blamed by critics for preventing asylum seekers being deported (file picture of migrants leaving the French coast on a small boat in October)

Ms Stephenson told the Press Association in an interview: 'I think it's really important that we have honesty in the way that we talk about human rights, and that we also have a recognition that the demonisation of migrants, the creating this idea that migration causes huge risks for the country can make the lives not just of migrants to the UK, but of ethnic minority UK citizens, very, very difficult.'

The ECHR  an international treaty not lined to the EU  has come under heavy fire from critics who argue it hampers efforts to deport illegal migrants.

Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have said they would quit it as part of efforts to tackle immigration.

The Labour Government has said it will not leave the European treaty but ministers are reviewing human rights law to make it easier to deport people who have no right to be in the UK.

Changes to Article 3  prohibition on torture or inhuman or degrading treatment  and Article 8  the right to family life  are included in the Government's plans to overhaul the asylum system.

Both articles have been used to prevent people with no right to be in the UK being sent back to their home countries.

However, Ms Stephenson said the convention was 'really important' and leaving would weaken the rights everyone depends on.

'It's embedded in UK law through the Human Rights Act, and it provides rights that protect all of us,' she said.

She gave examples such as the John Worboys black cab rapist case which saw the Supreme Court rule that police can be held liable for serious failures in their investigations, and another involving the threatened separation of an elderly couple when one needed to go into residential care.

She said these showed how necessary the Human Rights Act was in incorporating the convention rights into UK law.

Ms Stephenson said: 'These are all sorts of cases where most people would think that's the sort of thing we would want to see. Those are the sorts of rights we would want to have.

'And so I think leaving the European Convention is a mistake. It weakens the rights that all of us depend on.'

She also noted a 'real risk of people using, quite often, cases where human rights arguments were made in court but were not successful'.

Ms Stephenson noted research from the University of Oxford earlier this year which highlighted 'several high-profile examples of misleading coverage, including the so-called 'chicken nuggets' case  widely reported as the prevention of an individual's deportation on the basis of his child's dislike of foreign food, despite the decision not being based on this detail and having already been overturned'.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Earlier this month the chief of the body that oversees the convention said member states had taken an 'important first step forward together' in agreeing to look at reforming the treaty to tackle migration within its legal framework.

Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset said that the treaty, which he described as a 'living instrument', is possible to adapt and work will begin to adopt the new political declaration in Moldova in May 2026.

However, a bid by Sir Keir to step up reforms looks to have been thwarted after France and Germany refused to back it.

The EHR commission monitors rights and freedoms across England, Scotland and Wales.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Ms Stephenson's comments were 'a disgrace'.

'Once again, the left tries paint those opposed to mass immigration and illegal immigration as racist,' he said.

'Mass migration with no integration has undermined social cohesion. Sex crimes by foreign nationals are up 62 per cent, foreign criminals and illegal immigrants routinely abuse human rights, modern slavery and asylum laws to stay in the UK.

'This nonsense has to end. It is completely wrong that Labour's new human rights chief dismisses legitimate concerns about mass migration and crimes committed by foreign nationals - including the recent spate of rapes and sex attacks committed by small boat illegal immigrants.'
A Palestine Action prisoner on a 43-day hunger strike will die in jail if the UK government does not intervene, her family has warned this morning.

Teuta Hoxha, 29, who is currently on remand, suffers from continuous headaches, mobility issues, and can no longer stand for prayer, says her sister.

Hoxha has been awaiting trial for 13 months over alleged criminal damage, aggravated burglary and violent disorder at a factory for Elbit systems in Filton, near Bristol.

The Filton action saw over 1 million in damage caused to Elbits research centre.

Her sister, Rahma, 17, says that Teuta has already told doctors what to do do, should she collapse or pass away.

'She's only 29 - she's not even 30 yet and nobody should be thinking about that', said Rahma.

Rahma says that despite her sister's ill health, Teuta calls her from prison every day to help with homework.

'She's been on remand for over a year, her trial's not until April next year and bail keeps getting denied, said Rahma.

Teuta Hoxha, 29, has been awaiting trial for 13 months over alleged criminal damage, aggravated burglary and violent disorder at a factory for Elbit systems in Filton

Rahma Hoxha, the sister of Teuta Hoxha who is on hunger strike while being held on remand for offences related to activism on behalf of Palestine Action, speaks during a press conference relating to hunger-striking Palestine Action activists

Protest In Solidarity With Pro-Palestine Hunger Strikers At The Department Of Health in London

'She's like my mother figure. Our mother passed away when I was really young.

'Teuta took care of me and my siblings and made sure to read us bedtime stories. She's always there for me and even from prison, she's helping me do my homework and revise for exams,' she added.

Teuta is among eight Palestine Action (PA) prisoners who have been on hunger strike, Sky News reports.

She has been on remand since November 19th 2024 and her trial date is set for April 2026.

Teuta is one of the so-called Filton 18, a group of now 24 PA activists currently held on remand in connection with an action at Gloucestershire, in August last year.

She was arrested in the dawn raids against Palestine activists on 19th November 2024 by counter-terrorism police in the third wave of Filton arrests on allegations of being connected to the Filton action.

The PA activist was moved to HMP Peterborough, a mixed prison, from the womens prison HMP Bronzefield on the day MPs voted to prescribe PA as a terrorist group.

She says shes been 'called a terrorist' and 'told that Im part of a terrorist group by prison staff.
The King has been forced to repaint the gates to Buckingham Palace after tourists gathering at the iconic building have rubbed the paint off.

A planning application was lodged earlier this year to spruce up the gates, which are seen by thousands who take a trip to see the palace every year.

Documents seen by The Mail say the gates are in an area of 'extremely high foot traffic' and are therefore 'highly vulnerable to wear and tear from contact by members of the public'.

The gates date back to the early 1900s and were requested by King George V ahead of his coronation.

The gates feature the Royal Coat of Arms, which includes three lions symbolising England, a rampant lion for Scotland and a harp for Ireland.

Royal officials said the gates 'form an important part of the overall impression of the Palace' for visitors, guests, the general public, as well as the Royal Family themselves.

Research into the history of the Palace revealed that the gates were initially a dark green known as bronze green, however in the 1930s they were painted black.

Now officials want to 'bring back the historic Bronze Green colour' to the metalwork in front of the palace, to improve the appearance of the 'highly significant' area in front of the Palace.

As part of the plans the gates and the railings in the Fore Court of the Palace will undergo paint removal and then repairs before redecoration.

The gates at the front of Buckingham Palace are set to be repainted after 'wear and tear' from tourists

The gates feature the Royal Coat of Arms, which includes three lions symbolising England, a rampant lion for Scotland and a harp for Ireland

General cleaning and repairs to stone piers and plinths will also take place at the same time.

Officials added that the work would be carried out 'in situ', which would be less intrusive to the fabric and avoiding the need to cut through existing ironwork.

The decision to repaint the gates bronze green has come from paint analysis and historical research by the Royal Household.

The colour has been associated with Prince Philip and was used for the private cars and Land Rover hearse which carried the coffin at his funeral.

Queen Elizabeth, Camilla and Prince Anne, also wore shades of green at a 2022 memorial service honouring his life.

Historic paint specialist Patrick Baty decided the colour would be the most appropriate for the redecoration of the gates.

Officials said the new finish will 'reinstate the historically appropriate appearance of the metalwork while providing long-term protection and visual coherence within the setting'.

The bronze green colour was used for the private cars and Land Rover hearse at Prince Philip's memorial

The colour, which was associated with the late Prince, was also worn by Camilla and the late Queen at a Service of Thanksgiving in 2022

In 2024, the Palace gates were damaged after a man ploughed his car into the main entrance of the royal residence.

Johnny Scott, 26, drove his VW Polo into the south centre gate of the royal residence on March 9 last year, with repair works costing 24,493.

No members of the royal family were at the palace when the collision happened, a palace spokesman said at the time.

A judge warned him that he was 'very lucky' not to be shot by Palace security.
British holidaymakers faced travel misery after a French border control IT meltdown triggered long delays at Dover, as furious tourists across Europe were hit with severe disruptions.

Air passengers complained of five-hour queues at Lisbon Airport, as hundreds of fliers were seen in videos crammed into the busy airport.

The chaos at Dover began early in the morning on Saturday when a systems failure hit French passport checks, forcing traffic to build up around the busy Kent port as officials worked to restore operations.

At one point, queues for outbound passengers stretched to around an hour.

The chaos came as millions began their Christmas journeys, with around 30,000 cars expected to pass through Dover over the festive period.

By mid-afternoon, port authorities said the situation had improved, and traffic was flowing freely once again, but the morning's backlog had already caused frustration among drivers.

Senior Conservative MPs lashed out at the French over the latest disruption.

Mark Francois, the shadow defence minister and chairman of the European Research Group, told The Telegraph: 'It seems daft that France, our ally in Nato and fellow partner in the 'coalition of the willing', is prepared to treat Brits just trying to take a Christmas break in this way.'

British holidaymakers were hit with chaos as a French IT meltdown caused extreme delays at Dover

Furious lawmakers have now lashed out at French officials as furious tourists were met with the travel mayhem on Saturday

Air passengers at Lisbon Airport also complained about severe delays, with some saying they had to queue for five hours

Dear Lisbon International Airport #LIS - whoever is responsible for this - you are a consistent, complete failure. A disgrace. People spend 10-15 hours on their flights and then have to wait for 4-5 more hours is this line. And this happens every time. pic.twitter.com/QqqpdoYjK1  Eugene Vyborov (@evyborov) December 18, 2025

'If we can co-operate successfully in defence of Ukraine, why can't France run a more efficient border regime, just across the Channel?'

Officials at the Port of Dover said they were working closely with French authorities to resolve the problems and urged passengers not to arrive more than two hours before sailing.

Around 2.45pm, the port confirmed that traffic was 'free-flowing' through border control, with only minor queues remaining at check-in.

P&O Ferries confirmed there had been heavy traffic on approach roads earlier in the day.

Travellers who missed sailings were reassured they would be placed on the next available ferry.

Elsewhere in Europe, air passengers faced lengthy waits, with travellers at Lisbon Airport reporting queues lasting up to five hours as thousands attempted to reach their destinations before Christmas.

Videos posted online show fliers crammed together at the airport as they wait in line to proceed to board their planes.

In one, a social media user writes: 'Lisbon International Airport - whoever is responsible for this - you are a consistent and complete failure. A disgrace.'

The issue at some airports was due to a technical difficulty, according to the Public Security Police. They said they were working at a 'maximum capacity' to resolve issues.

The disruption comes as the EU continues to roll out its Entry/Exit System (EES), which began on October 12. It replaces traditional passport stamping with digital checks for non-Eu travellers.

The system was designed to speed up border controls in the long term by using biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, to automate entry and exit records across the Schengen zone.

However, early implementation problems have instead triggered major delays.

Reports have logged waiting times of up to five hours at several European airports, with frustrated passengers also taking to social media to complain about missed connections and overcrowded arrivals halls.

Earlier this month, the country's secretary of state for infrastructure described the situation at the airports as an 'embarrassment for the government'.

Portugal Post said there were extreme delays at Lisbons Humberto Delgado Airport after technical problems hit the EES system, adding that officials were even considering switching it off entirely over the Christmas period to ease pressure.

Passengers at an airport in Lisbon stay in a long queue. Airports across Europe are experiencing severe delays

The Airports Council International (ACI), which represents airports across Europe, has since called for an urgent review of the scheme.

It warned that the requirement to capture biometric data from third-country nationals has increased border processing times at airports by as much as 70 per cent.

ACI said the impact has been felt most sharply at airports in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, where passenger experience has deteriorated significantly during peak travel periods.

The organisation cited repeated system outages and ongoing configuration failures, including problems with self-service kiosks used for traveller registration and biometric data collection, as key reasons for the delays.

Meanwhile, it was revealed last week that several airlines serving Europe were dealing with extreme disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports.

Air France has been one of the hardest hit airlines, with numerous flights cancelled from Charles de Gaulle to multiple EU destinations.

EasyJet flights have also faced similar issues with long delays reported on flights between Bournemouth and Geneva and Lisbon and Funchal.
On December 21, 1988, a Boeing 747 named Clipper Maid of the Seas exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie while en route from London to New York.

The mid-air explosion has killed passengers from 21 countries, including 35 Syracuse University students flying home for Christmas making it Britain's deadliest terror attack.

That night, Michael Buerk reported the breaking news on the BBC Nine OClock News. At dawn, he flew to Scotland, arriving in Lockerbie the morning after the bombing.

Click the video above to watch the veteran journalist recall how the story began with a single phone call.
The former leader of the British National Party (BNP) has appeared in court charged with two counts of stirring up racial hatred on Twitter.

Nick Griffin, 66, shared a 'racist' cartoon on social media in 2021 that was 'threatening, abusive or insulting', it is alleged.

Griffin, of Llanerfy, Welshpool, mid-Wales, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in south London, via video link wearing a light shirt and a dark tie, accompanied by his solicitor.

He was not asked to enter pleas to the charges.

His defence counsel, Tom Edwards, said there may be an application to dismiss the case at the next hearing, on April 13 2026.

Griffin was again released on unconditional bail by His Honour Judge Christopher Hehir following the eight-minute hearing.

A provisional trial date was listed for May 2027.

The ex-Member of the European Parliament is being privately prosecuted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).

Nick Griffin, the former leader of the BNP, pictured in 2010

It is one of several cases recently brought to court by the group.

Griffin has just over 60,000 followers on Twitter, now known as X.

He describes himself as a 'Christian traditionalist and nationalist' in his profile biography.
The co-founder of Lush has dismissed sceptics of his 'woke' approach as 'bigots' in a defiant outburst.

Mark Constantine, who created the cosmetics chain with his wife, insisted shoppers should boycott the stores if they do not like his pro-Gaza stance.

In an interview with the BBC, he argued that the idea firms 'go woke and go broke' in the current political climate was a myth.

He told the Big Boss podcast that in fact companies who stuck to their principles had done better.

Mark Constantine, who created the cosmetics chain with his wife, insisted shoppers should boycott the stores if they do not like his pro-Gaza stance (file picture)

Lush closed stores for a day in September in protest at the situation in Gaza, saying the firm 'shares the anguish that millions of people feel seeing the images of starving people'

'I'm often called left wing because I'm interested in compassion,' Mr Constantine said.

'I don't think being compassionate has a political stance, I think being kind, being sympathetic, being compassionate is something we're all capable of and all want to do in certain areas.'

Lush closed stores for a day in September in protest at the situation in Gaza, saying the firm 'shares the anguish that millions of people feel seeing the images of starving people'.

Asked whether shoppers should shun Lush if they did not agree, he said: 'Absolutely you should, that's what you should do.

'You shouldn't come into my shop. Because I'm going to take the profits you're giving me and I'm going to do more of that - so you absolutely shouldn't support me.

'The only problem is who are you going to support? And what are you supporting when you do that, what is your position?'

He added: 'I think it's up to people if they want to fox hunt and they want to shoot pheasants and all the rest of it, it's up to them, but I don't approve of it.'

Mr Constantine said he believed in 'being kind, being compassionate being thoughtful of others whatever their sexual orientation, whatever their colour'.

'I suppose really I like being woke. I've been waiting all my life for a society that is empathic and sympathetic. And I believe it is there in spades,' he said.

Pressed on whether the company was suffering by championing 'woke', Mr Constantine said: 'The figures don't support the anti-woke. When you go into detail, especially in the American companies, those that kept to their ideals, they saw their sales rise, they saw their engagement rise. Those that didn't saw it fall.'

He added of the anti-woke movement: 'It's just a lot of people who would prefer to be bigoted in one way or another are fed up with being force-fed by people like me, stuff they don't want to hear.

'The question is, is it that you can't change, or that you won't change?'
A tourist cheated death after being smashed into rocks by a wave while posing for a photograph on a dangerous ledge at an Egyptian coastal attraction.

The woman, from China, was visiting the Matrouh Eye scenic area in the city of Mersa Matruh, when the terrifying incident took place.

Footage of the moment, shared on social media on December 7, shows the woman in an orange summer dress sitting on the corner of a ledge near the water as a wave rises behind her.

The foamy wave can then be seen crashing towards her, and eventually over her, as it knocks her down and drags her into the open sea.

Following the ordeal, she told local media that she suffered multiple abrasions to her body and described the experience as 'very frightening'.

She said that she was lucky not to be seriously injured and would be more cautious when travelling in the future.

The woman added that she had miraculously managed to get back to shore by holding onto a safety rope at the site.

Online users noted that the location did not originally have a rope installed and said she was fortunate it was present.

The woman, from China, was visiting the Matrouh Eye scenic area in the city of Mersa Matruh, when the terrifying incident took place

Footage of the moment, shared on social media on December 7, shows the woman in an orange summer dress sitting on the corner of a ledge near the water as a wave rises behind her

The foamy wave can then be seen crashing towards her, and eventually over her, as it knocks her down and drags her into the open sea

Following the ordeal, she told local media that she suffered multiple abrasions to her body and described the experience as 'very frightening'

The Matrouh Eye scenic area is a popular coastal viewpoint in the city of Mersa Matruh on Egypt's Mediterranean shore, known for its striking rock formations and powerful surf that attracts visitors seeking dramatic seafront photographs.

The spot is often visited for its clear waters and exposed vantage points where waves can crash unexpectedly against the rocks, creating the dramatic scenes that draw crowds but also posing risks for tourists who stand close to the waterline.

It comes after a tourist died earlier this year when she fell from a train in Sri Lanka as she posed for a photograph.

Olga Perminova, 53, was travelling on the legendary Podi Menike rail line in February when she decided to lean out of an open door in a deadly picture opportunity.

According to local reports, the woman smashed into a rock and suffered horrific head injuries after holding onto two rails and hanging her head from the carriage.

And another tourist plunged to his death in a Colombian beauty spot while trying to take a selfie in October last year.

Tobias Fischer, 35, died during his solo hike in the mountains in the Taganga district, northern Colombia, on October 19 near where he was staying in the port city of Santa Maria.

He tried to take a selfie at a viewpoint in the Dumbira forest with the sea in the background when he lost his balance and fell down a ravine.

Last year, research suggested that taking selfies should be considered a 'public health problem'.
At least 16 photographs, including one of Donald Trump flanked by women in bikinis, were mysteriously removed without explanation from the Epstein Files - and have since been reinstated.

The missing files, which were made available Friday but were no longer accessible on the US Department of Justice (DOJ)'s website by Saturday, sparked claims by Democrats of a Republican cover-up.

The DOJ said that the image of the American president was flagged by the Southern District of New York 'for potential further action to protect victims'.

Following furious backlash, it was reinstated on Sunday morning after it was determined that there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, a statement posted on X said.

The DOJ published more than 300,000 files concerning the deceased paedophile on Friday night, but large swathes were not released. Other files were heavily redacted and no major revelations emerged.

The tens of thousands of pages made public offered little new insight into the disgraced financier's crimes, FBI interviews with victims, or internal DOJ memos on charging decisions.

But among the hundreds of photographs released, one showed an open desk drawer containing two photos of President Trump. In one previously unseen snap, he poses with four women in swimwear.

It was removed alongside 15 other images, apparently from the same room - a small massage parlour with multiple nude photographs and paintings hanging on the walls.

This photo of an open drawer containing an image of Donald Trump, alongside Jeffrey Epstein, Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell, was removed but then later reinstated in the files

In other documents from the Epstein Files, excluding the 16 recalled images, Maxwell is pictured at the wheel of a car wearing a white robe

In another photo, not included in the 16 recalled images, two woman can be seen without shirts

It is not immediately clear why the selection of 16 images was recalled.

The photos show a room with clouds painted on the ceiling, brown patterned wallpaper and a massage bed in the centre.

A wooden cabinet can be seen at the back of the room, containing various ointments and other toiletries.

On one wall hangs a large painting of a naked woman from the back, looking into a mirror.

Three photographs of naked women are hanging from another wall, with their faces redacted.

In two of the images, a woman can be seen lying down on a bed, her back facing the camera.

While the paintings and the photographs may depict victims - explaining their removal - other photos from the selection are nondescript and mundane, depicting only empty hallways.

One painting shows a naked woman lying on her back, while another depicts a woman in the nude sitting next to a man wearing a black suit.

On Saturday night, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee questioned the quiet removal of the 16 images from the released Epstein Files.

'This photo, file 468, from the Epstein files that includes Donald Trump has apparently now been removed from the DOJ release,' they tweeted, asking Attorney General Pam Bondi: 'Is this true? What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.'

The DOJ said the image depicting Trump was removed temporarily for further review 'out of an abundance of caution' in relation to protecting victims.

Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general, said it was 'laughable' to suggest that the photo was removed due to it featuring the US President.

The image in question showed a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers, including one of Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Epsteins long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

'It has nothing to do with President Trump,' Blanche told NBC News.

'There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public seeing him with Mr Epstein.'

He added: 'So the absurdity of us pulling down a photo, a single photo, because President Trump was in it, is laughable.'

Join the debate What do you think is behind the DOJ's decision to censor and redact key Epstein photos?

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen lying across women at a black-tie event with Maxwell at the royal estate in Sandringham, UK

Epstein is seen at an undisclosed location, watching people meditate

Bill Clinton is seen with his arm around Michael Jackson. The pair pose with Diana Ross

Clinton features prominently in the files, seen here relaxing in what appears to be a hot tub

When the 16 images were cryptically removed, the DOJ was already under fire for not releasing all of the files by the Friday deadline, as mandated by law.

Congressman Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who led the charge to release the files, said he was disappointed with the Trump administration for missing the deadline.

'They are flouting the spirit and the letter of the law,' he told CBS News on Sunday. 'It's very troubling the posture that they have taken. I won't be satisfied until the survivors are satisfied.'

Democrat Ro Khanna and Massie - whose jointly authored bill forced the documents publication - said they were considering legal action over an 'incomplete release, with too many redactions'.

Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat on the oversight committee, said: 'Im furious, I think they broke the law. They have clearly released about a fraction [of the files].

'It seems they may have redacted some of them to protect certain political people, and certain political enemies were highlighted.'

Despite the Friday deadline, DOJ said it plans to release records on a rolling basis and blamed the delay on the time-consuming process of obscuring survivors names and other identifying information.

Victims' rights advocate Gloria Allred told CNN on Saturday that the 'system has failed the survivors', including with the release of files that she said had been 'under-redacted'.

'I saw a number of survivors names which should never have been published, because the whole point is to protect the survivors,' she told the outlet.

One Epstein survivor, who had reported the sex offender to the FBI in 2009, wrote a furious letter to the DOJ, saying her name had been wrongly exposed in the files but she had not even been allowed to view her own FBI file previously.

'My name, and/or identifying information was disclosed publicly without any proper redaction,' she wrote.

'The contradiction is extraordinary. The DOJ asserts that my own file requires prolonged review to determine whether redactions are appropriate  yet it had no difficulty publicly releasing my identity in a mass disclosure.'

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has not been accused of any crimes by the sex offender's victims.

The photo in the drawer is Trump with his wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell circa February 2000 was noticeably missing from the files the Department of Justice released on Friday

Two young women pose in bikinis, with one smoking a cigarette, in a picture from the files

The 300,000 pages of released files largely dealt with three police investigations into the convicted paedophile. First, a Palm Beach police inquiry from 2005.

Then a probe by federal prosecutors in Florida that ended with the financier's 2008 plea deal, in which he was handed a notably soft sentence.

And finally, the 2019 inquiry by Manhattan prosecutors that was cut short when Epstein died in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York City.

There was a series of never-before-seen photos of Bill Clinton, including images of him relaxing in what appears to be a hot tub and smiling at parties with women.

A spokesman for the former president commented on the new photos, saying they were decades old.

'They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be,' Angel Urena wrote on social media.

'There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after.

'We're in the first. No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that.

'Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats.'

He has never been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein's abuse, and has denied knowledge of his sex offending.

Another photo appears to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across five womens laps.

Dressed in black tie, the former Duke of York is seen laughing with Maxwell, who is standing in the background.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he did not 'see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction'.

Former president Clinton poses with an unknown woman

Clinton, wearing a red hoodie, is pictured with an unknown woman

'I feel like again, the DOJ, the justice system is failing us,' said survivor Marina Lacerda, who alleges Epstein started sexually abusing her at his New York City mansion when she was 14.

Many of the files were heavily redacted, with nearly 700 pages entirely blacked out and women's faces obscured in photos, leading to accusations that the public is not being given the full story.

A 119-page document marked 'Grand Jury-NY', which was a transcript from the grand jury proceedings involving Epstein's convicted co-conspirator Maxwell, was entirely blacked out. It has since become un-redacted.

'This initial documents release is inadequate,' said House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, on ABCs This Week. 'It falls short of what the law requires.'

More gaps include records that could have helped explain why Epstein was allowed in 2008 to plead guilty to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge.

Marie Villafana, the federal prosecutor who led the investigation of Epstein for the US attorney's office in Miami, had prepared an 83-page memo and a 60-count draft indictment of Epstein in May 2007, summarising evidence against the financier.

Those documents - which could have shed light on the government's decisions to forgo prosecution at the time - were not included in Friday's disclosure by the DOJ.

Khanna said that the partial 'document dump this afternoon does not comply' with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, telling CNN: 'The most important documents are missing.'

More than 600,000 pages related to the pedophile have now been released this year, prompting the Trump administration to describe itself as the 'most transparent in history' following Friday's disclosure.

Women in bikinis are pictured on a beach in files released by the DOJ

Epstein is seen sitting on a sofa with a temporary tattoo - a toddler's foot can be seen nearby

Epstein is pictured in a helicopter with a redacted woman

Pictures of Epstein's home revealed what appeared to be a portrait of Clinton in a dress

In the release, there were also photos of Epstein with actors Chris Tucker and Kevin Spacey, and even Epstein with TV newscaster Walter Cronkite.

But none of the images had captions and no explanation was given for why any of the photos were grouped together.

The meatiest records released so far showed that federal prosecutors had what appeared to be a strong case against Epstein in 2007 yet never charged him.

Transcripts of grand jury proceedings, released publicly for the first time, included testimony from FBI agents who described interviews they had with several girls and young women who described being paid to perform sex acts for the paedophile.

The youngest was 14 and in ninth grade.

One had told investigators about being sexually assaulted by Epstein when she initially resisted his advances during a massage.

Another, then 21, testified before the grand jury about how Epstein had hired her when she was 16 to perform a sexual massage and how she had gone on to recruit other girls to do the same.

'For every girl that I brought to the table he would give me $200,' she said.

They were mostly people she knew from high school, she said. 'I also told them that if they are underage, just lie about it and tell him that you are 18.'

One court document revealed how Epstein demanded to see ID to make sure girls were under 18.

'At one point [redacted] witnessed him asking for ID to girl,' notes from a police interview released by the DOJ read.

Being named or pictured in the files is not necessarily an indication of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

The Justice Department posted on X: 'Documents and photos will continue to be reviewed consistent with the law and with an abundance of caution for victims and their families.'

Photographs found inside Epstein's home were released on Friday

The files include pictures of what appeared to be a male dancer taking off his clothes

The same fireplace from the photograph of Andrew can be seen in this image, not from the files

Epstein posing alongside Michael Jackson in an undisclosed location

Sir Mick Jagger and the former US president have their picture taken with a woman

Sarah Ferguson is photographed with a woman whose face has been redacted

Epstein pictured blowing out birthday candles with British politician Peter Mandelson

Billionaire Richard Branson is seen alongside Epstein, with two women pictured behind

Maxwell is pictured with magician David Copperfield, both wearing white robes

Fergie is pictured sitting on a couch with a redacted woman

Pictured is an erotic device found among Epstein's belongings

Sex toys were among the erotic items pictured in the files

Multiple erotic toys were found among Epstein's belongings including penis-shaped soap

Epstein is pictured in a green face mask while wrapped in towels

A note written on personalised Epstein stationary reads: 'For a good time call' with further details redacted

Sex toys and what appears to be a tampon are pictured on a desk

A note written to 'Jean-Luc' was amongst the files released by the DOJ

A hanging art installation is pictured in the release from Epstein's estate

A dress-up nurse hat and stethoscope were among the items found in the predator's home

Epstein had multiple costumes and wigs among his erotica

An erotic book on Epstein's desk entitled 'Erotica Universalis'

Clinton, Sir Mick and Epstein smiling at what appears to be a dinner party

Maxwell smiles in the snow with whom appear to be two Russian soldiers

Fergie is pictured holding a shopping bag that appears to be from Sotheby's, a fine art dealer

An image of a criminal complaint against Epstein, in which a young woman claimed Epstein stole photographs of her young sisters and sold them - before allegedly threatening to 'burn her house down'

Kevin Spacey (second from the right, next to Clinton) was also pictured in the files, seen here in the Churchill War Rooms in London. Maxwell is wearing a cream blouse

A series of photographs are pictured inside Epstein's Manhattan home

A male dancer poses with a cigarette in a series of photos released by the DOJ

Maxwell wears a green jumpsuit as she poses with a man wearing military uniform bearing the flag of Colombia

A man who appears to be French model scout Jean-Luc Brunel is also pictured in the Epstein files released on Friday

In one image shared Friday, Clinton was seen with his hands on the shoulders of Spacey

Clinton and Epstein smile in a photo taken at an undisclosed location

Maxwell is pictured with ex-Colombian president Andres Pastrana while on a trip to the country

Epstein is pictured with broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite

Copperfield is seen posing in white bath robes with child sex offender Maxwell

Epstein and Maxwell are pictured in fur hats as they pose for a photo

Epstein bundled up and smiling next to who appears to be French model scout Jean-Luc Brunel

Epstein's home also contained photographs of celebrities including Marilyn Monroe

An artwork in Epstein's home depicts a bride sliding down a rope

A camera (circled) is seen in one of Epstein's bedrooms in a photo released by the DOJ on Friday

A closet in Epstein's home contains female mannequins

The files included framed pictures from Epstein's estate, one of which appeared to be of Trump and Melania

Maxwell is seen wrestling and laughing with Jean-Luc Brunel

Epstein's foot is pictured beneath Maxwell's shirt on a private jet - also present is Brunel

Comedian Chris Tucker poses at a table in one of the images released by the DOJ

Many of the images were of unidentified women, whose faces have been redacted

One photo released on Friday by the DOJ showed Epstein appeared to have a stuffed tiger in his New York home

There were also shocking notes released in the files, details of which were also redacted

A man who appears to be actor Chris Tucker was also seen in the newly released documents

Maxwell is pictured alongside two men and a young woman

Image of a painting with naked women and children included in the Jeffrey Epstein document release by the Department of Justice

A pink-walled bedroom is pictured as part of the Epstein files

A handwritten letter attached to a wall, addressed to Epstein, claims: 'These girls new [sic] what they were doing you didn't put a gun to there [sic] head'

Clinton, Spacey and others huddled around a desk at the War Rooms in central London

A man, thought to be Epstein is pictured hiding beneath towels with sunglasses over his face

Dusty files, CDs and passports are pictured in Epstein's New York home

Pictured from the inside of Epstein's home included an Israel Defense Forces shirt

Among his belongings was a battered instructional book Massage for Dummies

Epstein is seen on the phone in sweatpants and a sweatshirt with a suggestively shaped cake

A naked woman poses for a photograph on a sofa in an image released on Friday

Images from a scrapbook released on Friday appear to show the story of Epstein's relationship with a redacted woman - described as a 'little girl'

More pictures from what appears to be a scrapbook show Epstein's relationship with a woman

Epstein's Manhatttan brownstone is pictured in a release by the Department of Justice

Epstein poses with a blue helicopter at an airfield in a photo released as part of the files

A black marble bathroom in Epstein's home is pictured in photo released by the DOJ

A younger Epstein posed with a cigar and multiple women

Maxwell is pictured covered in streamers

Convicted sex trafficker Maxwell is seen outside Number 10 Downing Street

Epstein in a framed photo posing with check signed by Trump

Epstein poses shirtless with what appears to be a child's foot in frame

Maxwell kisses Epstein's cheek in a photograph which appears to have been taken in France

Clinton is pictured heavily throughout the Epstein files, but has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of the financier's victims

Epstein is pictured in a robe and a birthday hat eating a salad

Maxwell poses in a red feather hat with her tongue out

A photograph from Epstein's Manhattan house shows a room filled with computer screens

Epstein pulls on a cord attached to a Yamaha jet ski while in a marina

The interior of Epstein's New York mansion is pictured extensively in the files

Epstein had erotic images all throughout his home, including the bathroom

Pictured is an unidentified woman lounging on a pool float

The context in which the pictures were taken is unknown, as is the date of the photographs

A barefoot Maxwell poses with a 'helicopter parking only' sign

A man is pictured carrying a flamingo in one of the images - no context is given

A scrapbook included photos of multiple women and the words 'Once upon a time... there was a clueless little girl'

Scrapbook images included pictures of Trump

One of the released images shows the kitchen in Epstein's home

Paedophile Jeffrey Epstein pulls a pucker face for the camera

Images taken from his estate included cameras, with one seen in the top right of a bedroom

Epstein is seen lying on the floor barefoot, with a small dog nearby

Pictures of nude women were featured in a scrapbook in Epstein's home

The women appeared lounging on sun chairs and by the pool

Maxwell appears to be flying a helicopter in one of the photos

A spiralbound notebook contains the names of guests and staff members in Epstein's property

Statues decorate a staircase within Epstein's home

Many pictures illustrated Epstein with young girls, whose identities have all been protected in the files

The data dump on Friday was intended to comply with a law overwhelmingly passed by Congress in November that mandated the disclosure of all Epstein files
A Sandhurst soldier who twice failed the test to become an Army officer has been told he can't retake it because he is 'intellectually challenged', a tribunal heard.

Officer Cadet Keelan Swords, 25, failed the assessment to become a commissioned officer at the prestigious Army academy, an employment tribunal heard.

The aspiring officer says it is his 'childhood dream' to graduate from Sandhurst but has been told he cannot sit the exam again.

The assessment at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst - attended by Prince William and Harry - is mandatory for would-be officers and tests 'writing, reading and numeracy skills'.

According to his LinkedIn he achieved two A* grades and a B at A Level in politics, geography and history at the fee paying Colfe's School in Greenwich.

He obtained a 2:1 BA Hons in History with Politics and International Relations at Northeastern University, London.

But after he failed the Army Officer Selection Board Assessment (AOSB) for a second time, OCdt Swords was branded 'polite but intellectually challenged'.

OCdt Swords was left 'upset' by the comment and 'embarrassed' at Sandhurst, where he continues to work.

Mr Swords, pictured on social media, could not be reached for comment on Monday

He tried to sue the Ministry of Defence for disability discrimination and harassment relating to his dyslexia.

But his claims have been dismissed because an employment tribunal ruled it did not have jurisdiction to consider them.

The tribunal, held in Reading, heard he started working as a University Officer Training Corps Cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Headquarters on April 1 2023.

He had been an Officer Cadet in the University of London Officer Training Corps and a Group B Reservist between the ages of 19 and 23.

OCdt Swords failed the (AOSB) twice - once in August 2022 and once in October 2023.

The assessment tests 'writing, reading and numeracy skills in only one format'.

The tribunal heard: 'He explains that he has always [had] assistance and support during exams throughout his education because of his Dyslexia.

'This has included additional time within an examination, a calculator, a laptop to record notes rather than hand writing and extra paper.

'The account of his educational achievements in paragraph 29 of the Particulars of Claim evidence strong educational results.

'One of the matters of which he complains is that the psychometric test took a narrow approach to make a conclusive determination of his intellect, which he argues is not justified when set aside evidence of his academic achievements and suitability for training as an Officer.'

He has been told that he can't take the test a third time, but he argued it would have been 'reasonable' for 'various adjustments to the process' to be made.

OCdt Swords told the tribunal that 'the risk to combat effectiveness of giving him reasonable adjustments' would be 'negligible'.

He also said that there was a waiver that could be given to candidates at the AOSB stage if some aspects of their performance had 'fallen below the required standard but there are discretionary grounds, in the Army's view, for allowing them to progress with the Officer Training Corps'.

OCdt Swords concluded from the existence of the waiver that the AOSB was not 'viewed as decisive to whether the individual is suitable to be deployed as an Officer and therefore should not be viewed as critical to assessing combat effectiveness'.

The tribunal heard: 'He has produced a copy of his Service Complaint Form in which he describes being subjected to treatment since the second time that he failed the AOSB Assessment.

'In particular, he describes the upset at being labelled, 'polite but intellectually challenged' and 'significantly below the standard required for an Army Officer' which he describes as undermining all of his academic and Military achievements within the OTC.'

In his service complaint, Mr Swords said: 'My self-esteem and self-worth were undermined within my peer and social circles, however, the single most detrimental impact was that it took away my childhood dream and the vision of becoming an Officer within the British Army which had been supported and encouraged and supported every single step of my development outside and inside the Army.'

Mr Swords said it was 'embarrassing and upsetting' when he was asked by colleagues who don't know about his failed tests whether he was going to apply to become an Officer.

The tribunal accepted that being blocked from progressing to Officer 'affected his social and professional reputation'.

However, his claim was dismissed because the relevant part of equality law has an exclusion for service with the Armed Forces, so the tribunal did not have jurisdiction to consider it.

Employment Judge Sarah George said: 'The consequence of my decision is that the claim the claimant seeks to bring is excluded... and the Employment Tribunal does not have jurisdiction to consider it.

'The claim is dismissed.'

Mr Swords is still working at Sandhurst. He could not be reached for comment on Monday. A neighbour described him as a 'fantastic person'.
Evri has faced fresh backlash over 'stolen' presents in the run-up to Christmas - with the latest incident seeing a delivery driver caught 'running off' with a package in broad daylight.

Customers have complained their gifts have not arrived in time for the big day after a series of videos exposed Britain's 650million-a-year-parcel theft epidemic.

The latest shows the moment a driver appears to swipe a parcel from a family's doorstep - before allegedly making off with it under her coat.

Toni Fryer, 47, vowed to 'never use Evri again' after her son's Christmas present disappeared from her home in Timsbury, Hampshire, on December 15.

The mother claims the doorbell camera shows a woman in an Evri van delivering two parcels to her home before leaving with a third package - delivered earlier that day - hidden under her jacket.

Evri confirmed to the Daily Mail it is investigating the missing parcel.

Video captured the moment an Evri delivery driver appeared to steal a Christmas present from a customer's doorstep - running off with the package in broad daylight

In CCTV footage filmed last week, the driver is seen dropping off two packages on the porch of Ms Fryer's home

But she then appears to exchange this for one that is already outside, running off with it beneath her navy blue jacket

Ms Fryer, who was not at home for the deliveries, said she had contacted Evri about the missing parcel - but to no avail.

She said: 'I asked my partner to bring the three parcels into the house, but he insisted there were only two left on the porch.

'I pulled up the doorbell footage and couldn't believe what I was seeing. The most annoying thing is that you can't contact them for love nor money. Evri have taken no responsibility and their customer service is shocking.

'I just wish the situation was taken more seriously. I will never use Evri again.'

To make matters worse Ms Fryer said she had ordered a fourth parcel for the same day which never arrived.

She continued: 'This could have been someone's medicine, or something really important. The drivers need to have better background checks as some of them just can't be trusted.'

Evri insisted the company's priority is to 'handle every parcel with care'.

A spokesman added: 'We take claims such as these very seriously. We are investigating this as a priority and our customer service team is reaching out to the customer to offer their support.'

Hampshire Constabulary said: 'We received a report that between 10.10am and 11.05am on Dec 15, the passenger in a delivery van stole a parcel from the doorstep of an address in Timsbury.'

Last week another parcel thief called 'Jay' spoke about his tactics at the White City estate in West London

Jay points to a Daewoo plastic kettle in a box which is among the stolen items he is handling

Jay told Channel 4 he felt 'like a kid' when he was unboxing the stolen items

The incident comes amid reports today of a large number of parcels going undelivered in Salisbury.

Over the last few months, Evri packages have disappeared or been sent to the wrong addresses.

Tish Burbridge, a pensioner in the Wiltshire city, told the Salisbury Journal the occurrence was 'extraordinarily annoying'.

She claimed that in the last eight months she had 'not received six or seven parcels'.

'It's extraordinarily annoying and also, you know, I'm now on a pension and money is tight, and I can't afford to lose money like that. It's just, it's just not practicable. So, it has certainly made me rethink who I buy from in terms of who they use as couriers,' Ms Burbridge added.

Laura Clark, another Salisbury resident, who runs two Facebook groups for people who have lost parcels, said parcels thefts in the city were 'happening a lot'.

In response, Evri said it is 'committed to making every delivery experience a good one'.

The company added: 'A third-party contractor was supporting with deliveries in the area, but they didn't meet our standards, and so they will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri.

Extraordinary video filmed in the midst of Christmas parcel mayhem shows a driver in Norfolk pulling items from sacks and throwing them into the open door of his delivery vehicle

'A new local courier is in place, and the team are monitoring deliveries in the area.'

In a separate incident this month another Evri driver was caught on camera - this time hurling packages in the back of his van.

Extraordinary video filmed in the midst of Christmas parcel mayhem showed the man pulling items from sacks and throwing them into the open door of his delivery vehicle. They included a large box marked 'fragile'.

Flabbergasted customers described how the man 'laughed off' complaints when he handed over crumpled boxes. The driver was also said to have abandoned a pile of items in a high street before he crossed the road to deliver a package.

Elsewhere in the country a customer in Sheffield took to social media to complain they needed 'gps' data to find their parcel.

A photo taken at night shows the grey boxed package on the grass next to a stone wall.

The caption read: 'Evri delivery, took gps data for me to find it - no joke.'

Other photos shared show damaged boxes for gifts that appear to have received a battering in transit.

One person said jokingly 'my Evri parcel has arrived and they nicely put it in a black bag lol' - accompanied with a video of a scrunched up box.

Footage from last week uncovered yet more evidence of Britain's multimillion pound parcel epidemic ahead of Christmas.

A Gosport resident claims they found Evri parcels dumped on the street

Frustrated shoppers have taken to local WhatsApp and Facebook groups to try to track down their 'delivered' parcels

Another customer claims all they received from an Amazon order, fulfilled by Evri, was a battered and empty box

Evri delivery, took gps data for me to find it - no joke  pic.twitter.com/jMCAFGukad  The Sheffield Honey Company  (@SheffieldHoney) December 20, 2025

A disgruntled Hello Fresh shopper said their food parcel disintegrated after being left outside in the rain

A brazen thief called 'Jay' bragged of using violence as an 'element of surprise' to target unsuspecting delivery drivers and said he felt 'like a kid' when opening goods.

He also claimed he now targeted parcels as a 'side hustle' near the White City estate in west London because they were so easy to steal and potentially very lucrative.

Jay showed Channel 4 reporter Tir Dhondy some of the parcels still in their boxes including a Russell Hobbs slow cooker, Daewoo plastic kettle and 2kw fan heater.

In the clip, Tir asked Jay: 'Have you any idea what's inside them?'

He replied: 'Not yet, but we're gonna find out.' Jay then confirmed most of the parcels were on a doorstep.

When he opened a box of cleaning products, he said: 'In this game you take what you can get your hands on. We'll see what else we've got, we might get something better.'

He then brought out a heater and a kettle within the next box, saying: 'That will come in handy for someone.'

The footage was shared with the Daily Mail ahead of a Dispatches documentary which revealed a parcel is stolen every seven seconds in Britain.

It comes as the crime is now costing the UK an estimated 650million a year, with opportunistic thieves stealing from doorsteps and organised gangs using getaway cars with false numberplates and sophisticated tactics to hijack delivery vans in broad daylight.

Amid the complaints the Daily Mail last week sent five Christmas packages across Britain - via Royal Mail, Parcelforce, Evri and DPD.

It was only the Royal Mail package that arrived on time.

Five identical parcels were wrapped up, all containing the same Marks & Spencer wine glass, wrapped up in bubble wrap and placed inside a padded envelope.

All but one were posted on the same day from the Kensington High Street post office branch - as Evri had to be sent off from a different store, due to the one initially identified no longer supporting its couriers.

Every parcel but the Evri package was delivered - with the Daily Mail still awaiting an update as of this morning.
Two cruise ships crashed with 'extremely violent' impact on the River Nile, leaving one tourist dead.

A 47-year-old Italian, named Denise Ruggeri, was in her cabin during the deadly collision, which took place near Luxor at around 7pm on Sunday.

The woman had been on board the Royal Beau Rivage, which then smashed into the Opera, destroying at least four Royal cabins.

Ruggeri, who had been travelling with her husband at the time, fell in her room and sustained a serious lung injury.

She was rushed to Esna hospital following rescue efforts, but succumbed to her injuries shortly after admission.

There were also 70 to 80 other Italian tourists aboard the Royal Beau Rivage, but diplomatic sources confirmed that no further injuries were reported. Local media described the impact of the crash as 'extremely violent'.

The Italian Ambassador to Cairo, Agostino Palese, reassured: 'At the moment, there is no news of other Italians being involved; they are all safe.'

The Egyptian River Transport Authority attributed the accident to a 'sharp maneuver' and a violation of navigation rules.

Two cruise ships crashed with 'extremely violent' impact on the River Nile on Sunday evening, leaving one tourist dead

There were also 70 to 80 other Italian tourists aboard the Royal Beau Rivage, but diplomatic sources confirmed that no further injuries were reported

A 47-year-old Italian, named Denise Ruggeri, was left crushed in her cabin during the deadly collision, which took place near Luxor at around 7pm on Sunday

The Royal Beau Rivage captain's license has been suspended, and the prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the incident.

Marco Marsilio, President of the Abruzzo Region, shared a heartfelt message to Ruggeri's family following the deadly incident.

He said: 'On behalf of myself and the entire Regional Council, I express my deepest condolences for the tragic passing of Denise Ruggeri, who died in Egypt following the collision between two boats on the Nile.

'In such a time of great grief, our thoughts go first and foremost to her family and loved ones, struck by a sudden and unjust loss, and to whom the entire Abruzzo community extends its deepest sympathy.

'The Abruzzo Region stands with the Ruggeri family and joins in the condolences of all those who remember Denise and mourn her passing in these hours'.

It comes just two months after a tourist cruise ship burst into flames on the Nile, forcing the evacuation of over 200 holidaymakers.

Terrifying footage from October captured the Iberotel Crown Empress engulfed in an orange blaze with flames exploding from the windows as the vessel sailed between Luxor and Edfu, Egypt.

The fire was believed to have broken out in the ship's galley but quickly spread throughout the entire hull, leaving the cabins destroyed and forcing the ship's staff to activate the emergency alarm and move passengers to the upper deck.

The Royal Beau Rivage captain's license has been suspended, and the prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the incident

Local media described the impact as 'extremely violent'

Empress was quickly docked at an unofficial anchorage near Esna to allow for the evacuation of some 220 tourists of varying nationalities. No injuries or deaths were reported following the incident.

And a Norwegian Cruise ship rescued 63 people who were left stranded in the Ionian Sea in October.

The luxury vessel, operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines, rescued dozens of people off the Greek coast on the night of October 22.

The cruise line's Norwegian Epic vessel worked with Greek authorities to bring '63 individuals to safety,' according to the company.

Norwegian told USA TODAY: 'The individuals were brought on board and tended to by the ship's crew who provided a medical evaluation, food and other items for their comfort.

'Following a mandatory directive from the Rescue Coordination Centre, the ship proceeded to Kalamata, Greece where the rescued individuals were turned over to the Greek authorities.'

The cruise line did not specify who the people rescued were.
Terrified passengers feared they would be 'smashed to pieces' as their jet's engine exploded and the plane plummeted 'nose first' nearly 30,000 feet within minutes on a flight over France.

Passengers on flight AF 7721 from Paris to Ajaccio experienced a nightmarish situation when their plane was forced to divert.

Just 30 minutes after takeoff at around 6pm, passengers say they heard a loud bang in the cabin.

Christelle, a woman travelling with her daughter, told RTL she witnessed fire on the wing of the aircraft, saying: 'It was in flames.'

She added that she felt the plane 'plummet', and watched as chaos erupted amongst passengers.

'The buttons, everything was lighting up, everything was flashing. There was a man who grabbed his children because they thought we were going to crash,' Christelle said.

Another woman, Joelle, added that she 'thought we were going to be smashed to pieces'.

She said: 'I grabbed the phone to call my daughter, I said I'm going to die, I'm going to die,' Le Parisien reported.

Passengers on flight AF 7721 from Paris to Ajaccio experienced a nightmarish situation

According to Le Parisien, flight tracking data from FlightRadar shows that the aircraft descended from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet to around 5,000 feet in about ten minutes

Passengers said the captain had explained that the left engine of the aircraft 'stopped working mid-flight.'

However, Air France referred to the incident as an 'engine failure'.

An industry expert explained that it is a case of 'engine surge' where the crew is forced to 'shut down the engine' after air pockets form within it and create vibrations, according to Le Parisien.

The crew ultimately decided to divert the plane to Lyon during the incident this weekend.

The airline stated that the decision was taken 'in accordance with the manufacturer's procedures, the company's instructions, and the precautionary principle.'

Passengers were forced to take a replacement flight at 10:40pm, which brought them to Bastia, and from there a bus to Ajaccio, where they arrived at 3am.

The landing in Lyon 'went normally on a single engine,' according to the expert.

The crew ultimately decided to divert the plane to Lyon during the incident this weekend

The landing in Lyon 'went normally on a single engine,' according to the expert

He said that although flying on one engine is not a usual situation, 'these things happen in the world of air transport'.

Despite passenger accounts, the expert went on to add that 'the wing was not on fire, the engine was not on fire, there was no fire alarm'.

However, he admitted he could not rule out that there could have been some momentary flames on the nozzle which were 'contained within the engine'.

The Airbus A320 operating the flight contains two CFM56 engines, which the expert claimed are one of the 'most reliable' engines globally.

Despite passengers making it to their destination safely, Joelle has announced she intends to file a complaint against Air France.

She described the effects of the incident, saying: 'My 8-year-old granddaughter spent the night terrified of me, trembling all over, crying, and waking up from nightmares.'
A California woman convicted of a murder-for-hire plot against her husband has died by suicide, the Daily Mail has learned.

Tatyana Remley died just outside the Princess Pub & Grille in San Diegos Little Italy area shortly before 9pm on December 18, according to her estranged husband, Mark Remley.

Police have not released her name but confirmed over the weekend that they were 'investigating a death that appears to be a suicide.'

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to the Daily Mail on Monday that Remley, 44, died by suicide. The cause of death has been ruled as 'gunshot wound to the head.'

Mark told the Daily Mail that his estranged wife called him at around 7pm that Thursday while she was at the bar. He said she complained about a man she was with at the time.

She FaceTimed me while in the bathroom stall and told me, Im with this guy and hes being a jerk,"' a distraught Mark said. I told her to just leave.

I told her, Do you have this, because I can send help if you need it. I can call 911 if youre in trouble.

'She answered, No, I got this. She hung up and that was our last conversation.

Model and socialite Tatyana Remley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on December 18, according to authorities

Remley, pictured with her husband Mark, was arrested and charged with solicitation of murder, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and possessing a loaded firearm in public, in 2023

San Diego Police Department officials told the Daily Mail that a firearm was recovered at the scene where Remley was pronounced dead at 9.02pm.

When he didnt hear from her the next day, Mark called San Diego Sheriffs authorities and filed a missing persons report.

Officials with the San Diego Medical Examiners called Mark and confirmed his estranged wife had taken a gun and shot herself outside the restaurant.

No one else was injured at the site, police said.

On Sunday, Mark fought back tears as he grappled with the news that his wife, who once tried to hire hitmen to kill him, had taken her own life.

I tried so many times to get her help because I saw her struggle with life throughout our marriage, Mark said. I did not see this coming. I loved her and yes, our marriage ended very badly.

'I couldnt stay any longer after she tried to hire someone to kill me. I fled for my life and went to the other side of the country. But this was the last thing I thought would happen to her.

The Remleys' tumultuous love story started 15 years ago when the tech entrepreneur met the striking blonde model in the posh Del Mar enclave of San Diego. The two quickly bonded over their love for horses, fast cars, sex and polo matches.

The couple first gained notoriety when they attempted to launch a multimillion-dollar equestrian acrobatics show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds called Valitar in 2012. However, they had to shut it down and left performers and trainers in the lurch after only four or five shows.

Despite the failure of that venture, the couple tried to start other businesses and lived in multiple mansions in California and Hawaii.

Mark, who made millions through real estate investments and formerly served as executive vice president and chief information officer of Signal Corporation, was worth around $30 million when they married in March 2011, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

Remley, who had two children from previous relationships, often paraded in skimpy lingerie and posted their luxurious lifestyle on social media.

Mark Remley told the Daily Mail this was the last picture taken of Tatyana from her cell phone shortly before she died on Thursday, December 18

The couple were together for 15 years and were in the midst of a divorce when Remley took her own life last week

The couple even appeared in 2017 on a Showtime series called Naked SNCTM, which was about an elite sex club for swingers.

In a clip from the show, a scantily clad Remley said, Im all about pushing limits as a woman touched her body.

In the episode, Mark is heard saying, 'Sex is probably the biggest part of our lives.'

Mark told the Daily Mail that after more than a decade into the marriage, he wanted to slow down. Tatyana, however, 'got bored and refused to work despite his encouragement for her to find a career, Mark claimed.

The marriage continued to dissolve and Remley filed for divorce against her husband in July 2, 2023.

In the filing obtained by the Daily Mail, Remley accused Mark's friends of threatening her life.

In the divorce papers, she maintained that friends of her husband '[broke] my expensive horse statue in the yard and put the head of the horse in my bed, Godfather style.'

Mark has denied allegations that he or his friends threatened or were violent toward his wife.

In 2023, Remley asked a mutual friend to find a hitman to kill her husband, according to investigators. Mark immediately went to authorities, who then set up an operation with investigators posing as hitmen.

The San Diego Sheriff's Department orchestrated a sting using an undercover sheriff's detective posing as a hitman who met Remley at a Starbucks.

Remley was arrested on August 2, 2023, and charged with solicitation of murder, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and possessing a loaded firearm in public.

She pleaded guilty to the charges and would only serve a year of her three-year-and-eight-month sentence. She was released early from a California jail in January but was arrested again in September on arson charges.

The former socialite was supposed to appear back in court in March 2026 for allegedly trying to burn down the $6 million Del Mar mansion they once shared.

The Remleys first gained notoriety after Valitar collapsed in 2012, leaving performers and crew members unpaid

Photos obtained by the Daily Mail showed the destruction the fire caused in the once lavish six-bedroom home

On Sunday, Mark told the Daily Mail they also were close to coming to a settlement over their divorce.

Since she was released from prison, however, Remley changed her tone and told her estranged husband she still loves him and wanted to reconcile.

In a taped deposition for the divorce taken on August 14 viewed by the Daily Mail, Remley denied she wanted to hire a hit man despite pleading guilty to the charges.

'If someone is hiring a hitman .. why would they bring a gun to the scene, Mark,' she asked her husband in the taped deposition.

Mark responded, 'Tatyana, you're talking nonsense to me. I wasn't there. I have no idea.'

'It was to kill myself,' Remley responded. 'And not to actually shoot myself, as in, I will pull the gun out and the cops will shoot me.'

Mark said, despite their breakup, he would still pick up her calls and listen to her updates about her life since she was released from state prison in January.

Remley talked about writing her memoir and had apparently signed a deal to appear on a Netflix documentary.

In her social media, Remley posted pictures of herself smiling while shooting scenes with a camera crew.

A 2016 picture of Tatyana Remley posing at their Del Mar home. The model was known to date wealthy men for their money, a former friend told the Daily Mail

Remley had penned a memoir and was excited for the release of her project with Netflix, her estranged husband said

Before marrying Mark in March 2011, Remley was briefly married to Seattle multi-millionaire biotech tycoon Ken Woolcott.

In their divorce, Woolcott accused his former wife of using his credit cards on shopping sprees to buy clothes, only to return the items and pocket the money. Woolcott obtained full custody of their son, who is now in his 20s.

Remley also had a daughter with San Diego real estate developer Greg Agee.

Mark said he has been in touch with both men to see how they would like to proceed with her remains.

'I want to leave it up to them because they are the fathers of her children and we never had kids,' Mark told the Daily Mail. 'They have the very difficult task to tell the children that their mom is gone now.'

An emotional Mark said he didnt understand how his estranged wife, who was a convicted felon, was allowed to remain free despite facing fresh arson charges.

I just know she would be alive if this DA and this judge didnt allow her to get out without bail, he said. I dont understand how someone who was convicted of murder-for-hire and was again arrested for arson was allowed to roam the streets with a gun! She was mentally ill and definitely should not have been out of that jail.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
The publication of a never-seen-before picture of the infamous Spitting Image puppet of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly used to 'grope' Virginia Giuffre is 'partial-vindication' for her and another alleged victim, it was claimed today.

A royal source has warned that the shocking image released in the Epstein Files should deeply worry Andrew and Buckingham Palace.

'There is still a danger that the threat of future legal action involving some of Epsteins victims is not over for Andrew', the Mail's insider said, adding: 'This is a scandal that just wont go away'.

Andrew has always denied all accusations of sexual activity with Epstein's accusers and vehemently denies any wrongdoing.

Johanna Sjoberg has for the past 15 years said consistently that the disgraced former Duke of York used a Spitting Image latex puppet modelled on him to grope his other accuser, Virginia Giuffre, who was a teenager at the time and sat next to her.

He allegedly put his hand on her breast in Epstein's New York home, according to Ms Sjoberg, while Virginia insisted later that she believed that the puppet was also used to touch Johanna's breasts.

The picture of the infamous Spitting Image puppet of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is part of a trove of 300,000 Epstein Files documents released on Friday. It is 'partial-vindication' for Virginia Giuffre and Johanna Sjoberg, one royal source claims

The infamous latex puppet of Andrew can be seen propped up on a sofa in the background of a photograph showing convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell

Johanna Sjoberg (pictured in 2007) claimed Prince Andrew groped her breast - and Virginia Giuffre's with the puppet. Andrew denies all accusations of sexual activity with Epstein's accusers and vehemently denies any wrongdoing

Ms Sjoberg claimed Ghislaine Maxwell took a photo of the two women being groped in 2001 - but said she never saw the picture.

And while that alleged image has never seen the light of day, a picture of the infamous latex puppet in the New York mansion of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has emerged in the so-called Epstein Files.

The puppet is seen propped up on a sofa in the background of a photograph showing convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Daily Mail asked Ms Sjoberg to comment on the photo.

But the release of the picture of the doll, taken in the mansion where she claimed the sexual assault happened, propped behind the woman she accused of grooming her, is 'partial-vindication' for her and Virginia, one royal insider told the Daily Mail today.

'This picture of the puppet seems to at least partially vindicate the late Virginia Giuffre and Johanna Sjobergs accounts of the time they spent with Andrew. That must be a cause for concern.

'The steady drip, drip of photographs and documentation emerging from the Epstein files is creating a real headache for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and for the Royal Household'.

Ghislaine Maxwell was jailed for 20 years in 2022 for helping Epstein abuse young girls, and wears a flight suit in the newly released photo.

The picture of her larking around in front of Andrew's puppet is part of a trove of 300,000 documents released on Friday, which also includes depraved scenes from the vile tycoon's mansions and countless images of naked young women.

It is alleged that Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles this year, used the puppet to grope Ms Giuffre, then aged 17, as well as Ms Sjoberg, then 21, in the study of Epstein's 60million Manhattan home.

Ms Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, wrote in her book that 'when Andrew cupped my breast with a doll made in his image, I only giggled away'.

Ms Sjoberg testified to the alleged incident in a 2016 legal deposition, where she described how Andrew and Ms Giuffre were sitting on a couch with the puppet.

'And so then I sat on Andrew's lap  and I believe on my own volition  and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast, and so Andrew put his on mine,' she said.

Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Maxwell's townhouse in London on March 13, 2001. Virginia claimed that Andrew guessed her age and justified the correct choice by saying: 'My daughters are just a little younger than you'

Ms Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell

Andrew has strenuously and repeatedly denied having sex with Ms Giuffre and any other wrongdoing.

Ms Sjoberg began working for Epstein in 2001, and according to her evidence was immediately forced to perform sex acts.

Her friend Ms Giuffre had been recruited by Maxwell the year before, in 2000, while she was working at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

When Virginia was found dead in May, Johanna released a poignant statement saying it could have been 'any' of Epstein's victims due to his abuse.

She said: 'Suicide, drugs and overdose, prostitution, prison.

'I can, with full certainty, say that it is only by the Grace of God I've found a different path.

'My faith, my family, and friendships get me through each day." It's not about me, but it is about me, how it could have been me, could have been any of us, really,' she said.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was seen with a solemn expression on his face as he drove his Land Rover defender out of Royal Lodge yesterday

Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles last month, is seen sprawling across the laps of five elegantly dressed women, while Ghislaine Maxwell lurks in the background

Johanna Sjoberg said in 2019 that she was willing to testify under oath against Andrew if it helped the FBI investigate the royal's long friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

A source said at the time: 'As a victim of Epstein, Sjoberg's testimony over how she was recruited and abused is vital to the FBI.

'Despite Epstein's suicide, they are determined all those who enabled his crimes will face justice. It is a promise they made to the victims.

'Andrew has had serious allegations made against him and agents are determined that a person's standing in life does not make them immune from being questioned.'
An academic who led a Government review of sex and gender has threatened the University of Bristol with legal action, claiming it failed to protect her free speech.

Sociology professor Alice Sullivan was invited to deliver a lecture in October which was disrupted by protesters who set off fire alarms, banged on windows and made abusive gestures, forcing a change of venue.

It came after she published recommendations in March that data on biological sex and gender identity should be recorded as distinct categories.

The independent, Government-commissioned review also found that universities had undermined research on puberty blockers and failed to tackle the harassment of academics who held gender-critical views.

Professor Sullivan, who concluded that free speech had come under attack, says she was first invited to speak about her work at the University of Bristol in July 2024 and agreed to an event that autumn, but the event was delayed until October 22, 2025.

By the time the talk finally went ahead, she claims the university had not taken reasonable steps to prevent it from being disrupted.

In a letter before action, her lawyers point out that Bristol University had 15 months to find a secure location on campus - where the lecturer would not have been forced to move to a higher floor to finish her talk.

And in the lead-up to the event, they say the university was influenced by complaints about transphobia from LGBTQ+ staff.

Professor Sullivan, a visiting fellow from University College London, says that after she had accepted the invitation, she was informed the lecture was subject to a risk assessment. And then, that Bristol University would only be able to proceed with it online, due to capacity concerns.

She challenged the decision and the university agreed to hold the lecture in person. However, she claims it then sought to marginalise her talk by imposing a series of restrictions, including on the number of attendees and a ban on undergraduate students.

Universities have a legal duty to protect the rights of staff, students and visiting speakers to express views which others might find offensive. Institutions found to have breached this can be fined.

The University of Sussex was ordered to pay 585,000 in March for failing to protect a professors right to free speech. Kathleen Stock resigned in 2021 after student protests over her gender-critical views sparked a major free speech row.

Since then, the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 has come into force, which means that universities are now required to ensure lawful debate can take place. Professor Sullivans proposed action is thought to be the first to invoke this new law.

Speaking to The Times, she said: It is a central part of the function of universities to provide a space where critical analysis, dialogue and the pursuit of knowledge can occur without fear.

If the university cannot safely host a talk about data, statistics and research on sex and gender, something has gone badly wrong. Both the obstructiveness of university managers in the run-up to the event, and the aggression of the protest were shocking.

A Bristol University spokesman said: Although protesters caused unacceptable disruption, appropriate measures were in place to enable the event to continue. We refute claims that we failed to protect her freedom of speech; the restrictions she outlines were all necessary for public safety.

Clearly, the intimidating behaviour of protesters was not peaceful. We will take disciplinary action if anyone from the university is identified as being involved.
A German tourist was killed beside his wife in a ski lift when his chair suddenly slid 230ft backwards and collided with another behind them in Montenegro.

The fatal accident happened at around 1pm on Saturday at the Savin Kuk resort near the mountain town of Zabljak, a popular winter destination in the country's north.

The 34-year-old man from Germany died at the scene. His wife, aged 30, was riding with him and witnessed the entire incident.

She became trapped on the chairlift and was later rescued with injuries, according to the town's mayor, who spoke to Montenegrin television.

Officials said one of the double chairs came loose, slid along the cable and struck the chair behind it, trapping other victims for hours.

Emergency services were called to the resort, where prosecutors ordered the immediate closure of the lift while investigations began.

At least three other tourists were left stranded in their chairs for several hours before rescue teams were able to bring them down safely.

No official cause had been confirmed by Sunday, with authorities saying a full technical examination would be carried out.

The public prosecutor's office said it would conduct a detailed investigation into how the failure occurred.

A two-person chairlift at the resort, where the incident took place. A detailed investigation into the accident is currently underway, according to the public prosecutor's office

The accident happened on Saturday at the Savin Kuk resort near the mountain town of Zabljak

Your browser does not support iframes.

Zabljak mayor Rados Zugic said the incident was being treated with the utmost seriousness, stressing the importance of visitor safety in a region heavily dependent on tourism.

'We insist on a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine those responsible,' he said.

Despite the fatality, Serbian news outlet Blic said that the ski lift was back in operation the following day.

The tragedy follows a string of serious chairlift accidents across the world in recent months.

In January, two young women were left in intensive care after a lift collapsed at the Astun ski resort in Spain's Pyrenees. That resort was temporarily shut while rescue services responded, but later reopened.

Investigators in Spain said a pulley malfunction likely caused the cable to slacken, sending several chairs crashing to the ground and throwing skiers into the snow.

In another incident in September, three people were killed, and nine were injured after a chairlift cable snapped on Mount Elbrus, Russia's highest peak.

At the time of that accident, 37 passengers were riding the cableway in the North Caucasus region.

Last year in December, a chairlift detached at the Heavenly Mountain Resort in California, causing multiple seats to fall from the cable. The incident resulted in several injuries.
Vice President JD Vance issued a scathing two word response to those who have insulted his wife Usha since taking office: 'Eat s***.'

'Let me be clear. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s***,' Vance said in an interview with UnHerd, referencing the conservative provocateur and the former Biden administration press secretary.

'Thats my official policy as vice president of the United States.'

Vance's stern words come as the vice president has faced allegations that his marriage has been on the rocks this year, including Usha being seen without her wedding ring on official trips.

He singled out Fuentes in particular for his repeat slights at the Second Lady, which have included branding her a 'Jeet' in an insult to her Indian heritage.

When Vance was selected as Donald Trump's 2024 running mate, Fuentes also questioned: 'Who is this guy, really? Do we really expect that the guy who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek is going to support white identity?'

Vance has faced calls to distance himself from the influencer amid speculation he is plotting a 2028 presidential run, as Fuentes commands a huge audience despite saying in the past that he 'loves Hitler' and believes the Holocaust 'is exaggerated.'

In Vance's interview this week, he issued a sharp rebuke of Fuentes' anti-Semitic stances, saying that 'anti-Semitism, and all forms of ethnic hatred, have no place in the conservative movement.'

'Whether youre attacking somebody because theyre white or because theyre black or because theyre Jewish, I think its disgusting,' Vance continued.

Vice President JD Vance has faced growing pressure to come out in support of his wife Usha (seen together in November) as the Second Lady has come under attack from conservative provocateur Nick Fuentes

Fuentes has used the insult 'Jeet' to attack Usha Vance, and in a scathing two-word response Vance hit back: 'Eat s***'

Vance's remarks also pointed to Psaki following the former Biden administration press secretary's comments about Usha in an appearance on the I've Had It podcast in October.

Psaki pointed to reports that the Second Couple's marriage was on the rocks, including Usha being seen without her wedding ring several times, and suggested that she needed to be rescued from the vice president.

'I always wonder whats going on in the mind of [Vances] wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here. Well save you,' Psaki said.

Vance's comments to UnHerd were published just hours after he took the stage at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest event, where Erika Kirk surprised some with an early endorsement of Vance's 2028 presidential prospects.

However, Fuentes's status as a sharply divisive MAGA leader was an inescapable issue at the conference, and his controversial following plunged the event into chaotic infighting.

Top conservative voices, most notably Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro, traded barbs in their speeches over Carlson hosting Fuentes on his show in October.

Shapiro collectively slammed Carlson, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon as 'frauds' and 'grifters.' Kelly and Bannon - as well as several other prominent conservatives were notably billed alongside Shapiro at the event.

Join the debate Is political discourse becoming more personal and nasty?

'Let me be clear. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s***,' Vance said in an interview this week

Fuentes has emerged as a source of controversy in the MAGA movement in recent months, including a much-scrutinized interview with Tucker Carlson in October

Fuentes has been condemned for a series of inflammatory and anti-Semitic remarks in the past, including saying he 'loves Hitler' and believes the Holocaust 'is exaggerated'

Shapiro warned 'the conservative movement is in serious danger' thanks to these conservative 'charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty.'

Referring to Carlson, he said: 'If you host a Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving, anti-American piece of refuse like Nick Fuentes The person who said that Charlie Kirk was a, quote, "idiot"... you ought to own it.'

'There is a reason that Charlie Kirk despised Nick Fuentes and indeed even chided Dinesh D'Souza for debating him.'

Carlson responded with his own barbs from the same stage.

'That guy is pompous,' Carlson began, panning Shapiro's serious tone.

He said he laughed while watching snippets of Shapiros speech backstage.

'Calls to deplatform at a Charlie Kirk event? Thats hilarious.'

Ben Shapiro criticized Tucker Carlson at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday in a hostile start to the event

Carlson responded with some barbs of his own, sending the event off the rails

Carlson also assured the crowd that he was not antisemitic after hosting Fuentes.

'Antisemitism is not just naughty, its immoral,' he announced.

He also complained about cancel culture, saying, 'I have a right to question your motives. Actually, why can't you answer the question? Why do you have to imply that some college kid is like some kind of Hitler-ite or something because he's asking about an event? Like what?'

Carlson asserted: 'It is okay to ask questions. And I thought that was, like, the whole reason we were against the left. They're not going to force you to get up there and make ritual denunciations.

'Because this isn't my religion. It's politics.'
Families trying to get away for Christmas had to be evacuated from a Ryanair plane when it crashed into a fuel truck at a British airport.

Passengers had to be offloaded from the Faro-bound aircraft after a 'wing tip came in contact' with the tanker at Edinburgh Airport today at 10am.

Edinburgh Airport told the Daily Mail there was no impact on any other flights, and the incident was stood down 'within 30 seconds'.

Passengers have since boarded their rescheduled flight, which is understood to have departed after 12.30pm.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'This flight from Edinburgh to Faro was preparing for departure when the wing tip came in contact with the cab of a fuel truck.

'Passengers disembarked normally and a replacement aircraft was arranged to operate this flight to Faro.'

It comes as British holidaymakers faced travel misery after a French border control IT meltdown triggered long delays at Dover, as furious tourists across Europe were hit with severe disruptions.

Passengers had to be offloaded from the Faro-bound aircraft after a 'wing tip came in contact' with the tanker at Edinburgh Airport today at 10am

A spokesperson for Ryanair said 'passengers disembarked normally and a replacement aircraft was arranged to operate this flight to Faro'

No one is believed to have been injured in the Ryanair mishap, with one passenger telling The Scottish Sun that 'thankfully we weren't going at a fast speed'.

'It was scary  the pilot came on the intercom and tried to pretend it wasn't as serious as it looked,' they said.

'They can't use the plane anymore.'

Elsewhere, air passengers complained of five-hour queues at Lisbon Airport, as hundreds of fliers were seen in videos crammed into the busy airport.

There was also chaos at Dover on Saturday morning when a systems failure hit French passport checks, forcing traffic to build up around the busy Kent port as officials worked to restore operations.

At one point, queues for outbound passengers stretched to around an hour.

The chaos came as millions began their Christmas journeys, with around 30,000 cars expected to pass through Dover over the festive period.

By mid-afternoon, port authorities said the situation had improved, and traffic was flowing freely once again, but the morning's backlog had already caused frustration among drivers.

Meanwhile, Christmas getaway drivers were warned this morning of long delays following a crash on the M61 in Lancashire.

The incident caused damage to the central reservation on the motorway. National Highways closed one lane in order for repairs to be carried out.

The lane has since been reopened.

It comes as 24million cars are expected to hit the roads - the highest on record since 'Frantic Friday'.

Journeys home for the great festive getaway combined with commuter and business traffic will cause substantial delays, the AA has predicted.

And to add to the disruption heavy rain is forecast in parts of Britain for the coming week - with 15 flood warnings in place and dozens more alerts.

It follows a record high number of cars heading home on Friday amid traffic gridlock, packed airports and rail chaos.

Passengers spotted today at Euston station in London as they make their journeys to see friends and family for Christmas

King's Cross station also looked particularly busy today as people headed off to celebrate Christmas with loved ones

Traffic is set to be its heaviest on Christmas Eve when the RAC forecasts there will be 4.2 million journeys, making it the single busiest day for getaways over the period.

However, with fewer commuters around the roads are likely to be less busy overall.

A number of drivers are planning to make journeys at some point between Monday and Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping and other festive visits.

Shaun Jones, AA expert patrol, said: 'Drivers will be heading out for all sorts of festive fun - from pantomimes and Christmas markets to family visits and scenic walks.

Those heading to Heathrow to catch flights are also being impacted by severe delays on the Elizabeth Line.

A points failure between Ealing and Acton has caused delays and cancellations on GWR and Heathrow Express services.

Transport for London said there were severe delays between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4, with no services running between Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 5.

Disruption is expected to last until around 1pm.

Elsewhere, TfL said that Euston and King's Cross stations are currently busier than usual as people head off to celebrate Christmas with loved ones.
A chef who caused a British intern to lose both legs when he ran over him with his vehicle after his restaurant's staff party has told a court today that he 'does not claim to be innocent'.

During the first day of the trial, prosecutors called for an 18-month jail sentence for celebrity chef Nick Bril, who left Joe Claridge critically injured in the incident.

Belgian prosecutors are also seeking a three-month driving ban and a 4,400 fine.

The incident happened in the early hours of January 8, 2024, in a private staff car park outside Bril's two Michelin star restaurant, The Jane, in Antwerp.

Dressed in a black suit in court, he was accompanied by his lawyer Omar Soudi and his wife, Frencheska Bril-Donze, with whom he shared a kiss while leaving the premises.

Addressing the court, he said: 'I am not here to pretend to be an innocent person or to act as if I am. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about the facts.'

Bril, who said he respected Claridge, had prepared a statement in English, in case the victim was present. He also stated that he could 'only imagine what the last few years must have been like for' Claridge.

The court heard Bril had attended a New Year's party after work and drank heavily, including wine, two Negroni cocktails, two beers and several tequila shots.

At around 6am, he allegedly drove his Land Rover Defender over Claridge, who was lying on the ground after also drinking.

Nick Bril, who is accused of running over a British intern arrived in court for the first day of his trial

The court heard Bril first ran over Joe Claridge while reversing, then drove forward over him again. Claridge was left critically injured and spent six weeks in a coma

In court, Bril said he 'respected' the victim and added he could 'only imagine what the last few years must have been like for'him

Prosecutors said Bril first ran over him while reversing, then drove forward over him again. Claridge was left critically injured and spent six weeks in a coma.

The court was told that the chef waited for nine minutes after he ran Claridge over to call for help.

Prosecutors said: 'Joe had drunk too much and was waiting for a taxi. We don't know why he fell to the ground, but he was a visible obstacle, regardless of what Nick Bril says. A sober driver would have seen him lying in the road.'

Although Bril said he had no idea what had happened at the time, the prosecution insisted that he must have realised that he had run someone over.

They argued: 'The surveillance camera footage shows Joe moving. Yet, Nick Bril waited nine minutes before calling emergency services.

'He told a passing jogger that someone who was extremely drunk was on the ground. He didn't say he had run him over. He also didn't tell the emergency services the whole story.'

Bril's lawyer, Omar Souidi, argued for acquittal, telling the court: 'He has not seen that he ran over Joe Claridge. That is crucial. Slow action, not perfect action, is not the same as no action.

'Moving your car is logical, you cannot stay in place and flee at the same time. He stayed and cooperated.'

Two hours after the crash, a breath test showed Bril had 1.75 promille of alcohol in his blood.

Nick Brill shared a kiss with his wife, Francheska Bril-Donze, as they left the court premises

Bril's lawyer, Omar Souidi, right, argued that his client stayed and 'cooperated' with officials after the incident. He added that 'slow action, not perfect action, is not the same as no action'

Bril later told authorities about his drinking that night, saying: 'One glass of wine, then two Negronis and two beers.

'Then I finished with a few shots of tequila with the team. I can't say how many. I think I was still able to drive.'

It was said that the investigation also uncovered messages sent by Bril after the incident.

In one message to a staff WhatsApp group at The Jane, he allegedly wrote: 'Guys, I just finished up with our new intern. Complete KO. An ambulance and the police, everything involved. I don't think we'll keep Joe as an intern.'
The ominous behavior of a beauty queen found dead in her home amid a bitter divorce battle has been revealed.

Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, was found dead inside the $1.6 million home in Pinetop, Arizona on November 20.

She shared the home with her husband of 31 years, Michael Abatti, 63 - a prominent agricultural figure in California's Imperial Valley.

The pair split in August 2023, with Kerri leaving their primary home in El Centro, California, to reconnect with her roots in Arizona's Pinetop-Lakeside community.

Kerri's family had lived in the closely-woven community for generations, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The murder victim's cousin, Cathy Penrod, 72, told the outlet that since leaving her husband, Kerri had been searching for a sense of belonging.

In turn, she had been tending to her family's private cemetery in Pinetop, where six generations of Penrods have been laid to rest - in a chilling foreshadowing of her own fate.

The town was originally settled by Kerri's Mormon ancestors, William and Polly Penrod, who had moved their family from Utah to the mountain community more than a century ago.

Eerily, Cathy said Kerri had placed poinsettias on the graves of her relatives from her family's sixth generation - which is her generation - in the days before she was killed.

'I realize now that was what she was craving: a bond, a connection to her family. Its what she needed to do,' Cathy told the LA Times.

Kerri Ann Abatti, formerly Kerri Ann Penrod, had been visiting the grave sites of her ancestors before she was found dead

Pictured: Investigators at load a black gun safe into a truck from Michael Abatti's property on December 2. Michael has not been named a person of interest or a suspect in Kerri's death

'She came back because this was the center of her universe. Its where her soul belonged.'

Kerri had grown up in Pinetop and was known as an outgoing and charismatic community member.

She attended Blue Ridge High School, and yearbooks from 1983 and 1984 detail her accomplishments.

Kerri was a Girl Scout, a cheerleader and a member of the school's orchestra. When she was a high school senior, she was named Miss Navajo County and earned a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Arizona, according to the LA Times.

However, divorce records indicate that she never graduated from college. She obtained a real estate license and became an EMT.

She eventually let those certifications lapse as she went on to work as an office manager for a third-party company and as a bookkeeper for the Abatti family company, Abatti Farms LLC.

When her second of three children was born, she worked solely as a bookkeeper for Abatti Farms until 1999, when she stopped working altogether to focus on her family.

Cathy told the LA Times that she does not know how Kerri and Michael met, but speculated that she felt abashed about the divorce.

'She must have felt so much shame,' Cathy told the outlet. 'But she also must have known how deep her familys love was for her. That no matter what, this was her home.'

Kerri Ann Abatti was the wife of Michael Abatti, pictured here, a land baron who has considerable influence over a large portion of southern California

Kerri was found inside the family's $1.6 million home in Pinetop. Pictured: An aerial shot of the property

The Daily Mail previously revealed the messy relationship between Michael and his estranged wife before she died.

The pair was entrenched in a battle over finances - as Kerri claimed that her millionaire husband had left her a 'measly' allowance after she left him, according to court records.

Filings from October 2023 allege that Michael expected her to run the 14-acre Pinetop property single-handedly while paying her $5,000 a month as part of a spousal agreement - a sum she deemed insufficient.

Michael is one of Imperial Valley's most successful farmers with 20,000 acres under cultivation, with crops bringing in over $10 million a year.

Michael was accused of being miserly with his wife despite having a $12.5 million ranch in Wyoming. Kerri claimed that she had little knowledge of his finances.

In the documents, Kerri detailed how her husband managed their large farming and real estate business, Abatti Farms, while she brought up their three children.

In January, a judge ruled in Kerri's favor, increasing her monthly spousal support payment to $6,400.

The mother-of-three's death is being probed as a homicide, according to the Navajo County Sheriff's Office.

Pictured: Officers carrying out a search warrant on the property in California where Michael Abatti lives on December 2

Michael Abatti is one of the area's most successful farmers with 20,000 acres under cultivation (pictured)

Officials confirmed she was found dead with a gunshot wound.

No one has been arrested or charged with her murder, but Michael's El Centro property was raided in connection with an investigation into his wife's murder.

A large black gun safe was among the items taken from the property, as captured in images by Imperial Valley Press.

'We've got multiple roads we're looking at. [Michael is] certainly an investigative lead and that's not to say there's not other investigative leads as well,' Chief Deputy Brian Swanty told Briana Whitney on December 12.

Swanty said that Michael is not an official person of interest in this case.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Michael for comment through his business and an attorney.

On Monday afternoon, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office told the Daily Mail that there are no updates on the investigation's progress.
Winter storms on both coasts are threatening to wreak havoc on holiday travel after hundreds of flights across the US have been canceled this morning.

Roughly 122 million Americans are expected to travel this Christmas and New Year's as severe rain and strong winds on the West Coast, as well as wicked snow on the East Coast, threaten their holiday plans.

Travelers are already facing chaos at the airports Monday after more than 350 flights were canceled and 700 delayed nationwide by 8am.

The delays come after a downpour of heavy rain and flash flooding soaked roads in northern California and the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, leading to water rescues from vehicles and homes.

At least one person died in Redding, about 160 miles north of Sacramento, overnight after heavy rains pelted the region with nearly 10 inches of water in just 24 hours.

The National Weather Service has warned that a series of warm atmospheric rivers would bring more moderate to heavy rain to the Valley, foothills and mountains the week of Christmas.

A clipper storm and cold air is also expected to bring snow and ice to the Northeast and Midwest this week, with Tuesday forecast to be the worst day for weather-related disruptions.

Travelers in the Pocono Mountains area of Pennsylvania, upstate New York and central and northern New England will be hardest hit by storms and disruptions Tuesday, according to Accuweather meteorologists.

Heavy snow covered roads in Haddonfield, New Jersey over the weekend, with some areas across the state being hit with as much as six inches

Heavy rain soaked the Pacific Northwest on Thursday leading to flooding and evacuations across Portland, Oregon

Historic flooding closed roads across the greater Seattle area over the weekend after heavy storms pelted Washington state

At least one person died in Redding, about 160 miles north of Sacramento, overnight after heavy rains pelted northern California with nearly 10 inches of water in just 24 hours

Flights have been halted at San Francisco International Airport, with delays and cancellations also expected to impacted airports in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

There were around 40 flooding incidents and 17 landslides recorded across Northern California during the 24 hours that heavy storms pelted the region, the Weather Channel reported, citing figures from local officials.

Millions of people across the state remain under flood watches Monday as more rains are predicted to hit the area throughout the day and into Tuesday.

Police in Redding, home to about 93,000 people, received numerous calls for stranded motorists on Sunday who tried to drive through flooded areas.

Mayor Mike Littau confirmed one fatality in the city. He did not provide further information.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office deployed rescue teams to help residents escape flooded homes on Sunday, while nearby Placer County issued evacuation warnings due to rising water levels.

Roughly 122 million Americans are expected to travel this Christmas and New Year's. But severe rain and strong winds on the west coast, and wicked snow on the east coast, is threatening their holiday travel plans

California is expected to be hardest hit with delays this week as powerful atmospheric rivers threaten to bring another round of storms again on Christmas day, continuing into Friday

Travelers are already facing chaos at the airports Monday after more than 350 flights were canceled and 700 delayed nationwide by 8am. Pictured are long security queues an airport checkpoint in San Francisco over the weekend

In the mountain pass area of Donner Summit, firefighters in Truckee extended a ladder to stranded residents at a house along the South Yuba River. No injuries were reported.

Authorities helped stranded motorists who tried to drive through flooded streets. Some drivers were even forced to abandon their cars in the rising waters.

Law enforcement are urging motorists to stay off the roads and follow detour signs as roadway conditions continue to change rapidly.

First responders have prepared emergency resources as forecasters predict a strong storm system bringing rain, wind and floods to roll through Tuesday night and into Christmas Eve.

Another round of storms is expected to hit California again on Christmas and continue into Friday.

The storms come after warm weather and air and unusual weather conditions tracing back as far as tropical cyclone flooding in Indonesia helped supercharge stubborn atmospheric rivers earlier this month.

December's atmospheric rivers - or long, narrow bands of water vapor that form over an ocean and flow through the sky - drenched Washington state with nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain in a week, threatening record flood levels.

Public works crews in New Jersey were busy staying on top of the roads as several inches of snow fell throughout the state this past weekend

Children are seen playing in the snow that pelted New Jersey over the weekend

Heavy rain soaked the Pacific Northwest last Thursday, making roadways hazardous and impassable

Meanwhile, the Midwest is bracing for light snow and freezing rain on Monday, with forecasters warning of slick and icy roads in the Great Lakes region.

The storm system is expected to bring similar conditions to Pennsylvania and New England on Tuesday, likely bringing major delays at airports in cities such as Boston and New York.

Forecasters predict another round of snow to brush the east on Christmas day, while freezing rain is expected in the Midwest overnight.

The wintry mix of precipitation and strong winds is expected to continue into the weekend as a storm system moves eastbound from the Great Lakes region.
A 19-year-old woman has died after falling from the roof of an abandoned hospital building in Atlanta that was used to film Netflix's hit series Stranger Things.

Leah Palmirotto plummeted just before 1am Friday while exploring the fenced-off property on Emory University's campus with her friends. She was declared dead at the site.

The Briarcliff Building was a psychiatric hospital built in the 1960s and served as the set of Hawkins National Laboratory on the Netflix show.

The five-story building was closed off to the public, but investigators suspect the group got inside by climbing over the chain-link fence, WAGA reported.

Police are still working to determine what caused Palmirotto's fall as her heartbroken father revealed that he believes his daughter had visited the property before.

'Going to these places are dangerous, being with people that you really don't know, like we just kind of always had something in the back of our mind that something could happen,' Todd Palmirotto Jr told the news outlet.

He added that he hopes his daughter's death was 'instant' and that she 'felt no pain' when she fell.

Palmirotto Jr hailed the teen as being 'perfect' and said her death has been especially difficult for her two brothers, Devan and Lucca.

Leah Palmirotto, 19, has died after falling from the roof of an abandoned hospital building in Atlanta that was used as a filming location in Netflix's hit series Stranger Things

The five-story Briarcliff Building (pictured) was a psychiatric hospital built in the 1960s. It was acquired by Emory University in the 1990s and is one of 40 locations the university rents out to filmmakers and production companies

The site served as the set of Hawkins National Laboratory on Stranger Things. Pictured is the Briarcliff Building in a scene from the Netflix show

Palmirotto loved exploring and photographing abandoned buildings, according to a GoFundMe crowdfunding page established by a family friend.

She also 'adored car shows' and would attend them weekly to photograph vehicles for their owners.

The teenager was popular during her school years and could get along with everyone, her loved ones said.

'She was a beautiful and vibrant young lady originally from Florida who lived for the beach and outdoors,' the fundraiser stated. 'Her family is left absolutely heartbroken.'

Her family friend added that she was 'just doing stuff that normal 19-year-old kids do' when the adventure 'ended up in pure devastation.'

A vigil will be held in her honor this week.

The Briarcliff Building is one of more than 40 sites that Emory University rents out to filmmakers and production companies.

Palmirotto loved exploring and photographing abandoned buildings. Her father said he believes that she had visited the Briarcliff Building previously

Palmirotto (pictured with her loved ones) fell just before 1am Friday while exploring the fenced-off property. She was declared dead at the site

Although it is most famously known for its appearance in Stranger Things, the building has featured in numerous productions, including The Vampire Diaries, Ozark and WandaVision.

The building has since been removed as a filming location on the Emory Film Management website.

The facility remains fenced off and is reportedly being guarded by security in the wake of Palmirotto's tragic death.
They are as much a part of Christmas Day as the turkey and presents.

But which cracker joke will make you laugh - or groan - at the table this year.

We asked self-proclaimed 'Christmas cracker obsessive' Gyles Brandreth to pick his favourite out of six supermarket boxes.

And the winner was a simple one from Sainsbury's about an old snowman.

Mr Brandreth said a good Christmas joke needs to be 'inclusive' and make you groan as well as having a modern feel.

'I found it almost impossible to judge this because I thought they were all brilliant,' he said. 'A groan is the sign of a good one - this is the whole point, the worse they are the better they are.

'The Christmas cracker joke has to be inclusive and work for the whole family. It needs to work for granny as well as the little ones. The idea of the Christmas cracker is that it brings everyone together, crossing hands - everyone is linked.

'And then it is a chance for everyone to get involved. The rule is you have to perform your Christmas cracker riddle, in our house you have to stand at the table and perform it.

'The joy of a Christmas cracker joke is that it has to be shared.'

Gyles Brandreth, broadcaster, author and former MP reviews Christmas cracker jokes

He said cracker jokes had not really evolved over the years and were still typically a mixture of a riddle and often a pun.

The top joke was: What do you call an old snowman? Answer: Water.

Others in the top five included an oldie but a goodie from inside Tesco's crackers: How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza? Deep pan, crisp and even.

And also in Sainsbury's crackers: How did the reindeer learn to play piano? Answer: He was elf-taught.

Mr Brandreth, author and broadcaster, said he had loved Christmas crackers since he was a little boy.

'They were at the heart of our Christmas and I used to keep a scrap book into which I pasted all the Christmas cracker jokes and mottos. I would keep them and I would take them to my scrapbook and I would either glue them in or Sellotape them in,' he said.

'And not only that, I kept the paper hats and I kept the Christmas cracker wrapping - I was a Christmas cracker obsessive to the extent that my first job when I left university was with the Tom Smith cracker company, the oldest cracker company in the world. I wrote to them and I got a job as a freelance Christmas cracker joke writer.

So I was born for this job.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

He said cracker jokes had not really evolved over the years and were still typically a mixture of a riddle and often a pun.

'I am great lover of puns,' he said. 'We even have a cat who eats cheese, the cat eats cheese so that can sit by the mouse hole with 'baited' breath. 'And indeed, we got a cat one Christmas no longer with us who was born at Christmas time and, of course, we called the cat Santa Claws.

'And you will know of course the difference between a cat and a sentence? One has paws at the end of its claws, the other has clause at the end of its pause.'

He said one of his favourite jokes he had written while working for Tom Smith was: 'What does the Queen do when she burps? She issues a royal pardon.'

Dr Bob Nicholson, historian and expert in humour at Edgehill University, said Christmas crackers dated back to the 1840s when a lot of other Christmas traditions were taking off but it wasn't until more than 100 years later that jokes appeared inside them.

He said they started as small bon bons or sweets wrapped in tissue paper and one of the first people to make them was the confectioner Tom Smith in London who over the course of several years started to make them more and more elaborate before starting to add mottos and sentimental verses, a sort of love poetry.

Mr Nicholson said: 'The idea was that you would pull the cracker round the table at Christmas, perhaps with someone that you fancy. So, at first, not jokes.

'In the Victorian era they did have toys in crackers, and the hats were really elaborate, way more fancy than the paper ones were had today.

'The surprising thing is at no point did they actually put jokes in. And the Victorians loved telling jokes. We think of them as being serious and dour but they loved telling jokes. '

He said there was a gradual evolution from sappy sentimental to what the Victorians called conundrums - sort of a cross between a joke and a puzzle more similar to what we have today, and it was not until the 1920s or even 1930s when a joke was first put into a cracker.

Asked why we still love crackers he said: 'I think they still serve a really fun function - it's social, they are a thing we do together and there is a pleasure I think in sharing bad jokes.

We are all in on the joke that it is going to be bad and we are going to groan. And there is a real pleasure to be had in that, that is the fun of it.'
Russia has claimed it is ready to legally guarantee it has no plans to attack NATO, even as US intelligence paints a far darker picture of Vladimir Putin's true ambitions.

On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow is willing to confirm in a binding agreement that it has 'no intention of attacking' either the EU or the US-led NATO military alliance.

But behind the scenes, American intelligence agencies are sounding the alarm.

According to six sources familiar with classified US assessments, Putin has not abandoned his ultimate war aims, including capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe once ruled by the Soviet empire - despite ongoing negotiations to end the war.

The findings directly contradict the Russian leader's repeated denials that he poses a threat to Europe, and clash with the far more optimistic tone struck by US President Donald Trump and his peace envoys, who insist Putin wants to end the conflict.

The most recent intelligence report dates back to late September, one source said, and US conclusions have remained consistent since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

They also closely align with the long-held fears of European leaders and intelligence agencies, who believe Putin still covets not only Ukraine but territories belonging to former Soviet bloc states - including NATO members.

'The intelligence has always been that Putin wants more', said Mike Quigley, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee.

According to six sources familiar with classified US assessments, Putin has not abandoned his ultimate war aims

A truck burns at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa region on December 19, 2025

The Europeans are convinced of it. The Poles are absolutely convinced of it. The Baltics think theyre first.

Russia currently occupies around 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory, including most of Luhansk and Donetsk, the industrial heartland of the Donbas, along with parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and Crimea, the strategic Black Sea peninsula seized in 2014.

Putin claims Crimea and all four provinces as Russian territory.

Trump, meanwhile, is pressuring Kyiv to withdraw its remaining forces from a small part of Donetsk as part of a proposed peace deal, according to two sources familiar with talks - a demand Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and most Ukrainians flatly reject.

The presidents team has made tremendous progress with respect to ending the war and Trump has stated that a peace deal is closer than ever before, a White House official said, declining to address the intelligence warnings.

Adding to the confusion, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard wrote in a post on X on Saturday that intelligence officers had briefed lawmakers that Russia seeks to avoid a larger war with Europe and that the poor performance of Russian troops in Ukraine shows Moscow currently lacks the capacity to overrun all of Ukraine, let alone Europe.

The Kremlin hit back swiftly. On Monday, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow could not judge the reliability of the sources - but insisted that if the report was accurate, US intelligence was simply wrong.

This is absolutely not true, Peskov said.

Behind closed doors, Trump's negotiators - son-in-law Jared Kushner and billionaire real estate developer Steve Witkoff - have spent weeks hammering out a 20-point peace plan with Ukrainian, Russian, and European officials.

While US officials insist progress has been made, deep divisions remain over territory.

Kushner and Whitkoff met Ukrainian negotiators in Miami on Friday and were expected to hold talks with Russian representatives over the weekend, according to a White House official.

Meanwhile, US, Ukrainian, and European negotiators reached what diplomats described as a broad consensus on Monday during talks in Berlin over robust US-backed security guarantees for Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression.

Four European diplomats and two sources familiar with the matter said the guarantees would come into force once a peace agreement is signed.

But the details are contentious. One source and a diplomat said the guarantee hinges on Zelensky agreeing to cede territory to Russia - something he has repeatedly ruled out.

Behind closed doors, Trump's negotiators - son-in-law Jared Kushner and billionaire real estate developer Steve Witkoff - have spent weeks hammering out a 20-point peace plan with Ukrainian, Russian, and European officials

Firefighters work at the site of a warehouse of home appliances which was hit during an overnight Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine December 16, 2025

A police officer works at the site of the Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, December 14, 2025

A burned and unusable car is seen as firefighters continue to extinguish the fire that broke out in a house following the Russian drone attacks on Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine on December 13, 2025

Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa region, Ukraine in this handout picture released December 13, 2025

Other diplomates insisted alternatives were still being explored.

Under the proposals, a largely European security force would be deployed in neighbouring countries and inside Ukraine, away from front lines, to help repel any future Russian attack.

Ukraine's military would be capped at 800,000 troops, according to one source, though several diplomats said Russia wants a lower limit - an idea US officials are said to be open to.

The UK would provide intelligence and other support, with the package requiring ratification by the US Senate. Two sources said Washingtons plan would also include US-backed air patrols over Ukraine.

Zelensky sounded cautious on Thursday, asking: Theres a question I still cant get an answer to: What will these security guarantees actually do?

Whether Putin would ever accept such guarantees remains highly uncertain. He has repeatedly rejected the idea of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil.

On Friday, the Russian president offered no concessions, even as he told an annual news conference he was open to talks.

He said his terms would have to be met, pointing to the fact that his forces have advanced 6,000 square km this year.

How US officials have responded to those demands is unclear. Witkoff has previously suggested Russia has a legitimate claim to Crimea and the four occupied provinces.

Some figures within the Trump administration privately concede that Putin may be unwilling to settle for anything short of total victory.

I dont know if Putin wants to do a deal or Putin wants to take the whole country. These are things that he has said openly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.

We know what they wanted to achieve initially when the war began. They havent achieved those objectives.
Kamala Harris remains at the top of the Democratic field for the 2028 race to the White House, but a fellow Californian is nipping at her heels.

While California Governor Gavin Newsom has grown in stature over the last year for his incessant and colorful trolling of Donald Trump, he's still in second place, according to a new JL Partners poll for the Daily Mail.

The reason he's behind the former vice president? A struggle with black voters.

Harris, who famously lost the popular vote and Electoral College to Trump in the 2024 election, has the support of 30 percent of her party's voters to try again, according to a new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll.

Newsom has 21 percent support.

If only white voters were considered, the two frontrunners would be tied at 25 percent each.

But it's black voters that are powering Harris's resilience.

Among just black Democratic voters, the former vice president, who is black and Indian, holds 39 percent support to Newsom's 10 percent with the same demographic.

California Governor Gavin Newsom struggles with support among black Democratic voters when put up against other members of his party for the 2028 presidential primary race  but he still comes in second place

Your browser does not support iframes.

Harris and Newsom are by far the only ones who received a considerable amount of the preference for 2028 among Democrats.

A distant third place is former Transportation Department Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 7 percent and tied for fourth place with 4 percent each are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

All other prospective Democratic candidates for the next presidential election are at 3 percent or less in the Daily Mail poll conducted December 17-19 of 383 likely Democrat primary voters.

This includes Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Harris's former running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Harris's team didn't respond to a Daily Mail request for comment on whether she is weighing a bid and if her favorable standing has her leaning toward another shot at the White House.

And Newsom's office was asked for comment regarding his struggle with black voters and whether he's testing the waters of a presidential bid. The Daily Mail has not yet received a response.

Vance, who is largely seen as the frontrunner for Republicans in 2028, predicted during remarks at Turning Point's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, that Democrats would put forward a liberal from California in the next presidential election.

The Vice President said on Sunday: 'Now the Democrats are already talking about 2028 and it looks like they're going to nominate a California liberal who's presided over rolling blackouts, open borders, and unchecked violent gangs. They're just trying to settle on whether it's going to be Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris.'

An Atlas Intel poll on the 2028 primaries released this month shows Newsom as the clear frontrunner with 35 percent support among 670 Democratic voters.

In that polling, Harris doesn't even make the top three.

Ocasio-Cortez comes in second with 16 percent, Buttigieg in third with 15 percent and the former VP in fourth with 8 percent.

Attracting black likely voters is what gives Harris an edge in the Daily Mail polling.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Former vice president Kamala Harris is still leading the pack among those whom Democratic voters want to see win their party's primary in the new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll

Buttigieg also struggled among black voters, with a measly 2 percent of Democrat poll respondents compared to 9 percent of white voters.

In the 2020 presidential primary, Buttigieg struggled with religious black voters, reportedly because of their skepticism towards voting for a gay man as president. It's what sunk his chances in the early primary state of South Carolina, where the majority of Democratic voters are black.

With only black Democratic voters, first place still goes to Harris and second place to Newsom  but now the lower end of the field gets reorganized.

Shapiro and Pritzker are in third with 4 percent, along with Democratic Senator Cory Booker, who gets a boost when only black voters are considered.

Newsom and Harris are tied among white voters and Buttigieg still comes right behind the two frontrunners.
Five trapped in coal mine flooding in northeast China

Xinhua) 10:40, December 22, 2025

This photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows a rescue vehicle at the Datonggou coal mine of Heilongjiang Fengyuan Mining Co., Ltd. in Jixi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Five people were trapped underground after a coal mine was flooded early Sunday in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

HARBIN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Five people were trapped underground after a coal mine was flooded early Sunday in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said.

The flooding occurred at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Datonggou coal mine of Heilongjiang Fengyuan Mining Co., Ltd. in the city of Jixi, the Jixi publicity department said.

Local authorities have set up a joint rescue headquarters, and the rescue operation is underway.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
A 90-year-old driver who ran over and killed a great grandmother went to Specsavers after to pick up some new glasses, an inquest heard.

Colin Kirby-Green, now 90, reversed into Patricia Jepson, 85, in the Waitrose car park in Colchester, Essex, in August 2023.

She died nine days later from her injuries caused by the accident in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

Mrs Jepson's granddaughter, Danielle Diamond, previously said: 'She was the hero of our family.

'She was funny, she had a great sense of humour and she watched all the quiz shows.

'All I wanted was for him [Kirby-Green] to come forward and say, "I made a mistake".

'I want people to know what an amazing woman he took.'

Patricia Jepson, 85, died in hospital in Cambridge nine days after Colin Kirby-Green reversed into her with his car in a Waitrose car park

Granddaughter Danielle Diamond (pictured) said: 'She was the hero of our family. She was funny, she had a great sense of humour and she watched all the quiz shows'

Mr Kirby-Green had been driving his Kia when he reversed into Mrs Jepson while she pushed a shopping trolley.

The 85-year-old widow was airlifted to hospital where she sadly died from her wounds.

Meanwhile, Mr Kirby-Green did not stop to see if the fatally wounded Mrs Jepson was alright and instead drove to Specsavers to pick up some new glasses.

Criminal charges were made against Mr Kirby-Green but they were dropped when it was deemed he was unfit to stand trial due to his dementia.

He had recently undergone a cataract operation around the time of the incident when he was 88-years-old, Coroner Michelle Brown told the inquest.

He had been charged with causing death by dangerous driving among several other road offences.

Though he would never face these charges due to his dementia and instead a trial of facts was held at Ipswich Crown Court in July.

A trial of facts focuses on whether the accused did commit the alleged acts but only focuses on the physical actions rather than the mental state, testing the prosecutions evidence without a full criminal conviction or guilty verdict.

'All I wanted was for him [Kirby-Green] to come forward and say, "I made a mistake". I want people to know what an amazing woman he took,' Danielle said

The jury did find he committed acts amounting to dangerous driving, but the judge gave Kirby-Green an absolute discharge because of the defendant's advanced dementia.

Mrs Brown said: 'What we know is this gentleman had cataract surgery, and the glasses he was wearing at the time of that incident were pre-surgery glasses.

'He didn't then pick up the new prescription required until after the incident involving Mrs Jepson.'

Mr Kirby-Green failed an eye test in which he was required to read a car registration place from 20 metres away when officers came to his home.

He also refused to complete an eye test using the glasses he wore at the time of the incident.

Arthritis in Kirby-Green's neck also prevented him from turning his neck properly which he never reported to the DVLA, the coroner said.

She said: 'He admitted he does not turn [his neck] to reverse because of his arthritis but instead uses his mirrors for manoeuvres.

'He was asked if he had any responsibility for this matter and he nodded and said he thinks he does.

'He answered 'No comment' when he was asked if he kept the DVLA up to date with his health conditions.'

Concluding the inquest, Mrs Brown said: 'There can only be one conclusion of a road traffic collision - had he been fit to stand trial, the outcome would have been different, but that is supposition on my part.

'I do want to send my sympathies to the family, and to the family of the driver - it is a very sad set of circumstances.'

Speaking during the trial of the facts earlier this year, Judge Martyn Levett said: 'Surprisingly, in this country there is no upper age limit for driving, although drivers over 70 must renew their licence every three years.

'It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure they are fit to drive safely - whether or not that was done in this case is very much in the air.'

'When the eyesight test was undertaken by the officer on August 19, I understand he failed.'

The judge said the other offences Kirby-Green faced of failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report a road traffic collision, and driving with eyesight which did not comply with requirements would be dropped.

He also said Kirby-Green's failing health and mental state meant he had no choice but to give him an absolute discharge.
The US Navy is getting a makeover after years of being savaged by President Trump for its 'terrible-looking,' rust-covered ships.

Standing alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump announced the creation of the 'Golden Fleet, which he branded as 'Trump-class.'

The president approved plans to begin the immediate construction of the first two vessels, which he claims will be the largest and most powerful battleships in human history.

The first ship will be called the 'USS Defiant.'

Just last week, the board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to rename the institution 'The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.'

Earlier in December, the administration also renamed the US Institute of Peace, now officially called the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace .

The new fleet announcement comes as the US is in the midst of an increasingly provocative military campaign against Venezuela, and boats the administration claims are carrying drugs.

Calling the current fleet 'old, tired, and obsolete,' Trump vowed to move the Navy in the 'exact opposite direction.'

Trump explaining that these new 30,000 to 40,000-ton vessels are designed to be 100 times more powerful than the legendary Iowa-class battleships of World War II.

While the plan begins with two ships, the administration intends to expand rapidly to a fleet of 10, with an ultimate goal of 20 to 25 battleships.

The Trump-class vessels are being designed as high-tech fortresses, featuring state-of-the-art electric rail guns, hypersonic weapons and high-powered lasers that can 'wipe out' targets.

The US Navy is getting a makeover after years of being savaged by President Trump for its 'terrible-looking,' rust-covered ships

Standing alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump announced the creation of the 'Golden Fleet' named after himself

Trump arrives to announce the creation of the 'Trump-class' battleship during a statement to the media at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate

The world's largest aircraft carrier, the US Navy nuclear-powered Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford

The centerpiece of this naval revival is a brand-new class of vessel: the 'Trump-class' battleship

The ships will also reportedly have nuclear-armed capabilities, AI integration and massive guns that can deliver lethal force at a 'tiny fraction of the cost' of missiles.

The president emphasized that these ships will be built in American navy yards, creating thousands of jobs and reviving the domestic shipbuilding industry.

'I'm a very aesthetic person... These cutting-edge vessels will be some of the most lethal Surface Warfare ships... the most ever built.'

This comes after the military green-lit a brand-new class of high-tech frigates, just a week after promising to overhaul America's aging fleet.

For years, Trump has been on a crusade to revamp the nation's warships.

The president hasn't held back his contempt for the current state of the Navy, repeatedly mocking the vessels as an eyesore and claiming they are plagued by unsightly rust.

To ensure these projects move faster than previous military acquisitions, Trump confirmed he will meet with defense prime contractors in Florida next week.

'We need them now,' Trump said. 'They have to build quickly. We make the best equipment in the world, but they don't make them fast enough.'

Trump did not directly tie the naval expansion to his aggressive strategy toward Venezuela, although he did drop obvious hints.

Trump emphasized that the new Trump-class battleships would be the perfect tool to maintain this 'Golden Fleet' presence and ensure no one 'messes with us.'

In recent weeks he has mentioned Venezuela as a primary reason for the need for a massive, powerful fleet.

Trump also mentioned that the United States will keep the oil and ships that they have seized from Venezuela so far - although he did not confirm if he would sell them, or do something else.
A 55-year-old woman is feared dead after she vanished during an open-water swim with a group of people along the central California coast.

The woman had been taking a dip near Lovers Point in the Monterey Peninsula on Sunday morning when two witnesses reported seeing a possible shark attack.

All beaches within a mile of Lovers Point were closed after her disappearance, the city of Pacific Grove said on social media, citing an 'unconfirmed shark incident.'

Authorities launched a search-and-rescue mission using rescue boats, drones and helicopters in an attempt to find her. The search was suspended after rescuers failed to locate her by 8pm.

The mission has resumed but is now 'smaller' than on Sunday, according to social media personality Dylan Blau, who posted from the beach Monday morning.

Police have not yet publicly named the swimmer, but her family has been notified.

Shark sightings are rare along the central coast and there is no evidence to substantiate claims that the woman was attacked by one.

But Coast Guard Petty Officer Christopher Sappey did confirm that a witness reported seeing a shark carrying a human body in its mouth.

A 55-year-old woman is feared dead after she vanished during an open-water swim along the coast of Lovers Point Beach in the Monterey Peninsula

Authorities launched a search-and-rescue mission at the beach (pictured) after the woman was reported missing on Sunday

All beaches within a mile of Lovers Point were closed after her disappearance, the city of Pacific Grove said on social media, citing an 'unconfirmed shark incident.

'The person who reported the shark sighting claimed they saw a shark breach the water with what appeared to be a human body in its mouth,' Sappey told SF Gate.

'They then witnessed the shark submerge below the waterline without resurfacing.'

Another witness said they saw a 'large splash,' which prompted the swim group to return to shore.

When they made it back, they realized their fellow swimmer was missing.

Sappey added that while he could confirm a shark sighting in the area, he could not 'correlate this sighting with the missing person.'

The woman, identified only as being 55 with blonde hair and blue eyes, has still not been found.

A heavy police presence remains at Lovers Point Beach on Monday morning, with Blau reporting that authorities have cordoned off an entire rock area at the beach.

The influencer claims officials are also limiting public access to the beach.

Authorities launched a search-and-rescue mission using rescue boats, drones and helicopters in an attempt to find her. The search was suspended after rescuers failed to locate her by 8pm

A Coast Guard Petty official said a witness reported seeing a shark carrying a human body in its mouth on Sunday. Pictured are rescuers searching for the woman

First responders descended on Lovers Point Beach on Sunday morning after a swimmer was reported missing

A heavy police presence remains at Lovers Point Beach on Monday morning. Pictured is a search and rescue helicopter that was deployed in the area on Sunday

Lovers Point Beach and the McAbee and San Carlos beaches in Monterey are expected to remain closed through Tuesday.

Several nearby beaches have been placed under an advisory.

Shark attacks are rare, with only 47 reported globally in 2024, according to the Florida Museum's shark attack file.

The US accounted for the majority of bites worldwide, with Florida having the most. Hawaii recorded the only fatality.

Swimmers and waders accounted for 50 percent of unprovoked bites, according to officials. Surfers and snorkelers or free divers accounted for 34 and 8 percent of bites, respectively.
Jeffrey Epstein appeared to be kissing and cuddling little girls on his private jet in disturbing photos released in the Justice Department's latest trove of files.

The stomach-churning photographs, which were framed and put on display at his mansion on Little St James Island, show the pedophile embracing youngsters who appear to be minors.

One image showed the financier holding what appears to be a girl in his lap during a flight on his Lolita Express.

In another photo, he is seen seated next to another passenger, seemingly a youngster, with a book and a magazine sprawled out in front of him.

Other horrifying photos made public during Friday's records release showed Epstein cuddling what appeared to be a child and kissing a red-headed girl on the head.

It is unclear if the females seen in the undated photographs were victims of Epstein's sex trafficking ring. He has been accused of abusing girls as young as 11 years old.

The images were among the more than 300,000 files released by the DOJ on Friday. The records were heavily redacted and no major revelations emerged.

At least 16 photographs, including one of the President flanked by women in bikinis, were mysteriously removed from the online records Saturday, prompting accusations of an alleged cover-up by the Trump Administration. They have since been reinstated.

Jeffrey Epstein appeared to be kissing and cuddling young girls on his private jet in disturbing photos released in the Justice Department's latest trove of files

The stomach-turning photographs were framed and put on display at his mansion on Little St. James Island. In one image, Epstein is seen seated next to another passenger, seemingly a young girl, with a book and magazine sprawled out in front of him

The thousands of records posted publicly offer the most detailed look yet at nearly two decades' worth of government scrutiny of Epstein's sexual abuse of young women and underage girls.

The tranche of materials released Friday included photographs of former president Bill Clinton and other famous names such as pop stars Sir Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson.

But some of the most consequential records expected about Epstein were nowhere to be found, such as FBI interviews with survivors and internal Justice Department memos examining charging decisions.

Those records could help explain how investigators viewed the case and why Epstein was allowed in 2008 to plead guilty to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge.

Democrats also accused Republicans of a cover-up after files that had been available Friday were no longer accessible on the DOJ's website by Saturday.

The missing files included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showed a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers.

In that image - inside a drawer among other photos - was a photograph of Trump, alongside the pedophile, Melania Trump and Epstein's longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The DOJ said that the image of the Trump was flagged by the Southern District of New York 'for potential further action to protect victims'.

Other horrifying photos made public during Friday's records release showed Epstein kissing a red-headed girl on the head

Epstein is cuddling what appeared to be a child. It is unclear if the females seen in the undated photographs were victims of Epstein's sex trafficking ring. He has been accused of abusing girls as young as 11 years old

Various photos from a room near the sex dungeon in Jeffrey Epstein's home released by the Department of Justice on Friday

Following furious backlash, the image was reinstated on Sunday morning after it was determined that 'there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph', a statement posted on X said.

Trump, who was friends with Epstein for years before the two had a falling-out, tried for months to keep the records sealed.

Though the President has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, he has argued there is nothing to see in the files and that the public should focus on other issues.

Friday's drop of files, replete with redactions, has not dulled the clamor for information, given how many records had yet to be released and because some of the materials had already been made public.

California Democrat Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, have indicated they could draft articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi for what they see as the gross failure of the department to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

'It's not about the timeline, it's about the selective concealment,' Khanna said on CBS' Face the Nation, adding that the redactions in the released files are excessive.

He said he believes there will be 'bipartisan support in holding her accountable, and a committee of Congress should determine whether these redactions are justified or not.'

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York argued that there needs 'to be a full and complete explanation and then a full and complete investigation as to why the document production has fallen short of what the law clearly required,' but he stopped short of backing impeachment.

This photo of an open drawer containing an image of Donald Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell, was removed but then later reinstated in the files

The Department of Justice claimed the photo was removed to ensure no victims were pictured

But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the redactions DOJ's decision to release just a fraction of the Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline as necessary actions to protect the pedophile's victims.

He pledged that the Trump administration eventually would meet its obligation required by law - but stressed that the department was obligated to act with caution as it goes about making public documents that can include sensitive information.

Blanche called that pushback disingenuous as the Trump Administration continues to struggle with calls for greater transparency, including from members of his political base, about the government's investigations into Epstein.

'The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that to protect victims,' Blanche told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.

'So the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents that were produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently don't want us to protect victims.'

He also defended the department's decision to remove several files related to the case from its public webpage, including a photograph showing Trump, less than a day after they were posted.

Blanche said the documents were removed because they also showed victims of Epstein. He added: 'It has nothing to do with President Trump. There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public [showing] him with Mr Epstein.'

The deputy attorney general's comments were the most extensive by the administration since the file dump.

The tranche of materials released Friday included photographs of former president Bill Clinton and other famous names such as pop star Michael Jackson. The pair pose with Diana Ross

Sir Mick Jagger and the former US president have their picture taken with a woman

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen lying across women at a black-tie event with Maxwell at the royal estate in Sandringham, UK

Kevin Spacey (second from the right, next to Clinton) was also pictured in the files, seen here in the Churchill War Rooms in London. Maxwell is wearing a cream blouse

Federal prosecutors in New York brought sex trafficking charges against Epstein in 2019, but he killed himself in jail after his arrest.

Maxwell, Epstein's onetime girlfriend, is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking crimes.

The deputy attorney general also defended the decision by the federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer Maxwell to a less restrictive, minimum-security federal prison earlier this year, soon after he interviewed her about Epstein.

Blanche said that the transfer was made because of concerns about her safety.

'She was suffering numerous threats against her life,' Blanche said. 'So the BOP is not only responsible for putting people in jail and making sure they stay in jail, but also for their safety.'
A new artwork by Banksy shows two people lying down on the street looking up at a London skyscraper.

The work shows a child in a beanie hat and Wellingtons lying on the floor next to another person in a bobble hat who points up to the building and sky above.

It appeared today beneath the Centre Point building near Tottenham Court Road in central London.

The same artwork has also appeared on the side of a building a few miles away in Queen's Mews in Bayswater.

In September, a Banksy mural showing a protester on the floor holding a blood-spattered placard while a judge hit him with a gavel appeared on the front of the Royal Courts of Justice building.

It was swiftly covered up by officials, with security guards seen patrolling in front of a screen concealing the artwork.

The artwork followed almost 900 people being arrested in central London at a demonstration supporting banned group Palestine Action, in what was thought to be Britain's biggest ever mass arrest.

A new artwork by Banksy shows two people lying down on the street looking up at the Centre Point building near Tottenham Court Road

The work shows a child in a beanie hat and Wellingtons lying on the floor next to another person in a bobble hat who points up to the building and sky above

Scotland Yard at the time condemned what police called the 'intolerable' abuse of its officers suffered during the rally in Parliament Square, in Westminster, attended by an estimated 1,500 people.

Other Banksy murals which have recently appeared include one which internet sleuths pinpointed in May this year as being in the French city of Marseille.

The artwork included the words 'I want you to be what you saw in me' and in a second photo two people could be seen walking with their dogs past it.

A false shadow was also drawn on the pavement from a nearby bollard to give the illusion the lighthouse is a silhouette of it.

His other murals in London have included nine animal-themed pictures that appeared in nine different locations across the capital in August last year.

His final piece depicted a gorilla lifting the shutters of London Zoo to release a sea lion and birds, while other wildlife appear to look out from the inside.

It came after stencils of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, piranhas and a rhinoceros were drawn across the city.

One of Banksy's most striking moments was in 2003 when he disguised himself as a pensioner and installed a piece in a vacant spot in the Tate Britain in London.

His artwork Girl With Balloon self-destructed in a Sotheby's London saleroom when descending into a shredder in 2018.

Banksy, who began his iconic street art more than 25 years ago, has sold his works for hundreds of thousands of pounds.

His identity has been shrouded in secrecy until The Mail on Sunday launched an investigation in 2008, naming Robin Gunningham as the Bristol artist. His identity nevertheless remains unconfirmed.
Children who sign up to the controversial puberty blockers trial will be told to consider freezing their eggs or sperm because of the risk posed to their fertility.

Young people experiencing 'gender incongruence' who take part in the NHS-backed study will be offered expert advice on preserving their ability to become parents later in life - even though they will be as young as ten.

Girls among the cohort will also be warned not to get pregnant in case the powerful drugs damage unborn babies.

And they will be reassured that they will not be taken off the medication if they report 'upsetting' experiences  even though the main measure of the two-year clinical trial will be questionnaires asking participants how they feel.

It comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted that the 226 children being sought for the project cannot consent to taking puberty blockers and so need a parent to agree they can go ahead with it.

He is now under renewed pressure to abandon the trial, after more than 100 MPs and peers signed a letter opposing it and a group of concerned parents began a legal challenge.

Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho told the Daily Mail: 'No eight-year-old child can make decisions about their future fertility. Asking them to do so is completely unethical, and yet another reason why the Streeting Trial must be stopped.

'This document shows that giving children these powerful drugs has clear, irreversible risks to their brain development and bone density. The NHS is choosing to expose children to lifelong harm.

'These are physically healthy children being put on a medical pathway to permanent chemical castration whilst they are still in primary school. No child can consent to that, and no adult should ask or enable them to.'

Protestors demonstrated outside the Department of Health last week, calling on Wes Streeting to abandon the puberty blockers 'experiment' on young children

Baroness Cash, a former commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, added: 'These children need support not medicating. This is a medical scandal happening in plain sight and it must be stopped.'

Helen Joyce from charity Sex Matters said: 'Of all the horrors hidden in the guide for participants in the puberty blockers trial, the approach to their future fertility is perhaps the worst.

'Children who may be as young as ten are sold a fantasy that they can preserve their fertility, even as they embark on a treatment pathway that will block their normal development into adulthood and is likely to end up destroying their ability to have children naturally.

'Some of the participants in this trial will be so young they still believe in Santa Claus. Some may not even be clear on the facts of life. This guide envisages conversations they will not be mature enough for, and which are totally inappropriate for their age group.'

Psychotherapist Stella O'Malley from Genspect said: 'Telling children that options exist is not the same as ensuring they understand what they may be losing. In distressed young patients, 'information given' can easily become a box-ticking exercise. Safeguarding means honesty, clarity, and the willingness to slow down - even when that's uncomfortable.

'The trial information sheet tells children as young as ten they can store eggs or sperm. We're asking children to contemplate lifelong infertility before they've ever fallen in love. A detransitioner who was among the first children given puberty blockers by the NHS told me he was drawing daisies and hearts on his consent form. He had no idea what he was signing away.'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted to MPs last week that children cannot consent to taking puberty blockers and need a parent to agree they can take part in the clinical trial

The Participation Information Sheet for the clinical trial, part of a wider 10.7million project called PATHWAYS that is being run by King's College London, explains to children that 'gender incongruence is when a person's gender identity does not match their sex registered at birth'.

It tells them that 'puberty can be a difficult time for children and young people who have gender incongruence' because 'their body starts to change in ways that don't match how they feel inside'.

And it claims that 'doctors think puberty-suppressing hormones may help young people with gender incongruence explore their gender identity without worrying about their body starting to change', although it admits that 'doctors and other people have also been worried about possible disadvantages' such as 'decreased bone strength'.

The guide says those on the trial will be given injections of a puberty-suppressing hormone every six months for two years, and will then undergo physical checks as well as being given questionnaires asking about their emotions and 'how you feel about your gender and body'.

It admits there are risks to taking the drugs, some of which 'may not show up until later in life' including on fertility.

The guide warns: 'It is important that you talk to the doctors in the clinic about the options you have for your fertility for the future. These choices would include being referred to a fertility specialist to discuss storing eggs or sperm.'

It also says there are possible risks to 'sexual development and function' along with 'bone health' and 'memory and thinking skills'.

The document tells children they can change their mind and drop out of the trial, but also reassures them that admitting they are struggling will not lead to the drugs being withdrawn.

'Young people might worry that the answers they give could affect whether they stay on GnRHa. We know that young people's emotions and experiences change, depending on what is happening in their lives. Your treatment will not be stopped if you tell us about difficult feelings or experiences.'

It adds: 'When answering the questionnaires, you might find some questions upsetting or difficult to answer. We can discuss this with you if it is helpful.

'Remember that telling us questions are difficult or upsetting will not change your treatment in the trial.'

Minutes of the NHS Research Ethics Committee that signed off on the trial reveal that questions were raised about the impact on children's future fertility.

Clinicians 'acknowledged that fertility impacts were a critical issue' but added: 'The only way to know the impact on fertility was to conduct the study.'

During a Commons debate last week, Health Secretary Mr Streeting  who has admitted he feels uncomfortable with the trial having banned puberty blockers last year  told MPs: 'I know that there are concerns about the longer-term impacts on fertility.

'Prospective participants will be given comprehensive information on the advantages and potential risks of the hormones, including details about preserving fertility. Doctors will explain the possible long-term consequences and available options. Young people will also be offered consultation with a fertility specialist.

'The young person and their parent or guardian must clearly demonstrate a full understanding of all these issuesonly then, after that, would a clinician sign off on admission to the trial.'
An Indian doctor was seen in footage beating up a patient with breathing problems after the victim asked to be spoken to with respect.

A doctor at Indira Ghandi Medical College in Shimla (IGMC), northern India, was accused of physically assaulting the patient during the altercation on Monday.

The victim, Arjun Panwar, had visited the hospital for medical tests and had laid down on a bed in another ward after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Mr Panwar said the doctor started speaking to him in a rude tone without any provocation, before an argument broke out when he complained about the behaviour.

According to the patient, the doctor then started hitting him.

'I had just undergone a bronchoscopy and was struggling to breathe. When I asked for oxygen, the doctor questioned my admission status,' Mr Panwar said.

'I requested that he speak to me with respect, but he became confrontational.

'When I asked if he spoke to his family in such a manner, he claimed I was getting "personal" and began hitting me,' he added.

A doctor at Indira Ghandi Medical College in Shimla (IGMC), northern India, was accused of physically assaulting the patient during the altercation on Monday

The victim, Arjun Panwar, had visited the hospital for medical tests and had laid down on a bed in another ward after experiencing breathing difficulties

The video quickly gained traction online, and the doctor can be seen repeatedly throwing punches at Mr Panwar as he attempted to shield himself

Mr Panwar said the doctor started speaking to him in a rude tone without any provocation, before an argument broke out when he protested the behaviour

Join the debate Do YOU think this doctor should be suspended immediately?

The video quickly gained traction online, and the doctor can be seen repeatedly throwing punches at Mr Panwar as he attempted to shield himself.

Following the incident, a large crowd gathered at the hospital demanding action against the accused doctor.

The Shimla IGMC hospital administration has now set up a three-member inquiry committee.

Dr Rahul Rao, Medical Superintendent of IGMC Shimla, said the committee is investigating the matter and will submit its report imminently, adding that a police report has also been filed against the doctor.

It comes after two doctors in India were caught on video hurling abuse at each other inside an operating theatre as they conducted an emergency C-section, which resulted in a baby's death in 2017.

Dr Ashok Nainiwal, an obstetrician, and Dr Murari Lal Tak, an anaesthetist, volleyed abuse at each other while operating on the unconscious woman.

Around a dozen medical staff were forced to stand around while the two men argued in the Umaid Hospital in Jodhpur.

Superintendent of Umaid Hospital, Dr Ranjana Desai, said the woman was brought into the hospital in a critical condition and was immediately shifted to the operating theatre.

She lost her baby soon afterwards due to severe birth asphyxia.
Stunning footage captured the moment a determined mother slammed her SUV into a gang of robbers targeting her home while her children were playing inside.

The episode unfolded Saturday in the affluent Sherman Oaks neighborhood in Los Angeles, after the family's home was targeted by masked thieves.

The heroic mother, who did not want to be identified when she spoke with KTLA over fears for her safety, said she smashed into the robbers' car unintentionally because she was driven by adrenaline.

The family said the horror began as their two young children were playing inside with their grandmother when two masked men wearing grey hoodies appeared at their back sliding door.

The grandmother immediately called her daughter screaming, leading her to hop in her G-Wagon Mercedes SUV and drive home as soon as she could.

The thieves never made it inside because they came face-to-face with the grandmother.

Surveillance cameras showed the moment the mother came flying into their street, before she collided with the side of the suspects' Honda vehicle and destroyed its side doors.

In the footage, two men immediately fled the scene on foot as their car was hit, and seconds later, a third man climbed out of the passenger side because his driver's door was crumpled by the impact.

A determined mother was seen slamming her SUV into a gang of robbers as she raced back to her home in Sherman Oaks, California, where her children were playing inside

The impact of the hit destroyed the side of the thieves' Honda and caused them to leave behind evidence, including walkie-talkies, radios, a crowbar, wallets and an identification card

The thieves were able to escape before police arrived, however, the Los Angeles Police Department said it collected a trove of evidence from the chaotic scene.

Evidence collected from the attempted break-in included walkie-talkies, radios, a crowbar, wallets and an identification card, which were found inside the damaged Honda.

Before the thieves hopped over the family's fence, they likely disabled the home's surveillance cameras because the security system went dark at the time of the break-in.

Yet the family told KTLA they are hopeful the evidence will lead to the capture of the thieves, as they have been left too afraid to even leave the house following the ordeal.

'I can't go somewhere, because I know my mom is here and my kids are here,' the mother said.

'I can't even go into a restaurant with my friends, because it is really scary.'

Her husband, who also did not want to be identified, said he would only feel safe once the perpetrators had been arrested.

Surveillance cameras showed the moment the mother came flying into their street, before she collided with the side of the suspects' white Honda

The gang of thieves immediately fled the car and escaped before cops could get there, and the victims now say they are too afraid to leave their home

He said that if cops can 'catch those guys, then [I feel] 100 percent it will not be their first time' being caught for a break-in.

'Imagine, if they can catch those guys, then they're going to cut a lot of robberies that are going to happen,' he added.
Delaying local elections for a year is a breach of voters' human rights, the Liberal Democrats warned today - before failing to guarantee its own councils will not postpone theirs.

The party has written to Mary-Ann Stephenson, the chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, arguing that Labour's much criticised move to postpone elections is unlawful.

It comes as Labours plans to scrap two-tier authorities and merge them into single unitary authorities by 2028 are implemented.

However Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeswoman, was unable to confirm that its own councils would agree to go ahead with elections.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Labour plan contravened rules around 'Right to free and fair elections, adding: 'It is hard to see how this is anything other than an attempt to stitch things up by people who dont think they are going to do a lot of winning in May.'

But asked if the eight local authorities the party controls would carry on with votes she said: 'Council leaders are going to make decisions based on their circumstances.'

And she admitted she had not spoken to the leaders of those councils to see what their plans were.

Some 63 councils due to hold votes in May could postpone them until 2027 after some told ministers they lack the capacity to reorganise in time, the Government said last week.

It triggered accusations that ministers are afraid of a major backlash from the electorate with a swing towards Reform and the Tories.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Lisa Smart (right), the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeswoman, was unable to confirm that its own councils would not postpone elections

Last week the Electoral Commission added its voice to those opposed to the delay.

In a rare move it rebuked the government after 63 local authorities were invited to postpone contests from May.

The votes are widely seen as a critical test of the PM's teetering leadership, with Reform expected to make major gains.

The government argued that more time is needed to complete a controversial overhaul of devolution.

Up to 10 million voters could be affected, many of whom have already had their democratic moment postponed by a year.

Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said: 'We are disappointed by both the timing and substance of the statement. Scheduled elections should as a rule go ahead as planned, and only be postponed in exceptional circumstances.'

The commission is concerned by the prospect of elections being delayed, and even more so at the possibility of those already deferred from 2025 being further postponed, he said.

'As a matter of principle, we do not think that capacity constraints are a legitimate reason for delaying long-planned elections.

'Extending existing mandates risks affecting the legitimacy of local decision-making and damaging public confidence.

'There is a clear conflict of interest in asking existing councils to decide how long it will be before they are answerable to voters,' he said.

He also noted that new decisions on delaying polls will be taken only months before voting is due to take place.

'This uncertainty is unprecedented and will not help campaigners and administrators who need time to prepare for their important roles,' Mr Rangarajan said.

'We very much recognise the pressures on local government, but these late changes do not help administrators. Parties and candidates have already been preparing for some time, and will be understandably concerned.'
Indonesia has banned British porn star Bonnie Blue for 10 years, immigration officials said Monday, after her deportation over content production that could cause "public unrest".

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Tia Billinger, was deported this month after police raided a studio in Badung, a popular tourist district near Bali's provincial capital of Denpasar.

A box of condoms, lubricant, flash drives, two sheets of Viagra, and nine ink necklaces were seized by police from the studio villa.

She was detained alongside two British men and an Australian man on suspicion of producing pornographic content.

After checking Billinger's phone, police found "private video" footage, but authorities did not press charges as the material was for "private documentation and not for public distribution", the directorate general of immigration said in a statement Monday.

Yuldi Yusman, acting head of the directorate, said authorities "found that they entered Indonesia using a visa on arrival for commercial content production that could potentially cause public unrest".

"Therefore, we imposed a 10-year entry ban because these activities are not in line with the government's efforts to maintain Bali's quality tourism image and respect for local cultural values," he said.

Indonesia strictly forbids the production of pornographic material, which carries penalties of up to 12 years in prison and a fine of $360,000.

Indonesia has banned British porn star Bonnie Blue for 10 years

The controversial sex worker greeted reporters at Denpasar District Court

The adult star was flanked by her crew including Australian man, Julian Woods (back right)

Billinger and an associate, 27-year-old Liam Andrew Jackson, were fined 200,000 rupiah (about 9) on December 12 for breaking traffic violations.

'The defendants have lawfully committed the offense jointly and continuously,' Denpasar District Court judge I Ketut Somanasa said.

Police said they seized a dark blue pickup truck labelled "Bang Bus" during their December 4 raid.

The Daily Mail previously reported that the vehicle appeared to have been untaxed since 2023 and had allegedly been illegally repainted from white to blue without re-registration.

Balinese officials have been complaining of unruly behaviour by foreign tourists, following a string of deportations in recent years - including several Russian influencers expelled for posing naked at sacred sites.

Billinger gained fame for her provocative stunts as an adult content creator.

Last week the adult star broke her silence on the arrest and deportation.

Following her arrival in the UK, she told reporters: 'I'm rich and have good lawyers  did you really think I'd face jail time?'

Bonnie Blue has arrived back in the UK after being deported from Bali over a 'sex game' stunt

Bonnie Blue (pictured) has broken her silence following her arrest in Bali over a 'sex game' stunt

She added that she was 'excited' to show people 'what got me into all this trouble' and joked that she needed to 'recuperate' her 'huge losses' from the small fine.

In a video she posted to social media shortly before her sentencing, she claimed that a woman she was working with to organise the trip to Indonesia was the one who reported her to Bali police.

She said: '[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.'
Kristi Noem is doing her best to pad the Trump administration's deportation record before the end of the calendar year.

The Secretary of Homeland Security has touted a stipend of $3,000, as well as a free flight home to all illegal immigrants who chose to self-deport from the United States before December 31.

The bonus is triple the $1,000 amount that has been offered by the Trump administration in the past for individuals who chose to self-deport.

This offer, made during a Monday morning appearance on Fox and Friends, however, came with a more ominous warning.

Noem also pledged that 'illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they dont, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will not return.'

Her latest announcement comes as other leaders in the Trump administration are reportedly not happy with the number or pace of deportations that have persisted during the first year of the second Trump Administration.

An earlier report from the New York Times noted that, per DHS, more than 400,000 deportations have taken place during the second Trump administration thus far.

That number is said to be short of Stephen Miller's target of 3,000 per day, currently averaging between 1,000 to 2,000 per day.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks during a tour of the Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26

Deported migrants arrive from the US in a military plane at Ramon Villeda Morales airport in Cortes, Honduras, in January. More than 70 Hondurans have been sent back to their country

By the end of the year, according to DHS, Trump is presently on pace to deport 600,000 illegal immigrants, short of his one million goal.

Trump has been rumored to be searching for a replacement for Noem to head DHS, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is leaving his job next month due to term limits, has been a name floated as a successor.

The Daily Mail reported earlier this month on the Trump administration's frantic push to hire 10,000 new deportation officers by the year's end, exposing how lax vetting and lucrative signing bonuses have lured in a wave of woefully unfit recruits.

'We have people failing open-book tests and we have folks that can barely read or write English,' one DHS official told the Daily Mail.

'We even had a 469lb man sent to the academy whose own doctor certified him not at all fit for any physical activity.'

Insiders said the vetting process has been so rushed that officials did not even wait for drug test results to come back before hiring recruits and flying them off to Georgia, only to discover afterward that tests came back positive.

A department spokesman at the time said the hiring surge was advancing 'while maintaining high fitness and training standards'.

They added: 'The vast majority of new officers  more than 85 percent  brought on during the hiring surge are experienced law enforcement officers who have already successfully completed a law enforcement academy.'
Bill Clinton has demanded that Trump's Department of Justice releases the rest of the Epstein files, after he was featured in multiple images in the last drop.

The former president, in a statement through his spokesman, said 'someone or something is being protected. We need no such protection.'

Clinton called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to 'immediately release any remaining materials referring to, mentioning, or containing a photograph of Bill Clinton'.

He accused the DOJ of 'selective releases to imply wrongdoing about individuals who have already been repeatedly cleared by the very same Department of Justice, over many years.'

Clinton further alleged that by not releasing the files, the DOJ would be confirming suspicions that its actions are about 'insinuation' and not transparency.

His statement comes as a group of 19 alleged victims of Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell accused the government of missteps in the partial release of the files.

They accused the DOJ of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by 'withholding massive quantities of documents' and 'failing to redact survivor identities.'

They argued that the failure to release the full trove of files and the DOJ's alleged lack of communication about its actions 'suggests an ongoing intent to keep survivors and the public in the dark as much as possible and as long as possible.'

Bill Clinton (pictured in a photo from the Epstein Files) has demanded that Donald Trump's Department of Justice releases the rest of the Epstein files, after he was featured in multiple images in the last drop

There were several photos of Clinton among the thousands of documents made public, including this image of him with Epstein

The records that were released by the DOJ last week - including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, court records and other documents - were either already public or heavily blacked out, and many lacked necessary context.

There were few revelations in the tens of thousands of pages of records that have been released so far.

Some of the most eagerly awaited records, such as FBI victim interviews and internal memos shedding light on charging decisions, weren't there.

'This law, enacted by a nearly unanimous vote in the House and unanimously in the Senate, and signed by the President, was clear. It afforded no permission for delayed disclosure,' the alleged victims wrote in the statement released Monday.

'Instead, the public received a fraction of the files, and what we received was riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation. At the same time, numerous victim identities were left unredacted, causing real and immediate harm.'

The women accused the DOJ of violating the law by failing to release all the files and claimed that omissions by redactions also amounted to failure.

'These are clear-cut violations of an unambiguous law,' the statement read.

'Moreover, the partial release was done in a manner that made it difficult or impossible for survivors to find materials that would be most relevant to our search for accountability.'

The survivors further called lawmakers to take action to ensure the DOJ fulfills its obligations of the law, urging for 'immediate congressional oversight, including hearings, formal demands for compliance, and legal action.'

Another photo shows Clinton in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. The files do not say when or where the photos were taken and there was little context surrounding them

Another photo shows Clinton in a pool with Epstein's longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell and a person whose face was also redacted

The former president, in a statement through his spokesman, said 'someone or something is being protected. We need no such protection'

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has now urged his colleagues to take legal action over the DOJ's incremental and heavily redacted release of the records.

He introduced a resolution Monday that, if passed, would direct the Senate to file or join lawsuits aimed at forcing the DOJ to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act - the law enacted last month that required disclosure of records by last Friday.

'Instead of transparency, the Trump administration released a tiny fraction of the files and blacked out massive portions of what little they provided,' Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat said in a statement. 'This is a blatant cover-up.'

In lieu of Republican support, Schumer's resolution is largely symbolic. The senate is off until January 5, more than two weeks after the deadline.

Even then, it'll likely face an uphill battle for passage. But it allows Democrats to continue a pressure campaign for disclosure that Republicans had hoped to put behind them.

The Justice Department said it plans to release records on a rolling basis by the end of the year. It blamed the delay on the time-consuming process of obscuring victims' names and other identifying information.

So far, the department hasn't given any notice when new records arrive.

That approach angered some accusers and members of Congress who fought to pass the transparency act.

A photo of Donald Trump flanked by bikini-clad women was among more than a dozen files that were suddenly pulled from public view over the weekend, leading to claims of a cover-up

A group of 19 alleged victims of Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell accused the government of missteps in its partial release of the files. They accused the DOJ of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by 'withholding massive quantities of documents' and ' failing to redact survivor identities'

Democrats accused Republicans of a cover-up after files that had been available Friday were no longer accessible on the DOJ's website by Saturday.

The missing files included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showed a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers.

In that image - inside a drawer among other photos - was a photograph of Trump, alongside the pedophile, Melania Trump and Epstein's longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The DOJ said that the image of the Trump was flagged by the Southern District of New York 'for potential further action to protect victims'.

Following furious backlash, the image was reinstated on Sunday morning after it was determined that 'there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph', a statement posted on X said.

Trump, who was friends with Epstein for years before the two had a falling-out, tried for months to keep the records sealed.

Though the President has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, he has argued there is nothing to see in the files and that the public should focus on other issues.

But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the DOJ's decision to release just a fraction of the Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline as necessary actions to protect the pedophile's victims.

The tranche of materials released Friday included photographs of former president Bill Clinton and other famous names such as pop star Michael Jackson. The pair pose with Diana Ross

Sir Mick Jagger and the former US president have their picture taken with a woman

He pledged that the Trump administration eventually would meet its obligation required by law - but stressed that the department was obligated to act with caution as it goes about making public documents that can include sensitive information.

Blanche, the Justice Department's second-in-command, also defended its decision to remove several files related to the case from its public webpage, including a photograph showing Trump, less than a day after they were posted.

He said the documents were removed because they also showed victims of Epstein. Blanche said the Trump photo and the other documents will be reposted once redactions are made to protect survivors.

'We are not redacting information around President Trump, around any other individual involved with Mr Epstein, and that narrative - which is not based on fact at all - is completely false,' Blanche told NBC's Meet the Press.

He added that Trump has labeled the Epstein matter 'a hoax' because 'there's this narrative out there that the Department of Justice is hiding and protecting information about him, which is completely false.'

'The Epstein files existed for years and years and years and you did not hear a peep out of a single Democrat for the past four years and yet ... lo and behold, all of a sudden, out of the blue, Senator Schumer suddenly cares about the Epstein files,' Blanche said. 'That's the hoax.'

The deputy attorney general's comments were the most extensive by the administration since the file dump.

Clinton is pictured heavily throughout the Epstein files, but has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of the financier's victims

Federal prosecutors in New York brought sex trafficking charges against Epstein in 2019, but he killed himself in jail after his arrest.

Maxwell, Epstein's onetime girlfriend, is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking crimes.

The deputy attorney general also defended the decision by the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to transfer Maxwell to a less restrictive, minimum-security federal prison earlier this year, soon after he interviewed her about Epstein.

Blanche said that the transfer was made because of concerns about her safety.

'She was suffering numerous threats against her life,' Blanche said. 'So the BOP is not only responsible for putting people in jail and making sure they stay in jail, but also for their safety.'
An acclaimed rapper who threatened rival gangsters with a gun has been deported from the UK to Jamaica, the Daily Mail can reveal

Marnz Malone, 24, reached number six in the British hip-hop charts last year with his album Tina's Boy while he was behind bars.

His latest music, which was recorded on a prison phone, has amassed millions of streams and details jail life and themes including suicide.

The Jamaican-British songwriter, real name Kimani Shaw, was stabbed 20 times after pointing his gun at rival gangsters in 2019.

During his trial it was heard B19 gang affiliate Malone had entered another crew's territory in Birmingham before the showdown ensued.

He was chased into a nearby underpass where he was knifed repeatedly before being rushed to intensive care.

Twenty-four hours later, while Malone was on life support, a triple shooting took place from a car in the city's Ladywood district.

Three men were convicted of murder after Dante Mullings, 23, was killed in the revenge attack and two others were injured.

Kimani Shaw, 24, who threatened rival gangsters with a gun has been deported from the UK to Jamaica

Malone was convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in 2021.

He was serving an 11-year prison sentence before he was deported this month.

Much of his music glamourises gang life and the violence that accompanies it.

In one track named Dunce, Malone sings: 'Real warlord like Hades. Baby, the SIG Sauer [gun] takes 380s.

'Yard man, but this gun come from Haiti. Bro, I think I know why they hate me.'

Speaking to the Guardian in January, he said: 'Prison is not a place for rehabilitation. The only reason I have rehabilitated is because of music; without it, I don't know what I would have done.

'I would probably be thinking about going home to a life of crime to survive. Not everybody gets the break I've got.

'That's why every day I wake up and tell myself to remember two things: be humble and complete the mission.

'Until I'm out of here, I don't feel like my rap career has even started yet.'

The rapper was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, before his mother relocated to Birmingham after the death of his father when he was two.

The law was changed in June so foreign criminals who have completed 30 percent of their sentences can deported.

Shaw's latest music, which was recorded on a prison phone, has amassed millions of streams and details jail life and themes including suicide

The government is seeking to amend the law so foreigners can be immediately deported following conviction.

However, terrorists, murderers and other serious offenders who have been given indeterminate sentences will continue to serve their time in the UK before being considered for deportation.

Offenders who are deported are also permanently barred from re-entering the UK,

Foreign offenders make up around 12 percent of the total prison population and deporting them sooner is estimated to free up around 500 jail places per year, according to the Ministry of Justice.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This government will not allow foreign criminals and illegal migrants to exploit our laws, which is why we are reforming human rights laws and the broken appeals system, allowing us to scale up deportations.

'The Home Secretary has recently announced sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration. They will make Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants and will make it easier to remove and deport them.

'All Foreign National Offenders who receive a prison sentence in the UK are referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity.'
Two men who raped a 14-year-old girl after plying her with alcohol and cigarettes have been jailed as part of the long-running investigation into sexual abuse committed by predominately Pakistani men in Rotherham.

Kessur Ajaib, 44, and Mohammed Makhmood, 43, both of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, separately attacked the girl between 1999 and 2002.

Ajaib met the 'vulnerable' teenager in Rotherham town centre, gave her alcohol and then lured her into an alleyway where he raped her, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Makhmood met the girl on another occasion when she was waiting at a bus stop.

He invited her to smoke a cigarette with him then led her to a graveyard where he raped her. After attacking the girl he is said to have spat at her and laughed at her.

The men stood trial earlier this year alongside Sageer Hussain, who was described as the 'ringleader' of a group of men who sexually abused girls in Rotherham more than 20 years ago.

He was already serving a 19-year prison sentence for a 'campaign of violent rape' against a girl in the town and was given a further three years last month after he was convicted of the rape of another victim.

Their trial heard that he told one victim she 'deserved it and that is what white girls were for.'

At Sheffield Crown Court today, Ajaib was jailed for eight years and six months for rape and indecent assault while Makhmood was given a seven-year prison sentence for rape.

Kessur Ajaib (left) and Mohammed Makhmood were jailed for a total of more than 15 years today after they were convicted of rape following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court

The men were prosecuted as part of the National Crime Agency's [NCA's] Operation Stovewood, which is looking into allegations of sexual abuse in Rotherham and is the largest investigation into child sexual exploitation and abuse in the UK.

The probe is investigating allegations of abuse in the town between 1997 and 2013 and was prompted by the publication of a report written by Professor Alexis Jay in 2014 which found at least 1,400 underage girls, some as young as 11, had been abused.

The children were often vulnerable or in care and were raped, trafficked and intimidated by groups of largely Asian men.

The NCA said today that 49 people have now been convicted as part of Operation Stovewood.

NCA officer Alan Hastings said: 'I would like to recognise how courageous the victim was in reporting the sexual abuse that Kessur Ajaib and Mohammed Makhmood subjected her to as a child.

'It must have been extremely difficult for the woman to relive that period in her life, but the information she shared enabled us to identify corroborating evidence and secure justice for her.

'I hope it will bring the woman some closure to know that Ajaib and Makhmood are now in prison.'
Magnetic hijabs could be rolled out across police forces in an effort to attract more female Muslim recruits.

The new garments are designed to prevent strangulation and to protect the modesty of the women wearing them.

The 'Blue Light Hijabs' are made up of two pieces of fabric attached by a magnetised quick-release clasp.

The system is designed to allow the lower section to detach without exposing the officer's hair if pulled during a confrontation with a suspect.

The hijabs have already been given to every eligible officer in Leicestershire Police - with other forces now placing orders.

They are also expected to be rolled out to other emergency service workers including paramedics and hospital staff.

The hijabs were developed and designed by Leicestershire Police in collaboration with De Montfort University.

The force said the design team worked with serving Muslim officers before the final product was approved.

Magnetic hijabs could be rolled out across police forces in an effort to attract more female Muslim recruits. Pictured: PC Hafsah Abba-Gana models the new design

Detective Sergeant Yassin Desai, who has spearheaded the campaign, first proposed rolling out a safe and comfortable hijab for female officers 20 years ago.

He said: 'It's actually taken years to develop properly. We completed the combat trials at Enderby with female officers wearing it and it held up.

'The bottom part was able to detach and the officer was able to keep her dignity.'

DS Desai added: 'It's amazing to think after three years of research and development, we have got the design of this right, and we're taking it forward together.

'It's a great product, it's safe and protects Muslim women's dignity.'

Hijabs are religious garments, worn by many Muslim women for reasons to do with modesty and faith.

Earlier this year, a female police officer revealed her hijab was pulled off while she was policing pro-Palestine protests.

PC Zara Basharat, from West Midlands Police, said she was also subjected to racial slurs and abuse.

Join the debate Will the move help attract more Muslim female officers?

The hijabs have already been given to every eligible officer in Leicestershire Police - with other forces now placing orders

She told Birmingham Live: 'Officers in general face abuse all the time, but ethnic minority officers get it more. I'm female, I'm South Asian, I wear a headscarf, and some see me as an easy target.

'I've already been racially abused twice this year by members of the public  it happens too often. My experiences are not the only ones.

'There are so many officers that face it day in, day out.'

Muslims currently make up just 2.5 per cent of police officers, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

There are, however, four million Muslims living in the UK - which constitutes six per cent of the population.
A husband and five men have been charged with 60 sexual offences against his ex-wife including for drugging and repeatedly raping her over a 13-year period.

Philip Young, 49, from Enfield, has been charged with 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape against his ex-wife Joanne Young, 48.

He has also been charged with administering a substance with intent to stupefy and overpower to allow sexual activity, voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.

The 49-year-old, formerly from Swindon, is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday alongside the five other men for the alleged offences which took place between 2010 and 2023.

Norman Macksoni, 47, Dean Hamilton, 46, Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, Richard Wilkins, 61 and Mohammed Hassan, 37, have also been charged with offences including rape, sexual touching, sexual penetration and possession of extreme images.

Macksoni, of Sharnbrook, has been charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images.

Hamilton, of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching.

Sanderson Doyle, from Swindon, has been charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching.

Philip Young, 49, will appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday alongside the five other men for the alleged offences including rape against his ex-wife

Wilkins, from Swindon, has been charged with one count of rape and sexual touching.

Hassan, also from Swindon, has been charged with sexual touching.

Ms Young, who has waived her legal right to be named, is being supported by specially trained officers.

James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor, of the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of Philip Young, Norman Macksoni, Dean Hamilton, Connor Sanderson Doyle, Richard Wilkins and Mohammed Hassan with a number of offences following a police investigation into alleged serious sexual offences against Joanne Young over a period of 13 years.

'Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to charge and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

'We have worked closely with Wiltshire Police as they carried out their investigation.'

Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith, of Wiltshire Police said: 'This is a significant update in what is a complex and extensive investigation.

'The victim in this case, Joanne, has taken the decision to waive her automatic legal right to anonymity.

'She has been supported by specially trained officers from the beginning of the process and she has made the decision following multiple discussions with officers and support services.'

Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith said: 'This is a significant update in what is a complex and extensive investigation.

'The victim in this case, Joanne, has taken the decision to waive her automatic legal right to anonymity.

'She has been supported by specially trained officers from the beginning of the process and she has made the decision following multiple discussions with officers and support services.'

If you have any information regarding this case, please call 101 quoting 54240080286 or report online through the Wiltshire Police website.

Information can also be left anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
A schoolboy was left fighting for his life and another seriously injured after a tractor overturned on a farm in County Durham.

Police and ambulance crews rushed to the property in Burnopfield just before 8.30pm on Sunday.

A 14-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with life-threatening injuries, while a 13-year-old boy went to the same hospital with serious injuries.

Both remained in hospital on Monday afternoon.

Road Policing Inspector Mick Todd said: 'This was a horrific incident which has left two boys with very serious injuries.

'Our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances.'

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: 'We were called to an incident on a private road in Burnopfield shortly after 8.20pm on 21 December.

'We dispatched three double crewed ambulances, one vehicle from our Hazardous Area Response Team, a clinical team leader and a specialist paramedic.

A police car responding at the scene in Burnopfield had all four of its tyres slashed (stock of Durham Constabulary vehicle in Burnopfield)

'Two patients were taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.'

The police operation was hampered when all four tyres of one of their cars at the farm were slashed.

Officers had performed first aid on the youths and were taking statements, but returned to find all four tyres of a vehicle destroyed - prompting an investigation into 'shocking and unacceptable' criminal damage.

The officers and their car were put out of action for the remained of the shift, and a criminal damage investigation has been opened.

Inspector Todd said: 'Whilst officers were inside an address conducting vital enquiries into the collision, all four tyres of their vehicle parked outside were slashed.

'Due to the damage, the officers and vehicle were taken off duty, meaning resources were stretched even further at one of the busiest times of the year and there was a delay in the progression of the collision investigation whilst waiting for vehicle recovery.

'These officers were first on the scene of this collision and carried out lifesaving first aid on the teenagers before being transported to hospital.

'For anyone, this would have been traumatic, but the professionalism of our officers meant that they carried on and put the public first.

'The damage is shocking and unacceptable.'

Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw the accident or was in the area at the time.

Anyone with information in relation to the collision or criminal damage should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit by emailing sciu@durham.police.uk,or by calling 101, quoting incident number 401 of December 21.

Information can also be submitted to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Three dangerous inmates, including an alleged murder, broke out of a Georgia jail early Monday morning.

The escapees were identified as Stevenson Charles, 24, Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25.

At around 6am, the DeKalb County Jail discovered the inmates were missing during a 'routine security check.'

Georgia police say the inmates are 'dangerous', may be armed, and urge the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid them.

The county jail's entrance and exit were closed off and authorities have surrounded the perimeter of the building.

'We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,' Sheriff Melody M. Maddox said.

The sheriffs office, DeKalb Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service are assisting in the search.

Pictured - Stevenson Charles, 24 - is a suspect for murder and armed robbery

Pictured - Naod Yohannes, 25 - is charged with simple assault, arson and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution

Yusuf Minor, 31, faces two counts of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony

Charles was charged with murder and armed robbery and has committed a slew of serious crimes and serving a life sentence at the time of the jail break, according to U.S. Marshals.

He was also convicted in 2023 for carjacking, kidnapping, and robbing five victims in Miami, per Atlanta News First.

Charles connected with some of his past victims through the dating app Grindr.

In 2023, the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of aggravated assault, per the outlet.

The murder suspect is about 5ft 7inches and weighs around 200 pounds and authorities say he has ties to the Miami and Atlanta areas.

Yohannes was charged with assault, arson, and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution.

Minor faces two counts of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a fire arm.

'We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,' Sheriff Melody M. Maddox said

The U.S. Marshals believe the inmates broke out on Sunday evening, or early Monday morning.

'Let the message go out to Mr. Charles and all other fugitives. We are looking for and we will find you,' Thomas E. Brown, the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia, said.

'Any person who violates the laws of the United States will not be allowed a moment of rest.

'You will never find peace. You will answer for your crimes,' Brown said.

The Daily Mail reached out to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office for additional comment.

This is an ongoing story.
A man has been arrested in connection with the advertising of people smuggling services on social media.

The 29-year-old Indian national was detained by officers at an address in Handsworth, an inner-city area of Birmingham, on Monday morning.

The arrest took place as part of a joint National Crime Agency (NCA) and West Midlands Police investigation into criminal gangs offering routes to illegal migration online.

The man is suspected of working on behalf of an organised crime network moving people into the UK in the backs of lorries.

He was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration.

The accused remains in custody and is being questioned by investigators from the NCA and West Midlands Police.

A number of electronic devices were also seized and are being forensically examined for further information about the network and the individuals involved.

Following the raid on the property, a second male was discovered at an address and arrested for being in the UK illegally, before being passed over to the immigration authorities.

Officers from the National CrimeAgency and West Midlands Police arrested a 29-year-old Indian national in collection with a joint investigation into criminal gangs offering people smuggling services on social media

NCA Branch Commander Kevin Broadhead said: 'Tackling organised immigration crime remains a priority for the NCA, and we are determined to do all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle the networks involved.

'Our investigation, which is being conducted alongside partners from West Midlands Police, continues following this arrest.'

The arrest is part of a national effort on the part of British law enforcement agencies to target those seeking to harness the power of social media platforms to promote or provide routes to illegal migration.

Yesterday a Daily Mail investigation exposed an Albanian man running a network helping crooks flee the UK for only 2,500.

The mastermind brazenly operates his 'Returns from England' business on social media, offering a 'stress-free' express service for migrant fugitives, with 'passage 100 per cent secured'.

He boasted his team of corrupt drivers had trafficked at least 50 people to France after they 'commit crimes and want to go fast'.

The shocking expose comes amid growing concerns about the number of newly arrived small-boat migrants accused of serious offences.

This month, two Afghan teenagers were jailed for the rape of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Leamington Spa soon after crossing the Channel, while an audit found 11 others were recently convicted for attacking women in Britain.

There are more than 1,000 foreign criminals  including rapists, killers and terrorists  at large in the UK, according to the latest figures.

On Saturday, 800 migrants arrived in the country on small boats  the biggest December day on record.
A health board who destroyed 40 theatre logbooks of a disgraced surgeon at the centre of a public inquiry has been reported to police by two of his victims.

NHS Tayside, who employed consultant Sam Eljamel, was issued with a Do Not Destroy notice on all paperwork connected to the case.

But victims were furious after discovering workers at the board binned the records AFTER getting the order.

Now two of his victims have reported the board to detectives themselves and just weeks after the board referred itself to police. Campaigners Jules Rose and Pat Kelly have now submitted their own complaint.

Ms Rose said their report should materially increase scrutiny and priority over this potentially criminal act.

She said: That is our aim and to send strong, strong signals that patients are not prepared to accept this was just human error gone badly wrong.

Ms Rose, a victim of Eljamels who has been at the forefront of the campaign to secure justice, said: This so-called systematic failure exposes a deeper problem. We believe that NHS Tayside has not changed its culture and the evidence suggests it has worsened.

NHS Tayside said it deeply regrets this error and said those who destroyed the documents were not aware of the link between the former Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee and the neurosurgeon.

Disgraced Ninewells Hospital consultant surgeon Sam Eljamel, who is at the centre of an inquiry into his work

Campaigner Jules Rose has submitted a complaint to police about Tayside Health Board

Ms Rose demanded meaningful accountability, and renewed calls for health board chief executive Nicky Connor to go.

Eljamel removed Ms Roses tear duct instead of a brain tumour while Mr Kelly has been left in constant pain following botched surgery on his spine.

He was able to return to his homeland of Libya in 2018, where he continues to operate on patients.

Under Operation Stringent, Police Scotland had demanded theatre logbooks in August containing information regarding the surgical practice of Eljamel between 1995 and 2014.

But they discovered they were destroyed in July, months after the Inquiry issued its Do Not Destroy notice.

NHS Tayside said its internal investigation found that the logbooks were placed into the confidential waste stream for disposal by members of staff in the department where the logbooks were held and that the disposal of the books was an error.

The health board said it remains deeply sorry over the incident and has now commissioned an independent, external review of the organisations systems, processes, actions and governance arrangements.

Detective Superintendent Carron McKellar said: Significant resource from the Major Investigation Team continues to be dedicated to this extremely complex and protracted inquiry to ensure it has the experience and specialist knowledge required.
A British expat has sparked outrage after ranking the three 'most dangerous' towns in Australia where he claims he didn't feel safe.

Luke, who has lived in Australia for several years, named Alice Springs as the 'most dangerous town in Australia'.

'I don't think this is a massive shock to anyone. (Alice Springs) is the most dangerous town in Australia,' he said.

'Whilst I didn't have any major issues there, I did feel a bit on edge.'

He then listed Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory as the second most dangerous and the northern suburbs of Adelaide as the third.

His video divided Australians, with some agreeing with his rankings while others claimed the UK was more dangerous.

'Australia is very safe compared to the UK,' one said.

Another quipped: 'Been to London mate? Talk about unsafe.'

British TikTok blogger Luke said Alice Springs was the 'most dangerous' place in Australia

But some agreed with Luke, with one commenter claiming 'everywhere in Australia, I don't feel safe'.

'Been to Alice Springs for one night, we were camping outside and there were people sneaking around the tents trying to steal things,' another alleged.

Alice Springs is listed as the 38th most dangerous city in the world on the twice-yearly Crime Index by City, ranked by Numbeo, which gathers data from user surveys.

In November, an elderly man was attacked by a machete-wielding man wearing an ankle monitor in the latest incident of violence in the Northern Territory.

A horrified onlooker filmed the attack inside a shopping centre on Hartley Street in Alice Springs, as frightened shoppers in a nearby food court rushed to clear the area.

The video showed a young male wearing a black hoodie and shorts and carrying a huge knife.

He repeatedly sliced at the other man in the footage, with witnesses saying the attack went on for about a minute before they filmed it.

Two elderly men attempted to intervene, but the assailant only stopped the wild attack once an off-duty female police officer physically attempted to apprehend him and chased him out of the centre.

Alice Springs is listed the 38th most dangerous city in the world in the twice-yearly Crime Index by City ranked by Numbeo

The man who filmed the incident wished to stay anonymous but said he had been visiting Alice Springs from Victoria for FIFO work.

He is now considering closing his business in the area.

Luke said he ranked Tennant Creek as the second 'most dangerous' after his bus stopped there during a trip to the Outback.

'I definitely felt a bit on edge,' he said.

'I remember there was one point where we pulled up in the middle of the night and we basically had a load of Indigenous people just smacking on the windows and shouting at the bus. That was pretty intense.'

When addressing Adelaide's northern suburbs in third place, he said they 'weren't amazing' when he lived in the city.

'We basically had to take a house there and honestly, it wasn't the nicest place ever,' he said.
A child rapist with the word 'survivor' tattooed on his face has been jailed for 14 years.

Thomas Green, 28, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was handed the sentence after he forced himself on a schoolgirl before threatening to kill her if she told anyone.

Police were alerted after the victim told her mother what had happened, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.

In January, the girl disclosed she had been raped by him in summer of 2024.

Green pled guilty to two charges of raping a child under 16, one count of sexual activity with a child under 16 and for breaching a restraining order.

The 28-year-old was branded 'especially dangerous' by a judge and must serve three years on an extended license after being released.

He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Katy Jones, who worked on the case, said: 'I am pleased that we've been able to secure this outcome against a sex offender who committed crimes against a child in our community.

Thomas Green, 28, has been handed a 14-year prison sentence for raping a child last year

'The victim has shown enormous strength in reporting what Green did.

'I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to report it to us.

'You will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers, who will do everything in their power to see that justice is done.'

Anis Ali, defending Green, said the paedophile was 'relatively immature and troubled'.

'His expressions of remorse and regret are genuine. He recognises the real effect it had upon her. There is very real embarrassment and shame,' he said.

Mr Ali added that Green's prospects of rehabilitation are 'relatively positive' and 'there is nothing to indicate in my submission he is dangerous'.
An engaged teacher who confessed to 'making out' with an 11-year-old boy in her classroom was sentenced to just half the jail time that prosecutors had requested.

Madison Bergmann, 26, who taught fifth grade at River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, Wisconsin, sobbed as she was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday.

The perverted ex-teacher exchanged more than 35,000 texts with the victim between February and April of 2024 - with the boy's father making the sickening discovery.

In the disturbing conversations, she detailed how she enjoyed touching and kissing him.

Investigators also discovered nearly 100 handwritten love letters between Bergmann and the child in a folder with the victim's name on it in her classroom.

At Friday's hearing, her lawyer had pushed for just one year in prison followed by probation, while prosecutors demanded that she be locked up for 12 years.

In addition to jail time, Bergmann will also be subjected to six years of extended supervision upon her release, KARE 11 reported.

Her sentence was the result of a deal she entered with the prosecution in late September, in which she pleaded guilty to one count of child enticement and two counts of sexual misconduct by school staff.

The sex offender had several charges dismissed, including first-degree sexual assault of a child, exposing a child to harmful descriptions, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and additional counts of sexual misconduct by school staff and child enticement.

Madison Bergmann sobbed in court on Friday as she was sentenced to six years in prison

Sam Hickman and Bergmann were engaged when her sickening sexual abuse came to light. They were supposed to get married in July 2024, but the wedding was called off

'I want to make it absolutely clear that I take full accountability for every boundary that was crossed,' Bergmann tearfully told the judge on Friday.

'I hope that your family has been able to begin to heal and find some peace in your lives again.'

The father of the little boy she sexually abused told the court how his son has been bullied as a result of Bergmann's crimes.

He reiterated that the text messages he reviewed between Bergmann and his son were 'very disturbing' and graphic.

When the outraged father first discovered the inappropriate texts Bergmann had sent, he printed them out to show the school.

'Learning about a school staff member and alleged inappropriate conduct that breaches trust is deeply troubling for all of us,' the school previously wrote in a statement. Bergmann resigned from her teaching position in May 2024.

After the despicable abuse she inflicted on the child was revealed, she not only lost her teaching job but also her fiance.

The pedophile was set to marry Sam Hickman in July last year but was dumped because of her 'f**ked up behavior,' a friend of Hickman's told The New York Post.

'[The marriage] probably wont happen. Sam is really upset and heartbroken. Hes embarrassed and pissed. He didnt deserve this. Everyone is pissed,' the anonymous friend said.

Join the debate How should society balance justice for child victims with rehabilitation for offenders like this teacher?

Bergmann, seen crying in court on Friday, and her attorney had requested only one year of jailtime for her sentence

Bergmann taught fifth grade at River Crest Elementary school in Hudson, Wisconsin

The news of Bergmann's six-year sentence has not gone over well with local community members and beyond.

'What message does six years send to other creeps like her? This criminal justice system is a joke,' one Facebook user reacted.

'She gave a life sentence to the student who will have to deal with what happened to him for the rest of his life. She should get a sentence that fits the lifetime anguish he will have to overcome,' another wrote.
Doctors are putting huge numbers of obese Scots on a weight-loss drug which costs the NHS more than 110 per prescription.

New figures reveal the number of prescriptions for semaglutide more than doubled in 2024/25, costing the public purse nearly 18.7million.

The drug, which is known under brand names including Ozempic and Wegovy, was dispensed 168,486 times in Scotland in that period compared with 79,182 the year before.

Despite the drugs enormous cost, those receiving it on the NHS pay nothing under the SNP governments free prescriptions policy.

The figures produced by Public Health Scotland (PHS) also showed a rapid rise in spending on tirzepatide  another weight-loss drug  which was unused in Scotland two years ago but in the past year cost 2million to dispense 18,332 times.

Some 67 per cent of Scottish adults are overweight and around half of those are classified as obese.

Tory MSP Stephen Kerr has warned of 'serious concern' over the cost of weight loss drugs to the taxpayer

Professor Michael Lean has described weight loss drug semaglutide as a 'revelation'

In October PHS warned the nation faced an estimated 3.3million cases of excess weight, including up to 1.6million cases of obesity by 2040.

The obesity crisis is already deeper in Scotland than any other part of the UK and is one of the worst in Europe.

Until last year health boards had advised GPs to prescribe semaglutide only to patients with diabetes.

But guidance from the Scottish Government now allows GPs to prescribe weight-loss drugs for a much wider range of conditions related to obesity.

Professor Michael Lean, clinical research fellow at the University of Glasgows School of Medicine, told the Daily Telegraph more GPs were prescribing semaglutide where a patient had a serious medical condition which could be improved by losing weight.

He said that although the drug was very, very expensive, it was an absolute revelation.

Around 300,000 people in Scotland, about 5 per cent of the population, are estimated to be paying privately for weight-loss drugs.

Tory MSP Stephen Kerr warned that although the drugs appeared effective, serious concern is warranted over the cost to the taxpayer.

A government spokesman said: We have a clear route for... obesity medicines to be appraised for their routine use in the NHS in Scotland through the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
A janitor working at Brown University has said he warned campus security about a suspicious man 'circling the hallways' for weeks before the mass shooting.

Derek Lisi said he saw alleged gunman Claudio Neves Valente outside the building which was targeted on December 13 on about 10 occasions starting early November.

'He'd been casing that place for weeks,' Lisi told the New York Times on Sunday. 'I knew there was something off with him.'

'I thought he was trying to steal something,' the janitor added. 'Every time he saw me, I think he thought I was security, because he would always walk away.'

Lisi recognized the suspect from photographs released by police in the aftermath of the shooting, which killed Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, of Virginia, and 19-year-old Ella Cook, of Alabama.

The janitor said he warned campus security twice about a 'suspicious person' after seeing Neves Valente pacing close to the Barus and Holley engineering building.

Brown contractor Event Staffing Services confirmed that one of its employees did receive a report about a suspicious person in December, but said it is not responsible for investigating such reports.

Lisi said he grew so suspicious of the man that on one occasion, he decided to follow him. When the man saw him, he darted away and ducked into a restroom.

Janitor Derek Lisi (pictured) said he saw alleged shooter Claudio Neves Valente outside the building which was targeted on December 13 on about 10 occasions from early November

Claudio Neves Valente, 48, (pictured) a former Brown University student and Portuguese national, was found dead Thursday evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police believe he is responsible for the Brown shooting and murder of MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro

'I said, 'Something's off with this guy, so I gotta say something,' Lisi said.

Another witness, a homeless man in the area, also saw the alleged killer acting suspiciously in the days before the shooting.

It was this observer, named by police as 'John', who gave investigators tip which eventually led them to Neves Valente.

John encountered Valente in the bathroom of Brown's engineering building just hours before the deadly attack, according to the police affidavit.

He also noticed Neves Valente's clothing was 'inappropriate and inadequate for the weather.'

John later bumped into Neves Valente outside, mere blocks from the building. He 'suddenly' turned around from the Nissan when he saw John, the tipster said.

The two then faced off in a 'game of cat and mouse,' according to John's testimony, where the two exchanged words before Neves Valente fled.

At one point, John says he yelled out 'Your car is back there, why are you circling the block?'

Neves Valente responded 'I don't know you from nobody' and then repeatedly asked John, "Why are you harassing me?"' according to the affidavit.

John told police he eventually saw Neves Valente approach the Nissan Sedan once more and decided to walk away.

This is John, the homeless Reddit user who led police to the Brown University shooter Claudio Neves Valente. John had several encounters with Neves Valente before Saturday's attack

John previously attended Brown University, but is now homeless. He frequently sleeps in the basement of the Barus and Holley building, a law enforcement source told Fox News.

As police shared images of the person of interest in the shooting - now identified as Neves Valente - John began posting on the social media forum Reddit that he recognized the suspect.

He theorized that police should look into 'possibly a rental' gray Nissan. Reddit users urged him to tell the FBI, and John said he did.

'I'm being dead serious,' John's Reddit post said. 'The police need to look into a grey Nissan with Florida plates, possibly a rental.'

'I know because he used his key fob to open the car, approached it and then something prompted him to back away,' he wrote.

'When he backed away, he relocked the car. I found that odd so when he circled the block, I approached the car that is when I saw the Florida plates.'

Police learned about the tip on December 16, three days after the shooting and a day after the tip line was created, the affidavit said.

Up until that point, the police affidavit says officials had not connected a vehicle to the possible shooter.

Investigators believe Neves Valente killed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro (pictured) in his Massachusetts home two days after he carried out the Brown University mass shooting

Brown University students Ella Cook (left) and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov (right) were killed in the mass shooting last weekend

This is John's Reddit post, which police said led to the break in the case

That detail led them to get more video of a Nissan Sentra sedan with Florida plates and enabled Providence police officers to tap into a network of more than 70 street cameras operated around the city by surveillance company Flock Safety.

It also helped them identify Neves Valente as the person responsible for gunning down Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro.

'He blew this case right open,' said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha of John. 'When you crack it, you crack it.'

John, in a Reddit post Wednesday night, wrote: 'Respectfully, I have said all I have to say on the matter to the right people.'

Neves Valente, 48, a Portuguese national, was found dead in a storage unit in New Hampshire Thursday evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators believe he is responsible for fatally shooting two students and wounding nine other people in a Brown University lecture hall last Saturday.

He then killed Loureiro, who was also Portuguese, two days later at his Brookline, Massachusetts home, nearly 50 miles from Providence.

As far as investigators know, Neves Valente acted alone.

Brown University President Christina Paxson said Neves Valente was enrolled there as a graduate student studying physics from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001.

'He has no current affiliation with the university,' she said.

Claudio Neves Valente, the suspect in the Brown University shooting in Providence, Rhode Island, picks up a vehicle at an Alamo Rent a Car facility on November 17, 2025

A grey Nissan car is parked at the storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire where Claudio Neves Valente took his own life

Law enforcement officers are seen outside the Salem, New Hampshire storage facility where Claudio Neves Valent was found dead on Thursday, December 18, 2025

Neves Valente and Loureiro - who is also Portuguese - previously attended the same academic program at a university in Portugal between 1995 and 2000.

Loureiro graduated from the physics program at Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal's premier engineering school, in 2000, according to his MIT faculty page.

The same year, Neves Valente was let go from a position at the Lisbon university, according to an archive of a termination notice from the school's then-president in February 2000.

Neves Valente studied at Brown on a student visa. He eventually obtained legal permanent residence status in September 2017.

It was not immediately clear where he was between taking a leave of absence from the school in 2001 and getting the visa in 2017. His last known residence was in Miami.

After officials revealed the suspect's identity, President Donald Trump suspended the green card lottery program that allowed Neves Valente to stay in the United States.

This is a breaking news story.
READ MORE: PM apologises to the Jewish community over ISIS Bondi massacre

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been accused of going into hiding following the Bondi Beach terror attack, which left 15 people dead and 40 injured.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley launched a blistering attack on the Foreign Minister, criticising her for not attending memorials or funerals for the victims.

During a press conference on Monday, Ley struck the lectern and laid into Wong's response.

'I haven't seen Penny Wong on the streets of Bondi. I haven't seen Penny Wong at the vigil for 15 innocent murdered Australians,' she said.

'I didn't see Penny Wong at Bondi last night on the eighth night of Hanukkah. I didn't see Penny Wong attend a single funeral. I haven't seen Penny Wong shed a single tear.'

Ley accused the Albanese government of being out of touch with the grief gripping the community.

'If more government members actually came to the streets of Bondi and listened  and not just listened, but heard, heard the pain, heard the anguish, heard the call to action  we wouldn't have the ridiculous remarks that she has made recently.'

Appearing on Sunrise on Tuesday morning, Ley doubled down on her comments.

Penny Wong (pictured) has been accused of going into hiding after the Bondi Beach attack

'It was me expressing my anger and disappointment on behalf of the community to the government,' she said.

'That's what it was. I will not tolerate, as I said, the weak response I have seen or 'take the temperature down'.'

Ley then criticised the rest of the Albanese government, noting that very few Ministers were present at the vigil at Bondi Beach Pavilion.

'Penny Wong was not there, Anthony Albanese was not there, members of the Labor cabinet were barely there.'

On Monday, Wong avoided calls to 'say sorry' after being asked whether the Bondi terrorism attack fallout was a 'permanent stain' on the Albanese government.

Her comments came after tense scenes on Sunday, when the Prime Minister was heckled and booed while leaving a vigil at Bondi Beach.

Challenged on whether the government's handling of anti-Semitism was a permanent stain, Wong said she understood the trauma felt by the community.

'What I'd say is we see there's great grief, there's pain, there's trauma and there's anger,' she told ABC Radio.

Sussan Ley (pictured) refused to apologise for harsh comments made against Wong

'We've had 15 Australians killed in an horrific, evil anti-Semitic attack on Jewish Australians, and all Australians feel such sorrow  as do I.

'Ultimately, this attack is an attempt to divide us, and we will not let that happen.'

Pressed again on whether the government's record had been damaged, Wong listed actions taken after the attack.

ABC host Sabra Lane then asked: 'Is it also time to say sorry?'

The Foreign Minister declined to apologise.

'Look, I think all of us wish that we were not where we are,' she said.

'We all wish that the ISIS-inspired terrorist attackers had been stopped. We all wish that anti-Semitism had not continued in this country.

'Over and over again, as Foreign Minister, I said that we all needed to turn the temperature down.'

Mourners gathering outside Bondi Pavilion on Thursday where flowers were laid to remember the victims

Wong also defended opting for an inquiry into intelligence agencies led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, instead of a royal commission.

'The Prime Minister said we would co-operate with the state royal commission.

'But again, if I can come back to why we want to ensure our agencies have the powers they need, we have to make sure that our national security arrangements are fit for purpose, able to keep people safe, and that we learn from any mistakes, if there were any made, in the context of these attacks.'
Donald Trump has defended Bill Clinton after photos of the former Democrat president alongside Jeffrey Epstein were released, calling it 'a terrible thing'.

Clinton appeared numerous times in the bombshell tranche of documents on Friday, being seen taking a dip with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and a woman whose face was redacted.

Speaking at a press conference Monday, Trump said: 'I don't like the pictures of Bill Clinton being shown, I don't like the pictures of other people being shown, I think it's a terrible thing.

'I like Bill Clinton, I've always gotten along with Bill Clinton. I've been nice to him, he's been nice to me, we've always gotten along with him, I respect him.'

Among the images, Clinton was pictured relaxing in a hot tub. Inside Epstein's home, an infamous painting of Clinton wearing a blue dress was hung on the wall. Clinton, actor Kevin Spacey and Maxwell were seen in other photographs at the Churchill War Rooms in London.

Trump said it is likely that others who crossed paths with Epstein have been caught out and linked to the convicted child sex offender's sick world.

He said: 'Bill Clinton's a big boy, he can handle it, but you probably have pictures of people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago.'

Donald Trump defended Bill Clinton and other political enemies who were featured in the latest Epstein files drop, calling it 'a terrible thing'

There were several photos of Clinton among the thousands of documents made public, including this image of him with Epstein

The president went onto blame 'mostly Democrats' and 'a couple of bad Republicans' for their release.

'I know there are a lot of people that are angry about all the pictures of other people. I think it's terrible,' he said.

Trump continued to posit his theory that the files are a distraction from his administration's achievements.

'This whole thing with Epstein is a way to try to deflect from the tremendous success of the Republican Party. I thought that was finished, a lot of people are very angry that this continues.'

On Monday, Clinton released a statement, saying: 'What the Department of Justice has released so far, and the manner in which it did so, makes one thing clear: someone or something is being protected.

'We do not know whom, what or why. But we do know this: We need no such protection.'

The former president, who wed wife Hilary in 1975, called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to 'immediately release any remaining materials referring to, mentioning, or containing a photograph of Bill Clinton'.

He accused the DOJ of 'selective releases to imply wrongdoing about individuals who have already been repeatedly cleared by the very same Department of Justice, over many years.'

Clinton further alleged that by not releasing the files, the DOJ would be confirming suspicions that its actions are about 'insinuation' and not transparency.

The huge trove of documents did not include dates or context from where they were taken. Being named or pictured in the files is not necessarily an indication of wrongdoing with Epstein.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act was driven by Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie, though with large amounts of bipartisan support.

Trump admitted that Epstein had connections everywhere back in the 1990s and 2000s.

'Everybody was friendly with this guy. He was around, he was all over Palm Beach and other places.'

He then noted the toppling of former Harvard President Larry Summers who Trump said was 'forced to resign from every board he's on', calling him Epstein's 'best friend' before noting that 'everybody was'.

'I don't like the pictures of Bill Clinton being shown, I don't like the pictures of other people being shown, I think it's a terrible thing,' Trump said

Trump, speaking at a press conference Monday, defended Clinton and blamed 'mostly Democrats' for their release and acknowledged 'there are photos of me, too'

The president also briefly addressed Epstein's infamous Little St James Island after discussing how Summers' had been 'ruined' by photos of him there.

'I wasn't, I never went there, by the way. Fortunately, it's nice, but I never went there.'

A group of 19 alleged victims of Epstein and his longtime associate Maxwell have accused the government of missteps in the partial release of the files.

They accused the DOJ of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by 'withholding massive quantities of documents' and 'failing to redact survivor identities'.

They argued that the failure to release the full trove of files and the DOJ's alleged lack of communication about its actions 'suggests an ongoing intent to keep survivors and the public in the dark as much as possible and as long as possible'.

The records that were released by the DOJ last week - including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, court records and other documents - were either already public or heavily blacked out, and many lacked necessary context.

There were few revelations in the tens of thousands of pages of records that have been released so far.

Another photo shows Clinton in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. The files do not say when or where the photos were taken and there was little context surrounding them

Another photo shows Clinton in a pool with Epstein's longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell and a person whose face was also redacted

Some of the most eagerly awaited records, such as FBI victim interviews and internal memos shedding light on charging decisions, weren't there.

'This law, enacted by a nearly unanimous vote in the House and unanimously in the Senate, and signed by the President, was clear. It afforded no permission for delayed disclosure,' the alleged victims wrote in the statement released Monday.

'Instead, the public received a fraction of the files, and what we received was riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation. At the same time, numerous victim identities were left unredacted, causing real and immediate harm.'

The women accused the DOJ of violating the law by failing to release all the files and claimed that omissions by redactions also amounted to failure.

'These are clear-cut violations of an unambiguous law,' the statement read.

A photo of Donald Trump flanked by bikini-clad women was among more than a dozen files that were suddenly pulled from public view over the weekend, leading to claims of a cover-up

The tranche of materials released Friday included photographs of former president Bill Clinton and other famous names such as pop star Michael Jackson. The pair pose with Diana Ross

'Moreover, the partial release was done in a manner that made it difficult or impossible for survivors to find materials that would be most relevant to our search for accountability.'

The survivors further called lawmakers to take action to ensure the DOJ fulfills its obligations of the law, urging for 'immediate congressional oversight, including hearings, formal demands for compliance, and legal action'.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has now urged his colleagues to take legal action over the DOJ's incremental and heavily redacted release of the records.

He introduced a resolution Monday that, if passed, would direct the Senate to file or join lawsuits aimed at forcing the DOJ to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act - the law enacted last month that required disclosure of records by last Friday.

'Instead of transparency, the Trump administration released a tiny fraction of the files and blacked out massive portions of what little they provided,' Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat said in a statement. 'This is a blatant cover-up.'

In lieu of Republican support, Schumer's resolution is largely symbolic. The senate is off until January 5, more than two weeks after the deadline.

Even then, it'll likely face an uphill battle for passage. But it allows Democrats to continue a pressure campaign for disclosure that Republicans had hoped to put behind them.

The Justice Department said it plans to release records on a rolling basis by the end of the year. It blamed the delay on the time-consuming process of obscuring victims' names and other identifying information.

Clinton is pictured heavily throughout the Epstein files, but has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of the financier's victims

Sir Mick Jagger and the former US president have their picture taken with a woman

So far, the department hasn't given any notice when new records arrive.

That approach angered some accusers and members of Congress who fought to pass the transparency act.

Democrats accused Republicans of a cover-up after files that had been available Friday were no longer accessible on the DOJ's website by Saturday.

The missing files included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showed a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers.

In that image - inside a drawer among other photos - was a photograph of Trump, alongside the pedophile, Melania Trump and Epstein's longtime associate, Maxwell.

The DOJ said that the image of the Trump was flagged by the Southern District of New York 'for potential further action to protect victims'.

Following furious backlash, the image was reinstated on Sunday morning after it was determined that 'there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph', a statement posted on X said.

Trump, who was friends with Epstein for years before the two had a falling-out, tried for months to keep the records sealed.

Though the president has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, he has argued there is nothing to see in the files and that the public should focus on other issues.

But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the DOJ's decision to release just a fraction of the Epstein files by the congressionally mandated deadline as necessary actions to protect the pedophile's victims.

He pledged that the Trump administration eventually would meet its obligation required by law - but stressed that the department was obligated to act with caution as it goes about making public documents that can include sensitive information.

Blanche, the Justice Department's second-in-command, also defended its decision to remove several files related to the case from its public webpage, including a photograph showing Trump, less than a day after they were posted.

He said the documents were removed because they also showed victims of Epstein. Blanche said the Trump photo and the other documents will be reposted once redactions are made to protect survivors.

'We are not redacting information around President Trump, around any other individual involved with Mr Epstein, and that narrative - which is not based on fact at all - is completely false,' Blanche told NBC's Meet the Press.

He added that Trump has labeled the Epstein matter 'a hoax' because 'there's this narrative out there that the Department of Justice is hiding and protecting information about him, which is completely false.'

'The Epstein files existed for years and years and years and you did not hear a peep out of a single Democrat for the past four years and yet ... lo and behold, all of a sudden, out of the blue, Senator Schumer suddenly cares about the Epstein files,' Blanche said. 'That's the hoax.'

The deputy attorney general's comments were the most extensive by the administration since the file dump.

Federal prosecutors in New York brought sex trafficking charges against Epstein in 2019, but he killed himself in jail after his arrest.

Maxwell, Epstein's onetime girlfriend, is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her 2021 conviction for sex trafficking crimes.

The deputy attorney general also defended the decision by the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to transfer Maxwell to a less restrictive, minimum-security federal prison earlier this year, soon after he interviewed her about Epstein.

Blanche said that the transfer was made because of concerns about her safety.

'She was suffering numerous threats against her life,' Blanche said. 'So the BOP is not only responsible for putting people in jail and making sure they stay in jail, but also for their safety.'
In chilly mid-December 1936, King Edward VIII suddenly threw in the towel, tossed away his throne and empire, and abdicated.

It wrecked his Christmas plans.

As the reigning sovereign he'd been due to spend time at Sandringham, in time-honoured tradition, before heading off for Fort Belvedere, his romantic mini-castle in Windsor Great Park, cuddled up with Mrs Wallis Simpson.

But by the time Santa came to call, the ex-king was holed up in a place he'd never been - Schloss Enzesfeld, an ancient castle set deep in the Austrian countryside 25 miles from Vienna.

He ate his Christmas dinner alone.

How come the ex-king and emperor ended up in such an obscure bolthole?

The castle had been offered to him by Wallis Simpson's American friend Kitty de Rothschild, wife of an Austrian baron. The plan was that Edward would hole up there until Wallis' divorce was finalised four months later and they could marry.

However grand this 11th century castle was, the fussy Edward didn't want it, didn't like it, and he didn't want to get stuck with a family of people he barely knew.

On top of that, it turned out he was the house-guest from hell.

Edward VIII giving his abdication speech to the nation on 11 December 1936

The ex-king stayed in the Schloss Enzesfeld an ancient castle set deep in the Austrian countryside 25 miles from Vienna

Kitty Rothschild was a glamorous, socially ambitious, thrice-married doctor's daughter from Philadelphia. Her third husband was the colossally rich Baron Eugene de Rothschild, owning the vast hunting lodge but preferring to live in Paris. The couple rarely visited the place.

But now the baroness threw everything at getting the schloss ready - hiring in shoals of staff, polishing the furniture and dusting the chandeliers, even buying a string of white Lippizaner horses to make the stables look lived-in.

Was all the effort and expense worth it?

When he arrived at Enzesfeld, Edward showed not the slightest interest in the lavish preparations made for him, and greeted his hostess without enthusiasm. 'He seemed to regard Enzesfeld as his own domain and consider Kitty, his hostess, as a somewhat unwelcome house guest,' wrote her biographer Stephen Birmingham.

On arrival, the first thing the ex-king did was telephone Wallis, sitting it out in the south of France  the couple could not meet until her divorce came through. The line was always bad and they had to shout at each other, but that did not stop him from calling her up to a dozen times a way.

'When the first colossal telephone bills came in, the Baron de Rothschild, though a very rich man, was more than a little annoyed,' wrote Birmingham.

'Nonetheless Kitty planned a surprise Christmas Eve gala, with musicians and entertainers and decorators dragged all the way from Paris, and redid an entire salon for the party complete with a massive Christmas tree.

'On the night of the party, the Duke sent word that he would not attend.'

And the following day he ate his Christmas dinner on his own.

Kitty Rothschild was a glamorous, socially ambitious, thrice-married doctor's daughter from Philadelphia

The ex-king turned out to be the house-guest from hell and was never invited again

As a man who nobody had ever said 'No' to before, he could not get used to the idea he was prevented by legal convention from seeing Wallis until her divorce Increasingly he picked up the telephone.

'Wallis's cruel streak, born of her deep-seated insecurity, was not long in bubbling to the surface,' wrote biographer Andrew Morton. 'She accused him of having an affair with Kitty.

'Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only was Kitty worried about the cost of entertaining a man who had no conception of money, she was counting the days until he left.'

When he took a chauffeur-driven Rothschild limo into Vienna to go shopping, Edward had the bills sent on to the Baron. 'But most outrageous was the fact that the Duke seemed to regard Enzesfeld as his own  and to consider Kitty as a somewhat unwelcome house guest,' wrote Birmingham.

Back at Sandringham, life went on as normal  'The king is dead, long live the king'  and Edward's younger brother Bertie, who despite being almost 41 had sobbed on his mother's shoulder when told he'd have to be king, manfully entered into the spirit of being top dog. It was indeed a Merry Christmas that year up in the chilly wastes of Norfolk.

But after three months ex-King Edward's obliging hosts had had enough. 'As far as I'm concerned, anyone can have him any time' snarled Kitty. And the Baron, though fantastically rich, called a halt to the Duke's extravagance by having all bills directed to him.

Edward and Wallis Simpson on their wedding day at a chateau near Paris in 1937

Startled by how much it cost to live in such a fine home  he'd never had to personally pay bills before - the penny-pinching Duke packed his bags and moved into a $10-a-day pension a couple of hundred miles away. When he finally departed, he couldn't even be bothered to go and find his host and hostess to say thank you and goodbye. Truly, the house-guest from hell.

Needless to say when Edward and Wallis reunited and arranged to get married near Paris a few months later, the ex-king's invitation to the Baron and Baroness de Rothschild went unanswered.

He was never invited again.
Sweet new pictures released today show the Princess of Wales and Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment at her Christmas carol concert.

Royal fans swooned at unseen snaps of Kate Middleton and her three children at her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 5.

Their heart-warming bond was clear for all to see as Princess Charlotte, 10, arrived to support her mother alongside her father, Prince William, 43, and brothers, Princes George, 12, and Louis, seven.

The whole family was sleek in navy and green, as the boys wore smart suits while Charlotte was adorable in a blue dress with a white collar - a perfect complement to her mother's emerald.

Kate was pictured beaming proudly at her children, leading them towards Westminster Abbey as they admired the festive light decorations ahead of the service - which will be aired on Christmas Eve.

And once inside, the Princess of Wales helped Louis balance a candle while she held onto an order of service in her other hand.

In adorable scenes, Kate could be seen speaking quietly to her youngest son, while he sat with a cheeky grin on his face.

Commenting on the image, one royal fan wrote on X: 'The sweetest photo of the Princess of Wales and Prince Louis this evening.'

Another added: 'Prince Louis stealing the show.'

Sweet new snaps have showed Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment with his mother Princes of Wales, Kate Middleton, at her Christmas carol service

Kate Middleton beamed a loving smile at her son Prince Louis

In adorable scenes, Kate could be seen speaking to her youngest son, while he sat with a cheeky grin on his face

The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte shared a sweet mother-daughter moment at Westminster Abbey on December 5

The Prince and Princess of Wales leave with their children after the service at Westminster Abbey

Meanwhile, Princess Catherine's close relationship with her daughter Charlotte was also on show at the carol service, which is now in its fifth year.

The pair's faces visibly lit up with joy as they spotted each other outside Westminster Abbey before the concert kicked off at 5pm on Friday December 5.

It will be televised on ITV on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Bearing a wide grin, the Princess of Wales quickly held her arm out to embrace her daughter, who looked equally delighted to support her mother at the event.

The family were later photographed walking into the Abbey together, and Kate continued to lovingly direct her gaze at her daughter.

Reacting to the adorable images, one person posted on X: 'Princess Charlotte has the grace and poise of her mother The Princess of Wales.'

Another shared a heart emoji, alongside a photo of the pair with the caption: 'The Princess of Wales and her daughter Princess Charlotte at Westminster Abbey this evening.'

However, the Christmas carol concert's show of affection is nothing unusual for Kate and Charlotte.

The duo have shared many loving moments throughout the years, including giggling and cute glances at events such as Wimbledon.

Kate sat next to her children - sporting an emerald winter coat - at the carol service

Charlotte, dressed in a navy dress, stayed close to her mother as they entered the event

December's carol service featured a host of celebrities with Kate Winslet and Katie Melua among those on the 1,600-person-strong guest list.

Prince William, Winslet and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor all gave readings at the event which recognised community stalwarts and honoured 'love in all its forms'.

Celebrity chef Dame Mary Berry, who created a Christmas wreath on display in the Abbey, was also invited.

Melua, Fisherman's Friends and Griff performed on a roster, featuring Dan Smith from pop rock band Bastille.

The service recognised individuals from across the UK who may have dedicated or volunteered their time to be present with others, led initiatives that bring people in their community together, or offered a helping hand to those around them.

Among those invited was schoolgirl Madison Reed, who last year raised more than 1,360 for the Archie Foundation by Highland dancing in 26 locations across Scotland, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet.

She raised the funds for the charity, which supports sick children receiving medical care in north-east Scotland, along with their families.

Prince Louis was smart in a navy suit for the occasion, holding onto a candle from the service as he exited

The Prince and Princess of Wales leave the service with their children

Your browser does not support iframes.

In a letter that was available to all guests, the princess praised community stalwarts invited to the service, telling them they are making an 'extraordinary difference to the lives of others'.

She also extolled the virtues of the Christmas period that reminds us 'how deeply our lives are woven together', adding that despite life feeling 'fragmented or uncertain' at times, the festive season 'invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another'.

In her letter, Kate said: 'This carol service offers a moment of collective togetherness, a chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service, and to honour the visible and invisible bonds that unite us all.

'The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.'
As astronomers scour the universe for traces of alien life, one researcher has revealed exactly what first contact will look like.

However, that meeting won't look like the close encounters of a Hollywood blockbuster.

According to the 'Eschatian Hypothesis', the first extraterrestrial civilisation we encounter is likely to be in its final moments of total collapse.

This is because, just like dying stars and supernovae, civilisations are likely to burn their brightest just before they vanish into darkness.

According to Dr David Kipping, of Columbia University, this theory means the first aliens are likely to be 'unusually loud'.

In a YouTube video, Dr Kipping says: 'Hollywood has preconditioned us to expect one of two types of alien contact, either a hostile invasion force or a benevolent species bestowing wisdom to humanity.

'But the Eschatian hypothesis is neither.

'Here, first contact is with a civilisation in its death throes, one that is violently flailing before the end.'

A scientist has revealed what our first encounter with aliens will be like, and it won't look anything like what we have seen in movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (pictured)

In a new paper, due to appear in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr Kipping argues that finding aliens should follow the same rules as all other astronomical discoveries.

That means the first examples we discover are not typical of their class, but rather 'rare, extreme cases'.

To understand how this 'detection bias' works, imagine looking up at the night sky on a clear night.

Of the thousands of stars you can see, about a third will be giant, dying stars in the final stages of their lives.

This transitory period lasts less than 10 per cent of a star's lifetime, and only about one per cent of stars in the universe are in this giant phase.

However, since dying stars are so much brighter than their typical neighbours, they make up a huge proportion of the stars we can detect with the naked eye.

The same is even true of more extreme events such as supernovae - the vast explosions which occur when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse.

These explosions are staggeringly rare, with a Milky Way-sized galaxy only experiencing one every 50 years.

The supernovae from dying stars (pictured) are incredibly rare, but we see thousands every year because they are so bright. Scientists say that alien civilisations should be the same, in that we are more likely to find one burning brightly in its final moments - even if these are rarer

For example, a nuclear war would produce a huge burst of energy that intelligent civilisations would be able to detect. Pictured: The Castle Union Nuclear Test, 1954

However, astronomers routinely discover thousands of supernovae every year, just because they are so incredibly bright.

According to Dr Kipping, there's no reason that our first discovery of alien life shouldn't follow the exact same rules.

He says: 'So, by extension, we should expect that the first detection of an alien civilisation to be someone who is being unusually loud.

'Their behaviour will probably be atypical, but their enormous volume makes them the most likely candidate for discovery.'

This means the first aliens we meet will be like a loud, obnoxious party guest - most people in the room don't act like that, but the ones that do get noticed by everyone.

However, when we consider what could cause a civilisation to become loud, the situation becomes a lot more bleak.

As civilisations become more advanced, they become more efficient - wasting less energy and using the energy they do have more sustainably.

Just like how a well-maintained modern house leaks less heat than an old, crumbling home, healthy civilisations shouldn't be giving off huge amounts of excess energy.

Join the debate If humanity's first alien encounter is with a dying civilization, how should we respond?

This means our first encounter with aliens won't be a purposeful communication, like in the new film Disclosure Day. Instead, we are more likely to hear a civilisation's last desperate shouts

In this sense, the volume of a civilisation is a sign of 'extreme disequilibrium' that heralds impending collapse.

For example, the intense heat and energy released by a nuclear war would cause a planet to light up in a way that sensitive telescopes could detect.

Likewise, some scientists have suggested that aliens could even use rapid human-caused climate change as a sign of intelligent life on our planet.

Some civilisations in total free-fall may even begin broadcasting signals into space in an attempt to reach other life.

Dr Kipping has suggested that the famous 'Wow! Signal', detected by scientists in 1977, could have been a civilisation broadcasting one last desperate shout.

Instead of doing deep studies of promising star systems or patiently waiting for a coherent message, Dr Kipping says scientists should frequently scan the entire sky.

Brief unexplained signals, sudden flashes, or systems undergoing rapid, anomalous changes could all be signs of a loud civilisation going through collapse.

So, while it might not be a cheering thought, this theory could help find our first signs of life out amongst the stars.
The saying goes, if you find a job you love youll never work a day in your life.

But an expert has now warned that this can backfire  and the seemingly innocent idea of loving your work can take on a moral edge.

Mijeong Kwon, assistant professor of management at Rice University in Texas, said the dream of enjoying your career has become compulsive for many.

Working for money, prestige or family obligation starts to look less admirable, even suspect, she wrote on The Conversation.

She was part of a team who surveyed 1,200 employees and found that those who worked for the love of their job were likely to believe everyone else should, too.

These people were more likely to see other motives, such as working for pay or recognition, as morally inferior.

At first glance, treating love for work as a virtue seems to offer nothing but benefits, she said.

If a job's mission or day-to-day tasks are personally meaningful, you may persist through challenges, because quitting could feel like betraying an ideal.

An expert has warned that feeling like you should love your job can lead to burnout and guilt (file image)

But this virtue can also backfire. When intrinsic motivation becomes a moral duty rather than a joy, you may feel guilty for not constantly loving your work.

Emotions that are normal in any job, such as boredom, fatigue or disengagement, can prompt feelings of moral failure and self-blame. Over time, this pressure can contribute to burnout if you stay in unsustainable roles out of guilt.

She warned that by idealising your dream job when applying, you may overlook security, stability and other life needs.

This unrealistic standard could also lead you to leave a job too soon when reality disappoints or initial passion fades.

It can also cause tension and division between colleagues.

While inspiring on the surface, this approach can alienate employees who work for more pragmatic reasons, she added.

Over time, I would argue, this can breed tension and conflict, as some team members are celebrated as true believers and others are quietly marginalized.

Expressing love for ones work becomes a kind of commodity  one more way to get ahead.

Your browser does not support iframes.

In a culture where do what you love has become a moral commandment, remembering that its not the be-all, end-all reason to work may be the most moral stance of all.

A previous study has found that people who hate their job but cant bring themselves to leave are too embedded in their careers.

Dr Oscar Holmes IV, an assistant professor of management at the Rutgers School of Business-Camden, said bosses often exploit the situation to make them stay.

The study said miserable workers value the perks and community aspect of work over their happiness, and sometimes put the group's interest above their own.
Tonight may be your last chance to see a shooting star in 2025 - and you won't want to miss it.

The Ursid meteor shower will reach its dazzling peak this evening, sending bright fireballs flashing through the sky.

Arriving just after the Winter Solstice, this is the perfect opportunity for budding stargazers to witness the celestial action without staying up all night.

And, with the waxing crescent moon only at five per cent of its maximum illumination, there couldn't be a better chance to see the year's final meteor shower.

The Ursid meteor shower will continue until December 26, but it will be at its most active tonight.

It is not typically the year's most impressive meteor shower, with around 10 shooting stars every hour.

However, the Ursids can still offer patient sky-gazers a few surprises, with rates of 25 or more meteors in good years.

Here's everything you need to know to see the final meteor shower of the year.

Tonight will be the last chance to see shooting stars in 2025 as the Ursid Meteor shower reaches its peak. Pictured: Ursid meteors seen over Essex

What is the Ursid meteor shower

Although it looks like meteors fall to Earth, they are actually the product of Earth sweeping up debris.

As these chunks of rock and dust hit our atmosphere at speeds up to 43 miles per second (70 km/s), friction generates enough heat to vaporise them in a flash of light.

As Earth passes through big clouds of debris left by passing comets, the number of meteors we see dramatically increases in a period known as a meteor shower.

In the case of the Ursids, the meteors are caused by the debris from the comet 8P/Tuttle, a 2.8-mile-wide peanut-shaped chunk of ice and rock which orbits the sun every 13.6 years.

Jessica Lee, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the Daily Mail: 'The Earth travels around the Sun in a fixed path each year.

'The comet 8P/Tuttle also travels around the Sun in a fixed path, and as it comes in close to the Sun, it heats up, shedding more material and leaving a trail of debris in its wake.'

Since this cloud of debris is always in the same place relative to Earth, the shower always occurs at the same time of year.

At their peak, viewers with good conditions can expect to see as many as 10 shooting stars per hour, which may come in groups of bright fireballs like these meteors seen on Christmas Day over Essex

What are meteors? A meteor is not technically a type of space rock, but rather the bright flash of light produced by falling space debris. When a small space rock, known as a meteoroid, hits our atmosphere, friction and air pressure create an enormous amount of heat. Eventually, this heat becomes so powerful that the rock is vaporised in a flash of glowing light. When the number of meteors dramatically increases for a short period, scientists call this a meteor shower. Advertisement

How to see the Ursid meteor shower

In addition to always appearing at the same time, meteor showers also always emerge from the same point in the sky, known as their radiant.

Ms Lee says: 'They appear to originate from a point in the sky in the constellation of Ursa Minor, which is in the northern part of the sky all night long.

'This is the constellation our north star, Polaris, is part of.'

However, the shooting stars can actually appear anywhere in the sky.

That means it is better to find a location with a wide view of the sky and keep your eyes focused on a point somewhat to the side of the radiant.

'Travelling somewhere dark would help, with a clear view of lots of the sky,' adds Ms Lee.

'You'll also need to let your eyes adjust to the dark, so don't look at your phone or any other bright light source. The longer you wait, the better your chances, so make sure you wrap up warm.'

The Ursids will appear to emerge from the constellation Ursa Minor, but could be seen anywhere in the sky. For the best view, look to the North around midnight or in the pre-dawn hours when Ursa Minor (depicted here) is highest in the sky

Upcoming meteor showers Ursids: 22 December, 2025 Quadrantids: 4 January, 2026 Lyrids: 22 April, 2026 Eta Aquariids: 6 May, 2026 Alpha Capricornids: 30 July, 2026 Advertisement

Dr Shyam Balaji, astrophysics expert at Kings College London, adds: 'The best time to view the Ursids is during the predawn hours.

'Since the shower occurs around the winter solstice, you'll have long nights and plenty of dark skies to enhance visibility.'

Although they are not always the year's best shower, the Ursids can produce unexpected peaks that go well beyond their normal limits.

Dr Balaji says: 'The Ursids are generally a sparse meteor shower, producing about 5 to 10 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.

'However, it has had notable outbursts in the past, such as in 1945 and 1986, when up to 100 meteors per hour were observed. This unpredictability keeps skywatchers interested.'

One of the best parts about watching a meteor shower is that you don't need any special equipment at all to enjoy it.

In fact, any telescopes or binoculars will only restrict your field of view and make it harder to see the meteors.

Unfortunately, the Met Office weather forecast for tonight does not look exceptionally promising.

Unfortunately, the weather tonight will not be ideal for stargazing. The Met Office forecasts cloud cover (left) and some rainfall (right) around midnight

The next opportunity to see shooting stars will be on the night of January 4, when the Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak. Pictured: The Quadrantid Meteors over Northumberland

Fairly heavy cloud cover is forecast over the entire UK until December 24.

However, conditions should remain dry so you may be able to catch a break in the clouds for some late-night star watching.

If you do miss the Ursid meteor shower tonight, the next best opportunity will be the Quadrantids, which reach their peak on January 4.

The Quadrantids are one of the year's best meteor showers, famous for their intense burst of bright fireballs.

However, the exceptionally short peak lasts only a few hours, making this shower the most challenging to observe.

After that, you will need to wait three months for the Lyrids to reach their peak on April 22.

These will be followed by the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, which peaks on May 6 with around 40 meteors per hour.
If you were planning on buying your child a teddy bear this Christmas, woke scientists say you should think again.

A cuddly toy might be a dear childhood companion, but a group of French researchers now complain that these 'caricatures' fail to educate children about nature.

Teddy bears are designed to be adorably cute, with oversized heads, massive eyes, as well as muzzles and paws that are distinctly free of flesh-rending teeth and claws.

According to the researchers, this Disney-esque view of the deadly predators risks jeopardising children's relationship with nature.

Their concern is that children raised on soft, cuddly, but unscientific toys will grow up with a limited understanding of real wildlife.

Lead author Dr Nicolas Mouquet, of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), told the Daily Mail: 'For many children, their first wild animal isnt spotted in the forest but cuddled in their crib.

'The features that make teddy bears so lovable, big round heads, soft fur, uniform colours, and gentle shapes, dont resemble wild bears at all.

'If the bear that comforts a child looks nothing like a real bear, the emotional bridge it builds may lead away from, rather than toward, true biodiversity.'

Scientists say that children shouldn't be given cuddly stuffed bears since they fail to educate them about nature. This graph shows the typical 'cute' characteristics of toys compared to real bears

In a new paper, published in the journal BioScience, Dr Mouquet and his co-authors argue that children's toys are an important gateway for learning more about nature.

The researchers surveyed 11,000 people to see if they had a cuddly toy growing up and, if so, what type of animal it was.

Out of those surveyed, 43 per cent said that their childhood toy had been a bear, making it the most popular by far.

Yet the researchers also point out that these toys are characterised by features more commonly found in human babies than in bears.

'Teddy bears follow universal cuteness rules: big heads, round silhouettes, uniform soft fur, neutral colours, and expressive eyes, features that make them instantly lovable,' says Dr Mouquet.

The researcher's argument is essentially that this represents a wasted opportunity to help children connect with nature.

Dr Mouquet says: 'Dont misinterpret our results, our goal isnt to get rid of teddy bears, far from it! These toys are wonderful companions. Instead, we think they can be used more thoughtfully.'

The connection that children build with their first cuddly toy is incredibly powerful, offering physical comfort and a constant companion that stays with them for years.

The researchers say that cuddly toys create powerful emotional connections, which could be used to help children learn to care about nature

Real bears like grizzlies (pictured) often lack the cute characteristics of toys. Children raised on 'caricatures' of these animals may grow up to have misunderstandings about the real animals

In this way, teddy bears can act as 'emotional ambassadors' for the real animals.

But if the bears we love as children look nothing like the animals we are being asked to protect in the wild, that connection doesn't help at all.

In a second study, the researchers compared the physical traits of bears to those of stuffed animals.

While no stuffed toy looked anything like a real species, the bears that came closest to our cuddly ideal were pandas.

Dr Mouquet thinks it is no coincidence that the most toy-like of the bear species is also the bear which receives the most attention when it comes to conservation and is frequently used as a mascot for environmental projects.

He adds: 'My interest in teddy bears comes from a broader question: why do some species get a lot of attention and protection, while others are ignored?

'Teddy bears are a fun, almost universal way to explore this same bias, because they reveal which traits make us care about certain animals from a very young age.'

The researchers don't want us to chuck out our old beloved bears or turn beloved characters like Paddington or Winnie the Pooh into terrifying grizzlies.

The researchers don't say that classic characters like Paddington (left) need to be made more realistic. Rather, they would like to see more toys that resemble real bears, including those from less well-loved species such as the sun bear (right)

However, they would like to see toys with more realistic features being offered alongside these classic designs.

Toy offerings could represent less-well-loved species like the Malaysian sun bear, or expand beyond bears and rabbits to include animals that aren't traditionally considered cute.

While more realistic toys might not be as adorable, they could help children build a connection with the realities of nature earlier in their lives.

'During our surveys, we heard so many touching stories about peoples childhood bears. These toys carry memories, comfort, and love,' says Dr Mouquet.

'If we want people to truly care about biodiversity, we have to understand the emotional pathways that connect humans to nature - pathways that, for many of us, begin with a simple teddy bear.'
Airports throughout the US have been overwhelmed with holiday flyers, sparking nationwide delays on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a traffic flow restriction starting Monday afternoon in 21 major air travel centers, including flights out of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, Boston, Miami, and Minneapolis.

At major airports, flights will likely see a departure delay of up to two hours to space out the overwhelming volume of planes flying over the US starting at 12pm ET and lasting until 6pm Monday evening.

An hourly limit has been set up on how many flights can cross the FAA's Flow Constrained Area (FCA) boundary, a specific zone over or around the US created by the agency marking flight routes which get too busy during certain times of year.

Between 12pm and 1pm, the FAA expects the average flight to see 25-minute delays, however, those hourly slowdowns will grow to 76 minutes between 3pm and 4pm.

Maximum delays for flights traveling through the FCA are expected to reach one hour and 57 minutes.

Federal officials have designated Monday's FCA as FCAMA5, a region which typically includes flights traveling near the Caribbean during peak travel seasons.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has estimated that over 122 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles between December 20 and January 1, 2026, a new record for the holiday season.

A holiday traveler waits for her flight amid major airport delays due to high volumes of flyers before Christmas (Stock Image)

Other major US travel regions being affected by the Monday restrictions include Salt Lake City, Houston, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Denver, Oakland, Kansas City, Memphis, and Seattle.

Eleven airports throughout Canada have also been impacted by the FAA's holiday travel announcement, including Toronto Pearson International Airport, MontrealTrudeau International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.

Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, said: 'Our advice is to plan ahead. Book early, allow extra time to reach your destination, and think about travel insurance if you're flying during winter weather.'

The auto club group noted that eight million Americans are expected to fly during the final 13 days of 2025. That's more than 180,000 more people than last holiday season.

The FAA's FCAMA5 zone is expected to be a hotbed of activity, and major delays, this week as multiple cities in Florida rank as the most popular destinations for holiday travelers.

In their annual report, AAA revealed that Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami were the top three domestic destinations for holiday travelers this year.

Meanwhile, Cancun, Mexico and the Dominican Republic's Punta Cana were the top travel getaways internationally this week.

Due to the overwhelming demand to reach these vacation spots, the FAA will be holding planes on the ground until their assigned slot is called to take off and enter that airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed flight restrictions in 21 US travel centers, including JFK Airport (Pictured), causing delays on flights of up to two hours (Stock Image)

As of 10am, over 1,200 flights entering or exiting the US have been delayed, with most of these early flights coming from or flying to India, Indonesia, and Australia.

For travelers heading to the airport this week, AAA recommended flyers regularly check their flight status before leaving home and also sign up for airline alerts.

Travelers are also urged to arrive at the airport early, allowing at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours if you're leaving the US.

Due to the massive crowds expected at airports throughout the US, passengers should also pack smart and keep any vital medications, chargers, and a change of clothes in their carry-on bags.

With delays and potential cancellations now expected throughout the day, flyers should also go over their chosen airline's policies on rebooking flights and refunds for any cancelled trips.
Millions of Americans are under a sudden and dangerous air-quality emergency, with authorities across the West urging residents to stay indoors.

In Southern California, more than 10 million people face hazardous conditions as the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) reports sharply elevated levels of PM2.5, microscopic particles produced by vehicles, industry and wood burning.

Cities affected include Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Torrance, Long Beach, Pasadena, Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, Corona, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga and Mission Viejo.

'These pollutants can trigger asthma attacks, bronchitis flare-ups, ER visits, and even hospitalizations, especially among children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung conditions,' the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) warned.

'They can also increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems, especially in people with pre-existing heart disease, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions

Residents are urged to remain indoors with windows and doors closed and to avoid extended or intense outdoor activity.

Meanwhile, in northeastern Wyoming, communities in the Powder River Basin are under a blowing dust health alert through 3pm local time.

Strong west-southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, are creating hazardous air conditions in Gillette, Recluse, Weston, Rozet, Wright and surrounding areas.

Los Angeles (PICTURED) is under the alert, which covers most of Southern California

AirNow shows a large swatch of Southern California is experiencing poor air quality. The orange region is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Qualitys Air Quality Division urged residents to avoid excessive physical exertion outdoors and to limit prolonged exposure to the dusty air.

While vulnerable populations are most at risk, officials emphasized that everyone in the affected area should take precautions until conditions improve.

Residents should keep windows and doors closed and, if needed for comfort, run air conditioners or heating systems on recirculation mode.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of heart or lung disease, including shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, or unusual fatigue, should contact their health care provider promptly.

Individuals with heart or lung conditions are urged to follow their prescribed health management plans, while those with asthma should adhere to their asthma action plans.

Meanwhile, Southern California is grappling with a separate but equally serious air quality crisis.

The South Coast AQMD has extended a mandatory wood-burning ban across the South Coast Air Basin, citing elevated levels of fine particle pollution.

Under the No-Burn rule, residents are prohibited from burning wood, pellets, or manufactured fire logs in any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.

Officials warned that these pollutants can trigger asthma attacks, bronchitis flare-ups, ER visits, and even hospitalizations, especially among children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung conditions

Officials said smoke from fireplaces and fire pits significantly worsens pollution during stagnant air conditions.

Some exemptions apply, including homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households, and areas above 3,000 feet in elevation.

'Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems (including asthma attacks), increased emergency room visits, and hospitalizations,' the NWS said in the alert.

'No-Burn Days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin.'

Health officials warned that PM2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of serious health problems.

Officials also advise against using devices that pull outdoor air inside, such as swamp coolers or whole-house fans, unless no other cooling options are available.

Air quality alerts are issued when pollution levels are forecast to remain high for a full 24-hour period, even if real-time air quality maps do not immediately reflect the severity.

South Coast AQMD emphasized that these preventative measures are critical to reducing health risks during high-pollution episodes.

With dust storms choking the air in Wyoming and pollution building across Southern California, authorities are urging residents to take warnings seriously and limit exposure until conditions improve.

Officials continue to monitor air quality closely and say additional advisories may be issued if hazardous conditions persist.
The world's richest man looked unrecognizable in a childhood holiday photo that some have said actually foreshadowed his controversial future.

An image shared on X Monday captured a young Elon Musk apparently dressed as Santa Claus during a Purim celebration, a holiday commemorating the saving of the Jews from the Persian Empire in the fifth century BC.

Musk, now 54, confirmed that the picture was genuine, replying to the post by saying it was taken 'at Purim,' which is typically celebrated in February or March.

The image of a young Musk showed him with noticeably blonde hair, a red robe with white trimming just like Santa, and a white sack for gifts.

However, Musk ditched the fake, white beard and traded in Santa's classic black boots for a pair of sandals instead.

'Santa Elon is saving the world one technological present at a time!' one commenter said on X.

Musk was born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa and lived there until the age of 17, when he and his mother moved to Canada.

Before leaving South Africa, Musk had previously claimed he attended a Hebrew preschool as a child, but the billionaire did not confirm when and where the old photo was taken.

An image that reportedly shows a young Elon Musk has already been viewed more than 500,000 times on X Monday afternoon

Musk, now 54, has grown up to become the world's richest man and is the CEO of both SpaceX and Tesla

While many social media users enjoyed seeing a young Musk before fame and fortune, some eagle-eyed viewers spotted a face drawn on the wall behind him, which looked eerily similar to the billionaire's future ally, President Donald Trump.

Multiple X users spotlighted the face, seemingly drawn on a white paper plate, that had Trump's distinctive blonde haircut hanging right above Musk's head.

'Is that Trump?? You have always been a visionary. Lol,' one commentator on X declared.

'Is Trump's face being behind you on the wall a premonition?' another person added.

'A prophecy fulfilled,' a social media user joked.

It's been a roller-coaster relationship for Musk and Trump over the last year, with the SpaceX and Tesla CEO fully supporting the president's reelection campaign before eventually walking away from the White House amid tensions over government spending.

However, Musk was recently seen reuniting with Trump during a November 18 dinner at the White House to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

'This is terrifying,' one critic on X said next to a zoomed-in image of the 'Trump face' in Musk's childhood photo.

'With a Trump Haman mask in the background. Classic,' another person said, claiming the drawing looked like the president and the villain of Purim in the biblical Book of Esther.

Viewers on X spotted an eerily familiar face in the photo, which many claimed looked like Musk's political ally President Donald Trump

Musk has continued to dress up as Santa Claus over the years, including during a 2024 Christmas celebration (Pictured)

According to scripture, Haman plotted to convince the ancient Persian king to kill all the Jews in the empire.

Purim is considered a fun and joyous Jewish holiday that's often thought of as a mix of Halloween and Mardi Gras, but with a deeper meaning about courage and survival.

For children, they typically dress up in costumes, with some commenting on Musk's photo and calling it 'Purim cosplay' rather than dressing like Santa.

Musk has never described himself as being Jewish in terms of his religious beliefs, but said in January 2024 that he was 'aspirationally Jewish' while defending himself against claims of antisemitism.

'In the circles that I move, I see almost no antisemitism. Two-thirds of my friends are Jewish,' the tech mogul said in a YouTube video posted by Bloomberg Technology.

'I have twice as many Jewish friends as non-Jewish friends. I'm like Jewish by association.'

While Musk has generally described himself as an atheist over the years, he recently clarified his position on both the existence of God and Christian beliefs.

'God is the Creator,' he said during The Katie Miller Podcast on December 9.

'I believe this universe came from something. People have different labels [for God],' Musk explained to the podcast host, who is also the wife of Trump advisor Stephen Miller.
Flight tracking data has revealed the path of a top-secret Air Force jet landing at the highly classified Area 51 in the Nevada desert on Monday.

The plane is part of the militarys Janet fleet, which transports contractor employees, Department of Defense staff and military personnel to secure facilities housing classified information.

The Janet departed Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas main airport, at 8:25am PT and touched down at Area 51 at 8:42am.

While the purpose of the flight remains unclear, Area 51 is located within the US Air Forces Nevada Test and Training Range, used for large-scale military exercises.

The site has long been rumored to host crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft and other mysterious technologies.

Designed by Boeing, Janet jets are white with a single red stripe running from nose to tail.

They operate from a dedicated terminal and parking area in Las Vegas, as the remote facility does not support commuting by vehicle.

Monday's light was just one of six Janet flights to Area 51 over the past week.

Flight tracking data has revealed the path of a top-secret Air Force jet landing at the highly classified Area 51 in the Nevada desert on Monday

Flight data shows a Janet flight taking the same path every day last week, and all taking off from Las Vegas between 8.25am and 8.29am.

The flights take no more than 20 minutes, depending on the exact path and wind speed.

A known reason for military personnel to travel to Area 51 is for testing and developing highly classified aircraft and weapons systems.

Area 51 gained notoriety during the Cold War when it was used to test the U-2 spy plane, which was crucial for intelligence gathering against the Soviet Union.

The craft is still used today to monitor Mexican drug cartels and other threats to the US.

The secret Janet fleet started operations in 1972, making their first flight to Area 51, established in 1955.

Area 51 has six runways for the Janet planes to land, including a monster 12,000-foot-long strip that is among the longest in the world.

The secrecy surrounding Area 51 has fueled widespread conspiracy theories about its true purpose, but a resurfaced interview from an aviation journalist with firsthand sources who have worked there said the truth could be revealed this year.

The Janet, designed by Boeing, is a white jet with a single red strip from front to back. The fleet flies contractor employees, Department of Defense staff and military personnel to secure spaces that house classified information

Jim Goodall gave an interview in the mid-1990s where he discussed top-secret technologies at the site that 'would make George Lucas envious.'

'One gentleman spent 12 of his 30 years in black programs at Groom Lake [as Area 51 is also known],' Goodall explained in the unearthed documentary interview.

'I asked him, 'Can you really tell me what's happening out there?'' he continued.

'And he said, 'Well, there are a lot of things going on there that I won't be able to tell you until the year 2025.''

The mention of '2025' could refer to an executive order by then-President Bill Clinton, which established a 25-year timer for the 'automatic declassification' of government secrets.

This means many top-secret projects from the 1990s could soon be declassified.

Goodall recounted a conversation with a 'safety specialist' and US Air Force chief master sergeant who worked at the Nevada test site.

The specialist reportedly told him: 'We have things out there that are literally out of this world better than Star Trek, or anything you can see in the movies.'

When Goodall asked his anonymous source, 'Do you believe in UFOs?' the answer was unequivocal.

Join the debate What do you think the government is really hiding at Area 51, and should the public know the truth?

Area 51 is a US Air Force facility within the Nevada Test and Training Range

'He looked at me with a straight face, one-on-one, and said, 'Absolutely. Positively. They do exist,'' Goodall recalled in the documentary.

'I said, 'Can you expand upon that?' And he replied, 'No, I can't.''

From his vantage point spying on Area 51 in the Nevada desert, Goodall caught glimpses and heard firsthand accounts of exotic craft that defied conventional understanding.

'There is a stealth or low-observable electronic warfare aircraft. It's been referred to as "Excalibur," he said in the interview.

'There's an aircraft designed to fly very, very high, but also very, very slow and incredibly quiet,' he added.

Goodall also discussed how witnesses near the Skunk Works facility reported seeing three triangle-shaped craft that made 'no noise,' even when flying at relatively low altitudes.

He then shared reports of an aircraft tracked by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) out of the San Francisco Bay Area TRACON (Traffic Control) in Oakland, California.

This craft, spotted at least eight times since 1986, reportedly flew through controlled airspace at speeds exceeding 10,000 miles per hour.

'And it's a very, very large aircraft at that,' he added.

Goodall's accounts align with claims made on the record by Ben Rich, the late director of Lockheed Martin's classified Skunk Works division.

'Ben Rich told me twice before he died,' Goodall recounted, ''We have things at Area 51 that you and the best minds in the world won't even be able to conceive of for another 30 or 40 yearsand they won't be made public for another 50.''

Rich died on January 5, 1995.

But Goodall today noted that Area 51 has become much more difficult to penetrate than during his 1990s heyday, which might indicate it will hold on to its secrets well beyond 2025, matching a timeline closer to Rich's 50-year window.

'That veil is pretty thick today,' Goodall told Las Vegas TV news reporter George Knapp in 2019. 'The security around Area 51 is thicker than we've ever seen.'
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater continue to show that their romance is going strong and he shows his support for her as she's center stage as Saturday Night Live host.

Over the weekend, Slater, 33, was seen in his 32-year-old girlfriend's backstage green room in Instagram pics shared by Grande's actress friend Elizabeth Gillies.

Fellow performer Aaron Simon Gross was seen with Slater and Gillies in a cozy snapshot of them on a couch.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Hostess duties: Ariana Grande and her boyfriend continued to prove their romance's ongoing

There he is! Ethan Slater (left) supported his girlfriend as she hosted Saturday Night Live (seen backstage with Aaron Simon Gross and Elizabeth Gillies)

Grande squashed breakup rumors last week when she shared a video of Slater as he reflected on his character Boq's arc in Wicked: For Good.

The two previously quieted the rumor mill in November when they attended the NYC premiere of the musical movie.

While Grande and Slater did not appear together in photos from SNL, it was clear that their relationship's good.

In a caption, Gillies praised Grande for her stellar performance on the late-night show when she wrote: 'Nobody does it like you, Dingus. What a treat it is to watch you use your many talents and gifts ... so effortlessly well. Another brilliant episode.'

Still strong: While the couple didn't appear together in photos from Saturday evening, it was clear that their relationship's good (seen in February)

Gillies co-starred with Grande on the Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious.

Earlier this year, it was thought that Grande and Slater might have broken up, as they had not been seen together for months.

A source told Daily Mail in October that they had been 'on and off for most of this year'.

Grande and Slater, who enthralled each other when they filmed Wicked overseas, made appearances to support the movies at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards, the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, the SAG Awards, and the Oscars.

When news of their romance broke in 2023, Grande had just split from her husband Dalton Gomez, while Slater was still married to Lilly Jay - with whom he had a son.

Big night: Grande took center stage at the weekend's SNL
Singapore is set to become the first country to charge air passengers a green fuel tax.

From 1 October 2026, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will introduce a sustainable aviation fuel charge (SAF) for travellers leaving the country.

This will apply to all tickets purchased after April 1 and charges will vary based on the distance travelled by an air passenger and the cabin of travel, and will be categorised by four geographical bands.

Group one includes Southeast Asia and group two includes Northeast Asia, South Asia, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Africa, Central and West Asia Europe, the Middle East, Pacific Islands and New Zealand are in group three and group four includes the Americas.

Short routes will charge S$1 (0.58) and passengers on long-haul economy flights will be charged S$10.40 (6.08).

The highest rate is S$41.60 (24.33) for first-class or business flights.

For example, economy class passengers will pay S$1 (58p) for flights to Bangkok, S$2.80 (1.65) for journeys to Tokyo, S$6.40 (3.75) for flights to London and S$10.40 (6) to New York.

Singapore is set to become the first country to charge air passengers a green fuel tax. A Singapore Airlines plane is pictured

HSBC Rain Vortex at the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore is pictured

Prices will be shown by airlines as a 'distinct line item' on the air ticket sold.

The levy will not apply to passengers who are only travelling through Singapore.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a goal of net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050. Singapore said it is 'committed to working towards that goal and will do so in a practical manner.'

Not everyone flying will pick up the green levy; it only applies to passengers departing from Singapore to a different destination.

Travellers passing through Changi (or Seletar) are exempt  the tax is only applied to flights originating from Singapore.

The levy is also only implemented on your very next destination. For example, if you were flying to the States with a connecting flight in Hong Kong, you'd only be charged for the flight to Hong Kong.

It comes as Brits jetting off abroad could soon face an additional tax on their flight under the terms of the Labour government's new post-Brexit deal with the EU.

Sir Keir Starmer agreed a 'substantial package' of agreements with Brussels in May this year that includes a commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Pictured: Marina Bay area in Singapore, featuring the landmark Marina Bay Sands integrated resort and the Singapore Flyer observation wheel

This includes a promise to align with the European Union's emissions trading scheme (ETS) that will reduce trading friction but is set to force the PM to adopt an additional tax on long-haul flights.

Estimates reported by The Times suggested the levy could add an average of 21 to the price of a long-haul plane ticket.

That will come on top of a rise in air passenger duty announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last year: 106 on economy class long haul flights and 253 in business and first class.

Since 2012, the EU's ETS has required airlines to declare their carbon emissions for flights within the European Economic Area against a free allowance.

But rules agreed in 2023 have gradually seen the free allowances replaced with an auction scheme that sees airlines pay for their emissions; global flights outside Europe could also fall under the scheme by 2027.
The world's longest flight recently took its first journey, taking 29 hours and covering 12,400 miles.

And while it may seem like a nightmare to some, it has been celebrated as a landmark success for long-haul travellers who no longer need to take a connecting flight.

Launched on December 4, the China Eastern Airlines route sets off from Shanghai and lands in Buenos Aires.

The flight from China to Argentina takes more than 25 hours, with the return journey taking four hours longer.

While the path isn't direct - there's a two-hour breather in Auckland, New Zealand - its introduction is another indicator that ultra-long flights (defined as over 16 hours or more in one go) are set to become increasingly common.

On December 4, passengers on the China to Argentina flight were seated on the jumbo 316-seat Boeing 777-300ER  a plane which will run twice a week year-round.

The flight left Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 2am local time and arrived at Ezeiza International Airport ten minutes ahead of schedule at 4.45pm local time.

China Eastern Airlines previously described the flight as 'the world's first commercial route connecting antipodal cities'.

Launched on December 4, the China Eastern Airlines route sets off from Shanghai and lands in Buenos Aires. The flight from China to Argentina takes more than 25 hours, with the return journey taking four hours longer (stock image)

'The Shanghai Pudong-Auckland-Buenos Aires route is seen as an important measure to build a new "Air Silk Road" channel between Asia-Pacific and South America,' the airline added.

Previously, it was reported that ticket prices for the new route are between 1,130 to 1,670 ($1,525 to $2,254) for economy.

Business class is priced at around 3,700 ($4,994).

Before the new route, those wanting to travel between China and Argentina typically had to journey for more than 30 hours.

The trip would usually involve connecting flights and layovers.

More than 55,000 people born in China live in the South American country and comprise one of Argentinas fastest-growing communities, according to data from Simply Flying.

In a statement, China Eastern said: This new route fills the gap in direct flights between Shanghai and major South American cities.

It opens a southbound corridor connecting opposite ends of the Pacific and reshapes air travel between three continents.

Qantas' Project Sunrise launches in 2026, with new non-stop routes Sydney to London and Sydney to New York (Pictured: a cabin on board the airline's A350-1000 aircraft)

As aviation technology improves, aircraft are lighter and more fuel-efficient, and 2026 will see Australian airline Qantas unveil more ultra-long-haul services, including a 20-hour non-stop flight between London and Sydney.

Dubbed Project Sunrise, the name was inspired by WWII endurance flights, where those on board saw dawn more than once during one journey.

The bespoke version of the A350-1000 aircraft is set to be delivered in October 2026, with the first routes set to be Sydney to London and Sydney to New York, and the aircraft armed with additional fuel tanks to handle the roughly 10,500 miles between the two destinations.

The airline currently already has one of the world's longest direct flights, a 17-and-a-half-hour slog that connects London with Perth.
From time to time, it's instructive to ponder priorities if suddenly one became super-wealthy.

A flashy Aston Martin might suit some people; a 120,000 watch or piece of jewellery could do the trick for others. But for me, it would be to fly business class on all flights of more than five or six hours duration.

That's because, frankly, it's the difference between approaching a long-haul journey with a degree of excitement - or dreading it.

So, here I am on board a Cathay Pacific 777-300ER aircraft, loaded with 361 passengers, of which 45 of us are in business class and about to experience the airline's latest Aria Suites.

I'm bound for Perth, which means 12.5 hours to Hong Kong and then another seven hours to the Western Australian capital. A long, long-haul.

Selling business class flights is highly competitive. All airlines keep trying to reinvent this particular wheel, offering ever bigger TV screens (Cathay's are now 24 inches wide), more privacy (my Aria cabin comes with its own door), reliable wi-fi (no charge) and ever more impressive menus (I'm looking forward to the 'pan fried cod with supreme soy sauce, accompanied by Cordyceps flower, dried pear and pork shin soup').

Airlines are no different to hotels in that the level of service is what counts, just as much as the 'facilities.' And you need to feel you're in safe hands when cruising at 40,000ft.

Fly business with Cathay and you enter the plane via a separate door from those sitting in economy or premium economy. No queuing; no scramble to find space for your bag in the overhead lockers.

Mark Palmer enjoying business class on board a Cathay Pacific 777-300ER aircraft

I'm bound for Perth, which means 12.5 hours to Hong Kongand then another seven hours to the Western Australian capital. A long, long-haul

Fly business with Cathay and you enter the plane via a separate door from those sitting in economy or premium economy. No queuing; no scramble to find space for your bag in the overhead lockers

On boarding, I practically step into the cockpit, where the pilots are filling in forms. I pop my head through the door.

'I only have 50 minutes to transfer in Hong Kong  so give it full throttle, please,' I tell them, in jocular fashion.

'No problem, you'll be fine,' says one of them.

Then, flight manager Kerry, who comes from Hong Kong but lives in London, notices that I have a slight sniffle and brings me a hot lemon with honey.

'This might help,' he says.

It does. Just as soothing is the natural wool seat and suede walls of my cubicle. I like how the lighting can be made brighter or dimmer  and you don't need to operate the controls via one of those devices that look like telephones with a lead attached.

It's all done by touching either the big screen or a smaller one next to the seat. And you get a smart leather Bamford bag packed with various potions and lotions.

Whereas with BA you have to clamber over the legs of your next door neighbour (an annoyance that's due to be phased out), if you have a window seat on Cathay, the herringbone configuration means there are two seats in the middle and just one on each side.

I'm impressed by the storage, which includes a sliding drawer and an additional cabinet on the upper console, where the headphones live, along with a mirror on the inside of the door.

On boarding, I practically step into the cockpit, where the pilots are filling in forms

Then, flight manager Kerry, who comes from Hong Kong but lives in London, notices that I have a slight sniffle and brings me a hot lemon with honey

Perhaps the best feature is the wire-free charging. Simply place your device on the console table equipped with a built-in gadget and it fires up a phone or iPad.

Of course, what you're really paying for when flying to the likes of Australia is the chance to lie flat. In my Aria Suite, the bed is not only comfortable but the duvet is soft and sumptuous.

I had asked Kerry to wake me for breakfast, which he does, bringing another hot lemon with honey  and wondering if I am feeling better.

Much better, as it happens. But it's going to be a rude shock when I'm in steerage the next time I fly long-haul.
The UK's biggest airport has unveiled a huge overhaul of Terminal 4 as part of a 1.3billion investment next year.

London Heathrow plans to spend the whopping amount on improving various parts of the hub as part of its five-year investment programme, H7.

T4 will receive a major revamp, with construction planned to start next year in phases to ensure operations continue as normal.

It will include a brand new multi-storey car park as well as an upgraded check-in area, and the work is expected to be finished in 2031.

Terminal Two is also set to receive a new dedicated baggage system next year.

Some 31,000 bags per day will be handled by the new system, and will help improve efficiencies and service for passengers.

A new assistance area will also be built in the terminal, giving passengers direct access to security, and all assistance areas across Heathrow will be upgraded.

The investment will also cover the installation of cameras across the airport's stands that will use AI to speed up the processes between flights.

London Heathrow plans to spend 1.3 billion on improving various parts of the hub as part of its five-year investment programme, H7

T4 will receive a major revamp, with construction planned to start next year in phases to ensure operations continue as normal

The hub plans to have the technology put out across the airport by the end of next year.

A new Tailored Travel Guide will allow travellers who have access needs to put their details into the system, which is the furst of its kind for a UK airport.

They will then be given a personalised step-by-step guide to navigate the hub.

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: 'Passengers should expect that every time they travel through Heathrow their journey is better than the last.

'Last December, we said we'd invest in operational performance and this year we're the most punctual hub in Europe.

'Almost 99% of bags travelled on expected flights and 97% of security queue times were below 5 minutes, and in January, all passengers in all four terminals will benefit from going through new next generation security.

'I'm excited to unveil next year's programme which will make Heathrow more user-friendly, more efficient and more resilient for our customers.

'This investment will flow directly into our nationwide supply chain helping to drive economic growth whilst we make Heathrow even better and more efficient for our customers.'

The investment will also cover the installation of cameras across the airport's stands that will use AI to speed up the processes between flights

It comes as Heathrow Airport's third runway has been fast-tracked in the Government's 29billion makeover - meaning it could be unveiled sooner than expected.

Flights could take off from a new runway by 2035.

The new runway will open up at least 30 new daily routes and serve up to 150 million passengers, Heathrow said.

This could include dozens of routes to new destinations - including new direct flights to Peru, Indonesia, Argentina and the Philippines.
Over five million Brits are estimated to be jetting off abroad over Christmas and New Year, according to ABTA.

Meanwhile, a whopping 23 million trips are expected to be made in the final quarter of 2025.

With the surge of holidaymakers heading away on their festive breaks, one expert has warned against making a common vaping mistake.

Dan Marchant, Vape Club director, urged travellers to check the rules of the country they are visiting beforehand.

Some destinations have banned vaping completely, including Singapore and Thailand.

Dan says, 'As vaping grows in popularity globally, the laws surrounding it are constantly changing.

'It's crucial for vapers to check the local vaping laws of their destination before booking their trip to avoid potential fines, or even more severe consequences if vaping is banned in that country.'

Holidaymakers not following the local rules could be faced with fines, like in Cyprus where it is illagel to vape in public areas or in a private vehicle with a child.

With the surge of holidaymakers heading away on their festive breaks, one expert has warned against making a common vaping mistake

If caught breaking the regulations, travellers could receive a fine of up to 850 (744), according to Vape Club.

Meanwhile, vaping in Hungary in public spaces could lead to a whopping $980 (732) charge.

Dan adds, 'The illegal vape trade has grown in countries where vaping is under strict regulation and mirrors the issues once prevalent in the cigarette black market, including youth usage, potentially dangerous products, and unregulated retail sales.

'To avoid using illegal and potentially harmful products, it's advisable for travellers to bring their own vaping devices and supplies to countries that permit them in limited quantities for personal use.'

What's more, it is prohibited to vape on a plane in the UK and doing so could lead to a fine of up to 5,000 as well as a ban from the airline.

It's important to pack vapes in hand luggage, but don't make the mistake of using the device on board.

Dan says, 'For those travelling to vaping-friendly destinations by plane, remember to pack your batteries and vaping devices in your carry-on luggage.

'This ensures they remain in a pressure-controlled environment, as they're not allowed in checked baggage.'

It is prohibited to vape on a plane in the UK and doing so could lead to a fine of up to 5,000 as well as a ban from the airline

In recent months, a number of airlines have put strict rules in place that prohibit passengers from bringing power banks in checked luggage going into the hold.

This is due to the risk of lithium batteries overheating and causing fires in the cargo hold.

If damaged, lithium-ion batteries can create aggressive fires and release highly toxic fumes.

This is a process known as thermal runway.
A woman has shared her experience of 'creepy male staff' at Winter Wonderland after she claims the workers' behaviour turned inappropriate during a virtual reality ride.

On the subreddit r/london, a woman with the username u/pianopuppy shared a post with the title 'Creepy male staff at Winter Wonderland'.

She claimed that while visiting Hyde Park Winter Wonderland on December 15, she was 'grabbed' by a worker while wearing a virtual reality headset.

The woman was on the Dr Archibald ride at the fair with a female friend when she claims two male workers repeatedly touched the women's legs, shoulders and the back of their necks

Posting on Reddit, u/pianopuppy wrote: 'At the end of the ride, the two men working there tried to scare us by grabbing us but they touched us repeatedly on our legs, shoulders and back of neck.

'I was screaming, trying to pull their hands off me but they continued. Bear in mind, we couldnt see anything cause we had the headsets on.

'When I leaving, one of them grabbed me on both of my ankles to scare me. I find this inappropriate.

'Usually at horror events, actors are not allowed touch you. If it had been one quick grab and scare, it wouldnt bother me, but these men kept touching us and it creeped me out, especially them touching the back of my neck.

A woman has shared her experience of 'creepy male staff' at Winter Wonderland after she claims the workers' behaviour turned inappropriate during a virtual reality ride

The Dr Archibald virtual reality ride at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is pictured at night

'I complained to Winter Wonderland and received a very generic response where they apologised that it wasnt as you expected and that the staff acted that way as part of the horror experience.

'Anyone else have a similar experience?? Is it okay for staff to touch us like that?'

In the thread, the user shared a screengrab of Winter Wonderland's response to the complaint.

It reads: 'I am very sorry to hear about your experience at Winter Wonderland and in particular the Dr Archibald ride.

'I am sorry to hear that your visit to Winter Wonderland did not meet your expectations.

'Our aim is to ensure that all customers have the most enjoyable visit possible when on site at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and I am disappointed to hear that you did not feel this way on the day of your visit.

'The horror VR setting is used on the ride from 5pm, so the staff may have acted in this way as part of the horror experience. I apologise if this was not as you had expected.

'Please be assured your comments and feedback have been passed on to the relevant team and ride operators and managers for their awareness.'

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland attracts around 2.5 to 3million visitors annually

According to the Winter Wonderland website, the Dr Archibald virtual reality ride is 9 for a standard ticket and 12 for a fast-track pass.

It is accessible to anyone aged 10 and over and after 5pm, there is a horror element to the ride.

The website reads: 'Dr. Archibald has had an after-dark revamp perfect for the daredevils amongst you.

'From 5pm this one-of-a-kind VR-supported ride plunges you into its horror edition, packed with intense effects, zombies, man-eating plants and terrifyingly close spiders.'

The Reddit post has promoted discussion in the comments.

One user wrote: 'That is appalling and their reply only makes it worse.'

Another added: '100% scare actors are never supposed to touch you. Fat no.'

A third wrote: 'Most horror attractions have strict rules about contact for this exact reason.

The Reddit post has promoted discussion in the comments with some users labelling the workers' behaviour 'unacceptable'

'Id escalate the complaint; that generic response feels like them trying to brush it under the rug.'

Another added: 'Me and a friend (both women) were also on that ride last week and we personally found it quite funny, it definitely added to the horror element for us.

'That said, I can understand why it would feel uncomfortable for others, especially if it went on longer than expected.'

A spokesperson for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland told the Daily Mail: 'We are very sorry to hear about this experience.

'The behaviour described is not acceptable and is not part of the intended experience at Winter Wonderland.

'The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest priority, and we operate a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment.

'The matter has been reviewed by our management team and escalated internally for action.

'We have been in direct contact with the guests involved and have offered a refund as a gesture of goodwill.'

Winter Wonderland has faced scrutiny for being 'overcrowded' and 'overpriced'. The event runs for six weeks from mid-November to early January each year

It comes after multiple fights have broken out in recent weeks at the Hyde Park attraction.

Last week, footage emerged of a woman being punched to the ground amid a mass brawl.

Winter Wonderland has been criticised as overcrowded and overpriced, and was last week named Europe's most complained-about festive attraction.

Defenders of the annual gathering will point out that it generates an estimated 100million for the London economy, while raising vital funds for the city's Royal Parks.

But for critics, it has become a real-life Nightmare Before Christmas, with some calling for it to be stopped.
The world's best food destinations for 2026 have been named - and top of the list is a US state.

Boston, Massachusetts, tops the ranking thanks to its appeal for foodies worldwide.

The list, part of Conde Nast Traveller's Best Places to Go guide, highlights destinations that are so renowned for their food, you might even want to plan an entire trip with the aim of testing out the culinary delicacies on offer.

It includes European hotspots such as Crete in Greece, as well as cities in Colombia and Nepal.

While some places on the list are well-known foodie hubs, others are up-and-coming destinations worth visiting.

Here are the top 10 best food destinations for 2026...

Boston, USA

Lobster is a classic delicacy to test out when you're visiting Boston

The appeal of this US city is its 'global flavours, waterfront dining, and more neighbourhood action than ever,' according to Conde Nast Traveller.

It's famous for its fresh seafood - especially lobster rolls and clam chowder.

But over the years, it has also expanded its repertoire, becoming a veritable foodie hub with a fabulous local restaurant scene and an atmosphere of innovation.

Crete, Greece

Cretan food is made of healthy ingredients, often home-grown by locals

Greek food is hardly a well-kept secret - indeed, such delicacies as gyros and feta are loved around the world.

But Crete is best of all, with such offerings as sfakianopita (oney-drizzled pie with cheese), bougatsa (a traditional sweet or savoury pie), smoked pork loin and delicious potatoes and tomatoes.

The island boasts fantastic restaurants serving classic Greek cuisine at its finest.

Fes, Morocco

Moroccan breakfast in a luxurious riad in the old city of Fes

Moroccan food is often one of the key reasons people visit the country - and upon arrival, it's easy to see why.

Fes is perhaps best of all - hailed for its 'immersive culinary experiences, ancient markets, and a splashy opening from Alain Ducasse' by Conde Nast Traveller.

With delicious tagines and couscous, Moroccan bread and, of course, mint tea to accompany it all, this bustling market city makes the list.

Hong Kong

Chinese dim sum being served in a restaurant located in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a hub of food innovation, blending traditional cuisine with the modern.

There is a real blend of international food traditions here, including Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese and even French.

Plus, there are loads of cocktail bars in the city, promising delicious beverages served in style.

Medellin, Colombia

Traditional Colombian dish Bandeja Paisa with fried egg, beans, rice, chorizo, and pork rind

Medellin's food scene is a representation of hearty Colombian cuisine.

Bandeja Paisa, a massive platter with meats, beans, rice, egg, and avocado, is the crown jewel.

There are plenty of other staples to try out in this city, such as arepas (corn cakes) with cheese, crispy chicharron (pork belly), rich Mondongo soup, and sweet empanadas.

Minas Gerais, Brazil

Pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bun) in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Brazilian food is at its best in Minas Gerais - based around pork, beans, corn and local cheeses.

Key dishes include Pao de Queijo (cheese bread), Tutu de Feijao (bean puree with cassava flour), Frango com Quiabo (chicken with okra), Feijao Tropeiro (beans with sausage, eggs, greens), and flavorful cheeses.

Plus, Minas Geraiss artisanal cheese production has even been recognised by UNESCO.

Parramatta, Sydney, Australia

The Farmers Market at Centenary Square, in Parramatta

The trendy city of Parramatta, in Greater Sydney, is a hub of food and shopping.

It houses a real mix of flavours inspired by multicultural cuisine.

For example, there are lots of Lebanese restaurants present, as well as Chinese and Japanese food.

Patan, Nepal

Traditional street markets offer fresh produce in Patan Durbar Square

Patan, Nepal, offers rich Newari cuisine, famous for dishes such as Chatamari (rice crepe 'pizza'), Yomari (sweet rice dumplings), and flavorful momos (dumplings).

The hub of food culture here is on the vibrant streets and traditional restaurants around Patan Durbar Square.

With 'knock-your-socks-off cocktails, tasteful takes on native ingredients, and lessons on Nepals tea terroir', Conde Nast Traveller highly recommends this spot.

Prince Edward County, Canada

Prince Edward County, Canada, is known for both its beauty and its food scene

Prince Edward County in Canada is a picturesque region with stunning landscapes, vineyards, and quaint villages.

It's also home to many fantastic restaurants, with the emphasis on homegrown produce.

Don't forget the wine, here, either - there are many vineyards in the region known for their handcrafted bottles.

Seville, Spain

Spanish salami and olives sold at a market in Seville

10 best places to eat in 2026 Boston, USA

Crete, Greece

Fes, Morocco

Hong Kong

Medellin, Colombia

Minas Gerais, Brazil

Parramatta, Sydney, Australia

Patan, Nepal

Prince Edward County, Canada

Seville, Spain Advertisement

Spanish food is a classic for a reason - and Seville is one of the best cities in the country for its gastronomy.

The emphasis in Seville is on tapas culture, with traditional dishes such as Espinacas con Garbanzos (spinach & chickpeas) and marinated fried fish (Cazon en Adobo).

There's also slow-cooked pork cheeks (Carrillada) and rich Iberico ham.

As for dessert, hot chocolate with churros are the best the region has to offer.
From powerful hurricanes to prolonged heatwaves and devastating wildfires, climate change is placing billions of people at risk of displacement or harm - with many regions struggling to cope with such extremes.

Spain has become one of the latest countries to feel the full force of a warming planet.

This summer, parts of the country recorded temperatures as high as 46C, with southern regions experiencing the most intense heat, while central areas near Madrid were hit by wildfires in August.

In response, the government has announced plans to build new 'climate shelters' across the country to help protect people during extreme heat.

Speaking at a climate change conference in Madrid this week, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez outlined plans for the climate shelters.

He described them as public spaces where anyone can go to cool down during what he called 'devastating droughts and heatwaves.'

Sanchez said that summer temperatures above 40C are 'now the new normal' and promised continued government support to help people adapt.

The shelters will be air-conditioned and provide free drinking water, along with seating areas for people to rest.

Spain has become one of the latest countries to feel the full force of a warming planet, with parts of the country recording temperatures as high as 46C

Some regional governments, including Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, have already started setting up similar shelters, and they have been well received by the public.

The new shelters will be rolled out nationwide, with priority given to areas where extreme heat has the greatest impact on residents.

In the meantime, regions that already have shelters or experience less severe heat may have to wait, as the government focuses resources where they are most urgently needed.

The government aims to have many of these shelters open before the summer of 2026.

At the same conference, Sanchez also announced new flood prevention plans following heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Spain this year. He also pledged an extra 20 million to help prevent wildfires.

Closing the conference, Sanchez urged political opponents to support his proposals, calling them 'a shield for Spain' as the country prepares for a hotter and more unpredictable future.

Meanwhile, Spain has introduced a new ban that could see holidaymakers fined over 1,500.

Enjoying a cigarette on a bar or restaurant terrace is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike in the European destination.

Now, the Spanish government has introduced plans to build new 'climate shelters' across the country to help protect people during extreme heat

However, the Spanish government has recently approved a new law that prohibits the act, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

The ban means smoke-free areas in the country will be expanded to include playgrounds, university campuses, bus stops, stations and public swimming pools.

The rule hasn't formally become law yet and it isn't known when it will be officially enforced.

Indoor smoking has been banned in Spain since 2011, and similar regulations to the proposed law were introduced in France on July 1.
An underrated seaside town has finally got a new, direct train to London for the first time.

Nestled between Sunderland and Hartlepool on the Durham coast in the North East, Seaham boasts sandy beaches, clifftop views and a harbour.

Previously, to access the capital from the peaceful town, locals would have to change services and face a train journey of up to four hours.

But now, Grand Central has launched four new services that can take passengers directly from Seaham to London in around three hours and 30 minutes.

The first trip set off on December 15 at 10.41am alongside a celebration event at the train station. It has been approved to run for a year.

Local MP Grahame Morris and other local councillors and businesses were in attendance to greet the new route that hopes to boost to the town's regional connectivity.

Tickets start at 30.50 for an advanced single, and the service is available daily.

Chris Brandon, Director at Grand Central, descirbed the new route as a 'milestone' for the local area.

Nestled between Sunderland and Hartlepool on the Durham coast in the North East, Seaham boasts sandy beaches, clifftop views and a harbour

Grand Central has launched four new services that can take passengers directly from Seaham to London in around three hours and 30 minutes

He said: 'Today is a milestone not just for Grand Central, but for Seaham. For the first time in history, residents here have a direct, reliable connection to London - a connection that reflects the town's growing ambition and needs.

'This launch reflects our mission to continue investing in the North East: through our 300 million order of new trains, and through seeking increased track access rights, which will allow us to provide more services in the region for years to come.

'Our focus remains on delivering the essential services that communities need, at no cost to the taxpayer, while supporting regional economic growth.'

While local MP Grahame Morris, who rode the first service to London on his way to Parliament, described how the route would be 'invaluable'.

He added: 'This service will be invaluable for my constituents, whether travelling for work or leisure, providing direct connections to both York and London.

'The East Durham Coastline has been underused for decades, and I'm delighted that Grand Central has recognised the enormous potential of this route and worked hard to make it a reality.

'This is a major step forward for our constituency's connectivity and local economy, opening up new opportunities for jobs, tourism, and investment.

'I will continue to work closely with Grand Central to ensure these services continue well beyond the initial one-year approval period.'

The first trip set off on December 15 at 10.41am alongside a celebration event at the train station

Elsewhere, Glasgow is expected to get driverless trains on its subway system in 2026.

The renovations have continued and now, the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has announced Unattended Train Operation will be introduced to Glasgow.

The modernisation project is in its 'final stages,' Time Out reports, and the driverless subway trains are expected to be brought in next year.

It's excepted the new transport will be in action towards the last half of 2026, but will be gradually introduced and has been described as 'the most complex phase of delivery'.
A man who has travelled to every country in the world has revealed the dirtiest location he has ever been to.

Drew Binsky, who shares tales of his travels online, shared a video with his thoughts on grubby travel destinations.

Posting the clip to YouTube, Drew revealed the dirtiest city he's ever visited: Port-au-Prince in Haiti.

He says, driving through a region of the city: 'We're about to enter Cite Soleil, the most dangerous slum on earth.'

One of his companions shares that the area they are passing through is entirely controlled by gangs.

He passes through dirty streets and piles of rubbish.

Drew's companion says: 'It's getting worse and worse. They never actually remove the garbage.'

Aside from Haiti's capital, Drew ranks three other cities as among the dirtiest in the world.

Drew Binsky posts videos of his travels online, sharing his experiences

Port-au-Prince in Haiti is, in Drew's opinion, the dirtiest place he's ever visited

He says: 'These are the four dirtiest places I've visited.

'Tondo, the Philippines. The first thing I see is water with trash in it.'

He walks through a community of 200 families living under a bridge, in an area completely filled with rubbish.

The next destination Drew ranks as filthy is Manshiyat Naser in Egypt - calling it a city 'built entirely on garbage.'

Drew adds that just a short drive from the pyramids in Cairo, there's a town where 14,000 tons of rubbish are dumped each day.

He says: 'If you could only smell this right now.'

People collect rubbish in Cairo and bring it to this city to sort - and hopefully find items such as watches to then sell.

The next spot is Stolipinovo in Bulgaria.

Manshiyat Naser is a city filled with garbage near Cairo in Egypt

Stolipinovo is a district of the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv filled with rubbish

Drew says: 'I just made it to a slum in Bulgaria more than 70,000 gypsies call home. The hardest part for me being here in Stolipinovo is the trash.

'It is really, really bad. I've never been to a place like this within Europe. This is insane.'

Viewers were understandably shocked, with one posting in the comments: 'The diseases that must come from the garbage is unfathomable.'

Another added: 'This is so sad. How I wish everyone on earth could live in a safe and clean environment.'
A British couple who ditched the UK to travel the world with their fouryearold son say they spend just 8 on eating three meals out a day.

Tash, 32, and Rob Swain, 37, sold their semi-detached three-bed home in Lincolnshire in August 2025 for 260,000 after deciding to leave due to the cost of living in the UK.

They left for Bali with their son, Travis, in September and have also visited Penang, Malaysia, so far.

The family say on average they spend just 56 a week to eat out every day  compared to the 150 a week they were paying in the UK to cook family dinners.

And sometimes they pay as little as 15 a day for food and accommodation.

They aim to head to Thailand next and have no plans to come back to the UK.

Rob, who owns an online t-shirt business, said: 'We eat out three times a day and it's still cheaper than cooking at home in the UK.

'Taxis arrive within minutes; there's always food nearby and even a Domino's across the road. It's honestly been easier than the UK.

British couple Rob Swain and Tash, who ditched the UK for a new life abroad, are pictured with their son, Travis, in Singapore

The family, pictured in Penang, Malaysia, say on average they spend just 56 a week to eat out every day

'In the UK, nursery is so expensive and so is food. Here, beaches and pools are free, and we have a community of other English people who have moved here.

'Everywhere has its beauty and charm, but England is so expensive. Even Starbucks is a third of the price down here.'

Rob and Tash met in Billabong, New Zealand, in 2017.

They had dreamt of travelling abroad once more, but struggled to fit this in because of constant money stress and the arrival of their little boy.

But in March 2024, they decided to make it a reality, due to the rising prices in the UK, including the cost of nursery.

The couple's 15 hours of daycare each month used to cost them a total of 160 monthly.

Rob took over the business more, and they decided to content create abroad about their new life.

Despite friends thinking they were 'mad,' the couple trusted their instincts, believing that if it didn't work, they could always come home.

The couple said rising prices in the UK, including the cost of nursery, drove their decision to move abroad with their son

The couple left for Bali in September and have also visited Penang, Malaysia

Rob said, 'We had "Bali" written on a chalk wall in our hallway for four years.

'We really believe in speaking things into existence, and Covid made it possible financially.

'I sell tshirts online, and I remember thinking, we can do this anywhere because my whole company is online. Why are we rushing back for school pickups when we don't have to?

'We found it crazy that we literally could be living on the beach for less money, giving our child an education more based on the world, and living in a luxury place to ourselves.

'Life felt stagnant and expensive  so I am glad we took the jump.'

After putting their belongings in storage and leaving the UK, the family spent a month in Sanur, Bali, which Rob describes as incredibly familyfriendly, before settling near the beach for three months due to visa rules.

Rob said: 'We're ten minutes from the beach and surrounded by nature.

'Trav loves it; one minute he's playing in the sand, the next there are monkeys in the trees.

Tash, Travis and Rob are pictured at the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The family - pictured in George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia - is now looking towards Thailand and islandhopping

'It feels like we've been gone a while, but also like it's flown by. It already feels like home, and I think that's because of who you're with.'

They've also spent time in Penang, Malaysia and are now looking towards Thailand and islandhopping.

He said: 'We don't think too far ahead, really. Sri Lanka's been mentioned, so that might be next, as we can work remotely anywhere.'

And the costs are much cheaper than in the UK. Rob said accommodation ranges from 30 to 100 for a week with a swimming pool and breakfast included.

Travis is learning to swim, trying new foods and gaining what Rob calls a 'worldly education'.

He said: 'He struggled with swimming lessons back home, but out here it just clicked, and now we couldn't get him to stop if we tried  he loves it.'

Rob recalls one surreal moment when he was out for a drink and a family of monkeys appeared.

'The monkeys literally stood up as I saw them, it's chaos but it's amazing.'

Travis is learning to swim, trying new foods and gaining what Rob calls a 'worldly education'

Rob says selling the house and leaving the UK was the best decision they've ever made

Price comparison Daily Starbucks UK: 7.20 Bali: 2.70 Food UK: 150 a week Bali: 56 per week (eating out three meals a day) Accommodation: UK: 2,00 per month (mortgage and utilities) Bali: 30 to 100 per week Advertisement

The couple still work around their travels, running a digital business and documenting family life online.

Rob said: 'I want to show people you don't have to stay at home; you can build a life from your laptop.'

Looking back, Rob says selling the house and leaving the UK was the best decision they've ever made.

He said: 'Worst case, we come home, but right now, we're exactly where we're meant to be.'
Virgin Trains will be linking passengers from London to various European tourist spots across the Channel - but what will the trains be like?

Back in October, the company was approved to use the spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London.

This meant Eurostar would no longer be holding the monopoly it has for the past 31 years.

Virgin plans to begin journeys with a fleet of 12 trains from London St. Pancras to Europe in 2030.

The company confirmed it had chosen Alstom's Avelia Stream for the new cross-channel fleet and described it as 'a state-of-the-art train'.

The new vehicle is set to build 'on the proven design of the Pendolino, with improved speed, passenger comfort and energy consumption'.

It is expected the trains will be painted in Virgin's classic red and white colours.

A source told the Daily Mail how the new vehicles 'will ooze Virgins enviable style', 'be fun and will most definitely being back the joy of the journey from the moment people step on board'.

An artist's depiction of what Virgin's new trains could look like on its cross-Channel routes launching in 2030

They added: 'As with all of our travel companies, it shouldnt be simply getting from A to B but creating a travel experience that people genuinely look forward to.'

The insider pointed to the company's flight services to show how Virgin has experience in 'shaking up industries for the better'.

Virgin founder Richard Branson has described how the popular 'Virgin magic' will also make it onto the routes.

Insiders told The Times how 'fun' will be brought on board the trains and play a big part in their make-up, with onboard bars reportedly being a possibility.

And back in October, Richard wrote: 'Its time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.'

Andrew DeLeone, Alstom Europe Region President expressed how 'thrilled' he was over the partnership.

He commented: 'Virgin and Alstom have a history of driving innovation and change in the rail industry, and delivering for passengers. We are thrilled to partner with Virgin once again for this exciting new venture.

'This collaboration not only strengthens our longstanding relationship but also reinforces our shared commitment to sustainability, customer experience and technological excellence.'

A source revealed the new journeys won't be 'just getting from A to B  it's about starting your holiday from the moment you board'

With the new trains, Virgin plans to initially transport holidaymakers from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal.

The company also has ambitions to expand further across France, and into Germany and Switzerland.

There will be plenty of options for the journey times too.

Paris will have 13 services a day, Brussels is set to have four and three will head to Amsterdam, according to The Times, totalling to 20.

Eurostar stopped its direct route to Disneyland Paris back in 2023.

Instead, passengers now have to take a train to Lille or Paris and hop on another service to Marne-la-Vallee Chessy.

But Richard has revealed he hopes to run a direct service from London to the popular destination with Virgin.

He also wants to launch a direct route from the UK capital to Charles de Gaulle airport.

When the approval for space at Temple Mills was granted, Richard praised the decision and pledged to 'shake-up the cross-Channel route'

When the approval for space at Temple Mills was granted, Richard praised the decision and pledged to 'shake-up the cross-Channel route'.

The billionaire entrepreneur said: 'The ORR's decision is the right one for consumers  it's time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.

'Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we're ready to do it again.

'We're going to shake-up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.'
Each year, millions of travellers visit Iceland in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Many tourists view the Aurora Borealis as a 'must-see' event while staying in the Arctic - and plenty are willing to pay hundreds of pounds to experience it.

The lights usually appear between 10pm and 2am and can be spotted from September to early April.

The best time to see the natural phenomenon is between November and January due to the nights being longer and darker.

It comes as next year is being tipped as the best year to enjoy the Northern Lights in more than a decade, as the sun's 11-year activity cycle peaks.

Tour operators have cashed in on this, with some companies offering 'guaranteed' sightings, often with money-back promises,

These can cost upwards of 49 for a basic evening excursion, reaching into the thousands for high-end, tailor-made experiences.

But one holidaymaker has revealed an unusual tip for seeing the Northern Lights without paying for an expensive tour.

Each year, millions of travellers visit Iceland in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The lights are pictured over Basalt stack Hvitserkur on the Vatnsnes peninsula, Iceland

Many tourists view the Aurora Borealis as a 'must-see' event while staying in the Arctic - and plenty are willing to pay hundreds of pounds to experience it. Reykjavik is pictured

TikTok user Jamiel (@jami_el0) shared a video with the caption: 'And suddenly you get the idea to follow that tour bus in Iceland and hope it brings you to see the Northern Lights.'

The video shows a couple driving behind a white van before pulling up and seeing the light display.

The post, which has been viewed more than 1.3million times, has prompted discussion in the comments, including stories from other people who have tagged onto tours without paying.

One user wrote: 'In museums, I casually follow tour groups around and tune in when I am interested to know more about the item I'm seeing in front of me.'

Another wrote: 'Smart. We followed a walking tour in Costa Rica in the jungle (from 50 feet away) and just looked where they were all looking and saw insane animals!!'

'Omg I havent been using my free will properly,' and 'honestly thats a genius idea,' wrote others.

There are multiple apps which allow tourists to track the best times to see the Northern Lights, including Hello Aurora, My Aurora Forecast and Glendale, but their accuracy depends heavily on clear skies.

It comes as British meteorologist John Griffiths has shared his top tips for viewing the natural phenomenon.

Next year is being tipped as the best year to enjoy the Northern Lights in more than a decade as the latest 11-year activity cycle peaks. Kirkjufell mountain in Iceland is pictured

Location matters, says John, with the aurora 'much clearer' in dark sky spots such as forests, where there's much less light pollution - but, he adds, you can still see them in busier areas.

'Where there are clearer skies and less light, you will see it, but there's nothing stopping you from seeing it in the city if it's particularly strong.'

Top spots to see the Northern Lights in Iceland include Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the Snfellsnes Peninsula, Thingvellir National Park, the Westfjords and North Iceland.

The meteorologist says that 'it's absolutely possible to do it on your own', with the help of apps and a bit of research.

It's worth bearing in mind you're likely to have to stay awake for hours in the darkness to not miss them, whereas a guide will do all the legwork for you.

John adds that he'd urge everyone to try and see the impressive skyscape at least once, saying: 'It is beautiful. There's something about it which is a bit magical.'
Amadeus has divided critics, with the sex-filled period drama - which features a dominatrix and a romp deemed 'too real for TV' - branded a 'pale imitation' of the film it's based on by some.

The historical drama, written by Joe Barton and directed by Julian Farino and Alice Seabright, landed on Sky Atlantic on December 21.

The six-part drama follows the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who is 25 at the time, travel to Vienna, in Austria, and how he meets his to-be wife Constanze Mozart.

Sky's synopsis reads: 'When twenty-five-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th Century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri.

'As Amadeus brilliance continues to flourish in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation and scepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by this apparent divine gift.

'Amadeus is a threat to all that he holds dear in life: his talent, his reputation, even his faith in God, Salieri vows to bring him down.

Amadeus has divided critics as the sex-filled period drama featuring dominatrix and a romp that was 'too real for TV' is branded a 'pale imitation' of the film it's based on

The six-part drama follows the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who is 25 at the time, travel to Vienna, in Austria, and how he meets his to-be wife Constanze Mozart

The historical drama, based on Peter Shaffer's novel of the same name, landed on Sky Atlantic on December 21

'What begins as professional rivalry turns into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, culminating in a murder confession and a desperate attempt to entwine himself with Mozarts legacy forever.'

It stars Will Sharpe as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Paul Bettany as Antonio Salieri, Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Mozart, Rory Kinnear as Emperor Joseph, Lucy Cohu as Cecilia Weber, Jonathan Aris as Leopold Mozart and Enyi Okoronkwo as Lorenzo Da Ponte.

While some have loved it, the new series has come under fire because of how raunchy it is.

A sex scene was cut - which could hint that there may have been even raunchier scenes, and from what it sounds like, it makes Bridgerton look tame.

Actor Enyi confessed: 'The one thing that popped to mind is, I did my first, kind of, sex scene...

'But it got cut! I'm not sure if that's something to be proud of, I don't know what I did! Maybe it was too real.'

Let's take a look at what some of the critics have said...

Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens writes: 'The formula for Amadeus, airing nightly till Christmas, is simple: take the multiple Oscar-winning 1984 movie of the same name as a template and turn every dial up to 11. This version is louder, cruder, gorier, angrier, flashier and raunchier.

Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens writes: 'The formula for Amadeus, airing nightly till Christmas, is simple: take the multiple Oscar-winning 1984 movie of the same name as a template and turn every dial up to 11. This version is louder, cruder, gorier, angrier, flashier and raunchier...'

'But that doesnt necessarily make it better. Its most vulgar moments seem an outright desecration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts sublime music.

'Our first glimpse of the composer comes as he staggers out of a carriage and vomits in front of his landlady and her daughters.

'Later, we see his arch-rival Antonio Salieri (played by Paul Bettany), alone at his harpsichord, pleasuring himself.

'And then theres the scene in which Mozart does something unmentionable with a strawberry. Put it this way: any food hygiene inspector is going to be appalled.'

The Guardian's Lucy Mangan's headline states: 'This Mozart series is a pale, petty version of the movie its based on.'

She adds: 'Shaffers driving interests in the corrupting power of envy, the survival of religious faith under duress, the mystery of talent and what we expect to come from genius are mostly reduced to pale, petty versions of themselves.

'The performances  well, well come to those.

'The main narrative is told as a confession by an aged Salieri (Paul Bettany) to Mozarts widow, Constanze, instead of the film and plays priest. He is clearing his conscience, not endangering his soul. It is an early, telling, lowering of the stakes.'

Sky's synopsis reads: 'When twenty-five-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th Century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri'

Tech Radar's Jasmine Valentine writes: 'Amadeus goes far beyond a musical education for the uninitiated, delving further into the supposed rivalry between composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri than previous accounts, including Milos Forman's 1984 film.

'Summing this rivalry up in one word would be easy: unhinged. The pair go far beyond the stereotypical boundaries of 'frenemies,' leaving their desperate acts of reconciliation until it's too late. I would never have paired Will Sharpe (Mozart) and Paul Bettany (Salieri) up to portray this, but their chemistry is undeniable.'

The Telegraph's Jasper Ree writes: 'But there are changes. Mozarts potty mouth is way less scatological than in the play or his letters, perhaps because Gen Z might chorus, Ew! and stream something less repulsive instead.

'If theres less s---, theres more sex. Mozart soon feeds an intimately flavoured strawberry to a soprano, before depositing a slick dribble of evidence on the furnishings.

'He recommends Salieri also seek inspiration in copulation. The old God-fearing creep tries self-abuse, then later a face-slapping dominatrix. The greatest torture she can inflict is to hum a bouncy new tune shes heard in the taverns.

'The dramas presiding genius is Joe Barton, who has previously traded in crime (Giri/Haji) and twisty thrillers (The Lazarus Project).

'Something of their generic DNA lingers as Salieris deathbed confession is fashioned into a theological whodunnit.'

Irish Independent's Pat Stacey adds: 'Its difficult to imagine this new Amadeus captivating anyone. Its a solid drama with solid performances by Will Sharpe as Mozart and Paul Bettany as Salieri, but nothing more than that.

'Those who havent seen the original will undoubtedly enjoy it more than those who have. But its unlikely to stick in anyones memory for four weeks, let alone four decades.

'The fictionalised plot remains intact. In 18th-century Vienna, Salieri is a middling talent who composes dull, safe, facile music that entertains the idle rich. Nonetheless, hes failed upwards and become court composer to the Austrian emperor, Joseph II (Rory Kinnear), who has no ear for music.

'Its Salieris mediocrity and obsequiousness to the Emperor that keeps him gainfully employed and, crucially, in an important position. He has the power to make or break other composers.'
EastEnders legend Pam St Clement has revealed what it was like to return to the soap, despite her character being killed off more than a decade ago.

The actress, 83, who played Pat Butcher for over 25 years, will be reprising her role for a special Christmas episode this week.

In scenes that will air on Tuesday 23 December, the iconic character makes a special cameo alongside her stepson Barry Evans, played by Shaun Williamson, who was murdered on-screen in 2004.

They appear in dream-like scenes from Nigel Bates' imagination, as he continues to struggle with dementia and becomes increasingly confused.

Pat left Walford on New Year's Day 2012, when she died from pancreatic cancer, but was last seen on screen in 2016 when she was hallucinated by her dying best friend Peggy Mitchell.

St Clement said she felt very spoilt to be invited back on the show by executive producer Ben Wadey, but confessed: I think I was a bit bewildered, and a bit bowled over.

EastEnders legend Pam St Clement has revealed what it was like to return to the soap, despite her character being killed off over a decade ago

The actress, 83, who played Pat Butcher for over 25 years, will be reprising her role for a special Christmas episode this week (pictured 2007)

Asked what it was like to step back into the character and her iconic costume, the actress said: Coming back to jump into those clothes and make-up again was strangely difficult.

'I thought it was going to be much easier, but I think Ive probably been through the point in my life, having played her, where I had divested myself of her.

Her accoutrement, her clothes, her make-up and everything else, and I thought I had, but the strange thing is that the public dont because its so fresh.

Thats probably because there are a lot of repeats that go on, on television, like EastEnders classics and things like that.

She said she has been left shocked by the amount of young people that come up to her when she is out and about and recognise her.

There are youngsters that come up, and you think thank you very much but how do you know me? Youre too young!, she explained.

Oh no, we watch it on the television and indeed they do, and its nice to have that following.

St Clement also revealed that there was one particular item of Pats wardrobe which was key to getting into character.

I have to say, to get into Pats character, is obviously much harder today when weve been filming, but I would say that the key to the whole ensemble must be the earrings, she said.

Earlier this year, Nigel, portrayed by actor Paul Bradley, 70, revealed that he was suffering from dementia as he opened up to Yolande Trueman, portrayed by Angela Wynter.

She continued: 'It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home' (pictured 1998)

And as his memories and altered reality take him back to the 1990s, Pat will return to The Queen Vic to help Nigel when his dementia symptoms intensify following an emotional evening at his festive film screening.

The special episode will transmit in December, and EastEnders has been working closely with Dementia UK on Nigel's storyline since its inception.

Speaking on her return to EastEnders, Pam said: 'I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again and to be involved in Nigel's touching dementia storyline.

'It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home.'

Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, added: 'Its an honour and a privilege to welcome Pam St Clement back to EastEnders for a special episode in Nigel's ongoing dementia storyline.

He continued: 'Pat Evans is one of the most cherished and iconic characters to have graced the streets of Walford, and I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I say what a delight it was to see Pat and Pam back in The Queen Vic as she helps Nigel in his time of need.'

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Michala Banas has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late father John on what would have been his birthday, one month after his tragic death.

The McLeod's Daughters star, 47, shared a precious gallery of photos to social media on Monday which captured her and her late father spending quality time together.

One sweet photo showed the pair beaming brightly at the camera and another captured John having fun at a local bar with a drink in his hand.

She captioned the pictures with some bittersweet words: 'Happy birthday Dad. I desperately wish you were here.

'But, I bought you some sunflowers and will toast you with a glass of wine tonight. Miss you and love you beyond words.'

Many of Michala's celebrity friends took to the comments section to offer their words of support.

Michala Banas has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late father John on what would have been his birthday, one month after his tragic death. Pictured together

'Happy Birthday John. Sending biggest love to you Micha,' wrote Australian actress Bridie Carter.

Meanwhile, reality TV star Shaynna Blaze shared a praying emoji.

Last month, Michala took to social media to announce the death of her father, UK-born writer John Banas.

In the emotional post, the actress shared images of John, and said he died 'suddenly', but did not reveal the cause of death.

Beginning his 40-year career as a writer, director, and actor in NZ, John relocated to Australia and went on to create Seven's long-running crime series City Homicide.

Sharing the sad family news on her Instagram, Michala included a moving tribute to her father.

'Yesterday, my Dad John died suddenly,' she began.

'I am utterly heartbroken and in complete shock. And even though I'm a grown woman, the kid in me wants the world to stop and know how amazing he was.

The McLeod's Daughters star shared a precious gallery of photos to social media on Monday which captured her and her late father spending quality time together

One sweet photo captured the pair beaming brightly at the camera and another showed John having fun at a local bar with a drink in his hand

'Did I say he was amazing? You need to know that. All of you. Love you beyond words Dad.'

Michala included several black-and-white throwback photos of John from his days as a stage actor in Wellington four decades ago.

The NZ On Screen website shared an obituary of John, whose writing credits include the Australian TV series Blue Heelers, Water Rats, All Saints and Stingers.

Born in Nottingham in the UK, John was raised in NZ.

Beginning his career on stage in Wellington in the 1960s, John began performing in theatre revues with famed Kiwi comedy superstar John Clarke. He also wrote drama for radio.

The pair later starred in New Zealand's first-ever sitcom, Buck House, which ran for two seasons between 1974 and 1975.

In the 1980s, he turned to writing and worked on NZ dramas like The Immigrants, Mortimer's Pitch and In Their Hands and went on to pen more than 200 hours of TV.

Late in the decade, John was one of the creative forces behind Network Ten's long-running soap E Street (1989-1993).

He also worked as a director, including the children's series Mirror, Mirror, which starred his daughter Michala.

Michala, who was born in Wellington, is best known to Aussie audiences for playing the lead role in Seven's Always Greener (2001-2003) and in 2004, she joined the cast of Nine's soap McLeod's Daughters (2001-2009).
If there's any snub more serious in today's social media-dominated world than unfollowing someone on an app such as Instagram, it's blocking them.

And over the weekend, the increasingly bitter Beckham family feud offered us both variants.

First came the allegation that David and Victoria had stopped following their oldest son Brooklyn on Instagram, the social networking platform that boasts more than three billion active users.

This provoked a furious reaction from Posh and Becks' youngest son Cruz, 20. He wrote on Instagram: 'My mum and dad would never unfollow their son [as reports had suggested]. They woke up blocked. As did I.'

Why on earth would Brooklyn, a sensitive and emotional lad, do such a thing? And at Christmas of all times? Nothing could be more calculated to gravely upset his parents.

To understand the answers, we need to put the latest spat into context.

The Beckham clan, without son Brooklyn, in Florida earlier this month

As the whole world knows, there has been trouble in the Beckhams' paradise ever since Brooklyn, 26, met Nicola Peltz, 30, an American aspiring actress and daughter of billionaire Nelson Peltz.

And when Nicola accepted Brooklyn's proposal of marriage, things went nuclear. I broke the news of the initial fall-out as far back as June 2022.

Nicola was mortally offended when Victoria promised to design her wedding dress but then failed to come up with the goods.

But worse was to follow. On the wedding day itself, in April 2022, pop star Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez's ex, who is a friend of the Beckhams, described Victoria (not the bride) as the most beautiful woman in the room.

This faux pas apparently left the bride and groom in tears and friends of theirs have subsequently claimed the Beckhams 'ruined' Brooklyn's wedding day.

In the months that followed, both sides attempted to build bridges. Nicola attended Victoria Beckham fashion shows and her 50th birthday but by April this year simmering tensions broke out into something approaching outright war.

By the time the young couple travelled to the UK for David's 50th birthday celebrations, things had got so difficult that they didn't feel able to attend any of his parties.

From that point on, the feud has been excruciatingly public.

Over the summer, the briefing and counter-briefing by the two sides reached fever pitch. The Beckham side apparently claimed Peltz, who now goes by the name of Nicola Peltz Beckham, 'controls' Brooklyn to the point that some people have started referring to him as 'the hostage'.

The breakdown in relations between Nicola and her mother-in-law in particular is now so toxic that I'm told Victoria, 51, has a highly unflattering nickname for Nicola.

When the young couple renewed their wedding vows in August  with all the Peltz family in attendance but David and Victoria pointedly snubbed  Brooklyn's parents let it be known that this was a final straw and a 'kick in the teeth'.

Although Brooklyn did not congratulate his father when he was knighted by the King last month, there appeared to be signs of a desire to move on.

But the latest row over the Instagram stand-off would appear to have put an end to any hopes of a rapprochement. Indeed, a friend of the Peltz Beckhams reveals that David and Victoria have been asked to stop contacting Brooklyn and his wife.

It seems that the young couple find Instagram posts by the Beckhams upsetting and anxiety-inducing. They wake up worrying what might have been posted about them overnight.

'It would be really in the holiday spirit if the Beckhams could just back off and leave them alone for now,' says the friend. 'The Beckhams started these 'blocking' game stories earlier this year and they keep going.

Join the debate Should family loyalty outweigh personal happiness when it comes to in-law conflicts?

Brooklyn with Nicola and her billionaire father Nelson

'Whether someone follows someone else on Insta or any other platform shouldn't be and isn't a story. It's a sad situation, but nothing has changed here.

'Nicola and Brooklyn haven't been commenting. They just want peace. It would be best for everyone for them [the Beckhams] to stop contacting, commenting and briefing because it's not accomplishing anything.'

In fact, even the intervention by Cruz is considered another negative briefing by Brooklyn and Nicola. As the friend says: 'They have requested that the Beckhams back off. They just want to be left alone. The Instagram stuff is just a media play  it feels like more manipulation, more gaslighting. It just drives Brooklyn and Nicola further away.

'They get upset by the speculation. They are trying to take the high road which is not to react at all and to just live their lives.'

At the heart of the issue now are the briefings over the summer which Nicola and Brooklyn believe were ordered by the Beckhams. They call them 'a deliberate campaign of misinformation about the most personal things in their life'.

One source says: 'There was a long briefing war where it was open season on Nicola. They targeted Nicola and thought that they could do so without consequences.

'You can't inflict that much pain and damage on two people and then expect to pick up the relationship via a public social media post. The person who caused the pain does not get to decide when they declare it is over.

'If they want to make up then they need to apologise and acknowledge the pain caused and make changes to show that it is not going to happen again.' There appears to be very little chance of that happening. The Beckhams have reportedly 'given up' trying to reconcile with Nicola but still hope to make up with their son.

Sources 'close to David and Victoria' told The Sun that the distance was 'taking its toll'.

'His absence has really taken a toll on the special days  the knighthood  and now Christmas,' says the insider.

'It's like the ghost of Brooklyn is hanging over their Christmas and New Year's. Last year they were all together.

'The message they're sending is that the door is always open and he's always welcome.

'They'd love nothing more than to see Brooklyn over Christmas, put the past behind them and start 2026 afresh.

'And Nicola? Well they've stopped trying to win her back over. It might never happen, she might never warm to them again. So for now, they're concentrating on Brooklyn.'

A source close to Brooklyn and Nicola describes that as 'quadrupling down' on the argument and 'going full speed in the wrong direction', adding: 'He and Nicola are totally unified and as strong as ever.'

In the end, this sad catalogue of disputed petty slights, party no-shows and very public breaches of social media etiquette is an all too familiar tale of what happens when a family does not get on with an in-law.
Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday.

The actress and musician, both 38, each took to Instagram to mark the milestone with respective posts, and hit back at naysayers.

Koma shared a photo from their wedding day and wrote, '6 years my wifey. And they said we wouldn't make it. Literally everyone said "they won't make it."'

He then quipped, 'Okay just that guy in the Just Jared comment section, but f**k him, we're crushing.'

The mother-of-four re-shared the post via Instagram Stories.

In his tribute post, Koma  who co-wrote his wife's new song Mature  also humorously compared Duff to a popular fast food chain.

Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday

Koma shared a photo from their wedding day and wrote, '6 years my wifey. And they said we wouldn't make it. Literally everyone said "they won't make it"'

He added, 'Being married to you is like eating Taco Bell in the 90s.'

The dad-of-three explained, 'I never know which you I'm gonna get but it's largely the same ingredients and the euphoria outweighs the tummy discomfort. And you always look cool and I get really excited when someone says "we're going to get a meximelt."'

Duff shares daughters Banks, seven, Mae, four, and Townes, one, with Koma. She is also mom to son Luca, 13, from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie.

'I love you,' her husband continued in his post, adding, 'Our kids are screaming at each other and Mae just ripped Ken doll's head off.'

The former Disney star responded, 'It's so hot being compared to Taco Bell. He always gets the assignment.'

Koma also shared screenshots from 2015, depicting the start of their romance.

One was a calendar reminder showing that he and his future wife had a meeting scheduled at a coffee shop in Studio City. He wrote over the snapshot, 'The meeting went well!'

Another image showed an email thread in which he declared to a friend about the former Lizzie McGuire star, 'I wanna get married.' He added in Sunday's post: 'And I did.'

The couple pictured on December 4 in Los Angeles

Koma also shared screenshots from 2015, depicting the start of their romance. One image showed an email thread in which he declared to a friend about the former Lizzie McGuire star, 'I wanna get married.' He added in Sunday's post: 'And I did'

Duff shares daughters Banks, seven, Mae, four, and Townes, one, with Koma. She is also mom to son Luca, 13, from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie

Reposting the upload, Duff added, 'Haahahahaha dork!'

For her part, she honored their wedding anniversary by posting a montage video with clips from their wedding day and other memories.

The Hollywood vet captioned, '6 years into forever,' and used the Adam Sandler song Grow Old With You.

Her husband joined in the comments to declare: 'Favorite day of my life.'

The couple met 10 years ago while collaborating on the pop star's album Breathe In. Breathe Out.

In 2021, Duff told PEOPLE, 'We knew we just had to be together because we tried a bunch of times to be apart, and that didn't work out for either one of us.'

She also told the outlet at the time, 'I'm so in love with all my kids, and I love this mayhem.'
Jules Neale has launched a very public attack on a former friend, just days after she dropped a bombshell statement about the collapse of her marriage to Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale.

The hairstylist, 35, sent social media into meltdown on Friday when she shut down reports she was quietly 'working through' private issues with her AFL superstar husband.

Instead she revealed that she had been 'betrayed in the most unimaginable way'.

The explosive post came after media reports suggested the high-profile couple were attempting to repair their marriage behind the scenes.

'I want to make it very clear that I am not 'working through' anything,' Jules wrote.

'I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way.

Jules Neale has launched a very public attack on a former friend, with a shock Instagram comment emerging just days after she dropped a bombshell statement about the collapse of her marriage to Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale. (Jules and Lachie Neale pictured)

'All I can do now is to heal and do what's best for my children,' she continued.

Within hours of posting the statement, Jules deleted every photo of Lachie from her Instagram account, erasing more than a decade of memories, while a moving truck was spotted parked in the driveway of the couple's Brisbane home.

As the fallout continued to unfold, Jules also lashed out at Tess Crosley, one of her closest friends, demanding she remove photos from the Brisbane Lions' recent grand final celebrations from her social media.

The post in question featured multiple images from grand final day and the celebrations that followed Brisbane's back-to-back premiership win, with several photos showing Jules and Lachie on the field and inside the sheds celebrating with friends.

The now-deleted comment, which was captured in screenshots, shows Jules writing alongside a carousel of images: 'Take these down you idiot you're embarrassing yourself.'

The images were shared before Jules' bombshell statement about the breakdown of her marriage and showed the group in high spirits, smiling and embracing as they soaked up the historic win.

As of Monday, the images and accompanying TikTok videos were still visible on her friend's social media accounts.

Jules and Tess' friendship appears to have completely collapsed, with the pair no longer following each other on Instagram.

Join the debate Should friends stay loyal during a messy breakup or share their own memories publicly?

Jules lashed out at Tess Crosley, one of her closest friends, demanding she remove photos from the Brisbane Lions' recent grand final celebrations from her social media. (Pictured: Tess Crosley, left)

The images showed the group in high spirits, smiling and embracing as they soaked up the historic win

The now-deleted comment, which was captured in screenshots, shows Jules writing alongside a carousel of images: 'Take these down you idiot you're embarrassing yourself.'

Tess has also switched off comments on the post after members of the public flooded the account.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Tess.

Neither party has made any public comment on the situation.

Jules and Lachie share two children, four-year-old daughter Piper and son Freddie, who was born in December 2024.

This week, Jules marked Freddie's first birthday by sharing a series of emotional photos dedicated solely to her children. Lachie did not appear in any of the images and was not mentioned in the caption.

'Turning 1 today. This little man, and his beautiful big sister, have taught me what real love, courage, and joy look like,' Jules wrote.

'You're the sweetest soul, Freddie bear. Thank you for choosing me, for holding me up without even knowing it. I'm so lucky to be your mumma and I love you beyond words.'

The post marked a stark contrast to comments Jules made earlier this year, when she described her marriage as 'solid' and said she and Lachie were united despite the pressures of life in the public eye.

Jules Neale appears to have confirmed her marriage breakdown with AFL star husband Lachie Neale, 32, in a very telling post

The couple had also presented a united front at high-profile events in recent months, including the Brownlow Medal ceremony in September and the Brisbane Lions' Club Champion awards night in October, where they posed arm-in-arm for photographs.

Jules has become a popular figure among Brisbane Lions fans and has amassed a following of more than 27,000 on Instagram as a lifestyle influencer, hairstylist and regular Brownlow red carpet presence.

The relationship has previously been subjected to intense public scrutiny.

In 2021, Jules was unfairly targeted by social media users amid speculation Lachie was considering a move back to Western Australia.

At the time, Lachie publicly defended his wife, revealing she had received vile messages from strangers and that their characters had been unfairly questioned.
Dianne Holechek, the ex-wife of Chuck Norris, has died at age 84.

Holechek and Norris' son Mike Norris confirmed his mother passed following a long battle with dementia with TMZ.

Norris said his mother died peacefully at her Texas home.

'We are thankful she is no longer suffering. She was the best, the greatest mom. We were so lucky to have her,' he told the publication.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Mike and his father Chuck for comment.

High school sweethearts, Holechek was just 17 and Norris was 18 when they tied the knot in 1958.

Dianne Holechek, the ex-wife of Chuck Norris, has died at age 84

They welcomed sons Mike and Eric Norris, age 60, during their marriage.

While serving in the United States Air Force in 1963, however, Norris strayed and he fathered a daughter with another woman.

Norris was unaware the woman he had been intimate with had become pregnant until 1991, when his biological daughter reached out to him, according to The Sun.

Norris and Holechek split in 1988 before officially ending their marriage the following year.

Holechek was born in 1941 and met Norris as students at North High School in Torrance, California, according to The Daily Breeze.

Like their father, both their sons pursued careers in the spotlight - Mike has gone into acting and stunt work while his brother Eric is a former stock car racer.

During the marriage, Norris' rose to fame from martial artist instructor to the stars to Hollywood action icon.

Norris is an 80s screen legend who rose to fame after appearing in Bruce Lee movie Way of the Dragon and becoming an action movie stalwart in films including Delta Force.

His career also took him to the small screen, as the leading man in Walker, Texas Ranger.

The couple were high school sweethearts who wed in 1958 before divorcing in 1989

High school sweethearts, Holechek was just 17 and Norris was 18 when they tied the knot in 1958; pictured 1978

The couple welcomed two sons together - Mike and Eric Norris

The show starred Norris as Cordell Walker and aired eight seasons on CBS from September 1993 to May 2001.

The smash hit show raked in hundreds of millions of dollars and aired in more than 100 countries.

Norris has since re-married, tying the knot with Gena O'Kelley in 1998. They have 24-year-old twins Dakota and Danilee together.
On Saturday, Gwyneth Paltrow shared a selfie with her lookalike daughter Apple Martin in an Instagram slideshow of moments captured over the 'last week.'

The 21-year-old nepo baby - who's a senior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN - was criticized for her off-pitch singing with LA duo Jade Street at Cannery Hall in Nashville on October 17.

'I constantly remind myself how grateful I am to have these opportunities,' Martin told The Telegraph in October.

'I know this is not a normal way to grow up by any means, but my parents did a really good job of instilling in me that I shouldn't be entitled to anything. I have to work.'

The 53-year-old Oscar winner also included candid footage of her 19-year-old son Moses Martin - a sophomore at Brown University in Providence, RI - who just released his new single Promise through his band, People I've Met.

The Martin siblings appear to both be following in the famous footsteps of their father - Coldplay frontman Chris Martin - whom Paltrow 'consciously uncoupled' from in 2013 following a decade of marriage.

On Saturday, Gwyneth Paltrow shared a selfie with her lookalike daughter Apple Martin in an Instagram slideshow of moments captured over the 'last week'

Moses was by the empty nester's side backstage at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown LA last Thursday when she prepared to make her onstage singing comeback.

Paltrow reunited with Dear Evan Hansen thespian Ben Platt to perform a surprise duet for his 10-night residency at the venue ending Sunday.

The LA-born blonde certainly held her own, hitting all the right notes, as she and the 32-year-old Grammy winner sang a 'pitch perfect' rendition of Bonnie Raitt's 1994 song, Dimming of the Day.

It's been five years since Paltrow portrayed Platt's onscreen adoptive mother over two seasons of Netflix's The Politician, which was co-created by her second husband Brad Falchuk.

The Goop CEO-founder also famously won an Emmy Award in 2011 for her five-episode guest-starring singing gig on Fox's Glee, which also happened to be co-created by Falchuk.

Paltrow last made headlines for Kristin Cabot slamming her over her viral Astronomer commercial from July 25, which made light of her Coldplay jumbotron kiss cam scandal with her married CEO boss Andy Byron.

'I was such a fan of her company [Goop] which seemed to be about uplifting women,' the 53-year-old disgraced HR manager told The Times last week.

'And then she did this. I thought, "How dare she after the beating she got for all the conscious uncoupling stuff." What a hypocrite.'

Cabot didn't mention Paltrow's 48-year-old ex-husband nor Ryan Reynolds, whose marketing agency Maximum Effort masterminded the whole campaign.

Join the debate Should celebrity kids face more criticism or support when pursuing careers like their famous parents?

The 21-year-old nepo baby - who's a senior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN - was criticized for her off-pitch singing with LA duo Jade Street at Cannery Hall in Nashville on October 17 (pictured)

The 53-year-old Oscar winner also included candid footage of her 19-year-old son Moses Martin - a sophomore at Brown University in Providence, RI - who just released his new single Promise through his band, People I've Met

The Martin siblings appear to both be following in the famous footsteps of their father - Coldplay frontman Chris Martin (R, pictured in 2024) - whom Paltrow 'consciously uncoupled' from in 2013 following a decade of marriage

Moses was by the empty nester's side backstage at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown LA last Thursday when she prepared to make her onstage singing comeback

Paltrow reunited with Dear Evan Hansen thespian Ben Platt (R) to perform a surprise duet for his 10-night residency at the venue ending Sunday

The LA-born blonde certainly held her own, hitting all the right notes, as she and the 32-year-old Grammy winner (R) sang a 'pitch perfect' rendition of Bonnie Raitt's 1994 song, Dimming of the Day

It's been five years since Paltrow portrayed Platt's onscreen adoptive mother over two seasons of Netflix's The Politician, which was co-created by her second husband Brad Falchuk

The Goop CEO-founder makes her acting comeback as Timothee Chalamet's much older onscreen leading lady, wealthy retired actress Kay Stone, in Marty Supreme hitting US theaters this Thursday and UK theaters this Friday

The 5ft9in stunner makes her acting comeback as Timothee Chalamet's much older onscreen leading lady, wealthy retired actress Kay Stone, in Marty Supreme hitting US theaters this Thursday and UK theaters this Friday.

Josh Safdie's solo feature directorial debut currently has a 'certified fresh' 95 percent critic approval rating (out of 128 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes from advanced screenings.

A24's $70 million-budget ping pong drama also stars Tyler the Creator, Fran Drescher, Penn Jillette, Abel Ferrera, Sandra Bernhard, Kevin O'Leary, Odessa A'zion and Koto Kawaguchi.

Paltrow launched Goop in 2008 as a weekly e-mail newsletter providing new age advice before expanding the brand into e-commerce, a wellness summit, a print magazine, a podcast and a Netflix docuseries.

The UC Santa Barbara drop-out is also a bona fide nepo baby - having had a leg up in the industry thanks to her actress mother Blythe Danner, showrunner father Bruce Paltrow and filmmaker godfather Steven Spielberg.
Emily Ratajkowski is celebrating the holidays in sexy style.

The London-born model/actress, 34, took to Instagram Stories on Sunday with multiple posts documenting her late December celebrations, as the calendar inches closer to Christmas Day.

The Blurred Lines beauty was seen in one slide sitting in front of a Christmas tree in a plunging black dress, with a glass of wine in hand.

Emily - who has been seen in films such as Entourage, We Are Your Friends and Gone Girl - had her brown locks parted and a neat layer of makeup applied in the shot, in which she was seated atop a beige couch.

The My Body author tagged New York City-based artist Laila Gohar for the ornaments her company Gohar World provided for the holiday celebration.

Emily wrote that the business sold the 'best ornaments,' adding 'ily' to Gohar.

Emily Ratajkowski, 34, took to Instagram Stories on Sunday with multiple posts documenting her late December celebrations

In another shot, Emily was joined by a friend, also clad in a black dress, while enjoying the weekend before Christmas

In another shot, Emily was joined by a friend, also clad in a black dress, while enjoying the holiday season weekend.

Emily, who is mom to son Sylvester Apollo Bear, four, with ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard, is currently romantically-linked to filmmaker Romain Gavras.

Emily was seen in New York City on November 9 with the director, 44, engaging in a bit of PDA while out in the Big Apple.

The model made an appearance at New York City's Studio Zung earlier this month as she visited the Kerastase Holiday Cafe pop-up.

Emily wore a sleek red skirt with black pantyhose and heels on the outing, in which she posed alongside the holiday-themed backdrop.

She had previously been linked this year to Academy Award-nominated actor Austin Butler after they were spotted grabbing a meal.

The Elvis star said the September outing in New York City was a meeting between pals in an interview with told Vanity Fair last month.

'The true answer is that I have a lot of friends, and we're friends and we had dinner, and that we're friends,' Butler said.

Emily tagged New York City-based artist Laila Gohar for the ornaments her company Gohar World provided for the holiday celebration

Emily shared a snap of a dinner table that was set with a seafood platter, pasta and cocktails

The model made an appearance at New York City's Studio Zung earlier this month as she visited the Kerastase Holiday Cafe pop-up

Emily was past romantically-linked to comedian and (new dad) Pete Davidson; and comedian-actor Eric Andre.

'I'm proud of myself for this new era,' she said of her love life to Harper's Bazaar in a 2023 interview. '

Emily said that as she entered her thirties, she had raised her standards for what she's looking for in a potential partner.

'The younger version of myself would have prob settled for some mid dude just to have a BF,' she said. 'Glad I'm not in that era anymore.'
They have been in the throes of a romance since August.

But Zoe Kravitz and Harry Styles have now sparked murmurs they have taken their relationship to a whole new level.

In photos obtained by The Sun, a chunky gold band could be seen on Kravitz's ring finger as she enjoyed a romantic stroll with Styles, 31, through Rome.

The accessory appeared to be the same one Kravitz, 37, was seen wearing last month - a multi-layered gold ring paired with a singular band.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Kravitz and Styles for comment but have not immediately heard back.

Either way, the couple were the embodiment of relationship goals as they explored the ancient city arm-in-arm.

Zoe Kravitz and Harry Styles, pictured in September in Rome, have sparked rumors they are engaged

Kravitz and Styles have been making headlines after confirming their hot new relationship by stepping out on several loved-up strolls together.

Their whirlwind romance has brought them to Rome, Tuscany, London and New York City to meet Zoe's family.

And they seem to be regularly spotted walking around various places in Europe in a 'promo' trail of their relationship, wearing carefully planned matching ensembles.

The couple reportedly have taken a major step in their relationship as pals close to the pair have claimed the couple are 'barely apart'.

And it appears their relationship is going from strength to strength as Kravitz is reportedly set to stay with Harry while working on her new project.

A source told The Sun: 'Harry and Zoe have a real connection  this is love. It's a real honeymoon period and they're barely apart.

'Zoe has to get back to work on a film so she's coming to the UK and will be staying with Harry while she's here.

'They've had an amazing summer together and things are only getting more serious between them.'

Join the debate Do YOU believe these engagement rumors?

Kravitz, pictured in New York in September, has been linked to Styles since the summer

A source previously told The Sun that the lovebirds have 'barely' been apart

The couple were first linked in August when they were spotted enjoying a romantic stroll in Rome.

Meanwhile, Harry is said to have been in Berlin working on his fourth studio album, which could be set for release in 2027.

A source told The Sun: 'It's no secret that Harry is making his new album in Berlin and he's been getting lots of inspiration from the music scene there.

'The fact he wanted Zoe to join him just shows how important she is as part of the creative bubble process for him and how much he wants her to be part of every aspect of his life. He doesn't share his music with just anyone.

Styles is said to have been working on his fourth album in Berlin

'He's spent a lot of time in the city and it's really special that he's getting to show Zoe his secret life there. This is really a sign of just how serious things are with them.'

During their time in the Big Apple, Harry and Zoe spent time with each other's friends, and he was even introduced to her world-famous father, Lenny Kravitz, 61.

The couple were given an opportunity to meet members of each other's social circle while dining out at the New York branch of Wolfgang Puck's celebrated Cut restaurant, housed within the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel.

Onlookers claimed spirits were high as Harry let his hair down with Zoe and their wider circle of pals over dinner and drinks at the upmarket eatery.
The Lost Paradise music festival has copped a social media backlash after revealing festivalgoers will be charged $5 per shower at this year's event  despite tickets costing up to $500.

The multi-day music festival, which runs from December 28 at Glenworth Valley on the NSW Central Coast, will see thousands of punters camp on site for up to five days.

General admission tickets, priced between $400 and $500 and already sold out, include camping  but no longer guarantee access to showers.

Instead, organisers confirmed only upgraded ticket holders will have showers included, with everyone else required to pay a $5 'sustainability' fee each time they wash.

The festival announced the shock move in a social media post - and followers were not happy.

'All toilets, showers and water for the festival are painstakingly transported to Glenworth Valley ahead of your arrival,' they wrote.

The Lost Paradise music festival (pictured) has copped a social media backlash after revealing festivalgoers will be charged $5 per shower at this year's event  despite tickets costing up to $500

General admission tickets, priced between $400 and $500 and already sold out, include camping  but no longer guarantee access to showers

'To help us better manage water consumption, minimise our environmental footprint and maintain cleanliness, we're introducing a $5 fee per shower.

'Shower attendants will be present on-site to process payments, maintain cleanliness and manage queues (and showers will be hot!)'

This is an unprecedented rule that was not present at last year's festival - and quickly infuriated fans who took to social media to voice their concerns.

'Does our million dollar ticket not include a f***ing shower?' one person sniped.

'I love this festival but charging for basic hygienic amenities is pretty disgraceful,' a second added.

'Do it like a car wash. Pay per minute. High pressure rinse, soap suds, spot free rinse, beat the countdown,' someone else suggested.

'Do I have to pay for oxygen?' another joked and someone else quipped: 'I'm having a 60 min shower per day for that price.'

However, others argued in favour of the ruling and said it may lead to some premium shower facilities being installed and managed.

The festival announced the shock move in a social media post - and followers were not happy

The multi-day music festival, which runs from December 28 at Glenworth Valley on the NSW Central Coast, will see thousands of punters camp on site for up to five days. Pictured: Headline performer Chris Stussy

'If it means the showers are staffed and kept clean the whole time, that's good,' one person wrote.

'If you're paying to stand ankle deep in someone elses mud while the water dribbles out, that's bad.'

The festival has been running for over a decade and this year's line-up includes iconic British house band Underworld and Chris Stussy.

Other artists performing include X Club, I Hate Models and Duke Dumont.

In the past, many world famous artists have performed at the festival, including Tinashe, DJ Fisher, Royel Otis, Caribou, Flight Facilities, Telenova and Nick Ward.

Tickets also include camping access, ensuring fairness for everyone from early buyers to late purchasers.
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos recently traveled to Aspen for a shopping excursion during the holiday season.

The couple arrived in the A-lister-frequented, hotspot ski town in Colorado and were spotted walking around in coordinated fur-lined coats and cowboy hats.

The pair were spotted holding hands as they entered the store featuring high-end western wear for a shopping spree.

Just one day earlier, the brunette bombshell, 56, once a career journalist before meeting and marrying the 61-year-old Amazon billionaire founder, celebrated her birthday with a glitzy bash with the Kardashians in attendance.

After marking her 56th birthday, her beau took her shopping, and for the special occasion, she wore a muted purple, velvet coat adorned with lush, burgundy red fur.

Paired with the colorful outwear, she wore an otherwise all-black outfit featuring a low-cut top with tight-fitting pants.

Lauren Sanchez, 56, and Jeff Bezos, 61, recently traveled to Aspen for a shopping excursion during the holiday season

She strutted down the street in black, platform boots with a chunky heel and carried a black, leather purse to match.

At her side, Bezos, now sporting a light grey beard, wore a green-yellow jacket with a shearling white interior.

He wore a light-colored button down-shirt underneath and completed his look with medium-wash jeans and a black, cowboy boots.

Though it was already dark out, Bezos wore a pair of circular sunglasses with a gold frame.

Lauren was also seen sharing a friendly kiss with DJ Diplo, 47, inside the store as they greeted each other.

Their outing comes just one day after Sanchez celebrated her 56th birthday with a lavish soiree, wearing another glamorous fur coat for the occasion.

In a social media post shared by the reality TV bombshells, Sanchez posed alongside Kris Jenner and her daughter Khloe Kardashian in front of a megamansion decorated for Christmas.

In her birthday tribute, Khloe gushed over the billionaire's wife.

'The perfect night hosted by Lauren, you are simply the best. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas,' she wrote.

The couple arrived in the A-lister-frequented, hotspot ski town in Colorado and were spotted walking around in coordinated fur-lined coats and cowboy hats

After marking her 56th birthday, her beau took her shopping, and for the special occasion, she wore a muted purple, velvet coat adorned with lush, burgundy red fur

Lauren was also seen sharing a friendly kiss with DJ Diplo, 47, inside the store as they greeted each other

She chatted it up with other guests inside

Kim Kardashian also shared a photo posing alongside Sanchez as the duo posed in skintight, head-turning dresses.

Over the snapshot, Kim penned a sweet caption and referred to Sanchez as 'the ultimate girls girl.'

'Happy Belated Birthday to the ultimate girls girl,' she wrote. 'You are always uplifting everyone around you. I've never met a more fun spirit in my life!!!! I love you.'

Earlier this year, the Kardashian-Jenner clan joined the many A-list guests in attendance at Sanchez's over-the-top Venetian wedding to Bezos in late June.

Their lavish nuptials reportedly cost approximately $50 to $60 million for a multi-day extravaganza including private water taxis for all of their A-list guests, a foam party on their $500 million superyacht and millions more in just security detail.

Other celebrity guests included Leonardo DiCaprio, Sydney Sweeney, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom but not his now-ex Katy Perry.

On Sanchez's birthday, she shared behind-the-scenes footage from her wedding as she celebrated her first birthday and holiday season as the wife of the billionaire businessman.

In her caption, she penned a lengthy caption as she reflected on her monumental year.

It comes after Lauren celebrated her birthday alongside the Kardashians at a ritzy Christmas bash

'If you told me when I was a little girl this is what life would look like at 56, I'm not sure I would've believed you... and it's not even about the big moments,' she began.

She also made mention of her trip to space in her post, writing that 'going to space gave me an unexpected clarity' as she reflected on watching their kids experience their college journeys.

She also mentioned her book release and her opening up about struggling with dyslexia growing up.

Ahead of the new year, she also shared her resolution for 2026. 'Most of this year happened in the quiet moments. Family, work, and growth. As I step into this new year, I'm keeping it simple: stay open to what's unfolding.'
James Van Der Beek is enjoying the holiday season alongside his devoted wife Kimberly.

The couple warmed hearts in a sweet photo uploaded by Kimberly to her Instagram on Sunday, one which captured the lovebirds enjoying a peaceful moment outside.

In the idyllic snap, James, 48, wrapped one arm protectively around his wife's shoulders as she leaned slightly towards his chest.

'Me and my bae @vanderkimberly,' Kimberly captioned the post, with two red heart and rose emojis.

James wore a cardigan, black jeans, and suede ankle boots while Kimberly wore her new favorite holiday dress, a red lace-accented number by Christy Dawn that fell to her ankles.

The couple have been married since 2010 and they share daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12 in January, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four.

James Van Der Beek was the picture of contentment as he took a sweet holiday snap with his wife Kimberly amid his cancer battle

When announcing his battle with colorectal cancer last year, James told People he was getting through the health ordeal with the 'support of my incredible family'.

Recently the star offered a positive health update during an interview with Today's Craig Melvin.

'I feel a little bit better every month. Its required more of me  more patience, more discipline.

'More strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong, I didnt know I was this strong,' the star said in the emotional conversation.

Melvin took to Instagram earlier this week to tease the interview with behind-the-scenes outtakes.

The reporter captioned, 'Spent the day in TX on James Van Der Beeks ranch. Overcast and dreary outside but James is quite the ray of positivity these days.'

He added, 'It was refreshing and inspiring. We talked about where he is on his journey, the importance of cancer screenings, and how hes finding joy in family and faith. Our convo coming up Friday am on @todayshow.'

One social media user commented, 'Looking good! Great color, more weight! Prayers, Blessings, Love!!'

The actor, who is battling colorectal cancer, recently offered a positive health update during an interview with Today's Craig Melvin

Van Der Beek shares six children with his wife of 15 years

During his interview, he also addressed his weight loss after fans were shocked to see his frail frame months ago.

The actor was forced to cancel a Dawson's Creek reunion appearance in September due to a separate illness.

Instead of attending in-person, he appeared virtually, but fans were surprised to see how thin he was.

James said the weight loss was on account of a stomach bug he was suffering at the time.

'I'd lost so much weight because of the stomach virus,' he explained.

James sparked concern after fans noticed his weight loss during his virtual Dawson's Creek reunion appearance, but he has since revealed the weight loss was on account of a stomach bug he was suffering at the time

Van Der Beek famously portrayed Dawson Leery in the hit teen drama series

He clarified that the drop in weight was 'not cancer-related,' before adding, 'Although with cancer everything's like, "Why don't we super size that stomach virus?"'

In late September most of the Dawson's Creek cast joined forces for a live reading of the show's pilot episode to benefit F Cancer.

Lin-Manuel Miranda joined Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams, filling in for Van Der Beek.

Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps were also there.

'I have been looking forward to this night for months and months, ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,' Van Der Beek  who portrayed the character Dawson Leery in the teen drama  shared in a pre-recorded video at the time.

'I can't believe I'm not there. I can't believe I don't get to see my castmates, my beautiful cast in person,' he said.

'And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who's doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you  you are the best fans in the world.'

'Thank you for coming. It's just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person here,' he added.
Simon Cowell stripped to his waist on Sunday while unwinding in Barbados with his beloved pet dogs.

The music mogul, 66, and fiancee Lauren Silverman, 48, have jetted to the Caribbean for their annual festive break, and he ensured his menagerie of pups - Yorkshire Terriers Freddie, Squiddly and Diddly, as well as Daisy and Pebbles - were also along for the ride.

Taking to Instagram, he appeared to be in high spirits as he bared his chest while reclining on a white lounger with three of his pet dogs sat on his lap.

Simon then gave followers a glimpse at Squiddly and Diddly's 'annual swimming competition as he gave Pebbles a lesson in the pool.

Continuing to show his love for his pets, he posted a snap of Squiddly and Diddly sat on Simon's bed.

During his getaway he and Lauren looked happier than ever as put on an affectionate display with Simon wrapping his arm around her while sitting on the back of a boat.

Simon Cowellstripped to his waist on Sunday while unwinding in Barbados during his annual festive trip to the Caribbean

Taking to Instagram, he appeared to be in high spirits as he bared his chest while reclining on a white lounger with three of his pet dogs sat on his lap

In another snap shared to social media, Lauren looked effortlessly chic in a red one-piece bathing suit and black-tinted aviator sunglasses.

Meanwhile, shirtless Simon looked relaxed in a pair of black shorts and his signature sunglasses.

The couple were seen smiling together as they soaked up the sun while cruising along the sea.

Lauren captioned her Story, 'Us' accompanied by a line of red love heart emojis.

Simon has recently said a wedding is on the horizon after Lauren, who also has a son called Adam from a previous marriage, legally changed her surname to Cowell.

The music mogul and Lauren have shared their lives in the new Netflix docuseries The Next Act, which follows Simon's nationwide search for young, talented musicians.

In between scenes of the X Factor star at work are slices of family life with Lauren and Eric, and one episode shows Lauren signing paperwork to formally change her name by deed poll to Simon.

Now, Simon, who has previously been vocal about his reluctance to marry before proposing to Lauren on Christmas Eve 2021, has insisted the two will wed.

He appeared delighted while abroad as he sat on a white lounger with his three Terrie pups barking away on his lap

Simon then gave an insight into Squiddly and Diddly's 'annual swimming competition as he gave Pebbles a lesson in the pool

Simon could be seen playing catch with Pebbles with the hope to encourage her to spend time in the water

'I always shied away from saying it's going to happen whenever,' he explained. 'When we decide to do it, it will be private, then people will know about it, but obviously the fact that she talks about changing her name, it's quite obvious where all this is leading to.'

'We have a very, very close bond. I adore her. We are a very happy family, genuinely,' he gushed.

Simon revealed that whilst he had to persuade Lauren to appear in his new show, the experience only strengthened his love for her.

'She was a bit reluctant [to be on camera] in the beginning, and then she got more used to it,' he told Us Weekly.

'The funny thing about her is that she is identical on the show as she is in real life. When I was watching the show back, I was absolutely cracking up at some of the scenes.'

In the name change scene Lauren, who was previously married to businessman Andrew Silverman, is seen explaining that she has decided she no longer wants to go by her old married name.

'Look, I am Mrs Cowell,' she says. 'I have created a life with Simon, we have a child together, we have a solid relationship.'

During his getaway he and Lauren looked happier than ever as put on an affectionate display with Simon wrapping his arm around her while sitting on the back of a boat

The name change, she says, was about aligning with Simon and Eric.

'This is more about the unity of our family and us having the same name. When we discussed it, Simon said, "Yeah, I would really like you to change your name."

'It wasn't a dramatic statement, it was just: "This is who I am, and this is who we are".'

The couple first met in Barbados in 2004, but didnt start dating until around 2012. They welcomed their son Eric in 2014 and got engaged in 2021.
Pip Edwards has returned to social media, one week after she reportedly stepped back from her role at cult streetwear label Ksubi in the aftermath of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack.

The P.E. Nation founder, 45, shared a photo to Instagram Stories on Monday night of her son, Justice Single, showing him shirtless smiling at her as she sat in her car.

The 45-year-old captioned the image with a love heart emoji.

It also follows Sunday's shock announcement that Pip had parted ways with her most recent boyfriend Dylan Hales, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The cryptic post is the first one she has made in over a week, following the tragic Bondi terror attacks on December 14.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, the P.E. Nation founder took some time away from work to focus on her wellbeing following the traumatic events that unfolded during a Hanukkah celebration.

Pip Edwards (pictured) has returned to social media, one week after she reportedly stepped back from her role at cult streetwear label Ksubi in the aftermath of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack

The P.E. Nation founder, 45, shared a photo to Instagram Stories on Monday night of her son, Justice Single (pictured), showing him shirtless smiling at her as she sat in her car

At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured when gunmen opened fire near Bondi Beach, plunging the area into chaos and terror.

Pip, who was caught up in the violence, later revealed she had been forced to hide as the attack unfolded, describing it as the most traumatic day of her life.

Sources close to the fashion designer say that she 'remains deeply shaken' and is 'prioritising her recovery after the ordeal'.

Pip's decision to pull back from Ksubi, where she held the role of creative director, reflects a need to reassess her priorities following the experience.

She had only recently returned to the iconic label in September 2024, calling the move a 'full-circle moment'.

The designer previously worked at Ksubi decades earlier and shares her teenage son Justice with co-founder Dan Single.

Pip was caught up in last Sunday's sickening terror attack on Bondi Beach that left 15 innocent people dead.

She and her friend were left trapped under a van and surrounded by two gunmen during the deadly attack after spending a day at the beach.

The attack at Australia's most iconic tourist destination unfolded as hundreds gathered to attend the Chanukah by the Sea event, marking the first day of Hanukkah.

It also follows Sunday's shock announcement that Pip had parted ways with her most recent boyfriend Dylan Hales (left)

Pip was caught up in last Sunday's sickening terror attack on Bondi Beach that left 15 innocent people dead. Pip had earlier shared relaxed photos from the beach just hours before the attack, captioning the images: 'Always fun with you'

The P.E Nation fashion designer addressed her harrowing 15-minute ordeal in a lengthy Instagram post.

She described the attack as a 'crazy, wild, and unnecessarily brutal' act that unfolded 'among innocent people enjoying a glorious Bondi summer's day'.

Pip said she and her girlfriend Jess were leaving the beach and heading home when the shooting began, with the gunmen opening fire just metres behind them.

'The gunman fired his first round of shots right behind my girlfriend and I as we had just passed the bridge where they were standing, heading in the direction of the Jewish event/celebration on the Bondi grass,' she wrote.

'We immediately ducked between two parked vans as the shots continued to fire incessantly, and quite literally as close as two metres away.'

The pair were forced to take cover under one van as the gunmen circled above them.

Pip, a frequent visitor to Bondi Beach who lives in nearby Rose Bay, had earlier shared relaxed photos from the beach just hours before the attack, captioning the images: 'Always fun with you.'
James Ransone's widow Jamie McPhee broke her silence of The Wire star's death, in a heartbreaking Instagram post shared on Sunday.

The actor, best known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka in HBO's hit crime drama died by suicide in a shed, aged 46 in Los Angeles on Friday.

Taking to the platform, Jamie, who shares son Jack, six, and daughter Violet, four, with the late star, posted a sweet image showing him cradling her baby bump.

She added a caption reading: 'I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again... You told me...

'I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me - and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts - you, Jack and Violet. We are forever.'

James Ransone's widow Jamie McPhee broke her silence of The Wire star's death, in a heartbreaking Instagram post shared on Sunday

She added a caption reading: 'I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again'

James, Jamie and their two children are pictured in 2023

On Sunday, the medical examiner's office noted that his body is ready for release. Following his passing, Jamie has since added a fundraiser benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to her social media profile.

James was best known to television audiences for his role as Ziggy Sobotka, the troubled Baltimore dock worker and son of union leader Frank Sobotka (played by Chris Bauer), in the second season of HBO's The Wire.

He appeared in 12 episodes during the show's 2003 run.

The Wire aired from 2002 to 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential television dramas of all time.

Its ensemble cast included Dominic West, Michael Kenneth Williams, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Wood Harris, John Doman, Frankie Faison and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.

Ransone became a familiar face across the HBO ecosystem, later appearing in Generation Kill and Treme, and he also had a role on Amazon's Bosch.

His final television appearance came earlier this year in a season two episode of Poker Face, which aired in June.

In film, Ransone's credits spanned genres, from horror to indie drama. His roles included Prom Night (2008), Sinister (2012), Sinister 2 (2015), Tangerine (2015), Mr. Right (2015), It Chapter Two (2019), The Black Phone (2021) and the upcoming Black Phone 2 (2025).

Jamie shared a host of wholesome family snaps on her Instagram page (James with son Jack, six, and daughter Violet, four in 2022)

According to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the actor died by suicide in Los Angeles on Friday

Ransone was open in recent years about deeply personal struggles (pictured in 2019)

Ransone was open in recent years about deeply personal struggles.

In 2021, he publicly shared that he was a survivor of sexual abuse.

He had also spoken candidly about addiction and recovery, revealing in a 2016 Interview Magazine profile that he got sober at age 27 after years of heroin use.

'People think I got sober working on the Generation Kill. I didn't,' he said at the time. 'I sobered up six or seven months before that. I remember going to Africa and I was going to be there for almost a year. I was number two on the call sheet and I was like, 'I think somebody made a mistake. This is too much responsibility for me.'

Ransone's death marks a tragic loss for colleagues and fans who followed his career from gritty television dramas to independent film.
The feud among the Beckham clan continues to rumble on - with news of Brooklyn blocking his family on Instagram coming to light over the weekend.

David and Victoria's estranged son Brooklyn's absence will be felt heavily later this week, as the famously close family throw themselves into Christmas.

While the Beckhams will stick to roasts and matching pyjamas in the Cotswolds, Brooklyn is residing at his wife Nicola's family's $103m compound in Palm Beach - where he is celebrating Hanukkah with his Jewish in-laws alongside Christmas.

Last year, prior to his estrangement, Brooklyn and his wife enjoyed both time with his family and her family, in their respective homes, with Nicola's Christmas also featuring pyjamas as well as a table laden with Tiffany boxes.

In the past, Brooklyn shared the kitchen with his foodie father - to whom he previously attributed his love of cooking - however the gaping distance between the families will now be felt, in what Victoria revealed is David's favourite time of year.

As his feud with his famous family escalates, Brooklyn Beckham took to Instagram on Sunday to share a snap showing his Hanukkah celebrations with his wife Nicola Peltz

In 2023, Brooklyn spent time in the US with Nicola's family, while his brothers and sister met a Santa Claus back at home. Victoria posted pictures and said she was 'missing' her son and daughter-in-law

Last year, prior to his estrangement, Brooklyn and his wife enjoyed both time with his family and her family, in their respective homes, with Nicola's Christmas also featuring pyjamas as well as a table laden with Tiffany boxes (pictured at the Peltz's Christmas)

The Beckham clan, also comprising Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, have been at loggerheads with the Beckham-Peltzes after they failed to attend or acknowledge any of David's 50th birthday celebrations in May.

Brooklyn also failed to acknowledge his father's knighthood in November.

On Sunday, Brooklyn took to Instagram stories to share a snap showing him cradling a present with Star Of David wrapping paper adorned with the words: 'Night Seven, For Brooklyn', alongside the caption: 'Happy Hanukkah'.

Since marrying Nicola in 2022, Brooklyn has respected her Jewish faith, descending from her billionaire father Nelson Peltz. Nicola is the one of 10 children - with two children from his first marriage and eight from his marriage to her mother Claudia.

Their swanky wedding featured a rabbi, chuppah, yarmulkes, hora dancing with chair lifts, glass smashing, and Sheva Brachot blessings, while David - who is half-Jewish from his paternal grandfather - embraced Jewish traditions.

He has previously given insight into Hanukkah at the Peltz compound, sharing sweet snaps cosying up to his wife over the eight night-long religious celebration in 2023.

On the other side of the pond, David has already been posting holiday content after he shared a snap last week advertising a PerfectDraft beer dispenser, while posing in front of a Christmas tree and wearing a cosy jumper.

The Beckham clan comprises L-R Cruz, 20, Brooklyn, 26, Harper, 14, Romeo, 23, Victoria, 51, and David, 50 (pictured last year alongside Nicola, third left)

Last year, just four days after Christmas, Victoria shared a sweet snap of David and his sons

He has previously given insight into Hanukkah at the Peltz compound, sharing sweet snaps cosying up to his wife over the eight night-long religious celebration in 2023 (pictured)

Brooklyn has lodged himself into both Jewish and Christian festivities with his in-laws (pictured last year)

Back in 2020, Victoria spoke about Beckham Christmases, saying: 'To have Christmas with more time to spend together is just going to be great...

'I don't know who is more excited, the kids or whether it's David. He gets very, very excited. We have had Christmas music playing in the Beckham house for a month and a half. We have matching Beckham Christmas pyjamas!..

'A little monogram with our little names on.'

David has passed his love of cooking on to Brooklyn, whose Instagram is laden with cookery videos and has also launched his own hot sauce brand.

In years gone by, the father-son duo would split culinary duties. Last year, Victoria said of cooking on the big day: 'David will be doing the cooking, he's actually a really good cook. He loves the whole prep.'

Brooklyn is pictured enjoying a cigar with his billionaire father-in-law while celebrating Hanukkah in 2023. Nelson is worth an estimated 1.3 billion ($1.6billion)

Back in 2020, Victoria spoke about Beckham Christmases, saying: 'To have Christmas with more time to spend together is just going to be great' (The Beckhams pictured with Nicola last year)

Just last week, the former Spice Girl and fashion designer explained that her festive fanatic husband (pictured December 2024) is even a massive fan of the Elf On The Shelf tradition

Brooklyn is pictured in happier times with his father and brother last year

In a heartbreaking tie-up, Brooklyn said last year: 'My dad was always the one cooking in the house, my mum not so much. I just loved hanging out with him in the kitchen, I loved the smell of food.'

He detailed the former bond of the family, adding: 'We never say it's like a competition, even though we give each other a bit of stick about it  that's just what brothers do. All of us in the kitchen. Listening to music, cooking, it's fun. The best.'

On the back of the bond over cookery, Brooklyn's mass blocking is said to have sprung from his fury over a video in which he was cooking a chicken.

The bitter Beckham family feud escalated to new heights over the weekend, when it was suggested that David and Victoria had stopped following their oldest son, before Cruz furiously set the record straight.

Victoria is pictured with her beloved children last year

On the back of the bond over cookery, Brooklyn's mass blocking is said to have sprung from his fury over a video in which he was cooking a chicken

He penned online: 'My mum and dad would never unfollow their son [as reports had suggested]. They woke up blocked. As did I.' The claims of the very sudden blocking sparked the obvious question of why he would do such a thing.

And it's now possible that Brooklyn suddenly cut final ties with his parents and three siblings after Victoria liked a post of his about roasting a chicken.

Aspiring chef Brooklyn posted another of his regular cooking videos on Instagram last week as he showed his 16 million followers how to brine a chicken.

Victoria is thought to have liked the post which led to a slew of comments under the post urging Brooklyn to fix the feud with his family.

Fans penned: 'Victoria liked this post. Yay!!! Family is everything', 'Go and see your parents, you will regret it later in life', 'Call your parents.'

It's understood that Brooklyn was left annoyed by the comments prompted by his mother's public like - and decided to block the whole family including his sister Harper.
Penny Lancaster kicked off her shoes and showed off her dance moves as she got her groove on during a 'night to remember'.

The wife of Rod Stewart, 54, looked to be having the time of her life in an Instagram video as she hit the dancefloor with her girl pals during a lavish bash.

Penny looked sensational in a cold shoulder white satin minidress as she and her friends performed a perfectly in time routine under a sparkling disco ball.

The model and TV personality couldn't contain her smile as she kicked her legs into the air and clapped in time with the music.

It is unknown what song Penny and her friends were dancing to but over the top of the video she added the song, Ain't Nobody.

She wrote: '"Secret circle" shoes off, night to remember'.

Penny Lancaster kicked off her shoes and showed off her dance moves as she got her groove on during a 'night to remember'

The wife of Rod Stewart, 54, looked to be having the time of her life in an Instagram video as she hit the dancefloor with her girl pals during a lavish bash

It comes after Penny revealed her plans for a 'grandma' Christmas with her husband Rod's American grandchildren.

The TV personality has been married to the rock star, 80, for 18 years and the pair share two children, Alastair Wallace, 20, and Aiden Patrick, 14.

Rod's other children from previous relationships include Sarah, 62, Kimberly, 46, Ruby, 38, Renee, 33, Sean, 45, and Liam, 31.

And as they gear up for the festive season, Penny has shed light on the famous family's Christmas plans.

Speaking to Hello! magazine at their Santa Paws Christmas party, held at Bluebird in London's Chelsea, Penny revealed that Rod's older kids are coming over to the UK from America, along with three of his grandkids.

'I'm very, very excited because Grandma is coming into play here,' she revealed.

'We have two of Rod's older children from America coming over to spend the whole Christmas with us, with their little ones.

'So we've got two two-year-olds and a nine-month-old, and I cannot wait.'

Penny looked sensational in a cold shoulder white satin minidress as she and her friends performed a perfectly in time routine under a sparkling disco ball

She wrote: '"Secret circle" shoes off, night to remember'

The model and TV personality couldn't contain her smile as she kicked her legs into the air and clapped in time with the music

It is unknown what song Penny and her friends were dancing to but over the top of the video she added the song, Ain't Nobody

Based on their ages, it appears that Rod's son Lewis and his wife Nicole are joining them with their two-year-old Louie and nine-month-old Elsie, as well as his daughter Ruby and her fiance Jake Kalic's son Otis, two.

It comes after Penny recounted her and Rod's emotional love story in a new BBC festive special.

The couple met back in 1999 when Penny was a student at Barking College and Rod was performing.

After welcoming their first son Alistair in 2005 the pair went on to tie the knot in 2007 before welcoming their second son Aiden in 2011.

And looking back at their love story for the first episode of series two of Anita Rani's My Life At Christmas, Penny was overcome with emotion as she repeatedly broke down throughout the interview, while Rod even shed a tear himself.

Discussing how they first met, Penny revealed it wasn't until nine months after exchanging numbers that Rod reached out to her.

They originally met in the wake of Rod's divorce to his second wife Rachel Hunter, who he was married to from 1990 until 2006.

And anticipating that his best pal wasn't ready to meet the love of his life yet, Rod's band leader Carmine Appice withheld Penny's number from the musician until he was in a better place.

Recalling the story, Rod explained: 'He was an absolute gentleman, he was band leader and bass player and he kept her telephone away from me.

'He didn't think I was in the right position because I had just got a divorce and didn't know if I was coming or going and he said I will give it to you when I think you are ready.'

He joked: 'I should of fired him but I couldn't!'

It comes after Penny revealed her plans for a 'grandma' Christmas with her husband Rod's American grandchildren

It comes after Penny revealed her plans for a 'grandma' Christmas with her husband Rod's American grandchildren

Penny then began to well up with tears as she added: 'Carmine had kept that telephone number away from him.

'He said "you are going to go a bit crazy over the summer and let your hair down and Penny seems like a nice girl".'

After hearing nothing from her future husband, she explained: 'I really thought that was the last I would see of Rod. I remember processing those photos I took of Rod [at his concert] and thinking, what a lovely memory and that was that.'

However once Rod was ready he reached out and the pair began dating and Penny was welcomed into his blended family.

The star put his first child up for adoption, Sarah, 62, who he welcomed with his ex-girlfriend Susannah Boffey when he was just 17, he later formed a relationship with her.

He then had daughter Kimberly, 46, and son Sean, 45, with his ex-wife Alana Stewart and a daughter Ruby, 38, with his ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg.

While married to his ex-wife Rachel Hunter, the Faces frontman had two more children, Renee, 33, and Liam, 31.
She is never shy showing off her incredible figure.

And Love Island's Lucie Donlan sizzled as she slipped into her best sexy Santa ensembles for a festive Ann Summers lingerie shoot this week.

The reality star, 27, launched its Styles range and posed up a storm in an array of red lace looks alongside model Mariana Jaguite.

For one incredible look she put on a busty display in a skimpy bodysuit with a white fur trim and satin bow.

In another she flaunted her flawless physique in a red and black flower patterned bra, garter belt and matching briefs.

A different playful look saw her model a green velvet strapless body suit as she boosted her height with sparkly heeled boots.

Love Island's Lucie Donlan sizzled as she slipped into her best sexy Santa ensembles for a festive Ann Summers lingerie shoot this week

The reality star, 27, launched its Styles range and posed up a storm in an array of red lace looks alongside model Mariana Jaguite

Model Lucie and her fiance Luke Mabbott both starred on Love Island but in different series.

Lucie appeared on the 2019 series of Love Island, and briefly dated fellow contestant Joseph Garratt, while former heating engineer Luke found fame on the first winter edition of the show in 2020.

Luke reached the final of the winter series of the ITV dating show, but split from Demi Jones shortly afterwards.

The now-betrothed pair met in July 2020 after Lucie revealed that she messaged Luke first on social media.

The pair got engaged a year later in the December after Luke romantically proposed in front of the Northern Lights during their trip to Finland.

He wrote at the time: 'Mrs Mabbott to be. The northern lights made an appearance for the perfect moment to pop the question. A night we will never forget.'

Lucie has said they're in no rush to wed and are planning on being engaged for three to four years.

Though that won't stop her from wedding dress shopping as she recently shared a snap to Instagram revealing she's found her dress.

The former Islander previously told the Daily Mail that the pair have considered 'jetting off somewhere' and getting married 'just the two of us'  as she admitted to favoring a private wedding over a big event.

For one incredible look she put on a busty display in a skimpy bodysuit with a white fur trim and satin bow, while in another she wore a classic Mrs Claus outfit

A different playful look saw her model a green velvet strapless body suit as she boosted her height with sparkly heeled boots

Model Lucie and her fiance Luke Mabbott both starred on Love Island but in different series

For another she showed off her ample assets as she wore a red lace slip dress

She was joined by fellow model Mariana Jaguite for the shoot

She boosted her height with platform gold heels to boost her height

Lucie appeared on the 2019 series of Love Island, and briefly dated fellow contestant Joseph Garratt

She has gone on to have a successful career as an influencer

She worked all her best angles for the camera

The looks highlighted her ample assets

Her toned abs and gym-honed legs were on display

She wore her blonde tresses in bouncy curls and opted for a bronzed makeup look

She said: 'We said we may just jet off somewhere ourselves and get married so we're not decided on who would at our wedding just yet  it may only be just us two.

'We would prefer to have a much smaller wedding for sure.

'We're a family orientated couple. We would love our wedding to be just close family and friends.'

The couple recently renovated and sold a beautiful home in Cornwall.
Annie Knight has revealed a surprisingly low-key Christmas wish - despite her famously glamorous lifestyle.

The 28-year-old OnlyFans star, dubbed 'Australia's most sexually active woman', took to Instagram on Monday to share a series of sultry festive snaps alongside a tongue-in-cheek message to Santa.

'Dear Santa, please give me some new tights for Christmas,' Annie wrote, poking fun at the barely-there racy festive outfit she was wearing.

In the photos, Annie looked effortlessly chic as she posed beside a lavishly decorated Christmas tree inside her home.

Annie slipped into a strapless black mini dress trimmed with delicate metallic detailing, pairing the look with sheer black tights, long velvet gloves and pointed heels.

In one image, Annie smiled over her shoulder as she adjusted a red ribbon on the tree, while another showed her crouched on the floor in front of the festive display, flashing a wide grin for the camera.

Annie Knight (pictured) has revealed a surprisingly low-key Christmas wish - despite her famously glamorous lifestyle

The 28-year-old OnlyFans star, dubbed 'Australia's most sexually active woman ', took to Instagram on Monday to share a series of sultry festive snaps alongside a tongue-in-cheek message to Santa

Another snap saw the blonde bombshell reclining back in a burnt-orange armchair, legs extended and crossed in the air, as she modelled the sleek ensemble from another angle.

The playful post comes after Annie recently lifted the lid on the extensive cosmetic work she has undergone since 2019 - and the eye-watering cost behind her transformation.

Last month, the sex worker shared a candid Instagram post detailing every procedure she has had done, stressing she was not encouraging others to follow suit.

'Not promoting cosmetic work or suggesting anyone should get it!' she wrote at the time.

'These are just the procedures I wanted and I'm posting this to be transparent for anyone who might be thinking about it also.'

Annie revealed she began her cosmetic journey with lip filler in 2019, initially starting with 0.5ml before increasing to 1ml in 2023.

She said she now gets the procedure every 12 months, costing $700 per visit.

The influencer also disclosed she has been receiving Botox every three months since 2020 as a preventative measure, setting her back $500 per appointment.

'Dear Santa, please give me some new tights for Christmas,' Annie wrote, poking fun at the barely-there festive outfit she was wearing

Another snap saw the blonde bombshell reclining back in a burnt-orange armchair, legs extended and crossed in the air, as she modelled the sleek ensemble from another angle

'I had filler injected into my chin and the space between my lips and chin to straighten out my side profile,' Annie added, revealing she paid $1,000 for the procedure.

In June 2022, Annie underwent a breast augmentation, going from an AA cup to a D cup with 300cc high-profile Motiva implants under the muscle - an operation that cost $11,000.

She later opted for Invisalign in 2023, followed by composite bonding to perfect her smile, spending a further $3,000.

Most recently, in August 2024, Annie revealed she had a nose job to 'remove the bump and decrease the overall size', as well as fix a partially deviated septum, at a cost of $22,000.

By the end of her post, Annie confirmed that all up she had spent a staggering $62,000 on cosmetic procedures since 2019.
Simon Cowell's fiancee Lauren Silverman has hit out at 'unkind and abusive' trolls, in the wake of the release of the star's new Netlix documentary.

Following the most candid insight into the couple's relationship to date, the socialite, 48, shared a lengthy message on Instagram, in which she targeted critics.

Lauren, who shares son Eric, 11, with the music mogul, 66, admitted that she has struggled to 'share her life', making Netflix documentary The Next Act a big jump.

In her impassioned post, the brunette beauty wrote: 'It has taken me many years to decide to share parts of my life, family and work here, things I'm genuinely proud of and grateful for. I value honest opinions and believe in freedom of speech...

'At the same time, I've chosen for this space to be positive, uplifting and kind. Any unkind, abusive or hateful comments especially from people who don't know me will be deloeted and the account will be blocked...

Simon Cowell's fiancee Lauren Silverman has hit out at 'unkind and abusive' trolls, in the wake of the release of the star's new Netlix documentary (Simon and Lauren are pictured earlier this month)

Following the most candid insight into the couple's relationship to date, the socialite, 48, shared a lengthy message on Instagram, in which she targeted critics

She added a caption reading: 'It's really simple. Be kind'

'This is my personal page and personal choice. I want this to be a safe, uplifting, happy place for myself and for anyone who visits. If you're here to spread negativity, this isn't the space for you.'

She added a caption reading: 'It's really simple. Be kind'.

Her post comes shortly after Lauren joked that a funeral could come before their wedding at the rate we're going'. The couple first met in Barbados in 2004, but didnt start dating until around 2012. They welcomed Eric in 2014 and got engaged in 2021.

Now, four years on from his proposal, Lauren has poked fun at the length of their engagement in a rare interview.

During an appearance on ExtraTV, host and Simon's ex Terri Seymour asked if she needs 'to be buying a hat anytime soon.'

Lauren replied: 'You mean like for a wedding? Is that what that means?' When the presenter joked that she meant 'for a funeral', Lauren laughed: 'Well, who knows which one is going to happen first at the rate we're going?'

Her post comes shortly after Lauren joked that a funeral could come before their wedding at the rate we're going'. The couple first met in Barbados in 2004, but didnt start dating until around 2012

They welcomed Eric (pictured) in 2014 and got engaged in 2021

The Netflix docuseries The Next Act follows Simon's nationwide search for young, talented musicians. Ahead of its release, she teased: 'It's a lot. Simon on his own is bad enough, but now to have Eric as his little sidekick  it's just diabolical.'

Meanwhile, Simon said a wedding is on the horizon after his fiancee Lauren legally changed her name.

In between scenes of the X Factor star at work are slices of family life with Lauren and Eric and one episode shows Lauren signing paperwork to formally change her name by deed poll to Cowell.

Now, Simon, who has previously been vocal about his reluctance to marry before proposing to Lauren on Christmas Eve 2021, has insisted the two will wed.

'I always shied away from saying it's going to happen whenever,' he explained. 'When we decide to do it, it will be private then people will know about it but obviously the fact that she talks about changing her name, it's quite obvious where all this is leading to.'

'We have a very, very close bond. I adore her. We are a very happy family, genuinely,' he gushed.

Meanwhile, Simon, who has previously been vocal about his reluctance to marry, has insisted the two will wed

Simon revealed that whilst he had to persuade Lauren to appear in his new show, the experience only strengthened his love for her.

'She was a bit reluctant [to be on camera] in the beginning, and then she got more used to it,' he told Us Weekly. 'The funny thing about her is that she is identical on the show as she is in real life,' he admitted.

'When I was watching the show back, I was absolutely cracking up at some of the scenes.

In the name change scene Lauren, who was previously married to businessman Andrew Silverman with whom she shares son Adam, 20, is seen explaining that she has decided she no longer wants to go by her old married name.

'Look, I am Mrs Cowell,' she says. 'I have created a life with Simon, we have a child together, we have a solid relationship.'
Amal Clooney has rallied round her sister, accessories designer Tala Alamuddin, as she rebuilds her life following the collapse of her second marriage.

Tala, 53, has separated from her husband, French businessman Nicolas Le Tallec, 45, with whom she lived in Singapore, and is now back on home turf living near her sibling.

Human rights lawyer Amal, 47, and husband George Clooney, 64 - who have homes in Berkshire and London as well as Los Angeles and Lake Como - are said to be supporting Tala as she navigates life post-divorce.

A spokesperson for Tala told the Daily Mail: 'I can confirm she has separated from her ex-husband and is excited to be back in London and looking ahead to what's next.

'This move marks a new chapter for her, both personally and professionally, and she is very much focused on the positive opportunities ahead.'

A friend close to Tala said the sisters are 'delighted' to live near each other again after Tala's many years in Singapore, with their relationship having always been a 'rock-solid bond' that has sustained them both through life's challenges.

Amal Clooney has rallied round her sister, accessories designer Tala Alamuddin (pictured together), as she rebuilds her life following the collapse of her second marriage

Tala has separated from her husband, French businessman Nicolas Le Tallec, with whom she lived in Singapore, and is now back on home turf living near her sibling

'Having Amal - and her other family and close friends - so close to her again means everything to Tala as she navigates this new phase of her life,' the friend added.

The sisters, who are often likened to one another due to their glossy dark locks and sculpted cheekbones, have always had a close relationship despite their respective careers and personal circumstances taking them to different corners of the globe.

At Amal's star-studded Venice wedding to Hollywood icon George in 2014, Tala was a bridesmaid and played a key role in organising the big day.

Born to Lebanese businessman Ramzi Alamuddin and political journalist Baria Alamuddin in Beirut, Lebanon, the sisters moved to the UK with their family in 1980 to escape the Lebanese Civil War, settling in Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

Tala studied at Richmond American International University in London and remained in the UK for several years alongside Amal until she moved to New York to work as an events manager.

She later moved to Singapore after marrying her first husband, Singapore-based Lebanese businessman Nagi Hamiyeh, 56, with whom she had three children.

Their daughter Mia, 23 - who was a flower girl at Amal and George's wedding - also lives in London and is following in Amal's footsteps after recently graduating from London's BPP Law School with a distinction.

Tala and Nagi got divorced in 2016, a year after which Tala founded her accessories label, TALA by Tala Alamuddin, selling colourful rock-chic handbags, jewellery and clothing.

Amal and husband George Clooney - who have homes in Berkshire and London as well as Los Angeles and Lake Como - are said to be supporting Tala as she navigates life post-divorce

Human rights lawyer Amal has been a huge supporter of Tala's accessories business, and frequently wears her bold, statement-making wares

Amal - who has eight-year-old wins, Ella and Alexander, with George - has been a huge supporter of the venture, frequently wearing her sister's bold, statement-making wares.

At Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, Amal paired her yellow Stella McCartney dress with a chic clutch from her sister's line.

Shortly after her divorce, Tala married Nico, who was living in Singapore at the time and working for the British financial services company, Marex Spectron.

It is understood that Nico has remained in Singapore while Tala rebuilds her life in the UK.

Last week, Tala opened up about returning home in a candid reflection on Instagram.

'There's something both grounding and unfamiliar about coming home,' she wrote. 'After years in Singapore - raising my family, building, creating, and moving at full speed - I've found myself back in London, in a new rhythm, in a new chapter.

The sisters, who are often likened to one another due to their glossy dark locks and sculpted cheekbones, have always had a close relationship (pictured: George and Amal in London)

'The city feels different this time. Maybe because I am, too. My children are grown, my pace has shifted, and I'm learning to prioritise myself again - my creativity, my health, my time.

'Heres to new routines, new friends, rediscovering old ones, and embracing the beauty of reinvention and... beginning again.'

Her spokesperson added: 'Tala continues to build TALA by Tala Alamuddin with London providing a strong and inspiring base as she expands the brand's wellness led offering alongside its luxury accessories.

'A key focus at present is transitioning the business to a made to order model, leading by example in furthering sustainability efforts.'

She has also launched an innovative product called TotallySynced ring covers, compatible with the Oura 4 smart ring and designed to encourage 'daily intention setting, balance and self-connection'.

'These are the only rings we know of in the world that have zero sensor interference as well as being fully removable and reattach-able by yourself,' her spokesperson explained.

'This work reflects Tala's growing passion and deepening commitment to her purpose of supporting women to live the life they desire.'
Michael Douglas spent 'a lot' of time talking to Rob Reiner about his son Nick Reiner's drug problems, he has revealed.

The actor, who also experienced difficulties within his family as his son Cameron Douglas spent years battling addiction, said he bonded with The Princess Bride director over their shared struggle.

Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead at their home in Los Angeles on December 14, and their 34-year-old son Nick, who has been open about his drug use, is now behind bars after being charged with the double murder.

Speaking in TV special CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life, which aired on Sunday night, Douglas said: 'With this terrible tragedy we're realizing how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son.

'I also had a son who had had drug issues. I'm happy to say he's overcome them and is living a prosperous life,' he said.

Cameron, 47, is the son of Douglas and his first wife, Diandra Luker. He is also the grandson of legendary actor Kirk Douglas.

Michael Douglas spent 'a lot' of time talking to Rob Reiner about his son Nick Reiner's drug problems. Reiner and Nick are pictured together

Douglas also suffered drug problems within his family as his son Cameron Douglas spent years battling addiction issues and the actor has revealed he bonded with The Princess Bride director over their shared struggle; seen in 2003

Speaking in TV special CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life - which aired on Sunday night, Douglas said: 'With this terrible tragedy we're realizing how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son'

Douglas also has a son, Dylan, 25, with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones as well as daughter Carys, 22.

'We did talk a lot about that and what you can do as a parent, what you can't do. Knowing with all of that going on behind the scenes, this was a man who always gave it his best,' added Douglas.

The Oscar-winner revealed he also bonded with Reiner over their similar experiences in Hollywood as they both grew up in the shadow of their famous fathers, with Douglas as the son of Spartacus actor Kirk and Reiner as the child of comedian/actor Carl Reiner.

Douglas said: 'Well, my experience watching him was that I could never be the man that my father was. He can do everything. I mean, he was Spartacus ...

'Once you go into the same business, it stares you in the face. And in Rob's case, are you as funny as your father?

'I think that also created his tenacity, his strength and that's something that's not really talked about enough with Rob about his endurance.'

In the TV special, Reiner was also remembered by his Misery star Kathy Bates, who compared landing the role in the Stephen King adaptation to the plot of Frank Capra's 1946 movie classic It's a Wonderful Life because it took her life in a totally different direction.

She said: 'If I hadn't done Misery, it would be like [It's a Wonderful Life character] George Bailey going back and seeing what his life would have been like if he had never been there.

'I've always wanted to be an actress and if it wasn't for Rob, I don't think I would have ever been able to make that dream come true in such a dramatic and incredible way.

'I also had a son who had had drug issues. I'm happy to say he's overcome them and living a prosperous life,' he said. From left, Kirk Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Cameron in 2006

Douglas also has a son named Dylan, 25, with wife Zeta-Jones; seen in November

Douglas and Zeta-Jones are still going strong after 25 years of marriage

'Rob changed the course of my life, and if he hadn't, I wouldn't be sitting in front of you now.'

Annette Bening, who became a close friend of the director after starring in his 1995 movie The American President, revealed Reiner would send the cast and crew home at a reasonable time every day because he wanted them to be able to have dinner with their families.

The actress said: '[He was a] family man. The leader sets the tone. He would insist that the day ended at a sane time, which in show business is kind of unusual.

'But, he said: 'No, we want everyone to be able to have dinner with their kids.' He knew how to create a great atmosphere.

'He loved his kids and Michele. They were very much companions to each other. And we all respected that about them and their relationship.'
Blonde bombshell Paris Hilton was almost unrecognizable while sporting a long brunette wig to go incognito at Disneyland on Sunday.

The 44-year-old multihyphenate  who attended the TikTok awards last week  was joined by sister Nicky Hilton, 42, as they took their kids to the Anaheim, California amusement park.

She had son Phoenix, who will turn three in January, and daughter London, two, in tow.

Paris wore a black newsboy cap and thick, black-framed cat-eye eyeglasses for the weekend excursion.

She was clad in a long-sleeved black sweater with a Mickey Mouse graphic on the front, and dark blue skinny jeans.

The former Simple Life star was spotted snapping a selfie while riding the park's carousel.

Paris Hilton was almost unrecognizable while sporting a long brunette wig at Disneyland on Sunday

She was spotted snapping a selfie while riding the park's carousel

The mother-of-two's most recent Instagram post, a video shared on Sunday, shows her adorable children posing in matching pajamas in front of a Christmas tree.

The proud parent, who shares her kids with husband Carter Reum, captioned, 'Watching Phoenix and London grow up side by side is the greatest gift.'

She added, 'Best friends from the very beginning. Theres nothing like having a sibling to laugh with, learn with, and always feel understood by.'

In addition to Nicky, Paris' other siblings are brothers Barron Hilton II, 36, and Conrad Hilton, 31.

Her social media note went on to say, 'Growing up with siblings shaped my whole heart, and Im so grateful they get to have that same bond.

'I love my forever built-in bestie @NickyHilton for showing me just how special that kind of love can be.'

In November Paris used Instagram to express gratitude for her family by sharing a montage video post.

On Thanksgiving Day the mogul interacted with her nearly 30 million followers as she wrote in the caption, 'My heart is full this #Thanksgiving.

'Watching Carter be the sweetest dad, Phoenix discover the world, and little London shine brighter every day, its the kind of love I dreamed of my whole life.'

She added that she is 'grateful always for my family.'

Paris wore a black newsboy cap and thick, black-framed cat-eye eyeglasses for the weekend excursion

Paris was joined by sister Nicky Hilton, 42, as they took their kids to the Anaheim, California amusement park

Last week the media personality attended the TikTok awards with her signature blonde locks

Join the debate Is wearing a wig enough to go incognito?

Shortly after her son's birth via surrogacy in 2023, Paris revealed that her family knew nothing about the pregnancy until a week after Phoenix's birth.

The star wanted to keep things private as she prepared to welcome her first child and had been worried that if her family knew, the news would be leaked.

Speaking on her This Is Paris podcast she said: 'Not even my mom, my sisters, my best friend knew until he was over a week old.

'It was really nice to have that with Carter, be our own journey together. I just feel like my life has been so public, and I've never really had anything be just mine.

'So when we were talking about it, I really felt that I wanted this journey to be for us only.'

She explained, 'We were so excited and wanted to tell our families, but we were just nervous because if you tell a person, then they tell someone, and all the sudden, it's in TMZ or Page Six, and I've had enough of my life like that.

'So Carter and I literally made a pact together that we would not tell anyone, and no one knew until just recently.'
James Ransone, best known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka in HBO's hit crime drama The Wire, died by suicide on Friday at age 46.

In the wake of his shock death, the actor's Hollywood counterparts are expressing their grief.

On Monday director Andy Muschietti, who worked with Ransone on It Chapter Two, took to Instagram to share two separate tribute posts.

Sharing a selfie with Ransone, who was holding a puppy, he wrote, 'PJ im so lucky to have met you and to be your friend . I will miss you, hermano .'

A second upload featured more photos as the filmmaker said, 'Thank you for touching our lives, peej .'

He also directed his followers to the link in his profile, where there was a GoFundMe set up to support Ransone's family.

James Ransone, best known for his role as Ziggy Sobotkain HBO's hit crime drama The Wire, died by suicide on Friday at age 46; pictured in 2019

On Monday director Andy Muschietti, who worked with Ransone on It Chapter Two, took to Instagram to share two separate tribute posts

He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children, son Jack, six, and daughter Violet, four.

His Black Phone co-star Madeleine McGraw posted a photo with him via Instagram Story and added an emotional note.

'I'm struggling to put into words the profound emptiness I'm feeling since learning of James Ransones passing,' she began.

The actress continued: 'My heart is absolutely shattered. At the premiere of the first The Black Phone, James pulled me and my parents aside and spent nearly 45 minutes talking with us.

'He was so genuinely supportive and he took the time to share heartfelt advice with my parents about how to guide and protect me in this industry.

'That night, I spoke to so many people, but his conversation is the only one etched in my memory forever. He was such a beautiful soul. Full of passion and so much kindness.'

McGraw recalled, 'When he returned for his cameo in Black Phone 2, he was just as humble and grateful, lighting up with pure excitement to be back on the Black Phone set. We got to catch up, laugh, and connect again, and he was exactly the same: that radiant, passionate man overflowing with love for me, for his craft, and for his family.'

Finally, she shared: 'James, you truly changed me. You inspired me in ways Ill carry forever. And I promise, with everything in me, to live by the wisdom you shared with me that night at the premiere. I already miss you so deeply. Rest in peace, my friend. You were one of a kind.'

Muschietti said, 'Thank you for touching our lives, peej '

The director added, 'PJ im so lucky to have met you and to be your friend. I will miss you, hermano .' He also directed his followers to the link in his profile, where there was a GoFundMe set up to support Ransone's family

His Black Phone co-star Madeleine McGraw posted a photo with him via Instagram Story and added an emotional note

Jaeden Wesley reposted a photo of Ransone in his younger years and said, 'I'll be thinking about you.'

Sean Baker, who directed Ransone in his movie Tangerine, shared a photo with the late star and simply said: 'Ill miss you dearly my friend.'

His Tangerine co-star Mya Taylor shared an old photo of them and said on Instagram, 'RIP James Ransone. This hurt me so bad. Such a sweet and funny guy. He helped me deal with fame. He could light up a room with his smile and dimples.

'So funny and sweet and he will be missed. Love this man so much.'

Director Spike Lee was also among the famous stars to acknowledge the tragedy with a photo of him and Ransone.

'Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother, MR. JAMES RANSONE. We Rocked Together On RED HOOK SUMMER And INSIDE MAN,' the acclaimed director wrote.

He added a long string of prayer hands and blue heart emojis.

Actor Wendell Pierce, who worked alongside Ransone in The Wire, lamented on X: 'Sorry I couldnt be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone.'

Kelly Osbourne also expressed anguish with a tribute shared on Instagram.

The media personality, whose dad Ozzy Osbourne died in July, wrote, 'I have no words! This one really hits hard. RIP @jamesransone my heart is broken.'

Jaeden Wesley reposted a photo of Ransone in his younger years and said, 'I'll be thinking about you'

Sean Baker, who directed Ransone in his movie Tangerine, shared a photo with the late star and simply said: 'Ill miss you dearly my friend'

His Tangerine co-star Mya Taylor shared an old photo of them and said on Instagram, 'RIP James Ransone. This hurt me so bad. Such a sweet and funny guy. He helped me deal with fame. He could light up a room with his smile and dimples'

Director Spike Lee was also among the famous stars to acknowledge the tragedy, writing, 'Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother, MR. JAMES RANSONE'

Actor Wendell Pierce, who worked alongside Ransone in The Wire, lamented on X: 'Sorry I couldnt be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone'

Kelly Osbourne also expressed anguish with a tribute shared on Instagram

Ransone's widow previously broke her silence on her husband's death in a heartbreaking Instagram post shared on Sunday.

She posted an image showing him cradling her baby bump during one of her two pregnancies.

'I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again... You told me - I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me - and you were so right.

'Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts - you, Jack and Violet. We are forever,' she mournfully wrote.

Actress Natasha Lyonne wrote in the comments, 'Love you with everything I got and holding our beloved brilliant peejo with grace gratitude and cosmic peace into this life and the next - family forever  beautiful jamie you are the best of us we love you.'

Josh Peck added, 'Love you. Love him and the beautiful family you guys made. Feel lucky to have known him. .'

Julia Fox said, 'Giving you the biggest virtual hug and I hope you are wrapped in warmth and love. we got your back with whatever you need.'
Helen Siff - who starred alongside George Clooney in 2016 Oscar-nominated film Hail, Caesar! - has passed away at 88.

The talented star's family announced that she had died in Los Angeles on Thursday of complications from surgery for a 'long, painful illness.'

The veteran actress enjoyed a career which spanned five decades with roles throughout film and television.

They wrote in a statement: 'Those who worked with Helen knew her not just as a talented performer, but as someone who brought professionalism, dedication and genuine kindness to every set.

'She understood that every role, no matter how large or small, was an opportunity to contribute something meaningful to the story being told,' her family wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

She portrayed Malibu maid in the Joel Coen and Ethan Coen written and directed film Hail, Caesar! which centered around a Hollywood fixer in the 1950s who works to keep he studio's stars in line.

Helen Siff - known for her work on iconic sitcoms Will & Grace and Modern Family - has passed away at 88 (she is pictured in Hollywood back in October 2010)

Siff is pictured alongside George Clooney as they worked together on 2016 Oscar-nominated film Hail, Caesar!

In addition to her roles on the Clooney-fronted film, she was also known for her work in 1984's The Karate Kid, 2008's You Don't Mess With The Zohan and 1988's Earth Girls Are Easy.

Other feature roles included: Rocky (1976), Big Top Pee-wee (1988), City Slickers II: The Legend of Curlys Gold (1994) and The Disappearance Of Mrs. Wu (2001).

Her daughter Victoria Siff Russell took to Facebook to share a sweet tribute to her late mother along with a slideshow of photos celebrating her life.

She captioned the short clip: 'Im heartbroken to share that my mother ( my mommy) Helen Siff has passed away [broken heart emoji]

'My dynamic, charismatic, one-of-a-kind mom was a stage, television and film actress . She loved her craft deeply , but her greatest role was being a mother and a grandmother.'

Victoria concluded the post with a sweet final message to her beloved mother.

She wrote: 'Youve taken your final bow , mommy . I will love you forever [two red heart emojis]'

Siff also starred on several television shows including guest sports on iconic sitcoms including Ellen in 1994, Married... With Children in 1994 and 1996, Will & Grace in 2003 and Modern Family in 2015.

The talented star's family announced that she had died in Los Angeleson Thursday of complications from surgery for a 'long, painful illness'

Her daughter Victoria Siff Russell took to Facebookto share a sweet tribute to her late mother along with a slideshow of photos celebrating her life

In addition to her roles on the Clooney-fronted film, she was also known for her work in 1984's The Karate Kid, 2008's You Don't Mess With The Zohan (pictured with Adam Sandler) and 1988's Earth Girls Are Easy

Siff also starred on several television shows including guest sports on iconic sitcoms including Ellen in 1994 (pictured with Ellen DeGeneres), Will & Grace in 2003 and Modern Family in 2015

She also starred in Married... With Children in 1994 and 1996 (pictured)

Her television resume also includes work in Lou Grant, Cagney & Lacey, Silver Spoons, L.A. Law, Knots Landing, Dharma & Greg, Scrubs, Will & Grace, My Name Is Earl, S.W.AT., Mom, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Good Trouble.

She also established herself on the stage as she originated the role of Helga in a 1993 off-Broadway production of Grandma Sylvia's Funeral which was a comedy about a Jewish funeral gone wrong.

Siff also starred in productions of Lilies Of The Field, Lost In Yonkers and Over the River And Through the Woods.

She was married to an attorney named Marshall - who died in 2007 - for 41 years. One of their sons, named Bruce, passed away in 1999.

Siff is survived by sisters Carol and Janet, son Matt, daughters Susie, Karen, Jenny, and the aforementioned Victoria, and grandchildren Chelsea, Zach, Robert, Josh, Spencer, Megan and Dean.
Chrissy Teigen is poking fun at herself after suffering a chipped tooth.

The 40-year-old mother-of-four  who opened up about Ozempic earlier this year  took to Instagram on Sunday to share a video of her kids engaging in a holiday-themed activity involving candy canes.

'Merry chrithmath from our family to yours!!!!!!!' she captioned the post, mimicking a lisp and making light of the dental injury she sustained while trying to unwrap a piece of candy with her teeth.

Across multiple photos and clips, the candid star shamelessly showed the stub of her natural tooth, which had been covered by a veneer.

She labeled the video  in which her children Luna, nine, Miles, seven, plus Esti and Wren, both two, filled plant pots with candy cane and crumbled Oreo cookies  Growing Candy Cane (Gone Wrong).

Teigen eventually recorded footage of herself being worked on by a dentist.

Chrissy Teigen is poking fun at herself after suffering a chipped tooth

'Merry chrithmath from our family to yours!!!!!!! she captioned the post, making light of the dental injury she sustained while trying to unwrap a piece of candy with her teeth

She wrote over the snippet, 'We are back in business, shout out to the tooth goat @drlaurencerifkindds.'

The star also shared a selfie with her firstborn child, daughter Luna, as she quipped: 'Was cool to say hi to my old tooth for a while hiiii old tooth!'

She and husband John Legend, 46, tied the knot in 2013 and renewed their vows in 2023.

The two met in 2006 while on the set of Legend's music video for his song Stereo, and they got engaged in 2011.

The happy couple waited two years before they held a wedding ceremony in Italy.

They started their family with the birth of Luna in April 2016, and welcomed son Miles two years later.

Esti was born in January 2023, and they surprised their fans with Wren's arrival five months later via surrogate.

The family-of-six attended a Disney On Ice performance on December 20 at Crypto.com Arena.

The 40-year-old mother-of-four took to Instagram on Sunday to share a video of her kids engaging in a holiday-themed activity involving candy canes

The hands-on mom revealed she 'had to go to a school recital like this'

The star also shared a selfie with her firstborn child, daughter Luna, as she quipped: 'Was cool to say hi to my old tooth for a while hiiii old tooth!' Teigen eventually recorded footage of herself being worked on by a dentist

Teigen and her family attended a Disney On Ice performance on December 20; pictured with husband John Legend

On a January 2024 episode of SiriusXMs Andy Cohen Live, the cookbook author admitted to having jealousy issues early in her romance with The Voice judge.

'Going to his shows when I was younger, like when we had first met, and he would pull up a girl for the slow dance... and we would fight about this at the end of the night, like, I was so jealous and unhinged,' she revealed.

She specifically recalled Legend's Green Light video.

'Poor Anthony Mandler. This was the director of it, and I was sitting there watching the monitor and he was just simply talking to a girl.

'It was a party scene and I got in my car, like wheels were going. I was like, I just wasnt well,' she recalled at the time.
Ewan McGregor made a surprise appearance at G20 Youth Project's annual Christmas party in his native Scotland on Sunday.

The Perth born actor, 54, appeared in great spirits as he mingled with families at the Maryhill bash, as festive music played and a turkey dinner was served.

Ewan wore a beanie with the charity's logo before before swapping it for a Grinch head popper while posing for snaps with the stunned attendees.

Meanwhile fellow stars including actors Dougary Scott, Ray Winstone as well as Two Doors Down's Jonathan Watson sent video messages wishing guests a Merry Christmas.

Taking to Instagram the charity shared snaps of the bash and penned: 'Absolute belter of an evening with our community thanks to the wonderful, big hearted @guyforallseasons who cooked a delicious meal and rounded up support for our project'.

'What a surprise to be joined by @officialewanmcgregor_ @therealtamcowan @colin.mccredie @gavinmitchell867 @terminatorsanj memories that will last forever #gratitude'

Ewan McGregor, 54, made a surprise appearance at G20 Youth Project's annual Christmas party in his native Scotland on Sunday

The Perth born actor appeared in great spirits as he mingled with families at the Marylandbash, as festive music played and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings were served.

G20 Youth, provides support for the local Maryhill community and helps young people's access to 'nature and adventure'.

Last month Ewan shared his Scottish BAFTA with Mary Elizabeth Winstead, paying tribute to his wife during the glitzy Glasgow ceremony.

The actor, 54, was awarded the outstanding contribution award from Bafta Scotland and arrived at the ceremony, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, with his wife of three years.

Ewan, who looked dapper in a kilt and sporran, enjoyed a passionate kiss with Mary Elizabeth, 40, before heading up to the podium where he paid tribute to the actress and his three-time co-star, jokingly calling for more films they could be in together.

The couple first met on the set of the FX series Fargo in 2016, when they both joined the cast for season three, playing each other's love interests.

At the time of the shoot, he was still married to Eve Mavrakis, and she was married to Riley Stearns. But eventually, both of their marriages ended and the co-stars began dating soon afterwards.

They worked with each other again on the superhero film film Birds Of Prey (2020), which is based on the DC Comics team the Birds of Prey.

The couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Laurie in June 2021, after nearly four years of dating.

Ewan wore a beanie with the charity's logo before before swapping it out for a Grinch head popper and posed for snaps with the stunned attendees

Ewan joined other famous Scottish faces (L-R) George Bowie, Sanjeev Kohli, Tam Cowan, Guy Cowan, Colin McCreadie, Guy Mitchell.

Meanwhile fellow stars including actors Dougary Scott (L) and Ray Winstone (R) sent video messages wishing guests a Merry Christmas.

The cast of BBC's Casualty also sent a festive message

Scottish actor Greg Hemphill boasted a big bushy beard in his video

Two Doors Down stars (L-R) Jonathan Watson and Grado were also sending their best

Taking to Instagram the charity shared snaps of the bash and penned: 'Absolute belter of an evening with our community'

Meanwhile Mary claimed that life in rural Scotland with husband Ewan is heaven to me after renovating an 18th century mansion in Perthshire, close to where the Obi-Wan Kenobi actor grew up in Crieff.

Land Registry documents show that Ewan bought the Perthshire country pile, complete with ten bedrooms and a billiards room, in May 2023 for 2.35million.

Now his wife Mary, who is currently filming the second series of Ahsoka, has opened up about life in Scotland with McGregor and their son Laurie, four.

As much as I love working and as grateful as I am, I had a weekend last week which was very wholesome, very simple, and I was like, If I could choose what heaven is going to be, this is heaven for me.

Just being at our house and cooking... picking apples and being outside and being in nature... its just perfect.
Love Island star Daisy Muller has given birth to her first child, a baby daughter, following a secret pregnancy.

The TV personality, who appeared on the ITV dating show with striking blue hair back in 2015, took to Instagram with a surprise post last month to announce the arrival.

Daisy cuddled the tot in her hospital bed as she revealed the newborn's sweet name with the caption: 'I love you forever, my baby, Rosalie'.

Followers rushed to the comments to offers their congratulations: 'Both ao happy to be together. Beautiful': 'God bless': 'Huge congratulations Daisy, she looks absolutely perfect. Wishing you all the love'.

In September Daisy, who is now based in the US, shocked fans when she showed off her blossoming baby bump for the first time just weeks before giving birth.

The stunner found fame after entering the first series villa on Day seven and couple up with Jordan Ring before being dumped from the island on Day 19.

Love Island star Daisy Muller has given birth to her first child, a baby daughter, following a secret pregnancy

The TV personality appeared on the ITV dating show with striking blue hair back in 2015

Since then she has swapped the UK for New York and is believed to be in a relationship with criminal defence lawyer Edward Palermo, according to The Sun.

She also worked as an OnlyFans model before reinventing herself as a vegan influencer, sharing recipes with more than 40K followers.

Last week Love Island hosy Maya Jama treated fans to their first teaser of the new All Stars, as she shared a new video from the set of season three.

The presenter, 31, appeared in a video on the official Love Island Instagram account to tease that viewers were 'going to love' the next series of the ITV2 dating show.

Looking as sensational as ever in a plunging gold dress with her hair and makeup flawlessly styled, Maya voiced her excitement to jet off to South Africa next month for the star-studded spin-off.

She said: 'So we are here on set, first bit of All Stars experience I'm having this year. Had my glam done and the Islanders are all hidden in secret rooms. I've not seen any of them yet.

'I can't tease anything apart from the fact that you're gonna love it, and there'll be some familiar faces... obviously.

'It's all feeling like it's about to start happening. It's just like Christmas get out the way, I'm ready to go to South Africa!'

Followers rushed to the comments to offers their congratulations: 'both So happy to be together. Beautiful': 'God bless':

In September Daisy, who is now based in the US, shocked fans when she showed off her blossoming baby bump for the first time just weeks before giving birth (pictured)

The stunner found fame after entering the first series villa on Day seven and couple up with Jordan Ring before being dumped from the island on Day 19

She went on to work as an OnlyFans model before reinventing herself as a vegan influencer, sharing recipes with more than 40K followers

Taking to the comments of the video, Maya reiterated her eagerness to get going as she wrote: 'TIS THE BLOODY SEASON!!!'

While Islander Casey O'Gorman also rushed to comment on the post, to tease his potential appearance in the villa for a record-breaking fifth stint.

He joked: 'See you soon' after first appearing on the 2023 winter series, returning in 2024 for All Stars, winning the 2025 season of All Stars with Gabby Allen and just recently starring in series two of the Love Island Games in September.

However, his quip to Maya that he'd be back again for his fifth shot at love was extra cheeky, given that the host once appeared to ban him from any future editions.

Last year, after Casey shared a TikTok reacting to the announcement of the third All Stars series in 2026, Maya commented bluntly: 'Lol my guy, enough.'

But Love Island's executive producer Mike Spencer-Hayter has always kept the door open.

Asked about Casey last summer, he admitted: 'I love Casey! I mean, we have had a lot of people co
Volkswagen's most smile-inducing car  the electric reboot of its iconic hippie camper van  isn't shipping to US dealerships in 2026.

The German automaker shelved next year's Buzz for the US, pausing new production after just one full year on sale.

The stoppage comes as automakers reassess which electric vehicles still make sense in a market where federal subsidies of up to $7,500 were cut in September.

Meant to be Volkswagen's crown jewel car, the Buzz instead became a case study in how quickly the US EV market has cooled.

Only 6,096 were sold in the US this year, a disappointing showing for a vehicle that debuted with a lot of hype and a $60,000 starting price.

The Buzz  complete with dual-tone paints, airy interiors, and a massive VW emblem on the face  mimicked the classic camper and hippie vans that became a relic of the counter-culture movement.

But with an EPA range of just 234 miles, the Buzz was thousands of dollars more expensive than gas- and hybrid-inspired minivan competitors that could go farther, refuel faster and weren't caught in the throes of political crosswinds.

'What happened with the Buzz is disappointing but also expected,' Robby DeGraff, a car industry analyst at AutoPacific, told the Daily Mail.

Kjell Gruner, the CEO of VW America, said the 2026 Buzz will not reach dealerships in the US. Instead, the automaker is rebooting the van for 2027. 'I want to be clear: we are not canceling this product in the US market,' he said

The Buzz, heralded as the automaker's crown jewel vehicle and a relic of its once-popular Microbus, only found 6,000 US owners in its first year of sales

The Buzz had many of the same style features that made VW's 1960s and 1970s vans a hit - but the paltry range and eye-watering price turned away customers. Experts tell the Daily Mail they hope the 2027 version will be cheaper and carry improved batteries

'Despite adorable styling and a refreshingly welcoming design, it was simply too expensive.'

Volkswagen's temporary pullback is not an isolated move.

It comes roughly a year after VW canceled plans to bring the ID.7  a high-tech electric sedan meant to compete with Tesla's Model 3  to the US market.

Other automakers are making similar retreats. Last week, Ford officially cut the all-electric F-150 Lightning from its 2026 portfolio.

Acura also nixed the ZDX while Nissan swiped the Ariya. Both automakers have since launched plans to produce new, cheaper EVs.

The major lineup adjustments come amid policy upheaval in the US auto industry.

Republicans' budget plan eliminated the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30  a subsidy that had helped propel battery-powered sales across the industry.

EV sales slid immediately after the policy change. In October, VW, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla all posted massive monthly sales drops on their all-electric vehicles.

VW's ID.7, a high-tech sedan, never made it to the US market

VW's decision comes amid a wave of shaky news for the US EV industry. Ford, America's third-largest carmaker, cancelled its all-electric F-150 Lightning last week

Ford once predicted it would sell more than 100,000 F-150 Lightnings (pictured above) a year. But analysts tell the Daily Mail that EVs have been too expensive to get customers to switch to battery-powered cars

That trend has extended in the back half of the year: Cox Automotive now expects US EV sales to fall 2.1 percent in 2025, according to InsideEVs  the first annual decline in a decade.

Compounding the shift, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that cuts automakers' fuel-efficiency targets, further easing pressure on companies to rapidly electrify their lineups.

Independent experts say carmakers are now largely on their own to prove that EVs can capture the American market without heavy federal guidance.

'Affordability matters, and hybrids do offer excellent efficiency,' Erin Keating, an executive analyst at Cox Automotive, told the Daily Mail.

'We're entering a period where we'll see what organic demand for EVs actually looks like, without the policy thumb on the scale.

'What's worth noting is that EVs are becoming more affordable.'

But VW's plan doesn't mean the Buzz is gone from America forever.

'The Buzz remains an important part of the Volkswagen portfolio, and I want to be clear: we are not canceling this product in the US market,' Kjell Gruner, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said.

Instead, the company is updating the model for 2027. The rebooted van will hit dealerships in mid 2026.
Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Global Industrial (NYSE:GIC  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Sunday morning.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Global Industrial from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Global Industrial in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce.

Get Global Industrial alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Report on Global Industrial

Global Industrial Price Performance

Shares of GIC opened at $29.75 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.00, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $29.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.45. Global Industrial has a 12 month low of $20.79 and a 12 month high of $38.79.

Global Industrial (NYSE:GIC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $353.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $357.00 million. Global Industrial had a net margin of 5.11% and a return on equity of 22.85%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Global Industrial will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Global Industrial Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. Global Industrials dividend payout ratio is currently 59.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Global Industrial during the 1st quarter worth about $3,427,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Global Industrial in the first quarter worth approximately $768,000. Inspire Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of Global Industrial in the second quarter worth approximately $872,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Global Industrial by 66.3% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 143,162 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,207,000 after acquiring an additional 57,056 shares during the period. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS lifted its position in shares of Global Industrial by 62.3% in the 2nd quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 18,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $500,000 after acquiring an additional 7,100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.19% of the companys stock.

Global Industrial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC) is a leading business-to-business distributor of industrial products and equipment. Headquartered in Port Washington, New York, the company provides a comprehensive range of products to support manufacturing, warehousing, and facility maintenance operations across North America. Through a digital-first platform, Global Industrial combines e-commerce, direct sales and catalog-based ordering channels to serve a diverse commercial customer base.

The companys product portfolio encompasses material handling solutions (including conveyors, pallet racks and hoists), storage and shelving systems, janitorial and sanitation supplies, packaging and shipping materials, and office furniture.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Global Industrial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Industrial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Turning Point Brands (NYSE:TPB  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Sunday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Industrial Alliance Securities set a $110.00 price objective on Turning Point Brands in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Alliance Global Partners lifted their price target on shares of Turning Point Brands from $103.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Turning Point Brands in a report on Wednesday. Zacks Research raised shares of Turning Point Brands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of Turning Point Brands from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. One equities 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 stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $102.50.

Get Turning Point Brands alerts:

Get Our Latest Research Report on Turning Point Brands

Turning Point Brands Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of Turning Point Brands stock opened at $109.10 on Friday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $97.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $91.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.08 billion, a PE ratio of 38.42 and a beta of 0.89. Turning Point Brands has a 1-year low of $51.48 and a 1-year high of $113.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 5.56 and a quick ratio of 3.98.

Turning Point Brands (NYSE:TPB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.46. Turning Point Brands had a return on equity of 24.44% and a net margin of 12.02%.The company had revenue of $118.98 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $111.42 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.68 EPS. Turning Point Brandss revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Turning Point Brands will post 2.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Turning Point Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 19th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 19th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Turning Point Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.56%.

Insider Transactions at Turning Point Brands

In other Turning Point Brands news, Director H.C. Charles Diao sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.20, for a total value of $216,400.00. Following the sale, the director owned 9,804 shares in the company, valued at $1,060,792.80. The trade was a 16.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Lawrence Wexler sold 21,069 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.02, for a total transaction of $2,107,321.38. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 290,765 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,082,315.30. This trade represents a 6.76% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 66,220 shares of company stock valued at $6,650,742. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Turning Point Brands

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Turning Point Brands by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP now owns 974,066 shares of the companys stock valued at $96,296,000 after purchasing an additional 30,282 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its stake in Turning Point Brands by 11.9% during the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 808,613 shares of the companys stock worth $79,940,000 after buying an additional 85,716 shares during the period. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC increased its position in Turning Point Brands by 24.9% during the third quarter. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC now owns 674,809 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,712,000 after acquiring an additional 134,401 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Turning Point Brands by 1.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 509,743 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,629,000 after acquiring an additional 7,104 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of Turning Point Brands by 33.8% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 441,772 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,674,000 after acquiring an additional 111,590 shares during the period. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Turning Point Brands Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Turning Point Brands, Inc (NYSE: TPB) is a U.S.-based consumer products company focused on the manufacture, marketing and distribution of smokeless tobacco, vaping and cigar products. Headquartered in Old Hickory, Tennessee, the company serves retail outlets across all 50 states through a direct-store-delivery network and select third-party distributors. Turning Point Brands operates two reporting segmentsSmokeless Products and Cigarand leverages its logistics capabilities to offer a broad portfolio of brands and SKUs.

In its Smokeless Products segment, Turning Point Brands produces moist smokeless tobacco under leading brand names such as Grizzly, Kodiak and Stokers.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Turning Point Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Turning Point Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 2.9% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $8.65 and last traded at $8.3950. Approximately 34,719,576 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 12% from the average daily volume of 39,516,020 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.16.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ACHR. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price target on Archer Aviation from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Archer Aviation from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Archer Aviation in a research note on Monday, December 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $11.00 target price for the company. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.14.

Get Archer Aviation alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Report on ACHR

Archer Aviation Trading Up 2.9%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $9.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.83. The company has a current ratio of 18.19, a quick ratio of 18.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.47 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.66 and a beta of 3.10.

Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.20). On average, analysts expect that Archer Aviation Inc. will post -1.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Archer Aviation

In other Archer Aviation news, insider Eric Lentell sold 41,490 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total transaction of $310,760.10. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 83,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at $627,160.17. The trade was a 33.13% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Priya Gupta sold 5,479 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total value of $41,037.71. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 161,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,209,807.27. This trade represents a 3.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 182,635 shares of company stock worth $1,367,936 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 7.65% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Archer Aviation

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Archer Aviation during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. AlphaQuest LLC grew its position in shares of Archer Aviation by 1,181.6% during the 2nd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 2,576 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 2,375 shares during the period. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Archer Aviation in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust lifted its stake in Archer Aviation by 45.9% in the third quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 3,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 986 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Archer Aviation by 219.5% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,946 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 2,024 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.34% of the companys stock.

Archer Aviation Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Archer Aviation, Inc (NYSE: ACHR) is a California-based aerospace company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to serve as sustainable urban air mobility solutions. Founded in 2018 by Adam Goldstein and Brett Adcock, Archer focuses on the design, development and certification of zero-emissions air taxis aimed at reducing traffic congestion in densely populated metropolitan areas. The companys flagship prototypes, Maker and Midnight, have been engineered to deliver quiet, efficient short-haul flights with ranges of up to 100 miles per charge.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Archer operates a manufacturing facility in nearby Santa Cruz County and maintains research partnerships with automotive and energy companies, including a collaboration with Stellantis to integrate advanced battery systems.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Archer Aviation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer Aviation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) (TSE:ZWB  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as C$25.36 and last traded at C$25.33, with a volume of 51204 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$25.26.

BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$23.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$22.33.

Get BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) alerts:

BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 26th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%.

About BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO)

The ETF seeks to provide exposure to the performance of a portfolio of Canadian banks to generate income and to provide long-term capital appreciation while mitigating downside risk through the use of covered call options. To achieve investment objective the ETF will primarily invest in and hold the securities of Canadian banks, ETFs, or a combination of these. Depending on market volatility and other factors, the ETF will write covered call options on these securities. Under such call options, the ETF will sell to the buyer of the option, for a premium, either a right to buy the security from the ETF at an exercise price or, if the option is cash settled, the right to a payment from the ETF equal to the difference between the value of the security and the exercise price.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Cadence Bank (NYSE:CADE  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $42.3333.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on CADE shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Cadence Bank in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler set a $40.00 target price on shares of Cadence Bank and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Cadence Bank from an overweight rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Cadence Bank from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $41.00 to $49.00 in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Cadence Bank from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th.

Get Cadence Bank alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on CADE

Cadence Bank Price Performance

NYSE:CADE opened at $43.64 on Wednesday. Cadence Bank has a one year low of $25.22 and a one year high of $44.26. The company has a market cap of $7.95 billion, a PE ratio of 15.81 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $39.25 and a 200-day moving average of $36.66.

Cadence Bank (NYSE:CADE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $517.24 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $523.60 million. Cadence Bank had a net margin of 18.15% and a return on equity of 9.97%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.73 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Cadence Bank will post 2.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cadence Bank Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.275 per share. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Cadence Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.86%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cadence Bank

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL boosted its position in shares of Cadence Bank by 77.1% in the second quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 148,550 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,751,000 after acquiring an additional 64,690 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in Cadence Bank in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,835,000. Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Cadence Bank by 25.5% in the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 205,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,238,000 after purchasing an additional 41,764 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Cadence Bank during the 1st quarter valued at $580,000. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in shares of Cadence Bank by 1.6% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 101,585 shares of the companys stock worth $3,266,000 after purchasing an additional 1,560 shares during the period. 84.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cadence Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a regional commercial bank that offers a full suite of financial services to individuals, businesses and government entities. Through its network of branches and digital platforms, the bank provides deposit accounts, treasury management solutions, commercial and industrial lending, equipment finance, residential and consumer mortgages, and wealth management services. Cadence Bank serves a mix of small and mid-size companies as well as retail customers in its core markets.

The institution traces its heritage to Cadence Bancorporation, which was established in 1987 in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Cadence Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cadence Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of General Motors Company (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twenty-three brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation, fourteen have given a buy recommendation and three have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $75.7619.

GM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of General Motors from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c) rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Piper Sandler set a $66.00 price objective on shares of General Motors and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of General Motors from $81.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of General Motors from $60.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded General Motors from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $54.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Monday, December 8th.

Get General Motors alerts:

Read Our Latest Analysis on General Motors

Insider Activity at General Motors

Hedge Funds Weigh In On General Motors

In related news, EVP Rory Harvey sold 6,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.95, for a total transaction of $408,870.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 8,513 shares in the company, valued at $527,380.35. This trade represents a 43.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, President Mark L. Reuss sold 260,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.45, for a total value of $17,316,870.00. Following the sale, the president directly owned 98,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,512,498.70. The trade was a 72.67% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Insiders sold a total of 1,254,589 shares of company stock worth $77,219,450 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in General Motors by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 341,426 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $16,802,000 after purchasing an additional 20,017 shares during the period. Mirova lifted its holdings in General Motors by 4.1% in the first quarter. Mirova now owns 133,969 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $6,301,000 after buying an additional 5,293 shares during the period. Engineers Gate Manager LP boosted its stake in General Motors by 200.3% in the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 1,282,075 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $63,091,000 after acquiring an additional 855,137 shares during the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in General Motors by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,811 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $434,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares during the period. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC grew its holdings in General Motors by 233.7% during the 1st quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 507,213 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $23,854,000 after acquiring an additional 355,235 shares during the period. 92.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key General Motors News

Here are the key news stories impacting General Motors this week:

General Motors Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE GM opened at $82.37 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The firms 50-day moving average price is $70.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.29. General Motors has a 52-week low of $41.60 and a 52-week high of $83.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.30.

General Motors (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The auto manufacturer reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.48. General Motors had a return on equity of 12.29% and a net margin of 1.62%.The business had revenue of $48.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.60 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.96 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. General Motors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.750-10.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that General Motors will post 11.44 earnings per share for the current year.

General Motors Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th were given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. General Motorss dividend payout ratio is currently 12.07%.

General Motors Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, builds and sells cars, trucks, crossovers and electric vehicles, and provides related parts and services. Founded in 1908, GM has long been one of the worlds largest automakers and has evolved into a multi-brand company whose primary marques include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Beyond vehicle manufacturing, GMs operations encompass vehicle financing, connected services and advanced mobility initiatives.

GM develops and markets a broad portfolio of products and technologies, including internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicles, vehicle components and on-board connectivity services.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA  Get Free Report) traded down 3.6% on Monday . The company traded as low as $430.70 and last traded at $434.2160. 2,692,933 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 32% from the average session volume of 3,965,755 shares. The stock had previously closed at $450.22.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have commented on CVNA. Wedbush raised their price objective on Carvana from $400.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Carvana from $395.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Carvana in a research report on Friday, November 21st. They set a buy rating and a $395.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $460.00 target price on shares of Carvana in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Carvana in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Nineteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $446.09.

Get Carvana alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Report on Carvana

Carvana Stock Down 4.0%

The stock has a market capitalization of $94.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 98.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 3.51. The company has a quick ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 4.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The businesss 50-day moving average is $363.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $355.66.

Carvana (NYSE:CVNA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by ($0.26). The business had revenue of $5.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.04 billion. Carvana had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 30.62%. The firms revenue was up 54.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.64 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Carvana Co. will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Carvana news, Director Michael E. Maroone sold 30,928 shares of Carvana stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $400.34, for a total transaction of $12,381,715.52. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 143,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,478,014.82. The trade was a 17.72% 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. Also, COO Benjamin E. Huston sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $475.00, for a total transaction of $9,500,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 100,758 shares in the company, valued at $47,860,050. The trade was a 16.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 584,332 shares of company stock worth $236,216,793 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 17.12% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Carvana

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in shares of Carvana in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its position in Carvana by 961.5% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 138 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC raised its position in Carvana by 8,700.0% in the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its stake in Carvana by 960.0% in the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 106 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main acquired a new position in Carvana during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. 56.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Carvana Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Carvana Co is an online-only retailer of used vehicles that operates a consumer-facing e-commerce platform for buying and selling cars. The company markets and sells inspected, reconditioned pre-owned vehicles through its website, where shoppers can browse inventory, view detailed 360-degree photos and vehicle history reports, finance purchases, and arrange delivery or pickup. Carvanas model is built around a digital end-to-end car buying experience that aims to simplify vehicle transactions compared with traditional dealerships.

Its products and services include direct retail sales of used cars, trade-in and purchase offers for consumer vehicles, vehicle financing and related protection products, and a seven-day return policy that allows customers to test a vehicle in everyday use.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Carvana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Carvana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $11.05 and last traded at $11.1150, with a volume of 1072951 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.08.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on DEI. Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their price objective on Douglas Emmett from $16.00 to $13.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on Douglas Emmett from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Douglas Emmett in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Douglas Emmett from $20.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Douglas Emmett from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, August 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.00.

Get Douglas Emmett alerts:

Get Our Latest Analysis on Douglas Emmett

Douglas Emmett Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 92.29 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 3.03 and a current ratio of 3.03. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $12.33 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $14.35.

Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.34. Douglas Emmett had a return on equity of 0.62% and a net margin of 2.22%.The company had revenue of $250.58 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $252.73 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.43 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. Douglas Emmett has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.430-1.470 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Douglas Emmett, Inc. will post 1.45 EPS for the current year.

Douglas Emmett Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Douglas Emmetts payout ratio is presently 633.33%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Douglas Emmett by 220.8% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,694 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 1,166 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Douglas Emmett by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,840 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 920 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new position in shares of Douglas Emmett in the first quarter worth $30,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in Douglas Emmett in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in Douglas Emmett by 448.3% during the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,621 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 2,143 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.37% of the companys stock.

Douglas Emmett Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Douglas Emmett, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Santa Monica, California. The company specializes in the ownership, management and development of highquality office and multifamily properties, primarily concentrated in the coastal regions of Los Angeles County and the Greater Honolulu area. As a vertically integrated real estate platform, Douglas Emmett controls all aspects of property operations, leasing, capital improvements and tenant relations, positioning it to deliver stable, longterm cash flows.

The companys office portfolio consists predominantly of Class A buildings located in prime business districts, featuring modern amenities, campus-like settings and environmentally conscious design elements.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Emmett Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Emmett and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Endeavour Silver Corporation (NYSE:EXK  Get Free Report) (TSE:EDR) gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $9.52, but opened at $10.02. Endeavour Silver shares last traded at $10.07, with a volume of 2,404,352 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on EXK shares. B. Riley lifted their price objective on shares of Endeavour Silver from $7.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $11.00 price target on shares of Endeavour Silver in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Endeavour Silver in a research note on Friday, October 10th. CIBC raised Endeavour Silver from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $16.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Cibc Captl Mkts upgraded Endeavour Silver from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Endeavour Silver presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $12.67.

Get Endeavour Silver alerts:

View Our Latest Research Report on Endeavour Silver

Endeavour Silver Stock Up 5.9%

The firms 50-day simple moving average is $8.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.75. The stock has a market cap of $2.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -29.63 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Endeavour Silver (NYSE:EXK  Get Free Report) (TSE:EDR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $111.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $162.05 million. Endeavour Silver had a negative net margin of 31.18% and a negative return on equity of 1.34%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Endeavour Silver Corporation will post -0.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Endeavour Silver

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL acquired a new position in Endeavour Silver in the third quarter valued at approximately $14,146,000. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Endeavour Silver in the 3rd quarter valued at $92,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Endeavour Silver by 82.1% in the 3rd quarter. Parvin Asset Management LLC now owns 322,125 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $2,525,000 after purchasing an additional 145,275 shares during the period. Voloridge Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Endeavour Silver in the 3rd quarter worth $12,754,000. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Endeavour Silver during the third quarter worth $1,727,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.06% of the companys stock.

About Endeavour Silver

(Get Free Report)

Endeavour Silver Corp. is a Vancouver-based precious metals mining company focused on the acquisition, development and operation of silver and gold properties in Mexico. Publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker EXK, the company has positioned itself as a mid-tier producer with a portfolio of high-grade, operating mines and exploration assets in key mineral belts.

Endeavour Silvers core business activities revolve around four principal underground mines located in the states of Durango, Zacatecas, Guanajuato and Jalisco.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Endeavour Silver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Endeavour Silver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by stock analysts at Evercore ISI from $23.00 to $22.00 in a research report issued on Monday,MarketScreener reports. Evercore ISIs price target points to a potential upside of 26.53% from the companys previous close.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on Conagra Brands from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $18.00 to $17.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Conagra Brands in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on Conagra Brands from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Conagra Brands currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $19.50.

Get Conagra Brands alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands Stock Performance

NYSE CAG opened at $17.39 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $17.65 and a 200-day moving average of $18.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 1.06. The stock has a market cap of $8.32 billion, a PE ratio of -78.57 and a beta of -0.01. Conagra Brands has a 52-week low of $16.60 and a 52-week high of $28.51.

Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3 billion. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 7.42% and a return on equity of 11.72%. Conagra Brandss revenue was down 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.70 earnings per share. Conagra Brands has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.700-1.85 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Conagra Brands will post 2.35 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Conagra Brands

In other news, SVP Melissa C. Napier sold 13,011 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.19, for a total value of $223,659.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Conagra Brands

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Conagra Brands by 173.1% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 196,589 shares of the companys stock worth $5,243,000 after buying an additional 124,595 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Conagra Brands in the 1st quarter worth about $580,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Conagra Brands during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $245,000. CW Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Conagra Brands by 101.6% in the first quarter. CW Advisors LLC now owns 35,995 shares of the companys stock valued at $960,000 after purchasing an additional 18,136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norinchukin Bank The lifted its holdings in shares of Conagra Brands by 14.4% in the first quarter. Norinchukin Bank The now owns 23,585 shares of the companys stock worth $629,000 after buying an additional 2,967 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.75% of the companys stock.

About Conagra Brands

(Get Free Report)

Conagra Brands, Inc is a leading packaged foods company based in Chicago, Illinois, with a broad portfolio of shelf-stable, frozen and refrigerated foods marketed under familiar brands. The company develops, produces and distributes a wide range of consumer food products, serving both retail grocery and foodservice channels. Conagras product lineup includes frozen entrees, snacks, condiments, baking goods and desserts, providing convenient meal solutions for consumers across North America and select international markets.

Among its well-known brands are Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Marie Callenders and Banquet in the frozen foods category, as well as Hunts sauces, Orville Redenbachers popcorn, Slim Jim meat snacks and Reddi-wip toppings.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Conagra Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conagra Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (NYSEARCA:AAAU  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $43.71 and last traded at $43.71, with a volume of 166625 shares. The stock had previously closed at $42.82.

Key Headlines Impacting Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF

Here are the key news stories impacting Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF this week:

Get Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF alerts:

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Trading Up 2.3%

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $40.94 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.68.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Company Profile

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of AAAU. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Larson Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF in the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Beacon Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF in the second quarter worth $43,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF in the second quarter worth $67,000.

(Get Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses and liabilities, using gold bars held in vaults located in the UK. AAAU was launched on Jul 26, 2018 and is issued by Goldman Sachs.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Grupo Simec, S.A. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 956 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 32% from the previous sessions volume of 724 shares.The stock last traded at $28.15 and had previously closed at $28.73.

Grupo Simec Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $4.33 billion, a PE ratio of 25.83 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $28.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $27.83.

Get Grupo Simec alerts:

About Grupo Simec

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Simec (NYSE American: SIM) is a Mexicobased producer and distributor of long steel products, serving construction, infrastructure, industrial and energy markets. The companys core operations encompass the manufacture of merchant bar steel, including reinforcing bar (rebar), wire rod, merchant bars and structural shapes. In parallel, its service centers offer cutting, bending and other valueadded processing services to meet the precise specifications of fabricators and end users.

With multiple steel mills located throughout Mexico and an expanding footprint in the United States, Grupo Simec maintains a vertically integrated supply chain that spans rawmaterial sourcing, steelmaking and downstream processing.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Simec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Simec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC  Get Free Report) and SBI (OTCMKTS:SBHGF  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends and valuation.

Volatility & Risk

Moelis & Company has a beta of 1.9, suggesting that its share price is 90% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SBI has a beta of 0.72, suggesting that its share price is 28% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Get Moelis & Company alerts:

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Moelis & Company and SBI, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Moelis & Company 0 9 2 1 2.33 SBI 0 0 0 0 0.00

Earnings and Valuation

Moelis & Company presently has a consensus target price of $71.63, suggesting a potential upside of 0.83%. Given Moelis & Companys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Moelis & Company is more favorable than SBI.

This table compares Moelis & Company and SBIs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Moelis & Company $1.19 billion 4.66 $136.02 million $2.99 23.76 SBI $9.48 billion 0.67 $1.07 billion $5.81 3.62

SBI has higher revenue and earnings than Moelis & Company. SBI is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Moelis & Company, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Moelis & Company and SBIs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Moelis & Company 15.98% 45.62% 18.93% SBI 16.99% 15.66% 0.87%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

91.5% of Moelis & Company shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.4% of Moelis & Company shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Moelis & Company beats SBI on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Moelis & Company

(Get Free Report)

Moelis & Co. operates as a holding company. It engages in the provision of financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a client base including corporations, governments, sovereign wealth funds and financial sponsors. The firm focuses on clients including large public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and governments. The company was founded by Kenneth David Moelis, Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Jeffrey Raich and Elizabeth Ann Crain in July 2007 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

About SBI

(Get Free Report)

SBI Holdings, Inc. engages in the online securities and investment businesses. It operates through five business segments: Financial Services Business, Asset Management Business, Investment Business, Crypto-Asset Business, and Non-financial Business segments. The Financial Services Business segment consists of a range of finance-related business, including securities brokerage business; banking services business; and life, property, and casualty insurance business. The Asset Management Business segment includes setting, solicitation, and management of investment trust; investment advice; and financial products information. The Investment Business segment includes fund management and investment in Internet technology, fintech, blockchain, finance, and biotechnology-related venture companies; private equity; and funds management businesses. The Crypto-asset Business segment provides crypto-asset exchange and trading services. The Non-Financial Business segment consists of biotechnology; development and distribution of pharmaceutical products, health foods, and cosmetics with 5-aminolevulinic acid; research and development of antibody drugs and nucleic acid medicine in the field of cancer and immunology; the digitization of medical and health information; provision of solutions and services that promote the use of medical big data, medical finance; business working on advanced fields related to Web 3.0; and renewable energy business. The company is also involved in the real estate secured loans, online mobile game, and e-sports related businesses. In addition, it operates and develops cybersecurity systems; exports used cars; offers back-office support services; and develops, operates, manages, and invests in real estate properties. The company was formerly known as Softbank Investment Corporation and changed its name to SBI Holdings, Inc. in July 2005. SBI Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Receive News & Ratings for Moelis & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moelis & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $59.89 and last traded at $59.7950, with a volume of 58512 shares. The stock had previously closed at $59.57.

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Trading Up 0.5%

The company has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.82 and a beta of 0.81. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $57.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $55.68.

Get iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF alerts:

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 13.8% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,510 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the third quarter worth about $60,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 36.5% during the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 27,246 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,505,000 after purchasing an additional 7,287 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 52.8% in the third quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 11,860 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $655,000 after buying an additional 4,100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.30% of the companys stock.

iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Zurich Stock Exchange. The Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index with a capping methodology applied to issuer weights so that no single issuer of a component exceeds 25% of the Index weight and all issuers with weight above 5% do not exceed 50% of the Index weight.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMD  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $41.92 and last traded at $41.8360, with a volume of 21118 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $41.79.

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Price Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.56. The firm has a market cap of $849.86 million, a PE ratio of 14.46 and a beta of 0.81.

Get John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF alerts:

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 209.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 3,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 2,283 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $135,000. MONECO Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $207,000. Finally, CLG LLC purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $203,000.

About John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

The John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (JHMD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of stocks from developed markets ex-US and Canada, covering 85% of the market capitalization. Holdings are weighted based on fundamental and technical factors JHMD was launched on Dec 15, 2016 and is managed by John Hancock.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE:WLYB  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $30.74, but opened at $34.00. John Wiley & Sons shares last traded at $32.7020, with a volume of 2,717 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of John Wiley & Sons in a research note on Monday, December 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, John Wiley & Sons presently has an average rating of Hold.

Get John Wiley & Sons alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on WLYB

John Wiley & Sons Stock Down 5.3%

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.51 and a beta of 0.79. The firms 50 day moving average is $35.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

John Wiley & Sons (NYSE:WLYB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.32. The company had revenue of $421.75 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $416.40 million. John Wiley & Sons had a net margin of 6.11% and a return on equity of 28.23%.

John Wiley & Sons Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be paid a $0.355 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 30th. This represents a $1.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.3%. John Wiley & Sonss dividend payout ratio is currently 75.53%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Wiley & Sons

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in John Wiley & Sons stock. Gabelli Funds LLC bought a new stake in John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE:WLYB  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 4,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $201,000. 0.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

John Wiley & Sons Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

John Wiley & Sons, Inc is a global publishing and knowledge services company headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey. Founded in 1807, Wiley has established itself as a leading provider of scholarly, educational and professional content across scientific, technical, medical and academic disciplines. The company leverages both print and digital platforms to deliver peer-reviewed journals, books, reference works and online resources to researchers, educators, students and professionals around the world.

Wileys operations are organized into key segments, including Research Publishing, which publishes over 1,600 peer-reviewed journals and a broad suite of digital books; Academic and Professional Learning, which offers course materials, interactive digital platforms and certification programs; and Education Solutions, providing custom learning environments, online degree programs and professional development services.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for John Wiley & Sons Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Wiley & Sons and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
London Security plc (LON:LSC  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as GBX 2,750 and last traded at GBX 2,900, with a volume of 18 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2,750.

London Security Trading Up 5.5%

The firm has a market cap of 355.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.15 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75, a quick ratio of 2.08 and a current ratio of 2.55. The business has a fifty day moving average of GBX 3,190.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 3,457.14.

About London Security

(Get Free Report)

London Security plc, an investment holding company, manufactures, sells, and rents fire protection equipment in the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Germany, Denmark, and Luxembourg. It also provides intruder alarms products, as well as fire protection equipment maintenance services. The company offers its products under the Nu-Swift, Ansul, Total, Premier, and Master brands to companies, governments, and private individuals. The company was formerly known as London Securities plc and changed its name to London Security plc in 2003.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for London Security Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for London Security and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the twelve research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$165.83.

A number of analysts have commented on NA shares. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$160.00 to C$166.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$172.00 to C$177.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$147.00 to C$158.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$166.00 to C$184.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$149.00 to C$163.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 4th.

Get National Bank of Canada alerts:

Get Our Latest Analysis on National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada Stock Up 1.4%

NA opened at C$176.03 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of C$69.03 billion, a PE ratio of 17.48, a P/E/G ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$162.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$150.84. National Bank of Canada has a fifty-two week low of C$106.67 and a fifty-two week high of C$177.03.

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The financial services provider reported C$2.82 EPS for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.43% and a net margin of 19.69%.The business had revenue of C$3.70 billion during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that National Bank of Canada will post 10.8360791 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Bank of Canada Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Sunday, February 1st will be given a dividend of $1.24 per share. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. This is a boost from National Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $1.18. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is 46.08%.

About National Bank of Canada

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (BATS:NUDM  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $38.3293 and last traded at $36.1550, with a volume of 29617 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $38.24.

Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $576.22 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.86. The business has a fifty day moving average of $38.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.81.

Get Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF alerts:

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Prism Advisors Inc. raised 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 buying an additional 1,136 shares during the last quarter. Ledyard National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF by 3.3% during the second quarter. Ledyard National Bank now owns 39,898 shares of the companys stock worth $1,416,000 after purchasing an additional 1,290 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF by 76.7% during the second quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 157,028 shares of the companys stock worth $5,573,000 after purchasing an additional 68,163 shares during the last quarter.

Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF Company Profile

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. NUDM was launched on Jun 7, 2017 and is managed by Nuveen.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Under the operating lights: Chinese-Senegalese cooperation in pediatric eye surgery

Xinhua) 10:53, December 22, 2025

This photo taken on March 21, 2023 shows a view of the Children's Hospital of Diamniadio in Dakar, Senegal. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

From Dec. 7 to 16 this year, a six-member Chinese expert team carried out on-site medical cooperation in Senegal.

DIAMNIADIO, Senegal, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Inside an operating room at the local National Children's Hospital, the faint hum of a phacoemulsification machine accompanied a delicate pediatric eye surgery.

At the microscope sat Senegalese ophthalmologist Babacar Mbengue, his hands steady on the surgical probe. Beside him, visiting Chinese ophthalmologist Xue Ying from Fujian Provincial Hospital affiliated with Fuzhou University observed closely, offering brief guidance while leaving the main procedure to the local surgeon.

The congenital cataract surgery on an infant born earlier this year lasted nearly 50 minutes. According to a pre-arranged plan, Chinese and Senegalese doctors switched roles during key stages, combining hands-on practice with real-time instruction.

The hospital specializes in pediatric care, where cataract surgery requires higher precision and close coordination with anesthesia. Zhang Wenqing, an anesthesiologist with the 20th Chinese medical mission to Senegal, said children's emotional responses can affect surgical stability.

"To reduce risks, we adjusted the anesthesia protocol, ensuring children enter surgery in a calm and stable state," Zhang said, noting that he participated in all procedures during the Chinese expert team's visit.

Beyond surgery, Chinese medical staff also worked to strengthen operating room standards. Zhang Xiaoxia, head nurse of the operating theater, trained local nurses in aseptic procedures and introduced sterilization monitoring tools, integrating hygiene requirements into daily workflows.

Clinical innovation was also shared. A pediatric anesthesia assistance device developed by the Chinese team was used locally for the first time, improving intraoperative stability and reducing airway risks.

For Senegalese doctors, it had been an intense week built on earlier cooperation. Between August and September last year, Mbengue and his colleague Mamour Dieng completed a two-month training program in China. From Dec. 7 to 16 this year, a six-member Chinese expert team carried out on-site medical cooperation in Senegal.

During the visit, the two sides jointly completed 36 ophthalmic surgeries, with Senegalese doctors independently performing key steps under light supervision.

"With continued practice, the technique becomes clearer and easier to handle," Mbengue said.

Dieng highlighted the shift from traditional extracapsular extraction to phacoemulsification, which requires smaller incisions and shortens recovery time. "With the equipment now in place, we are more confident in both the technique and clinical decision-making," he said.

On Dec. 11, the Chinese side donated an operating microscope, a phacoemulsification unit, an ultrasound scanner and slit lamps to the hospital, further enhancing its pediatric ophthalmology capacity.

The cooperation extends beyond on-site visits. On Dec. 16, doctors from both countries held a video consultation with ophthalmologists in China to discuss complex pediatric cases. Cheng Dongfeng, head of the Chinese expert team, said remote support would continue after the team's departure.

After the surgery, the child's mother expressed her gratitude in Wolof, holding her baby tightly. Though her words were not translated, her emotions were clear to the medical staff.

Soon, the operating room was prepared for another surgery. As the surgical instruments changed hands, the task of caring for patients, training staff and cooperation quietly continued.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
PCCW Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PCCWY  Get Free Report)s share price was down 7.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $7.1984 and last traded at $7.1984. Approximately 184 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average daily volume of 1,932 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.76.

PCCW Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.57, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The firms 50 day moving average price is $7.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.03.

Get PCCW alerts:

About PCCW

(Get Free Report)

PCCW Limited (OTCMKTS:PCCWY) is a Hong Kongbased technology and telecommunications company offering a broad array of connectivity, media and IT solutions. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the group traces its roots to the early 2000s restructuring of the local fixed-line incumbent and has since diversified into broadband, mobile and digital media services under various subsidiaries.

The companys consumer and enterprise businesses encompass fixed-line telephone, broadband internet access, mobile services and pay-TV.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for PCCW Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PCCW and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Booking, Expedia Group, Travelers Companies, Trip.com Group, MakeMyTrip, Virgin Galactic, and Winnebago Industries are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of companies whose primary business depends on people travelingairlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, car rental firms, tour operators, online travel agencies and other leisure and hospitality service providers. These stocks tend to be cyclical and sensitive to consumer confidence, seasonality, fuel costs, geopolitical events and health or travel restrictions, making them useful for investors seeking exposure to tourism demand but also prone to higher volatility and event-driven risk. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

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.

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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE

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

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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM

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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MMYT

Virgin Galactic (SPCE)

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc., an aerospace and space travel company, focuses on the development, manufacture, and operation of spaceships and related technologies. The company engages in the design and development, manufacturing, ground and flight testing, spaceflight operation, and post-flight maintenance of spaceflight systems for private individuals, researchers, and government agencies.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SPCE

Winnebago Industries (WGO)

Winnebago Industries, Inc. manufactures and sells recreation vehicles and marine products primarily for use in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The company operates through three segments: Towable RV, Motorhome RV, and Marine. It provides towable products that are non-motorized vehicles to be towed by automobiles, pickup trucks, SUVs, or vans for use as temporary living quarters for recreational travel, such as conventional travel trailers, fifth wheels, folding camper trailers, and truck campers under the Winnebago and Grand Design brand names.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WGO

Featured Stories
Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) shot up 1.4% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $295.01 and last traded at $293.02. Approximately 6,024,164 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 58% from the average session volume of 14,212,787 shares. The stock had previously closed at $288.95.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on TSM. Wall Street Zen raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, December 14th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $290.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $355.00.

Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts:

Get Our Latest Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Up 1.4%

The companys 50-day moving average is $292.52 and its 200-day moving average is $260.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a current ratio of 2.69. The firm has a market cap of $1.52 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.31.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. The company had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.94 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.9678 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.85%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Westfuller Advisors LLC lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Westfuller Advisors LLC now owns 1,551 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $434,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.6% in the third quarter. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,291 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $640,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 7.5% in the third quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 500 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.9% in the third quarter. New Millennium Group LLC now owns 1,248 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $349,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Empirical Asset Management LLC now owns 2,008 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $561,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Get Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a leading pure-play semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related services to the global semiconductor industry. Founded in 1987 by Morris Chang and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC manufactures integrated circuits on behalf of fabless and integrated device manufacturers, offering contract chip production across a broad set of technologies and products.

TSMCs service offering covers logic and mixed-signal process technologies, specialty processes for radio-frequency, power management and embedded memory, and advanced nodes used in mobile, high-performance computing and AI applications.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday after Piper Sandler raised their price target on the stock from $30.00 to $40.00. Piper Sandler currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries traded as high as $30.98 and last traded at $30.9730, with a volume of 1205448 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $30.35.

TEVA has been the subject of a number of other research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. UBS Group raised their price objective on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued an overweight rating and a $35.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $28.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $32.88.

Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts:

View Our Latest Report on TEVA

Insider Activity

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, VP Richard Daniell sold 115,468 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.68, for a total value of $3,311,622.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 48,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,387,653.12. The trade was a 70.47% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, CAO Amir Weiss sold 12,300 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.20, for a total transaction of $371,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 5,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $170,630. This represents a 68.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 622,060 shares of company stock worth $17,076,965 over the last three months. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TEVA. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the second quarter worth $41,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 40.3% during the third quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 2,191 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3,715.8% in the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 2,900 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 2,824 shares during the last quarter. MAI Capital Management increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 26.8% in the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 97.0% in the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 2,738 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 1,348 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 54.05% of the companys stock.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average of $24.44 and a 200 day moving average of $20.08. The company has a market capitalization of $35.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31.

About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

(Get Free Report)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) is an Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company and one of the worlds largest manufacturers of generic medicines. The companys core activities include the development, production and marketing of generic pharmaceuticals alongside a portfolio of specialty branded medicines. Teva supplies finished dosage forms and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to markets around the globe and operates manufacturing and research facilities in multiple countries.

Tevas product range covers oral solids, injectables, inhalation products and other dosage forms across therapeutic areas such as central nervous system disorders, respiratory, oncology, pain and infectious disease.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $144.60.

A number of research firms have recently commented on HIG. Piper Sandler increased their target price on The Hartford Insurance Group from $152.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on The Hartford Insurance Group from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $147.00 to $140.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $133.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They set a sector perform rating and a $145.00 price target for the company.

Get The Hartford Insurance Group alerts:

Get Our Latest Stock Report on HIG

The Hartford Insurance Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HIG opened at $139.05 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $131.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $129.15. The Hartford Insurance Group has a fifty-two week low of $104.93 and a fifty-two week high of $139.92. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $38.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.63.

The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The insurance provider reported $3.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.76. The Hartford Insurance Group had a net margin of 12.75% and a return on equity of 21.07%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.53 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Hartford Insurance Group will post 11.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Insurance Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This is an increase 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 1.7%. The Hartford Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 19.61%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Insurance Group

In other news, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 7,841 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.41, for a total transaction of $959,816.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 18,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,252,344. The trade was a 29.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Hartford Insurance Group

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its position in The Hartford Insurance Group by 707.7% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 210 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 151.1% in the second quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 221 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Finally, United Financial Planning Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The Hartford Insurance Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, commonly known as The Hartford, is a U.S.-based insurance and investment company that provides a broad range of commercial and personal insurance products and employee benefits. Its core businesses include property and casualty insurance for businesses and individuals, group benefits such as group life, disability and dental plans, and retirement and investment solutions offered through affiliated asset-management operations. The company also delivers risk management, claims-handling and loss-prevention services designed to support policyholders across a variety of industries.

Founded in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1810, The Hartford is one of the oldest insurance organizations in the United States and has a long history of underwriting and product development across multiple insurance lines.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) traded up 1.3% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $156.63 and last traded at $156.5790. 3,464,901 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 34% from the average session volume of 5,289,532 shares. The stock had previously closed at $154.60.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays set a $172.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Robert W. Baird set a $168.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating and set a $168.00 target price (up from $160.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $161.50.

Get TJX Companies alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on TJX Companies

TJX Companies Price Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $147.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $137.52. The stock has a market cap of $173.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.43.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.The company had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. TJX Companiess revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. Research analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.53%.

Insider Activity

In other TJX Companies news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the sale, the director directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total transaction of $3,686,365.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. This trade represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of TJX Companies

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $1,808,774,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of TJX Companies by 12,417.0% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,057,273 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $501,033,000 after buying an additional 4,024,859 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 91.6% in the third quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 6,712,226 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $970,185,000 after buying an additional 3,208,458 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 120.7% during the second quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,016,792 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $620,406,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743,676 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. acquired a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $244,687,000. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

About TJX Companies

(Get Free Report)

TJX Companies, Inc is a leading off-price retailer of apparel, footwear, home fashions and other consumer goods. The company operates multiple retail concepts that offer discounted brand-name and designer merchandise, including well-known banners such as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls in the United States, HomeGoods for home furnishings, TK Maxx in parts of Europe, and Winners and Homesense in Canada. Merchandise categories span womens, mens and childrens apparel, accessories, beauty, home decor, kitchenware and small furniture, with frequent changes in assortment that create a treasure-hunt shopping experience for consumers.

The companys business model centers on opportunistic buying, purchasing excess, irregular or out-of-season inventory from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers, and passing savings to customers through lower prices.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Tsingtao Brewery Co. (OTCMKTS:TSGTY  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $34.8560, but opened at $32.25. Tsingtao Brewery shares last traded at $32.25, with a volume of 319 shares.

Tsingtao Brewery Trading Down 1.6%

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $34.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $33.08.

Get Tsingtao Brewery alerts:

About Tsingtao Brewery

(Get Free Report)

Tsingtao Brewery Co, Ltd., founded in 1903 and headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong Province, is one of Chinas longest-established and most widely recognized beer producers. The companys core business centers on the brewing, packaging and distribution of beer under its flagship Tsingtao brand, alongside a portfolio of specialty and seasonal brews. Over more than a century of operation, Tsingtao has built a reputation for quality pale lagers and malt beverages, leveraging traditional brewing techniques alongside modern production processes.

In addition to its primary domestic operations, Tsingtao Brewery maintains an extensive export network spanning Asia, North America, Europe and other international markets.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Tsingtao Brewery Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tsingtao Brewery and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of IDT (NYSE: IDT) recently:

12/15/2025  IDT had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/13/2025  IDT was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating.

12/8/2025  IDT had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/1/2025  IDT had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/24/2025  IDT had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/17/2025  IDT had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/11/2025  IDT had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/5/2025  IDT was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating.

IDT Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. IDTs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.45%.

Get IDT Corporation alerts:

IDT Corporation, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is a diversified global provider of telecommunications and payment services. The company operates through its primary communications arm, IDT Telecom, and a digital solutions segment that encompasses cross-border money transfers and related fintech offerings. Since its inception, IDT has built an international network infrastructure to support voice and data transmission across more than 200 countries and territories.

Through IDT Telecom, the company offers a suite of voice communication products, including prepaid phone cards, VoIP services, SIP trunking and operator-assisted calling.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for IDT Corporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDT Corporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
Its the most wonderful time of the year for most children, but for some, Christmas can be a difficult and even dangerous period.

This year and every year, the NSPCCs Childline service will be there for young people 24/7 throughout the festive season, and staff and volunteers at the charitys Foyle hub will be working on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and beyond to provide a listening ear for young people in need of support or who just want someone to talk to.

Clare Conroy is a Childline Team Manager at the Queens Quay base and as part of a 24/7 service, is used to sacrificing holidays.

I worked Christmas Day last year and am working Christmas Eve this year, says Clare. I'll be spending Christmas with my husband, son and our two-year-old Labrador cross, Koji. We plan to visit family in the morning and then are going to go to my parents for Christmas Day dinner.

Im really looking forward to my mum cooking and me having a year off, she laughs. In the evening well be pulling out the board games and Im hoping my son will get out his guitar and give us a few songs to sing along to.

Christmas with family has always been very important to me, however working for Childline Ive also come to appreciate that its not always a happy time for some young people.

Children contact us about everything over the festive season. Ive heard calls and chats from young people sharing what they got as presents, telling us how they are spending their day and what they are looking forward to.

Childline isnt just there for the big things, we are there for the little things that can feel big as well, and young people will always be given space to share, talk about their feelings and if they want help either at Christmas or in the future, we can talk about that too.

However, we also get calls from young people whose days arent going the way people might think a child spends Christmas Day. They often talk about family arguments, which as evening draws in can turn a home into a place where they no longer feel safe.

Children might call from their bedrooms or while hiding away from fighting parents who are under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances.

Some young people struggle to cope with the pressures of spending a lot of time with groups of people, due to their differing needs, and there can be a lot of pressure to be good when family visit which can be difficult for a young person struggling with mental health, or knowing what things will be like when the visitors leave.

NSPCC Posed pic - Young person calling Childline Christmas

Ive often spoken too young people who are finding it difficult to cope and who turn to self-harming or have suicidal thoughts.

We can have the same young people get in touch across the day as things change for them and they know Childline is their safe space, and they can reach out when they need us.

I know there will be smiles and laughter from the wonderful practitioners and volunteers in the hub, but there will also be empathy and concern and a feeling of being together for something that also reflects the true spirit of Christmas.

At Childline Foyle, we do lots of traditional festive things. Theres lots of chocolate and snacks in our counselling room, we have our Christmas jumpers on, and enjoy conversations reflecting on the year with each other.

Volunteer Engagement Lead, Amanda, will have the office all decorated and the tree lights will be on and therell be gifts under the tree to thank our volunteers.

Our main priority though is, and has always been, being there for the children and young people who need us. Being there for these young people makes working at Christmas worth it.

Childline Practitioner Eva Czabanik will be working on Christmas Day, so will enjoy a festive feast on Christmas Eve.

She says: Being from Hungary, our main celebration happens on Christmas Eve. Thats when we enjoy a festive dinner and open presents. Its a tradition Ive carried with me since childhood, and it still feels magical every year.

This year, Ill be celebrating with my partner and our one-year-old dachshund, Honey.

Weve added a fun twist this time - matching pyjamas for all three of us! Yes, were proud dog parents, and honestly, we wouldnt have it any other way. Honey is part of the family and seeing her in tiny festive PJs will be the highlight of the evening.

Living far from family means we get creative to stay connected. My mum and I usually cook together over a video call  shell be in her kitchen back home, and Ill be in mine, chatting and laughing as if we were side by side.

Its a lovely way to keep traditions alive and feel close despite the distance.

At Childline, we hear from young people struggling with family conflict, abuse, parental substance misuse, or feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially those in care or in hospital who cant be with family.

Social media comparisons can make things worse. Many young people look at the picture-perfect Christmases online and wonder why theirs doesnt look the same. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and self-blame.

One previous contact that has stayed with me was from a young person overwhelmed because the uncle who had abused them in the past was spending Christmas with them.

Their parents didnt know about the abuse and assumed the young person was just being moody. While no current abuse was happening, the emotional impact was significant.

They werent ready to disclose to their parents yet but speaking to Childline for the first time may have helped lift years of guilt and self-blame.

That conversation may have been the first step toward disclosure, on their own terms, respecting their own timeline. It reminded me how powerful it can be for a young person to have a safe space to talk.

Ive worked on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve for the past couple of years. The atmosphere at the base is warm and festive. We have twinkling lights, share snacks, and bring in leftovers from our own celebrations. Theres a sense of purpose that makes the day feel especially meaningful.

I feel privileged to spend part of the festive season supporting children and young people.

Childline is here for children and young people 24/7, every day over the Christmas period and all year round. No problem is too big or too small - theres always someone here to talk to. Calls are free on: 0800 1111, or you can message and live chat with us online at: www.childline.org.uk.
Two Filipino men have been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a fellow countryman at a staff Christmas party.

Jason Monterola Evangelista (29) of Main Street in Bellaghy and Jomar Esta Obanil (28) of New Ferry Road in Bellaghy were charged with the offence that was said to have occurred on December 20 after a man called the police to report that he had been assaulted and named Obanil and Evangelista.

When police arrived, the injured party was sitting in the back of a van with noticeable severe facial injuries.

The man claimed that he had been attacked by both defendants when he was leaving a pub after a Christmas night out, telling police that he was punched and put in a headlock.

He was taken to hospital and it is thought that he has a fractured eye socket.

When police attended his address, Evangelista had a bandaged hand and told police that he had 'punched his fellow countryman'.

When taken in for questioning, both defendants answered no comment to all questions, and Obanil claimed that there had been no altercation at all.

Bail was objected to as police believe that both are likely to reoffend and are likely to fail to surrender to bail.

Defence Barrister Sinead Rogan, representing Evangelista, said that CCTV would show that he hadn't actually assaulted the injured party as described.

She added that he had only been in Ireland for two months after previously living and working in Liverpool and that he has no record here, England or in the Philippines.

A defence barrister for Obanil said that he had been living here for eighteen months and denied the charges.

Bail was refused and they will appear again on January 15.
The legacy of the Troubles continues to impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people in Northern Ireland, a new study has concluded.

Led by researchers from Queens University Belfast, the paper found that current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those aged 50 and over in the region is as high as 4.74%.

The research also highlights increased levels of depression, social deprivation and harmful health behaviours such as smoking and excess alcohol in those with PTSD.

The study was jointly led by Dr Claire Potter from the Centre for Public Health at Queens alongside researchers from Trinity College Dublin.

Dr Potter was supervised by Professor Bernadette McGuinness, Professor Frank Kee and Professor Amy Jayne McKnight from Queens.

Using data from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal study of Ageing (Nicola), the study looked at more than 2,000 people aged 50 and over from Northern Ireland who reported a previous traumatic event.

Almost 60% of those with PTSD reported the Troubles as their worst traumatic exposure.

Researchers said this suggested long-term consequences of the Troubles.

It also found that those with symptoms of current PTSD had worse memory performance, were less likely to have completed higher educational degrees, twice as likely to be single and more than three times more likely to be living in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland.

The study said they were also more likely to have chronic and cardiovascular health conditions, to be smokers and have lower levels of physical activity and be more socially isolated.

Dr Potter said: There is chronic underfunding of mental health in Northern Ireland that does not match the needs of our population.

Commissioners need to support trauma informed training across health, social care and community sectors, integrate lifestyle and social isolation interventions in our communities, address workforce gaps and continue to support large population studies like Nicola that can inform these policy decisions.

Professor McGuinness said: This study from a representative sample of our older population in Northern Ireland highlights the ongoing impact of the Troubles on our participants in terms of mental, cognitive and physical health.

We call on policymakers to address these gaps in service provision.

The Nicola study was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Research and Development Division, Atlantic Philanthropies, Centre for Ageing Research and Development Ireland, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister Northern Ireland and the Wellcome Trust/Wolfson Foundation, Queens University Belfast.

The findings have been published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
Digicel Fiji said on Friday it has signed a universal service obligation (USO) contract with the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) to deploy mobile and digital connectivity services to underserved communities in the Lau group.

Under the project  which is being carried out by Digicel Fiji, TAF, and the Ministry of Finance (MoF)  the contract includes provisions for deploying robust infrastructure in the remote archipelago, to include integrating government-led satellite Wi-Fi infrastructure backhauled by Starlinks LEO satellite network to provide more comprehensive coverage in the island group.

The USO contract also includes requirements for service level agreements (SLAs) for services reliant on external satellite infrastructure.

Located in eastern Fiji, the Lau group comprises around 60 islands, though only half are inhabited, with an estimated population of roughly 10,000 people. TAF chairman David Eyre said the USO deployment will support economic participation, entrepreneurship and improved access to essential services for communities, households and businesses in the group, regardless of location or circumstance.

Universal connectivity is a critical enabler of inclusive economic and social development and is a core objective of the governments national digital development agenda, Eyre said in a statement. Through the industry-funded Universal Service Fund, established under Government policy and administered by TAF, remote and maritime communities are being connected to digital markets, services and opportunities that were previously beyond reach of telecommunications networks.

By expanding communications services, we are making access available to vital digital tools that will drive economic growth, increase healthcare access, enhance educational opportunities, and open doors to financial inclusion for thousands of Fijians, added Digicel Fiji CEO Farid Mohammed.
Econet InfraCo, the infrastructure arm of telecommunications provider Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, has announced plans to develop a 300-hectare industrial park not far from the countrys main airport.

It will be sited near Robert Mugabe International Airport in the capital Harare, and will include a 100MW solar power plant as well as a large data centre, although precise details of the capacity of the data centre do not yet appear to be available.

Local newspaper reports say that the project is intended to create a modern industrial and logistics hub that leverages proximity to the airport for manufacturing, processing and export-oriented businesses.

The development will be rolled out in phases, in line with demand. Work on the first phase of the overall project, which could be one of the largest private-sector developments since Zimbabwes independence, has apparently already begun.

The industrial park is said to be one of several major initiatives that have received approval from Econet Group founder Strive Masiyiwa.

Econet Group chief executive Douglas Mboweni, quoted by a number of news resources, explains: Our vision is to create the infrastructure such as power and water facilities needed for a modern industrial park. This will make it easier for investors to come in, take advantage of the location, and create jobs.

The Econet InfraCo name was publicly unveiled recently as part of a broader corporate restructuring. However, the company says it is not a new business but has long operated as a dedicated unit within Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, providing and managing core infrastructure assets, including towers, fibre, power systems and data facilities.
Payments giant Mastercard say it has partnered with MoneyHash, a payment orchestration platform built for emerging and global markets, to expand merchant access to the newly launched Merchant Cloud across the Middle East and Africa.

Mastercard describes Merchant Cloud as a next-generation payments platform that unifies services from Mastercard and its partners, including Payment Gateway, security solutions, data and Mastercard Agent Pay.

Mastercard says that by connecting to its gateway through a single unified API, merchants can simplify integration, streamline operations and enhance payment performance across markets.

Mastercard's Gateway, a part of the Merchant Cloud portfolio, is being made available through MoneyHash, which Mastercard describes as the leading payment orchestration platform in the region.

Businesses can now seamlessly connect to Mastercard's Gateway directly through MoneyHash's unified application programming interface (API), eliminating the complexity of multiple integrations and significantly shortening time to market.

The collaboration, the partners say, enables merchants to optimise transaction routing, improve success rates, reduce payment failures and gain comprehensive visibility across their entire payment operations through a centralised dashboard.

Mete Guney, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Mastercard, EEMEA, explains: Our collaboration with MoneyHash represents a fundamental shift in the way payment infrastructure is delivered by moving from complex direct integrations to convenient unified access, addressing a critical pain point. Together, we aim to support merchants digital transformation journeys and enable seamless checkout experiences for online shoppers.

Nader Abdelrazik, co-founder & CEO, MoneyHash, adds: Our collaboration with Mastercard represents a significant milestone in our mission to simplify and optimise payment operations for businesses across the region. By enabling direct access to Mastercard Gateway, we are eliminating the complexity that has traditionally held merchants back from scaling their digital operations.
Global digital operator Veon announced on Friday that its financial services subsidiary, Mobilink Microfinance Bank has launched Islamic banking operations in Pakistan, in response to growing customer demand for Shariah-compliant financial services.

Mobilink Bank  which received its Islamic Banking licence from the State Bank of Pakistan earlier this year  inaugurated its first dedicated Islamic banking branch last week in Karachi, offering Shariah-compliant deposit and financing products, with a second branch scheduled to commence operations in Peshawar before the end of this month.

Mobilink Bank plans to follow up with a phased rollout of Islamic banking services across additional locations nationwide next year.

According to the State Bank of Pakistans Islamic Banking Bulletin for the period ending September 2025, Islamic banking assets reached approximately PKR12.7 trillion (around US$44 billion), accounting for 21.6% of total banking sector assets. Islamic banking deposits represented 26.5% of total deposits nationwide.

On a year-on-year basis, Islamic banking assets and deposits grew by 28.3% and 29.7%, respectively, underscoring the sectors strong momentum and rising customer adoption.

Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, president and CEO of Mobilink Bank, said the launch of Islamic banking services supports its strategy to broaden financial choice and inclusion for individuals, micro-entrepreneurs, and small businesses across Pakistan.

Expanding into Islamic banking allows us to directly respond to the needs of a large segment of Pakistans population, he said in a statement. By offering transparent, faith-aligned products through both physical branches and digital channels, we are increasing access to formal financial services across the country.
Save my User ID and Password

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
The Taoiseach met Irish troops who will be serving at Camp Shamrock close to the border with Israel over Christmas during a visit to the country.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has visited peacekeepers in Lebanon and expressed pride in their service.

He also met with Lebanons Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Beirut, and pressed him over justice for the killing of Private Sean Rooney.

The 24-year-old Dundalk soldier, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon was ambushed and fired upon on December 14, 2022.

The main person convicted for his killing is still at large and the Irish Government has described some of the sentences imposed on others over the matter as unduly lenient.

Mr Martin urged accountability.

Accountability means that the people responsible for the death of Sean Rooney are brought to justice, proper justice, the sentencing was extremely lenient and the people are at large, he said.

Hundreds of Irish soldiers are serving with the Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission in south Lebanon, which is due to come to an end next December when the UN mandate ends after almost 50 years.

Mr Martin told troops gathered at Camp Shamrock that it was an honour to stand before them, and to personally acknowledge the dedication, professionalism and sacrifice that each of you demonstrates in the service of peace, and your country.

He also paid tribute to the work they are doing in Lebanon during this particularly challenging time, and in spending Christmas away from their loved ones.

In terms of the UN mandate ending at the end of 2026, Mr Martin said Ireland remains committed to Unifil, and to supporting Lebanon, but recognises that the mission was always intended to be an interim force.

He added: I met the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam this morning, and emphasised the important role of the Lebanese Government in respecting and protecting the role of peacekeepers, as Unifil works towards bringing peace and stability.

I also continued to highlight the need for accountability in regard to the person wanted in connection to the horrific killing of Private Sean Rooney.

I made it very clear to the prime minister the absolute determination of the Irish Government to continue to pursue justice for this terrible crime.

He finished his addressed by telling the soldiers he is immensely proud of the long tradition of Irish peacekeeping.

Those involved in ongoing efforts for peace are doing critically important work. It is work that we in Ireland and people all over the world hope and pray is successful, he said.

Read Next: Dundalk Sub Aqua to hold New Years Eve bucket collection

The tradition of UN peacekeeping, in which we have participated for just short of 70 years, is about saving lives and ensuring others can enjoy the gift of peace.

The work you are doing here in south Lebanon encapsulates all that is good and positive about that tradition.

Know that the government and the people of Ireland are very appreciative of your service and dedication to the cause of peace.
Grabbing a tasty bite at Luigi Malones before the Christmas panto at the Opera House has been a treat for many Corkonians, young and old.

The manager of the Emmet Place restaurant for 23 years, Morad Gharib, loves its place in the citys culture.

The moment you open the wooden heavy door with a golden handle, you enter Corks secret haven, says Morad of Luigis.

Many celebrations have taken place here.

With chairs that remember so many celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, and engagements, Luigis is a family place enjoyed by generations, says Morad.

Second eldest of eight children, he is from Alexandria, Egypts second largest city.

Why did he leave his home on the edge of the Nile for the Rebel County?

I wanted to come to a country where I could speak the English language that I learned in secondary school. says Morad.

I was never a shy person. I helped out my parents in their DIY business. Interacting with people suited me.

The maritime world suited him too, and both Cork and Alexandria are port cities.

My dad and my grandad both had strong ties with the commercial side of shipping. My grandad was a very skilful sailor on ships with no engines, using the sails and the wind to navigate in the early 1900s. I worked as well as an engineer aboard ship. The engine work allowed me to use my brain. There was a crew of between 12 and 15 people.

While Morad had sea legs, he preferred being on land.

I wasnt that keen on the working environment, he says. The time on land was limited. All the time at sea became isolating and depressing.

When wed move out of port, I would see the lights fade and I felt a pull on my heart.

During my second contract an incident happened on rough seas when we lost 30 or 40 containers and things became pretty dangerous, adds Morad.

Seafaring was not for Morad any longer. He says: I made my mind up to work on diesel engines on land, not sea.

And then he decided that he would pursue other horizons.

I was good at English. I was first in the class at English. I decided to travel to where I could speak English and where I knew nobody. I sought out a new culture.

What about new conditions away from the Mediterranean sun?

Morad laughs.

I tell my mother there are so many showers in Ireland! When I worked in the Red Sea near Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the temperatures on deck could reach 43 to 44 degrees. I am no fan of heat.

Why did he choose the island of Ireland to come to, to live and work here?

I thought the USA was too big, says Morad. I looked at an atlas with my friend. We looked at the index, the languages, and the flags. We applied to the Irish embassy in Dublin for our visas.

The pair were good to go.

First, we worked in a meat factory in Co. Offaly, says Morad.

What was that like?

It was OK, says Morad. And it gave us time to settle.

He headed to Dublin and climbed the ladder in the hospitality world, starting on the lower rungs in Luigi Malones Dublin.

I was young and naive, says Morad. I began working in the kitchen washing dishes, as well as working as a kitchen porter.

The boss was impressed with him.

He said I was too clean, too polished, to be washing up in the kitchen! says Morad.

I always had my white t-shirt freshly washed and ironed. My white hat and my apron were spotless. My boss asked me if Id like to train as a commis chef. And could I start at 5pm that same evening!

Morad Gharib at Luigi Malones.

Morads life was sailing along nicely.

I married a girl from back home who went to school with my sister. Our family like living in the beauty of East Cork. The kids love playing GAA!

When the Luigi Malone franchise opened in Cork in late 2000, Morad was one of three managers who were employed in the restaurant.

By now I was a manager in the Dublin branch of Luigi Malones, says Morad.

He didnt miss washing up.

I was only three weeks washing up! says Morad laughing.

I was asked to come to Cork to work here three times by my boss. He knew I was reliable.

Did he know then that Cork was the real capital of Ireland?

I did not know that, admits Morad, now happily ensconced in the real capital.

When I first came to Cork, I would go to Dublin every midweek when I was off. That became less and less.

He found his feet in Cork and business in Luigi Malones took off.

A number of Cork restaurants like Scoozis and Luigi Malones took off and were very busy from the start, says Morad.

He is now a true Corkonian.

When we went on holidays to New Jersey for three weeks, I was keen to return back to Cork earlier!

Morad and his family have the best of all worlds here.

It is a dream to have Cork Airport just up the road. The city has all you want and the coast is nearby.

Old habits die hard though

I gravitate towards the sea, says Morad. I love the sea. I am emotionally attached to it.

He is attached to the Cork humour too.

There is nothing like it anywhere! says Morad.

Apart from welcoming both young and old, Morad has welcomed some famous names who came to dine in Luigi Malones.

Pat Shortt, members of Westlife, all came here to dine before their shows in the Opera House, says Morad. Tommy Fleming always comes every time.

Does Morad get much free time?

Unless I am sick, I always find something useful to do when I am off, he says. I get up, wash my car, wash the windows, tidy the shed, paint the skirting board in the bathroom.

Enough already!

Morad is a Christmas person and a people person.

I love the Christmas atmosphere, he says. I get into the swing of things.

Morad is a happy person.

I dont think I could be happier elsewhere, he says. I love Cork people and I have respect for them. I love the culture and I like the laid- back attitude.

Life is too short not to enjoy it. Irish people are so positive, and they have reason to support Palestine.

I see myself as 100% Irish. And I could be no prouder.
Apple has continued its long-standing commitment to the Cork community this Christmas by supporting Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB).

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, based in Cork, has been operating for nearly 50 years and is Irelands national charity dedicated to enabling people who are vision impaired and their families to achieve improved mobility and independence.

Services include the Guide Dog Programme for people who are blind or vision impaired, the assistance dog programme for families of children with autism, the community dog programme in schools, orientation and mobility training for long cane users, independent living skills training and a child mobility programme.

The charity has live-in rooms on-site in their national HQ on Model Farm Road where clients come to train on the programmes mentioned. They live on-site for up to two weeks when matched with their new companion.

IGDB is ranked among the top 10 of more than 400 Irish charities supported through the Apple Giving Programme since its launch in Ireland in 2015.

Apple employees in Cork have supported the annual Santas Grotto event, held at the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, since 2022, their most significant festive activity, which is attended by hundreds of children and families.

Emma, Sam and Peter Medo, pictured with service dog, Dolly, as a team of volunteers from Apple Cork spent the day at the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind HQ on Model Farm Road, helping with preparations for Christmas activities, meeting families and helping Santa and his elves in the grotto. Picture: Michael OSullivan / OSM PHOTO

Apple also supported the organisation by helping them prepare 9,000 Christmas card bundles to support one of their key annual fund-raising activities and, this year, they also supported their Open Day event by providing guidance, assisting people with accessibility needs, and helping with setup.

Over the last few years, Apple has hosted several on-site events in partnership with the charity and Accessibilty@Apple DNA where employees could learn about their work, meet ambassador dogs and explore their sensory tunnel. They also support the charity by helping with on-site clean-ups, painting, tidying and stock-taking.

Apple employees have fostered puppies who are in training to become guide or assistance dogs, providing them with early socialisation, care, and basic training thats vital to their future role.

Employees also support through their temporary boarding programme  this supports dogs who are in training and find life in a kennel stressful, so temporary boarders look after them and drop them off to school and collect them each day and keep them at weekends in their own home.

Tim OMahoney, CEO of IGDB, told The Echo: The support Apple has provided through their volunteer programme over the past 20 years is immeasurable. Their teams have helped at our annual open day each August, assisted with packing Christmas cards, carried out clean-ups around our training centre, including painting, tidying, leaf clearing, stock taking and more.

Beyond hands-on support, this partnership has also helped raise awareness of our Guide Dog, assistance dog, and community dog programmes, as well as our orientation and mobility programme.

Our team visited the Apple offices with our sensory tunnel, giving staff the chance to experience what life is like for someone with vision impairment. In the new year, well be returning with an exciting new virtual reality headset experience. Some team members have even become volunteer temporary boarders, caring for our dogs in training for short periods. helping puppy raisers take holidays and ensuring the dogs continue to thrive.

He explained: The long-term nature of this relationship means we can call on their support when needed, reducing staff requirements for key events and giving us confidence in their experience and understanding of our work.

Our enduring partnership has flourished because our values of teamwork, excellence, and respect closely align with Apples commitment to community engagement, ensuring that both organisations continue to benefit in meaningful and lasting ways.

Mr OMahoney explained that this was a particularly busy time of year for the charity.

While our work is busy all year round, December is especially hectic. Our annual car raffle, sought-after Christmas cards and calendars, and range of merchandise make the month extra busy.

Siblings, Sean, Grace, Ellie, & Conor McCabe, pictured with Yarrow the Service Dog, as a team of Apple volunteers from Apple Cork, spent the day at the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind HQ on Model Farm Road, helping with preparations for Christmas activities, meeting families and helping Santa and his elves in the grotto. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO

Our Apple volunteers have been instrumental in helping pack Christmas cards, a fun activity for them and a huge help to us, and they also helped Santa and his elves at our Grotto on December 6 and 7.

He explained that fundraising was vital to keep their work going.

Running the organisation costs more than 5m annually. With all our services provided free of charge and only 15% of our funding coming from the government, meeting the growing demand for our support, including the provision of guide dogs, assistance dogs, and community dogs, is a constant challenge.

This makes us especially reliant on, and grateful for, the generosity of corporate partners, community fundraisers, and those who support us through legacies.

In 2026, we will celebrate our 50th anniversary and we are proud to be Irelands leading provider of professionally trained assistance dogs for children with autism and guide dogs for people with vision impairment.

Since launching Europes first dedicated assistance dog programme for autistic children in 2005, we have continued to set the benchmark in training, welfare, and family support. Places on our assistance dog programme remain in very high demand, making fundraising and awareness-raising crucial to meeting this demand now and in the future.

Mr OMahoney explained: Puppy raising is a critical part of any of our dogs training. Without our nationwide community of puppy raisers, we simply couldnt meet the demand for our services. Puppy raisers take an eight-week-old puppy into their home, helping them learn basic obedience and socialisation skills.

They also expose the puppy to a wide range of environments, such as busy shopping centres, escalators, buses, trains, and even planes. At around 14 months, the puppy returns to our Training Centre in Cork to begin formal training with our team, with the goal of becoming a life-changing Guide Dog, Assistance Dog, or Community Dog. All costs are covered and training and support is provided.

Currently, the charity has 158 working Guide Dog partnerships, 171 working Assistance Dog partnerships, and 24 applicants awaiting a match, including 18 potential Guide Dog clients and six Assistance Dog clients.

They also have 89 pups entering training and 36 community dogs supporting over 15,000 students in schools, 40 volunteer branches nationwide and over 1,700 volunteers.

If readers wish to support the charity, there are many ways to get involved, and all suited to different lifestyles and schedules, such as joining one of their local Cork branches and helping to raise funds.

Temporary boarding, where you care for a dog in training while their puppy raiser is away or while they attend formal training, including daily drop-offs, collections, and weekend care; or puppy raising , taking a puppy from eight weeks old, guiding them through basic obedience and socialisation before formal training begins at 14 months, are also options, as is caring for one of their brood dogs before, during, and after pregnancy.
Cork City Council has handed over the keys to its 300th affordable home  just in time for Christmas.

The house, developed under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS), is in Togher  at Glenmore Heights in Lehenaghmore, which is a new development built in a partnership between Cork City Council and OBR Group.

Homes built under the LAAPS are offered for sale to qualifying first-time buyers from approximately 20% below the open market value, with the local authority taking an equity stake in the property.

Cork City Council was a pioneer nationally in delivering affordable homes under the LAAPS, building the first scheme of its kind in the country at Boherboy Rd in Lotamore in Mayfield.

The city council has gone on to deliver hundreds of new affordable homes in 10 LAAPS developments.

Under the Governments Housing For All plan, Cork City Council had a target of delivering 378 affordable homes to citizens by 2026.

The council reports 402 affordable homes are either sold or nearing completion, with sales close to complete on several dozen properties.

A further 10 purchasers are due to receive their keys before the end the year, with another 60 due to move into their new affordable homes by March 2026.

Each set of keys allows a family to put down roots, to gain security, stability, and the opportunity to thrive in a place they can truly call home, Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy said.

But there is still work to do and we remain focused on housing delivery, to ensure that affordable housing is not just a goal, but a reality for generations to come.

Brian Geaney, the assistant chief executive of Cork City Council, added: Reaching the milestone of 300 purchasers of an affordable home is a proud moment for Cork City Council.

For further information, contact affordablehousing@corkcity.ie.
1. Pupils of Scoil Nicolais, Frankfield, taking part in their Santa Dash in aid of the CUH children's ward. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

2. Pupils and teachers get ready to take part in the Santa Dash. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

3. Marc Sheehan, principal, and Santa, with pupils cheering on the runners taking part in the Santa Dash. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

5. Pupils cheering on the runners at Scoil Nicolais, Frankfield. Picture: Eddie O'Hare





6. Marc Sheehan, principal and Meabh Moynihan with Sadie at the Scoil Nicolais, Frankfield Santa Dash in aid of the CUH children's ward. Picture; Eddie O'Hare







St Lukes selected for Safe Route to Schools funding

Councillor Kieran McCarthy said it was great to see St Lukes Primary School, Douglas, being selected for funding from the national Safe Route to Schools scheme.

The Safe Route to Schools programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA), said Cllr McCarthy.

The Education and Community Action Team at An Taisce is co-ordinating the programme.

The programme works closely with school communities, parents and local authorities to ensure that proposed road safety measures reflect local needs and gain broad support through community engagement.

There will be road safety measures designed and put in place on Church Road in Douglas Village. The nature of these measures will go to public consultation at some point next year.

I will keep my lobbying up as well for the other neighbourhood schools seeking funding from the national Safe Route to School scheme.

Comhaltas na Duglaise to take part in Wren events

On St Stephens Day Comhaltas na Duglaise are out in the Wren in both Carrigaline and Blackrock.

At Carrigaline, where the Main Street is closed for the occasion, the Wrenboys Street Festival runs from 11am until 1pm in aid of Marymount and Cork Simon.

The Blackrock Wren is on the Pier between 12 noon and 2pm in aid of Cork Simon. Everyone is welcome to dress up and take part. Bring your instrument and dancing feet and get dressed up for the occasion. Everyone is welcome.

Uber delight for Douglas

Uber has unwrapped its Irish rider ratings, revealing the top 10 areas across Ireland.

Every year Uber keeps millions of people across Ireland on the move, and drivers get the opportunity to rate their riders along the way. After 12 months of five-star journeys, Uber is revealing which areas of Ireland are top of the class.

This year, the nicest riders in all of Ireland hail from Douglas. They take the national crown for good behaviour and five-star etiquette, having soared up five places from their 2024 podium finish in fifth place.

Hot on their heels are Blanchardstown (Dublin), which rose one place to second, and Castletroy (Limerick), which fell one place to third this year. Other high scorers and new additions to the nice list include Cobh and Clontarf (Dublin).

Kieran Harte, general manager for Uber Ireland, said: Taxi drivers are the heartbeat of Christmas travel  a little extra kindness, patience and respect for drivers goes a long way.
Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus recently celebrated the achievements of students at a graduation ceremony.

Graduates represented a diverse range of students, including those pursuing career changes, enhancing their current roles or returning to education through specific skills training and skills to advance initiatives.

Courses were delivered through both day and evening formats, offering flexible learning opportunities to suit a variety of needs. Graduates were recognised across a broad spectrum of disciplines including business, hospitality, sustainability, and national tour guiding.

Graduate Emma OSullivan, level 6 human resources management, with her son Oisin and husband Dave, all from Carrigaline.

Valerie Cowman, campus leader at Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus, praised the graduates for their achievements.

I want to recognise the dedication and effort youve invested in completing this programme.

It takes real courage to commit to learning, especially while managing full time work and balancing the demands of home and study. Congratulations to each of you on this outstanding achievement.

Graduates with Denis Leamy, chief executive Cork ETB; John Fitzgibbons, director further education and training Cork ETB, and Valerie Cowman, manager Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus, during the Cork College FET Bishopstown Campus, various QQI level qualifications learner graduation ceremony, at Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus. Pictures: Jim Coughlan

Also speaking at the event, Denis Leamy, chief executive, Cork ETB, thanked all those attending for their commitment to lifelong learning and upskilling.

Congratulations to each of you for committing to this course of study, said Mr Leamy.

I encourage you to keep moving forward on your lifelong learning journey.

At Cork ETB and Cork College of FET, we take pride in offering flexible opportunities for upskilling while working and creating pathways for every learner.

Graduate, Faye Delanty, Level 5 Beverage Service Certificate.

This programme is just the beginning, keep building on this achievement and take the next step.

For further information on Cork Education and Training Board and their range of schools, courses, and opportunities from primary to post-primary and to further education, visit corketb.ie or see Cork Education and Training Board or CorkETB on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Recently, my phone pinged with a message from a friend, the principal of a school in Cork that participates in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme.

He excitedly shared news of his schools receipt of a Niamh Sharkey art piece from the Glucksman Art Library scheme, run from Corks celebrated Glucksman gallery on the beautiful campus of University College Cork.

I pushed him on why the arrival of this art piece was eliciting such enthusiasm. He gushed that now his pupils and their caregivers, who had hardly registered the existence of an art gallery close by, are talking about art, and that faculty can now teach art without relying solely on one-dimensional images on the whiteboard. For passionate and committed pedagogues like this Cork principal, tools such as those provided by The Glucksman are educational gold.

The update prompted me to reflect on the legacy of Lewis L. (Lew) Glucksman, the gallerys patron.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Lews munificence towards Ireland was exceeded only by that of his friend and fellow American businessman Chuck Feeney. With his charismatic wife, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Lew set a high bar of American philanthropy on the island.

Thousands of schoolchildren, university students, researchers, art enthusiasts, and wider communities continue to engage today with resources that were made possible by a man who spent years accumulating wealth, only to expend much energy dispersing it.

Born exactly a century ago today, on December 22, 1925, in New York, Glucksman was the grandchild of Jewish immigrants, who became a titan on Wall Street.

He died in his County Cork home in 2006, having spent his final years here, safe in the knowledge that his penchant for giving would be continued by the love of his life, Loretta.

The reverberations of Lews affinity for Ireland are still widely felt and are worthy of reflection in this season of giving, of Hanukkah, and of Christmas - in the centenary of his birth.

Lew made gifts to places outside University College Cork, including the University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Abbey and Gate theatres, and the Wexford Opera Festival. In 1993, an innovative centre at New York University, Glucksman Ireland House, was inaugurated.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the most impactful philanthropic initiative Ireland has ever seen, now known as the Ireland Funds. It should come as no surprise that this game-changing exercise originated in the United States, the land of modern philanthropy par excellence. Nor should it come as a surprise that most of those individuals involved in this philanthropy have had strong family links to Ireland.

But not all those who have given to Ireland have also been tethered to the island ancestrally. There is a lesson for us all in that.

While Glucksman wasnt Irish, or even Irish American, there were signs of Ireland coming into focus early on. A stint in the Navy during World War II led him here on shore leave and instilled a life-long passion for both nautical activities and Irish literature.

Decades later, after a stratospheric career as a gifted trader and partner at Lehman Brothers, Lew fell in love with Loretta - the grandchild of four Irish immigrants. It was Lew who brought Loretta to Ireland for the first time and in 1987 they initiated a multi-decade relationship with the country, north and south.

Such was his love of the place that Lew eventually moved to Ireland. Loretta still credits Lews Irish sojourn with extending his life after his cancer diagnosis in 2000 - he was given six months, but lived for six years.

I have found myself dipping into historical records to get at the texture of Lews early life. These sources reflect the fact his formative years were concentrated by the presence of other New Yorkers of Jewish ancestry, but something in the 1930 U.S census returns caught my eye.

There, amongst all the Glucksman names for his household on Walton Street, was a name that stuck out, Sally Higgins. A 25-year-old Irish immigrant maid, Sally was just a year in the United States and was recorded in her first U.S census with the Glucksmans in 1930. People of Jewish and Irish descent were brought together in America.

I like to think that Sally was another signal of what lay ahead for the young Lew in terms of his future connection to Ireland. I imagine her reading him Irish stories and talking to him about the beautiful, if impoverished, fledgling state she had left.

The balance of probability would suggest that when she emigrated in 1929, she did so from Cobh, mere miles from where Lew took his final breath in 2006.

Sally would never know what this little boy under her care in New York would do for Ireland - a man historian Joe Lee once described as a man of the boat, and a man of the Bourse, then, but above all, a man of the book.

Dr Miriam Nyhan Grey is a historian who is on the faculty at Mary Immaculate College (Limerick), having taught at New York Universitys Glucksman Ireland House from 2009 to 2021.
David Raleigh

A man who stabbed another man during a cocaine fuelled row has been jailed for five years with the final year suspended.

Stephen Byrnes (33) stabbed the victim, Damien Fitzpatrick, in his back and in the right side of his abdomen, during a row over how to use cocaine at Byrnes home.

Byrnes, Geraldine House, Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick City, denied one count of assault causing harm, and one count of production of a knife during the assault, however a jury found him guilty of both offences, following a trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Prosecuting barrister, John OSullivan, told Byrnes sentencing hearing that the assault on Mr Fitzpatrick occurred during a heavy session of drink and drugs at Byrness home, two years ago.

On November 18th, 2023, Byrnes drove himself, Fitzpatrick, and a female from his home to Kerry to where Fitzpatrick was residing at the time.

They returned to Limerick the same day and went back to Byrness house where more cocaine was delivered, said Mr OSullivan, BL.

Byrnes and Fitzpatrick had an argument about how to use the cocaine and Mr Byrnes stabbed Mr Fitzpatrick twice in the early hours of November 19th.

Gardai were alerted to the scene and the female who had been with the two men identified Byrnes as the attacker.

When gardai entered Byrnes home they found drugs, drug paraphernalia, and stains of fresh blood.

Byrnes was arrested and he initially denied stabbing Fitzpatrick. Instead, Byrnes claimed he had actually been stabbed.

Byrnes eventually told gardai he stabbed Fitzpatrick but he claimed he stabbed him in self defence, however this version of events was rejected by the jury at Byrnes trial.

Mr OSullivan said the prosecution accepted that Byrnes had not set out to stab Fitzpatrick.

The court heard Byrnes had previous convictions, including for assault causing harm, and for production of articles capable of inflicting harm.

Judge Colin Daly said he was satisfied that a headline sentence of five years was appropriate.

The judge said that although there was little by way of mitigation, he was reducing Byrnes sentence, having heard submissions from his barrister that he had grown up in a house where drug use was the norm.

He had an early addiction to heroin and later crack cocaine and heroin, the judge said.

In respect of the assault charge, Byrnes was jailed for five years with the final 12 months suspended. He received a three-year sentence for the production of the knife, which is to run concurrent to Byrnes four-year sentence.

Byrnes entered a bond of 100, which did not have to be lodged, pledging to engage with a 12-month post-release probation service supervision order and to keep the peace for a year after his release.
(Photo: Vatican News)Pope Leo XIV blessing a child at his weekly General Audience posted on June 20, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed a new bishop with outspoken pro-migrant beliefs  right on President Donald Trump's patch.

Raw Story, citing KSNT News, said Leo "named the Rev. Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez, currently pastor of a predominantly Hispanic church in the Queens borough of New York City, as bishop of Palm Beach, Florida.

"The diocese is home to the Mar-a-Lago estate of President Donald Trump, whose get-tough immigration policies have drawn objections from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."

Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic and spoke of his stance on immigration and his opinion of current U.S. policy.

"The president is doing really good things, not only for the United States, but for the world. But when it comes to the migrant, the immigration policy, we want to help, said Rodriguez.

"We want to assist the president as a church because we believe that we can do better ... than the way we're doing this right now," he said.

"When it comes to enforcing immigration laws, we shouldn't be enforcing them by focusing on deporting 5-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 9-year-old kids, people that have never committed any crime. So, we're here to help. We're willing to help, and God willing, we will."

Raw Story said that the Catholic Church has for centuries advocated for the rights of migrants and refugees and urged nations to treat them with dignity.

However, the appointment comes at a moment when Leo, the first American pope in history and a relatively liberal figure following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, has moved to make his mark on the Church's politics.

Last week, the Pope announced that Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the outgoing head of the New York Archdiocese and one of the most outspoken right-wing figures in the Church, will be replaced by Ronald Hicks, a fellow Chicagoan and progressive who similarly holds staunch pro-migrant views.

And in June, Bishop Michael Pham, Leo's pick to head the Diocese of San Diego, instructed a group of priests and deacons to accompany migrants to court.

President Trump frequently launched public attacks against the late Pope Francis, but initially welcomed the election of Leo.
Paramount Skydance isn't giving up on obtaining Warner Bros. Discovery just yet. The company has amended its $108 billion offer to include Larry Ellison's "irrevocable personal guarantee" equaling $40.4 billion. Ellison is the founder or Oracle and a backer of Skydance, created by his son David Ellison, Paramount Skydance's CEO.

On December 17, WBD formally recommended shareholders reject Paramount's offer. WBD had already accepted an $82.7 billion offer from Netflix, set to close some time next year following regulatory approval. "[The board] has unanimously determined that the tender offer launched by Paramount Skydance on December 8, 2025 is not in the best interests of WBD and its shareholders and does not meet the criteria of a 'Superior Proposal' under the terms of WBD's merger agreement with Netflix announced on December 5, 2025," WBD stated.

The Paramount deal included backing by sovereign wealth funds in places like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. But the Ellisons previously said that, if the other funders dropped out, they would "backstop the full amount of the bid." That wasn't enough of a guarantee for WBD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, Paramount has returned with the irrevocable personal guarantee and an agreement that the senior Ellison won't "revoke" or "adversely transfer" the Ellison family trust's assets while the transaction is pending. WBD had stated that a personal guarantee was the only fix to Paramount's inadequate offer.

Paramount might have taken this step, but not with a smile on its face: "None of these concerns, nor the demand for a personal guarantee, were raised by WBD or its advisors to Paramount in the 12-week period leading up to WBD agreeing to the inferior transaction with Netflix, Inc.," the company stated about its updated offer.

"Our $30 per share, fully financed all-cash offer was on December 4th, and continues to be, the superior option to maximize value for WBD shareholders. Because of our commitment to investment and growth, our acquisition will be superior for all WBD stakeholders, as a catalyst for greater content production, greater theatrical output, and more consumer choice," David Ellison stated. "We expect the board of directors of WBD to take the necessary steps to secure this value-enhancing transaction and preserve and strengthen an iconic Hollywood treasure for the future."

Paramount's updated offer also includes publishing the trust's assets, more flexible transaction terms and an increase from $5 billion to $5.8 billion of its "regulatory reverse termination fee"  in line with Netflix's.

Paramount's offer will expire on January 21, 2026.
It might be hard to believe, but foldable phones have already been around for the better part of a decade. Granted, the first one I saw back in 2019  which actually predates Samsung's Galaxy Fold  was a cobbled-together mess. But since then, phone makers have been steadily iterating and tweaking their designs, and this year, manufacturers have finally addressed all the major issues about foldable phones except one: price.

Lets go back to the OG Fold. Even though it was chunky and heavy, had a tiny exterior display and suffered from a hinge that let too much detritus inside (which is probably how The Verges review unit got wrecked), it still showed so much promise. It was a true multitasker  a phone that could turn into a small tablet at a moment's notice. What's not to like?

This scene would have sent shivers down my spine in previous years, but thanks to an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn't bothered. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

From there, Samsung upgraded its foldables with water resistance and S Pen support on the Z Fold 3, followed by eliminating the gap between the two halves of a closed Z Fold 5. And as competition grew from OnePlus and Google (not to mention all the Chinese rivals like Oppo, Xiaomi and others), we saw design and software improvement across the category .

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2025, two phones in particular brought major upgrades to foldables as a whole. Even though its shape didn't change much from its predecessor, Google managed to get the Pixel 10 Pro Fold an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance  finally putting protection for both dirt and liquid in the same foldable for the first time. Now, for all the folks out there with regular phones, that might not sound like a big deal. But on devices with complicated hinges where you really don't want random garbage getting inside, that's a massive relief and a big improvement to the handset's general usability.

If you only look at their dimensions, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (right) and an S25 Ultra (left). (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Meanwhile, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung achieved what may be an even bigger accomplishment by creating a foldable phone that was essentially the same size and weight as a traditional glass brick handset  with a massive 8-inch interior display no less. In fact, if you compared the Z Fold 7 to Samsung's other flagship  the S25 Ultra  the fold is actually a touch lighter (7.58 ounces vs 7.69 ounces) and practically just as thin (8.9mm vs 8.2mm). That's huge because one of the biggest issues with previous generations of foldables was excess bulk and heft, to the point where often I had to wear a belt just so my pants wouldn't sag when carrying one around.

Unfortunately, there isn't a phone maker that has put both of these advancements into a single gadget just yet. But this is still a big deal, and based on how things are trending, I'm sure that won't be the case for long.

What about the crease, you say? Yes, even the latest and greatest foldables still have a small depression that runs down the screen where the phone bends in half. Let me be clear: that's not really an issue. Sure, it would be nice if it weren't there, but getting mad about the crease is kind of like being annoyed at a convertible car that has some extra panel gaps because it has a retractable roof. Not only is the crease basically invisible when you are looking at it head-on (which is the vast majority of the time), in reality, people don't touch the dead center of their phone's display all that often  especially on a screen the size of a small tablet.

The Z Fold 7 has made bulky foldables a thing of the past while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold shows how these phones don't need to be afraid of dirt anymore. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Really, the one thing the makers of big foldables haven't figured out is how to make them affordable. OnePlus sort of came close in 2023 with the Open, which cost $1,500 after rebates that included trading in literally any phone (even broken ones). In fact, things are actually kind of going backwards. The launch price of the Z Fold 7 ($2,000) is $200 more than what the Z Fold 5 debuted at just a couple of years ago. Even with high prices, I've started seeing more and more foldable phones in the wild than ever before and the data backs up my sentiment. Sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are up 50 percent compared to the previous generation while global foldable phone sales reached a new high in Q3 of this year, and I'm willing to bet that there are millions of others out there who would be interested in them  if only they didn't cost so much.




A recent report claiming that Prince Harry referred to his son, Archie, as "my little African child" has sparked controversy and prompted a denial from the Duke of Sussex's spokesperson.

As per StyleCaster, the claim originated from former magazine editor Tina Brown, who said on Katie Couric's YouTube show that primatologist Jane Goodall, before her death, told her that Harry made the comment shortly after Archie's birth. According to Brown, Goodall was one of the few people outside the royal family to visit Archie when he was born and was "absolutely stunned" by Harry's choice of words.

Brown further explained that members of the royal family expected Harry to step back from royal duties and lead a life focused on conservation in Africa, living "off the grid." Instead, Harry moved to Montecito, California, and embraced a high-profile celebrity lifestyle, which surprised both the royals and, reportedly, Harry himself.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry, on the other hand, strongly denied Brown's story, saying, "The Duke of Sussex has never said anything remotely resembling what is being claimed. Tina Brown knows exactly what she's doing by inventing these words and attributing them to a highly respected woman who is deceased and unable to correct the record."

BBC reported Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as working members of the British royal family in early 2020, citing mental health and family pressures. Since then, reports have surfaced about alleged comments made by some royal family members about Markle and Archie, though details have remained unclear.

Despite recent estrangement from parts of the royal family, Harry reunited with his father, King Charles III, in September after more than a year apart. Rumors of a possible Christmas family reunion are circulating but remain unconfirmed.

Meanwhile, as per Reuters, the couple, who left their royal duties in 2020 and moved to the US, started the Archewell Foundation, which is named after their son Archie. The foundation has worked on a number of issues, such as fighting the negative effects of social media and helping kids who have been affected by war.

The foundation will change its name to Archewell Philanthropies and use a fiscal sponsor model as part of the planned changes. A spokesperson for the couple said that the goal of this change is to make the administration more efficient and flexible.

The spokesperson said that the change will help the family "meaningfully reach and have the most impact" while staying true to their values and commitment to making a difference.

Archewell has given money to causes like helping kids in Gaza and Ukraine since it started. The most recent donation was $500,000.
Photos released by the Department of Justice show convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein shirtless with what appears to be a young child, according to a report on December 21.

As per RadarOnline, these photos are part of documents that have been released due to The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by former President Donald Trump, requiring the DOJ to release these documents involving Epstein's sex trafficking investigation.

In the picture, Epstein can be clearly viewed as smiling in a living room setting, with a small leg clad in a black shoe visible behind a chair, indicating the presence of a child. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has confirmed that more Epstein documents are set to be released, but heavy redactions must be made.

Read more: New Jeffrey Epstein Documents Include Photo of Prince Andrew With Ghislaine Maxwell and Several Women

The House Oversight Committee has begun releasing photographs recovered from Epstein's property. These photographs have been retrieved from among almost 100,000 documents that are related to the case.

It also contains photographs of Epstein with famous people, including Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Trump. Those people have not been accused of any sort of crime.

Philstar reported, commenting on the photo releases, Angel Urena, ex-deputy chief of staff to Clinton, spoke on the matter on X, saying, "They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn't about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be."

Gates also admitted his previous relationships with Epstein in a Wall Street Journal interview, where he said, "In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him... I thought it would help me with global health philanthropy. In fact, it failed to do that; it was just a huge mistake."

The DOJ's method was condemned by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said, "The sheer number of blacked-out pages in the documents makes it very hard to get the transparency that Congress seeks."

According to The New York Times, Schumer stated, "The act of dropping a huge pile of blacked-out pages on Congress defies the spirit of transparency required by the law."

The DOJ's ongoing release of documents is intended to make public the availability of documents related to the Epstein case. However, redactions and the pace of released documents have been seen as potentially undermining this purpose.
You Might Also Like  

The US Coast Guard is pursuing oil tanker Bella 1 in international waters near Venezuela, marking the third such operation in two weeks. President Trump last week announced a 'blockade' of all oil tankers under sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela.
Welsh farmers are warning that the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) risks falling short unless firm funding commitments are secured ahead of next years Senedd election, the Farmers Union of Wales has said.

Meeting Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and rural affairs spokesperson Llyr Gruffydd MS, the FUW renewed its manifesto call for a clear financial settlement for the SFS as it moves from design into delivery.

The SFS is due to replace the Basic Payment Scheme in Wales and will form the central mechanism through which future farm support is delivered.

The Welsh government has positioned the scheme as a means of supporting food production alongside environmental outcomes, with payments linked to a set of universal actions farmers must undertake, alongside optional layers for additional activity.

However, farming unions have repeatedly warned that the transition from area-based payments to the new structure carries financial risks for many businesses, particularly livestock farms in less favoured areas, unless funding levels are sufficient and payment rates are maintained in real terms.

The discussions followed a visit to Gallt-y-Celyn, an upland beef and sheep farm near Pentrefoelas, where FUW regional vice-president Alun Owen and his family hosted the Plaid Cymru representatives to discuss the practical implications of policy change on working farms.

At the centre of the unions concerns is the level of funding allocated to the SFS. The FUW is calling for the current 238 million base-level funding for the universal layer of the scheme to be increased by at least 76 million, based on the Welsh Governments own assessments, to fully mitigate predicted economic impacts on farm businesses.

FUW president Ian Rickman said funding certainty was now critical. As the Sustainable Farming Scheme moves from design to delivery, it is crucial that existing, and future Welsh governments provide it with an appropriate budget and financial framework, he said.

He warned that Welsh farmers need certainty and adequate support if the scheme is to deliver for food production, rural communities and the environment.

During discussions on the farm, attention also focused on wider pressures facing Welsh agriculture, including environmental regulation under the Control of Agricultural Pollution rules and how these interact with the requirements of the SFS.

The union pointed to evidence published by the Welsh government last autumn which, despite improvements following engagement and lobbying, still indicated potential reductions in livestock numbers and farm business income. The FUW said this demonstrated that the scheme must be adequately funded if it is to avoid undermining farm viability.

Reflecting on the visit, Mr Owen said it was vital politicians understood the realities facing farming families. Its important that politicians understand the pressures our farms face, from environmental regulations to the introduction of the SFS, he said. He also stressed the need for a five-year financial framework to provide medium-term economic certainty.

With the May Senedd election approaching, Mr Rickman said the FUW would continue pressing politicians across all parties for commitments that place Welsh food production and family farms at the heart of future policy.

He warned that without clear assurances on funding, farmers would struggle to invest, adapt and continue producing sustainable food for Wales.
UK growers facing continued slug pressure have a new control option following the launch of a molluscicide built around a novel active ingredient designed to stop feeding quickly and deliver faster results in the field.

ADAMA UK has launched Ferrabait, a new slug pellet using its elemental iron-based active ingredient Feralla, approved for use across cereals, vegetables, grass leys and high-value broad-field crops.

Designed to promote rapid feeding while maintaining performance in wet conditions, Ferrabait contains 1% w/w Feralla alongside wheat flours and humic acids to improve palatability and encourage early feeding.

Catherine Whaley, product development area manager for ADAMA in Central and North Europe, said Ferrabait builds on proven technology. Following on from the success of our Gusto IRON (2.94% w/w anhydrous ferric phosphate) slug pellets, Ferrabait is manufactured using ADAMAs Desidro wet processing and two-stage drying technology, she said.

She added that the process delivers durability without compromising attraction. This proven manufacturing system produces pellets with the ideal balance of persistence in wet weather and palatability over a longer duration, she said, adding that the pellets remain mould-free and palatable for longer than other slug baits.

Once ingested, the elemental iron is solubilised within the slugs digestive system, triggering rapid physiological changes that reduce mobility and cause feeding to stop almost immediately.

As soon as a lethal dose has been ingested, mortality quickly follows, Ms Whaley said, with field trials showing Ferrabait delivers a considerably faster speed of kill compared to other commercially available molluscicides.

Spreading accuracy and bait longevity are central to the products design. Ferrabait pellets are manufactured to uniform specifications and measure 2.5mm by 2.1mm, allowing accurate spreading at wide operating widths and delivering 4050 baiting points per square metre at typical application rates. The pellets are certified for use with a wide range of commonly used applicators.

Ms Whaley said pellet size was critical to effective control. Smaller pellets can degrade more quickly in wet conditions and spread less accurately, while larger pellets reduce baiting points.

Trials have shown slugs need to consume less than one Ferrabait pellet to receive a lethal dose, leaving remaining material available for further feeding and extending control from a single application.

For growers, the combination of rapid feeding cessation, consistent spreading and improved pellet longevity is intended to provide reliable slug control across a wide range of crops and conditions.
Scotlands Young Farmers have secured a major six-figure funding boost towards a new national centre  but have warned that urgent further donations are needed if construction is to begin next year.

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) has received a 196,000 match-funding injection for its Big Build campaign after the Scottish government and the SAYFC International Trust each matched 98,000 raised through the organisations own network.

The funding lifts total fundraising to around 700,000, leaving a significant gap towards the 1.6 million required to deliver the project.

The campaign aims to create a permanent home for Scotlands Young Farmers at the Royal Highland Showground, following the loss of SAYFCs former headquarters, which was recently demolished after being condemned.

Its removal left the organisation without a permanent base for the first time in decades, including during the Royal Highland Show  one of the most important dates in the rural calendar.

SAYFC said the new centre is critical not only for providing a year-round base, but for supporting young people in farming at a time of increasing pressure on rural communities.

The building is intended to act as a social hub to tackle rural isolation and support wellbeing, while also offering space for collaboration between agricultural charities, flexible facilities to generate income, and an archive to protect the organisations heritage.

Chief executive Penny Montgomerie said the project went far beyond infrastructure. This project is far more than bricks and mortar. It represents long-term investment in Scotlands rural youth, the future of our agricultural industry, and the resilience of farming communities, she said. It will provide a home for our young people for generations.

She said the latest funding had created momentum, but stressed that time was now critical. Were incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported The Big Build so far, she said, pointing to the backing from the Scottish government, Young Farmer-linked trusts, local clubs and individual members.

We want to be in a position to break ground next summer, but that will only be possible with further generous support from across the agricultural sector. We simply cannot deliver this without you.

SAYFC is now appealing directly to businesses, individuals, trusts and organisations across agriculture to help close the remaining funding gap. A tiered donor recognition scheme has been introduced, offering permanent acknowledgement within the building, including opportunities for naming rights or sponsorship of specific spaces.

Construction timelines are directly linked to fundraising progress. While the centre will not be ready for the Royal Highland Show 2026, SAYFC said it is aiming to open in time for the 2027 show  a milestone that depends entirely on securing further support in the coming months.
In This Article

LOC: Kargil

Kesari

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior

Bhuj: The Pride of India

Lakshya

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil girl

Border

The Ghazi Attack

Shershaah

Sam Bahadur



Uri: The Surgical Strike







A modern-day war film that ignited a wave of patriotism across the nation, Uri: The Surgical Strike is inspired by the real-life surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in 2016. The film captures the meticulous planning, intelligence coordination and sheer bravery of soldiers who avenged the Uri terror attack. With its gripping screenplay, sharp dialogues and adrenaline-pumping action, the film became a cultural phenomenon. Vicky Kaushal delivers a powerhouse performance as Major Vihaan Shergill, supported by Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Mohit Raina and Kirti Kulhari. Hows the Josh? became the rallying cry of a nation.





Haqeeqat







Often regarded as one of the earliest and most poignant war films in Indian cinema. Haqeeqat is based on the Indo-China War of 1962. Directed by Chetan Anand, the film presents a deeply emotional portrayal of Indian soldiers stationed in Ladakh, highlighting their resilience, sacrifice and unwavering patriotism. The films haunting soundtrack, especially Kar Chale Hum Fida, still resonates decades later. The film stars Dharmendra, Balraj Sahni, Vijay Anand and Priya Rajvansh.





Paltan







Paltan is another powerful narrative inspired by the Indo-China conflict of 1967 at Nathu La and Cho La. The film is directed by J.P. Dutta. It sheds light on a lesser-known but decisive military confrontation where Indian troops proved their might and strategic brilliance. With themes of brotherhood, courage and duty, Paltan showcases how Indian soldiers defended their territory against all odds. The film stars Jackie Shroff, Arjun Rampal, Sonu Sood, Gurmeet Choudhary, Harshvardhan Rane and Siddhanth Kapoor.



120 Bahadur



Paltan is another powerful narrative inspired by the Indo-China conflict of 1967 at Nathu La and Cho La. The film is directed by J.P. Dutta. It sheds light on a lesser-known but decisive military confrontation where Indian troops proved their might and strategic brilliance. With themes of brotherhood, courage and duty, Paltan showcases how Indian soldiers defended their territory against all odds. The film stars Jackie Shroff, Arjun Rampal, Sonu Sood, Gurmeet Choudhary, Harshvardhan Rane and Siddhanth Kapoor.



120 Bahadur brings to the screen one of the bravest chapters in Indian military history, the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Indo-China War. The film is based on the extraordinary courage of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, who along with 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, stood their ground against thousands of enemy troops in the freezing heights of Ladakh. The film stars Farhan Akhtar in the role of Major Shaitan Singh.

Raazi



A unique war film that explores the battlefield through espionage rather than guns and grenades. Raazi tells the extraordinary story of a young Indian woman who becomes a spy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film beautifully balances patriotism with emotional complexity. It showcases the silent sacrifices made in the shadows of war. Alia Bhatt shines as Sehmat Khan, a brave intelligence officer whose loyalty to the nation comes at a deeply personal cost. She is supported by Vicky Kaushal and Jaideep Ahlawat.





A soldier may remain unsung but will never be forgotten, living on in the hearts of people till the end of time. Today we as a nation salute heroes who display immense valour, sacrifice and unwavering dedication of our armed forces. We must never forget our soldiers unwavering courage and offer a solemn tribute to the indomitable spirit of our soldiers who stood steadfast in the face of adversity to protect our nations sovereignty and integrity. The victories in several wars that the soldiers of the nation have fought not only commemorates a significant military triumph but also honours the enduring spirit of bravery, sacrifice and patriotism that defines our armed forces in Captain Vikram Batras words, Yeh Dil Mange More.War films have always held a special place in the heart of Indian cinema, offering a powerful blend of intense drama, heroic tales and deep patriotism. These films not only capture the gritty realities of war but also highlight the indomitable spirit of those who lay down their lives for the nation. From historic battles to modern-day conflicts, Hindi war films have depicted the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers with unparalleled intensity and emotion. Let us take a journey through some of the most iconic Hindi war films from LOC: Kargil to Sam Bahadur, that have not only captivated audiences but also left an indelible mark on the history of Indian cinema.A film that will tug at your heartstrings is this historical gem based on the Kargil War.is a film that will swell your hearts with pride showcasing the indomitable spirit of our armed forces. It is packed with action, emotions and is based on true incidents that occurred during the war. The film features Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and Kareena Kapoor Khan.The filmwill send chills down your spine with its gripping action scenes and unwavering courage displayed by Havildar Ishar Singh, a soldier in the British Indian Army, who leads 21 Sikh soldiers in a fight against 10,000 Pashtun invaders, unfolding the greatest last stand wars of all time. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film features Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, Suvinder Vicky, Vansh Bhardwaj, Vikram Chauhan, Sandeep Nahar and Ajit Singh.Directed by Om Raut, thisnarrates the life story of Tanhaji Malusare, a military chieftain in the army of the Maratha king Shivaji who leads the charge to capture the strategically important Kondana fort guarded by the army of the fierce Rajput chieftain Udaybhan Rathod. Starring Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Saif Ali Khan, Padmavati Rao, Sharad Kelkar and Neha Sharma, the film definitely gives you some serious history lessons of an unsung warrior.The film traces the immense courage embodied in the women ofduring the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Bhuj air base is attacked and a race against time begins to rebuild the damaged airstrip. It narrates the story of IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik striving to complete his mission and create history with the help of 300 women during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Starring Ajay Devgn, Pranita Subhash, Ammy Virk, Nora Fatehi, Sonakshi Sinha and Sanjay Dutt, the film is directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya.Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the film is a fictional story based on the Kargil War of 1999. The film follows the life of an irresponsible and aimless youngster who joins the Indian Army only because his friend was doing so. However, over time he becomes focused and disciplined, finally fighting the Kargil War and emerging victorious as a true hero. The film, which motivated several young men to join the Army, completed 20 years last month. The film starred Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan and Boman Irani.Another hero who made the country extremely proud at a very young age is Indian Air Force officer. During the Kargil War, she was the only woman from the Indian Armed Forces to fly into war zones. She transported supplies to troops and evacuated wounded soldiers. Janhvi Kapoor played the role of the brave Gunjan in the film giving us a glimpse of the heros bravery.Directed by J.P. Dutta, the film traces the 1971 war where along the border region of Longewala, a small battalion of Indian soldiers goes up against a large Pakistani strike force. It showcases how a band of 120 Indian soldiers in the Longewala region defend their post all night until they receive assistance from the Indian Air Force the next morning. The film stars Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Tabu, Pooja Bhatt, Puneet Issar and Sudesh Berry in lead roles.A film that sheds light on the military might of the Indian Navy,follows the story of a Pakistani submarine, Ghazi which plans to secretly attack Vizag port. For doing so, it has to get past Indian submarine S21. Almost on the verge of declaring war, the naval forces of India and Pakistan are involved in a deadly duel. The film stars a stellar cast ensemble including Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Om Puri, Taapsee Pannu, Rahul Singh and Nassar.An unforgettable tale of valour, sacrifice and patriotism is one of Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Vikram Batra. The soldier who fought till his last breath in the Kargil War was shot while dragging an injured soldier to safety. A brave leader and an inspiration to date, his code name during the war was. Sidharth Malhotra wonderfully portrayed Captain Vikram Batra on screen in the film which will make you even more proud of the nation you belong to.Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film highlights the life journey of Sam Manekshaw, one of the most decorated officers in the Indian army, who has served for over four decades and has been fighting in five wars. He is the first army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. The biopic stars Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Shantanu Srivastava, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Neeraj Kabi, Bobby Arora and Govind Namdeo in pivotal roles.Bollywood has masterfully depicted the valour, sacrifice and emotional depth of soldiers on the battlefield. These films not only showcase the intense action and strategic brilliance of war but also delve into the personal stories of those who fight, bringing to life their courage, honour, and the complex moral dilemmas they face.

From classics like Border and Lakshya to more recent hits like Sam Bahadur and Shershaah, these films have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. They serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by our soldiers and the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity. Through these cinematic experiences, audiences are reminded of the profound impact of war on individuals and the nation, ensuring that the legacy of bravery and patriotism is never forgotten.

Jai Hind!





Also Read: Here Are 10 Best Hindi War Films Which Are Sure To Leave You Awestruck




While reports state that the teaser will be unveiled on Khan's birthday, there is no official confirmation yet. Bollywood Hungama quoted a source as saying, "The team feels December 27 is the perfect moment to unveil the teaser. It will introduce audiences to the world of Battle of Galwan and give a sense of the films scale, intensity, and visual grandeur." Salman Khan is busy preparing for his next film, the Battle of Galwan. The makers have already unveiled his look from the film, creating intrigue. Now, we are getting to know that the teaser is just around the corner.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan)





As per the source, the promotional campaign is supposed to begin before the teaser drops, with two new posters likely to be released either on Christmas or the day after. Earlier this month, a behind-the-scenes image from the film had gone viral on social media that featured Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh in Indian Army uniform.





As per reports, Salman Khan portrays Colonel B Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment who led his troops during the Galwan Valley clash of June 2020. The real-life confrontation between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Line of Actual Control resulted in the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers and significant casualties on the Chinese side.



Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan draws from a chapter of Indias Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, a bestselling book chronicling extraordinary stories of courage within the Indian armed forces. The film aims to bring to life the intensity of the standoff that occurred amid the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the raw, close-combat nature of the clash.





Battle of Galwan is slated for a 2026 theatrical release.



Also Read: Salman Khan, Chitrangda Singh Seen in Army Uniforms as Battle of Galwan BTS Photo Goes Viral


Thirty years after Bombay first arrived in theatres, the films emotional geography continues to resonate as deeply as its political urgency. That connection was on full display when director Mani Ratnam, cinematographer Rajiv Menon, and actor Manisha Koirala recently revisited Bekal Fort, one of the most iconic locations featured in their 1995 film Bombay.



The visit, shared through a short video by Bekal Beach Parks official Instagram handle, captures the trio walking along the fort and its windswept coastline, pausing to remember moments from the shoot that have since become part of Indian cinema folklore. The post described the location as the soul of Bombay, adding that some spaces do more than host stories. They become inseparable from them.



When a Landscape Shapes a Love Story



Bekal Fort is forever linked to Bombay through the unforgettable song Uyire Uyire, a sequence that fused music, movement, and mood with a location that felt almost elemental. Speaking during the visit, Mani Ratnam recalled how the natural setting shaped the emotional texture of the song. He noted that the monsoon weather and the vast stretch of ocean behind the fort helped set the tone for the sequence, lending it an atmosphere that could not have been manufactured elsewhere.



Rajiv Menon echoed that thought, reflecting on how the film continues to live on in public memory partly because of where it was shot. According to him, Bekal did not merely appear in the frame. It lingered in the audiences imagination, becoming a visual shorthand for the films romantic core. Mani Ratnam added that Uyire Uyire arrives at a crucial juncture in the narrative, and over the years, the song has become inseparable from the place itself.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bekal Beach Park (@bekalbeachpark)



For Manisha Koirala, returning to Bekal was a reminder of how deeply physical spaces can imprint themselves on performance. While the video focuses on shared memories rather than detailed anecdotes, her presence alongside Ratnam and Menon underscored how Bombay remains a shared emotional landmark for its makers.



Cinema, Memory, and a Living Location



The timing of the visit also aligned with the third season of the Bekal International Beach Festival, which is currently under way and scheduled to continue until the end of the year. Mani Ratnam, Manisha Koirala, and Rajiv Menon were present at the festivals inauguration, reinforcing the idea that Bekal is not just a preserved heritage site but a living cultural space.



Keralas Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas and MLA CH Kunhambu accompanied the trio during their walk through the fort. Speaking about the significance of the moment, Riyas observed that films may age, but their locations often retain a permanent place in public memory. His comment reflects a larger truth about Indian cinema, where landscapes frequently become pilgrimage points for fans, long after the final frame has faded.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rajiv Menon (@dirrajivmenon)



In many ways, Bombay marked a turning point in mainstream Indian cinema, balancing a tender interfaith romance with the weight of contemporary political reality. While its themes continue to be debated and revisited, moments like this return to Bekal highlight another reason the film endures. Its images remain vivid, anchored in real spaces that audiences can still walk through, touch, and experience.



As Mani Ratnam and his collaborators stood once again against the sea and stone of Bekal Fort, the visit felt less like nostalgia and more like a quiet acknowledgment. Some films do not just tell stories. They leave behind places that remember them.





Also Read: Nayakan: From Blood to Grace, The Making of a Modern Epic
Highlights:

Gold bar weighing 2.64 kilograms (85 oz) poured in the first smelt on site at the Kiniero Gold Project, Guinea.

First gold delivered on schedule and within budget.

Nearly 5 million hours worked without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).

Ramp-up progressing smoothly; plant achieving recoveries in line with expectations.

Kiniero plant expected to reach nameplate capacity in early Q1 CY2026.

Open-pit mining ramping up from South Sabali starter pit, with ore stockpiles continuing to build on the ROM pad.

Matthew Wilcox appointed Managing Director & CEO in May 2024; construction team mobilised July 2024. Construction completed in 17 months-the team's sixth successful build in 15 years, all delivered on time and on budget.

Robex secures exclusive option to buy back and fully extinguish the Mansounia royalties.

Kiniero becomes Robex's second producing asset, alongside Nampala in Mali (guidance of 46,000 to 48,000 oz/year).

Successful delivery of Kiniero by the Robex team underscores the compelling rationale for the proposed merger with Predictive Discovery ahead of construction of its Bankan Gold Project, Guinea, located within 25km of Kiniero.

The proposed merger will create West Africa's next tier-1 gold mining hub, combining Kiniero and Bankan with projected 400koz+ annual production by 2029 and combined resources of ~9.5Moz Au.









Figure 1: Robex construction team with Managing Director & CEO Matthew Wilcox and Chief Financial Officer Alain William celebrating the first gold pour at Kiniero.

QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West African gold producer and developer Robex Resources Inc ("Robex" or the "Company") (ASX: RXR | TSX-V: RBX) is pleased to report it has poured first gold on schedule and within budget at its Kiniero Gold Project ("Kiniero") in Guinea, West Africa.

Robex's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Wilcox said:

"This is a major milestone for Robex, and every member of our team should be proud of what we have accomplished together at Kiniero. Completing construction and commencing gold production is the culmination of 17 months of dedication and hard work, delivered safely and responsibly with nearly 5 million hours worked without a lost time injury.

Pouring first gold at Kiniero reflects the calibre of our people, the strength of our execution and is the sixth successful build in the last 15 years by this construction team, all on time and on budget. This exceptional track record, combined with recent Guinea construction experience, gives us absolute confidence that this is the best team in the industry right now to bring Bankan into production and deliver another world-class West African gold project.

We are looking forward to completing our merger with Predictive, and the combined company is positioned to become West Africa's next mid-tier gold producer and establish a tier-1 gold mining hub in Guinea."

Operational Update

Commissioning activities at Kiniero's processing plant are progressing in line with expectations. Mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems are performing to design specifications.

Ore delivery to the mill commenced earlier this month, and the plant is achieving recoveries consistent with feasibility study assumptions.

Open-pit mining has ramped up at the South Sabali starter pit, with drilling and blasting underway and ore stockpiles building on the ROM pad.

These activities will support a smooth transition to commercial production, targeted for Q1 CY2026.





Figure 2: Aerial View of the Kiniero Gold Project - Ore Delivered to Train A CIL Tanks

Operational Activities at the Kiniero Gold Project:





Figure 3: Haulage Operations at Kiniero Site







Figure 4: Ore Feed to Saprolite Crusher







Figure 5: First Ore Processed through Saprolite Crusher





Figure 6: Material Delivered to the Mill Circuit







Figure 7: Train A CIL Tanks Gold Processing







Figure 8: Water Treatment Facility

Mansounia Royalty Buyback - Penta Goldfields Company

Robex has secured an exclusive option to buy back and extinguish the Mansounia royalty, which currently stands at:

3% NSR for the first 150,000 oz of gold produced from the Mansounia exploitation permits,

3.25% NSR for 150,000-300,000 oz,

3.5% NSR for production above 300,000 oz.



Under the executed agreement:

Robex paid a US$1 million non-refundable option fee.

Upon exercise, Robex will pay US$5 million in cash plus US$15 million in equity to fully extinguish the royalty.

Oragem Royalty

In addition, Robex has secured an exclusive option to buy back and extinguish the Oragem Royalty, which currently stands at 0.5% NSR from the Mansounia permit.

Robex has paid a non-refundable option fee of US$250,000. Upon exercise of the option, Robex will pay US$3.5 million in cash to fully extinguish the Oragem Royalty.

Conditions precedent

The options to buy back and extinguish the Mansounia Royalties are subject to conditions precedent, notably the grant of Mansounia exploitation permits, and will remain valid until the Permit Long Stop Date (10 years from execution).

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.

This announcement was approved by the Managing Director.

Robex Resources Inc.

Matthew Wilcox, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Alain William, Chief Financial Officer

Email: investor@robexgold.com

www.robexgold.com

Investors and Media:

Michael Vaughan, Fivemark Partners

Phone: +61 422 602 720

Email: michael.vaughan@fivemark.com.au

ABOUT ROBEX RESOURCES INC.

Robex Resources is a Canadian gold mining company listed on the TSX-V and ASX, and headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Robex's material properties consist of the Nampala Project in Mali and the Kiniero Project in Guinea.

Not an Offer

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "Forward-looking Information"). These include statements regarding future outlook and anticipated events, such as the consummation and timing of the Transaction and the satisfaction of the closing conditions under the Arrangement Agreement; the timing of the Meeting and of the Revised Proxy Deadline and Revised CDI VIF Deadline; the filing and delivery of the Addendum, press release and any other ancillary materials; pro forma ownership of the Combined Company; and future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities or developments that could or may or will occur are Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information is generally identified by the use of words like "will", "create", "enhance", "improve", "potential", "expect", "upside", "growth", "estimate", "anticipate" and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", or "should", or the negative or grammatical variations of such terms, are intended to identify Forward-looking Information. Although Robex believes that the expectations reflected in the Forward-looking Information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on Forward- looking Information since no assurance can be provided that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking Information is based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or good faith belief of the officers and directors of Robex as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the closing of the Arrangement, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks (including, but not limited to, in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali and West Africa more broadly), changes to the legal and regulatory framework within which Robex operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation, as well as the risks identified in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Robex's most recently filed Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand Robex' views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, Robex assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the Forward-looking Information. If Robex updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that Robex will make additional updates with respect to such or other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-Looking Information contained in this announcement is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

JORC CODE AND CIM DEFINITION STANDARDS

The term "Ore Reserve" defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia ("JORC Code") is equivalent to the term "Mineral Reserve" defined by the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum May 19, 2014 ("CIM Definition Standards"). "Inferred Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Measured Mineral Resources" have the same meaning under both the JORC Code and CIM Definition Standards. "Proved Mineral Reserves" under the JORC Code has the same meaning as "Proven Mineral Reserves" under the CIM Definition Standards, and "Probable Mineral Reserves" under the JORC Code has the same meaning as "Probable Mineral Reserves" under the CIM Definition Standards. The JORC Code is an acceptable foreign code under NI 43-101.

Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve Estimates, and Production Targets

This announcement refers to PDI and Robex having combined Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates of approximately 9.5Moz Au and approximately 4.5Moz Au respectively. Further information regarding the individual Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates of each of PDI and Robex is set out below.

PDI

Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates

The Mineral Resource estimates for the NEB and BC projects were released to ASX on 7 August 2023 in an announcement by PDI titled "Bankan Mineral Resource Increases to 5.38Moz" and the Mineral Resource estimates in respect of the Fouwagbe and Sounsoun projects were released to the ASX on 23 April 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled "Maiden Argo Mineral Resource Estimate of 153koz". The Ore Reserve estimate in respect of the Bankan Project was released to ASX on 25 June 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled "Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics". PDI confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve estimates and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed, noting that PDI intends to appeal the Argo (and Bokoro) revocations announced on 28 May 2025 in accordance with the Mining Code, and that the Argo Inferred Mineral Resources account for just 2.8% of PDI's overall Mineral Resource.

Production Targets

The Production Targets and forecast financial information in respect of the Bankan Project were released to the ASX on 25 June 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled "Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics". PDI confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the Production Targets and forecast financial information derived from the Production Targets in the previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Robex

Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates

The Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in respect of Robex's Kiniero Project were released to ASX on 22 August 2025 in an announcement by Robex titled "Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report", and in respect of the Nampala Project in an ASX announcement by Robex dated 6 May 2025 titled "Replacement Prospectus". Robex confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates included in the relevant market announcement and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Production Targets

The production targets and forecast financial information in respect of Robex's Kiniero Project was released to ASX on 22 August 2025 in an announcement by Robex titled "Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report", and in respect of the Nampala Project in an ASX announcement by Robex dated 6 May 2025 titled "Replacement Prospectus". Robex confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

National Instrument 43-101

All scientific and technical information in this presentation relating to Robex has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jeames McKibben, a Chartered Professional Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101.

Readers are referred to the technical report for the Nampala Project entitled "Independent Technical Report on the Nampala, Mininko, Gladie and Kamasso Permits and a Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate of the Nampala Gold Mine, Mali, West Africa" effective September 30, 2024 (the "Nampala Technical Report), and the amended and restated technical report for the Kiniero Project entitled "Technical Report, Kiniero Gold Project, Guinea (Amended)" with an effective date of December 6, 2024, as amended and restated on June 12, 2025 (the "Kiniero Technical Report"), each of which has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available on Robex's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

PDI Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource Statement

Bankan Ore Reserve Statement1,2

Deposit Mining Method Classification Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Koz Au) NEB







Open Pit Probable 40.2 1.36 1,751 Underground Probable 7.9 3.95 1,002 Total 48.1 1.78 2,753 BC Open Pit



Open Pit Probable 3.5 1.78 200 Total 3.5 1.78 200 Total Open Pit 43.7 1.39 1,951 Total Underground 7.9 3.95 1,002 Total Bankan Project 51.6 1.78 2,953



Bankan Mineral Resource Estimate3,4

Deposit Classification Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Koz Au) NEB Open Pit







Indicated 78.4 1.55 3,900 Inferred 3.1 0.91 92 Total 81.4 1.53 3,993 NEB Underground Inferred 6.8 4.07 896 NEB Total 88.3 1.72 4,888 BC Open Pit



Indicated 5.3 1.42 244 Inferred 6.9 1.09 243 BC Total 12.2 1.24 487 NEB Area Total 100.5 1.66 5,376 Fouwagbe Inferred 2.2 1.68 119 Sounsoun Inferred 0.9 1.19 34 Argo Area Total 3.1 1.54 153 Total Bankan Project 103.6 1.66 5,528



Robex Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement

Kiniero Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement5,6

Deposit Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Moz Au) Probable Jean 4.2 1.53 0.20 SGA 5.1 1.52 0.25 SGD 3.4 1.34 0.14 Sabali South 7.4 0.89 0.21 Sabali North and Central 1.5 0.96 0.05 Mansounia 17.7 0.81 0.46 Stockpiles 6.3 0.48 0.10 Total 45.5 0.97 1.41 Indicated SGA 12.1 1.46 0.57 Jean 4.7 1.69 0.26 Sabali North and Central 3.7 1.21 0.14 Sabali South 11.1 0.91 0.32 West Balan 3.0 1.45 0.14 Banfara 0.9 1.00 0.03 Mansounia Central 24.0 0.78 0.60 Stockpiles 11.6 0.37 0.14 Total 71.2 0.96 2.20 Inferred SGA 10.6 1.43 0.49 Jean 2.2 1.47 0.1 Sabali North and Central 0.7 1.39 0.03 Sabali South 2.7 1.01 0.09 West Balan 2.0 1.27 0.08 Banfara 0.7 1.45 0.03 Mansounia Central 26.3 0.82 0.7 Stockpiles 0.2 1.31 0.01 Total 45.3 1.05 1.53



Nampala Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement7,8

Weathering Type Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Koz Au) Probable Oxide 3.3 0.90 94.6 Transition 0.8 1.06 26.4 Total 4.0 0.93 121.0 Indicated Oxide 5.9 0.84 158.3 Transition 2.1 1.13 76.0 Fresh 0.1 3.00 9.4 Total 8.0 0.94 243.7 Inferred Oxide 0.3 0.79 8.1 Transition 0.2 1.62 8.5 Fresh 0.01 2.53 0.4 Total 0.6 0.95 17.0

1 Refer to PDI ASX release "Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics" dated 25 June 2025.

2 Reserve cut-off: Open Pit 0.38-0.48 g/t Au, Underground 2.0 g/t Au.

3 Resource cut-off: NEB Open Pit indicated & inferred 0.5 g/t Au, NEB Underground inferred 2.0 g/t Au, BC Open Pit indicated and inferred 0.4 g/t Au, Fouwagbe and Sounsoun inferred 0.5 g/t Au.

4 In relation to the Fouwagbe and Sounsoun deposits (Argo Permit), PDI intends to appeal the Argo and Bokoro revocations announced on 28 May 2025 in accordance with the Mining Code. Refer to PDI ASX release "Argo and Bokoro Exploration Permits Update" dated 28 May 2025.

5 Refer to Robex announcement titled "Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report" dated 22 August 2025 and the Kiniero Technical Report.

6 Resource/reserve cut-off grade (Resource at US$2,200/oz, reserves at US$1,800/oz): SGA, Jean and Banfara: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.4 g/t Au; Sabali South: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, mottled zone/saprolite/lower saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.5 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au; Sabali North and Central: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.6 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au; West Balan: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.5 g/t Au; Stockpiles reported as Mineral Resources have been limited to those dumps which exhibit an average grade >0.3 g/t Au for the entire stockpile assuming no selectivity.

7 Refer to Robex announcement titled "Replacement Prospectus" dated 6 May 2025 and the Nampala Technical Report.

8 Resource cut-off grade (at US$2,200/oz): Laterite 0.35 g/t Au, Oxide 0.35 g/t Au, Transition 0.43 g/t Au, Fresh 1.89 g/t Au; Reserve cut-off grade (at US$1,800/oz): 0.4 g/t Au (laterite, mottled zone, saprolite and transition).

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f7ab830-9d9a-46cf-bcaf-8c474651a5fb

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9fd86e6-1616-4fb7-8868-c000e5679f3d

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7822fdef-088e-4907-92b8-059efbd25071

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa6b3006-a6af-48cd-af69-00eb76f37005

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94e20b5c-20a3-4ad0-a40c-a522ed7e55a0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2b7403d-9c73-43a4-ad43-afc8d8b5d95c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd081182-8a79-4282-915f-7bfd761443a3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/84be89bd-0db4-4559-b41b-5c9ee6645767
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.
French medicines agency ANSM has granted authorization for named patient early access program for GS010/LUMEVOQ, a gene therapy indicated for the treatment of ND4-LHON.

Regulatory News:

GenSight Biologics (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, today announced that the French medicines safety agency ANSM (Agence nationale de securite du medicament et des produits de sante) has granted compassionate use authorization (Autorisation d'Acces Compassionnel, or AAC) for the use of the GS010/LUMEVOQ gene therapy1

The AAC Program in France is a national scheme that enables patients suffering from serious, rare or disabling diseases to benefit from a treatment that does not have marketing authorization, when there are an unmet medical need and no appropriate therapy. To be eligible for an AAC program, the candidate treatment must present a favorable benefit-risk ratio. Requests for AAC may be initiated only by healthcare professionals, who submit named patient requests to the ANSM, which then evaluates and authorizes the access requests. Patients for whom applications for treatment with GS010 are submitted must meet specific eligibility criteria, including the length of time since the onset of their vision loss.

About Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)

LHON is a rare, maternally inherited mitochondrial genetic disease, characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, which results in precipitous and usually irreversible vision loss and typically leads to legal blindness. The ND4 mitochondrial mutation is the most common of the mutations that cause LHON and is associated with the worst prognosis among the leading mutations.

About GenSight Biologics

GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics. Thanks to its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' candidates are designed to be administered as a single intravitreal injection per eye.

About GS010/LUMEVOQ (lenadogene nolparvovec)

GS010/LUMEVOQ (lenadogene nolparvovec) targets Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) by leveraging a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) proprietary technology platform, arising from research conducted at the Institut de la Vision in Paris.

1 GS010/LUMEVOQ has not received marketing authorization in any country and is not commercially available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251221464508/en/

Contacts:

GenSight Biologics

Chief Financial Officer

Jan Eryk Umiastowski

jeumiastowski@gensight-biologics.com
Lunsumio VELO reduces administration time from 2-4 hours to approximately one minute

Availability of Lunsumio VELO allows treatment aligned to people's clinical needs and personal preferences

Approval supported by data demonstrating compelling complete response rate in third-line or later follicular lymphoma, which typically becomes harder to treat after each relapse1,2

Basel, 22 December 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved CD20xCD3 bispecific Lunsumio VELO (mosunetuzumab), as a subcutaneous (SC) formulation, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy, based on results from the phase I/II GO29781 study.1 Based on the study results, Lunsumio VELO is approved under accelerated approval. Full approval for this regimen may be contingent on verification and confirmation of benefit in a confirmatory trial.

"Since follicular lymphoma often requires lifelong management, reducing the burden of care for these individuals is of paramount importance," said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "With this FDA approval, treatment can now be administered in just one minute, which significantly reduces the time patients spend in the clinic and helps to align care with their individual needs and preferences."

Lunsumio VELO reduces treatment administration time with an approximately one-minute injection, compared with a 2-4 hour intravenous (IV) infusion. Like Lunsumio administered intravenously, Lunsumio VELO can be administered outpatient and is a fixed-duration treatment given for a defined period, which could be as short as six months. By contrast, treat-to-progression treatment options are designed to be given to patients indefinitely until disease progression or until treatment can no longer be tolerated.

"This approval is a significant step in broadening access to effective treatments for people living with follicular lymphoma," said Dr Ian Flinn, MD, PhD, Tennessee Oncology and One Oncology. "With its manageable cytokine release syndrome profile and reduced administration time, Lunsumio VELO enables oncologists to deliver advanced care in community practice settings."

The FDA approval is supported by the primary analysis of the GO29781 study that evaluated Lunsumio VELO in patients with third-line or later (3L+) FL. Results showed the objective response rate and complete response rate in patients treated with Lunsumio VELO were 75% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64-83%) and 59% (95% CI: 48-69%), respectively.1 The median duration of response was 22.4 months (95% CI: 16.8-22.8).1 The most common adverse reactions (=20%) were injection site reactions, fatigue, rash, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), COVID-19 infection, musculoskeletal pain and diarrhoea.1 The CRS rate was 30% and events were mostly low grade (Grade 1-2, 28%; Grade 3, 2.1%), occurred during Cycle 1, and all resolved after a median duration of two days (range: 1-15).1 CRS can be severe and life-threatening.

Lunsumio IV was the first bispecific antibody approved for 3L+ FL. Long-term data from the SC and IV arms of the GO29781 study were presented at the 67th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition.

These data have been submitted to other healthcare authorities around the world. Recently, the European Commission granted conditional marketing authorisation of Lunsumio SC for the treatment of adult patients with R/R FL after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

Roche continues to advance its bispecific antibody programme in lymphoma, with ongoing phase III studies evaluating Lunsumio and Lunsumio VELO in earlier lines of treatment. This includes the SUNMO study investigating Lunsumio VELO in combination with Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin) in second-line or later large B-cell lymphoma, and the MorningLyte study investigating Lunsumio VELO in combination with lenalidomide in previously untreated FL.

About the GO29781 study

The GO29781 [NCT02500407] study is a phase I/II, multicentre, open-label, dose-escalation and expansion study evaluating the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of mosunetuzumab administered both as an intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) treatment, in people with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The efficacy of Lunsumio VELO (mosunetuzumab) was established on the basis of objective response rate and duration of response.

About follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common slow-growing (indolent) form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for about one in five cases.3,4 It typically responds well to treatment but is often characterised by periods of remission and relapse.3,4 The disease typically becomes harder to treat each time a patient relapses and early progression can be associated with poor long-term prognosis.2 It is estimated that more than 110,000 people are diagnosed with FL each year worldwide.4,5

About Lunsumio VELO (mosunetuzumab)

Lunsumio VELO is a subcutaneous formulation of mosunetuzumab, a CD20xCD3 T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD20 on the surface of B cells and CD3 on the surface of T cells. This dual-targeting activates and redirects a patient's existing T cells to engage and eliminate target B cells by releasing cytotoxic proteins into the B cells. Lunsumio VELO is being investigated as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines, for the treatment of people with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including follicular lymphoma, large B-cell lymphoma, and other indications.

About Roche in haematology

Roche has been developing medicines for people with malignant and non-malignant blood diseases for more than 25 years; our experience and knowledge in this therapeutic area runs deep. Today, we are investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to patients across a wide range of haematologic diseases. Our approved medicines include MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab), Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin), Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in collaboration with AbbVie, Hemlibra (emicizumab), PiaSky (crovalimab), Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab administered intravenously), Lunsumio SC/VELO (mosunetuzumab administered subcutaneously) and Columvi (glofitamab). Our pipeline of investigational haematology medicines includes T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody cevostamab, targeting both FcRH5 and CD3, and Tecentriq (atezolizumab). Our scientific expertise, combined with the breadth of our portfolio and pipeline, also provides a unique opportunity to develop combination regimens that aim to improve the lives of patients even further.

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References

[1] Roche data on file.

[2] Fowler NH, at al. Moving T-Cell Therapies into the Standard of Care for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma: A Review. Targ Oncol. 2024;19:495-510.

[3] Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment-Health Professional Version.

[4] Cancer.Net. Lymphoma - Non-Hodgkin: Subtypes. [Internet; cited December 2025]. Available from: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lymphoma-non-hodgkin/subtypes.

[5] World Health Organization. Numbers derived from GLOBOCAN 2022. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Factsheet [Internet; cited December 2025]. Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/34-non-hodgkin-lymphoma-fact-sheet.pdf.

Roche Global Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech

Phone: +41 79 935 81 48



Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas

Phone: +41 79 568 24 95



Simon Goldsborough

Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 79 461 86 83



Kirti Pandey

Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50



Dr Rebekka Schnell

Phone: +41 79 205 27 03

Roche Investor Relations

Dr Bruno Eschli

Phone: +41 61 68-75284

e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber

Phone: +41 61 68-88027

e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com



Dr Birgit Masjost

Phone: +41 61 68-84814

e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com

Investor Relations North America

Loren Kalm

Phone: +1 650 225 3217

e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com

Attachment
CAIRO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- During December 18-21, 2025, HSG Laser, together with its local partner AGAWANY, showcased its heavy-duty laser cutting solutions at MACTECH EGYPT 2025, held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo. As a leading manufacturing exhibition in the MENA region, MACTECH EGYPT brings together industrial equipment suppliers and manufacturers from across the Middle East and North Africa.

At Booth 2A19, HSG Laser presented complete solutions for large-format sheet metal cutting and heavy tube processing, featuring real machines and live cutting demonstrations. The displays highlighted the stability, efficiency, and processing capability of HSG Laser systems designed for demanding industrial applications, attracting strong interest and in-depth technical discussions with regional manufacturers.

GFA & R3 PLUS: Sheet and Tube Cutting Solutions for Heavy-Duty Applications

The GFA Series is designed for large-format and thick plate cutting, delivering high structural rigidity, cutting precision, and productivity for heavy industries such as steel structures, shipbuilding, and large-scale fabrication. With high-power, ultra-large format customization, and support for simultaneous multi-sheet processing, it ensures stable operation and consistent cutting quality, while optional bevel cutting enables multi-process completion in a single setup. Complementing sheet cutting, the R3 PLUS is a practical and cost-effective solution for heavy tube laser processing, optimized for reliable performance and improved efficiency while keeping investment costs under control.

Committed to Long-Term Value and Local Manufacturing Needs

Throughout the exhibition, live cutting demonstrations and application-focused discussions underscored HSG Laser's focus on delivering practical, production-ready solutions that address real manufacturing challenges in the MENA region. By combining robust equipment performance with localized support through its partner AGAWANY, HSG Laser helps manufacturers improve productivity, enhance operational stability, and build more resilient production systems.

Looking ahead, HSG Laser remains committed to working closely with regional partners to support local manufacturers with advanced laser technologies, responsive service, and sustainable solutions for long-term growth.

About HSG Laser

Founded in 2006, HSG Laser is a leading global manufacturer of intelligent metal processing equipment, specializing in laser cutting, tube processing, bending, and welding automation systems. With a presence in over 100 countries and regional centers across Europe, North America, Japan, India, and Asia-Pacific, HSG Laser is committed to driving the transformation of manufacturing through innovation, reliability, and digital intelligence.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hsg-laser-showcases-heavy-duty-cutting-solutions-at-mactech-egypt-2025-302647902.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - SALAZAR RESOURCES LIMITED (TSXV: SRL) (OTCQB: SRLZF) (FSE: CCG) ("Salazar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") announced on December 3, 2025. The Company raised gross proceeds of $1,430,498 by issuing a total of 11,003,830 common shares (each a "Share"), at a price of $0.13 per Share. Finder's fees of $15,600 in cash and 120,000 finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants") were paid on a portion of the Financing. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the finder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.13 per Share for two years from closing. Net proceeds will be used to fund costs on the Company's resource properties and for general working capital purposes.

All securities issued in the Financing are subject to a four-month hold period and to all necessary regulatory approvals, including the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Financing by purchasing an aggregate of 839,600 Shares. Participation of the insiders in the offering constituted a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), but was exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to the insiders nor the consideration paid by the insiders exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization. None of the Company's directors expressed any contrary views or disagreements with respect to the foregoing. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of the insiders of the Company had not been confirmed at that time.

This press 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 Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements.

The Company also announces that it has entered into an investor relations and communications agreement with Baystreet.ca Media Corp. ("Baystreet"), an arm's-length service provider based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Under the terms of the agreement, Baystreet will provide investor relations and marketing services. The agreement is for an initial term of three months commencing in January 2026 upon TSX Venture Exchange approval of filings.

The Company will pay cash compensation of $20,000 per month for the term of the agreement. No securities will be issued as compensation. Baystreet does not currently own any securities of the Company. The agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Salazar Resources

Salazar Resources Limited is focused on creating value and positive change through discovery, exploration, and development in Ecuador. The team has an unrivalled understanding of the geology in-country and has played an integral role in the discovery of many of the major projects in Ecuador, including the two newest operating gold and copper mines. Salazar Resources has a wholly owned pipeline of copper-gold exploration projects across Ecuador with a strategy to make another commercial discovery and farm-out non-core assets. Salazar Resources actively engages with Ecuadorian communities and together with the Salazar family it co-founded The Salazar Foundation, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable progress through economic development. Salazar Resources already has carried interests in three projects. At its maiden discovery, Curipamba, Salazar Resources has a 25% stake fully carried through to commercial production. At two copper-gold porphyry projects, Pijili and Santiago, Salazar Resources has a 20% stake and is to acquire the remainder of such projects from Silvercorp pursuant to the Transaction.

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.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws relating to, among other things, the discussion regarding closing of the Transaction and the Company's plans to enter into a definitive agreement to farm-out the Tarqui Project. By their very nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's 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, amongst others, risks related to the failure of the parties to close the Transaction and for the Company to successfully negotiate an agreement to farm-out the Tarqui Project; and general economic, business and political conditions. Forward-looking information may in some cases be identified by words such as "will", "anticipates", "expects", "intends" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance.

The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including regulatory actions; regulatory environment and political climate in Ecuador; environmental risks; natural disasters; dependence on management and key personnel; and risks and hazards of mineral exploration; and the other risk factors described in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other filings with Canadian securities regulators on www.sedarplus.ca could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause the Company's current objectives, strategies and intentions to change. Accordingly, the Company warns investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding the Company's future results or plans. The Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking information will materialize, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, the Company is under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278756

Source: Salazar Resources Limited
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) ("NOP" or the "Company"), a B.C. based leader in organic sedimentary phosphate exploration, is pleased to announce the first assay results from its wholly owned Murdock Mountain Property in Elko County, Nevada, marking an important step forward in the project's development.

The Company's exploration target, and the object of this drill program, is the Upper Phosphatic Zone, a 3.4 to 7.6 metre (11 to 25 feet) thick zone within the Meade Peak Member of siltstone and phosphorite.

Drill Results for Upper Phosphatic Zone

MM25-1: 10.23% P2O5 over 5.12 metres (4.61 metres, 15.12 feet true thickness)

MM25-2: 10.7% P2O5 over 4.79 metres (4.31 metres, 14.14 feet true thickness)

MM25-3: 11.2% P2O5 over 4.7 metres (4.23 metres, 13.87 feet true thickness)

Assays for the last 3 holes, plus heavy metal and contaminant assays, will be released in the coming days/weeks as NOP receives them.

Robin Dow, CEO of Nevada Organic Phosphate, stated: "We're thrilled to report that phosphate assays from our first three drill holes continue to align with our expectations and with our geological model. We have a unique exploration target, and we're very encouraged by what we're now seeing at our Murdock Mountain project."

Garry Smith, P.Geo and Director of NOP, stated: "We remain excited about the upside potential of this project. Our lab has been under significant pressure at this time of year to process assays, but they are delivering. Everyone on our team has been outstanding in making this project happen."

Paul Pitman, P.Geo and Director of NOP, stated: "It can be challenging to explain to our followers what constitutes a strong phosphate grade for an organic raw rock phosphate target like ours. We're developing an entirely new approach to phosphate fertilizer application, and our research indicates that a target range of 7-10% P2O5 is both realistic and desirable."

P2O5 Drill Assay Intervals

DDH Sample From m To m Length Lith P2O5% GRD%/m GRD%/m MM25-1 977121 40.54 41.45 0.91 MP 2.22



MM25-1 977122 41.45 42.56 1.11 MP 3.52



MM25-1 977123 42.56 43.56 1.00 MP 4.55



MM25-1 977124 43.56 44.56 1.00 MP 10.85



MM25-1 977126 44.56 45.72 1.16 MP 17.8 13.70/3.16 10.23/5.12 MM25-1 977127 45.72 46.72 1.00 MP 11.8



MM25-1 977128 46.72 47.68 0.96 MP 4.72



MM25-1 977129 47.68 48.68 1.00 MP 2.48





















MM25-2 977067 65.53 66.29 0.76 MP 2.42



MM25-2 977068 66.29 67.29 1.00 MP 2.16



MM25-2 977069 67.29 68.28 0.99 MP 3.54



MM25-2 977071 68.28 69.44 1.16 MP 7.54



MM25-2 977072 69.44 70.14 0.70 MP 8.46

9.47/5.78 MM25-2 977073 70.14 71.02 0.88 MP 17.2 10.70/4.79

MM25-2 977074 71.02 71.93 0.91 MP 9.91



MM25-2 977076 71.93 73.07 1.14 MP 10.9



MM25-2 977077 73.07 74.07 1.00 MP 1.79





















MM25-3 977161 0.00 1.22 1.22 MP 3.07



MM25-3 977162 1.22 2.44 1.22 MP 4.15



MM25-3 977163 2.44 3.66 1.22 MP 7.14



MM25-3 977164 3.66 5.33 1.67 MP 8.7 11.12/4.70 8.81/6.94 MM25-3 977165 5.33 6.10 0.77 MP 15.6



MM25-3 977166 6.10 7.14 1.04 MP 16.35



MM25-3 977167 7.14 8.16 1.02 MP 3.75



MM25-3 977168 8.16 9.34 1.18 MP 1.24





NOTE: A 3-Point solution for the top of the Upper Phosphatic Zone gave a dip to the unit of 26.1 degrees. True thickness in a vertical hole would be the apparent thickness multiplied by 0.9. Program core axis to bedding angle measurements support bedding flattening.

Drill Hole Locations (WGS 84 UTM, metres)

DDH Pad UTME UTMN Elev TD Dip Az MM25-1 P4 724404 4568973 1949 82.60 -90 0 MM25-2 P3 724767 4569272 1896 125.73 -90 0 MM25-3 P7 724344 4568766 1987 71.32 -90 0 MM25-4 P8 724100 4568690 2018 99.67 -90 0 MM25-5 P8 724100 4568690 2018 92.96 -65 120 MM25-6 P9 723830 4568439 2018 78.30 -90 0









550.58





Please visit our website here to view updated graphics and drill hole location maps.

Lab Assaying Methods & QA/QC

All sample preparation and analytical work was carried out by ALS Laboratories ("ALS"), an independent commercial laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for mineral analysis. ALS operates under rigorous quality management systems and is regularly audited by recognized accreditation bodies, including the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA).

Phosphate P2O5 assaying was by ME-XRF24 whole-rock analysis: Samples were fused with lithium borate and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). This method provides high-precision determinations of major rock-forming oxides, including phosphorus, calcium, and silica, ensuring accurate characterization of phosphate mineralization.

Heavy metal assaying was by ME-MS61 trace element analysis: Samples were digested using a near-total four-acid procedure (HF-HNO3-HClO4-HCl) and analyzed by ICP-MS and ICP-AES. This technique delivers ultra-trace detection of a broad suite of elements, including deleterious or contaminant metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, supporting environmental and processing assessments.

ALS maintains strict internal QA/QC protocols, including the insertion of certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates with each batch of samples. These measures ensure that analytical results meet internationally recognized standards of accuracy and reliability, consistent with the requirements of NI 43-101 reporting.

Company Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)

The Company implemented a rigorous QA/QC protocol consistent with NI 43-101 standards, including the insertion of blanks and certified reference materials into the sample stream.

Blanks: The Company regularly inserted a blank comprised of generically sourced sand every 11 samples (or 9.3%) to monitor potential contamination during sample preparation and analysis.

Certified reference materials ("CRM"): CRMs used in mineral exploration are used to assess analytical accuracy and are usually rock powders comprised of known concentrations of the metal(s) of interest. CRMs are usually obtained from commercial suppliers who provide the average of many analyses of the CRMs by multiple labs, which is referred to as the certified value, and a standard deviation of the analyses from which the certified value is determined. A typical criterion for accepting the analyses of CRMs in the mineral industry is that they should fall within a range determined by the certified (or "target") value  three standard deviations ("3 STD"). Analytical accuracy was verified against BAM 826-1, a certified reference material for phosphate slags issued by Germany's Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). The Company inserted BAM 826-1 CRM standards every 22 samples (or 4.5%), or about 2 per drill hole.

The Company is satisfied that the QA/QC results demonstrate the reliability of the assay data and support the integrity of the phosphate grades reported herein.

The Independent Qualified Person for this drill program is Kenneth N. Tullar, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist (CPG-11142), who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.

Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc.

NOP is a junior exploration company with an organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate bed, 6.6 kilometres long, in northeast Nevada. Additional applications extend the potential strike of rock phosphate to over 30 kilometres. This is believed to be the only known large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate project in North America. It is situated close to the main highway to Montello/Elko, Nevada, and near the rail head to California.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning

of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278784

Source: Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc.
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) today announced that, it has received proceeds of Cdn. $1,154,762 as a result of the full exercise of two separate tranches of previously issued common share purchase warrants totaling 14,761,904. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to receive one common share of the Company. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the warrant exercises for general working capital purposes.

The first tranche of warrants exercised at $0.05 per warrant (total Cdn. $321,429) as of November 28, 2025 were issued in connection with the Company's non-brokered private placement offering of units completed in November 28, 2024 and were set to expire on November 28, 2025. The second tranche of warrants exercised at $0.10 per warrant (total Cdn.$833,333) were issued in connection with the Company's non-brokered private placement on December 22, 2023 and were set to expire on December 22, 2025.

About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

NCMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals have become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction.

The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JV

JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development.

Rare earth elements are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals suite to the Japanese industry and invested a further $134 million in 2023.

In March 2025 JOGMEC announced a partnership with Iwatani Corporation to invest 110 million euros in Carester's heavy rare earth separation plant, Caremag, located at Lacq, France.

Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of Historically Disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests of NCMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is completed.

To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the C$10 million expenditure requirement. Total approved project funding to date is C$16,745,000 of the $20,000,000 Earn-In requirement to reach 50% interest.

Darrin Campbell, President, has reviewed and approved this press 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 release.

For more information please contact -

Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

Darrin Campbell, President

Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760

Email: Info@NamibiaCMI.com Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Preston Conable: pconable@renmarkfinancial.com

Tel.: (416) 644-2020 or (212) 812-7680

www.renmarkfinancial.com

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/namibia-critical-metals-inc.-receives-proceeds-of-1-154-762-from-exercise-of-warr-1120035
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Eastport Critical Metals Corp. (TSXV: EVI) ("Eastport" or the "Company") provides a year end update for shareholders.

Highlights:

Successful completion of Qualifying Transaction with Penbar Capital Ltd., oversubscribed concurrent financing & admission to the TSX-V

Commencement of Phase 1 Drilling program(s) at the Company's Qualifying Property, Matsitama Copper project

Commencement of Phase 1 Drilling program at Semarule Rare Earth Elements (REE) project

Commencement of Phase 1 Drilling program at Foley Uranium Project

Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi, Founder & CEO, commented,

"Since our listing on 20 November 2025, Eastport has announced, commenced, and concurrently advanced three drill programs across our copper, rare earth, and uranium interests in Botswana. As the year draws to a close, I want to outline some strategic priorities for the period ahead.

"Advancing projects through the steepest phase of the development curve in our industry requires substantial capital and is rarely feasible without strongly aligned market conditions where access to capital, investor sentiment, and commodity pricing converge favourably.

"It is in precisely these windows of opportunity that disciplined and focused execution is essential to optimising and sustaining shareholder value. With this in mind, now is an appropriate time to share our broader vision for Eastport in 2026 and beyond:

Develop and Distribute: Eastport holds a portfolio of five critical metal projects, each at different stages of development and geological confidence. In 2026, as our exploration and drilling programs progress, we will concurrently pursue corporate transactions designed to reduce direct balance sheet exposure to development costs while retaining material economic interest in the assets, both directly and indirectly for the benefit of our shareholders.

International Market Access: Throughout the year, the Company has been working with a range of international advisors to advance potential secondary listings that reflect the geographic diversity of our shareholder register, asset base, Board, and management team. This initiative is a key step in enhancing accessibility for existing and prospective shareholders by providing seamless trading in their domestic markets.

Anchor Asset Focus: Eastport was not conceived as a pure project incubator or generator. We are a proactive explorer and developer with a clear priority: to advance a core anchor asset in parallel with our Develop and Distribute strategy. While preserving appropriate optionality across the portfolio, we remain firmly aligned on directing resources and capital toward this flagship opportunity as the Company matures.

"It has been a proud and productive year for Eastport, closing 2025 with achievements and positioned for continued progress. We approach 2026 with the discipline and dedication required to deliver on our objectives.

"On behalf of the Board and management, I extend sincere thanks to our shareholders, local stakeholders in Botswana, advisors, Directors and management team for their ongoing support and commitment. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and good health and prosperity in 2026."





Location Map of Eastport's Projects in Botswana

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/278800_02f62c9084daea4b_001full.jpg

About Eastport Critical Metals Corp.

Eastport is a disruptive critical minerals development company advancing five projects in Botswana, with cumulative historical and current expenditures approaching $20 million. The Company's most advanced asset is the Matsitama Copper Project, which hosts multiple sizeable targets across the Matsitama copper district.

The Company's additional projects include Selebi East, a nickel-copper-cobalt project located seven kilometres east of the historic Selebi Mines; the Semarule Rare Earth Elements Project, positioned within the Gaborone-Molepolole corridor; the Foley Uranium Project, adjoining the Letlhakane uranium deposit; and the Keng Project, which targets nickel, copper and PGE's on the northern margin of the Molopo Farms Complex.

Botswana is widely regarded as one of Africa's strongest mining jurisdictions, combining the continent's highest GDP per capita with a 50-year track record of large-scale mineral development since the Orapa diamond discovery in 1967. The country ranks among the top performers globally on the Fraser Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index and is the highest-rated jurisdiction in Africa on the Policy Perception Index. These rankings reflect Botswana's stable regulatory environment, consistent rule of law, and long-standing support for responsible mineral development - factors that have underpinned significant investment and major M&A activity in the natural resources sector in recent years.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's business, assets or investments, as well other statements that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, investor interest in the business and prospects of the Company.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no 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 law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278800

Source: Eastport Critical Metals Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. (TSXV: WHY) (FSE: W0H) (the "Company" or "West High Yield") today released the following letter from President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Marasco Jr.

Letter from President and CEO

Dear Shareholders,

As we close out 2025, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all our shareholders for their continued support and confidence in the Company This year has been one of meaningful progress, disciplined execution, and growing momentum across the Company's business.

In 2025, the Company achieved an important milestone with the award of the BC Mines Act Permit for the Record Ridge magnesium project (the "Project"). This accomplishment represents years of focused technical, environmental, and regulatory work, and positions the Company to enter a transformative phase as it moves toward construction and first production at the Project in 2026.

Throughout the year, West High Yield's team remained focused on disciplined execution, regulatory progress, environmental stewardship, and strengthening its foundation as the Company advance Record Ridge toward development. These efforts have materially de-risked the Project and advanced it into its current stage of pre-construction readiness.

At the same time, the global landscape for critical minerals has shifted decisively. Magnesium/Silica/Nickel and Iron have emerged as priority materials for governments and industries seeking to secure domestic and North American supply chains. In response, governments across Canada, the United States, and the European Union have:

enacted policies to accelerate permitting for strategic minerals;

introduced incentives, grants, and funding access for domestic mining and processing; and

strengthened supply chain mandates for materials essential to national security, decarbonization, and advanced manufacturing.

These macro forces present a significant tailwind for companies like West High Yield with advanced-stage, strategically located critical mineral assets. The recognition of these critical minerals as "strategic" reinforces the relevance of Record Ridge, underscores the relevance of the Project, and emphasises the opportunity ahead as the Company moves toward production.

With key regulatory, environmental, and engineering milestones completed and additional work well underway, the Company is entering its final stages of pre-construction readiness.

The Company's 2026 roadmap includes:

completion of final Project engineering and mine readiness planning;

Project long-lead procurement, site preparation, and infrastructure development; and

the launch of Project construction and a transition toward operational start-up.

Supported by strong global demand, increasing policy support, and the meaningful progress achieved this year, 2026 is poised to be a pivotal year for the Company as it transitions Record Ridge from planning to construction and development.

Looking Ahead

West High Yield enters the new year with a clear mission and a BC Mines Act permit: to build Canada's first environmentally responsible magnesium/silica mine, and deliver long-term value to its shareholders, indigenous partners, local communities, and other stakeholders.

West High Yield thanks you for your continued commitment, confidence, and support and belief in its vision. The Company looks forward to sharing further updates as it advances toward full Project construction and operational readiness in the year ahead.

On behalf of the entire team at West High Yield, I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous, and successful 2026.

Sincerely,

Frank Marasco Jr.

President and CEO

About West High Yield

West High Yield is a publicly traded junior mining exploration and development company, established in 2003, and focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral resource properties in Canada. Its primary objective is to develop its Record Ridge critical mineral (magnesium, silica, and nickel) deposit using green processing techniques to minimize waste and CO2 emissions.

The Company's Record Ridge critical mineral deposit located 10 kilometers southwest of Rossland, British Columbia has approximately 10.6 million tonnes of contained magnesium based on an independently produced National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") Preliminary Economic Assessment technical report (titled "Revised NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment Record Ridge Project, British Columbia, Canada") prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. on April 18, 2013 in accordance with NI 43-101 and which can be found on the Company's profile at https://www.sedarplus.ca.

NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278833

Source: West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd.
EQS-News: Global Fashion Group S.A. / Key word(s): Financing

GFG'S ANZ BUSINESS, THE ICONIC, STRENGTHENS FINANCIAL POSITION WITH NEW CREDIT FACILITIES



22.12.2025 / 17:45 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





GFG'S ANZ BUSINESS, THE ICONIC, STRENGTHENS FINANCIAL POSITION WITH NEW CREDIT FACILITIES Luxembourg, 22 December 2025 - Global Fashion Group S.A. ("GFG" or "the Group"), the leading online fashion and lifestyle destination in ANZ, LATAM and SEA, announces that its ANZ business, THE ICONIC, has signed AUD 45 million (EUR 25 million) of new credit facilities with National Australia Bank ("NAB"). This includes a AUD 30 million (EUR 17 million) revolving credit facility ("RCF") and AUD 15 million (EUR 8 million) bank guarantee and letter of credit facilities.1 These facilities have an initial term until January 2028.



The new financing arrangements are based on the fundamental strength and trajectory of ANZ. ANZ's performance in the last twelve months to September 2025 was particularly strong with an NMV growth of 7% year-on-year on a constant currency basis, a Gross Margin of 49% and an Adjusted EBITDA margin exceeding 6%.



The RCF may be used by THE ICONIC for working capital, capital expenditure and general corporate purposes, and is sized to ensure the business can independently manage all seasonal working capital and cash flow movements. The bank guarantee and letter of credit facilities provide financial support for THE ICONIC to secure key commercial obligations such as leases and major supplier contracts.



GFG reported its Q3 results in November where it delivered a strong performance with all key topline metrics - Net Merchandise Value ("NMV"), Revenue and Active Customers - increasing across its largest markets, ANZ and LATAM. The Group achieved a positive Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months to September 2025, following eight consecutive quarters of expansion in both Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin.



GFG maintains a solid liquidity position that provides financial flexibility as the Group advances towards delivering profitable growth. The new RCF further expands the Group's liquidity options, adding to its existing c.10 million of borrowing facilities and c.28 million of bank guarantee facilities available (as reported at 30 June 2025).



Helen Hickman, CFO of GFG, commented:

"We secured this RCF as a result of the strong financial performance THE ICONIC has demonstrated in recent quarters. It provides us with greater flexibility and local liquidity to support operations in ANZ, our largest market at around half of the Group's NMV. Along with discounted repurchases of nearly 90% of our outstanding convertible bond, this RCF strengthens our financing structure and ensures we are well-positioned to deliver value for our stakeholders."



Jere Calmes, CEO of THE ICONIC, commented:

"THE ICONIC's strong financial results over the past year demonstrate that our strategy is working and that our momentum across Australia and New Zealand is accelerating. By attracting more customers and relevant brand partners to our platform, we are driving stronger margins and NMV growth. We are pleased to have the support of NAB, one of the region's leading financial institutions, as we continue on this positive trajectory. This new facility positions THE ICONIC to move quickly on market opportunities, manage seasonal working capital efficiently and continue delivering an inspiring, reliable online fashion experience for our customers across ANZ."

(1) AUD translated to EUR at an FX rate of 1.77 as of 19 December 2025.



FURTHER INFORMATION

KPI and financial definitions including alternative performance measures are available in the 2025 Half-Year Report .



For inquiries, please contact:

Saori McKinnon

Head of Investor Relations & Communications

investors@global-fashion-group.com

press@global-fashion-group.com



Forward-looking Information

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be construed as a promise of future results and developments and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Various factors could cause actual future results, performance or events to differ materially from those described in this announcement, and neither the Company nor any other person accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the opinions expressed in this announcement or the underlying assumptions.



About Global Fashion Group

Global Fashion Group ("GFG") is the leading fashion and lifestyle destination in ANZ, LATAM and SEA. GFG exists to empower its people, customers and partners to express their true selves through fashion. GFG's three ecommerce platforms - THE ICONIC, Dafiti and ZALORA - offer a curated assortment of international, local and own brands to a diverse market of 800 million consumers. Through a seamless and inspiring customer journey, powered by a blend of data-driven insights and local expertise, GFG's platforms deliver an exceptional customer experience from discovery to delivery. GFG's vision is to be the #1 fashion & lifestyle destination in its markets, and is committed to doing this responsibly by being people and planet positive across everything it does. (ISIN: LU2010095458)



For more information visit: www.global-fashion-group.com



22.12.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
New Braunfels-based Mundorf Wealth Management hosts charitable event benefiting the nation's leading pediatric cardiovascular program.

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Mundorf Wealth Management hosted the inaugural Investing in the HEART of Our Community Gala on December 18, 2025, at The Hidden Gem of Gruene in New Braunfels, bringing together more than 120 clients, community members, and partners for an evening dedicated to supporting the Texas Children's Heart Center -one of the nation's leading pediatric cardiovascular programs.

Event Sponsors Present Check to Texas Children's Hospital. Left to Right: The family of Dustin Mundorf, Founder of Mundorf Wealth Management, his wife, Meghan Mundorf, and son, Duke Mundorf (6), who was a patient at Texas Children's Hospital; Dean Zayed, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management; Mark DiOrio, Chief Investment Officer of Brookstone Capital Management.



Photo Credit: Mindi Westhoff - Time and Place Photography

The evening featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, a presentation from Texas Children's Hospital, and a state-of-the-market address from Brookstone Capital Management . The event raised $27,000 in total to support life-saving treatments and groundbreaking research for children with congenital heart defects-the most common birth defect in the United States, affecting nearly one in every 100 births.

A Personal Mission

The gala holds deep personal significance for Dustin Mundorf, RICP, the founder of Mundorf Wealth Management, and his wife, Meghan. In 2019, their son Duke was born with multiple heart defects that threatened his life. After nearly five months at the Texas Children's Heart Center, where Duke underwent multiple surgeries, the family witnessed firsthand the extraordinary care and expertise that the Heart Center provides to families facing similar challenges.

Before moving Duke to Texas Children's, the Mundorfs were told his condition was difficult and complex. "When we arrived at the Heart Center, we were overwhelmed and afraid. A nurse told us, 'You're in the right place. Difficult and complex is what we do here every day.' That moment changed everything for our family," said Dustin Mundorf,RICP, founder of Mundorf Wealth Management and host of the gala. "Today, Duke is a happy, thriving six-year-old, and we are dedicated to giving back to the institution that delivered our family a miracle. Through this event and our ongoing commitment to donate ten percent of every financial planning fee to the Heart Center, we hope to help other families in need receive the same life-saving care."

This commitment extends beyond the Mundorf family's personal giving. Through its "Give with HEART" approach, Mundorf Wealth Management helps clients incorporate charitable giving and legacy planning into their financial journeys-turning every client's financial plan into an opportunity to meaningfully support the causes they care about most.

Supporting World-Class Pediatric Care

The Texas Children's Heart Center has been ranked as the nation's top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Focused on providing family-centered care, the Heart Center takes a comprehensive, team-based approach, with cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses working together to support patients and their families. Proceeds from the gala support life-saving treatment and groundbreaking research for children with complex heart conditions.

The event welcomed distinguished speakers, including Rachel Cannon, Philanthropy Advisor at Texas Children's Hospital; Dean Zayed, JD, LLM, CFP, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management; and Mark DiOrio, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, who delivered a state-of-the-market address for attendees.

"At Brookstone, we believe in the power of financial advisors who are deeply committed to their communities," said Dean Zayed, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management. "Dustin Mundorf exemplifies the kind of advisor who understands true wealth is measured not just in financial terms, but in the positive impact we make in the lives of others. We are proud to support this meaningful initiative and are honored to stand alongside the Mundorf family in their mission to give back to the Texas Children's Heart Center."

Event Sponsors

Brookstone Capital Management served as a presenting sponsor alongside Mundorf Wealth Management and Hill Country Estate Planning. The gala featured a silent auction with items donated by notable contributors, including legendary MLB pitcher Nolan Ryan and longtime New Braunfels community fixtures such as Ernesto's Jewelry. Gold sponsors supporting the event included Midtex Oil, Dr. Robert Reid of the VIP Clinic, T65 Solutions, Goebel Welding & Construction, Heartland Roofing and Construction, Right Angle Inspection, and John and Kathy Hansen.

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of this inaugural event, Mundorf Wealth Management has announced that the second annual Investing in HEART Gala will be held on December 4, 2026. Community members interested in supporting the Texas Children's Heart Center can make donations year-round through the event website. For more information or to contribute to the Texas Children's Heart Center, visit www.heartofnewbraunfels.com .

About Brookstone Capital Management

Founded in 2006, Brookstone Capital Management (BCM) is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm providing fee-based asset management services through its niche network of more than 800 financial advisors and firms. As an open-architecture turnkey asset management platform (TAMP), Brookstone offers advisors a wide array of investment strategies. Founder and CEO Dean Zayed established Brookstone with the singular goal of forging strategic relationships with independent retirement advisors to comprehensively support all aspects of their fee-based advisory business. For more information, visit www.brookstonecm.com

About Mundorf Wealth Management

Mundorf Wealth Management is a New Braunfels-based financial planning firm serving clients throughout Central Texas. Founded by Dustin Mundorf, RICP, the firm offers a full suite of financial planning services built around a simple philosophy: Plan with HEART, Invest with HEART, and Give with HEART -helping clients build comprehensive strategies that secure their futures while supporting the causes they care about. The firm specializes in retirement income planning, investment management, risk management, and estate planning for pre-retirees and retirees seeking to transition from work to a sustainable retirement. Ten percent of all financial planning fees are donated to the Texas Children's Heart Center. Mundorf Wealth Management offers investment advisory services through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor. For more information, visit www.longlivemymoney.com .

Brookstone Capital Management and Mundorf Wealth Management are independent of each other.

###

Media Contact:

Alana Kohl

Alana@AlanaKohl.com

702.323.4561

SOURCE: Mundorf Wealth Management

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/inaugural-%22investing-in-the-heart-of-our-community%22-gala-raises-fund-1119957
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) (AJN or the Company) announces that further to the Company's December 8, 2025 and December 11, 2025 news releases, the Company intends to further increase the number of units offered at $0.15/unit from up to 3,500,000 units to up to 5,000,000 units for gross proceeds of up to $750,000. Each unit will be comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant, where each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of 25 cents per warrant share for a two-year period. The Company intends to close on this private placement by December 26, 2025. The securities issued in connection with the private placement will be subject to a four month hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws. Proceeds from the private placement will be used for technical, legal and financial due diligence on Giro Goldfields and on the Giro Gold Project; negotiation, preparation and closing of a purchase agreement; and mineral exploration activities on the Giro Gold Project.

About AJN Resources Inc.

AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 50 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278850

Source: AJN Resources Inc.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Unusual Machines today announced it has received a purchase order from Performance Drone Works (PDW) valued at $3.75 million to support the scaling of PDW's AM-FPV program and investment in America's sUAS supply base.

"PDW is an impressive company building mission-focused drone platforms in the U.S. We're pleased they have chosen to work with us as a strategic supplier in strengthening the domestic drone infrastructure," said Allan Evans, CEO of Unusual Machines. "This order reflects the progress we've made in building a domestic manufacturing base for critical drone components aligned with national priorities."

"We are making a big investment in compliant FPV inventory as we scale to meet demand. This partnership provides critical components, at speed, right here at home," said Ryan Gury, CEO and Co-founder of PDW.

The PDW order follows the Company's recent investments in U.S.-based manufacturing, including domestic motor production and dedicated space to support headset assembly and future production activities.

About Unusual Machines

Unusual Machines manufactures and sells drone components and drones across a diversified brand portfolio, which includes Fat Shark, the leader in FPV (first-person view) ultra-low latency video goggles for drone pilots. The Company also retails small, acrobatic FPV drones and equipment directly to consumers through the curated Rotor Riot ecommerce store. With a changing regulatory environment, Unusual Machines seeks to be a dominant Tier-1 parts supplier to the fast-growing multi-billion-dollar U.S. drone industry. According to Fact.MR, the global drone accessories market is currently valued at $17.5 billion and is set to top $115 billion by 2032. For more information, please visit unusualmachines.com.

Investor Contact:

CS Investor Relations

investors@unusualmachines.com

Media Contact:

media@unusualmachines.com

About Performance Drone Works

PDW is a Huntsville, Alabama-based defense technology company and leading manufacturer of combat robotics deployed by customers across every branch of the United States military. In August 2025, PDW opened Drone Factory 01, a 90,000 square foot manufacturing facility purpose-built to support rapid iteration and full-rate production of the C100 multi-mission unmanned aircraft system and the AM-FPV attritable munition. In September 2025, PDW received a $20.9 million award from the U.S. Army to supply C100 UAS and Multi-Mission Payloads in support of the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative, marking the third C100 contract under the Company Direct Requirement for Medium Range Reconnaissance.

Contact:

press@pdw.ai

SOURCE: Unusual Machines

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/aerospace-and-defense/unusual-machines-receives-initial-order-from-performance-drone-works-for-3.75-1119955
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Tajiri Resources Corp. (TSXV: TAJ) (the "Company") is providing results from the Company's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held December 22nd in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.

During the meeting shareholders of the Company unanimously:

Appointed De Visser Gray LLP as the auditor of the Company for the financial year ending April 30, 2026, and authorized the board of directors to fix the remuneration of the auditor;

Ratified and approved the Company's new 10% rolling stock option plan;

Elected Messrs. Graham Keevil, Dominic O'Sullivan, Robert Power, Bilal Bhamji and Roger Connors to the board of Directors until the next Annual General Meeting.

Subsequent to the annual meeting, the board of directors appointed the following people as officers of the corporation until the next AGM:

Mr. Graham Keevil, President and Chief Executive Officer;

Bilal Bhamji, Chief Financial Officer.

On Behalf of the Board,

Tajiri Resources Corp.

Graham Keevil,

President & CEO

About Tajiri

Tajiri Resources Corp. is a junior gold exploration and development Company with exploration assets located in the emerging premier gold destination of Guyana, South America. Lead by a team of industry professionals with a combined 100 plus years' experience - 40 of that in Guyana; and a track record of discovering ~20 million ounces of gold in Western Australia, West Africa and Guyana- the Company's goal is to generate the highest possible returns for shareholders through exploration and discovery.

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/278868

Source: Tajiri Resources Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Mineral Road Discovery Inc. (CSE: ROAD) (the "Company" or "ROAD") announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a further 2,000,000 shares of Golcap Resources Corp. (CSE: GCP) ("GCP") from a related party seller (the "Share Purchase Agreement"), representing an additional 6.2% of GCP, in consideration for 5,000,000 units of ROAD, with each ROAD unit issued at a deemed value of $0.10 per ROAD unit consisting of one common share and one share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of ROAD for the next 2 years at an exercise price of $0.20. GCP is a company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). It is a Canadian based exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of gold assets in politically stable and resource friendly jurisdictions. The Company notes that one of its directors, Garry Stock, is also a director of GCP.

The acquisition will be considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") because the seller under the Share Purchase Agreement is a private company that is controlled by a director (Damien Reynolds) of the Company. The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(a) and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(a) in respect of such insider participation as the fair market value of the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The closing of the acquisition remains subject to the Company's completion of its filing requirements with the CSE, and approval by the CSE, as may be required. The common shares and warrants issued upon closing of the acquisition will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains statements that are considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements") with respect to ROAD including, but not limited to, statements with respect to closing of the acquisition of GCP shares. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although ROAD believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Risk factors are identified in the Company's management discussion and analysis, available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. There may be other risk factors not presently known that management believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date included herein, and the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of ROAD's management on the date the statements are made. However, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278865

Source: Mineral Road Discovery Inc.
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF) ("ALUULA" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that effective today, the Company's common shares have commenced trading on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB") under the ticker symbol "AUUAF". The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol AUUA.

This listing enhances accessibility for U.S.-based investors and supports broader exposure of the company's stock within the North American investment community. OTCQB is the Venture Market tier of the U.S. over-the-counter markets operated by OTC Markets Group. It is intended for international growth-stage companies that are current in their reporting and meet defined eligibility standards. With this listing, investors can now find real-time quotes and market information for ALUULA under www.otcmarkets.com in addition to the investor page of the Company's website or with the TSX at www.tsx.com.

The Company also announces that, pursuant to the share option plan, it has granted 200,000 stock options to its newly appointed CFO, with each option exercisable into one common share at a price of $3.30 per share until November 30th, 2030.

About ALUULA Composites

ALUULA is an ultra-light, high performance and recycle-ready composite materials brand that enhances the performance of outdoor gear as well as commercial and industrial equipment. Proudly owned and manufactured on the Canadian west coast, ALUULA's innovation is driven by a deep understanding that equipment does not need to sacrifice performance for sustainability. ALUULA's materials are known for their unique construction capabilities and their ability to make products lighter, stronger, and more sustainable.

aluula.com | (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF)

ALUULA's Brand Partners

The term "brand partners" does not refer to formal partnerships with our customers. The term refers to marketing relationships with our customers who use ALUULA's technology as a brand ingredient in their products.

TSX Venture Exchange

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's growth strategy, expansion of its investor base, and the anticipated benefits of trading on the OTCQB. These statements are based on assumptions subject to significant risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's management discussion and analysis. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing and receipt of all applicable regulatory, corporate third-party approvals, the actual results, expectations, achievements, or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278851

Source: ALUULA Composites Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Daura Gold Corp. (TSXV: DGC) ("Daura" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of Induced Polarization Electrical Pole - Dipole Profiling and Gradient Array Surveys within the Cerro Bayo gold-silver project located in the prolific Deseado Massif, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.

Key Project Highlights Include:

Five priority drill target areas identified by geochemistry, mapping, IP surveys and over 100 line-km of detailed magnetics;

Initiation of 27 line-kilometer Pole - Dipole Induced Polarization (IP) Profiling of drill target areas within the Cerro Bayo Property

Daura is preparing a Phase 1, 1,500 meter drill program planned for Q1, 2026.

Mark Sumner, CEO of Daura Gold commented: "We are very pleased to initiate our geophysical surveys, which will be key to building upon the historical generative exploration on a number of priority drill target areas within the fully permitted zones at Cerro Bayo. This critical step sets the stage for a first phase drilling program in Q1 2026, as we seek to unlock the potential of this high-quality epithermal gold-silver project."

Cerro Bayo: Electrical Induced Polarization (IP) Surveys and Preparation for Drilling:

A Pole-Dipole IP profiling program has commenced, consisting of four lines in the southeastern area and three additional, shorter lines in the northwestern area, for a total of approximately 27 line-kilometers. The objective of the program is to complete these transects across the five highest-priority drill target areas before the end of the year. The aim of the profiles is to determine the geometry of the silicified zones previously identified from Gradient Array IP surveying. The silicified zones (silica cap) are anomalous in gold, +/- silver and represent the upper parts of a Low Sulphidation Epithermal (LSE) mineralizing system. The presence of silica cap at Cerro Bayo strongly indicates that the LSE system, with its attendant structurally controlled feeder zone, is preserved. Elsewhere within the Deseado Massif, these feeder zones are host to bonanza grade precious metal deposits, e.g. Newmont's Cerro Nego mine.

In Q1 2026, Daura will begin regional Gradient Array surveying on a nominal 200m x 25m offset grid, covering an area of 78km2. This work aims to screen the northern part of the licence area for similar resistivity and or chargeability anomalies to those generated by the previous regional Gradient Array Surveying carried out by Barrick Gold in a previous joint venture with Latin Metals. The 'Barrick Gradient' survey successfully defined extensive linear zones of silicification, which when sampled were significantly anomalous in precious metals.





Figure 1. Location of Cerro Bayo project.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/278855_f66c925ef4f18bf3_001full.jpg





Figure 2. Phase 1 IP Pole - Dipole Profile survey lines spaced 200 m apart.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/278855_f66c925ef4f18bf3_002full.jpg





Figure 3. Gradient Array IP survey lines (200m spaced) within the 78km2 survey area.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/278855_f66c925ef4f18bf3_003full.jpg

About Cerro Bayo and La Flora

Exploration work completed to date, including geochemical sampling, detailed mapping, and over 100 line-km of magnetic surveys, has defined a 6 km-wide structural corridor with multiple low-sulfidation epithermal-style vein target areas.

In March 2025, Latin Metals received formal approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), authorizing exploration drilling at Cerro Bayo. The approved permit includes authorization for up to 21 drill pads across the project area, defined by historical and recent exploration.

Option Payment

The Company currently holds an option (the "Option") to acquire an interest in the Cerro Bayo gold-silver project from Latin Metals Inc. ("LMS"), an arms-length party. In order to exercise the Option, the Company is required to complete a series of payments and exploration work. Initially, the Company is required to make a payment (the "Initial Payment") of US$200,000 to LMS, which can be paid in cash or satisfied in common shares of the Company, at the election of the Company.

The Company has notified LMS that it has elected to satisfy the Initial Payment through the issuance of common shares (the "Payment Shares"). The Payment Shares are issuable at a deemed priced equivalent to the greater of the twenty-day volume-weighted average price of the shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (C$0.37) and the market price of the shares on the TSX Venture Exchange as of the date of announcement of the Option (C$0.30). The Company has determined that a total of 744,992 Payment Shares will be issuable to LMS to satisfy the payment at a deemed price of C$0.0.37 per Payment Share.

Completion of the issuance of the Payment Shares remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In addition to resale restrictions prescribed by applicable securities laws, LMS will be restricted from transferring the Payment Shares for a period of twelve months.

For further information regarding the terms of the Option, readers should review the news release issued by the Company on November 3, 2025.

Qualified Person

Stuart Mills QP, is the Company's qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Mills is not independent of the Company, as he is the Company's Vice President of Exploration.

Readers are cautioned that the mineral deposits discussed above are adjacent properties and that Daura has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in the deposits, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties, and any production therefore or economics with respect thereto, are not in any way indicative of mineral deposits on the Cerro Bayo property or the potential production from, or cost or economics of, any future mining of any of Daura's mineral properties.

ABOUT DAURA GOLD CORP.

Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, Daura is is exploring in Peru and Argentina.

In Peru, Daura is advancing high-impact exploration projects in Peru's renowned Ancash region, where it owns a 100% undivided interest in over 15,900 hectares of exploration concessions in Ancash, including the 900-hectare Antonella target and the 2,900-hectares of contiguous concessions at Libelulas, which is the primary focus of Daura's current exploration efforts.

In Argentina, Daura have entered into a binding Letter Agreement with Latin Metals Inc., for the right to earn up to an 80 % interest in the Cerro Bayo / La Flora Project. The project is located within the prolific Deseado Massif that hosts more than 30 mines and advanced exploration projects, including Newmont's Cerro Negro Mine, Hochschild/McEwen's San Jose Mine, and Patagonia Gold's Cap Oeste Mine. Cerro Bayo / La Flora are advantageously positioned within this world-class mining region, with strong community support and well-developed logistics.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Daura cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Daura's control. Such factors include, among other things: future prices and the supply of gold and other precious and other metals; future demand for gold and other valuable metals; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; risks of the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; adverse weather conditions and failure to obtain necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals. 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. Daura disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278855

Source: Daura Gold Corp.
Vancouver, Canada--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Turnium Technology Group Inc. (TSXV: TTGI) (FSE: E48) ("TTGI" or the "Company"), a global Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) wholesale provider, is pleased to announce a proposed offering (the "Offering") of units of the Company for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,650,000, with each unit (a "Unit") having a price of $1,000 per Unit and consisting of: (i) one secured, non-convertible debenture in the principal amount of $1,000 (a summary of the terms and conditions described below, each "Debenture") and (ii) 4,000 share purchase warrants (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be non-transferable and entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") with an exercise price of $0.10 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance, subject to the provisions for earlier termination outlined below and the Warrant certificates (the "Maturity Date").

The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

The Company anticipates using the proceeds of the Offering as follows:

Repay Existing Secured Loans $ 593,120

Proposed Insentra Acquisition (see below) - Upfront Payment $ 2,000,000

Insentra Audit $ 50,000

Legal costs - Turnium $ 475,000

Accounts Payable $ 440,000

Fiscal Year 2025 Audit $ 150,000

Sales & Marketing $ 100,000

Research and Development $ 100,000

Alto Capital - Finder's Fee $ 120,000

General Working Capital $ 621,880



$2,000,000 of the Offering, which is anticipated to be used for the proposed Insentra Acquisition (see above and below for an update), is conditional upon each investor in the Offering: (i) acknowledging that the proposed Insentra Acquisition is subject to approval by the TSXV and (ii) is willing to advance the funds intended for the proposed Insentra Acquisition prior to the approval of the TSXV of the proposed Insentra Acquisition, even though such TSXV approval is not guaranteed in the circumstances. See below for "Update on the Proposed Insentra Acquisition."

The Debentures will be non-convertible but a secured obligation of the Company by a first ranking security secured against its assets (other than the assets of its Tenacious Networks Inc.) pursuant to a general security agreement. Interest on the principal amount outstanding under each Debenture shall be at the rate of sixteen percent (16%) per annum, calculated as simple interest: (i) accrued on an annual basis and paid monthly, in arrears, commencing on the issuance of this Debenture up to and including the twenty-fourth (24th) month after issuance of the Debenture and (ii) accrued on an monthly basis for the outstanding principal amount and paid monthly, in arrears, commencing on the last day of the twenty-fifth (25th) month after issuance and continuing for each last day of the month for the next eleven (11) months, ending on the Maturity Date.

Subject to the early repayment provisions outlined below, the outstanding principal amount under each Debenture will be paid by the Company by paying twelve (12) equal installments of an amount equal to: (i) the outstanding principal amount under each Debenture divided by (ii) twelve (12), commencing the last day of the twenty-fifth (25th) month after issuance and continuing for each last day of the month for the next eleven (11) months, ending on the Maturity Date. The Company will have the right, but not the obligation, at any time after the twelfth (12th) month after issuance of the Debenture to prepay the outstanding principal amount under each Debenture on the following terms: (1) if the prepayment occurs after the end of the twelfth (12th) month after issuance but on or before the end of the thirty-third (33rd) month after issuance, such prepayment will include an amount equal to: (i) the outstanding principal amount; plus (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest owing up to the date of repayment; plus (iii) an additional four (4) months of interest; and (2) if the prepayment occurs after the end of the thirty-third (33rd) month issuance but on or before the Maturity Date, such prepayment includes an amount equal to: (i) the outstanding principal amount; plus (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest owing up to the date of repayment.

The Warrants associated with each Unit are deemed to be bonus Warrants under TSXV Policy 5.1. The Warrants will be subject to acceleration: (1) if the closing price for the Company's common shares as traded on the TSXV is equal to or greater than $0.30 per share for any ten (10) consecutive trading days (the latest day of such period being the "Threshold Date"), then the Company shall have until 4:00 pm (Vancouver time) on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day after the Threshold Date in which to provide notice to the Warrant holder by publishing a press release which will be made available on SEDARplus (the "Notice") that the Warrants will expire sixty (60) days from the date of such Notice; or (2) if the principal amount of each Debenture is pre-paid early after the twelfth (12th) month after issuance and before the twenty-fourth (24) month after issuance, 25% of the Warrants associated with such Debenture will terminate upon such voluntary early repayment by the Company on the thirtieth (30th) day from such early repayment date.

At closing, the investors will not be Non-Arm's Length Parties but, in the event that any investor would, by exercising their Warrants and together with such investor's Non-Arm's Length Parties (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) and any persons acting jointly or in concert with them, result in such holder becoming an Insider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) or a Control Person (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), such investor will covenant not to exercise its Warrants until such investor files and receives TSV approval of its applicable Personal Information Form or the Company receives disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.

The Company anticipates that, of the gross proceeds of the Offering, $3,000,000 of such gross proceeds will be non-brokered by ACNS Capital Markets Pty Ltd, trading as Alto Capital ("Alto Capital") to accredited investors in Australia, and the remaining gross proceeds of up $1,650,000 will be a non-brokered offering to accredited investors in Canada and Europe. The fees payable to Alto Capital upon closing will be cash in the amount of $120,000. A total of 1,200,000 non-transferable Warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") will be issuable on closing to ACNS Capital Markets Pty Ltd and other arm's length finders, subject to the approval of the TSXV. Each Finder's Warrant will be non-transferable and will have an exercise price of $0.10 per Common Share and will be valid for 36 months from the date of issuance. The payment of the cash fee and issuance of the Finder's Warrants are subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the conditional approval of the TSXV.

Update on the Proposed Insentra Acquisition

Doug Childress, Global CEO of the Company stated, "We are currently completing customary due diligence, including legal and audit reviews in connection with the proposed Insentra Acquisition. Consequently, the Company expects to execute an extension to the Letter of Intent relating to the proposed Insentra Acquisition and anticipates entering into a definitive asset purchase agreement on or about January 31, 2026."

In the event that the Company does not obtain approval from the TSXV for the proposed Insentra Acquisition or the proposed Insentra Acquisition does not close for any other reason, the Company will retain the funds currently anticipated for the proposed Insentra Acquisition and will allocate such funds for its general working capital purposes until it finds appropriate use of such funds. In such circumstances, the Company will begin to pursue other acquisition opportunities in its pipeline and will utilize such funds when the Company deems it appropriate for any such future acquisition opportunities.

About Turnium Technology Group Inc.

Turnium Technology Group Inc. (TTGI) acquires companies that complement its Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) strategy, integrates them to generate efficiencies, and delivers their solutions through a global channel partner program to customers worldwide. TTGI's mission is to provide IT providers with a complete, white-labelled portfolio of business technology solutions, enabling them to quickly add new services in response to customer demand.

In essence, Turnium is building a TaaS platform that incorporates all the services, platforms, and capabilities that ISPs, MSPs, IT Providers, VoIP/UCaaS, CCaaS, or Cloud Providers might need. Additionally, Turnium provides deployment resources, hardware, delivery, support, and marketing and sales enablement to help channel partners go to market quickly and deliver exceptional quality.

Turnium delivers secure, cost-effective, uninterrupted, and scalable global IT solutions to its channel partners and their end-customers-because "Connectivity Matters."

For more information, contact sales@ttgi.io visit www.ttgi.io or follow us on Twitter @turnium.

Turnium Contact:

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

Such statements include, among others, statements regarding the proposed Insentra Acquisition or the Offering and the terms and consideration payable thereunder, the satisfaction of conditions precedent to the proposed Insentra Acquisition or the Offering, the issuance of Units, Debentures and Warrants and the amounts and terms thereof, completion of the Offering and the amounts, terms and conditions thereof, the receipt of TSXV and other regulatory or other approvals, whether Turnium or its business will derive any benefit from the proposed Insentra Acquisition or the Offering, Turnium's business and technology, and Turnium's expectations, business, projections, operations and growth in connection with the proposed Insentra Acquisition or the Offering.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company may not complete the Offering or the proposed Insentra Acquisition, that the parties to the proposed Insentra Acquisition will not reach a definitive agreement, or that the Offering or the proposed Insentra Acquisition will not be successfully completed for any reason (including failure to obtain the required acceptance from the TSXV). The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278877

Source: Turnium Technology Group Inc.
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the on-screen men in uniform spoke about their respective characters, the evolution of content post the arrival of OTT, and much more

Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders is currently streaming on Netflix and stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Chitrangda Singh, Radhika Apte, and Rajat Kapoor. It has received rave reviews from critics and fans. And both Siddiqui and Kapoor have left a lasting impression with their performances.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the on-screen men in uniform spoke about their respective characters, the evolution of content post the arrival of OTT, and much more.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Edited excerpts from the interview

Nawaz, how much did you remember the character of Jatil Yadav and how much do you feel it has evolved in the last five years?

You end up doing a lot of work in five years, but there are glimpses of that character that you have in your mind. But your muscle memory does give some signals because this is a character that you have played before. But this time, there are a lot more layers to the character and is far more complicated.

Rajat, what attracted you to the script of Raat Akeli Hai 2?

It was quite attractive. Whodunnits are difficult to write because the world becomes automatically intense. And just that one final twist will be crap. It has to keep the audiences engaged enough to make them reach that last stage.

Games View All

Nawaz, you have played a couple of cop characters before. How is Jatil Yadav different from them?

All the characters will feel similar as far as the uniform is concerned. But their background is completely different, his parents and world are completely different. What is actually challenging for an actor is to play the same character differently, as opposed to playing different characters in the same way (laughs).

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

OTT has played a crucial role in the evolution of Content. But are there any challenges to the streaming platforms?

Rajat: The OTT platforms have their own strategy and idea of what works. The studios should think about profits, but not everything can be profitable. Nine out of 10 things can be for profits, but one idea should be for yourself. Not everything has to be number driven- I am talking about producers and distributors. Sometimes you have to do it for prestige and for the love of it.

So many filmmakers in the 70s and 80s made their debuts- Mani Kaul, Saeed Mirza, Ketan Mehta, Vinod Chopra, and that is exactly the reason why it was called the new wave. And that wave does not happen if there is no government subsidy, market support

Nawaz, Sacred Games was the web series that led to the evolution of OTT back in 2018. How much do you feel content has changed or evolved in these last years?

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Frankly speaking, I do not watch too much content. I only watch something when I find it interesting, when there are a lot of conversations happening around it. But commercial success is important for me because the smaller films also get the opportunities that they deserve. There are a lot of movies that I have done for a meager amount. If I do a big ticket entertainer seen by 100 people, at least five of them could show up to watch my smaller films; but I cant see them anymore either. It is becoming really difficult to release the kind of cinema that we liked.

Rajat, so many directors have started their careers with you- Farhan Akhtar, Sagar Ballary, Naseeruddin Shah, Saurabh Shukla. When do you know that this is a voice that can be trusted?

I am always very excited to work with first time directors. Because they are always very passionate in their lives. And youre right, theres no way of judging. And the script also tells you that it is a risk worth taking. However., it could be a great script, but still a bad film.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Former Nickelodeon star Tylor Chase, known for Neds Declassified School Survival Guide, was seen living on the streets of Riverside, California in a viral video. The clip sparked concern from fans and former costars.

Former Nickelodeon actor Tylor Chase, best known for his role as Martin Qwerly on Neds Declassified School Survival Guide (20042007), has been spotted living on the streets of Riverside, California, in a viral video that has sparked widespread concern online. The footage, which circulated on TikTok and other social media platforms, shows the 36yearold in a visibly dishevelled state, prompting fans and former colleagues to react with shock and sympathy.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The clip originated in September 2025 and resurfaced with renewed attention in December. In it, a passerby recognises Chase and engages him in conversation, to which he responds by confirming his Nickelodeon role. The encounter highlighted the stark contrast between his childhood fame and his current circumstances.

Former Nickelodeon child stars are having a rough one pic.twitter.com/qN95SrxOmJ   (@FalconryFinance) December 21, 2025

Following the videos spread online, a GoFundMe campaign was set up to assist Chase, raising over 1,200 USD. However, the fundraiser was later shut down at the request of his mother, who stated that he needs medical help rather than financial support, as he reportedly struggles with managing money and medications.

Games View All

Chases former Neds Declassified costars, including Devon Werkheiser, Lindsey Shaw, and Daniel Curtis Lee, addressed the situation on their podcast. They have spoken about their concern and committed to helping him find a better path, stressing that his wellbeing is the priority over any publicity or appearances.

The incident has reignited broader conversations about the longterm effects of early fame on child actors, particularly in relation to mental health, financial stability, and the transition to adulthood after leaving the spotlight.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Sri Lankan radio service that was once popular across India as just Radio Ceylon and popularised Binaca Geetmala, a one of its kind weekly countdown show of Hindi film songs, turned 100 this week.

Sri Lankan radio service that was once popular across India as just Radio Ceylon and popularised Binaca Geetmala, a one of its kind weekly countdown show of Hindi film songs, turned 100 this week.

Sri Lankan radio service was officially launched on December 16, 1925. It was the first commercial short-wave station in Asia, according to government records here.

The National Radio boasts the largest library of recorded songs in Asia, including rare Hindi song records not found in India and a unique collection of world leaders voice recordings, said a statement from SLBC when it marked the centenary.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Originally part of the Department of Telecommunications, the radio service was reorganised on October 1, 1949 as Radio Ceylon and later, on January 5, 1967, rechristened as the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

It was on Radio Ceylon that for almost four decades, once every week exactly at 8 pm sharp, thousands of Indians tuned in to listen to the iconic voice of Amin Sayani.

Sayanis baritone Bhaiyo aur Beheno reverberated across the Indian Hindi film music crazy sub-continent sending excitement among millions of his listeners about which songs would be featured in that days listing.

Binaca Geetmala was broadcast on Radio Ceylon from 1952 to 1988; then it moved to Vividh Bharati service of All India Radio in 1989 and ran there till 1994.

Games View All

Today, SLBC broadcasts three Sinhala, two Tamil, and one English service domestically, alongside foreign services in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.

On December 16 this year, the Hindi announcer started by saying how the songs from the 60s and the 70s, known as Hindi film musics golden era, were so popular in Sri Lanka that there were copies of it in Sinhalese language too.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

On Sri Lankas special day today, I am bringing choicest songs from that era  those songs are equally popular in Sri Lanka, she said and played Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Man Mera from the 1969 romantic musical Aradhana.

However, there are no listeners to the Hindi programmes (or for that matter, for other Indian languages too) in Sri Lanka itself as they are broadcast on short wave 25 MHz band.

The All Asia English was a morning programme from 6 am to 9 am and was always flooded with requests from Indian listeners for pop music. A lot of chit-chatting happened during this programme, said Sonali Jayasinghe, 59.

She and her schoolmates in 70s to 80s were also regulars making requests for songs in the 2-3 pm Monday to Friday Specially for housewives request show in the domestic English service.

From what I remember on the All Asia English service, requests came in from all parts of India but Secunderabad was on top, I dont know why. Then there were people from Bandra, Bombay (now Mumbai) and Shillong, Meghalaya too, she recalled fondly.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Presenters such as Niranjan Abeysundera, Indrani Senanayake, Thilani Peiris, Eric Fernando, Vijeya Corea, Dudley Jansz, Mahes Perera, Leon Belleth, Nihal Bharethi, V Rajendra, Mahinda Wijesundera became household names in parts of India with regular fan mail.

Subhashini de Silva, the current archivist with a long period of service, told PTI that PO Box 574, Colombo the SLBCs unique address was set up due to the sheer volume of the fan mail and several hundreds of post cards reaching the station for its request shows.

The fan mail was so much (in volume) we needed a special mail delivery service, said de Silva, whose main job today is presenting the Hindi service of SLBC from 6 am to 8 am daily. We play popular Hindi songs from Hindi movies which have a big fan following in India, de Silva said.

SLBC holds to date over 70,000 records of music in what has often been described as the best in Asia going back to low fidelity 78 rpm records with meta data. The LP hi-fi records of pop music from the 40s to 50s to 60s and 70s are still in use.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

SLBC is legendary  many generations grew up with it, Arun Dias Bandaranaike, a veteran radio compere told PTI. His studio STX was a hit with a large following.

Bandaranaike was, however, critical of periods in which too much political interference led to decisions that were taken under measures of austerity. One such was the scrapping of the All Asia English on shortwave in the mid-90s.

It was the All Asia English that was witness to and told the world about all major events across the world  the many wars, the changing face of the British dominion, Mt Everests first climb, first man on the moon, and Lankas independence to name a few.

From its formation until the mid-90s, it was the only radio broadcaster in the island. Today, it may have lost its monopoly after the proliferation of private radio channels but its fans still revel in the fact that the Old Lady, who has served generations with a feast of classical, pop to hip hop, Motown, jazz and country, will surely continue to do so for another century.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Starbucks has appointed Anand Varadarajan, an Indian national and Amazon veteran, as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Varadarajan is set to take charge on January 19. He will fill the role of Deb Hall Lefevre, who resigned in September

An Amazon veteran, Anand Varadarajan, has been named Starbucks new Chief Technology Officer, starting January 19, 2026. The companys CEO Brian Niccol announced Varadarajans appointment online, saying, I am proud to share that Anand Varadarajan will join us as executive vice president and CTO, effective January 19. He will be part of the Executive Leadership Team and lead the Starbucks Technology organisation. He will report directly to me."

Niccol called Varadarajan an avid runner and a coffee enthusiast."

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) will replace Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down in September. Starbucks then named Ningy Chen as interim CTO. The appointment of Varadarajan aims to modernise store operations and improve efficiency.

Who is Anand Varadarajan?

Anand Varadarajan, an Indian national, move to Starbucks comes after a 19-year stint with Amazon. According to his LinkedIn profile, he headed the technology and supply chain operations for Amazons worldwide grocery business. He was also the technical Advisor for Doug Herrington, the then- Senior Vice President (SVP) of Amazons North America Consumer Business (and now the CEO of Amazon Stores).

From December 2004 to March 2007, Varadarajan was the software lead at Motorola Inc. He was responsible for building push technology, which aimed to deliver rich carrier-created content from servers to phones. Varadarajan also spent over two years at Openwave Inc as a Principal Software Engineer and Software Development Manager.

During his stint with Viquity Inc in October 1999, he worked as a Senior Software Engineer, responsible for designing and building the guaranteed delivery protocol needed to support EDI messaging. He also designed and implemented the full protocol stack for RosettaNet, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Varadarajans first stint was with Oracle, an American multinational tech company. He worked there as a software engineer and implemented key features for Oracle Advanced Replication in Oracle 8x.

Varadarajan pursued his masters degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He also has another masters degree in computer science from the University of Washington.

The new Chief Technology Officer of Starbucks is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), from where he graduated.

Why has Varadarajan been appointed now?

Deb Hall Lefevre, the former Starbucks CTO, retired in September without a permanent replacement during a second round of layoffs and wider restructuring. The company has already witnessed two rounds of sweeping layoffs and the closure of many of its stores as part of it.

While announcing Varadarajan as a new Chief Technology Officer, the CEO Niccol asserted, He knows how to create systems that are reliable and secure, drive operational excellence and scale solutions that keep customers at the centre." Varadarajan will now push Niccols policy to modernise store operations and improve efficiency.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Starbucks put out its first quarter of gains in October, which was after a year-and-a-half. After taking charge in September 2024 as CEO, Niccol presented the Back to Starbucks initiative, an attempt to rebuild the business. The company underwent major policy changes under Niccol, aiming to improve customer experience and return Starbucks to its glory.

Why are Starbucks employees striking in the US?

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City. Reuters

Meanwhile, workers are blocking the entrance to the companys Seattle headquarters in an attempt to escalate the barista strike, as reported by the NewsWeek.

Starbucks employees have been carrying out an open-ended strike since November at 65 locations in 40 cities in the United States. This came in the backdrop of Red Cup Day, an event Starbucks puts on every year in which it distributes free, reusable red cups. Workers pushed for better pay and staffing. They also demanded that the company must resolve hundreds of unfair labour practice claims.

The worlds largest coffee chains shares are down about 4.2 per cent so far this year, according to Benzinga Pro data; however, revenue trends have begun to improve.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from agencies
Freshly released photographs from the US Justice Departments Epstein files have again shone a light on Andrews long-standing association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Taken across royal estates and elite venues, the images illustrate the depth of access Epstein enjoyed through the now ousted royal

Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are seen in this image released by the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC, US, on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Image/US Justice Department

The newly released cache of photographs from the so-called Epstein files has again put the long-documented association between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein under the spotlight.

The release by the United States Department of Justice this month offers visual evidence that further shows how Epstein and his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell moved through some of the most exclusive spaces of British royal life.

The photographs do not introduce new accusations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Instead, they deepen the factual understanding of the scale of the relationship between the former Duke of York and Epstein, even after Epsteins 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

Taken together, the images justify why the issue has remained so corrosive for the British monarchy and why UKs King Charles III ultimately moved to formally sever Andrews remaining ties to royal life.

How Sandringham is back under the lens

One of the most striking photographs in the newly released files was taken inside the saloon room at Sandringham, the UK monarchs private country retreat in Norfolk.

The image shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across the laps of five women, all elegantly dressed, while Ghislaine Maxwell stands nearby observing the scene. The womens identities have been obscured in the released version of the photograph.

Andrew is seen wearing a black suit and bow tie, smiling, with his face positioned close to the bare legs of one of the women. Maxwell, positioned opposite him, is also smiling.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are seen in this image released by the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC, US, on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Image/US Justice Department

The saloon room at Sandringham is traditionally used by the UK royal family for gatherings on Christmas Eve, including afternoon tea, and again on Christmas Day when family members assemble to watch the monarchs pre-recorded Christmas broadcast.

According to information accompanying the images, the photograph was taken during a weekend in December 2000 that coincided with Maxwells 39th birthday.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Andrew would later refer to a stay at Sandringham during his 2019 Newsnight interview as a straightforward shooting weekend.

The same estate would later reappear in Andrews personal circumstances. In October earlier this year, he was instructed to leave Royal Lodge in Windsor following his exposure over his links to Epstein and Virginia Giuffre. He is expected to relocate to a private residence on the Sandringham estate.

During the release, Andrew was photographed riding alone in the rain on the Sandringham grounds.

How Andrew facilitated access to Ascot, Balmoral and more

Beyond Sandringham, the Epstein files include multiple photographs taken at other high-profile royal locations, reinforcing how frequently Epstein and Maxwell were present in elite royal settings.

One image captures Andrew, Epstein, and Maxwell together in the Royal Box at Ascot during Ladies Day in June 2000. Both Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother were in attendance at the event.

Andrew has previously described Epstein in this context as his plus one, maintaining that Epstein was not an official guest of the Royal family.

However, the photograph places Epstein and Maxwell in one of the most exclusive enclosures of the British social calendar.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Additional images show Andrew with Epstein and Maxwell during a shooting trip on the heathlands of Balmoral. The Balmoral estate, long associated with royal privacy, had already featured in earlier disclosures.

During Maxwells trial in the United States, a photograph of Epstein and Maxwell inside a Balmoral cabin was shown in court.

The December 2025 release also includes a photograph of Ghislaine Maxwell standing outside 10 Downing Street.

One widely circulated photograph shows Maxwell and actor Kevin Spacey seated on the thrones inside Buckingham Palace during a visit reportedly organised by Andrew.

That image, believed to have been taken in 2002, resurfaced in earlier years and has continued to draw attention because of the symbolic nature of the setting.

How Sarah Ferguson also corresponded with Epstein

The Epstein files also include photographs involving Sarah Ferguson, Andrews former spouse.

The images show Ferguson sitting on a sofa with a woman and standing with another woman on a street. In both cases, the womens identities have been redacted.

This redacted, undated photo released by the US Department of Justice shows Sarah Ferguson in New York, US. Image/US Justice Department

In September, further context emerged regarding Fergusons interactions with Epstein. Emails obtained by the Mail on Sunday revealed that in April 2011, she had written to Epstein apologising humbly after publicly distancing herself from him the previous month.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In that correspondence, she referred to Epstein as her dear friend.

According to the emails, Ferguson told Epstein that she had never described him as a paedophile, following his angry response to comments she had made during an interview.

How Andrews defence has collapsed

For years, Andrew has insisted that he ended his association with Epstein in 2010, following Epsteins conviction in Florida two years earlier. That claim formed a central pillar of his defence during the 2019 Newsnight interview.

However, the gradual release of documents undermined that assertion.

The most damaging evidence came in the form of an email written by Andrew to Epstein in 2011, in which he stated that We are in this together. The email directly contradicted his claim that all contact had ceased.

As these documents emerged, pressure mounted on the monarchy. Earlier this year, concerns over Andrews continued association with Epstein had already threatened to destabilise the institution, prompting decisive action by the King.

In November, King Charles issued an unprecedented statement formally stripping his brother of the Duke of York title.

In that statement, the King said that his utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The decision effectively rendered Andrew a palace outcast.

This undated photo released by the US Department of Justice shows Ghislaine Maxwell, third from left, actor Kevin Spacey, second from right, and former President Bill Clinton, far right, with a group of unknown people. Image/US Justice Department

The renewed attention to Andrews relationship with Epstein has also revived focus on allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epsteins accusers.

In a posthumous memoir published in October, Giuffre reiterated claims that she had been made to have sex with Andrew on three occasions.

Andrew has consistently denied these allegations and has denied any wrongdoing. Giuffre died by suicide in April.

In the United States, Andrew has faced calls from Democratic members of Congress to give evidence before a committee investigating Epsteins activities. As of the end of the deadline set by lawmakers last month, he had not responded to the request.

What next

Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in Manhattan in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to child sex offences.

Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on charges related to child sex trafficking and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

A US Attorney alongside FBI (right), at a news conference announcing charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein in New York City, New York, US, July 2, 2020. File Image/Reuters

The December release of photographs has not altered the legal outcomes of either case.

Instead, it has only sharpened public understanding of how Epstein and Maxwell moved within elite circles, and how that access also included UK royal privilege.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

For the British monarchy, the images represent another chapter in a scandal that has already exacted a significant institutional cost.

For Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, now without titles or official role, the photographs serve as a permanent visual record that continues to challenge his past narrative.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
A 23-year-old from Gujarats Morbi district in a video has appealed to the Indian government for help after he was captured by Ukrainian troops following his forced recruitment into the Russian army. Sahil Mohammad Hussain claims that he was coerced into fighting on the frontline to escape a drug charge and seven-year imprisonment

I feel hopeless. I dont know what will happen. But I do have a message for young people who are coming to Russia, be careful.

On Sunday (December 21), the family of Gujarat-based Sahil Mohammad Hussain, who is currently being held by Ukraine as a prisoner of war, received a video statement in which the 23-year-old appeals to the Indian government to secure his release. He also warns other young Indians to be careful because there are so many scammers here. You may be trapped in criminal cases, narcotics cases, illegal cases, so take care of yourself. As far as possible, stay away from all this.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

But how did he end up at the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war? And what is he saying in his new videos? Heres the full story.

An SOS call from Ukraine

In two recently released videos, Sahil Mohammad Hussain has appealed for help from the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his release and even cautioned Indian citizens going to Russia for studies or work to be careful against scammers.

In one of the two videos that his family in Morbi received, Hussain says, Right now I am stuck in Ukraine as a war criminal. Now I am hopeless, I dont know what will happen in future. But I want to send a message to my Indian citizens. Those Indians coming to Russia for higher studies or work, be careful because there are so many scammers here. You may be trapped in criminal cases, narcotics cases, illegal cases, so take care of yourself. As far as possible, stay away from all this.

In the other video, he is seen making an urgent appeal to the Indian government  I appeal to the Indian government, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and S Jaishankar (Minister of External Affairs), if possible, please help. Thats all.

Editors Picks 1 Why Russia wants to hire more Indian workers

While its unclear when the videos were made, one can assume they were recently made as the Indian student refers to Russian President Vladimir Putins recent visit to India. At one point in the video, Hussain can be heard saying: .Now I am in an Ukrainian military jail because I signed the war contract when I was stuck in a Russian jail. I signed the contract only to escape from the Russian jail. Now I know about (Vladimir) Putin coming to India to meet my government. Also I want to tell my government to have a conversation with Vladimir Putin to help me return home. I want to come back home.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

From Gujarats Morbi to Russian frontlines

But how did Hussain land up in the custody of the Ukrainian army? In October, it emerged that the 23-year-old from Gujarats Morbi had been taken into custody by the Ukrainian authorities. He had gone to St Petersburg on a student visa in January 2024 to pursue a course in Russian Language and Culture from ITMO University.

Gujarats Sahil Mohammad Hussain went to Russia in January 2024 on a student visa. File image

At the time, Hussain revealed that he had gone to Russia to study when he was he was sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison on drug-related charges. He was then offered the opportunity to swap out his punishment for service in the Russian military. I didnt want to stay in prison, so I signed a contract for the special military operation (Russias term for its invasion of Ukraine). But I wanted to get out of there, he said in an earlier video.

He further added that after being forced into the Russian army, he was given around 15 days of training before being deployed to the frontline in Ukraine. He later surrendered to the Ukrainian troops. I came across a Ukrainian trench position about two-three kilometres away, he reveals in his previous video. I immediately put down my rifle and said that I didnt want to fight. I needed help I dont want to go back to Russia. There is no truth there, nothing. Id rather go to prison here (in Ukraine).

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He also revealed that he had been promised a monetary reward: first RUB 100 thousand, then half a million, and even 1.5 million. They didnt give me anything. In short, all the liars are there, he said.

Hussains mother, Hasinaben Samsudinbhai Majothi, told the Indian Express that her brother had received a call on April 10 last year, from Hussain, during which he revealed that he was arrested by the Russian police. The family was unable to get in touch with him thereafter.

#WATCH | Gandinagar, Gujarat: Hasina Majoti, mother of Majoti Sahil Mohammad Hussain, who surrendered before the Ukrainian Forces after fighting for Russia, says, "Our Indian Embassy in Russia had issued a notice for Indian Nationals saying that no matter how many requests the pic.twitter.com/R4zSf5uu5o  ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2025

In a petition filed in the Delhi High Court in which the family is appealing for Hussains release, she submitted that her son while in Russia, was working with a courier company on a part-time basis, was framed in a false drugs case as part of ploy to extort money from his family and that she feared that her son has been duped into fighting for Russian forces in the countrys war with Ukraine.

Indias efforts to secure release of all nationals

Meanwhile, the Indian government has been working tirelessly to secure the release of all of its nationals who have joined the Russian armed forces  through coercion or other means.

Earlier during Putins visit to India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised this issue with the Russian leader. This issue of the recruitment of Indian citizens into the Russian armed forces was broached by PM Modi, said Misri.

Notably, while Hussain may be the first such Indian to be taken into Ukrainian custody, there have been a number of Indians who have been recruited into the Russian army on contract and even been killed on the frontline. Many of the Indians, who fought for Russia and later returned to India, report that they were coerced, or misled into serving with Russian forces.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In fact, even Misri in his previous press briefing had cautioned Indians citizens against accepting offers to join the Russian military. I would just take this opportunity to reiterate once again that our citizens should avoid very, very carefully any offers to join the Russian armed forces. We are seeing several cases of people stranded there, appealing to be rescued and brought out. As I said, we are actively engaged in that effort.

Back in February, the Indian government had said that they were aware of 127 Indians being a part of the Russian army since the beginning of the war. Of those, 12 had died, 18 were missing and the rest had returned after being released.

With inputs from agencies
China urges opposition to Japanese official's remarks about possessing nuclear weapons

Xinhua) 16:34, December 22, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The international community must show high vigilance and resolute opposition to a senior Japanese official's remarks that the country should possess nuclear weapons, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
The coniferous tree, a charming part of Christmas, was lit up with candles for years. These posed a hazard as they could catch fire, turning the holiday into a tragedy for many people. On December 22, 1882, the Christmas tree was decorated with electric lights for the first time, changing holiday traditions forever

A tree, decorated with lights, standing in the corner of the room, has become synonymous with present-day Christmas celebrations. But did you know that using electric lights for decoration is a recent addition? For the longest time, candles were used to decorate Christmas trees during the holiday season, but these proved to be disastrous in some cases where trees caught fire from the candles flames. So, the first Christmas tree decorated with electric lights appeared on December 22, 1882.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

On this day in 2001, the worlds first cloned cat was born, marking a breakthrough in genetic science and animal cloning. In 1849, Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky was spared from execution in what many consider to be the most dramatic episodes in literary history.

Here is all that took place on this day across the world.

When the Christmas tree was first decorated with lights

The first Christmas tree decorated with electric lights appeared on December 22, 1882, changing the way holiday traditions were marked. It was created by Edward H Johnson, a close associate of inventor Thomas Edison, at his home in New York City during a time when Christmas trees were usually lit with candles.

Johnsons tree stood about six feet tall and featured 80 hand-wired red, white, and blue electric bulbs. The lights were powered by a generator and arranged to rotate around the tree, creating a dazzling effect that few people had ever seen before. The display was reported by a local newspaper, which described it as an impressive use of Edisons new electric lighting technology.

A staff member adjusts ornaments on a Christmas tree in the Crimson Drawing Room in Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain. Reuters

In the late 19th century, electricity was still a luxury and largely unfamiliar to the public. Most homes relied on gas lamps, and candles on Christmas trees posed serious fire hazards. Johnsons electrically lit tree offered a safer alternative, but the idea did not spread quickly. Early electric lights were expensive, required skilled installation, and were available only to the wealthy.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

For several decades, candlelit trees remained common. It wasnt until the early 20th century, as electricity became more widespread and affordable, that electric Christmas lights began appearing in ordinary homes. Mass production further lowered costs, making string lights accessible to families across the United States and beyond.

The worlds first cloned cat was born

The worlds first cloned cat was born on this day in 2001. CC, short for CopyCat, was created by scientists at Texas A&M University in the United States. Her birth demonstrated that cloning technology, previously used on animals such as sheep and cows, could also be applied to household pets.

CC was cloned using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer. Scientists took genetic material from a cell of an adult calico cat and inserted it into an egg cell whose nucleus had been removed. The egg was then stimulated to develop into an embryo and implanted into a surrogate mother. After a normal pregnancy, CC was born healthy.

CC was the first cat to be born through cloning. Image Courtesy: Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences

One of the most striking outcomes of the experiment was that CC did not look exactly like her genetic donor. While both were calico cats, CCs fur pattern differed. This helped illustrate an important scientific point: cloned animals share the same DNA as the donor, but physical traits such as coat patterns can vary due to developmental factors in the womb.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Supporters saw it as a major step forward in understanding genetics, development, and disease, while critics questioned the morality of cloning animals and raised concerns about animal welfare and high failure rates in cloning experiments.

Despite the controversy, CC lived a healthy life and reached adulthood, unlike many cloned animals that suffered health problems. Her birth helped advance cloning research and paved the way for commercial pet cloning services that emerged years later.

Fyodor Dostoevsky was spared from execution

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky was spared from execution on this day in 1849, in one of the most dramatic episodes in literary history. Dostoevsky had been arrested earlier that year for his involvement with the Petrashevsky Circle, a group of intellectuals who met to discuss banned books and progressive political ideas that challenged the authority of Tsar Nicholas I.

Dostoevsky and other members of the group were charged with subversion and sentenced to death by firing squad. On the freezing morning of December 22, they were taken to Semyonovsky Square in Saint Petersburg. The prisoners were dressed in burial clothing, their death sentences were read aloud, and execution posts were erected. Dostoevsky later recalled the terror and finality of those moments as he believed he was about to die.

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky was spared from public execution. Wikimedia Commons

Just as the execution was about to proceed, a messenger arrived with an order from the tsar. The death sentences were commuted at the last possible moment. This dramatic reprieve was not an act of mercy alone but a calculated punishment intended to instill fear and obedience. Dostoevskys sentence was changed to four years of hard labour in a Siberian prison camp, followed by compulsory military service.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The experience profoundly shaped Dostoevskys worldview and writing. Confrontation with death intensified his focus on faith, suffering, redemption, and the human psyche. Themes of moral struggle and spiritual rebirth that appear in later works, such as Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, and The Brothers Karamazov, can be traced back to this near-execution.

This Day, That Year

US President Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill met in Washington, DC, to discuss World War II on this day in 1941.

Guru Gobind Singh was born on this day in 1666.

The Dominican order was sanctioned by Pope Honorius III on this day in 1216.

With inputs from agencies
A week after youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in broad daylight in Dhaka, a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) has been attacked. Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, who belongs to the NCPs labour wing, was shot in Khulna. Sikdar has been rushed to hospital and is said to be in critical condition

The violence in Bangladesh continues unabated.

A week after youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in broad daylight in Dhaka, a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) has been attacked. Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, who belongs to the NCPs labour wing, was shot in Khulna. Sikdar has been rushed to hospital and is said to be in critical condition.

This comes after Hadi, the 32-year-old spokesman for the Inqilab Mancha, was shot on December 12. This came a day after Bangladeshs poll commission announced the dates for next years election. Hadi was initially rushed to hospital and then airlifted to Singapore for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday (December 18).

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Confirmation of his death by the United government resulted in tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in Dhaka and other cities across Bangladesh to demand justice. Slogans in Hadis name were raised and calls for accountability and justice reverberated through the streets.

Offices of major newspapers such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka were set ablaze by mobs. Journalists had to flee to the roof and the Bangladesh Army had to be sent in. Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu youth and garment worker, was lynched by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. The Chattogram home of Indias Assistant High Commissioner to Bangladesh was attacked by a mob.

But what happened? What has happened in Bangladesh since Friday afternoon?

What happened

Sikdar is the division chief of the NCP and the central organiser of the NCPs Jatiya Sramik Shakti, the partys labour wing. According to media in Bangladesh, the incident occurred around 11:45 am.

Sikdar, the Khulna convenor of the labour wing, was making preparations for a labour rally scheduled to be held in Khulna, which is Bangladeshs third-largest city after Dhaka and Chittagong, when he was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen.

The incident occurred near the citys Gazi Medical College Hospital. Sikdar, who was shot in the head, was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Authorities later confirmed that he had been shot on the left side of the head.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Miscreants opened fire targeting his head around 11:45 am, and he was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition, Animesh Mondol, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Sonadanga Model Police Station, was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol.

Sikdar was then taken to a private diagnostic institution for a CT scan. While Sikdar remains in critical condition, he is said to be out of danger. Mondol said this is because the bullet entered through one side of Sikdars ear, pierced the skin and exited from the other side.

Events in Bangladesh since Friday

On Friday evening, the central office of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, a cultural group, was set ablaze. This came even as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel were deployed at multiple strategic locations across Dhaka.

The Bangladesh interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Friday, issuing its first response to the unrest, urged citizens to resist acts of mob violence.

The interim government strongly and unequivocally condemned all forms of violence, intimidation, arson and destruction of property, the statement said. It warned that such actions threaten to derail the countrys democratic process.

On Saturday, thousands of people gathered for Hadis funeral in Dhaka. There were several bigwigs in attendance, including interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who spoke before the funeral, members of his council and Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Members of the NCP, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and Jamaat-e-Islami were also present. The event was held amid a heavy security presence in Dhaka.

The Bangladesh interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Friday, issuing its first response to the unrest, urged citizens to resist acts of mob violence. PTI

Also on Saturday, Bangladesh media claimed that Hindu extremists had protested outside the High Commission in New Delhi. Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the incident unjustifiable and highly regrettable.

In the statement, Bangladeshs foreign ministry said, The miscreants were allowed to carry out their activities right outside the perimeters of the High Commission, creating panic among the personnel inside the complex. The High Commission was not given advance information about this organised event.

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain claimed that the situation left the Bangladesh High Commissioner and his family feeling under threat.

This was rejected out of hand by India as misleading propaganda. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said around two dozen youths had gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday to protest the horrendous killing of Das.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the incident, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The fact is that about 2025 youths gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh, Jaiswal added.

There were reports that the protesters were removed from outside the Bangladesh High Commission on Saturday around 9 pm. According to reports, the men had reached the spot in three to four vehicles. Police and paramilitary units were positioned outside the embassy.

On Sunday, security was stepped up outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri.

Meanwhile, India suspended visa operations at its mission in Chittagong until further notice. This was done over concerns about the safety of the staff and security of the premises. Several protesters had attempted to march to the mission in Chittagong on Thursday night but were restrained by forces.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities, Jaiswal said.

Hossain claimed that Dass lynching should not be conflated with the security of minorities. He was a Bangladeshi citizen who was killed, and Bangladesh took immediate action. Several arrests have already been made.

People gather in large numbers for the funeral of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. PTI

A dozen people have been arrested thus far in the lynching case.

Hasina, in an interview on Sunday, said that the murder of Hadi and the incidents that followed have exposed the lawlessness in Bangladesh under the interim government. Hasina said that the situation had deteriorated since her ouster and warned that Bangladesh is continuing to destabilise internally and that relations with neighbouring countries, particularly India, are being strained.

This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it. Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with neighbours who are watching with justified alarm. India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunuss Bangladesh, Hasina said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from agencies
India and New Zealand have wrapped up negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement aimed at expanding market access, easing tariffs and strengthening cooperation across goods, services, investment and labour mobility. Announced on December 22, the pact reflects New Delhis push to diversify trade ties

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, March 17, 2025. File Image/Reuters

India and New Zealand have concluded negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), marking a big step between two countries that have long viewed each other as under-leveraged partners.

Announced on Monday (December 22, 2025), the agreement aims to address global commerce priorities increasingly shaped by protectionism and tariffs,

For New Delhi, the pact is part of a broader strategy to widen its trade footprint beyond traditional markets as exporters grapple with rising barriers in the United States and elsewhere.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

For Wellington, it represents a long-anticipated breakthrough into the worlds fastest-growing major economy and the most populous country globally, with access to a rapidly expanding middle class expected to drive long-term demand.

Why the deal matters now

In recent months, Indian exporters have faced mounting pressure following the imposition of steep US import tariffs, which have particularly affected sectors such as textiles, auto components, metals and labour-intensive manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, India has sought to lock in partnerships with economies that offer complementary strengths rather than direct competition.

The agreement with New Zealand aligns with this approach, building on recent trade deals India has signed with the United Arab Emirates, Australia, the United Kingdom and Oman, while negotiations continue with the European Union, Chile and Canada.

For New Zealand, the pact delivers access to an economy forecast to be worth almost US$ 7 trillion by 2030 and to host a middle class exceeding 700 million people.

India currently accounts for a relatively small share of New Zealands exports, but officials in Wellington see substantial room for growth across food, agriculture, services and technology sectors.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted this opportunity when he said, India is the worlds most populous country and is the fastest-growing big economy, and that creates opportunities for jobs for Kiwis, exports and growth.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

NEWS: Weve concluded a Free Trade Agreement with India. This will open doors for New Zealand farmers, growers, and businesses - boosting exports, creating jobs, and lifting incomes to help all Kiwis get ahead. pic.twitter.com/MZZqYkXs0I  Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) December 22, 2025

He described the agreements overall impact by stating, The gains are wide-ranging and significant.

When the FTA will be signed

The India-New Zealand FTA was negotiated over a nine-month period which commenced when Luxon visited India from March 16 to 20, earlier this year.

According to officials from both sides, the negotiated text will now undergo legal scrubbing before the agreement is formally signed.

Indias chief negotiator, Petal Dhillon, told reporters that a formal signing is expected in the first quarter of 2026 following completion of this process.

New Zealand officials have similarly indicated that both governments expect the agreement to be signed in the first half of next year.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

While the announcement marks the conclusion of negotiations, the deal still requires domestic approval procedures. In New Zealand, parliamentary ratification is not assured.

New Zealand First, a coalition partner of the governing National Party, has stated that it will oppose the agreement.

Party leader Winston Peters criticised the pact, saying it gives too much away, especially on immigration, and does not get enough in return for New Zealanders, including on dairy.

Despite political hurdles, the agreement fulfils a commitment made by the National Party during the 2022 election campaign to finalise a trade pact with India within its first term in office.

What each side gains on goods

At the heart of the FTA is a sweeping overhaul of tariff arrangements governing bilateral trade. Under the agreement, India will secure zero-duty access for all its exports to New Zealand from the day the pact enters into force.

This immediate tariff elimination is expected to enhance competitiveness for Indian manufacturers and exporters across a wide range of sectors.

In return, New Zealand will receive preferential market access for approximately 70 per cent of Indias tariff lines, ultimately covering about 95 per cent of its current exports to India.

More than half of New Zealands export products will become duty-free immediately upon entry into force, with coverage rising to over 80 per cent over time.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said the agreement places the country on an equal or better footing compared with other nations trading with India and will deliver thousands of jobs and billions in additional exports.

Forestry products, which constitute a major share of New Zealands exports to India, will benefit significantly.

More than 95 per cent of forestry exports will enter India tariff-free from day one, with duties on almost all remaining trade phased out over seven years. Immediate tariff elimination will also apply to sheep meat, wool, coal and several other key products.

For fisheries, tariffs on New Zealands principal fish and seafood exports will be phased out over a seven-year period, improving competitiveness in the Indian market over time.

Indian exporters also stand to benefit from comprehensive tariff elimination across the New Zealand market. Key sectors expected to gain include textiles, apparel, engineering goods, leather and footwear, marine products and a range of manufactured items.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With tariffs removed from day one, Indian goods entering New Zealand are expected to become more competitive on price, potentially leading to lower costs for consumers.

According to New Zealand officials, this could translate into cheaper electrical goods, machinery, fabrics and textiles, as well as a wider range of imported products.

What breakthrough was achieved in agriculture

One of the most notable outcomes of the agreement is the unprecedented access secured for New Zealands horticulture sector. T

he FTA grants valuable new quota-based access for kiwifruit and apples, with volumes starting well above recent average trade levels and expanding further over time.

In a world-first New Zealand will have duty-free access for a large kiwifruit quota - nearly four times our current exports - with a 50 per cent tariff applying outside quota, McClay said.

He added, For the first time in an FTA, India has agreed preferential market access for apples and manuka honey.

New Zealand has also become the first country to secure tariff-free access for kiwifruit into India along with a 50 per cent tariff reduction outside the quota.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Tariffs on other horticultural exports, including cherries, avocados, blueberries and persimmons, will be eliminated gradually.

Wine exports will see substantial duty reductions, with tariffs falling by between 66 per cent and 83 per cent over a ten-year period.

Any further tariff improvements India grants to future FTA partners in this category will automatically extend to New Zealand.

Manuka honey, another high-value export, will benefit from a 75 per cent tariff reduction over five years, making New Zealand the first country to receive preferential access for honey under an Indian free trade agreement.

At the same time, India has maintained clear red lines around agricultural products deemed sensitive domestically.

Dairy imports such as milk, cream, whey, yoghurt and cheese are excluded from tariff liberalisation, along with selected animal and vegetable products including goat meat, onions and almonds.

Indian officials have said these exclusions reflect domestic sensitivities and the need to protect local producers.

How dairy access is not completely out of the question

Although consumer dairy products remain outside the scope of tariff elimination, the agreement introduces mechanisms aimed at facilitating greater collaboration in dairy-based supply chains.

The FTA includes provisions for duty-free access for dairy ingredients and other food inputs that are destined for further manufacturing and re-export.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

New Zealand exporters will enjoy duty-free access for dairy and other food ingredients for re-export through the FTA, opening the door to greater collaboration and processing, McClay said, adding that this would offer access to Indias growing network of FTA partners through a dedicated fast-track mechanism.

Tariffs on bulk infant formula and other dairy-based preparations will be phased out over seven years, while duties on peptones  a dairy-derived product  will also be eliminated over the same period.

For albumins, a milk protein product, tariffs will be halved within a quota that reflects recent average trade volumes.

The agreement also includes a safeguard clause designed to future-proof New Zealands dairy interests.

India has committed that if it offers better dairy access to comparable countries in the future, it will consult with New Zealand on extending similar treatment. This commitment is reinforced by a provision requiring a formal review of the FTA one year after it enters into force.

How services and fintech have been included

The FTA expands services coverage well beyond Indias commitments under the World Trade Organisation, with particular attention to financial services, e-payments and fintech.

McClay noted that the FTA has broad services coverage and builds significantly on Indias WTO commitments, while also including a most-favoured-nation clause designed to ensure that New Zealands access keeps pace with any future liberalisation India offers other partners.

To protect distinctive product identities, both sides have agreed to establish geographical indication rules comparable to those New Zealand has with the European Union. These provisions aim to safeguard specialist and iconic product names in each others markets.

The agreement also includes chapters addressing customs facilitation and clearance, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, economic cooperation, trade and sustainable development, and culture, trade and traditional knowledge.

A Treaty of Waitangi clause ensures New Zealand retains the ability to meet its domestic obligations.

What about labour mobility and visas

New Zealand has committed to creating a pathway for an average of up to 1,667 skilled workers from India each year through non-renewable, three-year work visas. These visas will target sectors facing persistent skills shortages, including healthcare, education, information and communications technology, and engineering.

To better provide the skills to grow the New Zealand economy the Agreement establishes a process for up to an average of 1,667 skilled 3-year work visas per year, McClay said, adding that these would focus on priority occupations drawn from the countrys skills shortage Green List.

He stated that all existing immigration screening and qualification requirements would remain in place and that New Zealand retains the ability to amend the Green List as economic needs evolve.

In addition, the working holiday scheme between the two countries will be expanded to offer up to 1,000 places annually, aligning New Zealands arrangements with those Australia offers under its own trade agreement with India.

This move is intended to support tourism and rural sectors that rely on seasonal labour.

How India-New Zealand are planning long-term

As part of the agreement, New Zealand has committed investments worth $20 billion in India over a 15-year period, according to Indias Trade Ministry.

While specific sectoral allocations have not been detailed publicly, officials view the investment pledge as a foundation for deeper industrial collaboration.

The FTA also establishes a framework for ongoing dialogue and review.

Both sides have agreed to conduct a formal review of the agreement one year after it enters into force, providing a mechanism to pursue further improvements and address emerging issues.

McClay described the pact as a good deal that delivers for every New Zealander, adding, Trade grows the economy and creates jobs - the NZ India Free Trade Agreement is about future-proofing opportunities for our exporters and allowing Kiwi companies to continue to punch above their weight on the world stage.

How India-New Zealand trade stands

Despite strong political momentum, bilateral trade between India and New Zealand remains relatively small compared with each countrys trade with larger partners.

Two-way trade in goods and services totalled about US$ 2.4 billion in 2024, while New Zealand data for the year ending June 2025 places annual trade at US$ 2.13 billion.

In that period, New Zealand exported US$ 1.03 billion worth of goods and services to India, making India its 21st largest goods export market and fifth largest services export destination.

Key exports included travel services, industrial products, forestry and forestry products, horticulture, dairy-based products and wool.

India currently ranks as New Zealands 12th largest export market overall, accounting for roughly 1.5 per cent of exports.

Officials on both sides have said the agreement has the potential to significantly expand these figures over time. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said the two countries hope to double bilateral trade within five years.

Ultimately, the India-New Zealand free trade agreement reflects a shared effort to adapt to a more fragmented global trading system.

As Luxon noted after speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the conclusion of talks, Boosting trade means more Kiwi jobs, higher wages and more opportunities for hard working New Zealanders.

Ive just spoken with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement.



The FTA reduces or removes tariffs on 95% of our exports to India. Its forecast that NZ exports to India could increase $1.1B to $1.3B per year over the pic.twitter.com/FEat7BQWOI  Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) December 22, 2025

Whether the agreement realises its full potential will depend on domestic political support and the pace at which businesses on both sides seize the new opportunities it creates.

With inputs from agencies
Intelligence services suspect that Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon that can target Elon Musks Starlink constellation. Believing that the low-orbiting satellites by Starlink have been one of the reasons for Ukraines survival in the war, Russia views them as a grave threat

Two Nato-nation intelligence services suspect Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon to target Elon Musks Starlink constellation with destructive orbiting clouds of shrapnel, with the aim of reining in Western space superiority that has helped Ukraine on the battlefield.

Intelligence findings seen by The Associated Press say the so-called zone-effect weapon would seek to flood Starlink orbits with hundreds of thousands of high-density pellets, potentially disabling multiple satellites at once but also risking catastrophic collateral damage to other orbiting systems.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Analysts who havent seen the findings say they doubt such a weapon could work without causing uncontrollable chaos in space for companies and countries, including Russia and its ally China, that rely on thousands of orbiting satellites for communications, defense and other vital needs.

Such repercussions, including risks to its own space systems, could steer Moscow away from deploying or using such a weapon, analysts said.

I dont buy it. Like, I really dont, said Victoria Samson, a space-security specialist at the Secure World Foundation who leads the Colorado-based nongovernmental organizations annual study of anti-satellite systems. I would be very surprised, frankly, if they were to do something like that.

But the commander of the Canadian militarys Space Division, Brigadier General Christopher Horner, said such Russian work cannot be ruled out in light of previous US allegations that Russia also has been pursuing an indiscriminate nuclear, space-based weapon.

I cant say Ive been briefed on that type of system. But its not implausible, he said. If the reporting on the nuclear weapons system is accurate and that theyre willing to develop that and willing to go to that end, well, it wouldnt strike me as shocking that something just short of that, but equally damaging, is within their wheelhouse of development.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov didnt respond to messages from the AP seeking comment. Russia has previously called for United Nations efforts to stop the orbital deployment of weapons and President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow has no intention of deploying nuclear space weapons.

Weapon would have multiple targets

The intelligence findings were shown to the AP on condition that the services involved were not identified and the news organization was not able to independently verify the findings conclusions.

The US Space Force didnt respond to emailed questions. The French militarys Space Command said in a statement to the AP that it could not comment on the findings but said, We can inform you that Russia has, in recent years, been multiplying irresponsible, dangerous, and even hostile actions in space.

Russia views Starlink in particular as a grave threat, the findings indicate. The thousands of low-orbiting satellites have been pivotal for Ukraines survival against Russias full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.

Starlinks high-speed internet service is used by Ukrainian forces for battlefield communications, weapons targeting and other roles and by civilians and government officials where Russian strikes have affected communications.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is prepared for launch carrying Nasas Imap mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US. Representational image/Reuters

Russian officials repeatedly have warned that commercial satellites serving Ukraines military could be legitimate targets. This month, Russia said it has fielded a new ground-based missile system, the S-500, which is capable of hitting low-orbit targets.

Unlike a missile that Russia tested in 2021 to destroy a defunct Cold War-era satellite, the new weapon in development would target multiple Starlinks at once, with pellets possibly released by yet-to-be-launched formations of small satellites, the intelligence findings say.

Canadas Horner said it is hard to see how clouds of pellets could be corralled to only strike Starlink and that debris from such an attack could get out of control in a hurry.

You blow up a box full of BBs, he said. Doing that would blanket an entire orbital regime and take out every Starlink satellite and every other satellite thats in a similar regime. And I think thats the part that is incredibly troubling.

System is possibly just experimental

The findings seen by the AP didnt say when Russia might be capable of deploying such a system, nor detail whether it has been tested or how far along research is believed to be.

The system is in active development and information about the timing of an expected deployment is too sensitive to share, according to an official familiar with the findings and other related intelligence that the AP did not see. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the nonpublic findings.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Such Russian research could be simply experimental, Samson said.

I wouldnt put it past some scientists  to build out something like this because its an interesting thought-experiment and they think, you know, Maybe at some point we can get our government to pay for it, she said.

Samson suggested the specter of a supposed new Russian threat may also be an effort to elicit an international response.

Often times people pushing these ideas are doing it because they want the US side to build something like that or  to justify increased spending on counterspace capabilities or using it for a more hawkish approach on Russia, she said.

Im not saying that this is whats happening with this," Samson added. But it has been known to happen that people take these crazy arguments and use them.

Tiny pellets could remain undetected

The intelligence findings say the pellets would be so small  just millimeters across  that they would evade detection by ground- and space-based systems that scan for space objects, which could make it hard to pin blame for any attack on Moscow.

Clayton Swope, who specializes in space security and weaponry at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, DC-based security and policy think tank, said if the pellets are not trackable, that complicates things, but people would figure it out.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

If satellites start winking out with damage, I guess you could put two and two together," he said.

Exactly how much destruction tiny pellets could do isnt clear. In November, a suspected impact by a small piece of debris was sufficient to damage a Chinese spacecraft that was meant to bring three astronauts back to Earth.

Most damage would probably be done to the solar panels because theyre probably the most fragile part of satellites, Swope said. Thatd be enough, though, to damage a satellite and probably bring it offline.

Weapon of fear could threaten chaos

After such an attack, pellets and debris would over time fall back toward Earth, possibly damaging other orbiting systems on their way down, analysts say.

Starlinks orbits are about 550 kilometers (340 miles) above the planet. Chinas Tiangong space station and the International Space Station operate at lower orbits, so both would face risks, according to Swope.

The space chaos that such a weapon could cause might enable Moscow to threaten its adversaries without actually having to use it, Swope said.

It definitely feels like a weapon of fear, looking for some kind of deterrence or something, he said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Samson said the drawbacks of an indiscriminate pellet weapon could steer Russia off such a path.

Theyve invested a huge amount of time and money and human power into being, you know, a space power, she said.

Using such a weapon would effectively cut off space for them as well, Samson said. I dont know that they would be willing to give up that much."
Investigations into the killing of Bangladeshs student leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, have revealed the main suspect to be 32-year-old Faisal Karim Masud. On the run, he is believed to be a former leader of Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League

A mourner holds Bangladesh's national flag during the funeral of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka on December 20, after two days of violent protests over his killing. Huge crowds accompanied the funeral procession of Hadi, a key figure in last year's pro-democracy uprising who died in a hospital in Singapore on December 18 after being shot by masked gunmen while leaving a Dhaka mosque. AFP

Bangladesh is in the grips of chaos. And theres one man allegedly to blame  Faisal Karim Masud. Authorities have named Masud as the main accused in the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi and issued a nationwide lookout notice as well as a travel ban on him.

At a meeting held on Sunday (December 21), representatives from police headquarters, the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said they are making maximum efforts to apprehend Masud.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, they had no specific information on the whereabouts of the prime suspect. We do not have specific information about Faisals last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it, said Bangladeshs Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, adding that there was no reliable information suggesting the suspect had left the country.

As authorities continue to hunt for Masud, we take a closer look at who he is and how hes allegedly involved in the shooting that has pushed Bangladesh into further turmoil.

Who is Faisal Karim Masud?

After spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, Sharif Osman Hadi, was shot at on December 12, and subsequently died on December 18 in Singapore, where he was flown for treatment, investigations have centred on Faisal Karim Masud, with one Bangladeshi journalist telling The Telegraph that Faisal joined Hadis campaign with the intention of killing him.

Investigations reveal that Masud is a former leader of the Chhatra League, the now-banned student wing of the ousted Awami League, the political party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Moreover, a LinkedIn profile that reportedly belongs to him reveals that he lists himself as the owner of three companies: Apple Soft IT, YCU Technology, and Enlist Work.

The LinkedIn profile also states that Masud completed a bachelors degree in Computer Science from a private university in Dhaka in 2013. It also mentions that he later earned an MBA from another private university.

According to a Prothom Alo report citing a source, Masud was on the ground alongside leaders and activists of the Awami League and its allied organisations to suppress the protesters during the July 2024 mass uprising.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Investigations also reveal that Masud was previously arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a Dhaka school in which 1.7 million taka was stolen. However, he was released later  a detail which has sparked anger and raised questions.

Mourners attend the funeral of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka on December 20. AFP

How is Faisal Masud connected to Hadis death?

Law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh have named Masud as the man who fired at Osman Hadi while the latter was campaigning in Dhakas Bijoynagar area. For those unaware, Hadi was a prominent leader of Bangladeshs 2024 student-led uprising. He acted as a spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha, or Platform for Revolution, and was planning to stand as a member of parliament for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the Bijoynagar area of the city in the upcoming elections, expected in February 2026.

Hadi was also an outspoken critic of India, where Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled following the uprising last year.

Visuals show that on December 12, Hadi was shot in the head by two assailants on a motorcycle, which pulled up beside the battery-powered auto-rickshaw he was travelling in. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Later, he was moved to Singapore General Hospitals neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on December 15 for treatment. Despite the best efforts of the doctors  Hadi succumbed to his injuries, Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement last Thursday.

According to authorities, a night before the shooting, Masud reportedly told his girlfriend that something was going to happen that would shake entire Bangladesh. Something will happen tomorrow (on Friday), that the whole country will tremble, newspaper _Daily Juganto_r quoted Masud as saying.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader, takes part in a protest against a lockdown call by the Bangladesh Awami League in Dhaka, Bangladesh. File image/Reuters

Where is Masud hiding?

Bangladeshi authorities have launched a manhunt for Masud following the incident. Moreover, the police is also offering a reward of five million taka for information leading to his arrest. As of now, the police has arrested several people believed to be connected to Hadis murder. This includes Masuds family members  his father, Md Humayun Kabir, mother, Hasi Begum, 60, as well as his wife Saheda Parvin Samia, and brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Sipu.

On Sunday, addressing an emergency press conference, Bangladeshs Additional Inspector General of Police Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively trying to trace Masuds whereabouts. We do not have specific information about his last location, but there is no confirmation that he has fled abroad, he said, adding that no concrete evidence has yet emerged linking any political party to the murder.

A firefighter walks in front of the building of the vandalised office of Prothom Alo newspaper, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader, who was undergoing treatment in Singapore after being in shot the head, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters

The remarks came amid speculation that Masud had fled to India after a photo went viral on social media claiming he had fled to the neighbouring nation. Responding on the same, DMP additional commissioner (detective) Shafiqul Islam said they had also seen the photo, but it could not be confirmed that it was taken in India.

However, according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune, Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indias High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma. The report stated that Dhaka urged that if those responsible for the attack on Hadi enter India, they should be arrested and returned.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Meanwhile, after news broke of Hadis death, violent protests broke out in parts of Bangladesh with chants of we want justice ringing out loud and clear. In fact, protesters went on to vandalise both the Bengali-language national daily Prothom Alo and the English-language newspaper The Daily Star. A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was also lynched in Mymensingh on Thursday night.

This prompted Bangladeshs interim government leader Muhammad Yunus to issue a message to all citizens to resist all forms of mob violence committed by a few fringe elements. His office issued a statement saying: We strongly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, arson, and property destruction.

With inputs from agencies
Hundreds of Indian professionals on H-1B visas are stranded in India after US consulates abruptly cancelled and postponed visa interviews scheduled for mid-December. The delays, linked to expanded social media vetting under the Trump administration, have left workers with expired visas and employers unsure how long they can wait

A private security guard stands outside the US embassy in New Delhi on December 18, 2013. File Image/Reuters

Hundreds of Indian professionals employed in the United States on H-1B visas are currently unable to return to their jobs after travelling to India for visa renewals this month.

What was meant to be a short trip timed around the US holiday season has turned into an open-ended wait as consular interview appointments across American diplomatic missions in India have been abruptly cancelled or postponed.

The disruption has affected applicants whose interviews were scheduled between December 15 and December 26, a window traditionally favoured by H-1B workers.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Instead, many have found their appointments cancelled with little notice and rescheduled several months later, in some cases not before March 2026.

At the heart of the issue is a major shift in US visa processing priorities under the Donald Trump administration, particularly the expansion of social media screening to skilled worker visas.

How visa interviews piled up at US embassies & consulates in India

The immediate trigger for the crisis was the mass postponement of H-1B and H-4 visa interviews that had already been scheduled at US embassies and consulates in India.

According to immigration lawyers and reports citing official communications, all interviews set from December 15 onward were affected.

Applicants received emails informing them that their appointments had been delayed due to new vetting requirements.

In correspondence reviewed by The Washington Post, the US State Department said the interviews were being pushed back following the rollout of enhanced screening measures intended to ensure that no applicants  pose a threat to US national security or public safety.

For many, the timing was particularly disruptive. December is one of the most popular months for visa renewals because of reduced work obligations in the US and office shutdowns around Christmas and New Year.

The cancellations coincided with this narrow window, leaving applicants with limited alternatives once their visas expired.

What the US Embassy in India has said

The US Embassy in India issued a public advisory on December 9, warning applicants not to appear at diplomatic missions on their original interview dates if they had received rescheduling notices.

If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate, the advisory said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The message made clear that consular staff would not make exceptions, even for applicants whose travel plans had already been finalised.

For many, this meant being turned away after flying to another city or waiting outside consular facilities without recourse.

How legal professionals have reacted

Legal professionals representing H-1B holders have described the situation as one of the most severe breakdowns in visa processing they have seen.

Emily Neumann, a partner at Houston-based firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, said she had at least 100 clients stranded in India as a result of the cancellations. Other attorneys reported dozens of similar cases each, spanning different US consulates and Indian cities.

Veena Vijay Ananth, an immigration lawyer based in India, characterised the situation bluntly. This is the biggest mess we have seen. Im not sure there is a plan, she said.

Atlanta-based immigration attorney Charles Kuck also confirmed handling multiple cases involving workers unable to return to the US after their appointments were postponed.

Lawyers say the cancellations were implemented uniformly, regardless of an applicants employment history, compliance record, or length of time working in the US.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The result has been a backlog that extends well beyond the immediate holiday period.

How jobs have been put on hold, families have been separated

Behind the administrative disruption lies a growing human toll. Many of the affected individuals are mid-career professionals with established lives in the United States, including mortgages, school-going children, and long-term employment contracts.

One Indian resident of the Detroit suburbs told The Washington Post that he travelled to India in early December for a family wedding. He had visa interviews scheduled for December 17 and December 23. Both appointments expired after being cancelled, leaving him unable to return to the US.

The uncertainty has created anxiety among workers who fear that prolonged absence could jeopardise their jobs. Immigration lawyers have raised concerns about how long employers will be willing or able to hold positions open, particularly in fast-moving sectors such as technology and consulting.

Neumann warned that companies may soon reach a breaking point. How long are companies going to be willing to wait for these people? she asked.

According to a report released by US Citizenship and Immigration Services in April, Indian nationals account for 71 per cent of all H-1B visa holders.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

This concentration means that any systemic change in processing rules disproportionately affects Indian workers.

The H-1B programme allows skilled foreign professionals to live and work in the US for up to six years and has long been a primary pathway for Indian engineers, IT specialists, researchers, and managers employed by American firms.

How corporate and tech firms have responded

According to Business Insider and Reuters, technology giants such as Google and Apple have warned certain employees against international travel after learning that visa re-entry processing times at US embassies and consulates could stretch up to 12 months.

Googles external counsel, BAL Immigration Law, sent an email advising employees who require visa stamping to re-enter the US not to travel abroad. The message cited unusually long appointment backlogs and warned that employees could risk an extended stay outside the US.

Google, which hires roughly 1,000 H-1B workers each year, had previously issued similar guidance earlier in 2025. In September, Alphabet advised H-1B holders to remain in the United States and avoid international trips, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.

How Trump-led social media screening is the root cause

The US State Department has attributed the delays to a major expansion of social media vetting under the Trump administration. Under the new framework, applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas are now subject to enhanced reviews of their online presence.

Students and exchange visitors applying for F, M, and J visas were already subject to digital footprint checks. As of December 15, the same level of scrutiny has been extended to skilled workers and their dependents.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In an official statement, a US State Department spokesperson highlighted the shift in priorities, Every visa adjudication is a national security decision.

Another spokesperson defended the slower processing pace, saying, While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritising thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else.

Weeks earlier, visa holders had been instructed to change their social media privacy settings to public, signalling that online activity would play a more prominent role in adjudication decisions.

How Trump has been tightening the US visa regime

The interview cancellations are part of a broader tightening of the US immigration system affecting H-1B workers.

In July, the State Department announced that H-1B holders and their H-4 dependents would no longer be permitted to renew visas in third countries from September 2 onward, forcing applicants to return to their home country for processing.

In September, Trump issued a proclamation imposing a one-time USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications.

While existing visa holders and petitions filed before September 19 are exempt, all new filings submitted on or after September 21  including entries into the 2026 lottery  must pay the fee.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The fee applies only to fresh applications and does not affect renewals already in progress, but immigration lawyers say it has added another layer of uncertainty for prospective applicants and employers.

Separately, the US government paused green card, citizenship, and other immigration applications for individuals from 19 countries of concern following the killing of National Guard soldiers by an Afghan national.

While India is not among those countries, the move reinforced perceptions of a broader clampdown on immigration pathways.

Some far-right supporters of the administration have called for the programmes elimination, arguing that it undercuts American workers.

Technology executives and industry groups, particularly in Silicon Valley, have pushed back, describing H-1B professionals as essential to innovation and competitiveness.

With inputs from agencies
From micro-loans to market stalls and digital storefronts, women-led collectives are reshaping Indias grassroots economy even as systemic roadblocks remain. Heres a closer look.

At a bustling fairground in India, Saroj tends to curious customers drawn by the aroma of traditional sweets. Once confined to dairy farming in her village, she now leads a team of women as an entrepreneur, crafting a new narrative of rural enterprise. With stories like hers at the fore, a quiet revolution is brewing in the rural economy of India.

Across the country, over 12 million Self-Help Groups (SHGs), of which nearly 88 per cent are women-led, are transforming rural women from informal labourers into micro-entrepreneurs, artisans, and leaders.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

But behind the success stories and record sales lies a more complex question: can these collectives scale sustainably, bridge structural inequities, and what is required to offer a solution to Indias stagnating female labour force participation?

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2025), approximately 71.6 per cent of rural women are self employed. Despite this important contribution to the countrys economy, women have very limited access to social safety nets and suffer from systemic disadvantages that prevent them from escaping the grip of poverty despite their dedicated hard work.

Genesis of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

In the 1970s and 1980s, the concept of wage-based employment began to emerge not just as a form of livelihood, but as a right. An essential form of support aimed at creating systems where dignified employment could be guaranteed. It wasnt only about providing working capital; it was also about offering freedom from exploitative or demeaning forms of labour.

After the initial phase of capital infusion, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) which proliferated in the early 1990s began to rely on a revolving fund model. Evidence from that period shows that most SHGs utilized this revolving fund primarily to meet their everyday livelihood needs. Over time, this approach reflected a growing demand for autonomy and economic self-reliance among rural women.

The World Bank terms Self-Help Groups as a unique and dominant model of financial inclusion in India, particularly for women and micro enterprises. At the very basic level, the idea of a self-help group is the ability to help ones own self. The aim is to instill financial literacy in rural women and support them to use their skills to attain financial independence.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Firstpost spoke to Dr. Ruchira Bhattacharya at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to unpack the ground realities of this initiative. In a virtual conversation, Dr. Bhattacharya explains, Self Help Group-based programs promulgate the collective movement by strengthening the federations toward higher order, linking them with banks, supply channels, markets and monitoring their progress.

Apart from giving finance and capital for womens livelihood and income, an equally important part of the micro-finance collectives is capacity building, awareness creation and empowerment of its recipients - i.e. women.

Womens groups offer both direct and indirect pathways to economic empowerment, making them an exciting tool for policy practitioners and implementers seeking to further womens economic interests in South Asia, states the World Bank.

Digital Leap: A double-edged sword?

Beyond just a government scheme, this initiative has garnered attention for its focus on helping women to channelise their skills and creativity to earn a livelihood. Recently, several E-commerce companies, including Amazon and Flipkart, have agreed to provide a space for the products made by these women.

For instance, Amazon Saheli, an Amazon initiative to bring to the fore locally made products from women entrepreneurs, has officially partnered with Self-Help groups for training, marketing support, and enhancing customer visibility.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

As of July 2025, well over nine million Self Help Groups have been formed in India as per data provided by the Ministry of Rural Development. Platforms like E-SARAS which is an E-commerce App tailored for self-help groups, leverages digital technology to empower craftswomen.

The sales are ever-expanding as the Saras Ajeevika Mela, an open fair for product display and sales, broke a 26-year-old record by registering sales of 80 million rupees at the India International Trade Fair held in November last year, said the Ministry. The self-help groups are now eyeing export potential with the help of global E-commerce platforms. However, data on export sales are yet to be released.

With the help of digital platforms, women in our community are able to earn a livelihood and gain access to the market to showcase our skills, said Shalini Soni, a Self-help group leader in India, known for crafting exquisite traditional handbags.

Providing digital inclusion is just the first step in the journey. Many women who are part of these self-help groups do not have formal training to make any product. For instance, if a collective makes pickles, no two bottles will likely be the same; therefore, quality control becomes a huge hindrance.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Shedding light on this Dr. Bhattacharya opines, Digital marketplaces have been extremely beneficial for Self-Help Groups that have formalized into companies and built recognizable brands. But for smaller SHGs, sudden exposure to intense digital competition can be detrimental, putting immense pressure on capacity and quality. Its not a black-and-white picture.

Redefining Work and Womanhood

When the word  Entrepreneurship comes to mind, an image of a corporate set-up is likely to pop-up. However, this notion is up for a transformation as women from remote villages in India are coming out of the closed doors, reviving traditional arts and crafts and travelling all over the country to sell their products.

One such woman is Neelam Yadav from Pataudi, Haryana. She began her journey in 2017 with a group of eleven women, her products are now known across the country.

I started Dev-Mahila SHG with pool-funding. After a few years, we took a loan from a Gramin bank (Rural bank) and created our own brand of pickles and spices using the traditional recipes of our mothers and grandmothers. Today, we travel to different fairs and marketplaces to sell them.

Like Neelam, several women in India are running small-scale businesses and, in some cases, they are also the key breadwinners in their families.

A recent study published in the Journal of Population Economics by Deshpande, Khanna, and Walia (2024) titled An Indian Enigma? Labour market impacts of the worlds largest livelihoods program finds that SHG membership is positively associated with labour force participation and employment of rural women. The study further states, We also find evidence that SHG membership is associated with a shift towards self-employment and a crowd-out of casual work among the employed.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Setting an example for the women of her village, Saroj from Gurugram, Haryana balances her household activities of Animal Husbandry and dessert-making for her Self-Help Group.

Self Help groups have really helped us come out of our homes, where we were restricted to household chores and child-rearing. Talking about the significance of skill-based training, Saroj has witnessed positive growth in her earnings, My income has increased from 10 thousand rupees to nearly 35 thousand rupees per month in the past few years.

Annual fairs like the SARAS Ajeevika Mela are a crucial time for all the Self Help Groups across India as these fairs attract immense footfalls, thus making it a key platform for product showcase and brand building.

Left to Right: Saroj at her food stall in the Saras Ajeevika Mela, Noida. Credit/Saroj, Shalini at her bag workshop in Rajasthan. Credits/ Shalini

Apart from this, diverse forms of handloom, handicraft, and organic food products also uplift the rich cultural heritage of India. Exquisite jewellery, traditional delicacies, fabrics, spices, and souvenirs find pride of place in these stalls bustling with excitement.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Evidence points to a link between SHG mobilization and political participation and leadership of women. Javed, Zahra and Boudet in a study titled, What do we know about interventions to increase womens economic participation and empowerment in South Asia?, find that collective groups can positively affect womens savings, civic inclusion (meaning participation in political and social life), and social capital, but are less successful in improving incomes and labour market participation, especially among programs operating at scale.

In an email conversation with Firstpost, the head of Self-Employed Womens Association of India (SEWA) and award-winning social worker, Reema Nanavaty, noted that work and skill are extremely important to make the role of women and girls more meaningful and productive.

While the economy of scale seems to have a dead end as far as the growth of the self-help groups is concerned, the economy of scope has massive potential but not without policy interventions and structural changes. As of this date, most of the self-help groups are not in a position to prosper independently without state support.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Nanavaty opines, There is a need to build economic organisations based on the skills or resources locally available. This needs long-term investment of time and resources along with institutional commitment. She further asserts, Institutions like the World Bank need to work with organisations like SEWA in designing projects, funding of activities flows accordingly that enables womens leadership to grow.

Systemic Limits and Global Ambitions

While several avenues have opened up with the support of government funding for export marketing, the road to cross-border sales is rockier than what meets the eye.

There are SHGs that have reached a point where theyre selling handcrafted products in international markets. These groups have completed all statutory requirements, found the right channels, and built a global reputation. In that sense, the potential is real and visible, opines Dr. Bhattacharya.

She notes that policy mechanisms are taking gradual strides to peddle such transitions. There are schemes and programs not just for SHGs but for Indias artisan communities, particularly tribal groups. For instance, the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED) organizes marketing events that connect artisans to export markets. Fairs like SARAS have international versions as well, creating opportunities for SHGs to showcase their products abroad.

However, low levels of federation, quality control issues and market access limitations are some of the pressing challenges before the SHG-led initiatives for Global proliferation.

It is interesting that despite the current ramifications, Dr. Bhattacharya is not ready to take a pessimistic view on the situation as she argues, Things are evolving. And if a few SHGs can reach this level, then with the right policy push and sustained support, many others can follow.

To realise its full potential, Ananya Seth in the Harvard International Review asserts, microfinance must address its operational challenges, ensure that it benefits the most vulnerable communities, and expand its scope to include skill development and business support services.

Drivers of Change

The success of Self-help groups, however, doesnt just hinge on loans or financial independence. Nanavaty states, Our experience has shown that with organizing large numbers of low-income women, a holistic, integrated approach is essential. Giving women a voice through the self-confidence that comes from economic independence is very empowering.

The true impact is often intangible and indirect. Nanavaty notes that mobilisation of women into formal collectives brings in a sense of solidarity and sisterhood.

Empowering women through Self-Help Groups isnt only about financial independence. Its also about building equity within households by reducing intra-household differences in bargaining power and giving women more say in how resources are used.

Hearing the Quiet Revolution

As gender-based stereotypes and exploitative norms are being shown the exit with the help of financial empowerment, a new generation of rural women is emergingnot just as workers, but as leaders and entrepreneurs.

Saroj, for instance, now earns enough to send all her children to quality schools, an outcome that signals real, transformative change. Yet, while these stories are powerful, they are still too few.

The scale of Indias SHG movement is vast, but sustainable, systemic empowerment remains uneven. Many women remain on the margins, and the leap from survival entrepreneurship to scalable enterprise is fraught with structural and market barriers. Platforms like Stories from the Field, a podcast by the South Asia Gender Innovation Lab, offer a window into this evolving landscape.

Despite all challenges, it is true that women-led SHGs in India have sown a seed of change for the society that stands at the cross-sections of economics and empowerment. While the journey is far longer than where it stands today and the questions of labour force participation and mainstreaming of women-led enterprises still need major inquiry,

India places a firm bet on its women entrepreneurs as one of the key drivers of the rural economy.

Gates Foundation which is closely associated with Indias self-help group initiatives puts it, As India surges toward its goal of being among the three largest economies in the world, with a GDP of $5 trillion and more by 2030, the countrys SHGs and its women will continue to be significant contributors to this goal and help themselves and a million others imagine a better future.
The visit comes amid ongoing relief operations and diplomatic engagement to help Sri Lanka recover from the natural disaster.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Sri Lanka on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modis special envoy, as India continues to support the island nation after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread damage.

The visit comes amid ongoing relief operations and diplomatic engagement to help Sri Lanka recover from the natural disaster.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the trip highlights Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and builds on the extensive humanitarian assistance India has already provided under Operation Sagar Bandhu.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Indias heavy-lift humanitarian response

India was the first country to respond to Sri Lankas appeal for help, sending substantial aid and relief supplies after Cyclone Ditwah struck the island. Since late November, New Delhi has dispatched more than 1,134 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, medical equipment, and other essentials, according to MEA officials.

Indian naval ships, such as INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, INS Sukanya and several Landing Craft Utility vessels, have delivered relief material to Colombo and Trincomalee, while Air Force and Army teams helped with search, rescue and medical care operations across affected areas.

An 85-member Indian Army field hospital in Mahiyanganaya provided emergency medical services to more than 7,000 patients, reflecting the scale of Indias coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis.

Sri Lankan officials and citizens have expressed appreciation for Indias swift action. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath wrote on X:

Thank you, my friend @DrSJaishankar, for the assistance at this hard time.

  https://t.co/T1CY92rutx  Vijitha Herath (@HMVijithaHerath) November 29, 2025

Former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mohamed Uvais Mohamed Ali Sabry also thanked India for the cyclone relief, reinforcing the strength of bilateral ties during an emergency.

Whats next in Colombo

During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet Sri Lankas top leaders to discuss ongoing aid coordination, long-term recovery planning and further cooperation under Indias Neighbourhood First framework. The trip also signals New Delhis commitment to supporting Sri Lanka not just in disaster response but in strengthening regional partnerships.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The recent Sydney Bondi Beach attack, where two gunmen carried out mass shootings on the beach, specifically targeting the Jewish community. However, what was concerning about this terror attack was the ISIS influence. According to a report, one of the Bondi Beach gunmen came to the attention of Australias domestic intelligence agency six years ago for his close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State (IS) terrorism cell. The report further stated that two IS flags were found in their car at Bondi Beach. This attack occurred almost 24 hours after the ISIS ambush in Syria, which killed three Americans and two US soldiers.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Same Design

Almost last year, a 42-year-old US Army veteran, Shamsud Din Jabbar, crashed a Ford F-150 pickup truck into a crowd-packed street celebrating New Years in New Orleans and then exited the vehicle and opened fire on the crowd. According to reports, this attack has resulted in the killing of at least 15 people and the injury of more than 30. This kind of lone wolf attack on US soil came after almost eight years. The last was in the 2017 New York City truck attack, where eight people were killed and 12 were injuredISIS then took responsibility.

However, since last year, the terror dynamics have changed, and this recent attack has perhaps indicated a dangerous shift in Islamic States striking pattern.

Lone Wolf Attacks

ISIS exhibits a typical pattern of attackssuicide bombings and lone wolf assaults, with the former being more frequent since the twin bombing in Iran in January of last year and the Moscow concert hall attack. Over the past year, ISIS has carried out high-intensity terror strikes, primarily through bombings, especially as its capabilities have diminished. The last reported lone wolf attack in a metropolitan area occurred the previous year in Solingen, Germany, where a Syrian ISIS member stabbed three men during a festival.

Similarly, two lone wolf attacks occurred in October 2023 in France and Belgium. The assessment indicates that ISIS was unable to carry out a deadly lone wolf attack in the West like the one in France in July 2016, where a truck ploughed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day, resulting in 86 deaths and injuring 434 people.

Most ISIS strikes occurred in Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, mainly involving suicide bombings or coordinated mass shootings. In Western countries, ISIS attacks were fewer and largely involved stabbings, which can be understood as multiple lone-wolf attempts or, in some cases, large-scale, coordinated lone-wolf attacks such as those in Paris in November 2015 and July 2016.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Limited Capabilities

Since 2017, ISISs capabilities have started diminishing after the US intensified its counter-terrorism operations against it. The US ongoing Operation Inherent Resolve has achieved notable successes against the terror organisation, leading to significant losses in its presence from 2017 to 2019.

In 2019, ISIS was defeated in Syria and Libya. In October of that year, the United States killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during Operation Kayla Mueller. In 2023, the United States killed several senior Islamic State leaders and detained around 79 of its members. US counter-ISIS operations have fragmented the group, effectively eliminating its capacity to conduct over-the-horizon attacks against the West. As a result, its presence has been limited to Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, where most high-intensity attacks over the past one to two years have occurred. The most significant setback for ISIS came earlier, in October 2016, when the US killed the groups intelligence and external operations chief, Abu Muhammad al-Adnani.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The killing of Adnani had significantly affected ISISs striking and recruitment capabilities, which limited high-intensity strikes on Western soil. Multiple major blows between 2016 and 2020, and again in 2023, weakened ISIS, but the possibility of a resurgence was not taken seriously. The pattern also suggests that whenever ISISs influence appears to be declining, it has sought to send a message to the West by carrying out high-intensity terrorist attacks in West African or Middle Eastern countries.

Resurgence and Shift in Pattern

The US-led coalition against ISIS has intensified its operations against the organisations limited and fragmented presence for a year, conducting 200 missions against Daesh since January 2024. According to reports, the US-led forces have killed 44 ISIS terrorists and detained around 166. Despite intensified operations, the organisation maintains a tight grip on its fragmented network and has attempted to capitalise on various opportunities to resurge.

Three primary reasons have contributed to the periodic resurgence of Daesh:

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The US shifting focus on Iran due to the Israel-Hamas conflict

Increased destabilisation in Syria and West Africa, and the eventual fall of the Syrian Government

ISISs Khorasans increasing freedom of operation in South and Central Asia, especially in Afghanistan.

These three reasons have directly or indirectly facilitated ISISs regrouping at the regional level, providing the outfit with occasional opportunities to carry out low-intensity terror strikes worldwide.

The fall of the Assad government last year and the mobilisation of various Islamic coalitions in Syria have given ISIS, especially Khorasanis, a window to resurgence and to enhance their capabilities to strike.

However, the resurgence factor is not the only concern; a potential shift in ISISs striking pattern could also be significant and worrisome, enabling Daesh to demonstrate its capabilities while managing its resurgence.

Shift in Striking Pattern

Islamic State terror strikes can be classified into three patterns. The first is direct, in which ISIS carries out attacks. The second involves ISIS enabling an attack and indirectly participating, as seen in the 2015 Texas attack, where one attacker who opened fire at a community centre was in contact with ISIS through encrypted texts. Third is inspired, where individuals carry out lone wolf attacks on their own after becoming self-radicalised through ISIS online propaganda, such as the 2016 France attack, in which a self-radicalised man drove a vehicle into a crowd and opened fire, killing 80 people and injuring around four hundred. Later, ISIS claimed responsibility, but the driver had no direct link to ISIS.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A critical incident was the 2017 Stockholm attack, where a similar vehicle ramming occurred by a self-radicalised man who was later arrested; in this case, however, ISIS did not claim responsibility. During 2017, ISIS was under intense pressure, and its presence and capabilities were significantly weakened, helping US-led coalition forces to defeat ISIS in Iraq by the end of the year.

Similarly, ISIS is once again under pressure in Syria from US air strikes while seeking opportunities to resurge. In such a situation, it can be argued that ISIS may have resorted to enhancing online propaganda and carrying out inspired attacks without direct involvement.

The reason for such a change in Daeshs striking pattern is to ensure resurgence and maintain limited strike capabilities without exposing itself, thereby avoiding an immediate retaliatory and offensive response from the US, which could harm Daeshs chances of resurging in Syria and elsewhere. If left unchecked, a new wave of ISIS terror could emerge, potentially being dangerously lethal because the detection of such inspired attacks is quite minimal.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

(Srijan Sharma is a national security analyst specialising in intelligence and security analysis, having wide experience working with national security and foreign policy think tanks. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
A crowd gathers outside the office of the daily 'Prothom Alo', which was set on fire by protesters after news arrived from Singapore of the death of prominent activist Sharif Osman Hadi, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 19, 2025. AP

Bangladesh is on the streets  quite literally. Baying for the blood of its enemies, perceived or real.

Of course, Bharat remains the principal adversary. But since direct confrontation is neither feasible nor sustainable for Bangladesh, surrogate enemies are identified and attacked instead. Hindu minorities are the easiest targets. Yet even they no longer suffice to satiate a mob intoxicated by hatred. And so, newer enemies are discovered.

In the process, the Islamist mob has declared war not merely on sections of society, but on the country itself  destroying state buildings, institutions, archives, and even history and legacy. This is not a simple law-and-order breakdown. It is the culmination of a long ideological confrontation, compounded by religious frenzy, historical amnesia, and inflamed by Pakistani-American geostrategic manipulation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

One cannot examine the fall of Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent installation of Muhammad Yunus without acknowledging the unmistakable fingerprints of Western intervention, particularly that of the United States. Washingtons longstanding discomfort with the Hasina government stemmed from her strategic choices of keeping the Americans at bay while maintaining close ties with Delhi and simultaneously deepening economic engagement with Beijing. For a United States increasingly obsessed with containing China, Hasinas Bangladesh became a problem waiting to be fixed.

The rhetoric deployed was familiar: calls for free and fair elections, the establishment of credible democratic institutions, and the restoration of democratic norms. Such language has often served as a prelude to regime change across Asia, Africa and Latin America. The irony, however, is that this supposed defence of democracy frequently ends up empowering the most anti-democratic forces on the ground.

Bangladesh is no exception. The American push for democracy in Dhaka has seen US officials openly engaging with Jamaat-e-Islami leadersan organisation that advocates Islamisation, Shariah rule, and the erasure of minority rights, if not minorities themselves. The notion that democracy can be midwifed through alliances with Islamist forces may appear bizarre, but history suggests it is anything but unprecedented.

Yet, responsibility does not lie solely with Western actors. Sheikh Hasinas own miscalculations contributed significantly to her downfall. Her approach to Islamism was selective  decisive in some instances, hesitant and even dubious in others. While she prosecuted several collaborators and war criminals, many more were left untouched in the hope they could be managed.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

As Deep Halder, Jaideep Mazumdar and Sahidul Hasan Khokon write in Inshallah Bangladesh, quoting Rezwana Karim Snigdha of Dhakas Jahangirnagar University: One of the things Hasina had promised us was laws for the empowerment of the women of Bangladesh. Instead, she negotiated with the radical Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and pushed the country back into the hands of the very fundamentalists she had vowed to fight.

Inshallah Bangladesh: The Story of an Unfinished Revolution. Authors: Deep Halder, Jaideep Mazumdar, Sahidul Hasan Khokon. Publisher: Juggernaut

Comprising mainly Sunni clerics heading a network of 19,199 Quami madrassas and their students, Snigdha adds, Hefazat, with Hasinas backing, tore apart bit by bit not just the secular fabric of Bangladesh. Before 2008, there werent many madrasas in Dhaka. Now every lane has a madrasa  and all credit goes to Hasina.

This was a fatal misreading. Islamism possesses a long historical memory and a deep sense of grievance. Hasina was wrong to believe it could be managed, if not neutralised, through accommodation. Jamaat-e-Islami was never dismantled  only driven underground, where it steadily infiltrated state institutions, including the bureaucracy and the army. When the opportunity arose, betrayal  whether by individuals or by the system itself  was inevitable.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

This does not absolve Bharat of its own errors. Its policymakers have consistently failed to assess Bangladesh dispassionately, often looking at it through ideological-moralistic prisms. In the process, they have ignored that Bangladesh shares fundamental ideological traits with Pakistan; neither can be considered normal states. In fact, the roots of political Islam in Bangladesh run deeper than in Pakistan  a reality insufficiently acknowledged within Bharats politico-academic establishment.

It is no coincidence that the Muslim League was founded in Dhaka in 1906. Nor that some of the most brutal pre-Partition violence occurred in Bengal. Nor even that the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings were deliberately timed (August 16) to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Badr  a foundational Islamic victory symbolising triumph against numerical odds.

These ideological undercurrents did not disappear after 1971. Just two years after leading a bloody struggle for liberation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman found no hesitation in realigning with Islamabad. In 1974, he went to the extent of according Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto a state welcome that eclipsed the reception given to the then President of Bharat, VV Giri, only days earlier.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

This was no accident. It reflected an ideological shift. Mujibs Bengali nationalism steadily gave way to pan-Islamic overtones. His post-liberation rhetoric increasingly emphasised Muslim identity. The man who once said, I am a human being first, then a Bengali, and then a Muslim, had reversed the order, signalling a redefinition of the nations soul.

The most tragic victims of this transformation have been Bangladeshs Hindus. Their predicament is uniquely devastating. Unlike Muslims or Christians, Hindus have only one civilisational refuge  Bharat. Yet that refuge has largely remained indifferent to their suffering.

The most damning truth is that persecution has not been confined to Islamist regimes. Even so-called liberal governments presided over dispossession, discrimination, and demographic erosion. For Hindu and Bharatiya interests alike, the Hasina and Yunus regimes differ only in method, not outcome  one providing halal-like death, slow but excruciating; the other promising a faster, dramatic but macabre jhatka-like death. No wonder, under Hasinas secular regime, a study by a Dhaka University professor warned that if current trends continued, no Hindus would remain in Bangladesh within 30 years.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

For Delhi, this crisis must serve as a strategic wake-up call. Romantic idealism about good-neighbourly relations with Bangladesh should be buried for good. Goodwill, economic concessions and restraint have not translated into security or minority protection.

The plight of minorities under Yunuss Bangladesh is unsettling. But this does not demand reckless adventurism. It demands clarity. Delhi must abandon the illusion that Dhakas contradictions can be resolved through diplomacy and economic concessions alone. Strengthening borders, fortifying defences, applying calibrated pressure, and preparing for prolonged instability are acts of prudence, not hostility.

Perhaps it is time to go beyond the current limits of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As Kanchan Gupta suggests to the authors of Inshallah Bangladesh, the country must consider a law  akin to Israels Law of Return  that enables any Hindu to legally return to Bharat as its citizens, with some checks and balances. This would reaffirm Bharats civilisational identity, long suppressed under Nehruvian secularism.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

More importantly, the country must confront the unfulfilled promise of Partition. While minorities in Bharat have prospered, those in Pakistan and Bangladesh have faced existential decline. The time has come to consider the idea of a separate homeland for Hindus in Bangladesh  for both minority protection and Bharats national security. History reminds us that Chittagongs people wanted to join Bharat. That opportunity was squandered by the countrys political leadership then, leaving the Northeast landlocked and vulnerable.

Today, as Bangladesh descends into chaos, Bharat must be prepared to take a maximalist positionand history offers precedent. In the early 1950s, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, echoing a proposal Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had made a year and a half earlier, argued that by the logic of Partition, India should demand one-third of East Pakistans territory: We must tell them: if you turn out one-third of the population from Eastern Bengal give us one-third of your territory.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

That logic remains relevant.

Yunuss Bangladesh is imploding under unresolved ideological contradictions. Bharat should neither attempt to rescue it nor feign surprise. History warned us. Opportunities for correction were offered. We chose not to listen.

To ignore these warnings now  when Bharat already faces a 2.5-front challenge  would be catastrophic. The country cannot afford to sit idle while the enemy plans to turn it into a 3.5-front war.

(Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
India has streamlined its business visa process to facilitate the movement of foreign engineers and technicians, aiming to attract more Chinese professionals. By cutting red tape and accelerating the issuance of Chinese business visas, India takes a significant step towards strengthening economic and professional ties between the two Asian giants.

As Indias relations with the US strained under Donald Trumps tariff regime, the country is now more open to enhancing bilateral economic engagement with China. Amid the US-China trade wars, Indias decision to ease visa rules for Chinese professionals offers a vital boost to its economic ambitions.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The reform simplifies the business visa regime for foreign engineers and technicians, particularly those from China, facilitating the movement of specialists needed for factory installations, maintenance, and production lines, while also benefiting Indian companies importing machinery and technical equipment from China. Most Indian businesses rely on Chinese professionals for such services. The removal of red tape follows Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to China earlier this year, his first in seven years.

India must balance national security with economic imperatives to thrive as a global powerhouse. By welcoming skilled talent across borders, the country strengthens its sovereignty through self-reliance built on collaboration. This marks a strategic evolution.

India had virtually halted all Chinese visits as bilateral relations deteriorated amid rising border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, culminating in the 2020 Galwan clashthe first deadly confrontation between the two countries since 1975. However, relations between the neighbours have gradually improved through diplomacy and dialogue, with both nations recently agreeing to resume direct flights for the first time since 2020.

Tight visa restrictions for Chinese professionals previously caused significant losses to Indian electronics makers, who depend on critical machinery from China. According to reports, many Chinese companies struggled to obtain Indian visas. This reform provides a targeted boost, fostering technology transfer that could enhance the skills of the Indian workforcefor example, imagine Chinese engineers training Indian counterparts at a Hyderabad EV plant. The move acts as a multiplier: faster project rollouts mean quicker revenue, job creation, and greater supply chain resilience against external shocks.

Prime Minister Modis cautious engagement with China signals strategic maturity. By strengthening economic ties, India positions itself as a bridge in a fractured world, attracting investment and accelerating its pivot to high-value manufacturing. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)s digital module ensures transparency, reducing corruption risks and building trust. In an age of AI and renewables, no nation innovates in isolation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Critics may point to lingering border tensions and espionage concerns, while nationalists might argue it risks undermining Indias self-reliance by over-relying on foreign expertise.

Yet this visa reform embodies pragmatic progress. As India charts its rise, leaders and policymakers should continue to take bold steps cautiously, while citizens embrace the collaborative spirit that propels nations forward. True strength lies not in walls, but in bridges wisely built.

(The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The no free lunch dilemma highlights domestic risks for Gen Asim Munir: saying yes to Washingtons demands to send troops to Gaza could spark backlash from Islamist parties and destabilise Pakistan, while saying no could strain relations with the US

US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, in Washington, DC, US, on September 26, 2025. Third Party via PTI

There is no such thing as a free lunch is a popular adage meaning that it is impossible to get something for nothing. The saying originated from a 19th-century practice in American saloons where a free lunch was offered to customers who purchased at least one drink. The food was often very salty (ham, crackers, cheese) to make patrons thirsty so they would buy more beer. The price of the drinks was high enough to cover the free food, ensuring the saloon still made a profit.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Recently, the phrase there are no free lunches has become a central theme in discussions regarding Pakistans Army Chief and first-ever Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. This sentiment largely stems from his unprecedented diplomatic engagement with US President Donald Trump. On June 18, 2025, President Trump hosted General Asim Munir for a private lunch at the White House. It was the first time a US president met a Pakistani army chief alone, without accompanying civilian leaders who had not officially taken power through a coup.

Munir perhaps did realise that there are no free lunches, and that the US would expect significant strategic concessions from Pakistan in exchange for this high-level recognition. The relationship between Trump and Munir began to turn transactional.

While formal diplomatic concessions are often framed as strategic, many specific gestures have been characterised as personal or private deals that directly benefit the business interests of the Trump family or the personal status of Munir.

One of the most notable concessions involves the Trump familys business ventures. Pakistan signed a letter of intent to cooperate on blockchain and stablecoin adoption with World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company founded by Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump.

Asim Munir then engaged with Trump using tangible assets that appeal to Trumps preference for flashy optics and tangible deals. During a White House visit in September 2025, Munir personally presented Trump with a box of rare earth mineral samples from Pakistans deposits, valued at $6 million according to the Pakistan governments assessment. Following this meeting, the US EXIM Bank approved $1.25 billion in financing for the Reko Diq copper-gold mining project. Analysts suggest this military-led sales pitch ensures the Pakistani militarynot civilian institutionsoversees and protects American investment in the sector.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In the latter half of 2025, the transactional nature of the relationship had evolved into specific demands from the US side, which must surely have made Gen Munir quite uncomfortable. On September 29, 2025, Trump proposed a 20-point peace plan for Gaza that includes the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) composed primarily of troops from Muslim-majority nations. Trumps plan envisions the ISF overseeing security, reconstruction, and the disarmament of Hamas during a transition period. He has emphasised that there will be no US boots on the ground for this mission.

The US reportedly started exerting pressure on Pakistan to contribute troops to a Gaza stabilisation force as part of Trumps Gaza peace plan. Trump has reportedly himself asked Asim Munir to contribute troops to the ISF. On December 19, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Pakistan had offered to consider being part of the stabilisation force. He emphasised that Pakistan is key to the plan.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Pakistani government has officially stated it has not yet taken a decision in this matter. The Foreign Office has said that while they are open to discussions, they have specific conditions, and that disarming Hamas would not be the responsibility of Pakistani troops.

No doubt, sending troops to Gaza would be highly sensitive domestically. Public sentiment in Pakistan is strongly pro-Palestinian, and any involvement in a US-backed plan that could be seen as policing Gaza for Israel faces a potential backlash from Islamist parties.

Munir is facing a critical strategic dilemma as President Trump presses for Pakistani troop contributions to an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza. Thus, the no free lunch aspect reflects domestic risks for Munir, for saying yes to US demands to send troops to Gaza could cause Pakistan to implode due to backlash from Islamist parties, while saying no could cause relations with Trump to explode.

In conclusion, while the US has characterised Pakistans response as an offer, the Pakistani government has claimed that a final decision is still pending. Pakistani officials, including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, have indicated they would participate in peacekeeping but would not support a mandate to forcibly disarm Hamas. Munir faces significant internal risks, as any perceived cooperation with Israel or the US in Gaza could spark a domestic political backlash. Clearly, it is a proverbial case of having to choose between the devil and the deep sea!

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

(The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
As India races to test delivery drones, logistics firms promise speed from the skiesbut high costs and worker anxieties cloud the future of street-level deliveries.

Across Indias crowded cities, delivery riders weave through traffic, tracked relentlessly by apps even as they keep the urban economy moving. Yet while they remain indispensable, logistics companies are already scanning the skies for their next breakthrough. As India joins the global race to launch delivery drones, one message is becoming clear: speed may soar, but costs wont come down easily.

Logistics firms in India and overseas are testing drones as a potential alternative to traditional delivery networks. Promoted as faster and more efficient, drone deliveries are being rolled out in pilot stages across multiple markets. Yet behind the push lies a financial reality that remains difficult to ignore. For now, the economics do not favour drones, raising doubts about their ability to replace bikes and vans and fuelling unease among gig workers concerned about automation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

From remote healthcare to urban logistics

Drones have already been part of Indias delivery system, primarily in healthcare. For years, they have been used to transport blood packets, vaccines and diagnostic samples to locations that are difficult to reach by road. In these situations, drones make economic sense. Poor infrastructure, long travel distances and limited transport options often make ground delivery slow and costly, while a direct aerial route can save both time and money.

The challenge emerges when companies try to extend these operations into crowded urban areas. According to a Nikkei report, several firms are preparing to expand drone-based shipping within Indian cities, banking on the idea that automation will eventually reduce expenses and lessen reliance on large delivery workforces.

This shift is not limited to India. In the US, companies such as Walmart and Amazon are testing drone deliveries in selected locations. Similar pilot programmes are under way in Ireland and Israel. In Tel Aviv, one firm already carries out thousands of takeout deliveries each month using drones, showing that the model can function in dense city airspace.

High costs behind the promise of speed

Despite operational progress, profitability remains a major concern. Industry claims that drones will significantly reduce delivery costs have yet to be borne out. Independent estimates suggest the opposite. A McKinsey study found that delivering a single package by drone can cost as much as seven times more than delivering it by van.

Several factors drive these costs. Drones are costly to build and maintain, have limited carrying capacity and depend on advanced navigation, monitoring and safety systems. Human labour has not disappeared from the equation. Many operations still require trained personnel to oversee flights and intervene when issues arise.

Regulatory requirements further increase expenses. Urban drone deliveries must secure approvals from aviation authorities, meet strict safety norms and coordinate with local administrations. In Delhi, more than half of Indias National Capital Region is restricted airspace for drone deliveries. In addition, concerns around accidents, privacy and airspace congestion in busy cities slow expansion and raise costs.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

These financial realities matter because drones are not competing with inefficient systems. In Indian cities, they face competition from a vast workforce of low-paid delivery riders. Often migrants or young workers with limited alternatives, these riders form one of the most flexible and affordable labour pools in the urban economy. Replacing them with technology that is still significantly more expensive offers little immediate commercial advantage.

Even so, apprehension among workers is growing. Riders say they are already dealing with tighter incentives, declining per-order payments and algorithm-driven pressure to work longer hours for less pay. The introduction of drones, even on a limited scale, adds to uncertainty about what lies ahead.

Economists argue that large-scale job losses are unlikely in the near term precisely because drones remain costly. Vans and bikes continue to be cheaper, more adaptable and capable of completing multiple deliveries in a single trip. For now, drones are expected to supplement existing systems rather than replace them, serving specific routes, urgent deliveries or challenging terrain.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, the longer-term outlook remains uncertain. Companies investing in drone delivery are betting that costs will fall as technology improves, production expands and regulatory frameworks become clearer. Batteries are expected to become lighter, payloads heavier and automation more advanced, potentially altering the cost balance.

For consumers, cheaper deliveries remain more promise than reality. Companies testing drones are absorbing the high costs as part of research and development, rather than passing savings on to customers. At present, drones serve more as a signal of innovation than as a tool for lowering prices.

This leaves a central question hanging over the rise of drone deliveries: if the technology is faster but not cheaper, who bears the cost? For now, companies are absorbing losses in pursuit of future gains. For delivery workers watching these developments unfold, the concern is less about todays experiments and more about long-term job security.
After US President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to annex Greenland, Denmark summoned the US ambassador to convey its deep anger.

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media at Manhattan Supreme Court amid his hush money trial, in New York, US, May 7, 2024. (Photo: Curtis Means/Pool via Reuters)

After US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of a special envoy to annex Greenland, Denmark on Monday said it would summon the US ambassador to convey its deep anger.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was deeply angered by the move and warned the Trump administration to respect Denmarks sovereignty, according to AFP.

Rasmussen said the special envoys appointment and accompanying statements were totally unacceptable and said his ministry would call in the US ambassador in the coming days to get an explanation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty, said Rasmussen.

ALSO READ: Fewer than 20% Americans agree with Trump on annexing Greenland or Canada, finds Survey

Trump on Monday announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to annex Denmarks Greenland island. Following the announcement, Landry made it clear that Greenlands annexation will be his top priority.

Thank you, Donald Trump! Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana! Landry said on X.

The appointment of an envoy or a special envoy to a province or a region is almost unheard of in international relations as envoys are appointed either for a nation or multilateral organisations or specific causes. A sub-national appointment would be seen as blatant interreference in a countrys internal affairs.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump! Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!  Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) December 22, 2025

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Soon after winning the 2024 presidential election, Trump announced he would annex Greenland and threatened Denmark with an invasion if the countrys leadership would not surrender the island to the United States.

Greenland is among the many places that Trump vowed to annex at various points in his second term, such as the Panama Canal, the Gaza Strip, and the nation of Canada. For Greenland and Panama Canal, he repeatedly issued threats of invasions.

In his second term, Trump has unabashedly interfered in European countries domestic affairs by either promoting far-right figures to replace moderate governments, such as in Germany where the administration has put its weight behind far-right, neo-Nazi AfD in Germany and far-right National Rally in France.

Greenland is our country

After Trumps announcement, Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the appointment doesnt change anything for us here at home.

We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected, Nielsen said in a post on Facebook.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark. Trump is understood to be eyeing capturing the island because of probable onshore and offshore reserves of natural resources like oil, gas, and critical minerals or rare earth elements.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Trump administration has ramped up activities that have spooked Denmark. In August, the Danish government summoned the US charge daffaires after reports of attempted interference in Greenland emerged.

The charge daffaires was summoned after at least three US officials close to Trump were observed in Greenlands capital Nuuk trying to identify people for and against a rapprochement with the United States, according to AFP.
The session was convened under Malaysias chairmanship, following discussions earlier in the month between the prime ministers of the two countries and Malaysias leader as part of efforts to ease rising hostilities

Special Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting on the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (X)

Foreign ministers from Asean nations gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, for a special meeting focused on the ongoing border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

The session was convened under Malaysias chairmanship, following discussions earlier in the month between the prime ministers of the two countries and Malaysias leader as part of efforts to ease rising hostilities.

Secretary-General joins deliberations

At the invitation of Malaysias foreign minister, Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn attended the meeting, lending additional diplomatic weight to the talks. His participation underscored Aseans collective commitment to peaceful dialogue and regional stability, in line with the organisations charter and long-standing principles for resolving disputes through diplomacy and cooperation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (SAMM) on the Current Situation between Cambodia and Thailand, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Chaired by Malaysias Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Dato Seri pic.twitter.com/mrFs7cSBvs  ASEAN (@ASEAN) December 22, 2025

The meeting aimed to give Asean foreign ministers a platform to share views on the recent developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border, which has seen renewed clashes and heightened tensions despite previous ceasefire efforts.

#BREAKING: Thai FM @SihasakPh says Thailand and Cambodia agree to hold a meeting of the General Border Committee on military officer level on Dec 24 about a possible ceasefire after 2 full weeks of armed border clashes.



This comes after a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting pic.twitter.com/sMbOFXuBM3  Saksith Saiyasombut |   (@SaksithCNA) December 22, 2025

Both countries agreed to attend the special meeting after initial delays, signalling a willingness to engage at the regional level ahead of further negotiations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Calls for peace and diplomacy

Asean officials have focused on fostering mutual understanding and confidence between the two nations, encouraging steps toward de-escalation and respect for international law. Cambodias participation was framed as a reaffirmation of its commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and support for Asean unity and centrality in regional diplomacy.

The ministers are expected to explore potential ways Asean can support ongoing peace efforts, including confidence-building measures and dialogue mechanisms that can help prevent further escalation. For now, Aseans focus remains firmly on stabilising the situation and promoting long-term peace between its member states.
Amid ongoing anti-India campaign in the country, Bangladeshs High Commission in Delhi has suspended visa services till further notice.

Barricades put up outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on August 6, 2024. (Representative Photo, Credit: PTI)

Amid ongoing anti-India campaign in the country, Bangladesh has suspended visa services in Delhi till further notice.

All consular services and visa operations at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi and the Assistant High Commission in Tripuras Agartala have been suspended till further notice, according to Dhaka Tribune.

The newspaper reported that a senior official from Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the suspension on Monday evening.

The official reason for the suspension of services are protests against the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in the ongoing wave of political violence in Bangladesh. But, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), protests in India did not affect Bangladeshs mission in any manner.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

On the other hand, Indian mission in Bangladeshs Chattogram was attacked with stones in the presence of police. Visuals of the attack have also surfaced that are in sharp contrast with the protest in New Delhi that involved 20-25 people merely raising slogans.

Scenes outside Indian Mission in Chattogram 



A layman could easily find out in which country diplomats are safe & in which country their lives are at risk pic.twitter.com/nXiISUdGEf  Siddhant Mishra (@siddhantvm) December 21, 2025

Since the news of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in last years movement that ousted then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, broke last week, Bangladesh has currently in the grips of widespread violence and an anti-India campaign. Mobs have intensified the targeting of Indian missions that had begun shortly after Hadi was shot in Dhaka earlier this month.

Following the targeting of Assistant Indian High Commission in Chattogram, India on Sunday suspended consular services there till further notice.

Previously, India had similarly suspended visa services in Dhaka over targeting of the Indian High Commission, but services were later resumed.

For these multiple acts of violence, the Bangladeshi authorities have not yet taken any action except for saying that they have identified three persons involved in the attack on the Indian mission in Chattogram.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In a statement, interim ruler Muhammad Yunus office said that three individuals who attempted to create disorder near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram have been identified based on video footage.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus told the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia that the democratic process must continue despite the political tensions within the nation

The Muhammad Yunus regime has been accused of kowtowing to religious extremists since it came to power after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government

As Bangladesh grapples with unrest following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, the countrys interim leadership has announced that national elections will go ahead as planned on February 12, 2026.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus told the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia that the democratic process must continue despite the political tensions gripping the nation.

Election Will Be Held on Time, Chief Adviser Tells US Special Envoy



DHAKA, December 22: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated his commitment to holding general elections on February 12.



"The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which  Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 22, 2025

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Its crucial that we hold the polls on time, Yunus said in remarks relayed through his office during a phone call with the envoy.

The February vote will include both parliamentary elections and a referendum on constitutional reforms enacted after last years upheavals.

Unrest after Hadis killing

Bangladesh has been rocked by widespread protests and violence since Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the 2024 student protests and an aspiring candidate in the upcoming election, died from gunshot wounds sustained in an assassination attempt.

Hadi, who was shot in Dhaka and later died in Singapore, had been a polarising figure whose death has sparked anger across the country.

The aftermath saw mobs vandalise major newspaper offices and cultural institutions, with reports of attacks on the Prothom Alo and Daily Star media buildings. Demonstrators also targeted symbols of political opposition and diplomatic sites, including Indias Assistant High Commission in Chattogram, swelling diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and its neighbour.

Security forces have been deployed throughout the capital Dhaka and other cities to contain the unrest, and the interim government declared a national day of mourning as tens of thousands attended Hadis funeral. Yunus and other officials called for calm while pledging justice for the activist.

The political crisis has also spilled into Bangladeshs foreign relations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

India temporarily suspended visa services at some centres amid concerns for its diplomatic missions, and New Delhi has expressed unease about the security situation.

With protests continuing and minority safety concerns rising, some journalists and political commentators have warned that the unrest sets a troubling precedent ahead of the elections.

Reaz Ahmad, senior Bangladeshi journalist and editor of Dhaka Tribune, sharply criticised the violence that followed the death of Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi, saying it revealed major lapses in law and order and sent the wrong signal ahead of the national elections.

Some fringe elements within the massive crowd expressing their grief and sympathies turned extremely violent, he told ANI.

Still, the Yunus administration insists the electoral timetable must be respected and that Bangladesh will uphold its democratic commitments despite the ongoing turmoil.
Bangladesh Nationalist Partys (BNP) veteran politician Nilofer Chowdhury Moni alleged that a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and prominent lawyer, Shishir Manir, had twice secured bail for a man who was accused of killing young Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi

An activist holds a poster of Sharif Osman Hadi, senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha who was killed. AFP

Bangladesh Nationalist Partys (BNP) veteran politician Nilofer Chowdhury Moni has made many heads turn after she alleged that a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and prominent lawyer, Shishir Manir, had twice secured bail for a man who was accused of killing young Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. She went on to claim that one of the bail bonds was secured just months before the assassination of the young activist.

The BNP politician made the allegation during a panel on a Bangladeshi television news channel. She argued that the prime suspect in the case had a legal history and alleged political links that should be scrutinised by the Bangladeshi interim government.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The man who fired at Hadi in an attempt to kill him  one must look at his background. Who bailed him out twice? Shishir Manir bailed him out twice. I am saying this with responsibility," Moni said during the programme.

Monis big allegation

During the panel discussion, Moni further alleged inconsistencies in the suspects arrests and releases. Who got caught with 17 lakh rupees? How did this happen twice within a month? We see accused getting caught, but never see them leaving custody. Twice he was bailed out, and on both occasions it was Jamaats lawyers," she said.

She also claimed that the suspected shooter had had links to multiple political groups. This boy was also part of Chhatra League and was also part of the Jamaat circle," Moni alleged, referring to Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir.

She went on to say that there is a risk to her life since she is making these claims. If I speak too much, I wont be able to go home safely. We did not oust Sheikh Hasina for this," Moni furthered.

The assassination that rocked Bangladesh

Earlier this month, Osman Hadi was killed by masked men, creating an uproar across Bangladesh. He was known as a vocal critic of India and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and was considered a key figure associated with the so-called July 2024 uprising.

Following his demise, which was announced six days after he was shot, members of Hadis family and several groups in Bangladesh, including outfits linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP), accused New Delhi of involvement in his murder.

However, it is pertinent to note that the Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies have rejected the allegations, saying there is no concrete evidence so far that the suspect crossed into India, as of Sunday.

We do not have any specific information about the last location. And regarding whether the accused crossed the border, we have no specific information on that. We have not been able to confirm that he crossed the border," Bangladeshs Special Branch chief Khandaker Rafiqul Islam and Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said during a joint press conference on Sunday evening.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, the death of the activist triggered nationwide protests and a riot-like situation in Bangladesh, with protesters vandalising the offices of media houses and the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
Islamabad and Dhaka are advancing a proposed Mutual Defence Agreement as military and diplomatic engagement deepens following renewed bilateral ties.

Pakistan and Bangladesh are reportedly moving toward a mutual defence agreement, raising a key question: can Bangladesh defend Pakistan? The initiative marks a significant shift in bilateral ties following renewed diplomatic and military engagement between the two nations.

A senior official in Pakistans Foreign Ministry told CNN-News18 that Islamabad and Dhaka have set up a joint mechanism to finalise the contents and draft of the proposed agreement. The move points to expanding military-to-military contacts and closer strategic coordination between the two South Asian nations. R

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Military engagement gathers pace

Senior diplomatic sources said Bangladeshs military establishment is keen to enter into a strategic and defence agreement with Pakistan, comparable to Pakistans defence cooperation arrangements with countries such as Saudi Arabia. Multiple rounds of talks have already taken place between the military leaderships of both sides to move the proposal forward.

In recent months, senior military officials from Pakistan and Bangladesh have exchanged frequent visits, underlining growing trust and cooperation. Officials from the army, air force, and navy of both countries have held several meetings this year, leading to the signing of multiple military memorandums of understanding covering training, capacity-building, and professional exchanges.

Elections, regional context and next steps

Sources said progress on the proposed agreement has been steady, but the final draft is expected to be completed after Bangladeshs general elections, allowing the next government to review and formally endorse the pact.

The acceleration in engagement follows a clear improvement in relations after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, with both countries moving quickly to restore diplomatic channels and defence cooperation.

In a wider regional context, a senior diplomatic source said at least eight countries have expressed interest in similar strategic and mutual defence arrangements with Pakistan, highlighting Islamabads expanding defence diplomacy and role in regional security cooperation.

If finalised, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Mutual Defence Agreement would mark one of the most significant strategic developments between the two countries in decades, with the potential to reshape security dynamics in South Asia.
The levies, which take effect from Tuesday, are part of an anti-subsidy investigation Beijing says shows EU support for its dairy industry is harming Chinas own producers

China has announced provisional tariffs on a range of European Union dairy products, including cheese and cream, marking the latest escalation in a widening trade dispute with the bloc.

The levies, which take effect from Tuesday, are part of an anti-subsidy investigation Beijing says shows EU support for its dairy industry is harming Chinas own producers, as per Reuters.

The move targets fresh and processed cheeses, curd, blue cheese, milk and high-fat cream  all key exports from EU countries. It is the latest step in a series of retaliatory trade measures between China and the EU, which have previously clashed over electric vehicles and other imports.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Preliminary findings showed a link

Chinas commerce ministry said the tariff rangespanning roughly 21.9% to 42.7%comes after a probe launched in August 2024. According to the ministry, preliminary findings showed a link between EU subsidies and substantial damage to Chinas domestic dairy industry.

That investigation was a result of complaints from Chinese dairy groups and mirrored earlier EU action against subsidised electric vehicle imports from China. In response, Beijing has conducted similar anti-subsidy and anti-dumping probes into European brandy, pork and now dairy products.

EU voices strong objection

EU officials were quick to denounce Chinas decision. A European Commission trade spokesman, as quotes by the Times of Malta, said the blocs view is clear: Our assessment is that the investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, and that the measures are therefore unjustified and unwarranted.

Brussels argues that the evidence China has presented so far does not justify such steep levies, and it is pushing for further dialogue through international trade mechanisms. The EU continues to advocate for reforms in how trade instruments are used, particularly around subsidies and market access.

The dairy tariffs are just the latest flashpoint in China-EU trade relations.

Talks between the two sides have resumed in recent weeks, especially around disagreements over electric vehicle tariffs and broader market-access issues, but major differences remain.

Beijings action comes amid what analysts describe as tit-for-tat measures that could strain an already fragile relationship.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Lawmakers submitted the draft Childcare Services Law to the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress for an initial review

A child holds on while riding on the back of a tricycle, 08 May 2007 in Beijing. (AFP)

China is taking a more structured approach to its childcare challenges, submitting a draft law meant to overhaul how childcare services operate across the country. The move is part of an effort to address the nations shrinking population and ease the financial strain on young families.

On Monday, lawmakers sent the Childcare Services Law draft to the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress for its first review, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The legislation, comprising eight chapters and 76 articles, would establish a national legal framework for childcare institutions and caregivers, with a particular focus on children under the age of three.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A fertility-friendly push

Official state media said that the bill is a cornerstone of Chinas efforts to create a more fertility-friendly society, reflecting the broader concern over a demographic downturn that could slow economic growth. According to reports, the draft aims to standardise services, improve quality and reduce the cost of early childcare, all seen as obstacles that deter couples from expanding their families.

The aim is to provide solid legal protection for the youngest and most vulnerable children, said one official commentary on the draft.

The legislation also tackles long-standing complaints about the childcare sector, including uneven quality, staff shortages and weak oversight, which have frustrated parents and limited access to reliable care.

Also read | China bets on an unusual demographic fix, raises tax on condoms to spark baby boom

Experts say law is a start, not a solution

Demographers and policy analysts have welcomed the initiative but warned that lawmaking is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

He Yafu, an independent demographer based in Guangdong, told the SCMP that high childcare costs and limited availability remain a major worry for dual-income families, and expanding access to affordable, inclusive childcare services could help ease this anxiety and boost fertility intentions.

However, he cautioned that simply passing a law isnt enough. He argued that additional incentivessuch as cash subsidies, tax breaks and extended parental leaveare also essential if China really wants to reverse its falling birth rate.

Chinas population has now declined for several consecutive years, leading authorities to experiment with a mix of policies aimed at encouraging births, from childcare support and tax incentives to subsidies for fertility treatments. Yet experts say that without substantial relief for everyday costs associated with raising children, many couples will remain reluctant to have more.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Pakistans Defence Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has said the country received divine intervention during its military confrontation with India in May, while also issuing a sharp message to Afghanistans Taliban regime over cross-border terrorism. His remarks come months after India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Munir made the comments at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad earlier in December, where he recited verses from the Quran and addressed regional security issues. Referring to the four-day military confrontation with India in May, he said Pakistans armed forces experienced divine intervention during what he described as Pakistans drubbing against India.

We felt it, he said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

May conflict and religious references

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes led to four days of intense military clashes between the two countries, which ended with an understanding to stop military actions on May 10.

During his address, Munir also drew parallels between Pakistan and the state established by the Prophet 1,400 years ago in the Arab region, present-day Saudi Arabia. He said there are 57 Islamic countries in the world and that among them, God gave us the honour of being the protectors of Haramain Sharifain, referring to Makkah and Madina.

Warning to Taliban over TTP

Munir urged the Afghan Taliban government to choose between Pakistan and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, stating that Afghan nationals make up a large share of terrorist infiltration across the border.

In the TTP formations coming [into Pakistan], 70 per cent are Afghans, he said. Is Afghanistan not spilling the blood of our Pakistani children? He repeated his call for the Taliban to decide between Pakistan and the TTP.

The defence chief also said that jihad in an Islamic state can only be authorised by the state itself.

No one can issue a fatwa for jihad without the order and permission and will of those vested with the authority, he said at the conference.
After receiving major backlash online and from the critics, the US Department of Justice said on Sunday that it had restored an image it removed a day earlier from the trove of Epstein Files.

After receiving major backlash online and from the critics, the US Department of Justice said on Sunday that it had restored an image it removed a day earlier from the trove of Epstein Files. The DoJ maintained that the photograph, which featured US President Donald Trump, was restored after it was concluded that it posed no risk of public exposure of the late convicted sex offender.

In its statement on Sunday, the Justice Department maintained that the image was flagged by federal prosecutors in New York for potentially exposing victims of Epstein. However, the departments unexplained removal on Saturday triggered a chorus of accusations from the Democrats about evident political interference in favour of the president, a former friend of Epstein.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review, the department said in a statement on X, formally known as Twitter. After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction," it furthered.

DoJ comes into Trumps defence

Earlier on Sunday, the US Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, made it clear that removing photos from Fridays Epstein files release, including one of Trump, has nothing to do with the president. He insisted that the images would most likely go back on the DoJ website if it is determined whether they need redaction.

Blanche noted that the 16 removals came at the request of victim advocacy groups. We dont have perfect information, Blanche told NBC News on Sunday. And so when, when we hear from victims-rights groups about this type of photograph, we pull it down and investigate.

Blanche stated that the investigation into the photos was ongoing, and they will go back up, with the only question being whether there will be redactions. Meanwhile, victims rights advocate Gloria Allred told CNN on Saturday that the system has failed the survivors, including with the release of files that may have been under-redacted.

I saw a number of survivors names which should never have been published, because the whole point is to protect the survivors, she told the outlet. The other concern I have also has to do with the images of some of the potential victims and survivors, that some of those images were not redacted, should have been redacted, and in some cases, the images may be of women unclothed. And that is completely unacceptable," she furthered. Hence, the controversy over the DoJs redactions in the Epstein Files remains.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised to Australias Jewish community as police detailed preparations behind the Bondi Beach mass shooting that left 15 people dead.

Addressing the nation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he felt a deep sense of responsibility for the attack. (File/AP)

Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday issued a formal apology to the countrys Jewish community following a mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, as police revealed new details about the planning behind the attack and transferred the lone surviving suspect to jail.

Addressing the nation, Albanese said he felt a deep sense of responsibility for the attack.

As Prime Minister, I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst Im Prime Minister, and Im sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced, he said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He added that the government would take sustained action to safeguard Jewish Australians.

The government will work every day to protect Jewish Australians, to protect the fundamental right as Australians that they have to be proud of who they are, to practice their faith, to educate their children and to engage in Australian society in the fullest way possible, he said.

Police outline planning behind Bondi attack

Court documents released on Monday alleged that two men accused of carrying out the deadly shooting trained for the attack in the Australian countryside. Police said Sajid and Naveed Akram, a father-and-son duo accused of the killings, also conducted a reconnaissance visit to Bondi Beach just days before the shooting.

Australian police confirmed that the only surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, was transferred from hospital to jail on Monday after being held under guard since the attack. He faces multiple charges, including terrorism and 15 murders, police said in a statement.
At the heart of the controversy is the so-called Qatargate affair, which centres on suspicions that close associates of Netanyahu were recruited by Qatar to promote the Gulf monarchys image inside Israel

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett has launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing his office of committing treason over alleged Qatari funding to close aides, and calling for Netanyahus immediate resignation.

The explosive comments come as Israel heads toward legislative elections in October 2026, with Bennett widely seen as a strong contender.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has already signalled his intention to seek another term, setting the stage for whats shaping up to be a no-holds-barred political showdown.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Qatargate scandal deepens

At the heart of the controversy is the so-called Qatargate affair, which centres on suspicions that close associates of Netanyahu were recruited by Qatar to promote the Gulf monarchys image inside Israel.

Qatar hosts senior Hamas leaders and has played a key mediating role during the war in Gaza, a fact that adds extra fuel to the political fire. An investigation is already underway, and two of Netanyahus aides were taken into custody in late March.

Netanyahus office betrayed the State of Israel and IDF (Israeli military) soldiers in wartime, and acted on Qatars behalf out of greed, while Netanyahu himself seeks to cover up the affair, Bennett wrote on social media. This is the most serious act of treason in Israels history, he added.

Holy of holies of Israeli security

Doubling down, Bennett said the alleged misconduct struck at the very core of the state. This has happened in the holy of holies of Israeli security: the prime ministers office. He argued that whether Netanyahu knew about the actions or not, the outcome should be the same.

Whether Netanyahu knew or did not know that his office was working for money for an enemy during wartime, both scenarios require his immediate resignation, he said.

Bennetts remarks followed a report aired on Israels i24news television channel, which allegedly revealed conversations between two of Netanyahus advisers linked to the case.

According to Israeli media, the aides are suspected of transferring confidential information to Qatari sources during the Gaza war. Bennett claimed that three of Netanyahus closest advisers had acted as paid agents of Qatar, at a time when Israeli soldiers were fighting and falling under bullets bought with Qatari money.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The third individual allegedly crafted pro-Qatar messaging, which the other two then spread.

In April 2025, Netanyahu publicly stated that Qatar was not an enemy of Israel and defended his aides after their detention.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed Bennetts criticism, calling the affair the most serious treason case in the history of the State.
After a parliamentary committee failed to hammer out a full 2026 budget bill, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is in a race against time to get an emergency legislation passed to keep the government running in the new year in the absence of a proper budget.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrives to deliver a statement at Hotel Matignon in Paris, on October 3, 2025, before a round of consultations with political parties ahead of the announcement of the new government. (Photo: Alain Jocard/Pool via Reuters)

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu held talks on Monday with French political leaders on emergency legislation to keep the government running in the new year in the absence of a proper budget.

A joint committee of lawmakers from both chambers failed on Friday to hammer out a full 2026 budget bill, forcing Lecornu to seek stopgap legislation to allow spending, tax collection and borrowing to continue in January.

Lecornus office said that he would meet with officials from parties other than the far right and hard left ahead of a cabinet meeting where the rollover law is due to be approved before being sent to parliament.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The law, which legislators are likely to approve on Tuesday, would buy more time to debate a proper 2026 budget in January.

Investors and ratings agencies are scrutinising Frances finances, with the country running the euro zones highest budget deficit.

Lecornu wants to avoid confidence vote

Conservative lawmaker Philippe Juvin, who has been steering the 2026 budget through the lower house, said he expected a full text to be passed in early January.

Juvin told BFM TV he hoped Lecornu would use special constitutional powers to force through a compromise text that could be amenable to Socialist lawmakers.

Lecornu had pledged not to use such powers and to do so would likely trigger a vote of no confidence from the far right or hard left, though such a motion would fail without Socialist support.

Lecornus minority government has little room for manoeuvre in Frances fractious parliament, where budget battles have already toppled three governments since President Emmanuel Macron lost his majority in a 2024 snap election.

France used emergency rollover legislation last year until a proper 2025 budget could be passed in February, which the government says cost 12 billion euros ($14 billion).

(This is an agency story. Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
The new vessel, part of the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Generation (PANG) programme, is expected to be operational by 2038, when the current carrier is due to retire

France's President Emmanuel Macron reviewing French troops during a military ceremony at the 5th Cuirassier Regiment's base in Zayed Military City, near Abu Dhabi. (X)

France will build a new and larger aircraft carrier to replace its ageing Charles de Gaulle, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday. The move was revealed during Macrons trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he was speaking to French troops stationed near the Strait of Hormuz, as per Reuters.

Macron said the decision to proceed with the carrier programme was taken this week and will boost Frances industrial base, especially benefiting small and medium-sized businesses.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Strong to be feared

We must be strong in order to be feared, and in particular strong at sea, Macron told the troops, reiterating Frances commitment to maintaining a robust naval presence.

Aux cotes des forces francaises aux Emirats arabes unis, mon message a lensemble des soldats, marins et aviateurs :https://t.co/Iq7Y80Py2C  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 21, 2025

The new vessel, part of the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Generation (Pang) programme, is expected to be operational by 2038, when the current carrier is due to retire. It will be larger and more modern than the Charles de Gaulle and is designed to enhance Frances ability to project power globally, reported BBC.

Macron said the project reflects Frances longstanding strategic priorities and fits within recent military planning laws, following a comprehensive review of defence needs. The decision to launch this vast programme was taken this week, he said during his address.

Why does the new carrier matter?

Officials say the aircraft carrier project will involve hundreds of suppliers across France, potentially revitalising sectors of the defence industry, particularly for smaller firms. Macron added he would personally support these companies and plans to visit the shipyard early next year.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

While France remains one of the few European nations with an aircraft carrier, the new build is also seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen Europes defence autonomy amid geopolitical uncertainties. In simple terms, building the Pang is Paris showing it wants to stay a strong naval power and keep both its own and its allies interests safe in a tricky world.
The plant, once among 54 reactors shut after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled Fukushima, could soon bring one of its seven reactors back online, starting with a 1.36 GW unit by early 2026

This picture taken on August 5, 2024 shows the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station (back) in Kashiwazaki, in Japan's Niigata prefecture. Glinting in the sun by the world's biggest nuclear plant, the Sea of Japan is calm now. But as it gears up to restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa has a new tsunami wall, just in case. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) / TO GO WITH "JAPAN-NUCLEAR-POLITICS-CLIMATE-ECONOMY,FOCUS" BY SIMON STURDEE

Japan is preparing to restart the worlds largest nuclear power plant nearly 15 years after the devastating Fukushima disaster, in what many see as a major turning point for the countrys energy policy.

Government and local officials have taken a crucial step by backing the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata Prefecture, a project that comes amid rising energy needs and mixed public reactions.

Final vote clears the way

On Monday, lawmakers in the Niigata prefectural assembly passed a vote of confidence for Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who has supported the plants restart, as per Reuters.This vote is widely viewed as the final hurdle before operations can resume at the site, which is operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the same utility that ran Fukushimas Daiichi plant.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

This is a milestone, but this is not the end, Hanazumi told reporters after the vote, underlining ongoing efforts to address safety concerns and reassure local residents.

The plant, once among 54 reactors shut after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled Fukushima, could soon bring one of its seven reactors back online, starting with a 1.36 GW unit by early 2026.

Despite official support, many locals remain skeptical and worried about nuclear safety. Around 300 protesters gathered outside the assembly building holding signs such as No Nukes and chanting against the restart.

Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city, voiced deep concern: If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences," she told Reuters.

That anxiety reflects broader public unease. In a recent survey, a significant portion of residents said they did not believe conditions for a safe restart had been met, and many remain worried about Tepcos ability to operate the facility safely.

Supporters of the restart argue that nuclear power is essential for Japans energy security and efforts to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office just two months ago, has backed nuclear restarts as part of a strategy to meet rising electricity demand and climate commitments.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Japan spent 10.7 trillion yen ($68 billion) last year on imported liquefied natural gas and coala substantial portion of its energy billand anticipates that demand will grow as power-hungry AI data centres expand.

To meet these challenges, the government is targeting a doubling of nuclear powers share of the electricity mix to 20% by 2040.
Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren taken by gunmen from a Catholic school in November, a presidential spokesman said Sunday, after 100 were freed earlier this month.

Freed school children are seen during a reception at the Governor's office in Minna on December 8, 2025. AFP

Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren taken by gunmen from a Catholic school in November, a presidential spokesman said Sunday, after 100 were freed earlier this month.

Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity, Sunday Dare said in a post on X.

In late November, hundreds of students and staff were kidnapped from St Marys co-educational boarding school in north-central Niger state.

The attack came as the country buckled under a wave of mass abductions reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Boko Haram kidnapping of schoolgirls in the town of Chibok.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The west African country suffers from multiple interlinked security concerns, from jihadists in the northeast to armed bandit gangs in the northwest.

The exact number taken from St Marys has been unclear throughout the ordeal.

Initially, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 315 students and staff were unaccounted for after the attack in the rural hamlet of Papiri.

Around 50 of them escaped immediately afterwards, and on December 7 the government secured the release of around 100.

That would leave about 165 thought to be still in captivity before Sundays announcement that 130 were rescued.

But a UN source told AFP that all those taken appeared to have been released  as dozens thought to have been kidnapped had in fact managed to run off during the attack, and make their way home.

The accounting has been complicated because the childrens homes are scattered across swathes of rural Nigeria, sometimes requiring three or four hours of travel by motorbike to reach their remote villages, the source said.

The source told AFP that the remaining set of girls/secondary school students will be taken to Minna, the capital of Niger state, on Monday.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Well have to still do final verification, Daniel Atori, a spokesman for CAN in Niger state, told AFP.

He added that Niger state Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had called the bishop of the Kontagora diocese, which runs the school, to confirm the release of the children and teachers, though the figure was not mentioned.

Spate of mass kidnappings

It has not been made public who seized the children from their boarding school, or how the government secured their release.

Analysts have said that based on past rescues, it was likely the authorities paid a ransom, which is technically prohibited by law.

Kidnappings for ransom are a common way for criminals and armed groups to make quick cash in Nigeria.

But a spate of mass abductions in November put an uncomfortable spotlight on the countrys already grim security situation.

Assailants kidnapped two dozen Muslim schoolgirls, 38 church worshippers and a bride and her bridesmaids  with farmers, women and children also taken hostage.

The kidnappings came as Nigeria faces a diplomatic offensive from the United States, where President Donald Trump has alleged that there were mass killings of Christians that amounted to a genocide and threatened military intervention.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Nigerias government and independent analysts reject that framing, which has long been used by the Christian right in the United States and Europe.

One of the first mass kidnappings that drew international attention was in 2014, when nearly 300 girls were snatched from their boarding school in the northeastern town of Chibok by Boko Haram jihadists.

A decade later, Nigerias kidnap-for-ransom crisis has consolidated into a structured, profit-seeking industry that raised some $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consultancy.
Pakistan commissioned the MILGEM-class warship PNS Khaibar in Istanbul, strengthening defence cooperation with Turkiye and advancing a joint naval programme that includes technology transfer and multiple corvette deliveries

The MILGEM corvette PNS Khaibar was officially handed over to Pakistan. (X)

The Pakistan Navy on Sunday, December 21, commissioned PNS Khaibar in Istanbul, marking a significant step in its defence partnership with the Republic of Turkiye. The addition of the warship boosts Pakistans surface fleet and highlights ongoing technology-transfer cooperation under the bilateral naval programme.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard and was attended by Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistans Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, according to a statement issued by the Pakistani militarys media wing. PNS Khaibar is the second MILGEM-class ship constructed in Turkiye for Pakistan under the agreement.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

PN MILGEM ships are the most technologically advanced surface platforms. These vessels are equipped with the latest Command and Control Systems integrated with modern weapons and advanced sensors, the statement said.

MILGEM contract and construction plan

Pakistan signed a contract in July 2018 to purchase four corvettes from Turkish state-owned defence firm ASFAT. The MILGEM project is Turkiyes warship programme designed to produce multipurpose corvettes and frigates capable of missions ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to early warning, anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, and amphibious operations.

The first of the four vessels, PNS Babur, was delivered in 2023.

At a ship delivery ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, the MILGEM corvette PNS Khaibar was officially handed over to Pakistan marking yet another milestone in bilateral defense cooperation, the Turkish embassy said in a press release.

During the ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underscored the strong ties between the two nations.

At a ship delivery ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, the MILGEM corvette PNS Khaibar was officially handed over to Pakistan marking yet another milestone in bilateral defense cooperation.



Addressing the ceremony, H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pic.twitter.com/vlRJq8TIXe  Turkiye in Pakistan (@TC_IslamabadBE) December 20, 2025

The TurkiyePakistan friendship, rooted deep in our shared history and tested over centuries, will Allah willing endure until the end of time, flourish, and grow ever stronger, the embassy quoted Erdogan as saying.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
PM Modis international itinerary was designed in such a way that he covered every strategic location in the world. His trips were testimony to Indias ability to maintain ties with allies at a time when uncertainties plague the world

Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2025 was defined by high-stakes international visits that yielded long-term results for Indias geopolitical standing and furthered the countrys position as the voice of the global south.

PM Modis international itinerary was designed in such a way that he covered every strategic location in the world. His trips were testimony to Indias ability to maintain ties with allies at a time when uncertainties plague the world.

Heres a rundown of the Indian prime ministers international tours in 2025:

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

US and France

US: PM Modi began the year with a visit to the US, shortly after the inauguration of Donald Trumps second presidency. In fact, PM Modi was one of the first foreign leaders to step into the White House at the start of a new term in America.

The trip was dubbed as a productive and substantive meeting by both Indian and US officials. Trump held a four-hour-long conversation with PM Modi, signalling the priority both leaders hold for India-US ties.

PM Modi and Trump met at the Oval Office in the White House. Reuters/File Photo

At their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders agreed to launch a new target dubbed Mission 500, aimed at more than doubling bilateral trade to $500bn by 2030. The US is currently Indias largest trading partner, with two-way trade totalling $129.2bn in 2024. They also agreed to negotiate the first phase of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement by the fall of 2025, committing to appoint senior representatives to push the talks forward.

France: Before heading to the US, PM Modi attended the AI Action Summit in France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron. PM Modi co-chaired the summit with Macron, demonstrating Indias advancement towards artificial intelligence and other tech developments.

During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille alongside Macron. India and France agreed on a wide range of initiatives covering technology, innovation and sustainable development. The two sides issued a declaration on artificial intelligence, committing to promote safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems while supporting the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a departure ceremony at Marseille Provence airport in Marignane as part of a visit in Marseille, France, February 12, 2025. (Photo by Christian Hartmann / POOL / AFP)

They also launched the logo for the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026, signed a letter of intent between Indias Department of Science and Technology and Frances INRIA to establish an Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences, and reached an agreement to host 10 Indian startups at the French startup incubator Station F.

Mauritius

A month after his successful trips to the US and France, PM Modi flew down to Mauritius in March, where he was invited to attend the island countrys National Day celebrations. Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam conferred PM Modi with the countrys highest award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. PM Modi was the first Indian national to receive the honour.

PM Modi attended the Mauritius National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, underlining the strong diplomatic and cultural ties between the two nations. Notably, Mauritius holds a crucial place in Indias diplomatic and cultural ties, with historical connections dating back nearly two centuries.

PM Modi inaugurated over 20 India-funded projects, ranging from capacity building to community-linked infrastructure, during his two-day state visit. Modi and Ramgoolam jointly inaugurated the Civil Services College building, which was built at a cost of around $4.75 million. The project was initiated through an MoU signed in 2017.

Thailand and Sri Lanka

In April, PM Modi commenced a two-nation tour, starting in Thailand and ending in Sri Lanka. The visits marked New Delhis dedication to being the voice of the Global South.

Thailand: PM Modi went on a two-day visit to Thailand, where he attended the 6th Bimstec Summit. It was the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Thailand in over a decade. At the summit, PM Modi met Nepals former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. His meeting with Yunus amid India-Bangladesh tensions was the highlight of the summit.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Bangladeshs interim government head Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 4, 2025. File Image/PIB

Apart from the summit, PM Modis visit also gave India and Thailand an opportunity to review their relationship. Thailand is the 3rd largest economy in ASEAN and Indias 4th largest trading partner after Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia in the ASEAN region.

PM Modi and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra (former PM of Thailand) underlined the need to enhance connectivity, health, science and technology, start-up, innovation, digital, education, culture and tourism collaborations.

Sri Lanka: During his visit to Sri Lanka, PM Modi discussed progress in cooperation outlined in the Joint Vision for Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future, which was established during the Sri Lankan presidents visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

PM Modi, who last visited Sri Lanka in 2019, also engaged with senior dignitaries and political leaders. He travelled to Anuradhapura to inaugurate development projects funded through Indian financial assistance.

Earlier, Sri Lankas president had made his first overseas visit to India after assuming office.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Saudi Arabia

PM Modis two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia from April 22-23 marked his third trip to the kingdom as PM and the first to Jeddah in over four decades. He co-chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), reviewing progress in political-security, economic, investment, energy, technology, agriculture, and cultural ties.

Indias Prime Minister Modi meets Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman, in Jeddah

The visit expanded bilateral cooperation into defence, space, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies like AI and semiconductors, with new ministerial committees added under the SPC for defence and tourism. Agreements included four MoUs, a preliminary pact on peaceful space activities, and pledges for joint efforts in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and green energy.

Cyprus, Canada and Croatia

Cyprus: PM Modis visit to Cyprus in June 2025 was historic, marking the first by an Indian PM in over two decades. He held talks with President Nikos Christodoulides, received the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cypruss highest civilian honour, and addressed business leaders in Limassol on trade, fintech, renewable energy, and digital innovation.

Key outcomes included an MoU between the Cyprus Stock Exchange and Indias NSE for dual listings in GIFT City, pledges for defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

Canada: The prime ministers visit to Canada centred on attending the in Kananaskis, Alberta, as a guest leader following his Cyprus. Discussions focused on global issues like terrorism, economic corridors, and Indias role in sustainability, with emphasis on strengthening India-Canada ties amid recent strains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada. File image/PTI

Croatia: PM Modis visit to Croatia, part of his European engagements around mid-2025, aimed to deepen bilateral ties in defence, trade, and tourism. He met Croatian leaders to discuss EU-India relations, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges, building on historical friendships. Outcomes included agreements on mobility, innovation, and potential direct flights to boost people-to-people links.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia

In one of his longest foreign visits, PM Modi embarked upon a five-nation tour in July, starting from an African nation and ending in another African country.

Ghana: PM Modis visit to Ghana strengthened India-Africa ties through talks on trade, defence, and digital infrastructure, with multiple MoUs signed on agriculture, health, and capacity building.

Trinidad and Tobago: His trip to the Caribbean nation highlighted diaspora engagement, cultural exchanges, and economic pacts in energy and pharmaceuticals, marking a milestone in Caribbean relations.

Argentina: PM Modis Argentina trip focused on defence cooperation, lithium mining investments, and trade diversification amid South American outreach.

In Brazil, he attended the BRICS Summit, pushing for reformed global governance, green energy, and enhanced bilateral trade targets.

The **Namibia** visit emphasised uranium supply deals, development aid, and strategic minerals partnership for Indias energy security.

UK and Maldives

PM Modi visited the UK on July 23-24, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The highlight was signing the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), reducing tariffs on goods like automobiles, whisky, textiles, and electronics while securing visa concessions and professional qualification recognition for Indians.

PM Modi also met King Charles III, launched the India-UK Vision 2030 for future ties in defence, technology, and climate, and announced 6 billion in investments creating 2,200 UK jobs.

PM Modi proceeded to the Maldives on July 25-26 as the chief guest for the 60th Independence Day, hosted by President Mohamed Muizzu. He inaugurated India-funded projects, held talks strengthening economic and maritime security cooperation, and reaffirmed Indias 'Neighbourhood First' policy amid warmer bilateral relations. The visit underscored enhanced people-to-people ties and development partnerships.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In this photo provided by the Maldivian Presidents Office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu after his arrival in Male, Maldives, Friday, July 25, 2025.(Maldivian Presidents Office via AP)

Japan and China

Once again circling back to Asia, PM Modi flew down to Japan and China from August to September. His visit to China was perhaps a watershed moment for the countrys ties with India following years of diplomatic tensions.

PM Modi visited Japan for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Key highlights included unveiling a Joint Vision for the Next Decade across eight pillars like economy, technology, and people-to-people ties, a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, frameworks for digital innovation, clean energy, critical minerals, and space, plus Japans 10 trillion yen private investment pledge over a decade.

The prime minister then attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025, at President Xi Jinpings invitation. The trip focused on reviewing bilateral ties, advancing economic and investment collaboration in AI and semiconductors, strengthening SCO commitments for regional peace and cooperation, and bilateral meetings with leaders like Xi and Putin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin, China. Reuters

Bhutan

During a two-day state visit to Bhutan, PM Modi assured the country of Indias unwavering support to Bhutans 13th Five-Year Plan. He emphasised Indias commitment to actively assist Bhutan in achieving its key development priorities and advancing sustainable growth across sectors.

Modi participated as the Guest of Honour in the birthday celebrations of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan (1972-2006) and father of the current monarch. He also took part in the ongoing Global Peace Prayer Festival in Thimphu.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He held meetings with Jigme Khesar and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest.

South Africa

PM Modi went to South Africa in November to attend the G20 Summit, where he held important bilateral meetings with the UKs Starmer, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Prime Ministers meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was their second this year. PM Modi said it reflected the strong momentum in our Special Strategic Partnership, adding that both sides discussed ways to deepen economic and investment linkages.

PM Modi participated in the third session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. (Photo: X)

Following his meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Modi said India and Brazil would continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people. He also described his discussion with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as very productive. Modi later shared a family photo with fellow G20 leaders, posting, Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity.
At a time when tensions with Europe are rising, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has convened leaders of former Soviet republics under the banner of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and flaunted the unity of the regional bloc.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states at the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia, on December 22, 2025. (Photo: Kremlin)

At a time when tensions with Europe are rising, Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday conveyed an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and flaunted the unity of the regional bloc.

In the summit at St Petersburg, Putin flaunted the CIS as a Russia-led group of former Soviet republics that spoke in one voice  in sharp contrast of his European rivals who stood divided on the course of action on common challenges even under the umbrella of the European Union (EU).

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

It is of fundamental importance that the countries of the Commonwealth maintain similar or identical approaches to the key challenges of our time, both global and regional. All CIS states are unanimous in their support for the formation of a fair world order founded on the universally recognized principles of international law, with a central coordinating role for the United Nations, said Putin, according to Tass news agency.

Putin further said that relevant agencies across the CIS stay in constant contact on issues of security.

The fight against terrorism and extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking and corruption remains a key area of cooperation between Commonwealth states. Close operative contacts between security agencies and competent bodies have been established for these purposes, said Putin.

The leaders of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended the summit. Leaders of Azerbaijan and Moldova did not attend the summit.

While the reason for Azerbaijans absence was not known, Moldova has been withdrawing from the group since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Previously, Georgia withdrew from the group after Russia invaded it in 2008 and Ukraine withdrew after Russias 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea.

Putins power projection with CIS

Putin has projected CIS over the years as a Russia-led group of former Soviet republics.

As parts of his sphere of influence approach to international relations, Putin has used CIS to emphasise that Russia still holds primacy in its neighbourhood.

The CIS was founded in 1991 with a focus on Eurasian Soviet republics. Other members like Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia joined the Nato and EU.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Analysts have described CIS as a tool of Russian soft power instead of direct hard power as such hard power is asserted via other groupings like the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in the military sphere and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the economic sphere.

The membership of CIS, CSTO, and EAEU is overlapping that allows Putin separate forums to flex soft and hard power muscles in the Eurasian neighbourhood and assert power in what he considers Russias sphere of influence.
Putins remarks come at a time when Russia is increasingly leaning on partnerships within the post-Soviet space, even as its ties with Western nations remain tense

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow on December 19, 2025. - AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed to close security cooperation among Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, even as Moscows ties with Europe remain strained over the war in Ukraine. Speaking at an informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg, Putin focused on regional unity on shared threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption, as reported by Russia news agency, Tass.

His remarks come at a time when Russia is increasingly leaning on partnerships within the post-Soviet space, even as its ties with Western nations remain tense.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Key area of cooperation

Addressing leaders and officials at the summit, Putin said security agencies across CIS countries remain closely connected. The fight against terrorism and extremism, organised crime, drug trafficking and corruption remains a key area of cooperation between Commonwealth states, the Russian president noted.

He added that practical coordination between agencies was already well established. Close operative contacts between security agencies and competent bodies have been established for these purposes, Putin said, stressing that cooperation was ongoing rather than symbolic.

Also watch | Putin labels EU leaders young pigs, says Russia will take more land In Ukraine

Action plans already underway

Putin also pointed to concrete frameworks that CIS countries are currently putting into action. An action plan in the anti-terrorist sphere until 2028 and a CIS outer border control plan until 2030 are currently being implemented, he shared.

These long-term plans, he suggested, demonstrate a collective commitment among CIS members to address cross-border threats that no single country can manage alone.

The spotlight on unity and coordination comes as Russia continues to face diplomatic isolation from much of Europe due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Analysts say highlighting cooperation within the CIS allows Moscow to project an image of stability and influence in its immediate neighbourhood, even as tensions persist with Western governments.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

By focusing on shared security priorities such as terrorism and organized crime, Putin appears keen to show that cooperation within the CIS remains strong and functional, regardless of broader geopolitical pressures.
In the third high-profile casualty in a year, a Russian general has been killed in an explosion in a car in Moscow. Russian authorities have said Ukraine could be responsible.

The photograph shows an investigator working at the scene where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed when his car exploded in Moscow, Russia, on December 22, 2025. (Photo: Investigative Committee of Moscow via AP)

In the third such high-profile casualty over the past year, a Russian general was on Monday killed in an explosion in a car in Moscow.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov died after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in Moscow, according to Associated Press.

Acknowledging Sarvarovs death in the blast, the Russian authorities said Ukraine could be behind the act.

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, said Svetlana Petrenko, the Spokesperson for Russias Investigative Committee, as per the AP.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Russias Investigative Committee is the nations top criminal investigation agency.

At the time of his death, Sarvarov was the head of the operational training directorate of the Russian military  a role he had held for nine years. Previously, as per the Russian state media, he was part of Russian operations in Syria in support of then-dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The news of Sarvarovs killing has come amid reports of another high-profile Russian fatality. For days, unconfirmed reports have been swirling that a Ukrainian strike on a Russian ship has recently killed Andrey Averyanov, the head of the covert operations unit at GRU, Russias foreign intelligence agency. He has been previously linked to Salisbury poisonings in 2018, the suspected assassination of Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023, and an explosion in the Czech Republic in 2014.

Last year, Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the then-chief of Russias nuclear, biological, and chemical forces, was killed on December 17 when a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building exploded. Ukraine had taken responsibility for the act.

Then, earlier this year in April, Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the Russian military, was killed when an explosive device placed in his car exploded parked near his apartment building.

In Kirillovs case, an Uzbek man was arrested. A suspect was also arrested in the case of Moskalik.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

After Kirillovs killing, President Vladimir Putin had slammed Russian agencies for the major blunder and said they should learn from it and improve their efficiency, according to AP.
Saudi Arabia has awarded Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir with the King Abdulaziz Medal of the Excellent Class, the kingdoms highest honour, for his distinguished efforts to enhance our cooperation and advance the Saudi-Pakistani relations.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman awards Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir with King Abdulaziz Medal of the Excellent Class, the kingdom's highest honour, in a photograph shared on December 22, 2025. (Photo: X/Khalid bin Salman)

Saudi Arabia has awarded Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir with the King Abdulaziz Medal of the Excellent Class, the kingdoms highest honour.

Munir was awarded the honour for his distinguished efforts to enhance our cooperation and advance the Saudi-Pakistani relations, Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman said in a statement on Monday.

The development is the latest in the booming Saudi-Pakistan relationship that has seen two sides reach a mutual defence agreement, investment pledges, and increased cooperation on regional affairs over the past year. Munir is understood to have played a leading role in rising bonhomie as Pakistans de facto ruler.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Under the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact, Pakistan will deploy approximately 25,000 soldiers to Saudi Arabia to assist with the kingdoms security, conduct joint operations, and train Saudi forces in exchange of Saudi investments to the tune of $10 billion, CNN-News 18 has previously reported.

Upon the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, I presented Pakistans Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class for his distinguished efforts to enhance our cooperation and advance the Saudi-Pakistani relations. pic.twitter.com/bWHL08TKuz  Khalid bin Salman    (@kbsalsaud) December 21, 2025

In their meeting, Khalid said he congratulated Munir on his appointment as Chief of Defense Forces and reviewed our historical relations and strategic defense cooperation.

We also discussed efforts to promote international peace and security, as well as other topics of mutual interest, said Khalid.

Munir is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, which is his first visit to the kingdom his elevation as the Chief of Defence Forces.

Following the felicitation, Pakistans military said the conferring of the award underscores the depth of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and the shared determination of both nations to strengthen further strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace, according to Associated Press.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The honour recognises Munirs military service, leadership, and efforts in advancing defense cooperation, strategic coordination and institutional links between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the statement read.
Spains ruling Socialists suffered their worst-ever defeat in Extremadura as scandals and voter discontent boosted the conservative PP and strengthened far-right Vox, reshaping the regional power balance.

They won just 18 seats in the 65-seat assembly down from 28, their worst-ever regional result in Extremadura. (AFP)

Spains governing Socialists have suffered a major setback in a regional election in Extremadura, highlighting the partys growing difficulties amid a series of scandals. The vote in the rural southwestern region, held on Sunday, saw the far-right Vox strengthen its position as support for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs party fell sharply.

The Socialists, who lead a minority coalition at the national level, won just 18 seats in the 65-seat regional assembly, down from 28. This marked their worst-ever performance in Extremadura, a region they had governed for decades before losing control in 2023.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Power balance shifts but Vox strengthens

The conservative Popular Party emerged as the largest force once again, securing 29 seats after calling the election in the hope of winning an outright majority. Falling short of that target, the PP will again depend on Vox to pass legislation. Vox increased its representation from five seats to 11, consolidating its influence in the regional parliament.

Extremadura, like other regional governments in Spain, oversees key policy areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and culture, making the outcome politically significant beyond the region itself.

Scandals weigh on Socialist campaign

The vote was the first regional election since a court ordered Jose Luis Abalos, a former close aide to Sanchez, to stand trial over allegations that he received kickbacks linked to public contracts. The prime ministers wife, Begona Gomez, and his younger brother, David, are also facing graft allegations.

David Sanchez is due to go on trial in May on charges of influence peddling, alongside 10 other defendants, including the Socialist candidate for the Extremadura presidency, Miguel Angel Gallardo, who described Sundays result as really bad.

The Socialists have also faced criticism in recent weeks over claims they failed to properly address sexual harassment allegations involving senior male officials. Sundays election will be followed by further regional polls in Andalusia, Aragon and Castile and Leon in the first half of 2026.
Amid the brewing tensions between the US and the Latin American nation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro taunted his US counterpart, Donald Trump and insisted that the state of Texas was invaded

Amid the brewing tensions between the US and the Latin American nation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro taunted his US counterpart, Donald Trump and insisted that the state of Texas was invaded. While speaking on the recent tensions in the region, Petro called out Trump over recent comments about the justification of the countrys blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan tankers.

Texas is a territory that was invaded. It wasnt sold. So was California and all of the southern US, Petro began. On Saturday. The Colombian president was referring to the fact that Trump, on Wednesday, demanded that Venezuela return all assets it seized from US oil companies years ago.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Petro pide a Trump "nos devuelva" Texas, California y todo los estados del sur de EEUU que fueron "robados" e "invadidos".pic.twitter.com/qgSSJ9p5Rc  Dolia Estevez (@DoliaEstevez) December 18, 2025

You remember they took all of our energy rights. They took all of our oil not that long ago. And we want it back. They took it  they illegally took it, Trump said as he launched verbal attacks against the countrys President Nicolas Maduro.

Petro hits back

While speaking on the matter, Petro went on to insist that a Latin American President cant say give it back, it was stolen from us. But he (Trump) can say give it back, it was stolen when talking about Venezuelan oil. So lets make a deal. You give back what you stole from and what they think we stole from them, which we havent, well, lets discuss it, he added.

According to Fortune, American oil companies played a leading role in Venezuelas oil industry for decades until different governments nationalised the sector, first in the 1970s and in recent years by Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. At that time, compensation offered by the Venezuelan government was deemed insufficient, the outlet added, recalling that in 2014 an international arbitration panel ordered the country to pay $1.6 billion to ExxonMobil.

The Trump administration is reportedly intending to continue with the blockade and could even move into Venezuelan waters to seize more, Axios reported. A Trump official told the news outlet that the American forces are currently waiting for the vessels to leave the waters to seize them, but they could go in if they delay much.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In the midst of all this, The Guardian reported that Venezuelas oil exports have plummeted after the seizure last week. Since the seizure, the outlet claimed, only tankers chartered by US oil company Chevron have sailed through the region carrying Venezuelan crude.
Renewed fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border has killed at least 39 people and displaced over half a million, as fragile truces collapse

At least 39 have been killed, and half a million displaced after the US-brokered peace collapsed as weeks of renewed fighting along the contested Thailand-Cambodia border have forced large-scale evacuations and caused mounting casualties, with both countries reporting deaths and displacement even as regional talks are set to begin.

Cambodian authorities said on Sunday that the humanitarian situation had worsened following two weeks of clashes, while daily fighting has continued since early December.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Mounting casualties and mass displacement

Officials said the latest round of fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours, involving tanks, drones and artillery, has killed at least 22 people in Thailand and 19 in Cambodia. Cambodias interior ministry said more than 518,000 people were suffering severe hardship due to forced displacement from their homes and schools to escape Thai artillery and air strikes. Thailand has reported that around 400,000 people have been displaced, with defence ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri saying more than 200,000 remained in shelters. There are some villagers that can return home, he told reporters, while warning that there may still be some dangerous mines or bombs left.

The conflict stems from a long-running territorial dispute linked to the colonial-era demarcation of their 800 km border and several ancient temple ruins located along the frontier. Cambodia said Thai forces had continued attacks since dawn on Sunday, with fighting reported near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

Diplomatic efforts and fragile truce history

Cambodia and Thailand both said a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers, hosted by Malaysia on Monday, was expected to help de-escalate tensions, with Bangkok calling it an important opportunity for both sides. Thai foreign ministry spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo said negotiations would be guided by earlier conditions, including Bangkoks demand that Phnom Penh first announce a truce and cooperate on de-mining efforts at the border. Those conditions, she said, will guide our interaction in the discussions tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur.

Cambodias foreign ministry said the meeting aimed to restore peace, stability and good neighbourly relations, adding that Phnom Penh would reaffirm its firm position of resolving differences and disputes through all peaceful means, dialogue and diplomacy.

The United States, China and Malaysia had previously brokered a truce after five days of clashes in July that killed dozens, but it quickly collapsed. In October, US President Donald Trump backed a joint declaration after talks in Kuala Lumpur, promoting new trade deals, though Thailand later suspended the agreement following injuries to its soldiers from landmines. Bangkok has accused Cambodia of laying fresh mines, a claim denied by Phnom Penh.

Trump has since said the conflict was among those he had resolved and claimed this month that a new ceasefire had been agreed, a statement denied by Thailand. Fighting has continued daily since a border skirmish on December 7 triggered the latest escalation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington hoped a new ceasefire would be reached by Tuesday, though Thailand said any truce would depend on the militarys assessment of conditions on the ground.

The area near the Unesco-listed Preah Vihear temple has seen repeated violence in the past, including clashes in 2008 and sporadic fighting that killed two dozen people before a UN court ruling in 2013 settled the dispute for more than a decade. This years crisis reignited in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a fresh clash.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Cambodia has accused Thailand of launching airstrikes despite the two sides agreeing at an Asean meeting to hold border talks.

An F-16 jet of the air force in Nakhon Ratchasima province. (Representative Photo, Credit: Royal Thai Air Force)

Cambodia on Monday accused Thailand of launching airstrikes despite the two sides agreeing at an Asean meeting to hold border talks, according to AFP.

Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to bombard areas of Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces, the news agency quoted Cambodias defence ministry as saying.

The Thai government has not yet responded to Cambodias allegation.

Earlier in the day, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to hold border talks this week to resolve the ongoing fighting between the two countries.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The latest round of Thailand-Cambodia conflict began on December 8. The fighting has killed at least 43 persons and displaced more than 900,000 people in both the countries.

These clashes are the rooted in a war that began in July that in turn stemmed off tensions simmering since May. Those tensions were the latest flare-up in a decades-long territorial dispute over the trijunction of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, known as the Emerald Triangle.

ALSO READ: Did Thai PM Anutin push Thailand to war with Cambodia?

The disputed area contains several cultural sites of high strategic and symbolic value to Thailand and Cambodia, such as the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, that are claimed by both the sides.

Following the July outbreak, US President Donald Trump brokered a truce between the two sides that has now unravelled at least twice.

The breakthrough that never was?

Earlier in the day, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced that the two sides will border talks after a meeting with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to AFP.

Sihasak said that the discussion would be held on Wednesday in southern Thailands Chanthaburi within the framework of an existing bilateral border committee.

Separately, the Thai foreign ministry said the committee would be convened for both nations militaries to discuss implementation, related steps and verification of the ceasefire in detail.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

On its part, Cambodias interior ministry said it welcomed the regional efforts to sustain a truce and end hostilities, as per AFP.

We remain optimistic that the Thai side will demonstrate sincerity in fully implementing the ceasefire in line with ASEANs objectives, the ministry said in a statement.

The Asean meeting was conveyed in Kuala Lumpur where Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan at the beginning urged the two sides and other member-states give this matter our most urgent attention.

We must consider the wider ramifications of the continued escalation of the situation for the people we serve, said Mohamad, as per AFP.
Amid the growing unrest in Bangladesh, three UK MPs tabled a motion in the British parliament condemning the recent spate of violence and hoping for free and fair elections.

Amid the growing unrest in Bangladesh, three UK MPs tabled a motion in the British parliament condemning the recent spate of violence and hoping for free and fair elections. The motion was tabled on 16 December by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, Liberal Democrat Andrew George and Democratic Unionist Partys Jim Shannon.

While the three members of the House signed the motion, it has not yet had any amendments submitted by any other parliamentarian. One of the key aspects of the motion was the fact that the British MPs insisted that all parties in Bangladesh should be allowed to contest in the polls.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

That this House condemns the recent violence in Bangladesh and urges the Government to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections are called in which all political parties should be allowed to compete; and notes that those who are guilty should be prosecuted under fair trial and ensuring minorities rights should be protected, the motion read.

Why it matters

It is pertinent to note that the UK MPs have been calling for inclusivity in Bangladesh elections at a time when the erstwhile ruling party, Awami League, has been banned from contesting in the polls. Awami League was put to the site following the violent July protests that toppled the government of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The British parliamentarians also called for fair trials and the protection of minority rights. Last month, Hasina was sentenced to death by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), after she was convicted of committing crimes against humanity.

Hasina and her supporters called the trial unfair, describing ICT as a Kangaroo court. While Bangladesh is calling for her extradition from India, Hasina said that her case should be tried in the International Criminal Court.

Since Hasina left the office, the minorities in Bangladesh have been facing persecution from radicals operating in the country. Last week, a Hindu man was mob lynched after he was accused of committing blasphemy. However, authorities later found no evidence of blasphemy, indicating how minorities are getting mob lynched in Dhaka. Tensions in Bangladesh have been high following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was laid to rest on Saturday.
Amid the brewing tensions in the Caribbean, the US officials said that the countrys Coast Guard is in active pursuit of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela.

Amid the brewing tensions in the Caribbean, the US officials said that the countrys Coast Guard is in active pursuit of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela. The pursuit of the ship is coming right after the American authorities seized two oil tankers this month, one of them on Saturday.

The pursuit that went down on Sunday is related to a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuelas illegal sanctions evasion, a US official said. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order. The Washington has accused the Latin American nation of using the oil money to fund crime, while Venezuela has described the tanker seizures as theft and kidnapping.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country. It is worth noting that Venezuela is home to the worlds largest proven oil reserves. However, it has been accused by the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.

Details of the pursuit awaited

As of now, the American authorities have not officially confirmed Sundays pursuit, and the exact location and name of the tanker involved are still unknown. More than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.

Meanwhile, the seizure that took place on Saturday involved a Panamanian-flagged tanker boarded by a specialised tactical team in international waters. The ship was not on the US Treasurys list of sanctioned vessels, but the US has said it was carrying sanctioned PDVSA oil.

The authorities noted that in the past five years, the ship also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia. These acts will not go unpunished, the Venezuelan government said in response to Saturdays incident. It added that it intended to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral agencies and the governments of the world.

The seizures are concerning for Venezuela since it is highly dependent on revenues from its oil exports to finance its government spending. In recent weeks, the US has built up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has carried out deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, killing around 100 people.

Sanctions were also placed on some of President Nicolas Maduro's relatives and on businesses associated with what the US calls his illegitimate regime. It is clear that the current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday. He added that the goal of the Trump administration is to change that dynamic.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In the past, the Trump administration has also accused the Venezuelan president of leading a designated-terrorist organisation called Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.

With inputs from agencies.
The aerial missions, which began in late November, are being tracked from a base in Accra, Ghana, and have drawn attention from analysts watching USAfrica relations closely

Worshippers pray at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) during a prayer called by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Minna on December 7, 2025. (AFP)

The United States has been conducting neardaily surveillance flights over Nigeria for several weeks, as per an exclusive Reuters report.

The move comes amid heightened tensions after President Donald Trump threatened possible military action over violence against Christians in the West African nation. The aerial missions, which began in late November, are being tracked from a base in Accra, Ghana, and have drawn attention from analysts watching USAfrica relations closely.

The flights are operated by Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippibased firm, using a Gulfstream V aircraft equipped for reconnaissance. While the missions are not publicly acknowledged as military operations by the US government, flight tracking data, reviewed by Reuters, shows consistent activity that suggests a broad surveillance effort over Nigerian territory.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Part of broader security cooperation

US officials say the surveillance is part of broader cooperation with Nigeria to monitor militant groups such as Boko Haram and gather information on security threats in the region.

The missions also aim to collect intelligence linked to the kidnapping of a US pilot in neighbouring Niger, adding another layer to the United States interest in West African stability.

The operations appear to reflect a renewed US push to maintain a strategic presence in West Africa after its forces were largely pushed out of neighbouring Niger earlier in 2025. Some analysts believe this marks a shift in Washingtons posture as it balances counterterrorism goals with diplomatic sensitivity in a volatile region.

Trumps threats still echoing

The surveillance flights come after Trumps controversial comments in October, when he warned that the United States might consider military intervention in Nigeria if its government failed to stop what he described as attacks on Christian communities. Trump had said he was preparing the Pentagon for possible action, a statement that alarmed Nigerian officials and fuelled protests domestically.

Nigeria has consistently rejected claims that it targets Christians and insists its internal security challengesincluding jihadist violenceaffect people of many faiths. President Bola Tinubu has said that the government is committed to protecting all citizens and has engaged in discussions with US counterparts to address shared security concerns.

Despite the surveillance missions and lingering rhetoric from Washington, Abuja says it welcomes US assistance in combating terrorism so long as its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. Senior Nigerian advisers have pushed back on the narrative used by some US officials, asking for a more nuanced understanding of the countrys complex security landscape.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As US President Donald Trump has ramped up the campaign to annex Greenland, the European Union has extended full solidarity to Denmark and said that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.

European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen delivers the keynote speech at the second Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling in Brussels, Belgium, on December 10, 2025. (Photo: Yves Herman/Reuters)

European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday extended full solidarity to Denmark as US President Donald Trump intensified his campaign to annex the island of Greenland.

After Trump announced the appointment of a special envoy to Greenland to oversee the islands annexation, von der Leyen said the security of the Arctic region remained a key priority for the EU and that territorial integrity and sovereignty formed the basis of international law.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. These principles are essential not only for the European Union, but for nations around the world. We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland, von der Leyen said.

Trumps appointment of a special envoy for Greenland sparked fury in Denmark, prompting the government to announce it would summon the US ambassador and convey its deep anger.

Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union, and one in which we seek to work with allies and partners.



Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.



These principles are essential not only for the European Union, but  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 22, 2025

In a thinly veiled message to the Trump administration, EU foreign minister Kaja Kallas said all partners ought to respect territorial integrity.

Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. Any changes to that status are for Greenlanders and Danes alone to decide. We expect all our partners to respect their sovereignty and territorial integrity and to abide by their international commitments, enshrined inter alia in the United Nations Charter and the North Atlantic Treaty, said Kallas.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Earlier on Monday, Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Special Envoy to Greenland. Following the announcement, Landry made it clear that the islands annexation would be his agenda.

Thank you, Donald Trump! Its an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana! Landry said on X.

ALSO READ: Fewer than 20% Americans agree with Trump on annexing Greenland or Canada, finds survey

The appointment of an envoy or special envoy to a province or region is almost unheard of in international relations and is bound to spark outrage and derail diplomatic ties. The context here makes it even more controversial.

Normally, a sub-national appointment would be seen as blatant interference in a countrys internal affairs as envoys are appointed either for a nation or multilateral organisations or specific causes. In this case, Trumps appointment of a special envoy to Greenland is aimed at violating the kingdoms territorial integrity and sovereignty  as Landry himself stated.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Soon after winning the 2024 presidential election, Trump announced he would annex Greenland and threatened Denmark a NATO ally with an invasion if the countrys leadership would not surrender the island to the United States.

In addition to Greenland, Trump has also vowed to annex the Panama Canal, the Gaza Strip, and the nation of Canada at various points. In the cases of the Panama Canal and Greenland, Trump repeatedly threatened invasions.
US President Donald Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that he held productive and constructive talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives to end the nearly four-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine.

US President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow today, as Trump presses for an end to the fighting in Ukraine. File image/Reuters

US President Donald Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that he held productive and constructive talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives to end the nearly four-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine. After the meeting in Miami, Witkoff took to social media to share an optimistic stance on the matter.

He maintained that the talks were aimed at aligning on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the US and Europe. Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraines recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity. Peace must be not only a cessation of hostilities, but also a dignified foundation for a stable future, said Donald Trumps special envoy to the Middle East.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

It is pertinent to note that the Miami talks were part of the Trump administrations month-long push for a peace deal between the two warring nations. However, Trumps efforts, which started right after he returned to the White House, have run into sharply conflicting demands by Moscow and Kyiv.

In the midst of this diplomatic manoeuvring, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently signalled he is digging in on his maximalist demands on Ukraine, as Moscows troops inch forward on the battlefield despite huge losses.

What is happening between the US and Russia

Witkoffs latest assessment on Ukraines stance came as negotiations have been proceeding between the US and Russia as well. On Saturday, a Kremlin envoy said that the talks were pressing on constructively in Florida.

The discussions are proceeding constructively. They began earlier and will continue today, and will also continue tomorrow, Kirill Dmitriev told reporters in Miami on Saturday. However, there were no immediate updates on what happened in the talks with Russia on Sunday.

Dmitriev met with Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported. Meanwhile, on the Ukrainian side, the countrys President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wrote on Telegram that diplomatic efforts were moving forward quite quickly, and our team in Florida has been working with the American side."

On Sunday, the Kremlin denied that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US were under discussion. The denial came after Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Washington had proposed the idea of three-way discussions. At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge it is not being prepared, Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said, according to Russian state news agencies.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Xiaomi has confirmed the launch of REDMI Pad 2 Pro 5G, the companys next tablet in India on January 6th along with the REDMI Note 15 5G smartphone.

The company has confirmed that the tablet will feature a massive 12,000mAh (typical) battery, largest in a 12.1-inch tablet. The tablet was introduced in Europe back in September.

We cam expect a 12.1-inch 2.5K display with 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, DC dimming, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Mobile Platform, quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos, support for REDMI Smart Pen, Keyboard and 33W fast charging as well as 27W wired reverse charging to double up as a portable power bank for other devices on the go.

The REDMI Pad 2 Pro is expected to come in both Wi-Fi and 5G models. It will be sold on Amazon.in, Flipkart, Mi.com, Xiaomi retail and other offline stores after the launch.
HUAWEI has launched the nova 15 series in China, introducing three models  nova 15, nova 15 Pro, and nova 15 Ultra  continuing the three-model strategy from the previous generation.

nova 15

The nova 15 measures 161.87 mm  75.5 mm  7.2 mm, weighs 196 g, and is available in Green, Purple, White, and Black. It has a 6.7inch TrueColor OLED flat display with 24121084 resolution, 2160 Hz PWM dimming, SGS drop-resistance certification, AI HDR, and AI eye protection with fatigue reminders and visual health tracking.

The device carries an IP65 rating. It is powered by the Kirin 8020 processor and includes a 6000 mAh silicon-based battery with 100W Super Fast Charge Turbo, supporting up to 23 hours of long video playback and 20 hours of short video playback. Storage options are 256 GB or 512 GB ROM.

Camera features

Front: 50 MP portrait lens, 90 wide-angle, 1/2.5 sensor, 0.7 m pixel

Rear: 50 MP main lens (f/1.9, 1/1.56 sensor)

12 MP RYYB telephoto lens (3x optical, 30x digital zoom, OIS + AIS)

1.5 MP multispectral Red Maple true-color lens

Supports 1x, 2x, and 3x portrait focal lengths

AI-assisted composition, stage mode, flash capture

AI style transfer, customizable color styles, one-click sharing

Quick specifications

nova 15 Pro

The nova 15 Pro measures 163 mm  78 mm  6.9 mm, weighs 202 g, and is available in Green, Purple, White, and Black. It has a 6.84inch TrueColor LTPO OLED display with 28561320 resolution, 1120 Hz adaptive refresh, and 4000 nits peak brightness (20% APL). Kunlun Glass is available on the 256 GB variant.

The device carries an IP65 rating. It is powered by the Kirin 9020S processor and includes a 6500 mAh silicon-based battery with 100W Super Fast Charge Turbo, supporting up to 27 hours of long video playback and 23 hours of short video viewing. Storage options are 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB ROM.

Camera features

Rear: 50 MP RYYB Ultra Vision lens (f/1.8, OIS)

12 MP RYYB telephoto lens (3x optical, 30x digital zoom, OIS)

13 MP RYYB ultra-wide macro lens (120, 2.5 cm macro)

1.5 MP multispectral Red Maple lens

Front: 50 MP ultra-focusing portrait lens, 1.5 MP multispectral Red Maple sensor, QPD full-pixel autofocus

Four preset shooting styles: Natural, Film, Cinema, Anime

AI composition, stage mode, flash shot, AI color transfer, one-click sharing

Quick specifications

nova 15 Ultra

The nova 15 Ultra measures 163 mm  78 mm  6.8 mm, weighs 209 g, and is available in Green, Purple, White, and Black. It has a 6.84inch TrueColor LTPO OLED display with 28561320 resolution, 1120 Hz adaptive refresh, 4000 nits peak brightness, and AI HDR. The device carries IP68 and IP69 ratings.

It is powered by the Kirin 9010S processor and includes a 6500 mAh silicon-based battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless Super Fast Charge, supporting up to 27 hours of long video playback and 23 hours of short video playback. Storage options are 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB ROM.

Camera features

Rear: 50 MP RYYB variable-aperture main lens (f/1.4f/4.0, OIS + AIS)

50 MP RYYB periscope telephoto lens (3.7x optical, up to 100x digital zoom)

50 MP RYYB ultra-wide macro lens (118, 2.5 cm macro)

1.5 MP multispectral Red Maple lens

Front: 50 MP ultra-focusing portrait lens, 1.5 MP multispectral Red Maple sensor

Multi-focal-length shooting: 0.5x5.6x

4K video recording with AIS, stage mode, flash shot, AI style transfer

Quick specifications

Shared features and HarmonyOS 6

All nova 15 series models run HarmonyOS 6 with updated Xiaoyi AI features. Tasks such as check-ins, rewards, and reminders can be completed with a single tap or set to run automatically. Static images can be turned into dynamic poster cards and linked to Xiaoyi Photo Studio for HUAWEI account avatars.

The system supports collaborative themes such as ROBBi with animated IP visuals and adjustable colors. Wallpaper-based stylized themes are supported, along with mood text that changes based on emotional states. One-touch sharing enables fast transfer of photos, themes, contacts, and apps between devices.

The devices support AI two-way call noise reduction with voiceprint filtering and generative AI repair. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 7 on nova 15, Wi-Fi 7+ on Pro and Ultra, AI 5A networking, StarFlash audio retrieval, Beidou satellite messaging, TianTong satellite calling on Ultra, and offline Changlian communication, with multiple five-star certifications for signal and call quality.

Pricing and Availability

All three models are already on sale in China, with pricing as follows:

nova 15

256GB: 2,699 yuan (USD 383 or Rs. 34,390 approx.)

512GB: 2,999 yuan (USD 425 or Rs. 38,215 approx.)

nova 15 Pro

256GB: 3,499 yuan (USD 497 or Rs. 44,585 approx.)

256GB (Kunlun Glass): 3,599 yuan (USD 511 or Rs. 45,860 approx.)

512GB (Kunlun Glass): 3,899 yuan (USD 553 or Rs. 49,680 approx.)

nova 15 Ultra
Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel
When it Comes to Security, There is Only One Party - Poland

Republic of Poland - The Chancellery of the Prime Minister

19.11.2025

"This year may prove decisive for our security and must become a year of full solidarity among Polish women and men, as well as among politicians, around the issue of security. When it comes to security, there is only one party - Poland," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in his address during the first "Science for Business" Congress. The head of government appealed to the Polish political class to refrain in the coming year from quarrels and political skirmishes. He reminded that Poland will be safe only if all of us, without exception, serve the security of our state. Recent events involving acts of sabotage on the railways, the hybrid war conducted by Russia, and the armed conflict in Ukraine show how important unity should be for all Poles. In this context, science and business must also act hand in hand, because modern conflicts are decided not only on the battlefield, but also in cyberspace and in outer space.

Business and science for Poland's security

Prime Minister Donald Tusk participated in the opening of the first edition of the "Science for Business" Congress, organized by the ukasiewicz Research Network and initiated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

"I would like the 'Science for Business' congress to carry the motto: 'Science and business for Poland's security.' You  practical people, people of business and research  do not like to abstract from facts. Today everyone in Poland, without exception, wakes up and goes to sleep with one thought: is Poland safe now, and will it be safe in the future?"- said Prime Minister Tusk addressing the participants.

The discussion on security takes on a particular dimension in the context of the events happening across our eastern border, as well as Russia's hybrid warfare.

"We are facing a special year - 2026. Special because I have reasons to believe that it may be a decisive year for the war between Ukraine and Russia, for Poland's strategic security, and for the future of our nation and our state,"

- said the head of government.

Polish citizens feel the consequences of the war and of receiving a large number of refugees, which in turn creates tensions, as it does across all of Europe. That is why it is important to develop common solutions to prevent these tensions.

2026 must be the year of ceasefire

According to the Prime Minister, Poland will be safe only when everyone, without exception, serves the security of our state. In his speech, he presented five principles for the Polish political class.

The first is that no one may attack Polish services, the Polish army, or the actions securing our border, regardless of political views.

The second principle  directed at politicians  is to stop repeating Russian propaganda.

"This absolutely must end. It is not difficult, it does not require detailed analysis. You simply need to have your eyes open, use common sense and patriotism to distinguish what is Russian propaganda and disinformation,"

- said Donald Tusk.

Third, political sabotage of legislative actions  such as vetoes or endless parliamentary quarrels  must end.

"It cannot be that for party interests or due to some political ambitions or aspirations, some will block the actions of others. Legislative and parliamentary sabotage cannot take place, at least for this one year,"

- appealed the Prime Minister.

Fourth, anyone engaged in politics, including foreign policy, who speaks publicly must have no doubt that we are aligned with the West and the European Union, not with Russia. We must not undermine our membership in the EU.

The final point concerns the war between Russia and Ukraine  in this conflict, Poland stands on the side of Ukraine.



Talks with President Zelensky on acts of sabotage in Poland

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also referred to the recent acts of sabotage on the railway line between Warsaw and Lublin.

"A moment ago I spoke with President Zelensky about what happened in Poland  about the acts of sabotage and about the fact that it is the joint task of Poland and Ukraine to prevent, eliminate, and identify threats resulting from this modus operandi for which Russia is known, not only in Poland,"

- said the Prime Minister.

Poland expects the immediate transfer of all data that will help identify threats stemming from cooperation between Russian intelligence services and certain Ukrainian citizens. In line with President Zelensky's commitment, Polish and Ukrainian railway services will cooperate closely.

Our security depends on the success of Polish scientists

Modern conflicts are not limited to frontline operations. Their outcomes largely depend on the technological capabilities of states  from drones, satellite systems, and the use of artificial intelligence, to the level of cybersecurity.

"The war is decided not only directly on the front. It is above all decided in laboratories, research facilities, factories, and micro-enterprises. Our security will directly depend on the successes of Polish scientists and Polish entrepreneurs,"

- stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The head of government reminded that Poland funds Ukraine's access to Starlink services, being fully aware of their crucial role on the front.

The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the work of Polish specialists, including astronaut Sawosz Uznanski, who  as he emphasized  actively supports the development of Polish space competencies and cooperates with the government.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Estonia to Purchase at Least Six South Korean-Made Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launchers

Republic of Estonia - Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI)

21.12.2025

News, Procurements

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) and representatives of the South Korean defence industry company Hanwha Aerospace have signed a contract for the procurement of six Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers. The contract, worth nearly 290 million, covers the launcher systems, three types of missile systems (CGR-080, CTM-MR, CTM-290), as well as operational and training support. In addition, modifications to the platforms will be ordered to ensure they meet Estonian conditions and traffic regulations. Deliveries will begin in the second half of 2027, and the framework agreement allows for the future procurement of additional systems.

"Estonia began developing its deep-strike capability this April with the acquisition of the U.S. HIMARS systems. Since multiple rocket launchers are of invaluable importance from a military capability perspective, I am extremely pleased that, in addition to U.S. HIMARS, we will now also acquire South Korean Chunmoo systems, thereby significantly enhancing both Estonia's and NATO's overall deterrence and defence capability," said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.

As part of the framework agreement, Hanwha Aerospace will also make investments in Estonia's defence industry in accordance with the volume and conditions set out in the contract. "As part of the agreement, the company will invest one-fifth of the total procurement contract value in Estonian industry. The initial investment should return amount value of 40~60 million to Estonian defence industry companies," explained Katri Raudsepp, Acting Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI).

"This contract highlights the need for defence solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also ready for immediate deployment," said Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace. "Our priority is to strengthen security in the Baltic region by leveraging our rapid production capability to ensure the timely delivery of these critical capabilities to Estonia."

Chunmoo is a state-of-the-art multiple rocket launcher system designed to provide high mobility and rapid, precise firepower. It is mounted on highly mobile 88 trucks and is capable of firing both 239 mm guided rockets with a range of up to 80 kilometres, as well as longer-range missiles such as the CTM-290 tactical ballistic missile, with a flight range of up to 290 km.

"The procurement of additional rocket launchers will allow the division to significantly increase its ability to strike targets deep within the adversary's territory, thereby creating better conditions for projecting effects onto enemy territory. Alongside HIMARS, Chunmoo is certainly a good choice for this purpose," said Lieutenant Colonel Meelis Laanemets, Senior Staff Officer and Artillery Inspector in the Defence Forces Headquarters' Analysis and Planning Department.

The system's name, "Chunmoo" (in Korean, approximate pronunciation "Chun-moo"), literally means "Heavenly God of War" or "Heavenly Warrior." The name symbolises power and grandeur and refers to the weapon system's ability to strike targets far beyond the horizon. Names with similar meanings are often used in Korean military technology to emphasise both national pride and strategic capability.

In October of this year, Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and South Korean Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back signed a defence cooperation agreement between the two countries in Seoul, under which Estonia planned to procure South Korean Chunmoo rocket launchers in addition to U.S. HIMARS systems. Alongside the Chunmoo procurement contracts, the Ministry of Defence also signed a cooperation agreement this Sunday with the Korean export agency KOTRA, aimed at further strengthening defence industry cooperation between Estonia and South Korea.

Deliveries of the Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers will begin in the second half of 2027.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Araghchi: US actions against Venezuela imperil regional and global peace

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned US threats to use force against Venezuela, calling them a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter and a threat to world peace.

Araghchi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto on Sunday, in which the two sides discussed bilateral relations as well as developments in the Caribbean region.

Threats of military action against Venezuela, along with measures undermining maritime security in the Caribbean, constituted a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter, the Iranian foreign minister said.

He expressed Iran's solidarity with and support for the people and the elected government of Venezuela, stressing the responsibility of the international community to firmly oppose what he described as illegal and unilateral actions.

Araghchi warned that such measures pose an open threat to regional and global peace and stability.

Referring to the very good relations between Iran and Venezuela across various fields, the Iranian foreign minister underlined the determination of the leaders of the two nations to consolidate and expand bilateral ties in line with the interests of both countries.

For his part, the Venezuelan foreign minister thanked Iran for its principled positions and its expression of solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their elected government in the face of what he described as illegal and unjust threats and sanctions imposed by the US.

He emphasized the resolve of the Venezuelan government and nation to defend the country's national sovereignty and independence against external pressures.

The two foreign ministers also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral coordination and cooperation within international forums to confront unilateralism and to defend the sovereignty of nations.

4354**9417

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel's hawkish minister announces approval of 19 new settlements in West Bank

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 21 December 2025 5:36 PM

Israel's so-called security cabinet has given the final approval to a highly controversial project of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite international condemnation and growing calls for a halt to settlement activity.

"The proposal by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Katz (minister for military affairs) to declare and formalize 19 new settlements in the West Bank has been approved by the cabinet," the office of far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced in a statement on Sunday.

The hawkish minister further said that the move was aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"On the ground, we are blocking the establishment of a Palestinian terror state," the statement read.

Smotrich's office said the 19 newly approved settlements are located in what it described as "highly strategic" areas, adding that two of them -- Ganim and Kadim in the northern West Bank -- would be re-established after being dismantled two decades ago.

Five of the 19 settlements already existed but had not previously been granted legal status under Israeli law, the statement noted.

The decision brings the total number of settlements approved over the past three years to at least 69.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently condemned Israel's "relentless" expansion of settlements in the occupied territory.

The latest approvals come days after the United Nations said the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank had reached its highest level since at least 2017, when the world body began tracking such data.

"These figures represent a sharp increase compared to previous years," Guterres said.

He noted that an average of 12,815 housing units were added annually between 2017 and 2022.

"These developments are further entrenching the unlawful Israeli occupation and violating international law and undermining the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination," he said.

It "continues to fuel tensions, impede access by Palestinians to their land and threaten the viability of a fully independent, democratic, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State," the UN chief said earlier this month.

In September, Smotrich announced plans to annex more than 80 percent of the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli minister called the West Bank annexation "a preventative step" against moves by many countries to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Since the start of the Israeli genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip, calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state have proliferated, with several Western states recently moving to formally recognize Palestine.

Long-time Western allies of Israel, including Belgium, France, the UK, Canada, and Australia, recognized Palestinian statehood during a UN General Assembly session from September 8-23. They joined 147 nations that had already formally recognized Palestine.

US President Donald Trump, a key backer of the Israeli regime, has warned Israel about annexing the West Bank.

"Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened," Trump said in a recent interview with Time magazine.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence there has soared since the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza began in October 2023.

At least 1,102 Palestinians have since been killed in the West Bank, and nearly 11,000 others have been injured in attacks by the military and Israeli settlers in the occupied territory.

Around 21,000 people have also been abducted by the occupying regime's forces.

For months, rights organizations have been warning that Palestinians in the West Bank face a growing threat of ethnic cleansing amid the continuing violence.

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel's prolonged occupation of historic Palestine was unlawful and called for the removal of all settlements currently in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






US actions against Venezuela endanger global, regional peace: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 21 December 2025 11:10 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed Iran's solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government amid the United States' "illegal" maritime attacks and threats to use force against the South American country, saying Washington's hostile conducts endanger world peace.

Araghchi was speaking during a telephone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil Pinto, on Sunday, one day after the US seized a second oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.

He denounced the US actions undermining maritime security in the Caribbean Sea and its threats to use force against Venezuela as a flagrant breach of core principles of international law and the UN Charter.

He also reaffirmed Iran's support for the people and the legitimately elected government of Venezuela.

The top Iranian diplomat further stressed the duty of the international community to resolutely confront illegal and unilateral US actions that "endanger peace and stability in the region and the world."

Meanwhile, Araghchi highlighted strong Iran-Venezuela relations in various sectors, saying both nations are resolved to strengthen and expand ties in pursuit of mutual interests.

The Venezuelan foreign minister, for his part, appreciated Iran's principled stance of solidarity with his country in the face of illegal and coercive US measures.

He also noted that Venezuelans are determined to defend their national sovereignty and independence in the face of US pressure.

The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral and multilateral coordination and cooperation in global forums to counter unilateralism and to defend the national sovereignty of states.

In the past few months, the US has mounted its pressure campaign on Venezuela that has included moving thousands of troops and a carrier strike group into the Caribbean, conducting lethal strikes on suspected drug boats, and repeating threats against President Nicolas Maduro.

The US has further enforced a blockade of oil tankers transiting Venezuela and seized two vessels off the country's coast.

Caracas says Washington is seeking a "regime change" in Venezuela with the ultimate goal of stealing the country's oil wealth.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Venezuela slams US 'theft, hijacking' of second oil tanker, vows to take case to UN

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 21 December 2025 7:58 AM

The Venezuelan government has categorically denounced the United States' "theft and hijacking" of a second oil tanker off the country's coast, vowing to pursue legal avenues against Washington, including filing a complaint with the UN.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez made the remarks in a statement on Saturday after US forces boarded and seized the Panama-flagged Centuries tanker laden with up to 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in the Caribbean Sea.

Rodriguez, who doubles as Venezuela's petroleum minister, condemned the US's illegal actions as a "serious act of international piracy."

Caracas "denounces and rejects the theft and hijacking of a new private vessel transporting oil, as well as the forced disappearance of its crew, committed by military personnel of the United States of America in international waters," she said.

Rodriguez also emphasized that the Venezuelan people will defeat the "colonialist model" that the administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to impose on the nation.

"These acts will not go unpunished," she said, adding that her country will take "all corresponding actions, including filing a complaint before the United Nations Security Council, other multilateral organizations, and the governments of the world."

Earlier in the day, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video of US forces confiscating the oil tanker and said the United States will continue to pursue the alleged "illicit movement of sanctioned oil."

However, Jeremy Paner, a partner at Hughes Hubbard law firm in Washington, said the seized vessel has not been sanctioned by the US.

On Tuesday, Trump ordered a blockade of oil tankers transiting Venezuela and claimed that the country had stolen US "oil, land, and other assets."

Venezuela's UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada blasted Washington's rhetoric as a "grotesque offense" to civilized norms and a return to 19th-century imperialist policies.

On December 10, the US attacked and seized a commercial vessel, called the Skipper, which was carrying Venezuelan crude oil off the country's coast in an act of naval piracy.

The US has in recent months mounted its pressure campaign on Venezuela that has included moving thousands of troops and a carrier strike group into the Caribbean and repeating threats against President Nicolas Maduro.

Meanwhile, US forces have conducted a wave of lethal strikes on suspected drug boats and killed more than 104 people since September.

Caracas says Washington is seeking a "regime change" in Venezuela with the ultimate goal of stealing the country's oil wealth.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Pashinian Vs. The Catholicos: What's Behind The Armenian Prime Minister's Campaign Against The Church?

By Ulviyya Asadzade December 21, 2025

Armenia is facing its gravest church-state clash since gaining independence, as tensions continue to grow between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Catholicos Garegin II, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.



The dispute has led to arrests, public accusations, and competing narratives about Armenia's identity, governance, geopolitical orientation -- and whether or not the prime minister respects the country's constitution.



The standoff could reshape Armenia's political landscape and relations with its diaspora ahead of parliamentary elections in June next year.

What Is The Dispute About?

The government claims it's targeting corruption and entrenched business interests within the church, an Oriental Orthodox institution.



For example, the church, which is exempt from property tax by law, has been accused of using this exemption for enrichment. However, no official legal judgement or independent verification has so far confirmed these claims.



Pashinian has accused Garegin II of violating celibacy vows by allegedly fathering a child and being "a threat to Armenia's national security." The prime minister has also implied that Garegin II and figures close to him -- including his brother, who serves as a diocese primate in Russia -- have links to foreign intelligence services.



In a recent speech to parliament, Pashinian said, "I do not need a Catholicos who obeys me; I need a Catholicos who does not obey a senior lieutenant of a foreign intelligence service and does not report to lieutenants of a foreign intelligence service on a daily basis."



The church has insisted the government is overstepping its constitutional limits.



RFE/RL's Armenian Service contacted the Investigative Committee, which handles preliminary probes into serious crimes, as well as the Prosecutor-General's Office and National Security Service, and learned that no criminal case has ever been opened against Garegin II.

How Did Things Escalate?

Tensions between church and state deepened after Armenia's second war with Azerbaijan over its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. The war lasted six weeks before a Russia-brokered cease-fire came into force and resulted in Armenia losing control over parts of the region. In September 2023, Baku completely retook Karabakh from Armenian separatists following a lightning offensive.



Between April and June of 2024, church cleric Bagrat Galstanian led protests -- the largest of Pashinian's tenure -- over what he sees as Armenia's territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. At the time, he was serving as bishop of the Diocese of Tavush, where four villages were returned to Azerbaijan after having been under Armenian control since the first war over Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended in 1994.



Galstanian was later arrested on charges of plotting a coup and attempting to seize power. And since April 2024, four archbishops have been arrested on different charges.

Accusations Of Russian Ties

When Galstanian was arrested, Russia responded angrily, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calling for an end to what he called "unjustified attacks" against the church, which he described as "one of the key pillars of Armenian society."



Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan fired back, accusing Moscow of meddling in Armenia's internal affairs.

Some analysts claim church leaders, including Garegin II, maintain close ties to Russia. "There's a Russian connection to the leader of the church," Richard Giragosian, head of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center, told RFE/RL.



In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Garegin II the Order of Honor for his "great contribution to the development of cultural-humanitarian links between Russia and Armenia."



Giragosian adds that while the allegations of corruption and ties to Russia may be valid, the government's response has been punitive: "I think the government is [getting] carried away. This is a vendetta. It's too personal."



Accusations that the church has ties with Russia have emerged at a time when the Armenian government is experiencing strained relations with Moscow. Pashinian has argued that Russia abandoned Armenia during the 2020 war, prompting a strategic shift toward the EU and other Western partners.

'Real Armenia'

The backdrop to the church-state confrontation has been Pashinian's Real Armenia doctrine. According to the prime minister, Armenia should refocus national identity on the Republic of Armenia rather than territory outside its borders. Pashinian has said that focusing on a historical homeland for Armenians, which includes parts of Turkey and Azerbaijan, has only caused geopolitical vulnerability and leaves room for Russian meddling.

Elections Ahead

The standoff between church and state comes at a sensitive time for Armenia, with the country heading toward parliamentary elections in June.

Analyst Giragosian cautions that the government is "going too far, too fast," undermining legal norms and public confidence. "If this conflict continues next year, the government will suffer in terms of worse relations with the diaspora and will be seen as unnecessarily vindictive," he adds.



Critics of the government's actions say that the arrests of clergy and investigations into the church violate the constitutional separation of church and state.

Another sensitivity is Armenia's peace agreement with Azerbaijan. While the presidents of both countries initialed the draft peace deal in August, the full treaty has not yet been formally signed or ratified.



The prime minister, however, has not let off the pressure, recently confirming that he ordered the National Security Service to censor church services by instructing priests not to mention Garegin II's name during liturgies.



Pashinian has defended his actions, saying that he is criticizing the catholicos as an ordinary believer calling for church reform rather than prime minister.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pashinian-catholicos- garegin-armenia-conflict/33629278.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russo-Ukraine War - 21 December 2025 - Day 1397

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 200 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively give an offence to the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory.

Russian zagarbniki made one missile strike, using one missile, 17 aviation strikes, dropping 46 controlled bombs. In addition, 1779 kamikaze drones were recruited to impress and carried out 2500 shelling of positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

Two attacks of Russian invaders took place in the North Slobozhansky and Kursk directions. The Russian enemy launched one air strike with three air bombs, carrying out 95 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, eight of which were from reactive systems of arson fire.

Today, the adversary attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 16 times in the South Slobozhansky direction in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Prylipka, Dvorichanske and towards Izbitsky, Vilchi and Obukhivka. One fight is still going on.

In the direction of Kupyans komu, the Russian enemy today carried out six offensive actions towards Kurilivka, Petropavlivka, Sand and Glushkivka.

In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 15 Russian assault actions in the direction of settlements Druzhelyubivka, Stavki, Novosergiyivka, Korovoy Yar, Stepovo, Olgivka, Lyman, Drobisheve and in the area of Zarichny. Four more clashes are underway.

In the Slovak direction, the Russian enemy attacked five times near yampol and sivers .k.

In the Kramators -komu direction, the Russian opponent tried to go ahead three times on the position of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasilivka and Virolyubivka.

24 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. The Russian enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of settlements Oleksandro-Shultine, Pleshiyivka, Kleban-Bik, Konstantinivka, Rusin Yar and towards Sofiyivka and Stepanivka.

In the Pokrovsky direction from the beginning of this day, Russian forces 47 times attacked in the areas of settlements Shahove, Rodins ke, Suhetske, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Filia and towards Roadozhny, Novopidgorodne, Sergiyivka, New Shahovoy and Novopavlivka.

Today, according to preliminary data, 104Russian occupants have been defiled in this direction, 53 of whom - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed one artillery system, 13 BPLA, significantly damaged three units of automobile equipment, also Ukrainian defenders hit seven hides of the Russian enemy personnel.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 16 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Oleksandrograd, Sichneve, Sosnivka, Privilne, Rybne, Pershotravneve and towards settlements Andriyivka-Klevtsove and Ivanivka, one confrontation is ongoing so far.

In the gulyajpil s komu direction, the Russian aggressor 11 times tried to go forward in the position of Ukrainian troops in the area of gulyajpol.

In the Orihivs komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled five attacks in the areas of Stepovoye, Scherbakiv, Mali Scherbakiv, Stepnogirsk and towards Novoandrivka.

In the Pridnipro direction, the Russian enemy made two unsuccessful attempts to approach the positions of Ukrainian units in the direction of Antonivsky Bridge.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops hit formations of one AFU jaeger brigade close to Ryzhevka and Alekseyevka in Sumy region.

In Kharkov direction, Russian troops inflicted fire damage on units of one motorised infantry brigade and three mechanised brigades near Krasnoyarskoye, Ternovoye, and Volchanskiye Khutora (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses were up to 120 troops and nine motor vehicles.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops defeated manpower and hardware of one airmobile brigade, two assault brigades, four mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two National Guard brigades near Podoly, Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Lesnaya Stenkw, Kovsharovka, Boldyrevka, Monachinovka (Kharkov region), and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 210 troops, one T-72 tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicle made, one Canadian-made Senator armoured personnel carrier, 14 motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns. Three ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous positions. Russian troops launched formations of one engineering brigade, one mountain assault brigade, and three mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, Zakotnoye, Konstantinovka, Nikolayevka, and Minkovka of the Donetsk People's Republic.

The enemy losses were up to 215 troops, one M113 armoured personnel carrier, and one U.S.-made Stryker armoured vehicle, 11 motor vehicles, two artillery systems, and one Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 MLRS launcher. In addition, one electronic warfare station, three ammunition depots and one fuel depot were destroyed.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued the neutralisation of an encircled enemy group in Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), and mopping up of Rodinskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) from scattered formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russian troops defeated manpower and hardware of one jaeger brigade, one airmobile brigade, one airborne brigade, two mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, the Azov Special Forces Brigades, and onr National Guard brigade near Verovka, Annovka, Sergeyevka, Artemovka, Toretskoye, Belitskoye, Rodinskoye, Novoaleksandrovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy losses were more than 455 troops, U.S.-made Abrams and German-made Leopard tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one field artillery system, and one electronic reconnaissance station.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance into the depth of enemy defences. Russian troops hit manpower and hardware of one assault brigade, four assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade near Gai, Andreyevka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Ternovatoe, Dorozhnyanka, and Gulyai-Pole (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses were over 245 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer. In addition, one material depot was destroyed.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces defeated formations of one mechanised brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and one territorial defence brigade near Orekhov and Preobrazhenka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, two field artillery guns including one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, two electronic warfare stations, and one Israeli-made RADA radar station.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage enterprises of the defence industry of Ukraine, power facilities, transport and storage infrastructure that supported the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly sites for long-range unmanned aerial vehicles as well as temporary deployment areas of the AFU and foreign mercenaries in 144 areas.

Air defence systems hit 29 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost: 669 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 104,014 unmanned aerial vehicles, 640 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,637 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,634 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,062 field artillery guns and mortars, 49,684 support military vehicles.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israeli threats signal disarray as Iran closely monitors developments: Cmdr.

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The deputy chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran has said that repeated threats by the Israeli regime are a sign of turmoil and weakness, stressing that Iran is closely monitoring all regional and international developments.

In an interview with the Lebanese Al Mayadeen TV network on Saturday, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi commented on the anticipated visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States and the regime's escalating rhetoric against Iran. He said the Israeli regime is facing serious and evident challenges and has failed to achieve its objectives.

Vahidi emphasized that Israel has not succeeded in realizing any of its goals in the June aggression against Iran. He added that Tehran is carefully tracking all developments and assessing the situation with full awareness.

The commander also said that Israeli officials are attempting to project an image that differs from reality in order to conceal their vulnerabilities. This is being pursued through media and psychological warfare aimed at Iran, he said.

Vahidi noted that Israeli claims and propaganda would not yield tangible results.

He further stated that Israel is increasingly isolated on the international stage and is making futile efforts to overcome its current dilemma.

According to Al Mayadeen, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had previously announced that the Israeli military managed to destroy less than three percent of Iran's missile launch platforms, adding that the Islamic Republic's missile capabilities remain operational and ready.

4208**9417

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Iran Navy dispatches task groups to South Africa as it expands maritime presence: Cmdr.

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 21 December 2025 4:57 PM

Iran's Navy commander praised the country's "expanding maritime presence" beyond the region, announcing that the Navy's 103rd and 104th task groups have set sail on overseas missions and are currently en route to South Africa.

Speaking at a gathering of clerics hosted by the Navy on Sunday, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said the Islamic Republic is a leading contributor to maritime security in the region and beyond.

He emphasized that the deployments reflect the force's growing reliance on domestic capabilities, trans-regional operational experience, and a sustained presence in open waters.

According to the commander, one of the fleets has been tasked with escorting commercial vessels, while Fleet 103 is also scheduled to take part in a joint naval exercise with BRICS countries.

He said the participation is in line with directives from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and aims to strengthen defense and maritime diplomacy.

Irani further asserted that Iran's position in the maritime domain has been firmly established, adding that the Navy has become "one of the influential players in maritime security in the region and beyond."

He also criticized efforts by hostile media to portray Iran as isolated, saying such attempts have failed in the past and will fail in the future.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he noted that foreign military commanders acknowledge the role and influence of Iran's leadership.

The commander explained that statements by Iran's Leader are studied at senior military levels abroad, which he said shows the country's impact on regional and global dynamics.

Highlighting the importance of conveying these assessments to military personnelparticularly younger forces in training centersIrani said Iran's current standing has compelled enemies to recognize its position despite ongoing propaganda campaigns.

He also praised recent naval achievements, including missions by the 86th Fleet and the Sahand destroyer, as the product of unity, faith, and adherence to the guidance of the Leader.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Israel using threats, media hype to hide blows suffered in Iran war: Top commander

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 21 December 2025 10:43 AM

A senior Iranian military commander says Israel is resorting to threats, political maneuvers, and media campaigns to cover up the severe defeat that the regime suffered in its illegal aggression against the Islamic Republic earlier this year.

Deputy Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi made the remarks on Saturday, after NBC News reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present plans for a possible fresh assault against Iran to US President Donald Trump during an upcoming meeting in Florida.

Speaking to Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television channel, Vahidi said Israel is using psychological warfare in a bid to distort reality and project an image that does not reflect conditions on the ground.

The occupying regime failed to achieve any of its objectives in its 12-day war against Iran, he added.

Israel is engaged in desperate attempts to survive amid growing isolation, as well as serious internal and strategic problems, while Iran continues to closely monitor regional and international developments.

Vahidi, a veteran commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), further noted that Israeli statements and propaganda efforts are unlikely to produce results.

Between June 13 and 24, Israel waged its terrorist act of aggression against Iran, killing at least 1,064 people and targeting the country's civilian infrastructure.

On June 22, the United States also joined Israel and bombed three Iranian nuclear sites. Two days later, the Islamic Republic managed to impose a halt to the criminal aggression through its successful retaliatory strikes.

Earlier this month, Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate head Major General Shlomi Binder reportedly admitted that Iran's ballistic missile program suffered less damage in the war than initially thought.

The enemies failed to eliminate even three percent of Iran's missile launchers, said Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, deputy coordinator of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) during the 12-day war.

Iran has warned that any miscalculation or new act of aggression by the enemies against the country will be met with a deadly and firm response.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Japan's Nuclear Ambitions 'Must Be Prevented at Any Cost' - North Korea

Sputnik News

20251221

A senior Japanese government official recently stated that his country should possess nuclear weapons.

A Japanese attempt to go nuclear must be prevented at any cost, as it would bring mankind a great disaster," the director of the Institute for Japan Studies at the North Korean Foreign Ministry warned, as cited by KCNA.

The director stressed that the Japanese position goes "beyond the red line" and "clearly reflects Japan's long-cherished ambition for nuclear weaponization."

The head of the North Korean Foreign Ministry think tank pointed out that "Japan's true purpose of crying out about the threats from neighboring countries is to justify its moves to become a military giant with nuclearization as its ultimate goal."

This comes after former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya sharply criticized remarks by a national security official from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office advocating for the possession of nuclear weapons, saying they undermine Tokyo's nuclear disarmament efforts.

On Thursday, the Kyodo news agency reported that the official, speaking informally and off the record, said Japan "should have nuclear weapons," arguing that "in the end, you can only rely on yourself." The official had not discussed revising those principles with Takaichi, noting the issue could divide public opinion.

"If this is true, then it is extremely inappropriate. In the 80th year since the atomic bombings, when Japan is trying to play a role in nuclear disarmament, such statements undermine these efforts," Iwaya was quoted by Kyodo as saying.

Opposition leaders also condemned the remarks. Japanese Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki told the NHK broadcaster that they were unacceptable if accurate and contradicted prior government responses to parliament. He called on Takaichi to clarify the matter publicly and warned that confirmed contradictions would raise "inevitable questions of responsibility."

Tetsuo Saito, chief representative of Japan's Komeito party, told reporters that the comments provoked "surprise and anger." Possessing nuclear weapons would isolate Japan diplomatically and could sharply worsen security, he said.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The commissioning ceremony of 2nd Pakistan Navy MILGEM class ship PNS KHAIBAR was held at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, Turkiye.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - December 21, 2025

No PR-419/2025-ISPR

The commissioning ceremony of 2nd Pakistan Navy MILGEM class ship PNS KHAIBAR was held at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, Turkiye. The President of Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), Chief of the Naval Staff also attended the ceremony.

While addressing on the occasion, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan termed the brotherly relations between Pakistan-Turkiye as exemplary. The President further emphasized the need for enhanced mutual collaboration in the field of defence production in future as well.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf acknowledged the commitment of M/s ASFAT, Istanbul Naval Shipyard and the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) involved in planning, design and construction of PN MILGEM ships. Naval Chief also appreciated the deepening defence partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye. He highlighted that bilateral engagements between Pakistan Navy and Turkish Naval Forces not only contribute immensely towards strengthening Pakistan-Turkiye defence collaboration but also reflect our enduring and deepening partnership.

Following the ceremony, Turkish President visited the ship, where he was presented Guard of Honour and interacted with ship's crew. During the visit Turkish President and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf exchanged views on maritime security in the region and discussed avenues for future PN-TNF joint initiatives.

PN MILGEM ships are the most technologically advanced surface platforms. These vessels are equipped with latest Command and Control Systems integrated with modern weapons and advanced sensors.

The contract for construction of 4 MILGEM class ships for Pakistan was signed between Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan and M/s ASFAT, Turkiye in 2018, wherein two Ships planned to be constructed at Turkiye and remaining two ships in Pakistan. Commissioning of PNS KHAIBAR marks the completion of construction of both Ships at Turkiye.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






On 19 December 2025, nine 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 21, 2025

No PR-420/2025-ISPR

On 19 December 2025, nine 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 Dera Ismail Khan District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, four khwarij were sent to hell.

Another intelligence based operation was conducted in Bannu District. In ensuing fire exchange, five more khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed Indian sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Security Forces, Law Enforcement agencies and target killing of innocent civilians.

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.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF called on His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during his official visit to the Kingdom.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - December 22, 2025

No PR-421/2025-ISPR

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF called on His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during his official visit to the Kingdom.

During the meeting, both sides held discussions on matters of mutual interest, including regional security dynamics, defence and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, and evolving geopolitical challenges. The interaction reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Under a Royal Decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's highest national honour was also conferred upon the Field Marshal.

The honour recognizes Field Marshal Asim Munir's distinguished military service and leadership, as well as his central role in advancing defence cooperation, strategic coordination, and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. It also reflects his contributions toward regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism and security.

The Saudi leadership conveyed its appreciation for Field Marshal Asim Munir's professionalism and strategic outlook, noting his commitment to strengthening the longstanding, brotherly ties between the two countries

Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leadership for the honour, describing it as a reflection of the enduring bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Kingdom.

The conferment of the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class underscores the depth of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and the shared determination of both nations to further strengthen strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Chinese expert warns proliferation risk as South Korea, US plan consultations on nuclear-powered submarines next year

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Dec 21, 2025 01:46 PM

South Korea and the US reportedly plan to conduct consultations on the construction of South Korea's nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment, and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel next year. A Chinese expert said on Sunday that South Korea and the US' nuclear-powered submarine plan poses serious threats to nuclear non-proliferation, risks an arms race and undermines peace and stability.

Wi Sung-lac, director of South Korea's Office of National Security, claimed on Saturday that South Korea and the US have agreed to simultaneously conduct consultations in various fields starting next year to implement the agreements reached between the two countries' leaders, including the construction of South Korea's nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment, and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. The agreement was reached during high-level discussions held during Wi's visit to Washington DC from Tuesday to Wednesday, South Korea's Yonhap News reported on Sunday.

During his US visit, Wi met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, according to the Yonhap report.

Wi claimed that the US and South Korea have agreed to conclude a separate agreement based on Article 91 of the US Atomic Energy Act, which allows the US President to authorize the transfer of military nuclear materials, Yonhap reported, noting that this is similar to the solution Australia is pursuing to acquire nuclear submarines from the US within the framework of the AUKUS.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, warned that the South Korea-US nuclear-powered submarine program has a high risk of nuclear proliferation. He told the Global Times on Sunday that the US has made a bad precedent with the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program with Australia, and now a similar case is emerging for South Korea. The US' indulgence of allowing some of its allies to use its nuclear technologies and nuclear fuel will inevitably undermine the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Now that Japan is also hyping its plan to own nuclear-powered submarines, and an arms race over nuclear-power submarines could break out, Song said. He noted that the more countries have nuclear-powered submarines, the higher the risk is for an overflow of nuclear technologies as well as nuclear accidents.

Song further noted that while South Korea is a maritime nation, its coastlines are limited, so it does not really have the need to operate nuclear-powered submarines. The Chinese expert questioned if South Korea wants to use nuclear-powered submarines to challenge other countries' interests only so it can become a so-called major country.

A nuclear arms race will only undermine peace and stability, Song said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously weighed in on the South Korean nuclear-powered submarine issue. In response to a related question, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on October 30 that China noted the developments. China hopes that the ROK and the US will earnestly fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations, and do what is conducive to regional peace and stability, not otherwise.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Putin Ready to Engage in Dialogue With Macron - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20251221

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to engage in dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron, and if there is mutual political will, then the French leader's intentions can only be assessed positively, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik.

Earlier, Macron stated that it would be useful for Europe to resume dialogue with the Russian president in the coming weeks.

"He [Macron] said he was ready to talk with Putin. Here, it is probably very important to recall what the president said during the direct line. He also expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Macron. Therefore, if there is mutual political will, then this can only be assessed positively," Peskov said.

The possible dialogue should be an attempt to understand each other's positions, not a lecturing exercise, the Russian leader is always ready to explain his positions in detail and consistently, he added.

Earlier, Macron said that it would be useful for Europe to resume dialogue with the Russian president in the coming weeks.

"Of course, if we are talking about dialogue, it should not be a dialogue about lecturing each other. It should be a dialogue about understanding each other's positions. Putin is always ready to explain his positions to his interlocutors in detail, sincerely, and consistently," Peskov said.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






M109A7s to improve mobility, precision, firepower of Taiwan's artillery: Expert

ROC Central News Agency

12/21/2025 03:59 PM

Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) The upcoming additions of U.S.-made M109A7 howitzers will boost Taiwan's artillery with higher mobility, better precision and more firepower, a local defense expert told CNA on Sunday.

Shu Hsiao-huang (), an associate research fellow at Taiwan's military-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), said the M109A7 howitzers will play a crucial role in modernizing Taiwan's artillery capabilities, which are important for eliminating People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops landing in Taiwan.

The M109A7 is able to fire within 60 seconds after receiving an order to do so, which is expected to significantly increase the howitzer's survival rate on the battlefield, Shu said.

Also, once equipped with a Precision Guidance Kit (PGK), the M109A7's artillery projectile will be able to hit within 30 meters of the target at any range, a huge improvement from the previous 250 meters.

The PGK will therefore add precision guidance to munitions, enabling Taiwan's military to engage targets with greater efficiency, he said.

In terms of mobility, the M109A7 has been fitted with the chassis of the M2 Bradley and a 675-horsepower engine, allowing it to travel faster than previous versions at 61 kilometers per hour.

The M109A7 can also sustain a maximum rate of fire of four rounds per minute, providing multifaceted defensive firepower while operating alongside other rocket systems, including HIMARS, he added.

Shu made the remarks when asked about the significance of the future addition of M109A7 howitzers to Taiwan's armed forces.

On Wednesday, Washington announced the potential sale of eight arms packages to Taiwan, to include 60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment worth more than US$4 billion, as well as 4,080 PGKs.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which made the announcement, said it has delivered the required certifications notifying Congress of the sales, following approval by the U.S. State Department.

Once the U.S. Congress approves the arms sales during a mandatory review period of around 30 days, a formal contract will be signed by Taiwan and the U.S., and the sales will commence, according to Taiwan's military.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025.12.22

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Dec. 21 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Dec. 22 (Mon.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

4 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 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.

1141222_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1141222_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






PM call with President Trump of the United States: 21 December 2025

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 21 December 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.

The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities.

Turning to the Middle East, the leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza.

The Prime Minister also updated on the appointment of the new British Ambassador to the United States, Dr Christian Turner. The appointment would further deepen the relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas and looked forward to speaking again soon.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Denys Shmyhal inspects fortification construction in the Zaporizhzhia sector

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

20 December, 2025, 1:05 PM EET

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, inspected fortification construction under the responsibility of the State Special Transport Service.

Specifically, he inspected engineering obstacle systems built by the State Special Transport Service, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies.

According to a briefing by the Head of the State Special Transport Service, Major General Oleksandr Yakovets, construction of strongpoints and pyramidal anti-tank obstacles in the Zaporizhzhia sector was completed in full in 2025. In addition, 255 km of belts of non-explosive obstacles, 340 km of anti-tank ditches, more than 2.1 km of the 'Yegoza' concertina-wire barrier line, and 277 km of low-visibility wire obstacles were constructed.

"Construction is progressing at a high pace. At the same time, I have set the task of accelerating the construction and reinforcement of fortifications in 2026. I thank everyone working to strengthen our defense capabilities and everyone defending our country," Denys Shmyhal stated.

He emphasized that fortification works are ongoing across all frontline regions. The Minister of Defence also heard a briefing from the Head of the State Special Transport Service on the construction of fortifications in the Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions.

The State Special Transport Service has already constructed 2,130 platoon strong points, over 3,000 km of anti-tank trenches, more than 1,000 km of pyramidal anti-tank obstacles, 16,000 km of 'Yegoza' concertina-wire barrier lines, and 4,300 km of low-visibility wire obstacles.

"I thank the State Special Transport Service for its coordinated efforts. We must further step up the pace of fortification construction and enhance construction technologies, as this constitutes a critical line of Ukraine's defense capability," the Minister of Defence concluded.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






European and Ukrainian revisions to US proposals hindering peace efforts: Russia

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 21 December 2025 5:04 PM

A top foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin says that changes to the US proposals by Europeans and Ukraine do not improve the prospects for long-term peace in Ukraine.

Yuri Ushakov said that he was sure the chances of peace in Ukraine were hampered by any changes made to US proposals, Interfax news agency reported on Sunday.

"This is not a forecast," he told reporters. "I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace."

Negotiations initiated by US President Donald Trump in the framework of a 28-point plan to end the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine. It later boiled down to a 20-point plan.

The framework of the Trump administration's plan rests on the premise that the Russian-speaking Donbas territory in eastern Ukraine will join Russia.

Russia has already liberated most of Donbas despite huge military aid given to Kiev by the US-led Western forces to fight against Russian troops.

European and Ukrainian negotiators have been discussing changes to the US plan. However, it is unclear exactly what changes they want to make to the original US proposals.

Meanwhile, Trump's envoys have been negotiating the 20-point peace plan with Ukrainian, Russian, and European officials.

Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, and Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are presently negotiating in the US city of Miami.

Dmitriev told reporters after meeting Witkoff and Kushner on Saturday that the negotiations had been positive.

"The discussions are proceeding constructively," said Dmitriev. "They began earlier and will continue today, and will also continue tomorrow."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Kremlin Says Little Chance Of Ukraine Peace Deal By Christmas As Florida Talks Conclude

By RFE/RL December 21, 2025

A senior Kremlin official played down the chances of swift progress on Ukraine peace talks as separate meetings in Florida between US and Russian envoys and US and Ukrainian officials wrapped up on December 21.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Russia of abducting 50 civilians in a cross-border attack.

"Fighting is currently ongoing in the village of Hrabovske," Ukrainian military authorities said, adding the troops were "making efforts to drive the occupiers back into Russian territory."

No Peace By Christmas

Russian chief negotiator Kirill Dmitriev concluded the second day of talks with US counterparts, while US and Ukrainian envoys met separately, also in Florida. The Ukrainian team said it also met at the site "with key national security advisers" from its European allies.

But Yury Ushakov, foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters in Moscow on December 21 to expect no breakthrough.

Dmitriev, he said, would simply return to Moscow and make a report.

"The Americans are celebrating Christmas in these days. Not many people are going to be working," Ushakov said.

Rustem Umerov, who has led Ukrainian diplomats in Florida, said he met separately with the US team -- led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

"We work constructively and substantively. We hope for further progress and practical results," he wrote on social media.

Ushakov also poured cold water on a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington had proposed three-way talks.

"So far, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and it is not being worked on, as far as I know," he said, adding that Dmitriev was only holding talks with US officials.

The Florida talks follow a week of intense diplomatic activity, with US envoys meeting with European and Ukrainian officials.

Trump in November began pressing Kyiv to accept a 28-point proposal that critics said was heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

Ukraine and its European backers scrambled to make amendments to protect Ukraine's interests on territory, security guarantees for Kyiv, and other issues, with reports suggesting the plan now consists of 20 points and takes in more of Kyiv's interests.

"I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace," Ushakov said.

Ukraine Evacuates Civilians

As diplomacy continued, so did Russian military attacks on Ukraine.

Authorities were evacuating people from part of Ukraine's Sumy region bordering Russia, amid reports that Russian forces had abducted civilians and taken them to Russia.

"It's unclear what's going on there. They keep coming at us," one evacuee, who gave her name as Tetyana, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Serviceon December 21.

Ukraine's ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said he had written to his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, demanding information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Ukrainian citizens.

He has also appealed to the International Red Cross for help.

"I call on the international community...to stop the illegal deportations of the civilian population of Ukraine," he said.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported 97 incoming Russian drones across the country, of which 19 managed to get through air defenses. There were no immediate reports of fatalities.

Pokrovsk Fighting Continues

The Ukrainian General Staff reported ongoing battles on the front lines on December 21. A statement said there had been 235 combat clashes on the front over the past 24 hours, many of them around Pokrovsk in the eastern Donbas region.

During his annual news conference on December 19, Putin highlighted Russian advances in Pokrovsk, a Donetsk region city that Moscow has prioritized for nearly a year and is in danger of falling to Russia.

Ukraine claims its forces still control the city center and northern districts.

It has not been possible to verify battlefield reports.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/dmitriev-russia-ukraine- florida-peace-talks-trump/33628796.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Will Adhere to Positions Discussed in Alaska - Krelmin Aide

Sputnik News

20251221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will adhere to the positions discussed in Alaska and at other meetings with US representatives, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday.

"We will adhere to what we agreed on in Anchorage and at other meetings with US representatives," Ushakov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Russia will develop its position for further contacts with the US after Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, briefs Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine talks in Miami, Ushakov added.

Russia will assess what can be accepted and what is categorically unacceptable from the signals that Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries Kirill Dmitriev will bring from the US, Ushakov also said.

"He [Dmitriev] will bring some signals that the Americans received from the Europeans and from the Ukrainians. And we will discuss all this here, see what can be accepted, what cannot be categorically accepted," Ushakov said.

At the same time, Ushakov said that Dmitriev is already reporting something about his US talks. After the final conclusions based on the information from Dmitriev, Russia will work out its position and proceed further in negotiations with the US on the Ukrainian settlement, Ushakov added.

"[Dmitriev] will first report to [Russian] president [Vladimir Putin] on the results of his talks. After that, we will formulate the position with which we will go further, including in contacts with the US," Ushakov said.

Kremlin expects Dmitriev to return on Monday and inform Putin about the talks with US representatives held in Miami, Ushakov added.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russian Forces Strike Ukrainian Defense Industry Facilities - MoD

Sputnik News

20251221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have struck Ukrainian defense industry facilities as well as energy, transport and storage infrastructure used by the Ukrainian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the armed forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on the Ukrainian military industry enterprise, energy facilities, transport and storage infrastructure used in the interests of the armed forces of Ukraine, assembly areas of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 144 areas," the ministry said.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has continued eliminating Ukrainian troops trapped in the city of Dimitrov and mopping up troops in the nearby city of Rodinskoye, in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Battlegroup Tsentr continued to neutralize the encircled enemy formations in Dimitrov in the Donetsk People's Republic, as well as mopping up pockets of Ukrainian forces in the settlement of Rodinskoye in Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated over 455 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Over the past day, Russian forces eliminated over 455 Ukrainian soldiers, US-made Abrams and Germany-made Leopard tanks, two armored fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, a field artillery gun, and an electronic warfare station," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 210 Ukrainian soldiers, a T-72 tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, a US-made HMMWV armored fighting vehicle, a Canada-made Senator personnel carrier, 14 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, and three ammunition depots.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok over the past day has eliminated over 245 Ukrainian servicemen, six armored fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, a US-made 155-mm 198 howitzer, and a materiel depot, the ministry said.

In battles with Russia's Battlegroup Sever, Kiev lost up to 120 troops and nine motor vehicles over the past 24 hours, the statement read.

Russia's Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 215 troops, a US-made 113 combat armored vehicle, a US-made Stryker armored personnel carrier, 11 motor vehicles, two artillery guns, a Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launcher, an electronic warfare station, three ammunition depots and a fuel depot, the ministry said.

Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr has eliminated up to 40 Ukrainian troops, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, including a US-made M119 gun, two electronic warfare stations and an Israel-made radar RADA over the past day.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Peace Plan Provisions Proposed by Europe, Ukraine Hinder Progress - Kremlin Aide

Sputnik News

20251221

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said he is confident that provisions that Europeans and Ukrainians are trying to introduce into the draft peace plan will not bring about long-term stability.

"I am more than confident that the provisions that Europeans and Ukrainians have introduced and are trying to implement clearly violate the documents and undermine the chances of achieving a lasting peace," Ushakov told reporters.

Ushakov said he had not seen amendments to the US peace plan introduced following the recent consultations held by the Americans, Europeans and Ukrainians in Berlin.

"We have received signals through the press, but, to be honest, I have not seen any papers myself," the Kremlin aide said.

A possible trilateral meeting between representatives of the United States, Russia and Ukraine is not being worked on, Ushakov said.

"So far, no one has seriously talked about this initiative, and it is not being prepared," Ushakov told journalists.

Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, will report on the results of negotiations with the United States upon his return to Moscow, Yuri Ushakov added.

"Dmitriev is currently in Miami, where he is meeting with a number of colleagues. He will return to Moscow and report back, and we will talk with him," Ushakov told reporters.

Asked whether Dmitriev could talk to Ukrainian negotiators while in Florida, Ushakov said he did not know whether they were in Miami. Dmitriev is expected to meet with US negotiators.

 Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






We Are Working in a Way That Ensures Every Single Day Is Used for Ukraine, and There Should Still Be Relevant News This Year - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

21 December 2025 - 19:43

I wish you health!

We are concluding this historic week for Ukraine - a significant diplomatic week. The main outcome is that we have secured 90 billion for Ukraine for two years. This is the key result of December and, in many respects, an important outcome of the entire year. Europe has taken a positive decision. We fought for this decision for a very long time, and I want to thank everyone who helped. It is important that Russian assets remain in Europe and remain frozen. Ukraine will receive at least 45 billion annually over the next two years. And these funds can be repaid only from Russian funds - Russia must pay for its war. The 90 billion is a very real financial security guarantee for everyone in Ukraine. I thank the leaders of Europe: Antonio Costa, Ursula von der Leyen, and all national leaders who supported us. We will continue working to ensure that all Russian assets are directed toward real protection against Russia's war and toward our state's reconstruction. Such assets are not located only in Europe - we are in contact with every government on this matter. This is one of the most difficult tasks - no less difficult than securing weapons for Ukraine. But we will resolve this as well. Funds for reconstruction will be available.

Ukraine's negotiating team is currently working in Florida - there will be more meetings today with the American delegation, with envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump. Work on the documents on ending the war, on security guarantees, and on reconstruction is ongoing - they are going through each point in detail, and there is constructive engagement with the American side. This is important. They are also discussing timing - possible timeframes for specific decisions. I am expecting a report from Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov on the details of the discussion.

Today, I also had international conversations - with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. I greatly value your support, dear friends! Ukraine will remain strong.

In recent days, we have also been focused on the situation in the Odesa region. On the ground there were Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba and Deputy Head of the Office Mykyta. All necessary services and our military forces have been engaged to ensure reliable logistics with the south of the Odesa region. I thank everyone who is working for the sake of our people in the Odesa region. There is a clear understanding of all the challenges - this is Russia's attempt to block Ukraine's access to maritime logistics. The world must not remain silent about this. Everyone must see that without pressure on Russia, they have no intention of genuinely ending their aggression. The pressure must increase. That is why next week - even though it will be Christmas week, when political activity around the world slows down - we will remain in contact with partners, with everyone who can help us defend our state, our people, our energy sector, and our resilience; with everyone who is working to exert pressure on Russia; with everyone who is making the end of the war real. We are working in a way that ensures every single day is used for Ukraine, and there should still be relevant news this year: support packages for our state and decisions that reduce Russia's ability to wage war, to wage war against us. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!

Next week, I also expect reports regarding certain heads of local administrations who should already be replaced. There will also be new sanctions decisions on our part. Thank you all!

Glory to Ukraine!

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






President Discussed Diplomatic Efforts and Energy Support for Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Norway

President of Ukraine

21 December 2025 - 12:14

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre.

The Head of State briefed him on the diplomatic work underway these days. The Ukrainian team in Florida has been working with the American side, and European representatives were also invited. The President noted that it is important that these negotiations are constructive, and that much depends on Russia feeling the need to end the war for real - this must not be a rhetorical or political game on Russia's part.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the real signals coming from Russia remain only negative: assaults along the frontline, Russian war crimes in border areas, and continued strikes against our infrastructure. It is essential that the world does not remain silent about all of this.

The Head of State thanked Norway for its support and readiness to continue helping - both in maintaining pressure on Russia and in recovery after the strikes. Norway will assist Ukraine with energy resilience. There is a shared sense that after the work by Ukraine's diplomatic team in the United States, it will be important to hold consultations in a broader circle with European partners as well.



NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Russia Keeps Hard Line On Peace Talks While Ukraine Reports Civilian Abductions

By RFE/RL December 22, 2025

Summary

Separate US-Russia and US-Ukraine talks in Florida were described as "constructive" but showed no immediate signs of progress.

Russia scoffed at changes to a peace plan proposed by Kyiv and European allies, saying they would not improve chances for long-term peace.

Ukraine accused Russian forces of abducting about 50 civilians, mostly elderly women, from a village in Sumy region and taking them across the border into Russia.

The Kremlin maintained its hard line on a Ukraine peace deal, rejecting undisclosed changes proposed by Kyiv and its European allies, as separate US-Russia and US-Ukraine talks wrapped up in Florida.

The remarks on December 21 came on the same day that Ukraine accused Russia of abducting civilians from a village in Ukraine's Sumy region and taking more than 50 of them across the border into Russia.

The situation in the Sumy region remained unclear and details could not immediately be confirmed.

Children and a dozen Ukrainian servicemen were among the 52 civilians snatched across the border by the Russian armed forces during their incursion into the Ukrainian village of Hrabovske on December 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on December 22 during a meeting with journalists in Kyiv.

According to Zelenskyy, 52 civilians had remained in Hrabovske, refusing evacuation aid offered to them by Ukraine as "they did not expect the Russians to come and take them prisoner." The incident triggered an uptick of evacuations by residents of villages bordering Russia in Sumy.

In Florida, all sides continued to characterize the various negotiating sessions as "constructive," but there were no apparent signs of progress in either the US-Russia or US-Ukraine discussions.

No announcements were made on possible future meetings.

Reporting To Putin

As Russian chief negotiator Kirill Dmitriev concluded the second day of talks with US counterparts, Yury Ushakov, foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters in Moscow to expect no breakthrough.

Dmitriev, he said, would simply return to Moscow and make a report to Putin on December 22.

"The Americans are celebrating Christmas in these days. Not many people are going to be working," Ushakov said.

"He [Dmitriev] will bring back some signals, which the Americans received from the Europeans and the Ukrainians," Ushakov was quoted by Russian media as saying.

After Dmitriev reports to the Russian leadership, "we will formulate the position with which we will proceed, including in our contacts with the Americans," Ushakov said.

Ushakov claimed that changes proposed by Kyiv and its European allies would not improve the chances of peace, although he said he had not yet seen the exact proposals.

"I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace," he said.

Late on December 21, US special envoy Steve Witkoff posted on Xthat the talks with Russia were "productive and constructive."

"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine. Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security," the statement read.

On the same day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with President Donald Trump, according to a statement from Downing Street.

"The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine," the statement said, adding that they also discussed the work of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of mostly European countries committed to supporting Ukraine.

'Productive And Constructive'

Separately, Rustem Umerov, who has led Ukrainian diplomats in Florida, met with the US team -- also led by Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Umerov also held talks with key European allies during his trip to the US state.

"Over the past three days in Florida, the Ukrainian delegation has held a number of productive and constructive meetings with American and European partners." Umerov wrote on social media.

At the news conference on December 22, Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation has done all it could to finalize the draft documents of the peace proposal. He said the draft is "almost 90 percent" ready.

"These are the details that are important to us: what our army and Ukraine can count on after signing, how strong we can be," the Ukrainian president said, adding that the negotiating team is now on its way back from Washington.

"Key national security advisers from European countries also joined the discussions to agree on a common strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe."

"Separately, a constructive meeting was held in the US-Ukraine format," he said, citing talks on a 20-point peace plan; security guarantees, including those with the United States; and economic development issues.

"Peace should not only be a cessation of hostilities, but also a worthy basis for a stable future," he added.

Trump in November began pressing Kyiv to accept a 28-point proposal that critics said was heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

Ukraine and its European backers scrambled to make amendments to protect Ukraine's interests on territory, security guarantees for Kyiv, and other issues, with reports suggesting the plan now consists of 20 points and takes in more of Kyiv's concerns.

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally but who has taken a harder line on Russia, told NBC's Meet The Press program on December 21 that it remained unclear if Putin would accept the current deal.

But he added that, if he does not, the US administration should take an approach similar to its recent actions with oil tankers near Venezuela and "seize ships that are carrying sanctioned Russian oil."

Whereabouts Unknown

On the ground in Ukraine, Russian military attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure showed no signs of easing.

Authorities were evacuating people from part of Ukraine's Sumy region bordering Russia, amid reports that the Kremlin's forces had abducted civilians and taken them to Russia.

"It's unclear what's going on there. They keep coming at us," one evacuee, who gave her name as Tetyana, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on December 21.

Ukraine's ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said he had written to his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, demanding information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Ukrainian citizens.

He has also appealed to the International Red Cross for help.

"I call on the international community...to stop the illegal deportations of the civilian population of Ukraine," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said most of those taken were "elderly women."

"Russian invaders have stolen five dozen civilian people, mostly elderly women, from a tiny Ukrainian village, Hrabovske, right across the state border in the Sumy region," he wrote on social media.

"This particular war crime is already being prosecuted in Ukraine and should receive an appropriate response at the international level as well," he added.

"It also underscores the permanent threat of living next to Russia. That is why Ukraine needs a real, lasting peace. Living next to terrorists requires strength and robust security guarantees," he added.

Russia, Ukraine Exchange Strikes On Energy Facilities

Russian troops overnight attacked energy facilities in the Odesa, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zhytomyr regions, according to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry.

"As of this morning, consumers have been partially reconnected. Emergency repair work is ongoing," the Energy Ministry reported on December 22.

According to Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak, the situation remains particularly difficult in the frontline regions, where daily shelling continues and energy remains "one of the enemy's main targets."

"The energy system is one of the foundations of normal life. Light and heat are things without which it is impossible to live. And for almost four years now, Russia has been deliberately trying to destroy this foundation for millions of Ukrainians," President Zelenskyy wrote in a post on December 22.

Meanwhile, authorities in Russia's Krasnodar region said early on December 22 that a Ukrainian drone strike damaged at least two vessels and piers in a village on the Black Sea coast. There were no injuries reported, but a fire was blazing at the Volna terminal early in the morning, officials said.

Ukraine has regularly hit the Krasnodar region, targeting energy assets that Kyiv says fund and fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-russia- ukraine-miami-peace-talks-sumy/33629351.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






China's 2025 space endeavors have seen new milestones

Xinhua) 16:38, December 22, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- From orchestrating a groundbreaking in-orbit emergency rescue to launching its first asteroid mission and making a wealth of breakthroughs in frontier science, China's 2025 space endeavors have mapped out new dimensions for cosmic exploration.

AMAZING BREAKTHROUGHS

China's space station operations have had a sustained human presence this year, beginning with the launch of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on April 24, which brought astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie to the orbiting station for a planned six-month mission. The Shenzhou-19 crew then concluded their mission and returned to Earth with the results of fruitful experiments.

Prior to Shenzhou-20's scheduled return on Nov. 5, the spacecraft was found to have developed tiny cracks in the viewport window of its return capsule, which were most likely caused by external impact from space debris. This rendered it unsuitable for a safe crew return.

In a demonstration of operational flexibility and safety-first design, China executed two critical, novel procedures. First, the Shenzhou-20 crew safely returned to Earth on Nov. 14 aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which had been launched on Oct. 31 with a new trio of astronauts -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang. This marked the first successful implementation of an alternative return procedure in the history of the country's space station program.

Second, to ensure the new Shenzhou-21 crew had a dedicated return vehicle, China undertook an emergency launch. On Nov. 25, the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft blasted off from Earth, carrying crucial supplies, including devices to repair Shenzhou-20's window, and securing the continuous safety of astronauts on the station. This first-ever emergency crew-backup launch underscored the program's growing maturity and contingency response capabilities.

This year has also seen progress in international space cooperation, with China and Pakistan signing an agreement in February on selecting and training Pakistani astronauts for future space station missions, highlighting China's commitment to partnering with developing nations in the field of crewed spaceflight.

China's deep space endeavors have advanced significantly in 2025. On May 29, the Tianwen-2 probe was launched successfully, embarking on the country's first asteroid exploration and sample-return mission.

With a designed cycle of approximately 10 years, the mission aims to explore and sample the 2016HO3 asteroid and return the samples to Earth, followed by an exploration of the 311P main-belt comet.

It focuses on measuring the physical parameters of its two celestial targets, including their orbital dynamics, rotation, size, shape and thermal properties.

The mission will also investigate the topography, composition and internal structure of the two celestial bodies, and will potentially study the materials ejected by the main-belt comet.

This pioneering journey is expected to advance our understanding of the origins, evolution and characteristics of these two types of small celestial bodies.

FRUITFUL SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Beyond these milestones, 2025 has also yielded a wealth of groundbreaking scientific results from China's space station and lunar exploration programs.

The Shenzhou-19 mission delivered pioneering advances in fundamental physics and biology. Its crew achieved the first orbital preparation of spinor Bose-Einstein condensates using an all-optical trap, and established the world's first space-based optical lattice platform for quantum simulations, cooling atoms to temperatures of tens of picokelvins. In the field of biology, the astronauts successfully bred three generations of fruit flies in orbit, amassing rich data on their growth and behavior for post-flight analysis on the effects of microgravity and hypomagnetic fields on organisms.

The Shenzhou-20 crew achieved significant results in multiple fields. They grew high-quality protein crystals with potential applications in tumor therapy, set a world record by heating a tungsten alloy to 3,100 degrees Celsius for the purpose of materials science, and made the first microgravity observation of charged colloids forming long-lived metastable structures through crystallization.

The crew returned to Earth with invaluable biological subjects -- "mice astronauts," which were the first mammalian test subjects in the station. The mice, which were monitored throughout their time in orbit, will provide critical data on behavioral and physiological adaptations. Scientists will analyze the data to study the subjects' acute responses and adaptive changes to space conditions, contributing to space biology research.

Lunar research has also yielded crucial results this year. The first experimental "lunar soil bricks" were returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft after a year of exposure to the harsh space environment.

This was a step forward in engineering for China's long-term lunar program, which includes plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 and construct a basic model of the International Lunar Research Station by 2035.

Next, scientists plan to analyze the returned bricks to understand how the space environment has altered their structure and properties.

This data is vital for the creation of accurate models to predict the long-term durability and behavior of such materials in the actual lunar environment, providing the scientific foundations for future extraterrestrial construction.

Additionally, analysis of soil samples collected from the far side of the moon by China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe has helped scientists discover that the mantle there is cooler than the mantle of the moon's near side.

This discovery provides petrological and geochemical evidence of a temperature contrast between the mantles of the moon's near and far sides, supplying a critical dataset needed to elucidate the moon's evolution.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
Highlights:

Gold bar weighing 2.64 kilograms (85 oz) poured in the first smelt on site at the Kiniero Gold Project, Guinea.

First gold delivered on schedule and within budget.

Nearly 5 million hours worked without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).

Ramp-up progressing smoothly; plant achieving recoveries in line with expectations.

Kiniero plant expected to reach nameplate capacity in early Q1 CY2026.

Open-pit mining ramping up from South Sabali starter pit, with ore stockpiles continuing to build on the ROM pad.

Matthew Wilcox appointed Managing Director & CEO in May 2024; construction team mobilised July 2024. Construction completed in 17 months-the team's sixth successful build in 15 years, all delivered on time and on budget.

Robex secures exclusive option to buy back and fully extinguish the Mansounia royalties.

Kiniero becomes Robex's second producing asset, alongside Nampala in Mali (guidance of 46,000 to 48,000 oz/year).

Successful delivery of Kiniero by the Robex team underscores the compelling rationale for the proposed merger with Predictive Discovery ahead of construction of its Bankan Gold Project, Guinea, located within 25km of Kiniero.

The proposed merger will create West Africa's next tier-1 gold mining hub, combining Kiniero and Bankan with projected 400koz+ annual production by 2029 and combined resources of ~9.5Moz Au.









Figure 1: Robex construction team with Managing Director & CEO Matthew Wilcox and Chief Financial Officer Alain William celebrating the first gold pour at Kiniero.

QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 21, 2025 -- West African gold producer and developer Robex Resources Inc. ("Robex" or the "Company") (ASX: RXR | TSX-V: RBX) is pleased to report it has poured first gold on schedule and within budget at its Kiniero Gold Project ("Kiniero") in Guinea, West Africa.

Robex's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Wilcox said:

"This is a major milestone for Robex, and every member of our team should be proud of what we have accomplished together at Kiniero. Completing construction and commencing gold production is the culmination of 17 months of dedication and hard work, delivered safely and responsibly with nearly 5 million hours worked without a lost time injury.

Pouring first gold at Kiniero reflects the calibre of our people, the strength of our execution and is the sixth successful build in the last 15 years by this construction team, all on time and on budget. This exceptional track record, combined with recent Guinea construction experience, gives us absolute confidence that this is the best team in the industry right now to bring Bankan into production and deliver another world-class West African gold project.

We are looking forward to completing our merger with Predictive, and the combined company is positioned to become West Africa's next mid-tier gold producer and establish a tier-1 gold mining hub in Guinea."

Operational Update

Commissioning activities at Kiniero's processing plant are progressing in line with expectations. Mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems are performing to design specifications.

Ore delivery to the mill commenced earlier this month, and the plant is achieving recoveries consistent with feasibility study assumptions.

Open-pit mining has ramped up at the South Sabali starter pit, with drilling and blasting underway and ore stockpiles building on the ROM pad.

These activities will support a smooth transition to commercial production, targeted for Q1 CY2026.





Figure 2: Aerial View of the Kiniero Gold Project - Ore Delivered to Train A CIL Tanks

Operational Activities at the Kiniero Gold Project:





Figure 3: Haulage Operations at Kiniero Site







Figure 4: Ore Feed to Saprolite Crusher







Figure 5: First Ore Processed through Saprolite Crusher





Figure 6: Material Delivered to the Mill Circuit







Figure 7: Train A CIL Tanks Gold Processing







Figure 8: Water Treatment Facility

Mansounia Royalty Buyback - Penta Goldfields Company

Robex has secured an exclusive option to buy back and extinguish the Mansounia royalty, which currently stands at:

3% NSR for the first 150,000 oz of gold produced from the Mansounia exploitation permits,

3.25% NSR for 150,000-300,000 oz,

3.5% NSR for production above 300,000 oz.



Under the executed agreement:

Robex paid a US$1 million non-refundable option fee.

Upon exercise, Robex will pay US$5 million in cash plus US$15 million in equity to fully extinguish the royalty.

Oragem Royalty

In addition, Robex has secured an exclusive option to buy back and extinguish the Oragem Royalty, which currently stands at 0.5% NSR from the Mansounia permit.

Robex has paid a non-refundable option fee of US$250,000. Upon exercise of the option, Robex will pay US$3.5 million in cash to fully extinguish the Oragem Royalty.

Conditions precedent

The options to buy back and extinguish the Mansounia Royalties are subject to conditions precedent, notably the grant of Mansounia exploitation permits, and will remain valid until the Permit Long Stop Date (10 years from execution).

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.

This announcement was approved by the Managing Director.

Robex Resources Inc.

Matthew Wilcox, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Alain William, Chief Financial Officer

Email: [email protected]

www.robexgold.com

Investors and Media:

Michael Vaughan, Fivemark Partners

Phone: +61 422 602 720

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT ROBEX RESOURCES INC.

Robex Resources is a Canadian gold mining company listed on the TSX-V and ASX, and headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Robex's material properties consist of the Nampala Project in Mali and the Kiniero Project in Guinea.

Not an Offer

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "Forward-looking Information"). These include statements regarding future outlook and anticipated events, such as the consummation and timing of the Transaction and the satisfaction of the closing conditions under the Arrangement Agreement; the timing of the Meeting and of the Revised Proxy Deadline and Revised CDI VIF Deadline; the filing and delivery of the Addendum, press release and any other ancillary materials; pro forma ownership of the Combined Company; and future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities or developments that could or may or will occur are Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information is generally identified by the use of words like "will", "create", "enhance", "improve", "potential", "expect", "upside", "growth", "estimate", "anticipate" and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", or "should", or the negative or grammatical variations of such terms, are intended to identify Forward-looking Information. Although Robex believes that the expectations reflected in the Forward-looking Information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on Forward- looking Information since no assurance can be provided that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking Information is based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or good faith belief of the officers and directors of Robex as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the Forward-looking Information. Forward-looking Information involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, risks related to the closing of the Arrangement, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves, political and social risks (including, but not limited to, in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali and West Africa more broadly), changes to the legal and regulatory framework within which Robex operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation, as well as the risks identified in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Robex's most recently filed Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand Robex' views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, Robex assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the Forward-looking Information. If Robex updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that Robex will make additional updates with respect to such or other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-Looking Information contained in this announcement is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

JORC CODE AND CIM DEFINITION STANDARDS

The term "Ore Reserve" defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia ("JORC Code") is equivalent to the term "Mineral Reserve" defined by the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum May 19, 2014 ("CIM Definition Standards"). "Inferred Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Measured Mineral Resources" have the same meaning under both the JORC Code and CIM Definition Standards. "Proved Mineral Reserves" under the JORC Code has the same meaning as "Proven Mineral Reserves" under the CIM Definition Standards, and "Probable Mineral Reserves" under the JORC Code has the same meaning as "Probable Mineral Reserves" under the CIM Definition Standards. The JORC Code is an acceptable foreign code under NI 43-101.

Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve Estimates, and Production Targets

This announcement refers to PDI and Robex having combined Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates of approximately 9.5Moz Au and approximately 4.5Moz Au respectively. Further information regarding the individual Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates of each of PDI and Robex is set out below.

PDI

Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates

The Mineral Resource estimates for the NEB and BC projects were released to ASX on 7 August 2023 in an announcement by PDI titled "Bankan Mineral Resource Increases to 5.38Moz" and the Mineral Resource estimates in respect of the Fouwagbe and Sounsoun projects were released to the ASX on 23 April 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled "Maiden Argo Mineral Resource Estimate of 153koz". The Ore Reserve estimate in respect of the Bankan Project was released to ASX on 25 June 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled "Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics". PDI confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve estimates and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed, noting that PDI intends to appeal the Argo (and Bokoro) revocations announced on 28 May 2025 in accordance with the Mining Code, and that the Argo Inferred Mineral Resources account for just 2.8% of PDI's overall Mineral Resource.

Production Targets

The Production Targets and forecast financial information in respect of the Bankan Project were released to the ASX on 25 June 2025 in an announcement by PDI titled "Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics". PDI confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the Production Targets and forecast financial information derived from the Production Targets in the previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Robex

Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimates

The Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in respect of Robex's Kiniero Project were released to ASX on 22 August 2025 in an announcement by Robex titled "Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report", and in respect of the Nampala Project in an ASX announcement by Robex dated 6 May 2025 titled "Replacement Prospectus". Robex confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates included in the relevant market announcement and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Production Targets

The production targets and forecast financial information in respect of Robex's Kiniero Project was released to ASX on 22 August 2025 in an announcement by Robex titled "Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report", and in respect of the Nampala Project in an ASX announcement by Robex dated 6 May 2025 titled "Replacement Prospectus". Robex confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

National Instrument 43-101

All scientific and technical information in this presentation relating to Robex has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jeames McKibben, a Chartered Professional Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101.

Readers are referred to the technical report for the Nampala Project entitled "Independent Technical Report on the Nampala, Mininko, Gladie and Kamasso Permits and a Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate of the Nampala Gold Mine, Mali, West Africa" effective September 30, 2024 (the "Nampala Technical Report), and the amended and restated technical report for the Kiniero Project entitled "Technical Report, Kiniero Gold Project, Guinea (Amended)" with an effective date of December 6, 2024, as amended and restated on June 12, 2025 (the "Kiniero Technical Report"), each of which has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available on Robex's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

PDI Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource Statement

Bankan Ore Reserve Statement1,2

Deposit Mining Method Classification Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Koz Au) NEB







Open Pit Probable 40.2 1.36 1,751 Underground Probable 7.9 3.95 1,002 Total 48.1 1.78 2,753 BC Open Pit



Open Pit Probable 3.5 1.78 200 Total 3.5 1.78 200 Total Open Pit 43.7 1.39 1,951 Total Underground 7.9 3.95 1,002 Total Bankan Project 51.6 1.78 2,953



Bankan Mineral Resource Estimate3,4

Deposit Classification Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Koz Au) NEB Open Pit







Indicated 78.4 1.55 3,900 Inferred 3.1 0.91 92 Total 81.4 1.53 3,993 NEB Underground Inferred 6.8 4.07 896 NEB Total 88.3 1.72 4,888 BC Open Pit



Indicated 5.3 1.42 244 Inferred 6.9 1.09 243 BC Total 12.2 1.24 487 NEB Area Total 100.5 1.66 5,376 Fouwagbe Inferred 2.2 1.68 119 Sounsoun Inferred 0.9 1.19 34 Argo Area Total 3.1 1.54 153 Total Bankan Project 103.6 1.66 5,528



Robex Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement

Kiniero Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement5,6

Deposit Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Moz Au) Probable Jean 4.2 1.53 0.20 SGA 5.1 1.52 0.25 SGD 3.4 1.34 0.14 Sabali South 7.4 0.89 0.21 Sabali North and Central 1.5 0.96 0.05 Mansounia 17.7 0.81 0.46 Stockpiles 6.3 0.48 0.10 Total 45.5 0.97 1.41 Indicated SGA 12.1 1.46 0.57 Jean 4.7 1.69 0.26 Sabali North and Central 3.7 1.21 0.14 Sabali South 11.1 0.91 0.32 West Balan 3.0 1.45 0.14 Banfara 0.9 1.00 0.03 Mansounia Central 24.0 0.78 0.60 Stockpiles 11.6 0.37 0.14 Total 71.2 0.96 2.20 Inferred SGA 10.6 1.43 0.49 Jean 2.2 1.47 0.1 Sabali North and Central 0.7 1.39 0.03 Sabali South 2.7 1.01 0.09 West Balan 2.0 1.27 0.08 Banfara 0.7 1.45 0.03 Mansounia Central 26.3 0.82 0.7 Stockpiles 0.2 1.31 0.01 Total 45.3 1.05 1.53



Nampala Mineral Reserve and Resource Statement7,8

Weathering Type Tonnage

(Mt) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Contained

(Koz Au) Probable Oxide 3.3 0.90 94.6 Transition 0.8 1.06 26.4 Total 4.0 0.93 121.0 Indicated Oxide 5.9 0.84 158.3 Transition 2.1 1.13 76.0 Fresh 0.1 3.00 9.4 Total 8.0 0.94 243.7 Inferred Oxide 0.3 0.79 8.1 Transition 0.2 1.62 8.5 Fresh 0.01 2.53 0.4 Total 0.6 0.95 17.0





1 Refer to PDI ASX release "Bankan DFS Confirms Outstanding Project Economics" dated 25 June 2025.

2 Reserve cut-off: Open Pit 0.38-0.48 g/t Au, Underground 2.0 g/t Au.

3 Resource cut-off: NEB Open Pit indicated & inferred 0.5 g/t Au, NEB Underground inferred 2.0 g/t Au, BC Open Pit indicated and inferred 0.4 g/t Au, Fouwagbe and Sounsoun inferred 0.5 g/t Au.

4 In relation to the Fouwagbe and Sounsoun deposits (Argo Permit), PDI intends to appeal the Argo and Bokoro revocations announced on 28 May 2025 in accordance with the Mining Code. Refer to PDI ASX release "Argo and Bokoro Exploration Permits Update" dated 28 May 2025.

5 Refer to Robex announcement titled "Amendment to Kiniero Gold Project Technical Report" dated 22 August 2025 and the Kiniero Technical Report.

6 Resource/reserve cut-off grade (Resource at US$2,200/oz, reserves at US$1,800/oz): SGA, Jean and Banfara: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.4 g/t Au; Sabali South: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, mottled zone/saprolite/lower saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.5 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au; Sabali North and Central: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.6 g/t Au, fresh 0.6 g/t Au; West Balan: laterite 0.3 g/t Au, saprolite (oxide) 0.3 g/t Au, saprock (transition) 0.3 g/t Au, fresh 0.5 g/t Au; Stockpiles reported as Mineral Resources have been limited to those dumps which exhibit an average grade >0.3 g/t Au for the entire stockpile assuming no selectivity.

7 Refer to Robex announcement titled "Replacement Prospectus" dated 6 May 2025 and the Nampala Technical Report.

8 Resource cut-off grade (at US$2,200/oz): Laterite 0.35 g/t Au, Oxide 0.35 g/t Au, Transition 0.43 g/t Au, Fresh 1.89 g/t Au; Reserve cut-off grade (at US$1,800/oz): 0.4 g/t Au (laterite, mottled zone, saprolite and transition).

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f7ab830-9d9a-46cf-bcaf-8c474651a5fb

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9fd86e6-1616-4fb7-8868-c000e5679f3d

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7822fdef-088e-4907-92b8-059efbd25071

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa6b3006-a6af-48cd-af69-00eb76f37005

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94e20b5c-20a3-4ad0-a40c-a522ed7e55a0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2b7403d-9c73-43a4-ad43-afc8d8b5d95c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd081182-8a79-4282-915f-7bfd761443a3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/84be89bd-0db4-4559-b41b-5c9ee6645767
Vancouver, December 22, 2025 - Armory Mining Corp. (CSE: ARMY) (OTC: RMRYF) (FRA: 2JS) (the "Company" or "Armory") a resource exploration company focused on the discovery and development of minerals critical to the energy, security and defense sectors, is pleased to announce it has engaged Castello Q Exploration Corp to carry out an initial phase one work program at its 100% owned Ammo Antimony-Gold project, located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ammo is 3,092-hectare exploration package that completely surrounds and is contiguous to the historical West Gore antimony-gold mine. West Gore produced both antimony and gold in the years leading up to World War I. The ground has since changed hands multiple times, and is currently held by Military Metals Corp.

West Gore was a significant producer during World War One, with production shipped to England. Records document nearly 32,000 metric tons of production between 1914-1917, yielding over 7,000 metric tons of antimony concentrate grading 46%.

Total gold recovered up to 1917 was 6,861 ounces. Limited work was conducted in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1980s by several companies along with the Nova Scotia government*.

"We have established budgets for the phase one exploration program at Ammo and are happy to begin working with Castello Q Exploration," said Alex Klenman, CEO. "This initial program will provide geologically important data that will contribute significantly to drill targeting. We're excited that meaningful exploration work is on the horizon and eager to move the project forward in a positive way," continued Mr. Klenman.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1: Map showing Armory's Ammo Project surrounding the historical West Gore antimony-gold mine

The initial work program is expected to consist of data compilation, prospecting and reconnaissance, to identify favorable geology, followed by detailed surface sampling and geophysics to assist in determining priority drill targets. The Company plans to budget up to $656,000 CDN for the initial phase of exploration.

* Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report, Battery Metals Corp, Mark S. King, P. Geo., Michael C. Corey, P. Geo., May 25, 2021

Note: The Company considers historical data at West Gore to be relevant. Readers are cautioned that the Company has not independently verified the information, and notes that the mineralization on this property may not be indicative of the mineralization on the Company's property.

About Armory Mining Corp

Armory Mining Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on minerals critical to the energy, security and defense sectors. The Company controls an 80% interest in the Candela II lithium brine project located in the Incahuasi Salar, Salta Province, Argentina. In addition, the Company controls 100% interest in both the Ammo antimony-gold project located in Nova Scotia and the Riley Creek antimony-gold project located in British Columbia.

Qualified Person

Harrison Cookenboo, Ph.D., P. Geo., an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

Contact Information

Alex Klenman

CEO & Director

[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. 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 Company's 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 Company's 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, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Forward-looking statements:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intended use of funds. The words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, political and regulatory risks in Canada, operational and exploration risks, market conditions, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly 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.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, December 22, 2025 - Rush Gold Corp. ("Rush Gold" or the "Company") (CSE: RGN | FSE: B6H) is pleased to provide a year-end corporate update outlining key operational, financial, and exploration milestones achieved in 2025 and its exploration strategy for 2026.

Rush Gold completed its listing in June 2025 with a $450,000 financing at $0.10 per share. Since listing, the Company has executed a series of milestones that advanced its asset portfolio and market presence, supported by progress at the Skylight Gold Property, the acquisition of the Legal Tender Silver Property, and disciplined capital deployment across a methodical exploration program.

Over the final six months of 2025, the Company experienced a share price appreciation of more than 100%.

Rush Gold had entered into an option agreement with Silver Range Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SNG) to acquire a 100% interest in the Legal Tender Property, a historic silver-gold project located 62 km northwest of Tonopah, Nevada. The property is situated approximately 3 km north of Rush Gold's Skylight Project and covers much of the Republic Mining District, a past-producing silver-gold epithermal camp active in the early 1900s. Historic workings on the property include the Farris, Hyland, and Black Butte mines, along with multiple shafts and adits, providing Rush Gold with strategically located exploration ground aligned with its district-scale Nevada strategy.

Silver and gold mineralization at Legal Tender has been identified in vein faults, veins, and breccia bodies along two main structural trends, with historic sampling by Silver Range reporting assays of including 1,875 g/t silver and 4.94 g/t gold from selective grab samples1. Grab samples are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization on the property. Under the option agreement, Rush Gold may earn a 100% interest by making staged cash payments totaling US$200,000 and completing 1,000 metres of drilling over four years. Silver Range will retain a 2.5% NSR royalty, reducible to 1.0% through a buyback, and a resource payment of US$4 per ounce of gold or gold-equivalent on any Measured and Indicated Resources defined on the property.

On September 12, 2025, Rush Gold announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 3,500,000 units at $0.10 per unit, which was subsequently increased to up to 5,000,000 units. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant, exercisable at $0.20 per share for 24 months. The private placement closed on or about September 30, 2025. Net proceeds are being used for general working capital and exploration on the Company's Nevada mineral properties.

On November 25th Rush Gold announced it had mobilized geological field crews and commenced WorldView-3 (WV-3) satellite imagery acquisition at its Legal Tender and Skylight properties. The program aims to enhance geological understanding by evaluating existing gold and silver geochemical anomalies and ground-truthing recently identified satellite anomalies interpreted as the alteration footprint of a low-sulphidation gold-silver epithermal system.

To close out the year, Rush Gold announced completion of its Phase 1 geologic reconnaissance and WorldView-3 (WV-3) satellite alteration imaging at its Legal Tender and Skylight properties. The winter 2025 Royston Hills field program focused on advancing gold and silver rock showings and validating satellite hyperspectral anomalies, resulting in the collection of 124 surface rock grab samples now submitted to ALS Global, an independent ISO-accredited laboratory in Vancouver, for gold fire assay, multi-element geochemical, and TerraSpec analysis, with results expected early in the new year. The Company confirmed successful acquisition of cloud-free satellite imagery on December 3, 2025, with full alteration mineral mapping study results pending.

The Company expects continued news flow in 2026. The results of Phase 1 rocks geochemical sampling are expected early in the new year. Rock sample assays will be integrated with the results of the high-resolution satellite hyperspectral alteration mineral mapping study to advance and prioritize targets within the properties for further exploration.

The Company is well positioned for its 2026 exploration programs and remains focused on advancing its gold- and silver-focused portfolio.

Investor relations support

The company has engaged Hillside Media & Consulting Inc., a Penticton-based, arm's-length media firm, to provide on-line marketing content for the company for marketing activities taking place on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, 2025. The services provided by Hillside will include digital media management, marketing strategy development, advertising initiatives, and awareness campaigns. The company has paid Hillside a one-time fee of $20,000 for these services. Compensation payable to Hillside does not include any securities of the company. Hillside can be contacted at 474 Main St., Penticton, B.C., V2A 5C5, Canada, or care of Stephen Giberson, chief executive officer, at 1-250-485-3615 or [email protected].

The company has also engaged Capital Growth Media FZCO, an arm's-length media firm, to provide on-line marketing content for the company for marketing activities taking place on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, 2025. The company has paid Capital Growth a one-time fee of $3,500 (U.S.) for these services. Compensation payable to Capital Growth does not include any securities of the company. Capital Growth can be contacted at Etihad Airways Centre, fifth floor, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, or care of Jad Touma, president, at 97-158-595-5600 or [email protected].

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC), Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, who is a director of Rush Gold Corp. and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle has verified the data, which included a review of the sampling, analytical and test methods underlying the data, information and opinions disclosed herein.

About Rush Gold Corp.

Rush Gold is a Canadian mining exploration company focused on advancing its Skylight gold property, located in the Republic Mining District, Nye County, Nevada, in the USA.

For further information, please contact:

Anthony Zelen, Director and Chief Executive Officer

T: (778) 388 5258

E: [email protected]

https://rushgoldcorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including statements respecting the Company's exploration strategy for 2026, the use of proceeds from its private placement, the expected timing of exploration results from its Legal Tender and Skylight properties, the integration of data to advance and prioritize exploration targets, and expectations for continued news flow in 2026. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

1 See the Company's news release dated October 16, 2025

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. ("West Red Lake Gold" or "WRLG" or the "Company") (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQX: WRLGF) is pleased to announce it has qualified to trade on the OTCQXBest Market.

West Red Lake Gold Mines begins trading today on the OTCQX under the symbol "WRLGF." Investors based in the United States can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

"We welcome this graduation to the OTCQX, a platform that will give investors greater access to West Red Lake Gold," said Shane Williams, President and CEO. "We are within sight of commercial production at the Madsen Mine and are excited to make the transition from gold developer to gold producer in 2026."

About WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a gold exploration and development company that is publicly traded and focused on its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake Gold District of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG is also advancing its wholly owned Rowan Property towards production as a complementary gold mining operation in Red Lake.

ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Shane Williams"

Shane Williams

President & Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gwen Preston

Vice President Communications

Tel: (604) 609-6132

Email: [email protected] or visit the Company's website at https://www.westredlakegold.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.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to the potential production of mining operations at the Madsen Mine; any untapped growth potential in the Madsen deposit or Rowan deposit; and the Company's future objectives and plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information involves numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; fluctuations in commodity prices; and changes in the Company's business plans. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. 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 information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6e7b2a8-26a7-48d8-8441-ffb9b9b8c9d8
Toronto, December 22, 2025 - Hispania Resources Inc. (TSXV: ESPN) ("Hispania" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a financial update for the Company, and in addition that it has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to close its previously announced shares for debt transaction.

The Company has taken steps to improve its balance sheet over the past 60 days. These steps have included members of the management team voluntarily cancelling payables due to them totalling $1,199,032 of their own volition. Furthermore, external debt holders completed shares for debt agreements totalling $666,062 at a price of $0.10 per share, the details of the shares for debt transaction are set out in the Company's news release dated December 3, 2025. In addition to the above, the company also completed a non brokered equity financing totalling $875,000, as noted in its October 31, 2025, Press Release. Norm Brewster, CEO of Hispania noted, "we are pleased to have been able to improve the Balance Sheet of the Company as we enter a time when commodities such as copper; zinc; tin; tungsten and silver have improved significantly, some to record levels. By adding $875,000 in equity, which was less than the maximum allowable, we raised the funds needed to satisfy our needs for our current plans and opportunities in Spain. Further, to demonstrate our strong belief in the company and its future plans, members of the team voluntarily cancelled over $1.19M in fees payable; and outside debt holders completed shares for debt of over $666k, at a price above the market to show their support for the company. Cancelling over $1.86M of payables and adding $875k of equity, including from insiders and current shareholders, to our balance sheet is a great step for the company and not something often seen in junior mining. We are excited about our current and future opportunities in Spain and these financial steps indicate as much."

The issuance of an aggregate of 6,660,620 common shares of the Company (the "Shares"), directly or indirectly, to certain insiders of the Company, constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), requiring the Company, in the absence of exemptions, to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval, of the related party transaction. Pursuant to Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, the Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements, respectively, as neither the fair market value of such Shares nor the debt exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Hispania Resources Inc.

Hispania Resources Inc is a mineral exploration company focused on mining opportunities in Spain. Hispania is currently focused on developing 3 core assets across Spain, including the copper, zinc project Otero; the formerly producing tin project Lumbrales; and the copper, zinc Puebla de la Reina project. The management of Hispania contains industry veterans who have more than 120 years of mineral exploration and production experience in multiple jurisdictions and have successfully managed multiple international mining companies. This includes in Spain, where some of the team was responsible for the founding and building of Iberian Minerals with the continued support of the local and regional governments, including the well-developed and sophisticated transportation and mining infrastructure.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contain these identifying words.

More particularly and without limitation, the forwardlooking information in this news release includes (i) expectations regarding the Company's receipt of regulatory approvals; and (ii) expectations regarding the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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.

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/278610
Vancouver, December 22, 2025 - Dynasty Gold Corp. (TSXV: DYG) (FSE: D5G1) (OTC Pink: DGDCF) ("Dynasty" or the "Company") awaits the 2025 drill results and an update on progress advancing its 100%-owned Thundercloud gold project, located in the highly prospective Manitou-Stormy Lakes greenstone belt of northwestern Ontario, 47 km southeast of Dryden.

Driving Exploration Success

In 2025, Dynasty Gold continues to advance the Thundercloud property and unlock its full potential. Key exploration highlights include:

In January, the Company reported a discovery of near-surface mineralization at the South-Pelham Zone, 1 km south of the Pelham resource. Assay results returned 0.8 g/t over 22.5 m, 6 m from surface (Hole TC24-06). Drilling in the Pelham Zone continues to deliver high-grade intervals of 3.03 g/t gold over 43 m within a broader mineralized zone of 94.5 m of 1.61 g/t, 45 m from surface (Hole TC24-02).

Dynasty's drill results in 2022 to 2024 have significantly increased the historical open-pit NI 43-101 resource of approximately 200,000 oz. An update of the NI 43-101 resource estimate is being considered for 2026, which is expected to show significant increases in tonnage and grade.

After extensive mapping in 2025 within the new mineralized zone discovered in 2024, a 5,000-meter core drilling program was launched in August, targeting the South-Pelham Zone to delineate mineralization within an IP anomaly. Each hole was spaced between 100 to 200 m apart to test mineralization extension 1.5 km south of the Pelham resource. Assay results are pending. A similar IP anomaly was discovered by Teck Resources Ltd. in 2007 in the Pelham Zone, which hosts the NI 43-101 resource estimate.

High-sulfide outcrop occurrences, up to 50% pyrite, were observed during 2025 mapping within the IP anomaly in the South-Pelham Zone. In the Pelham Zone, core assayed for high-value gold also exhibits high pyrite content. Two drill holes were designed to test this principle in the South-Pelham Zone.

Visible gold was spotted by field geologists in previously unsampled 2022 core. The core was sent for metallic screening tests; results are pending.

Figure 1: Drill rig and drill pad in the 2025 program.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7227/278812_0122109b84023848_001full.jpg

Gold has enjoyed an unprecedented run this year. Dynasty Gold has fortified its financial position and raised over $2,000,000, ensuring resources to drive exploration forward. With a robust cash balance exceeding $3.5 million and a tight capital structure with zero debt, Dynasty Gold is fully funded to execute exploration plans for 2026 and beyond.

"2025 has been a rewarding year for Dynasty Gold," said Ivy Chong, President and CEO. "We made good progress advancing the Thundercloud property. This is only possible through a dedicated team, the cooperation of First Nations, and continuous support from our loyal shareholders, who are the inspiration for us all. Their collective efforts have paved the way for further expansion in 2026. We are excited about the future of Thundercloud and its potential to deliver significant value to all stakeholders in 2026."

Plans for 2026 

Looking ahead, Dynasty Gold is poised to build on its 2025 success. The Company plans to complete the 5,000-meter drill program, refine geological models for the Pelham and South-Pelham Zones, and evaluate the timing and scope for future resource updates. These initiatives will position Thundercloud for its next exploration and development stage, unlocking its full potential as a high-grade district-scale deposit.

About Dynasty Gold Corp. 

Dynasty Gold Corp. is a dynamic Canadian mineral exploration company dedicated to advancing high-potential gold projects in North America. The Company's flagship Thundercloud gold project in Ontario is a cornerstone of its growth strategy, supported by a NI 43-101 Independent Technical Report dated September 27, 2021. Dynasty also owns the Golden Repeat gold project in Nevada, strategically located near several large-scale operating mines. For more information, visit www.dynastygoldcorp.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements reflecting the Company's vision and strategy but is subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary due to exploration outcomes, market conditions, and regulatory approvals. Dynasty Gold does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278812
Vancouver, December 22, 2025 - Canada One Mining Corp. (TSXV: CONE) (OTC Pink: COMCF) (FSE: AU31) ("Canada One" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a review of the Company's 2025 key accomplishments at its 100% owned Copper Dome Project, ("Copper Dome", "Project" or "Property"), Princeton B.C.

2025 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

A five-year exploration drilling permit was granted by the British Columbia Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals

Adjacent claim staking of Copper Dome East expanded the Project size to 7,997 ha

Acquisition of Copper Dome North, an adjacent property, expanded the Project size to 12,833 ha

Fall fieldwork program established 53 field stations with full metadata across the property

Rock samples have been sent for assaying

Copper sulphides, including bornite and chalcopyrite were observed in several rock samples

Key alteration assemblages observed are indicative of proximity to porphyry centers

Peter Berdusco, President and CEO of the Company commented: "2025 marked a significant step forward for the Copper Dome Project. The granting of a five-year drilling permit, combined with strategic property expansion to over 12,800 hectares, gives us both the time horizon and land position needed to properly evaluate the system. The identification of copper sulphides, including bornite and chalcopyrite, together with alteration assemblages consistent with porphyry-style mineralization, reinforces our belief that the Project has strong discovery potential. We look forward to receiving rock sample assay results and advancing the Project toward drill-ready status in 2026."

Year-end Review

The 2025 exploration program at the Copper Dome Project represented a key advancement in the systematic evaluation of the property, highlighted by the receipt of a five-year exploration drilling permit. This permit provides the Company with a defined multi-year framework to plan and execute phased drilling programs, significantly de-risking future exploration timelines.

In parallel, the Company expanded the Project footprint through strategic staking and acquisition of adjacent claims, consolidating a contiguous land package totaling 12,833 hectares. Fall fieldwork established a robust geological foundation, including 53 fully documented field stations, and identified copper sulphide mineralization and alteration assemblages indicative of proximity to porphyry-style mineralization. Rock samples collected during the program have been submitted for assaying, with results expected to further refine geological interpretations and prioritize drill targets.

Upcoming Catalysts

Q1 2026 - Rock sample assay results

January 2026 - Vancouver Resource Investment Conference

January 2026 - AME Roundup 2026

March 2026 - Professional & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention

Q2 2026 onward - Further exploration activities

About The Copper Dome Project

Copper Dome is located in the lower Quesnel Trough porphyry belt, one of British Columbia's most prolific mining districts. The Project directly adjoins Hudbay Minerals Inc.'s (TSX: HBM) producing Copper Mountain Mine to the north which hosts Proven and Probable Reserves of 702 million tonnes grading 0.24% Cu, 0.09 g/t Au, and 0.72 g/t Ag (hudbayminerals.com). Multiple mineralized zones have been identified across the Property, with historical drilling confirming high-grade copper associated with northeast-trending structures similar to those hosting mineralization at Copper Mountain.*

The Project benefits from excellent infrastructure, enabling year-round access, cost-efficient exploration, and a stable, low-risk jurisdiction.

Historical Work Completed

Geophysics: 51 km of induced polarization (IP); airborne magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) coverage over ~50% of the Property

Sampling: 2,253 soils and 378 rocks collected

Drilling: 8,900+ m of diamond drilling

Trenching: Over 1 km excavated

With a five-year drill permit in place, the Company is focused on advancing the Project toward drill-ready target definition.

* Management cautions that past results, discoveries and mineralization on Copper Mountain are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on Copper Dome.

About Canada One

Canada One Mining Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on the discovery of copper-the critical metal powering the global energy transition. The Company advances projects from discovery through to resource definition with disciplined data-driven exploration and responsible practices. Its flagship Copper Dome Project, near Princeton, British Columbia, targets a porphyry copper-gold system in an established mining district. Canada One aims to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value for shareholders and local communities.

Acknowledgement

Canada One acknowledges that the Copper Dome Project is located within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Smelqmix People. We recognize and respect their cultural heritage and relationship to the land, honoring their past, present and future.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David Mark, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

CANADA ONE MINING CORP.

Peter Berdusco

President

Chief Executive Officer

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: statements relating to the anticipated timing thereof and the intended use of proceeds. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual 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 and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing, completion and delivery of the referenced assessments and analysis. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer

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/278824
VANCOUVER, Dec. 22, 2025 - Apollo Silver Corp. ("Apollo Silver" or the "Company") (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt:6ZF0) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering of 5,000,000 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $5.00 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $25,000,000 (the "Offering"), Eric Sprott and a fund managed by Jupiter Asset Management (the "Jupiter Fund"), Apollo Silver's two largest shareholders are participating in the Offering.

Mr. Sprott and the Jupiter Fund each will subscribe for 2,500,000 Units of the Company, for combined gross proceeds of $25 million. Following completion of the Offering, the Jupiter Fund will own approximately 12.1% of Apollo Silver's issued and outstanding common shares, while Eric Sprott will own approximately 9.6%, on an undiluted basis. On a partially diluted basis, each investor's ownership interest will increase accordingly.

Andrew Bowering, Chairman of Apollo Silver commented: "We appreciate the continued support of both Eric Sprott and Jupiter Asset Management, our two largest shareholders. Their participation in this financing further aligns our largest shareholders with Apollo's long-term strategy as we advance our portfolio and execute on our exploration and development plans."

Each Unit issued pursuant to the Offering will consist of one common share (a "Share") in the capital of the Company and one-half (1/2) common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of $7.00 for 24 months from the closing date of the Offering.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. Finder's fees may be payable on some or all of the funds raised, in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Company intends on using the net proceeds from the Offering to fund exploration and development activities across the Company's projects, as well as for general working capital and corporate purposes.

Closing of the Offering is subject to regulatory approval including that of the TSXV.

The Shares 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 U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Apollo Silver Corp.

Apollo Silver is advancing one of the largest undeveloped primary silver projects in the US. The Calico project hosts a large, bulk minable silver deposit with significant barite credits - a critical mineral essential to the US energy and medical sectors. The Company also holds an option on the Cinco de Mayo Project in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is host to a major carbonate replacement (CRD) deposit that is both high-grade and large tonnage. Led by an experienced and award-winning management team, Apollo is well positioned to advance the assets and deliver value through exploration and development.

Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ross McElroy

President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128

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 includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the expected timing for completion of the Offering; and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Company's projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; and changes in Project parameters as plans continue to be refined. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of silver, gold and barite; the demand for silver, gold and barite; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's expected financial and operational performance and the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Engine row erupts over alleged 2026 compression loophole

Formula 1's 2026 engine rules have been thrown into early controversy after reports that Honda, Ferrari and Audi are challenging Mercedes and Red Bull over an alleged compression-ratio loophole.

Start, Australian GP 2025

 McLaren

According to a German news outlet, the three manufacturers have lodged a complaint with the FIA claiming Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains have found a way to effectively retain an 18:1 geometric compression ratio under the new regulations, despite the mandated limit of 16:1.

The allegation centres on thermal expansion. While the 2026 rules cap compression at 16:1, measurements are specified to be taken at ambient temperature. Rivals suspect that once the engines reach operating temperatures, component expansion allows Mercedes and Red Bull to regain a higher effective compression ratio - potentially restoring levels similar to 2025.

Estimates cited in the report suggest the advantage could be worth around 15 horsepower, translating to as much as three tenths of a second per lap at a circuit like Albert Park.

The FIA has acknowledged the issue is under active discussion. A spokesperson said: "Thermal expansion can influence dimensions at operating temperature, but current regulations do not require measurements under hot conditions.

That said, the issue has been and continues to be discussed in technical forums with manufacturers.

French newspaper L'Equipe reports that all five 2026 power unit suppliers - Mercedes, Red Bull-Ford, Ferrari, Honda and Audi - are meeting with the FIA on Monday in an extraordinary technical session. If Mercedes and Red Bull reach an understanding with the governing body, the other manufacturers are still expected to retain the right to protest ahead of the Australian GP.

Engineers quoted in the German press warn that if the FIA rules against the interpretation, Mercedes and Red Bull could be forced to mechanically reduce compression back to 16:1 - a change that would likely cost performance, given that the power units are already homologated for 2026.

The timing is significant. Red Bull's in-house power project, backed by Ford, had been widely expected to face early difficulties under the new rules. However, Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen has played down those fears.

We've heard good things about the engine, Vermeulen said - a remark now gaining added weight as scrutiny intensifies over Mercedes and Red Bull's alleged behind-the-scenes confidence.

(GMM)
Ferrari set January 23 shakedown for 2026 car

Ferrari will unveil and briefly run its 2026 Formula 1 car on January 23 at Fiorano, with team boss Fred Vasseur warning that next season represents a leap into the unknown even greater than the start of the hybrid era.

Charles Leclerc, Monaco GP 2025

 Ferrari

Speaking at Ferrari's traditional Christmas lunch, attended by CEO Benedetto Vigna, Piero Ferrari and senior technical staff, Vasseur confirmed the Scuderia will reveal the new car online before a short shakedown of perhaps just 15 kilometres .

What fans might see from the Via Giardini overpass won't be a prototype, but an 'A version' of the red car, which we'll assemble perhaps the day before, Vasseur told La Repubblica. The name? We'll reveal it then.

Vasseur stressed that even the early running at the Barcelona group test will be about mileage rather than speed.

We'll use Spain primarily to rack up kilometres rather than focus on performance, he said, noting that Ferrari is effectively starting from zero under the radically new regulations.

The 2026 car will be the first fully overseen by technical director Loic Serra, who joined from Mercedes after the 2025 design was largely complete. It's everyone's responsibility, but I'm the one in charge, Serra said, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The car is a concert, not a sum of parts. In Bahrain, we'll see very different cars, with teams' decisions then potentially changing 180 degrees.

Vasseur also highlighted the strategic pressure of the cost cap for the new rules era. If a team introduces four or five updates in the first races, or has to send a new underbody to Japan or China, they burn through half the development budget straight away, he explained.

Whoever is ahead in Melbourne won't necessarily have the winning car of the year.

Much attention at the lunch also centred on Lewis Hamilton's difficult first season in red. Vasseur admitted Ferrari underestimated the scale of the adjustment. Even in the toughest moments, Hamilton has always tried to find solutions by talking to the team and engineers, he said. "We underestimated the impact of such a huge change for him.

It's not just culture or food, it's every single procedure.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen echoed that assessment in comments to Viaplay. It hasn't been a good season for him at Ferrari, he said.

You can tell by everything, even on the on-board radios, Verstappen said. Honestly, it hurts my heart. It's really not nice to see him like this. He doesn't give up, so he'll surely be there, but it's not pleasant to see.

Hamilton himself remains focused on the reset ahead. Reflecting on past regulation shifts, he said: "Everything is new. There's no reference point. We can simulate all we want, but the truth only comes on the track.

I'm praying that next year's cars will feel better.

Vasseur agrees the scale of change leaves everyone guessing. The entire philosophy of the car will be completely different than before, he said. Nothing will remain the same. We will certainly have other problems - but that's the challenge of 2026.

(GMM)
Germany still waiting as Domenicali cools comeback hopes

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has played down expectations of an imminent German GP return, warning that the event will not force its way back onto the calendar without the right commercial conditions.

Kevin Magnussen, Eifel GP 2020

 Haas

Germany has been absent from the schedule since the pandemic-era race at the Nurburgring in 2020, with the last traditional German GP held at Hockenheimring in 2019.

Speaking to motorsport-magazin.com, Domenicali struck a cautious tone.

The good thing is that we're not desperate, because we have so many inquiries from all over the world, the Italian said. If the German market doesn't see the return of Formula 1 as a priority, then we have to accept that and look ahead.

That remark follows comments from German motorsport bodies, including the ADAC, who have openly acknowledged that rising hosting fees make a race financially unviable under current conditions.

Still, Domenicali insisted the door is not closed.

We are ready and open to any kind of discussion, he added. I see a few signs of a silver lining. Hopefully this will develop further in the coming months. We are interested in returning to Germany - but with the right organiser and the right offer.

The wider context is Formula 1's booming global demand, with new and returning venues competing fiercely for limited calendar slots, leaving traditional European races under increasing financial pressure.

Domenicali also addressed speculation that free-to-air television could help reignite interest in Germany, following ongoing changes to the country's broadcast landscape.

I don't believe that's the solution, he said, referring to calls for a stronger free-to-air presence. We have to wait and see how the situation develops after RTL's compliance process, as they will then own our rights, to see what the best platform is.

While acknowledging the importance of accessibility, Domenicali made clear that Formula 1's future lies primarily online.

Not in the short term on the German market, he explained, but we definitely need to put together the right package with RTL to be attractive.

(GMM)
Vasseur considering engineer switch for Hamilton

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has openly acknowledged that the Scuderia misjudged the scale of Lewis Hamilton's difficulties during his troubled first season in red.

Lewis Hamilton, Fred Vasseeur, Monaco GP 2025

 Ferrari

Hamilton endured a winless 2025 campaign, managing only a single sprint victory and no grand prix podiums, as Ferrari struggled to integrate the seven-time world champion after his long Mercedes career.

Speaking ahead of Christmas, Vasseur admitted the transition proved far tougher than expected.

We'll start in better shape, Vasseur told Sky Italia when asked about Hamilton and 2026.

Lewis now knows the team, and we know him much better than last year. He knows every software and every tool. We'll do a better job.

But the Frenchman conceded a clear miscalculation. Leclerc feels at home, but it was a big challenge for Hamilton, he said. I underestimated him.

Italian media report that Ferrari are now reassessing how Hamilton is supported on the pitwall. According to Corriere della Sera, a change of race engineer - with Riccardo Adami under scrutiny - is one of several options being considered.

We need to improve our collaboration with Lewis, Vasseur said. He needs to learn how to get the most out of the car. At the same time, we need to better understand exactly what he needs.

Asked directly about Adami's role, Vasseur confirmed nothing is off the table. We're evaluating all the options, he said. Every detail counts.

German newspaper Bild, meanwhile, reported that Hamilton's Ferrari contract runs longer than previously believed. While Ferrari announced only a multi-year deal when signing the Briton in early 2024, Bild claims the agreement extends through 2027, with a unilateral option allowing Hamilton to continue into 2028 - potentially racing at age 43.

The same report suggested that, internally, Ferrari are aware Hamilton's marketing value alone cannot offset a lack of sporting success, with Oliver Bearman clearly waiting in the wings.

Ferrari have not commented on those claims. Vasseur says the team's mission is clear.

Now it's Ferrari that must help him return to winning ways, Vasseur said. We need to understand what Lewis wants and what he needs.

(GMM)
Verstappen shrugs off Mercedes rumours once again

Max Verstappen has again played down persistent rumours linking him with Mercedes, insisting he has made his position clear amid renewed speculation following his recent GT3 test.

Max Verstappen, Monaco GP 2025

 Red Bull

Speaking to Viaplay in an end-of-year interview, the Red Bull driver was asked about the Mercedes talk that flared earlier this year after he was spotted holidaying with Toto Wolff.

Now you don't hear anything more about it, because I've also clearly said that I'm staying, Verstappen said, adding that he understands why the rumours spiralled in 2025.

That we went on holiday and were next to each other didn't help, of course, he laughed.

Verstappen said the much-discussed Sardinia encounter was pure coincidence. You're going on vacation. I like Sardinia and he likes Sardinia, he explained. This was not agreed. We just got there. It makes sense that at some point you know the nice places.

Seeing Wolff's yacht nearby, Verstappen immediately realised what might follow. I arrived and literally thought, 'Oh sh*t', he laughed. That's when I immediately realised what would happen.

Photos of Verstappen and Wolff together soon emerged. Then of course you wave at each other, and we went to lunch. The children, of course, play with each other, Verstappen said. You can follow the boat, so yes. This is part of it too.

At the time, Wolff had been openly praising Verstappen, while George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were still without contract clarity, fuelling talk that Mercedes wanted to keep its options open for 2026.

Verstappen insists the relationship with Wolff is nothing new.

We've been in good contact for a long time, he said, admitting that 2021 was a strain on that relationship. When you're there, you talk about a lot of things with each other, even outside Formula 1. We're also getting along well.

He added that perceptions often go too far.

A lot of people think it's about your contract right away when you talk to another team principal, Verstappen said. Apparently, people think that this is not allowed or possible.

For Verstappen, the explanation is simpler.

I think I'm a little more relaxed in my life now, the 28-year-old concluded. It's also important to enjoy on holiday and have some fun.

(GMM)
Next article: Govt targets garments, agro-processing for jobs in 2026 Trade Minister

Ghanas Cybele Energy takes Guyana oil block

Suleiman Mustapha & Emmanuel Kwame Asante Business News Dec - 22 - 2025 , 15:52

Cybele Energy became the first African-owned company to secure an offshore oil block in Guyana as part of its plan to expand African participation in global upstream oil and gas opportunities.

The Ghanaian-owned firm signed a Petroleum Agreement and received an exploration licence for the Shallow Water Block S7, marking a direct entry of Ghanaian private capital into South Americas oil and gas sector.

The move came as the government of Guyana continued to attract foreign investment following rapid growth in oil production and rising global interest in its offshore basin.

The Petroleum Agreement was signed on December 9, 2025, at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana.

It covered Block S7, an offshore shallow-water block of about 2,000 square kilometres within Guyanas expanding petroleum basin.

The agreement reflected broader efforts to strengthen commercial links between Africa, South America and the Caribbean through private-sector-led investment.

Under the production sharing agreement with the Government of Guyana, Cybele Energy received exploration and production rights to Block S7.

Preliminary assessments suggested the block could hold up to 400 million barrels of recoverable oil, subject to further seismic studies and drilling activities.

Cybele Energy paid a US$17 million signing bonus to the Government of Guyana, in line with the countrys updated petroleum framework.

Local content framework

The agreement followed Guyanas revised fiscal terms, which included a 10 per cent royalty, 10 per cent corporate tax and a 65 per cent cost recovery ceiling.

Cybele Energy also committed to full compliance with Guyanas local content laws, covering employment, procurement and community participation.

Planned investments included training, capacity building, health care, infrastructure and community development programmes in host communities.

The agreement was later presented at a press conference in Accra on December 16, where its trade and investment implications were outlined.

It was described as establishing a cross-border investment corridor between Ghana and Guyana, anchored in energy cooperation.

At the event, Cybele Energy President, Beatrice Mensah-Tayui said the deal came at a time of major shifts in the global oil and gas industry.

She said Guyana had emerged as the worlds largest oil producer per capita and continued to draw international interest.

She said African companies were increasingly positioned to compete beyond the continent and participate in global energy markets.

Cybele Energys entry into Guyana showed that African-owned companies could compete effectively in international oil and gas markets while contributing to development in host countries, she said.

The transaction was supported by ALA Strategic Consult Guyana Ltd and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce Guyana.

Both institutions were led by Stanley Armartefio Jr., who coordinated engagements between Ghanaian and Guyanese stakeholders.

The teams assisted with bid preparation, due diligence, negotiations and regulatory processes ahead of the final signing ceremony.

Advisory perspective

Managing Partner of ALA, Nana Adjoa Hackman, said working with the Cybele Energy team had been rewarding.

She said the partnership played a central role in navigating Guyanas regulatory environment and aligning the project with local requirements.

Working with Ms Mensah-Tayui and her committed team over the years has been an enriching experience, and we look forward with optimism to the next phase of exploration and development on Block S7, she said.

Under the agreement, Block S7 entered an exploration phase expected to last about five years.

The phase was expected to generate activity across upstream services, logistics and technical support sectors in Guyana.

Mrs Mensah-Tayui said the project would be guided by a strict local content framework to ensure the participation of Guyanese businesses and professionals.

Long-term focus

She said the company planned to focus on oil and gas, mining, technology and related industries as part of its wider strategy.

She said local participation would be built into procurement, employment and skills development programmes.

We planned to prioritise technology transfer, skills development and partnerships with local firms as part of our long-term strategy in Guyana, she said.
Featured

Virtual assets regulation takes shape in Ghana as BoG, Web3 Africa and Binance weigh in

Kweku Zurek Business News Dec - 22 - 2025 , 22:56

The Bank of Ghana has outlined a phased and collaborative approach to regulating virtual assets in Ghana, as Parliaments approval of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, awaits presidential assent, a move expected to formally usher the country into a regulated digital asset era.

Speaking at the WEB 3 Accra VASPs Ecosystem Mixer in Accra, the Lead for Virtual Assets Regulation at the Bank of Ghana, Dr Seyram Pearl Kumah, said the Bill, once assented to, would become the primary legal framework guiding the sector, but stressed that regulation would not begin immediately.

So until the President signs it, it cannot be a public document. So we hope that before the end of this year, the President will sign so that we can all have access to the Act, she said.

Dr Kumah explained that the Act would be supported by additional instruments, including guidelines and directives, to operationalise its provisions. According to her, regulators and market operators would need time to study and align with the new legal framework before licensing and supervision could begin.

The Act is the primary document with high rules to guide the sector, to guide the VASP sector. It is not the only document we are going to use, she said, adding that Bank of Ghana, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Data Protection Commission and law enforcement agencies would all play roles in implementation.

She noted that anti money laundering and counter terrorism financing considerations were central to the law, describing them as key regulatory concerns in the virtual asset space.

The virtual asset service providers Act is built on Act 1044 which is the Anti Money Laundering Act, Dr Kumah said, explaining that VASPs would be required to comply with existing AML laws and guidelines, while taxation of virtual assets would be handled by the Ghana Revenue Authority under provisions in the Act.

Drawing on international experience, she said it typically takes about two years for a new virtual assets law to be fully operationalised, but expressed optimism that Ghana could move faster due to preparatory work already done by regulators.

So I can say that three months into the Act, so by this first quarter of 2026 all these instruments will be out, so that the VASPs will have some time to know the requirements if you want to be licensed or registered in Ghana, she said.

Dr Kumah also clarified that Ghanas regulatory framework would be activity based rather than entity based, meaning firms would be licensed for specific virtual asset services rather than granted a single blanket licence.

You do not license an entity. You license the various activities, she said, adding that details of licensed services and providers would be published on the websites of the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The ecosystem mixer was held against the backdrop of the pending law and brought together regulators, innovators and global industry players to discuss the future of digital assets in Ghana. The event was organised by Web 3 Accra and sponsored by Binance.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Web 3 Africa Group, Del Titus Bawuah, described the engagement as part of efforts to build a collaborative and responsible digital asset ecosystem in Ghana.

The whole purpose of this is to basically ensure that we are collaborative, right, to build a responsible ecosystem, because by building a responsible ecosystem, we are going to have a much more robust, progressive industry, he said.

Mr Bawuah welcomed the progress made so far, describing the passage of the Bill as significant after years of advocacy.

Im just happy that Ghana is even taking the step. Lets be clear, the Bill is not fully at where it should be. It is passed subject to presidential assent. That is very important, he said.

He expressed confidence that the virtual assets industry could contribute significantly to economic growth across Africa, particularly through youth employment and skills development.

I dont see why Africa cannot add an additional trillion dollars in GDP based on this industry alone, not just in Ghana, the whole entire continent, he said.

Mr Bawuah also disclosed plans to support upcoming initiatives with the central bank focused on education and literacy, stressing that awareness should precede commercialisation of the sector.

Legal Counsel for Binance across Africa, Larry Cooke, said Ghana was well positioned to lead crypto adoption in West Africa, citing existing financial infrastructure and regulatory engagement.

I think Ghana is well poised and well positioned in the sense of leading that adoption in West Africa, he said, adding that regulation would further legitimise the industry and increase public confidence.

Mr Cooke challenged common misconceptions about cryptocurrency, particularly the perception that it is primarily about fast money or criminal activity.

Crypto is not about fast money, he said, noting that fraud exists across all industries and that education and compliance were key to addressing risks in the digital asset space.

He praised Ghanas decision to enact a dedicated virtual assets law rather than relying on existing financial regulations, describing it as a more sustainable approach.

I think that Ghana has positioned itself quite well in advance, in the top three, in my opinion, in terms of crypto regulation that we see on the continent, he said.

Highlighting opportunities for the Ghanaian economy, Mr Cooke pointed to job creation, innovation and the potential role of stablecoins in bridging traditional finance and digital assets.

Stable coins is probably the most easiest opportunity for us to capitalize as Africans and Ghana specifically, he said, urging local innovators to explore the creation of a Ghana cedi stablecoin.

The WEB 3 Accra VASPs Ecosystem Mixer, held on December 22 at the Pelican Hotel in Cantonments, underscored growing momentum around digital assets in Ghana, as regulators and industry players prepare for the next phase of implementation once the VASP law receives presidential assent.
Crane owners demand protection for local operators at RMU graduation

Kweku Zurek Education Dec - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Stakeholders in Ghanas logistics and heavy-duty equipment industry have called for stronger protection of local businesses, improved professionalism and fair enforcement of the law to support national development, as the Regional Maritime University graduated the ninth cohort of forklift and mobile crane operators in Accra.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was held under the theme Accelerating Africas Economy with an Improved Logistics Industry, the Chief Executive Officer of RAHAMABROS, Mr Mohammed Salifu, congratulated the graduates and urged them to place safety at the centre of their professional practice. Mr Salifu, who spoke on behalf of the Crane Owners Association of Ghana, said the successful completion of the programme should be matched by a strong commitment to discipline and responsible conduct. Completing this programme shows your commitment and discipline. However, skill alone is not enough safety must guide every action you take, he said.

Mr Salifu explained that the association was formed in response to growing concerns among indigenous operators about increasing foreign participation in the crane and heavy-lifting industry, which he said was threatening local livelihoods. While welcoming foreign partners to contribute to national development, he cautioned against practices that undermine local businesses and flout existing regulations. Foreign contractors who bring heavy lifting equipment into the country and then venture into the hiring business are acting against the laws of the land, he stated, citing provisions of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865).

He also raised concerns about the alleged harassment of crane operators by some personnel of the Ghana Police Service, particularly in areas including the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, Spintex, Tema, Ashaiman, Community 25, Afienya and Dawhenya. According to him, although most truck-mounted cranes are roadworthy and certified to operate, operators are frequently stopped and threatened with legal action. We are law-abiding citizens. This bargaining and harassment must stop, he stressed.

Linking his address to the theme of the ceremony, Mr Salifu reaffirmed the associations commitment to employing trained Ghanaian youth and supporting national initiatives aimed at economic growth. He expressed readiness to collaborate with institutions such as the National Association for Heavy Duty Equipment Operators Ghana and the Regional Maritime University to support government development programmes, including the Big Push infrastructure agenda. He also encouraged crane owners who are yet to join the association to do so, emphasising unity, safety and professionalism as essential pillars for the growth of the local crane industry.

Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University described logistics as the lifeblood of progress across Africa, noting that skilled operators play a strategic role in trade, construction, ports and industrial development. Without a resilient logistics backbone, even the most ambitious economic strategies falter, he said, urging the graduates to uphold high standards of safety, integrity and discipline in their careers.

He underscored the importance of strong partnerships between academia and industry and acknowledged stakeholders who supported the practical training of the students. He also commended SIC Insurance Company Limited for donating two laptop computers to enhance training delivery at the university.

The President of NAHEOG, Mr Dominic Kofi Eyiah, challenged the graduates to see themselves as more than machine operators, describing them as operators of economic momentum. He said logistics was a strategic advantage rather than a support function, noting that inefficiencies in the sector significantly increase the cost of goods across Africa. Logistics is not a support function; it is a strategic advantage, he said, adding that professionalism, resilience and safety were crucial to building reliable supply chains and attracting investment.

The ceremony ended with a call on the newly qualified operators to contribute meaningfully to Ghanas and Africas economic transformation through excellence, discipline and professional conduct.
Constitutional review committee submits final report to President Mahama and proposes extension of presidential term from 4 to 5 years

Previous article: Constitutional review committee submits final report to President Mahama and proposes extension of presidential term from 4 to 5 years

Featured

AG to prosecute Chairman Wontumi over alleged GH24m Exim Bank fraud

Mohammed Ali Dec - 22 - 2025 , 14:18 5 minutes read

The Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced the commencement of prosecution proceedings against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, over an alleged defrauding of the Ghana Export-Import Bank.

According to the A-G, Chairman Wontumi took a total of GH24,255,735 through a farming scheme which promised jobs for young people but yielded none.

Dr Ayine said the prosecution will cover charges of defrauding by false pretences, forgery and causing financial loss to the state.

He made the disclosure at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, December 22, 2025.

The announcement adds to the legal challenges facing Chairman Wontumi, who is already standing trial at the Accra High Court over separate charges linked to alleged illegal mining activities involving his company, Akonta Mining Limited.

Dr Ayine said investigations into the Exim Bank case showed that Chairman Wontumi submitted a forged receipt to mislead the bank into believing he had purchased farming equipment valued at GH4 million. Investigators later established that no such purchase had been made.

He forged the invoice he obtained from Kasama Enterprise by removing the word invoice and replacing it with receipt. This forged receipt was then submitted to Exim Bank as proof that he had purchased the equipment after the disbursement of the loan facility, Dr Ayine said.

He explained that investigators uncovered the forgery after examining the document. The so called receipt had on it, ladies and gentlemen of the press, 50 days to supply and one year guarantee and service, he said, adding that such terms appear on pro forma invoices rather than receipts for completed transactions.

Dr Ayine said Chairman Wontumi applied for the loan in December 2017 under the Ghana Exim Bank Mining Alternative Livelihoods Programme, which was intended to create jobs for young people in communities affected by illegal mining.

The application stated that Wontumi Farms Limited would cultivate maize on 100,000 acres of land at Asare Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region and employ young people from mining communities.

Investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office showed that Wontumi Farms Limited did not exist at the time the loan application was submitted. The company was incorporated on December, 14, 2017, five days after Chairman Wontumi had written to Exim Bank claiming that the companys board had met and approved the application.

In other words, it was not in existence. In short, the company did not exist at the time of the loan application by its sole shareholder and director, Dr Ayine said.

On January 16, 2018, Exim Bank approved a medium-term loan facility of GH18,734,260, which included a grant component of GH6,778,718. The funds were meant for the purchase of agricultural machinery, working capital, staff costs and consultancy services.

Dr Ayine said investigations later showed that Chairman Wontumi did not purchase any of the equipment listed in the loan agreement. When investigators visited the alleged farm site, they found only old and non-functioning tractors manufactured in the 1970s.

When our investigators went to the ground, they realised there were some obsolete machines on the side. Tractors dating back to the 1970s, which were not functioning, were the ones placed on the farm, he said.

He said the farming project never took off and no young people were employed at Asare Nkwanta, contrary to the claims made in the loan application. So this was a scheme designed to defraud Exim Bank, Dr Ayine said.

The Attorney General said the owner of Kasama Enterprise confirmed to investigators that he issued only a pro forma invoice to Chairman Wontumi and not a receipt. He said Chairman Wontumi promised to return to complete the purchase but failed to do so despite several follow-up calls.

The forged receipt submitted to Exim Bank suggested that GH4 million had been paid for agricultural equipment. Dr Ayine said images attached to the document showed bulldozers and excavators rather than farming machinery.

He said Chairman Wontumi later claimed during questioning that he had bought second-hand equipment and submitted all documents to Exim Bank. The bank, he said, confirmed that it received only the forged receipt.

Investigations established that Chairman Wontumi did not purchase any equipment and could not register any equipment in the joint names of Exim Bank and Wontumi Farms Limited as required under the loan conditions, even though funds were released for that purpose, Dr Ayine said.

Dr Ayine also disclosed that Chairman Wontumi pressured Exim Bank and E Bank Capital Limited to transfer GH400,000 meant for workers salaries directly to Wontumi Farms Limited instead of using the electronic payment system set up for the project.

According to witnesses, Chairman Wontumi insisted that the money be transferred directly to his company on the basis that the youth involved in galamsey were not used to electronic payment systems and preferred cash, he said.

He added that Wontumi Farms Limited failed to submit a list of workers to E Bank Capital because there were no workers on the farm.

Dr Ayine said the conduct uncovered during investigations went beyond breaches of contract. He said Chairman Wontumi and his company made false representations to Exim Bank to obtain the loan facility, failed to procure the equipment, and did not establish the farming project or employ any young people.

He said the use of a forged receipt to create the impression of compliance amounted to criminal conduct.

Dr Ayine said charges will be filed against Wontumi Farms Limited and its directors after the Christmas break, when his office resumes work. He said the GH24,255,735 figure represents the principal amount and interest accrued so far and could rise further.
Featured

Attorney-General rejects conditional plea bargain proposals

Mohammed Ali Dec - 22 - 2025 , 13:11 2 minutes read

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, says he has turned down plea bargain proposals involving about GH38 million because the proposals were tied to suspects refunding money without facing full criminal proceedings.

Dr Ayine said repayment alone could not replace prosecution in cases where alleged criminal acts had caused loss to the state.

He said such arrangements did not meet the standard required under the law.

He made the clarification while responding to questions at a press briefing dubbed the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, [December 22, 2025].

Yes, offers keep being made, but sometimes the offers are made conditional on people bringing their money and walking away, and I say no, Dr Ayine said.

He explained that Ghanas laws allow plea bargaining, but his office would not support deals that weaken the criminal justice process, especially in cases involving large sums of public funds.

I am the Attorney General. I am the prosecutor. I am not defence counsel, Dr Ayine said. What I want to do is make my case to the court and prove beyond reasonable doubt that the offences I am charging have been committed.

He said the law allows accused persons to plead guilty, make restitution and, in some cases, plead to lesser charges. He added that such steps must come from the accused persons and their lawyers, not from the prosecution.

If they want to shorten the process through plea bargaining, it is left to them. I will not advise them, and I will not be the one to provide that advice, he said.
Let's celebrate Christmas in clean environment - Ahmed Ibrahim urges MMDAs

Timothy Ngnenbe Dec - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has urged all municipal, metropolitan and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to take immediate steps to clear filth and properly manage waste within their jurisdictions during the festive season.

Mr Ibrahim stressed that as human activities, particularly trading, increased ahead of the Christmas festivities, more waste would be generated, and the local assemblies must double their efforts to keep the environment in its pristine state.

While underscoring the need for the assemblies to enforce environmental laws, the minister also stressed that systems must be put in place to manage traffic flow in the city centres.

He was speaking at the climax of a week-long national sanitation exercise in Accra last Saturday.

Visits

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, the minister conducted a monitoring tour across key ceremonial streets in Accra, including the John Evans Atta Mills Highway and other spots within the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly and Burma Camp.

The initiative was a mobilisation effort to enhance the citys aesthetic appeal during the festive season.

Additionally, the exercise was intended to prevent health disasters as the country prepares to welcome international visitors and dignitaries for the holidays.

During the visit to Burma Camp, the minister met and engaged with personnel from the security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

The security personnel actively participated in the clean-up exercise, with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) providing support with water tankers, while others focused on clearing debris.

The minister commended the security personnel for their collaboration to rid the city of filth.

He noted that the hands-on networking between the security services and the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) had set a standard for leadership across the country.

Public service means you are not on your own; once you enter, you have no privacy.

This Christmas is about cleaning as part of disaster prevention, he said.

He emphasised that because LADMA housed the President at the Jubilee House and the majority of the diplomatic corps, it must remain the cleanest enclave in the country to maintain Ghana's international image.

The minister urged all other metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to emulate and sustain the momentum into the new year.
Featured

LPG's Kofi Akpaloo to be charged over GH3.1million COCOBOD payment

Mohammed Ali Dec - 22 - 2025 , 13:33 2 minutes read

The Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, says his office will take legal action against the founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Percival Kofi Akpaloo over a GH3,169,432.22 payment from COCOBOD, which was meant for a different contractor in a cocoa roads project.

According to the Attorney-General, Kofi Akpaloo and his wife incorporated a company and used it to divert the total payment of GH3,169,432.22 in various tranches.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday [December 22, 2025], Dr Ayine said the three will be charged with stealing, forgery, and money laundering after investigations showed that funds intended for Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited were paid into a different company, Pomaah, created Akpaloo with that near-identical name.

According to the Attorney-General, the Ghana Cocoa Board awarded a GH29.5 million contract in December 2020 to Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, a company owned by Ekua Pomaa, for cocoa road works.

Dr Ayine said Kofi Akpaloo later incorporated another company, Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited, by adding the letter H to the original name.

Between December 2022 and June 2024, Akpaloo collected eight cheques issued by COCOBOD in the name of Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, totalling GH 3,169,432.22, and paid them into the account of his own company, Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited, at First Bank Ghana Limited, Dr Ayine said.

He said the suspicious transactions were detected by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), which alerted the bank and triggered investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Dr Ayine said the rightful contractor, Ekua Pomaa, was unaware of the diversion until June 2024 when COCOBOD contacted her over outstanding balances on the contract.

Our investigations show that Ekua Pomaa did not know about the existence of Pomaah Universal Ghana Limited or the diversion of the funds until COCOBOD reached out to her. She later realised the payments had been collected and redirected without her consent, he said.

He added that Ekua Pomaa also alleged that Kofi Akpaloo forged her signature on the COCOBOD contract and used her former name, Mercy Owusu, to secure the agreement without her authorisation.

Dr Ayine said First Bank Ghana Limited carried out an internal review and confirmed that the cheques were knowingly paid into the wrong account. The bank also admitted lapses in detecting the mismatch between the cheque payee names and the beneficiary accounts.

He said three suspects will be charged. They are Kofi Akpaloo, Pomaah Ghana Universal Limited, the company, and Mrs Delvin Akpaloo.

It is fast becoming fashionable to commit crimes with spouses these days, Dr Ayine remarked.

He said charges will be filed after the Christmas break when his office resumes work.
Pan-African Progressive Front anchors Reparatory Justice at Accra Diaspora Summit

Princess Yanney Politics Dec - 22 - 2025 , 08:49 7 minutes read

The Accra Diaspora Summit, held at the Accra International Conference Center on 1920 December, marked a historic convergence of African states, diasporic communities, and organised Pan-African political forces around the demand for reparatory justice.

At the centre of the summit were two foundational state interventions: one delivered by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, and the other by H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Togo. Together, these speeches framed reparations not as memory work alone, but as a political project concerned with truth, power, healing, and Africas place in the world.

Surrounding these state interventions, organised Pan-African movements, most notably the Pan-African Progressive Front, reinforced the urgency of moving from declaration to political action. Contributions from Senegal and CARICOM further demonstrated that reparations are increasingly being treated as a matter of continental and transnational governance rather than symbolic diplomacy.

President Mahama: History, Memory, and the Reclamation of the African Story

President John Dramani Mahama grounded his address in historical specificity and narrative reclamation. He began by insisting on the literal meaning of violence inflicted on African bodies, stating that enslaved Africans were blood and bone that were forced onto ships and transported across the Atlantic. He posed a central question that framed the moral urgency of the summit: But why do these events that followed cease to be part of Ghanas story also?

Placing Ghana within the geography of the transatlantic slave trade, Mahama reminded the audience that between the 16th and 19th centuries, nearly 13 million African men, women, and children were captured and transported on ships through the Middle Passage.

He noted that over two million of them died, some due to the harsh conditions and others due to disease, while also acknowledging those who chose to end it all and those who perished when ships sank in storms on the Atlantic.

He described the Atlantic and the Gulf of Guinea as sites of mass death, stating that Africans were shackled and chained limb to limb, turning the Gulf of Guinea and the waters of the Atlantic beyond it into a graveyard of our ancestors.

He emphasized Ghanas central role in this history, observing that Ghana contains more slave forts and castles than any other nation on the African continent, with many still intact and others lying in ruins.

For him, the suffering of those who were enslaved and those who remained on the continent cannot be separated. He declared that what followed for each and every one of those individuals is as much a part of Ghanas story as what followed for us who remained firmly rooted here on our soil but were subjugated and rendered second-class citizens nonetheless.

He traced the origins of European extraction, noting that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to land on our shores, first extracting gold and commodities before they moved on to the extraction of human beings. He explained the cruel irony of the Volta Rivers naming, stating that Volta in Portuguese means to return, and that even as Africans were forced through the Door of No Return, their captors had already ensured their own safe return.

Quoting Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi, Mahama reminded the audience that we believe the one who has power. They are the one who gets to write the story. He urged listeners to interrogate history by asking, Whose story am I missing? Whose voice was suppressed? He argued that reclaiming these stories allows Africans and the diaspora to write ourselves truthfully and respectfully into not only our future, but the future of all humanity.

Mahama welcomed the diaspora explicitly, declaring, This is your home. He warned that division remains the central mechanism of domination. He rejected colonial borders, ethnic hierarchies, colorism, and systemic racial imagery that portray Africans as inferior. He stated plainly, Colonization did not leave us unscathed.

He highlighted cultural survivals across the diaspora, from language to food to folklore, arguing that Africa has remained present well beyond food and music. Drawing on Kwame Nkrumah, he recalled the statement, Im not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me, situating the diasporas centrality within Ghanas foundational Pan-African vision.

Turning to reparations directly, Mahama declared, We demand the acknowledgement of these crimes against humanity. We demand the establishment of legal, institutional, and international mechanisms to advance reparative justice. He specified that reparations must include tangible measures such as debt cancellation and the transformation of the global economic system.

He closed with urgency and confidence, stating, The future is African. We hold in our hands the power to change the circumstances of our past. He called for unity, concluding that with a united Africa and diaspora, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

Reparations as reconstruction

President Faure Gnassingbe approached the question of reparations through a structured political framework. He opened by declaring, The reparations movement is not a nostalgic provocation. It is a demand for justice, a condition for stability, and a lever of transformation for generations to come. He rejected portrayals of Africa as dependent, stating, Africa is not a wounded continent asking for assistance. Africa is a collective force demanding equity, recognition, and truth.

Gnassingbe argued that reparations are future-oriented, explaining that slavery and colonization configured the global economy and produced productivity inequalities, trade asymmetries, technological gaps, and institutional fragilities. He stressed that these mechanisms are not behind us.

He insisted that truth is the first step, stating that the world must formally recognize that the transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity. He praised Ghanas initiative, describing it as a foundational act that allows the world to heal wounds and rebuild the future on solid foundations.

Gnassingbe emphasized that truth alone is not enough, asserting that reparations require instruments, including debt restructuring, multilateral funds, and United Nations commitments. He described reparations as an act of global reconstruction that contributes to world stability.

On the diaspora, he stated unequivocally, Our diaspora is not a memory or a relic of history. It is a true political, economic, and intellectual extension of Africa. He warned that no strategy of sovereignty can succeed without the mobilization of the diaspora.

He described healing as a political imperative, stating, This work of healing is not a moral add-on; it is a strategy of power. He called for Africa, ECOWAS, CARICOM, and the African Union to speak with one voice.

Gnassingbe concluded by rejecting charity narratives, stating, In demanding reparations, Africa is asking neither for charity nor compassion. It is asking for equity, recognition, and justice. He described the summit as a rare moment to build a lasting Africa-diaspora alliance and declared that Africa is finally taking its future back into its own hands.

The Role of PPF and Organised Pan-Africanism

Within this state-led momentum, the Pan-African Progressive Front intervened as an organised political force committed to advancing reparations beyond diplomacy. PPF coordinating member Kwesi Pratt Jnr. situated reparations within the realms of political economy and mass organisation rather than elite negotiation.

PPF reaffirmed its commitment to the Special Accra Declaration on Reparatory Justice, adopted earlier in November this year, which calls for a reparations fund, cancellation of illegitimate debts, the return of stolen resources, and binding enforcement mechanisms.

Caribbean alignment was reinforced through the intervention of Arley Nichau Salimbene Gill of the Grenada National Reparations Committee, speaking on behalf of CARICOM. Gill affirmed that slavery was a crime against humanity and emphasized that the cost of this repair must be borne by those who did it. His articulation closely mirrored PPFs position that dignity and self-determination do not negate historical obligation.

PPF also advanced transnational solidarity by presenting a copy of Mr. Pratts book on reparations to Fred Hampton Jr. and Benjamin Crump, symbolically linking African reparations struggles with Black radical and legal traditions in the Americas.

Toward a New Pan-African Cycle

The Accra Diaspora Summit demonstrated a shift in Pan-African politics. Reparations were no longer framed as an appeal, symbolism, or commemoration alone. Through the combined weight of Ghana, Togo, Senegal, CARICOM, and organised Pan-African movements such as PPF, reparations emerged as a structured political project grounded in politics, law, history, and collective power.

As President Mahama declared, This is precisely the time when we must advance and begin the process of reclamation. The summit marked not an ending, but the opening of a new Pan-African cycle rooted in unity, justice, and the deliberate reconstruction of African destiny.
Featured

See full report of H. Kwasi Prempeh's Constitutional Review Committee proposing extension of presidential term from 4 to 5 years

Graphic Online Politics Dec - 22 - 2025 , 17:43 3 minutes read

The eight-member Constitutional Review Committee set up by President John Dramani Mahama in January 2025 to identify gaps in previous constitutional reforms and recommend amendments to improve Ghanas governance has submitted it report to the President.

President Mahama after receiving the final report of the Committee, chaired by Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh, at a ceremony on Monday [Dec 22, 2025] accordingly directed the publication and release of the Report to the public.

Key among the proposals is an extension of the presidential term of office from four years to five years, as part of recommendations aimed at strengthening governance and policy continuity.

Other proposals are changes to local governance, including the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and the inclusion of traditional chiefs in local government structures.

We think we are ready as a country to make a historic move in the way in which our local government is structured, Prof Prempeh said during the presentation.

Under the proposals, chiefs would initially take part in the legislative and deliberative work of district assemblies. Over time, they would assume more direct governing roles at the sub-district level in towns and villages.

The committee also recommends the creation of a Devolution Commission to oversee the phased introduction of elections for MMDCEs, instead of holding elections in all 261 districts at the same time. Districts that meet clearly defined benchmarks would begin the process, with others joining later.

On the presidency, the report proposes extending the presidential term from four years to five years, alongside limits on campaign activities.

It suggests a defined campaign period, outside which political parties and candidates would not be allowed to engage in activities such as rallies, posters and billboards.

We hope if this is accepted that we will have a political or electoral environment where we do not run 24-hour, 24-seven, four-year campaigns, Prof Prempeh explained.

The committee is also calling for an end to what it describes as the hybrid relationship between the executive and the legislature, in favour of clearer separation between the two arms of government.

Changes are proposed for the public sector to reduce partisan influence. The report suggests placing state-owned enterprises under constitutional oversight through a body akin to the State Interests and Governance Authority.

We believe that we need to protect the state sector from over-politicisation, Prof Prempeh said, adding that the economic weight and systemic risks of such enterprises justify closer constitutional regulation.

Under the proposals, the Council of State would receive expanded authority, moving closer to its original 1969 conception as a co-guarantor in presidential appointments.

The report also recommends the creation of a new anti-corruption commission to bring together corruption prosecution functions currently spread across several agencies. Under this arrangement, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice would concentrate on human rights and ombudsman duties.

The role of the Attorney General would also be adjusted, with some responsibilities reassigned to reduce the burden on the office.

Receiving the report, President Mahama described it as a beautiful Christmas gift and commended the committee for its integrity and credibility.

He announced plans to set up an implementation committee early in 2026 and said some members of the review body would be invited to serve to allow continuity into the next phase.

As soon as we resume early next year, we are moving from the constitutional review process into the implementation process, the president said.

He acknowledged that some of the proposals were far-reaching but said they were needed to strengthen Ghanas democratic order, especially at a time when constitutional governance in parts of the sub-region was under strain.

President Mahama said the report would be published soon, adding that he did not want it kept like a nuclear secret, though he did not give a publication date.

Prof Prempeh said the committee visited 10 regions and held engagements with academics, trade unions and citizens across the country. He said the consultations revealed strong public demand for change.

Attached below is a copy of the report
As Pacific Daily News celebrates 75 years of keeping the island informed, Clark Boswell, vice president and general manager of Atkins Kroll in Guam and Saipan, said PDNs daily reporting symbolizes trust and faith in the community.

This reach, he added, has benefited Atkins Kroll greatly in the last 75 of its 111 years of business.

PDN helps us understand whats happening in Guam, Boswell said. Its a trusted voice to let the people of Guam know whats going on, [from] new vehicle launches [to] safety updates [and] market trends, providing transparency and visibility throughout the industry.

Boswell said the first thing he has done every morning when he comes into work for the last 11 years is open the PDN, have coffee, and read the paper. Nowadays, however, Boswell and everyone else are doing so online or on their phones.

I think you guys have done a fantastic job handling the digital transition, and despite print waning in popularity, the importance of having that daily trusted source is just as important today as it was 11 years ago, Boswell said.

The digital transition in recent years has put everyone through growing pains, Boswell added. He said Atkins Kroll has adjusted its customer interaction to meet digital needs, similar to PDNs digitalization.

Digital communication is everything. Customers expect to be able to get information and communicate with us nearly 24 hours a day online, and its the utmost importance that we communicate, no matter if its a sales question, a service question, or a rental booking, Boswell said.

Boswell also said digital tools allow companies to deliver tailored messages to target demographics, retaining and attracting customers more effectively.

Most importantly, he added, customers are much more informed today than they were five to 10 years ago due to online research.

When they step into the dealership, theyve done days of research. They compared prices and model specs, and they understand miles per gallon, Boswell said. They used to come to us for all that, but now, theyre doing that ahead of time, so we have to enable an omni-channel journey.

Boswell said Atkins Kroll tries to provide a smooth transition from online inquiries to an in-person conversation at the dealership, building more trust and sharing relevent information along the way.

Were seeing an increase in online lead submissions [so] its important we engage them quickly and smoothly facilitate that appointment. Were doing our best to work with our customers, Boswell said.
Phil Flores still remembers the sound and commotion of the old Hagatna print shop where his grandfather, businessman and former governor Joseph Flores started Guams first locally-owned daily newspaper in 1950.

Years before the Pacific Daily News masthead became a mainstay in homes, restaurants and offices around the island, the publication went by another name: The Guam Daily News.

It was hot, it was open, and those presses made noise, and I mean, they made a lot of noise, Phil Flores, now 76, remembered of the old Guam Daily News print shop.

He would come by the shop as a kid, run around and help sweep up when he and the Flores family came back to visit Guam from San Francisco.

And every day, Id go home and I blow my nose, and theres ink in my nose, just because theres ink in the air, he said.

His grandfather, who was always working really, really hard, ran a number of businesses besides the newspaper, including a car dealership, a short-lived airline, and most notably, Guam Savings and Loan, now BankPacific.

But for a time, the former governor kept his office on the second floor above the printing press, according to Phil Flores, who runs BankPacific as president these days.

He said his grandfather, who started in the newspaper business in San Francisco, liked the presses, the paper and the news reels that would come in all the time.

Born in 1900, Joseph Flores grew up in Hagatna, on the site of where the BankPacific main branch sits now, his grandson explained.

My grandfather left the island in 1917 to join the Navy during the first World War, Phil Flores said.

The older Flores was discharged in San Diego and moved up to San Francisco, where he met his wife and Phil Flores grandmother, Angela Perez Flores.

While he was in San Francisco, he had several businesses, and he had neighborhood throwaway newspapers, advertisers, Phil Flores said.

There were no subscriptions for the ad-laden sheets, Phil Flores said, and his grandfathers papers would be thrown at peoples doorsteps in California free of charge.

Joseph Flores was stateside during World War II, Phil Flores said, but returned to Guam after the war and during liberation from the Japanese Imperial Army.

His brothers told him, come back here, because its the Reconstruction period. Theres a lot of money that can be made because people need it, Phil Flores said.

Joseph Flores became one of a gang of entrepreneurs with recognizable names like Camacho, Perez, Leon Guerrero, and Calvo, who were all friends, business partners, and helped rebuild the island post-war, Phil Flores said.

He said a favorite reconstruction story of his grandfathers was running up to Andersen Air Force Base, where the military was throwing away stale beer.

Theyd buy up the beer, run it down into the village, where there was a big demand for cold brews.

At some point, a bigger military asset came up for sale, in the Navy-run newspaper the Guam News.

When we were transferring from being subjects of the United States to citizens...the Navy was selling their assets, Phil Flores said.

When the call came out for someone to take over the Navy paper, my grandfather raised his hands, said, I can do it. I know newspapers. I do printing, Phil Flores said.

Joseph Flores bought the newspaper in 1949 and began running it as the Guam Daily News in 1950, with its Sunday counterpart The Territorial Sun.

Later, when the original Navy-run Bank of Guam went out for bid, the former governor likewise expressed his interest.

They said, Who wants the bank? And my grandfather raised his hand again, Phil Flores said, this time to less success. They said, Well, you dont know anything about banking. And so they gave it to Bank of America.

But the former governor persisted, and reached out to friend Elwood Hanson, who ran Bayview Federal Savings and Loan in San Francisco.

On one of his trips back there, he said, Elwood, how do I start a savings and loan? Phil Flores said.

Guam Savings and Loan, now BankPacific, opened its doors on July 7, 1954.

The banks first branch was next door to the Guam Daily News print shop in Hagatna, where the DNA Building, home for decades to the PDN offices and print shop, now stands.

And then what happens when you start opening up a business and you have the newspaper? Joseph Flores asked. The front story of the Guam Daily News was opening up the bank.

A clipping of the story and the front page photo of Joseph Flores and his new board remain in the Hagatna BankPacific vault to this day.

Along the way, the paper would pick up former editor Joe Murphy, who Phil Flores father, Edward, had hired through his connections in San Francisco.

Joseph Flores ran the newspaper for about 20 years before selling it to Hawaii businessman and newspaper publisher Chinn Ho for $1.2 million in 1970.

When the $1.2 million check came, Joseph Flores showed it to his grandson.

He was so proud of the check. He said, son, have you ever said check this large person? I had not, Phil Flores said.

Ho sold the Guam Daily News to media company Gannett a year after buying it, and it was renamed the Pacific Daily News.

Joe Murphy, who helped run the paper prior to the sale, stayed on with the PDN for years, writing his popular column Pipe Dreams.

Murphy is among a number of notable PDN alumni whose likenesses still hang on a painting above the BankPacific lobby in Hagatna.

The legacy of the Guam Daily News, and Joseph Flores role in running the islands first locally owned daily newspaper, are well preserved in the BankPacific vault, and on the walls of its Hagatna office.

In his Hagatna office, the current BankPacific president still keeps on the press from 1926 that started his grandfathers San Francisco publications.

Copies of at least one of the stateside papers could still be spotted out on the street in California, under different ownership, about 20 years ago, said Phil Flores.

He was a pleasure to grow up with and watch as an entrepreneur and to value his work ethic, he said of his grandfather.

Phil Flores said he still recalls one of the most important things the old man ever taught him.

He said, Son, I could have made a lot more money than I have. But every morning, you have to look at yourself in the mirror, and who is that person in the mirror? he said.

When the paper next changed hands in 2021, Phil Flores got a call from its new owner, former lieutenant governor and businessman Kaleo Moylan, shortly after the deal was closed.

I said congratulations, Flores remembered.
University of Guam senior biomed student Jan Malig-on, 21, from Dededo, is looking forward to finally getting some real-world experience in Guams health care system.

Planning to apply to medical school and eventually residency programs, Malig-on was happy to connect with current medical students from Guam at the Chalan Amte meet-and-greet event on Saturday.

Malig-on and other students will get hands-on experience next month when Chalan Amte hosts a community outreach event.

With our struggling health care system, its important to have that community of students who are from Guam and understand our system and our culture and who also want to come back home, Malig-on told the Pacific Daily News. Because were so limited in our resources and not as connected as our stateside counterparts, its important to build a community that understands exactly what were going through.

Malig-on added that Guams current healthcare struggles  physician shortages, overcrowding, faulty facilities, and changing policies  make it even more pertinent that homegrown physicians come back to Guam.

Taking advantage of the holiday break, Mason Caldwell, from Barrigada, and other medical students are focused on getting as many pre-med students as they can together to build Guams future medical community.

Studying at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Caldwell, 25, is the executive director of Chalan Amte, a medical advising and outreach group that aims to improve health care education and workforce capacity in Guam and the Pacific.

Caldwell and Kai Akimoto, Morgan Quinley, Heera Kodiyamplakkal and Veronica Perez, hosted the meet-and-greet and panel discussion at Infusion in Tamuning for nearly two dozen pre-med undergraduates.

Were focused on helping them through the process. This is our more informal event [where] people can ask us questions, but we will be having a more formal event later on, Caldwell said.

The medical students leading the event returned to Guam during their holiday break from universities in Arkansas, Hawaii, Oregon and Minnesota.

Akimoto, currently a fourth-year medical student at the University of Minnesota, said the gathering allowed Chalan Amte to inform undergraduates about the group, build connections, and lay the groundwork for future events.

What were doing here is trying to [be] more approachable [and] create stronger relationships with our mentees on island. Were also trying to build those relationships to encourage them to participate alongside us in many of our more hands-on activities later this year, Akimoto said.

The organization is hosting a workshop on Jan. 3 at the University of Guam College of Natural & Applied Sciences building, rooms SC200 and SC221, including breakout sessions and activities featuring community partners, such as the Department of Public Health and Social Services, clinics, and volunteer organizations.

Thats more the nitty-gritty of how to apply to med school and those specific elements. The whole reason we created this organization is that the pre-med process is so cryptic [with] so many layers of hidden curriculum, Akimoto said.

Make an impact

Chalan Amte will also host an outreach Jan. 11, giving members and mentees an opportunity for more hands-on experiences alongside other medical outreach staff.

Akimoto said medical and pre-med students at the event can begin to make an impact on our patient population in the ways that were prepared to.

He added that Chalan Amte will partner with the Guam Community Health Centers and with the mobile clinic at Public Health, providing health screening services and participating in quality improvement research.

There are a lot of barriers these communities face, and as students, we need to engage in scholarly activity, one of those categories being quality improvement, Akimoto said.

Perez, 27, from Ordot, a fourth-year medical student at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, said it is unfortunate medical students need to leave, but its also good for us to learn different ways of doing things [and] bring them back here [and] help our island any way we can.

Were all trying to come back to Guam, so it helps to have that community of people who love and want to come back to Guam. Were all around the states, so divided and isolated out there, but we have this community to depend on and reach out to for whatever reason, Perez said.

She added that it is important to welcome pre-med students into that community, so they know they will have people to support and encourage them when they get into medical school.

Caldwell said the island does not have enough people coming back home to practice medicine and relies too much on people from off island. He hopes Chalan Amte can help people go from college to med school to residency, and have this cycle where were sustaining the medical community.

All of us are very much focused on what were doing in school and learning the science behind things, but in the back of our minds, were thinking about what were going to come home to, Caldwell said. Am I going to be beneficial for the community? How can I be the best doctor possible? Whatever the situation, were going to come back and make it better, decreasing the workload of someone else and increasing the workforce.

Perez said she and her peers would need to re-integrate into the community when they return, see how things are done, and work toward making it better.

Im really big on observing first and seeing how things are done. If someone is set in their ways, you cant just flip the tables on them. Thats not how things are done on our island, and its not how things should be done. If you have a suffering patient whos smoked for 50 years, youre not going to get them to put down cigarettes the next day.

She also told PDN that there are enough medical students and future medical students from Guam to achieve change.

If we think something can change, there are enough of us to have that manpower to help make things better, Perez said.




Haiti - Economy : Dominican exports to Haiti exceed one billion USD (2025)





According to the latest report from the General Directorate of Customs (DGA), Dominican Republic exports to Haiti, between January and the end of November 2025, exceeded one billion US dollars (1,064,220,000), an increase of 27.89% compared to the same period in 2024.



The report specifies that this growth is primarily due to domestic exports, which increased by 48.49%, rising from USD 504.46 million in 2024 to USD 749.07 million in 2025. Conversely, exports from free trade zones decreased by 15.78%, settling at USD 240.24 million.



According to the DGA (General Directorate of Customs), "70.39% of exports fall under the national regime, 22.57% under free trade zones, 3.75% under temporary admission, and the remaining 3.29% under the re-export regime."



Regarding the composition of exports from free trade zones, customs officials specify that "89.79% of exports to Haiti under the free trade zone regime are concentrated on 10 products," dominated by T-shirts and knitted underwear (34.75%), followed by other cotton fabrics (29.16%) and textile rags, twine, and rope (5.38%).



For its part, within the national system, the report indicates that 54.55% of exports to Haiti are concentrated on 10 products, among which stand out unalloyed iron or steel bars (11.13%, a 500% increase), hydraulic cements, including colored ones (9.52%, a growth), and soybean oil and its fractions (5.97%, a 178% increase).



Contrary to the increase in exports, Dominican imports from Haiti have decreased sharply. Customs officials report that between January and November 2025, imports totaled US$5.79 million, a decrease of 57.60% compared to the same period in 2024.



Under the national regime, customs officials emphasize that "81.90% of imports from Haiti are concentrated on five products," with undenatured ethyl alcohol with an alcohol content of less than 80% leading the way at 39.95%, followed by recycled textile products and textile production waste from free trade zones (21.51%), and insecticides and rodenticides (12.52%).



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46425-haiti-dominican-rep-export-volume-to-haiti-will-exceed-us$1-billion-2025.html



TB/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Construction : New version of the Haitis National Building Code (2025)





On Friday, December 19, 2025, in a context marked by increasing vulnerability to seismic hazards and the effects of climate change, the official validation ceremony for the major revision of Haitis National Building Code (CNBH) was held under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT).



Twelve years after its initial version, this 2025 update stands as an essential technical safeguard against informal construction practices that increase the exposure of populations, both in urban and rural areas.



The result of a participatory process, the CNBH 2025 is the product of synergy between the National Steering Committee and high-level experts. This new version incorporates major advancements, notably a rigorous consideration of seismic and cyclonic parameters, while adapting the technical specifications to the realities of local materials.



One of the key innovations of this version lies in extending its scope to include standard buildings and traditional rural constructions, such as timber-framed buildings with stone infill, ensuring inclusive safety that leaves no area of the territory untouched.



Beyond the technical aspects, the CNBH 2025 aims to be a tool for cohesion and standardization aligned with the international standards of the International Code Council (ICC). For the Ministry of Public Works, this code is not merely a collection of rules, but a common reference point enforceable against third parties. It is now up to all stakeholders in the sectorengineers, architects, craftspeople, and local authoritiesto adopt it. Its rigorous implementation is the essential condition for guaranteeing sustainable reconstruction, capable of protecting the lives and investments of current and future generations.



This new version was made possible thanks to dynamic national and international cooperation. The Ministry of Public Works wishes to acknowledge the crucial support of the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the decisive technical assistance of Build Change, CRAterre, and the ICC. The Ministry warmly thanks the academics, technicians, and civil society whose contributions have enabled Haiti to acquire a modern and sovereign technical governance tool.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





7th Edition of "Konbit Soup Joumou"

The Konbit Group announced that the 7th edition of "Konbit Soup Joumou" to be held on January 1st, 2026, under the theme "Let's share a bowl of soup together to reflect on who we are", will take place simultaneously at 40 locations across the 10 departments, 2 locations in Canada, and several events in the USA. The budget, estimated at 10 million gourdes (funded by donors), is intended to cover ingredients, logistics, communication, and cultural activities.



The Prime Minister for an Inclusive Society

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, accompanied by Genard Joseph, the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, received a delegation of prominent figures from the disability sector. During the discussions, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government's commitment to creating a more inclusive environment where every citizen, regardless of their abilities, has access to public services, education, employment, and social participation. "We are all united by the same goal : to build a Haiti where everyone has their place and no one is left behind," stated Fils-Aime.



Barbancourt Rum 3rd in the World

Barbancourt rum (3rd position) has been awarded the gold medal for 2025, according to the prestigious joint ranking by Forbes magazine and the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest). Planteray Cut & Dry from Barbados came in second (platinum medal), and Barcelo 40th Anniversary from the Dominican Republic took first place (platinum medal).



The Haiti Embassy in Mexico requests your help

The Embassy of Haiti in Mexico is seeking to contact the parents or relatives of Ms. Ana Lise Mernelus. If you know her, please contact the Embassy via private message on its social media or by calling +52 55 5557 2065.



Search : Mayor Chevry takes legal action

Ralph Youri Chevry, the Mayor. From Port-au-Prince, I inform you: "On December 17, 2025, through a direct summons and via my lawyers, I filed a lawsuit with the Port-au-Prince Criminal Court to assert my rights following a serious violation of my individual liberty (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46409-haiti-justice-unwarranted-search-of-the-residence-of-port-au-prince-mayor-ralph-youri-chevry.html). This legal action aims to obtain justice in the face of an intervention that I consider illegal and arbitrary, and to reiterate that no one is above the law, regardless of their position. My approach is neither personal nor political: it is based on respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the right of every citizen to the protection of their fundamental freedoms. I trust in the justice system of my country."



Closing of the 4th Conference of Haitian Ambassadors

The 4th Conference of Haitian Ambassadors https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46448-haiti-politic-towards-a-strong-and-forward-looking-haitian-diplomacy.html concluded on December 18. This final day of work focused on six major strategic areas: humanitarian action; migration challenges; cooperation and economic development; consular affairs; administrative and financial affairs; and institutional reform. The discussions allowed for an assessment of the challenges, the proposal of avenues for strengthening diplomatic efforts, and the clear definition of new directions aimed at making the diplomatic work of missions more effective and the management of external services more efficient, as well as harmonizing coordination between missions and the central administration.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Carol Struck, age 98, died December 18, 2025, in Woodbury, MN.

She was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Kenmare, ND, the youngest of four children, to Anna Maria (Dahl) and Bennie Johnson. When she was still very young, the family moved to Montana. They lived in Hogeland, Turner and Havre, MT. They returned to Turner where she graduated high school in 1944. It was there that Carol graduated high school. She then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

Carol became a school teacher, teaching business classes in Rudyard, MT. It was there that she met her husband, George Struck. The couple moved to Havre and eventually to the Turner, MT, farm where they settled. There they raised their three children, Susan, Karen and Michael. Her children have memories of her love expressed in delicious meals, hours at their school events, birthday parties and more. She would time her baking so her kids, after their school bus ride, entered a home with the wonderfully cozy smell of her fresh bread, cookies, cinnamon rolls and more.

Carol was involved in Turner with her friends, ladies groups and school events. She worked for a time as the secretary at the school. She was also active at Turner American Lutheran Church where she and George provided an early life of Christian Faith for their children.

After George's death in 1978, Carol moved to Havre where she worked at a bank. She then moved to Great Falls. During those years she enjoyed several overseas trips with friends. She also volunteered in the gift shop at Columbus Hospital.

Carol later married Joe DeSaye. They spent their time, for many years, with summers in Great Falls and winters in Mesa, Arizona.

One of Carol's remarkable traits was her ability to make and maintain friendships. Even when she couldn't travel, she made the effort to call her friends and many family members. Many were blessed with her generosity of time, receiving a phone call, card or visit. She was also very generous with her resources when she knew someone was in need.

After Joe DeSaye died in 2008, Carol continued living between Great Falls, MT and Mesa, AZ for several years. Eventually, she moved to an apartment in Woodbury, MN to be closer to her daughter, Susan, and family. Even in those later years she impressed her family with her ability to adapt to change and make new friends. She was able to live independently until recently, and she enjoyed visits from friends and family.

Besides her husbands, George Struck and Joe DeSaye, Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Maria and Bennie Johnson, as well as a granddaughter, Jennifer Powell. Others who preceded her in death are her siblings, Eleanor Bickel, Birnell Johnson and Mildred Calahan, as well as many other friends and relatives.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Susan and Joseph Peisert, Karen and Gregg Atkinson, Michael and Susan Struck. She also will be missed by her treasured grandchildren and their spouses, Maria and Eric Wimmer, Erin Peisert, Adam and Rachel Peisert, Benjamin Struck and Sara Selitsky, Allison and Kyle Roberts, and Samuel Struck. Additionally, she leaves behind eight beloved great-grandchildren as well as many cherished nieces and nephews and friends.

Services will be at Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood, MN at 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Havre, MT with a graveside service at a later date.
(HedgeCo.Net). Coinbase Global Inc. continues to make headlines this week as it accelerates its transformation from a pure cryptotrading venue into a broad financial services platform. With recent legal maneuvers, ambitious product rollouts, and a vision to become a one-stop financial app, Coinbase is positioning itself for sustained growth amid intensified competition and regulatory scrutiny. Investopedia+1

1. Strategic Shift: Everything App Vision

Coinbases leadership has publicly articulated a future where the platform is not just a crypto exchange, but a full-spectrum financial services provider. New offerings include:

Stock trading

Prediction markets

Tokenization tools

AI-powered financial advisory features

This strategy mirrors the success of Asian super apps by deepening engagement with users and broadening revenue streams beyond crypto trading alone. Analysts note this pivot could dramatically expand Coinbases addressable market. Investopedia

The companys CFO highlighted that these services are designed to increase wallet share and diversify revenue, an important shift as spot crypto trading volumes intermittently weaken. Investopedia

2. Legal Offensives and Regulatory Posture

This week, Coinbase filed lawsuits in three U.S. states  Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois  challenging efforts to treat its new prediction market offerings as gambling rather than financial services. The company argues that prediction markets should fall under federal oversight, specifically via the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), rather than state gambling laws. Barrons

Coinbases legal strategy reflects a broader industry trend of pushing back against fragmented state-by-state regulationand seeking unified federal standards. The lawsuits also underscore how regulatory interpretation  rather than market demand  is increasingly driving corporate actions at major crypto firms. Barrons

While the legal action has stirred debate, Coinbases stock price reacted positively in short-term trading, illustrating investor confidence in the companys strategic direction. Barrons

3. Institutional and Retail Growth Dynamics

Despite broader market volatility, Coinbase continues to attract both institutional and retail customers. Its base of institutional clients has expanded in recent quarters, thanks in part to:

Coinbase Prime , the institutional custody and execution service

, the institutional custody and execution service API partnerships with asset managers

Regulated staking products and yield solutions

Strategic positioning ahead of potential regulatory clarity could give Coinbase an edge over competitors who are slower to adapt.

4. Competitive Landscape

Coinbases growth strategy places it in direct competition with fintech super apps like Robinhood and SoFi, which similarly combine retail financial services with crypto offerings. Apple and Googles tentative movements into financial services also add competitive pressure.

However, Coinbases core advantage remains its deep integration with blockchain networks, a wide portfolio of supported assets, and founder-driven product innovation. The companys shift into traditional finance products signals a more seamless convergence between centralized crypto platforms and mainstream financial services.

5. Market Signals

Industry watchers are noting that Coinbases expansion is happening at a time when:

Crypto trading volumes are uneven across markets

Regulatory frameworks are taking shape globally

Institutional adoption continues to strengthen

These signals suggest that the companys diversified strategy may prove prescient if crypto usage keeps evolving beyond speculative trading into broader financial activity.

Conclusion

Coinbases bold pivot this week  through product expansion and strategic legal action  highlights a defining trend among major crypto firms: integration across finance and crypto ecosystems. How the company navigates regulatory pushback while scaling new services will be critical for its long-term valuation and market leadership. Investopedia+1
(HedgeCo.Net) The largest alternative investment firms in the world are closing 2025 with a flurry of strategic repositioning, high-stakes bidding wars, and product launches that show an industry both adapting to market pressures and redefining its role in global capital allocation.

From Blackstones expansive reach to Carlyles bold takeover bids, the alternative investment world  now managing trillions  is pushing its influence deeper across private markets, energy, infrastructure, and beyond.

Carlyle Targets $22B Russian Oil Asset Amid Geopolitical Backdrop

In what could be one of the most consequential private equity battles of the year, The Carlyle Group has formally enlisted Goldman Sachs as its advisor in a bid to acquire overseas assets being sold by Russian energy giant Lukoil. The assets  including major oilfields, refineries, and fuel station networks  are valued at roughly $22 billion. Reuters

This competitive set of bidders reportedly includes Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Abu Dhabis IHC, and Saudi Arabias Midad Energy  illustrating how sovereign, strategic, and private capital are colliding in the private markets. U.S. Treasury reviews and sanctions clearance remain key hurdles for would-be buyers in a deal underscored by geopolitical complexity. Reuters

Why it matters: This represents not just a massive allocation of capital, but a rare confluence of national security, sanctions policy, and private capital. Carlyle  which manages nearly half a trillion dollars  is simultaneously seeking growth and competitive edge in energy infrastructure, even as market deal flow slows in other sectors.

Blackstones Outreach to Broader Investor Base Continues

Although official financial results from Blackstones Q3 performance showed revenues rising year-over-year with sales of about $3 billion, the firm missed Wall Streets expectations on profits. StockStory

Still, Blackstone remains the largest alts manager on the planet, with more than $1.2 trillion in assets under management and deep exposure to real estate, credit, and private equity. Blackstone Fundamental to its strategy in 2025 has been widening engagement beyond institutional capital  even courting smaller investors via marketing and advisory outreach, alongside peers like Apollo and KKR. FA Magazine

Industry sources note that Blackstones increasingly robust deal pipeline and diversified strategies remain key to keeping institutional clients invested through cyclical downturns, especially amid tightening credit conditions.

TPGs Renewables Platform Expands Through Acquisition

TPG  the global alternative powerhouse  has been quietly advancing its clean energy footprint. In December, the firm and a MAVCO-led consortium completed their acquisition of Siemens Gamesas wind business in India and Sri Lanka, forming a new platform called Vayona Energy focused on renewable infrastructure and sustainable power generation. TPG

The move signals a resurgence of private capital into energy transition assets, a space once dominated by public markets and sovereign wealth  and reflects TPGs strategy of building long-term asset platforms rather than quick resale plays.

Ares Managements Cross-Asset Expansion

Ares Management has solidified its reputation as a multi-asset alternative manager, spanning credit, private equity, real estate and infrastructure. With nearly $600 billion under management, Ares is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional institutional investing and opportunistic alternative strategies. Wikipedia

In 2025, the firm accelerated fundraising for niche credit strategies and emphasized diversified return streams, even as macro uncertainty pressured traditional credit markets. Ares broad footprint, particularly in private credit and infrastructure, has helped the firm retain investor interest despite broader cyclical headwinds.

Carlyles Secondary Credit Strategy Gains Traction

Beyond the Lukoil bid, Carlyle is also moving aggressively into credit secondaries, seeking capital from investors reshaping their exposure to private credit. According to industry sources, Carlyles AlpInvest platform is formalizing a dedicated fund to invest in secondary credit instruments  a sign of increasing sophistication and depth across private markets funds. Alt Goes Mainstream

Market Trends Driving Alts Into 2026

Despite volatility across equities and fixed income, alternative investments continue to capture the attention of pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth capital. A recent industry study forecasts significant expansion in alternative strategies through the next decade as allocators seek higher yields and diversification benefits. openPR.com

Regulatory and Demand Dynamics
China is said to have completed the first fundamentally functioning prototype of an EUV lithography system in early 2025. EUV stands for extreme ultraviolet light, which enables the finest transistor structures in silicon wafers with a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers.

Continue after ad

The US news agency Reuters reports on the project, having spoken with various involved individuals according to its own statements. For the first time in years, it provides a realistic insight into the progress of China's chip industry. There are often false reports, partly due to translation errors or propaganda with supposedly novel laser technologies.

The EUV Club is Exclusive

So far, EUV lithography is the only technology that can economically produce complex chips from the 5-nanometer generation in mass quantities (such semiconductors do not have actual 5nm structures; the names have only been marketing for many years). ASML from the Netherlands is the only company worldwide that can produce EUV lithography systems in series because their construction is so complex.

An EUV system costs between 160 million and 200 million euros. Systems with the further improved High-NA EUV technology (EUV with high numerical aperture) cost around 350 million euros. Due to export restrictions, Chinese companies are cut off from all EUV systems and only receive older types that work with deep ultraviolet light (DUV), i.e., a wavelength of 193 instead of 13.5 nanometers.

An ASML high-NA EUV system. Even self-optimized, this generation is so large that it requires new semiconductor factories with higher ceilings. (Image: ASML)

The export restrictions apparently work well, because even if China gets its hands on ASML systems, they are not worth much without ASML support. For example, engineers from the company help with setup and regular maintenance within the semiconductor factories.

Huawei Involved Everywhere

Continue after ad

According to Reuters, Huawei is at the core of China's semiconductor efforts: from chip design and manufacturing equipment to production and final integration into products like smartphones, the company is said to be involved.

Huawei has also been trying to poach ASML engineers on a large scale since at least 2020, focusing on Chinese employees. A team of former ASML employees is said to be working in China under false names to keep the project as secret as possible. While ASML has confidentiality clauses in its contracts, these are difficult to enforce in China. Among the poached engineers is reportedly Lin Nan, formerly in a high-responsible position at ASML as head of light source technology.

Using reverse engineering and components from both DUV and EUV systems from ASML, China is said to have built its own prototype. Without the knowledge of the poached ASML engineers, this would not have been possible, Reuters quotes a source. Around 100 university graduates are also said to be constantly disassembling and reassembling ASML components to understand their construction.

Prototype with Weaknesses

The current prototype is said to look crude and take up much more space than ASML's EUV systems. China can also not yet produce functioning chips with it.

A sticking point apparently involves the required optical components. For some necessary mirrors, even ASML has only one supplier: Zeiss Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) from Germany. If you imagine a round EUV-compatible mirror like the surface of the Earth, the largest unevenness corresponds to a toy car on Earth. Chinese suppliers are said to be unable to replicate this purity so far.

Unrealistic Timeline

Internal plans are said to envisage Chinese chip manufacturers producing semiconductors with EUV lithography from 2028 onwards. However, according to the report, even project participants do not consider this realistic. A major problem: the hurdle from prototype status to series production is extremely high.

ASML had its first functioning prototype internally in 2001. Installations at research partners like IMEC began in 2006. The first commercially usable EUV processes were introduced in 2018 and 2019 by Asian chip contract manufacturers Samsung with 7LPP and TSMC with N7+. In the meantime, ASML almost ran out of money. Today, TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and memory manufacturers SK Hynix and Micron widely use ASML's EUV systems.

Even with the prior knowledge of the poached ASML engineers, China will likely still need several years to bring its own lithography systems with such complex technology to series production. And by then, High-NA EUV will likely have established itself abroad.

(mma)

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.
In the small car segment, Volkswagen will no longer offer vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines in the future. This is according to Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer in an interview with the magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

Continue after ad

"The future in this segment is electric"

Schafer said in the interview that Volkswagen will offer "fully electric vehicles across all vehicle segments for the first time" with the ID. Polo and ID. Cross from 2026 and the ID. Every1 from 2027. All three of these models are based on the new MEB+ platform. This was first mentioned in 2023 and is a further development of the Group's Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB).

Read also What changes for drivers in 2026 heise Autos

The MEB+ platform potentially offers more range (up to 700 km), higher charging power (175 to 200 kW), more affordable battery technology (Cell-to-Pack) with LFP cells (lithium iron phosphate), and improved efficiency. Furthermore, the new platform enables e-vehicles with entry-level prices below 25,000 euros.

The upcoming e-models in the small car segment mean "attractive alternatives to combustion engines with good range and a great driving experience" for customers, Schafer said. "Offering new models with gasoline engines in the Polo class and below again makes no sense considering future emissions regulations." The combustion engine counterparts would be too expensive due to the European Union's stricter regulations for emissions reduction. "The future in this segment is electric," said the VW brand CEO.

Schafer also clarified that the Wolfsburg-based automaker will continue to develop and build models with combustion engines and full hybrids in the upper segments. The company is still in the midst of transformation, and the automaker also commented positively on the end of the combustion engine ban, which in practice would likely have little consequence in terms of the advance of electromobility anyway. Schafer also sees no future for hydrogen as an alternative to electric drives: for the volume segment, this is a "sham discussion." There isn't enough green hydrogen, and the fuel cell is far too expensive  the technology is also not efficient.

Own batteries from Salzgitter  first for ID. Polo

Continue after ad

The extent to which VW is focusing on electromobility is shown, for example, by the opening of its own factory for battery cells by the group subsidiary PowerCO SE in Salzgitter. The self-developed and produced cells are intended to make Volkswagen financially and technologically more independent of purchased storage. From 2026, the batteries will be installed in cars of the Volkswagen Group's "Electric Urban Car Family"  VW, Skoda, and Cupra. Complete independence from suppliers is not yet planned in this area for now; the goal is to cover about half of the in-house demand. The first batteries from Salzgitter will be installed in the electric small cars VW ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, which will be manufactured in Spain from 2026.

(afl)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
The blast occurred at about 7am local time in a residential car park on Yasenevaya Street.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov , head of the General Staffs Operational Training Directorate, died after an explosive device detonated beneath his vehicle early in the morning, according to Russias Investigative Committee.

A car bomb has killed a senior Russian general in southern Moscow, Russian investigators said in a statement on their Telegram channel on Monday.

Sarvarov was inside the car at the time. He later died in hospital from his injuries, investigators said.

Investigators said the device had been planted under the vehicle and triggered shortly after the car began moving. Russian media Fontanka reported that fragments from the explosion damaged at least seven nearby cars.

Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, said a criminal case had been opened under articles covering murder committed in a socially dangerous manner and the illegal trafficking of explosives.

Investigators are pursuing several lines of inquiry, Petrenko said, according to state news agency TASS. One of them concerns the possible involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services.

Ukraine has not commented on the killing.

Images released by the Investigative Committee showed a white car with its doors torn off and extensive damage to the interior. Forensic teams and investigators were deployed to the scene throughout the morning.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin was informed of Sarvarovs death shortly after the explosion. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not provide further comment.

Sarvarov, 56, was born in 1969 in the Perm region. According to TASS, he held a number of senior command roles during his military career. He took part in combat operations during the Ossetian-Ingush conflict and the Chechen wars in the 1990s.

Between 2015 and 2016, Sarvarov was involved in planning and conducting Russian military operations in Syria. He was appointed head of the General Staffs Operational Training Directorate in 2016.

The killing adds to a growing list of targeted attacks on senior Russian military figures since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In April this year, General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a car bomb attack near Moscow, according to Russian authorities. In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russias nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, died after a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded outside his apartment building.

Other high-profile killings include the shooting of naval officer Stanislav Rzhitsky in Krasnodar in July 2023 and the death of military blogger Maxim Fomin, known as Vladlen Tatarsky, who was killed by an explosive device in a cafe in Saint Petersburg in April 2023.

In August 2022, Daria Dugina, the daughter of nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, was killed in a car bomb attack outside Moscow.

Russian authorities have repeatedly accused Ukraine of orchestrating assassinations on Russian soil and in Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine. Kyiv has denied involvement in some cases and declined to comment in others.

HT
Transylvania man gets 20-29 years in prison for long-term sexual abuse

Eric Randall Mahaffey

A 42-year-old Transylvania County man was sentenced 20-29 years in prison on Friday after a jury convicted him on five counts of statutory rape and two counts of sexual offense of a minor under the age of 15, District Attorney Andrew Murray announced.

Related Stories

Superior Court Judge Carla Archie sentenced the defendant, Eric Randall Mahaffey, after an eight-day jury trial that ended in the guilty verdict on all counts.

According to court trial records and the sentencing hearing, in 2023, Mahaffey called Transylvania County 911 and reported his intent to commit suicide and admitted that he had been sexually abusing a family member for approximately 2 years. During this period, the family member was between 13 and 15 years of age. Deputies promptly arrived at the scene and arrested the defendant. While in custody, Mahaffey again confessed to sexually abusing his underage family member for several years.

Taking the stand, the victim testified that from 2021 to 2023 Mahaffey had intercourse with her more than a hundred times and further said that in 2023 she told her sister of the ongoing abuse. The sister corroborated the information on the witness stand and stated she told the victims mutual therapist about the abuse.

Admitted as an expert witness, the therapist testified to the victims diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorder. Transylvania County sheriffs detectives testified to the details of the investigation, which revealed that Mahaffey sent sexually explicit pictures to his niece.

In an unusual move, Mahaffey voluntarily took the witness stand and confessed to having a sexual relationship with a family member for years. Under cross-examination, Mahaffey admitted to all seven crimes of which he was accused and further stated that he believed he was in a mutual loving relationship with the underage victim. The jury returned quick guilty verdicts on all seven counts.

Assistant District Attorneys Robert Beaver and Michael Van Buren handled the prosecution and sentencing of the crimes. Murray thanked Transylvania County Detective Dillon Carter and the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office for their professional and thorough investigation of this case. He also thanked the Southmountain Children and Family Services, and Wings of Flight Center for Change for their professional and caring services to the victim.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the grand opening of Hyatt Place Busan Yeonsan, the first Hyatt Place hotel located in Yeonsan, one of Busan's key business and transportation hubs. This opening marks an important milestone for the Hyatt Place brand, debuting its signature blend of modern comfort, smart functionality, and seamless balance between work and leisure to a growing portfolio of six properties in South Korea. Hyatt Place Busan Yeonsan joins Park Hyatt Busan as the second Hyatt property in South Korea's second-largest city.

Busan is a vibrant port metropolis known for its stunning beaches, bustling harbor and urban energy. As an international tourism destination with steadily growing meetings and events demand, Busan continues to evolve as a dynamic center where convenience and diversity come together. Hyatt Place Busan Yeonsan offers exceptional accessibility, situated next to Yeonsan Station and major bus lines, with convenient connections to Busan City Hall, Seomyeon, Centum City, and other key business and commercial districts. The neighborhood is also filled with local eateries, cultural venues, and lifestyle amenities, providing guests with effortless access to Busan's everyday charm and local culture.

Guestrooms

The hotel's 160 guestrooms offer lively city views and stylish interiors that balance sophistication with comfort. Each room includes spacious workstations, smart TVs, and high-speed Wi-Fi to support productivity, while the cozy sofas and lounge areas provide space for rest and recharging.

Dining

At the heart of the hotel is The Placery  a dining space designed for comfort at any time of the day. Guests can start the morning with fresh breakfast, enjoy a relaxed lunch or casual meet-ups in the afternoon, and wind down in the evening in a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The modern yet warm interior pairs with diverse menu options, including made-to-order pasta, Vietnamese pho, cheese and charcuterie selections, and an array of Korean, Chinese, Western cuisine.

Design

Hyatt Place Busan Yeonsan collaborated with Korean design studio RMSJ to bring to life the concepts of "The Gateway to the City" and "Everyday Urbanism in Busan" throughout the lobby and public spaces. Clean architectural lines, modern Korean aesthetics, and warm textures come together to create a contemporary and relaxing environment that reflects the rhythm of the city.

For more information or to book a reservation, please visit Hyatt Place Busan Yeonsan.

The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

Hotel website
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences has appointed Oguzhan Isci as Director of Sales. With over ten years of experience across the UAE, Qatar, Turkiye, and Europe, Oguzhan brings strong commercial expertise and a proven ability to grow key market segments.

Oguzhan brings over a decade of experience across the UAE, Qatar, Turkiye, and Europe, with a strong track record in driving commercial growth and expanding key market segments. In his new role, he will lead the hotel's sales strategy, strengthen key partnerships, and support the continued growth of DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences.

Oguzhan's Hilton journey includes senior sales leadership roles in Doha and Izmir, managing a combined inventory of 439 keys across properties such as Aleph Doha Residences - Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Al Sadd. He also held previous positions in front office operations at various Hilton Hotels.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management from Dokuz Eylul University and completed an Erasmus program in Hospitality Management in Finland.
Many companieshave navigated recent economic and geopolitical uncertainties  but the CEO of travel conglomerate Booking Holdings has faced a steady stream of crises over the last two decades.

To name a few: the dot-com bubble, 9/11, the 2008 market crash, SARS-1, volcanoes, tsunamis, the pandemic, tariffs, and various wars. CEO Glenn Fogel told Business Insider there's something happening in the world every day.

"Every day something's coming down the pipe," Fogel said.

Part of dealing with a crisis involves planning in advance whenever possible. For example, Fogel explained that when tensions started to heat up between Russia and Ukraine, a region where the company operates, they began to prepare contingency plans "just in case."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine became public just hours after the company's earnings call in February 2022.As the situation developed, Booking Holdings supported employees abroad and navigated expected sanctions. That led to the company's decision to suspendtravel services in Russia and Belarus in March 2022, the company said.

Fogel, who's been with the company for over 25 years, isn't a stranger to navigating complicated situations. He outlined his crisis response approach, starting with the people he keeps on speed dial to how he manages stress.

Read the full article at BusinessInsider.com
Washington, D.C.  The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the trade association that advocates for every segment of the hotel industry, has become the latest trade association to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact (Pact), a joint initiative led by ReFED and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce food waste across the food system. AHLA joins 29 other food businesses and organizations signing onto the Pacts voluntary agreement, which utilizes the Target, Measure, Act framework to facilitate industry collaboration and action to reduce food waste across the food system.

According to ReFED, 29% of food produced in the United States goes uneaten or unsold, with the vast majority becoming waste that gets sent to destinations like landfills, incinerators, and sewer systems. The foodservice sector accounts for 12.5 million tons of this surplus food, with the surplus from the lodging subsector making up nearly 10%. In lodging alone, that amount of food is equivalent to two billion meals and valued at $17 billiongiving hospitality companies the opportunity to save food and money through waste reduction efforts.

The U.S. Food Waste Pacts mission is critical to reducing food waste and supporting communities across this country who face food insecurity. Reducing food waste is an important part of ensuring hotels address sustainability while also ensuring that food reaches families, not landfills. We are proud of our industrys food waste reduction programs like Hotel Kitchena complimentary resource for the hotel industry to educate teams on ways to prevent, divert and donate excess foodand are excited to join many other industries who have made this commitment. Lauren Pravlik, AHLA Vice President of Committees & Member Engagement and Advisory Council Member for the U.S. Food Waste Pact

In 2017, AHLA and WWF launched the Hotel Kitchen program, which provides educational training and resources on food waste reduction for the hospitality industry. As part of the work to generate the materials, AHLA and WWF led research and a series of workshops focused on innovative strategies to cut down on food waste in hotel kitchensand participating hotels saw reductions of up to 38% in just 12 weeks. AHLA has supported several federal bills that support food waste reduction efforts, including the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, the Food Date Labeling Act, and the Zero Food Waste Act.

Its great to officially welcome AHLA to the U.S. Food Waste Pact. They have been a leader on food waste reduction not just in the hospitality industry, but across the food system. Their work has helped guide our recent pilot that aimed to reduce food waste at events, and we are eager to have them share best practices with the rest of our signatory base. Jackie Suggitt, Vice President of Business Initiatives & Community Engagement at ReFED

AHLA is the thirtieth business to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact. Other signatories are retailers Albertsons Companies, Ahold Delhaize USA, ALDI US, Amazon Fresh, Kroger, New Seasons Market, Raleys, Sprouts Farmers Market, Walmart Inc., and Whole Foods Market; manufacturers Bobs Red Mill, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, and Lamb Weston, Inc.; coalition signatories Health Care Without Harm and R&DE Stanford Food Institute; trade associations FMIThe Food Industry Association, the International Fresh Produce Association, and Western Growers Association; foodservice signatories Aramark, Compass Group USA, ISS Guckenheimer, and Sodexo USA; quick-service restaurants CAVA, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Wawa; hospitality signatory Hilton; and distributors Organically Grown Company and Midwest Foods.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide  including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.

View source
As 2026 approaches, California employers should prepare for another year of evolving employment laws and court decisions that will impact workplace policies and employee rights. Staying informed now can help minimize risk and ensure continued compliance.

The summaries below highlight key developments authored by JMBMs Labor & Employment attorneys to help you plan for the year ahead. If you have questions or need guidance on how these changes may affect your business, please contact a JMBM attorney

Click the Read More links below each summary for additional details.

As we enter 2026, a new wave of labor and employment laws is set to reshape workplace requirements for California employers. From expanded paid family leave and new AI regulations to strengthened pay equity and whistleblower protections, these changes carry significant implications for businesses across the state. This client alert highlights the most impactful legislative updates. Stay ahead of the curve by understanding your obligations and taking proactive measures to ensure compliance.

Key developments covered:

AB 858: Rehiring and Retention of Displaced Workers

AB 692: Employment Contract Repayment Prohibition

SB 617: California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) Updates

SB 294: The Workplace Know Your Rights Act

SB 303: Bias Mitigation Training

SB 464: Strengthening Pay Data Reporting Requirements

SB 513: Personnel Records

SB 19: Criminalization of Threats of Mass Violence

SB 590: Paid Family Leave Expansion to Designated Persons

AB 406: Paid Sick Leave for Jury Duty and Victims of Violence

SB 642: Strengthening Pay Equity Laws

SB 648: Employee Gratuities

SB 261: DLSE Enforcement of Wage Judgments

AB 250: Revival of Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault Claims

SB 477: Revisions to FEHAs Enforcement Procedures

AB 1523: Court-Ordered Mediation

Read More

On December 18, 2025, the Senate confirmed James Murphy and Scott Mayer to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Crystal Carey as the NLRBs General Counsel. Murphys and Mayers confirmations will restore the NLRBs quorum and give the Board a Republican majority that is likely to create employer-friendly precedent as they address the Boards current backlog.

We have prepared a summary of some of the major Board developments from this year, as well as what to look for in 2026.

Uncertainty and delay: With the NLRB lacking a quorum and facing staffing cuts, employers can expect increased delays in union elections, Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) processing, and Board rulings. The likely delays may result in prolonged bargaining limbo, deferred enforcement, and extended vulnerability for both employers and unions.

Shifting Landscape for Union Organizing and Representation: The reinstatement of the blocking charge rule and removal of the 45day challenge window to voluntary recognition may encourage more employers to challenge organizing efforts and could delay union representation determinations.

Read More

Beginning January 1, 2026, California employers will enter a new legal landscape when it comes to training-repayment agreements, onboarding costs, and other contract terms that impose financial penalties when an employee leaves. Assembly Bill 692, now signed into law, effectively prohibits quit fees and most forms of repayment provisions tied to continued employment, declaring them unlawful restraints of trade.

If your business uses training-repayment agreements, signing bonuses with clawbacks, or employment contracts that impose fees when a worker resigns early, this law requires a careful second look.

Read More

It has been more than a year since SB 553 (Californias comprehensive workplace-violence prevention law) became mandatory for most California employers. Employers now enter the first cycle of annual review and retraining, and Cal/OSHAs expectations are rising.

Before SB 553, workplace-violence policies were largely elective and inconsistent. Plans were often generic, rarely updated, and reactive rather than preventive. Over the past year, every California employer covered by SB 553 has been required to build and maintain a formal, site-specific Workplace Violence Prevention Plan , and to integrate it into day-to-day operations.

Read More

Effective October 1, 2025, new California regulations make explicit what was already implicit: the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)s anti-discrimination rules fully apply to automated-decision systems (ADS) used in employment. That includes not only sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) tools, but any computational process that helps decide who gets hired, promoted, disciplined, or otherwise receives an employment benefit.

Read More

Effective January 1, 2026, SB 303 will add a section to the Government Code to address disclosures made during employer-sponsored bias mitigation or bias elimination training, education, and activities provided for the purpose of educating employees on understanding, recognizing, or acknowledging the influence of conscious and unconscious thought processes and their associated impacts.

Read More

California Labor Code section 1198.5 currently requires employers to maintain and make available to current and former employees personnel records relating to the employees performance or to any grievance concerning the employee. Effective January 1, 2026 the scope of employer obligations under section 1198.5 will expand.

Read More

Californias AB 288 creates a major potential shift in labor-relations enforcement. For the first time, the states Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), traditionally limited to public-sector labor disputes, would be able to hear certain private-sector representation petitions and ULP charges when the federal NLRB National Labor Relations Board is delayed or unable to act.

Because the NLRB immediately sued California to block the law, its future is uncertain. But employers should prepare for the possibility of a dual enforcement system.

Read More

As employers prepare for 2026, it is increasingly important to monitor not only state-level employment law changes but also the wave of local ordinances emerging across California. With 58 counties and hundreds of cities, which include some of the largest and most heavily regulated jurisdictions in the country, Californias patchwork of local rules continues to expand, creating compliance obligations that can vary significantly depending on where employees perform work.

Read More

JMBMs Labor and Employment attorneys counsel businesses and management on workplace issues, helping to establish policies that address problems and reduce job-related lawsuits. We act quickly to resolve claims and aggressively defend our clients in all federal and state courts, before the Department of Labor, the NLRB, and other federal, state and local agencies, as well as in private arbitration forums. We represent employers in collective bargaining negotiations and arbitration. If you have questions or need guidance on how these changes may affect your business, please contact a JMBM attorney.

About Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP (JMM)

Jeffer Mangels & Mitchell LLP is a full-service law firm committed to providing clients with outstanding results. From our offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County, we serve our clients' needs worldwide. For more information about our attorneys and our services, visit www.jeffermangels.com.

Jim Butler

+1 310 201 3526

JMM

View source
Among major markets, Toronto experienced the largest declines in ADR and RevPAR, down 10.0% and 11.6%, respectively. - Image Credit Unsplash+

Key Performance Metrics Show Decline: Canada's hotel industry experienced its first year-over-year declines in occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR) since April, as per November 2025 data.

Ontario and Major Markets Hit Hardest: Ontario and major markets such as Toronto and Edmonton reported significant declines in key performance indicators, affecting overall industry performance.

Canada's hotel industry has seen a decline in key performance metrics for the first time since April, according to the latest data from CoStar, a leading provider of commercial real estate insights. In November 2025, the country's hotel occupancy rate fell to 61.6%, down 1.0% from the previous year. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) also saw a 1.0% decrease, settling at CAD120.70, while the average daily rate (ADR) remained unchanged at CAD195.94.

Ontario emerged as the province most affected by these declines, with occupancy dropping by 4.3% to 64.5%, ADR decreasing by 4.0% to CAD214.35, and RevPAR plummeting by 8.1% to CAD138.32. Among major markets, Toronto experienced the largest declines in ADR and RevPAR, down 10.0% and 11.6%, respectively. This downturn is attributed to the comparison against the high demand generated by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in 2024.

Edmonton also faced challenges, recording the steepest drop in occupancy among major markets, with a 5.5% decrease to 56.2%. These figures highlight ongoing volatility in the hotel and travel industry as it navigates a post-pandemic recovery and fluctuating market conditions.
The Most Popular Christmas Songs in Each State

Each year, as soon as the Halloween ghouls begin to sneak away back into the shadows and the North Pole elves start to go into burnout, we start hearing the same holiday songs playing over and over again. At the mall, on the radio, in cafes and restaurants and retail spaces, and even, in our homes.

While at some point, everybody starts to feel a bit overwhelmed by holiday music, its hard to tell how much we actually enjoy hearing these songs or how much they make us want to pull our hair out.

So today, we dive into data analyzed by our friends over at FinanceBuzz, who took a magnifying glass to poling information provided by Google Trends over the past five years to figure out the most popular Christmas song in each US state  as well as which songs Americans consider the most annoying.

Lets start with which songs Americans love, state by state. (Below images courtesy of FinanceBuzz).

Heres the full chart of results:

State Song Alabama Run Rudolph Run Alaska Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Arizona Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Arkansas Blue Christmas California Last Christmas Colorado Santa Baby Connecticut All I Want For Christmas Is You Delaware Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! District of Columbia All I Want For Christmas Is You Florida Feliz Navidad Georgia Jingle Bells Hawaii All I Want For Christmas Is You Idaho White Christmas Illinois Santa Baby Indiana Jingle Bells Iowa Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Kansas Jingle Bells Kentucky Run Rudolph Run Louisiana Please Come Home For Christmas Maine A Holly Jolly Christmas Maryland Jingle Bells Massachusetts Little Saint Nick Michigan All I Want For Christmas Is You Minnesota Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Mississippi Santa Baby Missouri Santa Baby Montana Jingle Bells Nebraska The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) Nevada Jingle Bell Rock New Hampshire Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) New Jersey All I Want For Christmas Is You New Mexico Santa Tell Me New York All I Want For Christmas Is You North Carolina All I Want For Christmas Is You North Dakota Rockin Around The Christmas Tree Ohio All I Want For Christmas Is You Oklahoma Run Rudolph Run Oregon Santa Baby Pennsylvania Jingle Bells Rhode Island Santa Baby South Carolina Santa Baby South Dakota Deck the Halls Tennessee Blue Christmas Texas Feliz Navidad Utah White Christmas Vermont Jingle Bells Virginia All I Want For Christmas Is You Washington Last Christmas West Virginia Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Wisconsin Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Wyoming A Holly Jolly Christmas

So, what did we learn?

First off  opinions on Christmas music are clearly regional. Here are a few amusing highlights from the list of Americas top holiday jams by state.

Mariahs reign is real: All I Want for Christmas Is You topped the charts in nine states, more than any other song  proving that no matter how tired you are of it, a LOT of people still love that tune. The classics still sometimes dominate: Santa Baby and Jingle Bells each ruled in seven states. Its not all pop and jingles: Weve got Run Rudolph Run in states like Alabama and Oklahoma, Feliz Navidad in Florida and Texas, and Deck the Halls in South Dakota. Rural, outdoorsy states love the snowy stuff: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! was top of the charts in four states, including Alaska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Delaware (for some reason). Rocky Mountain synchronicity: In Idaho and Utah, where the Rockies are visible for vast numbers of residents, White Christmas is more than just a song. Its a wintry reality!

What else? Did anything else stand out for you in this data?

And now lets turn to the other side of things. Which songs do Americans find most annoying to hear around the holidays?

The Most Annoying Christmas Songs According to Americans

According to a survey of more than 1,200 US adults, some songs generate joy, and others generate a palpable desire to flee to the nearest sled and take flight, or hide behind a giant inflatable yard reindeer.

Heres the lineup of holiday grinches:

So, what can we make of this?

Most annoying and most beloved?: All I Want for Christmas Is You  yes, you got that right. The same song thats a popular favorite in nine states is also universally detested. I wonder if that has to do with the fact that its simply playing everywhere, all the dang time!?!? Its the high pitched voice, isnt it?: The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Dont Be Late)  Alvin may be cute, but apparently the timbre of his singing and melodic shenanigans are not. The Beatles, caught in the crossfire!: Two solo Beatle-men, McCartney and Lennon, have holiday songs on the list of those which Americans find intolerable. I dont know what to make of that. Turns out the classics arent safe, either: Feliz Navidad is a warm, welcome classic until someone plays it for the 47th time that day.

 So, Whats Going On Here? 

The methodology is pretty straightforward and nerdy-good: FinanceBuzz pulled Google Trends search interest data for the top 25 Billboard Holiday songs and matched them to each states highest relative search volume. Then, in a separate poll, they asked 1,250 Americans to rank their most irritating yuletide jams.

What does this mean for your holiday playlist? Honestly it means your Aunt Barb might be out here blasting the same three songs every year, and that probably wont change anytime soon, but it might just give the 60-year olds and the teenagers around the dinner table something to bond over: their shared hatred of Alvins chirpy voice.

Whether youre Team Mariah or Team anything but Mariah, this data set confirms something we all already knew: Christmas music is everywhere, and everyone has an opinion about it  loudly. 

Happy holidays!
Kathy Hynes, right, and Tammy Baker started collecting for the pet food pantry in October; they hope to be open once a week. Adams firefighters stopped by to help. PreviousNext

New Pet Food Pantry Helping Adams, Area Pet Owners



Kathy Hynes, right, and Tammy Baker have been collecting pet food for the pantry since October.

ADAMS, Mass.  Santa was at the former Firehouse Cafe on Saturday greeting pet owners as volunteers gave out bags of food for pet owners in need.

Kathy "Skippy" Hynes and Tammy Baker collected donations to start the pet food pantry in late October.

"I know owning pets and running a rescue how very expensive everything is, and I know that I'm fortunate enough to be able to have money to feed my animals and get what I need and run the rescue. But there's a lot of people that aren't so lucky, and the goal is to never have to surrender your pet because you can't afford to feed it," said Hynes, who runs a dog rescue.

Donations can be dropped off at Town Hall; the pantry will be open once a week for those who need pet food.

"So we're just trying to help, and even if it's only to get them over a hump, they come in once or twice, and then they don't come back for a few weeks," Hynes said. "That's fine, but it's the whole idea of trying to get them over that little hump, because it's giving somebody 10 pounds of food, maybe all it takes, and they can say, now, hey, I got some money for gas."

On Saturday, Hynes was open with help from the Adams Fire Department. Even Santa Claus showed up and greeted kids and took pictures.

Hynes hopes to keep the pantry going until February, and also plans to work with her veterinary team from South Deerfield to bring a low-cost vaccination clinic in the spring.

"Donations are greatly appreciated, and the goal is to keep this going through Valentine's Day, and then our long-term goal is to have our veterinary team do a low cost vaccination clinic late spring," she said.

Hynes is no stranger to helping animals as she runs her own rescue, Got Spots Etc. She donates food to rescues all over the area. She even recalled sending more than 6,000 pounds of feed for animals in North Carolina after it was devastated by floods last year.

A few firefighters brought on of the rescue trucks and had it lighted up out front to let people know they were there as well as helped bring food to some resident's cars.

Fire Chief John Pansecchi thanked the firefighters for being there as well as Hynes.

"I think it's a great thing she is doing for the animals," he said.

Hynes will post on her Facebook page to let people know when she will be open with the pet food pantry. She said she will try to be open at the former Firehouse Cafe on Wednesdays for an hour but that might change.
Anthony Birthplace's Executive Director Leaving

ADAMS, Mass.  The leadership at the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum is changing with the departure of Executive Director James Capuzzi.

Capuzzi, hired in fall 2023, will be leaving at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity closer to family in New Orleans. Museum officials say he leaves behind an impressive record of stability and growth.

"We are deeply grateful for James' dedicated leadership over the past two years, said Carol Crossed, museum founder and president of the board of directors. "During this time the museum has experienced tremendous growth in community engagement, grant funding, and educational programming."

According to Capuzzi, the decision to leave was not an easy one.

"It is hard to leave a role and a community that has been so welcoming to me and my family," he said. "I am proud of our impact locally and regionally and know that the museum board will continue its commitments to Adams and Berkshire County."

Thanks to Capuzzi's leadership and vision and through support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, museum's educational programs will reach more students.

"With these educational grants, we will be able to reach five schools and over 300 students in 2026," said Muriel Dyas, a longtime museum volunteer, historical re-enactor, and now a board member. "The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has been an invaluable partner, providing funding for educational outreach programs like 'Your Neighbor, Susan B. Anthony,' resources for institutional strategic planning, and support for our special exhibits."

The museum board credits Capuzzi with solid planning and direction, demonstrated by the exhibits and programs he has developed. The museum is preparing to launch on May 22, 2026, a special exhibit, "The Rejected Stone: Justice & the American Founding," a collaborative effort with the Adams Historical Society that will explore Anthony's connection to Adams and the abolitionist themes of Moncure Daniel Conway, an American abolitionist minister, radical writer, and a prominent figure in the antebellum South. The exhibit is funded through a grant from William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams, Cheshire & Savoy.

"With reliable funding sources developed by James, the museum can look towards planning events months and even years into the future," Crossed said. "His outreach is nearly unparalleled in the Berkshires."

Capuzzi has also overseen growth in the museum's internship program. Two Harvard College student interns will work at the museum this January, and a University of Massachusets at Amherst student will work in the spring.

"I am most proud of the impact our internship program has on students locally and nationally. Our student interns are exposed to all aspects of museum operations and perspectives and leave with a better understanding of their own skillset and interest areas," Capuzzi said.

He was hired after a three-year search for an executive director for the small birthplace museum, which opened in 2009. The house, built a couple years before Anthony was born in 1820, had been a private home for many years. It was restored to reflect how it would have looked when the town's most famous daughter lived there as a child.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A South Korean resort island has seen a dramatic rise in overseas visitors this year after it featured in a popular Netflix original drama series.

Foreign arrivals to Jeju Island rose 17.5 per cent year on year between January and September, reaching 1.74 million visitors, according to data from the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute and the Jeju provincial government, reported the Korea Herald.

The increase has followed several years of uneven recovery for the islands tourism sector after the pandemic and a longer-term decline in domestic travel.

Provincial authorities have largely attributed the recent surge to international attention surrounding the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, which was filmed across Jeju and portrays everyday life in its fishing villages.

The four-volume slice-of-life series, with 16 episodes, followed the lives of Jeju-born Oh Ae Sun, played by musician and actor IU, and Yang Gwan Sik, played by Park Bo Gum, and their relationship across decades.

Set largely in Jejus fishing villages, the drama foregrounds the labour of haenyeo or female free-divers, multigenerational family ties, and the islands changing seasons, with scenes shot along lava-stone coastlines, canola fields, and beneath the Unesco-listed volcanic crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong.

Released in March this year in 190 countries, When Life Gives You Tangerines topped Netflixs global non-English television rankings and has been credited with introducing Jejus landscapes and culture to new overseas audiences.

The series also drew strong critical and audience response, holding a 100 per cent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98 per cent audience score at the time of writing.

In March, the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times praised the drama as a new hit among Korean period dramas, noting its 9.4 rating on DouBan, the highest for a Korean series on the platform in recent years. The coverage fuelled speculation that it could signal a possible easing of Chinas long-standing restrictions on Korean cultural imports, often referred to as the Hallyu ban.

Tourism data suggest the impact has been sustained instead of fleeting. The share of foreign tourists visiting Jeju among all international visitors to South Korea rose for three consecutive quarters this year, from 8.9 per cent in the first quarter to 9.0 per cent in the second, and 10.5 per cent in the third, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute.

Monthly figures show the series effect even more clearly. After its premiere in March, Jeju recorded year-on-year increases in foreign visitor numbers every month from April onward, local officials said.

Cultural sites, like the Jeju Haenyeo Museum which highlights the islands traditional female free-divers whose way of life appears in the series, reported a 58.9 per cent rise in foreign visitors year on year, to nearly 50,000 by November.

During the May holiday period, Jejus airport handled 516,000 passengers, around 4,000 more than during the same stretch last year, the Korea Airports Corporation said, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. While passenger numbers from January to March stood at just 88 per cent of last years level, April traffic rebounded to 95.7 per cent, followed by a sharp rise in early summer.

On 6 June, South Koreas Memorial Day, the airport processed 93,000 travellers, which is the highest single-day total since 2019.

Airport officials and airlines have attributed the renewed momentum partly to Tangerines tourism, noting that filming locations across the island have become new travel hotspots for both domestic and overseas visitors, including travellers from Japan and Taiwan.

Once South Koreas leading domestic holiday destination and popular with honeymooners in the 1980s, city dwellers in the early 2000s, and pandemic-era travellers, Jeju has struggled in recent years as Korean tourists increasingly opted for overseas destinations such as Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

When Life Gives You Tangerines ( Netflix )

Domestic visitor numbers fell steadily from 13.8 million in 2022 to 11.86 million in 2024, while the number of domestic flights handled by Jeju International Airport also declined over the same period, according to a Korea Times report from earlier this year.

Local officials have acknowledged that high prices, service complaints, and concerns over visitor safety had previously dented Jejus appeal, which made the international attention generated by When Life Gives You Tangerines especially timely.

Building on the previous effects seen from other hit Korean dramas like Winter Sonata and Our Blues, the provincial government has launched seasonal travel campaigns and partnered with national heritage initiatives to promote Jejus spring landscapes, cultural festivals, and filming locations linked to the show.

Airport officials and airlines have also responded by rolling out promotional campaigns, expanding flight schedules, and resuming or adding international routes, including services connecting Jeju with major cities in Taiwan and a new Jeju-Singapore route that began in August.

We hope that Jeju's cultural and natural resources will be introduced around the world through the global success of the drama that captures the beautiful four seasons of Jeju, Kim Yang Bo, director of the culture, sports, and education bureau of the Jeju government, told Korea Times earlier this year.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Air India has admitted that it lost track of a Boeing 737 for 13 years  until it turned up last month in a remote parking bay at an airport.

The Boeing 737-200 cargo plane was parked at Kolkata airport in 2012 when it was decommissioned, but then disappeared from the airlines records.

In the years since, the airport authorities have continued to levy parking fees for the plane and issued invoices to Air India.

But the airline disputed those invoices on the basis that it had no record of the plane registered as VT-EHH being parked there.

That position changed only when Kolkata airport issued a formal request for Air India to remove the aircraft. The airlines chief executive, Campbell Wilson, acknowledged the oversight in an internal message to staff that has since been widely reported.

A bird flies over a logo of Air India airlines at the corporate headquarters in Mumbai ( Reuters )

Though disposal of an old aircraft is not unusual, this one is  for its an aircraft that we didnt even know we owned until recently! Mr Wilson said.

Over time, it was lost from memory and only came to light when our friends at Kolkata airport informed us of its presence in a (very) remote parking bay and asked us to remove it! After verifying that it was indeed ours, weve now done so  and in so doing removed another old cobweb from our closet.

Air India has said the aircraft slipped off its books amid successive restructurings. It began its life with Indian Airlines and was absorbed into Air India after the two carriers merged in 2007. The jet was later adapted for freight use and leased to India Post before being withdrawn from service.

Mr Wilson has said the plane was repeatedly left out of internal records, including during the airlines privatisation in 2022, meaning it never appeared on key transfer documents, reported the Tribune India. Assets missing from takeover inventories can easily be forgotten, particularly once they have stopped flying.

Aviation analysts say airlines are usually vigilant about avoiding such situations, as grounded aircraft represent cost rather than value.

Given the regulatory oversight, its hard to imagine an airline genuinely losing track of an aircraft, John Strickland, founder of JLS Consulting, told The Telegraph, another Indian newspaper. Maintenance histories and component serial numbers are normally very tightly controlled.

The Boeing 737-200 is a first-generation version of the model introduced in the late 1960s and has long been retired from passenger service. Industry estimates suggest the aircraft itself has negligible resale value, though some components, including its Pratt & Whitney engines, could still be reused. This was the only retired Air India aircraft sold with its engines still intact.

Kolkata airport ultimately recovered close to Rs10m (83,362) in accumulated parking fees, with Air India confirming that it had agreed to pay its dues. The plane was removed on 14 November and transported by road to Bengaluru, where it will be repurposed for ground-based engineering training. The space it occupied will be used for one of two new hangars planned at the airport.

Airport officials say VT-EHH was the 14th defunct aircraft cleared from Kolkata airport in the past five years, pointing to wider enforcement gaps around abandoned planes and unresolved ownership disputes.
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Japan is preparing to restart the worlds largest nuclear power plant, nearly 15 years after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster led to the shutdown of reactors across the country.

The massive Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in northwestern Niigata prefecture was among 54 reactors taken offline after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

Japan is now eyeing a return to nuclear power as it tries to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, and has restarted 14 of the 33 reactors that remain operable.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located about 220km northwest of Tokyo, has a total capacity of 8.2 gigawatts, enough to power several million homes.

On Monday a vote in the regional assembly in Niigata removed the final political hurdle for the plant to be reopened. The assembly passed a vote of confidence in governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart last month.

This is a milestone, but this is not the end, Mr Hanazumi told reporters after the vote. There is no end in terms of ensuring the safety of Niigata residents.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa will be the first plant to restart under Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which also operated Fukushima.

Tepco is considering reactivating the first of seven reactors at the site on 20 January, public broadcaster NHK reported. One 1.36-GW unit could come online next year, with another of the same capacity planned around 2030, according to Reuters.

We remain firmly committed to never repeating such an accident and ensuring Niigata residents never experience anything similar, Tepco spokesperson Masakatsu Takata said. He declined to comment on the timing of the restart.

open image in gallery Security officers hold placards that reads, "Silence please" near auditors seated as Niigata Prefectural Assembly lawmakers take part in a vote of confidence in the prefectural governor's decisions on a partial restart of the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant ( REUTERS )

The vote exposed sharp divisions within Niigata, where many residents remain sceptical of the restart despite promises of jobs and potentially lower electricity bills.

This is nothing other than a political settlement that does not take into account the will of the Niigata residents, an assembly member opposed to the restart said during the session..

Outside the assembly building, around 300 people protested against the decision, holding banners reading No Nukes, We oppose the restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa and Support Fukushima.

I am truly angry from the bottom of my heart, Kenichiro Ishiyama, a 77-year-old protester from Niigata city, told Reuters after the vote. If something was to happen at the plant, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwas proposed restart has been put off for years by extensive safety upgrades and tighter security rules introduced after Fukushima, including measures to prevent deliberate attacks on nuclear facilities.

Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) was set up after Fukushima with stronger safety standards and independent oversight. Utilities are supposed to clear regulatory inspections and local approval before restarts.

A survey published by Niigata earlier this year found that 60 per cent of residents did not think conditions for the restart had been met, while nearly 70 per cent said they were worried specifically about Tepco operating the plant.

Ayako Oga, 52, one of the protesters, told Reuters she moved to Niigata after fleeing the area around the Fukushima plant in 2011, when around 160,000 people were evacuated. Her former home lay within the 20km exclusion zone.

We know first-hand the risk of a nuclear accident and cannot dismiss it, she said to the news agency, adding that she still struggles with post-traumatic stress-like symptoms. She joined protests outside the assembly on Monday.

open image in gallery Protesters take part in a rally near Niigata prefectural government office building before voting takes place in the prefectural assembly ( REUTERS )

Even governor Hanazumi has said he hopes Japan will eventually reduce its reliance on nuclear power. I want to see an era where we don't have to rely on energy sources that cause anxiety, he said last month.

However, at the national level, the government is investing in nuclear energy as part of its energy security strategy. Prime minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office two months ago, has backed the move as Japan grapples with high fuel costs.

Japan is planning to increase public funding for nuclear power plant renewals and new reactors, not just restarts. This includes loans that could cover 3050 per cent of project costs to help utilities meet safety standards and invest in new builds.

Even before the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart, Japans nuclear generation is already at its highest level since Fukushima, with fossil fuel output on a downwards trajectory. Clean energy (including renewables) generation also rose in 2025.

Imported fossil fuels currently account for 60 to 70 per cent of Japans electricity generation. The country spent 10.7 trillion yen (50.7bn) last year on imported liquefied natural gas and coal, roughly a tenth of its total import bill.

Energy demand is also expected to rise over the coming decade due to the growth of data centres and artificial intelligence systems. To meet those needs while cutting emissions, Japan has set a target of doubling nuclear powers share of its electricity mix to 20 per cent by 2040.

For critics, however, the return to nuclear power remains inseparable from the lessons of Fukushima.

As a victim of the Fukushima nuclear accident, I wish that no one, whether in Japan or anywhere in the world, ever again suffers the damage of a nuclear accident, Ms Oga said.

Additional reporting by agencies
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A popular ski resort town in Japan is set to introduce fines for people engaging in disruptive behaviour, as growing numbers of tourists clash with the local population.

Hakuba village, in north-western Nagano prefecture, says the new restrictions will come into effect from 1 July 2026 and include rules around graffiti and making loud noises at night.

While Hakuba issued an order regarding Village Manners in 2015, it only prohibited disruptive behaviour without making it a punishable offence.

The revised rules identify eight specific categories of violations that will be subject to fines of up to 50,000 (237) if an offender refuses an official order to stop.

The restrictions ban graffiti or placing stickers on public or private property, shouting, loud music or the use of sound equipment after 10pm, launching fireworks at night, smoking while walking, among other activities.

The rules were revised to protect the villages beautiful landscape and comfortable living environment, the villages general affairs division said.

Vending machines, including one for warm sweet potatoes (at R), covered in snow along a rest stop outside the ski resort town of Hakuba, Nagano prefecture. Reside ( AFP via Getty Images )

The popular winter destination has become a global hotspot for powder hunters, attracting skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

Nearly 2.71 million tourists visited Hakuba in 2024, a dramatic increase from 2023, when about 330,000 people arrived.

The spike is a particularly extreme example of a broader post-pandemic tourism boom, fuelled by a weak yen and rising international demand for Japans ski resorts.

Local residents have increasingly raised complaints about tourists bad behaviour, urging the authorities to take action.

Id like to help create a place where both residents and visitors can spend their time comfortably, Hakuba mayor Toshiro Maruyama told reporters after a village assembly meeting.

The new regulations mean Hakuba joins around 20 municipalities in Japan that have imposed similar rules, including the cities of Kyoto, Kamakura and Fukuoka.

The measures come amid growing concern in Japan about overtourism, with resort towns and historic cities struggling to manage the behaviour of a rapidly increasing number of foreign visitors.

Japan recorded 36.9 million international visitors in 2024, a 47.1 per cent increase on the previous year, surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 31.9 million set in 2019.

Japanese media have highlighted a number of incidents that have sparked public outrage, including the arrest of a US tourist for scratching graffiti into a wooden gate at Tokyos historic Meiji Jingu shrine, and a Chilean influencer who filmed herself performing pull-ups on a sacred torii gate at a Shinto shrine. In another case, a foreign visitor was caught on video kicking a deer in the ancient capital of Nara.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

One of the victims of a knife attack in Taiwan is being hailed as a hero for reportedly trying to stop the assailant before succumbing to his injuries.

A 57-year-old man surnamed Yu was among the three victims killed on Friday when a knife-wielding man carried out a series of indiscriminate stabbings in Taipei. At least 11 people were also injured in the mass stabbing incident.

The suspect, a 27-year-old man named Chang Wen, threw smoke grenades near an underground exit at Taipei Main Station and attacked people on the way to the next station at Zhongshan before falling to his death from the sixth floor of a department store building during a police chase.

Yu sustained a fatal 5cm-deep wound to his chest while trying to stop Chang at the metro's exit, according to the National Taiwan University Hospital. Yu acted bravely when he confronted the attacker, Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an told reporters, adding that his death was "heartbreaking".

Chao Shiao-lien, the chair of Taipei Rapid Transit Corp, said Yu's intervention helped prevent further injuries in the attack at the station.

The Taiwanese government has announced compensation of NT$5m (11,822) for Yu's family under Taipei Rapid Transit Corps insurance coverage. The government is also offering psychological counselling and legal consultation to those who were injured and the families of the deceased.

Video footage aired by local media showed the suspect, wearing a gas mask and clad in black, dropping at least two smoke grenades at Taipei Main.

open image in gallery Taiwan police cordoned off the scene after a knife attack in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

He then went north to a popular shopping district, throwing smoke grenades and stabbing people on the first and fourth floors of a department store, according to local news reports.

Police said Chang went to great lengths to avoid being stopped, carrying out the attack in multiple phases, changing his clothing and modes of transport several times, going from a scooter to a bike to walking. In the process, he set fire to his apartment, to roads and caused damage to cars and motorbikes.

A survivor said she was hit by the suspect outside the department store. It did not feel like a slash  it felt more like being hit. Then it really hurt, she said, adding that when she turned around, she saw people lying on the ground and needing first aid because they were bleeding.

Japanese tourist Kouta Kinoshita said he felt helpless as he attempted to prevent a scooter rider from bleeding to death during the attack.

Kinoshita, a former journalist, was on the first floor of the department store when he saw a man holding a knife running into the building. The Japanese national exited the store and saw Chang stab two people on the street, including a man on a scooter.

Kinoshita said he rushed over and tried to staunch the man's wound using his hand, but due to the unavailability of an emergency kit, the man continued to lose blood. He said he was left "heartbroken".

The man was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

open image in gallery Taiwan police cordoned off the scene after a knife attack in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

He was extremely cunning, Li Hsi-Ho, chief of Taipeis police, said during a news conference Monday. Li said the suspect had been preparing the assault since April 2024 by buying smoke grenades, gas canisters, respirators and other tools.

He had been planning the crime for a year and a half, and his motive for the crime also began a year and a half ago, Li said.

Taiwanese police have ruled out terrorism as a motivation for the attack, AFP reported.

Based on what we have established so far in the investigation, the suspect Chang did not make or display any statements or views related to politics, religion, or any specific ideology, and we have preliminarily ruled out terrorism, an official with the Taiwan police said.

Terrorist attacks have a specific definition and the suspect does not meet that definition, the official added.

He added that the probe indicated that Friday's attack was carried out by a single suspect and that investigators found searches for random killings on Chang's iPad. He reportedly also searched materials related to a 2014 Taipei metro stabbing, when four people were killed by a single man.

Authorities were still investigating his motive, but said the suspect had been wanted since July after failing to report to military service. He had previously served voluntarily in the military but had been fired for drunken driving.

He had not contacted his family for more than two years, authorities said.

Investigators recovered lethal weapons at the suspects rental home in Taipei and at the hotel room where he stayed for three nights near Zhongshan.

Taiwans premier Cho Jung-tai said it appeared the suspect "deliberately threw smoke bombs and wielded a long knife to carry out indiscriminate attacks on the public".

We will investigate his background and associated relationships to understand his motives and determine if there are other connected factors, the premier added.

Five of those injured in the attack remained in hospital on Monday, with one of them in intensive care but in stable condition after surgery, authorities said.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to restart ceasefire talks after their intense border clashes entered a third week on Monday.

At least 74 people have been killed, and more than half a million displaced since fighting broke out along their 800km contested border on 8 December.

It marked the second round of fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in less than six months after US president Donald Trump, Malaysia and China helped broker an earlier ceasefire.

Thailand's foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the July ceasefire was "rushed. "We were sometimes in a rush because the US wanted it signed by the visit of President Trump," he said. "A ceasefire cannot just be declared, it needs a discussion," he added, saying Bangkok wanted a "true ceasefire" with a firm commitment from Cambodia.

On Monday, foreign ministers from the two countries held a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, their first face-to-face summit since the new clashes began, on the sidelines of a summit for the Asean bloc of southeast Asian nations.

The two countries defence ministers are expected to meet for further talks later this week.

open image in gallery Thailand's foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow speaks during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ( AP )

Thailand said a detailed plan needs to be implemented, adding that de-mining was necessary to move the process forward.

Mr Phuangketkeow confirmed that a meeting between the military officials of both countries would take place on 24 December in order to work towards a ceasefire agreement.

He said neither the US nor China was involved in the decision for the two countries to resume discussions later this week, adding it was about Thailand and Cambodia "working things out".

open image in gallery People look at a damaged bridge after Thailand carried out air strikes in an area between Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces ( AFP via Getty Images )

In opening the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) meeting, Malaysia's foreign minister urged the bloc to play a more prominent role in halting the conflict.

"Asean must do whatever is necessary to maintain regional peace and stability," Mohamad Hasan said.

"Our goal goes beyond de-escalating the tension. We must intensify trust-building among the conflicting parties and provide the horizons for dialogue despite the prevailing differences."

The meeting represented the first step in talks for a potential ceasefire since the clashes started. Bangkok has taken a hardened stance towards negotiations, while Phnom Penh publicly said it is ready for an unconditional ceasefire.

Meanwhile on Monday Cambodias interior ministry said that a Chinese national had been injured in shelling by the Thai military.

open image in gallery In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), a distraction building is seen after a Thai bombing in Poipet town, Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia ( AP )

It said Thai forces fired artillery shells into civilian areas of Cambodias border province of Battambang.

The shelling led to one civilian house being completely destroyed and one Chinese national being injured, the ministry added.

Cambodia confirmed the deaths of at least 19 civilians, and said 79 have been injured. It added that 510,000 people have been displaced.

Thailands defence ministry said 34 Thai civilians have been killed and 21 Thai soldiers in the fighting so far this month.

The renewed clashes have been med with international alarm. The US State Department on Sunday released a statement calling for Thailand and Cambodia to "end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, which include mechanisms to accelerate humanitarian demining and address border issues."

On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing has been working to mediate in the conflict in its own way since the fighting began this month.

open image in gallery The Thai military fires artillery towards Cambodia, Tuesday, 16 December, in Surin province ( AP )

Chinas special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, traveled to Phnom Penh last week to discuss the conflict. Mr Deng said China would continue to play a constructive role in mediation.

The foreign ministry spokesperson added that China would release information on the mediation conducted by Mr Deng "in due course".

Since then, fighting has broken out on several fronts, with Thailand carrying out airstrikes inside Cambodia using F-16 fighter jets, while Cambodia has fired thousands of medium-range BM-21 rockets from truck-mounted launchers capable of firing up to 40 rockets simultaneously.

open image in gallery Cambodian soldiers injured on the frontline are hospitalized at Serei Sophon referral hospital, amid clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Sisophon district, Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia ( REUTERS )

Under the October truce, Thailand was to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner, and both sides were to begin withdrawing heavy weapons and removing landmines along the border.

However, the agreement quickly unravelled amid a bitter propaganda war and sporadic cross-border violence.

Landmine explosions have proved a particularly sensitive issue for Thailand, which has lodged several protests after alleging that Cambodia laid new mines that wounded soldiers patrolling the frontier. Cambodia has insisted the mines were remnants of its decades-long civil war, which ended in 1999.

"These were clearly newly planted landmines, and this was confirmed by the Asean observer team," Mr Sihasak said Monday, calling it a "clear violation" of the October agreement.

The Thai navy said on Sunday that one of its marines on the front line sustained serious injuries to his right leg after stepping on a landmine.

It also said it had discovered a large cache of abandoned weapons and explosive ordnance while securing an area it described as a Cambodian stronghold, which it said pointed to deliberate planning and the intentional use of anti-personnel landmines against Thai troops.

Cambodia is yet to respond to the allegations.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Two burglars have been jailed after exploiting the dating app Grindr to deceive victims into granting them access to their homes, subsequently stealing their mobile phones and money.

Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 23, and Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 27, orchestrated meetings at their targets London properties, then persuaded them to reveal their phone passwords under the guise of playing music on YouTube.

The Afghan refugees would then abscond with the devices, swiftly exiting the premises before making online or contactless payments, and in some instances, transferring funds directly to themselves.

Mohammadi targeted 11 individuals during a five-month crime spree between October 24 2024 and March 24 this year, while Hotak committed multiple offences between October 24 2024 and December 23 2024.

At Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, Mohammadi received a five-year prison sentence, with Hotak jailed for three and a half years.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Adenike Balogun highlighted the profound impact on victims, stating: "I have taken note of the psychological trauma as well as the inconvenience caused to the victims, and the distress that all of them have expressed at allowing you into their homes  into their private space  only to be violated."

open image in gallery The pair were sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court, London (Anthony Devlin/PA) ( PA Archive )

Prosecutor David Patience had contended that the victims were targeted due to their sexuality, suggesting the offences could be considered hate crimes.

However, the judge clarified her position: "Ive considered that matter very carefully and it seems to me that the presumed sexual orientation of the victims presented an opportunity for you to commit the crime, and in that respect I do find that the victims were targeted because of their perceived vulnerability."

She concluded that the victims were not chosen out of "hostility" towards their sexuality, but rather because Grindr, as an app facilitating gay hook-ups, offered "an opportunity to gain easy access into the homes of the victims."

Judge Balogun added: "I suspect you were  and I put no higher than that  banking on the victims not reporting the crime."

To facilitate their crimes, a Grindr profile was established, typically without a photograph. When victims requested an image, a picture of someone else would be sent.

Meetings were arranged, with Mohammadi often bringing Hotak along as a friend. Once inside, they would ask the victim to play music, usually on YouTube, as this prevented the phone from being locked.

A distraction tactic would then be employed, with excuses such as needing to shower before sex, making a drink, or being shown to the toilet, prompting the victim to leave the room.

"In all the cases, when the victim returned to the main room you had left, or one or the other of you had left, and the victim found the mobile phone was missing," the judge noted.

Mohammadi, of Weald Lane in Harrow, north-west London, was found guilty by a jury of 10 counts of burgling a dwelling, nine of fraud by false representation, and one of theft.

Hotak, of Richmond Road in Hackney, east London, was convicted of five counts of burgling a dwelling, five of fraud by false representation, and one of theft.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A former Royal Navy reservist has described how the Liverpool parade attacker bit off part of his ear in an assault 31 years ago.

Stuart Lucas told the Daily Mail that Paul Doyle, who was on Tuesday jailed for 21 years and six months for mowing down dozens of Liverpool fans, chewed his ear and spat it out, leaving blood gushing from his head.

Mr Lucas had intervened to stop Doyle, who was then in the Royal Marines, from assaulting younger Royal Navy Reserve sailors at an M6 service station in Lancashire in 1994.

Doyle was one of two marines on a bus with 28 sailors travelling to Barry, South Wales, to join HMS Dovey and sail to Glasgow, the Daily Mail said.

Mr Lucas witnessed Doyle, then 23, doing a flying kick which laid two of the lads out.

The now 68-year-old then gave him a bear hug, strapping his arms to his sides which stopped Doyle and led to him falling down.

Paul Doyle has been sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison for the Liverpool parade attack, which injured 134 people ( Crown Prosecution Service )

Mr Lucas told the Daily Mail: I still had him in a bear hug which was good, everything seemed to be going well and he couldnt move apart from swearing.

But he could move his head and at that he promptly sunk his teeth into my ear and said, let go.

Mr Lucas, a father-of-one who lives in East Lothian, Scotland, said the technique is called a biter in Liverpool. He said that Doyle could have inflicted it without biting through.

Im sure he was trying to gouge someones eye out as well. It was all very quick and pretty serious what he did, Mr Lucas added.

He said he stood in shock with blood gushing out of his head while other sailors started searching for the missing chunk of his ear.

Once it was found, Mr Lucas got in an ambulance and took his ear in a bag to hospital where it was reattached.

He said he was discharged and, after getting a train home, went to a hospital in Glasgow where medics unwrapped the bandage to find his ear was beyond recovery.

Mr Lucas, at the time studying for a masters at Strathclyde University, declined to have his ear rebuilt because it would have taken months.

Details of Doyles previous offences were outlined at his sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court for the parade crash.

In October 1991, at the end of Doyles 32-week training period at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, he had what he later described as a scuffle with men in a nightclub and, after he was thrown out, punched another person in the face several times.

He was convicted of a section 20 assault and fined by Exeter Magistrates Court.

In February 1992, he was convicted of two military offences: one of using violence to a superior officer and one of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline and, in July that year, he was convicted of a military offence equivalent to criminal damage.

Doyle served in the military for four years, starting with the Royal Engineers before enlisting in the Marines in 1991, but did not see active service, the court heard.

He was discharged with services no longer required in 1993, 22 months after enlisting, the court heard.

He was said to have unsuccessfully challenged the discharge.

In November 1994, while serving with the Royal Marine Reserve, Doyle was jailed for 12 months for causing grievous bodily harm after biting off the ear of Mr Lucas.

When interviewed earlier this year, Doyle said he had become involved in a drunken fight with sailors.

Following his release from prison in 1995, Doyle was said to have taken steps to live a positive and productive life, going to university, working in positions of responsibility and having a family.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A road rage driver who previously launched a foul-mouthed tirade at a lone female motorist has now been jailed after another incident of verbal abuse.

Peter Abbott, 62, was serving a suspended sentence when he was involved in a fresh incident, which took place on Bournemouths Alum Chine Beach on 3 December 2024, the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) told The Independent.

He had used threatening or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence during the incident at the beach, with a woman once again the target.

He was jailed for six weeks at Poole Magistrates Court on Thursday 18 December, as well as being handed an 85 fine, the CTSC confirmed.

Abbott was previously handed a suspended sentence in May 2024, after he had threatened and used vile language to Samantha Isaacs during an incident outside a Tesco petrol station in Bournemouth on 25 August 2023.

After she beeped him for a minor incident, he exited his vehicle and banged on her windscreen with his fists before unleashing the foul-mouthed tirade.

He shouted at her, Can you f***ing see me you f***ing tart? He then called her a s*** and a w**** and put his head up against the windscreen.

Another motorist went to intervene and called Abbott a bully, and told him, What is wrong with you, its a woman on her own. Abbott replied, Shes a f***ing bloody annoying woman.

He was convicted following a trial at Poole Magistrates Court of using threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards her, leaving her scared all the time when driving.

District Judge Orla Austin sentenced Abbott to a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation days, to complete an anger management course and pay 300 compensation to Ms Isaacs and 300 court costs.

In breaching that suspended sentence, Abbott has now been jailed.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The government has fallen short of banning imports of real animal fur from grisly farms overseas under its animal-welfare shake-up, dismaying campaigners who have long sought a ban.

And the absence of a ban on imports of hunting trophies and foie gras has also disappointed conservationists and animal protectionists.

Ministers are pledging to set up a working group on fur with involvement from both industry experts and those who support restrictions on the trade and consider a ban.

open image in gallery Broadcaster Nicky Campbell at a march in London in 2019 against trophy hunting ( Paul Nicholls )

Mink, foxes and raccoon dogs have been filmed resorting to cannibalism and suffering painful wounds at fur farms linked to upmarket and luxury brands sold in the UK.

An investigation at a Finnish fur farm found a bloodied, wheezing animal being gnawed at by its cellmate, while mink lay dead in cages and others had eyes missing, cuts and bloody noses.

Britain banned fur farming in 2003, but hundreds of millions of pounds worth of fur is imported, mostly from China, the US, France and Italy, as well as Poland, which two months ago voted to close its fur farms.

Claire Bass, of Humane World for Animals UK said of the fur working group: Successive governments have built extremely robust evidence to support a ban, so its not yet clear what more the governments proposed Task Force could do.

open image in gallery Blue foxes are picked from their cages with tongs around their necks at fur farms in countries such as Belarus ( AFP via Getty Images )

Every year, UK hunters pay thousands of pounds to legally shoot animals overseas and bring back bodies or body parts as souvenirs. Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, was shocked that a ban on trophy imports was absent given it was in Labours manifesto.

MPs of all parties - including Labour - have submitted questions asking the government to disclose its timetable for delivering its manifesto pledge on trophy hunting. So far, none has been forthcoming, he said.

The delay is baffling. The government could simply announce an immediate moratorium on trophy import licences, as a growing number of European and other countries have done.

The government says it wants to introduce legislation. Defra, the government department responsible, has already drafted the Bill. Indeed it has already passed unanimously in the Commons as a private members bill.

open image in gallery The Labour manifesto in 2024 pledged to ban trail-hunting and hunting trophy imports, as well as puppy smuggling and farming, and the use of snares ( Labour Party )

In a consultation, 86 per cent of 44,000 people who commented backed a ban, he said, and MPs of every party but one had called for the ban to be implemented urgently.

Mr Goncalves added: Polls show 9 out of 10 voters back a ban. One has to ask the question: what on earth is the government waiting for?

The Conservatives broke repeated promises to ban hunting trophy imports and the Lords have twice blocked separate Bills to introduce a ban.

The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation also said it was disappointed the strategy did not include a trophy ban.

Environment secretary Emma Reynolds told MPs last week the government was committed to a ban and would be taking measures forward separately.

Its understood the government believes a timeframe for introducing legislation will be provided when the future Parliamentary timetable is determined.

Sean Gifford, managing director at the Humane League UK, said: Unfortunately the animal welfare strategy does fall down in certain areas. Banning the importation of foie gras, one of the cruellest of all animal products, lacks even a mention.

Rishi Sunaks government in 2022 dropped plans to ban both foie gras and fur imports.

The strategy refers to UK sales of trips to cruel tourist attractions overseas, such as elephant riding, elephant painting and games, and swimming with dolphins, saying ministers will explore with industry and NGOs legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising in the UK of low-animal-welfare activities abroad.

open image in gallery Ways to stop advertising of cruel venues abroad will be explored ( Getty/iStock )

Meanwhile, trade think tank Animal Policy International is warning that potential bans on hen cages and pig farrowing crates could be undermined by a loophole allowing lower-welfare imports to flood the UK market.

Mandy Carter, co-executive director, said: If we don't close the import loophole, we're asking British farmers to compete with one hand tied behind their backs and we're simply moving cruelty offshore.

The Swiss got a carve-out in their agreement with the EU. We need the government to do the same.

The government says UK farmers and producers are already being supported with grants to help refurbish housing for hens and pigs.

Its trade strategy, released in June, hails a commitment to uphold high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards.

The Department for Environment was asked to comment.

Activists are celebrating the landmark animal-welfare reforms in the strategy, including banning hen cages, pig farrowing crates, carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs, snares, puppy farms and dog electric shock collars.

They are also welcoming a promise to ban controversial trail-hunting.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Activists are celebrating landmark animal welfare reforms that could spare millions of animals from being gassed to death or suffering in cramped cages while being farmed for their meat, eggs or fur.

In its animal welfare strategy, whose provisions have been branded the most ambitious welfare reforms in a generation, the government has set out its plan for an overhaul of the legislation that covers the way that farm animals, pets and wildlife are treated.

Campaigners say that more than 9 million pigs every year could be spared an agonising death thanks to the proposal to outlaw the use of carbon dioxide chambers.

open image in gallery Farrowing crates confine mother pigs to spaces too small for them to turn round ( Animal Equality )

Farmers will be forced to phase out farrowing crates for pigs and colony cages for laying hens  which both provide cramped conditions that stop the animals from moving about naturally. The strategy also proposes the introduction of humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish to spare them avoidable pain.

And proposals to promote the use of slow-growing meat-chicken breeds are designed to benefit the 1.1 billion so-called frankenchicken broilers genetically engineered each year to balloon so rapidly that their limbs and organs fail.

Sean Gifford, managing director at the Humane League UK, said: Cruelly confining animals to cages is a stain on British farming, and we are thrilled to see this government following countries like Germany and Austria, who have banned them.

The vast majority of the public think raising animals in tiny cages is unnecessary and morally wrong. Seven million hens are languishing in confinement, and need the government to move quickly and make cages history.

Mr Gifford said that if animals are painfully and incompetently killed, such as fish having their gills cut without being stunned, there are no real legal repercussions for staff or the farm. A change in law should help address this, he said.

open image in gallery Britain still imports real animal fur from cruel foreign fur farms ( AP )

The Humane League wanted assurances that a consultation would lead to a ban on cages, as the previous government announced a consultation but it never happened, he added.

Anthony Field, head of compassion at World Farming UK, welcomed the landmark step forward in protecting farmed animals, saying that 150,000 pigs a year would benefit from farrowing crates being outlawed.

open image in gallery Campaigners have long called for an end to hens being kept in cages in the UK ( Compassion in World Farming )

However, farmers have expressed concern that higher welfare standards could push up their costs, causing shoppers to buy cheaper foreign imports produced to lower welfare standards.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: We know there is demand for our great British food overseas. In all trade deals, we must ensure that we dont continue to undermine domestic production with imported food that would be illegal to produce here.

Ministers are promising new steps towards a ban on imports of real fur from cruel fur farms abroad, where foxes, racoons, mink and other fur-bearing animals are kept in small cages.

The strategy, published on Monday morning, says ministers will publish the results of the previous governments call for evidence on the fur trade. Campaigners against fur had been enraged by the Tories failure to publish those findings, and the Conservative government U-turned on plans to ban fur imports.

The document says the government will publish and consider carefully the report from the animal welfare committee and bring together a working group on fur, and that it will talk to the EU, a major source of imported fur, about scientific findings relating to fur animal welfare.

Campaigning organisation Animal Aid said a proposed ban on snare traps would spare countless animals from agony lasting hours or days.

open image in gallery Puppy farms, which leaves puppies vulnerable to illness, will be outlawed ( Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP )

The strategy also proposes the introduction of a close season for hares, in an effort to reduce numbers shot in the breeding season. Currently, young hares are left vulnerable to starvation and predation when their mothers are killed.

Ministers are also promising an end to puppy farming, where young dogs are bred in squalid conditions and sold at high turnover rates, sometimes from breeders renting homes in order to appear reputable.

New licences will be considered for pet rescue and rehoming organisations, to ensure that sanctuaries have checks in place.

Michael Webb, of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, said the reforms would address some key issues that the charity had campaigned on for many years.

He said: There is clearly still a lot of detail to work out, and the strategy does not claim to tackle every problem animals face. However, Battersea is hopeful that it will be the catalyst for real, lasting change.

The government also announced a ban on trail-hunting to prevent the activity from being used as a cover for foxhunting.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

More than 10 people have been rescued after a huge sinkhole opened in a canal in Shropshire, leaving several narrow boats stranded in the hole or teetering on the edge of a drop.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident after the significant breach on the Shropshire Union Canal in Chemistry, Whitchurch, on Monday morning.

Three boats were caught up in the developing sinkhole, measuring 50m in length and width, according to the service, which said its officers rescued more than 10 people. Aerial images showed one boat partly hanging over the drop into the hole.

Crews were working in difficult conditions, dealing with unstable ground and fastmoving water escaping into the surrounding land, said a spokesperson. Meanwhile, safety zones have been opened around the sinkhole, and people have been asked to avoid the area.

open image in gallery The sinkhole in the Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch ( Andy Kelvin/PA Wire )

The fire service said it was working with West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency at the site.

West Mercia Police said in a statement: There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service.

The Canal and River Trust said it had dammed off the impacted section of the canal, and had closed off the area while an investigation was carried out into the cause of the breach. The trust said it was also providing support to boaters who had been impacted.

open image in gallery An aerial image shows the damage caused by the sinkhole  and the water that has flooded nearby land ( Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service )

Andy Hall, a councillor in Whitchurch, told the BBC that people thought there had been an earthquake. He said: Weve got two boats at the bottom of the sinkhole that have fallen down, and weve got two boats that are teetering on the edge that could go in at any time.

He added: The most important thing is that the canal itself has been secured by fire and rescue. Their biggest worry was that the canal was going to burst even more and flood residents in the town.

Jason, who works at the nearby Whitchurch Marina, told The Independent that efforts to pull the boats from the sinkhole could be tricky. He said: The issue is going to be getting the equipment to the site [to remove the boats stranded]. Road access is tricky  a lot of sections of the canal are  so that might be a sticking point.

The fire service said it first received reports of a canal bank collapse with large volumes of water escaping into the surrounding land.

It said: Three boats had been caught in a developing sinkhole approximately 50m by 50m in size and crews helped more than 10 members of the public to safety.

Fire service area manager Scott Hurford said: We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported. Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch Police Station.

A major incident was declared at 5.17am  however, as of 8.30am, the situation was stable with water flow reduced, and there is no ongoing search and rescue activity. Multi-agency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety.

According to the British Geological Survey, sinkholes can appear in a variety of different shapes and settings depending on the composition of the rocks and different interacting processes.

Heavy rain and flooding, as well as building works, changes in water levels and natural weathering processes can all trigger sinkholes.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A ban on electric shock collars for pets will form part of a raft of proposals to improve animal welfare in a flagship government strategy.

The animal welfare strategy, launched on Monday, also includes plans to ban trail hunting and to tighten protections aimed at stopping cruel breeding practices such as puppy farming.

The proposals build on law changes introduced in Parliament over the last year, which crack down on puppy smuggling and impose larger penalties for worrying livestock.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the UK was a nation of animal lovers and claimed the government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation.

Visiting Battersea Dogs and Cats Home reminded me that millions of families welcome pets into their homes every year. Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm and in the wild.

Weve already acted to improve zoo standards, end puppy smuggling and protect livestock from dog attacks. Now were planning to ban caged hens, cruel snares, trail hunting, and curb low-welfare dog breeding.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the UK was a nation of animal lovers ( PA )

The strategy sets out a series of protections for pets, farmed animals and wild animals.

Among the Governments plans for pet welfare is the consultation on banning shock collars, amid worries they could be causing harm to pets.

Ministers are also planning a public safety campaign promoting responsible dog ownership.

Over the last few years there has been growing concern about XL bully-type dogs, a group of breeds which have been banned after they were linked to several fatal attacks.

Plans to improve welfare for farmed animals include moving away from using colony cages for laying hens and pig farrowing crates, as well as introducing more humane slaughter methods for farmed fish.

Wild animal protections include the plans to ban trail hunting, alongside banning snare traps and introducing a closed hunting season for hares.

Thomas Schultz-Jagow, director of advocacy and prevention at the RSPCA, said: The Governments new animal welfare strategy is a significant step forward which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals.

People in the UK love animals and they want to see governments leading the way to outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering such as a phase-out of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.

As we need a radical rethink about the way we see and treat animals in this country, this strategy leads the way by showing a strong commitment to animal welfare.

We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to give all animals the protection they deserve.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A woman claimed she had to book a driving test 10 hours away as learner drivers are becoming increasingly desperate to book tests, with long waits expected to continue into 2026 and beyond.

The latest figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show that, according to the latest figures from November, the current average waiting time for a driving test nationally is 22 weeks, with 638,270 people on the forward bookings list.

Experts warn the backlog could continue for another two years, after an estimated 1 million tests were prevented during the Covid lockdown restrictions of five years ago. The DVSA said issues persist due to increased demand, people booking tests early, and bots and middlemen snapping up slots immediately to sell on.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander previously said the Labour government inherited an enormous backlog and was acting fast to tackle the issue, but admitted in November that the government would not meet a target of reducing waiting times to seven weeks by summer 2026.

With lengthy waiting lists set to continue into the new year, many learner drivers are taking extreme measures to make sure they can get a test.

Colette Bodde, 29, told The Independent that she eventually passed her test in Fort William, a town in the Highlands, almost 10 hours away from her home in London.

open image in gallery Colette Bodde passed her test last year in the Highlands, nearly 10 hours from where she lives ( Supplied )

She said the governments booking system was just a dead end and the tests were immediately unavailable when she tried.

Opting for Scotland so she could borrow her mothers car instead of having to pay for an instructors vehicle, Ms Bodde was keen to get her licence because it felt like a useful life skill which by the age of 28 felt like something I should be able to do.

Londoner Rafa James, 18, booked his test 200 miles away in Carmarthen, Wales, after feeling under time pressure to pass as he is travelling in January, and doesnt want to be set back and have to start again upon his return later in the year.

He described the DVSA booking system as clunky and frustrating due to the consistent lack of available test dates indefinitely.

Mr James said he spent a significant amount of money on train tickets and felt he was at an immediate disadvantage as he wasnt used to driving in the area.

open image in gallery Londoner Rafa James, 18, booked his test 200 miles away in Carmarthen, Wales, and felt he was at a disadvantage in the unfamiliar area ( Supplied )

Halima Abdi, 21, said she has been waking up at 5am every Monday for five months to try and book a test, and eventually landed one almost three hours away in Birmingham.

Saying the situation was extremely difficult, the Londoner added: I was told by family and friends its best to pick somewhere further because they are more likely to have space for me.

Ms Abdi, a student journalist, explained that having to carry a heavy-duty camera kit on trains is stressful and called on the DVSA to put those who need a driving test for work on a priority list.

The National Audit Office (NAO) warned earlier this month that the backlog will not be cleared until November 2027. The watchdog revealed that nearly one in three learners are resorting to paying third parties up to 500 to secure a test slot.

Head of the NAO Gareth Davies said: The current system for providing driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales is not working satisfactorily, with long waiting times and exploitation of learner drivers by resellers of test slots.

open image in gallery Student journalist Halima Abdi, 21, explained that having to carry heavy-duty camera equipment on trains is stressful ( Supplied )

The forward booking figures have so far come down by 29,858 from a 668,128 peak in September this year, and the government said it is taking decisive action to reduce driving test waiting lists by making more tests available.

The DVSA told The Independent: We carried out just over 14,400 more tests in October 2025, compared to October 2024.

Following our recent consultation, were also changing the driving test booking system to help make sure that it works fairly for everyone and make it easier for genuine learners to book their test.

The changes include ensuring only learner drivers can book tests instead of instructors, and only two edits to the test can be made  including moves, swaps and location changes  before it must be cancelled and rebooked, in a bid to beat resellers.

Learner drivers will be restricted to a limited number of test centres located close to the original booking, and 36 military driving examiners will also help deliver up to 6,500 more tests over a year.

But Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School, warned that learner drivers are seeing their mobility and job prospects affected due to continuing excessive and restrictive waiting times.

She said the situation next year may improve slightly due to the additional support from military driving examiners. The tightening of the booking system should [also] reduce the wiggle-room that is allowing unscrupulous test resellers to profit from learners misery, she added.

But she stressed that for the backlog to really improve in 2026, long-term, sustained action is what is needed to bring waiting times back to pre-Covid levels. As well as recruiting more examiners, there needs to be a focus on retaining existing examiners so a greater number of tests can be delivered sustainably.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The UK car industry is on track to meet the governments electric vehicle (EV) sales requirement for 2025, according to new analysis.

Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank found that flexibilities in the zero-emission vehicle (Zev) mandate mean the sector is on track to achieve this years demands.

The mandates headline target is for at least 28 per cent of cars sold by each manufacturer to be zero-emission, which generally means pure battery electric.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show these vehicles achieved a market share of 22.7 per cent during the first 11 months of the year.

However, the ECIU said the actual Zev mandate sales requirement is just 20.4 per cent, as companies also get credit for selling large numbers of lower-emission petrol and diesel cars.

The think tanks head of transport Colin Walker said: Despite claims that sales targets would not be hit, it seems clear that in 2025, just as last year, the industry is on track.

open image in gallery Figures suggest EV vehicles achieved a market share of 22.7 per cent during the first 11 months of the year ( PA )

British drivers are increasingly choosing to switch to electric, so much so that, of the worlds largest car markets, the UK is now second only to China in the proportion of drivers buying new EVs.

Be they new cars or regular families going electric on the second-hand market, British EV drivers are saving hundreds, even thousands, of pounds a year.

Last week, the European Commission watered down its total ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035.

The new plan is for 90 per cent of new cars sold from that date to be zero-emission.

The UK Government has pledged to outlaw sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, with only zero-emission models permitted from 2035.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will abandon the policy if it wins the next election.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, she described electric vehicle quotas as economic self-harm.

open image in gallery Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will abandon the policy if it wins the next election ( PA )

Mr Walker said: Were the UK Government to follow the EUs lead and weaken its own Zev mandate, it would risk slowing new EV sales and stunting the growth of the second hand EV market, leaving people stuck driving dirtier and more expensive petrol cars for longer.

This is the big risk now being faced by drivers in the EU. Its clear the world is only going in one direction on electric cars.

Slipping into the slow lane is a recipe for getting left behind.

Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of EV buying advice website Electrifying.com, said Brexit gives the UK the freedom to take a different path from the EU, particularly where the latters policy risks slowing progress.

She continued: Diluting the 2035 policy now would hand an even greater advantage to competitors in China and South Korea, who are accelerating their EV transition.

Ben Nelmes, chief executive of environmental consultancy New AutoMotive, said the UKs electric car targets are pragmatic and ambitious.

He added: It would be a profound mistake for UK ministers to repeat the EUs mistake by abruptly changing these rules.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said carmakers have made massive efforts to comply with the mandate including discounting EVs, which has had a huge cost to the industry and is unsustainable in the long term.

He urged the Government to ensure the UKs transition to electric motoring supports consumer confidence, the UKs attractiveness as a place to invest, and overall economic growth.

A government spokesperson said the analysis clearly shows our approach is working to encouraging the switch to EVs.

She added: Our commitment to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 is giving industry the certainty it needs.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel, who found himself in a battle over speech, will be delivering Channel 4s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message.

The late-night presenter is set to focus his speech on what a great year it has been from a fascism perspective.

His alternative message comes after he was taken off the air and suspended indefinitely in September following comments he made on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, an ally of US president Donald Trump.

Mr Trump later suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press maybe their licence should be taken away.

The suspension was met with criticism from the public. Some of Hollywood's biggest stars and political figures also criticised the US administration for infringing on their freedom of speech and free press, leading to Kimmels return five days later.

Jimmy Kimmel, a US chat show host who was suspended, will be delivering Channel 4s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message ( Jimmy Kimmel Live! )

In his speech, the comedian will begin by saying: From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.

Kimmel will continue by reflecting on the events of the past year, sharing his own personal experiences and insights after being at the centre of one of the stories that shocked the US and its foundational democratic values.

The show, which offers an alternative to the Kings annual televised Christmas message, was first aired in 1993 and aims to bring viewers a message about that years events.

Kimmels address follows on from previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including comedian Chris McCausland, who addressed ableism last year after becoming the first blind person to win Strictly Come Dancing.

Other guests include the former president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: Donald Trumps return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025, and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the front line of Americas battle over free speech.

The Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 5.45pm on Christmas Day.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The co-founder of Lush has said those who oppose his views on key issues such as Gaza shouldnt shop in his stores.

Mark Constantine OBE, who led a shutdown of Lush stores earlier this year in solidarity with people in Gaza, said people shouldnt come into my shop if they disagreed with his stance.

Speaking on the BBCs Big Boss Interview podcast, Mr Constantine said he believed in being kind, sympathetic and compassionate, and said people are not going to get on very well with me if they are unkind to others.

He said: Im often called left wing because Im interested in compassion. I dont think being compassionate has a political stance. I think being kind, being sympathetic, being compassionate is something were all capable of and all want to do in certain areas.

When asked whether his stances could impact business, for example, if someone decided not to shop at Lush due to his stance on Gaza, he said: Absolutely, thats what you [the shopper] should do. You shouldnt come into my shop. Because Im going to take those profits youre giving me and Im going to do more of that  so you absolutely shouldnt support me.

The only problem is, who are you going to support? And what are you supporting when you do that? What is your position?

open image in gallery In September, the cosmetics chain shut all of its UK stores and closed its website for the day in solidarity with people starving in Gaza ( PA )

He added: I think its up to people if they want to fox hunt and shoot pheasants, its up to them, but I dont approve of it.

In September, the cosmetics chain shut all of its UK stores and closed its website for the day in solidarity with people starving in Gaza.

In a statement on its website, the company said: Across the Lush business we share the anguish that millions of people feel seeing the images of starving people in Gaza, Palestine.

open image in gallery Constatine: I think being kind, being sympathetic, being compassionate is something were all capable of and all want to do in certain areas ( PA )

The business, which trades in more than 50 countries, said it had put messages in the windows of closed shops which read: Stop starving Gaza, we are closed in solidarity.

Speaking on the BBC podcast, Mr Constantine also criticised changes made by the government on inheritance tax, from 6 April 2026, which will see the removal of the full exemption for family businesses, with only the first 1m to be tax free.

They dont understand the strength of family businesses  and they have been sold a belief in a greedy culture, he said, adding there was a risk people would sell businesses rather than pay inheritance tax bills.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Conservationists have branded 2025 the year of the octopus after the eight-legged creatures were spotted in British waters in the highest numbers since the 1950s.

Rising temperatures and a warm breeding season led to record sightings of the octopus vulgaris (common or Mediterranean octopus) in south Cornwall and Devon, according to The Wildlife Trusts annual report.

The charity said it had been left flabbergasted by the incredible numbers of octopuses - which are native to UK waters but in such small numbers they are not normally seen - spotted during the year.

open image in gallery The common octopus has been spotted in record numbers in British waters ( Getty )

The invertebrates were filmed walking, cleaning themselves, mating, and even grabbing at an underwater camera, it added.

Around 233,000 octopuses were caught by local fishers in Cornwall this year - around 13 times the usual amount, Matt Slater, a marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, told The Guardian.

Exceptionally mild temperatures can lead to a bloom, or increase in the population, due to a warmer breeding season where larvae are more likely to survive. But a recording of this size has not been seen since 1950, the charity said.

It added it expected 2026 to see even higher numbers of octopuses prowling UK seas, with the World Meteorological Organisation predicting rising global temperatures over the next five years.

Octopus eggs are surviving our warming winters so we are likely to see a regular occurrence of octopus blooms in future years, it said in its annual report.

open image in gallery The common octopus is native to UK waters but not seen regularly ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

It added fisheries would need to adapt, as octopuses largely feed themselves on lobsters, crabs and shellfish.

The charity reported a number of other surprising marine discoveries over the year, including the first UK record of a pink-orange hair curler sea slug in Cornwall. Usually resident in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and western Atlantic coasts, sightings of the nudibranch Spurilla neapolitana had, until now, only been made as far north as Brest, France.

One of the worlds rarest sharks, an angelshark, was also spotted in Cardigan Bay, Wales. The critically endangered shark was caught on underwater cameras for the first time in four years.

Ruth Williams, head of marine at The Wildlife Trusts, said the year had been bookended by environmental disasters including the North Sea tanker collision in March and the release of tonnes of bio-beads off the Sussex coast in November.

Despite the years challenges, weve had moments of joy and wonder, she said. Our conservationists have celebrated successes such as the first signs of puffin breeding on the Isle of Muck and transplanted seagrass growing healthily off the Essex coast.

Theyve also been flabbergasted by the incredible numbers of octopuses recorded this year.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Campaigners have slammed the deliberately negligent treatment of an imprisoned Palestine Action activist who has refused to eat for 50 days, as they are taken to hospital.

Amu Gib is part of a group of Palestine Action activists who have been on hunger strike for months while awaiting trial for alleged break-ins or criminal damage.

Gib is imprisoned at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, charged with breaking into RAF Brize Norton and spray painting two RAF Voyager planes in support of Palestine Action.

But campaigners have criticised the prison and Governments handling of the situation and stressed that it is completely unacceptable to ignore this hunger strike and warned the hunger strikers will die without intervention.

Prisoners for Palestine said Gibs health has deteriorated rapidly since joining the hunger strike on 2 November and said the activist has been taken to hospital and now needs to use a wheelchair.

open image in gallery Amu Gib is part of a group of Palestine Action activists who have been on hunger strike and has been taken to hospital ( Prisoners For Palestine )

The campaign group said the prison had initially refused to give Gib access to a wheelchair, which resulted in them missing a GP appointment, and withheld the vitamin thiamine from Gib for days.

Gib was provided with a wheelchair on Friday and taken to hospital on Saturday.

It comes after Dr James Smith, an emergency physician who is a lecturer at University College London, said the group needed specialist medical help because they are dying.

At this trajectory, the hunger strikers will die unless there is urgent intervention by the Government. It is completely unacceptable and deliberately negligent to pretend the hunger strike is not happening, or to dismiss the prisoners demands, Prisoners for Palestine said.

They are in the custody of the state, and any harm that comes to them is a deliberate outcome of the Governments negligence and the politicisation of their detention, it added.

A loved one of Gib explained they have not had any information since 10am on Friday and have been left in the dark.

They said: We wouldnt know if Amu is in a coma or had a heart attack. Im the next of kin and its on Amus medical record that I am to be contacted in the event of their hospitalisation.

But its been complete agonising silence for 57 hours. Im furious and outraged that the prison was withholding thiamine from the hunger strikers, without which they are at high risk of brain damage.

Last week, Mr Corbyn wrote on Instagram to say he had visited Gib at prison and called for them to be granted bail.

Since the hunger strike began on 2 November, a total of seven prisoners have been taken to hospital.

Earlier in December, activists Jon Cink and Umar Khalid ended their 38-day and 12-day hunger strikes for health reasons, Prisoners For Palestine said; both were admitted to hospital and have since been discharged back to prison.

open image in gallery Kamran Ahmed 28, from London, is accused of breaking into the UK site of an Israel-based defence firm near Patchway, Bristol ( Prisoners For Palestine )

HMP Pentonville prisoner Kamran Ahmed, who has refused to eat for 42 days, said dying for his cause would be worthwhile in a telephone interview from his cell on Friday with The Sunday Times.

Ahmed, 28, from London, is accused of breaking into the UK site of an Israel-based defence firm near Patchway, Bristol, with sledgehammers in August 2024, causing 1 million of damage.

He told The Sunday Times: Every day Im scared that potentially I might die.

Ive been getting chest pains regularly There have been times where I felt like Im getting tasered  my bodys vibrating or shaking. Ill basically lose control of my feelings.

Ive been scared since the seventh day when my blood sugars dropped. The nurse said: Im scared youre not going to wake up (when you go to sleep). Please eat something.

But Im looking at the bigger picture of perhaps we can relieve oppression abroad and relieve the situations for my co-defendants Yes, Im scared of passing away. Yes, this may have lifelong implications. But I look at the risk versus reward. I see it as worthwhile.

Almost 900 health professionals have written to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, senior NHS officials and senior prison officials to call for the activities to get medical attention.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said the rules and procedures are being followed, after facing questions in the Commons about why his ministers had refused to meet with representatives of those striking.

Prisons minister Lord Timpson has previously said the service is very experienced at dealing with hunger strikes and has robust and working systems in place and the Prison Service will not be meeting any prisoners or their representatives.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump for what will likely be their final phone call of 2025.

The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the appointment of a new ambassador to Washington DC when they spoke on Sunday afternoon, according to No 10.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon. The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities.

Turning to the Middle East, the leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump during a press conference at Chequers, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire (Leon Neal/PA) ( PA Wire )

The prime minister also updated Trump on the appointment of the new British Ambassador to the U.S., Dr Christian Turner, before wishing each other a Merry Christmas.

The appointment of Mr Turner will further deepen the relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister is said to have told Mr Trump, who spoke to Sir Keir from Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Florida.

Veteran diplomat Mr Turner, currently the UKs permanent representative to the United Nations, will take the job vacated by Lord Mandelson, who was sacked by Sir Keir in September after the extent of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.

Sir Keir has cultivated a strong personal relationship with Trump and he usually goes out of his way to avoid speaking negatively of the US president.

But recently the prime minister said he would not allow someone talk to his daughter in the way Trump spoke to a reporter and used the language quiet piggy.

The US president had made the offensive remark on board Air Force One last month to reporter Catherine Lucey when she tried to ask him a question relating to Epstein before the US president started to wave a finger in her face.

The call comes after the US said it would offer Ukraine Nato-style protections, with Trump claiming they are closer now than we have been, ever towards an agreement on a peace deal for Ukraine.

Kremlin official, Kirill Dmitriev, said peace plan talks with the US were pressing on "constructively" in Florida after he met with US President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner in Miami on Saturday.

The US president was also involved in brokering the deal between Israel and Hamas, which promised to end Israels military campaign in Gaza and the return of all the hostages, which have been returned. But authorities in Gaza say nearly 400 people, including children, have been killed by Israeli gunfire since the ceasefire was put in place.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Two teenagers have died and another is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, after a car collided with a tree in Surrey.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, following the fatal collision in Hurst Green.

Officers were called to Holland Road shortly before 10pm on Saturday night following reports of a serious collision involving a white Tesla ploughing into a tree.

One man in his late teens sadly died at the scene, and a second died later in hospital. Both families have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A third teenager remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

The driver of the Tesla was taken to hospital with serious injuries and Surrey Police is now appealing for witnesses.

In a statement Surrey Police said: A 30-year-old man from Oxted has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Holland Road remains closed between the junction with Popes Lane and the junction with Warren Lane whilst officers carry out enquiries. It is expected to remain closed for several hours. Please avoid the area.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this collision to get in touch.

We are also seeking CCTV, dashcam, or helmet cam footage that may have captured all or part of this incident.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

CCTV footage shows the last recorded movements of a missing teenager who vanished eight days ago.

Tom Dingle, 19, from Appley Bridge, Lancashire, was last seen on CCTV on Mill Lane in the village heading towards the Boathouse pub in the early hours of Saturday 13th December.

His mother Susan Dingle, 56, said the Lancaster University student was "in a vulnerable state of mind" following a bereavement.

In a moving statement his mother Ms Dingle said: We just want him home as soon as possible.

Weve even put a note on the front door so he knows he can just walk in. Were just here to love and protect him, thats all.

Tom Dingle, 19, from Appley Bridge, Lancashire, was last seen on CCTV on Mill Lane in the village heading towards the Boathouse pub ( Ormskirk and Rural West Lancs Police )

Tom is in a vulnerable state of mind following a traumatic event. He is grieving very much.

My husband Peter and I, and Toms older brother, are going out of our minds with worry that something may have happened to him.

We just want our baby back, thats all.

Tom is 5ft 10in with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black Carhartt jacket, black jeans and black Doc Martin shoes and carrying a backpack over his shoulder.

Lancashire Police are appealing to the public for dashcam footage taken from the area between 12.30am and 3am on 13 December.

We want to reassure you that our searches and enquiries are very much ongoing and we are doing everything in our powers to find Tom, Lancashire Police said.

We know people are really keen to help find Tom and what we really need from the public is dashcam footage from the area between 12.30am and 3am on 13th December, when we know there were quite a few vehicles in the area, a spokesperson added.

Officers ask people to call 999 if they see Tom or if to call 101 quoting log 0120 to share information or footage that could help locate the teenager.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The demonisation of migrants can hurt UK citizens and make their lives very, very difficult, the new chair of Britain's equalities watchdog has warned.

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said those from ethnic minorities were being affected as she also warned against the mistake of leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a policy backed by Reform UK and the Conservatives.

Nearly 250 refugee charities called for a move away from the demonising language of the past as they condemned the anti-migrant violence of last August, which saw rioters storm hotels housing asylum seekers.

Protests outside an asylum hotel in Rotherham ( Getty Images )

Dr Stephenson said: "I think it's really important that we have honesty in the way that we talk about human rights, and that we also have a recognition that the demonisation of migrants, the creating this idea that migration causes huge risks for the country can make the lives not just of migrants to the UK, but of ethnic minority UK citizens, very, very difficult."

She hit out at what she said was a "real risk of people using, quite often, cases where human rights arguments were made in court but were not successful", in an interview with the Press Association.

She pointed to research from the University of Oxford earlier this year that highlighted "several high-profile examples of misleading coverage, including the so-called chicken nuggets case  widely reported as the prevention of an individual's deportation on the basis of his child's dislike of foreign food, despite the decision not being based on this detail and having already been overturned".

She also highlighted positive cases of the use of ECHR, including the John Worboys black cab rapist case, in which the Supreme Court ruled that police can be held liable for serious failures in their investigations.

Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have said they would quit the ECHR as part of efforts to tackle immigration, amid claims it hampers efforts to deport illegal migrants.

The government has rejected calls to leave the treaty but ministers are reviewing human rights law to make it easier to deport people who have no right to be in the UK.

Earlier this month the head of the body that oversees the ECHR said member states had taken an "important first step by agreeing to look at reform of the treaty to tackle migration.

Sir Keir Starmer had urged Europes leaders to re-examine how the major human rights treaty was interpreted to tackle illegal migration and see off the rise of the far right.

Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset said that the treaty, which he described as a "living instrument", is possible to adapt and work will begin to adopt the new political declaration in Moldova in May 2026.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A coalition of leading charities, advocates and MPs has backed a letter from the editor-in-chief of The Independent, Geordie Greig, urging Sir Keir Starmer to protect UK funding for the global HIV response  or risk missing the incredible opportunity to end the Aids pandemic within the next few years.

In 2024, the world was on track to end the pandemic by 2030, but devastating aid cuts from rich countries this year, including the UK and the US, have thrown this prospect into doubt.

The Elton John Aids Foundation, the National Aids Trust, Medecins Sans Frontieres and the STOPAids coalition are among the groups backing The Independents call for funding to be protected.

Despite being so close to the finishing line, failure to maintain global funding and progress means we could return to the height of the crisis two decades ago, when people were dying en masse, and healthcare systems around the world were overwhelmed, the letter states.

The UK is slashing its total foreign aid funding by 40 per cent in order to spend more on defence. As part of this move, the government last month announced a 15 per cent cut to the Global Fund, the leading international provider of HIV prevention and treatment, which could cost 255,000 lives over the next three years.

By the end of January, the Foreign Office is expected to confirm where further cuts will fall over the next three years, with crucial decisions still to be made.

Alongside the charities, MPs including Sir Andrew Mitchell, the former international development secretary, and David Mundell, co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on HIV/Aids, have also backed the call to protect vital funds and save lives.

open image in gallery The staff at this HIV/Aids clinic in Jinja, Uganda, had to work for free after losing all their US funding  amid a fear of running out of drugs ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

Despite the cut to the Global Fund, advocates still welcomed the UKs significant commitment to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria of 850m. Mike Podmore, chief executive of STOPAids, the network of UK agencies working on the global response to HIV, said this contribution was really important.

But he said more funding was needed for three critical institutions in the global HIV response: the United Nations agency UNAids; medicines access agency Unitaid; and the Robert Carr Fund, which ensures marginalised people most affected by HIV are included.

To maintain current funding levels, the government would need to commit around 200m over three years.

Unless global HIV funding is protected, there will be more than 4 million additional deaths and infections by 2030, according to the latest UN estimates.

Earlier this month, Sir Keir pledged to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030. Building on this commitment, the letter urges the prime minister to extend this to the rest of the world and lead the way in ending Aids by 2030.

Mr Mundell, a Conservative MP, said the ambition to end new HIV transmissions was a rare global goal that could actually be achieved by 2030: When weve come so far, we dont want to give up on that possibility.

Theres a relatively straightforward solution to preventing lots of people dying or suffering. Most people are sympathetic to that. But in the most basic terms, were seeking to prevent infections coming into our own country and then having a significant impact on our health service.

open image in gallery The Independents editor-in-chief speaks at a parliamentary event on UK government funding to fight the global HIV pandemic ( Joanne Davidson for The Independent )

Sir Andrew added: Decades before Covid, the emergence of HIV/Aids sent health systems spinning and sparked terrifying public awareness campaigns.

No one imagined at the time that a cure could be found fast enough, but the UK invested heavily in the global quest to find one, with near miraculous progress followed. What was once a death sentence is today eminently survivable with the right treatment.

Now, though, he added: Budget cuts are threatening to undo the progress we have made globally with some forecasts portending a massive surge in deaths over the next few years.

We simply cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal. We have a real chance to make Aids history, and we will look back in shame and ignominy if Britain now fails to play its hitherto vital role.

Mr Podmore said the timeline for potentially conquering the virus was so short: Were signing the letter because its an incredible opportunity for the UK government to commit to an investing hope and the very real possibility of ending Aids in five years time.

In a global context of conflict and challenge, ending one of the worlds worst pandemics is a win. That would really inspire us all and show what true global collaboration can do. This is a critical time for decision-making by the UK government.

As well as protecting funding, The Independents letter is calling on the UK government to fund the new HIV innovations that make this goal a realistic possibility.

John Plastow, chief executive of UK-based global HIV charity Frontline Aids, said new long-acting prevention drugs, are potential game changers that could help us achieve our mission of ending Aids.

But we need investment to ensure the communities most affected by HIV can access those technologies.

One such drug, lenacapavir, can block virtually all HIV infections and hit the market earlier this year. However, experts are concerned the jab  which is the closest thing we have to an HIV vaccine  wont reach enough people to turn the tide amid funding cuts.

open image in gallery Lenacapavir prevents between 96 and 100 per cent of HIV infections and could help end the pandemic ( AP )

Stepping back now would be a catastrophic error: progress would stall, the number of people dying of Aids-related illnesses and newly acquiring HIV would rise, and years of gains risk being reversed, Mr Plastow said.

With this modest but strategic commitment, set out in the letter, he said, the UK can help turn the promise of ending Aids by 2030 into reality.

The letter follows a roundtable hosted in parliament by The Independent and the cross-party group of MPs working to promote the rights of people living with HIV.

This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Dear Prime Minister,

We urge you to protect the remaining British funding for the global HIV response, including for game-changing new drugs, in order to seize the incredible opportunity to end the Aids pandemic within the next few years.

Building on your commitment to end HIV transmissions in the UK within a generation, we urge you to extend this to the rest of the world and lead the way in ending Aids by 2030.

In 2024, the world was on track to meet this target. But this year has seen unprecedented international aid cuts from multiple countries, which have put this progress at risk.

Unless global HIV funding is protected, there will be more than four million additional deaths and infections by 2030  and a doubling of the number of medication-resistant strains, bringing new dangers to all of us.

Despite being so close to the finishing line, failure to maintain global funding and progress means we could return to the height of the crisis two decades ago. Then, people were dying en masse and healthcare systems around the world were overwhelmed.

The UKs recent pledge of 850m to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria is a significant commitment to the global response. However, the UK pledge was still a 150m reduction on its previous pledge in 2022, which could cost an additional 255,000 lives over the next three years.

In the coming weeks, your government will confirm funding decisions for three small but critical global institutions to fulfil essential roles in the global HIV response: UNAids, Unitaid and the Robert Carr Fund.

A combined contribution needed for these institutions over the next three years from the UK would cost less than 1.30 per adult per year.

We call on you to:

1. Champion as a British priority the goal of ending Aids globally by 2030 and the new HIV innovations, such as lenacapavir, that make this goal a realistic possibility.

2. Provide sufficient funding for UNAids, Unitaid and the Robert Carr Fund.

3. Ensure British funding is directed where it is most needed: to communities most impacted by HIV.

Yours sincerely,

Geordie Greig

Editor-in-chief, The Independent

Signed by:

Anne Aslett  CEO, Elton John Aids Foundation

Baroness Barker  Liberal Democrat peer

Paula Barker MP  Labour MP

Lorraine Beavers  Labour MP

Lord Guy Black  Conservative peer

Sian Berry  Green MP

Lord Cashman  Labour peer

Ellie Chowns  Green MP

Simon Cooke  CEO, MSI Choices

Susan Cole  Phoenix Health Movement CIC

Robbie Currie  CEO, National AIDS Trust

Nick Dearden  director, Global Justice Now

Carla Denyer  Green MP

Charlie Gamble  CEO, Tackle Africa

Amanda Hack  Labour MP

Patrick Kinemo  Tanzania country director, MSI Choices

Sir Andrew Mitchell  Conservative MP

David Mundell  Conservative MP

Kate Osborne  Labour MP

John Plastow  executive director, Frontline Aids

Mike Podmore  CEO, StopAIDS

Adrian Ramsay  Green MP

Bell Ribeiro-Addy  Labour MP

Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury  Labour peer

Charles SSonko  infectious diseases lead, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Dr Alice Welbourn  founding director, Salamander Trust

Nadia Whittome  Labour MP
Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Rachel Reeves has received a new blow after new figures revealed that UK economic growth slowed in the third quarter of the year.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the economy grew by an unrevised 0.1 per cent between July and September, while expansion was weaker than first thought in the second quarter, according to official figures.

The ONS confirmed growth slowed in the third quarter after the cyber attack at Jaguar Land Rover knocked activity in the manufacturing sector.

When Labour won power, Ms Reeves promised that the governments number one mission was to deliver higher economic growth.

But after two Budgets, she has been accused of bringing in anti-growth measures, including tax hikes.

The ONS said that output was also worse than first thought in the previous three months, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 0.2 per cent in the three months to June, revised down from the previous estimate of 0.3 per cent growth.

Reeves arrived as chancellor promising higher economic growth ( Getty )

The ONS also revised up growth for the final quarter of last year, to 0.3 per cent from 0.2 per cent previously recorded, although the out-turn for 2024 as a whole was left unchanged at 1.1 per cent growth.

Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said: Todays updated figures paint the same picture as our initial estimate, with growth continuing to slow in the third quarter.

Growth in services were partially offset by falls in production, with a marked drop in car manufacturing.

Despite the second quarter revision, the UK economy remained the joint fastest growing economy in the G7 group of countries, alongside Japan, with growth of 0.9 per cent, followed by the US.

A Downing Street spokesman denied that the economic news for the UK is all bad.

On economic growth, he said: We are, course, always seeking to do more on growth. The economy has grown faster than expected this year, and most forecasts have been upgraded.

The spokesman added: Living standards dropped last parliament that were working to improve them. Real wages have risen more in the last year than in the first 10 years of the previous government.

This Budget included help with energy bills, prescription fees, fuel duty and rail fares are expected to help lower inflation next year.

Inflation fell to 3.2 per cent in November, and lower interest rates, six of them so far since the election, will help people and businesses borrow and spend and we've also raised the national living wage, giving full time low earners 900 more a year, and those on the national minimum wage at 1500 more a year.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Doctors have warned the health secretary Wes Streeting that there must be less name-calling and more deal-making to avoid another round of damaging NHS strikes in 2026.

The BMA pressed ahead with a five-day walkout last week after it rejected an offer from the government that did not include improved pay.

In the run-up to the industrial action, the health secretary had condemned the resident doctors union, the British Medical Association (BMA), as self-indulgent and dangerous, accusing them of juvenile delinquency, amid surging flu rates.

Wes Streeting says the double whammy of strike action and flu has posed the most serious threat to the NHS since he became health secretary ( PA )

Mr Streeting has said he wants to end the dispute and that ministers will resume discussions with the BMA in the new year.

As the strike came to an end, he also said he was concerned about the coming days.

Mr Streeting told The Observer on Sunday: The period that worries me ... is the post-strike period when we have to try and recover the service. That now falls at a time of year which is the NHSs busiest."

The BMA said it was now asking the health secretary to enter new talks with a constructive spirit.

The chair of the resident doctors committee, Dr Jack Fletcher, said: 2026 must see less name-calling and more deal-making. What we need is a proper fix to this jobs crisis and a credible path towards restoring the lost value of the profession. That must mean the creation of genuinely new jobs, and it could involve a responsible multi-year approach to restoring doctors pay.

He added: The tone of the conversations we had at the eleventh hour before these strikes was cause for optimism that the government is finally understanding the frustrations of resident doctors in England. We are going into the new year with a renewed can-do spirit, and we hope Mr Streeting will do the same.

Resident doctors are being asked to ballot for six months more industrial action.

Mr Streeting said that the double whammy of strike action and flu had posed the most serious threat to the NHS since he took the job.

He thanked all the NHS staff who kept services running through an exceptionally challenging month, saying that they had made a real difference.

He added: I do not want to see a single day of industrial action in the NHS in 2026 and will be doing everything I can to make this a reality. My door remains open, as it always has done, and Im determined to resume discussions with the BMA in the new year to put an end to these damaging cycles of disruption.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.

The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.

At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 kilometers (210 miles) from where the mass shooting took place on Dec. 6.

An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.

The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis, police said in statement.

The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.

Police have since launched a search for the suspects.

The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024  an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.

The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.

According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Betty Reid Soskin, who became a national figure as the oldest-serving National Park Service ranger and used her platform to illuminate the African American experience during the Second World War, has died at the age of 104.

Her family and the park service confirmed her passing via social media, stating she was surrounded by loved ones at her California home on Sunday. Her cause of death was not disclosed.

The park service paid tribute, saying, "She was a powerful voice for sharing her personal experiences, highlighting untold stories, and honoring the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II Home Front. Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty."

A long-time community activist, Soskin was 85 when she was hired as an interpretive ranger at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California.

This site, located at a former shipyard, commemorates American civilians, including the women who contributed to war-related industries on the home front. Soskin played a crucial role in the park's development, working as a state legislative aide to ensure the often-overlooked contributions of Black men and women were included in its narrative.

Her advocacy highlighted events such as the July 1944 explosion at Port Chicago, where 202 Black sailors, assigned to a segregated unit loading munitions, were killed.

The subsequent refusal of 50 survivors to continue working under unsafe conditions led to their court-martial and mutiny convictions, exposing systemic racial inequality within the Navy. Soskin, who worked as a clerk for an all-Black boilermakers union in Richmond, championed the stories of the "non Rosies"  those who were denied the opportunity to build battleships due to their skin color.

open image in gallery Rosie the Riveter represents the white womans experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work, she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek ( Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

"Rosie the Riveter represents the white womans experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work," she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek. "I had never understood that I had been involved in the building of the ships. Because at the time, I was 20 years old. I didnt realize what my role was until I began to go back and recount it for others. It was rather amazing."

Her weekly lectures at the park drew significant audiences and garnered national attention, including an invitation to introduce then-President Barack Obama at the 2015 Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In 2008, Glamour Magazine named her one of its women of the year.

Social media tributes poured in following her death, with many describing her as an "amazing woman" and a "jewel of the park system."

Born in 1921, Soskin led a remarkably varied life, described by her family as a mother, musician, author, political activist, wife, record store owner, songwriter, painter, grandmother, great-grandmother, and prolific blogger. Her family posted that she had led "a fully packed life and was ready to leave."

open image in gallery Rosie the Riveter represents the white womans experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work, she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek ( Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Her 2018 autobiography, "Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life," explored her nine decades of living through extraordinary historical moments. These included opening Reids Records, an influential Black-owned record store in Berkeley with her first husband, Mel Reid, and becoming the first Black family to live in suburban Walnut Creek. Despite a cross being burned on their lawn, her family refused to move.

She noted that the same community later elected her as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention, remarking: "That is how fast social change occurred."

Soskin retired on March 31, 2022. "I became a ranger when most people retire so I had no idea what it required of me, but it opened up a lot of opportunities that would have been closed to me otherwise," she wrote in her essay. While a public memorial has yet to be announced, her family has suggested donations to the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, California, which was renamed in her honour.

She had visited the school in September for her birthday, greeted by cheering children. Soskin is survived by two of her four children, Bob and Dorian Reid.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

At least one person has died after severe flooding hit Northern California, with more bad weather on the way during Christmas week.

The floods killed one person and the weather system that caused the flood dumped as much as six inches of rain in Shasta County, according to Redding Mayor Mike Littau.

Littau did not provide further details about the death.

The dangerous weather continued throughout Sunday night, The New York Times reports. Several counties in Northern California were under a flood warning on Sunday evening, and most of Central California was under a flood watch through Friday.

The heaviest rain and flooding over the weekend was in Shasta County on Sunday. Emergency workers received multiple reports of submerged vehicles and first responders had to rescue some residents who became trapped due to the floods.

open image in gallery A flooded overpass is seen at night in California's Shasta County. Flooding  brought on by atmospheric rivers  in the region left one person in Redding dead. Another atmospheric river is expected to hit the region on Wendnesday ( CHP - Redding/Facebook )

One Redding resident, Jan Bodine, 56, told the Times that she was at home on her couch when the floodwaters rushed in through one of her doors. In the span of an hour, her Christmas presents, clothes, and the floors in all of her rooms had been soaked and, in some case,s destroyed by the water.

She told the paper that she did not own flood insurance as it was too expensive.

I dont know what I am going to do, she said.

In another harrowing incident, firefighters from Truckee were called out to use a ladder to help reach residents stranded on a flooded house near the South Yuba River.

No injuries were reported in that situation.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office shared photos of one deputy with the Swiftwater Rescue Team who was chest-deep in water that appeared to be flooding a typical suburban street.

The sheriff's office warned residents not to try crossing flood roadways, noting that the water was "swift and cold and can quickly become overwhelming and life threatening."

According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, a series of warm atmospheric rivers brought the rain and flooding to the area.

Atmospheric rivers are  like rivers  narrow, long bands of water. But rather than liquid water, the bands are made up of water vapor. They form over the ocean and carry moisture from the warm tropics into the north.

open image in gallery A picture shows dirty floodwaters filling the streets of Northern California's Redding community. Atmospheric river systems dumped a months worth of rain on Redding in the span of just two days ( Redding Police Department/Facebook )

The systems can bring huge amounts of water to regions that typically might not see that level of inundation. In Redding, a month's worth of rain fell on the city just between Saturday and Sunday.

Despite a brief reprieve on Monday, more rain may be on the way for Northern California this week.

Heavy and potentially flooding rain will fall on Tuesday in Northern California, particularly in the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, according to CNN.

Then another atmospheric river is expected to slam the majority of California beginning on Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday.

More than 17 million people in Southern California  including Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara residents  have been put under a Level 3 flooding rain threat, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A Virginia family flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from the United States to Europe claims their pricey business-class seats were crawling with bed bugs, which feasted upon the four of them en route and ruined their trip.

As soon as ophthalmologist Romulo Albuquerque and wife Lisandra Garcia realized what was happening, they immediately alerted the flight attendants, who urged them to keep their voices down to avoid a panic on the airplane, according to a federal lawsuit reviewed by The Independent.

The bites produced large red welts on the childrens necks, torsos, legs and arms, the familys complaint states. Mrs. Garcia had similar rashes on her lower back and legs, and Mr. Albuquerque had a rash on his neck and torso.

Due to the visible marks on their skin and unrelenting itchy feeling, Albuquerque, Garcia, and their two sons were unable to enjoy their vacation, according to the complaint filed Thursday in Roanoke federal court.

It says the marks did not begin to fade until after the Albuquerque family returned home to Roanoke.

To this day, the complaint contends, Mrs. Garcia has scars on her lower back where she was bitten.

open image in gallery A Virginia family says their vacation was over before it even began, thanks to an alleged bed bug infestation aboard their plane. Now they're suing over their ruined trip ( US District Court for the Western District of Virginia; Getty Images )

The family booked their tickets through Delta; the flight was a code-share operated by KLM, on a KLM aircraft. Both carriers are named as defendants in the suit.

Attorneys Matt Broughton and Jared Tuck, who are representing the Albuquerques, told The Independent that their firm tried to settle the issue without going to court but that KLM and Delta have continued to ignore their attempts.

Therefore, we filed suit to assert this deserving familys legal rights, and we will continue to move forward until the family is treated fairly for what happened to them, they said.

In an email on Friday, Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant emphasized that the allegations at issue relate to flights not operated by Delta Air Lines, and said the airline will review the complaint and respond accordingly in due course.

A KLM spokeswoman said the company was unable to comment on the specific allegations at this time, but will take it up via the appropriate legal channels.

open image in gallery Lisandra Garcia, Romulo Albuquerque, and their two children, before they realized they were getting eaten alive by bed bugs. ( US District Court for the Western District of Virginia )

On March 21, the Albuquerques departed Roanoke aboard Delta flight DL 5087, touching down about 90 minutes later at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the complaint explains. There, they would catch a KLM flight to Amsterdam, then connect to Belgrade, the familys final destination.

The four were going to visit family and friends in the Serbian capital, and Albuquerque, a frequent flyer with Delta, had booked the tickets, with a face value of $8,800, through the carriers SkyMiles program, according to the complaint.

The first leg of the journey went by without issue, the complaint continues. Next, it says, they boarded flight DL 9667 to Amsterdam, with Albuquerque and Garcia in seats 12H and 12K and their children seated in the row directly behind them.

Approximately two hours into the flight, Mrs. Garcia began feeling like bugs were crawling on her and that she was being bitten, the complaint states. It was at this point that she realized that bugs were crawling on her light-colored sweater.

When they notified the cabin crew, they shushed the pair so as not to cause a commotion, the complaint alleges. So, it goes on, the two snapped photos and took videos of the insects on Garcias clothing and in the creases of their seats.

During the flight, everyone in the Albuquerque family was bitten multiple times by the bugs that had infested the planes cabin, according to the complaint, which specifies that the bugs were indeed bed bugs. Prior to landing in Amsterdam, the flight attendants again urged Dr. Albuquerque and Mrs. Garcia not to tell anyone about the infestation because, if they did so, they would miss their connecting flight to Serbia.

open image in gallery The Albuquerque family says they were bitten all over, and are now seeking $200,000 from Delta and KLM. ( US District Court for the Western District of Virginia )

The flight attendants gave the family plastic bags for their personal belongings, and they boarded another KLM plane for the two-and-a-half-hour flight to Belgrade, the complaint says. When they sat down, the four were still feeling the discomfort and incessant itchiness of the bug bites, according to the complaint.

After arriving at their destination, the Albuquerques washed all of their clothing in boiling water in an attempt to kill the remaining bed bugs. A doctor friend advised them how to treat the discomfort of the multitude of bites, which covered expansive swaths of their skin, but the recovery process was slow, and wrecked the familys trip, the complaint states.

A week later, the Albuquerques took their kids to a pediatric clinic, which prescribed topical steroids and an antihistamine, according to the complaint. It says a doctor there confirmed the bites were from bed bugs, and recommended the family deploy bug bombs in their home and car, to ensure they killed any remaining insects.

The doctor also provided the children with notes indicating that they could return to school, noting that they were not contagious despite the visible bite marks and welts on their skin, the complaint states. As a direct and proximate result of the bite marks and rashes, [the children] suffered great embarrassment at school.

The Albuquerques do not know if the KLM crew ever told any other passengers about the alleged infestation, the complaint maintains. However, it says, they later learned that the flight attendants submitted a formal grievance about it to KLM.

open image in gallery Photos of the bed bugs, taken by the Albuquerque family, aboard the flight they say ruined their vacation ( US District Court for the Western District of Virginia )

Bed bugs aboard aircraft are more common on planes than people like to admit, one expert told Fortune earlier this year after Turkish Airlines passengers said they had found bed bugs on their planes. You get a lot of bedbugs and dust mites just because people are sitting on fabric. I mean realistically, it's a haven for them.

Last year, a passenger flying American Airlines from New York City to Detroit went viral on Reddit after claiming they discovered a bed bug crawling up their leg.

Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention, recommends travelers choose a window seat over an aisle, because the odds of being exposed to bed bugs by other passengers walking by is lower.

Theres just less traffic over there, she told Fodors Travel.

As a result of their own bites, the Albuquerques have suffered rashes, discomfort, itching, pain and suffering, inconvenience, anxiety, mental anguish, anger, fear, humiliation and embarrassment, their complaint states. They have also incurred medical expenses to treat their injuries, and due to medical concerns had to dispose of their infested clothing and personal items.

The family is now seeking compensatory damages of $200,000, plus interest.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Guests dining at an upscale Wisconsin restaurant had an unexpected visitor during their meal when a raccoon fell through the ceiling and bit a customer.

The pesky raccoon got loose inside the Grand Geneva Resorts Ristorante Brissago in Lake Geneva, about 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee, around 7:30 p.m. on December 14, according to WDJT.

After the creature fell through the ceiling and landed in the dining room, a guest attempted to catch it and was bitten.

Walworth County Sheriffs deputies were called to the restaurant and found the animal barricaded in a corner of a back dining room. Authorities put a trash can over the creature to contain it. Body camera footage showed the officers discussing using a Taser on the raccoon before deciding against it.

Guests dining at a Wisconsin restaurant saw a raccoon fall through the ceiling into the dining room and it bit a guest who tried to catch the creature. ( Getty/iStock )

Matt Snorek, who owns Guaranteed Gone Wildlife Control, used a dog catch pole and cage to trap the raccoon.

We dont know how this raccoon got there, Snorek told Fox 6 Now. Phone rang, it was the resort in Lake Geneva. They said, Hey, do you do wildlife control? I said yes.

Snorek described the raccoon as being large and aggressive.

It was quite a large raccoon. So he was on it for the 25 minutes I was on the way there as this thing was brawling, scratching, hissing, Snorek said.

While the situation may seem bizarre, Snorek says calls involving wildlife entering buildings happen during Midwest winters.

When it gets brutally cold like it was these last two days, its not uncommon to get these calls for raccoons going into a structure, he said.

Since the raccoon bit someone, officials euthanized it and tested it for rabies. The Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, told Fox 6 Now that the raccoon was negative for the disease.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

With three years left in President Donald Trumps second term, half of Americans are already thinking about the 2028 presidential election, a new poll found.

Just 22 percent of U.S. adults said theyve thought about the 2028 election a lot while 28 percent said theyd considered it some, a new CNN-SSRS poll, taken from December 4 through 7, found. Still, two-thirds said they didnt have a specific person theyd like to see run for president, while one-third named specific candidates.

On the Republican side, 11 percent said they wanted Vice President JD Vance to launch a bid in 2028, while 2 percent named Secretary of State Marco Rubio and 1 percent named Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Another 1 percent also picked Donald Trump  who, despite his flirtations with running for a third term, is barred from running again due to the 22nd Amendment.

Across the aisle, California Governor Gavin Newsom led the pack with 6 percent mentioning him, followed by former Vice President Kamala Harris with 3 percent, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with 2 percent and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 1 percent.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump may have three years left in office, but half of Americans are already thinking about the 2028 presidential election, a new poll found ( REUTERS/Mike Blake / AP Photo/Jon Cherry/ AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson / )

Like Trump, 1 percent also mentioned former President Barack Obama, who equally cant run again. That same percentage also named his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

Overall, 16 percent named a Republican or conservative candidate while 14 percent named a Democratic or liberal candidate. Only one respondent named both a Republican and a Democrat for a potential 2028 run: Mitt Romney or Mark Kelly, CNN reported.

The group that didnt have a specific candidate in mind was asked what they believed the most important traits, attributes or views the next president should have. The responses were open-ended.

Honesty was the top response, with 12 percent saying they hoped the future president is truthful and doesnt lie. Meanwhile, 9 percent of respondents said they wished the next president were compassionate, empathetic and cared about people.

The poll also tracked the top issues mentioned by this group. Affordability and cost-of-living ranked at the top of the list, with 6 percent of respondents mentioning it. Then followed America first or an interest in the U.S. over foreign affairs, which 3 percent of people said. The topics of healthcare, foreign policy, and federal spending each earned 2 percent of the mentions.

open image in gallery One percent of respondents mentioned they wanted President Donald Trump to run in 2018. The president has flirted with running for a third term, even though the Constitution bars him from doing so ( Getty Images )

Even before reclaiming the White House, Trump has teased running for president again  even offering Trump 2028 hats  and some close to him have insisted he could circumvent the 22nd Amendment.

In October, Trump refused to rule out another presidential bid. I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever, he told reporters on Air Force One at the time. The presidents remarks came one week after his ally Steve Bannon claimed there was a plan for Trump to be re-elected in 2028.

Two days after his comments on Air Force One, the president walked back on his remarks, admitting the Constitution is pretty clear that he wasnt allowed to run again.

Still, Bannon doubled down. He said on his War Room show in November that he believed you can drive a Mack truck through the 22nd Amendment, citing a "top constitutional lawyer."

This month, Trump was still muddying the waters. At the White House Christmas party, he conceded has just a "little more than three years" left of his term  just days after he posted an AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social holding up a sign that read: Trump 2028, yes!

In an explosive Vanity Fair interview this month, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles explicitly said Trump wouldnt run again, noting that he understands the 22nd Amendment prohibits him from running for a third term.

But he sure is having fun with it, Wiles said, adding that he knows its driving people crazy.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

California Representative Robert Garcia urged FBI and Department of Justice employees who are angry about the Trump administrations redactions of the Epstein files to come forward  noting there are whistleblower protections to ensure the truth gets out.

Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, slammed the Trump administration for saying for months that the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were ready to be released  only to heavily redact the materials and miss the legal deadline for releasing them in full.

To spend this entire period of time, the last few months, claiming that you have the files ready to be released... And then this all-out effort to hide them from the public, to stop the will of Congress, to not answer the oversight subpoena. What they need to understand is that there are hundreds of FBI agents and others that are good American patriots that have worked to put these files together. They know what is in them, Garcia said Sunday on MS NOW.

Garcia urged anyone at the FBI or Department of Justice who worked on the Epstein files  who believes their work is currently being hidden  to come forward to the Oversight Committee.

If you are a whistleblower at the FBI, at the Department of Justice, if you worked hard to put the files together and are seeing your work now being hidden by your own Department of Justice, contact the Oversight Committee, Garcia said.

open image in gallery Rep. Robert Garcia urged FBI and Department of Justice whistleblowers to come forward to the Oversight Committee, urging those with knowledge of what the files related to Jeffrey Epstein contained to speak with lawmakers ( Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images )

The California Democrat continued: We have whistleblower protections. We want to make sure that the truth gets out, that the survivors are protected.

We are hearing from folks across our government who have seen or know what are in these files, and we want you to know that you will be protected. We want that information and the American public deserves the truth, he concluded.

At least 16 files disappeared Saturday from the Justice Departments public webpage for documents related to Epstein  including a photograph showing Trump  less than a day after they were posted.

The missing files, which were available Friday and no longer accessible by Saturday, included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showing a series of photographs on top of a desk and in drawers.

In that image, inside a drawer, among other photos, was a photograph of President Donald Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Epsteins longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

open image in gallery Included in the files taken off the website Saturday was a photo that featured Trump ( DOJ )

The unexpectedly missing files fueled online speculation over what was taken down, and what may be being covered up as a result.

The Trump administration has received backlash from both sides of the aisle after Congress ordered the Justice Department to release all files related to the Epstein case by Friday, and the department only made a small fraction of the materials publicly available.

The files released Friday offered sparse new information about disgraced financier Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting his sex trafficking trial.

Fresh accusations of a cover-up have since emerged after the photograph featuring the president was taken down from the Epstein files library over the weekend.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

George Conway, a lawyer and prominent critic of President Donald Trump, has filed to run for Congress in New York as a Democrat, entering an already crowded race.

Paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday indicates Conway plans to run for the 12th congressional seat, which is being vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler.

Conway was previously a conservative whose ex-wife, Kellyanne, served as a senior aide to Trump during his first term.

George is a seasoned fighter against Trump and Trumpism, and hes considering taking that fight to Congress, a source close to Conway told NBC News. Today, he filed paperwork that is a prerequisite to run. He will have more to say in the new year after the holidays.

Conway, 62, hinted at his congressional bid during a recent episode of his podcast on The Bulwark, where he announced his departure from the show to undertake the next chapter of his career.

open image in gallery Trump critic George Conway has entered the race for Congress in New York, joining a crowded field that also includes JFKs grandson ( AFP/Getty )

He said it will be either the stupidest thing Ive ever done, or the best thing. Well see.

He joins about a dozen other candidates competing to represent the district, which covers a large section of Manhattan. Among those running are Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, gun safety activist Cameron Kasky, and state Assemblyman Micah Lasher.

The Democratic primary will be held in June, followed by the general election in November.

Conways choice to run as a Democrat highlights his shift away from the Republican Party in recent years.

The Yale Law School graduate began his career by working on prominent conservative cases, including by representing Paula Jones in her lawsuit against President Bill Clinton, which garnered significant media attention.

Conway was offered a role in Trumps first administration, though he declined to accept it, according to Politico. His ex-wife, Kellyanne Conway, managed Trumps 2016 campaign and she later served as a White House counselor.

Shortly after Trump entered office, Conways relationship with the president soured, and the pair frequently exchanged barbs on social media.

Trump described Conway as a "whack job" and a "husband from hell, prompting Conway to call the president nuts.

open image in gallery In 2023, George Conway divorced Kellyanne Conway, who served as a White House counselor during Trumps first term ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Since then, Conway has consistently criticized Trump on X, where he has amassed more than 2 million followers, and he regularly appears on cable news to bash the president.

In 2019, Conway co-founded The Lincoln Project, a political action committee committed to supporting Republicans who opposed Trumps re-election. He ultimately backed former President Joe Biden in 2020 and former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

Conway and his wife divorced in 2023, ending their 22-year marriage.

In November, The New York Times reported that Conway, who currently lives in Maryland, was looking for an apartment in New Yorks 12th congressional district.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Tech giants Google and Apple have advised their employees on H-1 B visas against traveling overseas at present, citing concerns they could face extended delays at embassies when awaiting re-entry stamps, according to a report.

A memo from BAL Immigration Law, which represents Google, first reported by Business Insider, advises employees to undertake domestic travel only due to extended visa processing delays abroad stemming from a new U.S. social media screening directive.

A recently introduced security protocol from the Department of Homeland Security requires that travellers seeking to enter the U.S. have their social media activity from the past five years reviewed by officials before entry is granted.

Please be aware that some U.S. Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months, the memo read.

It went on to advise staff to avoid international travel as they would risk an extended stay outside the U.S.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump welcomes Apple CEO Tim Cook to the Oval Office in August, a man whose company who is now facing a problem caused by the administration ( AP )

The firm said the backlogs are impacting people on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas.

Berry Appleman & Leiden, another firm that works with Google, said in a similar memo reported by NPR: We recommend avoiding international travel at this time as you risk an extended stay outside of the U.S.

Fragomen, which represents Apple, issued a similar warning to Apples personnel. Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now, it said.

If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen in advance to discuss the risks.

The U.S. Embassy in India meawhile posted on Monday that the social media vetting process commenced on December 15 and added: We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications.

The situation is particularly bad news for Google and Apple, according to NPR, because they employ more than 300,000 employees and rely heavily on highly skilled foreign workers.

The Independent has reached out to Google, Apple, the State Department, and the White House for comment.

open image in gallery Google CEO Sundar Pichai attends a dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in September ( Getty )

The Trump administration sparked panic in September over H-1 B visas when President Donald Trump abruptly announced that a $100,000 fee would be introduced, charging applicants rather than granting them through a lottery system.

That led several major corporations, including Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase, to instruct their employees overseas to return home as soon as possible to dodge the financial penalty.

The White House later clarified that the fee would apply only to new applicants, not to existing holders. Still, by then, the presidents announcement had already caused airfare prices to skyrocket.

The visas in question were first introduced under the 1990 Immigration Act to allow U.S. companies to hire workers with technical skills and qualifications that are difficult to find in the U.S.

They are not intended for individuals who wish to reside permanently. Some eventually do, but only after transitioning to different immigration statuses.

There are currently around 700,000 H-1B visa holders in the country and another half a million or so dependents, according to Capital Economics commentator Stephen Brown.

The attempt to profit from selling the coveted visas drove a wedge this fall between Trumps MAGA movement, which includes both anti-immigrant constituents, such as Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon, who hope to deter new arrivals, and entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who want to encourage them.

The titans of Big Tech, from Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook to Metas Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, have worked hard to ingratiate themselves with Trump this year, attending his inauguration at the Capitol in January and several events at the White House since.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Vice President JD Vance fired back at critics who bash his wife, Usha Vance, telling them they can eat s***.

Let me be clear, Vance said in an interview with UnHerd published on Monday. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s***. Thats my official policy as vice president of the United States.

Psaki, who was White House press secretary during President Joe Bidens administration, questioned on a podcast in October whether Usha Vance might need to be rescued from her husband.

"I always wonder what's going on in the mind of his wife," Psaki, who presents a show on MS NOW, said. "Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here, we'll save you."

Meanwhile, Fuentes has referred to the second lady  the daughter of Indian immigrants  as a jeet. The far-right streamer, who openly identifies as a racist and has expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler, has also labeled Vance a race-traitor for marrying her.

open image in gallery In a new interview, Vice President JD Vance told commentators who bash his wife to "eat s***" and said antisemitism has no place in the GOP. ( Getty Images )

Still, Vance downplayed Fuentes importance in Republican politics.

I think that Nick Fuentes, his influence within Donald Trumps administration, and within a whole host of institutions on the Right, is vastly overstated, and frankly, its overstated by people who want to avoid having a foreign-policy conversation about Americas relationship with Israel. the vice president told interviewer Sohrab Ahmari.

His remarks echoed his comments made earlier this month, when he told NBC News that he disagrees with Republicans who claim antisemitism is exploding on the right.

The vice president went on to state that anti-Jewish sentiment has no place in the GOP.

Antisemitism, and all forms of ethnic hatred have no place in the conservative movement, he said. Whether youre attacking somebody because theyre white or because theyre black or because theyre Jewish, I think its disgusting.

The debate over Israel and antisemitism took center stage at Turning Point USAs annual conference last week, which featured Vance, Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson as speakers.

open image in gallery Let me be clear, the vice president said. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s***. Thats my official policy as vice president of the United States ( AFP via Getty Images )

Shapiro accused some MAGA influencers of platforming extremist voices who have promulgated conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirks death. He singled out Carlson, who has raised doubts about the governments investigation.

The conservative movement is  in danger from charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty, Shapiro said.

Carlson, who took the stage shortly after Shapiro, said that GOP leaders should resist the move to deplatform and denounce, stating that the rush to sideline those accused of bigotry is the number one reason I voted for Donald Trump.

The former Fox News personality, who said he supports Vance, added that he is engaged in a proxy war for the future of the conservative movement.

Vance, meanwhile, sought to minimize divisions, stating that he rejected purity tests on the right.

I know some of you are discouraged by the infighting over any number of issues, the vice president said. Dont be discouraged. Wouldnt you rather lead a movement of free thinkers who sometimes disagree than a bunch of drones who take their word from George Soros?
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Kilmar Abrego Garcia wants a federal judge to punish Donald Trumps administration after top officials repeatedly branded him a gang member and wife beater, among other highly prejudicial, inflammatory, and false statements about the wrongly deported Salvadoran immigrant, according to his attorneys.

A judge issued a gag order in October that blocks officials from making any extrajudicial statements that could compromise a fair trial against Abrego Garcia, who is battling criminal charges in one court while seeking protection against his deportation in another.

Greg Bovino, the top border patrol official for Trump's mass deportation campaign, has since labeled him an MS-13 gang member, a wife beater, and an alien smuggler while also calling the judge overseeing a criminal case against him an activist and extremist during appearances on Fox News and Newsmax this month.

His statements follow an avalanche of attacks against Abrego Garcia, who is fighting to stay in the country with his wife and U.S. citizen children after his release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in a case that has been a lightning rod in Trumps anti-immigration agenda.

Days after winning his release from ICE detention, his attorneys returned to a different court Monday to argue against the governments ongoing attempts to re-arrest him. Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis is keeping an order in place that blocks the Trump administration from detaining him until at least December 30, allowing Abrego Garcia to stay with his family through Christmas.

open image in gallery Wrongly deported Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia is fighting multiple legal battles against the Trump administration as he seeks protection from his removal from the country a second time ( Getty Images )

Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a brutal prison in his home country in March over what government officials admitted was due to an error, and several federal judges and a unanimous Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return after his illegal arrest.

But the government spent weeks battling court orders for his return while officials launched a barrage of attacks against him, declaring that he would never again step foot in the country.

He was then abruptly returned in June to face allegations that he illegally moved other immigrants across the country. He has pleaded not guilty.

ICE swiftly brought him back into custody after a judge allowed him to stay out of jail pending trial in his criminal case.

Top officials at the Department of Justice  including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche  personally oversaw the decision to criminally charge Abrego Garcia, according to a sealed court document that was mistakenly revealed in an unredacted filing over the weekend.

Blanches deputy, Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh, played a leading role in the governments decision to prosecute, Abreo Garcias lawyers wrote, citing an order from Tennessee District Judge Waverly Crenshaw.

open image in gallery Top officials at the Justice Department reportedly directed the criminal prosecution of Abrego Garcia, according to court filings ( AP )

Since he left ICE custody in August, the administration has tried to deport him to at least six different countries, including African nations Eswatini, Ghana, Liberia and Uganda.

But officials made no attempt to deport him to the one country he has agreed to go to: Costa Rica.

Xinis, who is overseeing his deportation case, has accused the administration of misleading the court by falsely suggesting that Costa Rica was unwilling to take him, despite the fact that the countrys offer to provide him residence and refugee status is, and always has been, firm, unwavering, and unconditional, according to the judge.

Bovino and other administration officials, meanwhile, have insisted that Abrego Garcia will be removed from the country, whether or not he is ever tried in court for the charges against him.

Its too bad that we have these activist judges that legislate from the bench and put MS-13 gang members back out on the streets to harm Americans, Bovino told Fox News host Jesse Watters December 12. Thats what were doing in these American cities, are taking individuals like this, quote, Maryland dad, out of circulation and putting them back where they need to be, and thats in their country of record.

Two days later, Bovino told Newsmax: We have an MS-13 gang member walking the streets. As you said, a wife-beater, but also, lets not forget, he was also an alien smuggler. So heres someone that wants immigration relief, he wants to, to leech off the United States, and thinks its OK to do that.

open image in gallery Greg Bovino, Trumps boots-on-the-ground border patrol overseeing his mass deportation campaign, is accused of repeatedly violating a courts gag order that blocks the government from attacking Kilmar Abrego Garcia ( Getty Images )

He said Abrego Garcia needs to be deported now.

Thats what you get when you have an extremist judge, or judges, that legislate from the bench, he added.

Abrego Garcias attorneys have called the statements flagrant violations of the courts gag order, arguing that sanctions and other case-related relief are warranted.

His lawyers also said government attorneys did not respond to requests to retract the statements.

Separately, Abrego Garcia is calling on the judge overseeing the criminal case to drop the charges against him altogether, citing vindictive and selective prosecution after being singled out by the United States government.

Rather than fix its mistake and return [him] to the United States, the government fought back at every level of the federal court system, attorneys wrote in court filings. And at every level, [he] won. This case results from the governments concerted effort to punish him for having the audacity to fight back, rather than accept a brutal injustice.

In filings last week, government attorneys argued that, with or without a final order for his removal, they want a judges permission to legally detain him  again  so they can deport him a second time.

The Independent has requested comment from Homeland Security.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Stephen Miller railed against a California jury that acquitted a man for towing an ICE vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation.

On Friday, a federal jury found Los Angeles tow truck driver Bobby Nunez not guilty on the charge of theft of government property, following a four-day trial.

Nunez, 33, was arrested in September after he was accused of interfering with the detainment of TikTok influencer Tatiana Mafla-Martinez while she live-streamed her own arrest. A video of the incident shows a government SUV being towed away from agents who had Mafla-Martinez pinned to the ground.

Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, who has been instrumental in shaping the Trump administrations immigration policy, took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with the outcome.

Another example of blatant jury nullification in a blue city, Miller wrote on X on Sunday. The justice system depends on a jury of peers with a shared system of interests and values. Mass migration tribalizes the entire legal system.

open image in gallery White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller railed against a California jury that acquitted a man who towed an ICE vehicle during an arrest ( Getty Images )

Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, also acknowledged the decision on Friday.

A jury found Mr. Nunez not guilty, Essayli said, according to NBC News. He was free on bond prior to the trial. We have no further comment.

Previously, Essayli stated that he was confident Nunez would face a prison sentence.

Apparently he thought it would be funny to interfere with our immigration enforcement operations, he wrote on X in September. Now he can laugh behind bars while he faces justice. Nunez is looking at up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

Nunezs attorneys, meanwhile, said they were happy that the jury found their client not guilty.

We thank the jurors for their service as an essential backstop against prosecutorial overreach in our constitutional system, they told The Los Angeles Times.

open image in gallery The justice system depends on a jury of peers with a shared system of interests and values, Miller wrote on X. Mass migration tribalizes the entire legal system ( Getty Images )

During the multi-day trial, Nunezs defense team argued that his actions barely interfered with the ICE arrest, noting that he had only towed the vehicle a block away and that it was retrieved within minutes.

Mafla-Martinez was detained on allegations of living in the U.S. illegally. According to the Times, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said she had previously been convicted of driving under the influence and entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2022.

The jurys decision marks the latest courtroom setback for the Trump administration, which has vowed to prosecute individuals who get in the way of immigration enforcement operations.

A recent investigation by the Associated Press revealed that dozens of cases brought against people accused of disrupting ICE activity have fallen apart.

Of the 100 people initially charged with felony assaults on federal agents, 55 saw their charges reduced to misdemeanors, or dismissed outright, the AP reported on Thursday. At least 23 pleaded guilty, most of them to reduced charges in deals with prosecutors that resulted in little or no jail time.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A Texas senator who was once Donald Trumps strongest opposition during the latters first bid for the presidency could make a return in 2028 to do battle with MAGAs chosen successor.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Ted Cruz, 55, is gearing up for a potential second presidential run in 2028 as his party eyes the first election cycle without Trumps name in the running for the top job in more than 10 years.

According to the Post, one of Cruzs top allies in Washington and a leader on the pro-Israel right, Morton Klein of the Zionist Organization for America, believes that Cruz is seriously considering a White House bid. The Texas senator is already fielding calls from other allies urging him to run, Klein told the Post.

Another person close to the senator was quoted as saying that Cruz is eyeing a bid.

It comes as Cruz continues to publicly feud with Tucker Carlson, often seen as another potential figure in a hypothetical 2028 Republican primary. Carlson, now an independent media host after leaving Fox News, has emerged as one of the rights most vocal critics of Israel and U.S. neoconservative policy in the Middle East, something Cruz is seen as championing both in the present and during his unsuccessful 2016 bid for the presidency.

open image in gallery A report in the Washington Post indicates that Ted Cruz is preparing for a second try at the White House ( Getty )

Cruz, in the years since his failed run, has launched his own podcast and poured his time and effort into building his brand as a commentator with younger audiences. Its a strategic move: those younger Republicans spurned Cruz for Trump in 2016, and will be key to winning a 2028 primary if Cruz is up against the most likely successor to Trumps MAGA White House brand, Vice President JD Vance.

Vance, who leads all available polling on the 2028 Republican side, is a veteran of the podcasting and right-wing independent media circuit. Even with Cruzs own foray into expanding his brand beyond older Republicans who latched on to him during the Tea Party movement, the vice president has a running head start among the partys younger, more politically extreme MAGA base.

It makes the potential for a matchup all the more interesting, however, given the aversion of some of Trumps allies to Vance taking over the mantle given the vice presidents strong ties to Peter Thiel and the conservative wing of Silicon Valleys elite. The likes of Steve Bannon could end up caught in the middle or endorsing a third choice if asked to pick between Vance and Cruz, who represents an interventionist wing of the party the War Room host and former insider has relentlessly sought to quash.

open image in gallery JD Vance, Trumps vice president, continues to lead polling of the hypothetical 2028 GOP primary ( AP )

open image in gallery Commentator Tucker Carlson is one of Cruzs top critics and opposes his calls for military action against Iran and Venezuela ( AFP via Getty Images )

Cruz could be a longshot candidate in 2028 for the reasons above. His on-camera clash with Carlson resonated loudly across conservative media earlier this year as the right-wing host grilled the senator on topics including Iran and generally portrayed his opponent as inept and unknowledgable about foreign policy positions he claimed to support.

"How many people live in Iran, by the way?" Carlson asked Cruz in one exchange during the interview, prompting the senator to say he didnt know.

"At all?" Carlson shot back. "You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple?"

Cruzs pro-intervention stances have often translated to policies and actions that are some of the least popular of the presidents decisions among his MAGA base, including the buildup of military forces near Venezuela and escalation of a military campaign against small boats in the Caribbean the U.S. says are ferrying drugs.

The Texas senator has accused critics of the presidents military strikes, which many experts say are blatantly illegal, of supporting the socialist regime in Venezuela led by Nicolas Maduro.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

President Donald Trump is scheduled to make an announcement alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida on Monday afternoon.

The event has been set for 4:30 p.m. ET, but no further details have yet been revealed about what the president intends to say.

However, the development comes after the Coast Guard seized a second sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela over the weekend and announced it was pursuing a third.

The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco-terrorism in the region, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement posted to social media after the capture of the second vessel, following an earlier interception made on December 10.

We will find you, and we will stop you.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are scheduled to make a public announcement from Mar-a-Lago on Monday ( Reuters )

An unnamed U.S. official has since told Reuters of the third ship: The United States Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuelas illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

The moves mark an escalation of Trumps aggressions against Venezuela and its president, Nicolas Maduro, after he announced a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the Central American countrys ports.

The president has said that U.S. land strikes could soon follow.

The administration has meanwhile also engaged in a series of lethal missile strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific this fall, which have resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people.

Trump has faced heavy criticism since those strikes began over the administrations failure to offer evidence to substantiate its claims that the vessels being targeted belong to dangerous drug traffickers attempting to deliver harmful intoxicants to American shores.

open image in gallery Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul expresses his opposition to the Trump administration's aggressions against Venezuela on ABC News's This Week on Sunday December 21, 2025 ( This Week/ABC News )

Both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have expressed their disquiet, with Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul coming forward again Sunday to warn that the seizure of the tankers amounts to a provocation and a prelude to war.

Im not for confiscating these liners, he told Jonathan Karl on ABC Newss This Week. Im not for blowing up these boats of unarmed people that are suspected of being drug dealers. Im not for any of this.

Paul went on to brand the administrations efforts to stamp out northbound smuggling from the region bizarre and contradictory, citing Trumps decision to pardon former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez after he was sentenced to 45 years in a U.S. jail in March 2024 after being convicted of drug trafficking and weapons charges.

So, some narco-terrorists are really OK and other narco-terrorists were going to blow up? Paul asked. And then some of them, if theyre not designated as a terrorist, we might arrest them?

Since the first seizure, Venezuelan crude exports have fallen sharply.

open image in gallery Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has attacked the Trump administrations maritime operations off his countrys coast as nothing more than a plot to steal oil ( AFP/Getty )

While many vessels picking up oil in Venezuela are under sanctions, others transporting the country's oil and crude from Iran and Russia are not sanctioned, and some companies, particularly Chevron, transport Venezuelan oil on their own authorized ships.

China is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude, which accounts for roughly 4 percent of its imports, with shipments in December on track to average more than 600,000 barrels per day, analysts have said.

For now, the oil market is well supplied, with millions of barrels of oil on tankers off the coast of China waiting to be offloaded. If the embargo stays in place for some time, then the loss of nearly a million barrels a day of crude supply is likely to push oil prices higher.

Since the U.S. imposed energy sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, traders and refiners buying Venezuelan oil have resorted to a shadow fleet of tankers that disguise their location and to vessels sanctioned for transporting Iranian or Russian oil.

The dark or shadow fleet is considered exposed to possible punitive measures from the U.S., shipping analysts have said.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have insisted the US will not take over the latter, and are demanding respect for the islands territorial integrity following President Donald Trumps appointment of a special envoy.

On Sunday Trump named Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as the US special envoy to Greenland, reigniting tensions over Washingtons interest in the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which is a NATO ally.

The Danish foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, announced he would summon the US ambassador to Copenhagen, expressing particular dismay at Landrys endorsement of Trumps stated aim.

In a joint statement, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, declared: We have said it before. Now, we say it again: national borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.

open image in gallery Landry said on X it was an honor to serve ... in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US ( AP )

Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the US shall not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.

The Trump administration put further pressure on Copenhagen on Monday, when it suspended leases for five large offshore wind projects being built off the East Coast of the U.S., including two being developed by Denmarks state-controlled Orsted.

Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire for Greenland, which is largely self-governing, to become part of the United States, citing security concerns and its valuable mineral resources. He stated on Truth Social: Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.

The White House did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Landry, who took office as Louisiana governor in January 2024, thanked the president on X (Twitter), saying: Its an honor to serve ... in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!

Danish consternation

Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected that idea.

Rasmussen, the foreign minister, told Denmarks TV 2: I am deeply upset by this appointment of a special envoy. And I am particularly upset by his statements, which we find completely unacceptable.

Earlier, in an emailed statement to Reuters, he said: We insist that everyone, including the U.S., must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

open image in gallery Danish military forces participate in an exercise with troops from several European NATO members in the Arctic Ocean in Nuuk, Greenland, September 2025 ( AP )

Nielsen, the Greenland prime minister, said in a post on Facebook: We have woken up again to a new announcement from the US president. This may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future.

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said the appointment of a US envoy was not in itself a problem.

The problem is that hes been given the task of taking over Greenland or making Greenland part of the United States, and there is no desire for that in Greenland, Ms Chemnitz told Reuters. There is a desire to respect the future that a majority in Greenland wants, namely to remain their own country and develop their independence over time.

Seeking to mitigate tensions with the Trump administration over the past year, Denmark, a NATO ally, has focused on strengthening Greenlands defence to address White House claims of inadequate security.

Greenlands strategic value

Greenland, a former Danish colony with a population of about 57,000, has the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement but remains heavily reliant on fishing and Danish subsidies.

Its strategic position between Europe and North America makes it a key site for the U.S. ballistic missile defence system, while its mineral wealth has heightened U.S. interest in reducing reliance on Chinese exports.

Additional reporting by AP
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

President Donald Trump bizarrely threatened to fire Don Jr., after his son put him on speaker phone at Turning Point USAs annual AmericaFest conference.

I wanted to call in a little guest. He may not be here today, but I wanted to make sure he had a chance to say hi, Don Jr. said at the Phoenix, Arizona, conference on Sunday, before adding, Mr President!

Video showed the right-wing crowd erupt into cheers as the president greeted them, saying, Oh, I wanna be with you. But Ill be with you soon, and I just wanna say that nobody did more for me than Charlie, and theres nobody better than Erika, and you are the greatest people on Earth.

After thanking his MAGA base for voting for him in the past election, the elder Trump added, I just wanted to thank you all, and I hope my sons doing a good job representing me; otherwise, Ill have to say Youre fired, Don. Youre fired.

So thank you very much and have a great day. I hope Don makes a great speech. If he doesnt make a great speech, let me know about it, Ill give him hell, the president added.

open image in gallery Donald Trump Jr. put his dad on speakerphone during a Turning Point USA conference on Sunday. While on the phone, the president threatened to fire him if he doesnt do a good job at his speech at the event ( Getty Images )

The bizarre comments elicited tense Ohs from the audience before the president told everyone to go have a good time.

Tensions had been high at the annual AmericaFest convention, during which some of the biggest names in conservative media took turns roasting each other while on stage, including Ben Shapiro, who tore into Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes and Candace Owens, amongst others.

Shapiros outburst was in response to Owens pushing of conspiracy theories about the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in September.

These people are frauds, and they are grifters, and they do not deserve your time, Shapiro raged, noting he had a moral obligation to call out Owens conspiracy theories.

He claimed that Owens was spouting absolutely baseless trash implicating everyone from French intelligence to Mossad to members of TPUSA in Charlies murder, or a cover-up in that murder.

Meanwhile, others used their time on stage to roast Shapiro, with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon calling him a cancer.

During Trump Jr.s speech, he proclaimed that the Republican Party was a thing of the past, with his dad leading the America First Party and Make America Great Again Party.

Midterms are coming around the corner and make no mistake, the Democrat Party wants to do whatever they possibly can to shut this movement down. Not just the Democrats. The RINOs, Trump Jr. said.

You see the manufactured attacks on JD [Vance], myself, my father  anyone who understands that this isnt the Republican Party anymore. Its the America First Party. Its the Make America Great Again Party. And we are not going back! he continued.

The remarks drew a considerable amount of applause and cheers from the crowd, followed by a USA! USA! USA! chant.

While using the speech to slam Democrats, Trump Jr. also took the opportunity to criticize weak Republicans who just capitulated to the D.C. swamp.

open image in gallery Trump Jr. used the speech to criticize Democrats and weak Republicans ( Getty Images )

Some of the loudest voices, even in the Republican party, demanded we bring in tens of thousands of unvetted Afghan refugees. For years they turned Minnesota into little Somalia, Trump Jr. said, referring to a Somali refugee resettlement program that Trump suspended.

The program, which helped revitalize entire neighborhoods in Minneapolis, was capped by Trump earlier this year. Under the order, the annual refugee admissions are capped at 7,500  a decrease of over 90 percent from last years ceiling of 125,000 and the lowest number since the program began in 1980.

Hows that working out for anyone? I keep hearing diversity is our strength. Im not so sure, Trump Jr. added to cheers.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A six-year-old boys separation from his father after a check-in appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement one day before Thanksgiving drew outrage from New York officials and advocates who rallied for their reunion.

His son Yuanxin, who was enrolled in first grade in Astoria, Queens, was missing for more than a week after his fathers arrest, according to immigrants rights advocates who fought for their release.

The father and son were deported to China last week, according to Homeland Security officials.

Yuanxin was among the youngest immigrants taken from ICE officials during a routine check-in appointment in New York, drawing scrutiny into an apparent tactic used by Donald Trumps administration to pressure undocumented migrants into leaving the country by separating them from their families.

His father Fei Zheng was arrested and jailed in upstate New York, according to ICE records. After more than a week of attempts to determine Yuanxins whereabouts, lawyers and advocates confirmed he was in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which takes control of unaccompanied children separated from their families by ICE.

open image in gallery A Chinese father and son in New York have been deported to their home country after they were separated for nearly a month following an ICE check-in appointment ( REUTERS )

Fei Zheng was eventually able to speak with his son twice over the phone while they were separated, though officials did not tell him where he was, according to Jennie Spector, an immigrants rights advocate who maintained contact with the father while he was in custody.

This was a family who wanted to contribute to their community, a child who was bright and wanted to get a good education, a father who wanted the best for his child and wanted to work hard, Spector told The City. They were denied that opportunity because of our broken and punitive immigration system, a system that is now set up to cause as much harm as possible.

An initial statement from Homeland Security said Fei Zheng refused to board a plane and was acting so disruptive and aggressive that he endangered the childs wellbeing.

He even attempted to escape and abandon his son, Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent at the time. Mr. Zheng had the right and the ability to depart the country as a family and willfully choose to not comply.

The agency later reported that he hit his head against a wall and said he wanted to die during his arrest at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, according to The New York Times, citing internal records.

open image in gallery ICE has arrested at least 140 children younger than 18 years old in the New York City area since Trump's inauguration through mid-October ( Getty Images )

Zheng and his son entered the United States without legal permission earlier this year and sought asylum in the United States over fears of torture in China. They were briefly detained inside an ICE facility for families in Texas.

After their release, they began to settle in New York, with Yuanxin starting first grade, as they continued legal proceedings to remain in the country.

They had only been free for a few weeks before they were arrested again in November.

Zhengs wife had learned about her husbands deportation from a lawyer in New York, according to a family friend who spoke to The City.

She sounded hopeless  unsure of what to do next, the person said. But she also sounded very clear-eyed about this. Shes just worried about what life would look like in the future. What her husband would do, how to make a living, how to support her husband when he returns, how to deal with his despair.

open image in gallery Advocates fear ICE arrests targeting families in the countrys interior are forcing them to make an impossible choice: leave their children behind with other caregivers or none at all, which could mean moving them into foster care systems or shelters, with imminent threat of removal from the country ( Getty Images )

ICE has arrested at least 140 children younger than 18 years old in the New York City area since Trump's inauguration through mid-October, according to federal data reviewed by the Deportation Data Project at the University of California, Berkeley.

Nationwide, federal immigration authorities have arrested more than 3,800 minors, including 20 infants, since Trump took office.

Hundreds of children have been sent to government-run shelters since Trump took office as the administration arrests a growing number of immigrant families to keep pace with the presidents demands for mass removals.

The actions recall the infamous zero tolerance era of Trumps first administration that separated thousands of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, a policy that was effectively blocked by a settlement in a federal court case.

But his second administration has launched an unprecedented return of family separation across the United States, including targeting mixed-status families who have lived in the United States for years, according to legal advocates who spoke to The Independent.

Advocates fear immigration enforcement arrests targeting families in the countrys interior are forcing them to leave their children behind with other caregivers or none at all, which could mean moving them into foster care systems or shelters, with imminent threat of removal from the country.

open image in gallery New York City comptroller Brad Lander and other officials rallied for the release and reunion of 6-year-old Yuanxin and his father Fei Zheng after their arrest one day before Thanksgiving ( Getty Images )

New York Citys elected public advocate Jumaane Williams said the familys story is tragically emblematic of the cruel trauma of family separation, a lack of due process for asylum seekers and others, and inhumane conditions. Enough.

Diana Moreno, who is running for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanis vacant seat representing Queens in the state assembly, called the news of the familys removal devastating and renewed her demands to abolish ICE once and for all.

Hundreds of people rallied in Queens this month to support the family, including one of Yuanxins teachers.

He has amazing handwriting both in English and Mandarin. He loves to sing and dance to our Good Morning song during our morning meetings. He is great at making friends and he is an important part of our classroom community, the woman said. Our class feels his absence every single day.

Advocates in New York also are pressing the Department of Education to speak up to defend the tens of thousands of immigrant students in this city who are being targeted by ICE.

No student should be held in ICE custody separately from their family, according to a statement.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Pope Leo has signalled his intention to uphold the reformist vision of his predecessor, Francis, during his annual Christmas address to Vatican cardinals.

Leo, the first American pontiff, lauded Franciss efforts to foster a more inclusive global Catholic Church, pledging to continue his legacy.

Addressing the Church's most senior officials, Pope Leo described Francis, who died in April after suffering from double pneumonia, as a "prophetic voice".

Leo said the late pope was dedicated to cultivating "a joyful Church, welcoming to all and attentive to the poorest".

The diplomatic approach marked a notable departure from Franciss own Christmas speeches.

During his 12-year papacy, Francis frequently used these occasions to deliver sharp criticisms of the Roman Curia, the Vatican's central bureaucracy, often detailing its "illnesses" and "diseases" in lengthy addresses.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV greets the audience at the end of a meeting with employees of the Roman Curia, the Governorate of the Vatican City State, and the Vicariate of Rome and their families ( REUTERS )

In contrast, Pope Leo, known for his more measured style, spoke for just 15 minutes, refraining from direct rebukes but reiterating many core tenets of Franciss papacy.

The Pope cautioned officials against "falling into rigidity or ideology" when enforcing Church teachings.

He stressed that the Vaticans intricate structure "must not weigh down or slow the progress" of their work, and expressed regret over persistent interpersonal conflicts within the institution.

"We observe with disappointment that certain dynamics - linked to the exercise of power, the desire to prevail, or the pursuit of personal interests  are slow to change," the pope said.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV greets the audience at the end of the meeting ( REUTERS )

He then posed a question: "We then ask ourselves: is it possible to be friends in the Roman Curia?"

Pope Leo concluded by advocating for "an ever more missionary Roman Curia, in which institutions, offices and tasks are conceived in light of today's major ecclesial, pastoral and social challenges, and not merely to ensure ordinary administration".

The pope will carry out a midnight mass on Christmas Eve at St Peters Basilica, followed by a blessing and a mass on Christmas Day.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A 41-year-old man has been arrested after a flight attendant was found stabbed to death in a luxury hotel room in Dubai, according to reports.

The suspect was arrested in St Petersburg some 2,700 miles away, days after authorities believe the 25 year-old Russian citizen was killed between 17-18 December.

The victim had been stabbed at least 15 times, struck in the torso, neck and limbs and died from her injuries at the scene, RBC Petersburg reported.

Investigators believe the suspect was previously in a relationship with the attendant, and had been stalking her for a number of days in Dubai before her body was discovered, according to state news agency RIA Novosti.

He was arrested on 20 December after returning to Russia, and charged with murder the same day. The flight from Dubai to St Petersburg is roughly seven hours. Dubai police reportedly identified the suspect using CCTV from the hotel before they alerted Russian law enforcement.

A source told RIA Novosti: He is a self-employed businessman, and the murdered woman worked as a flight attendant for an airline. The couple had been dating for several years and lived together in St. Petersburg , but had separated by the time of the tragedy.

open image in gallery The woman reportedly worked for Russian airline Pobeda (file image) ( Getty Images )

Russian news site Fontanka reported that the man had enlisted the help of an acquaintance from St Petersburg to help him track the victims movements and find out which hotel room she was staying in, although this has not been confirmed by authorities.

The flight attendant had been working with Russian airline Pobeda, which is owned by state-owned carrier Aeroflot. The Independent has contacted Pobeda for comment.

Russias Investigative Committee said the investigation is being conducted in cooperation with law enforcement agencies in the United Arab Emirates.

The suspect has been remanded in custody for two months, until February 18.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A Russian general was killed in a car bombing on Monday in an attack Moscow has claimed could be another assassination by Ukrainian intelligence.

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov died after an explosive device detonated under his car in the capital around 7am. Seven other vehicles were reportedly damaged in the blast.

Sarvarov, 56, was rushed to hospital in a serious condition, with multiple shrapnel wounds, severe leg injuries, a facial fracture and concussion before succumbing to his injuries, lenta.ru reported.

The veteran officer of the armed forces had been responsible for the militarys combat training and readiness for the war in Ukraine before his death.

open image in gallery The inside of the vehicle that was destroyed in the explosion in Moscow ( Reuters )

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder, a spokesperson for Russias investigative committee said. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Local media reported that the car blew up in a parking lot on Moscows Yaseneva Street, with the driver inside. The vehicle had reportedly been driven several metres before the explosion.

Forensic teams were on hand Monday morning to establish the cause of the explosion, which they believe came from the front of the car.

Moscow has opened a criminal case in respect of a murder committed in a socially dangerous manner and the illegal trafficking of explosives, a spokesperson for the investigative committee told the state news agency Tass.

open image in gallery Fanil Sarvarov was rushed to hospital with fractures and shrapnel wounds but died from his injuries ( Russian Defence Ministry Press Service )

Sarvarov was the head of the operational training directorate of the Russian armed forces general staff. Russian media reported that he had been involved in the Chechen wars in the 1990s and 2000s, and had a role in operations in Syria, before taking a key post in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of his death via special service channels, the Kremlin said.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for the sudden deaths of a number of high-ranking officials since its 2022 invasion. Ukraines security service claimed responsibility for an attack against a high-ranking Russian soldier last December.

Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building a day after Kyiv levelled criminal charges against him.

General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in April when a car exploded next to his house in Moscow. The Kremlin blamed Ukraine, which did not comment.

open image in gallery As many as seven cars were damaged in the huge blast on Monday morning, local media reported ( Reuters )

Sarvarovs death comes at a precarious time, as both Ukrainian and Russian diplomats try to get the upper hand in peace talks mediated by the United States.

Ukraine and Russia have each escalated their attacks in recent weeks in an apparent bid to gain leverage. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Russia had launched 2,500 missiles, bombs and drones at Ukraine in the past week.

A blistering attack on port infrastructure in Odesa on Friday night killed eight people and injured 27 others. Some of the victims were on a bus that was at the centre of the strike, Ukrainian officials said.

open image in gallery Ruins in the town of Kostyantynivka, the site of heavy battles in Donetsk, as the fighting rages ( Ukrainian 24th Mechanised Brigade )

Ukraine in turn claimed to have carried out attacks on Russian Su-27 jets in Crimea, a tanker off the coast of Libya, and a patrol ship in the Caspian Sea. Ukraine also continues to pound Russian energy infrastructure in the Caspian Sea.

The US held talks with both sides in Miami last week aimed at aligning their positions, with the issues of territory and security guarantees still unresolved.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff gave assurances at the end of the week that talks were progressing well. But French president Emmanuel Macron suggested he was open to restarting dialogue with Putin if the talks failed, casting doubt on their progress.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Ukraine said it was battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region on Sunday and that Moscow had forcibly removed 50 people from a border village.

Ukraines human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets accused Russian forces of abducting around 50 mostly elderly Ukrainian civilians into Russian territory. The forcible relocation of civilians is considered a war crime and a crime against humanity.

In a statement on Telegram, Mr Lubinets said Russian forces illegally detained the residents of the village of Hrabovske on Thursday, before moving them to Russia on Saturday.

Mr Lubinets said he contacted Russias human rights commissioner, requesting information on the civilians whereabouts and conditions, and demanding their immediate return to Ukraine.

Ukraines public broadcaster Suspilne and the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet said Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory on Saturday night in the area of the village of Hrabovske.

Fighting is currently ongoing in the village of Grabovske, Ukraines joint taskforce said on Sunday, adding that their troops were making efforts to drive the occupiers back into Russian territory.

While fighting in Ukraine has consistently been most intense in the east, Russia has also moved to secure a foothold in several villages in the northern region of Sumy in recent months. Towns in the region have also been subjected to increased shelling.

Oleh Hryhorov, head of the Sumy military administration, said that officials had begun evacuating residents of border villages who had earlier declined to be moved. He did not identify the affected places but urged residents of border areas to agree to evacuate.

On Saturday, Russian forces continued offensive operations in Sumy but made no confirmed territorial gains, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in an update.

With fighting also reported in Kharkiv, Russia is likely deliberately targeting previously quiet parts of the front line in order to give an artificial impression that it is making widespread gains, the US-based think tank monitoring the war said on Sunday night.

Russian forces are conducting a new cognitive warfare campaign through limited cross-border attacks across a broad part of the previously dormant northern front line in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, it said.

The Kremlin wants to convince the West that frontlines across Ukraine are collapsing and that Kyiv should concede to all of Russias demands, the ISW said.

ISW continues to assess that the frontlines in Ukraine are not in danger of rapid collapse and that a Russian victory is not inevitable, it added.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A childhood friend of a missing Vatican schoolgirl who disappeared more than 40 years ago has been placed under investigation for allegedly lying to prosecutors.

Laura Casagrande, now 57, may have been the last person to see Emanuela Orlandi before she vanished in 1983, aged 15, on her way to a music class.

Casagrande, also a former student of the Tommaso Ludovico da Victoria music school, was among the first to give statements when the inquiry into the disappearance reopened in 2023.

She had a hazy recollection of being called in the days after the disappearance by someone demanding the release of Mehmet Ali Agca, the gunman jailed for shooting Pope John Paul II in 1981.

Orlandis disappearance spawned many elaborate theories, including one that she was being held hostage in exchange for Agcas release. But investigations never yielded concrete leads and witnesses have proven unreliable.

open image in gallery Emanuela Orlandi, the teenager thought to have been kidnapped in 1983 ( AP )

Prosecutors said on Friday that Casagrandes latest testimony had appeared very contradictory, in their decision to put her under investigation.

Andrea De Priamo, president of the bicameral commission, said it was as if the person being heard wanted to withdraw from the scene.

Casagrande apologised for gaps in her recollection of events during her testimony.

Laura Sgro, a lawyer for the Orlandi family, welcomed the decision to quiz her on her recollection of events.

She said: You can tell she is being reticent. Is she covering for someone? Why is there so much fear so many years later?

Pietro Orlandi, Emanuela's brother, told Italian media: "This is important news, and I'm happy that the prosecutor's office is investigating confidentially; it means they're doing it with complete seriousness.

open image in gallery Pietro Orlandi (pictured) welcomed the decision to look into Laura Casagrandes testimony. The family have accused the Vatican of hiding information ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The disappearance is among Italys biggest unsolved cases and inspired a hit Netflix documentary before investigators reopened the case.

Carabinieri in Rome are now sifting through old documents and piecing together the missing girls last movements in collaboration with Vatican magistrates.

An initial review of evidence carried out in 2023 drew out leads worthy of further investigation, Vatican chief prosecutor Alessandro Diddi said at the time.

It remains unclear how or why Orlandi vanished that evening, on 22 June, 1983. Theories have ranged from a supposed KGB plot to a mafia operation orchestrated by senior staff at the Vatican.

Emanuelas father Ercole Orlandi worked as a messenger for the Vatican and the family lived in Vatican City State.

Another theory held that she had been taken to London and lived in a youth hostel owned by a Catholic congregation, funded by the Vatican.

Over the years, the case has taken investigators around the world following leads and in search of her remains.

The Independent is aiming to raise 165,000 to help launch SafeCall  a free new service that will provide children in crisis with confidential support, guidance and a route to safety. Around 70,000 children go missing each year in the UK.

Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People  enough for one child to get help.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Israels foreign minister has called on Jews living in Western countries to move to Israel, saying Jewish communities worldwide are no longer safe, days after 15 people were killed in an attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

Speaking at a candle-lighting ceremony marking the final day of Hanukkah, Gideon Saar said antisemitism had reached a point where Jews were being targeted across multiple countries.

Jews have the right to live in safety everywhere. But we see and fully understand what is happening, and we have a certain historical experience, he said. Today, Jews are being hunted across the world.

Addressing Jewish communities in specific countries by name, Mr Saar added: Today I call on Jews in England, Jews in France, Jews in Australia, Jews in Canada, Jews in Belgium: come to the Land of Israel! Come home!

The remarks came one week after gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival on Sydneys Bondi Beach, killing 15 people aged between 10 and 87 and injuring dozens more.

open image in gallery People help clear flowers and notes, honoring the victims and survivors of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, at Bondi Pavilion on 22 December 2025 in Sydney, Australia ( Getty Images )

Australian authorities have said the 14 December attack was inspired by the ideology of the jihadist group Isis.

One suspect, Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Mr Saar said Israelis were waiting for you here with open arms, with love, in the true home of the Jewish people, urging families to leave countries he said had failed to contain antisemitism. Why raise your children in this atmosphere? he said. The time has come.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly linked the rise in antisemitic attacks overseas to the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas carried out an unprecedented assault on Israel on 7 October 2023. On Tuesday, Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, urged Western governments to do more to protect Jewish citizens.

I demand that Western governments do what is necessary to fight antisemitism and provide the required safety and security for Jewish communities worldwide, Mr Netanyahu said in a video address.

In October, Mr Saar accused British authorities of failing to act against what he called a toxic wave of antisemitism after an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, in which two people were killed and four injured.

Under Israels 1950 Law of Return, any Jewish person worldwide has the right to immigrate to Israel  a process known as aliyah, meaning ascent in Hebrew  and receive citizenship. The law also extends to individuals with at least one Jewish grandparent, a provision introduced to reflect Nazi-era racial laws that targeted people beyond practising Jews.

In Australia, the Bondi massacre has triggered nationwide mourning and political fallout. More than 10,000 people gathered under heavy police security at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to mark a week since the attack. Prime minister Anthony Albanese, former prime ministers John Howard and Scott Morrison, and governor-general Sam Mostyn attended the commemoration.

open image in gallery Rebecca Kummerfeld helps clear flowers and notes, honoring the victims and survivors of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, at Bondi Pavilion on 22 December 2025 in Sydney, Australia ( Getty Images )

This has to be the nadir of antisemitism in our country, said David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. This has to be the moment when light starts to eclipse the darkness. Mr Albanese was booed when Mr Ossip acknowledged his presence, while opposition leader Sussan Ley was cheered.

Mr Netanyahu has sharply criticised Mr Albanese, saying Australias recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this year pours fuel on the antisemitic fire.

Senior figures in Israel have sought to link calls for Palestinian statehood and criticism of Israels military campaign in Gaza with rising antisemitism globally.

Australia formally recognised Palestine in September, following similar moves by the UK and Canada, as part of long-standing bipartisan support for a two-state solution.

The issue has become increasingly contentious domestically. Bridget McKenzie, deputy leader of the Nationals, accused the Albanese government of having failed Jewish Australians and claimed recognition of Palestine had contributed to rising antisemitism, arguing that to hate Israel is to hate Jews.

Sundays commemoration featured tributes to the victims, with images projected onto large screens and the song Waltzing Matilda sung in honour of the youngest child killed.

Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born immigrant hailed as a hero for disarming one of the attackers before being shot, sent a message from his hospital bed. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters, he wrote. His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, was invited to light a candle on the menorah.

Australia observed a national Day of Reflection, with flags flying at half-mast and government buildings illuminated in yellow. At 6.47pm, the moment the shooting began, people across the country observed a minutes silence. Television and radio broadcasts also paused.

The federal government has announced a review of law enforcement and intelligence responses, while state and national leaders have pledged to tighten already strict gun laws. Sajid Akram legally owned six firearms, including the weapons used in the attack. The New South Wales parliament was reconvened on Monday for a two-day debate on new hate speech and gun legislation.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said families of the victims felt tragically, unforgivably let down by what he described as government failures to curb antisemitism since the Gaza war began.

The Bondi attack was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since 35 people were killed in Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996  an event that led to sweeping national gun reforms.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A British couple held in Iran on spying charges are living off rice and gristle in a dirty cell as they prepare to spend Christmas inside Tehran's notorious Evin prison, their family have said.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, of East Sussex, were arrested in January during a motorcycle tour around the world and later charged with espionage, which they deny.

Mrs Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, said his mother is suffering a lot with her skin and weight due to a lack of ventilation and poor conditions in the prison after nearly a year.

It is extremely dirty, he told Sky News. She's cooking, the kitchen's filled with rats. It is dire, to be honest with you, for them both.

They've lost a lot of weight because there isn't enough nourishment. They're eating rice and gristle every day. They can't really exercise. It's overcrowded and cramped.

open image in gallery Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been held in Iran for nearly a year ( Family handout )

As he and his family prepare to celebrate Christmas, he said he feels a sense of guilt while his mother is stuck in a cell.

The Evin House of Detention in Tehran was built before the Iranian Revolutions to hold hundreds of political prisoners.

Now housing as many as 15,000 people, it remains notorious for its squalid conditions and solitary holding cells without toilets or beds.

Rare accounts shared by the BBC last year told how inmates were in some cases interrogated for up to 12 hours a day, threatened with beatings or execution, and crammed into freezing, overcrowded cells.

The prison was also hit several times in Israeli strikes on the capital in June.

open image in gallery Evin Prison in Tehran was built by Reza Pahlavi in 1972 to hold political prisoners, before the Revolution ( Ehsan Iran )

Mr Bennett said the couple, both in their 50s, is being supported by the Foreign Office.

He has met with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, but feels frustrated by the Governments handling of the situation.

It feels like they're waiting for something. We're at a bit of a stalemate right now - Iran are waiting for the UK to move, the UK are waiting for Iran to move, and stuck in the middle are my parents and us.

There is this policy, it seems, to sit and wait and allow this judicial process which is, in my eyes, a complete circus, to play out.

open image in gallery Mr and Mrs Foreman were arrested in January while touring Iran ( Family handout )

Mr Bennett has been able to contact them by phone only a handful of times since their arrest.

He revealed in November that they had gone on hunger strike in a cry out for help after feeling let down by the UK government.

He said this week: We were told almost two months ago, when they last were in court, that a sentence would be passed in a couple weeks. We're now two months down the line and nothing has happened.

"I keep saying that we need to be being more accountable as a Government and speaking out. They are accused of espionage, spying for the British state, and yet that same UK Government won't come out and defend them and say that they completely deny the allegations."

The Foreign Office warns all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran because of a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.

open image in gallery Joe Bennett expressed frustration about the governments handling of the case (file ( AFP/Getty )

In a statement in October, a spokesman for the FCDO said: We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran.

We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.

The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Israels cabinet has approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, the far-right finance minister has said, drawing condemnation from governments and rights groups.

Benjamin Netanyahus far-right coalition has been pushing ahead with a construction surge in the occupied territory, with the latest approvals set to drive the number of settlements up to 210.

UK foreign office minister Hamish Falconer said the announcement risks undermining the [US] 20 Point Plan [for ending the Gaza war] and prospects for the long-term peace and security that only a two-state solution can deliver. Earlier this month, the UN secretary-general condemned Israels relentless pursuit of settlement expansion.

Lawyer and former Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth said that while the settlements have been approved in Israeli law, they remain war crimes under the Geneva Convention.

open image in gallery Israeli soldiers during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank ( REUTERS )

Two of the approved settlements were previously evacuated during a 2005 disengagement plan, according to Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, who has pushed an aggressive settlement expansion agenda in the West Bank.

The approval increases the number of settlements in the West Bank by nearly 50% during the current governments tenure, from 141 in 2022 to 210, according to Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group. The settlements are widely considered illegal under international law.

The approval comes as the US is pushing Israel and Hamas to move ahead with the new phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which took effect 10 October. The US-brokered plan calls for a possible pathway to a Palestinian state, something the settlements could prevent.

The Cabinet decision included a retroactive legalisation of some previously established settlement outposts or neighbourhoods of existing settlements, and the creation of settlements on land where Palestinians were evacuated, Peace Now said.

It said two of the settlements legalized in the latest approval are Kadim and Ganim, two of the four dismantled in 2005 as part of a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. There have been multiple attempts to resettle these, after Israels far-right government repealed a 2005 act that evacuated the four outposts and barred Israelis from re-entering the areas in March 2023.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza  areas claimed by the Palestinians for a future state  in the 1967 war. It has settled over 500,000 Israelis in the West Bank, in addition to over 200,000 more in contested east Jerusalem.

Israels government is dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Smotrich and Cabinet Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the nations police force.

open image in gallery Residents of the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, Tulkarem, evacuating their homes during an Israeli military operation in February ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Settler expansion has been compounded by a surge of attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank in recent months.

During Octobers olive harvest, settlers across the territory launched an average of eight attacks daily, the most since the United Nations humanitarian office began collecting data in 2006. The attacks continued in November, with the U.N. recording at least 136 more by 24 November. Settlers burned cars, desecrated mosques, ransacked industrial plants and destroyed cropland.

The latest announcement also comes after the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah said two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, were killed in clashes with the Israeli military on Saturday night in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

open image in gallery West Bank Palestinians have seen home demolitions and settler attacks once again escalate ( Mohammad Hesham Huraini )

The Israeli military said one militant was shot and killed after he threw a block at Israeli troops in Qabatiya on Saturday night, while another was killed after he hurled explosives at Israeli troops operating in the town of Silat al-Harithiya.

The Palestinian killed in Qabatiya was identified by authorities as 16-year-old Rayan Abu Muallah. Palestinian media aired brief security footage of the incident, where the youth appears to emerge from an alley and is shot by troops as he approaches them without throwing anything. The Israeli military said the incident is under review.

The Health Ministry identified the second man as Ahmad Ziyoud, 22. He was buried on Sunday in Silat al-Harithiya, near Jenin.

Israels military has scaled up military operations in the West Bank since the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 which triggered the war in Gaza.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

It was an hour after I had left the Utopia Art Centre, in remote, central Australia, when our van turned off the bumpy dirt track and into the bush.

We were in the Northern Territory, one of the countrys least-populated areas. Ahead of me, a red sandstone cliff loomed over acacia trees and low-lying spinifex bushes. Local Aboriginal artists, Jennifer and Jedda Kngwarray Purvis, assured me this was the place.

The desert heat was approaching 40 degrees as we clambered up the rock face to a wide, sheltered ridge. On the rust-toned walls, Jennifer pointed out carvings of elongated triangles, representing the pencil yam vines which grow nearby.

Emily was born here, she explained, referring to their late great-aunt, Emily Kam Kngwarray, whose extraordinary work is the subject of a major retrospective at Londons Tate Modern. She was from Utopia, also known as Urapuntja or Amengernterneah, an Aboriginal homeland formed in 1978.

Looking down from the rock, the reds, yellows, greens and browns of the landscape were instantly recognisable from Kngwarrays grand canvases, some of which she created at the Art Centre.

The patterns of the dry earth are also clearly visible in the bold, swirling patterns in both Jennifer and Jeddas canvases, which were for sale in the airy, white-walled gallery space. The paintings are gorgeous on the eye, but they also explore the sisters spiritual connection to their land.

The Art Centre sits among single-storey buildings and agricultural machinery in the tiny, 150-strong Utopia community, and is one of many government-funded centres for Aboriginal art in the Northern Territory. They provide studio space and materials, plus sell the artists work, ensuring that they receive fair payment.

open image in gallery An installation view of Emily Kam Kngwarray's artworks at the Tate Modern ( Emily Kam Kngwarray / DACS 2025 / Tate (Kathleen Arundell) )

I had been fascinated by Aboriginal art since my first visit to Australia, years ago, and had come to see both Utopia and the small desert town of Alice Springs, a similarly creative outpost. I would also be taking in the Northern Territorys sights, including Uluru and and King's Canyon in the Watarrka National Park.

In Alice Springs, Anna Dakin, a British artist who now runs art tours, drove me past streets lined with bungalows and lilac-hued jacaranda trees, cradled by the imposing MacDonnell mountains. More than a dozen Aboriginal art galleries are spread across the town centre and, oddly, an industrial estate, wedged between tyre workshops and scrap metal dealerships.

The Aboriginal art industry as we know it was born here in Alice Springs, explained Venita Poblocki, the owner and director of the This is Aboriginal Art gallery in the pedestrianised, outdoor Todd Mall shopping centre. Art dealers from all around the world come here to source work.

In several galleries, in addition to canvases so huge youd need a mansion to hang them, there were smaller works with prices starting at around 40. At Tangentyere, an Aboriginal-run, not-for-profit gallery and studio space, I couldnt resist a large square painting by local artist Isobelle Spencer Napaljarri. It features deep aubergine circles set against patches of ochre and vibrant cornflower, and tells the story of women collecting acacia seeds for medicinal use.

From Alice Springs, we headed back on the open road to Uluru, passing camels, wild horses and an emu farm along the way. Nothing had prepared me for seeing the 550-million-year-old rock at sunrise the next day.

After a punishing 4am start, I watched entranced as a sound and light show projected Aboriginal drawings onto the darkened landscape. Slowly, the sky edged from midnight blue to silvery pinks and oranges. Then, suddenly, Uluru began to emerge, part of natures theatrical reveal.

Over the next few days, on walks around Uluru and the neighbouring Katatjuta rock, Anna explained local stories connected to them both. Later, I explored the spectacular chasms of the red sandstone gorge at Watarrka National Park which were, if anything, even more extraordinary.

My time in Australia had almost come to an end but before I left, I wanted to see Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory and another centre for Aboriginal art. Less than two hours by plane from Alice Springs, it is geographically closer to Asia than any other Australian city.

open image in gallery The red sandstone chasms at Watarrka National Park were particularly spectacular ( Tourism NT/@domandjesso )

The hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus took me from my harbour-front hotel to the superb Museum and Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), which is home to the annual Telstra Natsiaa awards  Australias most prestigious gongs for Aboriginal art.

The powerful work on show covered everything from abstract canvases to vast installations, many addressing the history of the Aboriginal people. Above all, the art portrayed the unforgettable natural world of the Northern Territory. It wasnt hard to see the inseparable connection between the two.

As Jennifer Kngwarray Purvis told me: You need to understand the landscape to understand the art.

Eddi was a guest of Tourism and Events Northern Territory

How to do it

Qantas has flights from London Heathrow to Alice Springs from 1250 return, including one stop in Sydney. Flight time is around 30 hours in total.

The Tate Moderns Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition runs until January 11. General admission is 22; concessions from 5; free entry for members.

Where to stay

Double rooms at Doubletree by Hilton, Alice Springs cost from 82 per night. Centrally located, the hotel has a large pool as well as several good restaurants.

Double rooms at the smart, Adina Darwin Waterfront aparthotel cost from 79. The harbour promenade is on your doorstop and theres also a pool.
Oliver Callan said hard work has always paid off for him

RTE Radio 1s Oliver Callan has doubled his airtime thanks to a schedule shake-up that means he is now presenting his show from 11am-1pm.

But he dismissed suggestions that he is in for a massive pay boost as a result of the extra work load, having moved from the 9-10am slot.

Double the pay does not arise, and if you followed the last time I announced my [salary] figures, it would be well over the cap, Callan said.

So it doesnt work like that, but Im not going into any further information on contracts because Ive learnt my lesson.

I thought everyone would do it  particularly the executives  but not everyone has. They have said if it [salary] appears in annual reports in the future, thats the rule. So well wait and see.

Oliver Callan said hard work has always paid off for him

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, December 22

Callan (44) was made a permanent presenter of the slot in January last year, taking over from Ryan Tubridy in the wake of the payments scandal.

At the time, he said he would be on a salary of 150,000, with a two-year contract and that he does not use an agent, preferring to negotiate his own deals.

He brings in additional revenue through his work as a satirist and impressionist with his successful Callans Kicks radio show and podcast.

Accounts recently filed by his company Catchy Title Ltd show it recorded post-tax profits of 92,173 last year.

The most recent JNLR figures show he now has an average of 354,000 listeners tuning in every day.

The Co Monaghan man said he currently has four projects on the go and is looking forward to a quieter time next month.

He will host a festive special, Callans Christmas Eve, on Wednesday from 9-11am. He will also be returning to the small screens with a two-part special Callan Kicks The Year 2025, airing from December 30.

The latter is a satirical look-back on the Irish and international events that hit the headlines, and Callan said there were rich pickings when it came to choosing material.

You think back to the start of the year with Michael Lowry and his two fingers. Then we had the presidential election. Everyone said it will be the most boring election ever and it looks rubbish, there will only be three people in it. And it was by far the most bananas one weve ever had, he said.

As for all the schedule changes on RTE Radio 1, Callan said he is quite relaxed, as he knew all the reviews would focus on the new kids.

Maintaining his shows success will be all down to hard graft, he said.

Its worked for me all my life, whether its farming or in school or wherever, generally it cant fail if you work hard enough.

Once you know what the hard work is, you just go at it, belt away and youve always got a show straight away the next day to recover from, whatever disaster may have unfolded.

Callan Kicks The Year 2025 will be broadcast on December 30 at 9.30pm and on December 31 at 9.20pm on RTE One
The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie  We saw it, so you dont have to...
Aristocrats lawsuit over hunting rights holds up development of 100m solar farm

Legal row over Lord Waterfords right to shoot, hunt and fish could open up new front in planning wars

Lord Waterford's family was first granted land in the county in the 12th century. Photo: Patrick Browne

Shane Phelan Mon 22 Dec 2025 at 06:30

A legal challenge by a hereditary peer is threatening to derail the construction of a 100m solar farm that could provide enough energy to power 22,000 homes.
Gardai have arrested a woman on suspicion of the murder of Daniel Aruebose (3), whose body was found buried in a field in north Dublin earlier this year.

Two weeks ago, the investigation into the disappearance of the boy, who would now be eight years old, was upgraded to one of homicide.
The race against time is well and truly under way for those who hope to be home for Christmas.
An Irish surfer has surfed what is believed could be the biggest ever wave at a legendary spot off the coast of Co Sligo.

Big wave rider Conor Maguire managed the feat last week at Mullaghmore Head, which is described as one of Europes most dangerous and respected big wave locations, drawing surfers to Irelands west coast from around the world.
In her first Christmas address as Uachtaran na hEireann, Catherine Connolly has said that we must use our voices to tackle issues that we are facing at home in Ireland, and across the world.
Dmytro Kuleba: Volodymyr Zelenskys caution over ceasefire talks entirely justifiable

A ceasefire does not always guarantee the end of a war

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: PA

Dmytro Kuleba Washington Post Mon 22 Dec 2025 at 06:30

The recent summitry between Ukraine, the US and Europe, kicked off by US president Donald Trumps initial peace proposal, produced something rare in this war: a negotiating track that looks serious enough to matter.
Funding from the Exchequer for fee-paying schools has increased by a third over the past five years. Private schools receive a salary for one mainstream teacher for every 23 pupils, while public schools receive a salary for every 19 pupils.

The Department of Education allocated 112.4m in the 2019-20 school year, compared to 150.7m in 2024-25. Aside from these sums to cover teacher and SNA salaries, about 1.8m in grants was also paid out last year.

Forget about going down the road of withdrawing funding from fee-paying schools. Ruairi Quinn tried to open that debate when he was education minister. Even in the post-crash economic environment, when every cut was on the table, the Labour Party got beaten up by Fine Gael for considering such a move.

If a united left-wing coalition eventually gets into government, no doubt it will come back on the agenda again. But expect constitutional arguments around the right to education to win out.

A study by the Irish Independent shows the cost of fee-paying schools has risen by up to 2,000 this year amid rising costs of energy bills, staffing and food. The annual survey by this newspaper found the most expensive boarding school surveyed now charges over 31,000 a year.

Bringing parents who can afford to pay fees under that umbrella would not be appropriate

The Kings Hospital School in Palmerstown, Co Dublin, is charging the third-highest day fees, according to available data, at 9,132, a jump of 222 since last year. And Dundalk Grammar School in Co Louth is the lowest priced day school at 4,505.

Private schools argue they should also have access to the free books scheme, but there is little political sympathy there as successive governments extend universal benefits to children that will help their parents with the cost of living. Bringing parents who can afford to pay fees under that umbrella would not be appropriate.

However, there is a policy blind spot when it comes to special needs pupils. Much like the rest of the system, the Department of Education is struggling to keep up with the demands for resources for children with special needs.

Both public and fee-paying schools are experiencing a shortage of qualified special education teachers. Some private schools are coming under undue pressure to fund these salaries, or to open special classes.

The fee-paying sector feels the department is ignoring their position. Principals say there is way for a fee-paying school to access support to open a special classroom for additional needs pupils.

The department needs to clarify its stance. Having pupils with special needs is a reality for fee-paying schools. Given their funding, though, which allows them to spend on areas the public sector cannot, there is a strong argument that these schools should be providing these supports from their own substantial resources.

And it is important that the fee-paying sector educates its fair share of students with special needs.
Its difficult to disagree with any facet of Declan Powers analysis (EUs Ukraine loan deal is a cop-out  to protect Europe, Russian assets must be seized, Irish Independent, December 20).

At an elementary level, if either Russia or the US had such a purse at their disposal, neither would have the slightest hesitation in using it in comparable circumstances.

And therein lies, in tatters, the EUs credibility in its capacity to take prompt and robust action to defend its population against bad actors.

Michael Gannon, St Thomas Square, Kilkenny

Governments spending plan will send us straight into our deepest recession

It has not taken long for the inexperience of Simon Harris and Jack Chambers to be badly exposed. The Coalitions Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan is no less than a plan to send the country into a fiscal abyss.

As Donal ODonovan outlined in his article (Coalition has unveiled wild spending plans that threaten return to national bankruptcy, Irish Independent December 20), the Government is over-reliant on corporation tax to finance future.

Everyday government spending is to increase by 30bn between now and 2030, according to this plan. Once the temporary high of corporation tax take dwindles, as it certainly will, the taxpayer will be left with an increased cost of government spending that will be impossible to meet.

A recession deeper than anything we have experienced before will surely follow. We will have to wait for the next election to dump this Government and by then the damage will be done. A Sinn Fein coalition alternative would be worse in this regard. It is committed to even greater public spending. Surely the hard-working taxpayer deserves better?

Kevin Kelly, Bettystown, Co Meath

Coalition is failing in its promise to take action to reduce deaths on roads

Vice-president of the Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) Leo Lieghio was speaking recently about the 183 deaths on Irish roads this year.

I fully agree with Mr Lieghio when he says that we are not doing enough to tackle this serious imbroglio.

The Government seems to be lacking urgency in doing what needs to be done. It promised the IRVA there would be a reduction in speed limits.

However, it reneged on two of those speed-limit reductions. Two very important limits were the 30kmh and the 80kmh, which were not delivered on. The IRVA was also promised more speed cameras, which hasnt happened. It was also guaranteed there would be more policing of our roads and that wasnt granted either.

It seems to me the State is putting everything on the back burner, while road deaths are exponentially rising.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Follow in Brother Kevins steps and shine a light for those in need at Christmas

Yesterdays winter solstice was the darkest day of the year. Henceforth, daylight will gradually increase until the summer solstice in June.

Although winter is the dormant season of darkness and cold, solstice marks the turning of the sun and the days getting brighter. Celebrations of returning light are common in history, with festivals around the time of winter solstice. Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. We decorate our homes with lights to welcome the birth of the true light of the world.

Similar to 12-day pagan festivals, which celebrated the rebirth of the sun god at winter solstice, Christians celebrate 12 days of Christmas to welcome the birth of Christ.

Struggling families have little to celebrate this Christmas, with charities such as the Capuchin Day Centre receiving more calls than ever for food parcels and hot meals as the cost of living bites hard.

Its founder, Brother Kevin Crowley, who died in July, was a beacon of light for those in need. When he opened the centre in 1969, about 50 people regularly availed of the service. Today, over 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners are served each day.

In addition, non-judgmental and dignified access to food parcels, clothing, and many other services are available to those in need.

The welcoming light emanating from the Capuchin Centre and charitable organisations throughout Ireland will brighten the darkness for the isolated, the lonely and the homeless this Christmas. The light will shine brighter if we likewise share a fraction of our resources with the poor in memory of Brother Kevin.

Billy Ryle, Tralee, Co Kerry

Being so long from home, there will be no awkward throwbacks in pub for me

Reading Edaein OConnells affectionate account of Christmas nights out at home, I was struck by how lucky she is to recognise the people she once fancied (Fairy lights cast a rose-tinted glow over my hometown and locals at Christmas, Irish Independent, December 20). Luckier still if they recognise her.

Having spent almost half my life away, in the US, England and then back home, I now walk my hometown streets in relative obscurity. No awkward reunions, no ill-judged confessions, no ghosts of youthful desire lurking by the bar. Peaceful, yes. But sometimes rather dull.

What wouldnt I give to spot a long-lost crush across a crowded pub, even if only to confirm that time has been equally democratic to us both.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

The ghosts of Dublin Bus visited me to warn of a future clogged with cars

I wish to report a series of disturbing hauntings in Dublin. I was recently visited by three consecutive ghost buses in the streets of our fair city. They were all phantom 15Bs.

The first was the ghost bus of journeys past. It tormented me with stories of successful journeys that have been happening for decades in other developed countries.

The second was the ghost bus of journeys present. It fooled me into believing that it had real time information which guaranteed that my present journey would begin soon.

The third was the ghost bus of journeys future. It conjured up nightmarish vistas of streets clogged with even more motorists if the city does not change its ways.

And then a fourth ghost bus came, it was the ghost bus of Christmas truth. It whispered to me that Dublin Buss real time misinformation system is itself haunted and is actually based on nothing more than a series of AI-generated hallucinations.

I replied, Well, the 15B should be renamed the 15G!

Rob Sadlier, Rathfarnham
GAA

Noel Horgan: Very few signs of mental scarring for Cork as they roar back against Galway

Six days after they started in whirlwind fashion in the game against Waterford, the Cork hurlers received a taste of their own medicine in Round 2 of the National League last weekend.
Car crashes into the front of Guud Day cafe on Chancery Street. Pic:@2-C_or_not_to_B

Car crashes into the front of Guud Day cafe on Chancery Street. Pic:@2-C_or_not_to_B

Car crashes into the front of Guud Day cafe on Chancery Street. Pic:@2-C_or_not_to_B

A car crashed into the front of a cafe in Dublin city centre on Saturday night, causing extensive damage to the front of the premises.

Gardai said attended the scene of a road traffic accident at roughly 11pm, in which a car had mounted the pavement and crashed through the front of Guud Day cafe on Chancery Street across from the Four Courts.

No injuries were reported, however the crash caused extensive damage to the shops entrance and windows.

In a statement, gardai confirmed they attended the scene of a traffic incident on Chancery Street.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Gardai attended the scene of a single vehicle road traffic collision on Chancery Street. Dublin 7, which occurred at approximately 10.50pm on Saturday 20th December 2025, the statement said

Car crashes into the front of Guud Day cafe on Chancery Street. Pic:@2-C_or_not_to_B

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, December 22

.

No injuries were reported."

The incident follows another crash in Dublin city centre last month, when a car mounted the pavement and crashed into the front of a Centra shop on Dame Street.

Gardai and emergency services attended that scene at around 9pm, with gardai confirming at the time that no serious injuries were reported, despite extensive damage to the shopfront.
Councillor Darragh Moriarty attended the opening of the new amenity. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

Dublin City Council (DCC) has opened a large new playground in the west Dublin suburb of Chapelizod, in the riverside Liffey Valley Park.

The authority said it was one of three opened over the course of 2025, bringing the total number of playgrounds in the capitals city parks to 74.

It has been designed as a natural, inclusive play area, located within walking distance of St Patricks National School, St Laurences National School and Chapelizods new Scout Den.

DCC said it designed the amenity alongside the community, and held creative workshops with 70 to 80 local children, incorporating willow weaving and biodiversity-related learning activities.

"Their feedback emphasised two priorities: a strong connection to nature and inclusivity for children of all abilities, said a spokesperson.

"The final design responds to the sites natural slope in a playful manner and incorporates natural materials and multi-sensory zones, offering a variety of experiences, from vibrant social spaces to quieter areas for children with different needs.

Dublins Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, said he was delighted to see the opening of the playground, adding that it reflects the councils desire to create inclusive, nature-inspired spaces.

"By involving local schools and the community in the design process, we have ensured that this playground is not only engaging and fun but also a place where every child feels welcome, he said.

Labour councillor Darragh Moriarty, who chairs the councils Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts and Culture committee, said the new facility is a fantastic example of collaboration between communities and the council.

"Projects like this strengthen our neighbourhoods and create lasting benefits for families, he said at the launch of the playground,

DCCs head of parks, Les Moore, said his team worked closely with the local community to make sure the space reflected their ideas and needs.

We are proud to see it come to life in such a beautiful setting, he added.

The opening follows a spate of vandalism and arson-related incidents at parks around Dublin city, from Diamond Park in the north inner city to Saint Annes Park in Clontarf.

Mr McAdam previously told the Irish Independent that would be pushing to rebuild the damaged spaces as soon as possible.

"Leaving a burned-out playground behind is the real bad money, he said. It costs us more in antisocial behaviour, policing and lost community confidence.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The Carrick familys home lit up for this year's shows

The Carrick familys home lit up for this year's shows

The Carrick familys home lit up for this year's shows

Christmas is upon us and like every year, a quiet Galway estate is transformed into one of the citys most talked-about festive spectacles, as the Carrick familys home bursts into light, music and goodwill.

Every December since 2018, the Carrick Family at Lurgan Park, Renmore, organises an incredible light show in the name of Christmas and charity.

This year the shows started on November 29 and every evening from Wednesday to Sunday, for one hour, the Carricks home lights up with over 70,000 LED lights jumping to the rhythm of music, in a Christmas show that is now famous across the country.

James Carrick previously explained to the Irish Independent this is actually a year-round hobby that requires about 800 hours of preparation annually.

Talking about this years show, James said: This year we've concentrated a bit more on the older original props and spent a good bit of time taking them apart, cleaning and repairing and updating any pixels that may be at the end of their useful shelf life. To this end around 1,500 pixels have been replaced.

The Carrick familys home lit up for this year's shows

We've added a bunch of new sequences to the display and a few new props. It's house facade space we're running out of otherwise we'd have lot's more!

James works hard every year to make the show different and better. As its popularity rises Christmas after Christmas, the Carrick family has had a number of special guests this year.

Within days we had the Galway Mayor and his Deputy lined up to come launch the show and 27 drummers to open for us on the evening from a local group called Drumadore.

We have a special relationship with Santa and each year he gives up his time to come visit us at the childrens show on Sundays at 4.30pm.

Local group Drumadore paid a visit to the Carrick's home

However, the annual event is also set up for a great cause. Overall, the family donated over 20,000 to various local charities across the past seven years.

This year, the Carricks family decided to donate to Galway Autism Partnership (GAP).

They are a fantastic organisation helping countless autistic children and the facilities and support they provide are just fantastic, James said.

We have members of our own extended family that have availed of their services and they've always come away with a great experience.

The team at GAP are so nice, very friendly and so supportive. When we asked them if we could support them this year they were ecstatic.

As always, the people is what makes this event truly special as James is proud the show has supporters all over Galway and the world.

It's a real treat to see so many families making core memories each year and telling us they look forward to the show.

Many families come each year and some come several times. This year we've had our regular visit from the local Gaelscoil Dara and the local Beaver Scouts among others.

He added: Then we have the one's that stick out.

The Carrick familys home lit up for this year's shows

From the little lady who saved up her pocket money for GAP and popped into an envelope - thank you.

From the family that got soaked one evening but was just loving the show so they stayed - thank you.

We have a very supportive following from all around the world, both friends and family, neighbours we grew up with and even co-hobbyists from the Christmas Lighting community. Yes, there is a massive community all over the world where this kind of lighting is created , it's mostly used for Christmas displays but Halloween is becoming bigger.

The company I work for, Cisco, is also hugely supportive with allowing us time off to support our favourite charities every year.
Mocha Beans will open four stores across Mayo and Galway on Christmas Day, offering food, drinks, blankets, and festive company to anyone in need

A Mayo business is spreading holiday cheer and showing the true spirit of kindness this Christmas.

Mocha Beans Ballina has announced it will open its doors on Christmas Day to welcome anyone in need of warmth, comfort, or company.

From 11am to 1pm on December 25, the coffee shop on Pearse Street in the town centre will offer free hot water bottles, blankets, sandwiches, soup, and tea or coffee.

At their other Mayo location along the Foxford Road, sandwiches, soup, blankets, and hot water bottles will also be available outside for anyone in need.

Kenneth, Jarlath, and Trevor Mangan, owners of Mocha Beans Ballina, made the announcement via social media.

The brothers also confirmed that the act of kindness will spread to other Mocha Bean locations in Galway.

The store in Claregalway will be open on Christmas Day from 1pm to 3pm, while the Drive-Thru in Kilcolgan will offer free soup, sandwiches, hot water bottles, blankets, and other essentials to those in need.

The Mangan brothers made it clear that everyone is welcome to the stores on Christmas, whether elderly, alone, or homeless in our community, with no questions asked.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Kenneth, Jarlath, and Trevor Mangan explained their motivation:

Its our little way of giving back and making sure no one feels left out this holiday. Christmas can be a very difficult time for some, and no one should be alone. We hope to see you there and spread a bit of warmth and cheer.

This is not the first year Mocha Beans has opened on Christmas Day. The tradition at the Pearse Street location began in 2008, when the store opened its doors to those who would otherwise spend the holiday alone.

Last year, in Claregalway, the decision to open the store on Christmas Day inspired a ripple effect of kindness, as stand-up comedian and TV personality Martin Ward was so moved by the sense of community spirit that he paid for 10 coffees for 10 random people.

The Mangan brothers opened their first store in Ballina in 2006, and have since expanded to six outlets and two mobile units across Ireland.

They have been actively involved in helping the community and were recognised at the 2025 Mayo People of the Year Awards were they received the Business Liaison Award.

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Siopashoo is another Cahersiveen shop with an impressive Christmas shop front display. Photo by Ruth Brophy

2025 Christmas Shopfront winner Brian O'Sullivan with a Civic ACARD Award for his window display in 1995. Photo by Ruth Brophy

Hillgrove Porcelain in Cahersiveen was named the winner of the Christmas Shop Front Competition 2025. Photo by Ruth Brophy

Ritchie O'Connell, chair of Cahersiveen Chamber Alliance, presenting Brian O'Sullivan with his glass trophy. Photo by Ruth Brophy

Brian O'Sullivan of Hillgrove Porcelain was presented with a glass trophy by Cahersiveen Chamber Alliance chairperson Ritchie O'Connell after being named winner of the Christmas Shop Front Competition 2025. Photo by Ruth Brophy

A Cahersiveen business was named as the winner of the local Christmas Shop Front Competition in recognition of its spectacular festive display.

Hillgrove Porcelain, run by Brian OSullivan, was awarded the coveted honour by Cahersiveen Chamber Alliance.

Brian is celebrating his 25th year in business in the town and the award represents a great finish to 2025.

He is well-known for the effort he puts into his window displays throughout the year and his Christmas creations are always admired by locals and visitors alike.

The window of the Church Street shop showcased a range of exquisite, handcrafted porcelain wares for Christmas. The works reflect the character of Cahersiveen and its surrounds  from the Valencia Town Clock to charming puffin statues.

Cahersiveen Chamber Alliance has extended its thanks to all the local retailers and businesses who went to great efforts to decorate their front windows for Christmas, contributing to a warm, festive atmosphere in the town.

Ritchie OConnell, chair of the Chamber, credited local businesses with helping to make the town such an attractive place.

Its the collective spirit and hard work of our business community that makes Cahersiveen one of the best towns in Kerry to visit and shop, especially at Christmas, Ritchie said.

Residents and visitors have been encouraged to take a stroll past Hillgrove Porcelain to take a look at the brilliant display in the window of the Christmas Shop Front-winning business.
Some of the items donated by the people of Sligo to help those impacted by the recent floods and landslides in Sri Lanka

Some of the items donated locally in the fundraiser to help people in Sri Lanka impacted by floods and landslides

The Sri Lankan community in Sligo have expressed their gratitude to the people of Sligo and surrounding areas for the generosity shown to the people of Sri Lanka effected by the recent flooding and landslides

The Sri Lankan community in Sligo has extend its heartfelt thanks to the people of Sligo and the surrounding areas for their incredible generosity and support following the recent devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

In response to this humanitarian crisis, the Sri Lankan community in Sligo came together to collect donations to support families who have lost homes, belongings, and access to basic necessities.

Speaking to the Sligo Champion Sanka Dissanayake and Dilani Kalugalage thanked the Sligo community for the support and generosity shown to them following the floods that resulted in the deaths of over 600 people and impacted over two million Sri Lankans.

Thanks to the kindness and compassion of the local community we have successfully collected over 300kg of donated goods, including clothing and essential daily items, which will be sent to those most affected. We would like to offer special thanks to Our Lady of Mercy Primary School, St. Annes Church, Sligo Food Bank, and the many individuals, families, and organisations who contributed so generously. Your support played a vital role in making this initiative possible.

This effort truly reflects the strong community spirit in Sligo and beyond. We are deeply grateful not only to those within the county but also to supporters from outside Sligo who stood with us during this time of need. On behalf of the Sri Lankan community, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated, volunteered, and helped spread the word. Your kindness has brought hope and relief to people facing extremely difficult circumstances.

Sanka explained the fundraising efforts began soon after the disastrous events in Sri Lanka and the response from the people of Sligo was immediate.

Within a very short period of time, we successfully completed a donation campaign to support the people of Sri Lanka who are suffering due to floods and landslides. From this beautiful country, Ireland, we were able to collect over 300kg of essential goods. This is the moment for us to say thank you on behalf of our whole Sri Lankan nation. Every single contribution, every prayer, and every kind thought truly meant so much to my mother country, Sri Lanka.

"I would like to give my special thanks to, Principle Ms Flannery, Deputy Principle Ms Bourke and all the teachers, parents, and the lovely children of Mercy Primary School, Sligo; OCAI (Order of Christian Initiation Adults) Sligo group; Radisson Blu Hotel Sligo; Venarable Kashyapa Thero from International Buddhist temple, London; Pakiza Asian Shop, Sligo; Sligo Food and Furniture Bank; Suraji, Antran, Asanga, Dinushika, and Lakmal  thank you for always standing with me and supporting our mother country.

Sanka also thanked Claudia from KG Photography and Our lovely Sligo community.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
David Lahart, Gediminas Urbonas, and Julio Betin, who have all died in Co Tipperary road traffic collisions recently

The funeral mass of Nathan Walsh will take place on Tuesday, December 23, at 11am in The Church of the Annunciation, Bansha, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery

The funeral details of the young Tipperary man who died in a car crash on Wednesday night last week have now been announced, after a devastating nine days for the county.

Nathan Walshs death brought to four the number of young adults killed on Tipperarys roads since the previous Saturday, December 13, when David Lahart, 18, Gediminas Urbonas, 21, and Julio Betin from Brazil, all died in two separate accidents at Ballynunty and Clonmel.

Mr Walsh, of Radharc Na Habhainn, Bansha, died in a single-vehicle crash near Tipperary town on Wednesday, December 17, on the N24 at Cordangan Cross. His death was the 10th on Tipperary roads so far this year.

His remains will repose at Whelan's Funeral Home, Bansha Road, Tipperary town on Monday evening December 22, from 5.30pm to 7pm.

His funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, December 23 at 11am in The Church of the Annunciation, Bansha, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Nathan is mourned by his family, mother Georgina and sister Nicole, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and friends.

Condolences have been expressed from far and wide for Mr Walsh, who worked in BoyleSports in Tipperary town, and who grew up in

Independent councillor John OHeney said: It has sent shock waves through the community in west Tipperary and south Tipperary again because its another life lost in a space of a short period of time. Its very difficult to comprehend.

One mourner wrote: I was so saddened to hear of the tragic accident that took Nathan's life. My deepest condolences to his mam Georgina, his sister, Nicole, his grandparents, extended family and friends and all those who will miss Nathan's gentle presence in their lives. May you find comfort in each other and the memories you share of Nathan.

A resident of Bansha said: Sincere condolences to Georgina, Nicole, Nathans grandparents and all the Walsh family on the tragic loss of Nathan.

We have very fond memories of Nathan as a pupil in Bansha NS and you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. May Nathans gentle soul rest in peace.

Another mourner said: Working with Nathan was the greatest pleasure and I always looked forward to it - me and him were always laughing and joking every time we were together and we would always have conversations about the most random deepest topics you could imagine.

I will miss him for the rest of my life, thank you for being in my life Nathan and making it a brighter place.

Another said: I was heartbroken to hear of Nathan's passing during the week. Nathan was a good student, very quiet and had a gentle wit about him.

He was reliable and anything he was asked to do, he did it and was happy to do it. He was kind, caring and a good friend to others in his year group. We will always remember him in the Abbey. May his gentle soul rest in peace in the arms of the angels.
Management committee reformed with new members

Wicklow County Council has appointed a subject matter expert to prepare a scope of works document setting out the works required to reopen the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.

The expert will also carry out an assessment of alternative routes for the Cliff Walk on the Greystones side.

On completion of these tasks, a subject matter expert will then be appointed to bring the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk project through to completion.

The taskforce established by Tanaiste and Wicklow TD Simon Harris in late 2024 met on December 17 for the third time to discuss progress since their last meeting on November 25.

At the latest meeting council officials provided an update on the reforming of the Cliff Walk Management Committee and the appointment of the subject matter expert to bring the report into a deliverable plan.

Further to the proposal to reform the Cliff Walk Management Committee at their December monthly meeting, the elected members agreed to increase the membership of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk Management Committee by two members from umbrella bodies and one member from the business community for both Bray and Greystones and an increase in elected members.

Accordingly, at the Bray Municipal District monthly meeting held on December 2, it was agreed by the district councillors that one further elected member from Bray MD would join the committee and a nominee would be sought from the Bray Chamber, Public Participation Network (PPN)  Environment pillar and the Bray Alliance/Bray Heads Resident Association.

Cllr Caroline Winstanley was proposed and subsequently appointed as the extra elected member from Bray to sit on the committee alongside Cllr Erika Doyle.

At the Greystones Municipal District meeting held on December 17 it was agreed by the elected members that two further elected members from Greystones MD would join the committee, while nominees would be sought from the East Wicklow Business Network, PPN  Environment pillar and the Friends of the Cliff Walk campaign group.

Cllr Louise Fenlon Gaskin and Cllr Tom Fortune were proposed and subsequently appointed as the extra elected members from Greystones to sit on the committee alongside Cllr Stephen Stokes and Cllr Mark Barry.

Following receipt of details of nominated persons from these bodies, a meeting of the Cliff Walk Management Committee will be convened in early January 2026.

There wasnt universal approval for the proposal during the meeting with Cllr Fortune strongly advocating for two representatives from the Friends of the Cliff Walk group to sit on the committee.

I believe appointing two reps from the group is right and fair and it would be a strategic move to help keep things moving forward. They have already done a lot, and they deserve to be heard at the table.

The committee is being guided by the work of the taskforce and it will be important that we hear back from them again soon, he added.

Echoing those sentiments Cllr Mark Barry said the group have been instrumental in getting funding in place and putting pressure on the government to address the issue.

In an effort to provide a solution district manager Helena Dennehy agreed to consider a proposal brought forward by Cllr Fenelon Gaskin to re examine the terms of reference of the committee that would allow two members of the group to have access to future meetings.

The proposal would need to be voted on by the elected members at a future full meeting of Wicklow County Council.

The Friends of the Cliff Walk group has said it welcomed the statement from Deputy Harris on the timeline for reopening. After almost five years of closure, the group said there was now hope that the walkway could reopen close to St Patricks Day next year.

Under the Tanaistes plan, both Wicklow County Council and Irish Rail have accepted the recent report by RPS consultant engineers and, crucially, have agreed to implement it in the shortest possible time frame, with St Patricks Day 2026 the target date for reopening as much of the walk as possible by then, said the group in a statement.

However, Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District and Green Party councillor Erika Doyle, who chairs the local authoritys management committee, has said openly that such a deadline would be extremely challenging for all concerned.

It has and remains my commitment to the people of Bray to work to reopen the Cliff Walk safely and in a timely fashion, however we must adhere to proper procedure, as with any process involving taxpayers money and public safety. she said in a social media post earlier this month.

As somebody living beside Bray Head who misses the Cliff Walk terribly, I understand the frustration that is out there, but I stand over the work done by the committee since I took the chair this year, to get it to this stage.

Separately, following a freedom of information request by the Social Democrats Wicklow County Council highlighted they paid just under 79,000 to consultant group RPS in 2025 for architect and engineering fees in maintaining the amenity.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Wicklow County Council appear to have rowed back on plans to make traffic in Delgany village one way, in an effort to improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure around the Convent Road.

Convent Road in its current state does not provide facilities to cater for pedestrians to safely navigate and cross along the route.

The scheme aims to support the objectives of the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan (2023) and the National Cycle Network Plan (2023). The scheme will also support the specific objectives of the Greystones-Delgany-Kilcoole Local Area Plan, which is currently being updated, and the Wicklow County Development Plan which remains valid until 2028.

The existing Convent Road layout is car-dominant in nature with poor pedestrian facilities and no dedicated cyclist facilities. In general, all facilities are in poor condition, including the condition of footpaths and road pavement.

There is poor connectivity between different sections of footpath along the route with many gaps and obstacles present throughout which inhibits accessibility for vulnerable road users. The footpaths in most locations are in very poor condition with cracking apparent in many cases.

District councillors in Greystones were first presented with a report during their July monthly meeting, with seven options being proposed.

Representatives from the Active Travel team within the local authority initially believed option 4 is the best way forward and has reached phase 3  the preliminary design stage.

Option 4 would have provided for a one-way system with widened footpaths and additional room for increased public realm spaces. It did not, however, allow cyclists to travel by bicycle northwards along the road.

Cyclists would have had to either divert eastwards to Delgany Wood Avenue or dismount and walk their bicycle northwards.

Members of the Delgany Community Council didnt believe the options available were fully explored and properly evaluated.

Under the proposed one-way scheme, parking for residents who dont have their own private parking would not have been permitted, with one single on street car parking space reserved for disability parking.

This would have meant no parking in the village would have been permitted apart from spaces that are in privately owned business car parks including the Wicklow Arms and the Horse and Hound.

Following an extensive consultation with members of the Delgany Community Council, council officials told district councillors at their December monthly meeting they are now moving forward with Option 7, which allows for a two-way system with widened footpaths and a mini roundabout.

This option meets minimum design standards for all modes of transport under the proposed layout, generally achieving necessary design widths (subject to commensurate reduction in traffic volumes), albeit localised pinch points where it will be necessary to reduce footpath width to 1.6m, while allowing cyclists to travel by bicycle in both directions along the route.

However, there is a requirement to acquire land from a third party to provide a mini roundabout of sufficient diameter to permit U-turns within one single manoeuvre.

In addition, the lack of room, created in other options though use of one-way road system means a similar lack of space to create improved public realm. Overall, the benefits of removing through traffic are large for the public realm and local area.

However, this option does not provide as much space for pedestrians and the public realm as Option 4, it also requires land take for the construction of the roundabout, and for these reasons it is ranked behind the options that create a one-way system for traffic to increase footpath space.

However Option 7 was developed in consultations with Wicklow County Council and stakeholders with an aim to provide an option with significant reduction in traffic in both directions, even further than that provided by Option 4.

This option has benefits associated with the reduced traffic, however it does not provide more room for pedestrians nor increased Public Realm Space compared to Option 4.

There was a widespread welcome for the proposals with Cllr Tom Fortune saying he was looking forward to seeing how these works will lead to improvements for other villages in the district.

Both councillors Orla Finn and Louise Fenlon Gaskin acknowledged how important it was that common ground was found between residents and council staff about the proposals.

Cllr Lourda Scott believes it is a shame that it took four years for the plans to to get to this point.

She also paid tribute to members of the Community Council and called for a review to take place to help guide future projects.

Following a question from Cllr Mark Barry, officials from the project team, after acknowledging the frustration the initial proposals caused for residents in the area, confirmed a Part 8 planning application for the project will be submitted in Q1 2026.

Its expected works will get underway in Q1 of 2027.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A young Arklow man has been disqualified from driving after pleading guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit following a single-vehicle collision.

Connor Rochford (20) pleaded guilty at Arklow District Court to one count of driving a vehicle while exceeding the legal alcohol limit at South Quay, Arklow, Co Wicklow. A further charge of careless driving at the same location was struck out.

The court heard that on November 21, 2025, Mr Rochford crashed his Renault Megane into a gate. He contacted gardai himself to report the incident.

When breathalysed, he returned a reading of 62 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, almost three times the legal limit.

Solicitor for the accused, Padraig Hyland, told the court that his client works part-time as a butcher and has ambitions to join the Irish Defence Forces, for which he is actively applying.

Mr Hyland said the knock-on effect of the conviction could jeopardise his future career prospects.

Judge David Kennedy remarked: Why would you jeopardise your future for a few pints?

Legal aid was granted to Mr Hyland.

Judge Kennedy disqualified Mr Rochford from driving for two years, fined him 200, and allowed three months to pay.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A Wicklow-based animal welfare activist with 50 years of experience got the shock of her life when she answered her doorbell to find celebrity-architect Dermot Bannon waiting at her doorstep.

Last month WillowWarm asked the public to nominate a worthy neighbour, friend or family member who has gone out of their way to help and be kind, in their Random Acts of Warmth campaign, with over 1,300 nominations received.
Brenda Murray(Way Project), Fiona Creedon (KWETB Wicklow Youth Officer), Stacey O'Neill (Way Project), Lily Kelly (Way Project), Berni Smyth (Chair of Wicklow CYPSC and Area Manager, Tusla Wicklow), Fionnuala Curry (Co-ordinator of Co. Wicklow CYPSC) and Siobhan Quinn (Way Project) with Nevaeh, Layla and Maisie Knowles who received their Certificate of Merit Awards at the Sleep Project launch in the Way Project, Rathnew.

Nevaeh, Layla and Maisie Knowles who received their Certificate of Merit Awards at the Sleep Project launch in the Way Project, Rathnew.

Wicklow Children and Young People Services Committee has launched a new sleep project which is a multi-agency response to concerns about the negative impact of poor sleep habits to the overall wellbeing of children and young people.

Sleep plays a vital role in positive mental health and influences moods, memory and how we manage information. Research shows a link between poor sleep and health problems. The sleep project, supported by Healthy Ireland funding, has developed two short videos, How to get the best sleep? and the Benefits of Sleep, as well as a leaflet for parents.

Foroige - The Way Project and Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (ETB) staff worked with young people from the project to co-produce the resources. The children provided the drawings and their voices to animate the videos. The project received the Tusla Child and Youth Participation Award for its work and the award was presented on the day by Berni Smyth, the new area manager for Tusla Wicklow.

At the launch in Rathnew, Fionnuala Curry, co-ordinator of Co. Wicklow CYPSC, expressed her thanks to all involved in the development of the sleep project resources.

She said: Wicklow CYPSC is grateful to our partners Foroige  The Way Project and Kildare and Wicklow ETB and particularly to the young people who have co-produced the sleep resources. We hope that these resources will be widely used across the county and beyond to spread the message about the importance of sleep for children and young people.

For young people sleep is particularly important. When they sleep the body produces the hormones they need to help them grow, boost their immune systems and helps prevent obesity. A lack of sleep is linked with anger, anxiety and sadness.

Tips for parents to help their children to get better sleep includes creating a sleep schedule, so if your child has to be up by 8am they should be asleep by 11pm at the latest. You can also create a bedtime routine so if your child needs to be asleep by 11pm they should start preparing for sleep at 10pm.

Chair of Wicklow CYPSC and area manager of Tusla Wicklow, Berni Smyth, presented the Tusla Child and Youth Participation Award to Foroige  The Way Project and stated: This project led by children and young people from the Rathnew area supported by workers from Foroige  The Way Project has been recognised for its excellence in Child and Youth Participation through this award.
US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel will deliver Channel 4s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message, saying it has been a great year from a fascism perspective.

The late-night presenter was taken off the air and suspended indefinitely in September following comments he made on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, an ally of US President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump later suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press maybe their licence should be taken away.

The suspension was met with criticism from the public, some of Hollywoods biggest stars and political figures towards the US administration for infringing on their freedom of speech and free press, leading to Kimmels return five days later.

In his speech, an alternative to the monarchs annual televised address, the comedian will begin by saying: From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.

Kimmel will continue by reflecting on the events of the past year, sharing his own personal experiences and insights after being at the centre of one of the stories that shocked the US and its foundational democratic values.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: Donald Trumps return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025 and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the front line of Americas battle over free speech.

The channels annual broadcast, which first aired in 1993, aims to bring viewers a message about that years events.

Kimmels address follows on from previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including comedian Chris McCausland who addressed ableism last year after becoming the first blind person to win Strictly Come Dancing.

Other presenters have included former president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer.

The Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 5.45pm on Christmas Day.
An airline passenger has been jailed after sexually assaulting four cabin crew on a Jet2 flight to Tenerife.

Joseph McCabe (40), from Glasgow, groped and slapped the buttocks of two air stewards before grabbing a third by the waist and trying to hug a fourth on the March 15 flight last year.
Tories open the door to an election pact as Nigel Farages Reform UK makes gains in polls

The right-wing party leads Labour and Conservatives in Scotland and Wales in the latest polling

Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader. Photo: PA

Tony Diver Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 22 Dec 2025 at 06:30

A senior Conservative MP has opened the door to a coalition with Reform UK before the next election.
European leaders seeking more involvement in peace talks

Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin are expected to have a call as soon as this week to discuss a peace deal in Ukraine.

The Kremlin said yesterday the Russian leader expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with his French counterpart, signalling the possibility for re-engagement as Europe fears it is being sidelined from negotiations.
Teddies may be giving children skewed understanding of bears, study claims

Scientists believe more realistic cuddly toys would make children connect better with nature

Teddy bears are not realistic enough, according to scientists. Photo: Getty

Joe Pinkstone Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 22 Dec 2025 at 06:30

Teddy bears fail to teach children about nature and the real-world plight of wildlife, scientists have said.
A soldier walks through the ruins of the town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraines 24th Mechanised Brigade via AP)

Initial drafts of US proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyiv's demands, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

But he suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.
Vladimir Putins top foreign policy official has rejected the latest amendments to a Donald Trump-backed peace plan  despite admitting that he hasn't actually read them.

Yuri Ushakov, who played a key role in drafting the original version of the plan that was widely dismissed as being too pro-Russia, also played down the prospect of a three-way summit between the US, Moscow and Kyiv
India and New Zealand Conclude Landmark FTA: Whats in it for Businesses

Listen to article summary 0:00

IndiaNew Zealand have concluded a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in just nine months, reducing tariffs on 95 percent of New Zealand exports and setting ambitious trade and investment targets. The trade pact strengthens market access, supports investment-led growth, and creates new opportunities across agriculture, services, education, and MSMEs.

India and New Zealand have successfully concluded negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon jointly announced the conclusion of the agreement on December 22, 2025, following a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

The IndiaNew Zealand FTA was negotiated and finalized in a record nine months, reflecting what government sources described as shared ambition and strong political will to deepen economic engagement between the two countries. Formal negotiations were launched on March 16, 2025, during Prime Minister Luxons visit to New Delhi, when he met Prime Minister Modi. The process was led by Indias Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealands Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay, and concluded after five formal negotiation rounds supported by multiple in-person and virtual intersessions.

Seventh FTA in Indias recent trade expansion drive

The agreement is Indias seventh major free trade pact concluded in recent years, following agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Mauritius, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, the United Kingdom, and Oman. The rapid conclusion of the New Zealand FTA demonstrates Indias continued push to recalibrate its trade architecture through targeted, high-quality bilateral agreements aligned with domestic manufacturing, services, and export competitiveness goals.

Government sources stated that the FTA is expected to significantly deepen bilateral economic engagement, improve market access, promote investment flows, and strengthen strategic cooperation. It is also positioned to create new opportunities for a broad range of stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students, and young professionals in both countries.

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and New Zealand reached US$1.3 billion in FY 202425, reflecting growth in goods exchanges, while total trade including services stood at approximately US$2.4 billion  with services such as travel, IT, and business services contributing significantly.

India-New Zealand FTA: Key trade and market access features

Zero-duty access on 100 percent of Indias export tariff lines into New Zealand, bolstering competitiveness for labor-intensive sectors.

India has extended tariff liberalization on 70 percent of tariff lines covering 95 percent of bilateral trade with New Zealand.

New Zealand has offered its most ambitious services market access in any FTA to date  covering 118 service sectors, including IT and computer services, professional and financial services, tourism, construction, and telecommunications.

Market access remains safeguarded for sensitive products; several sectors including dairy, coffee, onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber are excluded to protect domestic producers in India.

Exploring Opportunities under the IndiaNew Zealand FTA?

Our advisors support foreign and Indian companies with market entry planning, FTA utilization strategies, tariff and rules-of-origin analysis, and cross-border trade structuring to help businesses capitalize on new trade agreements. Reach us at: india@dezshira.com

Tariff liberalization and trade growth expectations

A central feature of the agreement is the substantial liberalization of tariffs. According to Prime Minister Luxon, the FTA reduces or eliminates tariffs on approximately 95 percent of New Zealands exports to India. He noted that the agreement is forecast to increase New Zealands exports to India by between US$1.1 billion and US$1.3 billion annually over the next two decades.

In a statement posted on social media, Luxon emphasized the domestic economic impact for New Zealand, stating that boosting trade would translate into more jobs, higher wages, and expanded opportunities for New Zealand businesses. He also highlighted Indias scale and growth trajectory, noting that the agreement provides New Zealand exporters improved access to a market of over 1.4 billion consumers.

Both governments expressed confidence that the FTA could help double bilateral trade within the next five years. In addition, New Zealand investment into India is projected to reach US$20 billion over the next 15 years, signaling growing confidence in India as a long-term investment destination.

Focus on agriculture, MSMEs, skills, and innovation

Beyond tariff reductions, the FTA establishes a framework for a high-quality economic partnership that goes beyond goods trade. According to official statements, the agreement is designed to promote employment, facilitate skill mobility, and support trade- and investment-led growth across multiple sectors.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the agreement as building trade around people, highlighting its emphasis on farmers, entrepreneurs, women, students, and innovators. He noted that the FTA aims to boost agricultural productivity and farmer incomes through modernization and innovation, while also strengthening MSME participation in cross-border trade.

The agreement is expected to foster collaboration in areas such as agri-technology, value-added food processing, innovation ecosystems, and services, while enhancing opportunities for Indian businesses to integrate into regional and global value chains through New Zealand.

Agricultural productivity cooperation and innovation partnerships

Mechanisms to establish Centers of Excellence for crops such as apples, kiwifruit, and honey  linking productivity enhancement with sustainable income growth for farmers.

Quota-linked and minimum import price arrangements for specific goods to balance knowledge transfer with protection of domestic producers.

Mobility, skills, and people-to-people exchange

Post-study work visas of up to three years for STEM bachelors and masters students and up to four years for doctoral scholars.

Temporary Employment Entry visas for up to 5,000 professionals at any given time, spanning sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction.

1,000 Work and Holiday visas annually to strengthen cultural and workforce ties.

Investment commitments and economic links

New Zealand has committed to facilitate US$20 billion in investment into India over the next 15 years, supporting areas including:

Manufacturing and industrial infrastructure

Services and innovation sectors

Employment generation aligned with Make in India goals

The India-New Zealand FTA also features cooperation on pharmaceutical and medical devices, enabling mutual recognition of major regulatory inspections, which is expected to reduce compliance barriers and speed up product approvals.

Further enhancements include commitments on Geographical Indications (GIs), with New Zealand amending relevant laws to facilitate broader product registration rights.

Non-tariff facilitation and regulatory cooperation

The India-New Zealand FTA goes beyond tariff cuts to include disciplines on:

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)

Customs and regulatory transparency and streamlining

These provisions aim to translate tariff cuts into tangible market access gains for businesses on both sides.

Need sector-specific insights before entering a new market?

Our Business Intelligence team deliver sector mapping, partner due diligence, market feasibility studies, and competitor benchmarking across agriculture, food processing, education, services, and MSMEs. Reach us at: india@dezshira.com

What the India-New Zealand FTA means for investors

The IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement creates a high-certainty, opportunity-led framework for investors across manufacturing, services, talent, and agri-technologywhile preserving safeguards for sensitive sectors. In the table below, we list key commercial and investment opportunities across multiple goods and services sectors.

IndiaNew Zealand FTA: Sector-Wise Opportunities S.No. Sector Key FTA provisions Commercial opportunities for India Strategic implications 1. Textiles and apparel Zero-duty access on all tariff lines; 100% duty-free access for Indian exports Expanded exports of garments, home textiles, and made-ups; stronger MSME participation Boost labor-intensive manufacturing and women employment; deeper integration into global value chains 2. Leather, footwear, and handicrafts Full tariff elimination by New Zealand Improved competitiveness for value-added leather goods, footwear, and artisanal exports Supports artisan clusters and MSMEs; strengthens Indias traditional manufacturing sectors 3. Engineering goods and automobiles Duty-free access; streamlined customs and TBT disciplines Growth in exports of machinery, auto components, and engineering products Enhavces Indias position as a manufacturing and sourcing hub under Make in India 4. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices Acceptance of GMP/GCP inspections from US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, etc. Faster regulatory approvals; reduced compliance costs; higher pharma and med-tech exports Positions India as a reliable supplier of quality-regulated healthcare products 5. Agriculture (Productivity and technology) Centers of Excellence for apples, kiwifruit, and honey; Agri-Technology Action Plans Productivity gains, better planting material, improved post-harvest practices, higher farmer incomes Knowledge transfer without market disruption; aligns technology cooperation with domestic safeguards 6. Agri-exports (Non-sensitive products) Zero-duty access for Indian agricultural exports Export growth in permitted agri-products beyond excluded sensitive items Enhances agri-export diversification while protecting domestic farmers 7. Sensitive agriculture (excluded) products Dairy, milk products, sugar, spices, edible oils, rubber excluded from market access No import competition pressure on domestic producers Preserves food security and farmer protection 8. IT and IT-enabled services Market access across 118 services sectors; MFN in around 139 sub-sectors Expansion of Indian IT, software, and digital services exports Reinforces Indias global leadership in IT and business services 9. Professional services Best-ever services offered by New Zealand Opportunities for Indian legal, accounting, engineering, consulting professionals Facilitates high-skill employment and cross-border service delivery 10. Education and skill development Post-study work visas (up to 3-4 years); no numerical caps Increased student mobility; education services exports Converts education linkages into long-term talent and services integration 11. Tourism and travel services Liberalized market access; cooperation in audiovisual tourism Growth in travel, hospitality, film, and cultural services Strengthen people-to-people ties and services trade 12. Construction and infrastructure services Services commitments and skilled mobility provisions Market access for Indian EPC firms, engineers, and project specialists Supports overseas project execution and services exports 13. Healthcare and wellness (AYUSH) Dedicated mobility pathways; cooperation in AYUSH and medical value travel Global expansion of Ayurveda, Yoga, and wellness services Positions India as a global wellness and medical tourism hub 14. Talent mobility and employment 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry visas; 1,000 Working Holiday visas Overseas employment for Indian professionals, youth, and skilled workers Strengthens remittance flows and global workforce integration 15. Manufacturing inputs Duty-free access for wooden logs, coking coal, metal waste and scrap Lower input costs for steel, manufacturing, and export-oriented industries Improves cost competitiveness of Indian manufacturing 16. Investment and infrastructure US$20 billion investment commitment over 15 years Long-term capital inflows into manufacturing, services, innovation Enhances investor confidence and Indias Indo-Pacific economic positioning 17. MSMEs and start-ups Simplified customs, NTB reduction, regulatory cooperation Easier market entry for small exporters and service providers Broad-based, inclusive trade growth aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 18. GI Legal amendments to enable GI registration (aligned with EU treatment) Protection and promotion of Indian wines, spirits, and GI goods Strengthens branding and premiumization of Indian products

Source: Based on PIB  Ministry of Commerce & Industry Press Release, December 22, 2025

Business opportunity in a snapshot: For foreign and New Zealand investors into India

The IndiaNew Zealand FTA strengthens Indias appeal as a long-term market and production base by combining tariff liberalization with broader cooperation on skills, innovation, and MSME participation.

Key implications include:

Improved market access for New Zealand exporters and service providers into India, particularly in agriculture-linked value chains, education services, and professional services.

for New Zealand exporters and service providers into India, particularly in agriculture-linked value chains, education services, and professional services. Greater investment certainty through a rules-based trade framework, supporting New Zealand firms considering manufacturing partnerships, sourcing, or India-facing regional hubs.

through a rules-based trade framework, supporting New Zealand firms considering manufacturing partnerships, sourcing, or India-facing regional hubs. Opportunities in agri-tech and food processing , where Indias scale meets New Zealands expertise in productivity, quality standards, and supply-chain management.

, where Indias scale meets New Zealands expertise in productivity, quality standards, and supply-chain management. Long-horizon investment visibility, reinforced by the stated target of US$20 billion in New Zealand investment into India over 15 years.

For investors, the FTA complements Indias existing FTAs with Australia, the UAE, and the UK, reinforcing Indias role as a central node in Indo-Pacific trade and services networks.

Business opportunity in a snapshot: For Indian investors and exporters to New Zealand

For Indian companies, the agreement opens a high-income, stable, and regulation-driven market that can serve as both a destination and a platform.

Key implications include:

Expanded export opportunities for Indian agri-products, processed foods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and services.

for Indian agri-products, processed foods, textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and services. Services-led entry pathways , particularly for Indian IT, professional services, education providers, and digitally enabled businesses.

, particularly for Indian IT, professional services, education providers, and digitally enabled businesses. Gateway potential for Indian firms using New Zealand as a base for wider engagement in the Pacific and OECD markets.

for Indian firms using New Zealand as a base for wider engagement in the Pacific and OECD markets. Talent and skill mobility benefits, supporting Indian professionals, students, and start-ups seeking global exposure and collaboration.

Overall, the FTA lowers entry friction for Indian firms looking to diversify export markets beyond traditional partners.

Conclusion

The IndiaNew Zealand FTA arrives at a time when both countries are seeking to diversify trade partnerships and strengthen economic resilience amid shifting global trade dynamics. For India, the agreement reinforces its broader strategy of selectively engaging with like-minded economies to secure market access while supporting domestic growth priorities. For New Zealand, it represents a significant deepening of engagement with one of the worlds fastest-growing major economies.

As implementation details and sector-specific commitments emerge, businesses on both sides are expected to closely assess the agreements provisions to identify new export, investment, and collaboration opportunities. With ambitious trade and investment targets set by both governments, the FTA positions IndiaNew Zealand economic relations for sustained expansion over the coming decade.
What the photos actually show

Image credit : X/ColeDodson1701| Chris Tucker pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein associates; DOJ finds no wrongdoing

An old video resurfaces

Image credit : X/homeofdcu| Chris Tucker says he met Epstein on a humanitarian trip but never visited his island or knew of his crimes

CHRIS TUCKER SPEAKS ON PICTURE WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN  pic.twitter.com/7Ig3hiXp3p















 TheCompany (@The_Real_Yay) December 22, 2025







The bigger issue

Image credit : X/MAGAgeddon| Chris Tuckers case highlights how context-free Epstein files can fuel misinformation

Actor and comedian Chris Tucker has found himself back in public conversation after old photos and documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein began circulating again online following a fresh release of U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) records. While the images do not accuse Tucker of any wrongdoing, their reappearance has reignited scrutiny over how public figures are portrayed when Epstein-related material resurfaces without context.The newly circulated images include Chris Tucker appearing in group settings alongside Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and other high-profile figures during international travel in the early 2000s. These photos have been part of sealed or lesser-known records for years but gained renewed attention after the DOJ uploaded thousands of Epstein-related files as part of an ongoing transparency process.Crucially, the documents provide no allegation or evidence that Tucker was involved in Epsteins criminal activities. It has been repeatedly stressed that being photographed with Epstein or his associates does not imply guilt, especially when images lack dates, locations, or explanations.As the photos spread online, an older video interview of Tucker also resurfaced. In the clip, the actor addressed his past association with Epstein, stating that he had traveled on Epsteins private plane during a humanitarian trip to Africa that included diplomats and public figures. "I met him and you dont know people and what they do in their private lives.. Tucker stated he had no knowledge and never visited his private island, emphasizing, NO..NO..NO..NO.. I dont know where that thing at, distancing himself from Epsteins personal life and crimes.The resurfacing of this video has led to mixed reactions online, with some users revisiting Tuckers explanation while others argue that public figures are being unfairly dragged into renewed speculation.The Chris Tucker discussion highlights a broader concern surrounding the Epstein document releases: the absence of context. Many images and names appear in isolation, without supporting details that explain why individuals were present or what their relationship with Epstein was.Victim advocacy groups have warned that incomplete disclosures risk fuelling misinformation while shifting attention away from accountability for Epsteins enablers and institutional failures. For now, Tucker has not issued a fresh statement on the latest circulation of images. As more files are reviewed and potentially released, observers say responsible reporting and public caution remain essential especially when reputations are affected without substantiated claims.
When is the Free Fire OB52 Advance Server actually going to be released?

Inside Sport

Image credit : X | @freefire | Players can register on the official Advance Server website to get an activation code.

How to register for Free Fire OB52 Advance Server?

Then they will have to complete the registration process and provide details:

Ingame nickname

Email address

Active mobile number (if asked)

Short description of the way they want to test or your device details.

Image credit : X | @freefire | Download the special OB52 Advance Server APK to start exploring new content.

Here's a look at the Free Fire OB52 Advance Server download schedule

Opening date: On 25 December 2025 (OB52 Advance Server goes live for selected players).

On 25 December 2025 (OB52 Advance Server goes live for selected players). Closing date: On 9 January 2026 (server access ends for the test client).

Image credit : X | @freefire| Enable Install from Unknown Sources to install the Advance Server APK on your device.

Step-by-step guide for Free Fire OB52 Advance Server APK download

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

It's December, the end of the year, and Garena Free Fire is soon going to bring some exciting updates. Well, with this, Free Fire fans get ready as the Free Fire OB52 Advance Server will be open from December to January. Players must register themselves on the official Advance Server website and obtain an activation code, and install a special APK to participate. Let's find out more.According to, the Free Fire OB52 Advance Server will be open from December 25, 2025, to January 9, 2026. Primarily designed for Android users, the server provides early access to OB52 features, allowing players to test new content and submit feedback or report bugs before the official release.Firstly, you have to open the browser and then go to the official Free Fire Server website: ff-advance.ff.garena.com/. Following this, players will have to log in via Facebook or Google, which is linked to their Free Fire account.First, visit the Advanced server site once registered. Return to the Advance Server website at ff-advance.ff.garena.com/ and log in using the same account you used to register.If your account is approved, a Download APK or Download OB52 Advance Server button will appear.Download the OB52 APK by tapping the download button to begin downloading the Free Fire OB52 Advance Server APK.Now allow installation from unknown sources by going to Settings, then Security/privacy and then enable the install from unknown sources for your browser or file manager app. This is necessary because the Advance Server app isnt downloaded through Google Play.Install the APK by opening your File Manager and navigating to the Downloads folder to find the OB52 Advance Server APK. Tap the file and select Install, then wait for the process to finish.If you encounter errors like Parsing the package or App not installed, re-download the APK and make sure your device has sufficient storage. The final step is to launch the APK link.
Image credit : X/@TheHollywoodHandle | James Ransone dies by suicide at 46

James Ransone dies by suicide at 46

James Ransone shared harrowing account of childhood trauma

When the actor opened up about addiction and finding sobriety

Image credit : IMDb | James Ransone overcame heroin addiction at 27, finding sobriety just before his breakthrough role on Generation Kill

James Ransone celebrated for powerful and versatile performances

Image credit : IMDb| James Ransone, celebrated for The Wire and It: Chapter Two, leaves behind a legacy of powerful performances

James Ransone, best known for his roles inand, has died at the age of 46. His death has been confirmed as suicide. As tributes pour in from fans and across the television and film community, many are reflecting on a career defined by powerful performances and creative highs, as well as the personal struggles he spoke about openly.In recent years, Ransone had shared his experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, shedding light on the emotional toll it took on him and sparking important conversations around mental health.According to an official statement from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office, Ransone died by suicide on December 19, 2025, in Los Angeles at the age of 46. The medical examiner confirmed the cause of death was suicide, and authorities said his body was found in an outbuilding near his home, underscoring the tragic end to the actors life.In 2021, the actor publicly shared a deeply personal account of surviving childhood sexual abuse, revealing details he had kept private for decades. In a lengthy Instagram post addressed to his alleged abuser, former tutor Timothy Rualo, Ransone said the abuse occurred repeatedly in 1992 at his familys home in Phoenix, Maryland, when he was 12 years old.We did very little math, he wrote, recalling how he was left to deal with the aftermath alone. The strongest memory I have of the abuse was washing blood and feces out of my sheets after you left. I remember doing this as a 12 year old because I was too ashamed to tell anyone.Ransone also linked the trauma to years of addiction and self-destructive behaviour, describing a lifetime of shame and embarrassment that he said contributed to struggles with alcoholism and heroin use throughout his early adulthood. According to, he reported the allegations to Baltimore County police in March 2020, though prosecutors later declined to file charges.Ransone had spoken openly in past interviews about his long battle with addiction and his path to sobriety, describing how he overcame years of heroin use before his career took off.In a 2016 conversation withmagazine, Ransone said he woke up at 27 after being on heroin for five years and realised his life needed to change, explaining that he sobered up six or seven months before landing a transformative role on. Reflecting on that turning point, he added, It was like I sobered up and I realised, My job is being an actor. This is crazy!  highlighting how reclaiming his life from addiction was a crucial step both personally and professionally.The actor built a widely respected body of work across both television and film, earning acclaim for his intense and versatile performances. He first drew major attention as Ziggy Sobotka on HBOs, a role that became one of the most memorable arcs in the critically lauded crime drama.He also impressed audiences as Corporal Josh Ray Person inand appeared in acclaimed films like, and, showcasing his ability to bring emotional depth to a wide range of characters across genres.Ransone is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children, who remain his closest family following his death.
Image credit : X/ @EVILSCRE4M | James Ransone remembered by family and fans

A moving tribute from Jamie McPhee

Image credit : Instagram/ @skippermcphee | Jamie McPhee pays tribute to her husband

A private marriage focused on family

Image credit : Instagram/ @skippermcphee | Family moments with James, Jamie, Jack, and Violet

Career highlights

Image credit : X/ @kaiyashunyata | James Ransones career highlights on screen

Remembering James Ransone

In loving memory of James Ransone. pic.twitter.com/7CKjnAnrCD



 HBO (@HBO) December 21, 2025





James Ransone, the actor known for his roles in The Wire and It Chapter Two, has tragically died by suicide at the age of 46. TMZ first reported his passing, which was later confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. In the days following, Ransones wife, Jamie McPhee, has shared a heartfelt tribute reflecting on their life together and the family they built.McPhee, who generally kept her life private, honoured her late husband with a heartfelt message on social media. Sharing a photo from her pregnancy, she wrote: I told you I have loved you 1000 times before, and I know I will love you again. You told me I need to be more like you, and you need to be more like me, and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts, you, Jack, and Violet. We are forever.The couple shared two children, Jack and Violet, and were known for keeping their family life private, prioritising intimacy over public attention.Ransone and McPhee tied the knot on September 23, 2017, at Rosewood Beach on Lake Michigan. While McPhee was not an actor and rarely appeared in interviews or at industry events, she often shared glimpses of her family life on Instagram. A post from June 2024 showed their playful bond, as she recounted giving Ransone a quirky birthday gift years ago, a pineapple redeemable for a beach vacation anytime, highlighting the love and joy in their relationship.Ransone gained widespread recognition for his role as Chester Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of HBOs The Wire (2003). He later collaborated again with creator David Simon on Generation Kill, playing Marine Cpl. Josh Ray Person. His other notable works include It Chapter Two, Prom Night, Sinister, Sinister 2, Tangerine, Mr Right, The Black Phone, and the upcoming Black Phone 2.Fans and colleagues have expressed shock and condolences following Ransones passing. Francois Arnaud shared on Instagram: RIP James Ransone. A unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone attended the Carver Centre for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, and made his film debut in Ken Park. Known for his willingness to explore complex and often unlikable characters, he spoke openly about the emotional toll of his work, sharing that certain roles forced him to live in a lot of unlikable skin.Following his passing, McPhees words reflect the love and partnership that defined their life together, a reminder of the strong bond they shared as a family.
Coroners report indicates fatal fall

Image credit : Instagram/socals| Coroners Office confirms Brambila found near 99 Switchbacks with fatal fall injuries

Terrain and timing increased risk

Image credit : Instagram/socals| Sheriffs Office notes Brambila hiked alone in dangerous winter conditions, where a slip could prove fatal

Recovery delayed by severe weather

Image credit : Instagram/socals| Severe winter conditions delayed Brambilas recovery, underscoring solo hike risks

The death of 21-year-old adventure YouTuber Joseph Brambila, whose body was recovered from Californias Mount Whitney weeks after he went missing, has highlighted the extreme dangers of winter hiking on high-altitude peaks. The Inyo County Coroners Office has confirmed that the injuries found on Brambilas body were consistent with a fall on steep mountainous terrain, providing key insight into how the fatal incident likely occurred.After the body was recovered on December 15, the Inyo County Coroners Office formally identified the remains as Brambila several days later. According to the coroners assessment, the physical injuries observed aligned with trauma typically caused by a significant fall, rather than illness or external interference. No evidence of foul play has been reported.Brambila was found near the 99 Switchbacks, a notoriously steep and exposed section of the Mount Whitney Trail located just below the summit. The area is known for narrow paths, sharp drop-offs, and treacherous footing conditions that worsen dramatically when covered in snow or ice.The Inyo County Sheriffs Office, which coordinated the search and recovery operation, has indicated that Brambila was hiking alone when he disappeared in early November, a period when Mount Whitney rapidly transitions into winter conditions. Snowfall, ice formation, and freezing temperatures were reported around the time of his climb.In such conditions, even a minor slip can quickly turn into a long, uncontrolled fall. Winter terrain can also conceal trail boundaries, making it easier for hikers to stray into dangerous areas. Solo hikers face heightened risk, as injuries sustained during a fall may leave them unable to call for help or self-rescue.Search efforts began after Brambila failed to return and was reported missing on November 12. The Inyo County Sheriffs Office confirmed that while a possible body was spotted earlier in the search, severe weather, deep snow, and avalanche risk made immediate recovery impossible. Rescue teams were forced to wait weeks until conditions improved enough to safely access the area. Once recovered, the location of the body closely matched Brambilas last known whereabouts near Trail Crest, strengthening the conclusion that the fall occurred during his descent.Brambila had previously climbed Mount Whitney in safer seasons, but officials stress that winter ascents require mountaineering-level preparation and caution. His death serves as a stark reminder that familiar trails can become deadly when conditions change, especially at extreme elevations.
What the suspected zone-effect weapon would do

Image credit : X/MAGANEWSShapiro | NATO-linked intelligence suspects Russia is developing a shrapnel-based anti-satellite weapon

Analysts question feasibility and risks to Russia itself

Image credit : X/MAGANEWSShapiro | Two intelligence services from NATO member states believe Russia may be working on a new anti-satellite weapon

Military officials say the threat cannot be dismissed

Why Starlink is seen as a major target

How the new system would differ from past attacks

Experimental research or strategic signalling?

Image credit : X/MAGANEWSShapiro | Elon Musks Starlink satellite

Pellets, detection challenges, and wider space risks

A weapon designed to intimidate rather than strike

Two intelligence services from NATO member states believe Russia may be working on a new anti-satellite weapon designed to target Elon Musks Starlink satellite constellation. The suspected system is intended to curb Western space dominance, which has played a significant role in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing war.According to intelligence findings reviewed by The Associated Press, the proposed weapon would rely on a zone-effect approach. Instead of striking a single satellite, it would release massive clouds of shrapnel into orbit, potentially disabling many Starlink satellites simultaneously. However, experts warn that such an attack could also trigger widespread and uncontrollable damage to other space systems.The intelligence assessments say the weapon would flood Starlinks orbital paths with hundreds of thousands of dense pellets. These pellets would orbit alongside satellites, increasing the risk of repeated impacts that could knock multiple systems offline.Unlike traditional anti-satellite missiles, which are aimed at specific targets, this approach would affect an entire orbital region. Analysts warn that this raises the risk of severe collateral damage, as debris would not discriminate between military, commercial, or civilian satellites.The intelligence findings were shared with the AP under conditions that prevented identifying the services involved. The AP also noted it could not independently confirm the conclusions.Several analysts who have not reviewed the intelligence directly say such a weapon would be extremely difficult to control. As per AP, they state that flooding orbit with debris could quickly spiral into chaos, affecting satellites operated not only by Western nations but also by Russia and China.Victoria Samson, a space security expert at the Secure World Foundation, expressed strong doubt that Russia would ultimately deploy such a system. She said the risks of uncontrollable damage make the idea difficult to accept, adding that she would be surprised if Moscow pursued it beyond research.Analysts say the danger to Russias own space infrastructure could act as a major deterrent. Russia depends on satellites for communication, defence, and other critical functions, making any indiscriminate orbital weapon a potential self-inflicted threat.Despite scepticism, senior military figures caution against dismissing the possibility outright. Brig. Gen. Christopher Horner, who leads the Canadian militarys Space Division, said the idea cannot be ruled out, especially given previous US allegations that Russia has explored nuclear-based space weapons.Horner said that if Russia is willing to pursue highly destructive space systems, it would not be shocking if it also considered something slightly less extreme but still highly damaging. He added that clouds of pellets would be almost impossible to confine to Starlink alone and could quickly blanket an entire orbital zone.The intelligence findings suggest Russia views Starlink as a serious threat. Thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites have played a critical role in Ukraines resistance since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.Starlink provides high-speed internet used by Ukrainian military units for communication, targeting, and coordination. Civilians and government officials also rely on the service when traditional networks are disrupted by Russian strikes.Russian officials have repeatedly stated that commercial satellites supporting Ukraines military could be considered legitimate targets. This month, Russia also announced the deployment of its S-500 missile system, which it claims can strike low-orbit objects.Unlike the missile Russia tested in 2021 to destroy an inactive Cold War-era satellite, the system described in the intelligence report would aim to hit multiple satellites at once. The pellets could be released by groups of small satellites that have not yet been launched.Horner said such an attack would be deeply troubling, warning that debris could quickly spread beyond control. He compared the idea to exploding a container filled with BBs, which would threaten every satellite operating in the same orbital range.The intelligence did not specify when the system could be deployed, whether it has been tested, or how advanced the research is. An official familiar with the findings said the weapon is still in development and that details on timing remain too sensitive to disclose.Samson suggested the research could be experimental, driven by scientists exploring theoretical possibilities rather than an imminent deployment plan. She also said such threats are sometimes raised to provoke international reactions or justify increased spending on counter-space capabilities.The pellets described in the findings are reportedly just millimetres in size, making them difficult to detect with existing tracking systems. This could complicate efforts to quickly attribute responsibility if satellites begin failing.Clayton Swope of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said that while untrackable pellets pose challenges, patterns of satellite damage would eventually reveal what happened. He noted that even small debris could cripple satellites, particularly by damaging fragile solar panels.Debris from such an attack could remain in orbit before gradually falling toward Earth, posing risks to other spacecraft. Starlink operates at around 550 kilometres above Earth, while Chinas Tiangong station and the International Space Station orbit lower, leaving both exposed to potential danger.Swope described the suspected system as a weapon of fear that could serve as a deterrent without ever being used. The mere possibility of widespread orbital disruption could pressure adversaries.Samson concluded that the long-term consequences of such a weapon may ultimately prevent its use. She said deploying it would undermine Russias own position as a space power, cutting off access to the very domain it has invested heavily to maintain.Intelligence suggests Russias shrapnel-based anti-satellite concept may function more as deterrence than a usable weapon due to its self-destructive risks.
Who is Diane Crawford, and why was she fired?

Newsweek

Image credit : Pexels | Diane Crawford: Pennsylvania Bus Driver Fired Over Language Sign

CBS 21

Newsweek

BREAKING: Beloved school bus driver in PA fired over sign asking kids to speak English pic.twitter.com/LUogFggtWE





 End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 22, 2025





Former bus driver faces hardship after termination.

Image credit : X | @EndWokeness |Pennsylvania Bus Driver Diane Crawford Faces Termination

Image credit : X | @ClownWorld | Diane Crawford Fired Over English-Only Bus Sign, Online Fundraiser Raises Thousands

Online fundraiser gains traction amid social media attention

In a major twist of events, a bus driver was fired after posting a sign on her bus window that read, "Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus." She insisted that the sign was not meant to be "radically insensitive", but it ultimately led to her losing her job. But who is Diane Crawford? Let's find out.Earlier this year, 66-year-old Diane Crawford put a sign on the window of her school bus. She had been driving for Rohrer Bus under contract with the Juniata County School District in Pennsylvania for over ten years. But a few days after posting the sign, she was informed that her contract with Rohrer Bus had been terminated, as perWhile speaking to local news outletthe previous week, Crawford said her goal was to foster a safe and respectful environment, not to single out any group. She said, I didn't intend to be racially insensitive or anything like that."Maybe it should have said, No bullying in any language, but my intention was only to address the behaviour," she added. Meanwhile,reached out to the school district and Rohrer Bus for a comment by sending them emails.According to the reports, following her firing, Crawford said that she had been facing both mental and financial difficulties. In an interview with CBS 21, she revealed that she is now dependent on Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP benefits and has also started taking antidepressants after the case.I dedicated everything I had to driving a bus. And it was for the kids. I loved the kids. The kids loved me," she said. Currently, Crawford is seeking $30,000 to cover the cost of the bus and route she purchased last year and hopes that the company and school district will recognise that her termination was a mistake.In the middle of all this, an online fundraiser on GiveSendGo has raised over $2,000 as of early Monday. Now, the interview video of Crawford has been widely circulated on social media, with notable right-wing accounts showing their support.
Who is Kyle Chrisley?

Image credit : Instagram | @kyle.chrisley | Reality Star Todd Chrisleys Son Arrested for Assault and Intoxication

TMZ

Image credit : X | @toddchrisley | Son of Todd and Julie Chrisley Arrested Months After Trump Pardon

Charges against Kyle Chrisley in detail

Image credit : X | @toddchrisley | Todd Chrisleys Son Faces Legal Trouble Shortly After His Parents Trump Pardon

Recent arrest follows parents' pardon from Donald Trump

In a shocking incident, Kyle Chrisley, the eldest son of Todd and Julie Chrisley, was taken into custody on Saturday night in Rutherford County. On December 20, he was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Centre. The charges against him reportedly include domestic assault, public intoxication and more. Let's find out who he is and what the charges against him are.Kyle Chrisley is the eldest son of Todd Chrisley, an American television personality and real estate entrepreneur, most recognised as the patriarch of the reality series Chrisley Knows Best. Todd shares Kyle and his daughter Lindsie, 35, with his ex-wife Teresa Terry, and he is also the father of Savannah, 28, Chase, 29, and Grayson, 19, with Julie.Kyle has had multiple legal issues over the years. According to, he faced several charges, including domestic assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, three counts of assaulting a first responder, and resisting arrest. Additionally, he has three charges related to retaliation for previous actions.In 2023, Kyle faced a felony aggravated assault charge in March but was released on a $3,000 bond, and the case was later dropped for reasons not made public. The following year, he was arrested again for the aggravated assault, prompting him and his wife, Ashleigh, to file a $1.7 million lawsuit against Rutherford County and two sheriff's deputies.Accordingto Kyle's lawyer, Wesley Clark, the suit is intended to hold officials accountable and prevent other families from going through the same frightening experience as the Chrisleys.Kyle Chrisley's most recent arrest comes only months after his parents, Todd and Julie, were released from prison following a pardon from President Donald Trump.Todd and Julie had served 28 months after their 2022 convictions for tax evasion and bank and wire fraud, though they have consistently insisted on their innocence.
US talk show host to deliver Channel 4's alternative Christmas message

The Standard

Image credit : X| @PopBase| Jimmy Kimmel set for Channel 4 Alternative Christmas Message

Why did Channel 4 choose Jimmy Kimmel to address the alternative Christmas message 2025?

Image credit : X | @PopCrave | Kimmel speaks from festive armchair for UK viewers

Kimmel urges the global audience to stay hopeful amid turmoil

Image credit : X | @PopCrave | Kimmel urges global audience to stay hopeful and united

Each holiday season, Channel 4, a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel, presents its Alternative Christmas Message, providing a thought-provoking or humorous contrast to the monarch's traditional broadcast. Over the years, the address has been delivered by figures such as actor Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, and last year, comedian Chris McCausland. But this year, in a surprising turn, the message reflects a year dominated by US political news, capturing the attention of UK audiences across Channel 4 and other broadcasters as they chose American television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel to address the message. Let's find out why the channel chose Kimmel for the same?According to, Channel 4 has chosen a US talk show host to deliver its annual alternative festive message, broadcast on the same day as the King's Speech. Since its debut in 1993, this quirky tradition has seen outspoken public figures tackle the years major events, blending humour with serious commentary and offering viewers a unique perspective on the news and culture that shaped the year.Well, this year, Kimmel will deliver his address from a cosy armchair surrounded by a complete festival decor and is expected to speak at around 5:45 pm in a broadcast. Reports say this is typically the time when the broadcast draws millions of viewers across multiple channels. But amid all this, the attention shifts to why Jimmy Kimmel is the channel's choice this year.Jimmy Kimmel has had a notable year after being temporarily taken off air for his comments that the "MAGA gang" were trying to distance themselves from a young person who killed Charlie Kirk, using the incident for political gain. His suspension drew widespread criticism, with many viewing it as a right-wing attempt to silence dissent and restrict free speech.Kimmel returned to broadcasting the following week amid public backlash, with Disney describing his remarks as "ill-timed and therefore insensitive." Since then, he has continued to speak out against US authorities, including Donald Trump and his administration.Ahead of his upcoming address, Kimmel told viewers, Its important that we as Americans let our friends in other countries  know that a lot of us are not OK with what is happening.There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that were in the middle of.
Analysts predict GTA 6's base price, while premium editions could exceed $100

Image credit : X | @GTAVI_Countdown | Rockstars GTA 6 Pricing Strategy Explained

Rockstar balances accessibility and profitability with the GTA 6 pricing strategy

Image credit : X | @Joseph_Witty | GTA 6 Base Game Pricing and Premium Edition Costs

Predictions and leaks suggest GTA 6 Premium editions could exceed $100

As anticipation builds for Rockstar Games' highly awaited Grand Theft Auto 6, a.k.a. GTA 6, industry analysts are weighing in on what gamers can expect to pay at launch. While higher-tier editions of GTA 6 may exceed the $100 mark, experts suggest the standard edition is likely to remain close to the price of a typical AAA title. Let's find out more.In recent interviews with GameIndustry.biz, analysts Toto and Harding-Rolls shared their predictions for 2026 game pricing, focusing on next year's most anticipated release, reported Game Rant. Both expect the base version of GTA 6 to retail between $70 and $80, with $80 being less common but not unprecedented for AAA games.Meanwhile, supporting this outlook, Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, cautioned that pricing the base game too high could discourage players from continuing with GTA Online, Rockstar's ongoing live-service platform.Elliott emphasised that GTA Online represents the company's "long-term cash cow," and keeping the standard edition reasonably priced is likely part of Rockstar's strategy to maintain a large, active player base.While the premium editions may feature additional content, collectables or early access perks that push the price above $100, the base game's pricing strategy appears to prioritise accessibility and player retention, especially for those planning to invest in the multiplayer ecosystem.In the interview, Elliot said, "Limiting the total addressable audience at launch with an aggressively high base price would hinder the crucial GTA 5 to GTA 6 player migration and slow the growth of the GTA Online user base."The report further noted that Harding-Rolls and Toto anticipate that the higher-tier editions of the upcoming game could exceed $100. Their prediction aligns with a July 2025 leak detailing GTA 6 pricing in the UK, which suggested the base game would cost 69.99, while the "Deluxe" and "Premium" editions would be priced at 89.99 and 109.99, respectively.
The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers and violent armed groups operating across the country as terrorists.

The development signaled a major escalation in Nigerias response to abductions, attacks on farmers and persistent community violence.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the development during the Federal Governments end-of-year press briefing in Abuja on Monday.

Advertisement

Idris said the new designation marks a clear departure from treating mass kidnappings and rural attacks as conventional criminal acts, noting that such groups will now be confronted using full counterterrorism measures.

Henceforth, any armed group or individual that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, and terrorises our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist, the minister said.

According to him, the policy ends years of what he described as unclear labels for violent groups terrorising communities across the country.

Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or you are an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no name hiding under this again, Idris added.

He explained that the new approach would enhance intelligence sharing and improve operational coordination among security agencies, enabling quicker and more decisive action against perpetrators of violence.

The minister also spoke on Nigerias recent diplomatic tensions with the United States following comments by US President Donald Trump, who had threatened military intervention over allegations of killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Idris said the disagreement had been largely resolved through diplomatic engagement.

The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through a firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria, he said.

Trump had, in October and November, claimed that Nigerian Christians faced an existential threat and described the situation as genocide amid the countrys multiple security crises.

While the remarks drew mixed reactions, with some welcoming international attention and others warning against inflaming religious tensions, Nigeria remains on Washingtons list of countries of particular concern over alleged religious freedom violations.

Last week, Nigeria was also among several countries affected by new visa and immigration restrictions announced by the Trump administration.
The Presidency has weighed in on the controversy trailing the newly signed tax reform laws, with the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, asking the National Assembly to investigate alleged discrepancies in the gazetted versions of the laws.

Oyedele spoke on Monday on Channels Televisions Morning Brief amid growing calls for the suspension of the implementation of the tax laws by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and several civil society organisations.

The controversy followed claims by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki, who alleged that there were discrepancies between the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and made available to the public.

Advertisement

Dasuki argued that his legislative rights had been breached, insisting that the gazetted laws did not reflect what lawmakers debated and approved.

Reacting, Oyedele dismissed reports circulating in the media as misleading, insisting that claims of discrepancies could not be verified without access to the officially certified versions of the bills passed by lawmakers.

Before you can say there is a difference between what was gazetted and what was passed, we dont even have what was passed. The official harmonised bills certified by the clerk, which the National Assembly sent to the President, we dont have a copy to compare. Only the lawmakers can say authoritatively what they sent.

Oyedele explained that even members of the executive arm, including himself, only had access to the versions presented to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

He also addressed concerns surrounding a controversial provision in Section 41(8), which reportedly required a 20 per cent deposit, saying he reached out to the relevant House committee for clarification.

I know that particular provision is not in the final gazette, but it was in the draft gazette, he said, adding that some documents circulating publicly were prepared before the committee had concluded its work.

What is out there in the media did not come from the committee set up by the House of Representatives. I think we should allow them do the investigation, Oyedele said.

President Tinubu recently signed four major tax reform bills into law, describing them as the most significant overhaul of Nigerias tax system in decades. The laws  the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act  are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

According to the Federal Government, the reforms aim to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, eliminate multiple taxation and modernise revenue collection across all tiers of government.
The Nigeria Police Force has released Nollywood actress Doris Ogala in Lagos after rearresting her in Abuja shortly following her bail, SaharaReporters has learned.

Ogala was brought to Lagos by a police team from the Zone 2 Command.

The incident reportedly escalated when Ogalas lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, attempted to document the polices actions.

Advertisement

Sources said officers violently attacked Abubakar, seized his phones, and accompanied Ogala on a flight to Lagos.

SaharaReporters learnt that a Take It Back Movement Coordinator, Jamiu Towolawi, aka Jharmo, secured the actress release by getting her bailed.

Following her release, Pastor Chris Okafor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries (also known as Grace Nation Liberation City) met with the actress and urged her to allow peace to prevail.

SaharaReporters learned that Okafor appealed for reconciliation and pleaded for an end to further hostilities.

Today, a Take It Back leader, Jamiu Towolawi, aka Jharmo, arrived at the Zone 2 command to demand Ogalas immediate release, a source privy to the information told SaharaReporters.

Dramatically, Pastor Chris Okafor who was at the centre of her arrest and controversy arrived at Onikan and pleaded with her to allow peace to reign. It was obvious her arrest was instigated to bully her and upon seeing she is refusing to back down, the pastor fell flat on his knees and begged.

The pastor spent close to an hour in a closed-door meeting with Ms. Ogala in private. They met in a secluded space devoid of third parties. After their peace meeting, the police released her to go on health grounds, with Jharmo serving as surety.

The police also released the two phones seized from lawyer Marshal Abubakar after the actress was released in Lagos, asking that the arrest video should be deleted as they couldnt access the phones. But the TIB coordinator rejected the condition. And the police later let Ogala leave, the source added.
Press Statement

22/12/2025

Suspension of Disputed Tax Laws and Calls for President Tinubus Impeachment if Proven Guilty*

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is deeply alarmed and condemns the blatant executive misconduct and flagrant disregard for constitutional sovereignty exhibited by the current administration in the recent manipulation of Nigerias tax laws. The revelation, by a concerned member of the House of Representatives, which is commendable, showed that the executive arm has clandestinely altered bills after passage by the National Assembly without legislative approval. This is indeed a dangerous pattern of executive impunity that threatens the very foundations of Nigerias democracy and due process.

Advertisement

This audacious act of executive dishonesty, characterized by the insertion, deletion, and modification of substantive provisions post-passage legislation, underscores a reckless disdain for the rule of law, separation of powers, and the constitutional order. It is an unforgivable breach of trust, a mockery of the Nigerian people, and an open assault on the integrity of our legislative process.

The PRP condemns this act as not only illegal but as a direct attack on the independence of the legislature and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to transparent and accountable governance. The executives actions reveal a disturbing tendency to undermine the sanctity of parliamentary procedures, defraud the nation, and arrogantly impose illegality under the guise of national interest. Such conduct erodes public confidence, fuels uncertainty, and exposes Nigeria to avoidable instability in all aspects of our national life.

In light of these grave developments, the PRP calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation of these alterations and additions to the already passed Act of Parliament to identify and punish all those responsible for this egregious misconduct.

We insist that those found culpable, regardless of their position, must be held accountable and face appropriate punishment for their fraudulent conduct. If evidence emerges implicating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in these illegal manipulations, the PRP calls for his impeachment without delay. No individual, including the President, should be above the law.

Furthermore, we demand the immediate suspension of the implementation of the disputed tax laws until all discrepanciesparticularly the conflicts between the laws passed by the National Assembly and those gazettedare thoroughly examined, resolved, and rectified. Should this matter not be addressed promptly, the PRP will have no choice but to seek judicial intervention. We are prepared to approach the courts to stop the enforcement of these laws and seek appropriate redress for the violations committed.

The PRP emphasizes that the rule of law and constitutional integrity must take precedence. Until these issues are resolved, the suspension of the tax laws is imperative to prevent further damage to Nigerias democratic fabric and economic stability.

The PRP warns that unless urgent and decisive steps are taken, this administrations blatant disregard for constitutional order will deepen the crisis of governance, erode accountability, and further diminish Nigerias credibility on the global stage. We call on all patriotic Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the legislative arm to stand firm against this assault on our democracy.

The PRP affirms that no government, regardless of political inclination, is above the law. The current breach must be met with unwavering resolve to defend Nigerias constitutional integrity, uphold the rule of law, and restore public confidence in our institutions. Anything less would be a betrayal of the Nigerian people and a capitulation to executive tyranny.

We stand with the Nigerian people and call on all relevant authorities to ensure that justice prevails, that constitutional order is restored, and that this dangerous precedent is decisively overturned.

LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!

Falalu Bello, OFR

National Chairman,

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of St. Marys Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, has confirmed the release of abducted schoolchildren and their teachers.

According to the Bishop, Governor Umaru Bago personally called him to convey the good news of their release.

However, the exact number of those freed was not disclosed.

Advertisement

Yohanna disclosed that the released students and teachers were expected to arrive in Minna on Monday, where they would be formally received by the governor at the Government House.

The confirmation was contained in a brief statement issued by the media aide to the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Dan Atori.

Further details are expected to be made public upon their arrival in Minna.

The Federal Government on Sunday said it secured the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren whisked away by gunmen from the school.

A presidential spokesman, Sunday Dare, announced this on his official X handle on Sunday.

Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity, Dare said in the post on X.

The post was accompanied by a photo of smiling children and a woman.

Over 300 children, teachers, and other staff members were kidnapped by the gunmen who stormed the Catholic school in the early hours of November 21.

Sources said the gunmen, who arrived in large numbers, riding on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van, shot the schools gatekeeper, leaving him with serious injuries.

Days later, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) disclosed that 50 of the children escaped from captivity.

The exact number of those who were kidnapped from the school is still unclear, as CAN had earlier said 315 people were taken away.

On December 7, the Federal Government said it secured the release of 100 of the children.
United States President Donald Trump has recalled Richard Mills, the US ambassador to Nigeria, as part of a sweeping diplomatic shake-up affecting more than two dozen American missions worldwide, with Africa emerging as the most impacted continent.

Nigeria is among 15 African countries whose envoys have been recalled.

Others affected on the continent include Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Cote dIvoire, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.

Advertisement

In the Asia-Pacific region, the shake-up affected Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam, while Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia were impacted in Europe. Guatemala and Suriname were affected in the western hemisphere.

State Department officials told The Guardian UK that the affected chiefs of mission were informed last week that their tenures would end in January.

Although the diplomats had initially survived an early purge during the first months of Trumps second term  largely aimed at political appointees  the situation changed on Wednesday when notices of their imminent departures were issued from Washington, DC.

According to Politico, the recall forms part of a broader effort to align US diplomatic representation abroad with President Trumps America First foreign policy priorities.

A State Department official confirmed that the ambassadors were appointed during the administration of former President Joe Biden and would now conclude their postings as chiefs of mission in January.

Envoys typically serve between three and four years. While their roles as ambassadors will end, the officials said the diplomats are not losing their foreign service jobs and may return to Washington for other assignments if they choose.

Mills, who was confirmed as US ambassador to Nigeria in May, is being recalled at a time of strained USNigeria relations, particularly over visa issues and security concerns.

However, his departure also comes amid ongoing efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties.

Recently, Mills met with Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss areas of cooperation, following comments by US Congressman Riley Moore that Washington and Abuja were close to finalising a strategic security framework aimed at tackling terrorism in Nigeria.
Edward Dupree, 34, of West Philadelphia, who works on the produce team at Whole Foods, is pictured Dec. 16 outside his store. Read more

Crowds of last-minute shoppers, customers looking for seasonal ingredients, sappy hands from tying Christmas trees to cars, and of course, hours and hours of cheery holiday music playing on a loop.

Such is the life of a grocery worker during the holidays.

Advertisement

Everyone wants to get, like, the biggest tree on, like, the smallest car, said Edward Dupree, who has worked at the Center City Whole Foods for over nine years.

Working at a grocery store during the holiday season can be hectic and intense, requiring a lot of patience, he said.

Its, I think, definitely under-appreciated, said Dupree.

Grocery employees from across the region say this time of year brings a surge of stressed shoppers making larger purchases, even in the age of DoorDash, grocery delivery, and curbside pickup.

Customers rush into the store for their last-minute shopping, said Erika Keith, who works at the Fox Street ShopRite in Nicetown. And theyre often hurried as they fill their carts, said Charletta Brown, of the Acme in Trooper, juggling year-end demands at work and pressures at home as they prepare for the holidays.

Those three days moving into Thanksgiving are just insane, said Dupree. He said the store starts getting busier in September as students return to the area, and it stays hectic through the end of the year.

Customers arent just getting their regular groceries and Christmas trees. Theyre looking for specialty seasonal items including cranberries, decorative gourds, chestnuts, eggnog, and black-eyed peas for the New Year.

Even in spite of the current economy  we do hear a lot that things are a little rougher than they have been in past years  people still want that tradition, said Brown.

Specific holiday wishes

As the holidays approach, the Philadelphia Whole Foods bakery makes hundreds of pies and a slew of custom orders, said baker Jasmine Jones. During the holidays, they said, the cakes get bigger.

Many are seeking out pie crusts and fillings, as well as phyllo dough to make hors doeuvres, said Brown, of Acme. These freezer items are hidden way in the back for most of the year, but they get the star treatment, front and center for the holidays.

Keith, of ShopRite, said the holidays bring in more business for the stores Western Union service, as people send money to loved ones as gifts.

At the Trooper Acme, Brown said, shoppers start looking for Ivins Famous Spiced Wafers starting around Halloween, and as the holiday season progresses, theyre looking for specific nostalgic sweets to fill their candy dishes  minty After Eight chocolates or the multicolored, straw-shaped Plantation hard candies, for example.

Some people say, We dont eat them, but we just want them to sit out in the candy dish, because I had that as a kid, and my mother and father always had it out, she said.

Holiday gripes

For Jones, Whole Foods is a second job on weekends. They said theyre stretched kind of thin during the holidays as they juggle another full-time job. Jones sometimes volunteers to work extra hours for the money during the holidays, but they dont like losing the time with loved ones.

And, Jones added, the holiday music is not a perk.

It kind of makes me angry, said Jones, adding that theyre still an overworked worker.

It kind of just reminds me that I could be home if you paid me more.

Dupree, also of Whole Foods, isnt a fan of the constant seasonal music either.

If I want to go listen [to the song] This Christmas, Ill listen to it on my own  dont play it 82 times a day," he said. Its a bit intrusive.

The customers

Some customers, for their part, avoid the busiest times at the grocery store.

In Wayne, Lisa Goldschmidt has become dependent on Instacart grocery deliveries most of the year. But when its time to shop for her holiday dinners, she makes a couple in-person trips to her local Acme. For her sanity, she keeps to a personal code, she said: Avoid the weekends and the after-work times when it typically gets crazy.

Goldschmidt, a 58-year-old attorney who works from home, said shes fortunate that she can run out midday on weekdays to buy her holiday essentials, which include an expansive antipasto assortment that her family eats on Christmas Eve and the prime rib they make on Christmas Day.

April Beatty, 51, of Broomall, also tries to avoid peak shopping times at her go-to stores  Wegmans, Trader Joes, and Gentiles produce market. She aims to pick up all her groceries at least a couple days before Christmas, and she also buys more this time of year with her two children home from college.

But her job, too, keeps her busy during this season  she works in supply-chain logistics  so shopping the way she prefers, at off times, just because its more efficient, isnt always an option.

This year, her Wegmans trip for Thanksgiving happened during a shopping rush: aisles packed, parking lot packed, she said. During the holidays, she added, at least people are polite.

Customers at Whole Foods are more outgoing during the holidays, said Dupree, part of a kind of jolly Christmas mentality around this time of year.

The days leading up to Thanksgiving are usually the busiest  more so than Christmas  but he didnt notice quite as much Thanksgiving hustle this year.

I wonder if this is because, you know, peoples pockets are hurting, Dupree pondered aloud.

At ShopRite, Keith said, some of the busiest shopping days she recalls are the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

We have our last-minute shoppers  and, you know, I get it. I get the busy life, she said.

At Acme, Brown sees pressure and stress on some customers.

Being sympathetic to that, listening to them, is probably half the battle of dealing with any stresses or strain that I might be under  and also what they might be under, she said.

Brown said she tries to get a head start on her own holiday decorating and planning each year because there isnt a lot of downtime once the store gets busy.

I have to manage that time effectively in order to be able to really decompress and enjoy the holidays myself, she said.

This year, for the first time in a while, she wont be working on Christmas Eve because its on a Wednesday, her usual day off.

But Brown said she actually loves working Christmas Eve, because it just seems to me like everybodys just so happy.
A mother and her 5-month-old daughter were seriously wounded in a shooting on the 1500 block of North Robinson Street Sunday morning. Read more

Philadelphia police are looking to question a 39-year-old man in connection with the shooting of a mother and her 5-month-old baby inside their West Philadelphia home over the weekend, according to a law enforcement source.

Investigators have identified Faheem Weaver as a suspect in the shooting of his daughter and her mother early Sunday morning, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Advertisement

The woman and baby  identified by family members as Alayiah Hill and Yuri Weaver  were asleep inside their home on the 1500 block of North Robinson Street when, around 4 a.m., someone approached the door and sprayed black paint over their Ring camera, said Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore.

The gunman then entered the rowhouse and shot Hill multiple times in the stomach, and the baby once in the leg, Vanore said. Both were expected to survive, he said, but the mother remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday morning.

A warrant has not been issued for anyones arrest in the shooting, Vanore said, and the investigation continues.

Hills family could not be reached Monday.

Court records show that Weaver, of East Norriton in Montgomery County, has a history of domestic violence, and is currently out on bail after he was charged in October with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, making terroristic threats, and related crimes.

In that incident, Weaver is accused of attacking Hill inside of her Robinson Street home in late August. Hill told police that around 7 a.m., her ex-boyfriend kicked her down the stairs, and when she grabbed a two-by-four piece of wood to defend herself, he overpowered her, grabbed the wooden panel, and beat her legs with it, causing multiple lacerations, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

A warrant was issued for Weavers arrest on Oct. 2, and he was taken into custody and charged Oct. 14. (It was not immediately clear why the warrant for the August incident was not issued until October.)

Bail magistrate Patrick Stack set bail at $75,000, and Weaver immediately posted the necessary $7,500 cash to be released, court records show.

The shooting comes as violence across Philadelphia has declined considerably in the last two years, with the city on track to record the fewest homicides since the 1960s. Still, shootings continue to occur in pockets of the city that have long experienced violence  and seen higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and other health issues.

Domestic-related attacks continue to be of concern to law enforcement officials.

Staff writer Jillian Kramer contributed to this reporting.
Jackson Juzang, a senior at Haverford College, discusses why he launched the Philadelphia Student Press Association. Journalists from 11 college newspapers and news sites belong to the nonprofit. Read more

Haverford College senior Jackson Juzang earlier this year had been talking to a school administrator about the need for more resources to support student journalism.

The administrator, Chris Mills, Haverfords associate vice president for college communications, asked if there was a network of student newspaper journalists in the region that Haverford could join and seek support from.

Advertisement

There wasnt.

So I decided to create one, said Juzang, 22, an English major from Pittsburgh who serves as associate editor of the Clerk, Haverfords student newspaper.

He established the Philadelphia Student Press Association as a nonprofit and created a board with student editors from 11 college news organizations around the region, including Temple, Drexel, Villanova, St. Josephs, La Salle, Rowan, Rutgers-Camden, Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, Haverford, and Eastern.

With the slogan Rooted in Philly, Reporting for All, the group  which collectively represents about 400 student journalists  is seeking funding from organizations to support student journalism at a time when college budgets are tight and the news industry faces challenges, including rising print costs and lower readership. The association already has held workshops with more planned next year, and its 21-member board meets monthly and discusses common issues and problems and brainstorms solutions.

We have so many people coming from different regions, but we are united in the sense that we are all here for the same reason, said Claire Herquet, an editor at the La Salle Collegian.

At a recent meeting, members talked about artificial intelligence and what to do if an editor suspects a student writer used it, Herquet said. There were two instances over the past semester when she read an article submission and thought the terminology and phrasing didnt sound like the writer, she said.

If I didnt have PSPA, I wouldnt have people to lean on, said Herquet, 21, a junior communications major from Camden. It would just be me versus the problem.

Herquet manages communications for the association. She has been reaching out to foundations about obtaining grant funding for the association. Some college newsrooms are better funded than others and can give writers and editors stipends.

Shes hopeful that uniting the newsrooms will result in better experiences for students and more funding.

La Salles publication is only digital; there is no print version. Costs are minimal, but funding would cover professional workshops for students and costs, such as travel, associated with their reporting.

The Whit, Rowan Universitys student news site, prints a newspaper once a week and receives financial support via student government, but print costs are rising, said junior Katie Thorn, who serves as managing editor.

Were trying to figure out with the budget we have if it is possible and what we are going to have to sacrifice to keep our paper printing, Thorn said.

Thorn, who is serving as treasurer for the association, said its been helpful to learn that other student organizations are facing the same challenges.

Journalism as a whole is such a scary world right now, said Thorn, 20, a journalism major from Mantua, Gloucester County, and youre kind of throwing yourself into the fire. Am I going to find a job? Where does my future lie? Having people who support you and uplift you is a great thing.

 READ MORE: Haverford College president to step down in 2027

Haverfords student newspaper has received funding via the presidents office and is able to pay its writers, Juzang said. In January, the Clerk will publish its first print edition.

But the Clerk would like resources for deeper reporting and investigative work and mentorship, he said.

Juzang, who hopes to pursue a graduate degree in communication management next year at the University of Southern California, said hes invested thousands of dollars of his own money to get the association started. He currently works as a research/editorial intern for NBC Sports.

He said the association also has received support from the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

Juzang said he would like to help schools, including Widener and Lincoln, that used to have student news sites revive them. He also has begun talking to student journalists in other metro areas, including Washington, Boston, New York, and Baltimore, about starting an association for their university newsrooms, he said.

Mills, the Haverford communications administrator, was pleased to see Juzang take that conversation the two had last March and create a mechanism for student journalists to share their experiences and learn from each other.

Its really important for the students to share resources and knowledge and wisdom, he said. For those of us who value student journalism, its great to see them prioritizing this and making the time to do it.
Cencora Inc., a drug-distribution giant based in Conshohocken, is expanding its presence in oncology and retina care, two medical specialties that rely heavily on pharmaceuticals.

The company announced on Dec. 15 that it had agreed to buy out its private-equity partner in a national cancer practice management company, OneOncology, for $5 billion in cash and debt.

Advertisement

Cencora already owned 35% of OneOncology, which has a small presence in the Philadelphia area.

In January, Cencora spent $5 billion, including contingency payments, for Retina Consultants of America, a network of specialized practices with locations in 23 states, including two in Pennsylvania outside the Philadelphia area.

The deals are part of Cencoras effort to extend its reach into medical specialties that rely heavily on pharmaceuticals to treat patients. By positioning itself closer to patients, Cencora can capture more of the profit margin that goes along with selling drugs.

We like those two spaces because theyre pharmaceutical centric, Cencoras CEO Robert Mauch said at the 2025 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. He said the company doesnt see other specialties with the same makeup as oncology and retina.

Thats where we will continue to focus, he said. Now as we look forward, there could be other specialties. There could be other innovations in the pharma industry that create something in another area.

Cencora had $321 billion in revenue in its fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. It had $1.5 billion in net income. Thats a great deal of money, but amounted to less than half a percent of its revenue.

McKesson and Cardinal Health, Cencoras two biggest U.S. competitors in the drug-distribution business, face similarly narrow margins from drug distribution. Both also own companies that manage cancer practices. Among the benefits of owning the management companies is securing the customer base.

Cencoras follow-up to 2023 deal

Cencora, then known as AmerisourceBergen, paid $718.4 million for a 35% stake in OneOncology in June 2023. That deal, in partnership with TPG, valued OneOncology at $2.1 billion. The seller was General Atlantic, a private equity firm that had invested $200 million in the Nashville management services company in 2018, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The deal announced last week valued OneOncology at $7.4 billion, including debt. The big increase in value came thanks to a doubling in the companys size. OneOncology now has 31 practices with 1,800 providers who treat 1 million patients across 565 sites, according to the company.

Rittenhouse Hematology Oncology, which has offices in Bala Cynwyd, Brinton Lake, King of Prussia, and Philadelphia, became part of OneOncology last year.
The United States Coast Guard is pursuing a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a U.S. official said Sunday, in what would mark the third interception of a tanker in the waters off that country this month.

The official described that tanker as a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuelas illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order. The official shared the statement on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the administration.

Advertisement

President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered a total and complete blockade on all oil tankers under sanctions entering or leaving Venezuela. He called the Venezuelan regime a foreign terrorist organization and said it was using oil to finance drug terrorism.

If intercepted, this would be the second tanker the U.S. stopped this weekend after seizing the oil tanker Skipper off Venezuelas coast on Dec. 10. The U.S. attorneys office for the District of Columbia issued the seizure warrant for the Skipper, alleging it was used in an oil shipping network supporting the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.

Venezuelas government has called the actions theft and hijacking.

Early Saturday, U.S. forces boarded a different commercial vessel, the Panamanian-flagged Centuries owned by Centuries Shipping in Hong Kong, off Venezuela. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem posted a video on X showing service members rappelling down from military helicopters onto the vessel, which her department said was suspected of carrying oil subject to U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. has not imposed sanctions on Venezuelan oil. And neither the Centuries nor its company is under any sanctions, according to the International Maritime Organization, a U.N. agency.

These actions come as part of the United States monthslong pressure campaign against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, whom the administration wants to force from office. The tanker blockade could impact Venezuelas already struggling economy, which heavily depends on overseas oil sales.

The U.S. has launched more than two dozen military strikes on boats it claimed had crews who were smuggling drugs into the United States. Officials have said that more than 100 people connected to drug cartels have been killed.

Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) said on ABCs This Week that he considers the seizing of the second oil tanker a provocation and prelude to war.

Look, at any point in time, there are 20, 30 governments around the world that we dont like, that are either socialist or communist, or have human rights violations  but it isnt the job of the American soldier to be the policeman of the world, Paul said.

By contrast, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) said on Meet the Press on Sunday, I am all in the camp for regime change.  Maduros days are numbered.

Jim Foggo, a retired U.S. Navy admiral, said the administrations plan for Venezuela appears to constitute a targeted blockade or embargo operation, in which certain ships are stopped and others are allowed through.

If you want to pick something to go after  an Achilles heel  of the Venezuelan regime, its oil exports, Foggo said.

Venezuela has the worlds largest proven oil reserves. Output has plummeted amid sanctions, poor infrastructure, and mismanagement, but oil still represents the vast majority of the countrys exports. So this is really going to hurt, and Maduro is going to have to do some serious thinking, Foggo said.

Foggo, dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy outside Washington, said boarding operations can be unpredictable and dangerous for U.S. troops involved, citing a boarding operation in the Arabian Sea in January 2024 in which two Navy SEALs drowned.

This is serious business, Foggo said, noting that Maduro has said that Venezuelan naval forces will accompany vessels. The danger is that it could go kinetic and someone could get hurt, but we seem to be willing to take that risk.
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted Monday that the United States wont take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump announced the appointment of a special envoy to the semi-autonomous territory.

Trumps announcement on Sunday that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry would be the envoy prompted a new flare-up of tensions over Washingtons interest in the vast territory of Denmark, a NATO ally. Denmarks foreign minister told Danish broadcasters that he would summon the U.S. ambassador to his ministry.

Advertisement

We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a joint statement. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.

Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland, they added in the statement emailed by Frederiksens office. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.

Trump called repeatedly during his presidential transition and the early months of his second term for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island. In March, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote U.S. military base in Greenland and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.

The issue gradually drifted out of the headlines, but in August, Danish officials summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.

On Sunday, Trump announced Landrys appointment, saying on social media that Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.

Landry wrote in a post on social media that its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.

The Trump administration did not offer any warning ahead of the announcement, according to a Danish government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The official also said Danish officials had expected Trump to signal an aggressive approach to Greenland and the Arctic in the U.S. administrations new national security strategy and were surprised when the document included no mention of either.

Deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly said Monday that Trump decided to create the special envoy role because the administration views Greenland as a strategically important location in the Arctic for maintaining peace through strength.

Danish broadcasters TV2 and DR reported that in comments from the Faroe Islands Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen, Kenneth Howery, to his ministry.

Greenlands prime minister wrote in a separate statement that Greenland had again woken up to a new announcement from the U.S. president, and that it may sound significant. But it changes nothing for us here at home.

Nielsen noted that Greenland has its own democracy and said that we are happy to cooperate with other countries, including the United States, but this must always take place with respect for us and for our values and wishes.

Earlier this month, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in an annual report that the U.S. is using its economic power to assert its will and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.

Denmark is a member of the European Union as well as NATO.

The president of the EUs executive commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on social media that Arctic security is a key priority for the bloc and one on which it seeks to work with allies and partners. She also said that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.

We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland, she wrote.
Sycamore Mills Dam at Ridley Creek State Park in Media, Delaware County, is shown in this file photo. Read more

With First Day hikes surging in popularity, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are rolling out a full slate of outings to welcome 2026  from daybreak rambles to sunset treks, and nearly every hour in between for those easing into the new year.

Many of the guided hikes require advance registration and fill quickly.

Advertisement

The Jan. 1 hikes are offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Some are guided by rangers, others by volunteers.

For example, you can set out with Ranger Kim for a 1.5-mile walk at Marsh Creek State Park in Downingtown, Chester County. Or venture two to three miles through pine barrens at Black Run Preserve in Evesham Township, Burlington County.

Another option: Join the Friends of Ridley Creek State Park in Media, Delaware County, for a 3.5-mile loop featuring creek views and a stop at historic hilltop Russell Cemetery.

Or, for a spectacular birds-eye view of the Pinelands at daybreak, you can tackle a 2.5-mile round trip, starting at 6 a.m., to Apple Pie Hill in Wharton State Forest, where hikers climb the 79 steps of the fire tower at sunrise. The only drawback: The hike has become so popular that the DEP holds a lottery at 1 p.m. on Dec. 31 to select participants.

First Day Hikes began in Massachusetts in 1992, and went nationwide in 2012 under an effort by the National Association of State Park Directors.

Ian Kindle, environmental education regional program coordinator for DCNRs Bureau of State Parks, said the hikes in Pennsylvania started not long after that. But, he said, they have become increasingly popular since the pandemic, when many people took to the outdoors.

I think people have really taken to the idea of making getting outdoors on the first day of the year a tradition. Kindle said. I know that some of the first ones I led at Delaware Canal State Park, we could have 100, 150, and upward of 200 people, which is a challenge to lead.

Last New Years Day, 2,488 people  and 224 dogs  participated in Pennsylvania. They gathered for 74 hikes at 47 state parks and one state forest, accumulating 6,478 miles.

The two most attended hikes were at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County in the Poconos (175 people) and Tyler State Park in Bucks County (170 people).

This year, DCNR has organized 60 free guided hikes in 49 state parks and three forest districts, choosing to make the walks more focused.

Kindle said an almost full moon hike is set for Delaware Canal State Park in Yardley, Bucks County, at 4 p.m. He noted a two-mile hike around Militia Hill at Fort Washington State Park in Montgomery County.

He said other hikes will take place at White Clay Creek Preserve and French Creek State Park, both in Chester County.

Heres a list of all hikes in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, New Jersey is offering 30 hikes and one lighthouse climb.

The hikes include: walks at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. through historic Revolutionary-era Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest; a more rigorous six-mile hike at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest on the Cranberry Trail that includes Pinelands cedar swamps and Pakim Pond; and a two-mile hike at Washington Crossing State Park in Mercer County where you can learn about the famed feat by the Continental Army that routed the Hessians at Trenton.
A Pennsylvania appeals court vacated a $1 billion verdict against Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors that was handed down by a Philadelphia jury in 2023.

The whopping verdict was in favor of Francis Amagasu, a New Hope man who lost control of his car, which hit three trees and rolled over. Amagasus body was tossed in the car, though he was wearing a seat belt, and he was rendered quadriplegic. His attorneys alleged throughout the litigation that a defect in his 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GTs seat belt caused the severe injuries.

Advertisement

Through his wife, Amagasu sued Mitsubishi in 2018, and in fall 2023 a jury returned a verdict that included $800 million in punitive damages.

The Superior Court did not assess whether the verdict was excessive, as it has been asked to do with other large verdicts. Instead the three-judge panel ordered a new trial because it said the jury was not instructed correctly by Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas Street.

The issue at the crux of the appeal is that the seat belt defect did not cause Amagasus car to crash. Ahead of trial, attorneys for Mitsubishi asked Thomas Street to instruct the jury to assess what injuries Amagasu would have suffered if the seat belt was not defective, based on a legal doctrine for scenarios in which a vehicles defect didnt cause the crash itself.

The doctrine also requires proof there was a safer alternative to the defective product.

Thomas Street, however, declined to provide those instructions. The judge told jurors that if they found that the seat belt was defective from when it was originally sold, Mitsubishi was liable for all the harm caused by the occupant restraint system.

Superior Court Judge Judith Olson, who wrote the courts opinion, said Amagasus attorneys never argued that a defect within the Mitsubishi 3000GT caused the crash itself.

The appeals court opinion chastises Thomas Street, saying the trial court abdicated its duty to instruct the jury on correct legal principles.

And the judges decision to deny Mitsubishis proposed jury instructions was not a logical and dispassionate determination based on the law and evidence, Olson said.

Chip Becker, a Kline & Specter attorney who led Amagasus representation throughout the appeal, said in a statement that the courts decision to vacate the verdict and order a new trial was wrong for multiple reasons.

The jury instructions were consistent with past Pennsylvania Supreme Court precedent, Becker said. Plus, the jury found that Mitsubishi was liable because the car manufacturer failed to warn of the defect, making any other issue with the jurys instructions harmless.

The Superior Courts sharp criticism of Judge Street was unwarranted, Becker said. Mr. and Mrs. Amagasu look forward to vindicating Judge Streets decisions in the appellate courts.

The car manufacturer, on the other hand, celebrated the decision.

Mitsubishi has always believed that the jury was not properly instructed on the applicable law, Jeremy Barnes, a spokesperson for Mitsubishi Motors North America, said in a statement.

Maureen McBride of Lamb McErlane and John Hare of Marshall Dennehey, who represented Mitsubishi throughout the appeal, declined to comment further.
Center City District workers wash the sidewalk in front of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in September. Read more

Philly aspires to be the cleanest city in the nation. Does that include the sidewalks?

The Center City Residents Association will not renew its contract with Center City District for sidewalk cleaning that is up at the end of this month, the group said in an email to its members.

Advertisement

The City of Philadelphia does not regularly perform sidewalk cleanings, though recently it has conducted occasional sweeps.

The residents association said its board made the decision because of rising costs charged by the Center City District. The new rate would have doubled the proportion of the associations budget going toward sidewalk cleaning in 2026, from 20% to 41%. The association paid $39,600 for sidewalk cleaning in the most recent fiscal year, according to tax forms.

We were losing money. It was like, are we going to clean the sidewalks for another year and a half and be dead as an organization? said association president Nathaniel Margolies.

The residents association had a long-standing agreement with the Center City District to extend the districts sidewalk cleaning operations to cover the entire CCRA catchment area  from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to South Street and from the Schuylkill to South Broad Street  at a favorable rate. The cleanings came the day after trash collection.

Things changed coming out of the pandemic. The Center City District could no longer offer a subsidized rate and its prices climbed.

We presented a proposal to the CCRA that reflects the cost of the program, and they chose not to renew. Much of CCRAs membership is located outside of our districts boundaries; within CCDs boundaries, sidewalks are cleaned three times a day and power washed during warmer months, CCD spokesperson JoAnn Loviglio said in a statement.

There were other reasons for CCRA to move on. The cleaning wasnt making a significant difference on some blocks that already had good trash hygiene, Margolies said, and it didnt make sense to continue asking half of the association to essentially pay twice for sidewalk cleaning, since theyre covered by CCD regardless.

 READ MORE: These South Philly dads bought personal street sweepers for their block: Its like a little Zamboni

The residents association has established a Cleanliness Committee to explore other service providers, like Glitter. The popular service positions itself as an affordable option for blocks or neighborhood groups dealing with the same dirty sidewalk problem. Glitter currently cleans 350 blocks that are directly funded by neighbors, typically at $200 per month for weekly cleanings, and another 720 through violence prevention and neighborhood beautification grants, according to its CEO, Brandon Pousley.

Margolies said it was frustrating that so much of the financial responsibility for keeping clean sidewalks falls upon neighborhood groups and individuals, not the city.

In Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers campaign to make Philadelphia the cleanest big city in the nation, her administration has directed resources toward trash collection and curbing illegal dumping. A signature policy has been the introduction of twice-weekly trash pickup, which began in South Philly and Center City last year, and is about to expand to North Philly.

The extra collection day has been met with a mixed response. Some residents have appreciated holding onto less trash and the city said its made a difference on illegal dumping and litter. But other residents have complained that the program has put even more trash on the street.

If youre gonna add a second trash day without fixing the functional problems of the system, youre going to create more litter, said Nic Esposito, the former director of Mayor Jim Kenneys Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet.

The citys Office of Clean and Green Initiatives did not respond to a request for comment.

Esposito said ideally, there would be a balance of responsibility between the city and its residents to making Philly cleaner. He said he believes that when people see the city government demonstrating care, it motivates residents to get more involved.

Thats what makes Philly so amazing. But it really wears on people when youre trying to do that and before you can even do it, your streets filthy  why are we expending our hard-earned money to have to do something as basic as cleaning streets? he said.

As CCRA weighs what to do about its sidewalks, its cleanliness committee will also advocate with the city, landlords, businesses, and other residents to build better habits and rule enforcement. Margolies said hes had positive experiences working with the citys Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, and they have been responsive to residents needs.

Residents have expressed disappointment at the sidewalk cleaning service going away, but once he explains the financial situation, they usually understand, he said. But its unclear how long their patience will last if litter piles up.

When you look at the quality-of-life [issues] in the neighborhood, they change as time goes on  the real consistent one over time is trash and cleanliness. It really grates people, Margolies said.
Michael Coard of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition records video of speakers at the 15th anniversary celebration of the President's House Site exhibit in Independence National Historical Park on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Read more

Just a few months ago, the future of the Presidents House Site on Independence Mall seemed ill-fated: By presidential executive order, contents deemed disparaging by federal officials were to be removed.

But as of Sunday, the outdoor exhibit at the corner of Sixth and Market Streets, memorializing the nine people enslaved there by President George Washington  and capturing the somber paradox of a young America that exalted freedom for some, while depriving it for others  remains unaltered. Instead, the Presidents House Site surpassed a milestone last week: the 15th anniversary of its opening.

Advertisement

More than 75 activists, preservationists, historians, and public officials gathered at the site Sunday afternoon to commemorate the occasion and mobilize resistance amid its uncertain future. (The event was initially scheduled for Dec. 15, the date of the sites opening in 2010, but was rescheduled due to snow and subfreezing temperatures.)

 READ MORE: Black activists helped shape the Presidents House Site. Now theyre working to save it from Trump.

The Presidents House Site has become a lightning rod for President Donald Trump, who seeks to remove content from national parks that his administration says inappropriately disparages Americans past or living  what activists have said is an effort to sanitize history by omitting slavery from the narrative.

Starting in 2002, Black leaders and the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) fought to put slavery at the forefront of the exhibit built around the remnants of the countrys original White House. It was a chapter of history the National Park Service was initially hesitant to put on display.

America is a great country today because they enslaved us yesterday, Michael Coard, an attorney and founding member of ATAC, said.

Over the summer, 13 items across six displays at the Presidents House were flagged for review as part of Trumps executive order, and federal authorities set a Sept. 17 deadline to change or remove the disputed content at national parks nationwide. Ninety-five days after the deadline, the Presidents House is unchanged, but the exhibit could be seemingly upended any time.

 READ MORE: More than a dozen slavery displays in Philly have been flagged for a Trump admin review

In an email Friday, a spokesperson for the National Park Service said all interpretive signage is under review in accordance with the executive order.

As we carry out this directive, well be evaluating all signage in the park along with the public feedback weve received, the statement reads. This effort reinforces our commitment to telling the full and accurate story of our nations past.

The turmoil comes ahead of the nations semiquincentennial, when its birthplace, Philadelphia, will be in the spotlight. The fate of these displays is poised to be a larger battle over who gets to tell Americas history.

 READ MORE: Coalition strategizes how to protect Presidents House Site from Trump administration

We cannot allow [Trump] to erase our history, said State Sen. Sharif Street, who was among more than a dozen public officials at Sundays event. Speakers included seven Philadelphia City Council members, District Attorney Larry Krasner, and fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from the Jubilee School in West Philadelphia.

Streets father, former Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street, legitimized ATAC and Coards efforts decades ago as the first elected official to start funding their project.

America is a great country because we overcame those things, not because they never happened, Sharif Street said. Weve always marched towards progress, not backwards. But the progress we have [made] will only remain if we are willing to fight to preserve it.

The message Sunday was clear: Activists will continue to fight for the integrity of the site.

You cannot erase, you cannot take away, said the Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, of the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, you cannot delete, you cannot attempt to distract or detour.
Some snow remains in fields along Monmouth Road in Eastampton, Burlington County, Thursday, Dec. 18. 2025. The snow later disappeared, but some more might arrive late Monday evening. Read more

Theres a chance of snow for the Philadelphia region late Monday night into Tuesday, turning to rain by Tuesday morning, according to forecasters.

It will come at the end of what is forecast to be a relatively tranquil day on Monday, according to Zack Cooper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Advertisement

The weather service forecast cool weather with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s, with an increase in clouds late in the day, Cooper said Sunday evening.

Cooper said the precipitation could move in around 1 a.m. Tuesday. It may start as snow, but by daybreak, its would turn into a mix of rain and snow before ending as rain later in the morning ending by around 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Any snow may not stick much.

Its possible we can see basically a coating but under an inch expected areawide, Cooper said.

That may affect some drivers Tuesday morning, but the weather service didnt forecast widespread problems as of Sunday evening.

Its possible for sure that we have overnight lows that are below freezing, Cooper said. So if we were to get a period of snow, there could be a few slippery spots out there, but overall it looks to be relatively minor event.
Philadelphia Police say the Special Victims Unit is investigating after a 2-year-old boy died Sunday morning in Point Breeze.

Officers in the 17th District responded to what police described as a hospital-related radio call involving a two-year-old child reported not breathing around 5 a.m. at a home on the 2100 block of Titan Street, police said.

A medic conducted CPR, police said, and the child was taken to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was pronounced dead at 5:31 a.m.

Police said Sunday afternoon that the cause of death had not been determined. The investigation is ongoing with the Special Victims Unit, police said.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) recently told a friend that he has been fielding requests from people urging him to run for president in 2028. Read more

Sen. Ted Cruz sat down with a longtime ally in November at an office near D.C.s Union Station to discuss the future of the Republican Party. Before long, the discussion touched on his own future.

His friend Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization for America, told Cruz he believed that Jew hatred and Israel bashing was on the rise on the right  and that something had to be done about it. Cruz, who had begun a series of speeches decrying antisemitism in the GOP, told Klein he had been fielding requests from people urging him to run for president in 2028.

Advertisement

Cruz came across as someone seriously considering such a run, Klein recalled.

 READ MORE: Welcome to the 2028 presidential election cycle, where Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro is a front-runner

With the future of the party up for grabs in a Donald Trump-less 2028 primary, Cruz has in recent months positioned himself as a loud voice for a more traditional, hawkish Republican foreign policy. Hes also urging the GOP to rid itself of popular MAGA pundit Tucker Carlson, whom he argues is injecting the poison of antisemitism into the movement with his broadsides against Israel. Carlson has rejected that characterization.

As he feuds with Carlson, Cruz is weighing a second presidential bid, according to a person close to the senator and another briefed on his thinking, who spoke like others on the condition of anonymity to disclose internal conversations. A White House run would be politically risky for Cruz, 55, putting him on course to collide with Vice President JD Vance, who many Republicans expect to enter the 2028 race.

Friction is already evident behind the scenes: Cruz has criticized Vance, a close ally of Carlson, to Republican donors, according to two people familiar with the comments. The senator has warned that Vances foreign policy views are dangerously isolationist, the people said. (Vance has been one of the GOPs most prominent skeptics of U.S. intervention abroad.)

The emerging rivalry shows how much the party has changed under Trumps leadership since Cruz arrived in the Senate in 2013. After rising to prominence as a rebel against the establishment, Cruz is now a vocal champion of some longtime orthodox GOP positions, as a new generation of conservatives is ascending with a different vision.

 READ MORE: Pa. Democrats on what went wrong against Donald Trump and whats next

Some political observers are skeptical that another Cruz run would gain much traction. He can no longer run as an outsider and alienated some conservatives with his fight against Trump in the 2016 campaign. Still, Cruz has built name recognition and relationships with plenty of activists and donors across the country in recent years, and its far from clear what will animate the base in the next GOP primary.

Can Ted help craft or meld together the traditional Republican approach with the new reality of what the Republican Party is now? asked Daron Shaw, a political science professor at the University of Texas who overlapped with Cruz as a staffer on George W. Bushs presidential campaign. Its a heavy lift.

The day after his chat with Klein, Cruz called Carlson a coward during a speech before a group supporting Jewish conservatives in Las Vegas, again denouncing the poisonous lies of antisemitism. He said they were blessed to have Trump, who loves the Jewish people, in the White House right now.

When Trump is not in the White House, what then? he asked in his booming voice.

Ted Cruz! an audience member shouted.

The senator just smiled, then continued his speech.

All of us hate Ted Cruz

Anyone considering a run for the GOP nomination in 2028 faces a big obstacle: Vance.

The 41-year-old vice president leads early polls and is seen as a loyal lieutenant to Trump, who maintains high support from the party base even as the presidents approval ratings have plummeted.

But Trump has been noncommittal about endorsing his running mate as heir to his Make America Great Again movement, leaving an opening for an ambitious conservative with a different vision for the party.

The Republicans will be fighting for their identity, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) said of the 2028 primary. Greene, a close ally of Carlson who represents the populist and isolationist wing of the party, added: Therell be Ted Cruz, Im sure, running against JD Vance. All of us hate Ted Cruz.

Cruz has adapted to changes in his party over several decades in politics. Following a stretch in the establishment during Bushs 2000 campaign, he became solicitor general of Texas in 2003 and launched a Senate campaign in 2011 as a tea-party-infused change agent, defeating the lieutenant governor in the GOP primary.

The best thing to happen to the Republican Party was to get its teeth kicked in in 2008, Cruz said during a 2012 campaign event with the libertarian Ron Paul.

When he arrived in Washington, Cruz picked fights over spending and President Barack Obamas health care law, sparking a government shutdown in 2013. Not everyone in his party liked his style. If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody could convict you, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) joked at a 2016 press dinner.

Cruz brought his insurgent pitch into the 2016 presidential race, but Trump caught fire with an antiestablishment campaign that dramatically eclipsed the senators. After bowing out of the GOP race as the last major Trump opponent standing, Cruz told delegates at the Republican National Convention that year to vote your conscience, instead of throwing his support behind Trump, who had branded him as Lyin Ted. He returned to the Senate, where he is now chair of the Commerce Committee and has refashioned himself into a bipartisan dealmaker on aviation safety and other issues.

The Texas senator, who has called himself a noninterventionist hawk and has long been a vocal ally of Israel, argues that an anti-Israel foreign policy could embolden terrorists. And he is a defender of the benefits of traditional capitalism at a time when some in the New Right are calling for a more populist turn.

Those who are anti-Israel quickly become anti-capitalist and anti-American, Cruz said in a brief interview about his decision to speak out against Carlson. Tuckers obsession is unhealthy and dangerous.

By targeting Carlson and growing anti-Israel sentiment within the party, Cruz has hit upon a division within the GOP base that some believe could animate the 2028 primaries. Carlson is closely allied with Vance, a onetime Trump critic who is now an America First populist, embracing skepticism of some big-business interests and rejecting the U.S. foreign policy status quo.

Cruz is staking out positions against isolationism and antisemitism at a time when explicitly antisemitic figures such as white supremacist commentator Nick Fuentes are gaining an audience on the right.

The Republicans will be fighting for their identity. Therell be Ted Cruz, Im sure, running against JD Vance. All of us hate Ted Cruz. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), on the 2028 primary

Vance, by contrast, has rejected the suggestion that the right has a problem with antisemitism after Carlson hosted Fuentes for a friendly interview. (The vice president disavowed Fuentes months before the interview and has not explicitly weighed in on Carlson hosting him.)

Its kind of slanderous to say that the Republican Party, the conservative movement, is extremely antisemitic, Vance said in a recent interview with NBC News. In a social media post last week, Vance criticized a news article claiming antisemitism was rising among young people.

I would say theres a difference between not liking Israel (or disagreeing with a given Israeli policy) and antisemitism, he replied to one user.

Asked to respond to Vances comment, Cruz said he is not in agreement with people who are anti-Israel or people who are antisemitic.

Every Hamas or Hezbollah or IRGC terrorist that Israel took out makes Americans safer, Cruz said, referencing militants in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran that the United States designates as terrorist groups. And those who dont see that are not acting in accordance with American national security interests.

The feud

In early July, Cruz sat down in Washington with Israels prime minister and delivered a dire warning. Over cigars at Blair House, Cruz told Benjamin Netanyahu that antisemitism on the right was rising to a level he had never seen before.

No, Ted, Netanyahu responded, according to Cruz, who recounted the conversation in a speech. Thats Qatar, thats Iran, thats astroturf, thats paid for.

But Cruz said he was not placated. Replies to his social media posts were flooded with anti-Jewish bigotry from what looked to him like ordinary, real people. He began to fear that what he saw as antisemitism on the left was beginning to infect the right, he said.

In June, Cruz sat for an interview with Carlson that grew heated over the topic of Israel. Cruz suggested that Carlson criticizes Israel more than other countries because of bigotry toward Jews. Carlson said he has many Jewish friends who have the same questions as him and grilled Cruz with factual questions on the Middle East. In an uncharacteristic lapse, Cruz failed to identify the population of Iran. You dont know the population of the country you seek to topple? Carlson asked.

Since then, the two have savaged each other in increasingly personal terms. Carlson has called Cruz vulgar and dumb and reckless for connecting U.S. military support for Israel to a biblical responsibility to defend the Holy Land and Gods chosen people. After Carlson hosted Fuentes on his podcast this fall, Cruz called on Republicans to repudiate the pundit.

Carlson decided Jews are the source of all evil in the world, Cruz said in a recent podcast. The senator also posted a digitally altered sexually suggestive photo of Carlson to critique his friendly stance toward Qatar, a U.S. ally with which Israel has clashed.

Since the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, internal battles about the future of the GOP have spilled into the open, many centering on the true meaning of America First as Trump spends time and political capital on Ukraine, Israel and Venezuela. Carlson criticized Trumps decision to strike Irans nuclear sites in June and has warned the president against pursuing regime change in Venezuela, a goal Cruz shares.

What Ted is trying to do is say, this is where our voters are, said one person close to the senator. Trump and Ted are much more aligned on foreign policy than Trump and Tucker are.

Few Republicans have publicly rallied to Cruzs side.

I can tell you, my colleagues, almost to a person, think what is happening is horrifying, Cruz said in one speech on Carlson. But a great many of them are frightened because he has one hell of a big megaphone.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) said he applauds Cruz for speaking out against Carlson. But others declined to weigh in.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), a close Trump ally, said he believes the back-and-forth is personal. Sometimes when you get embarrassed, you get mad, get your feelings hurt, he said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) said he is surprised but happy that Cruz has the courage to challenge such a powerful figure on the right. To give Senator Cruz due credit, it requires some guts and gumption to stand up against Tucker Carlson, he said.

As Carlson and Cruz have attacked each other, Trump has declined to take sides, calling Carlson a nice guy and Cruz a good friend in recent months.

Carlson has said he thinks antisemitism is immoral, and I am against it. He argues the feud is just politics. All [Cruz] wants is to be president. Thats all hes ever wanted, Carlson said in an interview. As a political matter, he somehow thinks that calling me a Nazi is going to get him the nomination because its going to hurt JD Vance. (Cruz has not publicly used that word to described Carlson.)

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Montana), who argued that Cruz damaged his credibility with conservatives after spurning Trump in 2016 but later recovered his standing, said Cruz always has an eye on running.

Ted stakes out his position pretty well, and so were he to run, we know where he is, Zinke said.

So far, there are few signs that Cruz is gaining an advantage. Hal Lambert, a major GOP donor who helped organize a super PAC to support Cruz when he ran for president in 2016, said he thinks a 2028 bid would be tricky for the senator.

If JD Vance is running, Im going to be supporting JD Vance, Lambert said.

I just dont understand what the platform would be, he said of Cruzs potential run. The platform would be, Im Ted, and thats JD?

Kadia Goba and Sarah Ellison contributed to this report.
Gov. Josh Shapiro shares the stage with U.S. Rep. James Clyburn at an event at the Free Library of Philadelphia earlier this month. Shapiro will kick off his own book at the Philadelphia's Parkway Central Library in January. Read more

Days before his memoir is set to hit shelves Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will kick off his book tour at Philadelphias Parkway Central Library on Jan. 24.

Shapiro will swing through Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C., in the final week of January to promote his book Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service, according to events posted online.

Advertisement

The tour and the book, set for release Jan. 27, will fuel speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028 as Shapiro works to expand his national profile as he also seeks reelection in Pennsylvania next year.

The forthcoming memoir is expected to detail his life and political career, including the attempted arson attack on the governors mansion while he, and his family, slept inside earlier this year on Passover.

Shapiro, who grew up in Montgomery County and first forged his political brand there, has become a leading figure in the national Democratic Party. The memoir will delve into his vetting to serve as Vice President Kamala Harris running mate last year, according to the publicized summary.

In her own memoir, 107 Days, Harris cited Shapiros ambition as a reason she ultimately didnt ask him to be her vice president and instead opted for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Shapiro remained a regular presence on the campaign trail despite the snub, but Harris loss in Pennsylvania has caused much scrutiny of her decision.

The Pennsylvania governor, Harris wrote, would be unable to settle for a role as number two and questioned her about whether he could get Pennsylvanians artwork in the vice presidents residence.

In an interview with the Atlantic, Shapiro called the depiction complete and utter bulls.

Shapiro also features prominently  and negatively in Sen. John Fettermans memoir.

The Democratic senator, who has publicly feuded with the governor, described the tension between Pennsylvanias two top Democrats, which traces back to their time together on the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons when Fetterman was lieutenant governor and Shapiro was state attorney general.

Its unclear whether Shapiro will discuss his relationship with Fetterman in the memoir.

Shapiros book tour will kick off at a 3 p.m. event at the Parkway Central Library on Jan. 24. He will also speak at the Kauffman Concert Hall in New York on Jan. 27 and Sixth and I, a historic synagogue and Jewish cultural center in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29.
Is a pedestrian entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits in Massachusetts after being injured while trying to get out of the way of an oncoming motor vehicle even though she was not hit by the vehicle?

The answer is no, according to a state Appeals Court. The question is governed by the states no-fault automobile insurance law, which requires motor vehicle liability policies to provide PIP benefits and sets forth the details of those benefits.

Ruling on an insurers denial of a PIP claim, the state appellate court affirmed summary judgment for The Standard Fire Insurance Co. (a Travelers unit) by a Boston appellate court that found that a pedestrian must be struck by an insureds motor vehicle to qualify for PIP benefits.

The question arose after Jordan J. Arbit, doing business as Arbit Chiropractic, submitted a PIP claim to Standard Fire Insurance seeking payment for medical services provided to treat a patient.

On November 21, 2019, Alfred Bibby was turning into a shopping center in his car. At the same time, Guerda Henry was attempting to cross a walkway near the entrance to the shopping center on foot. Henry, who said she was startled by Bibbys car coming toward her, started to run backward, fell to the ground, and was injured. Bibby stopped his car so that it did not hit Henry.

As a result of her fall while trying to avoid Bibbys car, Henry sustained injuries to her neck, left shoulder, lower back, and right thigh. She received medical services from Arbit to treat her injuries.

Bibbys policy with Standard Fire Insurance included PIP provisions that required the insurer to pay PIP benefits on behalf of a pedestrian . . . if struck by your auto in Massachusetts. Standard Fire denied coverage on the basis that Bibbys car did not hit Henry.

Litigation followed, first in a Boston municipal court which issued a summary judgment in favor of Standard Fire. Arbit appealed to the appellate division of the Boston Municipal Court, which affirmed the summary judgment. Arbit then appealed to the state appeals court.

In arguing its case, Arbit cited an uninsured motorist opinion involving a hit and run situation by the states high court (Surrey v. Lumbermens Mut. Cas. Co.) in which the court said the term hit does not require physical contact. Arbit argued that neither should struck require physical contact in his case.

Such a requirement would obligate pedestrians faced with oncoming motor vehicles to choose between either standing pat and withstanding catastrophic-but-potentially-covered injuries  or leaping out of the way and out of any coverage. This would thwart the purpose of the PIP statute by forcing pedestrians to litigate each of these claims in court, Arbit wrote in his brief, adding that the term struck was meant as a synonym for the term injured.

Arbit called for a nonliteral approach for statutory construction that recognizes that public policies mandating a very modest dollar value of PIP coverage should favor mandatory, broad, prompt PIP coverage and oppose rigid, narrow, hyper-literal denials of PIP coverage to injured victims.

Standard Fire and the Municipal Appellate Division discounted Arbits citations because they dealt with the term hit-and-run, not with struck, and because they involved cases where insurance policy language was different from a statute. The insurer stressed that the auto policy in this case takes its wording directly from the statute and, under the plain language of the policy, being frightened by an approaching vehicle does not constitute being struck by the vehicle.

The insurer maintained that the question presented is a straightforward one of contract interpretation and that the ordinary meaning of strike or struck is to come into contact or collision.

The text of the standard policy is materially identical to the statute. Arbit improperly asks this Court to rewrite both the policy and the statute, Standard Fire countered.

On December 18, a three-judge state appeals court panel affirmed the municipal appellate courts reasoning, the judgments favoring the insurer, and the denial of the PIP benefits. The court concluded that the plain meaning of struck in the statute requires physical contact and, therefore, to qualify for PIP benefits, a pedestrian must be struck by an insureds motor vehicle.

Given the clear and unambiguous language of the statute as currently written, we must affirm, the appeals court concluded.

The appeals court said the prior Surrey ruling cited by Arbit means that the phrase hit and run may have a broader use than the word struck, but it does not mean that the court should interpret struck beyond its plain meaning. We further decline to interpret struck beyond its plain meaning where doing so would add unnecessary ambiguity to the statute. This case illustrates the problems that could arise, the opinion states.

The court further noted that it would be up to state lawmakers to change the law if no physical contact is to be required. Interpreting struck according to its plain meaning, and leaving it to the Legislature to amend the statute if it chooses, serves the objectives of the no-fault automobile insurance law, which it reminded is intended to provide a prompt, inexpensive means of reimbursing individuals injured in automobile accidents, thereby reducing the number of small motor vehicle tort cases.

Topics Auto
The US government acknowledged in a federal court filing that it was liable for damages resulting from a deadly collision between an Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines Group Inc. jetliner earlier this year near Washington, one of the deadliest crashes in decades.

The United States admits that it owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident on Jan. 29 that killed 67 people, Justice Department lawyers wrote in a court document Wednesday in one of about two dozen lawsuits filed over the crash.

The American CRJ-700 jet and the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided as the plane approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, with both aircraft falling into the Potomac River. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas. The helicopter was carrying three people participating in a regular training mission. Family members of the victims have sued the government and American, along with one of its subsidiaries, PSA Airlines.

CNN reported earlier on the Justice Department filing.

Robert Clifford, an attorney representing the wife one of the passengers killed in the crash, said in a statement that the US Army had admitted its responsibility for the needless loss of life, as well as the Federal Aviation Administrations failure to follow air traffic control procedure. However, the government was just one of several causes, Clifford said, pointing out that American and PSA have sought to dismiss the complaints.

American declined to comment on the recent filing but referred Bloomberg to its motion to dismiss the case against it. In that motion, the airline said its sympathetic to plaintiffs desire to obtain redress for this tragedy but plaintiffs proper legal recourse is not against American. It is against the United States government.

The FAA referred questions to the Justice Department. The Justice Department didnt return a request for comment. A spokesperson for the US Army said the military couldnt comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings but it looks forward to sharing the changes its implemented once the National Transportation Safety Board completes its investigation and the legal matters have been resolved.

The NTSB said in a statement on social media Thursday that its probe into the midair collision is ongoing and wont be impacted by the civil litigation. The NTSBs safety investigation is independent, and its findings, probable cause and recommendations will not be guided by DOJ determinations, the agency said in an X post.

The collision was followed by several other aviation mishaps, including crashes and near misses, that resulted in widespread concern among the flying public. Since then, the Federal Aviation Administration has stepped up safety measures at the busy Reagan airport and restricted non-essential helicopter operations.

The case is Crafton vs. American Airlines, 25-cv-03382, US District Court, District of Columbia (Washington)

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Liability
The Hong Kong Insurance Authority is proposing a slate of new rules to channel insurance capital into assets including cryptocurrencies and infrastructure  an unprecedented move that would redirect funds to governmentprioritized sectors.

The insurance regulator would impose a 100% risk charge on cryptoassets, according to a presentation on Dec. 4 seen by Bloomberg News. Stablecoin investments would attract risk charges based on the fiat currency the Hong Kong-regulated stablecoin is pegged to, the document showed.

The regulators proposal, which could still change, will be open for public consultation from February through April, followed by legislative submissions.

In a statement to Bloomberg News, the regulator said it has commenced a review on the risk-based capital regime this year with a primary objective to support the insurance industry and wider economic development.

We are at the stage of gauging industry feedback and will also put the proposals for public consultation in due course, a spokesperson with the regulator said.

Hong Kong has been actively building a framework to support the development of cryptoassets and stablecoins as part of its strategy to become a top digital finance hub. The citys de facto central bank expects to grant the first batch of stablecoin approvals early next year.

The insurer framework also touches on infrastructure, as Hong Kong seeks new growth.

For infrastructure, the regulator proposes capital incentives for investing in Hong Kong or the mainland, or projects listed or issued in the financial hub. Eligible projects include new towns and urban area developments in the city such as the Northern Metropolis. One objective for such a proposal is to support the governments initiatives for local infrastructure development, according to the presentation.

The Hong Kong government, facing a deficit, has been trying to get private capital to help build the Northern Metropolis, an area that borders the mainland, as a tech hub. The insurance regulator said it operates independently of the government.

Some firms are submitting feedback hoping to extend coverage of a broader range of infrastructure projects, as the current framework provides limited options, according to people familiar with the matter, who requested not to be named discussing private details.

As of June, there were 158 authorized insurers in the city. Together, the total gross premiums of the Hong Kong insurance industry stood at about HK$635 billion ($82 billion) in 2024.

Insurance firms asset management and fund advisory business oversaw about HK$1.1 trillion as of the end of 2022, accounting for about 5% of Hong Kongs total, according to a regulator report.

Photograph: Hong Kong has been actively building a framework to support the development of crypto assets and stablecoins as part of its strategy to become a top digital finance hub. Photo credit: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers
Moscow was responsible for destructive and disruptive cyberattacks on a Danish water utility company in 2024 and a series of denial of service attacks which overwhelmed Danish websites ahead of regional and local elections last month, Denmarks Defense Intelligence Service said in a statement Thursday. The water company said the attack caused pipes to burst, leaving homes temporarily without water.

Jan Hansen, the head of the Tureby Alkestrup Waterworks southwest of the capital Copenhagen, said his advice to other companies was not to cut costs on cybersecurity and to take out cyber insurance. The attack happened, he said, because the waterworks switched to cheaper cybersecurity, which was not as secure as that previously.

Read more: Russia Is Trying to Overwhelm Europe With its Sabotage Campaign: Western Officials

The Danish intelligence service said the attacks were part of Russias hybrid war against the West and an attempt to create instability. It said Moscows cyberattacks are part of a broader campaign to undermine and punish countries which support Ukraine. Russian hackers have previously been accused of carrying out hacks on other water facilities in Europe  including on a Norwegian dam where Norwegian authorities said hackers opened valves to allow water to pour out.

Torsten Schack Pedersen, Denmarks minister of resilience and preparedness, said the attacks resulted in limited damage but had serious ramifications.

It shows that there are forces capable of shutting down important parts of our society, he said during a news conference Thursday, as reported by Danish broadcaster DR.

Schack Pedersen added that the cyberattacks show that Denmark is not sufficiently equipped to handle such situations, DR reported.

The attacks are among a growing number of incidents that Western officials say are part a campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe masterminded by Russia. An Associated Press database has documented 147 incidents, including the two cases reported by Denmark this week.

Not all incidents are public and it can sometimes take officials months to establish a link to Moscow. While officials say the campaign  waged since President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022  aims to deprive Kyiv of support, they believe Moscow is also trying to identify Europes weak spots and suck up law enforcement resources.

The Danish agency said pro-Russian group Z-Pentest carried out the destructive attack on the water utility company in 2024 and that a separate group, NoName057(16), was responsible for the cyberattack on Danish websites ahead of the recent elections. It said both have links to the Russian state.

The Russian state uses both groups as instruments of its hybrid war against the West. The aim is to create insecurity in the targeted countries and to punish those that support Ukraine, the statement said. NoName057(16) acted, authorities said, in November to disrupt the elections, according to DR.

The Tureby Alkestrup Waterworks serves several villages some 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Copenhagen. The waterworks said the hackers changed the water pressure, which caused a pipe to burst. It said about 50 households were without water for around seven hours while around 450 houses had no water for one hour.

In Germany, meanwhile, authorities summoned Russias ambassador in Berlin on Dec. 12 after the foreign ministry accused Moscow of carrying out sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference.

That included a 2024 cyberattack against German air traffic control, German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese said.
The UK Foreign Office was hacked in October in an attack that British officials suspect was carried out by Chinese state-backed actors.

The breach was first reported by the Sun newspaper, which said that a Beijing-linked group had accessed thousands of documents. In a round of broadcast interviews on Friday, Trade Minister Chris Bryant confirmed there had been an attack, but said there was a low risk to individuals.

We believe that we managed to close the loophole as it were, or the gap, pretty quickly, Bryant told BBC TV. We think that its a fairly low risk that individuals will have been compromised or affected.

Read more: Denmark Blames Russia for Cyberattacks on Utility That Left Houses Without Water

Bryant said he couldnt confirm the authorship of the hack or whether there are any Chinese connections. But British officials speaking on condition of anonymity said actors linked to the Chinese state are suspected of being behind it, though they are not yet ready to make a formal attribution.

We have been working to investigate a cyber incident, the UK government said in a statement. We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.

The incident  which Bryant said has been under investigation since October  comes at a time when the UK is trying to recalibrate its relationship with the Asian power after a cooling in recent years linked to other hacks, espionage, and Beijings crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, a former British colony.

The Labour governments official policy is to cooperate, compete and challenge China, in a bid to reap the benefits of trade with the worlds second largest economy while guarding against security threats.

While the Prime Minister Keir Starmer just this week criticized the conviction of former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, hes still set to travel to China on his first official visit as premier next month.

It is absolutely clear that Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the authorities, Starmer told the Hose of Commons on Wednesday. It is wrongful, and I call it out. It is important that we continue to engage, so that we can raise this issue with those counterparts.

Another point of tension has been repeated UK delays over a final decision on whether or not to approve a proposed new Chinese Embassy in London. The mission is set to be the biggest in Europe, but would be close to the heart of Londons City financial center and above sensitive fiber-optic cables.

Octobers hack follows a series of other breaches. UK firms Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer were both hit earlier in the year in hacks that halted key services. Referencing these two cyberattacks, Bryant told the BBC that they are now a part of modern life that we have to tackle and deal with.

Photograph: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, left, and the Treasury, right, stand in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. Photo credit: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber China
A court in Switzerland said on Monday it would admit a legal complaint against Swiss cement maker Holcim, which alleges the company is doing too little to cut carbon emissions and hence contributing to global warming.

Four residents of the low-lying Indonesian island of Pari, which has been repeatedly flooded as warmer temperatures push up sea levels, submitted a legal complaint in January 2023 to the cantonal court in Zug, Switzerland.

The court said it had admitted the case but noted this could still be reversed if in subsequent appeal proceedings it concluded that procedural requirements are not met.

Holcim said it intends to appeal the decision and that the question of who is allowed to emit how much CO2 should be a matter for lawmakers, not a civil court.

Non-profit Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), which is backing the Pari complaint, said in a statement the case marks the first time a court has admitted climate litigation brought against a large corporation in Switzerland.

We are very pleased. This decision gives us the strength to continue our fight, Ibu Asmania, one of the four Pari residents pursuing the case, said in the Swiss Church Aid statement. This is good news for us and our families.

NGOs backing the complainants said they had chosen Holcim because it was one of the main carbon dioxide emitters worldwide and a so-called carbon major in Switzerland.

Holcim said it is fully committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and is following a rigorous, science-based approach to achieve that goal. The company also says it has reduced direct CO2 emissions from its operations by more than 50% since 2015.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensation from Holcim for climate damage they have suffered, financial participation in flood protection measures and a rapid cut in CO2 emissions.

Cement production accounts for about 7% of global CO2 emissions, the Global Cement and Concrete Association says.

(Reporting by Dave Graham and Denis Balibouse; editing by Chris Reese, Kirsten Donovan)
Every year, extreme weather events wreak havoc across Canada , disrupting the lives of tens of thousands. Financial losses from these events have surged, surpassing $7 billion in 2024, due in part to climate change, asset accumulation and more people living in high-risk areas.

Evidence from Canada, the United States and Europe shows that weather-related disasters arent experienced equally. The people hardest hit are often those with the fewest resources to cope.

Lower-income and marginalized populations face greater exposure, have fewer resources to prepare or recover and incur a higher proportion of losses not covered by insurance.

Even if they are insured, many people have difficulty covering the deductible because they lack emergency savings. This means damage is not repaired, people live in unsafe or unhealthy conditions and the financial and personal risk of future events is increased.

Insurance helps households recover and can prevent them from falling  or falling deeper  into poverty after a disaster. But across Canada, insurance is becoming costlier and, in some places, harder to get. Between 2019 and 2023, average home insurance premiums rose by 21% overall. For lower-income Canadians, that increase was 40%.

Widening Protection Gap

Canadas growing insurance protection gap is a serious concern, and its widening at a time when weather-related disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe.

When households are uninsured, losses can strain household budgets and leave people unable to meet their basic needs. As extreme weather escalates, so does the likelihood that more families will find themselves unable to recover.

Affordability is the primary driver of the protection gap, but it is not the only one. Many Canadians do not understand the benefits of insurance, or underestimate the probability and cost of suffering a loss.

Accessibility to insurance is also a challenge, especially in remote areas where it is usually purchased in person. While the growth of digital purchasing channels helps, it is not a solution for those without reliable internet or sufficient digital skills.

Finally, the market itself does not always meet the needs of low-income or otherwise marginalized groups. There is a lack of insurance products designed for these groups, leaving many without the protection they need.

Strengthening Community Resilience

Better insurance options, stronger investments in mitigation and better support for consumers can help reduce inequities and strengthen resilience.

Community-level mitigation is a good starting point. Land-use planning that steers development away from high-risk areas can prevent future losses. Programs like FireSmart, which reduces wildfire losses, and infrastructure designed for a changing climate also help limit damage as severe weather becomes more frequent.

National assessments show that making housing more resilient reduces exposure for lower-income and marginalized households that are more likely to live in older or poorly maintained homes, putting them at greater risk.

While major retrofits can be costly, even small upgrades such as improving drainage, installing backwater valves or fire-resistant materials can help prevent damage. Many municipalities provide targeted subsidies and incentive programs that support these upgrades, particularly for households facing greater financial constraints.

Making hazard information easier to find and understand can also help ensure no one is left behind when disasters strike. Many Canadians lack clear information about the hazards they face and how to prepare for them. Some residents, including newcomers and seniors, may face barriers in accessing or acting upon available information.

Finally, community supports can further strengthen resilience. People with strong social ties and access to community organizations recover more quickly after disasters. Programs that build local networks and support neighbourhood groups can help accomplish this at a relatively low cost.

Closing the Protection Gap

A critical step in reducing the unequal impacts of weather-related hazards is closing Canadas insurance protection gap. Microinsurance is one promising solution, and these simplified, low-cost policies can provide basic protection at a fraction of the cost for households that cannot afford traditional coverage.

Embedded tenant insurance  automatically included when renters sign a lease  is another approach that ensures basic coverage.

Digital tools, such as mobile-friendly sign-up platforms and plain-language policy explanations, can reduce barriers for those who struggle with technology.

Public support for income-tested premium subsidies or credits can bring essential coverage within reach for low-income households, while community-based catastrophe insurance  where local governments or community groups arrange coverage on behalf of residents  offers another option.

While Canadians cant stop extreme weather, we can work together to prevent it from worsening inequality. Increasing awareness, reducing losses, closing insurance gaps and building resilience are key to protecting those at greatest risk.

Photograph: A worker walks in a devastated neighborhood in west Jasper, Alberta, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, after a wildfire caused evacuations and widespread damage in the National Park and Jasper townsite. (Amber Bracken/The Canadian Press via AP)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The original article can be accessed here.
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Chubb Overseas General Insurance and BMS Group.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Chubb Overseas General Promotes DePeters to Lead Commercial Insurance, Specialty

Chubb announced that John DePeters has been appointed executive vice president, head of Commercial Insurance and Specialty, for Chubb Overseas General Insurance (COG), the companys international general insurance operations, effective January 1, 2026. He will be based in London.

In this role, DePeters will oversee the performance and accelerate the global expansion of Chubbs middle market, small commercial and specialty lines portfolios. By leveraging package and multi-line underwriting, portfolio management, advanced analytics and technology, he will work closely with regional leaders and teams to maximize growth and profitability.

DePeters has over 13 years of insurance industry experience with Chubb, most recently serving as chief underwriting officer for North America Small & Lower Midmarket.

Prior to this role, DePeters held a variety of international leadership positions, including head of Middle Market & Small Commercial for Asia Pacific, head of Cyber Product & Technology Industry Practice for Australia and New Zealand, and cyber product manager for Asia. He began his career in North America financial lines and global casualty underwriting. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Brown University.

John is a highly accomplished executive whose international experience and deep expertise in insurance make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our Commercial Insurance and Specialty segments, said Brian Church, division president, Property and Casualty, Chubb Overseas General Insurance.

***

BMS Appoints Emkes From Lockton in New Role of Director of Commercial D&O

BMS, the independent insurance and reinsurance broker, announced the appointment of Charlie Emkes as director of commercial directors and officers (D&O) solutions, effective from January 2026.

Based in London, he will report to Tom Spraggs, director and head of financial institutions  UK retail.

The newly created role will advance the current commercial D&O strategy and lead new business development efforts in coordination with other colleagues from BMS and the UK broker David Roberts & Partners (DR&P), which was acquired by BMS in 2024.

Emkes joins from Lockton and has over 12 years experience in the London Market, having held roles at Protean Risk and Gallagher earlier in his career.

Charlie brings a wealth of insurer and client relationships alongside his own deep industry knowledge, making him the ideal leader to drive innovation and growth in commercial D&O for BMS, Spraggs said. He will foster stronger alignment across teams and unlock new opportunities for expansion.

Topics Excess Surplus Commercial Lines Business Insurance
The owner of a South Dakota hotel who said Native Americans were banned from the establishment was found liable for discrimination against Native Americans last week.

A federal jury decided the owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City will pay tens of thousands of dollars in damages to various plaintiffs who were denied service at the hotel. The jury awarded $1 to the NDN Collective, the Indigenous advocacy group that filed the lawsuit.

The group brought the class-action civil rights lawsuit against Retsel Corporation, the company that owns the hotel, in 2022. The case was delayed when the company filed for bankruptcy in September 2024. The head of the company, Connie Uhre, passed away this September.

This was never about money. We sued for one dollar, said Wizipan Garriott, president of NDN Collective and an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. It was about being on record for the discrimination that happened, and using this as an opportunity to be able to really call out racism.

Uhre posted on social media in March 2022 that she would ban Native Americans from the property after a fatal shooting at the hotel involving two teenagers whom police identified as Native American. She wrote in a Facebook post that she cannot allow a Native American to enter our business including Cheers, the hotels bar and casino.

When Native American members of the NDN Collective tried to book a room at the hotel after her social media posts, they were turned away. The incident drew protests in Rapid City and condemnation from the mayor as well as tribes in the state.

In Fridays decision, the jury also ruled in Retsels countersuit against NDN Collective that the group had acted as a nuisance in its protests against the hotel, awarding $812 to the company.

Following a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department in November 2023, Uhre had to publicly apologize and was banned from managing the establishment for four years.

The Associated Press reached out to the defense attorneys for comment.

Rapid City, a gateway to Mount Rushmore, has long seen racial tensions. At least 8% of the citys population of about 80,000 identifies as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to census data.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Minnesota jury awarded $65.5 million last week to a mother of three who claimed talcum products made by Johnson & Johnson exposed her to asbestos and contributed to her developing cancer in the lining of her lungs.

Jurors determined that plaintiff Anna Jean Houghton Carley, 37, should be compensated by Johnson & Johnson after using its baby powder throughout her childhood and later developing mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused primarily by exposure to the carcinogen asbestos.

Johnson & Johnson said it would appeal the verdict.

During a 13-day trial in Ramsey County District Court, Carleys legal team argued the pharmaceutical giant sold and marketed talc-based products to consumers despite knowing it can be contaminated with asbestos. Carleys lawyers also said her family was never warned about potential dangers while using the product on their child. The product was taken off shelves in the U.S. in 2020.

This case was not about compensation only. It was about truth and accountability, Carleys attorney Ben Braly said.

Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation for Johnson & Johnson, argued the companys baby powder is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. He expects an appellate court to reverse the decision.

The verdict is the latest development in a longstanding legal battle over claims that talc in Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder was connected to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, which strikes the lungs and other organs. Johnson & Johnson stopped selling powder made with talc worldwide in 2023.

These lawsuits are predicated on junk science, refuted by decades of studies that demonstrate Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer, Haas said in a statement after the verdict.

Earlier this month, a Los Angeles jury awarded $40 million to two women who claimed Johnson & Johnsons talcum powder caused their ovarian cancer. And in October, another California jury ordered the company to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died of mesothelioma, claiming she developed the cancer because the baby powder she used was contaminated with asbestos.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Wells Fargo & Co. was sued by a former manager who says he was fired for pushing the bank to create a more diverse workforce and objecting to its practice of interviewing minority applicants for jobs that were already filled.

Joseph Bruno claims in the lawsuit filed Thursday he tried for years  and often failed  to persuade the banks executives to live up to the companys stated diversity and inclusion goals.

He was the first person to publicly claim in 2022 that Wells Fargo had been conducting sham interviews of minority candidates. The bank did this, he said, so executives could say they were making concrete efforts to diversify its workforce.

The allegations raised by him and others led the US Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into whether the bank had violated civil-rights laws. The probe was later closed without charges being brought, the bank said in a regulatory filing.

Wells Fargo didnt immediately respond outside regular business hours to a request for comment. The bank has previously called Brunos claims baseless and has said the fake interviews werent widespread, if they happened at all.

Bruno, who lives in Florida, was a financial adviser who rose through the ranks to become a regional manager overseeing 14 Wells Fargo branches, according to the complaint.

He claims that over the years, his supervisors pushed back on his efforts to hire more minority applicants, telling him that he was going too far.

In 2021, the bank fired Bruno after alleging that he retaliated against an employee who he claims accused him of favoring Black applicants, according to the suit. His complaint accuses the bank of defaming him with untrue descriptions of his ouster.

Bruno says he was also criticized by one of the banks regional presidents for not sufficiently defending Wells Fargo Chief Executive Officer Charles Scharf against accusations of racism that erupted after a Zoom talk with Black employees.

During the talk, Scharf asserted the banks commitment to diversity and inclusion, but added: The unfortunate reality is that there is a very limited pool of black talent to recruit from. Scharf later apologized.

When Bruno initially complained that he was wrongfully fired, the bank tried to force him into closed-door arbitration proceedings. But last month, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said he could pursue his claims in open court.

In the suit, Bruno alleges discrimination and retaliation in violation of federal civil rights law and seeks unspecified monetary damages.

The case is Bruno v. Wells Fargo & Company, 25-cv-10808, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).

Photo: A Wells Fargo bank branch in New York(Bloomberg)

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits
A federal appeals court ruling last week could potentially help insurers find out who is truly behind litigation financing and medical clinics that are said to participate in auto accidents and insurance fraud. But more legislation is needed in many states to help fight growing problems, insurance litigation experts said.

This is a very beneficial and very important decision. But its not enough, said William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute, which has advocated for more limits on third-party financing of lawsuits.

Large was speaking about the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion in National Small Business United vs. the Treasury Department, handed down Dec. 16. A three-judge panel overturned a lower court and found that the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), passed in 2020, is not unconstitutional and can continue to require certain corporations to report the actual people who exercise control over the firms.

The district court concluded that the CTA did not regulate economic activity and, on that basis, granted the plaintiffs summary judgment. We disagree, Judge Andrew Brasher wrote for the 11th Circuit panel in the opinion. We believe that, by effectively prohibiting anonymous business dealings, the CTA facially regulates economic activities having a substantial aggregate impact on interstate commerce. Moreover, as a uniform and limited reporting requirement, the CTA does not facially violate the Fourth Amendment. Accordingly, we reverse.

The 11th Circuit is the last stop before the U.S. Supreme Court. If the ruling is not appealed and is not reversed by the high court, it would remain U.S. case law, giving at least some support for efforts that aim to discover corporate ownership.

How that information makes its way to the public or to litigants may not be so simple, though. The Transparency Act requires some, but not all, corporations to report ownership information only to the U.S. Treasury. And the Treasury does not have to make it publicly available, according to the departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The department can release information to state and local agencies engaged in investigation or enforcement of civil or criminal violations of law, but only if authorized by a court, FinCen.gov noted.

The Transparency Act also contains multiple exceptions for ownership reporting: Insurance companies, banks, investment companies and nonprofits do not have to report, nor do some larger companies, the court opinion explained.

More state-level disclosure rules are needed, insurance legal insiders said.

Critics of litigation financing for years have argued that the identities and motivations of lawsuit funding groups have remained murky in states that have not placed rules on behind-the-scenes financiers. Georgia lawmakers early in 2025 included significant litigation-funding rules as part of a major tort-reform package. Arizona, Colorado, Wisconsin, Kansas, Montana, Indiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Louisiana have done likewise, to one degree or another.

But Florida, long considered a hotbed for litigation and auto fraud, has not taken that step. Two litigation funding disclosure bills in the 2024 legislative session died in committee.

Auto insurance defense attorneys have said in New York, Florida and other states that some medical clinicswhich have been accused of playing a big role in staged accidents and unnecessary medical treatments billed to insurersappear to be owned by some of the same plaintiffs law firms driving unnecessary bodily injury claims litigation. Some clinics may have ties to unlicensed physician practices, defense lawyers said.

Some clinics have gone so far as to create fake collection agencies and marketing companies to launder settlement money and disguise kickbacks, according to a newsletter circulated by two auto insurance defense law firms in south Florida. Much of the auto fraud in the United States involves some type of litigation funding, attorneys said.

Yes, further action by the legislature is need to provide real transparency in litigation funding, said Jordana Kahn, a former prosecutor and now a defense counsel with the Burger, Meyer & DAngelo law firm, which has offices in south Florida.

In some cases, judges have allowed limited discovery of third-party financiers, during litigation. But its not the wider net that Georgia and some other states have required of litigation funders, defense lawyers said. Georgias touted 2025 law requires financiers to register with the state and to provide detailed information about affiliated people, and it bars funders from directing expert witnesses, settlements, and the course of the litigation. The law also makes funding agreements discoverable and aims to make financiers responsible themselves for some awards or sanctions against the funded consumer-plaintiffs.

In several other states that have not addressed litigation funding, though, theres a huge cry for more transparency, said Mike Nelson, a New York insurance attorney who has studied auto fraud cases and ways to combat it with vehicle data.

He noted that the 11th Circuits ruling is not surprising, and that challenging the Corporate Transparency Act was a silly move by the appellants. The law, now backed by the weight of the appeals courts decision, should make it easier to fight fraud, Nelson said.

One expert witness who has combed through thousands of pages of questionable medical billing and testified about fraud said the court ruling may have only a limited effect on fraudulent medical clinics transparency. Some clinic ownership information already is available through corporate registration information on file with state agencies, particularly for those treatment sites owned by physicians, said Jessica Schmor, a registered nurse, certified medical coder and frequent billing investigator. But many medical centers now have layers and layers of corporate ownership.

Even if actual or beneficial owners are reported to the U.S. Treasury, as the Transparency Act prescribes, that information may not be made available to the public or to defense lawyers, Schmor said.

Where we have issues is clinics that are owned by a corporation or entity, and that entity is then owned by an LLC in Delaware or Wyoming, she explained.

In Wyoming and Delaware, most corporations are not required to report who their owners are. Records often have to be subpoenaed, which involves convincing a judge to issue an order  a request that can require some type of existing evidence supporting a lawyers suspicions.

And even subpoenaed records may not contain the whole truth, Schmor said.

The 11th Circuit opinion can be seen here.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation
A Louisiana man was sentenced this month to 115 months in federal prison for his involvement in an alleged multi-state vehicle theft.

U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Christopher Don Byerley, age 45, of Broussard, Louisiana following his convictions for conspiracy to transport a stolen motor vehicle; altering, removing and obliterating a vehicle identification number. Byerley was also charged with possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices and possession of an unregistered silencer and being a prior convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The Court further sentenced Byerley to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered restitution in the amount of $127,000 to the victims.

According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, between October 2021 and March 2022, Byerley and his co-conspirators, Robert Gregory Brazell, Adrienne Marie King, and Dennis Loyd Sizemore, carried out a coordinated and complex operation extending across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, in which the group stole, then used or sold the stolen and altered vehicles, including tractors, excavators, forklifts, and a pickup truck, with a total value of over $250,000.

The conspiracy involved tampering with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to disguise the identity of stolen property, use of a chop shop, fraudulent documentation, and false business fronts such as Hevyquip L.L.C. to sell stolen equipment and unauthorized possession of over 400 identities and access devices to further conceal their criminal activities.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lyman E. Thornton III and M. Patricia Jones.

Source: Middle District of Louisiana

Topics Auto Fraud Louisiana
The 79-year-old former CEO of a health care software firm was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was convicted of more than $1 billion in fraud tied to falsely billing Medicare for durable medical equipment and other items.

Gary Cox, who previously lived in Arizona, was convicted in June by a federal jury in Miami. A judge sentenced him last week to what prosecutors had asked fora lengthy sentence but one that also allowed for his age. He could have faced as much as 20 years.

Cox and his coconspirators orchestrated one of the largest health care frauds in our nation, a U.S. Attorney wrote in the sentencing memorandum. A significant sentence is required to show the seriousness of these crimes. Health care fraud is on the rise nationally.

Cox led Power Mobility Doctor Rx, which targeted Medicare beneficiaries through misleading mailers, advertisements and phone calls from offshore, the U.S. Department of Justice noted. He and co-conspirators connected pharmacies and durable medical equipment makers with telemedicine companies that would accept kickbacks for signed doctors orders, using the online platform his company created.

Cox and his co-conspirators received payments for coordinating these illegal kickback transactions and referring the completed doctors orders to the DME suppliers, pharmacies and telemarketers that paid kickbacks and bribes for the orders, the DOJ said in a statement. The scheme defrauded Medicare and other insurance providers.

One of Cox co-conspirators, Gregory Schreck, of Kansas, pleaded guilty in February but has not been sentenced. Brett Blackman also pleaded guilty this year. All were indicted in 2023.

The billing scheme was one of many that continue to be perpetrated on insurers, including auto insurance carriers in Florida, New York and other states, in which insurers are billed for unnecessary or unused medical treatments, equipment and medications, insurance attorneys have said. Read more here.

The Cox sentencing memo can be seen here.

Topics Fraud
A Tualatin, Oregon company intentionally kept a faulty system in place for storing raw materials, exposing employees to struck-by and crushing hazards, an inspection by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division showed.

According to Oregon OSHA, Avalon International Aluminum, a maker of metal door and window framing, willfully violated a safety rule by refusing to follow the installation and maintenance requirements set by the manufacturer of its industrial storage racks.

As a result of the decision, hundreds of pounds of raw materials sat unanchored on cantilever storage racks, some with damaged or upside-down baseplates, rising as high as 18 feet. The situation left employees, who reached the raw materials by hand and forklift, exposed to potential bodily harm, according to Oregon OSHA.

Oregon OSHA issued a citation to the company for two violations: one willful, involving the storage racks, and the other serious, for failing to guard a belt sander at a nip point where hands and fingers could get mangled or cut off. The violations amounted to a penalty of $28,478.

The findings of the inspection include: an estimated 40 baseplates for the storage racks were unanchored to the concrete floor; an estimated four baseplates were damaged; and an estimated three baseplates were installed upside down.

Employers have 30 calendar days after receiving a citation to file an appeal. Avalon International Aluminum filed an appeal of its citation.

Topics Commercial Lines Workers' Compensation Business Insurance Oregon Manufacturing
The National Weather Service on Friday issued a rare warning for part of Colorados Front Range as hurricane-force winds and tinder dry conditions boosted the threat of wildfire across several counties, while flood warnings were issued in Oregon as rivers there swelled from heavy rain.

It marked another day of severe weather in parts of the United States, with forecasters issuing warnings for everything from more wintry weather bearing down on North Dakota to red flag warnings in Nebraska and Texas and flood warnings from Washington south into California.

Most notable was the particularly dangerous situation fire weather warning issued in Colorado on Friday morning, a first for this western state. PDS warnings are reserved for the most severe scenarios, and in this case it was fueled by forecasters concerns that extreme combinations of strong winds, super low humidity and critically dry fuels could lead to life-threatening fire danger.

We dont really want people to panic because that doesnt help anything, but we want people to be prepared, said Jennifer Stark, the meteorologist in charge of the weather service office in Boulder. She noted that it is the peak windy season for the area.

By late afternoon, a high wind warning was still in place for the foothills and adjacent plains. Winds would gradually weaken after sunset, forecasters said.

A gust of 105 mph (169 kph) was recorded Friday at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. The wind toppled trees and took down power lines around the region, and authorities shared images of dust storms as they urged people to stay off the roads.

Tens of thousands of customers were without power as Xcel Energy carried out another public safety power shut-off to prevent further fire risks. The utility warned that unplanned outages resulting from wind damage were expected to significantly exceed the number of customers affected by the preventive shutoffs.

In Nederland, a town in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Matt Arlen helped stock shelves in a grocery store that was without power on Friday, one day after a burst of panic shopping in response to extreme weather.

Were used to kind of high winds, he said. Its more the power outage affecting people up here that dont have fire places for heat at home.

Still, the combination of winds and dry weather were on Arlens mind in a region that can be prone to wildfire. The 2021 Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 homes in the nearby suburbs of Boulder.

Related: Denver, Rockies Face Power Shutoffs as Winds Boost Fire Risk

The only thing is, we havent had a lot of snow, said the pricing coordinator at B&F Mountain Market.

In Wellington, a town of 11,000 residents on a notoriously windy stretch of the Colorado plains near the Wyoming state line, public library tech Elaine Ringland said the wind was on everyones mind. At home, she used a generator during a blackout Wednesday and Thursday to keep a fridge running and a freezer from defrosting.

I can tell you right now, our flag is standing straight out, she said Friday. Were prepared if we have to close down the library. Our town is watching it, and theyre in touch with the power company.

In Ringlands home neighborhood, winds bent trees and tossed around shingles and tumbleweeds.

Meanwhile in northwestern Oregon, National Weather Service forecasters said they expected widespread river flooding to continue following heavy rains.

In the rural city of Sheridan some 50 miles southwest of Portland, a 52-year-old man died after driving past road-closure signs onto a road covered with high water, the Yamhill County Sheriffs Office said. A 911 caller saw a man get out of the car and into the water after the vehicle had been swept away by the current. His body was located by a drone and recovered by a rescue team and a resident, the sheriffs office said.

Clackamas County, which spans some Portland suburbs and part of Mount Hood and the Cascade Range, earlier sent go now evacuation notices to 300 residences, county spokesperson Scott Anderson said. Some of the most significant flooding occurred on the Sandy, Clackamas and Molalla rivers, with authorities performing rescues throughout the night, he said. By later Friday, some of those evacuation notices had been lifted.

Among those rescued was a family of six who got stuck in their car after trying to drive on a flooded roadway, said Clackamas Fire District spokesperson Lynsey Amundson. Elsewhere, authorities used an inflatable raft to rescue a man from his home, she said.

In northern California, forecasters were expecting a Pineapple Express, a stronger atmospheric river that originates in the tropics near Hawaii, to arrive around Christmas Eve. That forecast brought hope to ski resort operators that much-anticipated precipitation will extend into the Sierra Nevada, where very little snow has fallen this season.

Photo: Power poles along U.S. Highway 93 near Golden, Colo., snapped in half during a strong wind storm on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
Legislation to outlaw sex-for rent offers and to limit the use of counselling notes in sex offence trials has been approved by the Government.

The approval of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill for publication comes four years after an investigation by the Irish Examiner into sex-for-rent practices in the private rented sector.

Under the legislation, there will be two offences covering sex for rent  the offering of accommodation in exchange for sexual activity and the advertising of accommodation in exchange for sexual activity.

According to the Department of Justice, it is the offer or advertisement that is being criminalised  there is no requirement to prove that sexual activity occurred.

A penalty of up to 5,000 will be introduced through the legislation.

Meanwhile, in relation to the use of counselling notes, justice minister Jim OCallaghan said: The bill amends the law on the disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials by requiring that a disclosure hearing takes place in all cases, to ensure adequate judicial oversight so the privacy rights of victims and survivors are always considered.

However, Mr OCallaghan acknowledged the measure was just a first step, saying: I also believe that further amendments may be merited. My department is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders on the development of concrete proposals to ensure the optimal balance between the rights of complainants and defendants is achieved.

"It is important that I balance those two rights, the rights of the victims and survivors, yet at the same time, I have a constitutional obligation to ensure that people who are before the criminal justice process as accused get a fair trial.

The bill will also provide for the use of more advanced DNA analysis in missing persons cases, oblige the courts to consider a community service order in lieu of a prison sentence of up to 24 months, and remove the legal barrier to the use of incapacitant spray by prison officers.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the Irish Examiner: It has to go through the legislative process so we hopefully we can progress it as quickly as possible  the first half of the year is the target. Minister OCallaghan will deliver that with the strong support of Government.
The head of a national animal advocacy group has called on the Government to help stop the growth of puppy farms here.

John O'Callaghan, the chief executive of Dog Advocacy Ireland, was speaking at Dublin's Mansion House where he met Lord Mayor Ray McAdam to raise the issue of puppy farming.

He said urgent action needs to be taken to strengthen dog breeding regulations in this country.

Ireland has a shameful standing as the puppy farm capital of Europe" he said.

"There are unscrupulous puppy farmers, a lot of whom are registered dog breeding establishments, together with the backyard breeders, who are earning 200m a year. That is no mistake.

They get this for the criminal abuse and mistreatment of dogs. Its a breed and greed culture.

It is not being addressed and responsibility for dog welfare in Ireland is deliberately strewn across three government departments.

"That has only led to chaos. If it was working and functioning, this would not be happening."

He said a singular animal welfare authority with sole responsibility and accountability is what is needed.

The latest figures show there are 3,000 dogs stuck in pounds and rescue centres around the country.

Abandonments have surged since covid, with the cost of living and housing crisis adding to the problem.

Dog Advocacy Ireland said the country continues to license puppy farms.

It is chaos, the local authorities issue these licences but currently there are no animal welfare officers in any of the departments," added Mr O'Callaghan.

There are no inspections taking place. The whole issue is scattered around the place.

"There is no central database, there are five different microchipping companies. It all needs to be scrapped and a new model set up."

Mr O'Callaghan was speaking as the minister for agriculture, Martin Heydon, recently launched a public consultation for the development of a new animal welfare strategy to cover the next five years.

He has invited members of the public and stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations to the Department of Agriculture.
A judge has jailed a 42-year-old Ennis man for six months arising from an incident where he "destroyed the floor" of a Catholic cathedral building in Ennis by defecating on it.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett imposed the six-month prison term on Richard McDermott of no fixed abode after he pleaded guilty to the criminal damage of the St Peter and Paul Cathedral on Enniss OConnell Street on November 12, 2025.

Judge Gabbett imposed a three-month term on Mr McDermott for the criminal damage charge of defecating on the floor of the St Peter and Paul Cathedral and a consecutive one-month prison term for the criminal damage of a prison cell at Ennis Garda Station after urinating in it later on November 12.

Judge Gabbett said Mr McDermott had "destroyed the floor or Fr Tom Ryan's Cathedral" by defecating on it. The judge imposed a consecutive two-month prison term for public order offences on the date to bring the total sentence to six months.

Garda testimony

Garda Thomas Murray told the court that Mr McDermott has 97 previous convictions and committed 57 while on bail. He said 59 of the previous convictions are public order offences.

Garda Murray said: Richard McDermott has a significant alcohol addiction issue which resulted in progressively abusive and violent behaviour in Ennis town and to the community in the past number of months.

Judge Gabbett said: It is particularly sad that a mans life is being wasted on the streets of Ennis when he should be getting treatment.

Garda Murray said that on November 12 at 5.30pm gardai received a call that a group of intoxicated males were hassling mass goers at the cathedral in Ennis. Garda Murray said Mr McDermott was visibly intoxicated and abusing churchgoers and the priest. He was telling members of the gardai, members of the public and myself to F*ck off.

Garda Murray said: "Mr McDermott was given directions to leave the area and failed repeatedly and told us to f*ck off. He was then arrested and upon doing so he said f**k off again and then proceeded to defecate on the cathedral floor.

He lashed out at ourselves during arrest and resisted being put in the van. On arrival at the station he further obstructed us and had to be manhandled into the cell and while in the cell he urinated all over the floor."

Garda Murray said Mr McDermott was caught red-handed by ourselves and I saw everything concerning the offences alleged. Before Judge Gabbett imposed sentence for the criminal damage offences, Garda Murray objected to bail for Mr McDermott.

He said: "Should this man receive bail I am of the firm belief that he will commit further offences and cause a great deal of distress to the people of Ennis.

Defence

Solicitor, Tara Godfrey for Mr McDermott, said her instructions are that Mr McDermott has a significant issue around alcoholism and more often than not he finds himself homeless around the streets.

Ms Godfrey said Mr McDermott was homeless at the time and homeless services had not kept a bed for him for a variety of reasons. She said: He was very cold and went into the church to get warm."

Explaining how Mr McDermott defecated on the church floor, Ms Godfrey said he had taken a lot of alcohol and he suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and has other medical conditions.

Ms Godfrey said Mr McDermott has been a client of the Brothers of Charity and has an intellectual disability and special needs.
The man who was killed when his car crashed into a river in North Cork had moved to Ireland from India last year and only recently became a father for the second time.

Joice Thomas, who lived in Ballynoe in East Cork with his wife and their two young children, had finished work in the kitchen of Ballincurrig nursing home on Friday night and was on his way to meet friends when the accident occurred between Conna and Aghern villages.

His family and friends spent hours searching for him overnight on Friday night before his car was found in the River Bride at around 10am on Saturday.

He was father to a four-month-old baby boy and a two-and-a-half year old girl.

A fundraising campaign has now been set up to cover the costs of repatriation of the 34-year-old's remains to India, as well as his funeral and future costs for the family.

He was from the Kambammettu area and began work as an assistant in the kitchen of the Ballincurrig care centre two months ago.

The GoFundMe campaign organisers said: "Sadly, Joice passed away in this tragic incident, leaving behind his grieving wife, young children, family, and friends who are devastated by this sudden and heartbreaking loss. We are initiating this fundraising campaign to support Joices family during this extremely difficult time.

"The funds raised will help cover the repatriation of his body, funeral expenses, and provide financial support for the future and well-being of his children. As we know, kindness goes a long way. We humbly request your generous support and prayers for the family during this time of profound sorrow."

On Sunday morning, approximately 21,000 was raised, out of a target of 55,000.

Mr Thomas's remains were taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Gardai have conducted a forensic examination of the scene.

Gardai are now appealing for witnesses and for road users with camera or dash-cam footage who were travelling on the R628 between 10pm on Friday 19 and 10am on Saturday 20 December to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fermoy Garda Station on 025 82100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
The pilot killed when the plane he was flying crashed in Waterford last month had raised concerns with air traffic control about an alternator and low fuel pressure just minutes before the fatal crash.

The Turkish pilot, Bircan Dokuzlar, a flight instructor, had flown into Dublin from Dusseldorf on a commercial flight on November 19.

He travelled to Sligo airport to fly the Vulcanair P.68C-TC to Ljubljana, Slovenia, on November 20.

The aircraft, registered EI-HPY, had been purchased by a Slovenia company from a UK company in May and had been brought into Ireland for storage in Sligo airport in July.

It had not been flown since its arrival in Sligo airport according to a preliminary report from the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU).

The report outlined that an Irish-based maintenance organisation was contracted by the operator (the Slovenian company) to carry out the necessary administrative tasks associated with registering the aircraft, and obtaining an Airworthiness Review Certificate.

Aircraft refuelled at Sligo for flight to Slovenia

On November 19, the aircraft was refuelled at Sligo airport with 310 litres of aviation fluid, in preparation to be flown to Slovenia the following day.

The flight was expected to take four hours and 58 minutes.

The accident occurred near Waterford airport on the leg of the journey from Sligo to Beziers Cap dAgde airport in southern France.

The report from the AAIU states: At 12:17:55 hrs, Shannon ATC (air traffic control) transferred control of the aircraft to the UKs Western Radar Air Traffic Service.

Shortly after this transfer occurred, Shannon ATC was informed by Western Radar that EI-HPY was declaring an emergency, the nature of which was described as low fuel pressure and an alternator issue with an engine.

At 12.37pm, an inspector on call for the AAIU received a phone call from Shannon ATC, advising that a P68 aircraft was experiencing some technical difficulties and was intending to divert to Waterford Airport.

The report continued: The pilot requested a direct approach from Waterford ATC because his left alternator was off and his left engine fuel pressure was low.

Aircraft cleared to enter Waterford Control Zone

The aircraft was given clearance to enter the Waterford Control Zone and no departures from the airport were allowed until the plane had landed.

Of the minutes prior to the crash, the report outlined: The pilot responded that he would be making a normal landing, but that he had reduced the power on his left engine, which was still working.

The pilot further reported the problem with the alternator, that the fuel pressure on the left engine was low and said that if he advanced the throttle on the left engine it was shaking, its shaking.

The report references a video made by an eyewitness which started after the approach to the airport was abandoned; the report says: The footage appears to show the aircraft in a gentle left turn away from the runway.

The wings are seen to level momentarily before the aircraft enters a steep turn to the left, quickly loses altitude and disappears from view. The pilot was fatally injured. There was no fire.

Significant damage was caused to the plane, including to both wings. The planes fuselage was fractured behind the cabin and had folded back over the cabin roof.

The fuel tanks had ruptured and a smell of fuel was evident during the site investigation, the report stated.
A row has broken out between the Department of Housing and the Mayor of Limerick over plans to develop small, modular rental properties in the city, with aspirations to deliver 2,000 units now slashed to just 150.

John Moran, the elected mayor of Limerick, said a decision by the Government to reduce staffing for the project fundamentally jeopardises the delivery of the programme.

Prototypes of the modular houses were launched in Limerick in September, with two units going on display in Arthurs Quay Park.

The prefabricated units can be combined to form three- to four-storey apartment buildings.

One prototype is a 23sq m room, including a small kitchen with stove, bathroom, and fold-down bed, while the second is a 32sq m self-contained home.

The smaller unit includes shared amenities such as communal living and dining spaces.

Mr Moran has said rents charged on the modular houses would be significantly below market rates, with the studio expected to be less than 1,000 per month.

Locations earmarked for their development include the Guinness Site, Caledonian Park, Clarina Park, and Boro Park.

Staffing reduced from six to two

In a letter to housing minister James Browne, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, Mr Moran says the department reduced the sanction for six staff to just two, with the project since being made a pilot.

Without the full technical and administrative team, we will simply not have the capacity to move from feasibility in to planning, procurement, and delivery within the required timeframe, Mr Moran wrote.

It is even more troublesome a decision, as those posts were being funded, if necessary, by my own discretionary mayoral fund, and I was more than happy with the need and the impact they would bring.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Mayor of Limerick John Moran at the Limerick Mayoral and Government consultative forum at City Hall earlier this year. Picture: Eamon Ward

The letter, dated September 12, outlines that tenders had been submitted for a team to design 11 potential sites for the modular housing.

The price came to 2.5m, with Mr Moran saying this funding was urgently needed to progress these sites in time for the Ryder Cup in 2027.

The mayoral fund cannot meet this financial requirement, and the council does not have an alternative funding source available, Mr Moran said.

He added that the project was central to delivering 2,000 rental housing units by January 2027. Mr Moran wrote:

It is clear to everyone that if we only have two persons, we will be only able to work on a third or so of the sites, delaying delivery on the others.

I find that unacceptable in the round and so am unable to understand the logic of your officials, who have refused this sanction request.

Mr Moran called on Mr Browne to interrogate your officials, who recommended this decision, to see if we can get back to driving rapidly on all the sites.

The overall cost to the project has been estimated by the Limerick mayor to be around 700m.

Plan downgraded since Mayor's letter

However, since the letter was sent, the project has been downgraded to a pilot programme as part of the Governments revised housing plan.

The Department of Housing has indicated support for up to 150 units in its pilot phase, a Limerick City and County Council spokesperson said.

However, this would be subject to further feasibility and cost plans expected to be submitted by early next year.

The spokesperson added: Two posts are sanctioned for the initial SMART housing programme pilot, which has now been specifically identified in Governments new Housing Plan as a Modular Pathfinder Project.

Limerick City and County Council understands that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will consider further resources post pilot phase.
The public may never be shown official footage of unidentified drones flying off the Irish coast during Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to Dublin earlier this month.

The incident occurred on the night Mr Zelenskyy had flown into Dublin Airport, when the crew on the naval vessel LE William Butler Yeats spotting several drones flying off the coast of Howth.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he believed the Defence Forces had taken the correct decision in not shooting down the drones.

When asked by the Irish Examiner when the public could expect to see Defence Forces footage of the incident, Mr Martin replied: Youre assuming that youre going to see it.

He added that any decision relating to security matters had to take into account the best interests of the State, and he and senior ministers, including Tanaiste Simon Harris, had received a very detailed briefing on the incident last week.

On the operational response from our personnel there, in my view, I think the correct decision was taken and the correct approach, and theres an investigation under way at the moment, so obviously nothing can happen until that investigation is concluded, he said.

An Garda Siochana are now formally investigating that, I had a detailed briefing with the [Defence Forces Chief of Staff] and his team, and from the Garda Commissioner, in terms of the broader visit of President Zelenskyy, which in terms of security was a successful visit.

"Its important to state that, and also to state that the drones did not constitute a threat to civilians, in any shape or form.

The Taoiseach said he was absolutely backing the Defence Forces decision not to fire on the drones.

We have to trust in operational decision making, and I support the approach of the Defence Forces, he added.

It reflects a broader pattern of activity across Europe in terms of hybrid incidents of this kind. Were not the first country in Europe in recent times to have drones emerging, and its an evolving situation.

Presidential election

Separately, Mr Martin was again asked about a fractious parliamentary party meeting at the start of last week following the publication of an internal review of Fianna Fails doomed presidential election campaign.

Mr Martin said he still intends to lead the party into the next general election despite internal criticism of his handling of a process that saw Jim Gavin selected as the Fianna Fail presidential candidate, only to later bow out of the race when it emerged he had failed to return money that was overpaid by a tenant.

The overwhelming view of the party was to concentrate and to focus on the issues that matter to the Irish people, he said.

Yes, we had to do what we had to do in terms of the review of the presidential election, but more fundamentally, TDs and senators are saying to me 'continue doing what you are doing as Taoiseach' in terms of focusing on the core issues facing the Irish people: housing, the infrastructure delivery, disability, child poverty, and also the wider issue of the international situation.

Last week saw scathing responses from Cork North Central TD Padraig OSullivan and Cork East TD James OConnor  both of whom are politically close to Billy Kelleher  following the publication of the party review.

Mr OSullivan had described any claims that due diligence had been appropriately conducted of Jim Gavins potential candidacy as farcical, while Mr OConnor said the Taoiseach had lost the dressing room.

Mr Martin indicated he was not going to respond, saying he was moving on, before then adding: I have a lot of experience of dressing rooms throughout my life, in Cork as well, and I know how to keep a dressing room.
Earlier this month, Ireland was granted another three-year extension to its derogation from the nitrates directive, an EU law in place since 1991 to protect water quality from farm pollution.

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon told the Dail in November that the nitrates derogation has been my number one priority since I was appointed minister and hailed the decision this week as a good news day for Irish agriculture.

The decision came only a week after the European Court of Justice found Ireland had failed to implement the Water Framework Directive, following a number of reports from the Environmental Protection Agency showing water quality was disimproving.

Ireland had been granted previous derogations on the basis that water quality would achieve required standards, so the decision from Brussels is all the more baffling.

Only two days after receiving confirmation of the derogation extension, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) published a report into the status of habitats and species in Ireland which are protected under the EUs Habitats Directive.

The River Blackwater in Cork, where 32,000 fish were killed.

These are the most important habitats on a European level and include peatlands, flower-rich grasslands, sand dunes, ancient forests and submarine reefs. It also includes species from whales, bats, otters and freshwater pearl mussels (but not birds, which are evaluated under a separate directive). The news is pitiful.

In the six years since the last assessment was published in 2019, ironically the year the Dail declared a climate and biodiversity emergency, the proportion of habitats in inadequate or bad condition has increased from a dire 85% to a woeful 90%  nearly all of them.

The picture for the species which are assessed is a little better, with 58% in "favourable" condition, but this barely takes away from the overall picture that the Irish countryside is increasingly uninhabitable unless you are a cow or a sheep.

What makes this report so devastating is it shows the damage being done has yet to even stabilise: 51% of habitats are still "deteriorating".

The reasons why habitats continue to deteriorate are largely down to agriculture (a pressure on 70% of the total), while the spread of invasive and problem species, forestry, pollution, urbanisation and recreational pressures and extraction of resources (such as fishing or peat mining) are also significant.

The results will come as a blow to the many people who have worked hard in recent years to reverse this tide of destruction. This includes the innumerable community and voluntary groups, businesses and NGOs, as well as those hardy individuals in Government agencies, such as local authorities, civil servants and regulatory authorities, who work to bring about change from within the system.

The NPWS itself has undergone a substantial, if faltering, transformation in the last five years, with increased staffing and funding for actual conservation works. I have seen myself the impact of bog restoration, invasive species removal and pollinator plans across Ireland, all of which are making a difference. But its not enough.

Ireland's largest saltwater lagoon Lady's Island Lake, which was polluted with algae this summer.

The minister in charge of the NPWS, Fianna Fails Christopher OSullivan, responded to the report saying: Given the huge efforts to turn the tide on biodiversity loss in recent years, these will be disappointing findings.

Its easy to see why OSullivan is disappointed but can we really say there have been "huge efforts" to turn the tide? His Government removed funding set aside from the Climate and Nature Fund, which was to have financed the implementation of Irelands Nature Restoration Plan, something that must be published by mid-2026.

Despite repeated promises, there is still no sign of legislation to allow for the creation of marine protected areas, or to give legal backing for national parks. With regard to invasive species such as rhododendron or deer, there is no strategy or plan for their control.

In 2023, the European Court of Justice found Ireland had failed to implement the Habitats Directive because there were no management measures in hundreds of special areas of conservation that were demarcated in the late 1990s.

We still have bottom trawling, mechanical turf extraction, arterial drainage works, free-roaming sheep and much more in these SACs.

However, it is Mr Heydons department, more than any other, that is responsible for how our land and seas are used, not only agriculture, but forestry and fishing in Irish waters and so is chiefly responsible for the dire state of biodiversity in Ireland.

All of the destructive fishing that goes on within 12 nautical miles of our coast, the forestry system welded to Sitka spruce monocultures and the farming policy that puts the maintenance of 6.3 million cattle, 3.6 million sheep and 1.5 million pigs above our food security and the survival of nature, is on Heydons desk.

Yet, while the minister was celebrating another three years of business as usual for intensive dairy farming, he had nothing to say about this new report that confirms the collapse of nature.

For anyone looking for positives, there is comfort in that at least we have a clear picture of what needs to be done. In 2024, the publication of the fourth (yes the fourth) National Biodiversity Action Plan set out a worthy road map and called for an all of government, all of society response.

Padraic Fogarty: 'The collapse in biodiversity is not a lost cause. In fact, nature can rebound incredibly quickly when the circumstances are right.'

Yet, this plan has no delivery mechanism, no senior minister leading the drive, and no way for the various arms of the State to be held accountable when targets are not reached.

In 2023, the Citizens Assembly made a number of excellent recommendations on reversing biodiversity loss, but their key suggestion that Irelands food policy be reviewed, from one that is dominated by the demands of export-driven companies to one that is focused on food security, climate resilience and the protection of nature, has gone ignored.

The collapse in biodiversity is not a lost cause. In fact, nature can rebound incredibly quickly when the circumstances are right. A chink of light in the NPWS report is the improving trends in some habitats such as raised bogs and hay meadows, as a result of targeted measures.

Something that has also vastly changed in recent years is the public awareness of the miserable state of our natural environment, even if this is coming from high-profile disasters like Lough Neagh, Ladys Island Lake in Wexford or the Blackwater fish kill.

People are not happy that our lands and seas are plainly in crisis. It points to a shift in attitude that, with more work, will filter into Government departments so maybe soon well hear a minister for agriculture declare that improving the state of biodiversity is their number one priority.
We officially started watching Christmas films this weekend gone (alright, three weekends ago). One of them was the hilariously awful Jingle All the Way, starring Schwarzenegger, Sinbad (the comedian, not the sailor) and that kid who played Darth Vader.

Like many festive films, it has become a relatable cult classic. Two dads scrambling for a sold-out superhero toy on Christmas Eve, having failed to get their act together earlier.

It is an ordeal many parents know all too well, including my own.

in 'Jingle All The Way', Arnold Schwarzenegger channels the plight of parents hunting for a sought-after gift for smallie. File picture: PA

My mum still remembers being harangued to within an inch of her sanity while hunting for a Tamagotchi for me in the 1990s. She succeeded where Arnie failed, because shes brilliant.

All of which raises a valid question. Why do some toys create such desperate demand, especially when a few of them come with very real safety concerns?

Clackers

People born in the 1960s or 70s may remember the childrens toy clackers. They were two hard polymer spheres attached to either end of a cord. When swung in an up-and-down rhythm, they clacked together repeatedly and loudly. Often unnervingly.

Popular in Ireland and Britain in the 1970s and 1980s, the clackers toy is based on an ancient South American weapon, the bolas. They have enjoyed a recent revival in Egypt and in Indonesia and the Philippines, where they are known as lato-lato. Picture: iStock

The nervous sideways glances in the commercial (find it on Youtube) make sense. Children had good reason to fear these things. Clackers were capable of causing as many injuries as the Argentinian bolas, the weapon they were based on.

Early versions were made of glass which could, and regularly did, shatter on impact. This sent sharp fragments flying everywhere and occasionally into eyes. Plastic versions replaced the glass but did not make them much safer. Children used them as makeshift flails which resulted in black eyes, nosebleeds, and even fractures. Many schools banned them, alongside conkers and other wizzo games straight out of Just William.

Variants still exist, usually as cheap plastic versions with far less force behind them. They have even enjoyed a recent revival in Egypt (where they were briefly banned for being crude) and in Indonesia and the Philippines, where they are known as lato-lato and have sparked competitions. Injuries presumably continue.

Magnets

My daughter once had a set of magnetised building blocks shaped like triangles and squares. She adored them.

Children love magnets but they can can present a choking hazard  and if a child swallows two or more magnets or other metallic toy parts, they can attract each other through the walls of the intestines and effectively pin sections of the gut together. Picture: iStock

Magnets are used in many different toys, and it is easy to overlook how hazardous they can be.

The risk becomes apparent when a child manages to detach a magnet from a toy.

This creates not only a choking hazard but also a serious internal risk if swallowed. Any suspected ingestion requires immediate medical attention.

The danger stems from magnetic attraction. If two or more magnets, or other metallic toy parts, are swallowed, they can attract each other through the walls of the intestines and effectively pin sections of the gut together. This can cause obstruction, perforations and internal bleeding, among other serious complications.

Swallowed magnets or metallic objects of any number should never be left to pass naturally. It is always a medical emergency.

Water beads

Water beads are a more recent addition to the toy world. They are small polymer pellets that expand dramatically when placed in water.

Originally marketed for floral displays, they have become popular in arts and crafts and as sensory toys.

Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has warned about the hidden peril of water beads which can swell to an alarming size if swallowed.

The beads are made from super-absorbent polymers that can swell to a diameter of one or two centimetres within hours. Like magnets, they are a choking hazard. If swallowed, they can also swell inside the body and block the intestines. A recent study described two cases of intestinal obstruction caused by water beads.

In one case, a bead had expanded to four centimetres in size, and required surgery.

Sadly, these are not isolated incidents, and some cases have involved other severe medical complications. Water beads have also been marketed for children with sensory processing disorders and autism.

This is especially concerning, as these children may not be able to communicate early symptoms of discomfort should they happen to swallow any beads.

Wont someone think of the parents?

Spare a thought for the adults who find themselves in the thick of these toy crazes. Not just my poor mum who endured something close to the seventh circle of hell in a packed John Lewis to locate the digital pet I wanted.

Power Rangers, Teletubbies, and Buzz Lightyears have caused similar panics over the years.

There have even been cases of serious injuries and fatalities caused by stampedes during Black Friday toy rushes.

The message is simple.

Choose toys that are safe and age appropriate, and supervise playtime where necessary. A seemingly harmless childrens toy can turn into something much more dangerous in seconds.

At Christmas, when homes are busy and distractions are many, a little extra caution goes a long way.

 Dan Baumgardt is a senior lecturer at the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol.

 This article originally appeared here on TheConversation.com
A Russian general was killed on Monday morning after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in Moscow.

Investigators said Ukrainecould be behind the attack, the third such killing of a senior military officer in a year.

The scene where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed under his car (Investigative Committee of Moscow via AP)

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, the spokesperson for Russias Investigative Committee, the nations top criminal investigation agency.

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, Ms Petrenko said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about Lt. Gen. Sarvarovs killing.

The Defence Ministry said that Lt Gen Sarvarov had previously fought in Chechnya and taken part in Moscows military campaign in Syria.

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov died in the explosion (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Just over a year ago, on December 17 2024, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building.

Lt. Gen. Kirillovs assistant also died.

Ukraines security service claimed responsibility for that attack.

An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Lt. Gen. Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described last years attack as a serious blunder (Alexander Kazakov/AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin described Lt. Gen. Kirillovs killing as a major blunder by Russias security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.

But in April, another senior Russian military officer, Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow.

A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested.

Moscow has also blamed Ukraine for several bombings and other attacks in Russia.
No. 30 in the first edition of Edward FitzGeralds The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam continues the theme of bewilderment that we find ourselves, unasked, in the world, without a clear idea of the meaning of this life. The English verses portray these acts of being born and dying without asking as impertinence, i.e. insolence or disrespect.

XXX. What, without asking, hither hurried whence?

And, without asking, whither hurried hence!

Another and another Cup to drown

The Memory of this Impertinence!

Edward Heron-Allen and A. J. Arberry (Romance, p. 210) identify the original as no. 21 in the Bodleian manuscript,

      

    

      

      

This is no. 20 in my translation of the Rubaiyat.

I translated the first two lines this way:

Since my advent here on that first day wasnt up to me,

but my unwilling departure has been firmly decreed . . .

For the theme of thrownness into the world in modern philosophy, see my discussion of XXIX.

-

Order Juan Coles contemporary poetic translation of the Rubaiyat from

Bloomsbury (IB Tauris)

or Barnes and Noble.

or for $16 at Amazon Kindle

-

Edward Cowell was the friend of Edward FitzGerald who rediscovered the Omar Khayyam manuscript in the Bodleian library that had been collected by Sir Gore Ouseley, the first modern British ambassador to Iran 1810-1813. He made a copy for FitzGerald and appended a glossary, encouraging him to translate it. Cowell was a liberal, Emersonian sort of Christian, but the Rubaiyat was too unorthodox for him, with its denial of the afterlife and celebration of winebibbing and romance. FitzGerald, in contrast, was a frank unbeliever, and while he was not a libertine, he could see the beauty in the cynical Epicureanism of this poetry.

Cowell translated the poem this way:

My coming was not of mine own design,

and one day I must go, and no choice of mine;

Come, light-handed cupbearer, gird thee to serve,

We must wash down the care of this world with wine.

I discussed the figure of the cupbearer in Persian poetry here, in reference to 1:3. He is sort of like the bartender in country and Western songs, to whom the drinker pours out his or her heart and then asks for a refill. But in most Persian poetry he is a very handsome teenaged young man. Occasionally, e.g. in Zoroastrian or Christian taverns, there may have been women wine servers, and Persian poetry sometimes appears to refer to them. The religious minorities werent as strict about gender segregation. In Persian, though, it is hard to know if a man or a woman is being talked about, since Persian has no noun grammar and the third person singular pronoun, u, can mean either he or she.

The cheekiness of this lament about our being consigned to being without really knowing why, and our being made to die in the same way, and the resort to wine or love as a strategy for dealing with the meaningless of life, or at least the obscurity of the meaning of life, is also found in the poems of Hafez of Shiraz (d. 1391).

For instance there is a ghazal or ode of Hafez that begins this way, and is referred to in this Persian article..

      

     

       

     

Do not share the secrets of love and drunkenness with the Inquisitor,

so that he may die in ignorance, with the pain of self-worship.

Become a passionate lover, for otherwise the business of this world will wind up

before you have read the schematics of the purpose from the workshop of being.

Hafez is not saying that existence is meaningless, but he is saying that it can be meaningless if we dont lose ourselves in passionate love (`ishq). He leaves it ambiguous whether he is talking about passionate love of God or passionate love of a human beloved, but it is perfectly possible that it is the latter. For the more humanist of the classical Persian poets, romantic love is a form of secular transcendence.



Party scene from the Divan of Hafez. Iran, 1585. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons..

Without that love, Hafez says, the purpose and design of the workshop of being (what a delightful phrase) will remain opaque to you. Moreover, this passionate love and intoxication in the beloved is not something you should tell the hidebound about, who have the character of prosecutors in the service of orthodoxy. Better to let them die in ignorance and drown in their amour propre and egotism.

The passage is in someways very similar to the quatrain above, where the author says he will take refuge in intoxication because the meaning of life is obscure. Hafez turns the sentiment around, saying that unless you get drunk and experience passionate love, you wont be able to discern the purpose of life. Hafezs is a poetry of uplift, whereas the Khayyam corpus is filled with a sort of clear-eyed despair.

-

For more commentaries on FitzGeralds translations of the Rubaiyat, see

FitzGeralds Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: Commentary by Juan Cole with Original Persian
By Ligin Joseph, University of Southampton

(The Conversation)  The final week of November was devastating for several South Asian countries. Communities in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand were inundated as Cyclones Ditwah and Senyar unleashed days of relentless rain. Millions were affected, more than 1,500 people lost their lives, hundreds are still missing, and damages ran into multiple millions of US dollars. Sri Lankas president even described it as the most challenging natural disaster the island has ever seen.

When disasters like this happen, the blame often falls on a failure in early warnings or poor preparedness. This was the case with major floods in Kerala, south India, in 2018, which devastated my hometown.

But this time, the forecasts were largely accurate; the authorities knew the storms were coming, yet the devastation was still immense.

So, if the forecasts were good enough, why were the impacts still so severe?

Weak winds, extreme rain

One emerging explanation is that these storms were not dangerous because of their winds, but because they produced unusually intense rainfall.

Consider Cyclone Ditwah. Its peak winds were around 75 km/h (47 mph). Thats windy, but nothing special. In the UK, it would be classified merely as a gale rather than a storm. It was far weaker than the 220 km/h winds of the powerful 1978 cyclone that also struck Sri Lanka. Yet Ditwah still caused massive devastation.

What explains this apparent contradiction? Its too early to say definitively, but climate change is likely a part of the story. Even when storms are not especially strong in wind terms, the amount of rain they carry is increasing.

A warmer atmosphere holds more water

A well established meteorological rule helps explain why. For every degree of global warming, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture.

As the planet warms, the air above us becomes a larger reservoir, waiting to dump more water on us. When storms form, they can tap into this expanded supply, often in extremely short bursts. Even if wind speeds are modest, the rainfall alone can be catastrophic.

The oceans matter even more

Warming oceans play an even more powerful role, as cyclones draw their energy from warm ocean waters. Satellite data from late November shows just how warm the eastern Indian Ocean was, with large areas more than 1C above normal during Ditwah and Senyar.



Ligin Joseph (Data: OISST; track positions are approximate) , CC BY-SA



Such warm anomalies are no longer unusual. The oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, and long-term observations show a clear upward trend in ocean temperatures.

That doesnt necessarily mean cyclones are becoming more frequent  their formation still depends on other ingredients, such as low wind shear (small differences in wind speed and direction with height) and the right atmospheric structure.

What warmer oceans do change, however, is the amount of energy available to any storm that does manage to form. When the ocean is warmer, cyclones have more fuel and evaporation increases, loading the atmosphere with moisture that can fall as intense rain once a storm develops. Even weak cyclones can therefore hold exceptional amounts of rain.

The winds near the surface help this process along. As they move across the ocean, they sweep away the moisture-filled air just above the water and replace it with drier air, allowing evaporation to continue. Put together, warmer oceans, higher evaporation, and an atmosphere that can store more moisture, these factors can significantly intensify the rainfall associated with cyclones.

Coastline hugging makes flooding worse

Local geography amplified these effects. Both Ditwah and Senyar formed unusually close to land and travelled along the coastline for an extended period. This meant they stayed over warm waters long enough to continuously draw moisture, but remained close enough to land to dump that moisture as intense rainfall almost immediately.



Photo by Shakib Uzzaman on Unsplash

Cyclone Ditwah, in particular, moved slowly as it approached Sri Lanka. Slow-moving storms can be especially dangerous as they repeatedly dump rain over the same area. Even if winds are weak, this combination of warm seas, coastal proximity and slow forward speed can be devastating.

A new threat

These storms suggest that climate change  especially ocean warming  is reshaping the risks posed by cyclones. The most dangerous storms may no longer simply be the ones with the strongest winds, but also the ones with the most moisture.

Forecasting systems, including new AI-powered weather models, are getting better at predicting cyclone tracks and wind speeds. Yet rainfall-driven flooding remains far harder to forecast. As oceans continue to warm, governments and disaster agencies will need to prepare for storms that may be weak in wind but extreme in rain.

These insights are based on preliminary analysis and emerging scientific understanding. More detailed peer-reviewed studies will be needed to pinpoint exactly why Ditwah and Senyar produced such extreme rainfall. But the pattern that is emerging  weak cyclones delivering outsized floods in a warming world  must not be ignored.

Ligin Joseph, PhD Candidate, Oceanography, University of Southampton

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  A California District Court hearing on was held on Wednesday, December 17, over an injunction sought by plaintiffs represented by the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) against a new law, California AB 715, which is supposedly intended to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism. But it no more does that than does that than convicted felon Donald Trumps Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, to which many mainstream Jews object. Rather, it demonizes and criminalizes teachers who dare to be candid about the realities of Israel and Palestine.

The hearing ended without a decision or timeframe for one. The bill is set to go into effect on January 1, and theres no way to know if Judge Noel Weiss will render a decision before then. Positioned and disguised as a bill to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism expressions, it is really an attack on academic freedom, teachers freedom to teach, and freedom to criticize a foreign government, which happens to be the Jewish state. It was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, though his signing statement expressed reservation and reluctance.

The ADC Attorney Jenin Younes represented the plaintiffs, including Berkeley middle school history teacher Andrea Prichett, who is the lead plaintiff. Two years ago, she was subjected to an investigation by the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD), after a student complained about her citing Israel as a modern-day example of colonialism. In her American History class, she posed a question to her students about whether colonization happens in modern times. Without her direct prompting, a student mentioned Israel and Palestine as an example. That led to a visit by a BUSD investigator, and thrust her into leading the legal challenge to AB 715.

During the hearing, there was discussion about the objectionable vagueness of California AB 715. One question posed was, Whos doing the enforcement? The school districts, the California DOE, or a yet-to-be-appointed state authority? AB 715 bestows unconstitutional powers on a district superintendent, and stipulates that teachers cant challenge the law under the First Amendment. This language is that of the disturbing sovereign immunity concept, which shields the government from the legal challenges, unless it waives its immunity under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

The ADC issued the following summary statement: This week, we stood in federal court in San Jose to stop Californias Assembly Bill 715, a law that threatens to criminalize the First Amendment right to speak freely. At its core, AB 715 is not about protecting students. It is about state-enforced silence. If allowed to take effect on January 1, this law would give the government broad and vague authority to punish teachers for discussing Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. Arguments presented by Ms. Younes included that AB 715s vague definition of antisemitism opens the door to suppressing lawful speech. Judge Weiss acknowledged how difficult and dangerous it would be to draw these lines. Among the objections to AB 715 are that Teachers are not government mouthpieces. Classrooms are not censorship zones. And freedom of speech does not disappear at the schoolhouse door. By representing Ms. Prichett and other teachers,  ADC is fighting to protect the First Amendment rights of teachers, students, and the spaces where learning and growth must be free from political intimidation.

To an honest observer, Israels calculated genocide in Gaza and settler attacks, abetted by the Israeli military, on Palestinians in the West Bank, are brazen examples of colonialism. Denial of obvious travesties has become part of the Zionist Zeitgeist and underlies the propaganda campaigns under Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahus Likud governments, since he took office in 1996. History teachers teach facts and timeline of histories, along with the evolution of ideologies, and the consequential developments that follow.

The worlds of secondary education, higher academia and museum interpretation are under unprecedented assault by obscurantist forces led by Trump. This attack includes Trumps efforts to re-write American History by blackmailing the Smithsonian Institution, to whitewash the ugly realities of the nations founding and evolution since the Civil War. The popularity of Trumps MAGA rhetoric illustrates how many Americans werent happy with the results of the Civil War and WWII. Now they seem on path to normalize this gross dialectic, and to criminalize teaching the truth about racism in the US.

Netanyahu, his Likud Party ministers and their even more extreme allies have moved aggressively and violently to do the same in Israel. Because Trump and Netanyahu are so closely allied, they have supported one anothers efforts to expand executive authority, and usurp delegated powers from the legislative and judicial branches.

California state laws already prevent discrimination in education. AB 715 is a threat to academic freedom and 1st Amendment protections for teachers, administrators and students. Its a scattershot attempt to protect Zionist sympathizers from guilt or shame, as it defines anti-Semitism as any criticism of Israel. Zionism is not Judaism, but rather; a political ideology that arose in reaction to the pogroms, and was strengthened by the Holocaust. AB 715 seeks to protect a genocidal Israeli government from criticism in American education and academia.



California Capitol, Sacramento. Photo by E R on Unsplash

Berkeley is a uniquely Jewish city  there are over 20,000 Jews in a population of 124,000. The large Jewish presence in this college town is a defining characteristic of the historic and current dynamics. There is a vast spectrum of loyalties and ideologies, including crunchy granola Jews, with progressive sentiments and affiliations, and red meat Jews, who adhere to rigid orthodoxy and unquestioned support of Israel. Many are not Zionists. Some are only cultural Zionists in the humanist tradition of Martin Buber, a pacifist who felt a connection to the Holy Land but insisted on fairness to Palestinians. Others fully support the current government in Israel. No Jewish conspiracy could possibly arise in Berkeley, because we cant agree on anything! Jews in the similar university town of Ann Arbor, Michigan are just as conflicted, as 58% of respondents reported feeling some level of emotional attachment to Israel, while about 50% of respondents feel their views about Israel are not welcome in Jewish settings.

But because Berkeley is Berkeley, liberal ideology holds sway with the Berkeley Unified School District, a misguided liberalism that holds that Jewish students beholden to the MAGA-Likud ideology must be protected from guilt and shame. Thats what AB 715 enforces: Protecting the wrong people for the wrong reasons, and demonizing teachers who teach critical thinking.
( Tomdispatch.com )  Earlier this month, the Trump administration released its new National Security Strategy, or NSS. Normally, such documents are poor predictors of whats likely to happen in the real world. They are more like branding tools that communicate the attitudes of a given administration while rarely offering a detailed or accurate picture of its likely policies.

The reason documents like the NSS are of limited import is simple enough: foreign and military policies arent set by documents but by power and ideology. Typically enough, the current U.S. approach to the world flows from struggles among representatives of contending interest groups, some of which, like the military-industrial complex (MIC), have a significant advantage in the fight. The weapons industry and its allies in the Pentagon and Congress wield a wide array of tools of influence, including tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions, more than 1,000 lobbyists, and jobs tied to military-related facilities in the states and districts of key members of Congress. The MIC  which my colleague Ben Freeman and I refer to in our new book as the trillion-dollar war machine  also has considerable influence over the institutions that shape our view of the world, from the media to DC think tanks, Hollywood, the gaming industry, and our universities.

But the power and influence of the war machine are not going completely unchallenged. The grip of militarism and the institutions that profit from it are indeed being challenged by organizations like The Poor Peoples Campaign: A Call for Moral Revival; Dissenters, a youth antimilitarism group based in Chicago; antiwar veterans organizations like About Face, Common Defense, and Veterans for Peace; longstanding peace groups like the Friends Committee on National Legislation and Peace Action; networks like People Over Pentagon and Dismantle the Military-Industrial Complex; the ceasefire and Palestinian rights movements on U.S. campuses and beyond; and groups working for racial and economic justice, gay and trans rights, immigration reform, the demilitarization of the police, or compensation for environmental damage caused by nuclear weapons testing and other military activities. As such organizations coalesce, bringing together tens of millions of us whose lives and prospects are impacted by this countrys ever-growing war machine, lets hope it might be possible to create the power needed to build a better, more tolerant, and more peaceful world, one that meets the needs of the majority of its people, rather than endlessly squandering precious resources on war and preparations for more of it.

So why pay attention to that new strategy document if what really determines our safety and security lies elsewhere? There are several reasons to do so.

First, the NSS has prompted discussion in the mainstream media and elite circles of what U.S. priorities in the world should actually be  and such a discussion needs to be expanded to include the perspectives of people and organizations actually suffering the consequences of our militarized domestic and foreign policies.

Second, that strategy paper reflects the unnerving intentions and worldview of the current administration, which, of course, has the power to determine whether this country is at war or peace.

Finally, it suggests just how the Trump administration would like to be perceived. As such, it should be considered a weapon in the debate over what kind of country the United States should be.

Touting the President of Peace

From the start, the submission letter that accompanies the new strategy document is pure Donald Trump. In case you hadnt noticed, the current occupant of the Oval Office would have us believe that everything  every single thing!  he does is bigger, better, and more beautiful than anything that ever came before it. And thats definitely the case, in the first year of his second term, when it comes to his view of what this countrys national security policies should actually be. As the letter puts it:

Over the past nine months, we have brought our nation  and the world  back from the brink of catastrophe and disaster. After four years of weakness, extremism, and deadly failures, my administration has moved with urgency and historic speed to restore American strength at home and abroad, and bring peace and stability to our world. No administration in history has brought about such a dramatic turnaround in so short a time.

Needless to say, were expected to attribute that alleged American revival to the brilliance and tough-guy attitudes of the president and his team. But any reasonable American should instantly have doubts about that. After all, one of the Trump administrations proudest accomplishments, as the new document notes, has been getting radical gender ideology and woke lunacy out of our military. Or, to put it slightly differently, under the guise of its crusade against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), the administration has effectively dismantled programs designed to reduce racism, misogyny, and anti-gay and anti-trans violence in the ranks of the military.

Whether the programs aimed at reducing entrenched discrimination in those ranks were ever sufficient is certainly doubtful, but that discrimination in the military needs to be addressed should have been and should still be beyond question. To cite just one example, a 2024 study by political geographer Jennifer Greenberg conducted for the Costs of War Project at Brown University found that there were more than 70,000 cases of sexual assault in the U.S. military in 2021 and 2023 (the years covered by her analysis). Her report also noted that, on average, over the course of the war in Afghanistan, 24 percent of active-duty women and 1.9 percent of active-duty men experienced sexual assault. Pretending that widespread sexual violence doesnt exist in the U.S. military or dismissing it as an example of radical gender ideology and woke lunacy should be considered, at best, a policy equivalent of criminal negligence. And its certainly not a great look for the person who desperately wants to be known as the president of peace.

But our commander-in-chief is nothing if not persistent (and predictable). In his introduction to the new strategy document, Im sure you wont be shocked to learn that President Trump takes the opportunity to pat himself on the back for allegedly ending eight raging conflicts in his first eight months in office  including those between Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, India and Pakistan, and Israel and Iran.

Of course, residents of many of those countries can be forgiven for not being aware of President Trumps purported role in bringing relative peace to their regions or, in some of those cases, for failing to note that the peaceful situations he claims to have brought about dont even exist. And they would be right to be skeptical. After all, this is the same president who has decimated the U.S. diplomatic corps and dismantled Washingtons main economic and humanitarian aid organization, the U.S. Agency for International Development  hardly the actions of a president of global peace.

Trumps rhetoric in his introductory letter contrasts with some of the more sober passages in the document itself. His ranting and self-praise, however, are undoubtedly of more relevance when it comes to understanding the world that were actually in than the words in the body of that strategys blueprint. If his time in office tells us anything, its that his administrations policies are heavily influenced by his personal desires and resentments, whether or not they square with existing laws, procedures, or policy pronouncements.

The Donroe Doctrine: A 19th Century Strategy for the 21st Century World

The aspect of the newly announced military strategy that has gotten the most attention (and may be the closest to the presidents heart) is its focus not on the rest of the world but on the Western Hemisphere, including what the president has called the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, or whats come to be known as the Donroe Doctrine.

The hemispheric focus includes the administrations harsh immigration crackdown. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now literally kidnapping people off the city streets of this country, often regardless of their actual immigration status and absent the alleged criminal histories that have been used to justify its activities. President Trump sees this wave of repression as a badge of honor, arguing that starting on my first day in office, we restored the sovereign borders of the United States and deployed the military to stop the invasion of our country.

The hyper-militarization of the border has been paralleled by a wildly more aggressive posture in the hemisphere as a whole, most notably in the repeated attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea, the waters off of Venezuela, and even the eastern Pacific Ocean, and the preparations for what could become a regime-change war against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. No matter that his country poses no direct threat whatsoever to the United States. And Republican calls for a full-scale war against that nation are occurring despite the disastrous results of this countrys regime-change policies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and beyond in this century.

The attacks on those defenseless ships, targeting individuals who pose no direct threat to the United States and havent even been proven to be involved in drug trafficking, violate international law and are being carried out without the approval of Congress. That was no less true of the recent seizure of a Venezuelan cargo ship transporting oil to Asia and the imposition of sanctions on six more oil-carrying ships.

Unfortunately, waging war without input from Congress has been the norm in U.S. military interventions of this century. Data generated by the Military Intervention Project at Tufts University indicates that the United States has used military force or engaged in outright warfare 30 times since 2001, with Congress largely on the sidelines. And rarely have those interventions achieved anything like their stated objectives, as documented by the Costs of War Project, which has shown that Americas post-9/11 war on terror has cost at least $8 trillion, involved the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians, and left a huge cohort of U.S. veterans with physical and psychological injuries, all without faintly achieving the stated goals of promoting democracy or stability in the targeted nations.

Can the Trump Administration End Endless Wars?

Despite its increasingly aggressive posture in the Western Hemisphere (and on U.S. soil), some analysts hold out hope that the Trump administration will ultimately reduce the frequency of U.S. military intervention globally and perhaps even end endless wars. There is rhetoric in the new strategy document that could support such a notion, but the real question is whether the president will act on it in any meaningful way.

Judging by its rhetoric alone, the administrations strategy document would seem to suggest at least an implicit reduction in the use of force overseas, as evidenced in its discussion of strategy:

A strategy must evaluate, sort, and prioritize. Not every country, region, issue, or cause  however worthy  can be the focus of American strategyAmerican strategies since the end of the Cold War have fallen short  they have been laundry lists of wishes or desired end states; have not clearly defined what we want but instead stated vague platitudes.

The document then goes further, seeming to denounce the American war machine and the drive for U.S. military dominance globally:

After the end of the Cold War, American foreign policy elites convinced themselves that permanent American domination of the entire world was in the best interests of our country Our elites badly miscalculated Americas willingness to shoulder forever global burdens to which the American people saw no connection to the national interest. They overestimated Americas ability to fund, simultaneously, a massive welfare-regulatory-administrative state alongside a massive military, diplomatic, intelligence, and foreign aid complex.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reinforced such themes in a December 6th speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum, while highlighting the administrations usual condemnations of efforts to reduce discrimination in the military or this country or address climate change. As he summed it up, The War Department will not be distracted by democracy building, interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, climate change, moralizing and feckless nation building.

Taken seriously, such observations would lead to a sharp reduction in the American global military footprint of 750 foreign bases, more than 170,000 troops deployed overseas, a Navy designed to support combat anywhere in the world, dozens of ongoing counterterror operations globally from Somalia to Yemen, and arms-supplying relationships with more than half the nations on earth.

Needless to say, so far that hasnt happened, whether a Republican or a Democrat was at the helm of the administration. But as with President Trumps professions of being a peacemaker or his occasional rhetorical jabs at war profiteers and warmongers, the anti-interventionist language in some of the administrations new National Security Strategy is clearly aimed mainly at those parts of the presidents base here at home who are indeed sick of war and skeptical of large corporations and the deep state.

All too sadly, President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and the rest of the crew seem all too willing to make war in the Western Hemisphere in a significant fashion, while essentially ignoring the U.S. militarys other warring activities elsewhere on the planet. (Only recently, for instance, U.S. Africa Command confirmed that it had launched 111 airstrikes in Somalia in 2025.) And whether Trump supporters here at home are willing or in any fashion able to hold Trump to his antiwar rhetoric and blunt his penchant for using military force remains to be seen.

The Fight for Peace

To resist and reverse the militarization of American foreign policy will mean speaking truth to power, while working to debunk the myths that rationalize this countrys permanent war footing. But it will also require confronting power with power by generating a broad peoples movement against militarism in all its manifestations, including the militarization of foreign policy, immigration enforcement, and policing in this country, as well as the militarys role in generating staggering amounts of greenhouse gases and so accelerating climate change and threatening public health.

There are people and organizations fighting on all those fronts. Building a network of resistance that respects the priorities of each of them will take dedicated organizing and relationship-building. Much of that work is already underway. But the question remains: Can the public interest overcome the special interests and bankrupt ideologies that continue to make war and the threat of more war Americas face to the world? Its a question on which none of us can afford to remain neutral.

Copyright 2025 William D. Hartung

Via Tomdispatch.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / PPX Mining Corp. (TSXV:PPX)(BVL:PPX)( "PPX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ernest Mast as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday January 12, 2026. In addition, the Company announces the granting of stock options to certain key management members of its Peruvian subsidiaries.

Mr. Mast is a senior mining executive with over 35 years of experience throughout the Americas, with extensive expertise in precious, base, and critical metals. He has previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer or Managing Director of Cygnus Metals, Dore Copper Mining, Primero Mining, and Minera Panama, a subsidiary of Inmet Mining. Mr. Mast led the successful public listing of Dore Copper Mining and its subsequent combination with Cygnus Metals, creating a dual-listed precious, base, and critical metals company. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 20 years with Noranda, Falconbridge, and Xstrata, holding operational, technical and executive roles at multiple mines and metallurgical plants across the Americas. Mr. Mast currently serves on several mining company boards, is fluent in Spanish and French, and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from McGill University, as well as Executive MBA degrees from Henley Management School (U.K.) and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mast will lead PPX into its next phase of development following Glencore's strategic acquisition of a 9.9% equity interest in the Company, positioning PPX for growth supported by the funding received through this transaction and the advancement of the Company toward the commencement of commercial production during 2026.

As at the same effective date, the Company also announces that Mr. John Thomas, who has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of PPX since the third quarter of 2022, will transition into the role of Chief Operating Officer and will continue in this position through the completion and commissioning of the Company's Callanquitas processing plant. Mr. Thomas has played a critical leadership role during a pivotal phase of PPX's development, providing steady executive oversight, operational discipline, and hands-on leadership in Peru. His deep understanding of the Company's assets, construction strategy, and operating partners has been instrumental in advancing plant development and maintaining operational momentum. In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Thomas will focus on execution, construction readiness, and operational ramp-up, ensuring the plant is delivered safely, on schedule, and to the high technical standards required for long-term success.

Brian Imrie, Executive Chairman of PPX, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to sincerely thank John Thomas for his exceptional leadership and commitment during his tenure as Interim Chief Executive Officer. John guided PPX through a critical period of transition, reinforced operational discipline, and played a central role in advancing plant construction and positioning the Company for production. We are grateful for his continued leadership, now as Chief Operating Officer, where his deep operational expertise and execution focus will remain invaluable.

We are also delighted to welcome Ernest Mast as President and Chief Executive Officer. Ernie brings a combination of operational excellence, capital markets experience, and international leadership that is ideally suited to PPX at this stage of its evolution. With Glencore now as a strategic shareholder and construction well advanced, Ernie's leadership will be instrumental as we advance toward commissioning and commercial production."

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 3,450,000 stock options of the Company (the "Stock Options") to certain key management members of the Company's Peruvian subsidiaries. Each Stock Option vests immediately and entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of CAD$0.295 per share, exercisable until December 22, 2035.

The Stock Options were granted pursuant to the Company's rolling 10% equity incentive plan, which was approved by the shareholders of the Company at its annual and special meeting held on December 18, 2025. The Company believes that these grants align the interests of management with those of shareholders and support the continued advancement of PPX's operational and growth objectives.

About PPX Mining Corp:

PPX Mining Corp. (TSX.V:PPX.V)(BVL:PPX) is a Canadian-based mining company with assets in northern Peru. Igor, the Company's 100%-owned flagship gold and silver project, is located in the prolific Northern Peru gold belt in eastern La Libertad Department.

On behalf of the board of directors of the Company:

Brian Imrie

Executive Chairman

82 Richmond Street East

Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1

Canada

416-361-0737

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Intrepid Metals Corp. (TSXV: INTR) (OTCQB: IMTCF) ("Intrepid" or the "Company") is pleased to provide assay results from the two final diamond drill holes from the 2025 drill campaign at the Company's flagship Corral Copper Property ("Corral" or the "Property") in Cochise County, Arizona. One of these holes was drilled approximately 1 kilometer ("km") to the east of the Ringo Zone, in an untested part of the Property and it confirmed anomalous base and precious metals over significant intervals.

"Drilling in the new zone approximately one kilometre to the east has confirmed the presence of both base and precious metal mineralization, marking an important milestone in our exploration program," said Mark Morabito, Chairman and CEO of Intrepid Metals. "Importantly, the geological features observed are very similar to those seen at Ringo, suggesting a consistent mineralizing system. While the grades encountered are not yet at the levels we have historically seen, these results represent a very encouraging first step as we continue to advance this target area."

Highlights from Holes CC25_045 and CC25_046:

CC25_046:

55.50 meters ("m") of 0.37% Copper ("Cu"), 0.56 grams per ton ("gpt") Gold ("Au") and 9.01 gpt Silver ("Ag") from 62.50m to 118.00m (1.13% Copper Equivalent ("CuEq") 1 ) including 7.20m of 0.88% Cu, 0.27 gpt Au and 47.22 gpt Ag (2.10% CuEq 1 ) from 70.80m to 78.00m .

from 62.50m to 118.00m including

CC25_045:

13.00m of 0.11% Cu, 0.04 gpt Au and 5.64 gpt Ag (0.31% CuEq1) from 144.00m to 157.00m.

Hole CC25_045 was designed to test coincident magnetic and gravity geophysical features associated with favorable geology that is reminiscent of the Ringo Zone but located approximately 1 kilometer to the east. This target contains a similar gravity feature to that which occurs at Ringo, a magnetic feature and prospective Jurassic intrusions. Hole CC25_045 is significant because it contains silica-clay-altered quartz monzonite intrusion(s) and anomalous base and precious metals over significant intervals including 13.00 m of 0.11% Cu, 0.04 g/t Au, 5.64 g/t Ag, 0.48% Zinc ("Zn") with a CuEQ1 value of 0.31% (from 144.00 to 157.00 m; see Table 1 below). The geophysical features and the presence of intensely altered and mineralized monzonite porphyry represent a new zone of highly prospective, distal "Ringo Style" mineralization that will be prioritized for drill delineation in 2026.

Figure 1: Drill plan map from the Ringo Zone at Corral Copper

Table 1: Drill Intercepts for the Ringo Zone1

CC25_038 & CC25_039 COMPOSITE INTERCEPTS DRILL HOLE DETAILS ANALYZED GRADE DILUTED METAL EQUIVALENT1 DRILL HOLE FROM TO LENGTH COPPER GOLD SILVER ZINC CUEQ AUEQ ID (m) (m) (m) (%) (ppm) (ppm) (%) (%) (ppm) CC25_045 77.00 85.00 8.00 0.02 0.08 4.18 0.13 0.17 0.15 CC25_045 103.00 105.00 2.00 0.01 0.02 4.20 0.07 0.09 0.08 CC25_045 121.00 132.00 11.00 0.03 0.02 3.31 0.14 0.11 0.10 CC25_045 140.00 158.75 18.75 0.09 0.03 4.26 0.34 0.24 0.21 Incl. 144.00 157.00 13.00 0.11 0.04 5.64 0.48 0.31 0.27 CC25_045 170.00 172.00 2.00 0.09 0.03 0.80 0.00 0.12 0.10 CC25_045 178.00 180.00 2.00 0.04 0.06 1.20 0.00 0.10 0.09 CC25_045 184.60 204.00 19.40 0.03 0.06 2.53 0.08 0.13 0.11 CC25_045 208.00 212.00 4.00 0.01 0.08 2.90 0.04 0.12 0.11 CC25_045 220.00 224.00 4.00 0.26 0.07 3.35 0.04 0.33 0.29 CC25_045 232.00 236.00 4.00 0.01 0.07 2.30 0.11 0.12 0.10 CC25_045 249.35 255.60 6.25 0.05 0.08 3.56 0.16 0.20 0.17 CC25_046 23.50 34.50 11.00 0.07 0.01 0.25 0.00 0.08 0.07 CC25_046 45.00 47.00 2.00 0.07 0.06 0.25 0.00 0.12 0.10 CC25_046 62.50 118.00 55.50 0.37 0.56 9.01 0.83 1.13 0.98 Incl. 63.90 113.20 49.30 0.40 0.62 10.01 0.94 1.25 1.09 And 63.90 85.50 21.60 0.47 0.12 18.72 1.20 1.01 0.88 And 70.80 78.00 7.20 0.88 0.27 47.22 2.36 2.10 1.83 Incl. 88.95 113.20 24.25 0.39 1.15 3.44 0.81 1.62 1.41 And 103.35 108.20 4.85 1.13 4.95 8.54 0.21 5.67 4.92 CC25_046 121.00 175.50 54.50 0.09 0.10 2.77 0.46 0.31 0.27 Incl. 140.00 151.50 11.50 0.04 0.07 6.52 1.81 0.61 0.53 CC25_046 182.50 233.80 51.30 0.07 0.07 1.82 0.12 0.17 0.14 Incl. 217.50 225.40 7.90 0.24 0.23 5.60 0.06 0.49 0.43

Table 2: Drill Hole Location Information for all holes drilled in 2025

DRILL

HOLE START

DATE END

DATE EASTING

(m) NORTHING

(m) ELEVATION

(m) AZIMUTH

() INCLINATION

() DEPTH

(m) CC25_026 2025-04-28 2025-05-03 613245 3514003 1424 0 -90 234.4 CC25_027 2025-05-04 2025-05-08 613265 3514017 1423 0 -90 224.65 CC25_028 2025-05-09 2025-05-16 613267 3513936 1420 0 -90 240.8 CC25_029 2025-05-17 2025-05-23 613353 3513985 1415 225 -60 305.1 CC25_030 2025-05-24 2025-05-30 613219 3513900 1423 0 -90 270.7 CC25_031 2025-05-31 2025-06-06 611891 3515918 1501 235 -40 320.65 CC25_032 2025-06-07 2025-06-12 612028 3515934 1472 0 -90 313.05 CC25_033 2025-06-12 2025-06-17 612135 3515757 1485 235 -80 230.1 CC25_034 2025-06-18 2025-06-22 612169 3514840 1495 250 -45 204.2 CC25_035 2025-06-22 2025-06-29 612258 3514776 1494 245 -50 249.95 CC25_036 2025-06-30 2025-07-06 612177 3514898 1497 250 -50 219.6 CC25_037 2025-07-07 2025-07-18 613050 3514029 1435 0 -90 334.65 CC25_038 2025-07-19 2025-07-29 613337 3513870 1422 0 -90 282.55 CC25_039 2025-07-30 2025-08-09 613276 3513906 1420 0 -90 255.75 CC25_040 2025-08-10 2025-08-22 613341 3513664 1438 0 -90 331.30 CC25_041 2025-08-23 2025-08-27 613099 3513981 1428 0 -90 310.00 CC25_042 2025-08-28 2025-09-02 613188 3513970 1425 0 -90 274.90 CC25_043 2025-09-03 2025-09-10 613305 3514040 1420 0 -90 212.15 CC25_044 2025-09-11 2025-09-15 613156 3513936 1425 0 -90 290.15 CC25_045 2025-09-15 2025-09-22 614067 3513972 1411 215 -70 391.05 CC25_046 2025-09-23 2025-09-27 613206 3513935 1423 0 -90 269.75

Technical Information

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Daniel MacNeil, P.Geo. Mr. MacNeil is a Technical Advisor to the Company and is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Mr. MacNeil has verified the drilling data disclosed in this news release, including the assay and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in this news release. Mr. MacNeil verified the data disclosed (including previously released Intrepid data underlying the information disclosed) in this news release by reviewing imported and sorted assay data; checking the performance of blank samples and certified reference materials; reviewing the variance in field duplicate results; and reviewing grade calculation formulas. Mr. MacNeil detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data and is not aware of any sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the drilling data referred to in this news release.

As it relates to adjacent properties disclosed in this news release, Mr. MacNeil has been unable to verify the information and that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the Corral Copper Property.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Drill core was first reviewed by a geologist, who identified and marked intervals for sampling. The marked sample intervals were then cut in half with a diamond saw; half of the core was left in the core box and the other half was removed, placed in plastic bags, sealed and labeled. Intervals and unique sample numbers are recorded on the drill logs and the samples are sequenced with standards and blanks inserted according to a predefined QA/QC procedure. The samples are maintained under security on site until they are shipped to the analytical lab.

All core samples were sent to ALS Geochemistry (ALS), a division of ALS Global, in Tucson, Arizona, for sample preparation, with pulps sent to the ALS Geochemistry laboratory in Reno, Nevada for analysis. ALS meets all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 for analytical procedures and is independent of the Company. HQ size core was split and sampled over approximately two metre intervals. Samples were analyzed using: ALS's Fire Assay Fusion method (Au-AA23) with an AA finish for gold and by gravimetric finish (Au-GRA21) for samples assaying greater than 10 ppm (gpt) gold; by a 36-element four acid digest ICP-AES analysis (ME-ICP61) with additional analysis for High Grade Cu (Cu-OG62), High Grade Zn (Zn-OG62) and High Grade Pb (Pb-OG62); and for silver assays above 100 ppm (g/t) by Fire Assay Fusion method with gravimetric finish (Ag-GRA21). ME-ICP61 results were reported in parts per million (ppm), High Grade (OG62) results were reported in percent (%). In addition to ALS quality assurance- quality control (QA/QC) protocols, Intrepid implements an internal QA/QC program that includes the insertion of sample blanks, duplicates, and standards, with QA/QC control samples comprising approximately 10% of the sample stream.

About Corral Copper

The Corral Copper Property, located near historical mining areas, is an advanced exploration and development opportunity in Cochise County, Arizona. Corral is located 15 miles east of the famous mining town of Tombstone and 22 miles north of the historic Bisbee mining camp which has produced more than 8 billion pounds of copper2. Production from the Bisbee mining camp, or within the district as disclosed in the next paragraph, is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at Corral.

The district has a mining history dating back to the late 1800s, with several small mines extracting copper from the area in the early 1900s, producing several thousand tons. Between 1950 and 2008, various companies explored parts of the district, but the effort was uncoordinated, non-synergistic and focused on discrete land positions and commodities due to the fragmented ownership. There is over 50,000m of historical drilling at Corral mainly centered on the Ringo, Earp and Holliday Zones and although this core has been destroyed, Intrepid has a historical digital drill hole archive database which the Company uses for the purposes of exploration targeting and drill hole planning. Intrepid, through ongoing exploration drilling and surface geological mapping, sampling and prospecting is increasing confidence in the validity of this data.

Intrepid is confident that by combining modern exploration techniques with historical data and with a clear focus on responsible development, the Corral Copper Property can quickly become an advanced exploration stage project and move towards development studies.

About Intrepid Metals Corp.

Intrepid Metals Corp. is a Canadian company focused on exploring for high-grade essential metals such as copper, silver, and zinc mineral projects in proximity to established mining jurisdictions in southeastern Arizona, USA. The Company has acquired or has agreements to acquire several drill ready projects, including the Corral Copper Project (a district scale advanced exploration and development opportunity with significant shallow historical drill results), the Tombstone South Project (within the historical Tombstone mining district with geological similarities to the Taylor Deposit, which was purchased for $1.3B in 20183, though mineralization at the Taylor Deposit is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at the Tombstone South Project) both of which are located in Cochise County, Arizona and the Mesa Well Project (located in the Laramide Copper Porphyry Belt in Arizona). Intrepid has assembled an exceptional team with considerable experience with exploration, developing, and permitting new projects within North America. Intrepid is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol "INTR" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "IMTCF". For more information, visit www.intrepidmetals.com.

INTREPID METALS CORP.



On behalf of the Company

"Mark Morabito"

Chairman & CEO

Notes

1 Composite intervals are calculated using length weighted averages based on a combination of lithological breaks and copper, gold, silver and zinc assay values according to a 0.10% CuEq (see below) cutoff and include a maximum of 10 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. Analyzed Grade corresponds composite weighted ("composites") averages of laboratory analyses. Metal Equivalent assumes estimated recovery factors including 85% recovery for copper, and 80% recovery for gold, silver and zinc for reported composite intervals. Metal prices used for the CuEq and AuEq calculations are in USD based on Ag $37.00/oz, Au $3000/oz, Cu $3.80/lb, Zn $1.15/lb The following equation was used to calculate copper equivalence: CuEq = Copper (%) (85% rec.) + (Gold (g/t) x 0.71)(80% rec.) + (Silver (g/t) x 0.0077)(80% rec.) + (Zinc (%) x 0.28)(80% rec.). The following equation was used to calculate gold equivalence: AuEq = Gold (gpt)(80% rec.) + (Copper (%) x 1.4085)(85% rec.) + (Silver (gpt) x 0.0108)(80% rec.) + (Zinc (%) x 0.4188)(80% rec.). Analyzed metal equivalent calculations are reported for illustrative purposes only. The metal chosen for reporting on an equivalent basis is the one that contributes the most dollar value after accounting for assumed recoveries.

2 Information disclosed in this news release regarding the historic Bisbee Camp can be found on the Copper Queen Mine website, on the City of Bisbee website (www.bisbeeaz.gov/2174/Bisbee-History) and from Briggs, D.F., 2015, History of the Warren (Bisbee) Mining District, Arizona Geological Survey Contributed Report CR-15-b, 8 p.

3 Details regarding the sale of the Taylor Deposit can be found in South32 News Release dated October 8, 2018 (South32 completes acquisition of Arizona Mining).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements relate to: the potential of the property; the interpretation of drills results; the potential for a porphyry discovery; that the geological features observed are very similar to those seen at Ringo; expectations for drilling in 2026; the exploration potential of the Corral Copper Property and the Company's other mineral projects; and potential future production.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the Company can raise additional financing to continue operations; the results of exploration activities, commodity prices, the timing and amount of future exploration and development expenditures, the availability of labour and materials, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, 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 of the Company 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 the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to the failure to access financing, risks relating to changes in commodity prices, risk related to unanticipated geological or structural formations and characteristics risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions and the impact of any future global pandemic on the Company's business, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of exploration and development activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes and cave-ins, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Melbourne, Australia and Vancouver, Canada  TheNewswire - December 22, 2025 - Mithril Silver and Gold Limited ("Mithril or the "Company") (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) (OTCQB: MTIRF) is pleased to provide an exploration update at its 100%-owned Copalquin District gold-silver project in Durango State, Mexico, including the mobilization of a third drill rig, an update on ongoing drilling activities, and a summary of exploration momentum heading into 2026.

Drilling Update  Copalquin District - Three drills will be turning at Copalquin in 2026

Target 3 drilling will commence in the first week of January 2026, after the Christmas break. The first phase of the maiden drill programme at Target 3 consists of 3,300 metres and drilling will commence near the El Jabali historic workings where recent channel sampling returned results of up to 0.65 m @ 16 g/t gold and 1,275 g/t silver.1 Target 3 is a large area with significant historic mining activity.

Target 1 drilling progressed throughout 2025 producing a robust and predictive model ahead of a new resource estimation at this target in 2026. Further drilling will test along strike from the recent western step-out hole that returned 8.03 m @ 7.19 g/t gold, 260 g/t silver (MTH-RE25-45)2. Approximately 3,000 metres will be drilled at Target in Q1 2026 ahead of the resource update.

The Target 5 maiden drill programme has tested the structures around the historic Apomal workings producing excellent results from the first holes returning 2.75 m @ 2.28 g/t gold, 500 g/t silver (AP25-003), including 1.00 m @ 5.80 g/t gold, 1,308 g/t silver and 3.35 m @ 1.71 g/t gold, 246 g/t silver (AP25-005), including 1.05 m @ 5.35 g/t gold, 771 g/t silver3

At Target 5, drilling has progressed along strike with five holes completed at the Tasolera workings (assays pending) where channel sampling reported up to 3,300 g/t silver and 2.00 g/t gold over 1.40 m4. Drilling in 2026 will test further along strike at the Candelaria workings with up to 0.60 m @ 38.3 g/t gold, 4,520 g/t silver in channel sampling1.

Assay Update

The Company continues to experience significant delays at its external assay laboratory which has persisted throughout the second half of 2025. Final assay results are currently pending for approximately 20 drill holes, with an additional 12 drill holes dispatched to the laboratory over the past two weeks. Drilling results at Targets 1 and 5 will be reported upon receipt and compilation of the pending assays.

Regional Exploration

At the recently acquired La Dura concession area (20 km2), LiDAR surveying has been completed, with interpretation and analysis due early 2026. In addition, the Company is scheduled to fly a district-scale aerial magnetic survey over both the Copalquin and La Dura concession areas in January 2026, aimed at refining structural interpretations, identifying new targets, and supporting continued district-scale exploration work.

Year-End Reflection

As 2025 comes to a close, Mithril has completed a year of significant exploration progress at the Copalquin District, advancing multiple targets in parallel and reinforcing the scale and continuity of a high-grade, district-scale gold-silver system. Success at Target 1, the emergence of Target 5, and the advancement of Target 3 to drill-ready status have positioned the Company for continued growth.

The work completed in 2025 has significantly expanded the potential of the Copalquin District and confirmed the presence of a large, vertically extensive epithermal gold-silver system, said John Skeet, CEO & Managing Director. With a strong balance sheet, multiple targets advancing within a district scale property, and an expanded land position, we are entering 2026 with momentum and a clear pathway to unlock further value for shareholders.

2026 Outlook

Mithril is advancing toward an aggressive exploration program in 2026, with 25,000 metres of drilling planned and up to three drills turning during the first half of the year across the Copalquin District. Upcoming work will focus on expanding known mineralized zones, testing new high-priority targets, integrating district-wide geophysical data, and continuing to advance the Companys district-scale exploration thesis.

Figure 1. Mithrils Copalquin and La Dura property locations in Durango State, Mexico

Figure 1 LiDAR identified historic workings across the 70km2 district. Current drilling locations at Target 1 west and Target 5 (El Apomal), and recent drilling at Zaragoza mine in Target 1 south, high priority drill target area of La Constancia-El Jabali (Target 3). Several new areas highlighted across the district for follow-up work including recently sampled Target 6

ABOUT THE COPALQUIN GOLD SILVER PROJECT

The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2 containing several dozen historic gold and silver mines and workings, ten of which had notable production. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many gold and silver districts.

Multiple mineralisation events, young intrusives thought to be system-driving heat sources, widespread alteration together with extensive surface vein exposures and dozens of historic mine workings, identify the Copalquin mining district as a major epithermal centre for Gold and Silver.

Within 15 months of drilling in the Copalquin District, Mithril delivered a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate at the first of several target areas (Target 1), demonstrating the high-grade gold and silver resource potential for the district. This maiden resource is detailed below (see ASX release 17 November 2021)^ and a NI 43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR+

Target 1 Maiden Resource:

Indicated 691 kt @5.43 g/t gold, 114 g/t silver for 121,000 oz gold plus 2,538,000 oz silver

Inferred 1,725 kt @4.55 g/t gold, 152 g/t silver for 252,000 oz gold plus 8,414,000 oz silver

(using a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq*)

28.6% of the resource tonnage is classified as indicated

Table 1. Mineral resource estimate at Target 1 El Refugio  La Soledad using a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq*

Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (kt) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Gold Eq.* (g/t) Gold (koz) Silver (koz) Gold Eq.* (koz) El Refugio Indicated 691 5.43 114.2 7.06 121 2,538 157 Inferred 1,447 4.63 137.1 6.59 215 6,377 307 La Soledad Indicated - - - - - - - Inferred 278 4.12 228.2 7.38 37 2,037 66 Total Indicated 691 5.43 114.2 7.06 121 2,538 157 Inferred 1,725 4.55 151.7 6.72 252 8,414 372

* In determining the gold equivalent (AuEq.) grade for reporting, a gold:silver price ratio of 70:1 was determined, using the formula: AuEq grade = Au grade + ((Ag grade/70) x (Ag recovery/Au recovery)). The metal prices used to determine the 70:1 ratio are the cumulative average prices for 2021: gold USD1,798.34 and silver: USD25.32 (actual is 71:1) from kitco.com.

For silver equivalent (AgEq.) grade reporting, the same factors as above are used with the formula AgEq grade = Ag grade + ((Au grade x 70) x (Au recovery/Ag recovery))

At this early stage, the metallurgical recoveries were assumed to be equal (93%). Subsequent preliminary metallurgical test work produced recoveries of 91% for silver and 96% for gold (ASX Announcement 25 February 2022) and these will be used when the resource is updated in the future. In the Companys opinion there is reasonable potential for both gold and silver to be extracted and sold.

^ The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information provided in the following ASX announcement: 17 Nov 2021 - MAIDEN JORC RESOURCE 529,000 OUNCES @ 6.81G/T (AuEq*), which includes the full JORC MRE report, also available on the Mithril Resources Limited Website.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

Mining study (conceptual) and metallurgical test work supports the development of the El Refugio-La Soledad resource with conventional underground mining methods indicated as being appropriate and with high gold-silver recovery to produce metal on-site with conventional processing. The average vein width is approximately 4.5 metres.

Mithril is currently exploring in the Copalquin District to expand the resource footprint, demonstrating its multi-million-ounce gold and silver potential. Mithril has an exclusive option to purchase 100% interest in the Copalquin mining concessions by paying US$10M on or any time before 7 August 2028.

Released with the authority of the Board.

For further information contact:

John Skeet Managing Director and CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +61 435 766 809 NIKLI COMMUNICATIONS Corporate Communications This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Australian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

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.

Competent Persons Statement - JORC

The information in this announcement that relates to metallurgical test results, mineral processing and project development and study work has been compiled by Mr John Skeet who is Mithrils CEO and Managing Director. Mr Skeet is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. This is a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO) under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code.

Mr Skeet has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Skeet consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. The Australian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

The information in this announcement that relates to sampling techniques and data, exploration results and geological interpretation for Mithrils Mexican project, has been compiled by Mr Darren LeFort who is Mithrils Exploration Manager. Mr LeFort is a member of the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and a Certified Professional Geologist (P.Geo). This is a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO) under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code.

Mr LeFort has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr LeFort consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to Mineral Resources is reported by Mr Rodney Webster, former Principal Geologist at AMC Consultants Pty Ltd (AMC), who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. The report was peer reviewed by Andrew Proudman, Principal Consultant at AMC. Mr Webster is acting as the Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, for the reporting of the Mineral Resource estimate. A site visit was carried out by Jose Olmedo a geological consultant with AMC, in September 2021 to observe the drilling, logging, sampling and assay database. Mr Webster consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears

Qualified Persons  NI 43-101

Scientific and technical information in this Report has been reviewed and approved by Mr John Skeet (FAUSIMM, CP) Mithrils Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Mr John Skeet is a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Samples are sent to ALS Global with sample preparation performed in Chihuahua City, Mexico and assaying of sample pulps performed in North Vancouver, BC, Canada

1 See ASX Announcement 01 Dec 2025 Exploration Sampling up to 4,520 g/t Silver, 38.2 g/t Gold

2 See ASX Announcement 16 Oct 2025 300 Metre T1 Extension -10.9 G/T AUEQ over 8.03m

3 See ASX Announcement 05 Nov 2025 Maiden T5 Drilling up to 1,714 g/t AgEq Over 1m

4 See ASX Announcement 09 Oct2025 Silver Rich Target 5, Sampling Up To 3,300 g/t Silver






Sunday, December 21, 2025 - Veteran comedian and philanthropist, Eric Omondi, has shared the profound grief he continues to carry following the tragic death of his younger brother, Fred Omondi.

Speaking in an interview with podcaster Chris the Bass, Eric revealed that while he has endured the loss of his parents and an elder brother, Freds passing struck him in a way he had never experienced before.

I lost my mum in 2002, my dad in 2004, and my big brother around 2016.

Those losses were painful, but my brother Freddy haijawai nihit. Fred ilinihit different, Eric said, describing the unique bond they shared.

The two grew up together, pursued comedy side by side, and even moved to Nairobi together to pursue their dreams.

Eric explained that this closeness made the loss unbearable.

I dont know if its because we grew up together, joined the industry together, or because we were so close, but it hit me deeply, he added.

Eric admitted that he initially struggled to accept the circumstances of Freds death in a road accident on June 15th, 2024.

Suspicious at first, he questioned hospital staff and doubted it was an accident.

It was only after discovering that the boda boda rider involved had also died that he began to accept the tragedy.

Until this day, I still feel like was there an eye witness?

I looked for the driver of the boda boda and found the driver of the boda boda being buried; that is when I started believing maybe it was an accident, he explained.

Finally, we accepted that it was an accident, and we buried him.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, December 22, 2025 - A young pregnant Kenyan woman has left social media stunned after anonymously sharing a deeply painful and disturbing story involving betrayal by both her boyfriend and her biological mother.

In an emotional post shared through a popular Facebook page, the woman, who requested her identity be concealed, revealed that she is nearly five months pregnant, unemployed, and currently battling severe emotional distress after discovering that her mother has allegedly been having a secret relationship with her boyfriend.

According to the woman, she and her boyfriend fell out about a month ago after disagreements escalated over his failure to take responsibility for her pregnancy.

She says her efforts to fix the relationship were unsuccessful.

What shocked her most, however, was learning that her boyfriend allegedly searched for her mothers phone number and began communicating with her privately.

The two are said to have been meeting secretly, with reports indicating they often met at the boyfriends place, mostly on Fridays.

The woman claims that the alleged meetings were uncovered on two occasions by a neighbor who knows her mother personally and later informed her of the encounters.

I was completely broken when I found out, she wrote. This is my own mother. I dont even know how to process this.

She further revealed that she is struggling financially and emotionally, saying she has been unable to afford basic medical care, including pregnancy scans she was referred for twice.

I was sent for scans but I couldnt go because I dont have money, she shared.

The distressed woman says she is now seeking emotional support, advice, and healing, expressing a desire to speak out through interviews if possible, hoping sharing her story might help her cope with the trauma.

I am stressed as we speak, she wrote. I dont know how to deal with a mother who betrays me like this and a boyfriend who abandoned me when I needed him most.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 21, 2025 - President Rutos Senior Economic Advisor, David Ndii, has defended the Head of States vision to transform Kenya into an economic powerhouse like Singapore.

In a post on X, Ndii responded to a user who claimed Kenya could never achieve first-world status due to entrenched graft.

The Oxford-trained economist dismissed the argument, noting that corruption has not prevented other nations from achieving rapid development.

Corruption is not a capital offence in Singapore. South Korea was transformed by a very corrupt elite, as was Suhartos Indonesia.

Suharto still tops the global kleptocrats wealth index, Ndii declared.

President Ruto, in his State of the Nation address on November 20th, 2025, outlined an ambitious plan to position Kenya among advanced economies.

Drawing inspiration from Asian tiger nations such as Singapore, Japan and Malaysia, Ruto said reforms over his first three years had laid strong foundations for growth.

He urged Kenyans to abandon mediocrity and embrace bold ambition.

His administration is seeking parliamentary approval for a multi-trillion shilling investment programme to expand infrastructure, energy, and irrigation without raising new taxes.

Plans also include sovereign wealth and infrastructure funds to attract investment and reduce reliance on borrowing.

Critics, however, caution that Kenyas structural weaknesses remain.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga stressed that Singapores success relied on strict anti-corruption enforcement and fiscal discipline.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 21, 2025 - On Sunday, December 21st, 2025, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto shared a heartfelt message to celebrate her husband, President William Ruto on his 59th birthday.

In her tribute, Mama Rachel thanked God for the gift of his life and the courage he has shown during moments of uncertainty.

My dear Bill, happy birthday! she wrote, a tender reminder of their enduring bond.

She praised his unwavering dedication to Kenya, his family, and the journey they have shared.

The First Lady highlighted his steady discipline and the quiet sacrifices that often go unseen, acknowledging the weight of leadership he carries with grace.

Her message was also a prayer - asking God to surround him with wisdom, protect his steps, and reward his labor with hope for the nation and joy for their family.

As you mark another year, my prayer is that God grants you good health, inner peace, and renewed strength, she added.

Mama Rachels tribute celebrated William Ruto not only as a national leader but also as a loving father and husband.

With all my love and gratitude, I celebrate you, not only as a leader, a father and a husband, but as the man God has entrusted to us, she wrote.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 21, 2025 - National Assembly Minority Whip, Junet Mohammed, has sparked fresh debate within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after demanding a bigger share of Government positions ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Speaking during an ODM condolence visit to the home of the late former Lugari MP, Cyrus Jirongo, on December 21st, Junet insisted that President William Ruto must clearly outline what ODM will gain before any coalition agreement is sealed.

If they want our ODM votes, they should put positions on the table and tell us the number of positions they are giving us, he declared.

Junet dismissed suggestions from some party members who argued that ODM should join forces with the President without conditions.

He emphasized that ODM, being the largest political party, deserves more recognition and resources.

While acknowledging that Ruto has already offered Cabinet slots and initiated development projects in ODM strongholds, Junet maintained that the partys influence justifies greater rewards.

He clarified that ODM will not retreat to the opposition but will remain part of the broad-based Government, provided its demands are met.

I want to assure you that ODM will not work with tribalists, but if Kenya Kwanza wants us to collaborate, we must talk and come to terms, he said.

His remarks follow Kisumu Woman Representative, Ruth Odingas call for more Cabinet slots and a bigger stake in the next Government.

President Ruto, during the 5th Piny Luo cultural event, urged ODM to remain strong for a possible coalition in 2027.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, December 22, 2025 - Mumias East Member of Parliament, Peter Salaysa, has sparked online reactions after sharing photos taken with a stunning slay queen during Nigerian superstar, Asakes electrifying concert at Nyayo National Stadium.

In a candid and humorous post, the youthful legislator admitted that despite the magical moment and good vibes at the event, he failed to gather enough courage to ask for the ladys phone number, a move he now deeply regrets.

Nilifanya kosa kubwa sana, Salaysa confessed, jokingly blaming the gods of Wanga land for his missed opportunity.

He went on to appeal to Kenyans, asking anyone who might know the lady to pass along his greetings.

The MP openly addressed a fear many people can relate to - the anxiety of asking for someones number during a first encounter.

According to Salaysa, the thought that she might insult him or turn him down completely froze him in the moment.

The first impression huwa nikiuliza namba atanilaani ama akikataa nitasema nini? he posed, admitting that fear and embarrassment often close many doors in life.

He described the incident as yet another golden chance that slipped away because of hesitation.

Check out his post.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, December 22, 2025 - A man has set social media abuzz after proposing to his girlfriend in style at the luxurious Hemingways Hotel in Karen.

In the viral video, the lady is seen overwhelmed with joy as the man goes down on one knee, holding a ring and popping the big question.

The romantic setup included flowers, candlelight, and even a live band, adding flair to the unforgettable moment.

Friends cheered as the lady erupted in joy and accepted the proposal.

The video has sparked mixed reactions online.

Many praised the gesture as romantic, while others jokingly warned that relationships that begin with grandeur sometimes end in tears.

Watch the video

Kenyan lady was overjoyed after her boyfriend surprised her with a proposal at Hemingways Hotel, Karen 



  Dennis Bezalel pic.twitter.com/E9HIj5c4bo  KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) December 22, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 21, 2025 - A night of fun turned into a harrowing ordeal for a Nairobi woman after she woke up alone in an Airbnb in Nakuru County, only to discover that her phone and other personal belongings had been stolen.

According to reports, the woman had met a group of men at a local club, where they consumed alcohol together before heading to the rented Airbnb.

What started as a night of partying quickly turned into a nightmare.

The following morning, she realized that the men had left, allegedly misusing her and taking her phone and other personal belongings.

A video shared online shows the victim stranded and confused, still under the influence of alcohol, highlighting the dangers of trusting strangers in unfamiliar settings.

The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users warning others to exercise caution when socializing with strangers and emphasizing the importance of personal safety in Airbnbs.

Watch the video below.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, December 22, 2025 - Concerts are often about music, energy, and unforgettable vibes, but for Mumias East MP, Peter Salasya, the Asake show at Nyayo Stadium turned into a personal lesson in missed chances.

Taking to social media, the youthful legislator opened up about an awkward moment from the concert that has lingered in his mind ever since.

Salasya revealed that he took a photo with a beautiful lady he admired during the event but froze at the crucial moment, he never asked for her phone number.

I took a photo with this beautiful girl at the Asake event, but I failed the gods of Wanga land.

I did not ask for her number, he confessed, describing the incident as both embarrassing and disappointing.

The MP admitted that fear and overthinking held him back.

He worried about rejection, imagining how awkward it would be if she declined.

The first impression huwa nikiuliza namba atanitusi ama akikataa nitasema nini, he reflected, noting how hesitation can block opportunities.

In a playful appeal, Salasya even asked Kenyans to help identify the mystery lady, calling it a lost chance he regrets.

For him, the moment was another reminder that courage often opens doors - and fear can quietly close them.





The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 21, 2025 - Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was reportedly arrested during an official trip to Saudi Arabia after alcohol was found in his luggage.

The incident occurred on Friday 19th December 2025 while the Senator was on an official tour with the Senate Committee on Energy.

Saudi authorities reportedly confiscated his passport at the airport, following the discovery.

Adding to the embarrassment, the Kenyan Government had to intervene, sending the Kenyan Ambassador to secure his release, despite the Senators history of publicly criticizing President Rutos administration.

Observers on social media were quick to point out the irony, noting that while Senator Sifuna often attacks the Government domestically, it was the very same Government that came to his aid abroad after he was arrested.





The Kenyan DAILY POST
A YOUNG Castledermot woman has raised more than 25,000 in memory of her younger brother Dara Kissane, who died suddenly earlier this year.

The funds raised is going directly to charity Autism Assistance Dog Ireland, which provides guide dogs trained to the needs of autistic children. With the high level of training involved, getting one of these guide dogs trained up fully costs 25,000  the amount recently just reached in the fundraiser.

However, Daras sister, 23-year-old Kayla, is dedicated to a fundraising goal of 150,000 the amount needed for six assistance dogs.

The crowd decked out in purple for Dara

Kayla, a postgraduate student training to be a secondary school music teacher, launched the fundraiser in October after her family lost 19-year-old Dara unexpectedly in March. The fundraiser Walk with Dara which was rooted in a daily 80,000-step challenge, has since grown into a town-wide tribute.

Dara had autism and he was so proud of who he was, Kayla said.

He was very independent, even though I mollycoddled him a bit growing up, and he absolutely loved animals. When I saw that it costs 25,000 to train one Autism Assistance Dog, I just thought it was such a lovely idea to do something in his honour. Kaylas brother Dara died very suddenly from unknown causes while she was on her way into college.

It was very, very hard, she said. It was very unexpected. What began as a modest 150 fundraising target quickly climbed as donations poured in. Kayla and her parents walked every evening throughout October, using the challenge as a way to help with their grief.

As the months went by, wed become hermits, I know I did. When I was finished college, I found it really hard to stay motivated. I found the loneliness really hard. It was kind of good for us to get out every evening, she said. It was something that we all got to do together and just kind of think of Dara as we were doing it. The people of Castledermot supported the family from the moment Dara died. On the morning of his funeral, the entire town was decorated with purple balloons, Daras favourite colour.

Thats something well never forget, Kayla said. It felt like a big hug from the community. Local man John Phelan later suggested turning the familys walking challenge into a community event. The result was Walk for Dara, a group walk following Daras favourite route around the town. Despite dreadful weather, crowds turned out in force.

Seeing the public response moved Kayla deeply. I would never have imagined raising that much money. The whole town helped us get to the finish line. The final donations that pushed the fundraiser past 25,000 came on Saturday, 6 December, during a community Santa drive-thru organised by Castledermot Community Centre and Radio Castledermot. Families gave optional donations as they visited Santa, and 1,600 was raised on the night.

The total reached the 25,000 mark on Kaylas birthday, a day she had been dreading since the loss of her brother. Getting that news made it a little bit easier, she said.

Last week, the family received the news they had secretly hoped for: the charity Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland confirmed that one of its newest puppies, part of a superhero litter of 15, had been named Dara.

The charity has also asked Kayla to become a fundraising ambassador next year, a role she is honoured to take on.

Kayla says the fundraiser was meant to be a small tribute and a way to cope with overwhelming grief, but it became much more.

I started it for comfort more than anything. I never imagined this. But the communitys generosity has helped us so much. We never felt alone. She hopes to continue supporting Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland into the new year, inspired by the thought of superhero puppy Dara making a difference in another childs life.

For those wanting to donate to Kaylas fundraiser, visit: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/kaylakissane
The Heritage Council is celebrating 25 years of the Heritage in School (HIS) scheme which has had Kilkenny at its heart with over 1160 visits to 116 schools since 2012.

The scheme has engaged 1.7m children nationally since its launch in 2000 and this anniversary marks a significant milestone in Irish education.

Over the past quarter of a century, HIS has enriched the education experience of Irish primary schoolchildren through visits from heritage specialists that inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of local heritage.

The programme sees children introduced to topics like culture, genealogy, folklore, oral heritage and local history, using local monuments, archaeological objects, art, documents, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, geology, parks and inland waterways.

From talks about bats and whales to Vikings and the history of bread, these specialists have lit up classrooms throughout the country, inspiring a new generation to take more interest in their surroundings.

SEE ALSO: Kilkenny TD welcomes significant funding for domestic and sexual violence services

HIS has expanded hugely since its inception 25 years ago - from 49 specialists making 187 school visits in 2000, to 128 specialists making over 3,000 visits in 2024.

Since Heritage Council records began, more than 28,000 specialist visits in total have been made to over 3,200 schools nationwide.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of The Heritage Council, underlined the programmes unique role in Irish education.

It has been so amazing to see the impact that the Heritage in School Scheme has had here in Kilkenny, she said. Our county has such rich heritage, and it is so important that all children get the opportunity to experience this.

The impact of Heritage in Schools at the primary level curriculum has been vital. This programme allows the children to have the opportunity to engage with heritage specialists, sometimes in the field, to explore their place and get a better understanding of where they live and an appreciation of the place in which they are based.

Heritage in School is an important programme because it is one of the few opportunities that children get to understand their place and their own sense of identity, and it gives them that unique chance in their early years to shape themselves and understand where theyre from, she concluded.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
A patient who was injured when a ceiling collapsed on top of him in a critical care unit has settled a High Court action.

Hugh O'Donnell (76) was in the critical care unit of St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny, last August when part of the ceiling fell onto his bed.

The elderly man ended up covered in water and debris and was in some distress when found by hospital staff.

His counsel Niall Flynn BL, instructed by Whelan Law solicitors, told the High Court that the incident happened on August 15th this year but the action before the courts had been case-managed so it could be brought on faster because of Mr ODonnells general health.

Counsel said Mr ODonnell had been in the critical care unit for treatment for respiratory sepsis and other infections. He said that part of the ceiling which had become saturated with water gave way and collapsed on Mr ODonnells hospital bed.

Counsel said the water continued to flow and Mr ODonnell was in distress and his bed was saturated when he was found by staff. He had also suffered abrasions and lacerations to his head. The ODonnell side also contended there were psychiatric injuries.

Counsel said that liability had been conceded early in the case and St Lukes Hospital accepted that the incident was very distressing for Mr ODonnell. The HSE in correspondence said it regretted the incident that occurred.

Counsel said that the HSE had a patient safety open disclosure meeting with the ODonnell family, which is believed to be the first such meeting under the new framework.

Mr ODonnells family, he said, were grateful for the way the case had been met.

Hugh O'Donnell who resides in a nursing home in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny had sued St Lukes Hospital and the HSE.

In the proceedings, it was claimed there was a failure to take any reasonable care to see Mr O'Donnell was reasonably safe while on the hospital premises.

It was also claimed that the premises had remained in an unsafe condition, causing a source of danger or a trap to those using it.

It was further claimed that the ceiling had been permitted to remain in a dangerous, hazardous and defective condition.

It was also contended that there was a failure to ensure that the ceiling was attended to in a timely manner to ensure it would not constitute a source of danger to those on the premises.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey said he was delighted to hear the case had been resolved with such expedition. The details of the settlement are confidential.

A patient who was injured when a ceiling collapsed on top of him in a critical care unit has settled a High Court action.
The search is on for community heroes in Laois, as part of a nationwide callout with a prize fund of 80,000.

Four winners will receive 20,000 each for charity in the AXA Community Hero Awards, which recognise people who go out of their way to help others.

People are invited to nominate someone who makes a meaningful difference in their area, before the closing date of 4pm on Monday 5 January.

Heroes can be nominated in one of four categories - road safety, mental health, sustainability and womens safety and wellbeing.

Four community heroes will be selected from around the country, with the winners receiving 20,000 each to donate to their chosen charity.

According to insurance company AXA Ireland, the judging panel will be looking for people who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity to help others. The winners will be announced later in January.

Elizabeth Arnett of AXA said: So many of us know someone who always goes the extra mile to help shape a better future for everyone in their community. AXA want to show them how much their efforts mean and give a real boost to causes close to their hearts.

To make a nomination, people can use no more than 150 words to explain how someone has positively impacted their community under one of the four categories and why they should be recognised as a Community Hero.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.axa.ie. Staff at AXAs Laois branch at Unit 8 Lyster Square, Portlaoise will be happy to answer any questions people have about the nomination process.
The Trump administration would be faced with a binary choice should it fail to force the Maduro regime from power in Venezuela with its current tactic, according to a new report.

That choice would be between forcibly removing him through a military ground operation or backing down, the analysts told The Washington Post, noting that the prospect of the former scenario could be unappealing for many in the U.S., as well as Trump, who had promised no more wars during his campaign.

There are diverging views in Congress and the U.S. political landscape. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham appears to be supporting forceful actions against Maduro, saying "you cannot allow this man to remain standing after this show of force."

He was making reference to the fact that the U.S. has already deployed 15,000 troops in the Caribbean, as well as dozens of warships and aircraft.

In contrast, Republican Sen. Rand Paul slammed the recent seizure of tankers off Venezuela, saying he is against the moves and calling them a "provocation and a prelude to war."

"I'm not for confiscating these liners. I'm not for blowing up these boats of unarmed people that are suspected of being drug dealers. I'm not for any of this," Paul told ABC News.

He went on to slam the administration's policy regarding drug-trafficking, calling it "bizarre and contradictory," particularly due to recent the pardoning of former Honduran President Juan Orland Hernandez, sentenced to prison for drug-trafficking in the U.S.

"And then why is the former president Hernandez of Honduras, who was in jail for 45 years, why is he released?" Paul wondered during a passage of the interview.

Maduro, in the meantime, is refusing to relinquish power in the country, confident he can wait out the Trump administration's pressure campaign, according to another report by The Washington Post.

Even though Maduro is increasingly fearful of an attack against him or critical infrastructure, his regime is not showing signs of collapsing, outlet claimed, based on interviews with people close to the regime.

Originally published on Latin Times
Costcos holiday shopping is already in full swing.

And that means several deals on holiday decorations, party goods, food, appliances, gifts and household necessities are underway.

But shoppers who wait until the last minute for all their holiday needs may be concerned they wont be able to shop at the mega warehouse on Christmas Eve.

If youre planning to stop by your local Costco to prepare for the holiday festivities on Wednesday, Dec. 24, heres what you need to know.

Is Costco open on Christmas Eve 2025?

Costco members are in luck because theyll be able to stop by to pick up some last-minute odds and ends on the night before Christmas because the warehouses will be open.

However, you should be aware that the hours are much different than they usually are. Costcos warehouses will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with reduced store hours so that staff can celebrate the holiday with their family and friends.

Also, dont forget that these stores will be closed the following day for Christmas, so Dec. 24, is the last day to shop before the big holiday.

Costco is known for operating on reduced holiday hours on Christmas Eve and closing on Christmas Day.

The next holiday with these similar hours will be New Years Eve and New Years Day.

If you want to visit your local Costco on Christmas Eve, you can find the nearest store here.

Also, if you have other errands to run, you can shop at Walmart and Dollar General because they will be open on Dec. 24.
Pennsylvania residents looking for a fresh start to the new year can lace up their hiking boots and head to one of more than 60 free guided hikes taking place across the commonwealth on New Years Day.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will host First Day Hikes at 49 state parks and three forest districts on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. The events are part of a nationwide initiative designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and year-round recreation in state parks.

Most guided hikes will cover one to two miles, though some locations will offer longer routes depending on terrain. DCNR staff and trained volunteers will lead the walks during daylight hours, with options tailored for families, seniors, and pet owners.

First Day Hikes are a fun and welcoming way for people of all ages and abilities to experience Pennsylvanias state parks and forests, said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. Theyre a great opportunity to connect with nature, meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and start the year off on a healthy note.

Participating locations span every region of the state, including Ohiopyle State Park, Presque Isle State Park, Cook Forest State Park, Point State Park, Beltzville State Park, Delaware Canal State Park and Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. Registration information can be found on the park websites.

Pennsylvanias 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forest land remain free and open to the public year-round.

The First Day Hikes program is coordinated by the National Association of State Park Directors and includes participation from all 50 states. Pennsylvania has been part of the initiative since it began. Hikers can share their experiences on social media using #FirstDayHikes.

Gov. Josh Shapiros 2025-26 budget includes a $13 million increase for DCNR. The funding will support the addition of Pennsylvanias 125th state park in 2026, provide $5 million for the states 12 heritage areas, and allocate $4.5 million to combat invasive pests and plants.

Beyond the New Years Day events, Pennsylvania state parks offer self-guided hikes, story walks, and adventure labs throughout the year. Additional details are available on DCNRs website and calendar of events at events.dcnr.pa.gov.
ALL prosecutions for speeding involving nominated drivers could be in jeopardy after a judge indicated he will state a case on a technical issue.

Judge Andrew Cody told Tullamore District Court he will state a case on February 18 next after considering submissions from parties for and against the admissibility of nomination forms.

Owners of vehicles are often prosecuted for speeding after being recorded by a GoSafe operator even though they were not driving at the time.

The owner can complete what is known as a nomination form where the actual driver is named and then summonsed.

At Wednesday's sitting of the District Court, Andrew Dunne, BL, appearing for John Christopher O'Dea (63), Colt, Ballyroan, Co Laois, applied to Judge Cody not to admit a nomination form. Mr Dunne said Mr O'Dea had been nominated by someone else.

A GoSafe operator gave evidence of recording a vehicle travelling at 90kph in an 80kph zone on the N80 at Ballynasrah, Killeigh on August 19, 2024.

READ NEXT: Speeding prosecutions in doubt after judge dismisses case against Offaly driver

Mr O'Dea was summonsed for the alleged offence and Sergeant Brendan Kearns, court presenter, handed in a certificate of ownership for the vehicle, which named Delaney Commercials Ltd, and a certificate of nomination.

When Judge Cody asked if the nomination form was an original or a certified copy, Sergeant Kearns said it was not.

The judge said the document before him was printed by a company called Tico Mail Ltd in Dublin.

Mr Dunne said it was clear to him from the relevant section of the Road Traffic Act that only an original document could be admissible in court and it had been confirmed that the document presented by the prosecution was neither an original or a duly authenticated copy.

Judge Cody (pictured below) viewed the document handed in by Sergeant Kearns and said it looks to be signed by a Shane Moore.

Sergeant Kearns said Shane Moore was the fleet manager with Delaney Commercials and further stated that the original document would be held by the Garda fixed charge office in Thurles.

Sergeant Kearns said the gardai process about 200,000 fixed charge notices each year and they are heavily reliant on an automated process which involves scanning the original nominations as they are received.

The scanned versions are printed as an exact copy and form part of the prosecution pack. He said it would be a hugely retrograde step for the efficiency of An Garda Siochana processes to produce those documents in court and they rely on a presumption in the act unless evidence is presented to the contrary.

Judge Cody remarked that the prosecution could be inserting into that presumption a copy of the original document and Mr Dunne said the specific section of the act applies to the original.

The judge said he would allow both parties to make written submissions to him by the court sitting on January 28 next (instructing that those submissions be lodged on January 26) and he would then state a case on February 18.

He said it was his view that the prosecution was only entitled to rely on the copy of a document when it's certified to be a true copy of the original.

A case stated [where it is referred to the High Court] could take the bones of nine months, added Judge Cody, adjourning the prosecution of Mr O'Dea, plus about a dozen others, to December 2, 2026.

Patrick Martin, solicitor, told the court he had requested disclosure in relation to a number of those being prosecuted.
Plans to extract 800,000 tonnes of sand and gravel in the Slieve Bloom Mountains have stalled due by locals living very close to the site in Laois.

Anne and Michael Carroll have appealed Laois County Councils decision TO grant a ten year approval for to operate the quarry on property in the townlands of Mounthall and Cummer near Camross in the Slieve Blooms.

If the appeal to An Coimisiun Pleanala fails, the proposal would see the quarry's size extend from 1.2 hectares to about eight hectares. The existing 1.2 hectares have been out of use for many years. The business behind the project is Breedon Materials Ltd, is headquartered in the UK.

The planning permission was granted in August despite being opposed by a number of local groups, including the Slieve Bloom Association, Camross Tidy Towns, Paddock National School, Mountrath Scout Group and Ballyfin CDA. In all, the planning application with Laois County Council attracted 67 submissions. More BELOW PHOTO.

The drone photo below shows the existing sandpit in the surrounding pastoral landscape.

In their submission to Laois County Council, Anne and Michael Carroll said their home is one of six residential properties located within 250 metres of the proposed development. They said the proposed development was of massive concern to them. They expressed concerns about their water supply, which comes from a private well, and about the dust and noise which the development would produce.

They worried too about the damage which the daily traffic of many heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) would cause to the narrow mountain roads. Read more below.

The Carrolls pointed out that there are no footpaths and no cycle lanes along the roads and they would be unsafe for either pedestrians or cyclists.

They asked: It is very obvious these roads are not able for the level and size of vehicles that are already travelling on them so how are they expected to deal with a further minimum amount of 24 HGVs per day?

Kathy Phelan Bracken of the Save Glendine campaign also lives within 250 metres of the proposed development.

Breedon will transform this sandpit into a huge commercial quarry. The proposed area is located in the foothills of the Slieve Blooms in the beautiful Glendine valley. The Slieve Blooms are a beauty spot and this proposal is totally unsuitable. The site also borders a nature reserve, home to the Hen Harrier conservation project, home to migratory birds.

"What the proposal means is the destruction of biodiversity, roads and residents' welfare; potential waterways pollution; a disregard of Health & Safety on narrow roads; the destruction of narrow, single lane heritage bridges. We are also concerned that the Council has agreed to replace a single lane bridge that was damaged years ago by boy racers. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

"This bridge is beyond the quarry, further into Glendine, and we are worried that it could mean HGVs going over Glendine Gap (a mountain pass) on a completely unsuitable road with the aim of travelling across three counties to the company's Kinnegad depot where over 50% of the material will be exported abroad, said Ms Phelan.

It is not certain when An Coimisiun Pleanala will reach its decision on the appeal.
This Christmas RTE is home to the biggest Hollywood movies. Irish acting royalty Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan star in the Irish television premiere of The Banshees of Inisherin.

Cillian Murphy gives an Oscar winning performance as he embodies the famous theoretical physicist in Oppenheimer and Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling show that life in plastic isnt always fantastic in Barbie.

Also on this years movie menu are blockbuster hits Belfast and Raiders of the Lost Dark and family favourites Its a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Holiday and Love Actually to keep you entertained at home.

The golden boy of Irish cinema Cillian Murphy delivers a career-defining, Oscar-winning performance as Oppenheimer, capturing the intensity and inner turmoil of a man who changed history. Viewers can expect thought-provoking drama, historical intrigue, and a haunting exploration of science, power, and humanity.

Wonka takes audiences back to the whimsical origins of the worlds most famous chocolatier, Willy Wonka, in a magical adventure full of wonder. Timothee Chalamet stars in a charming and energetic performance as the young Willy, setting out to create his sweet empire against all odds.

Irish acting royalty Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan star in The Banshees of Inisherin on RTE this Christmas. When lifelong friends Padraic and Colms friendship unravel, their quiet, isolated lives spiral into absurdity and emotional turmoil. With stunning performances from the all-star Irish cast, this film blends humour with heartbreak, exploring themes of loneliness, pride, and the fragility of friendship while set against the rugged beauty of the Aran Islands.

Barbie follows the story of the iconic doll as she embarks on a journey from the perfect, glittering metropolis of Barbieland to the real world. When Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, begins to question her place in life, she leaves her picture-perfect existence to explore what it means to be truly alive. Joined by Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, she faces the challenges of real-world emotions, self-discovery, and identity.

Feel the need for speed? Fast X roars back with high-octane action, family bonds, and gravity-defying stunts as Vin Diesel leads the crew in their biggest, boldest mission yet.

A moving journey of courage, memory, and redemption. Pierce Brosnan stars as a World War II veteran escaping his care home to honour a fallen friend. The Last Rifleman blends heart, humour, and history in a deeply human story.

The Miracle Club stars a powerhouse cast with Maggie Smith, Laura Linney and Kathy Bates leading the charge! When a group of Irish women go in search of miracles, they find plenty of mischief, heart, and a whole lot of laughs. Faith, friendship, and a bit of divine comedy.

Back to Black takes viewers inside the turbulent, tragic, and unforgettable life of Amy Winehouse. With Marisa Abela delivering a stunning performance, this biopic captures the raw talent and chaos of a legend. From soul-shaking music to hard-hitting moments, its a wild ride through fame, love, and loss. A powerful and poignant portrayal of one of music's most iconic figures.

Apocalypse Clown brings chaos, laughter and a dash of end-of-the-world madness as a motley crew of down-on-their-luck clowns stumble through the apocalypse. Packed with slapstick, satire and big Irish energy, its a comedy thats anything but a joke.

With the long cold evenings here to stay viewers can stay entertained with a glittering lineup of blockbuster hits including Tune into Venom: Let There Be Carnage, The Hitmans Wifes Bodyguard and The Commuter.

Relive the thrilling adventures of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, hop in your DeLorean and drive in the Back to the Future trilogy. Embrace the cosmopolitan life of New York in Sex and The City and go back in time with the classics Casablanca, Doctor Zhivago and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The family movie selection is also merry and bright this year. Kids can tune into Despicable Me 3, Minions, Boss Baby the Family Business, Cinderella and Sing 2.

The holidays are all about nostalgia and RTE has a range of Christmas hits to keep the festive spirit alive. Enjoy romantic favourites Love Actually and Notting Hill, the action-packed Goodfellas and classic favourites Miracle on 34th Street, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and White Christmas.



Stream RTEs fantastic festive films on RTE Player following television broadcast.
Mental health charity Turn2Me has announced a series of free online support groups running throughout the Christmas and New Year period, including on Christmas Day 2025.

Turn2Me has said that Christmas is "consistently" its busiest time of year, and as a result, will be hosting support groups for those who need it most in County Kildare and beyond.

Explaining its latest venture, a spokesperson for the charity said: "Turn2Me will host daily themed support groups at midday [12pm] from December 25, 2025 to 1 January 1, 2026, ensuring people across Ireland have continuous access to professional, compassionate mental health support."

The spokesperson also outlined Turn2Me's Christmas Support Group Schedule:

December 25  Christmas Blues

December 26  Family Issues

December 27  Bereavement

December 28  Family Issues

December 29  Bereavement

December 30  How to Manage Anxiety

December 31  Feeling Alone

January 1  Feeling Down

"All groups are free, confidential, and run by mental health professionals," the spokesperson added.

READ NEXT: Christmas hours announced for this Kildare library

'TURN2ME WILL BE HERE FOR THEM'

The CEO of Turn2Me, Fiona O'Malley said that the organisation prepares every year for a substantial increase in service usage during December and early January.

She elaborated: "Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for many people, and while its often portrayed as joyful and carefree, the reality is that its one of the toughest periods for those experiencing loneliness, grief, family conflict, or financial strain.

"We want people to know that theyre not alone, and that Turn2Me will be here for them every single day of the festive season, including Christmas Day."

Furthermore, Ms O'Malley announced that Turn2Me will continue to offer up to six free one-to-one counselling sessions for adults living within Ireland, in addition to its free meditation programme and its free 'Thought Catcher' online mood diary service.

"Our goal is to make mental health support accessible, immediate, and stigma-free," she added. "Christmas can intensify emotions, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength."

Ms O'Malley concluded: "Whether someone is struggling with grief, feeling overwhelmed by family pressures, or simply feeling low, we encourage them to join our support groups or access our counselling services."

BRIEF BACKGROUND

According to its official website, Turn2Me is a registered charity that offers people "a high-quality, safe, anonymous, and confidential space for you to gain support for your mental health online".

Turn2Me is supported by number of different organisations, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Health and Pobal.

It should be noted that the charity's online counselling service is available for users who those over the age of 18.

Turn2Mes services are available nationwide at www.turn2me.ie.

READ NEXT: Kildare County Council agrees to the taking in charge of housing estate in Monasterevin
There has been reports of fake advertisements in circulation recently in the lead up to the busy Christmas period and online shoppers have been warned to be extra vigilant.

Bank of Ireland has today, on Monday December 22, issued a warning to customers in County Kildare and beyond about the social media advertisements currently in circulation which are impersonating well-known retailers offering deals and bargains.

With more people online shopping than usual in the lead up to Christmas, fraudsters are increasingly targeting consumers through scam social media advertisements.

These ads often impersonate well-known retailers, luring shoppers with fake offers and directing them to counterfeit websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

The Bank is also reminding customers that its dedicated fraud support team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout Christmas and New Year.

Last year Bank of Irelands fraud prevention team received over 10,000 calls from customers during the peak holiday period (23 December to 29 December), with 550 calls on Christmas day alone.

READ NEXT: RIP: Gardai appeal for witnesses as man (60s) dies following two-car collision

Below are examples of the scam social media advertisements circulating social media, provided by Bank of Ireland:

Key advice for consumers:

Be cautious of social media ads that look too good to be true.

Always verify that you are shopping on the official website of a retailer.

Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages or posts - go to the retailers website for offers.

If you suspect fraud, contact Bank of Ireland immediately.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: Christmas should be a time of joy, not worry. Unfortunately, fraudsters see this season as an opportunity to exploit consumers, and were seeing many fake adverts currently which are impersonating well known retailers. Our fraud team is working around the clock, even over the Christmas and New Year period, to support customers. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and reach out to us straight away.

Bank of Ireland customers can call the fraud team 24/7 on Freephone 1800 946 764.
The Government has announced a new 400 million euro equity programme in the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (Isif) to deliver new homes.

The additional funding will double Isifs homebuilding investment programme equity to 800 million euros since it was first announced in July 2023.

Isif, managed and controlled by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), is a development fund with a mandate to invest on a commercial basis to support economic activity and employment in Ireland.

Isif is also to collaborate with the banking sector which will make available a further 200 million euros in additional equity.

Finance Minister Simon Harris welcomed the new funding.

He said: The new allocation will build on Isifs existing housing related commitments of 2.5 billion euro, targeting the delivery of over 25,000 new homes by 2030.

I also welcome the national banks who are committing to make available 200 million euro in additional equity above the 400 million euro from Isif.

This demonstrates the impact of using targeted state investment to crowd in private capital and expand the pool of funding available.

Together, this 600 million euro of equity capital will unlock up to two billion euro of finance for housing developments across the country, with the potential to deliver up to 5,000 homes.

The commitment from the banks will increase the impact of ISIF investments and will also support a more sustainable long-term financing ecosystem for the Irish homebuilding sector.

Housing Minister James Browne said the Government was doing more to empower the private sector to play a role in the delivery of more new homes.

He said: Isifs additional 400 million euro in its housing equity investment programme  coupled with an additional 200 million euro from the banks  will not only deepen the pool of funding available for Irish homebuilding but will enable many more small and medium house-builders to get involved.

With this significant injection of funding, it will improve SME homebuilders ability to establish a consistent pipeline of projects and greatly assist in scaling up their housing output on a sustainable basis nationwide.

I am determined to not only deliver more homes but also to create the best possible operational environment for homebuilding. Investment like this is crucial as we engage with all our delivery partners and stakeholders, both public and private, in further mobilising critical residential investment and development in Ireland now and into the future.

Senior investment director at Real Assets Isif, Sarah Hickey said: The availability of equity risk capital is important in supporting housing delivery.

Isif has previously committed 400 million euro to equity risk capital for housebuilders, unlocking sites, improving commercial viability and funding the delivery of thousands of new homes.

This new 400 million euro commitment will build on that progress, supporting new funding platforms, helping more housebuilders and delivering more homes for the people who need them.

Isifs capital will also continue to act as a catalyst for co-investment by other capital providers, making additional capital available for the sector to enable growth.
There has been reports of fake advertisements in circulation recently in the lead up to the busy Christmas period and online shoppers have been warned to be extra vigilant.

Bank of Ireland has today, on Monday December 22, issued a warning to customers about the social media advertisements currently in circulation which are impersonating well-known retailers offering deals and bargains.

With more people online shopping than usual in the lead up to Christmas, fraudsters are increasingly targeting consumers through scam social media advertisements.

These ads often impersonate well-known retailers, luring shoppers with fake offers and directing them to counterfeit websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

The Bank is also reminding customers that its dedicated fraud support team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout Christmas and New Year.

Last year Bank of Irelands fraud prevention team received over 10,000 calls from customers during the peak holiday period (23 December to 29 December), with 550 calls on Christmas day alone.

READ NEXT: RIP: Gardai appeal for witnesses as man (60s) dies following two-car collision

Below are examples of the scam social media advertisements circulating social media, provided by Bank of Ireland:

Key advice for consumers:

Be cautious of social media ads that look too good to be true.

Always verify that you are shopping on the official website of a retailer.

Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages or posts - go to the retailers website for offers.

If you suspect fraud, contact Bank of Ireland immediately.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: Christmas should be a time of joy, not worry. Unfortunately, fraudsters see this season as an opportunity to exploit consumers, and were seeing many fake adverts currently which are impersonating well known retailers. Our fraud team is working around the clock, even over the Christmas and New Year period, to support customers. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and reach out to us straight away.

Bank of Ireland customers can call the fraud team 24/7 on Freephone 1800 946 764.
How China's initiatives are paving a new path to a better world

Xinhua) 08:07, December 22, 2025

Staff members load donated medical supplies onto a plane at Dehong Mangshi Airport in Mangshi City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

* The Global Development Initiative focuses on the shared development needs of humanity, and directly addresses the real development challenges.

* The Global Security Initiative is dedicated to eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and improving global security governance.

* The Global Civilization Initiative offers a framework for countries to pursue modernization paths that are grounded in their own traditions while being open to the shared wisdom of humanity.

* The Global Governance Initiative calls for adhering to sovereign equality, directly targeting the shortcomings of a system in which "a few countries call the shots."

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- When future historians look back on the once-in-a-century global transformation and trace the underlying logic of evolving international relations, they will surely recognize Sept. 1, 2025 as a pivotal moment -- when Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

Prior to this, Beijing had put forward a series of major global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in 2021, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) in 2022, and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) in 2023. Together with the GGI, they constitute a holistic framework for jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Each initiative addresses a fundamental pillar of global cooperation: the GDI seeks to lay the material foundation, the GSI is designed to safeguard stability, the GCI tries to foster shared understanding, and the GGI intends to provide the institutional architecture. As noted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the four global initiatives proposed by China "are totally compatible with the UN Charter." Many countries also view them as pragmatic and constructive solutions to contemporary global challenges.

Yet the world remains fractured amid a rising tide of uncertainty and turbulence. While some advocate dialogue and cooperation, others cling to unilateralism and bloc politics, compounding long-standing crises and creating new risks.

Global development remains fragile, characterized by widening North-South disparities and compounded by overlapping energy and food crises. Around the world, more than 1 billion people continue to live in extreme poverty. Security is deteriorating, with armed conflicts reaching post-war highs, rising displacement, and increased reliance on sanctions and bullying by certain country.

Meanwhile, the discourse of "a clash of civilizations" appears to overshadow exchanges between them, while global governance is eroded by withdrawals from international treaties, practices of decoupling, and the expansion of barriers that undermine fairness and equality, especially for the Global South.

The grim reality underscores the relevance and timeliness of the four global initiatives, further highlighting the need to build international consensus and strengthen solidarity.

A CALL FOR SHARED DEVELOPMENT

As Xi has noted, development holds the master key to solving all problems. The Global Development Initiative focuses on the shared development needs of humanity, closely aligns with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and directly addresses the real challenges in the field of global development. This initiative contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to jointly advancing global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth.

Ten years on, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has stalled. Of its 169 specific targets, only about 35 percent are on track, while nearly half are progressing too slowly and 18 percent have regressed.

Globally, development is reversing in key areas. Extreme poverty has risen for the first time in two decades, with the poorest half of humanity holding just 2 percent of global wealth. Some 2.6 billion people still lack internet access, and the funding gap for developing countries to adapt to climate change is continuously widening.

Moreover, wars and conflicts have pushed 140 million people into acute food insecurity, while unilateral sanctions continue to severely impact the livelihoods of billions.

Students have lunch in a dining room following the launch ceremony of Nepal Smiling Children Project funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund in Kathmandu, Nepal, July 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Yi Aijun)

These alarming facts expose fundamental flaws in global development. Some developed countries have prioritized geopolitical interests over cooperation, exploiting development resources through sanctions, decoupling and aid cuts. In so doing, they have betrayed the universal consensus that the right to development is an inalienable human right.

An imbalanced global governance structure has long left developing nations at a disadvantage in shaping international rules, while technological blockades and trade barriers continue to widen the development gap.

Meanwhile, multilateral cooperation mechanisms are increasingly weakened by unilateral actions, leading to a severe shortage of global public goods and a lack of coordinated international responses.

These issues have not only raised the risk of the 2030 Agenda's failure, but highlighted the urgent need for targeted measures to address global development challenges.

The GDI, proposed at this crucial time, has gained tremendous global appeal by breaking away from the outdated paradigm in which major powers dominate and smaller nations are forced to depend on them. The initiative also promotes collective action with an attitude of equality and a systematic approach, ensuring that every participant becomes a beneficiary of development.

The Lane Xang EMU train passes by the China-Laos borderline inside a tunnel, Oct. 15, 2021. (Photo by Cao Anning/Xinhua)

As a proactive champion of the initiative, China has always been guided by the "Six Principles" and relies on platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the New Development Bank to empower international development cooperation.

The China-Africa Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center implements the "teach a man to fish" model, leading to an average increase in local crop yields of 30-60 percent. It has benefited over a million farmers, serving as a tangible manifestation of the priority development concept.

The China-Laos Railway has turned Laos from landlocked into a land-linked hub, cutting logistics costs by over 30 percent and creating more than 100,000 jobs. Meanwhile, China-Brazil joint technology innovation centers have enhanced ecological protection and expanded clean energy access to remote communities, promoting inclusive, innovation-driven growth and harmony between people and nature.

Beyond giving robust impetus to the 2030 Agenda, the GDI is revolutionizing and reshaping global development concepts. Its theoretical breakthrough lies in breaking free from the dependence on conventional Western development models, putting first the common interests of humanity and laying a solid foundation for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

For development dividends to reach more people equitably across the globe, nations should move beyond narrow self-interest, embrace historical trends, champion common development, uphold fairness and justice, and fully commit to mutually beneficial cooperation.

A NEW PATH TO LASTING PEACE AND SECURITY

The world today is experiencing its most profound turbulence and transformation since the end of the Cold War. With growing deficits in peace and security, global security governance faces severe challenges. The international community urgently needs security visions and approaches that are in tune with the spirit of the times.

The Global Security Initiative has emerged in response to the current situation, aligning with the shifting international landscape through the concept of unity, and addressing security challenges with a win-win approach. It is dedicated to eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and improving global security governance.

Looking back at the course of human development, the pursuit of absolute security through strength and the creation of an exclusive security framework is, at its core, a form of the "law of the jungle." History has repeatedly proven its dangers. The horrific devastations of the two World Wars, as well as regional instability caused by hegemonic competition, all stemmed from the obsessive pursuit of absolute security and the brutal application of the law of the jungle. Nations that exploit others and bully the weak ultimately face either a vicious cycle of security dilemmas or are swept away by the tides of history.

This photo taken on Aug. 30, 2025 shows an exterior view of the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 in north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Looking at the present, this rigid security doctrine based on the law of the jungle is already out of step with the trends of the times. In today's world, economic globalization is deepening, with the interests of countries closely intertwined and their fates shared. The interconnectedness, transnational nature, and complexity of security issues are becoming increasingly evident, and no country can remain isolated. Attempts to violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, disregard the collective will of the international community, and unilaterally pursue absolute security are movements against the tide of history.

As Xi has noted, the Cold War mentality would only wreck the global peace framework, hegemonism and power politics would only endanger world peace, and bloc confrontation would only exacerbate security challenges in the 21st century. This important observation offers profound insights on the root causes of the global security predicament.

The GSI is underpinned by "six commitments," specifically, commitment to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; abiding by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter; taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously; peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation; and maintaining security in both traditional and nontraditional domains.

In the traditional security domain, China has actively promoted the political settlement of hotspot issues and is the largest contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Chinese peacekeepers march at a medal parade ceremony in Hanniyah village, southern Lebanon, July 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

In non-traditional security domains, China has participated in and often led multilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism, drug control and public health security. It has also carried out numerous humanitarian assistance programs, addressing emerging global threats through collaboration.

In regional security cooperation, China has leveraged platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia to steadily contribute to regional stability.

Committed to building a more balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, China, together with other countries, is pursuing a new path of security based on dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliances, and win-win cooperation rather than zero-sum outcomes.

When multilateralism becomes the defining feature of global security governance and consultation on an equal footing becomes the shared choice of all countries to address security concerns, humanity will surely embark on a bright path toward lasting peace and universal security. The tide of peace and development is destined to surge forward.

A NOD TO CIVILIZATIONAL DIVERSITY

At present, some countries pursue unilateralism and protectionism, clinging to theories of the "clash of civilizations" and "civilizational superiority."

When estrangement between civilizations, cultural friction and confrontations over values fuel tensions and conflicts between nations, a range of issues usually break out -- ranging from widening development gaps and weakened international rules to growing disorder in global governance.

In response to these pressing challenges, the Global Civilization Initiative offers a shared cultural foundation for countries to address their common struggles.

"The world we live in is diverse and colorful. Diversity makes human civilization what it is, and provides a constant source of vitality and driving force for world development," Xi has said. This important statement provides guidance for answering the questions of how different civilizations should coexist and where human civilization is headed.

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2025 shows a scene during the third Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

The GCI can be summarized with four common advocacies: to respect the diversity of civilizations, to uphold the common values of humanity, to attach importance to inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and to strengthen international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

While this initiative confronts misconceptions and prejudices, it promotes equality, mutual learning, dialogue and mutual accommodation between civilizations. It also opposes cultural arrogance, and seeks to create platforms for equal dialogues, enabling different civilizations to deepen their understanding of one another and advance through mutual exchanges and learning.

China holds deep respect for civilizational diversity and has been advancing deeper, more substantive exchanges among civilizations. The country has initiated and supported multilateral dialogue platforms, including the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, the Liangzhu Forum, the World Conference of Classics, and the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting. Additionally, China helped build consensus at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. In June 2025, China successfully hosted the first global event marking the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

Actors showcase traditional Chinese attires during an art performance at the UN headquarters in New York, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

China has also expanded dialogue on governance and development through mechanisms such as the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue, and the China-Latin America Human Rights Roundtable.

In addition, China has signed cooperation agreements with more than 100 countries in areas such as culture, cultural heritage and tourism, and has advanced cooperation in joint archaeology, world heritage protection and the mutual translation of classical works, safeguarding its own cultural roots while contributing to the preservation of humanity's shared heritage.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are vital for advancing global modernization and enriching a diverse tapestry of world civilization. The GCI offers a framework for countries to pursue modernization paths that are grounded in their own traditions while being open to the shared wisdom of humanity.

A BOLD EXPERIMENT FOR BETTER GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Some countries remain entrenched in the outdated belief that "might makes right." Their hegemonic mindset and practices have stalled the reform of global rules, weakening the world's collective capacity to act in the face of an ineffective global governance system.

New challenges, such as the exploration of deep-sea resources, the commercial use of polar shipping routes, the definition of outer space resource rights, and cross-border data flows, are emerging rapidly, yet corresponding international rules remain largely absent or fragmented.

At the same time, some Western countries, leveraging long-established advantages, dominate major multilateral institutions in global economic and financial governance. By contrast, Global South countries, which account for more than 80 percent of the world's population and over 40 percent of global economic output, remain underrepresented in international organizations, with their legitimate concerns ineffectively addressed.

Moreover, some countries bypass or coerce multilateral mechanisms, resorting to withdrawals and sanctions, further fragmenting global governance.

This continuous weakening of governance effectiveness has caused insufficient provision of global public goods, leaving responses to many global challenges mired in prolonged deliberation without decision, and decisions without implementation.

Representatives of attendees of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting visit an exhibition on China's achievements in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

"Countries around the world are like passengers aboard the same ship who share the same destiny. For the ship to navigate the storm and sail toward a bright future, all passengers must pull together. The thought of throwing anyone overboard is simply not acceptable," Xi once said.

With this vivid metaphor, Xi underscores the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, charting a course for improving the global governance system and promoting the common development of humanity.

The GGI seeks to address this governance deficit. It calls for adhering to sovereign equality, directly targeting the shortcomings of a system in which "a few countries call the shots," and affirms that the destiny of the world should be shaped collectively by all peoples. Regardless of size, strength, or level of development, all countries are equal members of the international community, with the right to participate in global governance.

It calls for abiding by the international rule of law, emphasizing that international rules must be jointly formulated by the international community rather than monopolized by a few countries.

It advocates for rules that evolve with the times, taking into account countries' different stages of development and legitimate interests.

It calls for practicing multilateralism by upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, reinforcing the central role of multilateral mechanisms, opposing bloc politics and camp confrontation, and promoting a more coordinated and effective system of global governance.

The initiative promotes a people-centered approach, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of global governance is to improve the well-being of all peoples. It seeks to address the issues most directly related to people's lives, such as employment, education and healthcare, so that the outcomes of governance are shared more broadly and more equitably among all peoples.

It focuses on taking real actions, prioritizes the delivery of concrete results from the GGI, and encourages countries to turn consensus into action and address governance challenges through pragmatic cooperation.

These five pillars reinforce one another, outlining a clear framework for reforming the global governance system.

This photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows a view of the International Organization for Mediation in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

As a guardian of the international order and a provider of global public goods, China has been advancing the reform of global governance through practical actions, achieving concrete progress.

China actively participates in global ecological governance. It has fully and effectively implemented the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, announced its Nationally Determined Contributions target for 2035, and proposed the establishment of a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership.

China is also deeply engaged in formulating digital governance rules. It has put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security, the Global AI Governance Initiative, and the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative, working to improve and refine the digital governance framework so that technological innovation does not become "a game for rich countries and the wealthy."

In response to persistent power imbalances, China is promoting badly-needed reforms in major multilateral institutions in global economic and financial governance, supporting developing countries in amplifying their voices and representation. China is also advancing the expansion of cooperation mechanisms such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and fostering South-South cooperation platforms, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-CELAC Forum, injecting new vitality into the reshaping of the global governance landscape.

In line with the needs of multilateral coordination, China firmly supports the United Nations in playing a central role. It has increased investment in the China-UN Peace and Development Fund and has been steadily advancing related cooperation. In addition, together with more than 30 countries, China helped set up the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, contributing to the maintenance of global peace and stability through the rule of law.

The four global initiatives proposed by Xi have brought much-needed stability and predictability to a world in flux. Through systematic, coherent and practical efforts, China has demonstrated that its development is inseparable from, and mutually reinforcing with, the progress of the wider world.

Guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China will continue to work with all countries, using the four global initiatives as a unifying framework to address global challenges, strengthen global governance, and build a world characterized by lasting peace, universal security, shared prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and ecological sustainability.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ms. Cassandra L. Hampton, Founder and CEO of Golden Touch Corporation, addresses guests at the launch of the Compliance Services Division in Monrovia
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Stakeholders and participants at the launch event, including government officials, development partners, civil society representatives, and members of the media.
Christmas Day is fast approaching and Met Eireann has updated it's Christmas weather forecast ahead of the busy festive period.

Weather conditions won't be extreme this Christmas, with no snow, heavy rain or extreme temperatures on the cards for us this time around.

Instead, the week ahead is set to be mild and dry for the most part starting with a little bit of patchy rain and drizzle on Monday December 22 and it will also be cloudy.

Overnight mist and fog will be slow to clear, lingering for much of the day in places, mainly in the west and midlands and it will become drier across much of the eastern half of the country through the afternoon, with a few bright or sunny spells developing.

The fog will also clear up further to the west later in the day, with highest temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees.

On Tuesday 23rd December, it's looking like another mostly cloudy day and largely dry with just some patchy light rain and drizzle at times.

Overnight mist and fog will be slow to clear in the morning with limited bright spells developing through the day. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in light northeasterly breezes.

READ NEXT: NCT issues festive safety reminder to motorists ahead of Christmas road trips

High pressure is building bringing drier and more settled weather.



Christmas Eve, Wednesday December 24, will be cloudy and dry for most parts of the country with a few light showers or spots of drizzle, and just limited bright spells developing.

Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees with light to moderate easterly winds, fresh at times near exposed coasts.

Lowest temperatures of -1 to +4 degrees in light, occasionally moderate, easterly breezes with frost likely to form that night.



Christmas Day is looking to be dry for most with sunny spells and just a few spots of light rain and drizzle possible. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with light to moderate easterly breezes, fresher at times near eastern and southern coasts.



St. Stephen's Day will be another largely dry day with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with light, occasionally moderate, northeasterly breezes.




NEW DELHI: Perfetti Van Melle, the Amsterdam-headquartered candy maker behind Chupa Chups, Mentos, and Alpenliebe in India, is pushing consumers toward higher price points of 5 and 10, even as 1 candies continue to dominate the market. The shift is part of the companys effort to balance its portfolio in a candy market still heavily skewed toward ultra-low-value purchases.

Nearly 70% of Perfettis business in India comes from the 1 segment, which dominates small mom-and-pop stores and drives the bulk of category sales. The company plans to increase the share of its 5-and-above portfolio from about 30% over the next three to four years; this number stood at just 7% in 2019. Execution will hinge on wider distribution expansion and product innovation.

We dont want the 1 business to shrink in absolute terms. In fact, we want it to continue to grow and remain profitable. The strategy is not to eliminate 1, but to ensure that 5 and 10 products grow much faster. If that happens, the mix will change naturally over time," said Nikhil Sharma, managing director of Perfetti Van Melle India. I would like to double the turnover in the next three to four years. That would be a meaningful and ambitious goal for us," he added.

In fiscal year 2025, Perfetti reported revenues of 3,500 crore.

Perfetti is the largest player in Indias sugar confectionery market, competing with ITC Ltd, Dharampal Satyapal (DS) Group, and Parle Products. Earlier this year, Noida-based DS Group reported that its decade-old hard-boiled candy brand, Pulse, crossed 750 crore in annual revenue.

The distribution challenge

The main hurdle in moving consumers up the price ladder remains distribution. Most companies remain stuck selling candies at the 1 and 2 price points despite the rise of UPI, which has made payments for low-ticket items easier. This is largely because children armed with loose change of 10-20 continue to be the predominant consumers of candies," Sharma said.

Also Read | FIIs to come back as markets correct on emerging markets premium: Waterfield

Currently, Perfettis 10 portfolio reaches about 200,000 outlets, compared with several million outlets for 1 products.

The single most important task for us over the next five years is to make sure the 10 portfolio reaches one million outlets. If even one 10 product can reach one million outlets, that alone would be transformational for us. Similarly, we want the 5 portfolio to go to two million outlets. Consumer willingness is not the issuethe challenge is reach," Sharma added.

Bite-sized market

Indias confectionery market was worth 14,800 crore as of May, according to NielsenIQ (NIQ). The category posted 8% value growth in FY25, driven largely by increased consumption, with medium and large manufacturers playing a significant role. Hard-boiled candies and toffees remain dominant, posting double-digit growth, though innovation is increasingly focused on higher-priced categories like jellies.

Jellies, which account for less than 10% of the overall market, have grown rapidly over the past three years. Perfetti sells jelly under the Chupa Chups brand.

The category is exploding and we are putting our money behind it. Jellies offer far more headroomwhether in formats, textures, flavours or shapes. Sour profiles, in particular, are scaling better than masala flavours, which tend to be more polarising," Sharma said.

India has emerged as Perfettis third-largest global market by sales, overtaking China earlier this year. Centre Fruit, a soft chew, is the companys largest brand in India.

Also Read | The bitter truth unfolding in the chocolate world, explained

Business enablers

Recent changes to the goods and services tax (GST) have offered temporary relief.

As of 22 September, GST on sugar candies fell from 18% to 5%. The reduction has provided breathing space," Sharma said, particularly at the 1 price point, allowing companies to maintain grammage and reinvest savings into brands.

For us, the real benefit of GST is not so much affordability in a 1 categoryits innovation. Lower taxes give us room to improve product quality at the same price point. That could mean better flavours, better intensity or formats that were earlier not viable," Sharma said.

Sour flavours are also gaining popularity over masala. While masala has delivered occasional breakout hits, sour has broader appeal," Sharma noted.

Innovation at very low price points remains challenging. New 1 launches tend to be margin-dilutive, which is why Perfetti is increasingly focusing on 5 and 10 products.

Even as the wider FMCG market faces pressure from new-age brands, Sharma said the candy category remains insulated for now.

This is a category that is deeply distribution-led. You may have a great product, but unless you can industrialise it and distribute it nationally, its very difficult to build scale," he said.

Also Read | Rural market slowdown in September quarter points to woes for FMCG firms

Competition remains intense at the bottom end: Even small price or grammage changes at the 1 price point can significantly impact volumes. Attempts by some players to move from 1 to 2 have shown that price hikes can sharply dent sales, especially in small towns and rural markets," Sharma added.
Layoffs have been a major concern in the job market in 2025 as several major companies announced significant job cuts amid the growing use of artificial intelligence. This year alone, AI has led to almost 55,000 layoffs in the US, according to a report by CNBC citing consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

In 2025, total job cuts reached 1.17 million, the highest since 2020, when 2.2 million layoffs were announced.

US employers reported 153,000 job cuts in October, and over 71,000 cuts occurred in November, with AI responsible for more than 6,000 of these layoffs, the report said.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology published a report in November, noting that AI can already replace 11.7% of the US labour market and save up to $1.2 trillion in wages across finance, healthcare, and other professional services.

Also Read | Layoff tactics keep changing, and the blunders keep coming

However, some experts disagree that AI is the primary cause of the significant job cuts. Fabian Stephany, an assistant professor of AI and work at the Oxford Internet Institute, previously told CNBC that it could be just an excuse.

Stephany mentioned that many companies which did well during the pandemic significantly overhired," and the recent layoffs could simply be a market clearance.

Its to some extent firing people that for whom there had not been a sustainable long-term perspective and instead of saying we miscalculated this two, three years ago, they can now come to the scapegoating, and that is saying its because of AI though, he added.

Check out the companies that announced AI-linked layoffs 

Amazon The tech giant announced its largest-ever layoffs, cutting 14,000 corporate jobs to focus on its biggest bets, including AI.

This generation of AI is the most transformative technology weve seen since the Internet, and its enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before... were convinced that we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business, Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, wrote in a blog post.

Microsoft Microsoft has cut around 15,000 jobs by 2025, with its latest announcement in July signalling 9,000 roles to be eliminated.

In a memo to employees, CEO Satya Nadella emphasised that the company must' reimagine its mission for a new era' and highlighted the importance of AI for the company's future, the report noted.

What does empowerment look like in the era of AI? Its not just about building tools for specific roles or tasks. Its about building tools that empower everyone to create their own tools. Thats the shift we are driving  from a software factory to an intelligence engine empowering every person and organisation to build whatever they need to achieve, Nadella was quoted as saying.

Salesforce In September, CEO Marc Benioff announced that the company had laid off 4,000 customer support staff, utilising AI, the report said.

Ive reduced it from 9,000 heads to about 5,000, because I need less heads, Benioff said in an interview on The Logan Bartlett Show podcast.

Benioff stated over the summer that AI was already managing up to 50% of the company's work.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that AI chatbots had replaced the jobs of a few hundred human resources workers.

Unlike other companies, which cited AI as a reason for job cuts, Krishna, however, noted that the firm had increased hiring in other areas that required more critical thinking, such as software engineering, sales, and marketing. The company announced a 1% reduction in its global workforce in November, which is expected to affect approximately 3,000 employees.

Crowdstrike Crowdstrike announced in May that it is laying off 5% of its staff, amounting to 500 employees, citing AI as the direct reason for the cuts.

AI has always been foundational to how we operate, the report quoted co-founder and CEO George Kurtz's memo. AI flattens our hiring curve, and helps us innovate from idea to product faster. It streamlines go-to-market, improves customer outcomes, and drives efficiencies across both the front and back office. AI is a force multiplier throughout the business.

Workday Human resources platform Workday in February announced it would cut 8.5% of its workforce, roughly 1,750 jobs, as the company increases its investment in AI.
Multinational coffee chain Starbucks has appointed Indian-origin Anand Varadarajan as its new executive vice president and chief technology officer (CTO), the company said in a statement.

Anand Varadarajan, a veteran at Amazon, who spent close to 19 years building the e-commerce giant's large-scale, customer-focused technology platforms, will report directly to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, PTI reported.

The appointment comes after Starbucks' Deb Hall Lefevre retired in September. Anand Varadarajan will take charge from January 19, as per the statement. Starbucks executive Ningyu Chen is currently serving as interim CTO.

What role will Anand Varadarajan play at Starbucks? An Indian-origin techie, Varadarajan spent close to 19 years building large-scale, customer-focused technology platforms for Amazon, including overseeing technology and supply chain for its Worldwide Grocery Stores business.

Starbucks in its statement said that the executive brings deep experience in developing secure, reliable systems and scaling technology to support operational excellence while keeping customers at the centre.

The coffee chain said that he expected to accelerate Starbucks' technology initiatives and strengthen digital capabilities across its global business.

The time of joining is crucial as Starbucks posted its first quarter of gains in comparable sales after nearly a year and a half in late October, Reuters reported. The company is beginning to see some returns from CEO Brian Niccol's extensive turnaround efforts in the United States, it added.

Who is Anand Varadarajan? An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras (1992-1996), Anand Varadarajan holds a masters degree in civil engineering from Purdue University (1996-1998) and a masters degree in computer science from the University of Washington (2009-2011).

His LinkedIn profile describes Anand Varadarajan as a Senior technology and operations executive with enterprise-scale leadership experience across global retail, grocery, and supply chain networks.

He described his work at Amazon as building resilient, data-driven operating systems at scale-spanning omnichannel retail, logistics, Al-enabled forecasting, and large-scale transformation in complex, regulated environments.

Anand Varadarajan profile adds that he is particularly interested in contributing to boards seeking expertise in digital transformation, technology risk, supply chain resilience, and consumer-facing operations.

Prior to Amazon, Anand Varadarajan has privously also worked as technical staff for Oracle and software lead at Motorola, as per his LinkedIn.

(With inputs from Agencies)
Google's parent Alphabet on Monday announced that it would purchase clean energy developer Intersect for $4.75 billion in cash, plus existing debt, marking one of its largest deals to expand its data centre capacity.

The deal comes amid a push by Big Tech to invest in energy firms, as power grids in the US struggle to keep pace with the increasing energy demands of generative AI.

Intersect will help us expand capacity, operate more nimbly in building new power generation in lockstep with new data center load, and reimagine energy solutions to drive US innovation and leadership, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said, speaking on the deal.

What we know about the deal Google already owns a minority stake in Intersect from a previous $800 million funding round in December last year.

Under the deal, Alphabet will acquire Intersect's energy and data centre projects that are either currently in development or under construction.

Intersect's other operations, however, will be left intact and separate from Alphabet, with Reuters reporting that the company's existing operating assets in Texas and its operating and under-development assets in California will not be part of the deal.

The clean energy firm will also retain its own brand and will continue to be led by its current CEO, Sheldon Kimbers.

Also Read | Google teams up with Meta to weaken Nvidia's dominance in AI computing market

"Intersects operations will remain separate from Alphabet and Google under the Intersect brand and will be led by Sheldon Kimber. It will partner closely with Googles technical infrastructure team, continuing work on in-development, and new, joint projects; this includes the companies first announced co-located data center and power site, under construction in Haskell County, Texas," Alphabet said in a statement.

According to its website, Intersect currently has $15 billion worth of infrastructure, either in operation or under construction, with projects representing about 10.8 gigawatts of power expected to be online or in development by 2028.

Commenting on energy infrastructure, Alphabet said its acquisition of certain Intersect assets would help "unlock abundant, reliable, affordable energy supply that enables the buildout of data center infrastructure without passing on costs to grid customers."
Mumbai: Motilal Oswal Alternates has acquired a significant minority stake in medical diagnostic equipment manufacturer Sensa Core for $72 million, the companies announced in a statement on Monday.

The investment will enable Sensa Core to accelerate product development and expand its footprint globally, further strengthening its position as one of the leading players in the in-vitro diagnostic segment.

The companies did not disclose the size of the stake acquired.

India imports over 75% of its medical devices, with annual imports exceeding USD 8.5 billion. We firmly believe in fostering indigenous development and manufacturing in India for local needs and for Make in India exports to the world, said Rohit Mantri, managing director and co-head of Private Equity at Motilal Oswal Alternates.

Also Read | Motilal Oswal Alternates launches 3,000 crore maiden private credit fund

Founded by Dr Ravi Kumar Meruva in 2006, Sensa Core is engaged in design (IP-driven), development, manufacturing and distribution of specialized in-vitro diagnostic devices.

The company claims to be a market leader in electrolyte analysers, achieving wide adoption across more than 40,000 hospitals/diagnostic labs in India, as well as exports to over 78 countries. It is also reportedly one of the leading Indian players in glucometers, haemoglobinmeters and has recently forayed into arterial blood gas analysers.

With a strong focus on expanding access to healthcare, we believe affordability can be achieved through local manufacturing and large-scale production, Meruva added. Sensa Core was advised by Veda Corporate Advisors on the transaction.

The company operates a dedicated manufacturing facility in Hyderabads Export Promotion Industrial Park, Pashamylaram and will be commissioning a new manufacturing facility in Medical Device Park, Sultanpur, to augment capacity & build capability for new products, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Motilal Oswal Alternates manages private equity and real estate funds and cumulatively handles assets of about $3.1 billion between the two asset classes.
Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica SA is set to cut 5,500 jobs at a cost of $2.9 billion as part of a sweeping cost-reduction plan, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

The company, in a regulatory filing, reportedly said that it had signed an agreement with unions to implement exit plans for around 5,500 employees, which would would lead to annual savings of over $700 million.

"An agreement was reached with the trade unions... concerning the implementation of a voluntary departure plan for approximately 5,500 workers," Telefonica was quoted as saying by AFP.

Given that Telefonica's talks were with Spanish unions, it is understood that the job cuts are likely to impact Spain primarily.

Also Read | Over 55,000 job cuts in US are linked to arrival of artificial intelligence

Employees affected are expected to exit beginning early next year, with the company projecting a positive impact on cash generation from 2026 itself.

The move to cut jobs comes after the Telefonica chairman Marc Murtra last month outlined the carrier's plans to cut down on operating expenses after trimming its cash flow outlook for 2025 and halving its dividend.

Shares of Telefonica have declined 14% this year, and are currently trading at their lowest level since 2022, reported Bloomberg.

The last major Telefonica layoff took place in 2023, when the carrier cut 3,421 jobs in Spain, around 16% of its workforce.

In Spain, Telefonica currently employs around 25,000 people. The company's global workforce, meanwhile, is about 100,000 people, as per AFP.

Established in 1924 in Madrid under a different name, Telefonica is currently among the world's largest network providers, and boasts a presence in Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Brazil.

Group subsidiary Telefonica Hispanoamerica, meanwhile, handles operations in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Oracle's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and billionaire Larry Ellison has personally pledged $40.4 billion to back his sons Paramount takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to keep the companys prized Hollywood assets out of the hands of streaming giant Netflix.

According to a filing on Monday, the guarantee is intended to address the Warner Bros. boards concerns about Paramounts financing and the absence of complete backing from the Ellison family, which had previously made Netflixs cash-and-stock offer more attractive.

Following the announcement, Warner Bros. shares rose nearly 4%, while Paramounts climbed about 3%.

Larry Ellison net worth: How much does Oracle co-founder earn? Larry Ellison became only the second individual in history to surpass a net worth of $400 billion in September this year, propelled by an AI-fueled surge in Oracles stock, according to Forbes.

Five years ago, Ellison made a permanent move to the Hawaiian island of Lanai, which he had purchased almost entirely in 2012 for $300 million. He served on Teslas board from 2018 until 2022, holding 45 million split-adjusted shares when he stepped down.

Ellison also controls close to 50% of media powerhouse Paramount Skydance, created following the approximately $28 billion (enterprise value) merger of Paramount and his son Davids Skydance in August 2025. He is also widely reported to own roughly 98% of Lanai, the sixth-largest island in Hawaii.

Who is Larry Ellison? Born on August 17, 1944, in New York City to a Jewish mother, Florence Spellman, and an Italian-American biological father who served as a US Army Air Corps pilot, Larry Ellison is the chairman, chief technology officer, and cofounder of Oracle, where he owns about 40% of the company.

After leading Oracle for 37 years, Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014.

Ellison attended South Shore High School in Chicago before being accepted to the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, where he began as a pre-medical student. During his time there, he was recognised as science student of the year. He left the university after his sophomore year without sitting for final exams following the death of his adoptive mother.

After spending the summer of 1966 in California, Ellison enrolled for a single term at the University of Chicago, studying physics and mathematics. It was there that he was first exposed to computer design. He later relocated to Berkeley, California, where he launched his career as a computer programmer, working for a number of different companies.
MUMBAI : Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd sees little value in listing its subsidiaries and selling a stake to foreigners" at present and would rather focus on building an enduring institution, said chief executive officer Ashok Vaswani, even as peers have taken their units public during Indias record IPO surge.

History shows that whenever a private or public sector bank sold a significant stake, they brought buyers from overseas, Vaswani, who will complete two years at the helm of Indias fourth-largest private lender by assets in January, said in an interview with Mint.

We are not here for a day in the sun or a quarter in the sun; we are here to build a lasting, lasting, lasting franchise," said Vaswani. The foreigner brought in no talent, the foreigner brought in no brand. Yet the foreigner, 10 years later, made out like a bandit. What is the value gained by the person who was selling?"

Kotak Mahindra Bank is the holding company that fully owns all 20 subsidiaries of the financial services group. It also has three associate companies: Infina Finance Pvt Ltd (49.99% stake), Phoenix ARC Pvt Ltd (49.9%), and Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company (India) Ltd. While Vaswani is not keen to bring in a foreign partner in its subsidiaries, Kotak sold 70% in its general insurance subsidiary to Zurich Insurance Company Ltd in June 2024 for 5,560 crore and now owns the remaining 30%.

Also Read | Kotak Mahindra Banks poor dividend payout weighs on RoE

In our case, our businesses are doing well, and we are gaining momentum every year," said Vaswani. You are getting embedded value creation in Kotak, and why would I pass out on that embedded value creation? Particularly, if my goal is not to just book profits on one particular day."

Rival lender ICICI Bank Ltd recently listed its asset management company, a joint venture with Prudential Plc, in a $1.2-billion IPO. HDFC Bank Ltd took its non-bank lending arm HDB Financial Services public in July, while State Bank of India (SBI) has announced plans to list SBI Funds Management, its joint venture with French asset manager Amundi.

The domestic market has seen a surge in listings this year as companies have taken advantage of demand for equity shares from investors, led by mutual funds. According to a 9 December Bloomberg report, India's initial public offerings reached a record 1.77 trillion, surpassing the 2024 high of 1.73 trillion.

As a financial conglomerate, Vaswani said the Kotak group can tap into all customer profiles, whether in lending, insurance, capital markets, or investments. I like to think of Kotak as a plane flying on a couple of engines."

Also Read | Why FPIs are cautious on India and DIIs see a five-year bargain

There is obviously the banking engine or, let's say, the lending engine. There is the insurance engine, there is the asset management engine and the capital markets. And if I can keep all of this kind of flying along, it gives a lot of insurance that if one of the engines sputters, then the other engines still make sure that the plane keeps flying and soaring," said Vaswani.

Beyond its current subsidiaries, Vaswani said the bank examines every single inorganic opportunity," but it must make strategic sense and meet valuation expectations. While the bank has made acquisitions in the past, it has made a couple of purchases in the last two years. The bank bought microfinance company Sonata Finance for 537 crore in March 2024. Earlier in January, it bought Standard Chartered Banks personal loan portfolio of 3,330 crore.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is also considered a contender for IDBI Bank.

Without commenting on IDBI Bank, Vaswani said an inorganic opportunity should either give Kotak a large number of customers, provide a lot of deposits or add to the portfolio, among other things. Strategically, if it's a tick and valuation is a tick, then we will try to do the transaction," he said. That's why we really like these portfolio acquisitions, like the Standard Chartered personal loan book or Sonata."

Analysts are not too keen on Kotak wading into the IDBI transaction.

Also Read | Kotak PE arm plans $2 bn fund amid rising private credit demand

Suresh Ganapathy, managing director and head of financial services research, Macquarie Capital, said in an email accompanying his note to clients: I really hope they stay away from this IDBI stake sale acquisition as in our view, it is pretty negative if they merge or take some 40-50% stake and could be a de-rating event for Kotak"

Analysts are also wary of the high capital ratios the bank currently maintains, which suppresses its return on equity (RoE)a measure of profitability.

Kotak Mahindra Bank has a capital adequacy or risk buffer of 22.8% as of September, up 20 basis points (bps) over a year earlier. RBI mandates a minimum of 11.5%. The banks RoE shrank to 10.65% in Q2 FY26 from 13.88% a year earlier.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is Indias fourth-largest private lender by assets, behind HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

Generally speaking, excess capital is only a good thing because it allows you to weather any kind of down, any thunderstorms that come along on the downside. It allows you to take opportunities on the upside," said Vaswani.

He added that the ROE has been partly suppressed by credit costs, and as those costs improve, the ROE will also improve. As we automate and digitise, you will see the cost-to-asset ratio decline, which should also improve ROEs," said Vaswani.

The cost-to-assets ratio is expenses as a percentage of total assets and measures the operational efficiency of a bank.
New Delhi: Chennai-headquartered Agnikul Cosmos, one of Indias two private rocket-making startups, is looking to conduct 100 rocket launches of its reusable rocket within the next five years. However, the company isnt cloning Elon Musks approach to achieve this goal, and instead believes it can work with clients to make its rockets profitable within the next two years.

In an interview with Mint, Srinath Ravichandran, cofounder and chief executive of Agnikul Cosmos, said that the company is very likely to make its first commercial reusable rocket launch in the coming year itself.

We dont have a set date for it, but were readying our next launch, which will have commercial clients for next year. In the next two years, well likely scale up to 12-15 launches per year, and by 2030, hope to see 100 launches per yearor one rocket launch every three days for us," he said.

At the heart of Agnikuls efforts is its reusable rockets pitch. On 22 November, the company raised $17 million in a Series C funding round at a valuation of $500 million. The company raised its latest capital based on its efforts to build a fully 3D-printed reusable two-stage rocket, Agnibaan.

Key Takeaways Agnikul aims for 100 launches per year by 2030.

The company expects to reach profitability within the next two years.

The targeted launch cost is under $2 million per mission.

Reusability will allow Agnikul to fulfill 100 missions using only 3040 manufactured rockets.

Agnikul holds a global patent for reusability in the small rocket sector, differentiating it from SpaceX's heavy-lift focus.

We will look to make the booster stage of our rocket (the part that carries the rockets engine) land vertically on a barge out in the ocean and recover it from there, in order to reuse it in future missions. But its not just this, we can also make our first stage (the main part of the rocket that carries the satellites) reusable by working closely with clients and offering the rockets first stage itself as the base of a satellitethus utilizing every part of our rocket fully, and maximizing our revenue potential," Ravichandran said.

Economic pivot

This, to be sure, is different from what Elon Musks SpaceX, which made the concept of reusable rockets a reality, is doing today. While SpaceX also recovers its booster stage to reuse launch engines and lower the cost of space missions, it also attempts to recover its first stage for even greater reusability.

Such engineering requires massive capital, years of research, and is only feasible in large rockets working at a different scale altogether. Were not trying to rival them, but bring reusability into the small rockets sectorfor which we have already procured a global patent," Ravichandran added.

Stakeholders of the space industry, however, have raised questions around whether reusability would be feasible for small rockets. Ravichandrans Agnibaan, as well as the Vikram-I rocket at Chandanas Skyroot, are all classified as small rockets, primarily targeting satellite launches to low-earth orbit, with an altitude of up to 500km from earth, carrying payloads of up to 500kg.

While its true that reusability is great for larger rockets that are very expensive to build, theres nothing that should stop Agnikul from building reusable rockets and proving that they can do it at scale. At the end of the day, if they can do it, they will establish a new cost structure and become a key stakeholder of the global small-rocket marketwhich is seeing participants increase around the world as well," said Chaitanya Giri, space fellow at global think-tank, Observer Research Foundation.

Ravichandran, however, disagreed. Our cost of launching a single mission is less than $2 million. At the current cost, my goal is that even at a small margin over and above this cost, we will be able to run a profitable rocket launch services business. Reusability will also reduce my cost of engineering and logisticsfor instance, when we scale up to 100 launches a year, well only have to manufacture 30-40 rockets through the year," he said.

While there are no fixed projections, market estimates say SpaceX spends just over $1 million to recover the booster stage of its reusable rocket. India has never attempted reusable booster stages, and there are no cost estimates for it so far.

Challenging launches

Going forward, the executive believes there will be sufficient demand for such a reusable rocket to launch 100 times a year, even as Agnikul competes with Hindustan Aeronautics and fellow startup Skyroot Aerospace for satellite customers in India seeking a ride to space aboard small rockets.

Indias space economy is expected to generate $3.5 billion in annual revenue from rocket launches by 2033, as per data from Pawan Goenka-led nodal space agency, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space).

Also Read | Space startups expect revenue build-up as investors turn bullish

This revenue, however, will be split across Agnikul, Skyroot, HAL and Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro) commercial arm, the Centre-backed NewSpace India Ltd. On 28 October, in an interview with Mint, Skyroot chief, Pawan Kumar Chandana, said that the company may generate up to $5 million in revenue from a single commercial launch. By 2027, it may conduct one rocket launch every month.

Stakeholders believe that while Agnikul has ample differentiation on paper for now, the key will be to prove its mettle in the sky.

While the feat is quite tall in terms of technical and operational requirements to achieve such a vision, we must not discount the market risk, which, in my opinion, is bigger than the two. Given that the industry is moving heavily into sovereign satellites being built by private companies, the question of launch also following is an obvious one," said Narayan Prasad Nagendra, chief operations officer of Dutch space services firm Satsearch.
New Delhi: In one of the fastest trade negotiations in recent years, India and New Zealand have concluded a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) in just nine months, aiming to significantly scale up economic engagement between the two countries from a relatively low trade base.

A key feature of the agreement is the elimination of tariffs on 100% of Indias tariff lines, which will provide duty-free access for all exports.

The pact, jointly announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon, New Zealands Prime Minister, through a statement by the Indian government, is the second this month after an agreement with Oman.

The formal signing of the FTA will be done at a later date, similar to the UK agreement, where trade negotiations concluded in May and the pact was signed in July.

Under the FTA, New Zealand has committed to facilitate investments of $20 billion into India over the next 15 years supporting manufacturing, infrastructure, services, innovation, and employment under Indias Make-in-India vision. In turn, Indian enterprises are expected to benefit from their presence in New Zealand and access the wider Pacific Island markets.

In FY25, trade between the two countries was at a relatively small $1.3 billion  India exported $711.1 million to New Zealand, and imported goods worth $587.1 million, according to data from the commerce ministry.

While that was a significant 49% year-on-year (y-o-y) rise, trade had dipped in FY24  India's exports to New Zealand had dipped 1.73% to $538.33 million, while imports from New Zealand had dropped 29.89% y-o-y to $335.14 million.

The FTA was concluded after five rounds of negotiation and several in-person and virtual sessions. Officials on both sides described the pact as comprehensive in scope, covering goods, services, investment, rules of origin, customs facilitation, technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Correcting the imbalance Indian exports to New Zealand are dominated by pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and information technology services. Imports from New Zealand, a key agricultural exporter, largely comprise agri products such as wool, fruits and dairy-related items.

Officials said the agreement seeks to correct this imbalance by easing tariff and non-tariff barriers and encouraging two-way investment.

According to Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative(GTRI), the FTA boosts India's access to a high-income, rules-based Pacific market and supports its broader Indo-Pacific economic strategy.

For New Zealand, it offers more secure entry into one of the worlds fastest-growing large economies at a time of rising global trade uncertainty, he added.

According to GTRI, while the FTA brings greater predictability in goods, services, mobility and investment, its real impact will depend on how both countries use it to strengthen practical economic links.

That will require moving beyond tariff cuts to build supply chains, expand services trade, deepen education and skills partnerships, and leverage the Indian diaspora and mobility provisions.

With this more comprehensive approach, both sides should aim to double bilateral trade by 2030, using the FTA as a stable platform for a broader and more diversified economic relationship, added Srivastava.

Farm produce in focus Today, this free trade agreement is about building trade around people and launching opportunities  for our farmers, for our entrepreneurs, for our students, for our women and for our innovators, Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said in the statement.

Boosting yields and farmer incomes, the agreement drives modern agricultural productivity. It opens doors for Indian businesses in the region through well-integrated directional exports and gives our youth choices to learn, work and grow on a global stage, Goyal added.

According to the government statement, India has secured commitments across a wide range of high-value sectors including IT and IT-enabled services, professional services, education, financial services, tourism, construction and other business services, opening up new opportunities for Indian service suppliers and high-skill employment.

Commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal called it a new generation trade agreement with complementarity at the core.

"Indias strengths [will] expand exports, support labour-intensive growth, and power services. NewZealand gains deeper, more predictable access to Indias large and growing economy. The movement of people-students, professionals, and skilled workers converges these strengths, Agrawal added in the statement.

Dedicated agri-technology action plans on kiwi fruit, apples and honey with a focus on productivity enhancement, technology, research collaboration, and quality improvement have been envisaged to support income growth for Indian farmers.

The cooperation also covers the establishment of centres of excellence, improved planting material, capacity building for growers, and technical support for orchard management.

Meanwhile, Winston Peters, the New Zealand coalition government's minister of foreign affairs, racing, and rail, and leader of the New Zealand First Party, has said they oppose the proposed deal.

We consider the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to be neither free nor fair, Peters posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Regrettably, this is a bad deal for New Zealand. It gives too much away, especially on immigration, and does not get enough in return for New Zealanders, including on dairy.

New Zealand First urged its coalition partner not to rush into concluding a low-quality deal with India, and to use all three years of this Parliamentary cycle in order to get the best possible deal. We also indicated we felt it would be unwise for National to sign up to a deal with India when a Parliamentary majority for that deal was uncertain, he added.

Freeing people movement The FTA provides improved entry and stay provisions for Indian professionals, students and youth, including work opportunities during studies, post-study work options, dedicated visa arrangements and a working holiday visa framework.

Also envisaged is a new temporary employment entry visa pathway for Indian professionals in skilled occupations, with a quota of 5,000 visas at any given time and a stay of up to three years, the statement added.

This will cover Indian professions such as AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs, and music teachers, as well as professionals from high-demand sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction  strengthening workforce mobility and services trade.

The agreement opens new and durable opportunities for Indian exporters, with services emerging as a clear winner. With wide-ranging commitments across IT and IT-enabled services, professional and business services, education, tourism, construction and financial services, the FTA provides Indian firms unprecedented market access and regulatory certainty in New Zealand, said Agneshwar Sen, trade policy leader at EY India.

According to Sen, for merchandise exporters, zero-duty access across the full spectrum of Indian exports will improve price competitiveness and expand market presence for MSMEs and labour-intensive industries. Equally important, the agreement balances ambition with sensitivity; safeguarding critical domestic sectors while promoting cooperation in innovation, skills and investment.

Apart from tariff liberalization, the FTA includes provisions to address non-tariff barriers through regulatory cooperation, transparency, and streamlined customs, sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers.

Preferential access for exports such as textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods and certain agricultural products augurs well for India, a second trade expert said, while addressing long-standing issues around services mobility and mutual recognition of qualifications.

For New Zealand, improved access to Indias education services has been part of the negotiations, said Abhash Kumar, a trade economist and assistant professor of economics at Delhi University.

This is the seventh such trade agreement signed by governments under the National Democratic Alliance since it came into power in 2014.

Earlier agreements include: Mauritius in February 2021, the UAE (February 2022), Australia (April 2022), the European Free Trade Association (February 2024), the UK (July 2025), and Oman on 18 December this year.
Indias exports are heavily dependent on the US, and are currently under threat due to high tariffs. But hidden in numbers is another simple story: the region that could boost Indian exports is not across the Pacific, but across its borders. India barely trades with its neighbours and leaves value on the table every year, even before new global barriers emerged.

Indias trade with its neighboursPakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lankawas $30 billion in FY25, accounting for only 2.7% of total trade. Worse, trade with all neighbours except Bhutan has declined since 2021, even as global trade has remained stable. The reasons are several: terror attacks, political tension, domestic unrest, limited infrastructure, tariff and non-tariff barriers and lack of integration.

Since exports to the US came under threat, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has embraced Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping while negotiating treaties with the European Union and Australia.

But even as India courts partners elsewhere, it would do well to look closer to home. South Asia, home to a quarter of the global population, is one of the worlds least economically integrated regions. Intraregional trade is just 5% of South Asias total, versus 48% in East and Southeast Asia and 66% in Europe.

Using 2015 statistics, the World Bank had estimated in 2018 that removing tariffs and infrastructural barriers within South Asia could triple the regional trade volume at the time, from $20 billion to $60 billion. It has not updated this gravity model to account for regional changes in the last decade, but a naive extrapolation to GDP and trade figures in 2025 implies that South Asia could stand to gain $50-60 billion in trade volume from liberalization.

This is approximately 50% of Indias total trade with the US. Robert Lawrence, professor of international trade at Harvard University, calls this a lost opportunity," noting regional trade has tremendous potential that should be exploited."

However, despite the possible gains, regional cooperation has withered under geopolitical stress. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)a bloc of eight countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepalhas not met since 2014. A South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was established in 2006, but in practice it remains cheaper for India to export to Brazil than to Pakistan. Average tariffs remain high and over a third of trade volume is restricted through sensitive lists, per a World Bank report published in 2019.

Invisible barriers

Non-tariff barriers also proliferate. For instance: India and Pakistan share a 3,000-km land border, but only have one open crossing at the Attari land port through Wagah, pushing most cargo into costly sea routes. There too, cargo movement has fallen 86% since 2019 after terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in border closures.

The case for regional integration has become stronger because the global trading environment is so much more volatile," said Sanjay Kathuria, the lead author of the World Bank report and now Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP).

Academics, policymakers, and businesspersons are increasingly coming around to this idea. Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged all Asian countries to cut trade barriers in response to US tariffs. In September, panelists from Bangladesh, Nepal, and India reiterated this vision during a seminar organized by CSEP.

They stressed the importance of reforming existing tariff regimes and creating more robust regional supply chains by diversifying beyond basic goods like textiles.

Indias trade with its neighbours may look small on paper, but the statistics may be hiding larger realities. An analysis by Global Trade Research Initiative, a Delhi-based think tank noted that despite continued tension with Pakistan, nearly $10 billion of Indian goods were rerouted to Gulf countries, relabelled, and exported to Pakistan last year, which is over 20 times the official export figure.

A vast informal trade signals the regions latent potential. If goods can move profitably through third countries, they could do so more efficiently across land borders, and benefit both economies, instead of the intermediaries.

This is not to say reviving SAFTA will be easy. Trust is a scarce commodity in our region, still scarred by the history of Partition and battling present-day domestic instability. Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have all seen government changes in the last two years. The Pahalgam terror attacks in 2025 brought India and Pakistan closest to the brink of war since 1999. Its hard to get trade without peace, but you dont need to start with free trade agreements. Dismantling non-tariff barriers will also go a long way," says Lawrence.

Limited options

And Indias other options arent ideal either. BRICS remains unstableIndia and China are managing a fragile peace around contested borders, while China and Russia are net exporters to India. These are unlikely to be corridors where India will make up the lost trade with the US.

A reset with the US will take time and require concessions on Indias trade redlines. Bilateral deals with the EU, Britain and Australia are constrained by distance and the complexity of goods demanded by richer markets. For instance, Indias export volumes to Bangladesh and the UK are comparable, but it sends cotton yarn and fabrics to Bangladesh and complex machinery to the UK. South Asia is low-hanging fruit," says Kathuria.

Lawrence is in agreement: Regional trade is different from global trade similar cultures, traditions, and preferences regionally mean you can get more diversified trade than with advanced economies around the world."

As the regional hegemon, India has the option of laying the groundwork for regional re-integration, potentially by reengaging with a moribund SAARC. The political appetite for this does exist. At the UN General Assembly this year, Muhammad Yunus, Bangladeshs interim leader, called for a revival of SAARC for shared development."

The US tariffs may have opened up a political window of opportunity that should be utilized for more regional cooperation. Navigating geopolitical tensions, regional unrest, and limited infrastructure will test Indias leadership in the region.

Also Read | Why free trade pact with Asean nations hasnt worked for India so far

The author is a graduate student in policy and business at Harvard University.
In his most ambitious urban climb to date, Alex Honnold will take on Taipei 101 in a thrilling, rope-free ascent next month. The popular US climber said it has been his long-time goal to climb the 1,700 ft skyscraper.

This summit will be aired live on Netflix in a two-hour show.

Sharing the news with his followers, Alex wrote: On January 23, Ill be free soloing Taipei 101 in Taiwan. Its been a long-time goal of mine, and itll be the most ambitious urban climb that Ive attempted.

Its a nearly 1,700 ft tower! Whats not to like?! And Ill be doing it LIVE on Netflix. Tune in Friday, January 23 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT, he added.

In India, the Skyscraper Live will air on January 24 at 6:30 AM.

Netflix first previewed its upcoming live show in October after Taiwanese social media began flooding with videos showing Alex Honnold practising for the climb, waving to people from outside Taipei 101's observatory, and even ascending the tower's spire.

About the Taipei 101 climb When it was completed in 2004. Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world at 508 metres. It is now the world's 11th-tallest building, though it remains the tallest building in Taiwan.

According to the Focus Taiwan website, Taipei 101 is the first big man-made structure that Alex Honnold will be climbing. This marks a shift in his 30 years of rock climbing.

Alex acknowledged that the climb on this skyscraper is a little different and involves more repetitive movements, making it technically less tricky but physically more demanding.

Also Read | Andhra King Taluka OTT release: When and where to watch Telugu film online

He also told the news outlet that the most challenging part of the climb would be what he called the bamboo boxes, the eight segments comprising 64 floors in the middle of the building that are overhanging.

In each section, there is an overhang of 10 or 15 degrees, and then a balcony every eight floors, Alex shared. This means that you do quite a hard effort for around 100 feet and then reach a balcony, multiple times, he added.

When asked about his aspirations for the climb, Alex Honnold said his goal was similar to the trail running events he'd done, namely to not injure myself and comport myself with dignity.
If Dhurandhar kept you gripped with its grounded espionage, moral complexity and high-stakes intelligence drama, the holiday season is the perfect time to dive deeper into the spy genre. Beyond flashy action and heroic posturing, these films and series explore the real cost of covert operations  the patience, sacrifice and psychological strain faced by those who live in the shadows.

From Indian intelligence thrillers rooted in real events to international series that place agents deep behind enemy lines, each of these titles shares Dhurandhars focus on strategy, realism and human consequence.

Special Ops (Web Series) | Disney+ Hotstar Special Ops is an Indian espionage thriller series created by Neeraj Pandey for Disney+ Hotstar. The plot centres on Himmat Singh, a veteran agent from Indias Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), who becomes convinced that a single mastermind is behind a series of terror attacks over nearly two decades.

To uncover the truth, he assembles a covert team of five operatives placed in different countries, patiently piecing together clues and intelligence to track the elusive figure. The story moves between Delhi, Dubai, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Turkey, blending action, strategy and counter-terror elements in a format that emphasises the craft of intelligence work over flashy spectacle. Starring Kay Kay Menon in the lead role, the series has spawned multiple seasons and expanded into spin-offs such as Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story. It has been one of the most watched Indian streaming thrillers in its genre.

Raazi (Film) | Prime Video Raazi is a critically acclaimed Indian spy drama film available on Prime Video, starring Alia Bhatt as Sehmat Khan, a young woman recruited as an undercover agent for India during the 1971 IndiaPakistan war.

Based on Harinder Sikkas novel Calling Sehmat, the story follows her journey into Pakistan after she marries a Pakistani army officer to feed key intelligence back to Indian command.

Also Read | Alia Bhatt stuns at Filmfare OTT Awards 2025 in vintage Herve Leger gown

As Sehmat navigates life deep inside enemy territory, the film explores the immense emotional toll of living in disguise, the moral conflicts of loyalty and sacrifice, and the enduring weight of solitude that defines her espionage role. Her characters quiet bravery and vulnerability give Raazi a deeply human core, distinguishing it from pure action thrillers. The film was praised for its emotional depth, performances and intelligent portrayal of spy craft grounded in real historical context.

Tehran (Web Series) | Apple TV+ Tehran is an Israeli-produced spy thriller available on Apple TV+ that follows a Mossad hacker and field agent on a daring undercover mission in the Iranian capital.

The series blends high-stakes espionage with intense political drama as the protagonist navigates hostile territory, complex moral decisions and life-threatening risks to complete her objective.

Its narrative structure and international scale evoke similar tension and setting dynamics to Dhurandhar, particularly in episodes where undercover operations and strategic infiltrations are central. The show has been well received for its sharp pacing, layered characters and grounded depiction of covert intelligence work within a fraught geopolitical landscape, making it a compelling choice for fans of global spy narratives and tense thriller storytelling.

Fauda (Web Series) | Netflix Fauda is an Israeli espionage thriller series streaming on Netflix, known for its gritty, ground-level portrayal of undercover counter-terror operations. Created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, the show follows Doron, a commander in an elite Israeli unit that operates covertly in Palestinian territories, pursuing threats and attempting to dismantle extremist networks.

The series blends high-adrenaline action sequences with an intimate look at the psychological strain on agents and the human cost of conflict. Dialogue is primarily in Hebrew and Arabic, lending authenticity to the depiction of shifting loyalties and tense negotiations that define undercover work.

Over multiple seasons, Fauda explores the chaos and moral ambiguity of asymmetrical warfare, with each episode balancing character drama and operational suspense. Its measured pacing and cultural nuance have helped it gain a global audience and critical praise as one of the most compelling spy dramas on streaming platforms.

Hunt (Film) | Prime Video / Viki Hunt is a South Korean spy thriller that revolves around a tense internal investigation within a national intelligence agency. Two senior intelligence chiefs are tasked with uncovering a mole believed to be operating within their own ranks.

The film stars Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung in leading roles, delivering compelling performances as officials torn between duty and suspicion. The plot is dense with double-crosses, shifting loyalties and urban tactical action sequences that demand close attention from the audience.

With tightly choreographed confrontations and a layered narrative that keeps its central mystery taut, Hunt has been praised for its intelligent plotting and relentless pacing. Its focus on internal betrayal and the high stakes of counter-espionage make it a standout example of the mole hunt trope, appealing to viewers who enjoy intricate spy films with strategic depth and emotional charge.

Berlin (2024 Film) | ZEE5 Berlin is a 2024 Hindi-language spy thriller film available on ZEE5, directed by Atul Sabharwal. The story centres on a deaf-mute man suspected of being a foreign spy, thrust into intense scrutiny when intelligence officers try to determine his true role.

A sign-language teacher is brought in to assist with communication, leading to a detective narrative layered with tension and psychological intrigue. Set largely against a gritty backdrop that evokes the tense, silent warfare of non-verbal intelligence analysis, Berlin focuses on the subtleties of communication and the intellectual side of espionage.

The films use of silence and gesture as tools of suspense creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that draws the audience into the uncertain world of spy craft and interrogation. It is appreciated for its technical discipline and narrative originality within the thriller genre.

Article 370 (2024 Film) | JioHotstar / Netflix Article 370 is a 2024 Indian political-espionage film produced by Aditya Dhar, the director of Dhurandhar.

The narrative follows the behind-the-scenes manoeuvres of an intelligence officer and a bureaucrat in the Prime Ministers Office as they work to navigate legal and covert challenges surrounding a major constitutional change in India.

Combining strategic intelligence operations with political drama, the film emphasises the cerebral aspects of national security and policy execution. Its focus on strategy, legal intricacies and rapid decision-making places it close to viewers who enjoyed the war-room intensity and layered plotting in Dhurandhar.

With a strong female lead performance and a fast-paced, intelligence-driven storyline, Article 370 offers a compelling look at how espionage intersects with governance and national strategy.

Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy (Web Series) | ZEE5 Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy is an Indian espionage drama series on ZEE5 that brings to life a history-inspired tale of secret intelligence work during the 1965 IndiaPakistan war.

Based on Maloy Krishna Dhars book, the eight-episode series stars Prakash Raj, Zain Khan Durrani and Adil Hussain among others, portraying an undercover agent whose intelligence contributions help India counter enemy manoeuvres during the conflict.
For Tara Sutaria, Christmas isnt just another date on the calendarits a feeling she eagerly ushers in each year. True to her festive spirit, the Bollywood actress kicked off the celebrations ahead of time, turning her home into a picture-perfect winter wonderland.

From softly glowing fairy lights and tasteful decor to an indulgent festive spread, Tara's Christmas mood arrived early, wrapped in warmth, sparkle and unmistakable cheer.

Sharing a glimpse into her lavish Christmas dinner party on Instagram, Tara shares a series of photos and videos. Having ourselves a merry little Christmas!

Tara shared that she spent 3 days cooking, baking, and getting the decor in perfect order for the party.

3 days of endless cooking, baking and referencing table scapes, ordering crockery from across the country and having friends carry it back for us, tons of Christmas carol-ing, turkey basting andHere we are!!!! Blessed. Bellies full. Bright and beautiful! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! she wrote.

May the new year be full of peace of mind and clarity of thought may our hearts be light and lets be kind to one another. God knows we need it now more than ever, she added.

Boyfriend Veer Pahariya, Bhumi Pednekar, Himesh Reshammiya and his wife Sonia Kapoor, Orry, and several close friends attended Tara Sutaria's intimate star-studded gathering.

Also Read | Tara Sutaria, Veer Pahariya make first appearance after confirming relationship

Tara looked absolutely stunning in the black ensemble; she wore a bralette featuring a sweetheart neckline and a vibrant floral print, which she paired with a matching high-waisted, flared long skirt. She wore her hair in a sleek bun, adorned with two roses to complete the look.

The dreamy decor at Tara's party also caught the viewers' eye  the chandeliers, red floral accents, Christmas trees, and glowing candles on the dinner table made the party look like it was straight out of a movie set.

The indulgent Christmas feast, as seen in Tara's pictures and videos, included a roasted turkey, pies, brownies, cakes, and other traditional holiday treats.

Tara, the gracious host Tara's friends and party attendees flooded her comment section in praise for the gracious, most beautiful host.

The best  commented her beau, Veer.

Punjabi actress Sonam Bajwa said, How beautiful you are 

Hottest host, said Disha Patani.

Most beautiful gracious host added Orry.

Krishna Shroff said, Hostess with the mostest.

View full Image Tara's comment section

On the work front, Tara made her film debut with Karan Johar's Student of the Year 2 in 2019 alongside Ananya Panday. She was also seen in Ek Villain Returns, which starred Arjun Kapoor, Disha Patani and John Abraham.
Director Christopher Nolan has released the first official trailer for his upcoming film The Odyssey, offering audiences their first extended glimpse of the highly anticipated adaptation of Homers ancient Greek epic.

The Odyssey first trailer out The teaser, which highlights the perilous journey of Matt Damons Odysseus in the aftermath of the Trojan War, emphasises vast seas, haunting landscapes and mythic threats, setting the tone for what promises to be a sweeping cinematic spectacle.

The Odyssey is scheduled to be released in theatres worldwide on 17 July 2026, with an ambitious rollout including IMAX 70 mm screenings that reflect Nolans commitment to large-format filmmaking.

Also Read | Christopher Nolans The Odyssey prologue unveils Trojan Horse

The new trailer, which leans strongly on visual atmosphere and immersive imagery rather than dialogue, showcases Odysseus enduring shipwrecks, confronting the elements and navigating otherworldly challenges in his attempt to return home to Ithaca and his family following the decade-long war at Troy.

Alongside Damons Odysseus, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Anne Hathaway as Penelope, his loyal wife awaiting his return, Tom Holland as Telemachus, his son in search of his missing father, and other high-profile performers such as Zendaya, Lupita Nyongo, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page and Jon Bernthal.

The Odyssey marks Nolans most ambitious project to date in several respects. It is reported to be the most expensive film of his career, with an estimated budget of around $250 million, and represents his first feature shot entirely on IMAX 70 mm film cameras, a decision that underscores his ongoing advocacy for theatrical experience and large-format cinematography.

Principal photography for the film spanned diverse global locations, including Italy, Morocco and Scotland, contributing to a grand and textured visual landscape.

Nolans journey to bring The Odyssey to the screen follows a period of intense critical and commercial success. His previous film, Oppenheimer (2023), won multiple Academy Awards and solidified his reputation as one of contemporary cinemas most distinctive voices.

Despite the profound differences between a historical biographical drama and an ancient myth adaptation, Nolans fascination with time, memory and human resilience is expected to inform his interpretation of Homers epic. The early teaser screenings have been strategically placed ahead of other major releases, building anticipation and reaffirming Nolans influence in shaping theatrical film experiences.

Universal Pictures, which is producing and distributing The Odyssey, has positioned the film as a mythic action epic that brings one of Western literatures foundational narratives to the big screen for the first time in full IMAX.

The decision to unveil footage well ahead of the films official release has generated significant online discussion and speculation about how closely the cinematic adaptation will hew to its ancient source material.

More about Homer's Odyssey Homers The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most enduring works of literature in the Western tradition. Believed to have been composed in the 8th century BCE, the epic poem recounts the long and treacherous journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the Trojan War.

Also Read | Tom Holland corrects reporter who calls Zendaya his girlfriend

Along the way, he and his crew encounter a series of challenges, including the lotus-eaters, the cyclops Polyphemus, the sorceress Circe and the alluring Sirens, as well as the ominous straits between Scylla and Charybdis.
This year may go into the books as one marked by trade volatility, but 2026 may not be as calm as some investors hope.

Trade concerns will linger in the new year, with the Supreme Court expected to rule in early 2026 on the legality of a swath of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in 2025.

Cracks are also forming in some of the initial trade pacts that were announced in recent months with foreign countries.

Heres what investors need to know.

The Supreme Court

The nations highest court will decide whether Trumps use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to impose tariffs was lawful.

The Trump administration has argued that the president had the authority to impose sweeping tariffs because he declared an emergency, while a group of small businesses have argued Trump overstepped his authority in imposing the levies. Lower courts ruled that the tariffs illegal.

Polymarket puts the odds of the Supreme Court striking down Trumps IEEPA tariffs north of 70%. Such a ruling could spark a range of questions about refunds and how the Trump administration could replace lost tariff revenue through other legal channels.

A decision that strikes down IEEPA tariffs could also raise questions about the administration earlier this year suspending the de minimis exemption, which had allowed shipments under $800 into the country duty-free. The suspension hurt sales of fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu, and created supply chain challenges for the likes of Lululemon.

Though de minimis didnt come up in oral arguments before the Supreme Court and isnt expected to be directly mentioned in a ruling, the Trump administration referenced IEEPA when the exemption was removed.

If the court were to invalidate IEEPA tariffs, the decision could be used as a basis for other lawsuits to challenge de minimis," says Ryan Majerus, King & Spalding partner and former U.S. trade official.

Such a challenge, if successful, could give retailers a short reprieve until legislation kicks in next year to remove the exemption.

The Trump administration, amid mounting concerns from voters about the cost of living, could prompt officials to take time to rebuild tariff revenue and possibly lean on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for unfair trade practices and sectoral tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Such a move could allow importers to build up their inventories. That could create a repeat of the buying spree earlier this year, as companies rushed to stockpile inventory ahead of tariffs.

A new levies strategy from the U.S. government may create a new set of challenges for companiesand spur more costly legal bills as businesses strategize around new tariff authorities.

Companies have this comfort about trade policy, but it could be like Liberation Day 2.0not in terms of rates but the mass uncertainty and confusion. There wont be a single answer," says Treyz.

Crumbling deals

Trade experts see cracks in some of the deals the U.S. has struck with trading partners, such as initial pacts with Indonesia, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Everyone is coming back at the second bite of the apple," says William Reinsch, former Commerce Department official and currently a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a bipartisan policy think tank.

For example, Indonesia has been pushing back on some of the elements of its deal, Reinsch says. Press reports have noted disagreement between U.S. and Indonesian officials over Indonesias commitments to remove non-tariff barriers and digital trade issues. When asked about the situation recently, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer declined to comment. Indonesian officials have said negotiations are ongoing.

The European Union, meanwhile, is looking for lower tariffs for its steel and aluminum exportand analysts say that both the U.S. and the EU have hit hurdles on issues around digital services and agriculture.

Greer recently threatened tariff hikes or other measures if the EU didnt ease up on discriminatory and harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives" against U.S. technology. The EU has said its rules apply equally and fairly to all companies operating in the union.

Vedas Treyz says the EU could be a target of a Section 301 investigation into unfair trade practices which could pave the way for tariffs. Other probes are already in the works against Brazil and India, and Treyz says there could be others against Southeast Asian countries that would target rerouting of Chinese exports through their markets.

The U.S. is also embarking on a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, or USMCA, which impacts $1.8 trillion in goods and services trade. Earlier this month, Greer said that all optionsincluding an exit of the USMCAare under consideration.

Analysts expect USMCA negotiations to become a focus in the second quarter, with likely volatility around the discussions. Trump is going to regularly threaten to withdraw and try to leverage that to negotiate bilateral agreements," Reinsch says.

China

Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reached a detente in late October that included an agreement to hold off on expanded trade restrictions on the U.S. and Chinafueling investor optimism that tensions between the two countries could be put on the back burner until Trumps expected visit to China in April.

But potential spoilers abound, including possible backlash to the U.S. approving an $11 billion arms package to Taiwan. China condemned the move on Friday.

Both sides have been prepping measures if the relationship goes awry, analysts say.

Between now and April, one side will do something other doesnt like and the other will retaliate so [the relationship] will spiral again," Reinsch says. Then, there will be a rescue mission so that the April meeting can create another cease fire. Its the same scenario over and over again."

Write to Reshma Kapadia at reshma.kapadia@barrons.com
President Trumps appointment of a special envoy for Greenland drew an angry response from Denmark and reignited its concerns about U.S. efforts to control the strategic Arctic territory.

Trump on Sunday appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as envoy for Greenland, an autonomous island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, saying on social media that Landry understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security."

Landry on X called it an honor to take up the voluntary position to make Greenland a part of the U.S."

Denmark said it wasnt informed about the appointment, adding to a sense in the Scandinavian nation that it is being kept in the dark about Washingtons real ambitions for Greenland, which constitutes 98% of the Kingdoms territory.

We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity."

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to express his discontent and demand an explanation for the appointment, which Rasmussen said came out of nowhere."

I am very upset about the appointment and the statement, which I find completely unacceptable," the foreign minister told broadcaster TV2.

Trump has since his first term expressed a desire to control Greenland. He has criticized Copenhagen, which dictates Greenlands foreign and security policy, for not appropriately securing the island. Greenland is bigger than Alaska, mostly covered by ice and home to about 57,000 inhabitants.

Denmark responded to the presidents continued remarks on the island in his second term by boosting its Arctic and North Atlantic defense budget by $6.6 billion this year, which includes money to pay for enhanced monitoring with drones, planes and radar systems. Denmark will spend an additional $4.5 billion on 16 more F-35 jet fighters from the U.S., bringing its total fleet to 43. The jets are used to patrol Greenland among other things.

Landry, the new envoy, is seen as a loyal Trump ally, with an antiabortion and tough-on-crime agenda in Louisiana. He has no known connection to Greenland. In January, Landry backed Trumps stance on the island. We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States. GREAT for them, GREAT for us! Lets get it done!" he said on X.

Landry is the latest in a string of Trump appointments related to Greenland. PayPal co-founder and ex-ambassador to Sweden, Ken Howery, was confirmed as ambassador to Denmark in October. He will have Greenland as a main part of his portfolio.

Last week, Trump named venture capitalist Thomas Dans as head of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Dans has worked to cultivate ties with businesspeople and civil society figures in Greenland. Earlier this year, he arranged a visit to Greenland for Donald Trump Jr.

Danss ventures on the island were among activities that in August prompted the Danish foreign minister to summon the U.S. charge daffaires over concerns that Washington was conducting a covert influence campaign aimed at driving a wedge between Denmark and Greenland.

Nielsen, Greenlands prime minister, responded to the appointment of Landry by seeking to dial down tensions.

We have once again woken up to a new statement from the American president," he wrote on Facebook Monday. It may sound like a big deal. But it doesnt change anything for us," he said. We are happy to cooperate with other countries, including the U.S., but it must happen with respect for us and our values and wishes."

Write to Sune Engel Rasmussen at sune.rasmussen@wsj.com
PORT CHESTER, N.Y.Avatar: Fire and Ash," a visual spectacle and the third installment in this blockbuster franchise, is the sort of movie made for the big screen. Its holiday arrival was eagerly anticipated by cinema owners still working to lure people back after the pandemic.

Yet opening night last week in this New York City suburb was hardly encouraging. The IMAX 3-D screening of Avatar at the 14-screen AMC movie theater was only about half full.

And now, theater owners are contending with another concern on the horizon: a potential deal for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Netflix agreed this month to acquire Hollywood studio Warner Bros. for $72 billion, while Paramount is still competing for Warner with a hostile bid.

Either deal would result in fewer theater releases, analysts and theater owners say. And if Netflix prevails, it could mean shorter periods of exclusivity before movies are sent to streaming platforms, though both Paramount and Netflix have said they wouldnt take this approach.

When legacy studios are absorbed theres a significant decline in production," said Michael OLeary, chief executive of the theatrical exhibition trade group Cinema United.

Movie attendance has already plummeted in recent years under competition from streaming platforms and a slowing pipeline of blockbusters. Many theaters closed for good during the pandemic.

Those that survived often had to pump millions of dollars into upgrading their facilities. Movie theaters real-estate expenses as a percentage of sales, including rent, taxes, insurance and maintenance, are up by more than a third since 2019, according to Datex Property Solutions.

The business appeared to be stabilizing this year as the pace of theater closures slowed. Domestic box-office sales are expected to total about $8.8 billion this year. That is a 3% increase from 2024, largely due to rising ticket prices, according to Nash Information Services, which tracks box-office data.

View Full Image Movie attendance has plummeted in recent years.

But it is still far below peak sales of more than $11 billion in annual sales for the five years before the pandemic. Investors generally believe that the industry needs to reach $10 billion for theater owners to be as profitable as they were before the pandemic, said Eric Wold, an analyst with Texas Capital Securities.

To get there, theater owners need more movies like this years A Minecraft Movie" that draw big crowds to the big screen. Avatar ended up grossing an estimated $88 million in the U.S. and Canada over opening weekend, a solid but not spectacular showing, according to Disney.

When the movies are there, people want to go," said Greg Marcus, CEO of the theater chain Marcus Corp.

But the pipeline of movie releases has slowed significantly over the past five years because of film-production disruptions caused by the pandemic and then labor strikes in Hollywood.

Unable to control the flow of movie production, theater owners have turned to upgrading their properties to attract customers. Marcus Corp. has spent $390 million over the past decade installing plush lounge seating, massive screens and new sound systems, and adding handcrafted cocktails and thin-crust pizza.

Other theater owners are adding playgrounds, bowling alleys and stand-alone bars to their cinemas. Flix Brewhouse, a dine-in chain that opened its first location in Texas in 2011, is profitable thanks to its food-and-beverage offerings such as the in-house brewed Nebulas Hazy IPA and Bacon Brewhouse Burger.

The chain now has 11 theaters and is looking to open more, said Chief Revenue Officer Chris Randleman. But he added that a steady flow of movies and long exclusivity periods are critical to Flixs success.

We need to have a healthy window so people arent just like, Oh, Ill just wait for streaming," Randleman said.

Angelica Cilio, 20 years old, said she often went to the movies with friends when she was younger but fell out of the habit during the pandemic. Now, she mostly watches via streaming services, making an exception to take her little sister to Five Nights at Freddys 2" last week.

I would say going to the movies is just a fun, once-in-a-while thing," Cilio said.

Netflix, as the godfather of movie streaming, has historically bypassed theatrical runs and sent only some of its original films to theaters for brief periods.

The company sent at least two-dozen films to theaters this year, and the co-CEOs have said they would continue to release Warner films in theaters with traditional exclusivity windows.

There are other hopeful signs for cinemas. Films aimed at younger audiences have performed the best in recent years, and a robust slate of movies is scheduled for the next few years including long-awaited sequels in the popular Star Wars and Toy Story franchises.

Gen Z is also going to the movies more often. People between the ages of 20 and 24 grew as a percentage of the moviegoing population in the second and third quarters of this year compared with the same period last year, according to the firm Kalibrate, which analyzed cellphone data for moviegoers to national chains.

Yes, it might be a little bit more costly than what you spend at home," said Emanuel Lopez, 21, who attended the Avatar premier in Port Chester and shelled out $30 for his ticket and a soda. But when you come to the movie theaters you get to experience a whole new dimension."

Loyalty programs such as AMC Stubs A-List program, which allows its nearly one million members to see up to four movies weekly for a monthly fee, are also drawing people back to theaters.

A-list member Ed Restrepo, 41, said he goes four to five times a month if there are enough movies playing. But hes finding fewer people packing the cinema.

Its not common to have theaters really sell out like that anymore, unfortunately," he said.

Write to Kate King at kate.king@wsj.com
SME IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of EPW India opened today, December 22, for bidding. The SME IPO will remain open till Wednesday, December 24.

EPW India operates in the refurbished IT hardware segment, offering laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, and peripherals through both B2B and direct-to-consumer channels. The company has a 4,500 sq ft in-house refurbishment unit and typically completes the refurbishment process within 1520 days before reselling the products.

EPW India IPO subscription status According to data available on Chittorgarh, EPW India has so far been subscribed over 10% on the first day of bidding.

Individual investors segment was booked 0.10 times, meanwhile, non-institutional segment was subscribed 0.21 times.

EPW India IPO GMP today The shares of EPW India IPO is currently at a premium of 0 in the grey market, as per Investorgain. This means that the GMP of EPW India is +0.

The estimated listing price of EPW India IPO is likely to be the same as the IPO price of 97.

EPW Indian IPO details The NSE SME-bound IPO is a book-built issue aggregating 31.81 crore, comprising a fresh issuance of 32.8 lakh shares.

The offer is priced in the range of 9597 per share, implying a pre-IPO valuation of around 111 crore. The shares are slated to be listed on December 30.

Retail participants must bid for at least 2,400 shares, which works out to an investment of about 2.33 lakh at the top end of the price band. For non-institutional investors, the minimum application is 3,600 shares, requiring roughly 3.49 lakh.

Under the issue structure, nearly 47% of the offer is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 14% for non-institutional investors, and about 33% for retail investors. Ahead of the public issue, the company has already mobilised 9.04 crore from anchor investors.

The IPO proceeds will largely be deployed towards meeting working capital needs, repaying select borrowings, and addressing general corporate requirements. With the grey market indicating a muted listing, attention is expected to stay on subscription momentum over the next two days and the companys capacity to maintain its recent growth trajectory post listing.

On the financial front, the company delivered robust performance in FY25, posting a 188% jump in revenue and nearly a fivefold surge in profit after tax compared to the previous year.
Global Ocean Logistics India IPO allotment: Following the closure of Global Ocean Logistics India's initial public offering (IPO), investor focus has shifted to its allotment. Global Ocean Logistics India IPO allotment date is today, December 22.

The offer closed for bidding on December 18, garnering 13.64 times bids. The retail portion was booked 11.90 times, the non-institutional investor (NII) quota was subscribed 29.47 times, and the qualified institutional buyer (QIB) segment received 4.77 times bids.

The 30.41 crore IPO, which opened on December 17, was entirely a fresh share sale of 0.39 crore shares, priced in the range of 74 to 78 apiece.

Since the IPO was entirely a fresh share sale, the company plans to use the proceeds for funding working capital needs of the company or meeting general corporate purposes.

The credit of shares to the allottees will take place on December 23 with the refund to non-allottees on the same day. Meanwhile, the listing is expected to take place on December 24 on BSE SME.

Global Ocean Logistics India IPO allotment Investors can check the allotment for Global Ocean Logistics India IPO by visiting the website of the registrar, which is KFin Technologies, or the exchange  BSE SME in this case.

Steps to check Global Ocean Logistics India IPO allotment on BSE 1. Head to the BSE website using this link: https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx

2. Select issue type as 'equity'

3. From the issue name dropdown, pick Global Ocean Logistics India

4. Enter application number or PAN number

5. Select I am not a robot

6. Hit search

Steps to check Global Ocean Logistics India IPO allotment at KFin Tech 1. Head to KFin Tech's IPO allotment page using this link: https://ipostatus.kfintech.com/

2. Select IPO from the dropdown: Global Ocean Logistics India

3. Pick either of the three options: Application Number/DEMAT/PAN

4. Enter the details related to the option selected

5. Hit Submit

Global Ocean Logistics India IPO GMP Global Ocean Logistics India IPO grey market premium (GMP) is nil. This means that shares of Global Ocean Logistics India IPO are trading at par with the issue price of 78 in the grey market.

At the current GMP, Global Ocean Logistics India IPO listing price could be 78, the same as IPO price, with no discount or premium for investors.
Gujarat Kidney IPO Day 1: The initial public offering (IPO) of Gujarat Kidney & Super Speciality opened for subscription today, December 22. The mainboard public offering will close for bidding on Wednesday, December 24. Gujarat Kidney IPO price band has been set at 108-114 per share.

The multispeciality healthcare service provider aims to raise 250.80 crore via the IPO, which is entirely a fresh issue of 2.20 crore shares with no offer-for-sale (OFS) component.

The IPO allotment is expected on Friday, December 26, 2025, while successful applicants are likely to receive their shares on Monday, December 29. Refunds for non-allottees will also be processed on the same day. Gujarat Kidney stock is scheduled to list on the BSE and NSE with a tentative listing date of December 30, 2025.

Gujarat Kidney outlined that it would channel 77 crore from the IPO proceeds towards acquiring Parekhs Hospital in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, 12.40 crore would go towards part-payment of the purchase consideration for Ashwini Medical Centre.

According to the RHP, the company also proposed to deploy 10.78 crore for acquiring additional equity in its subsidiary, Harmony Medicare Pvt. Ltd. In addition, 30.09 crore has been set aside to meet capital expenditure requirements for a new hospital project in Vadodara. The proceeds will also be used to purchase robotics equipment worth 6.82 crore, repay borrowings to the tune of 1.20 crore, with the balance earmarked for general corporate purposes.

View full Image Infographic: Courtesy mintgenie

The IPO has a lot size of 128 equity shares, translating into a minimum retail investment of 14,592 at the upper end of the price band.

Ahead of the public issue, Gujarat Kidney separately announced that it had mobilised over 100 crore from anchor investors. As per the exchange filing, the company allotted 87,73,120 equity shares to anchor investors at a price of 114 per share.

The anchor book saw participation from several marquee investors, including Venus Investments VCC  Venus Stellar Fund, Khandelwal Finance Private Limited, Craft Emerging Market Fund PCC Citadel Capital Fund, Nexus Global Opportunities Fund, Arnesta Global Opportunities Fund PCC  Arnesta Global Fund 1, Zeta Global Funds  Zeta Series C Fund PC, Innovative Vision Fund, Religo Commodities Ventures Trust and Sunrise Investment Trust.

In terms of allocation, not less than 75% of the net issue has been reserved for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), up to 15% for Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs), and up to 10% for retail investors.

Nirbhay Capital Services is acting as the book-running manager to the issue, while MUFG Intime India Pvt. Ltd, formerly known as Link Intime India, has been appointed as the registrar.

Gujarat Kidney IPO GMP Today Investor sentiment toward the IPO is decent, as Gujarat Kidney grey market premium (GMP) is 3 as of December 22. This suggested that the stock was likely to debut at 117, a premium of 2.63% over the IPO price of 114.

'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Gujarat Kidney IPO subscription status The IPO was subscribed 0.94x by 2:55 pm on Day 1. The retail portion was subscribed 3.83x, and NII portion was booked 1.23x, Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) portion hadn't received any bids till now.

The company has received bids for 1.24 crore shares against 1.32 crore shares on offer.

Gujarat Kidney IPO: Should you subscribe? In its IPO note, Swastika Investmart urged investors to remain cautious, pointing to stretched valuations and limited near-term upside.

The valuation looks aggressive at around 61x P/E, well above most listed hospital peers. The smaller scale also heightens risk, as execution delays or integration challenges could materially impact earnings, the brokerage said, adding that conservative and medium-term investors may be better placed to wait for clearer post-listing price discovery before taking exposure.

About Gujarat Kidney The Gujarat-based company is a healthcare service provider which provides secondary and tertiary care across multiple locations in the State. Gujarat Kidney operates seven multispeciality hospitals and four pharmacies with nearly 490 beds.

As per the RHP, the company reported a net profit of 5.40 crore in the AprilJune quarter of FY26. For the full year, profit stood at 9.49 crore in FY25, compared with 1.71 crore in FY24. Revenue from operations came in at 15.26 crore in the AprilJune quarter of FY26. The company posted revenues of 40.24 crore in FY25, sharply higher than 4.77 crore in FY24.
Multibagger stock GE Vernova T&D India rallied 11% in intraday deals on Monday, December 22, following an order win from Adani group company  Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL). This is the second straight day of gains for the BSE 200 stock, rising 13.33% during this period.

GE Vernova T&D share price zoomed 11% to hit the day's peak of 3250 on the BSE. Today's rise puts the stock just 2% away from the 52-week high level of 3,323.70 hit by the stock earlier in November this year.

GE Vernova order win details The company, in an exchange filing on Saturday, said that AESL Projects has awarded a contract for the design and establishment of 2500 MW,  500 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) VSC Terminal Station (2x1250 MW) for the evacuation of renewable power from KPS 3 (Khavda) to South Olpad.

Also Read | Why are jewellery stocks not glittering as bright as gold? Explained

The order has to be executed over a period of multiple years.

While the company did not release the order value, domestic brokerage Nuvama Research estimates it to be around ~ 8000-10,000 crore.

Order book provides growth visibility, says Nuvama GVTD is currently sitting on its highest-ever order backlog of 13100 crore, providing strong revenue visibility over the next ~3036 months, said Nuvama Research.

The recent win of the KhavdaSouth Olpad HVDC project further strengthens visibility, alongside a sustained base order inflow momentum of 6000-7000 crore per annum, with additional upside from exports (25-30% mix), it added.

With a 3-4 year execution profile, it estimates there could be a 20-30% upside to its FY28-29 estimated earnings, with consequent upside to its current target price of 3,680 (60x FY28E EPS).

"With two more LCC HVDC orders expected over the next 12-18 months  a race between Hitachi Energy and GVTD (as Siemens Energy is only in VSC) - further growth optionalities remain," it added.

GE Vernova share price trend Multibagger stock GE Vernova T&D has rallied 53% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis, gaining in nine of the 12 months this year so far. After falling in January and February, the heavy electric equipment maker rallied for eight straight months till October, with the surge coming to an end last month, as the stock lost 5% in November.

Meanwhile, on a longer time frame of two years, GE Vernova has emerged as a multibagger stock, zooming 580%. Meanwhile, in the last three years, it has jumped 2739%.

As of 10.10 am, GE Vernova T&D India share price was higher by 5.70% at 3094.10.
SHANGHAI, - China and Hong Kong stocks rose on Monday, buoyed by signs of continued money inflows, and the creation of a free trade port in tropical island Hainan.

** China's blue-chip CSI300 Index rose 0.8% by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.6%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index climbed 0.2%.

** Latest data shows China's private fund sector expanded to a record 22.1 trillion yuan in November, aided by strong flows into equities.

** Meanwhile, more than a dozen newly launched Chinese funds with a focus on the Hong Kong market finished fundraising ahead of schedule, with many rushing to build positions, indicating an urge to buy the dip.

** Market sentiment was also lifted by surges in Hainan stocks, after China last week started operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port in a landmark move signalling Beijing's commitment to opening-up.

** Potential beneficiaries, including China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp, Hainan Airlines Holding Co Ltd , Hainan Airport Infrastructure Co Ltd and Hainan Strait Shipping Co Ltd, all shot up by their 10% daily limit.

** "The market is expected to resume its upward trend, and is no longer hesitating," Orient Securities said in a note to clients.

** "Now could be a good time to add positions," the brokerage said, recommending blue-chips and undervalued consumer players.

** China's chip makers and artificial intelligence stocks jumped on Monday, while banks and industrial stocks fell.

** Xiaomi Corp dropped 2.1% in Hong Kong and BOE Technology Group lost 0.7% in Shenzhen, underperforming the broader market, after U.S. lawmakers urged the Pentagon to add them to a list of entities allegedly assisting the Chinese military.
Non-banking finance company (NBFC) Shriram Finance on Monday, December 22, said that the company has no plans to apply for a banking license. The clarification came after Kotak Mahindra Bank founder Uday Kotak asked on X (formerly Twitter) whether Shriram Finance would soon seek to become a bank, following Japan's MUFG Bank completing its $4.4 billion investment for a 20% stake in the Chennai-headquartered business.

Speaking at a press conference on the Shriram Finance-MUFG partnership today, Umesh Revankar, Executive Vice Chairman of Shriram Finance, said that the company becoming a bank is not something that the management sees happening right now.

"Getting a banking license is not under discussion at all. We prefer to remain where we are. Since India is growing very fast, it gives us a large opportunity to do retail lending, and there is enough scope to expand with whatever we have built," he said as per a Moneycontrol report, adding that no change is expected structurally in the way they manage business after the said stake acquisition by MUFG is completed.

Also Read | Why Shrirams unique promoter structure was the ultimate bait for MUFG

Revankar believes there is enough scope and opportunity for Shriram Finance to remain as an NBFC and keep growing. "Being an NBFC gives you the advantage of customisation. It is better to remain in this particular structure for as long as possible," he added.

Shriram Group retains control Shriram Group will continue to hold control over the board and management of Shriram Finance Ltd following its deal with MUFG.

MUFG will be classified as a minority public shareholder, with board and management control remaining with the Shriram Group, said Parag Sharma, managing director & CEO of Shriram Finance.

We are happy with a 20% stake, under which MUFG will be classified as a minority public shareholder with the right to appoint two nominee directors, said Yasushi Itagaki, senior managing corporate executive and Group COO-I, MUFG.

Also Read | Shriram to retain board, management control at Shriram Finance after MUFG deal

The fund infusion for a 20% stake in Shriram Finance will result in proportional dilution among public shareholders and promoters. Before the transaction, promoters and the promoter group held 25.3%, while other public shareholders held 74.7% in Shriram Finance. After MUFGs investment, the Japanese company will hold 20%, other public shareholders 59.7%, and promoters 20.3%.

Shriram-MUFG's  39,618 crore deal The company on Friday said that MUFG will buy a 20% stake in Shriram Finance for $4.4 billion ( 39,618 crore). This marks the largest cross-border investment in India's financial sector and adds to the growing list of Japanese investments in domestic lenders.

The investment by MUFG will be made through a preferential issuance of equity shares and is subject to shareholder approval, regulatory clearances, and customary closing conditions, according to a company statement.

Mint had previously reported that MUFG was in talks to invest $4.55 billion for a 20% stake, valuing Shriram Finance at $2225 billion. Earlier this year, Mizuho made a majority investment in Avendus, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. acquired a stake in Yes Bank.

Shriram Finance operates more than 3,000 branches nationwide. It reported total income of 41,859.47 crore and a net profit of 9,761 crore in FY25, managing assets of about 2.81 trillion as of September, according to company filings.
Sundrex Oil IPO in Focus Today: The IPO of Sundrex Oil, which opened today for bidding, has received a healthy response from investors, with the issue being subscribed 0.41 times as of 2:00 PM.

The issue received bids for 14.68 lakh shares against 35.61 lakh shares on offer. Segment-wise, the non-institutional investor category was subscribed 0.15 times, while the retail portion was subscribed 0.60 times. The Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) category has not yet opened for bidding, according to exchange data.

The company proposes to utilize the net proceeds from the IPO to meet working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes.

Sundrex Oil issue details 1. Sundrex Oil IPO date: The issue opened for subscription today, December 22, and will remain open until December 24.

2. Sundrex Oil IPO Price: The price band of the IPO has been fixed between 81 and 86 per equity share.

3. Sundrex Oil IPO Size: The company aims to raise 32.25 crore through the IPO, which is a fresh issue of 38 lakh shares.

4. Sundrex Oil IPO Lot Size: The IPO lot size is fixed at 3200 shares, requiring a minimum investment of 2.75 lakh for retail investors.

5. Sundrex Oil IPO reservation: The IPO offers 75,200 shares to QIB, 1,396,800 shares were reserved for non-institutional buyers, and 2,089,600 for retail investors.

6. Sundrex Oil IPO allotment date: The IPO allotment date is set for Friday, December 26. Investors who receive an allotment will see the shares in their demat accounts by Monday, December 29, while those who do not will have their refunds processed on the same day.

7. Sundrex Oil IPO listing: The SME IPO is proposed to list on the NSE SME on Tuesday, December 30.

8. Sundrex Oil IPO GMP: According to market sources, the GMP of the Sundrex Oil IPO on Monday was 17, indicating that the stock is likely to list at 103 per share, 20% higher than the issue price.

9. Sundrex Oil IPO book-running lead manager and registrar: Affinity Global Capital Market Pvt. Ltd. is the book-running lead manager, and Cameo Corporate Services Ltd. is the registrar of the issue. The market maker of the company is Sunflower Broking Pvt. Ltd.

10. Sundrex Oil overview: The company is a manufacturer and wholesaler of lubricants, greases, and a wide range of industrial products, serving both B2B and B2C markets across India. Its revenue profile is predominantly concentrated in the Business-to-Business (B2B) segment, which accounts for approximately 99% of the total revenue, whereas the remaining 1% of revenue is generated from the Business-to-Customer (B2C) segment.

The portfolio includes the production of industrial lubricant, automotive lubricant, and specialty products.
A short, resurfaced video of Warren Buffett has once again set the investing world abuzz, reminding both seasoned market participants and first-time investors why simplicity and conviction often trump complexity. The 31-second clip, shared by Kevin Carpenter on X, captures Buffett distilling decades of experience into a deceptively simple idea: wealth does not require hundreds of brilliant betsjust a handful of truly good ones.

You need a moat in business thats what we are looking for all the time, Buffett says in the clip, adding that investors are unlikely to find such protection in commoditised industries like steel, carbon, or even integrated oil companies.

He goes on to underline a principle that has guided Berkshire Hathaway for decades: You dont have to find very many. If you have ten good ideas in the rest of your life, you can afford to give away five of them. You will get very rich with a very few good ideas.

The comment resonated because it cuts against the modern culture of constant trading, rapid portfolio churn and the belief that more activity equals better returns. Buffetts philosophy, instead, places a premium on patience, selectivity and deep understandingtraits that are increasingly rare in an era dominated by short-term market noise.

Buffetts playbook: conviction over constant action Warren Buffetts investment journey offers crucial context to these remarks. Born in 1930, Buffett began investing as a teenager and went on to build Berkshire Hathaway into one of the most valuable companies in the world. Often called the Oracle of Omaha, he is known for buying high-quality businesses with durable competitive advantageswhat he famously calls economic moatsand holding them for the long term. Companies like Coca-Cola and American Express exemplify this approach, where enduring brand strength and pricing power protect profits over decades.

For everyday investors, Buffett has often simplified his advice even further. One of his most widely discussed principles is the 90/10 rule. Under this approach, Buffett has suggested that average investors allocate 90% of their money to a low-cost S&P 500 index fund, with the remaining 10% parked in short-term government bonds. The logic is straightforward: most individuals, and even many professional fund managers, struggle to consistently outperform the broader market. By minimising fees, staying diversified, and remaining patient, investors can still participate meaningfully in long-term wealth creation.

Critically, Buffett has never argued that this rule is about maximising excitement. It is about maximising discipline. The strategy acknowledges that temperament often matters more than intelligence in investing. By avoiding frequent trading and complex stock-picking, investors reduce the risk of emotional decisions that can erode returns.

The renewed attention to Buffetts words serves as a timely reminder. In a market environment obsessed with the next big idea, Buffetts message remains unchanged: find a few great businesses, understand them deeply, and let time do the heavy lifting.
Applications for the Sthree Suraksha Scheme for unemployed women in Kerala opened today! The scheme was launched by the Kerala government before the state civic polls. However, it was able to be implemented since the Model Code of Conduct was in place, local media reported.

Now, the Principal Director of the Local Government Department announced last month that applications for the monthly pension under the Sthree Suraksha Scheme will be accepted from Monday, December 22, local media Mathrubhumi reported.

The government had issued an order on November 10, detailing the guidelines and norms related to the implementation of the scheme.

Here's all you need to know about the Sthree Suraksha Scheme for women in Kerala.

What are the benefits? A monthly pension of 1,000 will be provided to women in Kerala under this Sthree Suraksha Scheme.

Which documents are required for the application?

View full Image List of documents required for Sthree Suraksha Scheme.

Proof of Residency: A document to confirm you are a permanent resident of Kerala.

Proof of Age: Birth certificate, school certificate, driving license, and passport can be submitted to prove age. If no other documents are available, a medical certificate from a doctor can be used along with a self-attested application.

Bank account details: IFSC code, and Aadhaar details must be submitted along with the application, Kerala Kaumudi reported.

Aadhaar Card: Aadhaar details are mandatory for the application. Those receiving the benefit must undergo annual mustering based on their Aadhaar card every year.

Also Read | Bihar Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana next instalment date, eligibility

Ration Card: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY - Yellow Card) or Priority Household (PHH - Pink Card). (If your card is reclassified to Blue or White, you won't be eligible)

Self-Attested Declaration: A self-attested affidavit must also be included with the application.

What's the process to apply? The completed application must be submitted to the secretary of the local self-government institution (LSGI) (Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation) through the website ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in.

LSGI Secretaries will then verify applications and forward the list of selected people to the Kerala Social Security Pension Company.

The Social Security Pension Company will transfer the amount directly to the beneficiaries' accounts, similar to the welfare pension distribution model, a government notice explained.

What happens if you commit fraud while applying for the scheme? If the pension is obtained undeservedly, or if it is found that the information provided was false, the amount will be recovered along with 18 per cent interest

Will you get pension under Sthree Suraksha Scheme if you are from Kerala but working in another state? No. If a person moves out of Kerala or gets a permanent or temporary job in a central, state, autonomous, or grant-in-aid institution or scheme, they will not be eligible for the Sthree Suraksha Scheme.

However, working in a private institution is not considered a barrier to getting a pension.

Who is eligible for Sthree Suraksha Scheme? 1. Women and trans women between the ages of 35 and 60

2. Must be a permanent resident of Kerala

3. She must not be a member of any other welfare schemes. This includes pension for widow, single women, disabled, social welfare pensions, service family pension, pension from welfare fund boards, EPF pension, etc.

4. She must belong to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (Yellow Ration Card) and Priority Categories (Pink Ration Card)  even if ration cards are reclassified as blue or white, one will not be eligible for the pension.

What if a person is in jail? If a person is remanded or jailed for more than a month, the person will not be entitled to the financial assistance for that period. The government order stated that this restriction applies specifically to the duration of the stay in custody or jail.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi said on Monday that all consular and visa services have been temporarily suspended until further notice.

The notice reads, Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular & visa services from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice.

In West Bengal's Siliguri, a visa centre was vandalised by protesters on Monday, as per a report by Bangladeshi media outlet Prothom Alo. For several years, company called 'DUDigital' was given the responsibility of operating the Bangladesh visa center in Siliguri, as per reports.

Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi's halting of visa services comes after India suspended visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong following a security incident.

India suspends visa ops in Bangladesh's Chittagong The suspension took effect following a recent security incident at the Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) in Chattogram. Authorities stated that the visa application centre will reopen only after a review of the security situation.

Temporary stalling of visa services by both Bangladesh and India comes days after the brutal lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensigh, which occurred amid the wave of protests over Sharif Osman Hadi's death. Hadi  a key figure in the 2024 uprisings last year  succumbed to his injuries in Singapore after he was shot.

What happened to the Hindu man? Dipu Chandra Das  hailing from the Hindu community was employed as a worker at Pioneer Knit Composite Factory, a garment factory in the Square Masterbari area of Dhaka, as per reports.

On Friday, a mob beat Dipu to death. They then tied the man's lifeless body to a tree and set fire to it.

View full Image Kolkata, Dec 22 (ANI): West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari along with other BJP leaders stage a protest in front of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission against the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, in Kolkata on Monday. (ANI Video Grab) ( ANI Video Grab )

Initial reports mentioned that the 25-year-old was targeted over accusations of blasphemy. On Monday, fresh details emerged  pointing to workplace dispute as the likely trigger behind the barbaric incident.

What India said India, on Sunday dismissed "misleading propaganda" in sections of the Bangladeshi media over a demonstration in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi against the "horrendous killing" of the Hindu youth, and said the protest was brief and posed no security threat.
Delhi Police on Monday said that an FIR has been filed against Virender Sejwal, an Air India Express off-duty pilot, after a complaint was submitted by flyer Ankit Dewan, who accused the pilot of assaulting him at T1 terminal of the airport. Officers said a complaint was received via email from Dewan.

Initially, Ankit Dewan had shared a detailed account of how the incident unfolded on his X account, along with pictures of his injury and the pilot. Dewan claimed that he was physically assaulted by Air India Express pilot Captain Virender Sejwal at Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport.

Earlier, Delhi Police had said that there was no formal complaint from either the passenger or the airline regarding the alleged assault at Terminal 1. The police clarified that they became aware of the incident only after Ankit Dewans post surfaced on X, adding that appropriate legal action would be initiated once a written complaint was submitted by the victim.

What happened at Terminal 1? Dewan, who was accompanied by his wife and two children, said his family was "guided to use the security check that the staff uses because we had a 4-month-old baby in a stroller."

However, he said, the airport staff was cutting the queue. "On calling them out, Capt Virender, who himself was doing the same thing, asked me if I was anpadh (uneducated), and couldn't read the signs that said this entry was for staff."

A verbal scuffle broke out between Dewan and the pilot, which then escalated into violence. "Not able to exercise restraint, the AIX pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody," Dewan wrote.

Ankit Dewan said that the incident ruined his holiday and traumatised and scared his seven-year-old daughter, who saw her father get assaulted brutally".

What Sejwal's lawyer said On Sunday, the lawyer representing the off-duty Air India Express pilot said that the scuffle was settled in the presence of CISF officials and that both individuals voluntarily signed a statement indicating they did not intend to take any legal action.
Air India's Boeing 777 aircraft, which was flying from Delhi to Mumbai, returned to the national capital on Monday, December 22. An airline spokesperson said that the Mumbai-bound flight AI887 returned to Delhi after take-off due to a technical issue as per standard operating procedure.

The plane, carrying around 335 people, was in the air for nearly an hour before returning to Delhi. The aircraft made an emergency landing, the spokesperson added. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi, and the passengers and crew disembarked, the Air India spokesperson said.

The airline regretted the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen situation.

"The aircraft is undergoing the necessary checks. Our ground team at Delhi is providing immediate assistance to the passengers and alternative arrangements have been made to fly them to their destination shortly. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain top priority, Air India spokesperson said.

What happened exactly? Sources told news agency PTI that Air India's Delhi-Mumbai flight AI887 returned to the national capital after an engine issue was reported on the plane.

A source at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the plane made an air turn back as during flap retraction after take-off, the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on the right-hand engine.

The engine oil pressure dropped to zero, and the inspection is in progress, the source said.

The source also noted that review of previous records does not indicate any abnormality in oil consumption.

According to the airline, the plane is undergoing the necessary checks and alternative arrangements have been made to fly the passengers to their destination.

Also Read | Air India issues passenger advisory as dense fog conditions forecast for Delhi

The flight AI887 was being operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft and was airborne for about an hour after taking off around 6.30 am, as per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.
The BJP-MGP alliance secured a majority in the Goa Zilla Panchayat elections, with results announced on Monday. Together, the two parties claimed over 30 of the states 50 ZP seats, while the Congress won 10 seats, according to PTI. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to the state's citizens and praised National Democratic Alliance (NDA) workers for their efforts.

PM Modi took to X and said, "Goa stands with good governance. Goa stands with progressive politics. I thank my sisters and brothers of Goa for blessing the BJP-MGP (NDA) family with strong support in the Zilla Panchayat elections"

This will add more vigour to our efforts for Goa's growth. We are committed to boosting the dreams and aspirations of the people of this wonderful state. Our hardworking NDA Karyakartas have done commendable work on the ground, which has led to this result, he added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed his gratitude on X to the people of the state for trusting the BJP and giving the party a decisive victory. He congratulated all the newly elected Zilla Panchayat members of the BJP-MGP (NDA) alliance, noting that the strong mandate reflected public confidence in the Double Engine Sarkar, led by PM Modi and guided by BJP National President JP Nadda and BJP national working president Nitin Nabin.

He also praised the dedicated party workers, led by BJP Goa President Damu Naik, for their relentless efforts in promoting the partys vision. Sawant expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance would drive all-round development, strengthen transparent and accountable governance, and work towards a developed Goa and a developed India.

Goa Zilla Panchayat election result The Aam Admi Party (AAP) and the Revolutionary Goans Party each won one seat. Moreover, four independent candidates were victorious in the elections, which took place on December 20.

To ensure smooth polling, the State Election Commission (SEC) set up around 1,284 polling stations, with 658 in North Goa and 626 in South Goa, a report by ANI noted. Unlike in previous elections, electronic voting machines were not used, and voting was carried out through ballot papers.

Also Read | Who is Saurav Luthra? Gold medalist engineer booked in Goa nightclub fire case

The Zilla Panchayat elections are considered a key political event ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections, with results expected to influence future political alliances and election strategies in the state.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that Indian students going to New Zealand for studies will now be eligible for work visas, depending on their course of study, under the provisions of the new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Those completing a degree course or a bachelor's degree with honours will be eligible for a 3-year work visa, while those graduating in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) or finishing a post-graduate degree would be eligible for a 4-year work visa, said Goyal.

AYUSH, forestry, and other sectors to benefit from new FTA Goyal also said that cooperation has been agreed in AYUSH, culture, fisheries, audiovisual, tourism, forestry, horticulture and traditional knowledge systems.

The India-New Zealand FTA also outlines the following:

 Around 5,000 professionals  including yoga instructors, chefs, AYUSH practitioners and nurses  will be eligible for professional work visas.

 The agreement also opens up 118 sectors for participation, said Goyal.

 These sectors include tourism, IT, telecom, audio-visual, and other services.

Adding that the India-New Zealand FTA will provide students and professionals with enhanced opportunities for education and employment, Goyal said that the FTA is comprehensive and forward looking.

"This is a free trade agreement with New Zealand which is both comprehensive and forward looking, reflecting the vision of our leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to elevate the relations to much higher strategic levels, much more comprehensively, which will not only include trade, education, R&D and innovation, services Sector, tourism, sports," Piyush Goyal said, as per ANI.

India-New Zealand FTA The Commerce Minister also highlighted that the India-New Zealand FTA is expected to deliver a significant boost to India's exports, with New Zealand offering zero-duty market access on 100% of its tariff lines covering all Indian exports from the date of entry into force.

Labour-intensive industries are set to benefit the most from the agreement. With New Zealand scrapping tariffs that earlier went up to 10%, Indian textile and clothing exporters will now enjoy zero-duty access across 1,057 tariff lines.
Sambhal: A woman and her lover have been arrested for allegedly bludgeoning her husband to death and dismembering the body with a wood grinder, a senior officer said on Monday.

Superintendent of Police KK Bishnoi said the accused have been identified as Ruby and Gaurav, who were arrested on December 20 and have been sent to jail.

According to the police, Ruby, a resident of Mohalla Chunni in the Chandousi area, had lodged a missing person complaint on November 18, stating that her husband Rahul (38) had gone missing.

A few days later, on December 15, police recovered a mutilated body from a drain near the Eidgah area. The body was missing the head, hands and legs.

"The body was taken into custody, and a post-mortem was conducted. The forensic team carried out a detailed examination, and DNA samples were collected, the SP said.

During the investigation, police found that the name "Rahul' was written on the body. A review of missing persons reports in nearby police stations and technical analysis revealed that Rahul's mobile phone had been switched off since November 18.

Further probe led police to suspect Ruby's involvement. During interrogation, she confessed to killing her husband with the help of her lover Gaurav after Rahul caught them in an illicit relationship, the SP said.

"The accused told police that they attacked Rahul with an iron rod and an iron pestle, killing him on the spot. They then brought a grinder and cut the body into parts," Bishnoi said.

One part of the body was dumped in the drain where it was later recovered, while the remaining parts were taken to Rajghat and thrown into the Ganga river, he added.

Also Read | Woman stabbed to death by husband in front of daughter at Bengaluru bus stand

Police have recovered the grinder allegedly used to cut the body, along with the iron hammer and other tools used in the assault.

DNA samples of the deceased have also been preserved and will be matched with those of his children to conclusively establish identity and strengthen the case, the SP said.
Dense fog enveloped Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Monday early morning, reducing visibility to few metres. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert fort East Uttar Pradesh as it warned of dense fog and cold wave conditions today while western areas of the state are on yellow alert. The national capital is also on IMD's yellow alert today.

IMD in a post on X stated, Dense to very dense fog is expected during night and morning hours across parts of East Uttar Pradesh (till 23rd) and Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh & North Madhya Pradesh (till 22nd). Bihar, Jharkhand & interior Odisha may experience dense fog till 24th December.

On Sunday, cold day conditions and fog outlined the weather conditions in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana while snowfall in higher stretches of Jammu and Kashmir marked the beginning of Chillai-Kalan  the 40-day harshest winter period that will conclude on January 30. The sudden cold wave can be attributed to Western Disturbance and presence of subtropical westerly jet stream over north India.

The weather agency predicted heavy rainfall, snowfall and snowstorm for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh with reduced visibility, less than 400 metres. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand can brace for scattered rainfall/snowfall until 24 December. IMD warned against cold wave conditions in Karnataka and Telangana on 22 and 23 December.

Cold day conditions Cold day conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand on 22nd; Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh on 22nd & 23rd December, IMD in its latest press release stated.

Delhi weather today In the national capital, the minimum temperature is expected to settle between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.

Visuals from Delhi's ITO and UP's Ayodhya show dense fog covering the region.

The meteorological department forecasted moderate fog for Monday.

Fog disrupts flight operations A day before, dense fog disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport as over 105 flights were cancelled, including 55 arrivals and 52 departures. Notably, more than 450 flights were delayed due to low-visibility conditions, PTI reported.

Delhi airport issued a passenger advisory at 7:00 AM, stating, "Low Visibility Procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport.
India and Oman trade goods worth roughly $10 billion annually. Still, the CEPA signed last week comes at a pivotal moment for Indias trade policy, as it seeks deeper market access, supply-chain security and services expansion.

Mint breaks down what the IndiaOman CEPA covers, who stands to gain, and why the agreement carries significance beyond headline trade numbers.

What is the trade deal with Oman?

The CEPA is a broad agreement covering both trade and investment. Oman will provide zero-duty access on 98% of its tariff lines, covering 99% of Indias exports by value.

India has agreed to eliminate or reduce tariffs on 78% of its tariff lines, covering 95% of Omans exports. Sensitive items for Indiasuch as dates, marbles and petrochemicalswill be allowed through limited quotas. Products including dairy, coffee, tea, gold and silver have been excluded to protect domestic producers.

What goods do India and Oman trade today?

India exports naphtha, petrol, rice, iron and steel products, beauty and personal care items, and ceramic goods to Oman.

Omans key exports to India include crude oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, petroleum coke and various chemicals.

How will this deal benefit India?

Indias bilateral trade with Oman has slowed in recent years. After peaking at $12.4 billion in FY23, it declined to $10.6 billion in FY25. The CEPA is expected to revive momentum.

Indian products such as gems and jewellery, textiles, leather footwear, engineering goods and pharmaceuticals will now enjoy duty-free access, compared to earlier duties of at least 5%. This relief comes at a time when Indian exporters are facing higher US tariffs.

Indias services exports to Omancurrently just 5% of total tradeare also expected to grow.

Does the deal serve a bigger strategic goal?

Yes.

India has long sought a trade agreement with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrainbut negotiations have stalled.

With bilateral deals now in place with the UAE and Oman, momentum towards a broader GCC agreement has improved.

What about Indias other trade deals?

They remain a work in progress. After the US imposed punitive tariffs, the government has stepped up efforts to diversify export markets and reduce dependence on any single country.

Talks with the European Union, which had stalled earlier, have been revived. Last week, the Netherlands foreign minister said negotiations on the IndiaEU trade deal are in the final stages and could conclude soon. India is also in talks with New Zealand and Chile, while the IndiaUK trade agreement signed in May this year is expected to be operationalised shortly.

What is the status of India-US bilateral trade deal?

Negotiations continue, but a deal remains elusive. A recent visit by a US trade delegation did not yield a breakthrough, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump maintain regular contact.

The US wants India to import more energy and agricultural products. While India is open to increasing energy imports, opening up its farm sector remains a red line. Indian officials now expect an agreement only by March next year.
On 18 December, a parliamentary standing committee on rural development and panchayati raj flagged persistent violations of land acquisition laws in scheduled areas, despite the safeguards built into the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act).

Scheduled areasconstitutionally protected regions with a high concentration of tribal populationare meant to safeguard indigenous communities land, culture and livelihoods.

However, the committee, chaired by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka (Koraput, Odisha), found that land is frequently acquired in these areas without meaningful consent, adequate social impact assessments or proper rehabilitation.

Also Read | India takes the first step on land, women participation reforms

Mint explains why the committee has called for strict enforcement of the LARR Act and what it has recommended.

What does the right to fair compensation and transparency in land acquisition entail?

The LARR Act was enacted on 26 September 2013. It has provisions to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken away, bring transparency to the process of land acquisition for setting up factories, buildings, and infrastructure projects, and ensure rehabilitation of those affected.

Under the Act, land acquisition must be preceded by a social impact assessment (SIA) to evaluate the effects on livelihoods and communities. It mandates consent of affected families for private projects and publicprivate partnership projects. It provides enhanced compensation up to four times the market value in rural areas and twice in urban areas. It also includes provisions for rehabilitation and resettlement, such as housing, employment and annuities.

What were the observations of the committee?

A key concern, highlighted in the report, is the frequent bypassing of consent provisions.

Under the Act, acquiring land in scheduled areas requires prior, informed consent of the gram sabha. However, the panel noted that in several cases, projects have been approved without genuine consultations or with manipulated consent processes, thereby undermining local self-governance.

The panel also flagged large-scale acquisition for mining, industrial and infrastructure projects in these areas. Such projects often result in the displacement of tribal families, loss of forest access, environmental degradation and erosion of traditional livelihoods.

Inadequate social impact assessments further worsen the problem, as the long-term effects on tribal communities are not fully evaluated before clearances are granted. Another major issue identified is deficient rehabilitation and compensation.

The panel found that displaced families frequently face delays in compensation payments, a lack of alternative livelihood options and incomplete resettlement measures. This pushes already vulnerable tribal households into economic distress and deepens inequality.

Also Read | India maps rural land, eyes global rollout of drone mapping model

Where were violations observed?

The committee cited several regions where compliance was found wanting.

Lakshadweep: Authorities argued that enclosing or reclaiming foreshore reef flats, beaches, or lagoon edges does not amount to acquisition since the land is government-owned. The committee disagreed, noting that the act expressly protects livelihoods dependent on government and common land.

It recommended strict implementation of provisions of the act without dilution or procedural bypass, so that any project reclaiming government coastal or lagoon land first conducts a proper social impact assessment listing all livelihood users.

Great Nicobar: According to the committee, all people whose livelihoods depend on forests, coasts, creeks, reefs and commons must be treated as affected families," even where land is recorded as government or forest land.

Odisha: The commitee also highlighted cases where land has been acquired for mining and other activities.

Why does strict enforcement matter in scheduled areas?

According to the 2011 Census, Indias scheduled tribe population stands at about 10.45 crore, or 8.6% of the total population, spread across more than 700 distinct groups. These communities are concentrated in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and the Northeast, often in ecologically sensitive and remote regions.

There is a need for strict implementation of the Act in scheduled areas because these regions are predominantly inhabited by tribal communities whose livelihoods, culture and identity are closely linked to land.

Scheduled areas enjoy special protection under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution to prevent exploitation and alienation of tribal land. Strict enforcement of the LARR Act ensures transparent procedures, fair compensation, proper social impact assessments and effective rehabilitation.

It also helps reduce conflicts, protect constitutional safeguards and promote inclusive, rights-based development in scheduled areas.

Also Read | Why is the Centre aerially surveying land in urban areas?

What were the recommendations made by the committee?

The panel is of the view that development must be rights-based and inclusive, and not extractive or coercive. The committee recommended strict enforcement of land acquisition laws, especially in scheduled areas, to protect tribal rights and uphold constitutional safeguards.

The committee also called for mandatory and genuine gram sabha consent and cautioned against dilution or bypassing of community consultations. It recommended strengthening social impact assessments to properly assess displacement, livelihood loss and environmental consequences before project approvals.

The panel also urged governments to ensure timely and adequate compensation, along with effective rehabilitation and resettlement for affected families. It also recommended that the Ministry set up a central monitoring mechanism to assess the functionality of LARRAs, with particular focus on the speed of dispute resolution, enforcement of compensation, and rehabilitation.

Moreover, recognising the long-term economic vulnerability of farm families whose agricultural land is acquired, particularly for revenue-generating commercial or industrial projects, the committee recommended insertion of a new provision for establishing a mandatory community stake and profit-sharing mechanism.

Although the Act, 2013, provides strong legal safeguards for land acquisition in tribal and scheduled areas, its provisions are often ignored in practice, said Vijay Kuzur, a social activist and associated with the Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat program in Jharkhand, which aims to integrate tribal heritage into the nations cultural and governance framework.
A Chennai user received a special mention in Swiggy Instamart's 2025 consumer shopping habits report, thanks to their 1.06 lakh worth of condom orders throughout the year.

Yes, you read it right! The Chennai Instamart user bought only condoms worth over a lakh in the year. The quick-commerce application quipped it as a light-hearted testament to planning ahead.

In its annual How India Instamarted report, Swiggy revealed that a single account in Chennai placed 228 separate condom orders, totalling 1,06,398.

Swiggy's data showed that 1 in every 127 orders in Instamart included a condom, and the naughtiest month was September  condom purchases peaked in the 9th month of the year, surging by 24%.

Also Read | 200-year-old condom decorated with erotic art goes on display in Amsterdam

Another Chennai user became the Pet Parent of the Year on Instamart after ordering pet supplies worth 2.41 lakh in 2025.

Top spender of 2025 Swiggy Instamart's top spender of 2025 was a user from Kochi, Kerala, who spent over 22 lakh  adding everything to cart, from 22 iPhone 17s, 24K gold coins, a Philips air fryer, and even everyday items such as Tic Tacs, milk, eggs, ice cream, and fresh fruits.

Other big-ticket cart moments on Instamart include: A gadget enthusiast in Hyderabad spent  4.3 lakh on three iPhone 17s in a single tap.

4.3 lakh on three iPhone 17s in a single tap. A Noida techno-holic spent  2.69 lakh on Bluetooth speakers, SSDs, and robotic vacuums in a single swoop.

2.69 lakh on Bluetooth speakers, SSDs, and robotic vacuums in a single swoop. A Bengaluru user went into full festive mode this Diwali and bought a 1 kg silver brick worth  1,97,000 from Instamart. Swiggy Instamart's Everyday Heroes According to the 2025 trends, curry leaves, dahi, eggs, milk, and bananas were the real Kitchen MVPs, dominating repeat orders across India.

Swiggy also found a die-hard curry leaves lover, who, they said, placed 368 orders of curry leaves, practically one for every day of the year.

In 2025, India ordered more than 4 packets of milk per second, enough to fill over 26,000 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Swiggy.

Indian love for dairy was also highlighted in their ordering history  Paneer outsold cheese by more than half. And for every 10 cheese orders, about 9 went to butter and spreads.

Only masala-flavoured chips were able to satisfy the late-night binges in Indian. These chips claimed the #1 spot for late-night orders in 9 of the top 10 cities.

Also Read | Gen Z shoppers arent spending like retailers need them to

Instamart Cart Champions of 2025 According to the Swiggy report, some of Indias heaviest hitters came from these four cities, each with a power user who crossed the 1,000-order mark in 2025:
(Bloomberg) -- Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia will remain free at least through the end of the month after a federal judge sought more information on whether the US plans to detain or deport him again.

Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland, asked the Department of Justice for additional details and set a schedule through Dec. 30. Abrego Garcia appeared at the court in person, but not in custody, for the first time Monday morning as he seeks to remain free while fighting criminal charges and attempts to deport him.

Its clear that the government is willing to do whatever it takes to put this man back in a detention center, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, a lawyer for Abrego Garcia, said after the hearing.

Abrego Garcia became a key figure in the US crackdown on immigration after he filed a high-profile lawsuit in March challenging his accidental deportation to a notorious prison in El Salvador, part of a broader program of controversial mass deportations.

After being returned to the US, Abrego Garcia was hit with human-smuggling charges that he says are retaliation for filing that suit. He now argues that US officials are threatening to deport him again as payback for refusing to quickly plead guilty.

Xinis ordered Garcias release earlier this month citing a lack of legal grounds for his detention. She extended the order at Mondays hearing until she can determine the governments plans for the Salvadoran.

Attorneys for Abrego Garcia told the judge that upon his release earlier this month, he was handed an order of supervision, which would normally indicate that there was a final order of removal against him. Ernesto Molina, an attorney for the government, told Xinis that there was no final removal order, and that Abrego Garcia had been given the document in error.

Once again I am making a finding that these representations that are misrepresentations are in bad faith, Xinis said, warning the government to be careful what you write.

Dozens of supporters singing songs holding signs that said Justice for Kilmar and Stop kidnapping my neighbors! gathered outside the courthouse to greet Abrego Garcia as he arrived Monday afternoon amid heightened security.

Helen Kaiser, a volunteer with Bend The Arc: Jewish Action of Maryland, said Abrego Garcias detention was an injustice.

We are here to defend him, Kaiser said. We have to stand up in this case and cases like it all over the country.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
James Ransones death has prompted many to look back at a life and career marked by striking screen work and a rare openness about personal trauma.

When late actor James Ransone spoke about his childhood sexual abuse Long before his performances in The Wire or It Chapter Two reached a global audience, Ransone carried experiences that he would only speak about publicly much later in his life.

In 2021, Ransone disclosed that he was a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He made the revelation in a lengthy Instagram post addressed directly to his alleged abuser, a former tutor named Timothy Rualo. Ransone said the abuse took place repeatedly in 1992 at his familys home in Phoenix, Maryland, when he was 12 years old.

We did very little math, Ransone wrote. The strongest memory I have of the abuse was washing blood and feces out of my sheets after you left. I remember doing this as a 12 year old because I was too ashamed to tell anyone.

Also Read | Scarlett Johansson on defending Woody Allen amid sexual abuse allegations

In the same post, Ransone linked the trauma to years of addiction and self-destructive behaviour. He said the abuse fuelled a lifetime of shame and embarrassment and contributed to alcoholism and heroin use that dominated much of his early adulthood. According to reporting by The Baltimore Sun, Ransone told police in Baltimore County about the allegations in March 2020, but prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.

Ransone had previously spoken about addiction and recovery in interviews, most notably in a 2016 profile with Interview Magazine. In that conversation, he reflected candidly on getting sober at the age of 27, after years of heroin use, and addressed misconceptions about his turning point.

People think I got sober working on the Generation Kill. I didnt, he said. I sobered up six or seven months before that I remember going to Africa and I was going to be there for almost a year. I was number two on the call sheet and I was like, I think somebody made a mistake. This is too much responsibility for me.

James Ransone's famous projects Those struggles and recoveries ran parallel to a career that earned him lasting recognition. Born in Baltimore, Ransone became widely known for playing Chester Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of HBOs The Wire, a role that captured the volatility and vulnerability of a young man lost within the citys dockside underworld. The performance remains one of the series most talked-about character arcs.

He later reunited with HBO on the Iraq War miniseries Generation Kill, where he played Corporal Josh Ray Person, and appeared in other notable television projects including Treme and Bosch.

On film, Ransone built a reputation as a compelling character actor, with roles in Sinister, Sinister 2, Tangerine and The Black Phone. He reached a mainstream audience in 2019 as the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two, part of the ensemble confronting childhood fears in Stephen Kings horror epic.

Across genres, Ransone was known for bringing intensity and emotional honesty to his characters, often drawing on lived experience to deepen his performances. His willingness to speak publicly about abuse and addiction added another dimension to his legacy, offering insight into the resilience behind the work audiences saw on screen.
The Trump administration has decided to offer undocumented migrants $3,000 along with government-paid travel if they choose to leave the United States voluntarily before the end of the year, according to Bloomberg. The move is part of a broader push to accelerate deportations while reducing enforcement expenses. The move marks a significant increase from the $1,000 payment introduced in May.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, migrants who opt to self-deport through the CBP Home app will have their travel organised and funded by the government and will also be eligible for waivers on any civil fines or penalties linked to overstaying.

The announcement forms part of a holiday-season drive to hasten removals. In a message posted on the departments X account, officials cautioned undocumented residents that they would be GOING HO HO HOME.

What did Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem say? In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they dont, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return."

According to Noem, about 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the US since January 2025, with tens of thousands doing so through the CBP Home app, though these figures could not be independently confirmed. The app was originally developed under the Biden administration to allow migrants to schedule asylum interviews, but it was later rebranded and repurposed by Trumps team.

Officials have described the programme as a more cost-effective alternative to arrests and forced removals, arguing that even with the higher incentive payments, it reduces overall government spending. Authorities estimate that arresting, detaining and deporting a migrant costs roughly $17,000 per person.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions about how the increased stipend affects that cost calculation.

Immigration lawyers and activists have questioned the Trump administrations assertion that migrants who depart voluntarily could later return legally. A previous report by Bloomberg noted that many undocumented migrants are subject to automatic re-entry bans lasting several years, and waivers for such restrictions are rarely approved.

The decision to raise the stipend comes as the administration has fallen short of its initial goal of carrying out 1 million forced deportations. Since taking office, over 261,000 people have been deported, according to data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the report noted. Over the same period, ICE has arrested upwards of 285,000 foreign nationals accused of being in the country unlawfully or otherwise subject to removal.

At the same time, officials have moved to tighten legal immigration channels. The administration announced plans to re-examine all refugee cases approved under former President Joe Biden, suspend their green card applications, and treat a countrys inclusion on the presidents sweeping travel ban among significant negative factors".

It has also broadened that travel ban, which initially applied to citizens of 19 countries, to include nationals from over 30 countries.
By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON, - The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior career diplomats to ensure embassies reflect its America First priorities, a move critics said would weaken U.S. credibility abroad.

The State Department declined to provide a list of the diplomats being recalled. A senior department official said on Monday the move was "a standard process in any administration" but critics said that was not so.

"An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the presidents right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Nearly 30 senior diplomats were among those ordered back to Washington, people familiar with the matter said.

They were posted to smaller countries where the top U.S. representative has traditionally been from the Foreign Service, which is made up of career officials not aligned with a political party, the people said.

The recalled diplomats were encouraged to find new roles in the State Department, a second U.S. official said.

The American Foreign Service Association representing foreign service officers said it was working to confirm which members were recalled after some reported being notified by phone with no explanation - a process its spokesperson called "highly irregular."

"Abrupt, unexplained recalls reflect the same pattern of institutional sabotage and politicization our survey data shows is already harming morale, effectiveness, and U.S. credibility abroad," spokesperson Nikki Gamer said in an email.

The State Department declined to respond to Gamer's comments.

Trump has sought to place loyalists in senior roles since starting his second term after encountering resistance during his first term advancing his foreign policy priorities within the U.S. national security establishment.

Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, assailed the Republican administration's removal of the diplomats while about 80 ambassadorial posts remain vacant.

"President Trump is giving away U.S. leadership to China and Russia by removing qualified career Ambassadors who serve faithfully no matter who's in power," Shaheen posted on X. "This makes America less safe, less strong and less prosperous."
The US Coast Guard is reportedly pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, in what would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than two weeks, if successful.

"The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned 'dark fleet' vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion," a US official told Reuters on Sunday. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

Also Read | US oil blockade of Venezuela pushes Cuba toward collapse

Another official was quoted as saying that the tanker was under sanctions, but added that it had not been boarded so far and that interceptions can take different forms - including by sailing or flying close to vessels of concern.

Official sources did not give Reuters a specific location for the operation or name the vessel being pursued.

Bella 1 British maritime risk management group Vanguard, along with a US maritime security source, identified the vessel as Bella 1, a very large crude oil carrier that was added to the US Treasury Department's sanctions list last year, which said the vessel has links to Iran.

Also Read | Sanctioned Ship Hyperion May Test Trumps Venezuela Blockade

Bella 1 was empty when it was approaching Venezuela on Sunday, according to TankerTrackers.com.

In 2021, the vessel provided transportation for Venezuela's oil to China, according to internal documents from state-run oil company PDVSA. It had also previously carried Iranian crude, according to the vessel monitoring service.

Trump's pressure campaign The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. US President Donald Trump announced last week a "blockade" of all oil tankers under sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela.

Trump's pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has included a ramped-up military presence in the region and more than two dozen military strikes on vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near the South American nation. At least 100 people have been killed in the attacks.

The Skipper, a very large crude carrier and the first Venezuela-related vessel seized by the US on 10 December, reached the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) near Houston on Sunday. Very large crude carriers cannot transit the Houston Ship Channel, as the waterway is not deep enough, and typically transfer the oil on board to smaller tankers at GOLA.

The first two oil tankers seized were operating on the black market and providing oil to countries under sanctions, Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, said in a television interview on Sunday.

"And so I don't think that people need to be worried here in the U.S. that the prices are going to go up because of these seizures of these ships," Hassett said on CBS's Face the Nation programme. There's just a couple of them, and they were black market ships.

But analysts said the new seizures may push oil prices slightly higher when Asian trading resumes on Monday.

"We might see prices increasing modestly at the opening, considering market participants could see this as an escalation with more Venezuelan barrels at risk" because the tanker intercepted on Saturday was not under US sanctions, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday that the country's oil trade will continue. But the new US focus on oil tankers will raise geopolitical risks and probably hurt Venezuela's oil revenue, analysts said.

The effects could be felt quickly as Venezuela's export volumes fall significantly and oil storage tanks fill up faster, forcing the OPEC producer to cut output, said Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin America Energy Program at Rice University's Baker Institute.
US Vice President JD Vance has defended the Trump administration's decision to impose stricter rules on the H-1B visa programme, stating that the measure represents what he described as a true Christian politics that prioritises American workers and their dignity in economic policy.

While addressing the annual Turning Point USA convention, Vance argued that Christian principles should guide the governments overall approach to economic and labour policy, rather than being confined solely to social issues.

A true Christian politics, it cannot just be about the protection of the unborn or the promotion of the family, as important as those things absolutely are. It must be at the heart of our full understanding of government," Vance stated, according to News18.

Framing immigration and employment policy as a moral concern, Vance argued that the administrations approach reflects a belief in the dignity of labour. He questioned why companies that relocate jobs overseas are penalised, explaining that such measures stem from the view that meaningful work and the people who do it deserve respect and protection within the country.

He said the same line of thinking also shaped the administrations stance on skilled worker visas. Vance explained that limits on programmes such as H-1B visas were imposed without congressional involvement because the administration viewed it as unethical for companies to sidestep American workers in favour of lower-cost labour abroad.

Foreign affairs expert reacts Meanwhile, foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev noted that a significant number of Trumps decisions are being contested in the Supreme Court, as per ANI. He said that around 20 US states have contested the steep increase in the H-1B visa fee, highlighting a broader pattern in which many of Trumps policy moves have been challenged in court. However, he added that despite these challenges, a considerable number of those decisions have ultimately been upheld by the judiciary.

He added, That is one. Secondly, the states that have challenged Trump on this H-1 B visa fee are all Democratic. So obviously, they are in opposition to the Republican Party, which is Trump's party. They would certainly seek to oppose Trump's policies. But yes, fundamentally speaking, the fee that Trump has imposed of $100,000 for a H1B visa for the first time is definitely very, very steep and forget the states, H1B visa being protested by 20 states, including California.
A Russian general, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, was reportedly killed by a car bomb in southern Moscow on Monday. Russian investigators told Reuters that they suspected Ukrainian special services could have been behind the attack.

According to the report, the bomb exploded under the Kia Sorento driven by Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff's army operational training directorate, as he left a parking space at 06:55 Moscow time (0355 GMT).

Also Read | Gujarat man fighting for Russia captured in Ukraine, sends SOS video

View full Image In this handout photo released by the Russian Investigative Committee on December 22, 2025, an investigator works at the car bomb site in southern Moscow. Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the training department within the General Staff, was killed in Moscow on December 22, 2025 after an explosive device placed under his car went off, investigators said in a statement. (Photo by Handout / RUSSIAN INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Russian Investigative Committee" - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ( AFP )

Russia's State Investigative Committee said that Sarvarov died as a result of his injuries.

The investigators published a video showing the wrecked car, with blood visible on the driver's seat.

The committee said that one of the versions being investigated is that the bomb was planted by Ukrainian special services. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Amid ongoing unrest in Bangladesh following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a National Citizen Party (NCP) leader was shot on Monday in Khulna city.

Unknown gunmen opened fire on Motaleb Shikder, the NCP's Khulna divisional chief and a central organiser of NCP Sramik Shakti, according to a report by NewAge. The report stated that Khulna Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner for Crime Mohammad Rashidul Islam Khan said that Motaleb suffered a bullet injury to his ear after unidentified gunmen opened fire at him, allegedly aiming for his head.

The incident took place at a house in Khulna citys Sonadanga area, police said, according to reports.

The attack comes in the wake of nationwide violence triggered by the death of Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group at Dhaka University.

Here's what police said Miscreants opened fire targeting his head around 11:45 AM, and he was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition, the Daily Star reported, citing the officer-in-charge (investigation) of Sonadanga Model Police Station, Animesh Mondol.

The officer said Motaleb was out of danger, explaining that the bullet entered through one side of his ear, grazed the skin, and exited from the other side.

The National Citizen Party was formed by Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee after the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Established on 28 February this year, it is Bangladeshs first student-led political party.

Osman Hadi's murder The incident comes on the heels of the murder of Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led protests last year that led to the ouster of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. Hadi was a candidate in the scheduled 12 February general elections.

The 32-year-old Inqilab Mancha spokesperson was shot in the head on 12 December by masked gunmen at an election campaign in central Dhakas Bijoynagar area. He died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on Thursday.

His death triggered attacks and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-hurling at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence in Chattogram on Thursday.

View full Image A half-burnt book lies at the vandalised office of the Chhayanaut in Dhaka on 19 December 2025, amid protests following the news of the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. (Photo by Abdul Goni / AFP) ( AFP )

View full Image United Hindu Front members protest against the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, in New Delhi on Sunday. (United Hindu Front/ANI Video Grab) ( United Hindu Front )

Following the violence after the death of Hadi, a 25-year-old Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was killed by a mob on Thursday night in Mymensingh city. He was employed as a worker at Pioneer Knit Composite Factory, a garment factory in the Square Masterbari area of Dhaka, as per reports.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said about 20-25 youths gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday, raised slogans protesting the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das.

There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time, the ministry said, adding the police dispersed the group after a few minutes.

The protesters also called for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh, the MEA said.

However, on Sunday, Bangladesh rejected India's remarks regarding a demonstration outside its high commission in New Delhi, questioning how protesters were able to approach so closely within the secured diplomatic enclave.

View full Image An employee arranges the vandalised office of the Chhayanaut in Dhaka on 19 December 2025, amid protests following the news of the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Several buildings in the capital, including those housing the country's two leading newspapers, were set on fire, according to authorities, with staff trapped inside. (Photo by Abdul Goni / AFP) ( AFP )

Meanwhile, two more persons were arrested on Sunday in connection with Das' lynching. With the latest arrests, 12 people have been held for their alleged involvement in the murder, The Daily Star newspaper reported, quoting police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sources.

Earlier on 17 December, the MEA summoned Bangladesh envoy Riaz Hamidullah and conveyed its strong concern over certain extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
The post-neoliberal consensus is here, but dont look for it in US President Donald Trumps policies. After a decade of backlash, it is time to accept not only that neoliberalism is dead, but also that a new consensus is taking its place.

Remarkably, significant segments of the left and the right in America have come to agree on the broad outlines of economic policy. Discussions in universities and think-tanks are driven today by a common understanding that departs significantly from the neoliberal orthodoxy of the last 50 years.

The first element of the new consensus is a recognition that the concentration of economic power has become excessive. The concern is expressed in different forms by different groups.

Some complain directly about inequality in income and wealth and its corrosive effects on politics. Others worry about market power and the adverse implications for competition. For yet others, the key problem is financialization and the distortion of economic and social priorities that it produces.

The remedies on offer also vary, from wealth taxes to vigorous antitrust enforcement to campaign-finance reform. But the desire to curb the economic and political power of corporate, tech and financial elites is widespread, uniting progressive supporters of US Senator Bernie Sanders with populists like the podcast host and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.

The second element of the new consensus is the importance of restoring dignity to people and regions that neoliberalism left behind. Good jobs are essential to this agenda. Jobs are not just a means of providing income. They are also a source of identity and social recognition. Good jobs are what underpin a robust middle class, which is the foundation of social cohesion and a sustainable democracy.

Also Read | Dani Rodrik: The world has suddenly fallen short of role models for democracy

Dislocation is inevitable in a world of economic change. Until the 1990s, plenty of safeguardsjob protections, trade restrictions, price controls and regulations that kept finance in checklimited the impact on workers and communities. For neoliberals, these safeguards were inefficiencies that had to be removed. They overlooked the economic and social distress that job losses arising from technological change, globalization or economic liberalization would produce.

The third component of the emerging consensus is that government has an active role to play in shaping the economic transformation that is needed. Markets on their own cannot be trusted to produce economic resilience, national security, innovation for advanced technologies, clean energy or good jobs in distressed regions. Government must prod, twist arms and subsidize. Industrial policy has moved from the disreputable fringe of economic discussion to its very centre.

Taken together, these three tenets provide a new understanding of the goals and instruments of economic policy that is both novel and, on the whole, laudable. But the devil is always in the details. Actual outcomes will be determined by specific policies that are chosen and implemented.

Also Read | Trumps second presidency signals the end of the Washington Consensus

Consider the good-jobs objective. Here the left and the right seem to have reached a consensus on the desirability of reshoring and reinvigorating manufacturing.

Historically, the industrial labour force played a pivotal role in producing equitable, middle-class societies. But automation and other technological forces have turned manufacturing into a labour-shedding sector. Even China has been losing manufacturing employment by the millions in recent years. So, even if manufacturing investment and output is revived in the US and Europe, the impact on employment is likely to be minuscule.

Whether we like it or not, the future of employment lies in servicescare, retail, hospitality, logistics, the gig economy and so on. Any approach to good jobs that does not focus on organizational and technological innovations in these services will necessarily disappoint.

There are of course other important reasons for supporting manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing, along with the digital economy, plays an outsize role in innovation and national security. It makes sense to deploy industrial policies that focus on these economic activities, in addition to policies that focus on labour-absorbing services. But here, too, the how matters as much as the what.

Also Read | Asset crystal ball: What global stock market dynamics portend for 2026

Caveats apply to industrial policies as well. These can go badly wrong when they foster corruption or serve narrow corporate interests. Unfortunately, Trumps approach provides little comfort on this score. The US presidents trade policies and dealings with tech companies have been erratic, transactional and devoid of a coherent long-term strategy that would serve the public interest.

The post-neoliberal tenets of economic policy provide us with a broad checklist for evaluating actual agendasand Trumps fails miserably. It pays lip service to good jobs and industrial policy in the service of economic transformation, while fostering greater concentration of wealth and power. A model of crony state capitalism that tries to resuscitate a long-dead industrial economy is hardly an antidote to neoliberalism.

The best that can be said of Trumps approach to the economy is that it is an experimental phase in the post-neoliberal transition. The good news is that future policymakers will not have to look far for new guiding principles. The new consensus is already here. 2025/Project Syndicate

The author is a professor of international political economy at Harvard Kennedy School, and the author of Straight Talk on Trade: Ideas for a Sane World Economy.
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Technology for India (Shanti) Act of 2025 is a watershed moment in making nuclear power part of our decarbonization strategy. It paves the way to achieve a target of 100GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047 by removing hurdles that constrained investment and kept the sector technologically insular.

How much the move helps will depend on how well the Act is implemented, from framing and enforcing effective rules through capable and empowered institutions to the balance achieved between the sectors growth and concerns of safety and environmental protection.

The Act heralds three transformative shifts. First, it opens the door for private sector participation in nuclear power generation, equipment manufacturing and fuel-cycle services. Second, it attempts to rationalize Indias nuclear liability regime that deterred foreign suppliers and investors. Third, it makes space for advanced nuclear technologies, such as modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation reactors.

So far, nuclear power has been the preserve of public sector entities like Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Rooted in national security considerations, this policy constrained Indias access to capital and innovation. Now private players would be able to forge partnerships, form joint ventures and play manufacturing roles, while the state retains control over sensitive aspects of the fuel cycle.

This calibrated liberalization acknowledges that public finance alone cannot support the scale of nuclear capacity required for a low-carbon economy. From a private investors perspective, this legislative change is welcome but not sufficient.

Nuclear projects are capital-intensive with long gestation periods. Their viability depends on predictable tariffs, long-term power purchase agreements and the assurance of contract enforcement. Subordinate legislation on pricing mechanisms, offtake guarantees and dispute resolution would help attract private investment. An important concern would be how robust the tariff determination mechanism is.

A politically sensitive aim was to undo the disproportionate and open-ended deterrence introduced by the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, which allowed plant operators to sue suppliers over mishaps. The new law seeks to rationalize supplier exposure with the objective of aligning Indias liability regime more closely with global practices while preserving safeguards and the rights of victims.

This is a delicate balancing act, as perceptions of diluted accountability could provoke public resistance. The government needs to communicate clearly how the revised framework would hold operators accountable and how it is designed to protect citizens and ensure prompt compensation through insurance pools and other mechanisms.

The Act recognizes technologies like SMRs, which promise lower upfront costs, enhanced safety features and flexible deployment. Prospects of SMR deployment near load centres (like industrial clusters) open up exciting possibilities for integrating nuclear power with our industrial decarbonization agenda. Indigenous technology efforts must be kept up too.

SMR optimism must be tempered by the fact that these reactors are still new. Regulatory capacity, supply chains and human resource skills will need strengthening for SMR deployment.

Our nuclear regulatory framework was designed for large reactors operated by a single public entity. A future involving multiple reactor designs and private operators will require us to not just empower the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), but ensure its autonomy. It must have the resources it needs to oversee a far more complex and diversified nuclear ecosystem.

Without strengthening the AERB, the whole mission to multiply our nuclear generation capacity could come apart.

Also Read | Going nuclear will be the only way to keep the lights on as AI guzzles ever more

From a climate policy perspective, nuclear energy offers low-carbon power that can complement intermittent renewables and strengthen grid stability. The Act takes Indias net-zero goal into view, but nuclear energy would benefit from clearer integration with broader power sector reforms. For nuclear reactors to be treated as climate infrastructure, they must fit clearly into climate finance frameworks, so that projects can compete for patient capital and green funding.

Finally, we cannot overlook the social dimension of nuclear energy. Many projects in India have faced resistance on account of perceived opacity.

International experience suggests that early community engagement, safety disclosures and benefit sharing are essential for popular acceptance. These principles should inform regulation. Perhaps an office of public advocacy could disseminate information, address apprehensions and take up credible concerns with policymakers and regulators. This would go a long way in enlisting public support for nuclear projects.

The Acts success in making nuclear power integral to Indias clean-energy transition will depend on investment and innovation. But executionregulatory certainty, contractual clarity and institutional capacitywill be key. It can prove transformative if whats on paper unfolds well on the ground.

The authors are partners, JSA Advocates & Solicitors.
Indias economy was under $1 trillion when its rural job-guarantee scheme was launched in 2006. Now its four times that size. By turning the Indian state into an employer of last resort, it created a useful safety net. Now its in for a relaunch, renamed and rejigged.

While free foodgrain counts as poverty relief too, this open job offer was designed to put money in folks hands by letting anyone earn a daily wage on demandwith an annual limit of 100 days. The revised version will raise this to 125, but it should ideally have no cap at allfor the sake of universality, its big conceptual plus point.

This is also why farming-season suspensions of 60 days need a rethink. Employers of farm labour competing with a centrally funded job assurer had set an effective year-round floor for wages. Why risk losing that gain by making space for our labour code on minimum pay to be defied?

As for the schemes funding, diffused burden sharing with states might weaken its all-India promise of a job for the asking if state funds run out or turn patchy. The governments reworked safety net has its strengths, no doubt, but as GDP amps up, so must our debate on welfare for Viksit Bharat. A consensus should be the aim.
(Bloomberg) -- Chicagos City Council passed a roughly $16 billion budget for 2026  less than two weeks before the deadline  without certainty about whether Mayor Brandon Johnson will sign or veto the plan.

The council on Saturday held votes on appropriations and management ordinances needed to approve a spending plan that would close an almost $1.2 billion deficit in the main operating account, known as the corporate fund, for the third-largest US city.

The votes capped a contentious budget process between the Johnson administration and a bloc of aldermen who disagreed with his budget proposal, including a so-called head tax that would charge larger employers a monthly fee for each worker. The revenue ordinance passed by the city council excluded the head tax.

On Friday, the council approved a revenue ordinance authorizing higher taxes on cloud computing and shopping bags as well as greater debt collections to fund the citys annual spending plan. The package developed by aldermen also calls for a higher supplemental pension payment than the mayors proposal.

Johnson said Friday he hadnt decided whether hell sign the budget given his concerns about selling a portion of debt collections and overall revenue assumptions.

While Johnsons proposed budget had included greater debt collections from internal efforts, the mayor is concerned that selling debt to an outside entity could lead to aggressive collection practices against poor residents. He and his team also have expressed concerns that revenue assumptions in the proposal from the aldermen may be too optimistic and could lead to midyear cuts.

The city needs to enact a budget by year-end to avoid a local government shutdown. Johnson reiterated his concerns about the alternate budget proposal during the city council meeting on Saturday but didnt indicate if he plans to sign or veto it.

Chicagos city council today passed its most fiercely contested budget in years. The process marked a sea change in Chicagos legislative norms, the Better Government Association, a watchdog, said in a statement on Saturday. It remains to be seen whether the mayor will veto the councils counterproposal, but this has been a far cry from many years in which mayors proposals sailed through on nearly uncontested votes.

Aldermen and the Johnson administration have been negotiating for weeks after the finance committee rejected Johnsons revenue proposals last month.

The first-term progressive Democratic mayor is facing tough choices. Johnson has long championed the need for the citys wealthiest to pay a greater share of Chicagos tax revenues to ease the burden on poor and minority residents.

Other concerns include Chicagos borrowing costs and a rating trajectory that has turned negative, a reversal after an upswing in recent years that helped Chicago shed its one junk rating from Moodys Ratings in late 2022.

We wanted to pass a budget that better addresses concerns raised by credit rating providers to help avoid a downgrade, Alderperson Samantha Nugent said in a statement after the votes. The question now is, will the mayor veto this budget and bring this city to the brink of a shutdown?

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump discussed Ukraine and Gaza during a pre-Christmas phone call on Sunday, according to a statement released by Downing Street in London.

Starmer also updated Trump on the choice of a new British ambassador to Washington after Peter Mandelson was fired in September over his relationship with the late disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The appointment of career diplomat Christian Turner would further deepen the relationship between the two countries, Starmer told Trump, according to the readout of the call.

Turner will take over from James Roscoe, who has filled the role on an interim basis. His almost 30 years of government service involves previous experience in Washington. He was first secretary in the embassy from 2002 to 2006 under ambassadors Christopher Meyer and David Manning in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US when George W. Bush was president.

Starmers efforts to keep Trump close are being tested by tariffs on British steel, a stalled agreement on technology cooperation and Trumps decision to sue the British Broadcasting Corp. for at least $10 billion over a misleading edit in a documentary last year. The BBC has apologized but says it plans to fight the case.

Starmer and Trump began their call Sunday by reflecting on the war in Ukraine, according to the Downing Street readout.

Starmer updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities, a spokeswoman said. Turning to the Middle East, the leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza.

The leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas and looked forward to speaking again soon.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
West Bengals ruling party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) received 184.96 crore from 448 donors as political donations in 2024-25, according to the partys contribution reports shared with the Election Commission of India.

This amount is about three-fold more than 64.24 crore that Mamata Banerjee-led party had received as funds in 2023-24.

The TMCs political funding after the 2021 assembly victory was heavily driven by electoral bond donations, which surged year-on-year  especially in 2022 and 2023.

The electoral bonds, the anonymous donations, were however scrapped in February 2024. Since, then the funding has been primarily through electoral trusts.

View full Image The TMCs political funding after the 2021 assembly victory was heavily driven by electoral bond donations, which surged year-on-year  especially in 2022 and 2023.

An electoral trust is a non-profit entity set up by multiple companies to collect and distribute political donations to registered political parties in India  with full donor disclosure, unlike electoral bonds.

 528 Crore in 2021-22 In 2021-22, the TMC received 528 Crore as funding, 96 per cent of this from Electoral Bonds. In 2022-23, the TMC got 325 Crore worth political funding, mostly through Electoral Bonds.

Assembly Elections 2021 were held in West Bengal in eight phases from 27 March to 29 April 2021. The incumbent Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee won the election by a landslide

The TMC incurred 154.282 crore expenditure out of which it spent 27.009 crore on publicity and 33.02 towards travel expenses, according to election watchdog, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The elections are scheduled in West Bengal in March-April. The funding for 2025-26 will be released next year before elections.

Top TMC donors The partys top donors include Delhi and Mumbai-based electoral trusts, a lottery distributor in Bengal, and companies with manufacturing units in the state.

Prudent Electoral Trust contributed 92 crore to the TMC, followed by Tiger Associates at 50 crore.

Progressive Electoral Trust, whose main contributors are Tata Group companies, gave 10 crore to the party.

Also Read | Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir announces plans to float new political party

Among the other companies that donated significant sums to the TMC are: stainless steel manufacturer and exporter Shyam Ferro Alloys Ltd, which contributed 3 crore; 3 crore from Kolkata-based trading and mining company Kejriwal Mining; 2 crore from iron and steel manufacturer Super Smelters that runs a captive power plant at the Jamuria Industrial Estate in Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district.

The highest individual donor was Kishan Gopal Mohta, a finance professional who contributed 3 crore to the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

Political Funding All registered political parties in India are required to submit annual audit and contribution reports to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

This is a mandatory financial compliance requirement aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in political funding, as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Income Tax Act, 1961.

As per the provisions in Indian tax laws, individuals and companies can receive a 100 per cent tax rebate (deduction) on eligible political donations under Section 80GGB of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This deduction reduces the company's total taxable income.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 6,088 crore as political donations in 2024-25, the details available on Election Commission website have revealed.

The contribution that the ruling party has received in 2024-25, the year of Lok Sabha elections, is way more than 3,967 crore it received in 2023-24, according to the contribution reports submitted by political parties with the Election Commission of India.

The BJPs contribution is about 12 times the collection of the Congress party, which received 522 crore in the same year. The Congress had received 1,130 crore as political funding in 2023-24.

Top 10 donors of BJP in 2024-25 Donor  in Crores Prudent electoral trust 2180.7 Progressive electoral trust 757.6 AB General electoral trust 606 New Democratic electoral trust 150 Serum Institute of India 100 Rungta group 95 Bajaj group 74 ITC group 72.5 Hero Enterprise 70 Vedanta group 65 (Source: Election Commission of India)

The political funding received by political parties in 2024-25 is significant as this was the first full year after the Electoral Bond scheme of political funding allowing anonymous donations was scrapped by Supreme Court of India in February 2024.

Electoral Trust is set up by multiple companies to distribute the contributions to the political parties.

View full Image Thirteen of the 19 electoral trusts have submitted the reports so far with the poll panel for the year 2024-25. An electoral trust is mandated to distribute at least 95% of contributions to parties it received in a fiscal.

Thirteen of the 19 electoral trusts have submitted the reports so far with the poll panel for the year 2024-25. An electoral trust is mandated to distribute at least 95% of contributions to parties it received in a fiscal.

The contribution reports available on the poll panels website are about the funds political parties received from donors who gave away more than 20,000, as well as contribution reports by the Prudent electoral trust about the donations they made to political parties.

As per these reports, the BJP received 85 per cent of overall political funding from these trusts in 2024-25. A year before the Lok Sabha election year, the saffron party had cornered 56 per cent of overall funding.

View full Image As per the provisions in Indian tax laws, individuals and companies can receive a 100 per cent tax rebate (deduction) on eligible political donations under Section 80GGB of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This deduction reduces the company's total taxable income.

The reports mentions donations received between 1 April 2024 to 31, March 2025. Lok Sabha elections 2024 were held between 19 April and 1 June in 2024.

Top 10 donors of Congress in 2024-25 Donor  in Crores Prudent electoral trust 216.3 Progressive electoral trust 77.3 Century Plywoods (India) Limited 26.0 ITC Limited 15.5 AB General electoral trust 15 Kotak group 10 Hindustan Zinc Limited 10 The Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited 9.5 Rajeev Gowda 4,2 Derive Investments 4 (Source: Election Commission of India)

Before 2024, electoral bonds accounted for the bulk of political funding received by parties. Since the scheme was scrapped by the Supreme Court in February 2024, the political funding reported in 2024-25 is mostly through electoral trusts.

Prudent Trust donated  2,181 cr Prudent Electoral Trust had made the most of the political funding, the report said. The trust donated 2,181 crore to the BJP, and 216 crore to the Congress. Among the companies, the largest contribution to Prudent came from Elevated Avenue Realty LLP, a firm linked to Larsen & Toubro, an engineering and technology conglomerate, amounting to 500 crore.

The BJP received 85 percent of overall political funding from electoral trusts in 2024-25.

Progressive Electoral Trust is the second biggest political funder. The trust has donated 757.6 crore to the BJP and 77.3 crore to the Congress.

AB General Trust, which donated 606 crore to the BJP and 15 crore to the Congress, is third largest contributor of political funding among electoral trusts.

Political Funding All registered political parties in India are required to submit annual audit and contribution reports to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

This is a mandatory financial compliance requirement aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in political funding, as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Also Read | BJP got record 1,685 cr via Electoral Bonds in FY24 amid dip in donation share
Humayun Kabir  the suspended Trinamool Congress MLA announced his plans to launch a new political party on Monday. The Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) flag - which Kabir he said will soon "fly across Bengal" - would be unveiled later in the day.

Kabir kicked up a storm ahead of next years West Bengal election after his 'Babri Masjid-style' mosque in Murshidabad district led to a 'temple vs mosque' row.

Kabir also said his preferred choices for the JUP's symbol are a table and twin roses. Posters have come up in Beldanga announcing that Kabir will announce a new party at Khagrupara More at Beldanga on 22 December. Kabir said that his party would provide a platform to the marginalised people of the state.

Earlier, before announcing the name of his party, the MLA had said that he was willing to ally with the CPI(M), the Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF).

I am inviting those who are against Mamata Banerjee and the BJP to join hands. I am ready to share seats. But if someone thinks he is bigger than everyone, then I will fight alone. If necessary, I will contest all the seats in West Bengal, Kabir said on Sunday.

Kabir was suspended by the Trinamool Congress on December 4, and on December 11, he laid the foundation stone for Babri Masjid.

He had earlier asserted that he would emerge as a "kingmaker" after the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, claiming that no government could be formed without the support of his political outfit.

Kabir said his estimate suggested that no party would cross the 148-seat mark in the 294-member assembly.

"I will be kingmaker after the elections. No one can form a government without my support," Kabir told reporters on Tuesday.

"I have said that I will contest in 135 seats. You will see that the party I form will win so many seats that whoever goes to take oath as the chief minister will need the support of my party's MLAs," he said.

The TMC, last week, suspended him for repeatedly defying party discipline and making provocative statements linked to the project.

Earlier, Kabir had indicated that he would resign as an MLA following the suspension, but on Monday made a sharp U-turn, stating that he would not quit the assembly.

Despite choosing to remain a legislator, Kabir reiterated that he would go ahead with his plans to float a new political outfit later this month and explore electoral alliances.

"I have not yet spoken to the Congress. CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim has taken responsibility for talks with them. There is a strong possibility of seat-sharing with the Congress and the Left in Murshidabad for the next assembly polls," he claimed.

(With agency inputs)
Tatjana Vesiolko, a woman from Lithuania, has spent almost 11 months in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in the United States. And, this is her love story.

Under the Donald Trump administration, immigration detention has reached record levels. More than 65,000 people are held in long-term detention, a practice that is becoming increasingly common.

Also Read | Trump set to expand immigration crackdown in 2026 despite brewing backlash

Her 43-year-old American fiance, Al Dallasta, says he still does not know why she is being held for so long. Tatjana, known as Tia to friends, was detained soon after Trump became US president and introduced strict immigration orders.

Her case is unusual because she has been kept far longer than most detainees. Dallasta says she is struggling mentally and physically.

The 38-year-old is desperate to be released before Christmas. The Lithuanian woman now wonders if her case is a mistake or if officials have lost her file.

Tia entered the US in 2009 on a visa waiver and stayed without permission. However, she has no criminal record, holds a valid passport and comes from a country that accepts deported nationals.

Normally, such cases face no major obstacles. But, the Department of Homeland Security said her removal was delayed because she might be part of a class-action lawsuit. She was, nevertheless, never informed or given a chance to opt out.

Experts say her long detention may reflect ICE operating under heavy pressure during strict enforcement.

There is no question that ICE and its partners have been making more arrests than can be efficiently processed for removal. It sounds like a case of someone who slipped through the cracks, Jessica Vaughan, director of policy for the Center for Immigration Studies, told USA Today.

Tia-Dallasta love story Dallasta met her through Facebook in 2024, shortly after his divorce. After exchanging messages, they met the same night and soon became inseparable.

Six months later, while returning from their first vacation in Puerto Rico, Tia was detained at the San Juan airport on Valentines Day. Agents told Dallasta she would be deported.

Dallasta believed she would return to Lithuania within days. But, that did not happen. He went home alone and broke down after reading the Valentines card she had left for him.

There are so many paths life can take. The fact that you and I found each other in a whole world of people is not a coincidence, USA Today quoted Tia as writing on the card.

The long detention has taken a heavy toll on both of them. Tia is struggling emotionally as she gets very limited time outdoors.
Tributes have poured in following the death of Muriel Abbott, Springfield House, Mohill, Co Leitrim on Saturday December 20, suddenly but peacefully at her home.

One message of condolence read: "Muriel was a lady, a very friendly person and I enjoyed meeting her and having a chat.

Over the years her commitment and dedication to St Marys Church, Mohill was remarkable. She was always there to work at & support any occasion in the church and carried it all out with perfection. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her."

Another message read; "Our deepest sympathy to Muriels family and her work colleagues in SuperValu on the sad passing of Muriel. I had the pleasure of knowing her a long time, she was so friendly and obliging. SuperValu will never be the same again."

Muriel was beloved youngest daughter of the late John and Rita. Dearly loved sister of Joan (Regan), Vera (Fleming), Aideen (Huston) and brother Ivan.

Also read: RIP: Longford community mourns death of diligent and highly regarded Detective Sergeant

Muriel will be missed by her much loved nieces and nephews - Emma, Robin, Rebecca, Jennifer, Richard, Hazel and Louise, her brothers-in-law - Noel, William and Ivan, her adored grandnieces and grandnephews, her cousins, and many friends and work colleagues in SuperValu, Longford.

Muriel will repose in St Mary's Parish Church, Mohill on Monday, December 22 from 5pm to 8pm.

Funeral Service on Tuesday, December 23 at 1pm in St Mary's Church followed by burial in the family plot in the adjoining cemetery. House private please. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to The Irish Heart Foundation.

To learn more about the little-known condition of Amyloidosis, please visit https://irishheart.ie/heart-and-stroke-conditions-a-z/amyloidosis/

Also read: RIP: Deep sadness in north Longford following death of kind and caring Maria Crehan
When they already have the best phone on the planet, what do you buy an iPhone user? Were here to help you select the best iPhone gifts availableperfect gifts for Christmas, birthdays, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, anniversaries, and when you are just feeling generous.

If not a brand new iPhone (check out our iPhone Buying Guide if your budget stretches that far), then how about one of the many available iPhone accessories? Throughout the year we have tested and reviewed the best iPhone accessories from Apple and trusted companies, and we can recommend the best ones for the people on your list. Wed be delighted to receive any of these iPhone accessories as a gift.

If you want to splash out on another Apple product, take a look at our guides for best Apple Watch, best iPad and best Mac. We even have a special Gift Guide for the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro and Max, full of orangey things the owner will adore. If you are after presents for the MacBook owner in your life, take a look at our MacBook Accessory Gift Guide.

Here we recommend some of our favorite iPhone cases, power banks, chargers, cables and tech organizers, plus a roundup of some super stocking stuffers for the iPhone user in your thoughts.

iPhone Gift Guide: Cases

If your loved one doesnt own a case for their iPhone then this may be the best gift you can get them as it will share a bit of personality while protecting their precious phone from knocks, drops, and everyday scrapes. If they already have a case, then buy them a new or better one. Just slipping on a new case can transform an old iPhone into something that feels brand new again. Its even more satisfying than an iOS update!

We have tested the best cases for the iPhone 17 family, best cases for iPhone 16 and best cases for iPhone 15 and most of these are available for older models from the iPhone 11 up. Run through those lists to see the widest range of cases you can select as a gift, and get one for yourself while youre at it. If youre shopping for someone who has an iPhone 12 or later, look for a MagSafe-compatible case as it wont interfere with wireless charging.

Leather iPhone cases: If you fancy a premium leather iPhone case look at the selection at Dutch design firm Mujjo and Woolnut for iPhone 11 and later.

Wallet iPhone cases: Check out the Vena and Decoded ranges of iPhone cases with built-in and detachable wallets.

Wood/pearl/fabric-effect iPhone cases: Seek out the range at Mous for iPhone 14 and later.

iPhone Gift Guide: iPhone power banks

Hands up if your iPhone has never run out of juice during the day when you are far from a convenient power socket. Yeah, right.

Apple used to make a special Smart Battery Case for the iPhone but stopped selling these when it added MagSafe magnetic wireless charging to the iPhone 12 and later. It then sold its own MagSafe Battery Case but stopped making these when it launched the iPhone 15. But fear not, as there are some great MagSafe power banks out there that clamp onto the back of your iPhone (12/13/14/15/16/17) and can recharge the phone for long enough that you can reach a power source.

Of course, Macworld has tested many of them and picked the best MagSafe power banks, but here are a few of our favorites.

Anker Zolo and MagGo Power Banks Pros Huge 10000mAh battery capacity

Built-in USB-C cable

Wireless or 30W wired charging Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price The Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank is available in four colorsblack, blue, pink or whiteand uses MagSafe to magnetically stick to the back of your iPhone when you need a power boost. In our tests, it recharged an iPhone twice over with its 10000mAh battery capacity. Better still, it features its own built-in USB-C cable for charging up the battery pack or wired-charging the iPhone 15/16/17 families that have a USB-C port rather than Lightning. Using the cable rather than MagSafe will charge an iPhone 15/16/17 at an impressive 30W. MagSafe wireless charging is slower at 7.5W but it will still rescue a fading iPhone 12 or lateror you can supply your own Lightning cable (or USB-C for iPhone 15 users) and connect with a wire. It also features a handy kickstand. Anker If you have an older (pre-15) iPhone, then you need a Lightning cable but the non-magnetic Anker Zolo Power Bank has both, meaning it will still be relevant when you upgrade to a USB-C iPhone. And of course you can use the USB-C cable to charge the power bank itself. If you have a family with both USB-C (15/16/17) and Lightning (14 and earlier) iPhones this will suit all models. Theres a handy digital battery-level display, too. This version of the Zolo doesnt feature wireless charging. Anker With no built-in cable but a fast 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging pad, a third option is the Anker MagGo 10K Slim Power Bank (above), which is the slimmest 10K high-capacity wireless power bank we have testedperfect for carrying with you in a bag for emergencies when your iPhone starts to fade and you are miles from a power socket or have forgotten your charger and cable. Read our full Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank review Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank 5K Pros 5000mAh battery capacity

Color options

15W wireless or 30W wired charging Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price This 5K battery pack was the winner for slimmer 5K magnetic power banks in our recharging tests, recharging a faded iPhone 16 Pro by 79%. Belkin and Amazon offer a choice of colors (Its available in a range of colors (White, Blue, Sand, Blue, Citrus Yellow, and Gold), and the Apple Store now has an exclusive set of new colors, including a brighter Pink, Deep Purple with a red stand and Teal with a yellow stand The Belkins kickstand is easy to use and feels robust, and the battery pack itself is marginally smaller than the Ugreen. The $49.99 Torras MagStall Power Bank is a little slimmer but wider and boasts a stand/finger-grip, although recharges to a slightly lesser extent. Read our full Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank 5K review Baseus Picogo 25W Wireless 10000mAh Power Bank (AM61) Pros Fastest 25W wireless or 30W wired charging

5000mAh battery capacity Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price This 25W wireless power bank lived up to its claims of wirelessly charging an iPhone 16 Pro from 0% to 50% in 32 minutes12 to 15 minutes faster than a 15W power bank. That might not sound a lot but when youre in a rush to charge your phone, every minute counts. 25W wireless charging is limited to the iPhone 16 and 17 families, running at least iOS 26; older iPhones will charge at 15W using this power bank. The Baseus PicoGo Magnetic 10K Power Bank (AM61) is an output blazer is more ways than one. It is certified Qi 2.2 so charges wirelessly at 25W. The built-in USB-C cable is rated at 45W, which is fast enough to keep even a MacBook going. Read our full Baseus Picogo 25W Wireless 10000mAh Power Bank (AM61) review OneAdaptr OneGo  3-in-1 travel charger and power bank Pros Compact iPhone, Watch, AirPods charging stand

10K power bank

Foldable for travel Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price This compact OneGo power bank has it all: it can charge four devices at the same timeincluding iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, plus another via its side USB-C portand then folding up into a lightweight form that can slip into your pocket or overnight bag.

iPhone Gift Guide: USB-C iPhone chargers

A simple charger sounds like a boring present but we think any iPhone users would be delighted to receive one of these beauties now that Apple no longer includes one in the box with new iPhones. And which iPhone users couldnt do with at least one more spare charger at home or in the officeor a special one for travel?

An iPhone charger should be rated at least 20W, and wed recommend 30W or better as newer iPhones can accept higher wattages than even Apple admits. A 30W charger can handle an iPad Pro and has just enough to power up even a 13-inch MacBook Air.

For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best iPhone chargers. Further down we recommend some multi-device chargers that might make more of an impact come unwrapping day.

Ugreen Nexode RG 30W USB-C GaN Charger  cute robot-shaped charger Pros Cute robot-shaped charger

Two color options Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price The latest GaN (Gallium Nitride) chargers are tiny so were used them them being labeled cute but this small phone charger really is cute, shaped like a friendly robot. Take off its boots and youll find the plug prongs that connect straight into a wall power socket. The boots are even magnetic. Why? We dont know but you can store the plug protector on most metal surfaces when the charger is in use. When plugged in, the LED screen shows different expressions that refer to the charging states. Its 30W power is enough to fast charge even the biggest iPhone. Youll need a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge an iPhone 15/16/17 and USB-C to Lightning cable for older iPhones. Its even powerful enough to keep a small MacBook charged. Anker 30W Nano Charger  tiny and powerful charger Pros Smallest, lightest 30W charger

Foldable plug

Multiple color options Price When Reviewed: 22,99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 30.77 View Deal Product Price Measuring just 1.12  1.12  1.39 inches (U.S. model), the 30W Anker USB-C Nano Charger is the smallest 30W USB-C charger weve had in our labs for testing, and it weighs just 1.3oz (36g). The U.K. model is larger but also features foldable prongs and is equally incredibly light. Its available in a range of pastel colors, including Misty Blue, Lilac Purple, Phantom Black, Aurora White, and Natural Green. Ugreen Nexode 45W USB-C Wall Charger  Charge two devices at the same time Pros Small, light 45W charger

2 ports

Foldable plug Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price This two-port wall charger from Ugreen is great if your household or office has two phonesone doesnt even need to be an iPhone! Indeed you could charge your iPhone plus Apple Watch or AirPods, too. Each USB-C port is rated at 45W so one could charge a mid-sized laptop. Using both ports, one will give 25W and the other 20Wenough for a reasonably fast charge. Its a great compact choice for homes with a couple of devices in need of a power boost.

iPhone Gift Guide: MagSafe chargers

While charging using a USB-C cable (USB-C to Lightning for older iPhones, and USB-C to USB-C for the iPhone 15 and later) from your charger is the fastest way to charge an iPhone, more convenient is wireless charging. Since the iPhone 12, wireless charging has become more efficient and therefore faster with Apples MagSafe technology that magnetically clamps the iPhone more securely to the wireless charger.

You can buy a simple USB-C to MagSafe charging pad, like Apples $39/39 MagSafe Charger or a third-party alternative, or a multi-device charger that includes a MagSafe charger for iPhone plus a charger for AirPods or Apple Watch.

For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best MagSafe wireless chargers.

Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand  Superb travel or desk-bound wireless MagSafe charger Pros 3-in-1 charging

Fast 15W for iPhone

Folds for travel Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Satechi $129.99 View Deal Product Price We love that once static MagSafe chargers are now folding up into highly portable devices, and thats certainly true of the Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Stand. It uses Qi2 magnetic wireless charging tech so can power an attached iPhone at 15W. The 5W Apple Watch Charger is all set for Watch fast charging, and you can place your AirPods case at he front for three-at-a-time charging. Belkin UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock Pros 3-in-1 charging

Fastest 25W for iPhone Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price 2025 saw the release of a new wireless charging technology called Qi 2.2, which allows for super-fast 25W speeds, which is nearly as fast as youll get with a less convenient charging cable. 25W works only for the iPhone 16 or 17, with older iPhones stuck at 15W, but this is a great gift for owners of the latest iPhones if they also own an Apple Watch and AirPods. Read our full Belkin UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock review Anker PowerWave Magnetic 2-in-1 Stand  Simple and affordable 2-in-1 wireless charger Pros Charges iPhone and AirPods

Adjustable charging pad Price When Reviewed: 39,99  Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price This is a great budget option for a stand that will charge both your iPhone and AirPods. At 7.5W, Ankers stand is not as fast at charging as the 15W or 25W models reviewed above, but it will be fast enough for most of us. If speed is your only priority, charge using a cable! Like those pricier charger options, this charger features an adjustable charging pad, so can be angled to your own requirements. Twelve South ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger  Super-compact iPhone & Watch charger Pros Charges Watch and iPhone (swap Watch for AirPods)

15W Qi2 for iPhone

Compact and portable Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price The ButterFly charger from Twelve South is a beautiful piece of design and works exactly as it should. You can charge your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time, or switch the iPhone for your AirPods case if that is your greater need. Its a great travel charging companion that easily slips into a pocket. Theres the original metal MagSafe ButterFly model or the more affordable ButterFly SE that uses Qi2 but matches MagSafe for 15W iPhone charging speed. The ButterFly comes in five different color options, two exclusive to Twelve South. Read our full Twelve South ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger review Native Union Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger  Super-compact iPhone & Watch charger Pros Charges Watch and iPhone (swap Watch for AirPods)

15W Qi2 for iPhone

Compact and portable Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price A similar option to the ButterFly is Native Unions cool and compact Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch. It comes with a color-matching USB-C cable and pouch to protect the charger when you travel with it.

iPhone Gift Guide: Bag

A protective case is a must for your iPhone but what about all the other Apple gear, power banks and gadgetry stuff that needs to come with it?

Waterfield Hudson Leather Crossbody Pros Dedicated iPhone pocket

Oozes style and practicality Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Waterfield $329 View Deal Product Price Handcrafted from full-grain leather in San Francisco this refined super-premium crossbody bag from Waterfield features a dedicated iPhone pocket, which you can access one-handed via the clever magnetic closure that eliminates the need for fumbling with zippers. An extra layer of protection, the self-finding magnetic Fidlock buckle secures the flap in place. Theres also a more open slip pocket at the back. This bag will just as well suit the style-conscious iPhone user who doesnt want to stuff their device in their back pocket. Theres plenty of space inside (3.5L) the 10-x-7-x-3-inch bag for more than just your phone, with another zipped pocket for your less-often required essentials. The black leather model of the Hudson is the most dressy of this beautiful bag, with the Chocolate and Grizzly colorways a little more casual but still very smart.

iPhone Gift Guide: iPhone stands

If you dont need wireless charging with your iPhone stand, here are our favorite iPhone stands.

UAG Magnetic Ring Stand  Metal magnetic iPhone stand Pros Flexible iPhone stand

Folds away to tiny form Best Prices Today: Retailer Price UAG $39.95 View Deal Product Price The all-metal UAG Magnetic Ring, in a unique hexagonal shape, adds little bulk or weight to your iPhone and secures magnetically as its name suggests. The ring grip stand features a 360-degree rotation that you can use as a portrait or lanscape kickstand for hands-free viewing or stable selfies. Its available in a wide of colors: Blue, Pink, Titanium, Black, Olive and, ahem, Nude. MOFT Snap Phone Tripod Wallet MOVAS  Brilliant foldable iPhone stand Pros Flexible iPhone stand

Folds away to tiny form Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price How often do you carry a tripod around with you in case you need to take a group shot or selfie from a distance further than your arm? Or you simply want to flip your phone into a more comfortable viewing position? Inspired by origami, the Moft Snap Wallet Tripod could be several solutions you are looking for. It folds up into a credit-card-sized device thats just 0.36 inches thick and weighs 4.7oz, so you hardly notice in your pocket even though unfolded it can raise your iPhone by up to 8 inches. Its clever and youll be surprised just how useful it can be. It uses Apples MagSafe tech to firmly grasp the iPhone, and then its up to you to decide which of the three shapesfloating, stand or vloggingyou want to fold it into. Plus you can store two credit or travel cards in it even when its connected to you phone. Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand  a unique work of art Pros Built for accessibility

Bold, unique design Cons U.S. only Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price The magnetic Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand is a limited edition accessory for iPhone designed by Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple. It was designed with direct input from individuals with disabilities affecting muscle strength, dexterity, and hand control. It is inspired by modern sculpture, and available in two colors: a bold, high-visibility Chartreuse and recycled Crater. It is exclusively to Apple and sadly only in the U.S. Elevation Lab GoStand Adjustable Stand for iPhone Pros Multiple angles

Foldable Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price You could you this nifty stand for anythingvideo watching, gaming, travel and video calls to name a few activities enhanced by a phone standbut Apple would like you to take it with your yoga mat to ensure you are hands-free when exercising to its Fitness+ service. The GoStand is built with a composite and silicone construction and steel hinge and features precision indexable back support adjusts with a low-profile button. LOC8 MagSafe Finder Wallet and Stand  Find My compatible wallet stand Pros Works like AirTag

5-card wallet and stand Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Clamping magnetically to the back of your iPhone, this tri-function wallet stand is good looking and helpful if you misplace your phone. Not only will it hold up to five standard-sized cards but it pulls out to create a versatile stand in either landscape or portrait orientations. On top of that the built-in location tracker works perfectly with Apples Find My app so you can track it and make it findable if youve mislaid it. It makes a lovely gift for an iPhone users who no longer carries a wallet but still needs a few cards to hand.

iPhone Gift Guide: Lightning and USB-C cables

If you thought that chargers might be a boring gift, I hope weve persuaded you otherwise. But how would you feel unwrapping a charging cable? Me? Id be delighted as you cant own enough charging cables, can you? They are always handy. Sure, its not a pony or a new TV but its easier to wrap.

Older iPhones will need a USB-C to Lightning cable; check out our roundup of the best Lightning cables. Pair one of these with a USB-C charger, see above, for the fastest charging. An older USB-A to Lightning cable doesnt support iPhone fast charging.

The iPhone 15, 16 and 17 families now have a USB-C rather than Lightning port so you can use the same cable as you have for your MacBook. We have tested the best USB-C cables for iPhones and can recommend these as great little gifts.

Casetify PowerThru USB-C to USB-C Cable  Fun USB-C cable Pros Color options

Robust braided design with rounded head Price When Reviewed: 50 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Casetify $24 View Deal Product Price No wrapping paper is going to look as good as this gift when unwrapped. Its cute, its tough, and it is available in a range of super colors. The PowerThru by Casetify can charge up to 60W, which is more than enough for iPhone charging so could also be used for your USB-C iPad or MacBook. Baseus Free2Draw Mini Retractable USB-C Cable 100W  neat USB-C cable Pros Tidily retractable

Takes up little space

No knots Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Cables are by definition awkward things to carry around. They get tied up in knots all by themselves, are a unsightly nuisance, and are tricky to store. This thin 3.3-foot (1m) or 5.5ft (2m) USB-C cable is retractable so will slip into a drawer or pocket without dangling around getting in the way. You can buy it in black, white, purple or blue and is rated to support 100W so it can be used to charge your MacBook, too. An affordable alternative is the Cable Matters Short Retractable USB C Cable available in a two-pack. Its 60W rating is more than enough for an iPhone or iPad (but not a newer MacBook Pro). Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C Cable  Colorful USB-C cables Pros Color options

Tough but flexible silicone Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Another range of colorful USB-C cables is available from Anker. These are also tough and ready to charge anything from an iPhone 15 to a MacBook Pro.

iPhone Gift Guide: Stocking Fillers

Aside from the gift ideas listed above, there are some great stocking stuffers available for smaller budgetsand products we couldnt squeeze into any of the groups above.

Native Union POP Phone  Retro USB-C handset Pros Cool retro style

Comfortable grip

Ergonomic like phones used to be Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Tired of modern life and yearning for the old days when a phone was a phone and not a computer full of apps and annoying notifications? Frustrated by a cricked neck or strained wrist from doing all your talking on a thin rectangular slab of metal and glass, and dreaming of the ergonomic delight of a phone with an earpiece and mouthpiece that nestles to the side of your head? Native Union has relaunched the old-style phone handset that works with todays devices to make comfortable calls feel like proper conversations again. With the POP Phone in hand you wont be tempted by modern day distractions such as doom scrolling, checking the sports results, Facebook Reels, TikTok videos or the latest Instagram posts. Think about the person youre talking to, not the device they have contacted you on. The USB-C connection plugs straight into your iPhone (15 or later), MacBook or iPad. You dont need to pair or even charge the thing. This is selling like hot cakes sued to, but we are assured that stocks will be replenished by mid December. Keep checking back here for the buying links. Read our full Native Union POP Phone review inCharge X 6-in-1 Keyring Charger  Never be without the right cable again Pros USB-C, USB-A and Lightning cables

Device to device charging Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Despite the increasing ubiquity of USB-C as the cable connector for all devices, you are sure to have a Lightning device among your Apple goodiessay your AirPods case or Magic Mouseor something that requires the older rectangular USB-A. You might even still be cursed with devices that still use the ultra-fiddly MicroUSB. The keyring-sized inCharge X includes swappable connectors that will solve all your charging challenges. It can handle USB-C to USB-C, USB-A to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, USB-A to Lightning options and USB-C to MicroUSB. It supports charging up to 100W so can be used bot just for your iPhone or iPad but your MacBook too. It also includes a clever proprietary chip that allows for charging laptops, tablets, and Bluetooth speakers using a USB-C device as a power source when you are away from a power socket, so you could take power from one device to another. A tied protective cap keeps the cables protected when not is use. Theres a cheaper $20 InCharge with maximum 15W power and also an inCharge XL that can power at a high 240W but lacks the MicroUSB connector. Arc Pulse for AirPods Pro 3 Pros Guards against drops

Looks great, too Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price We know Arc for engineering the worlds most minimalist phone case, the Arc Pulse, and the company has introduces a new Arc Pulse designed specifically for the AirPods Pro 3. Available

in four distinct finishes, the Arc Pulse for AirPods Pro 3 combines everyday protection with a design that

transforms your AirPods Pro 3 into a wearable fashion accessory.

Crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, the shell wraps around the AirPods to guard against daily drops

and wear while maintaining a sleek form. The case offers a satisfying snap when opening and closing the

lid, paired with a signature slide-on fit with no adhesive, making everyday use effortless.

Offered in four refined finishesMatte Black, Matte Orange, Matte Blue, and Polished Silverthe Arc

Pulse for AirPods Pro 3 seamlessly complements the latest iPhone 17 lineup while adding a pop of color

to your AirPods. With minimal bulk and standout quality, the case is designed for those who value quality

protection without compromise.

We believe everyday tech should be both functional and beautiful, said Niclas Bertelsen, co-founder of

Arc. Every detail of this case, from the finish to the fit, turns your AirPods into a stylish, protective

accessory. Under Embargo Until December 16th, 2025, at 3:00 PM CET

Availability & Pricing:

The Arc Pulse for AirPods Pro 3 case is available to order on December 16th, 2025, at arc.cc, in four different

colorways: Polished Silver  $69.99 USD Matte Black  $59.99 USD Matte Orange  $64.99 USD Matte Blue  $64.99 USD Scosche MagicMount Flask  Flask that grips your iPhone Pros iPhone stand flask

Fits a variety of premium flasks Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Why carry around a separate stand for your iPhone when you can use your drinking flask to do the job for you? This nifty gadget features an adjustable magnetic mount that works with all MagSafe iPhones (from 12 onwards). The flask itself features double-wall vacuum insulation for up to 12 hours (hot) or 24 hrs (cold) beverage storage. You can even add the top part to some of the most popular flasks, such as HydroFlask and Mira, too. Journey Ever mislay your water bottle or wonder who in the office/gym has swiped it? For $79 you could upgrade your choice to the Journey REEVUS Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle, pictured above, that has the same magnetic iPhone holder but also a super-useful built-In Apple Find My function. Pureport Multi-Tool Phone Cleaning Kit Pros Cleans fluff from iPhone charging port

Cleans cable connectors Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price If your iPhone stops charging via its cable, its understandable to think its old and broken and youll have to rely on wireless charging or just buy a new one. What is more likely the reason that your wired charging isnt working is a dirty charging port or duff cable (see above). Stick your iPhone in your pocket and it inevitably attracts dust, fluff, and lint. Clear out the port (very gently!) and cable-based wired charging should return. This iPhone cleaning kit has more than you need to keep your iPhone and cables clean, and is available for iPhones with Lightning ports (any iPhone before the 15) and for iPhones (from 15) and iPads with a USB-C port. Quick tip: if you need to clear out the accumulated fluff from your iPhones port you can use a small wooden cocktail stick with utmost gentleness. But a cocktail stick does not make much of a gift, does it? And this cleaning kit offers a whole lot more. Belkin AirPods Cleaning Kit Pros Removes dirt and earwax Price When Reviewed: 14,99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Belkins AirPods Cleaning Kit is a safer way to clean your AirPods than soap and a cotton bud. Theres no nice way of saying it but AirPods can get messythat is yellow and waxy after spending time in your ears for a few hours. Follow the gentle cleaning process to safely remove dirt and earwax from your AirPods. Apple AirTag  Bluetooth tracker Pros Easy to set up and track with Find My.

Replaceable battery Price When Reviewed: 35  Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 29.99 View Deal 29.99 View Deal 35 View Deal 39.98 View Deal 99.99 View Deal Product Price Apples AirTag is a great Bluetooth tracker that is easy to use and syncs wonderfully with the iPhones Find My app. You can buy just one or a pack of four. You can add it to a keyring or other accessory: check our Best AirTag Accessories roundup, so there are lots more gift ideas there too. If you want a tracker for your wallet or something that requires a flatter tracker, we like the Chipolo Card Spot. Read our full Apple AirTag review Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4  Bluetooth speaker with great sound and cool looks Pros Powerful, well-rounded sound

Outdoor and Podcast modes

IP67 dust and waterproof

Long battery life

Color options Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price The Wonderboom 4 is an excellent budget-friendly speaker thats extremely portable, easy to use, fully waterproof (it even floats!), sounds great and lasts a long time. That might be enough for most people but it is also built with eco-friendly materials, which is always welcome in our book. Particula GoChess Mini  AI-powered smart chessboard Pros AI-powered smart chessboard

Links with app for coaching and stats Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Product Price Playing chess on your iPhone is an easy anywhere-way of honing your strategy skills with the classic game. But nothing beats playing on an actual chessboardnow you can combine the two with the AI-powered and app-enabled GoChess range from Particula. The GoChess app records and keeps track of all the games and moves, providing real-time analysis and insights to help users hone their skills and keep on top of their progress. You can invite friends for a match or play solo. Offering three play modes, users can play face-to-face with an opponent or alone in AI mode (32 levels of difficulty). Colorful indication lights on the smart board provide real-time coaching, which includes suggestions of possible, best and worst moves, enabling players to improve their skills. Additionally, they can connect to popular chess platforms (Lichess and Chess.com) and play against people around the world or solve challenging puzzles and revisit historical games.

iPhone Gift Guide: Tech organizer bags

Where do you keep all these accessories when not in use? Over at sister site Tech Advisor, we have tested the best tech organizer bags and there should be one thats a perfect gift, whether as a desk tidy or for travels.
Ive had more than a few mornings where Ive woken up, impulsively booked a one-way ticket to a foreign country, tossed some clothes in a bag, and flown off solo. A couple of decades ago, that kind of spontaneity wouldve been far less practical. Today, thanks to remote work and some new-ish inventions, the process is easier than ever before.

No matter your destination, reason for travel, or length of stay, your iPhone can help you plan and make the most of your trip. Your exact needs will depend on your travel style, but for nearly every journey, these 13 apps and gadgets are worth packing.

1. Flight finder

First, youll need to book your flight, and, in most cases, the available airlines are numerous. Instead of manually checking each airlines website to compare air fares, you could use services like Google Flights and Expedia. Said websites list the various options and help you skim through them to find the most affordable or convenient flight.

Once booked, you may also want to download a flight tracker, like Flighty, to get notified about important updates. These include potential delays, the gate number, your flights status, and much more.

2. Accommodation rental service

Youll then need to figure out where youre staying. After picking a city of interest, you may want to use apps like Airbnb or Booking.com to find a rental apartment or hotel. If the listing youre after is owned by a known, trusted company, you may want to check if they support direct booking on their personal website. This could spare you from paying high commission fees to third parties.

3. eSIM

A few years ago, the norm was purchasing a (typically overpriced) physical SIM card from the airport or local carrier when you land. These days are fortunately over, as most countries now support the eSIM technology. Personally, Ive been using Airalo for half a decade, and Ive never encountered any issues with it. The app lets you buy data eSIMs that you can install on your iPhoneeven before you leave your home country. Once you arrive at your destination, the eSIM will automatically activate, letting you browse the web and FaceTime your loved ones. Nomad eSIM is another popular service.

Foundry

4. Offline map

While eSIMs are generally reliable, its better to be safe than sorry in foreign lands. Before your flight, you may want to download the destinations map for offline accessjust in case. Apple Maps and Google Maps are both compatible with the feature. However, the latter option tends to offer more detailed and up-to-date information outside North America.

Just search for a location (like a city, not a specific building) and look for the Download button. Or, drop a pin in the area youre going to and then tap the Download button.

Foundry

5. Reliable translator

Apple Translate and Google Translate support downloading language pairs for offline translation. Likewise, Googles service is objectively superior, as it is compatible with most of the commonly spoken languages and is generally more accurate. Apples version is still limited to a few language pairs, and the output quality can be inferior. Before heading to the airport, you may want to download the relevant language packs, as English isnt widely spoken in all regions.

6. ANC-enabled headphones

It goes without saying that youll also need a pair of earbuds that support active noise cancellation (ANC). As an iPhone user, you may want to opt for the AirPods Pro 3 or Beats Studio Pro, due to their native integration with iOS. I use both products during my travels, as smaller earbuds are more convenient when exploring outdoors, while headphones can be more comfortable and immersive during long flights.

7. Protective case

Given the increased dependence on our iPhones (itinerary, Apple Pay cards, booking confirmation, etc.), you wouldnt want to break yoursespecially when abroad. Even if youre subscribed to AppleCare+, finding an official or authorized repair center may not always be feasible in certain countries. And you wont want to waste your limited vacation time dealing with technicians anyway. Thats why we advise you to apply a protective case, preferably a rugged one, during your trip. We have a roundup of some of our favorite cases for the latest iPhones here.

8. Battery boosters

Similarly, you wouldnt want your iPhones battery to die as you step into uncharted territory. First, research the country youre traveling to, and buy any necessary adapters in advanceif needed. You may also want to buy longer charging cables, as the sockets location isnt always within easy reach.

Otherwise, consider investing in a quality power bank as a backup charging option when on the go. Some reputable brands with solid options include Anker, Belkin, Ugreen, and Baseus. Just ensure the power banks specifications and capacity dont violate your airlines policy to avoid any airport trouble. We have a roundup of some of the best Magsafe power banks.

9. AirTag

Speaking of airlines and airports, an AirTag can help you locate your checked luggage on the baggage carouselthanks to Apples Precision Finding feature. If, for some reason, the airline loses your bag, you can also share its live location with the relevant company to help retrieve it.

If youre traveling with friends or family, its a good idea to add each other in the Find My apps People tab. Precision Finding works with newer iPhones, letting you find their exact location in crowded places.

Foundry

10. VPN

Another handy service for travelers is a virtual private network (VPN). Many countries ban certain websites and restrict online content. Your favorite TV streaming service may also not work as expected (or at all) when abroad. A VPN app, such as ProtonVPN, can usually bypass these limitations by borrowing an IP address from your home countryproviding uninterrupted access to your favorite platforms.

Check our list of the best iPhone and iPad VPNs to find one that meets your needs and budget.

11. Ride-hailing app

Public transport has become dependable in many parts of the world. However, sometimes you may need to tour areas where the system doesnt operate or during late hours. Its wise to keep a ride-hailing app installed on your iPhone just in case youre ever stranded in the middle of nowhere. Check online which apps work in the country youre visiting, as Uber and Lyft dont operate worldwide, and you may need to download a local alternative. You might want to go through the steps of setting up your account before you leave, if possible.

12. Food delivery service

In a similar fashion, you may also want to install a local food delivery app in case the midnight cravings hit. While tourists generally tend to eat out, sometimes youre just too tired for that after a long day out.

13. Apple TV 4K

Apple TV 4K (2022, 3. Gen.) 128GB WiFi + Ethernet Read our review

Weve reached a point where most of the relevant hotels offer smart TVs. Nevertheless, signing in with your personal accounts to access your streaming services can be tiresome and risky. Thats why during long trips I take my Apple TV 4K with me; it is portable and has all of my favorite apps installed.
A Minnesota-based company will close its sole Massachusetts plant next year and lay off its staff after being sold to a private equity firm.

Smyth Companies, a manufacturer of labels and other product packaging materials, will close its facility at 271 Ballardvale St., Wilmington between March 1 and July 1, according to a Massachusetts Workers Adjustment Retraining Notice filed with the state on Dec. 19. The staff of 69 will be laid off.

In March, Smyth Companies announced that it had been acquired by Crestview Partners, an investment firm based in New York. The company was previously owned by another private equity firm, Novacap, which has offices in New York and Canada.

We are excited to welcome Crestview as our partner for this next phase of Smyths evolution, President and CEO Scott Fisher said at the time. Our focus remains on delivering excellent product quality and reliable service to our customers, and we believe Crestviews highly complementary experience and enthusiastic support of Smyths acquisition expansion strategy will help us become an even stronger value-added partner to our customers and achieve our full growth potential.

The company was originally founded in 1877 as Smyth Printing. The Wilmington facility produces pressure sensitive labels and flexible packaging using flexographic, UV flexographic, and digital print equipment, according to the company website.

Smyth Companies did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
Mick Abrahams, a founding member of the legendary classic rock band Jethro Tull, has died. He was 82.

Abrahams died on Friday, Dec. 19, American Songwriter reported. His former band also confirmed the musicians death on social media.

It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of Jethro Tull founding member Mick Abrahams, a post on Jethro Tulls Instagram read.

Mick was vitally important to the early Tull formation out of the ashes of The John Evan Band and McGregors Engine, the blues band he formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area, the post read. We all offer our condolences to Micks family and close friends, who can feel justifiably proud of his achievements and musical legacy.

A cause of death was not reported, but American Songwriter noted that Abrahams had been contending with health issues.

Born April 7, 1943 in Luton, England, Abrahams was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull. He appeared on the bands 1968 debut album, This Was, before leaving the group over musical differences, according to Jethro Tulls website.

Abrahams departure preceded the groups folk-influenced sophomore album Stand Up, which topped the U.K. albums chart. Jethro Tulls international breakthrough came with the release of Aqualung in 1971, while 1972s Thick as a Brick fully established their progressive rock identity.

With more than 60 million albums worldwide, 11 gold and five platinum albums, Jethro Tull has been described as one of the most commercially successful and eccentric progressive rock bands by Rolling Stone.

Jethro Tull continued to routinely tour and release music throughout the 70s. The band earned their first and only Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal Or Instrumental. The band stopped recording music in the 2000s, but continued to perform live until disbanding in 2011.

Martin Barre, the guitarist who replaced Abrahams, posted a tribute to Abrahams on social media.

He was so nice to me and that is something I will never forget! Barre wrote, according to a Facebook post. What a magnificent guitar player who gave us so much.

Abrahams later formed the influential blues-rock band Blodwyn Pig before pursuing a solo career. The guitarist retired from performing after having a stroke, which, according to American Songwriter, occurred in 2009. He had been living with his family in Luton ever since.

Ray Dorset, frontman of the veteran U.K. band Mungo Jerry, also paid tribute to Abrahams on social media.

[I just]  got the very sad news that Mick Abrahams has left the building, he wrote. He was such a lovely guy as well as being a terrific guitarist. It was an honour to support his band Blodwyn Pig prior to Mungo Jerry taking off.
Pat Benatar will continue her touring streak in 2026 alongside her husband and musical partner, Neil Giraldo.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will play six shows primarily across the southeastern portion of the U.S., starting with a Jan. 26 performance in Mobile, Alabama and ending in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Feb. 6.

A full list of shows is below:

Jan. 26, 2026  Mobile, Alabama at Saenger Theatre

Jan. 27, 2026  Jacksonville, Florida at Florida Theatre

Jan. 29, 2026  Tampa, Florida at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Feb. 3, 2026  Columbia, South Carolina at Township Auditorium

Feb. 4, 2026  Wilmington, North Carolina at Cape Fear Community College

Feb. 6, 2026  Atlantic City, New Jersey at Ocean Casino Resort

Benatar and Giraldo, who have been married since 1982, have consistently performed together as a musical duo. The couple performs live almost every year and most recently wrapped up their Funtastic Tour in 2024.

The pair are responsible for some of Benatars most notable hits of including Love Is a Battlefield, Heartbreaker and Hit Me With Your Best Shot. They have the Grammy Award for Female Rock Performance four years in a row, from 19811984.

Outside of music, Benatar and Giraldo have maintained a decades-long commitment to humanitarian causes. The couple has supported WhyHunger for more than 30 years, inspired by their friendship with the organizations co-founder Harry Chapin. Their advocacy work focuses on childrens causes and systemic hunger issues.

Benatar and Giraldo received the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for their dedication to social justice through music over the summer, Parade reported.

The evening was filled with love, hope, and good humans dedicated to the service of others. Were in this together, and together we can make miracles happen, they said of the award ceremony, according to Live for Live Music.

Tickets for the 2026 shows can be purchased through Benatars website.
Four of nine victims from the mass shooting on Brown University campus have been discharged from the hospital.

The other five remain hospitalized and in stable condition with gunshot injuries as of 11 a.m. Monday, according to officials at Brown University Health.

All victims were being treated at Rhode Island Hospital.

Rhode Island Hospital is working closely with and providing support to all impacted family members and remains in continuous communication with Brown University, Kelly Brennan, a hospital spokesperson, said.

The suspected shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48, was found in a Salem, New Hampshire, storage unit dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, officials said on Thursday night.

Beyond the nine injured victims, the shooting left two Brown students dead  Ella Cook, a sophomore, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a first-year student.

Officials also identified Neves Valente, a Portuguese national, as the suspect in the killing of MIT physics professor Nuno Loureiro, 47, who was found shot dead in his Brookline apartment complex two days after the campus shooting.

Officials declined to speak to a motive in the shootings last week, but noted that Neves Valente was a physics student at Brown University and that he and Loureiro had previously studied at the same university in Lisbon.

Court documents charged Neves Valente with 25 counts, including two counts of first-degree murder.

Gunfire erupted on the first floor of the universitys Barus and Holley engineering and physics building around 4 p.m. on Dec. 13 during an exam review session.

A manhunt lasting five days ended after a Reddit user came forward with a key break in the case.

The Reddit user, only identified as John by authorities, provided investigators with a detailed rundown of his encounter with Neves Valente that eventually led to his discovery in New Hampshire.
On Monday, friends and family will be wearing Easter colors as they celebrate a "bright young life" taken too early in a shooting at Brown University.

Brown University sophomore Ella Cook was 19 years old and finishing her third semester studying French, math and economics when she was killed during a mass shooting on the schools campus. First-year student Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was also killed.

On Dec. 22, friends and family will be at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama for a funeral service and visitation starting at 11 a.m. The burial will be held privately for the family.

The funeral service will be live streamed online.

Ella Cooks life

Cook was born July 18, 2006, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Anna and Richard Cook, according to her obituary. Prior to studying at Brown, she graduated from her hometown high school in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Cook was a lifelong, active member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Birmingham. The churchs reverend previously described her to AL.com as a bright light in the world.

Not only did her personal faith shine out like a bright Christmas star, but she loved others as real people, not as objects, her obituary reads.

Read more: Alabama community mourns Brown University student killed in shooting

Cook was known for wide array of interests, including playing piano, dancing, spending time in nature and traveling  especially to places in which French is spoken. She was particularly passionate about teaching both academic subjects and biblical studies and hoped to one day have children of her own.

From Birmingham to Providence to wherever she traveled, Ella attracted an almost reverent circle of friends. That is because she was intentionally concerned for the best interests of others, her obituary reads.

In a tribute to Browns two lost students, President Christine Paxson described Cook as intellectually curious, noting that the sophomore selected Brown for its Open Curriculum, which allows students extra freedom to choose their courses. During her time at the university, Cook became a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and vice president of the Republican Club of Brown University.

As I learn more about the vitality she radiated, I wish so much that I had the opportunity to know her, Paxson wrote.

Naturally soft-spoken, Cook was known for exuding a subtle, quiet form of leadership, her brother Hooker is quoted as saying in her obituary. Her sister Mary remembers her as the best big sister ever  protective, responsible, and selfless.

Ella Cook lit up our world, and her reflected glory will be with her family and friends forever, her obituary reads.

Honoring Ella Cook

In addition to her parents and two siblings, Cook leaves behind both her maternal and paternal grandparents, many other beloved family members and lots of cherished friends, according to her obituary. Her family asks that those looking to honor her memory donate to the childrens ministry at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL, 35203.

Ella 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, her obituary reads.
With the Trump administrations abrupt halt Monday of federal leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects comes a layoff notice three days before Christmas, according to Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions.

Andy Benedetto, representative of the Millwrights Local 1121 of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, said there are currently 80 union millwrights working on the Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind projects who have effectively been fired during Christmas week.

Hundreds of other union millwrights, pile drivers and other workers have had future work erased, he said.

Union heads like Callahan and Benedetto, Gov. Maura Healey and members of the Massachusetts federal delegation put President Donald Trump on blast over the announcement from the Department of the Interior that Vineyard Wind 1 and Revolution Wind  both major New England projects  are among the leases the feds are pausing.

The government cited national security concerns as its reasoning, namely potential interference with military radar systems identified by the Department of War  formerly the Department of Defense.

Due to national security concerns identified by @DeptofWar, @Interior is PAUSING leases for 5 expensive, unreliable, heavily subsidized offshore wind farms!



ONE natural gas pipeline supplies as much energy as these 5 projects COMBINED. @POTUS is bringing common sense back to  Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) December 22, 2025

The other impacted projects include Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind  both in New York.

Vineyard Wind 1, with 62 planned turbines, has nearly completed construction 15 miles south of Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. It has been providing power since last January, and once fully operational, its expected to generate energy for more than 400,000 homes and businesses across the state.

Revolution Wind, the nations first multi-state wind farm, is slated to provide energy for more than 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut.

No exact numbers were available Monday regarding how many people will lose their jobs in New England as a result of the announcement, but in a statement, Healey said it puts people out of work during the holidays.

She cited nearly 4,000 jobs that Vineyard Wind has created in Massachusetts since its inception.

It is dangerous to halt construction in the middle of a project, and I will stand up against this unlawful action by the Trump Administration to protect Massachusetts ratepayers and workers, Healey said.

In New Bedford, where Vineyard Wind components are being staged out of the citys port, Mayor Jon Mitchell also warned of job losses coming, the New Bedford Standard-Times reported Monday.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee decried the lease halt of Revolution Wind, saying, The Trump administrations latest attempt to derail offshore wind projects is reckless and unjustified. It threatens local economies, thousands of jobs, and the affordable, reliable energy our communities need.

Trying to stop these projects now is cruel to workers and their families, especially during the holiday season, McKee said. Revolution Wind is nearly complete, has received all necessary approvals, and has had its permits upheld by a federal court  there is no reason to halt its progress. We will work with other impacted states to pursue every available option to keep this project, and others like it, moving forward.

Revolution Wind offshore wind energy turbine farm in the Atlantic Ocean off Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard on Aug. 4, 2025. (Nicole Simmons/MassLive)

The Healey administration said the national security risks cited by the Department of the Interior are unfounded and unspecified, noting the lease areas were designed in consultation with the Department of Defense.

In its Monday announcement, the federal government cited findings that the movement of massive turbine blades and the highly reflective towers create radar interference called clutter.

The clutter caused by offshore wind projects obscures legitimate moving targets and generates false targets in the vicinity of the wind projects, the press release said.

What the unions are saying

Joining Healey in sounding the alarm Monday were unions representing offshore wind workers.

President Trumps most recent attack on the working class pulls the rug out from hundreds of construction workers who rely on the Vineyard Wind 1 project to support their families, and will make energy bills even more expensive for working families, said Chrissy Lynch, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

Our neighbors, our friends, and our family members will be out of a job this holiday season, and their energy bills will be even higher because of the Trump Administrations reckless and asinine attack on a project that is almost complete, she continued.

Jim Pimental, president of the Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades Council, called Trump the Grinch in the Oval Office who decided to give (Mass.) workers, families and consumers a giant lump of coal.
The Jaws of Life had to be used early Sunday morning to rescue multiple people trapped inside a car after it crashed into a Massachusetts house.

At about 3 a.m. Sunday, a car crashed into a house at 633 Washington St. in Abington. Initial reports described an overturned vehicle that struck a house with multiple people trapped inside the car.

The vehicle was on its side with significant damage and two people were trapped inside. The vehicle was tightly positioned between a stockade fence and the residence at 633 Washington St., officials said. Structural damage as well as electrical meter damage was found on the left front of the home.

Crews used hydraulic cutters, motorized saws and hydraulic spreaders known as The Jaws of Life to remove the roof of the car and rescue the people inside.

Officials said a 20-year-old man was taken to South Shore Hospital by Whitman Ambulance with life-threatening injuries. Another 20-year-old man was taken to Boston Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

The building was deemed unsafe until additional structural reinforcing could be provided by a contractor. Electricity was ordered to be shut down by the Wiring Inspector due to damage caused to the meter and surrounding service to the home. Five residents were not injured but were displaced to alternative housing.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss abruptly canceled a planned 60 Minutes segment on President Donald Trumps deportation policies a day and a half before its scheduled broadcast.

According to NPR, the segment focuses on abuse allegations at CECOT, the El Salvador detention center where the Trump administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants last March.

Weiss told colleagues the segment, which was scheduled to air on Sunday, could not run without an on-the-record comment from an administration official.

Two people with knowledge of events at the network told NPR that Weiss was pushing for 60 Minutes to interview Stephen Miller, senior advisor to Trump or someone of his stature.

The segments production team sent questions and requested comment from the White House, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Washington Post. The administration declined to comment or grant the journalists an interview.

In a statement late Sunday to the New York Times, Weiss said that My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that arent ready for whatever reason  that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices  happens every day in every newsroom. I look forward to airing this important piece when its ready.

Hundreds of people held in CECOT were beaten from the moment they arrived in El Salvador and throughout their time in detention, according to a November report from Human Rights Watch.

The report states that people detained at CECOT faced physical and psychological abuse  including sexual assault  on a near-daily basis.

Human Rights Watch concluded that conditions at the prison breached the United Nations Minimal Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners."

We are not terrorists, we were migrants, one of the people held in CECOT told Human Rights Watch. We went to the United States to seek protection and the chance at a better future, but we ended up in a prison in a country we didnt even know, treated worse than animals.
The man who was killed in a hit-and-run crash with a suspect who was fleeing police in Stoughton Saturday afternoon has been identified as 84-year-old Stoughton resident John G. Smith, the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office announced Sunday.

The suspect  26-year-old Brockton resident Jason Ortiz  has been charged with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and failure to stop for police, the district attorneys office said previously.

Around 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, Brockton police tried to stop Ortiz while he was driving his pickup truck, the district attorneys office said. They were responding to a report from dispatchers that the truck was driving erratically, Stoughton police said in a press release.

When Ortiz did not stop, officers pursued him into Stoughton, where his truck collided with a sedan at the intersection of Pleasant and Prospect streets, authorities said. Stoughton firefighters took Smith, who was driving the sedan, and a passenger, a 78-year-old Stoughton woman, to a local hospital.

Smith was later declared dead at the hospital, the district attorneys office said. The woman was still being treated for injuries at the hospital as of Saturday evening.

After the crash, Ortiz and another man got out of the truck and ran from police, Stoughton police said. Stoughton officers quickly detained one of the men, and he was then transferred into Brockton police custody.

Authorities searched the area for Ortiz extensively, using K-9 units and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, Stoughton police said. Stoughton officers eventually arrested him at Halloran Park in Stoughton.

Ortiz is set to be arraigned in Stoughton District Court on Monday, the district attorneys office said. The State Police crash reconstruction and crime scene services units, the district attorneys office and Stoughton police are still investigating the crash, the district attorneys office said.

It is unclear if the passenger in Ortizs pickup truck is facing charges. No further information about the crash has been released.
The pews at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, were filled Monday morning for the funeral of a young woman remembered for her uniquely quiet gravity during her eulogy.

Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore at Brown University, left a record of love in her hometown community in Alabama, as well as on the Providence campus, according to Reverend Doctor Paul Zahl.

Cook is one of two victims of a deadly shooting at Brown University on Dec. 13 that left nine others injured.

She was a dutiful daughter, Zahl said during the live streamed event. She had a constantly initiative-taking desire to care and love of her brother, Hooker, and her sister, Mary Hamner.

Her record of love right here in this community, especially her love of children, is palpable and historic and unique even at the young age in which she established that record, Zahl said.

A Brown University professor, David Skarbek, wrote a letter to Cooks parents, telling them that Ella was smart, confident, curious, kind, principled, brave. She made a big impact on campus in only three semesters, according to Zahl.

The professor used to tell Cook that the university needed an Alabama to Brown pipeline.

In fact, her nickname on campus was Ellabama, Zahl said.

Cook was born July 18, 2006, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Anna and Richard Cook, according to her obituary. Prior to studying at Brown, she graduated from her hometown high school in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Cook was known for a wide array of interests, including playing piano, dancing, spending time in nature and traveling  especially to places in which French is spoken.

She was particularly passionate about teaching both academic subjects and biblical studies and hoped to one day have children of her own.

Cook was a lifelong, active member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Birmingham. The churchs reverend previously described her to AL.com as a bright light in the world.

Not only did her personal faith shine out like a bright Christmas star, but she loved others as real people, not as objects, her obituary reads.

In addition to her parents and two siblings, Cook leaves behind both her maternal and paternal grandparents, many other beloved family members and lots of cherished friends, according to her obituary.

Her family asks that those looking to honor her memory donate to the childrens ministry at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL, 35203.

Ella 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, her obituary reads.
A 46-year-old man pleaded guilty to charges Wednesday in connection with a 2021 hit-and-run crash in Taunton that took the life of a 59-year-old woman, the Bristol County District Attorneys Office announced.

Taunton resident Roland Escobar pleaded guilty to manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death in the death of Taunton resident Lisa Rocha in Fall River Superior Court, the district attorneys office said in a press release. He also pleaded guilty to two counts each of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage.

On Aug. 3, 2021, Escobar was driving his Chevrolet Traverse on Main Street in Taunton when he hit the back of the Kia in front of him twice around 4:35 p.m., the district attorneys office said. As he sped away from the crash, he sideswiped several parked cars.

Escobar struck Rocha as she tried to get inside her car, which was parked outside 77 Main St., the district attorneys office said. He then sped away from the scene and hit a Ford that was driving down Main Street.

Escobar sped away from that crash as well before rear-ending another vehicle near the Taunton Police Station on Summer Street, the district attorneys office said. Officers found Escobar unconscious inside his SUV, which had rolled onto its side.

Escobar showed signs of an opiate overdose, and officers administered Narcan before taking him to Morton Hospital for treatment, the district attorneys office said. His blood tested positive for fentanyl.

This was a senseless killing of an innocent person who was just getting into her car parked on the street. This happened because the defendant was high on fentanyl and should not have been behind the wheel of a car. My heart goes out to the victims family, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said in the release.

A judge sentenced Escobar to nine to 12 years in state prison and three years probation with conditions of release, the district attorneys office said.
UPDATE: Former MMA fighter, wife sentenced to prison for sex trafficking family member in Mass.

A Massachusetts father once didnt believe in drinking alcohol. But as he spiraled into addiction, he began using extreme violence alongside his wife to sex traffic a younger family member.

Following a six-day trial before a jury in federal court, Kiersten Soto, 32, and Moises Soto, 33, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion in connection with the trafficking of a younger relative in their family, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foleys office said in a statement. Kiersten Soto was also convicted of one count of traveling or using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activities.

At trial, prosecutors showed that between February and May 2022, the Sotos used force, fraud and coercion to traffic the victim for commercial sex in New England, Foleys office said. The couple used a website to advertise the victim to sex buyers across the region.

Kiersten Soto threatened the victim with violence, abandonment and involuntary commitment to a facility regularly, according to the statement. Moises Soto, a former MMA fighter, used extreme violence against the victim if she didnt make enough money, including beatings and assaults.

Videos taken on the couples phones show them cornering the victim in their home, where they threatened and berated her and called her a snitch. All this took place while the victim went through drug withdrawals, according to the statement.

Kiersten and Moises Soto built their so-called livelihood off of brutality and control. The Sotos compounded their cruelty by recording the abuse  immortalizing the victims trauma for their own depraved purposes, Foley said in the statement.

The family member eventually escaped and sought refuge in a person who had paid to have sex with her, according to court documents.

Think about how desperate [the victim] must have been and how devoid of support she was, that in a situation so desperate, the only person she could turn to for help, also happened to be one of her sex buyers, court documents state.

Ahead of sentencing, currently scheduled for Jan. 23, Moises Sotos lawyers paint a picture of a father who wants the chance to rebuild relationships with his children, who will be adults by then.

To be clear, the argument is not that Mr. Soto deserves to be reunited with his family now or that he was a good family member during the offense period. Rather, after 15 years of incarceration and treatment, he will have the opportunity to rebuild relationships with his children as adults, court documents read.

His lawyers are asking for a sentencing of 15 years in prison, which is the minimum sentence. Prosecutors are asking for 18 years in prison.

Here a longer sentence would only work to further sever the family ties and would not promote rehabilitation or protect the public, his lawyer states.

But prosecutors said the couples crimes were truly horrific, and they both deserve a serious sentence of imprisonment.

Family members said Moises Soto became heavily addicted to drugs about a year leading up to his arrest. Prior to that, he maintained a disciplined lifestyle focused on fitness and martial arts. According to family, he didnt believe in drinking alcohol and using drugs as he wouldnt even go near it.

I dont know how someone with so much drive, passion, and brains could just walk away from so much, one family member wrote.

Since his arrest, his lawyer states has worked to better himself by walking six miles to his job at Walmart, remaining sober and traveling to Worcester to visit with his children, who are now in DCF custody, and bringing them diapers.

But addiction isnt an excuse, prosecutors state.

... it is particularly shameful that two defendants who knew exactly how powerful opioid addiction was and knew exactly how it felt to withdraw and be dope sick, used [the victims] addiction to force her to prostitute for them, officials wrote. Addiction is not a pass to brutalize others. Weaponizing someone elses addiction despite knowing how powerful it can be is even more egregious.
This article is the third in a series examining higher education under the Trump administration. Earlier articles in the series can be read here and here.

Professor Andrea Peto led four large men into a room where she had gathered over 100 boxes filled with books, many of which she had been banned from teaching. They began picking them up and moving them out.

After decades of teaching gender studies in Hungary, Peto was leaving the country in 2020, like hundreds of other academics. Her school, Central European University, had been forced out and relocated to Vienna.

The migration was part of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans crackdown on higher education, which is now being emulated in the United States at New College of Florida and even in Massachusetts.

But before leaving, Peto taught one more lesson  to her movers.

We were working together when they dared to ask what gender is, said Peto, who has been at the university since 1991 and was its fourth employee in Budapest. I used this pedagogical opportunity during the heavy physical work and gave a short course.

By the time the boxes were gone, she had converted Orban sympathizers into higher education supporters, a last moment of resistance under Orbans rule.

At the same time, Orbans reach was expanding.

Peto watched from her home in Austria a few years later as President Donald Trumps administration mimicked what she saw from Orban, weakening universities and limiting certain studies.

Higher education leaders in Massachusetts and beyond have a lot to learn from Hungarian academics and the resistance movements that sprouted up in the country, she said.

It is not rocket science to see what is happening and what will happen in U.S. higher education. What is truly surprising is that many colleagues in the U.S. did not read or listen to what their peers in Europe, Brazil and elsewhere were warning them about. U.S. exceptionalism blinded them, Peto said.

Why Orban and Trump have targeted higher education

Parked to the side of the yellowing tan library at the New College of Florida on a November afternoon sat an old Toyota Camry with the universitys name on its license plate and stickers on its rear.

A sticker held an image of the U.S. with Orbans face popping out of it. It read: Make America Hungary Again, echoing Trumps slogan.

The first substantial overhaul of a college in the U.S. was at the New College of Florida, where its governor and board of trustees in 2023 abolished the gender studies program, uprooted its leadership and a flood of faculty and students left the institution  moves that closely mirrored what happened to higher education institutions in Hungary a few years earlier.

Some students, like Jackson Dawson, have appreciated the changes at New College  saying he feels more comfortable expressing ideas in classes. Other students, however, have felt the need to leave the college. Over one hundred students and faculty fled amidst the changes, many to Hampshire College in Massachusetts. Among them was Student Senate President Libby Harrity, a queer student leader who faced the threat of criminal prosecution in reaction to actions at a protest.

Orban and Trump have been going after higher education due to a desire to consolidate power and control knowledge production, according to Leon Botstein, board chairman of the Hungarian university from 2007 to 2022 and longtime president of Bard College in New York.

Viktor Orban is an authoritarian and an opponent of democracy, and Donald Trump is an authoritarian who doesnt respect either the Constitution or the rule of law and sees no boundary to prevent him from pursuing his own financial self-interest as well, Botstein said.

The Trump administration has previously argued that its crackdown on Harvard has been to root out antisemitism. However, a federal judge called that argument a smokescreen to mask an ideological assault on the university. The U.S. Department of Education didnt respond to requests for comment for this series.

Under Orbans rule, 11 state-run higher education institutions and their assets were transferred to quasi-public foundations run by Orban allies; gender studies was abolished; and a university was moved into a private foundation, forcing leadership changes.

New College of Florida Board of Trustees member Christopher Rufo, who was instrumental in the politically conservative changes that took place there, spent six weeks in Hungary to learn how the country was rebuilding its universities. Authors of Project 2025, a 900-page blueprint that envisions a federal government with expanded presidential power, have also worked with Hungarian organizations and claimed to take inspiration from Orban.

Despite initially distancing himself from Project 2025, Trump has largely adhered to it, particularly in the field of education. He has signed executive orders to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and to ban critical race theory, an academic framework that examines how racism is ingrained in society.

Its not just one institution. Its a major strategy of interlinked institutions, said Gabor Scheiring, former member of the Hungarian Parliament.

Orban was the first European leader to endorse Trumps presidential bid in 2016. And in 2024, as Trump was running for election again, Vice President J.D. Vance said the U.S. should learn from what Orban has done in Hungary.

The closest that conservatives have ever gotten to successfully dealing with left-wing domination of universities is Viktor Orbans approach in Hungary. I think his way has to be the model for us: not to eliminate universities, but to give them a choice between survival or taking a much less biased approach to teaching, Vance told The European Conservative.

The value  and limitations  of protest movements

Students and academics across Hungary have organized massive movements over the past decade, specifically in response to pressures on universities and colleges  something that hasnt happened recently in the U.S.

In 2017, under Orbans rule, the Hungarian Parliament passed an amendment to its higher education law that targeted Central European University and effectively forced the university out of the country.

In response to the amendment, around 70,000 people protested in Budapest.

Then, in 2020, hundreds of students occupied a key building at the University for Theatre and Film Arts in Budapest for over 80 days. It was in protest to changes to the board of trustees and the institutions move to become a private foundation. It ended due to the pandemic.

In June of this year, around 15,000 protesters congregated in Hungary to call for a widespread resistance movement against Orban.

However, to Scheiring, the protests didnt actually change Orbans actions.

I think the main lessons are that the window for resistance closes in competitive authoritarian regimes over time, said Scheiring, now an assistant professor at Georgetown University Qatar.

Hungarian students Gabor Nagy and Otilia Biszak said protests are crucial in creating solidarity between academics and institutions, so no university feels alone.

Nagy and Biszak are also organizers through the Tanitanek or I would like to teach Movement. The movement was started in reaction to teachers not being paid enough and focuses on primary and secondary education.

Its not just our problem; we should care about others problems too, Biszak said.

The U.S. needs to work together, between institutions, to slow the Trump administrations rule, Nagy said.

I love my country its my country, Nagy said. Its not the people in power who want to oppress people. Its not theirs, its mine and the people that think like me, that think that oppression shouldnt be a way to treat each other.

Resistance in the U.S. has largely been isolated protests. However, most recently, 11 Massachusetts university organizers joined together for the first time in November to fight back against the federal government. A letter from hundreds of college presidents also challenged Trump in April.

The largest protests that have happened in reaction to federal government pressure are the No Kings protests, which arent specific to higher education, but have drawn millions of Americans across the country to peacefully organize.

You have to act fast and it has to be a lot of people. And that can slow things down, Nagy said.

Forging international partnerships can save universities

A lifeline for Central European University came in the form of another country, Austria, stepping in to provide it a new home. Forging these connections with other countries  or states in the U.S.  can be crucial, said Liviu Matei, who was the provost of the university leading the transition to Austria.

Germany, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Austria offered Central European University refuge when the institution couldnt stay in Hungary, he said.

There was enormous solidarity in the world. It has to do with the right to education with academic freedom. Liviu Matei, former provost of Central European University

As Central European University attempted to stay in Hungary, Matei approached political leaders and international organizations to try to mobilize support. The university also looked into legal action, but didnt have standing to be able to go to court.

There was enormous solidarity in the world, Matei said. It has to do with the right to education with academic freedom.

Several universities abroad also partnered with academics who resigned from the University for Theatre and Film Arts to create an accredited program for students who wanted to leave the institution but continue to be taught by their professors.

Similarly, at Harvard, as the Trump administration attacked international students ability to study there, the university offered students the option to attend the University of Toronto.

And, when New College of Florida was radically changed, Hampshire College in Western Massachusetts offered students the opportunity to transfer. More than 50 New College students  about 8% of the undergraduate student body in 2023  took the college up on the offer.

Hampshire was a lifeline for transfer students like Blaise Paine, who felt New College wouldnt be safe anymore due to their queer identity.

I am presently still safer here than I would have been in Florida. And it feels better to have state leadership that is more or less putting up a fight, even if theyre sometimes conciliatory, Paine said.

Moving isnt easy, however. Since leaving Hungary, Central European University has been figuring out how to exist in a completely different country, according to Andrea Weber, a Central European University economics professor.

A lot was lost, Weber said. The feeling of community at CEU changed a lot with this move and with uprooting so many people. And also the mission of the university did change. And so it became a bit more aimless than it was before.

While the university was able to move, the political and media discourse in Hungary had an emotional and physical toll on academics  especially on those who commuted to Austria or who couldnt immediately move away, Matei said.

There were colleagues, for example, who had kids in primary schools who told me that their children had problems because the government media was depicting us, meaning the parents of those kids, all my colleagues, as agents of international kabbalahs, usually with an antisemitic tone, Matei said.

George Soros, a Hungarian billionaire and the universitys founder, provided the funding to relocate to Austria, only a two-and-a-half-hour train ride away from their home base in Budapest, Matei said. But the move was more complicated than receiving financial support.

There was also a human cost of this. I moved. My wife stayed in Budapest for a while because we didnt have a house, a job for her in Vienna, said Matei, who now works at Kings College London.

Using democracy to defend itself

Elections are essential to upholding the independence of higher education and larger society, said Botstein, president of Bard College.

Despite the protests of tens of thousands of citizens of Budapest, the entire nation, when it voted, they remained in the minority We have to use our democratic means to reclaim the freedom and the rule of law under our own Constitution. So the lesson we learned from Hungary is to use democracy to defend itself, Botstein said.

Americans should focus on electoral organizing and voting for candidates that will make America great and not destroy it from within, he said.

Botstein, formerly the board chairman for Central European University, believes Trump is borrowing Orbans playbook for upending universities, as seen through individual attacks against Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and other institutions. Many of those institutions have struck deals with the federal government.

The assault on the American university was successfully launched by Trump and his allies to splinter the American academic community, Botstein said.

Challenging the rule of leaders through the courts is also critical.

A few years after Central European University largely moved out of Hungary, the European Court of Justice ruled that Hungarys forced removal was unlawful. The decision came down too late to stop its forced move to Austria in part because of procedural delays and Orban having allies in the Hungarian courts.

In the U.S., the courts have secured some wins for universities. A federal judge reinstated nearly $3 billion in federal funding at Harvard after cuts from the Trump administration.

Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs wrote in a fiery September decision that the Trump administration was putting forward arbitrary grant terminations in the name of enacting its agenda, no matter the cost.

Its pretty amazing the speed at which Trump is progressing. Orban, it took him 15 years to get there. Give Trump a few more years and he will overtake Orban in autocratization. Gabor Scheiring, former member of the Hungarian Parliament

However, on Thursday, the Trump administration appealed Burroughs decision  meaning that the case, if it moves along, could go as high as the Supreme Court.

Its pretty amazing the speed at which Trump is progressing, said Scheiring, former member of the Hungarian Parliament. Hes really catching up very quickly. Orban, it took him 15 years to get there. Give Trump a few more years and he will overtake Orban in autocratization.

This will be a long struggle

What worries Kim Scheppele  a Princeton professor who was the founding co-director of the gender studies program at Central European University  is that court decisions backing Harvard or protests on campus can only slow down the inevitable.

At this stage, all we can do is throw sand in the gears and slow it down. The federal government has so much power that it could crush any university it wants to, and it could do it overnight, Scheppele said.

The U.S. will need to find its own path because Hungary has no great stories of success, she said.

But to Peto, great stories of success arent the point. Each person must still do their own work to resist.

Before fleeing Hungary, Peto said she learned to teach in hostile environments. Watching how easily her university was defeated sharpened her awareness and her determination to fight back.

When the enemy is overpowering  the only viable strategy is survival. Keep the jobs you have. Take seriously every class you teach. Do not engage in unnecessary fights, Peto said. This will be a long struggle. The attacks are transnational attacks impacting the national level. This is the same anti-liberal playbook played out in a different context.
James Ransone, an actor best known for his work in the drama and horror genres, has died. He was 46.

Ransone died by suicide on Friday, Dec. 19, Us Weekly reported citing records from the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner.

The actors wife, Jamie McPhee, mourned the death of her husband in an emotional Instagram post on Sunday.

I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again, she wrote. You told me  I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me  and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts  you, Jack and Violet. We are forever.

McPhees post was met with supportive comments from fellow actors such as Natasha Lyonne who wrote, Love you with everything I got and holding our beloved brilliant peejo with grace gratitude and cosmic peace into this life and the next  family forever  beautiful jamie you are the best of us we love you."

Model and actress Julia Fox also commented, Giving you the biggest virtual hug and I hope you are wrapped in warmth and love  we got your back with whatever you need.

Ransone was born on June 2, 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland, according to IMDb. He graduated with a degree in fine arts from the Carver Center for Arts and Technology before formally launching his acting career.

Ransones most notable roles include Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of The Wire, Cpl. Josh Ray Person in Generation Kill, the Deputy in Sinister and Sinister 2, Chester in Tangerine, adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two and Max in The Black Phone. His final acting credit was a cameo in Black Phone 2, which was released in October.
Police arrested three Massachusetts residents in Framingham on Thursday after they tried to arrange payment for sex with a child while unknowingly communicating with undercover officers, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Framingham resident Joseph Norton, Sherborn resident Eric Gurvis and Milford resident Surya Chandra Ravi Kumar Eda were each arraigned in Framingham District Court on Friday, according to court records. All three pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted child rape, enticement of a child under 16 and paying for sexual conduct with a child.

The arrests were the result of an undercover operation by the State Police High Risk Victims Unit and Framingham police, State Police said in a press release. The operation was meant to address an increase in demand for commercial sex with children locally.

Gurvis is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on Jan. 12, 2026, according to court records. Nortons next court date is a probable cause hearing scheduled for Jan. 30, 2026. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Eda for Feb. 25, 2026.

No further information has been released.
The United States is adding two Caribbean countries to its growing list of travel restrictions as the Trump administration implements sweeping national security and immigration policy changes.

In a Dec. 16 proclamation from The White House, President Donald Trump announced Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, are joining the list.

The ban will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, under the Presidential Proclamation 10998 titled Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.

According to the presidential proclamation, the U.S. is imposing partial travel restrictions on Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica over concerns about their citizenship-by-investment programs.

Both countries run citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, which allow foreign nationals to gain citizenship and a passport from Antigua and Barbuda or Dominica if they make a qualifying financial contributions, such as a donation to a government fund or an approved real-estate investment.

The proclamation says the CBI programs can make it harder for U.S. officials to properly vet visa applicants, because these passports often provide limited residency or background information.

These concerns were cited as factors that could detrimentally affect the interests of the United States if left unaddressed.

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica with CBI passports arent automatically barred from travel, but the U.S. applies partial restrictions when they apply for visas.

Who the ban affects and what it means

The ban does not stop U.S. citizens from visiting these Caribbean countries or cancel tourism to these areas. It also does not block all foreign nationals from entering the U.S.

Instead, the restrictions limit some travel into the U.S by citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica.

The move will primarily affect Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica citizens traveling to the U.S with certain types of visas, like tourists and exchange students.

Under the partial ban:
A Trinitarios gang member could avoid life in prison after pleading guilty to charges in connection with two murders and two other attempted murders.

Michael Miliano, also known as Trucho, 23, pleaded guilty on Dec. 15 to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.

Miliano was arrested and charged in February along with two dozen leaders, members and associates of the Trinitarios gang. The gang members were charged with federal offenses, including racketeering conspiracy in connection with six murders and 11 attempted murders. Two individuals, who were 15 and 16 at the time of the criminal offenses, have been charged by the Essex County District Attorneys Office with murder.

The Trinitarios gang was known for causing a decade of bloodshed, drug trafficking, and lawlessness, according to officials. It originated in New York but has spread into Massachusetts. In 2019, federal prosecutors charged 32 people they accused of being members of a Lawrence-based branch of the gang.

At the time, authorities indicated that the investigation into related gang activity was still far from finished.

Miliano participated in the murder of Jandriel Heredia and Abraham Diaz in September 2023, officials said. Five other people were shot during this incident.

The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. However, under the plea agreement, Miliano faces a sentence of no more than 25 years

Miliano is the seventh gang member to plead guilty after the February arrests.

In March, a Lynn member of the Trinitarios was sentenced to ten years in prison. In June, two members of the Trinitarios were charged with kidnapping a drug supplier. And in July, the leader of the Lynn Chapter was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.

Milianos sentencing is scheduled for March 19.
Erika Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, made her endorsement for president on the opening day of Turning Point USAs America Fest conference.

Shes supporting Vice President JD Vance.

We are going to get my husbands friend, JD Vance, elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible, Kirk said, referring to Vance as the 48th president.

In November, Kirk suggested that Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative policies on high school, college and university campuses, would support Vance for president. Vance himself has not announced whether he will run in 2028.

Multiple polls have Vance as the frontrunner in hypothetical Republican presidential primaries.

In an Echelon Insights poll conducted between Dec. 11 and Dec. 15, 45% of respondents said they would vote for Vance in the Republican primary.

Behind Vance is Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President Donald Trump, with 12% support. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ranked third with 9% support and Secretary of State Marco Rubio placed fourth with 4% support.

Of the 1,011 voters polled, 426 responded to the Republican primary question. The polls margin of error is plus or minus 3.8%.

During Turning Point USAs conference, several speakers shared their gripes about individual members of Trumps coalition.

On Thursday night, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro called out frauds and grifters, according to the New York Times. Shapiro sharply criticized former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for airing an interview with Nick Fuentes, who has espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories. Shapiro said Carlson engaged in an act of moral imbecility, the New York Times reported.

Shapiro also took aim at Trumps previous chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, calling him a former P.R. flack for Jeffrey Epstein, according to the New York Times.

Carlson and Bannon both fired back at Shapiro, with Bannon calling him a cancer on the movement, the New York Times reported.

In separate remarks, Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate now running for governor of Ohio, criticized those on the political right who believe ancestry or heritage determines what makes someone American.

The online comment threads of Twitter might preach that our lineage is our strength, Ramaswamy said on Friday. No, Im sorry, our lineage is not our strength. Our true strength is what unites us across that diversity and through that lineage.

Vance, who spoke on Sunday, addressed the infighting among the factions.

I know some of you are discouraged by the infighting over any number of issues, Vance said. Dont be discouraged.
The New York Yankees added depth at the catcher position when they signed Ali Sanchez to a minor league deal earlier this month.

Sanchez appeared in six games for the Boston Red Sox last season but had just two plate appearances. He was designated for assignment in August, cleared waivers and became a free agent.

The 28-year-old spent most of September with the Red Sox and was on the taxi squad for Bostons American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees.

Sanchez elected free agency in October.

The New York Mets ultimately signed the catcher and was assigned to Triple-A Syracuse. His time with the Mets organization was short-lived as the Red Sox re-acquired Sanchez in a trade that sent cash to New York.

In 50 MLB games across four seasons with the Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays and Red Sox, Sanchez slashed 183/.220/.233.

Its likely Sanchez will begin the 2026 season in Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
The Red Sox added to their first base depth as well as some right-handed power when they traded for Willson Contreras on Sunday night.

Boston acquired the first baseman/catcher from St. Louis in a trade that included pitcher Hunter Dobbins.

With the Red Sox not committing to Triston Casas as the teams 2026 first baseman, Contreras gives them an option to play the corner position and will provide some power to the lineup.

Theres still more work to be done, but heres how those around MLB graded the trade.

The Athletic

This is the second time the Cardinals and Red Sox have matched up this winter, and once again, its a deal that makes a lot of sense for each side. The Red Sox get the right-handed power bat theyve wanted and needed for a while now  not one that plays second or third, but first base was exactly settled either  and the Cardinals get another young starting pitcher to throw immediately into their rotation, plus a couple of higher upside arms for down the road.

Contreras isnt a 30-homer guy, but hes had at least a 123 OPS+ each of the past four seasons, and he tends to pull the ball in the air, which could play well at Fenway Park. He also graded as a strong defender in his first full season at first base. Hes a good fit for a team that wants to improve its infield defense and leans left-handed in the lineup.

Grade: A

ESPN

After pursuing and failing to land Pete Alonso, the Red Sox instead turn to Contreras, who has certainly been defined by his consistency, with OPS+ figures of 126, 123, 138 and 123 over the past four seasons, and a slugging percentage between .447 and .468. He has two years left on his contract at $36.5 million, plus a $17.5 million club option for 2028 (or a $6 million buyout), giving the Red Sox their first baseman for 2026 and 27 and probably putting Casas on the trade block.

Contreras feels like a safe bet, but there are some warning signs here. Hes entering his age-34 season, in that danger zone, and hes coming off a career-low 7.8% walk rate while also seeing his strikeout rate increase the past two seasons. But the bat speed (95th percentile) and hard-hit rate (83rd percentile) remain strong, so though he shouldnt fall off a cliff, his best days are probably behind him. The MLB average OPS at first base was .755 and Contreras OPS in 2025 was .791, so maybe he remains slightly above average for the position, at least in 2026.

Grade: B

CBS Sports

Generally, bat speed is one of the main concerns for right-handed first baseman aging into their mid-30s. That variable not only impacts their slugging capacity, but also their ability to keep their strikeout rate in check. While Contreras swings and misses and punches out his fair share, it should be encouraging that he improved both his in-zone and overall contact rates in 2025 -- and did so with only a slight reduction in his swing rate. Anything and everything can happen in this sport. Still, Contreras looks like he ought to be good for another above-average showing or two.

If nothing else, the Red Sox were able to net an above-average stick on a short, cheap agreement for more of their pitching surplus without touching anyone theyre likely to miss in 2026 (Payton Tolle or Connelly Early) or compromising other pursuits. This, then, seems like another fine swap both ways.

Grade: A

FanSided

By the end of the 2025 season, Bostons offense was MIA. With Triston Casas and Marcelo Mayer on the shelf and Kristian Campbell in Triple-A, the Red Sox finished the year a middling 15th in homers  then went out and scored a grand total of six runs in their Wild Card loss to the New York Yankees. Re-signing Alex Bregman was a priority, but even getting that done would just put Boston back where they started, and where they started wasnt good enough.

Contreras didnt come free, but he also didnt cost Boston more than it could afford to lose. Hes still a very good hitter, one who should enjoy the friendly confines of Fenway Park, and he shows little sign of slowing down entering his age-34 season. Theres risk here, to be sure  hes an aging righty first baseman, after all, and the Sox are still on the hook for $16 million a year or so in 2026 and 2027  and more work needs to be done for this offense to be good enough to win a World Series. But Contreras helps in a way this team definitely needed, and Dobbins, while valuable, didnt have a clear role on next years team.

Grade: B

Sports Illustrated

Contreras is a solid right-handed bat, but isnt a WAR machine. In 2025, he slashed .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a wRC+ of 124. He posted 2.8 fWAR. His peak season came in 2022 with the Cubs, where he slashed .243/.349/.466 with 22 homers, 55 RBIs, and a wRC+ of 134. He posted 3.5 fWAR in 113 games. Hes coming off a biceps injury that ended his 2025 campaign and has had various injuries throughout his career that have limited the former catchers availability.

He can still get it done at the plate and provides a good right-handed bat in the middle of a Red Sox lineup littered with lefties. Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida and Marcelo Mayer are all lefties who project as regulars. Contreras helps balance things out.

Grade: B-
HARTFORD, Conn.  An Agawam, Massachusetts, felon pleaded guilty Monday in a Connecticut federal court to multiple firearms charges, including possession of ghost guns and an automatic weapon.

Detained since his arrest in August 2024, Nicholas Kingsley, 42, pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to gun possession offenses, according to a statement from David X. Sullivan, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, including unlawful possession of firearms by a felon; unlawful possession of a machine gun; and unlawful possession of a weapon in violation of the National Firearms Act.

The crimes carry a maximum penalty of up to 35 years in federal prison.

On Aug. 16, 2024, officers with the Enfield Police Department arrested Kingsley after a traffic stop. Police seized from him three privately made and untraceable ghost guns, as well as 45 rounds of ammunition.

Two days later, Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Kingsleys car in Agawam and found 14 more firearms, several Glock switches (machine gun converters), and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition in various calibers.

Kingsleys criminal history includes drug, firearm, assault and larceny convictions.

His sentencing is set for March 16.

The Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Enfield police and the Agawam Police Department in Massachusetts assisted with the case.
HOLYOKE  Holyoke City Councilor Israel Rivera was arrested over the weekend and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, according to court records.

Rivera, 40, pleaded not guilty Monday in Holyoke District Court to OUI and two civil motor vehicle infractions  failure to stop and speeding. He was released on personal recognizance and faces a pretrial hearing Jan. 26.

Massachusetts State Police said Rivera was stopped shortly after midnight Sunday on Appleton Street after allegedly speeding, running a red light and driving onto a sidewalk. Troopers reported signs of impairment and said Rivera refused a breath test, triggering an automatic license suspension.

In a Facebook post, Rivera acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and pledged to address the matter responsibly while maintaining his commitment to transparency.

In the early 2000s, Rivera was arrested and served five years on drug-related charges.
HOLYOKE  Firefighters say working smoke detectors made the difference between life and death in two recent Holyoke apartment fires that left about 70 people homeless.

Both fires broke out in older buildings where flames can spread quickly, making alarms critical for survival, said Capt. David Rex of the Holyoke Fire Department.

The first call to 131 Clemente St. Dec. 1, came around 4 p.m. as an alarm, meaning smoke detectors were working, he said. A 911 call followed soon after.

When crews arrived, flames were pouring from a second-floor apartment. The stairs were already damaged, and doors had been left open  allowing the fire to spread, Rex said.

If you open a door and see fire, close it to keep flames contained, he said.

The building, dating to the late 1890s or early 1900s, had no sprinkler system and many hidden spaces behind walls where fire could travel. Under todays codes, sprinklers are required in new construction, Rex noted.

Unfortunately, older buildings that havent been updated dont have that protection, Rex said.

The building, did however, have a monitored alarm system, which alerted firefighters quickly.

State investigators determined the fire started when someone carelessly discarded smoking materials, he said.

Franklin Street

The Dec. 2, a fire at the corner of 27 Franklin St. and High Street began with an overloaded power strip, Rex said.

The first call came at 8:30 a.m. as an alarm, then was quickly upgraded to a working fire.

When crews arrived, flames were venting through two blown-out windows, showing the blaze had burned inside for at least 10 to 20 minutes before the glass failed and dry wood from the more than century-old building gave the fire room to grow.

Boots and trousers sit on the floor of the Holyoke Fire Department garage, ready for an emergency call. Dec. 17, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Prevention and safety

After covering the major Holyoke fires  and hearing about the recent deadly ones in West Springfield and Northampton  Rex stressed the importance of life-saving measures: working smoke detectors.

The reason we had no civilian injuries in these fires is because alarms worked, he said.

Other tips for survival include closing the bedroom doors at night to slow a potential fires spread and to provide time in case the alarm sounds.

Rex said people should call 911 immediately when an alarm sounds.

A fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, Rex said. Delays make fires worse, if one person is using an extinguisher, make sure someone else is calling 911.

Another practical tip: Keep essentials  keys, phone, wallet  in one spot, just in case of an emergency.

And Rex said people should not overload power strips and should unplugging devices when away.

Power strips are meant for charging electronics like phones, laptops or tablets  not for running space heaters, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, electric heaters or mini fridges," Rex said.

Plugging in too many high-powered devices draws too much electricity, melts the plastic casing and can start a fire, he said.

Holyoke Fire Department Capt. David Rex walks through the garage where trucks are parked ready for the next call. Rex said that they receive roughly 12 calls a day. Dec. 17, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Aging housing stock

Holyokes aging housing stock also makes firefighting complex, Rex said.

Many buildings share basements and roofs, lack detailed plans and contain hidden spaces where flames can spread. Crews often need extra staffing to tear down walls and track hot spots.

Modern risks add to the problem: Homes packed with electronics strain old wiring.

Fire officials only hold a building for investigation after a fire if they suspect arson, Rex said.

In those cases, investigators may need a warrant and work with police and the state fire marshals office, he said.

Once the investigation is complete, the building is released to the owner and the citys Building Department, which decides whether it can be repaired or must be demolished.

Rex said the building at Franklin and High street may be restored, but the future of the building on Clemente Street is unclear.

Many apartment buildings in Holyoke are owned by out-of-town landlords, so management companies often handle those decisions, he said.

The fact that so many people were displaced  thats what we look at, Rex said.

The saving grace in the fires this month was that everyone got out safely and into shelters, he said. Holyokes emergency system worked well, and the community showed strong support, Rex said.

Losing a home so close to the holidays was especially tough. Firefighters saw Christmas trees in some apartments.

Emergency management crews didnt just fight flames  they helped families recover, he said.

It was amazing, Rex said. By the end of the second day, almost every family had a place to stay. It brings almost tears to my eyes. The outpouring of help was incredible.

Fire trucks are going up in price and are usually custom built to serve each department. In Holyoke, there are a large number of fire hydrants, so the need for each truck to have its own water source isnt necessary, according to Capt. David Rex. Dec. 17, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Looking back and ahead

Some residents compared the recent fires to blazes in the late 1970s and early 80s, when landlords were accused of setting fires for insurance money.

But Rex said this months two fires were accidental and just happened to occur in the span of two days. The only similarity was their size and the amount of damage they caused, he said.

Rex said the Holyokes fire prevention team works year-round, visiting schools and senior centers and posting seasonal reminders online about ways to avoid falling victim to fire.

If we get one person to think about safety, thats one less accident, Rex said.
SPRINGFIELD  Baystate Health CEO Peter Banko and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal sat on either side of a low table in front of about 150 officials, health industry leaders and community organizers.

The Dec. 15 panel of two, arranged by the Springfield Regional Chamber, answered questions about what fallout to expect from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also called the OB3 Act, which was passed in July.

As part of the legislation, federal subsidies that lowered premiums on insurance plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act are set to expire. In Massachusetts, the Affordable Care Act marketplace is known as the Health Connector. Democrats pushed to extend the subsidies, and the resulting gridlock is what cause the recent government shutdown. Neal said he had not given up hope on forcing a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on whether to extend the subsidies for two years. Neal said forcing such a vote was uphill, but on Dec. 17, four Republicans joined with House Democrats to force the vote. As of press time, the future of the subsidies was uncertain.

Under the OB3 Act, $1 trillion was cut from the federal budget for healthcare programs. For Massachusetts, that translates to a reduction of $4 million to $5 million.

Neal said the new eligibility requirements put 31,000 state residents in danger of losing their coverage completely, while hundreds of thousands more will see their premiums increase dramatically. In Neals district alone, there are 287,000 people on Medicare, and 106,000 of them are children. He said 21% of Massachusetts residents are uninsured, but every child in the state has coverage, if not through a private plan, then through Medicaid.

The legislations changes to Medicaid eligibility implement work requirements, which Banko said have not worked in Georgia or Arkansas, where he previously worked in hospital administration. Medicaid mostly covers low-income Americans. More than 1-in-3 Medicaid recipients are children, 10% are seniors and another 10% are people with disabilities.

Were not talking about people who dont deserve it, Banko said of the healthcare coverage. The system may not be perfect he said, but we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Neal said politics have colored the way people see Medicaid. He said that if you ask people if they support the Affordable Care Act, they will say yes. But ask them if they support Obamacare  the nickname given to the law by Republicans when it was passed  and they will say no.

If people think youre taking it away from them and giving it to someone else, its a loser, Neal said. He emphasized that the Affordable Care Act expands insurance coverage to more people, rather than choosing who gets coverage.

The cuts will also impact commercial insurance plans, Banko said. Under the law, hospitals are required to treat people with emergencies regardless of their ability to pay. As more uninsured people visit emergency departments for healthcare, the unpaid costs and financial pressures will filter into the wider insurance market.

Emergency room visits are a bad way to get healthcare, Neal said.

Neal went on to say, Healthcare in our valley is not just about services. He explained that it is also about people, including the tens of thousands employed in the areas healthcare industry. There are more than 1,300 doctors and providers, and nearly 13,000 employees across Baystate Healths network of four hospitals and 50 medical offices. Mercy Medical Center in Springfield employs 2,000 more, another 3,000 are employed by Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

From a different perspective, Neal said, Medicare is the largest employer in Western Massachusetts because so much healthcare is paid through the program. Banko said nearly half of Baystates patients, 48%, have Medicare for insurance. Another 23% are on Medicaid.

Cost of business

While 71% of Baystate patients use Medicare and Medicaid, Banko said neither of these programs fully cover care expenses incurred by patients. Last year, Baystate Health operated in the positive for the first time in six years. Banko said the $180 million in revenue was reinvested back into the facilities. However, he said the OB3 Act wipes that out. Banko said the expenses are largely out of the companys control. These include employee health insurance costs and supplies. He said half of the rise in supply costs are due to federal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Banko, who took over as CEO in 2024, remarked that he has taken heat over recent decisions, including offering buyouts for some non-patient facing personnel who decide to voluntarily separate from the company.

Im trying to turn a battleship in a bathtub, he said of his efforts to maneuver the company into a healthy financial position.

Banko said people should brace themselves for changes the healthcare industry will make in response to these economic factors. He predicted mergers and acquisitions as companies try to make use of economies of scale. There will likely be a streamlining of services and programs and longer wait times in emergency departments as people without primary care doctors seek treatment. He acknowledged that wait times are already an issue.

Banko said many of the impacts will not hit peoples wallets until after the mid-term elections in November 2026. Weve got time, so our community has to advocate on our behalf in Boston and Washington. Neal said the American Hospital Association was also advocating against the end of the subsidies.

When asked what else people can do to help, Banko quipped, Prayers are always good, before asking the public to support the people in our organizations and extend a little grace.
A man on the run for years after a Worcester shooting was found by U.S. Marshals with several firearms and body armor in Texas.

In 2019, brothers, Jose A. and Kenneth J. Diaz, were indicted and arraigned in connection with a shooting at the Wonder Cuts Barber Shop at 260 Lincoln St., according to the Telegram & Gazette.

Two men with guns entered the barbershop on June 21, 2019 and began shooting, according to assistant District Attorney Timothy A. Westerman. Rawin Peralta, a barber, was shot three times, according to the news outlet.

Kenneth Diaz was set to go to trial in 2022 but officials couldnt find him.

In that time, several agencies, including the Worcester Police Department have attempted to locate Diaz but had been unsuccessful, a Worcester Police Department press release states.

In November, new information was given to officials.

U.S. Marshals in Houston found a woman with a man that appeared to be Kenneth Diaz.

On Dec. 3, the U.S. Marshals went into the womans residence and Diaz was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest, Diaz was in possession of several guns and body armor, officials said.

On Dec. 17, members of the Worcester County Sheriffs Office returned Diaz to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to appear in court.

He is expected to return to court on Jan. 5.

The arrest of Diaz most likely would not have happened if it were not for the collaborative efforts and information sharing between the Worcester Police Department, the Worcester County Sheriffs Office, the Massachusetts State Police and US Marshals Service. Their collective efforts resulted in Diaz being located and placed under arrest, a press release stated.

In 2024, Jose Diaz pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault to murder. He was sentenced to about five years in prison with 582 days time served.

He is currently in Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC).
Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced today, December 22, that Mayo County Council has instructed its engineering consultants for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme to commence the detailed design (Stage 3).

Speaking in Ballina today, Minister Moran said: I am very pleased to announce that commencing the detailed design for the 55m Ballina Flood Relief Scheme will allow for the appointment of contractors in 2027. I want to acknowledge the support from the Ballina community that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for its town, which will protect 297 properties including 228 residential and family homes at risk from flooding. This public engagement has ensured that the needs of the community have been addressed in the design of the scheme.

Todays announcement follows the planning approval for Ballina Flood Relief Scheme issued by An Coimisiun Pleanala on October 17. The submission for planning included a very detailed engineering analysis, environmental assessment and engagement with the public on the sources of flooding from Ballinas rivers and the options to protect the town. As part of the planning submission, a Marine Area Consent was obtained from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA).

Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive, Mayo County Council said: "I welcome the progress to date of this much anticipated flood relief scheme. Mayo County Council, as lead authority for this flood relief scheme have recently secured planning approval and are currently within the Compulsory Purchase Order, CPO, process through An Coimisiun Pleanala. Progressing to stage 3 detailed design is a major step forward in the scheme.

Mayo County Council, as the principal response agency for flood events, have dealt with numerous instances of flooding in Ballina town over the past number of years. Flooding has been a major barrier to development of the town core along the river. Completion of this scheme will allow developments to progress, providing much needed housing and commercial developments within the town centre. We will continue to assist the OPW throughout the design and construction phases, minimising the impact of construction on the local community and providing much needed protection for the properties and public infrastructure at risk."

Ballina experiences regular flooding from the River Moy and its tributaries through a combination of river bank overflow and wall seepage. In 2018, following the Governments introduction of Flood Risk Management Plans, Mayo County Council with funding from the OPW appointed RPS engineering and environmental consultants to design a flood relief scheme for Ballina.

The scheme design for Ballina provides for the construction of flood defence walls, construction of embankments and culvert upgrades along the River Moy and the Quignamanger, Bunree, Brusna, Tullyegan and Knockanelo tributaries.

Minister Moran concluded by stating: The Government is investing 94m in flood risk management across Mayo and that Ballina is one of three flood relief schemes for the county. A 2m Flood Relief Scheme is already in place in Westport in the Cois Abhainn & Ashwood estates, protecting 36 properties. A 34m flood relief scheme at Crossmolina has commenced construction by the OPW and will protect 116 properties.

The cost of these schemes will be met from the Governments commitment to managing Irelands flood risk through the commitment to funding of the flood relief measures set out in the National Development Plan. The design of this and all flood relief schemes is future proofed and is adaptable to meet the increasing flood risk from climate change.

In addition to these major schemes, the OPW has approved approximately 2.3m to Mayo County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for localised flood relief works across 37 other locations in the county.

READ MORE: Driver disqualified after driving at 193km per hour on N5 dual carriageway
A MAN who drove along the new N5 dual carriageway near Westport at 193km per hour has been disqualified from driving for two years.

Yoraslav Polonskyi (32) of Castlegrove West, Castlebar appeared before Castlebar District Court where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving along the N5 at Kilbree Lower, Westport on May 15, 2025.

Garda Ian Lynott told the court that he was detecting a speed check along the N5 at 10.02pm when he detected a car travelling at 193km per hour in a 100km zone on the Westport bound lane. He followed the car and stopped the driver who subsequently tested negative for both alcohol and drugs.

The court heard that Mr Polonskyi is a Ukrainian national who is living with his wife in Castlebar and working in a local supermarket.

Mr Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for Mr Polonskyi said his client has no previous convictions and explained that he did not realise the speed was in kilometres but accepted this was not an excuse. He said his client did not realise he was travelling so fast but accepted that the speed was extraordinarily high.

Mr Mulchrone said his client was not trying to evade anyone and while the speed was dangerous there was no oncoming traffic as it was a dual carriageway.

Judge Sandra Murphy said the speed the defendant was driving was dangerous and was convinced he was aware of the speed and did not believe it was a case of the driver forgetting himself.

She imposed a two year disqualification and fined Mr Polonskyi 350.

READ MORE: Mayo sees sharp rise in drug-driving cases this year, court figures show
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) hosted a special event this week to honour students who represented ATU Sligo at the WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry finals.

Among the celebrated participants was Gavin Hopkins from Shanvallybeg, Drummin, Westport, whose exceptional carpentry skills earned him a place among the countrys top apprentices. Hopkins was supported throughout his WorldSkills journey by Westport employer Danny Maloney of Owenwee, a long-standing advocate for cultivating young talent in the trades.

The competition, regarded as one of the most rigorous assessments of craft training in Ireland, evaluates competitors on precision workmanship, technical drawing interpretation, and advanced carpentry methods. This years test piece, described as one of the most challenging in recent years, placed strong emphasis on geometric accuracy and complex timber structures.

ATU Sligo Lecturer and WorldSkills carpenter expert Patrick EcElwee praised the dedication shown by Hopkins and his fellow competitors: I couldnt be any more proud of the competitors for their work rate and dedication. This years final test piece was challenging to say the least, containing various types of incline, ranking and crossing rafters, which all had to be developed first, testing the geometric ability of each competitor.

It's been a great year for the college to have four competitors qualifying for the final in carpentry and to come away with the winner and three placed is extremely pleasing, he added.

Padraig McGarry, Head of Department of Engineering Technology at ATU Sligo, expressed his pride in competing in the WorldSkills competition: It is a huge endorsement of the teaching and technical standards at ATU Sligo to produce three national champions in the same year, in the Skills of Electrical Installations, Carpentry, and Joinery.

Well done to all our contestants, we hope this will inspire all groups of apprentices coming through the college to reach for the stars.
Pre-travel vaccinations help protect international travelers from preventable infections and serious health risks abroad.

Highlights: Travelers visiting friends and relatives face a higher risk of infection due to longer stays and local exposure

face a higher risk of infection due to longer stays and local exposure Several serious diseases can be prevented with timely vaccination before departure

Some vaccines are required for entry into specific countries and regions

  Trusted Source

I'm heading overseas. Do I really need travel vaccines?



Go to source Trusted Source

Advertisement

Higher Exposure Risks While Visiting Friends and Family

Advertisement

Why Vaccinations Matter Before International Travel

Advertisement

Categories of Vaccines to Consider Before Departure

Measles Risks During International Travel

Protecting Infants From Severe Measles Infection

Influenza Risk Across Different Travel Seasons

Hepatitis A Spread Through Food and Water

Typhoid Infection in High-Risk Regions

Rabies Prevention Before Overseas Travel

Additional Vaccines for Specific Travel Risks

Planning Vaccinations with Medical Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why should I think about vaccines before traveling overseas? A: They help protect you from infections that are more common in certain countries and travel settings. Q: Who is at higher risk of getting sick while traveling? A: People visiting friends and relatives often face greater risk due to longer stays and closer local contact. Q: Are routine vaccines important even if I feel healthy? A: Yes, routine vaccines like measles and influenza still matter because outbreaks continue worldwide. Q: When should I plan my travel vaccinations? A: It is best to plan them well before your departure so protection starts in time.

I'm heading overseas. Do I really need travel vaccines? - (https://theconversation.com/im-heading-overseas-do-i-really-need-travel-vaccines-269495)

from serious infections, yet they are often overlooked, especially by people visiting friends and relatives ().a time when many people focus on flights, accommodation, and itineraries. Amid all this planning, theis frequently missed.This gap is particularly noticeable among those traveling to visit friends and relatives. This group is less likely to seek vaccinations before departure, despite facing a higher risk of illness compared with other travelers.The increased risk stems from travel patterns common in this group. They often. Closer interaction with the local population also increases exposure to infectious diseases Although infections exist worldwide, some destinations pose a greater risk due to factors such as. These risks are compounded by declining childhood vaccination rates and low adult vaccine uptake globally, including for influenza.Falling ill while overseas can do more than disrupt travel plans. In severe cases, it canfar from home.Travel-related vaccines reduce the risk of preventable infections and help ensure a safer, uninterrupted journey.One category includes routine vaccines that are part of standard health care and not specific to travel, such asAnother group targets diseases linked to particular destinations, personal health conditions, or planned activities, such asSome vaccines are legally required for entry into certain countries. For example, proof ofmay be mandatory for border entry.Measles is a highly contagious viral infection capable of causing severe illness. It spreads easily in public settings, including shopping centers and aircraft cabins.Outbreaks continue worldwide, including in Australia, where many cases are associated with people returning from overseas travel, particularly from popular destinations in Southeast Asia.. Many adults are unsure whether they completed the full course during childhood, making it important to check immunization records or consult a general practitioner.If uncertainty remains, receiving an additional dose is considered safe, especially before international travel.In Australia, children routinely receive the measles vaccine at one year of age. However, infants face the highest risk of severe illness and death from measles.To address this, an additionalproviding early protection during a vulnerable period.. While many people associate flu vaccination with autumn or winter, protection from the vaccine lasts only about three to four months.As a result, anto maintain adequate protection.Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection transmitted through contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected individual. It is common in many regions around the world.Vaccination can begin from one year of age, andTyphoid is a bacterial illness that causes high fever and abdominal pain, with serious complications such as brain inflammation occurring in 10 to 15 percent of cases.The disease isand spreads through contaminated food and water, similar to hepatitis A.There are two vaccine options available. One is anand safe for people with compromised immune systems. The other isRabies is a viral infection transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. Dogs are the primary carriers, but other mammals such as bats, monkeys, and cats can also transmit the virus. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.Anyone bitten or scratched by a land mammal overseas or by a bat anywhere requires urgent preventive treatment after exposure. This treatment must be given as soon as possible, but access can be difficult in remote locations.or simplify care if exposure occurs. AOther vaccines may be advised depending on destination and activities. These includeVaccines may also be recommended for, and for anyone planning overseas travel involving sexual contact with sex workers or travel to regions where clade one of the virus is circulating.Consulting a general practitioner or travel doctor is the best way to determine how to stay healthy while traveling.. Many vaccines are also available through pharmacies.While some pre-travel vaccines require out-of-pocket payment, the cost is usually small compared with overall travel expenses. This investment significantly reduces the risk of illness and travel disruption.In conclusion, preparing for international travel goes beyond booking flights and packing bags. Ensuring the right vaccinations before departure reduces the risk of serious illness, avoids unnecessary medical challenges overseas, and helps travelers enjoy a safer, uninterrupted journey.Source-Medindia
Experts warn that proposed changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule could endanger children and weaken disease protection.

  Trusted Source

U.S. Plan to Drop Some Childhood Vaccines to Align with Denmark Will Endanger Children, Experts Say



Go to source Trusted Source

Advertisement

Vaccines on the Chopping Block: What Could Change

Rotavirus

Varicella (chickenpox)

Hepatitis A

Meningococcal disease

Seasonal influenza

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Advertisement

A Terrible Mistake: Experts Warn of Preventable Harm

Old-school vaccines (polio, measles) are widely accepted

New-school vaccines (varicella, HPV, RSV) are often unfairly questioned

Advertisement

RSV: A Case Study in Why Timing Matters

Why Comparing the U.S. to Denmark Misses the Point

Insurance coverage

Federal programs like Vaccines for Children (VFC)

Accessibility for low-income and underserved families

A Risk to Collective Protection

U.S. Plan to Drop Some Childhood Vaccines to Align with Denmark Will Endanger Children, Experts Say - (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-plan-to-drop-some-childhood-vaccines-to-align-with-denmark-will-endanger/)

The US position on vaccinations for children may change significantly. According to CNN, theis considering a significant revision to the country's paediatric vaccination schedule. Public health experts warn that the proposed changes, which reduce the number of frequently prescribed vaccinations and change the timing of immunisations, may have a negative impact on children and overall disease protection.At the heart of the debate is, the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has a long history of vaccine scepticism and supports changing the current schedule ().Under the reported plans, several vaccines that are currently recommended for routine use in U.S. children could be removed entirely from the schedule. They include immunisations or preventive shots for:The recommended immunisation schedule now protects children in the United States against eighteen infectious illnesses. In contrast, Denmark, a nation that the Trump administration frequently uses as an example, suggests vaccinations for ten illnesses, each with a separate schedule and route of administration.Experts in public health warn that these figures do not provide a complete picture., an epidemiologist for infectious diseases at Defend Public Health, calls the potential rollback. She warns that reducing routine childhood vaccinations could lead to more hospital stays, long-term problems, and deaths from diseases that are currently preventable.The recent approval of several vaccines that are alleged to be dangerous has led to misconceptions about their necessity and safety. However, Malaty Rivera emphasises that vaccines for illnesses like chickenpox and HPV have been used for decades and have repeatedly proven to be safe and highly effective.She also highlights a dangerous mental divide among the public:This distinction, experts say, is not rooted in science.Protection againstis one of the most worrisome possible deletions. According to the CDC, RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation among newborns in the United States.are betweenTwo highly effective antibody-based vaccines thatwere approved in 2023 and 2025. They are essential in saving the lives of unstable newborns, though they do not qualify as vaccines.and place a significant burden on paediatric medical care systems.Advocates of the U.S. vaccine schedule have often used Denmark as an example. However, experts say that such a comparison is flawed.According to epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo, the success of Denmark is largely based on the fact that the country has a universal healthcare system that ensures that everyone has access to care without any cost.In contrast, the U.S. healthcare system is fragmented, with millions of people falling into coverage gaps. Vaccine recommendations from the CDC directly influence:Nuzzo warns.Experts agree that even partial rollbacks might erode the nation's collective immunity against fatal infectious illnesses, even if the planned changes to the U.S. paediatric vaccination schedule are not yet official. States and individual healthcare providers may attempt to bridge the gaps, but a fragmented approach may fail to protect the most vulnerable children. Experts worry that if these changes are implemented, decades of progress against preventable childhood illnesses could be reversed, potentially signalling a paradigm shift in the United States.Everyone should benefit from public health advice, not just those with resources, time, or medical expertise. Nuzzo cautions that many families obtain life-saving vaccinations solely through insurance coverage and national guidelines.Source-CNN
Almost every character in Dhurandhar has a real-life counterpart. Akshaye Khannas Rehman Dakait, Sanjay Dutts SP Chaudhary Aslam and many others are based on real people. Amongst them is also Danish Pandors Uzair Baloch. He is seen as Dakaits right-hand man and one of the most dangerous people in Lyari. His character was also based on a real person, and in a resurfaced video, the confidence of an interviewer is such that people are questioning how he was able to survive asking dangerous questions to the don. Uzair Baloch Did a Very Risque Interview

 X/JuNaid Lyari has been a victim of gang violence for a long time now and Dhurandhar takes time to break that down bit by bit. In an interview in 2012 with Noor-ul-Arifeen, Uzair Baloch is seen sitting in a very luxurious setting and the interviewer corners him to face the contrast between his advantages and the suffering of the people in Lyari.

When asked what his source of income was, the don answered, "I am a transporter and also own land. Aur Dubai mein extractor ka bhi karobar hai mera. (And I also run an extractor business in Dubai.) The interviewer, rather bravely, then raises the point that Uzair is surrounded by luxury when the situation of Lyari screams of poverty and turmoil. To this, he defended himself, claiming that he has only always wanted to help people. "Allah has given me these things. I'm distributing these things with my people. Come along with me. Let me show you how much love they have for me and how much I have given them. I am with them through every pain and suffering - whether it is hunger, water issues, progress, unemployment or any other problem...Today you called me a don. Others used to call me a don earlier, and today you also called me a don. This is the result of serving the public." The Interviewer Was Extremely Brave in Front of Uzair Baloch

 Jio Studios The interviewer, unapologetically and with utmost bravery, straight up asked Uzair Baloch about how many murders he had truly committed. The internet, naturally, was going wild about the matter and they want him to feature in the sequel to Dhurandhar. "I haven't even killed an ant. I have killed for public unemployment - I raised my voice, that was my 'murder'. I stood up for the people whenever needed. I fixed hospitals for Lyari. If being a killer means raising my voice for the poor, standing with them, helping them - then if that makes me a killer, that is your choice," said Baloch.

 Instagram/knowledgegarage

 Instagram/knowledgegarage
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted Monday that the U.S. won't take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump announced the appointment of a special envoy to Greenland.

Trump's announcement on Sunday that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry would be the U.S. special envoy prompted a new flare-up of tensions over Washington's interest in the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO ally. Denmark's foreign minister said in comments to Danish broadcasters that he plans to summon the U.S. ambassador.

We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a joint statement. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.

Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland, they added in the statement, emailed by Frederiksen's office. "We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.

Trump called repeatedly during his presidential transition and the early months of his second term for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island. In March, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote U.S. military base in Greenland and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.

The issue gradually drifted out of the headlines, but in August, Danish officials summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland. Denmark is a NATO ally of the United States.

On Sunday, Trump announced Landry's appointment as special envoy, saying that Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.

Landry wrote in a post on X that its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said in a brief statement that the appointment confirms the continued American interest in Greenland.

"However, we insist that everyone  including the U.S.  must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, he added.

Danish broadcasters TV2 and DR reported that in comments from the Faroe Islands later Monday, Lkke Rasmussen said he will call in the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen, Kenneth Howery, for a meeting at the ministry.

Before issuing the joint statement with Frederiksen, Nielsen wrote on Facebook that Denmark had again woken up to a new announcement from the U.S. president, but it does not change anything for us at home.

Earlier this month, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in an annual report that the U.S. is using its economic power to assert its will and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.

Denmark is a member of the European Union as well as NATO.

Anouar El Anouni, a spokesperson for the EU's executive Commission, told reporters in Brussels Monday that it wasn't for him to comment on U.S. decisions. But he underlined the bloc's position that "preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union.
Joseph Henry Suina grew up in a Native American community in the 1940s, buried by his own peoples trauma while not yet realizing the baggage he carried.

Suina, 81, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was born in 1944 and served two tours in Vietnam. He grew up in the federally recognized pueblo of Cochiti, in New Mexico, son of a father who was a World War II veteran. The simple way of life entrenched in the community nuzzled between Albuquerque and Santa Fe shaped his entire lifeand still does.

Growing up here on the reservation back in the 50s, things were very different, Suina told Military.com. We were still a very remote community. There were disparities between societies at that point in time, including racism still [being] pretty heavy.

And of course, Native people were at the tail end of some of these happenings back then. So, no one thought that Native people could even go to college at that point in time and so forth. I wanted to see the world.

After graduating high school in 1962, Suina realized that the quickest way to reach his aspirations was to join the military. It wasnt uncommon in Cochiti, where approximately 400 people lived at that time including 33 military veterans who composed about 10% of the pueblos overall population.

Participants of the Home Base program in Boston, Massachusetts, pose for a graduation photo. Suina is pictured fourth from the right, in the first row. (Joseph Suina)

Suina said those World War II veterans made the ultimate sacrifice and honorably represented their community that, along with its people, has a long and complicated history.

I'm often asked, If Native people suffer historical trauma in various ways, how come so many Native people join the service? And it's still true today, he said. More Native people than any other ethnic group per capita have served the military and continue to serve the military.

Today, of course, many more female military veterans are around everywhere in Indian country. I think it is because this is our country and will always be our country.

Life After War

Suina first served in Vietnam in 1964 as part of what he described as search-and-destroy missions.

He was discharged the same year but just months later things started to heat up.

Like it or not, we had to go back, Suina said. It wasn't voluntary for me, but when you're in the serviceespecially in the Marine Corpsyou have no choice. They sent you wherever they need.

So, I went back again. At that point in time there were much more action to be had just about everywhere in Vietnam.

He was discharged again in 1966 and ultimately left the Corps. He sustained injuries including a bullet that hit his leg, along with shrapnel in his chest area and across his neck which led to some scarring.

A photo of the inside of the Home Base Native American Intensive Clinical Program (ICP), supported by the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF). (Home Base)

But it was the wounds beneath the skin that labored not for weeks or months but years and decades.

Vietnam veterans suffered yet another layer, and that had to do with guilt because the United States population, the government, and everywhere [else] did not recognize us as having done something for the country, he said. In fact, we were baby killers, you name it, any number of things during the 60sthe hippies and all sorts of other folks were demonstrating against the war.

We came home not very proud, to say the least, and I kept a low profile for all those years even though I had a Purple Heart and had a decoration with the Vietnamese gallantry cross. I guess those are things to be proud of, but I never took it out because I was ashamed on top of already feeling guilty that I came home.

Suina also felt guilt just for being alive. Even among his peers who survived the war, he to this day wonders why he isnt living daily in a wheelchair or why he has his eyesight.

The Next Chapter

Suinas post-military life included marriage and a child born a year later.

While attending college and gaining higher education, he realized he had a passion for not just learning but teaching.

After receiving his degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, for humanities and a minor in education, he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs education department prior to teaching elementary school in Laguna and Acoma.

After seven years there he went to graduate school, got his master's degree and eventually his doctorate. He then joined the faculty at the University of New Mexico, where he taught for about 28 years.

Healing From PTSD

But even with a family and his teaching background, Suina suppressed many emotions over the decades.

That is what led him in 2023 to partake in the Home Base Native American Intensive Clinical Program (ICP), which provides healing and lifesaving care to Native American veterans, service members and their families.

The program, supported by the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), involved Suina traveling from his tribal community to Bostonwhere he spent two weeks in intensive therapy alongside other Native veterans.

Home Base participants exercise. (Home Base)

The mission was purposeful and necessary considering the statistics. About 1-in-3 American Indian Vietnam veterans who served in-country suffered from full or partial PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] at the time of a 1988 study conducted by the National Center for PTSD. That translates to PTSD prevalence for American Indians being more than twice as high as for white or Japanese American Vietnam veterans.

Nearly 40 other studies examined over the years by the National Institutes of Health back up such data, finding that American Indians and Alaska Natives experience a substantially greater burden of PTSD and related symptoms than U.S. whites, with combat experience and interpersonal violence consistently cited as leading causes of PTSD and related symptoms.

Suina grew up with an alcoholic father who routinely was combative with his mother, forcing him as the oldest child in the family to be the protector and caretaker. Those feelings of fear, guilt and depression followed him long after he left home and built a new life.

As he put it, it wasnt necessarily his personality that was troublesome but more so how his highs and lows were so extreme.

Home Base doesn't make a distinction; PTSD is PTSD, whether you're carrying your history or if it happened to you in the military, Suina said. As long as you're a veteran, they'll attend to you.

A photo of Home Base from the outside. (Home Base)

Air Force veteran Marcus Denetdale, regional associate director for Southwest & tribal relations at Home Base, told Military.com that the Native ICP is about more than expanding access to quality and providing lifesaving mental health care. Rather, its about meeting Native veterans where they are and delivering care that honors their lived experience.

Abby Vankudre, program officer at the Bob Woodruff Foundation, told Military.com that their partnership with Home Base is an investment in ensuring that evidence-based treatments are accessible.

The Home Base team recognizes the complex history of the Native American and Indigenous veteran population and have structured the program to build trust, Vankudre said. Their staff receive native cultural competency training, engage in daily consultation with a Native veteran and a Native psychologist, and incorporate cultural practices into the program including medicine bundles, talking circles, and opening and closing blessings so that participants can focus on healing.

Mental Health Care 'For the First Time'

Home Base was a pivotal experience in the life of Suina, who said that upon his return home he discussed things with his wife and children that he never had before.

The trauma he explored among the 22-person cohort in Boston included coming to terms with not just his own past but that of his family and people.

A more recent photo of Joseph Suina. (Joseph Suina)

For the first time in my life, after all these years of being out of the service, I really got serious attention to my problem of PTSD, Suina said. I started to learn about myself and some of the historical trauma that I was already carrying, probably even before military service, having to do with my dad who came home shell-shocked at that time.

Today, efforts for more traction in Native communities are growingwhether that means bringing professionals to Apache communities, or individuals like Suina using their own life experiences to positively impact others seeking answers.

I value life a whole lot more, he said. It's one of those things that we don't appreciate on a daily basis, and the human body is just incredibleand gosh, we need to appreciate and take care of it the best we can because it can go at any time.
Federal law enforcement officials said they now have more tools to pursue drug traffickers after President Donald Trump last week labeled fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction," triggering a broader federal crackdown of the dangerous substance.

The designation came through an executive order signed Dec. 16 that classifies illicit fentanyl and related compounds as "weapons of mass destruction," directing federal agencies nationwide to treat the synthetic opioid as a national security threat under counter WMD frameworks typically reserved for chemical weapons.

The White House said the move reflects fentanyls extreme lethality, its role in tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year, and the transnational criminal networks driving its production and distribution. Fentanyl now meets the threshold of a mass-casualty threat because of its potency and scale, they added.

Illicit fentanyl has become a weapon used against the American people, a White House spokesperson told Military.com, pointing to the fact that as little as 2 mg can be fatal.

Soldiers hold an executive order about fentanyl signed by President Donald Trump during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A White House fact sheet said the designation does not create new criminal statutes. It does, however, direct law enforcement in addition to intelligence and homeland security agencies to prioritize fentanyl cases using existing national security and counter-WMD authorities. Officials said the order is designed to tighten coordination across agencies and disrupt supply chains from precursor chemicals to street-level distribution.

The fact sheet also directs federal agencies to integrate fentanyl into counter-WMD preparedness and intelligence planning, frameworks traditionally reserved for chemical weapons threats.

DEA Agents Have 'More Tools'

Federal law enforcement leaders signaled the designation could have real operational impact.

Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terrance Cole said the WMD classification gives agents more tools to combat fentanyl trafficking, reframing the drug as a mass-casualty threat rather than a conventional narcotics issue.

"It's opening up the aperture to treat this really, you know, continuous poison that's coming to the United States as a weapon of mass destruction," Cole told ABC News.

The agency has not detailed how charging strategies or investigations may change under the designation. Officials said the move reinforces fentanyls treatment as an extraordinary threat to public safety rather than a routine drug case.

Terry Cole, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, speaks at a press event showcasing seized cocaine aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stone, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Pentagon Yet to Define Its Role

The executive order does not spell out a specific military mission and Pentagon officials have not yet stated whether the armed forces will take on a direct role under the new designation.

The Defense Department has already been grappling with fentanyls impact inside the ranks, including a rise in overdoses among young service members that commanders have described as both a readiness and force-protection issue.

Separately, the Pentagon has moved to improve overdose tracking and expand access to naloxone across the services as fentanyl continues to claim lives within the military community.

The services have also incorporated fentanyl into routine discipline and readiness systems, including adding the drug to standard urinalysis testing panels.

Pressure Builds on Global Supply Chains

The White House said the designation is intended to disrupt foreign sources of precursor chemicals and transnational criminal organizationsa move that could also complicate diplomatic engagement with countries tied to fentanyl production and supply chains.

Federal investigations have increasingly shown how fentanyl trafficking networks can intersect with military installations and service members, reinforcing concerns that the drug trade poses security risks beyond public health.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosts holiday morale calls with deployed troops from the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

The WMD designation also lands amid a broader push to treat cartel networks as national security threats, including moves to escalate pressure on leadership and supply routes that extend beyond U.S. borders.

Concerns Over Militarized Drug Policy

Civil liberties and criminal justice advocates caution that the "weapons of mass destruction" framing could blur the line between law enforcement and national security authorities, potentially expanding prosecutorial tools while raising questions about proportionality and oversight.

Public health officials have also warned that enforcement-heavy approaches risk overshadowing treatment, prevention and harm-reduction strategies that remain central to addressing overdose deaths nationwide.

Administration officials said the designation represents a shift in posture rather than a single policy change, with agencies expected to apply existing authorities more aggressively in the coming months.
The U.S. military has launched a new wave of lethal strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific, pushing the death toll past 100 and accelerating a campaign that has moved beyond traditional drug interdictions at sea.

The strikes, carried out Dec. 17 and 18 in international waters, targeted three additional vessels that the U.S. military said were tied to narco-terrorist networks operating along major drug smuggling routes in the region. The latest military action follows strikes on Dec. 15 that killed eight people aboard three boats, pushing the number of casualties beyond 100 people since strikes commenced in September. The newest action marks the most aggressive phase yet of a campaign the Trump administration has framed as an armed conflict aimed at disrupting illicit drug flows before they reach the United States.

U.S. officials said intelligence showed the vessels were actively engaged in narcotics trafficking when they were struck. U.S. Southern Command said no U.S. personnel were injured and released video showing boats maneuvering in open water moments before being destroyed in what it described as lethal kinetic strikes. A Pentagon duty officer directed Military.com to a post outlining the latest strikes and imagery tied to the operation.

On Dec. 18, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. (U.S. Southern Command)

U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Pacific have raised legal questions among lawmakers and foreign policy experts as the Trump administration expands the use of lethal force in counter-narcotics operations.

In one of the most recent actions, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike Dec. 17 on a vessel operating along a known narco-trafficking route in the eastern Pacific, killing four alleged narco-terrorists, according to SOUTHCOM.

The operations fall under Operation Southern Speara mission launched earlier this fall that has now involved more than 25 strikes across the Pacific and Caribbean, according to U.S. officials. Operation Southern Spear has been described as a campaign that began with Caribbean and Pacific patrols and has expanded alongside a large U.S. naval presence in the region, drawing reaction both at home and abroad.

The Pentagon has not released underlying intelligence supporting the strikes, and details about the vessel and those aboard remain classified.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosts holiday morale calls with deployed troops from the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Administration Defends Strikes as Lawful

The campaign continues under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Administration officials have said it's necessary to confront narco-terrorist groups that fund broader criminal and destabilizing activity across the region.

Officials argue the strikes are authorized under U.S. law and comply with the law of armed conflict, even as operations unfold far from U.S. territory and outside traditional battlefieldsa posture that has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and legal experts.

Lawmakers have heard detailed testimony from senior Navy leadership on how strike decisions are made, with members raising questions about legal authority, targeting standards and civilian safeguards.

Coast Guard Role in Maritime Crackdown

The U.S. Coast Guard said it remains part of a broader government effort to counter narco-terrorism. DOD leads lethal military operations, of course, and provides maritime authorities, intelligence support, and interdiction capabilities across the region.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues to provide its powerful authorities and capabilities across the maritime domain to counter narco-terrorism and stop the flow of deadly drugs before they reach our shores, a Coast Guard spokesperson told Military.com. We are part of a whole of government approach to control, secure and defend U.S. borders and maritime approaches by dismantling Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Transnational Criminal Organizations, including drug and human smuggling operations.

U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thomas Allan, acting vice commandant of the Coast Guard, speaks to Naval War College personnel at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 14, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriel Wisdom)

U.S. Pressure Builds on Venezuela

The stepped-up use of force at sea is unfolding alongside widening U.S. maritime pressure near Venezuela, where American forces are also pursuing oil tankers suspected of helping Caracas evade U.S. sanctions.

U.S. officials said those efforts are aimed at disrupting revenue streams that fuel illicit networks and undermine regional security, extending the campaign beyond drug-smuggling vessels into energy and financial enforcement.

The actions have heightened tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose government has denounced the strikes and tanker pursuits as aggressive and politically motivated. Analysts said that overlapping military strikes and sanctions enforcement risk further straining already fragile regional relations, while the Trump administration argues the pressure is necessary to curb transnational criminal activity and limit Venezuelas ability to skirt international restrictions.

On Dec. 17, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. (U.S. Southern Command)

The rising death toll is drawing renewed scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers from both partiesincluding members of the House and Senate Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committeesare pressing the administration for more detail on legal authority, intelligence standards, and safeguards to prevent civilian harm.

Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have briefed House and Senate members on the expanding scope of the campaign and its strategic rationale, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

Critics warn the operations could test international law boundaries if evidence remains classified. Pentagon officials counter that the strikes are lawful, carefully targeted, and overall necessary to disrupt transnational criminal networks.
Christmas Leave Is a Privilege, Not a Legal Shield

Every December, tens of thousands of servicemembers take authorized holiday leave. The authority for that leave comes from Department of Defense Instruction 1327.06, which governs military leave and liberty and makes clear that leave is conditional on return at the approved time and place, not suspended by personal circumstances or travel delays.

The moment a servicemember fails to return from authorized leave at the prescribed time, they become Absent Without Leave under Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, codified at 10 U.S.C.  886. The statute contains no holiday exception. Christmas morning carries the same legal weight as any other duty day.

If the absence continues and the government can prove an intent to remain away permanently, evade hazardous duty, or shirk important service, the charge can escalate to desertion under Article 85, 10 U.S.C.  885. That escalation dramatically changes a servicemembers criminal exposure.

When AWOL Becomes Desertion

The law draws a sharp line between temporary absence and permanent abandonment. Under Article 86, AWOL can be punished by confinement of up to one year and a bad conduct discharge, depending on the length and circumstances of the absence. Under Article 85, desertion in wartime can carry a sentence of life imprisonment or death, while peacetime desertion still exposes a service member to years of confinement and a dishonorable discharge.

Military courts consistently hold that desertion does not require a formal declaration of intent. Intent may be inferred from conduct such as disposing of uniforms, leaving the country, assuming a false identity, or making statements about never returning. Intent is often proven circumstantially, not by confession.

That distinction becomes legally dangerous during long holiday absences that start as AWOL but slowly accumulate facts prosecutors later use to infer permanent intent.

The Government Does Not Publish Christmas AWOL Statistics

The Department of Defense does not publish AWOL data broken out by holidays. The most recent comprehensive public accounting of AWOL and desertion appears in GAO and DoD manpower reports that track annual totals, not holiday-specific spikes.

There is no authoritative government dataset showing how many AWOL cases begin on Christmas. What exists instead are individual cases where the servicemembers last authorized duty status was holiday leave. Those cases show how quickly a seasonal absence can become a career-ending charge.

Modern Holiday AWOL Cases Rarely Go Public Unless They Escalate

In the all-volunteer force era, most short-term AWOL cases are resolved administratively and never appear in public court records. What makes the news are the holiday-adjacent absences or those that spiral into larger crimes.

Once a servicemember is dropped from the active rolls, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service terminates pay and allowances. The legal system assumes permanent intent unless rebutted.

What Actually Happens the Day After You Dont Come Back

When a servicemember fails to report from leave, the unit initiates a duty status change to AWOL under the appropriate service regulation. After 30 consecutive days of absence, the servicemember is administratively classified as a deserter and entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system for apprehension by civilian law enforcement.

This process is mechanical. It runs regardless of weather, airline cancellations, family emergencies, or holiday confusion unless the command affirmatively excuses the absence in writing.

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Nov. 24, 2025) Volunteers decorate a Christmas tree in the Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Chapel onboard NAVSTA Rota, Spain, Nov. 24, 2025. NAVSTA Rota is a force multiplier, capable of promptly deploying and supporting combat-ready forces through land, air and sea, enabling warfighters and their families, sustaining the fleet and fostering the U.S. and Spanish partnership. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jett Morgan. Source: DVIDS

Why Christmas Is Psychologically Dangerous but Legally Indifferent

Christmas is one of the most emotionally volatile periods for junior enlisted servicemembers. Family pressure to stay home, unresolved marriages, financial strain, and travel chaos all converge at the exact moment the law demands strict compliance with return-to-duty orders.

From a legal standpoint, none of that matters unless it rises to the level of a recognized legal defense. Missing movement or failing to return from leave because someone couldnt face going back does not excuse criminal liability under Articles 85 or 86.

This is why many installations issue command briefings in early December, warning service members explicitly that holiday leave does not protect against AWOL or desertion charges.

The Career Consequences Are Permanent

Even a relatively short AWOL can permanently alter a military career. Commanders may impose nonjudicial punishment, revoke security clearances, bar reenlistment, and initiate administrative separation. Desertion convictions carry lifelong federal felony consequences that follow veterans into civilian life.

Unlike many civilian offenses, military AWOL and desertion convictions remain visible in federal security background checks long after discharge.

Why the Christmas Myth Persists

There is a persistent belief that commands are more forgiving during the holidays. The law does not support that belief. While commanders may exercise discretion, Articles 85 and 86 contain no seasonal flexibility. Any leniency is personal, not legal.

Some commands quietly resolve short holiday AWOLs through informal counseling. Others do not. From the servicemembers perspective, the risk is absolute and the mercy unpredictable.

What Christmas Leave Actually Tests

Christmas leave tests military discipline itself. It measures how the force balances humanity with law, and how quickly sentiment yields to statute.

Many long-term deserters began as short-term absentees who thought one more day would not matter. Christmas is simply the moment when that miscalculation becomes most tempting.

The Law After the Decorations Come Down

When January arrives, holiday AWOL cases reenter the system under full procedural force. Dropped-from-rolls cases accelerate. Apprehension warrants trigger. Courts martial that stalled in December restart.

The calendar resets. The record does not.

Christmas may feel like time off. Under military law, it is only leave with a deadline. Miss it, and the holiday can become the most expensive day of a service members life.
Lets face it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can run through large data sets and provide efficient machine learning outputs related to performance, skills, learning preferences, operational improvement processes, and so much more in a New York minute. With the AI-integration in most sectors today, the military domain is no exception.

The idea is that AI can be leveraged to produce quick analyses and automate task-driven productivity to enable human beings to focus on things that AI is not well-suited for, such as innovative originality, empathy, judgment, and complex decision-making. There is a lot to be said about what AI can and is doing for the Armed Forces and warfighter capability.

These are just several highlights of what AI is doing for the military community.

I Am No Luddite, But

The militarization of AI on a global scale means everyone is running fast. To keep up with the pace, we are enacting policies and legal mandates to ensure we maintain accountability and shared oversight. As part of the Defense Innovation Boards AI ethical principles, the Department of Wars responsibility is to exercise appropriate judgment on AI, minimizing unintended bias, and traceable data sources and documentation of procedures and methodologies.

Among these responsibilities are reliability, safety and well-defined uses, and governable design allowing the deactivation of deployed systems.

The Block Nuclear Launch by Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Act of 2023 prohibited autonomous nuclear weapons systems from being enabled by AI without human intervention and control. It specifically cited a report from Human Rights Watch and the International Human Rights Clinic of Harvard Law School noting, [r]obots lack the compassion, empathy, mercy, and judgment necessary to treat humans humanely, and they cannot understand the inherent worth of human life.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted its first resolution on Artificial Intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security in December 2024. In its charter, it stressed the importance of humanitarian and international human rights laws applicable to AI-driven military capabilities.

Looking at military implications, it will continue to be crucial to address how we are mitigating AI failures and limitations, in addition to the obvious compromised systems and conflict escalation risks. We are doing this in tandem with the drive to make quick progress. The White House issued executive orders protecting American AI innovation and securing dominance in the competitive AI race, with the most recent Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence and the following action plan:

Exporting American AI: The Commerce and State Departments will partner with industry to deliver secure, full-stack AI export packages  including hardware, models, software, applications, and standards  to Americas friends and allies around the world.

The Commerce and State Departments will partner with industry to deliver secure, full-stack AI export packages  including hardware, models, software, applications, and standards  to Americas friends and allies around the world. Promoting Rapid Buildout of Data Centers: Expediting and modernizing permits for data centers and semiconductor fabs, as well as creating new national initiatives to increase high-demand occupations like electricians and HVAC technicians.

Expediting and modernizing permits for data centers and semiconductor fabs, as well as creating new national initiatives to increase high-demand occupations like electricians and HVAC technicians. Enabling Innovation and Adoption: Removing onerous Federal regulations that hinder AI development and deployment, and seeking private sector input on rules to remove.

Removing onerous Federal regulations that hinder AI development and deployment, and seeking private sector input on rules to remove. Upholding Free Speech in Frontier Models: Updating Federal procurement guidelines to ensure that the government only contracts with frontier large language model developers who ensure that their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias.

President Trumps administration is committed to a $90 billion investment in AI data center expansion and energy initiatives. The White House also invested in the American manufacturing of advanced semiconductor computer chips via its $200 billion investment with Micron Technology, announced earlier this year in June 2025.

We are living in another transformative revolution with the Age of AI.

When the world shifted to industrialization, we all shared in the unforeseen consequences, regardless of whether you were part of the country that was economically benefiting from the Industrial Revolution or not. These consequences led to significant environmental impacts, widespread health and social issues, and major changes in skilled labor, which also included exploitation.

Even more, Cold War lessons taught us that when we revolutionized military nuclear power in the arms race, we saw the rise of censorship, security clearance requirements, and public restrictions. Today, we find ourselves in the next arms race to be an AI superpower. What lessons will be remembered?

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force attend the Advanced Artificial Intelligence Command Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 12, 2025. The course is designed to train service members in prompt engineering, creating an efficient workflow with AI tools in the military environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan Pintar, DVIDS)

Role of AI Military Training

At the micro-level, what will military training need to look like to avoid overreliance on AI when human problem-solving and moral judgment is needed? AI is progressing faster than our ability to deliver training at scale. For the most part, AI training for servicemembers is focused on what it can do for us and ways to use it as a tool for decisions, simulations, tasks, and customized learning and education.

This includes the launch of the Department of Wars secure GenAI.mil platform this month. It will become increasingly important to not only leverage AI to advance military readiness but also intentional training on AI itself, especially as AI-adaptions to military frameworks are happening in real time.

Training our military personnel should challenge our perceptions and address known AI limitations and risks. In warfare, AI is prone to biases that may lead to unintended targets, inability to correctly interpret new data, and hallucinations, which are nonsensical or incorrect outputs to nonexistent data patterns in the AI context. For example, trained AI large language models perpetuate biases, which can then be misused if not monitored carefully.

Training should encourage open discussions about its strengths and weaknesses. In addition to technical safeguards, other potential factors related to biometrics, personally identifiable information exposure, psychological warfare with deepfakes, dissociation or desensitization of human acts of war (due to removing humans out of harms way through AI weaponry), fratricide, and security clearance adjudications impacted by cybersecurity warfare or bias are all real-world implications.

There are inadvertent and indirect consequences of AI that include civil-military overlap and role shifts as well. Military service members, like their civilian counterparts, are adapting their roles as AI is used in daily operations. A closer examination of how AI may be de-skilling military troops, how military use of AI will be evaluated and audited, and adherence to standards and continuous testing will help ensure the role of AI in the military domain is effectively monitored with human oversight.

Suggestions for AI Regulation and a Path Forward

Last year at the International Conference on Machine Learning, Harvard and MIT researchers presented Position: AI-Powered Autonomous Weapons Risk Geopolitical Instability and Threaten AI Research, which offers awareness and constructive discussion on the ethical and societal impacts of AI technology.

Position: AI-Powered Autonomous Weapons Risk Geopolitical Instability and Threaten AI Research by Riley Simmons-Edler, Ryan Paul Badman, Shayne Longpre, Kanaka Rajan Proceedings of the 41st International Conference on Machine Learning, PMLR 235:45508-45524, 2024.

A few themes emerge regarding a path forward, which include advocating for centralized oversight, minimizing ethical dilemmas, and addressing geopolitics. AI regulation is a shared responsibility that involves providing direct ethical guidance and international policies over the use of AI applications and building and maintaining strong partnerships with civilian industry and academic experts to help address risks, biases and disparities in knowledge and research.

The White House has made it very clear that America is to lead the AI race with policymaking and billions invested in AI expansion. Specialized semiconductors and computer chip design needed for AI production are already creating geopolitical supply chain constraints and changes. Colleges and universities have launched new semiconductor training courses and programs to meet the growing AI demand.

In the past decades, we saw it coming and are now actively integrating and adapting AI into both civilian and military aspects of life. With so much focus on training AI models and what we want it to do for us, military members would benefit from more AI training with healthy skepticism. Lets keep the discussions open and ongoing.
James Ransone, the actor best known for portraying Ziggy Sobotka on HBOs The Wire and for his role in the military miniseries Generation Kill, has died. He was 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office confirmed in online records that Ransone died by suicide on Friday. No additional details were immediately released.

Ransone built a wide-ranging career across television and film, often playing volatile, troubled, or emotionally complex characters. In addition to his work on The Wire, he appeared in HBOs Generation Kill, which followed a U.S. Marine reconnaissance battalion during the early days of the Iraq War. The 2008 miniseries marked a turning point in Ransones career, and he later said it was during that production that he fully realized he had become a professional actor.

In a 2016 interview with Interview Magazine, Ransone spoke openly about struggling with addiction earlier in his life and credited his sobriety ahead of filming Generation Kill as a critical moment both personally and professionally.

James Ransone appears in HBOs Generation Kill, the 2008 Iraq War miniseries that marked a major turning point in his acting career.

Born and raised in Maryland, Ransone developed his passion for acting as a teenager in Baltimore, a city he often described as creatively formative. He told Interview Magazine that Baltimores distinct artistic culture helped shape his sensibilities as a performer, citing the citys long tradition of unconventional artists and filmmakers.

Beyond television, Ransone appeared in a number of feature films, including It: Chapter Two, The Black Phone, and the upcoming Black Phone 2. His later television credits included appearances on Bosch and Poker Face, where he continued to gravitate toward intense and unpredictable roles.

Ransones performances were frequently praised for their rawness and emotional honesty, particularly his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka, a deeply flawed dockworker whose tragic arc remains one of The Wires most memorable storylines.

Ransone is best known for his breakout role as Ziggy Sobotka in Season 2 of HBOs The Wire, one of televisions most acclaimed dramas.

Sidebar: Why Generation Kill still resonates with military audiences

For many service members and veterans, HBOs Generation Kill stands out as one of the more grounded portrayals of modern combat units  not just the firefights, but the long stretches of uncertainty, the friction with leadership, and the dark humor troops use to get through it.

The miniseries follows a Marine reconnaissance battalion during the opening phase of the Iraq invasion, highlighting the small-unit dynamics that are often flattened in more conventional war dramas. Ransone cited the production as a turning point in his career, making it a notable credit for viewers who found the series unusually authentic in tone and detail.

Ransones performance in It: Chapter Two resonated with audiences, helping bring Stephen Kings characters into adulthood.

Tributes Pour In From Co-Stars, Directors, and Fans

Following news of James Ransones death, tributes have flooded social media from across the film and television world, with colleagues, collaborators, and fans remembering the actor for both his talent and his kindness. Ransone, best known for his work on The Wire, Generation Kill, and a range of acclaimed films, left a deep impression on those who worked alongside him over more than two decades in the industry.

Director Spike Lee, who cast Ransone in Inside Man and Red Hook Summer, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling him a dear brother and honoring the bond they formed on set. Fellow filmmakers echoed that sentiment, including Sean Baker, who worked with Ransone on Starlet and Tangerine, writing simply that he would miss his friend dearly. Larry Clark, who directed Ransone in Ken Park, also posted a brief tribute, underscoring the respect Ransone commanded across very different corners of independent and studio filmmaking.

Actors who shared the screen with Ransone offered especially personal remembrances. Wendell Pierce, his co-star on The Wire and Treme, expressed regret that he couldnt be there for him and wished him peace. Madeleine McGraw, who worked with Ransone on The Black Phone films, described him as a generous, supportive presence whose encouragement left a lasting mark on her. Other castmates and fans highlighted his warmth, humor, and the intensity he brought to every role, whether the part was leading or supporting.

Since his passing, Ransones wife, Jamie McPhee, has also shared messages honoring his life and legacy, while encouraging support for mental health advocacy. As memories and tributes continue to surface, they paint a picture of an actor who was deeply respected not just for his work, but for the way he showed up for the people around him.

Ransone is survived by his wife and their two children.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, help is available. In the U.S., you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Confidential support is available 24 hours a day.

For additional information and resources related to mental health care and crisis support, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or the Department of Veterans Affairs mental health services if you or a loved one has a military connection.
Here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on as the week gets underway

1. Murakami press conference:

The White Sox will host a press conference to introduce slugger Munetaka Murakami this morning at 11am CT. The two sides didnt look to be a fit early in the offseason, when industry expectations were that the 25-year-old Murakami would command a long-term deal and when White Sox GM Chris Getz openly spoke about reluctance to commit to free agents beyond the upcoming season. However, when Murakamis market didnt develop as hoped, the South Siders opportunistically pounced and landed him on a two-year contract. Murakami has 80-grade raw power but concerns scouts with his struggles against velocity, penchant for whiffing and limited defensive flexibility. Even with those red flags, he could add 30 or 40 home runs to Chicagos lineup if all goes well. Sox brass will be on hand to discuss where Murakami fits into the puzzle and whats next on the checklist.

2. Where do the Red Sox go from here?

The Red Sox have operated exclusively on the trade market thus far, adding Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras (in separate trades) from the Cardinals and Johan Oviedo from the Pirates. Theyre the only team in the American League that hasnt signed a free agent to a major league contract this winter and one of just two teams in either league fitting that description (joining the Rockies as the other).

Yesterdays acquisition of Contreras seemingly sets the Sox at first base and pushes young Triston Casas down the depth chart. Casas, recovering from knee surgery performed last May, could mix in at designated hitter once hes ready to go, but the Sox also have Masataka Yoshida to consider in that spot. Theyd love to shed the remaining two years and $36MM on Yoshidas contract, but trimming even a decent portion of that sum off the books would be a tall order. Casas has a minor league option remaining, so its possible he could head to Triple-A, but there figure to be other clubs looking to buy low.

The Red Sox are still receiving interest in outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. They still have plenty of minor league rotation depth to peddle. Casas now feels more expendable. Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony are the only major salaries on the long-term books. The Sox seem well positioned either for a large free-agent expenditure or another major trade, with third base and the rotation standing as natural areas of focus. Where will they go from here?

3. Last-minute holiday shopping:

The holidays are upon us, and while theres typically a major slowdown in terms of hot stove activity over the final week of December, theres also usually a rush to complete some last-minute deals prior to that quiet period. Last year, we saw each of Walker Buehler, Joc Pederson, Sean Manaea and Andrew McCutchen in the final days before Christmas (as can be seen in MLBTRs Contract Tracker). The year prior, it was Kevin Kiermaier, Mitch Garver, Yuki Matsui and Martin Maldonado (Contract Tracker link). In 2022, names like Michael Conforto, Craig Kimbrel, Taylor Rogers, Tucker Barnhart, Drew Smyly and Wil Myers all signed. Theres no telling exactly wholl come off the board this week, but expect a handful of free agent deals to wrap up before front offices and players alike pump the brakes in the final days of the year.
What began as a conversation at a Stuff the Blue Goose toy drive event turned into a special Christmas mission for Michigan State Police troopers across the state.

The mission: Bring Christmas cheer to Vialah, a 2-year-old girl from Ironwood fighting cancer and spending the holidays in an Ann Arbor hospital.

The 9-hour journey began Monday morning at the MSP Wakefield Post and ended at Mott Childrens Hospital in Ann Arbor. Separated into three legs, troopers from MSP Eighth (Wakefield and St. Ignace posts) and Second districts contributed.

Vialah, 2, of Ironwood, is fighting cancer at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. She will remain there throughout the holidays. Michigan State Police troopers were on a special Christmas mission on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, to deliver holiday cheer - and gifts - to her. Michigan State Police

Around 2:15 p.m., the Blue Goose Express arrived at Mott Childrens Hospital where a cart full of gifts was delivered to Vialahs family.

They took a simple conversation and made a little girls Christmas just a little bit better, MSP Second District said on X, commending troopers from the Eight District for organizing the gift delivery.

Michigan State Police troopers were on a special Christmas mission on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, to deliver holiday cheer - and gifts - to Vialah, 2, of Ironwood, who is fighting cancer at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. Michigan State Police
WASHINGTON (AP)  The federal agent described her wounds as boo-boos.

Nevertheless, the Department of Justice aggressively pursued the alleged perpetrator. They jailed Sidney Lori Reid on a charge of felony assault, accusing her of injuring the agent during a July protest of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown in Washington, D.C.

When grand jurors thrice declined to indict the 44-year-old on the felony, prosecutors tried her on a misdemeanor.

Body camera footage played at trial revealed that Reid had not intentionally struck the agent. Instead, the agent had scratched her hand on a wall while assisting another agent who had shoved Reid and told her to shut the f- up and mind her own business.

It took jurors less than two hours to acquit the animal hospital worker.

It seemed like my life was just going to be taken away from me, said Reid, who spent two days in jail and worried she would lose her new job and apartment. It broke my heart because this is supposed to be a good and fair country and I did not see anything surrounding my case that was good or fair at all for anybody.

Reids case was part of the Justice Departments monthslong effort to prosecute people accused of assaulting or hindering federal officers while protesting the Republican presidents immigration crackdown and military deployments. Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered prosecutors to charge those accused of assaulting officers with the highest provable offense available under the law. In a recent statement, Bondi pledged that offenders will face severe consequences.

The Justice Department has struggled to deliver on that commitment, however. In examining 166 federal criminal cases brought since May against people in four Democratic-led cities at the epicenter of demonstrations, The Associated Press found:

 Of the 100 people initially charged with felony assaults on federal agents, 55 saw their charges reduced to misdemeanors or dismissed outright. At least 23 pleaded guilty, most of them to reduced charges in deals with prosecutors that resulted in little or no jail time.

 More than 40% of the cases involved relatively minor misdemeanor charges, a figure that appears to undermine Trumps claims that many of those accused are domestic terrorists.

 All five defendants, including Reid, who went to trial so far were acquitted.

 Prosecutors have successfully secured felony indictments against at least 58 people, some initially charged with misdemeanors. Those people have been accused of an assortment of assaults that include throwing rocks at federal vehicles, and punching or kicking officers. Those cases are awaiting trial.

Several factors help explain the mixed record. Sometimes prosecutors have failed to win grand jury indictments required to prosecute someone on a felony. In other instances, videos and testimony have called into question the initial allegations, resulting in prosecutors downgrading offenses. In dozens of cases, officers suffered only minor injuries, or no injuries at all, undercutting a key component of the felony assault charge that requires the potential for serious bodily harm.

Felonies carry stiff sentences, often years in prison. A misdemeanor conviction, on the other hand, typically results in no jail time or only a few weeks or months behind bars.

Former prosecutors and law professors said the APs analysis raises questions about how the Justice Department has prosecuted protesters.

Its clear from this data that the government is being extremely aggressive and charging for things that ordinarily wouldnt be charged at all, said Mary McCord, a former federal prosecutor who is the director of Georgetown University Law Centers Institute for Constitutional Advocacy. The other thing that is missing here from the way the federal government appears to be looking at these protests is there seems to be no respect for First Amendment rights. They appear to want to chill people from protesting against the administrations mass deportation plans.

National Guardsmen patrol in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) AP

Randall Eliason, a former federal prosecutor and former adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School, said Justice Department officials could be working on other cases instead of minor, minor misdemeanors.

Many of these cases also show how the rhetoric on Twitter and in press releases and statements is not surviving the courtroom, he said. What that tells you is that the Trump administration is hoping to send a message and chill future protests, not pursue serious criminal cases that need to be prosecuted.

The Justice Department said it will continue to seek the most serious available charges against those alleged to have put federal agents in harms way.

We will not tolerate any violence directed toward our brave law enforcement officials who are working tirelessly to keep Americans safe, said Natalie Baldassarre, a department spokesperson. Those who attack law enforcement will be held fully accountable for their actions, despite the best efforts of activist liberal judges who would rather see violent criminals walk free.

From the start of Trumps second term through Nov. 24, the Department of Homeland Security says there have been 238 assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel nationwide, up from 19 during the same period last year. The agency declined to provide its list or provide details about how it defines assaults.

The assaults have occurred amid a pair of shootings targeting immigration detention facilities in Texas and the deadly attack on National Guard troops in Washington, where a former Afghan soldier who had worked for the CIA has been charged.

The specter of antifa

Katherine Carreno stands for a portrait Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner) AP

A protester confronts a line of U.S. National Guard members in the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File) AP

The administration has deployed  or sought to deploy  troops to the four cities where AP examined the criminal cases: Washington; Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago. Judges have blocked the deployments in Portland and Chicago, citing a lack of credible evidence theres any organized rebellion and finding that Trump administration officials had often exaggerated or lied about threats posed by protesters. A district judge and an appeals court have gone back and forth over whether Trump must give control of the troops in California back to the state.

Trump and his administration have sought to justify the military deployments, in part, by painting immigration protesters as antifa, which the president has sought to designate as a domestic terrorist organization.

President Trump will not turn a blind-eye to the sustained campaign of violence destroying American cities perpetrated by leftists and those who enable them, said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman.

Short for anti-fascists, antifa is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning protesters who confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists, sometimes clashing with law enforcement.

The APs review found only a handful of references to antifa in court records for any of the 166 cases it reviewed. Federal prosecutors wrote in court papers that a defendant in Portland was someone who claims a loose association with Antifa. In another case, an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit that conservative influencers had described a protester as an Antifa helper or agitator.

The AP found no case in which federal authorities officially accused a protester of being a domestic terrorist or part of an organized effort to attack federal agents.

In affidavits for many of the Portland cases, federal agents referred to so-called black bloc protesters who wear all black clothing but did not use the word antifa to describe them.

In at least one press release, DHS has alleged a protester was a suspected member of antifa. That person was arrested outside a Chicago-area ICE facility in October while allegedly carrying a firearm. He has not yet been charged with a crime, court records show.

Five people pleaded guilty last month to terrorism-related offenses stemming from a July 4 shooting that wounded a police officer outside an immigration detention center near Dallas. Prosecutors in that case accused the defendants of being part of an antifa cell. It was not included in APs analysis because it did not occur in one of the four cities where Trump has sought to deploy troops.

Rioters and other violent criminals have threatened our law enforcement officers, thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, rammed them, ambushed them, and even shot at them, said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

Evaporating felonies

Federal immigration enforcement agents detain a protester in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File) AP

The APs analysis showed that dozens of people charged with felonies have seen their offenses reduced to misdemeanors.

Among them was Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran who was charged in September with assault after a protest in Chicago. Prosecutors first downgraded the charge to a misdemeanor. After video footage emerged of federal agents knocking Briggs to the ground, prosecutors dropped the case. Prosecutors declined to say why they dismissed it.

In Portland, 28-year-old Lucy Shepherd was charged in November with felony assault after she batted away the arm of a federal officer who was attempting to clear a crowd outside the citys ICE facility. Her lawyers argued in court filings that a video of her arrest proved there had not been an assault. The video, they wrote, showed she brushed aside an officer with too little force to have been intended to inflict any kind of injury on the officer whatsoever. Prosecutors dropped the case.

The office of the U.S. attorney for Oregon declined to comment.

Prosecutors are not required to disclose why they sought to downgrade a charge, and much of that process is cloaked in secrecy. Legal experts said prosecutors typically take such action when they learn the evidence is weaker than expected or uncover facts that do not support a felony charge.

Court records showed that prosecutors have secured felony indictments against people who are accused of assaulting federal officers and agents in a host of ways. They have been accused of hurling rocks and projectiles at officers, punching or kicking them and shooting them with paintballs.

How a case dissolved

Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old teaching assistant at a Montessori school, was arrested and charged in October with a felony, accusing her of trying to use her car to ram into a Border Patrol agent in a southwest Chicago neighborhood. A DHS press release asserted that she and the driver of another car involved in the incident were domestic terrorists.

In court papers, an FBI agent alleged that Martinez and the other driver were aggressively driving and chasing a Border Patrol vehicle.

When Border Patrol agents got out of their vehicle, the FBI agent wrote, Martinez drove at one of the agents. The agent was forced to open fire, the agent alleged, striking Martinez at least five times. She was treated at a hospital and released. Inside Martinezs car, authorities recovered a loaded firearm, the agent wrote.

DHS noted in a press release that Martinez had been armed with a semi-automatic weapon. Martinez and a 21-year-old man were charged with assaulting a federal officer with her vehicle, which was classified as a dangerous weapon. They faced up to 20 years in prison.

Then the case fell apart.

It turned out Martinez legally owned the gun, and her attorneys contended that video footage  from security cameras and body cameras worn by Border Patrol officers  undermined the official narrative. The videos showed a Border Patrol agent steering his vehicle into Martinezs truck, rather than the other way around, her attorney said. Text messages showed the federal agent bragging about his marksmanship after the shooting.

I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes, read a text message that the agent, Charles Exum, sent to colleagues. Put that in your book boys. Twenty-four hours after the shooting, Exum texted, Cool, Im up for another round.

Federal prosecutors last month dismissed all charges against Martinez and the other driver. Martinezs attorney celebrated the move but emphasized that his clients life is changed forever due to her physical injuries, trauma and long-term impacts of being publicly branded a domestic terrorist.

They call this Operation Midway Blitz, but I call it Operation Midway Bust because this and every case that has come out of this has fallen apart, said the lawyer, Christopher Parente.

Joseph D. Fitzpatrick, an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said prosecutors are constantly evaluating evidence to ensure the interests of justice are served in each and every case.

Legal experts said dropping cases or reducing charges are not straightforward victories for the accused.

They noted that defendants have to hire lawyers and may face significant legal expenses. They may also be held in jail for days or weeks, potentially losing jobs and seeing their families disrupted.

Lost at trial

Former federal prosecutors and defense attorneys said they were surprised that the Justice Department took at least five misdemeanor cases to trial. Such trials eat up resources, and those convicted frequently receive little jail time. The experts said they were also shocked DOJ lost all five cases at trial, a sign that the cases were particularly weak.

When the DOJ tries to take a swing at someone, they should hit 99.9% of the time. And thats not happening, said Ronald W. Chapman II, a defense attorney with extensive experience in the federal courts.

The highest-profile loss involved Sean Charles Dunn, a Washington, D.C., man who tossed a Subway-style sandwich at a Border Patrol agent he had berated as a fascist. Dunn was acquitted Nov. 6 after a two-day trial.

Katherine Carreno was arrested in August on a felony assault charge, accused of striking a federal officer in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old was protesting with a group outside the downtown federal building when DHS security officers asked them to move out of the way of a vehicle that was trying to enter a gate, according to a criminal complaint.

Carreno, a paralegal, said it was one of many times she had gone to demonstrate in front of the federal complex where immigrants were being detained.

An officer gave two loud commands to move back, which all protesters did except Carreno, the complaint alleged. The officer pushed her away from the vehicle, and Carreno raised her hand and brought it down in a slapping/chopping motion onto the officers arm. She did this twice before being detained, the complaint said.

Prosecutors reduced the charge to a misdemeanor and took her to trial.

Social media video shown to jurors showed an officer striding toward Carreno and pushing her back. She was not standing in front of the vehicle but to the right and slightly forward of it. The video did not show whether Carreno hit the officer.

The officer said she did not push Carreno. Some jurors, pointing to the video evidence, said they disagreed. It took them just under five hours to reach their verdict  not guilty.

Ding reported from Los Angeles, Fernando from Chicago, Rush from Portland, Ore., and Foley from Iowa City, Iowa.
Classified files released Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice reveal that Jeffrey Epstein met his first victim at Interlochen Arts Academy in Northern Michigan.

Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. In 2008, he was convicted in Florida of soliciting sex from a minor. Over the intervening decade, dozens of victims came forward with accusations and lawsuits.

During summer 1994, a 13-year-old Jane Doe was a voice student at the prestigious arts camp, according to court documents obtained by WGTU/WPBN. Epstein, who was a camper in 1967, had become a donor. He and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, met the victim while visiting the camp.

Doe endured years of abuse, which started with an inappropriate request for the victims home phone number during a conversation at the camp, according to court documents. The abuse escalated over the course of years. During late 1994, Epstein allegedly masturbated with her on his lap. The victims family eventually became financially dependent on Epstein. He allegedly raped her on multiple occasions starting in 1997 when she was 17.

Throughout his life, Epstein systematically perpetrated acts of molestation, exploitation, assault and rape on hundreds of young girls, the lawsuit filed in 2020 says. Epsteins system of abuse was facilitated in large part by his co-conspirator and accomplice, Maxwell, who helped supply him with a steady stream of young and vulnerable girlsmany of whom were fatherless, like Jane Doe, and came from struggling families. This system, which took years to develop, all started with them exploiting and abusing Jane Doe who they used as a guinea pig to refine their criminal enterprise and widen their network of additional sexual abuse victims.

Interlochen Arts Academy cut ties with Epstein in 2008 when he was convicted in Florida, according to a statement obtained by the TV station. All donor recognition was removed at that time. The camp also reviewed records and found no complaints or concerns related to Epstein. The camp does not allow donors to have direct, unsupervised contact with students.
ALPENA COUNTY, MI - A 35-year-old Alpena man was shot and killed by police early Monday after authorities said he cut an officer with a knife during a traffic stop.

The man died at a local hospital. His name has not yet been released.

The fatal shooting occurred during a traffic stop on Grant Street near Lawn Street in Alpena Township. The man was in a vehicle that had been reported as stolen, Michigan State Police Specialist Lt. Ashley Miller said.

The preliminary investigation indicated that during the traffic stop, an occupant produced a knife and cut an officer from the Alpena Police Department, Miller said. The officer discharged his department-issued firearm, striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The injured officer was treated at a local hospital for a hand laceration.

The follow-up investigation is being handled by the Michigan State Polices Investigative Response Team. A unit from the agencys Crime Lab responded to process the scene.

Two officers from the Alpena Police Department will remain on paid administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

This incident remains under investigation, police said.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Six Ann Arbor Township residents who live near a gravel mining operation have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to halt mining activities, at least until proper state permits are in place.

The residents filed the suit against Mid Michigan Materials, which operates the Vella Pit sand and gravel mining operation on Earhart Road in the township, and property owner WSG Properties, LLC. The suit was filed Monday Dec. 15 in Washtenaw County.

The residents suit comes as the gravel mine and Ann Arbor Township officials work to reach a settlement of a different suit the township brought against the operation in 2023 after drinking water wells dried up and tons of sediment was released into wetlands. In that case, the township alleges pumping groundwater out adversely impacted residents drinking water wells and wetlands and was in violation of a conditional use permit from the township.

In the new suit, the residents allege that after the mine changed operations to dredge materials out instead of dewatering the site, the mine created and enlarged what they claim is an illegal lake, created without proper state environmental permits.

Known as Pond 3, it started as an approximately 2.6-acre water body when Mid Michigan Materials took over mining operations in 2020. It grew to five acres before dewatering drained it down. Since the mine ceased dewatering due to a court order, Pond 3 expanded again.

Now the mine is seeking an after the fact permit for the lake, which mine operators expect will expand to about 59 acres.

John Selleck, a spokesperson for Mid Michigan Materials, said in a statement the mining operation is reserving comment on the new suit.

But it is important for citizens to know that we are working closely with Ann Arbor Township toward a settlement that works for all parties, and with EGLE on the issuance of a permit, Selleck said. We are optimistic that modelling issues which held up the permit decision can soon be resolved.

Plaintiffs in the suit include John and Joan Darish and Grace and Eugene Kim, who own properties on Ridge Creek Lane with frontage on Massey Lake, which they say has been negatively impacted. Gail and Michael Nicklowitz own a family trust property on Earhart south of the mine they use for a horse stable and trotting ground, hunting and other outdoor recreation. The Darish and Nicklowitz properties both had water well issues from previous dewatering of the mine, according to the suit.

Defendants mining operation is likely to materially diminish, reduce, and adversely impact the quantity and quality of groundwater and connected surface waters and other natural resources of the Plaintiff properties, according to the property owners suit.

The property owners are asking for a judge to halt mining activities immediately and permanently, or until the mining operations secures proper permits.

The suit claims the mining operation is in violation of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. It also claims the mine is in violation of property owners riparian rights to use and enjoy Massey Lake. Riparian rights reference a property owners right to use and enjoy lakes, rivers and streams on which they live.

The suit also claims there are private nuisances, including vibrations, noise and dust, and public nuisances, including harm to the air, water and other natural resources.

They are also asking the judge to order the mine to fully reclaim, remediate, and restore the site from all harm they have caused to protect Michigans natural resources and Plaintiffs rights and interests, according to the complaint.

The residents are not seeking any monetary damages.

In the townships 2023 lawsuit against the mine, the township alleges the mine claimed it would have no impact on local water levels when it applied for its permit in 2020 and told the township it would use a closed-loop system.

Instead, officials said, it began pumping millions of gallons of groundwater a day, discharging the water into the local watershed.

In October 2023, a Washtenaw County judge granted a preliminary injunction, temporarily halting operations. Days later, another court order allowed the mine to resume operations as long as they ceased dewatering  pumping and discharging groundwater from the site.

Then in July 2024, a court order gave the mine a 45-day trial period for dredging, which involves removing material from the water rather than dewatering, and it was later extended.

As part of settlement talks, the township extended a local conditional use permit, which expired July 20, as settlement negotiations continue.

The township hired a consultant to investigate impacts of sediment in Massey Lake. While the study did not yield evidence of distinct impacts from previous dewatering activities on the mine site, no baseline data was available for comparison, according to a summary of the results.

While the metal concentrations and grain size data do not provide proof of distinct sediment impacts, the discharge likely resulted in the deposition of a higher-than-normal volume of sediment in the lake, the study by LimnoTech found.

The study also found that available hydrogeological data is consistent with residents reports of decreased groundwater discharge and warming surface waters on the lake.

These impacts would have been most acute during the active dewatering period, which has ceased, it found.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Proposed zoning changes for a downtown Ann Arbor high-rise could allow the building to be used for short-term rentals or as a hotel in the future.

But for the foreseeable future, it may continue operating as The Brady luxury-branded apartments.

Wed be foolish to stop what were doing right now at this point, said Steven Kalabat, one of the owners who converted much of the building from offices to apartments in recent years.

The citys Planning Commission heard the rezoning proposal for the nine-story building at 414 S. Main St. on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

As initially proposed, the sites zoning regulations would be amended to allow all D1 downtown core uses within floors one through seven, including short-term rentals and hotel uses. No physical changes outside of the building are proposed.

Special planned unit development or PUD zoning for the site was established in 1999 when the mixed-use building was built as part of the Ashley Mews condos project.

A sign outside "The Brady" at 414 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor advertises new luxury-branded apartments. MLive file photo. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

A large portion of the building was used for many years as offices for hundreds of DTE Energy workers, but the Detroit-based utility permanently left the building during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An entity called REalta Capital 414 S Main LLC paid $21 million to purchase 105,727 square feet of office space in the building in October 2022, taking control of floors one through seven. The LLC shares an address with real estate developer and manager Mansour Companies in Birmingham, Michigan.

Kalabat, president of the Kalabat Development Group in Bloomfield Hills and one of the leaders of New York-based REalta Group, confirmed three years ago he was partnering with Mansour on converting the old DTE offices into 120 luxury-branded apartments. They also purchased the old Chase Bank building at 125 S. Main St. under a separate entity and two years ago floated the idea of replacing it with a 24-story skyscraper.

The Ashley Mews high-rise at 414 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor, as viewed from Ashley Street, with windows boarded up and a trash chute extending out of a seventh-floor window as the building gets ready for a conversion from offices to apartments on Jan. 19, 2023. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Kalabat told the Planning Commission on Tuesday there was a company that previously approached his team about doing short-term rentals, so thats why the idea previously came up for 414 S. Main St. But right now, the building is doing just fine as multi-family housing following its conversion from offices, he said.

Were doing great actually and were very pleased with what it is, but we want to keep the options open should something arise, he said. As developers, we just want to make sure that we have all options available to us for the long-term viability of this project. Thats it. Nothing else. Theres no agenda.

The apartments are leased into 2026 and 2027 right now, Kalabat said.

The purpose of the rezoning is to simply align the zoning with other D1-zoned buildings on Main Street and remove outdated PUD restrictions, Kalabat said.

The conversion from office to apartments was completed over a year ago and the building now features a mix of studios and one-and two-bedroom apartments, with a restaurant on the ground floor and a new coffee shop coming, Kalabat said. The top floors have residential condos under separate ownership.

One-bedroom apartments starting at $1,900 per month are advertised at BradyAnnArbor.com. The rental occupancy rate is in the 90s, Kalabat said, indicating its above 90%.

No action was taken at Tuesdays meeting as the zoning changes were presented only for initial discussion and feedback.

You may want to come back just as a clean D1, Commission Chair Donnell Wyche told the owners, suggesting just rezoning to Ann Arbors core downtown zoning instead of rewriting the site-specific PUD regulations to allow D1 uses.

It seems like that might make a lot of this easier, Wyche said. And we look forward to your petition should it arrive.

City Planning Manager Brett Lenart acknowledged one of the concerns about short-term rentals is they take away housing supply for longer-term residents. If commissioners are concerned about that, he said the zoning could be crafted to allow D1 uses except short-term rentals or to limit short-term rentals.

Scott Munzel, an attorney for Kalabats team, noted City Council already determined the D1 zone is an appropriate place for short-term rentals.

This sits right next to D1, he said.

Commissioner Sarah Mills said she just wants to make sure affordable housing requirements of the Ashley Mews PUD zoning arent lost. The sites affordable housing units are under separate ownership on the separate low-rise portion of the Ashley Mews property and are expected to stay under PUD zoning.

The city attorneys office is considering proposing changes to the affordable housing requirements there to say the affordable condos can be rented out, rather than just owner-occupied as is the current requirement, city planning officials said.

That may make it easier for the city to enforce compliance with the affordability requirements, officials said, noting the city recently decided to step in to buy one of the affordable condos that was out of compliance and is now looking into another.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
NORVELL TOWNSHIP, MI -- Police are renewing their investigation into the slaying of a 25-year-old Ann Arbor man who vanished in June of 1986.

The decomposed body of Robert L. Stuewe was discovered near Wamplers Lake Road and Deer Ridge Lane in Jackson Countys Norvell Township in August of 1986, Jackson County sheriffs officials said in a statement released on Saturday, Dec. 20. Stuewe had been reported missing in Ann Arbor two months prior to the discovery of his remains.

Sheriffs officials didnt reveal the manner of death.

The person was not identified due to the level of decomposition and no identification being found, police said. However, through the autopsy and investigation, the manner of death was determined to be homicide.

Police said attempts to identify Stuewe through dental records failed, since dental records obtained for a comparison were mistakenly that of a relative of Stuewe, Jackson County sheriffs officials said. However, this was not known until years later and the subject was then listed as John Doe due to the inability to be identified.

The case was transferred to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office in 2008 after the Norvell Township Police Department disbanded.

In 2015, state police assisted in creating a sketch of Stuewe that was distributed to the media and added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS) database.

In 2019, an analyst with the Ann Arbor Police Department made a possible connection with Stuewe and the NAMUS sketch of the John Doe victim from Norvell Township, Jackson County sheriffs officials said. The correct dental records of Robert Stuewe were then obtained and compared with the John Doe victim.

A conclusive match was made.

Investigators said evidence is being reexamined.

While this is a complex case that is nearly four decades old stretching over two counties, advancements in forensic testing may lead to additional clues as to who is responsible for Robert Stuewes death, sheriffs officials said.

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office is leading the investigation with assistance from Ann Arbor police.

In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, no additional information can be shared at this time, Jackson County sheriffs officials said. In a collaborative effort, detectives from both agencies will re-interview family members and friends of the decedent in an attempt to get a clearer picture of the days leading up to his disappearance; which might shed clues as to who is responsible for Robert Stuewes death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Jackson County Sheriffs Detective Mark Easter, 517-768-7934.
Update: City explains reasons for cutting down nearly 50-year-old trees at Ann Arbor plaza

ANN ARBOR, MI  Tree Towns central downtown plaza suddenly has several fewer trees.

At least five sizable trees in the Ann Arbor public plaza at the corner of Liberty and Division streets were reduced to stumps and piles of sawdust as of Monday, Dec. 22.

It wasnt immediately clear why.

Tree stumps are covered in sawdust after several trees were cut down at downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza on Dec. 22, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The citys parks department and administration didnt respond to requests for comment, nor did the Downtown Development Authority. City Council members said they didnt have any information about the tree removals.

First Martin Corp., which owns an adjacent office building and helps maintain the city park, said it wasnt involved.

Tree stumps are covered in sawdust after several trees were cut down at downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza on Dec. 22, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Local environmentalist Rita Mitchell, president of the nonprofit Library Green Conservancy that has called for the city to reinvest in Liberty Plaza, expressed sadness and disappointment in losing the trees and the shade they provided. The space will be less inviting now, Mitchell said.

Downtown Ann Arbor and the center of Ann Arbor has a very limited amount of tree canopy, she said. There was a little bit there, it was enjoyed by people who used it routinely, as well as people who came there for events.

Several large trees are still standing at the plaza, but the several missing leave a noticeable gap.

A tree stump is covered in sawdust after several trees were cut down at downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza on Dec. 22, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The trees cut down included a few along Liberty Street and at least two more at the back of the park near where Sonic Lunch concerts are staged in the summer. Sonic Lunch organizer Matthew Altruda said some of the trees were sick and had mealybugs, but he thought they could be saved.

The plaza has been a source of community discussion and concerns for many years due to issues such as drug activity and occasional violent crime, including stabbings.

A tree stump is covered with a trash can after several trees were cut down at downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza on Dec. 22, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The city recently had an artist from Orlando paint a series of murals on the sunken plazas walls.

The city in recent years also added string lighting and removed some of the tables and chairs that were year-round fixtures where people would eat lunch, play chess and meet up with friends. While those table spaces are gone now, some of the benches in the park remain and still attract visitors.

The Library Green Conservancy, a nonprofit group that lost its fight for a bigger downtown central park in the August election, shifted its attention after the election and suggested the city could reimagine Liberty Plaza by raising the plaza to street level and creating a central green lawn space.

A tree stump is covered in sawdust after several trees were cut down at downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza on Dec. 22, 2025. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

City Administrator Milton Dohoney and Parks Manager Josh Landefeld said in August they didnt have an initial position on the proposal and wanted to look at it more closely.

Mitchell said her group never received a response from the city.

While there seemed to be no advance notice the Liberty Plaza trees were being cut down, the parks department announced on social media Dec. 19 a large oak tree in Mushroom Park must be removed due to declining health and safety concerns. The tree is expected to be reused on site to create a nature play area similar to the Great Oak Nature Playground near Barton Dam.

Trees that stood tall over the University of Michigan Law Quad also were reduced to stumps in November.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Due to the popularity of the 2025 Christkindl Markt in downtown Grand Rapids, the events collectible mugs and beer steins are completely sold out.

The Christkindl Markt team took to Facebook Monday to announce the update.

We still have boot mugs for your warm beverages, and our exclusive Christmas beer is still available for purchase, the post reads. Guests are welcome to bring back previously purchased glassware. We cant wait to see you soon. Thank you so much for the continued support!

Taking place through Dec. 23, the third annual market at 435 Ionia Ave. SW features 60 vendors offering authentic food and handcrafted products.

A significant part of the growing holiday tradition in West Michigan is the collectible mugs offered.

This years mug is forest green with a tall, slender shape. Last years was a burgundy boot-shaped sipping vessel.

The collectible items were hand-designed by a member of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market team and custom-made in Germany exclusively for the 2025 event.

The mugs travel more than 4,000 miles by boat, train and semi-truck, taking about 10 months to arrive in Grand Rapids.

During opening day on Nov. 19, the Downtown Market team unloaded more than 1,000 boxes in preparation for the crowds.
UPDATE: This story has been updated with comment from Nkechy Ezehs attorney.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Nkechy Ezeh, founder and CEO of a now-closed nonprofit agency that helped vulnerable preschool children, has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion, court records show.

The stolen funds covered Ezehs personal travel, including trips to Hawaii, Liberia and Nigeria, according to a plea agreement she signed.

Ezeh reached the agreement rather than have the case go before a federal grand jury for potential indictment.

Ms. Ezeh is committed to taking full responsibility and accountability for her actions. She is deeply remorseful to anyone who has been negatively impacted, her attorney, Mary Chartier, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press in an email.

She founded the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, or ELNC, which funded and supported agencies that provided early learning opportunities for disadvantaged children.

We welcome the news of Nkechy Ezehs acceptance of responsibility for reckless and unconscionable actions, the ELNC Board said in a statement.

The millions of dollars taken from ELNC forced the organization to close its doors and deprived children in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creeks poorest neighborhoods of essential early childhood services needed to prepare them for kindergarten success.

The board said that the plea and eventual sentence will bring accountability and justice.

Her former bookkeeper, Sharon Killebrew, 70, is serving four years, six months in prison after she pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud a federally funded program and tax evasion.

She was convicted of conspiring to embezzle $1,170,935.

Ezehs acceptance of the charges, and acknowledgment of her role as the architect of the scheme carried out with Sharon Killebrew against some of the communitys most vulnerable children and families, marks an important step toward the closure this board has sought for nearly three years, the board statement said.

Ezeh has agreed to pay restitution. The government said the losses to ELNC will be $1.4 million. She is also required to pay losses - $390,000 - caused by her failure to report personal and business income to the IRS from 2017 to 2022, court records said.

Ezeh agreed in the plea deal that she conspired with Killebrew and others to defraud $1.4 million from ELNC and its donors, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Early Head Start Program, as well as private donors.

She directed Killebrew to generate fictitious invoices for goods and services that were not received by ELNC. She also had Killebrew disburse funds to herself and her contracting company, and provide the rest to Ezeh and others at her direction.

In one instance, Ezeh directed Killebrew to incorporate a nonprofit with the state using stolen identities of three people, the agreement said.

Ezeh is scheduled to plead guilty on Jan. 14 before U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou in Lansing.

The wire-fraud charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. Tax evasion is a five-year felony.
HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI  An Amish man and two of his children were seriously injured when a pickup crashed into their buggy Sunday afternoon.

Police and rescue crews were called at 1:49 p.m., Dec. 21, to Mead Road north of W. Territorial Road in Camden Township for a report of a crash involving a truck and an Amish buggy, according to the Hillsdale County Sheriffs Office.

The preliminary investigation showed a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 31-year-old man, was going south on Mead Road when he crashed into the back of the buggy also going south, police said.

The buggy was occupied by the man who was driving, his wife and their five children.

The man, 31, was airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor for emergency medical treatment, police said.

Two of the children were injured in the crash. One was airlifted to C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital in Ann Arbor and the other was taken by ambulance to Hillsdale Hospital, police said.

No arrests were made and the crash remains under investigation.

The Michigan State Police, the Montgomery Fire Department, the Camden Fire Department, Steuben County EMS and the Reading Emergency Unit assisted at the scene.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
KALAMAZOO, MI  Shibam Coffee officially opened its doors on Friday, Dec. 12 in the Campus Pointe Plaza.

A week since opening, Shibams honeycomb pastries are flying off the shelves, so much so, that the business has switched to a closer supplier in Dearborn to get them faster and keep them in stock.

The first two days, we didnt expect as many sales, part owner Talal Arshad said. We ran out of a lot of pastries items.

Arshad, a WMU alum who has been in Kalamazoo for more than 10 years, said that community support has been good so far.

What we are offering, you cant find anywhere else in Kalamazoo, Arshad said. The response we are getting, the feedback we are getting, people want this kind of stuff in Kalamazoo.

Honeycomb pastries are bread bites stuffed with cream cheese and drizzled with honey.

The honeycomb pastry is a hit at Shibam Coffee in Kalamazoo. Photo provided by Shibam Coffee

Right now, Shibam is operating under soft opening hours and adjusting to feedback as it comes.

Shibam is open starting at 8 a.m. every day with an 11 p.m. close on weekdays.

On Friday and Saturday, the shop closes at 2 a.m.

Oddly, we are seeing more traffic toward the end times, so we are going to consider, when the (Western Michigan University) semester opens, extending our Thursday hours.

The shop is located at 2632 W. Michigan Ave. inside the Campus Pointe Plaza and on the edge of WMUs campus.

The Kalamazoo location is part of a budding franchise that began in Dearborn in 2022.

Related: Yemeni coffee franchise, founded in Dearborn, set to open in Kalamazoo

Quality is something we are highly focusing on, Arshad said.

From the coffee menu, theres been one order that has stood out from the rest.

The pistachio latte has been consistently our daily top seller, Arshad said.

An early look inside Shabam Coffee, at 2632 W Michigan Ave in Kalamazoo, on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Pistachio paste is a growing trend in the Middle East, Arshad said, that has now stretched to the states.

The colorful Yemeni cold brew has been a hit in Kalamazoo.

Shibam is planning to stay open both Christmas Eve and Christmas, as well as New Years Day.

The shop is offering a 20% discount on drinks through the rest of 2025.

An early look inside Shabam Coffee, at 2632 W Michigan Ave in Kalamazoo, on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

An early look inside Shabam Coffee, at 2632 W Michigan Ave in Kalamazoo, on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

An early look inside Shabam Coffee, at 2632 W Michigan Ave in Kalamazoo, on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

An early look inside Shabam Coffee, at 2632 W Michigan Ave in Kalamazoo, on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The state is awarding PlazaCorp $54.6 million worth of incentives to go toward three major projects in Kalamazoo.

The Michigan Strategic Fund signed off on the incentives on Monday, Dec. 22.

The total cost across three projects is expected to be $96.5 million, according to state documents.

The three projects are:

Redeveloping the Michigan Avenue Courthouse, 227 W. Michigan Ave., to become a 127-room boutique hotel with a restaurant, bar and speakeasy

Converting the Speareflex Building, 261 E. Kalamazoo Ave., from office space into 57 residential units

Turn the dilapidated building at 619 Porter St. into a five-story, 58-unit apartment with 5,000 square feet of commercial space

PlazaCorp presented plans for three buildings across downtown Kalamazoo on Monday, June 2. City of Kalamazoo

The incentives include Brownfield redevelopment funds and neighborhood enterprise zone tax abatement.

For the Kalamazoo developments that include housing, affordability agreements are already in place with the city, state officials said.

The Porter Street redevelopment will include 58 residential units, with six residential units will be leased to 120% or below Area Median Income (AMI) households, 11 residential units will be rented at an amount that does not exceed 80% AMI, and 1 residential dwelling unit will be rented at an amount that does not exceed 60% AMI.

The Speareflex Building will include the conversion from office to 57 residential unit. At least 6 residential units will be leased to 120% or below Area Median Income households, 10 residential units will be rented at an amount that does not exceed 80% AMI, and 1 residential dwelling unit will be rented for an amount that does not exceed 60% AMI, according to documents from the state.

Community Planning & Economic Development Director Antonio Mitchell said the funding will help to create more density and more of a flow of people enjoying the citys downtown.

We as a city thank you for this opportunity to grow our city, Mitchell said before the vote to approve the funding passed unanimously.

Transformation still years away

PlazaCorp presented plans for three Kalamazoo properties to the city commission in June 2025.

The vacant, historic structure will house a national boutique hotel chain come 2030. City of Kalamazoo

The 88-year-old former courthouse redevelopment will be a $50 million investment to preserve the historic landmarks exterior, Trisha Kidd, PlazaCorp director of project management said previously.

Work on the hotel wouldnt start until 2029, PlazaCorps Mark Chilcott said previously, but would be complete in 2030.

The Spearflex building, 261 E. Kalamazoo Ave., currently houses office space. Needs have changed after the COVID-19 pandemic, PlazaCorp spokesperson Trisha Kidd said. City of Kalamazoo

A $22 million investment will turn the offices in the Speareflex Building near Shakespeares Pub into 57 residential units with an atrium on the lower level.

Work on the Speareflex Building is expected to begin in 2028 and be complete in 2029, per city documents.

PlazaCorp wants to integrate the existing structure into a new, five-story apartment building. City of Kalamazoo

The building at 619 Porter Street has sat empty since the '90s. It was last used as a chemical storage facility. City of Kalamazoo

At 619 Porter St., PlazaCorp is also developing a $22 million, 58-unit apartment building in the Northside neighborhood in 2027.

Parts of the building have collapsed and its been vacant since the 90s, Kidd said.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
MUSKEGON, MI - A Muskegon judge dismissed a case questioning if current elected officials can continue to serve with newly instated term limits.

Muskegon County Chief Circuit Judge Kenneth Hoopes dismissed the case between the city of Muskegon versus West Michigan Dock and Market Corporation and Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits.

The latter group organized a November ballot measure that passed and now limits Muskegon elected officials to 12 years.

Mayor Ken Johnson, who was reelected for another four-year term, will have served his 12th year by the end of 2025.

Commissioner Willie German, who has two years left in his current term, is beyond 12 years.

Following the passing of the ballot measure, the city asked the court for clarification on what that means for the current elected officials, namely Johnson, who was reelected at the same time the ballot measure passed.

No one has filed any legal challenges to Johnsons or Germans terms since the election.

Judge Hoopes dismissed the city-initiated lawsuit Monday, Dec. 22.

That means no changes will be made for the re-elected mayor and current commissioner.

The term limits will apply to anyone running for future elections who has already served 12 or more years.

The city has a sound position, and no one disputes that sound position, Hoopes said. This court is not going to take jurisdiction. I dont find that there is a controversy.

Although recognizing the citys concern for a future lawsuit, Hoopes said the issue was hypothetical.

There is no one that is trying to prevent Mr. Johnson from serving his term, Hoopes said. There is no one trying to remove Mr. German from his current term and there is no one attempting to get on the ballot who has already served their 12 years.

Muskegon County Chief Circuit Judge Kenneth Hoopes presided over a civil case Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, questioning the effect of newly passed term limits on current elected officials. Kayla Tucker

The city cannot adopt amendments to its charter to clarify the issue without a vote by residents.

The city asked that the judge declare prior terms count toward the 12-year limit. It also requested that Johnson be allowed to serve the remainder of his upcoming term, ending Dec. 31, 2029, and that German be allowed to serve until his term expires on Dec. 31, 2027.

Hoopes did not question the citys stance nor make any other ruling besides dismissing the case.

He did, however, take issue with the citys naming of the defendants in the lawsuit that began with a court query.

That may be proper, but it seems that it would chill the citizenry of perhaps taking action or being involved in taking any action, Hoopes said.

Following the dismissal, the defendants agreed with the judges sentiments.

We hope that this does not discourage members of the community from seeking to make change through petitions or other similar initiatives, said Hunter Colella, with Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits.

Colella said he was proud his organization followed through in their commitment to not challenge this issue after the election.

The governors office and state Attorney Generals office said prior to the election that the charter amendment would conflict with the Home Rule City Act (HRCA).

The charter amendment to limit terms in office passed by an unofficial vote of 3,292 to 2,307.

Johnson defeated his challenger by an unofficial margin of 3,505 to 2,081.
BAY CITY, MI  This Christmas season brought a meaningful gift to the widow of a mid-Michigan veteran, thanks to a Michigan roofing company and a national program dedicated to giving back to U.S. military families.

Jill Keeley, the widow of U.S. Coast Guard veteran Terry Keeley, received a new roof on Monday, Dec. 22, through the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project. The installation was completed by Schoenherr Roofing, an Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor.

Oh, my God, I am so grateful, Jill Keeley said while standing outside her house Monday morning, bundled in a large coat. I never thought I would win, to tell you the truth. Theyre wonderful. They talked to me on the phone. They cried with me. They prayed with me. Theyre just awesome, generous and kind.

Patches, photos and a pin are among items Jill Keeley holds onto in remembrance of her late husband. Image provided by Tara Javed

Selected in partnership with Purple Heart Homes, Keeley was approved to receive the roof replacement as part of the programs mission to honor veterans and support their families. Since its launch in 2016, the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project has provided more than 750 free roofs to military members nationwide, according to a news release.

Keeley applied for the roof replacement so long ago that shed forgotten about it. But she also has had to deal with a lot between then and now. Her husband died in October, leaving her in the home theyd moved into just over a year ago by herself.

She said she sought out the roof replacement to do something for her husband. She said she hopes he can still appreciate her efforts.

I feel him, she said through tears. I feel him every day.

Tara Javed, the human resources administrator with Schoenherr Roofing, and Jill Keeley embrace outside Keeley's Bay City home Monday, Dec. 22. Javed said her father was a disabled veteran and her husband just retired from his own career in the military. Because of her close relationship with veterans, she took her role in choosing the person to receive the new roof seriously. It was a really hard process, the hardest one because I was out on the phone two, three hours crying with them because I understand what the loss feels like, Javed said. Joey Oliver | MLive.com

Tara Javed, the human resources administrator with Schoenherr Roofing, said her father was a disabled veteran and her husband just retired from his own career in the military. Because of her close relationship with veterans, she took her role in choosing the person to receive the new roof seriously.

It was a really hard process, the hardest one because I was out on the phone two, three hours crying with them because I understand what the loss feels like, Javed said.

Romeo-based Schoenherr Roofing is a family-owned company founded by Ross Schoenherr in 1995. Serving residents in Macomb and Oakland counties for more than 30 years, the company has grown from a single roof replacement into nearly 7,000 residential roofs installed across the entire state.

I spent hours on the phone with Jill, Javed said. We talk probably twice a week and its not going to stop because we share each others story and we became friends.
SAGINAW, MI  Two years after a motorcycle clubs Saginaw clubhouse twice erupted in flames, a Pinconning man has been arrested and charged with sparking one of the blazes.

Adrian A. Roseberry, 35, had been wanted on an outstanding warrant charging him with third-degree arson since Sept. 13, 2023. Bridgeport Township police officers on Dec. 14 arrested Roseberry after encountering him in a traffic stop.

The next day, Roseberry appeared before Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman for arraignment on the 10-year felony. Hoffman set bond at $10,000 cash-surety or 10%, which Roseberry hasnt posted as of Monday morning, Dec. 22.

The private clubhouse of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club at 1903 Durand St. in Saginaw, on fire the night of Oct. 30, 2023. Cole Waterman

The charge stems from an incident that occurred the morning of June 15, 2023, at 1903 Durand St., a private club of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Callers initially said a generator was on fire near the building, but when crews arrived, they found it was actually a leaf blower that was burning, records show.

Firefighters pulled the leaf blower from its spot near the clubhouse and doused its flames.

Shortly afterward, witnesses came forward to say they saw a person pouring fluid on the clubhouses back porch and lighting it, reports show. Once ignited, the flames flashed up and then went out, the witnesses said.

An investigation confirmed the fire had been intentionally set. The fire did not cause much damage to the clubhouse, which the Fraternal Order of Outlaws BC purchased for $35,000 in February 2019, property records show.

Police arrested Roseberry the day after the blaze on a charge of first-degree arson, but they released him shortly thereafter.

A second fire occurred at the clubhouse on Oct. 30, 2023, colloquially known as Devils Night. Crews arrived to find smoke emanating from the building. They entered it and extinguished the fire.

No civilians were inside at the time. Fire Chief Brandon Hausbeck estimated the fire caused about $45,000 in damage.

Roseberry is not facing charges related to this second fire.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club was established in 1935 in McCook, Illinois. Since then, it has expanded to 41 countries. It has four Michigan chapters, including one in Bay City.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is not a criminal organization, the club states on its website. It is a motorcycle club.  We may not live by the rules of society, but we do live by its laws.

In addition to the Saginaw clubhouse, the local Outlaws chapter also owns the former Spinning Wheel Bar, 1616 Broadway Ave. in Bay City. Property records show the bars previous owner in February 2024 sold his establishment for $100,000 to GFOD, LLC.

GFOD is biker lingo for God Forgives, Outlaws Dont.

State records show GFOD LLC was formed Jan. 23, 2024, with Fraternal Order of Outlaws Bay City L3C formed June 25, 2025. Both entities list the same Portsmouth Township man as their agent.

MLive reached out to this man for comment but did not hear back.

Roseberry is to appear for a preliminary examination on Jan. 5.
The maker of an iconic bourbon whiskey is taking a break.

In an email to CBS News, Jim Beam, which is owned by a U.S. subsidiary of Japans Suntory Holdings, said that its distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, will temporarily halt production on Jan. 1 while we take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements.

It is unclear when the facility will reopen, but Jim Beam will continue to distill at its Fred B. Noe craft distillery in Clermont and Booker Noe distillery in Boston, Kentucky.

The news comes amid a trying time for wine and spirits companies. Americans are drinking less in general, with a recent Gallup report finding only 54% of U.S. adults now consume alcohol, one of the lowest levels in decades.

The trend has been so strong that one online grocer has ditched booze completely in favor of non-acholic options.

But Exports of U.S.-produced spirits fell 9% in the second quarter, partly due to the impact of the Trump administrations tariffs, according to an October report from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Parts of Canada and Europe have been actively boycotting U.S. spirts due to the tariffs. Exports to Canada declined by 85%, according to the same report.

Despite the challenges, the Kentucky Distillers Association remains optimistic.

For 200 years, this industry has survived everything thrown at them, KDA President Eric Gregory said, noting that it survived the dark days of Prohibition. This is a resilient industry, and the great American workers who make it possible are steadfast through the ups and downs. For that, we raise a glass to them.

Every one of our 17.1 million barrels represents a Kentucky Bourbon promise to our farmers, our workforce, our communities and Bourbon lovers worldwide. We are one Bourbon family. We will innovate, problem-solve, adapt and come out stronger than ever.
A woman is missing after a possible shark attack in California.

According to KESN-TV in Fresno, multiple agencies are looking for a 55-year-old who went missing while swimming in the Pacific Oceans Monterey Bay off the coast of Pacific Grove.

The Pacific Grove Police Department received reports of a possible shark attack around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday after a witness told officials they saw the incident from the shoreline.

Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove and McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach in Monterey are closed through Tuesday, officials told ABC.

Each year, there are approximately 100 reported shark attack bites worldwide, but there have been no confirmed fatal attacks in California in 2025. Most incidents are considered minor, and patients tend to recover rapidly.

A surfer reported being bitten in the hand near Bodega Bay on Dec. 12.

Additionally, a man reported being nipped on the left hand and right foot near Santa Catalina Island in September and another reported a shark bit their surfboard near Montara State Beach in May, according to Tracking Sharks.
An actor known for his roles in titles like The Wire and It: Chapter Two has died.

According to NBC News, the Los Angeles County medical examiner determined that James Ransone died by suicide. He was 46.

Ransone, who was native of Maryland where The Wire is set, is best known for playing dock worker and low-level criminal Ziggy Sobotka in season two of the iconic HBO show.

He also portrayed the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in the horror movie It: Chapter Two. And appeared in shows like Generation Kill, Bosch, and Poker Face.

Appearances in the horror film series Sinister and The Black Phone are among his other film credits.

Ransone told Interview magazine in 2016 that going to an art school instead of public school saved me as a kid since he had trouble fitting in.

Adolescence was a really hard time for meas I think it is for most kids," he said. Its so uncomfortable. With normal public schools, I used to have a really hard time with them.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide can seek help from the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Retailers that sell nicotine products to minors would face steep fines and have their tobacco licenses revoked under legislation recently passed by the Michigan Senate.

The legislation passed by lawmakers on Thursday in a 19-16 vote would also remove penalties for minors who possess or attempt to purchase nicotine products and increase fines for adults who give or sell minors nicotine products.

One of the bill sponsors, state Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, said the proposed change in law is meant to go after the adults who sell these products to minors. The bill package still needs approval from the House before it can be signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The central piece of the bill package is the creation of a new tobacco license that retailers that sell nicotine products would have to have. Michigan is currently one of nine states that does not require a specific license for selling nicotine products, according to Singh.

Establishing a license for nicotine products would allow the state to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance and undercover operations to test whether retailers are selling to minors.

It would also give the state an avenue to stop a retailer from selling nicotine products if they were caught selling these products to minors multiple times within a three-year period.

As the leading cause of preventable death in Michigan and across the nation, tobacco use amongst our youth is a grave and growing public health concern that we must act on immediately, Singh said. By establishing a clear regulatory framework to hold our retailers accountable, we can ensure our kids here in Michigan are afforded the same protections as kids in nearly every other state in the country.

Under the bill, retailers face escalating penalties if they continue to sell nicotine products to minors within a three-year window. A first violation is a $250 fine, a second is a $500 fine and a third is a $2,500 fine with a seven-day license suspension.

A fourth violation within a three-year period is a $10,000 fine and the state will revoke the retailers tobacco license, meaning they can no longer sell nicotine products.

Michigans young people have paid the price for the states weak tobacco regulations for far too long, said Jodi Radke, regional director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. Creating a tobacco retail license would be a game-changer for stopping illegal sales, holding retailers accountable and keeping these addictive products out of kids hands.

Stores would also face escalating fines for not checking a persons ID card before a nicotine product sale.

Employees would face civil infractions and fines for selling nicotine products to minors, with a manager facing a fine of up to $200 per violation and a regular employee facing a fine of up to $50 per violation.

Currently, minors who possess, attempt to purchase or use a nicotine product in a public place face a misdemeanor punishable by community service, a fine of up to $50 and participation in a health program.

These penalties would be dissolved under the bill package.

Selling or giving a nicotine product to a minor is currently a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and $2,500 for a third offense.

People who dont work at a tobacco retailer but sell or give minors a nicotine product would also face stiffer penalties under the legislation. Like with the other penalties, these would be civil infractions and escalate if they occurred multiple times in a three-year period.

A first violation within three years would be a $2,000 fine, a second violation would be a $3,000 fine, a third violation would be a $4,000 fine and a fourth violation would be a $5,000 fine.

Singh said the legislation would also regulate online and delivery tobacco sales. The package was co-sponsored by state Sen. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe.

Similar legislation was put forward last year in the House and Senate but failed to get approval from a second chamber during lame duck.
For months, Michigan farmers have grappled with rising production costs and unfavorable markets, worsened for some by tariffs and foreign policy shifts.

Many of the states over 2,000 food and agribusiness companies - which contribute $104.7 billion annually to Michigans economy - are struggling, according to farmers and industry group leaders who spoke with MLive.

A $12 billion federal aid package proposed this month by the Trump administration aims to provide relief, mainly to cash crop farmers who grow things like soybeans and corn, among Michigans most commonly produced crops.

This relief will provide much needed certainty to farmers as they get this years harvest to market and look ahead to next years crops, and itll help them continue their efforts to lower food prices for American families, President Donald Trump said.

While many farmers say the assistance is badly needed, its also viewed by some as a temporary fix for more deeply-rooted problems.

Here are five takeaways from MLives initial reporting of what state farmers think about the aid and other industry issues.

1. Farmers say falling prices and rising costs dont add up to profits

Bill Hunt, owner of Hunt Farms in Genesee County, said markets have been unfavorable for the past three years, and farmers are in a really, really bad spot.

Brad Kamprath, a fifth generation farmer in Ida, said corn that sold for $5 last year has dropped down to $4 today. At the same time, the number one fertilizer he purchases has increased 30% in price.

It doesnt take a genius there, said the Monroe County farmer, who grows corn, soybeans and wheat on rougly 1,300 acres. The math doesnt work out well.

Jeff Krohn, who operates a family-owned farm in Owendale with his wife and two sons, said wheat prices are consistently 50 cents to a dollar below the cost of production for each bushel.

While other crops like corn and soybeans have seen price increases in the last month, Kamprath said, the increases have been only a quarter of what (they) need to be.

2. Retaliatory tariffs and trade disputes are hurting us

President Donald Trumps administration says tariffs will spur investment in U.S. manufacturing, production and innovation, and hes highlighted new and improved trade deals with major partners.

But retaliatory tariffs and the damage to trade relationships have also complicated things for some farmers.

Krohn, the Owendale farmer who also chairs the Michigan Wheat Program Board, said the repercussion of the U.S. and China or the U.S. and Canada fighting over other things [is that] they decide not to buy grains from us.

I can applaud Trumps efforts to help us, to help the United States with not being bullied and pushed around and to try to get a better trade balance, he added, but its hurting us.

Michigan farmers saw a 47% decrease in soybean export profits between 2024 and 2025, per U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data presented last week to a state Senate committee. The state is expected to lose out on $167 million of exports overall in 2025.

Monroe County farmer John Delmotte said for producers like him who grow corn, trade issues and continued tensions with Canada are especially concerning.

A loss of a relationship with Canada means essentially taking a huge market away, he said, both for corn itself and corn-based ethanol fuel, which the country has a huge appetite for.

An aerial view of fall at a farm in Shelby, Mich. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

3. Smaller producers, an older generation could be pushed out

Krohn said his big concern is that people will stop growing crops that dont turn a profit. Hes already seen farmers across the state grow fewer acres of wheat.

Kamprath said without long-term industry change, he believes smaller farms could be pushed out of the business.

And Hunt, who has farmed for decades, warned that the state is at risk of losing a large chunk of its farmers who are at retirement age if something doesnt change.

Im at the age now where I could say to hell with this, quit, said Hunt, whos farmed around 6,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat since the 1970s. But I love what Im doing, and Ive got employees that depend on us to be successful.

According to a 2022 federal census profile, Michigan had just over 45,500 farms, a decrease of 4% since 2017. Around 37% of those were between 10 and 49 acres, while only 5% were over 1,000 acres.

The greatest number of farmers (44,683) were between 35 and 64 years old, while 27,429 were above 65 years old. Only 8,361 farmers were under the age of 35.

John Delmotte, a Monroe County farmer and board president of the Michigan Corn Growers Association, said the state of the industry has taken a toll on my family.

He grows corn, soybeans and wheat in Dundee, and said with so many farmers struggling financially, these next few months may be a critical point where we really need something to change.

4. $12 billion aid package offers a short-term lifeline

Trump said the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) will soon make $12 billion available in one-time bridge payments to American farmers.

The aid package was described in a news release as necessary to offset temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs that are still impacting farmers following four years of disastrous Biden Administration policies.

The majority of the funds, approximately $11 billion, are designated for producers of cash crops like barley, corn, oats, rice, soybeans, wheat, sesame and sunflower. Farmers who qualify for the payments can expect them to be released by Feb. 28, 2026.

The remaining $1 billion will be reserved for specialty crops, like fruits and vegetables, though no timelines have been shared for those payments.

When it comes to receiving aid, many of the farmers who spoke with MLive agreed it provides a necessary short-term fix.

Delmotte said he doesnt know if weve ever taken the position that we need government bailout money.

However, the position that were in currently is that we have bills to pay, families to feed, he said, adding, many, many operations are just simply, theyre just out of cash.

Kamprath said he doesnt like to depend on the aid, which is similar to packages farmers have received in the past, and doesnt put it into his projected budget for the next year.

But those extra payments help keep the economy going, he said, allowing farmers to update equipment or add technology that wouldnt otherwise be affordable during a down year.

5. Farmers say long-term solutions are also necessary

At the same time, agriculture groups across the state say this money is simply a start, with more action necessary to keep farming viable.

In a statement, Michigan Farmers Union President Bob Thompson, who farms near Big Rapids, described the aid as a band-aid in lieu of a long-term solution.

Some Michigan agriculture groups are now advocating for federal legislation that they say would increase demand for corn in the U.S. Others are calling for new domestic crop uses to make farmers less reliant on exporting, or for more funds and a higher priority placed on expanding to new markets overseas.

Krohn said more than aid, farmers would rather have good markets to sell to.

Farmers across the state dont want government handouts, he said, But weve got to survive too.

A $12 billion package sounds like a lot of money, he said, but is split between a lot of farmers and across a lot of farmlands.

Hunt added that larger farms like his will most likely have funds capped, meaning he wont get aid for every acre he farms.

Delmotte said whatever the support lawmakers land on, including the $12 billion aid package, it should happen fast.

Growers need this sooner rather than later, he said. There is some fear that we could potentially see another government shutdown. And if that happens in January, thats going to delay those payments going out.

Generative AI was used to help summarize takeaways based on the originally reported story. It was reviewed and edited by MLive.
Weve got one more round of snow across Michigan on Monday before most of the state will start to feel the pre-holiday warmup.

Snow is expected to start early in the southwestern corner of the state, then work its way north.

A wintry mix - including freezing drizzle - is possible in some areas as the temperature hovers right around the freezing mark later on Monday. Well also see some blustery winds.

Then by Tuesday, much of Michigan will see daytime high temperatures begin their slow rise into the above-normal range for this time of year. By Christmas Day and Friday, some parts of Michigan could be hitting 50 degrees.

Here are the forecast highlights from the National Weather Service offices across the state:

Light snow is expected across much of Michigan on Monday, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches possible in the Upper Peninsulas south-central region, while northern Lower Michigan may see up to 2 inches in higher terrain areas.

The snow will develop Monday morning, starting in southwestern areas around 7 a.m. and spreading across northern Lower Michigan later in the day. Southern Menominee County in the Upper Peninsula has approximately a 30% chance of receiving 3 inches. Warmer coastal locations may experience some rain mixing with the snow at times, but interior areas should see all snow. The highest accumulations are expected in the higher terrain of northern Lower Michigan where snow-to-liquid ratios will be greater than along the warmer coastlines. Some untreated roads could become slippery, particularly in northern areas.

Additional light snow or mixed precipitation is possible Monday night across parts of the state. In southern and central Lower Michigan, light freezing drizzle may develop during the night before temperatures climb above freezing by Tuesday morning. The eastern Upper Peninsula could see mixed rain and snow showers on Tuesday as a low pressure system passes well to the north.

Temperatures will remain well above normal through the rest of the week. Overnight lows will range from the teens to 20s, while daytime highs will reach the 30s across most areas. Some southern locations could approach 40 degrees on Tuesday, Christmas Day, and Friday. The eastern Upper Peninsula may see highs only in the 20s by Friday.

Christmas Eve is expected to be dry as high pressure moves across the Great Lakes. However, the holiday period will remain unsettled with additional precipitation chances developing late Thursday evening and continuing into the weekend. This next system arrives late Christmas Day into Friday, though significant uncertainty remains regarding precipitation type and amounts. Holiday travelers should monitor the forecast for updates and possible impacts.
Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com.
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Akshaye Khannas 1999 dance with Aishwarya Rai on Taal Se Taal Mila goes viral amid Dhurandhar buzz
Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news.
Taking to her X handle, Saumya shared pictures from her entry scene in the film and opened up about what the sequence meant to her.
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Harsh Chhayas old divorce note resurfaces, netizens speculate if it targets Shefali Shah
Jimmy Kimmels 2025 Alternative Christmas message will air on Christmas Day at 5.45 pm.

M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom.
Significantly, Elvishs video followed Munawar Faruqui making an indirect jab at him by not naming him and labeling the funding process a scam.
Holiday travel can disrupt sleep, digestion and immunity. Doctors share simple tips to prevent jet lag, dehydration and illness. (Image: Pexels)

Nivedita is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on health, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Views expressed are personal.
MC Jobs Desk Read the latest and trending news articles on Sarkari Naukri, government jobs, UPSC, SSC, railway jobs, banking jobs, defence recruitment, state PSC exams, and more.
Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers, New Zealand PM said.
You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user.

OK
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO gets fully subscribed on Day 1, retail portion booked 5x: Check GMP
ZHENGZHOU, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in central China marked the milestone of handling one million tonnes of annual cargo and mail throughput on Sunday following the arrival of an all-cargo aircraft operated by Malaysia's Raya Airways.

This demonstrates the strong development momentum of the airport in Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan Province, as it aims to build itself into a leading global air cargo hub on the "Air Silk Road."

Data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China show that by 2024, only four Chinese civil airports, namely Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an and Beijing Capital, reported annual cargo and mail throughput of over 1 million tonnes.

In recent years, Henan has been actively developing the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg air cargo route as a dual-hub model to extend its reach, and it is seeking to replicate the model with other partners.

Zhang Mingchao, chairman of Zhongyu Aviation Group, which operates the Zhengzhou airport, said the airport will actively replicate the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg dual-hub model and deepen air logistics cooperation with countries including Malaysia, Ethiopia and Hungary to attract more airlines to open more routes.

Between 2021 and 2025, cargo and mail throughput at the Zhengzhou airport grew at an average annual rate of about 10 percent, reaching 825,000 tonnes in 2024.

The airport now has 70 all-cargo routes linking Zhengzhou with 73 cities in 32 countries.




Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Ten SME share sales left in 2025: Only two IPOs have GMP over 50%; check details
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

GE Vernova T&D shares jump up to 11% after winning major order from Adani Energy Solutions arm
Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 16 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, Pilla covers pharma, healthcare and infrastructure sectors for Moneycontrol.
Foreign assets and income in the ITR
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
At present, Section 47 of the Central GST Act imposes late fees for delays in filing returns such as GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-9, with the penalty increasing on a daily basis until it reaches a prescribed cap.
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Will Shriram Finance apply to become a bank? Here's what top management said after MUFG deal
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Assam Elections 2026: BJP using mix of 'native identity and anti-influx plank' to set tone for polls
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

BLOs protest outside CEO office in Kolkata over work pressure during SIR exercise
Central Railway to run 76 special trains for Christmas, New Year

Central Railway on Monday announced the operation of 76 special trains to cater to passenger demand during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities, an official said.

Speaking to ANI, CPRO Swapnil Nila said, "The Central Railway has scheduled 76 special trains for Christmas and New Year. These include trains from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Karmani. Additionally, 8 special trains are operating from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Thiruvananthapuram, and another 8 from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Mangalore."
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Defence ministry says arrest of army officer shows 'zero-tolerance' policy against corruption
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Over 150 flights delayed at Delhi airport as IndiGo cancels two amid fog conditions
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Has Maharashtra verdict decisively tilted the Uddhav vs Shinde debate over Bal Thackeray's legacy?
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

High Court says govt cannot claim 'sovereign immunity' in case of negligent driving by Army personnel
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Kolkata: Congress holds protest outside Bangladesh High Commission over atrocities against minorities
The Mahayuti emerged victorious in the Maharashtra local body election results declared on Sunday.
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

New Delhi can't interfere, but can persuade: Shashi Tharoor on Bangladesh unrest
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Nitish meets PM Modi in Delhi, seeks guidance on goals for 'developed' Bihar
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Officers deployed for SIR hearings have little knowledge of local language: Mamata Banerjee
The flag hoisting ceremony marks the commencement of Santhanakoodu festival of the Sikandar dargah
Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries Limited and Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, announce a strategic partnership between the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) and Qatar Museums
Senior Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar at the residence of party leader KC Venugopal for a meeting, in New Delhi.
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Thackeray cousins likely to announce alliance for BMC polls on Tuesday
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

They kept pressuring her: Harassment by microfinance recovery agents linked to suicide of Bihar woman
What are electoral trusts? Here's how BJP got richer by 50% despite SC striking down electoral bonds
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Wife, lover held for killing shoe trader, dumping chopped up body parts at different locations
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Yogi Adityanath's tough talk on UP codeine racket culprits in Assembly: 'Won't leave them fit for Fatiha'
SHANTI aims to bring in private operators to complement state-run nuclear plants

Nagesh Basarkar is Chairman & Managing Director  CORE Energy Systems Limited. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication.
China's President Xi Jinping will enter the coming lunar new year confident of his country's capacity to take on the US.

Manoj Kewalramani is the Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme and Research Fellow-China Studies at the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Muhammad Yunus's administration has kept more than half a dozen parties out of political dialogue.

Pratim Ranjan Bose is an independent columnist, researcher, and consultant. His Twitter handle is @pratimbose. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Police officers positioned themselves between the two groups, allowing the procession  involving hundreds of participants  to continue safely. (Image credit: @BrianTamakiNZ/X)
David Baszucki is the co-founder and CEO of Roblox. The Canadian-born American entrepreneur is currently worth $5 billion. (Image credit: David Baszucki/X)
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Stardust Mystery: Scientists reveal the giant stars might be using hidden forces to propel elements
Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
Maryam Farooqui is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol covering media and entertainment, travel and hospitality. She has 11 years of experience in reporting.
A mourner holds Bangladesh's national flag during the funeral of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka on December 20, 2025, after two days of violent protests over his killing. (Photo by Niamul RIFAT / AFP)
The embassy clarified that the enhanced vetting is being conducted globally and is not targeted at any specific country (Representational Image)
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

As India rained missiles, Asim Munir says Pakistan relied on divine help to weather the setback
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Australian PM heckled at Bondi memorial as Hanukkah beach shooting reignites countrys antisemitism and gun control debate
(FILES) A man walks past the Bangladesh High Commission building in New Delhi on August 6, 2024. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

Canadian journalist's post on 1971 war's 'great irony' goes viral amid India-Bangladesh tensions: 'Welcome back East Pak'
GPS failed in a major Chinese city: What the navigation blackout means and what India should prepare for
Indian Student Captured In Ukraine Warns Against Joining Russian Army, Seeks Help From Govt
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Gun jams at point-blank range as shoplifting suspect tries to shoot US police officer
Loans up to

OTHERS

OTHERS

co-presented by

Follow us on:

Loans up to

My Account

or

or

Hello, Login

All

How China built a homegrown arms industry to rival the West
Hundreds of Indian H-1B holders are 'stuck' in India this winter: Why December has become a nightmare for visa renewals
India-New Zealand sign free trade deal: What India conceded, what it safeguarded, and how it fits New Delhis trade strategy | Explained
Indian H-1B holders stranded after US cancels interviews: What has caused the biggest mess in visa renewals this winter
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Is Bangladesh planning to shrink diplomatic presence in India? Top official rejects MEA statement amid Delhi protest row
Japan set to restart worlds largest nuclear plant: What changed after Fukushima and why Tokyo is betting on nuclear again
(FILES) This handout photograph taken and released on June 13, 2025, by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Office of Interim Government shows Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus (R) and acting Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman (R) shaking hands during a meeting in London. (Photo by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Office of Interim Government / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/BANGLADESH'S CHIEF ADVISOR OFFICE OF INTERIM GOVERNMENT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Who is Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar? 42-year-old senior NCP leader shot in Bangladesh, days after Osman Hadis death
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Nicki Minaj sparks buzz after calling JD Vance an assassin in front of Erika Kirk | Watch
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

No takers for Pakistan's flagship airline? Asim Munir-backed firm exits race at last minute, only 3 bidders remain
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Pakistan eyes Saudi Arabia-like security pact with Bangladesh: What it means for India
Senior Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov killed in car bomb blast in southern Moscow; probe cites possible Ukrainian link (File image)
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

We are not safe here: Brother of Hindu man lynched in Bangladesh seeks return to India
Who is Faisal Karim Masud? Prime suspect in Osman Hadi killing, now on Bangladeshs most-wanted list
Loans up to

Follow us on:

Loans up to

Yunus reassures US on timely, free and fair polls as Bangladesh reels from political killings
December 22, 2025 Ukraine: The GUR said  Important! If true  Putins desperate troops so short of food theyre eating each other in Ukraine A radio intercept shows Vladimir Putins starving troops revealing how they are resorting to cannibalism. The claim from Ukraines GUR military intelligence relates to invading soldiers in Zaporizhzhia region.



The GUR said: Cannibalism is becoming a common practice among Russian soldiers. 

(Note: Ill be busy over the next days. Posting will be light  if any.) Comments
1) University of Guam students from the Class of Fanuchanan 2025 stand to be recognized during the commencement ceremony held Dec. 21 at the Calvo Field House. UOG photos

2) Valedictorian Keana Ardiente delivers remarks during the University of Guam Fanuchanan 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 21 at the Calvo Field House.

3) James Jackson Nemani Whippy of Chalan Pago acknowledges the crowd before receiving his Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies during the University of Guam Fanuchanan 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 21 at the Calvo Field House.

4) Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Manny Crisostomo spoke to graduates during the University of Guam Fanuchanan 2025 Commencement Ceremony held Dec. 21 at the Calvo Field House.

5) Human rights attorney and author Julian Aguon is presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by University of Guam President Anita Borja Enriquez during the Fanuchanan 2025 Commencement Ceremony held Dec. 21 at the Calvo Field House.

MANGILAO (UOG)  The University of Guam conferred degrees to 199 students during its Fanuchanan (Fall) 2025 Commencement Ceremony held Sunday at the Calvo Field House. The event marked the culmination of years of academic effort, resilience, and personal growth for UOGs newest graduates.

Of the degrees conferred, 135 were bachelors degrees and 64 were masters degrees. Graduates represented academic fields critical to Guam and the region, including education, healthcare, public administration, STEM, and business.

The School of Business and Public Administration produced 59 graduates in accounting, business administration, public administration, and criminal justice. The School of Education conferred 36 masters degrees in teaching, education with specializations, counseling  14, of which, came from the first graduating cohort of the Master of Library and Information Science.

These programs reflect continued investments in academic offerings that align with workforce priorities across the island and the region.

As the University continues its growth trajectory, these investments allow us to respond to evolving needs  through newly created degree and certificate programs, expanded facilities, and the development of workforce capacity, said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez in her welcoming remarks.

Valedictorian highlights access, purpose, and UOGs impact

Keana Ardiente, valedictorian of the Class of Fanuchanan 2025, who also serves as president of the 64th UOG Student Government Association, used her address to reflect on the role of education in expanding opportunity  particularly for first-generation students.

I stand here as a first-generation student who once believed Ds get degrees, she said. But at the University of Guam, I found mentors who saw my potential, and I found my purpose.

She emphasized the importance of inclusion and peer support in academic spaces, calling on her fellow graduates to lead with intention. My purpose is rooted in making sure no first-generation student feels out of place simply because they are the first to open the door, she said. We dont just graduate with degrees  we carry forward the work of opening doors for others.

Crisostomo: Island storytelling shapes identity and responsibility

Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and visual storyteller Manny Crisostomo delivered the commencement address, returning to the University of Guam more than three decades after his first appearance as a commencement speaker in 1989.

Drawing from his career documenting CHamoru culture, Pacific Islander life, and the island diaspora, Crisostomo described storytelling as a professional responsibility  one that preserves history, affirms identity, and informs how communities understand themselves. He encouraged graduates to recognize the value of their own experiences and to approach their work with discipline and accountability.

This is your day  and dont let anybody forget that, Crisostomo told the graduates, acknowledging the effort required to reach commencement and the support systems that made it possible.

He also reflected on returning to Guam to teach and complete Legacy of Guam: I Kustumbren Chamoru, describing how professional growth and cultural grounding are closely connected. His remarks reinforced the importance of applying ones education with intention, whether through creative work, public service, or leadership roles that contribute to the islands long-term development.

Honorary doctorate awarded to Julian Aguon

The University of Guam conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to international human rights attorney and author Julian Aguon. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and Right Livelihood Award laureate, Aguon is founder of Blue Ocean Law, a progressive law firm that focuses on Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and self-determination in the Pacific region.

Aguon has argued cases before regional and international bodies, authored acclaimed works such as The Properties of Perpetual Light and No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies, and has been a leading voice on issues of decolonization, climate policy, and the rights of Pacific Island communities. His recognition at the ceremony reflects the Universitys commitment to advancing leadership aligned with justice, sustainability, and regional empowerment.

Graduates join regional workforce and alumni network

The Fanuchanan 2025 4graduates join a global network of more than 22,000 Triton alumni. Many have already accepted positions in government, education, public health, and the private sector.

As you step forward, remember that today marks more than a milestone  it is a charge to contribute meaningfully to your communities and the world, President Enriquez told the graduates.

The commencement ceremony was livestreamed and will remain available for replay on the Universitys official YouTube channel.
Casa Marianas Blaine Graboyes delivers his remarks during the grand opening on Wednesday last week. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE opening of Casa Marianas last week will help diversify the CNMI economy, the company said.

On July 24, 2025, Gov. David M. Apatang signed the CNMI Foreign Corporation Promotion Act of 2025, or Public Law 24-6, which promotes the Commonwealth as a trade and investment hub and requires government efforts to, among other things, leverage digital marketing to showcase the islands investment opportunities and business-friendly environment.

The Act requires the Department of Commerces Office of Foreign Liaison to offer a comprehensive package of financial and non-financial incentives, which may include tax credits, exemptions or reductions, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

In todays digital economy, homes for digital nomads are rapidly gaining popularity, but Casa Marianas owner Blaine Graboyes said he saw a huge gap in the Commonwealth.

There was a void here in the island community for digital people who want to be together for work, he said.

A digital nomad himself, Graboyes is a member of clubs such as Soho House, which provide members with co-working spaces everywhere from London to Los Angeles. This type of shared work space, he said, is common throughout the U.S. mainland and Europe.

In an interview during the grand opening of Casa Marianas at the Gold Beach Hotel on Beach Road Wednesday last week, Graboyes said people like him are the target market. The goal, he said, is to help create 1,000 businesses in the CNMI over the next five years by bringing digital nomads to the islands, where they can register and operate new companies.

Casa Marianas will provide mail handling, business services, and other support needed to work remotely.

Casa Marianas is the first co-working space specifically for digital nomads in the CNMI, Graboyes said. By opening the facility, he said he and business partner Kevin Tang aim to help build a digital economy and diversify the Commonwealths economic base.

Its for local people and remote workers to come together and work, he said.

For $20 a month, digital professionals  including software developers, content creators, accountants, business owners, sales and customer service professionals, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, podcasters, and media producers  can access Casa Marianas co-working space from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For $50 a month, members receive access to the co-working space and shared upstairs offices. The facility also includes conference rooms, private offices, a kitchen, lounges, and a podcast studio.

Casa Marianas also has 24 bedrooms available for long-term stays by digital nomads and other remote workers starting businesses in the CNMI. Each bedroom costs $275 per week.

After work, digital nomads can enjoy what the islands have to offer, including pristine beaches, local restaurants and cafes, diving sites, bird sanctuaries, historical sites, caves, and adventure trails.

In a separate interview, Trade Council of the Marianas President Vin Armani  who was expected to be confirmed by the Senate on Monday afternoon as a member of the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority  said new industries such as digital marketing have historically developed in specific locations.

Certain industries, he noted, are closely associated with where they originated: Wall Street for finance, Madison Avenue for advertising, K Street for political lobbying, Hollywood for movies, and Savile Row for tailoring.

Armani said the CNMI is well positioned to attract the segment of the U.S. digital economy that does business with Asia.

The Commonwealth, he said, offers a convenient time zone, year-round favorable weather, a strong business and tax climate, a welcoming community, and ultra-high-speed internet expected to come online soon through Googles undersea cable connecting to Tinian.
Holiday spirit filled the Public School Systems central office last week as the Refaulwasch Cultural Club of Marianas High School performed festive carols. Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho led central office personnel in celebrating the joyful occasion.

PSS photo
Vehicles pass next to the exterior of GV Hotel where the suspected gunmen from Sydney's Bondi Beach shooting attack at a Hanukkah event had allegedly stayed when they travelled to the Philippines last month, in Davao City, Dec. 17, 2025. REUTERS

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Reuters)  When the two gunmen accused of attacking a Hanukkah event at Sydneys Bondi Beach travelled to the Philippines last month, they kept to themselves most of the time and barely left their room, a hotel staff member said. When they did, it was almost always around 9 a.m. and lasted just a little over an hour, said the worker, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity after the hotels management ordered its staff not to talk to media. Police allege Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, killed 15 people on December 14 as hundreds celebrated the Jewish holiday.

Authorities say the attack, which shocked Australia and led to fears of rising antisemitism, appears to have been inspired by Islamic State. Sajid was killed at the scene while Naveed faces murder and terror charges after waking from a coma.

They were not approachable at all. Other foreigners would typically talk to us, the hotel staffer said by phone.

The alleged gunmen stayed at GV Hotel in Davao City on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines. The hotel, in the citys downtown, sits alongside travel agencies, remittance centers, pawnshops, a hardware store, an appliance store and a few strip clubs.

Limited interaction with staff

GV Hotel, in a statement sent to media, confirmed the men booked through a third party and were initially scheduled to arrive on November 15, but arrived earlier on November 1.

The employee said the pair initially booked a room for seven days, but extended their stay three more times and paid in cash.

The worker said they had limited interaction with Naveed Akram, who inquired at the front desk on their second night whether the hotel sold boxes of bottled water. In another instance, Naveed asked where he could buy durian, a popular fruit in Davao. But beyond customary greetings, Naveed barely interacted with hotel staff, the worker said.

The source could not recall any interaction with Sajid Akram, the father.

They had no visitors. They did not bring anyone else inside their room, none at all, the worker said.

When the pair went out, Sajid brought his backpack while Naveed wore a shoulder bag. The hotel staff could not determine what the contents of the bag were and whether they brought items from outside.

Philippine probe under way

Philippine authorities are still investigating what the duo did during their stay in the south. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano told reporters on Friday they did not spend enough time out of their hotel to travel to other towns in Mindanao.

So there is no way that they can or they hadundergone any training, Ano said.

Ano said extremist threats in the Philippines have largely declined since the Marawi siege in 2017 in which some 165 security force members and 47 residents were killed. Only two militant groups are known to be still operating in the south, Ano said.

Abubacar Camid, who leads a mosque community near the hotel where the Akrams stayed, said there was no indication the two visited the Muslim community surrounding the mosque. Camid said they reviewed camera footage as soon as they heard about the link to Davao.

We did not see them here. All newcomers are vetted thoroughly, Camid said in an interview.

Davao residents said their visit to the city had put at risk efforts to rid the Philippines southern islands of the stigma of extremism.

I am a bit disheartened, said recent graduate John Edward Mier. For how many years, Mindanao has been trying to redeem itself (and show) that the security station is okay even if there are hotspots for extremist groups.
Yves here. Your humble blogger is making an exception to our general rule of not allowing AI content on the site by featuring this holiday sampler from Thomas Neuburger, which combines a climate update with AI fakery examples. The latter ties into our post earlier today on AI fraud and rising concerns that some videos, even when subjected to forensic exams, cannot be determined to be genuine or not.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies

We project a global temperature record of +1.7C in 2027, which will provide further confirmation of the recent global warming acceleration.

James Hansen

Climate: Youre Soon To Be Here

For those who wish to stay informed, heres Jim Hansens climate latest (available here). Emphasis mine below.

Abstract. Global temperature in 2025 declined 0.1C from its El Nino-spurred maximum in 2024, making 2025 the second warmest year. The 2023-2025 mean is +1.5C relative to 1880-1920. The 12-month running-mean temperature should decline for the next few months, reaching a minimum about +1.4C. Later in 2026, we expect the 12-month running-mean temperature to begin to rise, as dynamical models show development of an El Nino. We project a global temperature record of +1.7C in 2027, which will provide further confirmation of the recent global warming acceleration.

No tipping points showing yet, but acceleration confirmed. Elsewhere in the paper he says that the accelerated rate is 0.31C per decade. If that rate stays stable (i.e., no further acceleration), it yields the following in the next few decades:

2035  +1.81 C 2045  +2.12 C 2055  +2.43 C 2065  +2.84 C

Remember, thats not based on models. It just takes todays rate of change and sees where it leads  and assumes no further acceleration.

As youre reading this, ask:

What will a +3 degrees warmer world look like?

Will you be alive in 2065 or so?

The ten-year-olds in my family will be 50 by then. The middle of their lives. Not good.

(My prediction for ppm CO2, similarly accelerated, is here. Hint: 2050 tops 500 ppm. Ouch.)

AI Forever (For a While)

We havent hit Peak Tech yet (we will, and grade schoolers will see it), so we havent yet seen the peak of AI fakery. But check out this short video (screenshot below). Its must-watch and less than a minute long.



When our grandkids are adults, gathered around 2110 fires, what tales they will tell of our marvels, long since gone!

The faces are almost correct, and the casual friendly gestures are quite human-like. For example, in the first setup (Lord of the Rings), the redbearded Gimlis closing movements are quite natural, as is Harrison Fords smile in the Indiana Jones setup. Karen Allens face isnt right yet, as are some others. But theyre getting there.

For another, check this out:

Or this:

Music

The above reminds me of that now-ancient classic, What kind of fakery is this? by the once-remembered Amy Winehouse.

For the big-band experience, try this. Enjoy!
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz last week decried the end of Pax Americana and declared that Germany will fill the void:

The decades of Pax Americana for Europe and Germany are largely over for us. It no longer exists as we knew it. Nostalgia will not help us, and I would be the last person to give in to this nostalgia. This is a reality! The Americans are now very fiercely defending their interests. And that is why we must now defend our interests.

What were the first acts in defending those interests? Germany approved a nearly $60 billion spending packagebelieved to be the largest in post WWII German history that provided aboost to defense stocks, which have begun to come down slightly from their record highs. And on Friday the EU approved 90 billion euros in joint debt in an attempt to keep Project Ukraine limping along.

What does it all mean? Is Germany seriously considering conflict with Russia or is it more subterfuge to push the train down the dual tracks of enriching the capital class while holding together the supranational European project? Probably bothbut as the European elite bust out their own countries, run up the tab on rearmament, and do all they can to antagonize Russia in Ukraine and elsewhere, when exactly is common sense supposed to kick in?

Lets start with what we know.

The German political class has been going on about the end of Pax Americana for years now, just as theyve been talking about rearmament for years. What these discussions allude to is a Pax Germanica taking the place of Washington in the European theater.

 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

Yes, perhaps it should have stopped Europe cold, but then, so should have much of the events of the past four years or so. Yet whether by design or folly, its becoming increasingly evident that the vaunted German efficiency is a myth.

They keep pouring money into the rearmament black hole while hollowing out the economy and cutting social spending. It was fitting that on the same day the Bundestag approved the $60 billion in defense spending, the government also moved to cut welfare payments.

Merzs speech was similar to Angela Merkels 2017 warning that Trumps America was turning its back on Europe. But Merz goes much further by arguing that Europe is no longer in peace and that only a strong Germany can return it to such a state.

This argument is similar to the much-discussed Zeitenwende of Merzs predecessor, Olaf Scholz. The Zeitenwende has surely been a turn, just not so much in the way it was marketed. It was supposed to mark the dawn of a new era in Europe and Germany in particular, which would undergo a massive overhaul of its armed forces in order to deter Russia and bring peace of course. It hasnt done any of that. In fact, coupled with a refusal to compromise or even hold genuine discussions with Moscow, its made conflict more likely. But it also hasnt produced much in the way of results for the German armed forces, which are still a long ways from being ready for any sort of sustained conflict (more on that below).

More recently, a report last year from The German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) titled Europe and the End of Pax Americana is nearly identical to what Merz said last week. SWP is one of the foremost think tanks in Germany, and it advises the Bundestag and the federal government on foreign and security policy issues so its worth paying attention to, although it usually produces quite bland, toned down versions of reports from the imperial capital in DC. Heres the meat of its Pax Americana Finis report:

Ultimately, the decline of Pax Americana also raises the question of what role liberal-democratic values could and should play in foreign policy. German and European advocates of a values-based foreign policy could lose an important backer  namely, America  in the coming years. As far as the European security order is concerned, the situation is quite clear: the conflict with Russia is only superficially about territorial claims and military power relations; its real cause lies in irreconcilable values about Europes internal and external order. From the perspective of the EU and the European NATO states, Europes security is therefore inextricably linked to the defence of liberal-democratic values. Standing up for values outside Europe should therefore focus on those norms, institutions and rules that directly affect the peaceful coexistence of states: international and maritime law, multilateralism and, consequently, the often-cited rules-based order at the regional and global level. These principles are also supported out of self-interest by authoritarian states that are not major powers and therefore are confronted by more powerful neighbours. However, none of this changes the sobering fact that without the United States, it would be much more difficult to protect the remnants of the rules-based world order.

Ah yes, the rules-based order:

Germanys CDU leader Merz as usual saying the quiet stuff out loud! The ICC is intended for despots and authoritarians not democratically elected governments   https://t.co/n4BIsDCjLB  Adam Tooze (@adam_tooze) May 23, 2024

The legal innovations coming out of EU this week (Article 122 override of unanimity, permanent freeze of sovereign reserves in violation of international law, and now Article 20 selective carve out to enable EU borrowing of joint debt) should have EU and global lawyers https://t.co/u7p3sTQPVA  Kathleen Tyson (@Kathleen_Tyson_) December 19, 2025

Beyond the obvious joke of the rules-based order, what is being proposed here? That Germany will keep the fight against Russia in the name of this order (which is code for neoliberal capitalism controlled by Wall Street and the European financial class).

In What Form Is This Fight?

If this is the war Germany is engaged in, it started a while back. And it surely isnt for the benefit of all Germans. Let us briefly once again recall that the final nail in the coffin of the German economy was Berlins decision to move away from cheap and reliable Russian natural gas. Amid the hysteria of the conflict in Ukraine, which is backed by Germany, the response in Berlin has been an assault on the working class in Germany.

While the valuations of weapons companies soar, foreign investors are feasting on the German economic carcass. And the government in Berlin is now committing $35.2 billion in public guarantees, loans, and equity to de-risk private equity investments in energy, industry, and advanced technology. This is happening as the German engine of Europe breaks down and is dragging the Eurozone with it. So the military keynesianism aint working (its a highly inefficient way to boost the economy) while more and more money is being directed away from social programs and into weapons companies and financialization schemes in the name of competitiveness and defending the country against the dual so-called threats of Russia and a retreating America. Nevermind that US troops remain in Germany and that Moscow was perfectly happy doing business with Germany, wanted further integration with Europe, and has no interest in having to go to war with and subdue a continent of 450 million people who are cursed with fanatically Russophobic leaders.

Unprepared for a Real Fight

While the European political class wants to keep Project Ukraine going, longer term their stated goal is to be ready for war with Russia. They are nowhere close. A June report from the Kiel Institute and Bruegel highlights the lack of preparedness. The authors dont proclaim that Germany and Europe will not be ready to fight by 2030 but consider the obstacles:

An inability to translate spending into real capabilities and sustained growth in European force generation, sustainment, and military modernisation.

Reducing dependency on US systems and the overstretched US defence industrial base will be a challenge.

Cost effectiveness is a major problem.

Perhaps the greatest challenge is reducing dependency on US forces, which means raising a large number of European troops for which the local population has shown no appetite for.

Meanwhile, Russia has only increased its advantage since 2022.

It would take an enormous amount of political will, vision, population-wide sacrifice, and even then they might still be far behind Russia but at least able to last more than a few weeks.

Does the current crop of European elected officials or any on the horizon appear capable of anything beyond busting out their own countries?

How about what we dont know.

Is It All a Ruse?

Its entirely possible. As we see, there are benefits for capital and its long-held wish to dismantle European welfare states. Beyond that, it aids the expansion of supranational EU power, which has nothing much to offer anymore except fear mongering of the Russian horde.

Living standards in the EU continue to decline as prices go up, real wages decline, and the social safety net is cut, and all the borrowing to juice weapons companies and pave the path for private equity are only making matters worse. As a Friday paper from the Kiel Institute highlights:

Current NATO rearmament plans could lead to permanently higher taxes in member states, according to a new analysis by the Kiel Institute based on a unique dataset. The dataset covers the financing of rearmament and wars over the past 150 years in 20 countries. It shows that military spending is initially financed through significantly higher public debt, while in the medium to long term the tax burden rises.

Spook Alignment?

The fact is we dont know with any degree of certainty what European governments have planned because they long ago quit paying attention to voters, and so much of foreign policy (and domestic) is nowadays conducted by the spooks. As just one example, heres the situation in the UK, which is openly discussing continuing its dirty war against Russia beyond the inevitable Ukraine collapse:

 UK Democracy In A State of Collapse The latest report from the UK Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) depicts the UKs intelligence agencies (MI5, MI6, and GCHQ) operating with near-total autonomy as the democratic circuit-breaker between secret state power and the pic.twitter.com/EiDt8W9TWc  pocalypsis pocalypseos    (@apocalypseos) December 17, 2025

And we see Western governments engaged in all sorts of games like fake negotiations designed to trick targets, narrative control, false flags, etc. The Washington Post, for example, just confirmed what was long suspected: that the US pretended to be in negotiations with Tehran in order to help Israel target Iranian nuclear scientists and other officials. And Ive lost count of the number of stories over the past few years that detail angry calls from the White House to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and tell us a serious rift is emerging between the US and Israel.

With spy games as statecraft, the interests of capital taking precedent over national interest, and crazies running the show, the idea that Europe might try to further extend Russia into its own yard doesnt appear far-fetcheddespite their lack of preparedness for such a fight.

For example, if there is spook alignment in the West, the plan as discussed by some American think tankers and officials to transform the fight against Russia into an EU project while the US tries to play mediator and make imperial gains elsewhere, looks more possibleif not gaining much in the way of sense. But if the European Blob was delusional enough to go all in on Project Ukraine, what about the larger Western Blob project underway for the US to regain hegemony using oil and AI, which involves strengthening control over West Asia and domination in the Western Hemisphere in order to better confront Russia and China economically, if not militarily.

Even if there isnt such transatlantic Blob alignment, there exists a great deal of danger for Europe.

Russia is treating the European threat very seriously. As the military buildups continue in Eastern Europe and the dirty war plays out in multiple theaters, the chances of more direct conflict increase. The madness surrounding the so-called shadow fleet with Ukraine (with whose help?) now hitting Russian tankers in the Mediterranean Sea leaps immediately to mind as a potential source of more direct confrontation once/if Moscow runs out of patience. Even if the titans of finance and the EU power mad bureaucrats see benefits in drumming up the threat of conflict, the fallout from Europes economic decline will only become more unpredictable and lead to more desperation.

For now, the idea that the Europeans are bluffing and are wise enough to fold at some point requires us to ignore that nearly the entire European political class has already been willing to decimate their own countries economically in the name of this conflict, and wisdom would have been not to start it to begin with. Their actions show that they value the lives of their fellow countrymen as much as they do Ukrainians. If these actors truly believe in the logic that extending Russia will ultimately weaken it (thus far, the evidence is to the contrary) and topple the government, then when theyre no longer able to outsource the job to Ukrainians they wont hesitate to further wreck their homelands.

They might not be insane enough to send battalions eastwards, but if they can successfully goad the Moscow, imagine how beneficial some Russian strikes on EU territory would be for the effort to burn more cash on rearmament, further scale back social spending, and centralize more power in Brussels.

So as the EU continues its free fall, perhaps the scariest thought is that the political class has already dug so deep, theyre already at bomb shelter depth.
Ancient rock art along U.S.-Mexico border reveals 4,000-year-old indigenous cosmology

Elaborate rock murals along the U.S.-Mexico border, dating back over 4,000 years, depict a sophisticated cosmological worldview shared by indigenous cultures. These murals feature human-like and animal-like figures alongside symbolic motifs representing creation myths, cyclical time and multidimensional realities.

Despite spanning 175 generations, the Pecos River Style (PRS) rock art maintained strict iconographic rulesblack paint first, followed by red, yellow and whitedemonstrating a structured visual language rather than random decoration.

The murals align with pan-indigenous beliefs, such as layered universes and portals between worlds. A Huichol shaman recognized the figures in the 2000s, confirming continuity with modern indigenous spiritual traditions.

The artists were nomadic hunter-gatherers, unknown by tribal name today, but their work reveals advanced cosmological thought predating agriculture and urbanization, challenging conventional narratives about the origins of complex religious ideas.

The murals serve as a "living library" of indigenous knowledge, preserving a cosmology that influenced later Mesoamerican civilizations (e.g., Aztecs) and remains spiritually significant to contemporary indigenous communities.

For more than 4,000 years  spanning an astonishing 175 generations  Indigenous Americans painted elaborate rock murals along what is now the U.S.-Mexico border, conveying a sophisticated cosmological worldview that persists in modern indigenous cultures.

A groundbreaking study published in Science Advances reveals that the Pecos River style (PRS) rock art, found in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands of southwestern Texas and northern Mexico, remained remarkably consistent in technique and symbolism for millennia, despite major environmental and technological changes.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, rock murals  also known as rock art or parietal art  refer to paintings, carvings, or engravings found on natural rock surfaces, typically in caves or on cliff faces. These murals are often associated with ancient cultures and are considered valuable artifacts for understanding human history, cultural practices and beliefs.

The murals, some stretching 100 feet long and 20 feet tall, depict human-like and animal-like figures alongside enigmatic symbols. Researchers believe these images represent a "cosmovision"  an overarching indigenous understanding of the universe, including creation myths, cyclical time and multidimensional realities.

"Frankly, we were stunned to discover that the murals remained in production for over 4,000 years and that the rule-bound painting sequence persisted throughout that period as well," said Dr. Carolyn Boyd, lead author of the study and anthropology professor at Texas State University. She likened the canyonlands to an "ancient library containing hundreds of books authored by 175 generations of painters," adding that "the stories they tell are still being told today."

Using advanced radiocarbon dating, researchers analyzed 12 mural sites and found that the earliest paintings were created between 5,760 and 5,385 years ago, while the most recent date back 1,370 to 1,035 years ago. Despite this vast timeline, the artists adhered to a strict iconographic vocabulary and painting sequence:

Black paint was applied first and left to dry.

Red tones followed, then yellow, and finally white.

"The PRS is a visual language, not just pretty paintings on a wall," explained study co-author Dr. Karen Steelman, science director and chemist at the Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center in Texas.

One recurring motif depicts an arch with a portal, often showing a human figure passing throughsymbolizing a veil between the underworld and the world above. This aligns with pan-Indigenous American beliefs in layered universes and cyclical time.

A shared cosmology across the Americas

The study suggests that these murals may be the oldest surviving visual record of a cosmological system that later influenced Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztecs and persists today among indigenous groups such as Mexico's Huichol people.

In the early 2000s, a Huichol shaman visited the site and immediately recognized the figures, calling them by name. Steelman told IFLScience the shaman knew that "the people who painted the paintings and his ancestors had common beliefs."

The artists were nomadic hunter-gatherers, though their exact tribal identity remains unknown. "They were highly skilled problem solvers with a sophisticated cosmology and a robust iconographic system to communicate that cosmology," Boyd said.

Despite their ancient origins, indigenous communities today still view these murals as living, sentient ancestral deitiesbeings still engaged in cosmic creation. The findings challenge conventional narratives about the origins of complex religious thought, proving that deep philosophical concepts existed long before cities or agriculture.

"These paintings may be the oldest surviving visual record of the same core cosmology that later shaped Mesoamerican civilizations and is manifested today throughout Indigenous America," Boyd emphasized. "They show that complex religious and philosophical thought arose among foragers long before the rise of cities and states."

As modern science deciphers these ancient messages, the rock art stands as a testament to indigenous resilience  a cosmology preserved across 175 generations, still speaking to descendants today.

Watch this video about the Indigenous People of the Americas' mythology.

This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

Science.org

YACAK.com

IFLScience.com

Kompas.id

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Chinas secret Manhattan Project claims a stunning win: A homegrown EUV machine

China has secretly built a working prototype of an advanced EUV lithography machine, a critical tool for manufacturing cutting-edge semiconductors.

The project, described as China's "Manhattan Project," involved reverse-engineering by former ASML engineers working under aliases in a secure Shenzhen facility.

The prototype can generate EUV light but has not yet produced functional chips, with a realistic target for chip production estimated for 2030.

The effort is a central part of China's six-year push for semiconductor self-sufficiency, coordinated by Huawei and aimed at removing U.S. influence from its supply chains.

The development challenges long-standing U.S.-led export controls designed to prevent China from acquiring such advanced chipmaking technology.

In a high-security laboratory in Shenzhen, Chinese scientists have achieved a technological milestone that Western powers have spent years and billions of dollars trying to prevent.

According to exclusive reports, China has secretly built a working prototype of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machinethe indispensable, astronomically complex tool required to manufacture the worlds most advanced semiconductors. Completed in early 2025 and now undergoing testing, this prototype represents the culmination of a clandestine, state-directed effort described by insiders as Chinas modern Manhattan Project. The development signals a potential shift in the global balance of technological power, challenging a core Western strategy of containing Chinas rise through export controls on critical machinery.

The crown jewel of chipmaking

EUV lithography sits at the apex of modern industrial technology. These machines, which can cost over $250 million each, use beams of extreme ultraviolet light to etch circuits onto silicon wafers at a scale thousands of times thinner than a human hair. This capability is fundamental for producing the powerful chips that drive artificial intelligence, advanced weapons systems and next-generation consumer electronics. For decades, this technology has been the exclusive domain of a single company: ASML Holding NV of the Netherlands. A concerted U.S. foreign policy effort has successfully blocked ASML from ever selling an EUV system to China, creating a chokepoint in Beijings ambitions for technological self-reliance.

Inside Chinas Manhattan Project

The reported breakthrough is not an accident of open research but the result of a highly classified, state-mandated program. Sources indicate the project leverages extensive reverse-engineering of ASMLs technology, spearheaded by recruited former ASML engineersmany of them Chinese-born veterans of the Dutch firm. To maintain secrecy, these engineers reportedly work under aliases within the secure Shenzhen compound, with teams isolated from one another. The recruitment drive offered substantial financial incentives, part of an aggressive national strategy launched in 2019 to attract global semiconductor talent.

The electronics giant Huawei plays a central coordinating role, managing a sprawling network of companies and state research institutes. The operational culture mirrors a national security lockdown: employees on sensitive teams often sleep on-site, have restricted communication and work under constant surveillance. This intense, compartmentalized environment underscores the projects strategic priority for the Chinese Communist Party, which views semiconductor independence as a cornerstone of national security and economic sovereignty.

A long road from prototype to production

While the existence of a light-generating prototype is a significant symbolic and technical achievement, analysts caution that major hurdles remain. The machine is described as much larger and cruder than ASMLs refined systems. The most daunting challenge lies in replicating the precision opticsspecialized mirrors produced by firms like Germanys Zeissthat are essential for reliable, high-volume chip production.

China is reportedly sourcing critical components through secondary markets, salvaging parts from older ASML machines, and using intermediary companies to obscure procurement.

The official target is to produce working chips by 2028, but sources close to the project suggest 2030 is a more realistic timeline.

This progress, however slow, contradicts recent assurances from ASMLs leadership. In April 2025, CEO Christophe Fouquet stated China would need many, many years to develop comparable EUV capability. The prototype suggests Beijings timeline may be accelerating, fueled by a vast allocation of resources and a willingness to circumvent Western export controls through espionage, recruitment and gray-market networks.

A new phase in the Tech Cold War

The development carries profound implications for global security and industry. Historically, control over foundational technologies like EUV lithography has allowed the United States and its allies to maintain a generational lead in computing and military hardware. Chinas relentless push toward indigenous capability threatens to erode that advantage, potentially enabling Beijing to produce advanced chips for AI and surveillance systems free from foreign restraint. The projects stated ultimate aim, according to a source, is for China to make advanced chips on entirely China-made machines and to have the United States 100% kicked out of its supply chains.

An unfolding strategic challenge

The revelation of Chinas secret EUV prototype marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing technological standoff between Washington and Beijing. It demonstrates the limitations of an export-control regime in the face of a determined, well-resourced adversary employing a whole-of-nation approach. While significant technical and manufacturing obstacles remain, the prototype proves that Chinas path to semiconductor self-sufficiency, though long and arduous, is being paved. The world now watches to see if this secret project in Shenzhen can transition from a laboratory proof-of-concept to the foundation of a truly independentand competitiveglobal chipmaking industry.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Reuters.com

TechRepublic.com
Farmers CLASH with police in Brussels amid fury over EU trade policies

Thousands of farmers clashed with riot police outside EU headquarters, using tractors to block streets, setting fires and throwing projectiles. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas; at least one protester was injured. Over 1,000 tractors and 7,000 demonstrators overwhelmed permitted protest numbers.

Protests target the Mercosur trade deal, which farmers say will flood EU markets with cheaper, lower-standard imports (beef, sugar, soybeans). Farmers accuse EU leaders of ignoring their concerns, prioritizing climate policies (Farm to Fork strategy) over food security and fair competition.

France and Italy oppose the deal, securing a temporary delay, while Germany and Spain push for approval. Brazil's President Lula issued an ultimatum, threatening no further agreements if Mercosur fails.

Similar protests erupted in Germany (subsidy cuts), Poland (Ukrainian imports) and the Netherlands (forced farm seizures). Farmers demand reduced bureaucracy, fair trade rules and protection from policies they claim favor globalist agendas over local agriculture.

Farmers accuse EU leaders of ignoring rural concerns, imposing unrealistic green mandates and allowing foreign competitors to impose weaker regulations. Despite EU Commission President von der Leyen delaying Mercosur, farmers remain distrustful, fearing eventual forced approval. The protests signal a broader crisis over EU sovereignty, trade policy and the future of European farming.

Thousands of farmers clashed with riot police outside the European Union headquarters on Thursday, Dec. 18, setting fires, hurling projectiles and blocking streets with tractors in a dramatic escalation of protests against EU agricultural policies and trade deals threatening their livelihoods.

The demonstrations, which saw farmers from Belgium, France, and other EU nations converge on Brussels, coincided with an EU leaders summit discussing a controversial free-trade agreement with South Americas Mercosur bloc. Protesters argue the dealalong with stringent environmental regulationsundermines European farmers by allowing cheaper imports from countries with looser production standards.

Riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas as tensions flared, with footage showing burning tires, smashed windows, and tractors breaching barricades near the European Parliament. At least one protester was injured in clashes as officers attempted to regain control. Authorities estimated around 1,000 tractors and 7,000 demonstrators flooded the city, far exceeding permitted numbers.

Farmers vs. free trade: The Mercosur standoff

The Mercosur agreement, 25 years in negotiation, would create the world's largest free-trade zone, covering 780 million people and a quarter of global GDP, as per BrightU.AI's Enoch. While supporters argue it strengthens Europe's geopolitical position against China and boosts exports, farmers warn it will flood EU markets with cheaper beef, sugar and soybeansproducts often grown with pesticides banned in Europe.

"We're here to say no to Mercosur," Belgian dairy farmer Maxime Mabille declared, accusing EU leaders of ignoring farmers' concerns. "Europe has become a dictatorship."

French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian officials have led opposition to the deal, securing a temporary delay. But German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pushed back, insisting the EU must act decisively in global trade.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva issued an ultimatum, warning that Saturday was a "now or never" moment. "Brazil won't make any more agreements while I'm president if this fails," he said.

The Brussels protest is part of a wider uprising across Europe, where farmers have staged blockades and demonstrations against policies they say prioritize climate goals over food security and fair competition.

In Germany, farmers forced the government to backtrack on planned subsidy cuts after nationwide tractor blockades. In Poland, farmers blocked highways to protest cheap Ukrainian imports, while Dutch farmers faced armed police during demonstrations against forced farm seizures under nitrogen emission laws.

"We've been protesting since 2024 in France, in Belgium, and elsewhere," said Florian Poncelet of Belgian farm union FJA. "We'd like to finally be listened to."

A growing divide between rural and urban Europe

The unrest highlights deepening tensions between rural communities and EU policymakers, with farmers accusing Brussels of imposing unrealistic green mandates while allowing foreign competitors to operate under weaker rules. Critics argue the EU's climate policiessuch as the Farm to Fork strategythreaten food production without addressing global market imbalances.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen postponed the Mercosur signing until next month, but protesters remain skeptical.

"The delay is just a tactic," one farmer shouted over the din of protesting tractors. "They'll force it through eventually."

As smoke from burning tires drifted over Brussels, the scenes underscored a continent at a crossroadsbalancing trade ambitions, environmental goals and the survival of its agricultural heartland. The farmer revolt in Brussels marks a pivotal moment in Europe's struggle over trade, sovereignty and sustainability.

With anger boiling over from Poland to Portugal, EU leaders face mounting pressure to address rural discontentor risk further destabilization of the bloc's food supply chain. As tractors remain parked outside parliament, one message is clear: Europe's farmers will not go quietly.

Watch the video below showing the time when farmers all over Europe staged massive protests against their governments.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

AlJazeera.com

X.com 1

X.com 2

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Small stores, massive fraud: Haitian duo charged in $7 million SNAP scheme

Two Boston bodega owners are charged with orchestrating a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud the SNAP (food stamp) program, revealing systemic vulnerabilities in benefit oversight.

The defendants allegedly exchanged SNAP benefits for cash and prohibited items like liquor, laundered money and used their small stores to process benefits at volumes typical of large grocery chains.

This case follows similar large-scale fraud investigations, notably a $250 million scheme in Minnesota, indicating a widespread pattern of exploitation within public assistance programs.

The fraud drains taxpayer funds meant to fight food insecurity and risks leading to increased scrutiny and tighter access for legitimate beneficiaries who rely on the program.

Prosecutors highlight that a lack of data sharing between state and federal agencies hampers oversight, pointing to a need for deeper reforms and improved cooperation to protect public funds.

Federal prosecutors have peeled back the facade of two unassuming bodegas in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood, revealing what they describe as a brazen, multi-million dollar fraud operation targeting the nations food stamp program.

The case, unsealed this week, charges two Haitian immigrants and casts a harsh light on systemic vulnerabilities in the oversight of critical welfare benefits, raising urgent questions about accountability and the scale of such exploitation nationwide. The Department of Justice (DOJ) detailed charges against Antonio Bonheur, 74, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Haiti, and Saul Alisme, 21, a lawful permanent resident.

The two are accused of transforming their small convenience stores into engines of fraud, systematically bilking the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for years. As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, SNAP benefits are government-provided funds that can only be used to purchase eligible food items and seeds or plants for growing food, with strict prohibitions on non-food products, alcohol, tobacco and supplements.

The scale of the alleged operation defies the stores modest appearances. Court documents paint a picture of establishments with observably low inventory and minimal legitimate customer traffic. Yet, prosecutors allege, one of the bodegas redeemed upwards of $500,000 in SNAP benefits in a single month, a volume they note would be expected for a major retail grocery chain, not a small independent corner store.

The mechanics of the scheme were multifaceted. According to the DOJ indictment, undercover federal agents witnessed the stores engaging in direct cash exchanges for SNAP benefits, a blatant violation of program rules intended solely for the purchase of eligible food items. The establishments also allegedly traded benefits for explicitly ineligible products like liquor and even sold international humanitarian aid food packages. To conceal the illicit profits, the defendants are accused of laundering money through secondary bank accounts.

Food stamps and fraudulent schemes

In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley issued a stark warning about the pervasiveness of such crimes. "Fraud is not isolated, but widespread," Foley stated. She slammed officials in Massachusetts and other states, suggesting that a refusal to share comprehensive SNAP data with the federal government actively hampers oversight and enables such schemes to persist.

The Massachusetts case arrives amid a national backdrop of similar large-scale investigations, suggesting a troubling pattern of exploitation within public assistance systems. It follows closely on the heels of a massive food aid scam scandal in Minnesota, where federal criminal charges were filed against 47 defendants involved in a scheme that allegedly defrauded taxpayers of about $250 million. That case, centered within the Somali immigrant community, has been accompanied by allegations that state officials were aware of red flags years before taking decisive action.

The parallel scandals, separated by geography and community but united in method, underscore a dual crisis: criminal enterprises aggressively targeting public assistance programs and apparent systemic failures in prevention and early detection. The consequences are twofold: taxpayers ultimately bear the financial burden of these stolen millions, while legitimate recipients of aid face the potential for increased scrutiny and tightened access to the essential benefits they rely on.

The scheme also exposes how seemingly small local businesses can be used to siphon vast sums from federal programs. The alleged $7 million fraud represents a significant drain on resources meant to alleviate food insecurity, diverting funds from those in genuine need.

As the legal process moves forward for Bonheur and Alisme, the case serves as a potent reminder of the constant tension between providing a vital social safety net and implementing the rigorous oversight necessary to protect it from corruption. The DOJ's action signals a continued federal focus on prosecuting such fraud. However, the recurring nature of these schemes, from Boston to Minneapolis, points to a need for deeper, systemic reforms and improved inter-agency cooperation to safeguard public funds and maintain the integrity of programs upon which millions of vulnerable Americans depend.

Watch this video about SNAP fraud.

This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com 1

TheNationalPulse.com 2

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Hamas digs in against foreign force as U.S. stabilization plan stalls

There is a total deadlock between Hamas' demand for sovereign Palestinian self-rule and the U.S.-Israeli demand for a disarmed Gaza under international supervision. Hamas sees the proposed international force as a "legitimized occupation."

Hamas has issued a firm, unified rejection of the plan's key elements. They refuse to disarm (calling it "removing the soul" from the group) and will not accept any foreign military role in Gaza's internal security or a non-Palestinian governing authority.

The proposed International Stabilization Force is failing to materialize. Potential contributing countries are wary of sending troops, fearing they would be drawn into combat with Palestinians, and are offering only funding or training instead.

The plan is internally gridlocked. It demands Hamas' total disarmament but claims the international force "will not fight Hamas" to achieve it. Meanwhile, Israeli leaders contradict the proposal by stating their army will remain in "most of Gaza."

On the ground, the ceasefire is fragile. Hamas accuses Israel of blocking aid and violating the truce, while Israel insists disarmament must come first. With the political plan stalled, a dangerous vacuum exists, and mediators warn that the momentum for peace is fading fast.

As the fragile ceasefire in Gaza hangs on by a thread, a fundamental clash over the territory's future is hardening into an impasse.

Hamas has issued a firm, unified rejection of any significant international security role inside Gaza, directly challenging the core of a U.S.-backed plan for post-war governance. This stance threatens to unravel the already struggling proposal for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) and sets the stage for renewed conflict.

In a clear statement of position, senior Hamas official Hussam Badran outlined the group's non-negotiable condition: any foreign military presence would be permitted only to monitor the ceasefire exclusively at the border. Its mandate would end there.

"The Palestinians will manage the Gaza Strip independently," Badran asserted, dismissing the notion that international troops would have any role in internal security. This draws a stark red line against the vision of a foreign force overseeing Gaza's transition, a plan critics warn would amount to a legitimized occupation.

The U.S. proposal, championed by President Donald Trump, appears to be floundering in the face of this resistance and widespread international reluctance. While Trump claims that 59 countries are willing to join the ISF, reports indicate that potential contributors, including Arab states initially considered key, are now wary.

The fear, as highlighted in diplomatic circles, is that their soldiers could be drawn into armed clashes with Palestinians, a politically toxic scenario. Countries are instead offering only training or funding, not troops for a risky ground operation.

Hamas official: Disarmament would be like "removing the soul" from the group

This hesitation is compounded by a critical ambiguity in the U.S. plan. While American sources insist that the U.S. "will not fight Hamas," the ceasefire terms demand the group's complete disarmament.

For Hamas, surrendering its weapons is unthinkable. Khaled Meshaal, chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, stated that disarmament would be like "removing the soul" from the organization. However, in a notable assurance aimed at mediators, Meshaal indicated that the group would take measures to curb future attacks on Israel from Gaza. This offer of conditional restraint falls far short of the total capitulation demanded by the plan and by Israel.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Meshaal oversees international affairs for Hamas from Qatar. His leadership and influence have been significant in shaping the political and diplomatic strategies of Hamas, particularly in its relations with other Arab and international entities.

The proposed U.S.-chaired "Board of Peace" to oversee Gaza's transition is also meeting fierce rejection. Hamas officials have flatly stated they will not accept a non-Palestinian governing authority.

The controversy even extends to individual candidates, with figures like former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair being rejected as "an unwelcome figure" due to his past role in the Iraq war.

On the ground, the situation grows more volatile by the day. Hamas officials accuse Israel of hundreds of ceasefire violations and of blocking agreed-upon aid levels, creating famine conditions. They state that progress to a second phase of the deal, which would include a full Israeli withdrawal, cannot happen without a massive increase in humanitarian relief.

Meanwhile, Israel insists that disarming Hamas must be the top priority before any further steps.

With Hamas refusing foreign governance and internal security roles, and the international community balking at contributing to a force that may have to enforce a surrender Hamas will never accept, the U.S. plan is gridlocked. The ISF, as currently conceived, seems unable to get off the ground. This leaves a dangerous vacuum.

Mediators warn that ceasefire momentum is fading, and as accusations of violations fly from both sides, the threat of a return to full-scale war looms. The stark divergence between Hamas' vision of sovereign self-rule and the U.S.-Israeli vision of a disarmed Gaza under foreign-supervised transition now forms the core of a crisis with no clear path forward, threatening to plunge the region back into violence.

Watch the video below as the U.K. joins Australia and Canada in recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

AlJazeera.com

ArabNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
House passes MTGs Protect Childrens Innocence Act banning gender-related interventions for minors

The U.S. House narrowly approved the Protect Children's Innocence Act (216-211), criminalizing gender-related medical interventions (puberty blockers, hormones, surgeries) for minors, with penalties including fines and up to 10 years in prison for providers.

Republicans, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), framed the bill as protecting kids from "irreversible harm," while Democrats and the ACLU condemned it as "cruel" government overreach interfering with parental rights and medical decisions.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) clashed with Greene over federal authority, proposing an amendment to limit federal jurisdiction, but withdrew it to maintain party unity against "grotesque procedures."

The bill faces near-certain failure in the Democrat-controlled Senate, mirroring state-level battles like Texas' SB 14, which was upheld by courts after legal challenges.

The vote reflects a deepening national divide over medical ethics, parental autonomy and government's role in healthcare, ensuring the issue remains politically contentious.

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a controversial bill on Wednesday, Dec. 17, that would impose federal criminal penalties for providing gender-related medical treatments to minors  including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgical procedures.

The "Protect Children's Innocence Act," sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), cleared the chamber in a 216-211 vote, with three Democrats crossing party lines to support the measure while four Republicans opposed it. The legislation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing national debate over transgender healthcare for minors, pitting advocates of parental rights and medical freedom against those who argue such interventions constitute irreversible harm to children.

According to the Enoch engine at BrightU.AI, the controversy surrounding gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, often referred to as gender affirmation or gender transition, is multifaceted and rooted in ethical, medical and legal considerations. One of the primary controversies centers around the ability of minors to provide informed consent for medical treatments, particularly those with irreversible consequences, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or surgical interventions.

In impassioned remarks ahead of the vote, Greene framed the bill as a moral imperative to shield children from "life-altering decisions" pushed by adults.

"Children are not experiments. No more drugs. No more surgeries. No more permanent harm," Greene declared on X. "We need to let kids grow up without manipulation from adults to make life-altering decisions! Congress must protect America's children!"

The bill would impose fines and up to 10 years in prison for medical professionals who provide gender-affirming treatments to minors, with exemptions for conditions like precocious puberty. Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL), a vocal supporter, called the legislation "common-sense" and a necessary safeguard for future generations.

"As a father of two young boys, I will not stand by while radical woke policies push children into permanent, life-altering medical decisions they can never undo," Patronis stated. "Protecting our children isn't a choice  it's our moral duty."

The fight over who decides medical procedures for teens

Democrats overwhelmingly condemned the bill as government overreach that would criminalize healthcare decisions between parents, children and doctors. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) blasted the legislation as "the most extreme anti-transgender bill to ever pass Congress."

"If this bill becomes law, doctors, pharmacists andin some circumstancesthe parents of young trans people, would face time in prison for choosing to prioritize their child's health," Takano warned. "This bill is beyond cruel, and its passage will forever be a stain on the institution of the United States Congress."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) echoed these concerns. It argued that the bill sets a "dangerous precedent" by allowing politicians to dictate medical care.

"Politicians should never prohibit parents from doing what is best for their transgender children," said Mike Zamore, ACLU's national director of policy. "These families often spend years considering how best to support their children, only to have ill-equipped politicians interfere by attempting to criminalize the health care that they, their children and their doctors believe is necessary."

The bill's passage was not without internal GOP conflict. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee, introduced an amendment that Greene claimed would "gut the commerce clause" by limiting federal jurisdiction over the issue.

While Greene publicly rebuked Roy on social media for his refusal to protect children, the Texas congressman defended his stance, arguing for constitutional restraint. "The constitution matters and we should not bastardize it to use 'interstate commerce' to empower federal authorities," Roy said. However, Roy ultimately withdrew the amendment, stating he wanted to avoid confusion and present a united Republican front against "these grotesque procedures."

Greene's bill heads to the Senate, but will it prosper?

Despite its House success, the bill faces near-certain defeat in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where Republicans would need bipartisan support to overcome procedural hurdles. Meanwhile, states like Texas have already enacted similar bans.

Last June, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) signed Senate Bill 14, prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors. Though temporarily blocked by a lower court, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the law, allowing it to take effect.

The "Protect Children's Innocence Act" underscores a deepening cultural rift over parental rights, medical ethics and government intervention in healthcare. While proponents argue it shields children from irreversible harm, opponents warn it endangers vulnerable youth by denying medically accepted treatments.

As the debate heads to the Senate, the bill's fate remains uncertain. However, its passage in the House ensures that the battle over transgender healthcare for minors will remain a flashpoint in American politics.

Watch this report about the Idaho House voting to ban gender-related medical procedures for any person under 18.

This video is from the In Search Of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

FoxNews.com

News.MEAWW.com

TheHill.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
COVID-19 vaccines linked to increased shingles risk, study finds

Studies show a 7% to 21% rise in shingles cases after COVID-19 vaccination, with higher risks following booster doses (up to 38% in men receiving vector-based vaccines like AstraZeneca/J&J).

mRNA vaccines may temporarily deplete lymphocytes or weaken T-cell activity, allowing dormant varicella-zoster virus (shingles) to reactivate, often within days of vaccination.

Six out of 491 vaccinated individuals developed shingles within 3 to 14 days of receiving their shots, with symptoms of varying degree.

Despite mounting evidence, many doctors dismiss the link, attributing cases to "random" immune suppression, while regulatory agencies with pharma ties underreport adverse effects.

Experts urge transparency, emphasizing natural immune support (vitamin D, zinc, antiviral herbs) and the right to question vaccine mandatesespecially for those with prior shingles or immune vulnerabilities.

Scientists have uncovered a potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and an increased risk of shingles, according to a recent study published in Drug Safety.

Researchers from the University of Groningen analyzed electronic health records of over two million individuals who received at least one COVID vaccine dose. Their findings revealed a small but notable rise in shingles cases following vaccination, particularly after booster shots.

The study, which spanned from November 2019 to November 2021, found that the overall risk of developing shingles within 28 days of vaccination increased by 7% across all doses. However, the risk jumped to 21% after the third mRNA booster dose. Notably, men who received vector-based vaccines (like AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson) saw a 38% higher risk of shingles.

Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus responsible for chickenpox), manifests as a painful, blistering rash and can lead to severe nerve pain. While most cases were mild to moderate, some required medical attention. The study noted that six out of 491 vaccinated individuals developed shingles within 3 to 14 days of receiving their shots, with symptoms ranging from mild rashes to debilitating nerve pain.

Lead researcher Dr. Victoria Furer explained that while the study does not definitively prove causation, the mRNA vaccines might act as a trigger for shingles in susceptible individuals. The mechanism could involve temporary depletion of lymphocytes, immune cells that normally suppress dormant viruses like varicella-zoster. Repeated vaccination, particularly booster doses, may also weaken T-cell activity, allowing latent viruses to reactivate.

Vaccine safety under scrutiny

This aligns with previous reports from Hong Kong, where a spike in shingles hospitalizations occurred shortly after Pfizer/BioNTech vaccinations. However, conflicting data existsa U.S. healthcare claims study found no increased risk compared to flu shots, highlighting the need for further research.

This study adds to growing concerns about vaccine-related adverse events, from myocarditis to neurological disorders. With Pfizer and Moderna dominating 98.5% of the analyzed vaccine doses, the findings suggest that lipid nanoparticle technologyused in mRNA vaccinesmay uniquely influence immune responses.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the findings linking COVID vaccines to increased shingles risk confirm what many independent researchers have warnedthat these experimental mRNA injections disrupt immune function and trigger latent viral reactivation. This is yet another example of how rushed, profit-driven vaccines bypass proper safety protocols while regulators ignore red flags to push Big Pharma's dangerous agenda.

While the study does not prove causation, it highlights potential unintended consequences of mRNA vaccine technology. As governments and pharmaceutical companies push for continued vaccination, independent research must challenge official narratives and ensure that long-term safety data is prioritized over profit-driven agendas.

For those concerned about shingles, natural immune supportsuch as vitamin D, zinc and antiviral herbsmay help mitigate risks. Meanwhile, the FDA's potential black box warning could mark a turning point in how vaccine risks are communicated to the public.

Watch this video about what happens three years after taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

This video is from the Follower of Christ777 channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Link.Springer.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
DOJ releases new batch of Epstein files amid intensifying legal and political firestorm

The DOJ released 119 pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related grand jury materials with "minimal redactions," following intense criticism for initially publishing a fully redacted version of the same file.

The release is a response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan law requiring the DOJ to disclose all unclassified Epstein documents within 30 days, allowing redactions only for active investigations or victim privacy.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers accuses the DOJ of defying the law and threatening a cover-up, while the DOJ defends its "methodical" review process as necessary to protect victims, as the law also requires.

The dispute has escalated to threats of impeachment against the Attorney General for non-compliance, with the DOJ responding defiantly that it is following the statute.

This clash reflects deep public distrust and a fundamental tension between Congress's demand for wholesale transparency and the executive branch's stated duty to protect victims and investigative integrity.

In the latest chapter of a saga marked by secrecy and suspicion, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released 119 pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related grand jury materials Sunday, Dec. 21, this time with what it calls "minimal redactions." The move comes just days after the agency faced a blistering backlash for publishing a fully blacked-out version of the same document, an act critics labeled as blatant defiance of a new federal transparency law.

The release is a direct response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last month. The law mandates the DOJ disclose all unclassified documents, including flight logs, client lists and communications, within 30 days, permitting redactions only for active investigations or to protect victim privacy, not to shield political reputations. As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Epstein Files Transparency Act is a bill passed by Congress in November 2025 that legally compels the DOJ to declassify and release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates."

Yet, the rollout has been fraught with conflict. The DOJ began its document dump on December 19, but the first tranche included a 119-page file entirely obscured by redactions, fueling accusations of a cover-up from the very lawmakers who authored the law. "Not only are they trying to create an exemption that doesnt exist in our law, they are expressly ignoring the requirement to provide those materials," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) told CNN.

The DOJ insists it is walking a careful line. In a statement on X, the agency said, "Documents and photos will continue to be reviewed consistent with the law and with an abundance of caution for victims and their families."

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the meticulous process on NBC's "Meet the Press," stating, "We're going through a very methodical process with hundreds of lawyers looking at every single document and making sure that victims names and any of the information from victims is protected and redacted, which is exactly what the [Act] expects."

Lawmakers issue impeachment threat against Bondi

This assurance has done little to placate a bipartisan coalition in Congress. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who co-championed the transparency act with Massie, has raised the stakes dramatically, suggesting he would consider articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi for non-compliance.

The DOJ fired back with defiance. When asked about the impeachment threat, Blanche told NBC News, "Bring it on. We are doing everything were supposed to be doing to comply with this statute." He accused critics of overlooking the laws core mandate to protect victims, arguing, "The same individuals complaining about the lack of documents produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently don't want us to protect victims."

This clash occurs against a backdrop of long-standing public distrust. For months, the DOJ and FBI faced allegations from whistleblowers and lawmakers of evidence destruction and internal obstruction. The recent passage of the transparency act was itself a remarkable bipartisan rebuke to prolonged secrecy, following resistance from former President Donald Trump, who had initially dismissed the case as a "Democrat psyop" before reversing course under pressure.

The re-released 119 pages, now partially visible, represent a small fraction of the expected total cache. The DOJ plans continued phased releases, but the fundamental tension remains unresolved: a Congress demanding wholesale transparency versus an executive agency citing its duty to protect vulnerable victims and ongoing investigative integrity.

For survivors of Epsteins abuse and a public hungry for accountability, each redaction is scrutinized and each delay is viewed as potential evidence of the systemic corruption the transparency act was designed to uncover. As the DOJ promises more documents and lawmakers promise more scrutiny, the battle over the Epstein files is cementing its place as one of the most contentious and politically volatile issues in Washington.

Watch this video about President Trump's take on the Epstein files.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightU.com

BrightU.ai

YourNews.com

Justice.gov
Germany moves to grant countrys spy agency offensive sabotage powers

Germany's Federal Intelligence Service may gain offensive cyber capabilities, including hacking foreign networks, disabling drones and destroying infrastructure abroad  a major shift from its traditional surveillance role  under a new bill.

The proposed bill would allow warrantless spying, including installing spyware, facial recognition and vehicle tracking, raising fears of civil liberties erosion and political repression.

Officials argue the reforms are necessary to counter Russian hybrid warfare, citing sabotage campaigns against German infrastructure and political figures.

Civil liberties advocates and U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, warn of Cold War-style repression, comparing the crackdown to "rebuilding the Berlin Wall." Opposition parties also fear a surveillance state.

The debate reflects a broader tension between security and freedom in democracies, with Germany's decision potentially reshaping intelligence norms and privacy rights in Europe.

The German government is poised to dramatically expand the powers of its foreign intelligence service, allowing it to conduct cyberattacks, sabotage and covert operations abroad  a shift that critics warn could erode civil liberties and escalate geopolitical tensions.

The Federal Intelligence Service (BND), historically limited to surveillance and analysis, would gain offensive capabilities under a draft bill reportedly circulating within Berlin's Chancellery. If enacted, the legislation would mark the most significant overhaul of Germany's intelligence framework since the Cold War, reflecting growing fears of Russian hybrid warfare and domestic extremism.

The proposed changes, first reported by Sueddeutsche Zeitung, would authorize the BND to carry out direct actions against perceived threats  including hacking foreign networks, disabling hostile drones and even destroying enemy infrastructure. Domestically, agents would gain sweeping surveillance powers  installing spyware on suspects' devices, deploying facial recognition and tracking vehicles without warrants.

These measures, officials argue, are necessary to counter Russia's alleged sabotage campaigns, which have targeted German arms factories, airports and political figures. Yet the plan has drawn sharp criticism from civil liberties advocates and U.S. officials, who liken Berlin's crackdown on dissent to Cold War-era repression.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance condemned the move, comparing it to "rebuilding the Berlin Wall" and accusing Germany of stifling democratic opposition. The BND has already been granted authority to monitor the populist Alternative for Germany party, which the government labeled "extremist" after it surged in recent elections.

BND expansion sparks fears of a surveillance state

Historical echoes loom large. The BND was established in 1956 under strict constraints to prevent a resurgence of Nazi-era abuses. But German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition, framing the reforms as a response to Russia's "hybrid war," insists the changes are overdue.

"Germany is back," Merz declared, pushing parallel defense reforms, including revived conscription and unlimited military spending.

The proposed BND expansion mirrors similar shifts in the United Kingdom, where MI6 Chief Blaise Metreweli recently warned of Russia operating in a "grey zone between peace and war."

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, MI6  formally the Secret Intelligence Service  is a British clandestine organization responsible for global covert operations, intelligence gathering and espionage. It operates with fewer than 2,000 agents, conducting missions that include surveillance on foreign diplomats and suspected subversives.

Critics question whether the new powers will be used proportionately  or weaponized against political adversaries. The draft bill requires approval by a two-thirds parliamentary majority, but with opposition parties decrying it as a step toward a surveillance state, its passage remains uncertain. Meanwhile, BND President Martin Jager sought to downplay concerns, joking, "It doesn't mean we're going to turn into James Bond."

As Germany navigates this pivotal moment, the debate encapsulates a broader global tension: democracies balancing security against freedom in an age of shadow warfare. The outcome could redefine not only Germany's intelligence apparatus but the future of privacy and sovereignty in Europe. For now, the world watches whether Berlin's resolve to confront external threats will compromise the very liberties it aims to protect.

Watch Jimmy Dore discussing former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's admission that Germany is at war with Russia below.

This video is from the What is happening channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Telegraph.co.uk

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
* The Global Development Initiative focuses on the shared development needs of humanity, and directly addresses the real development challenges. * The Global Security Initiative is dedicated to eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and improving global security governance. * The Global Civilization Initiative offers a framework for countries to pursue modernization paths that are grounded in their own traditions while being open to the shared wisdom of humanity. * The Global Governance Initiative calls for adhering to sovereign equality, directly targeting the shortcomings of a system in which "a few countries call the shots." BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- When future historians look back on the once-in-a-century global transformation and trace the underlying logic of evolving international relations, they will surely recognize Sept. 1, 2025 as a pivotal moment -- when Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). Prior to this, Beijing had put forward a series of major global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in 2021, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) in 2022, and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) in 2023. Together with the GGI, they constitute a holistic framework for jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity. Each initiative addresses a fundamental pillar of global cooperation: the GDI seeks to lay the material foundation, the GSI is designed to safeguard stability, the GCI tries to foster shared understanding, and the GGI intends to provide the institutional architecture. As noted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the four global initiatives proposed by China "are totally compatible with the UN Charter." Many countries also view them as pragmatic and constructive solutions to contemporary global challenges. Yet the world remains fractured amid a rising tide of uncertainty and turbulence. While some advocate dialogue and cooperation, others cling to unilateralism and bloc politics, compounding long-standing crises and creating new risks. Global development remains fragile, characterized by widening North-South disparities and compounded by overlapping energy and food crises. Around the world, more than 1 billion people continue to live in extreme poverty. Security is deteriorating, with armed conflicts reaching post-war highs, rising displacement, and increased reliance on sanctions and bullying by certain country. Meanwhile, the discourse of "a clash of civilizations" appears to overshadow exchanges between them, while global governance is eroded by withdrawals from international treaties, practices of decoupling, and the expansion of barriers that undermine fairness and equality, especially for the Global South. The grim reality underscores the relevance and timeliness of the four global initiatives, further highlighting the need to build international consensus and strengthen solidarity. A CALL FOR SHARED DEVELOPMENT As Xi has noted, development holds the master key to solving all problems. The Global Development Initiative focuses on the shared development needs of humanity, closely aligns with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and directly addresses the real challenges in the field of global development. This initiative contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to jointly advancing global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth. Ten years on, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has stalled. Of its 169 specific targets, only about 35 percent are on track, while nearly half are progressing too slowly and 18 percent have regressed. Globally, development is reversing in key areas. Extreme poverty has risen for the first time in two decades, with the poorest half of humanity holding just 2 percent of global wealth. Some 2.6 billion people still lack internet access, and the funding gap for developing countries to adapt to climate change is continuously widening. Moreover, wars and conflicts have pushed 140 million people into acute food insecurity, while unilateral sanctions continue to severely impact the livelihoods of billions. These alarming facts expose fundamental flaws in global development. Some developed countries have prioritized geopolitical interests over cooperation, exploiting development resources through sanctions, decoupling and aid cuts. In so doing, they have betrayed the universal consensus that the right to development is an inalienable human right. An imbalanced global governance structure has long left developing nations at a disadvantage in shaping international rules, while technological blockades and trade barriers continue to widen the development gap. Meanwhile, multilateral cooperation mechanisms are increasingly weakened by unilateral actions, leading to a severe shortage of global public goods and a lack of coordinated international responses. These issues have not only raised the risk of the 2030 Agenda's failure, but highlighted the urgent need for targeted measures to address global development challenges. The GDI, proposed at this crucial time, has gained tremendous global appeal by breaking away from the outdated paradigm in which major powers dominate and smaller nations are forced to depend on them. The initiative also promotes collective action with an attitude of equality and a systematic approach, ensuring that every participant becomes a beneficiary of development. As a proactive champion of the initiative, China has always been guided by the "Six Principles" and relies on platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the New Development Bank to empower international development cooperation. The China-Africa Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center implements the "teach a man to fish" model, leading to an average increase in local crop yields of 30-60 percent. It has benefited over a million farmers, serving as a tangible manifestation of the priority development concept. The China-Laos Railway has turned Laos from landlocked into a land-linked hub, cutting logistics costs by over 30 percent and creating more than 100,000 jobs. Meanwhile, China-Brazil joint technology innovation centers have enhanced ecological protection and expanded clean energy access to remote communities, promoting inclusive, innovation-driven growth and harmony between people and nature. Beyond giving robust impetus to the 2030 Agenda, the GDI is revolutionizing and reshaping global development concepts. Its theoretical breakthrough lies in breaking free from the dependence on conventional Western development models, putting first the common interests of humanity and laying a solid foundation for building a community with a shared future for humanity. For development dividends to reach more people equitably across the globe, nations should move beyond narrow self-interest, embrace historical trends, champion common development, uphold fairness and justice, and fully commit to mutually beneficial cooperation. A NEW PATH TO LASTING PEACE AND SECURITY The world today is experiencing its most profound turbulence and transformation since the end of the Cold War. With growing deficits in peace and security, global security governance faces severe challenges. The international community urgently needs security visions and approaches that are in tune with the spirit of the times. The Global Security Initiative has emerged in response to the current situation, aligning with the shifting international landscape through the concept of unity, and addressing security challenges with a win-win approach. It is dedicated to eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and improving global security governance. Looking back at the course of human development, the pursuit of absolute security through strength and the creation of an exclusive security framework is, at its core, a form of the "law of the jungle." History has repeatedly proven its dangers. The horrific devastations of the two World Wars, as well as regional instability caused by hegemonic competition, all stemmed from the obsessive pursuit of absolute security and the brutal application of the law of the jungle. Nations that exploit others and bully the weak ultimately face either a vicious cycle of security dilemmas or are swept away by the tides of history. Looking at the present, this rigid security doctrine based on the law of the jungle is already out of step with the trends of the times. In today's world, economic globalization is deepening, with the interests of countries closely intertwined and their fates shared. The interconnectedness, transnational nature, and complexity of security issues are becoming increasingly evident, and no country can remain isolated. Attempts to violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, disregard the collective will of the international community, and unilaterally pursue absolute security are movements against the tide of history. As Xi has noted, the Cold War mentality would only wreck the global peace framework, hegemonism and power politics would only endanger world peace, and bloc confrontation would only exacerbate security challenges in the 21st century. This important observation offers profound insights on the root causes of the global security predicament. The GSI is underpinned by "six commitments," specifically, commitment to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; abiding by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter; taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously; peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation; and maintaining security in both traditional and nontraditional domains. In the traditional security domain, China has actively promoted the political settlement of hotspot issues and is the largest contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. In non-traditional security domains, China has participated in and often led multilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism, drug control and public health security. It has also carried out numerous humanitarian assistance programs, addressing emerging global threats through collaboration. In regional security cooperation, China has leveraged platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia to steadily contribute to regional stability. Committed to building a more balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, China, together with other countries, is pursuing a new path of security based on dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliances, and win-win cooperation rather than zero-sum outcomes. When multilateralism becomes the defining feature of global security governance and consultation on an equal footing becomes the shared choice of all countries to address security concerns, humanity will surely embark on a bright path toward lasting peace and universal security. The tide of peace and development is destined to surge forward. A NOD TO CIVILIZATIONAL DIVERSITY At present, some countries pursue unilateralism and protectionism, clinging to theories of the "clash of civilizations" and "civilizational superiority." When estrangement between civilizations, cultural friction and confrontations over values fuel tensions and conflicts between nations, a range of issues usually break out -- ranging from widening development gaps and weakened international rules to growing disorder in global governance. In response to these pressing challenges, the Global Civilization Initiative offers a shared cultural foundation for countries to address their common struggles. "The world we live in is diverse and colorful. Diversity makes human civilization what it is, and provides a constant source of vitality and driving force for world development," Xi has said. This important statement provides guidance for answering the questions of how different civilizations should coexist and where human civilization is headed. The GCI can be summarized with four common advocacies: to respect the diversity of civilizations, to uphold the common values of humanity, to attach importance to inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and to strengthen international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. While this initiative confronts misconceptions and prejudices, it promotes equality, mutual learning, dialogue and mutual accommodation between civilizations. It also opposes cultural arrogance, and seeks to create platforms for equal dialogues, enabling different civilizations to deepen their understanding of one another and advance through mutual exchanges and learning. China holds deep respect for civilizational diversity and has been advancing deeper, more substantive exchanges among civilizations. The country has initiated and supported multilateral dialogue platforms, including the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, the Liangzhu Forum, the World Conference of Classics, and the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting. Additionally, China helped build consensus at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. In June 2025, China successfully hosted the first global event marking the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. China has also expanded dialogue on governance and development through mechanisms such as the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue, and the China-Latin America Human Rights Roundtable. In addition, China has signed cooperation agreements with more than 100 countries in areas such as culture, cultural heritage and tourism, and has advanced cooperation in joint archaeology, world heritage protection and the mutual translation of classical works, safeguarding its own cultural roots while contributing to the preservation of humanity's shared heritage. In an increasingly interconnected world, the coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are vital for advancing global modernization and enriching a diverse tapestry of world civilization. The GCI offers a framework for countries to pursue modernization paths that are grounded in their own traditions while being open to the shared wisdom of humanity. A BOLD EXPERIMENT FOR BETTER GLOBAL GOVERNANCE Some countries remain entrenched in the outdated belief that "might makes right." Their hegemonic mindset and practices have stalled the reform of global rules, weakening the world's collective capacity to act in the face of an ineffective global governance system. New challenges, such as the exploration of deep-sea resources, the commercial use of polar shipping routes, the definition of outer space resource rights, and cross-border data flows, are emerging rapidly, yet corresponding international rules remain largely absent or fragmented. At the same time, some Western countries, leveraging long-established advantages, dominate major multilateral institutions in global economic and financial governance. By contrast, Global South countries, which account for more than 80 percent of the world's population and over 40 percent of global economic output, remain underrepresented in international organizations, with their legitimate concerns ineffectively addressed. Moreover, some countries bypass or coerce multilateral mechanisms, resorting to withdrawals and sanctions, further fragmenting global governance. This continuous weakening of governance effectiveness has caused insufficient provision of global public goods, leaving responses to many global challenges mired in prolonged deliberation without decision, and decisions without implementation. "Countries around the world are like passengers aboard the same ship who share the same destiny. For the ship to navigate the storm and sail toward a bright future, all passengers must pull together. The thought of throwing anyone overboard is simply not acceptable," Xi once said. With this vivid metaphor, Xi underscores the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, charting a course for improving the global governance system and promoting the common development of humanity. The GGI seeks to address this governance deficit. It calls for adhering to sovereign equality, directly targeting the shortcomings of a system in which "a few countries call the shots," and affirms that the destiny of the world should be shaped collectively by all peoples. Regardless of size, strength, or level of development, all countries are equal members of the international community, with the right to participate in global governance. It calls for abiding by the international rule of law, emphasizing that international rules must be jointly formulated by the international community rather than monopolized by a few countries. It advocates for rules that evolve with the times, taking into account countries' different stages of development and legitimate interests. It calls for practicing multilateralism by upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, reinforcing the central role of multilateral mechanisms, opposing bloc politics and camp confrontation, and promoting a more coordinated and effective system of global governance. The initiative promotes a people-centered approach, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of global governance is to improve the well-being of all peoples. It seeks to address the issues most directly related to people's lives, such as employment, education and healthcare, so that the outcomes of governance are shared more broadly and more equitably among all peoples. It focuses on taking real actions, prioritizes the delivery of concrete results from the GGI, and encourages countries to turn consensus into action and address governance challenges through pragmatic cooperation. These five pillars reinforce one another, outlining a clear framework for reforming the global governance system. As a guardian of the international order and a provider of global public goods, China has been advancing the reform of global governance through practical actions, achieving concrete progress. China actively participates in global ecological governance. It has fully and effectively implemented the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, announced its Nationally Determined Contributions target for 2035, and proposed the establishment of a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership. China is also deeply engaged in formulating digital governance rules. It has put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security, the Global AI Governance Initiative, and the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative, working to improve and refine the digital governance framework so that technological innovation does not become "a game for rich countries and the wealthy." In response to persistent power imbalances, China is promoting badly-needed reforms in major multilateral institutions in global economic and financial governance, supporting developing countries in amplifying their voices and representation. China is also advancing the expansion of cooperation mechanisms such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and fostering South-South cooperation platforms, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-CELAC Forum, injecting new vitality into the reshaping of the global governance landscape. In line with the needs of multilateral coordination, China firmly supports the United Nations in playing a central role. It has increased investment in the China-UN Peace and Development Fund and has been steadily advancing related cooperation. In addition, together with more than 30 countries, China helped set up the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, contributing to the maintenance of global peace and stability through the rule of law. The four global initiatives proposed by Xi have brought much-needed stability and predictability to a world in flux. Through systematic, coherent and practical efforts, China has demonstrated that its development is inseparable from, and mutually reinforcing with, the progress of the wider world. Guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China will continue to work with all countries, using the four global initiatives as a unifying framework to address global challenges, strengthen global governance, and build a world characterized by lasting peace, universal security, shared prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and ecological sustainability.
Netanyahu to seek Trumps approval for new Iran strikes at Mar-a-Lago meeting

Netanyahu will ask Trump for approval to strike Iran's missile program.

Israeli intelligence warns Iran is rapidly rebuilding missile production.

Iran's missile arsenal is now seen as a more immediate threat than its nuclear program.

A previous Iranian missile barrage proved extremely costly and difficult to defend against.

The decision risks dragging U.S. troops in the region into a wider war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to ask President Donald Trump for a green light to launch new military strikes against Iran, targeting its rapidly reconstituting ballistic missile program. According to sources familiar with the plans, Netanyahu will present the case during a meeting tentatively scheduled for December 29 at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. This urgent briefing stems from Israeli intelligence indicating Iran is rebuilding production facilities damaged in last Junes war, a move Jerusalem claims could soon see Tehran producing thousands of new missiles annually.

The upcoming meeting signals a potential dangerous new chapter in the long-running shadow war between Israel and Iran. This follows the intense 12-day conflict in June, a joint U.S.-Israeli operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer" that targeted Irans nuclear enrichment sites. While the White House declared that operation "totally obliterated" Irans nuclear capabilities, the focus has now sharply shifted. Israeli officials state that Irans ballistic missile rebuild is a more immediate threat than its nuclear reconstitution.

"The nuclear weapons program is very concerning. Theres an attempt to reconstitute," an Israeli source told NBC News. However, they added, "Its not that immediate." The immediate fear in Jerusalem is of missile factories humming back to life. Israeli assessments warn that without intervention, Iran could ramp up production to an alarming 3,000 ballistic missiles per year.

The lingering threat of Iranian retaliation

Israels urgency is fueled by the painful lessons of the June war. When attacked, Iran responded with a massive barrage of more than 500 ballistic missiles. These strikes hit multiple Israeli military bases, including facilities housing elite intelligence units, and required a frantic and costly defense. Israel and the U.S. fired approximately 200 interceptors at a total cost of $1.5 billion to blunt the attack, a rate of defense that would be unsustainable against a larger arsenal.

This experience has cemented a clear view in Israeli security circles. As one former Israeli official explained, "There is no real question after the last conflict that we can gain aerial superiority and can do far more damage to Iran than Iran can do to Israel. But the threat of the missiles is very real, and we werent able to prevent them all last time." A larger missile stockpile not only threatens Israeli cities but, officials argue, would also provide a protective shield for Iran to more quickly rebuild its nuclear program.

A high-stakes decision for Trump

Netanyahu is expected to lay out a menu of military options for the American president, mirroring a previous presentation in the Oval Office. These options will likely range from unilateral Israeli action to a full-scale joint U.S. operation. The Israeli leader will argue that Irans expanding missile capability poses a direct threat to U.S. interests and regional stability, not just to Israel.

President Trumps response remains unpredictable. He has publicly boasted about destroying the Iranian nuclear threat and bringing "peace to the Middle East." Yet, he has also warned Iran, stating, "if they do want to come back without a deal, then were going to obliterate that one, too." His decision will be weighed against other global tensions and the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, where U.S. and Israeli officials are already at odds over implementation.

The White House, through spokesperson Anna Kelly, has reiterated Trumps stance, saying, "As President Trump has said, if Iran pursued a nuclear weapon, that site would be attacked and would be wiped out before they even got close." This meeting, however, is not about a nuclear weapon today, but about the conventional missiles that could enable one tomorrow.

With nearly 50,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East within range of Iranian missiles, a decision at Mar-a-Lago could unleash a conflict that would engulf the region, threaten American lives, and reshape the global order... all before the New Year arrives.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

NYPost.com

NBCNews.com
A city on edge: Sydney faces dual terror threats

Australian counter-terrorism police arrested seven men near Sydney on intelligence suggesting a planned "violent act," days after a deadly terror attack.

Authorities have not established a link between the new suspects and the Bondi Beach attackers, who were inspired by the Islamic State group.

The Bondi attack, which killed 15 people at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, is Australia's deadliest hate-fueled massacre in modern times.

The alleged Bondi gunman, Naveed Akram, has been charged with 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist act.

The incidents have intensified national debates on antisemitism, gun control and counter-terrorism preparedness.

In a week of profound tragedy and heightened alert, Australian authorities are grappling with the aftermath of a calculated terrorist massacre and a newly disrupted potential plot. Just days after a father and son, inspired by the Islamic State group, killed 15 people at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach, counter-terrorism police intercepted seven men believed to be planning a separate violent act. The swift interdiction in the suburb of Liverpool, which involved heavily armed tactical officers ramming vehicles, underscores a city and a nation confronting the persistent threat of ideologically motivated violence while mourning its most deadly hate-fueled attack in modern times.

A second threat emerges

On Thursday, December 18, New South Wales Police, acting on intelligence, moved decisively to intercept two vehicles in Sydneys southwest. Dramatic footage showed tactical officers detaining seven men from the cars, one of which bore out-of-state license plates from Victoria. Police stated the operation was a rapid response to information that a violent act was possibly being planned, with intelligence suggesting the group may have been traveling toward Bondi Beach. While no weapons were found in the vehicles, Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Hudson stated the intelligence and the potential destination near the site of Sundays massacre were escalating factors that prompted the early interdiction. Authorities emphasized that no link has been established between these seven men and the Bondi attackers.

Reckoning with the Bondi Beach massacre

The arrests occurred against the backdrop of a nation in mourning and shock. The December 15 attack at Bondi Beach targeted families gathered for a public Hanukkah event. The alleged perpetrators, Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed, opened fire on the crowd in what federal police have labeled a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State. Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, while Naveed, critically wounded, was charged on December 17 with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist act. Police revealed the attackers car contained improvised explosive devices. The victims, all identified as Jewish so far, ranged from a 10-year-old girl to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.

Security failures

The attack has forced a painful national introspection, echoing past security reckonings. Authorities confirmed Naveed Akram had been on their radar since 2019, and that Sajid Akram had legally amassed six firearms. These revelations have ignited fierce debate over the adequacy of counter-terrorism monitoring and the robustness of Australias strict gun laws, which were famously overhauled after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Furthermore, the targeting of a Jewish event follows a year of sharply rising antisemitic incidents in Australias major cities, with community leaders having repeatedly warned authorities of escalating threats. The incident exposes the challenge of combating both organized extremist networks and the radicalization of individuals within the community.

A community buries its dead

As investigators worked, Sydneys close-knit Jewish community began the somber task of burying the dead. The first funeral was for Eli Schlanger, 41, the assistant rabbi who organized the Hanukkah celebration. Mourners gathered under heavy police protection, a stark new reality for a community processing immense grief. The funerals highlighted stories of bravery, such as that of Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple in their 60s who were killed while trying to disarm a gunman. These personal stories stand in stark contrast to the impersonal, ideological hatred that motivated the attack, a reminder that terrorisms true cost is measured in individual lives and shattered families.

National response and the path forward

In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to stamp out antisemitism and proposed tightening gun laws, including restricting ownership to citizens and limiting the number of firearms one person can hold. The proposed changes represent the most significant potential reforms in nearly three decades. Meanwhile, the Australian Federal Police indicated that further investigative raids are imminent as they work to map the attackers contacts and a recent trip to the Philippines. The disrupted plot in Liverpool, while unconnected, demonstrates that the threat environment remains volatile, requiring constant vigilance.

A test of resilience

Australia now faces a multifaceted test: to comfort the bereaved, to harden its defenses against both foreign-inspired and homegrown extremism, and to confront the social divisions that extremists seek to exploit. The Bondi Beach massacre has irrevocably shattered the nations sense of security, proving that even a country with stringent gun controls and an advanced counter-terrorism apparatus is not immune to barbaric, ideologically driven violence. The immediate disruption of a potential second plot shows a security system in a state of high alert, but the enduring question is how a free society can prevent such attacks without compromising its fundamental values. The resolve of the Jewish community to continue its public celebrations, and the outpouring of public solidarity, suggest the attackers goal of sowing paralyzing fear may yet be denied, but the path to healing and true security remains long and fraught.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

NZHerald.co.nz

Newsmax.com
Trump administration escalates denaturalization efforts, targeting immigrants with criminal convictions

The Trump DOJ is prioritizing stripping citizenship from naturalized immigrants convicted of serious crimes (terrorism, violent offenses, financial fraud). Denaturalization cases have tripled since 2016, with USCIS now pushing for 100200 cases per month in FY2026.

Obama's Operation Janus (2016) exposed 800 cases of citizenship fraud via false identities. Under Trump, USCIS referred 2,500 cases (20172018) and filed over 100 prosecutions, signaling a major escalation.

Citizenship can be revoked for fraudulent applications (hiding criminal history, fake identities) or post-naturalization terrorist/communist ties. DOJ cites national security concerns, while critics warn of overreach and targeting innocent immigrants.

Supporters (e.g., FAIR) argue the policy "protects naturalization integrity" and punishes fraud more aggressively than past administrations. Critics (e.g., former USCIS officials) warn of arbitrary targets, politicization and fear among 26 million naturalized citizens.

The move aligns with Trump's stricter vetting, asylum restrictions and travel bans. Despite aggressive enforcement, denaturalization remains legally difficultrequiring proof that fraud materially affected citizenship approval.

The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to strip U.S. citizenship from naturalized immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including terrorism, violent offenses and financial fraud.

A memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ), issued by Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, cites national security concerns and "ongoing threats" as justification for the crackdown. Denaturalization cases have surged under President Donald Trump, tripling since 2016, though critics warn the policy risks overreach and could ensnare innocent immigrants.

The DOJ's latest push builds on a two-decade trend but marks a significant escalation under Trump's leadership. Between 1990 and 2017, the DOJ filed an average of just 11 denaturalization cases per yearmany of which did not result in revoked citizenship. That changed with Operation Janus, exposing 800 cases where individuals evaded deportation by lying.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that Operation Janus is a DOJ initiative launched under the Obama administration in 2016 to identify and prosecute immigrants who obtained U.S. citizenship fraudulently by concealing prior deportation orders or criminal histories, later expanded aggressively under Trump to prioritize denaturalization cases as part of broader immigration enforcement.

Under Trump, enforcement has accelerated dramatically. From 2017 to 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) referred 2,500 potential cases to the DOJ, with over 100 filed for prosecution. Now, internal guidance obtained by the New York Times reveals USCIS has directed field offices to supply the Office of Immigration Litigation with 100200 denaturalization cases per month in fiscal year 2026a historic surge.

"It's no secret that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) war on fraud includes prioritizing those who've unlawfully obtained U.S. citizenship  especially under the previous administration," said Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesman. "We will pursue denaturalization proceedings for those individuals lying or misrepresenting themselves during the naturalization process."

From citizen to criminal: New policy could impact thousands

Federal law permits citizenship revocation under narrow circumstances, including:

Fraudulent applications (e.g., concealing criminal history, using false identities).

Post-naturalization affiliations with terrorist groups or communist organizations.

With 26 million naturalized citizens in the U.S.roughly half of the foreign-born populationthe crackdown could impact thousands. In fiscal year 2024 alone, over 800,000 legal permanent residents were naturalized.

Supporters argue the policy safeguards national security. Matt O'Brien, former USCIS fraud detection chief and now with the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), praised the initiative: "Past administrations have not been aggressive enough in rooting out and punishing citizenship fraud. The steps currently being taken by the Trump Administration to protect the integrity of the naturalization process can't be praised highly enough."

Critics, however, warn of unintended consequences. Sarah Pierce, a former USCIS official, cautioned: "Imposing arbitrary numerical targets on denaturalization cases risks politicizing citizenship revocation It fuels unnecessary fear and uncertainty for millions of naturalized Americans."

The denaturalization push aligns with Trump's broader immigration agenda, including stricter vetting, asylum restrictions and bans on travelers from "high-risk" nations. Earlier this year, USCIS scaled back work permits for asylum seekers, citing security concerns.

Yet legal experts note that denaturalization remains a difficult, court-intensive process. The Supreme Court has ruled that the government must prove not only that an applicant lied but that the deception materially affected their citizenship claim.

The Trump administration's aggressive denaturalization campaign reflects its broader commitment to immigration enforcementbut raises concerns about fairness and due process. While proponents argue it restores integrity to citizenship, critics fear it could target minor discrepancies and sow distrust among naturalized Americans. As the policy unfolds, its impact will hinge on whether the administration can balance security imperatives with protecting the rights of those who sought citizenship in good faith.

Watch this video about what citizenship denaturalization means for immigrants and their families.

This video is from the newsplusglobe channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Justice.gov

NYTimes.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Sorry, something doesn't look right.

Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support.
New data centers are being built around the world in connection with AI initiatives.

According to a compilation by S&P Global, spending will reach a record $61 billion in 2025, with the US and Canada accounting for the vast majority. Europe, on the other hand, accounts for only a small fraction of spending on data center construction. In Europe, the buildout of data centers is expected to grow at a lower rate than other regions, S&P Global Market Intelligence analyst Iuri Struta told CNBC. The biggest obstacle to the construction of new data centers is said to be the lack of cheap energy, which in turn has led to a renewed interest in nuclear power.

More data center news and insights:
Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance.
Wasatch BioLabs (WBL), a leader in native, long-read sequencing and epigenomic analysis, today announced a co-marketing agreement with Agilent Technologies to support the adoption of its Direct Targeted Methylation Sequencing (dTMS) platform. The collaboration brings together Agilent's enrichment chemistries  SureSelect for genomic DNA and Avida for cell-free DNA  and WBL's proprietary Oxford Nanopore-based native-read workflow, expanding access to scalable targeted multi-omic analysis for RUO and clinical research studies.

The SureSelect and Avida capabilities both fill a critical gap in native-read sequencing by enabling precise, custom targeting up to 1 Mb, while preserving native DNA features such as methylation and structural variants. By eliminating off-target sequencing, DNA damage of traditional bisulfite-based methods, and biases introduced by PCR amplification, researchers can capture true biology across large and short, customized genomic regions. This opens new doors for liquid biopsy and targeted genomic applications with cost-efficient, scalable, and highly precise approaches suitable for a broad-array of research and screening applications.

Multi-omic biology is essential for understanding disease, but for broad adoption it has to be delivered in a way that scales. Our alignment with Agilent ensures that native-read targeted sequencing delivers integrated genetic and epigenetic insight, while establishing the consistency, reproducibility, and operational reliability required for high-throughput research and potential future clinical translation. Dean Lilley, Senior Director of Product Development, Wasatch BioLabs

Early adopters in oncology, neurology, rare disease, and prenatal research are already applying dTMS to resolve structural variation, allelic context, repeat expansions, and methylation patterns in a unified assay. These programs demonstrate how native-read targeted sequencing can support more comprehensive, mechanism-informed profiling across research areas such as liquid biopsy and large cohort studies.

"Partnering with Wasatch BioLabs allows Agilent to deliver a next-generation experience for customers who need both innovation and operational flexibility," said Nina Green, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Clinical Diagnostics Division. "By integrating SureSelect and Avida enrichment with Wasatch's novel sequencing technology and robust send-out service model, we are enabling customers to access high-quality NGS data without workflow barriers. This collaboration accelerates adoption, improves turnaround times, and provides a powerful, innovation-led path to achieving high-confidence genomic insights at any scale."

Under the agreement, WBL and Agilent will jointly deliver scientific content, educational programing, and technology demonstrations through 2027. The organizations anticipate the collaboration will scale adoption of native-read targeted sequencing and accelerate the development of cost-efficient, relevant native-read assays.

WBL welcomes additional partners interested in integrating the targeted sequencing assay into their research or development programs. The service will remain in early access through Q1 2026. Early adopters will have the opportunity to shape future enhancements and gain first access to new capabilities.
Dubai Municipality announces region's first integrated RV route

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 23:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Dubai [UAE], December 22 (ANI/WAM): Dubai Municipality has announced the launch of the regions first integrated recreational vehicle (RV) route, marking a pioneering step in developing a new model of nature-based tourism in Dubai.The initiative will establish a single, easily accessible network of dedicated RV stations, serviced parks, and connected road trip experiences, reinforcing Dubais position as a leading regional destination for RV tourism while enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors through new outdoor experiences.As part of its strategic role, Dubai Municipality will develop the core infrastructure and issue the regulatory framework required to enable private-sector developers and operators to build, manage, and operate RV routes and dedicated parks across the emirate. This approach opens new investment opportunities, diversifies tourism offerings, and supports the growth of a comprehensive RV tourism ecosystem in Dubai.The RV route will offer a diverse range of experiences that reflect Dubais natural environments, spanning mountain, beach, and desert landscapes. By connecting these landscapes through a unified network of dedicated stops and parks, the initiative will provide visitors with a unique combination of adventure, nature, and cultural immersion within accessible and well-serviced outdoor destinations.Bader Anwahi, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said, The launch of the UAEs first integrated RV route reflects Dubai Municipalitys commitment to developing innovative and sustainable tourism models that enhance quality of life and create new economic opportunities. By establishing the regulatory and infrastructure foundations for RV routes and parks, Dubai Municipality is enabling private-sector participation while offering residents and visitors new ways to experience Dubais natural environments through accessible, family-oriented outdoor destinations."The initiative aligns with Dubais commitment to enhancing quality of life and supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by reinforcing Dubais global positioning as a tourism destination that embraces innovation, sustainability, and diversified experiences. The RV route and associated parks will be designed as year-round, family-friendly destinations that integrate hospitality, dining, wellness, and recreational facilities, catering to visitors of all ages and abilities.To support the growth of the RV industry, the initiative includes measures to attract investment, such as incentives, subsidies, and reduced land costs for developers and operators. Dubai Municipality will also collaborate with financial institutions to offer flexible payment solutions that support RV ownership, rental models, and broader industry expansion.Through targeted marketing campaigns and collaboration with tour operators and private-sector partners, the RV route and dedicated parks will be promoted regionally and internationally. The initiative aims to encourage RV travel, attract manufacturers and service providers, and position Dubai as a gateway for RV tourism experiences across the region.The RV network is designed to enable families to explore Dubais natural destinations through connected road-trip journeys, strengthening family bonds through shared outdoor experiences while offering an environmentally responsible way to enjoy the emirates landscapes. Programming and facilities have been designed to serve all age groups, ensuring year-round accessibility, comfort, and safety.Dubai Municipality invites investors, tour operators, RV park operators, and private-sector partners, both locally and internationally, to participate in shaping, developing, and operating the new RV tourism network. The initiative represents a long-term platform for sustainable growth that supports tourism, investment, and community wellbeing, while reinforcing Dubais position as a leading global destination. (ANI/WAM)

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 23:30 IST

News agency-feeds Dubai Municipality announces region's first integrated RV route

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Hyderabad airport receives bomb threat for Amsterdam flight

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 22 (ANI): An Amsterdam-Hyderabad KLM Airlines Flight received a bomb threat email on Monday at Hyderabad airport around 12 am. Standard safety protocols were initiated, and the flight landed safely at 1 pm. According to sources, Hyderabads Airport experienced a security scare when a bomb threat email targeting a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam was received around midnight. Authorities swiftly implemented the standard safety protocols in place, leading to the flights safe landing at 1 AM, with all passengers and crew secure. The KLM flight from Amsterdam touched down safely, and standard procedure was followed for the passengers to ensure safety. Earlier on December 6, two international flights received bomb threat emails at the Hyderabad Airport. It was received on the customer support ID, and safety protocols began after the landing. According to the Hyderabad Airport GMR, British Airways flight 277 and Kuwait Airways flight 373 received the email threats. The BA 277 landed safely early morning, but the other flight to Hyderabad returned to the departure airport. On 6th December 2025, a Bomb threat email was received on Hyderabad airport customer support ID for flight BA 277 (Heathrow to Hyderabad). The Flight landed safely in HYD at 5:25 am. Standard safety protocols were initiated," said Hyderabad Airport GMR.On 6th December 2025, a Bomb threat email was received on Hyderabad airport customer support ID for flight KU 373/ (Kuwait to Hyderabad) KWI-Hyd. The Flight returned to the departure airport," Hyderabad Airport GMR added.A similar incident took place on December 5 when an email threat for Emirates flight EK526 from Dubai to Hyderabad had arrived at 7:30 AM. The flight continued its journey with heightened monitoring. As it touched down safely at 8:30 AM, the atmosphere changed instantly. Security teams directed the aircraft to an isolated bay. Passengers were safely deboarded, following standard operating procedures. (ANI)

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:45 IST

News agency-feeds Hyderabad airport receives bomb threat for Amsterdam flight

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Israel issues call for new research to promote quality local government

Last Updated: December 23, 2025, 00:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Tel Aviv [Israel], December 22 (ANI/TPS): Israels Ministry of the Interior and its Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology have joined forces for a first-of-its-kind initiative: a call for applied research in the core areas of local authorities, regional clusters and municipal corporations. The ministries said this is part of a strategic move to promote quality local government."This initiative constitutes a vital bridge between the academic world and the complex challenges facing local government, and aims to leverage advanced research knowledge into practical solutions that will improve the services provided to residents and establish data-based decision-making," said the ministries.The call is built around three main goals:Promoting applied research in critical areas of local government in Israel.Encouraging fruitful and ongoing cooperation between academic researchers and local government bodies and government ministries.Making decision-support tools, models for development and improvement available in various public bodies, in a manner that leads to effective policies and results, and optimal public services for residents.Out of dozens of proposals submitted, ten outstanding studies with high applied potential to bring about tangible change were selected. The ten studies selected from the many proposals submitted represent a wide range of innovative solutions that will directly impact the quality of life of residents throughout Israel. (ANI/TPS)

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 23, 2025, 00:00 IST

News agency-feeds Israel issues call for new research to promote quality local government

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
CNN name, logo and all associated elements  and  2026 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of NEWS18.com does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.  Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2026. All rights reserved.
Kerala urges Election Commission to fix errors in voter revision

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 20:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 22 (PTI) Kerala has written to the Election Commission of India raising serious concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying about 25 lakh voters may have been wrongly excluded, official sources said here on Monday.

In a letter sent by the Chief Secretary to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the state listed errors in the SIR process and asked for an extension of the deadline to submit enumeration forms.

According to the state government, lakhs of voters across Kerala have been removed under categories such as Absent/Untraceable, Permanently Shifted, Enumeration Form Shifted, EF Refused and Death.

The exclusions, it warned, could lead to many eligible voters losing their right to vote.

The government said even prominent and permanent residents were affected.

These include the sitting MLA of Thiruvalla, Mathew T Thomas, former Ollur MLA Rajaji Mathew, and former Kerala DGP Raman Srivastava, along with their families.

After the 2025 Special Summary Revision, Kerala has about 2.78 crore voters. However, the state said enumeration forms were not distributed to all voters.

Details of forms that could not be distributed have not been published or shared with political parties, it added.

Kerala has asked the Commission to publish booth-wise and Assembly constituency-wise lists so that political parties and voters can verify details and seek corrections.

It also said many voters who were under 18 in 2002 and later became eligible had not been properly mapped with existing voters, including family members.

The process remains incomplete, the letter said.

The state pointed out that many voters who featured in the 2021 Assembly election rolls and had voted then are now missing.

In some polling booths, the number of voters marked as forms not collected" was unusually high.

As an example, polling station number 138 at Sreevaraham in Thiruvananthapuram reportedly showed 704 such voters, even though a booth usually has fewer than 1,200 voters in total.

The government said more such cases could exist and need serious examination.

Despite these issues, the Election Commission closed the enumeration form update process on December 19, 2025.

Kerala said political parties and the Supreme Court have requested an extension of the deadline.

The state government urged the Commission to extend the deadline by at least two weeks, saying an error-free voter list is essential for free and fair elections and that all complaints from eligible voters must be resolved for the SIR process to be completed properly. PTI TGB TGB ROH

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 20:15 IST

News agency-feeds Kerala urges Election Commission to fix errors in voter revision

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
NSEL investors to urge Finance Ministry for faster execution of OTS

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) The NSEL Investors Forum (NIF), an association representing the interests of a large number of investors of National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL), will approach the Finance Ministry to seek faster execution of one-time settlement (OTS), approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

The historic settlement between NSEL and 63 moons, and the investors, is a turning point for all investors. It offers a concrete and fair resolution after years of legal battles and uncertainty. We will urge the Finance Ministry to help us execute the settlement plan as early as possible," NIF Chairman Sharad Saraf said.

The NIF remains committed to ensuring that the execution of the OTS settlement is smooth, transparent, and completed and seeks the support of the government at every stage.

Hence, it decided to approach the Finance Ministry so that the execution of the settlement and ultimate payment of money to the investors would be smoother and faster, he added.

Recently, the Mumbai Bench of NCLT approved the OTS scheme between NSEL and NIF. The Settlement Scheme envisages payment of Rs 1,950 crore to 5,682 traders in proportion to their outstanding as on July 31, 2024, against closure of legal cases against the group, along with assignment of all rights of traders in favour of 63 moons.

Describing the Scheme of Settlement as fair and reasonable, the NCLT had said the scheme is not in violation of any provisions of law and not contrary to public policy.

Earlier, the scheme, backed financially by NSELs parent 63 moons technologies, received the overwhelming support during the voting process mandated by the NCLT, with 92.81 per cent of traders by number and 91.35 per cent by value voting in favour of the proposal.

Appreciating the support and cooperation of NSEL and 63 moons technologies in making this possible despite there being no money trail to NSEL, 63 moons, and its promoters, Saraf said investors are hopeful that this will set a precedent for resolving similar disputes across India.

Saraf thanked both the Central Government and the State of Maharashtra, and the investigating agencies for their support of the OTS.

With the NCLT approval, we have inched a step closer, and it is now a matter of time before we receive the settlement amount," he added.

The OTS is available for investors with dues of over Rs 10 lakh, as investors with smaller claims have already been paid. As much as Rs 750 crore has already been disbursed to claimants across all segments on the back of NSELs almost single-handed recovery efforts.

When it goes through, the OTS makes a settlement payment of an unprecedented 49.3 per cent to 64 per cent of the amount. Such a settlement will provide a roadmap for any financial settlement and will also pave the way for future financial settlements. PTI DP DP MR

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:30 IST

News agency-feeds NSEL investors to urge Finance Ministry for faster execution of OTS

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Pakistan: Rabies prevention programme hits financial roadblock in Sindh

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 20:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Karachi [Pakistan], December 22 (ANI): Only Rs66.255 million from a fund of Rs265 million was released for mass dog vaccination and sterilisation, with only one centre was operational outside Karachi, Dawn news reported citing the chief secretary of Sindh. As per Dawn news, CS Asif Hyder Shah, held a meeting on rabies prevention against the backdrop of media reports highlighting sharp increase in dog-bite cases and mortalities in Sindh, which was attended by all divisional commissioners, officials representing the health department and Rabies Control Programme Sindh (RCPS), experts of the Indus Hospital and other key stakeholders.Dawn reported that the officials informed the attendees that out of the Rs265.02 million allocated for the current financial year 2025-26, a total of Rs66.255 million had been released.Currently, they said, the RCPS launched in 2022 had only seven fully functional centres in the province. Six of them located in Karachis districts South, Central, East, West, Korangi and Keamari, while only one was operational in district Matiari, in Hyderabad division.As per Dawn, the officials noted how on the financial front, the officials stated that out of the total project cost of Rs963.316m, Rs302.988 million (31.4 per cent) had been utilised as of October 31, 2025.Earlier in September this year, Dawn news reported that an estimated 1,000 people, mostly children, die every year from rabies, despite the availability of life-saving treatment.The tragedy is particularly acute in Pakistans rural and low-income communities, where children are frequently bitten by stray dogs while playing or walking to school. Delayed or inaccessible post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) often leads to preventable deaths," he said as per Dawn.According to the World Health Organisation, Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease affecting the central nervous system. In up to 99% of human rabies cases, dogs are responsible for virus transmission. Children between the age of 5 and 14 years are frequent victims. (ANI)

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 20:15 IST

News agency-feeds Pakistan: Rabies prevention programme hits financial roadblock in Sindh

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Travel Insurance Adoption Among Indian Travellers Jumps 43% On Rising Risk Awareness

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 11:27 IST

Indian travelers, especially young and first-time flyers, increased travel insurance adoption by 43 percent, mainly for trips to Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

News18

Indian travelers opting for travel insurance rose 43 per cent year-on-year, even among those who are going to short distances like Asian countries such as Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as seen in Niyo data, a fintech in travel banking.

This trend is reflecting a behavioural shift among young Indian travelers from seeing travel insurance as optional to making it an essential part of the international travel checklist.

The sharp surge is primarily driven by young travelers, first-time flyers, and those undertaking short-haul leisure trips.

Niyos data further shows that 86% of travellers opted for Rs 50,000 insurance cover, a bracket typically chosen by those travelling to budget-friendly Asian destinations.

A few years ago, travel insurance was seen as optional or good-to-have. Today, travellers especially younger ones are actively choosing it even for short-haul Asia," said Vinay Bagri, Co-founder and CEO of Niyo.

Asian countries such as Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, and Vietnam continue to drive the highest volume of policies, primarily due to high travel frequency and affordable flight routes. At the same time, long-haul destinations like the United States see consistently strong insurance adoption, driven by far higher medical costs, stricter travel norms, and greater exposure to flight disruptions.

A slew of factors are contributing to the sharp surge in travel insurance demand. Growing awareness of medical risks and travel uncertainties has made travellers more conscious of the potential financial setbacks of international trips, the report added.

The steep rise in overseas healthcare expenses has further reinforced the importance of having adequate coverage. Additionally, the increase in flight delays, cancellations, lost baggage incidents, and last-minute disruptions has prompted more travellers to protect themselves in advance.

As Vinay Bagri added, The rise of digital banking has made insurance more visible, accessible, and trustworthy. We are seeing travellers treat protection with the same importance as their passport, tickets, and hotel bookings."

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 11:27 IST

News business banking-finance Travel Insurance Adoption Among Indian Travellers Jumps 43% On Rising Risk Awareness

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'India-New Zealand FTA Was Led Entirely By Women-Led Team': Industry Minister Piyush Goyal

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 16:43 IST

Piyush Goyal hailed the IndiaNew Zealand FTA as historic, finalized in nine months by a women-led team, marking Indias third FTA with a Five Eyes nation.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal at the press conference following the conclusion of free trade agreement with New Zealand.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday described the IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a historic and landmark" pact. Speaking on the agreement, Goyal said the FTA was concluded in a record time of nine months, making it one of Indias fastest trade deals. More importantly, it has two to three very interesting elements. It is an FTA led entirely by a women-led FTA team," he said, calling it a proud moment for Indias trade diplomacy.

The minister also pointed out the geopolitical significance of the pact, noting that it is Indias third FTA with a Five Eyes nation, after Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia, the UK and now New Zealand  this reflects growing trust and deeper economic engagement with advanced economies," Goyal said.

Elimination of tariffs on 100% of its tariff lines, provides duty-free access for all Indian exports. This market access enhances the competitiveness of Indias labour-intensive sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering goods and automobiles, directly supporting Indian workers, artisans, women, youth and MSMEs and integrating them deeper into global value chains.

The FTA delivers New Zealands best and most ambitious services offer in any of its FTAs to date. India has secured commitments across a wide range of high-value sectors including IT and IT-enabled services, professional services, education, financial services, tourism, construction and other business services, opening substantial new opportunities for Indian service suppliers and high-skill employment.

Easier Mobility Of Talent

The FTA provides improved entry and stay provisions for Indian professionals, students and youth, including work opportunities during studies, post-study work pathways, dedicated visa arrangements and a Working Holiday visa framework, strengthening people-to-people ties and expanding global exposure for Indian youth.

The FTA Opens Skilled Employment Pathways through a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway for Indian professionals in skilled occupations, with a quota of 5,000 visas at any given time and a stay of up to three years. This pathway covers Indian professions such as AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs, and music teachers, as well as high-demand sectors including IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction, strengthening workforce mobility and services trade.

Had a very warm telephonic conversation with my friend & counterpart, NZ Minister Todd McClay.We congratulated each other on the successful conclusion of the #IndiaNZFTA under the leadership and guidance of PM @NarendraModi ji and NZ PM @ChrisLuxonMP. He spoke about the pic.twitter.com/wSym6vd4Sb  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 22, 2025

Technology Exchange

Establishment of dedicated Agri-Technology Action Plans on kiwifruit, apples and honey, focus on productivity enhancement, technology, research collaboration, quality improvement and value-chain development, to strengthen domestic capabilities and supporting income growth for Indian farmers. The cooperation includes the establishment of Centres of Excellence, improved planting material, capacity building for growers and technical support for orchard management, post-harvest practices, supply chain performance, and food safety. Projects for apple cultivators and sustainable beekeeping practices will enhance production and quality standards.

The Agreement significantly strengthens the investment partnership between the two countries. New Zealand has committed to facilitate investments of USD 20 billion into India over the next fifteen years, thereby supporting manufacturing, infrastructure, services, innovation and employment under Indias Make in India vision. Indian enterprises are also expected to benefit from their presence in New Zealand and access the wider Pacific Island markets.

Boost To Pharma And Medical Devices

Boost to Pharma and Medical Devices through faster regulatory Access by enabling acceptance of GMP and GCP inspection reports from comparable regulators, including approvals by the US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, and other comparable regulators. This will reduce duplicative inspections, lower compliance costs, and expedite product approvals, thereby facilitating the growth of Indias pharmaceutical and medical devices exports to New Zealand.

IndiaNew Zealand economic engagement has shown steady momentum. Bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in 202425, while total trade in goods and services stood at approximately USD 2.4 billion in 2024, with services trade alone reaching USD 1.24 billion, led by travel, IT and business services. The FTA provides a stable and predictable framework to unlock the full potential of this relationship.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:56 IST

News business economy 'India-New Zealand FTA Was Led Entirely By Women-Led Team': Industry Minister Piyush Goyal

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
IndiaNew Zealand FTA: Zero Duty Access On 100% Goods Exports, Trade Boost Seen At $1.3 Bn Annually

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:08 IST

India and New Zealand finalize FTA, granting zero-duty access on all goods exports, boosting IT, education, and mobility.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi (File Photo, Credit Reuters)

India-New Zealand FTA: India and New Zealand have announced the conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The free trade agreement between India and New Zealand will provide zero-duty access on 100 per cent of goods exports once it comes into force, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The FTA is expected to open up new growth opportunities across services sectors such as IT and IT-enabled services, financial services, education, tourism and audio-visual services. It also aims to enhance mobility opportunities for Indian professionals and students, making it easier for skilled talent to access New Zealands job and education markets.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement.

He further said NZ exports to India could increase $1.1B to $1.3B per year over the coming two decades.

The agreement builds on the strong friendship between our two countries. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers," he added in the X post.

A key feature of the agreement is the extension of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment, which is expected to improve competitiveness for Indian exporters and support deeper integration into global value chains.

India and New Zealand have announced the conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. The concluded outcome covers trade in goods, services and investment, reflecting a shared commitment to deepen economic engagement, strengthen market access and enhance pic.twitter.com/VbeNwBzXNl Dept of Commerce, GoI (@DoC_GoI) December 22, 2025

The government said the pact would deliver strong benefits for farmers, MSMEs, workers, artisans and women, helping promote inclusive and sustainable growth. Improved market access is expected to support Indian exports across manufacturing, agriculture and services, while also encouraging greater investment and collaboration between the two countries.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:07 IST

News business economy IndiaNew Zealand FTA: Zero Duty Access On 100% Goods Exports, Trade Boost Seen At $1.3 Bn Annually

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Indias Exports To US Jump 23% In November On Supply-Chain Shift, Holiday Restocking: GTRI

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 10:31 IST

India's merchandise exports to the US rose 22.61 percent to USD 6.98 billion in November, driven by supply-chain shifts and holiday restocking, reports GTRI.

India-US Trade Sees Strong November Rebound, But Outlook Remains Fragile: GTRI

Indias merchandise export to the US rose sharply by 22.61 per cent to USD 6.98 billion in November, supported by supply-chain realignment and inventory restocking due to the US holiday season, according to a report by think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) . The surge came following a two-month contraction after the US had imposed 50 per cent tariffs on domestic goods from India.

Imports from the US also grew during the period by 38.29 per cent to USD 5.25 billion.

The major export to the US remained in the sectors such as electronics and machinery, as per the GTRI, adding that the rebound reflected an adjustment to a tougher tariff regime.

It said that things remain fragile, driven by short-term coping strategies rather than a lasting improvement.

GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said that the plunge in Indias exports to the US in the period between May and September was likely due to the shock and uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trumps constant rhetoric to impose higher tax duties on India and other countries.

After a steep fall for back-to-back months, theres a perceptible recovery in 85 per cent of Indias November exports in sectors such as electronics (smartphones), gems and jewellery, machinery, vehicles, and auto component, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, carpets, mineral fuels, organic chemicals, plastics, rubber articles, fish, dairy products, and edible fruits and nuts.

Pharmaceutical exports of India to the US touched USD 669.2 million in November. Similarly, exports of gems and jewellery surged back to USD 406.2 million in November.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 10:31 IST

News business economy Indias Exports To US Jump 23% In November On Supply-Chain Shift, Holiday Restocking: GTRI

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
How This UK-Based Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Earns Rs 18,000 An Hour Working Part-Time

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 13:27 IST

An entrepreneur's astonishing income from a freelance role shows the rise and impact of artificial intelligence models in the tech job space.

The man has earned in crores since taking up the role. (Photo Credit : X)

The story of Utkarsh Amitabh, an Indian-origin entrepreneur living in the United Kingdom, reinforced the rise and influence of artificial intelligence models and tools in the tech world. Speaking to CNBC Make It, Amitabh revealed he earns $200 (around Rs 18,000) an hour working part-time on AI tools despite juggling multiple professional duties.

Unravelling his journey, Amitabh said he was approached by a data-labelling startup, micro1, in January 2025. The entrepreneur says he was already trying to balance life through multiple roles, including as an author, university lecturer, founder and CEO of global mentorship platform Network Capital. He was also a PhD student at the University of Oxford Said Business School and a newly turned father.

Intellectual Curiosity

Despite a schedule that demanded a lot out of him, Amitabh said he accepted the role among micro1s network of experts due to his intellectual curiosity", something he was very keen to explore. It also helped that the opportunity synced perfectly with his background in business strategy, financial modelling and technology.

The 34-year-old, who has an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and a masters degree in moral philosophy, previously spent over 6 years at Microsoft working on cloud computing and AI partnerships. According to CNBC, Amitabhs earlier works include a book on the side-hustle economy and extensive academic research over artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity.

2.69 Crore Made Since January

Amitabh said he found himself a natural fit" in the micro1 network and acknowledged the flexibility he is provided with in the freelance role. This didnt seem like an add-on, but something that I could use to further my interests in a limited number of hours a week," he said.

Having spent roughly 3.5 hours each night in his role since January, Amitabh has made close to $300,000 (approximately, Rs 2.69 crore) apart from project completion bonuses. Money, however, was never the primary motivation in taking up the job. Amitabh emphasised fair pay to be a core value" and added that he found the compensation to be respectable" for his work.

Amid fears of AI leading to severe job displacement, Amitabh said, Its also possible that this AI fear collectively empowers us to learn better, upskill ourselves and frame questions differently about ourselves. So Im not concerned about the [idea of] AI Doom entirely, because I think it does far more good than bad."

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:55 IST

News business How This UK-Based Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Earns Rs 18,000 An Hour Working Part-Time

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Gold Prices Rise Today, December 22: Check 24K & 22K Rates In Delhi, Mumbai & Other Cities

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:40 IST

Gold and Silver Rates Today, December 22: In Mumbai, the price of 24-carat gold stands at Rs 1,34,270 per 10 grams, while 22k gold is available at Rs 1,23,090 per 10 grams.

Gold Rate Today, December 22.

Gold and Silver Rates Today, December 22: Gold prices rose on Monday, December 22. In Mumbai, the price of 24-carat gold stood at Rs 1,34,270 per 10 grams, while 22k gold was available at Rs 1,23,090 per 10 grams. These rates do not include GST and making charges. Silver was available at Rs 2,13,900 per kg in the spot market.

What Is The Price Of 22kt, 24kt Gold Rates Today In India Across Key Cities On December 22?

City 22K Gold (per 10gm) 24K Gold (per 10gm) Delhi Rs 1,23,240 Rs 1,34,420 Jaipur Rs 1,23,240 Rs 1,34,420 Ahmedabad Rs 1,23,140 Rs 1,34,320 Pune Rs 1,23,090 Rs 1,34,270 Mumbai Rs 1,23,090 Rs 1,34,270 Hyderabad Rs 1,23,090 Rs 1,34,270 Chennai Rs 1,23,090 Rs 1,34,270 Bengaluru Rs 1,23,090 Rs 1,34,270 Kolkata Rs 1,23,090 Rs 1,34,270

Gold exports from Switzerland fell 15% month on month in November as shipments to India dropped to their lowest since February, Swiss customs data showed on Thursday. Demand in India has been affected by a price rally which sent bullion to a record high of $4,381 per troy ounce in October. Spot prices are up 65% so far this year, heading for their biggest annual gain in 46 years, amid demand for safe-haven assets. The Swiss data showed that gold exports to India fell to 2 metric tons in November from 26 tons in October, while supplies to China, another major bullion consumer, climbed to 12 tons from 2 tons. Gold exports from Switzerland, the worlds biggest bullion refining and transit hub, to Britain, home to the worlds largest over-the-counter gold trading hub, jumped to 45 tons last month, the highest since June, from 9 tons as bullion kept coming back from US stocks. What Factors Affect Gold Prices In India? International market rates, import duties, taxes, and fluctuations in exchange rates primarily influence gold prices in India. Together, these factors determine the daily gold rates across the country. In India, gold is deeply cultural and financial. It is a preferred investment option and is key to celebrations, particularly weddings and festivals. With constantly changing market conditions, investors and traders monitor fluctuations closely. Staying updated is crucial for effectively navigating dynamic trends. Watch more videos Share this Article

WhatsApp

facebook

Twitter

telegram

copy link

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:40 IST

News business savings-and-investments Gold Prices Rise Today, December 22: Check 24K & 22K Rates In Delhi, Mumbai & Other Cities

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bengaluru-Based Aerospace Company Begins Ground Tests Of Electric Air Taxi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 17:39 IST

Sarla Aviation has started testing its 7.5-metre wingspan eVTOL demonstrator SYL-X1, moving India closer to certified electric air taxi operations planned for 2028.

AI-generated image used for representation

Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Sarla Aviation has begun ground testing of its electric air taxi programme, marking a key step towards its plan to introduce urban air mobility services by 2028. The tests are being conducted at the companys manufacturing and test facility in Bengaluru.

With the start of ground testing, the company said its air taxi programme has moved into a crucial validation phase.

This stage shifts the project from digital models and small laboratory experiments to testing at an actual aircraft scale. Sarla Aviation said the development places India among a small group of countries working on next-generation vertical flight systems at an industrial level.

The company has started testing its half-scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) demonstrator, named SYLLA SYL-X1. The aircraft has a wingspan of 7.5 metres and is currently the largest privately developed eVTOL demonstrator in India, according to the company.

SYL-X1 has been developed in about nine months and at a much lower cost than similar global programmes, the startup said. The demonstrator has been built to test key aspects such as structural strength, propulsion systems and overall safety architecture. Unlike small academic or remote-controlled prototypes, the aircraft has been designed with future certification in mind and will serve as a stepping stone to Sarla Aviations full-scale eVTOL aircraft with a 15-metre wingspan.

Earlier this year, the company showcased its electric air taxi prototype, named Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Sarla Aviation plans to launch electric air taxi operations in Bengaluru in 2028.

Founded in October 2023 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar and Shivam Chauhan, Sarla Aviation has raised a total of $13 million so far. This includes funding from pre-seed and seed rounds in 2024, followed by a Series A round in January 2025 led by Accel and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. Other investors include Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal. Former civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal joined the company as an advisor in August this year.

Our focus has never been on being first, but on building to last and on creating an aviation giant. We are building a platform that can be certified, produced, and safely operated, designed and owned entirely in India. Our goal is to take this new era of aviation technology across the finish line for India and bring it home," said Gaonkar, the co-founder and CTO.

The company said the project involves challenges beyond aircraft design, including building a certification-ready testing ecosystem and navigating Indias evolving aerospace supply chain. Sarla Aviation added that its technology aims to match helicopter-level endurance while reducing costs and complexity through electric propulsion and integrated system design.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 17:39 IST

News bengaluru-news Bengaluru-Based Aerospace Company Begins Ground Tests Of Electric Air Taxi

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Armed Robbers Loot Jewellery Shop In Navi Mumbais Seawoods Area In Broad Daylight

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 19:58 IST

According to the police, the accused looted 20 tolas of gold after threatening staff of the shop with a revolver.

Rapid Read

(AI generated Image)

A sensational daylight robbery took place at a jewellery shop in the Seawoods area of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

According to information, four accused carried out the robbery. Three of them entered the shop wearing burqas and threatened the shopkeeper at gunpoint. The accused then looted gold kept in the shop, while the fourth accomplice stood outside, keeping watch.

Police reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident. A dog squad was also called in for investigation.

Police are scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding area and have intensified the search for the accused.

According to NRI Sagari police station senior inspector Devendra Pol, the accused looted 20 tolas of gold after threatening staff of the shop with a revolver.

They did not not fire at anyone. A case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. We have pressed a dog squad into service to assist in tracking the suspects. CCTV footage from the shop and surrounding areas is being examined," Pol said.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Navi Mumbai, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 19:58 IST

News mumbai-news Armed Robbers Loot Jewellery Shop In Navi Mumbais Seawoods Area In Broad Daylight

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bombay High Court Summons BMC Commissioner, Top Officials Over Mumbai Air Pollution

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 21:50 IST

Bombay High Court expressed strong displeasure over inaction regarding the deteriorating condition of air quality in Mumbai.

Bombay High Court (File photo)

The Bombay High Court on Monday summoned Bhushan Gagrani, the Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and M. Devender Singh, Member Secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), over air pollution in Mumbai. Expressing strong displeasure over inaction regarding the deteriorating condition of air quality, the court has filed a Suo motu petition.

The officials are ordered to appear before the court on Tuesday. The division bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad issued the order while taking a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on air pollution.

Fresh Air Need Of The Hour

A bench of Justices G. S. Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe at Bombay HC termed the current state of pollution as an emergency" and noted that the right to breathe clean air was a fundamental right.

The bench urged authorities to come up with a solution to address the pollution and odour emanating from Kanjurmarg dumping ground in the metropolis. Fresh air is the need of the hour. Breathing itself has become difficult because of pollution," the court said.

The bench was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the environmental clearance granted for using the Kanjurmarg site for dumping activities.

The petitioners raised concerns about persistent stench, fumes, and health issues such as respiratory and skin ailments among residents.

Government pleader Jyoti Chavan told the court that a state-appointed committee, pursuant to HC orders, had visited the site on Sunday and found that the odour at the site was a problem.

Chavan informed the court that short-term measures could be implemented immediately and that IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi were being consulted for mitigation strategies.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 21:50 IST

News mumbai-news Bombay High Court Summons BMC Commissioner, Top Officials Over Mumbai Air Pollution

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Mumbai Did Not Have A Mayor For 4 Years: Who Ran The Maximum City During The Period?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 17:15 IST

Mumbai civic body elections on January 15: The BMC's term ended in March 2022. Why were the elections stalled for four years?

Rapid Read

BMC elections on January 15: Nominations will be filed from December 23 to 30. (PTI File)

Mumbai will pick its representatives in the civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on January 15, 2026. The results will be announced on January 16.

The civic bodys term ended in March 2022, then why were the elections stalled for four years?

News18 explains

The BMC

Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, and as its key governing body, the BMC manages to oversee infrastructure to health, roads to water supply, transport to power supply, education to sanitation.

The estimated budget of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the year 2025-26 is Rs. 74,427 crore, and the 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 BMCs status as Asias wealthiest civic body.

ALSO READ | 3 Reasons Why BMC Polls Go Beyond Mumbai & Were Compared To Mamdanis NYC Mayoral Election

Reasons why BMC elections were delayed

1. Ward delimitation

The previous Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackerays Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance proposed increasing the number of wards of BMC from 227 to 236 to reflect population changes.

After the government changed, the new administration revoked that decision, leading to court challenges and legal uncertainty over ward boundaries. As the boundaries werent finalised, the election process couldnt properly start.

2. OBC reservation

A major legal question arose around 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local body elections.

The Supreme Court said strict criteria must be met before applying such reservations, requiring proper data and a triple test". This stalled the process.

The Banthia Commission was appointed to gather data, and even after its report, lingering court matters continued to hold up formal election notifications.

3. Voter list

Officials found over a million duplicate entries in the draft electoral rolls which had to be meticulously corrected before polls. Finalising a clean and accurate voter list took additional time and added to the delay.

ALSO READ | Mumbai Votes On January 15: How Many Of BMCs 227 Corporators Are With Uddhav? How Many With Shinde?

No BMC poll, so heres what happened next

The term of the elected Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ended in March 2022.

Since elections were not held, the state government appointed the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai as the Administrator of the BMC.

The Municipal Commissioner is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and became the sole executive authority, taking decisions that would normally involve the Mayor, Standing Committee, and elected corporators.

During this period, there was no Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or elected councillors.

Major civic decisions, budgets, contracts, and policy matters were handled by the Municipal Commissioner under powers granted by the Maharashtra government.

How is a mayor different from administrator?

The Mayor of Mumbai is the ceremonial head of the BMC. The Mayor presides over BMC meetings, represents the city officially, and helps build political consensus.

Real executive power lies with the Municipal Commissioner (an IAS officer), who runs day-to-day administration. Key decisions involve elected corporators, the Standing Committee, and various BMC committees.

When Mumbai had no Mayor, the Municipal Commissioner became the Administrator of the BMC. All powers of the Mayor & Deputy Mayor, the Standing Committee, elected corporators were vested in the Municipal Commissioner. Budgets, infrastructure projects, contracts, and civic policies were approved administratively, without debate in the elected council.

ALSO READ | Last Crucial Election For Marathi Manoos Or MNS? Decoding Raj Thackerays BMC Poll Position

This meant

No local democratic representation for Mumbai residents at the civic level. There was also reduced public debate on issues like roads, drains, redevelopment, and large contracts.

About BMC elections

The process of filing nominations for the BMC elections will be carried out from December 23 to 30. The scrutiny will be carried out on December 31, while withdrawal of nominations will be held by January 2. The final list of candidates and distribution of symbols will be out on January 3.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 17:06 IST

News mumbai-news Mumbai Did Not Have A Mayor For 4 Years: Who Ran The Maximum City During The Period?

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Mumbai Airport Vs NMIA: The Tale Of Citys 2 Airports In 10 Points

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 14:29 IST

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), after the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), will bring respite to passengers. Here are 10 reasons why

Rapid Read

CSMIA and NMIA. (File)

Mumbai is all set to get its second airport, the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on December 25. Built at an initial cost of Rs 19,650 crore, the first phase will have a capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually, with plans to scale up to 90 million passengers over time, easing capacity constraints at Mumbais existing airport and supporting long-term growth in the regions air traffic.

The NMIA will deploy a digital-first passenger communication system anchored by free high-speed Wi-Fi. Passengers connecting to the airports Wi-Fi network will receive real-time updates through the Adani OneApp, which will function as a virtual assistant, guiding travellers across key touchpoints at the terminal. The Wi-Fi-enabled app will deliver flight status alerts, boarding gate information, schedules and other operational notifications directly to passengers mobile phones. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on physical information counters and static display boards while providing personalised, timely updates.

Adani OneApp will also offer information on food and beverage outlets, retail stores, lounges and other terminal facilities, allowing passengers to better plan their time at the airport. NMIAL will provide free Wi-Fi speeds of up to 10 Mbps across the terminal.

ALSO READ | Navi Mumbai Airport Has Dress Rehearsals Before 1st Flight On December 25: What Does It Entail?

The NMIA, after the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), will bring respite to passengers. Here are 10 reasons why.

1. Two Airports means more capacity

Mumbais current airport (CSMIA) is one of Indias busiest single-city hubs and often runs near full capacity. The NMIAs opening creates a dual-airport system, increasing overall flight capacity and easing congestion. Extra slots at the NMIA can lead to more flights and airlines, increasing competition and potentially reducing fares  good news for travellers.

2. Location and accessibility

The CSMIA is right in the heart of Mumbai, Andheri-Santacruz area, making it convenient for many city residents. The NMIA is in Ulwe near Panvel, connected via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and other major road and rail links, offering better access for people in Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and even from Pune.

3. Purpose of the new airport

The NMIA is designed as a greenfield airport built from scratch, meaning it avoids many design constraints of old airports and integrates modern technology, sustainability, and passenger-friendly systems from the start.

4. Capacity differences

The CSMIA currently handles tens of millions of passengers annually and is near saturation. The NMIAs Phase 1 will begin with capacity for about 20 million passengers per year, eventually scaling to 90+ million with additional terminals and runways.

5. Runways and operations

The CSMIA has two runways but can operate only one at a time due to space constraints. NMIA is planned with two parallel runways capable of simultaneous use, significantly increasing future throughput and reducing airborne holding delays. NMIAs modern facilities and digital systems mean shorter queues, smoother processing, and enhanced customer experience.

6. Passenger experience and tech

The NMIA is being marketed as an anxiety-free" and highly digital airport, with features like biometric checks, online baggage drop, automated systems, real-time updates, and greater automation under initiatives like Digi Yatra.

7. Types of flights

Initially, NMIA is expected to handle a mix of domestic flights and point-to-point services, with potential international routes phased in. CS MIA will continue as a major international and premium long-haul hub. Over time, airlines may choose which airport best suits their network and cost structures.

8. Cargo handling

The NMIA has plans for modern automated cargo facilities integrated with logistics infrastructure, potentially easing freight flows and supporting Maharashtras industrial and agricultural export sectors.

9. Decongestion and delays

With two airports, flight delays caused by runway limits and airspace congestion at CSMIA are expected to decrease. This means better on-time performance, especially during peak hours or adverse weather conditions. Splitting flights across two airports will reduce congestion and delays, especially at peak times, making travel more predictable.

ALSO READ | Navi Mumbai Airport Travel Gets Smoother Ahead Of Dec 25 Ops: 2 New Stations & Other Ways To Reach

10. Connectivity beyond air travel

The NMIA will eventually be part of a multimodal transport network including suburban rail, metro lines, highway links, and even proposed water taxis, making it a broader mobility hub for the region. Passengers from Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and parts of Pune/South Maharashtra will get easier access to international and domestic flights without crossing the whole city. Both airports together can support future growth, more international routes, better cargo operations, and greater economic links for business travellers and exporters.

With PTI, agency inputs

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 13:45 IST

News mumbai-news Mumbai Airport Vs NMIA: The Tale Of Citys 2 Airports In 10 Points

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Pune-Mumbai Helicopter Route Changed Because Of...: New Flying Zones, How-To-Book, Impact On Locals Explained

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:29 IST

The changes have been made in accordance with the newly operational Navi Mumbai International Airport. Choppers will now fly over areas like Sanpada, Mankhurd and Shivaji Park.

The rerouted paths are designed to enhance operational safety. (Photo Credit: X)

Taking a helicopter between Mumbai and Pune is one of the fastest ways to travel between the two cities, which covers roughly 150 km in a short interval of time. But recent changes to the flight paths around the newly operational Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAL) have slightly extended travel time.

Choppers from Pune land at the Juhu airport in Mumbai, and the ride takes around 45 minutes. Choppers generally fly in one straight line and used to cross the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) airspace earlier," Ishwarchandra Gulgule, managing director of Kaigu Aviation Private Limited, said as quoted by Times of India (TOI).

Helicopter flights typically follow visual flight rules (VFR) to safely navigate around major airports and obstacles. However, helicopters are now restricted from flying straight across NMIAL airspace. These changes have been implemented to ensure safe separation between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft operating at the airport.

If youre planning a ride, its good to know the new routes, safety measures and how to book your flight.

A Look At New Route Changes

From December 22, 2025, helicopter flights follow coastal and urban paths to bypass Navi Mumbai Airport.

Key points along the route include Sanpada Railway Shed, Mankhurd Railway Station and Shivaji Park.

The rerouted paths are designed according to guidelines from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to enhance operational safety.

Journey Duration

Helicopters like the Airbus H125 cover the roughly 150 km distance in 30-45 minutes.

The time is far quicker than travelling by road between Mumbai and Pune.

Passengers can expect slightly longer travel times compared to previous routes due to the adjustments around NMIAL.

Helipad Locations

In Mumbai, helipads at Juhu Airport, Mahalaxmi Racecourse and Jawahar are used for departures and arrivals.

In Pune, helicopters can land at Pune Airport or at YOO Villas in Kharadi.

Route Accuracy Standards

Helicopters maintain an altitude of 700 feet above ground level (AGL) within 20 nautical miles of Mumbai airports.

Pilots rely on visual landmarks or VOR-DME arcs to maintain precise routes.

Deviations from these paths are coordinated to avoid any airport airspace conflicts.

Key Visual Checkpoints

North Mumbai overflights use Sanpada Railway Shed and Mankhurd Railway Station as reference points.

Southern Mumbai includes landmarks like Shivaji Park, while coastal routes allow pilots to steer clear of NMIAL.

What Operational Notes Should Be Considered?

Operators like Flyyo India and BLADE use Airbus H125 helicopters for MumbaiPune shuttles.

Flights from Juhu or Mahalaxmi helipads to Pune Airport usually take around 30 minutes.

Pilots follow real-time ATC instructions on frequencies like Mumbai APP 127.9 to ensure safety.

The Impact Of New Routes

Travel time has slightly increased to 35-45 minutes due to the revised paths.

Outbound flights from Mumbai avoid NMIAL airspace by following the coastal edges before heading inland past Shivaji Park toward Pune.

The new paths may slightly increase flight costs but improve safety for all operations.

Comparison To Previous Routes

Older routes relied on sea paths and VOR radials, which risked conflicts with NMIAL.

The updated paths prioritise land-based visuals and airport avoidance.

Helicopters now deviate eastward and southeast while remaining coordinated with ATC via Mumbai APP (127.9 MHz).

Visibility And Noise Impact

Helicopters fly low at 700 feet AGL (above ground level), which makes them clearly visible from the ground in dense urban areas.

Noise levels during passes can reach 100120 dB, which exceeds residential limits of 55dB. This can disturb sleep, work or classes.

Residents may notice rotors and fuselages during low-level flights.

How To Book A Helicopter Flight?

Flights can be booked through Flyyo India or BLADE via their apps or websites.

Booking online allows passengers to select the date, time and type of flight, then receive an e-ticket via email or WhatsApp.

What Are The Requirements And Costs?

Passengers must carry a valid ID (Aadhaar or Passport), and children above 2 years require a separate seat.

Arrive at the helipad 45 minutes before departure with a baggage limit of 10 kg.

Flights are weather-dependent, and cancellations are refundable minus fees.

Prices range from Rs 3,200 to 19,900 per seat, and travellers should check DGCA advisories for route changes.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:11 IST

News mumbai-news Pune-Mumbai Helicopter Route Changed Because Of...: New Flying Zones, How-To-Book, Impact On Locals Explained

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Holds Pollution Review Meet As Air Remains 'Very Poor'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 20:29 IST

According to the CPCB, the overall air quality of Delhi was recorded in the 'very poor' category with a reading of 366. Seven areas of the city recorded severe AQI levels.

Rapid Read

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta convened a special meeting of the Department of Trade and Taxes at her camp office in Civil Lines. (Image: PTI/File)

A review meeting to address the rising air pollution levels in Delhi was concluded on Monday at the Delhi Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by the Delhi Chief Minister and attended by officials from various departments, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Transport, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Environment, and others.

After the meeting, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Chief Minister sought responses from multiple departments, including the Public Works Department, Transport Department, DPCC, and the Environment Department, to discuss various aspects of pollution in the national capital.

#WATCH Delhi: A review meeting on Delhis air pollution was concluded at the Delhi Secretariat.Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa says, Today, the Chief Minister has sought responses from departments ranging from PWD to Transport, DPCC, Environment, and all pic.twitter.com/xfWIQvprUO  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2025

Sirsa confirmed that a follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Thursday to continue the discussions and ensure that the necessary steps are taken.

Delhis pollution has worsened sharply in recent years, with rising smog and deteriorating air quality posing serious health risks to millions, making sustained government action crucial to improving the citys environment.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi on Monday woke up to hazy skies, with overall air quality in the very poor category with a reading of 366. Seven areas of the city recorded severe AQI levels.

Narela recorded an AQI of 418, followed by Bawana (408), Wazirpur (403) and Anand Vihar (402) at 7.20 am.

Delhis air quality is likely to remain very poor for the next three days. It is expected to oscillate between very poor and severe categories during the subsequent six days, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS).

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 20:29 IST

News new-delhi-news Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Holds Pollution Review Meet As Air Remains 'Very Poor'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Pune Fruit Seller In Morning, Politician In Evening: Woman Beats All Odds, Parties In Local Body Polls

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 13:42 IST

Bhagyashree Jagtap sold guavas in Battery Hill through the day to run her household, and in the evening she met her voters in the tribal community in Khandala Borghat

Rapid Read

Bhagyashree Jagtap from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar group won the Lonavala Nagar Parishad election. (News18 Lokmat)

Amid the saffron supremacy in Maharashtra local body elections, results for which were announced on Sunday, a fruit seller from Pune is inspiring many with her strong fight which ended in victory.

Bhagyashree Jagtap from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar group won the Lonavala Nagar Parishad election, securing 1,468 votes. Bharatiya Janata Partys Rachna Vijay Sinkar got 860 votes.

Jagtaps campaign was not a high-pitched one. She sold guavas in Battery Hill through the day to run her household, and in the evening she met her voters in the tribal community in Khandala Borghat, News18 Lokmat reported.

MLA Sunil Shelke gave her a chance from the NCP (Ajit Pawar group), and the people gave a strong verdict in her favour. Her historic win is being celebrated in Maval taluka.

BJP and Mahayuti win big

The BJP-led Mahayuti won the presidents posts in 207 of the 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday thanked the people of the state for putting their trust in the BJP and the Mahayuti alliance and giving them a decisive victory in the local body polls which concluded recently.

First of all, I thank the people of Maharashtra. The people of the state have given massive support to the BJP and the Mahayuti. I had already predicted that out of all the municipal council chairpersons elected, 75% would be from the Mahayuti, and the people have delivered exactly that verdict. It has also become clear that the Bharatiya Janata Party is the number one party," he said in a press conference in Nagpur.

Around 129 municipal council chairpersons have been elected from the BJP. Together, all three alliance parties (Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP (Ajit Pawar) account for 75% of the city council chairpersons. In terms of corporators, over 3,300 candidates of the BJP have been elected, according to Fadnavis.

He also congratulated his alliance partners, including Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and BJP leaders for working hard to get this performance of the party.

Posting about the Mahayuti win on X, CM Fadnavis said that these results are a trailer" to the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections.

This victory is just a trailer of what we will see in the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections. I urge every party worker to work even harder and with more efforts for driving us towards greater victories in the future! " he wrote.

In Pune district, 17 local bodies went to polls, and the Maha Vikas Agadhi alliance was not able to open its account.

The local body elections also signal a run-up to the much awaited political contest set to happen in January 15, when multiple Municipal Corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporations, and multiple other local body polls will be held.

With News18 Lokmat, ANI inputs

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 13:33 IST

News pune Pune Fruit Seller In Morning, Politician In Evening: Woman Beats All Odds, Parties In Local Body Polls

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
6 Out Of 10 Employees Plan Job Switch In 2026; 66% Ready To Take Pay Cut For Better Culture

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:35 IST

Six out of 10 Indian employees are actively looking to switch jobs in 2026, according to a recent study.

The study found that six in 10 employees in typical workplaces are considering a job change within the next year. (Representative/File Photo)

Six out of 10 Indian employees are actively looking to switch jobs in 2026, according to a new Great Place To Work India study. The study has highlighted a strong rise in job-switching intent among Indian employees, with a majority actively considering a change in 2026. The findings are part of the organisations latest Voice of India study on job-switching trends, based on a nationwide survey.

According to the report, 62 percent of employees working in typical workplaces are currently looking for new job opportunities. Among those planning a move, 70 percent expect to leave their current organisation within the next year, indicating a decisive shift in how employees approach career changes.

The study points to workplace culture, leadership quality, and flexibility as key factors influencing employee decisions. It found that 66 percent of employees considering a job change are willing to accept a pay cut if it means better working conditions and greater flexibility.

Employees with poor workplace experiences were significantly more likely to quit, while the intention to leave was reduced by nearly half in organisations offering a positive work environment.

Certain sectors and workforce groups showed even higher job-switching intent. In the healthcare, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, 81 percent of employees planning to switch jobs said they expect to move within 12 months.

ALSO READ: How An Indian Mathematician Was Guided By A Goddess And Immortalised In Hollywood

Among younger workers, 76 percent of Generation Z and 68 percent of millennials indicated plans to change jobs within a year. The trend is also strong among leadership roles, with 73 percent of supervisors and frontline managers considering a near-term exit.

Employees preparing to leave reported 20 to 27 percent lower satisfaction levels, particularly around pay fairness, work-life balance, recognition, and communication from management. Confidence in leadership and opportunities for innovation were found to reduce the likelihood of quitting.

The study also flagged higher early attrition and a wider gender gap in typical workplaces, especially among women. Overall, the findings suggest that organisations must focus on building trust, strong leadership, and positive employee experiences to retain talent in an increasingly competitive job market.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:35 IST

News education-career 6 Out Of 10 Employees Plan Job Switch In 2026; 66% Ready To Take Pay Cut For Better Culture

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Want To Study In Australia? How Indian Students Can Fund Their Studies With Scholarships

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 13:45 IST

Scholarships in Australia broadly fall into three categories: government-funded scholarships, university-specific scholarships, and research-focused funding opportunities.

Between January and October 2025, nearly 1.4 lakh Indian students were studying in Australia, with 31,000 new enrolments. (Representative image: Getty)

India continues to be the second-largest source country for international students in Australia. Between January and October 2025, over 1.4 lakh Indian students were studying in Australia, with over 31,000 new enrolments recorded during this period, marking a 3 per cent growth.

The numbers point to a clear trend: Australia is no longer just an option, but one of the most preferred destinations for Indian students seeking higher education as well as vocational and skill-based training.

Globally ranked universities, strong post-study work opportunities, and industry-aligned courses have all contributed to this growing appeal.

However, the aspiration to study in Australia often comes with a significant financial reality. Tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes typically range between AUD 20,000 and AUD 50,000 per year, depending on the university and course.

When combined with the cost of accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, and daily living, the overall expense can quickly become daunting for many Indian families.

This is where scholarships play a decisive role. More than just financial assistance, scholarships make quality Australian education accessible, reduce dependence on education loans, and allow students to focus on learning rather than managing costs.

From government-funded awards to university-specific grants and research scholarships, Australia offers multiple funding pathways for Indian students. Here is a closer look at the key types of scholarships Indian students can aim for and how they can apply for them.

Types of Scholarships Available In Australia

Scholarships in Australia broadly fall into three categories: government-funded scholarships, university-specific scholarships, and research-focused funding opportunities.

These scholarships are generally fully funded and typically cover tuition fees, return airfare, living expenses, and health cover. They are aimed at students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential, particularly those who intend to contribute to their home country after completing their studies.

One of the most well-known programmes is the Australia Awards Scholarship. This scholarship is fully funded and primarily targets students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in priority fields such as public policy, development, health, education, and engineering.

What makes this scholarship distinctive is its scope; it covers full tuition fees, return airfare, living expenses, and Overseas Student Health Cover.

Another significant initiative is the Destination Australia Scholarship. This programme encourages international students to study in regional parts of Australia rather than major metropolitan cities.

Students selected under this scheme can receive up to AUD 15,000 per year, making it an attractive option for those open to studying outside the usual urban centres.

For students inclined towards research, the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is a major opportunity. Offered to postgraduate research students, this scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a generous living stipend. It is available for masters by research and PhD programmes and is awarded based on academic merit and research potential.

Alongside government support, Australian universities themselves offer a wide range of scholarships specifically for international students, including Indians. Institutions such as the University of Sydney, Monash University, the University of Melbourne, RMIT, Deakin, La Trobe, and UTS have scholarships that reward academic performance, early applications, or excellence in specific disciplines. Some of these scholarships are automatically assessed when students apply for admission, while others require a separate application.

At the University of Sydney, the Vice-Chancellors International Scholarship is one of the most competitive awards. It offers scholarships worth up to AUD 40,000, applied directly towards tuition fees. The award is merit-based and automatically considers eligible students when they apply for admission.

Monash University offers the International Merit Scholarship, which provides AUD 10,000 per year for the duration of the course.

The University of Melbourne, known for its research-intensive environment, offers Graduate Research Scholarships that cover full tuition and provide a living allowance.

Who Can Apply And What Universities Look For

While eligibility criteria differ from one scholarship to another, certain expectations remain common. Academic performance is often the primary factor. Most scholarships require strong marks in previous qualifications, whether that is Class 12, an undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate programme.

Competitive scholarships usually expect consistently high academic scores rather than one-time excellence.

English language proficiency is another essential requirement. Most universities and scholarship committees look for standardised test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.

Meeting the minimum language requirement is mandatory, but stronger scores can sometimes improve scholarship chances, especially in merit-based awards.

Beyond grades and test scores, many scholarships evaluate the overall profile of the student. A well-written statement of purpose plays a crucial role here.

Universities want to understand why you chose a particular course, how it aligns with your academic background, and what you plan to do after completing your studies.

Leadership experience, internships, community work, research exposure, or professional achievements often strengthen an application.

Some scholarships also consider financial need, particularly those aimed at widening access to education. In such cases, students may be asked to provide documents that demonstrate their economic background.

When And How To Apply

Timing is critical when it comes to scholarships. Most Australian universities have two major intakesFebruary and July. Scholarship deadlines often fall several months before the academic session begins, and in many cases, before course deadlines.

Ideally, students should begin researching scholarships at least six to nine months before their intended intake.

The process usually starts with shortlisting courses and universities, followed by applying for admission. Many scholarships require an offer letter from the university, making admission a prerequisite.

Once the offer is secured, students can apply for scholarships through university portals or government platforms.

This stage involves submitting academic documents, English test scores, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and sometimes a separate scholarship essay.

Given the competitive nature of these awards, attention to detail and clarity of intent can significantly improve outcomes.

Improving Your Odds Of Winning A Scholarship

There is no single formula for winning a scholarship, but strategic preparation helps. Applying to multiple scholarships increases the likelihood of success.

Universities are not just funding students; they are investing in potential. Crafting a compelling narrative that clearly connects your past achievements with future goals is equally important.

Maintaining strong academic performance, preparing thoroughly for English proficiency tests, and seeking timely guidance from university scholarship offices or academic mentors can also make a difference. Most importantly, students should start early and avoid rushing applications at the last minute.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 13:45 IST

News education-career Want To Study In Australia? How Indian Students Can Fund Their Studies With Scholarships

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Why PM Modi Says Congress Would Have Let Assam Go To East Pakistan: The 1946 Plan Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 20:09 IST

PM Modis remark, accusing Congress of supporting a plan that could have sent Assam to what was then East Pakistan, refers to the Cabinet Missions 1946 grouping proposal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modis comments in Guwahati on 20 December have thrust a little-remembered chapter of pre-Independence history back into public debate. PM Modi said that during the run-up to Indias freedom, there was a concrete plan under which Assam could have been grouped with Bengal and later absorbed into East Pakistan.

According to him, this would have erased the identity" of the region, and the Congress leadership was willing to accept such an arrangement until Assams first chief minister, Gopinath Bordoloi, stood up to his own party" to resist it.

PM Modi said, Congress had conspired to erase the identity of this place since before Independence. When the Muslim League and British powers got together and were preparing the ground for dividing India, at that time there was a plan to make Assam too a part of East Pakistan. Congress was going to become a part of that conspiracy, too. Then Bordoloi ji stood against his own party. He opposed this move to erase Assams identity and saved Assam from being separated from the country."

PM Modis remarks revive a question that is rarely discussed: What exactly was this plan, why was Assam ever at risk of being linked to Pakistan-bound Bengal in 1946, and how did Indias central leadership react when the proposal surfaced?

The answer lies in the Cabinet Mission Plan, the last major British attempt to keep India united through a complicated federal structure. Its grouping" formula placed Assam with Bengal in Group C" and created profound concern in the province about its political future.

This concern was intensified by years of demographic change, the Muslim Leagues interest in absorbing Assam into Pakistans eastern wing, and internal tensions within the Congress over how to respond. Bordoloi sensed that the grouping proposal posed a genuine threat to Assams distinct cultural and political identity, and he launched a quiet but determined resistance campaign.

As the internal debate within Congress intensified, Mahatma Gandhi eventually backed him unequivocally. Jawaharlal Nehrus position evolved in stages, but in his correspondence and public statements of 1946, he made it clear that Assam could not be forced into any grouping against its will.

The result was a complex episode that sits at the intersection of constitutional design, provincial anxiety and national-level strategy.

To understand the full picture, it is necessary to revisit what the Cabinet Mission proposed, why Assam objected so strongly, and what Gandhi and Nehru said at the time.

What Was The Cabinet Mission Plan Of 1946?

By early 1946, with the end of World War II and a change of government in London under Clement Attlee, Britains withdrawal from India appeared imminent. To negotiate the terms of independence and devise a constitutional framework, the Cabinet Mission consisting of Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A V Alexander arrived in India on 24 March 1946.

The Mission proposed a three-tier constitutional structure: a Federal Union at the top, autonomous provinces at the base, and an intermediate level of provincial groupings. The provinces were organised into three groups  the north-western Muslim-majority provinces; the eastern provinces comprising Bengal and Assam; and the rest of India. This second grouping was the source of Assams objections.

Although the Congress did not agree to every detail, it accepted the basic federal vision as a means of keeping India united. The Muslim League also accepted the plan. But for Assam Congress leaders, the grouping arrangement raised red flags, since it appeared to tie Assams future to Bengals political direction.

Why Was Assam Placed With Bengal, And Why Did It Object?

The Cabinet Missions decision to club Assam with Bengal had origins in a February 1946 note by Pethick-Lawrence on the viability of Pakistan, where he argued that Assam should be part of East Pakistan on economic, defence and financial grounds. When the Mission eventually proposed the grouping in May 1946, it reflected what Assam Congress leaders saw as a compromise made with the Muslim League.

Assam Congress feared being overshadowed by Bengals demographic and political weight. The Assam Provincial Congress Committee therefore rejected the grouping outright, arguing that it would place the province at the mercy of a Muslim-majority zone and potentially compromise its identity.

Bordoloi, then the head of the Assam government, believed Assams cultural and linguistic uniqueness would be erased if it was tied to Bengal. He concluded that the plan risked reducing the province to a bargaining chip, a position that aligned with growing concerns about British motives and the Muslim Leagues long-standing aim of absorbing Assam into what they envisioned as Pakistan.

What Gandhi Told The Assam Congress Leadership

Before taking a definitive stand, Bordoloi sought Gandhis guidance. He sent two senior Assam Congress leaders  Bijaychandra Bhagawati and Mahendra Mohan Choudhury  to consult him.

The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, as published in Harijan on 29 December 1946 under the title Gandhijis Advice to Assam, recounts Gandhis unequivocal response. He told the leaders to reject the grouping plan entirely and, if necessary, withdraw from the Constituent Assembly.

Gandhi said, If you do not act correctly and now, Assam will be finished. Tell Bardoloi I do not feel the least uneasiness. My mind is made up. Assam must not lose its soul. It must uphold it against the whole world. Else I will say that Assam had only manikins and no men. It is an impertinent suggestion that Bengal should dominate Assam in any way Tell the people even if Gandhiji tries to dissuade us, we wont listen."

The emphatic endorsement was crucial for Assam Congress, which had felt isolated within the wider party on this question. Gandhis words strengthened Bordolois determination to resist any arrangement that forced Assam into the grouping.

How Nehru Viewed The Plan And Assams Opposition

Nehrus position was shaped by his reading of British strategy. He believed the Cabinet Mission Plan had been crafted to avoid placing Muhammad Ali Jinnah in an impossible corner", and he was wary of appearing rigid during negotiations.

Yet Nehru was clear that Assam should not be compelled into any grouping. In a letter dated 22 July 1946 to Bordoloi, he wrote, I feel that to decide against the Group was right and proper." On 23 September 1946, he reiterated, But in no event are we going to agree to a province like Assam being forced against its will to do anything." Both letters are part of the Nehru Archive.

In his April 1946 interview with the BBC, Nehru had also pointed out that Assam was obviously opposed to Pakistan" and that even by the Muslim Leagues own argument of self-determination, four important areas cannot form part of Pakistan", naming Assam among them.

Nehrus best-known intervention came at a Bombay press conference on 10 July 1946, where he said, It is highly likely that Assam will decide against grouping with Bengal I can say, with every assurance and conviction, that there is going to be, finally, no grouping there, because Assam will not tolerate it under any circumstances whatever." This remark was widely interpreted as a signal of Congress distancing itself from the Cabinet Mission framework.

The Political Stakes For Assam In 1946

Assams anxieties were not without basis. The 1930s had seen sustained efforts by the Muslim League to increase its influence in the province. Leaders like Syed Saadullah advanced the argument that Assam and Bengal were inseparable, and demographic changes resulting from migration from Bengal had sharpened concerns.

The Missions grouping proposal therefore triggered fears that Assam would be drawn into a political arrangement that could later justify its incorporation into Pakistan. For Assam Congress, the risks were profound: losing political autonomy, facing demographic pressures and being subsumed by larger Bengali-dominated structures.

Bordolois stand was complicated further by his uneasy relationship with the Congress Working Committee, which disagreed with his uncompromising opposition to the grouping. Some Assam Congress leaders believed the central leadership underestimated the consequences for the province. Bordolois persistence, combined with Gandhis firm backing, ultimately ensured that Assam continued to resist the grouping arrangement.

How These Events Shaped The Outcome

Even as the Sylhet referendum eventually resulted in Sylhet joining Pakistan, Bordolois political manoeuvring ensured that Assams overall position within India remained intact. His advocacy, rooted in cultural identity, demographic concerns and constitutional safeguards, helped prevent Assams inclusion in a grouping whose future trajectory could have aligned it with Pakistan.

The positions taken by Gandhi and Nehru further reinforced Assams ability to resist the plan. Gandhis direct guidance emboldened the Assam Congress to reject the grouping, while Nehrus repeated assurances ensured that Assam would not be compelled into a structure it opposed.

Why PM Modis Comment Has Resurfaced This Debate

PM Modis claim that Congress would have let Assam go to East Pakistan" stems from this contested phase of 1946, when the Cabinet Mission Plans grouping system created fear of Assam being absorbed into what became East Pakistan.

His remarks highlight Bordolois role in resisting the plan and Gandhis explicit advice in favour of Assams stand.

The episode remains one of the most complex moments in the run-up to partition. The positions taken by Assams leadership, coupled with Gandhis support and Nehrus eventual clarity, ensured that Assam entered independence as a steadfast part of India, not as a province grouped into a political structure that might have evolved very differently.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 20:07 IST

News explainers Why PM Modi Says Congress Would Have Let Assam Go To East Pakistan: The 1946 Plan Explained

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Why So Many H-1B Holders Are Stuck In India, And What Options Do They Have Now

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:38 IST

US consulates cancelled hundreds of December appointments amid new digital checks, forcing H-1B holders in India to navigate long delays.

Several H-1B workers were affected by abrupted cancellations or delay in visa appointments. (Photo Credit: Representative Image)

Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders who travelled home for routine visa stamping in December have been left stranded after their consular appointments were abruptly cancelled and pushed deep into 2026 and, in some cases, even 2027.

The disruption coincides with the introduction of expanded social-media screening and a sharp drop in the number of interviews US missions can conduct each day. What was expected to be a short holiday-season visit has turned into an open-ended wait for many, with families separated and jobs placed at risk.

December has always been one of the busiest months for H-1B renewals because of reduced work obligations in the United States and office shutdowns around Christmas and New Year. Thousands of Indian professionals timed their travel accordingly. Instead, their appointments were cancelled with little warning, leaving them unsure of when they would be able to return.

What Caused The Sudden Cancellation Of Appointments?

From the second week of December, applicants with interview dates between 15 and 26 December began receiving rescheduling notices. The shift took place just days before the new requirement for online presence reviews" was implemented on 15 December, with US consulates in India cancelling appointments and issuing new dates monthsor yearslater.

On 9 December, the US Embassy in India publicly advised applicants not to appear for their previously scheduled appointments if they had received a rescheduling email, warning that they would be denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate on their old date. This applied even to those who had already made travel arrangements to another city for their interview.

Applicants were informed that the number of interviews per day had been reduced because of operational constraints". This reduction was linked to the new vetting procedures, which require more time per applicant, resulting in fewer interviews being conducted daily.

In many cases, appointments that had been secured months in advance were rescheduled to dates between March and June 2026. One applicant received a new appointment in 2027.

The State Department has said that every visa adjudication is a national security decision", and consulates are now prioritising thorough screening over speed.

Why Did India Feel The Impact More Sharply?

India accounts for 71 per cent of all H-1B visa holders, making it the most heavily affected nationality when processing slows. December is also the month when a large proportion of Indian workers return for stamping, intensifying the impact of the delays.

The disruption appeared India-specific because US consulates operate independently, with their own staffing, workload and system requirements. Operational issues, such as capacity limits, IT updates or staffing shortages, are post-specific and not global. Similar mass rescheduling has occurred in Canada, Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil and parts of Europe, but Indias extremely high visa volume makes the fallout more visible.

Those affected in India received rescheduling notices, but not everyone was impacted. Only applicants whose appointments fell within the affected period received cancellations.

When a post with unusually high demand, such as India, reduces its daily number of appointments because of screening changes or internal updates, large numbers of applicants are immediately affected.

Why Cant Workers Return To The US Without Stamping?

Although H-1B status itself is approved inside the United States, re-entry requires a valid visa stamp issued at a consulate abroad. Workers must obtain this stamp when:

renewing their visa after the initial three-year or six-year cycle,

changing employers and needing a fresh stamp, or

travelling for the first time after changing status inside the US.

Without this stamp, they cannot board a flight back. Exceptions such as automatic revalidation do not apply in these circumstances.

How Is The Backlog Affecting Workers And Families?

The cancellations have stranded mid-career professionals who have established lives in the United States. Many have mortgages, children in school and long-term roles that depend on their physical presence.

One engineer based in Detroit travelled to India for a family event with visa interviews set for 17 and 23 December. Both were cancelled, and his new appointment was scheduled for 2 July 2026. His visa expired while he was in India, leaving him unable to return. His employer later obtained an expedited appointment by submitting documentation showing major projects ramping up next year.

Immigration lawyers have described the situation as one of the most severe breakdowns in H-1B processing in years. One said, This is the biggest mess we have seen," adding, Im not sure there is a plan." Another reported handling at least 100 clients stranded in India".

Families are struggling with decisions about whether to keep children enrolled in schools abroad or bring them back to India. Some workers are separated from spouses who remain in the United States.

Companies are also affected. Technology firms have issued warnings advising employees dependent on visas to avoid international travel because appointment backlogs could extend up to 12 months. Googles external legal counsel advised employees earlier this year not to travel abroad if visa stamping would be required. Alphabet had issued similar instructions as early as September.

Executives are finding it difficult to plan staffing and project timelines because they cannot predict when employees will be able to return.

How Do The New Social-Media Reviews Work?

Under expanded digital vetting, consular officers now examine the applicants online presence as part of the security review. This involves looking at social-media activity to ensure it aligns with the information provided in the application and does not raise any concerns related to public safety or national security.

This level of scrutiny was already in place for student and exchange-visitor visas. It is now applied to H-1B and H-4 workers and their dependants. Because the review requires more time per case, consulates have reduced the number of interviews conducted each day.

In the weeks before the new rule took effect, visa applicants had also been instructed to adjust their social-media privacy settings, indicating the depth of the review expected.

Why Do H-1B Holders Need To Travel To India For Stamping?

H-1B workers generally need to travel abroad for stamping when renewing their visa, when changing employers and needing a new stamp, or when travelling internationally for the first time after changing status inside the US. Although their immigration status is valid, the visa stamp is what allows them to re-enter the United States.

Many Indian nationals travel to India because it is their home post and because consulates there routinely process high numbers of H-1B workers. For some, the trip is also combined with personal visits.

Stamping is mandatory for return travel and cannot be done from within the US.

What Options Do Stranded Workers Have Now?

Attend the rescheduled appointment  Those who have already been issued new dates must wait for them. They cannot enter the United States without a valid visa stamp.

Request an expedited appointment  Emergency appointments may be granted only in exceptional circumstances, such as urgent work needs, humanitarian issues or medical situations. Approval is not guaranteed and requires strong documentation.

Work remotely from India  Many H-1B holders continue working remotely if their employers allow it. This is legally permissible, provided payroll compliance and tax obligations are properly managed.

Those affected have been told that the rescheduled dates provided to them are the dates on which they will be assisted, and that they should not appear on earlier dates.

What Lies Ahead?

The delays come alongside broader immigration-related measures introduced this year. These include the USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B applications submitted after 21 September and a rule introduced in July requiring H-1B workers and their H-4 dependants to return to their home country for renewals rather than using third-country consulates.

Separately, the US government paused green-card, citizenship and other immigration applications for individuals from 19 countries of concern" following a security incident. India is not among them.

For now, thousands of workers remain dependent on their rescheduled appointments or the limited possibility of receiving expedited dates. With no alternate pathway for visa stamping and no indication of immediate relief, those who travelled to India for routine processing in December are facing an uncertain and extended stay.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:36 IST

News explainers Why So Many H-1B Holders Are Stuck In India, And What Options Do They Have Now

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Mumbai-Bound Air India Flight Returns To Delhi After Engine Glitch, Aviation Ministry Seeks Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:28 IST

Air India flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai returned shortly after take-off due to a technical issue and landed safely. A spokesperson confirmed the incident.

A photo of an Air India flight (PTI)

Air India flight AI887, operating from Delhi to Mumbai on Monday, was forced to return to the national capital shortly after take-off following a technical issue, a spokesperson for the airline said.

The aircraft landed safely at Delhi, and all passengers and crew disembarked. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation sought a report on the incident later.

According to what sources told CNN-News18, the aircraft developed a serious" engine-related problem, which prompted the crew to abort the onward journey and return to Delhi as a precautionary measure.

It was also learnt that a full emergency was declared on the flight at 6.40 am, after the right engine was shut down mid-air.

The exact number of passengers on the flight was not immediately known.

Confirming the incident, an Air India spokesperson said the decision to turn back was taken in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The crew operating flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai on 22 December decided to return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a technical issue as per standard operating procedure," the spokesperson said.

The aircraft landed safely at Delhi, and the passengers and crew have disembarked," they added.

The airline expressed regret over the disruption caused to passengers.

Air India sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation. The aircraft is undergoing the necessary checks," the spokesperson added.

The airline also said its ground team in Delhi was providing immediate assistance to affected passengers and that alternative arrangements had been made to fly them to Mumbai shortly.

Later, the Ministry of Civil Aviation acknowledged the incident and said it sought a detailed report from Air India, while directing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct a probe.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken note of the Air India flight AI-887 incident involving a technical issue shortly after take-off. The aircraft landed safely. The Ministry has sought a detailed report from Air India, and DGCA has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation," the Ministry mentioned in an X post.

The airline has been directed to extend all assistance to passengers and accommodate them on subsequent flights. Passenger safety remains paramount," it added.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken note of the Air India flight AI-887 incident involving a technical issue shortly after take-off. The aircraft landed safely. The Ministry has sought a detailed report from Air India, and DGCA has been directed to conduct a thorough MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) December 22, 2025

Meanwhile, multiple flights at the Delhi airport were affected on Monday due to dense fog and smog in the national capital.

Though the number of flights impacted was not known, the Delhi airport, in multiple advisories, stated that low-visibility procedures were in progress.

The airport authorities also advised the passengers to contact their respective airlines for real-time information on their flight schedule.

ALSO READ | Woman Alleges Indore Air India Staff Assaulted Her, Denied Boarding & Tried To Snatch Phone

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 10:15 IST

News india Mumbai-Bound Air India Flight Returns To Delhi After Engine Glitch, Aviation Ministry Seeks Report

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
As India & New Zealand Announce Trade Deal, A Look At Six FTAs Signed Before Landmark Pact

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:53 IST

An FTA is a formal agreement between countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers such as customs duties, import quotas & restrictions on goods and services traded between them

Rapid Read

Countries typically sign FTAs to boost exports and imports, to make goods cheaper for consumers, to attract foreign investment, and to strengthen economic and strategic ties. (Pixabay)

In a landmark deal, New Zealand and India struck a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Monday, making it easier for the formers exporters to reach the worlds biggest population and an economy forecast to be worth $7 trillion by 2030.

The agreement eliminates or reduces tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealands exports to India with more than half of products to be duty free on Day One of the pact, improving access to Indias rapidly expanding middle class, the New Zealand government said.

Described as ambitious and landmark, the FTA was finalised just nine months after negotiations began during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxons visit to India in March 2025.

According to the release, the FTA is expected to significantly deepen economic engagement, enhance market access, promote investment flows, strengthen strategic cooperation, and open new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students, and youth across multiple sectors.

This is Indias seventh FTA in the last few years after Oman, the UK, the EFTA countries, the UAE, Australia and Mauritius.

In the context of the historic deal, News18 looks back at the other 6 FTAs and what the concept really means:

What Is An FTA?

An FTA is a formal agreement between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers such as customs duties, import quotas, and restrictions on goods and services traded between them.

The key features of an FTA are lower or zero tariffs on selected goods, easier market access for services and investments, rules of origin to ensure benefits apply only to member countries, and trade facilitation measures like faster customs clearance. It may include provisions on intellectual property, labour, environment, and dispute settlement.

Countries typically sign FTAs to boost exports and imports, to make goods cheaper for consumers, to attract foreign investment, and to strengthen economic and strategic ties.

What Are Indias 6 Recent FTAs Apart From NZ Signed On Monday?

1. Mauritius: February 22, 2021: This was Indias first modern Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)-style deal. This is Indias first trade deal with an African nation, boosting goods/services trade, investment, and defining rules for services like professional, financial, and tourism sectors, with Mauritius acting as Indias gateway to Africa.

2. UAE: February 18, 2022: This was the first big Gulf trade deal and became operational from May 2022. The landmark pact looks to reduce tariffs on over 90 per cent of Indian exports to the UAE (gems, textiles, agri-products) and boosting trade across goods, services, and investment, with a goal to hit $100B bilateral goods trade. It offers preferential market access, includes provisions for digital trade, and aims to create jobs, strengthening economic ties significantly.

3. Australia: April 2, 2022: The pact provides duty-free access for most goods, boosting sectors like textiles, gems, and raw materials (coal, wool), with ongoing negotiations for a more comprehensive deal (CECA) to cover more services and digital trade. The interim ECTA has already significantly increased bilateral trade and created opportunities, with Australia offering 100 per cent tariff elimination for Indian goods, while India provides phased access for Australian products, focusing on raw materials for Indian industries.

4. European Free Trade Association (EFTA): March 10, 2024: The deal covers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Under the agreement, EFTA has committed to invest US$100 billion in India over a 15-year period. This includes US$50 billion in the first 10 years, followed by an additional US$50 billion in the subsequent five years. The investment is expected to generate around one million direct jobs in India. This is the first time India has secured such a large-scale investment commitment as part of a free trade agreement.

5. United Kingdom: May 6, 2025: Under the agreement, both countries aim to increase annual bilateral trade by 25.5 billion (US$34.5 billion) and have committed to doubling trade to US$120 billion by 2030, with an additional US$40 billion projected by 2040. Beyond market access, the pact aims to promote professional mobility, strengthen regulatory cooperation, and boost cross-border investment. India seeks to scale up its exports and accelerate growth in key sectors, while the UK secures valuable entry into one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.

6. Oman: December 18, 2025: Under the pact, Oman has offered zero-duty access on 98.08 per cent of its tariff lines, covering 99.38 per cent of Indias exports to Oman. It is also the first-ever commitment by any country on traditional medicine across all modes, opening significant opportunities for Indias Ayush and wellness sectors.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:53 IST

News india As India & New Zealand Announce Trade Deal, A Look At Six FTAs Signed Before Landmark Pact

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Assam On High Alert Amid Unrest In Bangladesh, CM Himanta Sarma Says 'Keeping A Sharp Eye'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:09 IST

Assam has been put on high alert amid unrest in Bangladesh, with CM Himanta Sarma saying the state is closely monitoring developments due to security and law-and-order concerns.

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel patrol along the India-Bangladesh border (Photo: PTI)

Assam has been placed on a high alert following a fresh wave of unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday saying that the state government is closely monitoring developments across the border due to potential security and law-and-order concerns.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme, Sarma said the situation in Bangladesh was a matter of serious concern for Assam, given the states geographical proximity and past experiences related to cross-border movement.

Emphasising the need for constant vigilance, the Chief Minister said the government was keeping a sharp eye" on unfolding events in the neighbouring country.

We have seen that in Bangladesh, Hindus are being subjected to atrocities and burnt alive. Those who are currently in power in Bangladesh have been talking about including northeast India in their country," Sarma claimed, expressing alarm over statements and developments emerging from across the border.

The Chief Minister further asserted that migration from Bangladesh into Assam had taken place at various points in time and described the issue as a long-standing concern for the state.

It is also well known that people from Bangladesh entered Assam at different times, and the state is full of these people," he said, underlining what he termed the need for heightened alertness in the present circumstances.

We have to be vigilant and must keep a sharp eye on the developments in that country," Sarma reiterated, stressing that the situation required constant monitoring by the state administration and security agencies.

The Assam Chief Minister recalled that he had raised similar concerns last week as well, when he claimed that Bangladeshi elements" had been repeatedly making statements suggesting that northeast India should be merged with Bangladesh.

Terming such remarks as provocative, Sarma said, Bangladeshi elements have been repeatedly saying that northeast India should be merged with the neighbouring country, which is irresponsible and dangerous, and India will not remain silent on this."

Highlighting Indias standing on the global stage, Sarma had earlier said such statements were untenable.

India is a very big country, a nuclear nation and the fourth largest economy in the world. How can Bangladesh even think about it?" he had remarked.

Bangladesh has witnessed a fresh wave of unrest following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Hadi was a prominent face of the anti-government protests that ultimately led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government.

The developments have triggered concerns in Indias border states, particularly Assam, which shares a long and sensitive boundary with Bangladesh.

In view of the prevailing situation, officials said prohibitory orders have been imposed along the India-Bangladesh border in Assams Cachar district.

The restrictions are aimed at preventing illegal movement and averting any potential law-and-order threats in the border areas.

ALSO READ | Killing Of Hindu Man In Bangladesh Sparks Calls For Minority Protection, Petition Filed In UN

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:07 IST

News india Assam On High Alert Amid Unrest In Bangladesh, CM Himanta Sarma Says 'Keeping A Sharp Eye'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Private Offices, Factories Not Complying With Anti-Pollution Curbs To Face Action: Delhi Minister

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 11:43 IST

Delhi Minister Manjinder Sirsa announced strict enforcement under GRAP, warning of sealing of polluting hubs and action against private offices violating norms, amid air pollution.

New Delhi: Water sprinklers operate under dense fog on a winter morning (Photo: PTI)

Delhis air quality situation remains a cause of concern even as the government intensified enforcement under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), with Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday announcing strict action against polluting units and non-compliant establishments across the national capital.

Addressing a press conference on pollution, Sirsa said changing weather patterns had played a role in the recent deterioration of air quality.

The western disturbances have caused a disruption in cold conditions in Delhi," he said, adding that the government was hopeful of some relief in the coming days.

We can expect a better AQI level from tomorrow onwards," the minister stated.

He underlined that an extensive enforcement drive is currently underway across Delhi, aimed at identifying and sealing polluting hubs and factories.

Making the governments position clear, Sirsa said, An extensive drive in Delhi is ongoing for sealing of polluting hubs or factories."

He added that authorities would not follow the usual process of issuing warnings or notices.

No issuance of certificate or notice for the sealing of those hubs, they will directly be sealed," he said.

Sirsa also announced that action would be taken against private offices found violating GRAP-4 norms.

We are going to initiate an action against the private offices that are not adhering to the norms under the GRAP-4," he said, signalling stricter monitoring beyond industrial units.

Highlighting measures taken to curb vehicular pollution, the minister said that a large number of Pollution Under Control certificates have been issued in recent days.

2,12,332 PUC from December 16 onwards have been issued," he said, pointing to intensified checks across the city.

The minister further stressed that waste management was a key focus area in the fight against pollution.

Apart from this, from the garbage dumps across the National Capital, we are removing large quantities of solid waste in metric tonnes," Sirsa said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will convene a cabinet meeting on pollution at 12 pm to review the situation and discuss further steps.

Despite the enforcement measures, air quality in Delhi remained in the very poor" category on Monday morning.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 366 around 8 am, showing a marginal improvement from Sunday when it was recorded at 377 at 4 pm. However, large parts of the city continued to be engulfed in toxic smog.

Thick smog was also seen around India Gate, Kartavya Path and Sarai Kale Khan. CPCB data showed Mundka recording an AQI of 400, Shadipur 306, Sonia Vihar 370 and Alipur 391, all falling in the very poor" category. DTU also recorded an AQI of 400.

Some locations witnessed even worse conditions. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 402, slipping into the severe" category.

Wazirpur (404), Bawana (408) and Narela (418) also remained in the severe" range.

In parallel, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has intensified enforcement against pollution-related violations.

During December, MCD imposed fines amounting to Rs 54.98 lakh on violators.

According to an official release, 7,023 challans totalling Rs 43.26 lakh were issued for illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste.

An additional Rs 11.72 lakh in penalties was imposed on 420 violators for burning biomass and garbage.

The MCD also said that extra machinery, sanitation personnel and waste-collection vehicles have been deployed to clean garbage-vulnerable points across Delhi.

Around 500 secondary collection points are being cleared at night, with the process being monitored daily.

ALSO READ | Delhi Chokes Under Dense Smog As Air Quality Remains Very Poor

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 11:19 IST

News india Private Offices, Factories Not Complying With Anti-Pollution Curbs To Face Action: Delhi Minister

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Doctor Assaults Patient At Govt Hospital In Shimla, Health Minister Vows Strict Action | Video

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 16:04 IST

The incident, reported on Sunday, led the state Health Minister, Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil, to assure strict action following a thorough inquiry.

Doctor accused of assaulting patient at IGMC | Image: News18

A doctor at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, has been accused of assaulting a patient, prompting outrage and protests at the government-run hospital.

The incident, reported on Sunday, led the state Health Minister, Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil, to assure strict action following a thorough inquiry.

According to the complaint, the patient, who belongs to a village in the Kupvi subdivision of Shimla district, had approached IGMC after facing breathing difficulties.

He alleged that the doctor spoke to him in an offensive manner and physically assaulted him when he asked for respectful communication.

The patients attendants claimed that a video of the alleged incident was recorded and has since circulated widely on social media.

Soon after the incident, the patients family and supporters staged a protest outside the hospital premises, raising slogans and demanding the immediate suspension of the accused doctor.

Reacting strongly, Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said such conduct was unacceptable and went against the ethics of the medical profession.

He identified the accused as Dr SAR, a specialist in pulmonary medicine, and said senior officials had been summoned to his office.

This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. The Health Secretary, IGMC Medical Superintendent, and the Principal have been called for an explanation. A detailed investigation will be conducted, and strict action will be taken to ensure such incidents are not repeated anywhere," the minister said.

The Medical Superintendent and Principal of IGMC were summoned to the Secretariat in connection with the case as part of the governments response.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur termed the incident unfortunate and disturbing.

He said such episodes raise serious concerns about professional conduct in public healthcare institutions.

Thakur urged the Chief Minister to personally take cognisance of the matter and order an impartial probe, while also directing the IGMC administration to put safeguards in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The hospital administration has not yet issued a detailed statement on the allegations. The matter remains under investigation.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Shimla, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:56 IST

News india Doctor Assaults Patient At Govt Hospital In Shimla, Health Minister Vows Strict Action | Video

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Former Punjab IPS Officer Critical After Suicide Bid, Note Cites Cyber Fraud Losses

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 17:43 IST

Police said a note have been recovered from the spot pointing to severe financial losses and mental distress caused by online fraud.

Rapid Read

Police said a note have been recovered from the spot pointing to severe financial losses and mental distress caused by online fraud. (X/@thind_akashdeep)

Former Punjab IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly attempted suicide by shooting himself at his residence in Patiala on Monday, police said. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where his condition remains critical.

Police said a note have been recovered from the spot pointing to severe financial losses and mental distress caused by online fraud. Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation to reconstruct the sequence of events and verify the contents of the note.

According to Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma, a police team rushed to the spot upon receiving information about the shooting, and Chahal was immediately taken to the hospital. His condition remains critical, and doctors are making every effort to save him, India TV reported.

Chahal, a retired Inspector General of Police, is among the accused in the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing cases in Faridkot.

In 2023, a Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional Director General of Police LK Yadav filed a chargesheet in the case against several police officers, including Chahal, along with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Police said a detailed investigation into the incident is underway. There has been no official confirmation of his death, and his condition continues to be critical.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Punjab, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 17:12 IST

News india Former Punjab IPS Officer Critical After Suicide Bid, Note Cites Cyber Fraud Losses

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Ghar Ki Baat Ghar Mein Rahe: SP Leader Refuses To Speak To Pak Channel On Nitish Kumars Hijab Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 18:23 IST

SP's Sumaiya Rana said that everyone in India lives in peace and harmony, and Indians were capable of resolving their issues, with no need for neighbouring countries to interfere

SP leader Sumaiya Rana (extreme right) had filed an FIR on Nitish Kumar's actions. (File/ANI)

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Sumaiya Rana, who had objected to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars pulling down of a womans hijab and even filed a First Information Report (FIR), turned down a request from a Pakistani news channel for an interview on the issue.

The channel had attempted to link the controversy to the alleged miserable condition of Muslims in India.

The daughter of renowned poet Munawwar Rana, she responded by reciting a couplet by Urdu poet Jigar Moradabadi: Najar ka teer jigar mein rahe to achcha hai, Ghar ki baat ghar mein rahe to achcha hai."

The lines mean: Better if the arrow of the gaze remains lodged in the heart; Better if matters of the home stay within the home."

Rana said that everyone in India lives in peace and harmony, and that Indians are capable of resolving their issues among themselves, with no need for neighbouring countries to interfere.

A Pakistani reporter wanted to interview Sumaiya Rana, spokeperson or Samajwadi Party and daughter of late poet munavvar Rana, over the controversy after CM Nitish Kumar pulled veil of a woman. She declined the request quoting Jigar Moradabadi.Najar ka teer Jigar mein rahe to pic.twitter.com/lbtTSl17LS  Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) December 22, 2025

The hijab controversy

Kumar recently attended a public event in which he distributed appointment letters to newly appointed AYUSH doctors. In the clip which went viral, when a Muslim woman doctor, Busrat Parveen, wearing a hijab/naqab approached him, Kumar reportedly pointed to her hijab asking, What is this?" He then pulled it down, revealing her face. This sparked a major political and social backlash, with critics saying it is a violation of personal dignity, religious freedom and womens autonomy.

Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishads remarks, which defended Kumar and were more derogatory towards women, further added to the controversy.

        -                                  -      ?   pic.twitter.com/2AO6czZfAA  Congress (@INCIndia) December 15, 2025

Ranas role

Speaking about the incident, Rana had told news agency ANI that the incident set a dangerous precedent. She added that if a person who holds an important constitutional position behaves in such a manner, then it encourages his (Nitish Kumar) colleagues to engage in similar activities.

#WATCH | Lucknow: SP leader Sumaiya Rana has logged a complaint with the Kaiserbagh police against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. pic.twitter.com/Nxcllktn8p ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025

Rana had on Friday alleged that she has been placed under house arrest, a claim that the police denied.

Rana, national vice-president of the SP womens wing, had said she had approached the Kaiserbagh police on December 16 seeking registration of an FIR over alleged objectionable acts and remarks involving Nitish Kumar and Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad, but no case has been registered so far.

The Kaiserbagh police are not registering an FIR. From yesterday till now, I am under house arrest," she alleged, adding that the affected woman doctor was deeply hurt and had left her job and gone to Kolkata.

Rana said that as a member of the same community and someone who wears a hijab, she feels personally aggrieved.

On the polices denial of any house arrest, she said CCTV footage shows police personnel stationed outside her residence since Wednesday. They are detaining me, but are not officially acknowledging it. That amounts to illegal confinement," she alleged.

With PTI, ANI inputs

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 17:34 IST

News india Ghar Ki Baat Ghar Mein Rahe: SP Leader Refuses To Speak To Pak Channel On Nitish Kumars Hijab Row

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Goa Fire Case: Did Luthra Brothers Use Fake Documents To Obtain Nightclub Licence? Probe On

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 13:56 IST

A police complaint has been registered at Goa's Mapusa Police Station over the alleged forged document.

Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, own the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa where a fire claimed 25 lives.

The Luthra brothers have come under fresh scrutiny after being accused of submitting a fake health certificate during the licensing process of their Goa nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane.

According to CNN News18 sources, a police complaint has been registered at Mapusa Police Station over the alleged forged document. Police are checking whether false papers were used to secure official permissions to operate the club.

Interrogation delays

According to sources, the Luthra brothers have continued to delay interrogation and have remained defiant during questioning. Investigators say they have not been fully cooperating with the probe, making it difficult to establish the complete chain of events leading to the fire and the alleged licensing violations.

The police custody of the Luthra brothers ends today. However, Goa Police are expected to seek further custody, citing the need for more questioning. Officials say additional time is required to probe the alleged fake health certificate, safety lapses and financial transactions linked to the club.

Goa club fire

The case is linked to the deadly fire that broke out at the Birch nightclub on December 6, 2025, killing 25 people. The blaze erupted around 11.45 pm during a fire show inside the club. Investigators say the tragedy was worsened by the lack of emergency exits, alleged unlicensed operations and the ignoring of safety warnings. Several people were trapped inside the packed venue.

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, Delhi-based restaurateurs known as the Luthra Brothers, allegedly fled Goa within hours of the fire. They boarded an IndiGo flight to Thailand, raising serious suspicion. Their sudden exit triggered an international manhunt.

The brothers were later detained in Phuket, Thailand, after their passports were cancelled. Following legal formalities, they were deported to Delhi on December 16. Goa Police arrested them at the airport and brought them in for questioning. A Delhi court had earlier rejected their anticipatory bail plea.

Financial irregularities

Authorities are also investigating a possible money laundering angle. The brothers are allegedly linked to 42 shell companies registered at a single address in Delhi. This has raised concerns about fraud. One of their business partners, Ajay Gupta, has also been arrested.

Police have said the investigation is ongoing and strict action will be taken against all those found responsible for the deaths and regulatory violations.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Goa, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 13:46 IST

News india Goa Fire Case: Did Luthra Brothers Use Fake Documents To Obtain Nightclub Licence? Probe On

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Had To Hide Indian Identity: Kolkata Sarod Player Shiraz Ali Khan Recalls Harrowing Bangladesh Escape

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 08:10 IST

Shiraz said his mother is still in Bangladesh, along with several Hindu accompanists whose names he has withheld for safety reasons.

Kolkata Sarod Player Shiraz Ali Khan Flees Bangladesh After Dhaka Concert Venue Is Vandalised. (Photo: X)

A Kolkata-based sarod player was forced to flee Bangladesh after a leading cultural venue in Dhaka was vandalised just hours before his scheduled concert. According to a TOI report, Shiraz Ali Khan, who was due to perform at Chhayanaut on December 19, said the attack left him shaken and unable to continue his visit.

The incident took place amid nationwide unrest following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical leader linked to last years anti-Hasina protests.

Shiraz managed to return to Kolkata on Saturday evening but said the journey was filled with fear. His tabla player remains stranded in Dhaka and is hoping to return early next week. Several other accompanying artistes are also stuck in the city. Shiraz said he had to suppress his Indian identity while leaving Bangladesh due to growing anti-India sentiment.

What we know about Shiraz Ali Khan?

Although based in Kolkata, Shirazs family has deep roots in Bangladesh. He is the son of Ustad Dhyanesh Khan, the grandson of sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and the great-grandson of Baba Allauddin Khan, who hailed from Brahmanbaria in present-day Bangladesh. Shiraz said attacks on institutions linked to this shared musical heritage were deeply painful.

Years ago, a college named after my great-grandfather in Brahmanbaria was attacked. But the vandalism of Chhayanaut is an unimaginable assault on our culture and shared values," he said.

Shiraz hid identity to stay safe

Shiraz arrived in Dhaka on December 16 and performed at a jazz concert in Banani on December 17. His classical recital at Chhayanaut was scheduled two days later. He described the Banani performance as intimate but heartfelt, attended by fewer than 20 people.

On the morning of December 19, he learned that Chhayanaut had been attacked. I couldnt believe the building where I was meant to perform had been destroyed. Seeing the images was deeply disturbing," he said.

While leaving Dhaka, Shiraz was stopped at a checkpoint and questioned about carrying foreign currency. Fearing for his safety, he did not reveal his Indian identity and spoke in the Brahmanbaria dialect he learned from his mother. His Indian passport and phone were hidden by the driver until he reached the airport.

I never imagined I would have to hide who I am," he said.

Shiraz said his mother is still in Bangladesh, along with several Hindu accompanists whose names he has withheld for safety reasons. He added that he would not return to Bangladesh until artistes and cultural institutions are protected and respected again.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 08:10 IST

News india Had To Hide Indian Identity: Kolkata Sarod Player Shiraz Ali Khan Recalls Harrowing Bangladesh Escape

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
I Too Will Become Extremist: TMC Leader Sparks Row With Waqf Remark

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 23:48 IST

Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesperson alleged that the Trinamool Congress was inciting Muslims towards violence.

Rapid Read

Wajedul Haq, president of the Bengali Minority Intellectual Forum of Trinamool Congress. (X/@MeghUpdates)

Wajedul Haq, president of the Bengali Minority Intellectual Forum of Trinamool Congress, triggered controversy with his remarks on the Waqf issue, saying he would not hesitate to take an extreme stand to protect it.

Speaking on the matter, Haq said that if becoming radical was necessary to save Waqf, he would do so and fight. He further stated that if one had to become a militant to defend Waqf, he too would become a militant.

If becoming an extremist is necessary to protect the Waqf, then I too will become an extremist and fight," he said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, reacted sharply to controversial remarks made by TMC leader on the Waqf issue. In a post on X, the VHP spokesperson alleged that the Trinamool Congress was inciting Muslims towards violence.

The spokesperson demanded a response from West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over the remarks.

See yourself What this TMC leader is saying If one has to become a militant to protect Waqf, then I will become a militant too and fight". He is non other than Wajedul Haque, the President of Bengali Minority Intellectual Forum of Trinamool Congress. Trinamool is now inciting Muslims for violance and become terrorists??? The CM @MamataOfficial to please respond," Bansal wrote on X.

See yourselfWhat this TMC leader is sayingIf one has to become a militant to protect Waqf, then I will become a militant too and fight"He is non other than Wajedul Haque, the President of Bengali Minority Intellectual Forum of Trinamool Congress.Trinamool is now pic.twitter.com/tT5jhZckS4   Vinod Bansal     (@vinod_bansal) December 22, 2025

Earlier, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee agreed to implement the Centres Waqf Amendment Act, marking a significant shift in the ongoing Centrestate standoff.

The decision comes after prolonged discussions and pressure from the Union government over reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in Waqf property management.

The move is expected to impact thousands of Waqf estates across the state and has sparked political reactions from both supporters and critics of the legislation.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 23:46 IST

News india I Too Will Become Extremist: TMC Leader Sparks Row With Waqf Remark

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Marriage Dispute Turns Fatal In Karnataka, 20-Year-Old Woman Beaten To Death With Pipe; 3 Arrested

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:43 IST

Police have arrested three accused in connection with the case. They have been identified as Prakash, Veeran and Arun.

Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya

A 20-year-old woman, identified as Manya Patil, died after being assaulted following a marriage dispute, in Inam Veerapur village in Karnatakas Dharwad district, police said on Monday. The incident took place at around 6.30 pm, according to Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya. Manya was seriously injured during the attack and later succumbed to her injuries.

Police said Manya was allegedly assaulted by three people. During the attack, she was struck with a pipe, which caused serious injuries. Apart from Manya, three other members of her family were also injured. These include her mother-in-law, father-in-law and a sister. All the injured were taken for medical treatment.

SP Gunjan Arya said the police are still enquiring into the matter and gathering details from witnesses and those involved. He added that the exact sequence of events is being carefully examined.

Accused arrested

Police have arrested three accused in connection with the case. They have been identified as Prakash, Veeran and Arun. The arrests were made soon after the incident, and the accused are currently in police custody. Authorities said further questioning is underway to understand the motive behind the assault and the roles played by each accused.

According to the police, the incident appears to be linked to a dispute that began during a marriage event. SP Arya said there had been some fight during the wedding, but no major complaints or reports of violence were made at that time. It is believed that the earlier disagreement later escalated into the fatal assault.

Investigation on

Police have said the investigation is ongoing and more evidence will be collected to conclude the case. Statements from family members, neighbours and other witnesses are being recorded. Forensic evidence is also being examined as part of the probe.

Authorities said strict action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:43 IST

News india Marriage Dispute Turns Fatal In Karnataka, 20-Year-Old Woman Beaten To Death With Pipe; 3 Arrested

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'No Indian Safe There': Sarod Maestro Shiraz Ali Khan Recalls Hiding Identity To Flee Bangladesh

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:05 IST

Khan, who was in the neighbouring country for concerts, said his surname helped him escape as he detailed the anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh

Rapid Read

Sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan, who had travelled to Bangladesh to perform in four concerts, said he was forced to flee the neighbouring country by concealing his identity. (X)

Sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan, who had travelled to Bangladesh to perform in four concerts, said he was forced to flee the neighbouring country by concealing his identity. Speaking exclusively to News18, Khan said the situation in Bangladesh is currently unsafe for Indian nationals, adding that he had to rely on his surname to protect him from trouble.

Edited Excerpts:

What happened in Bangladesh when you arrived?

I was invited to perform in four concerts. I reached Bangladesh on December 16 and the situation appeared normal then. However, there were very few people in the audience at the programme, which made me sense that something was wrong. Later, locals informed me that the situation was deteriorating and advised me not to disclose that I was Indian.

What happened next?

On the 17th, I was stopped at a checkpoint near Gulshan. The police were checking people and told me they were verifying whether anyone was carrying foreign currency. I was taken aback. I was carrying my Aadhaar card. I introduced myself as Shiraz Ali Khan and did not mention that I was Indian. I had been advised not to carry my passport, so I was not carrying it.

The hotel staff also told me not to disclose my identity anywhere. Normally, when I visit Bangladesh, I speak in Kolkata Bangla, but this time I consciously spoke in local Bangla. Fortunately, I have the surname Khan, and I emphasised that, indicating that I am Muslim.

The next morning, I heard about what had happened at Chhayanaut. We were supposed to go there. I tried contacting the Indian Embassy, but it was closed. Somehow, I managed to return to India.

What about your crew? Have they returned?

My mother is still in Bangladesh because some of my family members live there. They need to come back. I could see many Indian nationals desperately trying to return to West Bengal. My tabla player is expected to return on Monday.

What is the sentiment among people there regarding Indians?

My roots are in Bangladesh, and I used to go there only to share music. Earlier, people were very welcoming. But things have changed. No Indian is safe there now. The sentiment has become completely anti-Indian. People appear to be looking for reasons to carry out mob attacks. It is not about being a Khan. No Indian is safe there.

What is your advice to Indians who need to travel to Bangladesh?

I have never had such an experience in my life. I can only say that nobody should go there right now. Everyone is trying to return. I always believed Bangladesh was a place connected to our roots and that there would be no problems. I will not go back until the situation improves.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 11:56 IST

News india 'No Indian Safe There': Sarod Maestro Shiraz Ali Khan Recalls Hiding Identity To Flee Bangladesh

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'Only 0.19% Region Eligible': Centre Rejects Aravallis Mining Fears As Oppn Raises Concerns

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 17:44 IST

Sachin Pilot warns outdated reports threaten Aravalli hills, while Bhupender Yadav asserts protection. SC rulings and NCR environmental risks fuel the political and legal debate.

Sachin Pilot warns outdated reports threaten Aravalli hills, while Bhupender Yadav asserts protection. SC rulings and NCR environmental risks fuel the political and legal debate. (Pic: X, PTI)

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday rejected allegations that the Aravalli hills are being opened up for unchecked mining, insisting that the Supreme Courts directions are being followed and that the mountain range remains protected.

The Supreme Court has already given its judgment on this matter. Our government promotes a green Aravalli. Misinformation is being spread regarding the Aravalli hills," Yadav said.

He added that out of the total 1.44 lakh square kilometre area of the Aravalli Range, mining eligibility applies to only 0.19 per cent of the region. The Aravalli is protected and secure. Those who are lying, their lies will get exposed," the minister said.

This govt is committed to protecting the environment": Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addresses press conference amid row over SCs 100-metre rule Aravalli Hills ruling@akankshaswarups | #aravallihills #SaveAravalli pic.twitter.com/Do3hOuqlfY News18 (@CNNnews18) December 22, 2025

Pilot Sounds Alarm

Congress leader Sachin Pilot strongly countered the governments claims, warning that continued reliance on outdated assessments could lead to irreversible environmental damage across the National Capital Region.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Pilot said that by allowing existing Supreme Court guidelines to continue without updated ground-level assessments, authorities were effectively permitting the destruction of one of the worlds oldest mountain ranges.

By allowing these guidelines to continue, you are allowing the oldest mountain ranges to be destroyed. They are using outdated reports," Pilot said, adding that the courts decisions largely depend on reports submitted by governments.

If the Aravalli is destroyed, the entire NCR region will be affected. Public outrage has to be answered," he said.

Pilot also announced that he would hold a protest march in Jaipur on December 26 against what he described as the governments approach to the Aravalli issue.

#Exclusive | Congress leader @SachinPilot on SCs 100-metre rule Aravalli Hills rulingWith this new current definition Im afraid that people will again misuse it and we will have nothing left of what we see as Aravalli hills today. This (matter) is above political ideologies, pic.twitter.com/zJ7wUNJyVq  News18 (@CNNnews18) December 22, 2025

Congress Backs Protest

Backing Pilots stand, Congress leader Pawan Khera said the environmental consequences could be catastrophic if the current framework continues.

If the new order on the Aravallis is implemented, the ecological balance of this entire region, several states, or half of India will be destroyed," Khera said.

The Aravalli mountain range protects Delhi, Haryana, and the agriculture of this entire area from the sand coming from the Thar Desert. The Aravallis play a crucial role in maintaining this balance. If anyone even touches the Aravallis, they will be considered an enemy of this country and this region," he added.

What the Supreme Court Said

The dispute centres on a series of rulings and clarifications by the Supreme Court of India on mining and construction activity in the Aravalli range.

In earlier landmark orders, the apex court imposed strict restrictions on mining in ecologically sensitive areas of the Aravallis, particularly in Haryana and Rajasthan, citing environmental degradation and public health concerns.

In later years, however, the court allowed regulated activity in certain non-forest areas, relying on state government classifications, environmental impact assessments, and affidavits submitted to it. Critics argue these classifications are based on outdated surveys that fail to reflect current ecological damage, while the government maintains that mining is permitted only in narrowly defined, legally designated zones.

The court has consistently held that its decisions are guided by official records and reports placed before ita point repeatedly highlighted by Sachin Pilot.

Why NCR Is at the Centre of the Debate

Environmentalists warn that further degradation of the Aravallis could worsen air pollution, water scarcity and extreme heat across the NCR, which is already under severe environmental stress.

While the Centre maintains that existing legal safeguards are sufficient to protect the hills, opposition leaders and activists are demanding updated scientific studies and stricter enforcement to prevent irreversible damage.

As political sparring intensifies, the Aravalli hills once again find themselves at the intersection of development, environmental protection and judicial oversight.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 17:01 IST

News india 'Only 0.19% Region Eligible': Centre Rejects Aravallis Mining Fears As Oppn Raises Concerns

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
India, New Zealand Announce Landmark Free Trade Agreement After Talks Between PM Modi, Luxon

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 11:51 IST

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon jointly announced the conclusion of the historic India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, finalised in a record nine months.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (File photo/PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, on Monday, during which the two leaders jointly announced the successful conclusion of the historic and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a release stated.

The FTA, described as ambitious and landmark, was finalised just nine months after negotiations began during PM Luxons visit to India in March 2025.

Both leaders highlighted that the record-time conclusion reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen bilateral ties between the two countries.

According to the release, the FTA is expected to significantly deepen economic engagement, enhance market access, promote investment flows, strengthen strategic cooperation, and open new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students, and youth across multiple sectors.

During their conversation, the leaders expressed confidence that the agreement would help double bilateral trade over the next five years and facilitate an investment of USD 20 billion from New Zealand into India over the next 15 years.

Speaking on the broader partnership, the two leaders also welcomed progress in other areas of cooperation, including defence, sports, education, and people-to-people ties.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-New Zealand partnership and agreed to remain in close contact to ensure the successful implementation of the agreement.

The FTA marks a major milestone in India-New Zealand relations, offering a strong and credible foundation for enhanced economic and strategic collaboration between the two countries.

Both leaders underscored that the agreement is poised to serve as a catalyst for greater trade, investment, innovation, and shared opportunities, benefiting citizens and businesses in both nations.

Later, in an X post, PM Luxon said the negotiations for the free trade agreement with India have been concluded.

The FTA reduces or removes tariffs on 95 per cent of our exports to India. Its forecast that New Zealand exports to India could increase from USD 1.1 billion to USD 1.3 billion per year over the coming two decades, he mentioned.

Ive just spoken with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement," he added.

The agreement builds on the strong friendship between our two countries. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers," the Prime Minister mentioned.

Ive just spoken with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement.The FTA reduces or removes tariffs on 95% of our exports to India. Its forecast that NZ exports to India could increase $1.1B to $1.3B per year over the pic.twitter.com/FEat7BQWOI  Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) December 22, 2025

In a separate video message posted on X, Luxon mentioned that the Free Trade Agreement with India will open doors for New Zealand farmers, growers, and businesses, boosting exports, creating jobs, and lifting incomes to help all Kiwis get ahead".

NEWS: Weve concluded a Free Trade Agreement with India. This will open doors for New Zealand farmers, growers, and businesses  boosting exports, creating jobs, and lifting incomes to help all Kiwis get ahead. pic.twitter.com/MZZqYkXs0I Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) December 22, 2025

This is Indias seventh FTA in the last few years after Oman, the UK, the EFTA countries, the UAE, Australia and Mauritius.

ALSO READ | Close Modi-Meloni Bond Key Asset In Delhi-Rome Relations: Italian Deputy PM

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 11:34 IST

News india India, New Zealand Announce Landmark Free Trade Agreement After Talks Between PM Modi, Luxon

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Talks Almost Over: Sanjay Raut On Shiv Sena (UBT)MNS Alliance For BMC Polls

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 19:19 IST

His remark came only a day after he said on Sunday the meeting held earlier in the day was likely the final round of discussions between the two sides.

Uddhav And Raj Thackeray (ANI Image)

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said that the alliance talk with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is almost over, adding that the leaders had also recently visited Matoshree.

This is such a big alliance; it is not limited to Mumbai alone; it also includes Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik, and Pune, said Raut.

His remark came only a day after he said on Sunday the meeting held earlier in the day was likely the final round of discussions between the two sides.

Raut met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday as discussions continued between the two parties over seat-sharing for the upcoming civic elections in Mumbai.

The meeting took place at Raj Thackerays residence, Shivtirth, in Dadar, and marked Rauts second visit there in the past three days, signalling momentum in the talks.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra are scheduled to be held on January 15.

This (the talks which took place on Sunday), we believe, is the last meeting. In two to three days, there will be an official announcement," he said.

The Congress has expressed reservations over the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. We have been trying to convince the Congress that to defeat the BJP, it is necessary to come together," he added.

A day earlier, MNS leader Nitin Sardesai had said that negotiations between the two partiesheaded by cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeraywere nearing completion. However, he added that it was still unclear when an official announcement on the alliance would be made.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 18:01 IST

News india Talks Almost Over: Sanjay Raut On Shiv Sena (UBT)MNS Alliance For BMC Polls

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
What Is The Prudent Electoral Trust? A Look At Political Funding After Bonds Ban

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 18:26 IST

After the Supreme Court ended the Electoral Bond Scheme, Prudent Electoral Trust became key in political funding, channeling Rs 2,668 crore to political parties in 2024-25

Rapid Read

With electoral bonds now consigned to history, Prudent's role has become central to political funding. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated)

February 15, 2024, marked a watershed moment in the countrys electoral finance history when the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bond Scheme as unconstitutional, underlining that secrecy in political funding was incompatible with democracy. The verdict ordered the schemes immediate closure and reiterated that transparency, not anonymity, is the cornerstone of a democratic system.

Yet, data from the first full year after the ban tells a striking story. An estimated Rs 2,668 crore was routed to political parties in 2024-25, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alone receiving around Rs 2,180 crore, while the Congress party got about Rs 216 crore. With electoral bonds gone, the obvious question is, where is this money coming from, through which channels, and who decides how much each party receives?

The answer increasingly points to one entity, the Prudent Electoral Trust.

Founded in 2013, long before the bonds scheme was introduced, Prudent has quietly grown into the countrys largest and most influential electoral trust, acting as a conduit between corporate donors and political parties. Set up originally by Bharti Enterprises as the Satya Electoral Trust, it was renamed the Prudent Electoral Trust in 2014. It is registered as a Section 8 non-profit company under the Companies Act and operates under the Electoral Trust Scheme notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

With electoral bonds now consigned to history, Prudents role has become central to political funding. The issue is no longer just about the quantum of money, but about the routes through which it flows, particularly to the ruling party, and the degree of transparency that accompanies it.

Officially, the trust is run by independent professionals. Its current directors and shareholders, who act as trustees, include Mukul Anand Goyal and Ganesh V Venkatachalam, both associated with the trust since 2014. While Bharti Group executives were initially involved, shareholding changes over the years have been cited to project independence, even as Bharti Enterprises is widely believed to retain effective control.

The trusts operating model differs from electoral bonds in form, if not always in outcome. Instead of companies donating directly to political parties, corporate and individual donors deposit funds with the trust. Under the rules, at least 95% of the money collected in a financial year must be distributed to political parties within the same year.

Prudent is required to file an annual contribution report with the Election Commission, disclosing the names of donors and the parties funded. However, while donor identities are made public, the precise amount contributed by each donor remains confidential. Allocation of funds to parties is based either on donor preference or the trusts internal decisions. Historically, roughly 80% of Prudents disbursements have gone to the BJP.

In 2024-25, its major donors reportedly included companies such as Bharti Airtel, DLF, Hero MotoCorp, Jubilant Foodworks, JK Tyre, Indiabulls, Orient Cement and Megha Engineering.

Since its inception, Prudent has raised more than Rs 5,000 crore. Data compiled from filings with the Election Commission and analyses by the Association for Democratic Reforms shows a consistent pattern in its disbursements. Heres the data based on approximate figures:

Financial Year Total Funds Collected BJP Congress Other Parties (BRS, YSRCP, etc.) 2013-14 to 2017-18 Rs 750+ crore Rs 620 crore Rs 50 crore Rs 80 crore 2018-19 (Election Year) Rs 530 crore Rs 405 crore Rs 55 crore Rs 70 crore 2019-20 Rs 271 crore 217 crore Rs 31 crore Rs 23 crore 2020-21 Rs 245 crore Rs 209 crore Rs 2 crore Rs 34 crore 2021-22 Rs 464 crore Rs 336 crore Rs 18 crore Rs 110 crore 2022-23 Rs 366 crore Rs 259 crore Rs 10 crore Rs 97 crore 2023-24 Rs 1,218 crore Rs 723 crore Rs 156 crore Rs 339 crore 2024-25 (estimated) Rs 2,668 crore Rs 2,180 crore Rs 216 crore Rs 272 crore

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 18:26 IST

News india What Is The Prudent Electoral Trust? A Look At Political Funding After Bonds Ban

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Date, Significance, Quotes And Wishes

Published By :



Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 07:35 IST

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti honours the 10th Sikh Guru with prayers, langars, processions, and his lasting legacy of courage and faith.

Rapid Read

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti will be observed on December 27. (Image: Shutterstock)

Guru Gobind Singh was born on December 22, 1666, in Patna, making this his traditional birth date. However, the date of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (Prakash Purab) changes each year according to the Nanakshahi calendar. While December 22 marks his Gregorian birth date, the celebrations often fall in late December or January.

Devotees observe the day with prayers, community kitchens (langars), and processions, honoring his legacy as the 10th Sikh Guru, founder of the Khalsa, and a spiritual warrior.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated with deep reverence by Sikhs across India and around the world, as the community comes together to honor one of Sikhisms most influential spiritual leaders.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Date

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated on December 27. The occasion is marked by large congregations at gurdwaras, devotional gatherings and community service, reflecting the values that Guru Gobind Singh Ji upheld throughout his life. Beyond ritual, the day offers an opportunity to reflect on a legacy shaped by courage, moral strength and unwavering commitment to equality.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Significance

The day holds religious and cultural meaning for millions of Sikhs worldwide. It serves as a moment to remember the life and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, a leader who stood firmly for justice, equality and fearless faith.

Born in 1666 in Patna, Bihar, as Gobind Rai, he was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Mata Gujri Ji. His life took a turn at the age of nine, when he was installed as the 10th Sikh Guru following the martyrdom of his father for defending religious freedom. He guided the Sikh community with remarkable clarity through some of its most challenging times.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji was not only a spiritual guide but also a poet, philosopher and warrior who spoke out against oppression.

A defining chapter in Sikh history unfolded in 1699 with the establishment of the Khalsa, a brotherhood committed to righteousness, discipline and service. The formation of the Khalsa gave the Sikh community a distinct identity and collective strength.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji also introduced the Five Ks: Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kirpan and Kachera. These represent faith, discipline and responsibility. Before his passing in 1708, he declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru, bringing an end to the line of human Gurus and ensuring spiritual guidance for generations.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is observed through prayers, kirtans and nagar kirtans, or religious processions, which feature devotional singing, community participation and displays of martial tradition. Langar, the free community kitchen, remains central to the celebrations, embodying the ideals of equality and selfless service.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Wishes

May Guru Gobind Singh Jis blessings guide you towards happiness, prosperity and fulfilment. Happy Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

Wishing you wisdom, peace and inner strength on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti. May Guru Jis blessings always guide you.

Happy Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti. May this day remind us to spread kindness, justice and goodwill, just as Guru Ji taught us.

May the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji inspire you to live with honesty, courage and compassion. Wishing you a blessed Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

On this sacred day, let us honour Guru Gobind Singh Jis teachings by living with love and compassion. Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Jayanti.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Quotes

Shed not recklessly the blood of another with thy sword, lest the sword on high falls upon thy neck."  Guru Gobind Singh, Zafarnama

It is incumbent upon you to recognise the God, for He told you not to create strife in the world."  Guru Gobind Singh, Zafarnama

If you are strong, torture not the weak, and thus lay not the axe to thy empire."  Guru Gobind Singh, Zafarnama

God is the Master of the earth and the sky. He is the Creator of all men, all places."  Guru Gobind Singh, Zafarnama

Beware, the world keeps not faith with any. He who rises also falls and comes to grief.  Guru Gobind Singh, Zafarnama

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Messages

As we celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, may his message of equality and justice guide our thoughts and actions.

May Guru Jis teachings lead you towards happiness, success and spiritual growth, and give you the courage to always stand for the truth. Have a blessed Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

On Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, let us remember his legacy of justice, equality and compassion. May his blessings guide you on the path of righteousness.

On this sacred occasion, may the spirit of devotion and fearlessness inspire us all. Happy Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

May the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji give you the strength to stand for what is right, even in difficult times. Have a blessed Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Amritsar, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 07:35 IST

News lifestyle events Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025: Date, Significance, Quotes And Wishes
After The Family Man, Costume Designer Neha Bajaj Is Looking Forward To Toxic

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Snigdha Oreya



Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 11:15 IST

Neha Bajaj talks to News18 about working with Nimrat Kaur and Jaideep Ahlawat in The Family Man, and her next project, Toxic.

Costume Neha Bajaj and (right) Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur

For costume designer Neha Bajaj, when actors are open to discussing backstories, it makes a costume designers job so much easier. From her first film, Omerta, Guns and Gulaabs, to The Family Man (Season 3), Nehas creative vision has brought life to each character she has designed for.

In conversation with News18, Neha Bajaj takes a deep dive into designing for actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur, her next project  Toxic and unlike Hollywood the concept of personal stylists working in a film.

How has costume designing shaped your perception of the film industry?

Once you work behind the camera, you honestly cant watch films like a normal audience anymore. Im always clocking colours, fabrics, palettes, and how costumes affect the way an actor moves. Costume design today is also slowly overlapping with personal styling, which changes certain dynamics on set. That said, its a creative job that comes with a lot of logistics, commerce, and yes, a few egos thrown in.

You designed costumes for the antagonist characters played by Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur. What was the vision behind their character build-up?

They [Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur] come from completely different worlds, so the approach had to be very different.

For Nimrat [character: Meera], shes a powerful boss lady who is sharp, controlled, and not loud. The idea was never to make it a costume story. Her character needed to speak first; costumes just supported that. In her world, power translates through clean silhouettes, solid colours, couture, high heels, and strong jewellery. Everything is minimal, well-fitted and intentional. And we jammed on every single detail.

For Rukma [played by Jaideep], it was the opposite. Hes raw, lived-in, constantly on the move, literally surviving in jungles. Theres no access to salons or shopping. Hair is unkempt, tied by finger-combing. Clothes repeat, shirts get layered with more shirts in winter, and are shed in summer. Jewellery has a tribal touch, silhouettes are functional, and the swag is inherent, not designed.

How was it working with Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur on set?

When actors are open to discussing backstories and are willing to jam on character choices, it makes a costume designers job so much easier. Both Jaideep sir and Nimrat are extremely thorough with their craft. Half the work gets done because they already understand their characters so deeply, and there was trust in what I deliver. If an actor doesnt feel his/her costume, it shows on camera.

As a costume designer, what challenges do you feel no one really talks about?

I wouldnt call it a challenge, but I do find it interesting how Hollywood usually has one costume designer carrying the entire visual vision of a film. In our industry, the concept of personal stylists is becoming more common. It works well for ads and events, but for films, in my view, the narrative works best when it comes from a single, cohesive vision.

A costume from a film or OTT series that will always be special to you?

Of the released projects, Guns and Gulaabs was a fun show from the get-go. The characters were relatable yet twisted, and the treatment was pulpy. I really enjoyed that. In my upcoming projects, I am really looking forward to Toxic; it will be a visual treat for the audience.

A word of advice for aspiring costume designers entering the profession in 2026?

Observe people more than Pinterest. Real colours, textures, and fabrics come from watching how people live. Clothing and accessories cant hide information about where someone comes from.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:15 IST

News lifestyle fashion After The Family Man, Costume Designer Neha Bajaj Is Looking Forward To Toxic
Air Pollution May Be Harming Men More Than Women: Report

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 17:49 IST

Men inhale more toxic air than women, raising their risk of pollution-related illnesses like malignant brain cancer, especially for those spending long hours outdoors

Rapid Read

Mens lungs tend to take in a higher dose of polluted air than women's under similar conditions. (Shutterstock)

Men may be inhaling significantly more toxic air than women, leaving them at greater risk from pollution-related illnesses, a new study has found. Research conducted by scientists at Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), Delhi, suggests that biological differences and lifestyle patterns together make men more vulnerable to the harmful effects of polluted air, particularly fine particulate matter.

The study, which analysed five years of data, found a clear gender gap in how toxic particles are absorbed by the lungs. According to the researchers, mens lungs tend to take in a higher dose of polluted air than womens under similar conditions. This challenges the popular belief that women fall ill more easily and instead points to a silent but serious risk faced by men in polluted environments.

At the heart of the findings is PM2.5, the extremely fine particulate matter considered among the most dangerous air pollutants because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. The researchers measured what they call the Respiratory Deposition Dose (RDD), or the amount of polluted air particles deposited in the lungs per second. When sitting, a mans RDD was found to be about 1.4 times higher than that of a woman. While walking, it was roughly 1.2 times higher, indicating that men consistently inhale a larger load of toxic particles across activity levels.

Explaining the reasons behind this disparity, Gaurav Saini, co-author of the study from NSUTs Civil Engineering Department, told The Times of India that men are generally more exposed to outdoor air pollution because of work and daily routines. While men are more exposed to outdoor pollution, women tend to face higher exposure to indoor air pollution," he said, adding that breathing rates and physical activity levels also differ by gender.

Another author of the study, Amarendra Singh, noted that women typically have a higher breathing rate, which can increase pollutant intake in certain conditions. However, men usually have larger lung capacity and spend longer hours outdoors, resulting in a higher overall absorption of polluted air. Physical exertion, such as heavy labour or outdoor exercise, further increases breathing depth and allows toxic particles to reach deeper into the lungs.

The NSUT findings echo conclusions from international research that also points to men being more affected by air pollution. A large prospective study published on PubMed Central, which followed over 1 lakh men and women in the Los Angeles region for nearly two decades, found that long-term exposure to pollutants such as benzene, PM10 and ozone increased the risk of malignant brain cancer in men, but not in women. The associations were particularly strong for benzene exposure, with significantly higher hazard ratios observed among men. No such relationship was found in women.

Researchers behind that study suggested that biological factors may play a role, including differences in hormone-linked antioxidant pathways, tumour suppression mechanisms, and inflammation responses. Experimental evidence cited in the research showed that male subjects experienced greater oxidative stress and neuroinflammation when exposed to air pollutants compared to females. These mechanisms may partly explain why certain cancers linked to pollution have a higher incidence and poorer survival rates among men.

Taken together, the studies underline a growing concern, that air pollution is not a gender-neutral threat. Men, especially those spending long hours outdoors or engaged in physically demanding work, may be at higher risk of long-term damage to the lungs, heart and even the brain.

Doctors warn that symptoms such as persistent cough, chest tightness or shortness of breath should not be dismissed as normal pollution trouble". Early consultation with a pulmonologist is crucial, particularly for those living in highly polluted urban areas.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 17:49 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Air Pollution May Be Harming Men More Than Women: Report
Tired Of AQI Alerts? 5 Mountain Escapes With Cleaner Air To Visit This New Year

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 22:55 IST

Escape poor air quality with these five mountain destinations offering cleaner air, winter adventures, and peaceful New Year getaways across India.

Embark on the legendary Chadar Trek across the frozen Zanskar River, where icy gorges, caves, and stark Himalayan landscapes define the journey

The holiday season is an ideal time to escape routine and explore destinations that offer space, atmosphere, and meaningful experiences. From snowbound adventure hubs to slow, misty hill towns and culturally rich escapes, winter travel now caters to every kind of traveller without the rush of peak crowds.

Here are some places you can visit this New Year, offering a mix of adventure, scenic calm, and immersive mountain experiences.

Spiti Valley  For the Adventure Seeker

(26 December 2025  2 January 2026)

Winter turns Spiti into a frozen adventure playground, where ice climbing on natural waterfalls in villages like Tabo and Mane pushes both body and mindset. Curated expeditions such as Zo Trips blend adrenaline, expert guidance, and local culture for a truly transformative cold-weather thrill.

Kinnaur  For a Calm, Scenic New Year Escape

(24  29 January 2026)

Welcome the New Year with a journey through Kinnaur, where apple orchards, ancient forts, and golden sunrises over Kinner Kailash set the tone. Scenic drives along the HindustanTibet Highway and visits to quiet border villages make this a peaceful, immersive way to begin the year.

Kasol  For a Slow, Riverside Mountain Escape

Perched in the heart of the Parvati Valley, Madpackers Kasol is ideal for travellers who enjoy slow days, riverside views, and a laid-back mountain vibe. With comfortable rooms and social common spaces, its easy to spend the day cafe-hopping, walking along the Parvati River, or simply unwinding to the sounds of nature amid the surrounding mountains.

Dehradun  For a Refreshing Gateway to the Hills

Nestled in the scenic Doon Valley, The Hosteller Dehradun offers travellers a relaxed base in Uttarakhands capital, combining city comfort with easy access to the mountains. Well connected to Delhi and serving as a gateway to hill stations like Mussoorie and Lansdowne, its an ideal choice for a short, rejuvenating break that blends nature, culture, and convenient travel.

Ladakh  For the Ultimate Winter Adventure

(10  19 January 2026)

Embark on the legendary Chadar Trek across the frozen Zanskar River, where icy gorges, caves, and stark Himalayan landscapes define the journey. Curated by Zo Trips with experienced Ladakhi guides, acclimatisation days, and comprehensive safety support, this expedition offers a rare mix of extreme adventure and immersive winter travel.

This holiday season, skip the usual plans and make winter count with experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Whether its doing absolutely nothing in the mountains or chasing a new adventure somewhere unfamiliar, choose a getaway that lets you breathe, explore, and reset. Because this winter, the best gift you can give yourself is a change of pace.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 22:55 IST

News lifestyle travel Tired Of AQI Alerts? 5 Mountain Escapes With Cleaner Air To Visit This New Year
Battle Of Galwan Teaser To Drop On Salman Khans 60th Birthday: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:35 IST

The teaser of Salman Khans upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan is expected to release on his 60th birthday, December 27, with posters dropping a day or two earlier.

Salman Khans Battle of Galwan is based on the real-life 2020 clash in which Indian soldiers bravely confronted Chinese troops.

Salman Khan will be celebrating his 60th birthday on December 27, and while fans are already excited, a new report has suggested that Bhaijaans birthday could get even happier as the makers are planning to drop the teaser of his upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan on Salmans 60th birthday.

As per Bollywood Hungamas source, The team of the film has been working on the teaser for some time. They feel that December 27 is an apt time to release the asset. Itll introduce the world of Battle of Galwan and give the audience an idea about the grandeur and scale of the film. Itll also depict Salman Khan in all his glory, which the fans are sure to lap up."

Before the teaser is out, the makers will be dropping one or two posters of Battle of Galwan as well," the source added and continued, It should be out either on December 25 or December 26, and itll be followed by the launch of the teaser."

About Battle of Galwan

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan revisits the harrowing 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, a rare border skirmish that turned deadly without any firearms being used. Instead, soldiers resorted to hand-to-hand combat with sticks and stones, making it one of the most emotionally charged stories in recent Indian history.

With its stirring subject and powerful cast, Battle of Galwan is poised to be one of the most impactful cinematic tributes to Indias armed forces in recent years. The movie will star Chitrangada Singh alongside Salman Khan.

In an interview with PTI, Chitrangada Singh, while talking about Salman, shared, An actor can only do what is written in the script, and as actors you have to add something. Luckily, with Salman, there is a lot of improvising; he likes to improvise on set, so a lot of moments and things are improvised. Salman is a very big name, and I am trying to do my best."

In Battle of Galwan, Salman Khan will be seen in a rugged, battle-hardened avatar, one of his most intense roles in recent years. Meanwhile, next, Salman Khan is reportedly in talks with Malayalam director Mahesh Narayanan for an upcoming high-profile project.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:35 IST

News movies bollywood Battle Of Galwan Teaser To Drop On Salman Khans 60th Birthday: Report
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Husband Raj Nidimoru Picks Her Up At Airport After She Was Mobbed | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 23, 2025, 04:45 IST

Samantha Ruth Prabhu was spotted arriving in Mumbai as husband Raj Nidimoru came to pick her up days after she was mobbed during an event in Hyderabad.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Raj Nidimoru Make FIRST Appearance Together After Their Wedding

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has returned to Mumbai following a brief work commitment in Hyderabad, and her airport arrival quickly caught the attention of the paparazzi. Much to their delight, the actress was picked up by her husband, filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, who had come to receive her at the airport.

As Samantha exited the terminal, she was seen smiling the moment she spotted Raj waiting for her in his car. The actress briefly acknowledged the photographers with a warm smile before settling into the vehicle and heading home. The calm and composed airport moment stood in sharp contrast to the distressing visuals that surfaced just days earlier from Hyderabad.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu Mobbed During Hyderabad Appearance

Before her return to Mumbai, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was reportedly mobbed while stepping out for a work-related commitment in Hyderabad. Videos from the incident, which have since gone viral on social media, show a large crowd gathering around the actress, leading to chaos at the venue.

In the clip, Samantha is seen struggling to move through the crowd as her security personnel attempt to shield her and guide her towards her car. The actress appeared visibly restrained as security held her arms to ensure she could safely navigate through the crowd and exit the premises. The incident is said to have taken place when Samantha was present in Hyderabad for a store inauguration.

Despite the uncomfortable situation, Samantha remained composed throughout the ordeal. She has not made any public comment about the mobbing incident so far, choosing to maintain silence even as the videos continue to circulate online.

The mobbing incident involving Samantha has once again brought attention to crowd management issues at celebrity events. Recently, the Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB) police registered a suo motu case against Lulu Mall management and the organisers of a promotional event after actor Nidhhi Agerwal was also mobbed by fans during a song launch.

Videos from that event show Nidhhi Agerwal surrounded by a dense crowd as fans attempted to take photographs and interact with her. The actor is seen struggling to move through the gathering as her personal space was repeatedly invaded.

KPHB Inspector S. Rajashekar Reddy confirmed that the organisers had failed to obtain prior permission for the event. He said, A case is being registered against the mall management and the event organisers for holding the programme without permission."

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 23, 2025, 04:45 IST

News movies bollywood Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Husband Raj Nidimoru Picks Her Up At Airport After She Was Mobbed | Watch
David Beckham, Wife Victoria Unfollow Son Brooklyn On Instagram As Family Feud Goes Public

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 07:58 IST

The Beckham family rift appears to deepen as David, Victoria and Brooklyn unfollow each other on Instagram, reigniting talk of long-running tensions.

Brooklyn Beckham Unfollows Parents Amid Ongoing Family Rift.

In celebrity families, silence often says more than statements. This week, it was Instagram activity  not interviews  that brought the long-rumoured tension within the Beckham household back into focus. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham no longer follow their eldest son, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham. Brooklyn, in turn, has unfollowed both of his parents, making the split visible to millions who track the famous family online.

The unfollowing goes beyond one relationship

The social media disconnect does not stop with Brooklyn. David and Victoria also do not follow Brooklyns wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, and she does not follow them either.

While the Beckhams continue to follow their younger sons, Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham, Brooklyn does not follow either brother, and they do not follow him back. The same pattern appears on Nicolas account.

Where the trouble reportedly began

According to multiple reports, the strain dates back to Brooklyn and Nicolas lavish wedding in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2022. What was presented publicly as a glamorous celebration later became the subject of ongoing speculation about behind-the-scenes tension.

One source told People that rumours of a disagreement between Victoria and Nicola over the bridal gown were real." However, another insider insisted that focusing only on the dress was far from the truth" and ignored broader issues within the family dynamic.

Another report claimed tensions escalated during the wedding celebrations when Victoria allegedly hijacked" a special dance planned for Brooklyn and Nicola during a performance by Marc Anthony, which had been arranged as a gift for the couple.

Birthday absence adds fuel to speculation

The recent Instagram unfollowing reportedly followed Brooklyn and Nicolas absence from David Beckhams 50th birthday celebration in London earlier this year. Despite being invited, the couple did not attend the event, which was joined by Victoria, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

Some reports linked their absence to Romeos girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, who was rumoured to have had a past romantic connection with Brooklyn. That speculation was later shut down by Cruz, who responded to an Instagram comment by stating, Brooklyn and Kim never dated."

Social media posts hint at deeper emotions

Subtle posts have added to the sense of distance. Brooklyn recently shared a video of himself riding a motorcycle with Nicola, writing that he would always choose" her. Hours later, Cruz posted a family photograph, calling David and Victoria a blessing" and thanking them for always caring for their children.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 07:58 IST

News movies hollywood David Beckham, Wife Victoria Unfollow Son Brooklyn On Instagram As Family Feud Goes Public
The Odyssey Trailer: Matt Damon Battles Monsters In Christopher Nolans Epic Journey Home

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 22:00 IST

The Odyssey Trailer: Christopher Nolan unveils the first teaser of The Odyssey, with Matt Damon leading a perilous journey home after war, facing monsters, myths and destiny.

Matt Damon as Odysseus and Tom Holland as Telemachus in Christopher Nolans The Odyssey.

Universal Pictures has unveiled the first teaser trailer for The Odyssey, Christopher Nolans long-awaited cinematic adaptation of Homers timeless Greek epic. Led by Matt Damon in the titular role, the film promises a sweeping, large-scale retelling of the legendary warriors perilous journey home following the Trojan War.

Damon portrays Odysseus, the battle-hardened hero whose return to Ithaca is delayed by fate, monsters and the wrath of the gods. Universal had earlier shared a striking first-look image of Damon in costume in February, instantly sparking anticipation among fans of both Nolan and classical mythology. The film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyongo, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo, among others. Nolan has written and directed the film and is producing it alongside his longtime collaborator and wife, Emma Thomas.

The teaser offers a glimpse into Odysseus treacherous voyage, opening with scenes of his army shipwrecked and scattered far from home. The visuals show the hero walking across harsh landscapes, sailing across stormy seas and navigating dark, cavernous spaces where danger lurks in the shadows. One chilling moment teases an enormous, unseen beast emerging from darkness, underlining the mythic scale of the story.

The trailer also revisits the Trojan War through brief shots of Odysseus and his men hidden inside the iconic Trojan horse imagery that was previously teased in a six-minute preview screened before IMAX 70mm showings of Sinners and One Battle After Another. Fleeting yet impactful shots introduce Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus son, and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, the steadfast wife waiting for her husbands return.

Nolans Vision And A Global IMAX Spectacle

Universal previously revealed that The Odyssey is being shot across the world using brand new Imax film technology," underscoring Nolans commitment to pushing cinematic boundaries. At CinemaCon, Universal executive Jim Orr described the film as a visionary, once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would quite likely be proud of."

Actor John Leguizamo, who also stars in the film, recently highlighted Nolans distinctive working style, saying, Hes not doing it by committee, hes not doing it by what the studio says." He added, Hes like an indie filmmaker but with crazy money."

Following the massive success of Oppenheimer, which won seven Oscars in 2024, Nolan has once again set expectations high. Reflecting on his creative process, the filmmaker earlier said, Whatever I do, I have to feel like I own it completely. I have to make it original to me: The initial seed of an idea may come from elsewhere, but it has to go through my fingers on a keyboard and come out through my eyes alone."

The Odyssey is set to arrive in theatres worldwide on July 17.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 22, 2025, 22:00 IST

News movies hollywood The Odyssey Trailer: Matt Damon Battles Monsters In Christopher Nolans Epic Journey Home
Bigg Boss 19 Winner Gaurav Khannas YouTube Channel Is Back After 24-Hour Termination

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 23, 2025, 00:08 IST

Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna announces his YouTube channel is back after being terminated within 24 hours, urging fans to watch his unfiltered vlogs.

Gaurav Khanna lifted the Bigg Boss 19 trophy on December 7.

Television actor and Bigg Boss 19 winner Gaurav Khanna has some good news for his fans. Days after his newly launched YouTube channel was abruptly terminated within 24 hours, the actor has finally regained access to it  a development he described as both emotional and rewarding.

Gaurav, who shot to massive popularity after winning the Salman Khanhosted reality show on December 7, 2025, had launched his YouTube channel on the advice of fellow creator Mridul Tiwari. However, the channel was taken down within a day, leaving fans disappointed. Now, the Anupamaa actor has confirmed that the issue has been resolved and the channel is officially live again.

Sharing the update through an Instagram story, Gaurav posted a video of himself, visibly happy, as he personally informed fans about the development and invited them to check out his vlogs.

My YouTube Channel Is Again Live"

In the video shared on Instagram, Gaurav said, Hello everyone, I want to share good news with you. I know many people know about it, but I wanted to tell you personally. Hence, my YouTube channel is again live. I knew it would happen, but it took time due to holidays. Despite all the hurdles, the channel is back on YouTube. I never stopped. I kept making vlogs."

Encouraging fans to support his content, he added, Hence, just visit my channel and shower your love on my videos. I promise, you will get to see unfiltered Gaurav on my channel."

He captioned the story in Hindi, writing, Dekho channel wapas aa gaya." The announcement was met with excitement from fans, many of whom had been eagerly waiting for updates since the channels sudden termination.

Responding To Criticism After Bigg Boss 19 Win

While Gaurav Khannas Bigg Boss 19 victory was widely celebrated, it also attracted criticism from a section of social media users who labelled him an undeserving" winner. Addressing the backlash in an interview with Zoom/Telly Talk India, the actor made it clear that he believes actions speak louder than words.

Gaurav said, I didnt respond to Farrhana during the show. Im not the kind of person who answers with words. My actions speak louder than my words. I kept doing my work, and my goal was never to please those 15 people or get a checkmark in their register for what I did."

He further added, The audience outside, the 150 crore viewers, thats who I wanted to make a place in their hearts. And thats what this show isall wins and losses are decided by the audience. So if the audience chose me, they voted for me; personally, I dont even know anyone there."

During his time inside the Bigg Boss 19 house, Gaurav formed strong bonds with contestants such as Pranit More, Mridul Tiwari, Ashnoor Kaur, Abhishek Bajaj and Awez Darbar.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 23, 2025, 00:08 IST

News movies television Bigg Boss 19 Winner Gaurav Khannas YouTube Channel Is Back After 24-Hour Termination
Opinion | A Thaw With Caveats: Why India Must Read Chinas Visa Overture Carefully

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 20:45 IST

Beijings simplified visa regime signals economic pragmatism but New Delhi should balance engagement with strategic vigilance.

A signboard is seen from the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, 2009. (REUTERS)

After five years of diplomatic frost following the 2020 Galwan clash, Beijing and New Delhi appear to be inching cautiously towards a limited normalisation of economic ties. Chinas decision to allow Indian nationals to apply for visas online from December 22, coupled with the resumption of direct flights in October, is being projected as a confidence-building measure aimed at tapping Indias booming outbound travel market. But while the move has immediate economic logic, India would do well to approach this overture with realism rather than romanticism.

On the surface, Chinas move makes commercial sense. Indias outbound travel market, valued at US$21.6 billion last year and projected to nearly triple by 2033, represents a lucrative opportunity at a time when Chinas own services sector is struggling to regain pre-pandemic momentum. Before relations soured, Indian tourism to China was growing at a healthy pace, with 142,000 visitors in 2019 alone. Beijing wants that flow back, and fast.

The easing of visa procedures, though not a full visa-free regime, signals Chinas broader recalibration since 2023, when it began liberalising entry rules for dozens of countries to revive inbound tourism. In this context, India is not being treated as a strategic equal but as an economic resource. Victor Gaos remark that granting more flexibility to Indians would be highly appreciated" is telling; appreciation here is expected to translate into spending, business engagement, and renewed trade asymmetry.

And asymmetry remains the operative word. Chinas exports to India touched a 10-year high of US$113.46 billion in FY 2024-25, while Indian exports to China stood at a modest US$14.24 billion. This yawning trade imbalance has long been a sore point in bilateral relations, exacerbated by Beijings non-tariff barriers against Indian pharmaceuticals, IT services, and agricultural products. Easier travel may grease the wheels of commerce, but it does not automatically level the playing field.

From Indias perspective, simplified visas are undeniably attractive. Indian travellers face restrictive visa regimes across much of the developed world, making destinations with easier entry rules more appealing to the aspirational middle class. Business travel, too, stands to gain. As analysts note, Indian entrepreneurs seeking to integrate into global supply chains cannot entirely bypass China, which remains a manufacturing and logistics hub despite Western efforts at diversification.

Yet herein lies the strategic dilemma. Engagement with China is economically unavoidable, but strategic trust remains elusive. The Line of Actual Control is still unsettled; disengagement talks have reduced friction but not resolved the underlying dispute. Beijings pattern economic outreach paired with strategic assertiveness has been visible across Asia, from the South China Sea to the Himalayas. Visa liberalisation should be read not as reconciliation, but as tactical pragmatism.

New Delhi, therefore, must pursue a calibrated response. Encouraging people-to-people contact and business travel can serve Indias economic interests, especially if Indian firms leverage access to understand Chinese markets and supply chains better. At the same time, India should press for reciprocal concessions: greater market access, reduced trade barriers, and transparency for Indian professionals operating in China.

Most importantly, India must resist the temptation to equate economic engagement with strategic detente. The Modi governments post-2020 approach combining firm military posture with selective economic interaction remains the correct template. Simplified visas may thaw one layer of the freeze, but the deeper ice of geopolitical rivalry remains intact.

In the end, Chinas visa move is less about friendship and more about necessity. India should welcome the opportunity, but with eyes wide open and terms firmly its own.

The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 20:45 IST

News opinion Opinion | A Thaw With Caveats: Why India Must Read Chinas Visa Overture Carefully

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Charari Sharief: The Epicentre Of Sufism In Kashmir

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 18:58 IST

As the epicentre of Sufism in Jammu & Kashmir, Charari Sharief continues to inspire, educate, and guide generations

Rapid Read

Today, Charari Sharief is more than just a geographic location. (File)

Charari Sharief, a name that resonates with spiritual reverence, historical significance, and cultural depth, stands as a living testament to the rich Sufi heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.

Nestled amid the serene landscape of Budgam district, this sacred town has long been associated with the teachings, life, and legacy of the great saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali, popularly known as Sheikh Ul Alam (RA).

Today, Charari Sharief is more than just a geographic location  its a symbol of devotion, tolerance, and spiritual learning that continues to inspire millions.

Origins and Significance

The name Charari Sharief derives from two words: Char, meaning a place chosen for a specific purpose, and Waan, meaning jungle. This combination reflects the choice of Sheikh Ul Alam (RA) in selecting this secluded, tranquil area as a sanctuary for spiritual contemplation, prayer, and teaching. The saints vision was to establish a space where seekers of truth could immerse themselves in meditation, learn the principles of Islam, and practise the art of self-purification.

Over the centuries, this humble patch of land has transformed into a thriving hub of spirituality. Charari Sharief today draws thousands of devotees, pilgrims, scholars, and tourists, especially on Thursdays, the day dedicated to the remembrance of saints in Kashmirs Islamic tradition. The continuous influx of people from diverse backgrounds has created a unique confluence of cultures, languages, and traditions, blending seamlessly with the spiritual ethos of Sufism.

The Guiding Light

The spiritual and cultural prominence of Charari Sharief is inseparable from the life and teachings of Sheikh Ul Alam (RA). Born in the 14th century, the saints philosophy was rooted in simplicity, compassion, and devotion. He emphasised the importance of inner purification, service to humanity, and love for God as the ultimate path to enlightenment. Sheikh Ul Alams teachings transcended rigid doctrinal boundaries, allowing followers from different sects and backgrounds to gather around him in pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth.

Historical records indicate that Charari Sharief became the epicentre of learning, attracting philosophers, scholars, and seekers of wisdom from across the region. These individuals were drawn to the saint not merely for his spiritual insight, but also for his profound sagacity, humanistic outlook, and ability to harmonise mystical experience with everyday life. It was here, in the serene environs of Charari Sharief, that Sufism in Kashmir found one of its most powerful expressions, influencing not only religious thought but also art, poetry, and culture.

The Cultural Mosaic

Charari Sharief is more than a shrine; it is a vibrant cultural hub where spirituality and tradition coexist in harmony. Every Thursday, the town comes alive with devotees from various walks of life, all seeking blessings and spiritual solace. The gatherings are not just acts of devotionthey are celebrations of shared human experience, blending rituals, prayers, and music in a way that reflects the inclusive nature of Sufism.

The fusion of culture, belief, language, and tradition has become a defining characteristic of Charari Sharief. Local customs, folk music, and spiritual poetryespecially the local verses and mystical songs inspired by the saintare interwoven into daily life, creating a living tapestry of devotion. Visitors often note the sense of calm and harmony that pervades the town, a direct reflection of Shiekh Ul Alams teachings on love, humility, and the interconnectedness of all beings.

Sufism and Rishism

Charari Sharief holds a unique place in the spiritual geography of Kashmir because it embodies the essence of Sufism alongside the practice of Rishism  the ascetic tradition of mystical contemplation. While Sufism emphasises devotion, love for God, and service to humanity, Rishism provides a framework for self-discipline, meditation, and detachment from material concerns. Together, these spiritual paths formed a cohesive environment where seekers could pursue holistic development of mind, body, and soul.

Historical accounts describe Charari Sharief as a hub for multiple Sufi schools of thought, each contributing to the rich spiritual discourse that has shaped Kashmiri culture. Scholars and philosophers would gather around Sheikh Ul Alam (RA) not only to learn religious teachings but also to debate ethical principles, explore metaphysical questions, and refine their understanding of human nature. This intellectual vibrancy makes Charari Sharief a magnet for spiritual seekers and thinkers alike.

Pilgrimage and Devotion

The annual Urs (death anniversary) of Sheikh Ul Alam is one of the most significant events in Charari Sharief. Devotees from across Jammu & Kashmir and beyond converge at the shrine to pay homage, participate in prayers, and engage in spiritual discourses. The rituals include recitations from the Quran, devotional songs (naats), and public sermons that echo the saints message of love, peace, and communal harmony.

The significance of Charari Sharief extends beyond the religious domain. The town has become a symbol of Kashmirs spiritual identity, attracting scholars, poets, and cultural enthusiasts who seek to understand the regions unique synthesis of faith, philosophy, and art. It is also an educational centre where spiritual values are imparted to younger generations, ensuring the continuity of Sufi traditions in modern times.

Contemporary World

Even today, Charari Sharief maintains its relevance by adapting Sufi principles to contemporary issues. Spiritual leaders in the town emphasise the importance of ethical living, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship  principles that resonate deeply in todays rapidly changing world. Devotees often engage in community service, charitable work, and initiatives aimed at social welfare, embodying the Sufi ideal of khidmat-e-khalq (service to humanity).

The towns spiritual influence also extends to literature, music, and local arts. Poets and musicians draw inspiration from Sheikh Ul Alams life and teachings, creating works that celebrate the harmony between the divine and human experience. These artistic expressions not only preserve the regions cultural heritage but also provide a medium for dialogue, understanding, and communal cohesion.

Conclusion

Charari Sharief stands as an enduring symbol of Sufisms power to shape hearts, minds, and societies. It is a place where spirituality is lived, culture is celebrated, and learning is revered. From the humble selection of a forested patch of land by Sheikh Ul Alam (RA) to its present-day status as a hub of devotion and scholarship, Charari Sharief exemplifies the transformative power of faith, wisdom, and compassion.

In an age marked by division and unrest, Charari Sharief reminds us of the timeless values of tolerance, love, and human dignity. It is not just the spiritual heart of Kashmir but also a beacon for all who seek knowledge, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of the human soul. As the epicentre of Sufism in Jammu & Kashmir, Charari Sharief continues to inspire, educate, and guide generations, keeping alive the luminous legacy of Sheikh Ul Alam (RA) for centuries to come.

The author is Editor, Brighter Kashmir, author, TV commentator, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 18:58 IST

News opinion Opinion | Charari Sharief: The Epicentre Of Sufism In Kashmir

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Debunking The Aravalli Fakery: It Is About Protection Not Plunder

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:10 IST

The Aravallis span across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi and have long suffered from inconsistent definitions across states, fuelling illegal mining

Rapid Read

The Aravallis stand as a testament to India's enduring natural heritage. (File Pic)

In the echo chambers of social media and opposition rhetoric, the Aravalli Hills have become the latest casualty of a manufactured outrage. A Supreme Court ruling on November 20, 2025, adopting a uniform definition for the range, has been deliberately twisted into a narrative of eco-destruction" and a death warrant" for 90% of these ancient hills. But strip away the hyperbole, and the facts reveal a different story: this isnt plunder but protection.

Lets start with the truth behind the ruling. The Aravallis span across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi and have long suffered from inconsistent definitions across states, fuelling illegal mining. A petition on this dates back to 1985, highlighting unchecked exploitation. In May 2024, the Supreme Court formed a committee under the Union Environment Ministry to standardise the definition, ensuring uniform norms in all four states and 39 districts. The panel, including state forest secretaries and experts from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and Geological Survey of India (GSI), recommended that only elevations rising 100 metres above local terrainor clusters within 500 metresqualify as Aravalli hills or ranges.

This isnt a new loophole" concocted by the Modi government. Its rooted in a definition established under Ashok Gehlots Congress regime, based on a 2002 committee report and Richard Muffs 1968 landform classification. The SC order extends this uniformly, adding safeguards like mandatory mapping on Survey of India toposheets before any mining consideration, and prohibiting activities in inviolate zones" such as protected areas, eco-sensitive zones (ESZs), tiger corridors, and Ramsar wetlands.

Fact-checking the core lie: Propagandists claim the 100-metre threshold excludes 90% of the range, exposing it to mining. False. This misinterprets the rule as applying only to the top 100 metres." In reality, it protects the entire hill structurefrom base to peak and subsurfaceplus connecting lowlands in ranges. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has repeatedly clarified: There are no relaxations. Over 90% of the Aravalli region remains protected." Analysis of Aravalli districts shows the total area at 1.44 lakh sq km, with only 277.89 sq km (0.19%) under legal mining leases90% in Rajasthan, 9% in Gujarat, 1% in Haryana, and zero in Delhi. No new leases can be granted until the ministry, via the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), prepares a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for each district, incorporating cumulative impact assessments and restoration priorities. Existing mines must comply with stringent sustainable practices, including phased reclamation, wildlife plans, and six-monthly audits. The SC order is no automatic okay for mining to start in Aravalli!

Now, the track record of those spreading fakery. Congress #SaveAravalli" crusade is rich with irony. During Ashok Gehlots tenures (1998-2003, 2008-2013, 2018-2023), illegal mining flourished despite SC bans. A 2018 report flagged unabated activities in Rajasthan, with mafias denuding hills. Under Congress-led central and state governments in 2009, the SC imposed a blanket mining ban due to rampant exploitation. Guess who opposed it? Gehlot government! Also, enforcement was abysmal31 hills vanished in Rajasthan over decades, per court records. Gehlot govt definition was a start, but without teeth: no uniform mapping, no inviolate zones, and lax monitoring allowed over-exploitation. What Congress is doing isnt activismits opportunism, using the hills as a political ground.

Contrast this with the Modi governments record. The Aravalli Green Wall Project, launched under PM Modi, restores forests along the range, including seed-ball campaigns in Gujarat. Under this initiative, the government has committed to establishing more than 20 new forest reserve areas across the Aravalli range, designating additional reserved and protected zones to bolster biodiversity hotspots. Crackdowns on illegal mining in ESZs, funds for afforestation via the National Mission for a Green India, and the MPSM mandate ensure science-driven sustainability. The Modi administration has also intensified enforcement through the Green Aravalli movement, which includes large-scale planting drives and community involvement to prevent desertification, while rejecting baseless charges of favouring mining by emphasising that the new definition actually limits activities and enhances overall conservation efforts. Moreoverdrone surveillance, district task forces, AI for illegal mining prevention, and reclamation of abandoned sites are adding teeth to enforcement. No mining in Delhis districts, and over 20 reserves/protected areas are totally shielded. As Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav notes, protections have increased since Modi government has taken office, not weakened.

The Aravallis woesillegal mining, urbanisation, groundwater overdrawpredate this ruling and Modi government.

Ashok Gehlots era botched enforcement; but PM Modis government unifies and fortifies it. The Aravallis arent doomedtheyre more secure with 90% protected and mining capped at 0.19%. *In fact, recent government reports highlight successful seizures of illegal mining equipment and arrests of over 500 violators in Rajasthan alone this year, underscoring the Centres proactive stance against unregulated exploitation.*

Ultimately, the Aravallis stand as a testament to Indias enduring natural heritage, and safeguarding them requires unity beyond political divides. By prioritising science, enforcement, and restoration, the Modi government is not just protecting these hills but ensuring a greener, more resilient future for generations to come. Let facts prevail over fakeryits time to celebrate real progress and commit to collective stewardship, turning outrage into action for a truly sustainable India.

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.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:10 IST

News opinion Opinion | Debunking The Aravalli Fakery: It Is About Protection Not Plunder

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Decoding Modi's Triumphant Three-Nation Tour Beyond MoUs

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 14:11 IST

The awards bestowed upon PM Modi are a sign of global recognition of India's rise under his stewardship

Rapid Read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II for a tour of The Jordan Museum in Amman, praising Jordans rich heritage during his state visit. (Image X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation tour from December 15 to 18, 2025, visiting Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman.

This strategic journey underscored Indias commitment to fostering deeper ties with key partners in West Asia and Africa, regions pivotal to global stability, economic growth and cultural exchange.

The tour, marked by high-level engagements, historic milestones and tangible agreements, highlighted Modis visionary leadership in elevating Indias global stature. By focusing on shared values, mutual prosperity and collaborative progress, the visits yielded a plethora of positive outcomes, from economic partnerships to strategic alliances, benefiting not only India but also the host nations.

The tour commenced in Amman, Jordan, on December 15, where PM Modi was warmly received, setting a tone of camaraderie and respect. This visit coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan, a milestone that amplified the significance of the engagements. Modis interactions with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein were characterized by profound discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation, reflecting the deep-rooted civilizational ties that bind the two nations.

The leaders reviewed the full spectrum of their relationship, from political stability to economic collaboration, paving the way for a more robust partnership. One of the standout achievements was the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), each designed to propel forward-looking initiatives.

The first focused on technical cooperation in new and renewable energy, harnessing Jordans solar potential and Indias expertise in sustainable technologies to drive clean energy projects. This agreement positions both countries as leaders in the global shift toward renewables, reducing carbon footprints and creating jobs in green sectors. Another MoU addressed water resources management, sharing best practices in conservation and desalination, crucial for arid regions like Jordan and parts of India. These pacts not only address environmental challenges but also foster innovation and technology transfer, benefiting local communities through improved resource efficiency.

Cultural exchanges were equally emphasised, with a twinning agreement between Jordans iconic Petra and Indias Ellora Caves. This initiative promotes tourism and heritage preservation, allowing for joint conservation efforts and cultural festivals that showcase the architectural marvels of both civilisations. The renewal of the cultural exchange programme for 2025-2029 ensures ongoing collaborations in arts, education and people-to-people connections, enriching the cultural tapestry of both nations. Additionally, a letter of intent on sharing digital solutions supports Jordans digital transformation, leveraging Indias prowess in e-governance and inclusive technologies to enhance public services and economic inclusion. Economically, the visit reinforced a thriving trade relationship valued at $2.8 billion annually, with ambitions to double it to $5 billion within five years.

Jordans exports of phosphates, phosphoric acid and potash are vital for Indias fertiliser industry, exemplified by the Jordan-India Fertiliser Company (JIFCO) joint venture, worth over $860 million. Indian investments in Jordans textile sector, particularly in Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs), have generated employment and boosted manufacturing capabilities. India, in turn, supplies electrical machinery, cereals, frozen meat, chemicals and automotive parts, creating a balanced trade ecosystem that supports food security and industrial growth in Jordan.

The Indian diaspora in Jordan, numbering around 17,500, played a pivotal role during the visit. Modis address to the community highlighted their contributions to sectors like textiles, construction and manufacturing, fostering goodwill and economic linkages. Educational ties were strengthened through scholarships and exchanges, while visa-on-arrival facilities for Indian tourists and direct flights have spurred tourism, with Indians exploring Jordans historical sites and Jordanians experiencing Indias diverse landscapes.

Strategically, the discussions on counter-terrorism, defence and security, underscored shared commitments to peace and stability in West Asia. Jordans role as a stable ally aligns with Indias interests in regional harmony, leading to enhanced cooperation in intelligence sharing and joint training programmes. A rare diplomatic gesture saw Jordans Crown Prince driving Modi during a museum tour, symbolising the personal warmth and trust between the leaders. Overall, the Jordan leg of the tour solidified a partnership built on trust, innovation and mutual benefit, setting a foundation for long-term prosperity.

Prime Minister Modis arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on December 16, marked a historic moment  the first visit by an Indian PM since 2011. This leg of the tour was imbued with symbolism, as Ethiopia hosts the African Union headquarters, aligning perfectly with Indias advocacy for the Global South. Modis engagements with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali were comprehensive, focusing on elevating bilateral relations to new heights. The conferment of the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, the nations highest civilian award, upon Modi was a testament to the respect and admiration for Indias developmental model and his personal leadership. A key achievement was the formal elevation of India-Ethiopia ties to a strategic partnership, underpinned by the signing of eight agreements and MoUs. These cover diverse areas such as trade facilitation, investment promotion, capacity building and technological collaboration, ensuring a multifaceted approach to growth. The strategic partnership framework opens doors for joint ventures in infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare, leveraging Ethiopias rapid economic expansion and Indias technological advancements.

Economically, Indias position as one of the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia was celebrated, with over 650 Indian companies investing $6.5 billion across manufacturing, agriculture, floriculture, engineering and pharmaceuticals. This investment has created thousands of jobs, boosted local industries and contributed to Ethiopias GDP growth. Bilateral trade has flourished, with India exporting pharmaceuticals, steel, machinery and textiles, essential for Ethiopias health and industrial sectors, while importing pulses, oilseeds, spices and leather, supporting Indias food processing and fashion industries. Over $1 billion in concessional lines of credit from India have funded critical projects in power transmission and the sugar industry, enhancing energy access and agricultural productivity in Ethiopia.

Modis address to a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament was a highlight, where he shared insights on Indias democratic journey and the value of partnerships in the Global South. This not only inspired lawmakers but also reinforced Indias role as a bridge-builder in international forums, especially following the African Unions inclusion in the G20, under Indias presidency in 2023. The discussions explored enhanced cooperation in global arenas, amplifying the voices of developing nations on issues like climate change and sustainable development.

Cultural and historical bonds, spanning over 2000 years, were revitalised during the visit. Indias contributions to Ethiopias education system, through thousands of Indian teachers, professors, scholarships and technical training under programmes like ITEC and the Pan-African e-Network, have empowered generations. The Indian diaspora in Ethiopia, though smaller, was engaged, with Modi acknowledging their role in fostering goodwill and economic ties. Strategically, the visit anchored Indias broader Africa outreach, positioning Ethiopia as a gateway for economic and geopolitical engagement. Collaborations in capacity building, from vocational training to digital infrastructure, promise to uplift communities and drive inclusive growth. The outcomes of this leg exemplify how strategic partnerships can translate into tangible benefits, such as improved healthcare through affordable Indian pharmaceuticals and agricultural advancements via shared expertise. Modis visit to Ethiopia not only strengthened bilateral relations but also amplified Indias influence in Africa, paving the way for collaborative progress and mutual empowerment.

The final leg of the tour took Modi to Muscat, Oman, on December 17, where he was honoured with the Order of Oman, the Sultanates highest civilian award, taking his impressive tally of 28 international accolades to 29. This visit, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations, built on the strong foundation laid during the Omani Sultans state visit to India in 2023. Engagements with Omani leadership reviewed the strategic partnership established in 2008, encompassing trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, reflecting a holistic approach to bilateral growth. A monumental achievement was the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which eliminates or reduces tariffs on goods, simplifies services trade and promotes investments. This pact is poised to skyrocket bilateral trade, already at $10.61 billion in FY 2024-2025, by facilitating easier market access and reducing costs for businesses.

Indias exports to Oman, including mineral fuels, chemicals, precious metals, iron and steel, cereals, ships, electrical machinery, tea, coffee, spices, apparel and food items, will gain a competitive edge, while imports of crude oil, LNG, urea, chemicals, and aluminium products, constituting over 70% of energy and fertilisers, ensure Indias energy security. An MoU linking Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Omans Thawani app enhances financial connectivity, enabling seamless cross-border transactions and supporting the large Indian expatriate community of around 700,000. This digital integration fosters economic inclusion and boosts remittances, benefiting families in both countries.

The Oman-India Joint Investment Fund further encourages strategic investments, while Indias interest in developing ports like Duqm, Sohar, and Salalah, along with the SAGE undersea gas pipeline project, promises infrastructure advancements and energy diversification. Over 6000 Indo-Omani joint ventures, with $7.5 billion in investments, highlight the economic synergy, creating employment and technological spillovers. The Indian community in Oman, integral to the economy, was addressed by Modi, who praised their contributions to development and cultural harmony. Deep socio-cultural bonds, evidenced by ancient Hindu temples and historical maritime trade routes, were celebrated, reinforcing people-to-people ties.

Strategically, Oman stands as Indias closest defence partner in the Gulf, with joint exercises like Al Najah (Army), Eastern Bridge (Air Force) and Naseem Al Bahr (Navy) enhancing interoperability. Indias access to Duqm Port for military logistics and naval maintenance bolsters maritime security, combating piracy and protecting sea lanes. Omans strategic location at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz is crucial for Indias energy imports, ensuring stable supplies and regional stability. The Oman visit exemplified how historical friendships can evolve into dynamic partnerships, yielding economic dividends, strategic depth and cultural enrichment for both nations.

Prime Minister Modis three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman was a resounding success, weaving a new tapestry of influence across West Asia and Africa. Through commemorative milestones, groundbreaking agreements and heartfelt engagements, the visit achieved remarkable positives: elevated strategic partnerships, boosted economic ties and strengthened cultural bonds. Trade volumes are set to surge, investments will flow more freely and collaborative initiatives in energy, technology and security will yield long-term benefits.

The awards bestowed upon PM Modi reflect global recognition of Indias rise under his stewardship, while the diasporas role underscores the human element of diplomacy. Looking ahead, these achievements position India as a pivotal player in global affairs, fostering stability, growth and innovation.

The tour not only enhanced bilateral relations but also contributed to broader goals like sustainable development and peace, promising a future of mutual prosperity for all involved nations. With such positive momentum, the bonds forged during this historic journey by Prime Minister Modi, will undoubtedly inspire further collaborations and shared successes.

Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP and Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit". Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 14:10 IST

News opinion Opinion | Decoding Modi's Triumphant Three-Nation Tour Beyond MoUs

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Indias Cooling Dilemma: Efficiency, Equity & The Energy Equation

Written By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:46 IST

The task ahead is clear: Indias space cooling future must not become its warming fate

Rapid Read

India constructs nearly 15 million new homes every year, yet most still follow designs that trap heat instead of deflecting it.

India is cooling faster than it can afford and warming faster than it can survive. Our growth story has long been told through the symbols of its rising comfort: air conditioners humming in middle-class households, glass-towered sealed against the heat, and fans spinning over crowded public infrastructure. Yet, behind the rising comfort lies a quiet paradox: the more India cools, the more it warms. As heatwaves become increasingly prolonged and nights fail to cool, the rapidly growing demand for residential cooling is becoming both a social necessity and an environmental dilemma.

In 2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that Indias power demand for just air conditioners could potentially exceed Africas total electricity consumption by 2050. Air conditioner ownership in India has increased three-fold since 2010, reaching 24 units per 100 households, due to rising temperatures. Meanwhile, electricity consumption resulting from space cooling has increased by 21 per cent between 2019 and 2022. This reflects both a growing aspiration and a survival response to climate stress. As thermal comfort becomes a marker of both progress and protection, its benefits remain deeply uneven.

For instance, state-level surveys show a large variation in access to cooling appliances. While northern states like Punjab and Gujarat have higher shares of households with coolers or ACs, eastern states such as Bihar and West Bengal belong to the group with the lowest shares. This divergence between the needs of the people and access to resources creates thermal inequality", a gap that underscores Indias broader inequities in health, housing, and infrastructure. Its consequences are not merely about discomfort but about health and survival. The poorest households, often living in densely populated and poorly ventilated structures, face heightened risks of heat stroke, dehydration, indoor air pollution, and productivity loss. In many of Delhis informal settlements, indoor temperatures routinely exceed outdoor temperatures by 4-6C, turning small tin and concrete rooms into dangerous heat traps for families with limited financial means to purchase modern, low-carbon comfort. Addressing thermal inequality demands coordinated steps that expand efficient thermal protection and improve climate-sensitive housing for heat-vulnerable households.

The Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundations report, Optimal Cooling Pathways for India", projects that Indias residential cooling emissions could double by 2037 under a business-as-usual scenario, surpassing 700 million tonnes of CO. This finding reveals that Indias indoor heating challenge is not technical but institutionalthe real constraint lies in coordination rather than capability. Recognising this gap, India introduced the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) in 2019 to provide a unified framework for sustainable and equitable cooling. However, without accountability and rigorous institutional convergence, even the most ambitious frameworks risk remaining on paper. The objective is to reframe the concept of thermal comfort as a public good, an element of basic infrastructure akin to sanitation or clean water. Just as energy access was treated as a national mission through Saubhagya, thermal comfort must be recognised as a productivity imperative.

Translating that vision into reality requires a hierarchy of action:

The first step is to focus on how homes are built, not what is plugged into them. India constructs nearly 15 million new homes every year, yet most still follow designs that trap heat instead of deflecting it. A study conducted by researchers in the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, finds that simple interventions, such as cool roofs and shaded facades, can lower indoor temperatures by 4-6C and reduce energy use by 20-25 per cent. States like Telangana and Gujarat have already piloted Cool Roof" programmes with measurable success. Hyderabad alone has installed over 300,000 square metres of reflective roofing since 2020. Replicating such initiatives through mandatory cool-roof codes, led jointly by MoHUA and state housing boards, could institutionalise climate-smart design. This could be the ideal pathway to begin with, as such design reforms are low-cost and yield larger public health benefits.

The second priority is to transform the thermal comfort market from an awareness-driven to an affordability-driven approach. CLASP Indias analysis shows that bulk procurement and targeted incentive models could reduce inverter-AC prices by 5-15 per cent. Embedding such efficiency targets into the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme could accelerate domestic manufacturing of high-efficiency components. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), in collaboration with DISCOMs, could pilot state-level Efficient AC-Missions" to subsidise top-rated models for lower and middle-income households. This coordinated procurement and subsidy model can make efficiency a mass product rather than a luxury preference.

Finally, indoor cooling demand must be decoupled from carbon intensity. If even 20 per cent of Indias urban households were to install small 2-3 kW rooftop systems, daytime loads could be met almost entirely through solar power, saving an estimated 15 million tonnes of CO annually. States like Gujarat and Maharashtra have successfully adopted net-metering models. These could be evolved into Solar-Cooling Corridors" in integrated urban clusters where thermal comfort and renewables are co-planned to balance grid stress. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and state nodal agencies could jointly design this framework under Indias Renewable Energy Mission.

None of these interventions can succeed without institutional coherence. Thermal comfort regulations in India are currently spread across multiple ministries, lacking unified accountability. What could bridge this gap is the creation of a National Coordination Task Force, co-chaired by MoHUA and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, which would align mandates, coordinate funding flows, and ensure that national emission-reduction targets translate into state-level enforcement and measurable outcomes. Such a task force is administratively feasible, as India already operates inter-ministerial platforms, such as the National Clean Air Programme, which successfully aligns ministries and states under shared targets. Extending this model would build on an existing culture of coordination.

It is only through coherence as such that India can transform its space cooling efforts from a fragmented set of policy decisions into a national mission for equitable thermal comfort, one that cools without carbon, empowers without exclusion, and builds resilience for the heat yet to come. The task ahead is clear: Indias space cooling future must not become its warming fate.

Dr Megha Jain is Assistant Professor, Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi. Bishal Kalita is Research Assistant, Pahle India Foundation. 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.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:46 IST

News opinion Opinion | Indias Cooling Dilemma: Efficiency, Equity & The Energy Equation

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | US President Signs Peace Treaty With Marijuana. Is It Time India Took A Relook?

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 10:56 IST

While the Ministry of Ayush has acknowledged the growing interest in cannabis and its potential in medicinal applications, the regulatory framework in India remains cautious

Rapid Read

The government needs to liberalise the policy on medical cannabis as it can emerge as a cheap alternative for people unable to afford expensive medicines required for cancer treatment. (AP)

Signalling a ceasefire after decades of the War on Drugs", started by President Richard Nixon in 1971, declaring drug abuse public enemy number one" and shifting focus to law enforcement, interdiction, and strict prohibition, especially for cannabis, current President Donald Trump, on December 18, 2025, signed an Executive Order shifting marijuana, presently controlled under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), to Schedule III of the CSA.

The Executive Order states, Marijuana is currently controlled under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended to the Drug Enforcement Agency that marijuana be controlled under Schedule III of the CSA. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. Schedule III drugs are classified as having a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in Schedules I and II, a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a potential for moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence in the event of drug abuse."

The recommendation from HHS included a determination that medical marijuana has a currently accepted medical use. That determination was based, in part, on a finding by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health that more than 30,000 licensed healthcare practitioners across 43 United States jurisdictions are authorised to recommend the medical use of marijuana for more than six million registered patients to treat at least 15 medical conditions. It was also based on a finding by the FDA of credible scientific support to substantiate the use of marijuana in the treatment of pain, anorexia related to certain medical conditions, and nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse concurred with the FDAs recommendation that marijuana be rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA. In May 2024, the Department of Justice issued a proposed rule to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III. The proposed rule received nearly 43,000 public comments and is currently awaiting an administrative law hearing.

It is the policy of my administration to increase medical marijuana and CBD research to better inform patients and doctors. It is critical to close the gap between current medical marijuana and CBD use and medical knowledge of risks and benefits, including for specific populations and conditions. The Attorney General shall take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the CSA in the most expeditious manner in accordance with Federal law, including 21 U.S.C. 811".

The UN human rights chief has called on leaders and international stakeholders to radically rethink global drug policy, stating that the decades-long War on Drugs" approach has destroyed countless lives and damaged entire communities". Speaking at the Dealing with Drugs II conference held in Warsaw in December 2024, High Commissioner Volker Turk highlighted the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to drug regulation, pointing to record numbers of drug-related deaths and increasing drug use disorders.

During the decades after the proclamation of the War on Drugs", medical science has progressed by leaps and bounds and, borrowing from Ayurvedic science, has started affirming that marijuana, or cannabis, has innumerable unstudied medical properties. Medicinal cannabis (or medical marijuana) means using cannabis plants or their compounds (cannabinoids like THC & CBD) to treat symptoms or diseases, prescribed by doctors for conditions like chronic pain, nausea, muscle spasms, or appetite loss, focusing on therapeutic effects rather than getting high". It involves herbal cannabis or extracts, differing from recreational use and aiming to improve health by targeting specific symptoms, though research on its full safety and effectiveness is ongoing.

The landscape of medical cannabis has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. The transition from prohibition to medical recognition is shaped by interactions among scientific advancements, public perception and regulatory frameworks for its legalisation. Medical cannabis has now been recognised as a potential treatment for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

The top countries producing cannabis for medical and/or scientific purposes are Canada, the UK and Israel. Germany is home to one of the largest medical cannabis markets outside North America but depends exclusively on imports. Currently, 50 countries worldwide allow the use of medicinal cannabis. Its recreational use has been legalised in several countries. Israel is home to one of the biggest centrally regulated medical marijuana markets in the world.

Israeli universities, especially Hebrew University (HU) and Ben-Gurion University (BGU), are global leaders in medical cannabis research. The Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research (MCCR) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is engaged in exploring cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and medical cannabis across biology, chemistry, medicine, and technology.

On December 22, 2025, the news was that even the UAE has issued a Federal Decree permitting medical use of hemp. Hemp (Cannabis sativa), a plant of the family Cannabaceae, is cultivated for its bast fibre or edible seeds. Hemp is often confused with the cannabis plants that serve as sources of the drug marijuana and the drug preparation hashish. Although all three productshemp, marijuana, and hashishcontain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound that produces psychoactive effects in humans, the variety of cannabis cultivated for hemp has only small amounts of THC relative to that grown for the production of marijuana or hashish. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest-growing plants on Earth. This law not only establishes a new economic sector and supports sustainable economic development, but it also enables the use of hemp in several industries, including textiles, construction, and paper and packaging.

Where does India stand in the global race for harnessing the power of cannabis for medical purposes? The law in India distinguishes two types of cannabis productsGanja and Hashish. Several Indian states have legalised the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, especially for conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety. The legal framework for medical cannabis in India falls under the purview of the Ministry of AYUSH, which oversees traditional and alternative medicines, prominently Ayurveda.

The Cannabis Research Project of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, is the first of its kind in India under Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a Canadian firm. RVD University and Rajasthan Vidyapeeth are setting new standards for cannabis education in India. But India is lagging behind other countries and universities. The government needs to liberalise the policy on medical cannabis, as it can emerge as a cheap alternative for people unable to afford expensive medicines required for cancer treatment.

In a statement presented on January 10, 2022, at the Delhi High Court, the Union government clarified that the use of cannabis is not entirely prohibited in the country, as the law permits its use for medical and scientific purposes. The affidavit, filed by the Director of Narcotics, under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, states, There is no absolute ban on cannabis under the NDPS Act. It can be used for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes by obtaining the necessary permissions from the respective state governments." The Centre further emphasised that state governments are empowered to license cannabis cultivation for industrial and scientific purposes.

While the Ministry of Ayush has acknowledged the growing interest in cannabis and its potential in medicinal applications, the regulatory framework surrounding cannabis in India remains cautious. The government should make a beginning by including medical cannabis in the syllabus for all medical and allied health courses, apart from coming out with a crystal-clear policy in tune with global trends.

In the words of Professor Yossi Tam, a leading researcher at the Hebrew Universitys Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research, aiming to integrate cannabis into mainstream medicine for better patient outcomes: The importance of medical cannabis education is undisputed. As cannabis is becoming legalised in an increasing number of countries, it is more important than ever for doctors to understand this drug, its myriad uses, and its benefits, as well as its current shortcomings."

The writer is Former Director General, Multi-Disciplinary School of Economic Intelligence, and National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 10:56 IST

News opinion Opinion | US President Signs Peace Treaty With Marijuana. Is It Time India Took A Relook?

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Why PM Modis Outreach To The Matua Community Matters

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 13:58 IST

History has been profoundly unfair to the Matuas, who have endured over a century of communal violence and persecution in Bengal

Rapid Read

The timing of PM Modis speech was significant. (File)

On 20 December 2025, in his virtual address to a large gathering in West Bengals Nadia district, a heartland of the Matua community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid warm tributes to the communitys spiritual iconsHarichand Thakur, Guruchand Thakur, and Baro Maapraising their lifelong work for social welfare and drawing parallels with Vaishnavite traditions of devotion and equality. He once again carefully highlighted how the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has brought dignity and security to Matua families, while promising even greater support if the BJP forms the next government in Bengal.

The timing of PM Modis speech was significant: it came at a moment when many in the community were anxious about the ongoing 2025 Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, fearing that a lack of proper documents could lead to disenfranchisement. The trust deficit of the community in the state government has made them particularly vulnerable. PM Modis words offered timely reassurance, reinforcing his sustained efforts to build a deep connect with this historically wronged community.

A Community Wronged by Persecution

The Matua community, primarily comprising members of the Namasudra caste (formerly known as Chandala), is a Hindu sect founded in the 19th century in East Bengal (now Bangladesh) by Harichand Thakur (18121878) and further developed by his son Guruchand Thakur (1846-1937). The Matua Mahasangha emphasises devotion to a formless god, rejection of caste hierarchies, and social upliftment through education and self-respect, attracting followers from marginalised Dalit groups in rural Bengal. Today, estimates of their population in West Bengal vary, with conservative figures around 3-4 million based on 2011 Census data for Namasudras, though community leaders claim a much higher number.

History has been profoundly unfair to the Matuas, who have endured over a century of communal violence and persecution in Bengal. In the early 20th century, tensions with Muslim communities led to riots, such as the 1911 clashes in Jessore-Khulna over land disputes. The 1947 Partition of India exacerbated their plight: pre-Partition riots like those in Noakhali in 1946 targeted Hindus, including Namasudras. Post-Partition, in East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), systematic violence peaked in 1949-1950 with attacks on Namasudra villages in Khulna, triggering a mass exodus. Over two million fled by 1956, facing economic dispossession, assaults, and border traumas. Further waves followed the 1964 Hazratbal riots and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, where Hindus suffered atrocities.

In West Bengal, as refugees, Matuas faced secondary discrimination: apathy from successive state governments, poor camp conditions, caste biases, and clashes over resources. Government policies dispersing them to remote areas like Dandakaranya sparked protests in the 1950s. From the 1980s, citizenship hurdles labelled many as illegal migrants, leading to harassment. The 20192020 anti-CAA protests brought further tensions. This legacy of displacement and marginalisation has shifted their focus from caste reform to survival and rights.

Correcting Historical Wrongs

The Modi government has been a corrective force against these injustices, most notably through the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, implemented in subsequent years. The CAA fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before 2015directly benefiting the Matuas, many of whom fled persecution but struggled with documentation. PM Modi has framed the CAA as restoring dignity to these families, emphasising it during campaigns and addresses.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party opposed the CAA vehemently, arguing it was discriminatory and could lead to a National Register of Citizens (NRC) that might exclude minorities. At the core of Mamata Banerjees contrived opposition to the CAA was her desperate appeasement politics and an obvious attempt to consolidate Muslim votes, given that Matuas stood to gain the most from the law. This opposition has been called out by the BJP as denying the Matua community their rightful place, exacerbating historical neglect.

Beyond the CAA, PM Modis gestures include his 2021 visit to Orakandi Thakurbari in Bangladeshthe spiritual birthplace of the Matua sectwhere he offered prayers, symbolising solidarity with their roots. In 2022, he addressed the Matua Dharma Maha Mela in Thakurnagar, West Bengal, via video on Harichand Thakurs birth anniversary, reinforcing cultural ties. A significant step was appointing Santanu Thakur, a prominent Matua leader and BJP MP from Bongaon, as Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in 2021 (and retained in subsequent Cabinets). This move provided the community with high-level representation in the central government, addressing a long-standing need for political empowerment.

The Contrast with TMCs Approach

In contrast, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government has invariably treated the Matua community with apathy and a lack of respect. While Banerjee has made superficial overtures, such as welfare schemes, her steadfast opposition to the CAA has exposed her real intent. Her staunch opposition to the CAA is possibly an attempt to marginalise the Matuas, who are its primary beneficiaries in Bengal, while prioritising other vote banks.

Tensions escalated recently when TMC MP Mahua Moitra faced backlash for remarks perceived as insulting to the Matua community. In August-September 2025, Moitras comments, including alleged derogatory references during a speech targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, were labelled anti-Hindu and casteist by BJP leaders and Matua groups. Pro-TMC Matua outfits even urged Banerjee to censure Moitra, highlighting internal rifts. Moitra defended her statements as political critique, but the episode fuelled perceptions of derision towards the communitys sentiments.

Conclusion

PM Modis sustained engagement with the Matuas matters for broader reasons of justice and inclusion. By addressing historical wrongs through policy and symbolism, it signals a shift towards empowering marginalised refugees. Such outreach also underscores the communitys pivotal role in debates over identity, citizenship, and equity. As West Bengal heads towards the 2026 polls, the Matua communitys response could reshape the states political landscape, reminding us that correcting past wrongs is key to a cohesive future.

While PM Modis compassionate gestures have bestowed a sense of belonging and self-pride in the Matua community, the TMC governments attitude towards the community borders on apathy and contempt.

The writer is a national spokesperson of the BJP, besides being an acclaimed author. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 13:58 IST

News opinion Opinion | Why PM Modis Outreach To The Matua Community Matters

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 08:39 IST

1 / 10 Mumbai airport is among the busiest and most crowded in India, with hundreds of flights taking off and landing each day. To ease the pressure, a new airport in Navi Mumbai has now become operational. As the same company will manage both airports, a plan is being developed to balance air traffic and reduce the load on a single hub.



2 / 10 Navi Mumbai airport is set to open for passenger operations on Thursday, December 25, a significant milestone for the region, which has long awaited a second airport. However, most domestic and international flights will continue to operate from Mumbai. Initially, only a limited number of flights will be shifted to the new airport to help ease congestion.



ADVERTISEMENT

3 / 10 It has been reported that there will be no sudden change of flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai. In the initial phase, only one or two flights, and only during peak hours, will be shifted to the new airport.



4 / 10 Mumbai airport operates on a single main runway, which is designed to handle 44 take-offs and landings per hour. However, during peak hours, this limit is often crossed. According to official data, on December 12, as many as 52 flights landed within a one-hour period.



ADVERTISEMENT

5 / 10 A major reason for this overload is the high number of charter flights. On many days, the runway handled 45 to 50 flights per hour. This puts extra pressure on air traffic controllers. It also raises safety concerns during already busy operating hours.



6 / 10 These changes are likely to take effect in the next summer schedule, which begins in the last week of March and continues till October. The current winter schedule is already fixed.



ADVERTISEMENT

7 / 10 The airport operator is also planning to expedite the expansion of Navi Mumbai airport. Phases three and four may be combined to reach a capacity of 50 million passengers per year by 2030. Design work has already started, and construction is scheduled to begin in the coming months.



8 / 10 Instead of adding more flights during peak hours, airlines may be asked to spread out their schedules. Some flights may be moved to non-peak hours. New routes may also be introduced directly from Navi Mumbai to manage traffic better.



ADVERTISEMENT

9 / 10 With two operational airports, the Mumbai region is expected to see more domestic and international routes. For a long time, growth was constrained by the single-runway system. The dual-airport model is expected to remove this restriction and improve connectivity.


Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 18:30 IST

1 / 7 In a groundbreaking geological discovery, China has found its first-ever underwater gold deposit near Laizhou, off Yantais coast in Shandong province. Authorities have hailed it as the largest undersea gold find in Asia, according to the South China Morning Post. However, the exact size of the gold deposit is not yet reported. (Representative Image: AI-generated)

2 / 7 The discovery has increased Laizhou's total proven gold reserves to over 3,900 tonnes (approximately 137.57 million ounces), now representing about 26% of China's total reserves. (Representative Image: AI-generated)

ADVERTISEMENT

3 / 7 According to Yantais city government, this discovery strengthens Laizhous status as Chinas top region for both gold reserves and production, solidifying its position as a key player in the countrys gold industry. (Representative Image: AI-generated)

4 / 7 China is the worlds largest producer of gold ore, having mined approximately 377 tonnes (around 13.3 million ounces) last year, according to the China Gold Association. However, despite leading global production, it still lags behind countries like South Africa, Australia, and Russia in proven gold reserves. (File Photo)

ADVERTISEMENT

5 / 7 The undersea gold find follows another major announcement made last month, when China revealed the discovery of its first super-large, low-grade gold deposit in Liaoning province in the countrys northeast. (File photo)

6 / 7 The deposit contains confirmed reserves of 1,444.49 tonnes (50.95 million ounces), making it the largest single gold discovery since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Reported in November, it marks the third gold deposit over 1,000 tonnes found in China in the past year. (Representative Image: AI-generated)

ADVERTISEMENT
Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 16:46 IST

1 / 12 An outsider. No godfather. No shortcuts. But still he managed to carve a niche for himself with persistence, patience, and an unshakable belief in storytelling.

2 / 12 From the snow-covered valleys of Kashmir to the dazzling world of Bollywood, this filmmakers journey is nothing short of cinematic.

ADVERTISEMENT

3 / 12 He changed the way India looked at action thrillers and redefined the modern spy genre on the big screen. But achieving success wasnt easy for him, he made his way forward by taking small steps.

4 / 12 Still guessing? We are talking about Aditya Dhar, the director behind some of the most impactful action cinema in recent times.

ADVERTISEMENT

5 / 12 Born on March 12, 1983, into a Kashmiri Pandit family, Aditya Dhar came to Mumbai with big dreams. He started his career as a radio jockey (RJ), learning how stories connect with people, one voice at a time.

6 / 12 When things didnt work out, he also tried writing screenplays for films like Aakrosh (2010) and Priyadarshans Tez (2012).

ADVERTISEMENT

7 / 12 Not many know Aditya Dhar finally planned to make his directorial debut in 2016 with Raat Baaki. The film, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Katrina Kaif, was shelved after soldiers were attacked in Uri.

8 / 12 This major setback could have ended the journey, but the filmmaker didnt give up. He bounced back and made a film based on the same attack that led his debut film to be shelved.

ADVERTISEMENT

9 / 12 Titled Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), the film showcased the real-life events of Indias airstrike on terrorist camps in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

10 / 12 Following the success of Uri, he started working on his dream mytho-superhero venture, The Immortal Ashwatthama. But it was also shelved.

ADVERTISEMENT

11 / 12 Again, Aditya Dhar worked patiently and turned his adversity to success. With his recently released Dhurandhar, he won hearts like no other film.
Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 10:41 IST

1 / 11 Trains have long been the lifeline of India, transporting millions of passengers and goods across the country. While the Bombay-Thane passenger train of 1853 is often credited as the beginning of Indian railways, the true story actually began earlier with a lesser-known goods train.



2 / 11 Indias first goods train travelled through Uttarakhand on December 22, 1851, to carry clay and construction materials for the Ganga Canal project. It covered a distance of 10 kilometres between Roorkee and Piran Kaliyar.

ADVERTISEMENT

3 / 11 Imported from England, the locomotive was named Thomason or Jenny Lind. It pulled two bogies capable of transporting 180-200 tonnes of earth at a slow pace of 46 km/h. The train, travelling on narrow-gauge tracks, completed its journey in roughly 38 minutes.

4 / 11 Engineers needed this train because the Ganges Canal project demanded massive amounts of clay to raise the canal embankments. And transporting the material by bullock cart would have been slow, so the railway line offered a more practical solution.

ADVERTISEMENT

5 / 11 The line operated for nine months before the engine caught fire in 1852, by which time the canal project was complete. Despite its short life, the train was historically significant as it predated the famous Bombay-Thane passenger service and marked a pioneering industrial use of railways in India.

6 / 11 Construction of the tracks was done by Indian labourers under British engineer Sir Proby Cautley. Using only manual tools like picks, shovels and baskets, they laid iron rails with wooden sleepers (imported from England) to build a narrow gauge (about 2-3 feet wide) over mostly flat terrain to speed up clay transportation.

ADVERTISEMENT

7 / 11 The task wasnt easy as labourers faced numerous challenges. There was no steam-powered equipment for excavation, so all work was human or animal-driven. Despite these hardships, the team completed the track quickly to meet urgent project deadlines.

8 / 11 The Solani Aqueduct on the Ganges Canal required massive quantities of clay for its construction. Completed in 1854, the 350-kilometre canal transformed agriculture in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as it irrigated over 1.6 million hectares.

ADVERTISEMENT

9 / 11 The Solani Aqueduct, built between 1842 and 1846, was an engineering marvel. Featuring 15 arches, each 50 feet wide, it was constructed using traditional brick masonry and supported by piers and wells sunk deep into the riverbed. Its design inspired water management projects worldwide.

10 / 11 Massive stone cubes were sunk nearly 20 feet into the riverbed to create stable foundations. The structure itself spanned nearly 1,000 feet with a width of 172 feet and a height varying between 25 and 50 feet.

ADVERTISEMENT
BJPs Purse Swells Over 50% To Rs 6,088 Crore A Year After Electoral Bonds Scrapped

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:23 IST

BJP received Rs 6,088 crore in donations in 2024-25, an increase of more than 50 per cent from the Rs 3,967 crore it received in 2023-24.

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah (PTI photo)

The scrapping of the Electoral Bond Scheme has done little to dent the BJPs fundraising. Instead, the ruling party recorded its highest-ever donations in 2024-25, raising Rs 6,088 crore in the first full year after the scheme was struck down by the Supreme Court, according to an Indian Express Report.

According to its latest Contribution Report, BJP received Rs 6,088 crore in donations this year, an increase of more than 50 per cent from the Rs 3,967 crore it received in 2023-24. The report was submitted to the Election Commission on December 8 and published last week.

BJP far ahead of Opposition parties

The scale of BJPs fundraising stands out sharply when compared with other political parties. In 2024-25, the partys total donations were nearly 12 times higher than those of the Congress, which reported contributions of Rs 522.13 crore.

Taken together, the donations received by a dozen Opposition parties, including the Congress, came to Rs 1,343 crore. This means the BJP alone raised about 4.5 times more funds than all these parties combined.

Role of electoral trusts

A close reading of the BJPs 162-page Contribution Report shows that electoral trusts played a major role in the partys fundraising. During 2024-25, electoral trusts donated Rs 3,744 crore to the BJP. This accounted for 61 per cent of the partys total contributions for the year.

The remaining Rs 2,344 crore came from other sources, including individual donors and corporate contributions. All individual donations above Rs 20,000 are required to be disclosed in reports filed with the Election Commission.

Who are the top donors?

Several large companies were among the BJPs top donors during the year. Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd contributed Rs 100 crore, while Rungta Sons Private Limited donated Rs 95 crore. Vedanta Limited followed with Rs 67 crore.

Other major contributors included Macrotech Developers Limited (Rs 65 crore), Derive Investments (Rs 53 crore), Modern Road Makers Pvt Ltd (Rs 52 crore) and Lotus Hometextiles Limited (Rs 51 crore). Real estate firm Safal Goyal Realty LLP donated Rs 45 crore, while ITC Limited gave Rs 39 crore.

Additional donors included Global Ivy Ventures LLP, ITC Infotech India Ltd, Hero Enterprises Partner Ventures, Mankind Pharma Limited and Hindustan Zinc Limited. Several individuals also featured among the top contributors.

Donations over the years

The BJPs donation figures have varied widely over the past six years. In 2019-20, the party received Rs 3,427 crore, with electoral bonds making up 74 per cent of the total. Donations fell sharply in 2020-21 to Rs 578 crore, when bonds accounted for just 4 per cent.

In 2021-22, donations rose to Rs 1,775 crore, with bonds contributing 58 per cent. This increased further to Rs 2,120 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 3,967 crore in 2023-24, when bonds still formed a significant share.

In 2024-25, donations reached a record Rs 6,088 crore, with no contribution from electoral bonds following the Supreme Courts decision to strike down the scheme.

Electoral bonds and question of transparency

The Electoral Bond Scheme was introduced in 2017-18 as a way to replace cash donations with banking channels. Over the years, political parties received more than Rs 16,000 crore through bonds, with the BJP receiving the largest share.

In February 2024, the Supreme Court declared the scheme unconstitutional and ordered the State Bank of India and the Election Commission to publish details of donors and beneficiaries. The court held that anonymous political funding violated citizens right to information.

Despite the end of electoral bonds, the BJPs latest figures show that its fundraising capacity remains strong.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:23 IST

News politics BJPs Purse Swells Over 50% To Rs 6,088 Crore A Year After Electoral Bonds Scrapped

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Congress Not Just Seeking Power, Will Present Its Own Vision: AICC Tamil Nadu In-Charge

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 19:02 IST

He said the Congress has urged Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin to finalise the alliance by December 15 to allow time for candidate selection.

Rapid Read

AICC Tamil Nadu In-Charge Girish Chodankar. (ANI)

All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, on Monday reiterated that the Congress is not merely seeking power but is preparing to contest elections with a clear strategy and vision.

Its not a question of whether we are asking for power. If youre fighting an election, you have to fight with full strategies. We will have a full-fledged manifesto committee. The Congress party will present its own vision for Tamil Nadu, give our guarantees to Tamil voters, and implement them by sharing power and being part of the government," he said.

Speaking on alliance talks, Girish said discussions are currently underway. He said that after DMK leaders met Congress leaders, the party constituted a five-member negotiation committee to initiate alliance talks with the DMK.

AICC Incharge for TN @girishgoaINC reiterates categorically that Congress party will present its own vision for Tamil Nadu, give our guarantees to Tamil voters & implement them by sharing power & being part of the government"for the first time in six decades! https://t.co/ArMCKeaKxi pic.twitter.com/ehGS9zmDmD  Praveen Chakravarty (@pravchak) December 22, 2025

He added that the Congress has approached the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin and urged him to finalise the alliance by December 15, so that the party gets sufficient time to identify and select candidates for the elections.

Now the ball is completely in the court of the DMK, and we are waiting for them," he said.

The Congress had contested 25 seats in Tamil Nadu in the 2021 Assembly poll, and won 18.

DMK negotiators are expected to weigh the Congress demands carefully because, as the principal party, it carries the largest electoral burden and must also work to secure victories for allies.

The DMKCongress alliance has remained largely intact for nearly two decades since 2004, barring a brief split between 2013 and 2016 over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. The two parties reunited for the 2016 Assembly election and have since contested four Assembly elections together.

Despite possible differences, the alliance is expected to continue beyond the 2026 Assembly election, united in opposition to the BJP.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 19:02 IST

News politics Congress Not Just Seeking Power, Will Present Its Own Vision: AICC Tamil Nadu In-Charge

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
We Work Like Brothers: DK Shivakumar Dismisses Rumours Of Rift With Siddaramaiah

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:05 IST

Responding to questions about his recent meeting with former minister KN Rajanna, often perceived a close aide to the CM, Shivakumar termed it a courtesy call

Rapid Read

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI/File)

Karnatakas deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday shut down speculation regarding internal friction within the Congress, asserting that he and chief minister Siddaramaiah share a bond akin to brotherhood.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar addressed persistent rumours of a leadership tussle, labelling them a creation of the media and the Opposition".

No Differences Among Leaders"

Responding to questions about his recent meeting with former minister KN Rajanna, often perceived a close aide to the chief minister, Shivakumar clarified that his relationships within the party remain strong and professional.

Arent the CM and I working like brothers? I dont have differences with any Congress leader," he said. Regarding Rajanna, he added, He is close to me too. I was the one who made him president of Apex Bank during SM Krishnas tenure. We are colleagues; it was simply a courtesy call."

He further challenged the narrative of a divided house, noting that he has maintained a steady relationship with Siddaramaiah since the latter joined the party 16 years ago.

The deputy CM also clarified about his Delhi visit, arguing that it was not political and was for the upcoming high-level meetings in the Capital. He said during the Delhi visit, he intends to discuss Bengaluru metro funding. Shivakumar demanded a 50 per cent grant for Bengaluru Metro projects, arguing that the current 12-13 per cent is insufficient. He said he will discuss new lines for Hoskote and Bidadi, alongside double-decker infrastructure projects. A meeting with the Union environment minister regarding the Mahadayi and Yettinahole projects is also on the agenda, along with finalising a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to ensure water security.

Addressing a letter written by senior party leader VR Sudarshan to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge regarding party confusion", Shivakumar dismissed the concerns. He claimed the BJP is attempting to project its own internal mess" onto the Congress.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:05 IST

News politics We Work Like Brothers: DK Shivakumar Dismisses Rumours Of Rift With Siddaramaiah

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Realme 16 Pro Series India Launch Date Confirmed For Next Month: Expected Price And Specs

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:05 IST

Realme 16 Pro series India launch details have been revealed and the new models will have to devices once again.

Realme 16 Pro launch is likely in early 2026 and this design gives us some clues

Realme 16 Pro series has been teased to launch in India and now we also have the date when the new product is going to be announced in the country. Weve already got a good look at the design of the Realme 16 Pro model with a unique finish and the start of 2026 is likely to be a hectic affair in the market once again.

Realme 16 Pro is tipped to feature a new portrait camera and likely to come with Android 16 version out of the box. We also expect the Realme 16 Pro models to get a sleek frame but with a silicon carbon grade battery.

Realme 16 Pro Series India Launch Date And More

Realme 16 Pro series is launching in India on January 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM IST. The company is likely to host a livestream for the Realme 16 Pro series launch via its official YouTube channel. Realme 16 Pro series should have the regular the Pro+ variant once again.

Realme 16 Pro Series Launch In India: Price And What To Expect

Realme 16 Pro most likely gets a textured panel along with a matte finish over glass which should give it the premium touch. The company is going to use a Snapdragon chipset which could be the 7 Gen 4 series. The camera layout seems to have been borrowed from the OnePlus 15, except the orientation has been changed by Realme for its device.

The company is offering Realme UI 7 based on Android 16 with the 16 Pro that is promised to get 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches. The software will also have AI features integrated with the likes of AI Edit genie 2.0 to create and edit images.

Realme 16 Pro price in India is rumoured to start from Rs 30,000 while the Pro+ could have a price tag of around Rs 35,000 in the market.

The segment is also getting another strong product early next year in the form of Redmi Note 15 and it is launching in India soon. The new phone has been teased this week as Xiaomi looks to start 2026 with a big launch within the first week itself. The Redmi Note 15 series made its debut in China but we can expect Xiaomi to make some tweaks for the Indian model.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:05 IST

News tech Realme 16 Pro Series India Launch Date Confirmed For Next Month: Expected Price And Specs

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Aap Wife Ko Humare Paas Bhej Do: Parents Allege Mumbai School Principal Made Obscene Remark When Asked About Fee Hike

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 16:49 IST

Following the complaints, Borivali MLA Sanjay Upadhyay said he had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The allegation has emerged from Witty International School in Borivali. (Photo Credit : X)

Tension over a school fee hike in Mumbai took a disturbing turn after a woman parent alleged that principal at a private school made an obscene and derogatory remark. The allegation has emerged from Witty International School in Borivali where parents had gathered to question the revised fees.

A video, circulating widely online, features a woman who details her allegations against the school principal. The clip has led to a massive backlash online with social media users demanding action against the principal.

Parents Allegations At Borivali School

Toh waha ke jo principal hai  koi bhi bolo, principal bolo, coordinator bolo. Kisi ne sawaal puch bhi liya ki Maam aapne itna fees kyu badha diya? Toh wo jawab dete hai ki, Aap hai na apni wife ko humare paas bhej dena, aap kamane ka kaam karo (So the principal therecall him principal or coordinator, whatever. If someone even asks a question like, Maam, why have you increased the fees so much? then the reply is, You send your wife to us, you focus on earning)," the woman says in the video.

In the same video, another male parent is also heard raising concerns about the revised fee structure. He highlighted the figures being charged for lower classes and questioned the logic behind the increase.

He said, for 1st standard, they are asking for 2,20,000 fees, even after the revision, it is 2,05,000, so, I said, this is 48 per cent high, they said, last year we took 2 lakh rupees from the first one, now, we have put 10 pr cent on it."

The clip was shared by NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: Now this is really extreme. Parents are alleging that principal of Witty International School, Brovali, Mumbai is asking them to send their wives to him if they are unable to pay the increased school fees."

Watch The Footage Here

Now this is really extreme. Parents are alleging that principal of Witty International School, Brovali, Mumbai is asking them to send their wives to him if they are unable to pay the increased school fees. pic.twitter.com/r5StVI2FDM NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) December 20, 2025

Online Reactions Highlight Public anger

Several users expressed outrage and concern in the comment section.

One user commented, This is deeply disturbing and heartbreaking. It shows how far some people have fallen, completely crossing every line of humanity and decency."

Another said, Private schools administrations attitude for fees hikes."

Sickness beyond forgiveness. Arrest him," a person demanded.

Government & authorities should view education as a social responsibility rather than a business, ensuring strict adherence to laws. Parents must organise to protest, seek legal advice & explore alternative options. It is essential to keep education accessible & equitable for all, someone else pointed out.

Yes, there are such people in the school here; they have no respect for parents, they just want the fees," an individual wrote.

BJP MLA Response And Inquiry

Following the complaints, Borivali MLA Sanjay Upadhyay said he had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and raised concerns about unauthorised fee hikes by private schools.

He later stated that the Education Department responded on December 19 with official communication and supporting documents.

Sharing the update on X, he wrote: The Maharashtra government, taking serious note of the complaints from students and parents, has initiated action against Witty International & World School, Borivali (W.). On 18/12/2025, I had submitted a written letter to the Honourable Chief Minister Devemdra Fadanavis ji regarding financial irregularities and unauthorised fee hikes in the school. In response, on 19/12/2025, an immediate reply along with an official letter and related documents was received from the Education Department."

  (.) ,        Witty International & World School,  (.)     . . 18/12/2025     @Dev_Fadnavis        pic.twitter.com/6gSD31ETJ2  Sanjay Upadhyay (@SanjayRupadhyay) December 19, 2025

He further said that the Maharashtra Education Department has formed an inquiry committee to look into the allegations as well as the issue of unauthorised fee hikes. An official investigation against Witty International School has been initiated, and the matter will be taken forward through the required administrative process.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 22, 2025, 16:11 IST

News viral Aap Wife Ko Humare Paas Bhej Do: Parents Allege Mumbai School Principal Made Obscene Remark When Asked About Fee Hike

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Activist Hadis Killer Bailed Out Twice By Jamaat Leader, Says BNP Official Amid Bangladesh Crisis

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 12:52 IST

Police say there is no evidence the suspect fled to India, rejecting claims of New Delhis involvement, made by Hadi's family members.

Rapid Read

BNP leader claims Jamaat-e-Islami figure Shishir Monir had twice secured bail for the alleged shooter before the killing. (IMAGE: Law Lab Bangladesh)

Bangladesh National Party (BNP) veteran Nilofer Chowdhury Moni has alleged that a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and prominent lawyer, Shishir Manir, had twice secured bail for the man accused of shooting activist Osman Hadi, months before the killing.

Moni made the allegation during a panel discussion on a Bangladeshi television news channel, arguing that the suspects legal history and alleged political links warranted closer scrutiny.

The man who fired at Hadi in an attempt to kill him  one must look at his background. Who bailed him out twice? Shishir Manir bailed him out twice. I am saying this with responsibility," Moni said during the programme.

Osman Hadi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Dhaka earlier this month. He was known as a vocal critic of India and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and was considered a key figure associated with the so-called July 2024 uprising.

In the aftermath of the killing, members of Hadis family and several groups in Bangladesh, including outfits linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP), accused New Delhi of involvement in Osman Hadis murder. Law enforcement agencies, however, have rejected the allegations, saying there is no concrete evidence so far that the suspect crossed into India, including as of Sunday.

Hadis killer was granted bail twice by @BJI_Official leader Shishir Monir after August 5unbelievable! BNP leader Nilofur exposed Jamaat for having connections with Hadis killer. pic.twitter.com/TNG1Jjl9kC Redowan Ibne Saiful (@Redowanshakil) December 19, 2025

We do not have any specific information about the last location. And regarding whether the accused crossed the border, we have no specific information on that. We have not been able to confirm that he crossed the border," Bangladeshs Special Branch chief Khandaker Rafiqul Islam and Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said during a joint press conference on Sunday evening.

Moni further alleged inconsistencies in the suspects arrests and releases. Who got caught with 17 lakh rupees? How did this happen twice within a month? We see accused getting caught, but never see them leaving custody. Twice he was bailed out, and on both occasions it was Jamaats lawyers," she said.

She also claimed that the suspected shooter had links to multiple political groups. This boy was also part of Chhatra League and was also part of the Jamaat circle," Moni alleged, referring to Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir.

If I speak too much, I wont be able to go home safely. We did not oust Sheikh Hasina for this," Moni added.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 12:31 IST

News world Activist Hadis Killer Bailed Out Twice By Jamaat Leader, Says BNP Official Amid Bangladesh Crisis

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
After Hadis Aides Threaten Bangladesh Poll Boycott, Yunus Govt Announces Fast-Track Trial

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:30 IST

Bangladeshs interim govt announced a fast-track trial for Sharif Osman Hadis murder after Inquilab Mancha threatened to disrupt elections unless justice is served before polling.

Hadis aides warned interim chief Muhammad Yunus that elections would not be allowed without justice in the killing. (IMAGE: REUTERS/X)

Bangladeshs interim government on Monday announced a fast-track trial in the murder of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, hours after leaders of Inquilab Mancha threatened to derail the countrys next election unless justice was delivered before polling.

At a press conference in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Inquilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber warned that no election would be acceptable without a completed trial in Hadis killing, declaring that the movement would take to the streets if the demand was ignored.

Osman Hadi, a key organiser of the so-called July uprising and convener of Inquilab Mancha, was shot by unidentified assailants on December 12 on Box Culvert Road in Dhakas Paltan area. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment and died on December 18.

YUNUS THREATENED BY INQUILAB MANCHA

No election before justice," Jaber was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo, adding that the platform would announce its next course of action following a protest march from Shahbagh to the Central Shaheed Minar later in the day. He said the programme would determine whether Inquilab Mancha continued to support the interim administration or launched a broader movement against it.

Referring to interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, Jaber said the Bangladeshi people had entrusted him with safeguarding the countrys freedom and sovereignty. While Yunus had expressed sympathy for Hadi at his funeral, Jaber said he had failed to spell out what steps would be taken to ensure justice.

Before rushing into elections and then leaving, he must tell the people who made him helpless," Jaber said. Justice must come first. Then elections. No election before that."

ROPE IN FBI, SCOTLAND YARD

Jaber placed two core demands before the government: the formation of a special tribunal within 24 hours to try those responsible for Hadis killing and, if required, the involvement of international agencies such as the FBI or Scotland Yard to ensure a credible investigation.

Addressing the authorities, he demanded the immediate arrest of Hadis killers if they were in Bangladesh, and their extradition if they had fled abroad. He also announced that Inquilab Mancha would begin an open-ended street sit-in.

Hours later, the interim government moved to defuse the standoff.

Law adviser Asif Nazrul said the murder would be tried under a fast-track tribunal, effectively meeting the groups primary demand. In a post on his verified Facebook page at 1:50 pm, as reported by Prothom Alo, Nazrul said the case would be transferred to a Speedy Trial Tribunal and completed within 90 days of the police submitting its report, in line with the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:21 IST

News world After Hadis Aides Threaten Bangladesh Poll Boycott, Yunus Govt Announces Fast-Track Trial

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bangladesh Suspends Visa Services In New Delhi, Tripura Amid Tense Ties

Curated By :



Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 23:30 IST

Bangladesh's move came after a demonstration, which has also triggered a strong statement by Dhaka, even as it struggles to tackle protests against Indian missions on its soil.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi suspends consular services after Akhand Hindu Rashtra Sena protest, raising security concerns for M Riaz Hamidullah and his family. (Pic: OpIndia)

Bangladesh has suspended visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi and its Assistant High Commission in Tripura amid rising diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The move followed demonstrations by groups of protesters outside both missions, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi issued a public notice announcing the suspension of visa services due to unavoidable circumstances." A similar announcement was made by the Assistant High Commission in Tripura after protests were held outside the mission on Sunday.

A private agency authorised by Dhaka to process Bangladeshi visa applications in West Bengals Siliguri has temporarily halted its operations.

Consular services and visa issuance at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi have also been suspended until further notice, citing unforeseen circumstances," officials said on Monday.

Several senior officials of Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development to Prothom Alo, saying all consular operations at the mission have been temporarily halted.

Bangladeshs move came after a small demonstration in New Delhi, which has also triggered a strong statement by Dhaka, even as it struggles to tackle protests against Indian missions on its soil.

Earlier this week, India suspended visa services in Bangladeshi cities, including Khulna, Rajshahi and Chattogram, citing security concerns. In Chattogram, protests turned violent after demonstrators allegedly pelted stones at the visa office building.

The diplomatic tensions come against the backdrop of growing unrest in Bangladesh following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to gunshot injuries after an assassination attempt earlier this month. His death triggered widespread protests across the country, some of which have taken a sharply anti-India tone, further straining the already fragile security and diplomatic environment.

India Responds

Indias Ministry of External Affairs rejected allegations of a security breach in New Delhi and said sections of the Bangladeshi media were spreading misleading accounts of the incident.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that around 2025 youths had gathered outside the High Commission on December 20 to protest the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, while also calling for the protection of minorities.

We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the incident," Jaiswal said. The fact is that about 2025 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December 2025 and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh."

Our response to media queries regarding the reported demonstration in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December 2025  https://t.co/tQ29y4EMbS pic.twitter.com/CgBqKqBYfp  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 21, 2025

He added that there was no attempt to breach the High Commissions perimeter or create any security situation. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see," the spokesperson said.

Jaiswal said India remains committed to ensuring the safety of foreign diplomatic missions in line with international obligations. India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign missions and posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention," he said.

The MEA also said Indian authorities are closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed our strong concerns over the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice," the statement added.

Separately, Bangladesh has also suspended visa services at its Assistant High Commission in Tripura following protests outside the mission. Sources said a private operator authorised to process Bangladeshi visa applications in Siliguri has also temporarily halted services.

The parallel visa suspensions on both sides underline the deepening strain in IndiaBangladesh relations as protests, security concerns and diplomatic friction continue to escalate.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 19:48 IST

News world Bangladesh Suspends Visa Services In New Delhi, Tripura Amid Tense Ties

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Killing Of Hindu Man In Bangladesh Sparks Calls For Minority Protection, Petition Filed In UN

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 14:31 IST

The killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Bangladesh, has sparked widespread condemnation from Hindu organisations, minority rights groups and international lawmakers.

Agartala: Members of 'Hindu Jagran Manch' stage a protest over the alleged lynching of a Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh (Photo: PTI)

The killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Bangladesh, has triggered strong reactions from Hindu organisations, minority rights groups and international lawmakers, with calls growing for accountability, justice and protection of religious minorities amid ongoing unrest in the country.

According to protesters and rights groups in Bangladesh, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, after being falsely accused of religious defamation.

Demonstrators have alleged that he was beaten to death by a mob, hung from a tree and later set on fire.

The incident has been cited as part of what they describe as a broader pattern of religious extremism, mob violence and administrative inaction targeting minority communities.

A petition has been registered with the United Nations against Bangladesh.

Antarrashtriya Hindu Seva Sangh, a human rights organisation, working for the protection of persecuted Hindu minorities across the world, has filed a petition on Dipu Dass murder.

The killing has also drawn sharp condemnation from Hindu groups in Mauritius.

In a letter dated December 22, 2025, addressed to the High Commissioner of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh in Port Louis, the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation expressed its strongest condemnation and deep outrage over the brutal killing of Shri Deepu in Bangladesh, reportedly followed by the burning of his body."

This inhumane act has shocked the conscience of Hindus in Mauritius and across the world," the federation said in the letter.

Emphasising that the killing was not an isolated crime," the organisation said it reflected a grave failure to protect a religious minority" and constituted a serious violation of fundamental human rights, religious freedom, and human dignity."

Raising questions about the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, the letter asked, Why are Hindus repeatedly subjected to violence? Why does religious identity continue to place lives at risk?"

It added that Bangladesh was founded on principles of secularism, equality and tolerance, and that acts of religiously motivated violence directly contradicted these values.

The federation demanded immediate and concrete action, including a transparent, impartial, and time-bound investigation into the killing of Shri Deepu," swift arrest and punishment of all perpetrators, public assurances guaranteeing the safety and equal treatment of Hindu minorities, and zero tolerance for religious extremism, mob violence, and hate-driven crimes."

Warning against inaction, the letter stated, Failure to act decisively will only embolden perpetrators and signal that minority lives are expendable."

International condemnation has also followed.

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi strongly condemned what he described as the targeted mob killing of Dipu Chandra Das amid growing instability and unrest in Bangladesh.

I am appalled by the targeted mob killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Bangladesh, an act of violence amid a period of dangerous instability and unrest," Krishnamoorthi said.

While noting that authorities had reported arrests, the US lawmaker said the Government of Bangladesh must aggressively pursue a full and transparent investigation and prosecute all those responsible to the fullest extent of the law."

He also called for urgent measures to protect Hindu communities and other religious minorities, adding that for the sake of all Bangladeshis, this unrest must end and the rule of law must be upheld."

Inside Bangladesh, the killing has sparked protests by Hindu religious organisations and minority rights groups.

As reported by ANI, demonstrators gathered in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, condemning the lynching and alleging growing religious extremism and impunity.

One protester said the killing of Dipu Das had exposed how a completely innocent person from a religious minority community was brutally murdered by religious fanatics."

Protesters further alleged that the incident received inadequate attention from political leaders and authorities, warning that continued silence would deepen fear and insecurity among minority communities.

They linked the killing to wider unrest and raised concerns about the ability of religious minorities to live safely and exercise their democratic rights.

ALSO READ | After Bangladesh Activist Osman Hadis Killing, Another Leader From His Party Shot In The Head

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 14:13 IST

News world Killing Of Hindu Man In Bangladesh Sparks Calls For Minority Protection, Petition Filed In UN

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bangladesh Identifies Three Persons Involved In Chaos Near Indian Envoy's Residence In Chattogram

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 16:40 IST

The disclosure came during a high-level meeting chaired by Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna to review the countrys overall law and order situation.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus | Image: X

Bangladesh authorities have identified three individuals allegedly involved in attempting to create disorder near the residence of Indias Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram, interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Monday. The identification was made on the basis of video footage, officials informed.

The disclosure came during a high-level meeting chaired by Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna to review the countrys overall law and order situation.

The meeting was attended by Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and senior officials from various security and law enforcement agencies, according to the Chief Advisers press wing.

During the meeting, officials held detailed discussions on a range of issues, including security arrangements ahead of the upcoming Christmas and English New Year celebrations, the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh, and other emerging law and order concerns.

The Chief Adviser was also briefed on the progress of investigations into the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and July movement figure Sharif Osman Hadi.

Police informed the meeting that, using video evidence, they have so far identified 31 suspects linked to recent attacks on the offices of two national daily newspapers and two cultural organisations.

As part of follow-up operations carried out across Dhaka and other parts of the country till Monday morning, at least six people have been arrested.

Those taken into custody have been identified as Md Kashem Faruqi, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafikul Islam. Authorities said efforts are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.

Separately, police confirmed that three individuals involved in an attempt to create unrest near the Indian Assistant High Commissioners residence in Chattogram have also been identified through video footage.

Chairing the meeting on Sunday afternoon, Yunus directed law enforcement agencies to expedite arrests in the Osman Hadi murder case and take swift action against those involved in unlawful activities.

He underlined that maintaining law and order was a top priority, particularly in view of the upcoming national elections, and said normalcy must be ensured at all costs.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 16:40 IST

News world Bangladesh Identifies Three Persons Involved In Chaos Near Indian Envoy's Residence In Chattogram

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bangladesh Polls Will Be Held On Time, Yunus Tells US Envoy Amid Unrest Over Osman Hadi's Death

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Saurabh Verma



Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 23:38 IST

During the phone call, Yunus told Gor that Hasinas supporters were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process

Rapid Read

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus (Image: Reuters/File)

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday informed US Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor that elections will be held on time, amid unrest in the country over the death of 2024 uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

During a phone call, Yunus reaffirmed his commitment to holding general elections on February 12 and said the nation was eagerly waiting to exercise its voting rights, which were stolen by the autocratic regime", a reference to the Sheikh Hasina administration.

The Chief Adviser told Gor that Hasinas supporters were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process and that their fugitive leader was inciting violence. However, he stressed that his government was fully prepared" to deal with any challenges.

We have roughly 50 days to go before the election. We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election. We want to make it remarkable," Professor Yunus said.

The US Special Envoy also discussed the murder and massive funeral of Osman Hadi, who was shot by unidentified assailants in Dhaka on December 12. Hadi, who was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Singapore on December 18.

Hadis death has sparked widespread protests across the country, with his supporters threatening to derail the February 12 election unless justice is delivered before the polls.

Election Will Be Held on Time, Chief Adviser Tells US Special EnvoyDHAKA, December 22: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated his commitment to holding general elections on February 12. The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which  Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 22, 2025

During the phone call, which lasted about half an hour, Yunus and Gor also discussed trade and tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States, as well as the countrys democratic transition.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present during the call.

Bangladesh Unrest

Several incidents of violence, including vandalism at the offices of various media publications, were reported after Hadis death on Thursday night. Protesters were also seen vandalising the already demolished structure at 32 Dhanmondi, the home of Bangladeshs founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Stone-hurling was also reported at the Indian Assistant High Commissioners residence in Chattogram, after Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed Inquilab Mancha leader Hadis death in a televised address to the nation.

Amid the protests, a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched to death by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Baluka, Mymensingh, last week.

As protests continue over Hadis death, another student leader was shot in the southwestern city of Khulna on December 22. Motaleb Shikder was the Khulna Division head of the NCP (National Citizen Party) and central coordinator of the partys workers front.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 22:33 IST

News world Bangladesh Polls Will Be Held On Time, Yunus Tells US Envoy Amid Unrest Over Osman Hadi's Death

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
After Bangladesh Activist Osman Hadis Killing, Another Leader From His Party Shot In The Head

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 13:48 IST

Md Motaleb Shikdar, senior labour wing leader of National Citizens Party, was shot at a house in Sonadanga, Khulna, on Monday morning, police and party officials confirmed.

Md Motaleb Shikdar, a leader of the NCPs labour wing Shramik Shakti, sustained a head injury after being shot at by unidentified assailants in Khulna, Bangladesh. (IMAGE: X)

A senior labour wing leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP) was shot in Khulna on Monday morning, police and party officials said.

The victim, Md Motaleb Shikdar (42), a central leader of the NCP-affiliated labour organisation Jatiya Sramik Shakti aka National Citizens Party (NCP), was shot at around 11:45 am (local time) at a house in the Sonadanga area of Khulna city.

Saif Newaz, an organiser of the NCPs Khulna metropolitan unit, told Prothom Alo, who first reported the development, that Shikdar serves as the central organiser of the partys labour wing and the Khulna divisional convener. He said Shikdar had been actively working to organise a divisional labour rally in Khulna scheduled to be held in the coming days.

NCP Khulna divisional chief and central organiser of NCPs labour wing, Shramik Shakti, Motaleb Shikdar, was shot a short while ago. He has been taken to Khulna Medical in critical condition," the partys joint member secretary, Dr Mahmuda Mitu, wrote on Facebook, while sharing a photo of the wounded leader. News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the photograph.

Sonadanga police stations inspector (investigation) Animesh Mondal confirmed the incident while speaking to the newspaper, saying Shikdar was shot by unidentified assailants inside a house located behind Gazi Medical College Hospital in the Sonadanga area.

After the shooting, local residents rushed Shikdar to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He was later shifted to a private diagnostic centre for a CT scan of his head, police said.

The shooting of Shikdar comes four days after Osman Hadi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Dhaka on Thursday. Hadi was an anti-India activist and played a key role in the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and was considered a key figure associated with the so-called July 2024 uprising.

In the aftermath of Hadis killing, Bangladesh has slipped into a period of heightened turmoil, with mobs targeting media houses such as The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, as well as cultural centres including Chhayanaut () and Udichi (). Attacks on minorities have also increased, with the lynching of Hindu Bengali garment worker Dipu Chandra Das drawing international attention.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 13:08 IST

News world After Bangladesh Activist Osman Hadis Killing, Another Leader From His Party Shot In The Head

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Israeli Defence Forces Demolish Residential Buildings In West bank Jerusalem, Displacing Dozens

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 19:25 IST

IDFdemolished a 13-apartment building in East Jerusalem, displacing Palestinians and sparking condemnation amid escalating tensions and settlement expansion in the West Bank.

IDFdemolished a 13-apartment building in East Jerusalem, displacing Palestinians and sparking condemnation amid escalating tensions and settlement expansion in the West Bank. (Pic: Reuters)

Israeli forces fired stun grenades and tear gas on Monday as they oversaw the demolition of a multi-storey residential building in East Jerusalem, displacing dozens of Palestinians and drawing condemnation from Palestinian officials and rights groups.

Three bulldozers razed a four-storey structure containing 13 apartments in the Wadi Qaddum area of the Silwan district, just south of the Old City of Jerusalem, according to local reporters. Activists described it as the largest demolition in East Jerusalem this year.

Israeli security forces sealed off surrounding roads, deployed heavily across the neighbourhood and positioned personnel on nearby rooftops. During the operation, a young man and a teenage boy were arrested, witnesses said.

Residents were told the demolition order had been issued because the building was constructed without a permit. Palestinian residents and advocacy groups argue that obtaining building permits in East Jerusalem is exceedingly difficult due to restrictive planning policies, which they say contribute to widespread demolitions.

Systematic Policy of Displacement

The Jerusalem Governorate, affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, condemned the demolition, calling it part of a broader effort to displace Palestinians from the city.

The destruction of this building is part of a systematic policy aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinian residents and emptying the city of its original inhabitants," the governorate said in a statement, adding that demolitions pave the way for settlement expansion.

Israeli human rights organisations Ir Amim and Bimkom said the demolition was carried out without prior warning, despite a meeting scheduled for the same day to discuss steps to legalise the building. They said around 100 families in East Jerusalem have lost their homes this year, describing Mondays action as the largest demolition of 2025.

The Jerusalem Municipality said the demolition was based on a court order issued in 2014. Israels jurisdiction over East Jerusalem is not recognised by much of the international community.

Wider Escalation in the West Bank

Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces reportedly damaged agricultural land and uprooted trees in the northern town of Silat al-Harithiya.

In Halhul, north of Hebron, Israeli troops entered multiple neighbourhoods with military vehicles, deployed sniper teams and set up positions across the city, according to local journalists. Checkpoints linking Halhul to Hebron were temporarily closed.

The demolition comes amid a broader escalation across the West Bank since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. Palestinian authorities say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed, about 11,000 wounded and over 21,000 arrested in the territory during this period.

Israels security cabinet has also approved the recognition of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, taking the total approved this year to 69, as the government presses ahead with its settlement policy.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Palestine

First Published: December 22, 2025, 19:25 IST

News world Israeli Defence Forces Demolish Residential Buildings In West bank Jerusalem, Displacing Dozens

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Japan Moves To Restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Nearly 15 Years After Fukushima

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 18:27 IST

Japan moves to restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant after Niigata Prefecture vote, with TEPCO planning operations amid strong local opposition.

Japan moves to restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant after Niigata Prefecture vote, with TEPCO planning operations amid strong local opposition.

Japan has taken a decisive step toward reviving the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, the worlds largest nuclear station, after a key regional vote cleared the way for operations to resume nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster reshaped the countrys energy policy.

The plant, located about 220 km northwest of Tokyo, was among 54 reactors shut nationwide following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that crippled the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Since then, Japan has restarted 14 of the 33 reactors deemed operable as it seeks to cut dependence on imported fossil fuels.

On Monday, the assembly of Niigata Prefecture passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart last montheffectively removing the final political obstacle. This is a milestone, but it is not the end," Hanazumi told reporters, stressing that safety oversight would remain paramount.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa would be the first nuclear facility operated again by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the utility that ran Fukushima Daiichi. Public broadcaster NHK reported that TEPCO is considering restarting the first of the plants seven reactors as early as January 20.

The plants total capacity is 8.2 gigawatts, which is enough to power several million homes. The planned restart would bring one 1.36-GW unit online next year, with another of similar size targeted around 2030. TEPCO told Reuters that it remains committed to preventing any repeat of past accidents.

Despite the assembly vote, local opposition remains strong. Around 300 protesters gathered outside the legislature, holding banners reading No Nukes" and Never Forget Fukushima." An assembly member opposing the restart called the decision a political settlement" that ignored public sentiment. A prefectural survey released in October found 60% of residents felt conditions for a restart had not been met, and nearly 70% expressed concern about TEPCOs operation of the plant.

TEPCO has pledged to invest 100 billion yen over the next decade in Niigata to build support, but scepticism persists, particularly among evacuees from Fukushima who have resettled in the prefecture.

At the national level, the restart aligns with the energy strategy backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has advocated bringing reactors back online to strengthen energy security and curb the cost of imported fuels, which account for 6070% of Japans power generation. The trade ministry estimates that restarting even one Kashiwazaki-Kariwa unit could lift electricity supply to the Tokyo area by about 2%.

Japan aims to double nuclear powers share of its electricity mix to 20% by 2040 to meet rising demand driven in part by energy-intensive data centres and its decarbonisation goals. Analysts say public acceptance of Kashiwazaki-Kariwas restart would mark a critical milestone toward that target.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Tokyo, Japan

First Published: December 22, 2025, 18:25 IST

News world Japan Moves To Restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Nearly 15 Years After Fukushima

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'True Christian Politics': JD Vance Defends H-1B Restrictions By US As Indians Face Visa Turmoil

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:29 IST

JD Vance defended H-1B visa restrictions as part of a true Christian politics prioritising American labour, as Indian visa holders face delays under expanded consular vetting.

US Vice President JD Vance speaks at the Turning Point's annual AmericaFest conference (Photo: AFP)

US Vice President JD Vance has defended restrictions on the H-1B visa programme, arguing that limiting the hiring of foreign workers is central to what he described as a true Christian politics" that prioritises American labour and economic dignity.

Speaking at Turning Point USAs annual convention, Vance said Christian values must inform the governments broader approach to economics and labour, not just social issues.

A true Christian politics, it cannot just be about the protection of the unborn or the promotion of the family, as important as those things absolutely are," Vance said.

It must be at the heart of our full understanding of government," he added.

Framing immigration and employment policy as a moral issue, Vance questioned why the administration has acted to penalise companies that move jobs overseas.

Why do we penalise corporations that ship American jobs overseas?" he asked.

Because we believe in the inherent dignity of human work and every person who works a good job in this country," he added.

He directly linked that philosophy to the administrations actions on skilled worker visas.

Why have we worked, without the help of Congress, to restrict H-1B visas, for example?" Vance said.

Because we believe it is wrong for companies to bypass American labour just to go for cheaper options in the third world," he said.

The comments came as the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement debate their future in a post-Trump era, with immigration and America First" economic policies remaining core pillars, the Associated Press reported.

Vance has emerged as a prominent figure within that movement, with Turning Point USA endorsing him as a potential successor to President Donald Trump.

While Vance defended tighter visa rules as a moral and economic necessity, Indian H-1B visa holders are facing growing uncertainty and disruption under the same policies, according to an ANI report citing The Washington Post.

Indian professionals who travelled home this month to renew their US work permits have been stranded after their visa appointments were abruptly rescheduled by US consular offices, immigration lawyers told the newspaper.

Appointments were cancelled between December 15 and 26, a period that coincided with the US holiday season.

Emails reviewed by The Washington Post showed the US State Department informing visa holders that interviews were being delayed following the implementation of a new social media vetting policy introduced under the Trump administration, aimed at ensuring that applicants do not pose a threat to US national security or public safety.

On December 10, the US Embassy in India had said that the review of online presence has been expanded to include all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents.

Previously, such checks were conducted for student and exchange visitor visa categories.

Speaking at the Turning Point USA convention, Vance also declined to condemn antisemitic figures who have sparked controversy within conservative circles, instead arguing against what he called purity tests."

I didnt bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform," Vance said, adding that the movement should be open to anyone who loves America."

Vance also reiterated his belief that the United States always will be a Christian nation," drawing applause from supporters.

He praised the administrations record on border enforcement, economic policy and efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, saying they had been relegated to the dustbin of history."

ALSO READ | Google, Apple Caution H-1B Staff As US Visa Stamping Delays Stretch Up To A Year

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:27 IST

News world 'True Christian Politics': JD Vance Defends H-1B Restrictions By US As Indians Face Visa Turmoil

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
US Restores Trump's Photo In Epstein Files, Says Was Removed 'Out Of Abundance Of Caution'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 08:34 IST

The US Justice Department restored an image featuring Trump from the Epstein files after determining that no victims were depicted, saying the image had been temporarily removed.

Trump's photo in Epstein files (US Department Of Justice)

The US Department of Justice on Sunday restored a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from the recently released batch of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, asserting that a review found no evidence that any Epstein victims were depicted in the image.

The restoration came amid mounting political criticism and public scrutiny over the partial and heavily redacted disclosure of documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender.

According to the Justice Department, the photograph had been temporarily removed after the Southern District of New York flagged it for potential further action to protect victims.

Out of an abundance of caution," the Department said, the image was taken down for review before being reposted without any alteration or redaction" once officials determined that no Epstein victims appeared in the photograph.

The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims. Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review," the Department said in a post on X.

After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction," it mentioned.

The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims.Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review. After the review, it was determined there is no  U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) December 21, 2025

A photograph shared by Reuters showed a view of drawers and framed photos shown in Jeffrey Epsteins Manhattan home.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the decision surrounding the image, rejecting allegations that the move was politically motivated or aimed at shielding the President.

We are not redacting information around President Trump," Blanche said during an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press.

When asked whether any material had been withheld due to political sensitivities, which would be illegal, Blanche replied, Absolutely, positively not."

Blanche, who previously served as Trumps personal lawyer, said the initial removal of group photographs, including at least one image showing Trump, had been driven by concerns about those women."

He stressed that the Justice Department acted to protect potential victims rather than public figures.

The restoration of the image did little to quell criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who accused Trump of defying the law that ordered the release of all Epstein-related files.

Its all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesnt want to go public, either about himself or other members of his family, friends," Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin said on CNNs State of the Union.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also questioned the handling of the release, saying justice officials must submit a written explanation to Congress within 15 days detailing why any documents or images were withheld.

It does appear, of course, that this initial document release is inadequate," Jeffries said on ABCs This Week.

Criticism over the images removal and restoration extended beyond party lines. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a long-time advocate for full disclosure of Epstein-related material, said officials were undermining transparency.

Theyre flouting the spirit and the letter of the law. Its very troubling the posture that theyve taken," Massie said on CBSs Face the Nation.

Massie also alleged that a 60-count indictment implicating well-known individuals had not been released, describing the situation as one of selective concealment."

The Justice Department said it is legally required to redact identifying information related to victims, minors, potential victims, and privileged material, and reiterated that no redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons."

It also acknowledged receiving requests from individuals claiming to be victims and from their lawyers seeking the removal of certain information.

Such material, the Department said, is temporarily removed for review and later re-released with appropriate redactions if legally required.

CNN reported that at least 16 files appeared to have been removed from the Justice Departments website as of Sunday morning, including the Trump photograph prior to its restoration.

Other files reportedly removed included materials depicting explicit artwork, mail slots filled with envelopes, tiled hallways, and a notebook page containing names and apartment numbers.

While Trump had previously been socially associated with Epstein, the Justice Department has stated that the President faces no accusations of wrongdoing.

Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection with his crimes.

ALSO READ | Several Hundred Thousand Epstein Records To Be Made Public, DOJ Says Amid Deadline Pressure

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 08:27 IST

News world US Restores Trump's Photo In Epstein Files, Says Was Removed 'Out Of Abundance Of Caution'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Pakistan Bars Beggars, Incomplete Document Holders From Foreign Travel As Gulf Mounts Pressure

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 15:12 IST

Thousands of Pakistanis have been deported from Saudi Arabia and the UAE for begging-related offences, with repeat offenders often blacklisted, preventing future entry

Rapid Read

Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. (AP)

Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned that professional beggars and people with incomplete travel documents will not be allowed to travel abroad. The decision comes amid growing concerns over Pakistanis being deported, detained or facing embarrassment overseas due to illegal begging, visa violations and document fraud.

According to officials, several countries, especially in the Gulf region, have raised objections after Pakistani nationals were found engaging in organised begging rings. This has damaged Pakistans international image and led to tighter scrutiny of Pakistani travellers.

Last week, Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said more than 66,000 travellers were stopped from flying out of the country this year on suspicion of irregular travel, while tens of thousands of Pakistanis were deported from Gulf nations and other countries as part of a wider crackdown on illegal migration, Arab News reported.

Radio Pakistan said Naqvi had warned those who bring a bad name to Pakistan" will face strict action. The interior minister said the dignity of Pakistan and facilitation of passengers are his top priorities."

The FIA said earlier this week that more than 66,000 travellers were stopped from flying out of the country this year on suspicion of irregular travel, while tens of thousands of Pakistanis were deported from Gulf nations and other countries as part of a wider crackdown on illegal migration.

The Economic Times has reported that Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan have deported thousands of Pakistan nationals this year on charges of begging.

Saudi and UAE police have conducted special anti-begging drives, especially during Ramadan and Hajj/Umrah seasons, when begging spikes. Individuals caught begging are detained, fined, and deported, often with entry bans. Authorities have identified that many beggars operate as part of organised networks, rather than individually.

Pakistani nationals applying for visit, Umrah, or short-term visas have faced stricter scrutiny. Immigration officials flag travellers with no clear travel purpose, insufficient funds, suspicious travel histories or repeated short visits. Many are offloaded at departure airports or denied entry on arrival.

Thousands of Pakistanis have been deported from Saudi Arabia and the UAE for begging-related offences. Repeat offenders are often blacklisted, preventing future entry. Gulf authorities have also shared deportation data with Pakistan, prompting domestic crackdowns.

Gulf governments have formally raised the issue with Islamabad, calling it a reputational and security concern. This pressure has led Pakistans FIA to increase airport offloading, investigate travel agents and human smugglers and cancel passports of habitual offenders in some cases.

Officials in the Gulf have indicated that a disproportionate number of foreign beggars detained in recent years were Pakistani nationals, prompting country-specific attention rather than a generalised crackdown.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: December 22, 2025, 15:12 IST

News world Pakistan Bars Beggars, Incomplete Document Holders From Foreign Travel As Gulf Mounts Pressure

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Pakistan To Deploy 3,500 Troops In Gaza As Part Of Donald Trumps Stabilisation Force: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 11:17 IST

Trump has urged Muslim-majority nations to send troops to a proposed Gaza Stabilisation Force to disarm Hamas and oversee a transition period.

Rapid Read

Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir holds a microphone during his visit at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) in Mangla, Pakistan. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Pakistan is planning to deploy about 3,500 troops to the war-torn, blockaded Gaza Strip as part of the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for the territory, according to Pakistani diplomatic sources and military officials.

The development was first reported by Pakistani newspaper Dawn, which noted that Pakistans Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi had said as recently as last week that Islamabad had not yet taken a decision on contributing troops to the ISF.

The plan, backed by US President Donald Trump, is a key element of his proposed 20-point peace plan for Gaza. The proposal calls for an internationally supported force to oversee reconstruction, border security and the demilitarisation of armed groups following the prolonged war between Israel and Hamas.

The Gaza conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and allied militant groups launched a surprise offensive into southern Israel, killing an estimated around 1,200 people and taking roughly 251 hostages.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched a sustained military campaign in Gaza that has left more than 70,000 Palestinians dead and caused widespread destruction across the enclave, according to multiple health and conflict assessments.

Trump has urged Muslim-majority countries to contribute troops, logistics or equipment to the ISF, with the stated aim of securing Gazas borders with Israel and Egypt, protecting civilians and safeguarding humanitarian corridors.

Although Islamabad has not officially confirmed a final decision, Pakistans military leadership is understood to have held discussions with US officials regarding a potential deployment. Participation by Pakistani forces  which would mark a rare direct role for the country in an international peace mission in West Asia  could help strengthen ties with Washington, but is also likely to face domestic resistance from Islamist parties and political opponents wary of any association with Israel or Western-led security initiatives.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: December 22, 2025, 11:17 IST

News world Pakistan To Deploy 3,500 Troops In Gaza As Part Of Donald Trumps Stabilisation Force: Report

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Rapper Nicki Minaj Calls JD Vance An Assassin In Chat With Erica Kirk, Quickly Corrects Herself

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 09:57 IST

Nicki Minajs verbal slip was met with laughter before Charlie Kirks widow offered support.

Rapid Read

Nicki Minaj speaks with Erika Kirk during AmericaFest, the first Turning Point USA summit since the death of Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Erica Kirk, stepped in to console rapper Nicki Minaj after a verbal slip during a public appearance on Sunday.

Minaj was speaking alongside Kirk at a festival organised by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth movement founded by Charlie Kirk, when she mistakenly referred to US Vice President JD Vance as an assassin" while praising conservative leadership.

Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president, and you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president," Minaj said, before lowering the microphone, looking down and covering her mouth with her palm in visible embarrassment.

The rapper fell silent for several seconds as laughter rippled through the crowd. Erika Kirk then moved quickly to ease the moment.

Trust me, theres nothing new under the sun that I have not heard, so youre fine I love you. You have to laugh about it truly," Kirk told Minaj. You say what you want to say, because I know your heart and I will not judge that."

NEW: Erika Kirk responds after Nicki Minaj referred to JD Vance as an assassin" in a complimentary way.Minaj clearly felt bad after using the term. Erika: What do you think about for young men?" Minaj: Don't be no scum. Young men, you have amazing role models like our pic.twitter.com/zYQYwwJZBb  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 21, 2025

Minaj thanked her and resumed her remarks after a brief pause.

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative organiser and media personality, was shot dead in September during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, where he had been debating students. Kirk rose to national prominence as a vocal advocate of conservative politics on college campuses, building Turning Point USA into a powerful youth movement with close ties to Republican leadership. While widely influential on the American right, he was also a polarising figure, frequently criticised for his confrontational style, positions on immigration and race, and for amplifying culture-war rhetoric.

Following Minajs appearance, the White House shared a video clip from the event in which she said, I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president." Minaj reposted the clip, adding two photographs of herself and the message: My darling, you did it. Were good. Love you."

Minaj has in recent months publicly aligned herself with Donald Trump, expressing admiration for his leadership and appearing at conservative-leaning platforms and events. Her statements have marked a clear political turn for the rapper, whose vocal support for Trump and the Republican leadership has drawn both applause from conservative audiences and criticism from segments of her fan base.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 22, 2025, 09:43 IST

News world Rapper Nicki Minaj Calls JD Vance An Assassin In Chat With Erica Kirk, Quickly Corrects Herself

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Sheikh Hasina Says Violence New Normal In Yunus Bangladesh: Gave Extremists Cabinet Roles

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 08:35 IST

Hasinas warning follows days of unrest after the killing of an anti-India activist, with mobs targeting newspapers and cultural bodies.

Rapid Read

Sheikh Hasina said mobs have overpowered Muhammad Yunus interim Bangladesh government as protests following Sharif Osman Hadis killing turned violent. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that violence has become the new normal in Bangladesh, warning that irate mobs have increasingly rendered law enforcement agencies ineffective during episodes of unrest. Her remarks came amid violent protests following the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, the convenor of Inqilab Moncho.

Hadi, an outspoken anti-India voice, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen. He was preparing to contest elections from a prominent constituency in Dhaka. His killing galvanised anti-Hasina and anti-Awami League protesters, who went on to torch the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, along with cultural institutions such as Chhayanaut () and Udichi ().

This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it. Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with neighbours who are watching with justified alarm," Hasina was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Hasina further said that New Delhi sees the chaos" unfolding in Bangladesh and raised alarm over the persecution of minorities in the country.

India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunuss Bangladesh," she added.

Hadi was one of the key organisers of the so-called July 2024 uprising, a protest movement that initially centred on reform demands and opposition to a law passed by the then Hasina government but was later overtaken by Islamist groups, according to critics.

Following the unrest, Hasina fled to India after mobs attacked Gonobhobon, the prime ministerial residence, and set ablaze the residence of Bangladeshs founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

After Hasinas ouster, a tribunal later sentenced her to death and sought her extradition from India, a move New Delhi has not acted upon.

In the aftermath of the protests, several Islamist leaders, including hardline figures, were released from jail. The interim government also lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, the countrys largest Islamist political party, allowing it to resume activities that were prohibited under Hasinas administration, while banning the Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina warned that institutions invested in South Asian stability" should be alarmed by the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the country.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a young activist and prominent figure associated with last years July uprising, was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhakas Bijoynagar area. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.

Following Hadis death, protests and unrest erupted in Dhaka, with activists gathering at the Shahbagh intersection to demand justice for the slain leader.

The secular character of Bangladeshi politics was one of our greatest strengths, and we cannot allow it to be sacrificed at the whim of a few idiotic extremists. Once democracy is restored and responsible governance returns, such reckless talk will end," Hasina told news agency ANI.

Hasina also expressed concern over growing diplomatic strain in IndiaBangladesh relations, citing anti-India protests and the killing of 27-year-old Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das. She held interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus responsible, alleging that the interim government had issued hostile statements against New Delhi and failed to protect religious minorities.

The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunuss making. His government issues hostile statements against India, fails to protect religious minorities, and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy, then expresses surprise when tensions rise. India has been Bangladeshs most steadfast friend and partner for decades. The ties between our nations are deep and fundamental; they will outlast any temporary government," she said.

Her remarks came days after Das was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy on December 18, following which his body was set on fire. The killing triggered widespread outrage and condemnation, leading to the arrest of at least 12 accused in the case.

This is the reality of Yunuss Bangladesh," Hasina outlined.

I share this concern, as do the millions of Bangladeshis who prefer the safe, secular state we once were. Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life. He is not a politician and has no experience governing a complex nation. My fear is that radicals are using him to project an acceptable face to the international community while they systematically radicalise our institutions from within," she further added.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 08:14 IST

News world Sheikh Hasina Says Violence New Normal In Yunus Bangladesh: Gave Extremists Cabinet Roles

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'Productive, Constructive': Steve Wiktoff As US, Russian Officials Meet In Florida For Ukraine Talks

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 07:16 IST

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said American and Russian officials held productive and constructive talks in Florida to advance Donald Trumps peace plan for Ukraine.

Russian Presidential foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, left, Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, center, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, foreground right in Russia (Photo: AP)

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Russian and American officials held productive and constructive" meetings in Florida over the last two days as part of efforts to advance President Donald Trumps peace plan for Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyivs negotiating team was separately engaged in detailed talks with US envoys on ending the war.

In an X post, Witkoff said Russias special envoy Kirill Dmitriev met the American delegation in Florida to move discussions forward.

Over the last two days in Florida, the Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings with the American delegation to advance President Trumps peace plan on Ukraine," Witkoff wrote.

He said the US delegation included himself, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum.

Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine," Witkoff mentioned, adding that Moscow highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security."

Over the last two days in Florida, the Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings with the American delegation to advance President Trumps peace plan on Ukraine.The American delegation included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner,  Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) December 21, 2025

The post came hours after Zelenskyy said Ukraines negotiating team was in Florida holding meetings with US representatives, including envoys of President Trump.

Ukraines negotiating team is currently working in Florida  there will be more meetings today with the American delegation, with envoys of President Trump," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

He said discussions were focused on documents related to ending the war, on security guarantees, and on reconstruction," adding that talks were detailed and constructive.

Work on the documents on ending the war, on security guarantees, and on reconstruction is ongoing  they are going through each point in detail, and there is constructive engagement with the American side," Zelenskyy mentioned.

In a video message accompanying the post, Zelenskyy described the past week as a major diplomatic moment for Ukraine.

I would like to conclude this historic week for Ukraine, a significant diplomatic week," he said, highlighting the European Unions decision to provide 90 billion in support over two years.

The main thing is that we have provided Ukraine with 90 billion euros for two years."

Zelenskyy said Ukraine would receive a minimum of 45 billion euros annually for the next two years" and stressed that the funds would come from Russian assets frozen in Europe.

Russia must pay for its war," he said.

90 billion euros is a financial guarantee of security for all of Ukraine," he added.

He also confirmed that negotiations in Florida included discussions on timing.

They are also discussing timing, possible timeframes for specific decisions," he said, adding that he expected reports from Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov.

Ukraines negotiating team is currently working in Florida  there will be more meetings today with the American delegation, with envoys of President Trump. Work on the documents on ending the war, on security guarantees, and on reconstruction is ongoing  they are going through pic.twitter.com/mX5k6ZYf0B Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) December 21, 2025

The Florida meetings followed earlier talks between US, Ukrainian, and European officials and are part of Washingtons attempt to coax both sides toward an agreement to end the war that began with Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Dmitriev told reporters after meeting Witkoff and Kushner that discussions were constructive and would continue, Reuters reported.

While US officials have reported progress on security guarantees for Kyiv, the report mentioned that US intelligence assessments continue to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not softened his demands, including opposition to Ukraine joining NATO and insistence on territorial concessions.

ALSO READ | Indian Student Captured In Ukraine Warns Against Joining Russian Army, Seeks Help From Govt

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

First Published: December 22, 2025, 07:08 IST

News world 'Productive, Constructive': Steve Wiktoff As US, Russian Officials Meet In Florida For Ukraine Talks

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Who Is Anand Varadarajan? Starbucks Appoints Ex-Amazon Executive As New Chief Technology Officer

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 10:33 IST

Indian-origin Anand Varadarajan will take charge from January 19, replacing Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down from the role in September.

Starbucks Appoints Anand Varadarajan as Chief Technology Officer

Anand Varadarajan is the newly appointed chief technology officer of Starbucks. The global coffee chain announced on Friday that he will take charge from January 19, as chief executive Brian Niccol moves ahead with a major technology overhaul in stores to improve labour efficiency.

Varadarajan replaces Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down from the role in September. After her exit, Starbucks had named Ningyu Chen as interim CTO. Varadarajan now takes over at a time when the company is focusing on modernising store operations through technology.

Starbucks CEO shared the announcement online, saying Anand Varadarajan will join as executive vice president and CTO from January 19, reporting directly to him. He added that Varadarajan will lead the Starbucks Technology organisation and join the Executive Leadership Team. Outside work, he is an avid runner chasing all seven World Marathon Majors and a coffee lover who starts his day with a tall latte or brewed coffee.

He brings nearly two decades of experience from Amazon, where he worked for 19 years. At the e-commerce giant, he led technology and supply chain operations for its worldwide grocery business. Varadarajan has also previously worked at software firm Oracle, adding to his strong background in large-scale technology systems.

Varadarajan holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Washington and a Masters degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He earned his undergraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, building a strong academic foundation across engineering and technology disciplines that has shaped his leadership career in global companies. Watch more videos Share this Article

WhatsApp

facebook

Twitter

telegram

copy link

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 22, 2025, 10:09 IST

News world Who Is Anand Varadarajan? Starbucks Appoints Ex-Amazon Executive As New Chief Technology Officer

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Who Is Motaleb Sikder? Bangladesh Student Leader Shot Days After Osman Hadis Death

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 22:52 IST

Motaleb Sikder of NCP was shot in Khulna amid unrest after Sharif Osman Hadi's death. Protests have rocked Bangladesh, with investigations ongoing and no arrests yet.

Motaleb Sikder of NCP was shot in Khulna amid unrest after Sharif Osman Hadi's death. Protests have rocked Bangladesh, with investigations ongoing and no arrests yet. (Pic: Pragativadi)

A senior student leader of Bangladeshs National Citizen Party (NCP), Motaleb Sikder, was shot and injured by unidentified assailants in Khulna on Monday, amid continuing unrest in the country following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Sikder, a key NCP organiser and the partys divisional chief in Khulna, was shot in the head near his residence in the Sonadanga area of the city. The 42-year-old was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

According to Sonadanga Model Police Station officer-in-charge Rafikul Islam, the shooting took place around 11:45 am near Gazi Medical College Hospital. Miscreants opened fire targeting his head," Islam said, as quoted by The Daily Star.

Doctors treating Sikder later said he was out of immediate danger, as the bullet entered through one side of his ear and exited through the other, avoiding fatal injury.

Local media reports said Sikder was actively involved in organising an upcoming divisional labour rally of the National Citizen Party at the time of the attack. Prothom Alo reported that he also works as a central organiser of NCPs labour wing, Sramik Shakti.

The shooting comes days after Bangladesh was rocked by violent protests following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in last years student-led movement that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who later fled to New Delhi.

Hadi succumbed to gunshot injuries at a hospital in Singapore last week after being shot in Dhaka on December 12. His death triggered widespread protests across the country, during which several buildings were vandalised and set ablaze, including offices of major media houses such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

The unrest has also seen violent incidents elsewhere. Earlier, a shooting was reported in the port city of Chattogram during a rally of the Bangladesh National Party, attended by hundreds of supporters.

Police said investigations into Sikders shooting are underway and no arrests have been made so far.Motaleb Sikder of NCP was shot in Khulna amid unrest after Sharif Osman Hadis death. Protests have rocked Bangladesh, with investigations ongoing and no arrests yet.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 22:52 IST

News world Who Is Motaleb Sikder? Bangladesh Student Leader Shot Days After Osman Hadis Death

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'Would Like To Go Back To India': Brother Of Hindu Man Lynched In Bangladesh

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 22, 2025, 22:52 IST

25-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was first beaten up by a mob over blasphemy allegations and then hanged from a tree.

Dipu Chandra's Brother Speaks Exclusively To CNN News18.

Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu youth, was lynched and his body was set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Bangladesh. His brutal killing sparked major outrage and flagged the poor condition of minorities in the country. Dipu Das brother, Apu Das, spoke exclusively to CNN News18 and expressed that his family is scared and no longer wants to live in Bangladesh.

Apu also added that his family would like to go back to India if proper help is provided.

He said, He (Dipu) is left behind by a small child. If we had the facility, we would love to leave Bangladesh now, and if we get help, we would like to go back to India."

Apu also told CNN News18 that his brother kept saying that he insulted no one.

Dipu was a factory worker in Mymensingh city. He was first beaten up by a mob outside the factory over blasphemy allegations and then hanged from a tree.

Das was killed on Thursday night amid violence that began after the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. As per the police, the mob dumped the Hindu youths body on the side of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and set it on fire, bringing traffic on both sides of the road to a standstill.

Minority Groups Protest In Bangladesh

Minority groups in Bangladesh on Monday held a protest in the national capital over the interim governments failure to prevent the persecution of minorities, as authorities announced the arrest of 21 suspects linked to the lynching of a Hindu man, attacks on media offices, and violent demonstrations near an Indian diplomatic mission.

Leaders of Hindu and other minority organisations on Monday formed a human chain in Dhaka against the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, saying the interim government has failed to stop violence, killings, and persecution of minority communities.

Das, a garment factory worker in central Mymensingh city, was dragged out of the factory by a mob and lynched to death on Thursday. His body was then set on fire.

His killing sparked widespread protests by factory workers, students, and rights groups while India expressed concerns as well.

He (Muhammad Yunus) claims he will build a humane Bangladesh, but in reality, he is an inhumane chief adviser," Joint Coordinator of the Minority Unity Front, Manindra Kumar Nath, told the protesters in front of Jatiya Press Club.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit

Location : Bangladesh

First Published: December 22, 2025, 19:26 IST

News world 'Would Like To Go Back To India': Brother Of Hindu Man Lynched In Bangladesh

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Recently, Dina Ottmani an overseas vlogger who focuses on exploring Chinese robotics  visited Hefei to tour smartmanufacturing companies such as Hefei Zerith Robotics Co., Ltd. (hereafter "Zerith"). She was left exclaiming that Hefei's robotics industry is truly "stunning." "Look  a robot is wiping the table!" At Zerith, Dina, who is from Morocco, raised her phone and filmed the ZerithH1 doing household chores, her face lighting up with excitement. As a content creator focused on Chinese robots, Dina has a combined following of four million across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and other overseas platforms. Her travels have taken her across China  from established robotics firms to emerging tech startups  and she documents the country's robotic advances on camera. One day she spotted Zerith's ZerithH1 online and exclaimed, "It can do housework  this is exactly what I've been looking for!" She immediately reached out to the company. After nearly a fivehour highspeed train ride from Beijing to Hefei, Dina entered Zerith and saw simulated environments  a restroom, a retail supermarket setup  and rows of eager robots. She felt reassured: the monthslong "wonder trip" she had planned had truly begun. The robots detect trash on the table and pick it up one by one, deposit it in the bin; they hold cloths to precisely wipe stains; they pick up toilet brushes to clean toilets... Seeing this in person after watching videos online, Dina was amazed: "They're so advanced  they can do chores on their own!" She eagerly filmed herself alongside the working robots, smoothly switching into vlogger mode to narrate her impressions in a foreign language. Not confined to the lab, while Dina was filming, ZerithH1 units were also deployed in real commercial settings  at MixC mall, Hefei Xinqiao International Airport and elsewhere  acting as "store clerks" and "cleaners," carrying out publicspace cleaning and item pickup in genuine, operational scenarios. Staff explained that ZerithH1 is equipped with a pair of "wise eyes"  a 3D multimodal perception system. With this system, the robot can not only locate toilets and sinks but also assess the severity of surface stains, just like an experienced cleaner handling sanitation tasks. Its 1.8meter robotic arm enables finegrained manipulation. Most importantly is the robot's "smart brain." ZerithH1 relies on a specialized scene model, ZerithV0, which endows it with decisionmaking capabilities and allows it to autonomously plan the full workflow  from spotting a stain to spraying, wiping, and stowing away tools. "We hope intelligent robots can truly enter household settings and serve families," said Wang Bowen, Brand Director of Hefei Zerith Robotics. He described Zerith's practical plan: first let robots collect realworld data from commercial deployments to feed back into their AI training, then gradually move into more delicate and complex home environments to become genuine "household helpers." "At first I only saw robots running and dancing  I didn't expect them to actually help humans with housework. This is the first time I've seen that. It truly shocked me!" Dina said. As her Hefei trip concluded, Dina was already looking forward to returning: "Hefei, I will definitely come back  for sure! I want to watch these robots grow step by step."

Source: Jianghuai Morning Post
Vice President JD Vance used a Sunday appearance at Turning Point's AmericaFest in Phoenix to urge members of the pro-Trump movement to stop attacking each other and concentrate on defeating Democrats. Vance told thousands of attendees that President Trump built his political base by welcoming supporters rather than applying "self-defeating purity tests," saying conservatives have "more important work to do than canceling each other." He also linked Democrats to the shooting death of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, asking attendees if they're willing to "take the country back from the people who took his life," Politico reports. Authorities have charged Tyler Robinson in Kirk's killing; his political views are not clearly defined. Donald Trump Jr. likewise told the crowd that the enemy is "the radical left," which he blamed for Kirk's death.

The four-day gathering of roughly 30,000 Trump supporters was dominated by internal disputes. On Thursday, commentator Ben Shapiro warned that the movement faces serious danger from "charlatans" who he said promote conspiracy theories, singling out Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Steve Bannon. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy echoed those concerns, denouncing Carlson's interview with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and saying such views "have no place in this movement." Bannon fired back from the stage, calling Shapiro "a cancer" and "the farthest thing from MAGA."

Sunday's program featured efforts to close ranks. House Speaker Mike Johnson framed the moment as a decisive struggle for control of Congress and the country's direction. Rep. Byron Donalds, now running for governor of Florida, told the gathering that a successful movement must stay "focused on the mission at hand" despite internal frustrations. Vance arrived as the house favorite: Erika Kirk, leader of the youth organization and Charlie Kirk's widow, endorsed the vice president for the 2028 presidential race on opening night. Erika Kirk appeared onstage again Sunday, when Nicki Minaj surprised the crowd, per the AP. The rapper praised Trump and Vance, per People, calling the president "handsome" and "dashing."
James Ransone, best known for his turn as troubled dockworker Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire, has died at 46, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Authorities said the actor died by hanging on Friday, Variety reports. Deadline reports that his wife, Jamie McPhee, wrote on Instagram , "I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again." HBO also mourned Ransone online, as did production company Blumhouse, People reports.

Ransone's breakout role came in Season 2 of HBO's crime drama, where he appeared in 12 episodes as Chester "Ziggy" Sobotka, a reckless and frequently humiliated longshoreman whose storyline ends in a grim act of violence and imprisonment. He went on to work again with HBO in 2008's Generation Kill, portraying Marine Cpl. Josh Ray Person across the seven-part miniseries about the US invasion of Iraq.

In 2019, Ransone joined the It franchise, playing the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, opposite Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, and James McAvoy. His recent film work included roles in Black Phone 2, the horror anthology V/H/S/85, Small Engine Repair, and What We Found.

Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone studied at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, from 1993 to 1997. He got an early feature break in the 2002 teen drama Ken Park before moving into the television work that made him a familiar face to fans of prestige TV and genre films. He is survived by his wife and two children. (If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988.)
Jimmy Kimmel is taking a little break from late-night duties in Britain this year, where he's taking on one of the country's quirkier Christmas traditions, the New York Times reports. Channel 4 announced that the American comedian will deliver its "alternative Christmas message" on Dec. 25, using the slot to speak out against fascism. "From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year," Kimmel will say, according to a network spokesman. The address will air at 5:45pm local time, a deliberate counterpoint to King Charles III's official holiday broadcast on the BBC at 3pm.

The alternative message, launched in 1993 as a satirical take on Queen Elizabeth II's yearly speech, has evolved into a mix of earnest commentary and pointed humor. Kimmel joins a notably varied list of past Channel 4 speakers, including civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in 1994, Olympian Tom Daley, actor Stephen Fry, comedian Chris McCausland, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowdenand even the cartoon character Marge Simpson, per the Guardian, and a deep-fake version of the late Elizabeth, per Axios. Channel 4 says Kimmel will offer his "personal reflections on the year," suggesting Britain's alternative to royal formality will lean American, topical, and politically pointed this time around.

Kimmel's appearance follows a turbulent fall: ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September after he made remarks about the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompting a national debate about free speech before the show returned about a week later. "Donald Trump's return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025 and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the frontline of America's battle over free speech," says a Channel 4 spokesperson quoted by Deadline.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Washington's latest strategy against Venezuela might be landing hardest 1,300 miles awayin a Cuba already buckling under its worst economic crisis in decades. The US has begun enforcing a partial blockade on Venezuelan oil exports by targeting tankers under sanctionsships that handle roughly 70% of Venezuela's crude. Two tankers have been seized and the US is currently in pursuit of a third, notes the AP . Because Venezuela supplies about 40% of Cuba's imported fuel, analysts say a serious disruption in those flows could be catastrophic.

"It would be the collapse of the Cuban economy, no question about it," says Jorge Pinon of the University of Texas at Austin. The New York Times similarly describes Venezuelan oil as Cuba's "secret lifeline." Cuba developed particularly strong ties with Venezuela in 1999 when Hugo Chavez became president, and its intelligence agents have helped Chavez and now Nicolas Maduro fend off threats. But Cuba is unraveling at home in the meantime: The electrical grid is failing, poverty is rampant, garbage collection has broken down, water service is erratic, and diseases such as dengue and chikungunya are spreading. Since 2020, about a quarter of the populationmore than 2.7 million peoplehas left the island, a shift one Havana-based demographer likens to the toll usually seen in war zones.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel has condemned the tanker seizures as piracy and acknowledged a "huge material shortage," while promising moves toward "macroeconomic stability." But the reality is grim. "You could say it's as bad as it can get," says Cuban economist Ricardo Torres Perez of the American University in Washington. "We also know it can get worse."
CBS News' new boss has yanked a 60 Minutes investigation off the air at the last minute, and the show's own correspondent is calling it a political move. Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss pulled a segment examining alleged mistreatment of Venezuelan migrants held at a high-security prison in El Salvador just a day and a half before Sunday's broadcast, NPR reports. Weiss told staff the piece couldn't run without an on-the-record response from the Trump administration. The decision came after the story had already been cleared by senior producers, news executives, and the network's legal and standards teams, according to two people familiar with the reviews.
Denmark's national postal service is about to close the mailbox on letter deliveries . PostNord, the joint Danish-Swedish company that has handled Denmark's mail since 2009, will deliver its final letter on Dec. 30, ending a tradition that dates to 1624 and underscoring just how thoroughly the country has shifted to digital communication, per the Guardian . The practice of mailing letters has declined 90% in the last 25 years as Denmark has become "one of the most digitalised countries in the world," according to PostNord, which says its letter business is no longer sustainable. It's cutting 1,500 jobs and removing 1,500 of its familiar red mailboxes as it stops letter delivery and pivots fully to parcels. Parcel volumes continue to climb, per Freight Waves .

Letters won't disappear entirely. Indeed, Danish law requires that a letter option must exist. Private carrier Dao will expand from handling about 30 million letters this year to 80 million in 2026. But with the removal of mailboxes, users will have to drop items at Dao shops or pay extra for home pickup. The company suggests it's happy to be in such a position, as its research indicates a small revival among 18- to 34-year-olds, who send two to three times as many letters as other age groups, a trend one researcher attributes to a desire for relief from "digital oversaturation."

At Copenhagen's Enigma museum, director Magnus Restofte notes physical letters have become rare enough that their meaning has increased; a handwritten note signals time, cost, and intention. Restofte adds that if digital systems ever fail, reviving a national letter network would be difficult, especially in a country where 97% of people 15 and older use the MitID digital ID and only 5% have opted out of official "digital post." PostNord's deputy CEO Kim Pedersen calls ending the national letter service "a difficult decision" after four centuries but says the economics left little choice. Unused Danish stamps will be refunded for a limited period. Meanwhile, the nation's retired mailboxes are being auctioned off for between $150 and $200.
A senior Russian general was killed in a car bombing in Moscow early Monday in what investigators suggest may have been a targeted assassination linked to the war in Ukraine. Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, who oversaw army operational training for Russia's General Staff, died after an explosive device detonated under his SUV as he pulled out of a parking spot in southern Moscow just before 7am local time, according to Russia's Investigative Committee. Video released by the committee showed the SUV with a door blown off and blood visible on the driver's seat, per Reuters .

Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said forensic teams were collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing surveillance footage. She said several possible motives were under review, including "the possible role of Ukrainian intelligence services in organizing the crime." Kyiv has not commented. An unofficial Ukrainian website, Myrotvorets, which tracks people it labels as enemies of Ukraine, updated its entry on the 56-year-old Sarvarov to mark him as "liquidated."

The killing adds to a series of attacks on Russian military officials and prominent supporters of the war since the invasion of Ukraine began nearly four years ago. Previous car bomb victims in or near Moscow have included Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, whose death was claimed by Ukraine's security agency; Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik; and Darya Dugina, the daughter of a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, per the BBC and Washington Post. A Kremlin rep said Putin was informed of Sarvarov's death immediately.
Ted Cruz is sounding more like a 2028 presidential candidate , and that could put him on a collision course with the man many Republicans already see as Trump's heir: Vice President JD Vance. In recent months, the Texas senator has been testing out a message that pairs old-school GOP hawkishness with a warning about what he calls rising antisemitism on the right, per the Washington Post . Cruz has publicly blasted Tucker Carlson as a source of "poison" in the party over the commentator's criticism of Israel and his friendly interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Carlson denies being antisemitic and says Cruz is using him as a foil to hurt Vance, a close ally who shares Carlson's skepticism of US intervention abroad.

Behind the scenes, Cruz has told donors that Vance's foreign-policy instincts are dangerously isolationist, according to people familiar with the conversations. Vance, who leads early GOP polls for 2028, rejects claims of a significant antisemitism problem on the right and draws a distinction between criticism of Israel and hostility toward Jews. The split underscores how much the party has changed since Cruz's 2016 run, when he tried to be the anti-establishment alternative to Trump; today he is defending traditional Republican positions against a populist "America First" wing that questions foreign entanglements and big business.

Cruz, 55, has not announced a campaign but has acknowledged that people are urging him to run and has been traveling, fundraising, and giving pointed speeches before Jewish conservative groups. He is betting that confronting Carlson and staking out a firm pro-Israel, anti-isolationist line could define a lane for him in a Trump-less primary, per the Post. So far, there is little evidence it's working: few Republicans have rallied publicly to his side and some major donors say they'd back Vance instead. Even allies concede that Cruz can no longer run as an outsider and carries baggage from his 2016 clash with Trump. Still, experts say he's recognizable, has a solid donor base, and a large platform with his podcast, "The Verdict," per ABC News.
An analysis by Sopan Deb in the New York Times suggests that a new political insult is now in full swing: "theater kid." It's mainly in use as a slam against Democratic politicians and activists, and Deb ticks off a long list of recent examples, including:

To strategists and commentators on the right, the insult captures what they see as left-wing "performance-based radicalism," as CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings tells Deb. Meaning, politics as spectacle rather than substance. Even some Democrats see a branding problem: data scientist Dhaaruni Sreenivas wrote a Substack post titled "The Theaterkid-ification of the Democratic Party." Sreenivas tells Deb she worries that her party's image as a home for earnest, rule-following Glee types turns off voters who distrust "nerds."

But people inside the theater world and some scholars say the jab hits nerves beyond partisanship. Theater has long been a haven for outsiders and queer youth, and some, like Syracuse musical-theater professor Jacob Kerzner, say using "theater kid" as an insult carries a homophobic edge. In an essay at the Michigan Daily, self-described theater kid Siena Bares also explores the term. "Because let's face it, there is a stereotype with high school theater," she writes. "You can't pin it exactly as it varies from place to place, but the general consensus is that the theater kid is on the outskirts of the social hierarchy." Her piece ends with an encouragement for theater kids to embrace it: "So turn those sweaty palms into jazz hands, and keep creating!"
The Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday they will relocate across the Kansas-Missouri border in a new, $3 billion domed stadium that will be ready by the 2031 season. The team had talked about moving for years, negotiating with governments in both states on a stadium deal. The final step was taken Monday in a packed room at the Kansas Capitol in Topeka when the Legislative Coordinating Council, which includes the state's top lawmakers, unanimously approved a bond package to pay for most of the stadium and a surrounding district, the AP reports. The Chiefs have played in Missouri since 1963 and at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972.


TOKYO, Dec 23 (News On Japan) - SoftBank and other companies are considering establishing a new firm dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence, with the aim of building a domestically produced AI platform through a public-private partnership.

The new company would be led by SoftBank, with multiple Japanese firms also weighing investment, according to sources. Its focus would be the development of a large-scale, highly versatile foundation AI model, which would be provided as core technology to companies developing AI for specific applications.

Highly general-purpose AI platforms are currently dominated by overseas players such as those in the United States, resulting in Japans heavy reliance on foreign technology. Against this backdrop, the Takayama administration is considering providing support totaling around 1 trillion yen over five years starting next fiscal year to back the new companys development efforts.

Source: BIZ
MONTREAL, Dec. 22, 2025 /CNW/ - With a view to increasing its market share in the infrastructure sector, Atwill-Morin, through its subsidiary Atwill-Morin Concrete, has acquired Montreal-based SoluBeton, a company specializing in waterproofing, repairing, and injecting all types of concrete.

Atwill-Morin shareholders Matthew Atwill-Morin, President and CEO (right), his brothers Jonathan, President of Atwill-Morin Ontario, and Mark, Vice President of Operations, welcomed with Nicolas Croteau, Executive Vice President (left), their new ally, Gabriel Carpentier (center), Founding President of SoluBeton. (CNW Group/Atwill-Morin)

This was announced today by Matthew Atwill-Morin, President and CEO of Atwill-Morin, who specified that this acquisition would complement the services offered by the subsidiary Atwill-Morin Concrete, which has earned its stripes in more than one major infrastructure project in Quebec, including the reinforcement of beams and slabs and the shoring under the Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge, pending the opening of the new bridge owned by the Ministere des Transports et de la Mobilite durable (MTMD).

"This strategic acquisition will enable us to respond to the future shift proposed by the concrete waterproofing industry, which has experienced rapid growth in recent years throughout Quebec and Ontario," " said Mr. Atwill-Morin, noting that SoluBeton employees will join the Atwill-Morin teams, which already include more than 180 cement applicators, supported by estimators, engineers, and project managers specializing in residential, commercial, civil, and industrial projects.

"For SoluBeton, this acquisition is the natural path to ensuring the expansion and sustainability of our specialties, which also include specific expertise in working in confined spaces with various single- and double-component bitumen-, epoxy-, and polyurethane-based membranes, applied cold in drinking water, storm water, sanitary, and chemical tanks," said Gabriel Carpentier, founding president of SoluBeton, who is also joining Atwill-Morin while remaining a shareholder in SoluBeton. Mr. Carpentier added that the company shares the same values as Atwill-Morin, whose respective missions are to restore value to buildings and infrastructure in order to ensure the safety of their users.

As examples, he cited the REM - Reseau Express Metropolitain (NouvLR) projects, phase 2 of the CHUM (Pomerleau), the Bloom Lake Mine in Fermont (Minerai de Fer du Quebec), the revitalization of Place Ville-Marie (Pomerleau), and the Royalmount Biomanufacturing complex, a research center built urgently during the COVID-19 pandemic (Pomerleau), which have enabled SoluBeton to carve out a reputation for excellence similar to that of Atwill-Morin.

For Atwill-Morin, this acquisition strengthens the company's competitive position in the concrete waterproofing market, which is likely to experience accelerated growth in the short term, driven in part by the imminent wave of major projects included in the Quebec government's Infrastructure Plan (PIQ).

The amount of the transaction has not been disclosed for reasons of confidentiality and competition.

SOURCE Atwill-Morin

Alexandre Dumas, 514 898-4636 (cell), [email protected]
Purolator Tackle Hunger supports food banks by easing transportation barriers in some communities

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Purolator is delivering more than just packages this holiday season--it's donating eight retired delivery trucks to food banks across Canada. These meaningful gifts reinforce the company's commitment to addressing food insecurity and help local partners reach more vulnerable individuals and families.

This initiative builds on Purolator's 2024 donation of a truck to Feed Scarborough, which was transformed into a food truck to help the organization deliver hot meals directly to neighbourhoods where the need is greatest.

Moose Jaw and District Food Bank is one of eight food banks receiving a refurbished delivery truck from Purolator through its nationwide Purolator Tackle Hunger campaign, which aims to help food banks reach those who need it most in their communities. (CNW Group/Purolator Inc.)

"Aligned with our commitment to address food insecurity and our focus on continuous improvement, we were able to source these trucks and share them with food banks to make a meaningful impact," said Cindy Bailey, Vice-President and Corporate Sustainability Officer, Purolator. "The holiday season is a time of giving, and we're proud to provide resources that enable food banks to deliver vital support to Canadians who need it most."

In addition to donating eight trucks through its Purolator Tackle Hunger program, Purolator's employees, customers, and partners are on track to deliver more than 2.6 million pounds of food to Canadian food banks this year, a record amount in the program's history.

"Transportation remains one of the most significant challenges for food banks, particularly in remote and underserved communities," said Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer, Food Banks Canada. "Purolator's support comes at a critical time, as food banks face unprecedented demand during the holiday season. This partnership helps ensure that communities in need receive the food and support they deserve."

Purolator plans to expand its truck donation program in 2026 to address the significant and growing need for transportation support among food banks nationwide.

Food banks receiving a truck:

Agape Centre in Ottawa, Ont.

Boston Bar North Bend Food Bank in Hope, B.C.

Feed NB in Moncton, N.B.

Harvest Manitoba in Winnipeg, Man.

Moose Jaw and District Food Bank in Moose Jaw, Sask.

North York Harvest in Toronto, Ont.

The Ricochet Centre in Montreal, Que.

Wood Buffalo Food Bank in Fort McMurray, Alta.

To learn more about Purolator Tackle Hunger visit purolatortacklehunger.com.

About Purolator

Purolator Inc. is a leading integrated freight, package and logistics solutions provider. Delivering its customers' promises since 1960, Purolator continues to expand its reach and renowned service levels and reliability to more people, more businesses and more places across the country and the world. Purolator is proud of its Canadian heritage and is focused on sustainably positioning itself for future growth and success. Purolator is also committed to contributing to the well-being of the communities it serves and where more than 14,000 of its employees live, work and play.

About Purolator Tackle Hunger

As part of Purolator's commitment to helping alleviate hunger in the communities where it operates, the organization works closely with its employees, partners, customers, Canadian food banks and charitable organizations to collect food and monetary donations. Together, we also help raise awareness about the issue of food insecurity. Since the inception of Purolator's employee-led grassroots program over 20 years ago, Purolator Tackle Hunger has helped deliver more than 25 million pounds of food to Canadian food banks. For more information, visit purolatortacklehunger.com.

SOURCE Purolator Inc.

Media contact: Emily Innes-Leroux, Senior Consultant, Corporate Communications, Purolator, [email protected], 416 803-5657
Science news New species of beetle named in honour of Gerald Durrell By Emma Caton First published 22 December 2025 A museum scientist has paid homage to the renowned British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, whose stories inspired him to become a researcher when he was growing up in what was then the Soviet Union. The new species of beetle, named Macratria durrelli, is found in Madagascar, a country closely linked to Geralds conservation work.

Growing up in Latvia during the height of the Cold War, Dmitry Telnov had little access to published material from outside the Soviet Union. But among the few books he could get his hands on were some of the works by Gerald Durrell. Recounting Geralds adventures as he travelled through exciting places such as West Africa and South America in search of wildlife, these books made huge impression on Dmitrys early life. The books spurred Dmitry on to become an expert in beetles, who now himself explores remote regions in search of wildlife. Travelling outside the Soviet Union was banned, Dmitry recalls. So Geralds stories provided a way for many of us to peer from behind the Iron Curtain into the wider world. Dmitry now cares for and researches our collection of beetles, and has chosen to honour Gerald by naming a new species of Madagascan beetle after him. The new species is part of the genus Macratria, which is a large group of beetles containing over 320 species. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, but mainly live near the tropics. Astonishingly, Dmitry has described almost half of these beetles, giving official names to over 150 species in this group alone. The Macratria are part of a larger group known as the antlike flower beetles. Their name likely comes from the way they move their heads, using their antenna to feel their environment in a similar way to ants. A description of the new species and other newly described Madagascan beetles has been published in the journal Annales Zoologici. Gerald Durrell has been a huge inspiration to me throughout my life, says Dmitry. He helped me realise, as a scientist, that we have to use our knowledge to help conserve nature and not just study it. This new species of beetle is from Madagascar, a country where Gerald worked for a long time. It was part of his work here that made him realise that species were disappearing and we had to do something about it. This year also marks 100 years since the birth of Gerald Durrell, so I felt it was a perfect time to honour his extraordinary legacy.

Who was Gerald Durrell and what is his legacy? Gerald Durrell was born in India in 1925 but spent much of his childhood on the Greek island of Corfu. This period of his life ignited Geralds passion for wildlife. He collected and studied all the animals and plants he could find from snakes and scorpions to butterflies and tortoises, often keeping them in an array of containers around the house. He would eventually document this period of his life in the popular book My Family and Other Animals. Shortly after the breakout of the Second World War, Gerald and his family moved back to Britain. He eventually got a job as a student keeper at Whipsnade Zoo. But he always dreamed of setting up his own zoo one day. At the age of 21, Gerald went on his first expedition to collect animals, choosing to travel to West Africa. To help fund more expeditions, Gerald decided to write and publish stories about his adventures, as he trekked through rainforests and camped on remote savannas. The books proved hugely popular, and he was eventually able to open his own zoo in Jersey in the Channel Islands. Throughout his travels, Gerald became increasingly aware of the plight of many animals he encountered. He turned his attention to conserving these threatened species and went on to establish the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, which is known today as the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Gerald Durrell really changed our understanding of the role of zoos, says Dmitry. He understood from very early on that they can play an important role in conservation. He brought species that were on the brink of extinction to Jersey Zoo, he bred them and released them into the wild. Gerald Durrell passed away on 30 January 1995. A memorial celebration to honour his extraordinary life was held at the Natural History Museum later that year and attended by many important figures, including Sir David Attenborough.
Adventure Aquarium in Camden welcomed the arrival of two African penguin chicks.

The chicks, named Oscar and Duffy by aquarium staff, are the 51st and 52nd of their species to hatch at the facility.

Their birth comes as African penguins were reclassified as critically endangered in October 2024 due to habitat loss and environmental factors.

Experts predict African penguins could be functionally extinct by 2035 without prioritized conservation efforts.

The species, native to the coast of southwestern Africa, can eat up to 20% of their body weight in a single meal despite their relatively small size.

The naming choices reflect the aquariums culture.

Duffy honors staff member Jen Duffy, who has worked with the bird and mammal team since 2006.

Oscars name playfully references his parents, Myer and Cornelia, whose nickname is Corn Dog, creating a hot dog-themed connection to the famous brand.

The chicks follow the 2024 hatching of Gabby and Shubert, the 49th and 50th African penguins born at Adventure Aquarium.

That pair marked the first chicks to hatch since 2020 and they celebrated their first birthday on Dec. 1.
This is part of our Speaking of the Devils newsletter, which is sent to your inbox every Monday morning.

1. I have to start with Jack Hughes, who returned to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 12 on Sunday. It took him just 8:51 to score, too. He played the most among Devils forwards (20.57) and had two shots on goal in 23 shifts.

2. With one goal on Sunday, Hughes now has the same number of goals as Jesper Bratt in his last 21 games. Thats unacceptable from Bratt, who has six goals and 29 points in 36 games. Bratt and Nico Hischier have combined for just six points in their last 10 games.

3. New Jerseys power play has been abysmal of late, converting at an 8.3% clip in their last 10 games. Surprisingly, thats not even the worst percentage in the league (Toronto is worse during that stretch with a 7.4% PP%).

4. Hughes clearly didnt want to talk about the freak accident that led to his hand injury. I asked him what exactly happened that night in Chicago. He was mum on the details, just calling it a freak thing with no further explanation.

5. He did, however, open up about his brother Quinn getting traded to the Minnesota Wild. It happened fast. I think hes happy in Minnesota now. They have a great team there, and theyre playing well. ... Were happy for him, he said.

Is he disappointed the Devils didnt land him? A little bit, Jack said.

6. Highly recommend you watch Jacks postgame comments on Sunday. You can watch it in full here. You can really tell how painful it was for him to watch this team slide (8-10-0) without him.

7. Heres a crazy sentence: NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and his girlfriend Livvy Dunne, the gymnastics star/influencer, were at the Devils game Sunday, and they were not even the most famous fans in the stands! Pop star Tate McRae  who is rumored to be dating Jack Hughes  was seated in one of the suites (though the Devils never officially announced/publicized that).

8. A nutty stat: Per Devils Insiders, the Devils are one of three teams without a win when trailing after two periods (Boston and Columbus are the other two). That trend continued on Sunday.

9. Catch our YouTube show Speaking of the Devils if you havent yet. I go live after every game and answer YOUR comments/questions. Its a blast.

10. The Johnathan Kovacevic situation bears monitoring over the next few weeks. The righty defenseman (knee surgery) will return soon (he skated on Sunday). The Devils can technically squeeze him back without making a major move, but itll be very complicated from a salary cap perspective. Is there a trade brewing in Newark? Can general manager Tom Fitzgerald convince one of Dougie Hamiltons 10 trade-approved teams to take on his steep cap hit?
One of New Jerseys largest suburban school districts is making a scheduling change aimed at enabling high school students to get more sleep before reporting to classes.

Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, students will report to Bridgewater-Raritan High School in Somerset County by 8 a.m. Thats 40 minutes later than the current reporting time, according to the school district.

The scheduling change at the high school is part of an overhaul of start and dismissal times at all grade levels in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, which enrolls 7,500 students at 11 schools.

Full-day kindergarten is debuting next year. To accommodate the change, fourth-graders will move to schools that currently enroll grades 5 and 6, while sixth-graders will move to the districts lone middle school to accommodate adjustments in bus routes that the district said would improve reliability and reduce costs.

Middle school students will report to school by 7:30 a.m. instead of 8:10 a.m., based on a presentation made to the school board Wednesday night.

The districts superintendent acknowledged the changes could cause some challenges for families and employees and that high school student athletes might need to occasionally leave class early for away games.

But the superintendent, Robert Beers, told the board that a later starting time at the high school has been in discussion for several years.

The high school start time will become more conducive for the health and wellness of our students, Beers said at the meeting.

There is no statewide standard for public school starting times in New Jersey but high schools typically have earlier starting times than elementary and middle schools.

High school starting times have drawn much scrutiny in recent years amid national concerns about students, particularly teenagers, not getting enough sleep.

Bridgewater-Raritan High School is the latest to make a change.

In Atlantic County, Pleasantville Public Schools approved later starting times at all schools one week before students returned to classes Sept. 4. Students are reporting to Pleasantville High School by 8 a.m. instead of 7:45 a.m.

Chatham High School in Morris County moved the reporting time for students from 7:40 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. three years ago.

At the school board meeting, Beers said the opportunity to change the high schools starting time is only one factor among a whole host of things prompting the restructuring.
A New Jersey actor with credits in film and television was indicted on charges that he shot a woman during a road rage incident near Stockton Universitys main campus.

Ernest Heinz, 47, of Port Republic, was arrested hours after he allegedly shot the woman in the face near a traffic light at Vera King Farris Drive in Galloway Township, which leads to the university.

Heinz was charged with first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Earlier this month, grand jurors issued a 31-count indictment against Heinz, records show.

Heinz is scheduled for arraignment in late January. A message left by NJ Advance Media for his attorney, Robin Kay Lord, was not immediately returned on Monday.

Heinz has worked as a real estate broker and has a dozen acting credits including one episode of The Sopranos, according to IMDB.com.

On the afternoon on Sept. 11, 2025, Heinz and the woman were merging into a single lane on South Pomona Road when he passed her, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The two encountered each other again outside Stockton minutes later, at which point Heinz allegedly was shouting from his car before firing at least one shot into the womans vehicle.

During the confrontation, Heinz allegedly told the woman, Im going to kill you, prosecutors said at a detention hearing.

Investigators further linked Heinz to the shooting through footage of him returning to Port Republic armed with a handgun less than 10 minutes after the shooting. At the home, Heinz also retrieved two bags, one of a rifle and another from Wawa, both of which were found in a storage unit rented by one of Heinzs friends.

Lord disputed the attempted murder charge, arguing it legally could fall into passion-provocation manslaughter. She unsuccessfully fought for Heinzs release, suggesting house arrest as an alternative.

A judge ordered him to remain in jail before trial.
Work is underway on the long-awaited Bayonne Ferry Terminal planned for the former Military Ocean Terminal.

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said the ferry service will change the economic future of Bayonne and predicted that ridership will explode.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week with officials from Bayonne, the Port Authority of New York and Port Authority of New Jersey and New York Waterway.

The terminal will be built on the southern side of the former Military Ocean Terminal, about 1 mile east of the main part of Bayonne, next to a former military motel at 51 Port Terminal Blvd.

The location will offer commuters a faster route from New Jersey to Manhattan, city officials said.

The city bought 2.3 acres from the Port Authority for $4.4 million in 2024.

The terminal and parking facility will occupy 1.6 acres, while 0.7 acres will be used to expand the waterfront walkway.

Lincoln Equities, a neighboring property owner, is donating an additional acre for the facility.
For Mercer County Technical Schools senior student Solomon Hussein, learning the craft of carpentry is about being able to work with his hands.

For me, I cant really sit down and get work done at a desk or a computer, said Hussein, who plans on working at a commercial hardware store or doing residential projects. But for this, its much easier and it feels much more natural to me.

The vocational school district provides classes, from grades nine to 12, for a variety of career paths ranging from carpentry to culinary, and has two schools based in Trenton and Pennington.

About seven months ago, Hussein and his classmates were given a special assignment from their carpentry teacher Denver Bird: make custom playhouses.

Bird, who has been teaching carpentry for three years at the districts Assunpink Center school in Trenton, worked in the private sector for 20 years in remodeling and finish carpentry, which, as the name implies, involves decorative work and other finishing touches.

When I started in this field, I was the young guy and now, 20 years in, I was still the young guy but I didnt feel young anymore, said Bird. I wondered where were all the young men and women that were supposed to be coming in and filling in these spots for the retired guys?

Theres this misconception, Bird said, that the younger generation doesnt want to work.

Instead of believing that stuff, I decided to go into the classroom and try to figure out whats going on, said Bird. I found a lot of young individuals that actually do want to work and are interested in pursuing a career in the trades.

Today, Bird teaches 40 junior and senior students, who for 25 hours a week learn the skills of the carpentry, such as how to properly read a tape measure.

Outside a 64 square foot playhouse custom built by Mercer County Technical Schools' carpentry high schools. Mercer County Technical Schools

We have to be able to read a tape measure to the 32nd of an inch. So getting them to understand that and how to handle fractions, its a whole other language, he said. All the materials and tools have specific names and the materials names change depending on where they are in a house.

As a key project in his class, Bird said his students created four playhouses, with four to five students having worked on each one.

Its not an easy project. It is a two-and-a-half-hour class period that they have every day, but for the first hour and a half theyre in the classroom, he said. So its really only an hour every day theyre getting to work on it. So it takes a little bit.

Excited to be building

Emil Backes, a senior, said for the first half of his junior year he and his classmates were creating smaller items, and were excited to build a playhouse.

When youre building stuff thats a little bit smaller, theres a sense of accomplishment, but when you work as a group and youre building something that you can walk into, that kind of felt more rewarding, said Backes, who is applying for colleges to pursue a career in architecture.

Bird said using four-by-four wooden blocks and other building materials, each playhouse is 64 square feet, measuring at eight feet wide, eight feet deep, and about seven feet tall.

Backes said, We had different assembly lines where we had somebody cutting something, somebody hanging something up, somebodys measuring, and all the different stages.

So, for us it really felt like everybody was doing something, Backes added. And we knew that we were contributing to something.

Learning together

Timothy Cabral said he enjoyed the different aspects of building the playhouse, like framing the walls, floor, and roof.

Having all your friends together in one class, and learning together was definitely really fun, said Cabral, a senior who works for a contractor and plans to continue his carpentry career after graduating.

Outside a 64 square foot playhouse custom built by Mercer County Technical Schools' carpentry high schools. Mercer County Technical Schools

Bird said prices for each playhouse have not been decided. But he noted that quality building materials were used for them, and suggested the price could be around $5,000.

So, weve got about $4,000 invested in each playhouse, said Bird. Now, if we can get $1,000 back to put back into the program, that would be the best-case scenario.

The rest of my life

Matthew Cranston, a senior, said he enjoyed working with his friends on the project.

Ill be using these skills probably for the rest of my life, said Cranston, who plans on a career in finish carpentry. Ill eventually own my own house, and if I wanted to get into a trade these kind of versatile skillslike measuring or knowing how to cutI could use in any trade realistically.

Bird said witnessing his students learn new skills and gain confidence is one of the best parts of his job.

You see these young people come in and some dont know which end of a screwdriver to use or how to read a tape measure, he said. Then, in literally four or five months time, theyre starting on building a playhouse here and you just see that growth and see the learning happen.

To purchase a playhouse, call 609-586-5144 or visit the schools contact page.
The Petco store at the Edison Crossroads shopping complex plans to close next month.

The store at 1029 Route 1 S. in Edison will end operations on Jan. 25, the pet supply retailer announced.

The store will offer 25% off supplies starting Jan. 4, giving customers a three-week window to take advantage of the discount before the location shuts down.

The company said it is evaluating its real estate portfolio to ensure stores are conveniently located to serve customers.

Pet owners in Edison can continue shopping at nearby Petco locations at 1333 Centennial Ave. in Piscataway and 1060 Route 9 in Parlin, as well as online at petco.com.

Petco said it is working with employees at the Edison store to help them find positions at other nearby locations.

The company announced in September that 25 locations would close by the end of 2025.
Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Chalkbeat. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Growth of a program intended to expand school choice by allowing students to enroll in schools outside their home district has stalled in recent years, state data shows. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

New Jerseys Inter-district Public School Choice Program has remained steady over the years, offering the option to a relatively small and consistent number of students, mostly from affluent districts, rather than expanding its access on a broader scale, state data obtained by Chalkbeat shows.

The states choice program was created to allow students to attend public schools outside their home district, but it has been stalled for more than a decade due to a lack of funding.

Participation in the program has stayed consistent, averaging around 5,000 students annually, according to a Chalkbeat analysis of the programs data over the last 10 years. That figure has been largely unchanged even as some school districts across the state experience declining enrollments.

There are 119 participating choice districts spanning counties such as Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Burlington, but no Essex County districts, including Newark, currently participate. Traditional public school districts must opt in as choice districts and can set limits on the number of students they accept.

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has expressed support for expanding the program, mainly as a way to desegregate the states public schools. The program is currently budgeted for $62 million and in 2012-13, Gov. Chris Christies administration capped the program at 5% growth annually. Some participating superintendents said that left the program underfunded and incapable of meeting the demand for seats.

To operate the program, the state provides the receiving district with money to cover the cost of educating a student. But experts have warned that paying for students isnt the same everywhere because of differences in tax levies across cities and towns.

Supporters of the program say scaling up would help desegregate schools, support districts facing enrollment declines, and give students more options to specialized programs.

In many cases, the sending and receiving districts are close neighbors, suggesting that families are choosing districts that are close to home, according to Chalkbeats analysis. Sending school districts must pay for up to 20 miles of a students transportation. After that, parents must cover the cost to send their child to school, which shapes who is able to take advantage of the program and determines where a student can go.

In 2024, Winslow Township Schools in Camden County sent 473 students to other districts, the highest of any sending district in the program, followed by Jersey City Public Schools in Hudson County and Middle Township Public Schools in Cape May County, which both sent 134.

Also in 2024, Hammonton Public Schools in Atlantic County received 224 students, the highest of any choice district in the program, followed by the Englewood Public School District in Bergen County that received 215, and the Folsom School District in Atlantic County that received 207.

The data also shows that participation is concentrated among a few communities. While some districts send or receive hundreds of students, many others see little to no movement through the program. Lawrence Township Public Schools stands out as a choice-neutral district because it sent and received 80 students in 2024, while several smaller districts showed a similar trend but on a much smaller scale.

Although the program has been around for more than two decades, theres little data available about how it is currently working, which students are participating, and the financial impact on sending and receiving school districts.

Supporters of the program have signaled that an expansion into Essex County could be next. That could have implications for Newark Public Schools, where enrollment has increased by nearly 20% over the last five years.

The latest state figures show Newark enrolled roughly 44,000 pre-K through 12th grade students in the 2024-25 school year, up from roughly 36,600 in 2019.

Education experts also said that expanding the choice program could strain district budgets, especially in districts like Newark, where state aid makes up 84% of its budget this school year. But in affluent districts with higher property taxes, the program has yielded positive results.

In the Glassboro Public School District in Gloucester County, former Superintendent Mark Silverstein previously told Chalkbeat that the state cap set by the Christie administration in 2012-13 prevented his district from growing the choice program.

During Silversteins tenure, about 200 students from neighboring school districts participated. That program helped boost student achievement and strengthen academic programs, Silverstein added.

Jessie Gomez is a reporter for Chalkbeat Newark, covering public education in the city. Contact Jessie at jgomez@chalkbeat.org.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.
A battle in state court over rent control in Elizabeth ground on last week, when landlords argued against the City Councils decision to reinstate a decades old $20-a-year cap on increases it had replaced with one more generous to landlords.

Superior Court Judge John Deitch heard arguments Monday and Tuesday regarding the validity of a July petition by tenants and their advocates asking the council to reinstate the cap, after the council had replaced it in 2022 with a maximum annual increase of 3%.

The council granted the petitioners request to rescind the 3% limit and reinstate the $20 cap. A coalition of landlords then filed a lawsuit, prompting Deitch to issue a stay temporarily blocking the councils action, pending his final deciioun in the case, which is expected in January or February.

The landlords lawyer, Matthew Moench, argued the tenants petition was invalid.

It did not contain enough valid, compliant signatures to move the proposed ordinance forward, Moench said.

The landlords suit also asserts that the council violated the states public meetings law.

When the City Council acted in July to restore the $20 cap, we challenged that specific ordinance because it did not comply with the Open Public Meetings Act and state statutes governing how ordinances must be adopted," Moench said.

Under the law, an ordinance requires at least 10 days between readings and proper advance publication. In this case, the landlords suit argues, the council acted with only six days between meetings, and the notice was published the same day the action was taken.

Moench said the judge will decide on the validity of the petition first. If he finds that its invalid, he could invalidate the ordinance restoring the $20 cap on those grounds. If he finds the petition is valid, he would then decide whether passage of the ordinance complied with the state meetings law.

Rent control is a critical issue in Elizabeth, where rental apartments accounted for 74.6% of all housing in 2023, or more than twice the national rate of 3.48%, according to Census data.

Ricky Castaneda, 27, is a member of the Freelizabeth group that filed the petition. He said the difference between a $20 cap and a 3% limit is significant for working families.

Those extra hundred dollars mean a lot to a working-class family, said Ricky, who is an admissions recruiter at Essex County College. That money could go toward medicine, food, or childcare.

Renee Steinhagen, the lawyer for the tenants, said if the judge does rule that the petition and the ordinance are invalid, the council could take a do-over vote to reinstate the $20 cap.

When a city council passes an ordinance and doesnt follow procedure, they can cure it, she said. They can hold another hearing, give proper notice, and pass it again.

Even so, Steinhagen said landlords could impose a 3% increase on leases that expire in the meantime.

Whats frustrating is that even if we ultimately win, tenants could go a year without this protection, Steinhagen said. The citizens didnt make a mistake here. The city made a procedural error, and it shouldnt be used against tenants.

City Council President Carlos Cedeno said he and fellow members will base their next move on how the case plays out.

Our commitment is to act in the best interest of the entire community, Cedeno said. And to do so with a complete and informed understanding of the situation.
Christina Greenberg and her husband were setting up for their beloved open-door holiday tradition Saturday when a devastating fire tore through their home in Monmouth County.

For 17 years, the family has welcomed neighbors into their Keyport home during the local fire departments annual Christmas parade, when firefighters ride through the neighborhood with Santa Claus and Clydesdale horses.

Nearly 100 people typically stop by the Greenbergs home as children gather in their backyard on Therese Avenue to greet Santa.

As they prepared for the party this year, Greenberg said the family turned on a natural gas heater in their enclosed backyard patio to warm up the space.

Around 10 a.m. Saturday, the heater malfunctioned, igniting the back of the house and quickly spreading into the kitchen, where flames blew out a window.

Our daughter was upstairs in her room, and I started screaming for her to get out of the house, Greenberg said in a phone interview Sunday. Our dogs ran toward the fire, so I grabbed them.

Fire damage is visible at a home on Therese Avenue in Keyport after a fire Saturday morning that left the house uninhabitable. Christina Greenberg

Local fire crews responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the blaze. The family, including their two dogs, Finn and Hendricks, are safe.

The home, however, could not be saved, Greenberg said.

Our entire house has to come down, she said. The foundation is failing. We lost everything except for the clothes on our backs.

The Keyport community has rallied behind the Greenberg family, saying the home was not just a loss for them, but for the entire small, close-knit community.

For nearly two decades, the family has hosted their annual Christmas party. Its become a neighborhood tradition. They also regularly open their doors for Fourth of July gatherings and Moms Nights on their porch.

Additionally, Greenberg served as president of the local PTO for about a decade.

The New Jersey Red Cross said it responded to the fire Saturday, providing the family of four with emergency assistance, including temporary lodging, food, clothing and other immediate needs.

But the Greenbergs are still unsure where they will live longterm. For now, their dogs are staying at a local pet hotel.

A GoFundMe created to support the family had raised nearly $17,000 as of Sunday evening.

Right now, were not exactly sure where were going to be living, Greenberg said. Were waiting on the insurance company.

There is a GoFundMe set up, she added. Gift cards or a donation there would really help.
StopAntisemitism, a controversial Jewish advocacy and pro-Israel watchdog group, has crowned conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson as its 2025 Antisemite of the Year.

The distinct dishonor is reserved for the most bigoted and hateful individual, reads the organizations website.

In a video released Sunday evening, StopAntisemitism said that Carlson uses his platform of millions to normalize antisemitism and feed extremists with familiar, damaging tropes.

Carlsons divisive, hateful, and dangerous rhetoric and his repeated glowing interviews with bigots and Hitler apologists have made him the most reviled Jew-hater over the last 12 months, StopAntisemitism founder and executive director Liora Rez told the New York Post.

2025 Antisemite of the Year - Tucker Carlson pic.twitter.com/1eu2r9jvEs  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) December 21, 2025

StopAntisemitism has named an Antisemite of the Year annually since 2019. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), far-right personality Candace Owens and music mogul Kanye West were previously singled out for the groups scathing dishonor.

Carlson, a former Fox News host who maintains a close relationship with President Donald Trump, faced intense backlash over the past year for giving a platform to right-wing extremists on his popular podcast.

His interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes drew over 6.8 million views on YouTube and fueled a budding civil war within the MAGA movement that spilled over into Turning Point USAs signature AmericaFest event last week. Fuentes is an alt-right figure who has praised Adolf Hitler and called the Holocaust a hoax.

Trump later defended Carlson for hosting Fuentes. I mean, if he wants to interview Nick Fuentes  I dont know much about him  but if he wants to do it, get the word out," the president said.

Carlson has also maintained a fierce opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while accusing Christian Zionist politicians of prioritizing Israels interests above Americas.

In its video, StopAntisemitism said that Carlson is obsessed with Israel, and repeats blatant lies about the Jewish state and its people.

Carlson has forcefully denied allegations that he is either embracing or promoting anti-Jewish sentiment.

Just because I dont want to bow to the will of a foreign leader does not make me an antisemite, okay? Carlson told the Washington Post in an interview published on Dec. 20. I think antisemitism is immoral and I am against it.

Founded in 2018 by social media influencer Liora Rez, StopAntisemitism is a nonprofit watchdog that seeks punitive measures against anyone who propagates hatred against the Jewish people. Those real-world consequences" include job loss and school expulsions," according to the groups website.

According to a Washington Post investigation published in April 2024, more than three dozen people have been fired or suspended from their jobs after being doxed by StopAntisemitism. Notably, the group targeted popular YouTube creator Ms. Rachel this year over her advocacy on behalf of Gazan children affected by the Israel-Hamas war.
A 52-year-old Toms River man was taken into custody in Virginia Friday following a police pursuit.

Virginia State Police said they were notified around 11:45 a.m. about a wanted individual with possible mental health concerns driving on Interstate 95 near Richmond.

Troopers later located the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over when they attempted a traffic stop, police said.

The pursuit began in Prince George County and continued south into Sussex County, authorities said.

The driver struck multiple state police vehicles before troopers were able to contain his vehicle, officials said.

He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to an area hospital for evaluation. Charges against him remain pending, according to police.

No troopers were injured, officials said.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Months before a Newark woman allegedly beat her 6-year-old daughter to death in March, concerned tipsters called the states child abuse hotline three times, accusing the woman of harming the girl and her three younger siblings.

In each instance, the agency took no action and deemed the complaints unfounded  including after a worker from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency visited the child at school just three days before she died, according to the agencys first report on the case. The report, which has not been previously disclosed to the public, was obtained by NJ Advance Media last week.

These were missed opportunities to intervene before tragedy struck, state Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer told NJ Advance Media in her first public statements about NeMiya Duncans violent death on March 10. The childs mother, Zyrihah Hall, 26, was indicted on murder and child endangerment charges in June.

The decisions that were made in the investigation and then the subsequent follow-up goes against our policy and practice, Norbut Beyer said, calling the actions shocking and upsetting.

Deeming the allegations unfounded was just wrong, the commissioner said.

The fallout from the months-long internal investigation into how the child welfare agency handled the case has been dramatic. The state filed disciplinary charges against eight employees and transferred the manager to the main office in Trenton. (That manager has since retired.)

In April, Norbut Beyer ordered a statewide look at all active cases that have had at least three calls to the hotline in less than a year and dispatched staff to visit 1,400 families to verify workers made proper decisions to protect the childrens safety.

The agency found a problem with decision-making in 42 cases, or 3% of the 1,400 families, the commissioner said. Confidentiality laws prevent the agency from discussing specific cases unless they involve a child abuse death or a near-fatalty injury, department spokesman Jason Butkowski said. But, he added: the 42 cases with questionable findings did not result in adverse outcomes.

Most visibly, Norbut Beyer closed the divisions Newark South office Oct. 30, and transferred its 87 employees to other offices, with most working from the remaining two division offices in Newark, East Orange and other offices in Essex County.

In a statement through her spokesman in October and in comments at a public meeting last week, she said she had been planning for about a year to close the Newark South office because of declining call and case volumes.

But in the interview with NJ Advance Media this week, she acknowledged the Duncan case helped confirm her decision and accelerated the timetable for closure.

It made sense that it was Newark South because of them not having a manager, and because they had started out as the smallest office and we had started to move staff. And then after the child death, we ended up doing a deep review, looking at the Duncan case, she said.

Zyhirah Hall of Newark, was indicted for murdering her daughter, 6-year-old Ne'Miya Duncan on March 10. The family had been under the child welfare agency's supervision for two years. Photo courtesy of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Yet even as Norbut Beyer pledges reform, questions persist about the handling of the investigation and communication with the victims family.

Some DCCP employees have also sharply criticized Norbut Beyers oversight, suggesting shes used the case to advance her own leadership agenda.

Alexus Duncan of Newark, NeMiyas paternal aunt and former foster parent, said she and her brother and the childs father, Vymeer Duncan, had not been informed of the agencys findings.

She said they have been trying to get information about the case since March and found out on her own that a caseworker had visited her niece at school three days before she died.

A school employee called out of concern about the childs safety, she said.

Thats news to me, Duncan said of the reports findings. We, the family, feel like everyone forgot too soon and there was not any justice served.

NeMiya was a funny, energetic child who loved to dance, take photos and be photographed, her aunt said.

She could light up a room. I know a lot of people say that, but she really could change the energy in a room.

She is very missed, Alexus Duncan said. We fought for her.

A long family history

Zyrihah Halls history with the child welfare system began in 2020, according to the Comprehensive Child Abuse and Prevention Act report, which the agency is obligated to compile after a child dies from maltreatment.

Three anonymous callers to the hotline alleged the mother had physically abused NeMiya in 2020 and 2021 but investigators deemed two complaints unfounded and the other not established, meaning the investigator could not determine who had harmed the child.

In April 2023, a caseworker sent to the home found NeMiya with a black eye and a knot on her forehead, the report said. The worker also found scratches on the backs of her siblings, ages 2 and 1. The state substantiated the abuse complaint against Hall and placed the children with relatives, according to the report.

By May 2024, a judge ordered Halls children be returned to her custody after she participated in therapy and parenting and anger management classes, according to the report. The division continued to supervise the family.

In August 2024, a caller reported Hall was still abusing her kids. A caseworker who visited the family found NeMiya with a swollen lip  an injury she suffered when she and her siblings intervened as their mothers partner attacked her. The agency deemed the complaint against the mother unfounded and took no action.

In October, a caseworker investigated a complaint Hall had spanked her son with a shoe or slipper. In February 2025, a school employee reported the family because the boy had bruises and scratches on his face. Workers also declared the complaints unfounded.

The last time a caseworker made contact with the children was on March 7, when the worker came to their school, according to the report.

The employees involved should have taken some action, given the familys extensive child welfare history, Norbut Beyer said.

Theres a chain of command thats meant to be in place so that these things dont happen... That chain didnt help in this case, she said. When it fails, its really heartbreaking and tragic because we do have systems in place to keep these failures from happening.

The experience with the case prompted Norbut Beyer to convene a committee of national child protection experts to discuss ways to improve child abuse and neglect investigations. A new policy that will go into effect in January will require the agency flag and investigate any frequently encountered families with at least three complaints called into the hotline over 12 months, she said.

State oversight continues

NeMiya Duncans death is the first major public controversy for the Department of Children and Families since it emerged from 20 years of oversight by a federal judge in 2023.

The oversight began in 2003, when Gov. Jim McGreevey settled a class-action lawsuit with a national childrens advocacy organization that had accused the state of running one of the most mismanaged and cash-starved child welfare systems in the nation.

It took two decades, but the court and the plaintiffs agreed that after spending billions of dollars to modernize the agency and maintaining a long list of improvements, New Jersey had vastly improved its ability to protect children and assist families in crisis.

Now the divisions work is overseen by the Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Under state law, the subcommittee monitors the agencys performance with a focus on employee caseloads.

Norbut Beyer closed the Newark South office without informing the panel, Lisa Chapland, the subcommittee co-chairwoman, said.

Certainly it is important for us to know they are reallocating staff, said Chapland, an attorney and employee with the New Jersey State Bar Association. I will give a little grace, as we are still feeling our way on how the panel and the division will work together, she said.

At the subcommittees request, Norbut Beyer discussed the office closure at a Dec. 9 meeting, explaining that they had stopped backfilling vacant jobs over the last year because caseloads were unusually low.

The agency has worked to minimize the impact on families, by providing transportation to the new location, the commissioner said.

Permanency workers, who monitor children who are at home or are expected to return to their parents from foster care, were averaging three and four cases a month, far below the goal of no more than 12, the commissioner said. That was happening in other Essex County offices as well and other places across the state, but specifically with regard to Newark.

There was no discussion at the Dec. 9 meeting about the findings of the internal investigation involving the Duncan family and its influence on the decision to close the office.

Upon reviewing the Duncan case report at NJ Advance Medias request, Chapland said, My disappointment with what is contained in this report cannot be overstated, noting that the subcommittee had raised issues about what the department terms frequently encountered families.

Two DCPP employees with direct knowledge of the Duncan case who requested anonymity because they feared losing their jobs, said Norbut Beyer was determined to close the office and replace senior staff. She is using this case as pretext, they said.

Some of targeted employees were interrogated without their union representatives present and have dragged out the disciplinary proceedings in violation of contract rules, the employees said.

Butkowski, the department spokesman, said: DCF adheres to all fair labor practices and honors workers right to be represented, when requested.

As for the criticism about the decision to close the Newark South office, he said, Weve been transparent that the decision to restructure the local offices began a year prior to the outcome in the Hall case.

Norbut Beyer and her office have declined to comment on anything involving the pending disciplinary cases.

The agency has never closed an office as a result of mistakes in a child abuse investigation, the employees said.

East Orange had to expand its coverage area, adding 150 streets in Newark that were handled by the now-shuttered office, one employee said. About a dozen workers from Newark were assigned there, but employees are feeling very overwhelmed, another employee said.

It makes no friggin sense to close an office which has seen the largest concentration of cases in the state, one of the affected workers said.

NJ Advance Media asked but did not receive caseload data for the three Newark offices, which are housed in one building on Halsey Street.

Data on the departments website, however, suggested intake worker caseloads in the Newark South office exceeded limits every month from April through August 2025.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Rebecca Everett contributed t o this report.
CBS News is facing major criticism after it canceled a 60 Minutes report on Sunday about the notorious prison in El Salvador where the Trump administration sent hundreds of migrants to earlier this year.

CBS News announced hours before the show that it would be rescheduling its 60 Minutes report on El Salvadors CECOT prison. In a statement reported by multiple outlets, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss suggested that the piece required additional reporting despite the network promoting the segment for days before.

My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that arent ready for whatever reason  that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices  happens every day in every newsroom. I look forward to airing this important piece when its ready, Weiss said in a statement, according to reports.

The New York Times and other news outlets reported that 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi told her colleagues in an email that the decision to pull the report was a political one.

Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices, Alfonsi wrote in the note, according to The New York Times. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.

This comes months after Paramount agreed to pay President Donald Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit he brought against 60 Minutes. The decision to pull the segment on Sunday was met with widespread backlash, with many critics accusing Weiss of trying to appease the president.

Many social media users urged others to boycott Paramount over its decision.

Nobody should watch CBS until this airs. Which may be never after Trump threatened them again. He has the ownership and management he wanted who will now obviously do his bidding. Erika Kirk last week, now this. The MAGA News Network, MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski wrote on X.

Another liberal commentator wrote: Hate to say it, but you should no longer trust anything from CBS News. Im sure there are great reporters there trying to do honest work, but how can we know anymore? If theyre willing to kill a Trump-critical 60 Minutes segment at the order of Bari Weiss, its been over.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) called it government censorship.

Trump approved the Paramount-Skydance merger. A few months later, CBSs new editor in chief kills a deeply reported story critical of Trump. A sad day for 60 Minutes and journalism, he wrote on X.

Democratic activist Harry Sisson wrote: This is legitimately state censorship. The free speech people are really quiet right now.

Paramount Plus, owner of CBS spiked the El Salvador CECOT prison story yesterday on 60 minutes because it made the White House look bad. Censorship. Bari Weiss, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger wrote on X.
The Republican Party has been supplanted by the Make America Great Again Party, Donald Trump Jr. announced to a boisterous crowd at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest convention.

His remarks came last week while addressing attendees at TPUSAs signature four-day event in Phoenix, headlined by conservative voices like Erika Kirk, Vice President JD Vance and President Trumps oldest son.

During his speech, Trump Jr. warned of Democrats and RINOs  Republicans in Name Only  joining forces to thwart President Donald Trumps MAGA agenda in the 2026 midterm elections.

The Democrat Party wants to do whatever they possibly can to shut this movement down. Not just the Democrats, the RINOs, Trump Jr. said. You see the manufactured attacks on JD, myself, my father, anyone who understands that this isnt the Republican Party anymore.

Trump Jr. continued, his pitch rising: Its the America First Party. Its the Make America Great Again Party! And we are not going back!

Trump Jr. received a rousing ovation after declaring that his fathers MAGA movement has superseded the Grand Old Party, and as infighting between other prominent right-wing personalities threatened to further splinter conservatives.

The event, billed as a powerful celebration of faith, freedom, and the legacy of our founder, Charlie Kirk, featured speeches from Vice President Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Other speakers included Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Ben Shapiro and Glenn Beck, among others.

Pro-Israel podcaster Shapiro blasted Carlson over his interview with far-right antagonist Nick Fuentes. Carlson later rebuked Shapiro for espousing anti-Muslim rhetoric and deplatforming Republicans who have raised concerns about Israels military conduct. Bannon denounced Shapiro as a cancer that placed Israels interests over Americas.

Erika Kirk, who assumed her late husbands role as TPUSA CEO, tried to quell rising tensions in remarks to attendees.

Say what you want about AmFest, but its definitely not boring, Kirk said. Feels like a Thanksgiving dinner where your familys hashing out the family business.

Said Trump Jr.: The real enemy, its not Steve Bannon or Tucker Carlson or Ben Shapiro. Its the radical left that murdered Charlie and celebrated it on a daily basis.
While Vice President JD Vance is being positioned as President Donald Trumps heir apparent by some prominent Republicans, not everyone in the GOP is aligning behind him to make a run in 2028.

Over the weekend, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) voiced their opposition to Vance becoming the Republican Partys next presidential nominee.

Paul criticized Vances support for the Trump administrations sweeping tariffs and protectionist trade policies, saying that has never been a conservative position.

I think there needs to be representatives in the Republican Party who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes, Paul said Sunday during an appearance on This Week on ABC News. Now all of these pro-tariff protectionists, they love taxes. So, they tax, tax, tax, and then they brag about all the revenue coming in.

Paul indicated that he wants to push back against those policies by leading a conservative free market wing of the party.

Asked whether JD Vance fits that mold, Paul smirked: Hmm. No.

When asked by @JonKarl about a potential 2028 presidential bid for JD Vance, Sen. Rand Paul says: I'm going to continue to try to lead a conservative free market wing of the party, and we'll see where things lead over time.@JonKarl: And that's not JD Vance.

Sen. Paul: No. pic.twitter.com/MLEuattWiZ  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 21, 2025

Meanwhile, Bacon raised concerns with comments Vance has made that downplayed reports of rising antisemitism within the GOP and criticized U.S. support for Ukraine in its brutal war with Russia.

Ill never vote for someone who is ambiguous in their stance against anti-Semitism or who cant see that Russias invasion of Ukraine is a threat to our long-range strategic interests, Bacon wrote Sunday in a post on X. Im a big-tent GOP guy, but anti-Semitism and pro-Putin fetishism are disgusting.

Paul and Bacon, both of whom have clashed with Trump during his second term, are the rare Republicans who have publicly rejected Vance as the partys next torchbearer.

Vance, 41, has already received powerful endorsements from some leading conservatives.

Turning Point USA (TPUSA) CEO Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has championed Vance as the GOPs best chance of winning the White House in 2028.

We are going to get my husbands friend, JD Vance, elected 48 in the most resounding way possible, Kirk said last week at TPUSAs AmericaFest conference.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, widely considered a future presidential contender, said he would not stand in Vances way if the vice president decides to enter the race.

If JD Vance runs for president, hes going to be our nominee, and Ill be one of the first people to support him, Rubio told author Chris Whipple in an interview published by Vanity Fair.

Former Fox News firebrand Tucker Carlson has also given Vance a decisive stamp of approval.

The only person in the entire Republican Party whos capable of carrying on the Trump legacy and expanding it, making it what it should fully be, is JD Vance, Carlson said in March during a conversation with conservative pundit Vince Coglianese on the VINCE podcast.

Vance has also made strong inroads with conservative voters as polling results show him well ahead of the rest of the pack.

In a new CNN/SSRS poll released Sunday, 22% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents named Vance as their top choice to run in 2028. Rubio finished a distant second with 4%, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (2%).

Another recent survey of GOP voters conducted by AtlasIntel showed that 47% would support Vance for a 2028 run. Rubio and DeSantis lagged behind with 23% and 13% support, respectively.
A bipartisan duo in the House of Representatives is discussing drafting inherent contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said on Sunday that they are considering drafting contempt charges against Bondi in response to the partial release of the Epstein files on Friday. In a joint appearance on CBS News Face the Nation, Massie said that the administration is not abiding by the law passed in November to force the release of the documents.

The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, and that doesnt require going through the courts, Massie said.

Massie and Khanna joined forces earlier this year to introduce a discharge petition to force a vote on the release of the files related to Epsteins sex trafficking case and his cause of death. Khanna said on Sunday that the Justice Departments partial release of the files, including redacted documents, was a slap in the face to survivors of the sex trafficking scheme.

Theyre rich and powerful people who either engaged in this abuse, covered it up or were on this island. And what the American people want to know is, who are these people? And instead of holding them accountable, Pam Bondi is breaking the law. And this is the corrupt system, the Epstein class that people are sick of, Khanna said on Sunday.

So I believe were going to get bipartisan support in holding her accountable, and a committee of Congress should determine whether these redactions are justified or not, Khanna added.

In a post on X, Khanna said that he was informed there would be another release of documents on Monday. The post comes a day after he and Massie suggested bringing contempt charges against Bondi.

Khanna listed a series of demands for what he and Massie want to see in the files, including the release of the FBIs witness interviews, Epsteins emails that were taken from his computer, the 60-count draft indictment and the 82-page prosecution memo.

The DOJ must stop protecting rich & powerful men who were not charged or those who sabotaged the prosecution, Khanna wrote on X.
A Union County man has pleaded guilty to stabbing his girlfriend to death in the home they shared in Elizabeth one day after he proposed to her.

Jose Melo, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the death of Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, 31, on Dec. 30, 2024.

Melo and the victim were engaged, reported Fox5 New York.

The day before Maldonado was killed, Melo posted a video to Facebook that appears to show him proposing to her in a crowded bar.

Around 9:10 a.m. the next day, Elizabeth police were called to a report of a stabbing inside the Florida Street home the couple shared.

Naket Jadix Trinidad Maldonado, 31, was killed in her Elizabeth home on Dec. 30, 2024. Facebook

Officers found Maldonado, who was known as Naky, dead inside the residence.

Melo was quickly detained, arrested and charged, according to the Union County Prosecutors Office.

In an agreement with prosecutors, Melo pleaded guilty last week to first-degree aggravated manslaughter.

Prosecutors said they will ask that Melo serve 28 years in state prison with a requirement that he serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

While we hope this plea brings a sense of closure, our thoughts remain with Ms. Maldonados loved ones, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said in a statement.

Maldonado was a mother of two young daughters who have been left with few family members, the victims aunt wrote on a fundraising website that has since raised nearly $30,000.

This horrible act by someone she trusted left her two children without either parent and with very little options for their future, the aunt wrote.
There are a range of issues facing Louisiana residents as 2025 draws to a close, from skyrocketing insurance costs, stronger storms, uncertainty over healthcare and limited resources for working families and people experiencing poverty.

Gov. Jeff Landry and the GOP-dominated state legislature over the last year made little effort to address the major issues their constituents are dealing with and instead focused heavily on fighting culture war battles and proving their fealty to the Trump administration.

Indeed, many of the new laws and other policies implemented over the past year were directly aligned with the presidents authoritarian agenda and the rights Project 2025.

That, for starters, included expanding executive powers for the governor and rolling back environmental initiatives and public health efforts.

Health issues

The Make America Healthy Again movement led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeped into Louisiana politics.

The controversial anti-vaxxer, who is not a doctor, appeared at the State Capitol in June to testify against vaccine mandates in schools and reshape other health policies.

Louisiana currently leads the nation in flu rates.

It's no stretch to link that achievement to policies implemented by Landrys former health secretary Ralph Abraham, who in February issued an internal memo instructing staff to halt the promotion of vaccination events and other public campaigns that encouraged protection against flu, COVID-19, mpox and other illnesses. That led to confusion by practitioners and patients alike, which has had real effects.

As respiratory illnesses continue to spread this holiday season, the "do your own research" strategy earned Abraham a promotion to a top position in the federal government. He was sworn in Dec. 15  by Kennedy himself  as the new principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Landry quickly chose Dr. Evelyn Griffin, a controversial anti-abortion OB-GYN, to take Abraham's place, and she will carry the torch as a fellow vaccine skeptic leading state health policy.

State lawmakers voted to legalize the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin, which is primarily used to treat parasites in livestock but has gained popularity among humans, thanks to the proliferation of social media influencers claiming it to be a cure-all for a variety of illnesses, including cancer.

They also set new labeling mandates for food products containing certain ingredients and preservatives, like seed oils and sweeteners, a directive from RFK Jr. And they passed a law restricting those receiving SNAP food assistance from buying soft drinks, energy drinks and candy with their benefits.

Meanwhile, a bill to ban fluoride from municipal drinking water  which also was baked from a conspiracy theory  failed to pass after legislators heard from dozens of concerned healthcare workers, including dentists, who explained the benefits in detail.

The legislature also continued eroding reproductive rights in a state that already has some of the strictest laws in the country.

Lawmakers passed a bill allowing a person who has an abortion to sue any person or entity who knowingly performs or substantially facilitates an abortion for $100,000 in damages, with exceptions for Louisiana physicians and pharmacists following state laws.

This is an attempt to deter medical professionals who live out of state from providing abortions to Louisiana residents.

A push to create an exception to the states strict abortion ban for children under 17 whose pregnancies result from rape also failed for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, the longest federal government shutdown in history put federal SNAP benefits, which primarily help single parents and families in poverty, on pause.

The state stepped in to cover some, but not all, of the costs before the government re-opened. Landry also took that opportunity to scold people to "get a job" if they were hungry  overlooking the fact that most SNAP recipients are either already working or are unable to work because of a disability.

Expansion of executive powers

The state legislature also helped the governor expand some of his executive powers.

Lawmakers voted at Landrys behest to restructure the state ethics board, which at the time was investigating Landry for potential violations.

Under the new law, the ethics board expanded the number of members to 15, with nine of them being appointed by the governor. Under the new rules, the board can only file formal charges for ethics violations with a two-third majority vote.

Landrys personal lawyer helped draft the bill, which makes it unlikely Landry will be investigated anytime soon.

Environmental issues

Like Trump, Landry remained unbothered by the acceleration of climate change despite its obvious impacts on Louisianans quality of life and the cost of living. He supported reducing regulations on the oil and gas industry and making it easier to build new refineries and factories.

He also in July cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, a major environmental initiative, citing high costs and potential damage to the commercial fishing industry. The project was considered the largest single ecosystem restoration effort in the country and had previously received bipartisan support. Scientists and coastal advocates argue that a project of this nature and scale is essential to combating Louisianas land loss.

Meanwhile, the administration and the Public Service Commission rolled out the proverbial red carpet for Meta as the tech giant prepares to build an AI center. That has raised significant concern over water and energy usage and the overall impact on both rural communities and the environment.

Legislators did little to address the homeowners insurance crisis, as companies continue to flee the state because the risks of stronger storms have become too high.

However, lawmakers voted to expand a fortified roof program to strengthen roofs to prevent storm damage. It gives homeowners a $10,000 income tax credit to help them harden their roofs.

Lawmakers also gave the insurance commissioner the ability to approve or reject insurance companies rate increases. If he doesnt reject them, he could risk his elected position.

Death penalty returns, law enforcement ramps up

In a particularly grim moment in Louisiana history, Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill celebrated the return of the death penalty after 15 years.

The state executed convicted killer and longtime prisoner Jessie Hoffman Jr. by asphyxiation from nitrogen gas, which has been widely viewed as a form of torture and drew major pushback from legal groups and human rights advocates.

With his continued tough on crime approach, Landry also pushed to mobilize the National Guard ahead of New Orleans upcoming Carnival season, citing concern over crime  even though the National Guard is not a law enforcement agency and the citys crime rates have plummeted.

And over the last few weeks, Landry welcomed ICE and Border Patrol agents, who are still in the area arresting, detaining and intimidating people in Hispanic communities.

While both Landry and Trumps administration have said agents are going after the worst of the worst and getting violent criminals off the street, the numbers show otherwise.

Latest figures from the Department of Homeland Security show that only 10% of people detained have criminal records, and the immigration sweeps are extremely unpopular among New Orleans residents and people in Jefferson Parish across the political spectrum.

Theyve also had negative impacts on the economy, as area restaurants and businesses have shut down and workers  including U.S. citizens of Hispanic heritage and those with work permits  have stayed home out of fear of being detained.

In the national spotlight

In April 2026, Louisiana will switch over to a closed primary system for some of its elections, including congressional ones, in another move championed by Landry that helps keep Republicans in seats of power.

Additionally, Louisiana lawmakers called a special session in October and agreed to push back the 2026 elections from April 18 and May 30 to May 16 and June 27, respectively.

This was part of an effort to give them more time to potentially redraw the Louisiana congressional district maps, if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the map lawmakers approved to create a second-majority Black district.

If the Supreme Court rules against the map, the legislature will likely approve a gerrymandered map that includes just one  or maybe even zero majority-Black districts  even though roughly a third of the states population is Black. This new map would make it much more difficult for Black politicians and Democrats to get elected to Congress.

The Supreme Court ruling could gut the Voting Rights Act, which would have an impact nationwide on future elections, disproportionately favoring Republicans and disenfranchising minority groups.

Losing traction with voters

Despite his power grabs, Landry faced a few setbacks in implementing his full agenda.

In late March, Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected all four of the constitutional amendments he supported, including a plan to overhaul tax laws.

Landry responded to the election results by falsely blaming far left liberals  when in fact his measures were unpopular across the political spectrum  and insulting voters by telling them they were conditioned for failure.

Landry has also seen his approval ratings sink. In late October, a poll conducted by a Baton Rouge analytics firm showed less than half of Louisiana residents approve of his performance. That same poll also showed that voters  regardless of political party  are not happy about the upcoming switch to closed primaries.

Project 2025, though, will soon morph into Project 2026. Louisiana will have to brace itself for more extremist policies  and hopefully, fight back.
The University of Exeter is celebrating a remarkable year of student achievement, with projects, prizes and innovations across disciplines marking 2025 as one of its most successful years yet.

From national competition wins in neuroanatomy to groundbreaking work in environmental research and public health, students and graduates have been recognised locally and nationally for contributions that stretch far beyond the classroom.

Five Exeter medical students secured a dominant performance at the National Undergraduate Neuroanatomy Competition (NUNC), held in Glasgow in May.

All five competitors returned with podium prizes, placing Exeter at the top of the national table for the second year running.

Third-year BMBS student Arsh Thao won the Runner-Up Clinical Trophy Prize, while second-year students Sean Ho, Ismail Ahmad Shaikh, Ali Abusara and Ganesh Mistry claimed further trophy and distinction medal awards.

The success followed months of weekend teaching sessions and preparation supported by student tutors and staff in the Anatomy Society. Dr Hope Gangata, Academic Lead for the NUNC preparation programme, praised the special community of medical and neuroscience students who are passionate about neuroanatomy, noting the team had travelled the furthest of all universities to compete.

READ NEXT: Exeter pupils celebrate local heroes with heartfelt Thank-You project

The university also recognised outstanding contributions from students across health-related degrees during a two-day awards celebration.

Forty prizes were presented to students in medicine, nursing, radiography, medical sciences and sport sciences, highlighting academic excellence, professionalism and community impact.

Citizenship Awards were given to medical students Tazeen Alim, for her work supporting ethnic minority women through the Inspiring Women Network in Cornwall, and Elisha Coen, who leads UK-wide mentoring initiatives for students from widening-participation backgrounds.

The Duchy Health Charity Prize went to Alexandra Watkins for academic excellence in Cornwall, while dozens of other students were commended for research achievements, clinical performance, professionalism and sporting success.

Professor Richard Holland, Dean of the University of Exeter Medical School, said the winners demonstrated dedication, compassion and a commitment to making a genuine difference for their future patients.

In postgraduate research, Devon-born PhD student Maeve Leith was awarded the prestigious NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Centenary Award bursary for her research into land-use decision-making on Dartmoor.

Her work, based within the Centre for Rural Policy Research, will explore how farmers, conservationists and policymakers understand the concept of landscape health in protected upland areas.

Maeve, who grew up on Dartmoor, said she hopes her research will support more collaborative and resilient approaches to land management.

Professor Matt Lobley, Co-Director of the Centre, said her work continues the universitys long-running commitment to understanding the challenges facing rural communities.

Innovation also took centre stage as Medical Sciences graduate Kathryn Thomas won a national award for her FluoroGlow device, a prototype designed to rapidly detect Cryptosporidium contamination in water.

The invention, developed after Kathryn saw reports of an outbreak in Brixham, aims to offer faster, more reliable testing at water sources, potentially preventing public health crises.

Her success in the ESBF Champion of Champions competition places her among the UKs most promising young innovators, with judges praising the projects potential to save lives.

Kathryn said she hopes to bring the device to market once further testing is complete, enabling earlier detection and giving communities confidence that the water they drink is safe.

These achievements collectively highlight a year marked by notable academic success, community contribution and research innovation across the University of Exeter.

From advances in medical education to community support projects, rural policy research and new technological developments, students and graduates played a significant role in shaping the universitys activity throughout 2025.
Police in Torquay have revealed the results of a week-long operation aimed at tackling drug dealing and reassuring the local community.

The initiative, known as Operation Harbourlight, focused primarily on the Castle Circus area of the town. It was the seventh proactive day of its kind this year, with previous operations carried out over the summer and autumn, starting on 25 June.

Inspector Rob Harvey, head of the Torquay Neighbourhood Police Team, said: We want to show the community that we take drug offences very seriously and want to reassure residents and visitors of Torquay that we will be proactive and bring offenders to justice. Drug dealing is not a victimless crime and we are satisfied with the results we achieved during Operation Harbourlight.

The operations results include:

17 drug seizures valued at over 5,000

45 intelligence and disruption reports submitted

53 people searched, along with several vehicles

16 location visits and searches

Six arrests and four illegal e-bikes and weapons seized

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said the operation sent a clear message that drug dealing wont be tolerated and highlighted ongoing hotspot policing in Castle Circus funded through a Home Office grant.

She added: It is very important for the community to have confidence that the police will act on the intelligence that they provide. It is also vital that victims and people who are struggling with addiction receive the right help.

Residents are encouraged to report illegal activity through Devon & Cornwall Polices website, by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Government plans to postpone elections in Exeter and Plymouth next year have been heavily criticised by the leader of Devon County Council.

Councillor Julian Brazil has called a special meeting to discuss the issue on January 9 and has described the proposal  put forward by local government minister Alison McGovern as Parliament closed for Christmas  as undemocratic and incredibly dangerous.

The minister has told councils in 64 local authorities where reorganisation into larger unitary authorities is taking place that they can ask for May 2026 elections to be delayed to free up capacity for officers to work on that.

READ NEXT: Why Devon councils will never be the same again as Whitehall plans major overhaul

While the county council itself has no elections in 2026, Devon is included in areas where the shake-up is taking place, as two-tier district and county authorities are replaced by unitary authorities to combine delivery of all council services.

Cllr Brazil, who opposed proposals for a similar delay to county council elections in May this year, accused the Government of misleading the public.

He said: The Government says this will free up resource to work on reorganisation, but councils have elections almost every year, they are routine and resourced for, unlike reorganisation, which is rushed, wasting millions of pounds, and disrupting services.

Scrapping elections is incredibly dangerous and the public will see this for what it is, a blatant and undemocratic attempt to retain power for longer. I will be appealing to Exeter and Plymouths council leaders to put democracy before party and press on with the vital process of allowing voters the right to decide who calls the shots.

If they are serious about wanting councils to work efficiently and effectively, it is reorganisation they should postpone, not elections.

READ NEXT: A shotgun wedding - Torridge votes on council shake up at divided meeting

Deputy council leader Paul Arnott said he was concerned that a raft of major changes to local government were in disarray.

In July, leaders of Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council and district councils across Devon wrote jointly to Government to further ambitions for a comprehensive devolution agreement.

This project, which would bring more power and funding to Devon through a Mayoral Strategic Authority, now appears in jeopardy, after mayoral elections were delayed in four other regions.

Cllr Arnott said: This latest move to offer councillors the chance to stay in power for longer than they were elected to office comes in the context of increasing uncertainty about democracy across the whole of Devon.

I now have little faith that we can rely on what we are told from Westminster, or the strategy and vision for the future of vital local authority services, because the Government keeps moving the goalposts in the most chaotic and knee-jerk manner.

Despite saying they are concerned about local authority resources, the ministers are insisting on rushing headlong into a new year consultation on local government reorganisation in Devon.

The obvious solution is to delay that work, not the elections.

Councils affected by the next tranche of reorganisation have until January 15 to request an election delay.
Scenario innovation is the core engine driving the deep integration of AI across various industries. Recently, the Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Conference was successfully held in Hefei. The conference was jointly organized by the Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the China Computer Federation. It invited many experts and scholars to deliver keynote reports on artificial intelligence and simultaneously hosted four parallel events focused on cutting-edge specialized fields. These activities provided a platform for exchanges and collaboration between the academic and industrial communities of AI, fostering the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial advancement in artificial intelligence. At the conference, the Hefei Metro released the latest scenario opportunities, including the "Artificial Intelligence Application Scenarios for Rail Transit," and called for nationwide submissions of AI scenario application capabilities. "The project will be driven by the dual engines of AI+5G, focusing on three core scenarios: intelligent operation and maintenance, smart construction, and green, low-carbon development. It will advance the comprehensive deployment of intelligent applications in stages," explained Dai Rong, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Department of the Hefei Metro. By exploring the construction of a smart rail transit system featuring full-factor perception, end-to-end collaboration, and holistic ecological optimization, the project aims to create a replicable and scalable "scenario model" that will lead the rail transit industry toward greater intelligence, sustainability, and integration. Artificial intelligence is redefining productivity and creativity, with the deep integration of academia, industry, and policy support serving as the key driving force behind technological advancement. As a rapidly emerging hub for scientific and technological innovation, Anhui provides fertile ground for transitioning AI technologies from the laboratory to the market. In recent years, Anhui has seized the opportunities presented by general artificial intelligence by continuously strengthening top-level planning and enhancing foundational capabilities in computing power, data, and models. The province has issued and implemented an "AI+" action plan while iteratively upgrading specialized policies. Anhui has now built over 45,000 Petaflops of intelligent computing power, with 893 AI enterprises above designated size and 12,000 related companies in the industrial chain. It has become a core force in the national AI strategic layout. Moving forward, Anhui will further implement the "AI+" action initiative, systematically advance developments in cutting-edge fields, and prioritize scenario innovation as the driving force, integration and application as the goal, and the development of vertical models as the focal point. The province aims to create a series of scenario application demonstrations and industrial innovation parks. These efforts will help establish Anhui as a nationally influential AI industry cluster and inject robust momentum into industrial innovation and development in the era of "AI+."

Source: Anhui Daily
North Devon residents joined people around the world on the Winter Solstice weekend to call for an end to low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites such as Elon Musks Starlink, which they say are harmful to the planet and all who live on it.

The Global Action to Stop 5G group believe the many thousands of low orbit satellites cause all manner of issues, both in the atmosphere and on the ground.

Above: Barnstaple residents call for an end to LEO satellites. Credit: Global Action to Stop 5G

North Devon resident and co-ordinator Tanja Rebel said: The LEO satellites are one of the most serious and overarching environmental issues of all: they cause sky debris, harm the view of our night sky and disturb astronomical as well as weather observations through light pollution and electrosmog leakage.

Whats more, they harm the ozone layer, the magnetosphere and the ionosphere - ie the electric circuit essential for all life on earth. The satellite launches also have a huge ecological footprint - in the air and on the ground - where new spaceports are destroying swathes of pristine areas - and they are blanketing the planet in electrosmog, which is not only disturbing meteorological and astronomical observations, but which is harmful to all biological life.

To top it off, once complete, the satellites will form an inescapable planetary electronic surveillance grid.

READ NEXT: New sections of North Devon coast path with a royal connection set to open

The campaigners are calling for an end to 5G and the forthcoming 6G, set to be rolled out around 2030.

They say there should be a return to hard-wired connections and point out the copper analogue landline works during a power cut and should be protected in UK law. They said it would be critical and important infrastructure during serious power cuts or cyber attacks.

Tanja added: How can we rely on these satellites when we know that solar activity can and no doubt one day will cause complete havoc? Will we stand waving our phones in the air in the hope of a connection?

READ NEXT: Are we heading for a white Christmas in Devon this year?

The groups figures claim Starlink already has more than 9,400 operational satellites in orbit and that it aims to deploy up to 42,000 more.

Above: A message to save our sky from Ilfracombe. Credit: Global Action to Stop 5G

They say Amazons Project Kuiper has 3,000 planned, China is planning up to 15,000, Eutelsat (OneWeb with 650 satellites already launched), the European Union (IRIS - 290 planned), Telesat (Lightspeed), Hanwha and various small commercial companies, notably in India, Japan and Canada.

A recent study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that in 2019 about 13,700 objects (including space junk) zoomed around the planet in low Earth orbit (LEO), at altitudes below 1,200 miles.

Above: Message from Mortehoe: Join the throng to say NO to Elon Musk's LEO satellites, they are a danger to bird, bee, animal, you and me.

It said that number has since risen to 24,185 objects in 2025, an increase of 76%. By the end of this decade, it is thought some 70,000 satellites may be in LEO.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) existing advice that exposure to radio waves from 5G base stations is well below set guidelines.

The UK government has said 5G poses no consequences for public health, although the UKSHA will continue to monitor the use of 5G and other radio wave technologies.
Are Trumps Actions Unprecedented? We Asked Historians (Again).

Since the start of his second term, President Trump has cut budgets, made demands on public institutions, and attacked the media and speech in actions regularly called unprecedented.

In April, we asked presidential historians if they could come up with comparable examples in previous administrations  and to tell us when they couldnt. You can read that earlier article here.

We went back to the historians (and some political scientists) to help us categorize the administrations actions and pronouncements that have happened since: whether theyre unprecedented, relatively common or somewhere in between.

No clear precedent

President Trump has taken some actions that do not have a comparable historical example, according to historians.

Used the military to attack and kill suspected drug smugglers TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump has ordered the military to kill people aboard boats he says have been smuggling drugs, claiming the power to redefine drug trafficking as armed conflict. IN THE PAST Historians said the closest parallels to Mr. Trumps strikes in international waters were attacks on pirates  from Thomas Jeffersons attacks on Barbary corsairs to Barack Obamas use of military force against Somali pirates in 2009. But President Obamas efforts were largely rescue missions; Jefferson was also responding to the capture of American ships. Since the 1970s, presidents have claimed the right to take military action, including murderous assaults, against nonstate actors who threaten the United States, said Jeremi Suri, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. However, he said, the United States has generally not targeted drug smugglers in this way. A reproduction of a painting by Michele Felice Corne of a U.S. squadron shelling Barbary pirate forts in 1804. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division  The U.S. has helped other governments in Central America to apprehend drug traffickers. No presidents have unilaterally killed alleged drug smugglers in international waters.  Manisha Sinha Professor of American History, University of Connecticut

No clear precedent Cast doubt on vaccine efficacy and safety TRUMPS ACTIONS With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary, the Trump administration has begun to overhaul American vaccine policy. A vaccine skeptic, Mr. Kennedy replaced a vaccine advisory panel with handpicked members. The panel ended a decades-long recommendation to vaccinate babies against hepatitis B at birth. Mr. Kennedy also canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and contracts to develop mRNA vaccines. Mr. Trump hailed Covid vaccines as a miracle during his first term but has since questioned whether they work, and Mr. Kennedy has called them the deadliest vaccine ever made. IN THE PAST Previous presidents have typically promoted vaccines. The government has changed the vaccine schedule and pulled recommendations for vaccines before, including for a rotavirus gastroenteritis vaccine in the 1990s. And manufacturers have voluntarily withdrawn vaccines from the market. But no presidential administration has made such an effort to dismantle vaccine policy.  Other presidents tried to expand vaccines. This goes all the way back to George Washington during the Revolutionary War, who mandated smallpox inoculations for his army.  Robert Watson Professor of History, Lynn University

No clear precedent Asked states to gerrymander to add more seats for his party TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump and his aides have pushed for lawmakers across the country to redraw maps in favor of Republicans. IN THE PAST This has not been done publicly, though an adviser to George W. Bush, Karl Rove, was reported to have lobbied state legislators to redistrict in 2003.  No previous president has done this so overtly, but gerrymandering for political advantage has been a basic tool of political parties since the earliest years of the republic.  Kendrick Clements Professor, University of South Carolina

No clear precedent Owned a company that received a major investment from a sovereign state TRUMPS ACTIONS Earlier this year, a state-controlled United Arab Emirates firm used $2 billion of cryptocurrency issued by World Liberty Financial  a start-up owned by the Trump family  to invest in a crypto exchange. That effectively serves as a huge deposit for World Liberty, which can then generate returns in the tens of millions of dollars each year. IN THE PAST Historians said there was no comparable example.  Past presidents took pains to put their holdings in a blind trust or to divest entirely from identifiable individual companies.  Andrew Rudalevige Professor of Government, Bowdoin College

No clear precedent Tried to remove a member of the Federal Reserve Board TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump tried to fire a Federal Reserve governor, Lisa Cook, accusing her of mortgage fraud. (The Supreme Court stopped the firing until it could hear arguments in January, and she maintains her innocence.) Its part of a broader, stated effort to gain more influence over the board. IN THE PAST Presidents have fought with the Fed before; under President Harry Truman, the head of the Board of Governors resigned amid a disagreement with the administration. But no president has directly fired a Federal Reserve official. A clip from a New York Times article in March 1951 about the resignation of the head of the Feds Board of Governors. TimesMachine  They have often put pressure on the Fed, but I don't know of any president who has claimed the power to fire a sitting governor and tried to carry it out.  David Greenberg Professor of History, Rutgers University

No clear precedent Ended data collection efforts across government TRUMPS ACTIONS The Trump administration has stopped or plans to stop collecting data on environmental disasters, climate change, food insecurity, emissions from polluters and more. IN THE PAST No president has stopped data collection at such a scale.  There have been other presidents who have appointed people as heads of agencies but who opposed the missions of those agencies. But that is a far cry from eliminating the governments longstanding practices of producing reliable data, on nearly everything of concern to the public and for which the government is responsible.  Michael Gerhardt Professor of Jurisprudence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Law School

No clear precedent Ordered a review of public museums to align with administration views TRUMPS ACTIONS The White House told the Smithsonian Institution  a museum group founded and funded by the federal government  that it would have 120 days to change any content that the administration found problematic in tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals. IN THE PAST Theres no comparison for such a broad and public demand on the nations museums, historians said. There have been instances of perceived pressure, or limited influence. A former Smithsonian administrator claimed that the National Museum of Natural History toned down an exhibit on climate change during the George W. Bush administration. And it was reported that the Nixon administration told what is now the National Museum of American History to close an exhibit on voting rights ahead of a ball that was part of Nixons second inauguration. Guests at an inaugural ball for President Nixon in 1973, held at what is now the National Museum of American History. Smithsonian Institution Archives

No clear precedent Cast doubt on official Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs numbers TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump claimed without evidence that weak job numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics were rigged and fired the agencys commissioner. IN THE PAST No president has done this publicly and so directly in the years the Bureau of Labor has been collecting and publishing data. (Since the late 1800s.) Ronald Reagan once said a framing of B.L.S. data was misleading, but didnt question the data itself. Richard Nixons administration made some changes to how B.L.S. reported monthly data. But when he threw doubt on the B.L.S., it was in private conversation. (It was eventually revealed that he had blamed Jewish people working at the agency for unfavorable statistics.)  Presidents have always spun bad numbers; few have declared war on arithmetic itself.  Alexis Coe Presidential historian and senior fellow at New America

No clear precedent Sought damages from the Justice Department for federal investigations into him TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump is reported to have demanded that the Justice Department pay him $230 million in compensation for past investigations into his actions. IN THE PAST Theres no real comparison, historians say. Andrew Jackson was once fined for suspending habeas corpus; he lobbied Congress for a refund. But that lobbying took place after his presidency, said Matthew Warshauer, professor of history at Central Connecticut State University. (It was successful.)

Has happened, but under different circumstances

In several cases, Mr. Trumps actions are precedented, but there are details that make them different: scale, context, motivation or results.

The following are events in which our scholars did not always agree on the extent of a precedent.

Sent the National Guard to cities TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump has expanded the role of the National Guard, deploying its troops to cities as part of a stated federal crackdown on crime. In several cases, governors or local officials have sued to block the deployments. IN THE PAST Presidents have deployed the National Guard to cities numerous times, including to protect civil rights advocates marching from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama; to enforce Brown v. Board of Education in Little Rock, Ark.; in response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots; to quell a riot in Detroit in 1943; and to help Hurricane Andrew relief efforts in Florida. But in most cases, unlike President Trump, presidents deployed the National Guard at the request of, or with the cooperation of, state lawmakers. (That was not the case when presidents used the National Guard to support integration in Arkansas and protect civil rights activists in Alabama.) A California National Guard unit deployed in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots. Joe Marquette/Associated Press  With the exception of using troops to protect American citizens during the height of civil rights reform, American presidents have typically respected the authority of states and only mobilized troops at the request of state lawmakers.  Nicole L. Anslover Associate Professor of History, Florida Atlantic University

Has happened, but under different circumstances Directed the attorney general to investigate or prosecute political rivals TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump has pushed Attorney General Pam Bondi and his Justice Department to investigate or seek criminal charges against his perceived enemies, including George Soros, the billionaire Democratic donor; the former F.B.I. director James B. Comey; and the New York attorney general Letitia James. IN THE PAST Nixon also tried to use the federal government  including the Department of Justice  to go after his enemies list through investigations and other legal harassment. One memo from his White House counsel describes how we can use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies. But it was on a limited case-by-case basis, and many of his own appointees and federal workers thwarted his illegalities, said Robert Watson, a professor of history at Lynn University. A clip from a New York Times article in June 1973 about President Nixons list of political enemies. TimesMachine  Nixon tried to act in secrecy and deny his vendettas.  Jeremi Suri Professor of History and Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin

Has happened, but under different circumstances Carried out large-scale immigration raids TRUMPS ACTIONS Federal agents have conducted immigration enforcement raids in several Democrat-led cities, arresting and detaining thousands in Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, N.C., among others. IN THE PAST Eisenhower carried out deportations of illegal immigrants, known at the time as Operation Wetback. These targeted Mexican migrants, and they were more focused on agricultural border areas than major cities. Mexican nationals seized for deportation in Southern California in 1954. Associated Press, via Alamy

Has happened, but under different circumstances Arranged for a government stake in a U.S. company TRUMPS ACTIONS The Trump administration allowed Japans Nippon Steel to take over U.S. Steel in exchange for a golden share giving the White House a permanent say in the companys business. (The Trump administration has also purchased shares or options in other private companies involved in minerals, nuclear energy and semiconductors.) IN THE PAST The U.S. government received shares of auto companies while bailing them out during the Great Recession in 2009, but it sold those within a few years to recoup some of the money it had spent. The Trump effort has centered on national security concerns. Prior administrations have taken control of the private sector briefly during wartime, but those were not ongoing ownership stakes.  I cant think of an example when companies were forced to pay premiums of this sort to the U.S. government  even giving federal actors formal long-term decision-making authority for corporate behavior  as a cost of doing business.  Andrew Rudalevige Professor of Government, Bowdoin College

Has happened, but under different circumstances Carried out a major demolition and renovation of the White House TRUMPS ACTIONS The Trump administration took down the East Wing of the White House to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. IN THE PAST The White House went through a demolition and renovation under President Truman, when the building was in danger of physical collapse. Other presidents have made renovations  including significant expansions  but historians could not name another demolition of a major part of the building. The gutted interior of the White House during a 1950 renovation under President Harry Truman. The White House, via Associated Press

Has happened, but under different circumstances Struck a deal with drug companies to sell prescriptions at lower prices and set up an online drugstore with the presidents name TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump has tried to lower prescription drug prices through two primary channels: He has made deals with numerous major drugmakers (including Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly) to sell drugs to Medicaid at lower prices; and he has committed to starting TrumpRx, a portal through which patients can buy drugs directly from drugmakers. IN THE PAST Previous presidents have tried various strategies to make prescription drugs more affordable, including negotiating with industry. (Most recently, the Biden administration brought drugmakers to the negotiating table.) A marketplace with the presidents name on it is new. An excerpt from a speech on health care given by President Lyndon Johnson to Congress in 1968. TimesMachine  Earlier efforts to cut drug costs  Bill Clintons aborted price-control proposals, George W. Bushs Medicare Part D expansion, Barack Obamas negotiation push under the Affordable Care Act  were policy fights, not product launches.  Alexis Coe Presidential historian and senior fellow at New America

Has happened, but under different circumstances Pulled back public infrastructure grants in mostly blue states TRUMPS ACTIONS The Trump administration has frozen and terminated grants for infrastructure that were largely set to be in districts that vote Democratic, and the president has bragged about it. A lot of good can come down from shutdowns, Mr. Trump said in October. We can get rid of a lot of things that we didnt want, and theyd be Democrat things. (Some Republican districts have also lost projects.) IN THE PAST Pulling back funds already allocated is unusual, scholars told The Times. Presidents have often directed government benefits to key constituencies and favored states and districts, but not in such a public and direct manner. When Nixons administration made large cuts to military bases in the early 1970s, states in the Northeast were hit the hardest, leading to speculation that politics played a role.  Presidents have always played politics with public monies, although often as discreetly as possible.  Stephen F. Knott Emeritus Professor of National Security Affairs, United States Naval War College

Has happened, but under different circumstances Signed large cuts to health care programs into law TRUMPS ACTIONS The sprawling policy bill pushed by the president and passed by Republicans in July contained more than $1.1 trillion in cuts to health care programs, including roughly $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid  about 11 percent of projected spending on the program over a decade. IN THE PAST Under President Reagan, Congress reduced Medicaid and Medicare spending. Medicaid cuts in the early 1980s totaled $1 billion each year, around 5 percent of annual Medicaid spending. The cuts came in the form of smaller payments to states, which then cut services. (People forced off welfare rolls by Reagans administration often lost Medicaid benefits, too.) George W. Bush signed into law policy changes that made smaller reductions in Medicaid spending. The Affordable Care Act, signed by President Obama in 2010, included more than $700 billion in reductions to Medicare, though the bill increased spending on health care overall. A protest of the Reagan administrations proposed cuts to Medicare in 1982 in Helena, Mont. George Lane/Associated Press  Since the beginning of federal health care programs in the 1930s, policymakers have been more likely to expand than cut such programs.  Kendrick Clements Professor, University of South Carolina

Has happened, but under different circumstances Auctioned face-to-face access TRUMPS ACTIONS Mr. Trump invited people who spent the most on his personal cryptocurrency to a White House gala dinner. IN THE PAST Many presidents have rewarded their major donors with special privileges. (Bill Clinton gave some top donors meals, outings and overnight stays; major fund-raisers also stayed overnight in George W. Bushs White House; and inaugurations have long been a way for donors to get close to the president.) But Mr. Trump, not his campaign, personally benefited from the crypto investments.  The standards of White House conduct related to maintaining proper distance from acts of bribery, perceived or real, have demonstrably deteriorated over the years. In 1958, White House chief of staff Sherman Adams was forced to resign from the Eisenhower administration because he had accepted a vicuna overcoat and a rug from a Boston businessman under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission.  Russell Riley Professor of Ethics and Institutions, University of Virginias Miller Center

Has happened, but under different circumstances Attacked the media, including suing newspapers TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump has directed defamation lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The Times. He has also sued Paramount (before starting his second term) over a Kamala Harris interview; blocked reporters from parts of the White House where theyve been allowed for decades; threatened to pull broadcasters licences over late-night hosts he dislikes; imposed restrictions on military reporters; and persuaded Congress to cut funding for public media. IN THE PAST No other sitting president has specifically filed a defamation lawsuit against a newspaper. (Theodore Roosevelt did sue a small-town newspaper for libel for accusations of drunkenness, but only after leaving office.) There is, however, a long history of attempts by presidential administrations to pressure the news media over critical coverage. Abraham Lincoln shut down pro-Confederacy newspapers during the Civil War and arrested their editors; in World War I, the government charged some journalists who opposed the war under the Espionage Act; the Nixon administration tried to stop the publication of the Pentagon Papers. Nixon also listed journalists on his enemies list and ordered wiretaps of reporters. On July 1, 1971, The Times resumed publication of its series of articles based on the secret Pentagon papers, after it was given the green light by the U.S. Supreme Court. Jim Wells/Associated Press  White House grumping about critical coverage is an age-old feature of the Washington community. But rarely has this gone beyond a sharp elbow in the press room or maybe a back-channel call to the publisher to yelp.  Russell Riley Professor of Ethics and Institutions, University of Virginias Miller Center

Not uncommon

A few of Mr. Trumps moves are, if not standard practice, still actions that other U.S. presidents have taken in recent decades.

Put on a military parade TRUMPS ACTIONS In June, President Trump presided over a procession of troops, weaponry and military vehicles in Washington in commemoration of the Armys 250th birthday and his own 79th. IN THE PAST Large-scale military parades arent uncommon, though they often happen during or at the close of a war. Among other examples, George H.W. Bush held a large military parade in 1991 after the Persian Gulf War, and John F. Kennedy hosted one during his inaugural in 1961, at the height of the Cold War. Soldiers of the allied coalition carried their national flags past President George H.W. Bush during the National Victory Parade in Washington in 1991. Ron Edmonds/Associated Press

Not uncommon Established fast-track visas for wealthy immigrants TRUMPS ACTIONS The president has launched a program that is intended to allow people to buy legal residency in the U.S. with a $1 million contribution to the U.S. government. IN THE PAST The U.S. has long had a program that allows entrance to wealthy immigrants: the EB-5 program, for people willing to invest $1 million (less in some circumstances) in a business that would hire Americans. President Trumps program is new in style  its called the gold card  but not in function.  Bill Clinton created the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program, with Obama extending the idea to the Regional Center Pilot Program. Its actually not a new thing what President Trump is doing.  Thomas Balcerski Presidential Historian, Eastern Connecticut State University

Not uncommon Helped broker an agreement for a cease-fire in Gaza, and an exchange of hostages and prisoners TRUMPS ACTIONS The administrations deal between Hamas and Israel in October  which Jared Kushner, Mr. Trumps son-in-law, helped broker  resulted in a cease-fire and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. IN THE PAST Its common for American presidents to step in and help negotiate deals between Israel and Arab nations; President Biden negotiated a cease-fire and prisoner exchange, though the deal fell apart.  President Trump should be applauded for his effort in the Mideast. This is his greatest foreign policy achievement so far.  Wilbur C. Rich Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Wellesley College President Bill Clinton with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and Yasser Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organization at the signing ceremony for the 1993 Oslo Accords. Paul Hosefros/The New York Times

Not uncommon Pulled back United Nations funding TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump has withdrawn or frozen U.S. funding for several agencies within the U.N., including the World Health Organization and the Human Rights Council. IN THE PAST The Reagan administration, claiming mismanagement at the U.N., withheld funds in the 1980s. George W. Bush withheld money from the U.N.s Population Fund over concerns about abortion and other family planning issues. A clip from a New York Times article in July 2002. TimesMachine  The anti-U.N. rhetoric has been part of the Republican political discourse for some time.  Manisha Sinha Professor of American History, University of Connecticut

Not uncommon Attacked Irans nuclear facilities TRUMPS ACTIONS President Trump ordered an attack on three key nuclear sites in Iran in June, without seeking congressional authorization. IN THE PAST Though Mr. Trump was the first to bomb Iranian nuclear sites, previous administrations have engaged in sabotage of Iranian nuclear systems  including the George W. Bush and Obama administrations development and use of the computer worm Stuxnet. (That was a destructive program that targeted centrifuges and delayed Tehrans ability to make nuclear weapons.) More broadly, presidents have long taken military actions without congressional sign-off.
Will You Have a White Christmas This Year? Use the search bar below to see if your city is forecast to have snowy conditions on Dec. 25, 2025. Jump to: New York Chicago Toronto Explore the map

If you live in the eastern half of the United States or Canada, you might have been teased. An early-season snow that dusted New York City and blanketed Toronto offered a postcard-perfect December. But as Christmas approaches, the atmosphere has undergone a Grinch-like shift.

Warm weather moving into the East is making it more likely that those lingering snowbanks will turn into slush, dimming the hopes of waking up to a white Christmas. But storms developing out west offer a twinkle of possibility.

The standard for white

What actually constitutes a white Christmas depends on where youre celebrating.

In the United States, the National Weather Service sets a bar: at least one inch of snow must be on the ground on Christmas morning, or at least one inch must fall during the day. To the north, Canadians have a slightly different measure.

Environment Canada, the countrys forecasting agency, says at least 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) of snow must be on the ground at 7 a.m. A white Christmas is so reliable by that measure that meteorologists also track a "perfect Christmas"  a somewhat rarer event in which not only is there snow on the ground, but snow is actively falling as presents are opened. This year, however, even that standard is in jeopardy.

How often do you see fresh snow on Christmas?

Percentage of years since 2009 10 20 30 40 50% + Trace amounts 1 inch or more Note: Trace amounts represent snowfall greater than 0.01 inches.

A Hawaiian Christmas in the East

Unfortunately, a white Christmas across most of the country is looking less likely this year, said Shawn Carter with the Weather Service in the United States..

Since cold snaps in early December, a stubborn weather pattern has pumped above-average temperatures into the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada. While quick-moving systems could provide a last-minute replenishment for parts of Eastern Canada and the higher elevations of New England, the broad outlook is bleak for most snow-lovers.

For the best chance of a guaranteed white Christmas, I'd look to northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Dr. Carter said.

In New York City, the drought has been historical: Until last year, Central Park hadnt seen a formal white Christmas in 15 years. At 7 a.m. on Christmas Day last year, the snow on the ground was measured right at an inch in Central Park.

The song born in the sun

American cultures most enduring anthem of winter nostalgia was written under a palm tree. Irving Berlin began composing the song "White Christmas" around 1938 while working in Southern California. He was spending a lot of time in Hollywood, said James Kaplan, the author of the book Irving Berlin: New York Genius. He said Mr. Berlin, who grew up on the Lower East Side, may have been nostalgic for the snow.

In his original, rarely heard introductory verse, Mr. Berlin made his feelings clear on the difference between a Los Angeles Christmas and one back East:

The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway. Theres never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But its December the twenty-fourth, And I am longing to be up north.

When Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942, that verse was cut, stripping away the songs California context and turning it into a universal longing for a snowy past. At the time, New York City was in the grips of a snowless streak that mirrors the recent 15-year drought; the city didn't see a white Christmas from 1930 until 1945, a few years after Bing Crosby recorded the song and a few months after the end of World War II.

Since then, others have uncovered the missing verse and added it to their own versions of the song.

Hope in the High Country

This year, even Beverly Hills is facing a dreary holiday. A powerful storm system is expected to pummel the California coast with rain just in time for Christmas Eve.

For those willing to drive into the clouds, the story changes. The Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains are expected to receive a significant dumping of "skiable" snow from this same West Coast storm system. Forecasters are already warning travelers heading to the mountains to go early; the very snow expected to make the holiday white is likely to make the roads treacherous by Christmas Eve.

A dwindling tradition

The maps below illustrate a sobering trend. Four years ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration updated its 30-year climate baselines, revealing that white Christmases have become statistically scarcer. While some areas see year-to-year spikes, the long-term data show more regions experiencing a decrease in snow probability than an increase.

2022 2023 2024 2025 Note: White areas represent one inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas.

As the planet warms, the ones we used to know are becoming harder to find. For much of the continent this year, the dream of a white Christmas will remain just that  a song on the radio and a memory of winters past.
RJ Bardsley

As the tech world turns the page on another year, one tradition is constant: prediction season. From emerging technologies to shifting global dynamics, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of meaningful change. Here are my six takes on what the year ahead could hold  and why they matter.

AI moves to the Enterprise. So far, the AI story has been all about chips, networks, energy, deals and applications. While some are debating whether were in an AI bubble, the narrative is far from over and will continue to evolve as 2026 unfolds. One major shift to watch is an increased focus on enterprise data and AI. If you hit the rewind button, before the advent of AI, business intelligence was the hot topic in enterprise technology  how does an organization capture, store and analyze data in a way that gives it insight into its business and enable it to become a better competitor? AI is in the process of supercharging this. But were still in the early stages of seeing how the data warehousing and business intelligence players are going to fully use AI to turbo charge what they do.

2026 should be a breakout year for them.

AI Jobs  This could be a defining topic this year. There are a number of conversations around how AI is boosting productivity  often alongside job reductions across industries. The threat is real and being felt in white-collar and entry-level positions in a way that we havent seen in decades. But there are emerging job titles that are resulting from AI. We saw the same thing happen when the internet became a core part of society. New roles were created -- everything from Web Masters to Internet Security experts. Well see more of this story in 2026, as AI training experts, curators, interpreters and who knows what else.

Folds get more Fantastical  There are two anticipated debuts that could take the mobile market by storm in 2026. The first is the Samsung Tri-Fold. The new Galaxy device with three screens has already appeared in the news reels and YouTube and will likely become available in select markets in 2026  including the United States. When fully unfolded, it expands to the size of a tablet, potentially doing more than any device yet to bridge the gap between phone and computer. The second device is the rumored Apple Fold. If this turns out to be real, it should introduce an entirely new audience to foldables. iPhone users tend to move as a group, so this could potentially upend the entire mobile world.

A Focus on Fusion  Energy and electricity production will grow in importance for the tech world in 2026. China already leads the world in energy production and has surpassed the US in this field. The jury is still out on how much this will affect AI adoption, but right now it seems like the one with the most electricity will be the most successful at AI. Nuclear Fusion has been a central part of the energy conversation  with the US and China taking opposing strategic approaches: China is investing government money while the US is looking for the private sector to prevail. Fusion matters because it promises clean, reliable, limitless energy without radioactive waste. Expect fusion to command significant attention in 2026, as both China and the US markets look for breakthroughs in the next 18 months and race to secure long-term energy leadership.

Space Race Revival  The conversation around space is poised to heat up in 2026. With data centers in space taking up more column inches in 2025 and that look like it will continue into the new year. At the same time, the Artemis program has a few major milestones in the USs mission to get people back to the Moon and to Mars, while the International Space Station moves steadily closer to retirement. Together, these shifts signal a pivotal moment. This should be an interesting year for space.

Movement  Finally well see more movement in the market this year as larger companies continue to swallow up newer, smaller innovators. We saw some significant deals in 2025, but I believe both the M&A and the IPO markets will open up. But please dont take this as financial advice  its just a hunch.

***

RJ Bardsley, is Partner and Co-CEO of Wireside Communications, an international, independent strategic communications, marketing, and public relations agency specializing in the tech sector.
Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's
A court was told that a man accused of stealing 1,345.50 from the Department of Social Protection was arrested at Dublin Airport.

Ionel Horbas (26) with an address at 67 Cosby Avenue, Fairgreen, Portlaoise but who is now living in London, appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

He was accused of failing to pay a fine for not having a TV licence at the Portlaoise address and for stealing a total of 1,345.50 belonging to the Department of Social Protection at EBS, Main Street, Portlaoise on five dates between December 2020 and November 19, 2025.

Judge Andrew Cody asked the man when he was going to pay a 220 fine for not having a TV licence in 2020. When he was told he would pay it when I can, Judge Cody remanded the defendant in custody.

Detective Garda Karen Nevin said she had arrested the defendant at Dublin Airport and when cautioned and charged the man made no reply. She said she had received an alert to say he was flying in from the UK.

I am currently preparing a file for the DPP, said Det Nevin. She asked that the case be adjourned to March 2026.

Judge Cody asked Andrew Dunne BL about his clients attitude to paying for his TV licence five years ago?

Mr Dunne said his client hadnt been aware of the fine. That will be paid by the end of court today, he said.

Det Nevin said the man had an address in the UK at New Road, Dagnam, London. She said she didnt believe he currently had an Irish address.

Judge Cody adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on March 23, 2026.


The Councillors called for a fully operational, 24/7 Garda Station following the recent murderous attack in Edenderry, during the December monthly meeting of Offaly County Council.

Cllr Noel Cribbin told the meeting that he was shocked to the core by the tragedy that occurred, Saturday evening December 6 when a petrol bomb was thrown into a house in Castleview Park, killing four year old Tadgh Farrell and his grandaunt Mary Holt (60) in what the Gardai described as a reckless, callous and murderous attack.

Cllr Cribbin pointed out that it is possible that if Edenderry had more Garda resources then this tragedy could have been averted.

An online petition titled "Re-instate Edenderry Garda Station full time" is currently gathering signatures, The petition is highlighting the concerns of locals who say it can be difficult to access Garda services during current public office hours. They also say that the distance to the nearest full-time station is Tullamore, which is over 30 km away.

A recent Oireachtas report stated that Edenderry Garda station is, in fact, open 24/7. However, many local reports and testimonials point to limited public office hours and an insufficient physical presence, which contradicts the Oireachtas report.

Cllr Fergus McDonnell praised the Gardai for their ongoing investigation and their continuing hard work to track down the three attackers who brought such terror and tragedy to Edenderry.

He also pointed out that the vast majority of the people of Edenderry are ordinary, hardworking, decent people who do their best to get through life's daily challenges in the best way they can. This tragedy is in no way a reflection on them. It is, though, a reflection on the growing scourge of drugs in so many communities throughout Ireland.

He pointed out that the people of Edenderry are crying out for a better Garda Station. It's totally unacceptable at the moment. We need a Garda Station which is open 24/7, which has more Guards, more vehicles. Cllr McDonnell said the town is worryingly close to Dublin and the criminals of Dublin. You can get to Dublin City Centre or Dublin Airport in about 50 minutes from Edenderry. It means we are very accessible to unwanted elements. We need more Guards to deal with this. We also need to see more Guards on the beat. A visible presence of Guards walking through towns is a powerful, effective thing.

The situation in recent years has got worse. Years ago, not too long ago, during a time when the country had less money, we had more Garda Stations in rural areas. We are told nowadays that we are awash with money and yet we don't have this important service. The small towns and villages of rural Ireland are just as important as Dublin City Centre, but you would be forgiven for thinking that is not the case.

Cllr McDonnell called on the Council to write to the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, asking for a 24/7 Garda Station in the town. Cllr Claire Murray-Smale (Fianna Fail) seconded this proposal.

Cllr Claire Murray (Sinn Fein) agreed. This tragedy has highlighted the lack of Garda resources in the town. In recent years we have seen Garda Stations close throughout the county and we have seen less Garda visibility on our streets. The Midland Regional Drug Task Force is undermanned. In Laois / Offaly the Task Force is badly undermanned, comparing unfavourably with the rest of the country.

Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach, told the meeting that he's a former firefighter. Firefighters go into burning buildings, into danger, when everybody else is going the other direction. I want to praise the firefighters who stopped this fire from spreading further, and therefore possibly saved lives.

The meeting then rose for five minutes adjournment as a mark of respect, sympathy and solidarity with the relatives and friends affected by this tragedy; and in memory of Tadhg and Mary.

READ NEXT: 'I love you son' says mother of murdered Offaly boy Tadgh
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

On December 19, US Central Command (CENTCOM) commenced Operation Hawkeye Strike. CENTCOM forces struck more than 70 targets across central Syria with jets, helicopters and artillery. The Jordanian Armed Forces participated with fighter aircraft. More than 100 precision munitions were employed while targeting known ISIS weapons, and infrastructure sites.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said, "This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the US homeland," while adding, "We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region."

On December 13, three Americans - two US National Guard members and a civilian interpreter - were killed in Palmyra by an attacker who targeted a convoy of US and Syrian forces before being shot dead, according to the US military.

Three US soldiers were also wounded in the attack. The killer was a member of the Syrian Security Forces, but had been radicalized by ISIS.

After the attack on US and Syrian personnel, US and partner forces carried out 10 operations in Syria and Iraq resulting in the detention or deaths of 23 terrorist operatives.

In the last six months, the US and partner forces in Syria have carried out more than 80 operations to eliminate terrorists posing a direct threat to the US and regional security.

According to US President Donald Trump, the US military has "hit the ISIS [ISIL] thugs in Syria".

While delivering a speech Friday evening in North Carolina, Trump said he "ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week".

"It was very successful. It was precision," Trump added. "We hit every site flawlessly and we are restoring peace through strength all over the world."

Trump posted on Truth Social platform that the Syrian government was "fully in support" of the US military operation.

According to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs it "invites the United States and member states of the international coalition to support these efforts".

According to Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, the US forces had targeted "ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites".

According to sources on the ground, the strikes hit central and northeastern parts of the country, and residents in Palmyra and Raqqa said they heard the sounds of fighter jets and huge explosions throughout the night.

This latest operation came as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is trying to entice investors to Syria, in light of the recent repeal of the Caesar Sanctions Act by the US Congress, and the signing into law by Trump. The crippling sanctions had prevented Arab and foreign investors from financial investments to rebuild Syria, including energy development projects.

Al-Sharaa and General Mazloum Abdi of the Kurdish SDF signed an agreement to merge their forces, which carried a deadline of implementation before January 1, 2026. The SDF are the US-supported militia in the Syrian northeast that were instrumental in the defeat of ISIS in 2019.

The killing of three Americans in Syria while meeting with the Syrian Security Forces has put pressure on the Sharaa administration to implement the merger of SDF and the Syrian Security forces to bolster the US military and Jordanian partners in an effort to eradicate the ISIS threat.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

Only recently, the Trump administration released its 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS), its look at global "security" at this very moment. As it happens, that document's view of our planet right now was missing just a few passing things, globally speaking. Two of them happened to be Russia and China. Russia is only mentioned in a few paragraphs and the significance of China is distinctly downplayed. And of course, potentially the greatest ultimate danger to global security, climate change, is mentioned but once in this single sentence: "We reject the disastrous 'climate change' and 'Net Zero' ideologies that have so greatly harmed Europe, threaten the United States, and subsidize our adversaries." Of course, no one should be surprised by that, not during the presidency of the man who has called climate change "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."

But it does turn out that there are a few things on this planet to fear, as that document makes clear. One of them is "civilizational erasure," something that, if the far-right parties on the European continent don't soon win the necessary elections, will surely be the fate of" yes, believe it or not, Europe -- and the European Union, in particular. That continent, given immigration and other issues, could become "unrecognizable in 20 years or less," or so the NSS claims.

And that's just to begin a journey into the distinctly strange and unnerving national security (or do I mean national insecurity?) world of Donald Trump that TomDispatch regular William Hartung, co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, lays out in vivid detail today. Perhaps, in future National Security Strategy documents, President Donald Trump himself will indeed be found responsible for nothing less than "civilizational erasure." Tom

The "President of Peace" Prepares for War

The Donroe Doctrine Hits Home

By William D. Hartung

Earlier this month, the Trump administration released its new National Security Strategy, or NSS. Normally, such documents are poor predictors of what's likely to happen in the real world. They are more like branding tools that communicate the attitudes of a given administration while rarely offering a detailed or accurate picture of its likely policies.

The reason documents like the NSS are of limited import is simple enough: foreign and military policies aren't set by documents but by power and ideology. Typically enough, the current U.S. approach to the world flows from struggles among representatives of contending interest groups, some of which, like the military-industrial complex (MIC), have a significant advantage in the fight. The weapons industry and its allies in the Pentagon and Congress wield a wide array of tools of influence, including tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions, more than 1,000 lobbyists, and jobs tied to military-related facilities in the states and districts of key members of Congress. The MIC -- which my colleague Ben Freeman and I refer to in our new book as the trillion-dollar war machine -- also has considerable influence over the institutions that shape our view of the world, from the media to DC think tanks, Hollywood, the gaming industry, and our universities.

But the power and influence of the war machine are not going completely unchallenged. The grip of militarism and the institutions that profit from it are indeed being challenged by organizations like The Poor People's Campaign: A Call for Moral Revival; Dissenters, a youth antimilitarism group based in Chicago; antiwar veterans organizations like About Face, Common Defense, and Veterans for Peace; longstanding peace groups like the Friends Committee on National Legislation and Peace Action; networks like People Over Pentagon and Dismantle the Military-Industrial Complex; the ceasefire and Palestinian rights movements on U.S. campuses and beyond; and groups working for racial and economic justice, gay and trans rights, immigration reform, the demilitarization of the police, or compensation for environmental damage caused by nuclear weapons testing and other military activities. As such organizations coalesce, bringing together tens of millions of us whose lives and prospects are impacted by this country's ever-growing war machine, let's hope it might be possible to create the power needed to build a better, more tolerant, and more peaceful world, one that meets the needs of the majority of its people, rather than endlessly squandering precious resources on war and preparations for more of it.

So why pay attention to that new strategy document if what really determines our safety and security lies elsewhere? There are several reasons to do so.

First, the NSS has prompted discussion in the mainstream media and elite circles of what U.S. priorities in the world should actually be -- and such a discussion needs to be expanded to include the perspectives of people and organizations actually suffering the consequences of our militarized domestic and foreign policies.

Second, that strategy paper reflects the unnerving intentions and worldview of the current administration, which, of course, has the power to determine whether this country is at war or peace.

Finally, it suggests just how the Trump administration would like to be perceived. As such, it should be considered a weapon in the debate over what kind of country the United States should be.

Touting the "President of Peace"

From the start, the submission letter that accompanies the new strategy document is pure Donald Trump. In case you hadn't noticed, the current occupant of the Oval Office would have us believe that everything -- every single thing! -- he does is bigger, better, and more beautiful than anything that ever came before it. And that's definitely the case, in the first year of his second term, when it comes to his view of what this country's national security policies should actually be. As the letter puts it:

"Over the past nine months, we have brought our nation -- and the world -- back from the brink of catastrophe and disaster. After four years of weakness, extremism, and deadly failures, my administration has moved with urgency and historic speed to restore American strength at home and abroad, and bring peace and stability to our world.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Pomorie, Bulgaria - 05.01.2026 - Tedi-Iv-Tour, client-focused travel agency, is proud to announce its official launch in the heart of Pomorie. Founded with a deep 
Dear Eric: My husband of 45 years is a naturalized citizen that has been targeted in the past by law enforcement because of his skin color. I am struggling with anxiety and depression, afraid that he might be a target again in todays scary environment.

I have shared my feelings with several lifelong close friends. These friends havent taken the time to check in on me since I have shared this with them.

I feel I have been there for them during the years as they have encountered some of lifes challenges and find myself questioning whether I should continue our friendship. Do you have any advice for me?

 Disappointed

Dear Disappointed: Not knowing what to say shouldnt stop any of us from reaching out to a friend in need, but its possible that they read the headlines and dont have any encouragement to offer. I dont mean to make excuses for your friends, but perhaps they feel as powerless as you do and dont know how to best be there for you, even though what you want and need is just a check-in.

This might be a case where you have to be a bit more vocal and specific about the kind of support you need.

It can feel counterintuitive to tell loved ones I would like for you to call me to check on me. One might think, shouldnt they know they should call me? Well, yes and no. Were all navigating our own complicated worlds and sometimes our empathy or good intentions dont fully meet the mark.

Its OK for you to need more than youre getting and itll be more useful for you to ask for what you need than to drop the friendships, which would shrink your support network.

Dear Eric: This is in response to Unthanked, whose daughter struggled to send thank you notes after a shower. When we would host a shower, we had everyone address an envelope (for the thank you cards) and we used it for a drawing of a centerpiece for them to take home. This helped the bride/mother-to-be when it came time to write the notes.

 Thanked

Dear Thanked: A great (and popular) suggestion. I especially love using the envelopes for a raffle at the shower itself. Everyone wins!

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.
Dear Annie: I have a friend, Marcy, whom Ive known for about six years through a mutual group of acquaintances. She was very kind when my mother was alive, often coming over to help, and she has also helped with my kids. Over time we became friends. Marcy is single, on disability and doesnt drive. Im married and work full time, and Ive always tried to be accommodating and to help when I can.

Recently, she has been pressing me to drive her to a specialty clinic out of state for a consultation she scheduled on her own. This isnt a referral from her local doctor. To take her would mean three to four days off work for me and an eight-hour drive each way in the middle of winter.

A few months ago, she went to a similar clinic in another state, and it didnt offer anything more helpful than her local treatment options. She even ended up hospitalized while she was there.

Ive given her other transportation ideas, but she says none of them will work. I dont want to be a bad friend or make her feel rejected, but I dont believe this trip will help her -- and I simply cannot take a week off work to do it. I also suspect part of this may be mental and/or self-inflicted.

Her medical problems have increased over the past year, especially after Elaine, the relative she lives with, began treatment for cancer. Over the last two years, Marcy has pushed away nearly everyone in our group except one or two people because they dont have enough time for her. She nearly ended our friendship over something similar.

When Elaine and Marcy stayed with us for a while so Elaine could regain strength, I noticed a pattern: Whenever stress rose -- Elaine needing treatments, plans with other people or someone else going through a hard time -- Marcy would retreat to her room and soon afterward end up in the hospital. In the last six months, shes been hospitalized more than Elaine has.

I dont want to confront her harshly, especially since Im one of the few people she has left, but Im at a loss. Any advice would help. -- Caring but Confused

Dear Caring but Confused: Youve been more than a good friend to Marcy; youve been a lifeline. But even the most generous soul has limits, and it sounds like youve reached yours.

An eight-hour winter drive and several days off work for a nonreferral appointment is far beyond what any friend should be expected to provide. Youve offered alternatives, and shes rejected them.

The pattern youve noticed -- health crises rising with stress -- suggests Marcy may need more support than friends can provide. Nudge her gently toward talking with a doctor or counselor about whats been happening. If she reacts badly, remember that a friend who requires you to sacrifice your job and peace of mind is asking too much.

Youve carried her as far as you reasonably can. Now give her the chance -- and the responsibility -- to reach for the kind of help that can truly support her.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
In recovery from methamphetamine and with a mind toward starting anew, Ambrose Haynes spent six months on housing waitlists.

He hoped for a voucher he could use to subsidize the rent on an apartment, or a spot in a regulated apartment building where rents are capped at rates affordable to people with low incomes.

But he barely heard back from waitlist administrators, he said. Eager to get on with his life, and his dreams of earning a college degree and starting a family, he gave up on affordable housing and turned to the open market.

He left the residential recovery program that had helped him get sober and last year rented a Southwest Ash Street studio apartment that cost just under $1,300 a month.

No subsidies or expectation of grace if he hit a rough financial patch  but also, no waitlist.

Im waiting on people I cant even reach, and its frustrating, Haynes said. I felt like my life was just on hold.

Its the paradox of affordable housing across the Portland area. Thousands of unsheltered homeless residents. Thousands of vacant affordable units. Disconnects between waitlist administrators and hopefuls like Haynes. And a financial model that has left providers losing money, evictions on the rise and low-income tenants seeking market-rate options because of frustrations over what they view as poorly maintained and managed buildings.

Politicians and affordable housing landlords face a threefold challenge: figuring out how to slow the rise of regulated rents while making run-down units more habitable and cutting waitlist times to get people into the units  all at a time of vastly reduced state and federal subsidies for both tenants and landlords.

Affordable housing providers need solutions to stabilize their operations and for politicians to wake up, said Mary-Rain OMeara, senior director of community development at affordable housing landlord Central City Concern.

Its a business model thats failing, OMeara said.

Landlords in the red

Haynes frustration reflects a deeper malaise gripping Portlands affordable housing industry and the politicians who support it.

Elected leaders from Gov. Tina Kotek on down are funneling taxpayer money toward what economists say is desperately needed new affordable housing construction. But affordable housing landlords are struggling to properly manage the stock they currently own, even as the latest Multnomah County data shows nearly 7,800 people living outside or in their vehicles.

Landlords say they face widening losses as regulated rents, which have been on the rise, still fail to keep pace with rising costs for insurance, labor and utilities.

Multnomah Countys affordable housing properties are failing to break even, according to new data from advisory firm CohnReznick, which surveys properties financed with federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, a Reagan-era incentive to attract private investment in the development of regulated housing.

Affordable housing properties in Multnomah County reported a median debt-coverage ratio of 0.97 in 2024, down from 1.05 in the previous year. The ratio is a key financial metric that measures providers ability to meet mortgage payments and other debt with income from their properties. Providers must stay above 1.0 to break even, and lenders typically require a stronger coverage ratio to finance new projects. The national median was 1.46 in 2024.

Multnomah County affordable housing providers lost $411 on each unit in 2024, according to CohnReznick, a dramatic change of fortune from nearly a decade ago in 2015 when their per-unit cash flow  the money left over after all operating expenses and debt service are paid  stood at $963 per unit.

Cash flow is generally lower for affordable units because of restrictions on their rents. But its also typically more stable because demand for the units drives higher occupancy rates.

And thats part of the problem.

Providers in Multnomah County are evicting tenants frequently due to nonpayment of rent now that COVID-19 rent subsidies have evaporated, data show. Portland States Evicted in Oregon research team released a study last year that showed affordable housing landlords filed more than 5,400 eviction cases between January 2019 and December 2023, and that 2024 eviction filings were on track to outpace 2023 cases. Portland State did not respond for updated numbers.

Moreover, as Portlands market rents have stabilized over recent years and regulated rents rise, tenants like Haynes have pushed their budgets to forgo regulated housing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments annual maximum allowable rent for a one-bedroom affordable apartment for a household earning 60% of the area median income stood at $1,396, barely less than a comparable market-rate unit priced at $1,465, according to a presentation by the City of Portlands Community and Economic Development office this fall.

In some ways, the compression between affordable and market rents is good news because it reflects how incomes are rising across the Portland metro, generally outpacing the rate of market rent increases, said Michael Andersen, a housing researcher for the Sightline Institute. The caveat is that household incomes in Multnomah County lag the other counties in the metro.

The people who suffer most in this situation are the folks with no income, or minimal income, Andersen said. They havent caught the rising tide of wages, so everything  market price or affordable  is just further out of reach.

Other factors are driving tenants choices. Tenants and landlords living in and managing some of Portlands affordable housing stock report drug dealing, pests and clients with undertreated behavioral health concerns as problems that dissuade more eligible tenants from occupying empty units, according to records and interviews.

Central City Concern, for instance, criticized in a September report the shortage of wraparound behavioral health services in the Portland metro sufficient to meet the needs of the populations it houses.

Clients who are non-stabilized with unmet high acuity needs negatively impact communities and drive client churn, insurability and portfolio challenges, the nonprofits leaders wrote in the 27-page report.

The people who suffer most in this situation are the folks with no income, or minimal income. They havent caught the rising tide of wages, so everything  market price or affordable  is just further out of reach." Michael Andersen, housing researcher for the Sightline Institute

Meanwhile, Lance Orton, executive director of CityTeam Portland, which runs the recovery program Haynes went through, said the residents he works with who then transition into so-called permanent supportive housing need robust, on-site support services that address addiction, mental health and daily structure.

Without these elements, we risk creating housing that simply warehouses people, rather than environments that foster stability, healing and long-term success, Orton said.

Cant save anything anymore

Melody Frye likes to keep her apartment at The Yards clean  which makes it all the more frustrating, she said, when a cockroach skitters past.

I lived in the South for a long time, Frye said, and I just hate them.

She called up photos on her smartphone of two roaches she said she squashed the night before in the apartment building next to Union Station and owned by local housing authority Home Forward.

Frye said shed never seen the pests at the property, run by a contracted property manager, Pinehurst Management, until construction workers started repairs for flood damage from burst pipes from a January 2024 winter storm.

While roaches remain a problem, Frye says drug dealing that used to be more common at The Yards has calmed since roaming security guards try to halt strangers from coming onto the premises.

A Home Forward spokesperson said a contracted pest control company treats common areas and as many as 10 units every week, and residents who report pests can be scheduled for exterminator services as quickly as the following week. The spokesperson, Rylee Ahnen, further noted that the property manager has not received any incident reports of drug dealing lately.

The Yards is so empty that Home Forward recently announced it would reverse planned rent hikes for next year of 5% for unsubsidized tenants and 10% for those using housing vouchers and other government rent subsidies.

Frye is a member of the tenants union that argued raising rents would seriously strain finances for current residents and push more prospective renters away when 57% of The Yards 158 units are empty and many still needed repair work from last years flood damage. Home Forward says repair work is expected to finish next month.

Home Forward, which says it is the states largest provider of affordable housing, has some 6,847 units across Multnomah County, with 956, or 14%, sitting empty as of Nov. 7, according to an internal report first reported by Willamette Week.

Studio apartments at the Yards currently cost up to $1,435 a month, one-bedrooms up to $1,521 and two-bedroom apartments up to $1,739.

Frye said she utilizes veterans benefits that subsidize most of her rent, but breathed a sigh of relief on news that the rent hike wouldnt go into effect, since $135 of her $754 in monthly veterans disability payments goes toward her share of rent.

I try to save just a little bit every month, Frye said. Its gone now because I had to take the cat to the vet. But its getting to where I cant save anything anymore.

Waitlist disconnects drive vacancies

Beyond compressing rents, one of the key drivers of Portlands empty income-restricted units are problems administering its waitlists for affordable apartments and Section 8 vouchers, say those whove worked the lists.

Max Kinsella, another CityTeam program graduate, used to administer waitlists as a case manager for transitional housing for homeless veterans at Central City Concern. He described a typical scenario to illustrate the inefficiencies of the system.

Lets say six months ago, a homeless veteran entered a waitlist with all his proper documentation in-hand, Kinsella said. But when Kinsella finally gets to him six months later, that individuals cell phone number has changed, or the applicant has lost his documents, because hes on the streets.

To remove that person from the waitlist, a case manager like Kinsella must demonstrate he tried to make contact. Kinsella might try for two weeks to get in touch before removing him from the waitlist, he said. Then, after all the rigamarole, the applicant calls back five days later.

Now, Kinsella said, am I even doing my job the right way?

Central City Concerns OMeara pointed to similar issues with waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which distributes Section 8 vouchers for low-income renters.

The nonprofit works with Home Forward when it receives Section 8 applications to complete criminal background checks, income verification and unit inspections, she said.

While she said there have been recent improvements to Home Forward timelines, for a while, that was one of the primary drivers of the Section 8 portfolio vacancies.

OMeara said processing timelines for Section 8 vouchers would take as long as 50 days, but Home Forward has become more efficient in recent months at Central City Concerns urging, with turnaround times reduced to as quick as one day.

We were losing people along the way, OMeara said.

She added that of Central City Concerns 1,445 permanent affordable housing apartments in Portland, 209 are empty, a 14% vacancy rate.

Home Forwards Ahnen said at many properties that accept vouchers, it has seen higher tenant turnover of late that reflects the demands of housing people coming into properties after experiencing chronic homelessness. In some cases, Ahnen said, issues cannot be resolved despite intervention and support as providers work to maintain safe and stable living environments for the entire property.

Weve worked with housing providers to address this issue, and to reduce turnover, Ahnen said. Those conversations have also resulted in constructive recommendations that have sped up the leasing process for Home Forward and providers.

Still, Home Forwards recent announcement that it will slash and reshuffle up to a dozen staff positions amid a $35 million budget deficit due to federal cutbacks raises questions how long it will sustain the quicker tempo. Home Forward employs 359 full-time equivalent workers, according to Ahnen.

As their finances constrict, affordable landlords like Home Forward say governments should issue them funds that would allow them to pay down their debts and, in turn, lower rents. They also say the federal government needs to boost funding for Section 8 vouchers that support tenants.

Nearly 1,900 publicly subsidized apartments are sitting empty and unused, as first revealed this month by The Oregonian/OregonLive. They account for more than 7% of the approximately 25,000 total affordable units in Portland, according to real estate analytics firm CoStar. Overall in the metro area, just over 2,800, or 6%, of 45,000 affordable units are empty, CoStar data shows.

A balanced apartment market should hover around 5% vacancy, real estate experts say.

Affordable housing properties should not have substantial vacancies while people need homes, Kotek has told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

City and nonprofit leaders are trying to leverage technology in a bid to fill the vacant units.

Reach Community Development, which has just over 200 of its 2,545 units sitting empty at present, is working with a nonprofit called Housing Connector to fill vacancies, according to Chief Executive Margaret Salazar.

Housing Connector bills itself as a tech-for-good nonprofit that lists empty affordable units through an online clearinghouse viewable by more than 700 Portland-area case managers. So far, Reach has placed 15 households through the platform, Salazar said.

June Kissel, Housing Connectors community partnership manager for the Portland metro, said the group has helped place a total of 187 households in Multnomah County since late 2023, when the county first entered into a contract with the group. Its most recent contract with Multnomah County was valued at approximately $850,000, according to Kissel.

Housing Connect is ramping up its operations locally and has placed 50 households in the past three months, Kissel said. It is working with the Portland Housing Bureau to put that agencys affordable housing portfolio into its community hub in order to help start filling empty units, she said. Housing Connector does not have a contract with the City of Portland but has joined recent meetings of Mayor Keith Wilsons housing task force, Kissel said.

She hopes to have more news to share on the Housing Bureau initiative by early next year, she said, after recent media reports on Portlands empty affordable units have sparked energy behind filling them and the mayor has shifted his focus from this years shelter bed goal to housing in 2026.

Im really hoping that by end of February, this is something we can see: all of the available units, Kissel said.

Close the door

Stuck in waitlist purgatory, Haynes looked elsewhere as Portlands market-rate apartments loosened for renters like him.

The dozens of other men who surrounded him at the CityTeam recovery program were a blessing for helping keep him sober, Haynes said, but there are only so many days you can share shower times with that many guys.

Haynes knew he could try for a less-expensive single-room occupancy unit aimed at the recently sober, but hed heard drugs sometimes still found their way into circulation there. In an SRO, he said, he felt he would be at higher risk of consuming meth again.

His fellow CityTeam participant, Kinsella, said he could attest to the substance use in SROs. After getting sober from fentanyl, he lived on a Section 8 voucher from the summer of 2023 to 2024 at Ankeny Square, which Central City Concern describes as an alcohol- and drug-free community at 204 S.W. Eighth Ave.

I saw a lot of drug use, Kinsella said.

Kinsella said he only underwent drug testing when he moved in and at no other point during his year at Ankeny Square. He said he relapsed on marijuana while there because he felt like other residents got away with using substances.

After his year at Ankeny Square was up, Kinsella moved into a rented room in the suburbs.

Im just lucky I had the support and community to not go back to the hard s---, he said.

A Central City Concern spokesperson said tenants in its alcohol- and drug-free buildings must verify quarterly they are in a recovery program, and lease terms require sobriety. That said, staff offer second chances that focus on connecting residents with addiction services, part of a right to remedy process, according to spokesperson Laura Recko.

Haynes, meanwhile, packed up and forced himself to stomach the market rent at Southwest Ash. He has since moved to an apartment near Hayden Island after receiving a promotion at work that bumped his pay. And hes close to graduating with an associates degree in computer information systems from Portland Community College.

I was able to get myself financially stable because I was able to go home and close the door, if that makes sense, he said.

As dusk fell over West Burnside Street one recent December evening, Haynes and Kinsella prepared to go with others to deliver supplies to Portlanders experiencing homelessness under the Burnside Bridge, part of a so-called Night Strike effort through CityTeam.

City lights threw long shadows as Haynes stood watch at the door of Liberation Street Church and Kinsella waited inside where clothes and food were ready to go.

Its sad, and its frustrating, Haynes said later of all the affordable units sitting empty across Portland.

A lot of people wouldnt be homeless, he said, if the system worked.
Jim Beam will halt production at its primary Clermont, Kentucky, distillery starting Jan. 1, as the bourbon industry grapples with a record surplus and uncertain trade conditions, CNN reports.

The pause at the James B. Beam campus comes as Kentucky warehouses hold an all-time high of 16.1 million aging barrels of bourbon, according to an October report from the Kentucky Distillers Association.

Parent company Suntory Global Spirits said the pause will allow the company to invest in site enhancements. It added that it is always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with its team to discuss volumes for 2026.

According to CNN, the massive stockpile creates financial strain for distillers, who must pay state taxes on aging spirits. Kentucky distillers paid $75 million in aging barrel taxes this year, representing a 27% jump from 2024, the trade group reported.

Suntory Global Spirits has not announced layoffs among its more than 1,000 Kentucky employees, CNN added.

Bottling and warehousing operations will continue at Clermont, and the company said it will continue discussions with the United Food and Commercial Workers union about employee impacts.

Two other Jim Beam facilities will maintain operations during the pause: the Fred B. Noe craft distillery in Clermont and the Booker Noe distillery in Boston, Kentucky.
It was a typical weekday before dawn when Miguel Garcia Pazaran drove his wife, Dulce Maria Trejo Segura, from their apartment in Hillsboro to her job at a snack production plant in Forest Grove.

Lea este articulo en espanol: Una pareja de Oregon fue deportada y obligada a dejar atras a su hija pequena

Thats when immigration agents pulled them over  Garcia Pazaran still in his pajamas and house slippers  and detained them both.

The two were swiftly taken to a detention center in Tacoma then deported to Mexico, their home country, all within eight days.

Left behind in Oregon: their 2-year-old daughter, Sofia, a U.S. citizen.

The parents had lived in Oregon without authorization for four years, said Maggie Garcia, the mans older sister.

Garcia shared an apartment with the family and occasionally helped with child care. She was home when her sister-in-law made a desperate phone call on Dec. 8.

Were being detained, she told me. Take care of Sofia, Garcia told The Oregonian/OregonLive in Spanish.

She overheard her brother telling the ICE officers that they had a small child at home and begging them to let his wife go. Then the call dropped.

Garcia immediately quit her job at a building materials warehouse to care for the toddler full time. Her brother, 26, and sister-in-law, 27, have no other close relatives in the state, she said.

Since then, in between changing diapers, cooking and playing with Sofia, Garcia has tried to figure out how to reunite the girl with her parents.

The separation is one of dozens happening in Oregon, with ICE detaining both parents or single parents, leaving small children in the care of relatives, family friends or babysitters, said Elizabeth Aguilera, a spokesperson with Adelante Mujeres. The Washington County nonprofit is helping families separated by detention access legal aid, health and mental health services and pay for basic needs such as food and clothes.

Prolonged family separation causes massive emotional distress. It causes lasting trauma for everyone who experiences it, especially the children, Aguilera said.

Immigration enforcement also has led to a small number of children being placed in foster care, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services.

In October and November, three children in Oregon experienced at least one day of foster care because their parents or guardians were detained by immigration agents, said agency spokesperson Jake Sunderland. The data, the latest available, does not measure how many days the children were in foster care, Sunderland said.

Its unclear whether those children have been reunited with their parents. Earlier this year, Oregon explored allocating state money to cover travel and reunification costs for children separated due to deportations. The agency said this week that the number of children coming to its attention has been low enough that it has been able to cover those costs within its current foster care budget and statutory authority.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why ICE agents arrested the Hillsboro couple and why they did not release one of the parents to care for the toddler.

Garcia said her brother and sister-in-law called last week from Mexico telling her they had been deported and were planning to go to her brothers hometown in the state of Veracruz, more than 1,400 miles away from the border.

They had never been separated from their daughter before, she said.

Its like a living nightmare, we are devastated, Garcia said. We need to find a solution to reunite them as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have to endure whats happening.

Sofia wakes in the middle of the night crying out for her mother and takes her moms photo and hugs it, Garcia said. She knows they are not here. She knows something is wrong.

Garcia said she doesnt understand why immigration agents detained the two parents. Neither has a criminal record, she said. They worked hard in Oregon and her brother, employed in construction, paid taxes every year, she said.

A review of court records by The Oregonian/OregonLive confirmed the couple have no criminal history in Oregon. This aligns with federal data indicating that a significant share of immigration arrests in the state have involved people without criminal records.

They did not come here to take anything from anyone, Garcia said. They never did anything bad. They just went to work, came home and took care of their daughter.

They were saving money to build a small house in Huayacocotla, the remote village in the mountains of Veracruz where the family was planning to eventually return, she said.

After they were detained, Garcia contacted immigration lawyers to help them, she said, but the couple were already in Mexico by the time a lawyer called her back.

Garcia said she talked to her brother and sister-in-law after federal officers bused them to the U.S.-Mexico border and dropped them off in Nogales in the state of Sonora. The couple told her that they had no money or identification documents because federal agents confiscated both and hadnt eaten in two days, she said. They had found a migrant shelter to spend the night.

After getting food, clothes and money for a bus ticket from the shelter, the two arrived in their village on Friday, she said.

A friend who was born in Mexico but lives in Oregon and is a legal permanent U.S. resident will take the couples daughter back to them, Garcia said.

She cant do it herself because she doesnt have documents and both her brother and officials at the Mexican Consulate counseled against it.

Garcia said she and Sofia could get separated if she tried to self-deport given that immigration agents are now arresting immigrants as they are voluntarily leaving the U.S. by bus or airplane and placing them in formal deportation proceedings, according to recent news reports.

Sofia has a U.S. passport, she said, but Garcia needs to secure a notarized permission letter from the parents for the family friend to travel with the baby.

In the meantime, Garcia is getting help from Adelante Mujeres to pay for food and other basics. Community members have offered help with diapers and food. She has also started a fundraiser to collect money to pay for rent and for the air tickets to send their daughter home with the family friend.

Garcia, too, is thinking of returning to Veracruz where she has two daughters, 10 and 12. Its for them that she came to Oregon. In Huayacocotla, where roads are unpaved and electricity unreliable, its impossible to find work to sustain a family, she said.

I have cried so much, Garcia said.
A federal judge Monday ordered the Trump administration to leave a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter in Newport, after federal officials acknowledged diverting Coast Guard crews from Oregon to the southern U.S. border amid an immigration crackdown.

Judge Ann Aiken issued a preliminary injunction that orders Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the Coast Guard to keep an MH-65E Dolphin rescue helicopter stationed in Newport, effectively doubling down on the temporary restraining order Aiken issued in November.

Lincoln County and the Newport Fishermens Wives, a nonprofit that supports those in the commercial fishing industry, sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard in federal court in November after learning the Coast Guard had either ceased or drastically reduced its operations in Newport and moved the helicopter some 70 miles south to North Bend. A lawsuit by the state of Oregon was consolidated with their suit.

Aiken wrote in her order that the air facility, which the Coast Guard calls AIRFAC Newport, is critical to public safety. Newport commercial fisherman and state employees such as Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife researchers need the quick response of a rescue helicopter if the worst happens on the Pacific Ocean, Aiken wrote.

Plaintiffs have made a compelling showing that public safety, and by extension the public interest, are deeply intertwined with the continued operation of AIRFAC Newport, particularly as the fishermen embark on the most dangerous season of the year, Aiken wrote in her order.

Testimony the judge weighed in her order confirmed that Coast Guard helicopter crews from Oregon flew immigration enforcement missions on the southern border.

The Coast Guard said it technically rotates helicopters between an air station in North Bend and its forward operating location in Newport, according to court records.

But this April, Coast Guard Captain Jason Bustamente issued a memo requesting permission for the North Bend air station to discontinue staffing in Newport at a more heightened preparedness level between May and September, according to court documents.

The memo stated the North Bend air station was having staffing issues because, since February, it had sent four pilots to support Alien Expulsion Operations along the Southern Border, totaling eight weeks, the court documents stated.

The federal government acknowledged under questioning that while deployed to San Diego, a Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter was flying missions along the border, looking for anyone attempting to cross the border illegally.

The Coast Guard testified that it stopped deploying a rescue helicopter to Newport in May, though helicopters from North Bend periodically used Newport to train.

A Coast Guard captain testified that this was the first time since 1987 that there was no continuous rescue helicopter presence at AIRFAC Newport outside of the summer months.

The Newport air facility was established after a 1980s maritime tragedy, Aiken wrote.

In 1985, the Lasseigne fishing vessel, sailing from Newport, capsized twenty miles off the coast. Coast Guard helicopters dispatched from North Bend and Astoria arrived more than an hour after getting its distress call, according to court documents, but by then it was too late.

Two of the vessels three crew members were already dead. The third was rushed to a hospital with hypothermia, where he died.

Following the Lasseigne capsizing, the Newport Fishermens Wives successfully pushed for a Coast Guard rescue helicopter to be stationed on Oregons central coast. A temporary facility opened in 1987 and a formal dedication after congressional funding occurred in 1994, court records state, with the facility remaining in nearly continuous operation for nearly 40 years.

Plaintiffs have presented evidence that, without its continued operation, the Newport fishermen, the State of Oregon employees, and the community at large will face serious danger due to the lack of rescue helicopter coverage, Aiken wrote.
Oregon workers who earned overtime pay this year will get a new break on their state income taxes, thanks to state lawmakers decision to copy the temporary federal overtime tax exemption in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

But its unclear if many Oregon workers will actually qualify for the new deduction due to worker exemptions and the requirements to receive it.

Lawmakers in Oregon earlier this year considered blocking the automatic adoption of the overtime provision and other new tax breaks from Republicans federal law. But Democrats, who hold majorities in both chambers, fell short of the votes necessary to do so, despite the expected loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue from the tax cuts included in the federal law.

Preserving the state overtime tax break won support not only from Oregon Republicans and businesses, but also at least one of the states powerful public employee unions, who historically backed efforts to preserve or raise taxes to fund government. In this case, some of their members stand to benefit from the overtime break.

Provisions like no tax on tips or overtime will help some working Oregonians and those pieces should be protected, said Pati Urias, a spokesperson for Oregon labor union SEIU Local 503, which represents more than 70,000 workers. But the tax cuts that help working families are temporary and designed mostly to score political points to hide draconian cuts to Medicaid and (food assistance programs).

Spokespeople for Oregon AFSCME and the Oregon Education Association, unions that represent thousands of teachers and other public employees across the state, declined to comment or did not respond to a request for comment.

Oregon is one of a handful of states that automatically copies most federal tax law, so legislators must take action if they want to prevent any new tax breaks from being replicated at the state level.

To avoid the funding loss in future years, lawmakers could selectively disconnect Oregons tax code from the federal tax breaks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Democrats have been weighing their options to address a larger budget deficit for months and will take up the matter in the month-long legislative session that begins in February.

Heres what we know about the overtime pay tax break and its future in Oregon so far.

What is the deduction?

The federal overtime tax break was included in President Donald Trumps tax and spending bill approved by Congress earlier this year.

The provision allows certain employees to deduct up to $12,500 of overtime pay from their federal taxable income, or $25,000 for joint tax filers, meaning that portion of their income wont be subject to federal income taxes.

Because Oregons tax system bases its state taxable income on federal taxable income, qualified taxpayers in the state will also see lower state income tax bills, unless lawmakers choose to disconnect from the federal system in future years. The tax break applies only to the extra half portion of time-and-a-half overtime pay, according to the IRS. For example, a worker who earned $15,000 in time-and-a-half pay would see zero federal or state tax levied on $5,000 of that income. Similarly, a worker who earned $1,500 in total overtime would receive $500 tax free.

Taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes under $150,000, or $300,000 for joint filers, will be able to claim the full deduction, while individuals with higher incomes may qualify for partial tax breaks. The tax break will only apply to tax years 2025 through 2028.

Who will benefit from the deduction?

National research suggests that only a small portion of Oregons workforce is likely to qualify for the deduction.

Generally speaking, employees under the income threshold who report overtime wages earned under the Fair Labor Standards Act will be able to claim the tax break.

But only about 8% of hourly workers and 4% of salaried workers across a variety of industries in 2023 reported regularly working overtime that would make them eligible for the tax break, according to researchers at Yale University.

That year, while more than 82 million hourly workers and 15 million salaried workers nationally were eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the overwhelming majority of those workers did not report any overtime income under that law, Yale researchers found.

Also, some categories of workers are excluded altogether from earning overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, including most teachers, truck drivers, independent contractors and high-paid office workers.

Officials at multiple state offices, including the Department of Revenue, the Legislative Revenue Office and the Oregon Employment Department, said they did not have data showing how many Oregonians earned overtime pay this year and may be eligible for the deduction.

Many government workers could qualify for the tax break, state employee salary data indicates. In the 12-month period ending June 2024, about half of Oregons 49,000 state workers earned overtime pay, including 28 employees who received more than $100,000 in overtime pay. Local governments also often pay significant amounts of overtime, including to law enforcement.

Why do some groups oppose the overtime pay deduction?

Tax fairness groups have criticized the policy largely because only a small portion of workers are expected to qualify and because it is expected to disproportionately benefit higher-income workers.

Policy research groups say the deduction also decreases horizontal equity, an economic fairness principle that individuals with similar incomes should pay relatively similar amounts of taxes. For instance, individuals with multiple jobs who dont receive any overtime pay could potentially face a significantly larger tax bill than a person who worked similar hours at one job for a similar wage and qualified for the overtime pay deduction.

What does this mean for the state budget?

The overtime tax break is expected to cost Oregon about $93 million in forgone tax revenue for the 2025 tax year and similar amounts in each of the following two years, according to a report from the Legislative Revenue Office prepared for lawmakers in October.

If lawmakers in February do choose to disconnect from the overtime deduction, that change would likely apply starting with the 2026 tax year because returns for the 2025 tax year will already be filed by the time any legislation could take effect, according to Kyle Easton, a senior economist in the nonpartisan Legislative Revenue Office.

That news comes as lawmakers grapple with a $63 million state budget shortfall and expect larger deficits in future budget periods due to the combination of tax breaks in the Republican bill and cuts to federal funds for programs including Medicaid and food assistance.

What are lawmakers going to do?

In response to emailed questions, Sen. Anthony Broadman, a Democrat from Bend and chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, indicated that lawmakers during the upcoming short session will push to disconnect from the tax breaks in the Republican bill that favor large businesses, not those focused on workers, such as the overtime deduction. Many of the business tax breaks are permanent, while the tax cuts for workers are generally temporary.

But Broadman didnt say whether disconnecting from the overtime pay deduction is still on the table.

To ensure the state can continue to fund the health care, education, and public safety that Oregonians rely on, Broadman said, we will look at closing tax loopholes for out-of-state mega-corporations and billionaires, cutting waste and inefficiencies in the budget, using rainy day funds as a bridge to long-term solutions and making targeted investments to spur economic growth.

Republican lawmakers in Oregon have expressed strong support for the overtime tax break and would likely oppose any effort to disconnect from the federal provision. Earlier this year, 21 House Republicans sponsored a bill that would have established a similar deduction for overtime pay. The bill died in committee.

The legislative session will begin Feb. 2.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that state lawmakers knew the projected state revenue impacts of certain federal tax cuts during this years legislative session. Those analyses were not completed until after the session.
Michael Jordan, a seasoned bureaucrat who led the radical remake of Portland City Hall and served as the new systems inaugural city administrator, will retire next month after four decades of public service.

Jordan, 69, spent years as the top administrator at Metro, the states Department of Administrative Services and at Portlands Environmental Services Bureau.

In 2022, former mayor Ted Wheeler tapped him to become the citys chief administrative officer. He eventually took the reins as Portlands first city administrator, a centralized position of power created as part of a voter-approved government overhaul that created a largely executive-style mayor and an expanded 12-member City Council focused on legislating.

The Oregonian/OregonLive recently sat down with Jordan, who talked about a fiscal perfect storm on Portlands horizon, friction between the citys new branches of government and why the next three or four years could either make or break a revamped City Hall.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

I asked you recently whether you were counting down the days until your retirement. Your response: Well, some people are! What did you mean by that?

Its impossible to sit in these leadership roles and do the job well, I think, and not leave a bad taste in some folks mouths. You have to make decisions that some people are just not going to be happy with. And of course, in the last three years, weve shoved a lot of change through this organization. There are a certain percentage of human beings that are just not very happy about that, no matter what, because they just dont like moving their dog dish. So yeah, there are probably some people who are counting the days for me to be gone. Thats just a part of the gig.

Do you feel like youre leaving behind any unfinished business?

First of all, by definition, the works never done. We are constantly evolving, constantly reacting to the environment that the world presents to this community. You constantly have to be reactive. Most people in this organization are looking at today. Lets get todays work done, lets get this weeks work done. And thats what theyre here to do. But a few people in the organization have to carve out enough time and energy and thought to look down the road. And I will admit, I think thats the part of the work that I certainly could get better at. I think its the part of our obligation as leadership that we need to improve on the most.

Looking down the road then, what big challenges are you seeing?

Were facing a perfect storm from a fiscal perspective. Theres the issue that weve become a big city with big city challenges. That has kind of arrived on our doorstep. The second thing is weve faced decades of not being able to carve out enough funding with enough consistency to take care of our physical assets. The third, and maybe the most challenging thing, is that we run the city with a structural deficit in revenue versus expenditures. Some people like to call that the jaws of death. Over time, that becomes untenable. And were right on the cusp of that moment. So you take those three things coming together and you really do have a perfect fiscal storm that the city is going to have to figure out how to grapple with. And if you try to figure out how to deal with those issues, it is a complex set of solutions. Theres no silver bullet in place for that. Local government funding is broken in Oregon and has been for a long time. But as they say, the chickens are now coming home. This started really in 1990 with the passage of Measure 5. It has got nothing but more challenging, more convoluted, as we have piled more limitations into the Constitution without taking any of them away.

What about challenges with our new form of government?

If we could spend more time thinking about what are the good things we are trying to create in Portland rather than just what are the bad things were trying to prevent, I think that would go a long way toward building a level of trust among the administration and the mayor and the council, and that would go a long way toward this being a more effective government.

Are you surprised by what many see as a palpable lack of trust that appears to be manifesting within city government at this time?

Yes and no. Ive never done this job in any environment and felt untrusted as much as I do now. And yet I think because of the way this new government came into being, and the way individuals came into elected offices, there was an underlying kind of ethos, if you will, that everything at the city from the past was broken and needed to be fixed, including some of the people, particularly those in leadership. I think its arguable that it makes sense that they came in and said, You know, we dont trust you. You guys arent doing a very good job. And were gonna fix you.

Youve spent decades as a public administrator here in Oregon. You led and oversaw the remake of City Hall and youve been at the nerve center of this new form of government for the entire first year. What, if anything, has startled or surprised you?

Well, I think its a lot of what weve talked about. Again Ive never felt this level of distrust between the electeds and the administration and Ive been on both sides of the divide. Ive never felt that before. So thats a surprise.

What will it take to resolve that?

Time. Maturity. Time in the role. You got to remember that theres no handbook for this thing. You got a few paragraphs of text in the charter and thats it. And with 13 people who have their own very strong ideas about how this should all go, an administration thats been here for 150 years and is trying to figure out, OK, what does this new thing mean? And so you want to know what they need more than anything else? They need a little more time. At the end of the day, the administrative branch cant do its job without an active, efficient, effective legislative branch. The executive cant do its job without an effective administration. Were so codependent and I think everybody will come to that conclusion over time.

How much time do you think its going to take?

If things are not looking much better by 2030, reform will be at the top of the agenda for the next charter commission. And what form that might take, I have no idea. But theres the time frame to get this thing right. These next three, four years are really important for the city.

What sage advice or stern warning can you offer our City Council, our mayor and every day Portlanders?

Being in government or observers of government, were always looking for a kind of rational thought and logic and data to make decisions, to weigh alternatives, to think about how a city solves big problems and moves forward. All of that is important. What we often forget in our rush to make rational decisions is that so much of this work is about human beings. About our hopes and our dreams and our foibles, our aspirations, when were heroic, when we fail, and we forget that. This is about human beings and all the baggage they carry around with them since they were born and all those rocks that they put in their backpack. We need to cut each other a little bit of slack, and we dont do that very well.
in the air she breathed? She kept on trying to find these images of the paintings on her desktop and then chose not to look at the paintings or rather at the photographs

) Then the classic Greil Marcus piece from 1998 about how all mainstream Disne
The story of Pierrea French shepherdis a project imagined decades ago that I still have not given up onI had no network because I didnt finish my degree at the Art

The implications of this deceptively simple idea would echo down the centuries: what role should a woman occupy at home.For a long whilelonger than we said we wouldI had a
exuberant welcome hed received up to now? And why are those young dandies of the court so disdainful of the richly brocaded silk fabrics.jumbled in a bin; a scale for weighi

I now have so many bags that Im starting to fill up yet another wardrobe in yet another bedroom.Anju looked forward to taking him his meal so eagerly that she would fi
which I should start telling myself when I wake up in the morning: How you do anything is how you do ever

Allusions to paintingand to the visual arts more broadlyappear across the full range of Pasolinis writings.Someone prodded he
we see a negation of racial and economic populations that had historically enabled Californias developmen

but what about the pages you leave blank because passion would be unwarranted? I suppose it is apt that.theres no given instance
the findings of which were that people who wore predominantly black and brown shoes tended to have avoidant personalities.but like those misunderstood idealists I was try

how poets sing and die!Make one song and Heaven takes it;Have one heart and Be
after a long breakupfar overdueI moved to a small but stunning apartment on the fourth floor of a brown

there were numerous relatives around the hearth who had come from nearby villages to escape the raids.the anthology Minor Notes
Now a tall construction ladder sits in the corner of that wide room on what must have once been a stage.where is your family from? they never tell you the city tha

to settle into a single mode or styleshe is as suspicious of received ideas a
All the movements we do in here are designed to replicate the movements we do out in the real world.If you were to survey the readers responses to this literary marvel over

I thought that Rian and I would be less hardcore about academic achievement with this second round of kids.recognizing the typical aspects of her own behavior: The book she t
I always think about that and then about a girl from college who played tuba and taught me the rhyme about drinking beer before liquor (never been sicker)a saying with litt

And so the France of today is not at all the France of Gaullism and the autonomous France of that period.Am struggling to finish my notebooks: titled Stream of Consciousness
learning the routes and schedules and watching the gutter punks scurry out noiselessly from under a bridge near the rail yard.Even the ones who dont want to be touched take

and then suddenlyI think it was suddenI didnt give a fuck about how people saw me with regard to being married.But Lacans term was meant not so much to target the mismanage
Swifts 131-show survey of her ten s

supreme court freedom of speech social media

danny kaye court jester

a court of thorns and roses rhys

or grow on you later? Was there a

because when I read it again

A preacher visiting our church from
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
An upstate New York school district has come under fire after photographs of wooden boxes used to isolate students emerged on social media this week.

The Salmon River Central School District, located near the Canadian border in an area serving mostly Native American students, placed its superintendent on administrative leave and launched an investigation following the discovery of the devices. Photos showing a padded wooden enclosure with bare walls spread across Facebook on Monday, posted by Chrissy Jacobs, a former school board member.

Timeout Boxes in School

District officials initially denied that the box had been used with students. However, Superintendent Stanley Harper later admitted that two additional wooden boxes had been constructed and used as "timeout" isolation areas in district schools. He stated they were in use for several weeks before being removed, according to the New York Times.

At a community meeting held Tuesday night, multiple parents came forward saying their children had been placed inside the boxes as punishment. One parent reported that his eight-year-old son, who is nonverbal and autistic, was put in the box located in his special education classroom. The child communicated to his family that a friend had also been placed in the box.

Read more: San Francsico School Claims Students Score Better Grades With Help From AI Instruction

The situation has sparked particular concern because of its connection to Native American history. More than 60 percent of students in the district identify as Native American or live near the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. The practice echoes painful memories of residential boarding schools where Native American children were historically confined and mistreated.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council called the boxes "inhumane" and demanded accountability from school leadership. The council expressed that the incident had reopened historical wounds for the community. Governor Kathy Hochul called the discovery "highly disturbing."

Widespread Backlash Online

In response, New York State's education department ordered the district to immediately remove all remaining seclusion devices and announced it would conduct visits to ensure compliance. The state is also conducting its own investigation into the matter, Yahoo News reported.

Several school administrators, including the principal and director of special education, have been placed on administrative leave pending the independent investigation. The school board issued an apology, acknowledging the pain caused to families and the community.

Education experts have long raised concerns about isolation as a disciplinary method, noting that it can harm children's mental health and fail to address underlying behavioral issues. The use of seclusion in public schools is prohibited under New York State law, making the district's actions a serious violation of state regulations, as per Special Education Today.
As a parent, your primary responsibility is to keep your children safe. While your instincts and love guide much of what you do, understanding the legal framework around child protection is equally important.

Child protection laws exist in virtually every country, region, and jurisdiction, and they establish the rights and responsibilities you have as a guardian. Whether you're raising young children, navigating the school system, or helping teenagers transition into adulthood, knowing these fundamental legal principles will help you make better decisions and advocate effectively for your child's well-being.

The legal landscape of child protection can feel overwhelming at first glance. You may wonder what decisions you can make alone, what requires consent, when authorities might intervene, and what rights you truly have.

This guide breaks down ten essential things every parent should know about child safety laws, presented in straightforward language without unnecessary jargon. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of your legal position and the protections available to your family.

1. You Have Legal Authority to Make Decisions for Your Child

As a parent, you hold what's called "parental authority" or "parental responsibility." This means you have the legal right to make decisions about your child's upbringing, including education, medical care, and day-to-day welfare.

Both parents typically share this authority equally, though in cases of separation or divorce, a court may assign primary decision-making responsibility to one parent. Your parental rights are fundamental, but they are not absolutethey must always serve the best interests of your child.

2. Medical Decisions Usually Require Your Informed Consent

You have the right to make medical decisions for your child, and healthcare providers cannot treat your child without your permission. This is called "informed consent," which means you must understand what treatment is proposed, why it's necessary, and what the potential risks and benefits are. However, there's an important exception: in medical emergencies where a child's life is at immediate risk, doctors can provide lifesaving treatment without waiting for your consent. Doctors will try to reach you, but they won't delay critical care to do so.

3. You Control Access to Your Child's School Records

Child protection laws include strong privacy protections for your child's educational information. Schools are legally required to maintain your child's records confidentially and cannot share personal information without your written permission. You have the right to request and review these records, correct any inaccurate information, and control what gets shared with outside parties.

Your child's grades, test scores, behavioral notes, and other educational details belong in a protected category. If your child reaches the age of 18, these privacy rights typically transfer to them.

4. Mandatory Reporting Laws Protect Children from Abuse

Many professionalsincluding teachers, doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workersare legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities. These are called "mandatory reporters."

This legal duty exists to ensure that children in danger receive help quickly. If you're concerned about a child's safety, you can also report directly to your local child protective services agency or law enforcement, even if you're not a professional. These reports are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly.

Read more: 12 Signs a Child May Be Experiencing Cyberbullying

5. You Must Balance Parental Rights with Child Welfare

While you have the right to raise your child as you see fit, child protection laws make clear that a child's safety and welfare come first. If a child is being abused, neglected, or harmed, authorities can intervene, even within a family.

In extreme cases, child protective services may remove a child from a home or a court may limit your parental rights. The principle behind this is simple: children cannot always protect themselves, so society has a duty to step in when they're in danger.

6. School Discipline Has Legal Limits

Schools have the authority to discipline students, but this power has boundaries. Teachers cannot use physical punishment, and suspensions or expulsions must follow fair procedures. Schools must notify parents when serious discipline is being considered and, in many cases, give you an opportunity to respond.

For students with disabilities, extra protections apply. Schools cannot suspend students indefinitely without addressing their educational needs, and multiple suspensions may trigger legal review.

7. Special Education Rights Give You a Seat at the Table

If your child has a disability, federal and state laws guarantee you significant involvement in their education. You have the right to participate in developing your child's individualized education program (IEP), which outlines the special services and accommodations they'll receive.

You can request evaluations, review all records, and challenge decisions you disagree with through a formal hearing process. Your input is not optionalschools must treat you as an equal member of the decision-making team.

8. Child Labor Has Age and Condition Restrictions

Children have legal protections against exploitation through work. Most jurisdictions set a minimum working age of 14 to 15 years. Even when children reach working age, they cannot work in hazardous occupations, and their hours are typically limited.

This protects children from missing school, suffering physical harm, or being exploited economically. Younger children may do light work under parental supervision, but this must not interfere with their education or wellbeing.

9. Child Protection Laws Are About Partnership, Not Just Enforcement

While child protection laws do involve authorities who can intervene in families, their primary purpose is to support and strengthen families. Many jurisdictions offer resources like parenting classes, counseling, financial assistance, and community support to help families stay together and thrive. These laws are meant to work alongside parents, not against them, when challenges arise.

10. Laws Vary by Location, So Know Your Local Requirements

Child protection laws differ between countries, states, and regions. The specific age at which children can consent to medical treatment, the procedures for school discipline, and the standards for custody all vary.

What's legal in one place may be illegal in another. Take time to understand the specific laws that apply where you live. Your local school district, pediatrician, or family law attorney can clarify the rules in your area.

Understanding child safety laws empowers you to protect your children more effectively while respecting their rights and development. These laws exist because society recognizes that children deserve special protection. By knowing your role within this legal framework, you become a more informed and capable parent.
Chambersburg police are looking for a man who has an active criminal homicide warrant.

Andre Romulus, 42, was charged with one count of criminal homicide after a Dec. 20 incident.

Police are searching for Andre Romulus, who has a warrant out for criminal homicide. Chambersburg Police

Police responded around 2:20 a.m. Saturday to the Unit Block of West Washington Street for a welfare check on a woman.

When they arrived, the woman was unconscious and unresponsive. Police and EMS provided medical assistance, but she died from her injuries. A police investigation showed that the woman died from blunt force trauma, and police identified Romulus as the person who assaulted her.

Police said Romulus fled the scene and left the Chambersburg area. They also said Romulus and the victim knew each other.

Police are asking for the publics help in locating Romulus, who is 5-foot-8 and 187 pounds. Anyone with information should submit a Crimewatch tip.
Police on Monday arrested a 42-year-old man suspected of beating a woman to death in his apartment early Saturday in Franklin County.

Andre Romulus fled Chambersburg after the homicide, which was discovered about 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the first block of W. Washington Street. Police announced Monday morning they had arrested him with help from the sheriffs office and U.S. Marshals fugitive task force.

The victims name was not released. The coroner did not provide the name or cause or manner of death when requested. Police charged Romulus with criminal homicide.

The man who reported the crime told police he got disturbing text messages from Romulus between 9:30 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday, including asking for a place to stay overnight.

Romulus also sent messages about 1:37 a.m. saying he wont see him again and to send someone to check on the victim, according to an affidavit filed against Romulus.

The man said Romulus said the victim was leaving him and left him alone with their child.

The man ran to the apartment and flagged down a police officer, who went inside to check on the woman. Officers found her lying face down in a large pool of blood on the floor next to the bed. Police noted a significant amount of blood on the bed. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she died.

Police said an initial examination of the wounds showed the woman sustained severe trauma to the front of her face.

The criminal complaint filed against Romulus said he intentionally assaulted the victim causing severe trauma to her head.The injuries from the assault directly lead to the death of the victim.

The affidavit did not mention if a child was found in the apartment with their mortally wounded mother.

Police got a search warrant for Romulus apartment, which revealed identifying documents belonging to Romulus. Several messages were translated, the affidavit said, where Romulus accused the victim of being evil and embarrassing him. He also referenced physically abusing her on a previous occasion.

Romulus does not have a prior criminal record in Pennsylvania, according to online court records.
Jerrell Stewart was 17-years-old when he shot and killed 21-year-old Charles Davenport and 19 when he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Now, nearly 17 years after the killing, Stewart, 35, has a chance to get out some day.

Dauphin County Senior Judge Richard A. Lewis gave Stewart a new sentence Monday: 35 years to life with the possibility of parole, starting when he was first incarcerated in June 2008. The earliest he could go before the parole board is 2043 when Stewart would be 52 or 53 years old.

The resentencing hearing, which was granted because of recent Supreme Court rulings for juveniles sentenced to life, took over an hour. The judges decision wasnt whether or not Stewart committed the crime  both the defense and prosecution agreed Stewart killed Davenport  but whether his sentence would be lowered, and if so, by how much.

This is a difficult decision for me. I realize my decision will never be fully accepted by either side of the case. I do recognize the pain that all of you feel, the loss you have suffered, Lewis said before handing down the sentence.

Stewart shot and killed Davenport on June 6, 2008, on Forrest Street in Harrisburg, after Davenport stole a car from Stewarts friend. The trial found he shot Davenport in the back, then shot him again as he lay on the ground and stomped on him.

Lewis heard from Davenports family members, who said one month after his murder, he had a son who will never meet his father. Lawrence Evans, Davenports father, said the family talks about him all the time.

My son was no saint, but he didnt deserve what happened to him. I dont know whats going to happen today, but he [Stewart] definitely deserves to be in there longer, Evans said. Im not saying he deserves a life sentence... I dont know. Its not gonna bring my son back.

Stewart himself spoke at the sentencing, although it wasnt required, speaking through tears in his correctional uniform, clean shaven with his hair neatly braided.

There aint a day where I dont think about what I did and the pain I caused. I was young, but thats not an excuse. I cant take back what I did. Im sorry. Im truly sorry, Stewart said, speaking to the courtroom and Davenports family. I just hope that one day yall can find it in your heart to truly forgive me.

Stewarts attorneys brought two witnesses: Yvette Nettles, a corrections counselor and Kathleen Gnall, an expert on offender risk and prisoner adjustment.

Both talked about what Stewart has done behind bars. Nettles said shes seen growth in Stewart and that hes been working to develop a program for troubled youth. Hes also in a group of inmates who help newly incarcerated men adjust to life in prison, a position that requires trust from staff members.

Gnall explained static and dynamic factors in Stewarts life, which are those you are born into and those you can change through choices. Stewart did not have a relationship with his father, and his mother was an alcoholic and a drug addict who spent time in prison. He also grew up in a neighborhood with a high crime rate and his brother was a gang member.

Mr. Stewart lived in fear most of the time, maybe all of the time, because his family was criminally involved, Gnall said. I didnt see that he was ever doing anything but living moment to moment trying to survive.

Stewarts static factors meant he wasnt able to form decision-making skills or conflict-resolution skills, Gnall said, something hes worked on during his time in prison.

Stewart spent time in juvenile correctional facilities growing up, and Gnall said Stewart told her he wished he could stay in these stable environments. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo later argued the pattern of being in a juvenile correctional facility then leaving and going back to criminal activity was a red flag for reentry now.

This shows a person who is a significant danger and caused devastating impact to a large family, Chardo said.

Stewarts attorneys argued against that, saying Stewarts work in prison shows he has changed.

Dynamic factors are things that can be changed, like education and work experience, or lack thereof. Stewart has gotten his GED, is involved in the prisons barber class and gone through cognitive behavioral interventions, including a violence prevention class. Hes also in the certified peer assistant program, in which he helps incarcerated individuals going through mental health crises, a position that requires faith and trust from prison staff.

I never worried about him trying to manipulate another inmate or get one over on guys who come in. He was one I could trust, Nettles said.

Stewart received six misconduct violations during his time in prison, but none in the last ten years. They included things like staying in the shower for too long. Gnall said refusing to follow orders can be serious, but Stewarts clean record in the last decade shows no cause for concern. She also said younger inmates, like Stewart was at the time, are more likely to commit misconduct.

I dont think theres any further rehabilitative values from staying in prison, Gnall said.

Stewarts attorneys noted there would be a process before Stewart could get out of prison: He would have to appear before the parole board, whose members would examine the case and his conduct in prison before making their decision.

This was Stewarts fourth sentencing hearing after a handful of Supreme Court rulings changed the way Americas justice system handles juveniles. In 2012s Miller v. Alabama, the court determined juveniles cannot be sentenced to mandatory life in prison. A string of other decisions let Stewart appeal his sentence

Frances Harvey, one of Stewarts attorneys, called him the quintessential Miller defendant. Harvey works for the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation, an organization that works to help capital defendants and defendants in situations like Stewarts.

Theres no good outcome. Its a tragic loss and there is a long sentence no matter what, but its a relief when you know hes not going to die in prison, Harvey said after the sentencing.

Harvey said the team from Atlantic Center for Capital Representation was happy that the judge took everything they presented into account, something they felt wasnt true at his 2022 resentencing hearing.
Are you a fan of whiskey during the holidays?

Well, by the time next Christmas rolls around, you might not be able to get your hands on a certain brand of alcohol to kick off the holiday season.

Jim Beam, one of Kentuckys largest bourbon producers, as well as one of the largest makers of American whiskey globally, has plans to hit pause on its whiskey production in Clermont, Kentucky, on Jan. 1.

Though production of the whiskey will go dark, the visitors center on the site will remain open for Kentucky Bourbon Trail visitors.

We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss our volumes for 2026, a statement from the company said. Weve shared with our teams that while we will continue to distill at our [Freddie Booker Noe] craft distillery in Clermont and at our larger Booker Noe distillery in Boston, we plan to pause distillation at our main distillery on the James B. Beam campus for 2026 while we take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements. Our visitor center at the James B. Beam campus remains open so visitors can have the full James B. Beam experience and join us for a meal at The Kitchen Table.

The sudden move is due to issues that lie in Kentuckys $9 billion bourbon industry. Right now, the industry is dealing a an excess of product and a decline in demand, per the Lexington Herald-Leader.

In response to the problem, the industry made the decision to pull back production by more than 55 million proof-gallons, or more than 28% through August, which has been at its lowest level since 2018.

As of right now, no layoff notices have been filed with the state of Kentucky, per Kentuckys WARN Act online database. Its unknown how many jobs could be impacted.

Meanwhile, Canada has been boycotting American spirits since March in response to President Donald Trumps ongoing trade war. As a result, American whisky sales to Canada have been down by more than 60% through October.

Other Kentucky companies that have also announced layoffs or pauses in production earlier in the year include Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey maker Brown-Forman.
By COLLEEN SLEVIN, The Associated Press

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP)  Sometimes kids drop the phone after hearing Santa wont show up if theyre not asleep. Others who call the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline wonder if St. Nick will be able to find them.

Adults who also remain devoted to the jolly figure said to deliver presents around the world are checking up on his journey. For 70 years, thats been the tradition at the North American Aerospace Defense Command  a joint United States and Canadian operation charged with monitoring the skies for threats since the Cold War.

A patch representing the annual NORAD Tracks Santa Operation is seen on a military uniform sleeve at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert) AP

More than 1,000 volunteers will be taking calls to 1-877-HI-NORAD on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight Mountain Standard Time. For the first time this year, Santa seekers can place a call through the programs website, which organizers say will be easier for people outside North America.

The website allows people to follow Santas journey in nine languages, including English and Japanese.

Last year, about 380,000 calls came into a hangar festooned with Christmas decorations at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs  the home of NORAD.

While Santa is no threat, the same combination of radar, satellites and jets that help NORAD carry out its mission throughout the year make it capable of tracking the progress of Santa starting from the international date line over the Pacific Ocean, said Col. Kelly Frushour, a NORAD spokesperson.

Rudolphs nose gives off a heat signature similar to a missile that is picked up by NORADs satellites, she said.

Faster than starlight

Last year, Frushour said one girl was upset after hearing Santa was on his way to the International Space Station, where two astronauts were stranded.

Thankfully, by the time the call was over, Santa Claus had moved on to another destination and the child was reassured that Santa was not trapped in space and was going to make it to her house later that evening, Frushour said.

A special needs man named Henry who calls every year once asked if the jet pilot escorting Santa through North America could put a note in the plane letting Santa know he was in bed and ready for him to come, said Michelle Martin, a NORAD staffer and Marine veteran.

She said she explained that Santa travels faster than starlight.

I dont know that our pilot can catch up with him fast enough. He just waves and he goes, she recalled saying.

Volunteers take phone calls from children asking where Santa is and when he will deliver presents to their house, during the 2024 NORAD Tracks Santa Operation. (Thomas Paul/North American Aerospace Defense Command. via AP, file) AP

A tradition started by mistake

The tradition started in 1955 when NORADs predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, was on the lookout for any sign of a possible nuclear attack from the then-Soviet Union. NORAD says a child mistakenly called the combat operations center and asked to speak to Santa Claus.

The commander on duty, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup didnt want to disappoint the child, so he ordered staffers to start tracking Santa and take calls from children.

The story goes that the first phone call was either the result of a misprint or a misdial of a number included in a Sears advertisement in the Colorado Springs newspaper encouraging children to call Santa.

The legend developed into the first call coming into a dedicated hotline that connected the command with a general in case of an attack. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, saying a call to a public phone line was more probable and noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations.

In a 1999 interview with The Associated Press, Shoup recalled playing along once he figured out what was happening, telling the first caller, Ho, ho, ho, I am Santa.

The crew was looking at me like I had lost it, he recalled.

He said he told his staff what was happening and told them to play along, too.

Its not clear what day the first call came in, but by Dec. 23 of that first year, The Associated Press reported that CONAD was tracking Santa.

CONAD soon became North American Aerospace Defense Command. It used to operate inside nearby Cheyenne Mountain. A network of tunnels had been blasted out of the mountains hard granite so NORAD officers could survive a nuclear attack.
already

By AAMER MADHANI, The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday was pursuing another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration appeared to be intensifying its targeting of such vesselsconnected to the Venezuelan government.

The pursuit of the tanker, which was confirmed by a U.S. official briefed on the operation, comes after the U.S. administration announced Saturday it had seized a tanker for the second time in less than two weeks.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the ongoing operation and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Sundays pursuit involved a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuelas illegal sanctions evasion.

The official said the vessel was flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

The Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the U.S. Coast Guard, deferred questions about the operation to the White House, which did not offer comment on the operation.

The Coast Guards pursuit of the tanker was first reported by Reuters.

Saturdays predawn seizure of a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries targeted what the White House described as a falsely flagged vessel operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil.

The Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, seized a sanctioned tanker called Skipper on Dec. 10, another part of the shadow fleet of tankers that the U.S. says operates on the fringes of the law to move sanctioned cargo. It was not even flying a nations flag when it was seized by the Coast Guard.

President Donald Trump, after that first seizure, said that the U.S. would carry out a blockade of Venezuela. It all comes as Trump has ratcheted up his rhetoric toward Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

This past week Trump demanded that Venezuela return assets that it seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, justifying anew his announcement of a blockade against oil tankers traveling to or from the South American country that face American sanctions.

Trump cited the lost U.S. investments in Venezuela when asked about his newest tactic in a pressure campaign against Maduro, suggesting the Republican administrations moves are at least somewhat motivated by disputes over oil investments, along with accusations of drug trafficking. Some sanctioned tankers are already diverting away from Venezuela.

U.S. oil companies dominated Venezuelas petroleum industry until the countrys leaders moved to nationalize the sector, first in the 1970s and again in the 21st century under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Compensation offered by Venezuela was deemed insufficient, and in 2014, an international arbitration panel ordered the countrys socialist government to pay $1.6 billion to ExxonMobil.

Maduro said in a message Sunday on Telegram that Venezuela has spent months  denouncing, challenging and defeating a campaign of aggression that goes from psychological terrorism to corsairs attacking oil tankers.

He added: We are ready to accelerate the pace of our deep revolution!

The targeting of tankers comes as Trump has ordered the Defense Department to carry out a series of attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that his administration alleges are smuggling fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the United States and beyond.

At least 104 people have been killed in 28 known strikes since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and that the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.

Trump has repeatedly said Maduros days in power are numbered. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in an interview with Vanity Fair published last week that Trump wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.

President Nicolas Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines, which took place during Venezuela's 19th-century Federal War, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) AP

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday that Trumps use of military to mount pressure on Maduro runs contrary to Trumps pledge to keep the United States out of unnecessary wars.

Democrats have been pressing Trump to seek congressional authorization for the military action in the Caribbean.

We should be using sanctions and other tools at our disposal to punish this dictator who is violating the human rights of his civilians and has run the Venezuelan economy into the ground, Kaine said. But Ill tell you, we should not be waging war against Venezuela. We definitely should not be waging war without a vote of Congress.

Associated Press writer Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo, Brazil, contributed to this report.
Story by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Its been a year of sweeping and controversial changes for a huge federal broadband initiative.

The $42.45 billion program was created in 2021 with bipartisan support and an ambitious goal: bring high-speed internet access to every home and business in the U.S., no matter how remote.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose agency oversees the program, said in January that under the Biden administration the program had become bogged down in red tape and woke mandates. He promised changes, pending a rigorous review.

Here are four things to know about what happened and where things stand:

Changes to key grant program

In June, the Trump administration announced major changes to the grant program.

The program originally prioritized projects that use fiber-optic cables, citing a need to ensure that the networks ultimately offer faster speeds to meet the needs of the future. Federal officials argued this relegated other technologies, like wireless and satellite internet, to third-tier status  even though they are often cheaper and faster to build.

Lutnick said the new rules will ensure taxpayers receive the best value for their money and get people connected more quickly. But critics argued the overhaul short-changes rural residents by favoring technologies that are cheaper upfront but unable to keep up with future demand for higher speeds.

Another change loosened a requirement that internet service providers that receive grants offer an affordable subscription option for low-income residents.

Digital skills grants scrapped

In May, the Trump administration abruptly canceled a separate, $2.5 billion grant program intended to teach digital skills and make getting online affordable. President Donald Trump called it racist and wholly unconstitutional.

In Pennsylvania, the canceled funding included more than $25 million for the state Broadband Development Authority and almost $12 million for the city of Philadelphia to teach digital skills and provide free or low-cost internet subscriptions. A grant to the Department of Human Services to help residents of 10 rural counties in northern Pennsylvania use telehealth was also terminated.

The move was part of a wider federal crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The canceled broadband program aimed to help a range of groups who face challenges using the internet, including older adults, veterans, and low-income households, as well as racial and ethnic minorities. Almost 80% of Pennsylvanians fall into at least one of these categories, state documents show.

A lawsuit challenging the administrations legal authority to cancel the funding is pending in federal court.

Shift towards satellite

In August, Pennsylvania announced which companies would receive grants.

Under the states proposal, roughly two-thirds of eligible locations in the commonwealth will be connected to the internet via fiber-optic cables, while another 18% will be served by satellite providers and 13% will receive wireless internet.

Its hard to say exactly what difference the changes made in Pennsylvania, but its clear that they opened the door for satellite to play a larger role.

When scoring applications, officials at Pennsylvanias Broadband Development Authority prioritized projects they deemed capable of delivering broadband speeds even in areas with heavy tree cover, steep slopes, or low population density.

Non-priority projects were considered only when no priority projects applied to serve a particular area, or when priority ones were too expensive, a spokesperson for the Department of Community and Economic Development said. No satellite projects were designated priority.

Uncertainty over leftover millions

In addition to the shift toward satellite and wireless internet, fewer locations are eligible  both because of the rule changes and because more broadband has been built since the infrastructure law passed in 2021.

As a result, Pennsylvania will be able to connect all the eligible locations in the commonwealth for only $790.7 million, rather than spending its $1.1 billion allocation as originally planned.

States were originally allowed to spend any leftover money to help residents get online through digital skills training or providing free laptops, among other things. But that guidance was rescinded, and in December, Trump issued an executive order that ties the funding to a federal review of state laws regulating artificial intelligence. The executive order directs the Commerce Department to identify onerous state laws and says those states will not be able to keep their leftover broadband funds.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
In the final days before Christmas, it seems a winter storm may be on the way across the northeast.

AccuWeather reports that amid a gentle warming trend, some Northeast residents are projected to receive plain rain, while others will pick up snow or an icy mixture at times this coming holiday week which could trouble travelers.

A period of freezing rain can mix in with snow and sleet Monday night into Tuesday across portions of central and south-central Pennsylvania, resulting in a stretch of potentially hazardous holiday travel, said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather meteorologist, in the forecast posted on the companys website.

The storm will bring precipitation to most of Pennsylvania by Tuesday, but the forecasts will vary across the state.

Some areas in northern and central Pennsylvania likely seeing snow and ice, while western and southern parts of the state will mostly see rain. Further east, areas around Allentown and Williamsport are expected to see a mix of snow and sleet.

Ice and snow are more likely in the north and in areas of high elevation.

In the Harrisburg area, temperatures are likely to remain high enough that well mostly see rain, but there is a likely chance of some snow.

The National Weather Service in State College forecast calls for showers to begin overnight tonight, and transitioning into early morning snow showers.

But with a high temperature of 45 degrees expected for Tuesday, the snow wont last long before transitioning into rain once more.

A similar high temperature is expected to follow on Wednesday, along with some wind gusts overnight.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service in State College:

Today

Increasing clouds, with a high near 40. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Tonight

Snow showers likely, mainly after 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain and snow showers likely before 9am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 9am and 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Christmas Day

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Story by Gabriela Martinez of Spotlight PA

This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks.

READING  Rabies cases in Berks County have nearly doubled over the past three years, yet residents exposed to the virus may struggle to find answers to basic questions: Which agency handles rabid feral cats? Who shows up when an animal attacks? How can I confirm if the animal that bit me is positive for rabies?

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will assist when a wild animal is involved. The system for pets and feral cats is not as straightforward, which is why we compiled this guide.

To trap a feral cat suspected of rabies:

To test a domestic animal showing signs of rabies:

If you or someone else has been bitten or scratched by an animal suspected of rabies:

Wash the wound with soap and water. Seek medical help immediately, and contact the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
Its the wonderful time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. And they are once again being called to delete the X and keep Christ in Christmas.

This time of year is not just about buying gifts and singing carols, but about the powerful and revolutionary message the baby boy in the manger brought to the world.

Here are three things Christians may want to remember to delete the X and keep Christ in Christmas:

Jesus was homeless:

Jesus started his life at the bottom of the heap -- homeless and on the run. Luke 2:7 says his mother Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The baby Christians consider the savior of the world wasnt born in a palace or even in a warm, cozy room in the little town of Bethlehem where his family was summoned to pay taxes. His mother gave birth in what Biblical scholars say was either a manger or a cave with animals.

People hold a giant Palestinian flag in Manger Square, near the Nativity Church, which is traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Bethlehem is having a subdued Christmas after officials in Jesus' traditional birthplace decided to forgo celebrations due to the Israel-Hamas war. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) AP

Today, thousands of tourists visit the cave in Bethlehem where some believe the miracle birth took place. Ive been there. Its not where any woman would choose to give birth.

When Christians see homeless people this Christmas, they may want to remember Jesus, and how he started his life on earth.

Jesus was a refugee:

The book of Matthew, Chapter 2, verses 13-18 speaks of Joseph, Jesuss earthly father, being warned in a dream to flee to Egypt to escape King Herods wrath. The king feared the baby being called a new-born king was a threat to his political power. So, he did what many ruthless kings or political strongmen would do, King Herod ordered him killed.

The holy family found themselves in the situation thousands of people around the world are in today. They risk death from cruel political leaders if they stay in their native lands, so they flee. In the case of Jesuss family, Egypt didnt turn them away as King Herod was killing babies in Bethlehem. Jesus and his family found a haven in Egypt, much like many from war-torn lands once found in the United States. Today, Palestinans born in the same town as Jesus cant enter our country.

This Christmas, when Christians consider whether to welcome refugees, they should remember Jesus.

A Palestinian vendor stands in front of his shop near the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank City of Bethlehem, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Normally packed with tourists from around the world at this time of year, Bethlehem resembles a ghost town  with hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops shuttered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) AP

Jesus loves the little children:

In Sunday school, many Christians learned the beloved hymn:

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world,

Red, brown, yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight,

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

This Christmas, children in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and too many other war zones are huddled with their families in fear, facing disease, famine and death. U.S. aid that once flowed to help the worlds children disappeared when the Trump Administration so callously slashed American support for the poorest of the worlds poor.

A Somali child, internally displaced from her home, looks out from her family's makeshift home fashioned from USAID food containers in Maslah camp on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. U.S. foreign aid prevented 91 million deaths over 21 years, according to a study published by the Lancet. (Farah Abdi Warsameh | AP) Associated Press file photo

Even here in the United States, we allow our children to live in terror to protect gun rights, knowing someone may walk into their schools and start shooting.

This Christmas, many families are worried about whether they will be able to pay for healthcare for their children, with Republicans determined to end Obamacare that has provided affordable health insurance to millions of Americans.

Slashing health insurance for millions of Americans is not what Jesus would do. Its just the opposite. He might even ask the rich to pay for it. Its what he did in Luke 18:22 when he asked the young ruler seeking eternal life to give his wealth to the poor.

Yazan Abu Ful, a 2-year-old malnourished child, poses for a photo at his family home in the Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) AP

This Christmas, when Christians see hungry, suffering children at home or anywhere in the world, they may want to remember the baby Jesus, huddled in a cave with his mother and father and hounded by King Herod.

Christians also may want to remember the kindness of the Egyptians, who provided a refuge at a crucial time for a baby and his parents.

Most of all, Christians should remember Jesuss compassion for the poor and vulnerable. Whatever you do for the least of these, you do to me. (Matthew 25:40)

Thats the only way to delete the X and keep Christ in Christmas.

Joyce M. Davis is PennLives Outreach & Opinion Editor. She also is Lay Leader of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Follow her on Facebook, Bluesky @joycemdavis.bsky.social, and on Twitter @byjoycedavis.
Thomas Sanderson Crowned PartyPoker Tour London Main Event Champion

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

A delighted Thomas Sanderson has won the PartyPoker Tour London Main Event for 27,780 after a five-handed ICM deal. Capturing a career-best prize is always a joyous occasion, but it was extra special for Sanderson, who received a ticket for this event via the rake he produced from grinding SPINS online at PartyPoker. Walking away with 27,780 essentially for free is an incredible result.

The 399-strong field created a 177,555 prize pool that the top 62 finishers shared. Michael Rosaman, Will Kassouf, Stephen Bean, Dara O'Kearney, and Dean Clay were among those who finished in the money place but fell short of the nine-handed final table.

PartyPoker Tour London Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Prize 1 Thomas Sanderson United Kingdom 27,780* 2 Antonis Poulengeris United Kingdom 17,680* 3 Siwash Zahmat Netherlands 14,510* 4 James Marshall United Kingdom 15,080* 5 Kartik Kartik India 15,450* 6 Danny Tran United Kingdom 7,350 7 Andre Leal Portugal 5,650 8 Max Burney United Kingdom 4,450 9 Purev Sanjurev Mongolia 3,405

*reflects a five-handed ICM deal

Mongolia's Purev Sanjurev was the final table's first casualty. Sanjurev three-bet all-in for ten big blinds with ace-nine, and was looked up by Kartik Kartik, who cold-called in the big blind with pocket aces. The initial raiser folded, the board ran safe for aces, and the PartyPoker Tour London Main Event was down to eight players.

Eighth-place went to Max Burney. He lost all but 3.5 big blinds when his ace-queen lost to the pocket nines of Antonis Poulengeris. The last of his stack went into the middle with king-six, with Poulengeris's ace-nine coming out on top.

The final seven were reduced to six with the untimely demise of Andre Leal. If that name rings a bell, it is because Leal won the 150 Mini Main Event a few days ago. Leal's last action in the Main Event was to three-bet all-in for 15 big blinds with king-ten of hearts after Poulengeris had opened with ace-jack. Poulengeris put in the calling chips, flopped an ace, and Leal couldn't catch up.

The players gained a little more elbow room when Danny Tran exited in fifth. Down to less than ten big blinds, Tran jammed with queen-four from the button, only for James Marshall to wake up with pocket tens in the big blind. Marshall flopped a set to leave Tran drawing thin. The turn and river failed to come to Tran's rescue, and his deep run ended.

Shortly after Tran's demise, the remaining five players agreed to a deal that left the trophy and an additional 9,000 for the eventual champion. India's Kartik Kartik found himself on the sidelines and out of the race for the title after a cruel clash with Poulengeris. All the chips went piling into the middle of the felt on a nine-seven-three flop. Kartik held pocket queens, but Poulengeris had the pocket rockets! There was no two-outer on the turn or river for Kartik, and he bowed out.

Poulengeris sent yet another player to the showers with a powerhouse pocket pair. Marshall open-shoved for 27 big blinds from under-the-gun with ace-jack. Everyone folded to Poulengeris in the big blind, who quickly called with pocket kings. A king on the flop and another on the turn meant Marshall had been eliminated to quads.

Dutchman Siwash Zahmat became another Poulengeris victim, sending the tournament into the heads-up stage. Zahmat moved all-in with ten-seven for a meagre five big blinds, with Poulengeris making one of the easiest calls of his career with pocket aces! No miracle run-out, and Zahmat was gone.

Poulengeris held a 12,000,000 to 6,900,000 chip lead over Sanderson at the start of heads-up, and the way he was picking up monster hands, everything pointed to a Poulengeris victory. However, Sanderson had other ideas.

Sanderson clawed his way level, then forged a lead for himself when he got paid off with his Broadway straight after Poulengeris made a slightly lower straight. The final hand saw Poulengeris open, Sanderson jam all-in, and Poulengeris call all-in. Poulengeris showed ace-eight of clubs, Sanderson the dominating ace-queen, and a few moments later, Sanderson improved to an unnecessary Broadway straight to claim the title and a 27,780 top prize.

The 2026 PartyPoker Tour kicks off in Sheffield on January 27. From there, the tour heads to Seville in March, Madrid in May, and Manchester in June. Stay tuned to PokerNews for schedules, news, and updates from all those legs.

Lead image courtesy of Nunzia Esposito and the PartyPoker LIVE Tour

Share this article
Aiken Standard reporter

Dede Biles is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She covers Aiken County government, business and horse industry.

To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers 
Seth Taylor covers Greenville and the Upstate for The Post and Courier. Born in Iowa, he worked in Wyoming at the Buffalo Bulletin before moving to the Palmetto State.
The Limestone Charter Association continues to post news about individual schools to its Facebook page, even as its website gives no hint that South Carolina law says it no longer exists, and those schools have to find new sponsors.
Deirdre Weaver-Currin covers Florence and the Pee Dee for The Post and Courier Pee Dee. She previously worked at The Sumter Item.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 17:01:32

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 493 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Washington personal injury lawyers offer $2,500 to a community-minded student.EVERETT, WASHINGTON / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Undergraduate and graduate students at accredited United States colleges, trade schools, and universities have the chance to apply for Murphy Trial Law's new Growing Your Community Scholarship. This scholarship promises $2,500 to a student who has dedicated themselves to the betterment of the communities that have supported them throughout their lives.Students interested in applying for theGrowing Your Community Scholarshiphave until May 15, 2026, to record a video answering the following scholarship questions:What communities have helped you become the person you are today?What does community mean to you?How have you contributed to your school and community?How can you continue to make a positive impact on your community?Students' videos should be between two and three minutes long and should be entirely original. The inappropriate use of AI to modify a student's voice, create fake actors, falsify someone's life story, or create a video wholesale will see a student removed from the applicant pool.The scholarship selection committee encourages students to double-check their applications to ensure their videos fit all of the submission requirements before finalizing their applications. The committee can only consider complete applications. Likewise, the team will only consider applications submitted by the May 15, 2026, deadline.Murphy Trial Law and its scholarship selection committee reserve up to three months to choose the first Growing Your Community Scholarship winner. The team will then announce the winner through a blog post and press release made available through the firm's website.The team asks that students and their families refrain from contacting Murphy Trial Law with questions about the Growing Your Community Scholarship and the status of a student's application. The firm cannot answer these questions at this time.The Bothell personal injury lawyers with Murphy Trial Law are proud to offer legal support to community members in need. The team looks forward to offering a community-oriented student with a history of service the support they need to continue improving the world around them.About Murphy Trial LawThe Washington personal injury lawyers withMurphy Trial Lawwant to protect the best interests of every client who turns to the firm for legal support. The team's efforts, spearheaded byJason Murphy , have seen the firm secure nearly $100 million on behalf of accident victims throughout Washington State.This team believes that no one has to stand alone in the wake of a serious accident. Each of the firm's personal injury lawyers is prepared to leverage the firm's nearly two decades of experience in and out of the courtroom on behalf of someone struggling to retake control of their life.Jason Murphy and Murphy Trial Law firmly believe that the satisfaction and relief brought to clients make every case worthwhile. Accident victims who want to benefit from capable legal experience and support canturn to Murphy Trial Law for help today .Contact InformationJason MurphyFounder and Lead Trial Lawyer info@ murphytriallaw.com (425) 835-2614SOURCE: Murphy Trial Law
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 20:59:08

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 623 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Alexandria Real Estate, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/alexandria-real-estate-class-action-lawsuit Investors have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Alexandria Real Estate securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is captioned Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 2:25-cv- 11319.Why is Alexandria Real Estate Being Sued For Securities Fraud?Alexandria Real Estate is a real estate investment trust. Its tenants are concentrated in life science industries, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.During the relevant period, Alexandria Real Estate touted its leasing volume and development pipeline, specifically regarding a property in Long Island City, New York, stating that leasing volume was "solid" and its pipeline was "well positioned to capture future demand when expansion needs arise." As alleged, in truth, Alexandria Real Estate was experiencing lower occupancy rates and slower leasing activity such that it was required to take a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property.Why did Alexandria Real Estate's Stock Drop?On October 27, 2025, Alexandria Real Estate announced results below expectations for 3Q 2025 and cut guidance for the remainder of the fiscal year. The company attributed the results to lower occupancy rates and slower leasing activity. It also announced a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property, stating that the property was not a life science destination that could scale. Alexandria Real Estate also announced additional impairment charges that may be recognized in 4Q 25 ranging from $0 to $685 million. This news caused the price of Alexandria Real Estate stock to drop $14.93 per share, or more than 19%, from a closing price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025, to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/alexandria-real-estate-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in Alexandria Real Estate you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowit ross@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 13:55:06

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 630 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Avantor, Inc. ("Avantor" or the "Company") (NYSE:AVTR) who purchased or otherwise acquired Avantor common stock between March 5, 2024 and October 28, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period") to contact us immediately regarding the pending securities class action against Avantor. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is December 29, 2025.Class Period: March 5, 2024 - October 28, 2025Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: December 29, 2025Case information: https://lieffcabraser.com/securities/avantor/ Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358Avantor, incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, is a global supplier of scientific products, tools, laboratory solutions, and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Avantor's competitive positioning was weaker than Defendants had publicly represented; and (2) Avantor was experiencing negative effects from increased competition. Rather, Defendants repeatedly claimed that Avantor was well-positioned compared to peer companies and downplayed any competitive pressures.The market began to learn the truth on April 25, 2025, when Avantor reported disappointing 1Q 2025 financial results, including weak organic sales for its Laboratory Solutions business, and cut its projected organic revenue growth for 2025 by 2% to -1% to 1%. Avantor also announced that Defendant Stubblefield would be stepping down from his roles. Avantor's Executive Vice President and CFO, Defendant R. Brent Jones, attributed the Company's weak performance and outlook in part to "the impact of increased competitive intensity." On this news, the price of Avantor common stock declined $2.57 per share, or 16.58%, from a close of $15.50 per share on April 24, 2025, to close at $12.93 per share on April 25, 2025, on extremely heavy trading volume.On August 1, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing 2Q 2025 financial results, including a 3% year-over-year decrease in net sales and an 11.7% year-over-year decrease in adjusted operating income in its Laboratory Solutions business. The Company also lowered its projected organic revenue growth for 2025 to -2% to 0%, and to -4% to -2% for 3Q 2025. Jones again attributed the reduced outlook and growth to "increased competitive intensity." On this news, the price of Avantor common stock declined $2.08 per share, or 15.48%, from a close of $13.44 per share on July 31, 2025, to close at $11.36 per share on August 1, 2025, on extremely heavy trading volume.On October 29, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing 3Q 2025 financial results, including a 5% year-over-year decrease organic revenue growth both in its Laboratory Solutions business and overall. Avantor further reduced its 2025 projected organic revenue growth -3.5% to -2.5%, and reported a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $785 million. Jones disclosed that the impairment charge was due in part to competitive pressures on the Company's "ability to get price, which meaningfully impacted margins year-over-year on a sequential basis." New President and CEO Emmanuel Ligner disclosed that the Company had "lost a couple of large accounts." On this news, the price of Avantor common stock declined $3.50 per share, or 23.21%, from a close of $15.08 per share on October 28, 2025, to close at $11.58 per share on October 29, 2025, on heavy trading volume.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 14:01:20

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 876 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 /EonX Technologies Inc. (CSE:EONX), ("EonX" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a final amendment (the "Amendment") to its secured loan (the "Loan") facility with its Chief Executive Director, Andrew Kallen (the "Lender"), pursuant to which the loan facility has reverted to a standard drawn-down structure and the redraw and credit- balance interest features were terminated. This amendment reflects the Company's transition to positive operating cash flow and provides that the Loan will continue its original repayment basis, with interest calculated and paid in the ordinary course at the agreed contractual rate.Under the credit-balance interest arrangement, surplus credit balances accrue interest at a rate of 4% payable by the Lender to the Company. This redraw facility operates at call by the Company of which all balances have subsequently reconciled in full to the benefit of the Company, together with aggregate interest earned totaling AUD $113,495.The Loan facility was originally entered into on January 6, 2023 between the Lender and EonX Services UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, with the Company acting as guarantor. The Loan was established for a principal amount of AUD $7.3 million (approximately CAD $6.7 million), bears interest at 12% per annum calculated daily, and includes a $100,000 establishment fee and a $2,000 monthly line fee. Interest is payable monthly in arrears. The Loan is secured by a general charge over all of the Company's present and after-acquired assets and contains customary default, enforcement, indemnity, and guarantee provisions. Proceeds of the Loan were used to refinance an existing short-term bank facility and an APN Ventures loan, and to provide working capital for international expansionThe Loan includes a conversion feature allowing the Lender, at its sole discretion and at any time prior to maturity, to convert all or part of the outstanding principal and accrued interest into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of CAD $0.10 per share, subject to applicable listing rules and ownership limitations.On April 25, 2023, the parties amended the Loan to permit it to operate as a redraw facility, allowing principal repayments and subsequent redraws during the term, with interest calculated on the outstanding balance. On October 10, 2024, this redraw feature was further amended to provide that, where the Loan resulted in a credit balance, interest would accrue to the Company's benefit at a rate of 4% per annum.On June 26, 2025, the Company and the Lender agreed to extend the maturity date of the Loan by 24 months, moving the repayment date from January 6, 2026 to January 6, 2028, with all other terms and conditions remaining unchanged.Following the execution of the final amendment on December 18, 2025, the redraw functionality and credit-balance interest provisions ceased to apply, and the Loan now continues as a conventional secured loan facility under its original economic and security terms, as extended to January 6, 2028.The Lender is an officer of the Company and, as a result, the Amendment constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Amendment is exempt from the valuation requirement and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, in that the Company is not listed on a specific market and the fair market value derived from the Amendment does not exceed twenty-five percent of the Company's market capitalization.A copy of the agreement evidencing the Loan, and its subsequent amendments, is available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca) About EONXEonX is a financial technology company powering the next generation of Payments & Loyalty platforms which reward business and customers when engaging and transacting.On behalf of the board of directors of EONX TECHNOLOGIES INC."Andrew Kallen" President & Group CEOFor more information about EonX please contact:Andrew KallenPresident & Group CEOEONX Technologies Inc.Telephone: +18036767776 Email:investors@ eonx.com Website: www.eonx.com The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.Notice regarding Forward Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.SOURCE: EonX Technologies Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 01:18:09

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 636 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 21, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., December 21, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) between February 15, 2022 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 12, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.SO WHAT: If you purchased Freeport-McMoRan securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Freeport class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=45553 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 12, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Freeport-McMoRan did not adequately ensure safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia; (2) the lack of proper safety precautions constituted a heightened risk that could foreseeably lead to the death of Freeport's workers; (3) this constituted an undisclosed heightened risk of regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk; and (4) as a result, defendants' statements about Freeport-McMoRan's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Freeport class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=45553or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 15:00:18

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1051 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), After Reviewing Historical Use and Modern Safety Evidence, Officially Confirms Kava is a Food Under Federal LawLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 /The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially confirmed that kava is a conventional food under federal law. This acknowledgment marks a pivotal moment in the national understanding of kava, providing long-needed clarity across federal and state systems and affirming that, when prepared and enjoyed as a beverage (i.e. kava tea), kava holds a legitimate and established place within the nation's food landscape.This federal confirmation, issued through multiple FDA case responses, has already guided the State of Hawaii and the State of Michigan, with additional states now reviewing the same evidence, to determine that the kava beverage qualifies as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) based on its extensive history of safe, cultural use. For Pacific Island communities, including Native Hawaiians whose cultural practices, ceremonies, and community life have been intertwined with kava for generations, the people of American Samoa, and the many Fijian, Tongan, and other Pacific Islander families throughout the United States, this acknowledgment carries profound significance. It affirms the deep cultural legacy of kava, strengthens recognition of Pacific Islander heritage in the United States, and honors a cultural food that is now finding an increasingly meaningful place in modern American life.FDA Issues Written Statements Affirming Kava Tea as a Conventional FoodKava's longstanding cultural use as a beverage informs how federal law evaluates traditional foods, and this history shaped the FDA's recent clarification. When asked to confirm how kava should be treated under federal food law, the agency provided some of its clearest language to date. In responding, the FDA affirmed the classification of the kava beverage and stated:"You are correct that kava mixed with water as a single ingredient conventional food would generally not be regulated as a food additive if the tea is consumed as food." In another communication, the agency reinforces this, explaining that "Kava tea can be considered as a food, provided that the tea and labeling are compliant with FDA's food safety and food labeling regulations". These statements draw directly on the federal definition of food under 21 USC 321(f) and align with the FDA's 1958 food additive statute, which acknowledges substances with a common use in food prior to January 1, 1958 when prepared in their traditional form.Modern evaluations by the World Health Organization in 2016, along with assessments by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and numerous peer reviewed studies, also support the safety profile of kava and align with the FDA's understanding of how it fits within conventional food standards."We can trust the US FDA which now considers kava, prepared in the customary manner, to be a conventional food aligning its classification with the Codex Alimentarius at the United Nations FAO and the WHO. Science evolves, and early concerns have since been clarified in the same way many initial assumptions are corrected over time. When we look at the full body of modern research, kava is one of the safest plant foods we study, closer to a superfood than a risk. Decades of data show a safety profile that aligns with its long cultural history, and the modern scientific understanding overwhelmingly supports what Pacific communities have known all along." - Ed Johnston, Kava Scientist, Association for Hawaiian AwaHow food standards should apply to kavaIn 1958, the U.S. made a landmark decision about how food should be understood in a diverse nation. Congress passed the Food Additives Amendment, establishing that entirely new ingredients entering the food supply would require FDA approval, while foods with a long history of cultural use would continue to be treated as ordinary foods. This rule protected the rich variety of traditional foods already present in American communities and ensured that cultural practices brought to the United States over generations could continue without disruption. It is one of the reasons the country has been able to embrace such a wide range of cultural dishes, beverages, and food traditions.Traditional kava fits directly within this framework. It is a beverage with centuries of safe use across Hawaii and the South Pacific, and it was already part of life in Hawaii and American Samoa long before the 1958 law created the distinction between traditional foods and new additives. The FDA's recent clarification recognizes this history and places the kava beverage squarely alongside other long-established cultural foods that have found their place in the American food landscape.Just like other foods and drinks, kava is about connecting with others. For over 3,000 years it has been shared as a way to gather, talk, and slow down together.Impact on Policymakers, Health Inspectors, and Small BusinessesFor policymakers and health inspectors, this provides a clear basis for how kava should be approached within existing food safety processes. It establishes that the kava beverage should be evaluated in the same way as other everyday beverages such as matcha green tea or coffee, using the same standards already familiar across the food system. For Pacific Island communities, this clarity carries deeper meaning. It acknowledges a cultural food that predates federal regulation, affirms the continuity of cultural practices, and recognizes the long-standing place of Pacific Island traditions within the broader American food landscape.For small businesses such as kava bars, cafes, and community gathering spaces, this clarity also provides practical benefits. It offers a consistent regulatory framework that aligns traditional kava tea with other familiar beverages, reducing confusion during inspections and helping ensure that these small establishments are evaluated by the same standards already used across the food and beverage sector. This supports a more predictable operating environment and allows kava-serving businesses to participate in the American food economy with the same transparency and expectations as other culturally rooted establishments."For far too long, our cultural food sat in a gray area without the recognition it deserved. Kava is part of who we are as Pacific Islanders, and this confirmation finally affirms what our communities have always known. I feel a deep sense of comfort knowing that our traditions are protected and respected, and that businesses like mine can continue serving a cultural drink that connects us to our identity." - Tuni Rafaele, Fijian Owner
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 20:25:16

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 966 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

New Braunfels-based Mundorf Wealth Management hosts charitable event benefiting the nation's leading pediatric cardiovascular program.NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 /Mundorf Wealth Management hosted the inaugural Investing in the HEART of Our Community Gala on December 18, 2025, at The Hidden Gem of Gruene in New Braunfels, bringing together more than 120 clients, community members, and partners for an evening dedicated to supporting the Texas Children's Heart Center-one of the nation's leading pediatric cardiovascular programs.Event Sponsors Present Check to Texas Children's Hospital. Left to Right: The family of Dustin Mundorf, Founder of Mundorf Wealth Management, his wife, Meghan Mundorf, and son, Duke Mundorf (6), who was a patient at Texas Children's Hospital; Dean Zayed, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management; Mark DiOrio, Chief Investment Officer of Brookstone Capital Management.Photo Credit: Mindi Westhoff - Time and Place PhotographyThe evening featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, a presentation from Texas Children's Hospital, and a state-of-the-market address from Brookstone Capital Management. The event raised $27,000 in total to support life-saving treatments and groundbreaking research for children with congenital heart defects-the most common birth defect in the United States, affecting nearly one in every 100 births.A Personal MissionThe gala holds deep personal significance for Dustin Mundorf, RICP, the founder of Mundorf Wealth Management, and his wife, Meghan. In 2019, their son Duke was born with multiple heart defects that threatened his life. After nearly five months at the Texas Children's Heart Center, where Duke underwent multiple surgeries, the family witnessed firsthand the extraordinary care and expertise that the Heart Center provides to families facing similar challenges.Before moving Duke to Texas Children's, the Mundorfs were told his condition was difficult and complex. "When we arrived at the Heart Center, we were overwhelmed and afraid. A nurse told us, 'You're in the right place. Difficult and complex is what we do here every day.' That moment changed everything for our family," said Dustin Mundorf,RICP, founder of Mundorf Wealth Management and host of the gala. "Today, Duke is a happy, thriving six-year-old, and we are dedicated to giving back to the institution that delivered our family a miracle. Through this event and our ongoing commitment to donate ten percent of every financial planning fee to the Heart Center, we hope to help other families in need receive the same life-saving care." This commitment extends beyond the Mundorf family's personal giving. Through its "Give with HEART" approach, Mundorf Wealth Management helps clients incorporate charitable giving and legacy planning into their financial journeys-turning every client's financial plan into an opportunity to meaningfully support the causes they care about most.Supporting World-Class Pediatric CareThe Texas Children's Heart Center has been ranked as the nation's top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Focused on providing family-centered care, the Heart Center takes a comprehensive, team-based approach, with cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses working together to support patients and their families. Proceeds from the gala support life-saving treatment and groundbreaking research for children with complex heart conditions.The event welcomed distinguished speakers, including Rachel Cannon, Philanthropy Advisor at Texas Children's Hospital; Dean Zayed, JD, LLM, CFP, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management; and Mark DiOrio, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, who delivered a state-of-the-market address for attendees."At Brookstone, we believe in the power of financial advisors who are deeply committed to their communities," said Dean Zayed, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management. "Dustin Mundorf exemplifies the kind of advisor who understands true wealth is measured not just in financial terms, but in the positive impact we make in the lives of others. We are proud to support this meaningful initiative and are honored to stand alongside the Mundorf family in their mission to give back to the Texas Children's Heart Center." Event SponsorsBrookstone Capital Management served as a presenting sponsor alongside Mundorf Wealth Management and Hill Country Estate Planning. The gala featured a silent auction with items donated by notable contributors, including legendary MLB pitcher Nolan Ryan and longtime New Braunfels community fixtures such as Ernesto's Jewelry. Gold sponsors supporting the event included Midtex Oil, Dr. Robert Reid of the VIP Clinic, T65 Solutions, Goebel Welding & Construction, Heartland Roofing and Construction, Right Angle Inspection, and John and Kathy Hansen.Looking AheadBuilding on the success of this inaugural event, Mundorf Wealth Management has announced that the second annual Investing in HEART Gala will be held on December 4, 2026. Community members interested in supporting the Texas Children's Heart Center can make donations year-round through the event website. For more information or to contribute to the Texas Children's Heart Center, visitwww.heartofnewbraunfels.com About Brookstone Capital ManagementFounded in 2006, Brookstone Capital Management (BCM) is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm providing fee-based asset management services through its niche network of more than 800 financial advisors and firms. As an open-architecture turnkey asset management platform (TAMP), Brookstone offers advisors a wide array of investment strategies. Founder and CEO Dean Zayed established Brookstone with the singular goal of forging strategic relationships with independent retirement advisors to comprehensively support all aspects of their fee-based advisory business. For more information, visitwww.brookstonecm.com About Mundorf Wealth ManagementMundorf Wealth Management is a New Braunfels-based financial planning firm serving clients throughout Central Texas. Founded by Dustin Mundorf, RICP, the firm offers a full suite of financial planning services built around a simple philosophy: Plan with HEART, Invest with HEART, and Give with HEART -helping clients build comprehensive strategies that secure their futures while supporting the causes they care about. The firm specializes in retirement income planning, investment management, risk management, and estate planning for pre-retirees and retirees seeking to transition from work to a sustainable retirement. Ten percent of all financial planning fees are donated to the Texa
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 01:01:06

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 589 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 21, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE:JHX) between May 20, 2025 through August 18, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") of the important December 23, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased James Hardie common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the James Hardie class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 23, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, James Hardie Industries plc misled investors about the strength of its key North America Fiber Cement segment between May 20 and August 18, 2025. Despite knowing by April and early May that distributors were destocking inventory, James Hardie falsely claimed demand remained strong and that stock levels were " normal." When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the James Hardie class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 20:59:18

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 650 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE:JHX) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in James Hardie, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/james-hardie-industries-class-action-lawsuit Investors have until December 23, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in James Hardie common stock (formerly American Depositary Shares). The class action is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Laborers' District Council and Contractors' Pension Fund of Ohio v. James Hardie Industries plc, et al., No. 1:25-cv-13018.Why Was James Hardie Sued for Securities Fraud?James Hardie is a producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions. The largest application for the Company's fiber cement building products in the United Stated and Canada is in external siding for the residential building industry.During the relevant period, James Hardie told investors that the results of its North American fiber cement segment demonstrated its "inherent strength" and "the underlying momentum in our strategy." The Company also stated on May 20, 2025, that it was seeing "normal stock levels" among its customers and that it was "seeing performance in the month to date as we would expect." As alleged, in truth, the Company's North American sales during the relevant period were the result of inventory loading by channel partners, with the hallmarks of fraudulent channel stuffing, not sustainable customer demand as represented.The Stock Declines as the Truth Is RevealedOn August 19, 2025, James Hardie revealed that its North American fiber cement sales declined 12% during the quarter, driven by destocking first discovered "in April through May" as customers "made efforts to return to more normal inventory levels[.]" The Company also revealed that significant inventory destocking was expected to continue to impact sales for the next several quarters. On this news, the price of James Hardie stock fell $9.79 per share, or more than 34%, from $28.43 per share on August 19, 2025, to $18.64 per share on August 20, 2025.On November 17, 2025, James Hardie announced that Rachel Wilson had decided to step down from her role as CFO.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/james-hardie-industries-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in James Hardie you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212.789.3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 11:00:08

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1062 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Cybersecurity analyst highlights how small choices at home, school, and work build long term safety online and offlineALPHARETTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Cybersecurity analyst Marissa Arbour is calling for communities to build stronger digital routines and real world decision making as cyber threats, misinformation, and online risks grow across the country. Drawing from her experience in consulting, fintech, banking, and enterprise security, Arbour says the same habits that protect people online also help them make better choices offline."Success in security and in life comes from consistent habits," Arbour said. "I learned early in my career that tools matter less than awareness. When people slow down, check details, and think before reacting, they stay safer everywhere, not just online." Her message comes at a time when digital errors and poor decision making carry high stakes. The National Cybersecurity Alliance reports that 43 percent of adults have fallen for at least one online scam. The Federal Trade Commission notes that consumers lost more than 10 billion dollars to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded. Arbour says the numbers show a larger pattern. "It is not just hacking," she said. "People are overwhelmed. They rush. They trust the wrong signals. We need to build stronger thinking habits at the individual level." Arbour believes success begins with simple awareness skills she first learned through puzzles and problem-solving as a child in Alpharetta. She still uses those same habits today. "Puzzles teach you to pause and test assumptions," she said. "That mindset helps you avoid scams, spot false information, and make better choices in high pressure situations." She teaches these same principles during volunteer sessions in Fulton County schools. Instead of focusing only on passwords and threats, she encourages students to develop broader skills like identifying patterns, questioning sources, and recognizing emotional triggers. "Kids click fast," she said. "If we teach them how to slow down and think before responding, that stays with them for life." Arbour says the same approach works for adults. In her experience leading teams, she has seen that people make better decisions when they do three things: understand what normal looks like, ask questions early, and communicate when something feels off. These principles apply to budgeting, workplace communication, and online safety. "People think cybersecurity is separate," she said. "But it is connected to how we make choices in general. Good habits overlap." She offers several practical steps individuals can take to strengthen both digital and real world decision making:Take ten seconds before clicking, responding, or approving anythingValidate important information with a second sourceRemove unused accounts and outdated apps every few monthsPractice small digital hygiene tasks as part of household routinesTeach children how to verify information before sharing it"These steps help people become more aware of their surroundings," she said. "And awareness is protection. It applies everywhere, from checking a suspicious email to reviewing a contract or discussing money with family." Arbour also sees emotional awareness as a major part of modern safety. During her time in banking, she noticed that many scams succeeded because they created urgency and fear. "If a message forces you to act immediately, that is your signal to slow down," she said. "Success in any area comes from staying calm when pressure rises." She encourages families and small businesses to create a simple monthly check-in. This can include reviewing finances, cleaning up digital accounts, correcting outdated information, and discussing recent suspicious messages. "These small routines build resilience," she said. "You get better at recognizing risks because you see the patterns." Arbour's broader message is that personal habits matter more than people realize. Whether protecting a device, navigating online information, or guiding a team, the same practices support long term success. "Cybersecurity is part of it," she said. "But really, we are talking about decision making. When people build strong thinking habits, they protect themselves, their families, and their communities." Arbour encourages individuals to take three small steps this week: remove one unused account or app, enable multi factor authentication on a key account, and slow down before responding to any message that feels urgent. "These are simple actions," she said. "But they train the brain to pause and think. That pause is what prevents most mistakes." About Marissa ArbourMarissa Arbour is a cybersecurity analyst based in Alpharetta, Georgia with expertise in threat detection, cloud security, and risk management. Her background spans consulting, fintech, banking, and enterprise security leadership. She volunteers in Georgia schools teaching digital literacy and mentors young women pursuing STEM careers.Cybersecurity analyst Marissa Arbour is calling for communities to build stronger digital routines and real world decision making as cyber threats, misinformation, and online risks grow across the country. Drawing from her experience in consulting, fintech, banking, and enterprise security, Arbour says the same habits that protect people online also help them make better choices offline."Success in security and in life comes from consistent habits," Arbour said. "I learned early in my career that tools matter less than awareness. When people slow down, check details, and think before reacting, they stay safer everywhere, not just online." Her message comes at a time when digital errors and poor decision making carry high stakes. The National Cybersecurity Alliance reports that 43 percent of adults have fallen for at least one online scam. The Federal Trade Commission notes that consumers lost more than 10 billion dollars to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded. Arbour says the numbers show a larger pattern. "It is not just hacking," she said. "People are overwhelmed. They rush. They trust the wrong signals. We need to build stronger thinking habits at the individual level." Arbour believes success begins with simple awareness skills she first learned through puzzles and problem-solving as a child in Alpharetta. She still uses those same habits today. "Puzzles teach you to pause and test assumptions," she said. "That mindset helps you avoid scams, spot false information, and make better choices in high pressure situations." She teaches these same principles during volunteer sessions in Fulton County schools. Instead of f
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 20:30:14

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 705 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Wayne Static's fierce vocals ignite with Brad Gillis's razor-sharp guitar.SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / Get ready to crash into the holidays with a bang! Mephisto Odyssey mastermind Mikael Johnston is dropping a completely reimagined version of the legendary track "Crash"-"CRASH: Reborn"-as a special 12:00 a.m. CST December 31, 2025, New Year's Eve release-a heartfelt gift straight to the fans before it hits major streaming sites in 2026. This 25th anniversary behemoth resurrects the 2000 cult anthem from the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker soundtrack, fusing unearthed vocal snarls from the legendary Wayne Static (Static-X) with savage, razor-sharp guitar assaults from shock-rock maestro Brad Gillis (Ozzy Osbourne, Night Ranger). It's bleaker, more ferocious, and poised to corrupt your playlist with its contemporary venom and eternal darkness.Originally exploding onto MTV in 2000 with a gripping video directed by Underworld visionary Len Wiseman, "Crash" captured the raw energy of industrial rock fused with electronica grit. Now, for this anniversary bombshell, Johnston has rewritten the track from the ground up, preserving Static's powerhouse vocals while infusing all-new music, chord progressions, and production that takes "CRASH: Reborn" into 2025 and beyond-think Marilyn Manson meets 3Teeth and Youth Code."I've unearthed lost vocal gems from Wayne and rebuilt this beast to resonate in today's chaotic world," Johnston declares. "With social media amplifying our inner demons and influencer culture leaving us all feeling like falling stars, these lyrics cut deeper now-it's a cathartic explosion fans need this holiday season." Amping up the visual mayhem, Johnston teamed with rising horror director William Instone (Butcher's Bluff, Goldilocks) to shoot fresh 4K footage, seamlessly updating Wiseman's original 35mm masterpiece. Paying explosive homage to the song's Batman Beyond roots and the Joker's twisted legacy, the video introduces a fierce female take on Arthur Fleck: An actress transforms with full-face white makeup and that iconic, ironically upturned smile, reinterpreting Joaquin Phoenix's haunting bathroom dance scene from Joker. The climax? A chilling "HELP" scrawled in blood on a mirror, echoing the lyric "Burning up baby like a falling star" in a visceral nod to inner turmoil and redemption."This isn't just a remix-it's a rebirth," Johnston enthuses. "Brad Gillis brings that legendary, vicious edge to elevate the chaos, and teaming with Instone to blend old and new footage creates a video that's as cinematic as it is creepy. It's my holiday tribute to Wayne, the fans, and the enduring power of this track." Previous coverage of the release has included ReGen Magazine and Side-Line Magazine.Dropping exclusively in the early morning of New Year's Eve, "CRASH: Reborn" will be available for download (pay what you want) and streaming on Bandcamp-as well as Audius and SoundCloud, plus video on YouTube, Rumble, and Odysee-as Johnston's ultimate fan gift. Look for wider distribution on Spotify, Apple Music, and more in Q1 2026. Don't miss the video teaser already igniting buzz - check it out now!Connect with Mephisto OdysseyBandcamp | Audius | SoundCloud | Youtube | Rumble | Odysee | Dropbox (high-res art)About Mephisto OdysseyMephisto Odyssey is a pioneering American dark electronica music group from San Francisco credited with defining the city's 1990s nascent house music sound. The band was founded in 1993 by Mikael Johnston and Michael Ames, soon joined by Orpheos Dejournette. They self-released early singles like "Dream of the Black Dahlia" before tenures at City of Angels and Warner Bros. Records, where they dropped EPs, remixes, and albums including The Deep Red Connection (2000). As the only act to officially remix Jane's Addiction ("So What!"), they collaborated on hits like "Crash" with Wayne Static for the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker soundtrack and "Some Kinda Freak," featured in the film Hostel (Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino). Blending progressive house, electronica, breakbeat, acid jazz, rock, and industrial, the group was active from 1993-2002, with Johnston resurrecting the band beginning with this 25th anniversary single. Johnston continues pushing boundaries, now unleashing the explosive reimagining of "Crash," known as "CRASH: Reborn." For interviews or more information, contact:Murrye Bernard, Pop Twist ManagementEmail: MephistoOdysseyOfficial@ gmail.com Phone: 318-680-8896SOURCE: Mephisto Odyssey
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-22 00:00:15

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 491 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 21, 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: 2025-12-22 05:30:08

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 726 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / December 21, 2025 /SumiSaujana Group Berhad ("SumiSaujana" or the "Company") and its subsidiary ("Group"), an established manufacturer of oil and gas ("O&G") specialty chemicals,announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, SumiSaujana TCM Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. ("SSTCM"), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional ("KPI"), SPCI HELM Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. ("SPCI HELM") and Denmark-based TOPSOE A/S ("TOPSOE") to jointly explore the development of a Wet Gas Sulphuric Acid ("WSA") facility at one of KPI's refinery units in Indonesia.Under the MoU, the parties will collaborate to evaluate the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of implementing a WSA project under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer ("BOOT") model. The proposed facility will convert acid gas produced during refinery operations into commercial-grade sulphuric acid, while recovering heat to be reused, helping reduce emissions and comply with environmental regulations. This circular waste-to-value approach helps reduce sulphur emissions and other pollutants, lowers overall greenhouse gas emissions, supports compliance with environmental regulations, and aligns with refinery operators' broader low-carbon and energy efficiency objectives by turning industrial waste into useful products and energy.SSTCM is responsible for leading the technical and commercial evaluation of the project, leveraging its experience in specialty chemicals and refinery-related solutions. The scope includes coordination with TOPSOE on WSA technology inputs, engineering considerations and proprietary process requirements, as well as collaboration with SPCI HELM on sulphuric acid offtake, logistics and downstream market considerations. KPI, a sub-holding company of Indonesia's national oil company PT Pertamina ("Persero"), will provide the necessary refinery data, site access and operational support to facilitate the feasibility assessment.TOPSOE, a globally recognised technology provider with a strong focus on energy efficiency, decarbonisation, green energy and for its proprietary WSA technology, will contribute process design inputs, indicative licensing parameters and technical advisory support, while SPCI HELM will provide insights into sulphuric acid market demand, distribution and regional supply dynamics. TOPSOE's technologies are widely deployed to help refineries and industrial operators reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and support the transition towards lower-carbon operations, reinforcing the project's alignment with sustainability and ESG-driven infrastructure development. Any potential BOOT structure, including the establishment of a special purpose vehicle, will be subject to further discussions and the execution of definitive agreements following the completion of the feasibility study.Mr. Toh Chee Seng, Executive Deputy Chairman of SumiSaujana, commented, "This MoU marks an important step in expanding SumiSaujana's role from a specialty chemicals provider into a more integrated refinery solutions partner within the region. By working alongside KPI, TOPSOE and SPCI HELM, we are able to jointly assess the technical and commercial viability of converting refinery acid gas streams into value-added products under a structured operating model, while supporting improved environmental performance through a waste-to-value approach. While the collaboration is currently at the evaluation stage, it allows us to apply our technical expertise, strengthen our regional presence, and build a foundation for potential long-term participation in large-scale refinery infrastructure projects, subject to successful feasibility outcomes and the execution of definitive agreements." SumiSaujana continues to pursue strategic collaborations that strengthen its regional presence, expand its technical solution offerings and support sustainable growth across the oil and gas and industrial chemicals value chain.###About SumiSaujana Group BerhadSumiSaujana Group Berhad and its subsidiary ("SumiSaujana Group") is an established manufacturer of oil and gas ("O&G") specialty chemicals with over a decade of experience, specialising in the formulation, manufacturing, and supply of drilling fluid chemicals, and production, and refinery chemicals for the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments in the O&G industry. With a strong presence in Malaysia and exports to the Asia Pacific, Middle East and North America regions, SumiSaujana Group serves top-tier global O&G service providers, production and refinery companies and chemical manufacturers. As a Petronas-licensed manufacturer, SumiSaujana Group is committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability, continuously enhancing its product offerings to meet the evolving needs of the global O&G industry.For more information, visit https://www.sumisaujanagroup.com and https://sstcm.com/ Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of SumiSaujana Group BerhadFor more information, please contact:Jazzmin WanEmail: j.wan@ swanconsultancy.biz Asyraf HakimiEmail: a.hakimi@ swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: SumiSaujana Group Berhad
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday said it recorded 131 vandalism incidents across its network from January to November 2025.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Suleiman Abdulaziz, disclosed this on Sunday in his end of the year message.

From January to November 2025 alone, the company recorded 131 vandalism incidents across its network, he said.

Vandalism has become a significant threat to Nigerias power infrastructure.

In January 2025, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said over N9 billion was spent to restore vandalised power infrastructure in the northern part of Nigeria in 2024.

Mr Abdulaziz said vandalism continues to be a thorny issue in the affairs of TCN.

He said the management is however working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), other security operatives, and vigilante groups in some communities to curb this menace.

We will continue to intensify sensitisation campaigns and community engagement efforts to curb this trend and safeguard our critical infrastructure, he said.

Highlighting some of the progress made in the year, Mr Abdulaziz said on 4 March 2025, TCN transmitted an all-time peak generation of 5.801.84MW with a maximum daily energy of 128,370.75MWh delivered nationwide; the highest ever recorded in the countrys history.

Between January and November 2025, he said they commissioned eighty-two new power transformers, adding over 8,500MVA to the grid, a major boost to reliability and capacity.

These accomplishments, he said, speak to TCNs determination to keep improving the backbone of Nigerias power sector.

It is interesting to note that, in the course of the year, TCN also advanced several critical projects funded by our development partners valued at over $1.16 billion, he added.
The chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has rejected claims that Nigerias newly enacted tax reform laws were altered after their passage by the National Assembly, saying materials circulating in the media are false and based on documents that are not authoritative.

The dispute erupted after a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki, alleged discrepancies between the tax laws passed by lawmakers and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.

Civil society groups and opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Partys 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, subsequently called for the suspension of the laws, which are scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026.

Speaking on Channels Televisions Morning Brief on Monday, Mr Oyedele said the controversy rests on a fundamental problem, which is the absence of the officially certified harmonised bill passed by the National Assembly.

Before you can say there is a difference between what was gazetted and what was passed, we have what has not been gazetted. We dont have what was passed, he said.

He explained that it is the only document that can authoritatively confirm what lawmakers approved is the harmonised version certified by the clerk of the National Assembly and transmitted to the president for assent.

According to him, that version is not publicly available, making comparisons with the gazetted law unreliable.

The official harmonised bills certified by the clerk, which the National Assembly sent to the President, we dont have a copy to compare, Mr Oyedele said.

He added that neither the House of Representatives version nor the Senates version can be treated as final on their own, stressing that only lawmakers involved in the harmonisation process can confirm what was sent to the president.

He also addressed claims relating to a supposed provision requiring a 20 per cent deposit under Section 41(8), which has featured prominently in circulating reports.

Mr Oyedele said that provision appeared in an earlier draft but does not exist in the final gazetted law. He said enquiries he made showed that a document being circulated as a committee report did not originate from the House committee set up to review the issue.

What is out there in the media did not come from the committee set up by the House of Representatives, he said.

Beyond the immediate controversy, Mr Oyedele said the episode exposed deeper weaknesses in Nigerias legislative process, particularly around quality control and document security.

He warned that legislation is too important to be left vulnerable to confusion arising from multiple versions of the same law, noting that similar problems had occurred in the past with major laws such as the Petroleum Industry Bill and the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

President Bola Tinubu recently signed four tax reform bills into law, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, which are designed to operate under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The federal government has described the reforms as the most significant overhaul of the countrys tax system in decades.

The laws, which faced resistance from some federal lawmakers, particularly from the northern part of the country, are intended to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, remove overlapping taxes and modernise revenue collection across federal, state and local governments.

For now, Mr Oyedele said the appropriate step is to allow lawmakers to conclude their investigation into the matter, after which any confirmed issues can be addressed based on the facts rather than speculation.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained why she has repeatedly spoken publicly about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, citing her personal ties to the country and concerns raised by reports of attacks on worshippers.

Ms Minaj, 42, made the remarks during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona, while responding to a question from Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Mr Kirk was assassinated on 10 September while on stage at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah for an event of a conservative youth organisation , Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which he co-founded.

AmericaFest is an annual gathering organised by TPUSA.

This is not the first time the Grammy-winning rapper has raised the issue. In November, she also spoke at a United Nations-related event in New York, where she alleged that Christians in Nigeria were being targeted, displaced from their homes and killed.

Explaining her motivation at AmericaFest, Ms Minaj said Nigeria holds personal significance for her.

Nigeria is a place I have always loved, she said. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian Barbz, she added, referring to members of her global fan base.

Intimidation of Christians

She said she felt compelled to speak out against what she described as the intimidation of Christians globally.

Were not backing down anymore. We are not going to be silenced by bullies, Ms Minaj said. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in this world.

The rapper urged Christians to remember those she said were forced to worship in hiding.

Every time we pray in fellowship, we have to remember the people who are right now hiding to pray, and we have to pray for them, she said.

Ms Minaj had earlier shared a screenshot of a post by former United States President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, in which he wrote on 31 October that Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.

Reacting to the post on 1 November, Ms Minaj said it made her reflect on religious freedom in the United States.

Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude, she wrote. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion.

At AmericaFest, the rapper also praised Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance, while noting that Christians, in her view, also face challenges in the United States.

Christians have been persecuted right here in our country in different ways, she said.

However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims of a genocide or systematic persecution of Christians in the country. Nigerian authorities have maintained that violent attacks, particularly in the North and Middle Belt regions, are rooted in security challenges such as terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts, rather than religious targeting. They added that people with diverse religious leanings have fallen victim of the insecurity in different parts of the country.
Nigerias growing reliance on medical tourism is being driven, in part, by strained relationships between doctors and patients, as well as gaps in infrastructure, according to UK-based physician Tokunbo Fasuyi.

He said many Nigerians increasingly seek healthcare abroad not only because of better facilities, but because they feel unheard, confused and excluded from decisions about their own treatment within the local healthcare system.

Nigeria has long grappled with a heavy dependence on medical tourism, with thousands of citizens travelling abroad annually for treatments ranging from routine check-ups to complex surgeries.

Popular destinations include the United Kingdom, India, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, where patients believe they will receive more precise diagnoses, more attentive care and structured follow-up.

Health sector analysts attribute the trend to a mix of factors, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to specialised equipment, frequent industrial actions by health workers and chronic underfunding of public hospitals.

Patient engagement

However, experts increasingly argue that the problem extends beyond facilities and staffing to include the quality of patient engagement and continuity of care.

Mr Fasuyi estimated that Nigerians spent about N500 billion on medical tourism in 2024, a figure he described as unsustainable for the countrys health sector. He added that many conditions treated abroad could be managed locally with better communication, continuity of care and patient education.

Speaking in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Fasuyi said poor communication, limited shared decision-making and weak patient involvement have eroded confidence in Nigerian healthcare.

These are not just technical failures; they are relationship failures, he said. When patients dont feel listened to or understand what is happening to their bodies, trust breaks down.

Aegis initiative

Mr Fasuyi said these concerns informed the launch of Aegis Private Health Consultants, an initiative designed to help patients navigate healthcare decisions, strengthen doctor-patient relationships and reduce unnecessary medical travel by improving access to guidance and specialist care within Nigeria.

Our vision is to set a global standard in healthcare experiences where excellence meets personalisation, he said.

He explained that the initiative operates at different levels, recognising that some patients still prefer care abroad as a lifestyle choice, while others mainly need clarity and professional guidance.

Healthcare can be very confusing, he said. One doctor says its malaria, another says typhoid. You conduct expensive investigations, only to have another doctor tell you those tests were unnecessary. Youre told to undergo a procedure, but you dont even understand the results. People need someone who can guide them and explain what is happening.

Innovation

Mr Fasuyi said Aegis aims to integrate telemedicine, international partnerships and specialist care within Nigeria, targeting high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives who frequently travel abroad for treatments that could be managed locally with better coordination.

Just as CEOs have wealth managers and lawyers, some people need a physician as part of their success team, he said. Healthcare should be effortless, especially when decisions are complex.

He argued that Nigerias healthcare culture often sidelines patients, reinforcing a perception of doctors as unquestionable authorities.

In Nigeria, patients rarely have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their care, he said. When people dont understand diagnoses, procedures or alternatives, trust collapses.

Catalyst

Mr Fasuyi said the inspiration for Aegis was personal, recalling the death of his mother five years ago.

She had surgery in the UK and did very well, he said. But when she returned to Nigeria for follow-up care, things deteriorated. The expertise was there, but the aftercare and supportive environment were missing.

While praising the skills of Nigerian surgeons, he noted that gaps in post-treatment support often undermine outcomes.

He also highlighted the growing burden of lifestyle-related illnesses, linking poor nutrition, inactivity, lack of sleep and social isolation to declining health outcomes among professionals and executives.

According to him, improving Nigerias health system requires a shift from crisis-driven care to preventive, long-term engagement.
The United States President, Donald Trump, has recalled nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy postings, including Nigeria, in a move aimed at reshaping Washingtons diplomatic posture in line with his America First priorities.

The ambassadorial recalls were first reported by Politico and have reportedly sparked concern among some US lawmakers and the union representing American diplomats.

Two State Department officials who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their tenures would end in January.

Africa is the most affected continent, with ambassadors from 15 countries recalled. They include Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Cote dIvoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Algeria, Egypt and Uganda.

All the affected diplomats were appointed during the administration of former President Joe Biden but survived an earlier purge in the first months of Mr Trumps second term, which largely targeted political appointees. That changed on Wednesday when they began receiving notices from Washington, informing them of their imminent departures, the AP said.

Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president, although they typically remain in office for between three and four years.

The officials said those affected are not being dismissed from the foreign service and may return to Washington for other assignments if they choose.

The State Department has not commented on the exact number of ambassadors recalled, but defended the decision, describing it as a standard process in any administration.

It added that an ambassador is a personal representative of the president and that it is the presidents right to ensure envoys advance the America First agenda.

The Asia-Pacific region is also affected, with ambassadorial changes in six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In Europe, ambassadors to Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia are affected.

In South Asia, Nepal and Sri Lanka are affected, while in the Western Hemisphere, Guatemala and Suriname are also impacted.

The US Mission in Nigeria, which is very active on X, has not commented on the recall of the ambassador, Richard Mills.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Mills addressed a news conference on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a US Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Nigeria.

During the press conference, he said the recent visa restrictions announced by the US government are designed to strengthen security procedures, and not actions targeted at Nigerians.

He said the presidential proclamation, which would take effect on 1 January 2026 and affect certain visa categories, was part of broader measures to secure US borders and protect American communities.

The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians, Mr Mills said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed the Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Martins Emeje, as a co-chair of its newly established advisory group.

The group is called Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM).

According to a news release on the WHO website, the advisory group was created to strengthen scientific rigour, regulation, and governance in the fast-growing field of traditional medicine and to guide the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 20252034.

Mr Emeje, a professor, was appointed alongside Susan Wieland, Director of Cochrane Complementary Medicine, US, as co-chairs of the 19-member expert group selected through an open global process.

The STAG-TM will provide independent scientific and technical advice to WHO on research priorities, development of norms and standards, integration of traditional medicine into health systems, and policy options for member states.

A milestone for traditional medicine

WHOs Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, Yukiko Nakatani, described the development as a milestone.

This is a pivotal moment for traditional medicine. It embodies cultural heritage and national health identities, and increasingly, it constitutes a vital component of primary health care strategies, Ms Nakatani said.

Also speaking, WHO Chief Scientist, Sylvie Briand, said the advisory group was created to close gaps in evidence and regulation.

Its rapid growth has not always been matched by strong evidence standards, regulatory frameworks or sustainable governance. The STAG was created to close this gap, Ms Briand said, adding that the group would provide strategic and scientific guidance to countries.

Honour for Nigeria

Reacting to his appointment, Mr Emeje described it as the highest professional honour in the field of natural medicine and a recognition for Nigeria.

For me, this is the highest form of honour that one could receive in this area. I am grateful to the World Health Organisation and also to my country, Nigeria, because if I wasnt a Nigerian, I wouldnt be there, he said.

He noted that the appointment was not only personal but reflected Nigerias growing visibility in natural medicine research and development.

I see it as recognition and also a challenge to Nigeria to wake up. In the last two years, activities in natural medicine in Nigeria have never been this active. Many people did not even know there was an agency like NNMDA until recently, he said.

Mr Emeje said Nigeria now has the opportunity to contribute to shaping how traditional medicine develops globally.

We are going to be sitting at a table where traditional, complementary and integrative medicine will be discussed for the entire world, he said.

Global priorities for traditional medicine

WHO said the advisory group held its inaugural meeting on 17 December, in New Delhi, alongside the second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit.

At the meeting, members identified urgent priorities, including evidence generation, preservation of traditional knowledge, digital innovation, capacity building, and community engagement.

Members will serve two-year terms and work through annual meetings and thematic sub-groups focusing on regulation, integration and collaboration.

WHO said next steps include drafting a work plan for 20262027 and initiating consultations to advance the groups priorities.

Positioning Africa in global agenda

Mr Emeje said Africa must not be left behind as traditional medicine gains global attention, warning that countries that fail to act would lag in the emerging ecosystem.

Traditional medicine is moving fast. Any country that is not serious will be left behind, he said, noting that global momentum is being driven by WHO and India, which hosts the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.

He also said recent actions by Nigerias government and legislature show growing commitment to natural medicine, citing resolutions by the House of Representatives and calls by President Bola Tinubu for Africa to prioritise local research and development.

This appointment is a huge recognition for Nigeria, for West Africa, for Africa, but also a challenge thrown to us not to disappoint, he said.

Mr Emeje pledged that he and his co-chair would work to ensure traditional medicine becomes safer, evidence-based, high-quality, and equitable.

We will do everything required to support WHO so that the vision of making traditional medicine safe, efficacious and accessible to the underserved across the world is accomplished, he added.
Fortune Eromonsele, Zainab Adewale and Oluwakemi Adelagun

Public hospitals across Nigeria have recorded widespread disruptions in healthcare services following the continued nationwide strike by health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

JOHESU commenced the strike over the federal governments failure to implement the long-delayed adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

On 4 November, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government, accusing it of insensitivity and discrimination in handling the welfare concerns of non-physician health workers despite multiple agreements and presidential assurances.

JOHESU said the dispute centres on the governments refusal to adjust CONHESS in line with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors, which has been reviewed several times since 2014.

The union said the issue had featured in several negotiation rounds, including a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2024 and commitments made after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.

Following the expiration of the ultimatum without a positive response, JOHESU declared an indefinite nationwide strike in mid-November.

On 9 December, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the union extended the strike, accusing the federal government of deliberately stalling the issuance of the enabling circular and salary table required to activate the adjusted CONHESS, despite conciliation meetings held with government officials.

The industrial action has left many patients struggling to access basic care.

To assess the impact of the strike on patients and hospital operations, PREMIUM TIMES visited major public hospitals in Abuja and Lagos on Monday.

Disruptions at LASUTH

At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), patients reported difficulty accessing essential services, particularly at the pharmacy and records units.

I cant get drugs, said Paul Igbede, a physically challenged man who waited in the corridor of the Outpatient Department (OPD) while his wife went outside the hospital to purchase prescribed medication.

Although he said a doctor attended to him, Mr Igbede could not obtain the drugs from the hospital pharmacy.

When we came in, the records were locked. That was the only missing point. Every other unit was active, he said.

He appealed to the Lagos State governor to respond appropriately to the demands of the striking workers.

Similarly, a woman who identified herself only as a retired nurse said she observed that the records unit was shut but was still attended to after being asked to fill a form manually.

However, after her consultation at the Orthopaedic Clinic, she could not access her prescribed drugs due to the strike.

At the pharmacy unit, a handful of people stood outside hoping to buy drugs before security personnel informed them that the unit had shut down.

The pharmacy is not open. They are on strike, a security officer told this reporter.

Not all patients were affected. Atinuke Ogunsote said her uncles week-long admission was not disrupted.

No hiccups, she said.

Similarly, Festus Osunde, an outpatient at the Eye Clinic, said he was attended to and given another appointment.

Quiet atmosphere at Maitama District Hospital

At about noon on Monday, Maitama District Hospital, Abuja which is usually bustling with activity, was largely quiet.

The General Outpatient Department (GOPD) was mostly empty, with no queues of patients, no consultations taking place and minimal staff movement across departments.

Hospital staff attributed the situation to the ongoing strike, which they said had shut down most services.

At the Immunisation and Nursing Unit, a woman said she was not seeking medical care but had come to collect her childs birth certificate.

At the hospitals reception, a staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that although some doctors were present, patients could not access them due to the absence of JOHESU workers.

She said health workers under JOHESU handle critical entry-point services such as patient records and card retrieval.

The first point of contact for patients is their card. Without record officers, patients cannot be registered or cleared to see doctors, she said.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that the records office was shut, with dust visible on the counters and windows.

Another staff member confirmed that only emergency services were partially operational.

Services shut at Wuse District Hospital

The situation at Wuse District Hospital, Abuja was more severe, with the premises appearing almost deserted at the time of the visit.

Consultation rooms were locked, corridors were dim due to lack of electricity and there were no healthcare workers in sight.

A young man who accompanied an elderly relative said they received limited care only because they had come specifically for eye treatment.

Beyond that, the hospital appeared largely non-functional.

Patients struggle to access care at National Hospital

At the National Hospital, Abuja, patients were seen pleading with staff to access care as most clinical services remained shut.

PREMIUM TIMES reporter, who posed as a patient, observed the rowdy environment at the GOPD, where only the records section was partially operational.

One woman said her hospital card was already with staff and that patients had to be lucky to be called.

She explained that patients often struggled through the crowd to ensure their cards were submitted.

Another patient, a man referred from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, was seen begging staff to attend to him after being asked to return to the referring hospital.

Despite explaining that FMC Jabi was far and that he had been formally referred, he was turned away as staff said services were unavailable due to the strike.

JOHESU responds

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Martin Egbanubi, the national secretary of JOHESU, said efforts were ongoing on both sides to resolve the dispute.

Mr Egbanubi said a committee had been set up to address the concerns of health workers, with the involvement of the leadership, including President Bola Tinubu.

Responding to concerns that patients bear the brunt of industrial actions, he said the crisis affects everyone, including health workers.

He said health workers do not receive special treatment and still depend on the same public hospitals when they require care, noting that only those who can afford treatment abroad are shielded from the systems failures.

He stressed that sustained engagement was necessary to achieve lasting reforms in the healthcare sector.

JOHESU comprises the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, on his recognition as a champion of press freedom by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).

Mr Ajayi received a commendation award at the IPI Nigeria Annual Conference held on 2 December in Abuja.

According to IPI Nigeria, since his appointment as SSS director-general in late August 2024, Mr Ajayi has shown a clear commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.

The organisation said the award was not only to acknowledge his record but also to encourage him to do more and inspire other officials and institutions to follow his example.

In a statement on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Mr Tinubu welcomed the award and commended the SSS chief for upholding press freedom, protecting citizens rights, and carrying out his duties within the bounds of the law.

The president said the SSS under Mr Ajayi is changing the narrative of hostility against journalists by promoting dialogue and constructive engagement with the public.

The statement added that President Tinubu encouraged other security agencies and officials to emulate the SSS example and engage the media as partners, not adversaries, in line with the constitutional role of the press to hold public officials accountable.

Press freedom groups have warned of increasing attacks and harassment of journalists across the country.

This year the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) published an Openness Index, which recorded 48 cases of press freedom violations by security agents between December 2023 and November 2024.

The report noted that journalists across several states and the Federal Capital Territory reported harassment and suppression by security agencies, including the police, military and state security operatives.

In explaining its decision, IPI Nigeria said the SSS under Mr Ajayi had shown restraint, professionalism and openness to dialogue, resolving conflicts with the media through engagement rather than coercion.

We do so not only to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials but also to encourage him to do even more and to inspire other officials, institutions, and organisations to emulate his example, the organisation said.

It said Mr Ajayi demonstrated an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.

Unlike in previous years when the SSS was notorious for serial harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists, the agency under Mr Ajayis leadership has shown remarkable restraint, professionalism, and openness to dialogue. Conflicts between the Service and the media are now resolved amicably, through engagement rather than coercion.

Reaffirmation of commitment

Reacting to the award, Mr Ajayi reaffirmed his commitment to press freedom in a letter on Sunday to the President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed.

Mr Ajayi said he will champion fair treatment of journalists and create a conducive atmosphere for them to carry out their legitimate duties, in line with the drive of President Tinubu to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion or profession.

Mr Ajayi also said he had begun further engagements with heads of other security agencies to prioritise the protection and fair treatment of journalists nationwide, while pledging continued cooperation with IPI Nigeria and media practitioners.

Other recognition

Mr Ajayi was not the only official who received IPI Nigerias attention. However, others attracted attention for the wrong reason by being blacklisted by the organisation. They are Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokuna and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.

Governor Bago of Niger State was blacklisted by IPI Nigeria for ordering the closure of Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna, on 1 August.

The station was sealed after the governor directed security authorities to profile its owner for airing content critical of his administration. Although Badegi FM was later reopened following widespread condemnation, harassment persisted.

Previous incidents under his administration included the detention of a state correspondent for Peoples Daily and the reported assault of a Voice of America journalist by a commissioner in his cabinet.

IGP Egbetokun was also listed for allowing a culture of impunity within the police force regarding journalists.

Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, faced repeated arrests and unlawful summons while reporting on a land dispute.

Since her case, other journalists across Kano, Ekiti, and the Federal Capital Territory have experienced unlawful detention, intimidation, and assaults by police officers.

IPI Nigeria cited the lack of visible corrective action under Mr Egbetokuns leadership as a key reason for his inclusion in the Book of Infamy.

Governor Eno of Akwa Ibom State was also included for barring Channels Television reporters from the Government House Press Centre in May 2025 after they reported an undemocratic remark by the governor.

Despite repeated engagement by IPI Nigeria and formal letters demanding redress, the journalists remain excluded seven months later, with no corrective action taken.

Messrs Bako and Egbetokun have started engaging IPI Nigeria on how they could be delisted from the black list. But Governor Eno and his administration preferred to rebuff the IPI Nigerias review and launch a negative campaign against IPI Nigeria and its officials.
Additional details have emerged about the students and staff of St Marys Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, who regained their freedom on Sunday, one month after they were abducted from their dormitories on 21 November.

The victims were released at a location near Nigerias border with Benin and were transported through the garrison town of Wawa, Mokwa and Bida to Minna, the Niger State capital.

Security sources confirmed the release of 130 captives, comprising students and staff. Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State police spokesperson, later confirmed the development, saying the released persons included both students and staff.

Further developments will be communicated, Mr Abiodun said in a Sunday evening statement.

A presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, also announced the release in a post on X, stating that no victim remained in captivity.

However, conflicting figures continue to trail the abduction. While government officials say all hostages have been released, the school management and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had earlier put the total number of remaining abducted persons at 165, following the release of 100 captives on 7 December.

Therefore, by the schools estimates, as many as 35 people may still be unaccounted for, raising concerns that some victims could remain missing.

This is a developing story, and PREMIUM TIMES will follow up for more updates.

A promise fulfilled

The release follows assurances by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, during a meeting with the school management that the remaining captives would be freed before Christmas.

Terrorists stormed the Catholic boarding school in the early hours of 21 November, abducting an estimated 265 students and staff after about 50 people managed to escape.

Fourteen days later, government efforts led to the release of 100 captives, comprising 99 students and one staff member, who were handed over to the Niger State government on 8 December.

Who are the abductors?

Although authorities have not officially named those responsible, an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and The New Humanitarian found that the abduction was carried out by a Boko Haram faction led by Mallam Sadiku.

The circumstances surrounding the captives release remain unclear. There have been allegations that the government pays ransom to the bandits or does a prisoner exchange with them. The government has, however, repeatedly denied paying ransom to bandits.

The kidnapping and release of the students and staff members comes amid a resurgence of mass kidnappings across Nigeria, highlighting the countrys worsening security crisis. A decade after the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, kidnap-for-ransom has evolved into what SBM Intelligence describes as a structured criminal enterprise, generating an estimated N2.56 billion between July 2024 and June 2025.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, which owns St Marys Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, has confirmed the release of a second batch of people abducted from the school on 21 November.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on 21 December and signed by the diocesan secretary, Jatau Joseph.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the captives, including students and staff members, were released at a location around Nigerias border with the Benin Republic.

Although the Diocese did not disclose the number of those released, government officials said 130 captives had regained their freedom and were being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital.

The Diocese expressed profound gratitude to the federal and state governments, security agencies and others whose efforts contributed to the safe release of the victims.

It also thanked parents, guardians, religious communities, humanitarian organisations and members of the public for their prayers, support and solidarity throughout the period of captivity.

The statement assured that further updates would be communicated through appropriate and authorised channels as verification processes are concluded, in order to ensure accuracy, transparency and clarity.

The Diocese also commended media organisations for their cooperation and responsible reporting during the crisis, while reaffirming its commitment to the protection, welfare and safety of all pupils, students and staff.

Conflicting figures have continued to trail the abduction. While the government officials said all captives have been released, the school management had earlier put the remaining number of abducted persons at 165, following the release of 100 captives on 7 December.

With this, 35 people could be missing.

Meanwhile, the Diocese has pledged continued collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure a secure and conducive learning environment and has prayed for the swift release of any persons who may still be in captivity.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application filed by the federal government to reopen a terrorism charge filed against five suspects linked to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji.

Judge Emeka Nwite granted the application in a ruling on the motion on notice filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) seeking an order re-listing the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, in the cause list of the court.

Mr Nwite held that the motion, moved by the AGFs lawyer, David Kaswe, was meritorious and accordingly granted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charge was struck out on 8 July by the judge after the defence counsel moved an oral application to the effect for lack of diligent prosecution.

The federal government, through the AGF, had preferred 11 terrorism charges against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who is still at large.

The case filed on 16 December 2024 by M.B. Abubakar, the Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation,

They include Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma.

The rest are Mr Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, charged as sixth to the eighth defendants, said to still be at large.

Charges

The suspects were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others.

They were accused of procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage, boots, caps and building materials for the terror groups.

They were also accused of providing bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rods, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

In count four, the prosecution alleged that Messrs Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).

They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer. The prosecution alleged that they knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be used by Kachalla Halilu, a known terrorist, to commit acts of terrorism.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act, the count read in part.

In count five, the prosecution accused Messrs Kamarawa, Hashimu a.k.a Doctor, and Abdullahi, of aiding and abetting the commission of acts of terrorism in 2018 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have by providing material services, including wound care, medication, and shelter, to treat gunshot injuries sustained by Bello Turji after he led his terrorist group to attack Tungar Kolo Village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

Arraignment

Four of the suspects; Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, who were arraigned on 23 December 2024 before trial judge Nwite, denied their involvement in the act.

The judge, thereafter, ordered their remand in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until 10 February for hearing of pending applications, including motions for the defendants bail.

On 14 March, the court rejected the defendants bail request, granted an order for witness protection and the prosecution opened it case by calling its first prosecution witness, simply identified as ABC for security reason.

Testimonies

The first prosecution witness, while giving his testimony in Hausa language, referred to Musa Kamarawa as his childhood friend.

The witness told the court how another notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Halilu, purchased a gun truck from Niger Republic, with the assistance of Kamarawa, to perpetrate terrorist acts in Nigeria.

After the prosecution witness gave his evidence, Mr Nwite adjourned the matter until 23 and 26 May for cross-examination and continuation of trial.

Trial stalled

However, on 23 and 26 May, the case could not go on due to the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr Kaswe, in court.

The lawyer, in a letter of adjournment, was said to have travelled outside the country for an official engagement and Mr Nwite fixed 8 July for continuation of trial.

But on 8 July, Mr Kaswe was not in court and the defence counsel made an oral application, praying the court to strike out the case for want of diligent prosecution and the judge granted the application.

Meanwhile, when the matter was called, only Mr Kaswe and A.M. Lukman, who appeared for first and second defendants (Kamarawa and Hashimu), were in court.

Mr Kaswe then told the court that the motion on notice sought an order re-listing the charge in the cause list.

The judge asked if all the lawyers to the defendants were duly served and Mr Kaswe responded in affirmative.

He argued that in line with a provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, he was entitled to five adjournments before the matter could be struck out.

And going by the record of this court, the prosecution has not exhausted the time, he said.

The judge then directed the registrar to find out from the court file if all the defendants were duly served.

It was, however, discovered that two of the defendants lawyers had deposed to an affidavit that they were no longer representing them.

Responding, Mr Kaswe submitted that since the lawyers were the last counsel representing the accused and they were served with the motion since 28 November, they ought to have appeared in court.

According to him, they cannot, through the bailiff of the court, tell the court that they are no longer representing the defendants.

Mr Kaswe described the lawyers action as unethical, saying it was against the rules of practice.

Mr Nwite, who agreed with Mr Kaswes argument, ordered him to move the motion.

Moving the motion on notice, Mr Kaswe said the application was filed on 28 November.

He said the motion was brought pursuant to Section 6(6) and 36 of the constitution and under the inherent power of the court.

He said the crux of the application for re-listing of the case was to give the prosecution the opportunity to have the criminal charge determined on its merits.

The lawyer said the prosecution already had all its witnesses and exhibits to prosecute the case.

He cited previous cases, including the Supreme Courts decision, to back his argument.

We have presented cogent reasons to have this matter relistsed in the interest of justice, public safety and national security.

This is a case of terrorism that has an international dimension, Mr Kaswe said.

He said his absence from court on 8 July was not deliberate.

According to him, the prosecution is diligent and willing to prosecute the case if the charge is re-listed.

He said the court had the power to re-list and restore the charge and order for continuation of hearing.

Mr Kaswe said the defendants would not be prejudiced by the grant of the application.

Lukman, who appeared for the 1st and 2nd defendants, did not opposed Kaswes application.

The lawyer, who expressed concern that the defendants were kept in detention for nine months while the trial lasted, reminded that the case was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.

Hence, Mr Lukman asked for a cost of N10 million against the prosecution.

Delivering the ruling, Mr Nwite held that the Federal Governments application was meritorious.

I have listened to the submission of the counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence and exhibits, including the written address.

I am aware that the defendant is not objecting to this application.

Therefore, I am of the view and I so hold that this application is meritorious and accordingly granted.

There is no order as to cost, the judge ruled.

The case was consequently adjourned until 21 January 2026 for hearing.

(NAN)
Two suspected fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested in Lagos State on Sunday, 21 December, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

The suspectsModu Gana and Ibrahim Duggewere apprehended by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS).

A security source with direct knowledge of the arrests told this newspaper that Messrs Gana and Dugge were arrested in Apapa, Lagos.

They were arrested around 8:45 am on Sunday, the source said, adding the suspects have been detained for interrogation.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the arrests followed intelligence that the suspects fled from the insurgency-ravaged North-east to Lagos.

When contacted, an official from the SSSs media unit stated that the arrests had not been brought to their attention. Since redeploying the former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the agency has adopted a covert media policy, saying this will help perform its intelligence functions effectively.

The suspects mission in Lagos was not clear as of press time. There are no indications, so far, that they were planning an attack in Lagos, Nigerias commercial capital. However, experts say that ISWAP has been making efforts to expand beyond the North-east.

Nigerias war against insurgents

The Boko Haram insurgency has lingered for over 15 years. With two internal divisions that forced two factions to break apart in 2012 and 2016, the war has now gone beyond the BAY (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) states, which have suffered the insurgency the most.

While the insurgents have killed thousands of Nigerians and forcibly evicted millions from their homes, security forces have also intensified offensives against them.

In May, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, revealed that 13,543 Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents have been killed while 124,408 others surrendered in two years of President Bola Tinubus administration.
When the buses rolled into the Government House in Minna on Monday, silence briefly settled over the compound. Then came tears, prayers and embraces.

The remaining 130 schoolchildren and teachers abducted from St. Marys Catholic School, Papiri, were finally home.

For weeks, their absence had hung heavily over Nigeria and their families and community in Niger State, turning classrooms into painful reminders of fear and uncertainty.

Governor Mohammed Bago received the rescued victims at the Government House, describing their release as a profound relief for the state and the families who had lived in anguish since the night armed men stormed the Catholic school in Papiri.

This is very touchy, the governor said, noting the age of the children. We are grateful that they have returned alive.

The Papiri abduction occurred during a broader surge in attacks on schools in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted students, teachers and rural communities.

The incident had reignited national debate about the safety of schools and the long-term impact of insecurity on childrens education.

Some of the abducted pupils were released earlier, but the fate of the remaining group remained uncertain, keeping parents and relatives in a prolonged state of fear.

At the reception in Minna, some of the rescued children appeared withdrawn, while others clung tightly to one another.

Teachers who were taken alongside them looked visibly exhausted. Medical personnel were on hand as officials said the victims would undergo health checks and psychological support before being reunited with their families.

Governor Bago thanked President Bola Tinubu for authorising what he described as sustained rescue efforts and acknowledged the roles of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the service chiefs and various security agencies.

He also recognised the behind-the-scenes contributions of traditional rulers, religious leaders and community members, many of whom, he said, worked quietly to support rescue efforts and keep hope alive in Papiri.

Representing the National Security Adviser, the National Coordinator of the Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major-General Adamu Garba Laka, said the rescue followed a presidential directive that led to coordinated operations involving the State Security Service, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and other agencies, with support from international partners.

He said the Office of the NSA would continue working with state governments and local communities to develop preventive, community-based security strategies aimed at protecting schools and ensuring that children can learn without fear.

For parents in Papiri, however, Monday was less about policy or security architecture and more about reunion.

After weeks of waiting, their children were back, alive and well. And for a community that had prayed, protested and endured in silence, the return of the pupils marked the end of a long, painful chapter and the beginning of healing.

Background to the Papiri abduction

The remaining students and teachers abducted from St. Marys Catholic School, Papiri, on 21 November, were rescued on Monday.

The victims were among students and teachers seized when armed assailants, riding on motorcycles, stormed the boarding school at about 2:00 a.m. that fateful day.

The attackers reportedly operated for nearly three hours, moving systematically from one dormitory to another before marching their captives into nearby forests.

At least 50 students escaped during the raid, while scores of others were taken away. On 8 December, security agencies secured the release of about 100 abductees, leaving an unspecified number in captivity until yesterdays breakthrough.

Sources said the students and teachers were rescued from forests near Benin Republics border with Nigeria and were then transported by bus to Minna, in a journey that lasted over 10 hours.

Following the abduction of the victims in November, the Federal Government imposed a security cordon around border communities and deployed ground troops and aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi and Kwara States to track the kidnappers.

President Bola Tinubu also cancelled an official trip to personally coordinate rescue efforts, while authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools across Niger State and some federal institutions located in high-risk areas.
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the Central South University (CSU), China, are to expand their 3+2 double degree partnership, aimed at deepening technology education and skills development in Nigeria.

ABUs Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar, disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Zaria on Sunday.

He said that the decision to reactivate the partnership followed a virtual meeting on 19 December, underscoring renewed commitment to international collaboration to strengthen engineering, science and technology education.

He explained that the partnership, initiated in 2017 under the China-Africa Cooperation framework, allows students to study three years at ABU, and two years at CSU, earning degrees from both institutions.

The programme commenced in 2018 with 45 ABU students studying in China, but was disrupted in 2021 by COVID-19 lockdowns, though it demonstrated strong benefits of cross-border academic cooperation globally, he said.

According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Adamu Ahmed, described the initiative as a flagship model for engineering education.

ALSO READ: Kaduna govt partners google to empower 5000 women in tech skills

He added that the initiative also strengthens global partnerships, boosts technology transfer, innovation, research capacity and human capital development in Nigeria.

The VC welcomed the expansion plans covering staff exchange, joint research supervision, renewable energy, computer engineering, and medical sciences.

He described the ABUCSU partnership as a strong example of ChinaAfrica cooperation in technology advancement.

(NAN)
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has assured Nigerians of heightened security nationwide during the Christmas festivities, announcing the deployment of additional troops, special forces and air assets to prevent attacks and ensure a peaceful celebration.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Onoja said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), working in close synergy with other security agencies, had intensified operations across identified vulnerable areas of the country.

According to him, troops have been redeployed to strategic locations and major routes, while special forces units and air support elements have been placed on high alert to guarantee a rapid response to any emerging threat.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have emplaced robust and proactive measures aimed at preventing attacks during the Christmas festivities, Mr Onoja said.

He added that surveillance activities had also been significantly stepped up, with enhanced aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering to track the movement and communication patterns of suspected criminal and terrorist groups.

He said that unit commanders across all theatres of operation had been directed to strengthen patrols, establish reinforced checkpoints and deepen collaboration with community leaders, local vigilante groups and state security outfits to improve early warning and response.

Mr Onoja reiterated that the Armed Forces remained fully committed to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians, stressing that national security and stability remained the militarys top priority.

As we approach this festive period, every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that Nigerians celebrate Christmas in peace, unity and joy, he said.

Mr Onoja, however, emphasised that public cooperation remained critical to the success of ongoing security operations, urging citizens to remain calm but vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation.

He assured that all information provided by the public would be treated with urgency and confidentiality.

The defence spokesperson also conveyed the goodwill message of the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, who wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

He called on members of the public to support security agencies by sharing timely information and adhering to security advisories throughout the festive season.

(NAN)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has compensated the victims and families affected by the 25 December 2024 accidental airstrike on Sokoto villages.

The air force disclosed this in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Sunday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that a NAF aircraft, in an airstrike targeting suspected Lakurawa terrorists, killed at least 10 civilians in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa villages in Silame LGA of Sokoto.

The airstrike was conducted under a joint operation called Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-west.

A military spokesperson had justified the killings at the time, describing the victims as associates of Lakurawa.

The Lakurawa terror group mainly operates in Kebbi and Sokoto states. Experts have continued to debate the groups affiliation. While some say it is aligned with the al-Qaeda-linked Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), others contend that it is linked to Islamic State in the Sahel.

The compensation

The Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Edward Gabkwet, an air vice marshal, explained that the compensation followed a petition received in April 2025.

The petition, he said, led to a comprehensive investigation.

Mr Gabkwet, who represented Sunday Aneke, the chief of air staff, said the air forces investigation confirmed that 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The outcome of the investigation, according to him, deeply saddened the Service.

He added that the air force made it imperative to take responsibility and make amends.

However, the details of the compensation were not stated in the statement.

Appreciating the state governor

Mr Gabkwet appreciated the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for the warm reception and the enduring partnership between the NAF and the Government and people of the State.

He also commended the governors inclusive development and security initiatives under the 9-Point Smart Agenda.

Localised efforts such as the Community Guards Corps have complemented federal operations against terrorists and bandits while strengthening civilmilitary cooperation, Mr Gabkwet noted.

The Nigerian Air Force exists primarily to protect the lives and property of Nigerians. No professional military deliberately harms the very people it is sworn to defend, Mr Gabkwet said, noting Civilian Harm Mitigation has been a central concern for the Chief of Air Staff since he assumed office in October.

Noting that it will apply precise and purposeful force against criminal elements, the air force highlighted institutional measures such as the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (NAF CHMR-AP).

It also advised citizens to avoid mingling or cohabiting with terrorists, warning that such associations heighten the risk of collateral damage.

In his remarks, Governor Aliyu praised the air force for its professionalism, transparency, and compassion.

According to the air force statement, the governor described the compensation as a demonstration of a responsible and people-centred military.

Unresolved Borno airstrikes

The latest compensation occurred about one year after the killing of the Sokoto civilians. However, such incidents continue to happen as security agencies intensify the war on terrorists.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that the air force, in two accidental airstrikes on 14 December, killed some civilians, mostly fishermen and commercial drivers in the Mararaba area in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

While 10 vehicles were reportedly destroyed in the airstrikes, the number of casualties remains unclear. Some injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Mungono.

Although the area has been under insurgents threats for a long time, it is believed to be inhabited by civilians.

The Borno State Government told PREMIUM TIMES that the air force has not responded to its enquiry about the incident.
Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has been installed as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, a traditional title associated with individuals regarded as cherished within the Yoruba community.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, conferred the title on Mr Tinubu on Saturday at the Alaafins palace in Oyo town.

The event attracted traditional rulers, political figures, and other invited guests from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

The ceremony also featured the installation of former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, as Obaloyin of Yorubaland.

Mr Tinubu has remained a visible figure around the current administration, frequently appearing at political and youth-focused events linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Though he holds no official role, his activities have drawn attention about his informal influence within his fathers government.

In Lagos, speculation persists about his possible entry into the states governorship race, with some party supporters publicly urging him to run. Although he has not declared any ambition, the discussions have kept him in succession conversations within the states political space.

His rising profile has also attracted criticism, with opposition figures and civil society groups warning against the emergence of political dynasties. Recently, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka criticised his large security details, including military personnel, seen accompanying Mr Tinubu in Ikoyi, saying the scale of the escort for a private citizen was astonishing and could undermine national security priorities.

Authority over Yorubaland titles

Speaking at the ceremony, the Alaafin said the authority to bestow chieftaincy titles bearing the name Yorubaland rests solely with the throne of Oyo. He noted that such titles are not tied to any single town or kingdom but are meant to reflect responsibility to the entire Yoruba nation, the Nigeria Tribune reports.

According to the traditional leader, chieftaincy titles in Yoruba culture are not symbolic honours but obligations that demand service, loyalty and commitment to the people.

He explained that the historical role of the Oyo Empire as a central authority among the Yoruba predates colonial rule and was later recognised in colonial records and post-independence governance structures. He added that this position has also been affirmed in academic works and by judicial decisions, including rulings of the Supreme Court.

The Alaafin said titles carrying the name Yorubaland are collective in nature and must be issued by an institution whose historical and legal influence extends across the region.

This history explains why certain chieftaincy titles are different in nature. Titles that bear the name Yorubaland are not local titles. They are collective titles. They speak not for one town or one kingdom, but for the Yoruba people as a whole. Such titles must therefore proceed from an authority whose reach, by history and by law, extends across Yorubaland.

Today, I do not speak to provoke debate. I speak to state order. Among the Yoruba, authority has never been a matter of assumption or convenience. It has always been a matter of history, structure, and law.

Thrones were not created equal in function, even though all are sacred in dignity. From the earliest organisation of Yorubaland, the Alaafin of Oyo occupied a central and coordinating authority that extended beyond the walls of Oyo and into the collective political life of the Yoruba people. This was not self-declared. It was recognised, enforced, and sustained across generations.

Colonial records acknowledged it. Post-independence councils preserved it. Scholars documented it. And finally, the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed it. The law is clear. History is settled. Chieftaincy titles that bear the name Yorubalandtitles whose meaning, influence, and obligation are not confined to a single town or kingdomfall under a singular, established authority. That authority is the throne of Oyo, the Alaafin said.

He urged the new titleholders to approach their roles with humility and a sense of duty, stressing that the honours should promote unity, cultural integrity and the common good of the Yoruba people.

Royal squabbles

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, had earlier conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on a Lagos-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi, a move that caused a rift between the two traditional leaders.

The Alaafin of Oyo perceived the conferment as encroaching on his stools historic authority to grant titles that carry the name Yorubaland, which represent the collective Yoruba people rather than any single town or kingdom.

In response, the Alaafin issued a 48hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, demanding that he revoke a chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland the Ooni had conferred to Mr Sanusi.

The Oonis spokesman, Mose Olafare said the traditional ruler would not dignify the Alaafins threat with a response.

Responses to the development were divided with many taking side with either the Ooni or the Alaafin.

In October, both traditional rulers appeared to have settled their rift during a meeting in Lagos.

The meeting was convened by businessman and philanthropist Kessington Adebutu as part of activities marking his birthday celebration,

At the end of the meeting, both kings jointly announced the establishment of the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity (JCUY), a new body aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic development across Yorubaland.

But Saturdays remarks of the Alaafin showed that subtle rivalry between him and the Ooni persists and that future clashes between them over the authority to bestow chieftancy titles with Yorubaland cannot be ruled out.
The designation of Nigeria by the US as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on religious freedom aims at encouraging reforms and constructive engagement, and will not weaken bilateral relations with Nigeria, an American lawmaker said.

A US Congressional Delegation (CODEL), led by Rep. Bill Huizenga, said this during a news conference on Sunday in Abuja at the end of a two-day visit to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news conference follows their meetings with Nigerian government officials, religious leaders, civil society organisations and private sector representatives.

The visit was a sequel to US President Donald Trumps designation of Nigeria in October as a CPC over alleged threats to religious freedom in the country.

Mr Huizenga stressed that the delegations mission aimed at listening, learning and holding frank conversations on the issues that led to Nigerias re-designation as a CPC.

For me personally, I believe the CPC designation is warranted, but it is also meant to spur progress and internal conversations within Nigeria on how to better protect people of all faiths, Mr Huizenga said.

He said their discussions with Nigerian officials suggested the designation had already prompted renewed focus on addressing violence and improving the protection of religious freedom.

Mr Huizenga acknowledged concerns raised by various groups over attacks in parts of the Middle Belt, while also pointing to significant violence affecting Muslim communities in the North-east and the North-west.

The core message is that all citizens, regardless of faith, must be protected and feel safe, he said.

According to him, the US has both a strategic and moral interest in supporting Nigerias efforts to address insecurity.

Other members of the delegation described the CPC designation as a temporary tool designed to motivate positive change, subject to regular review.

Rep. Keith Self, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the CPC designation should be seen as an opportunity to deepen engagement rather than a breakdown in relations.

This does not have to be a negative, Mr Self said.

It can be a positive starting point for a deeper and more honest relationship between the United States and Nigeria, he added.

Drawing on his experience in Europe, Mr Self said he had observed growing similarities between Nigerias current challenges and those faced by several European countries.

I spent eight years working on European issues, and many of the problems Nigeria is dealing with today are similar to what Europe has faced, he said.

He cited mass migration, security pressures and the strain which such factors usually place on democratic institutions.

Mr Self said that stability was essential for prosperity, stressing that Nigerias ability to tackle violence would be critical to its long-term economic and democratic success.

Rep. Michael Baumgartner said the visit was intended to reassure vulnerable communities that their plight had not gone unnoticed.

I hope that the trip gives the Christian community in Nigeria hope that theyre not alone.

Also, the world is watching the actions of the Nigerian government to make sure theyre safe, he said.

Another member of the delegation, Rep. Jefferson Shreve, described the visit as an investment in Nigeria rather than an investigation.

This trip has been about listening and learning.

We want to be helpful, and we want to see Nigeria succeed, because Africa cannot be successful unless Nigeria is successful, Mr Shreve said.

The lawmakers said their findings would be reported to their colleagues in Washington.

The recommendations, they said, would border on sustained engagement, increased dialogue and targeted support, rather than military intervention.

They also lauded the openness of Nigerian officials during the meetings and expressed optimism that ongoing collaboration could lead to tangible progress in addressing violence and strengthening democratic institutions.

The delegation also reaffirmed bipartisan support in the US Congress for a stable, prosperous Nigeria and pledged its continued engagement in the months and years ahead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Trump had earlier threatened to deploy US troops in Nigeria, targeting terrorists, if the Nigerian government failed to move fast to protect Christians.

(NAN)
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says the recent visa restrictions announced by the US government are designed to strengthen security procedures, and not actions targeted at Nigerians.

Mr Mills spoke at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a US Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Nigeria.

He said the presidential proclamation, which would take effect on 1 January 2026, and affect certain visa categories, was part of broader measures to secure U.S. borders and protect American communities.

The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians, Mr Mills said.

According to him, the proclamation clearly specifies the visa categories that may be affected, while also outlining exemptions for certain groups.

He listed the exemptions to include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious work.

The ambassador urged visa applicants and members of the public to consult the US Embassys official website for detailed information on the proclamation, affected visa categories and available exemptions.

He also urged those with specific enquiries to use the designated communication channels provided by the embassy for further guidance.

Also speaking, the leader of the US Congressional Delegation, Rep. Bill Huizenga, said visa reviews and restrictions were routine tools used to encourage compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive actions targeting citizens.

Mr Huizenga said the focus of such measures was primarily on government systems and processes, not on the Nigerian people, adding that similar reviews were routinely applied in different parts of the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. government had reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria, while announcing the visa reviews and restrictions.

It described the visa measures as part of a wider engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation while addressing shared security concerns.

(NAN)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective applicants into the Nigerian Public Service.

The move is part of broader efforts to address the growing challenge of illicit drug use and its impact on national development and security, authorities said.

The directive was conveyed in a service-wide circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including extra-ministerial departments and parastatals.

Under the new policy, permanent secretaries and heads of MDAs are required to make drug testing a core condition for the recruitment of new personnel.

MDAs have also been directed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting the tests, in accordance with established standards and procedures.

According to the statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the SGFs office, Segun Imohiosen, the measure aligns with the current administrations determination to decisively tackle drug and substance abuse and to safeguard the integrity of the national workforce.

The Federal Government noted that the policy is driven by concerns over the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse in the country, particularly among young people.

It warned that the trend poses serious risks to public health, workplace productivity, socio-economic development and national security.

While the government views the policy as a preventive step to promote a disciplined and productive public service, it is expected to draw attention to issues around implementation, including cost, transparency of testing procedures and the protection of applicants rights.

Observers say clear guidelines and adherence to due process will be critical to ensuring that the policy achieves its objectives without abuse.

The new requirement on drug testing is expected to take effect across MDAs as recruitment processes are updated in line with the circular dated 22 December 2025.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge a Court of Appeal ruling in a case that centres on the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The appeal stemmed from some decisions taken by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on 28 November, striking out Mr Akpabios brief of argument and going ahead to hear Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans appeal regarding the case.

The case was so contentious at the Federal High Court from whether the case originated that it prompted appeals from the adversaries.

Although the Court of Appeal has yet to deliver the substantive judgement on the appeals, the Court of Appeal held that the number of pages of Mr Akpabios appellant brief exceeded the page limit prescribed by court rules. The court also rejected his request to file a revised brief within the allowed length.

The Court of Appeals hearing stemmed from the suspension of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan on 6 March.

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan had challenged her suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

But the Federal High Court, in a limp, controversial decision delivered on 4 July, declared her suspension for six months on 6 March by the Senate as excessive but stopped short of ordering the reversal of the illegality.

The controversial decision of the Federal High Court also fined Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan N5 million for her satirical apology post on her Facebook page on 27 April.

The judge ruled that the social media post was made in disobedience of a valid court order prohibiting parties to the suit from making comments to the press or on social media regarding the subject matter of the pending suit.

The court ordered Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days of the judgement to purge herself of the contemptuous act against the court. The senator wasnt sent to prison because her act was adjudged to be civil contempt and not criminal contempt.

True to the controversial nature of the Federal High Courts judgement, the decision spurred appeals from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate president.

The Court of Appeal heard the appeals on 28 November and reserved judgement. The date of the judgement is to be communicated to the parties.

Senate President to Supreme Court

Mr Akpabio filed his appeal at the Supreme Court on 18 December. The respondents are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuem.

The senate president argued that by the time the appeal was heard, her suspension had expired. She was reinstated to the Senate on 6 September and has been performing her duties with all the associated rights and privileges, his filing read.

He challenged Ms Akpoti-Uduaghans filings, arguing that her brief did not comply with formatting rules requiring a larger font size and wider line spacing which allowed her to remain within the page limit without court approval.

He also questioned the competence of her notice of appeal, which he said required him to address the objection within his brief, making a longer submission unavoidable.

Mr Akpabio argued that the appellate courts decision denied him a fair hearing under the Nigerian Constitution, contending that the court was wrong to insist on strict compliance with the page limit, given the complexity and volume of issues in the appeal.

He said he formally applied in early November for permission to exceed the page limit under provisions allowing extended briefs in complex cases, but the Court of Appeal declined and proceeded to hear the appeal.

Mr Akpabio contended that the appellate court prioritised speed over fairness, treated the parties unequally, and reached a decision without giving him a full opportunity to present his case.

Mr Akpabio has therefore asked the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeals decisions of 28 November. He seeks to rely on his brief of argument, which exceeds the 35-page limit, or to file a complaint brief for proper consideration.

He argues that this step is necessary to safeguard his constitutional right to a fair hearing and ensure justice.

Background

The feud arose from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans suspension after a dispute between her and Mr Akpabio during a senate proceeding on 20 February over her seating position.

On 6 March, the Senate adopted a report by its Ethics Committee and suspended her for six months, citing misconduct and violation of Standing Orders.

The suspension barred her from her duties, sealed her office, and withheld her salaries and allowances. She could return earlier if she tendered a written apology.

She rejected the suspension and challenged it in court, arguing it was punitive, unconstitutional, and linked to her earlier sexual harassment petition against Mr Akpabio, which he denied.

On 4 July, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the suspension excessive and ordered her recall but fined her N5 million for contempt over a social media post and required a public apology.

The Senate did not reinstate her immediately, arguing that the court did not give any such order and that the matter is still in court.

When the six-month suspension ended on 4 September, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan notified the National Assembly of her intent to resume, but the management refused, citing the ongoing court process. The standoff lasted until 23 September, when senate officials unsealed her office, which had remained closed since March.
As we walked into the venue of Professor Abimbola Adunni Adelakuns mothers 25th memorial in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Thursday, two conflicting perceptions warred for territorial possession of my mental faculty. For context, Adelakun is the award-winning columnist with the PUNCH newspaper whose Thursday offerings are a delight to gobble. Until recently an Associate Professor in the Department of African/African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, in July, Adelakun became an Associate Professor of Global Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School. With me at Adelakuns re-conjuration of the memory of her mother was ace columnist, Lasisi Olagunju, whose mothers passing 20 years ago would be memorialised too in Eripa, Osun State, two days later. I couldnt find any reasonable anchor in what I saw as the two intellectuals mundane trade. For clarity, I have a deconstructive impulse towards memorialisation.

Those two intellectuals were engaged in the construction of memorials for the dead. So, what is death? Western thoughts say it is the final cessation of life. Death is also construed by Western-influenced philosophy as a lieutenant of the Supreme God, Olodumare. In Yoruba cosmology, death, called Iku, differs. EB Idowu, in his Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief, 1962, narrates the beginning of death thus: Ikus mother was killed In Ejigbo-mekun market: Iku heard it in the house, Iku screeched like the agon of Iloye; Iku rang out like an Arawos egg; He made cobras his spurs, He made boas his shoes, He made scorpions his girdle; Iku fell upon the Locust Bean Tree, The Locust Bean Tree fell prone to the ground; Iku fell upon the White Silk Cotton Tree, The White Silk Cotton Tree fell prone to the ground.

The construction of memorials for the dead has always agitated me. In Africa, death is construed as a natural transition from a visible person to an invisible spiritual object. We diverge from the West in this worldview. To Africans, the spirit is the essence of man and is incapable of being destroyed by death. African dead exchanbge mortality for immortality. Our dead merely move to another realm as ancestral spirits, thus showing the connect we carve between the living and the dead, the visible and invisible worlds.

But curiosity about what happens upon death is as old as man. As far back as 1907, Hertz, in his Essay on the Collective Representation of Death had volunteered his views about death. Before him, our forefathers had propounded their own theses about death and dying. These must have prompted Omesade Awolalu in Yoruba Beliefs and Sacrificial Rites, (1979) to say the people  believe in the active existence of the deceased ancestors. They know that death does not write finis to human life but that earthly life has been extended into the life beyond.

Same view underpins the belief system of the Igbo. It is kept alive at traditional ceremonies where kolanuts are broken and spirits of the departed are invoked to guide earthly deliberations.

Among the Yoruba, there is a polar-position on existence. This world, they say, is a market while heaven is home. This they express as, Aye loja, orun ni ile. This conception was deeply analysed in Metaphoric Associations and the Conception of Death: Analysis of a Yoruba World View written by Olatunde B. Lawuyi and J. K. Olupona, in Journal of Religion in Africa, (Feb., 1988).

It is this belief in the continued existence of life even after death that guides funeraries. Believing that the dead are somewhere watching, funerals are kept sacred to impress the dead. It is also why cremation has not found foot in African belief which holds that the whole body parts of the dead would live all over in the spirit world.

No Nigerian tribe that I know reifies the dead as the Igbo. In arguments against this culture of venerating dead bodies, I often engage my friend, Dan Nwomeh, on why our brothers from the East would, for instance, spend fortunes in transporting a dead from as far a place as Australia for burial among their kindred. His response conduces to the veneration and sacredness of human remains even after their departure in Africa. To me, the dead is no different from a log of wood.

To justify the elaborate rites accorded the dead upon passage among the Igbo, Stella Ogbuagu, in her The Changing Perception of Death and Burial: A Look at the Nigerian Obituaries Anthropologica, (1989), says funerary rites are performed to enable the spirit of the dead person to travel safely to the world beyond, to establish a continued link between the dead person and his kin, and also to satisfy societal expectations that the family show how virtuous and successful (in terms of personal achievements, etc.) and well loved their deceased kinsman was.

In spite of our belief in the continuity of life after death in Africa, however, there is still a feeling of void at the departure of a loved one. Indeed, death is a depthless hole dug in our hearts. A number of feelings of hopelessness, truncation, finality are expressed by the Yoruba upon the news of death. In elegies for the departed, my people chant a dirge which approximates death to a visible encounter forever delinked, except at chanced meetings by the wayside, and embraces in dreams (O di gbere, o darinako; o doju ala!). One other expression of void in death is the comparison of the departure of a loved one to a dead rat whose walk path is consumed by weed growths (Emo ku oju Opo di) or the aardvark, a pig-like bush animal called Afeebojo, dying and leaving a big mourning among the community resident in its hole, (Afeebojo ku Enu isa n sofo).

There is however a disjunction in my peoples submissions on death, a binary of opinions, if you like. While on one hand, they believe that the dead dont die, they also seemingly agree with western thoughts that death is a finality. For instance, while they say, in one breath that the dead dont know how much their coffins are purchased, (Oku o mo iye aa ra ago) they also say that the dead can achieve immortality in their offspring and that the dead who leave children behind do not sleep.

But why do we memorialize the dead? Each time my younger brother brings up the idea of orchestrating a public ceremony to memorialize our parents, I not only scoff at the idea, I disdain it. Is this for the dead or the living? On a personal note, there is no day I do not remember and mourn my parents passage. Their earthly actions guide me and I clone their patterns in parenting my children. It is why Prof Adelakun and Dr. Olagunjus public memorialization of their mothers last week struck me as beneath intellectuals. I have since then been made to understand that people have different ways of memorializing their loved ones. While for some, it is through rituals, for others, it is ceremonies and objectifying their memories.

I am however not unmindful of the psychology of memorialization. Memories of the dead are like soothing balm and help smoothen coarse surfaces left by death. They are indeed crucial for grieving, healing, and keeping the essences of our loved ones alive. Memories and memorials transform pain into love as I witnessed in the two columnists last week. In establishing a foundation at the University of Ibadan for her mother, Adelakun must have succeeded in re-creating her late mother afresh.

I believe that our forebears, theologians, African elders and even western philosophy, apprehensive to assume that the life they lived hundreds of years ago would suffer inexplicable cessation if it all ended here on earth, theorized life after death to rescue themselves from the void that would later follow. But, could it not be a ruse afterall that there is life after death? Claims of living wraiths or transmigrated souls which Yoruba call Akudaaya further problematize the concept of life after death. Theologians especially cannot stand Akudaaya. Doesnt the holy writ say after death is judgement?

To demonstrate their belief in life after death, my people submit that memorializing of a parent by their children is an eternal assignment. They believe that even among the dead, ones who leave offspring behind get dotted upon by them in the spirit world. This they express in their saying that oku olomo kii sun lorun. Olagunju tells me that 20 years after, his mother still communes with him. The death of the rich, they say is for seven months, that of the poor, six years but one who lives behind children is eternal memorialisation.

Prof Adelakun, to my mind, could be excused for memorializing her mother, who departed in a ghastly road accident 25 years ago when she was just 18 years old. How do I explain Olagunjus, whose mother lived above 80? Perhaps due to the power of the umbilical cord, attachment to mothers is often life-long. However, I agree that we must define the precinct of our memorials. For some, it could be recreating their memories in daily life, to others, it is in rituals and to some others, public celebration. As my people say, no one can claim to know Oso than her mother.

In any case, if there are no memorials, why do we exhort valiant heroes who departed this world even centuries ago? While Muslims memorialise Prophet Muhammed every year, Christians do Jesus Christ. In the next four days, it will be time for another memorial.

Happy Christmas ahead to all Christian faithful.

This brings me to a raging but silent tiff among Yoruba topmost traditional rulers, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife. While they recently waged the war on pages of newspapers, their recent recourse is to semiotics. A couple of weeks ago, the Ooni conferred on renown industrialist, Engr Dotun Sanusi, the revered chieftaincy title of the Okanlomo of Oodua. Earlier, upon its announcement, the Alaafin couldnt hide his indignation at this and called on the Ooni to reverse the title as he alone was historically and constitutionally bound to so do. Ooni went ahead on December 15 nevertheless. Last week, a piece of news dropped out of the Oyo ancient palace that the Alaafin would be conferring same Okanlomo title on Seyi Tinubu, son of the Nigerian president.

While addressing the states traditional rulers on October 13, 1983, as well as his broadcast of 2 December, 1983, former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo claimed that the struggle for supremacy between the Ooni and the Alaafin stools was as a result of Action Groups (AG) founding in 1951.The Unity Party of Nigeria which came on board in 1978 and which rivaled Olunloyos National Party of Nigeria also continued in the same mould by preferencing Oba Okunade Sijuade. So, there was no doubt that Olunloyo, being a major enabler of Alaafin Adeyemi to the throne of his deposed father, would tilt towards Oyo during his short time in office as the governor of Oyo State.

Between October 1983 and June 1984, the in-fighting between the rulers became so embarrassingly intense. It got to a point that the military government of the State had to intervene. Before then, on October 1 1983, the tussle became irreconcilable, so much that, at his swearing-in as the newly elected governor of the state, Olunloyo had to promise both parties that his administration would find lasting solution to it. He could not.

At a meeting called by the governor on Thursday, 20 October of that year, the Ooni, who had been chairman before Olunloyo came into office, referred to himself as the father of all which riled the Alaafin and his Oba supporters. The Alaafin promptly replied that that tag was misplaced as he was the father of all. He said that if Ooni had read his book of history well (apparently referring to Samuel Johnsons book) he would have been abreast of claims in the books which have been found to be Oyo-centric. These claims preferenced Oyo as the origin of the Yoruba. Johnsons book also claimed that the Ooni was the caretaker of Yoruba shrines in Ile-Ife and he was a descendant of a slave called Adimu.

After the passage of Oba Adesoji Aderemi, who brought a great visibility to the Ooni throne, the throne was taken a notch higher by his predecessor, Oba Sijuade and the in-fighting continued. The passage of Oba Olubuse and the recent transition of Oba Adeyemi was expected to douse this tension but it still has not. Their successors, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and Oba Abimbola Owoade have carried on the battle in line with their predecessors struggle for supremacy in Yoruba Obaship.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja has a workable, sensible way out of this tiff by the holders of both stools. Oba Ladoja said he was only Olubadan over the eleven local governments under him. It is achaic, unrealistic and I daresay, an ill-logic for any of the two warring monarchs to claim to be Oba of Yorubaland when they cant make any proclamation in their domains and expect it to be adhered to by all the Yoruba nation. The empires they superintended over has collapsed and they should wake up to the reality of modernity. To even score by appointing the son of the president as Okanlomo, to me, is a childhood tantrum which is beneath an Alaafin. It is like playing with the Ido, an ancient childhood fantasy. Each of the kings is under a mere council chairman who can depose them, so why do they want to carve a world for themselves that does not exist?

Come to think of it, why did Alaafin choose Seyi Tinubu for that chieftaincy title? What are his contributions to Yorubaland that made the presidents son a numero-uno child (Okanlomo)? I have written copiously on this young man, upon whom I earlier conferred the akebaje(spoilt brat) title. I think that should suffice a title from anyone, if at all.

Last week, we were faced with another tantrum from a grown-up. The tragedy for many public commentators is that they villainize heroes and heroise villains. Due to reasons beyond our z, our judgements of them is based on public comments and newspaper reports. How were we to know that, beyond the drapes and facade of public veils, we have made unfair transpositioning? One of the latter persons, for me, is Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State. I recall how Nigerians oscillated round him in his travails, villainizing his traducer, Nyesom Wike, while making hero of a straw man that he has morphed to be. The only court case against federal decision to suspend him for six months came from the PDP, a decision which the Supreme Court gave judicial imprimatur last week. Last week, after porting to the APC, Fubara smelled like a filthy rag to all men of good conscience when, in his loquacious manner, he told the press that he had never really been a member of the PDP. This reversibility shows that Fubara does not really merit the leadership balls that people wore upon him. Yes, he is fighting the battle of his life, but he could do so without being mean and exhibiting this huge ingratitude. He should learn from a colleague like Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Mbah moved to APC with no recriminations but gratitude for the political party that made him. It is such stuffs that great men are made of.

Those are my submissions this week. I rise.

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.
Sixteen months after, without a designated spokesperson, the SSS is inarguably the most commended security agency, especially by the media What explanation can one offer for this other than the fact that the SSS DG is a golden fish. He has no hiding place. He has justified, within a short period, that his appointment is a perfect fit.

The International Press Institute, Nigeria, on 2 December honoured the Director-General of the State Security Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, while unveiling its first-of-its-kind Book of Infamy. In this book, two state governors and the Nigerian Inspector-General of Police were called out for serious violations of press freedom and democratic norms.

The record, according to the President, IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, is intended as a permanent accountability mechanism, documenting public officials whose actions undermine media freedom in Nigeria.

It highlights repeated patterns of harassment, intimidation, or unlawful restriction of journalists and media organisations.

In a country where genuine media analyses of the state of governance, economic policies and human development indices have almost become non-existent, owing to economic pressure and the fear of harassment by security agencies, any effort by institutions such as the IPI and others to restore the confidence of journalists in nation building through constructive pens and voices, should be commended loudly.

Not a few journalists now prefer to hide under fictitious names to report or analyse glaring misconducts by top officials of key ministries, departments and agencies, especially security and anti-graft agencies, for fear of being harassed or taken into custody, especially with the absence of structured welfare in many media organisations and the notion that a motherless child does not go into the evil forest.

However, for the head of a strategic security agency such as the SSS to be singled out for his exemplary conduct in protecting journalists, under an administration that has been, rightly or wrongly, accused of doing everything to gag activists and the opposition, including the media, it may be safe to conclude that the real body language of President Bola Tinubu does not support press intimidation and/or harassment.

Those who know the professionals behind the IPIs Book of Infamy would agree that the positions highlighted in it would have been arrived at after months of painstaking research and correspondences aimed at fair hearing for both the perceived victims and oppressors.

While defending its positive stance on the activities of the SSS DG since he assumed office, the IPI said under his leadership, the SSS has demonstrated restraint and professionalism in its dealings with media organisations.

According to the Institute, under Ajayis watch, incidents of harassment and unlawful detention have been resolved promptly, including the permanent removal of long-standing watchlist entries and immediate release of detained journalists.

It said the agency had also engaged constructively with media houses to resolve disputes, while avoiding confrontations and promoting dialogue. This, to many students of history, may appear alien to the familiar culture in such powerful institutions.

It has also driven home the efficacy of dialogue-based tact in resolving complex security or other issues.

Top on the list of interventions credited to the SSS DG was the removal from the governments watchlist, of the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, after 40 long years!

Those who know the SSS DG closely would tell you, without being biased, that he is a no-nonsense official, who is loyal only to his job. But he listens and never hesitates to right unintended wrongs once established. This is what separates him from the crowd. Little wonder Ajayi was also credited with the quick release of journalists wrongly arrested by the secret police.

While I would not want to dwell too much on the nature of violations identified against the first three public officials to be listed in the all-important Book of Infamy, because that is not the focus of this article, I want to congratulate the President again for the choice of Ajayi as SSS DG.

Long before his appointment in August 2024, the name Tosin Ajayi had been a recurring one among operatives of the Secret Service whenever the topic of discussion was uncommon capacity/intelligence, integrity, generosity, or what some of them called unbelievable humility.

Close contacts among the secret police had, for over a decade, singled him out as one official who could always be relied upon to tackle complex situations in sensitive regions of Nigeria.

One of them, who worked with my former boss at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, would tell me: Aunty, we dont have two of them.

The unprecedented jubilation by SSS officials seen in viral videos across Nigeria, following the appointment of Ajayi, who had served as state director in Enugu, Rivers, Bauchi, Kogi, and Bayelsa, was therefore not unexpected.

To many of them, the appointment was long overdue and the President could not be faulted by whatever yardstick.

The continuous reforms in the Service since Ajayis assumption of office and the commendable paradigm shift in its culture and orientation have positively impacted the ability of the SSS to play its core roles in a democratic setting like Nigeria.

The behind-the-scenes reorganisation, confidence boosters and welfare enhancement have, more than ever before, prepared this respected agency for unobtrusive surveillance and eagle-eye accuracy.

Checks at the SSS headquarters and around the state offices have revealed high morale among officials, who would not hesitate to tell you, in confidence, that they have never had it better. So, why wont they perform?

Their efficiency, under the current leadership, is felt right from the first entrance gate to the last, through unmistakable professionalism. Kudos to the DG.

On the recognition by IPI, one good thing for the media is that the congratulatory message by President Tinubu to the SSS DG on Sunday, would, most likely, open the door for other key government officials and institutions to emulate the example that has been established.

The President affirms that the DSS under Mr Ajayi is changing the narrative of hostility against members of the press and creating an atmosphere of dialogue and robust engagement with the civil populace, a statement signed by the Presidents Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said.

Many would recall that the SSS DG set out to deliver on his mandate strictly without noise, concentrating on correcting the flaws in the system and setting the stage for an indisputably efficient service.

One of the first steps he took was the redeployment of the former Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Peter Afunanya, without naming a replacement.

Sixteen months after, without a designated spokesperson, the SSS is inarguably the most commended security agency, especially by the media.

What explanation can one offer for this other than the fact that the SSS DG is a golden fish. He has no hiding place. He has justified, within a short period, that his appointment is a perfect fit.

To conclude, I want to thank the IPI Nigeria for selecting me as a panelist, along with three eggheads in the media industry, to do justice to the topic: Building Sustainable Media in Nigeria: Navigating Innovation, Credibility, and Revenue Challenges. Though I missed the session, owing to circumstances beyond my control, I congratulate the organisers of the annual conference for the huge success of the 2025 outing.

Yemi Kolapo, an ace columnist, is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Point newspapers.
the argument for AAS extends from two closely related standpoints. The first is that existing disciplinary fields and subfields, such as history, anthropology, religious studies, indigenous languages, and folklore, have fragmented and integrated views of African cultural memory in ways that allow colonial-era taxonomies to flourish. Secondly, the true essence of Africas contemporary social, political, and developmental challenges cannot be fully understood without paying attention to its ancestral systems of knowledge

Professor Toyin Falola is an enigma within African scholarship, who holds an uncommon position within the academic community. As one of the architects of Africas new intellectual, his commitment to reengineering the scope and modalities of how the continents past is taught, understood, and made available in public life is obviously a key indicator of his scholarly commitment to Africa. A notable historian with academic milestones, which include his role as the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, in addition to decades of active lecturing, writing, and institution-building capacities, are major cornerstones that give him both the credentials and an active platform to propose interdisciplinary academic interventions stretching far beyond the conventional study of history.

The esteemed scholars recent advocacy for a unique interdisciplinary field termed African Ancestral Studies (AAS) should therefore be seen in the light of a decade-long and rich experience, and academic backings to spearhead a rescue attempt in redefining African intellectual weight and its traditions from all forms of marginalisation, to foster cultural integration, indigenous science, and advocate for the inclusion of religious genealogies into scholarly curricula. Most importantly, the goal becomes coordinated efforts to investigate methodological fallacies and assumptions that have long undergirded Eurocentric accounts of indigenous knowledge and African history.

As it is, the argument for AAS extends from two closely related standpoints. The first is that existing disciplinary fields and subfields, such as history, anthropology, religious studies, indigenous languages, and folklore, have fragmented and integrated views of African cultural memory in ways that allow colonial-era taxonomies to flourish. Secondly, the true essence of Africas contemporary social, political, and developmental challenges cannot be fully understood without paying attention to its ancestral systems of knowledge, the traditional rites, social organisation, and indigenous science, particularly how these elements shape moral economies, social change, technology, and political perspectives.

As a result, the emergence of the African Ancestral Studies as a discrete field becomes necessary as a corrective measure to both standpoints. This implies that AAS serves as a corrective to an academic view that has undervalued endogenous epistemologies and to the prerogatives of the modern public, which has a faulty understanding of African identity and sense of belonging due to severance from cultural genealogies.

This corrective framing, often advocated in public settings during lectures and programme inaugurations in institutions, as was done at the University of Ghana, signals the dawn of a disciplinary project with civic and scholarly intent. On one hand is the intent to cultivate historical literacy that is reflexive about power, and on the other hand is the need to nurture popular knowledge that can inform policy and educational curricula.

In appreciation of Falolas call, one must equate his commitment to AAS against his intellectual footprints. Over a purposeful career spanning four decades, this rare scholar has authored numerous publications on Atlanticism, religion, intellectual history, and the politics of memory. He is a veteran editor and author of countless volumes of academic work that have become standard references in African historiography and the Humanities.

As a result of his long-standing participation in institutional leadership roles, his active writing and publishing history, his mentoring of younger scholars, and his undisputed fervour for African intellectualism, Professor Falolas proposals for emerging fields carry administrative and intellectual weight. His experience makes it easier to foster a programme that can elicit curricular change, incite new research programmes, and help build a body of methodological literature available to students.

Mr Falolas scholarship is grounded in the tradition of African nationalist historiography, a school of thought that saw the African narrative articulated on African terms. While his work builds on this school, Falola is also profoundly influenced by the comparative perspectives that position Africa in the world. These overviews permit him to advocate for indigenous epistemic authenticity, without removing African scholarship from the global theoretical conversation.

As a result of his long-standing participation in institutional leadership roles, his active writing and publishing history, his mentoring of younger scholars, and his undisputed fervour for African intellectualism, Professor Falolas proposals for emerging fields carry administrative and intellectual weight. His experience makes it easier to foster a programme that can elicit curricular change, incite new research programmes, and help build a body of methodological literature available to students.

For a fact, debaters and critics are right to question the ambitions of African Ancestral Studies. Any attempt to centralise ancestral knowledge risks empowering the past, immortalising cultural templates, or enabling elites who claim unearned authority as custodians of tradition. Commendably, Professor Falola had anticipated these critiques and, as such, dutifully emphasised an academic framework that checks for evidence and allows cross-disciplinary examination.

Widespread in his public lectures is his fervent push against romanticised pastoralism, with an insistence that serious attention must be accorded to the cultural systems that are repeatedly dismissed as mere superstition. The balance he proposes, through the rigorous historical method alongside a respectful engagement with modern realities, is not only superficial but contestable. Yet, it offers possible solutions to years of academic neglect. To convince future critics and establish itself as a necessary field of study, AASs ability to negotiate the tension between sustaining cultural continuity and subjecting inherited claims to critical scrutiny, lies at the heart of its work.

The methodological implication of African Ancestral Studies, as Falola envisages it, is that they must be synergistic. There will be linguists, archaeologists, ethnomusicologists, theologians, and practitioners of indigenous knowledge systems working in close alliance with historians. However, the study of this material will also require social scientists to design research instruments to capture ritual practices and oral genealogies and evaluate this using the same database and academic standards for archival materials.

Professor Falolas proposal invites a broader reflective question for African scholarship. It enquires into the concepts of decolonisation and their true meanings in practice. Falolas African Ancestral Studies is a long-term project. Its success primarily lies in the willingness of many scholars, institutions, and financiers to commit to building the platform needed to sustain such intellectual production. The fruition of this project in the long run will become the test of African resilience in reshaping its own narratives.

Falola is calling for an eclectic, interdisciplinary approach to address the problem. It is not more than the recognition that ancestral claims hinge on practices, objects, and oral forms that were not, or did not end up, in the archives of colonial administrations. Training will be needed to enable participants to learn how to triangulate evidence, write reports, and make recommendations acceptable to academic and non-academic audiences, if the programme is to succeed.

The stakes of this project are not merely academic. There are equally tangible civic inclinations to the work of AAS. For one, promoting curricula that ignore ancestral frameworks risks estranging citizens from their ancestral heritage. By implication, a successful AAS project could provide essential tools to reconcile civic expectations, preserve cultural heritage, and promote culturally sound development strategies. The idea is that projects like AAS would serve as the conduit for policymakers to make meaningful use of this work for social development.

Finally, Falolas proposal invites a broader reflective question for African scholarship. It enquires into the concepts of decolonisation and their true meanings in practice. Falolas African Ancestral Studies is a long-term project. Its success primarily lies in the willingness of many scholars, institutions, and financiers to commit to building the platform needed to sustain such intellectual production. The fruition of this project in the long run will become the test of African resilience in reshaping its own narratives.

In summary, while Professor Toyin Falolas visibility and stature lend this project weight, it will succeed if it commits to interdisciplinary methods that place ancestral knowledge on the same evidentiary plane as textual and archival sources.

It is indeed an honour that Lead City University is celebrating its first Emeritus Professor in the Humanities in January 2026.

Samson O. Ijaola is the Head of Department of Religious Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan.
Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed delight with the release of 130 students of St Marys Catholic School Papiri community, Niger State, previously held in captivity after 100 of them were released earlier this month, saying that it is a sign that evil forces will not triumph over Nigeria. According to the Governor, the release of the remaining students of the school, which brings the total number of those rescued to 230, fulfils President Bola Tinubus pledge to ensure the freedom of the students without any hurt, and facilitate their reunion with their parents.

Commending the President for the security measures rolled out, which he said had restored the confidence of Nigerians in their government, Mr Abiodun said the catalogue of releases of abducted persons, including 24 from Kebbi State and 100 from a Catholic school in Niger State, as well as the Christian worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, shows that the President has capacity to face Nigerias challenges head on.

Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, said it is particularly heartwarming that the students and their parents would be able to celebrate the Yuletide in warm embrace after the terrible ordeal, urging the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law. He said: I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Marys Catholic School Papiri community, Niger State, who were hitherto in captivity, have been released.

The students, their parents, Papiri community and the Government of Niger State have all been through a lot, and I rejoice with them in this moment of triumph over the forces of darkness who seized innocent students from their hostels, and their teachers from the school grounds. If this incident shows anything, it is the fact that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to a safe, secure and prosperous Nigeria, and deserves our collective prayers and moral support

The president is determined to tackle the upsurge of kidnapping and terrorist attacks, and bring sanity back to our society, which will invariably restore the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the government, and bring massive development. The security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I also urge them to ensure that the terrorists behind the attacks on innocent and law-abiding Nigerians are hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has described Zakkat and Waqaf as powerful instruments for moral development, social stability, and crime reduction, stressing that their effective administration is central to addressing poverty, inequality, and social tension in society.

The Governor made this known today while receiving the leadership of the Association of Zakkat and Waqaf Operators in Nigeria (AZWAN) on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Katsina, ahead of the Azwan National Conference Annual Meeting, led by Board Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Musa Filin Samji.

Zakkat is not merely a religious obligation; it is a divine system established by Almighty Allah to promote justice, compassion, and balance within society, Governor Radda said. He explained that Zakkat operates under clear divine principles guiding beneficiaries and wealth, noting that adherence to these rules strengthens trust, unity, and social harmony.

When Zakkat is properly administered, it builds understanding and mutual respect between the rich and the poor. This social harmony naturally reduces desperation, social tension, and criminal tendencies, the Governor added. Governor Radda thanked AZWAN for choosing Katsina as host of the Azwan National Conference Annual Meeting, describing it as recognition of the states commitment to ethical governance and moral values.

We are honoured that Katsina was selected to host this important national conference. It encourages us to do more in strengthening Zakkat and Waqaf institutions as pillars of social welfare and moral re-orientation, he said. The Governor further pledged to engage his colleagues across the country on the need to accord greater priority to Zakkat and Waqaf, citing their proven impact on poverty alleviation, moral discipline, and sustainable development.

I will continue to encourage other governors to prioritise Zakkat and Waqaf. These institutions remain powerful tools for social welfare, moral discipline, and sustainable development, Governor Radda affirmed. He also commended the Katsina State Zakkat and Waqaf Board for its dedication and performance, describing it as exemplary and worthy of emulation across the country.

Governor Radda recalled that his administration established both the Zakkat and Waqaf Board and the Hisbah Board as part of broader efforts to promote moral uprightness, discourage social vices, and ensure obedience to the commandments of Almighty Allah.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the Association of Zakkat and Waqaf Operators in Nigeria, Muhammad Lawal Mai Doki, said the visit was to formally notify the Governor of the forthcoming Azwan National Conference Annual Meeting and to express appreciation to the Katsina State Government for its continued support.

We are here to officially inform His Excellency of the Azwan National Conference Annual Meeting and to thank the Katsina State Government for providing an enabling environment for Zakkat and Waqaf operations, Mr Mai Doki said. He disclosed that representatives of over seventy Zakkat and Waqaf institutions from across Nigeria were participating in the conference, describing it as one of the largest gatherings of stakeholders in the sector.

The large turnout reflects the growing relevance of Zakkat and Waqaf as effective tools for social justice, poverty reduction, and support for the vulnerable, he noted. Mr Mai Doki commended Governor Raddas strong commitment to Zakkat and Waqaf activities, describing Katsina State as a model worthy of emulation by other states.

Governor Radda unwavering support for Zakkat and Waqaf is commendable, and we urge him to encourage other governors to prioritise Zakkat. Transparent and effective distribution strengthens unity and social cohesion, he added. Those in attendance included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulqadir Mamman Nasir, Prof Aliyu Dahiru; Sain Kazaure, Bala Kazaure; Sain Katsina, Muntari Abba; Talban Hadejia; Abdulfatah Abdulwahab; Prince Sulaiman Olagunju and others.
Troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, under the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested a bandit leader in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

A statement on Monday by Umar Muhammad, acting assistant director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade, described the arrest as a major operational breakthrough for the army.

According to him, the arrest of the notorious bandit leader responsible for multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents along the BenueTaraba axis is a major breakthrough.

The arrest was carried out on December 22, 2025, during a precision, intelligence-driven operation at Vaase Community, Ukum LGA of Benue State.

The operation resulted in the arrest of Fidelis Gayama, a high-value suspect long sought by security agencies.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is closely linked to Aka Dogo, a wanted armed group leader.

The suspect is currently in military custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authority for comprehensive investigation and prosecution in line with extant laws.

READ ALSO: Catholic Diocese speaks on release of abducted Niger students

Kingsley Uwa, commander of the 6 Brigade, has commended the troops for their professionalism, discipline and operational precision.

He described the arrest as a significant blow to criminal networks operating within the area.

Mr Uwa reaffirmed the Brigades unwavering commitment to sustaining offensive operations and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

The Commander further called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing security efforts.

(NAN)
When we think of "fine dining," Michelin stars often come to mindand Saxony-Anhalt has those too. In 2025, the Pietsch" in Wernigerode was awarded two Michelin stars. Robin Pietsch's Zeitwerk" and Speiseberg" in Halle (Saale) each retained their star. Haute cuisine is very much part of the state's culinary landscape.

Yet true enjoyment is often found in small things. To taste Saxony-Anhalt, one might start with regional specialties: Halloren chocolates, Tangermunde chocolate bar Nahrstange", Halberstadt sausages, beef from Harz Red Highland cattle, Garley beer from the Altmark, or Wurchwitz mite cheese. As different as they are, they all tell stories of craftsmanship, tradition and regional identityand spark curiosity for more.

This is where the Genussfinder project comes in. Founder Sascha Walz acts as a culinary guide, navigating from one place of enjoyment to the next. The idea was born after his return from Berlin to the Borde region, when he initially felt disoriented. "I underestimated Saxony-Anhalt from a culinary perspective," he admits today. Through short Instagram videos, he gives cafes, restaurants and manufacturers a platform to share their stories. The success is remarkable: launched in 2025, the channel had around 20,000 followers by year's end. The goal is a growing culinary map, adding about 50 new locations each year.

One of the most surprising discoveries is Havel Wagyu in Kuhlhausen near Havelberg. There, Ronald Haake and David Meyer raise Wagyu cattle and rank among Germany's largest breedersan unexpected wow effect on the edge of a village.

The Heimatgenuss Mitteldeutschland" initiative also highlights regional diversity, connecting producers with chefs and restaurateurs across Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. Today, the network includes more than 700 partners. A flagship project is the "Heimat Menu," featuring at least five locally sourced ingredients to promote quality, sustainability and appreciation for regional products.

The competition "Culinary Saxony-Anhalt" further showcases how diverse local flavors can be. In 2025, 17 products received the "Culinary Star," ranging from strawberry smoothies and mango gin to bread and traditional pastriessome available in curated tasting boxes delivered straight to your door.

Anyone with a passion for tasting and savoring can continue their personal gourmet journey with specialty boxes from the Altmark, the Harz, Halle, Magdeburg or the Saale-Unstrut wine region. Because, culinary speaking, Saxony-Anhalt is above all one thing: a true treasure chest for connoisseurs.

Contact:

Mobil:

+49 172 3221 694

Sabine.Kraus@img-sachsen-anhalt.de

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847608/IMG_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847609/IMG_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847610/IMG_3.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847611/IMG_4.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847612/IMG_5.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847613/IMG_6.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847614/IMG_7.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2847615/IMG___Investitions__und_Marketinggesellschaft_Sachsen_Anhalt_Logo.jpg
High tech foot scanning and footwear company broadens reach to access more consumers via new sales channels

CAMPBELL, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Centric Software is delighted to announce the release of a success story about its customer, Aetrex. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source, comply, buy, make, price, allocate, assort, sell and replenish fashion, luxury, footwear, outdoor, home, cosmetics & personal care products as well as multi-category retail, to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.

Aetrex Grows Marketplace Revenue by 400% with Centric PXM by Enhancing Product Visibility and Accuracy

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, Aetrex also has offices in the Middle East and Asia. A global leader in foot scanning technology, Aetrex's premium footwear and orthotics are uniquely designed using insights and scientific data gathered from the scans.

"We were seeing major shifts in shopping behavior, so we set out to meet consumers where they shop. Relying solely on Aetrex.com was no longer a viable strategy," says Rui Kojima, Senior Director of e-Commerce.

To broaden their reach, the company expanded its e-commerce presence across multiple sales channels  though this initially involved managing separate systems, requiring considerable manual effort and time to list products on each platform. "Our team was spending more time managing data than growing the business," explains Kojima.

The brand sought a Product Experience Management (PXM) solution to manage product information and to reduce the time it takes to set up product listings on different sales channels and platforms. Aetrex ultimately selected Centric PXM for its integrated capabilities. The solution also delivers enhanced data accuracy, greater consistency and the scalability needed to support future growth. Kojima notes, "Since using Centric PXM, we've been able to expand into new marketplaces significantly faster. What used to take 2-3 months to launch in a new marketplace, we can now accomplish in just one week."

"We're thrilled to partner with Aetrex, a company that shares our passion for innovation and customer experience," says Fabrice Canonge, CEO of Centric Software. "This collaboration underscores our mission to empower brands and retailers with digital solutions that connect them with consumers in smarter, faster and more impactful ways."

Read the full story to discover how Aetrex reduced the time to set up promotions by 78% and experienced 10x more daily revenue from Amazon. Learn the surprising way Aetrex found Centric PXM and how the company now connects with customers across more channels than ever before.

See Centric Software's AI-Powered Solutions in Action at NRF 2026, Booth #6505

Read the full story

Request a Demo

Aetrex (www.aetrex.com)

Founded in 1946, Aetrex is a global leader in foot scanning technology, orthotics, and comfort footwear. Committed to helping consumers stay active and healthy, Aetrex believes that foot health begins with a comprehensive foot scan. Over the past two decades, the company has deployed more than 12,000 foot scanners worldwide, completing over 50 million scans.

Aetrex's premium footwear and orthotics are uniquely designed using insights and scientific data gathered from these scans. Each product is crafted to deliver maximum comfort, superior support and an improved fit. Their collection features Aetrex's Signature Arch Support, which promotes alignment, reduces overpronation and prevents common foot conditions.

Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, Aetrex also has offices in Israel, Dubai, and China. With a global presence, the company continues to advance foot health through innovative software, hardware and unparalleled expertise in foot care.

Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com)

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides an innovative and AI-enabled product concept-to-commercialization platform for retailers, brands and manufacturers of all sizes. As experts in fashion, luxury, footwear, outdoor, home, food & beverage, cosmetics & personal care as well as multi-category retail, Centric Software delivers best-of-breed solutions to plan, design, develop, source, comply, buy, make, price, allocate, sell and replenish products.

Centric PLM, the leading PLM solution for fashion, outdoor, footwear and private label, optimizes product execution from ideation to development, sourcing and manufacture, realizing up to 50% improvement in productivity and a 60% decrease in time to market.

the leading PLM solution for fashion, outdoor, footwear and private label, optimizes product execution from ideation to development, sourcing and manufacture, realizing up to 50% improvement in productivity and a 60% decrease in time to market. Centric Planning is an innovative, cloud-native, AI solution delivering end-to-end planning capabilities to maximize retail and wholesale business performance, including SKU optimization, resulting in an up to 110% increase in margins.

is an innovative, cloud-native, AI solution delivering end-to-end planning capabilities to maximize retail and wholesale business performance, including SKU optimization, resulting in an up to 110% increase in margins. Centric Pricing & Inventory leverages AI to drive margins and boost revenues by up to 18% via price and inventory optimization from pre-season to in-season to season completion.

leverages AI to drive margins and boost revenues by up to 18% via price and inventory optimization from pre-season to in-season to season completion. Centric Market Intelligence is an AI-driven platform delivering insights into consumer trends, competitor offers and pricing to boost competitively and get closer to the consumer, driving up to a 12% increase in average initial price point.

is an AI-driven platform delivering insights into consumer trends, competitor offers and pricing to boost competitively and get closer to the consumer, driving up to a 12% increase in average initial price point. Centric Visual Boards pivot actionable data in a visual-first orientation to ensure robust, consumer-right assortments and product offers, dramatically decreasing assortment development cycle time.

pivot actionable data in a visual-first orientation to ensure robust, consumer-right assortments and product offers, dramatically decreasing assortment development cycle time. Centric PXM, AI-powered product experience management (PXM) encompasses PIM, DAM, content syndication and digital shelf analytics (DSA) to optimize the product commercialization lifecycle resulting in a transformed brand experience. Increase sales channels, boost sell through and drive margins.

Centric Software's market-driven solutions have the highest user adoption rate, customer satisfaction rate and fastest time to value in the industry. Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, appearing regularly in world-leading analyst reports and research.

Centric Software is a subsidiary of Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D digital mock-up and PLM solutions.

Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software, Inc. in the US and other countries. Centric PLM, Centric Planning, Centric Pricing & Inventory, Centric Market Intelligence, Centric Visual Boards, Centric PXM, Centric PIM, Centric DAM, Centric Shoppingfeed and Centric DSA (including Centric Digital Shelf Analytics) are trademarks of Centric Software, Inc. All third-party trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Centric Software
PSAs Raise Awareness and Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud During Peak Redemption Season

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) today announced 14 state attorneys general (AGs) from across the United States have come together to launch a nationwide public service announcement (PSA) aimed at educating consumers about the threat of gift card fraud. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch the National PSA

AGs Unite to Keep Gift Cards Safe Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

The GCFPA and participating AGs urge consumers to reject unsolicited demands for gift card payments, refrain from sharing gift card numbers or PINs with untrusted sources, check gift card balances only through retailers' official websites and inspect packaging for signs of tampering. Consumers whose gift cards are drained or have been scammed should report the incident to their state attorney general's office.

"State attorneys general remain committed to holding scammers accountable for gift card fraud and crimes against consumers. Attorneys general take these crimes very seriously and will continue to use the full range of their authorities to investigate, prosecute, and prevent this conduct," said Karen White, Executive Director, Attorney General Alliance (AGA). "By working collaboratively with law enforcement and with other stakeholders, attorneys general want to send a clear message that fraudulent activity will not be tolerated and hope to give consumers the tools and the confidence to recognize and prevent these crimes."

Participating AGs include:

 Arkansas: Tim Griffin  Kentucky: Russell Coleman  Delaware: Kathy Jennings  Michigan: Dana Nessel  District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb  Nevada: Aaron Ford  Georgia: Chris Carr  Oregon: Dan Rayfield  Illinois: Kwame Raoul  Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday  Iowa: Brenna Bird  South Dakota: Marty Jackley  Kansas: Kris Kobach  Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) formed in 2024, is led by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. The GCFPA was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Washington, D.C. AG Schwalb Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Brian L. Schwalb, Attorney General of Washington, D.C., together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Schwalb's Gift Card PSA

Washington, D.C. AG Schwalb Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"This holiday season, District residents should be on the lookout for sophisticated gift card scams that prey on shoppers. Unlike traditional scams that focus on manipulating victims into revealing personal information, these scammers never even have to contact their victims," said Attorney General Schwalb. "Anyone who believes they have been scammed should immediately reach out to local law enforcement."

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the District of Columbia Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:

Arkansas: Tim Griffin Kentucky: Russell Coleman Delaware: Kathy Jennings Michigan: Dana Nessel District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb Nevada: Aaron Ford Georgia: Chris Carr Oregon: Dan Rayfield Illinois: Kwame Raoul Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday Iowa: Brenna Bird South Dakota: Marty Jackley Kansas: Kris Kobach Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Illinois AG Raoul Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Kwame Raoul, Attorney General of Illinois, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign in collaboration with the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Raoul's Gift Card PSA

Illinois AG Raoul Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Gift card scams are attractive to organize retail crime networks because they are easily accessible and hard to trace," said Rob Karr, President, Illinois Retail Merchants Association. "Retailers are constantly innovating to prevent gift card fraud and working with law enforcement on gift card cases. We appreciate AG Raoul's continued leadership and commitment to keeping gift cards safe and holding organized retail crime networks accountable for these scams."

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

"State attorneys general remain committed to holding scammers accountable for gift card fraud and crimes against consumers. Attorneys general take these crimes very seriously and will continue to use the full range of their authorities to investigate, prosecute, and prevent this conduct," said Karen White, Executive Director, Attorney General Alliance (AGA). "By working collaboratively with law enforcement and with other stakeholders, attorneys general want to send a clear message that fraudulent activity will not be tolerated and hope to give consumers the tools and the confidence to recognize and prevent these crimes."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Illinois Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:

 Arkansas: Tim Griffin  Kentucky: Russell Coleman  Delaware: Kathy Jennings  Michigan: Dana Nessel  District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb  Nevada: Aaron Ford  Georgia: Chris Carr  Oregon: Dan Rayfield  Illinois: Kwame Raoul  Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday  Iowa: Brenna Bird  South Dakota: Marty Jackley  Kansas: Kris Kobach  Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Kentucky AG Coleman Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

LEXINGTON, Ky., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Coleman's Gift Card PSA

Kentucky AG Coleman Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Organized retail crime brings dangerous criminals into our communities, but is also drives up prices for Kentuckians. In collaboration with law enforcement, prosecutors and retailers, we've created a new unit to take on this threat and send a message to the criminals coming from other states and countries that Kentucky is no longer the place to get a 'big haul;' it's the place to end up in handcuffs and get a prison sentence," said Attorney General Coleman.

"Gift card scams are attractive to organize retail crime networks because they are easily accessible and hard to trace," said Tod Griffin, President, Kentucky Retail Federation. "Retailers are constantly innovating to prevent gift card fraud and working with law enforcement on gift card cases. We appreciate AG Coleman's leadership and commitment to keeping gift cards safe and holding organized retail crime networks accountable for these scams."

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:

Arkansas: Tim Griffin Kentucky: Russell Coleman Delaware: Kathy Jennings Michigan: Dana Nessel District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb Nevada: Aaron Ford Georgia: Chris Carr Oregon: Dan Rayfield Illinois: Kwame Raoul Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday Iowa: Brenna Bird South Dakota: Marty Jackley Kansas: Kris Kobach Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Kansas AG Kobach Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

TOPEKA, Kan., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Kris Kobach, Attorney General of Kansas, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Kobach's Gift Card PSA

Kansas AG Kobach Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Gift cards are a holiday favorite and are safe to buy. But organized retail crime networks are out there committing fraud. I'm out there as well protecting consumers like you. Fraudulent activity will not be tolerated, and when all else fails, I will work to hold scammers accountable for gift card crimes against Kansas consumers," Attorney General Kobach said.

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Kansas Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:





 Arkansas: Tim Griffin



 Delaware: Kathy Jennings



 District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb



 Georgia: Chris Carr



 Illinois: Kwame Raoul



 Iowa: Brenna Bird



 Kansas: Kris Kobach  Kentucky: Russell Coleman



 Michigan: Dana Nessel



 Nevada: Aaron Ford



 Oregon: Dan Rayfield



 Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday



 South Dakota: Marty Jackley



 Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
South Dakota AG Jackley Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

PIERRE, S.D., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Marty Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Jackley's Gift Card PSA

South Dakota AG Jackley Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Always purchase gift cards from reputable businesses. Make sure the card has not been tampered with and check for fees and expiration dates that may apply," said Attorney General Jackley.

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the South Dakota Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:



 Arkansas: Tim Griffin



 Delaware: Kathy Jennings



 District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb



 Georgia: Chris Carr



 Illinois: Kwame Raoul



 Iowa: Brenna Bird



 Kansas: Kris Kobach  Kentucky: Russell Coleman



 Michigan: Dana Nessel



 Nevada: Aaron Ford



 Oregon: Dan Rayfield



 Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday



 South Dakota: Marty Jackley



 Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Each year, thousands of AHN patients and Highmark members require interpretation services to better understand their care journeys

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegheny Health Network (AHN), in partnership with its parent organization Highmark Health, today announced the launch of "I Speak," a campaign to improve communication with non-English speaking patients or with patients whose first language isn't English. The campaign uses hospital posters, handouts, and wallet cards to help caregivers quickly identify a patient's preferred language and swiftly connect them to appropriate interpreter services upon arrival to an AHN medical facility.

The wallet-sized cards, designed to mimic an insurance card, are printed in 29 languages including American Sign Language (ASL) and are placed in all high-traffic areas  like emergency departments and labor & delivery units  across the networks 10 acute, full-service hospitals.

"I Speak" was originally introduced last year at Highmark Health's insurance arm, Highmark Inc., in retail locations throughout Delaware. Today's announcement marks a significant expansion of the program to its health care facilities in the western Pennsylvania region and Highmark's Direct Stores in Pennsylvania and New York.

The wallet-sized cards, designed to mimic an insurance card, are printed in 29 languages including American Sign Language (ASL) and are placed in all high-traffic areas  like emergency departments and labor & delivery units  across the network's 10 acute, full-service hospitals. They are also being made available at AHN's outpatient medical facilities.

Each year, thousands of AHN patients and Highmark members require real-time translation services when receiving care, making an appointment, or seeking information about their insurance coverage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 25 million people in the U.S. have limited English proficiency.

According to research published by Midwestern University, communication barriers between patients and health professionals may negatively impact the quality of medical care. For example, patients who present at a health care facility with a language barrier are more likely to receive larger workups like blood draws, longer emergency department stays, more hospital admissions, and increased medical charges.

Lack of appropriate medical interpretation has also been cited as a source of increased anxiety for patients, and patients with language barriers have been known to spend less time with certain therapies, experience more medical errors, and are much less likely to seek mental health counseling.

The "I Speak" initiative is led by Highmark Health's Institute for Strategic Social and Workforce Programs (S2W), a team focused on accessible, high-quality care across the region and beyond.

"When we can better understand one another, we can better take care of one another," said Veronica Villalobos, vice president of S2W at AHN and Highmark Health. "Our primary goal with every initiative is to ensure that all patients and members we serve receive the best possible care, regardless of their primary language. 'I Speak' cards at AHN facilities specifically empower patients to communicate their needs effectively and ensure that our care teams can provide appropriate support."

After a patient identifies his or her preferred language, AHN can engage with its language interpreter service provider, Cyracom, which is available 24/7 and tailored for healthcare specific needs and requests.

"This program helps to ensure requests for interpretation services made by AHN caregivers take place with maximum efficiency and minimum misunderstanding," Villalobos continued. "It's an opportunity for our organization to further simplify care and improve the patient experience for everyone we serve.

Across AHN facilities from January through June of this year, Spanish was the most requested non-English language by a significant margin (25.7%), followed by Haitian Creole (22.7%), Nepali, Arabic, and ASL (American Sign Language). Out of all answered calls to 412-DOCTORS, 46% were Spanish-speaking callers with the second non-English speaking language being Nepali at 14.1%.

SOURCE Allegheny Health Network
Bioretec Ltd Company announcement 22 December 2025 at 5:30 p.m. EET

TAMPERE, Finland, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2025, Bioretec will publish the following financial reports:

financial statements bulletin for January-December 2025 on Friday 13 February 2025

annual report, Board of Directors' report and financial statements for 2025 on Friday 13 March 2026

business review for January-March 2026 on Thursday 14 May 2026

half-year report for January-June 2026 on Thursday 13 August 2026

business review for January-September 2026 on Thursday 12 November 2026

Financial reports will be published as company releases and will be available online on Bioretec Ltd's website at https://bioretec.com/investors/investors-in-english/reports-and-presentations

Bioretec Ltd's Annual General Meeting is planned to be held on Friday, 8 May 2026. The company's Board of Directors will convene the Annual General Meeting separately later.

Further enquiries

Sarah van Hellenberg Hubar-Fisher, CEO, +31 6 1544 8736

Certified Adviser

Nordic Certified Adviser AB, +46 70 551 67 29

About Bioretec

Bioretec is a globally operating Finnish medical device pioneer at the forefront of transforming orthopedic care with fully biodegradable implant technologies. The company has built unique competencies in the biological interface of active implants to enhance bone growth and accelerate fracture healing after orthopedic surgery. The products developed and manufactured by Bioretec are used worldwide in approximately 40 countries.

The company's latest innovation, the RemeOs product line, is based on a high-performance magnesium alloy and hybrid composite, introducing a new generation of strong absorbable materials for enhanced surgical outcomes. The RemeOs implants are absorbed and replaced by bone, which eliminates the need for removal surgery while facilitating fracture healing. The first RemeOs product market authorization was received in the U.S. in March 2023, and in Europe, the CE mark approval was received in January 2025.

Bioretec's Activa product line features fully bioabsorbable orthopedic implants made from a proprietary, self-reinforced PLGA both CE marked and FDA cleared for a wide range of indications in adult and pediatric patients.

Bioretec is shaping the future of orthopedic treatment with a focus on healing through absorption, paving the way for more effective and patient-friendly solutions.

To learn more about Bioretec, visit www.bioretec.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/bioretec/r/bioretec-ltd-s-schedule-for-financial-reporting-and-annual-general-meeting-in-2026,c4285851
Acquisition builds on Brandwatch and Trajaan's August 2025 partnership, unifying consumer, search, and generative AI insights in a single ecosystem.

CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cision, a global leader in consumer and media intelligence, today announced the acquisition of Trajaan, the industry-leading search intelligence platform. This move significantly accelerates Cision's AI and data strategy and gives customers a more complete view of consumer behavior  spanning what people search for, what they say, and what they intend to do.

"Bringing Trajaan into the Cision ecosystem unifies search intelligence, conversational insight, and AI-driven analytics, giving customers a deeper, more predictive understanding of the 'why' behind consumer behavior," said Guy Abramo, CEO of Cision. Post this Cision Acquires Trajaan, Expanding AI and Search Intelligence Across Its Platforms

Trajaan's technology, which captures always on, geo-localized search behavior across traditional search engines, e-commerce platforms, social channels, and emerging GenAI assistants, will be integrated across Cision's portfolio  including Brandwatch, CisionOne, PR Newswire, and Cision's Insights Services. This integration will enable marketing and communications teams to shift from descriptive analysis to predictive intelligence, allowing them to anticipate trends, understand intent, and make faster, more confident strategic decisions.

A New Era of Consumer Intelligence

A unified view of voice and intent

Customers will now be able to combine social and media insights with search intelligence to validate trends, forecast demand, and understand consumer motivations with greater depth.

Visibility into GenAI-driven discovery

As generative AI increasingly influences buying decisions, Trajaan gives brands clarity into how AI platforms interpret, summarize, and recommend products, categories, and competitors.

Faster, more confident decision-making

Trajaan's always on, geo-specific data enables organisations to spot micro-trends earlier, anticipate category shifts, identify brand risk sooner, and act with greater precision.

This acquisition marks a major milestone in Cision's AI product roadmap and further strengthens end-to-end insights capabilities across Brandwatch, PR Newswire, and CisionOne.

"Acquiring Trajaan is a natural extension of the partnership Brandwatch announced earlier this year," said Guy Abramo, Chief Executive Officer at Cision. "By bringing Trajaan fully into the Cision ecosystem, we're unifying search intelligence, conversational insight, and AI-driven analytics to give customers a deeper, more predictive understanding of the 'why' behind consumer behavior  from the questions they ask to the signals that shape demand."

"Joining Cision allows us to scale our technology and vision globally," said Matthieu Danielou, CEO of Trajaan. "Together we can help brands understand what people search for, what they talk about, and how GenAI platforms shape their decisions  long before trends hit the mainstream."

Discover more here.

About Cision

Cision is the global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communication solutions. We equip PR and corporate communications, marketing, and social media professionals with the tools they need to excel in today's data driven world. Our deep expertise, exclusive data partnerships, and award-winning products, including CisionOne, Brandwatch, and PR Newswire, enable over 75,000 companies and organizations, including 84% of the Fortune 500, to see and be seen, understand and be understood by the audiences that matter most to them.

Media Contact:

Cision Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Cision Ltd.
HONG KONG, Dec. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) today announces that Xijiang Oilfields 24 Block Development Project has commenced production.

The project is located in the shallow water of the Pearl River Mouth Basin. The development of the project mainly leverages the adjacent existing facilities of the Huixi Oilfields, with addition of a new unmanned wellhead platform. 10 development wells are planned to be commissioned. The project is expected to achieve a plateau production of approximately 18,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026. The oil property is light crude.

The new Xijiang 24-7 platform is China's first unmanned offshore platform for high-temperature fluid cooling and export. The temperature control system reduces the impact of high temperatures on subsea pipelines, thereby ensuring stable and continuous production.

CNOOC Limited holds 100% interest in this project and is the operator.

 End 

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at https://www.cnoocltd.com.

*** *** *** ***

This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environmental policies, the Company's price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws and regulations.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Cui Liu

Media & Public Relations

CNOOC Limited

Tel: +86-10-8452-6641

Fax: +86-10-8452-1441

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Cheng Yao

Ever Bloom (HK) Communications Consultants Group Limited

Tel+852 5540 0725

Fax+852 2111 1103

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE CNOOC Limited
Local Entrepreneur and Mother Fuels Expansion to Meet Growing Demand for Kids' STEM Learning

O'FALLON, Ill., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Code Ninjas, the premier learning center franchise focused on coding and technology education for kids ages 5-14, is expanding its footprint in Illinois with a newly signed franchise agreement for two locations serving the O'Fallon and Edwardsville communities. The first center, located in O'Fallon, is slated for a soft opening in early 2026, with the Edwardsville location expected to follow within the next two years.

Kay Cavataio will open two Code Ninjas locations in Southern Illinois.

These additions will bring the total number of Code Ninjas centers in Illinois to 16, reinforcing the state's position as a key growth market amid rising demand for accessible, hands-on STEM learning opportunities.

Local Owners & Community Roots

The new centers will be owned and operated by Kay Cavataio, a lifelong Metro East resident dedicated to fostering meaningful learning experiences for local children, with the support of her husband Joe. Kay was inspired to bring Code Ninjas to the community after searching for a tech-focused, enriching activity for their nine-year-old son, who has shown a strong interest in creativity and technology. Kay's background in middle school and special education, along with her current role as an elementary school music educator, gives her a unique perspective on youth engagement and learning.

"Our continued growth in Illinois reflects the increasing demand from parents who want their children to gain practical skills in technology and problem-solving," said Navin Gurnaney, CEO of Code Ninjas. "Kay represents exactly the type of passionate, community-driven entrepreneur who is fueling our expansion. Her commitment to education and youth development will help us meet the surging demand for high-quality enrichment programs that prepare kids for the future."

A Vision for Empowering Young Learners

Kay has already been introducing local children to the world of coding through classes she currently leads at a nearby recreation center. What began as a small effort to gauge community interest quickly turned into a full program, complete with a waitlist, reflecting the strong local demand for meaningful, tech-focused learning opportunities. Her goal is to create an inclusive, engaging environment where children can explore technology, develop new skills, and build confidence through hands-on learning.

"What drove me to Code Ninjas was the incredible franchisee support network and proven framework the brand provides," said Kay Cavataio. "As a first-time business owner, having access to a system that combines innovative curriculum, ongoing training, and marketing resources gives me the confidence to focus on what matters most, helping kids grow their skills and discover a passion for technology. It's exciting to bring that kind of opportunity to families in our own community."

The Code Ninjas Franchise Opportunity

Code Ninjas provides franchise owners with industry-leading support from day one, including guidance in real estate selection, new owner training, grand opening planning, daily operations, and local marketing to help each center thrive. The ideal franchisee is driven to inspire and empower the next generation of coders, with a passion for community impact and youth development. While a background in education or technology can be helpful, it's not required. What matters most is a commitment to creating a fun, engaging, and supportive learning environment for kids.

Franchisees can expect a total initial investment ranging from $174,750 to $298,250*. For more information, visit https://connect.codeninjas.com/franchising/franchise-about.



About Code Ninjas

Founded in 2016, Code Ninjas is the nation's largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise. In hundreds of Code Ninjas centers across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, kids ages 5-15 have fun building video games while gaining life-changing skills in coding, robotics, problem solving and artificial intelligence. Kids have fun, parents see results. For more information, visit www.codeninjas.com.

*Source: 2024 FDD  Code Ninjas

Media Contact: Emily Otter, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected]

SOURCE Code Ninjas
Key Facts:

Seventeen students received the 2025 Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship recognizes academic excellence and interest in maritime careers.

Crowley has invested more than $3 million in scholarships for students in the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico and Central America.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seventeen students from seven U.S. and El Salvador maritime academies and universities have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and dedication to their studies related to the maritime industry. The scholarship honors the legacy of Thomas B. Crowley Sr. by acknowledging excellence and investing in the next generation of maritime leaders.

Crowley awards 17 students from maritime academies and universities with its 2025 Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

The Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship is part of Crowley's ongoing commitment to supporting education and fostering talent within the maritime sector. By investing in these outstanding students, Crowley continues to champion the values of leadership and focused commitment that are essential to the industry's future.

The 2025 Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship recipients are:

Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas

Payton McNabb , a junior from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, earning a degree in marine science.

, a junior from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, earning a degree in marine science. Jack Chiles, a sophomore from Houston, Texas, earning a degree in marine engineering technology.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York

Gabriel Tvrdy , a senior from Savannah, Georgia, earning a degree in maritime logistics and security.

, a senior from Savannah, Georgia, earning a degree in maritime logistics and security. Dillon Babbitt , a senior from Conroe, Texas, is earning a degree in marine transportation.

, a senior from Conroe, Texas, is earning a degree in marine transportation. Emma Cox , a senior from Huntingtown, Maryland, earning a degree in marine engineering and shipyard management.

, a senior from Huntingtown, Maryland, earning a degree in marine engineering and shipyard management. Zeal Saballa, a senior from Augusta, Georgia, earning a degree in marine engineering with a concentration in nuclear engineering.

Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine

Claire MacDonald , a junior from Southampton, New York, earning a degree in marine engineering operations.

, a junior from Southampton, New York, earning a degree in marine engineering operations. Brooke Foran , a junior from Groveland, Florida, earning a degree in marine transportation operations.

, a junior from Groveland, Florida, earning a degree in marine transportation operations. Mason Hatch , a junior from Buckfield, Maine, earning a degree in marine engineering technology.

, a junior from Buckfield, Maine, earning a degree in marine engineering technology. Samuel Smoak, a junior from Charleston, South Carolina, earning a degree in marine transportation operations.

Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, Michigan

Fabiola McFarlin , a senior from Williamsburg, Michigan, earning a degree in maritime technology.

, a senior from Williamsburg, Michigan, earning a degree in maritime technology. Garret Riehl, a junior from Lansing, Michigan, earning a degree in maritime technology.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Julia Glotfelty , a junior from Durango, Colorado, earning a degree in marine transportation.

, a junior from Durango, Colorado, earning a degree in marine transportation. Matthew Meal, a sophomore from Kingston, Massachusetts, earning a degree in marine engineering.

SUNY Maritime College, Bronx, New York

Kevin O'Connell , a graduate student from Portland, Oregon, earning a degree in shipping and logistics.

, a graduate student from Portland, Oregon, earning a degree in shipping and logistics. Tyler Rubinfeld, a senior from Massapequa, New York, earning a degree in mechanical engineering.

Escuela Superior de Economia y Negocios (ESEN), Santa Tecla, El Salvador

Giselle Nicole Fabian Gonzalez, a junior from Cuscatlan, El Salvador, earning a degree in business engineering.

Established in 1994 by Chairman and CEO Thomas B. Crowley Jr., the annual scholarship program honors his father, Thomas B. Crowley Sr., whose leadership and contributions significantly advanced the company and the maritime industry. Since 1984, Crowley has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to over 1,000 students attending maritime academies and other select institutions throughout the continental U.S., Puerto Rico and Central America.

About Crowley

Crowley is a private-held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime, energy and logistics solutions company. For more than 130 years, its portfolio of businesses has provided innovative ocean and land transportation services for the commercial and government sectors. As a global ship owner and operator, Crowley serves 36 nations and island territories and is one of the leading employers of U.S. mariners. Visit www.crowley.com to learn more.

Media Contacts:

David DeCamp

Director, Corporate Communications

(904) 727-4263

[email protected]

Torey Vogel

Senior Specialist, Corporate Communications

(904) 726-4536

[email protected]

SOURCE Crowley
The initiative reflects EarthX's mission to build pragmatic, bipartisan pathways to environmental progresswhile equipping the next generation of leaders with access, education, and real-world experience at the intersection of sustainability, policy, finance, and storytelling.

Through the Earthx2026 Student Scholarship Program, currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and high school students are eligible to apply for free registration to the EarthX Congress of Conferences. Young professionals who have completed their education within the last two years may apply for a discounted registration, while teachers, professors, and academic leaders are eligible for a special educator rate.

"EarthX has always been about bringing a diversity of voices to the table," said Peter Simek, CEO of EarthX. "If we want durable environmental solutions, we have to invest early in the people who will shape the next generation of policy, capital, technology, and culture. This program is about access, exposure, and real opportunity."

Students attending Earthx2026 will have the opportunity to engage directly with global leaders in clean energy, conservation, finance, innovation, and media; participate in curated student networking and mentorship experiences; and explore career pathways across the environmental and sustainability ecosystem.

As part of the student initiative, EarthX also announced a new collaboration with Planet Forward, a nationally recognized environmental journalism program based at GWU's School of Media and Public Affairs. The partnership will provide students with opportunities to contribute original reporting and storytelling to EarthX's digital media platforms, amplifying youth voices on environmental solutions and innovation.

Founded in 2009, Planet Forward trains and supports emerging storytellers across disciplines, helping students translate environmental challenges into compelling, solutions-focused narratives for public audiences.

"This collaboration amplifies what Planet Forward does best, equipping students to turn complex environmental challenges into narratives that drive understanding and action. EarthX provides a powerful platform for these distinctive emerging voices to be heard," said Planet Forward Founding Director Frank Sesno.

Additional student-focused programming at Earthx2026including curated networking, mentorship opportunities, and student-led sessionswill be announced in the coming months.

For more information about the Earthx2026 Student Scholarship Program and application details, visit earthx.org.

SOURCE EarthX
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Courte Partners, LLC, a private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors, announced today that its sixth investment fund, Green Courte Real Estate Partners VI, LLC and its affiliates, has acquired 4450 NE Buffalo Street, a 14-acre industrial outdoor storage (IOS) property located in Portland, Oregon. The property is in the Airport Way submarket, a highly supply-constrained, infill market immediately adjacent to the Portland International Airport, where developable land is increasingly scarce.

4450 NE Buffalo Street, a 14-acre industrial outdoor storage (IOS) facility located in Portland, Oregon

The property includes 12,200 square feet of existing building coverage and offers convenient access to both Interstate 5 and Interstate 205, making it well-suited for logistics, warehousing, and storage users. Green Courte plans to enhance the site with upgrades to paving, fencing, lighting, and security, transforming the property into a highly functional, institutional-quality IOS facility.

"This acquisition aligns with our strategy of investing in infill IOS locations," said Jordan Kerger, Managing Director at Green Courte. "The Airport Way submarket has very limited land that can accommodate IOS uses, and this property provides Green Courte an attractive opportunity to establish a presence in the Pacific Northwest."

"We have operated our business on this site for many years, and we are pleased to see the property transitioning to a long-term investor who recognizes its future potential," said Dan Reichenbach, the seller's representative in the transaction. "Green Courte's planned improvements will benefit both future users of the site and the surrounding industrial community."

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors. The firm has active investments in the following sectors: active-adult/independent senior living, land-lease communities, industrial outdoor storage, and near-airport parking. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution, operations, and asset management. Green Courte's goal is to invest in high-quality real estate assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit Green Courte's website at www.GreenCourtePartners.com.

SOURCE Green Courte Partners, LLC
Partner Reed Kathrein Urges Investors to Contact Firm Before January 5, 2026 Lead Plaintiff Deadline

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National investor rights law firm Hagens Berman alerts INSP investors to the pending securities class action lawsuit against Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: INSP). The firm is urging INSP investors who suffered substantial losses to contact its attorneys before the January 5, 2026, Lead Plaintiff Deadline. The lawsuit, which is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleges that Inspire Medical and its executives misled investors by concealing critical operational failures surrounding the launch of its next-generation device, the Inspire V for obstructive sleep apnea.

Class Period: Investors who purchased Inspire Medical (INSP) securities between August 6, 2024, and August 4, 2025.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 5, 2026

Submit Your INSP Losses Now: If you suffered a substantial loss on your INSP investment, you are encouraged to contact Hagens Berman Partner Reed Kathrein to discuss your legal rights:

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/insp Email: [email protected] Call: 844-916-0895

The Heart of the Inspire Medical Systems (INSP) Fraud Allegations

The securities class action complaint details how Inspire Medical allegedly assured investors of its "operational readiness" for the Inspire V launch, claiming it was ready "to throw the switch" for full commercial rollout. These assurances, the lawsuit contends, concealed fundamental failures that made a successful launch impossible, leading to a catastrophic guidance cut and stock crash.

The undisclosed operational issues that allegedly rendered the Company's statements materially false and misleading include:

Alleged Concealment The Truth Allegedly Revealed on Aug. 4, 2025 Impact on Business/Stock Medicare & Billing Readiness The necessary software updates for Medicare claims processing did not take effect until July 1, 2025, meaning implanting centers could not bill for procedures, stalling early adoption. Delayed Inspire V rollout and bottlenecked revenue generation. Excess Inventory (Channel Glut) Customers and treatment centers held a significant surplus of the older Inspire IV device, impacting demand for the new Inspire V product and requiring an inventory "burn down." The allegedly flawed Inspire V launch led Inspire to slash its 2025 EPS guidance by over 80%. Training & Onboarding "Many centers" had not completed the essential training, contracting, and onboarding required to implant the new device. $42.04 per share drop and 32.4% decline in value.

Hagens Berman's Investigation of the Alleged Claims

"Our focus remains on the alleged concealment of two critical points: the Medicare claims software failure and the inventory glut of the prior Inspire IV device," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation. "The suit alleges that Inspire's stock collapse was the result of management allegedly prioritizing a narrative of seamless transition over operational reality."

What You Can Do?: If you purchased Inspire Medical (INSP) securities during the Class Period, you may have legal options. If you wish to discuss your rights or have information that may assist our investigation, please contact Hagens Berman

If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Inspire case and our investigation, visit Hagens Berman's INSP dedicated case page: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/insp 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Inspire should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
TSXV: ITR; NYSE American: ITRG

www.integraresources.com

VANCOUVER, BC , Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Integra Resources Corp. ("Integra" or the "Company") (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE American: ITRG) is pleased to announce the full conversion and repayment of the Beedie Investment Ltd. ("Beedie Capital") convertible debenture facility (the "Facility"). Pursuant to the terms of the Facility credit agreement, as amended, the Company issued a total of 12,295,081 common shares at a deemed price per common share of C$1.6875 (US$1.22) to retire the full US$15 million principal amount drawn under the Facility and paid US$2,896,712 in accrued interest and standby fees. In connection with the conversion and repayment of the Facility, the Facility has been retired and certain assets secured under the Facility have been released. There are no further amounts due or owing to Beedie Capital under the Facility.

George Salamis, President, CEO and Director of Integra commented: "Beedie Capital has been an important partner to Integra since our earliest days, and their continued support speaks volumes. The full conversion of the convertible debenture into equity following the recently announced Feasibility Study results for DeLamar is a strong vote of confidence in the strength of the study and the long-term value of the Company. This transaction also materially strengthens our financial position by eliminating the convertible debt from our balance sheet, leaving Integra debt-free at the corporate level as we move forward into permitting and future development at DeLamar."

Nora Pincus, Managing Director at Beedie Capital commented: "Our decision to voluntarily convert the Facility in full into common equity reflects our conviction in Integra, the quality of the DeLamar asset, and the value demonstrated in the recently announced Feasibility Study. We thank George Salamis and his team for their hard work and the value created during Beedie Capital and Integra's more than five-year partnership. Over that period, Integra has grown from an early-stage, single-asset developer into a producer with multiple robust, near-term exploration and development projects in premier U.S. jurisdictions."

Early Warning Disclosure for Beedie Capital

Immediately prior to the completion of the conversion of the Facility, Beedie Capital, directly or indirectly, would own or control a total of 6,790,681 common shares, representing approximately 4.01% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis, and assuming conversion in full of the US$15 million of advances under the Facility in accordance with the terms of the Facility credit agreement and 1,250,000 common share purchase warrants in Integra ("Warrants") held by Beedie Capital, 20,335,762 common shares, representing approximately 11.12% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis. Immediately following the completion of the conversion of the Facility, Beedie Capital, directly or indirectly, would own or control a total of 19,085,762 common shares, representing approximately 10.51% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis, and assuming conversion in full of 1,250,000 Warrants held by Beedie Capital, 20,335,762 common shares, representing approximately 11.12% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis. A copy of the early warning report relating to the foregoing conversion of the Facility will be available under Integra's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and may also be obtained by contacting Beedie Investments Limited at 604-435-3321. Beedie Capital's head office is located at Suite 900 - 1111 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC V6E 4M3.

About Integra Resources

Integra is a growing precious metals producer in the Great Basin of the Western United States. Integra is focused on demonstrating profitability and operational excellence at its principal operating asset, the Florida Canyon Mine, located in Nevada. In addition, Integra is committed to advancing its flagship development-stage heap leach projects: the past producing DeLamar Project located in southwestern Idaho and the Nevada North Project located in western Nevada. Integra creates sustainable value for shareholders, stakeholders, and local communities through successful mining operations, efficient project development, disciplined capital allocation, and strategic M&A, while upholding the highest industry standards for environmental, social, and governance practices.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

George Salamis

President, CEO and Director

CONTACT INFORMATION

Corporate Inquiries: [email protected]

Company website: www.integraresources.com

Office phone: 1 (604) 416-0576

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forwardlooking statements" and "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and in applicable United States securities law (referred to herein as forwardlooking statements). Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "would", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "budget", "scheduled", "plans", "planned", "forecasts", "goals" and similar expressions. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forwardlooking statements which includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the future financial or operating performance of the Company.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions made by management and considered reasonable at the time such statement was made. Assumptions and factors include: the Company's ability to complete its planned exploration and development programs; the absence of adverse conditions at the Company's mineral properties; no unforeseen operational delays; no material delays in obtaining necessary permits; results of independent engineer technical reviews; the possibility of cost overruns and unanticipated costs and expenses; the price of gold remaining at levels that continue to render the Company's mineral properties economic; the Company's ability to continue raising necessary capital to finance operations; and the ability to realize on the mineral resource and reserve estimates. Forwardlooking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and competitive uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; benefits of certain technology usage; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; risks related to local communities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); title to properties; and other factors beyond the Company's control and as well as those factors included herein and elsewhere in the Company's public disclosure. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are advised to study and consider risk factors disclosed in Integra's Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2025 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which is available on the SEDAR+ issuer profile for the Company at www.sedarplus.ca and available as Exhibit 99.1 to Integra's Form 40-F, which is available on the EDGAR profile for the Company at www.sec.gov.

Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are urged to read the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory agencies, which can be viewed online under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

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

SOURCE Integra Resources Corp.
Chad Johnson to join Jeroen van Kwawegen to accelerate the firm's rise as a premier global investor-rights litigation firm

Three partners to depart Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP alongside Chad

NEW YORK and WILMINGTON, Del. and LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Van Kwawegen LLP (also known as "JVK Law" or "JVK") today announced that Chad Johnson, widely recognized as one of the nation's leading securities litigators, will join the firm as Co-Founding Partner. Chad, the Managing Partner of Robbins Geller's New York City office, and a former Deputy Attorney General for the State of New York, will co-lead the firm alongside Co-Founding Partner Jeroen van Kwawegen, further strengthening Johnson Van Kwawegen's leadership team and capabilities.

Joining Chad are three additional partners who bring deep insight and experience as securities lawyers, further expanding Johnson Van Kwawegen's ability to represent the world's most sophisticated institutional investors, including asset managers, public pension funds, sovereign wealth funds  as well as whistleblowers and individual investors  in complex, high-stakes matters. Chad and these three additional partners leave Robbins Geller on the friendliest terms.

With offices in New York, Delaware, and California, Johnson Van Kwawegen is deeply rooted in the jurisdictions central to the world's most consequential corporate and governance disputes. Chad's addition, along with his incoming colleagues from Robbins Geller, significantly expands the firm's securities litigation capabilities, strengthens its national and international platform, and reinforces its position as a trial-ready, client-centered firm focused on shareholder and securities litigation, corporate governance, fiduciary duty matters, and precedent-setting investor disputes.

"Johnson Van Kwawegen represents exactly what institutional investors need right now  a modern, trial-ready firm of creative teams with the skill, independence, and clarity to take on the most consequential corporate misconduct cases of our time," said co-founding partner Chad Johnson. "I could not be more honored to partner with Jeroen to build a firm with a true "ownership" culture that will deliver exceptional results for clients across the globe and set new standards for accountability and investor protection."

"Chad is a close friend and rare talent  a leader who invests in building successful teams with decades of front line experience on all sides of securities law, an extraordinary record of recoveries, and a deep commitment to the rule of law and doing right by people," said co-founding partner Jeroen van Kwawegen. "Alongside Chad and the remarkable colleagues joining him, we are building a team with unmatched expertise, trial experience, and global relationships. Our collective leadership will accelerate our mission and expand the firm's capabilities, and I could not be more excited to build this firm together."

Jeroen and Chad share a professional history that spans over 20 years, including years together as colleagues at Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP. Together, they helm a team that stands among the most experienced and accomplished corporate governance, securities, and investor-rights litigation groups. With deep trial experience, firm leadership backgrounds, histories of building client relationships based on clear and transparent advice, and a shared commitment to investor protection and the rule of law, Chad and Jeroen are positioned to guide Johnson Van Kwawegen through a period of rapid growth given increased investor demand for thought leadership and high-impact advocacy.

Joining Chad in his exciting move are Noam Mandel, Desiree Cummings, and Jonathan Zweig  an elite group of experienced securities lawyers all of whom most recently were partners in the NYC office of Robbins Geller. Earlier in his career, Noam was an attorney with BLB&G where he focused on case development, evaluation, and prosecution. Desiree and Jonathan each served as Assistant Attorneys General in the Investor Protection Bureau of the New York Attorney General's Office where they successfully prosecuted cases to protect the investing public. Noam, Desiree, and Jonathan will be based in New York, where they will use their many years of experience to deliver strategic, forward-looking advocacy and counsel to clients.

About Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson, former Managing Partner of Robbins Geller's New York City office, and a former Deputy Attorney General for the State of New York, brings more than 30 years of distinguished experience in securities litigation and fiduciary-duty cases. He has served as a securities-fraud prosecutor, a defense lawyer, and a plaintiffs' attorney, giving him a rare 360 perspective on litigation strategy.

Chad has secured over $9 billion in private-sector investor recoveries, including in landmark cases such as WorldCom, Dell, and major RMBS matters. His public-service tenure included historic RMBS recoveries of $16.65 billion from Bank of America and $13 billion from JPMorgan Chase, among the largest financial recoveries in U.S. history. Other notable recoveries include:

$6+ billion recovered in the WorldCom securities litigation

$1 billion recovered in the Dell Class V litigation

$627 million recovered in the Wachovia securities litigation

$311 million recovered in the Williams securities litigation

$208 million recovered in the Washington Mutual securities litigation

$122 million recovered in the Viacom stockholders litigation

$100 million recovered in the Pattern Energy stockholders litigation

Earlier in his career, Chad chaired Quinn Emanuel's Institutional Investor Litigation practice and before that was a partner with Latham & Watkins. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. Recognized as a trusted advisor and thought leader, Chad is sought out by institutional investors and boards alike for his strategic insight, expertise, and proven ability to deliver results in complex, high-stakes matters.

About Johnson Van Kwawegen LLP

Johnson Van Kwawegen is a client-centered, trial-ready investor rights firm representing institutional investors in high-stakes securities and corporate governance litigation. With offices in New York, Delaware, and California, Johnson Van Kwawegen combines deep governance and securities litigation expertise with the ability to litigate complex matters to judgment. Under the leadership of co-founding partners Jeroen van Kwawegen and Chad Johnson  whose combined careers include more than $13 billion in investor recoveries and landmark corporate governance rulings  Johnson Van Kwawegen is equipped to handle the most complex and consequential corporate disputes.

Learn more at www.jvk-law.com.

In certain jurisdictions, this may be considered Attorney Advertising.

CONTACT:

Katherine Bosley

[email protected]

SOURCE Johnson Van Kwawegen LLP
- Thanks to a strategic partnership with Kira* Millions of people in the United States can now send money to Mexico easily, quickly, and securely, directly into Spin by OXXO accounts.

MIAMI, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spin by OXXO has introduced a new way for people in Mexico to receive funds from the United States, through a partnership with Kira, an all-in-one infrastructure to launch embedded fintech products, supercharged by vertical AI agents and stablecoins. Kira improves the money transfer experience by enabling anyone in the United States to send funds to Mexico through both digital and in-person channels. The solution is built around a user-first design, with a simple payment flow and near-instant delivery, offering a more accessible alternative to traditional remittance services.

Kira

With this integration, any Spin by OXXO account holder in Mexico can receive funds from the United States in minutes, without needing to download additional apps. Spin by OXXO currently has 9.9 million active users.

Funds can be sent in cash at any of the 90,000+ Kira network locations in the United States, or via debit card. The process is straightforward: the recipient in Mexico generates a payment link from the Spin by OXXO app and shares it via messaging with the sender in the U.S., who completes the transfer through Kira's platform in just a few minutes.

"This integration represents another step forward in our commitment to strengthening financial inclusion in Mexico and delivering solutions that respond to real needs. By enabling a new way to receive funds from the United States, we are bringing technology closer to people who have historically been outside the financial system, simplifying a process that directly impacts millions of families," said Ricardo Olmos, Director of Spin by OXXO.

"As an immigrant, I know how meaningful it is to support family back home in a way that is simple and dignified. This partnership with Spin by OXXO delivers practical solutions to families who rely on remittances, making the process more accessible for everyone," said Beto Diaz, Co-Founder of Kira.

According to the Bank of Mexico, the country received a record USD $64 billion in remittances in 2024  a vital source of income for millions of households, particularly in communities with limited access to financial services.

With this new option, Spin by OXXO offers a more affordable, convenient, and accessible service, removing technological barriers and allowing families to receive funds within minutes, with 24/7 availability and no waiting in line.

Once the funds are deposited into a Spin by OXXO account, users can withdraw cash at any of the 24,000+ OXXO stores in Mexico, or use their account for in-store and online payments, transfers, and mobile top-ups, among other services. Through this partnership, Spin by OXXO strengthens its role in the high-impact cross-border payments corridor between the United States and Mexico, expanding its digital financial services ecosystem.

About Spin by OXXO

Spin by OXXO is a digital account backed by OXXO that allows users to make transfers, payments, and card purchases with a Visa card, as well as deposit and withdraw cash at more than 20,000 OXXO stores across Mexico. It operates under the trade name of Compropago, S.A. de C.V., an Electronic Payment Funds Institution authorized and regulated under Mexico's Fintech Law.

For more information, visit www.spinbyoxxo.com.mx .

About Kira

Founded in 2024, Kira builds financial infrastructure that enables any company to launch fintech products globally. Its platform combines stablecoins, AI-powered automated compliance tools, and plug-and-play APIs, connecting emerging markets with the global economy while eliminating traditional friction in cross-border payments.

For more information, visit https://www.kirafin.ai/ .

Press Contact

Catalina Valencia

[email protected]

+1 917 246 0285

SOURCE Kira
Awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for New Technology Commercialization at the Industrial Technology Merit Awards, validating its technological excellence and reliability

Proprietary 3D-structured lens technology reduces light pollution and cuts power consumption by more than 30%

New product to debut at CES and ISE next year, targeting North American and European smart city and infrastructure markets

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LED display specialist L&D Tech has been recognized for its exceptional technological capabilities, securing consecutive government commendations.

The company announced that its energy-saving LED display has been selected as a "World-Class Product" by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and has also received the Prime Minister's Award in the New Technology Commercialization Promotion category at the 2025 Industrial Technology Merit Awards.

L&D Tech

This prestigious recognition underscores not only the technological innovation behind L&D Tech's energy-saving LED display but also its practical impact and proven reliability across real industrial environments. The product's core lies in L&D Tech's proprietary 3D-structured LED PKG and Half-Dome lensbased directional beam control technology.

Conventional displays disperse light broadly, resulting in significant wasted upward light. L&D Tech's technology minimizes unnecessary upward emission, effectively addressing the growing issue of urban light pollution, while concentrating illumination within the required viewing angle. This approach maintains vivid image quality and simultaneously reduces power consumption by more than 30% at equivalent brightness levels. The solution enables both lower carbon emissions and reduced operating costs, making it highly appealing to corporations and municipalities pursuing ESG-aligned operations.

Building on its strong technological validation in Korea, L&D Tech is accelerating its entrance into global markets. The company will showcase the energy-saving LED display to international buyers at CES 2026 in Las Vegas this January and at ISE 2026, Europe's leading display exhibition, the following February.

With this global launch, the company plans to target the U.S. and European markets, where carbon neutrality and energy efficiency have become priority agendas. These regions face stringent environmental regulations and rising electricity costs, driving demand for high-efficiency, eco-friendly infrastructure. L&D Tech's product is expected to significantly reduce OPEX for public information displays and transportation infrastructure, which require continuous 24-hour operation, solidifying its position as a key component for sustainable smart city development.

Furthermore, its light-pollution-reducing characteristics are expected to offer strong competitiveness in outdoor advertising and high-resolution display installations near residential areas.

A company spokesperson stated, "Receiving the Prime Minister's Award and being named a World-Class Product affirms that our energy-saving LED display meets global standards in technological completeness. Beginning with our participation in CES and ISE, we will actively build global partnerships, strengthen brand recognition, and position ourselves as a leading K-display innovator driving global energy-saving trends."

L&D Tech has been preparing for full-scale overseas expansion based on its solid domestic presence. Moving beyond hardware manufacturing, the company aims to become a global innovation leader by developing integrated solutions optimized for smart city infrastructure and outdoor advertising, consistently advancing next-generation visual display technologies.

For more information, please visit the official website:

https://www.lnd-tech.com/en/main

SOURCE L&D Tech
MANASSAS, Va., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a 4.9-star customer rating and growing demand, PureHealth Research's Liver Health Formula has established itself as a trusted choice for individuals seeking comprehensive metabolic support. The supplement addresses multiple aspects of liver wellness through a synergistic blend of 11 botanicals and nutrients.

"We designed the Liver Health Formula supplement to go beyond basic detoxification," said the PureHealth Research Product Development representative Kestutis Gabrielius Saulys. "Our formulation targets fat metabolism, energy conversion, and cellular repair pathways that all depend on optimal liver function."

What Makes Liver Health Formula a Comprehensive Solution

The liver filters approximately 1.4 liters of blood per minute while performing over 500 vital functions. Supporting this organ requires more than a single-ingredient approach. PureHealth Research developed a multi-pathway formula that addresses this complexity.

The Liver Health Formula ingredients include Silymarin from Milk Thistle, which research suggests may help maintain hepatocyte membrane integrity. Turmeric root paired with BioPerine offers improved bioavailability, while Beetroot provides betalains that support phase II detoxification pathways. L-Cysteine and Glycine serve as building blocks for glutathione, one of the liver's primary antioxidant compounds.

Additional botanical components round out the formula:

Artichoke extract and Dandelion root for bile flow support

Ginger and Alfalfa for digestive enzyme activity

Vitamin D3 for overall metabolic function

Each batch is produced in an SQF-certified facility under strict cGMP protocols and verified through independent third-party testing. The vegetarian capsule formula requires just two capsules daily, making it a convenient addition to any wellness routine.

Customer testimonials consistently highlight improvements in energy levels and digestive comfort. Many users report noticing positive changes within the first few weeks of consistent use, contributing to the product's strong reputation within the natural wellness community.

About Purehealth Research

Since 2014, PureHealth Research has served over one million customers worldwide with science-backed formulations developed alongside an Advisory Board of health professionals and scientific researchers. The Virginia-based company remains committed to transparency, quality, and natural wellness solutions.

SOURCE PureHealth Research
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the new year approaches, Miami Beach  one of the world's most iconic design destinations  invites architecture enthusiasts, culture seekers, and design travelers to experience an extraordinary lineup of experiences celebrating the city's architectural environment and creative spirit. From centennial celebrations of Art Deco to exclusive behind-the-scenes access during the third-annual Open House Miami festival, 2026 is set to make Miami Beach a must-visit destination for design and beach lovers.

As the new year approaches, Miami Beach  one of the worlds most iconic design destinations  invites architecture enthusiasts, culture seekers, and design travelers to experience an extraordinary lineup of experiences celebrating the citys architectural environment and creative spirit. From centennial celebrations of Art Deco to exclusive behind-the-scenes access during the third-annual Open House Miami festival, 2026 is set to make Miami Beach a must-visit destination.

The year kicks off with the Centennial Art Deco Weekend, taking place January 911, 2026, in the heart of the Miami Beach Art Deco Historic District. This celebrated annual festival honors 100 years of Art Deco  the architectural movement that defines Miami Beach's unique visual identity  with guided tours, expert talks, exhibitions, live performances, vintage experiences, and family activities. The event transforms Ocean Drive and surrounding streets into a vibrant celebration of design, history, and community.

"Miami Beach is proud to sit at the epicenter of Art Deco design and architecture. Our destination celebrates the preservation of the area's marquee buildings and facades, fusing the integrity of the design past with the modern services and amenities travelers seek," says Peggy Benua, Chair of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). "We honor the history through immersive experiences and installations both visitors and locals can enjoy and continuously learn about the true impact Art Deco has had on Miami Beach and beyond."

Following Art Deco Weekend, Open House Miami (OHMIA) returns for its third-consecutive year, February 27  March 1, 2026, presenting unprecedented access to the city's architecture, neighborhoods, and creative spaces. With over 100 experiences across more than 20 neighborhoods, the complimentary festival invites visitors to explore historic landmarks, contemporary design studios, hidden gems, and cultural icons through tours, workshops, bike rides, and interactive talks. Highlights showcasing Miami Beach's evolving design innovation include Art Deco tours on Ocean Drive and signature hotels and a look at the new Reefline installation.

As travelers make plans to visit Miami Beach in the new year, a number of destination hotels are working to enhance upcoming stays with specialty offers and discounts. Guests can take advantage of seasonal savings and exclusive offers at the new Balfour Miami Beach, ideally located in the South of Fifth area just steps from the beach and Art Deco District. Current deals include up to 30 % off room rates through late May 2026, making it an excellent choice for extended stays around Art Deco Weekend and Open House Miami. Additional perks include curated experiences designed to complement the city's cultural programming. Those looking to stay a reimagined icon can book at The Shelborne By Proper, a design-forward beachfront experience with special seasonal savings. Travelers staying two nights or more can benefit from up to 35 % off and a $100 dining credit per stay when booked for travel through February 2026.

"Upcoming events rooted in architecture and design are a testament to our ongoing dedication to offer experiences that can only be found on Miami Beach," said Grisette Marcos, Executive Director of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. "Our local experts take center stage to showcase Miami Beach as an internationally-recognized destination for culture and iconic style. We're proud to continue supporting initiatives, like Open House Miami, and invite travelers to begin planning their 2026 visit through the complimentary EXP Miami Beach Tours App, available now for download."

For more information on how to start the new year right on Miami Beach and upcoming destination experiences, visit the newly-launched www.experiencemiamibeach.com and follow @ExperienceMiamiBeach Instagram.

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Daniel K. Park, board-certified orthopedic spine physician specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery, joins the spine surgery team at top-ranked Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR) in Chicago effective January 2, 2026. He will see patients at a variety of MOR clinic locations, including Chicago, Oak Brook, Westchester, and Munster, IN. Dr. Park's clinical and research interests are in all disorders of the spine, particularly in minimally invasive surgery, bi-portal endoscopic spine procedure, and conditions and treatments of the cervical spine.

"We're excited to welcome Dan Park to the team," says Dr. Kern Singh, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush spine surgeon and Director of Spine Surgery, Rush University Medical Center. "He brings more than 15 years of experience managing complex spine patients, along with a mastery of the most cutting-edge surgical techniques."

Dr. Park completed his undergraduate degree at Emory University, medical school degree at Duke University, residency at Rush University, and spine fellowship training at Emory University.

After practicing for 15 years at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI, he was recruited to come back to join Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush where he completed an orthopedic surgery residency. He served as a Professor in Orthopedic Spine Surgery and as Director of Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Spine Surgery at William Beaumont Hospital. Dr. Park is one of the first surgeons in the U.S. to adopt the biportal endoscopic spine procedure and has been performing this ultra-minimally invasive surgery since 2017. He has trained numerous other physicians, has written many publications, and has worked with the medical industry to make the procedure even more reproducible and effective. He is the co-founder of the World Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic-America Society.

Dr. Park has been active in research and has been recognized for his research endeavors, including receiving the Talmage Peele Award at Duke University being selected as the best resident researcher three straight years at Rush University. He has presented his research at various national meetings, including the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS), Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute medical student research symposium.

In addition to his professional commitments, Dr. Park believes in giving back, having completed medical mission trips to Uganda and Guatemala.

For appointments, call 877.632.6637 or visit www.rushortho.com/schedule-an-appointment.

SOURCE Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
CANTANHEDE, Portugal, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mondego Bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation small-molecule immuno-oncology therapies, today announced the formal selection of its lead clinical candidate, ZE00-0388, a highly selective inhibitor of PTPN2. Candidate nomination follows completion of an extensive preclinical evaluation package demonstrating a favorable safety and tolerability profile in relevant animal models.

With this milestone, Mondego Bio is transitioning into clinical-stage operations and plans to initiate a first-in-human (FIH) Phase 1 clinical study in the first half of 2026.

The planned clinical program is designed to characterize initial safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, while enabling exploratory translational assessments in oncology. The Phase 1 study is expected to include a dual-track design, consisting of a healthy volunteer cohort intended to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics to inform dose selection and exposure characterization, and oncology patient cohorts designed to explore the safety, tolerability, and pharmacologic profile of ZE00-0388 when administered as monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, with evaluation of selected biomarkers in patients with solid tumors.

"The selection of ZE00-0388 marks a pivotal transition for Mondego Bio from discovery into clinical development," said Nikolay Savchuk, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Mondego Bio. "Our preclinical data support a disciplined and measured entry into the clinic. By selectively targeting PTPN2, we aim to investigate its potential role in modulating immune signaling pathways, including in combination with established immuno-oncology approaches."

ZE00-0388 is an AI-designed, highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of PTPN2 (Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Non-Receptor Type 2), an intracellular regulator of cytokine and interferon signaling. PTPN2 acts as a negative regulator of the JAKSTAT pathway and has been implicated in mechanisms of immune regulation within the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical studies suggest that modulation of PTPN2 activity may influence interferon signaling and immune cell function, supporting further clinical investigation in oncology settings.

Advancement of ZE00-0388 into clinical development is supported by the Company's recent Series A financing, led by Biovance Capital, with participation from OrbiMed and Torrey Pines Investment.

About Mondego Bio

Headquartered in Biocant Park in Cantanhede, Portugal, Mondego Bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation small-molecule therapies for oncology. The Company was incubated through the AI- and machine-learningdriven discovery platform of Expert Systems, in collaboration with Eilean Therapeutics and Molsoft LLC. Mondego Bio integrates rational design, computational pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry expertise to target intracellular regulators relevant to immune modulation and cancer biology.

For more information, visit www.mondegobio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the initiation, timing, design, and conduct of planned clinical studies; the potential safety, tolerability, and pharmacologic profile of ZE00-0388; the evaluation of ZE00-0388 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors; and Mondego Bio's development plans and strategic objectives. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, uncertainties inherent in drug discovery and development, clinical trial execution and outcomes, regulatory review processes, and the availability of capital. Mondego Bio undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Media Contact

Rita Santos, PhD

Director, External Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Mondego Bio
Annex Brands, Inc. Supports Local Entrepreneurs in Sustaining Essential Shipping and Office Services

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Annex Brands, Inc., a leading franchisor in the packing, shipping, and office services industries, is pleased to announce the successful transfer of ownership of a Pak Mail location in Grand Rapids, MI to new owners, Gaurav Kaila and Vinod Arora. This transition to new ownership ensures that the community will continue to benefit from the 26 years of expert shipping and office services provided by this Pak Mail location.

Located at 1971 E Beltline Ave NE., Ste. 106, in Grand Rapids, MI 49525, this Pak Mail is offering a comprehensive array of services, including shipping options with UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL, plus expert packing services, private mailbox rentals, notary public services, and office solutions such as printing and packaging supplies.

"We're excited to serve the Grand Rapids community and looking forward to build on a strong foundation and deliver innovative, customer-focused shipping and office solutions," said Kaila.

Annex Brands, the franchisor of Pak Mail, has a long-standing reputation for excellence in the franchising industry.

"We're so excited to welcome Gaurav and Vinod as the new owners of Pak Mail US545," said Patrick Edd, Chief Executive Officer & President of Annex Brands. "Changes like this show how strong our franchise family really is. We can't wait to see them bring fresh ideas and keep making a positive impact in the Grand Rapids community."

Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Annex Brands has been providing business ownership opportunities since 1985 and now licenses and franchises over 800 locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Their brands, including PostalAnnex, Pak Mail, AIM Mail Centers, Parcel Plus, Sunshine Pack & Ship, Navis Pack & Ship, and Handle With Care Packaging Store, are synonymous with reliable and professional service.

For more information about Pak Mail US545 located at 1971 E Beltline Ave NE., Ste. 106, in Grand Rapids, MI 49525, and the services offered at this location, please visit www.pakmail.com/US545.

ABOUT COMPANY:

Annex Brands, Inc. licenses and franchises over 800 locations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the brands PostalAnnex, Pak Mail, AIM Mail Centers, Parcel Plus, Sunshine Pack & Ship, Navis Pack & Ship and Handle With Care Packaging Store. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Annex Brands has been providing business ownership opportunities since 1985. Locations offer a range of shipping options from multiple carriers such as UPS, FedEx and USPS, as well as freight shipping for large, awkward, high-value, or fragile items. Additional offerings include packaging supplies and custom packing solutions for parcels and wooden crates, as well as mailbox services and other office services such as notary public services, copy and print services, and more. For more information, visit www.annexbrands.com.

Contact: Michelle McKee

Phone: (619) 563-4800

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Annex Brands, Inc.
76% of voters support providing free school breakfast to all K-12 Maryland students

Three other states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas have recently implemented free school breakfast for all students.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A supermajority of Maryland voters support providing free school breakfast to all Maryland students, according to a new poll released today by Solving Hunger, a project of Tusk Philanthropies.

"With so much nutrition uncertainty at the federal level, states are taking matters into their own hands, and as the next legislative session kicks off in Annapolis, we urge all elected officials to step up. If Arkansas can feed all of their kids breakfast, surely Maryland can do what's right and do what is proven to work and feed its own," said Lisa Quigley, Director of Solving Hunger.

In the survey of 600 registered voters conducted between December 4-8, 2025 by Hart research, more than three-quarters of voters favored providing free breakfast to all K-12 students in Maryland. 60% of voters strongly support this proposal and 62% of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator that voted for this proposal. On the contrary, 56% of voters would be less likely to vote for a legislator that voted against this proposal.

Free breakfast for students is such a popular policy that even as voters were read criticisms of the program during the survey, support only fell by 5 points. The survey also revealed the strongest argument in favor of school meals  that the current eligibility level is exceedingly low and wealthy school districts do not offer free meals to students in need:

"Given low federal eligibility standards, many students who don't qualify for free school meals now come from families who are still struggling. To qualify for free meals for this school year in Maryland, a family of four has to make less than $42,000 a year. When grocery bills are so high, many families making more than $42,000 a year are still struggling. And in many of the so-called wealthy school districts across Maryland who don't currently offer universal free school meals, there are still kids who don't come from wealthy families, meaning those kids are going hungry."

Three other states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas have implemented free school breakfast for all students. Nine states, including Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, California, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Michigan are all providing free school meals, both breakfast and lunch. The cost of the proposal in Maryland is $36 million annually, with the federal government already paying the lion's share of the school breakfast and lunch programs.

To learn more, visit https://solvinghungermd.com

About Solving Hunger Maryland

Solving Hunger Maryland, along with Solving Hunger , a project of Tusk Philanthropies , is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through expansion of school meals in states. We are committed to getting food to kids, many of whom rely on school meals as their primary source of daily nutrition. Solving Hunger Maryland is on a mission to educate the public and pass state funding to increase access to school meals in Maryland, starting with universal school breakfast.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Solving Hunger
Education Cannot Wait-supported UNICEF Learning Centres help children affected by crisis, like Nizar, overcome adversity and reclaim their education in Syria.

AL-SAFIRA, Syria, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the rural city of Al-Safira in Syria, young Nizar's world changed in a tragic instant.

He was just five years old, playing with his siblings, when a bullet struck his head. The injury shattered part of his skull and shaped his childhood in painful ways  leaving Nizar with hemiplegia, which severely limits movement in his right leg and affects his speech.

Nizar studying at the Education Cannot Wait-supported UNICEF Learning Centre.  UNICEF/Deeb

The ordeal not only left Nizar with physical scars, but also impacted his mental health. Over time, he withdrew into isolation, unable to escape the shadow of his trauma. School, which should have been a place of safety, only intensified his struggles. Bullied for his disability, he was left feeling alone.

Then Nizar enrolled in a local UNICEF-supported learning centre and remedial classes that help children make up for the studies that they have missed. That was when everything changed for the fifteen-year-old. With funding from Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) and other global donors, UNICEF in Syria is able to reach children most in need of education support.

Growing up, Nizar's close-knit family in rural Aleppo struggled with displacement, escalating violence and economic hardship. But their biggest challenge was how to cope with his injury. Besides hindering his ability to walk, it left him deeply afraid of loud noises like gunshots. Because of this, as well as the bullying he experienced at his school, Nizar grew to prefer staying at home.

"My peers used to make fun of me, saying that I walk like a robot. I never wanted to leave the house," says Nizar.

His mother saw beyond his limitations. She believed fiercely in her son's potential, recognizing a sharp mind and resilient spirit despite his hardships. In a remarkable act of solidarity, she enrolled herself in grade nine to stand by his side. "I told him that his bright mind is more visible than his disability," says his mother. "Nizar's education is my top priority. I will not allow him to drop out of school under any circumstances."

Still, despite his family's unwavering encouragement, Nizar's journey was fraught with setbacks. His head injury often led to lengthy hospitalizations, creating a significant gap in his education. The risk of him falling behind grew with each passing day. "His education gap became huge. Nizar needed additional support to achieve his goal and keep learning," says his mother.

Then came a glimmer of hope. A neighbour told Nizar's mother about a UNICEF-supported learning centre nearby, a haven for children like him who had missed school due to circumstances beyond their control. Without hesitation, she enrolled him  and Nizar's two sisters  desperate to give her children another chance at an education. The impact of this centre on Nizar's life was nothing short of transformative.

At the centre, Nizar found himself in a welcoming, supportive learning environment for the first time. With a teacher who cared deeply, classmates who treated him kindly and a curriculum tailored to bridge his learning gaps, he was given a chance at a fresh start. "I am heard here! Everyone is nice to me. The teacher is amazing and my classmates are very supportive," says Nizar.

As the global fund for education in emergencies, ECW has been providing critical funding to support to children affected by crisis in Syria since 2017.

In 2024, ECW scaled-up its Multi-Year Resilience Programme in the country with a US$20 million grant. The programme ensures continuous, quality education in challenging environments through a holistic approach  including providing mental health and psychosocial support, establishing safe learning spaces to protect children from attacks and violence and addressing the diverse needs of crisis-affected children like Nizar. It also strengthens national and local education systems.

Today, Nizar looks forward to school each morning. "When I focus on the power of my education, I feel excited and forget about my injury. I picture big dreams for myself." Thanks to the encouragement and opportunities he's received, Nizar has made immense strides in his studies and is preparing to take the national exam.

This journey of resilience was only possible with the support of people who believe in the power of education and healing  within Nizar's family, community and beyond. Nizar's story is a testament to the tangible impact that quality education and holistic support can have in a child's life. "I want to become a doctor in the future," says Nizar. "I witnessed the important role that doctors play, and I want to do the same."

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2850587/Nizar_ECW_UNICEF_Learning_Centre.jpg
Robert Trail Named Chief Executive Officer; Founder David Seuss to Continue as Principal Product Strategist. Company Also Announces Expansion of Senior Leadership Team.

BOSTON, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Light, a leading provider of Competitive and Market Intelligence solutions for enterprises, today announced a planned leadership transition as part of its continued growth following LoneTree Capital's investment in the company. Effective immediately, Robert Trail, previously President of Northern Light, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Co-Founder and longtime CEO David Seuss will transition into the role of Founder and Principal Product Strategist.

Northern Light Announces Leadership Transition as Part of LoneTree Capital Investment (PRNewsfoto/Northern Light)

This leadership evolution reflects years of thoughtful succession planning and positions Northern Light to accelerate innovation, particularly in AI-driven intelligence solutions, while maintaining the product vision and customer focus that have defined the company since its founding.

"Today marks an exciting new chapter for Northern Light," said Robert Trail, CEO. "This transition is the result of deliberate planning, the ongoing support of Lone Tree Capital, and, most importantly, the foundation David Seuss built alongside an exceptional team. David has been an incredible mentor to me and to our recently expanded management team, and his continued involvement ensures continuity in both vision and execution."

In his new role, Seuss will focus on guiding Northern Light's product strategy and long-term innovation roadmap, bringing the same forward-thinking approach that has driven the company's success for decades.

As part of this next phase of growth, Northern Light also announced the addition of two senior leaders:

Mike Perozek , Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Success, who will lead global revenue growth and customer engagement initiatives.

, Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Success, who will lead global revenue growth and customer engagement initiatives. Sarah Hughes, Vice President of Marketing, who will oversee brand strategy, demand generation, product marketing, and go-to-market execution.

These leaders complement Northern Light's broader leadership team, which brings deep experience across research, product, finance, corporate development, and strategy, including:

Anton Voskresenskiy , Chief Research Officer

, Chief Research Officer Sheri Larsen , Chief Product Officer

, Chief Product Officer David Kelly, Chief Financial Officer

"These leadership additions underscore LoneTree Capital's investment in Northern Light's long-term growth," added Trail. "With a strong specialized management team in place, we're well positioned to scale responsibly, innovate rapidly, and continue delivering exceptional outcomes for our customers."

Northern Light remains deeply committed to its customers and partners, continuing to evolve its platform to meet the growing intelligence needs of enterprise teams worldwide.

About Northern Light

Northern Light is the backbone of Market and Competitive Intelligence for enterprise organizations. Its AI-powered intelligence platform brings together trusted content, AI-driven analysis, and human-led intelligence design to transform complex information into clear, decision-ready insight.

Supporting strategy, marketing, product, and research teams worldwide, Northern Light serves as a central system of record for intelligence, enabling organizations to monitor markets, understand competitors, and align teams around a shared, trusted view of the landscape.

Learn more at northernlight.com.

Correction: The spelling of the CEO's name has been corrected on the inline photo.

SOURCE Northern Light
Oversonic to supply custom humanoids to ST's global network of semiconductor plants

Collaborative demo during CES

MILAN, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oversonic Robotics, an Italian company specialized in cognitive humanoid robotics, announces the signing of an agreement with STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global leader in semiconductors, for the introduction of custom RoBee cognitive humanoid robots into the production and logistics processes of several ST plants globally. This is the first time that a company in the semiconductor sector will operationally integrate cognitive humanoid robots into its factories, marking a turning point in the evolution of advanced manufacturing industry. The first humanoid is deployed in ST's advanced packaging and test fab in Malta.

Robee, the cognitive humanoid robot created by Oversonic Robotics. RoBee is the only humanoid robot certified for use in both industrial and healthcare sectors. RoBee is already operational in several Italian companies and engaged in experimental programs within hospitals

"The partnership with STMicroelectronics is a great source of pride for us because it embodies the vision of cognitive robotics that Oversonic has brought to the industrial and healthcare markets," comments Fabio Puglia, President of Oversonic. "Being the first to introduce cognitive humanoid robots in a sophisticated production context such as semiconductors means measuring ourselves against the highest standards in terms of reliability, safety, and operational continuity. This agreement represents a fundamental milestone for Oversonic and, more generally, for the industrial challenges these new machines are called to face in innovative and highly complex environments, alongside people and supporting their quality of work."

"A key parameter of the long-term competitiveness of our global advanced manufacturing infrastructure is our ability to deploy automation and robotics solutions at scale. Humanoids integration is the next frontier," said Fabio Gualandris, President Quality, Manufacturing and Technology of STMicroelectronics. "Oversonic's cognitive humanoid robots, support complex tasks enabling ST to manage complex manufacturing flow required by new products, further enhance products quality and shorten cycle tim. These Humanoids capability to cooperate with industrial automation and agentics to agentics based software systems increase employee safety, service continuity, and overall efficiency. With this initiative, and the deployment of the first fleet of humanoids, STMicroelectronics confirms its role as a pioneer in adopting strategic and sustainable technologies to maintain global leadership in the semiconductor industry."

By virtue of the agreement, Oversonic Robotics will be collaborating with ST at CES to showcase live demonstrations of their RoBee humanoid robot and the applications developed for advanced production and manufacturing contexts. The demonstration represents the international launch of the collaboration, with support from robotic systems engineering and automation experts from both companies. The ST exhibition is invitation-only, and meetings must be scheduled with your Oversonic or ST contact.

Oversonic Robotics is an Italian company that designs and manufactures cognitive humanoid robots such as RoBee  the only humanoid robot certified for use in both industrial and healthcare sectors. RoBee is already operational in several Italian companies and engaged in experimental programs within hospitals. Founded in 2020 in Besana Brianza (MB  Lombardy), the company established its technological and production center in Carate Brianza (MB) and now operates from two additional locations: a representative office in Milan and an operational site in Rovereto (Trento  Trentino), within the Mechatronic Hub of Trentino Sviluppo. Oversonic employs a team of 65 professionals, including around thirty engineers specialized in the fields of computer science, mechanical, and electronic engineering, coming from various parts of the world. With a natural international outlook, the company nonetheless maintains a strong Italian identity, bringing to market products whose creativity and ingenuity are representative of Italian entrepreneurship and technological know-how. In CB Insights' 2024 "Tech Trends" report, Oversonic was named among the 13 "Leading Public Players in Humanoid Robotics" worldwide for the industrial sector. In 2024, the company was also included in LinkedIn's Top Startups list, further consolidating its position among the most prominent innovative companies.

Contacts

Oversonic

Media Relations Advisor

MY TWIN COMMUNICATION S.r.l.

Mail: [email protected]

Giorgia Fenaroli | Tel. +39 3342208486

Marzia Coppola | Tel. +39 3756115009

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2850048/Oversonic_Robee.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2850049/Oversonic_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Oversonic Robotics
PLANO, Texas, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplilearn , which has more than eight million learners in 150+ countries, has agreed a strategic partnership with Said Business School, University of Oxford, to deliver five cutting-edge programmes to professionals worldwide. Focused on AI-driven business and technology education, the programmes bring together the academic excellence of Oxford Said, as part of the world's #1-ranked university (Times Higher Education World University Rankings), with Simplilearn's international platform.

University of Oxford-Said Business School Logo (PRNewsfoto/Simplilearn Solutions Private Limited)

The programmes are designed for business leaders navigating AI transformation across industries. The portfolio spans AI-driven decision-making, organisational readiness, cybersecurity, advanced analytics, and modern strategic finance.Speaking about the collaboration, Mr Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO, Simplilearn, said: "Partnering with Oxford Said represents a defining moment in our mission to democratise access to world-class education. Oxford Said's legacy of academic excellence, combined with our platform's ability to deliver engaging live learning at scale, creates powerful opportunities for professionals globally."

"As AI reshapes industries, leaders need both strategic thinking and technical fluency, exactly what this partnership delivers. We are honoured to build programmes that transform careers and equip leaders to navigate our digital-first world."

Caroline Williams, Executive Director of Oxford Said Online, commented: "Simplilearn is a valued partner in preparing the next generation of leaders. Through this collaboration, we extend Oxford Said's research and expertise to professionals seeking confident leadership amid rapid technological change. Our programmes combine strategic frameworks, AI fluency, academic rigour, and practical, immediately applicable tools designed to fit demanding careers. Together, we're making Oxford Said's insights more widely accessible through Simplilearn's proven, high-quality learning platform for growth-minded professionals worldwide.''

A recent industry report stated, 62% of business leaders are prioritising AI integration over traditional goals, such as revenue growth and cost reduction. Many lack the frameworks and expertise to implement it effectively, however. These programmes address the critical skill gaps faced by professionals preparing their organisations for effective and responsible AI integration.

These Oxford Said programmes are delivered through a comprehensive learning experience combining rich content, including reading materials, case studies, videos, podcasts, and assessments, with exclusive Oxford Said faculty masterclasses at set intervals.

Founded 30 years ago, Oxford Said has a philosophy of 'transforming individuals, who transform businesses, which transform the world'. It has earned global recognition by developing industry leaders who drive meaningful change. Through this partnership, professionals worldwide gain access to the skills they need, exactly when they need them, without stepping away from their careers.

Learners completing these programmes earn Elumni status, receiving a University of Oxfordbranded certificate and gaining access to Oxford Said's growing global professional network of more than 50,000 executive learners, the 'Elumni' community, together with its associated resources.

The programmes will be delivered on Simplilearn's platform, featuring Oxford Said's comprehensive curriculum and periodic Oxford faculty masterclasses. This flexible format allows busy professionals to learn at their own pace while engaging with world-class content and Oxford's thought leadership. Learners also benefit from Simplilearn's proven infrastructure, including 24/7 support and a global professional community.

About Simplilearn

Founded in 2010 and based in Plano, Texas, and Bangalore, India, Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is a global leader in digital upskilling, enabling learners across the globe and offering access to world-class training to individuals and businesses worldwide. Simplilearn offers 1,500+ live classes each month across 150+ countries, impacting over 8 million learners globally. The programmes are designed and delivered in partnership with world-renowned universities, top corporations, and leading industry bodies via live online classes featuring top industry practitioners, sought-after trainers, and global leaders. From college students and early career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses, and big corporations, Simplilearn's role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognised, and globally relevant training programmes are ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or business goals.

About Oxford Said Online

Oxford Said Online brings Said Business School, at the University of Oxford, academic excellence to learners worldwide through high-impact digital education. Launched in 2022, it delivers rigorous, practice-focused courses created by Oxford Said faculty and supported by a dedicated online learning team.

Its programmes combine research-led insights, interactive learning design, and global peer networks to help professionals navigate real-world challenges in areas such as leadership, sustainability, finance, fintech, AI and digital transformation. Through partnerships with leading institutions and platforms, Oxford Said Online extends Oxford Said's reach and supports learners everywhere to translate knowledge into meaningful impact.

Said Business School at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and innovative business school, embedded within a 900-year-old world-leading university. Oxford Said creates programmes and ideas that have a global impact and reach. It educates leaders, change makers, and innovators across every industry and sector. Its groundbreaking research and exceptional teaching transforms individuals, who transform businesses, which transforms the world. Oxford Said creates impact from within.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2850262/University_of_Oxford_Said_Business_School.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1100016/Simplilearn_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Simplilearn Solutions Private Limited
With the upgraded AI Vision, Samsung becomes more fluent in food recognition and expands the reach of kitchen experiences

Company will also showcase a new Bespoke AI Wine Cellar and newly designed cooking appliances

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that it will unveil its latest kitchen appliances lineup at CES 2026, including the latest iterations of its Bespoke AI refrigerator, over-the-range (OTR) microwave, and slide-in range[1] at CES 2026. Alongside refreshed designs across the lineup, the company will highlight meaningful improvements to vision-based AI functionality enhanced with Google Gemini and Google Cloud, showing how these innovations simplify everyday tasks and elevate the overall kitchen experience.

Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub Bespoke AI Wine Cellar

"In pioneering the application of vision-based AI technology, Samsung has led innovation in the kitchen appliance market," said Jeong Seung Moon, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Team for Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung will reach a new level of innovation through this collaboration with Google Cloud and will utilize these ongoing initiatives to continue to deliver better consumer experiences in the upcoming year."

Introducing Samsung's Latest AI VisionEquipped Refrigerator

At CES, Samsung will present a new Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub, equipped with the upgraded AI Vision. The feature's key upgrade is its functions built with Google Gemini, which marks the first time that it is being integrated into a refrigerator.

Previously, it could recognize up to 37 types of fresh food and 50 types of pre-registered processed food on-device.[2] The latest version ready to be unveiled at CES is built to unlock its existing limitations to recognize more food items, offering a comprehensive and flexible experience.

It is planned to even recognize processed foods without separate registration, automatically registering their names to increase convenience. Additionally, Samsung aims to make it detect user-labeled items, foods stored in personal containers can be added to the food list.

With ingredients being identified more accurately, managing the food list becomes clearer and easier than before, broadening people's food-related experiences. At CES, Samsung plans to showcase the enhanced capabilities and new use cases of AI Vision, demonstrating the future of a truly personalized AI kitchen.

Enhanced Wine Management With the New Samsung Bespoke AI Wine Cellar

Samsung will exhibit the new Bespoke AI Wine Cellar, designed to incorporate an AI Vision built with Google Gemini similar to that of the Bespoke AI Refrigerator.[3]

When users store or remove wine bottles from the wine cellar, a camera positioned at the top of the unit will recognize the labels and tracks bottles, updating the SmartThings AI Wine Manager[4] accordingly. The system will also be able to distinguish the specific shelf and compartment where each bottle is placed, allowing users to easily check locations without searching manually. Through the AI Wine Manager, users will be able to look up wine information more conveniently and receive suggestions on pairings based on the type of wine in their inventory, making wine curation more intuitive and personalized.

Unified Kitchen Aesthetic With an Upgraded Stainless Look

Samsung is also introducing a lineup of French Door refrigerators, slide-in ranges and new OTR microwave models, offering consumers an updated aesthetic and a cohesive stainless-look option for creating a unified kitchen design.

The new Bespoke AI 3-Door French Door refrigerator features a zero clearance fit, which can be installed with side gaps of approximately 4mm.[5] Additionally, its door depth has been reduced by 50mm compared to the conventional 3-Door model,[6] enabling full access to drawers and food items with the doors wide open.[7] The AutoView  a transparent door  allows users to easily check items stored in the fridge.

The upgraded slide-in range features a completely refreshed design with a stainless-look finish across the control panel, knobs and door. It adopts a new bar handle style, along with a Precision Knob that provides enhanced safety.

Samsung will unveil two different types of OTR microwaves: the Air-Fry OTR and the DualVent OTR. The most significant change comes from the revised hood structure of the DualVent model. Typically, the depth of a cooktop on the range extends farther than that of an OTR, making it difficult for the hood to capture smoke from the front burners. Samsung's new dual vent system addresses this by adding a front ventilation wing in addition to the bottom ventilation, significantly improving the capture rate compared to the previous model.

Visitors at Samsung's booth at CES 2026 will be the first to see these new innovations. Learn more about Samsung's CES activities here.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com

[1] This article contains products and features currently in development. The plans, timelines, and specifications described are forward-looking and subject to change without notice. Their future availability is not guaranteed.

[2] As of April 2025, AI Vision can recognize 37 food items like fresh fruits and vegetables. If the food is not recognizable, it may be listed as an unknown item. AI Vision cannot identify or list any food items in the fridge door bins or freezer. It recognizes food items based on deep learning models, which may be updated periodically to improve accuracy. AI Vision also recognizes packaged food items that have been saved by the user, and up to 50 items can be saved with designated names. Packaged items are limited to those that keep a certain packaged form.

[3] The recognition functionality is only available for shelves with withdrawal capability. For wine input and output, the label must be exposed to the top camera for proper recognition. Additionally, the multi-pantry drawer provides food storage functionality, and information about the food items stored in these drawers is provided as a separate image.

[4] Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required. Both devices must be signed in with the same Samsung account.

[5] Minimum required installation space for a custom built-in setup: [Width] 916 mm or more (Ensure a minimum gap of 4 mm on the left/right sides), [Height] 1798 mm or more (Ensure a minimum gap of 20 mm at the top).

[6] Compared to our conventional model without zero clearance fit feature (RF32CG5400**)

[7] The refrigerator door can be open up to 108, but it depends on the installation environment.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2849976/Bespoke_AI_Wine_Cellar.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2849977/Bespoke_AI_Refrigerator.jpg

SOURCE Samsung Digital Appliances
BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- David I. Shiner, on behalf of the entire firm, has issued the following statement regarding Shiner Law Group Trial Attorney Brandon Billmaier, Esq., and his uncle, Attorney Randall "Randy" Spivey, Esq., who remain missing following a fishing trip on Friday, December 19, 2025:

Brandon Billmaier

"On behalf of everyone at Shiner Law Group, we are deeply saddened by the disappearance of Brandon and his uncle, Randy. Brandon is a valued member of our firm and someone we care about tremendously, both as a colleague and as our friend. Brandon is an exceptional person and a great lawyer, and we are heartbroken.

Our hearts are with Brandon's family and loved ones, and with everyone who is anxiously waiting for answers.

This situation has been surreal; we continue to pray and hold onto hope for the safe return of Brandon and Randy as search efforts remain underway. We respectfully ask that the public keep Brandon Billmaier and Randy Spivey in their thoughts and prayers."

David I. Shiner

Shiner Law Group

7800 Congress Avenue, Suite 108

Boca Raton, Florida 33487

SOURCE Shiner Law Group
J&J Electric of Indiana, Inc. is a leading contractor with industrial and commercial customers throughout Indiana and the Midwest; the business holds preferred vendor status with several blue-chip customers, including Duke Energy, Stellantis and many others.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The State Group Industrial (USA) Limited (The State Group), a portfolio company of funds managed by Apollo, today announced the acquisition of J&J Electric of Indiana, Inc., (J&J Electric) a leading Kokomo, Indiana-based electrical contractor. With operations in Central Indiana, J&J Electric has over 200 union electricians focusing on electrical construction and maintenance, fire, security, communications, utility, and safety systems.

"Our successful partnership with The State Group is a testament to our team's collective effort to be the best in providing high quality, value added electrical solutions for our customers and to our commitment to the local communities we serve," said Jeff Linkenhelt, President of J&J Electric. "We're excited to join The State Group as we begin the next chapter of J&J Electric's growth and future for our employees."

J&J Electric of Indiana was founded in 1990 in Kokomo, Indiana and quickly established a clear mission that enabled them to grow into the respected organization that they are today. That mission is: to deliver unparalleled Commercial, Industrial, and Utility services to our valued clients. We take immense pride in our commitment to SAFETY, QUALITY, and PERFORMANCE, ensuring that every project we undertake meets the highest standards of excellence.

"The addition of J&J Electric provides an exciting opportunity to partner with a company aligned with our own values in prioritizing quality of service, not price," said Michael Lampert, President and CEO of The State Group. "J&J Electric has a strong brand built on a foundation of over 35 years of high-quality service. We are proud to welcome the entire J&J Electric team into The State Group family as we grow our existing business in Kokomo and our footprint into greater Central and Northern Indiana."

About The State Group Headquartered in Franklin, TN: The State Group is a leading North American multi-trade industrial and specialty services contractor. Established in 1961, the company provides comprehensive electrical and mechanical trade services to Fortune 100 companies in power generation, automotive, datacenter, ecommerce, oil and gas, communications, metals and transportation industries. The State Group performs over eight million man-hours annually of retrofit, maintenance, construction and emergency services and maintains a tooling and equipment inventory to support its skilled workforce. The company has offices across the United States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.stategroup.com .

"Berenson & Company, LLC operated as financial advisor to The State Group for the transaction."

SOURCE The State Group
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United Vein & Vascular Centers (UVVC), a national leader in minimally invasive vein and vascular care, is proud to announce the opening of its newest clinic in Douglasville, Georgia, expanding access to expert outpatient care across the western Atlanta metro area. Starting today, patients can visit the new facility located at 6880 Douglas Blvd, Ste E, Douglasville, GA 30135, for advanced, personalized treatment of vein and vascular conditions.

The Douglasville clinic strengthens UVVC's growing network of state-of-the-art centers, providing residents of Douglasville, Winston, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica, and surrounding communities with convenient access to comprehensive vein care close to home. At the Douglasville location, patients can expect compassionate, results-driven care delivered through minimally invasive procedures designed to relieve leg pain, improve circulation, and restore comfort and mobility. UVVC's specialists develop individualized treatment plans using advanced imaging and technology to achieve long-term relief and superior outcomes.

Patients at the Douglasville clinic will have access to a full suite of modern procedures, including:

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) : Heat-based treatment that closes damaged veins to relieve discomfort.

Heat-based treatment that closes damaged veins to relieve discomfort. VenaSeal  Closure System : Non-thermal adhesive procedure that seals diseased veins quickly and comfortably.

Non-thermal adhesive procedure that seals diseased veins quickly and comfortably. Varithena  : Microfoam therapy that collapses problem veins and restores healthy blood flow.

Microfoam therapy that collapses problem veins and restores healthy blood flow. Microphlebectomy : Minimally invasive removal of large varicose veins through small incisions.

Minimally invasive removal of large varicose veins through small incisions. Sclerotherapy: Injectable treatment that collapses affected veins and reroutes blood flow to healthier vessels.

The Douglasville clinic will be led by Dr. Conrad Manayan, D.O., a board-certified vein specialist known for his precision, expertise, and commitment to providing long-lasting symptom relief. Dr. Manayan develops personalized care plans tailored to each patient's symptoms, goals, and vascular health needs.

With the opening of the Douglasville clinic, United Vein & Vascular Centers now operates 6 clinics across Georgia, expanding its reach and reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality vein and vascular care throughout the state. For more information or to schedule a consultation at the Douglasville clinic, visit our website or call (800) 952-5954.

About United Vein & Vascular Centers

United Vein & Vascular Centers provides safe, effective outpatient care for vein and vascular disease at over 50 locations nationwide, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. With state-of-the-art medical technology and board-certified physicians, UVVC remains at the forefront of vein and vascular healthcare.

Media contact:

Barbara Kramer or Mike Patino

[email protected]

SOURCE United Vein & Vascular Centers
Valmet Oyj's press release on December 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EET

ESPOO, Finland, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet has entered into an agreement to acquire Severn Group ("Severn"), a well-established industrial valve company, from Bluewater, a UK-based private equity firm. The acquisition covers all three Severn divisions: Severn Glocon, ValvTechnologies, and LB Bentley. Severn serves process industries globally and has over a 60-year track record of delivering specialized flow control solutions across the most demanding applications. Severn's strong technologies, installed base and customer relationships with a diverse set of the world's largest blue-chip industrial companies support Valmet's growth strategy beyond its traditional core biomaterials business.

The acquisition further strengthens Valmet's Process Performance Solutions segment and position as a leading provider of mission-critical valve and valve automation solutions and services. Valmet's Flow Control business, known for brands such as Neles, Jamesbury, Neles Easyflow, Valvcon, Stonel and Flowrox, delivers process performance across its strategic core industries, including Refining and Chemicals, Renewable Energy and Gases as well as Mining and Metals. In 2024, net sales of Valmet's Flow Control business were EUR 791 million.

"This acquisition marks a significant step in the execution of Valmet's Lead the Way strategy, strengthening our Process Performance Solutions segment and expanding our Flow Control business. Severn's strong capabilities and proven track record in severe service for demanding applications make it an excellent strategic fit for Valmet. This acquisition strengthens our commitment to deliver lasting customer value over the life cycle. We are proud to welcome Severn's skilled and dedicated employees to Valmet," says Thomas Hinnerskov, President and CEO of Valmet.

"Valmet's existing valve technologies and the competencies of the Severn businesses complement each other well, creating a stronger foundation for ensuring process reliability throughout the lifecycle to both Valmet and Severn customers. This combination unlocks strong synergy potential through complementary offerings, expanded market reach, and increased service penetration within Severn's installed base by leveraging Valmet's global network and capabilities," says Simo Saaskilahti, EVP, Flow Control business area at Valmet.

"We are proud to welcome Valmet as our new owner and look forward to building on the strong foundation laid over recent years. Thanks to Bluewater's visionary leadership, Severn Group has grown from a British manufacturer in the energy space into a global industrial business with a truly international footprint. As we look ahead, the scale and breadth of the global opportunities in front of us are greater than ever and ones we cannot fully unlock alone. Joining Valmet positions us to accelerate our growth, expand into new markets, and deliver even greater value to customers worldwide. We are excited about this next phase of Severn's journey," says Perttu Louhiluoto, CEO of Severn.

Severn's net sales in 2025 are estimated to amount to approximately EUR 215 million, with an EBITDA margin of around 16%. The company employs about 950 people and manufactures mainly in the UK, USA, and India. Of its divisions, Severn Glocon and ValvTechnologies focus on severe service valve solutions for critical process industry applications, including refining and chemical, mining, as well as power, upstream oil and gas. LB Bentley is recognized as a market leader in high-quality sub-sea valves.

The transaction is valued at USD 480 million on a cash and debt-free basis (approximately EUR 410 million calculated at prevailing exchange rates) paid in cash upon completion. Valmet has entered into a committed financing arrangement with Danske Bank A/S and OP Corporate Bank to secure the funding for the acquisition. At the end of Q3 2025, Valmet's gearing was 38%. When the acquisition is completed, the planned financing is estimated to increase Valmet's gearing by approximately 15 percentage points, reflecting the current debt profile. The company's 2030 financial target for gearing is below 50%.

The acquisition is estimated to be completed during the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

VALMET

Corporate communications

Further information, please contact:

Investors: Pekka Rouhiainen, VP, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020

Media: Simo Saaskilahti, EVP, Flow Control business area, tel. +358 50 386 3234

Valmet is a global technology leader serving process industries. We work together with our customers throughout the entire lifecycle, delivering cutting-edge technologies and services as well as mission-critical automation and flow control solutions. Backed by more than 225 years of industrial experience and a global team of over 19,000 professionals close to customers, we are uniquely positioned to transform industries toward a regenerative tomorrow.

In 2024, Valmet's net sales totaled approximately EUR 5.4 billion. Our head office is in Espoo, Finland, and we have experts in approximately 40 countries around the world. Valmet's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

Follow us on valmet.com | X | X (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram |

Processing of personal data

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/valmet-oyj/r/valmet-to-acquire-severn-group-to-strengthen-process-performance-solutions-segment,c4285529
CONCORD, N.C., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten Tenths Motor Club has named longtime automotive executive Andy Thomas as its new Vice President of Manufacturer Relations, bringing more than three decades of global experience in luxury automotive sales, marketing and brand management to the newly opened motorsports and lifestyle destination.

In his new role, Thomas will develop and maintain relationships with OEM partners to understand their needs, perspectives and objectives, while working to identify opportunities for growth by leveraging new and existing partnerships to increase facility usage.

Click here for photos to support this release.

Thomas joins Ten Tenths Motor Club after serving as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for McLaren Automotive North Americasince 2015, where he led strategic marketing, communications and global strategy that helped drive record sales growth. During his decade with McLaren, Thomas oversaw experiential events in over 30 major metro markets and developed retail programs that significantly increased sales conversions and owner engagement.

"Andy's reputation and relationships within the global automotive community are unmatched," said Rick Hendrick, who founded Ten Tenths Motor Club in partnership with Speedway Motorsports. "His leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our partnerships with manufacturers and luxury brands as we continue to establish Ten Tenths as a world-class venue for automotive experiences."

Prior to McLaren, Thomas served in leadership roles with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in both Goodwood, U.K. and North America, where he guided global brand alignment and oversaw international marketing strategy across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Earlier in his career, he held key marketing and sales roles with BMW of North America, Ferrari North America and Land Rover North America, gaining experience in dealer relations, product marketing and luxury customer engagement.

"Our vision for Ten Tenths Motor Club is to establish the facility as not only a premier experience for passionate automotive enthusiasts, but also to create a destination for corporate events that is unmatched in the automotive industry," said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. "We look forward to Andy joining our efforts to invite manufacturers from around the world to Ten Tenths Motor Club and the greater Charlotte region."

A Clemson University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Thomas also serves on the Board of the Erwin Center for Brand Communication at his alma mater. In that role, he mentors students, sponsors real-world marketing projects and connects students with opportunities across the automotive and luxury brand landscape.

A native of Salisbury, Maryland, Thomas began his career in dealer operations at Fox Chevrolet in Baltimore before joining the OEM side of the industry. His work has taken him across the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, building a broad network and a deep understanding of international brand collaboration.

"I'm thrilled to join Ten Tenths at such an exciting time," Thomas said. "The club's vision represents the next evolution of automotive lifestyle and performance culture. I look forward to connecting global manufacturers with this extraordinary facility and to becoming part of the Charlotte community."

Located adjacent to the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ten Tenths Motor Club combines exclusive track access, curated events and premium hospitality to create an unparalleled environment for members and partners. The facility has quickly become a premier destination in the Charlotte metropolitan area for automotive launches, luxury brand activations, enthusiast experiences and special events. Tickets are now on sale for Ten Tenths Motor Club signature public event, Heritage Invitational, April 9-11, 2026.

About Ten Tenths Motor Club

Based in Concord, North Carolina, Ten Tenths Motor Club is a private automotive and lifestyle destination designed for those who live and breathe performance. Located beside Charlotte Motor Speedway, the club offers members access to exclusive driving experiences, signature events, and brand collaborations with the world's most respected automotive manufacturers and luxury partners.

Learn more at www.tententhsmotorclub.com.

SOURCE Speedway Motorsports
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The nonprofit Consumer Watchdog warned Uber users to start using Lyft after a blockbuster New York Times report. The report found Uber's background check system let criminals convicted of crimes like child abuse, assault and stalking drive for Uber, as long as the conviction was more than seven years old. The report also found that the system has many gaps, often intentionally imposed, to allow for speed and to keep costs low. Lyft, by contrast, bans drivers convicted of violent felonies whenever they occur, according to the report.

Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average.

Worse, the report found Uber knew its background check systems were deficient, but has failed to fix them. The article tells the stories of women sexually abused by felons allowed to driver Ubers, including a San Diego woman with epilepsy attacked in 2020 who used Uber specifically because it marketed its company's safety.

Uber's former chief marketing director pushed for better background checks, but the company decided against them to limit the time of review and due to costs. The former Uber executive, Jill Hazelbaker, described the decision not to do better reviews "indefensible."

"Passengers cannot trust Uber to adequately screen its drivers," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, the nonprofit advocacy group. "They should use Lyft instead. This company has proven time and again it cannot be trusted. Uber puts its profits above the safety of its passengers and it doesn't deserve our business."

Consumer Watchdog has sponsored dozens of billboards across California warning the public about Uber's failure to deal with rampant claims of sexual assault and misconduct.

A previous New York Times investigation published this summer found, "Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average."

The investigation found that while the company has studied the problem, it has failed to act decisively to better train its drivers and install cameras in its vehicles because of business concerns that its drivers might be considered employees rather than independent contractors.

"Uber delayed or did not require its drivers to adopt some of the most promising programs, nor did it warn passengers about factors it linked to attacks, according to interviews with more than a dozen current and former employees, internal documents and court records," according to the report. "Uber's decisions about safety came as it prioritized growing its user base, avoiding costly lawsuits and protecting its business model, which classifies drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, the records show."

This year, Uber used its lobbying power to pressure the California legislature to limit its exposure for damage caused by uninsured motorists who hit its vehicles. The company has also filed a ballot measure to limit the legal rights of all car accident victims to get attorneys.

"Uber is a company that does not respect our social mores, ethical customs or the rule of law," said Court. "Uber deserves to be exposed and does not deserve our money."

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When disruptive changes redefined market demand in the past days of 2025, Chinese baijiu producer Wuliangye convened recently its annual convention to seek consensus for navigating the changing liquor market.

The event, the 29th Wuliangye 1218 Annual Convention, caught global attention as a crowd of professionals gathered in Yibin City of Sichuan Province, southwest China, to decode how Chinese baijiu industry changed and where it will head for.

Experts in attendance stressed the disruptive, all-around changes in product, market and consumption structures of baijiu industry, saying that it is imperative for producers to face up to the challenges.

In essence, competitive landscape, value orientation and market logic of baijiu industry are being reshaped, making the present a critical period for liquor makers to take the initiative in winning the future.

New demand-led supply and new supply-driven demand are telling what the baijiu industry is undergoing currently, said Zeng Congqin, chairman of Wuliangye Group, adding that the company is well-prepared and confident to navigate the industry reshuffle.

Wuliangye's determination stems from its advantages deeply rooted in its development fundamental, product quality, branding, market, teams and capital, all of which are expected to unlock more development potential.

For years, the Chinese baijiu maker has always taken premium product quality as its top priority, earmarking 113,333.33 hectares of grain fields for liquor brewing and establishing the hard tech-enabled 529 and 533 workshops for precise quality control.

These efforts resulted in its winning multiple quality awards at home and abroad, including the 2025 EFQM Global Award, one of the world's three leading quality awards standing for benchmarks for organizational quality.

Via opening 474 specialty shops, experience shops, collection shops, and Wuliangye-themed restaurants in 2025, the Chinese baijiu maker witnessed a meteoric rise in bottle openings at banquet venues.

One of its low-alcohol products targeting young consumers once raked in over 100 million yuan sales revenues in just two months after being put on shelves and overseas consumption scenarios yet enriched along with opening of the Wuliangye-themed restaurants in Singapore and Japan.

As a business manager of a Malaysian firm noted, he is confident in the future of Wuliangye given its premium quality, brand status and market value and is willing to continue cooperation with the company in Malaysia.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348905.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
About this content 

About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About 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.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BYD has formally entered the Iraqi market, staging a high-profile launch event in Baghdad that marked both its official brand debut in the country and the local premiere of the BYD SHARK 6, a plug-in hybrid pickup designed for diverse driving and usage conditions, according to a press release BYD issued last Friday.

Photo source: BYD

Speaking at the event, Huang Zhixue, the head of BYD's automotive sales operations for the Middle East and Africa, described Iraq as a strategically important market within the company's regional expansion plan. He highlighted the country's long-term growth potential and said BYD aims to introduce advanced new energy technologies, a broad product portfolio, and sustained value for local consumers.

At launch, BYD is offering a lineup of eight models in Iraq, evenly split between plug-in hybrid vehicles and pure battery electric vehicles. The diversified range is intended to address a wide spectrum of mobility needs and usage scenarios, giving Iraqi consumers greater flexibility as the market begins to embrace electrified transport.

Beyond vehicle sales, BYD is moving to establish a comprehensive ownership and service ecosystem in Iraq. Dedicated after-sales service centers are set to open progressively, providing maintenance, technical support, and customer services aimed at ensuring a reliable and consistent ownership experience.

The Iraq launch underscores BYD's deepening footprint across the Middle East and Africa. As the company expands its regional presence, it says it will continue to support the shift toward cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable mobility solutions across these emerging markets.
About this content 

About Emily Jarvie

Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Abu Dhabi, Dec 22 : President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders, on Sunday, reviewed the historical and strategic partnership between their countries and explored ways to deepen cooperation in areas including economy and investment, culture, renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence and sustainability, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the state-owned Emirates News Agency.

France and the UAE maintain close defense ties, with the UAE being a major buyer of French military equipment, including fighter jets. Media reports have said Paris is considering deeper cooperation with Abu Dhabi on its future combat aircraft program, amid uncertainties over the project's European partners.

During his visit to the UAE, Macron also met with French troops stationed in the country, where he announced that France had given final approval to replace its flagship aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, as part of a long-term defense program, according to media reports.

Macron is making a working visit to the UAE to celebrate the end-of-year holidays with French forces deployed abroad and to hold talks with Emirati leaders on bilateral ties and regional stability.

In a social media post, the French president said his discussions with the UAE leader focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in support of stability in the Middle East.
Chennai, Dec 22 : The 49th edition of the Chennai Book Fair, one of Tamil Nadu's most anticipated cultural and literary festivals, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on January 8, 2026, at the Nandhanam YMCA grounds.

Chennai, Dec 22 (IANS) The 49th edition of the Chennai Book Fair, one of Tamil Naduas most anticipated cultural and literary festivals, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on January 8, 2026, at the Nandhanam YMCA grounds.

The fair, which has grown steadily in scale and reach over the decades, will be open to the public until January 21, embracing readers, writers, students and book lovers from across the state and beyond.

This yearas edition will mark a milestone for the Booksellers and Publishersa Association of South India (Bapasi) with a record 1,000 stalls being set up -- making it the largest in the fairas history.

In recent years, the number of stalls ranged around 900, but the surge in demand from publishers and literary organisations prompted an expansion. Bapasi said the increase reflects the rising enthusiasm for print culture and the steadily growing readership base in Tamil Nadu.

The fair is set to witness strong participation from leading international publishing houses, including Penguin Random House India, HarperCollins Publishers India, British Council and Simon & Schuster India. Adding a global dimension to the event, Tamil publishers from Malaysia and Singapore have been allotted stalls, while Tamil booksellers from Sri Lanka and several European countries are also expected to take part. In an inclusive move, the fair this year will feature a dedicated stall for a Queer Publishing House run by transgender persons.

Bapasi noted that this initiative aligns with the organisationas commitment to social representation, equitable space in literature, and the celebration of diverse voices. Beyond book sales, the fair will host daily cultural and literary sessions at the aChinthanai Arangam (Thought Forum)', where Tamil scholars, writers and intellectuals will engage readers on themes ranging from classical literature to contemporary social issues.

These sessions are expected to attract strong public participation, reinforcing the fairas role as a platform for discourse and learning.

The inaugural ceremony will also see Chief Minister Stalin present the Muthamizharingar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Porkizhi Awards for 2026. Outstanding publishers and contributors to Tamil literature and publishing will be honoured during the event, highlighting the fairas role in recognising excellence in the sector.

With a blend of global participation, regional pride, cultural inclusivity and intellectual engagement, the 2026 Chennai Book Fair promises to be one of the most vibrant editions yet, reaffirming its status as a cornerstone of Tamil Naduas literary calendar.
Seoul, Dec 22 : The South Korean ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Monday accepted a proposal by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) to launch a special counsel probe into the Unification Church over bribery allegations involving multiple politicians.

The decision came after the PPP and the minor New Reform Party agreed to push for a special investigation, as politicians from both the ruling and Opposition parties have come under suspicion of receiving funds from the Unification Church ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

DP leader Jung Chung-rae said the party is willing to accept the Opposition's proposal to fully uncover the truth behind the allegations.

DP floor leader Kim Byung-ki echoed the stance, calling for a special counsel to investigate all politicians involved, regardless of whether they are from ruling or Opposition parties.

"Let's clearly reveal how the Unification Church interfered in politics in the last presidential election," Kim said during a meeting of senior party members.

Kim said the probe should thoroughly examine allegations of collusion between the church and politics, illegal political donations and influence peddling.

In response, PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog said the DP has accepted the party's proposal for a special probe and suggested holding talks between the two parties' floor leaders, adding that the PPP will move forward with discussions.

The presidential office welcomed the move.

"It should offer an opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation into those involved, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling or opposition parties, or their rank and status," a senior presidential official told Yonhap News Agency by phone.

"It is necessary to uncover the full truth behind the broad allegations of collusion between politics and religion, without singling out certain cases, and punish those involved," the official added.

The move comes amid allegations that some DP lawmakers accepted political funds and luxury gifts from the Unification Church, which is also under investigation over bribery allegations involving PPP lawmakers, Yonhap news agency reported.

Police are currently looking into allegations that the church provided funds and luxury gifts to former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, former DP lawmaker Lim Jong-seong and former United Future Party lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan between 2018 and 2020.

Separately, PPP lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was arrested in September on charges of accepting illegal political funds from the Unification Church in 2022. The special prosecution team last week sought a four-year prison term for the former PPP floor leader, known as a close confidant of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 22, Yijing, the new automotive brand jointly created by Dongfeng Motor and Huawei Qiankun, reached a major development milestone as its first engineering prototype officially rolled off the line. The debut model is a full-size SUV.

The rapid progress is notable: just one month after the brand was unveiled at the Huawei Qiankun Ecosystem Conference on November 20, Yijing has already produced its first prototype, underscoring an accelerated push toward product realization and market entry.

Photo source: Yijing Auto

Built around the core values of "safety first, intelligence-led, and open co-creation," Yijing's inaugural SUV is positioned as a deep integration of Dongfeng's manufacturing heritage and Huawei Qiankun's intelligent technology stack. The vehicle is set to feature Huawei's latest-generation intelligent driving system, HarmonySpace, vehicle control solutions, in-car optics, and cloud-based services, making it one of the most comprehensively integrated Huawei-technology vehicles on the market. At the same time, it draws on Dongfeng Motor's 56 years of vehicle development experience, particularly in areas such as overall vehicle safety, chassis dynamics, and manufacturing quality.

From a product perspective, the first Yijing model aims to deliver a high-level intelligent mobility experience tailored to family users. Huawei Qiankun's advanced intelligent technologies are being calibrated around everyday household scenarios, with an emphasis on personalization and contextual adaptability. The ambition is to transform the vehicle from a mere means of transportation into an intelligent companion capable of learning and evolving over time. On the safety front, the battery system has been developed under a "zero thermal incident" target, reinforcing the brand's focus on building a robust safety foundation for family-oriented use.

According to the current roadmap, the production version of Yijing's first model will make its official public debut at the Auto China 2025 in April 2026 and is expected to go on sale later that year. Looking further ahead, the brand plans to introduce at least one new model annually, gradually building a diversified lineup that spans multiple vehicle segments.

As the first model moves closer to mass production, the strategic partnership between Dongfeng Motor and Huawei Qiankunoften described internally as "one team, multi-billion-yuan investment, and three years of intensive development"has entered a new, tangible phase focused on product validation and quality refinement. The initial prototype will soon be sent to Mohe, where temperatures can drop to minus 50 degrees Celsius, to undergo extreme cold-weather testing. These trials will rigorously evaluate battery performance, vehicle sealing, climate control systems, and chassis stability, ensuring the vehicle can withstand harsh conditions and deliver long-term reliability for end users.
Jakarta, Dec 22 : Fifteen people were killed and 19 others injured in the early hours of Monday in a bus accident at the intersection of the Krapyak toll exit in Semarang city, Indonesia's Central Java province, local authorities reported.

According to the Semarang Search and Rescue Office, the passenger bus was reportedly travelling at high speed when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a road barrier and overturn.

"The evacuation process was quite difficult because some victims were trapped inside the bus, and access was obstructed by broken glass," said Budiono, head of the Semarang Search and Rescue Office. "Rescue personnel had to enter the overturned bus, open access to the victims and evacuate them with extra caution."

The office confirmed that all victims have been successfully evacuated and sent to local hospitals, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the officials, they are currently investigating the scene.

Further details are awaited.

This tragedy comes just days after a house fire killed five in Jakarta.

Five people were killed after a residential house caught fire in Jakarta, Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency head Isnawa Adji said on Friday.

The fire broke out at around 8:10 p.m. local time on Thursday and was extinguished by 11:00 p.m. after 10 fire engines were deployed. The victims were discovered at around 8:00 a.m. the next day.

The house also functioned as an accessories production warehouse, Adji said, adding that the fire was likely caused by an electrical short circuit.
Washington, Dec 22 : Separate US talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials over the weekend in Florida were "productive and constructive," US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has said.

"Over the last two days in Florida, the Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings with the American delegation to advance President Trump's peace plan on Ukraine," Witkoff said in a post on social platform X.

"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine," he said. "Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security."

Earlier on Sunday, Witkoff also described separate talks held over the past three days among the United States, Ukraine and European representatives in Florida as "productive and constructive," reports Xinhua news agency.

According to Witkoff, the US-Ukraine discussions focused on four key documents: further development of a 20-point plan, alignment of positions on a multilateral security guarantee framework, alignment of positions on a US security guarantee framework for Ukraine, and further development of an economic and prosperity plan.

"Particular attention was given to discussing timelines and the sequencing of next steps," he said.

"Ukraine remains fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace," Witkoff said. "Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity."

Witkoff noted the Ukrainian delegation included Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, and Andriy Hnatov, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The US delegation in separate talks with Russia and Ukraine included Witcoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum.

"Key European National Security Advisors also joined the discussions to align on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe," Witkoff noted, saying Ukraine would continue "close coordination" with both the United States and Europe.

During his annual year-end press conference in Moscow on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia agrees to end the Ukraine crisis through negotiations, while underscoring Russia's battlefield advantages in Ukraine. He added that now "the ball is entirely in the court of Ukraine and its European sponsors."
Entebbe : , Dec 22 (IANS) African leaders called for regional-led efforts to take the forefront in resolving the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with international initiatives playing a supporting role.

The call was made on Sunday at a one-day regional summit in Uganda's Entebbe, which brought together leaders and envoys to address the rapidly worsening security situation in eastern DRC and its spillover across the Great Lakes region.

Uganda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs John Mulimba said participants agreed that the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should spearhead peace efforts to address the escalating conflict.

"We have agreed that, whereas we have initiatives such as the Doha and Washington peace process, the region must take center stage, and the region we are talking about is EAC and SADC," Mulimba said.

According to Mulimba, the summit also directed that its communique be revised within 10 days, with a follow-up meeting to be convened within two weeks to incorporate a proposed regional peace framework.

In a statement issued during the summit, Rwanda said there was no need to establish new peace mechanisms, arguing that existing frameworks were sufficient to resolve the decades-long conflict.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta said the main challenge lay in the lack of implementation of agreements already reached. He described the Washington accord and the Doha peace initiatives as the most viable frameworks for addressing both the internal and regional dimensions of the conflict, Xinhua news agency reported.

Biruta also reiterated Rwanda's concern over the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a dissident group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, warning that failure to address this issue "undermines trust and continues to pose a serious threat to regional security."

Earlier this month, Rwanda and the DRC signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington aimed at ending decades of fighting. However, clashes have since intensified in eastern DRC, with the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group advancing to new positions.

The M23 said this week it had begun withdrawing from Uvira, a strategic eastern Congolese city it captured days earlier, adding that the move was made at the request of US mediators as a confidence-building measure to support the peace process.
Seoul, Dec 22 : South Korea's National Assembly on Monday launched a special parliamentary committee to investigate the exact cause of last year's fatal Jeju Air plane crash that claimed 179 lives.

On December 29 last year, the Jeju Air jet from Bangkok erupted into flames after crashing into a concrete mound as it overshot the runway when it made an emergency belly landing at Muan International Airport, about 290 kilometres south of Seoul, following a bird strike.

The 18-member committee, which will run for at least 40 days, plans to look closely into factors that may have been blamed for the crash, including the bird strike, the mound the jet crashed into and possible aircraft defects, reports Yonhap news agency.

It will also investigate whether any cover-up attempts were made in the government's investigation into the crash.

The committee's launch comes after the government shelved a plan to announce the interim results of its investigation earlier this month.

Family members of the tragedy's victims have voiced opposition against the government investigation, raising questions about its transparency and credibility and calling for an independent probe.

Earlier this month, a group of family members of victims shaved their heads in protest over the government's interim probe results of the tragedy, raising questions about the credibility of the probe and calling for an independent investigation.

An investigation committee under the transport ministry is scheduled to hold a two-day hearing from Thursday to announce the interim results of the fatal accident on December 29 last year at Muan International Airport that claimed 179 lives.

A group representing the victims' family members and other civic groups staged the protest outside the presidential office compound in central Seoul, accusing the committee of not being transparent.

"The transport ministry has packaged the disaster as being handled well and blocked all information through the 'self-investigation' and 'black-out investigation' with the committee," said Kim Yoo-jin, who heads the group of bereaved family members.

The group called for the investigation to be handled by an independent body under the prime minister and for the hearing's postponement, arguing the probe cannot be trusted as the committee falls under the transport ministry, which is in charge of aviation policy.

Five people shaved their heads during the protest, with some participants later clashing with police as they sought to enter the presidential office to meet President Lee Jae Myung.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, Dec 22 : South Korea's unification ministry on Monday dismissed a news report that it had proposed a constitutional revision to President Lee Jae Myung to recognise North Korea as a separate nation as part of efforts to resume engagement with Pyongyang.

The reaction came after a local newspaper claimed that the ministry had proposed amending the Constitution to recognise North Korea as a separate, independent nation during a closed-door policy briefing to Lee last Friday.

The Constitution currently defines the entire Korean Peninsula as the sovereign territory of South Korea, effectively not recognising North Korea as an equal nation, reports Yonhap news agency.

Ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho dismissed the report as "groundless and false" during a press briefing on Monday.

"The ministry did not propose a constitutional revision during the policy briefing, nor has it ever reviewed such a move," Yoon said, expressing "regret" over what he called a "distorted report."

Additionally, the officials said that the military has internally updated a rule in defining the inter-Korean land border when dealing with incursions by North Korean soldiers to prevent the risk of accidental clashes.

The move comes as North Korean troops have repeatedly violated the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas since last year in the process of carrying out construction activities near the heavily fortified border.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it has ordered troops to prioritise markers that indicate the MDL when making decisions, while also "comprehensively" applying both the MDL on the South Korean military map and a line connecting the MDL markers set out by the US-led United Nations Command (UNC).

The move effectively enables the military to use a line drawn farther southward in assessing whether North Korean troops' border crossings have occurred.

Under the updated guideline, even if North Korean troops cross the line connecting the MDL indicators, the South Korean military may not respond if it assesses that it is not the MDL crossing in terms of its own military map.

Nearly 1,300 markers were installed in 1953, a month after the signing of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, but only about one-sixth of them are identifiable. Maintenance efforts by the UNC have been suspended since the North fired at workers conducting the job in 1973.

The JCS issued the update in an official order distributed to subordinate units in September, spokesperson Lee Sung-jun said in a regular press briefing.
Accra, Dec 22 : Several Indian diplomatic missions worldwide celebrated World Meditation Day, highlighting the timeless relevance of meditation in fostering inner peace, emotional well-being, and social harmony.

In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 21 as World Meditation Day to underline the importance of mindfulness and inner harmony in human life.

Marking the occasion in Ghana, the Indian High Commission in Accra organised a unified meditation session reaffirming the importance of meditation in promoting physical and mental well-being, recalling the right of every individual to the highest attainable standard of health.

The session held at the Chancery of the Indian High Commission was organised by the Art of Living and brought together participants in a shared moment of stillness and reflection.

"Celebrating World Meditation Day for the second consecutive year, the event highlighted our collective responsibility to focus on what unites us and to foster peace, balance, and harmony in our lives and communities. Through inner transformation, meditation continues to be a powerful path toward sustainable peace for our shared global home," the Indian High Commission in Accra posted on X on Monday.

Meanwhile, in Guayana, the Indian High Commission and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown, in association with Brahma Kumaris Guyana, celebrated World Meditation Day, underlining the benefits of meditation for emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

According to the Indian High Commission in Georgetown, the event was attended by members of the Indian community and diaspora, comprising Yoga and meditation enthusiasts, which included a brief meditation session conducted by Sister Kinnari of Brahma Kumaris in Guyana.

The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Amit Telang, emphasized the utility of mediation in promoting global peace and harmony.

In Congo, the Indian Embassy, in collaboration with Kinshasa Sky Yoga Centre, organised a meditation session at the Congo Hindu Mandal Temple in Kinshasa.

According to the Indian Embassy, Lakshmi Chidambaram, meditation instructor of Kinshasa Sky Yoga Centre, conducted the meditation session.

Addressing the gathering, Chidambaram spoke about "Why we do Meditation", explained about different forms of yoga, and highlighted the importance of meditation in bringing peace, prosperity, and happiness in our lives.

Indian Ambassador to Congo, V. Venkataraman, felicitated Chidambaram for hosting the meditation session. Several members of the Indian Diaspora, diplomatic corps, and friends of India attended the meditation session.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : As his films Trimurti and Bhagam Bhag completed 30 and 19 years respectively, actor Jackie Shroff celebrated the moment in his own style on social media.

Jackie, who never fails to miss anyone's birthday and milestones of his films, took to Instagram to celebrate the 1995 movie Trimurti and Bhagam Bhag, which hit the screens in 2006.

The actor shared the poster of Trimurti featuring Jackie, Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor. The post had "Duniya Re Duniya Very Good Very Good" by Udit Narayan and Vinod Rathod playing in the background.

He wrote "Celebrating 30 years of Trimurti" as the caption.

Trimurti, an action drama film, also stars Anjali Jathar and Priya Tendulkar. It was the last completed film for director Mukul S. Anand, who died while filming Dus in 1997.

The story revolves around Satyadevi, who after being falsely accused and imprisoned, hopes that her three sons will free her and get revenge on her accuser. However, she learns that they lead separate lives and hate each other.

He also shared the poster of Bhagam Bhag with its title track playing in the background and simply wrote: #19yearsofbhagambhag.

Bhagam Bhag is a comedy thriller film directed by Priyadarshan. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Govinda,Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Jackie Shroff, Arbaaz Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, Razak Khan and Asrani.

The film tells the story of a theatre group which travels to London for a show and needs a heroine to complete their play, only to be entangled in a murder mystery they did not commit, as well as mistakenly becoming the enemies of a drug cartel and a street gang, in the process.

The film adapted certain subplots of the Malayalam film Mannar Mathai Speaking which itself was based on the 1958 film Vertigo.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Murshidabad, Dec 22 : Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday said that his party's flag will soon be seen across West Bengal, asserting that he would continue to work for the common people of the state despite his break with the ruling party.

Kabir, the MLA from the Bharatpur Assembly constituency in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district, is set to announce his new political party later in the day formally.

Speaking to IANS, Kabir said, "I am happy, I am giving a new message for the public to work. So, the common man of Bengal, the population, I will give the morning message to all the people. My aim for the next day is to work for the common man. I will face every challenge that comes in front of me to accomplish my goal."

Along with the party's launch, Kabir will also announce the names of its office-bearers and some district presidents. He has claimed that the new political outfit plans to contest more than 100 Assembly constituencies in the state elections scheduled for next year.

The suspended legislator said he was confident that candidates of his new party would secure a substantial number of seats, making it a significant factor in the formation of the next state cabinet after the polls.

Expressing optimism ahead of the announcement, Kabir said that the party's flag, which is to be unveiled later on Monday, would soon be flown across the length and breadth of the state.

"I haven't unveiled my flag yet, so it hasnat been given to anyone. Today, I will reveal it. Soon, it will fly across Bengal in Kolkata, Kakdip, Cooch Behar, Alipur, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, and across the state. As far as Murshidabad is concerned, this is my birthplace, and I have a special connection to it. My party's flag being flown here is confirmed," Kabir told IANS.

The announcement is scheduled to be made from Mirzapur, located close to Beldanga, which also houses the site of the proposed Babri Mosque planned by Kabir.

He further said that the event would begin at noon on Monday and continue till 3 p.m.

"An announcement will be made regarding my party's office-bearers during this event. Al Haaj Haji from West Medinipur is a good acquaintance of mine. He has expressed his willingness to take on the responsibility of the new party. His name will be announced," Kabir added.

He also said that he would soon take out a roadshow from Berhampore along with his supporters.

While Kabir has not officially disclosed the name of his new party, a person close to him said that two names are under consideration -- the Indian Conservative Party and the Janata Unnayan Party.

The suspended Trinamool Congress legislator has also indicated his preferred choices for the party symbol. According to him, his first preference is "table", followed by "twin roses".

"If I do not get either of the two, I will think of the third option," he said.

Kabir was officially suspended from the Trinamool Congress earlier this month after being censured by the party leadership on multiple occasions.

The suspension came days before the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the proposed Babri Mosque was held at Beldanga on December 6. The proposed mosque is intended to replicate the original structure that stood in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, before it was demolished on December 5, 1992.
Guwahati, Dec 22 : Assam witnessed an unprecedented surge of public enthusiasm over the last two days as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state marked two major milestones in its development journey, the inauguration of the new terminal building of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and the foundation laying ceremony of the Namrup ammonia-urea fertiliser plant.

Describing the visit as historic, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that lakhs of people across the state experienced a strong "Modi wave" as the Prime Minister dedicated key infrastructure and industrial projects aimed at accelerating Assam's growth.

He said the two landmark initiatives reflect the Centre's sustained focus on strengthening connectivity and boosting industrial capacity in the Northeast.

The newly inaugurated LGBI airport terminal, touted as India's first nature-themed terminal, is expected to significantly enhance passenger handling capacity and improve air connectivity for the region.

The project is seen as a major boost for tourism, trade and investment, positioning Guwahati as a key aviation hub for eastern India and the Northeast.

Meanwhile, the Rs 10,600 crore ammonia-urea complex at Namrup, whose foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister, is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the fertiliser requirements of Assam and neighbouring states.

The project is also expected to reduce dependence on imports and generate employment, while strengthening the state's industrial ecosystem.

CM Sarma said the massive public response during the Prime Minister's engagements reflected the growing confidence of the people in the ongoing development process.

He added that Assam's growth story is entering a new phase, driven by improved infrastructure, industrial expansion and sustained support from the Centre.

Terming the developments as part of Assam's growth saga, the Chief Minister said the state is steadily moving forward on the path of progress, with peace, stability and economic opportunities shaping a new future for people.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Mumbai, Dec 22 : The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Monday alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti won the elections to the nagar parishad and nagar panchayat in Maharashtra due to money and muscle power.

The party in its mouthpiece, 'Saamana', said that if "these victories are to be bought with money, then the pride and honour of Maharashtra have been dragged through the dust. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maharashtra appears to be crawling, helpless before the money. This picture is dangerous for the country."

The Saamana editorial sharply criticised the State Election Commission (SEC) for its perceived "inaction", describing the body as being in a state of "slumber" while instances of kidnapping, terror, and open money distribution took place across the state.

The editorial claimed that the BJP has started a sole business of winning every election through dishonesty. "After the British, the BJP and its allies have looted the country the most. Elections are fought and won using that very looted money. Furthermore, a significant amount of 'drug money' was also used in the election. This raises questions about what our democracy is doing and how the 'Voter King' actually votes."

According to the latest figures from the State Election Commission (SEC), the BJP has emerged as the single largest party, winning over 100 municipal president posts. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP have each secured more than 40 seats. In contrast, the combined opposition, including the Congress, Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP), and Shiv Sena(UBT), managed to secure roughly 60 seats. This result mirrors the "pattern" seen in the recent Assembly elections, where the Mahayuti secured a similar landslide victory, said the editorial.

The Thackeray camp has characterised the elections as a "game of money power", alleging that in several municipal areas, the "market rate" for a single vote ranged from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000. In more competitive zones, it is claimed that the BJP pushed the rate as high as Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per vote, leading to internal friction within the ruling alliance.

A specific incident was reported in Sindhudurg, where a public spat broke out between Shinde-faction MLA Nilesh Rane and BJP State President Ravindra Chavan over the distribution of funds.

"Reports of coercion and electoral malpractice and voter intimidation in particular have surfaced from multiple districts. In Dharmabad (Nanded), allegations emerged that BJP office-bearers detained nearly 1,500 voters, including women, in a marriage hall to force them to accept bribes ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000. Those who refused were reportedly threatened. In Ambernath, police investigations were launched into allegations of bogus voting involving over 200 women brought in from neighbouring areas. In Panvel, discrepancies in voter lists were flagged, including one instance where 268 voters were allegedly listed with the same father's name," said the editorial.

The Thackeray camp has cited the local body elections held in the neighbouring state of Telangana, where the State Election Commission did not use EVMs but conducted on a ballot paper, resulting in a crushing defeat for the BJP.

"In Telangana's local bodies, the Congress made a strong surge and secured a major victory. Similarly, in Punjab's local body elections, AAP surged ahead, leaving both the BJP and Congress behind. In both these states, despite the BJP playing a heavy game of money, the voters were not bought," it said.

The editorial observed that the way the elections are conducted and fought in Maharashtra raises a serious question of the integrity of the democratic process.

As the state moves toward the next major electoral battle -- the BMC elections in January 2026 -- the questions regarding electoral transparency and the influence of wealth in Maharashtra's politics will continue to intensify.
A routine drive in Florida turned into a consumer nightmare when a small, innocuous object spilled inside a new electric vehicle and unleashed a cascade of mechanical problems that left the owner facing a repair bill of more than twelve thousand dollars.

What began as an ordinary errand in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 quickly evolved into a perplexing confrontation between a vehicle owner, the automaker, and insurers over responsibility for the damage.

A Simple Spill Turns Into a Costly Electrical Nightmare

Not actual car / Image Credit: Hyundai.

The driver, identified publicly in social media posts and local reporting as Michael McCormick, recalls the moment his SUV became unusable as unremarkable at first. On an afternoon drive, McCormick spilled a bottle of water inside the cabin while transporting passengers. At the time, he did not think much of it. Many drivers have dealt with spilled drinks before without consequence. Unfortunately, this spill was different.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Water seeped into the seat and beneath the interior panels. Unseen at first, the moisture found its way into critical electrical connections that control various vehicle systems. Within days, the Ioniq 5 began throwing warning lights and erratic behavior that suggested deep electrical trouble.

Concerned by the sudden problems, McCormick took his vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. Technicians traced the issue to water damage in sensitive wiring and electronic modules.

Then came the next shocker:

Hyundai representatives explained that the components affected by the spill were not covered under the vehicles standard warranty, which typically excludes damage from liquids and external environmental factors. McCormick was left with the stark choice of paying out of pocket for extensive repairs or seeking coverage through his own auto insurance policy.

Insurance Refusal Exposes Hidden Risks of Modern Electric Vehicles

Not actual car / Image Credit: Hyundai.

When McCormick filed a claim with his insurer, he encountered another setback. The insurance company denied coverage because the damage did not meet its criteria for reimbursable loss.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to the insurer, the water spill was an accident but not one covered under McCormicks specific policy terms because the resulting damage stemmed from internal electrical failure rather than an insured peril such as collision or falling objects. This distinction left McCormick responsible for the full repair cost, which the dealership estimated at more than $12,000.

The situation highlights a growing tension in the transition to electric vehicles and modern automotive design. EVs rely on complex networks of sensors, modules, and electronic controls that are far more sensitive to environmental conditions than older internal combustion vehicles.

Where a spilled drink might once have been an aggravating inconvenience that could be remedied with a towel and open windows, in todays EVs, even small amounts of moisture in the wrong place canapparentlycause system failures with steep financial consequences.

Everyday Accidents, Extraordinary Costs

McCormicks story is a cautionary example of what can go wrong when product warranties and insurance policies fail to align with real-world user behavior.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

People trust that their car can withstand everyday use, said one independent automotive expert not involved with the case. Spills happen in families with kids, during errands, in hot weather. When the vehicles design does not tolerate that kind of normal use, and warranties have loopholes, it puts owners in an unfair position.

Hyundai has not issued a public statement on McCormicks particular case. Still, in similar situations, the company has maintained that warranties are structured to protect against manufacturing defects rather than damage caused by external substances.

Insurance industry representatives also say that policy language often requires strict interpretation when determining whether a claim qualifies for coverage. In McCormicks case, both companies interpreted their contracts in a way that left the financial burden on him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

McCormick has since taken to social media and online forums to warn other EV owners about the hidden risks of everyday accidents. His posts include photos of repair invoices and descriptions of interactions with corporate representatives. The posts have gone viral among certain EV owner communities, where debates about design resilience, warranty fairness, and insurance coverage have intensified.
Patna, Dec 22 : As the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) registered a resounding victory in the elections to 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra, Janata Dal (United) on Monday termed the outcome a "remarkable performance".

Patna, Dec 22 (IANS) As the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) registered a resounding victory in the elections to 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra, Janata Dal (United) on Monday termed the outcome a "remarkable performance".

Speaking to IANS, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said the results clearly reflected the growing public confidence in the Mahayuti alliance. "This is a remarkable performance by the Mahayuti alliance. In the Assembly elections as well, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, the Mahayuti had demonstrated a strong presence. This winning momentum is likely to continue in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections too," he said.

Reacting to the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) questioning the results of the Maharashtra local body polls, Prasad said such reactions were not unexpected after an electoral defeat.

"There should be no surprise when such statements are made following a loss. However, if they fail to introspect on the reasons why the grassroots support of Shiv Sena, which was built on Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy and the work done during his tenure, has weakened over time after his demise due to Uddhav Thackeray's leadership, then it is a missed opportunity to understand the reality," he added.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP recorded a decisive victory on Sunday, winning 207 posts of municipal presidents, while the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed to secure only 44 posts, dealing a significant blow to the alliance.

The outcome reinforced the Mahayuti's dominance in the state following its success in last year's Assembly elections. In contrast, the opposition MVA once again failed to regain the trust of voters in urban local bodies.

According to the final results released by the State Election Commission (SEC) late Sunday night, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 117 municipal president posts. It was followed by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which won 53 posts, and the NCP, which secured 37.

The NCP, a key constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, contested 80 municipal council president seats and won 37 of them. In Pune district alone, the party bagged 10 out of 17 posts of municipal council and nagar panchayat presidents, district election officials said.

Among the Opposition parties, the Congress won 28 posts, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured seven, and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena managed to win just nine.

Out of the total 288 seats, polling was held for 286 in two phases on December 2 and December 20, while candidates in two municipal councils were elected unopposed.

Overall, the results underline the Mahayuti alliance's strong grip over local body politics in Maharashtra, significantly outpacing the MVA in the battle for control of urban local bodies.
Bengaluru, Dec 22 : Amid the leadership tussle in Karnataka, the BJP has ridiculed the Congress high command and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, saying they lack the capacity to resolve it.

The Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, R. Ashoka, stated on Monday, "On one hand, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is repeatedly asserting that he will continue as CM as long as the party high command wishes, while Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar claims that an agreement has already been reached with the high command.

However, the Congress high command claims that it is conveniently distancing itself by saying that this confusion has been created at the state level and that the leaders themselves should resolve it, Ashoka noted.

"I had said earlier that the Congress high command and Rahul Gandhi lack the capacity to resolve the problems that have emerged within the Karnataka Congress. AICC President Mallikarjun Khargeas helpless remarks have now proved that what I said was true," the BJP leader said.

Karnataka is being forced to stagnate without development due to the power struggle between the two leaders over their chairs," Ashoka stated.

Recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on the floor of the House that he would complete his tenure. At the same time, Shivakumar maintained that there is a pact, to which he, CM Siddaramaiah and the Congress leadership have agreed.

The activities within the Congress camp are likely to intensify as Deputy CM Shivakumar will be visiting Delhi this week.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to be invited to the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled on December 27.

Even as Shivakumar was maintaining that he would be visiting Delhi to discuss the river interlinking project, he was trying to meet Rahul Gandhi, according to sources.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of systematically bulldozing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and cautioning that its replacement would have "catastrophic consequences" for India's rural population.

Her remarks come days after Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill, amid strong protests by the Opposition.

In an article published in a leading national daily, Sonia Gandhi argued that MGNREGA, enacted in 2005 under the UPA as a rights-based legislation guaranteeing the constitutional right to work, was being effectively dismantled "without discussion, consultation or respect for parliamentary processes."

"The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name is only the tip of the iceberg," she wrote, describing it as emblematic of a "deeper structural annihilation" of what she called the world's largest social security programme.

According to Sonia Gandhi, the effort to "throttle" MGNREGA did not begin overnight. She said the ruling BJP had pursued a "death by a thousand cuts" approach over the years, gradually hollowing out the scheme through "stagnant budgets, delayed payments" and what she termed "disenfranchising technology", rendering it increasingly ineffective on the ground.

The Congress, along with other Opposition parties, had demanded that the Bill be referred to a standing committee and later pressed for its withdrawal.

Despite these objections, the legislation was passed by both Houses after Opposition MPs staged a walkout. The Bill subsequently received President Droupadi Murmu's assent and became law on Sunday.

Sonia Gandhi alleged that the new Act replaces a statutory employment guarantee with what she described as a "bureaucratic, discretionary programme", fundamentally changing the nature of rural employment support.

"Demand-driven, uncapped employment has been replaced by fixed budget caps set by the Union government," she wrote, arguing that this shift strikes at the heart of MGNREGA's original promise.

She also highlighted provisions that, according to her, end year-round work, introduce up to 60 "no-work" days during the peak agricultural season, and sharply raise the states' share of funding from 10 per cent to 40 per cent.

"By transferring a significant portion of the expense onto the states, the Modi government is discouraging implementation," the Congress leader said, warning that already strained state finances would be "further devastated."

Accusing the Centre of excessive centralisation, the Congress leader said the new framework sidelines gram sabhas and panchayats, replacing decentralised planning with a top-down model linked to the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

"This is centralisation with a vengeance," she wrote.

Rejecting the government's claim that the revamped scheme would guarantee up to 125 days of employment, Gandhi termed the promise "misleading and unachievable".

Sonia Gandhi underscored MGNREGA's role in bolstering rural wages, curbing distress migration and strengthening local self-governance, noting that during the Covid-19 pandemic, it remained one of the few mechanisms through which assistance reached the poorest households.

"The demolition of the right to work must not be seen in isolation," she wrote, linking it to what she described as a broader assault on rights-based laws, including legislation related to information, education, forest rights and land acquisition.

"MGNREGA realised the Mahatma's vision of Sarvodaya, or welfare of all, and gave effect to the constitutional right to work. Its death is our collective moral failure, one that will have financial and human consequences for crores of India's working people for years to come. It is imperative, now more than ever, to unite and safeguard the rights that protect us all," she added.

Meanwhile, with President Murmu granting assent to the VB-G RAM G Bill, the legislation has formally come into force. Following the approval, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan issued a detailed statement outlining the features of the 'Viksit Bharat: G Ram G Act' and countering what he described as misconceptions surrounding the new law.

The Union Minister said there was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public in the name of MGNREGA. "Rumours are being spread, whereas the truth is that the 'Viksit Bharat: G Ram G Yojana' is a progressive step forward from MGNREGA," he said.

Union Minister Chouhan maintained that the new programme provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of employment, an increase from the earlier 100 days.

"The provision for unemployment allowance in case of non-availability of work has also been further strengthened. Additionally, if there is a delay in payment of wages, there is now a provision for additional compensation," he added, asserting that the revamped law enhances both coverage and accountability.
December 22 : Lucknow: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya launched a sharp attack on Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party on Saturday. He said that the mafia and the Samajwadi Party cannot survive without each other. According to Maurya, whoever is found guilty in the codeine-based cough syrup case no matter who it is will be punished severely and strict action will be taken against them. He said that investigations by the police and the Enforcement Directorate are currently underway in the matter. Anyone involved in this crime will not be saved by Akhilesh Yadav and his company.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is walking the path of theft and arrogance. He added that whether the accused are those whose names Akhilesh Yadav is taking or those whose names are emerging during the investigation, every single culprit will be identified. All of them will be arrested and strict action will be taken as per the law.

Maurya said that such crimes amount to a betrayal of society. Those who poison people in the name of syrup are enemies of society and cannot be spared under any circumstances.

Targeting Akhilesh Yadav over Voter List Revision, Maurya said that during the Bihar elections, Akhilesh Yadav thought his relative Tejashwi Yadav would win and become Chief Minister, after which his own turn would come. Since returning after losing the Bihar election, his mental balance has been disturbed. On the issue of voter list revision, if Akhilesh Yadavs old tweets are reviewed, it will be seen that he uses a new term every day.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister, purification of the voter list was extremely necessary. He thanked the Election Commission for undertaking such an important task. He said this process has been carried out at regular intervals in the past as well. The current exercise is essential for the future, for ensuring voter authenticity, and for creating a voter list free from foreign infiltrators. The campaign includes removing names of deceased voters, eliminating duplicate registrations, and adding names of new voters above the age of 18. Maurya said that BJP workers are working hard at the booth level regarding Form-6. He alleged that the Samajwadi Party does not have workers but only goons, mafia, and criminals. He said that BJPs booth-level strength is strong because of its workers.

On the issue of Reservation, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said there will be no compromise of any kind. The reservation meant for OBC, SC, ST, and economically weaker sections of the general category will certainly be given to them. Regarding Lekhpal recruitment, he said the appointment process will be completely transparent, and if any officer attempts wrongdoing, strict action will be taken. He informed that he has written a letter to the Chief Minister and also to the Chief Secretary, directing immediate correction of mistakes and necessary action.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Meditation is a scientific tool that can help manage stress and regulate the brain's emotional responses, said experts at the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush.

The experts, celebrating World Meditation Day on Sunday, highlighted the clinical relevance of meditation in today's competitive world.

"Nearly 60-70 per cent of stress is occupational in nature and stressed the need to align body and mind through techniques prescribed in the Patanjala Yogasutra," said Prof. (Dr.) Kashinath Samagandi, Director, MDNIY.

Referring to contemporary research, he explained that neuroimaging studies show that Om chanting reduces activity in the amygdala -- the brain's centre for fear and negative emotions -- by activating the prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotional responses.

An fMRI study has demonstrated significant deactivation of the amygdala during loud Om chanting compared to the resting state.

He further cited findings from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, indicating that Yoga Nidra produces measurable changes in brain activity associated with deep relaxation and emotional regulation, thereby reducing stress and systemic inflammation.

Notably, the UN General Assembly last year proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, reaffirming the right of every individual to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Ayush's ongoing efforts to integrate traditional Indian wisdom with modern lifestyle practices for a healthier society.

During the event, Swami Muktimayananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, encouraged participants to turn inward for lasting peace.

"The calming mental fluctuations begin with self-understanding and recognition of one's true nature -- Sat Chit Anand Swaroop -- grounded in love and compassion," he said.

He also stressed adherence to Yama and Niyama to overcome ego, jealousy, and unfulfilled desires that disturb inner harmony.

The event saw specialised meditation sessions that brought together eminent scholars, yoga practitioners, and enthusiasts.

The programme also featured practical demonstrations of various meditation techniques, aimed at equipping participants with effective tools to enhance mental and emotional resilience.

--IANS

rvt/
Palakkad, Dec 22 : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday assured justice to the family of Ram Narayan, the migrant worker who was beaten to death by a mob at Attappallam in Walayar and said strict action would be taken against all those responsible for the crime that has shaken Kerala.

In a statement on Monday, the Chief Minister said a special investigation team led by the Palakkad Superintendent of Police is probing the case and has been directed to examine all aspects of the incident and initiate appropriate legal action.

The government will also consider the matter and ensure suitable compensation for the bereaved family.

Calling the incident unacceptable, CM Vijayan said such acts tarnish the image of Kerala as a progressive society and stressed the need for vigilance to prevent a recurrence.

The Chief Minister's remarks came as disturbing details emerged from the remand report, which revealed the extreme cruelty inflicted on Ram Narayan, a native of Chhattisgarh who had come to Kerala in search of work.

According to the report, the accused assaulted him with a clear and conscious intent to kill, subjecting him to hours of sustained violence.

Medical findings recorded ahead of the post-mortem showed more than 40 injuries across the body.

Severe head injuries, profuse bleeding and multiple grievous wounds were cited as the cause of death.

Investigators said heavy sticks were used to beat the victim, while marks on the body indicate he was thrown to the ground, kicked repeatedly and dragged. X-ray examinations confirmed that he was stomped on his face and back, pointing to prolonged torture rather than a single attack.

The remand report also notes that those who attempted to intervene were threatened and driven away.

Meanwhile, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, who hails from Palakkad, alleged that the attack stemmed from hate-driven politics, claiming the victim was targeted after being branded a "Bangladeshi".

He said the government stood firmly with the victim's family and would ensure maximum punishment for the culprits.

Five accused have so far been arrested, all of whom have criminal antecedents.

Police said efforts are underway to trace more suspects as the investigation continues.
Kochi, Dec 22 : The police have suffered a major setback in the high-profile narcotics case involving actor Shine Tom Chacko, after a forensic report failed to establish that he had consumed drugs, significantly weakening the prosecution's claims in a case that triggered widespread public debate across Kerala.

Kochi, Dec 22 (IANS) The police have suffered a major setback in the high-profile narcotics case involving actor Shine Tom Chacko, after a forensic report failed to establish that he had consumed drugs, significantly weakening the prosecutionas claims in a case that triggered widespread public debate across Kerala.

The forensic findings, which came out on Monday morning, could not confirm drug use by the actor, contradicting the policeas earlier assertions that Shine Tom Chacko and a friend had consumed narcotic substances after checking into a hotel room in Kochi.

The case had gained prominence following dramatic visuals and reports of the actor allegedly fleeing the hotel room during a surprise inspection by the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF).

The incident, which occurred in April as part of the policeas Operation D-Hunt, had created a political and social stir, with intense media scrutiny and public discussion around drug abuse in the film industry.

Acting on a tip-off that narcotics were being used in the actoras room, a DANSAF team reached a private hotel in Ernakulam North. Police later claimed that Shine Tom Chacko escaped by jumping through a window from his third-floor room after learning of the teamas arrival.

Following the incident, the actor was questioned for several hours by the police.

However, the latest forensic report now casts serious doubt on the core allegation of drug consumption, dealing a blow to the case narrative built by the investigators.

Shine Tom Chacko had earlier also been linked to the hybrid cannabis case in Alappuzha, but the Excise Department later clarified that he had no direct connection with the seizure.

He was summoned only to clarify financial transactions with Taslima, the woman arrested in that case.

During questioning, Shine stated that he does not use hybrid cannabis and admitted to having previously used methamphetamine.

He also told officials that he had voluntarily sought treatment at a de-addiction centre, even postponing film shoots as part of his rehabilitation.

The actor was subsequently shifted to a de-addiction centre under the Excise Departmentas de-addiction programme.

He has consistently denied having any drug-related dealings with Taslima, a claim he reiterated during multiple rounds of questioning.

With the forensic report now failing to support the policeas central allegation, the case is expected to face closer legal scrutiny in the days ahead, even as questions are raised over investigative lapses in a matter that attracted enormous public attention.
Seoul, Dec 22 : A North Korea-linked cyber hacking group appears to have launched a new cyber attack campaign, code-named "Artemis," that embeds malicious code inside computer files, a report showed on Monday.

The Genians Security Center (GSC), a South Korean cybersecurity institute, said in a report that it detected the operation believed to have been carried out by APT37, a Pyongyang-backed cyber hacking group, reports Yonhap news agency.

According to the report, the threat actors embedded malicious object linking and embedding (OLE) code inside Hangul Word Processor (HWP) documents. An attack chain is triggered when a user allows the opening of the document's content and clicks a hyperlink in the file.

HWP is a document file format widely used as a standard in South Korea.

The findings follow an October report by 38 North, a U.S.-based website monitoring North Korea, which said North Korean cyber operators have repeatedly exploited the HWP format to infiltrate government, military and key industrial networks in South Korea.

"This attack demonstrates APT37's ongoing pattern of highly developed reconnaissance and infiltration activities," the GSC report said. "It also indicates that the group continues to refine its capabilities by leveraging advanced technical methods."

In November, a North Korea-linked hacking group launched a new form of cyberattack that remotely controls Android smartphones and personal computers (PCs) to delete key data, including photos, documents and contact information.

The group, believed to be affiliated with Pyongyang-sponsored groups Kimsuky or APT37, infiltrated victims' smartphones and PCs through malware distributed via KakaoTalk and stole account information for Google and major domestic IT services, according to the report by the Genians Security Center (GSC), a South Korean cybersecurity institute.

They remotely reset the smartphones after using Google's location-based tracking system to confirm the victims were outside their homes or offices.

The remote reset halted normal device operation, blocking notification and message alerts from messenger apps and effectively cutting off the account owner's awareness channel, thereby delaying detection and response, the report explained.

Through this process, key data stored on the infected devices, including photos, documents and contacts, were completely deleted.

a"IANS

na/
Kolkata, Dec 22 : Four members of a family were charred to death after a fire broke out at their house in Uluberia in West Bengal's Howrah district, police said on Monday. The tragic incident occurred late Sunday night while the victims were fast asleep.

Kolkata, Dec 22 (IANS) Four members of a family were charred to death after a fire broke out at their house in Uluberia in West Bengalas Howrah district, police said on Monday. The tragic incident occurred late Sunday night while the victims were fast asleep.

According to police, the fire broke out around 12.30 a.m. in the Jhamtia Gram Panchayat area under Uluberia's Joypur police station limits. The family members failed to notice the blaze as they were in deep sleep on a cold winter night.

The deceased have been identified as Duryodhan Dalui, Dudhkumar Dalui, Archana Dalui and Shampa Dalui, a ninth-grade student. All four were sleeping together in one room when the fire broke out. Although the fire brigade arrived quickly and brought the fire under control, none of the family members could be saved.

The police and fire department initially suspect that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit. A full investigation into the incident has been launched. The police have cordoned off the area around the house.

According to locals, most of the villagers attended a social programme in the area last night on the occasion of Ganga Puja. Only a handful of people were in their homes. Due to the cold winter night, everyone had closed their doors and windows and gone to sleep. As a result, no one initially noticed the fire.

By the time people noticed the fire, the house was engulfed in flames. Residents quickly rushed to the spot and tried to extinguish the fire. The police and fire departments were also informed.

Police and fire services promptly arrived and brought it under control. Four charred bodies were recovered from the house, which were sent for post-mortem examination. It was learnt that Dudhkumar worked as an electrician in the area. The house had walls made of bamboo and mud and a roof of asbestos sheets. As a result, the house was quickly engulfed in flames.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday said it is ready to launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24.

The launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite, also referred to as BlueBird-6, in Low Earth Orbit.

BlueBird communications satellite, developed by the US-based AST SpaceMobile, will be launched on board India's most powerful rocket LVM3.

It is one of the heaviest commercial satellites, weighing 6.5 tonnes. The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite arrived in India from the US on October 19.

"Meet #LVM3M6 ISRO's operational heavy-lift launch vehicle with a proven record of reliable missions. Ready to deliver BlueBird Block-2 to Low Earth Orbit," ISRO shared in a post on the social media platform X.

Earlier, AST SpaceMobile, in a statement, said that "when launched, it will feature the largest commercial phased array in low Earth orbit at nearly 2,400 square feet. This represents a 3.5 times increase in size over BlueBirds 1-5 and supports 10 times the data capacity".

This is the second collaboration between the US and ISRO. In July, the ISRO successfully launched the $1.5 billion NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission (NISAR), aimed at taking high-resolution Earth scans with a capacity to penetrate through fogs, dense clouds, and ice layers.

AST SpaceMobile has already launched five satellites -- BlueBird 1 to 5 -- in September 2024. With an aim to expand this network further, the company has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide.

Meanwhile, as per ISRO BlueBird 6's liftoff, it is being handled by its commercial wing, the New Space India Limited (NSIL).

LVM3, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage launch vehicle comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).

"It has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, a height of 43.5 m, and a payload capability of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)," ISRO said.

LVM-3 had recently put India's heaviest CMS-3 satellite, weighing 4.4 tonnes, into its orbit on November 2.

In its earlier missions, LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites.
For years, Tennessees Nissan Smyrna Plant has been the home of Americas most popular Nissan EV. But thats about to change.

Nissan is moving production of the Leaf out of Smyrna and over to Sunderland, Englandmarking the end of an era for the longtime Tennesseebuilt electric hatch.

The Leaf just got a major redesign and appears to be a cornerstone of Nissan's new brand international strategy. So, why is the Leaf's production suddenly being moved after Nissan debuted one of its most competitive iterations yet? Here's what car buyers need to know about the new Nissan Leaf and why the Japanese automaker is uprooting its production.

The Nissan Leaf just got more competitive

Some redesigns are subtle but the Nissan Leaf experienced nothing short of an evolution between generations. It started as an affordable hatchback and is now a subcompact SUV. The Leaf is more expensive than ever before, but it's also more competitive than ever thanks to improved specs, a larger cabin and cargo area, and a long list of standard features.

The 2026 Nissan Leaf starts at $29,990. It produces 174 horsepower. The Leaf has 259 miles of standard driving range. It comes in three trims: the S+ FWD ($29,990), the SV+FWD ($34,230) and the Platinum+ FWD ($38,990). Upper trims produce more power and have more driving range than the base model.

Why is Nissan moving Leaf production to England?

The main reason that Nissan is moving the production of the Nissan Leaf from Smyrna, Tennessee to Sunderland, England is waning demand in the U.S. American EV sales have dropped year-over-year for the first time since 2019, says electric vehicle news site InsideEVs.

American drivers may not be purchasing as many new EVs as last year, but Europe and Asia are still exhibiting strong electric vehicle demand. Sunderland, England is Nissan's European electric vehicle hub and it's suited for the mass production of a nameplate as appealing as the Leaf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The United Kingdom's government is also incentivizing the production and adoption of electric vehicles, while the current Trump administration has recently eliminated several major incentives including the federal electric vehicle tax credit for consumers. The future could be electric, but EVs haven't become popular enough in America for production to be profitable and sustainable for some major automakers looking to create a foothold in the space.

Should you get a 2026 Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf's base model is the most affordable new electric vehicle on the market. However, its cheapest version isn't the most practical. The Leaf's upper trims offer enough power and driving range to make EV ownership more realistic and enjoyable for average drivers.

2026 Nissan Leaf standard features

Leatherette steering wheel

Dual 12.3-inch widescreen displays

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Virtual personal assistant

Rear sonar system parking sensors

Nissan's new Leaf "goes farther, charges faster and looks way better," according to a vehicle review by MotorTrend. It has "excellent interior materials, solid range and keen pricing" says Road&Track. Nissan's EV is competitive for the money and has a good chance at rivaling cheap electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

If you're looking for an affordable electric subcompact SUV, the Leaf is worth strong consideration based on vehicle reviews. Nissan's production move could change its future pricing in America due to import tariffs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Nissan Leaf just got better. Why is it leaving Tennessee?

Advertisement Advertisement
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Actor Mohan Kapoor, who played Yusuf Khan, the warm father of superhero Kamala Khan in Marvel, opened up about the professional differences he experienced while shooting for 'Miss Marvel', calling the work environment on the international set "heartening" and "deeply disciplined".

Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) Actor Mohan Kapoor, who played Yusuf Khan, the warm father of superhero Kamala Khan in Marvel, opened up about the professional differences he experienced while shooting for 'Miss Marvel', calling the work environment on the international set "heartening" and "deeply disciplined".

Mohan was speaking to Pooja Bhatt on her podcast. The filmmaker asked the actor what was the difference that he experienced as a professional when he was shooting for the first Miss Marvel and what was the work environment like.

Reflecting on his time in the US during the shoot, Kapoor said what struck him the most was seeing women handling heavy technical work on set.

"The thing that was most heartening for me I saw women doing heavy lifting and I mean heavy lifting. I am saying they were lifting big ass lights, literally lifting weights I was like 'behenji main karun?' I was shocked This is something I found very strange in the States. Everyone does their job."

Drawing a parallel with everyday life during the Covid period, Mohan recalled an incident at a supermarket where a staff member refused to help beyond his designated responsibility.

He explained: "I was staying in an apartment and I wanted to stock up because it was Covid So, I went into this supermarket and there's one guy stocking something up on a ladder So I asked him where I could find he said why dont you look over there He said 'then you got me my friend.. that's way above my pay grade' His job is just stocking"

The actor pointed out that the same structure was evident on the shooting floor. With Covid restrictions limiting crew strength, the set functioned like a "well-oiled machine".

"In a professional environment in a shooting set, everybody was queued into it. Not learning on the job also because it was Covid the number of times was reduced. So, everyone was like a well oiled machine. You had to be on time doing everything."

Recalling an incident from the first day of shoot, he said a one-hour delay caused by a camera issue was immediately documented.

"The EP (executive producer) came with his iPad and asked the director to log the reason for the delay. Everything had to be accounted for," Mohan said, adding that the lack of such accountability remains a larger issue in India across sectors.

"I find that as a problem in India holistically. There is no accountability," he said.

Ms. Marvel is the seventh television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It follows Kamala Khan, a 16-year-old fangirl of the Avengers who struggles to fit in until she gains her own powers.

Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan, with Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Laurel Marsden, Azhar Usman, Rish Shah, Arian Moayed, Alysia Reiner, Laith Nakli, Nimra Bucha, Travina Springer, Adaku Ononogbo, Samina Ahmad, Fawad Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Farhan Akhtar, and Aramis Knight also starring.

Despite being the most senior actor on 'Miss Marvel', Mohan said he constantly sought feedback from younger co-actors.

"I remember in Miss Marvel me and this lady who played my wife Zenobia Shroff were the only two people who had done work before and considering the body of work I was the most senior person. If it was a scene where I felt I needed feedback."

"Even after hearing a wow from people I would go to the younger actors and say was I alright did I pitch it right? "

"She said you're Mohan Kapoor, you have done so much work why are you asking There is a reason I said I have worked in India. Our sensibilities and the way we pitch our dialogues and emotions are different.

Mohan also highlighted the rarity of his Marvel journey, having appeared across three franchises including 'Miss Marvel', 'The Marvels' and 'Daredevil: Born Again'.

"Three Marvel franchises ... .The only character in the Marvel universe that traversed three Miss Marvel, The Marvels and Daredevil"

Calling the experience surreal, the actor added: "On the red carpet theta asked me, has your dream come true? I said that coming from India I never dreamt that I would be here. I don't have that audacity But what I am doing is my dream and I don't want to wake up."
Giridih : , Dec 22 (IANS) In a shocking and gruesome incident, a woman was brutally attacked with boiling oil after she resisted an alleged molestation attempt by two youths in Gadi village under Leda Panchayat in the Mufassil police station area of Giridih district, Jharkhand, police officials said on Monday.

According to police, two youths allegedly poured boiling oil on the woman on late Sunday evening after she resisted a molestation bid.

The victim, who sustained severe burn injuries, was rushed to Sadar Hospital, where her condition remains critical. Doctors have said that her hands and legs suffered extensive burns.

According to reports, the womanas husband is physically disabled, and she runs a small fast-food stall in the village to support her family.

On Sunday evening, the police said, a group of youths visited her stall and began harassing her with lewd gestures. When she protested, the situation escalated.

During the altercation, one of the accused allegedly grabbed a container of boiling oil -- used for frying samosas -- and poured it on the woman, causing grievous injuries. Both attackers fled the scene immediately after committing the crime.

Hearing her screams, local residents rushed to help and, along with her family, took her to the hospital. Police promptly launched an investigation after they were informed.

One accused, identified as Uday Chaudhary, has been arrested, while efforts are underway to nab the second suspect, Manish Chaudhary, who is currently at large.

Authorities have registered an FIR based on the victimas statement, and further legal proceedings are in progress.

Senior police officials said that strict action will be taken against those responsible and assured that the case will be pursued with utmost seriousness.

Meanwhile, anger and outrage prevailed in the village, with residents demanding strict and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
Ranchi, Dec 22 : In a shocking incident, 25-year-old Sumit Tigga, general secretary of the Tribal Congress's Karra block unit, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Guyu village under the Karra police station area of Khunti district, Jharkhand, officials said on Monday.

The sensational killing, which took place on Sunday evening, has triggered panic and anger among local residents.

Sumit Tigga, the son of Temba Tigga of Guyu village, was unmarried and widely known as an energetic and socially active young tribal leader. He was actively involved in the organisational work of the Tribal Congress as well as various social initiatives, earning him considerable goodwill in his village and nearby areas.

According to preliminary reports, Sumit was at his residence on Sunday evening when two persons known to him called him out around 6.30 p.m. He later joined a group of friends who were sitting near a bonfire in the village.

At around 8 p.m., an unidentified assailant allegedly approached from behind and fired at him, causing him to collapse on the spot in a pool of blood.

After opening fire, the attacker fled the scene. Hearing the gunshot, villagers rushed to the spot and alerted Sumit's family. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Ranchi for emergency treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

On receiving information, Karra police rushed to the village, inspected the crime scene and initiated an investigation. Several people present in the vicinity at the time of the incident were questioned. The body was later taken into police custody and sent to RIMS, Ranchi, for post-mortem examination.

Police officials said the motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained and that all possible angles, including personal rivalry and political enmity, are being examined.

"We are investigating the case from all aspects and have formed teams to identify and arrest the culprits at the earliest," a senior police officer said.

Meanwhile, local Congress leaders, tribal activists and residents strongly condemned the killing and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. They warned that such incidents threaten peace and security in the tribal-dominated region.

Police have assured that the case will be cracked soon and the accused will be brought to justice.
Mysuru : , Dec 22 (IANS) Commenting on the controversy surrounding the Hate Speech Regulation Bill, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said only those who make provocative speeches are opposing the Bill, and if one refrains from making inflammatory statements, no cases will be filed.

Addressing the media in Mysuru on Monday, the Chief Minister questioned why BJP leaders were reacting defensively. "If someone calls you a pumpkin thief, why are you touching your shoulder?" he asked, quoting a Kannada proverb.

Responding to the BJP's allegation that the Hate Speech Prevention Bill has been framed targeting specific individuals, Siddaramaiah said the law applies equally to leaders of all parties. "Why is only the BJP opposing it? Does hate speech help maintain peace in society?" he asked.

He said the Bill is being implemented to protect peace and fraternity. "Hate speech has increased in recent times, and the Bill has been drafted to control it. The BJP is strongly opposing the Bill because they indulge in hate speech," he alleged.

It can be recalled that Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Shobha Karandlaje, had alleged that the Congress-led government is attempting to impose an undeclared Emergency in Karnataka.

The Union Minister declared that the law regarding hate speech regulation would not be allowed to be implemented under any circumstances. She said the Congress mindset is that whatever it has done in the past till now must be accepted without any opposition.

She said the Belagavi Legislature session should have been used to discuss the problems of North Karnataka, but instead, the entire session was confined to the introduction of the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, responding to BJP allegations of misappropriation of Gruha Laxhmi scheme funds, said there is no scope for misappropriation when money is directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts.

He said the Gruha Lakshmi amount for February and March has not yet been released and assured that it would be verified and released. "If there was no money, would it have been possible to pay Gruha Lakshmi funds for 23 months?" he asked.

He clarified that the money has not been released yet and that no one could have siphoned off the funds.

Reacting to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement that no individual is bigger than the party, Siddaramaiah said it is a point that must be accepted. "No one can be bigger than the party," he said.

On the leadership change issue, the Chief Minister said the decision should be taken by Rahul Gandhi and that they would abide by whatever decision he makes.

Reiterating his stand, Siddaramaiah said he has spoken to the party leadership, which assured that a decision would be taken, and that he would remain committed to the high command's decision.

He said the media has been discussing the leadership change excessively. "Why is there a need to ask so many questions? There is no need to discuss it again after it has already been addressed on the floor of the Assembly," he said.

Responding to a question about former minister K.N. Rajanna meeting Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said there was nothing wrong in the meeting. "D.K. Shivakumar is the party president. What is wrong with meeting him?" he asked.

It may be noted that Rajanna is a staunch supporter of Siddaramaiah and has taken positions against Shivakumar.

Replying to a question on reports that Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar claimed he had appointed Rajanna as Apex Bank president, Siddaramaiah said, "Who appointed whom is not important. There is no such question. Late S.M. Krishna was the Chief Minister then, and it was the government that made the appointment," he said.

When asked about preparations for the budget, the Chief Minister said the status would be shared when the preparations are underway.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The BJP on Monday came out in support of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks describing India as a "Hindu Rashtra" and his comments flagging what he termed "Islamic extremism" in West Bengal, triggering sharp political reactions across parties.

Addressing a gathering on Sunday, Bhagwat had asserted that India is a "Hindu nation" and said no constitutional sanction is required for it, as it is a "truth".

He also raised questions over suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir's announcement to construct a Babri Masjid-like mosque in West Bengal, alleging that the move was "being done for votes". The RSS chief further stated that government funds should not be used for the construction of religious places.

Backing Bhagwat's remarks on Bengal, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo cited recent developments in Murshidabad, where an announcement regarding the construction of a Babri Masjid had been made.

Speaking to IANS, Deo said, "The entire West Bengal government called Maulanas there and afterwards, a large gathering was held where it was stated that we will build the Babri Masjid here. This is being done solely by the Trinamool Congress to appease the Muslim community, which is an insult to the Sanatanis. For show, they did suspend the MLA, but his arrest has not yet been made, indicating collusion between the government and this suspended MLA."

He further alleged that the issue was deliberately raised with elections approaching.

"This is not an issue that needed to be raised at this time, but with elections in sight, the Trinamool Congress has deliberately raised this issue through one of its MLAs. So, the RSS chief is right," Deo added.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam also supported Bhagwat's remarks and stressed the need for Hindu unity.

Speaking to IANS, Kadam said, "Our Sarsanghchalak's statement is true and attempts to shed light on the reality. On the sacred land of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee and her supporters have caused suffering, harassment and oppression to our Hindus. They have forced their way into homes, committed misconduct against women and the people of Bengal are witnessing all of this."

Kadam further alleged political motives behind references to Babri Masjid.

"Those who claim to speak in the name of Babri are doing so only for political gains. They do not care for anyone and are merely using excuses to gain control over a particular religion. However, if Hindus unite, no one would dare to engage in such Pakistan-pleasing, deceitful actions," he said.

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande emphasised that Hindus should unite in the face of emerging challenges.

"Considering the kind of activities taking place in our country and the nature of threats we face, Hindus should not divide themselves on the basis of caste and must unite. Our party firmly believes in this stance," she told IANS.

The Opposition, however, strongly criticised the RSS chief's remarks, asserting that India is governed by the Constitution and not by ideological declarations.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad questioned the premise of the "Hindu Rashtra" statement.

Speaking to IANS, he said, "I would like to ask Mohan Bhagwat, very respectfully, what kind of Hindu nation he wants. Today, the highest constitutional and administrative positions in our country are held by Hindus. The President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are all Hindus."

Prasad pointed out that political leadership across parties is predominantly Hindu.

"Leaders of the ruling party are Hindus, and even leaders of the Opposition, including the Samajwadi Party, are Hindus. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is also a Hindu. So what is the scale or definition by which they measure who is Hindu and Hindu Rashtra?" he asked.

He further said Bhagwat must clarify whether such a vision aligns with constitutional values.

"Our country functions through the Constitution, through which Baba Saheb Ambedkar gave equal rights to all communities. Bhagwat should clarify whether he intends to follow the Constitution framed by Baba Saheb Ambedkar in his so-called Hindu Rashtra," Prasad added.

Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir also reacted to Bhagwat's comments, dismissing fears of unrest.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "We respect Mohan Bhagwat, but his assessment that there might be riots here is incorrect. We will not allow any such situation. When a Trinamool leader announced the construction of a temple, there were no riots. So why would it happen now?"

Kabir further alleged links between the RSS and the Bengal government.

"Mohan Bhagwat needs the state government's permission to visit here. Since Mamata Banerjee has been helping the RSS in the state, the number of their shakhas has increased from 558 to 12,000. On the other hand, madrasas receive nothing, and the Muslim community does not get any benefits," he claimed.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Lashkar-e-Tayiba, responsible for the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, was hit hard during Operation Sindoor. Since the operation that was carried out to avenge the Pahalgam attacks, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba has tried several times to bounce back, but has not been entirely successful.

The outfit has decided to infuse fresh blood and go back to the basics. The first visible change is in the leadership, with most operations today headed by Talha Saeed, the son of Lashkar-e-Tayiba chief Hafiz Saeed. While Hafiz Saeed is kept in the loop relating to all activities, it is Talha who is calling the shots, an Intelligence Bureau official said.

Talha has fresh ideas for the outfit and has instructed his men to recruit educated persons only. Intelligence agencies have learnt that Talha is more interested in having white-collar cadres in bigger numbers when compared to the conventional mujahideens.

If one looks at the latest recruitments that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba has made in recent months, it becomes clear that Talha is chasing the educated lot. The target audience comprises doctors, engineers and teachers. The outfit now feels that there is a need to have educated cadres, as they bring with them knowledge and can also provide fresher ideas.

Under Talha Saeed, the power of social media is also being used on a very large scale. He feels that propaganda is a very important tool, and hence the social media must be used heavily to spread the same. Under Hafiz Saeed, there were several dedicated terrorists. However, not all of them were in the outfit for the sake of ideology. Many went along for the money, and this is something that Talha does not want. He wants the terrorists he recruits to be ideologically charged and feels that they must be part of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba only if they believe in the cause.

Experts say that if Talha can achieve what he wishes, then the Lashkar-e-Tayiba will only get more dangerous. He is looking at white-collar terrorists, and this itself is a dangerous precedent. Over the years, outfits such as the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have leaned more towards the educated lot.

Under Talha Saeed, several camps have been set up and the emphasis is more on the online classes. After Operation Sindoor, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba has deliberately avoided having classes in the open. It has moved to the online module largely as it wants to avoid detection by the Indian armed forces.

In the process of rebuilding a strong terrorist group, Talha also places heavy emphasis on politics. He is strengthening the cadre who are part of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), the political outfit of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. Talha is of the firm view that they should remain politically strong too, so that there is acceptance by the public. Moreover, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba had hidden behind a strong political outfit, while continuing with its terror acts, officials say.

Talha also believes that the recruitment of adults alone is not enough. He has ensured that multiple classes are introduced to bring in children as well. The plan is to recruit young boys and girls and then radicalise them at a very young age. For the children, the classes mainly emphasise the Quran for a couple of years. The next step involves radicalisation, following which they would be recruited into the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. In the next phase, the same persons would be imparted arms training and then made battle-ready.

Those who are brought in at a very young age would be examined following their training programme. Not all of them will be inducted into the terror network. Based on their skill set, some would be taken into the political outfit. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba is also creating several student wings so that they could infiltrate universities, similar to the lines of the Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, officials say.

Another official said that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba is looking to rebrand itself, and Talha Saeed is in for a long haul, whereby he manages to change the terror landscape in a very big way.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Indian Army has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), New Delhi, to work jointly on the development of software and artificial intelligence-based solutions for defence-related applications.

The collaboration aligns with the Centre's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative and is aimed at strengthening indigenous innovation in defence technology, a Defence Ministry statement said.

Under the agreement, students and faculty members of the NSUT will engage in "live problem-solving projects" provided by the Indian Army, enabling them to gain practical and hands-on exposure to real-world military requirements.

The Army stated that the NSUT will also support capacity building by conducting Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and customised training programmes for Army personnel.

"NSUT will also facilitate capacity building through Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and tailor-made programmes for the Indian Army, strengthening indigenous innovation-driven defence preparedness," the statement said.

While the primary focus of the MoU is on artificial intelligence and software development, the initiative reflects a broader vision.

Similar agreements with other academic institutions point to an expanded emphasis on areas critical to modern warfare, including robotics, cyber security, data analytics and geoinformatics.

The collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between operational military experience and academic research and innovation, with the objective of building a technologically advanced and future-ready armed force.

The Indian Army has already signed comparable MoUs with several prominent educational and research institutions, including the Delhi Technological University (DTU), the IIT Bhubaneswar, and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), to speed up the development of indigenous defence technologies.

In the MoU signed with DTU in October, the Army aims to promote research and offer specialised courses for military personnel in key areas such as defence technology, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

"The collaboration focuses on research and courses for military personnel in key domains, including Defence Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cyber Security, Geoinformatics, Data Analytics and Soldier Upskilling. By bridging operational experience with academic excellence, the partnership aims to build a technologically empowered, future-ready force and drive India's Decade of Transformation," the Indian Army had said in a post.
December 22 : Lucknow: The Yogi government is steadily working to give AYUSH medical systems global recognition. In line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision, the AYUSH department is now making a strong digital presence.

A state-of-the-art AYUSH app is being developed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, offering patients online OPD services and access to all important information about AYUSH. This initiative will make AYUSH healthcare more accessible to the public and ensure greater transparency in medical services.

AYUSH Principal Secretary Ranjan Kumar said, The Chief Minister aims to make AYUSH systems available to everyone. The app, being developed with IIT Kanpur, will allow patients to book OPD appointments online, eliminating the need to wait in long queues at hospitals and AYUSH centers. This will save time, reduce crowding, and provide significant relief to senior citizens, women, and patients from remote areas.

Through the app, users will find detailed information on Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, including treatments for various diseases, medicines, doctor profiles, nearby AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, and health tips. The app will also feature details of government schemes and programs promoting AYUSH.

Designed for ease of use, the app will be secure, fast, and reliable, ensuring patient data protection. Future upgrades will include teleconsultation, online reports, and digital health records, allowing expert medical guidance from home and further strengthening public trust in AYUSH systems.
Chennai, Dec 22 : Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, political activity in the state is gaining momentum. The BJP, which has been steadily expanding its presence, is sharpening its organisational structure, strengthening its alliances, and positioning itself as a strong alternative to the ruling DMK.

In an exclusive interaction with IANS, P. Vijayalekshmi, a senior BJP leader in the state, shares insights on the partyas preparations, possible alliances, womenas issues, law and order situation, and the DMK governmentas investment claims.

Excerpts from the interview:

IANS: With the 2026 Assembly elections fast approaching, what preparations has the BJP undertaken?

Vijayalekshmi: The BJP has been strengthening its grassroots organisational machinery over the past few years. Booth-level committees, district units, and zonal setups have been restructured to widen outreach. Various wings -- such as youth, women, farmers, and workers -- are being mobilised actively. A major focus has been on taking Central government welfare schemes directly to beneficiaries and building a personal connection with households across the state. This is helping the party build a strong foundation for 2026.

IANS: Do you expect new political parties to join the NDA in Tamil Nadu for the 2026 polls?

Vijayalekshmi: Yes. Efforts are underway to broaden the NDA in Tamil Nadu with the objective of creating a robust national democratic alternative to the DMK rule. Political parties aligned with the NDAas development agenda and ideological values are likely to come on board. As the election nears and political dynamics shift, the alliance is expected to expand.

IANS: The BJP has four MLAs in the current Assembly. What are the prospects for 2026?

Vijayalekshmi: The presence of four MLAs is only the beginning. The BJPas vote share, visibility, and acceptance have seen consistent growth. The party is no longer restricted to urban spaces -- it is expanding across rural Tamil Nadu as well.

With a strong alliance, careful candidate selection, and a campaign centred on people-centric issues, the BJP has the potential to significantly increase its strength and emerge as a credible alternative in the 2026 elections.

IANS: As a woman leader, what feedback do you receive from women and grassroots workers?

Vijayalekshmi: Women seek greater political representation, safety and law-and-order assurance, employment opportunities and empowerment beyond token benefits. Central schemes like housing, LPG, toilets, bank accounts, and SHG support have brought visible change. However, women at the state level express genuine concerns about drug abuse, rising crime, and lack of job opportunities. Their expectation is clear -- they want an environment of dignity, independence, and safety.

IANS: The Chief Minister claimed at the Rising TN seminar that his government brought 2.5 times more investment than the previous AIADMK regime. Your response?

Vijayalekshmi: Announcements alone do not reflect actual development. The government must clarify how many investments materialised, how many jobs were created and whether the benefits reached MSMEs, rural industries, and middle-class families.

It is also important to acknowledge Central government contributions -- highways, ports, railways, and ease-of-doing business reforms -- which played a major role in enabling investments. Comparing today with the pandemic-hit AIADMK term does not reflect the full picture.

True growth should be measured not in announcements but in sustainable and equitable job creation.

IANS: The Opposition, including the BJP, has criticised the DMK on law and order. Has the government failed in this aspect?

Vijayalekshmi: The past year has witnessed repeated alleged encounter deaths. This has led to public suspicion and concern. While criminals must face justice, democracy demands judicial due process. Frequent encounter killings raise questions that include whether investigations are being compromised. Accountability, transparency, independent probes, and judicial oversight are crucial to restoring public trust.

IANS: Chennai and TN have seen multiple alleged encounters after the murder of K. Armstrong. Your comments?

Vijayalekshmi: Repeated encounters within a short span demand urgent scrutiny. If the government is confident, it should allow impartial judicial investigations. The BJPas stand is clear: uphold the rule of law, ensure no political interference, and protect human rights. Law and order cannot be managed through fear or shortcuts.

IANS: DMK claims it works for women and has introduced many women-friendly schemes. Do you refute this?

Vijayalekshmi: Announcing schemes is not equal to empowerment. Womenas welfare must include safety, employment, equal opportunity, and independent decision-making. Publicity campaigns do not erase the realities, crimes against women, drug menace, inadequate employment, and lack of representation. The BJP views women not as mere beneficiaries but as leaders and stakeholders. The DMK governmentas work lacks depth and sustainability. True empowerment is achieved only when women feel safe, independent, and respected in society.
London, Dec 22 : The Baloch National Movement (BNM) held a seminar in London to mark the fifth death anniversary of human rights activist Banuk Karima Baloch, highlighting systematic oppression by Pakistani authorities in Balochistan.

The event brought together political leaders, intellectuals, human rights activists, and representatives of Sindhi, Pashtun, and other communities from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, who expressed solidarity with the struggle of the people in Balochistan.

The speakers at the event included BNM Chairman Naseem Baloch; author Naseer Dashti; University of London scholar and SOAS South Asia Centre member Burzine Waghmar; World Sindhi Congress (UK & Europe) Deputy Organiser Fahmeeda Khushik; human rights activist Noor-e-Maryam Kanwar; Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) representative Brakhna Sayyad; and Banuk Karima's cousin, Mehlab Kambar.

Addressing the gathering, the BNP Chairman Naseem Baloch, emphasised that Karima's "life and martyrdom" exposed the "colonial nature" of the Pakistani state and its systematic repression of "oppressed nations".

He criticised Western governments for the "selective application of human rights principles", questioning why occupation and oppression are condemned in some regions but ignored in Balochistan and other oppressed areas.

Naseem stated that Karima challenged not only Pakistani military occupation but also the "occupation of history, language, resources, and political authority".

Concluding, he said that "freedom is not extremism but a natural human instinct, and peace in the region is impossible until Pakistan's colonial structure is dismantled and oppressed nations attain freedom."

Meanwhile, Burzine Waghmar strongly criticised Pakistan's human rights record and held the country's deep state responsible for the killing of Karima Baloch. He said, "Pakistan exploits international neglect and impunity to target peaceful activists even in exile".

Human rights activist Noor-e-Maryam Kanwar said that collective punishment is among the most brutal methods used against the people of Balochistan.

She cited the enforced disappearance of the father of prominent Baloch human rights activist, Mahzeb Shafiq, explaining how Pakistani authorities target families to suppress resistance.

Pashtun Tahafuz Movement representative Barkhna Syed expressed solidarity with the Baloch struggle, noting that enforced disappearances and collective punishment have become a daily reality in Pashtun regions as well.

Recalling Karima's fight against Pakistani authorities, her cousin Mehlab Kambar highlighted her continuous struggle for justice, national identity, and collective strength.

She said Karima organised rallies and protests for enforced disappeared persons and consistently raised her voice against the genocide in Balochistan.
Subaru has dropped to second place in Consumer Reports' annual vehicle reliability report, making way for Toyota. Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota have been in a constant battle for the top spot over the years, with Subaru breaking a back-and-forth fight between Lexus and Toyota in 2024 by snatching top spot from the two Toyota Motor Corporation brands. However, 2025 sees Toyota back in the number one spot.

Toyota reclaimed top spot primarily due to reliability improvements for its models in recent years. Consumer Reports noted that the Camry was significantly more reliable in 2025, making it the second-most reliable sedan in its study, tied with the Honda Accord (and behind another Toyota, the Crown). Another vehicle with improved reliability was the Toyota Tundra: its all-new platform and engine, introduced in 2022, suffered from manufacturing woes, but Toyota looks to have figured things out, and the pickup's 2026 model was much more reliable. Subaru fell to second place since most of its lineup is considered to have just "above average" reliability in CR's estimation.

Read more: 10 Toyota Models With Terrible Resale Value

How Tesla and other EV manufacturers fared

A Tesla Cybertruck parked at a dock - Brandon Woyshnis/Getty Images

One surprising change in 2025's reliability study was Tesla, which sat in ninth place. The controversial electric vehicle company moved up eight spots, largely due to the Model 3. Tesla still has a concerning number of quality issues, especially with the Cybertruck, which has below-average reliability. Still, the rate at which people have been reporting electrical, exterior, and software-related issues has lessened in 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Overall, Consumer Reports' study found that EVs are generally unreliable compared to hybrids. Twenty-eight out of 30 studied hybrids were rated with average or higher reliability (only the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid ranked below). Meanwhile, many EVs landed at the bottom of the reliability rankings, alongside PHEV vehicles. This includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, which suffer from reliability issues with their integrated charging control unit (ICCU), as well as the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and Honda Prelude. Rivian and Lucid are also considered to produce unreliable vehicles overall.

How does Consumer Reports score reliability?

Close-up of a hand on a Toyota steering wheel - marekfromrzeszow/Shutterstock

All three of Consumer Reports' most reliable car brands saw recalls in 2025, proving that no vehicle is perfect. However, Consumer Reports has certain criteria it uses to calculate the reliability scores for its study. For 2025, Consumer Reports collected data from owners covering 380,000 vehicles from the 2000 to 2025 model years, along with a few 2026 models. The experts on Consumer Reports' panel then studied the data, weighing the severity of the reported issues according to how significantly they impact the owner's finances and safety. Vehicles with such issues received a lower score than those with more minor issues like faulty interior trim. The collected data from drivers is then combined with Consumer Reports' own track testing as well as crash-test data, listed safety features, and owner satisfaction surveys.

It's worth noting that Consumer Reports' experience shows that newer models are often more trouble since carmakers haven't ironed out all the issues quite yet. "Even the second-year examples of a new model can have issues," Consumer Reports warned. "When a car has a low score in its first year, it sometimes takes its automaker more time to address the problems. For example, both the gasoline and PHEV versions of the Mazda CX-70 and CX-90 remain unreliable in their second year, as do the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV and Colorado, and the GMC Canyon." You may be better off buying a used car, although there are still things to watch out for.

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.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Actor Dulquer Salmaan, on Monday, took to social media to express his love and gratitude for his wife, Amal Sufiya on their wedding anniversary.

In a heartfelt post, he reflected on their 14 years together. The actor celebrated the life they've built, their shared dreams, and the special bond they continue to nurture. Taking to his Instagram handle, Dulquer posted a couple of his romantic photos with Amal and penned a heartfelt note where he recalled how, as newlyweds from different homes, they were nervous yet hopeful about the future.

In the caption, the 'Sita Ramam' actor mentioned how they continue to pursue both individual and shared dreams in their careers and personal life. He expressed gratitude, love, and pride for his wife, affectionately calling her the "better half."

Dulquer Salmaan wrote, "14 years ago today, we were two different individuals from two different homes newly married, standing together on a stage. Nervous. Hopeful. Excited about what lay ahead. Today we have built a wonderful home and this life together and that too with our biggest blessing. And now we are pursuing our independent and collective dreams both in our careers and home."

"I'm so grateful, blessed and proud to be your other half. Though the world will agree that you will always be the better half Happy 14th my Jaan. I love you long time," he added.

For the unversed, Dulquer Salmaan and Amal Sufiya tied the knot on December 22, 2011, in Chennai. The couple welcomed their daughter, Maryam, in May 2017.

On the work front, Dulquer Salmaan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming Malayalam movie "I'm Game." The film marks director Nahas Hidayath's next venture after the blockbuster hit 'RDX'. Produced by Dulquer along with Jom Verghese, 'I'm Game' happens to be the actor's 40th film.

"I'm Game" also features actors Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kathir, Parth Thiwari, and Tamil actress Samyuktha Viswanathan.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, Dec 22 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday informed the Assembly that no deaths have occurred in the state due to the consumption of codeine-based cough syrup.

Responding to the issue raised by the Leader of the Opposition at the start of the House proceedings, the Chief Minister questioned the intent of the opposition members. He said legislators should come to the House after properly studying the facts and must uphold its dignity.

"The issue was raised as soon as the proceedings began, which is why I had to intervene," he said.

Using the proverb "a guilty conscience needs no accuser," CM Yogi took a sharp dig at the Samajwadi Party, asserting that the allegations were politically motivated. He categorically stated that not a single death in Uttar Pradesh has been linked to codeine cough syrup.

The Chief Minister also targeted the Leader of the Opposition, Mata Prasad Pandey, saying that at such an age one is generally expected to speak the truth, but alleged that the Samajwadi Party compels him to make false statements. He reminded the House that the leader had served as Speaker for a long period and should set an example.

CM Yogi informed the Assembly that the state's biggest wholesaler of codeine cough syrup had been apprehended by the Special Task Force (STF).

"This wholesaler was granted a licence in 2016 during the Samajwadi Party regime," he said, adding that while some leaders flee the country when serious issues arise, "you will keep shouting here and your 'Babua' (referring to Akhilesh Yadav) will go to England for a vacation."

The Chief Minister said Uttar Pradesh does not manufacture codeine cough syrup; it is produced in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and others.

"The deaths reported in connection with such syrups are from other states. Some cases are linked to syrup manufactured in Tamil Nadu. This entire episode revolves around illegal diversion," he said.

He added that wholesalers based in cities like Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi illegally supplied the syrup to states where alcohol is prohibited, leading to its misuse by addicts.

CM Yogi stressed that codeine cough syrup cannot be consumed by children or adults without medical consultation. "People take cough syrup only after consulting a doctor, and this is clearly mentioned on the packaging. Unfortunately, the Samajwadi Party has no connection with education, which is why such irresponsible statements are made," he said.

Detailing the government's action, the Chief Minister said that so far 79 cases have been registered, 225 accused have been named, and 78 people have been arrested. Raids have been conducted on 134 firms.

"When the investigation goes deeper, it repeatedly emerges that some leader or individual associated with the Samajwadi Party is involved somewhere. Even illegal transactions were carried out through the account of an office-bearer of the Lohia Vahini," he alleged, adding that the STF is probing the matter thoroughly.

Taking a swipe at the opposition over bulldozer action, CM Yogi said, "Don't worry. When the time comes, we will be fully prepared for the bulldozer action -- just don't cry then."
Udupi : , Dec 22 (IANS) Karnataka Police have made a third arrest in connection with a case involving the passing of sensitive Indian Navy information to Pakistan.

Sleuths attached to the Malpe police station in Udupi district carried out the operation and arrested the accused, who has been identified as 34-year-old Hitendra, a resident of Kailashnagari in Gujarat.

Police investigations have revealed that Hitendra had allegedly provided SIM cards to the other two accused in the case in exchange for money. The two accused arrested earlier have been remanded to judicial custody. Police are questioning Hitendra in view of the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter.

Officials stated that more persons are likely to be involved and that the investigation is being pursued from all angles.

It may be recalled that on November 21, Karnataka Police arrested two persons for allegedly passing sensitive Indian Navy intelligence to Pakistan through WhatsApp and Facebook in exchange for money.

The accused were employed at the Cochin Shipyard and were arrested by the Udupi Police. The case was registered based on a complaint filed by the CEO of Cochin Shipyard at the Malpe police station. The accused have been booked under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act.

The two accused were identified as 20-year-old Rohit and 37-year-old Santri, both residents of Sultanpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

"The investigation was conducted by Assistant Police Commissioner Harsha Priyamvada and Malpe Station Sub-Inspector D. Anil Kumar. Acting on a tip-off, a special police team traced both accused staying together in a room in Malpe and arrested them. The case is significant from a national security perspective, and the probe has been intensified to determine whether others are involved," Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar had said.

According to preliminary investigations, Rohit is the prime accused. He had been working as an insulator at the Cochin Shipyard unit in Malpe for the past six months.

Police said Rohit obtained a confidential list of Indian Navy ships, their identification numbers, and other classified details from Santri, who was employed at the Cochin Shipyard.

The investigation has revealed that the sensitive information was shared with Pakistan and possibly other countries, and the probe into this angle is ongoing, the SP added.

SP Hariram Shankar further stated that the accused received large sums of money in exchange for the information. It is suspected that they had been passing information related to ports under the central government, ships, and shipyard operations in Cochin, Kerala, and its Malpe branch in Karnataka for over one and a half years.

The investigation has also revealed that Rohit earned substantial amounts by selling information such as ship lists, identification numbers, and other details while working at the Cochin Shipyard in Kerala.

Indian Navy vessels are built at the shipyard's Kerala facility, while the Malpe unit in Karnataka manufactures ships for private parties and international clients.

Rohit was transferred to Malpe six months ago. However, even after his transfer, he allegedly continued to obtain information from his associate Santri and passed it on through WhatsApp and Facebook.

SP Hariram Shankar said the accused had jeopardised the nation's integrity and sovereignty and posed a serious threat to internal security.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka on Tuesday as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with the top leadership of the island nation.

"The visit underscores Indiaas Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28, as the First Responder in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Sri Lanka.

Last week, India delivered relief supplies to various regions of flood-hit Sri Lanka, reflecting its steadfast commitment in assisting the neighbouring nation in time of crisis during the Operation Sagar Bandhu.

On December 18, India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited the Kolonnawa suburb of Colombo and the Bhaktivedanta Children's Home 'Gokulam' in Wattala - areas that have been severely affected by floods in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah.

As part of India's continued assistance to the island nation, High Commissioner Jha distributed assistance kits among families in Kolonnawa in coordination with All Ceylon Sufi Spiritual Association and among children of 'Gokulam' at the ISKCON Temple in Colombo, where they have been relocated.

Earlier, on December 14, an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka, delivering 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations, while also facilitating the return of the Indian Army Field Hospital team, which had been set up in Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy, following the successful completion of its humanitarian mission.

"Efforts to restore critical road connectivity are progressing steadily. Preparatory activities are underway at bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi, with the damaged Kilinochchi Bridge fully cleared and ready for the installation of a Bailey Bridge, facilitating smoother movement and improved access in the region," the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a statement.

On December 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing his condolences on the loss of lives and devastation caused in the island nation in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah while also assuring India's continued support under ongoing 'Operation Sagar Bandhu'.

As PM Modi conveyed that the people of India stand in firm solidarity and support with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need, President Dissanayake expressed his deep gratitude for New Delhi's timely and effective assistance.

"President Dissanayake conveyed his deep gratitude for India's assistance in the wake of the disaster and appreciated the swift deployment of rescue teams and relief material. He also conveyed the appreciation of the people of Sri Lanka for Indiaas timely and effective response efforts," read a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Expressing his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives and widespread devastation in Sri Lanka caused by Cyclone Ditwah, PM Modi assured India's continued support under Operation Sagar Bandhu, in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and as 'First Responder'.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Islamabad, Dec 22 : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers are holding rallies in various parts of the country, in protest against the court's verdict sentencing PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi for 17 years imprisonment in the Toshakhana-II case, the local media reported on Monday.

On Sunday, the protesters gathered on the main GT Road outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building in Peshawar on and shouted slogans in favour of the PTI founder. During the protest, Member of National Assembly Shandana Gulzar stated that Imran Khan had been afightinga for the future generations and citizensa rights. She stated that Imran Khan has never 'demanded' anything for himself and was fighting for the poor, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

Protest in Laghari area was led by Nawagai tehsil council chairman and former PTI district president Khalilur Rehman. The protesters carrying party flags shouted slogans against Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government and the judge who announced 17 years sentence for Imran Khan and his wife. The PTI workers rejected the verdict and termed it a grave blow to Pakistan's judicial system, which has been weakened after the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Following the verdict, Imran Khan has issued a call for nationwide protest and announced his intention to challenge the court's decision in the Toshakhana-II case in the Islamabad High Court.

Over 1,300 police officers and security personnel were deployed in Rawalpindi to maintain law and order situation ahead of possible PTI protest and a Jamaat-e-Islami gathering at Liaquat Bagh, local media reported on Sunday, citing officials.

The deployment of police and security personnel comes amid rising tensions after a court on Saturday sentenced Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 yearsa imprisonment in the Toshakhana-II case.

PTI leaders have expressed support for their leader and vowed action against the verdict they termed baseless. PTI's Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Saturday revealed that Imran Khan has urged his supporters to prepare for a street movement, Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported.

According to officials, the deployment includes two superintendents of police, seven deputy superintendents of police, 29 inspectors and station house officers, 92 upper subordinates, and 340 constables.

Furthermore, seven sections of Elite Force commandos, 22 Rapid Emergency and Security Operations personnel, and 400 members of the Anti-Riots Management Wing have been posted in Rawalpindi to maintain law and order. Police has set up 32 pickets, each supervised by an upper subordinate, while Elite Force Commandos are carrying out patrols.

The Toshakhana-2 corruption case involves the purchase of an expensive jewellery set, gifted to Imran Khand by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021, at a nominal price.

The verdict was pronounced by Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s special court during proceedings conducted at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, where Imran Khan is imprisoned.

Under the ruling, Imran Khan was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison, receiving 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, and seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, Dec 22 : In a strongly worded statement, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that the Centre's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive has resulted in a massive number of voters being declared ineligible across the state.

During a press conference in Chennai, Udhayanidhi reiterated Chief Minister M. K. Stalin's earlier warning that the SIR process was being used as a tool to remove votes belonging to minorities, Dalits, and Muslims. "This is not just an administrative exercise. It is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise vulnerable communities," he alleged.

According to Udhayanidhi, nearly 97 lakh names have been removed from the voters' list in Tamil Nadu alone, with Chennai accounting for around 14 lakh deletions. He urged citizens to promptly verify whether their names still remain on the electoral roll, insisting that the ruling DMK would support anyone who finds their name missing.

The Deputy Chief Minister also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to influence Tamil Nadu's political landscape through "external strategies devised from Delhi." Referring to Shah's claim that the BJP had secured victory in the Bihar elections and was now targeting Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi asserted that such statements were meant to intimidate the people.

He added that while such tactics may work in northern states like Bihar or Madhya Pradesh, they would not succeed in Tamil Nadu. "Maybe you can win in the North, but in Tamil Nadu your plans will never take off," he said, asserting that the people of the state were politically conscious and would not be frightened by threats.

Udhayanidhi urged citizens to treat the issue seriously and to take individual responsibility for confirming their voting rights. "Everyone must personally check whether their votes are intact. If your name has been removed, please re-register immediately. We have to safeguard our own rights," he emphasised.

He reassured that the DMK would extend full support to affected voters and ensure they are guided through the re-registration process.

With the 2026 Assembly elections nearing, the remarks are expected to fuel further political confrontation between the state government and the Centre over electoral reforms and voter roll revision.

Udhayanidhi's allegations come at a time when the opposition BJP is attempting to consolidate its presence in Tamil Nadu, while the DMK is positioning itself as defender of democratic rights and minority protection.

The controversy is likely to intensify, with both sides gearing up for a high-stakes electoral battle in the coming months.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Bangladesh, saying the ongoing violence and criminal activities must be stopped immediately for the sake of humanity and stability.

Reacting to recent incidents, Naqvi said the prevailing atmosphere reflected a dangerous breakdown of governance.

"What is happening in Bangladesh, and the way brutal criminals are operating, turning the country into a jungle of violence and crime, must be brought to an end. This is necessary for any nation or religion," Naqvi said.

He warned that continued silence from authorities in the face of atrocities would indicate a loss of control. "If such atrocities continue and the government keeps watching silently, it shows that the government has effectively become hostage to these forces," he added.

Echoing similar concerns, Minister Dilip Jaiswal said the situation in Bangladesh should not be viewed in isolation and hinted at external involvement aimed at regional destabilisation. "The situation in Bangladesh cannot be understood so easily. There is Pakistan's involvement behind these incidents, and even behind Pakistan, there are certain forces. Their objective is to destabilise Nepal and Bangladesh to destabilise India," Jaiswal said.

The remarks come amid a series of disturbing incidents in Bangladesh. One such incident involved the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched by a mob following allegations of blasphemy at the garment factory where he worked.

According to reports, on the night of December 18, Das was beaten to death, his body hung from a tree and set on fire after accusations that he had insulted Islam.

However, Bangladeshi authorities have said there is no evidence to support the blasphemy claims. Company Commander of RAB-14 in Mymensingh, Md Samsuzzaman, told leading Bangladeshi daily 'The Daily Star' that investigators found no proof that the deceased had posted or said anything offensive. "No evidence was found indicating that the deceased had written anything on Facebook that might have hurt religious sentiments," he said, adding that neither locals nor factory workers could confirm the allegations.

Samsuzzaman further stated that no one had personally heard or seen Das insult religion and that he was forcibly pushed out of the factory during rising tensions to protect the premises. He confirmed that seven people have been taken into custody so far, including two initially detained after videos of the incident went viral.

Meanwhile, security concerns have also affected Indian diplomatic operations in Bangladesh. Following a violent incident outside the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, Indian visa services at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in the port city have been suspended from Sunday until further notice. Officials said visa services would resume only after a review of the security situation.

The decision followed clashes outside the mission on Friday, which left at least four people injured, including two police personnel.

According to local media, the unrest erupted after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha, with protesters allegedly vandalising parts of the Indian mission premises.

The unfolding developments have raised serious concerns over safety, communal harmony, and regional stability.
Moscow, Dec 22 : Russian security agencies are investigating various theories - one of which is linked to involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services - after the killing of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday.

Head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, Sarvarov died from injuries after an explosive device planted under a car was detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning, the local media reported.

"Various theories regarding the murder are being investigated. One of them is linked to Ukrainian intelligence services. The Moscow Prosecutor's Office is overseeing the investigation into the circumstances of the incident. Investigators and forensic experts from the Investigative Committee are working at the scene of the emergency; several examinations are expected, including forensic and explosive examinations. Investigators are questioning witnesses and eyewitnesses and studying CCTV footage. The progress of the investigation has been placed under the control of the Investigative Committee's central office," Russia's leading Tass news agency reported.

Sarvarov has been heading the Operational Training Department of the Russian Armed Forces since 2016. He was awarded the Order of Courage, the Suvorov Medal, and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd and 1st degree.

Earlier, he had also taken part in combat operations in the Ossetian-Ingush conflict and the counter-terrorism operation in Chechnya while carrying out missions in Syria.

Last year, Russiaas Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence Forces chief, Lt General Igor Kirillov, was killed in a bomb blast in southeastern Moscow, with top Russian leaders blaming Ukraine for the crime.

The blast had taken place outside a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in southeastern Moscow as Kirillov and his aide were leaving the premises to board an official vehicle.

Russian investigators said an IED, containing TNT, was likely attached to an electric scooter near the buildingas entrance and was most probably detonated remotely, by a radio signal or mobile phone.
Kochi, Dec 22 : After its stunning performance in the Kerala local body polls held earlier this month, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday decided to admit former two-time MLA P.V. Anvar, tribal leader C.K. Janu, and the VSDP of Vishnupuram Chandrasekheran as associate members of the coalition, signalling an early attempt to broaden its political base ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections next year.

While the VSDP and Januas party were part of the BJP-led NDA, but keeping away from the BJP for a while now, Anvar was a Left-backed Independent MLA before falling out with the CPI-M.

This decision was arrived at during a high-level UDF meeting, which also agreed on the need for early election preparedness, including expediting seat-sharing talks.

UDF leaders said the front would finalise seat-sharing arrangements by January, well ahead of the polls, likely to be held in April-May, marking a departure from the past practice of last-minute negotiations that often triggered internal frictions.

The meeting underlined the need for organisational clarity and political cohesion as the front prepares to take on the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The UDF also discussed its approach towards Kerala Congress-Mani, the third-largest party in the ruling LDF.

A clear decision was taken that while the UDF would not initiate any outreach or discussions with the Mani faction, the door would remain open if the party itself chose to explore a change in political alignment.

"If Kerala Congress-Mani comes forward for talks, discussions can be held. But no leader from the Congress-led UDF will go to them seeking negotiations," a source said.

Kerala Congress-Mani was part of the UDF ahead of the 2020 local body elections but later shifted allegiance to the LDF, a move that significantly altered electoral equations in central Kerala.

Since then, the party has emerged as a key ally of the CPI-M.

The meeting also noted that Kerala Congress-M must clearly state its position amid persistent political speculation. UDF leaders stressed that the frontas strategy would be based on clarity rather than ambiguity.

With the induction of Anvar, Janu, and Chandrasekheran and a renewed emphasis on early seat-sharing, the UDF appears keen to project unity and preparedness, as it looks to regain political momentum against the ruling Left in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
Lucknow, Dec 22 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday launched a tirade at the opposition over the codeine cough syrup controversy and hurled a '2 namoone' jibe -- pointed towards two 'young' leaders, one in Delhi and the other in Lucknow.

The Chief Minister, speaking in the Legislative Assembly, rejected any reports of death in the state due to codeine syrup and also vowed to take bulldozer action against those involved in its manufacture and illegal trade.

"No deaths have occurred from codeine cough syrup in Uttar Pradesh... There are two namoones inside the country, one sitting in Delhi and one in Lucknow. Whenever any discussion happens in the country, they immediately flee the country," he said, taking a swipe at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav, without taking names.

The Chief Minister added that strict action would be taken under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against all those involved in illegal trade and also drew a link between the syrup's licence with the then SP government.

"The biggest wholesaler, who was first caught by the STF, was issued a licence by the Samajwadi Party in 2016," he pointed out.

CM Yogi's remarks in the Assembly came on the back of opposition leaders staging a protest inside and outside the Assembly, demanding a discussion on the cough syrup matter.

The SP chief was, however, quick to respond to the Chief Minister's diatribe and hit back with a twist.

Akhilesh Yadav interpreted CM Yogi's remarks as "self-acceptance of two power centres" in the BJP and projected it as a fight between the two.

Insinuating that there was a power tussle between the BJP's central leadership and the Yogi government, he said that it has come out in the open and the latter should be "wary of offending" the former.

"Self-Acceptance! No one expected the Delhi-Lucknow feud to escalate to this point. People holding constitutional positions should at least maintain some public decorum among themselves and not cross the bounds of propriety. BJP folks should not bring their party's internal squabbles out to the crossroads. If someone takes offence somewhere, you might have to backtrack," he wrote in a post on X.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Another Month, Another Lawsuit

Toyota cant seem to catch a break in court lately. Last month, the company dealt with a $5.7-billion lawsuit over the hydrogen-powered Mirai, with owners saying the car was basically unusable because theres nowhere to refuel. Now, Toyotas back in the hot seat, but this time its about something significantly more common: automatic transmissions.

The latest lawsuit was filed this month in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, led by a Camry owner named James LeBoutheller. He says his cars transmission started acting up, but every time he brought it to the dealer, he was told it was just normal operation. Only after things got worse did someone finally find metal shavings in the transmission fluid  a clear sign something inside had failed. By that point, Toyota apparently refused to pay for the full repair.

The lawsuit claims Toyota kept selling cars with a known transmission defect and didnt warn buyers about the risk.

Toyota (Toyota)

What the Lawsuit is Actually About

The heart of the issue is Toyotas UA80 eight-speed automatic. According to the lawsuit, its got both a mechanical flaw and software that doesnt help matters. The result? Too much heat, parts wearing out early, and transmissions that eventually give up. It is said that the transmission is predisposed to premature failure due to overheating, degraded fluid, and internal component wear, which may occasionally cause stalling or loss of power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The lawsuit covers a wide range of vehicles, including:

Toyota Camry (20172024)

Toyota Highlander (2017present)

Toyota RAV4 (2019present)

Toyota Grand Highlander (2023present)

Toyota Sienna (20172020)

Toyota Avalon (20192022)

Lexus ES 350 (2019present)

Lexus ES 250 (2021present)

Lexus RX 350 (2023present)

Lexus NX 250 / NX 350 (2022present)

Lexus TX 350 (2024present)

Owners say Toyota tried to quietly fix the problem with service bulletins and behind-the-scenes updates, all while still advertising these cars as reliable.

Not the First Time, and Likely Not the Last

This isnt just a one-off case, either. Earlier this month, another class-action lawsuit popped up in California, asking for about $5 million over the same UA80 transmission. The complaints are almost identical: Toyota knew about the problem, repairs cost a fortune once the warranty runs out, and help from the company is hit or miss.

In both cases, owners point to online complaints, NHTSA filings, and dealership acknowledgments as evidence that Toyota was well aware of the issue. The Texas lawsuit expands the scope by pushing for nationwide class certification and broader remedies, including warranty extensions or recalls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

What happens next is fairly predictable. Toyota is expected to file a motion to dismiss or narrow the claims, while plaintiffs will push for discovery to access internal documents. Whether these cases gain traction or eventually consolidate remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the UA80 transmission isnt done causing headaches, for owners or for Toyota.

Toyota (Toyota)

View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article

This story was originally published by Autoblog on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Advertisement Advertisement
Patna, Dec 22 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed various development projects in Bihar.

The Chief Minister left for Delhi on Sunday afternoon and began meetings with NDA leaders on Monday.

Following the NDA's decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, this visit is being seen as politically significant, marking Nitish Kumar's first interaction with the central leadership after assuming office.

On Monday, Nitish Kumar met Union Home Minister Shah, during which an extensive discussion took place on various development projects in the state.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and JD(U) MP and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh were present during the meetings.

Sources said the leaders held discussions for nearly an hour, covering a wide range of political and administrative issues.

According to sources, the talks focused on recent political developments in Bihar, the state government's development agenda, and coordination between the Centre and the state government.

Discussions regarding the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections are also believed to have taken place, adding to the political significance of the meeting.

The meeting is being described as strategic and forward-looking, with deliberations on ongoing and proposed development projects, governance priorities, and future political planning within the NDA.

After the meeting with HM Shah, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary uploaded a post on his official X handle and wrote, "Nitish Kumar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The double-engine government is working at double speed for a developed Bihar."

Nitish Kumar's Delhi visit is seen as an effort to strengthen Centre-State coordination and reinforce political alignment within the NDA as the new government begins its term in Bihar.

In the Assembly elections, the NDA achieved a sweeping victory, securing 202 seats and forming the government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in Bihar.

Last week, CM Nitish unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the overall development of Bihar.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Hyderabad, Dec 22 : The tourism department of Telangana has planned an international kite festival, hot air balloon and drone festivals in Hyderabad as part of Sankranti celebrations next month.

The Kite festival will be organised from January 13 to 15 at the Parade Grounds, with participation from international and national kite flyers.

According to the Tourism Department Managing Director, V. Kranti, the department has lined up several events as part of the Sankranti festival celebrations.

A hot air balloon festival will be held on the outskirts of the city during the same period to provide a unique visual and experiential attraction for visitors. A drone festival is also planned, wherein drone pilots from across the country will participate and showcase their skills, adding a technological and contemporary dimension to the festivities.

Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao on Monday held a review meeting at the Secretariat to discuss the preparations for organising the kite festival.

Emphasising the importance of the event, the Chief Secretary stated that in accordance with the directions of the Chief Minister, the kite festival should be organised on a grand scale, reflecting Hyderabadas vibrant culture and festive spirit during the Sankranti festival.

He instructed the concerned departments to come up with a suitable name, distinctive branding, and an attractive logo for the festival to give it a unique identity and wider visibility.

The Chief Minister desired that the festival be organised at lakes rejuvenated by HYDRA, with the objective of showcasing and highlighting the successful rejuvenation of these water bodies.

He further directed the GHMC, HMDA, and HYDRA to assign one dedicated officer each to supervise and coordinate the works related to the festival at the identified locations.

The Chief Secretary also informed that ministers would visit these rejuvenated lakes from the first week of January to review the arrangements and assess the preparedness.

During the meeting, the HYDRA Chief A.V. Ranganath made a detailed presentation and explained the various tanks and lakes rejuvenated by HYDRA across the city, highlighting the restoration works undertaken to improve water storage, environmental sustainability, and public utility.

The Chief Secretary directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure the successful conduct of the events and to make the Sankranti celebrations a memorable experience for citizens.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Monday took a swipe at the Congress, calling it a "tourist party" and asserting that it holds little relevance in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, while underlining his party's three-decade-long dominance in Mumbai's civic politics.

His remarks came after the Congress announced that it would contest the BMC elections independently.

Dubey said that while Congress is free to decide whether to contest elections on its own or in alliance with others, it should not forget the role played by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in supporting it during previous elections.

Speaking to IANS, Dubey said, "Congress is an independent party. It is their right to decide who to contest elections with or not. Congress contested 61 seats in Bihar, and everyone has seen how many seats it won. Congress has not been relevant in Haryana, Maharashtra, UP-Bihar for the past 35-40 years. It has also been out of power for many years in states like West Bengal, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu."

"Despite this, we brought Congress into our fold in 2019 and helped it cross the midstream to the shore. But once it reached the shore, Congress leaders became arrogant. In Mumbai, Congress has no existence. Here, it is just a tourist party," he added.

Expressing confidence in Shiv Sena (UBT)'s stronghold over Mumbai politics, Dubey said the party would continue its uninterrupted winning streak in the city's civic elections.

The high-stakes BMC elections are scheduled to be held on January 15, with the results to be declared on January 16.

"For the last 30 years, Shiv Sena has consistently won these elections. When the results are announced on January 16, 2025, it will be shocking. Once again, a Hindu Mayor of Shiv Sena (UBT) will sit in the BMC," he added.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson also said that discussions on a seat-sharing arrangement with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are underway and that an announcement is expected soon.

"Sanjay Raut is in constant touch with Raj Thackeray. Seat-sharing can be finalised at any time. Details on who will contest, from where and how will be announced. The nomination process begins tomorrow and will continue for a week. During this period, many of our candidates will start filing their nominations," he said.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) has helped prevent the financial loss of Rs 660 crore in cyber fraud across the banking ecosystem in just six months since its rollout, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said on Monday.

The FRI is driven by active support of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), leading to large-scale onboarding of banks, financial institutions, and Third-Party Application Providers (TPAPs) on the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).

As on date, more than 1,000 banks, TPAPs, and Payment System Operators (PSOs), have onboarded the DIP and started adopting FRI actively.

DoT is also conducting regular knowledge-sharing sessions with stakeholders to enhance awareness and effective implementation of FRI, with 16 sessions held till date, according to the Ministry of Communications.

India's cybercrime landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with fraudsters operating like well-organized digital cartels. From digital arrest scams to sophisticated SIM-box networks bypassing legal telecom routes, the threat is evolving faster than ever.

Yet, amid this complexity, one factor has emerged as the most decisive force in combating cybercrime: Jan Bhagidari. Citizens, through Sanchar Saathi, which has emerged as India's most powerful crowdsourced cyber-intelligence tool, are providing continuous inputs for Financial Fraud Risk Indicator.

DoT acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of all vigilant citizens and Cyber Warriors who are actively leveraging the Sanchar Saathi platform (available at www.sancharsaathi.gov.in and through mobile App on both Android and iOS) to report Suspected Fraud Communications, report fraudulent connections obtained in their name, and lost/stolen mobile handsets.

The recent trends in downloads and usage of the Sanchar Saathi mobile App reflects the trust reposed by citizens in the platform and their proactive role in preventing cyber frauds.

This large-scale citizen engagement is significantly contributing in curtailing the misuse of telecom resources by fraudsters and creating a safer and more resilient digital ecosystem.

"DoT urges all the citizens to utilise Sanchar Saathi web portal and Mobile App for availing the citizen centric services. DoT reiterates its commitment to fostering a secure digital payments ecosystem through inter-agency collaboration, proactive fraud detection, and intelligence-driven policy interventions," said the ministry.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath listens to public grievances during the 'Janta Darshan' held at his official residence in Lucknow, Monday, December 22, 2025.. Image Source: IANS/X/@myogioffice

December 22 : Lucknow: On Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a Janta Darshan. During this session, he met with petitioners from across the state. The CM listened to their problems, accepted their applications, and instructed the concerned officials to resolve them.

The Chief Minister stated that while petitioners also approach the Janta Darshan in the districts, a large number of petitioners also attend the session held in Lucknow.

He added, To attend the 'Janta Darshan, they arrive in the capital the night before. These petitioners should stay in night shelters, as the government has made adequate arrangements in these shelters.

The CM instructed the Lucknow administration to periodically inspect the night shelters and review the arrangements to ensure that those staying there do not face any difficulties.

The Chief Minister said that the weather is very cold at this time. He appealed to the general public to first approach the District Magistrate and the Police Superintendent and inform them of their problems. He said that all problems are being resolved at the administrative level.

The CM instructed all District Magistrates and Police Superintendents to listen to the public's problems daily and resolve them so that they do not have to come to Lucknow in the cold weather.

Some petitioners also came to the Janta Darshan seeking financial assistance for medical treatment. The Chief Minister accepted their applications and said that they should get an estimate from the hospital. The government has been providing financial assistance for treatment from day one. The government is committed to ensuring that no one faces hardship due to a lack of treatment.

Some cases of land encroachment were also brought up during the Janta Darshan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a strict stance on the matter, ordering an investigation and directing that strong action be taken.

The CM said that illegal encroachment would not be tolerated.

After hearing the complaints of farmers regarding paddy procurement, the CM immediately directed the concerned administration to resolve the issues. The CM said that addressing the problems of farmers is the government's priority.

Children also arrived with their parents at the "Janata Darshan". The CM interacted with the children, affectionately patted them, and asked them about their studies. The children also answered the Chief Minister's questions.

The CM then gave chocolates to all the children and told the parents that the weather was very cold and they should protect their children from the cold. The parents were overwhelmed by the Chief Minister's affection.
Ranchi, Dec 22 : At least three people were killed in two separate road accidents in Jharkhand on Monday, officials said.

Both incidents caused major traffic disruptions, with one leading to prolonged traffic jams in the Palamu district.

The first mishap occurred in the Hussainabad police station area of Palamu district on Monday morning. A school bus collided head-on with a motorcycle near Gamharia village on the Japla-Chhatarpur main road, killing the rider instantly.

The deceased was identified as Dharmendra Yadav (26), son of Yamuna Yadav, a resident of Chapardag (Sikni) village.

According to police, Dharmendra was returning home from Japla when the bus, carrying schoolchildren, rammed into his motorcycle.

Despite wearing a helmet, the impact was severe, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Hussainabad Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Following the accident, angry villagers blocked the Japla-Chhatarpur road near Gamharia for several hours, demanding action against the bus driver.

The blockade caused heavy traffic congestion on the route. Hussainabad police station in charge, Sonu Chaudhary, reached the spot with a team and persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade.

The second fatal accident took place in the Seraikela-Kharsawan district later in the day. A Swift Dzire car collided head-on with a truck near Bada Thalko village on the Seraikela-Chaibasa road.

Eyewitnesses said that the truck was coming from Chaibasa while the car was heading towards Seraikela when the collision occurred.

The crash killed the car driver instantly. Another passenger succumbed to injuries en route to Chaibasa Sadar Hospital, while a third occupant sustained critical injuries.

The injured person was initially treated at Sadar Hospital and later referred to MGM Hospital, Jamshedpur, for further treatment.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The political debate over the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act has intensified. Akhilesh Mishra, CEO of BlueKraft Digital Foundation, has issued a detailed rebuttal to Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who reposted Sonia Gandhi's article accusing the Centre of "bulldozing" MGNREGA to replace it with the new Act.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) The political debate over the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act has intensified. Akhilesh Mishra, CEO of BlueKraft Digital Foundation, has issued a detailed rebuttal to Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who reposted Sonia Gandhi's article accusing the Centre of "bulldozing" MGNREGA to replace it with the new Act.

Responding to Ramesh's remarks, Mishra said the Congress criticism is driven by nostalgia rather than ground realities, ignoring both the systemic failures of MGNREGA and the transformation of rural India.

Mishra wrote on X, "Jairam ji, the irony of quoting Sonia Gandhi on MNREGA while defending a system that had clearly collapsed on the ground is hard to miss! Let us start with facts, not nostalgia." "Guarantee expanded, not scrapped."

The CEO of the Think Tank also rejected Congress' charge that the employment guarantee has been dismantled. According to him, the VB-G RAM G Act strengthens the statutory commitment.

"The Modi Government has not 'scrapped' employment guarantee. It has expanded it. The statutory guarantee goes up from 100 days to 125 days under the VBG RAM G Act. That alone demolishes the claim of dilution on VB- G RAM G Act 2025," he said.

He emphasised that the reform targets the implementation framework, not the principle of employment security. "What is being replaced is not the idea of rural security, but a 20-year-old architecture that had become dysfunctional, leak-prone and misaligned with today's rural India."

Backing his argument with data, Mishra highlighted that the legal "right to work" often remained notional. "Despite all the rhetoric, only 7.6 per cent of households were able to complete even 100 days of work in recent years. The 'right' existed largely on paper," he said.

Mishra also pointed to large-scale corruption and administrative failures. "Meanwhile, Rs 193 crore was misappropriated in just one year, across multiple states. (Not surprisingly, most INDI Alliance rule states). Non existent works, machine used in construction (while payment made to fictitious workers and more...)"

Citing West Bengal as an example, Mishra said investigations revealed systemic fraud. "For example, investigations across 19 districts of West Bengal found non-existent works, fake entries and systematic violations, forcing a fund freeze. This was not political vendetta. It was administrative collapse," he said.

Mishra argued that Congress refuses to recognise structural changes in rural India because it undermines its ideological framework.

He said, "Now look at the rural reality Congress refuses to acknowledge because its povertarian ideology would collapse. Rural poverty has fallen sharply from 25.7% in 201112 to 4.86% today. Rural wages, consumption and non-farm opportunities have risen."

He added that demand for MGNREGA work has declined because better alternatives exist. "MNREGA demand itself fell 32% in November 2025, with participation dropping nearly 64% between June and October 2025, because people had better options."

According to Mishra, the VB-G RAM G Act corrects the earlier model by aligning public employment with national and local development priorities.

"A law written for 2005 cannot be frozen in time when rural India has moved on. That is exactly what VB-G RAM G corrects. It keeps the guarantee, strengthens it, but ties employment to durable outcomes," he said.

He listed priority areas under the Act, including water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-linked assets, and climate-resilience works.

Mishra underlined that planning remains decentralised but is now technologically integrated. "Planning now starts at the Gram Panchayat, but is integrated with GIS and PM Gati Shakti, so assets are actually useful and connected."

He said digital and biometric payments have sharply reduced leakage. "Payments remain digital, biometric and near-100% direct, shutting the door on the leakages Congress learned to live with (obviously deliberately!)."

Responding to criticism of the provision limiting continuous workdays, Mishra said the issue has been misrepresented.

"The much-criticised 60-day pause is another misrepresentation. It is aggregated, not continuous, and exists to ensure farm labour during sowing and harvest so food prices do not spiral and farmers are not hurt," he said.

Mishra added, "Workers still get 125 days across the remaining year. This ensures 125+60 days of work in the year!"

He further wrote that the Congress' opposition stems from ideological unease rather than concern for workers. "The real discomfort here is ideological. Congress built MNREGA as a permanent dependency framework. The Modi Government is redesigning it as a transition platform from wage survival to productive rural prosperity," he said.

Summing up the rationale for the reform, he said: "Guarantee plus growth. Rights plus accountability. Work plus assets. That is why the law had to change. And that is why povertarian slogans will not stop reform."
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Ordering closure of all illegal industries, Delhi Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday warned of strict action against private companies violating the government's direction to switch to work-from-home (WFH) under GRAP-4 rules.

Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said, "It has come to light that some private companies are not following these guidelines. All such companies are urged to fully comply with the GRAP-4 rules. If any complaint is received against any private company, the strictest possible action will be taken."

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a pre-emptive and emergency framework of pollution response measures depending on the AQI levels. The GRAP-4 set of measures  which includes WFH for staff in private and government offices  kicks in around an AQI of 400.

Sirsa, while talking to mediapersons, also shared details of the crackdown planned against illegal industries in the city.

"Starting today, all Deputy Commissioners of MCD, in collaboration with DPCC, have begun the sealing action against non-legal industries. Illegal industries, whether polluting or non-polluting, will all be shut down as per the orders of the Supreme Court," he said.

"I want to inform you that as of today, an extensive drive has started in Delhi. Polluting factories identified by us will face strict action and their properties will be sealed. No more notices, no more chances, enough opportunities have already been given," he said.

"Along with this, action will also be taken against those industries that have not applied for Online Continuous Emission/Effluent Monitoring Stations (OCEMS) by December 31. This is Delhi's fight for clean air, and action against those violating the rules will continue," he said.

He said the effect of the Western Disturbance has been visible in Delhi since Sunday, due to which the weather has been bad.

"Over the past four days, the good impact of the rules imposed under GRAP-4 has been observed. During this period, Pollution Under Check Certificate (PUCC) tests were conducted on 2,12,332 vehicles in Delhi," he said.

Out of these, around 10,000 vehicles failed the test because their pollution levels were higher than the specified standards, he said.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the Uttarakhand government and its officials over large-scale encroachment of forest land by private entities.

As it registered a suo motu (on its own motion) case, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the authorities had remained "mute spectators" while forest land was being illegally grabbed.

The apex court remarked that it was "shocking" to find protected land being encroached upon without any effective intervention from the government machinery.

"What is shocking to us is that the State of Uttarakhand and its authorities are sitting like mute spectators when forest land is being grabbed in front of their eyes. Therefore, we initiate a suo motu case," the CJI Kant-led Bench remarked.

As an interim measure, the Supreme Court ordered an immediate stay on all construction activities on forest land and restrained private parties from creating any third-party rights over the disputed land.

The CJI Surya Kant-led Bench further directed that all vacant land, except residential houses, be handed over to the Forest Department.

"Private parties are restrained from alienating the land or creating any third-party rights. No construction shall take place. Vacant land, other than residential houses, shall be taken in possession by the Forest Department and the concerned Collector," the apex court ordered.

It directed the Chief Secretary of and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to set up a factfinding committee and submit a detailed report.

The Supreme Court observed that the fact-finding exercise was essential to understand the scale of the alleged land grabbing and how the government machinery had dealt with the issue over the years.

The CJI-led Bench began suo motu proceedings after allegations surfaced of thousands of acres of forest land being illegally occupied, including land once leased to a private society but later claimed by individuals, even though it had reverted to the Forest Department.

The top court scheduled the next hearing for January 5, when it will consider the factfinding committee's report and may issue additional directions.
Dhaka, Dec 22 : Amid widespread unrest and violence in Bangladesh over the killing of student leader Osman Haidi, another student leader was shot in the head, local media reported.

The victim was identified as Muhammad Motaleb Shikder, a student leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), the same party to which Osman Haidi belonged. He was shot in the head in Khulna by unidentified gunmen this morning at around 11.45 AM. He is currently in the hospital undergoing treatment.

"A bullet pierced through one side of Shikder's ear. He is currently out of danger," said a Bangladeshi daily quoting Animesh Mondol, officer-in-charge (investigation).

He further informed that the student leader was being taken to a diagnostic centre for a CT scan of his head, and further investigation into the incident was underway.

The attack on Muhammad Motaleb Shikder comes as another high-profile shooting in troubled Bangladesh, which has been hit by violence and bloodshed after Osman Haidi's killing.

Sharif Osman Haidi, a radical student leader, died last week after he was hit with a bullet in his head. The 32-year-old was known for his vile anti-India rhetoric and attained prominence during the student uprising last year, which led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Haidi was shot by masked men on December 12 while coming out of the mosque in Dhaka. His death triggered a series of violent protests in Bangladesh, fanning Islamist forces to rain horror on the country's minorities.

The disturbing development assumes significance as it comes months ahead of the Bangladesh elections, slated for February 2026. The murderous attempt on the NCP student leader is set to galvanise the masses as well as miscreants to inflict further hostility and atrocities on the minorities.

The NCP, backed by students, came into existence last year, as an offshoot of the violent protests in August last year, and its radical elements have continued to fan anti-India sentiments by making provocative statements.

It was established as the first student-led political party in Bangladesh and is expected to contest the high-stakes electoral battle next year, seeking to challenge Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and Khaleda Zia's BNP  the two traditional parties, who traditionally ruled the country.
Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay!
Gandhinagar, Dec 22 : Gujarat has emerged as a national model in providing daytime electricity for agriculture, with the state government reaffirming that all farmers will receive power for irrigation during the day by March 2026, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said.

The success of the Kisan Suryoday Yojana (KSY) reflects the state's focused approach towards farmer-centric governance under the broader vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Citing Prime Minister Modi's emphasis on good governance, CM Patel said the true objective of governance is to ensure that farmer-oriented schemes reach beneficiaries transparently and efficiently.

"Farmers are the backbone of the nation. India's development is possible only when farmers are prosperous, secure and self-reliant," he said, adding that Gujarat has successfully translated this vision on the ground.

Launched in 2020, the Kisan Suryoday Yojana has enabled daytime electricity supply to 17,018 villages, covering 98.66 per cent of the state, benefiting nearly 19.69 lakh farmers.

The scheme was designed to align agricultural power supply with daylight hours, allowing optimal use of solar energy while reducing pressure on the power grid during peak demand hours.

Initially implemented in two shifts between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., the scheme was later refined into a single-shift daytime model, providing electricity primarily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. This shift has not only improved irrigation efficiency but also enhanced safety and productivity in rural areas.

At present, 98 per cent of substations in the state have been shifted to daytime operations, while work is underway to cover the remaining 231 villages by shifting the last 45 rotational substations.

To support this massive transition, the state government has invested Rs 5,353.62 crore, setting up 40 new substations, laying 4,640.73 circuit kilometres (CKM) of transmission lines, and strengthening distribution networks through 3,927.72 CKM of MVCC works.

Looking ahead, the state-owned Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) has drawn up an ambitious plan for 2026a"27, proposing five new substations and strengthening nearly 1,100 CKM of transmission network at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. Additionally, DISCOMs will undertake AB cable, and MVCC works worth around Rs 375 crore to reinforce the distribution system.

The impact of the scheme is already evident on the ground. Farmers report improved irrigation management, reduced water wastage, enhanced personal safety and significant time savings.

"Earlier, we had to irrigate fields at night, facing risks from wild animals and wasting water," said Jayesh Patel, a farmer from Kankrol village in Himmatnagar taluka.

"For the past two years, daytime power has solved these problems and increased productivity. It has truly changed our lives," Patel said.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha recently hosted a meet-up at his place for a "special day". On Monday, the actor took to his X, formerly Twitter, and shared a series of pictures from the event.

Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha recently hosted a meet-up at his place for a "special day". On Monday, the actor took to his X, formerly Twitter, and shared a series of pictures from the event.

In the pictures, he can be seen with Subhash Ghai, his daughter Sonakshi Sinha, her husband Zaheer Iqbal, and others.

He wrote, "It was a great evening just a few days back when my family & close friends came to meet greet & God Bless me for my special day. All time best friend, from FTII, guide from my struggle days, legendary filmmaker @Subhashghai1 his graceful wife Rehana bhabhi, ace filmmaker @rgsippy with his elegant wife @kiranjoneja dear family friends, co- founders #ITA #ShashiRanjan & his charming wife #AnuRanjan filmmaker, scriptwriter #RumiJaffery & his wife, our dear friend, actress & good neighbour #AnjuMahendroo".

Earlier, Shatrughan Sinha remembered the 'greatest showman' Raj Kapoor on his birth anniversary with a heartfelt social media post.

Calling him a great source of inspiration, Shatrughan wrote on his X (Earlier known as Twitter) timeline, "Forever in our hearts, thinking of you today, 'the greatest showman' legendary & best #RajKapoor the great source of inspiration for me always (sic)".

He further recalled his working experience with Raj Kapoor in the 1976 actioner "Khaan Dost". "Reminiscing about working together in 'Khan Dost' You are truly missed. Profound regards to the great Kapoor family. Long Live Raj Kapoor! #BirthAnniversary", he added.

Directed by Dulal Guha, 'Khaan Dost' shares the tale of Ramdin Pandey (Played by Raj Kapoor), a naive and simple-minded constable in Nasik, who struggles to make ends meet. His life takes an unexpected turn when a notorious inmate named Rehmat Khan (Played by Shatrughan) talks him into aiding an escape.

Raj Kapoor made his acting debut at the young age of 10 with the 1935 film 'Inquilab'.
Betul, Dec 22 : Madhya Pradesh Police have intensified searches for a dumper truck driver whose vehicle - probably a dumper truck - allegedly scattered gravel across a 2-3 km stretch of the Betul-Nagpur four-lane highway (National Highway 46), leading to a series of accidents, injuring six people.

Betul, Dec 22 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Police have intensified searches for a dumper truck driver whose vehicle a" probably a dumper truck - allegedly scattered gravel across a 2-3 km stretch of the Betul-Nagpur four-lane highway (National Highway 46), leading to a series of accidents, injuring six people.

Those who received injuries were identified as Dilip Choube (44), Jugan Bai (85), Khamdev (32), Saraswati (55), Ram Nath (65), and one person whose identity is not known.

The mishaps occurred Sunday evening near Sapna Dam, involving four cars and two motorcycles in successive crashes over a few hours.

Additional Superintendent of Police Kamla Joshi confirmed the gravel as the primary cause, noting that the hazardous debris forced vehicles to skid uncontrollably.

Eyewitness said that a car en route from Bengaluru to Vrindavan hit the gravel spread over about 20 meters, causing the driver to lose control instantly.

The vehicle veered off the road, overturned repeatedly, and crashed into a roadside ditch. Shortly afterwards, two more cars approaching the same spot skidded on the gravel and collided head-on in a severe impact that mangled both vehicles and trapped several occupants.

Additional crashes involving the motorcycles followed as riders encountered the untreated hazard. Emergency responders, alerted by passersby, arrived promptly to extricate the trapped victims, provide on-site medical aid, and rush the six injured - whose identities remain unknown - to hospitals in Betul.

Officials report all are stable and out of danger, though some suffered fractures and deep lacerations.

The gravel was cleared using manpower and machinery on Sunday evening, restoring normal traffic flow after hours of disruption.

No warnings or barricades were in place, prompting scrutiny of highway maintenance practices on this key interstate link between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Investigators suspect the gravel spilled from a construction dumper earlier that day. The driver remains at large, with police urging the public to provide leads for the missing driver. This incident adds to recent accidents on the corridor, often tied to debris, overloading, or poor conditions.

Authorities renewed their appeals for cautious driving, speed reduction in high-risk areas, and prompt reporting of hazards.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush held a two-day key technical meeting to integrate traditional medicine into global health intervention standards, the Ministry said on Monday.

The Technical Project Meeting on traditional medicine (TM), held from December 20-21 in the national capital, aimed to set an intervention code.

The initiative was fundamentally driven by the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Donor Agreement signed between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO in May.

"The agreement serves as the cornerstone for developing a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), the international global standard for classifying healthcare interventions, with India facilitating both the financial and technical frameworks necessary to bring ayurveda, siddha, and unani (ASU) systems into the global healthcare mainstream," the Ministry said.

"The integration of traditional medicine into ICHI is vital because intervention coding provides a common language for health procedures across different countries and medical systems. By standardising these codes, healthcare providers can better document, report, and analyse the frequency and efficacy of traditional treatments," it added.

The technical sessions were chaired by Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, who led the Indian team in the development of National Health Intervention Codes for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine.

The meeting saw extensive participation from all six WHO regions, including Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific, ensuring a comprehensive global perspective on traditional medicine.

Member states, including Bhutan, Brazil, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, the UK, and the US, participated to appraise their country status and harmonise intervention descriptions.

The Ministry noted that the project will be undertaken by the WHO with strict timelines, adopting a scientific approach.

It will not only aid in clinical research and policy support but also pave the way for scaling up traditional medicine within national health information systems globally.
Patna/ New Delhi, Dec 22 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Monday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's official residence in New Delhi's 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

The meeting lasted for around 30 minutes.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary were also present during the meeting.

Following the interaction, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) shared photos of the meeting on its official social media platform X.

After the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary posted on his official X account, saying, "Following the NDA's resounding mandate in Bihar, Bihar's popular Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a courtesy meeting with the world's most popular leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi today. Under the guidance and leadership of PM Modi, the country and Bihar are continuously progressing. During this meeting, we received valuable guidance on the goals of a developed Bihar."

Sources said the meeting was politically significant, with discussions covering not only Bihar's development agenda but also the current political situation in the country.

According to sources, deliberations included ongoing development projects in Bihar, coordination between the Centre and the state government, and upcoming political developments.

Cooperation from the Union government regarding the recently launched and proposed schemes in Bihar is also expected.

Discussions were focused on key sectors such as education, healthcare, rural development, and employment generation.

It is believed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar presented his vision for transforming Bihar into a "developed state" during the meeting.

The meeting comes at a time when development and good governance are being strongly emphasised nationwide.

For a large and crucial state like Bihar, the role of the Central government is considered vital, and this interaction is expected to pave the way for new development projects and initiatives.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

Sources said the leaders held discussions for nearly an hour, covering a wide range of political and administrative issues.

Following the NDA's decisive victory in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, this visit is being seen as politically significant, marking Nitish Kumar's first interaction with the Central leadership after assuming charge as the Chief Minister.
Mysuru, Dec 22 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi should decide on the leadership crisis in the state.

Talking to media persons at his native place, Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said, "We are committed to whatever decision Rahul Gandhi takes."

Expressing dismay over the media discussing leadership change, he said, "Why is there a need to ask so many questions? I have already spoken about this in the Legislative Assembly. There is no need to discuss it again."

Recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on the floor of the House that he would complete his tenure.

Responding to media questions about former minister and Congress MLA K.N. Rajanna meeting Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar last week, the Chief Minister said, "D.K. Shivakumar is the party president. What is wrong with meeting the party president?"

Slamming the Congress, the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, R. Ashoka, stated on Monday, "On one hand, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is repeatedly asserting that he will continue as CM as long as the party high command wishes, while Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar claims that an agreement has already been reached with the high command.

Earlier, CM Siddaramaiah's son, Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, stated that the high command had turned down the request of Deputy CM Shivakumar and his father would be the CM for the full term.

CM Siddaramaiah later went to claim on the floor of the House that he would be the CM for the full term.

The BJP has ridiculed the Congress high command and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, saying they lack the capacity to resolve it.

The activities within the Congress camp are likely to intensify as Deputy CM Shivakumar will be visiting Delhi this week.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to be invited to the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled on Saturday.
Bhopal, Dec 22 : The Madhya Pradesh government is set to incorporate dedicated education on cows into its school curriculum, emphasising their cultural, health, and scientific significance.

School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh on Monday announced that specialised schools are being developed in Rajgarh and Narsinghpur districts, where students will initially learn Sanskrit, Vedas, and Yoga.

"As we progress further, we will introduce education on cows," the minister said, adding that it has been scientifically proven that people get energy and inspiration to stay healthy from cows.

"These schools will be a source of inspiration and a research centre," he said.

He said that the initiative aims to blend ancient Indian knowledge with modern education, promoting holistic development.

"Proponents argue that interaction with cows provides physical and mental benefits, drawing from traditional beliefs about their role in fostering well-being," he said.

The minister said that the move aligns with efforts to revive Vedic education and cow conservation in the state.

However, details on the cow-specific syllabus are yet to be known.

"As we have Central government-owned Sandipani school for Sanskrit in Indore and Ujjain, on the same pattern, we will start these schools as Gurukul, which will be named after Adi Shankaracharya. Upon success, we will open similar specific schools across the state," he said.

Besides, the Education Minister said the Madhya Pradesh government is planning to introduce 3367 in Higher secondary schools (of 9-12 standard) in view of the dropouts from eighth standard.

"We have introduced 17 trade and 42 job-role training in these schools. Agriculture trade has been introduced in 690 schools. The Chief Minister has expressed an intention to introduce 'agriculture' as a trade in various schools," he said.

The Education Minister said that as of now, it is available in 690 schools, though it is a big challenge, but the government will add more and more schools to add agriculture as a subject.

"We have included professional education in an additional 984 schools during 2025-26, where the number of enrolled schools has been increased from 4 lakh to 5.90 lakh," the minister said, adding, "In the next year, it will have 100 per cent enrolment in all such schools."

He said that these new institutions will function as modern gurukuls, focusing on traditional subjects alongside vocational training to reduce dropout rates and enhance employability.

The Education Minister said that while mainstream science supports nutritional advantages from cow milk and products, rich in proteins, calcium, and vitamins that contribute to energy and health, no peer-reviewed studies directly confirm cows as a source of "energy" or "inspiration" beyond these aspects.

"Traditional Ayurvedic texts and cultural practices, however, highlight cows' revered status for purity and vitality," he said.
Bhopal, Dec 22 : After more than one-and-a-half month of door-to-door Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will release the draft electoral roll of voters for the state on Tuesday, election officials said on Monday.

The official sources in the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) here in Madhya Pradesh told IANS that, preliminary assessment suggesting that the names of nearly 41.8 lakh voters, that is, about 7.2 per cent of the electorate, are likely to be deleted from the SIR.

According to official sources, preliminary data show that, of the 41.8 lakh names flagged, 8.4 lakh voters were found dead, another 8.4 lakh were marked absent, 22.5 lakh had shifted to other locations and 2.5 lakh were registered at multiple addresses.

In Bhopal, where there are 21.25 lakh registered voters, about 4.3 lakh names -- 20.23 per cent are likely to be dropped in the draft electoral rolls.

While in Indore, with 28.67 lakh voters, saw 4.4 lakh names flagged; Gwalior may lose 2.5 lakh names of its 16.49 lakh electorate; and Jabalpur could lose 2.4 lakh names from 19.25 lakh.

However, all these numbers are a just assessment, and the exact number of voters deleted would be known only after the final electoral draft is published by the ECI on Tuesday, an official added.

The ECI has extended the schedule of the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in five states: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, against December 11.

More than 65,000 BLOs (Booth Level Officers) were tasked with conducting a door-to-door visit for verification of voters from November 4, while more than 6.65 crore voters were enrolled in 2023 in Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh has a total of 230 Assembly seats and 29 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across the 55 districts, divided into 10 divisions such as Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Chambal, Narmadapuram, Rewa, Sagar, Shahdol, and Ujjain.

More than 65,000 booth-level officers (BLOs) visited households across cities, towns and villages to verify voter details since November 4, the SIR excercise had begun in the state.

Notably, during the entire SIR excercise, the principal opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh kept opposing the ECI's steps and criticised it levelling political allegations.

On Monday, a delegation of state Congress workers visited the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Bhopal, alleging irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Kolkata, Dec 22 : A young man was stabbed to death in broad daylight in the heart of West Bengal's Kolkata on Monday, an official said

The official informed that the incident took place in north Kolkata's Rajabazar area, which caused widespread panic in the area.

He said that the Police arrived at the scene after being informed of the incident.

"An investigation has been launched to find out who committed the crime and the motive behind the crime," he said.

The police official identified the deceased as Mehboob Alam (41).

The official said that Alam, a resident of the Narkeldanga area in north Kolkata, was a fruit vendor by profession.

"He was at his shop in Rajabazar since Monday morning. Between 9:30 and 10:00 am, a young man arrived there. It is unclear whether there was any argument between the two," he said.

The official said, however, the accused suddenly began to indiscriminately stab Mehboob with a sharp knife.

"The incident occurred on a public street in full view of everyone. After the young man collapsed in a pool of blood, the accused quickly fled the area," he said.

The police official pointed out that Alam was rescued and taken to Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors on duty declared him brought dead.

He said that a section of the road where the incident occurred has been cordoned off, adding that police are questioning eyewitnesses and local residents to identify the killer.

"The exact cause of the incident is still unknown," he said

He added that the body has been sent for an autopsy, while a search is on to catch the killer.

"It is not clear why the man was killed. His family has been informed about the incident. Investigation is on," he said.
Kolkata, Dec 22 : As the year draws to a close, Trinamool Congress leaders and workers are busy with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal's voters' list.

Amid the SIR exercise, Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to hold a political programme at the end of the year.

According to sources at the State Secretariat, if all is well, Chief Minister Banerjee will hold a public meeting on December 30 at the Barjora College grounds in Bankura district.

This would be her final political rally in West Bengal this year.

However, sources in the Trinamool Congress are yet to confirm whether Mamata Banerjee will hold any administrative meetings or sessions during her upcoming visit to the Bankura district.

There is also curiosity within the Bankura district Trinamool Congress regarding the message the Chief Minister will deliver at this meeting.

According to district Trinamool Congress sources, preparations for the Chief Minister Banerjee's visit have already started.

The Bankura district Trinamool leadership is scheduled to hold a meeting on the matter later on Monday evening.

The party has set a target of a massive turnout at the rally.

It may be noted that the Barjora area falls under the Bishnupur Lok Sabha constituency.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress lost this Lok Sabha seat by a narrow margin of only 5,000 votes.

BJP's Saumitra Khan won the Bishnupur Lok Sabha seat in 2024.

Consequently, the West Bengal BJP leadership is making efforts to strengthen the party organisation further to win all the Assembly seats within that Lok Sabha constituency before the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

It may be also noted that January 1 is the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress.

A senior Trinamool Congress leader said that this year the political significance of the party's foundation day celebrations has increased considerably due to the upcoming Assembly polls scheduled to take place next year.

According to the Trinamool leader, Chief Minister Banerjee may outline the poll strategy for the upcoming electoral contest from the meeting in Barjora.
I read the article Holiday Magic on Readers Digest December 2025/ January 2026. Ruth gave me the magazine.

A) (1) The Flight Before Christmas ( Lucky kids get to visit Santas workshop)

It was two weeks before Christmas at Denver International Airport, and a huge Boeing 777 plane had taxied down one of the runways.

And the plane's passengers-about 100 local children ages 3 to 10 and their family members-were wearing matching T-shirts adomned wich the words "Fantasy Flight."

This was one of 13 flights in December 2024 organized by United Airlines as part of its 30 plus-year Fantavy Flights program, which gives children wth serious medical conditions or other challenges a unique holiday experience.

The participating airport locations-including Los Angeles, Houston, Cleveland Fort Lauderdale, Newark, London and more-partner with local hospitals and nonprofits that serve children facing cancer, disability or homelessnes.

"The kids really deserve this day away from the daily challenges that they have, and it brings some magic into their lives," says Jonna McGrath. vice president of airport operations for United's Denver hub and a longtime Fantasy Flight volunteer.

In Denver, the children and their chaperones are greeted by Santa's helpers as soon as they arrive at the airport. says McGrath.

Pulling off this daylong celebration takes hundreds of United employees and other volunteers who decorate, staff the event (perhaps in costume as Frosty the Snowman, or Princess Elsa from Frozen) and clean up afterward. Though there's a lot of work involved, it's one of employees' favorite days of the year. There's usually a waitlist to help out.

Scott Rogers spent 25 years working for United as a zone controller and supervisor of airport operations in Denver. He's also been playing Santa for the city's Fantasy Flights since 1993. Rogers continues to volunteer well into his retirement because he knows how much the Fantasy Flight experience means to kids. One of his favorite moments is when the children emerge from the plane and first catch sight of him in his jolly red suit.

"They go racing to Santa, and you can't even walk because they're all clinging to your legs," he says.

Scott remembers taking a photo with one little girl a few years ago. She was about 8 years old and fighting cancer. After meeting him, she made him a candy cane at an arts and crafts station and came back to give it to him,saying . "Santa , this is for you?

At the event wound down,Scott was in a dressing room changing out of his red suit when a soft knock came on the door . "There is a little girl out heve who wants to talk to you"a woman told him.

"So I'm throwing everything back on. and it was that same girl, he recalls. "She came in and said , I know Im not going to be here next year And she sat on my lap, and we talked for 40 minutes about what was going on and how happy this day had made her" he says. That was a tough one for me.

Embracing both the hard and happy moments,

Kayla Garcia, CEO of Girls Inc, says. "We all left believing in the love of others.

(2) Secret Santa Saves the Day

It was 1 a.m. on Christas morning, for Marisa Shumaker, like so many other parents, she had holiday magic to make.

For weeks, her 4-year old daughter, Aubree, had been asking for one thing only for Christmas: a "real piano keyboard," not just some dinky one made for little kids. Now that Aubree was asleep, Shumaker pulled the box from its hiding spot in their home in Bel Air, Maryland, ready to unveil the 61-key keyboard with full-size keys-perfect for (serious) beginners like Aubree. But when she opened the box, only the stand and bench were inside. No keyboard.

Panic overtook her as she realized what she hadn't noticed before: The keyboard was sold separately.

Shumaker posted in a neighborhood Facebook group: "I'm about to cry," she wrote, explaining the situation. "I'm so devastated this will ruin her Christmas."

Andy Spencer, who lives 5 miles from Shumaker, was crawling into bed just before 2 a.m. when he saw her plea.

"Any parent would be in a panic," Spencer says. "I wouldn't want anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas to be disappointed."

He thought of the keyboard his wife had gotten for their daughter, Hailey, Spencer got out of bed and headed down the hall to see whether Hailey was awake.

She and her brother, Justin, both home from college, were still up. When their dad told them what was going on, they were eager to help.

"My daughter was more than willing to give up the keyboard, and my son was like, 'We've got to do this,'"Spencer says.

So he typed a message to Shumaker: "Where do you live? We have a smaller keyboard that we could part with."

Reading the message, Shumaker couldn't believe how quickly her luck had turned. "The fact that he didn't know me at all . not many people are like that nowadays," she says.

"What do you want for it?" Shumaker asked, figuring she'd send them some money.

"No, seriously, it's free," Spencer replied. All he wanted, he told her, was a photo of a happy Aubree on Christmas morning.

Unless, maybe . "We all joked together that if she ended up being the next Taylor Swift, I wanted a shoutout," he says.

Just a few hours later, Aubree woke up and scampered into the living room.

"Mom!" she exclaimed when she saw the keyboard. She immediately began tickling the keys, and her face lit up like the Christmas tree beside her as those first few notes emerged.

Later that day, Shumaker messaged Spencer to say thanks once again and to tell him that Aubree was so engrossed with her new keyboard, she had several presents and a stocking still unopened,

He showed the message to Hailey and Justin. "We all had a good chuckle over it," says Spencer. What had been such a little thing for them meant everything to someone else.

Aubree practices on her keyboard almost every day, her mother standing behind her and teaching her classics like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" It's often the first thing she wants to do in the morning, hopping on and off the bench throughout the day.

The whole experience of that night had Shumaker believing in Christmas magic. "It didn't hit me until I got home," she says. "I literally just met Santa Claus, like, in real life. That was actually him, and he came with elves and everything."

3Our Hanukkah Miracle

Christmas takes on new meaning for a Jewish couple

When we were given a Dec. 24 due date for our daughter's birth, my wife and I had some reservations. A winter birthday in New England, where we live, is dreary enough already. But a birthday on or close to Christmas risks

becoming an afterthought. Friends wouldn't be around for her birthday parties. Nativity scenes would remind our daughter that, for much of the world, someone else's birth was more important.

Then again, there could be pros to our daughter having a Christmas Eve birthday. The date would be easy to remember. She'd always get a holiday from school or work. Our Jewish obstetrician would be available for the delivery. And, as Jews ourselves, we'd finally have a reason to celebrate on Christmas.

For us, too, Yuletide would now be a season of gift giving, good cheer and hymns to a momentous birth (though admittedly, the "Happy Birthday" song lacks the gravitas of "Silent Night"). Maybe we'd even crack open some egg- nog in the hospital to celebrate.

Historically. Christmas was a dark period for European Jews, who faced the perennial accusation of killing Jesus. To avoid being attacked, the traditional advice (and sometimes the law) was to stay indoors. For an embattled minority in Christian-dominant countries, Christmas was a time to be wary, not merry. So while many non-Christians in America celebrate Christmas now, the Jewish relationship with the holiday remains fraught.

Today, thankfully, some Jewish Christmas traditions less somber than hiding out in fear have developed. Members of the Chabad sect hold nightlong chess tournaments on Christmas Eve. Other Jews go out for Chinese food and to see a movie in theaters on Christmas Day. And some Jews, especially those with non-Jewish partners, do celebrate Christmas, perhaps adding a Star of David ornament to their tree.

Now, it seemed, my Jewish household would have a Christmas tradition to call our own. We wouldn't be getting a tree, but there would be presents under the mezuzah on Christmas Eve.

However, my wife went into labor three weeks before her due date, which in 2021 meant day seven of Hanukkah, right around the time we would have been lighting the menorah for day eight, the final night of celebration. She was, we like to say, our Hanukkah miracle. And since her birth took the place of lighting the candles, it only seemed right to name her Liora, which is Hebrew for "light of mine."

In our household, the revolt of the Maccabees traditionally celebrated on Hanukkah has been joined by a new story: the miraculous early birth of a Jewish Christmas baby.

(4) The Christmas Tree Mystery

Who decorated the big pine along a remote stretch of Montana highway?

For the past 16 winters, motorists traveling on a remote stretch of Interstate 90 through the Native American Crow Reservation in Montana have noticed a lone pine tree sticking up from the strip of grass between the northbound and southbound roads.

It stands out because it is decorated for Christmas.

"Some people thought that it was the Native Americans that were doing it," says Carl Stark, who lives in nearby Sheridan, Wyoming.

The explanation comes back to German, 71, who grew up in Mexico. After moving to America 46 years ago for a job with a trucking business, he was delighted to be assigned the Texas- Calgary route, which took him through

the landscapes of his childhood dreams several times a month.

On that icy December day, he was driving south, when he noticed the pine tree sticking out of deep snow, he stopped his truck. As he drove away, he felt bad.

A week later, heading to Calgary again, he stopped by the tree and tied on some ribbons, resolving that the following Christmas, he would do the job properly. "On my next trip, I will dress it well. I promise, he says.

The following year, German returned in November with a handful of decorations. The year after that, he brought even more. But this time, he had company: A police officer showed up, the officer told him: "Thank you for the gift . [you should] leave a little note, leave a little something that tells us who you are."

So the next year, German brought a sign he had crafted at home, reading "Feliz Navidad from TX," and stuck it next to the tree. Every November that followed, he returned to the same spot with increasingly elaborate decorations. removing them at the end of the winter

He did it incognito.

But as the years passed, he noticed small additions to the tree: a toy, or a little gift. Then in 2017, he spotted a plastic bag tied to a branch with a note inside. It read: "Thank you. You have no idea how much impact you have in the community."

The authors were Jonnie and Carl Stark, who had been speculating about the decorator's identity for years.

"German started all of this. He wanted no recognition, he wasn't look- ing for any notoriety-he was just doing it out of the goodness of his heart," says Carl Stark. "So we're just his elves."

B) I think:

Christmas in the United States is not merely a religious festival but a cultural one celebrated by all, much like the Spring Festival in China. Decorate everywhere, do good deeds, help each other.

In the past, China experienced the Cultural Revolution, with criticism and denunciation, detention in cattle sheds, house raids, and physical fights... . Nowadays, there is the Russia-Ukraine war.

We hope that the world will move towards peace and friendship, and that people will live in happiness and joy.
Lucknow, Dec 22 : A special court in Uttar Pradesh has taken cognisance of a chargesheet filed by the ED against ex-legislator Vijay Mishra and others in a case related to the incorporation of a company for laundering Rs 36 crore, an official said on Monday.

The chargesheet was filed by the ED on July 31 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against Vijay Mishra, ex-MLA of Bhadohi Constituency, Ram Lali Mishra, ex-member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, and three other accused, namely Vishnu Kumar Mishra, company VSP Starrr Realty and Bholanath Rajpati Shukla.

The Special Court took cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Allahabad Sub-Zonal Office, on December 18, said an ED statement.

The ED had filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on July 31, 2025.

According to the probe agency, movable and immovable properties acquired out of the Proceeds of Crime (POC) have been attached under the provisions of PMLA, 2002. The total value of assets attached in the case is Rs 25.46 crore, which includes commercial and residential properties located in Prayagraj, New Delhi, Mumbai and Rewa.

The December 18 development in the Special Court is expected to be followed by the issuance of a process (summons or warrant) to the accused, followed by the framing of charges, where the court may consider formally outlining the allegations.

The ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by Uttar Pradesh Police against Vijay Mishra, Ram Lali Mishra, and others.

Subsequently, charge sheets dated July 14, 2023 and July 26, 2023, were filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act for the accumulation of disproportionate assets worth Rs 36.07 crore.

The illegal assets were in the form of movable and immovable properties during their tenure as public servants, said the probe agency.

Apart from the said case, multiple criminal cases were found to be registered against Vijay Mishra and his family members across Uttar Pradesh for offences including extortion, illegal mining, kidnapping, murder, loot, fraud, forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy, and organised crime, reflecting a long-standing criminal history, the ED said.

The ED investigation revealed that Vijay Mishra and Ram Lali Mishra, while serving as public servants, misused their official positions to generate illegal assets disproportionate to their source of income.

The Proceeds of Crime (POC) were invested in the form of benami properties. It was found that the POC generated from the criminal activities of Vijay Mishra and his family members were layered with the assistance of his son, Vishnu Mishra, and a close aide, Bholanath Shukla, said the statement.

The illegal assets were utilised in business activities to project the same as untainted. It was further revealed that a portion of the POC was transferred under the guise of a loan with the intent to portray it as untainted money, it said.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has opened up about reprising his role in "Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders." Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has opened up about reprising his role in "Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders."

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, he described the experience as a journey of growth. Nawazuddin revealed how returning to the role after years required him to reflect on both his personal evolution and the natural progression of the character. He shared, "Jatil isn't the same man anymore. Life changes you. Time changes you. Cases change you. But the one thing that hasn't changed is his relationship with the truth."

"He still looks at a case with objectivity, with that razor-sharp instinct. No matter how much pressure he faces, or who stands in his way, he doesn't walk away from the truth."

Talking about how his role this time demanded a deeper internal excavation, Nawazuddin Siddiqui stated, "Jatil is not a man who shows you what he's feeling. Everything is beneath the surface. To play someone like that, you have to sit quietly. You have to let the silences work especially when you are a small town cop, standing in the face of authority. As is all too familiar in our country."

The 'Haddi' actor further shared that the process felt both demanding and deeply personal. "He still carries his past. He still struggles with it. And that becomes part of how he sees this new case. As an actor, reprising the same role after such a long period requires you to dig deep and remind yourself of the person that you were and how both you and the character have and should have evolved." Nawaz mentioned.

Talking about working again with director Honey Trehan, the actor stated, "Honey understands the world of this film in a very sensitive way. His direction is subtle but very precise. There's a discipline in the way he builds tension, with silence, with pauses, with what's not being said."

On a related note, "Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders" had its world premiere at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last month. The film later saw a global release on Netflix on December 19.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty on Monday stated that India has consistently expressed its stance on the political situation in Bangladesh, stressing the need to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections and transfer power to the winning party.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, Chakravarty said, "India has already made its position clear. It has been stated that free, fair, inclusive and credible elections should be held as soon as possible, and power should be handed over to whoever wins. India has no favourites and will engage with whichever party is democratically elected. But there should be a democratic party, which will bring back the Constitution, which is not yet operational."

"The Constitution has been put in the freezer, so with such a government like that, you cannot make any long-term planning, because tomorrow someone will come and will change everything. That is why the attitude of India has been to wait and watch, and after that, India will take further steps. India will never intervene in their domestic issue. But we can certainly express our concern. We have expressed concern over the way Hindus are being killed. And, if something happens there that creates a problem for us, naturally our stance will be communicated to them," he added.

Meanwhile, another former diplomat Veena Sikri described the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government as "illegitimate", saying it must be held globally responsible for the attacks on the minorities and should not be allowed to continue in power.

Highlighting atrocities on Hindu minorities, she told IANS, "I think what they have done to Dipu Chandra Das is barbaric. It is medieval. It is not for 21st-century civilization. So to think that people in Bangladesh can behave like that means that they've been instigated to do it. Because I don't think the people of Bangladesh would naturally resort to such a brutal approach. This business of saying that, you know, somebody had done blasphemy. It's all fake. Now it has been proved by the inquiry afterwards that it is completely fake."

She stated that the Yunus-led interim government remained silent even as the brutality against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Sufis and Ahmadiyyas continued unabated following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The former diplomat recalled that on August 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Yunus upon his appointment as Chief Advisor to the interim government and at the same time urged him to protect minorities amid the rising violence.

"Hindu professors have been surrounded and forced to resign. Hindu journalists are in jail for more than a year without any kind of charges, no trial, nothing. So this is a really barbaric situation that is prevailing in Bangladesh. And I think that now that they are trying to hold fake elections which are non-participatory, the violence is becoming even more," she added.

Commenting on the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, former diplomat K.P. Fabian said, "The fact is that Bangladesh is descending into chaos and anarchy, sinking deeper into that state by the day. One reason is that interim Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has been unable to control the situation, allowing forces hostile to India, such as Jamaat-e-Islami and others, to gain political clout. More importantly, Pakistan and China have been working overtime to spoil relations between India and Bangladesh."
Lucknow, Dec 22 : The Uttar Pradesh Assembly held a special discussion on Monday to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram. Participating in the debate, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Vande Mataram is not merely a song, but a mantra that embodies the spirit of India's freedom struggle, the courage of its revolutionaries, and the nation's self-respect.

The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh is perhaps the first Assembly to hold a detailed discussion on this historic subject.

He added that the debate was not limited to the song alone, but was an opportunity to reaffirm the nation's collective duties towards Mother India.

"Respect for Vande Mataram is not just symbolic. It reflects our constitutional values and national responsibilities. It represents the soul, struggle, and resolve of the nation. It was not merely poetry, but a medium of worship of the motherland, cultural awakening, and the expression of nationalism," Yogi said in the House.

Recalling history, the Chief Minister said that when Vande Mataram marked its silver jubilee, the country was under British rule following the First War of Independence in 1857.

"Draconian laws, repression, and torture were widespread, yet Vande Mataram kept the nation's dormant consciousness alive," he said.

He noted that even during its silver and golden jubilees, British rule continued, and the Congress sessions provided a platform for nurturing the spirit of freedom.

It was at the 1896 Congress session that Rabindranath Tagore first gave voice to Vande Mataram, turning it into a mantra for the entire nation, CM Yogi said.

The Chief Minister further remarked that when the song reached its centenary, the same Congress that had once given it prominence was in power but imposed the Emergency, stifling the Constitution. "This is a chapter of history that cannot be forgotten," he said.

"As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership is confidently moving towards becoming a developed nation," Yogi said, adding that the country is steadily realising the vision of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the immortal composer of the national song. He described the timing of the Assembly discussion as significant.

Referring to the First War of Independence, the Chief Minister said the freedom struggle unfolded across the country under leaders such as Mangal Pandey in Barrackpore, Shaheed Bandhu Singh in Gorakhpur, Dhan Singh Kotwal in Meerut, and Rani Lakshmibai in Jhansi. Following the setback of the 1857 uprising, Vande Mataram rekindled the nation's spirit during a period of despair, he added.

Yogi also highlighted that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who served as a Deputy Collector under British rule, articulated the emotions of the common people through Vande Mataram, making it a symbol of resistance against the colonial mindset.

"Mother India is not merely a geographical entity, but the very essence of every Indian. Freedom was not just a political objective, but a spiritual pursuit," the Chief Minister said.

He added that the lines 'Sujalam, Suphalam, Malayaja-Shitalam, Shasyashyamalam Mataram' vividly captured India's natural abundance, prosperity, beauty, and strength, instilling a deep sense of national consciousness in the Indian psyche.
New Delhi/Agartala, Dec 22 : The High-Level Task Force on Infrastructure and Connectivity in the Northeastern region held a virtual meeting on Monday to review and expedite ongoing projects, officials said.

An official of the Tripura government said that the meeting focused on reviewing ongoing projects, strengthening inter-state connectivity, and accelerating infrastructure development to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the Northeastern region, comprising eight states, including Sikkim.

Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, his Mizoram counterpart Lalduhoma, and senior officials of all the eight Northeastern states participated in the meeting.

Union Minister Scindia in a post on his X handle said: "Had a productive High Level Task Force meeting on infrastructure, logistics and connectivity chaired by Hon'ble CM of Tripura Shri Manik Saha ji today. Aligned with Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji's vision of 'Act East, Act Fast and Act First', we laid down the strategic roadmap of charting our Ashtalakshmi states as India's gateway to Southeast Asia."

The DoNER Minister said that they also reviewed multimodal and digital connectivity to unlock new opportunities for growth and development in the Northeastern region.

Tripura Chief Minister, who is the convener of the High-Level Task Force on Infrastructure and Connectivity in the Northeastern region, said on social media that the meeting focused on reviewing ongoing projects, strengthening inter-state connectivity, and accelerating infrastructure development to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the Northeastern Region.

A Mizoram government official shared that during the meeting, Chief Minister Lalduhoma said that the state occupies a strategic location for connectivity with Southeast Asian countries and stressed the need for early completion of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project in neighbouring Myanmar.

CM Lalduhoma said that railway connectivity has already reached Sairang, near Aizawl, and emphasised that the rail line should be extended further to southern Mizoram.

He also underlined the necessity of having a well-developed National Highway up to Zorinpui. The Chief Minister said that improved road connectivity between eastern and western Mizoram would greatly benefit the border areas and highlighted the importance of strengthening the Zokhawthar route.

He added that Sairang and Lawngtlai could be developed as multimodal hubs.

Stressing the need for durable infrastructure, CM Lalduhoma said that roads should preferably be constructed with concrete to ensure protection during the monsoon season.

He also outlined several proposals aimed at ensuring better connectivity and reducing logistics costs in the northeastern region.

Officials said that the Task Force is close to finalising its report.

The DoNER ministry had constituted several High-Level Task Forces to identify key interventions and formulate actionable short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies for the integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor. The task forces were constituted following the 72nd plenary session of the North-Eastern Council (NEC) held in November last year in Agartala and presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Seoul, Dec 22 : The South Korean military has internally updated guidelines in defining the inter-Korean land border when dealing with incursions by North Korean soldiers to prevent the risk of accidental clashes, officials said Monday.

The move comes as North Korean troops have repeatedly violated the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas since last year in the process of carrying out construction activities near the heavily fortified border.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it has ordered troops to prioritize markers that indicate the MDL when making decisions, while also "comprehensively" applying both the MDL on the South Korean military map and a line connecting the MDL markers set out by the US-led United Nations Command (UNC), Yonhap News Agency reported.

The move effectively enables the military to use a line drawn farther southward in assessing whether North Korean troops' border crossings have occurred.

Under the updated guideline, even if North Korean troops cross the line connecting the MDL indicators, the South Korean military may not respond if it assesses it is not the MDL crossing in terms of its own military map.

Nearly 1,300 markers were installed in 1953, a month after the signing of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, but only about one-sixth of them are identifiable. Maintenance efforts by the UNC have been suspended since the North fired at workers conducting the job in 1973.

A JCS official said the new guidelines were shared with front-line units in June last year and officially included in an operational guideline in September this year.

The JCS said the decision, which went into effect last year, is aimed at ensuring troops' firm response and preventing accidental clashes between the two Koreas in the event of a border crossing by North Korean soldiers.

"The measure is limited to situations in which North Korean soldiers conduct activities near the MDL in an exposed environment during daytime," a ministry official said, stressing that it is not aimed at altering operational procedures or applying the MDL in a way that is favorable to North Korean troops.

But critics said the move could prompt the South Korean military to passively respond to North Korean troops' border crossing amid Seoul's efforts to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.

On the inconsistency between coordinates of the MDL used on the South Korean military map and those on the UNC data sets, a JCS official attributed the disparity to different technologies and timings in updating the data sets.

The defence ministry plans to consult with the UNC on addressing the issue next year, as an estimated 60 percent of the coordinates used by the two sides vary, a ministry official said.

Last month, Seoul's defence ministry proposed holding military talks with Pyongyang on how to clarify the MDL, which marked South Korea's first official proposal for talks with the North since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, with a pledge to mend frayed ties with the North and create conditions for dialogue.

The North has yet to respond to the proposal.

Since April last year, North Korea has deployed troops near the MDL to plant mines, erect anti-tank barriers and reinforce barbed wire fences after the country's leader Kim Jong-un described inter-Korean ties as those between "two states hostile to each other" in late 2023.

North Korean troops have violated the land border 26 times since last year, with 17 cases reported this year alone, according to the JCS. The most recent case occurred in late November.

Since last year, the South Korean military has aired warning messages about 2,400 times and subsequently fired warning shots 36 times in accordance with guidelines. North Korean soldiers retreated in all cases.
Hubballi : , Dec 22 (IANS) Sharing his sorrow and anguish over the 'honour killing' of his wife Manya Patil, who was seven months pregnant and was hacked to death by her own father and relatives, husband Vivekananda said they were living peacefully as a family, and the incident should never have happened.

Vivekananda said he would not spare the accused and demanded the death penalty for them.

The woman was hacked to death in Hubballi taluk of Karnataka, allegedly by her father and others, for marrying a man from another caste. Police have arrested the father and two others in connection with the case.

Vivekananda said, "We were in love for two years. In May, we eloped. My wife had told me that her family was torturing her and that she wanted to marry me. Despite knowing that she had come with me, they filed a missing person complaint. After our marriage, we went to the police station, gave our statements and returned."

"We later went to Haveri and stayed at my uncle's house. After my wife became pregnant, I took her for medical check-ups. I had complained to Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya that my wife's family was searching for me to take revenge. He assured me that nothing would happen. He summoned them to the police station, where her father and relatives said they had considered their daughter dead and that they would not trouble us," he said.

"Earlier, they rammed a tractor into my father and also tried to hit me with a vehicle, but I escaped. When they barged into our house, they attacked my mother, father and uncle as well. They must be punished and given the death sentence," Vivekananda said.

"My sister was also at home. We were living together as a family and had done nothing wrong. We did not even go in front of them as they were hurt by our marriage. No one came to help our family when the incident happened. They came with axes and murdered my wife. I will not spare them they must be punished according to the law," he said.

"She was a good wife, and we lived in harmony. My parents took care of her as if she were their own daughter," Vivekananda said.

Vivekananda's maternal aunt, Jayashree, appealed for justice. "For marrying their daughter, they committed this heinous act and also attacked our family members. They killed her as if she were a sheep. Does our community have no respect? They belong to a so-called superior caste, and we are from a lower caste. Our boy was unwilling, but the girl insisted on the marriage. Is it wrong to get married in such a situation?" she asked.

Meanwhile, Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya stated that the incident took place at Inam Veerapura village in Hubballi taluk on Sunday night.

"The accused attacked Manya Patil at her husband's residence using a sprinkler pipe and an axe, causing severe head injuries. Manya's father-in-law and mother-in-law were also injured in the attack. The assault occurred at around 6.30 p.m., and she succumbed to her injuries at 9.30 p.m. Police detained the accused within a few hours, registered an FIR, and have taken up further investigation," he said.

Police stated that Manya Patil, a Lingayat, had married Vivekananda, a Dalit. Both hail from the same village. They knew each other and fell in love while pursuing their graduation. They became closer through Instagram and later developed a relationship. The couple got married on June 19 at the registrar's office in Hubballi.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Manya Patil had earlier threatened to commit suicide if Vivekananda did not marry her. After the marriage, the police had called both families and brokered a compromise. Manya and Vivekananda later shifted to Haveri. They returned to their village on December 8, believing their relationship would be accepted as Manya was pregnant.

However, tensions resurfaced between the two families. The Hubballi Rural police again called the families and instructed the elders not to trouble each other. Despite this, Manya Patil's father and relatives allegedly barged into her house in the village and hacked her to death.

Manya's husband, Vivekananda, escaped unhurt. His parents are undergoing treatment at a hospital. The police have taken up further investigation.
Bhopal, Dec 22 : Union Health Minister JP Nadda is scheduled to perform bhoomi pujan for new medical colleges, starting with Dhar and Betul on December 23, as part of expanding facilities in underserved districts, said Rakesh Singh, Minister for Public Works Department.

Also, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Gwalior and Rewa on December 25 for the Abhyuday Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit, his first participation.

He will issue letters of intent for investors who will invest a combined sum of Rs 2 lakh crore, Rakesh Singh said after the state cabinet meeting on Monday.

The Union Home Minister will also virtually inaugurate Gwalior Mela and oversee Krishi and Kisan Sammelan, including visits to Gau Vansh and Vanya Bihar.

Infrastructure boosts include four-laning the 65 km Barwah-Dhamnod road under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM/HEM scheme) by MPRDC, the minister said.

Connecting two national highways and passing through the religious site Maheshwar, the Rs 2,500 crore project sees the state contributing Rs 900 crore over 15 years (60 per cent share).

Current speeds of vehicles on this road are normally 25-30 km/h will rise to 100 km/h after the project is completed, he said.

Additionally, the minister said cabinet has approved Rs 197 crore for a law university, while Rs 434 crore (state share Rs 147 crore) will fund a Weather Information Network with automatic rain gauges in every village panchayat and advanced systems at tehsil levels to support crop insurance and data collection.

The Mukhyamantri Vrindavan Gram Yojana advances cow conservation and rural self-reliance, he said.

Villages with at least 2,000 population and 500 cows qualify; of 230 assembly constituencies, 193 have selected sites, with 37 remaining for this scheme, the minister said, adding the cabinet has urged the minister to expedite the scheme.

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a flurry of development announcements, spanning urban expansion, healthcare, rural schemes, infrastructure, and education, as the state pushes for holistic growth under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the minister said.

Singh further informed that, as Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar recently inaugurated the Bhopal Metro Rail's priority corridor for Indore, approval has been granted for a 3.3-km underground metro stretch, addressing concerns in dense areas and enhancing the city's connectivity.

He further said, the Bhopal Metropolitan Region (BMR) map has been released. The BMR, he informed, spans a 12,099 sq km area, incorporating 12 urban areas, 30 tehsils, and 2,524 villages across districts, including Bhopal, Raisen, Vidisha, Sehore, Rajgarh, and Narmadapuram (formerly Hoshadabad). State minister Rakesh Singh highlighted the planned urban growth to manage rapid expansion around the capital.

These initiatives underscore Madhya Pradesh's focus on balanced urban-rural development, connectivity, and welfare.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : West Bengal's IPS officer-turned-politician Humayun Kabir may not be the first leader to eye a favourable mandate from more than 30 per cent Muslim population in the state, but perhaps the leader holding an extra edge in capturing religious sentiments with his intent of building a "Babri Masjid" in Murshidabad district.

Most political parties have been influencing minority voters in this state which shares a border with Bangladesh -- that has witnessed immigration through times, many of which are reportedly undocumented.

The 2011 Census of India recorded West Bengal's population at more than nine crore with a Muslim population comprising nearly 27 per cent of the total number.

The estimated number in current projections reflect an additional increase of around nine per cent across the state, with Muslims forming the majority of the population in some districts, including Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur.

While most of the state's political entities -- including the Congress, the Left Front, and the ruling Trinamool Congress -- have publicly exhibited minority leanings, the principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) labelled it as "minority appeasement".

The BJP has alleged political parties like the Congress, CPI-M, and the Trinamool Congress, of conspiring with conservative and divisive elements in Muslim communities for electoral gains without working for their real upliftment.

Much like Humayun Kabir's claim that his just-launched Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) being an "anti-BJP, anti-Trinamool" and "secular" political outfit, the Indian Secular Front (ISF), was formed ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections apparently aimed on similar lines.

And much like JUP, the ISF -- which was founded by the Furfura Sharif Sufi shrine's cleric Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui -- had announced its objective as to ensure "social justice" for the Muslims and Dalits in the state.

While launching the JUP, Humayun Kabir almost echoed the words that the Abbas Siddiqui had said on ISF, that in West Bengal, neither during the Congress regime or the Left, nor of Trinamool Congress, was anything done for the betterment of Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis (tribals).

As JUP intends to make its debut in the 2026 state Assembly election, the ISF began its foray in 2021, then contesting in alliance with the Congress and the Left Front.

While Humayun Kabir himself represented Trinamool Congress in the state Assembly, Abbas Siddiqui's uncle Toha Siddiqui has had close ties with the ruling party.

In 2021, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) had reached out for a poll alliance with ISF to mark its entry in West Bengal.

It did not materialise, forcing Owaisi to withdraw his party from the political contest.

Four years later, AIMIM's flags were being waved at Humayun Kabir's Monday event marking the launch of his own party.

However, unlike 2021, the Congress and Left Front are still waiting and watching since the last tie-up did not augur too well at the hustings.

While the two parties failed to open their accounts, the ISF bagged a single seat in the Muslim-dominated Bhangar constituency in South 24 Parganas district near Kolkata.

Since then, it has made some inroads in state politics where in 2023, the ISF cornered 325 seats in gram panchayats, 10 in panchayat samitis, and one in zila parishad, amid a contentious and bloody process that the ruling Trinamool Congress swept.

In the three-tier panchayat polls, the Congress-Left alliance again had an understanding with the ISF.

However, the ISF snapped its ties with the allies before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with its candidates contesting independently in several seats.

Now, according to a section among Humayun Kabir's followers, JUP may propose a "anti-BJP, anti-Trinamool" united front before the 2026 state polls.

How far the others will agree is yet a question but AIMIM appears to have already acquiesced.

In case of a fractured mandate from the minority voters, West Bengal's ruling party stands to lose the most.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 22 : After the house-to-house enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll concluded on December 18, election authorities in Kerala are preparing to launch a focused drive to enrol new voters following the publication of the draft electoral rolls on Tuesday.

Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala) Rathan U. Kelkar said the special enrolment drive would primarily target citizens who have attained the age of 18 as well as eligible voters who are yet to be included in the rolls.

The initiative aims to ensure maximum inclusion ahead of the next phase of the electoral calendar.

According to Kelkar, election officials have already received 2.92 lakh applications under Form 6, which is used for fresh voter enrolment.

In addition, 15,157 applications have been submitted under Form 6A for overseas electors. These applications will be taken up for verification and processing after the draft rolls are published on Tuesday.

During the enumeration phase, digitisation of enumeration forms reached 100 per cent by 10 a.m. on December 18, marking a key operational milestone in the revision process.

However, a significant number of entries have been flagged as uncollectable under the Absent, Shifted and Dead (ASD) categories.

The total number of uncollectable forms stands at 24.81 lakh, accounting for about 8.91 per cent of the existing electorate.

This includes 6.49 lakh deceased voters, 6.89 lakh untraceable voters, 8.21 lakh shifted voters, 1.34 lakh duplicate entries and 1.86 lakh categorised under other reasons, said Kelkar.

Following requests from political parties, the ASD list has already been uploaded to the CEO's website.

An updated version of the list, incorporating corrections and names of voters who have since been traced, will be published along with the draft SIR rolls on December 23.

The list has also been shared with booth-level agents of political parties to assist in tracking missing voters.

Claims and objections to the draft electoral rolls can be filed between Tuesday and January 22, 2026, while the notice and hearing process will continue until February 14.

The final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on February 21.

Kelkar noted that, as per election rules, additions and deletions can continue until the final date for filing nominations for the 2026 Assembly elections.

He also outlined the appeal mechanism available to voters whose names are excluded, with provisions for appeals before the District Election Officer and subsequently the Chief Electoral Officer.
News / National

by Staff reporter

SURVIVORS of Gukurahundi residing in Maphisa, Matobo district in Matabeleland South, feel insulted over reports that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will visit the area to kickstart the process of issuance of identity documents to many rendered state less by the 1980s massacres.Maphisa centre is nearly 7km from Bhalagwe, a mountainous notorious detention centre where the Fifth Brigade killed hundreds of people and buried them in shallow mass graves during the Gukurahundi era.Ndodana Moyo, aged 37, lost a brother in 1984 during Gukurahundi."We heard reports of the planned visit by Mnangagwa, but as victims, we get surprised and feel insulted that they will want to visit the area yet they fail to acknowledge Gukurahundi in public and apologise," Moyo said.Mnangagwa was expected to launch the issuance of identity documents to Gukurahundi survivors at Maphisa growth point in September to kickstart the whole pro cess of finding closure to the emotive issue.This followed a meeting between Mnangagwa and civic society organisations under the Matabeleland Collective banner at the State House in Bulawayo early this month where the need for reburials and exhumations was highlighted.However, Gukurahundi survivors, Zapu and Ibhetshu LikaZulu pressure group filed an urgent High Court application to stay the process arguing Mnangagwa is conflicted to lead the exercise as he was the State Security minister at the time when the North Korean brigade was killing people in Matabeleland.High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese reserved judgement in the case.Moyo added: "A truth telling process will heal our deep wounds. An apology will heal us further, not a visit that will only remind us of the past, especially that they will be in the presence of those in army uniforms who terrorised us."To date, there are scattered bricks of destroyed detention centres in Bhalagwe, and other infrastructure used by the Fifth Brigade at the notorious detention centre. Villagers in the area have roofed their home steads with asbestos sheets from the destroyed detention centres."It is weird that Mnangagwa is visiting the place of carnage. It is an insult to the people who had their loved ones tortured and butchered by those in power," addedArtwell Sibanda, a member of the United Movement for Devolution (UMD)."Such visits should be cancelled and as UMD we call upon the government to institute a truth commission to investigate the massacres and proceed to have restorative justice."The late Robert Mugabe, who is accused of presiding over the mass killings of over an estimated 20 000 civilians in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces, never apologised for the massacres, which he de scribed as a "moment of madness".Maphisa bore the brunt of the massacres, and villagers are still torn apart between celebrating his death or mourning his pass ing on.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : India is at the forefront of digital health and innovative technologies, said Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, on Monday.

Addressing the seventh annual convocation ceremony of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, the Minister urged the new doctors to hold onto the touch of humanity during medical practice.

"Today, India is at the forefront of digital health and innovative technologies because we want to fulfil the larger goal of universal healthcare," the Union Minister said.

"As doctors, you have entered into a social contract, so that touch of humanity should not go anywhere", she added.

Patel congratulated the graduating students and emphasised the pivotal role of public medical institutions in strengthening India's healthcare system.

"The degrees that you will receive today are more than certificates of merit. They are the qualities and traits of compassion, dedication, and perseverance that you will follow from now onwards in your medical profession."

She urged the young doctors to uphold ethical medical practice, compassion, and a strong commitment to serving underserved and marginalized communities.

Notably, the Minister also highlighted the transformation achieved in India's Healthcare landscape in the last 11 years.

"At the primary level, there are more than 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs operational in the country, which are providing comprehensive primary care services to the people. The government is fixing up the critical gaps in secondary healthcare facilities like CHCs and district hospitals, and we are also expanding the network of tertiary care facilities and reimagining medical education," Patel said.

"In the last 11 years, the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819. The number of AIIMS has increased from 7 to 23. Undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51,000 to 1,28,000, and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to around 82,000 today," she added.

The Union Minister further informed that more than 62 crore people, accounting for over 40 per cent of India's population, are being provided with free health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat  PMJAY scheme, the largest health coverage scheme in the world.

"There are also schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and Amrit Pharmacies, which are providing medicines, medical devices, and surgical implants at discounted rates", she added.

On the occasion, more than 217 postgraduate students, 136 undergraduate students, and 40 super-specialty students were awarded degrees, and 43 students were awarded medals in recognition of their outstanding performance and dedication.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that India and the United States are in the advanced stages of negotiating a bilateral trade agreement.

Goyal told journalists that India has already finalised free trade agreements with three members of the Five Eyes (FVEY) intelligence alliance  Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. The US and Canada comprise the other two members of the grouping.

The minister said that they are also preparing to re-engage Canada on a bilateral trade pact. "We are soon going to launch discussions for the ToR (terms of reference) with Canada also," Goyal said, adding that "this reflects the growing strategic importance of India in world geopolitics".

Goyal's optimistic note comes against the backdrop of the talks held by Indian officials with the US delegation led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer in Delhi earlier this month.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had also said earlier that India is "very close" to finalising an initial framework deal with the US aimed at lowering reciprocal tariffs.

"We are very close to closing the initial framework deal, but I don't want to put a timeline to it," Agrawal had said in a December 15 presser. He added that India and the US have completed six rounds of talks, covering both a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and an interim arrangement to reduce reciprocal tariffs.

There is a reasonable expectation that the two countries will reach an interim agreement to lower steep tariffs on most Indian exports, Agrawal said.

Goyal earlier said that the ongoing trade talks between Indian and US officials are progressing well, but at the same time ruled out any deadline for signing a deal.

Commenting on US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer's two-day visit to Delhi, he said: "We had very good substantive discussions. But I have said on record that a deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit. We should never negotiate with deadlines because you tend to make mistakes then."

Agrawal had said that the two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement.

US President Donald Trump recently told reporters at the White House that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were "going great" and that a visit to Delhi could take place next year.

Trump said that he plans to "lower tariffs" imposed on India "at some point", indicating that a breakthrough in the trade talks could come soon.

However, India has made it clear that it would not compromise on the interests of farmers, the dairy sector, and workers in trade deals that it signs with other countries.

India has already started buying more oil and gas from the US. The move is aimed at reducing India's trade surplus with the US, an issue that had figured in the earlier rounds of trade talks.

In this context, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri had announced that India's public sector oil companies have successfully concluded a one-year structured contract to import around 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US Gulf Coast during 2026. This represents close to 10 per cent of India's annual LPG imports and marks the first such structured LPG contract with the US for the Indian market. The minister described the decision "as a historic development," noting that one of the world's largest and fastest growing LPG markets has now opened up to the United States.
Jaipur, Dec 22 : A statewide protest erupted across several districts of Rajasthan on Monday against the approval of mining activities in the Aravalli mountain range.

Demonstrations were held in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Alwar, and other cities, where protesters clashed with police at multiple locations.

In Udaipur, Congress workers and members of various social organisations staged a protest at the Collectorate.

During the demonstration, slogans were raised against the decision, leading to a scuffle between protesters and the police. Several activists were detained by the police to control the situation.

Congress workers, Karni Sena members, other group representatives, and people from various communities protested at the Udaipur Collectorate.

Protesters demanded the withdrawal of the court order and warned of intensified agitation.

In Sikar, environmentalists and residents gathered at Harsh Parvat, situated at an elevation of 945 meters, to voice their opposition to mining in the Aravalli range. Protesters appealed to the government to immediately reverse the decision and protect the fragile ecosystem.

Meanwhile, in Jodhpur, NSUI workers climbed police barricades during a protest. Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd after the situation escalated.

In Alwar, Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully strongly criticised the decision, calling the Aravalli range the "lungs of Rajasthan."

"This decision must be withdrawn. If the government does not reverse it, Congress will launch a massive agitation. We will not allow the Aravalli range to be destroyed," Jully said.

According to a Supreme Court order dated November 20, 2025, only landforms with an elevation of 100 meters or more will be classified as Aravalli hills.

Environmentalists claim this definition excludes over 90 per cent of the range from protection, triggering widespread concern.

Jully accused the government of attempting to destroy Rajasthan's natural heritage and vowed continued resistance.

Environmental activist Pawan Dhaka questioned the future of wildlife if the Aravalli range is destroyed.

"A human may still rebuild a home after displacement, but where will the animals go?" he asked.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav has clarified the situation surrounding the Aravalli mountain range through a letter titled "Ek Patti Alwar Ke Naam."

In the letter, he assured that the Aravalli range is completely safe and emphasised that the Supreme Court's decision was taken by maintaining a balance between environmental protection, prevention of illegal mining, and developmental needs.

Addressing concerns raised by various groups, the minister wrote that Alwar is an integral part of the Aravalli mountain range and is home to important natural and heritage sites such as the Sariska Tiger Reserve and Siliserh Lake.

"The conservation and development of these areas are non-negotiable," the MP stated in the letter.

Bhupendra Yadav reiterated that the government remains fully committed to safeguarding the ecological balance of the Aravalli region while ensuring lawful and sustainable development.
Srinagar, Dec 22 : J&K Students Association (JKSA) on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the safety and well-being of Indian medical students in Bangladesh.

JKSA said that the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday wrote to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, seeking urgent intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently studying in Bangladesh amid ongoing protests, tensions, and incidents of violence, particularly in Dhaka and surrounding regions.

The Association urged PM Modi to intervene to ensure the safety and protection of Indian medical students in view of the prevailing unrest and uncertain conditions in Bangladesh.

JKSA said there are around 9,000 Indian students pursuing medical education in various colleges across Bangladesh, among them over 4,000 students from the Kashmir Valley.

It said that the Association has been receiving distress calls and messages from students and their families, who are extremely anxious about the rapidly deteriorating situation and the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty prevailing there.

"We have been told by students studying in Dhaka that they have been advised to hide their identity for their own safety, which is deeply disturbing and unacceptable for young Indians who have gone abroad solely to pursue education," it said.

The association said that the reported death and lynching of a student leader have further shocked and alarmed the entire student community and their families back home, underlining the gravity of the situation and the potential risks faced by Indian students on the ground.

Highlighting the plight of students, the Association said, many students are confined to hostels and accommodations, facing restrictions on movement, lack of clarity, and fear of being caught in violence.

"Parents in India are living in constant anxiety, unsure about the safety of their children. The prevailing conditions are unsafe and uncertain, and students feel vulnerable and stranded," it said.

Urging immediate action, the association urged the Prime Minister to intervene to ensure the immediate safety and protection of Indian medical students in Bangladesh.

"We request the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to urgently take up this matter with the Government of Bangladesh and seek firm assurances for the security, dignity, and well-being of our students," it said.

The association said if the situation of tension and violence continues or worsens, the government of India should kindly consider making arrangements to evacuate and bring back Indian students safely to India, so that no young life is put at risk.

"Timely evacuation, if required, will go a long way in preventing any untoward incident and in reassuring anxious families across the country," it said.
Bengaluru, Dec 22 : AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot on Monday said the Union government was "destroying" the economic security of rural India by changing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Addressing a press conference at the Congress office in Bengaluru, Pilot said the Union government has committed a "historic blunder".

"For the first time in the country's history, the name of a scheme that carried the name of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, has been changed. Earlier, schemes were renamed after Mahatma Gandhi, but now the Centre has done the opposite. This is a direct attack on the economic security of rural India," he said.

He said MGNREGS was a visionary scheme of the Congress government, which constitutionally guaranteed the right to employment for the poorest sections.

"It assured 100 days of employment per year to one member of a rural poor family," Pilot said.

Pilot said during crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, MGNREGS served as the only economic safety net for rural areas.

"Without any discussion in Parliament, without consulting state governments and without placing it before the standing committee, the Centre has misused its authority to make changes to the scheme. No one had demanded or requested such changes. This has been done with the intention of insulting the Father of the Nation. It is an assault on the lives of the poor," he alleged.

He said the Centre has altered the nature of the scheme by converting it from a "demand-driven programme to a centrally controlled one".

"Earlier, local bodies decided how much work was needed. Now, the Centre will decide where and how much work should be carried out. Mahatma Gandhi believed in self-rule and the strength of gram panchayats, but the Centre is now taking control away from local governments," he said.

Pilot said earlier the Centre bore 90 per cent of the scheme's cost, with states contributing the remaining 10 per cent.

"Now this has been changed to a 60:40 ratio, placing an additional burden on state governments," he said.

He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first speech in Parliament, had allocated Rs 50,000 crore to the scheme but had also termed MGNREGS a "historic mistake" of the Congress government.

"Even after 11 years, the BJP-led government has not been able to discontinue the scheme," he said.

"This scheme had received global recognition. No other country had implemented a law guaranteeing employment. Now the Centre has effectively dismantled it, while falsely claiming that employment days are being increased from 100 to 125," he said.

Recalling his tenure as Rajasthan Rural Development Minister, Pilot said nearly 50 lakh person-days of employment were generated during the Covid period.

"This scheme supported 12 to 15 crore people. The Centreas decision will further increase pressure on rural areas. It is condemnable, and the entire country, including the INDIA alliance, must oppose it. We will exert maximum pressure to ensure the Centre withdraws these changes," he said.

Referring to the National Herald case, he said false allegations were made against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but the court refused to take cognisance of the case.

He alleged that the ED has been misused to silence opposition voices and to target Congress leaders.

Notably, President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025.

The Centre said VB-G RAM G enhances the statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 days per financial year for rural households and seeks to advance empowerment, inclusive growth, convergence of development initiatives and saturation-based delivery, thereby strengthening the foundation for a prosperous, resilient and self-reliant Rural Bharat.

It removes earlier dis-entitlement provisions and restores unemployment allowance as a meaningful statutory safeguard, the government said.

If employment is not provided within the stipulated period, the unemployment allowance becomes payable after 15 days, the Centre added.
Jerusalem, Dec 22 : The Israeli military carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, saying it targetted Hezbollah sites.

"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) struck several Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Sidon in southern Lebanon," a military spokesperson said in a statement.

On Friday, the two sides held talks again as part of a security dialogue, focusing on Hezbollah's disarmament and the return of residents to their homes in Lebanon's southern border villages, according to Israeli and Lebanese sources.

The meeting, under US coordination, took place in the town of Naqoura in southwest Lebanon, near Israel's northern border, Xinhua news agency reported. Israeli Deputy Director for Foreign Policy at the National Security Council Yosef Dreznin represented Israel in the talks, while Lebanon's former ambassador to the United States, Simon Karam, led the Lebanese delegation.

According to an Israeli statement, the meeting centered on Hezbollah's disarmament and the advancement of economic projects, highlighting a mutual interest in countering Hezbollah and ensuring long-term security for communities on both sides of the border.

A statement by the Lebanese presidency said that during the talks, Karam highlighted Lebanon's firm position on the humanitarian and national importance of enabling displaced villagers to return safely to their homes.

A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel has been in force since November 27, 2024 but Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes aiming at eliminating Hezbollah threats.

Earlier this month, the two countries held their first direct talks in Naqoura, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "a first attempt to lay the groundwork for relations and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon."

On December 14, three Hezbollah members were killed, and a fourth was wounded in Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon, Lebanese officials and security sources had said.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said an Israeli drone struck a motorcycle in the village of Yater in the Bint Jbeil district, killing one person and wounding another. A second Israeli drone hit a car between the towns of Safad al-Battikh and Baraachit, also in the Bint Jbeil district, killing one person. A third person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the village of Jouaiyya, the agency said.

A Lebanese security source said all three people killed were members of Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it had struck three Hezbollah militants in several areas of southern Lebanon.

"The militants were involved in attempts to re-establish Hezbollah's terror infrastructure, and their activities constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon," it said, referring to a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : In the wake of the unrest in Bangladesh, Indian intelligence agencies have sounded a very high alert along the border, fearing a massive spillover of illegal immigrants. However, officials also say that as security agencies there are too busy controlling the situation in their country, many pro-ISI outfits are already planning a massive infiltration bid into India.

The idea would be to send in lakhs of people near the Indian border with a clear intention of overwhelming the system. The push would be harder closer to the elections in West Bengal, and this is the time to watch out for, the Intelligence agencies say.

The elections in West Bengal would be hard fought one, and the security agencies are anticipating some level of violence. The ISI would take advantage of the scenario and then try to push scores of illegal immigrants at that time.

It is a very sinister plot that is being hatched in Bangladesh, officials say. The Indian security agencies would have to handle this situation very carefully. While trying to overwhelm the system with illegal immigrants, the ISI is also looking to push as many terrorists as possible at the same time.

The plan is to push in both Bangladeshis and Rohingya at the same time. While on one hand, the ISI is attempting massive demographic changes in West Bengal and the northeastern states, on the other, it wants to send in many terrorists into these regions.

Since the ISI increased its influence in Bangladesh post the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, it has trained dozens of terrorists with the specific intention of sending them into India.

An Intelligence Bureau official says that the risk of infiltrations are at the low-visibility routes and riverine gaps in Assam, Tripura, and West Bengal. Further, these elements would try to take advantage of the forest cover in these regions as well, the official added.

The ISI-backed groups in Bangladesh over the months identified scores of Rohingyas and took advantage of their financial duress. They are picked up and then sent to da edicated camp. Most of them are trained in terror-related activity. Security officials say that these camps, which have been in the making for over a year now, house thousands of desperate Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. They are lured with financial benefits and then trapped into joining a terror outfit.

The camps that have been set up are divided into two. While one camp comprises people who are only meant to infiltrate and enforce demographic changes, the other comprises trained terrorists.

Another official says that the plan is not just restricted to West Bengal and the northeastern states. Over a period of time, once the infiltrations take place, these elements would be sent to other parts of the country, such as Jammu and Kashmir, the southern states, and Maharashtra.

This has been the plan in the making ever since Pakistan lost the war with India in 1971. Pakistan realised that a conventional war with India would not yield any results, and there should be another way to stress the system. In 1973, the Research and Analysis Wing learnt that the Jamaat-e-Islami and ISI hatched a plan whereby they would enforce mass infiltrations of illegal immigrants into India. The idea was to enter India and then enforce demographic changes. This would then lead to insecurity among the majority community, and eventually, communal clashes would erupt.

The plan was not entirely successful, because Bangladesh has had several dispensations that have been friendly with India. However, today, the situation has changed, and the ISI-backed Jamaat is completely in charge after Hasinaas ouster. For the ISI, which has been planning this operation for a year, there is no better time than now to execute this plan. The regime in Bangladesh is pro-Pakistan, and hence it would not stand in the way of the ISI and Jamaat to execute its plan, officials say.
Quetta, Dec 22 : The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Monday announced a five-day campaign against enforced disappearances of Baloch women.

According to the statement released by BYC on X, the campaign has been launched to raise awareness about enforced disappearances, document lived experiences and strengthen collective resistance.

In a statement, BYC stated, "5-Day Campaign Against Enforced Disappearances of Baloch Women. For decades, enforced disappearances in Balochistan have primarily targeted Baloch men. Today, this grave injustice has expanded to include Baloch women, who are increasingly being forcibly disappeared by Pakistanas law enforcement agencies and their private militant groups, locally known as death squads."

The enforced disappearance of women is not only a gross violation of fundamental human rights; it is a direct attack on the dignity, survival, and collective identity of the Baloch nation. This practice forms part of a broader pattern of repression aimed at silencing and erasing Baloch resistance. To raise awareness, document lived experiences, and strengthen collective resistance, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) is launching a 5-Day Campaign Against Enforced Disappearances of Baloch Women," it added.

The campaign started on Monday with the launch of an online petition calling for the recovery of all disappeared Baloch women, an end to the practice of enforced disappearances and accountability of Pakistan's responsible security institutions. The second day will feature statements and video messages from families of victims, activists and students, sharing personal testimonies and expressions of solidarity.

On December 24, the campaign will focus on art as participants will be encouraged for poetry, letters, visual art and short performances to highlight the issue. Symbolic protests will be held on December 25 to remember disappeared Baloch women and stand in solidarity with the families.

The campaign will conclude on 26 December with a webinar featuring activists and families of the disappeared According to the statement, the session will aim to address the rising cases of enforced disappearances of women, share on the ground realities and strengthen collective advocacy and international solidarity.

On Saturday, a leading human rights organisation revealed the enforced disappearance of two more Baloch women at the hands of Pakistani forces. According to Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), Hani Dilwash and Heer Nisa Waheed were detained and then forcibly disappeared on Friday night from Hub Chowki in Balochistan.

The BVJ stated that the action violated fundamental rights and targeted civilians without any legal process. Condemning the incident, the rights body demanded the immediate disclosure of their whereabouts.

"Security agencies continue to operate with impunity while families suffer ongoing trauma. Enforced disappearance remains a systematic tool of repression in Balochistan and must end," the rights body stated.
Chandigarh, Dec 22 : The Haryana Vidhan Sabha on Monday passed the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill of 2025 to reduce the compliance burden on smaller establishments through reforms for promoting economic growth while ensuring continued protection for workers.

Speaking on the issue, Labour Minister Anil Vij, who introduced the Bill, said it is beneficial for both workers and shopkeepers, and it's in the interest of workers as well as traders.

He said an increase in the threshold limit from zero employees to 20 or more employees in any establishment for registration and other regulatory provisions of the Bill, in order to reduce compliance burden for smaller businesses, encourage job creation and eliminate the fear of non-compliance.

Establishments with fewer than 20 workers will no longer need a registration certificate under the Bill, but they will only need to provide an intimation of their business.

Earlier, every shopkeeper was required to register. He pointed out that even today, in states like Karnataka, shopkeepers are required to register even if they do not have a single worker.

The minister said before finalising this Bill, he studied data from states across India.

"In Haryana, registration has been mandated for establishments with 20 or more workers. Similarly, in Maharashtra, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha registration is compulsory for establishments having 20 or more workers.

"Likewise, the daily working hours are 10 hours in Haryana, as well as in Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Regarding overtime, the maximum of 156 hours is permitted in Haryana, the highest in the country, whereas it is 144 hours in Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha; 125 hours in Uttar Pradesh; 72 hours in Tamil Nadu; and 50 hours in Karnataka. "Similarly, the interval of rest is six hours in Haryana, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha."

The minister said an increase in the daily hours of work from the existing nine hours to 10 hours, inclusive of rest intervals, subject to a maximum of 48 hours in any week.

"This measure aims to create greater economic activity, enhance employment opportunities and give establishments the flexibility to handle emergencies, peak demand or staff shortages without disruption," he said.

Similarly, Vij said an increase in the overtime period within a quarter from 50 hours to 156 hours, so that establishments will be allowed to engage workers in overtime for an increased period per quarter to address exceptional work pressure.

"This change will increase workers' earning potential and formalise overtime practices, ensuring that all additional hours are properly recorded and compensated, which will help in preventing exploitation of workers. However, the overtime working will not be mandatory for the workers," the minister said.
Patna, Dec 22 : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue and Land Reforms Vijay Kumar Sinha on Monday inaugurated the Land Reforms Public Welfare Dialogue at the Shri Krishna Singh Auditorium on the campus of BRA Bihar University, Muzaffarpur.

He said the initiative aims to make the state's revenue and land reform system people-centric, transparent, and accountable.

Addressing officials and the public, Sinha emphasised that the dialogue is not a formal event or a platform for speeches, but a serious outreach initiative to directly engage with citizens, listen to their land-related problems, and ensure their resolution strictly in accordance with rules and timelines.

"Our goal is to hear real problems, understand them at the grassroots level, and resolve them on priority. This initiative is meant for action, not rhetoric," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said his objective is to build a self-sustaining system that continues to function effectively even in his absence, ensuring that land-related grievances of citizens are resolved smoothly and without delay.

He also announced that the department would honour individuals who provide credible information about people who have illegally registered government land in their private names.

Sinha said the most common public complaints currently relate to mutation, Parimarjan Plus (land record rectification system), and E-measurement.

He instructed officials to resolve all pending cases within the next 15 days, so that such issues do not surface repeatedly during public welfare dialogues.

The Deputy CM said that during the first 100 days of his tenure, public welfare dialogues would be conducted first at the divisional level and then at the district level.

The objective is to identify fundamental obstacles related to land disputes, public grievances, and departmental functioning, and ensure systemic resolution.

The initiative began on December 12 in Patna, followed by a dialogue in Lakhisarai on December 15.

A departmental workshop in Patna on December 18, attended by Additional Collectors, Deputy Collectors of Land Reforms, and Circle Officers, where strict timelines for grievance resolution were laid down.

Sinha made it clear that the people of Bihar are at the centre of the department's functioning. Ensuring a transparent, honest, and accountable system is the government's top priority.

"There will be zero tolerance for brokers, middlemen, and land mafia. Honest officers, employees, and citizens will not be harassed under any circumstances, but those indulging in wrongdoing will not be spared," he said.

Sinha stressed that unnecessary rejection of applications must stop, and that timely mutation and rectification are essential for maintaining error-free land records and enabling farmers to access government schemes.

The Deputy CM said, "E-measurement must be conducted online, and reports must also be submitted online. Removal of encroachment from government land should be a top priority, and take strict action against those creating disputes using forged documents," Sinha said.

He directed District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to ensure that circle offices are free from brokers and land mafia.

Senior local officers will also ensure the presence of the Station House Officer (SHO) at public grievance redressal camps held every Saturday at circle offices.

He said visible improvement must be evident in every circle and subdivision by January 14.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A MAN from Mzilikazi suburb has been fined $5 000 for assaulting his wife for not singing at a funeral.Lucas Mhlanga (39) of Mzilikazi suburb pleaded guilty to assault charges when he appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Mrs Nomagugu Maphosa on Monday.Appearing for the State, Mr Owen Mugari said Mhlanga, a barber and his wife Ms Sikhulekile Moyo (40) were coming from a funeral in the same suburb on Sunday evening when he asked her why she was not singing at the funeral.Mhlanga then assaulted his wife as punishment for not singing.It was not stated who had died. Ms Moyo who did not suffer any injuries reported the matter to the police resulting in Mhlanga's arrest.The woman brought an affidavit to court intending to withdraw the matter saying she had forgiven him as Mhlanga had promised not to assault her again."I have forgiven my husband because he promised not to do it again and because he is the father of my only child who is a minor," said Ms Moyo.Mhlanga who blamed alcohol for his actions pleaded for the court to be lenient and promised not to assault her again as he now knows it is a serious offence."I am sorry to my wife and to the Honourable court. I acted under the influence of alcohol and I did not know that punishing my wife is an offence. Now that I know, I shall never do it again," said Mhlanga.The magistrate Mrs Maphosa said the court considers the fact that the complainant had rendered an affidavit intending to withdraw the case and that she was the accused person's wife and the couple has a child who is a minor.The magistrate said sending Mhlanga to jail would disturb the child whose upkeep is based on the accused person's earnings as he was the breadwinner.Mrs Maphosa ordered Mhlanga to pay $5 000 by May 30 or spend 60 days in prison.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Entrepreneur Mira Rajput has expressed what 'Nani house' means to her kids, Misha and Zain.

The mother of two took to her social media account to share a picture of herself with her father.

The photo seems to be from a few years ago, when Misha, her daughter, visited her 'Nani house' in Delhi for the first time ever. Mira captioned the post as, "Misha's first trip. The thing about Nani's house is that you're still the child of the house even though you have your own. Parents, Pampering & Parathas."

Mira, who is married to Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor, has often shared posts related to her parents and especially her children.

In November, an excited Mira shared how her 8-year-old girl, Misha, had set up her own baking stall and also revealed that in no time all her cookies and muffins were sold out. The proud mama had taken to her social media account, lauding her little girl, and also shared a few videos of the delicacies.

She wrote, "So proud of my baby today! Mish Mash Bakery: Youngest founder in the fam." In another video shared by Mira, we have a glimpse of pictures of the lip-smacking cookies  Oats n Raisins and Deep Dish Choco Chip  costing Rs 200 each.

Talking about Mira and Shahid's relationship, the couple tied the knot on July 7, 2015, in a private ceremony held in Gurgaon. The wedding was an intimate affair attended by family and close friends.

The couple is blessed with two children: daughter Misha, born in August 2016, and son Zain, born in September 2018.

On the work front, Mira has recently turned an entrepreneur and is leaving no stone unturned in making it flourish.

IANS

rd/
Jammu, Dec 22 : At least 70 farmers from Udhampur visited the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology campus in Jammu, where they got specialised and dedicated training in advanced oilseed cultivation.

The initiative was undertaken by Udhampur legislator Ranbir Singh Pathania, under the Rs 5,000 crore Holistic Agriculture Development Project (HADP) in J&K, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with an objective to double the farmers' income.

The HADP is an ambitious initiative under the Agricultural Ministry, seeking to introduce cutting-edge techniques in oilseed cultivation and also to augment its production as well as sustainability in the region.

RS Pathania, highlighting the government's commitment to farmers' prosperity, said that the exposure of farmers to the latest technology was part of the government's broader efforts to equip locals with modern practices in agriculture, from seed selection to pest management.

The 5,000 crore project, with a target of completion in five years, emphasises crop diversification, irrigation upgrades, and market linkages for high-value produce like oilseeds.

Chief Agriculture Officer Harbans Singh told IANS, "The farmers learnt about new technologies and innovations, oilseed production techniques, farm management practices, and pest control methods.

"We sent a team from our district so that they can learn and come back to train the farmers about the latest techniques. We have distributed high-quality mustard seeds to farmers for a healthy yield. This will go a long way in making them self-sufficient," he added.

Notably, HADP is an integrated program, spanning across the entire range of activities in the three key sectors of the agri-economy, namely Horticulture, Agriculture, and Livestock husbandry in Jammu and Kashmir.

The move aims to provide skill development to approximately 2.5 lakh farmers through the specialised Daksh Kisan portal. As part of the program, around 2000 Kisan Khidmat Ghars will be set up, and robust value chains will be established for the benefit and well-being of the farming community.

The initiative is expected to generate employment, benefiting numerous marginal families in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chennai, Dec 22 : The makers of director Sudha Kongara's eagerly awaited upcoming period film, 'Parasakthi', featuring actors Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa and Sreeleela in the lead, have now announced that the film's release had been advanced to January 10 next year.

It may be recalled that the film was originally expected to hit screens on January 14 next year for the festival of Pongal.

Taking to its social media timelines, Dawn Pictures, the firm producing the film, shared a statement that read, "We wish to inform the media, trade, and audiences that the release of 'Parasakthi' has been preponed to January 10, 2026. This decision has been taken after extensive discussions and repeated requests from exhibitors and distributors worldwide, who have expressed strong confidence in the film's theatrical potential during this period. 'Parasakthi' will now release in theatres worldwide on January 10, 2026."

The film has triggered huge expectations in both fans and film buffs. 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.

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 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.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chandigarh, Dec 22 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday informed the Assembly that the people of the state formed the government with an overwhelming mandate.

"In such a situation, despite this clear public confidence, the Opposition's attempt to create a perception of Vote Chor amounts to outright misinformation and also undermines the people's verdict," he said.

The Chief Minister said when the Assembly election results were declared on October 8, 2024, the Opposition had no complaints and everything appeared normal.

"However, as time passed, the Opposition suddenly began raising allegations of vote theft. Not only were efforts made to take this narrative beyond Haryana and spread it across different parts of the country."

The Chief Minister said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has specifically named Haryana while making allegations of vote theft. Such serious allegations, he said, deserve a responsible and fact-based discussion within the House, as the people of Haryana want to know the truth.

The Chief Minister clarified that the proposed discussion is neither against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) nor about the Election Commission of India.

"However, if the Opposition believes there has been any irregularity, it should be discussed openly. If the Opposition has any concrete suggestions for improvement, those can also be presented."

The Chief Minister further stated that the proposal brought by member Ram Kumar Kashyap should be taken up for discussion in the House so that the people of Haryana receive complete and transparent information on the issue.

"Since the Opposition has been repeatedly raising this unfounded matter, a detailed discussion would help clarify facts for everyone," the Chief Minister added.

--IANS

vg/dan
Chennai, Dec 22 : Issues related to mule accounts used in cyber frauds and means to curb them topped the agenda at a coordination meeting between CBI, officials of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Chief Vigilance Officers of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) held here on Monday.

During the day-long meeting, all pending matters about ongoing Bank Fraud Investigations and Prosecutions being handled by CBI were discussed, said a statement.

The agenda of the conference was to enhance inter-departmental cooperation and expedite investigations pertaining to bank fraud cases.

During the meeting, detailed presentations were made by the senior officers from CBI and PSBs on relevant operational issues.

The experts also exchanged case-specific details and deliberated on the way forward to expedite pending investigations.

They also discussed steps to streamline procedures and ensure proactive cooperation in matters related to obtaining approvals and prosecution sanctions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, said the statement.

A CBI official said several pending issues between the probe agency and Public Sector Banks about ongoing investigations were sorted out during the meeting.

An emphasis was laid on continuing structured engagement and institutional coordination to expedite investigations, resolve pending issues, and ensure the timely completion of investigations.

It was agreed to maintain momentum and reinforce institutional collaboration to overcome procedural bottlenecks, said the statement.

A mule account is a bank or financial account used by criminals to launder illegally obtained money, making it hard to trace. In most cases, the account holder, a "money mule" is either unaware of the misuse of his account or tricked into participating through fake job offers or scams.

Earlier this month, the CBI filed a charge sheet against 13 accused persons in a major "digital arrest" cyber fraud case, as part of its focused, case-by-case crackdown under Operation Chakra-V against organised transnational cybercrimes.

The case was registered suo motu by the CBI to comprehensively investigate ten significant incidents of Digital Arrest scams reported across the country, amid a steep rise in such offences.

In October 2025, the CBI conducted coordinated searches across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala and West Bengal.

"These searches led to the recovery of incriminating material including electronic devices, communication logs, financial records and other digital evidence," the CBI said in its press note.

On the basis of evidence recovered, three accused persons were arrested, all of whom are currently in judicial custody.

The central agency stressed that during the investigation, it analysed over 15,000 IP addresses associated with the scam networks.

"The technical analysis revealed extensive cross-border connections, showing that several key bank accounts used for collecting and routing victim funds were being controlled by masterminds based in Cambodia, Hong Kong and China," it said.
Jaipur, Dec 22 : Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, on Monday, offered a 'chadar' (sacred offering) and flowers at the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government in Ajmer on the occasion of the 814th Urs.

Marking the auspicious occasion of the Urs, Union Minister Rijiju presented the sacred 'chadar' and flowers at the revered shrine as a gesture of respect from the Prime Minister and the Union government.

After offering prayers at the dargah, the Union Minister was welcomed at the Mehfil Khana by officials of the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Urs has formally commenced at the revered dargah in Ajmer.

Thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad are visiting the shrine of Khwaja Garib Nawaz every day to pay their respects during the Urs, which will continue until December 30.

Taking to his official X account, Union Minister Rijiju said: "On the auspicious occasion of the 814th Urs of Khwaja Garib Nawaz, I had the privilege of visiting the revered Dargah Sharif in Ajmer & offering the sacred chadar at the holy shrine. I prayed for the peace, harmony & well-being of all. Khwaja Sahib's timeless message of love, compassion & selfless service to humanity continues to illuminate our shared values & strengthen the spirit of unity."

In another X post, the Union Minister wrote: "I was joined by Minister of State Bhagirath Choudhary; Rajasthan's Water Resources Planning Minister Suresh Singh Rawat; Union Ministry of Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar; Lok Bandhu, Ajmer District Collector; Vandita Rana, Ajmer Superintendent of Police; Alhaj Syed Ghulam Kibria, Anjuman Syedzadgan President; Azeem Chisty, Anjuman Shaikhzadgan President; Mohd. Husain Khan, BJP Minority Morcha's National Vice-President; Anish Abbasi, Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President; Aslam Khan, National Sufi Samvad Incharge; and Ramesh Soni, Ajmer BJP District President."

A separate 'chadar' was also offered at the Ajmer dargah by the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on behalf of the Central government and Prime Minister Modi.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Rijiju in a post on X said: "A warm reception at Jaipur Airport. Heading to Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, to offer chadar & seek prayers for peace & compassion across the world. As lakhs gather during Urs, we remain committed to facilitating their pilgrimage & upholding the spirit of harmony that binds us all."

Addressing the media later, he said that he prayed for peace, prosperity, and well-being across the country.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, Rajasthan Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat, and several BJP office-bearers were also present on the occasion.

On the concluding day of the Urs on December 30, the traditional ritual of 'Bada Kul' will be performed.

As part of this ritual, devotees will perfume the entire dargah with kewra, rose water, and attar.
Mumbai/Nagpur, Dec 22 : A fierce war of words has erupted between the ruling MahaYuti and the opposition following the landslide victory of the BJP-led alliance in the Maharashtra Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayat elections.

While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the results as an "unprecedented mandate," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut countered the claim, alleging that the victory was bought with a staggering expenditure of Rs 15,000 crore.

Fadnavis said the MahaYuti has secured 75 per cent of the Municipal President posts.

"These results prove that the BJP remains the number one party in Maharashtra. We have completely wiped out the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)," he added.

He thanked the voters of Nagpur and the state for keeping the party's pride intact. He further said that the MahaYuti's dominance in the semi-urban and rural pockets has provided a massive boost ahead of the high-stakes BMC and Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for early 2026.

However, Raut launched a scathing attack on the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar.

"The BJP may call it a hat-trick or whatever they like, but the truth is that in these Nagar Panchayat elections, the trio has blown Rs 15,000 crore. Money flowed like water to bribe voters," he alleged.

He further added that the "unprecedented victory" claimed by Fadnavis is actually a "miracle of unprecedented money distribution."

Turning to Eknath Shinde, Raut remarked, "If Shinde claims his is the 'real' Shiv Sena, he should go and wash Amit Shah's feet and drink that water as a blessing. The Sena he has was gifted to him by Amit Shah."

Raut also expressed deep resentment toward the Supreme Court regarding the pending disqualification case of the 40 MLAs and the party symbol dispute.

"The Supreme Court gives a decision within six hours in cases like Manikrao Kokate's, but it remains silent on 40 MLAs who switched sides. There is immense pressure on the court," Raut claimed.

He noted that with the next hearing scheduled for January 21after the municipal electionsthe court is effectively allowing the "theft" of the election to stand.

Raut hinted that an alliance between the Thackeray brothers (Uddhav and Raj Thackeray) could be announced soon.

He indicated that signals regarding seat-sharing would likely be clear by this evening, setting the stage for a major shift in the MVA's strategy.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Monday alleged that the BJP-led MahaYuti won the elections to the Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayat in Maharashtra due to money and muscle power, saying that if these victories are to be bought with money, then the pride and honour of Maharashtra have been dragged through the dust.

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maharashtra appears to be crawling, helpless before the money. This picture is dangerous for the country," he said.

Similarly, the Thackeray camp in the party mouthpiece Saamana editorial sharply criticised the State Election Commission (SEC) for its perceived inaction, describing the body as being in a state of "slumber" while instances of kidnapping, terror, and open money distribution took place across the state.
Gandhinagar, Dec 22 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will chair the State SWAGAT Online Public Grievance Redressal Programme for December 2025 on Wednesday, December 24, instead of the usual fourth Thursday, due to the Christmas holiday.

The monthly SWAGAT programme, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been in operation since 2003 and serves as a key platform for citizens to directly present their grievances to the Chief Minister.

Traditionally, the State SWAGAT is held on the fourth Thursday of every month. However, as the fourth Thursday of December falls on December 25, a public holiday on account of Christmas, the state government has rescheduled the programme to December 24.

Citizens wishing to submit their representations can do so in person at the Chief Ministeras Public Relations Unit, Swarnim Sankul-2, Gandhinagar, between 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister will personally attend the programme in the afternoon and directly hear grievances and representations from the public, reaffirming the governmentas commitment to responsive and transparent governance.

Gujaratas grievance redressal system took institutional shape in 2003 with the launch of SWAGAT (State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology) under the leadership of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, marking a major shift towards transparent and accountable governance.

Conceived to bridge the gap between citizens and the administration, SWAGAT provided a technology-driven platform where grievances could be directly monitored by the Chief Minister and senior officials, ensuring time-bound resolution.

Over the years, the system was expanded to district and taluka levels, integrating online submissions and video conferencing, and has since evolved into a cornerstone of Gujaratas administrative framework, widely regarded as a pioneering model of citizen-centric governance in India.

Across other Indian states, grievance redressal mechanisms function through a mix of online portals, helplines and district-level public hearings, though the level of top leadership involvement varies.

Most states operate digital platforms where citizens can lodge complaints that are routed to concerned departments for action within a stipulated time frame, with escalation provisions if issues remain unresolved. Some states conduct periodic jan sunwai or public grievance days at the district level, chaired by senior officials rather than the chief minister.
Imphal, Dec 22 : Opposition Congress in Manipur on Monday strongly criticised the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi from the rural employment act.

After the Parliament approved the Viksit Bharat -- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday gave her assent to the legislation.

Former Manipur Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh strongly criticised the BJP-led NDA government for removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi from the new rural employment act, amending the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.

Former three-term Chief Minister (2002-2017) Singh, told the media that dropping Mahatma Gandhi's name from the flagship rural employment programme amounts to an insult to the Father of the Nation.

He questioned the rationale behind replacing Mahatma Gandhi's name with a different nomenclature, asserting that there was no justification for removing the name of the Father of the Nation from a welfare scheme closely associated with his ideals.

The former Chief Minister said the Congress party condemns the move in the strongest terms. While acknowledging that amendments aimed at improving welfare, including an increase in the guaranteed number of employment days, could be considered acceptable, Ibobi Singh said several aspects of the new legislation remain unclear.

He also criticised the passage of the bill without adequate debate, stating that such an approach undermines the parliamentary system. State Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh said that apart from the humiliation of the Father of the Nation in Parliament, the amended Act lacks clarity on several crucial provisions.

He pointed out that while MGNREGA is a rights-based law under which villagers can seek legal remedy, such provisions are absent in the new legislation.

By passing the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, the government has, in effect, issued the "death certificate" of MGNREGA, a historic lifeline for rural India.

"The Congress party is deeply unhappy and strongly opposed to this move, as it strikes at the very foundation of a landmark rights-based legislation that guarantees employment, dignity and livelihood security to millions of rural households. Removing the name of 'Mahatma Gandhi' from the scheme is a direct insult to the legacy of the Father of the Nation, whose philosophy of Sarvodaya and social justice inspired this historic law," Meghachandra Singh told the media.

He said that the new Act weakens the rights-based, demand-driven guarantee of employment, thereby depriving rural workers of their legally enforceable right to work and reducing employment to the mercy of budgetary allocations.

"We express serious concern over the changed funding pattern. Shifting a greater financial burden onto states will severely weaken poorer and resource-constrained states, including Manipur, and threaten rural livelihood security.

Furthermore, the new framework undermines the spirit of federalism by centralising control and reducing the autonomy of states and local self-governing institutions," the state Congress chief stated.

He said that the Congress party will continue to stand firmly with rural workers, farmers and the poor, and will strongly oppose any attempt to dilute their hard-won rights.

The press conference was attended by Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam Gangmei and other Congress legislators and party leaders.

--IANS

sc/dan
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said on Monday that it is unfortunate that the city's Aam Aadmi Party's President Saurabh Bharadwaj, in his attempt to defame the BJP's Delhi government over pollution, has gone to the extent of lying openly.

The ruling party also hit out at the AAP for dishing out false data on dengue cases in Delhi, calling it an act amounting to "political corruption" and inflating the number of patients by distorting facts.

The figure of 3,746 dengue cases cited by the AAP is the same as the one presented in Parliament, but it pertains to patients treated for dengue in Delhi hospitals, out of which nearly two-thirds  around 2,300 patients  are not residents of Delhi.

"These patients may have received treatment in Delhi, but they came here for treatment only after their condition worsened," said a Delhi BJP spokesperson.

On the issue of pollution, the Delhi BJP President said that people clearly understand how Bharadwaj and other AAP leaders are indulging daily in lies, deception, and theatrical drama on the issue of pollution.

"At the behest of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Bharadwaj and MLA Kuldeep Kumar are misleading the public by falsely calling a sludge treatment plant of an STP  constructed by their own government  a brick kiln and citing its operation as a violation of anti-pollution curbs," said Sachdeva.

He said Bharadwaj on Monday attempted to mislead Delhiites by claiming that the highly essential category STP plant at Kondli, inaugurated by him three years ago while he was the Delhi Jal Board Minister, along with its small sludge treatment unit, is violating GRAP-4 restrictions.

Sachdeva said Bharadwaj should clarify whether it is not true that while serving as a Delhi minister, he himself inaugurated the Kondli STP plant in 2023 and, terming it essential, allowed it to operate during winter pollution periods in both 2023 and 2024.

He said Bharadwaj himself has been a minister and knows very well that STP plants and their associated sludge treatment plants are so modern that they emit only steam, which may appear like smoke but is not actually smoke, and such plants are permitted to operate even under GRAP-4.

It would be better if Kejriwal restrains his leaders from this malicious propaganda; otherwise, the people of Delhi, who have already removed them from power, will, in the times to come, completely push them to the political margins, said Sachdeva.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched an investigation into Kwekwe City Council over the alleged abuse of funds collected from street vendors.Kwekwe Mayor Albert Zinhanga confirmed the probe during a full council meeting held on Tuesday, saying ZACC was in possession of an internal audit report compiled by the council following allegations of the theft of vendor revenue."The audit report is now under ZACC and we cannot discuss it at the moment," Zinhanga told councillors. "We are waiting for ZACC to finish what they are doing so that we can also get feedback on the issue."Zinhanga was responding to a request from Ward 10 councillor Solomon Matsa, who had asked for a copy of the audit report. Matsa raised concerns that councillors had not been furnished with the findings despite the matter being brought to council several months ago.The audit was commissioned after Matsa, in August this year, accused council management of stealing thousands of dollars collected from vendors and called for a formal investigation.Matsa has claimed that his own investigations revealed serious discrepancies in the handling of vendor fees. He alleged that the local authority collects between US$100 000 and US$150 000 from vendors every month, yet only about US$4 000 is reportedly being reflected in council coffers on a monthly basis."We need to see the audit report on the issue of money being stolen in this council," Matsa said during the meeting. "We raised this issue about three months ago, but up to now we haven't seen the audit report."The ZACC investigation is expected to determine whether there was misappropriation of funds and identify those responsible, as scrutiny intensifies over financial management at local authorities.
Patna, Dec 22 : Cyber crime cell of Patna served a notice to Meta to provide details of the threatening video to target Chief Minister Nitish Kumar post Hijab controversy on Monday.

"We have issued a formal notice to Meta, the parent company of social media platforms, seeking details of the account that posted the threatening content, along with technical data," said an officer of the cyber cell.

According to police sources, the incident is directly linked to the recent hijab-related controversy during a public event.

A user identifying himself as Shahzad Bhatti, who claimed to be a don from Pakistan, uploaded a video on Instagram threatening Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

In the video, the accused allegedly warned Nitish Kumar to apologise, issuing an explicit threat that authorities have taken very seriously.

The notice sent to Meta requests to provide the IP address from which the threatening video was uploaded, account login details, and technical data to identify the geographical location of the user.

Police are also probing whether the account was operated from outside India and whether any organised foreign network may be involved.

On the directions of the Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar, an FIR has been registered at the Patna Cyber Police Station, and Patna range Inspector General (IG) of Patna is looking after this case.

Cyber forensic experts are analysing the video's authenticity, upload source, and dissemination pattern.

A major security alert has been triggered after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar received death threats on social media in the wake of the recent hijab controversy.

Given the threat to the Chief Minister's security, intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the case.

Officials said that once Meta submits the requested information, police will track the login location of the account.

A special investigation team may be constituted to identify and arrest those involved.

The state government has made it clear that strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to threaten or compromise the security and dignity of the Chief Minister.

The Bihar police have already enhanced the security of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after this threat.

Now, only selected officers can reach the Chief Minister.
Washington, Dec 22, : Strongly condemning recent killings, attacks on media institutions, and a rise in assaults against Hindu and other minority communities, two influential US lawmakers on Monday expressed grave concern over escalating violence and unrest in Bangladesh.

Indian American Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Suhas Subramanyam, in separate statements, warned that the current wave of violence reflects dangerous instability following recent political developments. They demanded that steps be taken to protect minorities, investigate killings transparently, and prevent further loss of life.

Krishnamoorthi strongly condemned what he described as the targeted mob killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Bangladesh, linking the incident to a broader climate of unrest.

"I am appalled by the targeted mob killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Bangladeshan act of violence amid a period of dangerous instability and unrest," Krishnamoorthi said.

While noting that authorities had reported arrests, he called for stronger action and full accountability.

"While authorities have reported arrests, the Government of Bangladesh must aggressively pursue a full and transparent investigation and prosecute all those responsible to the fullest extent of the law," he said.

Krishnamoorthi also urged immediate steps to safeguard vulnerable communities and end the cycle of violence.

"It must also take urgent action to protect Hindu communities and other religious minorities from further violence," he said, adding, "For the sake of all Bangladeshis, this unrest must end, and the rule of law must be upheld."

Subramanyam, in his statement, said he was concerned by the broader deterioration in security following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader who had planned to run for parliament.

"I am concerned by the escalating violence in Bangladesh following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader who planned to run for parliament," Subramanyam said.

He said the situation worsened in the aftermath of Hadi's death, with attacks on press institutions and additional fatalities reported.

"In the aftermath of his death, newspaper offices have been burned, and further loss of life has been reported," he said.

Subramanyam also addressed the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, describing it as a shocking act of mob violence.

"I am deeply troubled by the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu factory worker in Bangladesh, who was lynched after being accused of blasphemy," he said.

Calling the killing unacceptable, he added: "This act of violence is appalling, and must be investigated."

The Virginia Democrat said the incidents appeared to reflect a wider pattern of attacks that have intensified since a recent change in government, particularly affecting religious minorities.

"Since the recent change in government, accounts of attacks against Hindu and other minority communities have increased, including on homes and temples," Subramanyam said.

He said he remained focused on promoting stability and protecting vulnerable groups, both in Bangladesh and globally.

"In light of this violence, I remain committed to promoting stability and to protecting Hindus and minority communities in Bangladesh and around the world," he said.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Leon Luke Mendonca's draw on the prodigy board was worth more than a win for Alpine SG Pipers as they qualified for the final against table-topper Triveni Continental Kings despite losing their last league match 6-11 against PBG Alaskan Knights in Season 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL) at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai on Friday.

Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) Leon Luke Mendoncaas draw on the prodigy board was worth more than a win for Alpine SG Pipers as they qualified for the final against table-topper Triveni Continental Kings despite losing their last league match 6-11 against PBG Alaskan Knights in Season 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL) at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai on Friday.

Alpine SG Pipers had their fate in their own hand in their final league game as they were locked on 15 match points with Ganges Grandmasters and needed to either beat Alaskan Knights or at least score six game points to assure themselves for the second spot on the leader board with a better game point score.

Pipers finished with 84 game points against 83 for the Grandmasters in the event, a joint initiative of Tech Mahindra and FIDE.

Alaskan Knights also needed a win to at least qualify for the third-place play-off, and they did that in style as world champion Dommaraju Gukesh pounced on an error from Fabiano Caruana and Arjun Erigaisi defeated Anish Giri with black pieces to score eight valuable points.

For the Pipers, three-time Womenas World Champion Hou Yifan delivered a third win in three matches, this time beating Kateryna Lagno in just 20 moves. At that stage, the Pipers looked primed to advance, but the two top Indian chess stars delivered a master-class when it mattered for the team to give the Pipers some anxious moments.

With Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Nino Batsiashvili playing out solid draws, Pipers' fate depended on Mendonca managing to draw a game against Daniel Darda on the prodigy board. And he ensured that Darda did not have a chance to make any further inroads and signed the peace pact after 42 moves despite his opponent having a slight advantage at that stage.

Earlier, Ganges Grandmasters had kept their hope of making it to the final alive after beating Fyers American Gambits 12-3 in their last league match.

At the start of the final day, Pipers, Grandmasters, and upGrad Mumba Masters were in a three-way battle to seal the second spot, and Grandmasters were the first to take the board against American Gambits.

Playing white, Viswanathan Anand shared the spoils with American Gambitsa Hikaru Nakamura on the icon board. But it was Vincent Keymer on the second board who gave the team a leg up with a win over Vladislav Artemiev in 39 moves, and Player of the Match Raunak Sadhwani defeated World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin in 42 moves to drive home the advantage.

Stavroula Tsolakidou then defeated Teodora Injac to complete the tally and put the pressure on the other teams. However, that was not enough, and they will now face the Alaskan Knights for third place.

In the other match of the day, Mumba Masters had a difficult task of beating table toppers Triveni Continental Kings with black and though Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated Vidit Gujrathi and Bardiya Daneshvar got the better of MarcaAndria Maurizzi to give their team eight valuable points, but loss for Maxime Vachier-Lagrave lost to Alireza Firouzja on the icon board, Wesley So was outplayed by Wei Yi on the second board, and Koneru Humpy was not a match for Zhu Jiner and the local favourites went down 10-9.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said that under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), assistive devices related to mobility, vision, and hearing have been provided to 7.28 lakh senior citizens so far, an official said on Monday.

He was speaking at a special event in Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh on Saturday for strengthening emotional, social, and cultural bonding between different generations and promoting active and dignified ageing, the official said in a statement.

The programme "Celebration of Intergenerational Bonds" was organised at Biaora, Rajgarh, by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

The Union Minister emphasised that senior citizens are the custodians of experience, tradition, and values, and are an invaluable strength of the nation.

He underlined the importance of promoting active, healthy, and dignified ageing through community-based initiatives and intergenerational engagement.

Kumar highlighted several key initiatives of the Ministry, including Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), under which assistive devices related to mobility, vision, and hearing are provided to senior citizens, enabling them to lead independent and confident lives with dignity.

He said that over 7.28 lakh senior citizens across the country have benefited from the scheme so far.

The Minister also highlighted the strengthening of Elderline 14567, which has received more than 27 lakh calls, providing support, guidance, and emergency assistance to senior citizens.

He also shared details related to the promotion of intergenerational bonding through cultural, community, and outreach programmes across the country, and the provision of celebration of grandparents' day at school.

The programme aimed to further strengthen the spirit of affection, dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect between generations. Such initiatives play a vital role in connecting society, carrying forward values and traditions, and strengthening collective social consciousness, said the statement.

The event reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to building an inclusive and elder-friendly society by encouraging intergenerational engagement, community participation, and active ageing.

It highlighted how the experiences, wisdom, and values of senior citizens, when combined with the energy, creativity, and curiosity of children and youth, contribute to the creation of a balanced, sensitive, and progressive society.

Narayan Singh Panwa, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Gautam Tetwal, Minister of State for Skill Development and Employment (Independent Charge), and Rodmal Nagar, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Rajgarh and senior government officers, representatives of social organisations, and a large number of students, and family members, including grandparents of the children, were also present at the event.
Gandhinagar, Dec 22 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will hand over appointment letters to 11,607 newly recruited candidates of the Gujarat Police at a grand ceremony to be held, December 23, at the Ramkatha Ground, Sector 11, Gandhinagar.

The appointment letter distribution programme has been organised by the Home Department of the Gujarat government following the successful completion of the recruitment process for the Lokrakshak cadre, aimed at further strengthening the stateas internal security and policing capacity.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi will grace the event, while Minister of State for Police Housing and Kamlesh Patel will be present as a special invitee to motivate and encourage the newly appointed recruits.

According to officials, the recruitment drive was conducted for a total of 11,899 posts, out of which 8,782 male and 3,117 female candidates have been selected through a transparent and merit-based process.

At the current stage, appointment letters will be distributed to 11,607 candidates whose document verification has been completed.

Senior officials said the induction of such a large number of recruits marks a crucial step towards enhancing police presence, improving response mechanisms and reinforcing public safety across the state.

The newly appointed Lokrakshaks are expected to play a key role in maintaining law and order and ensuring citizen-centric policing.

Highlighting the state governmentas continued focus on employment generation and strengthening public institutions, officials noted that even as the present recruitment process concludes, the government has already issued a fresh advertisement for 13,591 additional vacant posts in the police force.

The new recruitment drive is currently underway, underlining the governmentas commitment to providing timely, transparent and large-scale employment opportunities to the youth of Gujarat.

The programme will witness the presence of several senior dignitaries, including Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Director General of Police Vikas Sahay, Chairperson of the Police Recruitment Board Neerja Gotru, along with other senior officers and officials from the Home Department.

Officials said the ceremony will serve not only as a formal induction of new personnel but also as a moment of pride and motivation for thousands of families, as young recruits formally embark on their journey of service to the state and its citizens.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Actress Tanishaa Mukerji seems to be enjoying her 'Kulhad Chai' on a recent trip to Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

The actress took to her social media account to share a few pictures straight from her indulgence.

The actress in the pictures was seen wearing a full-sleeved T-shirt and holding a cup of Kulhad Chai in her hands as she also enjoyed the chilly weather.

She wrote, "Thandi aur garam garam kulhad wali chai Hits different!! #winterseason #chai #instadaily #instamood #tanishaamukerji."

Tanishaa, who is also known to be the daughter of veteran actress Tanuja and sister of Bollywood star Kajol, has always been very active in many festivals and their management.

The actress, on account of Duga Pooja this year, was seen looking into the entire management and organisation of the festival.

The actress, back then, had opened up to IANS about the emotional significance of the 2025 Durga Pooja celebrations.

Tanishaa had mentioned how the occasion felt deeply personal, as it brought back memories of her late father and her uncle Debu Kaka, who passed away a few months ago. "Today is a very special day for me. It feels like my father has come to the puja."

She added, "He loved the Durga Puja, and I feel very happy. It feels as if I am standing with my father today and reliving all those good memories," she said.

She also remembered her Uncle Debu, whom she fondly called Debu Kaka, and said, 'Today I feel like I am with my Debu Kaka, who passed away a few months ago. I feel he is here with me today at this very pandal. It's very emotional."

The actress further elaborated on the ensemble that she was donning.

IANS

rd/
Agartala, Dec 22 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday emphasised the early implementation of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit and Transport Project linking the Northeastern region with Myanmar and stressed the need to strengthen multimodal connectivity corridors connecting the region with the rest of India and neighbouring countries.

Addressing the third virtual meeting of the High-Level Task Force for Infrastructure and Connectivity Development in the Northeastern states, Saha underscored the importance of developing the region as a gateway to the Bay of Bengal and ASEAN countries through integrated logistics hubs, freight rail networks, and robust energy and digital infrastructure.

The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, was held virtually.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, senior officials of all eight Northeastern states and the DoNER Ministry took part in the meeting.

Tripura Chief Minister said the Northeastern states possess immense potential for growth and development, stressing that collective and coordinated efforts among the states are essential to accelerate infrastructure and connectivity development in the region.

He highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to address challenges in road, rail, air and waterway connectivity, as well as power, gas, and digital infrastructure, and called for identifying region-specific constraints while planning future projects.

Saha also presented a comprehensive strategy prepared by the Task Force for strengthening infrastructure and communication systems in the Northeastern states, stating that the roadmap was formulated after assessing existing infrastructure, identifying bottlenecks, and factoring in future requirements.

Special emphasis was laid on identifying priority sectors such as regional infrastructure macro-grids, power, oil and natural gas, tourism, and border trade spaces, for which a detailed development outline has been proposed in the Task Force report.

The Chief Minister expressed optimism that enhanced coordination between the Centre and the Northeastern states would significantly improve connectivity and position the region as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

DoNER Minister Scindia, during the meeting, highly appreciated Chief Minister Saha and the Tripura government for the extensive preparation, integrated planning, and foresight reflected in the Task Force report.

The DoNER ministry had constituted several High-Level Task Forces to identify key interventions and formulate actionable short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies for the integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor.

The task forces were constituted following the 72nd plenary session of the North-Eastern Council (NEC) held in November last year in Agartala and presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Tripura Industries and Commerce Secretary Kiran Gitte, Planning Secretary L.T. Darlong, Industries and Commerce Director Deepak Kumar, and other senior officials attended the meeting from the conference hall of the Tripura Institution for Transformation.

Meanwhile, the Kaladan Multimodal Transit and Transport Project (KMTTP) will link the Kolkata Port to Myanmar's Sittwe Port, providing a crucial trade route through Mizoram. This project will significantly reduce the travel distance between West Bengal and Mizoram, enhancing trade and industrial growth.

The KMTTP is a strategic India-Myanmar initiative to connect India's Northeast to the sea via Kolkata, Sittwe port, the Kaladan river, and Paletwa, ending with a road to Mizoram, providing an alternative to the congested Siliguri Corridor and boosting regional trade under India's "Act East Policy".

--IANS

sc/dan
Gandhinagar, Dec 22 : The Gujarat government has announced major investments to further strengthen the state's power infrastructure, with Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) planning to set up five new substations and strengthen around 1,100 circuit kilometres (CKM) of transmission network during 2026-27, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

Gandhinagar, Dec 22 (IANS) The Gujarat government has announced major investments to further strengthen the state's power infrastructure, with Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) planning to set up five new substations and strengthen around 1,100 circuit kilometres (CKM) of transmission network during 202627, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

The announcement comes as the state moves closer to achieving a key milestone under the Kisan Suryoday Yojana (KSY) - ensuring daytime electricity supply for irrigation to all farmers across Gujarat by March 2026.

Addressing the progress of farmer-centric power reforms, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that nearly 98 per cent of farmers in the state are already receiving electricity during daytime hours, and the remaining farmers will be covered by March next year.

He said the availability of electricity and adequate water supply has completely transformed Gujarat's agricultural landscape, leading to higher productivity and greater prosperity for farmers.

Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said good governance lies in the transparent implementation of schemes focused on farmers, as India's overall development depends on farmers being prosperous, secure and self-reliant.

He said Gujarat has successfully translated this vision into action through the Kisan Suryoday Yojana. Implemented in 2020, the Kisan Suryoday Yojana was launched to provide electricity to farmers in two time slots between 5 am and 9 pm.

However, based on operational experience and the need to align power supply with daylight hours, the system was later streamlined into a single daytime shift, typically between 7 am and 5 pm.

Officials said this shift has significantly reduced peak-hour load on the grid and enabled better integration of solar energy, making the power supply system more sustainable and reliable.

At present, 17,018 villages98.66 per cent of villages in Gujaratare receiving daytime electricity, and 98 per cent of substations have already been converted to daytime operations.

Work is underway to convert the remaining 45 rotational substations, which will bring 231 remaining villages under the scheme.

To support the large-scale rollout of the scheme, the state government has invested Rs 5,353.62 crore so far. This includes the establishment of 40 new substations, construction of 4,640.73 CKM of transmission lines, and strengthening of the distribution network through 3,927.72 CKM of MVCC works.

In addition to GETCO's transmission upgrades planned for 202627, the estimated cost for laying AB cables and MVCC works by DISCOMs during the same year stands at Rs 375 crore, officials said.

Farmers across the state have reported significant improvements since the introduction of daytime power supply.

Jayesh Patel, a farmer from Kankrol village in Himmatnagar taluka and Chairman of the Himmatnagar APMC, said that earlier night-time electricity supply made irrigation difficult and unsafe due to the fear of wild animals and water wastage.

"Daytime electricity has solved these problems. We can now irrigate fields at the right time and in the right quantity, saving time and water," he said, expressing gratitude to both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister on behalf of farmers in the region.

Officials said that with the continued strengthening of the transmission and distribution network, the state government will ensure phased and uninterrupted implementation of the Kisan Suryoday Yojana, providing reliable, sustainable and farmer-friendly daytime power supply across Gujarat.
Srinagar, Dec 22 : Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Nilofar Khan, on Monday, placed an assistant professor of the university under suspension for insulting the modesty of a woman and her criminal intimidation by using the social media.

The suspension order follows the police investigation after a female associate professor of the university lodged an FIR with Nigeen police station in Srinagar against the assistant professor, Altaf Ahmad Ganie of Kashmiri department in the university.

The order issued on Monday by the Vice-Chancellor said Altaf Ahmad Ganie has been suspended with immediate effect pending enquiry.

The suspension has been ordered under University Statute 3.16 (2) read with Regulation 12 (3) (IV).

The order adds that during the period of suspension, the associate professor will remain attached to the office of the Dean Research.

Nigeen Police Station received an application on December 9 through electronic mode from the female associate professor alleging that Shafqat Altaf, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kashmiri department, and Farooq Ahmad Malik, Assistant Professor in the Higher Education Department at Government Degree College Anantnag, had circulated false, defamatory, and obscene content about her on various social media platforms.

"The complainant alleged that the content was shared intentionally to damage her reputation and outrage her modesty, and that the acts had left her feeling threatened and intimidated."

"On the basis of the complaint, an FIR was registered at Nigeen Police Station under Sections 79 (Insulting the modesty of a woman), 351(2) (Criminal intimidation) (aggravated form), and 356(2) (Defamation through electronic or other means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 67 (Publishing or transmitting obscene content in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act," the police said.

Vice-Chancellor Khan has warned all university staff to refrain from any conduct that contravenes the rules and regulations of the institution.
Chennai, Dec 22 : Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday reiterated that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government had opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls right from the outset, warning that the limited time frame prescribed for the exercise would lead to large-scale deletions.

Addressing reporters in Chennai, he said the party's concerns had now been validated, with an unexpected spike in the number of voters removed from the rolls.

According to him, over 97 lakh voters statewide and nearly 14 lakh voters in Chennai alone have been deleted following the revision, raising serious questions on the adequacy of the verification process and the accuracy of the purge.

He recalled that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had earlier highlighted the issue of whose votes were removed during a similar SIR exercise in Bihar, and said Tamil Nadu now appeared to be witnessing a comparable trend.

"The scale of deletions was far beyond initial expectations," Udhayanidhi said, underscoring that the DMK's opposition was rooted in a concern that such a rushed process could disenfranchise large numbers of citizens.

Udhayanidhi said that during a meeting with DMK district secretaries earlier, detailed instructions were issued on guiding residents to restore names wrongly removed, including those who were missed, left out inadvertently, or had migrated.

He urged voters to proactively check their status on the rolls and added that those excluded could be re-included until January 18, providing a vital window to rectify omissions before elections draw closer.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated a newly constructed night shelter for the homeless near Anna Park on the Marina Beach in the ThiruvallikeniChepauk constituency.

Built at Rs 86.4 lakh using capital funds of the Greater Chennai Corporation, the facility can accommodate 86 residents.

Kits containing mats, pillows and bedsheets were distributed to the beneficiaries during the inauguration. The shelter, constructed on an area of 2,500 sq ft, is intended to serve homeless persons living along the Marina stretch and earning a livelihood by selling balloons, handicrafts, flowers, cosmetics and other goods.

Equipped with separate sanitation facilities for men and women, lockers, drinking water and uninterrupted electricity, the shelter joins 45 other night shelters already maintained by the Chennai Corporation.

Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply K.N. Nehru, elected representatives, and senior civic officials were present at the event.

--IANS

aal/dan
News / National

by Staff reporter

Sections of Whawha Medium Prison and the adjacent Young Offenders' Prison suffered extensive roof damage after a hailstorm swept through the area on Sunday, worsening already strained accommodation conditions at the correctional facilities.The latest incident adds to a series of similar hailstorms that have battered the prison complex over the past three years, repeatedly damaging infrastructure and forcing authorities to decommission cells. Prison officials are now assessing the extent of the damage and considering urgent remedial measures.Officer Commanding Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Midlands Province, Commissioner Somemore Gate, said the situation had become increasingly difficult to manage."It is unfortunate that we continue to experience such incidents. The complex has a carrying capacity of 1 600 inmates, and currently we have over 1 400 inmates," Gate said. "The decommissioning of some cells as a result of the hailstorm means we have to find alternative accommodation for the offenders. We need assistance as of yesterday if we are to keep our prisoners in a dignified manner."According to prison authorities, 18 cells with a combined holding capacity of about 350 inmates have been decommissioned following successive hailstorms that have struck the complex in recent years, significantly reducing available space.Government officials say a disaster management strategy is now being put in place to address the recurring damage and broader infrastructure challenges at the prison complex."We will be engaging the Central Protection Unit and getting them to come up with a tangible action plan," said Mr Kosheni Mtisi, Director for Economic Affairs and Investment in the Office of the President and Cabinet. "We are also going to engage the necessary stakeholders and take comprehensive action to deal with the issue of infrastructure at the prison complex. We are determined to give decent accommodation to offenders in line with Vision 2030."The repeated weather-related damage has raised concerns about the resilience of prison infrastructure and the capacity of correctional services to cope with extreme weather events, as authorities work to balance security requirements with the need to uphold humane living conditions for inmates.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Veteran Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan once revealed how he met the veteran Punjabi artiste Gurdas Maan.

An old video from the quiz based reality show has resurfaced on the Internet, and it shows, the veteran actor recollecting their first meeting with the Punjabi legend.

He said, "Let me tell you something. I'm a big fan of Gurdas Maan. And I've been listening to him for many years. And I don't know if he remembers me or not, but I'm reminding him".

"The first time we met was at an airport. And as soon as he came, he bowed to me. I got so nervous. I said, 'What a great man you are'. Don't ever do this. I'm not worthy of this. I bow to you", he added.

Gurdas Maan said, "You take such good care of an elderly person, a child, or anyone who can't walk properly. And even if they have a tear in their eyes, you treat them respectfully because the knowledge and art that you have inside you is not common. It's very bright. It's an example of perfectness. Thank you so much".

A few days ago, Big B remembered his late mother Teji Bachchan on her 18th death anniversary. Amitabh took to his blog, where he uploaded a picture of his mother along with a heartfelt note, dedicating the day to his mother's memory.

He wrote, "Maa ki yad main din samarpit aaj ka din. December 21. Kuch kehne ke liye shabd nahi hote bas Prarthanayein. (Dedicated to Maa's memory, today. December 21. There are no words left to say, bas only prayers)".

Teji Bachchan married Harivansh Rai Bachchan in Allahabad in 1941, and upon her wedding, Teji became a home maker. She remained a lover of the stage, and she would also sing at social gatherings if pressed.

They had two sons, Amitabh and Ajitabh Bachchan. She was in the hospital for almost the whole of 2007 and she was shifted to the ICU in November 2007 after her condition became worse. She died at the age of 93 on 21 December 2007 after a prolonged illness.

Talking about Amitabh, he recently had penned a note for the postponement of his grandson Agastya Nanda's film 'Ikkis'. The film was first scheduled to release October 2, which was later shifted. It was then scheduled for a Christmas release on December 25 alongside Kartik Aaryan's romantic comedy drama 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri'.

However, it is now set for a solo release on January 1. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the war drama is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and centres on the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 IndiaPakistan War.
Chennai, Dec 22 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss, on Monday, urged Sri Lanka to abandon its existing unitary constitutional set-up and adopt a federal political framework that acknowledges the Tamil homeland and guarantees the right to self-determination for ethnic Tamils.

In a detailed statement issued after a meeting with the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), Ramadoss said the Sri Lankan government must recognise that the longstanding grievances of Eelam Tamils cannot be resolved within the present unitary framework.

He warned that without a structural overhaul, the island nation would continue to witness deepening ethnic divisions and persistent rights violations.

Ramadoss said senior TNPF leaders, led by Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, met him at his residence on December 20 and briefed him on the alarming ground situation in the Tamil-majority regions of the Northern and Eastern provinces.

The delegation told the PMK leader that although the civil war ended 16 years ago, Sri Lanka continues to engage in what they termed structural genocide of Tamils through land grabs, demographic engineering, militarisation, and suppression of dissent.

The PMK leader said that despite the formal end of the conflict in May 2009, living conditions for Eelam Tamils remain troubling.

The denial of meaningful political autonomy, combined with economic hardship, has left communities frustrated and disillusioned, he added.

Recalling the provisions of the 1987 Indiaa"Sri Lanka Accord, Ramadoss emphasised that the agreement clearly mandated the devolution of powers to Tamils through provincial councils.

"Yet, nearly four decades later, no substantial authority has been transferred," the PMK leader said.

He noted that the 13th Constitutional Amendment -- introduced under pressure from India -- remains largely ineffective because it functions within a unitary framework.

"Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ruled on 32 occasions that genuine power-sharing cannot occur unless the unitary structure is dismantled," he said.

Ramadoss accused the current Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led Sri Lankan government of attempting to push forward a new constitution that, like earlier drafts from 2015 to 2019, would centralise authority further and uphold the Sinhala-Buddhist dominance.

Calling the situation critical, Ramadoss urged the Union government to intervene diplomatically to prevent the passage of such a Constitution.

Only a federal system that recognises the sovereignty of the Tamil homeland and protects their right to self-rule can fulfil the spirit of the Indiaa"Sri Lanka Accord and end ongoing oppression, the PMK leader asserted.
Jaipur, Dec 22 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has strongly criticised the Union government's move to change the definition of the Aravali range, calling it misleading, factually hollow, and driven by vested interests.

He also rejected Union Minister Bhupender Yadav's claim that mining would be permitted on only 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli area, terming it an attempt to mislead the public through selective statistics.

Gehlot said the new "100-metre definition" of the Aravali cannot be viewed in isolation. When examined alongside two major policy decisions taken by the Union government, it becomes clear that this is not an exercise in environmental protection but a deliberate plan to hand over the Aravali ecosystem to the mining mafia through institutional capture.

He shed light on how the protector was turned into a predator and how the CEC was neutralised.

Gehlot alleged that through a notification issued on September 5, 2023, the Union government deliberately weakened the Central Empowered Committee (CEC)formed in 2002 under the supervision of the Supreme Court to protect the environmentby removing it from the Court's oversight and placing it under the Ministry of Environment.

The committee, which was earlier an independent, court-monitored body, was converted into a permanent government committee through executive notification.

Earlier, CEC members were appointed with the Supreme Court's approval. Post-notification, the Central Government assumed complete control over appointments, effectively turning the CEC into an instrument of the government.

"This is the same CEC whose independent report led to the arrest of a powerful BJP minister, Janardhan Reddy, in an illegal mining case in Karnataka on September 5, 2011," Gehlot said.

"Exactly 12 years later, on September 5, 2023, the same watchdog was strangled and reduced to a rubber stamp."

He questioned whether the government feared that if the CEC remained independent, mining approvals in protected regions such as Aravalli and Sariska would not be granted. Gehlot also attacked the central government on the Sariska Model.

Calling Union Minister Bhupender Yadav's statements incomplete and misleading, Gehlot pointed to the Sariska Tiger Reserve as proof of the government's real intent.

The Rajasthan government had declared 881 sq km as Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) for Sariska, banning mining within one kilometre of the area. In 2025, the BJP-led Rajasthan government proposed a "rationalisation" of the CTH boundaries under the pretext of land exchange.

"The real objective," Gehlot said, "was to revive more than 50 marble and dolomite mines that were shut down because they fell within the prohibited zone. By pushing back the boundary, these mines would have been legitimised."

Gehlot highlighted the extraordinary speed with which approvals were granted: June 24, 2025: Rajasthan State Wildlife Board cleared the proposal June 25, 2025: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved it June 26, 2025: Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife stamped it This followed the deliberate postponement of the National Wildlife Board meeting from June 11 to June 26 to accommodate the proposal.

On August 6, 2025, the Supreme Court stayed the decision and sharply questioned how a process that usually takes months was completed in just 48 hours.

"This observation alone exposes the government's intent," Gehlot said, adding that efforts to alter the Sariska boundary continue even today.

Citing a recent report, Gehlot made serious allegations, stating that a mine owner from Thanagazi, K.S. Rathore, wrote to the Prime Minister's Office on June 14, alleging that mine owners were being asked to "collect money" to restart mining operations.

The same report quoted a CEC member, speaking anonymously, as saying, "We want to finish this before the Supreme Court's deadline because Minister Bhupender Yadav is personally monitoring it."

"This statement proves that the CEC is no longer accountable to the Supreme Court but is functioning to fulfil ministerial directives," Gehlot said.

Gehlot asked how anyone could trust claims that mining would be restricted to just 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli when both the Centre and the Rajasthan government have repeatedly attempted to dilute even protected areas.

"First the definition of Aravalli was altered. Then the boundaries of Sariska were targeted. Rajasthan will not tolerate this systematic assault on its natural heritage," he said.
Indore, Dec 22 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Union Health Minister, J.P. Nadda, on Monday, was given a rousing welcome on his arrival at the Devi Ahilyabai Airport in Madhya Pradesh's Indore.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal, State Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and several organisational leaders and workers from Madhya Pradesh BJP received Union Minister Nadda.

Chief Minister Yadav described J.P. Nadda's leadership "Shubhankar" (lucky) as President for the BJP ever since he was appointed for the party's top job in 2020.

"J.P. Nadda is 'Shubhankar' (lucky) President for the BJP. Along with several states, BJP formed the government in Madhya Pradesh for a consecutive term," CM Yadav said while talking to the media.

BJP President Nadda is scheduled to perform the 'bhoomi pujan' for new medical colleges, starting with those in Dhar and Betul on December 23, as part of expanding facilities in underserved districts.

During an interaction with BJP workers at the airport, BJP President Nadda praised the party's state leadership, saying that Madhya Pradesh's growth accelerated under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's leadership, the Madhya Pradesh BJP said in a statement.

The BJP has recently appointed Nitin Nabin as the BJP's Working President, who will replace J.P. Nadda.

On December 24, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Gwalior and issue letters of intent for investors who will invest a combined sum of Rs 2 lakh crore in the city.

The Union Home Minister will also virtually inaugurate Gwalior Mela and oversee Krishi and Kisan Sammelans, including visits to 'Gau Vansh' (cattle progeny) and 'Vanya Bihar' (Wildlife Bihar).

Later, Union Home Minister Shah will attend 'Abhyuday Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit' in Rewa and will also unveil a towering statue of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a newly developed large size park named after him.
Jaipur, Dec 22 : In a major crackdown on illegal sand mining and alleged police collusion, the Rajasthan Police Headquarters' Vigilance Branch has taken stringent action against erring officers across the state, police officials said on Monday.

Following a statewide decoy operation conducted under the directions of Additional Director General of Police (Vigilance) S. Sengathir, five Station House Officers (SHOs) have been suspended with immediate effect, while six others have been transferred to the Reserve Police.

ADG Sengathir said the action was taken after 11 special teams, constituted on Rajasthan Police Headquarters' instructions, carried out secret decoy operations in various districts on December 18 and 19.

The police teams, posing as ordinary citizens, assessed the functioning of police stations, checkpoints, and patrolling systems.

The operation revealed serious lapses, including negligence of duty and alleged connivance in the illegal transportation of sand at several police stations in the state.

Based on the findings, Police Headquarters on December 21 suspended the SHOs of Shivdaspura (Jaipur South), Piplu and Barauni (Tonk), Pisangan (Ajmer) and Kotwali (Dholpur).

Additionally, the SHOs of the following police stations have been transferred to the Reserve Gulabpura (Bhilwara), Kunhadi and Nanta (Kota city), Lalsot (Dausa), Gangrar (Chittorgarh) and Luni (Jodhpur West).

Departmental inquiries have been ordered against all the erring officers concerned.

The Police Headquarters has sent a clear message that any complicity or negligence related to illegal mining, transportation, or storage of sand will not be tolerated.

District Superintendents of Police have been directed to ensure swift disciplinary action against guilty personnel, officials added.

The Rajasthan Police Headquarters has also instructed the Inspector Generals of Police of Jaipur, Kota, Bharatpur, and Ajmer ranges to initiate disciplinary proceedings against 15 police personnel from 11 police stations identified during the operation.

Earlier, in November, the Vigilance Branch conducted a similar statewide operation focusing on broader issues, including failure to register zero FIRs, misbehaviour with complainants, laxity in handling of cybercrime complaints, functioning of complaint sections in Superintendents of Police offices, patrolling systems, and insensitivity towards women at Women's police station desks.
In Chicago, the combination of Trump administration trade policies and the deployment of DHS and ICE agents this past fall has had a devastating impact on local retailers serving the Latinx communityand particularly on childrens bookstore Los Amigos Books, which specializes in Spanish-language titles and bilingual editions.

Store owner Laura Rodriguez-Romani first launched the indie in 2021 as an online bookstore, and in 2022 moved into a physical storefront in suburban Berwyn. Two years later, the store move into the Windy Citys Bucktown neighborhood, where it is currently located.

Before the pandemic, Rodriguez-Romani taught fifth graders in a public school dual-language program that stipulated that there be parity in the percentage of Spanish- and English-language books shelved in the school library, but it was difficult for Rodriguez-Romani and her colleagues to obtain high-quality Spanish-language books that appealed to their students.

It became a passion project of mine, Rodriguez-Romani said, recalling that she became so committed to finding and purchasing books for the program that she trained as a librarian, which involved a visit to the annual Guadalajara International Book Fair.

I brought back a bunch of beautiful books back for our library, she said. It was an amazing experience, and every year I would go back and do the same.

She soon decided to focus her energy on making Spanish-language books accessible to Latinx families throughout Chicagoland, first through an online store. But she soon wanted to provide a physical space for such families to celebrate their language and culture, moving her bookselling operation to a brick-and-mortar location.

Rodriguez-Romani said that she has observed a significant drop in foot traffic since federal agents were deployed to Chicago in September, acknowledging that it already had been a little bit of a struggle to begin with to build up a customer base in Bucktown. We had a great customer base in Berwyn, she said, but because were a little bit removed from there, we had to almost start anew.

Now, with ICE's presence in Chicago, Rodriguez-Romani, the Latino community is feeling very anxious, and as a result, community members are being very cautious and only going out for necessary things. Los Amigos currently offers free delivery to customers within a one-mile radius who make at least $100 in purchases. A registry was also created to allow people to donate books to children attending public schools located in the neighborhoods most targeted by ICE, including Pilsen, Little Village, Humboldt Park, Gage Park, and Brighton Park, as well as suburban Cicero.

But the situation with ICE is so untenable, Rodriguez-Romani said, that she now keeps the stores door locked, so that customers have to ring the doorbell for entrywhich is happening less and less, as foot traffic continues to dwindle.

Its getting hard to justify remaining here, having to pay rent, when nobodys coming into the store, Rodriguez-Romani said. We're having to sign up for a lot of community events to make ends meet, but those come with a cost as well.

Tweaking the business model

After the holidays, Los Amigos will open its doors to customers only on weekends, as it transitions into a book distribution company providing Spanish-language and bilingual books to schools and libraries across the country.

But as it prepares to pivot its business model, Los Amigos still must contend with more than ICE agents keeping customers away: it must also deal with the widespread confusion regarding what imported products are subject to tariffs and what products are not.

In April, the store was hit with a 25% tariff on a shipment of childrens books from Spain. Rodriguez-Romani said she wasnt sure if it was an error on the U.S. Customs code used on our shipment or if it was an error on DHL's part, noting that, at the time, she did not realize that U.S. Customs imposing a tariff on a shipment of books was in violation of the exemption for informational materials.

Were currently seeking clarification on the matter and potentially a refund, she said, disclosing that Los Amigos temporarily halted shipments of books from Spain and Central America, because it could not absorb the cost of that April shipment and the possibility of tariffs being imposed upon subsequent shipments.

Los Amigos recently resumed ordering books from Mexico and Spain and, Rodriguez-Romani said, hopefully we dont run into the same issues with the incoming orders.

Even as she expressed the hope that the Trump administration will clarify its tariff policieswhich would allow Los Amigos to return to importing books as regularly as we did in the past, when imports made up 50% of the stores inventoryRodriguez-Romani explained that it still might not be enough, due to government cuts in funding for public education, particularly Title III programs that help K-12 grade students from immigrant families attain proficiency in English.

The cuts, Rodriguez-Romani pointed out, make it very hard to carry out the program: you cant pay qualified staff, or obtain the necessary resources, like books and textbooks. Those schools are our clients. They purchase books from us; if they have no funds, we get no orders.
For years, radicals and industry insiders pushed a ridiculous narrative about wind turbines which I exposed in the documentary Blown Away: Exposing the Wind Scam. These massive windmill projects are exorbitantly expensive, harmful to the environment, produce little power, and ruin gorgeous natural vistas, from the deserts to the oceans.

Some of the most egregious abuses involve the offshore wind farms that mar some of Americas most pristine seascapes. These projects cost taxpayers billions in subsidies and do grave harm to marine ecosystems. These ocean projects also lead directly to job losses in commercial fisheries, higher electricity rates, and energy output that remains intermittent and unreliable.

These offshore farms also put our national security at risk. Permitted aggressively during the Obama and Biden administrations, these developments pose genuine dangers to U.S. strategic readiness. President Trump should make his Executive Order on Offshore Wind permanent and halt the entire enterprise and commit to canceling these leases outright.

Offshore wind turbines interfere with long-range surveillance systems, particularly the PAVE PAWS networkthe Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System. Located on both coasts, its radar arrays track ballistic missile launches, space objects, and foreign military activity. These systems depend on clear, stable electromagnetic environments. Massive steel turbineshundreds of feet tall, rotating at variable speeds, and clustered across wide swaths of oceancreate moving radar reflections and clutter that degrade detection and tracking.

The Department of Defense has repeatedly warned that offshore wind can interfere with radar by scattering signals, generating Doppler confusion, and creating false targets. Officials may try to downplay these concerns for political reasons, but the physics do not bend to political narratives. A single utility-scale wind farm poses risks; dozens permitted to be built along the coastline in direct line of sight of early-warning systems pose a systemic threat.

Supporters claim such interference can be engineered away, but no proven technical solution exists. For decades, the Pentagon restricted turbine development near radar sites for precisely this reason. What changed was not the scienceit was the pure and simple: green politics.

This vulnerability is magnified by the fact that many of these offshore wind leases are owned or majority-controlled by foreign corporations, including rsted, a Danish state-backed enterprise. Foreign ownership does not imply malicious intent, but it does raise an unavoidable question: should the federal government grant long-term access to strategically sensitive maritime territoryused for Navy training lanes, flight paths, submarine navigation, and radar coverageto companies whose obligations lie outside the United States, all on the taxpayer dime?

Under the Biden administration, these foreign-controlled developers not only received extraordinarily favorable terms, but also last-minute lease rewrites widely viewed as bailouts for struggling bidders. Construction delays, cost overruns, and supply-chain failures threatened project viability. Instead of treating these failures as evidence that offshore wind is economically unstable, the administration renegotiated obligations - effectively shifting financial risk from developers to American taxpayers and coastal communities.

These Biden tactics were irresponsible and must be reversed. His radical administration targeted hydrocarbons and nuclear power, lavishing taxpayer largesse designed to privilege a politically favored green new deal energy source regardless of strategic cost or national-security exposure.

The Trump administration should cancel these leases entirely - not merely pause or revise them. Cancellation of projects underway is justified on national-security grounds, economic prudence, and regulatory integrity. The Outer Continental Shelf belongs to the American people, and its use must serve American interests. When federal policy weakens defense capabilities, hands influence over strategic coastal zones to foreign entities and requires billions in US dollars in ongoing subsidy to remain viable, cancellation is not extreme, it is necessary.

Critics will claim that ending offshore wind is anti-environmental or anti-innovation. But protecting the homeland is non-negotiable. Energy policy must not compromise missile detection, military training, maritime surveillance, or the integrity of U.S. territorial waters. If offshore wind cannot coexist with Americas defense architecture, then offshore wind must yield, not the other way around.

We have the power to stop this madness. Preserve our oceans and defend our national security, as the very foundational task of government. The nation cannot afford to trade away early-warning capacity and coastal security for unreliable, heavily subsidized electricity. President Trump committed to American sovereignty and safety should make this clear from day one: offshore wind leases that jeopardize national security will be rescinded.

It is time to restore clarityto our radar, to our coasts, and to our national priorities.

Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers. He directs political campaigns on media, polling, and Hispanic outreach, including Trump 2016/2020 and Vance 2022 US Senate. He is a former broadcaster for Fox News and CNN.
The White House has made renewing trade ties between the United States and Russia a centerpiece of its latest Russia-Ukraine ceasefire proposal. But without robust security assurances for Ukraine, a peace deal that relies primarily on economic concessions to deter further Russian aggression will fail.

The proposal for a trade restart involves a surge of U.S. capital and expertise to Russia (with a particular emphasis on rare earth and hydrocarbon extraction) and increased flows of Russian energy into Europe. Ukraine, for its part, would cede its crucial fortress belt in Donbas. And American firms would be allowed to utilize $200 billion in frozen Russian assets to stand up infrastructure projects in Ukraine, including data centers that would be powered by the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

The business-forward theory currently animating this offer, wherein economic ties among Russia, Ukraine, and the West would undergird peace and bring the Kremlin back in line with international norms, recalls the Clinton administrations mistaken belief that trade with China would liberalize Beijings regime and diminish the security concerns it posed.

Any agreement that brings Russias economy in from the cold without requisite guarantees for Ukraines future security therefore rests on a foundation of sand, undermining U.S. long term interests and leaves Ukraine in a gray zone wherein it is not actively fighting but always faces the threat of resumed hostilities.

As I wrote in August, improving trade ties with Russia is a U.S. concession, not a Russian one. Russias sputtering, kleptocratic economy has little to offer America. But Moscow needs American finance and Western technology to revive its industry and unlock the value of its natural resources. Russias diminished ability to export hydrocarbons, the result of sanctions and Ukrainian strikes targeting refineries, is one of the Wests key levers against the Kremlin. Allowing Russia to rebuild its capacity to wage energy warfare against the U.S. and its allies in exchange for a fragile commitment to peace would be strategic malpractice. Therefore, the administration should approach any deal which rehabilitates Russias energy exports with caution.

Further, Moscow knows that any deal it reaches with the White House would not be codified as a treaty and would therefore be subject to change based on political shifts in Washington. For businesses, the economic environment is equally uncertain. While a reopening of Russias economy may tempt some Western firms and investors to seek to cash in on a risky market, these gains would likely prove ephemeral. And for the majority of Westerners, the specter of state appropriation, Moscows chronic corruption, and the risk of reputational damage would be sufficient to deter investment in Russia.

Uncertainty would also significantly hamper Ukraines reconstruction efforts. Western investors would be wary of becoming too entangled in a Ukrainian rump state that lacks the ability to defend itself from its aggressive neighbor and remains subject to Russian corruption, hybrid warfare, and influence operations. In such circumstances, young Ukrainians might decide to forgo starting families and businesses or opt to emigrate in pursuit of stability, depriving Ukraine of the people it needs most to successfully rebuild.

Finally, if the White House were to reverse its economic stance toward Russia, it would risk further exacerbating transatlantic relations. In no small part due to U.S. pressure, European nations have taken great pains to cut their reliance on Russian energy. Seeing Washington happily champion the spigot of Russian resources would no doubt rub many leaders on the continent the wrong way.

Meanwhile fresh inflows to the Kremlins coffers would allow for its continued rearming and military recruitment. Putin will not allow its 1.5 million men under arms and heavily militarized economy to remain idle for long. Any Ukrainian reconstructionlike a significant concentration of data centers in Zaporizhzhiamight further incentivize a return to warthis time from inside Ukraines best defensive lines.

The US and its allies would then have to face the stark reality of a stronger Russia, a weakened Ukraine, and growing divisions over whether to continue investing in defense.

Restoring business ties with Russia is fraught with peril and not a solid basis for agreement. The only realistic foundation for an agreement is to make renewed war unpalpable for the Kremlin. This means Ukraine needs to keep its best defensive lines in Donbas and Western allies, with U.S. support, should continue to equip Kyivs forces with the arms and intelligence that make Ukraine a hard target.

Economic incentives, contingent on Moscows adherence to other terms, could be one part of a peace deal. But the U.S. cannot afford to learn the hard way once again that revanchist, ideological authoritarians like Vladimir Putin cannot be bought off with business alone.

Daniel Kochis is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute.


Instagram / Haley Ferguson



The Bachelor alum Haley Ferguson has announced she and husband Oula Palve are expecting their second child together.


News / National

by Staff reporter

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly condemned the recent announcement by the United States administration imposing new sanctions on Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia. These latest measures come after the earlier designation of nine elected officials from the Judiciary and the Office of the Prosecutor, representing all regional groups.The ICC described the sanctions as a blatant attack on the independence of an impartial judicial institution, which operates under the mandate conferred by its States Parties. The Court stressed that targeting judges and prosecutors elected by States Parties threatens the rule of law, warning that when judicial actors face intimidation for applying the law, the integrity of the international legal system itself is undermined.Reaffirming its commitment, the ICC stated it will continue to support its personnel and the victims of serious international crimes, carrying out its mandate independently and impartially in full accordance with the Rome Statute.The Court also expressed appreciation for the ongoing solidarity shown by States Parties, civil society, and supporters of the rule of law, emphasizing that it will persist in working with partners to ensure the effective and independent implementation of its mandate.
India and New Zealand on Monday announced the conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations, a move aimed at boosting bilateral trade in goods and investments.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Christopher Luxon, prime minister of New Zealand. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The talks started in May this year.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday that negotiations for a free trade agreement with India have been concluded. The free trade agreement (FTA) reduces or removes tariffs on 95 per cent of our exports to India.

It's forecast that New Zealand exports to India could increase from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion per year over the coming two decades, Luxon said in a social media post.

"I've just spoken with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement.

"The agreement builds on the strong friendship between our two countries. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers," Luxon said.

In FY25, the bilateral trade was about $1.3 billion (India's exports were $711.1 million and imports were $587.1 million).

New Zealand's average import tariff is just 2.3 per cent, compared with India's 17.8 per cent, and 58.3 per cent of New Zealand's tariff lines are already duty-free.

India's export basket to New Zealand is broad-based but concentrated in fuels, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) led shipments at $110.8 million, followed by clothing, fabrics, and home textiles at $95.8 million.

Medicines accounted for $57.5 million, while machinery, including turbojets, contributed $51.8 million.

Petroleum products were another major component, with diesel exports totalling $47.8 million and petrol exports totalling $22.7 million.

Other notable exports included automobiles and parts ($19.3 million), paper and paperboard ($18.3 million), electronics ($16.5 million), iron and steel ($14.1 million), shrimps ($13.7 million), basmati rice ($11.9 million) and gold jewellery ($9.9 million).

New Zealand's exports to India, by contrast, are dominated by raw materials and agricultural inputs.

Wood and wood articles ($78.4 million) and wood pulp ($39.8 million) underline linkages in paper, packaging and construction.

Steel scrap exports reached $71.2 million, while aluminium scrap totaled $42.9 million, reflecting India's dependence on recycled metal inputs.

In energy and heavy industry, coking coal exports totalled $48.8 million, alongside high-value turbojets valued at $66.2 million.

Agricultural and animal-based products also play a significant role, led by shorn wool ($47.3 million), milk albumin ($32.1 million), apples ($32.8 million) and kiwi fruit ($17 million).

Services trade is a more significant pillar of the relationship.

In FY24, India's services exports to New Zealand stood at $214.1 million, while New Zealand's services exports to India totaled $456.5 million.

India's strengths lie in IT and software services, telecommunications support, healthcare and financial services.

New Zealand's services exports are led by education -- driven by Indian students -- followed by tourism, fintech solutions, and specialised aviation training, he added.

Highlights of India-New Zealand free trade agreement

The pact is likely to be signed in three months and it is expected to be implemented next year.

Zero Duty market access on 100 per cent of India's exports. India has offered tariff liberalisation in 70 per cent lines covering 95 per cent of New Zealand India Bilateral trade.

This market access enhances the competitiveness of India's labour-intensive sectors including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering goods and automobiles.

Launched on March 16th 2025, the fastest with a Developed Country FTA concludes the year on a high note for all Indian exports including textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, engineering goods, agricultural products

Dedicated quota of Temporary Employment Entry visa for 5,000 professionals and 1,000 Work and Holiday Visas.

New Zealand has committed to facilitate investments of $20 billion into India over the next fifteen years.

Establishment of Agricultural Productivity Partnerships through Centres of Excellence by New Zealand for Apples, Kiwifruit, and Honey to boost productivity.

Duty free inputs for India's Manufacturing Sector: Wooden logs, coking coal, waste and scraps of metals.

Cooperation has been agreed in AYUSH, culture, fisheries, audio visual tourism, forestry, horticulture and traditional knowledge systems.

Apart from tariff liberalisation, the FTA includes provisions to address non-tariff barriers through enhanced regulatory cooperation.
India on Monday announced closure of negotiations for a free trade agreement signed with New Zealand, its 18th deal so far as the country aims to boost bilateral trade and investments.

The India-New Zealand FTA is expected to be signed in the next three months and it is likely to come into force next year.

Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Fabian Bimmer/Reuters

Other regions and countries with which India has signed such agreements include the four-nation European bloc EFTA, Japan, Korea, Oman, and Australia.

Since 2014, India has signed six trade pacts with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, EFTA, and the UK.

What is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

It's an economic arrangement between two or more countries where they agree either to end or significantly reduce customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides cutting down non-trade barriers on a significant value of imports from partner countries and easing norms to promote services exports and bilateral investments.

Benefits of FTAs

Zero-duty entry into partner country markets helps in the diversification and expansion of export markets. Such pacts attract foreign investment to stimulate domestic manufacturing.

They allow access to raw materials, intermediate products and capital goods for value-added manufacturing.

FTAs signed by India so far

India has inked trade deals with Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia, the UAE, Mauritius, the 10-nation bloc ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and four European nations' bloc EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

In addition, India is negotiating trade agreements with a number of its trading partners, including the US, the European Union (EU), Chile, Peru, and Israel.

India-New Zealand FTA

All Indian goods including labour-intensive sectors like textiles, plastic items, leather and engineering goods will enter at zero duty in New Zealand.

New Zealand has given a commitment to invest (FDI) $20 billion over 15 years.

India has secured commitments across a wide range of high-value services sectors including IT and IT-enabled services, professional services, education, financial services, tourism, construction and other business services.

The FTA Opens Skilled Employment Pathways through a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway for Indian professionals in skilled occupations, with a quota of 5,000 visas at any given time and a stay of up to three years.
'As more patients are prescribed these drugs, intolerance due to gastrointestinal and other side effects will become more visible, leading to higher discontinuation rates.'

IMAGE: A pharmacist displays a box of Mounjaro, a tirzepatide injection drug used for treating type 2 diabetes made by Lilly at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, USA. Photograph: George Frey/Reuters

India's fast-growing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug market is likely to witness a sharp rise in volumes but slower value growth as cheaper generics are set to enter the country after semaglutide goes off patent in March 2026, industry executives and doctors said.

While broader access could expand the patient base, experts also warn of higher therapy discontinuation rates. This comes as more users experience side effects or fail to sustain long-term treatment.

Two global drugmakers -- Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly -- are currently vying for a larger share of India's 1,109 crore anti-obesity market.

"The GLP-1 category is among the fastest to reach 1,000 crore market size within months of launch, largely because of its high pricing," said Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) at Pharmarack.

Once the semaglutide patent expires in March next year, Sapale added that prices could drop by as much as 80 per cent, significantly slowing value growth.

While price erosion would drive higher consumption, Sapale said the segment would also face new challenges.

"Volume growth will pick up, but competition will intensify," she said.

Companies such as Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Cipla, Mankind Pharma and Sun Pharma are already preparing to enter India's 427 crore semaglutide market.

"There are more than 14 anti-obesity drugs currently in the pipeline," Sapale said. She added that the initial surge in demand may taper off within months, giving way to more stable consumption patterns.

Doctors caution that wider prescription use could also translate into higher dropouts.

"As more patients are prescribed these drugs, intolerance due to gastrointestinal and other side effects will become more visible, leading to higher discontinuation rates," said a Delhi-based endocrinologist.

Common side effects of GLP-1 therapies include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. Doctors also report increasing complaints of hair loss among some patients.

Originally introduced as a diabetes treatment, semaglutide made its India debut with Novo Nordisk's oral drug Rybelsus in January 2022. The drug gained traction quickly, with moving annual turnover (MAT) rising from 71 crore in November 2022 to 377 crore by November 2025.

Commercialisation of semaglutide for weight loss picked up this year, with three injectable launches in quick succession -- Mounjaro in March, Wegovy in June and Ozempic in November.

As a result, India's anti-obesity market expanded sharply, reaching an estimated MAT of 1,109 crore in November 2025 from 242 crore in November 2022. This is a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61.4 per cent.

India's large disease burden has made it an attractive market for weight-loss therapies. According to World Health Organization estimates for 2023-2024, the country has around 101 million people living with diabetes and another 136 million with pre-diabetes.

Studies suggest India also has 254 million people with generalised obesity and 351 million with abdominal obesity.

Doctors note, however, that Ozempic and Mounjaro are currently approved in India only for type-2 diabetes, and prescriptions are restricted to diabetic patients.

Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (tirzepatide), launched in March, has already clocked 496 crore in sales within seven months, benefiting from a first-mover advantage. The drug emerged as the highest-selling product in India in October and November 2025.

Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy in June for obesity management, but uptake has been relatively slower, with revenues of about 50 crore till November. In response, Novo announced a 30 to 35 per cent price cut across all dosage forms.

"The price reduction led to a 70 per cent jump in Wegovy consumption within just 15 days, increasing its market share from 9 per cent in October to 14 per cent in November," said an industry executive.

With the launch of Ozempic, Novo has now completed its semaglutide portfolio in India, offering treatments across indications.

Doctors say patient interest continues to rise. "We're seeing increased inquiries, both from new patients and those already on weight-management therapies," said a Mumbai-based bariatric surgeon.

"Some patients -- previously prescribed drugs like fenofibrate -- are now being evaluated for Mounjaro as an alternative or add-on."

Under standard obesity management guidelines, patients must have a body mass index (BMI) above 27 along with at least one comorbidity, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol.

However, doctors are also reporting inquiries from individuals who do not meet the criteria. "We are strictly discouraging use for cosmetic weight loss or in patients who fall below the clinical threshold," the surgeon added.
The 2025 US National Security Strategy marks a major pullback, with America turning backward and effectively allowing China greater dominance in Asia. while long-time partners like India are left to face an increasingly unstable global order largely on their own, observes Rajeev Srinivasan.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

2025 has been a disastrous year for the US, surely in foreign affairs and economics.

The trade war, far from strengthening the economy, has shown the limits of American power: The capitulation to Chinese supplier power on rare earths, and a strategic retreat in the face of Chinese buyer power on soybeans, for example.

The dramatic rise of Chinese generativeAI, which will undercut US Big Tech, is another problem.

The US cannot afford to be the globocop any more, and the new National Security Strategy seeks a US withdrawal into 'Fortress America'.

It may mark the end of the vaunted 'American exceptionalism' as well as the 'liberal rules-based international order'.

In an earlier time, this would have led to the famous Thucydides Trap, but in effect the US has gone into an 'anti-Thucydides Trap' because it unthinkingly paved the way for China's rise, seduced by the short-term benefit of low-cost Chinese goods while ignoring the long-term strategic disaster.

In the 20th century, Britain collapsed suddenly, but it is merely a tiny island off Eurasia. I never expected continent-sized America to follow suit in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, in a fine example of 'manufacturing consent', the discourse in the US is not focusing on the global problems facing the country, but on MAGA bullying of H1-B Indians and on the Epstein files, which, on the face of it, is a silly exercise in moralisation.

I believe it was Hermann Hesse who said something to the effect that Americans are not interested in morals, being content with moralisation.

But the entire kowtowing to China has serious implications for India. One of the pillars of Indian foreign policy for decades has been the idea that it is a strategic counterweight to China in the US' calculations. But if the US has really ceded Asia to China (I recall President Obama saying as long ago as 2009 that the US and China would 'work together to promote peace, stability, and development in South Asia') then the famous 'pivot to Asia' is null and void.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House, February 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

A couple of years ago, I wrote that the most obvious thing for the US' Deep State to do would be to form a G2 condominium with China (external link), divide up the world amongst themselves, and set up respective spheres of influence.

This was predicated on America's relative decline, and China's economic and military rise to be, for all intents and purposes, a peer.

I thought this would take a decade or more, but, lo and behold, the US is caving in furiously to China right now.

In addition, I wrote about the surprisingly large and malign influence (external link) exerted by the British, whereby it plays a 'master-blaster' role, leading the US by the nose, usually to America's detriment.

Britain's 'imperial fortress' Pakistan seems to be involved in every terror incident, yet President Trump's new-found camaraderie with them ('here, some more F-16 goodies for you') is yet another indictment of their twisted priorities.

And Britain seems to be 'winning', too: on the one hand, they have finally defeated Germany, which they couldn't do via two World Wars: The latter's economy, its electricity grid, and its vaunted mittelstand and its automobile industry are in shambles.

On the other hand, Britain is the one major European power that has not been defeated by Russia, so they think they can, conversely, defeat them. France (Napoleon) and Germany (Hitler) learnt otherwise.

The pointless Ukraine War is bankrupting Europe; I wrote about how this is hastening the end of the European century (external link) and how 'Europe' is reverting to what it was through most of history: Unimportant 'Northwest Asia'.

This could well also be Britain's revenge against Europe, which it exited in a huff via Brexit: British elites have looked down upon Europeans all along./p>

IMAGE: Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, August 31, 2025. Photograph: Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/ANI Photo

I mention all these not to show that I was somehow prescient, but that things we have been observing for some time are coming to a head: The US National Security Strategy is the capstone of the New World Order. And it seems to codify these trends: Hegemony to China with Asia as its sphere of influence, the abandonment of Europe to its own devices, a focus on the Americas in a new 'Donroe Doctrine' (so to speak).

In the background are continuing terror attacks such as the one in Sydney, murderous attacks on Alawites in Syria, the car bomb in Delhi, and the lynching and burning alive of a minority Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh by a frenzied mob. The world is not a safe place.

There was also a defining moment: The US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. Far from being a show of strength, this may well be an admission of weakness: Venezuela is no competitor, and this is like the US invasion of defenseless Panama some years ago.

It is, however, a declaration that the Americas belong to the US sphere of influence (the 'Donroe Doctrine').

Sadly, China may demur: It views the Americas are adjacent to them (just across the Pacific) and have made inroads into many countries, including Panama, and ironically are funding a proposed alternative to the Panama Canal through Nicaragua, as well as a major Brazil-Peru railroad project (all the better to ship in raw materials from both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and to ship out 'rubber dogshit from Hong Kong' back to them). Their $3 billion Chancay deepwater port in Peru has already been inaugurated.

IMAGE: The Chinese built Chancay megaport in Peru, which is fundamentally reorienting South American trade toward Beijing. Photograph: Kind courtesy China COSCO Shipping

China is now a $500 billion trading partner for South America, overtaking the US, yes, overtaking the US.

To top it all, the ports on both sides of the Panama Canal -- the Cristobal (Atlantic side) and Balboa (Pacific side) are run by Hong Kong companies, which, of course, means the Chinese Communist party does. In fact, it is blocking US firm Blackrock's acquisition of these ports.

China therefore has serious assets in the Americas, and large commercial interests. The US can pretend it is supreme in the Americas, but the reality may be a little different.

Meanwhile, the US has more or less abandoned its Quad partners in Asia and acknowledged Chinese hegemony there: In other words, that half of the condominium is done.

When the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said something that was obvious and perfectly within her rights to worry about Japan's security, the Chinese came down on her like a ton of bricks, wolf-warrior style. The normally voluble Trump said nothing at all in support of Japan.

Regarding India, there has been a persistent tilt towards Pakistan during and after Operation Sindoor; and the imposition of harsh tariffs.

The increasingly volatile situation in Bangladesh which is the result of a likely US-backed 'regime-change' operation is a significant security threat to India because of the collusion of jihadi, Pakistani and Chinese-proxy elements there and the very real concern about the cutoff of India's north east from the mainland, apart from the ongoing murders and ethnic cleansing of Hindus and Buddhists there.

Now comesThe New York Times, which I generally despise as a propaganda arm of the Deep State. But they show some self-awareness in their editorial America cannot win alone (external link).

No man is an island, as John Donne wrote some years ago. And America is not a singular colossus any more either, and it needs alliances.

It hurts me (as an Americophile) how rapidly the US is declining in relative terms, and perhaps even absolute terms.

The best indicator of this decline is in the crown jewels of the US: Its technology sector.

On the one hand, the entire US stock market has been propped up by the Magnificent Seven and the alleged promise of the generative AI boom.

On the other hand, China's patented 'over-invest, scale up, get to be lowest-cost producer, drive competitors out of business' is repeating in industry after industry: The latest is automobiles, where the famous German marques are history.

IMAGE: Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi chat ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit's plenary session in Tianjin, China, September 1, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Trump's surrender on Nvidia's H200 chips is an indication that China is playing the trade-war game much better than the US.

China has amassed a $1 trillion trade surplus (external link) in the first 11 months of 2025, an unprecedented feat that shows its trade power.

Not only is this because of supply-chain dominance, but an analyst suggests it's also because China is now on the verge of delivering a knockout blow to US/Western tech (external link).

There are news reports that China has almost managed to replicate EUV (external link) (Extreme Ultra Violet) lithography from ASML, one of the key areas in chipmaking that was beyond China's reach.

They used former ASML employees of Chinese descent, as well as less advanced technologies from ASML itself, Canon and Nikon.

This is the context in which one has to critique Trump's 2025 US National Security Strategy. (external link)

In summary, it shows a narrowing of America's expansive self-image, the beginnings of a 'Fortress America' mindset and an 'America First' doctrine.

The 'promotion of democracy' is downplayed (aka 'regime change', as we have seen in Bangladesh. Thank goodness!) and fighting other people's wars (think Ukraine) has been de-emphasised.

It fits in very well with the G2 condominium idea, as it focuses on national interests and explicitly rejects globalism, elevates economic matters while suggesting the use of military might as an element of dealmaking, and asks 'allies' to shoulder more responsibility.

Europe is downgraded, China is the prime focus with an emphasis on deterrence (e.g., Taiwan), supply-chain resilience and balanced trade, the Indo-Pacific gets short shrift, and the emphasis is on the Americas as, so to speak, the US' private playpen, harking back to the 19th century.

India gets almost no attention: it is mentioned four times as compared to 21 times for China, with the tone shifting from 'strategic partner' or 'leading global power' to a more transactional expectation of burden-sharing and reciprocity. The Quad is downplayed too.

India will need to maintain multi-alignment (e.g., with Russia via RELOS agreements), diversify dependencies, and accelerate self-reliance.

India is on its own, as I said in 'The Abhimanyu Syndrome (external link)'. At least 25 years of wooing the US has gone down the drain. Back to the drawing board.

At the beginning of 2025, I must admit I was optimistic about India-US relations under Trump's presidency.

I did not think the G2 condominium would arrive so soon, especially under Trump, or that the eclipse of the US would be so sudden and so dramatic.

India had at least one bright spot in 2025: The rapidly-growing economy, despite US tariffs. I really can't see much that went well for the US.

Truly an annus horribilis. In 1999, I wrote that that year was terrible for India, but 2025 may have been worse for the US, in my opinion.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
'A work guarantee that can be switched off at will is no guarantee at all.'

IMAGE: TMC MPs protest over the MGNREGA issue outside Parliament, December 19, 2025. All photographs: ANI Photo

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme is dead.

In its place, a new rural employment guarantee law, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), VB G RAM G, Bill, 2025 is created.

Yes, Ram has replaced Mahatma Gandhi!

Not just the name, the power the gram panchayats had to allocate work in response to the demands from workers has been taken away.

Now the Centre has the power to decide in which region or area it wants to allocate work, and how much funds a state should get.

It means while the decision-making is with the central government, the financial burden has been passed on to the states.

"Under the new scheme, workers will be at the mercy of the central government at every step," the well known economist, social scientist and activist Jean Dreze tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier.

IMAGE: Women labours work under NREGA in Varanasi.

Was there a need to revamp the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act? Was it not helping the rural unemployed?

It surely was, despite serious implementation problems.

A revamp would be good, but this is not a revamp, it's a repeal.

The VB-G RAM G Bill repeals MGNREGA under Section 37 and replaces it with a centrally-sponsored scheme at the discretion of the central government.

This discretion undermines the entire idea of work on demand as a legal right. And the new scheme is bereft of provisions that might help to address the implementation problems.

Incidentally, it is not just MGNREGA, the Act, that gets repealed under the Bill.

Section 37 also repeals 'all rules, notifications, Schemes, orders and guidelines made thereunder'.

In short, the VB-G RAM G Bill makes a clean sweep of the entire edifice of MGNREGA, from the moment the new scheme is notified.

Under the new scheme, while the central government continues to have the power to decide where and when the work will be, the state governments have to bear 40% of the cost. Will any state accept this kind of an arrangement?

You are raising two separate issues. One is the discretion of the central government to decide where and when the new scheme comes into force.

This is what we call the 'switch-off clause'.

It defeats the purpose of employment guarantee.

The new scheme is like a work guarantee without any guarantee that the guarantee will come into effect.

The other issue is cost-sharing.

It works as follows. Under the new scheme, the central government sets a so-called 'normative allocation' for each state.

These allocations are supposed to be based on objective criteria, but needless to say, the central government gets to set the criteria.

Within these allocations, there will be 60/40 cost-sharing between Centre and state. Beyond that, the states have to pay 100% of the costs.

The poorer states will find it hard to contribute 40%, let alone 100% if they wish to go beyond the normative allocations.

So, the Bill makes states liable for providing employment without any guarantee of adequate funding.

Many of them are likely to start regarding the scheme as a burden rather than an opportunity.

MGNREGA, by contrast, was a great opportunity for states to do some good work with assured funding.

IMAGE: Migrant labour work under the MGNREGA scheme in Gujarat.

Can you call it a centrally sponsored scheme when the central government's contribution is only 60%?

I don't think that's unusual. What is objectionable is the reduction of a legal entitlement to a discretionary scheme.

Which is more shocking, removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme or the the central government's decision to retain all powers for this scheme with no accountability?

The latter.

The change of name is a distraction. But even the change of name is objectionable.

MGNREGA was always meant to be a national programme beyond party lines.

The new name gives it a partisan ring.

From what you have seen, how did the previous scheme help people?

MGNREGA has multiple benefits.

It protects people from poverty, reduces distress migration, contributes to social equity, creates productive assets, helps to safeguard the environment, and so on.

Many of these benefits are well documented.

Of course, some of them have been reduced by implementation issues.

But the new Bill does nothing to resolve these issues.

In fact, it makes it more difficult to resolve them by demotivating the state governments and disempowering the workers.

IMAGE: Migrant labour work under the MGNREGA scheme in Gujarat.

You said the poorer states will find it very hard to contribute 40%. The TDP, which is part of the NDA, has stated that the 40% contribution by states would increase the burden on the state government.

Do you think the end result will be the poorer states rejecting the scheme altogether?

I don't think that they will reject the scheme, but they will go slow on sanctioning projects.

Right now, states easily sanction MGNREGA projects, because 90% of the costs are borne by the central government.

Under the new scheme, the states will think twice each time they sanction a project.

Also, there are likely to be long delays in wage payments in the poorer states.

Payment delays have already done enormous harm to MGNREGA, the problem may well get much worse under the new scheme.

A Congress MP from Kerala said that the draft legislation was anti-women, as in states like Kerala, women constitute 90% of the MGNREGA workforce. Do you feel women workers will be affected more all over India?

Certainly. Unlike men, most women in rural India have few opportunities to earn their own income, other than MGNREGA.

That is why the proportion of women among MGNREGA workers is so high -- close to 90% in Kerala and 60% or so in India as a whole.

If employment levels decline under the new scheme, as is likely to happen, women will be the main victims because they have few alternatives.

Does the new law not guarantee employment at all? Is that the major difference between the new law and MGNREGA?

I would say that it is one major difference, and possibly the most important difference.

Just to clarify, there is some sort of conditional guarantee in the new scheme, in the sense that workers can claim employment if the scheme is notified in their area.

But a conditional guarantee is not a full-fledged guarantee.

Furthermore, even a conditional guarantee requires an assurance of adequate funding as and when workers demand employment. This assurance existed under MGNREGA, but it is much weaker under the new scheme.

In other ways, too, the new scheme affects workers' ability to claim their right to work.

For one thing, they will be at the mercy of the central government at every step.

A legal right has little value without effective means to realise it.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Among Indian states, Assam tops the list of elephant fatalities caused by train accidents, followed by Odisha, where 16 elephants were killed on railway tracks.

IMAGE: A dead elephant after it was hit by the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Hojai, Assam, December 20 2025. Photograph: Biki Das/Reuters

Seven elephants were killed in the wee hours of Saturday, December 20, 2025, after being hit by the Rajdhani Express in Assam's Nagaon district, once again drawing attention to the persistent threat posed by railway lines passing through elephant habitat.

The incident occurred on a forested stretch known for elephant movement, when the herd was crossing the tracks and was struck by the high-speed train.

Forest officials said the elephants died on the spot, making it one of the deadliest train-related wildlife accidents reported in the state in recent years.

The latest tragedy adds to a worrying pattern of elephant deaths on railway tracks in Assam.

Official data shows that two elephants were killed in train hits during 2019-2020, followed by five deaths in 2020-2021.

The toll rose to eight elephants in 2021-2022, while seven were killed in 2022-2023.

In 2023-2024, two elephants died after being struck by trains. With the latest incident, Assam's cumulative elephant deaths due to train hits during this period has reached 24.

IMAGE: Restoration work is underway after seven elephants were killed when a train hit a herd in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section in Hojai, Assam. Photograph: ANI Photo

Among Indian states, Assam tops the list of elephant fatalities caused by train accidents, followed by Odisha, where 16 elephants were killed on railway tracks during the same corresponding period.

Conservationists and wildlife experts have repeatedly warned that railway tracks cutting through elephant corridors pose a serious risk, particularly during night and early morning hours when visibility is poor and elephant movement is frequent.

Despite advisories, signage and some speed restrictions, high-speed trains continue to operate on vulnerable stretches.

Environmental groups have called for stricter enforcement of speed limits in identified elephant corridors, installation of real-time animal detection and warning systems, and improved coordination between railway and forest departments.

Long-term measures such as construction of underpasses or realignment of tracks in critical habitat have also been urged.

Railway officials said the circumstances surrounding Saturdays incident are being reviewed.

Wildlife experts, however, caution that unless urgent and sustained preventive measures are implemented, train-related elephant deaths will continue to remain a major conservation concern in the region.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Unidentified gunmen on Monday shot in the head Motaleb Shikder, a second leader of Bangladesh's violent student-led 2024 uprising.

IMAGE: KMen hold placards that read "We all will be Hadi, we will keep fighting" as tens of thousands of people join the funeral prayer for Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader who died after being shot in the head, at the Parliament building area of Manik Mia Avenue, in Dhaka on December 20, 2025. Photograph: Kazi Salahuddin/Reuters

The attack took place in southwestern Khulna city, days after the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

'The Khulna Division head of NCP (National Citizen Party) and central coordinator of the party's workers front, Motaleb Shikder, was shot a few minutes ago,' NCP's joint principal coordinator Mahmuda Mitu said in a Facebook post.

Mitu, a doctor, said Shikder was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in a critical condition.

The Kaler Kantha newspaper, quoting hospital sources, said Shikder was shot on the left side of his head, and he was bleeding profusely when he was brought to the facility, where the doctors started emergency treatment.

The attack came days after Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led protests last year that led to the ouster of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, was shot in the head on December 12 by masked gunmen at an election campaign in central Dhaka's Bijoynagar area.

The 32-year-old Inqilab Mancha spokesperson died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on Thursday. Hadi was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections.

The interim government of Muhammad Yunus staged a nationwide mourning for Hadi's death on Saturday and said no stone would be left unturned to track down his killers as violence erupted in Dhaka and other major cities afresh over the attack and subsequent death.

Faisal Karim Masud's parents, wife and a female friend of the prime suspect have been arrested by police, but said they were unsure about his current whereabouts.

After Monday's clandestine attack on Shikder in Khulna city's Majid Sarani area, police said they were yet at dark about the attack perpetrators or motive but launched an 'immediate manhunt' for their arrest.

Local police station chief Animesh Mondal, however, informed reporters that Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) authorities now shifted Shikder to its City Imaging Centre to pinpoint the state of his injury.
Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has been awarded Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence.

IMAGE: Pakistans Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir receiving the award Read more at: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/pakistan-army-chief-saudi-award-asim-munir-v9k5vra7. Photograph: @kbsalsaud/X

Munir is currently on an official visit to the Kingdom.

"Under a Royal Decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's highest national honour was also conferred upon the Field Marshal," the army said on Monday.

The Saudi leadership conveyed its appreciation for Field Marshal Asim Munir's professionalism and strategic outlook, noting his commitment to strengthening the longstanding, brotherly ties between the two countries.

Field Marshal Munir expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leadership for the honour, describing it as a reflection of the enduring bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Kingdom.

Munir also called on Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia, during his official visit to the Kingdom.

During the meeting, both sides held discussions on matters of mutual interest, including regional security dynamics, defence and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, and evolving geopolitical challenges.
The lawyer of Captain Virender Sejwal, who was involved in an altercation with a passenger at the Delhi airport, on Sunday said the incident was resolved in the presence of CISF officials at the airport and claimed the facts were being misrepresented.

IMAGE: Captain Virender Sejwal had an altercation with the passenger, Ankit Dewan at the Delhi airport. Photograph: @ankitdewan/X

On Friday Sejwal, an Air India Express pilot off-duty at the time, had an altercation with the passenger, Ankit Dewan. The latter had mentioned the incident and posted photos on social media on the same day evening.

Air India Express has suspended the pilot pending investigation.

In a statement on Sunday, Sejwal's lawyer Sonali Karwasra Joon said distorted social media portrayal is based on a one-sided, incomplete misrepresentation of facts.

"Ankit Dewan has selectively presented facts to create a false narrative, wrongly implying a professional conflict and attempting to sensationalise a settled issue.

"Whereas castiest remarks were made against Capt Sejwal, and absolutely unfathomable threats were made to female members of his family, including a child," the statement claimed.

According to the statement, the incident between the two passengers was resolved in the presence of CISF officials at the airport.

"Both parties 'voluntarily signed a statement' confirming that they did not wish to pursue any legal action," it said.

The lawyer also said Sejwal has full faith in authorities that he will not be denied justice and the incident will be looked at impartially considering all facts and without the overbearing social media narrative.

"This personal incident has no connection whatsoever with his employer or professional duties. Attempts to associate the company's name are unwarranted and appear aimed solely at gaining social media attention on an otherwise settled personal issue," the lawyer said.

On Friday, Dewan, in a post on X, said Sejwal assaulted him physically at Terminal 1 (T1) of the Delhi airport and that his seven-year-old daughter who saw the assault is still traumatised and scared.

In a statement on Friday, Air India Express said it is aware of an incident at the Delhi airport involving one of its employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline, and had an altercation with another passenger.

"We unequivocally condemn such behaviour. The employee concerned has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending investigation.

"Appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated based on the findings of the inquiry," the airline had said.

On Saturday, the civil aviation ministry said it has taken serious cognizance of the incident and directed the airline to ground the pilot with immediate effect.

"A formal enquiry has been ordered. Detailed reports have been sought from BCAS and CISF," the ministry had said in a post on X in response to a post by Dewan.
News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

Government health workers who are on leave have been recalled for a head count in their stations.The six week counting phase by the Health Services Board began last week and has raised speculation of possible retrenchments.A similar program has been done in other government ministries."The exercise follows a Cabinet approval of the Civil Service Audit report on 17 November 2015 in which all other Commissions, including the HSB were directed to implement measures to rationalise the Government Wage Bill."The HSB is therefore conducting a head count within the same framework" HSB executive director Ruth Kaseke said Adding that the exercise was not meant to retrench employees.On Tuesday, Bulawayo24.com quoted Labour minister Prisca Mupfumira saying government has no retrenchment plans for its bloated workforce.
'The recent occurrences of tunnel collapses during construction have prompted a critical assessment of current implementation methodologies and the necessary improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring.'

IMAGE: The Indian Army's Engineer Task Force continues rescue operations at the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel which crashed on February 22, 2025 in Nagarkurnool. Photograph: ANI Photo

After several incidents of tunnel collapses, especially the one in Uttarkashi which saw the multi-week rescue operation of 41 workers in 2023, the Centre has come up with guidelines which mandate the preparation of 'risk register' in the planning stages of tunnel projects.

'The recent occurrences of tunnel collapses during construction have prompted a critical assessment of current implementation methodologies and the necessary improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring,' the ministry of road transport and highways said in its Guidelines for Prevention and Mitigation of Road Tunnel Collapses.

It added that the foremost priority is the engagement of a competent execution team, appropriately sized and highly knowledgeable, with a demonstrated track record of successfully delivering projects under similar geological and logistical conditions.

"The terms of reference for detailed project report (DPR)/project management consultancy shall mandate the preparation of a Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) and a Risk Register.

The Risk Register should include the perceived hazards and associated risks for the project and indicate potential mitigation measures with comprehensive explanations for their basis, based on the DPR studies," the guidelines said.

All construction tenders issued for bidding will now be required to provide the risk register and geotechnical due diligence reports to bidders.

This, officials say, will reduce the risk of discrepancies between planning and execution by ensuring all parties have the same information, also reducing the scope for disputes in the future.

IMAGE: The rescue operation to evacuate 40 workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon that collapsed in Uttarkashi on November 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to the government, it is not uncommon for tunnel projects to face challenges in achieving their objectives, since fundamental flaws in the project concept itself are detected during subsequent reviews. 'Such shortcomings suggest that the tunnel project was predisposed to encounter difficulties,' it said.

The baseline report will serve as a reference for determining expected efforts and aim for the highest practical accuracy.

'The primary function of this baseline report is to minimise disputes by clearly defining anticipated conditions; significant deviations beyond permissible limits shall be treated as a change in scope (positive or negative). Geotechnical Baselines shall be based on apt and appropriate geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations,' the guidelines said.

The government has also cleared the issue of ownership and accountability in tunnel projects, clearly laying out that the authority must take responsibility for every stage of the project.

'Hired agencies viz. DPR consultants, contractors and Authority's Engineers (AE)/Independent Engineers (lE) are distinct entities with specific and time-bound roles. The Authority must ensure optimal performance from these entities to achieve project goals. The Authority must establish a dedicated locus group or expert team to provide consistent guidance and direction throughout the project lifecycle,' it said.

Experts onboarded by the authority will include professionals from areas like contract management, design, execution, safety and geology.

The government would also look to make a more holistic contract process through these guidelines which is beneficial for the region and private players at large.

'It is important to recognise that bidders have their own commercial objectives, and the Authority shall not overlook this fact. A well-structured tender document that acknowledges these considerations can significantly enhance project outcomes,' it said.

During execution, authority engineers and Independent Engineers -- crucial entities who oversee the project -- have to ensure that all excavation, support installations, monitoring, and reprofiling adhere to approved methodologies. No work shall proceed without AE/IE authorisation, the ministry said.
A 15-year-old girl, a victim of repeated rape that she kept hidden out of fear, gave birth to a child, police in Gurugram said on Sunday.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

The class 7 girl delivered a boy at the civil hospital.

Police have arrested 34-year-old Rajesh, a private firm employee, for allegedly raping the girl several times between December 2024 and March.

They said Rajesh vacated his rented house in February this year after realising that he may have caused the girl to become pregnant.

He was booked at the Sector 10 Police Station and sent to judicial custody, they said.

According to police, neither the victim nor her family knew about the pregnancy until she went into labour on Tuesday.

The girl continued to go to school throughout her pregnancy.

All this while, police said, Rajesh forced her to keep the secret with threats of violence.

"The victim is yet to be discharged from the hospital. Once she is, she and her parents will be counselled by the Child Welfare Committee and her statement will be recorded before a magistrate," said the Gurugram Police spokesperson.
Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev on Monday expressed serious concern over the current public sentiment and statements emerging from leaders in Bangladesh against India, describing them as 'threats' targeting Northeast India and warning that these elements in the neighbouring country are actively seeking ways to 'hurt' the nation.

IMAGE: Members of the multiple organisations including Khelafat Majlis join in a protest rally after Friday prayer, demanding justice for the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, in Dhaka, on December 19, 2025. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

Sachdev, reacting to recent remarks by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said that the statements by present-day leaders in the neighbourhood amount to indirect threats against India's Seven Sister States and should be viewed as a worrying development.

"I would call them threats coming out of Bangladesh by the current leaders regarding the Seven Sister States of India. It is without doubt a worrying signal. In fact, there are so many worrying factors that it is becoming a headache for India," Sachdev said.

"The current public opinion in Bangladesh seems to be that they want to hurt India. They say that 'we can create problems in the Northeast'; this is repeatedly mentioned by leaders who have emerged from these movements. It seems elements in Bangladesh not only want to sever all relations with India, but they also want to find ways to hurt India," the foreign affairs expert added.

Sachdev pointed to recent comments made by the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, suggesting that Bangladesh's future political direction would be guided by extremist ideological influences.

He further noted that during Hasina's tenure, Dhaka took decisive action against insurgent groups from the Northeast and cooperated with New Delhi to push them back. However, he claimed the current atmosphere in Bangladesh appears to be different.

"When Yunus says that the political philosophy of Hadi is the political philosophy on which Bangladesh will move for generations to come, it means they are indicating that the Seven Sister States, or the Northeast of India, can be under threat, because we do have problems of insurgency in our Northeast. At times, these insurgents cross over to Bangladesh. They get shelter there. During Sheikh Hasina's term, they cracked down hard, and Bangladesh pushed back those insurgents," he said.

His remarks come in the backdrop of a recent email interview with Hasina by ANI, where she strongly criticised the rhetoric surrounding India's Northeast and the so-called 'Chicken's Neck' corridor by the current regime in Bangladesh.

Hasina, who was ousted from the country following a student-led uprising in August, said that such statements by the regime are 'dangerous and irresponsible', stressing that no 'serious leader' would issue such threats against a neighbouring country.

"Such statements are dangerous and irresponsible, reflecting the extremist elements that have gained influence under Yunus. No serious leader would threaten a neighbour upon whom Bangladesh depends for trade, transit, and regional stability," Hasina said.

She further emphasised that such rhetoric does not serve Bangladesh's national interests and warned that India has every right to view such comments with concern.

"This rhetoric serves only ideological fantasies, not Bangladesh's national interests. India has every right to view such statements with concern. These voices do not represent the Bangladeshi people, who understand that our prosperity and security depend on strong ties with India. Once democracy is restored and responsible governance returns, such reckless talk will end," the former PM added.
'The secular character of Bangladeshi politics was one of our greatest strengths, and we cannot allow it to be sacrificed at the whim of a few idiotic extremists'

'The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus's making. His government issues hostile statements against India, fails to protect religious minorities, and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy, then expresses surprise when tensions rise'

IMAGE: Sheikh Hasina red-flagged radical Islamist forces in Bangladesh, claiming that Yunus released convicted terrorists from prison. Photograph: ANI Photo

As an uneasy calm prevails over Dhaka after days of violent protests last week, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina slammed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and said that violence destabilises relations with neighbouring countries.

In an email interview with ANI, Sheikh Hasina alleged that "lawlessness" that uprooted her regime has multiplied under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. The former PM also flagged the persecution of minorities in the country, saying that India "sees the chaos."

"This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it. Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with neighbours who are watching with justified alarm. India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunus's Bangladesh," Sheikh Hasina said.

Osman Hadi, a young activist and a prominent figure associated with last year's July uprising, was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area. He suffered a bullet injury to the head and was later airlifted to Singapore for better treatment. Despite medical efforts, he died on December 18.

Following Hadi's death, protests and unrest broke out in the capital of Dhaka, with the activists gathering at Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection to call for justice for the slain leader.

Sheikh Hasina red-flagged radical Islamist forces in Bangladesh, claiming that Yunus released convicted terrorists from prison.

She also hinted at lifting the ban against Jamaat-e-Islaami and slammed the interim government.

"I share this concern, as do the millions of Bangladeshis who prefer the safe, secular state we once were. Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life. He is not a politician and has no experience governing a complex nation. My fear is that radicals are using him to project an acceptable face to the international community while they systematically radicalise our institutions from within," she said.

"This should alarm not only India, but every nation invested in South Asian stability. The secular character of Bangladeshi politics was one of our greatest strengths, and we cannot allow it to be sacrificed at the whim of a few idiotic extremists. Once democracy is restored and responsible governance returns, such reckless talk will end," she added.

Sheikh Hasina also expressed concern over a diplomatic strain in India-Bangladesh relations, amid anti-India protests and the killing of 27-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das. The former Bangladesh PM held Yunus responsible, alleging that the interim government issued hostile statements against New Delhi and failed to protect religious minorities.

"The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus's making. His government issues hostile statements against India, fails to protect religious minorities, and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy, then expresses surprise when tensions rise. India has been Bangladesh's most steadfast friend and partner for decades. The ties between our nations are deep and fundamental; they will outlast any temporary government. I am confident that once legitimate governance is restored, Bangladesh will return to the sensible partnership we cultivated over fifteen years," Hasina told ANI.

Her statement comes after Das was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy, and his body was subsequently set on fire on December 18. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, followed by the arrest of 10 accused in the case.

As the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong announced the immediate suspension of all visa operations, following a security incident amid unrest, Hasina called India's concerns justified.

"This hostility is being manufactured by extremists who have been emboldened by the Yunus regime. These are the same actors who marched on the Indian embassy and attacked our media offices, who attack minorities with impunity, and who forced my family and me to flee for our lives. Yunus has placed such figures in positions of power and released convicted terrorists from prison. India's concerns about the safety of its personnel are justified, I am sorry to say. A responsible government would protect diplomatic missions and prosecute those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus grants immunity to hooligans and calls them warriors," she said.

Bangladesh has been under a state of unrest amid protests and vandalism in the country, with buildings of media houses being torched. This comes ahead of the elections in the country set to be held next year.
A video showing a tubectomy being conducted on a woman under a mobile phone flashlight in a government health centre in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district has gone viral, prompting the administration to order an investigation, an official said on Monday.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Pixabay.com

Tubectomy is a surgical procedure performed to achieve permanent contraception in women.

The administration has also decided to take action against a worker who recorded the video and uploaded it on social media, the official said.

The incident shown in the 29-second video clip occurred at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Keredari. It was seen in the video that the lights suddenly went out during the surgery, but the procedure continued under a mobile phone flashlight.

Ashok Kumar, the Civil Surgeon of Hazaribagh, told PTI that a 45-year-old sahiya (a community health worker) shot the video during the tubectomy operation and shared it on social media platforms.

He said that the CHC has a generator facility to supply power in case of outages, but it took some time to change the system and during that period, the phone flashlight was used.

The patient's operation was performed on December 13, while the video surfaced on social media platforms on December 18, Kumar said.

The district health department will take action against the sahiya, and a show-cause letter will be issued to her in this regard, the civil surgeon said.

A thorough investigation into the matter is being carried out, he said.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday accused the Congress of spreading 'misinformation' and 'lies' on the issue of the new definition of the Aravallis and stressed that mining can be carried out legally in only 0.19 per cent of the area covered by the mountain range.

IMAGE: Members of NSUI and other organisations stage a demonstration on the Aravalli Hills row in front of the District Collectorate, in Udaipur on Monday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

At a press briefing, he said the Narendra Modi government remains 'fully committed' to protecting and restoring the Aravallis.

"The Congress, which allowed rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan during its tenure, is spreading confusion, misinformation and lies about the issue," the minister alleged.

The minister, in an interview to PTI Videos, also emphasised that 'no relaxation has been granted' with regard to rules that may affect the protection of the Aravalli region.

"We are very considerate about the Aravalli, and a false narrative is being created."

Of the total Aravalli area of about 1.43 lakh square kilometres, only around 217 square kilometres is eligible for mining, Yadav said.

The new definition, approved by the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the Environment Ministry, 'aims to curb illegal mining' and allow 'sustainable mining legally', and that too only after a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), he said.

The ICFRE will identify areas where mining can be permitted only under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances, sources said.

The study will also determine ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration-priority areas within the Aravalli landscape where mining will be strictly prohibited.

Yadav said that legally approved mining currently covers only a very small fraction of the Aravalli region, amounting to about 0.19 per cent of the total geographical area of 37 Aravalli districts in Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat.

Delhi, which has five Aravalli districts, does not permit any mining.

According to the Supreme Court's directions, he said, no new mining leases will be granted in the Aravalli region until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining is prepared for the entire landscape by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.

Existing mines may continue operations only if they strictly comply with sustainable mining norms laid down by the committee.

In November 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a uniform legal definition of what constitutes the Aravalli Hills and Aravalli Range on the recommendation of a committee led by the Environment Ministry.

Under this definition, an 'Aravalli Hill' is a landform with an elevation of at least 100 metres above its local surrounding terrain and an 'Aravalli Range' is a cluster of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.

Critics, including environmentalists and some scientists, argue that many ecologically important parts of the Aravalli system do not meet the 100-metre threshold (e.g., low ridges, slopes, foothills and recharge areas), yet are important for groundwater recharge, biodiversity support, climate moderation and soil stability.

They warn that areas excluded under the new definition could be opened for mining, construction and commercial activities, weakening long-standing protections and ecological continuity across the range.

The redefinition has triggered protests, from Rajasthan to Haryana, and social media campaigns.

The Centre has rejected the charge that the new definition weakens environmental safeguards. It has said that most of the Aravalli region (over 90 per cent) remains protected and the new definition does not relax mining controls.

Yadav on Sunday said the Aravali range includes all landforms which exist within 500 metres of two adjoining hills of a height of 100 metres or more.

All landforms existing within this 500-metre zone, irrespective of their height and slopes, are excluded for the purposes of grant of mining leases, he said.

*****

Won't allow tampering with Aravallis, no mining will be permitted: Rajasthan CM

Amid the controversy over the proposed mining norms in the Aravalli range, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Monday said no tampering with the mountain range would be allowed, asserting that his government is firmly committed to its conservation.

Addressing a programme in Jhalawar district, Sharma said, "Our government is committed to protecting the Aravalli range. No kind of interference will be allowed there."

Taking a swipe at Congress leaders, he said campaigns such as changing display pictures on social media under the 'Save Aravalli' banner were not enough.

"Work is done with strong willpower and real action. Don't mislead people. We will not allow any tampering with the Aravallis and no mining will be permitted," he said.

The remarks came on a day when Congress workers and several social organisations staged protests across Rajasthan demanding protection of the Aravalli range.

Sharma was addressing a women empowerment conference in Dudhalia village to mark the completion of two years of the Bharatiya Janata Party government.

He said the country's development was not possible without empowering women, describing them as the foundation of families and true architects of nation-building.

According to an official statement, Sharma said women were progressing in every field and the double-engine government was taking several steps for their upliftment.

Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, who was present at the event, said Sharma was making meaningful efforts to take Rajasthan to new heights and the state was moving rapidly towards becoming a developed one.

At the event, Sharma transferred Rs 187.59 crore as LPG subsidy into the bank accounts of 78 lakh women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Rasoi Gas Subsidy Scheme and released the first instalment of Rs 2,500 each to 18,000 beneficiaries under the Lado Protsahan Yojna, the statement added.
A 22-year-old man from Gujarat's Morbi town, captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for the Russian military, has sent a video message to his family here, making an emotional appeal for help from the Indian government for his release.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters

The man, Sahil Mohamed Hussein Majothi, urged the central government as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate his release from captivity so that he can return home and reunite with his family.

In the latest video received by his Morbi-based mother Hasinaben on her mobile phone, Majothi can be seen and heard claiming he was tricked into joining the Russian military and eventually surrendered to Ukrainian forces during the ongoing war between the two nations.

Earlier in October, the Ukrainian military had released a video announcing Majothi's surrender.

In the latest video, the Gujarat resident can be heard saying he came to Russia in 2024 to study at a university.

Majothi claimed he was sentenced to seven years in jail on drug-related charges and offered an opportunity to sign a contract with the Russian military to avoid further punishment.

"Though I was not involved in the (drug) crime, I was sentenced to seven years in prison. During my jail term, I was lured by some Russian police officers into signing a war contract, which was my biggest mistake," he stated.

Majothi then warned Indian youths coming to Russia to be careful against scammers.

"I want to appeal to my Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Please help me if possible so that I can come back home," he stated in his emotional message.

Talking to reporters, his mother Hasinaben said she received the video two days ago on her Telegram account.

"Sahil can be heard saying he was framed on false charges and sent to jail in Russia. He has appealed to our government to ensure his safe return. I also appeal to the Ukrainian government to release him on humanitarian grounds. I am confident our government will bring back my son," said Hasinaben.

Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat Kesridevsinh Jhala said the Ministry of External Affairs is aware of the issue and is working to bring Majothi back home.

"Efforts to bring him back are on. Members of Parliament as well as the Gujarat government have already made representation to the central government about it. Since issues related to external affairs are complex, it will take some time.

"But, the work is in progress and the government has given us an assurance that they will find a way out," said Jhala, a scion of the erstwhile royal family of Wankaner in Morbi.
The Congress is stepping up efforts to strengthen its organisational base in Uttar Pradesh and is preparing to contest all 403 seats in the 2027 Assembly elections there, though the final decision on alliances will be taken by the high command, senior party leaders said in Mumbai on Monday.

IMAGE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and others at the Parliament premises during the winter session, in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

In an informal interaction with media persons on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Congress' North Indian Cell in Mumbai, party general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Avinash Pande and UP Congress president Ajay Rai said preparations have begun at the grassroots level across the state.

The Congress has so far appointed around 1.69 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs), who are engaged in voter verification under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise at almost all polling booths, while nearly two lakh party workers have been registered and trained in UP, Pande said.

From January, more than 17 public meetings will be held across Uttar Pradesh over the next two months, he said.

Pande said the Opposition had won more than 40 seats in the state.

"Without firmly establishing itself in Uttar Pradesh, Congress cannot return to power at the Centre," he said.

On the question of alliances, Pande said it was too early to take a call but asserted that the party was preparing to contest all seats.

Ajay Rai, who had unsuccessfully contested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, said there were differences between Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"We have already made the BJP taste defeat in the Lok Sabha elections and will now change the government in the Assembly elections," he claimed.

Rai alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party's promises had been exposed and people would no longer support the party, even for money.

On the cough syrup controversy in UP, he alleged that traders involved in selling codeine-based syrups enjoyed the protection of the BJP.

Referring to the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Pande said the Congress gives maximum respect to North Indians in Mumbai, unlike the BJP and other parties.

He said it was during Congress rule that a north Indian was elected mayor for the first time and four ministers from the community were inducted, whereas the BJP currently has not made appointed anyone from the community as minister.

He said the Congress is focusing on consolidating north Indian voters in Mumbai, adding that this was also one of the reasons why there was no understanding with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, given the role of Raj Thackeray and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

Noting that more than 40 lakh north Indians live in Mumbai out of a population of around two crore, the Congress is making a concerted effort to reach out to them, the leaders said.

North Indian Cell chief Avnish Singh said several senior leaders from Uttar Pradesh would campaign in Mumbai and efforts would be made to connect with every North Indian voter.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday strongly rebutted allegations by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey over 'deaths' allegedly due to the consumption of fake medicines and codeine syrup, asserting in the Assembly that no such case has come to the notice of the state government so far.

IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath speaks during the winter session of UP assembly, in Lucknow on Monday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Adityanath said that evidence had emerged linking the accused in the codeine cough syrup case to the Samajwadi Party (SP).

He said that cases related to illegal diversion of the syrup were being pursued under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the state government successfully defended its stand in court.

Launching a sharp attack on the Akhilesh Yadav-led party, Adityanath alleged that the largest wholesaler involved in the codeine syrup case, first arrested by the special task force (STF) in 2016, was issued a licence when the SP government was in power.

Referring to photographs circulating in the public domain, he said, "Whenever such issues come up nationally, some people immediately flee the country. I think the same may be happening with your people as well."

Replying to the issue raised by the opposition as soon as the House proceedings began, the chief minister said the matter appeared to be politically motivated.

"When an issue is raised unnecessarily, one is reminded of the saying chor ki dadhi me tinka (guilty conscience pricks the mind)," he remarked.

He said, "There is not a single case of death due to fake drugs reported in Uttar Pradesh till date," and added that the enforcement agencies remain vigilant.

"From time to time, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) conducts raids and takes strict action against erring firms," Adityanath added.

He also categorically said, "There has been no death in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine syrup. Cases related to illegal diversion of the syrup were being pursued under the NDPS Act, and the state government had successfully defended its stand in the court."

Adityanath clarified that codeine syrup is not manufactured in Uttar Pradesh and the state only has stockists and wholesalers. Its production takes place in states like Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The death cases that came to light were reported from other states and were linked to a syrup manufactured in Tamil Nadu, he said.

Calling the matter one of illegal diversion, not adulteration, the chief minister said wholesalers from districts including Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur were involved in diverting the syrup to states and countries where prohibition exists, leading to its misuse.

Such medicines cannot be consumed without medical advice, especially by children, he said, adding that the syrup was commonly prescribed by doctors for cough.

Detailing the action taken so far, Adityanath said the government had registered 79 cases, named 225 people and arrested 78 accused. Raids have been conducted at 134 firms and transactions linked to this racket are under STF investigation. If one goes deeper, links to leaders or functionaries of the Samajwadi Party emerge, he alleged.

The chief minister assured the House that no offender would be spared. The government has fought this case in court and won. "Do not worry; when the time comes, even bulldozer action will be taken (against the accused). Then do not raise slogans," he said.

Adityanath said that evidence had emerged linking the accused in the codeine cough syrup case to the SP.

Speaking in the House, he said that Alok Sipahi, who has been arrested in the case, was a 'confirmed Samajwadi Party worker', and showed photographs to claim that another accused, Amit Yadav, was seen with SP president Akhilesh Yadav.

He said Amit Yadav had earlier been associated with the party's Yuvjan Sabha.

The chief minister said the licence of accused Vibhore Rana was issued during the SP government, while Alok Sipahi, who was linked to the party, had been dismissed by the present government.

He said an SIT headed by an IGP has been constituted to take action in the case, asserting that his government would not spare anyone involved in the cough syrup racket under any circumstances.

Adityanath alleged that police investigations had revealed that the kingpin of the codeine cough syrup case, Shubham Jaiswal, also had links with the SP and that he was Amit Yadav's business partner.

He said their association extended to the SP's youth wing, adding that Milind Yadav, a close associate of Jaiswal, was also part of the nexus and his phone numbers figured in the GST registration of Shaili Traders.

The CM claimed that illegal transactions had taken place from the accounts of Amit Yadav and Milind Yadav to Shaili Traders, and evidence had surfaced against Manoj Yadav, Rajeev Yadav and Mukesh Yadav in the illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup.

He also said Amit Yadav had travelled to Dubai in 2024.

Replying to opposition protests, Adityanath said that when action is taken against accused linked to the SP, its leaders would be the first to offer fatiha (prayers), as they were aware of the strict action taken by his government.

He said the FSDA department had tested more than 1,000 cough syrup samples in the state.

Listing the main accused in the case, the CM named Shubham Jaiswal, Bhola Jaiswal and Akash Pathak of Shaili Trader Pharma in Varanasi; Vibhore Rana of Ebert Healthcare in Saharanpur; Saurabh Tyagi, Abhishek Sharma, Vishal Upadhyay, Tapan Yadav and Shadab in Ghaziabad; and Manohar Jaiswal and Imran of Bio Hub in Lucknow, reiterating that the state 'knows very well who has links with the mafia'.
West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday floated a new outfit, Janata Unnayan Party, days after he was suspended by the Trinamool Congress for laying the foundation stone for a Babri-style mosque in Murshidabad district.

IMAGE: Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir floats a new outfit called, Janata Unnayan Party. Photograph: ANI on X

Addressing a public meeting in Beladanga, Kabir said his mission is to oust Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from power in the assembly polls, which will be due in less than six months.

"Mamata Banerjee will not be sworn in as chief minister in 2026; she will be the ex-chief minister. She is no longer the same person I knew and is now beyond the reach of the common man," he claimed.

"Our party will speak for the aam aadmi of the state and their upliftment," he said, adding that he consciously did not retain any remnant of the Congress or the Trinamool while naming the new outfit.

Kabir, the MLA of Bharatpur, named eight candidates that his new party will field in the 2026 assembly elections, and said he would himself contest from Rejinagar and Beldanga, both of which were won by the TMC in 2021.

"I will win from both the seats that I will be contesting from," he declared, challenging the TMC to defeat him.

He launched his party's manifesto and said his first preference for poll symbol would be 'table', on which he had contested the 2016 state polls as an Independent, provided he receives the Election Commission's nod for it, while 'twin roses' will be his second choice.

He also unveiled the party's flag, which has yellow, green and white.

Kabir announced two of his namesakes as the party candidates from the Bhagabangola and Raninagar seats. He named Manish Pandey for Murshidabad and Nisha Chatterjee for Ballygunge in south Kolkata.

Haji Ibrar Hossain was named for Kharagpur Rural in West Midnapore, Muskera Bibi for Baisnabnagar in Malda and Wahidur Rahaman for Harirampur in Dakshin Dinajpur.

"We can only tell you later how many seats we will be finally contesting," he told the gathering.

He had earlier announced that he was intending to field candidates in 135 of the 294 seats in the state assembly.

The Bharatiya Janata Party alleged Kabir was working to help the TMC return to power.

"Kabir will not be a factor in the next assembly polls. He will face the drubbing of the electorate along with his old friend TMC, with which he is still in touch in a clandestine manner. Both Kabir and his new party will be rejected by the people of Bengal," state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya claimed.

He claimed Kabir was attempting to split 'BJP votes' in the assembly polls.

"In the wake of the situation in Bangladesh, people of Bengal will thwart Kabir's attempts and elect a strong nationalist force like the BJP, only which can defeat fundamentalists," he claimed.

TMC spokesperson Jayprakash Majumdar said such parties have been floated before and sunk into oblivion.

"It is nothing more than a communal provocation," he said.

The TMC had suspended Kabir on December 4 after his announcement to build a Babri-style mosque triggered a massive row.

On December 6, the day the Babri Masjid was razed in Ayodhya in 1992, a defiant Kabir laid the foundation stone for the mosque at Rejinagar, creating a dust-up in state politics.

Kabir has had a tryst with most of the major political parties in the state over the last 10 years.

In 2015, he was 'expelled' by the TMC for six years for criticising the CM and alleging that she was trying to make her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, the 'king'.

He contested the 2016 assembly elections as an Independent from the Rejinagar seat, but lost to Congress.

He subsequently joined the Congress, which then had a huge presence in the district, but switched to the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP fielded him as its candidate in the Murshidabad Lok Sabha seat, and managed to secure the third spot after the TMC and Congress nominees. He then returned to the TMC and, in 2021, became the MLA of Bharatpur.
Opinion / Columnist

Over the past few weeks the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube and an outfit led by Hon. Tendai Biti have been talking glowingly about their "Grand" Coalition. Some of their officials have even described it as a "grand coalition of democrats". The following questions have to be answered: First, is this coalition indeed grand? Second, is it indeed a coalition of democrats? Third, is it capable of prosecuting the democratic struggle in Zimbabwe?Zimbabweans are reeling under the weight of an oppressive regime and a debilitating economic situation. They need to be delivered from poverty and misery and must once again lead normal lives. The regime that has condemned them to this poverty, misery and oppression has maintained its hegemony through a combination of brute force, fraud and subterfuge.What is needed in Zimbabwe is change. For the efficacy of this change, Zimbabwe needs a strong change agent capable of delivering that change.It is submitted that the so called Grand Coalition will suffer a still birth. Its Achilles' heel is that it is an elitist project which seeks to exclude the masses. It is inextricably grounded in politically unhelpful intellectualism. The other problem is that it seeks to exclude the biggest political players on the land currently, which are Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC. There can be no dispute that Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC have an undisputed mass appeal among the workers, the middle class, the unemployed and the peasants in Zimbabwe. Thus, excluding Tsvangirai and the MDC is excluding the real representatives of the down trodden and oppressed masses of Zimbabwe. A coalition that excludes the down trodden and oppressed masses in Zimbabwe can never be called grand.From their boisterous statements, which are turning to be just hot air, the Coalition will be made up of small political parties, churches and civil society. Strangely the majority of civil society has professed ignorance of this project as they have not been involved in it. Further, most churches have also not been consulted over this project. Maybe, the organisers presumed that once they announce the date and venue of grand coalition meeting the churches will come flocking to the venue. Such presumptuousness betrays the arrogance and vanity of the organisers of this ill-fated event.What Zimbabweans appear worried about is that in the mind of the organisers of this event they want to convert civil society and churches into a political party. First, no meaningful civil society organisation will want to throw away its impartiality and independence by dabbling into partisan politics. No church will throw away its independence and be seen as an appendage of a political party whose future although not known, looks decidedly bleak. However converting civil society into a political party is actually a process designed to exterminate the very civil society they purport to integrate. This is amply demonstrated by what Madhuku did to the NCA. At the stroke of foolishness he reduced a once vibrant and successful civil society organisation into a Lilliputian political party with virtually no following. However the democratic revolution that we are in thrives in an environment where there is a vibrant and independent civil society. Therefore the conceptualisation of this coalition is not well grounded in sound political philosophy and history.Bad drivers of good cars spell disaster always. None of the drivers of the so called grand coalition leaders has any sound democratic credentials. Most of them have presided over grave injustices in their political parties. Their common trait is their disdain and contempt of the masses. They are elitist and proud with most of them thinking that no wisdom can come from people who are not lawyers. They are well known for manipulating the constitutions of their parties to give themselves more power and to undermine elected leadership of the parties. Some of them had to import leaders of to their splinter groups only to depose those leaders at the earliest opportunity. Once they became leaders of the little political fiefdoms, they became some of the most trigger happy political party presidents on the land. One of them had to dismiss the majority of his elected Members of Parliament. Recently some of these political gladiators sought to remove an elected president and elected leaders who did not agree with their project in an unsuccessful palace coup. The long and short of it is that this is not a coalition of democrats but a coalition of budding, scheming and manipulative dictators who have no clout or ability to prosecute the democratic struggle.The main motivation behind this coalition is to hoodwink the donor community into releasing funds into this elitist enterprise on the basis that this outfit will advance the cause of democracy in Zimbabwe.It is clear that the so called grand coalition is a clear example of deceptive, elitist politics of exclusion. The planners seek to disqualify people who will win elections to lead the coalition ahead of them. In other words they seek to be stars in the absence of the sun. Clearly therefore, there is no future in this Grand Coalition which is basically a Grand Deception.
A visual record of major terror attacks across the world in 2025, capturing moments of violence, loss, and resilience.

Louisiana

IMAGE: Military personnel stand near the site where people were killed by a man driving a truck in an attack during New Year's celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 1, 2025. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Las Vegas

IMAGE: The remains of a Tesla Cybertruck that burned at the entrance of the Trump International Hotel are inspected in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 1, 2025. Photograph: Ronda Churchill/Reuters

Chhattisgarh

IMAGE: Chhattisgarh DGP Ashok Juneja, ADGP Vivekanand, IG CRPF Rakesh Agarwal, IG (Bastar) Sundarraj, and other senior officials during their visit to the site where an IED blast occurred on a security vehicle, in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, January 7, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Iran

IMAGE: Members of the police stand in front of the judiciary building after the assassination of Iranian supreme court judges Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini in Tehran, Iran, January 18, 2025. Photograph: WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Pakistan

IMAGE: Passengers who were rescued from a train after it was attacked by Baloch separatists at the railway station in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, March 12, 2025. Photograph: Reuters

Pahalgam

IMAGE: A view of the terror attack site in Baisaran, Pahalgam, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Pakistan

IMAGE: Paramilitary soldiers and rescue workers stand amid the debris after a bomb blast near the Frontier Corps headquarters in Quetta, Pakistan September 30, 2025. Photograph: Reuters/ANI Photo

Delhi

IMAGE: Police officers and forensic technicians work at the site of the blast in a Hyundai i20 car near Gate 1 of the Red Fort metro station in Delhi, November 10, 2025. Photograph: Reuters/ANI Photo

Pakistan

IMAGE: A firefighter douses a vehicle after a blast outside a court building in Islamabad, November 11, 2025. Photograph: Reuters

Sydney

IMAGE: A makeshift memorial for 15 victims murdered by a father and son at the Jewish holiday Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

Photographs curated and Feature Presentation by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
The United States Embassy in India on Monday said starting December 15, the United States has 'expanded' online presence reviews to all H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening, and this vetting is being conducted globally for 'all applicants of all nationalities' for these two visa categories.

Image used only for representational purposes.

The brief statement by the embassy in a post on social media comes amid pre-scheduled interviews of thousands of H-1B visa applicants slated for later this month in India being abruptly postponed by several months.

Amid the hardship faced by many of these applicants, the US Embassy in New Delhi posted on X, 'WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas (sic).'

The H-1B visa programme is used extensively by American technology companies to employ foreign workers. Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, form one of the largest groups of H-1B visa holders.

The brief statement also comes at a time when the US has launched a crackdown to check abuse of the H-1B visa programme, as also illegal immigration.

The embassy in its post also said, 'It is an effort to address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers.'

US embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa applications, it said, adding, 'We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications.'

The rescheduling of the interviews is for all applicants who were previously given appointments from December 15 onwards.

The mass cancellation of scheduled interviews of the H-1B visa applicants in view of the enhanced vetting measures is set to result in significant delays in their return to the US.

A large number of applicants have already arrived in India and are now unable to return to the US since they don't have a valid H-1B visa to travel back to the US for their jobs.

For example, those whose interviews were scheduled for December 15 had received emails postponing the date to sometime in March. Applicants whose appointments were scheduled for December 19 were given new dates in late May.

The US Embassy through many posts on X in the past several months has underlined that a US visa is 'a privilege, not a right'.

On June 19, it wrote in a post, 'A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued -- and we may revoke your visa if you break the law.'

On June 23, the US Embassy had asked those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa to switch the privacy settings of their social media accounts to 'public' to facilitate vetting, which it said was necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the US under law.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had on December 18 said that the US Administration has recently announced that every visa adjudication is a national security decision.

The US has also clarified that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, he said.

"As part of the follow-up measures, the US Administration (through notifications dated June 18 and December 3 respectively) has expanded screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States.

"This is applicable for student and exchange visitor applicants the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications, as well as H-1B applicants and their dependents (H4 visa applicants), further impacting visa appointment schedules," the MoS had said.

Visa issuance and the related policy and procedural frameworks are the sovereign prerogative of the concerned country, Singh said.

The government of India 'remains engaged' with the US government to promote mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks that allow for streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals, as well as facilitating short-term tourist and business travel, he had said in his written response.
The United States Department of Justice restored a photograph from the recent batch of Jeffrey Epstein files featuring President Donald Trump, stating that no Epstein victims were depicted in the photograph.

IMAGE: A giant photo of US President Donald Trump and late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is displayed on the National Mall by activist groups Glasgow Actions Team and Everyone Hates Elon in Washington DC on December 15, 2025. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters

The DOJ had temporarily removed the image for review after the Southern District of New York flagged it in order to protect victims.

"The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims. Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review. After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction," DOJ said in an X post.

At least 16 files released in the batch of Jeffrey Epstein documents appeared to have been removed from the website, as of Sunday morning (local time).

One of the files removed included a photograph of US President Donald Trump. Among other files that appear to have been removed, the majority depicted explicit artwork, showed mail slots filled with envelopes, a tiled hallway, and a notebook page with names and apartment numbers.

In a press release, the DOJ stated that it is committed to transparency and redacting only what is legally required. The Department is required by law to redact identifying information about the victims, minors, or potential victims, as well as privileged material.

No redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons, DOJ said in the release.

The Department of Justice has received incoming from individuals alleging to be victims and their lawyers, requesting that certain information be removed. The material is temporarily removed for review and released again with appropriate redactions if legally required.
BRATTLEBORO  Education, housing and infrastructure are agreed to be important ongoing priorities for legislators in the new session as they t
Vice President JD Vance finally lashed out at critics of his wife in a furious tirade, saying they can eat s--t.

Vances response comes months after the attacks on Usha Vance, who is the first Indian American second lady. The vice president also lumped his wifes critics together by name, though one is an MS NOW host and former White House press secretary and another is a white nationalist and antisemite.

Far-right white nationalist Nick Fuentes has made several racist slurs against the Vances, who married in 2014, and have three children together. He has called the vice president a fat race-mixer and a race traitor before using an offensive new slang word his followers, known as groypers, are using to describe Indian people.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance holds his daughter Mirabel as his wife, Usha Vance looks on during the turkey pardon ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 25, 2025. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Speaking to UnHerd, Vance stood up for his wife. Let me be clear, he said, Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s--t. Thats my official policy as vice president of the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Psaki, who hosts The Briefing on MS NOW and served as President Joe Bidens White House press secretary, spoke out about Vance and his wife on the popular podcast Ive Had It in October.

I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife, Psaki said, before suggesting Usha may need help to escape her marriage.

Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here, well save you.

Vice President JD Vance (L) sits with his wife, Usha Vance, prior to a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House on Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

During the UnHerd interview, Vance was pressed on the hate speech he has encountered since entering politics.

Antisemitism, and all forms of ethnic hatred have no place in the conservative movement, Vance said. Whether youre attacking somebody because theyre white or because theyre Black or because theyre Jewish, I think its disgusting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Referencing Fuentes, who once had a private dinner with Trump at his resort, Vance attempted to distance Fuentes wildly offensive beliefs from the MAGA movement.

I think that Nick Fuentes, his influence within Donald Trumps administration, and within a whole host of institutions on the right, is vastly overstated, and frankly, its overstated by people who want to avoid having a foreign-policy conversation about Americas relationship with Israel.

Nick Fuentes, Alex Jones, and Ali Alexander during a Stop the Steal rally at the Governor's Mansion in Georgia, Nov. 19, 2020. / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

When pressed about Fuentes frequent use of racial slurs, he said he believed that racism was bad, and that people should be judged according to their deeds and not their ethnicity.

Is Nick Fuentes really the problem in this country? Vance said. Hes a podcaster. He has a dedicated group of young fans, and some of them have been s--tty to my friends and family. Does that annoy me? Of course. But lets keep some perspective. For the past five to 10 years, Ive watched one-half of our political leadership go all in on the idea that discriminating against whites in college admissions and jobs is not just OK, but affirmatively good.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vance added, If you believe racism is bad, Fuentes should occupy one second of your focus, and the people with actual political power who worked so hard to discriminate against white men should occupy many hours of it.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks at Turning Point's annual AmericaFest conference, in memory of late right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 21, 2025. / OLIVIER TOURON / AFP via Getty Images

He also steered away from fully condemning the rise of racism and antisemitism in the Republican Party while speaking at Turning Point USAs annual convention on Sunday in Phoenix.

The VP said conservatives should welcome everyone as long as they love America. He also said he was against using purity tests to work out who might be excluded from the religious movement over their beliefs, after questions arising over divisive figures such as Fuentes and Candace Owens.

I didnt bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform, Vance said during his closing speech at the convention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We dont care if youre white or Black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between, he said of Turning Points entry policy.

We have far more important work to do than canceling each other, he said.

Vance was more vocal about the Trump administrations policies to end diversity and inclusion, telling the audience, In the United States of America, you dont have to apologize for being white anymore.
A senior Russian general has been killed in a car bombing in Moscow, the latest in a series of attacks on military officials and pro-war figures since the start of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago.

Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement on the morning of December 22 that an explosive device placed under a car detonated on a street in the outskirts of the Russian capital.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff's army operational training directorate, died as a result of injuries suffered in the blast, the statement added.

Ukrainian military intelligence, which has claimed responsibility for a number of similar attacks that have killed high-profile figures on Russian soil, did not immediately respond to questions from RFE/RL about the incident.

The Russian-language Telegram channel Baza reported that the car transporting Savarov traveled a short distance before the explosion.

A video from the scene posted by the Investigative Committee shows a heavily damaged white car, surrounded by other vehicles in a parking lot.

The committee said that one of the potential scenarios under consideration is that Ukrainian special services planted the bomb.

The 56-year-old Sarvarov fought against insurgents in Chechnya and in Russian military operations in Syria in 2015-16.

He was raised to the rank of lieutenant general by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024.

According to the investigative group Proyekt (The Project), Sarvarov also participated in the war against Ukraine.

Sarvarov's death marks yet another assassination of a high-ranking Russian military officer in the recent months.

In April, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed when a car exploded on a street in a Moscow suburb as he walked nearby.

Russian prosecutors have charged a man in connection with the blast that killed Moskalik, alleging he had been paid by Ukrainian intelligence services.

In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov died when a bomb planted in an electric scooter on a sidewalk detonated as he exited his Moscow apartment building.

Kirillov headed Russia's military unit that oversaw defenses against nuclear, chemical, and biological attacks.

Russian officials also alleged Ukraine was behind that bombing.
Criminal prosecutions in Russia over donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), established by the late opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, have surged roughly 60-fold since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with courts handling at least 90 cases this year alone, according to an analysis by RFE/RLs North Realities.

Russian authorities designated the Anti-Corruption Foundation an extremist organization in 2021, effectively criminalizing any financial support for the group.

The foundation had investigated corruption among senior Russian officials and business elites close to President Vladimir Putin and continues to operate from abroad despite Navalnys death in custody last year.

According to the investigative outlet Mediazona, Russian courts handled two donation-related cases in 2022, four in 2023, and 27 in 2024. Data compiled by RFE/RL shows that the number jumped dramatically in 2025, pushing the cumulative total since the war began to at least 123 cases.

Courts most often imposed fines ranging from 120,000 to 500,000 rubles ($1,522-$6,340) or handed down suspended prison sentences of three to four years. The donations cited in the cases were typically modest -- between 100 and 14,000 rubles ($1.20 -$178).

In one case, prosecutors sought a fine of 12 million rubles ($152,000) for 69-year-old retiree Andrey Kuzhelev, who had donated 13,000 rubles ($164) to the foundation. The court rejected that demand but still imposed a fine of 500,000 rubles ($6,340).

One of the harshest sentences was given to postal worker Vladimir Skvortsov, who was jailed for 12 years for donating to the FBK and for allegedly cooperating with the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group of Russian volunteers fighting on Ukraines side.

Journalist Karen Shainian and civil activist Konstantin Kotov were both convicted in absentia on charges related to donations to the FBK.

Navalny -- Russias most prominent opposition figure -- died in February 2024 in an Arctic penal colony under mysterious circumstances.

The official autopsy report said that hypertension and other diseases caused a heartbeat disorder which led to Navalny's demise.

However, his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has rejected those findings, saying laboratory tests conducted outside Russia on biological samples smuggled out of the country show her husband was poisoned while in custody.

Earlier this year, the Anti-Corruption Foundation issued a statement condemning the prosecutions, saying the FBK does not engage in any extremist activity and calling those targeted by Russian authorities victims of outright arbitrariness and political repression.
The Kremlin maintained its hard line on a Ukraine peace deal, rejecting undisclosed changes proposed by Kyiv and its European allies, as separate US-Russia and US-Ukraine talks wrapped up in Florida.

The remarks on December 21 came on the same day that Ukraine accused Russia of abducting civilians from a village in Ukraine's Sumy region and taking more than 50 of them across the border into Russia.

The situation in the Sumy region remained unclear and details could not immediately be confirmed.

Children and a dozen Ukrainian servicemen were among the 52 civilians snatched across the border by the Russian armed forces during their incursion into the Ukrainian village of Hrabovske on December 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on December 22 during a meeting with journalists in Kyiv.

According to Zelenskyy, 52 civilians had remained in Hrabovske, refusing evacuation aid offered to them by Ukraine as "they did not expect the Russians to come and take them prisoner." The incident triggered an uptick of evacuations by residents of villages bordering Russia in Sumy.

In Florida, all sides continued to characterize the various negotiating sessions as "constructive," but there were no apparent signs of progress in either the US-Russia or US-Ukraine discussions.

No announcements were made on possible future meetings.

Reporting To Putin

As Russian chief negotiator Kirill Dmitriev concluded the second day of talks with US counterparts, Yury Ushakov, foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters in Moscow to expect no breakthrough.

Dmitriev, he said, would simply return to Moscow and make a report to Putin on December 22.

"The Americans are celebrating Christmas in these days. Not many people are going to be working," Ushakov said.

"He [Dmitriev] will bring back some signals, which the Americans received from the Europeans and the Ukrainians," Ushakov was quoted by Russian media as saying.

After Dmitriev reports to the Russian leadership, "we will formulate the position with which we will proceed, including in our contacts with the Americans," Ushakov said.

Ushakov claimed that changes proposed by Kyiv and its European allies would not improve the chances of peace, although he said he had not yet seen the exact proposals.

"I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace," he said.

Late on December 21, US special envoy Steve Witkoff posted on X that the talks with Russia were "productive and constructive."

"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine. Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security," the statement read.

On the same day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with President Donald Trump, according to a statement from Downing Street.

"The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine," the statement said, adding that they also discussed the work of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of mostly European countries committed to supporting Ukraine.

'Productive And Constructive'

Separately, Rustem Umerov, who has led Ukrainian diplomats in Florida, met with the US team -- also led by Witkoff and President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Umerov also held talks with key European allies during his trip to the US state.

"Over the past three days in Florida, the Ukrainian delegation has held a number of productive and constructive meetings with American and European partners." Umerov wrote on social media.

At the news conference on December 22, Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation has done all it could to finalize the draft documents of the peace proposal. He said the draft is almost 90 percent ready.

These are the details that are important to us: what our army and Ukraine can count on after signing, how strong we can be, the Ukrainian president said, adding that the negotiating team is now on its way back from Washington.

"Key national security advisers from European countries also joined the discussions to agree on a common strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe."

"Separately, a constructive meeting was held in the US-Ukraine format," he said, citing talks on a 20-point peace plan; security guarantees, including those with the United States; and economic development issues.

"Peace should not only be a cessation of hostilities, but also a worthy basis for a stable future," he added.

Trump in November began pressing Kyiv to accept a 28-point proposal that critics said was heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

Ukraine and its European backers scrambled to make amendments to protect Ukraine's interests on territory, security guarantees for Kyiv, and other issues, with reports suggesting the plan now consists of 20 points and takes in more of Kyiv's concerns.

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally but who has taken a harder line on Russia, told NBC's Meet The Press program on December 21 that it remained unclear if Putin would accept the current deal.

But he added that, if he does not, the US administration should take an approach similar to its recent actions with oil tankers near Venezuela and "seize ships that are carrying sanctioned Russian oil.

Whereabouts Unknown

On the ground in Ukraine, Russian military attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure showed no signs of easing.

Authorities were evacuating people from part of Ukraine's Sumy region bordering Russia, amid reports that the Kremlin's forces had abducted civilians and taken them to Russia.

"Its unclear whats going on there. They keep coming at us," one evacuee, who gave her name as Tetyana, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on December 21.

Ukraine's ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said he had written to his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, demanding information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Ukrainian citizens.

He has also appealed to the International Red Cross for help.

"I call on the international community...to stop the illegal deportations of the civilian population of Ukraine," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said most of those taken were "elderly women."

"Russian invaders have stolen five dozen civilian people, mostly elderly women, from a tiny Ukrainian village, Hrabovske, right across the state border in the Sumy region," he wrote on social media.

"This particular war crime is already being prosecuted in Ukraine and should receive an appropriate response at the international level as well," he added.

"It also underscores the permanent threat of living next to Russia. That is why Ukraine needs a real, lasting peace. Living next to terrorists requires strength and robust security guarantees," he added.

Russia, Ukraine Exchange Strikes On Energy Facilities

Russian troops overnight attacked energy facilities in the Odesa, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zhytomyr regions, according to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry.

"As of this morning, consumers have been partially reconnected. Emergency repair work is ongoing," the Energy Ministry reported on December 22.

According to Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak, the situation remains particularly difficult in the frontline regions, where daily shelling continues and energy remains "one of the enemy's main targets."

"The energy system is one of the foundations of normal life. Light and heat are things without which it is impossible to live. And for almost four years now, Russia has been deliberately trying to destroy this foundation for millions of Ukrainians," President Zelenskyy wrote in a post on December 22.

Meanwhile, authorities in Russia's Krasnodar region said early on December 22 that a Ukrainian drone strike damaged at least two vessels and piers in a village on the Black Sea coast. There were no injuries reported, but a fire was blazing at the Volna terminal early in the morning, officials said.

Ukraine has regularly hit the Krasnodar region, targeting energy assets that Kyiv says fund and fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, and dpa
A top Russian general died Monday morning after a car explosion in the south of Moscow, investigators said.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, was seriously injured in the blast and was initially taken to hospital, where he died from his wounds.

According to Russian media outlets, the blast occurred in a parking lot next to a residential building.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The committee said the incident is under investigation after a criminal case was opened into Sarvarov's death. The motive remains unknown.

Sarvarov has participated in a series of wars, including Chechnya, Syria and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Russian media reports. The Operational Training Directorate is responsible for training and preparation of all Russian troops.

Russian investigators are considering Ukraine as a possible culprit, according to Russia's Investigative Committee.

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The investigation will appoint the necessary examinations, including forensic and explosives. Witnesses and eyewitnesses are being interrogated, and surveillance cameras are being examined," she added.

Kyiv has not yet commented on the claims.

This is not the first such incident in Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed by a remotely detonated scooter in December 2024, while Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik died in April in a car bomb. Ukraine has not officially taken responsibility for either of the two deaths.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The legacy of the Troubles continues to impact on the mental health and well-being of people in Northern Ireland, a new study has concluded.

Led by researchers from Queens University Belfast, the paper found that current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those aged 50 and over in the region is as high as 4.74 per cent.

The research also highlights increased levels of depression, social deprivation and harmful health behaviours such as smoking and excess alcohol in those with PTSD.

The study was led by researchers from Queens University Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

The study was jointly led by Dr Claire Potter from the Centre for Public Health at Queens alongside researchers from Trinity College Dublin.

Dr Potter was supervised by Professor Bernadette McGuinness, Professor Frank Kee and Professor Amy Jayne McKnight from Queens.

Using data from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal study of Ageing (Nicola), the study looked at more than 2,000 people aged 50 and over from Northern Ireland who reported a previous traumatic event.

Almost 60 per cent of those with PTSD reported the Troubles as their worst traumatic exposure.

There is chronic underfunding of mental health in Northern Ireland that does not match the needs of our population Dr Claire Potter

Researchers said this suggested long-term consequences of the Troubles.

It also found that those with symptoms of current PTSD had worse memory performance, were less likely to have completed higher educational degrees, twice as likely to be single and more than three times more likely to be living in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland.

The study said they were also more likely to have chronic and cardiovascular health conditions, to be smokers and have lower levels of physical activity and be more socially isolated.

Dr Potter said: There is chronic underfunding of mental health in Northern Ireland that does not match the needs of our population.

This study from a representative sample of our older population in Northern Ireland highlights the ongoing impact of the Troubles on our participants in terms of mental, cognitive and physical health Professor Bernadette McGuinness

Commissioners need to support trauma informed training across health, social care and community sectors, integrate lifestyle and social isolation interventions in our communities, address workforce gaps and continue to support large population studies like Nicola that can inform these policy decisions.

Professor McGuinness said: This study from a representative sample of our older population in Northern Ireland highlights the ongoing impact of the Troubles on our participants in terms of mental, cognitive and physical health.

We call on policymakers to address these gaps in service provision.

The Nicola study was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Research and Development Division, Atlantic Philanthropies, Centre for Ageing Research and Development Ireland, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister Northern Ireland and the Wellcome Trust/Wolfson Foundation, Queens University Belfast.

The findings have been published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
Ottoline Spearman

Fake social media ads are circulating which impersonate well-known retailers and offer bargains, the Bank of Ireland has warned.

The ads lure shoppers with fake offers and direct them to counterfeit websites which are designed to steal personal and financial information.

The bank said that fraudsters are increasingly targeting consumers through these scams as online shopping is at its peak during the holidays.

An example of a scam ad. Photo: Bank of Ireland

Christmas should be a time of joy, not worry," said Nicola Sadlier of the Bank of Ireland. "Unfortunately, fraudsters see this season as an opportunity to exploit consumers."

The bank advises being cautious of social media ads that look too good to be true, and always verifying that you are shopping on the official website of a retailer. They also advise going directly to the retailer's website for offers and avoiding clicking on links in unsolicited messages or posts.

Consumers are advised to contact Bank of Ireland immediately on 1800 946 764 if they suspect fraud.

The Bank of Ireland's dedicated fraud support team is available 24/7 throughout Christmas and New Year.

Last year, the fraud prevention team received over 10,000 calls from customers during the peak holiday period, with 550 calls on Christmas day alone.
WILLISTON, N.D.  The City of Williston has made adjustments to the 2026 Water, Sewer and Solid Waste rates previously proposed, after internal discussion and comments from the public.

The adjustments were approved by resolution as presented to the City Commission on Tuesday, December 9. These adjustments follow a comprehensive multi-year utility rate study by independent consultants AE2S and Burns & McDonnell, which was initiated in 2020 for water and sewer and updated in 2025 to include landfill operations. After reviewing public comments and concerns, City Administrator Shawn Wenko and Finance Director Hercules Cummings shared amendment recommendations on the rate structures.

Under the previously proposed rate changes, an automatic annual adjustment of five percent would be added to water, sewer and landfill rates. Amendments from the Commission now place a five-year cap on the automatic five percent adjustment. After that five-year period, the rates would be required to come back to the Commission for a full review and vote to reset if needed. It was noted that even with an automatic adjustment in place, the full five percent is already reviewed annually during the budget process to determine if it is needed.

Additionally, the Commission restored a seasonal adjustment for sewer rates by re-adding the months of May and September to the Summer Rate structure. Summer water rates would remain as June through August.

"After listening to the residents, we made sure that their concerns were addressed as well as we could. I think that what we're doing is fair, the information is out there that Williston's rates are as low as we can have them and still address the infrastructure needs now and for the future of the City of Williston, said Mayor Howard Klug. Our rates compare better than any large city in North Dakota, and we appreciate the support of the community on making sure that what we have can be maintained and will continue to be available in the future as our city grows."

Finance Director Cummings explained that the rate adjustments are designed to support operational sustainability, infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance and financial responsibility.

On average, most homes in Williston use about 46 units per month for water and sewer. One unit equals 748 gallons of water. At the proposed 2026 rates, a typical household would see an increase of around $1.30 per month for water and sewer usage.

When compared to other North Dakota cities, Willistons combined usage rate is lower than Watford City, Grand Forks, and Minot and remains competitive statewide. Utility payments are legally restricted to water, sewer, and solid waste services and cannot be used for other City functions such as police, fire, streets, or parks.

The new rates will appear on February 2026 bills. The City will also introduce a newly redesigned utility bill format launching in January, which will provide a clearer, more intuitive view of account information, consumption history, and payment details.

Learn more about your utility bill at https://bit.ly/YourUtilityBill.

For more information, please contact Mitch Melberg, Communications Director, at [email protected].
City of Williston to Share Important Updates with TextMyGov Service

WILLISTON, N.D.- The City of Williston is announcing the introduction of TextMyGov, a text messaging service to enable residents to receive important notifications and find specific information by texting the City of Williston.

The City of Williston will officially launch the new text messaging system to the public on December 17, 2025. Residents may receive a text message from 91896 from the City of Williston initiating the service. Residents can choose to opt-out at any time by texting STOP.

Residents who dont receive the initial message can choose to opt-in by texting WillistonND to the number 91896. After sending the initial keyword, they will be asked to reply YES to confirm opt-in. Residents may receive notifications for events, construction, emergencies, and more.

Residents will also receive a contact card for the City of Willistons two-way texting number, which they can save on their phone and text to find information and report issues. Residents should note that while the contact card is sent from 91896, the number they are saving is 701.714.2400. Residents can also text Hi to 701.714.2400 to opt in.

Implementing this system is part of the City of Willistons ongoing effort to modernize how we communicate with residents. It will allow us to deliver timely, relevant information more efficiently. Cities throughout North Dakota and the region have already implemented TextMyGov, and were excited to bring that capability to Williston.

For more information on this story contact Mitch Melberg, Communications Director at [email protected].
Pariksha Pe Charcha is an initiative launched by the Prime Minister to encourage open dialogue between students and leadership on examination-related anxiety and mental well-being. File Photo.

As a precautionary measure ahead of the Prime Minister's programme, ferry services on the Brahmaputra were suspended for two days.

Pariksha Pe Charcha: PM Modi Interacts with Assam Students on Brahmaputra Cruise



As part of the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme during his visit to Assam, PM Narendra Modi started a unique interaction with school students on Sunday. The Prime Minister interacted with students while cruising on the Brahmaputra River aboard the three-deck vessel M V Charaidew 2, marking a departure from the programmes usual auditorium-based format.

Advertisement

Around 25 students from different schools across Assam took part in the interaction, officials said. Modi spent approximately 45 minutes engaging with the students on the upper deck of the cruise ship and discussed issues related to examinations and academic pressure.

Officials said the Prime Minister arrived at the Guwahati Gateway Terminal, a newly inaugurated Inland Water Transport facility, before walking across a floating bridge to board the vessel. High security arrangements were made along the river stretch, with personnel from the River Police, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force deployed from early morning to ensure safety.

According to officials, as a precautionary measure ahead of the Prime Ministers programme, ferry services on the Brahmaputra were suspended for two days. The riverfront area and surrounding zones were closely monitored throughout the interaction.

Advertisement

During the session, Modi addressed students concerns related to exams, stress management and preparation strategies. Pariksha Pe Charcha is an initiative launched by the Prime Minister to encourage open dialogue between students and leadership on examination-related anxiety and mental well-being. The programmes aim is to promote a positive and stress-free approach to learning among students.

Although the Assam interaction involved a limited number of students in person, the initiative is part of a larger nationwide programme connecting with students across the country through digital platforms and pre-event activities.

Officials further added the participating students represented diverse educational backgrounds, including government, private and residential schools from various parts of Assam. The interaction highlighted the broader objective of Pariksha Pe Charcha: to help students build confidence, reduce exam stress and approach academics with a balanced mindset ahead of major examinations.

Advertisement

Source: Hindustan Times
Punjab Govt Rolls Out Wide-Ranging Social Security Push: Rs 4683.94 crore Released, Welfare for Elderly, Women, Children, Disabled and Safety Measures Expanded

3,68,72,550 sanitary pads have been distributed free of cost to 13.65 lakh needy women.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, several initiatives have been taken during the year 2025 (financial year 2025-26) to ensure the social and economic security of the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities. This information was provided by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur.

She stated that a budget provision of Rs 6175 crore was made under social security schemes during the year 2025, out of which Rs 4683.94 crore has been released by November 2025 under old-age pension and other financial assistance schemes.

Advertisement

She said that currently, 35,29,216 beneficiaries are continuously receiving financial assistance, which reflects the Punjab government's commitment to creating a strong social security net.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab government is working with firm resolve to eradicate child begging from the state. For this purpose, Project Jeevanjot has been launched by the Social Security Department, under which special raids are conducted in all districts of the state during the second week of every month.

She informed that Project Jeevanjot 2.0 has been implemented to prevent child trafficking and identify individuals involved in forcing children into begging, making this campaign more stringent and effective. So far, 766 children have been rescued from begging, and concrete steps have been taken for their education and rehabilitation.

Advertisement

The Cabinet Minister stated that the government is working with complete seriousness to eliminate the social evil of child marriage. During the year 2025, 64 child marriages were stopped in time. She said that the 2076 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers appointed across the state are playing a crucial role in this campaign.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Safe School Vehicle Policy, the safety of school-going children is a priority for the government. During the last four months, 2385 school buses were inspected, of which 404 buses were asaaaaed (fined) and 2 buses were seized for not meeting safety standards.

She informed that Punjab has become the first state in the country to implement sign language interpretation for the proceedings of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. This initiative will enable persons with speech and hearing disabilities to connect with the democratic process. For this, 1 sign language interpreter, 42 special educators, and 48 translators have been empanelled.

Advertisement

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that free travel facilities are being provided to visually impaired persons and travel at half fare to persons with disabilities. A budget of Rs. 350 lakh has been allocated for this scheme during the financial year 2025-26, of which Rs. 3.45 crore has been spent so far.

She informed that One-Stop Centers have been established in all districts of the state, where five types of free services are provided to women affected by violence, including medical, legal, police assistance, counseling, and safe accommodation. By November 2025, 5121 women had availed these services.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that all women in the state are being provided free travel facilities in government buses. Approximately 1.20 crore women are benefiting from this scheme every month. By November 2025, Rs. 450 crore had been spent on this.

Advertisement

She informed that through more than 27,000 Anganwadi centers, 3,68,72,550 sanitary pads have been distributed free of cost to 13.65 lakh needy women.

During the current financial year, an amount of Rs. 26.06 crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of 69,110 pregnant and lactating women beneficiaries through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). The government has set a target of covering 1.14 lakh beneficiaries.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that five working women's hostels will be constructed in Mohali, Jalandhar, and Amritsar at a cost of approximately Rs 150 crore, aiming to complete their construction by 2026.

Finally, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is fully committed to social security, women's empowerment, and overall development, and is working towards building a happy and secure Punjab.

(For more news apart from Punjab Government: Rs 4683.94 Crore Released from Rs 6175 Crore Budget under Social Security Schemes," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
India and New Zealand conclude Free Trade Agreement in record nine months: Piyush Goyal (PTI Photo)

The minister further stated that this mutually beneficial Agreement will further strengthen the India-New Zealand economic partnership.

India and New Zealand have successfully concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement in a record nine months, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral ties and further strengthening the India-New Zealand economic partnership, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said in a statement on Monday.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal stated that the landmark agreement was made under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and with the close & collaborative engagement of his counterpart Minister Todd McClay. The minister made the statement in a post on his X.

Advertisement

Sharing the details of the India and New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA), the minister highlighted that the agreement will ensure Zero duty on 100% of Indias exports, with tariff elimination across all tariff lines. It will benefit farmers, MSMEs, workers, artisans, women-led enterprises, and youth, while providing immense opportunities for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, and footwear. Sectors like engineering & manufacturing, automobiles, electronics, machinery, plastics, pharmaceuticals & chemicals will also stand to benefit.

The India and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is expected to provide a significant boost to investments, with New Zealand committing to facilitating $20 billion in FDI into India over 15 years, targeting manufacturing, infrastructure, services, innovation, and job creation.

With a focus on empowering farmers, Goyal said, the FTA opens new opportunities for Indian agricultural products in New Zealands markets, including fruits, vegetables, coffee, spices, cereals, and processed foods. Through the Agricultural Productivity Partnership, Centres of Excellence, and access to New Zealands advanced agri-technologies, farmers will significantly benefit from higher productivity, improved quality, and higher incomes. Targeted initiatives for horticultural products such as honey, kiwifruit, and apples further strengthen the sector and support sustainable growth.

Advertisement

The minister noted that in the view of domestic sensitivities, India has safeguarded agriculture and allied products, including dairy, sugar, coffee, spices, edible oils, precious metals (gold and silver), precious-metal scrap, copper cathodes, and rubber-based products, thereby ensuring the protection of farmers, MSMEs, and domestic industries.

The FTA is expected to create new opportunities for Indias services sector, spanning IT & ITeS, finance, education, tourism, construction, and other areas. New Zealands first-ever annexes on health, traditional medicine, student mobility, and post-study work open up unprecedented avenues for Indian professionals and students.

In addition, enhanced mobility provisions, including working holiday visas, post-study work pathways, and a dedicated quota of 5,000 temporary employment visas for skilled Indian professionals, will enable Indian talent to access better global opportunities, the minister added in the post.

Advertisement

The minister further stated that this mutually beneficial Agreement will further strengthen the India-New Zealand economic partnership and advance Indias journey towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

PM Modi talks to the New Zealand PM after the conclusion:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the agreement an important moment in India-New Zealand relations, with a strong push to bilateral trade and investment.

Advertisement

PM Modi said that he had a very good conversation with PM Christopher Luxon, earlier today, following the conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

PM Modi added that this historic milestone reflects a strong political will and shared ambition to deepen economic ties between our two countries.

The India-NZ partnership is going to scale newer heights. The FTA sets the stage for doubling bilateral trade in the coming 5 years, PM Modi earlier said in a separate post on his X.

(For more news apart from India and New Zealand conclude Free Trade Agreement in record nine months: Piyush Goyal," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
La France traverse une sequence securitaire et institutionnelle particulierement sensible, marquee par une succession devenements majeurs melant criminalite spectaculaire, tensions sociales, vulnerabilites numeriques et enjeux strategiques de defense. Tour dhorizon dune actualite dense qui interpelle bien au-dela des frontieres hexagonales, y compris au Cameroun.

Un cambriolage record au cur du Louvre

Cest un casse digne dun film hollywoodien. Les auteurs du cambriolage survenu au musee du Louvre ont mis la main sur un butin estime a 88 millions deuros, selon les revelations de BFMTV. En seulement quatre minutes, les malfaiteurs ont emporte huit bijoux contenant plus de 8.000 diamants, 212 perles, 35 emeraudes et 34 saphirs.

Lenquete revele une operation meticuleusement preparee : utilisation dune nacelle, de deux scooters partis a des moments differents depuis Aubervilliers, et possiblement dun utilitaire blanc stationne dans le sud de Paris pour le transfert du butin. Fait troublant, la direction du musee avait ete alertee des 2007 sur la vulnerabilite de cette galerie precise, sans que des mesures de securite adequates ne soient mises en uvre.

Macron confirme le futur porte-avions nucleaire francais

Sur le front strategique, le president Emmanuel Macron a confirme, lors dune visite aux Emirats arabes unis, la construction dun nouveau porte-avions a propulsion nucleaire, destine a remplacer le Charles-de-Gaulle a lhorizon 2038. Une decision prise, selon lElysee, conformement aux lois de programmation militaire et apres un examen approfondi.

Ce futur geant des mers affichera 80.000 tonnes pour 310 metres de long, embarquera 30 avions de combat et mobilisera 2.000 marins, avec pres de 800 fournisseurs industriels impliques. Toutefois, le projet suscite des interrogations dans un contexte dimpasse budgetaire, faisant craindre un possible trou capacitaire pour la marine nationale si des retards venaient a saccumuler.

Vols organises : les producteurs cibles avant Noel

A lapproche des fetes de fin dannee, la criminalite se deplace aussi vers les zones rurales. Les heliciculteurs et eleveurs figurent parmi les principales cibles de vols organises. Dans la Marne, a Gueux, un vol estime a 90.000 euros a ete enregistre. Dans la Vienne, 250 kilos de foies gras et magrets de canard ont ete derobes en une seule nuit.

Face a cette recrudescence, la gendarmerie annonce un deploiement massif, appuye par des reservistes, et propose des audits de securite gratuits aux producteurs, une strategie qui aurait deja permis une baisse significative des vols.

Drame a Ajaccio : un homme abattu par la police

En Corse, un drame sest produit a Ajaccio, pres de la place Abbatucci. Un homme dune trentaine dannees, sans domicile fixe, arme dun couteau et juge menacant pour les passants, a ete abattu par la police apres avoir blesse un agent lors de sa fuite.

Selon les premiers elements rapportes par Corse Matin et lAFP, lindividu avait deja adopte un comportement agressif plus tot dans la journee. Son identite et ses motivations restent a ce stade inconnues.

Cyberattaque majeure contre La Poste et La Banque Postale

Enfin, le numerique nest pas en reste. Une attaque informatique a paralyse les services en ligne de La Poste et de La Banque Postale, rendant indisponibles lacces aux comptes bancaires et le suivi des colis, en pleine periode de forte activite liee a Noel.

Le journal Le Monde souligne que cet incident survient alors que La Poste traite pres de 180 millions de colis sur les deux derniers mois de lannee. Cette attaque sinscrit dans une serie noire, apres celles ayant touche recemment plusieurs ministeres francais, avec des exfiltrations massives de donnees personnelles.

France on Edge: Historic Louvre Heist, Cyberattacks, Violence and Security Challenges Ahead of the Holidays

France is facing a particularly tense security climate, as a series of major incidentsranging from an unprecedented museum robbery to cyberattacks, violent police intervention and strategic military decisionsunderscore the countrys growing vulnerabilities on the eve of the year-end holidays.

Record-Breaking Heist at the Louvre

In what investigators describe as one of the most spectacular art-related robberies in modern French history, thieves made off with jewels worth an estimated 88 million from the Louvre Museum, according to BFMTV.

Although only eight pieces of jewelry were stolen, they contained an extraordinary volume of precious stones: more than 8,000 diamonds, 212 pearls, 35 emeralds and 34 sapphires. The entire operation reportedly lasted just four minutes.

Investigators say the criminals used a hydraulic lift, as well as two scooters that departed at different times from Aubervilliers, north of Paris, to reach the museum. Authorities are also examining the possible involvement of a white utility vehicle spotted in southern Paris at the time of the robbery, believed to have been used to transfer the stolen jewels. The vehicle has not yet been located.

Notably, museum management had been warned as early as 2007 about the vulnerability of the gallery targeted during the heist, yet adequate security measures were never fully implemented.

Macron Confirms New Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier

On the strategic front, French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, reaffirmed Frances decision to build a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace the aging Charles de Gaulle.

The decision, Macron said, was taken this week in line with Frances military programming laws and following a complete and thorough review. The president also announced he would personally visit the Chantiers de lAtlantique shipyards in Saint-Nazaire in February.

Described by Macron as a symbol of national power and industrial excellence, the future aircraft carrier will involve around 800 suppliers. Expected to enter service in 2038, the vessel will displace nearly 80,000 tons, measure 310 meters in length, carry 30 combat aircraft, and operate with a crew of 2,000 sailorsmaking it significantly larger than the current Charles de Gaulle.

However, the project faces uncertainty amid Frances budgetary constraints, raising concerns within the navy about a potential capability gap if construction is delayed. Studies are underway to assess whether the Charles de Gaulle can remain operational beyond 2038.

Organized Thefts Target Food Producers Ahead of Christmas

As the holiday season approaches, French gendarmes are stepping up efforts to protect farmers and specialty food producers, increasingly targeted by organized theft networks.

In Gueux, in the Marne region, snail farmers were hit by a robbery estimated at 90,000. Meanwhile, in the Vienne department, thieves stole 250 kilograms of foie gras and duck magret from a producer during the night of December 1112, products highly sought after during Christmas celebrations.

To counter this trend, the gendarmerie has deployed reinforced patrols, including reservists, and is offering free security audits to producers throughout the yeara strategy authorities say has already led to a decline in thefts and higher case-resolution rates.

Fatal Police Shooting in Ajaccio

In Corsica, a man in his thirties was shot dead by police in Ajaccio after threatening passersby with a knife near Place Abbatucci, local newspaper Corse Matin reported.

Witnesses described the suspect as highly mobile and aggressive. During the intervention, he reportedly pushed and knocked down a police officer while attempting to flee. Police then opened fire, and the man later died from his injuries, according to the French news agency AFP.

The individual, believed to be homeless, had already displayed violent behavior earlier in the day at a local business. His identity and motives remain unknown.

Cyberattack Disrupts La Poste and La Banque Postale

Frances digital infrastructure also came under strain on Monday as a cyberattack disrupted online services at La Poste and its banking subsidiary La Banque Postale.

Customers were unable to access bank accounts, and parcel-tracking services were severely affected. The incident occurred at a critical time, as La Poste handles nearly 180 million parcels during the final two months of the year.

The attack follows recent cyber intrusions targeting several French government ministries, including the Interior Ministry, resulting in the exfiltration of personal data belonging to millions of citizens.

France, Louvre cambriolage, vol diamants Louvre, securite France, Emmanuel Macron porte-avions nucleaire, Charles-de-Gaulle remplacement, cyberattaque La Poste, La Banque Postale, vols producteurs fetes, gendarmerie francaise, Ajaccio police, Corse faits divers, actualite France Cameroun

Ekanga Ekanga Fernand
According to the minister, this highlights the growing national footprint of Ayurveda and its potential to contribute to India's Swasth Bharat mission. File Photo.

Jadhav emphasised that the Ministry of Ayush is actively working to integrate age-old traditional systems.

Ayush Minister Highlights Ayurvedas Key Role in Building a Healthier India

On Monday, Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav emphasised the significant role that Ayurvedic institutions and traditional medicine systems can play in advancing Indias broader health vision. He said they must work in harmony with modern medicine to build a healthier nation. Jadhav made these remarks in a virtual address at the Padmabhushan Dr P.K. Warrier Memorial Ayurveda Seminar held at the India International Centre in Delhi.

Advertisement

Kerala-based Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, which is one of Indias oldest traditional medicine institutions, organised the event. The seminar marked a significant moment as it was conducted outside Kerala for the first time in its 62-year history. According to the minister, this highlights the growing national footprint of Ayurveda and its potential to contribute to Indias Swasth Bharat mission.

Jadhav emphasised that the Ministry of Ayush is actively working to integrate age-old traditional systems, especially Ayurveda, with modern healthcare approaches to promote their collective contribution to preventive care, wellness, and public health. He pointed to the exemplary work of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, noting that its efforts in preserving, promoting and applying ancient Ayurvedic knowledge with scientific sensibilities have been extremely inspiring.

Dr P.M. Varier, Managing Trustee and Chief Physician of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, said the institution decided to hold the seminar in Delhi to send a message of unity across regions, stressing that North or South, Ayurveda is one. He called for collective action towards growth, glory and globalisation of Ayurveda while balancing tradition with science.

Advertisement

Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Salas charitable hospital network has reportedly treated over 20 million patients in the last decade, delivering free Ayurveda care, meals, accommodation and medicine to hundreds of thousands annually.

The Ayush ministry also noted steps to promote exports and global recognition of Ayurvedic products and practices, with more than 25 countries reportedly recognising Ayurveda. Additionally, nearly 100 countries participated recently in a WHO Global Summit, agreeing on the promotion of traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and yoga, the ministry said.

Source: Hindustan Times
Plight of Hindus in Bangladesh is a humanitarian crisis: West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari

Earlier, following the incident on December 18, the Bangladesh government had condemned the mob lynching.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Monday called the atrocities against minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh a humanitarian crisis.

In a post on X, Adhikari wrote, The brutal lynching of our brave Hindu Brother, Dipu Chandra Das, by a fanatic mob in Mymensingh; Bangladesh, over baseless blasphemy allegations, is a stark reminder of the escalating genocide against Hindus in that country.

Advertisement

He added that on Sunday, along with thousands of people in Kolkata, he marched to the Bangladesh High Commission, raising voices against this barbarity and the relentless persecution of Hindus.

 A young life snuffed out, beaten, burned, and discarded like trash, while the world watches in silence. No justice, just pure hatred !!! To Dipu's family, we mourn with you and pray that Maa Kali gives you the strength to fight until justice prevails. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every protester, every Bengali heart that bleeds for our Hindu Brothers and Sisters across the border, the post further read.

We will not forgive this cowardice. Temples razed, families displaced, lives shattered under the shadow of radical Islamism. The plight of Hindus in Bangladesh is a humanitarian crisis screaming for global intervention, it added.

Advertisement

Earlier, following the incident on December 18, the Bangladesh government had condemned the mob lynching.

Meanwhile, Hindu organisations and minority groups staged protests on Monday, calling Das innocent and demanding justice.

(For more news apart from Plight of Hindus in Bangladesh is a humanitarian crisis: West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Bangladesh Unrest: Hindu religious organisations, minority groups stage protest; call Das innocent (Photo: screenshot of ANI video)

Kar described such incidents as normal for minorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Unrest: A student representative of the Minority Rights Movement in Dhaka, Bangladesh, dismissed allegations against a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched by an unruly mob over alleged blasphemy, claiming that personal disputes with colleagues led to the incident.

Sushmita Kar, the student representative, while speaking to news agency ANI, said, On the 18th of December 2025, a man named Dipu Chandra das was brutally killed in the name of mob justice. But he was innocent.

Advertisement

We got this information that he had some issues with his colleagues, and they had used these words, like defamation of religion, or insult of religion. They used these words to kill the person, she added.

Also Read: Chandigarh: Hindu Organizations Protest against Mob lynching of Das in Bangladesh

Kar described such incidents as normal for minorities in Bangladesh, citing repeated instances of atrocities against minority communities in the country.

Advertisement

#WATCH | Dhaka, Bangladesh | In protest against the mob lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh, Hindu religious organisations and minority groups in Bangladesh stage a demonstration in front of the National Press Club. pic.twitter.com/E1spxURJhg  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2025

Advertisement

Meanwhile, a protest was underway in Dhaka as Hindu religious organisations and minority groups gathered in front of the National Press Club, demanding justice for Das, ANI earlier reported.

Also Read: Indian Visa Application Center in Bangladesh Suspends Visa Operations at IVAC Chittagong indefinitely

(For more news apart from Bangladesh Unrest: Hindu religious organisations, minority groups stage protest; call Das innocent," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
December 22, 1989 or the First Day

December 22, 1989 was the First Day of Freedom, and everything had to be rebuilt

Radio Romania International

Steliu Lambru, 22.12.2025, 12:25

After about a week of large-scale protests, which started on the evening of December 15, 1989, on December 22 the Nicolae Ceausescu regime no longer existed. Just minutes after noon, the dictator, his wife, and a few close associates fled from the Romanian Communist Partys Central Committee building, the seat of power for 45 years, by helicopter.

The ousting of the Ceausescu regime had made around 1,200 casualties throughout the country. It also left behind a society struggling to make sense of what had happened to it for decades and what it had to do next. December 22, 1989 was the First Day of Freedom, and everything had to be rebuilt: economy, society, state, laws, culture, education.

It was an extremely difficult task, and the hardest part was facing the past and the path to follow in building the present and the future. An immense amount of social energy was spent in the 36 years that have passed since Day One, the traces of which are still visible today.

The philosopher Gabriel Liiceanu tried to answer the question of why confronting the past was so complicated. Why did Romanians have to go through this ordeal, to look within themselves, to assess their choices, and the choices of the generations before them?

Gabriel Liiceanu: Why is it necessary to confront the past? This is a complicated and delicate question, because it requires nuances and because its been 35 years already. Its important to face the past because, of the three dimensions of time, past, present and future, in my opinion the past is the most important. This is because it is when any being, any human individual and any nation is founded. So it is completely impossible to try to understand the present and build a future by forgetting, ignoring what has been laid in your being as a previous foundation. If we talk about the life of each of us, I would say that each of us is the layers of time that life has stored in our neurons to constitute our self. We drag behind us the years of our childhood, adolescence, youth, everything we lived during those years, our experience up to this day. We are, permanently, what we have been. The past is not something that has gone and no longer has any importance. The past does not pass, it is the dimension that remains and not the one that passes, and it is the dimension that founds us.

Many Romanians tried to run away from the past. The pressure was too great, and resorting to history did not clarify what had to be done in the future; on the contrary, history complicated the choices even more.

Gabriel Liiceanu: The totality of the layers that have been placed one on top of the other, throughout history, is the key to our history, to the present and to our desire to build a future. We, Romanians, in our textbooks, have at times reinvented our history as it suited us. It has been subjected to distortions that were favourable to one political regime or another. In any case, communism was a master at dressing up the past and remaking the face of the past as it suited a leader, a party secretary or another. We have not come to know our past, we have always renamed it depending on circumstances, we have known it wrong or have simply ignored it. And, by not knowing it, we risk returning to its ugliest forms.

Looking back at ourselves is always a good approach. And confronting the past brings more clarity to thinking and explains why society had to go through what it did.

Gabriel Liiceanu: If we think about confronting the past, then the old communist phrase the heavy legacy says a lot. It was the heavy legacy that the bourgeoisie had left us, and we, the communist regime, will have to fight this heavy legacy, to get rid of it and to replace something horrifying with splendour, happiness, a bright future. The heavy legacy was the most hypocritical phrase ever. The splendour is that after 1990 we did have a heavy legacy. Because what we received from those who crossed over to the other side of history, Iliescu with all the communist party members with whom he crossed over to the other side, with all the administrative, political and repressive structures from Ceausescus time, was the heaviest legacyspecifically, the repressive, abusive, arbitrary structure of what the communist regime had meant. He simply took over to the other side all the vices and bad habits of the previous regime. Under these circumstances, confronting the past was impossible, because it is hard to ask those who replicate the communist past, dressing it up in new clothes, to judge themselves. We did not experience this lustration and this confrontation with the past, because criminals do not judge and condemn themselves as criminals in this world.

December 22, 1989 or the First Day is part of both the old Romania and the new Romania. It is the end of decisions made by past generations, and a foundational moment for the choices of the generations to come. (AMP)
December 22, 2025

A roundap of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 22.12.2025, 13:55

COMMEMORATION  The series of public events marking the 36th anniversary of the December 1989 Revolution continues today in the capital Bucharest. Military and religious ceremonies are scheduled at the Monument Honouring the Heroes of the Revolution, at the Romanian Public Radio and the Romanian Public Television. Events commemorating those who lost their lives during the Revolution also took place on Sunday across the country. At the Heroes Cemetery in the capital, a religious service was held and all those who died for freedom 36 years ago were commemorated. Relatives of the heroes, revolutionaries and representatives of state institutions participated in similar events in Bucharest.

JUSTICE  The President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, is expecting, today, at the Cotroceni Palace, magistrates who wish to publicly discuss problems facing the justice system. The head of state claims that he was informed that there is a category of magistrates, members of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) or of the management of some courts, who do not act in the public interest, but in the interest of a small group. Nicusor Dan said that in January he will initiate a consultation among magistrates, in the form of a referendum, to find out whether the CSM is serving public interest or the interest of a group within the judicial system. If the magistrates say that the CSM is working for the good of the community, the discussions will continue in the legislature, but if, on the contrary, the answer is that it is acting in the interest of a small group, then the CSM will leave immediately, the president pointed out. Excerting constitutional powers by public authorities must be carried out in strict compliance with the principle of separation and balance of powers within the state, as enshrined in the Constitution, said the CSM judges, in response to the presidents initiative. The CSM stressed that, in its constitutional capacity as guarantor of the independence of the Judiciary, it exercises its powers autonomously and will not tolerate any form of interference, direct or indirect, in the activity of the judicial authority.

DIPLOMACY  Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu is paying a working visit to the neighboring Republic of Moldova today, at the invitation of her counterpart from Chisinau, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi. The visits agenda includes of the two ministers, as well as with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chisinau, Oana Toius visit is taking place in the context of participating in the Meeting of Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices of the Republic of Moldova Abroad.

POLL  Three-quarters of Romanians say that the country is heading to the wrong direction, while only 21% believe that the direction is right, according to an opinion poll conducted by CURS in December. About a third of Romanians say that their financial situation has worsened to some extent, and 23% say that it has worsened significantly. Over half of respondents, respectively 51%, anticipate significant price increases in the coming year. In terms of positive image, the Army ranks first, with 81%, followed by the church, 76%, and the fire department, 65%. At the opposite end, the Justice Department is positively assessed by only 24% of respondents, the Parliament by 25%, and the Government and the Constitutional Court by 26% each. The research was conducted on a representative sample of 1,067 adults, aged 18 and over, through face-to-face interviews at the respondents homes, over December 10-19, 2025.

MOTIONS  Two simple motions initiated by AUR (the nationalist opposition) against the ministers of Justice, Radu Marinescu, supported by PSD, and the Minister of the Interior, the Liberal Catalin Predoiu, are debated and voted on Monday in the Parliament in Bucharest. The signatories say that the ministry led by Predoiu is politicized, has overlapping attributions and powers and does not observe its international obligations assumed in relations with foreign partners. There is direct interference in the competitions organized for management positions  the initiators also claim. In the other motion, the Social Democrat minister Radu Marinescu is asked to resign with honour, because he has not restored citizens trust in justice. AUR want him gone for his failure to ensure an efficient, predictable and fair act of justice, the excessive duration of the trials, as well as the lack of any firm reaction to the problems in the system. (EE)
December 22, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

December 22, 2025 UPDATE

Newsroom, 22.12.2025, 20:00

Justice: President Dan meets judges on systemic woes

Romanian President Nicusor Dan on Monday held talks with a group of former and current judges about entrenched problems in the justice system. Judges highlighted the urgent need to amend the Justice Laws passed in 2022, an oligarchic system at the top, especially in the High Court of Cassation and Justice and the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), as well as certain judges ties to political players. Other red flags included abuses by the Judicial Inspectorate against outspoken judges, mishandled detachments and delegations and pressure from the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) leadership on certain prosecutors.

President Dan said talks would continue, with many issues needing lengthy checks. By January, the president will launch a consultation among judges, framed as a referendum, to gauge if the Council serves the public interest or an insider clique. If judges say the CSM works for the community, talks will move to lawmakers; if its for internal interests instead, the CSM will have to go immediately, Dan stressed. In response, the CSM insisted it exercises its constitutional role as guardian of judicial independence autonomously and wont tolerate any direct or indirect interference in the judiciarys work.

No-confidence motions: opposition loses battle in Parliament

The simple no-confidence motion from AUR (nationalist opposition) against Justice Minister Radu Marinescu (backed by PSD) was shot down Monday in Bucharests Chamber of Deputies plenary. AUR demanded his honorable resignation, citing his failure to restore public trust in the judiciary. They slammed his managerial flops in delivering efficient, predictable, equitable justice, endless trial delays and zero firm response to systemic ills.

During the debate, Marinescu fired back that Romanias judiciary is independent and self-governing, not under the Justice Ministry.

Also Monday, the Senate rejected AURs motion against Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu (PNL). Signatories blasted his ministry as politicized, with overlapping duties and failure to honor international commitments  plus direct meddling in leadership contests, they claimed. Predoiu dismissed the attacks, invoking key Interior Ministry measures hes rolled out.

Romania-Moldova ties: the worlds strongest diplomatic partnership

The bilateral bond between Romania and the Republic of Moldova is the worlds strongest diplomatic partnership between two nations, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said on Monday during a working visit to Chisinau. Meeting her counterpart Mihai Popsoi, Toiu noted trade exchanges topping 3 billion and Bucharests rock-solid support for Moldovas EU integration. She touted advances in strategic infrastructure projects and robust cooperation in education and culture.

On the regional front, Toiu highlighted ongoing trilateral Romania-Moldova-Ukraine collaboration, with Romania set to host foreign ministers meeting in the first quarter of 2026 under the Odesa Triangle format, focusing on Ukraines reconstruction and regional investments. Popsoi, in turn, called Romania by far the closest state to Moldova and its top ally for EU integration, security and economic growth.

The Romanian Foreign Minister also met with Moldovas President, Maia Sandu, and with Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

Commemoration: 36 years since the 1989 anti-communist revolution

Bucharest continued its public commemorations Monday for the 36th anniversary of the 1989 anti-communist revolution. Senators observed a moment of silence for the victims and voiced gratitude to those who took to the streets in December 1989 with empty hands but full hearts, making Romania a free and democratic nation. They spotlighted the sacrifice and courage of those who paid with their lives so Romanians today can speak, vote and protest freely.

Scheduled events included military and religious ceremonies at the Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution in Revolution Square, the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation and the Paratroopers Cross at the Romanian Television.

(VP)
On this day 36 years ago: the Romanian Revolution

In December 1989 Romania went through a revolution that led to the fall of the communist regime

Photo: pixabay.com

Mihai Pelin, 22.12.2025, 14:00

In 1989, the communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe, based on terror, deceit and propaganda, started to collapse one after another. The domino effect that caused the Eastern regimes to disappear in less than 11 months, was triggered by reforms proposed by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union.

Communist Romania was not at all eager to listen to the new advice from Moscow, at a time when it was going through one of the most difficult periods in history: a serious economic crisis compounded by repressive terror. Romanians were struggling with hunger and cold. Bread was rationed, as were milk, oil and meat.

The first sparks of an uprising occurred during the Brasov workers riots of 1987, but the movement was quickly stifled by the repressive arm of the Romanian Communist Party (PCR). The dictator Nicolae Ceausescu planned to stay in power, despite his age and the major changes taking place in the Eastern Bloc. His main goal was to stop the spread of potential reformist movements by all means possible.

During preparations for Ceausescus visit to Iran, the political police, officially called the State Security Department and known as the Securitate ordered the arrest of the Hungarian ethnic Protestant pastor Laszlo Tokes on December 16, for sermons he had delivered against the regime. This was one of the key moments of the Revolution. The residents of Timisoara were the first to rise against this decision, and it was there, in western Romania, that the first protests against the communist regime broke out, to later spread to all the cities of the country, including Bucharest.

After returning from Tehran, Nicolae Ceausescu organised a large public gathering at the Communist Partys headquarters. But things spiralled out of control, and the anti-communist Revolution culminated, on December 22, with the flight from power of the dictators Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu.

Three days later, a summary trial was held by a military court. This remains a particularly controversial event to this day, as the 1989 Revolution has been widely discussed by historians, journalists and political scientists. Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu were sentenced to death by the authorities, and executed in Targoviste on December 25. This was to be the last execution in Romanias recent history.

Over 1,000 people died and several thousand were wounded in the clashes that took place in the only country in Eastern Europe where the regime change was violent. Many historians believe that, although it started out as a grassroots anti-communist movement, the uprising was quickly hijacked by members of the old Romanian Communist Party, who quickly grabbed power. After these tragic events, Romania began a lengthy transition to a democratic system and a free market economy, dubbed the post-December period. (AMP)
Several biotechnology and life sciences companies posted notable gains in after-hours trading on Friday, reflecting investor interest in recent clinical and corporate developments.

Kura Oncology, Inc. (KURA) led the group with a strong move higher. Shares rose to $10.57, up 7.42% (+0.73) in after-hours trading. While there was no fresh news on Friday, investors may still be reacting to Kura's December 8 announcement of new data from its KOMET-007 Phase 1a/1b trial. The study evaluated KOMZIFTI (ziftomenib) in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients harboring NPM1 mutations or KMT2A rearrangements. Results demonstrated a favorable safety profile and encouraging antileukemic activity, supporting the potential of this regimen in both newly diagnosed chemotherapy-ineligible AML and relapsed/refractory AML cohorts.

SOPHiA GENETICS SA (SOPH) also advanced, closing after hours at $4.85, a gain of 5.21% (+0.24). No new updates were released on Friday, but the company's November 11 collaboration with Complete Genomics continues to resonate with investors. The partnership aims to co-market MSK-ACCESS and MSK-IMPACT, powered with SOPHiA DDM on Complete Genomics' DNBSEQ-T1+ sequencing platform. This initiative, announced at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2025 Annual Meeting, is designed to broaden access to precision oncology testing worldwide.

Elutia Inc. (ELUT) saw modest gains, with shares rising to $0.6045, up 3.10% (+0.0182) after hours. The company did not release any news on Friday, but the move reflects steady investor interest in the micro-cap biotech space.

RenovoRx, Inc. (RNXT) added 2.47% (+0.02) to close at $0.9530 in after-hours trading. While Friday was quiet, the company recently announced that its abstract submission to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2026 has been accepted. RenovoRx will present findings from a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic sub-study of its ongoing Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial on January 9, 2026, in San Francisco.

Kodiak Sciences Inc. (KOD) posted a notable after-hours gain, climbing to $27.41, up 5.42% (+1.41). On December 18, the company announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of 8,000,000 shares, including the full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares. The offering, priced at $23.00 per share, generated gross proceeds of approximately $184 million before expenses.

Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (DAWN) rose to $9.55, gaining 3.35% (+0.31) in after-hours trading. No new updates were released on Friday, but the stock continues to attract attention from investors focused on oncology innovation.

Quantum BioPharma Ltd. (QNTM) advanced to $9.23, up 3.82% (+0.34). While there was no news on Friday, the company recently announced the closing of a non-brokered private placement on December 10, issuing 30 Class A multiple voting shares at $25 per share for gross proceeds of $750.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (2096.HK,SMHGF), on Monday, announced that a subsidiary, Jiangsu Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Ipsen S.A. (IPN.PA,IPSEY) for SIM0613, an LRRC15-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.

The company is eligible to receive up to $1.06 billion under the deal, comprising a $45 million upfront payment and additional development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments.

Under the agreement, Ipsen receives exclusive global rights outside Greater China to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SIM0613.

The drug candidate was developed by Jiangsu Zaiming.

The agreement was signed on December 19 and includes tiered royalties on net sales.

Simcere Pharma is currently trading 2.29% lesser at HKD 12.810 on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Revised GDP from the UK is the top economic news due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK GDP data for the third quarter. The initial estimate showed that the grew 0.1 percent sequentially, following the prior quarter's 0.3 percent expansion.

In the meantime, unemployment data is due from Norway.

At 4.00 am ET, Italy's statistical office ISTAT is scheduled to issue producer prices for November. Prices had increased 0.1 percent in October.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Harbour Energy plc (HBR.L,PMOIF,HBRIY) announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire LLOG Exploration Company LLC, a privately-held operator in the US Gulf of America, from LLOG Holdings LLC for $3.2 billion in cash and stock deal.

Under the terms of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement or MIPA, the consideration comprises $2.7 billion of cash and $0.5 billion of Harbour's voting ordinary shares. The cash consideration will be funded through an underwritten $1 billion bridge facility, a $1 billion term loan and Harbour's existing sources of liquidity.

Further, Harbour's 174.86 million new voting shares will be issued to LLOG Holdings at an agreed value of $0.5 billion or 215 pence per Harbour share.

The completion of the acquisition would occur in late first quarter of fiscal 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

On completion of the deal, LLOG Holdings LLC will own 11 percent of Harbour's stake, while Harbour's current shareholders will own 89 percent.

With the acquisition, Harbour will enter into the US Gulf of America, strengthening its global portfolio and establishing a core unit alongside Norway, the UK, Argentina and Mexico.

Following completion, LLOG will serve as Harbour's new Gulf of America business unit, which will incorporate the LLOG.

The deal is accretive to Harbour's key portfolio metrics. It is accretive to margins and lowers Harbour's effective tax rate, supports overall production at c.500 kboepd to end of the decade, and increases Harbour's oil weighting, OECD presence and operational control. With the acquisition, production is expected to approximately double by 2028.

Linda Cook, CEO Harbour, said, "The transaction positions us as a leading player in a region with well-established infrastructure, a supportive fiscal and regulatory environment and opportunities for additional growth. The oil-weighted, deepwater LLOG portfolio enhances our production profile, provides significant operational control, extends reserve life and improves our margins."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
NASA announced that as part of its SpaceX Crew-12 mission, four crew members from three countries will launch no earlier than February 15, 2026, to the International Space Station for a long-duration science expedition.

U.S. astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway will serve as spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively, and will be accompanied by European Space Agency's French astronaut Sophie Adenot and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who will both serve as mission specialists. Crew-12 will join Expedition 74 crew members currently aboard the space station.

The flight is the 12th crew rotation with SpaceX to the orbiting laboratory as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Crew-12 will conduct scientific investigations and demonstrations to help prepare humans for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as benefit people on Earth.

This will be the second flight to the space station for Meir, who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013.

A commander in the United States Navy, Hathaway was selected as part of the 2021 astronaut candidate class. This will be Hathaway's first spaceflight.

The Crew-12 mission will be Adenot's first spaceflight, while this will be Fedyaev's second long-duration stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.

In 2023, Fedyaev flew to the space station as a mission specialist during NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 mission, spending 186 days in orbit, as an Expedition 69 flight engineer. For his achievements, Fedyaev was awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation and received the Yuri Gagarin Medal.

For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Janus Henderson Group (JHG) on Monday said it has agreed to be acquired by an investor consortium led by Trian Fund Management and General Catalyst in an all-cash transaction valuing the asset manager at about $7.4 billion.

Under the terms of the deal, shareholders not already affiliated with Trian will receive $49 per share in cash, representing an 18% premium to Janus Henderson's closing price on October 24, 2025, the day before the proposal became public. Trian currently owns about 20.6% of the company and has had board representation since 2022.

Janus Henderson said it will continue to be led by CEO Ali Dibadj and remain headquartered in London and Denver following the transaction's closure. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals, shareholder approval, and customary closing conditions.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Rheinmetall AG (RNMBF) and KNDS Germany's joint venture Artec GmbH has secured an order from the German Armed Forces to supply Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm or RCH155 wheeled howitzer.

On December 19, the company received the order for the first 84 RCH155 wheeled howitzers, along with associated training equipment, service and logistical support, bringing the total value of the order at approximately 1.2 billion euros.

The company plans to begin deliveries in 2027, which are scheduled for completion in 2029.

Rheinmetall's stock is moving up 3.69 percent, to $1,856.00 on the OTC Markets.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Indias hatchback segment recorded 88,781 units in November 2025, registering a year-on-year growth of 8.87% over November 2024. However, on a month-on-month basis, sales declined by 6.73%, reflecting a typical post-festive slowdown. While mass-market models like Swift and Alto showed strong momentum, several premium hatchbacks continued to face pressure.

Maruti Suzuki completely dominated the hatchback segment, accounting for over 72% of total hatchback sales in November 2025. They have 7 hatchbacks on offer. Strong performances from Swift and Alto offset the decline seen in Baleno and WagonR. Tata emerged as the second-largest hatchback OEM, driven by consistent Tiago volumes and strong YoY growth for Altroz. Hyundai held third position, though both models (i10 and i20) saw YoY and MoM pressure, reflecting a slowdown in demand for premium hatchbacks.

Maruti Swift Leads, Alto Delivers Strong Recovery

Maruti Swift emerged as the top-selling hatchback in November 2025 with 19,733 units, posting a strong 33.9% YoY growth and a sharp 26.9% MoM jump. Maruti WagonR followed with 14,619 units, though its sales dipped 22.9% MoM, despite modest YoY growth. Maruti Baleno slipped to third place with 13,784 units, recording a 15.4% YoY decline, indicating sustained pressure in the premium hatchback space. Maruti Alto delivered one of the standout performances of the month, clocking 10,600 units, up 42% YoY and an impressive 70.7% MoM, driven by renewed demand in entry-level markets.

Tata, Toyota Gain; Hyundai Faces Mixed Results

Tata Tiago, including EV variants, sold 5,988 units, growing 12.6% YoY, though MoM sales dropped sharply after a strong October. Tata Altroz also posted a solid 44.7% YoY growth at 3,013 units, despite a MoM decline. Toyota Glanza recorded 5,032 units, up 32.2% YoY, but saw an 18.3% MoM dip. Hyundai i10 NIOS and i20 continued to face pressure, with i10 NIOS declining 19.6% YoY and i20 slipping 3.8% YoY, reflecting softer demand for Hyundais hatchback portfolio.

Maruti Hatchbacks That Are Struggling

Maruti Ignis posted 2,316 units, maintaining marginal YoY growth, while models like S-Presso and Celerio continued their downward trend. S-Presso sales fell 23.5% YoY, while Celerio saw a steep 41.5% YoY decline, underlining weakening demand in this sub-segment.

EVs and Niche Players Show Sharp Swings

MG Comet EV recorded 897 units, growing 49.5% YoY, though sales dipped MoM. Citroen C3 showed a sharp jump to 861 units, up 330.5% YoY, albeit from a low base. Renault Kwid remained muted at 447 units, while Citroen eC3 EV continued to struggle with just 16 units, reflecting limited traction.

Overall, hatchback sales in November 2025 highlight a clear split in demand. High-volume, value-focused models continue to drive growth, while premium hatchbacks and niche EVs remain under pressure. With year-end offers and entry-level demand holding firm, the segment is expected to remain stable, though sustained recovery for premium hatchbacks may take longer.
The Suzuki Fronx has been crash tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), and the results raise serious safety concerns, particularly for rear-seat occupants. The Made-in-India compact SUV, which is exported to markets such as Australia and New Zealand, received a low overall safety score, largely due to a rear seatbelt failure observed during testing. Earlier, Fronx has scored 4 Star in Japan NCAP and 5 Star in ASEAN NCAP.

According to the ANCAP report, the Suzuki Fronx achieved the following scores:

 Adult Occupant Protection: 48%

 Child Occupant Protection: 40%

 Vulnerable Road User Protection: 65%

 Safety Assist: 55%

Rear Seatbelt Failure Raises Red Flag

The most critical issue highlighted by ANCAP occurred during the full-width frontal crash test, where the rear passenger seatbelt retractor failed, resulting in an uncontrolled release of the seatbelt. This caused the rear dummy to become unrestrained and strike the front seat, with poor chest and head protection recorded.

ANCAP described such seatbelt failures as rare but serious, and has formally notified vehicle safety regulators in Australia and New Zealand. The agency has advised that adult and child passengers should avoid using the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx until Suzuki investigates the issue and implements corrective measures.

Weak Scores For Rear Occupants And Children

The Fronxs Child Occupant Protection score of 40% was impacted by the absence of rear seatbelt pre-tensioners. ANCAP noted that child dummies were not adequately restrained in both frontal and side impact tests. Protection for the head and chest of child occupants was rated poor to marginal, leading to capped scores in multiple test scenarios. While ISOFIX anchorages and top tether points are provided for rear seats, the lack of seatbelt pre-tensioners and a child presence detection system further affected the score.

Decent ADAS Package, But Safety Assist Still Limited

On the technology front, the Suzuki Fronx comes equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, speed sign recognition and adaptive cruise control as standard in the tested variant. These systems helped the Fronx score 55% in Safety Assist, with good performance in car-to-car and junction AEB tests. However, the absence of features such as AEB Head-On, a centre airbag, rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and direct driver monitoring limited the overall score.

Built In India, Exported Globally

The Suzuki Fronx sold in Australia and New Zealand is manufactured in India and exported globally. ANCAP clarified that the rating applies to all Fronx variants sold in these markets, built from March 2025 onwards.

ANCAP has stated that it expects Suzuki to investigate the seatbelt failure and demonstrate that the issue has been resolved. Until then, the rating remains a cause for concern, especially for families considering the Fronx as a primary car.
If youre flying over the holidays, brace yourself. TSA expects one of the busiest travel periods ever to close out 2025. The government agency projects 44.3 million passengers will pass through U.S. airport security checkpoints between now and January 4, 2026, potentially setting another all-time record.

The single busiest day is expected to be Sunday, December 28, when nearly 2.86 million travelers will be screened nationwide. I flew on Thursday, December 18 and LAX was surprisingly relatively quiet. However, we did experience a snafu when our flight to Chicago was diverted to Kansas City (here's the story and some tips).

Despite the crowds, TSA says travelers should notice a smoother experience this year thanks to several major changes rolled out in 2025. Heres what flyers should know and how to take advantage of it.

Whats New at TSA This Holiday Season



Shoes Stay On

One of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades this year is that passengers can now keep their shoes on at domestic TSA checkpoints. This policy, announced over the summer, applies to standard screening lanes not just TSA PreCheck.

REAL ID Is Now Required (Mostly)

TSA began enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7, 2025. I don't have a REAL ID but I always carry my passport which of course is an acceptable ID. Here's a list of other approved federal IDs. Keep in mind, starting February 1, 2026, travelers without valid ID will be directed to a new option called TSA ConfirmID, a modern identity verification system that costs $45.

Family Lanes Are Expanding

Traveling with kids is getting easier. TSAs new Families on the Fly initiative introduces dedicated family screening lanes at select airports. These lanes are designed to reduce pressure on parents juggling strollers, car seats and carry-ons. I like the idea but I have yet to see one of these lanes in action and I have two little kids (ages six and nine) and never had a problem going through security checkpoints thanks to CLEAR and TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck BOGO Deal

Speaking of TSA PreCheck... If youve been on the fence about the expedited security lane, now is a good time to enroll. Through December 31, TSA is offering a buy one get one $15 off deal when two people sign up together through authorized providers CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos. It is especially useful for families traveling together or students heading back to school after the holidays.

Military and Service Members Get New Benefits

TSA launched Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease, a new TSA PreCheck benefit package for military and uniformed service members. New perks include dedicated expedited lanes, free TSA PreCheck for surviving immediate family members of fallen service members and TSA PreCheck discounts for spouses of service members.

Peak Travel Days to Watch

If you can be flexible, try to avoid these high-volume days: December 2729, with the 28th being the busiest. Mid-day departures and midweek flights typically experience shorter lines.

Advertisement Advertisement

No doubt airports will be crowded but 2025 brought the most traveler-friendly TSA changes in years. Between shoes staying on, family lanes, military perks and expanded identity verification options, getting through security should feel less painful than in the past.

Give yourself extra time, double-check your ID and consider TSA PreCheck if you do not already have it.
Deliberate Internet Shutdowns

For two days in September, Afghanistan had no internet. No satellite failed; no cable was cut. This was a deliberate outage, mandated by the Taliban government. It followed a more localized shutdown two weeks prior, reportedly instituted to prevent immoral activities. No additional explanation was given. The timing couldnt have been worse: communities still reeling from a major earthquake lost emergency communications, flights were grounded, and banking was interrupted. Afghanistans blackout is part of a wider pattern. Just since the end of September, there were also major nationwide internet shutdowns in Tanzania and Cameroon, and significant regional shutdowns in Pakistan and Nigeria. In all cases but one, authorities offered no official justification or acknowledgment, leaving millions unable to access information, contact loved ones, or express themselves through moments of crisis, elections, and protests.

The frequency of deliberate internet shutdowns has skyrocketed since the first notable example in Egypt in 2011. Together with our colleagues at the digital rights organisation Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition, weve tracked 296 deliberate internet shutdowns in 54 countries in 2024, and at least 244 more in 2025 so far.

This is more than an inconvenience. The internet has become an essential piece of infrastructure, affecting how we live, work, and get our information. Its also a major enabler of human rights, and turning off the internet can worsen or conceal a spectrum of abuses. These shutdowns silence societies, and theyre getting more and more common.

Shutdowns can be local or national, partial or total. In total blackouts, like Afghanistan or Tanzania, nothing works. But shutdowns are often targeted more granularly. Cellphone internet could be blocked, but not broadband. Specific news sites, social media platforms, and messaging systems could be blocked, leaving overall network access unaffectedas when Brazil shut off X (formerly Twitter) in 2024. Sometimes bandwidth is just throttled, making everything slower and unreliable.

Sometimes, internet shutdowns are used in political or military operations. In recent years, Russia and Ukraine have shut off parts of each others internet, and Israel has repeatedly shut off Palestinians internet in Gaza. Shutdowns of this type happened 25 times in 2024, affecting people in 13 countries.

Reasons for the shutdowns are as varied as the countries that perpetrate them. General information control is just one. Shutdowns often come in response to political unrest, as governments try to prevent people from organizing and getting information; Panama had a regional shutdown this summer in response to protests. Or during elections, as opposition parties utilize the internet to mobilize supporters and communicate strategy. Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994, reportedly disabled the internet during elections earlier this year, following a similar move in 2020. But they can also be more banal. Access Now documented countries disabling parts of the internet during student exam periods at least 16 times in 2024, including Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, and India.

Irans shutdowns in 2022 and June of this year are good examples of a highly sophisticated effort, with layers of shutdowns that end up forcing people off the global internet and onto Irans surveilled, censored national intranet. India, meanwhile, has been the world shutdown leader for many years, with 855 distinct incidents. Myanmar is second with 149, followed by Pakistan and then Iran. All of this information is available on Access Nows digital dashboard, where you can see breakdowns by region, country, type, geographic extent, and time.

There was a slight decline in shutdowns during the early years of the pandemic, but they have increased sharply since then. The reasons are varied, but a lot can be attributed to the rise in protest movements related to economic hardship and corruption, and general democratic backsliding and instability. In many countries today, shutdowns are a knee-jerk response to any form of unrest or protest, no matter how small.

A countrys ability to shut down the internet depends a lot on its infrastructure. In the US, for example, shutdowns would be hard to enforce. As we saw when discussions about a potential TikTok ban ramped up two years ago, the complex and multifaceted nature of our internet makes it very difficult to achieve. However, as weve seen with total nationwide shutdowns around the world, the ripple effects in all aspects of life are immense. (Remember the effects of just a small outageCrowdStrike in 2024which crippled 8.5 million computers and cancelled 2,200 flights in the US alone?)

The more centralized the internet infrastructure, the easier it is to implement a shutdown. If a country has just one cellphone provider, or only two fiber optic cables connecting the nation to the rest of the world, shutting them down is easy.

Shutdowns are not only more common, but theyve also become more harmful. Unlike in years past, when the internet was a nice option to have, or perhaps when internet penetration rates were significantly lower across the Global South, today the internet is an essential piece of societal infrastructure for the majority of the worlds population.

Access Now has long maintained that denying people access to the internet is a human rights violation, and has collected harrowing stories from places like Tigray in Ethiopia, Uganda, Annobon in Equatorial Guinea, and Iran. The internet is an essential tool for a spectrum of rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. Shutdowns make documenting ongoing human rights abuses and atrocities more difficult or impossible. They are also impactful on peoples daily lives, business, healthcare, education, finances, security, and safety, depending on the context. Shutdowns in conflict zones are particularly damaging, as they impact the ability of humanitarian actors to deliver aid and make it harder for people to find safe evacuation routes and civilian corridors.

Defenses on the ground are slim. Depending on the country and the type of shutdown, there can be workarounds. Everything, from VPNs to mesh networks to Starlink terminals to foreign SIM cards near borders, has been used with varying degrees of success. The tech-savvy sometimes have other options. But for most everyone in society, no internet means no internetand all the effects of that loss.

The international community plays an important role in shaping how internet shutdowns are understood and addressed. World bodies have recognized that reliable internet access is an essential service, and could put more pressure on governments to keep the internet on in conflict-affected areas. But while international condemnation has worked in some cases (Mauritius and South Sudan are two recent examples), countries seem to be learning from each other, resulting in both more shutdowns and new countries perpetrating them.

Theres still time to reverse the trend, if thats what we want to do. Ultimately, the question comes down to whether or not governments will enshrine both a right to access information and freedom of expression in law and in practice. Keeping the internet on is a norm, but the trajectory from a single internet shutdown in 2011 to 2,000 blackouts 15 years later demonstrates how embedded the practice has become. The implications of that shift are still unfolding, but they reach far beyond the moment the screen goes dark.

This essay was written with Zach Rosson, and originally appeared in Gizmodo.

Posted on December 17, 2025 at 7:02 AM  26 Comments
Three years ago, Thanh Truc, a 33-year-old woman from southern Vinh Long province, returned to Vietnam after working in Japan with savings of VND200 million (US$7,600). Today, she is preparing to leave again.

"I just dont know what to do at home anymore," she said. "I never expected things to be this difficult."

Before leaving Vietnam in 2016, Truc worked as an assistant beautician earning about VND5 million a month. As her parents health declined, financial pressure mounted, prompting her to take out a bank loan and apply for Japans Technical Intern Training Program.

She was accepted and placed at a component manufacturing factory in Aichi, Japan. By working overtime and benefiting from a strong yen, Truc earned between 150,000 and 160,000 yen (US$9541,017) per month. After covering living costs, she sent most of her income home and cleared her debts within six months. When her contract ended in late 2019, she returned to Vietnam confident her savings would allow her to renovate her home and open a beauty salon.

Reality proved harsher. She struggled to find work for months, and her cosmetology skills had become outdated during her time in factory work. Techniques, tools and design standards had changed significantly, and refresher courses were costly. Employers also favored younger workers.

As her savings dwindled, Truc moved to Ho Chi Minh City and took a job at a Japanese-owned packaging factory, hoping her language skills would give her an edge. Even with overtime, her monthly income topped out at about VND11 million, far below what she had earned in Japan.

"The work was physically exhausting," she said. "Sometimes I had to carry more than 10 kilograms at once. Its hard not to feel discouraged when comparing life here to life abroad."

By the end of 2023, still unable to find a sustainable path in Vietnam, Truc quit her job and reapplied for a visa to Japan.

Her experience is far from unique. A report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency shows that only 26.7% of Vietnamese returnees find stable employment after coming home, even when they return with savings of VND300500 million.

A joint study by the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration found that nearly 44% of returning migrants worldwide face difficulties securing jobs.

Assembly line workers at Dony Garment Vietnam, HCMC, August 2025. Photo by VnExpress/ Quynh Tran

Local surveys also point to high livelihood vulnerability among returnees, highlighting the need for stronger reintegration support.

Labor migration specialist Le Hong Phuong says Vietnamese workers returning from abroad often face three major challenges.

The first is the income and skills gap. Blue-collar workers in Vietnam typically earn VND810 million per month, about one-third of what they can make in Japan. Moreover, factory experience overseas rarely translates into the white-collar or skilled jobs many returnees hope for.

The second is psychological pressure. Returnees are often expected to succeed financially and live up to the image of having "made it" abroad, a burden that is heavier in rural areas with limited job opportunities.

The third risk is failed entrepreneurship. Many returnees pour their savings into small businesses or investments without sufficient knowledge, only to see them collapse. Phuong recalled one case in which a worker invested over VND1 billion in an electric vehicle shop that failed quickly, forcing him to return to Japan for manual labor.

Another example is Phan Van Thanh, 30, and his wife. After six years in Japan, the couple returned to Vietnam in mid-2023 with VND400 million, determined to work for themselves. Finding the food and beauty sectors overcrowded, they invested VND100 million in wedding decoration equipment.

"The deeper we got into it, the more overwhelmed we felt," Thanh said. "There was no profit at all."

To offset losses, he bought a car and drove for ride-hailing apps. With their savings nearly gone, the couple considered returning to Japan. Only after a year did the business begin to stabilize, though Thanh said: "Still, compared to my life abroad, things are much tougher."
Police have summoned a 34-year-old Russian woman for questioning after videos surfaced of her performing dangerous stunts on a high-capacity motorcycle, including kneeling and lying on the seat while riding on public roads.

The Traffic Police Department of Khanh Hoa Province, in coordination with the provincial Immigration Management Department, launched the probe to clarify the suspected violations which authorities say posed significant risks to other road users.

The investigation followed the circulation of social media videos three days prior, which depicted the woman wearing a short skirt that exposed her underwear and performing dangerous stunts, including kneeling and lying on the seat, while riding a large-displacement motorcycle on public roads.

During initial questioning, the woman admitted to performing these acts on several roads in Cam Lam Commune at various times in January and June of this year.

Police traced the ownership of the motorcycle through several transactions, determining it was originally owned by a local man before being sold to a shop in Ninh Hoa Ward. It was eventually purchased by a Russian man who gifted the vehicle to the suspect.

Because the stunts are seen as "disturbing public order," the Traffic Police Department has transferred the case file to the Criminal Police Department for further investigation. Authorities advised all residents and foreign nationals working in Vietnam to strictly comply with road traffic safety regulations and refrain from dangerous or offensive behavior on public thoroughfares.

The case mirrors a high-profile incident from earlier in 2024 involving Vietnamese model and actress Ngoc Trinh. She was sentenced by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court to a one-year suspended prison term for disturbing public order after performing similar stunts, including riding a Ducati hands-free and kneeling on the seat.
Terrorism continues to ravage the lives of millions across the Sahel and has spread and shifted southward. And we condemn in the strongest terms all attacks by terrorist organizations, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.



The United States remains concerned about the situation in Mali, in particular, and acknowledges the counterterrorism efforts of the Malian armed forces.



In Nigeria, the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians by various ethnic militias in the Middle Belt, as well as terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the north, is both tragic and unacceptable, said Ambassador Waltz. The mass abduction of students and teachers from religious schools in Nigeria is nothing short of barbaric. As President Trump has made clear, we cannot and will not stand by while such atrocities occur on a regular basis and without consequence.



That is why the United States is taking decisive action under a new policy that will allow the State Department to restrict visa issuances to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.



The kidnapping and killing of innocent Christians must end, as must terrorist violence against all Nigerian faith communities, stressed Ambassador Walz.



Following engagements with U.S. leadership the government of Nigeria has taken some steps to address these issues but much more remains to be done.



The United States calls for accountability for attacks perpetrated by al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists, ISIS-Sahel, ISIS-West Africa, Boko Haram, and all other terrorist groups operating in the region.



The U.S. urges the Sahelian states and their Coastal West African neighbors to set aside their differences and seek a coordinated response to terrorism, one that respects the rule of law and human rights, including military cooperation and intelligence sharing.



African leadership, with a coordinated response among all countries in the region, is critical. The United States, in turn, will continue to work with its regional partners to counter these common threats.



The United States is also closely following developments in Guinea Bissau and calls on all stakeholders to refrain from violence.



In Benin, the United States strongly condemns the acts of violence perpetrated against the government on December 7.



Finally, the crisis unfolding in Sudan continues to have far reaching impacts on peace and security in the Sahel. The United States calls on all belligerents in Sudan to immediately commit to and comply with a humanitarian truce without conditions. The people of Sudan cannot wait any longer. It is past time to end the violence.



It is time to work together to route the terrorists and seek peace and safety for the people of West Africa.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha reiterated the governments commitment to accessible justice, highlighting the establishment of courts up to the sub-division level across the state

Speaking at the sixth annual Legal Cell Conclave, Dr Saha emphasized the pivotal role of lawyers in nation-building, governance, and strengthening democracy

The Chief Minister noted that judicial expansion has reduced dependence on district headquarters, improved public access to justice, and generated employment opportunities within the legal ecosystem

The Hon'ble Chief Minister Sri Dr Manik Saha said on this occasion, Being a lawyer is not only a profession but also a significant mission, and the current government has established courts in every place so that justice can be delivered in the State.



The Supreme Court has directed that these special courts must conduct the trial within six days, failing which it would be declared void ab initio, Dr Saha said while unveiling the sixth annual Legal Cell Conclave, being organized by the



Opening the session, Dr Saha spoke of how our country has remained resolute despite numerous attacks on our culture and tradition from abroad. Earlier, the name of India was brought to the forefront through Swami Vivekananda. And now, through our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving ahead. There have been people like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Ram Jethmalani, and many such persons in India, associated with politics as experienced lawyers. Lawyers play a very important part in Indian politics. A black robe would only mean ornamentation to lawyers. This would be a cause of pride for you. Its time lawyers take their leading role to shape and develop India, as well as Tripura, he said.

Also Read: U.S. Supreme Court Allows Trump to Proceed with 1,400 Education Department Layoffs



The courts have been established in every place in the state so that justice can be delivered. Courts have been formed even up to the sub division level. Earlier, people had to come to Agartala or the district headquarters for trials. But now, people have got the same chance even at the sub division level. Even job opportunities are being generated. Not only lawyers, but even their assistants are also joining them. All people from various backgrounds are coming to the lawyers along with their problems. Even people come to them for problems related to home, murder, land problems, and so on. It is also very important to update themselves. Law and politics are always related, said Dr Saha.



While addressing the audience, Dr Saha also pointed out that lawyers need to deal with people from all levels of society. And now we are blessed with so great a Prime Minister and Home Minister. Now we are marching ahead in the direction shown to us by them. Now we are in the safe custody of reliable persons. Prime Minister Modi is increasing the power of the nation slowly and slowly. Earlier, there was just corruption and scandals everywhere", he continued.

At the meeting were the state vice-president of the Bhartiya Janata Party, lawyer Subal Bhowmik, BJP Legal Cell in-charge Dr Ashok Sinha, Convener Biswajit Deb, along with other lawyer members of Legal Cell.
In a year marked by unprecedented consolidation across global industries, the true measure of enterprise resilience no longer rests on traditional modernization programs. It now depends on whether organizations can integrate, automate, and govern their sprawling systems at a pace fast enough to preserve competitive advantage. According to industry analysts, 2025 is the year where platform engineering, AI autonomy, and governance by design stopped being parallel priorities and began converging into a unified discipline.

Few technologists represent this convergence more convincingly than Shravan Kumar Reddy Padur, whose work in automation-first post-merger IT integration and AI-augmented platform engineering has earned increasing recognition far beyond his home organization. From bridging monolithic ERP environments with generative AI to compressing merger integration timelines from quarters to weeks, his frameworks are becoming case studies for enterprises navigating complexity at scale.

The future will belong to organizations that integrate faster than they divide, Shravan says, offering a succinct summary of the decades most overlooked digital truth.

A New Playbook for Post-Merger Integration

Shravans landmark 2025 paper Automation-First Post-Merger IT Integration: From ERP Migration Challenges to AI-Driven Governance and Multi-Cloud Orchestration offered something the industry had been missing for years: a structured, automation-led way to harmonize newly merged enterprises. His three-phase approach of stabilization, integration, and optimization replaced piecemeal migration strategies with a measurable, audit-friendly operating model rooted in policy-as-code, AIOps telemetry, and generative AI planning agents.

What made his blueprint stand out were not just the technical components but the scale of its outcomes. Migrations that historically consumed entire fiscal quarters were now compressible into a matter of weeks. Multi-cloud workloads could be orchestrated and rationalized without breaking compliance chains. ERP landscapes could be merged into coherent, governable structures without halting business operations.

Yet the most compelling validation does not come from executives who worked with him, but from external experts who reviewed his approach independently.

According to a senior research director at a major global analyst firm specializing in AIOps and enterprise IT governance, Very few integration blueprints in the last decade have demonstrated a practical fusion of observability, automation, and AI reasoning at enterprise scale. Shravans automation-first PMI model stands out because it is realistic, testable, and replicable. It reduces timeline uncertainty by formalizing decisions that were once left to manual judgment.

That evaluation aligns with academic perspectives as well.

Dr. Helena Moritz, Professor of Distributed Systems Engineering at the University of Cambridge, examined Shravans integration diagrams and methodology as part of her 2025 study on post-acquisition digital transformation. What impressed me, she noted, was the systemic coherence. His architecture treats the merger not as an application migration problem, but as a distributed systems unification problem. The emphasis on policy propagation, identity reconciliation, and AI-mediated orchestration demonstrates an unusually mature grasp of autonomy in enterprise systems.

Dr. Moritzs review highlights a key differentiator. In Shravans framework, automation does not merely speed up tasks. It introduces a governance fabric that ensures compliance, performance, and business continuity without requiring constant human arbitration.

When ERP Became Predictive and Composable

Shravans February 2025 work on ERP modernization, The Future of Enterprise ERP Modernization with AI, argued that ERP had finally crossed a threshold. Once rigid systems of record, ERP platforms in 2025 now behave as systems of foresight. His analysis brought together generative copilots, composable architectures, and embedded machine learning to create a cohesive vision of next-generation enterprise operations.

In this model, ERP modules operate as Packaged Business Capabilities that continuously analyze data, interpret intent, and proactively guide decisions. Forecasting pipelines anticipate supply chain disruptions. HR systems evaluate workforce stability. Finance modules generate variance narratives and compliance explanations on demand.

A Fortune 500 CTO who reviewed Shravans ERP modernization framework described it as the first practical map for turning ERP from a liability into a strategic intelligence engine. Many organizations talk about autonomous ERP, but Shravans work is the first I have seen that outlines how to operationalize it without destabilizing the core.

The CTO emphasized that the value did not lie in AI alone but in the stitching together of governance, identity, lineage, and predictive logic. It is one thing to bolt AI onto an ERP. It is another to redesign the ERP experience around intelligence. His method does the latter.

The Maturity of AI-Augmented Platform Engineering

Shravans 2024 paper on AI-Augmented Platform Engineering already highlighted a shift in how enterprises approach developer productivity and operational trust. By 2025, platform engineering has matured into an executive priority, and his analysis has become especially prescient.

He predicted that platform engineering would serve as the organizational backbone for AI autonomy. Self-optimizing deployment pipelines, proactive configuration scanning, and conversational copilots now shape how developers interact with infrastructure. These capabilities are no longer optional. They are essential to reducing cognitive load and ensuring that compliance and governance scale as quickly as automation.

The industry analyst reinforces this point:

Platform engineering without AI in 2025 is incomplete. Shravans articulation of autonomous platform behaviors aligns closely with what leading enterprises are doing. It captures where the market is already heading.

This independent confirmation positions his contribution not as speculative but as aligned with evolving industry standards.

Agentic AI and the New Governance Reality

Shravans discussion of agentic AI in post-merger integration drew significant attention from academics and analysts alike. His prototypes demonstrated how AI agents can plan migration sequences, test rollback conditions, optimize workload placement, and verify compliance without human initiation. These agents operated within guardrails, ensuring that autonomy did not compromise oversight.

Dr. Moritz commented on this aspect.

Most enterprises today can automate tasks. Very few can automate reasoning. Shravans work demonstrates an early but meaningful step toward responsible agentic automation. It treats AI as a collaborator rather than an unchecked executor.

This nuance has become central to 2025s governance debates, where the challenge is not AI capability but AI accountability.

Cross-Industry Impact

As mergers accelerate in energy, manufacturing, finance, and healthcare, Shravans frameworks are gaining traction across industries. Not because enterprises want automation, but because they need predictability.

The Fortune 500 CTO emphasized this point:

In integration programs, predictability is everything. Shravans work reduces the duration guesswork and shifts IT from a risk center to a confidence center.

Global analyst groups echo this sentiment, noting that his approach provides a structured pathway for enterprises that historically lacked a repeatable integration discipline.

A Vision Anchored in Responsible Autonomy

Shravans philosophy for 2025 and beyond rests on a simple line: Autonomy without responsibility is chaos. Responsibility without autonomy is stagnation. The future belongs to the balance between the two.

This balance is the heart of his work. His frameworks emphasize policy controls, human oversight, explainability, and audit trails, ensuring that automation amplifies rather than overrides organizational governance.

His legacy is not defined by the systems he automated but by the trust his systems enabled.

Conclusion

With independent experts validating both the novelty and the feasibility of his frameworks, Shravan Kumar Reddy Padurs contributions in 2025 stand as some of the clearest examples of how autonomy, governance, and platform engineering can be unified in modern enterprise technology. What once took quarters now takes weeks. What once required manual coordination now operates within intelligent guardrails. And what once resembled chaos now follows a coherent architectural blueprint.

Shravan may describe himself simply as someone who builds systems that quietly do their job, but external analysts, academic leaders, and global technology executives see something more. They see an architect of confidence in an era that desperately needs it.
A salary account should work quietly in the background; it must receive pay on time, keep funds secure, and make day-to-day banking simple. With more banks digitising every step, setting up the right account from home is now straightforward if you know what to check, when to apply, and how to stay compliant.

In this article, you will explore who is eligible, documents to keep ready, the digital steps from start to finish, security checks, and practical tips relevant to employees in India.

Understanding the Process of Salary Account Opening Online

Most banks now let salaried employees complete the journey through a website or mobile app. The employer may suggest a partner bank, yet some organisations allow personal choice. Begin the salary account opening online journey only after confirming payroll timelines, so the first credit lands without delay. Expect a digital form, consent for data use, and KYC through video or in person if required.

Key points:

A salary account is a savings account used for monthly employer contributions.

If the salary is not credited for a few months, some banks may move it to a regular savings account.

Net banking, mobile banking, UPI, and a debit card are usually provided after activation.

Eligibility and Documents

Most requirements are straightforward for salaried individuals.

Keep these ready:

PAN and Aadhaar for identity and address

An additional address proof if the address on Aadhaar is not current

Employment proof such as an offer letter, employee ID, or recent payslip

A recent photograph for the records

Contact details that match your KYC documents

Store clear scans in a single folder to speed up uploads during the journey.

Step-by-Step Application

Here are the steps to follow:

Check Employer Rules: Confirm if your company mandates a specific bank or permits personal selection. Compare Essentials: Look at standard charges, digital banking reliability, and branch or ATM reach in your city. Start the Online Form: Enter personal, address, and employment details. Use the same spelling as your PAN and Aadhaar. Complete KYC: Most platforms support video KYC. Keep the original documents handy. If video KYC is not available for your case, a quick branch visit may be scheduled. Review and E-Sign: Read the terms, fee schedule, and data consent. Provide an e-signature when prompted. Share Details With HR: Once you receive the account number and IFSC, send them to HR before the payroll cutoff.

Safety and Compliance Checks

Here are the safety and compliance checks:

Access only the official bank site or verified app store listing

Create strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication

Register for SMS and email alerts on all transactions

Do not share OTPs or login details, even with callers claiming to be support staff

Keep PAN linkage active and update your address and phone after relocation

Practical Tips for Indian Employees

Here are the practical tips for indian employees:

Start the application at least one pay cycle before joining or changing roles

Use a private internet connection during KYC and form fill

Save soft copies of the welcome kit, account number, and IFSC in a secure folder

After activation, set UPI limits and card controls according to your usage

If changing jobs, tell HR early to avoid missed credits while the paperwork is updated

Conclusion

Opening a salary account online in 2025 is a clear, document-led process. Confirm your employers policy, keep KYC ready, follow the digital steps, and enable essential security alerts. For reference, explore reputable Indian banks on their official websites, including IDFC FIRST Bank.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A New Jersey man facing murder charges in a fatal crash nearly five years ago on Staten Island has pleaded guilty to resolve his case.

Prince Nesbitt-Hall, 23, of Rahway, copped to lesser charges of first-degree assault during a Dec. 8 court appearance. In exchange for his plea, hes scheduled to be sentenced to 17 years of incarceration and five years of post-release supervision.

A Manhattan-based defense attorney who was retained in the case did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.

Justice Alexander B. Jeong adjourned the case to Jan. 20 for sentencing. Per standard procedure, the defendant will first have to clear a pre-sentencing interview with a probation officer to assess his sincerity in accepting responsibility for the charges.

High rate of speed, authorities allege

On the evening of Feb. 16, 2021, Nesbitt-Hall was driving at a high rate of speed in a stolen, 2020 Honda Accord, authorities said.

He blew through a stop sign at the intersection of Elson Street and Lamberts Lane in Graniteville, where he crashed into a 2013 Mercedes-Benz, according to law enforcement officials.

Tragically, Nesbitt-Halls vehicle struck a fellow motorist traveling eastbound on Lamberts Lane, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon in a statement.

The defendant blew through a stop sign at the intersection of Elson Street and Lamberts Lane in Graniteville, where he crashed into a 2013 Mercedes-Benz, according to law enforcement officials. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

Authorities said that as officers in the area were searching for the defendant, he walked for 20 minutes to the 121st Precinct stationhouse, where he told officers he had been robbed. Thankfully, officers were dubious of the defendant, McMahon said.

Upon realizing officers had become suspicious, he then fled the stationhouse but was apprehended soon after and later charged in the crash, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported.

The defendant, meanwhile, already is serving a prison sentence in New Jersey. He was sentenced in January to seven years in prison for multiple offenses including a robbery in Essex County.

S.I. family in mourning

In the aftermath of the crash, authorities identified the victims as a married couple from Bulls Head  Shahzad Akhund, 70, and his wife Kauser Akhund, 68.

McMahon, in his statement, shared his condolences to the family of the victims.

While theres nothing we can do to bring back Kauser and Shahzad, we hope that the conclusion of this case brings peace and solace to their friends and loved ones, and we extend our deepest condolences to the entire Akhund family.

McMahon went on to commend NYPD officers, investigators and Assistant District Attorney Alva Prenga, chief of the vehicular crimes unit, for their efforts in securing a conviction.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Cynthia Mailman, an artist, feminist, preservationist and community champion hailed as a force of nature for her outspoken activism, died Friday night in Calvary Hospital, Brooklyn, two weeks shy of her 83rd birthday.

The cause of death was pancreatic cancer, her family said.

A longtime Stapleton resident, Ms. Mailman was a prolific artist known for figurative and landscape works done in a cool, pared-down style.

Born and raised in the Bronx, she graduated from the former School of Industrial Arts, now the High School of Art and Design, in Manhattan. She earned a bachelors degree in art and art education from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and later, an MFA at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

She taught in the New York City public school system, at the former Livingston College of Rutgers University and at Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York.

In 1979, Ms. Mailman was commissioned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to create a mural for the PATH concourse at the original World Trade Center station. Titled Commuter Landscape, the 54-foot painting was a view of the Pulaski Skyway through the train windows, seen by over 100,000 people a day.

The mural, which took a year to complete, was destroyed in the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Feb. 26, 1993.

As a founder and president of the Mud Lane Society for the Renaissance of Stapleton, Ms. Mailman fought against projects that threatened the historic integrity of the area, including a coal pipeline, a NASCAR racetrack and a sugar refinery.

She was equally vocal about womens rights and antisemitism.

Cynthia set the gold standard for neighborhood preservation and civic responsibility, said Kamillah Hanks, city Councilmember and a Stapleton neighbor who appreciated Ms. Mailman as a friend, mentor and supporter.

Once you met her, you could never forget her, said Staten Island artist Diane Matyas. Cynthia was bigger than life, with a powerful personality. She casts a long shadow as an artist and community member on Staten Island, and will be sorely missed.

Ms. Mailmans survivors include her husband of 60 years, Silver Sullivan; her brother-in-law, Dr. Philip Rosen, and a nephew, Julian Rosen. She was predeceased by her sister, Pamela Rosen, and her parents, Julius Mailman and Clara Russler Mailman.

A funeral service will take place Sunday at noon in Menorah Chapels, New Springville. Burial will be in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Queens.

A complete profile will follow in the Advance/SILive.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a piece of legislation Friday that wouldve restored some public access to police radio frequencies.

Police agencies around the nation, including the NYPD, have moved to encrypt their radio frequencies in recent years blocking public access, including that of the media.

The bill Hochul vetoed wouldve required New York law enforcement agencies to make their frequencies available, at the agencies discretions, to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Hochuls veto memo, reported by Syracuse.com, cited public safety concerns in explaining why the governor struck down the bill.

In a time when public officials face growing threats of extreme violence, the bill also requires a police agency to effectively make real-time disclosure of the officials movements to bloggers and paparazzi in addition to more traditional journalists, Hochul wrote in the memo.

Media across New York City, including the Advance/SILive.com, admonished the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams after it opted to encrypt its radio frequencies citing similar safety concerns.

Traditionally, media outlets relied on those radio frequencies to report on crime and emergency responses helping to better inform the public of what was happening in their neighborhoods. The FDNY radio frequencies remain unencrypted.

Despite the opposition, Hochuls veto largely puts to rest the state legislatures efforts to roll back law enforcement encryption efforts as the legislation did not pass with veto-proof majorities.

Staten Islands state elected officials voted for the legislation on party lines with Democrats  State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who represents the North Shore, and North Shore Assemblymember Charles Fall  backing the bill and Republicans  State Sen. Andrew Lanza, who represents the South Shore, the Mid-Islands Assemblymemner Sam Pirozzolo, the South Shores Assemblymember Michael Reilly, and the East Shores Assemblymember Michael Tannousis  voting against it.

A similar bill passed the City Council Thursday.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  For the first time in recent memory, the future of the Park Hill Apartments is bright.

After decades of enduring inadequate, unsanitary living conditions, the more than 1,000 Staten Islanders who call the eight-building complex home will soon see their apartments receive a major facelift.

On Monday, various local elected officials gathered outside 180 Park Hill Avenue to announce a change in ownership and massive $165 million rehabilitation project coming to the apartment complex.

For far too long, the residents of Park Hill have been forced to live with neglect, disrepair, and conditions no community should ever have to accept. From day one in office, I made it clear this was unacceptable. I worked alongside my colleagues in government to ensure that these conditions would no longer be ignored, said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, who has been among the driving forces in advocating for the rehabilitation of the apartments.

The project will be led by the apartments new ownership group  a joint venture of The Arker Companies, L+M Development Partners and LIHC Investment Group  which has rehabilitated tens of thousands of affordable housing units across the five boroughs in recent years.

These rehabilitation efforts and new leadership will not only give Park Hill families long-overdue peace of mind; they will fully transform every building so residents can feel comfortable remaining in their homes for the long-term, said State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

The previous owner of the eight-building apartment complex, Michael Shah, who is the founder and CEO of DelShah Capital, confirmed the change in ownership to the Advance/SILive.com.

Delshah Capital is no longer the owner of Park Hill Apartments. It was sold to the best affordable housing developers in the city. They will be handling the project in its entirety and we will not have any involvement going forward, Shah said in an emailed statement.

Shah had previously told the Advance/SILive.com that a rehabilitation project was in the works, but had not mentioned that it would include a change in ownership.

This photo from Oct. 17, 2023, shows an aerial look at the Park Hill Apartments in Clifton. Jason Paderon

The project will receive funding from all levels of government, including $98.5 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, $50 million from New York State Homes and Community Renewals Multifamily Preservation Program and federal support through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For too long we battled with the previous owners on behalf of our constituents who were subjected to subpar living conditions. These improvements are necessary and long overdue and we look forward to seeing these capital projects completed, said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.

The rehabilitation will bring significant improvements to each unit, including new kitchens, bathrooms, radiators, flooring and windows, as well as updated electrical wiring and plumbing enhancements.

Other building-level improvements include lobby renovations, boiler overhauls, elevator work, facade repairs, improved security measures and increased handicap accessibility.

As a team with deep experience in affordable housing preservation, we are committed to delivering quality homes that Park Hill families deserve. This rehabilitation will address critical building systems and quality of life conditions while preserving affordability for the long-term, said Dan Moritz, principal at The Arker Companies, which is based in Roslyn, N.Y.

The project is expected to begin next month and take roughly two years to complete, according to Simon Bacchus, director of development for The Arker Companies.

Bacchus noted that this is a tenant in place rehabilitation, meaning the vast majority of residents will be able to remain in their apartments while the work is being done. There may, however, be a few exceptions when tenants would be temporarily relocated to facilitate accessibility enhancements.

The new owners plan to hold resident engagement meetings early next year to engage tenants and provide a more concrete timeline for the project.

Alasha Murray, who has lived at Park Hill for five years, said shes reached out about issues at the apartment complex numerous times and is excited that change is finally coming.

I have a cleaning business and I go to other developments and seeing the differences really affected me, said Murray. It affected me because I feel like I wasnt doing enough for my community. I had to stand up and I had to show face for the other residents to let them know that its okay to voice your concerns. Its okay to reach out for help because we cant do it by ourselves.

Members of Citizen Action and the residents of the Park Hill Apartment complex in Clifton protest the living conditions on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Conditions at Park Hill

The rehabilitation of the 1,100-unit development is much-needed, with residents having long complained about substandard living conditions in the buildings.

Just this year, the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development has issued more than 1,200 violations across the complex in 2025 for varying conditions. The most consistent violations are for things like pest problems; faulty or missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; broken windows and doors; and mold or unsanitary water conditions.

In a June tour of one of the Park Hill buildings, longtime resident Olga Navarro told the Advance/SILive.com that shes never seen the building in worse condition than it is now during her 30 years living there.

Olga Navarro, a longtime resident of the Park Hill development gives a tour of her building's conditions on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta)

Navarro, who lives at 280 Park Hill Ave., alleged that previous ownerships unwillingness to address longstanding issues had led to an almost untenable situation.

Specifically, the longtime tenant pointed to unsanitary conditions throughout her buildings common areas, leaky pipes and a long, filled-in strip between 280 and 260 Park Hill Ave., an apparent leftover from prior gas line work.

Additionally, Navarro said accessibility has been a growing problem as many long-time tenants age at the development with handicap ramps only in the back of their buildings and elevators that go in and out of service.

Other issues noticed during a tour of the complex in early June included broken mail boxes in the lobby of 280 Park Hill Ave., non-functioning security systems, and peeling ceiling paint.
Megan Coppola, owner of Beans and Leaves Coffee and Tea Cafe, spreads joy across Staten Island every day in the form of specialty coffees, funky waffles and a big, bright smile when you walk in the door of her cozy haven.

A native Staten Islander and lifelong West Brighton resident, Coppola has been involved in the Forest Avenue business district since she was just 16, when she began working for the former Coffee and Tea Market, previously located at 422 Forest Ave. For six years, Coppola worked as a barista at Coffee and Tea Market while she finished high school at Notre Dame Academy and continued on to college at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where she majored in Display and Exhibit Design and Fabric Styling.

I loved working at Coffee and Tea Market, and the owner, Angela Matalas, eventually became a mentor of mine, says Coppola. It was my home away from home and where I felt most comfortable and like myself. I loved what I did, and I knew that I was good at it. I never wanted to leave.

Upon graduating from FIT, Coppola shifted gears and immediately entered the corporate sphere, becoming a Senior Product Manager at Horizon Group USA, where she had interned the previous summer. At Horizon Group USA, one of the countrys leading suppliers of craft activity kits, Coppola worked on product development, primarily focusing on product sourcing from manufacturers overseas.

After about five years at Horizon Group USA, Coppola left her corporate job to become a full-time mom. A few months later, while taking a walk in her neighborhood, Coppola noticed a vacant storefront at 422 Forest Ave. I thought to myself, Why is there a dumpster in front of Coffee and Tea Market? and then I immediately pulled over, jumped out of my car, and started crying. It was there one day and gone the next, reminisces Coppola.

At that point, I knew in my gut that I wanted to try and push forward with my own store, so I called my husband and told him what happened, and he said, Well, thats it. Youve gotta open up the shop. Thats how Beans and Leaves was born, says Coppola. We used all of our savings to put toward the store, and my family and I threw everything into it.

Occupying the very same spot as the original Coffee and Tea Market, Beans and Leaves Coffee and Tea Cafe officially opened its doors on May 3, 2012 and quickly earned its spot on Forest Avenue as a fan favorite. Becoming recognizable with their rotating flavor of the day and friendly staff members, Beans and Leaves grew in popularity as regulars came for the coffee and stayed for the company. Coppola poured love into Beans and Leaves from day one, hiring, training and nurturing employees who would continue to work there for years to come.

When you create an environment that you enjoy coming to every day, and you find other people who are on that same wavelength, you make friends who become your family, emphasizes Coppola. I have one employee, Nicky, who has been working with me since the day that I opened, and I have another, Kristin, who has been here for nearly 12 years. She came to me as a barista and has stayed with me through it all, and I would not love what I do as much as I do if it werent for her.

As Beans and Leaves grew, so did its footprint, eventually expanding next door to 424 Forest Ave. to widen its menu, open up more seating, and offer catering. Going viral for waffles smothered in various candies, cereals, and syrups, Beans and Leaves began to attract people from outside the neighborhood as well, developing a loyal following beyond the limits of West Brighton. On busier days, the line could stretch out the door with people happily waiting for their iced flavor or hungry man waffle.

The people that helped to open my doors in 2012 are the same people sitting at my tables today, stresses Coppola. They are the heartbeat of Beans.

In December 2022, Coppola partnered with longtime Beans and Leaves chef, Danielle Bianchi, to open a second location at 4916 Arthur Kill Rd. I had been wanting to open another location for a little while, and when I found the spot on Arthur Kill, I knew it was the right space, says Coppola. Danielle told me that she would be interested in partnering with me, so we opened Arthur Kill together, and weve had a lot of the same staff since we started.

Outgrowing its original and expanded space at 422 Forest Ave. in 2025, Beans and Leaves moved across the street to 409 Forest Ave. in a matter of just four days, making sure not to leave their fans without their Beans fix for too long. Coppola and her staff transformed the new space seamlessly and efficiently, perfecting their new system as if they never switched locations.

In crafting Beans and Leaves, Coppola has created not only a trusted and successful brand but also a tight-knit and loving community that shines through every cup of coffee and every story shared. Coppolas dedication to the community that she has built is undeniable, extending far beyond the stores physical limits.

Well donate to anyone who comes our way who is in need, emphasizes Coppola. We love to give back to the schools, especially because theyve been so supportive of us over the years.

Coppola is also the chair of the Board of Directors for the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District (BID). A BID is an area where local stakeholders oversee and fund the maintenance, improvement, and promotion of their commercial district. As an active member of the Forest Avenue BID, Beans and Leaves frequently hosts community events in partnership with the BID.

However, at the heart of Coppolas work is her family, which motivates her to be the business leader that she is. Beans and Leaves is like my fourth child, but I couldnt do any of this without my supportive family, says Coppola. They helped me build Beans, and I wouldnt be here today without them.

For her accomplishments, Megan Coppola is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which she will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.

At the end of the day, I just have the desire to do good things, spread good things, and encourage good things, says Coppola. I can only hope that my small contributions help to make our community a better place.

Get to know Megan Coppola

Current occupation and title: Cafe owner and travel advisor

Hometown: West Brighton, born and raised

Some of my life goals include: Raising my three children to be good humans that are kind, compassionate and driven by their hearts.

My life philosophy: It takes more energy to be angry than it does to be happy. At the end of the day, you have to look yourself in the mirror and know if the person staring back is a good person. And personally, Id rather look at someone that I know is a good person with the best of intentions, rather than someone that is not.

I am most proud of: Being a mom of three that is present for her family, while also running multiple successful businesses. My goal was to always prioritize my family, and somehow, with the help of many, I have managed to make it happen.

Something that no one knows about me: Ive been more open about it in recent years, but I have terrible anxiety, including social anxiety, which to some is laughable. But if you hear me start talking about the weather, Im in bad shape. Disney is often my therapy.

The quality I like best about myself: My heart. Even on my hardest days, I recognize that I am a good person and that, despite that it sometimes gets me hurt, I wouldnt change my decisions in the situation, because it is just who I am.

Personal interests and hobbies: I love to travel, read and all things Disney!

I laugh at: I laugh most often when with my friends and telling stories about our past antics. Impractical Jokers gets me every time and I love listening to Eric DAlessandros impersonations.

I am really good at: Being present for the people I care about.

I admire: Honesty. My household rule is that as long as you are honest, we can get through anything. There is no greater betrayal to me, than a lie.
A recently passed piece of legislation in New York City could soon lead to more street vendor licenses, according to a report from Gothamist.

The New York City Council recently voted to pass a bill that would add more street vendor licenses over the next five years, Gothamist reports.

In total 2,200 additional licenses for food vendors and 10,500 licenses for merchandise vendors would be added starting next summer, according to the outlet.

The bill passed during the final City Council meeting of 2025 and currently is awaiting the signature of the mayor.

Should Mayor Eric Adams not sign the legislations, it will still become law if not vetoed within 30 days, Gothamist reports.
FORT COVINGTON  The Salmon River Central School District Board of Education said it has launched an investigation into the conduct of school administrators following allegations of student mistreatment in the district.

In a statement to media Thursday, the board said that earlier this week, it was made aware of allegations from parents concerning restraint and seclusion in the form of wooden boxes used as calming stations at district schools.

The board said it has now launched an independent investigation to be conducted by a law firm, which began Thursday, to objectively review the circumstances.

The board is also cooperating with a New York State Department of Education investigation.

After learning of the allegations, the board at its Dec. 17 meeting reassigned Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stanley Harper to home duties, pending the full investigation.

Salmon River Director of Special Education Allen Gravell, St. Regis Mohawk School Principal Alison Benedict and elementary school teacher Karrie Haverstock were placed on administrative leave by the district until further notice, the board said.

The board has also been informed the representatives from NYSED Office of Special Education will be conducting a monitoring site visit this week to confirm the removal of all boxes.

The state DOE will also conduct a subsequent site visit to ensure alternative, appropriate calming spaces are available for students that comply with state regulations, the board said.

The entire Salmon River Central School District Board of Education expressed its deepest regret for the situation, and vows to support meaningful, actionable changes to ensure that situations like this never occur again.

The Board of Education extends its sincere apology to our students, families and community members who have been deeply affected by the ongoing situation. We recognize the pain, concern and distress these events have caused, and we are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community, Board President Jason Brockway said in a statement.

We want to be clear: The circumstances surrounding these allegations do not reflect the values and standards of care that guide this district. The Board of Education is committed to ensuring that every student is treated with dignity, respect and compassion, and that our schools are safe, supportive environments for all learners.

We acknowledge how this situation has evoked very deep emotions. We understand that, for many in our community, this incident has reopened historical wounds and trauma connected to the mistreatment of Native children. We hear you. We are humbled by the public response, and we feel the pain and fear expressed by our community.

Brockway said this investigation will be thorough, impartial and taken with the utmost seriousness, and the district will fully cooperate with the state DOE investigation .

The Board is fully committed to accountability and to implementing corrective actions as warranted by the findings, Brockway said.

We will continue to keep the community informed throughout the investigation process, recognizing that rebuilding trust requires sustained action, not words alone.

Out of caution for student and staff safety, classes at Salmon River schools shifted to remote learning Thursday to allow time for the investigation to begin.

State Sen. Dan Stec said he was appalled about the news of Salmon River Central School Districts timeout box and reached out to local and state officials about the matter.

This week, I have been in contact with St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief Mike Connors and have spoken at length with state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa. I appreciate the state Department of Education taking immediate, decisive action and reiterated that the actions of Salmon River school officials is utterly unacceptable, Stec said in a statement.

The use of restraint and seclusion in schools should not have ever happened. There must be a thorough investigation and accountability, and Ive been reassured by Commissioner Rosa that that will happen.
Customers dine at the first McDonald's restaurant in northwest China's Qinghai Province located in the Haihu New District of Xining, the provincial capital, Dec. 21, 2025. Fast-food giant McDonald's opened its first restaurants in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province this weekend, extending the brand's presence to all provincial-level regions of the Chinese mainland. (Xinhua/Xie Tongqiang)

XINING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Fast-food giant McDonald's opened its first restaurants in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province this weekend, extending the brand's presence to all provincial-level regions of the Chinese mainland.

On Saturday, McDonald's announced its entry into Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, with the opening of three restaurants in the city's core business districts.

The first McDonald's store in Qinghai opened on Sunday in the Haihu New District of Xining, the provincial capital. The drive-through restaurant spans a total floor area of over 700 square meters and has more than 200 seats.

McDonald's officially entered the Chinese mainland market in October 1990, opening its first restaurant in Shenzhen in the southern Guangdong Province. In 2017, the company entered a strategic partnership with CITIC Limited, CITIC Capital and the Carlyle Group.

Data from McDonald's China shows that as of November 2025, McDonald's had opened over 7,500 restaurants in more than 280 prefecture-level cities on the Chinese mainland, employing over 200,000 people.

This photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows the first McDonald's restaurant in northwest China's Qinghai Province located in the Haihu New District of Xining, the provincial capital.

Fast-food giant McDonald's opened its first restaurants in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province this weekend, extending the brand's presence to all provincial-level regions of the Chinese mainland. (Xinhua/Xie Tongqiang)

Customers visit the first McDonald's restaurant in northwest China's Qinghai Province located in the Haihu New District of Xining, the provincial capital, Dec. 21, 2025.

Fast-food giant McDonald's opened its first restaurants in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province this weekend, extending the brand's presence to all provincial-level regions of the Chinese mainland. (Xinhua/Xie Tongqiang)

Editor: Xiong Jian
The super flu strain now spreading widely around the country has many global health experts worried that it will be particularly severe.

The newest strain, a version of the influenza A(H3N2) virus, has mutations that were not present in the strains of the 2025-2026 seasonal flu vaccine, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Experts said time will tell how important the mutations are in preventing optimal efficacy of this years vaccine.

The nations hospitalization rate went up by 14.3 % as of Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flu is spreading especially quickly in New York, Louisiana and Colorado, The Hill reported Friday. New Jersey and Rhode Island are also seeing high rates of the flu, as of the latest data from Dec. 13. Georgia, New Mexico, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland and Washington, D.C., have elevated hospital visits for flu symptoms, The Hill reported.

The flu will continue to spread between now and February in every state to varying degrees, according to medical experts.

The super flu strain is called subclade K and early sampling of flu cases show that 90% of influenza A viruses were positive for the strain.

The New York City Health Department recommends that most people get the flu vaccine early each year, in the fall, though people can continue to be vaccinated as long as the flu is circulating in the community  even into the late spring.

Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and occasionally vomiting or diarrhea, according to the CDC.

While most people get better in a few days or a couple of weeks, some complications, like pneumonia, can be deadly.
Take that, Nick.

And that goes for you too, Jen Psaki.

Vice President JD Vance didnt mince words when firing back after white supremacist Nick Fuentes and MS NOW host Jen Psaki had separately taken aim at the veeps wife, Usha Vance.

Let me be clear. Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat st, Vance told UnHerd in an interview that was published on Sunday.

The veep continued: Thats my official policy as vice president of the United States.

Fuentes has called Vance a race traitor for marrying Usha Vance, the daughter of two immigrants from India.

Fuentes has also used hateful terms to describe the Second Lady.

Who is this guy, really? Do we really expect that the guy who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek is going to support white identity? Fuentes said after Vance was selected to be President Donald Trumps running mate.

Psaki, from lefty MS NOW cable network, in October said that Usha Vance needed to be rescued from the vice president.

I always wonder whats going on in the mind of [Vances] wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here. Well save you, Psaki said on the Ive Had It podcast, per the New York Post.

Vance in the UnHerd interview also hit out at bigots on the right.

Antisemitism and all forms of ethnic hatred have no place in the conservative movement, the vice president said. Whether youre attacking somebody because theyre white or because theyre black or because theyre Jewish, I think its disgusting.
A top Republican appears to be seriously eyeing a run for the White House in 2028, which would put him on a collision course with Vice President JD Vance, the Washington Post reported.

Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, said that he believes that his longtime friend, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, is seriously eyeing a run for the presidency.

During a meeting in Washington, D.C., in November, Cruz, who has given a number of speeches decrying antisemitism in the GOP, told Klein he had been fielding requests from people urging him to seek the White House in 2028.

Cruz, Klein said, came across as someone seriously considering such a run.

Two additional sources confirmed that Cruz is weighing what would be his second presidential bid.

Cruz failed to gain the GOP nod in 2016, when Donald Trump won the Republican Party nomination and the White House.

The Washington Post said that Cruz in recent months has positioned himself as a voice for a more traditional, interventionist GOP foreign policy.

The senator has also called on the GOP to separate itself from former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, whom Cruz has said is injecting the poison of antisemitism into the Republican Party.

Cruz has also criticized Vance, a close ally of Carlson, to Republican donors, two people familiar with the senators comments told the Pose.

Cruz has also said that Vances foreign policy views are dangerously isolationist.

Vance is widely expected to seek the GOP nomination for president in 2028. President Trump has said that a ticket of Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be potent.

Vance widely leads polling on the race for the GOP nod for the White House. The veep is also the favorite of gamblers placing bets on the 2028 race on legal wagering sites.

Can Ted help craft or meld together the traditional Republican approach with the new reality of what the Republican Party is now? said Daron Shaw, a political science professor at the University of Texas who overlapped with Cruz as a staffer on George W. Bushs presidential campaign. Its a heavy lift.
Advertisement

Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Pacgold hits high-grade antimony at St George Brought to you by Bulls N Bears Doug Bright December 22, 2025  3:33pm 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

ASX-listed Pacgold has kicked off maiden drilling at its St George gold-antimony project in north Queensland with early results intersecting multiple thick zones of high-grade mineralisation just below surface. The company said initial assays from the first two reverse circulation holes of a nine-hole program have confirmed extensions of high-grade antimony mineralisation beneath historic workings. Drill rig in action at Pacgold Limiteds St George antimony project in northern Queensland. Highlights included an 8-metre intersection grading 2.3 per cent antimony from 16 metres downhole, containing a one-metre spike of 11.9 per cent antimony, alongside a further 3 metres at 3.7 per cent antimony deeper in the same hole. A second hole delivered another 8 metres at 2.3 per cent antimony from surface, including 2 metres at 8.2 per cent antimony.

Advertisement

The numbers come from just two holes, with assays pending from the remaining seven holes drilled across the prospect. Importantly, these results sit within a rapidly emerging, province-scale antimony opportunity. Pacgold Limited managing director Matthew Boyes The program was designed as a first-pass test of down-dip extensions beneath extremely high-grade antimony and gold surface samples developed along quartz veins over about one kilometre of strike at the historic St George mine. Drilling at St George was completed in late November for a modest 826 metres across nine holes. Despite the limited scale, the early hits appear to have validated managements thesis that the old workings represent only the shallow expression of a much larger mineralised system that has barely been tested below surface. Pacgold Limited managing director Matthew Boyes said: The maiden drilling results at St George are an excellent validation of the projects antimony potential, confirming extensions of high-grade antimony mineralisation below surface and demonstrating strong continuity within multiple mineralised structures. Intersections from the first two holes reinforce our view that the historic St George workings represent part of a much larger mineralised system that remains almost completely untested.

Advertisement

Beyond the individual intersections, the broader geological setting is where the story starts to stretch its legs. St George sits within a major north-northwest trending structural corridor that also hosts the Fence and Ridgeline gold-antimony prospects. Together, the three prospects form part of a mineralised belt extending for more than 20 kilometres of strike across Pacgolds tenement package. Recent soil geochemistry and rock chip samples across Fence and Ridgeline have already outlined extensive antimony and gold anomalies that remain untested. Several of those targets sit along the same structural corridor as St George, suggesting the early drilling success may not be an isolated event. The strategic angle is hard to ignore. Pacgold says antimony prices outside China are hovering around US$50,000 (A$75,000) per tonne, reflecting acute supply constraints and growing demand driven by energy transition technologies and military applications. Western supply of the metal is limited too and any project showing scale and grade is likely to draw close scrutiny. Notably, the St George project is still at a very early stage. No mineral resources have yet been declared and the current drilling is best viewed as a proof-of-concept program rather than anything approaching development-ready work.

Advertisement

However, the geometry of the mineralisation, the shallow nature of the intercepts and the presence of multiple high-priority targets along strike have all combined to give Pacgold plenty of running room. With assays from seven additional holes due early in the new year, management has flagged geological modelling as the next step before designing follow-up drilling. Heritage clearances and approvals are also being progressed to allow drill programs at Fence and Ridgeline, while surface sampling continues across the broader tenement package. St George is not the only iron in the fire for Pacgold. The companys flagship Alice River gold project, also in north Queensland, spans a large intrusion-related gold system with geological similarities to major international deposits. In South Australia, Pacgold has added a new dimension by acquiring the White Dam gold operation, complete with open pits, a heap leach facility, and a processing plant, providing a potential pathway to near-term cash flow to fund ongoing exploration.

Advertisement

For now, however, attention remains firmly on St George. The maiden drilling has done what it needed to do  confirmed grade, continuity and depth potential. If the next batch of assays back up the early numbers and the broader corridor continues to light up, the historic antimony mine that kicked off this program may prove to be just the opening chapter. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears

Sharemarket

Shares
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Red Metal Limited has strengthened its position in Western Australias emerging Madura copper province after striking a joint venture (JV) deal designed to fast-track drilling at its highly prospective Sharon Dam iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) target.

Under the agreement, Artemis Resources can earn up to a 60 per cent interest in Red Metals Sharon Dam project by spending more than $5 million over three years, providing Red Metal with a clear pathway to advance the asset while limiting shareholder dilution.

Location of the Sharon Dam project- subject of the new Red Metal JV with Artemis.

The JV kicks off with an initial $400,000 drilling program, which will be jointly supported by a $220,000 grant from the Western Australian Governments Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). The funding support materially lowers Red Metals upfront exploration costs and de-risks the first drill test of what the company believes is a standout IOCG target.

Importantly, Artemis has the option to continue earning its interest by meeting the agreed expenditure milestones or withdraw from the agreement at any stage, leaving Red Metal with flexibility and retained exposure to exploration success.
Advertisement

CultureArt & designReview Standing on giants: A new generation rises at the National Indigenous Art Triennial Alex Burchmore December 23, 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

Marking almost two decades since the inaugural National Indigenous Art Triennial  Brenda L. Crofts Culture Warriors (2007-08)  After the Rain, the fifth show in the series, is an exhibition dedicated to reflection, the forging of new connections, and a celebration of legacy. Artistic Director Tony Albert acknowledges the influence of Crofts curatorial vision in his opening wall text, sparking a familiar and inviting dialogue with this and other precedents, as well as with viewers, which continues throughout the exhibition. This feels in many ways like a passing of the torch to a new generation  Albert and five of the participating artists were born after 1980. The work of the two youngest contributors, Aretha Brown (b.2000) and Dylan Mooney (b.1995)  focusing on the role that public art can play in encouraging a self-reflexive critique of entrenched injustices and a celebration of queer love among people of colour, respectively  establishes a clear Gen Z presence. Tony Albert, artistic director of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial in front of House of Namatjira. Alex Ellinghausen Yet these generational legacies are not presented as a one-way street. We stand today on foundations laid by giants, Albert reminds us, those like-minded people who have fought incredibly hard for our opportunities. In addition to Croft, the late Birri Gubba and Darumbal artist Gordon Bennett (1955-2014) is cited as a guiding inspiration for Browns The Teach Blak History Project. The dazzling House of Namatjira, at the exhibitions heart, pays tribute not only to the incomparable Albert Namatjira (1902-59) but also to the Hermannsburg Potters and Iltja Ntjarra artists who continue to build on his example. Elsewhere in the exhibition, Alair Pambegan (b.1966), Naminapu Maymuru-White (b.1952), and Thea Anamara Perkins (b.1992) each dedicate their work to the memory of a close family member. Pambegans spectacular installation Kalben-aw story place of Wuku and Mukam the flying fox brothers pays homage to his father, artist Arthur Kooekka Pambegan Jr (1936-2010), who notably featured in Culture Warriors. Maymuru-Whites Miliyawuy (Milky Way) invites us to share the knowledge of the stars she learned from her fathers younger brother Narritjin, and which it is now her responsibility to keep alive and teach to her children. Finally, Perkins deeply affectionate tribute to her family in Still I Rise explores the blurring of public and private roles in the illustrious lives of her mother, curator and writer Hetti Perkins, and grandfather, activist Charles Perkins (1936-2000).

Advertisement

Editor's pick Indigenous art Eighty years ago, Albert Namatjira built a house in the desert. Now it has been recreated The turning of generations is presented in these works, and in After the Rain as a whole, as an ongoing conversation between the present, a still living past, and a future that remains open to change. Those who came before have not only laid a foundation for those who follow, but continue to embody an ethical example of responsible and respectful co-existence. Pambegan dramatises the disastrous consequences of refusing to heed the Elders, capturing in red, white, and black ochre the metamorphosis of two men who indiscriminately butchered a colony of flying foxes and were subsequently transformed into the same animal. Jimmy John Thaiday (b.1978), in his captivating video and sculptural installation Just Beneath the Surface, envisions a comparable embodied identification with the Waumer (Frigatebird) of the Torres Strait, as well as with the marine life forced to endure rising sea temperatures and the snares of ghost nets abandoned by careless fishing trawlers. Alair Pambegan with his installation dramatising the fate of two men who butchered a flying fox colony. Alex Ellinghausen Warraba Weatherall (b.1987), too, compels us to acknowledge the wounds inflicted on both the world around us and the bodies of those who dwell within that world, including ourselves and our loved ones. Mother-Tongue, a haunting installation of stainless-steel mortuary tables, centres a Kamilaroi understanding of the equivalence between our anatomy and that of a tree  legs as trunk, arms as branches, and tongues as leaves  dissected and desecrated by the ongoing atrocities of exploitative and extractive regimes. A parallel equivalence is also central to Thaidays work, in which shots of the artists body in extreme close-up are paired with aerial perspectives of polluted ocean waters and bleached coral reefs.

Advertisement

The watery theme of Just Beneath the Surface is echoed in Mooneys towering yet affectionate digital portraits of queer couples in the adjoining space. Diverse in appearance and desire, the lovers immortalised in his Resilience in Bloom are nevertheless united by their adornment with iridescent drops of water, described in the accompanying caption as glistening jewels, sweat and tears, highlighting the entanglement of the personal and political. Such nods to the exhibitions underlying theme are picked up again, and even more explicitly, by Grace Kemarre Robinya (b.1942) and Yarrenyty Arltere Artists in Kukawarra kwatja, pmara nhanhanama marra inthurra, soft rain, strong Country. Both Robinyas paintings in acrylics on canvas and Yarrenyty Arltere Artists fabric sculptures rejoice in the elemental power of rain, as a life-sustaining and transformative force for Culture and Country. Beautiful Ulkumanu (old woman), after the rain, a composite avatar of maternal protection rising from sewing machine feet and carrying a bumper harvest of kangaroo tails and bush tobacco, stands with that good feeling ... for what is going to grow and come and be re-born ... looking after Country, looking after family. Connecting the sky above, the land below and the oceans in between, rainfall is identified as a recurring motif and animating theme for the exhibition. Editor's pick Spectrum From Gangnam Style to 1300: Why Korean pop culture has taken over the world At first glance, the installations commissioned for After the Rain seem relatively independent. Each artist brings their own deeply personal vision, offering an eclectic range of responses to Alberts guiding premise. As visitors move through the space and engage with both the works on display and the generous accompanying texts, however, moments of resonance like those outlined above emerge, softly at first, then ever more impermeably. The rain brings the flood, crisis and devastation, but also fosters new growth and soothes open wounds. The rain brings cleansing and renewal, mingling the sweat, blood, and tears of the past with the hopes of the present and the promise of the future. Above all, the rain brings us together, individual drops accumulating into a roaring torrent that will engulf and uplift all in its path. The 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain is at the National Gallery Australia, Canberra, until April 26. Dr Alex Burchmore is an art historian at the Australian National University, Canberra, specialising in the study of Chinese art.
Advertisement

CultureTheatreReview Critic John Shand saw more than 50 shows this year. Here are his five favourites John Shand December 23, 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

Toby Schmitzs performance in Grief Is the Thing with Feathers was inspired. Brett Boardman Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, Belvoir St Theatre A mere handful of the thousands of shows Ive seen have burned themselves permanently into my brain. They include Peter Brooks A Midsummer Nights Dream, Roy Dotrice in Brief Lives, Steven Berkoffs Salome and Neil Armfields Cloudstreet. This list seldom expands, but last year it added Damien Ryans searing performance as the protagonist in Sport for Joves Timon of Athens at Leura Everglades, and this year it added Grief Is the Thing with Feathers. Director Simon Phillips, designer Nick Schlieper and actor Toby Schmitzs adaptation of Max Porters prize-winning novel exploded upon the Belvoir stage: luminous, dark, funny, mind-expanding, poetic and desperately moving.

Advertisement

Schmitzs character, Dad, faces his wifes sudden death while writing a book about the poet Ted Hughes. In his anguish, hes visited by Crow (a creature from Hughes), also played by Schmitz: a black-clad bovver boy with a slender kind streak, who guides Dad and his two young sons (Philip Lynch and Fraser Morrison) towards a pin-spot of hope. Schmitz was inspired, flitting between Dad with the holed heart, desperately trying to function as a father, and Crow, who made us laugh as he saved Dad from disappearing down an overflowing drain of grief. The performances, operating on a plane far above pedestrian naturalism, fitted hand-in-claw with the design and music, bringing to life one of the new centurys great novels as a theatrical and emotional tour-de-force. A little bird has told me it will be back in 2027. Harvey Zielinski and Kat Stewart with David Whiteley and Emily Goddard in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Prudence Upton

Advertisement

Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Roslyn Packer Theatre Like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the Martha and George in Mike Nichols celebrated film of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Kat Stewart and David Whiteley are married in real life. Did it change anything about enacting dramas most war-torn marriage? Stewart told me in an interview that they share a useful mutual shorthand and trust, which may have helped her hit that sweet spot of a Martha whos frightening, obnoxious and boorish, yet whom we like. As well as assailing us with cyclonic rages, a formidable intellect and razor-wire wit, Stewart let us glimpse the little girl inside Martha, still having tantrums as she did when an unloved toddler. Especially potent was the heartbreaking terror on her face at the end. If Whiteley couldnt quite scale the same heights, he helped us understand the love underpinning their bouts of domestic carpet-bombing, specifically the shared delight in devising games. Whiteleys George was stretched so thin that there was an electricity about whether he or Martha would snap first, however well you knew the play. Director Sarah Goodes cast was completed by Harvey Zielinski and Emily Goddard, with the latters drunken interpretative dance a wonder all its own.

Advertisement

Eloise Snape, who plays Alexs mother, masks her desperation with outward bubbliness. Phil Erbacher Mary Jane, Old Fitz Theatre Although we never meet Alex, the 2-year-old riddled with critical medical conditions since birth, hes the epicentre of Amy Herzogs play about the necessity of sharing burdens, even when we hate to bother others. Herzogs dialogue poleaxes you with its authenticity. Sentences trail off to an exhalation, a bemused facial expression or a (usually wrong) suggested word from the interlocutor. Playing Mary Jane, Alexs mother, Eloise Snapes outward bubbliness masked a despairing cry within; a cry that Mary Jane dared not hear, or shed shatter. Snape made you love Mary Jane because shes fundamentally such a sunny person, despite the desolation constantly gnawing at her vitals. Director Rachel Chants other cast members, Di Adams, Sophie Bloom, Isabel Burton and Janine Watson, were good enough not only to withstand the blowtorch of scenes with Snape, but to enhance them. Watson was supreme as a doctor struggling for the words that will ease Mary Jane towards reality, without puncturing her fierce positivity.

Advertisement

James Lugton, Simon Maiden and Darcy Kent in True West. Prudence Upton True West, Ensemble Theatre Simon Maiden, playing Lee, the bad-egg brother in Sam Shepards gritty 1980 play, created a tension thick with latent violence; a black hole of negative energy, his blank eyes staring with hate and resentment at his college-educated, mild-mannered brother, Austin (Darcy Kent). Austin had Saul (a lairy James Lugton) interested in his screenplay, but Lee bulldozed his way in on that, selling Saul on a lame idea for a modern-day western thats one big chase sequence  an ironic metaphor for the lifelong game the brothers have been playing.

Advertisement

Iain Sinclairs meticulous production highlighted how Lees communication struggles bred frustration and its inevitable sidekick, aggression, and Maiden and Kent were riveting walking the seesawing power balance between them. At one point Kent, on his knees, was staring up at Maiden, and his performance was so potent you could see in his eyes the ghost of the hero-worship he once had for his brother: all part of Shepards manic snapshot of a US that can tear itself apart. Shoehorning this show onto the tiny Hayes stage was a triumph of ingenuity. Grant Leslie The Producers, Hayes Theatre

Advertisement

I try to laugh every day. Some days I fail. The Producers makes this list for giving me six months worth of laughter in one night. In fact, laughing at Nazis should be a routine community activity. Directed by Julia Robertson, this was among the most polished musicals Ive seen. The detail in each line, voice, gesture, dance step, orchestration and design element was exhilarating. You could simply sit there in rapt admiration  except you were laughing too hard at lines like, The urge to merge can rob us of our senses. The cast of 14 somehow nailed Shannon Burns scintillating Springtime for Hitler choreography on the Hayes baby stage without spilling over and accidentally invading New Zealand. Anton Berezin excelled as Max, Des Flanagan played Bloom with the innocence of a two-year-old pretending he hasnt wet his pants, as he deciphered the willing innuendoes spilling from Ulla, deliciously played by Alexandra Cashmere. Jordan Shea was Franz, the Hitler-worshipping pigeon-fancier, and Benedict Janeczko-Taylors costumes iced a cake already so near-perfectly baked that even neo-Nazis might have swallowed it.
Advertisement

NationalBondi shooting Opinion Im a former cop. The Bondi police actions were entirely correct Cameron Watts Former national security official December 22, 2025  7:30pm

December 22, 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

The events that occurred at Bondi have awoken Australia from a complacency about the risk and threat of extremism. This, tragically, was our 9/11 moment. I make that connection because for me, 9/11 was the moment that changed my life. It prompted me to reassess my lifes trajectory and seek greater fulfilment. I went back to university, studied international relations, security and counterterrorism and joined the Australian Federal Police. Police in Bondi on the night of the attack. Kate Geraghty/The Sydney Morning Herald I was driven by the desire to help those in our society in need and to take up the fight against those who would perpetrate such heinous acts of violence as 9/11, the Bali bombings and, now, Bondi. Images and footage of the Bondi attacks were beamed around the country and the world in near real time. We saw heroism in its purest form as Ahmed al Ahmed thrust himself upon one of the perpetrators, disarming him in an act of astonishing bravery.

Advertisement

This act, and others, of everyday people performing heroic and life-threatening deeds must remain alive in our collective consciousness as we move as a nation to respond to the outrageous scourge of antisemitic behaviour and violence that has pervaded our country in recent times. Related Article Opinion

Bondi shooting After Bondi, we crave certainty  but quick fixes are dangerous John Coyne Security analyst But what of the heroism of those in society who have the task of protecting us, and who willingly confront danger and risk their lives as part of their duties every day? Where are the stories about our first responders, our police, our paramedics, our firefighters, and at Bondi, our surf lifesavers? In the days after the Bondi attack, stories began to circulate on social media about the alleged inaction of police officers who were on the scene. Allegations of police running away, hiding, not returning fire to the gunmen, and seemingly freezing in the face of the threat, were used as clickbait online. To his great credit, NSW Premier Chris Minns was quick to shut down this incredibly inflammatory line of questioning. Police tactics in confronting an active shooter scenario prioritise neutralising the threat, minimising access to potential victims and maintaining the ability to respond. The first responders mission is clear: stop the killing as fast as possible.

Advertisement

Officers are now trained to locate and isolate the active shooter, often pushing past injured victims and terrified bystanders to neutralise the offender and restrict their movement. In time, assessments will be made on the training and response to the Akrams by police at Bondi. It is probable that these assessments will identify areas for improvement in future training scenarios. But the question is: will any training scenario ever properly equip officers for what they encountered at Bondi? The answer, sadly, is a probable no. NSW Police Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza, who felled one of the Akrams from a place of limited cover with a standard issue Glock 19 pistol from up to 40 metres, responded in a manner that the overriding intent of an active shooter response dictates: namely, stop the killing as fast as possible. Barraza is clearly seen in footage to be taking cover behind a small tree, with his service pistol trained on the Akrams. He is also clearly not wearing a ballistic vest, which, against the type of high-powered long arms possessed by the Akrams, was likely a suicide mission had he been struck.

Advertisement

His bravery and commitment to neutralising the threat undoubtedly saved lives. Related Article Analysis

Naked City Why we expect ordinary police to be heroes But what of other police on duty at the event and subsequently deployed there? Some reporting in recent days has purported to show their movements, using recorded vision and tacitly leaving open to question whether they were responding or hiding. Such reporting is at best misguided and at worst, inflammatory misinformation that suggests action taken by these police officers was not up to the standard expected, based on a single source of evidence. Its a fallacious line of argument. Responding police have clearly been able to engage the Akrams and keep them pinned down to one location, allowing countless people to escape their arcs of fire. We know that two police officers were shot and conveyed to hospital in a critical condition. One has reportedly lost an eye because of his injuries.

Advertisement

Courage under fire against an adversary with vastly superior firepower in an elevated position might not appear the way youd like it to, but it is courage under fire nonetheless. Reporting has also outlined the courage under fire of paramedics, surf lifesavers and civilians tending to the injured, even while the shooting was still occurring. Such bravery is astonishing. So, what next for these first responders? In time, probably days, they will return to their everyday roles and make themselves available to respond to every manner of incident that can be imagined. The trouble is, while they might move on to the next incident, the Bondi event will undoubtedly be part of their world from now on, along with the associated and likely psychological injuries. Throughout my policing career, I had the distinct misfortune of dealing with an inordinate number of tragedies involving children, ranging from sudden infant deaths to motor vehicle incidents, removal from families and child sexual abuse. These incidents left an indelible stain on me. This became clear after my own children were born, and I suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, forcing me to leave the AFP.

Advertisement

Regrettably, my experience is far from unique, and it is to the first responders present and involved in the Bondi attacks that I now turn my mind, undoubtedly knowing that some of them will succumb to the enormity of the tragedy they witnessed. Statistically, the average citizen will experience between three and six lifetime traumatic events, whereas first responders in an average career may experience several hundred. The psychological burden on our first responder community remains a hidden crisis that has never been adequately addressed by our political or emergency services leadership. Internal support will be offered, some psychology may be provided or funded, but beyond that, we simply wait for the hammer of psychological injury to fall. Events such as Bondi will add to that burden. Just as our political leaders promote the availability of support to those affected by tragedies such as Bondi, we too should acknowledge the often unique support required by those in our community who put their lives and mental health on the line every day.

Advertisement

Cameron Watts is a former AFP agent. He is managing director of the corporate advisory firm Hemisphere East. Fortemaustralia.org.au Bondi Beach incident helplines: Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822

Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511  or Lifeline on 13 11 14

 or Lifeline on Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Much has been made of the booing at the memorial service at Bondi (Pleas for peace and unity, jeers for Albanese as thousands attend Bondi vigil, December 22). In a crowd of many thousands and with emotions running high, there were bound to be some people voicing their disapproval that way. But there was none among the large group around me, and we were all disturbed by that sign of disrespect. The fact is that the prime minister would have been pilloried either way, if he had attended or not shown up. Unfortunately, the booing became the story and distracted from the true meaning of the service. We all sat there in the heat, and then the rain, listening with sorrow, awe and deep love for those who gave their all to keep us safe. Lets do what was asked  a small mitzvah (act of kindness) from each of us. Carry the light within. Beverley Fine, Pagewood Mourners sing together at the end of the memorial held for the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach. Getty Images Blaming Anthony Albanese for not doing enough to prevent the Bondi attack is just political opportunism driven by the right wing and some parts of the media. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps the government could have adopted some of the recommendations of envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal sooner, however, the perpetrators of this heinous act were radicalised lone wolves and extremely difficult to identify. Albanese has also been slammed for not attending funerals, however, the families said he should not attend. What is clear is how Australians, in the spirit of mateship, came together to support the Jewish community. People risked their lives trying to stop the terrorists, surf lifesavers came under fire as they were helping the wounded, 50,000 people donated blood for the victims, and the thousands of people left floral and other tributes. It shows that apart from certain politicians, Australians of all faiths and backgrounds are remarkably kind, caring and empathetic people. Let us stop laying blame, learn from our institutional failings, and make sure that hatred directed at anyone is unacceptable. Australia is an exceptional country where genuine mateship is the norm. Barrington Salter, Elanora (Qld) It is depressing that so many Coalition and ex-Coalition politicians have quickly exploited the Bondi shootings to ramp up partisan attacks on the Labor government, claiming it is to blame for this tragedy, apparently unaware of their own hypocrisy (Albaneses approval rating plummets as social cohesion frays, December 22). For example, John Howard, of all people, claims gun reform to be a distraction; Sussan Ley asks what values migrants have brought to Australia; Andrew Hastie asks, who are we letting into our country? while Josh Frydenberg asks, How did they come here? Well, Mr Frydenberg and others, apart from the migrants who risked their lives trying to disarm the killers, shooter Sajid Akram came to Australia under Howards government; he received a gun licence under Tony Abbotts government and his Australian-born son was assessed and cleared by ASIO under Scott Morrisons government, of which you were a cabinet minister. John Oakley, Wollongong Part way through watching the Bondi memorial service I had to turn off the television. The behaviour of those in the crowd who felt free to boo the prime minister, and the words of some of the speakers, were clearly aimed at stoking division and hatred. They did not honour the dead, they diminished them. Joanna Mendelssohn, Dulwich Hill Accusations that the Bondi massacre is being politicised is just another attempt to deflect attention from the governments poor performance in protecting Australian Jews. After the worst terror attack on Australian soil, what could be more political than the prime ministers refusal to call a royal commission into this atrocity? Judy Maynard, Rose Bay During Chris Minns premiership, firebombings, threats and antisemitic graffiti aimed at the Jewish community has left many people feeling unsafe. The media seems to adore the premier and very rarely criticises him. In light of the latest heinous attack, maybe its time for them to evaluate his performance in addressing antisemitism and protecting people. The prime minister is not the only person who should shoulder the blame for the attack. Its easy for the premier to show reverence attending funerals and delivering impassioned speeches, however, his inaction on antisemitism should also be scrutinised. Pat Mcfarlane, Cabarita

Advertisement

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his wife Jodie Haydon and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles arrive at the memorial service. Getty Images Calls for peace, love and consideration in the wake of the shootings do not seem to include our prime minister, who was not personally responsible for the actions of two very evil people with guns. I imagine he is just as shocked and distressed as every other Australian. He should be given the courtesy, with support from the opposition, to do what needs to be done to prevent this situation from ever occurring again. All Australians have been changed by what happened last Sunday. Kath Maher, Lidcombe Booing is now accepted in part of our Australian way of life  a legitimate way to voice our disapproval of just about anything. As Rob Hickey said in his letter yesterday, our citizens need hope, not hatred (Letters, December 22). Its time for us to listen, love and peacefully make positive changes that will better bind our multicultural society together. Cecily Chittick, Wyong What sort of parallel universe am I living in when our prime minister, a man committed to unity and fairness, is roundly booed at the light over darkness vigil, while earlier in the week, at the same location, the leader of One Nation, a political party based on ignorance and hatred, together with her recent buffoon of a recruit, is roundly applauded? Believe me, Pauline Hanson is not the answer. Shame on all those who expressed their feelings on both those occasions. Bill Young, Killcare Heights The ad in Mondays Herald from Australias multicultural peak bodies says This is not Australia. Unfortunately, it is Australia. The shooting of Jews at a celebration did happen. Denial doesnt help. Maybe the ad should say We dont want this to be Australia, but it is. Only by facing reality can real change happen. We have to fully acknowledge how this came to happen and how we let it get this bad. We have to face the fact that antisemitism does exist, to such an extreme extent that 15 innocent people were killed. Only by admitting our shocking truth can we humbly change the culture that has allowed antisemitism to fester in our society. Celia Ziegler, Maroubra Jeering, booing and declining to invite Albanese to memorial ceremonies are unhelpful responses to this crisis. The PM has honestly acknowledged that his government could or should have done more to try to stem antisemitism, and has refused to buy into the divisive narrative being promoted by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the Liberal opposition and certain people in the community. If you want cohesion, unity and peace, if you deplore division, exclusion or discrimination, you cannot expect the outcomes for which you aim if you yourself do not practise what you preach. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay Albanese and his colleagues are strong on apologising for tragedies that happened centuries ago, but cant bring themselves to apologise for what happened on their watch last week. Graham Kenny, Killarney Heights

Advertisement

Thank you for the brilliant job the Herald is doing of reporting and editorialising in the midst of this tragedy. Some of the best letters ever submitted from readers have been evoked by what took place last Sunday, and by the enormity of the task of preventing a similar atrocity and tackling the most fundamental challenge ahead of us  eliminating antisemitism. Would the Herald consider running a forum to oversee and report on this massive undertaking? Or will it just go back to business as usual, where the other perennial news issues distract us from this imperative? Peter Skinner, Beecroft Dont rush legislation The NSW government should hasten slowly when it comes to legislative change after the despicable act of terrorism against Sydneys Jewish community (Quick fixes wont make us safer, December 22). That attack was perpetrated not only, though avowedly, against that sector of our society, but against our free society as a whole. It was an attack upon our collective freedom to express ourselves religiously, socially, politically, artistically or otherwise. The right to free expression and assembly is central to our democracy, and, while there are rare occasions concerned with public safety where it may justifiably be curbed, any proposed restrictions must be carefully considered and the subject of proper consultation. Rushing legislation through in the current environment is inadvisable and potentially dangerous. Dominic Toomey SC, president, NSW Bar Association A woman lights a candle to pay her respects to the lives lost in the shooting. Jessica Hromas In his article, John Coyne highlights the pitfalls of short-term, knee-jerk attempts to identify causes and impose solutions after attacks like Bondi. These responses often aim to alleviate feelings that stem from heightened emotion, anger and grief. That is why we appoint professionals who can examine events objectively, identify the underlying causes and propose long-term solutions. Quick fixes may soothe anger and satisfy the desire for revenge, but they are just quick fixes that often prove counterproductive over time. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy What a timely article by John Coyne. There have been all sorts of knee-jerk demands for immediate action at a time when a calm, considered review is essential. We need to keep in mind Coynes observation that blame-hunting hysterics and rage-baiting serve a nation poorly. Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest

Advertisement

Joyces self-promotion Sunday was designated a national day of reflection. Thousands gathered all around Australia to share messages of hope, peace and positivity, and to show strength in unity and community. And yet on this day, only one week after the tragic Bondi shootings, Barnaby Joyce chooses to promote an unauthorised anti-immigration rally to stoke negativity, xenophobia and division (Barnaby Joyce to join Sydney anti-immigration rally, December 12). It seems Joyces self-promotion and lack of judgment know no bounds. Hopefully, his brand of hatred and negativity will be rejected by voters at the next election. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl In April 1996, Martin Bryant massacred 35 people at Port Arthur. In March 2019, white supremacist Brenton Tarrant murdered 51 Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand. These killers were neither Muslims nor immigrants. Michael Perry, Murwillumbah Were all cousins Im sorry Philip Cooney, but the solution to religion-based intolerance is not more religion (Letters, December 22). Christianity has hardly been a shining example of peace, love and understanding over the past 2000 years; if its message was ever going to work, it would have already. Its time to try something else. For instance, thanks to science we now know that every single person on earth is descended from one woman. So everyone is related to everyone else  we are all cousins. People should think about that when they feel hatred toward someone, because you are hating your own family. Andrew Taubman, Queens Park Consider ethics There were a number of mentions in the letters columns last week about the teaching of ethics in schools (Letters, December 20). As a volunteer teacher of primary ethics at a local school, I endorse those comments. However, I do not actually teach ethics; rather, I guide my students through a series of scenarios and questions whereby they think, reason and discuss things such as fairness, inclusion, right from wrong, empathy, etc. I do not impose my philosophy, but follow a tightly scripted text approved by the NSW Department of Education. In these fraught times when decent people are wondering how they can make a contribution to a better, more inclusive Australia, perhaps they could consider becoming a volunteer ethics teacher. Hugh Barrett, Sanctuary Point

Advertisement

Gun storage I dont understand how limiting the number of weapons held in a home can be seen as an effective solution to gun violence (NSW Coalition splits over gun laws, December 12). Never mind the proposed limit of four, just one firearm in the wrong hands can be highly destructive. Why are guns allowed to be kept in domestic homes in the first place? If people like going to shooting ranges, then have their guns stored securely on location so there is no need to take them home. Admittedly, this doesnt solve all the potential issues and risks around gun ownership, but it surely lessens them. If this is not the time to introduce significant changes, then when is it? Lets not wait for another tragedy. Donald Sleer, Manly NSW Premier Chris Minns speaks at Sundays memorial. Getty A gun only becomes lethal once a bullet has been loaded. The government should therefore consider limiting the number of bullets a gun owner can obtain. Marli Davies, Wentworth Falls Israels settlements Tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere will not be eased by the recent recognition by Israels security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. While the Israeli government frames this as a move for national security and strategic interests, many around the world view it as a major barrier to long-term stability in the region. Sadly, many more tears are waiting to be shed. John Bailey, Canterbury

Advertisement
New bus market in Ukraine will grow by 13-15% by 2025  expert

Sales of new buses in Ukraine in 2025 will increase by 13-15% compared to 2024, reaching 940-950 units, said Vadym Shkarupin, director of the Etalon Auto Trading House.

"Although the year is not over yet, and we, like other companies, are working, according to open data (excluding closed procurement), approximately 940-950 buses will be sold, compared to 831 buses last year," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday.

According to its data, the first place in sales this year belongs to the Ataman buses produced by the Cherkasy Bus plant - 370 units (market share - 39%), the second place belongs to the ZAZ buses of the Zaporizhia Automobile Plant (UKRAVTO Group) - 240 units (24%), and the third place belongs to the Etalon buses of the Chernihiv Automobile Plant - 130 units (14%).

Next in the ranking are Bohdan buses (produced by Lutsk-based BAS Motor) with 100 units (11%), and imported Isuzu buses occupy fifth place (50 units or 6% of the market).

Another 50 buses are from other manufacturers: Turkish Temsa and Otocar, as well as two Electron buses.

The largest number of buses sold were small buses  720 units (77%), medium buses  160 units (17%), and large buses  60 units (6.5%).

Almost all of the buses sold were diesel-powered, and two electric buses were sold.

"Structurally, 88-90% are sales funded by public funds: for example, of the 940 buses sold, 720 are school buses. And no more than 12% is retail, but this can't even be called retail because these are enterprises purchasing buses for their own needs and for personnel transportation. We had orders from Ukrnafta, the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, and other manufacturers are also working in this direction. Meanwhile, retail is at a standstill today; there are no purchases," Shkarupin said.

At the same time, he noted that Ukrainian enterprises have jobs thanks to the School Bus program.
Advertisement

NationalVictoriaVictorian Parliament Sweetness, strength and love: Political power couple welcome first child together Kieran Rooney and Alexander Darling December 22, 2025  9:04pm 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

Federal Labor MP Josh Burns says the birth of his baby girl, five days after the Bondi terror attack, has highlighted how important it is for Jews to feel safe in Australia. Burns and Victorian Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell welcomed Lilah Poppy Purcell on Friday. Georgie Purcell and baby Lilah. Lilah and Poppy represent purple and red flowers, the colours of the couples different political stripes, although the couple say that it was a coincidence and not the reason behind either name. She arrived early and weighing 2.56 kilograms.

Advertisement

One of Labors most senior Jewish MPs, Burns said he had experienced immense lows and highs over the past week, with Lilah born five days after the Bondi terror attack. My heart will always stay with my community who are in mourning, but Im also feeling so grateful for the arrival of Lilah, he said. Lilah Poppy Purcell was born last week. Facebook/ Josh Burns The events of last week were utterly devastating to not only my community, but to Australia more broadly. It highlighted to us that we have so much more to do to make Jews feel safe in their own country.

Advertisement

I am determined to raise both of my daughters proud of their Jewish heritage and proud to express it openly, and safely, in Australia. Purcell said Lilah was as impatient as her mother, born at 37 weeks and five days, but came at a time when their family desperately needed her. Federal MP Josh Burns has welcomed his first child with partner Georgie Purcell, a Victorian MP. Facebook/ Josh Burns Becoming a mum was never part of my plan but in just a few short days she has shown me that I simply couldnt imagine a life without her, she said. Lilah is my daily reminder that the decisions we make now will echo for generations.

Advertisement

Related Article Victorian Parliament A bit unique: MPs Josh Burns, Georgie Purcell are expecting a baby girl In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Burns said Purcell was a superhero. Straight after her body went through major surgery, shes stepped right into being such a loving and attentive mum, he said. Children are not born with hate. My daughters will be raised in a home with love, safety and kindness. Burns is the MP for Macnamara, the area of inner south-east Melbourne with a large Jewish community.

Advertisement

Related Article Parenting Victorian MP and mother Ellen Sandell: My advice for Jacinda Ardern His office has been frequently targeted by vandals in the years since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israeli military action in Gaza, which some international agencies have referred to as a genocide. Purcell said Lilah was as impatient as her mother, born at 37 weeks and five days, but came at a time when their family desperately needed her. Prior to the arrival of Lilah, Purcell spoke on the floor of parliament about her experiences being sexually harassed as a political staffer and politician on Spring Street. Purcell is not the first Victorian MP to give birth while in office.

Advertisement

Among this club is Ellen Sandell, the current Greens leader in Victoria. In 2018, Sandell became the first woman to breastfeed in parliament since Kirstie Marshall in 2003. Marshall was famously ejected from parliament for breastfeeding her 11-day-old daughter during a session. Burns has another daughter, Tia, from a previous marriage. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

NationalWAWACE Shoot, no way: How WA students reacted to their ATAR scores Holly Thompson December 23, 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

Methodist Ladies College graduate Anaia Kakulas opened her ATAR results on Friday evening thinking she may have done well. She did not expect a perfect score of 99.95. Shoot, no way, lets go, she exclaims in a video later posted to TikTok. Her brother, who was filming her reaction is also clearly elated for his sister. Loading I always thought I would do well, and I was aiming for an ATAR of 99, but I never had any expectations beyond that, Anaia told this masthead. As soon as I saw the number I started jumping around, I really couldnt believe it, and my brother joined in and started jumping around with me too.

Advertisement

My parents wanted to give me some space to open my results first, but I think they were eavesdropping in the laundry  I ran in to them, and I was crying. Related Article Education The WA students who won the states top education awards Anaia was not the only year 12 graduate from Western Australia who took to TikTok after filming her reaction to opening the long-awaited results. While many posts were positive, with students celebrating their wins with their families, others were less pleased and candidly shared their disappointment in their final scores. Edith Cowan University School of Education senior lecturer Dr Sarah Jefferson said while some students would be on a high after opening their ATAR results, others might be feeling deflated.

Advertisement

It is a time of mixed emotions and opening those results could be a huge disappointment, she said. When you spend years building up to this moment, it can be hard to live up to expectations. Jefferson said it was important for students to remember there were so many different pathways to get where you want to go. WA Education Minister Sabine Winton congratulated graduating students, and highlighted those who found out they had achieved an exhibition or award from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority on Monday morning. I hope you can now take the time to celebrate your success with your family and friends, she said.

Advertisement

To all the parents and caregivers, school leaders, teachers and support staff who play a significant role in a students journey  thank you. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

Exclusive NationalWAGuns WA has reduced the number of guns in the state by one quarter after firearms shake-up Hamish Hastie December 23, 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

Western Australias tough gun law reforms have reduced the number of firearms in the state by a quarter, and there are 11,200 fewer licence holders than in January 2022, when the Labor government began its overhaul of the legislation. As the federal government readies to launch its own gun buyback scheme after the horror Bondi shooting, figures provided to WAtoday by Police Minister Reece Whitby reveal there were 272,453 licensed firearms in the state as of December 12 and 77,781 individual gun licence holders. WA Police Minister Reece Whitby Trevor Collens That constitutes a drop of more than a quarter in the number of licensed firearms compared to early 2022, when there were about 360,000 firearms registered and about 89,000 gun licences in the state. WAs gun laws have been thrust to the national spotlight as the New South Wales government embarks on reforms of their own gun laws following the Bondi terrorist attack, which was carried out using legally acquired guns. WA Premier Roger Cook is also set to join NSW Premier Chris Minns to lead a national cabinet response to gun reform.

Advertisement

Whitby said such a massive reduction in two years was a powerful result and showed the success of buyback schemes, tough legislation and relentless police work. Related Article Gun control Why WAs gun laws may become a road map for the rest of the nation These figures show our strong gun laws are working and making the Western Australian community safer, he said. Weve taken guns out of the hands of outlaw motorcycle gangs, sovereign citizens and serious and family domestic violence offenders, and that is saving lives. Fewer guns means a safer state, and we thank the responsible firearm owners through this process as we prioritise community safety.

Advertisement

Since first announcing sweeping gun reforms in January 2022, the state government has run six gun buyback periods. The current buyback period, which the government has said is the last, includes rapid-release firearms and will finish on January 14. It is unclear how the Commonwealth governments announced gun buyback will work with WAs buybacks. In its mid-year budget update on Thursday, the WA government added a further $7 million to the buyback kitty, taking the total spend in the past two years to nearly $30 million. The state also committed a further $5.5 million to the reform program rollout and $2.8 million to help the rollout of the online firearms portal, which was the subject of a scathing parliamentary review after a troubled rollout saw thousands of firearms owners unable to access it.

Advertisement

Some of the firearms licences that have been cancelled include those that police have revoked. Related Article Bondi shooting Government announces largest gun buyback scheme since Port Arthur In response to questions in parliament in November, the government revealed 495 people had been subject to firearm licence revocations due to mandatory disqualifying offences and 1383 guns had been seized. These included a group of sovereign citizens who had their guns removed after Police Commissioner Col Blanch determined they were not fit and proper people to own guns under the tougher gun laws. The new laws include tougher restrictions on gun storage, which has also forced the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to upgrade its own storage facilities for $1.1 million.

Advertisement

However, Nationals leader Shane Love rubbished Whitbys claims the laws were a success. I dont know if you would call it a success so much as a demonstration that people who have lawfully obtained firearms and used them for decades without issue have been forced to surrender their firearms because of these laws, he said. Love said, anecdotally, competitive shooters had been the hardest hit because there were fewer shooting clubs in the state, making it harder to be a member of a club  which was a stipulation of a competition firearms licence. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

Analysis PoliticsFederalBondi shooting As recriminations in Canberra grow, Chris Minns has what Anthony Albanese wants Natassia Chrysanthos December 22, 2025  6:04pm 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

NSW Premier Chris Minns typically takes every opportunity to sledge the member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, on the floors of parliament. But on Monday, after recalling MPs to push through new terror laws in the aftermath of the Bondi shooting, Minns paid tribute to his opponent. [The opposition] have worked very hard at making as much of these changes as bipartisan as possible, so I am not going to criticise anyone, he said. Chris Minns and Anthony Albanese. Aresna Villanueva It was the kind of bipartisan spirit that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alluded to wistfully at his press conference on Monday, when he made mention of how the Liberal, Nationals and Labor leaders united on gun reform after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, and the way he leant opposition support to former prime minister Scott Morrison during the pandemic. This is not a time for partisanship. This is a time for national unity. This is a time for the country to come together, Albanese said. Thats what happens.

Advertisement

Related Article Bondi shooting Albanese stares down backbencher, opposition demands for royal commission Except it hasnt this time. While NSW politics has transcended partisanship in the last week  Minns and Sloane laid flowers together at Bondi last Monday  the federal debate has descended into the kind of politicking that many voters revile. In a sign of the bitterness, there is even disagreement over precisely when it was, in the torrid timeline of the past eight days, that the prospect of bipartisanship dissolved and whos to blame. Albanese says he spoke with Ley after the terror attack on December 14, and she put out a statement offering her support to his government. I spoke with her again on Monday morning. We offered briefings. She received those full briefings, Albanese said last Friday. People can make their own assessments about what has happened since. Leys office disputes that narrative. They say the prime minister went to Bondi to lay flowers last Monday morning without letting them know, passing over the opportunity to share a moment of unity like that displayed by the NSW leaders. They say they received one ASIO security briefing last Monday afternoon, and have heard nothing from the prime minister since.

Advertisement

Bipartisanship does not mean the opposition acting as a rubber stamp, Ley said in a statement on Monday afternoon. At no point has the prime minister sought to genuinely engage the opposition in his approach. He has not shared plans, invited collaboration or built consensus. Instead, he has announced measures late and demanded agreement. Whenever the splinter point occurred, it has only widened. The Coalition has leant in to this, mounting a fierce political attack on the governments record that has veered into personal territory. Ley took it up a notch on Monday, with an extraordinary swipe at Foreign Minister Penny Wong, whom she accused of not shedding a tear over Bondi. Loading Albanese hasnt said much about the opposition, so he cant stand accused of fuelling the febrile environment with his words. (On Monday, he made a point of saying he was deliberately bowing out of partisan commentary.)

Advertisement

But the problem for Albanese is whats gone unsaid. His early response to the massacre did not cut through. Paired with the prime ministers deep unpopularity in the Jewish community, this has created a vacuum of authority at a crucial moment. It was emphasised on Sunday night, at the Bondi vigil, when Minns was applauded while Albanese was jeered. It has paved the way for Ley to step in with salient lines on federal failures, even if theyve been delivered unpalatably at times. The latest manifestation is the debate over a federal royal commission. The opposition wants one into both antisemitism and the circumstances that led two gunmen to open fire on innocent people at a Hanukkah celebration, with Jews their target. The issue is not inherently partisan: Minns will hold one at a state level and, on Monday, federal Labor MPs Mike Freelander and Ed Husic broke ranks to say they also supported a national inquiry. Related Article Bondi shooting I havent seen Penny Wong shed a single tear: Ley takes fierce personal swipe

Advertisement

Ley proffered it as an opportunity for unity. I invite the prime minister to sit down with me immediately to refine and finalise these terms of reference so we can establish a royal commission, she said on Monday. This is a good faith offer to work together on a bipartisan basis. The prime minister has rejected it. Not without reason: he says royal commissions drag on for years and more urgent action is needed. But for the third time in eight days, he was calling a press conference in the prime ministers courtyard to try and regain control of the narrative. This time, he did so with more contrition. A lot of people in the community are hurting and angry, and some of that anger was directed towards me, and I understand that, he said of Sunday nights vigil. I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst Im prime minister. And Im sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced. Albanese will hope it is finally enough to close the chapter on this political debate over Christmas. But it wont be in the bipartisan spirit he spoke about. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
Advertisement

PoliticsFederalBondi shooting I havent seen Penny Wong shed a single tear: Ley takes fierce personal swipe Natassia Chrysanthos Updated December 22, 2025  6:34pm ,first published 12:47pm 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

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has taken a fierce swipe at Foreign Minister Penny Wong for not attending the Bondi memorial site or funerals of shooting victims, suggesting the senior Labor minister had not shed a single tear over the terror attack. In a personal rebuke of Wong that underscores the hostile turn of political debate, Ley raised her voice and smacked the lectern during a press conference on Monday morning, while she criticised the ministers behaviour and absence in Sydney since last Sunday. Loading I havent seen Penny Wong on the streets of Bondi. I havent seen Penny Wong at the vigil for 15 innocent murdered Australians, she said. I didnt see Penny Wong at Bondi last night at the eighth night of Hanukkah. I didnt see Penny Wong attend a single funeral. I havent seen Penny Wong shed a single tear.

Advertisement

Related Article Analysis

Political leadership One leader has handled the Bondi attack aftermath well. Its not Anthony Albanese or Sussan Ley So maybe if more government members  actually came to the streets of Bondi and listened, and not just listened, but heard, heard the pain, heard the anguish, heard the call to action, we wouldnt have the ridiculous remarks that she has made recently. Ley made the comments after a reporter asked whether she agreed with Wongs comments from earlier in the morning, in which the foreign minister said there was a need to turn the temperature down on political debate. I have over and over again, as foreign minister, said that we all needed to turn the temperature down over the last two years, Wong said on ABC radio. I have argued that we must not bring the conflict to Australia. You have heard me say that, and that has always been my position.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Im surprised that the opposition have taken the view and the approach that they have. I cant think of another time in this countrys history where there has been a terrorist event like this ... where the opposition has chosen to take the path that they have this week, she said. I think in almost every other example you would have seen the opposition  try to work with the government. That has not been the approach, and I think thats incredibly unfortunate. Ley has made repeated visits to the Bondi memorial site over the past week, where she has spent time speaking to grief-stricken and furious community members. She has also made a point of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses absence at Bondi. The prime minister was jeered by the crowd on Sunday night, when he attended the vigil marking one week since two gunmen killed 15 innocent people at an event celebrating Hanukkah. Albanese on Monday said he understood why people were angry, and offered an apology for the experience of Jewish Australians.

Advertisement

Gallagher defended Albaneses leadership on Monday. I have spent every day with the prime minister. I think in the last week, I have seen him not only lead the nation but lead the National Security Committee and lead the response, she said. And I think he has done an incredible job in very, very difficult circumstances. Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Alex Ellinghausen Before Leys spray, Wong had outlined actions the government had taken to deal with antisemitism  such as cracking down on hate speech, criminalising doxxing and banning the Nazi salute  while conceding it needed to do more. I said last week that we needed to do more and we are, which is why we have announced a stronger package of legislative reforms to crack down on those who spread hate, division and radicalisation, she said on ABC Radio National.

Advertisement

Related Article Bondi shooting Albanese stares down backbencher, opposition demands for royal commission Asked about criticism of her trip to Israel, which has been repeated by Coalition MPs as well as Howard, Wong said: I regret that, the way in which people have experienced that. What I would say to you is I met instead with hostage families. I met instead with people who had either lost their children or father, or who were waiting for news of them. Im very aware of the thousands of years of persecution that the Jewish people have experienced. And I am so deeply pained, as someone who has argued all my life for an inclusive Australia, to see the sort of prejudice, the hate that this act demonstrates. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
Advertisement

PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Editorial The tragedy at Bondi Beach demands a federal royal commission The Herald's View Editorial December 23, 2025  5:00am

December 23, 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks increasingly out of touch with community sentiment backing a national royal commission into the Bondi Beach killings. His claims that such an inquiry would take too long and delay any action are out of step with public expectations that, with so many unanswered questions, now is the time for transparency. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a press conference at Parliament House on Monday. Alex Ellinghausen He has backed himself into a corner with his stance. Albanese has announced a review led by former spy chief Dennis Richardson to study whether federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies  chiefly ASIO and the AFP have adequate power to handle such an emergency, with a report due by April.

Advertisement

The problem with such a review is it risks being shrouded in secrecy. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess and other security chiefs will provide evidence to one of their own behind closed doors, where the possibility arises that they can claim national security when it suits them and Australians will be kept in the dark. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting Timeline to terror: Unsealed photos, videos capture alleged two-month plot of Bondi shooters A groundswell of public support for the Jewish community, who are largely backing the calls for a royal commission, has swept across the nation. The mood was captured graphically on Sunday evening at the Bondi Beach vigil to mark a National Day of Reflection as the president of the NSW Board of Jewish Deputies, David Ossip, drew cheers when he said it cannot be disputed that a federal royal commission was needed. His words are testimony to both common sense and the national mood.

Advertisement

The number of voices now calling for a royal commission, including former chief justice of the High Court Robert French, emboldened Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to attack Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Monday for not shedding a single tear over the killings. Until now, the opposition has been unable to land a telling blow on the government since being routed in Mays federal election. Albanese cannot be personally blamed for the appalling rise in antisemitism, but his refusal to budge on a royal commission has fuelled claims of a leadership vacuum at the top. His stand looks even more incomprehensible given Premier Chris Minns has plans for his own NSW royal commission, a proposal that has Albaneses blessing. Given the rise of antisemitism around Australia after the Hamas raids of October 2023, a multi-jurisdictional investigation seems obvious. Of course, royal commissions can be called by a federal government or state governments, with each level of government limited to investigating matters that fall within their jurisdiction.

Advertisement

There are precedents for joint federal and state royal commissions where responsibilities overlap. The 1904 Royal Commission on the Butter Industry was an early example. More recently, there were the 2019 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the 2013 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. A multi-jurisdiction investigation seems the obvious path to uncovering how the Bondi Beach attack happened, and ways to counter antisemitism and terrorism to prevent future attacks in Sydney and around the nation. Albaneses refusal to countenance this is to defend the indefensible. Bondi Beach incident helplines: Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822

Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511  or Lifeline on 13 11 14

 or Lifeline on Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
One Nations Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce arrive at Bondi Pavilion to show their respect.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

About an hour after the horror of high-powered rifles reverberated around Bondi Beach, Pauline Hansons right-hand man received a phone call. On the other end of the line was One Nations head office in Brisbane, asking the partys chief of staff and most influential aide, James Ashby, how he wanted to handle the influx of memberships. We had 300 new members in one hour off the back of that tragedy, he told this masthead during an expansive interview in the Central Queensland coastal city of Yeppoon. Ashby claimed the party had added thousands to its membership database by Friday  though requests for proof were rejected  as One Nation unabashedly seized on the massacre to land political blows and expand its supporter reach. People now realise they have had as big a gutful of what these two major parties have been doing to our country  with the mass migration, the calibre of people coming into this country  and I think, theyre that wound up as a result of this, they now want to help, he said. Thousands gathered at Bondi Beach on Friday to mourn. Kate Geraghty Theres a real undercurrent of anger out there that existed before this tragedy, but since this, I dont think this government know what theyre in for at the next election.

Advertisement

Hanson visited Bondi Beach in the days after the antisemitic attack on the Chanukah by the Sea festival, which claimed the lives of 15 people in Australias most deadly mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. As a horrified nation was plunged into a week of shared grief, culminating in a vigil at Bondi attended by thousands where the prime minister was booed, political leaders faced calls for gun law reform and a crackdown on hate speech. Meanwhile, Hanson had launched a full-throated attack on Sky News, blaming the terrorist attack on governments allowing the wrong people to migrate to Australia. On the Tuesday after the attack, flanked by recent National Party defector Barnaby Joyce, she was greeted with scattered applause when she arrived to lay flowers for the victims. One Nations decades-long crusade Hanson burst on to the scene in the 1996 federal election, claiming the Ipswich seat of Oxley despite being disendorsed by the Liberal Party. In her maiden speech, she launched her polarising style of politics with the claim that Australia was in danger of being swamped by Asians. Many were offended but her popularity grew.

Advertisement

At this years May federal election, One Nation secured just 6.4 per cent of votes, but the party has risen in the polls since, amid frustration that immigration was fuelling the housing crisis and persistent cost-of-living pressures. A Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for this masthead, from early December revealed One Nations primary support had jumped two points to 14 per cent. Its primary vote surged again a week on from the Bondi attack, to 16 per cent  a Resolve polling record high for the minor party. Senator Lidia Thorpe reacts to Hanson wearing a burqa in the Senate. Dominic Lorrimer In November, Hanson wore a burqa on the Senate floor, a repeat of her infamous political stunt from 2017. The protest against what she called an oppressive garment was panned across the political spectrum for vilifying Muslim Australians, but did not dent support among her base. And yet Ashby was quick to shut down this mastheads assertion One Nation was a far-right party. Were not far-right, were centre-right, he rebuked. And thats what people need to realise. Im not interested, and neither is Pauline, in being a far-right party  we are a centre-right party, and were proud of that fact. Ashby also noted One Nations campaign against the major parties went beyond immigration, and included regional struggles such as access to healthcare, housing affordability and cost-of-living pressure.

Advertisement

Were not just talking about immigration. Were talking about, more broadly, whats happened because weve become so city-centric, so regions like this often feel forgotten, and I think by and large theyre right, they are [forgotten], he said from his adopted tropical home city. Related Article Exclusive

Political leadership Albaneses approval rating plummets as social cohesion frays, Australians fear a rise in antisemitism: poll Ashby would not reveal specifics about the partys total membership numbers or how recent growth compared with overall changes. He was also tight-lipped about future recruitment, while teasing that other conservative figures would join Joyce in abandoning the Coalition. The party views the spike in membership as evidence of its surging appeal that foreshadows electoral returns, a suggestion dismissed by leading pollster Kos Samaras. Whenever someone talks about membership, that is a red flag for me, the Redbridge Group director said. He said the rise of a populist movement would rarely manifest as direct membership of an organisation, and support was more likely to be transient. I find it hard to believe that those individuals who we are seeing in our data moving to One Nation  largely experiencing financial stress at home, largely in their 50s with a history of voting Liberal and very time-poor  suddenly all have this great need to join a political party. It just doesnt add up. On Sunday, Joyce encouraged his supporters to join an anti-immigration rally in central Sydney, against the advice of the NSW premier and police. About 200 people were there to hear him speak.

Advertisement

The MAGA source of revenue When Hanson was spotted alongside Gina Rinehart at Donald Trumps luxury Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, it set tongues wagging that Australias richest woman would lean on her enormous wealth to propel One Nations growth. Ashby said the speculation was unfounded. I havent seen any money from her, he said, but added the party was always eager to hear from business figures who shared Hansons vision. Joyce ended months of speculation in December, confirming hed leave the Nationals and join One Nation. Instead, he said an expansion campaign, launched in the days after the May federal election, has been funded through sales of One Nation-themed apparel, beer coolers, Australian flags and merchandise from its cartoon series mocking political rivals  most notably Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The stock includes its own version of a MAGA cap synonymous with Trump  replacing the ubiquitous American slogan with Make Albo Go Away. Ashby said nearly $96,000 worth of merchandise was sold in the 48 hours to Friday morning. One Nation now had more than 70 political branches across the country, Ashby said, to boost organisational ability on the ground with a direct line to the partys Brisbane headquarters.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Social media giants could be sued for allowing anonymous hate speech and police will be granted new powers to shut down protests after terrorist attacks, under proposed laws to protect Jewish Victorians. Premier Jacinta Allan unveiled a five-point plan on Monday to combat antisemitism in response to the Bondi terror attack that claimed 15 lives, including a move to mirror emergency protest laws proposed in NSW. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (centre) at the Jewish communitys Pillars of Light festival at Federation Square in Melbourne on Sunday. Chris Hopkins As a government, we feel a profound sense of duty to stand with the Jewish community in its darkest hour. We are acting to stop hate and antisemitism everywhere, Allan said. Stronger hate laws, stopping protests after terror, action on guns, preventing extremism early  these protections support the Jewish community and our way of life. They belong to every Victorian and keep everyone safe.

Advertisement

Under existing laws set to come into effect in 2026, individuals and organisations may bring a civil claim against a Victorian if they believe they have been vilified by someones words or actions, but that person must be identifiable. On Monday, Allan said the government would go a step further, pledging to introduce new laws holding social media companies to account for vilification, with an eminent jurist to be appointed to oversee the drafting of the legislation. Related Article Updated

Victorian Parliament Hate speech laws pass parliament as Liberals claim freedom of speech is at risk The premier said she would also take existing anti-vilification laws back before parliament to remove the current requirement that the director of public prosecutions consent before a charge of criminal vilification is laid by police. The Coalition earlier this year refused to support the governments proposed anti-vilification laws  despite being urged to do so by Jewish groups  over a provision which required the vilification to be judged from the perspective of a person with the protected attribute.

Advertisement

This deadlock forced Labor to negotiate instead with the Greens, who secured an amendment requiring the DPP to approve any legal proceedings. The anti-vilification laws that passed through the Victorian parliament earlier this year are already Australias strongest, and our proposals today will make them even stronger, Allan said on Monday. Under the second stage of the governments plan, police will be given special powers to stop or move on a protest if it falls within a certain time after a designated terrorist event. The premier said the proposed laws would be similar to those set to be introduced in NSW, which would give the police commissioner the power to ban the authorisation of protests in designated areas for up to three months after a terrorist attack. Jacinta Allans five-point plan to combat antisemitsm Social media companies put on notice to hold anonymous users to account. New police powers to stop protests after terrorist attacks. A review of gun laws. New commissioner to implement the states extremism prevention strategy. Long-term goal of a return to a sense of normality for members of Victorias Jewish community.

Advertisement

Because Victoria does not require protesters to gain police authorisation through a permit system, the proposed legislation would ultimately differ from the NSW model. The Victorian solicitor-general is set to complete advice on the new laws in January, and Allan has resisted calls to recall parliament before it resumes in February to push through the changes. The premier committed to a review of Victorias gun laws to ensure they meet modern challenges, to be undertaken by former police commissioner Ken Lay, as the third step of her plan. Under her fourth step, the premier released the governments strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism and pledged to appoint a commissioner to implement its findings. The strategy will focus on preventing extremism at a community level. Finally, Allan said her government would be accountable for a pathway to normal that sets long-term goals for driving out antisemitism.

Advertisement

In a joint statement, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and Zionism Victoria welcomed the announcement, calling for the proposed laws to be introduced without delay. Antisemitism has gone unchecked for too long. It is our firm hope that the measures announced today will make Victoria safer for Jewish people, it read. These measures will strengthen the legal framework that holds those who perpetrate antisemitism to account. But Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said Allans plan had failed to deliver the urgent and decisive action needed to combat hate and antisemitism. On Monday, Wilson released her own plan to combat antisemitism, including a ban on protests after terrorists attacks and a protest permit system, and an expansion of bans on speech which exhort listeners to violence  such as Globalise the intifada chants.

Advertisement

The oppositions proposal would also amend university legislation to enforce stricter disciplinary protocols for students and staff who engage in conduct that incites hatred, and would withdraw government funding from organisations that engage in vilification. Related Article Bondi shooting Allan understands anger directed at her, pledges $1.8m for Jewish security For the sake of the safety and livelihoods of all Victorians, I call on Premier Allan to recall the parliament next week so we can work together to take immediate action to stop the hate, Wilson said. Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush has previously rejected the need for a protest permit system and on Monday said his views on that had not changed. However, he said he was interested in the idea of a police veto power to intercede against protests where theyre not appropriate.

Advertisement

On Monday evening, about 100 people met on the steps of the state parliament for an Anti-Zionism Australia event after initial plans for a Saturday gathering sparked outrage. Speaking to the crowd, organiser David Glanz said: We need to acknowledge that something like 5000 Bondi massacres have taken place in Gaza in the last 26 months. And it would be hypocrisy, racist hypocrisy, to mourn for the dead of Bondi and to say nothing of the dead of Rafa city or Gaza City, and the rest of the Gaza Strip. Glanz also criticised what he said was the politicisation of the Bondi shooting, saying, The way that the ghouls of the far right jumped in before the blood was dry, before the funerals were held, to demand that there be a ban on migrants, and especially migrants  meaning Muslim migrants, was shocking. He said it was absolute nonsense for anti-Zionists to be labelled antisemitic, telling the crowd, They are scraping the bottom of the barrel when they go for that argument. The governments antisemitism plan came as Victoria Police announced heavily armed specialist officers would patrol this years Boxing Day Test at the MCG as security is stepped up at public events around the country following the Bondi terror attack.

Advertisement

Bush acknowledged it would be unusual for Melburnians to see the critical incident response team carrying long-arm semiautomatic rifles at the cricket ground. But he stressed it was an important proactive move in response to the current threat environment, though there had been no new specific threat to the event itself. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

PoliticsVictoriaEnergy SEC revives stalled Delburn Wind Farm with buyout of up to $700m Kieran Rooney December 23, 2025  6:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A Gippsland wind farm plagued by hurdles will be bought entirely by the State Electricity Commission, which will spend up to $700 million to own the project and get it under way. The SECs purchase of the Delburn Wind Farm, first approved in 2022 and bogged down by delays because of the projects location in a pine plantation, will allow construction to begin in early 2026, with completion expected in 2028. An artists impression of the Delburn Wind Farm. When completed, it will have 33 turbines generating 205 megawatts of electricity capable of powering more than 130,000 homes. Under the deal, to be announced by Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio on Tuesday, the SEC will spend $650 million to $700 million to buy the wind farm, to be built in the Strzelecki Ranges, from private investors.

Advertisement

The government says it is the first wind farm project to fully secure financing in Victoria over the past 12 months. DAmbrosio said the SEC was driving investment in renewable energy generation while also serving as the retailer to all state government departments and functions. Related Article Renewables SEC fires up first public power asset since 90s, but wind plans hit as AGL scraps Gippsland project The SEC is powering Victorian government operations with 100 per cent renewable electricity  with all profits being invested back into projects that will deliver more renewable energy and lower power bills for Victorians, she said. Approvals for the wind farm at Delburn were first lodged with the Victorian planning minister. The plan triggered a local backlash and warnings the development was a bushfire risk, partly because of its location in a plantation.

Advertisement

It was approved by the planning minister in 2022, but this decision went on to be challenged by community groups in court until the case was dismissed in 2023. To ease community concerns, developers proposed using artificial intelligence to manage bushfire risks, among other measures. Yet the project remained under a cloud after further amendments to its planning permits were sought, and construction timelines were regularly pushed back throughout 2024 and 2025. The wind farm will be the first SEC-owned project in Gippsland, which has for decades been crucial to the nations energy system through its large coal-fired power plants. This project will tap into the Latrobe Valleys proud history as Victorias energy heartland and ensures the region continues to play a leading role in our renewable energy future, Eastern Victoria MP Tom McIntosh said. It is estimated the project will create 300 local jobs while $22 million will go into programs for its neighbours and into community benefit funds. The announcement of a third SEC project comes two weeks after the completion of its first investment, a large-scale battery project in Melbournes west known as the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub. When the commission was first revived, the Victorian government committed to spending $1 billion on renewable or storage projects and reinvesting the profits from these investments into other projects.

Advertisement

It has now surpassed this figure and committed least $1.27 billion, investing $245 million in the battery hub, at least $650 million in the wind farm and $370 million for a solar and battery park at Horsham under construction. The decision to invest in a challenged onshore wind project in a year when no similar projects have fully secured financing aligns with the vision for the SEC first outlined by chief executive Chris Miller in 2024. Related Article Energy Wind and solar, and not nuclear, the key to cheaper energy: CSIRO At the time, he said the commission would invest in projects where the private market is still unsure as the state tries to close a five-gigawatt gap between where Victoria needs to be, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator, and the current trajectory of renewable and storage projects set to be delivered by 2035. SEC has now committed more than a gigawatt of renewable energy capacity  a quarter of our 2035 target of 4.5 gigawatts, Miller said on Monday.

Advertisement

Another key plank of the states energy policy, offshore wind, is under significant strain after various private sector developers pulled out of bids to build farms off the coast of Gippsland. The Victorian Auditor-Generals Office said this month that the state would not meet its target of generating 2 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2032. Experts have criticised the SECs most frequently stated goal, to bring household energy prices down, as difficult to achieve directly. The government has argued it is achieving this through increasing renewable generation and by encouraging household electrification. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

Exclusive WorldAsiaBondi shooting Bondi gunmans phone may have pinged in area with a history of extremism: source Zach Hope Updated December 22, 2025  5:48pm ,first published 5:31pm 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

Davao City: The Bondi gunmens stay in the Philippines just weeks before allegedly killing 15 people in Australia may have included a trip far beyond Davao City to an area with a history of violent Islamic extremism, according to a source close to the investigation. Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram spent most of November on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, but until now, there had been no suggestion of them travelling any further than Davao City. Staff from the GV Hotel, where the Akrams had stayed from November 1 to 28, had said the men only left their third-floor room for one or two hours each day. The GV Hotel is close to Davao City Hall. Getty Images But a source, who asked to remain anonymous so they could speak freely, revealed to this masthead that phone-tracking techniques might have detected one of the Akrams phones in the town of Mlang, roughly three hours drive from Davao City.

Advertisement

Mlang, in North Cotabato province, is near historical strongholds of Islamic State-inspired groups Daulah Islamiyah (DI) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Related Article Bondi shooting Not good people: Philippine mosques to be plastered with Bondi gunmens images DI was blamed for the 2021 torching of a passenger bus in Mlang that killed three people and a 2016 bombing in Davao City that killed 15. Philippine authorities insist such organisations have been severely degraded in recent years; they killed DI leader Salahuddin Hassan in 2021 after a 30-minute gun battle in remote Mindanao. It is not known whether the Akrams did, in fact, visit Mlang and, if so, how long one or both stayed, or who they met while there.

Advertisement

In Davao City, Sajid Akram visited a small gun shop a few hundred metres from the hotel, a staff member said. She told this masthead that Akram stood side-on to her, looking at pictures of guns on the wall and at a display cabinet with protective vests. He was memorable to the staff member because he did not respond when asked if there was anything she could help him with. The men are also believed to have visited a resort, about seven kilometres from their hotel, and an Islamic centre called Mercy Islamic Foundation (MIF), about 2.5 kilometres from the hotel. MIF president Sheikh Mohammed Habeb Al-Khulaqi said it was impossible to know if the Akrams visited because as many as 600 worshippers turned up at Friday prayers. But he said the centre had turned over all of its CCTV footage to investigators and wanted to help in any way it could. We are one team, he said. There is no mercy for these kinds of people. Muslim or non-Muslim, they are a cancer on this country.

Advertisement

Sheikh Al-Khulaqi said violent extremists in Mindanao did not accept MIF as legitimate because its documents and permits were registered by non-believers in Davaos Catholic-majority town hall. Philippine authorities confirmed one line of inquiry, first reported by News Corp, that investigators were looking at the movements of two other Sydney men whose trip to Davao City overlapped with part of the Akrams stay. However, no red flags had yet been discovered, and the Akrams and the other Sydney pair might have been, and remained, strangers. Related Article Bondi shooting Not good people: Philippine mosques to be plastered with Bondi gunmens images A Philippine National Police spokeswoman said there was not yet any evidence to back up a report in international media that suggested the Akrams visited a town called Panabo, about 30 kilometres from Davao City. Muslimin Sema, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, an Islamic separatist group that signed a peace agreement with Manila in 1996, said it was a national concern if the Akrams had been helped in their deadly endeavours while in the Philippines.

Advertisement

If there were meetings like that, they would be hidden from the public. It is possible, he said. We must ensure that even if people with such thinking come here, they do not find individuals who harbour grievances against the government. Bondi Beach incident helplines: Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822

Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511  or Lifeline on 13 11 14

 or Lifeline on Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au 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.
Defense spending in Ukraines state budget for 2026, set at UAH 2.8 trillion, was calculated at a level that does not take into account the most recent increase in defense expenditures of UAH 325 billion, which was financed with EUR 6 billion provided by the European Union from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets, said Roksolana Pidlasa, head of the parliamentary budget committee.

"Therefore, it is obvious that if the war continues throughout the entire next year, these UAH 325 billion will need to be added," she said at a discussion organized by the Centre for Economic Strategy (CES) in Kyiv on Monday, according to a correspondent of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Pidlasa recalled that if the European Union had not allowed these EUR 6 billion to be used for defense needs, Ukraine would have faced problems financing these additional UAH 325 billion in operating expenses: payments to servicemenboth salaries and social benefits for the families of the fallenas well as the procurement of weapons, ammunition, and drones.

"I said during the consideration of the (2026) budget in the Verkhovna Rada that the probability of amendments to this budget is 95%," emphasized the head of the Budget Committee.

She said that based on the results of the first 11 months of 2025, defense spending accounts for 63% of this years state budget expenditures.

"If we look a bit inside these expenditures, almost half is monetary support for servicemen: 46% in the 2026 budget. About a third of expenditures is the procurement and production of armaments specifically through the budget. Next year, this planned one-third of funds amounts to UAH 943 billion," Pidlasa added.

She noted that a novelty of the 2026 state budget is a defense reserve of UAH 200 billion, of which more than UAH 60 billion are expected revenues from de-shadowing, which are to be generated as a result of reforms by the Ministry of Finance.

According to her, the European Union's decision to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan of EUR 90 billion in 2026-2027 is very positive, but it is still unclear how this amount will be distributed by direction.

She suggested that it could be the same EUR 6 billion, which would allow Ukraine to at least bring its national security and defense spending to the level of 2025 next year.

The head of the budget committee clarified that this year Ukraine's total defense spending is about $107 billion, and next year the Defense Ministry would like to increase it to $120 billion, compared to about $150 billion or more in Russia.
Advertisement

WorldCentral AmericaAviation Pilot declared Mayday after flying through Musk rocket explosion Lily Shanagher December 22, 2025  2:49pm 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 explosion of a SpaceX rocket earlier this year put multiple passenger planes in danger, with one pilot declaring Mayday before being forced to fly through the debris. The experimental rocket ship belonging to Elon Musks company disintegrated minutes after lift-off in January, scattering fiery debris across the Caribbean region and causing widespread disruptions to air traffic. Loading Pilots of three planes, carrying a total of 450 people, were forced to decide whether to fly through a field of rocket debris or risk running low on fuel over water, according to Federal Aviation Administration documents. The files, which The Wall Street Journal reviewed, revealed that the January 16 explosion posed a greater danger to planes in the air than was publicly known.

Advertisement

The explosion rained a meteor-like shower of debris across parts of the Caribbean for about 50 minutes and could have put lives at risk, the FAA said. Fiery trails shooting through the sky were visible from the cockpits and cabins of commercial aircraft and private jets. If a piece of debris had struck an aircraft in flight, it could have caused severe damage to the plane and possible passenger fatalities. View post on X All flights eventually landed safely. The uncrewed Starship test flight was Musks seventh attempt at launching a rocket ship into space in his quest to make life on Mars a reality. Responding to the explosion, the billionaire posted on social media: Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!

Advertisement

During the incident, an air-traffic controller told one of the planes, a JetBlue flight en route to Puerto Rico: You want to go to San Juan, its going to be at your own risk. The other two, a private jet and Iberia Airlines flight, also declared fuel emergencies and travelled through the temporary no-fly zone, the WSJ reported. SpaceXs mega rocket Starship launches for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. AP A controller in Puerto Rico told pilots they would have to declare an emergency to land at the capital. One pilot responded: In that case, we declare emergency: Mayday. Mayday, Mayday. Air traffic controllers working on the issue had to try to divert planes from the debris areas, increasing their workload and causing a potential extreme safety risk, according to one FAA report from an air-traffic facility in New York.

Advertisement

At least two planes flew too close to each other, requiring a controller to intervene to avoid a collision, the documents said. Related Article Space SpaceXs expensive Starship explosions are starting to add up As well as the extreme safety risk, the FAA recorded that SpaceX failed to call an emergency hotline immediately after the explosion. Controllers in Miami first heard of the explosion from pilots seeing the debris, not from Musks company. Space X, the worlds busiest rocket launcher, has already launched 11 Starship missions and is planning future flights over Florida, Mexico and North Atlantic aircraft routes. Starship, which stands at 121 metres tall, is the most powerful rocket ever developed, the company said. The explosion alarmed airline industry and US government officials because of its impact on air travel and the growing number of space operations.

Advertisement

The safety risk of debris is set to keep increasing. The FAA predicts an annual average of 200 to 400 rocket launches or re-entries in the years ahead, compared with 24 operations on average each year between 1989 and 2024. Following the January incident, the agency set up a panel of experts to conduct a safety review to examine how to deal with debris risks from spaceflight failures. FAA officials suspended the review in August, claiming that most of the safety recommendations were already being implemented. The unusual move surprised the panel members. Since the January explosion, SpaceX has conducted four more Starship launches, two of which were successful, while two failed.

Advertisement

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Aviation

Space

For subscribers

Elon Musk

SpaceX
Advertisement

WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Car bomb kills another Russian general in Moscow Katie Marie Davies December 23, 2025  5:58am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Moscow: A Russian general has been killed in a car bombing, the third such killing of a senior military officer in just over a year. Investigators in Moscow said Ukraine may be behind the attack. Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, died from his injuries on Monday, said Russias Investigative Committee, the nations top criminal investigation agency. An investigator working at the scene where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by an explosive device placed under his car in Moscow. AP Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, Petrenko said. Investigators said a bomb had been planted under Sarvarovs car, the Washington Post reported. Images shared by Russian investigators showed a white car in a Moscow parking lot with heavy damage, the drivers seat stained in blood.

Advertisement

Sarvarov seen in an undated image provided by Russian Defence Ministry Press Service. AP Sarvarovs department is involved in planning military operations and ensuring the Russian army is combat ready. Ukraines SBU domestic security agency and its military intelligence agency, the GUR, were not immediately available for comment on Monday, the Post reported. Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them. It has not yet commented on Mondays death. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about the killing of Sarvarov, who fought in Chechnya and had taken part in Moscows military campaign in Syria.

Advertisement

Russia has blamed a series of other apparent assassinations on Ukraine. Just over a year ago, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. Kirillovs assistant also died. Ukraines security service claimed responsibility for the attack. Sarvarov is the third Russian general killed by a car bomb in the past year. AP An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service. Putin described Kirillovs killing as a major blunder by Russias security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.

Advertisement

In April, another senior Russian military officer, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested. Days after Moskaliks killing, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he received a report from the head of Ukraines foreign intelligence agency on the liquidation of top Russian military figures, adding that justice inevitably comes although he didnt mention Moskaliks name. High-profile Russians assassinated since start of Ukraine war December 22, 2025: Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov is killed by a bomb that explodes under his Kia Sorento in southern Moscow. Sarvarov was head of the Russian General Staffs army operational training directorate. Russian investigators say they suspect the involvement of Ukrainian special services. There is no immediate comment from Kyiv on the killing. April 25, 2025: Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, 59, is killed by a car bomb near Moscow. Moskalik was deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff. December 17, 2024: Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, is killed outside a Moscow apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter goes off. November 13, 2024: A bomb planted under a car kills a Russian serviceman in Sevastopol in Russia-annexed Crimea. A Ukrainian security source names him as Valery Trankovsky, a Russian naval captain whom Kyiv accused of war crimes for ordering missile strikes on civilian targets. October 4, 2024: Andrei Korotkiy, an employee at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine is killed in a car bomb attack. Ukrainian military intelligence calls him a collaborator and a war criminal. December 6, 2023: Illia Kyva, a former Ukrainian lawmaker regarded by Kyiv as a traitor, is shot dead near Moscow. July 11, 2023: Russian military officer Stanislav Rzhitsky, who had commanded a submarine in the Black Sea and appeared on a Ukrainian blacklist of alleged war criminals, is shot dead while out on a morning run in the southern city of Krasnodar. April 2, 2023: Vladen Tatarsky, a pro-war Russian military blogger, is killed by a bomb concealed in a statuette presented to him by a woman in a St Petersburg cafe. August 20, 2022: Darya Dugina, the daughter of a pro-war nationalist figure, is killed by a car bomb in the Moscow region.Reuters Ukraine, which is outnumbered by Russias larger, better-equipped military, has frequently tried to change the course of the conflict by attacking in unexpected ways. In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk region even as they struggled to stem Russian offensives on many parts of the front line. Moscows troops eventually drove them out, but the incursion distracted the Russian military resources from other areas and raised Ukrainian morale.

Advertisement

Ukraine has also launched repeated attacks on the Russian navy in the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles, forcing it to relocate its warships and limit the scale of its operations. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Putin wants more: Amid peace talks, US spies say Russia still aims to reclaim former Soviet bloc And in June, swarms of drones launched from trucks targeted bomber bases across Russia. Ukraine said more than 40 long-range bombers were damaged or destroyed, although Moscow said only several planes were struck. Sarvarovs death comes amid US-led peace talks as the Trump administration pushes for a deal to end the war, as fighting continues. Russian forces struck Ukraines Black Sea port of Odesa late on Monday and damaged port facilities and a ship, the regional governor said, the second attack on the region in less than 24 hours.

Advertisement

In the past few weeks, Russia has increased attacks on the port and the surrounding region, trying to limit Ukraines access to the Black Sea and disrupt critical logistics routes to the border with Moldova, Ukrainian officials said. Moscow did not immediately comment on either attack. Earlier on Monday, Zelensky said initial drafts of US proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyivs demands, though he suggested neither side was likely to get everything it wanted. Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage, he said of recent talks with US officials who are trying to steer the neighbouring countries toward compromises. There are some things we are probably not ready for, and Im sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either. US President Donald Trump has for months been pushing for a peace agreement. However, the negotiations have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv.

Advertisement

US envoy Steve Witkoff said on the weekend that he had held productive and constructive talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives. Related Article Blood Oil The British expat tracking Russias shadow fleet from his Singapore deck Zelensky said that nearly 90 per cent of Ukraines demands had been incorporated into the draft agreements. The backbone of the proposed deal is a 20-point plan, he said. There is also a framework document on security guarantees between Ukraine, European countries, and the US, as well as a separate document on bilateral security guarantees granted to Ukraine by the US. Several provisions are being discussed, according to Zelensky. They include the Ukrainian army remaining at a peacetime level of 800,000; membership in the European Union; and European forces, under the leadership of France and the U.K. and with a backstop from Washington, ensuring Ukraines security in the air, on land, and at sea.

Advertisement

Some key countries will provide presence in these domains; others will contribute to energy security, finance, bomb shelters, and so on, Zelensky said. The US team is now in talks with Russian envoys, and Washington has asked that no details be released, he added. Trump said on Tuesday morning (AEDT) that the Miami talks were going OK. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they should not be seen as a breakthrough, state media reported earlier on Tuesday. This is a working process, he said. 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.
Advertisement

WorldMiddle EastIsraeli-Palestinian conflict Israel approves 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank Melanie Lidman December 22, 2025  12:20pm 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

Tel Aviv: Israels cabinet has approved a proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the countrys far-right finance minister said, as the government pushes ahead with a construction wave in the territory that further threatens the possibility of a Palestinian state. That brings the total number of new settlements over the past few years to 69, a new record, according to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has pushed a settlement expansion agenda in the Palestinian territory. The latest settlement plans include two that were previously evacuated during a 2005 disengagement plan. The approval increases the number of settlements in the West Bank by nearly 50 per cent during the current far-right governments tenure. In 2022, there were 141 settlements across the West Bank. After the latest approval, there are 210, according to Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has pushed a settlement expansion agenda in the West Bank. Bloomberg Settlements are widely considered illegal under international law. Smotrichs office said the cabinet approval came on December 11 and that the development had been classified until now.

Advertisement

Settlements are the latest blow to Palestinian state The approval comes as the United States pushes Israel and Hamas to move ahead with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which took effect on October 10. The US-brokered plan calls for a possible pathway to a Palestinian state, something the settlements are aimed at preventing. The cabinet decision included a retroactive legalisation of some previously established settlement outposts or neighbourhoods of existing settlements, and the creation of settlements on land where Palestinians were evacuated, the Finance Ministry said. Settlements can range in size from a single dwelling to a collection of high-rises. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives for a press conference about a new settlement construction in the Israel-occupied West Bank in August. AP The ministry said two of the settlements legalised in the latest approval were Kadim and Ganim, which were two of the four West Bank settlements dismantled in 2005, as part of a deal for Israels withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. There have been multiple attempts to resettle them after Israels government in March 2023 repealed a 2005 act that evacuated the four outposts and barred Israelis from re-entering the areas.

Advertisement

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza  areas claimed by the Palestinians for a future state  in the 1967 war. It has settled more than 500,000 Jews in the West Bank, in addition to more than 200,000 in contested east Jerusalem. Israels government is dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Smotrich and cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the nations police force. Settler expansion has been compounded by a surge of attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank in recent months. Children stay next to a vehicle that was torched during an Israeli settlers rampage early morning in the West Bank town of Ein Yabrud on December 17. AP A Palestinian man takes a picture of a graffiti in Hebrew that was made during an Israeli settlers rampage early morning and reads Avi Bluth, dont mess with us, king David brigades, in the West Bank town of Ein Yabrud on December 17. AP During Octobers olive harvest, settlers across the territory launched an average of eight attacks daily, the most since the United Nations humanitarian office began collecting data in 2006. The attacks continued in November, with the United Nations recording at least 136 more by November 24. Settlers burnt cars, desecrated mosques, ransacked industrial plants and destroyed cropland. Israeli authorities have done little beyond issuing occasional condemnations of the violence.

Advertisement

Two Palestinians killed in West Bank clashes, ministry says The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah said two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, were killed in clashes with Israels military on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT) in the northern part of the West Bank. Related Article Opinion

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Israels annexation of the West Bank has been occurring for decades Anas Iqtait Professor Israels military said a militant was shot and killed after he threw a block at troops in Qabatiya, and another militant was killed after he hurled explosives at troops operating in the town of Silat al-Harithiya. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the Palestinian killed in Qabatiya as 16-year-old Rayan Abu Muallah. Palestinian media aired brief security footage of the incident, where the youth appears to emerge from an alley and is shot by troops as he approaches them without throwing anything. Israels military said the incident was under review.

Advertisement

The Health Ministry identified the second man as Ahmad Ziyoud, 22. Israels military has scaled up military operations in the West Bank since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that triggered the war in Gaza. Cardinal celebrates Christmas Mass in Gaza City The top Catholic leader in the Holy Land visited Gazas only Catholic Church and celebrated a pre-Christmas Mass on Sunday that included the baptism of a baby. Dozens of Palestinians gathered in the Holy Family Parish. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is on his fourth visit to Gaza since the war began, and said the Christian community aimed to be a stable, solid reference point in this sea of destruction as rebuilding slowly began.

Advertisement

Related Article Israeli-Palestinian conflict Trumps Gaza peace plan approved by United Nations Security Council It is different this time, Pizzaballa said. I saw the new desire for a new life. The Holy Family compound was hit by fragments from an Israeli shell in July, killing three people in what Israel called an accident and for which it expressed regret. The parish has served as a refuge for Christians and Muslims, sheltering hundreds of displaced people. There was a mix of gratitude and grief as people at the church marked Christmas away from home. They welcomed us with great love and respect, Nazih Lame Habashi, who stays there with his family, said. This is the third holiday we are marking since the war. God willing, life will improve, added Najla Saba.

Advertisement

AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten has vindicated the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) in summary proceedings brought by residents of Jordan Road #12 in Cupecoy, dismissing all claims against the Minister and the Country of Sint Maarten. The judgment confirms that VROMI acted appropriately in issuing permits for the West Vue construction project and that the access road dispute is a private contractual matter.

In a decisive ruling, the Judge rejected the plaintiffs' attempts to use civil proceedings to challenge administrative decisions already subject to proper legal review. The court declared the plaintiffs inadmissible in their claims related to alleged safety risks arising from civil works permits, affirming that administrative law proceduresnot the civil courtsare the appropriate venue for such challenges.

The court's judgment validates VROMI's position on multiple fronts:

 Permits Properly Issued: The court confirmed that the building permit and three civil works permits issued by VROMI were granted following proper procedures, including technical inspections, expert opinions, and opportunities for public input

 Administrative Process Respected: The court ruled that the civil route was inappropriate, given that administrative law options remain available and are being utilized by the plaintiffs

 No Ministerial Liability: All claims against the Minister for imposing a construction freeze or revoking permits were rejected.

 Clear Jurisdictional Boundaries: The court emphasized the importance of maintaining proper separation between administrative and civil court functions

The court ruled unequivocally that the access road issue stems from a January 2025 settlement agreement between the plaintiffs and NLGY Developmenta purely private law matter in which VROMI has no obligations or powers. The Minister cannot impose a construction stop to enforce private contractual disputes between neighboring property owners.

As the court stated: "Even if the claimants' argument is correct that the emergency services cannot reach their homes, the Minister cannot take action against this with a construction stop."

While the plaintiffs submitted an expert report claiming inadequate geotechnical investigation, the proceedings revealed that NLGY had, in fact, conducted an extensive geotechnical engineering study by Schnabel Engineering in August 2023before VROMI issued the civil works permits. The court found the plaintiff's expert had worked with incomplete information and that VROMI's technical review process was sound.

"This judgment confirms what we have maintained throughout: VROMI followed all proper procedures in reviewing and issuing permits for the West Vue project," stated the Minister. "Our technical staff conducted thorough reviews and provided appropriate opportunities for public participation. The court has correctly recognized that private disputes between neighbors cannot be resolved through misuse of administrative enforcement powers."
CAPE BAY:--- The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation St. Maarten carried out its 26th Cay Bay food relief distribution on December 14, 2025, marking two years and two months of uninterrupted monthly assistance to the community and concluding its Cay Bay relief efforts for the year.

The distribution was supported by 16 volunteers, including one Commissioner, five Training Commissioners, three Tzu Chi volunteers, and seven community volunteers, reflecting continued collaboration and community involvement. During the activity, 90 families received essential food items consisting of a 22-pound bag of rice, one liter bottle of cooking oil, two packs of pasta, two packs of dry peas, and Christmas butter cookies.

Although many recipients are often reserved about sharing their personal circumstances, several spoke about the impact of the assistance, noting that even a small amount of food can make a meaningful difference, particularly for families with children. One young Haitian mother explained that the monthly food support helps her children and eases her worries, especially at the end of the month when rent is due, and she described the emotional stress of struggling to meet rental payments while expressing gratitude for the consistent support. Another recipient shared that many families in the Cay Bay area live in extreme poverty and explained that he regularly collects food on behalf of a neighbor who is unable to leave his home due to health conditions. An elderly recipient expressed sincere appreciation, stating that he is very thankful that Tzu Chi volunteers continue to bring food every month and that the community truly values this care.

Other recipients shared that life in Cay Bay is difficult for many residents, with some affected by unemployment and others by low incomes that make it hard to pay utility bills. Seniors face challenges related to low pensions and illness, while many parents worry daily about being able to provide their children with their next meal. Despite these hardships, recipients contributed Bamboo Bank donations totaling US $125.80, reflecting gratitude and a spirit of giving back.

Throughout 2025, Tzu Chi St. Maarten provided sustained monthly assistance to the Cay Bay community, distributing a total of 1,355 bags of rice, 1,355 bottles of cooking oil, 1,859 packs of pasta, 1,859 packs of dry peas, and 90 Christmas cookie packages. Over the course of the year, 193 volunteers were involved, 1,364 families benefited from the programe, and a total of 4,092 family members were supported.

As the final Cay Bay relief distribution of 2025, many recipients expressed hope that Tzu Chi will be able to continue supporting the community in 2026. The Tzu Chi team reflected on the ongoing needs in Cay Bay and stated that it remains committed to carefully evaluating how best to continue providing compassionate and meaningful assistance in the coming year.
Press Release from Business Wire: Intercontinental Exchange



(AFP) Dec 22, 2025



SINGAPORE, Dec 22, 2025 (BSW) - Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of technology and data, today announced that Nanhua Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Nanhua Singapore) has become a member of ICE Futures Singapore and ICE Clear Singapore. With these appointments, Nanhua Singapore can trade and clear its own business and clients' business.

"We are pleased to join ICE in Singapore, as becoming a member allows Nanhua Singapore to strengthen our trading and global clearing capabilities, providing our clients with expanded opportunities in international markets," said Zheng Peiyuan, Chief Executive Officer, Nanhua Singapore. "This membership underscores our commitment to delivering reliable and efficient services that meet the evolving needs of our clients, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration with ICE as we continue to support our clients' growth globally."

"We are delighted to welcome Nanhua to ICE in Singapore," said Maria Levanti, President & COO, ICE Futures Singapore and ICE Clear Singapore. "We continue to work closely with the regional market to connect local and international participants in Asia with access to global markets and risk management tools."

ICE has had a presence in Singapore for over two decades. ICE Futures Singapore's portfolio of energy, FX, equity derivatives and digital asset contracts offer a range of hedging tools including in mini and micro size that enable customers to manage risk.

For the full list of available products to trade, please visit: www.ice.com/futures-singapore and for clearing membership information, please visit: www.ice.com/clear-singapore.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds, and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE's futures, equity, and options exchanges -- including the New York Stock Exchange -- and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world's largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines, and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)."

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2025.

Category: Exchanges

Source: Intercontinental Exchange







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251221742665/en/









Contact

ICE Media ContactJess Tatham+44 7377 947136[email protected] [email protected]

ICE Investor Relations ContactKatia Gonzalez+1 678 981 3882[email protected] [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Axelspace Corporation



(AFP) Dec 22, 2025



TOKYO, Dec 22, 2025 (BSW) - Axelspace Corporation ("Axelspace"), a leading microsatellite company committed to making "Space within Your Reach," is pleased to announce a multi-launch agreement (MLA) with Exolaunch, a global launch integrator and leader in launch mission management, satellite integration and satellite deployment technologies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251219038364/en/







The Multi-Launch Agreement will accelerate the growth of Axelspace. In particular, one satellite scheduled for launch under the new Agreement will be used in the AxelLiner business's in-orbit demonstration service, "AxelLiner Laboratory". Exolaunch has already secured launches for eight (8) Axelspace's satellites on the upcoming missions.

Axelspace provides AxelLiner Laboratory (AL Lab), a new service originating from the AxelLiner business that is specialized in in-orbit demonstration of space components.

Nonetheless, conducting in-orbit demonstrations in a short period of time is known to be a significant challenge due to the inconsistent opportunities provided for in-orbit demonstration missions and its lengthy process from selection to launch, often taking up to several years.Against this backdrop, space policies promoted by government bodies-including the Space Strategic Fund-position the establishment of a domestic satellite supply chain as a key priority. As a result, demand is growing for timely in-orbit demonstrations of innovative satellite components originating in Japan.

To overcome these existing challenges involved in in-orbit demonstrations, Axelspace has developed a service tailored to such special needs by leveraging the short development time and mass-production capabilities realized by AxelLiner.In providing AL Lab services, we recognize that, amid the recent global increase in demand for satellite launches, securing launch opportunities that can flexibly accommodate desired schedules and orbits is a critical risk with a high potential impact on service execution.

"Axelspace is a trailblazer in Japan's space industry, and we are proud to support their ongoing satellite launch program through this new Multi-Launch Agreement," said Kier Fortier, Vice President of Global Business Development at Exolaunch. "With our global footprint, including Exolaunch Japan, and extensive flight heritage in delivering small satellites safely to orbit, we look forward to providing Axelspace with reliable global launch access and deep launch mission management expertise to support efficient, quick deployment of Axelspace's satellite constellation."

The full press release is available here: https://www.axelspace.com/news/multi_launch_agreement_with_exolaunch/







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251219038364/en/









Contact

Media ContactAxelspace Holdings CorporationE-mail: [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Coherent Solutions



(AFP) Dec 22, 2025



MINNEAPOLIS & AMSTERDAM, Dec 22, 2025 (BSW) - Coherent Solutions , a global digital engineering firm, has announced the closing of the strategic investment from IceLake, a leading private equity investor specializing in partnering with high-growth business services organizations. The transaction, previously announced in September 2025, has now received all necessary regulatory approvals.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251222791182/en/

Coherent Solutions and IceLake close strategic investment



Coherent Solutions employs ~2,000 digital engineering, product, and design professionals across Europe and Latin America. The company builds and modernizes digital products and platforms for growing scale-ups and established global brands.

"In a market saturated with AI claims, we're seeing clients prioritize partners who can convert technology into measurable business outcomes," said Igor Epshteyn, CEO of Coherent Solutions. "Staying grounded in digital value creation, while applying AI in ways that are practical, achievable, and tied to real impact, continues to differentiate our work and guide clients toward investments that matter."

IceLake added, "What sets Coherent apart is its combination of deep domain expertise and the ability to translate modern engineering and product practices into genuine enterprise value. In a market full of AI narratives, Coherent's strength lies in execution - delivering tangible results while leveraging the latest technologies, including AI."

The closing of the IceLake investment marks a major milestone for Coherent Solutions. The partnership provides additional resources to expand global delivery capacity, invest further in advanced technical capabilities, and support the company's continued growth.

About Coherent Solutions

Coherent Solutions is a global digital solutions engineering firm founded in 1995. With teams in 10 development centers across Europe and Latin America, the firm brings 30 years of technology expertise and industry knowledge to deliver tailored digital solutions. Partnering with high-growth scale-ups and ambitious global brands, Coherent Solutions is recognized for its commitment to quality, transparency, and innovation. Empowering Business Success.

About IceLake

IceLake is a private equity firm that invests in exceptional companies with strong market positions and ambitious growth plans. IceLake supports businesses in executing their strategies, including buy & build, international expansion, and operational excellence. IceLake has offices in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251222791182/en/









Contact

Media Relations: [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.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

On the night of December 22 (from 19:00 on December 21), the enemy attacked with 86 Shahed, Gerbera type attack UAVs and drones of other types from the following directions: Orel, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russian Federation), Donetsk Autonomous Republic, Chauda (Armenian Autonomous Republic of Crimea), more than 50 of them were Shahed UAVs, - the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the Telegram channel.

"According to preliminary data, as of 8:30, air defense shot down/suppressed 58 enemy Shahed, Gerbera type attack UAVs and drones of other types in the north, south and east of the country. 26 strike UAVs were recorded at 12 locations, as well as the fall of downed (fragments) at one location," the Air Force said.
Neutral Ireland's defence gaps exposed as EU presidency nears



The Curragh, Ireland, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Sheep amble around steel fences skirting Ireland's largest military base on a grassy plain west of Dublin, a bucolic scene masking an underfunded defence force struggling with outdated equipment.

Ireland's threadbare military and its long-standing policy of neutrality are under heightened scrutiny as the country prepares to assume the rotating EU presidency from July.

"Ireland is the only EU country with no primary radar system, nor have we sonar or anti-drone detection equipment -- let alone the ability to disable drones," said former Irish special forces member Cathal Berry.

"We can't even monitor the airspace over our capital city and main airport," he told AFP as he surveyed Ireland's main military base at The Curragh.

That was dramatically illustrated during a visit to Ireland by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Several drones of unidentified origin were spotted above Dublin Bay as Zelensky's plane arrived on December 1, which were detected only by the naked eye and blamed on pro-Russian actors.

Russia's Dublin embassy has denied any involvement.



- 'Neutrality must be defended' -



Militarily neutral Ireland is not a NATO member, yet its waters -- seven times its landmass -- account for around 16 percent of the EU's total.

Nearly three-quarters of transatlantic subsea cables run close to or beneath them.

But the Irish army numbers only a few thousand troops, is focused largely on UN peacekeeping missions and has neither a combat air force nor a sizeable navy.

Ireland's annual defence spending of roughly 1.2 billion euros is the lowest in Europe at around 0.2 percent of GDP, well below the EU average of 1.3.

"Neutrality itself is actually a fine policy. If you want to have it, it must be defended," said retired Irish army colonel Dorcha Lee.

"That's the whole point. Undefended neutrality is absolutely definitely not the way to go."

Berry points to a long-standing "complacency" about defence in Ireland that has fuelled a vacuum in debate over neutrality and military spending.

"If you wanted to squeeze the EU without any risk of NATO retaliation, Ireland is where you'd come," he said, adding that also applied to US interests in Europe.

US tech giants like Google, Apple and Meta have their European headquarters in Ireland, supported by vast data centres that analysts say are vulnerable to cyberattacks.



- 'Scaremongering' -



Visiting Dublin days after Zelensky's trip, European Council President Antonio Costa said he was still "confident" Ireland could protect EU summits during its presidency.

Defence Minister Helen McEntee has pledged that new counter-drone technology will be in place by then.

Speaking in front of a row of ageing army vehicles at the Curragh military site, she also announced a broader increase in military spending, although the actual details remain unclear.

On December 17, the Irish government said it plans to buy a military radar system from France at a reported cost of between 300 and 500 million euros (around $350-$585 million).

For Paul Murphy, a left-wing opposition member of parliament, "scaremongering over allegedly Russian drones with concrete evidence still unprovided" is giving the government cover to steer Ireland away from neutrality towards NATO.

"But it's more important than ever that we're genuinely neutral in a world that is increasingly dangerous," he told AFP.

Ireland has historically prioritised economic and social spending over defence investment, he said.

"Joining an arms race that Ireland cannot compete in would waste money that should be spent on real priorities like climate change," he added.

Pro-neutrality sentiment still holds sway among the Irish public, with an Irish Times/Ipsos poll earlier this year finding 63 percent of voters remained in favour of it.

And very few voices in Ireland are calling to join NATO.

Left-winger Catherine Connolly, who won Ireland's presidential election in October by a landslide, is seen as a pacifist.

"I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality," she said in her victory speech.



- 'Emerging risks' -



But Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted a radical reappraisal of European defence priorities.

Two of the EU's long-standing neutral member states, Finland and Sweden, responded by joining NATO.

According to Cian Fitzgerald, a security analyst with Dublin-based Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), Ireland must be alert to "emerging risks".

While Ireland's geography has insulated it from the worst effects of conflict in Europe, threats such as cyberwarfare and drones are not constrained by distance, he said.

"Ireland's vulnerability is due to its importance to global communications and economic systems -- making it a target not only in its own right, but also as a means to target others," he told AFP.
Colombia says 18 soldiers kidnapped during anti-guerrilla raid



Bogota, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Eighteen Colombian troops have been kidnapped while conducting an operation against the ELN guerrilla group, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday.

The soldiers were surrounded by "nearly 200 people and forcibly transferred, against their will, to an indigenous reservation" in Choco Department in the country's northwest, near the border with Panama, Sanchez said in a post on X.

Founded in 1964 and inspired by the Cuban revolution, the ELN, or National Liberation Army, is the oldest surviving guerrilla group in the Americas.

The group controls key drug-producing regions of Colombia, which is grappling with its worst security crisis in a decade, fueled by criminal groups profiting from trafficking, extortion and illegal mining.

The defense minister condemned the kidnapping of the troops, saying that restricting military operation puts local communities at "serious risk."

"These operations aim to protect the civilian population -- especially indigenous communities -- from threats such as the recruitment of minors, forced displacement, and other acts associated with violence," Sanchez said.

"Peace is not built by kidnapping soldiers or weakening the state," he added.

Sanchez said he had asked the the interior ministry, the Choco government and human rights organizations to help secure the safe return of the soldiers.

A criminal complaint has also been filed with the attorney general's office.

Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba said that after "the detention of 18 soldiers who were carrying out their legal duties," she called an "extraordinary security council" to seek their release.

In September, 72 soldiers were detained by hundreds of residents in the Micay Canyon, an enclave for cocaine production dominated by dissident rebels from the now-defunct FARC group.

A month earlier, 33 uniformed personnel were freed after being held for three days in the department of Guaviare.
Moscow car blast kills Russian general hours after US talks



Moscow, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



A car bomb killed a senior Russian general in southern Moscow on Monday morning, the latest high-profile army figure to be blown up in a blast that came just hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegates held separate talks in Miami on a plan to end the war.

Kyiv has not commented on the incident, but Russian investigators said they were probing whether the blast was "linked" to "Ukrainian special forces".

The attack was similar to other assassinations of generals and pro-war figures that have either been claimed, or are widely believed to have been orchestrated, by Ukraine.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head of the Russian General Staff's training department, was killed when the bomb, which had been placed under his parked car, detonated in a residential quarter of southern Moscow.

AFP reporters at the scene saw a mangled white Kia SUV, its doors and back window blown out. The frame was twisted and charred from the blast.

The scene had been cordoned off by security forces, and investigators were sifting through the debris. Eyewitnesses reported a loud bang.

"We absolutely didn't expect it. We thought we were safe, and then this happens right next to us," local resident, Tatiana, 74, told AFP.

"The windows rattled, you could tell it was an explosion," said Grigory, 70, who also declined to give his surname.

"We need to treat it more calmly. It's the cost of war," he added.

Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was "working through various lines of enquiry into the murder. One of them involves the possible organisation of the crime by Ukrainian special services."

Sarvarov fought in the Russian army's campaigns in the North Caucasus, including Chechnya in the 1990s, according to his official biography on the defence ministry's website.

He also commanded Russian forces in Syria in 2015-16.



- Talks intensify -



The Kremlin said Putin had been informed about Monday's killing, which came after three days of talks in Miami as the United States intensifies its efforts to broker an end to the four-year war.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and US special envoy Steve Witkoff hailed "progress" in the negotiations on Sunday.

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev also met with the US team, which included Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Witkoff had also called those meetings "productive and constructive."

An initial 28-point plan to end the war put forward by US President Donald Trump adhered to Moscow's core demands, triggering panic in Kyiv and European capitals.

Ukraine and its allies have since been working to refine the plan, though Kyiv says it is still being asked to make massive concessions, such as giving up the entire eastern Donbas region to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed scepticism over whether Russia really wants to end the war, which has killed tens of thousands and decimated eastern and southern Ukraine.

The Kremlin on Monday also denied that it wanted to recreate the Soviet Union, seize the whole of Ukraine and more land in eastern Europe after Reuters reported that US intelligence had concluded Putin seeks much more than just control over eastern Ukraine.

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has been blamed for several attacks targeting Russian military officials and pro-Kremlin figures in Russia and in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

A car blast near Moscow in April killed General Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy of the General Staff.

In December 2024, Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian radiological, chemical and biological defence forces, was killed when a booby-trapped electric scooter exploded in Moscow, an attack claimed by Ukraine's SBU security service.

A Russian military blogger, Maxim Fomin, was killed when a statuette exploded in a Saint Petersburg cafe in April 2023.

And in August 2022, a car bomb killed Daria Dugina, the daughter of ultranationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin.
Cambodia says Thailand launches air strikes after ASEAN meet



Phnom Penh, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Cambodia said Thailand launched air strikes on its territory on Monday shortly after Bangkok announced the two nations had agreed to hold talks this week aimed at halting deadly border clashes.

Cambodia's defence ministry said the Thai military deployed fighter jets to bomb areas of Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces beginning at 4:18 pm (0918 GMT), just hours after regional crisis talks were held in Malaysia.

"At 4:18 pm, the Thai military deployed F-16 fighter jets to bombard further deep into the Cambodian sovereign territory in the area of O'Kontoeng, Srae Nouy Commune, Varin district, Siem Reap province," the ministry said in a statement.

Siem Reap province is the home of the famed Angkor temple complex, a UNESCO heritage site, and its top tourist attraction, Angkor Wat, which sits just over an hour's drive from Srae Nouy.

Renewed fighting this month, which shattered a previous truce, has killed at least 23 people in Thailand and 20 in Cambodia, and displaced more than 900,000 on both sides, officials said.

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced a planned bilateral parley after a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Cambodia is also a member.

He told reporters that the discussion would be held Wednesday in southern Thailand's Chanthaburi within the framework of an existing bilateral border committee.

Cambodia's interior ministry, noting preparations for the meeting, said it welcomed the regional efforts to end hostilities.
Israel approves closing of military radio



Jerusalem, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Israel's government approved on Monday the closure of the country's military radio station, dismissing objections from the attorney general, who warned that the move threatened media freedom.

Founded in 1950, Galei Tsahal is renowned for its flagship news programmes, which have been followed for decades, including by foreign correspondents.

According to a government survey of audiences, it is Israel's third most listened-to station, with a market share of 17.7 percent.

"The government unanimously approved the proposal put forward by Defence Minister Israel Katz to shut down the military radio station Galei Tsahal," Katz's office said in a statement, adding that the closure would take effect before March 1, 2026.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had urged his ministers to back Katz's proposal, according to the statement.

"There have long been recurring proposals to remove Galei Tsahal from the military framework, abolish it, or privatise it," the statement quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who also serves as the government's legal adviser is currently facing dismissal proceedings initiated by the premier, said the decision "raises concerns about possible political interference in public broadcasting".

She added that it "poses questions regarding an infringement on freedom of expression and of the press".

Her office stated that closing the station would require a vote in parliament.

The government's decision "does not meet the required legal criteria and cannot be advanced in its current form", according to a 34-page document prepared by her office and seen by AFP.

Some of the programmes broadcast on the radio station have been critical of the government's policies.

Katz justified the decision by arguing that Galei Tsahal "broadcasts political and divisive content that does not align with the values" of the military.

"Over the past two years, throughout the war, many soldiers and citizens, including bereaved families, have repeatedly complained that they feel the station does not represent them, and that it even undermines the war effort and morale," Katz said.

"A situation in which a radio station intended for all citizens of the State of Israel is operated by the military is an anomaly that does not exist in democratic countries," Katz said.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the shutdown on X, saying it "is part of the government's effort to suppress freedom of expression in Israel during an election period."

"They cannot control reality, so they try to control minds," Lapid added.

Israel will hold a parliamentary election in 2026 and Netanyahu has announced that he would seek a new term in the office of prime minister.

mib/tgg/jd/jsa
Lebanon state media says 3 killed in Israeli strike on vehicle near Sidon



Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Lebanese state media reported three people killed in an air strike near Sidon that Israel said had targeted Hezbollah operatives on Monday, days ahead of a deadline for Lebanon's army to disarm the group near the border.

Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah, despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with the Iran-backed militant group, which it accuses of rearming.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said Monday's strike on a vehicle was carried out by an Israeli drone around 10 kilometres (six miles) from the southern coastal city of Sidon and "killed three people who were inside".

An Israeli military statement said the army "struck several Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Sidon".

Under heavy US pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah, starting with the south.

The Lebanese army plans to carry out the task south of the Litani River -- about 30 kilometres from the border with Israel -- by year's end.

The latest strike came after Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives on Friday took part in a meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee for a second time, after holding their first direct talks in decades earlier this month, also under the committee's auspices.

In a meeting Monday with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the goal of the negotiations was to "stop the hostilities, achieve Israel's withdrawal, return prisoners held in Israel, and return southern residents to their villages".

"Lebanon awaits positive steps from the Israeli side," Aoun added, according to a statement from his office.

More than 340 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry reports.

On Sunday, Israeli strikes in south Lebanon near the border killed one person and wounded another, as Israel also said it targeted Hezbollah members.

Israel's military has also kept troops in five south Lebanon areas that it deems strategic.
Moscow car blast kills Russian general as Ukraine peace talks stall



Moscow, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



A car bomb killed a senior Russian general in southern Moscow on Monday morning as officials reported "slow progress" in talks with the United States on how to end the war in Ukraine.

Top negotiators from both Russia and Ukraine were in Miami over the weekend for separate meetings with US officials seeking to break the deadlock on a deal to end almost four years of fighting, triggered by Moscow's all-out offensive on its neighbour in 2022.

Kyiv has not commented on the blast, the latest in a string of similar incidents, but Russian investigators said they suspected it was "linked" to "Ukrainian special forces".

The attack had the hallmarks of other assassinations of generals and pro-war figures that have either been claimed or are widely believed to have been orchestrated by Ukraine.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head of the Russian General Staff's training department, was killed when the bomb, which had been placed under his parked car, detonated in a residential quarter of southern Moscow.

AFP reporters at the scene saw a mangled white Kia SUV, its doors and back window blown out. The frame was twisted and charred from the blast.

The scene had been cordoned off by security forces, and investigators were sifting through the debris. Eyewitnesses reported a loud bang.

"We absolutely didn't expect it. We thought we were safe, and then this happens right next to us," local resident, Tatiana, 74, told AFP.

"The windows rattled, you could tell it was an explosion," said Grigory, 70, who also declined to give his surname.

"We need to treat it more calmly. It's the cost of war," he added.

Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was "working through various lines of enquiry into the murder. One of them involves the possible organisation of the crime by Ukrainian special services."

Sarvarov fought in the Russian army's campaigns in the North Caucasus, including Chechnya in the 1990s, according to his official biography on the defence ministry's website.

He had also been one of the figures overseeing Russian forces in Syria in 2015-16.



- Talks intensify -



The Kremlin said Putin had been informed about Monday's killing, which came after three days of talks in Miami as the United States intensifies its efforts to broker an end to the nearly four-year war.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and US special envoy Steve Witkoff hailed "progress" in the negotiations on Sunday.

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev also met with the US team, which included Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Witkoff had also called those meetings "productive and constructive."

But Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said only "slow progress is being observed" in the talks, state media reported Monday.

An initial 28-point plan to end the war put forward by US President Donald Trump adhered to Moscow's core demands, triggering panic in Kyiv and European capitals.

Ukraine and its allies have since been working to refine the plan, though Kyiv says it is still being asked to make massive concessions, such as giving up the entire eastern Donbas region to Russia.

Moscow has bristled at Europe's involvement, as it tries to broker a deal exclusively with Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed scepticism over whether Russia really wants to end the war, which has killed tens of thousands and decimated eastern and southern Ukraine.

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has been blamed for several attacks targeting Russian military officials and pro-Kremlin figures in Russia and in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.
Finland says to raise reservist age to 65



Helsinki, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Finland said Monday it will raise the reservist age from 60 to 65 next year to strengthen the country's military preparedness towards any threat posed by neighbouring Russia.

Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the reform, which enters into force on January 1 after being signed into law by the president, will result in an increase of 125,000 conscripts over five years.

"The number of Finnish reservists will be around one million in 2031," Hakkanen said in a statement.

Finland's reserve currently comprises around 900,000 citizens, and the eastern NATO country has a wartime strength of 280,000 soldiers.

"This and our other measures to bolster our defence signal that Finland ensures its security now and in the future," Hakkanen said.

Military service is mandatory for all Finnish men when they turn 18 and voluntary for women in the Nordic country of 5.6 million.

Conscripts may serve between six, nine or 12 months depending on their training.

The new age limit will apply to those liable for military service when the law comes into force.

Under the new rules, the availability of conscripts will be extended by 15 years for enlisted personnel and by 5 years for non-commissioned officers and officers.

Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia and ended decades of military non-alignment by joining NATO in April 2023, just over a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Helsinki closed its eastern border with Russia in December 2023, suspecting Moscow of orchestrating the arrival of migrants to destabilise the country.
Kyiv police detained a 28-year-old local resident involved in a gun fight in the central part of Kyiv.

In the telegram channel on Monday, the Kyiv police reminded that on December 21, at around midnight, law enforcement officers received a report of a fight near Bessarabskaya Square.

"The investigation established that a dispute arose on the street between two men, which escalated into a scuffle. During the fight, one of the participants in the conflict fired a shot in the air, after which the offenders left the scene," the report said.

Police identified two people involved in the incident.

"Currently, based on the results of search measures, law enforcement officers have identified and detained the shooter - he turned out to be a 28-year-old local resident," the police reported.

A pre-trial investigation into the incident is underway, initiated under Part 4 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - hooliganism with the use of firearms.

The identification of all participants in the incident and the clarification of the role of each is ongoing.
Lebanon says 3 killed in Israeli strike on vehicle near Sidon



Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Lebanon said three people were killed Monday in a strike near Sidon that Israel said targeted Hezbollah operatives, days ahead of a deadline for Lebanon's army to disarm the group near the border.

Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah, despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with the Iran-backed militant group, which it accuses of rearming.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said Monday's strike on a vehicle was carried out by an Israeli drone around 10 kilometres (six miles) from the southern coastal city of Sidon and "killed three people who were inside".

The health ministry reported the same toll.

An Israeli military statement said the army "struck several Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Sidon".

Under heavy US pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah, starting with the south.

The Lebanese army plans to carry out the task south of the Litani River -- about 30 kilometres from the border with Israel -- by year's end.

The latest strike came after Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives on Friday took part in a meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee for a second time, after holding their first direct talks in decades earlier this month, also under the committee's auspices.

The committee comprises representatives from Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that the goal of the negotiations was to "stop the hostilities, achieve Israel's withdrawal, return prisoners held in Israel and return southern residents to their villages".



- 'Days away' -



Israel has also kept troops in five south Lebanon areas that it deems strategic.

"Lebanon awaits positive steps from the Israeli side," Aoun told visiting Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday, a presidency statement said.

In a separate statement, Crosetto said that "even after UNIFIL, Italy will continue to do its part, supporting with conviction the international presence and supporting the capacity development of the Lebanese armed forces".

Asked by AFP if this meant Italy wanted to maintain a military presence in the country, a ministry spokesman confirmed that was the case.

UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since 1978, but the UN Security Council voted in August to withdraw the peacekeepers in 2027.

Aoun said Lebanon "welcomes the participation of Italy and other European countries in any force that takes the place" of UNIFIL.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the first phase of the plan to restrict weapons to the state south of the Litani River was "days away from completion", according to a statement from his office.

"The state is ready to move to the second phase, north of the Litani River, based on the plan prepared by the Lebanese army," he added.

More than 340 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry reports.

On Sunday, Israeli strikes in south Lebanon near the border killed one person and wounded another, as Israel also said it targeted Hezbollah members.
Trump to make ship-building announcement on Monday



West Palm Beach, United States, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



US President Donald Trump will make an announcement about ship-building Monday afternoon, a White House official said, with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Navy Secretary John Phelan in attendance.

The announcement will take place at 4:30 pm (2130 GMT) in Florida, where Trump is spending the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

The White House official did not provide further details, but Trump's remarks will come just days after the Navy publicized plans for a new class of frigates dubbed the FF(X) that it said will "complement the fleet's larger, multi-mission warships."

Phelan said the FF(X) will be based on an existing design from ship-builder HII that is already in use by the United States Coast Guard, and that the aim is for the first of the new frigates to be in the water by 2028.

The new frigate plans were announced after Phelan said in late November that four of six planned ships from the Constellation class of frigates would be canceled, while two that are already under construction are "under review."

"I will not spend a single taxpayer dollar unless it contributes directly to readiness and our ability to defeat future threats," Phelan said in a video posted on X at the time.

Washington has fallen significantly behind Beijing when it comes to the number of ships in its Navy, and a report to Congress earlier this year noted that "US military officials and other observers are expressing concern or alarm regarding the pace of China's naval shipbuilding effort."

The latest US efforts to boost its Navy come during a massive buildup of American forces in the Caribbean -- including the world's largest aircraft carrier -- that is widely seen as aimed at pushing Venezuelan leftist leader Nicolas Maduro to step down.

As part of the pressure campaign on Caracas, the United States has already seized two sanctioned oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela, and a White House official said over the weekend that US forces were in pursuit of a third such vessel.
Sometimes, you are simply setting yourself up for failure by buying the most fashionable person in your life clothing or accessories. For them, allow me to direct you to another form of luxury no one can turn their noses up at: the Wheely Card. Wheely, the chauffeur service relied upon by celebrities and CEOs alike, offer on-call drivers to be yours for a day, or assist with white-glove deliveries and collecting belongings.
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025/11/26/poroshenko-12/

Member of Parliament, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko has said that holding elections during martial law in Ukraine is impossible, but suggested holding them in the event of a temporary ceasefire.

"No. This is out of the question... Elections during martial law without suspending the law on martial law are impossible, illegitimate and will not be recognized by anyone. No matter what instructions someone gives to the parliament. But we can find a position on not a permanent, but at least a temporary ceasefire. For example, for six months," Poroshenko said in an interview with journalist Vitaly Portnikov on the Espresso TV channel.

At the same time, he warned against attempts to falsify the electoral process, because this could cause chaos in the country.

"Don't mess with this. Because it will be chaos. And Putin will take advantage of this chaos. It will be very irresponsible... Ukrainians are very responsible. I believe in them," Poroshenko said.

At the same time, he called for a reformatting of the government in the country and the creation of a new "government of national unity."

"When we talk about a unity government, Zelenskyy now has three options. The first option is to dismiss the government, to form a unity government on a competency basis. A rebooted government that has the support of much larger segments of the population than the narrow electoral base of the Servants of the People. Starting this is the right approach," Poroshenko said.

An alternative to creating such a government, according to him, could be the dismissal of all those involved in the corruption case in the energy sector with the participation of high-ranking officials.

"I want to emphasize once again that we are not eager for positions. We are ready to officially give up positions in the executive branch of government, to limit ourselves only to control functions, control parliamentary ones. But this will give us the opportunity to think three times before throwing out corrupt bills. Our competence will allow us to put the economy on a war footing. Without this, nothing will happen," Poroshenko said.
Once we take a stance as a nation and a Government and call it for what it is which is arbitrary detention, hopefully there are mechanisms that can be unlocked at that point to be able to move the dial and the end goal is getting them home.
Asked why the council was not aware of the illegal worker case for a year, Mr Rajawat told the LDRS: "I don't necessarily have an answer for that, except to say once we know about something like that happening, we will take action, or the [Labour] party will take action.
SpaceXs mega rocket Starship makes a test flight from Starbase on Oct. 13, the most recent launch. Eric Gay/Associated Press A student rides a bike toward the University of Texas at Austin campus. The Texas Space Commission has approved $9.3 million for a space research lab at the University of Texas at Austin Alyssa Gisselle Olvera/Staff photographer Texas Space Commission Chairman Gwen Griffin speaks during a Nov. 18 news conference in San Antonio. The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce announced that San Antonio will host the first Texas Space Summit in 2026. Charlie Blalock/Contributor

The Texas Space Commission approved $9.3 million for a space research lab at the University of Texas at Austin in its latest round of grant awards.

During its last meeting of the year, the agency thats responsible for growing the states space business also fixed a grammar error that could have limited weekend launches of SpaceX Starships from South Texas, and it reissued a nearly $20 million grant to the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The UT grant brings the space offices investment to $135.3 million of the $150 million that the Texas Legislature appropriated in 2023 for the states Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research fund.

UT will use the money to build a lab to study space domain awareness challenges to improve the tracking of objects in orbit.

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

Since January, the body has approved 23 requests from entities across the state, including Elon Musks SpaceX, Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace, Jeff Bezos Blue Origin and Houstons Intuitive Machines.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Theyre using the money to develop factories, labs, test sites, satellites, orbital data center technologies, specialized parts and internships across the state.

Of those approved requests, 16 are signed and in place while several others are awaiting signatures, according to Norman Garza, the commissions executive director.

The commissions board also discussed during Friday's meeting the Borderplex Alliances previously approved $19.8 million grant. The money was awarded to help the Space Force build a classified facility with office space and advanced telecommunications infrastructure and to provide three years of operating expenses.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Organizers expect it to attract space-related suppliers to the area  but theyve since realized theyre unable work under the programs reimbursement model. The fund currently repays awardees their expenses as they occur.

It was determined that this proposed project would not be viable under the traditional SEARF grant funding model because of reimbursement cycles, the board said. As such, the Borderplex Alliance has now applied for a direct award regarding the same project, and by doing so, the entity will be able to more quickly secure an appropriate venue.

The proposal passed.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The board also approved a revision to its order that allows SpaceXs city of Starbase to close Boca Chica Beach and Texas 4 for Starship testing and launches. It replaced an a with a the in the phrase, a Saturday or Sunday preceding Labor Day.

So, very specific here, the original language adopted said a Saturday or Sunday preceding Labor Day, which could be many weekends, the moderator said. So, this updated order, clearly defines our intent that the city of Starbase shall not authorize space flight activities during the weekend before Labor Day  rather than all weekends before Labor Day.

The revision passed.
A Waymo vehicle sits in traffic in San Franciscos Mission District Saturday during a power outage.The companys autonomous ride-hailing service remained suspended Sunday morning after the sweeping outage knocked out traffic signals across large swaths of the city. Aidin Vaziri/San Francisco Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO  Waymos driverless ride-hailing services were a high-profile victim of a power outage that affected large swaths of San Francisco this weekend, with cars freezing mid-ride across the city and disrupting traffic.

Videos shared widely on social media showed Waymo vehicles stationary at darkened intersections with hazard lights flashing, forcing other drivers to maneuver around them.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

City officials urged residents to avoid nonessential travel as traffic lights went dark or began flashing red across large swaths of the city.

The service was suspended Saturday evening as a blackout  caused in part by a fire at a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. substation  plunged nearly one-third of San Francisco into darkness.

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

A Waymo spokesperson said service was resumed Sunday.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Yesterdays power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions," she said.

A Waymo vehicle idles at an intersection with no operating traffic lights due to power outages. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

The outage began Saturday morning and intensified through the afternoon, eventually affecting about 130,000 homes and businesses  roughly one-third of PG&Es customers in San Francisco.

The fire inside a PG&E substation was identified as a key cause of the blackout, though the utility said the full scope of the failure remained under investigation. By early Sunday, power had been restored to most customers, but more than 20,000 were still without electricity.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Waymo said its vehicles are designed to treat non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops. But the company acknowledged that the scale of the outage created unusual conditions.

While the failure of the utility infrastructure was significant, we are committed to ensuring our technology adjusts to traffic flow during such events, spokesperson Suzanne Philion said. Throughout the outage, we closely coordinated with San Francisco city officials.

Waymo said it proactively paused service Saturday evening. Most active trips were completed before vehicles were safely returned to depots or pulled over, the company said.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said police officers, transit workers and emergency crews were deployed across the city to manage intersections and restore order.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Waymo has also paused service, he said in an update Saturday night, as BART and Muni trains bypassed or suspended service at several downtown stations.

Waymo self-driving cars are charged at a facility in Southeast Austin in November. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Tesla Inc. used it as an opportunity to take a jab at its competition, claiming its full self-driving feature is trained on billions of real-world miles, including power outages.

CEO Elon Musk posted on X that his companies robotaxis  a direct competitor of Waymo  were unaffected. Its vehicles in the Bay Area are not driverless.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The blackout has renewed scrutiny of how autonomous vehicles perform during linfrastructure failures. Waymo said it is already incorporating lessons from the outage.
The Home Slice Pizza menu has undergone few changes over the restaurant's 20 years. PROIVDED BY JULIA KEIM

We introduced the Statesman Restaurant Hall of Fame in 2021 to recognize the significant cultural and culinary contributions made by some of Austin's longest-running and most beloved restaurants.

These restaurants have helped define the dining scene and reflect who we are as a city over the decades. Restaurants must have been open at least 20 years and still be operating to be considered for inclusion. This year we induct two restaurants: 50-year-old steakhouse Jeffrey's and a 20-year-old, New York-inspired pizzeria that has made the whole city its neighborhood.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The line at the window refused to shrink, regardless of how fast the pizza flew out of the oven. People wanted those crispy-bottomed, chewy-edged, cheesy slices that were the closest thing to a New York pizzeria Austin had ever seen.

The employee working the window relented to the demand and walked off the job around 6:30 p.m. Home Slice Pizza co-owner Joseph Strickland jumped in to help serve the hungry customers. The new restaurant, open only a few weeks, ran out of dough by 8:30 p.m.

It was late 2005, the restaurants first time experiencing the First Thursday street party on South Congress Avenue. And it was clear that the new spot with its excellent New York-style pizza, irreverent mustachioed Queen of Pies logo, free Bazooka Joe gum (later changed to Smarties), friendly service, and silly-but-serious notion that pizza brings people together and makes the world a better place  was going to be a success.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The way people responded to the space and the menu, it just landed. It was a good problem to have, co-owner Joseph Strickland said of the early days at the restaurant he founded with his wife, Jen Strickland, and her former New York University roommate, Terri Hannifin.

Twenty years on, the sensation has cemented itself as a fixture. The pizzeria serves more than 1,000 pies daily from each of its two Austin shops, which both do more than $10 million in annual sales. The new kid on the block in 2005 is now a defining business not just of South Congress but all of Austin. Home Slice is one of the first names that pops into your mind when you imagine a commercial marketing our fun, friendly and creative city.

'We just wanted to be cool to people.'

Strickland grew up in Geneseo, New York, about six hours upstate from the countless self-described "kings of pies" slinging slices in New York City, and, after a decade enduring the subpar pizza scene of Austin, the former Austin Chronicle and Texas Monthly journalist, decided if she couldnt find the pizza she'd loved her whole life, shed try to make it.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

(from left) Terri Hannifin and Jen and Joseph Strickland opened Home Slice Pizza on South Congress Avenue in 2005. PROVIDED BY HOME SLICE PIZZA

Inspired by Evelyne Slomons The Pizza Book, Jen disassembled her home oven so it could burn hotter, added quarry tiles, and fired up her first pizza. She loved it more than anything in town.

Why not try to open a pizzeria, she thought?

She recruited her husband, Joseph Strickland, a Houston native and artsy graduate of Southwestern University who had stumbled into a 10-year career working in software development and project management in Austins tech world.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Joseph initially balked at the idea, but then remembered how much he loved the sole restaurant job he had after college. Romantically comparing it to the creative endeavor of staging a play, he bought in. He enrolled in finance and accounting classes at the University of Texas to better understand the business side of the potential opportunity.

Jen dreamed up the name Home Slice while on a jog, the name a playful echo of 1980s NYC hip-hop slang, a nod to her native state. But the ideas around what Home Slice could be, and for whom it could be, were galvanized at Jens day job.

She worked as a copywriter for Milkshake Media, and the team of creatives there, in exchange for free pizza at the future restaurant, designed a brand brief for the Stricklands the same way they did for Milkshakes paying clients.

From those sessions came not just the Home Slice logo and the trademark Queen of Pies, but a distillation of their core values, which included neighborliness, constant improvement, a commitment to never compromising and being bona fide.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Home Slice Pizza may not have the word "sub" in its name, but its Italian sub deserves just as much love as its excellent New York-style pizza. PROVIDED BY HOME SLICE PIZZA

We just wanted to be cool to people, Joseph said. It comes down to operating well, and treating customers and employees right and just caring about the details.

'We had a blast together.'

Their vibe and vision resonated with Continental Club owner Steve Wertheimer, who became a champion and investor, and alerted them to the space on SoCo that was for lease.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Hannifin was the last piece of the pie. The couple reached out to Jens college roommate, a restaurant worker since her teen years and a passionate believer in the power of hospitality.

Hannifin had been pitched ideas over the years. She had thrown plenty of cold water on peoples unrealistic dreams of restaurant ownership and operation, but she loved the idea for Home Slice and moved from Denver to join the quest.

Jen was a natural host and had already nailed how to make exceptional New York-style pizza, and Joseph was obviously creative, intelligent and tenacious, Hannifin said. I knew restaurant operations inside and out, and was also a dedicated student of what to do and not to do related to all things restaurant. It seemed like a win-win for all three of us. Plus, we had a blast together.

That sense of fun and fellowship has always permeated the restaurant, where many of the leadership team members have worked for more than a decade.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

We wanted to grow a staff to get to see our vision, and then we could back off and empower them, Jen said.

Part of that team building includes a Home Slice-sponsored annual trip to New York City for employees to learn about the roots of the pizza and eat at the places that inspired Jen.

Home Slice Pizza immediately felt like a neighborhood staple when it opened in 2005. PROIVDED BY GARRETT SMITH

The growth of the team led the partners to expand to North Loop in 2018 and Houston in 2022. A second Houston location is slated to open in fall 2026 in the Heights.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

While people with deep pockets and dreams of wider Home Slice expansion have knocked on the founders door for years, the owners have tried to keep growth organic and manageable, focusing on whats in front of them and staying true to their vision of being a neighborhood pizzeria  even if that neighborhood is the whole city these days.

Im super grateful, Joseph said. Austins been amazing to us. I dont know what the next 20 years hold, but we are making plans to be around for the next 20 years.
Equipped with a wireless system and an electric bass, James Kuykendall wades through the tables at Skylark Lounge as his band, the Texas East Side Kings, backs him up on stage on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Austin 360

Austin has built its reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World, but  mirroring the city's restaurant scene  the shifting tides of a changing music landscape and evolving economy were apparent in 2025.

This year brought heartbreaking closures of beloved live music venues, even as new ones popped up in their wake. While some spots went dark temporarily or disappeared for good, nothing will ever fully stop the party in a city like Austin.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Waterloo Records at 600 N. Lamar Blvd. on Jan. 2, 2025 in Austin. Jay Janner/American-Statesman The late, great Margaret Wright performs at Skylark Lounge in 2014. The club said farewell after 12 years in business on May 4, 2025. AMERICAN-STATESMAN FILE Nica, a new downtown Austin jazz lounge, was founded by Kris Kimura and Aaron Frescas. Aidan Loughran/Nica

Heres a look back at the music establishments that were lost, opened or reimagined in 2025.

Closings

Coral Snake

Coral Snake on East Cesar Chavez Street closed in January 2025, abruptly canceling concerts and events. The venue had earned notoriety for chaotic moments, including a December 2024 performance in which noise artist Danny Tantrum reportedly ate his own excrement onstage. On Reddit, some said the act, staged as a gag, involved a candy bar, while others speculated the incident contributed to the venues closure. According to the Austin Chronicle, the bar shut down after owner Will Tanner opted not to renew the venues liquor license.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Outer Heaven

Outer Heaven Disco Club closed in March after the landlord, with an eye toward redeveloping the site, declined to renew the bars lease. During the pandemic, owner Sean Daigle took over the former Dozen Street space on East 12th Street and transformed it into a word-of-mouth dance destination. Daigle has said he is unsure whether Outer Heaven will reopen in a new location, but told the Austin Chronicle the club will continue to pop up at parties.

Parish

Duckwrth performs with Blk Odyssy at All American Freak Show, a South by Southwest showcase, at Parish in Austin, March 15, 2025. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

In May, Parish announced it would relocate from its East Fifth Street location. Despite what the venue described as a "fantastic landlord" and fair rent for the area, operating costs remained too high for a venue of its size to break even. Parish cited the inability to provide fair wages for staff while keeping ticket and drink prices accessible as reasons for the closure. The team is currently searching for a new location.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Skylark Lounge

The Skylark Lounge closed its doors on May 4 after 12 years at 2039 Airport Boulevard. Before Skylark, the space was known as Bernadette's and Airport Bar and Grill. The venues stage hosted many of Austin's top contemporary blues musicians, including legendary residencies including Soul Man Sam, Gene "Birdlegg" Pittman, Miss Lavelle White and the late Margaret Wright. Money was not the deciding factor in the closure. Owner Johnny LaTouf chose to retire and pursue other ventures. LaTouf said what matters most to him is that people remember the Skylark Lounge and his role in supporting music in the city where he was born.

Openings

Brushy Street Commons

Once known as North Door, then Parish and now Brushy Street Commons, this historic East Fifth Street music venue has seen more than a few transformations. The two-story indoor space continues to host local concerts while maintaining its reputation as a go-to destination for mid-size touring artists passing through Austin. Italian eatery Mariana Miracles has also opened a second location inside the venue. The original location is upstairs at Red River Street metal hangout Valhalla. At Brushy Street Commons, Mariana Miracles offers a late-night menu for post-concert munchies.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

501 Brushy St. brushystreet.com.

East End Ballroom

Previously home to Kokos Bavarian and Brewers Table, East End Ballroom now features a covered stage that hosts live bands and DJs. The bar offers cocktails and wine, while food options include light bites, pasta, smashburgers and a Thursday steak frites special. Stop by on Sundays for local rock band Nether Hours weekly residency.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

4715 E 5th St. eastendballroom.com.

Four Five Six

Four Five Six brings a vintage lodge aesthetic to the former Coral Snake space. The venue continues to host live music on its indoor stage and is home to a Tommy Want Wingy food truck. Beyond concerts, Four Five Six also hosts co-ed motorcycle meetups, vintage markets and pool tournaments.

1910 E Cesar Chavez St. instagram.com.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Lost Well

Many thought the Lost Well was gone for good after the metal bar was priced out of its longtime home on Webberville Road in August 2024. However, just over a year later, the dive announced it had found a forever home at 1141 Airport Blvd. It appears owner Marcello Murphy has struck gold after a series of setbacks. The Lost Well continues to roll out a steady slate of punk concerts and events. Keep an eye on its Instagram for updates and grab a bite from Badd Burgers, the food truck parked outside.

1141 1/2 Airport Blvd. thelostwell.com.

Nica on 4th

Downtown Austins newest upscale jazz bar, Nica, comes from Kris Kimura and Aaron Frescas, the duo behind Parker Jazz Club and the Elephant Room. The venue is named after British-born jazz patron and Rothschild baroness Kathleen Annie Pannonica de Koenigswarter, nicknamed Nica. The moody, Prohibition-style space hosts live jazz inspired by legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. Guests can enjoy table service with a curated wine list or handcrafted cocktails for a suave downtown evening.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

117 W. Fourth St., Suite 101A. nicaon4th.com.

The new Waterloo Records location on N. Lamar Blvd. on Aug. 27, 2025 in Austin. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Waterloo Records

In January, Waterloo Records announced it would change ownership and relocate from its longtime home at 600 N. Lamar Blvd. after 35 years at that location. The store was founded by Louis Karp in 1982, with John Kunz joining as co-owner that same year. Kunz became the sole owner in 1987. In 1989, Waterloo moved to its iconic corner at West Sixth Street and North Lamar Boulevard.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Ownership has since passed to Gold Rush Vinyl founder Caren Kelleher and Armadillo Records CEO Trey Watson. Despite the move, Waterloo Records continues to serve as a symbol of Austins enduring cultural identity. Waterloo Records new storefront, just down the street from its former location, is an impressive upgrade. The larger space features a new audio mixing studio, an in-house lacquer-cutting display, a podcast production room, and an indoor bar and lounge area. The store has also installed a particle deposition and vaporization machine capable of producing custom 24-karat gold and platinum records. Its new stage for in-store performances boasts upgraded tech and historic flooring from the original Austin City Limits Studio 6A.
The Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Two separate fatal shootings  one in 2023 and one in 2021  saw closure earlier this month after the two accused perpetrators were found guilty by Travis County juries, the District Attorney's office announced on Monday.

Vicente Reveles, 21, was convicted of murder and deadly conduct on Dec. 12 in connection with the 2021 downtown shooting death of 17-year-old Michael Carothers Jr., a case that for years drew scrutiny because an Austin police officer also fired a weapon during the chaotic response. Elliott Garcia, 43, was found guilty of murder the day prior. Both were sentenced to 30 years for murder, with Reveles receiving an additional 10 years for the deadly conduct charge.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim and his family, said Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza in separate statements about both murders. We hope this verdict continues to help the victims family with their healing journey.

Reveles was arrested Feb. 23, 2022 for the downtown shooting of Michael Carothers Jr., 17, in October of the previous year.

At the time of Carothers death, city officials said it was unclear whether the fatal bullet came from Reveles or from an Austin police officer who fired while running toward the sound of gunfire, prompting years of uncertainty for the family and a separate civil lawsuit accusing police of recklessly discharging a weapon.

Prosecutors later concluded Reveles fired the shot that killed the teenager, a finding the jury affirmed with this months guilty verdict.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

Garcia was arrested on Sept. 9, 2023 for the killing of Philip Patrick Foley, 40. Garcia had been waiting outside of a South Austin strip club after being kicked out for assaulting a waitress, when he drew a handgun and shot Foley.
Welding student Landon Wisian, a junior, works on the class cattle trailer project at Glenn High School, Dec. 18, 2025. High school students can earn industry-based certifications, college credit and other post-secondary credentials before they graduate. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

High school students have increasingly more options to choose from if they want to graduate with post-secondary experience.

While enrollment continues to increase across Texas universities, the rising cost of college has sparked a broader nationwide conversation about how students can achieve needed certifications while in high school.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In the 2023-24 school year, 25% of Texas seniors graduated with credit in a dual-credit college courses, which count for both high school and college credit, compared to 19.9% in 2017.

Also in 2024, 35% of Texas high school seniors graduated with an industry certification, 3.1% graduated with their associate degree and 21% had Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit in any subject.

The push isnt simply organic, but part of a state-driven goal that by 2030, 60% of Texans between 25 and 64 years old will have a certificate or degree. This goal, called Building a Talent Strong Texas, has helped drive incentives for schools to create and fund programs that encourage students to pursue college and career programming.

What kind of classes can my high school student take to get ahead?

To gain industry, college or post-secondary credit while still in high school, students have several options:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

Advanced Placement, or AP, classes: Students can pick from a list of 40 courses, such as statistics, chemistry or drawing, from the College Board. High school teachers instruct the college-level classes and students can take a test at the end of the class in hopes of scoring high enough to earn college credit. Typically, not all AP courses are offered at all high schools.

Students can pick from a list of 40 courses, such as statistics, chemistry or drawing, from the College Board. High school teachers instruct the college-level classes and students can take a test at the end of the class in hopes of scoring high enough to earn college credit. Typically, not all AP courses are offered at all high schools. International Baccalaureate, or IB: This internationally-recognized program provides classes from elementary through high school, but is more common for older students. Students can take an exam based on the content of these courses to earn college credit.

This internationally-recognized program provides classes from elementary through high school, but is more common for older students. Students can take an exam based on the content of these courses to earn college credit. Industry certification : Schools offer certifications for workforce credential s , which students can obtain by passing a certification exam, usually after completing coursework. These credentials, in programs like welding or medical assistant fields, are sometimes needed for employment in certain industries.

: Schools offer certifications for workforce credential , which students can obtain by passing a certification exam, usually after completing coursework. These credentials, in programs like welding or medical assistant fields, are sometimes needed for employment in certain industries. Dual enrollment : Broadly, this program allows high school students to enroll in college courses while still in high school. The student gets credit from both the high school and the college for the course.

: Broadly, this program allows high school students to enroll in college courses while still in high school. The student gets credit from both the high school and the college for the course. Associate degree: Students who attend an early college high school can also earn their associate degree, or up to 60 college credit hours, while in high school through a partnership with a local university or community college.

How popular are these courses?

Dual-credit enrollment grew in the past few years, from about 152,500 students in 2016 to more than 218,800 in 2023, according to data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. An increasingly larger share of Hispanic students enrolled in these courses over that time period, according to the data.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

More than one-third of high schoolers earn an industry-based certification, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.

However, a March UT study questioned the dramatic increase in this data from just 4.8% of students earning these certificates in 2017-18. The researchers raised concern that the coursework may not prepare students for the requirements of the credential.

How easy is it to access these courses?

Not all campuses offer each advanced course option. Some districts set up school sharing models where students can travel to campuses with a specialized course.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Access to dual enrollment courses also isnt always equitably distributed, according to research from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University.

Though 12.4% of white Texas students in 2022 had taken a dual-credit course, only 10.1% of Hispanic and 7.4% of Black students have also done so.

What is the cost?

High school students living in the Austin Community College service area receive waived tuition and fees for up to 60 credit hours.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Typically, classes taken at a high school are free, but some advanced courses, which are required to get college credit have a fee. AP classes cost $99 per test, but the College Board and the TEA offer scholarships for qualifying students to reduce the cost.
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/

Member of Parliament and leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko believes that the negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine, which have been ongoing for the past seven years, have been fruitless, while the options for joining NATO, the guarantees of NATO's Article 5, and a strategic defense partnership are workable.

"We need to stop talking about the fact that we are conducting intense negotiations on security guarantees. You have been conducting them for seven years, especially actively in the last four years. You have signed 40 security agreements. Why aren't you using them now? Where are your security guarantees that you were proud of, waving pieces of paper and saying, now we have all the security guarantees? Because these are not security guarantees," he said in an interview with journalist Vitaly Portnikov on the Espresso TV channel.

The politician believes that the concluded security agreements "are not legally binding" and "even worse than the Budapest Memorandum"

Poroshenko, who served as President of Ukraine in 2014-2019 and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2009-2010, noted that there are only three types of effective security guarantees, and one of them is full membership in NATO.

"I am proud that I introduced the obligation of NATO membership into the Constitution. Imagine if we did not have these constitutional norms now... I am finally happy that I heard from Zelenskuy... "we will not change the Constitution regarding Ukraine's future membership in NATO." Why? Because this is the only form (of security guarantees - IF-U)," he stressed.

When asked about the fact that US President Donald Trump is now against Ukraine's membership in NATO, the politician recalled that he had negotiated with him in 2017 and was able to obtain lethal weapons from him at that time. "Trump is a person with whom you can reach any agreement during negotiations. Form a negotiating team. [Ukraine] has no one to communicate with the White House right now," Poroshenko noted.

"The second position. Two countries have these security formats - Japan and South Korea. This is an agreement on strategic defense partnership. Do you know what its main characteristic is? This means that units of the United States armed forces are located in the territory of Japan and South Korea. And this is an effective form outside NATO," the politician said.

He called the third option for security guarantees the option of Sweden and Finland, when the guarantees of NATO Article 5 were extended to them before official accession. "Remember, Turkey blocked, Hungary blocked, then there were some other positions in Sweden, and it was in Finland. And then NATO made a decision. This means when we will receive a 100% security guarantee for the period before accession," Poroshenko said.

He also noted that the main component of such guarantees are the military contingents of the allies on the territory of Ukraine. "Boots on the ground. The Americans are now refusing - then we should have military units and contingents of Great Britain, France and eleven other countries that have agreed to send their military contingents to ensure the security of the achieved process... This is not an easy task. But the survival and existence of our state depends on this, in what form it will be preserved," Poroshenko said.
University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. This year, students from the McCombs school worked with a local nonprofit to help Austinites find cheaper health care. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Miller Wilbourn didnt know how Foundation Communities would continue serving all the needs of the community this year.

Each year the Austin nonprofit provides affordable housing opportunities and helps enroll thousands of Austinites in plans from the Affordable Care Act marketplace as part of its free financial services, Wilbourn, the group's senior manager of corporate and volunteer engagement, said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This year, students from the McCombs school worked with a local nonprofit to help Austinites find cheaper health care. Aaron E. Martinez / American-Sta University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. This year, students from the McCombs school worked with a local nonprofit to help Austinites find cheaper health care. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The need for services only grew with COVID-era health care premium subsidies set to expire Jan. 1, saddling millions of Americans with higher rates. Then the Trump administration cut contracts with nonprofit agencies early this year, and Foundations Communities faced a budget slashed in half and reduced staffing levels.

With rising Affordable Care Act premiums and financial stress, the local nonprofit turned to an unexpected source to continue serving the community: students from University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

This open enrollment cycle, college students pursuing a minor in healthcare reform and innovation volunteered one-on-one with Austinites to find affordable health care plans. The 105 UT students, who get course credit for volunteering, make up about half of Foundation Communities' total volunteers, Wilbourn said.

The nonprofit doubled the total number of volunteers from the previous year and helped more than 3,500 Austinites since Nov. 1. It hopes to enroll 4,000 by the time open enrollment ends Jan. 15.

Theyve had an enormous impact, Wilbourn said. We would be honestly leaving a big hole as far as assistance and guidance and walking people through this process with the funding cuts if the UT professors and students hadnt stepped up to fill that gap.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

How the partnership came about

The partnership with Foundation Communities  which started in fall 2018  predates federal funding cuts and cost uncertainty. But when the nonprofit asked for help after losing most of their funding in February, UT professors reached out to ask how they could continue their support.

Three professors partnered with the organization this year, increasing the number of required volunteer hours to help meet the demand.

They were immediately there with us, Wilbourn recalled.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Before the health reform and innovation minors creation 10 years ago, there was no UT program focused on the administrative side of the industry despite it being the largest sector in the state, said Kristie Loescher, a professor of management at UTs McCombs School.

Healthcare is between 17% and 20% of the US economy. It is bigger than manufacturing, and we have a whole degree in operations management focused on manufacturing, Loescher said. The goal of the class is to introduce students to how the healthcare system works from a business perspective so students can be successful, she said.

HEALTH CARE: Brace for sticker shock as health care Marketplace opens

Loescher has taught a class on health care management for nearly a decade, and the minor is now the third largest in the business school, with 375 students enrolled. Her course instills students with an understanding of how the U.S. healthcare system differs from other countries and how business operations and reform models affect care. The class partners with community organizations to give students experience solving real-world problems and insight into how policy affects people.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Local health organizations like Dell Medicine give the class projects, such as applying management principles to optimize surgery time. Students tackle the assignments in teams of five and at the end of class, they can volunteer with Foundation Communities or do a research project. About half choose volunteering, Loescher said.

'A really big difference'

After rigorous training from the nonprofit in how to assist Austin residents in finding the best health care plan, students take shifts working directly with locals to understand their needs.

Loescher, who also volunteers, said about half of the clients she worked with this year fell into the Medicaid gap, meaning they do not qualify for care because their income is too low. She encountered a client who was a nursing student at Austin Community College, who couldnt access a plan without getting a job. Another client qualified for the plan, but her monthly cost increased from $30 to $300 this year, Loescher said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The students not only learn about that as an academic exercise in class, they see it. They see the face of it, they see the struggle, Loescher said.

The Foundation Communities volunteering not only helps clients, but it also helps students learn how to navigate an insurance system that can be confusing and complex, Loescher said.

Tamara Solayappan, a UT junior majoring in public health and minoring in health care reform and innovation, said the nature of her classes helps her visualize what job and impact she could have on the sector after graduation.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Through her work at Foundation Communities, she saw first hand how premiums skyrocketed this year, leading to more fear, anxiety and financial barriers to people enrolling. But it made working directly with clients even more valuable, she said, understanding that without the nonprofits help, some might go without health care coverage.

It made me realize that theres so much that needs to be done to make (health care) more efficient and more accessible for people, Solayappan said. Its really rewarding, because its also relieving, knowing that they have health insurance, because costs without insurance are extremely high.

Solayappan worked with one pregnant woman who feared that if she lost coverage she wouldnt be able to give birth in the hospital where her doctor was based. Two of her clients never had health insurance at all and did not know where to start. She was able to help them all.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Students participate in a cooking class hosted by Common Threads, a nonprofit that provides free, hands-on nutrition programs through Austin schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and other organizations. Common Threads is losing $17,400 because of city budget cuts, on top of other funding losses, forcing difficult decisions about its programming. Courtesy of Common Threads

Right before the holidays, 59 Austin-area nonprofits received notice that city contracts managed through Austin Public Health would be cut retroactively by 10%, with potentially more cuts next year.

For many organizations, this is not a trimming of extras. It is a cut to the front door of care: food assistance for seniors, mental health supports, shelter navigation, violence prevention, youth programming, and community health services that keep families stable and out of emergency rooms, jails and crisis systems.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

For Common Threads, the nonprofit that I lead, this means a sudden loss of at least $17,400, which will force us to reduce the free, hands-on cooking and nutrition programs that we provide through Austin schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and other organizations. And it comes on top of years of losses from federal defunding, the end of a state grant and a recent shift in Central Health funding, creating an even larger unfunded gap that will force difficult decisions about whether we can responsibly continue offering programs in Austin at all.

Community-based nonprofits dont just spend city dollars, we stretch them. Through volunteer hours, in-kind support, philanthropic matches and braided funding, nonprofits routinely multiply public investment.

But retroactive cuts break trust. When funding is reduced after scopes of work are approved and services delivered in good faith, organizations cant simply downshift. Programs are shuttered, staff laid off, and matching funds, often contingent on stable public partnership, are lost.

Austin prides itself on innovation, compassion and community, ranked among the leading startup ecosystems. Yet the citys nonprofit safety net, the infrastructure that supports health, dignity and stability for our most vulnerable residents, has not experienced comparable investment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Austin City Council adopted a revised $6.3 billion budget last month, after voters' rejection of the Proposition Q property tax hike required cuts to the original spending plan. Like every city, Austin faces real constraints and hard choices. City budget documents show that amended recommendations included a reallocation of roughly 10%, about $3.8 million, from existing social services contracts managed by Austin Public Health and other departments to fund other priorities.

The question isnt whether Austin has competing needs. It does. The question is whether those needs should be met by destabilizing the nonprofit safety net residents rely on every day.

The need in Austin is rising, not shrinking. About 18% of Travis County households experience food insecurity, higher than the national average. The citys 2025 Point-in-Time Count identified 3,238 people experiencing homelessness. At the same time, Austin Public Health has lost millions of dollars in federal grants, further straining community providers.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

These pressures do not fall evenly across the city. Residents in East Austin already experience stark health inequities. Life expectancy can differ by as much as 19 years between parts of East and West Austin, shaped by decades of disinvestment, redlining, poverty, food deserts, and environmental stressors. Lower tree canopy and green space contribute to higher heat exposure and pollution, worsening asthma, cardiovascular disease, and heat-related illness. Black and Hispanic communities face higher rates of chronic illness and poorer health outcomes. These are the very neighborhoods most reliant on Austin Public Health-funded nonprofit services.

When residents lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) support, when housing costs spike, when health needs compound, nonprofits quietly step in. Nonprofits are often the difference between a family staying housed or falling into crisis, between a senior eating or skipping meals, between a young person receiving support or spiraling into preventable harm.

Retroactive cuts make responsible planning nearly impossible. They erode trust, accelerate burnout and threaten accountability by shifting the ground after the work is done.

This is a moment for stewardship and practical leadership. We urge City Manager T.C. Broadnax, Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin City Council to reverse the retroactive portion of these cuts, provide a transition or bridge solution for this budget year, establish a clear and transparent process for future contract changes, and create a stable, recurring funding strategy for Austins human services safety net.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

To Austin residents, funders and business leaders: If youve ever relied on a food pantry, a youth program, a mental health provider, or a family support organization  or if you care that your neighbors can  please raise your voice now.

Austins identity is not defined by what we say we value. Its defined by what we protect when its hard.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
A U.S. Air Force pilot dressed as Santa Claus brings presents to German kids for Christmas in 1948. Operation Santa Claus brought joy to children who had suffered through years of war and poverty. U.S. Air Force

Before Christmas in 1948, three U.S. Air Force pilots in Germany got a brilliant idea to help Santa Claus. Lt. Jack La Marr of Long Island, Capt. Sherwood Drumm of Massachusetts and Lt. F. Konop of New York City asked Americans for toys, candy and clothing to give impoverished German kids.

The pilots were part of the Berlin Airlift bringing life-saving supplies into West Berlin, which had been blockaded by the Soviet Union. They did not want to see German children miss out on Christmas joy during the Cold War crisis. These kids had already seen so much war, hunger and sadness in their young lives.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Operation Santa Claus was started, and it took multiple planes to bring all the donated packages to Germany for Christmas.

Lt. Konop told UP News, Folks back home just cant bear to think of kids being unhappy on Christmas. The children were thrilled to get the gifts from the three pilots and Santas helpers.

But this was just the tip of the iceberg for Christmas 1948.

Gen. Lucius Clay, who commanded American forces in Germany after the war, requested donations of CARE food packages for German kids. There was extreme hunger and malnutrition throughout Germany in the years after the war. That Christmas, Vice President-elect Alben Barkley also urged donations of food packages for Germany and Austria.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The response was extraordinary. At least half a million CARE packages were sent to Europe in the weeks before Christmas. CARE, the charity founded after WWII to feed Europes hungry, had a record-setting year. The Christian Science Monitor even reported that reindeer were used in Finland to deliver the food packages across difficult terrain.

SIGN UP FOR THE AUSTIN ANGLE and get Statesman commentaries in your inbox

The Marshall Plan encouraged Americans to send more of these Christmas food packages so hungry children could eat well. Germany was the biggest recipient, followed by Italy and France.

Lt. Col. Robert C. Hall in Germany wrote of the holiday deliveries: You have no idea just how much happiness you have been instrumental in bringing to the youngsters of this war-torn country. Your Christmas gift of service for the German youth is one which is appreciated by thousands of us here, and when we say, once again, thank you, it comes from the bottom of our hearts.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Kids in Europe also benefited from school lunch and infant nutrition programs powered by American donations and the Marshall Plan. Food aid saved lives and helped give children hope for the future as Europe rebuilt.

During this holiday season and into the new year, we should extend that same kindness to millions of hungry children in todays war and drought zones. Many are largely forgotten, especially after deep cuts to humanitarian aid this year.

In areas such as Sudan, South Sudan, Gaza, Mali, Yemen and Congo, the World Food Program does not have enough funding to reach everyone in need. The WFP warns that severe shortfalls are crippling emergency responses, forcing deep ration cuts and reducing access to food for the most vulnerable groups, with refugee food assistance at a breaking point.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

There is more than enough food and wealth to feed the hungry at home and abroad. We can support local food banks and global charities alike. This holiday, we can carry on the spirit of Operation Santa Claus and the Marshall Plan food packages. You can feed hungry children everywhere  and urge your elected officials to make fighting hunger a year-round priority.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at the Governors Mansion on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Gov. Greg Abbott has opted the state into a new federal scholarship program that could further expand the states $1 billion private school voucher program that is set to roll out this year.

The federal program, included in President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, offers a generous tax incentive to people who donate to scholarship organizations that help families subsidize school tuition, tutoring, books, computers and other educational expenses.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Parents will likely be able to stack the scholarships on top of a state-funded voucher to afford more expensive private schools or supplement income lost from choosing to homeschool.

READ MORE: When are private school vouchers launching in Texas? Here are the key dates

That can be huge for kids all over the country, said Matt Frendewey, a vice president of the yes. every kid. foundation, a pro-school choice group. In a time when education freedoms are on the rise, where more and more families want flexibility, this an opportunity to make the whole system more flexible.

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are still working out specific details. But state governors can choose whether to opt in or out of the program and can submit a list of the scholarship-granting organizations that can participate.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Some Democratic leaders, including the governors of New Mexico and Oregon, have already opted out. Texas is the fifth state to announce participation, after Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska and Tennessee.

The tax credit will essentially function like a rebate. Taxpayers who donate to a scholarship organization will receive a one-to-one credit on their federal tax returns, capped at $1,700 per year. Making a $1,000 donation, for example, would knock $1,000 off your federal tax bill at filing time.

Families are eligible for the scholarships if they earn less than 300% of their areas median income, which varies based on location and family size. For a family of four, that would mean an income of around $300,000 a year in Harris County, and roughly $400,000 in Travis County, according to estimates by the school choice advocacy group EdChoice. The threshold could exceed $500,000 for pricier metros like Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

But unlike Texas state-level program, which requires participants to be in private school or homeschool, the federally-funded scholarships will also be open to children enrolled in traditional public schools, who could use the funds on tutoring or extracurriculars, according to Jon Valant, an education analyst at the tax-focused Brookings Institute.

Critics worry the program could ultimately funnel money disproportionately towards more affluent families who are more likely to apply, and say the decentralized nature of the program limits oversight.

Theres nothing in this that is in any way designed for quality control or improving schools, said Valant. It just feels like a big handout to relatively wealthy parents and schools.

Abbott and state Republicans have celebrated the program, saying it will supplement the states trend towards more education alternatives and the states own voucher program.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Many Republican-led states already have in place tax credit scholarships, as theyre typically called. Georgia, for example, has designated a wide variety of nonprofits as scholarship organizations, including those that operate in specific regions or cities, or benefit certain types of schools, such as Catholic schools and Christian schools.

The new federal law outlines certain requirements for the scholarship organizations: they must register as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and spend at least 90% of the donations on scholarships. But, otherwise, they have few guidelines and its not currently clear whether the organizations are allowed to limit certain types of recipients.

The federal law imposes no cap on the size of a scholarship award. Its also not clear whether money must be distributed equally among applicants.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock delivers remarks during a stop of the Good for Texas Tour at StandardAreo in San Antonio, Texas on Friday September 19, 2025. Brenda Bazan/For the San Antonio Express News

Texas acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock is seeking to block certain schools from the states new private school voucher program, alleging they have ties to the Chinese government and to a Muslim advocacy group that Gov. Greg Abbott recently declared a terrorist organization.

Hancock has not named the schools or said how many may be impacted. But in a letter this month to Attorney General Ken Paxton he asked whether he could disqualify applicants that are based at an address that have hosted publicly advertised events organized by the Council of American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the nation.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

He raised concern about another school that may be owned or controlled by a holding group linked to the Chinese government.

The people of Texas deserve the highest assurance that no taxpayer dollars will be used, directly or indirectly, to support institutions with ties to a foreign terrorist organization, a transnational criminal network, or any adversarial foreign government, Hancock wrote on Dec. 12, asking for an expedited ruling on whether the schools should be excluded.

Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

While an attorney generals opinion is not legally binding, the state could use it to justify barring schools from the program.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Hancock declined provide more details but said in a statement that the request "does not prejudge any institution or presume any outcome."

About 30 Muslim schools operate in Texas, most of them clustered in the Dallas and Houston areas, according to voluntary federal surveys. Some are affiliated with local mosques and community centers.

The move comes as Republican state leaders are increasingly speaking out against Muslim groups. Abbott launched a regulatory blitz earlier this year to stop a planned Muslim community in North Texas, and last month he designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist groups and transnational criminal organizations.

CAIR has sued to overturn the designation and accused Abbott and others of amplifying Islamophobic rhetoric. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The groups Texas chapter said in a statement that it often hosts know your rights events when requested by students or school staff. It said penalizing schools for those events would raise serious First Amendment concerns.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Hosting civil rights education for students is lawful. So is teaching students about their rights under the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, the statement said.

The group has local chapters in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas.

Texas lawmakers have also sought to counter the influence of the Chinese government, passing a law that bans certain citizens and companies based in China and three other countries from buying land in Texas.

The $1 billion voucher program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts, began accepting applications from private schools earlier this month and will start processing interested families in February, with funds flowing beginning the 2026-2027 school year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A majority of private schools in Texas are religiously affiliated and many, including Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic schools, have previously expressed interest in the program, which could offer up to $10,000 for families students to put towards tuition.

Hancock is a former North Texas state senator who assumed leadership of the comptrollers office in June. He is running in a crowded GOP primary for a full term, and has Abbotts endorsement.

In the letter, Hancock said the suspect schools are accredited by Cognia, the countrys largest private school accreditation group with more than 700 Texas private schools on its member list. The schools were also recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, which is responsible for maintaining a list of the state private schools and determining eligibility for the voucher program.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Representatives for the Cognia and the TEPSAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As a result of enemy strikes on the night of December 2122, about 30 containers with flour and vegetable oil caught fire at the Pivdenny port in Odesa region, and efforts to deal with the aftermath are ongoing, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister for Communities Development Oleksiy Kuleba reported.

"Last night, ports and energy facilities once again came under shelling. At the Pivdenny port, a strike caused a fire  about 30 containers with flour and vegetable oil caught fire. Port workers and all relevant services are working on site," he wrote on Telegram on Monday.

According to Kuleba, more than 120,000 customers in Odesa region remain without electricity due to damage to energy infrastructure.

At the same time, critical infrastructure facilities have been connected to alternative power sources, and the region has heat and water supply, the deputy prime minister said. He added that restoration work is also continuing in Zhytomyr region, where damage to railway infrastructure had previously been recorded.

"Two locomotive drivers were injured. They are receiving the necessary medical assistance. Specialists are working at the scene. Thanks to all services working around the clock to eliminate the consequences of Russian attacks," the deputy prime minister said.

As reported, a freight train accident near the Ukrainian city of Korosten (Zhytomyr region) was likely caused by an enemy UAV attack. The train derailed near Korosten, triggering emergency braking and the derailment of the locomotive of passenger train No. 45/46 KharkivUzhgorod.
Closer cooperation with China helps Mideast countries pursue development goals

Xinhua) 08:10, December 22, 2025

CAIRO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- As 2025 draws to a close, practical cooperation between China and Middle Eastern countries has continued to grow in both depth and scope, even as the region remains unsettled by conflict and uncertainty.

Over the past year, Chinese investors have launched or expanded ventures from the Gulf to North Africa, helping governments across the region accelerate growth, create jobs, and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons.

While infrastructure, oil, and gas remain important powerhouses, China-Middle East cooperation has increasingly moved into renewable energy, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and other sectors central to the region's future.

A GROWING PIE OF OPPORTUNITIES

"Opportunities are everywhere here," Li Shuijin, head of a drill equipment company from China's Guizhou Province, told Xinhua at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, reflecting on a week-long business tour across the kingdom.

"Our products will definitely find a market," he added. "With the Middle East developing rapidly and its friendly ties with China, the market here is a pie that's only getting bigger."

Li's sentiment mirrors a broader trend: an increasing cohort of Chinese companies is turning its gaze toward the Middle East, chasing opportunities in the region's fast-growing economy.

According to China's General Administration of Customs, trade between China and the Arab League countries reached 240 billion U.S. dollars in the first seven months of 2025, up 3.2 percent year on year and the highest level on record for the period.

In November, British think tank Asia House reported that China had become the Gulf's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volume surpassing the Gulf's trade with the United States, Britain, and the eurozone combined.

A key highlight is that, while traditional areas such as energy and infrastructure have remained on a solid footing, partnerships in cutting-edge sectors have also picked up speed.

Chinese tech firms such as Baidu and WeRide have rolled out autonomous-driving projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. In December, CAS Space, a leading Chinese commercial rocket company, successfully launched the 11th Kinetica 1 rocket carrying satellites for the UAE and Egypt. In Saudi Arabia, Chinese-made robots equipped with AI algorithms are now being used to maintain large solar farms.

"There is a qualitative leap into high-tech and future-oriented industries in the cooperation between China and Middle East countries," said Abu Bakr al-Deeb, an economic researcher and advisor to the Cairo-based Arab Center for Research and Studies.

These projects are not just about business. "From generating jobs to improving facilities, the results of cooperation with China can be felt in every aspect of daily life here," said Mecheri Adel, an engineer working on a Chinese solar project in Algeria. "They have become an essential part of our way of life."

COOPERATION WITH COMPLEMENTARY STRENGTHS

The increasingly fruitful partnership, observers have noted, is driven by strong complementarities. As Middle Eastern economies pivot to digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable growth, China brings mature, cost-efficient solutions.

"China has made significant advances in high-tech industries and continues to strengthen its capabilities in these critical areas, while Middle Eastern countries face an urgent need to build up these sectors," said Mohammed al-Jubouri, a professor at al-Iraqia University in Baghdad. "Cooperation in these emerging industries is becoming a key engine of China-Middle East engagement."

The spread of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) epitomizes this trend. Leveraging their global leadership in EV technology and cost efficiency, Chinese automakers have secured a strong presence across the Middle East, helping drive the region's green transformation.

Meanwhile, China's technological rise has also attracted growing investment from Middle Eastern countries. In the first 10 months this year, Middle Eastern investors were reported to participate in over 10 investment deals in China, totaling more than 4 billion dollars and spanning such sectors as finance, healthcare, and renewable energy.

"Middle Eastern countries' pursuit of high-quality growth closely aligns with the experience China has accumulated through its own modernization drive," said Chen Fei, deputy director of the Business Development Department at SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd. "What started as a shared demand is now evolving into a mutual recognition of mindsets and development philosophies, which is laying a firm foundation for deeper ties in the years ahead."

"Past cooperation has proven that when China's capacity for delivery converges with the Middle East's determination for development, an exceptional development equation emerges," noted Hebah Abbas, a member of the Executive Committee of the World Utilities Congress 2026, "one capable of generating cross-sectoral projects, turning opportunities into reality, and translating ambition into concrete action."

A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE

As tensions ease in parts of the Middle East, analysts and business insiders have observed that more countries are shifting their focus toward development. In this context, China is increasingly viewed as a pivotal partner.

"The Middle East is entering a phase where economic influence eclipses military primacy, and strategic rivalry is increasingly mediated through trade, technology, and investment," Ahmed Kandil, a senior fellow of Egypt's Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said in a recent op-ed piece. China would provide the region "with an unprecedented opportunity to pursue integration, stability, and growth."

This view is broadly shared by regional analysts, who agree that huge potential for China-Middle East cooperation is yet to be tapped. "Already a major partner with a comprehensive and positive presence in the Middle East, China's legendary achievements in planning and engineering can deliver even more transformative results in the region," said Shraga Biran, head of Israel's Institute for Structural Reforms.

Other analysts pointed to China's awareness of local realities and respect for the unique development philosophies of each nation. "Unlike Western nations, China does not monopolize or exploit its partners. Instead, it strengthens the economies and industrial development of its partner countries," al-Jubouri, the Iraqi professor, told Xinhua.

Echoing al-Jubouri's point, al-Deeb also believes that it's China's adherence to non-interference and a win-win approach, highly valued by Middle East policymakers and business leaders, that gives their cooperation enduring vitality.

"Upon this foundation of goodwill and trust, every project and agreement between the two sides brings us a step closer to a China-Arab community with a shared future," said the researcher.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The European Commission has allocated EUR 2.3 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility to support the countrys finances and governance as it continues to fight Russian aggression.

The European Commission announced this on Monday.

"This is the sixth regular payment under the Ukraine Facility, the Unions key instrument to support Ukraines recovery, reforms and path to EU membership. It helps to stabilize the state budget while allowing Kyiv to advance the ambitious structural reforms necessary for its European integration," the European Commission said.

The total amount of assistance to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility, which has been allocated since March 2024, is EUR 26.8 billion, which corresponds to almost 70% of the funds available under the first strand of the Ukraine Facility.

"The payment follows the successful implementation of reforms in strategically important areas, including public finance management, the judiciary, financial markets, decentralization and regional policy, the agri-food sector, the management of critical raw materials, as well as the green transition and environmental protection. These reforms demonstrate how the Ukraine Facility directly contributes to progress on the ground, even in wartime conditions," the EU said.

Commenting on the allocation of funds, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Cos said: "Ukraine is implementing real reforms at an extraordinary pace, despite Russian aggression. Through the International Facility for Ukraine, the EU is advancing reforms that bring Ukraine closer to the EU, while supporting critical needs, including winter energy security. The International Facility for Ukraine will remain important to support the pace of reforms and Ukraines European future."

The EC recalled that Ukraine submitted a partial request for payment on November 11. On December 11, the Council of the EU approved the Commissions assessment that Ukraine had successfully implemented eight reform benchmarks related to this sixth regular quarterly instalment, as well as one outstanding benchmark from the fourth instalment.
The European Commission has successfully carried out the largest coordinated logistical operation ever, completely relocating a thermal power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine.

"This unprecedented transfer restores critical energy capacity and directly strengthens Ukraines national grid after prolonged Russian attacks on its infrastructure. The equipment played a crucial role in completing emergency repairs in several parts of the country where the energy infrastructure was severely damaged. It is capable of supplying electricity to around one million Ukrainians," the European Commission said on Monday.

According to the information released, the complex operation, which took place over 11 months, involved 149 deliveries of equipment weighing a total of 2,399 tonnes. Of these, 40 were oversized, including extremely heavy transformers and stators weighing around 172 tonnes each.

"The support of the Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves played an important role in ensuring the complex transportation of these components," the EC added.

The press release also notes that "this landmark operation is part of the EUs comprehensive response to Russias aggression against Ukraine since February 2022, coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)." "To date, EU support to Ukraines energy sector has helped meet the needs of around 9 million people, including the delivery of 9,500 generators and 7,200 transformers through the Facility.

Overall, the Commission has allocated over EUR 1.2 billion for humanitarian aid programmes in Ukraine and delivered over 160,000 tonnes of aid. In addition, all 27 EU countries, together with 6 participating states  Norway, Turkiye, North Macedonia, Iceland, Serbia and Moldova  have offered Ukraine in-kind assistance through the UCPM. The EU has also coordinated the medical evacuation of over 4,700 Ukrainian patients to hospitals in 22 countries for specialised treatment.
The USCGC Eagle sails in the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, in July 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard)



The U.S. Coast Guards oldest ship will celebrate the anniversary of its commissioning and the birthday of the United States during a busy sailing schedule in 2026, the service announced.

The USCGC Eagle will celebrate 80 years since it was commissioned into the Coast Guard on May 16, 1946. Launched in 1936 as the Nazi training ship Horst Wessel, it was obtained by the United States after World War II as a war prize, refurbished and put into service as the main training vessel for Coast Guard Academy cadets. Hundreds of Coast Guard officers received their introduction to seafaring aboard the Eagle. Details of the celebration of its 80th anniversary are to be determined.

The barque  the name for a type of steel-hulled three-masted ship  will keep a busy schedule as the United States celebrates the 250th year since the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It will take part in five Sail250 events marking the national birthday in New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York City and Boston. In the last stop, it will be in port along with the nations oldest ship  and the only other sailing vessel currently on active duty  the USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides.

For the first time since the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, the Eagle will join with its sister ships, Mircea, Sagres and Gorch Fock, all sailing ships built by Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg. The four ships will race between New York City and Boston on July 9.

The Mircea was built for the Nazi-allied Romanian Navy, captured by the Soviets, and then returned to Romania.

The Sagres was launched in 1937 as the Albert Leo Schlageter, a Nazi training ship, taken by the United States after World War II and sold to Brazil in 1948, which then sold it to Portugal in 1961.

The Grand Fock is a 1958 replica of a Nazi ship of the same name, captured by the Soviets and later returned to Germany to become a museum ship. The second Gorch Fock serves as a training ship for the German navy.

It is an immense honor for the Coast Guard Barque Eagle and crew to participate in the Sail250 festivities and celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, said Capt. Kristopher Ensley, commanding officer of Eagle. This voyage not only serves as a vital training experience for the next generation of Coast Guard officers but also allows us to share Americas proud maritime heritage with the public.

Confirmed summer schedule stops include:

May 23-25: Pensacola, Fla.

May 28-June 1: New Orleans

June 11-14: Charleston, S.C.

June 19-22 : Norfolk, Va.

June 25-28: Baltimore

July 4-8: New York City

July 11-14 : Boston

July 24-27: Portland, Maine

July 31-Aug. 3: Newport, R.I.

Aug. 7-10 : Greenport, N.Y.

Aug. 14: New London, Conn.

Information on public tours of the ship at each location will be announced closer to event dates, the Coast Guard said.
An unidentified soldier poses for a photograph after placing the star atop a makeshift Christmas tree in Berlin ahead of Dec. 25, 1945. Army Staff Sgt. Carroll Bud Kelsh brought the single photo home as a war memento and spoke fondly of the celebration. (Bruce Kelsh)



Staff Sgt. Carroll Bud Kelsh wasnt one of the lucky ones who made it home for Christmas following the end of World War II in 1945.

After spending three months recovering in French and English hospitals from wounds he sustained during the Battle of the Bulge, the wireman from the 78th Infantry Signal Company found himself returned to duty in bombed-out Berlin.

Kelsh and soldiers from his unit scavenged copper wire and found some light bulbs. They strung them around a 35-foot-tall evergreen miraculously left standing on the famed Unter den Linden, a boulevard whose name refers to a type of tree.

He later told his family that the tree was a unifying symbol that brought together German citizens and the occupying U.S. soldiers.

Eighty years after the lights were plugged into a humming Army generator, the spirit of what has been described as the greatest celebration in American history endures.

I think its a reminder that we as an American people can be unified, Kelshs son, Bruce Kelsh, said recently from his Oregon home. I think its also a reminder of when America was seen after the war as kind and generous and forgiving, and thats very much in the spirit of Christmas.

The U.S. declaration of war on Germany came on Dec. 11, 1941, four days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7. The attack prompted U.S. entry into WWII, and American forces were deployed to the Pacific and European theaters.

President Harry Truman sets out from his home in Independence, Mo., to deliver Christmas gifts to family members living nearby in this photo from December 1945. (National Archives)

An unidentified soldier poses for a photograph after placing the star atop a makeshift Christmas tree in war-torn Berlin in the days leading up to Dec. 25, 1945. Army Staff Sgt. Carroll Bud Kelsh brought the photo back as a war memento, and it is kept in a shadow box at the home of one of his family members. (Bruce Kelsh)

Workers prepare the stage and decorations for the lighting of the National Community Christmas Tree at the White House in Washington on Dec. 24, 1945. (National Archives)

President Harry Truman presses a button to light the National Community Christmas Tree at the White House on December 24, 1945. (National Archives)

The National Community Christmas Tree shines for the first time in four years following a lighting ceremony led by President Harry Truman in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 24, 1945. (National Archives)

Army Staff Sgt. Carroll Bud Kelsh scrawled this note on the back of a photograph memento of the Berlin Christmas tree from December 1945. (Bruce Kelsh)

Army Staff Sgt. Carroll Bud Kelsh, seen here in his billeting in Berlin in an undated photo from 1945. Kelsh was awarded a Purple Heart after he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He and his fellow soldiers lit up what they believed to be the first public Christmas tree in the war-torn city in December 1945. (Bruce Kelsh)

Army Staff Sgt. Carroll Bud Kelsh, seen here in this undated photo, spoke fondly of U.S. troops' first post-World War II Christmas, which he spent in Berlin in December 1945. (Bruce Kelsh)



The first action Kelsh saw was in the Battle of the Bulge, a last-gasp German offensive to rupture the Allied lines in December 1944 and January 1945, he said during an oral history interview with the Fargo (N.D.) Air Museum in 2007.

Kelsh was hit in the chest with shrapnel from a large artillery round and knocked unconscious while laying wire on the German side of the Rhine River. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries.

The surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, happened while he was in the hospital. On Sept. 2, the war in the Pacific came to a close weeks after the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Even before Japans surrender, there was a strong public outcry to bring back the millions of troops overseas in time for Christmas, using the slogan Home Alive By 45, according to the website of National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

As a result, the Army and Navy launched Operation Santa Claus, an effort to process military discharges in record time. Operation Magic Carpet transported an average of 22,000 Americans home per day for a year.

Soldiers and sailors streamed stateside using any available means to have the long-anticipated opportunity to lock loved ones in warm yuletide embraces.

December 1945 was the busiest month of Magic Carpet, with nearly 700,000 service members being returned, the museum website states.

The celebration at the White House and in New York Citys Rockefeller Center promised to be the biggest in years, author Matthew Litt wrote in his book Christmas 1945: The Story of the Greatest Celebration in American History.

Such exhaustive planning stood in contrast to the makeshift merriment that U.S. troops like Kelsh had to devise.

World War II had reduced much of the Continent to rubble. In Berlin, 600,000 apartments were destroyed and only 2.8 million of the citys original 4.3 million inhabitants remained, the city website states.

We didnt have the light bulb sockets, but we found a place in Berlin, he told his interviewers in 2007, a glint in his eye. We wired these things all together in our barracks.

As a memento, he brought home a solitary photo of a soldier on a ladder after placing the star on the Tannenbaums top.

I think it was the first Christmas tree in Berlin after the war was over, Kelsh said in the oral history interview. Maybe Im wrong, but it felt good anyway.

After the war, Kelsh used the skills he had learned in communications and worked for four decades for AT&T and Northwestern Bell. He married Joyce Hardwick in 1948 and the couple had five children. He died in 2010 at 87, Bruce Kelsh said.

During Christmas 1945, the world celebrated peace for the first time in over five years.

Americans, meanwhile, united in healing, Litt said in an interview, adding that the mood was euphoric.

Whether it was veterans who came back and sacrificed years of their lives, or even for families who had lost someone who wasnt coming home again, there was this feeling of, This is what it was for. My son or husband or brother didnt die in vain,  he said.

For more information, see https://www.christmas1945.org/.
High PFAS contamination levels have been recorded at Ubugaa spring in Ginowan city, downstream from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  U.S. Forces Japan has denied Okinawa prefectures requests to test for so-called forever chemicals at three U.S. military bases, citing insufficient evidence that the facilities are sources of contamination.

USFJ denied access to Kadena Air Base, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Marine Corps Camp Hansen to collect water and soil samples for testing, according to a news release Friday from Japans Ministry of Defense. A request to USFJ to conduct an environmental survey of Futenma also was denied.

PFAS in the environment is a shared concern associated not only with military operations but also civilian industrial activities throughout Japan including fire response, sewage treatment plants, solid waste landfills, and chemical plants regardless of nationality, USFJ spokeswoman Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Savannah Mesimer said by email Monday.

The prefecture has sought base access four times since 2016, when elevated levels of PFAS  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  were first reported near the three bases, according to the release.

The prefectures Environmental Protection Division has made island-wide PFAS surveys since 2024 and biannual surveys since 2017.

Results from the most recent survey in May found levels of PFAS in water higher than Japans national standard of 50 parts per trillion at 22 spots near the two airfields and two sites near Hansen.

The division concluded that contamination near Kadena and Futenma is highly likely to be sourced from both bases.

USFJ may reconsider if the prefecture provides more evidence that U.S. military installations are contamination sources, according to the ministry.

That represents a certain degree of progress, because of ongoing coordination with the U.S., Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Friday at a news conference in Tokyo.

We will continue to adhere to all relevant agreements, obligations, and procedures as good stewards of our installations and the environment through continued and close coordination with our Government of Japan counterparts as we work together towards sustainable solutions, Mesimer said Monday.

PFAS components PFOS and PFOA were commonly used in aqueous film-forming foam, a fire suppressant used by both U.S. and Japanese forces. USFJ last year said it had incinerated its remaining stockpiles of the foam.

The prefecture asked to collect four water samples and one soil sample from Futenma, seven water samples and three soil samples from Kadena, and four water samples and four soil samples from Hansen.

Japan and the U.S. have no environmental standards for PFAS in soil, USFJ said in the ministrys release.

A 2016 Marine Corps water quality survey found PFOS and PFOA at 7 parts per trillion at the inlet of Futenmas drainage channel and 6 parts per trillion at the outlet, indicating no contamination, according to USFJ in the ministry release. It cited the same survey in its refusal to conduct an environmental survey.

The prefecture stopped using the Hija and Dakujaku rivers that flow through Kadena as drinking water sources and can collect water from the airfields drainage outlets without a permit, according to USFJ.

The command said the prefecture installed a water pipeline to supply neighboring Kin town, negating the need for sample collection on Hansen.

The prefecture has resumed water intake from the Hija river when necessary to ensure sufficient water supply, Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said in a statement Friday from the Environmental Protection Division.

We intend to present the scientific evidence we have accumulated to the U.S. military, seek their understanding for conducting on-site inspections at U.S. military bases, and make the inspections a reality, he said.
Planes approach Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., in May. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)



A congressional panel examining Januarys fatal midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet found fault with the militarys procedures for operating in the airspace around D.C., according to a report issued Monday.

The bipartisan review, led by Reps. William Timmons (R-South Carolina) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-Virginia) of the House Oversight subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, reflects a growing concern with the militarys tendency to fly aircraft in congested areas without transmitting their location data and, in the case of Reagan National Airport, without having the proper training to be fully aware of the regions complex airspace.

The report also highlights a close call on May 1, when two commercial jets were directed to abort their landing approaches at National Airport to avoid military traffic landing at the Pentagons helipad.

Taken together, the report says, these incidents exposed significant lapses in both operational judgment and coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities and systemic vulnerabilities in how military flights are coordinated in this highly regulated and sensitive airspace.

Lawmakers have asked the Pentagons inspector general to review how military aircraft operate in civilian-controlled airspace and what coordination mechanisms are in place to ensure appropriate deconfliction.

The Army did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new report.

The Jan. 29 collision over the Potomac River claimed 67 lives, including the three-person crew operating the Black Hawk. Last week, the federal government accepted liability for the disaster, placing fault with the Army and the air traffic controllers involved.

In the months since the crash, the FAA has closed the helicopter route along the eastern bank of the Potomac that intersected with the regional jets landing path and limited access to other routes. After the May 1 close call, the military halted use of the Pentagon helipad.

The Armys 12th Aviation Battalion, the unit involved in the January collision, had used the river routes and the Pentagons helipad when training to evacuate the nations leaders in the event of an attack on the national capital region. It has not been able to fully train for its mission since the routes and helipad were closed.

Multiple federal entities continue to look at how the airspace around National Airport is managed. Beyond the commercial aircraft that fly into the relatively small airport, several federal agencies - including the military, the National Park Service and federal law enforcement - operate aircraft around the facility.

In August, at the request of Senate leaders, the Transportation Departments inspector general launched an audit of the FAAs oversight of the airspace around National Airport. As part of its work, the inspector generals office will examine why the military and other users of the airspace were allowed to operate without technology that broadcast their position to other aircraft.

A report from the National Transportation Safety Board will be the official record. It is expected within weeks.
A maintenance worker in 2019 for Balfour Beatty Communities, a private company that manages military housing, power washes the driveway of a home at Marsh Cove, a military residential community at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. (Nathan T. Beard/U.S. Navy)



An online review system for military family housing only shows 45 posts in the year since it launched, triggering Sen. Elizabeth Warren to write to the Pentagon for plans to better promote the accountability tool to the 700,000 troops and families living in privatized base housing.

[The Defense Department] must do more to improve and fully effectuate housing reforms mandated by Congress and promote the [DOD Housing Feedback System] to provide accountability and better quality of life to service members and their families, the Massachusetts Democrat wrote in a letter sent Sunday to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The Pentagon press office declined to comment on the eight-page letter but said Hegseth would respond in due course.

The feedback system went live in August 2024 based on a mandate from the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill that outlines defense priorities and spending. The system allows service members and their spouses who live in on-base family housing with a private landlord to share their experiences in a public forum. It also allows unaccompanied service members living in privatized quarters to submit feedback.

Landlords can publicly respond to reviews.

The housing feedback system resembles online review websites for businesses, but users must be verified as residents to post, and all posts must be screened for personally identifying information or obscene language.

Of the 45 posts made to the website, some include information from the private company that manages the home about resolution or maintenance provided. Three posts were made last month and described issues with mold remediation and pet hair in carpets from a previous tenant. Older posts described issues including moving into homes where landlords knew there were broken appliances, pest infestations and communication gaps during power or water outages.

Warren said in her letter that she does not believe there are so few complaints because housing has improved so dramatically that there are so few disgruntled residents in the five years since law required the Pentagon implement the site, but rather that potential users are not informed it exists or dont know how to use it. She cited surveys of tenants taken as recently as this year, including one the Army released in May. It found that satisfaction with housing was 76% and that many tenants expressed frustration with the maintenance teams inability to resolve issues effectively and tenants often have [had] to submit multiple work orders for the same problem.

The housing reforms of 2020 also included a measure to create a dispute resolution process, which Warren also worried wasnt being used to its full potential. The same Army tenant survey found that 70% of respondents were unaware of the resolution process or how to access it.

Warren included 19 questions in the letter to learn about promotion of the feedback system and tracking of those complaints and others that come to the military through other means. She also asked if and how officials track whether the complaints were fully resolved and any time requirements.

She asked similar questions about the dispute resolution process and for updates on other housing reforms, such as a fiscal year 2024 mandate to create a working group for housing issues.
An executive order signed last week by President Donald Trump urged federal agencies to reschedule marijuana to improve patient access and expand medical research. The order stated that 30,000 doctors already prescribe medical marijuana to more than 6 million patients, including veterans. (Erin Hooley, Chicago Tribune/TNS)



WASHINGTON  Veterans groups, cannabis business owners and other stakeholders praised President Donald Trumps highly publicized executive order to expedite the reclassification of marijuana as helping to shift public views of cannabis  from a stigmatized drug to an accepted medical product for treating chronic pain and other conditions experienced by millions of Americans, including veterans.

Trumps executive order, signed on Dec. 18, instructs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to speed up the process to make marijuana a Schedule III drug, a legal classification that permits medical uses and research applications.

The presidents directive stated that 30,000 doctors already prescribe medical marijuana to more than 6 million patients, including veterans.

The order is significant to the budding cannabis industry for supporting more marijuana research, strengthening product standards and helping end negative stereotypes of consumers, including veterans, said Paul Yau, co-founder and chief executive officer of The Travel Agency, which operates cannabis businesses in New York City.

Forty states have their own regulated medical marijuana programs. An estimated 1 in 10 veterans use cannabis, including to treat chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Many veterans have long used cannabis to manage pain, sleep disruption, PTSD and other service-connected symptoms, said Yau, whose company markets to veterans, stocks veteran-owned brands and has partnered with a veteran with a service-connected disability to operate a dispensary.

Veterans of Foreign Wars lauded Trumps executive order for endorsing research that could benefit veterans with service-connected injuries and illnesses that have resisted other treatments. The decision acknowledges what veterans and their doctors have been saying for years: We need evidence-based options and the freedom to study them, said Carol Whitmore, VFW national commander.

Twenty percent of veterans experiencing chronic pain reported using fewer opioids as a result of their medical marijuana use, according to the executive order.

Titled Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the presidents directive does not federally legalize the drug but tells the leaders of key federal agencies to ease research barriers and support doctors who prescribe marijuana.

It is the policy of my administration to increase medical marijuana and CBD research to better inform patients and doctors, according to the executive order.

The order urges the Justice Department to expedite the completion of the rule-making process to remove marijuana as a Class I narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act, a category that includes heroin and LSD.

Marijuana, as a proposed Class III drug, would be in the same category as Tylenol with codeine. Category III drugs have accepted medical uses and a moderate to low risk of addiction.

The American Legion has long advocated for this change, said Dan K. Wiley, the organizations national commander. Cannabis being classified Schedule I blocks large-scale, randomized clinical trials examining cannabis impact on PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury), sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain  conditions strongly associated with veteran suicide.

But Republican lawmakers were far from unified in backing Trumps order. Prior to the signing, some House Republicans argued against the change.

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, and Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., led two dozen GOP lawmakers who sent a letter to Trump arguing to keep the Schedule I designation.

The lawmakers said marijuana is a harmful drug that is worsening our nations addiction crisis.

Congress also voted last month to federally ban most ingestible hemp products by November 2026. The federal ban was included in the fiscal 2026 Agriculture appropriations bill.

Trumps executive order, by contrast, instructs federal agencies  including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Institutes of Health  to undertake studies to improve access to commercial hemp products. The retail hemp industry is valued at $30 billion.

Trumps order also faulted existing federal law for causing confusion and uncertainty. The current legal landscape leaves American patients and doctors without adequate guidance or product safeguards for CBD, the executive order said.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has clarified the data on the enemy aircraft hit at the airfield near Lipetsk (Russia) on the night of December 20-21 - these were two multi-purpose Su-30 fighters.

"According to the clarified data, as a result of a special operation at the military airfield of the aggressor state Russia near Lipetsk on the night of December 20-21, 2025, two enemy multi-purpose Su-30 fighters were successfully hit," the GUR said in a message on the Telegram channel on Monday.

Earlier, the GUR reported that one Su-30 and one Su-27 were on fire at the airfield near Lipetsk as a result of a Ukrainian intelligence operation.
SUR in English Gibraltar Monday, 22 December 2025, 15:37 Share

The Government of Gibraltar has made its traditional annual donation to a local charity in lieu of sending official Christmas cards.

Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, met today with the Bishop of Gibraltar, the Right Reverend Charles Azzopardi, to mark HMGoG's 3,000 Christmas donation to Nazareth House. The meeting took place during the Chief Minister's initial return to the office for a few hours following a brief period of medical leave.

Nazareth House operates a soup kitchen that provides a vital year-round service for community members who struggle to put food on the table. The charity also runs "Father Charlie's Hampers," supporting local families with food and essential items throughout the festive season and into the New Year.

Chief Minister Picardo said: "I am delighted to support the invaluable work of Nazareth House on behalf of the people of Gibraltar, particularly at this time of year when support for the most vulnerable in our community is so important. It was also a pleasure to meet Bishop Azzopardi on my return to the office for a few hours, having been unable to attend his ordination earlier this month due to a brief period of medical leave.

"This donation recognises both the continuity of the work carried out at Nazareth House and its renewed leadership, and I am confident it will make a meaningful difference to those who rely on its services during the festive period and beyond."
Juan Cano Malaga Monday, 22 December 2025, 17:03 Share

A 47-year-old fugitive from Montenegro has been imprisoned following an investigation led by Spain's National Police on the Costa del Sol, who discovered that he had been hiding in Malaga in an attempt to evade an international arrest warrant for murder. What made his arrest a challenging task was that he was using 17 different identities.

A police statement, based on information provided by the Montenegrin authorities, stated that the detainee joined a criminal organisation in 2020 where he held a prominent position within the hierarchy, receiving direct "orders and instructions" from the leaders.

According to the order confirming his imprisonment, he provided the organisation with residential properties to be used "for the purpose of hiding and disposing of the bodies of the victims".

The court ruling covers a specific case, a crime committed on 1 August 2020. According to the Spanish judges, the suspect "actively" participated in the planning and organisation of the murder of a man in the town of Kotor, on the Adriatic coast. He used an encrypted phone for the purpose.

The victim was riding a motorbike when he was hit on the head with a metal bar, which caused him to fall to the ground. The order states that the fugitive provided this information to the perpetrators of the crime. "Following the criminal plan [...], they tied the victim with a rope and hit him several times on the head and body and left," the ruling states.

The suspect's defence rejected that he had been using 17 identities and stated that there is no risk of absconding as the man had renewed a lease (in force since June 2024) in Malaga. The court did not uphold the appeal and confirmed his imprisonment.
The second of the fifth prize numbers drawn in Spain's special Christmas lottery draw this 22 December has left 2,760,000 euros in Malaga thanks to the 46 tickets sold at two points of sale on the Costa del Sol.

In the lottery office number 76 in Malaga city, located in the Plaza Mayor shopping centre, 45 series of 60649 have been sold, which was drawn and sung at 10.39am. and has distributed 2.7 million euros.

For its part, the lottery office number 72 located in Torremolinos, in the Plaza del Lido, one series has been sold, which amounts to 60,000 euros.
SUR Malaga Monday, 22 December 2025, 16:33 | Updated 17:01h. Share

The environmental sustainability department of Malaga city council has awarded a one-year contract for the control of the wild boar and feral pig population, which is increasingly getting closer to urban areas through the forests near the city, especially in the Este and the Ciudad Jardin districts.

The aim is to reduce the risk that these animals pose to people, traffic and public and private property. The regional government of Andalucia will support the surveillance and control work as a preventive measure and to curb the possible spread of African swine virus, which was detected in wild boars in Catalonia. Although this virus poses no risks to the human population, it can affect the wildlife and livestock farms.

The contract, worth 30,000 euros (IVA sales tax included), has been awarded to Grupo SCAES-FAC. It can be extended for another year. Such contracts have been awarded in Malaga since September 2024. On 5 December this year, the regional ministry of sustainability and the environment declared a temporary hunting emergency and established measures regarding the control and possible eradication of feral pig populations, by means of different capture methods and procedures.

As stated in the contract specifications, the successful bidder will have to increase the prevention and control measures that the city council has been carrying out over the last year. The objective is to limit, as much as possible, access to urban areas through the creation of more water troughs and the planting of vegetation. This would provide the animals with more food in peri-urban areas.

In addition, the monitoring of different herds will continue, with night visits to the places where they usually go in search of food and water, inspection with thermal cameras and identification of movements within the urban area, as well as use of feeding and monitoring points in coordination with the environmental health surveillance service of the city council. At the same time, the city council is once again appealing to the public not to provide food for these animals and not to leave waste outside containers.

Captures

With these preventive measures, the city council wants to create a cordon to prevent wild boars and feral pigs from entering urban areas. In the event that these dissuasive actions prove insufficient, the use of arrows and narcotic darts will be considered. The use of bows is one of the methods recommended by the regional ministry of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and sustainable development.

Captures should mosly take place at night, although if conditions so require, they may be carried out during daylight hours at times when there is no risk to people and when there is no nuisance or disturbance to public services. The company must have qualified and trained archers who are accredited by the Andalusian hunting federation, as well as a veterinarian. Fifty specimens have been captured with this method since September 2024.
The Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Defense, will develop a mechanism for dismissing servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine with acute mental and behavioral disorders acquired during service, as well as other mental illnesses.

The parliamentary committee on national health, medical care and medical insurance made the corresponding decision during its meeting last week, considering the relevant issue at the initiative of committee member Yana Zinkevich.

During the consideration of the issue, she noted that she receives appeals from citizens regarding cases when servicemen with acquired mental illnesses, in particular schizophrenia, voluntarily leave the military unit during manic episodes or exacerbations.

"Very often, patients who have a period of mania or hallucinations leave the unit (SZCH), then the State Bureau of Internal Affairs opens a case against such a person. Usually this person is found in some medical institution, because very often their condition requires hospitalization. So a person AWOL cannot return to his brigade, because he is not allowed to contact weapons. We need to think of some effective mechanism that will allow people with severe mental pathologies to be discharged quickly and be released from further service," she said.

Director of the Department of Health of the Ministry of Defense Dmytro Samofalov noted that "the problem really exists, because currently the same conditions apply for mental illnesses, as for wounds, traumas and mutilations."

"When a serviceman is undergoing treatment, he is not removed from the lists of personnel of the military unit and his contract is not terminated. This is stipulated in the law as a safeguard so that they are not dismissed or transferred," he said.

For his part, the commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Anatoly Kazmyrchuk, noted that "in less than four years (of the war - IF-U), about 10% of those discharged from the Armed Forces of Ukraine are precisely those servicemen who have psychiatric articles."

"We understand perfectly well that if we are talking about an acute case of the disease, then the patient needs certain treatment, that is, we cannot suspect the patient. But if we take away his weapon and let him go home, then he will pick up something else there. Therefore, in any case, after the treatment is completed, we make a decision about his unsuitability. Today, we are quite actively implementing a medical information system, which also focuses on military units, I think that there is a need to refine this element," he said. Kazmyrchuk noted that in connection with the implementation of the medical information system in the Ministry of Defense system, "a serviceman who has a mental disorder does not need to go to a military unit and take his documents, he can go home immediately from the medical institution, having received recommendations, and the territorial medical commission and social support centers receive relevant notifications.
Jose Carlos Garcia Monday, 22 December 2025, 13:29 | Updated 14:22h. Share

Patrons of bar in Marbella on the Costa del Sol have been showered with millions of euros in Spain's mammoth Christmas lottery, mainly thanks to its owner. Jose Charro who has been buying the same number from the municipality of La Baneza in Leon for more than 35 years, as he is originally from a nearby town.

The El Gordo jackpot number was 79432, of which 300 tickets were sold in the Bar El Leones, in the Las Palmeras area of Marbella. Jose, the owner, explained to SUR that this number was originally bought by his father and that he has maintained the tradition for 35 years.

The prize has been widely distributed among the bar's clientele, most of whom are workers. "This is a working class area, there are no millionaires; well, maybe there are now", the owner of the bar told SUR .

According to Charro, the family had just bought the premises of the bar, which they were renting, so that his son could continue the business.
Europa Press Seville Monday, 22 December 2025, 11:37 Share

The Junta de Andalucia's regional minister of health Antonio Sanz continues to urge people to get vaccinated against 'flu to facilitate the protection of vulnerable groups. On Friday, Sanz announced that the "upward phase of the flu epidemic wave for this season" is still developing, which means that the peak has not been reached and incidence will continue growing.

The flu rate at the end of last week stood at 38.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 33.5 the previous week. "The situation by province is very similar," the regional minister said. Almeria has gone from a rate of 26.7 cases to 26.5; Cadiz from 48.9 to 63.4; Cordoba from 37.1 to 50.2; Granada from 35.3 to 50.9; Huelva from 25.4 to 30.6; Jaen from 30.4 to 26.2; Malaga from 26.4 to 18.9; Seville from 41.7 to 44.3, according to official figures from the regional government.

Despite the rise from one week to another, the regional minister said that there is no cause for alarm, because the upward trend is something "expected and normal" and the Junta is "prepared". He added that Andalucia is "ahead of the Ministry of Health" thanks to having activated the specific regional action plan, which includes measures to be taken by health centres so that they "can respond quickly to specific increases in demand".

The high frequency plan is currently in phase 0 in Andalucia as a whole, although "there may be peaks of demand in some centres that trigger other phases, but these are resolved by applying the measures included in the plan".

Sanz reminded the public and healthcare professionals that the use of masks is recommended "in all health centres in Andalucia" and locally "mandatory" in centres "that have activated the high frequency plan on at least three occasions in the previous week".

Sanz also highlighted that 1,843,593 flu vaccines have already been administered in Andalucia. In addition, there have been 759,322 vaccinations against coronavirus. According to the regional minister, these figures "have surpassed last year's vaccination in just over two months of the campaign". By provinces, 148,595 people have received the flu vaccine in Almeria; 231,722 in Cadiz; 196,310 in Cordoba; 227,926 in Granada; 102,162 in Huelva; 172,766 in Jaen; 331,805 in Malaga; and 432,311 in Seville.

Sanz once again thanked health professionals, especially nurses, for "their magnificent work" and residents for "the responsibility they have shown by getting vaccinated".

During the last vaccination day without prior appointment this year (17 December), some 26,503 doses were administered. The regional minister wanted to particularly highlight the number of parents who have been immunised to protect their infants born since 1 April against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis. Thanks to this, the parents of 39,433 infants have been vaccinated, which covers 94.5% of babies born in the last eight months.
Europa Press Malaga Monday, 22 December 2025, 09:47 Share

Malaga province players, including those on the Costa del Sol, have spent an average of 60.29 euros per person on Spain's Sorteo Extraordinario de la Loteria de Navidad de 2025, with the famous El Gordo (the fat one) jackpot prize draw this year. As per the tradition, the winning numbers are announced this 22 December. The province is 15.79 euros below the national average of 76.08 euros per person. The Andalusian region average is 64.05 euros.

With 552,050,800 euros, Andalucia is second after the region of Madrid in terms of expenditure this year, compared to the 520,505,060 euros spent by Andalusians last year. In 2024, almost 76 million euros were distributed in prizes among residents of Andalucia's provinces: 56.2 million euros were awarded in Chipiona thanks to the second prize, while 3.6 million euros went to Baza with the fourth fifth prize.

According to data provided by Loterias y Apuestas del Estado, a total of 2,760,254 tickets ('decimos') have been sold in Andalucia, which means that each person has paid an average of 64.05 euros.

By province, Seville is once again the regional leader in terms of the total amount spent on this draw, with 116,512,800 euros and 582,564 tickets; followed by Malaga with 106,910,000 euros and 534,550 tickets; Granada, with more than 73,035,400 euros and 365,177 tickets; Cadiz, with 69,241,800 euros and 346,209 tickets; Almeria, with 59,189,800 euros and 295,949 tickets; Cordoba, with 53,153,600 euros and 265,768 tickets; Jaen, with 50,940,800 euros and 254,704 tickets; and, finally, Huelva, with 23,066,600 euros and 115,333 tickets.

Expenditure per inhabitant

Although the provinces of Seville and Malaga head the ranking, the highest average expenditure per inhabitant has been registered in Jaen (82.34 euros per person), with Granada in second place (77.93 euros). They are closely followed by Almeria (77.57 euros) and Cordoba (68.84).

Only then does Malaga come, with an average of 60.29 euros per person; then Seville (59.21 euros); Cadiz (55.20 euros); and Huelva (43.24 euros).

The average for the whole of Andalucia this year is 64.05 euros per person, far from the national average of 76.08 euros, but above the Andalusian average of 60.75 euros per person in 2024.

This year, the national Christmas lottery will distribute a total of 2.77 billion euros in prizes. The El Gordo prize amounts to 4,000,000 euros per series (a single number with several tickets); the second prize is 1,250,000 euros per series; and the third prize is 500,000 euros per series.
Almudena Nogues Malaga Monday, 22 December 2025, 17:34 Share

A cold and unpleasant Christmas is on the cards in Malaga, with a high probability of rain in the province. Although the sun has prevailed for much of today (Monday), Spain's state meteorological agency's forecast suggests that the weather will worsen from Tuesday afternoon onwards. Aemet has raised the probability of rainfall in Malaga city to 60% for that day.

This has been confirmed by SUR's local weather expert Jose Luis Escudero. In his blog 'Tormentas y Rayos', the forecaster predicts local showers throughout the province but no significant accumulations. "The snow level will be around 1,300 metres. As for the wind, it will blow from the west," he warns, although the 'terral' wind will ease "from early afternoon" on Tuesday. "There is no doubt that it will be cold throughout the province," he said, recommending coats and layers of warm clothes.

The festive season is expected to be cold in general. "The weather models point to the arrival of an isolated storm over the Iberian Peninsula. An anticyclonic blockade in the British Isles will facilitate the arrival of successive cold air pockets, which will directly reach Spain and Portugal. As a result, temperatures are expected to fall, with notable anomalies for this time of year of -1C to -3C, compared to the average for the country during Christmas week," Meteored weather portal experts said.

On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Aemet expects showers to return to Malaga province. For now, the probability of precipitation in Malaga city from midday onwards is 90%, but it ranges from 65% in points on the western Costa del Sol such as Estepona and Marbella to 75% in the Axarquia district, inland areas and the Guadalhorce valley. "There is still uncertainty in all the weather models and everything will depend on the position of a storm in the Mediterranean and whether an easterly wind enters the coast of Malaga. Wet winds bring precipitation," Escudero said, adding that the Tuesday models will bring more clarity.

What about Christmas Day? For the moment, Aemet forecasts a low probability of rain (55% in Malaga city). It will be colder, however: minimum temperatures will drop to 8C in Malaga city, while Ronda can expect values as low as 1C. "All models agree that the possibility of rainfall is low throughout the province on 25 December," Escudero said.

Rain, however, is likely to return to the province over the weekend, with a 90% probability on Saturday.
SUR in English Malaga Monday, 22 December 2025, 07:44 | Updated 09:27h. Share

Spains highly-anticipated state Christmas lottery with the famous El Gordo jackpot prize will be drawn today (Monday 22 December). Almost the whole of the country will come to a halt to watch schoolchildren sing the winning numbers at the Madrid theatre where the spectacle is staged.

The draw itself goes on for around four hours and is broadcast live on TV with on-going coverage on radio and online.

The undoubted stars of the ceremony are the children from the San Ildefonso school in Madrid, who sing the winning numbers and their corresponding prizes. The youngsters carefully catch the balls that are released from the two large drums and call out the numbers on them to the familiar tune that has been the soundtrack for the 22 December lottery for more than 300 years.

Of the numbers that lottery offices put on sale, the endings that sold out first were the traditional 13, 15 and 69, according to sources, who added that the odd numbers are usually the most sought after. Although five is the number on which El Gordo jackpot has fallen most often (32 times), the next most popular numbers are even numbers: four and six (27 times each), eight (25) and zero (23), while one is the number on which the first prize has ended the least (only eight times).

Winning tickets

The location where the big winning tickets were sold are revealed almost as soon as the top prize numbers come out of the revolving drums. This information has always played an important role in this lottery, with people traditionally buying their tickets when visiting places that have a record of selling high-value winning tickets.

One thing that has not changed this year is the value of the prizes to be distributed. The lucky people who own a tenth of the El Gordo number will get 400,000 euros; if it is the second prize, 125,000 euros; the third, 50,000 euros; fourth, 20,000 euros and fifth, 6,000 euros. These last two prizes are exempt from tax to the Treasury as they are less than 40,000 euros. For the rest of the prizes you must pay 20 per cent of the winning amount minus that amount in tax. For example, from the first prize, the tax authorities keep 72,000 euros (20% of 360,000), while the lucky person takes 328,000 euros. If it is the second prize, the winner takes 108,000 euros and the Treasury, 17,000 euros.

El Nino offers another chance

But don't worry if you dont win the El Gordo this Christmas, theres always the El Nino, the similar, but less well known, lottery draw that could bring you some extra cash in the new year on 6 January.
Alfonso Torices Madrid Monday, 22 December 2025, 15:10 Share

Judges in Spain are concerned about the significant increase in recent months in the number of abused women taking advantage of the legal waiver that allows them to forgo testifying during the investigation and trial against their husband or legal partner.

Between July and September there were 5,480 victims of gender violence who did not dare to become the main evidence against their alleged aggressors, which represents 11.5% or, in other words, more than one in ten victims took advantage of the exemption from the duty to testify against their husband allowed by the criminal procedure act. This volume of waivers, which is somewhat higher among immigrant women, represents an increase of 22.5% in just one year, according to figures from the Observatorio contra la Violencia de Genero del Consejo General del Poder Judicial (observatory against gender violence of the general council of the judiciary or CGPJ).

As the president of the observatory, Esther Rojo, points out, this is a "worrying" trend, given that on many occasions the victim's testimony is not only the main but also the only evidence against the alleged abuser, which means that refusing to testify against him can open the door to the case being dropped or his acquittal. After showing understanding for all these women, who on many occasions act in this way out of fear or dependence on the aggressor, Rojo conveyed a message of "calm" to them. She reminded them that "there are mechanisms to avoid direct confrontation between the victim and the aggressor when they have to testify in court and there are various types of measures designed to protect you and your children".

The positive counterpoint to this data is that, in fact, the percentage of convictions of abusers in Spanish courts is close to the maximum. Eighty-five per cent of the cases of gender violence that go to trial end in the conviction of the aggressor, a proportion that is even close to 95 per cent in the convictions handed down by the specialised courts for violence against women.

"The fact that almost nine out of every ten sentences handed down by the judicial bodies contain a conviction is evidence of the high level of efficiency achieved by the courts in a field such as gender violence, where there are significant evidentiary difficulties," Rojo stresses, adding that "the high percentage of convictions reveals that the margin of impunity for these crimes has decreased".

Breaking the silence

The second negative aspect of the report is that those closest to the victims, their families, friends, neighbours or work colleagues, continue to ignore the repeated calls from politicians, police and experts to come forward. This silence, sometimes complicit, prevents the protection of the most dependent and fearful victims in particular from their aggressors. Of the approximately 579 reports of abuse that arrive at police stations or courts in Spain every day, only 1.92% come from family members or relatives. Not only are they few, but they are decreasing. "Only by breaking the silence and taking a step forward can we break out of the spiral of violence, for which the involvement of those around us is fundamental," Rojo says.

The 53,268 reports of gender violence against 49,156 victims filed last summer in Spain are in line with the average of the same period of the previous year. Almost three out of four were filed by the victims themselves, 16% were the result of police interventions and 7% came from injury reports submitted by health professionals or care services.

The reports indicate that in Spain there are almost 20 cases of abuse for every 10,000 women, with rates well above the average in the Balearic Islands, the Valencia, the Canary Islands, Murcia and Cantabria. The regions with the lowest rates of abuse are Galicia, La Rioja and Castilla y Leon.

Spanish courts adopted 8,920 protection orders for victims of gender-based violence and their children in summer, which is seven out of ten of those requested, three points more than a year earlier. The vast majority are prohibitions on communication with the victim and restraining orders. There are also other complementary civil measures for the protection of the victim and her family, such as the obligation to pay alimony, provisional allocation of the home or suspensions of the visiting arrangements, custody or parental authority of the abuser over the children.
Lucia Palacios Madrid Monday, 22 December 2025, 15:57 Share

Valencian supermarket chain Mercadona has prepared a Christmas surprise for its 110,000 employees in Spain and Portugal. The measure agreed by the management committee of the company founded by Juan Roig aims to improve working conditions and salaries. In 2026, workers will be able to rest one more week and receive another extra pay cheque (one month's salary).

Mercadona announced these new measures on Friday. They will cost the company 380 million euros. With this step, Mercadona "continues consolidating a pioneering work-life balance model in the sector, with stable and quality jobs".

From next year, the annual leave for all employees in Spain and Portugal will increase from 30 to 37 days per year. The aim is to stimulate workers and achieve greater workforce commitment and a 100% satisfaction level.

"With the launch of this initiative, which will cost 100 million euros a year, the company's human resources model, based on listening and responding to the needs of its teams, keeps evolving," the press statement said.

280 million in extra pay

In addition, Mercadona has decided to distribute an extraordinary bonus of 280 million euros next March, corresponding to one monthly payment, which will be added to the variable remuneration of one or two monthly payments depending on the seniority of each worker. This happens for a second year in a row, after staff salaries increased by 8.5% in 2025.

"With this decision, Mercadona also recognises the individual and collective effort of its extraordinary team - a fundamental pillar for achieving magnificent results in productivity, efficiency and management, key to achieving the goals and objectives set," the company stated.

Mercadona's labour policy has made it "the best food retailer to work for in Spain", according to the Financial Times.
R. C. Madrid Monday, 22 December 2025, 17:17 Share

A new chapter in the complicated relations between Donald Trump's office and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government is about to begin. On Friday, the US federal maritime commission (FMC) proposed to close its ports to Spanish ships during the investigation into Spain's official refusal to allow US cargo ships carrying weapons for Israel to call at Algeciras (Cadiz).

The American institution is currently examining various options for temporary measures in retaliation to the veto ordered months ago by Spain's government. These could include "limitations on cargo, the denial of entry to vessels operating under the Spanish flag or the imposition of fines" of 2.3 million dollars per trip on Spanish-flagged vessels.

However, the FMC has stated that a final decision has not yet been issued and that it will "carefully evaluate the evidence and all relevant considerations". The American body has said that "any action will be guided by the FMC's legal mandate and the factual record developed in the investigation".

Washington says that the Spanish government denied direct access to at least three US vessels, including vessels operated under the US maritime security program, back in November 2024. Trump's government has emphasised that "the policy motivating such denials remains in force".

FMC requests more information from shipping companies

To assess its impact on US foreign trade, the FMC has requested additional information from shippers, traders and other interested parties on "Spain's current policy of denying or refusing access to ports to certain vessels carrying cargo to or from Israel, the measures it has taken to implement this policy and the impact on shipping conditions".

Based on the information obtained so far, the FMC believes that the regulations applied by the Spanish authorities may be creating "general or special conditions unfavourable to maritime transport in US foreign trade", which is why it "must examine" what "corrective measures might be appropriate to address those conditions".
The attack on the Tamanneftegaz marine oil terminal near the village of Taman, Krasnodar Territory, Russia, was carried out by strike UAVs on the night of December 21-22, 2025, sources in the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

As a result of the strikes, elements of the oil terminal equipment, a liquefied hydrocarbon gas berth, and port infrastructure were hit, which caused a large-scale fire.

The interlocutor in the Main Intelligence Agency noted that military intelligence is increasing the impact of sanctions on the energy sector of the aggressor state, which is directly financing the war against Ukraine.

The Taman transshipment complex, operated by Tamanneftegaz, is one of the largest in the Black Sea region. Its tank farm has a total capacity of over 1 million cubic meters for petroleum products and liquefied gas. The terminal is located six kilometers from the road and railway bridge across the Kerch Strait, which was illegally built by the occupying forces.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Onondaga County Water Authority has now issued mandatory water restrictions in six Central New York towns as impacts from a busted water line in Cicero become apparent.

Manlius Village Mayor Hank Chapman said the county and OCWA have told him the area could run out of water if people dont conserve water properly.

OCWA is pausing all wash services at car washes and ordered businesses to limit water usage in the six towns, including having employees work from home when possible.

As of about 12:30 p.m. today, the Delta Sonic car wash on Erie Boulevard East had stopped service, an employee said.

The restrictions also include hard-to-enforce provisions like limiting showers to five minutes and reducing the number of toilet flushes per day. (See a full list of restrictions below.)

READ MORE: Thousands of CNY residents face low water pressure, and possibly losing water, if conversation effort doesnt work

The towns are Manlius, DeWitt and Pompey in Onondaga County, and Sullivan, Lenox and Lincoln in Madison County, including all villages in those towns.

OCWA said that customers might see reduced water flow and pressure during the coming weeks. Repairing the rupture in the line could take two weeks, said Jeff Brown, executive director of OCWA.

The 42-inch-diameter pipe carries Lake Ontario water from a pump station in Clay to eastern Onondaga County and western Madison County. The break, near Northern Boulevard and East Taft Road, led the water authority to issue a conservation alert Saturday to about 27,000 customers in six towns.

A series of reservoirs filled by the damaged pipe are typically kept full and can hold 50 million gallons of water. They were only 25% full Sunday evening, and the water level was continuing to slowly decline, Brown said. Water can be drawn from the reservoirs until they are empty.

Brown said the water authority is working to keep 2 million gallons of water flowing each day to the reservoirs.

Water is being diverted from other parts of the OCWA system, and temporary pumps are sending water drawn from Otisco Lake, he said.

How is this water shortage affecting you? Have you been notified to close your business or send workers home? How is your water pressure? Please share your experiences with us at citynews@syracuse.com.

Minoa Village Mayor William Brazill said Brown called him Sunday and told him the water could get down to dangerously low levels.

Its very serious, the mayor said Monday. We really do need to conserve. My concern is that people dont take this seriously because they have water, so they feel comfortable.

Brazill said he noticed the water pressure was lower this morning.

Heres the list of restrictions OCWA has issued for the six towns.

In an effort to meet the demand for all water customers during the repair period, it is essential for OCWA customers in the above areas to keep their water use to essential needs only, OCWA said. This includes:

Using laundry facilities in unaffected parts of the OCWA system (western and northern Onondaga County).

Adjusting all water-using appliances to use the minimum amount of water.

Running the dishwasher and washing machine at full load. If you wash dishes by hand, use a bucket or container with soapy water and only use the faucet for quick rinsing of scrubbed dishes.

Taking 5-minute showers and shallower baths. Turn off the shower while soaping; turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, etc.

Reducing the number of toilet flushes per day. Each flush uses about 5 to 7 gallons.

Using sink and tub stoppers to avoid wasting water.

Keeping a bottle of chilled drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the water till it gets cold.

Eliminating use of water for ornamental purposes, including but not limited to fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools.

Reusing water when possible.

Commercial Customers: Limiting non-essential work practices that involve water usage and utilizing additional water conservation measures such as having employees work from home.

Car Washes: Pausing all wash services until mandatory conservation is lifted and full water service is restored."

Staff writer Elizabeth Doran contributed to this report.
To the Editor:

I am among a group of concerned citizens with scientific backgrounds who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to review the federal, state and local permitting and rezoning involved with approving Microns construction and operations process. We include an engineer who lives 1.5 miles from the site, as well as chemists and engineers and chips manufacturing experts who live here and all across the nation. Our approach is one of risk prevention, i.e., to mitigate harm that may come from the largest industrial project in New York state history.

Uniformly we agree that we do not have enough time to accurately review and comment on the hundred or more pages that come with each permit. The latest New York state Department of Environmental Conservation permit relates to operations of the Oak Orchard Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) located in Clay. The recent article by Tim Knauss informs the public that there will be a $549 million price tag for upgrades to this plant which will process sewage from the Onondaga County community, including Micron, and that a second industrial wastewater treatment plant will be built and paid for by Micron.

What is missing in this article is that the WWTP permit that is under review right now, as well as Microns published updated timeline of demolition, construction and operations indicates that Micron intends to use the Oak Orchard WWTP to bridge operations of the first and possibly second fabs, until the industrial WWTP (that Micron will pay for) can be built. If this is so, then the upgrade does not appear to have the technical capacity to properly dispose of PFAS that will be discharged into the water.

The environmental community urges the public to review and comment on the WWTP permit to the best of your ability, at the least asking for more time for review. The deadline is Dec. 23.

Kevin Balduzzi

Regional Permit Administrator

NYSDEC Region 7

5786 Widewaters Parkway

Syracuse, NY 13214

Comments.Micron2025@dec.ny.gov

We urge the public to show up for open comment at 10:30 on Dec. 29 at 401 Montgomery St #407, Syracuse, NY 13202 for this special Onondaga Legislation meeting to approve funding for the WWTP Upgrade. (This is listed as a bond improvements to the Onondaga County Sanitary District; public notice is here.)

Ask the county legislature to postpone this bond measure until a presentation is made to the public detailing the upgrade and explaining why their tax dollars will pay for it (and an explanation of why Micron is not paying for it.) If they do approve the bond measure, ask the newly elected legislature to take steps to rescind the vote and reevaluate after engaging with the public.

Dr. Sonia Y. Kragh

Sustain CNY

Syracuse
Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed a bill that would have preserved access to police radio transmissions for media organizations and first responders.

State lawmakers passed the bill this year in response to moves by some police departments to encrypt all of their communications.

Lawmakers said the bill would ensure transparency for the media to report threats to the public in real time, to monitor what police are doing, and to hold officers accountable for their actions.

But in a veto message issued Friday night, Hochul said the bills exceptions for withholding sensitive information from police radio transmissions may not be technologically feasible.

The governor also raised concerns that if some sensitive information became publicly available it could lead to loss of life or operational failure.

While transparency is laudable, it should not come at the expense of public safety, Hochul wrote in her veto message, adding she sees no reason for a statewide mandate.

Municipalities remain free to make their own decisions as to whether to prohibit their police forces from encrypting radio transmissions, Hochul wrote.

Supporters of the bill said wider use of encrypted communications by police would inhibit the work of journalists, and take away the publics right to know what their law enforcement agencies are doing.

Hochul said the bill could require real-time disclosure of an undercover officers communications or jeopardize the safety of elected officials.

In a time when public officials face growing threats of extreme violence, the bill also requires a police agency to effectively make real-time disclosure of the officials movements to bloggers and paparazzi in addition to more traditional journalists, Hochul wrote.

The bill was among nearly 50 vetoed by Hochul and made public just before midnight Friday.

The list of vetoed bills included the Freedom to Read Act sponsored by Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse. State lawmakers passed the bill to prevent arbitrary bans on books in public school libraries.

Hochul said existing state laws and education policies already prevent such bans.

I am concerned that the unclear wording of this bill will do more to confuse than clarify schools obligations and school librarians roles, Hochul said.
By The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y. (TNS)

Fort Covington  The Salmon River Central School District Board of Education said it has launched an investigation into the conduct of school administrators following allegations of student mistreatment in the district.

In a statement to media Thursday, the board said that earlier this week, it was made aware of allegations from parents concerning restraint and seclusion in the form of wooden boxes used as calming stations at district schools.

The board said it has now launched an independent investigation to be conducted by a law firm, which began Thursday, to objectively review the circumstances.

The board is also cooperating with a New York State Department of Education investigation.

After learning of the allegations, the board at its Dec. 17 meeting reassigned Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stanley Harper to home duties, pending the full investigation.

Salmon River Director of Special Education Allen Gravell, St. Regis Mohawk School Principal Alison Benedict and elementary school teacher Karrie Haverstock were placed on administrative leave by the district until further notice, the board said.

The board has also been informed the representatives from NYSED Office of Special Education will be conducting a monitoring site visit this week to confirm the removal of all boxes.

The state DOE will also conduct a subsequent site visit to ensure alternative, appropriate calming spaces are available for students that comply with state regulations, the board said.

The entire Salmon River Central School District Board of Education expressed its deepest regret for the situation, and vows to support meaningful, actionable changes to ensure that situations like this never occur again.

The Board of Education extends its sincere apology to our students, families and community members who have been deeply affected by the ongoing situation. We recognize the pain, concern and distress these events have caused, and we are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community, Board President Jason Brockway said in a statement.

We want to be clear: The circumstances surrounding these allegations do not reflect the values and standards of care that guide this district. The Board of Education is committed to ensuring that every student is treated with dignity, respect and compassion, and that our schools are safe, supportive environments for all learners.

We acknowledge how this situation has evoked very deep emotions. We understand that, for many in our community, this incident has reopened historical wounds and trauma connected to the mistreatment of Native children. We hear you. We are humbled by the public response, and we feel the pain and fear expressed by our community.

Brockway said this investigation will be thorough, impartial and taken with the utmost seriousness, and the district will fully cooperate with the state DOE investigation .

The Board is fully committed to accountability and to implementing corrective actions as warranted by the findings, Brockway said.

We will continue to keep the community informed throughout the investigation process, recognizing that rebuilding trust requires sustained action, not words alone.

Out of caution for student and staff safety, classes at Salmon River schools shifted to remote learning Thursday to allow time for the investigation to begin.

State Sen. Dan Stec said he was appalled about the news of Salmon River Central School Districts timeout box and reached out to local and state officials about the matter.

This week, I have been in contact with St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief Mike Connors and have spoken at length with state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa. I appreciate the state Department of Education taking immediate, decisive action and reiterated that the actions of Salmon River school officials is utterly unacceptable, Stec said in a statement.

The use of restraint and seclusion in schools should not have ever happened. There must be a thorough investigation and accountability, and Ive been reassured by Commissioner Rosa that that will happen.

--------------

 2025 the Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
NVIDIA and South Korean memory giant SK hynix are teaming up to develop a powerful new solid-state drive (SSD) designed specifically to handle the heavy data demands of artificial intelligence (AI) inference  the stage where trained AI models generate real-time answers for users.

The companies are working on what they describe as a next-generation AI SSD that could deliver up to ten times the performance of todays enterprise SSDs. Internally, the initiative is called Storage Next at NVIDIA and AI-NP (AI NAND Performance) at SK hynix.

SK hynix Vice President Kim Cheon-seong disclosed the project at Koreas Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor Future Technology Conference, saying that the new SSD could eventually reach 100 million input/output operations per second (IOPS)  a level far beyond what current enterprise SSDs can achieve.

Why AI Needs A New Kind Of SSD

The push is due to the rapid shift in AI computing from training models to running them in real-world applications, a process known as inference, where speed and efficiency are critical. Modern AI models rely on constant, low-latency access to enormous volumes of data  far more than traditional DRAM and even high-bandwidth memory (HBM) struggle to handle economically.

HBM, which SK hynix already supplies to NVIDIA, has played a critical role in its AI GPUs during training. But HBM is expensive, limited in capacity, and increasingly strained as AI models grow larger and more personalized.

The idea behind the new SSD is to turn NAND flash  traditionally used for storage  into something closer to a pseudo-memory layer optimized specifically for AI computation. By pairing advanced NAND chips with new controller architectures optimized for AI, the SSD could feed data to GPUs far more efficiently than conventional storage, thereby improving throughput, lowering energy consumption, and cutting the overall cost of running large-scale AI services.

Prototype Expected By 2026

The project is currently at the proof-of-concept (PoC) stage, with both companies aiming to have a working prototype ready by late 2026. If development stays on track, potential commercial deployment could follow in 2027.

SK hynix has framed the effort as part of a broader strategy to tailor memory and storage products directly to AI workloads, rather than relying on general-purpose designs. The company is also pursuing complementary technologies, including High Bandwidth Flash (HBF), developed in collaboration with SanDisk, which stacks NAND chips in a way similar to HBM, further blurring the line between memory and storage.

Market Impact And Supply Concerns

While the technology could significantly reduce AI inference costs and improve AI performance as well as energy efficiency, analysts warn that a successful AI SSD may also increase pressure on global NAND flash supplies, potentially driving up storage prices higher  much like what has already happened with DRAM.

For NVIDIA and SK hynix, however, the goal of the project is clear: remove one of the biggest bottlenecks in AI infrastructure. As AI systems grow larger and more complex, storage is no longer just about capacity  its becoming a critical performance component of how AI actually works.
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko believes that after deoccupation, relocated higher education institutions should return to their cities.

"We actually have a lot of relocated universities. Some moved in 2014, and a larger wave moved in 2022. I see the potential for the restoration of our territories in relocated universities. Their task is to preserve their regional and territorial identity. They should become centers that nourish the mental resilience of citizens who left these territories. They should act as active hubs and centers of public service. We believe that they should return. Our cities should be rebuilt around universities," said Trofymenko in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine when asked whether relocated universities would return to their original locations after deoccupation or if these universities would remain where they are now.

He noted that the state is currently doing a lot to support relocated universities because they are having a very difficult time.

"When you lose everything and your people are displaced, you have to think not only about quality, the environment, values, and strategies, but also about everyday things: where we will live, what we will eat, how we will teachpreferably offlineat least some of the students, how we will store information, and how we will ensure the various processes of university life. Therefore, our task is to provide this mechanism and opportunity to them," the deputy minister added.

When asked what will happen to teachers and university administrators in the deoccupied territories and if they will be able to work in the Ukrainian education system, Trofymenko noted that collaborators are sentenced for spreading and imposing Russian education standards.

"In other words, we must act according to the law here. Of course, history, particularly regarding Germany, shows that there are long-term projects involving reconciliation. But it is too early for us to talk about this. First, let the deoccupation take place, and then we will think about what to do with these people. I think that, by the time we return to Mariupol, they will no longer be there," he added.

In August, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Olena Ivanovska, stated that, in her opinion, there will be no need to adopt transitional language legislation for the deoccupied territories.
Swiss court to hear landmark climate case against cement giant



Geneva, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



A Swiss court has decided to hear a landmark climate case pitting residents of a tiny Indonesian island being swallowed by rising sea levels against cement giant Holcim, NGOs helping the islanders said Monday.

"For the first time ever in Switzerland, a court has admitted climate litigation brought against a large corporation," said a statement from NGOs including Swiss Church Aid (HEKS).

The case is part of a wider international movement seeking to hold major companies responsible for climate damage that imperils millions, especially in developing countries.

Oil companies have typically been the main target, but activists are hoping the Swiss case will highlight the role of the cement industry, which is responsible for around eight percent of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions caused by human activity.

Four residents of Pari island filed the case in January 2023, demanding compensation from the world's largest cement firm and help to fund protection measures on the island.

Two of the islanders travelled to Switzerland for a September hearing at the court in Zug, where Holcim is headquartered, to determine whether it would consider the complaint.



- 'Gives us strength' -



"The court has now made its ruling: the complaint must be admitted in its entirety," the NGOs said.

Both sides received the ruling in advance of Monday's publication and they can still appeal against it.

Holcim said in a statement it had "anticipated this as a potential outcome and intend to appeal".

Environmentalists have said 11 percent of the 42-hectare (104-acre) island of Pari has disappeared in recent years, and it could be completely under water by 2050.

One of the plaintiffs, Asmania, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, hailed Monday's decision.

"We are very pleased. This decision gives us the strength to continue our fight," she said in the NGO's statement.



- Mangroves needed -



Holcim has repeatedly stressed it is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, but has argued that lawmakers should decide how those goals are met.

"Holcim remains convinced that the courtroom is not the appropriate forum to address the global challenge of climate change," it said.

The NGOs said the Zug court had rejected that argument.

Holcim has not owned any cement plants in Indonesia since 2019, but the islanders argue that the company shares the blame for rising temperatures and sea levels.

Environmentalists say Holcim ranks among the world's 100 biggest corporate CO2 emitters, and so bears significant responsibility for climate-related loss and damage.

The four plaintiffs are seeking 3,600 Swiss francs ($4,500) each from Holcim for damages and for protection measures such as planting mangroves and constructing breakwater barriers.

HEKS has said the amount is equivalent to 0.42 percent of the actual costs -- in line with estimates that Holcim is responsible for 0.42 percent of global industrial CO2 emissions since 1750.

In addition, the plaintiffs are demanding a 43 percent reduction in Holcim's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 69 percent reduction by 2040.

nl/jxb
Japan vote moves world's biggest nuclear plant closer to restart



Tokyo, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



A Japanese regional assembly backed a plan on Monday to restart the world's biggest nuclear plant for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, taking it a step closer to resumption.

The move came after Niigata prefecture governor Hideyo Hanazumi approved the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant last month.

The plant was taken offline when Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a colossal earthquake and tsunami sent three reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011.

However, the resource-poor nation now wants to revive atomic energy to reduce its heavy dependence on fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and meet growing energy needs from artificial intelligence.

The assembly in Niigata, where Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is located, voted on Monday on a regional extra budget bill, which included a supplementary resolution to endorse the governor's decision.

"The measure is approved by a majority vote," the assembly speaker said as most of the 53-seat body stood to express their support.

With that hurdle cleared, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) is expected to turn to Japan's nuclear regulator to give final permission for a restart.

TEPCO will submit the request to the Nuclear Regulation Authority before the end of the year, Japanese media said.

The company is considering putting one of the seven reactors at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa back online around January 20, according to national broadcaster NHK and the Nikkei business newspaper.

Hanazumi is expected to meet Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa on Tuesday to convey his support for the plant's restart, according to local TV station Broadcasting System of Niigata (BSN).

The reactor has already cleared the nation's nuclear safety standard, and TEPCO was waiting for local communities to give their consent for switching on the facility.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has voiced her support for the use of nuclear power.

Japan is the world's fifth-largest single-country emitter of carbon dioxide, after China, the United States, India and Russia, and is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels.

Nearly 70 percent of its power needs in 2023 were met by plants burning coal, gas and oil -- a figure Tokyo wants to slash to 30-40 percent over the next 15 years.

Nuclear power generated about a third of Japan's electricity before the 2011 quake and tsunami, which killed around 18,000 people, with fossil fuels contributing most of the rest.

TEPCO gradually switched off its nuclear facilities in the wake of the disaster, but 14 reactors, mostly in western and southern regions, have resumed operation under strict safety standards.
Sri Lanka cyclone caused $4.1 bn damage: World Bank



Colombo, Dec 22 (AFP) Dec 22, 2025



Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka last month, caused an estimated $4.1 billion in direct physical damage to buildings, agriculture and critical infrastructure, according to a World Bank report released Monday.

The natural disaster killed more than 640 people, and affected more than 10 percent of Sri Lanka's population. Floods and landslides caused by the cyclone left extensive damage throughout the South Asian island nation.

The total damage estimated by the World Bank is equivalent to about 4 percent of Sri Lanka's GDP.

Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways and water supply networks, accounted for the largest share of damage, at an estimated $1.735 billion, according to the World Bank's Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report.

Housing damage was valued at $985 million, accounting for 24 percent of the total damage.

The estimate is limited to direct physical damage and "does not include losses related to income or production, nor the full costs of recovery and reconstruction".

Buildings such as "schools, health facilities, businesses, and large industrial facilities and factories located along major rivers and creeks, were also heavily impacted, accounting for $562 million in estimated damages," the World Bank said.

The Sri Lankan government has also secured a World Bank agreement to repurpose $120 million from an ongoing project for disaster recovery spending.

The latest World Bank report comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Friday that its board had approved $206 million in emergency financing for Sri Lanka, to help in the country's recovery.

The cyclone struck as the country was emerging from its worst ever economic meltdown in 2022, when it ran out of foreign exchange reserves to pay for essential imports such as food, fuel and medicines.

Following a $2.9 billion bailout from the IMF approved in early 2023, the country's economy has stabilised.
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Oleksandr Zubko

Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko expects that after the end of the war the number of foreign students in Ukraine may grow to 100,000.

"Today, our universities have combined many areas, including those important to society, such as sustainability. Europeans cannot understand this. This is one of the factors that will increase the number of foreigners after the war ends. Currently, 20,000 foreigners are studying here; before the war, there were about 80,000. Our goal is to restore the number of foreign students to 100,000 after the war," Trofymenko said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He emphasized that we must do everything possible to ensure that our universities maintain their network of contacts and their ability to teach foreigners.

"After the war ends, we will significantly increase the number of foreign citizens receiving an education at our Ukrainian universities," the deputy minister added.

According to reports, 5,475 foreign students were enrolled in Ukrainian higher education institutions in 2025, which is 534 more than in 2024 (4,941).
Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Dianne Holechek, the first wife of the martial artist and movie star Chuck Norris, has died at the age of 84.

Holechek, whom Norris first met in high school, died peacefully at her home in Texas after a long battle with dementia, her son Mike Norris announced.

We are thankful she is no longer suffering. She was the best, the greatest mom. We were so lucky to have her, Mike, who is Norriss eldest son, told TMZ.

Reacting to the news on Facebook, Norris, 85, shared an emotional tribute to his late ex.

I am deeply saddened to share that my ex wife, Dianne, has passed away. After being married for 30 years, we were able to find a way to remain close friends, and those years of friendship meant the world to me, the Walker, Texas Ranger star wrote.

Dianne was an incredible person. She was kind, intelligent, and lived life to the fullest. Her presence in my life will never be forgotten. She was also a loving and devoted mother to our sons, Mike and Eric, who were always her greatest pride.

Even as our lives took different directions, we continued to care deeply for one another, and I will forever cherish the memories we built together.

Holechek and Norris met at North High School in Torrance, California, and married in 1958 when they were 17 and 18, respectively.

They separated in 1988, after 30 years of marriage, finalizing their divorce in 1989. They had two children together, Mike (born 1962) and former NASCAR racing driver Eric (born 1965).

According to TMZ, Norris was unfaithful during the marriage, fathering a daughter, Dina, in the early 1960s whule he was serving in the United States Air Force.

He married model Gena OKelley, 62, in 1998. They share twins, Dakota and Danilee, 24.

This time last year, Norris announced the death of his mother, who was 103.

Growing up, her laughter filled our home with joy, and her hugs provided a sense of safety that we will forever cherish. She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel special, often putting the needs of others before her own, The Way of the Dragon star shared.

Before gaining recognition as a martial arts expert and Hollywood action star, Norris was raised by his mother, Wilma and his father, Ray Dee Norris, who was a World War II Army veteran, in Ryan, Oklahoma.

The youngest of Norriss three brothers, Wieland, was killed in the Vietnam War in 1970.
Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

James Ransones wife, Jamie McPhee, has led tributes to her husband following his death, aged 46.

In an emotional post on Instagram, she wrote: I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again... You told me... I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me  and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts  you, Jack and Violet. We are forever.

Ransone died by suicide on Friday (19 December), the Los Angeles Medical Examiners Office said. The Baltimore-born actor was known for his performances in The Wire and horror movies, including It: Chapter 2, Sinister, Sinister 2, The Black Phone, and its 2025 sequel, which was his final project.

The actors big break arrived in 2003 when he played hotheaded dock worker Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of acclaimed HBO drama The Wire.

Ransones The Wire co-star Wendell Pierce wrote on X: Sorry I couldnt be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone.

Director Spike Lee, who worked with Ransone on two occasions, paid tribute to the star in a post on Instagram, writing: Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother, MR. JAMES RANSONE. We Rocked Together On RED HOOK SUMMER and INSIDE MAN.

Ill miss you dearly my friend, added Sean Baker, who directed Ransone in Starlet and Tangerine.

Mya Taylor, who also starred in Tangerine, said in a post on Instagram: RIP James Ransone. This hurt me so bad. Such a sweet and funny guy. He helped me deal with fame. He could light up a room with his smile and dimples. So funny and sweet and he will be missed. Love this man so much.

open image in gallery Ransone and Sean Baker at Sundance Film Festival in 2015 ( Getty Images )

Heated Rivalry actor Francois Arnaud remembered the actor on his Instagram Story as a unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.

We are saddened by the passing of James Ransone, reads a post from horror film production company Blumhouse. We are grateful to have worked with him on The Black Phone and Sinister movies. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Many fans have shared their condolences online too, with one hailing the actor as such an integral part of giving both grit and soul to Sean Baker's early films.

He's one of those actors who always made the project around him more interesting, they added.

open image in gallery Ransone at the It Chapter Two premiere in 2019 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Another said: First time you watch The Wire, you think Ziggy is one of the most annoying characters you've ever seen. Second time you watch The Wire, his pathos is unmistakable and you see the depth of the role he is stuck playing in the decaying world he was born into... RIP James Ransone.

In a piece of writing left on his website, Ransone, who had two children, said before his death: Fatherhood cracked me wide open. It made me see myself with a level of honesty Id been avoiding. It made me want to become someone my child could look up to. And with that came shameshame I didnt even know was still living in me.

He previously opened up about mental health struggles and addiction issues, telling Interview in 2016 that he sobered up at the age of 27.

The actor also spoke publicly in 2021 about having been sexually abused as a child by one of his teachers.

Ransone is survived by his wife and two children.

In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Steven Spielberg once allegedly refused to work with Ben Affleck on a movie partly because of a long-running grudge stemming from a family vacation, the films screenwriter has claimed.

Mike Binder claims he developed 2006s Man About Town, about a Hollywood agent, with Spielberg, and that the Jaws filmmaker was initially attached to direct.

Speaking on the One Bad Movie podcast, Binder said Spielberg changed his mind about directing but encouraged him to direct the script himself for Spielbergs DreamWorks Pictures.

However, when Binder wanted to cast Ben Affleck in the lead role, Spielberg allegedly backed out.

Binder said: "I call Steven, Steven says: No. Cant do it with him. We just bombed with a movie with him, hes got that whole J-Lo thing going on now, and I have other problems with him.

According to the screenwriter, those problems dated back to when Affleck was dating Spielbergs goddaughter, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Steven Spielberg allegedly holds a grudge against Ben Affleck over an incident on a family vacation ( Getty )

Binder claims Spielberg told him they went on a family vacation together, and that: My son was a little boy, he was playing in the pool, and he got out of the pool, and Ben came in fully dressed, and my son pushed Ben into the pool. And Ben got really mad at him, and he came out of the pool and picked him up and threw him back into the pool, and made my son cry.

When Binder asked Spielberg why he was telling him that story, he said Spielberg explained: I just don't like to work with him. Plus his last two movies bombed. Find somebody else. Anyone but him. Hes cold as hell.

When Binder told Afflecks agent that he couldnt cast him, the actor immediately called him back.

Ben calls me up, he says, Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? Is that what happened? Is that why I'm not on your movie? I said, No, he didn't say... Yes he did! He told you I threw his kid in the water. That's why I'm not on the movie.

Binder says he called Spielberg back and told him he still wanted to cast Affleck in the film. Spielberg went along with it, but the following day Binder learned that DreamWorks was dropping the project.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Binder eventually made the film with Affleck for the independent production company Media 8, and distributor Lionsgate released it straight to DVD.

The Independent has approached Spielberg and Affleck for comment.

Binder added that several years later, in 2013, he watched Affleck win the Oscar for Best Picture for Argo.

He beats Spielberg [for Lincoln], and hes at the Academy Awards, and they're hugging, recalls Binder,

I text him, I'm watching on the air, I go: Ben, tonight you could throw Spielbergs whole family in the pool and get away with it. About an hour later, the phone rings, its Affleck at the Academy... he goes: That made me laugh so f***ing hard.
Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Chris Rea was the unmistakeable voice behind one of the worlds most popular Christmas songs, but he wrote it at a time when he was hardly in the holiday spirit.

His record contract was almost done, and his manager had just informed him he was quitting. Rea was keen to get home from Londons Abbey Road studios to Middlesbrough, but hed been banned from driving, and his label refused to pay for a train ticket.

So, his wife picked him up in their battered Austin Mini and they set off for Middlesbrough. The snow set in, as did the traffic, prompting Rea to look across at the other drivers, who looked equally miserable. Jokingly singing that now-famous line, he started to scrawl down lyrics in a notepad on his lap.

Originally released as the B-side to his single Hello Friend in 1986, the re-recorded version of Driving Home for Christmas (1988) has appeared in the UK singles chart almost every year for the past two decades, reaching a new peak of No 10 in 2021. Both versions feature on Reas new record, The Christmas Album, which is out now, including as a limited-edition vinyl.

Its cheerful, jangling tune and wistful theme of travelling home for the Christmas holidays struck a chord with his fans, and it has since gone on to become one of the UKs best-loved festive songs.

It has that hope and warmth to it, like all the classic Christmas songs, Rea told The Independent, just days before his death aged 74. That and the frustration of being stuck in the motorway traffic  thats what people relate to.

Whats funny is that Id been banned from driving just before I wrote it, and we originally thought wed give it to Van Morrison. It was a Fifties jazz thing, like he used to do. Then the record label put it out as a B-side of mine, and a DJ started playing it. And here we are today.

open image in gallery Chris Rea: Driving Home for Christmas has that hope and warmth to it ( Getty )

First released in 1986, Driving Home for Christmas features in this years M&S Food Christmas advert, which sees comedian and actor Dawn French singing along to the single in her car. The track also features in a Christmas-themed album Rea released in October this year, which contains songs including Footsteps in the Snow and Joys of Christmas.

Before his death, Rea told The Independent he had been revisiting his love of blues and jazz, and recording some instrumental pieces. He was also looking forward to Christmas, and reflected on his pride in making his own film, La Passione, which was released 29 years ago.

If Im ever stuck on the M25  the Road to Hell  Ill wind the window down and start singing, Im driving home for Christmas at people in cars alongside, he told The Guardian in a previous interview. They love it. Its like giving them a present.

He continued: Id never played it live until one year at Hammersmith Odeon: the gig was on 21 December, so the road crew kept badgering me to do it. I went, If Im going to sing this f***ing song, were gonna do it properly. So we hired 12 snow cannons. When we started the song, you couldnt hear it for the noise of the crowd, and we let go with the machines. We put 3ft of artificial snow in the stalls. The venue charged me 12,000 to clean it up.

open image in gallery The singer-songwriter has died after a short illness ( AP )

The news of Reas death on Monday was shared by his family, who said he had died in hospital following a short illness.

A statement on behalf of his wife and two children said: It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.

Reas success was somewhat sporadic, beginning with his debut album, Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?, a reference to the stage name his record label wanted him to adopt, which was was released in 1978. The album track Fool (If You Think Its Over) went on to be nominated for a Grammy.

It wasnt until his eighth album, Onthe Beach, that he experienced major success in the UK and Europe thanks to the title track, which became a hit single. He followed this up with 1989s The Road to Hell, which turned him into one of the UKs biggest solo stars and a favourite among (mostly male) rock fans.

I do have this big weakness, he told The Independent ina candid 2004 interview. I over-cooperate with people. People say its because Im an Irish-Italian from Middlesbrough, and me dad was always like that, yknow  Get the job done. So when a record-company man would say, For the Swedish version we need to sweeten that up, Id say, OK. You can do that. Then the Swedish version would become the UK version. Millions of weird things like that happened.

The Road to Hell was also his first No 1 album, followed by 1991s Auberge, which also topped the charts in the UK. But it wasnt until he was in hospital being treated for pancreatic cancer, aged 33, that he experienced what he called a musical epiphany when a friend brought him the Miles Davis album Kind of Blue.

When he received his cancer diagnosis, his career ground to a halt, and he had to have part of his pancreas, his duodenum, his gallbladder and part of his liver removed. Addressing his illness in an interview, he said he wasnt afraid of dying and that it was his health battles, along with his passion for the blues, that had inspired him to make a triumphant return to music.

I probably wouldnt have played it, but I was just like, nothing: incapable, he recalled. And I put it on and paid attention. Then I started to really like it, then I got a book on modulation... I became quite obsessed with that record. I could even hear them moving in to the microphone to play.

That music stayed with him after his recovery; he rejected the duets album idea his record label was pestering him about, and returned to his own musical roots, releasing the blues-influenced record Dancing Down the Stony Road.

If the heads of all the music companies had known about music and about Chris Rea fans, they wouldnt have worried about Stony Road, he said. My regular fans have always known that side of me... I knew they wouldnt have a problem with it. So I made Stony Road anyway. All the record companies rejected it. I was very pleased when it eventually went gold.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, and two children.
Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy

Since September 2025, Ukraine's energy system has suffered nearly 2,000 massive missile and drone attacks, almost a quarter of which were targeted destruction of energy infrastructure, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.

"For the fourth year in a row, Russia has been trying to plunge us into darkness. The enemy launches dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones at energy facilities almost every day in an attempt to destroy generation facilities, electricity transmission and distribution systems, and dispatch centers. Since September of this year alone, Ukraine's energy system has suffered about 2,000 massive missile and drone attacks, nearly a quarter of which targeted energy infrastructure," wrote Svyrydenko in a Telegram channel in honor of Energy Day.

The prime minister emphasized that, after each attack, energy workers are working tirelessly at each facility.

"You are returning heat, light, communication, and the opportunity to work to people. Most importantly, you are giving people faith that we will survive," she added.

According to Svyrydenko, the government's priority is providing light to Ukrainian homes and ensuring the operation of enterprises.

"Remember and appreciate that we have light because Ukrainian energy workers provided it with their own hands and labor," Svyrydenko wrote.

She also announced that the government is launching an annual Cabinet of Ministers award for energy industry workers.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Bowen Yang signed off from his seven-year Saturday Night Live run with an emotional final sketch featuring his friend Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher.

Yang played a Delta One Lounge employee working his last shift on Christmas Eve, in parallel to his own final outing on the show Saturday night (20 December).

Seconds into the scene, Yang fought back tears as his character told Delta Lounge customers that he would be leaving his beloved festive egg-nog stand. The shows celebrity host, Ariana Grande, played his elderly wife who comes to visit him at work on his final day.

Yang broke down in tears as he sang about his job while performing the 1960 song Please Come Home for Christmas by Charles Brown, as a duet with Grande.

I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here, and I just wanted to enjoy it for a little bit longer, said Yang to Grande. Especially the people. I've loved every single person who works here, because they've done so much for me, especially my boss.

open image in gallery Ariana Grande played the wife to Bowen Yangs Delta employee during his final sketch ( NBC )

open image in gallery Yang was comforted by the shows musical guest, Cher, during his last outing on SNL ( NBC )

Cher, who performed Christmas songs including Run Rudolph Run on the programme, then appeared onstage as Yang's boss, the CEO of Eggnog at Delta.

Yang said to her, Before I go, do you have any feedback for me? to which Cher replied: Well, everyone thought you were a little bit too gay. But you know what? You're perfect for me.

The trio embraced each other as they continued the song. Grande held back tears as she gripped Yangs hand.

He finally said: This place will always be home, but ah, it's time to go, as he received a kiss from Grande.

Yang joined SNL as a writer in 2018 before being promoted to the cast the following year. Some of his most memorable sketches have included him parodying the viral baby hippo Moo Deng, posing as an overzealous spin instructor and impersonating British pop star Charli XCX.

In 2021, he became the first SNL featured player to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

open image in gallery Yang said his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande gave him the dreamiest send-off ( NBC )

Ahead of his final show, Yang told fans in an Instagram post that working on the show taught him the value of showing up when many things in the world started to seem futile.

Im grateful for every minute of my time there. I learned about myself (bad with wigs). I learned about others (generous, vulnerable, hot). I learned that human error can be nothing but correct. I learned that comedy is mostly logistics and that it will usually fail until it doesnt, which is the besssst.

Yang also thanked his Wicked co-star, Grande, for being the host of his last episode as he wrote, thank you to ari for sending me off in the dreamiest way I could imagine.

The comedian, who hosts the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers, has gained significant acclaim outside of SNL in recent years, appearing in Wicked and this years sequel Wicked: For Good. He also starred in the romantic comedy The Wedding Banquet.

Yangs departure from SNL coming midway through a season is unusual but not unprecedented, with the likes of Cecily Strong, Molly Shannon, Dana Carvey and Eddie Murphy also leaving midseason in past years.

open image in gallery Bowen Yang joined SNL in 2018 as a writer before being promoted to a cast member ( Getty Images for Critics Choice )

In an interview with People in September, Yang said he felt he had more to do at the show but also worried the audience was getting sick of him.

The cast had a major shakeup before the new season began on October 4: cast members Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow departed from the programme. New additions to the cast included Ben Marshall, Veronika Slowikowska, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane and Kam Patterson.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Supermodel Anok Yai has opened up about the recent discovery that she suffers from a congenital defect.

Yai, the first Black model to open a Prada runway, posted on Instagram on Friday to reveal that doctors found a birth defect that did not make itself present until recently.

Around three to four percent of babies are born with some type of birth defect, according to the Boston Childrens Hospital. It is not uncommon for symptoms of the defect to remain dormant for years or throughout a persons entire life.

For the past year Ive been dealing with this silent battle, Yai captioned the post, which showed various clips of her lying in a hospital bed. I incidentally found out I had a congenital defect overworking my heart and slowly destroying my lungs.

She explained in the post that she was asymptomatic throughout most of her life, but it all started to unravel after experiencing a lingering cough.

The supermodel, Anok Yai, revealed to her Instagram followers that she recently received robotic lung surgery after the discovery of a congenital defect ( Getty Images for BFC )

[The cough] turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times struggling to breathe, Yai continued. I chose to work through this while trying to find the right doctor and the right time. I quickly realized there was never going to be a right time  my health would continue to worsen.

Ive always thought I could outwork or outrun anything but the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up. So, yesterday I had a successful robotic lung surgery thanks to Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his gracious and talented team who I am forever indebted to for giving me more time.

The robotic surgery the supermodel referred to is called a robotic thoracic surgery, which the American Lung Association describes as a procedure used to remove diseased lung tissue and possibly surrounding lymph nodes.

The supermodel then thanked her medical team for discovering her condition and noted that she is currently in recovery.

I am forever grateful for Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and everyone at the @beverlyhillsconciergehealth for discovering my condition, her caption continued. Thank you to all the doctors and amazing nurses at @nyulangone, and thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up.

For now, Im healing  but Ill be back, her caption concluded. See ya.

Since Yais debut on the Prada runway in 2018, her career has continued to take off, with her winning Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards earlier this month.

I was told that I would be a flash-in-the-pan and that I would be crushed by the machine that is the fashion industry and my career would only last six months, she said in her acceptance speech at the ceremony. Its been a long six months, huh?
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Every winter, respiratory viruses, especially influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, put huge pressure on healthcare systems throughout Europe. In a typical season, flu causes up to 50 million symptomatic cases, and anywhere from 15,000 to 70,000 deaths per year on the continent.

All age groups are affected, although children have the highest infection rates and are often the first to catch the disease and spread it in their homes. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population contracts flu each year.

The flu viruses that normally infect humans belong mainly to two types: influenza A (the most variable, responsible for most seasonal epidemics and all known flu pandemics) and influenza B (which circulates almost exclusively in humans).

There are many different subtypes of influenza A, depending on how their haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins combine. The subtypes currently circulating in humans are H1N1 (including the 2009 pandemic variant, which is now seasonal) and H3N2. These subtypes can vary each season due to small mutations or antigenic drift.

Influenza B has two lineages: B/Victoria and B/Yamagata. B/Yamagata has hardly been detected since 2020.

The flu virus variability is why vaccines are prepared each year with a mix of three (or four) of the viruses that circulated the previous year.

Whats happening this autumn?

The flu season has started a few weeks earlier than in previous years. Japan, for instance, has been recording an unusually high number of cases since October.

In the European Union, flu is appearing unusually early. In Spain, for instance, the epidemic threshold has already been exceeded, a few weeks earlier than expected.

open image in gallery Subclade K of A/H3N2 (formerly known as J.2.4.1) has now been detected on all continents ( Getty )

Another new development is the clear predominance of the A/H3N2 virus, specifically the subclade K. Although the A/H1N1 virus predominated this year in the southern hemisphere and the subclade K of A/H3N2 only took off at the end, it ended up being predominant in the United Kingdom and Japan: nearly 90% of flu samples in these countries are now A/H3N2 K. The United States and Canada seem to be following a similar trend.

Subclade K of A/H3N2 (formerly known as J.2.4.1) has now been detected on all continents. It accounted for one-third of all A/H3N2 viruses analysed between May and November 2025 worldwide, and almost half in the EU.

Subclade K: different, but not necessarily more harmful

The genetic changes in subclade K of the A/H3N2 virus do not come from recombination or mixing of viruses, and do not represent a major change. It is actually the same H3N2 virus that has been circulating among humans since 1968, but with some mutations in its genes.

This is to be expected, as each season the flu virus evolves (through mutation) to escape our immune systems. Some years it is more successful than others.

About the author Ignacio Lopez-Goni, Catedratico de Microbiologia. Miembro de la Sociedad Espanola de Microbiologia (SEM), Universidad de Navarra. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

Mutations in this new subclade do not appear to affect the efficacy of antiviral drugs, nor are they associated with increased virulence or disease severity.

In fact, the East Asian countries now reporting a decline in subclade K cases have not experienced unusually high severity of illness. Furthermore, analyses suggest that the subclade K strains circulating in these countries do not differ from those currently present in the EU. The good news, therefore, is that subclade K does not seem to be more virulent or cause more severe disease.

Does this mean more cases?

A/H3N2 has not been the dominant influenza virus in recent seasons  it has usually been A/H1N1. This could lead to lower immunity in the population due to a lack of recent exposure to A/H3N2.

Symptoms of flu NHS Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include: a sudden high temperature

an aching body

feeling tired or exhausted

a dry cough

a sore throat

a headache

difficulty sleeping

loss of appetite

diarrhoea or tummy pain

feeling sick and being sick

In addition, seasons dominated by this pathogen tend to be more severe, with lower vaccine efficacy and more serious cases in older adults than in seasons dominated by A/H1N1.

Vaccine protection

To create flu vaccines, scientists use data from the previous year to predict which strains of the virus are likely to be most prevalent over the coming year. This seasons vaccine was designed to protect against two subtypes of A/H1N1, influenza B, and a type of A/H3N2 that predates the new subclade K.

Some analyses show a divergence of subclade K from the vaccine strain of H3N2, although data on vaccine effectiveness in the real world is currently limited. If vaccine efficacy is reduced, we can expect more cases of flu. Monitoring this season is crucial to determine how much protection vaccines are providing.

open image in gallery This seasons vaccine was designed to protect against two subtypes of A/H1N1, influenza B, and a type of A/H3N2 ( Getty )

However, even if a less vaccine-matched A/H3N2 virus becomes predominant this winter, immunisation is still expected to provide protection against severe illness and therefore remains an essential public health tool.

At present, the risk to the general population appears to be moderate, but higher for people who are more likely to develop severe disease (mainly those over 65, with other illnesses, pregnant women, or those who are immunocompromised).

Therefore, although subclade K of the A/H3N2 virus does not appear to be more virulent, the fact that the flu season has arrived a few weeks early and that the most prevalent strain is A/H3N2 suggests that this will be a more difficult season, with a higher number of hospitalisations and greater pressure on health services.

My recommendation: get vaccinated ASAP

Even in seasons when the vaccine is less effective, it still offers some protection, and it is the most effective weapon we have for reducing the risk of serious illness.

For all these reasons, the vaccine is recommended for everyone who is eligible. Furthermore, this years flu epidemic has arrived early, and it takes a few weeks after receiving the immunisation for defences against the virus to become fully active. This means you should get the vaccine without delay.

Lastly, it is important to emphasise the importance of hand washing and wearing a mask if you suspect you are infected. This will prevent the spread of infection to those who are most vulnerable.
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A mother who thought she would not live to see another Christmas after being diagnosed with mouth cancer is celebrating being cancer-free.

Clare Davis-Eaton, 51, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, found a lump on her neck the size of a frozen pea in December 2015 and, after further tests, she was diagnosed with metastatic base of tongue cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes in March 2016.

The community support officer underwent a horrendous six-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment before she went into remission in November 2016  saying it felt like Christmas had come early.

Then Clare found another lump on her neck in June 2019 and was informed three months later that the cancer had returned to her lymph nodes, which were later removed during an operation.

She began more chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but was unsure whether she would make it to Christmas  opting to put up her tree in October that year instead.

open image in gallery Clare was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2016 ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Clare remained determined and positive to pull through, and, in August 2024, on her 50th birthday, she was given the news that she was officially cancer-free.

Clare said her family, including her son, Dominic, 31; her daughter, Georgia, 29; her mother, Helene, 69; and her grandmother, Eunice, 97; played a massive part in her cancer journey, and she also credited Macmillan Cancer Support for keeping her afloat.

Im so appreciative to be able to have Christmas with my family because, in 2019, I didnt think I was going to see it, Clare said.

Going through cancer twice has taken me back to the meaning of Christmas and what Christmas is all about.

Its not the presents under the tree, its who is around it.

You cant buy happiness, you cant buy your health  those gifts are priceless.

open image in gallery Clare had an operation to remove the affected lymph nodes ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Clare was first diagnosed with base of tongue cancer in 2016 after finding a lump the size of a frozen pea on her neck.

She went to the doctors in December 2015 and was referred for further tests, including a biopsy, in January and February 2016.

Upon being told its cancer on March 11 2016, Clare said it broke her whole world.

Clare said the cancer was also metastatic, and it had spread to her lymph nodes at the time of her diagnosis.

She started a six-week daily course of radiotherapy, Monday to Friday, accompanied by one day of chemotherapy throughout  describing the process as horrendous.

It wasnt just scary for me, it was scary for my kids, she said.

It takes everything out of you, the chemo made me feel sick, I was drained.

open image in gallery Clare was told she is officially cancer-free in August 2024 ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Clare finished her last round of treatment on June 15 2016, and went into remission on November 23 2016, saying it felt like Christmas had come early.

It wasnt an easy journey and I had to keep going back for more checks  but it was amazing, I felt on top of the world, she said.

She added her feeding tube, which she used throughout her treatment, was removed just before Christmas that year, and her ability to eat and swallow had not yet returned.

Christmas wasnt the same  I couldnt eat meat, I couldnt do the dinners, I had no finances to do Christmas because of all the knock-on effects, she said.

But it showed me that Christmas is about the people you share it with, not what presents youre opening.

In June 2019, Clare said she was feeling knackered all the time and she discovered another lump on her neck.

After seeing her doctor and explaining her symptoms, Clare was referred for further scans and tests for about three months, and she was informed the cancer had returned to her lymph nodes in September 2019.

open image in gallery Clare tried to remain 'positive' during her second round of treatment ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Clare then underwent an operation to remove the affected lymph nodes on the right side of her neck.

Unfortunately, the procedure did not remove all the cancer cells, Clare said, but she added her oncologist pushed for her to receive further treatment.

They dont normally do a second round of radiotherapy on the same place, so I was so privileged, she said.

When weighing up her treatment options, Clare said she was told there was a 20 per cent chance the radiotherapy treatment could kill her.

I asked what would happen if I didnt undergo any treatment and I was told, six months, Clare said.

I didnt want the rest of that sentence  it could have been six months until I started to feel unwell  but I just said, where do I sign?'

Clare said she felt so poorly and so bad during her second round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, which lasted another six weeks.

open image in gallery Clare said Christmas 'is about the people you share it with' ( Collect/PA Real Life )

At the time, I felt like I couldnt do it, I was just ready to give up, she said.

I didnt think I was going to see that Christmas, to be totally honest.

If I saw it, I felt it would be my last.

She added that she put up her Christmas tree in October that year.

It was a real fancy one that snowed from the top  we had a real daft day playing Christmas music full blast and watching movies, she said.

Clare said she tried to remain positive and she was hospitalised for the last three-and-a-half weeks of her treatment.

I was determined to fight and get home for Christmas no matter what, she said.

Clare finished her treatment on December 9 2019, and she rang the bell in hospital to mark the occasion  but she said her treatment side-effects peaked all over Christmas.

open image in gallery Clare has a newfound appreciation for life ( Collect/PA Real Life )

On Clares 50th birthday, on August 23 2024, she was told she was officially cancer-free.

It was a present no one could buy, she said.

After spending eight years fighting, in one way or another, it was a very bizarre feeling.

Clare now lives with some side effects from her treatment, and she struggles to swallow food, she can have choking risks, and she cant enjoy flavours.

I dont mind having side effects; theyre my free gifts because Im here to have them, she said.

She added that she continues to receive mental health support, as she said her cancer journey has affected every step of her life.

Cancer isnt just a physical illness, its a mental illness as well, she said.

Main symptoms of mouth cancer NHS Symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth, including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips. Symptoms can include: a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than 3 weeks

a red or white patch inside your mouth

a lump inside your mouth or on your lip

pain inside your mouth

difficulty swallowing

difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice

a lump in your neck or throat

losing weight without trying

It does have positives in that it brings life appreciation  I now know tomorrow isnt a given, its a privilege.

Due to her health, Clare said she had to leave her job as a community support officer for those with learning disabilities, where she worked for 10 years.

She said she misses the job massively, but she equally enjoys working at a local pub.

She also now volunteers for Macmillan Cancer Support, and she praised the charity for the help and advice they provided to her throughout both diagnoses.

Macmillan came into my life when I was at my lowest, they kept me afloat and theyre still in my life now, she said.

They were also there for my family and no one was forgotten about  what they do is amazing and I just cant say enough about them.

Macmillan is there to provide essential support to people living with cancer across the UK through its Support Line (0808 808 00 00), chat service, online community and Macmillan centres.

For more information and support, visit: community.macmillan.org.uk
From advice and financial planning support to the latest rewards and offers, NatWest Premier is supporting higher earners, savers and investors to make the most of their money so they could get closer to their financial goals.

Looking after finances and banking in todays landscape has never been more important. NatWest Premier could help customers navigate this with confidence, supported by products and a dedicated team of experts.

Why choose NatWest Premier

Taking out a NatWest Premier account could help to open up a range of opportunities for anyone eligible for the account. They include:

Financial planning and 24/7 support

NatWests team of experts offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise alongside access to a range of investments managed by Coutts. There are different Premier account options available for NatWest customers and they all include access to financial planning and advice as well as exclusive 24/7 human support and access to Premier banking managers. Specific product eligibility criteria and fees apply.

Premier banking managers are available from 8am-8pm seven days a week to provide support to NatWest Premier account holders. They provide guidance on the most suitable banking solutions, products and more.

From airport lounge access to global travel insurance, there are a huge number of benefits and rewards for NatWest Premier customers.

( NatWest )

Who can take out a NatWest Premier account

To be eligible for Premier, individuals must meet the required criteria. They include:

Having an annual income of at least 100,000 (120,000 for joint accounts), or having 100,000+ in savings/investments with NatWest, or having a NatWest mortgage of 500,000+.

Being aged 18 and over and a UK resident. Specific product eligibility criteria and fees apply.

Natwest Premier account options

All Premier accounts include exclusive 24/7 human support and access to a Premier banking team.

Premier Select account

This account is designed to simplify the banking process by letting customers manage payments, bills, and income all in one place.

It also helps avoid foreign transaction fees (not valid for ATM withdrawals and other local fees may apply), with an option to apply for an overdraft (subject to status).

Theres no monthly fee for the Premier Select account  customers just need to meet the eligibility criteria.

Find out more

( NatWest )

Premier Reward account

For 2 a month, this current account offers a range of benefits.

Customers could earn Rewards of up to 10 a month, with 9 a month back in Rewards for two Direct Debits of at least 4.50 each, plus 1 a month in Rewards just for logging into the NatWest mobile app. They could also get at least one per cent back on spending via NatWests retail partners. These benefits can be received as cash, traded for e-gift codes or donated to charity.

For a Premier Reward account, customers must deposit at least 1,250 every month to any NatWest current account.

Find out more

Premier Reward Black account

The Premier Reward Black account costs 36 per month, while in return customers can enjoy various benefits.

From travel and mobile phone insurance to breakdown cover and cinema discounts, Premier Reward Black offers a number of features alongside the financial planning and support. This includes 25 per cent cashback on tickets to concerts and shows and discounts to tickets at more than 250 cinemas nationwide. It also rewards customers with up to 10 in Rewards each month.

Reward Black also comes with the exclusive Premier Reward Black app and dedicated Membership Services.

Apply for a Premier Select or Premier Reward account before upgrading to Premier Reward Black. Existing customers can also upgrade if they already have a Premier Select or Premier Reward current account.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Netflixs bombshell bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery has left movie theater owners riddled with fear that the potential acquisition could kill their business, according to a report.

Movie theater attendance had already plummeted amidst the rise of streaming platforms, and as a result, there have been fewer blockbuster hits. Many theaters also closed for good during the COVID-19 pandemic, with those remaining now struggling to fill seats for screenings.

Now, another potential nail in the coffin comes as Netflix agreed to acquire Hollywood studio Warner Bros., including its film and television studios HBO and HBO Max, in a massive $82.7 billion deal. Meanwhile, Paramount is also competing to take over the studio with a hostile bid.

If either deal comes to fruition, it could result in fewer theater releases  and if Netflix succeeds, it may mean shorter periods for films to be exclusively shown in theaters before they get put onto streaming, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

When legacy studios are absorbed theres a significant decline in production, Michael OLeary, the chief executive of theatrical exhibition trade group Cinema United, told the Journal.

open image in gallery Netflixs bid to buy Warner Bros. has left some movie theater operators fearing what will come of the industry following the acquisition, which could negatively impact the already struggling movie theater business. ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

While Netflix has denied that it would have shorter exclusivity periods for Warner movies in theaters, the acquisition does not bode well for many cinema owners.Movie theater attendance has dropped drastically in recent years.

Theater owners have spent millions on upgrades to try and lure customers back, and the industry appeared to be stabilizing this year as the number of theaters closing slowed, according to the report. In the U.S. and Canada, about 1.2 billion movie tickets were sold in 2019, but that figure dropped to 441 million in 2021.

Domestic box-office sales are only expected to reach about $8.8 billion this year  a far cry from the over $11 billion in annual sales made for the five years before the pandemic.

Investors believe those sales need to reach $10 billion for theater owners to become as profitable as they were pre-pandemic, Texas Capital Securities analyst Eric Wold told the outlet.

More blockbuster movies, such as this years A Minecraft Movie, are needed to bring big crowds back to the cinemas. More recent releases, such as Avatar: Fire and Ash, fell somewhat short, bringing in an estimated $88 million in the U.S. and Canada over the weekend, according to the report.

When the movies are there, people want to go, Greg Marcus, the CEO of the theater chain Marcus Corp, told the Journal.

Another issue plaguing theaters is the slow release of movies in recent years due to disruptions caused by the pandemic and labor strikes in Hollywood.

With fewer movies releasing, theater owners have turned to upgrading their facilities with things amenities such as plush rocker seats, massive screens, new sound systems and better concessions as a way to try and attract more customers. Marcus Corp has spent $390 million over the past decade on such upgrades.

open image in gallery Streaming giant Netflix said it will buy film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion ( Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images )

Netflix, one of the original streaming services, typically does not send its movies to theaters. If they do go to theaters, it is just for a few weeks before they get added to streaming.

However, the company said it would honor Warner Bros. commitments to theatrical release, which extends to 2029 or 2030, according to CBC.

The Los Angeles Times reported in April that the average theatrical window post-COVID has only been about 30 days. Before the pandemic, films would typically be in theaters for at least 80 days before they became available on streaming services.

Alicia Reese, a senior analyst with the financial services firm Wedbush, told CBC that Netflixs shorter theatrical window will be an issue for theaters.

Youre training moviegoers to skip the theatrical window. And thats the risk of it being too short, she said.

My opinion is that while [Netflix] goes about honoring these exclusive theatrical windows, they will quickly learn the value of them, Reese said. And theyll probably change their tune.

It was unclear what Netflix plans to do once that commitment to theatrical releases expires.

Netflixs deal to purchase Warner Bros., which includes about $10 billion in debt, with an equity value of $72 billion, is not expected to close before the third quarter of 2026, when the Discovery Global separation is set to be completed. Its not yet clear what changes will affect customers when the deal closes.

Our mission has always been to entertain the world, co-CEO of Netflix Ted Sarandos said in a statement.

open image in gallery Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. announced an $82.7 billion deal for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO Max, and HBO ( Mario Tama/Getty Images )

By combining Warner Bros incredible library of shows and movies  from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends  with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we'll be able to do that even better, he continued. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the merger combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring more options to consumers.

While Paramount was proposing to acquire all of Warner Bros Discoverys assets as part of its bid, the Netflix deal will allow WBD to proceed with the announced separation of its Streaming & Studios and Global Networks divisions into two separate companies. Discovery Global, which will separate from Warner Bros in late 2026 and ahead of the completion of the Netflix deal, includes the cable television brands CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery and TBS, a number of free-to-air channels in Europe, as well as digital and streaming products such as Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A man and his dog were shot and killed at a Georgia park after an argument between two strangers escalated and turned deadly, police said.

Todd Alexander Stalcup, 52, is facing multiple felony murder charges in the death of 70-year-old Terry Wayne Loden, of Gainesville, according to the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Simpson Park off Ga. 53/Dawsonville Highway, when an argument between the men walking their dogs got heated and erupted in gunfire.

Deputies responded to reports of a shooting and found Loden critically injured. He was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he later died. His dog also died, police said.

Authorities say that during the argument, Stalcup had pulled out a handgun, shot Lodens dog, and then shot Loden. Its unclear what led to the dispute.

open image in gallery Todd Alexander Stalcup, 52, is facing multiple felony murder charges in the death of 70-year-old Terry Wayne Loden, after an argument turned deadly. ( Hall County Sheriffs Office )

Stalcup initially remained at the park but left in his SUV as deputies were responding. He was stopped and taken into custody about 15 minutes later as he was leaving the area, according to the sheriffs office.

Stalcup, who had been living in the Gainesville area, has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

He is being held without bond in the Hall County Jail.

The case remains under investigation.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A Missouri man is accused of executing the mother of his child over a dispute about coins from his collection, authorities say.

Alan Michael Mellow, 33, allegedly shot 30-year-old Hannah Lee Blizard multiple times in the head at close range in front of their baby on Saturday, according to a probable cause statement obtained by Law & Crime.

The shooting stemmed from an argument over coins that Mellow believed Blizard had taken from his collection to buy alcohol.

He told us [the woman] had a severe alcohol addiction that he was trying to help her with, police said in the statement.

He said that today they were arguing about her alcohol use and the fact she had stolen coins from his coin collection, which he believed she used to purchase alcohol. He said [the woman] decided to call her mother and leave with the child. Mellow said he would not allow that and decided to leave himself with the child.

open image in gallery Alan Michael Mellow, 33, allegedly shot 30-year-old Hannah Lee Blizard multiple times in the head at close range after a fight over his coin collection. ( Barry County Sheriff's Office )

Mellow told police that he carried their three-month-old baby outside to his Nissan, placed the child in the backseat, and then got into the drivers seat.

Blizard then ran to the passenger side and got inside to prevent him from leaving, the statement says. Thats when Mellow said his handgun was in the vehicle, and when [the woman] got in he shot her a couple of times in the head.

Mellow told police he then went over to the passenger side to move Blizard from the car and flee the scene.

He said he intended to dump her out and leave the scene, but instead took [the child] out of the vehicle and went back inside his apartment, where he was later contacted by [police], according to the statement.

Blizard was pronounced dead at the scene. The child was not physically injured.

Mellow was arrested and faces murder and child endangerment charges. He is being held at Barry County Jail on no bond.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

An Ohio doctor is facing criminal charges after authorities say he secretly and forcibly administered abortion medication to a woman he reportedly impregnated, causing her to miscarry.

Dr. Hassan Abbas, 32, a surgical resident at the University of Toledo Medical Center who was indicted earlier this month, is the center of a criminal investigation and a civil lawsuit.

Prosecutors say Abbas, who was married, had an extramarital relationship with the woman who got pregnant in December 2024. He then reportedly pressured the woman to terminate the pregnancy, according to court records obtained by WCMH.

The woman later told investigators she did not know Abbas was married and said she planned to continue the pregnancy on her own, which then led to the end of the relationship, court documents state.

The pair later reconciled and began discussing plans for a future together. But on December 18, while the woman was at Abbas home in Holland, Ohio, Abbas got a phone call from his father, Dr. Jihad Abbas, who is also named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by the victim.

open image in gallery Dr. Hassan Abbas faces charges after he allegedly gave abortion medication to a woman he reportedly impregnated. ( Lucas County Corrections Center )

Abbas became visibly agitated on the call that was described as contentious, according to court records. An amended complaint alleges that Abbas cultural and religious background, which prohibits having a child out of wedlock, made the pregnancy a source of conflict.

The woman later told police that she woke up to Abbas on top of her, attempting to force medication down her throat. Fearing she would suffocate, she said she swallowed the substance. Abbas allegedly told her that his father would never allow the pregnancy to continue.

You have to understand. My father will cut me off, take my vehicles, make me move. Please understand, Abbas reportedly said, according to court documents.

The woman said Abbas took her phone and keys to prevent her from calling 911. She fled and tried to induce vomiting before going to the hospital. Police said she had white powder residue on her face, sleeves and bedding.

Medical staff later confirmed the woman had ingested mifepristone and misoprostol, commonly referred to as a Plan C abortion regimen, which police say Abbas illegally obtained. About an hour later, the woman began hemorrhaging and suffered a miscarriage.

Court records also allege that Abbas and his father had devised and attempted a plan to spike her drinks with the medication to induce a miscarriage.

open image in gallery Dr. Hassan Abbas, a surgical resident at the University of Toledo Medical Center who was indicted earlier this month. ( University of Toledo Medical Center )

An investigation by the State Medical Board of Ohio later revealed that Abbas had crushed the pills and attempted to force them into the womans mouth during the December assault. In a July 2025 interview with board investigators, Abbas admitted ordering the medication using his wifes personal information, giving the woman the crushed pills, hanging up the 911 call and disposing of the remaining drugs.

Abbas was placed on administrative leave from the hospital on November 5 and the State Medical Board of Ohio suspended Abbas medical license, multiple sources told WCMH.

The victim has filed a civil lawsuit which names Abbas, his father Dr. Jihad Abbas, ProMedica Health System, the University of Toledo Medical Center and the State of Ohio.

Abbas was released from Lucas County Corrections Center Medical Center after posting a $75,000 bond and was ordered to surrender his passport. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for January 30.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

With Donald Trump publicly declaring that its imperative that CNN be sold as part of any takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, signaling he favors Paramounts hostile takeover bid for the studio giant, Paramount chairman David Ellison has tried to temper the presidents boiling rage over another matter involving his company.

In the aftermath of Trump fuming that Paramounts management was NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP following a 60 Minutes interview with Trump ally-turned-foe Marjorie Taylor Greene, the New York Post reported that Ellison and his father  ultrawealthy Oracle founder and close Trump pal Larry Ellison  have been scrambling to do damage control with the White House.

Meanwhile, following his $108 billion public tender offer after Warner Bros. had accepted Netflixs merger proposal, the younger Ellison acknowledged that he wanted to combine CNN with CBS News, which has recently come under the editorial control of anti-woke crusader Bari Weiss. On top of that, he admitted that hed personally spoken to Trump about it, who has long raged about the cable news network and labeled it fake news.

By the way, weve had great conversations with the president about this, Ellison told CNBC this week. Following that stunning admission, the Wall Street Journal would report that Ellison offered assurances to Trump administration officials that if he bought Warner, hed make sweeping changes to CNN.

Pretty much at the same time that the Ellisons submitted their hostile bid for WBD this week, which includes investments from Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and the sovereign wealth funds of several Middle Eastern countries, the president took to his social media platform to melt down over 60 Minutes. During her sitdown with the show, Greene claimed Trump was directly fueling death threats against her and her family.

open image in gallery Paramount chair David Ellison has scrambled to do damage control in the wake of a 60 Minutes interview that sparked Donald Trumps ire this week. ( AFP/Getty )

Besides raging about the show giving a platform to Marjorie Traitor Brown (Green turns Brown under stress!) and blasting 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl, Trump appeared to take direct aim at Ellison, whom he has repeatedly praised in recent months following the politically tainted Paramount-Skydance merger.

My real problem with the show, however, wasnt the low IQ traitor, it was that the new ownership of 60 Minutes, Paramount, would allow a show like this to air. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP, who just paid me millions of Dollars for FAKE REPORTING about your favorite President, ME! Trump groused. Since they bought it, 60 Minutes has actually gotten WORSE! Oh well, far worse things can happen.

Speaking to reporters later that afternoon, Trump appeared to still have some residual anger towards the Ellisons over the interview, suggesting they werent on friendly terms anymore.

I know the companies very well. I know what they are doing. But I have to see what percentage of market they have. We have to see the Netflix percentage of market, Paramount percentage of market, he said when asked if we would be involved in approving a Warner deal. I mean, none of them are particularly great friends of mine. I want to do whats right.

According to the New York Posts Charlie Gasparino, the Ellisons then began reaching out to Trump administration officials to make it clear that they were left mostly in the dark about the controversial interview before it aired on Sunday night.

Sources say Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has told people close to Trump he was unaware of the broadcast until the day it ran, as was Jeff Shell, president of Paramount Skydance, and Weiss, Gasparino noted.

Theyre saying those guys went rogue and when Paramount Skydance found out about it, they were caught flatfooted, a source told the Post.

It appears the Ellisons damage-control tactics have worked with Trump, and the president seems fully on board with Paramount's acquisition of WBD. While Netflixs agreement would see CNN spun off into a separate company along with the bulk of Warners other cable properties, Paramount wants to purchase all of WBDs assets  including the cable news channel that Trump openly despises.

Its imperative that CNN be sold, Trump declared from the White House on Wednesday, calling the networks current leaders a disgrace while accusing CNN of spreading poison to viewers.

open image in gallery Trump said this week that it is imperative that CNN be sold as part of any deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery. ( PA Wire )

I think any deal, it should be guaranteed and certain that CNN is part of it or sold separately, but I dont think the people that are running that company right now and running CNN, which is a very dishonest group of people, the president added. I dont think that should be allowed to continue.

In the wake of Trumps Wednesday declaration, the Wall Street Journal reported that the president has told allies he is open to considering a new deal for Warner in which CNN is completely sold off from the business and not spun off into Discovery Global as planned.

On top of that, the the Journal noted that Trump has privately said that CNN should be run by people he believes are friendlier toward him and the Republican Party. The elder Ellison, who has long been a loyal supporter of the president, recently discussed with White House officials the possibility of firing CNN anchors that the president dislikes if Paramount were to purchase Warner.

He's looking to exert maximum pressure, Gasparino additionally reported of Trumps mindset throughout the sale process.

Meanwhile, Paramounts spokespeople have remained quiet throughout this week's saga.

As Status News Oliver Darcy pointed out this week, a chief executive openly signaling that hed reorient a newsroom to appease a sitting president would be a five-alarm corporate scandal. However, Paramount hasnt uttered a syllable and declined to comment when approached about David Ellisons conversations with Trump and White House officials.

The Independent has reached out to both Paramount and CBS News for this story, but has yet to hear back.
Two men get 10 years in prison for arson in Kyiv on enemy orders  SBU

Two men who tried to destroy a Ukrposhta branch and a railway relay cabinet on enemy orders received prison terms, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reports.

"One of the Russian agents turned out to be a 33-year-old unemployed Kyiv resident who was dodging mobilization while looking for 'easy money' on Telegram. In exchange for the promise of 'instant earnings' from the Russians, he agreed to carry out a series of commissioned arson attacks on Ukrposhta buildings in the capital," the message on the Telegram channel said Monday.

For the conspiracy, the attacker prepared a hiding place near the regional branch of the state institution, as agreed with the curator. The agent placed a hammer and a "Molotov cocktail" in the hiding place.

Later, he returned to the hiding place, took the tools of the crime from it, and used them to first break the post office's window and then throw a flammable mixture inside the building.

After the arson, the attacker treated the surrounding area with a chlorine solution and burned his "work clothes" to hide the traces of the crime, as instructed by a Russian intelligence officer.

Within a few hours after the sabotage, SBU and National Police officers detained the man in his home.

"Another Russian agent was revealed to be a 21-year-old Bukovyna resident who had come to Kyiv in search of part-time work. In the capital, he began regularly monitoring thematic Telegram channels, where he later came to the attention of ruscists," reports the SBU.

After being recruited by the enemy, the young man set fire to a relay cabinet on the Ukrzaliznytsia track and was soon detained by law enforcement officers.

Based on the materials of the Security Service investigators, both attackers were found guilty under Part 2 of Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (sabotage committed under martial law).

Taking into account their cooperation with the investigation, the court sentenced them to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Advertisement

BusinessCompaniesTrump's White House Opinion Holy Grail: Trump goes nuclear with a very peculiar deal Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist December 22, 2025  11:58am

December 22, 2025  11:58am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

What do Donald Trumps social media company and a leading fusion energy researcher have in common? Nothing, but that hasnt stopped them from announcing a merger. While they might not have anything in common, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) does have something that TAE Technologies needs. It has cash, political capital, a sharemarket listing and a committed investor base that could provide access to more. Trump has what TAE Technologies needs. AP The companies announced a merger last week that will see TAE, one of the worlds leaders in fusion technology, being backed into Trump Media in a deal the companies say values them at more than $US6 billion ($9 billion). TMTG shares have shot up more than 50 per cent since the announcement, adding about $US1.6 billion to its market capitalisation and more than $US600 million to the (paper) net worth of Trump, who owns about 41 per cent of TMTG.

Advertisement

Despite the jump in the share price, TMTGs shares are, at just above $US16 each, still down more than 60 per cent from their inauguration-inspired spike to around $US43 in January. Related Article Updated

Mergers & acquisitions Huge conflict of interest: Trumps $600 million windfall after nuclear deal TAE is a company with serious credibility in its field, having spent the past 27 years researching and developing ways to commercialise fusion energy, raising $US1.4 billion from powerful backers like Google, Chevron, Goldman Sachs and Charles Schwab in the process. It employs more than 400 people, including four Nobel laureates and 62 PhDs, and holds more than 1600 patents. TMTG, which listed 18 months ago after launching its Truth Social social media platform (after Trump was de-platformed by the major social media companies after January 6), doesnt have a lot of credibility.

Advertisement

Even though Trump posts government announcements (among other things) on it, Truth Social has a tiny user base of about 6 million. Elon Musks X has well over 400 million. In fact, Truth Socials performance has been so disappointing that TMTG has chased other lines of business in search of revenue and earnings. TAE is a company with serious credibility in its field, having spent the past 27 years researching and developing ways to commercialise fusion energy. It has piled into crypto, including a launch of a bitcoin treasury, expanded into financial services via Trump exchange-traded America First funds, launched predications betting markets products and, now, is buying into fusion. It needed to do something. Its current portfolio lost it $US54.8 million in the September quarter and $US106.5 million in the nine months to end-September. Thats before the impact of the crash in crypto assets that started in early October hits its accounts.

Advertisement

Bitcoins price has tumbled about 23 per cent since September 30 and is down about 30 per cent from its October peak. What TMTG has, and TAE needs, is $US166 million of cash or near-cash and, after raising $US2.5 billion earlier this year, it owns $US1.5 billion of digital assets and more than $US1 billion of other short-term investments. TAE has reportedly been struggling to pay its bills, so an infusion of cash is required if it is to keep pursuing the so-called Holy Grail of nuclear technologies, fusion. (Conventional nuclear energy involves splitting atoms to create energy, and radioactive waste, fusion involves combining them to produce a heavier atom, replicating the process that powers the sun. It requires massive amounts of energy to initiate fusion, but produces only small amounts of short-lived radioactive waste). TMTG will supply the cash TAE needs  $US200 million up-front and another $US100 million on completion of the deal  which presumably means that it will have to sell some of its bitcoin or other assets, given that it doesnt have $US300 million of cash.

Advertisement

It does, of course, also have the capacity to raise more capital, as its big raising earlier this year proved. Trumps MAGA faithful followed him onto the TMTG register and he also the ability to call on financial support from the oil, tech, media and gambling billionaires who have backed, and benefited from, his radical assault on regulation and the bureaucracy and hefty cuts to corporate and income taxes. ITMTG is a meme stock, with a value unrelated to any concept of the actual value of its assets  its major asset being Trump himself. Bloomberg TMTG will also supply political capital, given that its major shareholder and arguably its key asset is a president who has shown only superficial interest in the normal conventions for managing conflicts of interest. The US, in Trumps second term, has rolled back Joe Bidens incentives and subsidies for renewable energy, instead promoting fossil fuels and nuclear.

Advertisement

Trump has removed some of the safety rules around new nuclear facilities to fast-track the building of new reactors, with a goal of having at least three new test plants built by July 4 next year, Americas 250th birthday. He also wants a number of decommissioned plants brought back into service. Related Article Opinion

Trump's White House Trump loves a deal, but these two are not going to plan Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The US needs more generation to cope with the extraordinary demand for energy being driven by the artificial intelligence-inspired scramble to build energy-hungry data centres. Without new sources of energy supply, and with the growth in renewables curtailed by the dramatic shift in energy policy, the existing grid in the US wont be capable of meeting that demand and the cost of energy for businesses and households will soar. Fusion, which promises to deliver vast amounts of clean energy, could provide a solution if it can be generated commercially.

Advertisement

After the larger part of a century of research and billions of dollars of investment globally  including by various rich list-backed firms in the US and a 33-member global consortium that includes the US, China, Russia, India and South Korea which is investing tens of billions of dollars to prove the feasibility of fusion at an industrial scale  that goal has yet to be met. The capital is a big deal and its a multi-billion dollar undertaking.: TAE Technologies CEO Michl Binderbauer In October, the Trump administration launched a national strategy to accelerate the development of fusion and, in November  presumably while TMTG was negotiating with TAE  created a new Office of Fusion. There is an expectation that the US nuclear program will have access to government funding, which could provide another point of conflict for the Trump family, given that Trump has demonstrated that he, personally, decides government policies and can dictate how the public purse can be accessed. Donald Trump Jr, a director of TMTG and David Nunes, its chief executive since launch, will be on the board of the merged entity, with the president its largest shareholder.

Advertisement

For TAE, which after more than a quarter of a century of fusion research wants to build a utility scale power plant, that combination of financial and political capital compensates for being brought next to Trumps loss-making social media and crypto businesses. TAE plans to build a 50 megawatt plant initially, producing its first power in 2031, with far larger 350 to 500 megawatt plants on its drawing boards. It will need government approvals, and a lot more financial capital, to realise its ambitions. Weve got the tools ready to go, its chief executive, Michl Binderbauer, said last week. The capital is a big deal and its a multi-billion dollar undertaking, he said. The merger would provide a co-owner with the capital and the forward-leaning attitude to go all-in on fusion. TMTG was a vehicle searching, without much if any success, for a profitable business. Its major asset is Trump himself  TMTG is a meme stock, with a value unrelated to any concept of the actual value of its assets  his seemingly unrestrained presidential powers, his contact list and a MAGA audience that will seemingly buy anything hes selling.

Advertisement
Advertisement

BusinessCompaniesInside China Trump may have just helped turbocharge Chinas military Karishma Vaswani December 22, 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

President Donald Trumps decision to approve previously banned exports of Nvidias powerful H200 artificial intelligence chips to China could turbocharge the Peoples Liberation Armys technological ambitions, narrowing Americas edge in military supremacy. Over time, this risks shifting the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, the primary region in which Washington competes with Beijing for influence and power. Chinese military documents emphasise that future warfare will hinge on using artificial intelligence to determine the precision and lethality of conflict. AP Its still unclear how far the deal will go. Chinese regulators are reportedly keen to limit access to the chips to keep domestic developers on the path toward to self-sufficiency in semiconductor production. Trump says that President Xi Jinping has responded favourably to the move. The plan would be for shipments to go to as-yet unspecified approved customers. But the shift away from tighter controls, if China approves this deal, could give the country crucial access to Nvidias second-most powerful AI processor, which is roughly six times more capable than the H20 chips previously available to it. Its an important tool for any country trying to push the frontier of AI, especially in military applications. The stakes are clear for the PLA. Chinese military documents emphasise that future warfare will hinge on using artificial intelligence to determine the precision and lethality of conflict. Beijing believes that winning future wars will depend not only on the largest fleets or longest-range missiles, but also on the ability to sense, decide, and strike faster than the enemy. This requires enormous computing capacity.

Advertisement

Related Article Opinion

Trump's White House Trump loves a deal, but these two are not going to plan Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The countrys domestic semiconductor sector has made undeniable progress, but remains far behind the cutting edge. The PLA and its affiliated research institutes have repeatedly sought access to American chips through commercial procurement channels. A review of records by researchers at Georgetown Universitys Centre for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) shows the Chinese military purchasing Nvidia GPUs to develop AI-enabled systems. There is also a growing body of cases of restricted American chips being diverted illegally. Earlier this month, two Chinese nationals were detained for allegedly violating export control laws by attempting to smuggle at least $US160 million ($242 million) worth of Nvidia chips to China, the US Department of Justice said. A third, the owner of a Houston company, has already pleaded guilty. Prosecutors allege the network obscured the chips origin by stripping Nvidia labels and rebranding them under a fabricated name, including advanced H200 models. Cole McFaul, senior research analyst at CSET, told me that under Chinas civil-military fusion strategy, which blurs the lines between civilian tech and defence, the PLA aims to integrate commercially available AI hardware into military systems, although there are likely obstacles to implementation. Its early days, McFaul said, but if the Chinese military is willing to work through the potential cybersecurity risks, we could see a world where the PLA is able to deploy highly capable AI systems for military-use cases. That would be very worrying for American power. Policy experts are sounding similar warnings. Allowing China access to chips like the H200 risks accelerating Beijings military AI capabilities at a pivotal moment, notes the Atlantic Council. Whatever the PLA can do today with constrained hardware, it could do far more  and far faster  with next-generation US technology. The Council on Foreign Relations, in an expert brief, warns that exporting such chips could meaningfully erode the US lead in AI. Computing power is now the key input in developing and deploying the most advanced systems.

Advertisement

Beijing is unlikely to want to appear dependent on US hardware as it pursues a multi-year push for semiconductor self-sufficiency. Officials will try to manage access carefully so that neither Nvidia nor any other form of US tech leads to strategic military dependency. Still, Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has consistently argued that restricting exports to China will only accelerate Beijings domestic semiconductor push. He has suggested that the PLA wouldnt use US chips because of national security risks associated with American tech. Donald Trump with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Bloomberg US policymakers face an uncomfortable reality: Denying China access to advanced chips raises costs and slows progress for a competing superpower, but doesnt halt it. Conversely, allowing access may speed its military modernisation at a critical moment in the Beijing-Washington rivalry. Putting in place stronger audits and traceability to ensure American-made or designed chips dont reach military-linked entities through intermediaries could be one way to circumvent the PLAs civil-military fusion strategy. Working together to create co-ordinated rules on access with like-minded partners  in particular Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, who control nearly the entire advanced semiconductor supply chain  could potentially close loopholes that China currently exploits.

Advertisement
Involved persons in the Mindich-Haluschenko case could have legalized money stolen from Energoatom in Slovakia, according to journalists from the Ukrainian project Schemes. Corruption in Details and the Slovak Investigative Center of Jan Kuciak (ICJK), who found the business and real estate of Tymur Mindich, Ihor Myroniuk and Ihor Khmelov.

"The figures in the 'Mindich films,' which are part of the NABU case that aims to expose corruption in the energy sector, have ties to Slovakia in terms of residency, property, and finances. These individuals include the former business partner of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyt in Kvartal 95, Tymur Mindich, who is currently a suspect; Mindich's business partner, entrepreneur Ihor Khmelov; and Ihor Myroniuk, whom NABU identifies as one of the 'shadow' managers of the 'kickback' scheme in Energoatom," this information comes from a joint report by the Slovakian Center (ICJK) and Schemes (a Radio Liberty project), published on the Radio Liberty website Monday.

According to the Ukrainian investigation, part of the funds from the scheme exposed by law enforcement officers could have been laundered through Slovak companies.

A journalistic investigation revealed that, in 2017, Mindich and Khmelov acquired a Slovak company and changed its name to TIM&TIM on the same day. The company's annual turnover (except for 2022) fluctuated around one million euros. However, profits were much more modest  last year, the company ended with an indicator of EUR 12,000. Mindich left the company's ownership at the end of March 2025 under unknown circumstances.

In addition to TIM&TIM, Khmelov has owned a third of the Slovak company Lamacska Brana since summer 2021. Founded in 2020, the company is involved in developing construction projects and construction. According to a document published on the website of the Bratislava district of Lamac in early 2022, Lamacska Brana planned a new investment project for which it received permission from the local authorities to cut down trees. However, journalists could not find any data on the project or its development in open sources. Furthermore, the company has had zero income and has been unprofitable since its founding.

Journalists discovered that a small family house stands on part of the plot where construction was announced. Together with the adjacent plots, the house belonged to Khmelovs wife, Iryna, and two other Ukrainians: Petro Belz, a businessman from the Wexler Group, and Maksym Rybtsov. Shortly after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the owners offered to provide the house to the local authorities for the reception of refugees. On December 15 of this year, Iryna Khmelova sold her share.

Myroniuk started a business in Slovakia in 2008. He is currently a partner and executive director of UKRCI s.r.o., a company founded in 2014. The main type of activity is "non-specialized wholesale trade." In 2024, the company's revenue amounted to just over two thousand euros.

The family also owns real estate in Slovakia. In 2014, Artur Myroniuk, Ihor Myroniuk's son, bought an apartment near the center of Bratislava. The suspect's ex-wife, with whom he maintains contact according to the investigation, purchased a house in the suburbs of the Slovak capital in the summer of 2023.
Advertisement

CultureArt & designWhats on Ned Kelly rides again as Art Gallery of NSW flags leaner 2026 program Linda Morris December 23, 2025  6:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Thirty-three years after his death, Sidney Nolan will be the subject of a major show at the Art Gallery of NSW next year, the announcement flagging a leaner 2026 exhibition program at the landmark cultural institution. Renowned for his depictions of the tragic explorers Burke and Wills and the bushranger Ned Kelly, the late artist will be celebrated in Nolan: Origins, the gallerys first survey of the artist in almost two decades. Sydney Nolans Ned Kelly, 1946. Art Gallery of NSW Nolan is widely credited with redefining the Australian identity through his epic portrayals of the outback and the national psyche. Sidney Nolan authored one of the most distinctive and inventive bodies of work of any modernist artist in Australia, Art Gallery of NSW senior curator of Australian art Denise Mimmocchi said. His works remain enduringly fascinating, enigmatic and yet continually open to new interpretations.

Advertisement

Nolan: Origins explores how the artist interrogated the idea of Australia, through its myths, histories, people and creatures. The exhibition is to be structured around the places that Nolan painted and which inspired his experimentation, including Heide, Heidelberg, the Wimmera, Fraser Island, north-eastern Victoria, outback Queensland and NSW, and Central Australia. The Nolan summer show will be the centrepiece of a pared-back program for the gallery. The AGNSW has scheduled 13 shows for 2026  down from 15 this year  and extended their duration to reduce costs. The gallerys annual solo monograph show, which this year focused on the life and work of Janet Dawson, has been dropped for 2026. Billy Bains Stolen Land, 2024. Art Gallery of NSW As planned, the exhibition schedule for 2026 has been adjusted to extend the duration of some exhibitions, giving visitors more time to experience each show, while aligning with the practices of other leading global art museums, a gallery spokesperson said. Our rich and exciting exhibition program continues to feature two major winter exhibitions and two major summer exhibitions, as it has since 2024. Weve paused the annual Australian artist monograph exhibition to ensure we can deliver a program thats achievable within our new organisational structure.

Advertisement

The 2026 season opens with Super Nature, a deep dive into the gallerys permanent collection that explores human immersion in the natural world. This will be followed by Avatar: Forms of Vishnu, the gallerys winter blockbuster, showcasing South Asian art that features the Hindu deity in his many guises, including the boar-headed Varaha and the man-lion Narasimha. Related Article Arts Key funding rounds suspended as NSW arts crisis deepens An international blockbuster to run alongside Nolan: Origins next summer is to be announced in the new year. The gallerys restrained program follows a turbulent year in which it axed 44 roles to address a $7.5 million budget shortfall. Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, told parliament this month that a reduced 2026 schedule was a tacit admission the cutbacks would impact the level of exhibitions and in turn  the level of visitation.

Advertisement

I cannot see the art gallery being as successful as it has been with this number of staff leaving, Wright said. They simply wont have the capacity. Despite the staff cutbacks, director Maud Page insisted the gallery would operate business as usual. However, the NSW opposition has expressed growing concern for the institution, noting that NSW Treasury has yet to finalise the gallerys budgetary framework for the next four years. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

LifestyleFashionAustralian fashion Broke the mould: Sydney fashion entrepreneur Premal Patel dead at 47 Matt Wade December 22, 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

Premal Patel, founder of fashion brand Runaway the Label, has been lauded as a path-breaker for Australias Indian diaspora following his death at the age of 47. The entrepreneur, who started his first clothing business from the boot of his parents Volvo in Sydney aged just 22, died on December 14. Premal Patel, founder of clothing brand Runaway the Label, who died this month Runaway the Label, launched in 2014, grew into a high-profile Australian apparel brand and achieved international success, especially in the United States. Patels clothes have been worn by Bollywood starlets and social media influencers, but can also be found at Sydney nightclubs, suburban parties and school formals.

Advertisement

In November Patel revealed on social media he had been hospitalised with lung problems. Only a month later, Runaway the Label said in a statement he had passed away peacefully after a brief illness. While the legacy Prem created will live on, the world feels a little less bright without him, it said. Clothing industry figures, admirers and customers have expressed shock at Patels death. Fellow designer Alex Perry said: Rest with the highest, my friend. Patel was born in Sydney to Indian-origin parents and grew up on the citys north shore. He started work in the fashion industry after leaving Trinity Grammar school.

Advertisement

In an interview with the Herald published in 2010, Patel said he decided to start his own business after getting fed up with an overbearing boss. It was very tough at first, he said at the time. It involved a lot of cold calling and doorknocking to slowly build up the business. Patel first founded menswear brand Premonition, which had stores in Paddington and Newtown, and later diversified into womens apparel and launched Runaway the Label. Premal Patel, founder of clothing brand Runaway the Label The firm, based in the Sydney suburb of Sydenham, now employs about 80 staff and recently launched a US warehouse and logistics centre in Texas.

Advertisement

Social media posts have shown Bollywood actors Kareena Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Alia Bhatt and Shanaya Kapoor wearing Runaway the Label outfits. Related Article Fashion designers Meet the next big name in Australian fashion Jai Patel, a partner at KPMG Australia and Premal Patels cousin, said Premal broke the mould of what was expected of young people in Australias Indian community. While many pursued traditional education and career paths, Prem carved out a remarkable journey in the Australian and global fashion industry  succeeding entirely on his own terms, he said. He was a leading example of diverse Indian-origin innovators and entrepreneurs who are generating new opportunities and an expanded future for Australia.

Advertisement

The Indian diaspora is Australias fastest-growing migrant community; in June 2024, there were 916,330 Indian-born Australian residents, second only to England, Bureau of Statistics figures show. Jai Patel said savvy use of digital technologies had helped make Runaway the Label a global brand. Premal understood that marketing, social media, and e-commerce were central to modern fashion brands, using them to drive scale, engagement, and global reach, he said. An event celebrating Premal Patels life will be held on December 29 at Doltone House in Pyrmont. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

LifestyleHealth & wellnessCancer These common vaccines do more than prevent disease. They can prevent some cancers too Allyson Chiu December 22, 2025  11:46am 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

Vaccines dont just shield you from specific infectious diseases or help make symptoms less severe if you get sick but can also prevent common chronic illnesses, including some cancers, according to public health experts. We now have a more full understanding of how these vaccines go beyond just protecting us against the disease that they helped prevent, says Richard Martinello, chief medical officer and infectious diseases physician at Yale School of Medicine. In addition to cancer, a growing body of research has shown that vaccines can reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart conditions. Vaccines can also help people with existing chronic conditions avoid getting sicker. Here are the common vaccines experts recommend. Certain vaccinations have been proven to lower the risk of some chronic diseases and specific cancers. iStock

Advertisement

HPV The shots that protect against human papillomavirus are widely known as a cancer prevention vaccine for women and men. Related Article Health Living better for longer: The health checks for your 40s, 50s and beyond HPV, a common infection spread by skin-to-skin contact, often through sex, is responsible for most cervical cancers and can also cause a large proportion of other lower genital cancers and certain head and neck cancers. Studies have shown that since the introduction of the vaccine about two decades ago, rates of HPV infection, early signs of pre cancer and cervical cancer have fallen. A 2024 study of almost 3.5 million people found fewer cases of HPV-related cancers in people who were immunised. Another study found that cervical cancer deaths among women younger than 25 dropped more than 60 per cent in recent years, with researchers saying the significant decline was probably the result of vaccinations.

Advertisement

The HPV vaccine should be given to all young people between the ages of 9 and 26, says Robert Hopkins, medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. (In Australia, the vaccine is free for young people aged approximately 12 or 13 under the National Immunisation Program and usually provided through school immunisation programs. ) The vaccine can be given to people up to age 45 but is less effective the older you are, Hopkins said. For most people younger than 15, two doses of the vaccine are recommended. Three shots should be given for people between 15 and 26 years old and those who are immunocompromised. Shingles Being vaccinated against shingles is linked to lower risk of dementia and heart disease. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Even after recovering from chicken pox, the virus doesnt leave your body and instead lies dormant in your nervous system. In some people, it can reactivate, resulting in a painful rash. Its estimated that one million people each year get shingles in the United States (in Australia, it is estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 people are diagnosed annually). Among certain people, shingles can also sometimes cause lifelong chronic pain conditions or other serious complications, such as vision loss.

Advertisement

The shingles vaccine has been shown to be 97 per cent effective in preventing shingles in adults 50 to 69 years old, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Multiple large-scale studies have reported a connection between the shingles vaccine and reduced risk of dementia. In one study of more than 280,000 adults in Wales, researchers found that the vaccine lowered the chances of developing dementia by 20 per cent over a seven-year period. Some research also suggests the vaccine could reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart failure and coronary artery disease. A study of more than one million people in South Korea age 50 or older found that those who received a shingles vaccine had a 23 per cent lower risk of heart problems. Shingles (herpes zoster) can be quite painful, but studies have found that the vaccine is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia or heart problems. Getty Images The CDC recommends two doses of a shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older or people 19 and older with weakened immune systems. The chicken pox vaccine for children can help prevent shingles when theyre older.

Advertisement

Hepatitis B The hepatitis B virus is a leading risk factor for liver disease and cancer later in life. The virus  which passes from person to person through blood, semen or other bodily fluids  can be contracted through sexual contact, needles and during childbirth. Acute hepatitis B can be a short-term illness that happens within the first six months of exposure to the virus. In these cases, some people have no symptoms or only mild sickness. But the illness, a liver infection, can also become a lifelong chronic condition that if left untreated could lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Related Article Mental health Seven simple habits you can start today to improve brain health In the past, the CDC had recommended that all infants receive the vaccine at birth, with the series of shots to be completed in the first 15 months of life. But this month, the agency changed its policy, endorsing a recommendation from a federal advisory panel to drop the long-standing practice of giving a newborn the vaccine within 24 hours of birth if their mother tested negative for the virus. (In Australia, the vaccine is still recommended for babies at birth and is funded through the National Immunisation Program.)

Advertisement

Meanwhile, many infectious-disease specialists and vaccine experts in the US continue to support the long-standing recommendation, which has been in place for more than 30 years. If you werent immunised in early childhood, you should get the vaccine as a teen or adult. Flu, coronavirus and RSV Vaccines that help prevent infections from respiratory viruses are important to protect against serious disease as well as flare-ups or worsening of existing chronic health conditions, public health experts say. Getting a flu vaccine is extremely important in individuals that have chronic conditions, says Tina Tan, immediate past president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. If they get flu, it can exacerbate those conditions and cause further complications.

Advertisement

A 2020 study found higher rates of severe flu infections among adults with certain chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes and kidney disease. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu shot. People with chronic conditions should also get vaccines for the coronavirus and RSV, Hopkins says. During COVID, Australians queued outside the Exhibition Centre in Melbourne in order to receive their vaccinations. Getty One study of 46 million adults in England observed that the incidence of heart attacks and strokes dropped after people received coronavirus vaccinations. The vaccines have been linked to a risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle and lining, but cases are rare and generally mild. Many experts also say the benefits of vaccination, which include preventing severe infections that people with chronic conditions are more susceptible to developing, outweigh the risk of side effects. People can get the coronavirus shots regardless of age or health conditions, but the CDC now recommends consulting a clinician first.

Advertisement

RSV can wreak havoc among children and elderly people. Immunisation against it is recommended for babies, pregnant women to protect their babies, adults ages 50 to 74 with chronic health conditions, and all adults 75 and older, Hopkins says. Bacterial vaccines Bacterial infections such as meningitis and pneumonia can also lead to chronic disabilities or death, Hopkins says. Meningitis complications can be serious. The longer a person has the infection and doesnt get treatment, the greater the risk of hearing loss, vision troubles, memory issues, learning disabilities, brain damage, seizures and kidney failure, among other problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Pneumonia can have long-term effects such as depression as well as worsening of heart and blood vessel diseases. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute notes that the disease could cause kidney, liver and heart damage because the organs arent getting enough oxygen to work properly or as a result of the immune system responding negatively to the infection.

Advertisement

Bacterial meningitis and pneumonia can both lead to sepsis. While people with sepsis who receive prompt treatment can recover completely, others might experience long-term effects including insomnia, nightmares or hallucinations, panic attacks, joint and muscle pain, decreased cognitive functioning, and organ failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Related Article Illness Stacey lost her son to meningitis. Heres what she wants you to know The meningococcal vaccine, which the CDC recommends for all preteens and teens as well as children and adults who are at increased risk, protects against the disease that causes meningitis. Children younger than 5 years old and adults 50 or older should receive the pneumococcal vaccine that helps prevent pneumonia as well as other infections including meningitis and sepsis. (In Australia, the meningococcal vaccine for strains A, C, W and Y is free under the National Immunisation Program for children 12 months, teens 14 to 16 years and the meningococcal B vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children children aged 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12 months.) Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b can also protect people from meningitis and pneumonia. Vaccines offer important protection to those who receive them, and some also help safeguard others in the community who remain unvaccinated, Hopkins says. Because many people havent witnessed the devastation once caused by diseases that are now vaccine-preventable, its easy to underestimate the risks of not getting vaccinated.

Advertisement

The Washington Post Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Cancer

Vaccination

For subscribers
Premier Chris Minns says Sydneysiders need to come together to get through the terrible last week.

Minns shook hands and hugged faith leaders and community leaders at the Masjid Al Hidayah at Rockdale on Tuesday afternoon.

NSW Premier Chris Minns arrives for an interfaith meeting at Masjid Al Hidayah on Tuesday. Dominic Lorrimer

He was accompanied by Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip also attended.

Were all here to send an important message when it comes to Sydney, Minns said.

Anyone attacking any of us on the basis of religion, whether its a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, or someone of no faith at all, is an attack on all of us, and we will not stand for it.

Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper, Premier Chris Minns, Masjid Al Hidayah Rockdale community organiser Yasr, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip Dominic Lorrimer

The only way we are going to get through the terrible last week and the time ahead is if we come together and we pull together.

We are not going to give in to this hate, and were not going to beat it with more hate.

Were better than that, Minns said.

Minns greets NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip Dominic Lorrimer

Masjid Al Hidayah community organiser Yasr said unity is needed during a time of division.

Were here with the government so we can fix this.

This is our job, this is our duty.

We need to connect and create measures [so] that such a thing will never happen again, he said.

Ossip said the Bondi terror attack had left a stain on the nation.

The only way we rectify that stain, and we rectify the issues were confronting, is that we fight them together as Australians.

Were all in it together, Ossip said.
Advertisement

NationalNSWCity life Why it was so difficult to give away this heritage property in the heart of Newtown Julie Power December 22, 2025  11:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The inner wests magic yellow bus that takes toys and joy to families and children began decades ago in a heritage church on Dickson Street, Newtown, described as a powerhouse for good for 110 years. Now the property, valued at $3.8 million, has been transferred at no cost to the non-profit Sydney Community Foundation by its previous owners, the Dickson Street Space charity. Dickson Street Space board member Elaena Gardner and Sydney Community Foundation chief executive Loredana Fyffe at the property in Newtown. Sam Mooy The Dickson Street charity also donated $100,000 to help the $7 million foundation with running costs. The gift of the 113-year-old, 439-square-metre heritage property came at the right time, as the foundation wanted to expand its work.

Advertisement

In response to the Bondi Beach tragedy, the foundation has launched an appeal to support victims and families with emergency financial and crisis support. Foundation chief executive Loredana Fyffe said the appeal would help the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS). Established to support refugees and others who had experienced conflict overseas, the STARTTS hotline was busy receiving calls from Sydneysiders after Sundays mass shootings at Bondi Beach. They are calling because STARTTS has a multilingual team that speaks Hebrew, Arabic, Ukrainian, for example, she said. Loredana Fyffe and Elaena Gardner outside the 113-year-old church on Dickson Street, Newtown. Sam Mooy The foundation aims to raise $50,000, which would also fund Jewish House to provide financial and practical support to women who havent been able to work, or pay rent, medical bills or groceries, since the shootings. Giving away the old property, which includes a church, a former yoga studio big enough to house the foundations 10 staff, and a kitchen and dining area, was harder than most people may think.

Advertisement

Related Article International Women's Day Power and confidence lies in the numbers (maths, that is) Elaena Gardner, a board member with Dickson Street Space, said that after COVID the use of the space had fallen. It started out as a church, and it has always been a powerhouse for good, Gardner said. But we realised, as a very small group of volunteers, that we couldnt really deliver what we wanted. We werent making the most of the space. The building needed a new lease of life. We wanted to give the entire title over to another not-for-profit. We love this building, and it has been part of the Newtown community for a really long time. And it has a very special place in our hearts. We really did want to make sure we gave it to the right group.

Advertisement

Finding a non-profit that wanted to accept such a large gift, along with the associated running costs, was tricky. Under Dicksons constitution, it had to find one that worked for the community and was robust enough to maintain the building into the future. It sought advice on who it could approach from the Sydney Community Foundation, not expecting the foundation itself to be interested. But it was expanding rapidly and promised to help if it couldnt take the property. History of the Dickson Street property over the years. Its former owners said it had been a powerhouse for good. Sam Mooy For Fyffe, the call couldnt come at a better time. We were in the middle of hosting a series of events to raise money for our Sydney Womens Funds domestic and sexual violence appeal. And we were outgrowing our existing premises. The deed was handed over last week after a nine-month due diligence and handover process.

Advertisement

Sydney Community Foundation also received funds from two other charities that had closed, and Fyffe forecast that others would follow because running a non-profit had become more difficult and expensive. It has also benefited from donations and bequests to the Sydney Womens Fund, where older women, often widowed, didnt know what to do with their money. Fyffe said: They talk about having bought their house when they were 21 for $49,000 in Coogee, and now it is worth $6 million. As the number of older Australians has increased, the foundation has been receiving calls from couples who evaluate their property portfolios or retirement income and realise they could do good for their children and the community too. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

NationalVictoriaMarine life A family uncovered a 20-million-year-old fossil on a Victorian beach. Then they lost it Cassandra Morgan December 22, 2025  2:17pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Just a week before Christmas, a Museums Victoria staffer was doing an end-of-year sweep of the company inbox when an email caught their eye. In a few clicks, they had forwarded it to marine palaeontologist Erich Fitzgerald: a family had come across what looked to be whale bones on Ocean Grove beach on the Bellarine Peninsula. Was it of interest? The Davidson family (from left), Max, 14, Kristina, Woody, 9, Nick and Mina, 11, discovered an ancient whale fossil at Ocean Grove beach. Yestin Griffiths The response from the palaeontologist came within minutes, and in capital letters: YES. The Davidson family stumbled upon the fossilised vertebrae  now thought to date back 20 million years  on a beach walk last Wednesday evening. They immediately wondered if it was a hoax.

Advertisement

Kristina Davidson was the first to spot it: bones jutting out atop a rock formation, unearthed from beneath a layer of sand by unusual tides. She called to her children and husband Nick  and they began looking for a hidden camera. I pretty much literally just happened to be at the right place at the right time. We had just explored some rock pools; I walked past it, Kristina said. The fossil found at Ocean Grove beach on December 17. Nick Davidson The family, from Cooktown in far north Queensland, dug beneath the fossil to reveal it further, and Nicks brother  Age visual journalist Matt Davidson  later rushed down to the beach in excitement. He reported the find to Museums Victoria and the palaeontologist was soon on the phone to the family. Only then did the gravity of their discovery sink in.

Advertisement

You dont recognise the value instantly and, when the museum representatives came down and threw out this 20 million [year] timeframe  its just mind-blowing, Kristina said, laughing. The family was back at the beach on Thursday, this time with Geelong Gem and Mineral Club field officer Yestin Griffiths, to get the fossils precise co-ordinates for museum staff. It seemed like an easy task, with Nick telling his family, Lets go quickly to the beach, take the co-ordinates, and go back swimming. It took them six hours. The family were on their hands and knees digging up the beach, and broke multiple plastic spades in the process in 30-degree heat. As the hours, and dead ends, came and went, their frustration grew. But the excitement of the search was contagious.

Advertisement

I get hangry  it was hot, it was really sunny. Im extremely sunburned. But in that moment, everything went to the backburner, Kristina said. It was like this huge treasure hunt, so it was really quite exciting. Woody (left), Jesse, Kristina and Max Davidson playing in rock pools at Ocean Grove. Nick Davidson Finally, they found the fossil again, allowing Griffiths time to quickly examine it. A full-scale investigation will begin in the new year, to salvage and then analyse the specimen over many months. Griffiths was stunned by the fossils preservation and the rarity of how many of its bones were in their original place. It truly looked like the animal had just passed away, gone to the bottom of the ocean, then up, he said. Oh my gosh. Its like it died, not yesterday, but a week ago.

Advertisement

Fitzgerald, Museums Victorias senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology, said the Davidsons find was one of many significant fossil whale discoveries on the Bellarine and Surf Coasts over the past 20 years. His team hoped to reveal more about the fossil in the new year, and greatly appreciated members of the public reporting their discoveries to Museums Victoria, Fitzgerald said. In 2019, local school principal Ross Dullard found a partial skull of a Janjucetus  an extinct baleen whale  while on a walk near Jan Juc on Victorias Surf Coast. The 25-million-year-old fossil was later named Janjucetus dullardi in his honour. Kristina and Nick Davidson have since left Ocean Grove to visit family in Ballarat, but the surprise of their discovery lingers for their children, who Nick describes as barefoot, Cooktown breeds. They were pretty excited about this, he says.

Advertisement

Theyve left whats being dubbed, for now, as Davidsons whale, in their wake. Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.
Advertisement

NationalBondi shooting We can break the cycle by responding to hate with love Mark Connelly December 22, 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

On Sunday in Bondi we saw a tremendous outpouring of grief, support and determined resolution. Most remarkably, we witnessed a Jewish community still reeling from the raw betrayal of neglect, expressing their love for Australia. The evening concluded with a rendition of I Still Call Australia Home that could call Peter Allen himself home from his resting place. Love from Australia for our Jewish community  the banner organised by Mark Connelly. This is entirely consistent with the lessons I learnt growing up Christian in a sea of Jewish friends and families at my New York high school. I learnt in the classroom, at dinner tables and visits to the synagogue about the incredible capacity for Jewish strength and resilience in the face of repeated persecution. The question that will define us now as a nation is how we break from that history of hatred and return the Jewish love of country. How do we ensure that our support long outlasts the fleeting flowers laid in remembrance?

Advertisement

We begin by listening to the chorus of Jewish leaders who have told us clearly: Your silence is deadly. Your inaction to hatred is killing us. Our governments and law enforcement must act, but we cannot limit ourselves to that. It will also be up to faith leaders and educators, community groups and neighbours. It will be up to all of us. Related Article Opinion

Antisemitism Its time for politicians to return Bondi Beach to the people Jacqueline Maley Columnist and senior journalist Jewish leaders have told us, and Premier Chris Minns reminded us, how unchecked hatred escalates from online platforms and racist chants, to physical vandalism and deadly violence. We can all help break that cycle by responding to every act of hatred with an overwhelming, visible show of love and support. Imagine if two masked men deface a synagogue with symbols of hate in the dark of night. Then in the light of day scores of supporters show up with sponges and brushes in hand. More than that, they hang signs in their homes and businesses with words of support: We love our Jewish neighbours, Peace, Shalom. Australian mateship means that we rally to each other in times of need, so no Jewish hand should have to erase words of hate alone. This is how we show the Jewish community that people of good will greatly outnumber the few vile actors. This is how we show the masked men that they are the strangers among us, and break the escalating cycle of hate.

Advertisement

On Sunday a few of us, horrified by the attack, arranged to fly a banner over Bondi with a simple message:  From AUS for our Jewish community. The key purpose was to launch From AUS as a simple, clear and durable banner to show support for the Jewish community right now. AUS is Australia and AUS is AllofUS, which is what it will take. Related Article Opinion

Bondi shooting Dont let this barbaric assault on my home  my happy place  tear us apart Nick Bryant Journalist and author We can create local From AUS Facebook and WhatsApp groups, with the purpose of forging connections with the Jewish community. This can be for support in times of need, but it should also be about education and fostering better understanding of Jewish history, culture and faith. We can bring that same commitment to connection into our schools and existing social clubs. When we connect, listen and learn from each other, we build a stronger, safer Australia for all of us. To crowd out hate online, we can place From AUS on our profile picture. We can join the Chanel Contos campaign to Fix Our Feeds, which demands an off switch to the social media algorithms that drive people to dangerous extremism. Hate is hate, whether its towards women, our Jewish community, or any other group who calls Australia home. Companies with spare billboard space can put up From AUS messages and clothing companies can design hats and T-shirts. Children can pick up a piece of chalk and cover footpaths. Imagine if members of the Jewish community saw this banner on the streets beneath their feet, on bus shelters on the way to work and over the heads and hearts of the people around them  knowing it meant they were safe and supported in Australia.

Advertisement

These are just some ideas for action. The power of a symbol  of an idea  is that any person of goodwill can carry it in new, wonderful directions. But through that common From AUS banner, a million disconnected acts of courage and kindness forge something larger and more durable than the sum of their parts. They come to define us as a nation of universal mateship, united by values that make this country a place of safety and belonging for everyone. For our Jewish community at this time, I offer a Hebrew blessing of peace, wholeness and healing  shalom aleinu. And for those who lost loved ones, may their memory be a blessing. Bondi Beach incident helplines: Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822

Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511  or Lifeline on 13 11 14

 or Lifeline on Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au Mark Connelly is the founder and CEO of Lincoln Park Advisory, a communications and AI strategy consultancy. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
Advertisement

NationalWACrime WA Police discover $11 million worth of cocaine hidden under slab Heather McNeill December 22, 2025  1:41pm 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

WA Police have seized 45 kilograms of cocaine  most of which was hidden under a concrete slab at a Welshpool commercial premises  after executing several search warrants across Perth earlier this month. The massive drug bust began as a traffic stop on Leach Highway in Welshpool, where one kilogram of cocaine was allegedly found inside the car of a 30-year-old man. Police making the discovery of a cocaine haul underneath a concrete slab. WA Police Subsequent to that arrest, a raid of the mans Beeliar house allegedly uncovered $92,000 in cash, and more drugs, including three kilograms of methylamphetamine. Later that same day, detectives from the drug and firearm squad executed search warrants at a commercial property in Welshpool and a residence in Maylands.

Advertisement

It will be alleged police seized approximately 28.5 kilograms of cocaine buried under a slab at the premises, along with an amount of 1,4-butanediol and illegally owned prescription drugs, a WA Police spokesman said. A 37-year-old man was apprehended. The drugs and cash seized by WA Police during a recent bust. Amber Wilkinson/9News Perth Later that same day, a 33-year-old man was arrested at a house in Landsdale, with police also allegedly seizing 15 kilograms of cocaine and $23,000 in cash from his residence. The trio have been charged with a string of drug-related offences and will appear in court next year.

Advertisement

Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Baker said the arrests reinforced WA Polices determination to dismantle organised crime and protect the community. These arrests should send another example of the efforts we take to target organised criminal networks. If you think you can get away with this sort of activity, think again, he said. Related Article Police A meat cleaver, axes: The weapons taken away under WA Polices new search laws Gun, cash, meth seized in Bayswater The arrests came a week before a Leederville man, 28, was allegedly caught with a firearm, more than $270,000 in cash and a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine on December 10.

Advertisement

The man was arrested outside a residence in Bayswater and a search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered one kilogram of methylamphetamine and $4500 cash. A subsequent search of an industrial unit on the same street allegedly found more methamphetamine and a handgun. The mans house was then raided and a further $265,000 in cash was allegedly recovered. The mans arrest and charges are not alleged to be connected to the Welshpool seizure. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Advertisement

PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Albanese stares down backbencher, opposition demands for royal commission Brittany Busch and Natassia Chrysanthos Updated December 22, 2025  6:17pm ,first published 12:06pm 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stared down demands from the opposition and his own backbenchers that he call a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, attempting to seize control of the political debate with calls for unity and urgent action on hate speech and radical groups. After being jeered by mourners at the vigil in Bondi on Sunday night, Albanese said he understood the anger being hurled his way. A lot of people in the community are hurting and angry, and some of that anger was directed towards me, and I understand that, he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke (left) and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland. Alex Ellinghausen I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened whilst Im prime minister, and Im sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced. Mondays press conference was Albaneses latest attempt to recover his authority as he faces a backlash from the Jewish community, and fierce criticism from the Coalition about his approach to antisemitism. This mastheads Resolve poll found nearly half of Australians think the governments response to the Bondi attack has been weak.

Advertisement

Related Article Exclusive

Political leadership Albaneses approval rating plummets as social cohesion frays, Australians fear a rise in antisemitism: poll As he insisted his government is taking both action and responsibility, Albanese outlined further details about his plans for law reform in the new year, which include a crackdown on hate preachers and racial vilification. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said there would be a new aggravated offence for adults who radicalise children, while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he would create a way to categorise groups such as Hizb-ut Tahrir and the National Socialist Network, which do not meet the existing threshold to be declared terrorist organisations. Their behaviour needs to be unacceptable, their behaviour needs to be unlawful. Their behaviour needs to be enough that we can proscribe the organisation and prohibit their activity in Australia, Burke said. But the prime minister rejected mounting calls for the federal government to launch a royal commission into the terror attack, backing the departmental review that former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson will lead into the processes and information-sharing capabilities of security agencies, including the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

Advertisement

The Richardson review will enable action to take place. It will report, as I have said, before April. That review can feed into any royal commission that is established in NSW, he told reporters in Canberra. Labor backbenchers Mike Freelander and Ed Husic broke ranks earlier on Monday and added to demands for a more comprehensive investigation, as the Coalition drafted its own terms for a federal royal commission that it intends to push for when parliament returns. Labor MP Mike Freelander (right) has added his voice to calls for a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack. Alex Ellinghausen It seems to me that there are national issues, so the national government needs to be the one dealing with it. Sure, there are state and local government issues as well, so all levels of government need to work together, Freelander, who is Jewish, told The Australian Financial Review. Husic, who was Australias first Muslim cabinet member before being dumped from the ministry after the election, agreed that a state-based royal commission could lack scope. Ive previously said I dont care if its Islamist or far-right extremism, anything that presents a threat to Australians must be confronted, Husic said.

Advertisement

Id be concerned that federal agencies might feel that they wouldnt have the ability to participate fully in a state-based inquiry. Lets remove the uncertainty and have a proper and thorough look at this. Labor MP Ed Husic has said a wide-ranging federal investigation was needed. Alex Ellinghausen But Albanese argued that holding multiple royal commissions alongside the Richardson review would delay action, and said the terms of the Coalitions draft inquiry were unrealistic. The opposition wants it to probe education, the arts, immigration and security agencies as part of its 25 terms of reference. Related Article Analysis

Political leadership One leader has handled the Bondi attack aftermath well. Its not Anthony Albanese or Sussan Ley

Advertisement

If anyone suggests that it is possible that that will report any time this term [of government], let alone years and years to come  every royal commission has asked for an extension of time, Albanese said. Asked about the dissent from his backbenchers, Albanese said the NSW royal commission would draft its own terms of reference, or scope, and his government would co-operate. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley criticised the governments logic, calling it a cop out. It also underlines why the antisemitism crisis has been mishandled from the very beginning, she said. There is a great deal of work to do precisely because this threat spans governments, institutions and communities, and because warnings have gone unheeded for far too long. Labor cannot credibly claim to be acting in the name of unity while refusing to heed the clear call from the community that was targeted in the worst terrorist attack our country has ever seen.

Advertisement

The opposition under Sussan Ley has written its own terms of reference for a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi terror attack. AAP She suggested the government was afraid of what a royal commission would uncover. Independent MP Allegra Spender, whose Wentworth electorate takes in Bondi, also said the prime ministers departmental review was inadequate. Related Article Analysis

Bondi shooting As recriminations in Canberra grow, Chris Minns has what Anthony Albanese wants We have 15 Australians who have died. We owe it to them and to the Jewish community, who were targeted simply because of their religion, to leave no stone unturned, she told ABC Radio National.

Advertisement

We must look at the past honestly. If we look at the past honestly, then we have a chance of moving forward. Looking at the intelligence, its not good enough. We need a national royal commission that looks at all levels of government. NSW Premier Chris Minns did not weigh into the federal debate on Monday, saying the state-based inquiry would include federal agencies. We need a comprehensive investigation, we need to understand the relationship between our agencies and the Commonwealth, what these individuals were doing overseas, what information was collected prior to these terrible crimes, he told reporters in Sydney. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
Advertisement

PoliticsFederalGas A long time coming: Labor launches landmark bid to slash energy bills, plug gas shortfalls Mike Foley and Nick Toscano Updated December 22, 2025  4:47pm ,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

Gas exporters will be forced to hold back supply for customers in the eastern states as the Albanese government launches an urgent push to drive down domestic energy bills and prevent shortfalls. The reservation policy, announced on Monday, is the first of its kind on the eastern seaboard, and will apply to the operators of three giant liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals in Queensland as well as offshore producers in the Northern Territory. Most of the gas produced on the east coast is converted into LNG and exported. The federal government is developing a scheme to force producers to reserve some for the domestic market. Bloomberg The government said its scheme would apply to any new supply contracts and force companies to reserve between 15 per cent and 25 per cent of this production for the east coast market. Australian gas for Australian users as the first priority, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.

Advertisement

This is an important policy, a landmark policy, an historic policy, one thats been a long time coming. Major gas producers said the scheme was a positive move to help lower prices, but warned government it must consult industry to ensure it did not discourage investment in new production needed to replace existing projects. Opposition resources spokeswoman Susan McDonald welcomed the reservation but claimed it was too little, too late to address the potential shortfall that could hit NSW and Victoria in mid-2026. The Albanese government has faced intensifying pressure to intervene as customers facing rising electricity and gas prices have decried the market as broken. Despite Australias position as one of the worlds biggest LNG exporters, homes and businesses on the east coast are running short of gas, while wholesale gas prices have tripled from $4 a gigajoule to more than $12 over the past decade.

Advertisement

Most Australians think that  gas should be available to Australians at reasonable prices, and Australians are right about that, Bowen said. A long-running push for an east coast reservation has been stridently opposed by the gas industry since 2015, when LNG export hubs at Gladstone whirred into life and started shipping gas to Asia for the first time. Related Article Exclusive

Gas Crippling prices: Manufacturers demand gas reservation The east coast gas reservation is similar to the scheme imposed in Western Australia in 2006. The two sides of the continent form separate markets and cannot share gas, due to the prohibitive overland distances and lack of shipping import terminals. Bowen said forcing producers to reserve gas for the local market would create an oversupply, which would drive down wholesale prices.

Advertisement

The federal governments promise of east coast gas reservation is a welcome and important milestone for Australian manufacturing, but now it needs to deliver, said Ben Eade, the chief executive of Manufacturing Australia, which represents 12 major gas users including BlueScope Steel, Brickworks and Dyno Nobel. Gas reservation of at least 25 per cent should be the centrepiece of reform, but it cannot be the only measure. Energy Minister Chris Bowen. Dominic Lorrimer The government will consult industry on details of the scheme in coming months. The inclusion of the Northern Territory could cause controversy because two Japanese-backed projects, Ichthys and Barossa, have long-term deals to supply LNG to Japan, which relies on Australian supply for its energy security. Three factors are compounding the dire east coast shortage: the massive onshore fields in Queensland export significant amounts to Asia; the pipeline that connects these fields to NSW and Victoria is already running at full capacity at times of peak winter demand; and the 50-year-old gas fields in Bass Strait that have long supplied the south-east are being rapidly depleted, with barely any new projects to replace them.

Advertisement

Bowen said the policy would only apply to new contracts. Related Article Exclusive

Energy Labor plan to buy gas to stop factory closures as prices soar No existing contract  domestic or international  would be disturbed or cancelled under this policy, Bowen said. Contracts entered into from today will need to ensure adequate domestic supply going forward. The Australian Energy Market Operators warnings of local gas shortfalls in the south-eastern states marks a deepening challenge for governments, which are having to balance goals to tackle climate change with the need to shore up supplies of polluting fossil fuels for those who still depend on them. Households are increasingly switching from gas stoves and heaters to electric alternatives, aided by government incentives and policies banning gas hook-ups in new residences. However, that shift is not happening fast enough to avert the need to boost gas supplies, the market operator says.

Advertisement

For the first time, the push for a reservation has also received high-level support from the oil and gas industry. Two of Queenslands three LNG producers  joint ventures backed by Origin Energy and Shell  have signalled they are open to working with the government on the development of a reservation scheme, as long as all exporters contribute equally. But Santos-backed Gladstone LNG venture, which relies heavily on buying gas from the domestic market to meet its export commitments, along with key Asian LNG customers in Korea and Japan, has raised serious concerns that some proposals for the schemes design would risk driving out investment and jeopardising trading relationships. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
Photo: https://t.me/DIUkraine/

Head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov highly appreciates the role of the United States team in the negotiations to achieve peace in the Russian-Ukrainian war and "is optimistic about the future," writes Forbes.

"Now that Budanov is personally attending, hes in the perfect position to assess Americas intentions by reading the subtle cues and overt demands of the White House team. He was surprisingly positive: 'Actually, they have brought a new impetus and energy to the process. I can say I am optimistic about the future,'" the head of the Main Intelligence Agency said in an interview with Forbes.

At the moment, the negotiations are so multi-tiered with so many moving parts that youd need a book to explain it all. "Multilateral and complex," is how Budanov put it, "not just simply bilateral."

The new Ukrainian team seems ready to grapple with tough, core, issues such as the status of future neutral zones and their protection from Russian absorption by what Budanov calls, "mechanism of reaction to violations." In short, real security guarantees.

In response to the question of whether intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine continues, Budanov replied: "Yes, of course, in fact it is increasing every day."

He also commented on the course of events in the recent corruption scandal (referring to the 'Mindich tapes') that it "weakened Ukraine's credibility, its reputation and support among allies."

"The situation is stable. Most countries, these days, have corruption issues. What matters is the rule of law and the governments procedural ability to resolve the problems in a constitutional and transparent way. Ukraine is able to do that even in the middle of an existential conflict. The people involved have been displaced and now its a legal process," Budanov said.

"The relationship with the US is crucial to Ukraine, in the present and in the future. But its a multi-stage process over decades to come. We as a nation made one of our civilizational choices in the direction of the US. We understand that both sides should benefit from the relationship short and long term on many levels including trade and joint development and communications and much else. There was a time when Ukraine was one of the most industrially developed countries in the world. We can return to that status. Its time to get back what we lost. That is our vision and determination. I am optimistic that we will do it," Budanov concluded.
Advertisement

WorldAsiaIndia A neighbourhood in India fears being blamed for a distant atrocity Pragati K.B. December 22, 2025  11:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Hyderabad: Hyderabad is a city in southern India whose residents have long gone abroad in search of greater wealth and opportunity. But it has come under scrutiny after one of its own was named in connection with an atrocity far away. Sajid Akram, who died while attacking a Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach last Sunday, was born and grew up in a quiet Muslim neighbourhood here. He left almost three decades ago and seldom came back. The Akram family home in Hyderabad, India. Relatives of Bondi shooter Sajid Akram have told local Indian police they had little association with him since he left Hyderabad in 1998. Saurabh Yadav Now, the mass shooting, which killed 15 people and led to the arrest of Akrams son, Naveed, as the second gunman, has brought unwelcome attention to their relatives and other residents of the neighbourhood, known as Toli Chowki. Many were wary of being held guilty by association, adding to the frustrations and pains of being part of a Muslim minority in a country that has grown more stridently Hindu. Others protested their innocence. Related Article Bondi shooting Sajid Akrams family in India had no knowledge of his radical mindset

Advertisement

This incident brought Toli Chowki fame through infamy, said Mohammed Tajuddin, a neighbour of Sajid Akrams brother. Anxious about the backlash that might come from connection to a terrorist attack, many in the neighbourhood have stayed indoors this past week. Akram, 50, was one of the roughly 6 million Muslims from India who have gone abroad in search of better lives. Though Muslims make up only about 15 per cent of Indias population, they account for almost one-third of its emigrants, according to a study by Pew Research Centre. Many of these are Muslims from Hyderabad, who have been moving abroad since the 1940s; first to Pakistan, then to Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, and most recently, to countries in the Persian Gulf. In Toli Chowki, every house has at least one close relative working in a foreign land. Many have also come back. Tajuddin said his younger brothers returned after working in Britain and the Netherlands for 12 years. Along the quiet cul-de-sac, neighbours are reluctant to be drawn into an international news event of such horror. Saurabh Yadav

Advertisement

When they came back, we immediately arranged their marriage, Tajuddin, 52, said. The brothers then settled down in Toli Chowki with the money they had earned. How else do you think we built this house? And threw two lavish weddings? When the elder Akram  who was killed in Sydney last Sunday in crossfire with police  left for Australia in 1998 in search of work, his sister and an elder brother remained in Toli Chowki with their families. Some of the few residents of the area who ventured outside during the past week called the Akram family respectable but private. Related Article Bondi shooting A father, a son and the radical world of terror After the attack, Akrams relatives told police that they had had only limited contact with him and no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation. Then the brothers family locked their house and left, worried the press would mob them. There are only respectable people residing here, said Mujib Abdalla Baabbad, the president of Al Hasnath Housing Colony, the complex where Akrams siblings live. It is unfortunate that our colony is being dragged into this.

Advertisement

Baabbad, too, once worked overseas, living in Dubai for 35 years. All of us move abroad for the same reasons: for better safety, quality of life, higher wages, better employment. Emigration is part of the local culture and history in Toli Chowki and the rest of Hyderabad, said Serish Nanisetti, a journalist and author of a book on the regions history. The practices roots go back to the year after India gained independence from the British in 1947. When the new nation annexed the princely state of Hyderabad by military force, communal violence and widespread unrest followed. Related Article Bondi shooting Not good people: Philippine mosques to be plastered with Bondi gunmens images Hyderabadi Muslims were suddenly stripped of their wealth, land, status, respect and sense of security, Nanisetti said. Having lost almost everything, they turned to emigration.

Advertisement

Nazima Begum, a cook who has worked in the neighbourhood for 17 years, described a community in flux. There are no old-timers left in the area, she said. They have all died or moved abroad. Despite the hardships of separation, families continue to send members abroad. There were no jobs here, said Tajuddin. I told them I will take care of our parents, you just go and bring back enough money. Since returning, the brothers now own an imported-fruits business. Tajuddin, who had grown estranged from them, owns a grocery store and a drinking-water bottling business, which hardly turn a profit. Does Tajuddin regret not going abroad himself? Daily! My destiny would have been so different, no? If you are foreign-returned, you get more respect, no? Your marriage prospects also look up, he said.

Advertisement

Bondi Beach incident helplines: Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822

Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511  or Lifeline on 13 11 14

 or Lifeline on Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
Advertisement

Updated WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Rapper Nicki Minaj mortified by own gaffe during talk with Charlie Kirks widow Maria Tsvetkova Updated December 22, 2025  4:46pm ,first published 11:52am 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

Phoenix: The widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk turned a verbal flub by rapper Nicki Minaj into a moment of consolation after the entertainer made an assassin reference while lauding conservative leaders at the annual convention for Turning Point USA, the influential youth group that Kirk founded. Erika Kirk, who has taken on the leadership of Turning Point since her husband was fatally shot in September, offered support to Minaj after the rapper described Vice President JD Vance as an assassin, even as she called him a role model. Erika Kirk (left) reassured Nicki Minaj after the gaffe during Turning Point USAs AmericaFest conference. AP Kirk, who was speaking on stage with Minaj at the time of the gaffe, has endorsed Vance as a potential successor to US President Donald Trump, as top voices in the MAGA movement jockey for influence ahead of the next presidential election. Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president, and you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president, Minaj said before lowering the microphone, looking down and covering her mouth with her palm in a gesture of embarrassment.

Advertisement

Charlie Kirk was shot during a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem as he debated with students. After the assassin reference, Minaj went silent for a few seconds as the audience laughed over the awkward moment. Erika Kirk quickly came to Minajs rescue. Loading Trust me, theres nothing new under the sun that I have not heard, so youre fine ... I love you. You have to laugh about it, truly, Kirk told Minaj. You say what you want to say because I know your heart and I will not judge that. Minaj thanked Kirk and continued after a brief pause.

Advertisement

Tension was on display at the four-day Turning Point convention that ended on Sunday (Monday AEDT), foreshadowing the treacherous political waters that Vance, or anyone else who seeks the next Republican presidential nomination, will need to navigate in the coming years. As Republicans begin considering a future without Trump, there is no clear path to holding his Make America Great Again coalition together. Erika Kirk greets US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday. AP Vance said on Sunday the conservative movement should be open to everyone as long as they love America, and declined to condemn a streak of antisemitism that has divided the Republican Party and which roiled the opening days of the convention. After a long weekend of debates about whether the movement should exclude figures such as bigoted podcaster Nick Fuentes, Vance came down firmly against purity tests.

Advertisement

I didnt bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform, Vance said during the conventions closing speech. Nick Fuentes holds a rally in Michigan in 2020. AP The Republican Partys identity has been intertwined with Trump for a decade, but hes constitutionally ineligible to run for re-election despite his musings about serving a third term. Commentator Tucker Carlson said people are wondering who gets the machinery when the president exits the scene? So far, it looks like settling that question will come with a lot of fighting among conservatives. The Turning Point convention featured arguments about antisemitism, Israel and environmental regulations, not to mention rivalries between leading commentators. Ben Shapiro, a co-founder of the conservative media outlet Daily Wire, used his speech on the conferences opening night to denounce charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty.

Advertisement

Related Article Trump's America Dont be stupid: How Trump is losing his grip on MAGA These people are frauds and they are grifters and they do not deserve your time, Shapiro said. He specifically called out Carlson for hosting Fuentes for a friendly interview on his podcast. Carlson brushed off the criticism when he took the stage barely an hour later, and he said the idea of a Republican civil war was totally fake. There are people who are mad at JD Vance, and theyre stirring up a lot of this in order to make sure he doesnt get the nomination, he said. Carlson described Vance as the one person who subscribes to the core idea of the Trump coalition, which Carlson said was America first. Turning Point spokesman Andrew Kolvet framed the discord as a healthy debate about the movements future, an uncomfortable but necessary process of finding consensus.

Advertisement

Were not hive-minded commies, he wrote on social media. Let it play out. Vance acknowledged the controversies that dominated the Turning Point convention, but he did not define any boundaries for the conservative movement besides patriotism. US President Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk in 2018. AP We dont care if youre white or black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between, he said. Vance didnt name anyone, but his comments came amid an increasingly contentious debate over whether the right should give a platform to commentators espousing antisemitic views, particularly Fuentes, whose followers see themselves as working to preserve Americas white, Christian identity.

Advertisement

Fuentes has a growing audience, as does top-rated podcaster Candace Owens, who routinely shares antisemitic conspiracy theories. Candace Owens addresses a conservative conference in Florida in 2022. Getty We have far more important work to do than cancelling each other, Vance said. Vance hasnt disclosed his future plans, but Erika Kirk said on Thursday that Turning Point wanted Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible. (The next president will be the 48th in US history.) Turning Point is a major force on the right, with a nationwide volunteer network that can be especially helpful in early primary states, when candidates rely on grassroots energy to build momentum.

Advertisement

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: US politics

J.D. Vance

USA
30 Indian startups raise $363.9 million this week





NEW DELHI :

INDIAN startups saw a strong jump in funding activity this week, with 30 companies raising a total of $363.9 million across early-stage and growth-stage deals. This marked a sharp rise compared to the previous week, when 22 startups had raised around $137.68 million. Growth and late-stage funding dominated the week, crossing the $300 million mark through nine deals. The biggest raise came from customer engagement platform MoEngage, which secured an additional $180 million as part of its Series F round from Chrys Capital and Dragon Funds, along with Schroders Capital. This was followed by spacetech startup Digantara, which raised $50 million. Electric commercial vehicle startup Qucev raised $15 million, while stock market learning platform StockGro secured $13 million.

Other startups such as WorkIndia, Oben Electric, Tagbin, Virohan and Ace Turtle also raised funds during the week. Early-stage startups raised about $62.4 million through 20 deals. Haircare brand Moxie Beauty raised $15 million in a Series A round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Shapewear brand Underneat secured $6 million in a pre-Series A round led by Fireside Ventures. Other startups such as Sisir Radar, Alimento Agro, Elementoz and Rotoris also raised capital. Luxury jewellery startup QWEEN raised funding from Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, though the investment amount was not disclosed.

City-wise, Bengaluru continued to lead the startup funding scene with 15 deals, followed by Delhi-NCR with six deals. Startups in Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad and Kolkata also closed funding deals during the week. By sector, e-commerce startups led with seven deals, followed by biotech companies with three deals. Startups in AI, spacetech, electric vehicles, edtech and SaaS also attracted investor interest. In terms of deal stages, Series A, Series B and seed rounds recorded six deals each. Pre-Series A and pre-seed rounds saw three deals each, while Series F and pre-Series B rounds also witnessed activity. Over the last eight weeks, the average weekly funding stands at around $308.14 million across about 25 deals.
Civic accountability in focus Repeated failure of height barriers on Sitabuldi flyover





By Kunal Badge :

The repeated damage of height barriers at the Shaheed Gowari flyover within days of their installation has emerged as a major talking point in the city and a source of acute embarrassment for the authorities. The latest incident occurred while the entire State Government machinery was present in Nagpur for the Winter Session of the State Legislature, highlighting the administrations continuing failure to arrive at a durable solution to a problem that resurfaces with near certainty. Height barriers, meant to protect civic infrastructure by restricting the movement of heavy vehicles, are not a new intervention in the city. Several installations function effectively without repeated damage.

The height barriers at both ends of the railway underpass near Gaddigodam are widely cited as an example of proper planning and execution. workable solution, with senior officers attributing the failures largely to citizens unwillingness to follow rules. Authorities insist that all prescribed precautions were taken, including the installation of rumble strips, reflective strips, blinkers and speed-breakers in consultation with the traffic police. Commuters, however, point to multiple deficiencies. The speed breaker at the Rahate Colony Square end was almost leveled, allegedly to facilitate VIP movement towards Vidhan Sabha during the Winter Session, said Gautam Gaikwad, a regular commuter. Others observed that the blinkers were too small and insufficiently bright to alert drivers of heavy vehicles in time.

Active measures needed to protect height barriers

Residents have suggested a range of corrective measures beyond existing arrangements. These include lowering the height of the barrier further to create a stronger visual and physical deterrent, narrowing the approach ramp to the flyover to make entry by heavy vehicles difficult, installing advance gantry-style warning frames well before the barrier, and deploying permanent enforcement through cameras and penalties rather than relying solely on signage. Some have also suggested redesigning the barrier with energy-absorbing structures to minimise damage while still preventing entry.

The repeated collapse of the Sitabuldi barriers exposes deeper failures in design, execution and accountability. Without structural changes replacing routine explanations, the Shaheed Gowari flyover will continue to reflect administrative inertia rather than protected public infrastructure.

Success story of height barriers near Gaddigodam Sq

These barriers were erected in late 2021 after the railway overbridge was damaged by a speeding trailer. Repair work undertaken by the Railways replaced old iron girders with pre-stressed concrete slabs, reducing the available clearance for heavy vehicles. Since then, the Gaddigodam underpass barriers have been damaged only once in nearly four years, demonstrating that the system can work when technical and enforcement aspects are aligned. The height barriers at the railway underpass near Gaddigodam Square have been standing for the last four years and have been successful in preventing heavy vehicular movement through the underpass, said Gaurav Sontakke, a resident of Sadar. The situation at the Sitabuldi flyover stands in sharp contrast. Height barriers at both ends have been damaged at least four times within days of installation. Officials from the World Bank division of the Public Works Department appear to have no
Deaf and mute woman breaks 16-year silence, exposes serial sexual abuse, blackmail in Mumbai





By Dnyanesh Chavan

MUMBAI :

A DEAF and mute woman's complaint about a sexual assault that took place 16 years ago in Mumbai has unmasked a serial predator, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse and blackmail he perpetrated on several women from the community. The accused was arrested on December 13 after the survivor broke her silence recently following the suicide attempt by one of the women he allegedly sexually harassed. Disturbed by the suicide attempt, she confided in her friends during a video call about the assault that occurred in 2009. According to the police, the survivor, a resident of the western suburbs, communicated in sign language during a video call with her friends and colleagues, who were part of a WhatsApp group, that the accused had drugged and raped her when she was a minor.

She also took her husband into confidence, and with support from Thane Deaf Association president Vaibhav Ghaisis, activist Mohammed Farhan Khan, sign language interpreter Madhu Keni, and a retired officer from the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities Divyangjan, the survivor approached the police. The survivor, her husband and a few of her friends went to the Kurar police station, where her statement was recorded in camera, with Keni as interpreter, and the accused, Mahesh Pawar, was arrested a few hours later from Virar, a suburb in Palghar district. Recalling the trauma she endured 16 years ago, the survivor said that a female friend had invited her to explore the city in July 2009 and took her to Pawar's home in Vakola, Santacruz, an official said. The accused allegedly offered her samosas and some beverage to celebrate the female friend's birthday.

The survivor said she was forced to have the drink, which Pawar had allegedly spiked, and after a while, her friend left her alone with him. The accused allegedly overpowered and raped her, and later blackmailed her with the recorded video of the assault. The trauma of assault stayed with her over the years, and the attempted suicide of another woman from the community, allegedly assaulted by Pawar, propelled her to come forward. A probe has revealed that the accused had similarly drugged and assaulted speech and hearing impaired women and threatened them into silence by blackmailing them with obscene videos, a senior police officer said.

The accused allegedly shot obscene videos of several women, using which he blackmailed them and extorted money, gold and mobile phones, he said. He allegedly forced women into participating in nude video calls with him and recorded these to threaten them, the official said. "As per initial investigation so far, we have evidence of his abuse of seven women, but the number can increase to more than 24," the official told PTI. While Pawar has been remanded in judicial custody, no other woman has come forward with a complaint against him as yet, he said. Talking to PTI, Keni said all women who have survived abuse and harassment by Pawar want to lodge a complaint against him. She claimed that the accused had extorted money from one of the women he abused, but did not return the sum even when she needed it for a medical emergency.
The European Commission has carried out one of its largest coordinated logistics operations, handing over to Ukraine a complete set of thermal power plant (TPP) equipment from Lithuania.

Ukraine received equipment for a thermal power plant through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy reported on Monday.

"The complex operation, which lasted 11 months, involved 149 equipment deliveries totaling 2,399 tonnes. Of these, 40 were oversized cargo, including extremely heavy transformers and stators weighing approximately 172 tonnes each," the ministry noted.

The support of the Polish Government Agency for Strategic Reserves played a key role in ensuring the complex transportation of these components, the report says.

The Ministry of Energy explained that the equipment provided helped carry out emergency repairs in several regions of Ukraine where energy infrastructure was significantly damaged as a result of Russian strikes.

"We are extremely grateful to our partners from Lithuania, Poland, and the entire European community, who helped us obtain this critically needed equipment. It has helped restore critical energy capacity," said Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak, as quoted by the press service.

According to the European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, the delivery of this power plant is currently the most demanding logistical operation in the EU.

"I thank Lithuania, Poland, Romania and all partners who ensured the success of this colossal operation," she added.

As noted by the Ministry of Energy, this logistics operation is part of the EU's comprehensive response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine since February 2022, coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). To date, the EU's overall support to Ukraine's energy sector has helped millions of people, including the delivery of 9,500 generators and 7,200 transformers through the UCPM.

In total, the European Commission has allocated over EUR 1.2 billion for humanitarian aid programs in Ukraine and delivered over 160,000 tonnes of aid.
Helps trace boy back tohis roots after 11 years





A HEART-WARMING case of a teenager, who had gone miss ing from home 11 years ago, finding his family again with the help of Aadhaar registra tion, has come to fore in Buldhana. In real identity was revealed Following a failed attempt for Aadhaar registra tion. Akolas Child Welfare Department played an impor tant part in this. The boy was all of 6 years when he had gone missing from home 11 years ago. He was found by police in Maharashtra. As the boy was unable to tell anything about his parents or hometown, he was kept at a childrens home in Nagpur. He subsequently lived in childrens homes at various places, including Mumbai, Beed and Buldhana. While at a childrens home in Buldhana, the boys Aadhaar registration was attempted. However, despite registering 3 to 4 times, the card was not received.

The grievance cell was approached, but in vain. Therefore, Keshav Ghuge, a teacher at the childrens home called Sunil Ladulkar of the Akola District Child Protection Unit and explained the prob lem. Ladulkar then obtained Aadhaar registration receipts of the child and independently followed up with the Aadhaar registration customer service representative. Little did he know that this enquiry would be life-changing for the boy, now a teenager. The customer care repre sentative told Ladulkar that a new registration was not pos sible as the child already had an Aadhaar card. Knowing that he had stumbled about the childs residential addressed, an elated Ladulkar requested for the address on the old Aadhaar card number.

But Ladulkars joy was shortlived as the representative told him that providing personal infor mation was not possible due to a Supreme Court order. Nevertheless, an online com plaint was registered at the same time. After 30 days of filing the online complaint, the issue was resolved, and the old Aadhaar number was obtained. After receiving the Aadhaar number, Buldhana Women and Child Development machinery and superintendent took the child to an Aadhaar centre. With the help of his fingerprints, the old Aadhaar card was down loaded. It revealed that the boy hailed from Jabalpur. Based on this address, the concerned District Child Protection Officer in Jabalpur was contacted. Through fol low-up efforts by Akola and Buldhana Women and Child Development departments, the child was finally handed over to the Jabalpur adminis tration. While there still are necessary verifcations and procedures to be completed before the teen can be finally reunited with his kin, his anx iety and excitement on being so close to his home, after 11 long years, should be a given.
I attribute success to people of State: CM





Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis interacting with mediapersons. Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Pravin Datke also are seen.

Staff Reporter :

Perhaps no party in last 20-25 years has registered such a grand victory in local body polls. I attribute this huge success to people of the State who showed faith in Bharatiya Janata Party and Mahayuti, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed while talking to mediapersons in Nagpur on Sunday. The BJP-led alliance has won around 225 seats. Following this victory, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that this victory belongs to team BJP and is the biggest success in the history of Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, 129 BJP presidents have been elected, and more than 3,000 ward members have won. The BJP has achieved a bigger victory than it registered in 2017. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, This great success was achieved under the leadership of State President Ravindra Chavan. Former President Chandrashekhar Bawankule too endeavoured.

The BJP has won 129 president positions, and the alliance partners together account for 75 per cent of the elected Presidents. The BJP has set a new record in terms of ward member seats. Earlier, in the 2017 elections, the BJP had 1,602 ward members, and now it has more than double that number--3325. It means 48% seats won by BJP due to larger support from the people. I congratulate Eknath Shinde for the victory. I would say that Assembly performance has repeated. Ravindra Chavan led this election and we got major success. I congratulate Chavan, Bawankule, and our collegues, Devendra Fadnavis added.

No one has achieved such a massive victory in the last 20 to 25 years of Maharashtras history; this victory belongs to the BJP alliance. During the campaign, I did not speak against any party or person, or any in any of my rallies. I only spoke about development; we presented a blueprint for development to the people. This is the first election in which a Chief Minister of a party has achieved such a massive victory without criticising anyone. In our country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and NDA is doing constructive work which benefited us. Our senior leaders Amit Shah, Nitin Nabin, J P Nadda showed confidence in us. This is the victory of Team BJP, Devendra Fadnavis further stated. Nagpur Guardian Minister and Local Body Polls State BJP Head Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA Pravin Datke were also present.

We will review losses

There are 15 local bodies where we won maximum seats but our Presidential candidates failed to won. Similarly we faced defeat in Chandrapur too. We will review the losses wherever we suffered, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis-Gadkari meet

When asked about his meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, We had a meeting with Gadkari where we discussed about the upcoming municipal corporation polls. We are confident about our victory in municipal polls too and victory in Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat polls has given boost to our workers. It will reflect in municipal polls too. About managing the torrent of aspirants towards BJP, Fadnavis stated, It is very difficult but we conducted surveys and based upon it, we have chalked out our strategy. Party workers are made aware of their roles vis a vis BJP. We hope they will understand and thereby we can prevent their exodus.

Opposition failed to know peoples pulse

Replying to a question, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear, Vote chori was never an issue. I dont understand why Opposition keeps taking up it. I feel they failed to understand the peoples pulse. They must try to know what people want. In my any campaign speech, I did not criticise any person or organisation. They too should talk about the work they have done or whatever they want to do. Our victory is peoples mandate.

People rejected MVA, says Bawankule

Maharashtra Minister, Nagpurs Guardian Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party State Head for local body polls Chandrashekhar Bawankule claimed the Mahayuti had achieved a good lead in the local body polls, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi had been rejected. Speaking to reporters at Nagpur airport, Bawankule said, The Mahayuti has with full strength taken a very good lead in Maharashtra and the people have rejected the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Today is a day of celebration. I had earlier said only Contd from page 1 Governments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis can develop Maharashtra. People have chosen Mahayuti in the elections. People are with development, Devendra Fadnavis and Mahayuti as they want Viksit Maharashtra. The BJP has never before got such huge success in Municipal Council elections. I want to congratulate the voters, BJP workers, CM Fadnavis and state BJP president Ravindra Chavan, Bawankule pointed out. Bawankule also said the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) needs to introspect.
Mathematical Poster, Mathematical Mehndi, Mathematical Rangoli competition held





Staff Reporter:

THE Department of Mathematics, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Career Guidance Scheme and the Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell, at Prime Minister College of Excellence, Government Mahakoshal College, Jabalpur, organised a Mathematical Poster, Mathematical Mehndi and Mathematical Rangoli com petition on Saturday. The students actively partici pated in the event which was organised as a part of National Mathematics Day Week. Presiding over the event, Principal, Professor Alkesh Chaturvedi, said that mathe matics is the foundation of log ical thinking, problem-solving and discipline.

Mathematics is essential in daily life for tasks such as telling time, budgeting, buying and selling, and meas uring distances. Professor Arun Shukla, Divisional Nodal Officer, Swami Vivekananda Career Guidance Scheme, Jabalpur Division, said that mathematics needs to be understood and prac ticed. Continuous practice and proper guidance can make math ematics simple and interesting. Dr Shailendra Srivastava, Dr R K Srivastava, Dr Mrityunjay Singh, Dr Kusum Lata Rajak, HoD (Mathematics) and Dr Sunita Singh. Various competi tions including Poster, Rangoli and Mehandi were organised. In poster competition, the first, second and third prizes were received by Apurva (BSc Second Year), Pooja Raikwar (BSc Second Year) and Arpit Patel (BCom Third Year) respectively.

In Rangoli, Mooyuri (BSc First Year) obtained first prize while Sonali Kachi (BSc First Year) and Pranjal Chaurasia (BBA Third Year) received second and third prizes respectively. Similarly, in Mehndi, the first prize was won Sonali Kachi (BSc First Year) while the second and third prizes were given to Adwiti Singh (BSc Second Year) and Priya Vishwakarma (BA First Year). The judges for the competition were Dr Vibha Nigam, Dr Shailprabha Koshta, Dr Jyoti Jungare, Dr Samta Naidu, Dr Manisha Saxena and Dr Jageshwar Prajapati.
Meditation leads to inner peace, emotional stability: V-P





V-P Radhakrishnan addresses the World Meditation Day at Kanha Shanti Vanam, in Hyderabad on Sunday. (ANI)

World Meditation Day Celebration

HYDERABAD :

MEDITATION is a universal practice that transcends cultural, geographical and religious boundaries, and a path that leads to inner peace, mental clarity and emotional stability, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said on Sunday. Speaking at the World Meditation Day celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana, Radhakrishnan said in India, meditation is not just a practice, but an ancient science, a discipline of the mind and spirit that has been passed down through ages. He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision to become a Vikshit Bharat 2047 is not only an economic progress of the nation but also the emotional well-being and the spiritual upliftment of the people of Bharat. Meditation is a universal practice that transcends cultural, geographical and religious boundaries.

It is a path that leads to inner peace, mental clarity and emotional stability, the VP said. He further said great rishis (sages) and munis discovered the sacred art of meditation in the silence of the forests and mountains and those wise souls understood that the true source of all peace and wisdom lies within. Recalling the role played by India last year in co-sponsoring the United Nations General Assemblys resolution, which declared December 21 as the World Meditation Day, he said the declaration was a testament to the global recognition of meditations power to promote mental well-being and emotional balance and spiritual growth.

India, with its rich tradition of meditation practices that have spanned centuries, stood at the forefront of this initiative, exemplifying the countrys deep spiritual heritage, he said. Referring to the vision of Mission LiFE, the Vice-President said meditation nurtures values such as mindfulness, responsibility and harmony with nature, which are essential for sustainable living. Calling upon citizens to integrate meditation into daily life, Radhakrishnan urged individuals, families and communities to lead by example and encourage future generations to embrace practices that promote mental peace, balance and harmony. He appreciated Kanha Shanti Vanam for adopting environmentally responsible practices and promoting holistic well-being. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Minister D Sridhar Babu, Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness Meditation, Daaji Kamlesh D. Patel, and others who joined the meditation session at Kanha Shanti Vanam were present at the celebrations. 6
MSRTCs E-Bus rollout stalls Deliveries now indefinite as deadline slips beyond 2026





By Shashwat Bhuskute :

Only 57 of Nagpurs 228 buses delivered

No revised final delivery date notified, officials question Olectras execution capacity

The ambitious electric bus modernisation programme of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is facing mounting uncertainty, with senior officials confirming that the delivery of the contracted electric buses has overshot the original deadline and now lacks a clearly defined end date. Under the contract awarded to Olectra Greentech Limited, MSRTC is to induct 5,150 electric buses across Maharashtra under a 12-year Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, which includes supply, operation and maintenance.

Of the total fleet, 228 buses were sanctioned for the Nagpur division, where electric services were expected to significantly upgrade long-distance and intercity connectivity. However, officials disclosed that only 57 electric buses have been delivered statewide so far, a figure that highlights the widening gap between contractual commitments and on-ground progress. The agreement provided for completion of deliveries within 24 months, but that timeline has already been breached, a senior MSRTC official told The Hitavada. Based on the current manufacturing and distribution schedule, it is evident that deliveries will not be completed before 2026. Crucially, MSRTC officials clarified that no revised final delivery date has been officially notified after the contract ran into delays. As things stand, 2026 is only an indicative assessment rather than a confirmed deadline. There is no formally declared end date for supply at present, which itself is a matter of concern, the official added.

The delay has prompted questions within MSRTC over execution planning. If a company is already burdened with multiple large contracts and lacks the capacity to fulfil them within stipulated timelines, then the logic behind awarding additional projects needs scrutiny, the official remarked, signalling unease over capacity assessment at the time of tendering. For Nagpur and other divisions, the slowdown means prolonged dependence on ageing diesel fleets, delaying expected gains in efficiency and passenger comfort. While MSRTC continues to review revised schedules and monitor monthly targets, the absence of a firm delivery deadline suggests that the States flagship electric bus transition will stretch well beyond original projections, reshaping expectations across Maharashtra.
Over 300 dilapidated buildings demolished in Sagar, action continues

Staff Reporter :

SAGAR district administration is carrying out a major drive to demolish dilapidated school buildings and other unsafe structures to make way for new constructions. Over 300 build ings have already been demol ished as part of this initiative. Collector Sandeep G.R. had directed during a recent review meeting with school education officials that no school or oth er building in the district should remain in a damaged or unsafe condition. He instructed that all such structures must be demolished within two days to ensure the safety of students and the public. Following these instructions, demolition work is being car ried out on a war-footing, with over 50 school and other buildings demolished in a single day.

The Collector emphasised that no school should function in a damaged or unsafe building, and officials from the education, revenue, and urban development departments, along with school principals, must ensure that unsafe buildings are immediately taken down. He also warned that in case of any incidents, the responsi ble authorities, school man agement, and property owners will be held accountable. After demolition, school principals must submit a certificate of demolition to the block education officer, who will then report to the district education officer. Demolition work has been carried out in areas including Sagar, Rahli, Khurai, Rahatgarh, Malthon, and Dewari. Within municipal limits, several unsafe buildings identified by the municipal corporation are also being demolished. Similar actions are under way across all urban local bod ies in the district.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the holding of a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Staff. He wrote about this on the Telegram channel.

"Separately and in detail, we discussed the state of air defense, including air defense coverage of the front and our regions, particularly Odesa region. Several candidates for the position of Commander of the Air Command South have already been presented. We are preparing decisions," the president wrote.

In addition, during the meeting, he heard reports on deep strikes, as well as on the needs and provision of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

"In recent weeks, the Russian army has significantly increased the intensity of its attacks, and accordingly the number of Russian losses has also risen. We will continue to maintain this dynamic  if the Russians do not commit with 100% seriousness to the negotiation process and direct their resources toward prolonging and expanding the war, we will respond in a fully logical way  with our actions in response," the president stressed.
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) and Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, earnings, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.9%. Rexford Industrial Realty pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners pays out 256.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Rexford Industrial Realty pays out 121.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years and Rexford Industrial Realty has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Get Brookfield Infrastructure Partners alerts:

Risk & Volatility

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a beta of 1.09, meaning that its share price is 9% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Rexford Industrial Realty has a beta of 1.22, meaning that its share price is 22% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Brookfield Infrastructure Partners 0 3 4 2 2.89 Rexford Industrial Realty 1 10 3 0 2.14

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Rexford Industrial Realty, as provided by MarketBeat.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners presently has a consensus target price of $41.25, suggesting a potential upside of 17.99%. Rexford Industrial Realty has a consensus target price of $43.00, suggesting a potential upside of 6.57%. Given Brookfield Infrastructure Partners stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is more favorable than Rexford Industrial Realty.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Rexford Industrial Realtys gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Brookfield Infrastructure Partners $21.04 billion 0.77 $351.00 million $0.67 52.18 Rexford Industrial Realty $936.41 million 10.03 $273.80 million $1.42 28.41

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has higher revenue and earnings than Rexford Industrial Realty. Rexford Industrial Realty is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

57.9% of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.5% of Rexford Industrial Realty shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of Rexford Industrial Realty shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Rexford Industrial Realtys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Brookfield Infrastructure Partners 3.70% 2.74% 0.75% Rexford Industrial Realty 33.88% 3.81% 2.62%

About Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. owns and operates utilities, transport, midstream, and data businesses in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's Utilities segment operates approximately 2,900 km of electricity transmission lines; 4,200 km of natural gas pipelines; 8.1 million electricity and natural gas connections; and 0.6 million long-term contracted sub-metering services. This segment also offers heating, cooling, and energy solutions; gas distribution; water heaters; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioner rental, as well as other home services. Its Transport segment offers transportation, storage, and handling services for merchandise goods, commodities, and passengers through a network of approximately 22,000 km of track; 5,500 km of track network; 9,800 km of rail; and 3,300 km of motorways. The company's Midstream segment offers natural gas transmission, gathering and processing, and storage services through approximately 15,000 km of natural gas transmission pipelines; 570 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage; 17 natural gas processing plants; and 10,600 km of gas gathering pipelines, as well as 525,000 tonnes polypropylene production capacity. Its Data segment operates approximately 228,000 operational telecom towers; approximately 54,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables; approximately 1 million fiber-to-the-premise connections; two semiconductor manufacturing facilities; and 70 distributed antenna systems, as well as 135 data centers and 750 megawatts of critical load capacity and an additional approximate 670 megawatts of contracted capacity. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. operates as a subsidiary of Brookfield Corporation.

About Rexford Industrial Realty

(Get Free Report)

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, which engages in owning and operating industrial properties in infill markets. The company was founded by Richard S. Ziman on January 18, 2013 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday after Wall Street Zen upgraded the stock from a sell rating to a hold rating. The stock traded as high as $31.38 and last traded at $31.2620, with a volume of 355551 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $30.69.

Several other analysts have also commented on the stock. Citigroup lowered shares of Banco Santander Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco Santander Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Banco Santander Chile from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Banco Santander Chile from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $27.67.

Get Banco Santander Chile alerts:

Read Our Latest Report on BSAC

Institutional Trading of Banco Santander Chile

Banco Santander Chile Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its position in Banco Santander Chile by 54,450.0% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,091 shares of the banks stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,089 shares in the last quarter. Simplex Trading LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Santander Chile during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Banco Santander Chile during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Banco Santander Chile by 577.8% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,559 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 1,329 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its stake in Banco Santander Chile by 380.5% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,532 shares of the banks stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 2,797 shares in the last quarter. 6.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The firm has a market cap of $14.73 billion, a PE ratio of 13.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $29.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 1.84.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 17th. The bank reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Banco Santander Chile had a return on equity of 22.18% and a net margin of 24.74%.The business had revenue of $740.10 million for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Banco Santander Chile will post 2.07 EPS for the current year.

Banco Santander Chile Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC) is one of the leading financial institutions in Chile and a key component of the global Santander Group. The bank offers a comprehensive range of banking and financial services, including retail and commercial lending, deposit accounts, credit cards, wealth management, insurance products and corporate banking solutions. Headquartered in Santiago, it operates an extensive network of branches, ATMs and digital platforms to serve individual customers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations across the country.

Originally founded as Banco de Santiago in the late 1970s, the institution became part of the Santander Group following the privatization wave in Chile during the late 1980s.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of BBVA Banco Frances S.A. (NYSE:BBAR  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the eight brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have given a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $17.6667.

Several research analysts have commented on BBAR shares. Hsbc Global Res raised BBVA Banco Frances to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Wall Street Zen raised BBVA Banco Frances from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. UBS Group began coverage on BBVA Banco Frances in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. They issued a hold rating and a $18.00 target price on the stock. Itau BBA Securities upgraded shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd.

Get BBVA Banco Frances alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BBVA Banco Frances

BBVA Banco Frances Trading Down 0.9%

BBAR opened at $18.27 on Monday. BBVA Banco Frances has a fifty-two week low of $7.76 and a fifty-two week high of $25.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.23 and a beta of 1.07. The companys 50 day moving average price is $14.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.17.

BBVA Banco Frances (NYSE:BBAR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The bank reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.07). BBVA Banco Frances had a net margin of 4.46% and a return on equity of 7.43%. The business had revenue of $512.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $871.10 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that BBVA Banco Frances will post 1.94 earnings per share for the current year.

BBVA Banco Frances Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be given a dividend of $0.0331 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from BBVA Banco Francess previous monthly dividend of $0.03. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 16th. BBVA Banco Francess payout ratio is currently 41.05%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BBVA Banco Frances

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BBAR. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in BBVA Banco Frances by 199.9% in the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 2,381 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,587 shares in the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. bought a new stake in shares of BBVA Banco Frances in the 1st quarter valued at $211,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of BBVA Banco Frances in the 3rd quarter valued at $108,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of BBVA Banco Frances during the 3rd quarter valued at $109,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in BBVA Banco Frances by 123.3% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 15,301 shares of the banks stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 8,450 shares during the period.

BBVA Banco Frances Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BBVA Banco Frances is one of Argentinas leading financial institutions, operating as a subsidiary of the global banking group BBVA. The bank provides a full range of retail and commercial banking services to individuals, small and mediumsized enterprises, large corporations and institutional clients. Its product suite spans deposit accounts, mortgages, personal and auto loans, credit and debit cards, transactional banking and digital solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of customers in both urban and regional markets.

Founded in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century, Banco Frances has developed a longstanding presence in Argentinas financial sector.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for BBVA Banco Frances Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BBVA Banco Frances and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $24.3333.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Kimco Realty in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Kimco Realty from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $22.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Citigroup cut their target price on Kimco Realty from $23.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Argus reiterated a buy rating and set a $27.00 price target on shares of Kimco Realty in a report on Monday, December 1st.

Get Kimco Realty alerts:

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on KIM

Kimco Realty Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of KIM opened at $20.00 on Friday. Kimco Realty has a 52-week low of $17.93 and a 52-week high of $23.73. The stock has a market cap of $13.54 billion, a PE ratio of 24.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.05. The firms fifty day moving average is $20.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.27. The company has a quick ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.

Kimco Realty (NYSE:KIM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $535.86 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $522.31 million. Kimco Realty had a net margin of 28.24% and a return on equity of 5.60%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.43 earnings per share. Kimco Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.750-1.760 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Kimco Realty will post 1.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kimco Realty Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.2%. This is a boost from Kimco Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. Kimco Realtys payout ratio is presently 125.30%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Mary Hogan Preusse sold 23,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.66, for a total value of $500,346.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 40,260 shares of the companys stock, valued at $872,031.60. This represents a 36.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Values First Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Kimco Realty by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. now owns 27,590 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $603,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the period. Compound Planning Inc. increased its holdings in Kimco Realty by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 14,759 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $313,000 after purchasing an additional 485 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its position in Kimco Realty by 1.7% in the third quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 30,335 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $663,000 after purchasing an additional 503 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Kimco Realty by 11.2% during the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,176 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $113,000 after purchasing an additional 520 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Kimco Realty by 5.0% during the third quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 12,421 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $271,000 after buying an additional 589 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.25% of the companys stock.

About Kimco Realty

(Get Free Report)

Founded in 1958 by Milton Cooper and headquartered in Jericho, New York, Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE: KIM) is a leading publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership, operation and development of open-air shopping centers. The companys portfolio, concentrated on neighborhood and community centers anchored by grocery stores, encompasses approximately 400 properties across the United States, with selective holdings in Canada and Mexico.

Kimcos core business activities include acquiring, repositioning and managing retail real estate assets that serve as daily-need destinations for consumers.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Kimco Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kimco Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $201.58 and last traded at $201.87, with a volume of 59600 shares. The stock had previously closed at $197.06.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on CRL shares. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Charles River Laboratories International from $205.00 to $197.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 10th. Robert W. Baird raised Charles River Laboratories International from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the company from $178.00 to $199.00 in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Argus set a $200.00 price objective on Charles River Laboratories International in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Bank of America raised shares of Charles River Laboratories International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $225.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Charles River Laboratories International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $195.93.

Get Charles River Laboratories International alerts:

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CRL

Charles River Laboratories International Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $9.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -130.32, a P/E/G ratio of 6.96 and a beta of 1.63. The firms 50-day moving average is $179.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $165.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The medical research company reported $2.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $1 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $990.43 million. Charles River Laboratories International had a positive return on equity of 15.78% and a negative net margin of 2.07%.The firms revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.59 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. will post 9.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles River Laboratories International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CRL. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its position in Charles River Laboratories International by 93.5% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 178 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Cromwell Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 542.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 180 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its position in Charles River Laboratories International by 82.4% in the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 186 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. 98.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Charles River Laboratories International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc is a leading provider of research models and preclinical and clinical support services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The companys core offerings include discovery, safety assessment, toxicology, and pathology services, as well as supply of laboratory animals and related diagnostics. Services extend across in vivo and in vitro testing, biologics testing, and support for advanced therapies, helping clients accelerate drug development from early discovery through regulatory submission.

Founded in 1947 in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Charles River has grown through strategic investments and acquisitions to establish a broad portfolio of capabilities.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Charles River Laboratories International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles River Laboratories International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (CVE:NZP  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.04 and last traded at C$0.04, with a volume of 5570 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.05.

Chatham Rock Phosphate Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of C$4.49 million, a P/E ratio of -6.15 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 10.98. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$0.04 and a 200 day moving average of C$0.05.

About Chatham Rock Phosphate

(Get Free Report)

Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited operates as a mineral development company in New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Australia. It focuses on the development and exploitation of the Chatham Rise rock phosphate deposit, which comprises a mining permit covering an area of 820 square kilometers located in New Zealand; and Makatea phosphate project. The company is based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Chatham Rock Phosphate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chatham Rock Phosphate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Russian troops took 52 civilians, including children, from the village of Hrabovske in Sumy region, and also captured 13 Ukrainian Defense Forces soldiers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, answering a question from an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.

"Regarding Sumy, what happened? Our village is on the border with Russia. It is partly in Ukraine and partly in Russia. Fifty-two people remained thereUkrainian citizens who did not evacuate. I am surprised that there were children there. I am simply shocked that parents would treat their children this way. The 52 people who lived there had some dialogue with border guards in the Russian Federation. I think they simply did not expect the Russian military to take them. Thirteen of our military personnel are also in captivity," Zelenskyy said during an event on the occasion of the Diplomatic Service Day in Kyiv on Monday.
Intesa Sanpaolo (OTCMKTS:ISNPY  Get Free Report) and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends, risk and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Intesa Sanpaolo and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ, as reported by MarketBeat.

Get Intesa Sanpaolo alerts:

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Intesa Sanpaolo 0 4 2 1 2.57 Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 2 5 0 0 1.71

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Intesa Sanpaolo and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Intesa Sanpaolo $48.17 billion 2.51 $9.38 billion $3.36 12.39 Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ $17.44 billion N/A $2.60 billion $0.61 11.66

Intesa Sanpaolo has higher revenue and earnings than Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Intesa Sanpaolo, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

1.2% of Intesa Sanpaolo shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Intesa Sanpaolo pays an annual dividend of $1.87 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.4%. Intesa Sanpaolo pays out 55.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays out 98.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Profitability

This table compares Intesa Sanpaolo and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Intesa Sanpaolo 22.67% 13.57% 0.97% Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 15.97% 12.80% 0.68%

Volatility & Risk

Intesa Sanpaolo has a beta of 0.75, indicating that its share price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ has a beta of 0.56, indicating that its share price is 44% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Intesa Sanpaolo beats Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Intesa Sanpaolo

(Get Free Report)

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. provides various financial products and services primarily in Italy. It operates through six segments: Banca dei Territori, IMI Corporate & Investment Banking, International Subsidiary Banks, Asset Management, Private Banking, and Insurance. The company offers lending and deposit products; private and commercial banking, corporate and transaction banking, structured finance, investment banking, public finance, and capital markets; industrial credit, leasing, and factoring; asset management; life and non-life insurance and pension products; asset and wealth management; private investments; and bancassurance products. The company serves individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, non-profit customers, corporates and financial institutions, public administration, private clients and high net worth individuals, institutional clientele, and other customers. Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Turin, Italy.

About Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ

(Get Free Report)

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) provides various banking products and services for private and corporate customers primarily in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, Finland, and Poland. The company offers savings, transactions, business, currency, and investment accounts, as well as accounts for cash pool, and forestry and agriculture; mortgage and committed loans, and private loans; mutual funds; pension products; credit and debit cards; and payment and reconciliation services, as well as foreign exchange rate services. It also provides financing for investments, such as equipment, cars, computers, and other inventories, as well as vehicle and real estate financing services; green loans and advisor services; investment and other financing services; medical care, and group and health insurance products; forestry and farming banking products; and online and mobile banking services, as well as various banking services for children and young people. In addition, the company offers financial services, that includes asset management, transactional banking, corporate finance, financing, markets, trade finance, market information and research services to large corporations; cash management solutions; and various corporate banking services to small and medium-sized companies and large corporates, as well as private banking services. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) was incorporated in 1871 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

Receive News & Ratings for Intesa Sanpaolo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intesa Sanpaolo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $37.48 and last traded at $37.3770, with a volume of 131771 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $35.53.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on EGO shares. Scotiabank raised their price target on Eldorado Gold from $25.50 to $33.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. National Bankshares reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $31.20.

Get Eldorado Gold alerts:

Get Our Latest Analysis on EGO

Eldorado Gold Trading Up 4.4%

The company has a current ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $29.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $25.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 0.57.

Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $436.44 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $422.25 million. Eldorado Gold had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 22.15%. Equities research analysts forecast that Eldorado Gold Corporation will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Eldorado Gold

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EGO. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eldorado Gold during the 1st quarter worth $2,936,000. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in Eldorado Gold by 72.3% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 53,400 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $898,000 after purchasing an additional 22,413 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Eldorado Gold by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 30,732 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $517,000 after purchasing an additional 1,580 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 2.0% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,057,607 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $17,780,000 after purchasing an additional 20,232 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Credit Agricole S A boosted its stake in Eldorado Gold by 118.9% during the 1st quarter. Credit Agricole S A now owns 129,850 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,184,000 after purchasing an additional 70,518 shares during the last quarter. 69.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eldorado Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Eldorado Gold Corporation is a Canadabased gold producer engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of mineral properties. The companys core focus is on gold, silver and select base metals, with an emphasis on advancing projects through feasibility and into production. Eldorado Gold maintains a diversified portfolio of both producing mines and advancedstage development projects.

Operationally, Eldorado Gold manages multiple gold mining operations across Turkey, Canada and Greece.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Excelerate Energy (NYSE:EE  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Sunday.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on EE. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Excelerate Energy in a report on Monday, December 15th. Morgan Stanley set a $30.00 price target on shares of Excelerate Energy and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Excelerate Energy in a research note on Monday, September 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. DNB Markets set a $31.00 price objective on Excelerate Energy in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Finally, Tudor Pickering raised Excelerate Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $31.71.

Get Excelerate Energy alerts:

Read Our Latest Analysis on Excelerate Energy

Excelerate Energy Stock Performance

Shares of EE stock opened at $26.79 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Excelerate Energy has a 12-month low of $21.28 and a 12-month high of $32.99. The businesss 50 day moving average is $27.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.46. The company has a market capitalization of $3.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.36.

Excelerate Energy (NYSE:EE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.13. Excelerate Energy had a return on equity of 4.34% and a net margin of 3.46%.The business had revenue of $391.04 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $270.82 million. Excelerate Energys revenue was up 102.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Excelerate Energy will post 1.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Excelerate Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th were paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 19th. Excelerate Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.22%.

Excelerate Energy declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, December 11th that authorizes the company to buyback $75.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 2.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Excelerate Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Excelerate Energy by 19.2% during the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,438 shares of the companys stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the period. Bailard Inc. lifted its position in Excelerate Energy by 1.6% in the third quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 25,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $642,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Summit Global Investments lifted its position in Excelerate Energy by 3.2% in the third quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 12,973 shares of the companys stock valued at $327,000 after buying an additional 406 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in Excelerate Energy by 1.5% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 31,903 shares of the companys stock worth $915,000 after buying an additional 471 shares during the period. Finally, New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its position in shares of Excelerate Energy by 32.8% during the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 2,081 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 514 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 21.79% of the companys stock.

About Excelerate Energy

(Get Free Report)

Excelerate Energy (NYSE: EE) is a Houstonbased energy infrastructure company specializing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions. The company develops, owns and operates floating regasification units (FSRUs) that convert shipped LNG into natural gas for delivery into existing pipeline networks. Excelerate Energys integrated platform also includes specialized LNG carriers, proprietary regasification technology and onshore support facilities, enabling rapid deployment of import terminals without extensive capital construction.

Founded in the early 2000s, Excelerate Energy pioneered the first FSRU in 2007, demonstrating the flexibility and cost advantages of floating LNG import infrastructure.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Excelerate Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Excelerate Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $8,275.00 and last traded at $8,275.00, with a volume of 17 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $8,275.00.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $7,855.22 and a 200 day moving average of $6,744.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a PE ratio of 19.31 and a beta of 0.30.

Get Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach alerts:

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $147.32 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $73.67 million during the quarter. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach had a net margin of 12.08% and a return on equity of 3.84%.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Dividend Announcement

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Company Profile

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $43.00 per share. This represents a yield of 215.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.14%.

(Get Free Report)

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL) is a community bank founded in 1907 and headquartered in Long Beach, California. As a wholly owned subsidiary of FMB Bancorp, the bank serves individuals, families and local businesses with a focus on personalized relationship banking. Its long history reflects a commitment to supporting the economic growth and development of the communities it serves.

The banks primary business activities include a broad range of commercial and retail banking services.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Flagstar Bank, National Association (NYSE:FLG  Free Report) had its price target raised by Barclays from $14.00 to $15.00 in a report published on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Flagstar Bank, National Association in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $14.00 target price on Flagstar Bank, National Association and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on Flagstar Bank, National Association from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Flagstar Bank, National Association in a report on Thursday, September 25th. They set a hold rating and a $14.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Flagstar Bank, National Association from $12.00 to $13.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $14.32.

Get Flagstar Bank National Association alerts:

Get Our Latest Analysis on Flagstar Bank, National Association

Flagstar Bank, National Association Stock Down 0.9%

NYSE FLG opened at $13.36 on Friday. Flagstar Bank, National Association has a 12 month low of $8.56 and a 12 month high of $13.85. The company has a market capitalization of $5.55 billion, a P/E ratio of -13.77 and a beta of 1.11. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $11.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.01.

Flagstar Bank, National Association (NYSE:FLG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $498.00 million for the quarter. Flagstar Bank, National Association had a negative return on equity of 3.80% and a negative net margin of 7.06%. Equities research analysts expect that Flagstar Bank, National Association will post -0.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Flagstar Bank, National Association Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, December 7th were paid a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. Flagstar Bank, National Associations payout ratio is -4.12%.

Institutional Trading of Flagstar Bank, National Association

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CWM LLC purchased a new position in Flagstar Bank, National Association during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Financial Freedom LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Flagstar Bank, National Association during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. UMB Bank n.a. purchased a new position in shares of Flagstar Bank, National Association during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Flagstar Bank, National Association during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Flagstar Bank, National Association during the second quarter worth $35,000. 67.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Flagstar Bank, National Association Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Flagstar Financial Corporation (NYSE: FLG) is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary, Flagstar Bank, provides a range of financial services across the United States. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Flagstar combines commercial banking, mortgage lending and servicing, and deposit products to serve individuals, businesses and public entities. As a publicly traded company, Flagstar leverages its banking charter and national mortgage platform to deliver tailored financial solutions through both digital and branch channels.

The companys mortgage business is one of the largest residential originators and servicers in the nation, offering retail, wholesale and correspondent lending channels.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Flagstar Bank National Association Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Flagstar Bank National Association and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as C$0.88 and last traded at C$0.85, with a volume of 623924 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.82.

Galway Metals Trading Up 1.2%

The stock has a market cap of C$103.67 million, a PE ratio of -8.30 and a beta of 2.72. The company has a current ratio of 3.16, a quick ratio of 4.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$0.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.53.

Galway Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada. Galway Metals Inc was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Galway Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Galway Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $83.68 and last traded at $83.25, with a volume of 600196 shares. The stock had previously closed at $82.35.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of General Motors from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of General Motors from $81.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Piper Sandler set a $66.00 price objective on General Motors and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley upgraded General Motors from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $54.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price target on General Motors from $68.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, General Motors has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $75.76.

Get General Motors alerts:

View Our Latest Analysis on General Motors

General Motors Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stocks 50 day moving average is $70.83 and its 200 day moving average is $60.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.69, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.30.

General Motors (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The auto manufacturer reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $0.48. General Motors had a net margin of 1.62% and a return on equity of 12.29%. The company had revenue of $48.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $44.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.96 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. General Motors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.750-10.500 EPS. On average, analysts predict that General Motors Company will post 11.44 earnings per share for the current year.

General Motors Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. General Motorss payout ratio is 12.07%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other General Motors news, President Mark L. Reuss sold 260,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.45, for a total value of $17,316,870.00. Following the transaction, the president directly owned 98,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,512,498.70. This represents a 72.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Mary T. Barra sold 753,720 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.95, for a total transaction of $45,185,514.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 433,527 shares in the company, valued at $25,989,943.65. This represents a 63.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 1,254,589 shares of company stock worth $77,219,450 in the last ninety days. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On General Motors

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of GM. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in General Motors by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 110,759,703 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $5,450,485,000 after acquiring an additional 11,418,367 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of General Motors during the second quarter worth $444,319,000. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of General Motors by 146.8% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 13,470,258 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $629,196,000 after purchasing an additional 8,012,743 shares during the period. Viking Global Investors LP increased its stake in General Motors by 81.1% in the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 13,018,874 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $640,659,000 after purchasing an additional 5,830,050 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its position in General Motors by 348.4% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 3,549,170 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $216,393,000 after buying an additional 2,757,695 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.67% of the companys stock.

About General Motors

(Get Free Report)

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, builds and sells cars, trucks, crossovers and electric vehicles, and provides related parts and services. Founded in 1908, GM has long been one of the worlds largest automakers and has evolved into a multi-brand company whose primary marques include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Beyond vehicle manufacturing, GMs operations encompass vehicle financing, connected services and advanced mobility initiatives.

GM develops and markets a broad portfolio of products and technologies, including internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicles, vehicle components and on-board connectivity services.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $42.1250.

GFI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Gold Fields from $30.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Investec cut shares of Gold Fields from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered shares of Gold Fields from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $39.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Monday, October 13th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Gold Fields from $24.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, August 25th. Finally, HSBC reissued a hold rating on shares of Gold Fields in a report on Thursday, October 9th.

Get Gold Fields alerts:

View Our Latest Stock Report on GFI

Gold Fields Price Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gold Fields

NYSE GFI opened at $45.26 on Monday. Gold Fields has a 12 month low of $12.98 and a 12 month high of $47.18. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $41.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $34.39.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. FNY Investment Advisers LLC grew its stake in shares of Gold Fields by 114.0% in the third quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 4,280 shares of the companys stock worth $179,000 after acquiring an additional 2,280 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Gold Fields by 319.8% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 6,515 shares of the companys stock valued at $273,000 after purchasing an additional 4,963 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its holdings in Gold Fields by 47.1% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 853 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new stake in Gold Fields in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,758,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Gold Fields by 36,077.0% during the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 36,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,518,000 after buying an additional 36,077 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 24.81% of the companys stock.

Gold Fields Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Gold Fields (NYSE: GFI) is a Johannesburgbased gold mining company that operates as an international producer of gold. Listed on multiple exchanges and traded in the United States via American Depositary Receipts under the ticker GFI, the company focuses on the exploration, development, extraction and processing of gold-bearing ore and the sale of refined gold products. Its operations span several regions, serving global bullion markets and supplying gold for both investment and industrial uses.

The companys core activities include mine development and underground and openpit mining, ore treatment and refining, and ongoing exploration to replace reserves.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Gold Fields Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gold Fields and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP  Get Free Report) Director Hans Helmerich sold 75,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.12, for a total transaction of $2,109,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 496,735 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,968,188.20. The trade was a 13.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

Helmerich & Payne Trading Up 1.1%

NYSE:HP traded up $0.31 on Monday, hitting $28.25. The stock had a trading volume of 1,230,857 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,879,780. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $26.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.50. Helmerich & Payne, Inc. has a 1-year low of $14.65 and a 1-year high of $37.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The stock has a market cap of $2.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -16.92 and a beta of 0.56.

Get Helmerich & Payne alerts:

Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 17th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.26 by ($0.27). The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $972.79 million. Helmerich & Payne had a negative net margin of 4.37% and a positive return on equity of 3.21%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 45.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.76 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Helmerich & Payne, Inc. will post 2.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Helmerich & Payne Dividend Announcement

Institutional Trading of Helmerich & Payne

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Helmerich & Paynes dividend payout ratio is currently -59.88%.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mirabella Financial Services LLP acquired a new position in Helmerich & Payne during the 3rd quarter worth $228,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Helmerich & Payne during the third quarter worth about $228,000. Tcfg Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 85.9% during the third quarter. Tcfg Wealth Management LLC now owns 93,948 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,075,000 after buying an additional 43,412 shares in the last quarter. Tweedy Browne Co LLC increased its stake in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 105.7% during the third quarter. Tweedy Browne Co LLC now owns 26,389 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $583,000 after buying an additional 13,563 shares during the period. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in Helmerich & Payne during the third quarter worth approximately $118,000. 96.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on HP shares. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $27.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Helmerich & Payne from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $20.00 to $28.00 in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $26.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Helmerich & Payne from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Helmerich & Payne from $29.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Helmerich & Payne presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $31.20.

Read Our Latest Analysis on HP

Helmerich & Payne Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Helmerich & Payne, Inc is a leading provider of contract drilling services to the oil and gas industry, specializing primarily in onshore drilling operations. The company designs, engineers and operates a fleet of advanced drilling rigs, including its proprietary FlexRigs, which are engineered for high efficiency, safety and rapid mobilization. Alongside core drilling services, Helmerich & Payne offers well intervention, workover and coiled tubing services, positioning itself as a comprehensive drilling solutions partner for exploration and production companies worldwide.

Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Helmerich & Payne has grown through innovation and strategic expansion to serve diverse hydrocarbon basins.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Helmerich & Payne Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Helmerich & Payne and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock investors purchased 4,362 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 213% compared to the typical volume of 1,395 call options.

Hudson Pacific Properties Price Performance

Hudson Pacific Properties stock traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $10.82. The companys stock had a trading volume of 586,025 shares, compared to its average volume of 792,544. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market cap of $586.88 million, a PE ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 1.45. Hudson Pacific Properties has a 52 week low of $10.10 and a 52 week high of $24.01. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $14.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $17.34.

Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts:

Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.02 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $186.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $186.05 million. Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative net margin of 59.61% and a negative return on equity of 16.24%. Hudson Pacific Properties has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.010-0.050 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Hudson Pacific Properties will post 0.45 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on HPP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $16.50 price objective on Hudson Pacific Properties and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Hudson Pacific Properties from $21.00 to $17.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. New Street Research set a $16.80 price objective on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price objective on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $24.50 to $21.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties to $14.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.02.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Hudson Pacific Properties

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hudson Pacific Properties

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Abel Hall LLC acquired a new position in Hudson Pacific Properties in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Ethic Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new position in Hudson Pacific Properties in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.58% of the companys stock.

About Hudson Pacific Properties

(Get Free Report)

Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a self-managed real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, development and management of high-quality office and studio properties. The companys portfolio spans strategic West Coast markets in the United States and key markets in Canada, providing space for technology, media and creative companies as well as major film and television producers. As an owner and operator of both traditional office buildings and specialized production facilities, Hudson Pacific seeks to deliver stable income through long-term leases and strategic property enhancements.

In its office segment, Hudson Pacific targets markets with strong job growth and limited supply, including Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Diego and Seattle, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

A delegation from talks with American representatives in Miami is returning to Ukraine, and they will provide details about them at night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Our group is now returning from Miami. We will provide details tonight. In my opinion, we have already completed all the important tasks for the first draft. There are 20 points in the plan. Probably not everything is perfect. But the plan is in place," Zelenskyy said during an event celebrating the Diplomatic Service Day on Monday in Kyiv.

The president noted that a framework document on security guarantees already exists between Ukraine, the EU, and the US, as well as a separate document between Ukraine and the US on bilateral security guarantees.

"These are the documents that should be considered by the United States Congress, along with their details and annexes. The meeting is closed to the press today, so we will not discuss them in detail. However, I have seen the initial developments. Almost 90% of the annexes are important to us, detailing what our army and Ukraine can expect after such guarantees are signed and how strong we can be," he emphasized.

According to the head of state, the first draft of the agreement on Ukraine's restoration is currently being developed.

"That is, in principle, the basic block of all documents, in my opinion, is ready. There are some things that we are not ready for. And there are things that the Russians are not ready for," Zelenskyy noted.
Voya Investment Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 7.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 259,696 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 21,840 shares during the quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC owned 0.07% of Ingersoll Rand worth $21,307,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of IR. AlphaQuest LLC purchased a new position in Ingersoll Rand in the first quarter valued at about $604,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 11.1% during the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,207 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $175,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. APG Asset Management N.V. boosted its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 242.3% in the first quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 754,752 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $55,918,000 after acquiring an additional 534,252 shares during the period. Bank of Hawaii acquired a new stake in Ingersoll Rand in the 1st quarter worth $207,000. Finally, Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 29.9% during the first quarter. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. now owns 21,819 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,746,000 after acquiring an additional 5,019 shares during the period. 95.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Ingersoll Rand alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Ingersoll Rand news, CAO Michael J. Scheske sold 1,477 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.63, for a total transaction of $119,090.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 12,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at $979,896.39. This represents a 10.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on IR shares. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Zacks Research raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $83.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ingersoll Rand presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $91.44.

Get Our Latest Report on IR

Ingersoll Rand Stock Up 0.5%

Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $79.24 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $78.30 and a 200-day moving average of $80.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a twelve month low of $65.61 and a twelve month high of $95.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.31 billion, a PE ratio of 58.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.12 and a beta of 1.33.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.95 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 7.31% and a return on equity of 12.14%. The companys revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.84 earnings per share. Ingersoll Rand has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.310 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th were given a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.93%.

Ingersoll Rand Profile

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand is a diversified industrial company that designs, manufactures and services a wide range of equipment and technologies for commercial, industrial and OEM customers. Its product portfolio includes air compressors and compressed air systems, pneumatic and cordless power tools, material handling and lifting equipment, fluid transfer and pumping solutions, and associated aftermarket parts and service offerings. The companys products support applications across manufacturing, construction, transportation, oil and gas, mining and general industrial markets.

Ingersoll Rand sells through a combination of direct sales, distributor networks and service channels, delivering both capital equipment and recurring aftermarket revenue from parts, maintenance and service contracts.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. (NYSE:REPX  Get Free Report) CEO Bobby Riley sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.91, for a total transaction of $518,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 349,431 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,053,757.21. The trade was a 5.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

Bobby Riley also recently made the following trade(s):

Get Riley Exploration Permian alerts:

On Monday, November 10th, Bobby Riley sold 12,500 shares of Riley Exploration Permian stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.05, for a total transaction of $313,125.00.

Riley Exploration Permian Trading Up 1.4%

NYSE REPX traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $25.80. 47,038 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 114,929. Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. has a 1-year low of $21.98 and a 1-year high of $37.55. The firm has a market cap of $566.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $26.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53.

Riley Exploration Permian Increases Dividend

Riley Exploration Permian announced that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 16th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 18% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 21st were paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. This is a boost from Riley Exploration Permians previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 21st. Riley Exploration Permians dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.12%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Roth Capital started coverage on Riley Exploration Permian in a report on Monday, October 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $36.00 price objective for the company. William Blair began coverage on shares of Riley Exploration Permian in a research note on Friday, November 21st. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Riley Exploration Permian from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $41.50.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Riley Exploration Permian

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. TrueMark Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian during the 3rd quarter valued at about $3,027,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Riley Exploration Permian by 25.8% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 484,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,136,000 after purchasing an additional 99,273 shares in the last quarter. Cannell & Spears LLC purchased a new stake in Riley Exploration Permian in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,224,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Riley Exploration Permian during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,033,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC grew its stake in Riley Exploration Permian by 211.8% in the 3rd quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 88,495 shares of the companys stock worth $2,399,000 after buying an additional 60,110 shares in the last quarter. 58.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Riley Exploration Permian

(Get Free Report)

Riley Exploration Permian, Inc (NYSE:REPX) is a special purpose acquisition company formed to identify, acquire and operate assets in the oil and natural gas sector, with a dedicated focus on the Permian Basin. Incorporated in Delaware, the company completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange and is positioned to pursue a business combination with one or more upstream or midstream energy businesses. Riley Exploration Permians strategy centers on leveraging the regions prolific reservoirs and existing infrastructure to drive growth and value for its shareholders.

The company seeks to target exploration and production assets in both the Midland and Delaware sub-basins of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where extensive pipeline networks and favorable geologic characteristics support efficient development.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Riley Exploration Permian Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Riley Exploration Permian and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
iShares MSCI Israel ETF (NYSEARCA:EIS  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $112.00 and last traded at $111.87, with a volume of 28179 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $111.19.

iShares MSCI Israel ETF Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $548.07 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.79 and a beta of 1.03. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $104.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $97.13.

Get iShares MSCI Israel ETF alerts:

Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Israel ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlueCrest Capital Management Ltd acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Israel ETF in the second quarter valued at $1,139,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 25.7% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,033 shares of the companys stock worth $585,000 after acquiring an additional 1,234 shares during the period. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 30.0% in the second quarter. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. now owns 1,599 shares of the companys stock valued at $152,000 after buying an additional 369 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 133.0% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 953 shares of the companys stock worth $90,000 after buying an additional 544 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Israel ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $268,000.

iShares MSCI Israel ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Israel Capped index, a market-cap-weighted index of Israeli firms. EIS was launched on Mar 26, 2008 and is managed by BlackRock.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Israel ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Israel ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
New Found Gold Corp. (NYSE:NFGC  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $2.77, but opened at $3.10. New Found Gold shares last traded at $3.1970, with a volume of 1,246,763 shares traded.

New Found Gold Price Performance

The firms 50-day moving average price is $2.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.97. The stock has a market cap of $767.07 million, a P/E ratio of -14.34 and a beta of 1.34.

Get New Found Gold alerts:

Institutional Investors Weigh In On New Found Gold

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of New Found Gold by 7.0% in the second quarter. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. now owns 134,200 shares of the companys stock worth $191,000 after purchasing an additional 8,800 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in New Found Gold by 255.5% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 289,019 shares of the companys stock worth $414,000 after acquiring an additional 207,720 shares in the last quarter. Timelo Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of New Found Gold in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $254,000. Midwest Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of New Found Gold during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd increased its holdings in shares of New Found Gold by 1,025.2% in the second quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 230,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $327,000 after purchasing an additional 209,684 shares during the period. 3.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

New Found Gold Company Profile

New Found Gold Corporation is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of gold deposits in eastern Canada. The companys principal asset is the Queensway Project, located in the Central Newfoundland gold belt, a region renowned for high-grade orogenic gold systems. New Found Gold employs systematic drilling and geophysical surveying to delineate multiple high-potential zones along a 25-kilometre strike corridor, targeting both near-surface and deeper structural targets.

The Queensway Project has garnered attention for its visible gold-bearing quartz veins and robust drill intercepts, which have extended known mineralized zones and uncovered new targets.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for New Found Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Found Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
OppFi Inc. (NYSE:OPFI  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 7.9% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $11.54 and last traded at $11.59. 322,874 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 1,267,115 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.74.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of OppFi from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of OppFi in a research report on Monday, December 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, OppFi currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $13.63.

Get OppFi alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Report on OppFi

OppFi Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.03. The stock has a market cap of $989.72 million, a PE ratio of -15.28 and a beta of 1.69.

OppFi (NYSE:OPFI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $155.09 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $153.42 million. OppFi had a net margin of 0.68% and a return on equity of 55.59%. OppFi has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.540-1.600 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that OppFi Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other OppFi news, Director Jocelyn Moore sold 4,464 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director directly owned 47,266 shares in the company, valued at approximately $515,672.06. This trade represents a 8.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Pamela D. Johnson sold 5,497 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.21, for a total transaction of $61,621.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 154,521 shares in the company, valued at $1,732,180.41. The trade was a 3.44% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 21,227 shares of company stock valued at $233,744 over the last three months. Company insiders own 72.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On OppFi

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of OppFi by 95.5% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 24,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 11,954 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of OppFi during the 1st quarter valued at $1,079,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of OppFi by 29.0% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 43,654 shares of the companys stock worth $406,000 after acquiring an additional 9,808 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its position in OppFi by 393.4% during the first quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 7,169 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 5,716 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Credit Agricole S A acquired a new stake in OppFi during the first quarter valued at $578,000. 7.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

OppFi Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

OppFi (NYSE: OPFI) is a financial technology company that provides digital lending and credit solutions designed to meet the needs of near-prime consumers in the United States. Through its technology-driven platform, OppFi offers unsecured installment loans under the OppLoans brand, allowing borrowers to access credit online or via mobile devices. The company leverages proprietary data analytics and machine learning models to assess credit risk, streamline underwriting processes and deliver personalized loan products with transparent terms.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, OppFi was founded in 2013 with a mission to increase financial inclusion for underserved and underbanked populations.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for OppFi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OppFi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
PCCW Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PCWLF  Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $0.7793, but opened at $0.7490. PCCW shares last traded at $0.7090, with a volume of 1,080 shares traded.

PCCW Price Performance

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $0.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.70.

Get PCCW alerts:

About PCCW

(Get Free Report)

PCCW Limited (OTCMKTS: PCWLF) is a Hong Kongbased telecommunications and technology services provider with a diversified portfolio spanning fixed-line and mobile communications, broadband internet, and media content. Through its flagship subsidiary, HKT, PCCW operates Hong Kongs largest fixed-line network and one of the territorys leading broadband platforms. The company also offers mobile services under the CSL brand, serving both residential and enterprise customers across the region.

Beyond traditional telecom offerings, PCCW provides a range of information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, data centre services and IT consultancy.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for PCCW Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PCCW and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $27.98 and last traded at $27.8950, with a volume of 2118972 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.66.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on RF shares. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Regions Financial from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $32.00 price objective on Regions Financial in a report on Monday, September 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered Regions Financial from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Regions Financial in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. They set an overweight rating and a $30.00 price target for the company. Finally, Stephens restated an equal weight rating and set a $27.00 price target (down from $30.00) on shares of Regions Financial in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.21.

Get Regions Financial alerts:

View Our Latest Analysis on Regions Financial

Regions Financial Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $24.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.82. The stocks fifty day moving average is $25.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.23.

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 27th. The bank reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter. Regions Financial had a return on equity of 13.05% and a net margin of 22.49%. Analysts forecast that Regions Financial Corporation will post 2.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Regions Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.265 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $1.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Regions Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.70%.

Regions Financial declared that its board has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, December 10th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the bank to repurchase up to 12.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Regions Financial by 1.3% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 31,484,310 shares of the banks stock valued at $740,511,000 after purchasing an additional 391,568 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Regions Financial by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 23,794,677 shares of the banks stock valued at $557,370,000 after purchasing an additional 109,549 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Regions Financial by 52.9% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 13,523,714 shares of the banks stock valued at $357,417,000 after acquiring an additional 4,679,285 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Regions Financial in the 2nd quarter worth about $246,790,000. Finally, Amundi grew its position in Regions Financial by 20.4% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 10,010,267 shares of the banks stock worth $198,721,000 after purchasing an additional 1,696,347 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.39% of the companys stock.

About Regions Financial

(Get Free Report)

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF) is a U.S. bank holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides a broad range of banking and financial services. Its primary banking subsidiary, Regions Bank, serves retail and commercial customers through a combination of branch and ATM networks, digital channels and relationship-based delivery. The company offers deposit accounts, consumer and commercial loans, mortgage origination and servicing, and payment and treasury services.

In addition to core banking, Regions offers wealth management, trust and brokerage services, insurance solutions, and capital markets capabilities to corporate and institutional clients.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Regions Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Regions Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
RTG Mining Inc. (TSE:RTG  Get Free Report)s share price fell 16.7% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.03 and last traded at C$0.03. 348,666 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 47% from the average session volume of 237,254 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03.

RTG Mining Stock Performance

The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$0.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.03. The company has a market capitalization of C$38.94 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.68 and a beta of -0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.36, a quick ratio of 3.19 and a current ratio of 2.58.

About RTG Mining

(Get Free Report)

RTG Mining Inc is into the mining and exploration business. It is focused on high-grade, low operating cost gold projects. Some of its minor exploration and evaluation assets are held in Africa, all of the companys other significant assets are located in the Philippines. The organizations principal asset and focus are the Mabilo Project located in Camarines Norte Province, Eastern Luzon, Philippines. The companys other projects include The Bunawan project and the Nalesbitan Project.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for RTG Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RTG Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Integra Resources (CVE:ITR  Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by stock analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from C$7.00 to C$8.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus price target suggests a potential upside of 30.08% from the stocks current price.

ITR has been the topic of a number of other reports. Raymond James Financial raised their target price on shares of Integra Resources from C$4.25 to C$5.50 in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Roth Capital raised Integra Resources to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Integra Resources currently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy and an average price target of C$6.75.

Get Integra Resources alerts:

View Our Latest Analysis on Integra Resources

Integra Resources Stock Performance

Integra Resources Company Profile

Shares of ITR stock traded up C$0.07 during trading hours on Monday, hitting C$6.15. 253,163 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 506,031. Integra Resources has a 52-week low of C$1.12 and a 52-week high of C$6.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.54. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$4.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$3.42. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.00 and a beta of 1.43.

(Get Free Report)

Integra Resources Corp., a precious metals exploration and development company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in the Great Basin of the Western United States. The company explores for gold and silver deposits. It primarily focuses on developing DeLamar Project located in southwestern Idaho; and the Wildcat and Mountain View Projects located in western Nevada. It also holds a portfolio of early-stage exploration projects in Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Integra Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Integra Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Stryker (NYSE:SYK  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Sunday morning.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $435.00 target price on shares of Stryker in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Rothschild Redb raised Stryker to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $448.00 price objective on shares of Stryker in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Stryker from $410.00 to $405.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, UBS Group set a $408.00 price target on Stryker in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Stryker has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $431.84.

Get Stryker alerts:

View Our Latest Report on SYK

Stryker Stock Performance

NYSE:SYK opened at $355.21 on Friday. Stryker has a twelve month low of $329.16 and a twelve month high of $406.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $365.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $377.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $135.84 billion, a PE ratio of 46.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.89.

Stryker (NYSE:SYK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical technology company reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.13 by $0.06. Stryker had a return on equity of 24.07% and a net margin of 12.07%.The firm had revenue of $6.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.87 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. Stryker has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.500-13.600 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Stryker will post 13.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Stryker Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.88 dividend. This is an increase from Strykers previous quarterly dividend of $0.84. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Strykers payout ratio is presently 44.15%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Stryker

In other news, Director Ronda E. Stryker sold 276,173 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $353.28, for a total value of $97,566,397.44. Following the transaction, the director owned 2,702,108 shares in the company, valued at approximately $954,600,714.24. The trade was a 9.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO William E. Berry, Jr. sold 1,953 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $365.49, for a total transaction of $713,801.97. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 2,833 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,035,433.17. This represents a 40.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 522,118 shares of company stock valued at $185,381,932. 5.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stryker

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mirabella Financial Services LLP lifted its stake in Stryker by 124.4% in the third quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLP now owns 10,248 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $3,781,000 after buying an additional 5,681 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Stryker in the 3rd quarter valued at $55,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP boosted its stake in Stryker by 130.5% during the third quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP now owns 568 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $210,000 after acquiring an additional 2,430 shares in the last quarter. Severin Investments LLC grew its holdings in Stryker by 24.1% in the third quarter. Severin Investments LLC now owns 1,499 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $554,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd increased its stake in Stryker by 7.0% in the third quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 37,984 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $14,042,000 after purchasing an additional 2,486 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.09% of the companys stock.

Stryker Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Stryker Corporation is a global medical technology company that designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of products and services for use in hospitals, surgeons offices and other healthcare facilities. Its primary business activities span orthopedics (including joint replacement implants, trauma and extremities products), surgical equipment and operating room technologies (such as visualization, navigation and powered instruments), neurotechnology and spine solutions, and patient-handling and emergency medical equipment.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Stryker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stryker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Partners finance Ukrainian arms production, a specific task, in particular for diplomats, is to ensure that funding for Ukrainian arms production is sufficient for the next year, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We have increased the number of air defense systems and brought additional Patriot systems to Ukraine. We have provided air defense missiles and launched a joint weapons production program. Various models are already in operation. Our production partners provide tens of billions in financing annually. This is a specific task for you, ensuring that financing for Ukrainian weapons production is sufficient for the next year," said Zelenskyy during an event on Monday in Kyiv to celebrate the Diplomatic Service Day in 2025.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by analysts at Piper Sandler from $30.00 to $40.00 in a research report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Piper Sandlers price target would suggest a potential upside of 31.62% from the stocks current price.

A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on TEVA. Scotiabank began coverage on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a report on Friday, December 5th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $28.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $32.88.

Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts:

Read Our Latest Report on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Up 0.2%

Insider Activity at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock opened at $30.39 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $24.44 and a 200-day moving average of $20.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a twelve month low of $12.47 and a twelve month high of $30.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.86 billion, a PE ratio of 50.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.67.

In related news, VP Richard Daniell sold 115,468 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.68, for a total value of $3,311,622.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 48,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,387,653.12. The trade was a 70.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Mark Sabag sold 216,892 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.73, for a total value of $6,231,307.16. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 52,828 shares in the company, valued at $1,517,748.44. This represents a 80.41% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 622,060 shares of company stock valued at $17,076,965 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the second quarter worth about $41,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 40.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 2,191 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 629 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3,715.8% in the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 2,900 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 2,824 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 26.8% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC boosted its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 97.0% in the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 2,738 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 1,348 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 54.05% of the companys stock.

About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

(Get Free Report)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) is an Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company and one of the worlds largest manufacturers of generic medicines. The companys core activities include the development, production and marketing of generic pharmaceuticals alongside a portfolio of specialty branded medicines. Teva supplies finished dosage forms and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to markets around the globe and operates manufacturing and research facilities in multiple countries.

Tevas product range covers oral solids, injectables, inhalation products and other dosage forms across therapeutic areas such as central nervous system disorders, respiratory, oncology, pain and infectious disease.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
TFI International (NYSE:TFII  Get Free Report) had its price target upped by investment analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $102.00 to $125.00 in a report released on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas target price suggests a potential upside of 18.52% from the stocks current price.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on TFII. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of TFI International from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on TFI International from $104.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. CIBC upped their price objective on TFI International from $109.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research downgraded TFI International from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 price target on shares of TFI International in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $113.40.

Get TFI International alerts:

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TFI International

TFI International Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:TFII traded up $0.95 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $105.47. The company had a trading volume of 139,507 shares, compared to its average volume of 400,752. TFI International has a 1-year low of $72.02 and a 1-year high of $141.46. The stock has a market cap of $8.66 billion, a PE ratio of 27.19, a P/E/G ratio of 6.00 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $91.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $91.24.

TFI International (NYSE:TFII  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.01. TFI International had a return on equity of 14.20% and a net margin of 4.06%.The firm had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. Research analysts forecast that TFI International will post 7.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in TFII. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in TFI International in the 1st quarter valued at about $217,000. Argent Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of TFI International by 303.4% in the second quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC now owns 142,864 shares of the companys stock worth $12,811,000 after purchasing an additional 107,451 shares during the last quarter. Baskin Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of TFI International by 1.6% in the second quarter. Baskin Financial Services Inc. now owns 420,152 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,711,000 after purchasing an additional 6,786 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of TFI International by 36.2% during the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 12,275 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,101,000 after buying an additional 3,263 shares during the last quarter. Finally, QV Investors Inc. grew its holdings in TFI International by 0.8% during the second quarter. QV Investors Inc. now owns 352,781 shares of the companys stock worth $31,604,000 after buying an additional 2,685 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.30% of the companys stock.

TFI International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TFI International Inc (NYSE: TFII) is a leading North American transport and logistics company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The company operates through a network of subsidiaries that provide truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), specialized freight, package and courier, and logistics services. By integrating these operations, TFI delivers comprehensive end-to-end solutions, including long-haul and regional transportation, expedited delivery, warehousing, and cross-border freight movement.

Originally founded in 1957 as a regional trucking outfit in Cabano, Quebec, TFI International has expanded significantly through a disciplined acquisition strategy.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for TFI International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TFI International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Applied Materials, FREYR Battery, Medline, Stellantis, Johnson Controls International, and Firefly Aerospace are the seven Manufacturing stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Manufacturing stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is producing physical goodssuch as machinery, automobiles, electronics, chemicals, or textilesthrough industrial processes. Investors treat them as typically cyclical and capitalintensive businesses that are sensitive to economic growth, commodity and labor costs, and supplychain conditions, offering potential for income and capital gains but also exposure to demand swings and operational risks. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Manufacturing stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

Applied Materials (AMAT)

Applied Materials, Inc. engages in the provision of manufacturing equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor, display, and related industries. The company operates through three segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. The Semiconductor Systems segment develops, manufactures, and sells various manufacturing equipment that is used to fabricate semiconductor chips or integrated circuits.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AMAT

FREYR Battery (FREY)

Read Our Latest Research Report on FREY

Medline (MDLN)

Our mission is to make healthcare run better by delivering improved clinical, financial, and operational outcomes. We are the largest provider of medical-surgical (med-surg) products and supply chain solutions serving all points of care, based on total net sales of med-surg products. We deliver mission-critical products used daily across the full range of care settings, from hospitals and surgery centers to physician offices and post-acute facilities.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MDLN

Stellantis (STLA)

Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on STLA

Johnson Controls International (JCI)

Johnson Controls International plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and retrofitting building products and systems in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Building Solutions North America, Building Solutions EMEA/LA, Building Solutions Asia Pacific, and Global Products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on JCI

Firefly Aerospace (FLY)

Firefly Aerospace is a market leading space and defense technology company with an established track record of success providing comprehensive mission solutions to national security, government, and commercial customers. Our mission is to enable responsive, regular, and reliable launch, transit, and operations in space for our customers across the globe.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FLY

Featured Stories
TOWER TRUST & INVESTMENT Co bought a new position in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 11,839 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,202,000. Citigroup makes up 0.8% of TOWER TRUST & INVESTMENT Cos investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,455,929,000. Amundi grew its holdings in Citigroup by 78.4% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 13,713,517 shares of the companys stock valued at $973,523,000 after purchasing an additional 6,026,268 shares during the period. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG increased its position in Citigroup by 2,230.8% during the first quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG now owns 2,630,308 shares of the companys stock worth $186,726,000 after purchasing an additional 2,517,459 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Citigroup by 52.8% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,621,300 shares of the companys stock worth $456,737,000 after purchasing an additional 2,286,653 shares during the period. Finally, Swedbank AB boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 14.8% in the 2nd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 10,906,386 shares of the companys stock valued at $928,352,000 after purchasing an additional 1,406,624 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.72% of the companys stock.

Get Citigroup alerts:

Trending Headlines about Citigroup

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

Positive Sentiment: U.S. Federal Reserve has terminated formal supervisory notices that had required Citi to fix longstanding trading risk and control weaknesses  a meaningful removal of regulatory constraints that lowers compliance costs and recapitalization uncertainty. Read More.

U.S. Federal Reserve has terminated formal supervisory notices that had required Citi to fix longstanding trading risk and control weaknesses  a meaningful removal of regulatory constraints that lowers compliance costs and recapitalization uncertainty. Read More. Positive Sentiment: The OCC has reduced a regulatory mandate tied to Citis risk-management systems, further easing the banks supervisory burden and signaling improved regulator confidence in Citis remediation progress. Read More.

The OCC has reduced a regulatory mandate tied to Citis risk-management systems, further easing the banks supervisory burden and signaling improved regulator confidence in Citis remediation progress. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Bloomberg Law reports Citi has shed a penalty related to risk and compliance  another headline that removes a prior overhang on capital and reputation. Read More.

Bloomberg Law reports Citi has shed a penalty related to risk and compliance  another headline that removes a prior overhang on capital and reputation. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Large, unusual call-option buying  about 117,314 calls traded (+47% vs. average)  suggests traders are positioning for further upside or a positive catalysts around earnings/regulatory momentum. (Market activity entry)

Large, unusual call-option buying  about 117,314 calls traded (+47% vs. average)  suggests traders are positioning for further upside or a positive catalysts around earnings/regulatory momentum. (Market activity entry) Positive Sentiment: Truist raised its price target to $123 and left a Buy rating, providing fresh analyst support and incremental demand for the shares. Read More.

Truist raised its price target to $123 and left a Buy rating, providing fresh analyst support and incremental demand for the shares. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect a strong quarter: previews flag an anticipated double-digit EPS rise next quarter, which creates an earnings catalyst if Citi delivers in-line or above. Read More.

Analysts expect a strong quarter: previews flag an anticipated double-digit EPS rise next quarter, which creates an earnings catalyst if Citi delivers in-line or above. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Citis research group set a 12month Bitcoin forecast of $143,000  a bullish crypto view that could support fees and trading revenue if ETF adoption continues, but its indirect to Citis core bank earnings. Read More.

Citis research group set a 12month Bitcoin forecast of $143,000  a bullish crypto view that could support fees and trading revenue if ETF adoption continues, but its indirect to Citis core bank earnings. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Citi struck a multiyear partnership with LSEG to standardize enterprise data and boost efficiency  operationally positive but a longerterm productivity story rather than an immediate earnings driver. Read More.

Citi struck a multiyear partnership with LSEG to standardize enterprise data and boost efficiency  operationally positive but a longerterm productivity story rather than an immediate earnings driver. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Some commentary argues Citi is no longer the value play it once was, highlighting valuation re-rating risk and the need for continued execution to justify higher multiples  a cautionary view that could cap upside if growth disappoints. Read More.

Citigroup Price Performance

Shares of NYSE C opened at $114.79 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99. Citigroup Inc. has a 1-year low of $55.51 and a 1-year high of $115.61. The company has a market capitalization of $205.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.12, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a 50-day moving average of $102.83 and a 200-day moving average of $95.82.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $2.24 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.35. Citigroup had a return on equity of 7.91% and a net margin of 8.73%.The firm had revenue of $22.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.92 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 EPS. Citigroups revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on C. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Citigroup from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wolfe Research reissued an outperform rating and set a $121.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Wednesday. Piper Sandler set a $118.00 price target on Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $118.00 price objective on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Citigroup from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Citigroup has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $114.50.

View Our Latest Report on C

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wedge Capital Management L L P NC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) by 25.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 133,332 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 27,318 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NCs holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $11,137,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 3.9% during the second quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,557 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $258,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Bangor Savings Bank lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 5,413 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $546,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. First Dallas Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. First Dallas Securities Inc. now owns 11,421 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,256,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in United Parcel Service by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,185 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $350,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wright Investors Service Inc. increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. now owns 7,861 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $793,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the companys stock.

Get United Parcel Service alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on UPS shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a market perform rating and set a $96.00 target price (down from $125.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Friday, September 19th. Stephens raised United Parcel Service to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Bank of America cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $110.09.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS stock opened at $101.93 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The companys fifty day moving average price is $93.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.76. The stock has a market cap of $86.48 billion, a PE ratio of 15.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.11. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $82.00 and a 12 month high of $136.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.43. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.15% and a return on equity of 40.07%. The business had revenue of $21.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.76 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were given a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. United Parcel Services payout ratio is currently 101.39%.

About United Parcel Service

(Free Report)

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UPS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for United Parcel Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Parcel Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Yes  its essential for fairness and democratic stability

Maybe  but only if both major parties commit in law

No  the current system gives needed flexibility

Vote

View Results
Sales of new school buses next year could increase to approximately 900 units, or 25% compared to 2025, given the state budget subsidy for the School Bus program and 30% co-financing from local communities, according to Vadym Shkarupin, director of Etalon Auto Trading House, a subsidiary of Etalon Corporation.

"The 2026 state budget includes a subsidy of UAH 2 billion. This is the first part of the funding. The second part (although the subsidy has not yet been distributed) is for regional state administrations to provide 30% co-financing. And there's also an unused additional subsidy of UAH 737 million allocated by the government, which must be carried over to next year. All of this, according to preliminary estimates, will allow for the purchase of approximately 900 buses," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday.

He recalled that 720 school buses were purchased this year.

"That is, if 720 buses were sold this year, and there was enough work for everyone, and even a certain shortage of buses arose, then 900 buses next year will definitely provide enough work for all Ukrainian manufacturers," Shkarupin concluded.

As reported, the 2025 state budget subsidy for the purchase of school buses amounted to UAH 1.6 billion.

Since 2024, the School Bus program has been implemented thanks to financial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility instrument. Specifically, school buses must have seats for students with disabilities.

In Ukraine, buses in the "school" configuration are produced by JSC Cherkasy Bus, Chernihiv Automobile Plant of the Etalon Corporation, Zaporizhia Automobile Plant UkrAvto Group, and Bus Motor LLC (Bohdan buses).
Carolyn Lee Bilbo Turner, 84, of Beaumont, died Saturday, December 20, after a long illness. She was born on July 30, 1941, to Alta Mae Kinard Bilbo and Sidney Edward Bilbo, in Beaumont and was owner of Private Collections.

Carolyn attended school in Beaumont until high school. Beginning with high school, she attended Vidor High where she was a cheerleader all four years. She attended Lamar Tech and then married the love of her life, George Larry Turner, on November 21, 1959. They were married 66 years but in love 68 years. In their marriage, they traveled to Germany where he was in the US Army. Upon their return, she raised their children and worked for various companies. In 1982, she started Private Collections Gift & Decorating. She loved this business helping others and owned it until her health failed.

Carolyn was involved in the Beaumont Junior League where she used her talents in various roles to make a difference in the Beaumont Community. She truly loved the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. She loved and adored her friends, her children and the biggest blessings were the birth and time spent with her grandchildren. She was so proud of them. During her illness, her husband was her salvation and she depended on him 100% percent of the time. Her face lit up when he was around and she told him I love you several times a day.

Survivors include her husband, George Larry Turner; daughter, Tania Turner Long and her husband, Thomas, of Dallas; son Douglas Larry Turner of Orange; grandchildren, Austin Long and his fiancee, Kirstin Gentile and Sydne Long and her boyfriend, Colton Combs, all of Dallas and caregivers, Karen Kiefer, Elisa Urban, Nicole Duhon, Lou Anderson and Michelle Hollier.

The family would like to extent a special thank you to Harbor Hospice and nurse, Lorri Robinson, for their care and compassion.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087.

A gathering of Mrs. Turner's family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, in Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's in Beaumont.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko expects to appoint the minister of energy and the minister of justice in the coming weeks.

"As for the Minister of Energy, I would personally like to see him appointed. For now, we are responsible for energy," said Svyrydenko at an event on Monday in Kyiv to celebrate the Diplomatic Service Day.

She noted that there had been a conversation and an agreement with the parliamentary corps that the decision would be made jointly. In particular, there would be discussions with the factions that would submit candidates.

"I hope that the ministers will be appointed in the coming weeks. It is extremely important to have a Minister of Energy during the heating season," said the Prime Minister, adding that the Ministers of Justice and Energy will be appointed together.

On November 19, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed the ministers of energy and justice, Svitlana Hrynchuk and Herman Haluschenko, respectively.

On November 10, NABU and SAPO announced Operation Midas, a 1.5-year investigation that exposed a large-scale corruption scheme in the energy sector, including the laundering of money from Energoatom. According to anti-corruption authorities, Haluschenko participated directly in this scheme. Law enforcement officials stated that, based on wiretap recordings, Hrynchuk was interviewed by Ihor Myroniuk, the former advisor to the Minister of Energy, before being appointed Minister of Energy. Myroniuk is also listed among the participants in the corruption scheme.
Phases of Scheduled Tribe listings in Manipur and Any Kuki Tribe

|

Hareshwar Goshwami (Writer & Political Activist)

Following the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union, Manipur was reorganized as a Chief Commissioners Province under the State Merger (Chief Commissioners Province) Order No.SO.30 of 22 January 1950, bringing the administration directly under a Chief Commissioner acting on behalf of the Government of India. With the enforcement of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur was placed at the status of a Part C State under the Part C State Act (Act No.49) of 1951. This new Constitutional position accorded Manipur only a limited measure of self-governance, with substantive authority remaining vested in the Central Government. During these institutional transitions, the Government of India formally classified the people of Manipur into Constitutionally recognised groups such as Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Casteswithout taking into consideration the socio-economic status of the majority of the Meitei.

Clause (25) of Article 366 of the Constitution defines Scheduled Tribes as those tribes, tribal communities, or groups within them that are formally recognised under Article 342 for the purpose of the Constitution. Thus, it implies that a community becomes a Scheduled Tribe not only based on its social or cultural attributes, but also on a Constitutional proclamation. The Article 342 shows how the proclamation would be done. It clearly specifies that the President of India may, by public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities, or parts or groups thereof as may be specified in the said notification, which shall be deemed Scheduled Tribes for any State or Union Territory.

Where it relates to a State, it will be done after consultation with the Governor. Together, these provide a clear process on how tribes are recognized as Scheduled Tribes. It also ensures that it is done on the basis of an official consultation and notice.

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 : The order was published in the Gazette of India (No. 40) on 6 September 1950 through Ministry of Law Notification No. S.R.O. 510. At that time, Manipur had only recently merged with the Indian Union as stated above. In this initial Scheduled Tribes Order, Manipur was conspicuously absent from the list of fourteen States and regionsnamely Assam, Bihar, Bombay, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Orissa, Punjab, West Bengal, Hyderabad, Madhya Bharat, Mysore, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, and Travancore-Cochinwhose Scheduled Tribes were notified. These States were formerly classified as "Part A" and "Part B" States. It is still unclear why Manipur, along with a number of other States and administrative divisions during that time, were left out of this fundamental Constitutional framework.

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Part C States) Order, 1951: A major step in the classification of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur came with the Constitution Order No. 33 dated 20 September 1951, which covered eight Part C States out of ten, namely Ajmer, Bhopal, Coorg, Himachal Pradesh, Kutch, Manipur, Tripura and Vidhya Pradesh leaving Delhi and Bilaspur. For the first time, the tribal communities of Manipur were mentioned, but only in vague and general terms. Rather than listing the various tribes by their names, it listed Any Kuki Tribe, Any Lushai Tribe, and Any Naga Tribe. These unspecific ways of grouping people could very well have led to discrepancies. It might have been very convenient then, but it conveyed ambiguity. The absence of clear tribe names later became one of the sources of misunderstanding and controversy in the process of identifying and recognising the distinct tribal groups of Manipur.

The Kaka Kalelkar Commission : Possibly in response to the ambiguities found in the earlier Scheduled Tribe orders, the Government of India soon appointed a dedicated body to examine the issue more thoroughly under the Chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar, MP (Rajya Sabha), (1952-1964). Accordingly, the Kaka Kalelkar Commission, officially known as the First Backward Classes Commission, was constituted in 1953 to identify socially and educationally backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Under the chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar, the Commission undertook an extensive Nationwide investigation into the living conditions of these communities, the barriers limiting their social mobility and educational progress, and the wider socio-economic forces contributing to their backwardness. Drawing on its comprehensive study, the Commission recommended multiple measures for both the Union and State Governments aimed at improving the welfare of these tribal communities and advancing greater social and educational equality across India.

Any Kuki Tribe : The Kaka Kalelkar Commission recommended inclusion of twenty-seven tribes, listing Kuki at serial number 13 in the Scheduled Tribe list of Manipur. This was noticeably intended to replace the earlier, more ambiguous expression Any Kuki Tribe of the 1951 ST order. Now, the Commission made it clear that the earlier term used in the 1951 ST order was never meant to denote an open-ended or indefinite category. Instead, it explicitly identified the communities meant to fall under this designation, namely, the Aimol, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Hmar, Kom, Lamgang, Paite, Purum, Sukte of Manipur, Thadu (Thadou), Vaiphei, and Anal tribes. By naming these thirteen tribes as those covered by the earlier expression Any Kuki Tribe, in the Existing List column of the Kaka Kalelkar recommendation, the Commission dispelled the widespread misconception that the term could be applied to anyone merely claiming Kuki identity. Its description affirmed that the category referred only to these specifically identified tribes and was never intended to function as a boundless or universally extendable designation.

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 1956 : The new amendment Act brought significant changes to the recognition of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur following the Kaka Kalelkar Commission Report of 1955. The Act revised the earlier list of 1951 under Part VI  Manipur, providing a clear and comprehensive enumeration of twenty-nine tribes acknowledged for their distinct social, cultural, and historical identities. These included Aimol, Anal, Angami, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Hmar, Kabui, Kacha Naga, Koirao, Koireng, Kom, Lamgang, Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes, Maram, Maring, Mao, Monsang, Moyon, Paite, Purum, Ralte, Sema, Simte, Sahte (Suhte), Tangkhul, Thadou, Vaiphui (Vaiphei), and Zou. Significantly, the earlier expression Any Kuki Tribe was omitted from the revised recommendation, as all the communities formerly grouped under this vague category were now individually enumerated in the updated list.

Here, it may be pertinent to state that the Kaka Kalelkar Commission had originally recommended only 27 (twenty-seven) tribes for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list of Manipur, retaining broad and ambiguous labels such as Kuki at Serial No. 13 and Naga at Serial No. 19. However, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Lists (Modification) Order, 1956 ultimately recognised 29 (twenty-nine) tribes in respect of Manipur. In this modified list, Moyon and Monsang tribes were separated from the earlier collective entry Anal and assigned distinct serial numbers. Similarly, the tribe Simte was delinked from Paite and accorded an independent listing. The tribe name Lushai, which appeared at Serial No. 15 in the Commissions recommendation, was reformu- lated as Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes thereby vaguely expanding its scope. An additional tribe, Zou, was also included in the final enumeration. These departures from the Commi- ssions original reco- mmendations are understood to have been introduced through a communication from the then Secretary (Home & Development), Government of Manipur, whose intervention appears to have shaped the final composition of the 1956 list.

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976 : This amendment was published in the Gazette of India, No. 151, on 20 September 1976, two days after the assent of the President of India on 18th September 1976. With respect to Manipur, the Act did not alter either the total number or the names of the Scheduled Tribes listed for the State. However, certain adjustments in the sequence and spelling of specific entries were introduced. The category Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes, which previously appeared at Serial No. 14, was shifted to Serial No. 17, while Mao, earlier listed at Serial No. 17, was re-positioned to Serial No. 14. Additionally, a minor orthographic correction was made: the spelling Sahte, originally shown at Serial No. 25, was revised to Suhte. These modifications, though limited in scope, reflect the continuing administrative effort to maintain accuracy and consistency in the Scheduled Tribes listings for Manipur. Nothing much has changed in these new amendments except minor changes.

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 2002: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act No. 10 of 2003), which came into force on 7 January 2003, introduced important changes to the list of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur. One key correction involved revising Entry 28, replacing the earlier form Vaiphui with the accurate name Vaiphei, thereby ensuring proper representation of the community in official records. More significantly, the amendment expanded the list by adding four new entries after Entry 29: Poumai Naga, Tarao, Kharam, and Any Kuki Tribes. The reappearance of Any Kuki Tribes in the list has attracted public attention, as it appears redundant; all the communities it encompasses were already included in the Scheduled Tribes list. Its inclusion, therefore, seems unnecessary and lacks any clear justification.

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 2 of 2012) : The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 2 of 2012), notified on 8 January 2012 and published in the Gazette of India on the following day, introduced important revisions to the list of Scheduled Tribes of Manipur. In Part X  Manipur, the amendment substituted several existing entries to include additional tribes. Under Entry 8, Inpui and Rongmei were added to the broader Kabui category; under Entry 9, Liangmei and Zeme were included alongside Kacha Naga; and under Entry 10, Thangal was added to the Koirao group. More significantly, a new Entry 34Matewas inserted, thereby granting the Mate community distinct recognition as a Scheduled Tribe. Through these changes, the total number of recognised tribes in Manipur rose from 33 to 34, while five additional sub-tribes were formally incorporated into the States Scheduled Tribes list under this amendment.

All these successive revisions and inclusions have brought the total number of Constitutionally recognized Scheduled Tribes in Manipur to 34 (thirty-four). The present list comprises: 1. Aimol, 2. Anal, 3. Angami, 4. Chiru, 5. Chothe, 6. Gangte, 7. Hmar, 8. Kabui, Inpui, Rongmei, 9. Kacha Naga, Liangmai, Zeme, 10. Koirao, Thangal, 11. Koireng, 12. Kom, 13. Lamgang, 14. Mao, 15. Maram, 16. Maring, 17. Any Mizo (Lushai) Tribes, 18. Monsang, 19. Moyon, 20.Paite, 21. Purum, 22. Ralte, 23. Sema, 24. Simte, 25. Suhte, 26. Tangkhul, 27. Thadou, 28. Vaiphei, 29. Zou, 30. Poumai Naga, 31. Tarao, 32. Kharam, 33. Any Kuki tribes, and 34. Mate.

To conclude, it can be seen that there has been an emerging trend within the listing of Scheduled Tribes in the State of Manipur from vague and collective nomenclatures towards more specific assignments. At first, there were imprecise classifications such as Any Kuki Tribe, Any Naga Tribe, and Any Lushai Tribe. But these were clarified by the Kaka Kalelkar Commission, as much as possible, naming specific tribes they were referring to, thus giving way to a more detailed listing as embodied in the 1956 amendment. Subsequent amendments introduced in 1976, 2002, and 2011 conveyed more precise classi- fications as well as included additional tribes and sub-tribes.

At the same time, it can be noted that the reappearance of such ambiguous terminologies, Any Kuki Tribe and Any Mizo (Lushai) Tribes demonstrate that there still exist uncertainties within the classification of tribes in Manipur. Such confusing terminologies must be avoided, as every indigenous tribe in Manipur has its own distinct name and identity. Now, the time has come for a collective effort to correct the mistakes towards a more constructive path forward in the larger interest of the people of Manipur. With this, policy-makers, bureaucrats, and all concerned must remain vigilant to ensure such mistakes are not repeated. They should keep a careful watch on those who may attempt to exploit or manipulate the system for their own interests.
India has been on tenterhooks for months now, awaiting the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the US. The general belief is that it will be the antidote to Indias trade and economic worries and, more importantly, the only way to make Donald Trump dial down his tariff tirade aimed at New Delhi.

After all, the US is Indias biggest trade partner, and the understanding when Prime Minister Modi visited Trump back in February was to double this bilateral trade to half a trillion dollars before this decade is through.

While half the world waits it out, India has not exactly been sitting all dressed up and having nowhere to go. It has been sewing up trade deals left, right, and centre, the latest one being last weekends Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Persian Gulf sultanate of Oman.

This deal, for which PM Modi flew to Omans capital Muscat, offers a plethora of areas open for Indian business and trade, from IT services, business and professional services, and audio-visual services to R&D services, education, and health sectors. The operative part here is that this is not just a deal for goods, but for immense business and job opportunities. There are liberalised entry and stay provisions for professionals ranging from accounting and architecture tovery significantly for Indiamedical services. And as for goods trade, the agreement covers 98% of Omans tariff lines and 99.38% of Indias total export value to Oman.

The Oman CEPA is only the second to be signed by India this year, following that with the UK back in the summer. And even in the Gulf region, it is Indias second one, following a similar deal with the United Arab Emirates three years ago.

Indias free trade overtures may now be on overdrive, and naturally so, but it wasn't the case for the longest time. The ASEAN deal back in 2003 was perhaps the only major free trade deal India tried, and its drawbacks haunted New Delhis policy planning for long. The general feeling was that Indias plum sectors, like agriculture, steel, and electronics, did not get fair access, while the flooding of Chinese products through ASEAN countries like Thailandbecause of the lack of stringent Country of Origin rulesdevastated local businesses to a large extent. A classic example of this is how the free trade talks with the European Union lagged on for years and years; they were virtually given up for good by 2013, only to be revived in 2022 as geostrategic equations changed for both entities.

For India, the change that spawned the need for wide-ranging trade deals was not Trumps tariffs, but its worsening relationship with China, which led to India walking out of the RCEP, a China-led trade bloc which is today the worlds biggest. Getting out of it meant India had to find alternatives real soon, and that led to a whole range of talks, some of whichlike those with Australia, Oman, and the UKhave fructified real quick. The EU deal is said to be in its last stages, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal set to fly to Brussels next fortnight.

While there is tension over the delay in a deal with the US, the fact is that these recent treaties have provided a stimulus not just for the GDP bottom line, but have spurred business and professional ties that the nation will stand to gain from in the coming years. It is time for India to walk the talk, and the new year could well see the icing on the cake: deals with the EU as well as the US.
Functioning under the Ministry of Defence, the institutions of National Cadet Corps (NCC)established in 1948, and Sainik Schoolsset up in 1961were mandated to provide a ready pool of motivated youth willing to serve in the armed forces. But a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has concluded that these two institutions have not been able to deliver well on their primary objective.

A recent report submitted in Parliament by the national auditor points out: Performance of NCC candidates and students of Sainik Schools in terms of their intake into the Armed Forces through the NCC Special Entry Scheme and entrance examination for the National Defence Academy (NDA) was below the targets envisaged despite considerable number of candidates appearing for these examination/interview.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

NCC C certificate holders are directly called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) in a special entry scheme for recruitment of officers to the Army, Air Force and the Navy.

Every year, the Indian Army reserves 110 posts100 for male cadets and 10 for female cadetsfor entry through the NCC Special Entry Scheme. The audit found out that in the period from 2019-2022, against the pass-out of 2,82,829 cadets in the C certificate examination, 14,898 candidates appeared in the SSB exam but only 289 cadets of the applicants were inducted into the Indian Army as officers.

A report by the Standing Committee on Defence for 2023-24 echoes the CAGs findings when it said: Despite the shortage of officers in the Indian Armed Forces, NCC had not given due weightage to train their cadets to become officers in the Armed Forces.

On the other hand, the overall NDA intake from the 25 Sainik Schools had declined from about 13.40% in 2019-20 to 10.57% in 2020-21 with reference to the total strength of Class XII against the target of 20% for each year.

In the year 2021-22, 120 cadets could only join the NDA against a target of intake of 250 cadets. Thus, during the last three years collectively, the Sainik Schools could achieve 9.70% success rate in the NDA, the national auditor said in its report.

Both the NCC and the Sainik Schools are funded by both the Central and the state governments.

The expenditures incurred on the NCC in the four year period from 2019-2023 was about Rs 8,768 crore while the 33 Sainik Schools spent Rs 670 crore for the same period.

By way of recommendation, the CAG suggested higher funds and their better utilization, more participation of NCC cadets in training camp, better infrastructure and facilities besides resolving issues of required and trained manpower.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, December 23, expects a report from Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov on the prepared documents based on the results of negotiations with representatives of US President Donald Trump.

"Today, our negotiating team is returning from meetings in America with President Trump's representatives. Tomorrow morning, I expect a full report on the prepared documents. We have worked hard, particularly on the documents regarding security guarantees and the 20 points of the main document  the basic framework discussed by the Ukrainian and American delegations," he said in an evening address on Monday.
British television network Channel 4 announced on Sunday that popular U.S. host and comedian will deliver a "deeply personal" 2025 Alternative Christmas message for the channel's viewers in the U.K. The subject of his message is expected to be his reflections post the temporary suspension of his show in the U.S. back in September.

For context, Kimmel's show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was cancelled by ABC in September 2025 after his controversial televised statements on the Charlie Kirk assassination triggered conservative and right-wing groups. U.S. President Donald Trump had put pressure on ABC's parent company, Disney, to temporarily suspend the show, following which the show was pulled indefinitely. The move was naturally lambasted by free speech advocates, celebrities, and political figures, prompting widespread boycott of the network. After several days of suspension, the network eventually reinstated the show.

Kimmel, in the years final episode broadcast last week, expressed his appreciation for the continued support of his show. He said, On behalf of all of us at the show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and not just for watching. This year, you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough, while reminding his fellow Americans that it's important to let everyone across the globe know that "a lot of us are not OK with what is happening."

There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that were in the middle of, said Kimmel.

Kimmel's 2025 Alternative Christmas message is expected to go live on Christmas Day at 5.45 pm.

In an official statement, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: Donald Trumps return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025, and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the frontline of Americas battle over free speech.
The mystery virus that has been causing sore throats, mucus-infested noses, and fatigue lasting for days is no stranger to the medical world, according to Eric Sachinwalla, Jefferson Healths medical director of infection prevention and control. The villain of the story, he said, is the adenovirus.

What makes the situation tricky is the fact that this highly contagious virus can survive soap and water, as well as everyday disinfectants, and can remain on contaminated surfaces in the environment for a long period of time.

Symptoms and impact

While the Adenovirus is well-known to medical professionals, what causes a headache is the fact that people can be affected by it all year round. With symptoms similar to those of the flu or a common cold, these viruses can cause mild to severe infections throughout the body, mostly affecting an individual's respiratory system.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

There are around 50 types of adenoviruses that can infect humans. As per the Cleveland Clinic's official website, the symptoms you experience depend on which part of your body the virus infects. Coughing, fever, a runny nose, a sore throat, conjunctivitis, ear infections, and swollen lymph nodes were listed by the website as common symptoms. In rare cases, an adenovirus infection in a person's gastrointestinal tract may cause diarrhoea.

"Most adenovirus symptoms last from a few days to up to two weeks. Severe infections may last longer," the Cleveland Clinic said. Speaking to Phillymag, Dr Eric Sachinwalla said that there is no standard test for adenovirus because "theres no real treatment for it." "Its pretty contagious because its heartier than other viruses  soap and water, or everyday disinfectants, wont kill it," he added.

Recovery

Since viruses often mutate, it is possible that the variant of Adenovirus spreading across the world this season has become strong enough to restrict healthy individuals to their beds for a day or two, he said. As in the case of the common flu, getting adequate rest and remaining hydrated are key to a swift recovery.

"Unfortunately, nothing Ive seen is a quick fix. Sometimes, it just takes several days to feel better," Sachinwalla told Phillymag. Jefferson Health is a US-based, multi-state, non-profit health system whose flagship hospital is the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City, Philadelphia.
The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, has swept the Maharashtra local body elections, securing 207 municipal president seats. According to the final results announced by the State Election Commission, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed to win only 44 seats.

In the final tally, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 117 seats. Its allies, Shiv Sena and NCP, secured 53 and 37 seats, respectively. Within the MVA, Congress won 28 seats, the NCP (SP) bagged 7, and Shiv Sena (UBT) managed 9.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | BJP workers celebrate after Mahayuti's performance in the Maharashtra local body elections. pic.twitter.com/JPiIPIU02q  ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2025

The elections to 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats were held in two phases, while candidates in two other local bodies had been elected unopposed.

'Result of development agenda'

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the alliance's success to the BJP's organizational strength and its focus on development. He highlighted that 48% of councillors were elected under the BJP banner, a record-breaking achievement. The party has created another record with 3,300 councillors being elected from the party, he added.

"BJP candidates have been elected as presidents in 129 municipal councils. In 75 per cent of the local bodies, Mahayuti nominees have been elected as municipal presidents," Fadnavis told reporters.

Top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national working president Nitin Nabin praised the results, thanking the people of Maharashtra for their support.

Opposition cries foul

The opposition parties, however, have cried foul over the results. While conceding defeat, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the election commission of favoring the ruling alliance. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal sarcastically "congratulated" the Election Commission for allegedly "helping" the Mahayuti.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the ruling party of manipulating the outcome through tampered EVMs, claiming that the opposition could not withstand a "hailstorm" of money. His colleague, Ambadas Danve, also alleged that money and muscle power played a significant role in the Mahayuti's victory.
Even as the Supreme Court has repeatedly urged society, particularly younger generations, to internalise equality, dignity, and mutual respect within marriage, a Delhi court has refused bail to a man accused of driving his wife to suicide within four months of their wedding, holding that the case reveals a disturbing pattern of cruelty and dowry-related harassment.

Dismissing the bail of the husband, Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi held that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Brij Mohan had committed offences punishable under Sections 80 (dowry death), 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives) and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Supreme Courts emphasis on equality in marriage

The courts ruling comes against the backdrop of recent observations by the Supreme Court of India, which has underlined that marriage is not a site of dominance or entitlement, but a relationship anchored in equality, respect and shared responsibility. Courts across the country, the apex court has said, must remain alive to the structural vulnerabilities faced by women within matrimonial homes, particularly in cases involving allegations of dowry and domestic cruelty.

Reena, who married Brij Mohan on March 2, 2025, was found dead at her parental home in Malviya Nagar on July 19, 2025. A handwritten suicide note recovered from the scene explicitly named her husband and sister-in-law, stating that their conduct left her with no choice but to end her life. The post-mortem conducted at AIIMS confirmed death by ante-mortem hanging.

Allegations of dowry demands and sustained cruelty

An FIR was registered on the complaint of Reenas father, who alleged that soon after marriage, his daughter was subjected to taunts over her socio-economic background, repeated dowry demands, physical assault and restrictions on her mobility, including the use of a mobile phone. Statements recorded during the investigation, including that of Reenas mother, pointed to a sustained pattern of cruelty and humiliation, the court noted.

Rejecting the defence argument that Reena was unwilling to continue the marriage and had allegedly developed a relationship with the applicants younger brother, the court said such assertions, apart from being unsubstantiated, bordered on character assassination of a deceased woman who was no longer alive to defend herself.

Even presuming such a defence, it would not give carte blanche to the husband to seek bail when his lawfully wedded wife has died an unnatural death under a cloud of dowry demands and cruelty, the court observed.

Significantly, the judge invoked settled Supreme Court jurisprudence on dowry deaths, reiterating that the phrase soon before her death cannot be read in a narrow or hyper-technical manner. Relying on apex court precedents, the sessions court held that the law requires a live and proximate link between cruelty and death, not immediate temporal proximity.

In cases like the present, where the death occurs within months of marriage and is preceded by consistent allegations of harassment, the statutory presumptions under Sections 113-A and 113-B of the Evidence Act are clearly attracted, the order said.

Conduct of accused raises concern

The court also flagged concerns about the conduct of the accused. Brij Mohan was initially granted bail by a magistrate a day after his arrest, but that order was later set aside in revision by a sessions court. Despite the cancellation, he surrendered only after several weeks, a delay that, according to the prosecution, suggested attempts to evade the process of law.

Given that the investigation is still at a crucial stage, the court said the risk of witness intimidation or evidence tampering could not be ruled out. The overall desirability of releasing the accused at this stage is on a lower threshold, the judge noted, citing recent Supreme Court guidance cautioning courts against granting bail in serious offences involving vulnerable victims.

While emphasising that bail proceedings should not become a mini-trial, the court concluded that the gravity of the allegations, the suicide note, medical evidence and witness statements together constituted a strong prima facie case against the accused.

The bail application was accordingly dismissed, with the court clarifying that its observations were limited to the purpose of bail and would not prejudice the trial.

The ruling serves as a stark reminder that judicial calls for equality and dignity in marriage are not abstract ideals, but legal principles that acquire concrete meaning when courts confront cases where marital power imbalances turn fatal.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has suspended consular services citing "security concerns". The move comes following protests outside the High Commission over the attack on Hindu minorities in the neighbouring country.

Bangladesh's foreign ministry officials said all consular services and visa issuance from the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi have been suspended due to "unforeseen circumstances". "These services will remain closed until further notice," the officials said. Visa services have also been suspended at Agartala and Siliguri until further notice.

According to Prothom Alo, foreign ministry officials told the publication that the Bangladesh High Commissioner's family in Delhi has been feeling at risk and threatened. Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Towhid Hossain said on Sunday, "The Bangladesh mission is located in a very safe place inside the diplomatic area in Delhi, so why would Hindu extremists be allowed to enter that area? If they were allowed to come, such an incident is not expected," the publication reported.

Close to 25 activists protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on Saturday, condemning the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and the attack on Hindu minorities during the recent violent protests in the neighbouring country. However, India's external affairs ministry dismissed Bangladesh media reports that the protesters tried to breach security and enter the Commission as "misleading propaganda".

"There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.

However, responding to India's statement, Bangladesh said the incident cannot be dismissed as "misleading propaganda", and the incident was "highly regrettable".

Bangladesh also dismissed India's concerns over the attack on minorities in the country and the recent death of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh's Mymensingh as an "isolated attack". "The Government of Bangladesh has promptly apprehended the suspects in this incident. The intercommunal situation in Bangladesh is better than in many other parts in South Asia," it said.
The Donald Trump administration on Monday included all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants under its social media vetting process.

This vetting is being conducted globally for all applicants of all nationalities for H-1B and H-4 visas," the US Department of State said. It added that the move is part of its effort to address abuse of the H-1B programme "while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers."

WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS



Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities pic.twitter.com/qMrMrOvqy0  U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 22, 2025

When reviewing a visa application, US immigration officials will examine publicly available data from the applicant's social media accounts over the past five years. This process helps identify any potential security risks and verify the information provided in the application to assess whether the individual should be permitted entry into the US.

The State Department urged candidates to apply as early as possible and expect additional processing time for H-1B and H-4.

Earlier, THE WEEK reported that pre-scheduled interviews of thousands of H-1B visa applicants in India. The affected applicants had their interviews schedueld from mid-December. But they are now postponed to March-May 2026.

Many of the affected applicants have returned to India and are unable to travel back for their jobs due to not having a valid H1B visa. Other visa categories are also being impacted by the new regulations.

The US embassy in India had earlier informed applicants not to come to the consular offices based on their previously scheduled interview date.

"If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate," it stated.
An RSS worker has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a Christmas carol group comprising kids in Kerala's Palakkad district. The accused, Aswin Raj, reportedly scared off the kids after assaulting a couple of them and damaged the drum the group was using.

Aswin Raj, a native of Palakkad's Putussery, was travelling on a motorbike when he noticed the carol group. He questioned why the name 'CPI(M)' was branded on the drums and attacked the children. Complainants alleged that Raj was in the company of others whom they reportedly could not identify.

The incident occurred on Sunday night. The CPI(M) local leadership said that the kids were too young to have any political affiliations and were below 14 years of age. The drums and other musical instruments of the party are lent to them every year during the Christmas season, they told Manorama News TV. "CPI (M) Putussery area band", the writing on the damaged drum read.

The complainants alleged that the incident happened in the Surabhi Nagar area of Putussery around 9:00 pm on Sunday. The Kasaba Police told the Malayalam news channel that the accused, Aswin Raj, is a history-sheeter and was listed under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA). He has been booked under sections including attempt to murder, the report said. The incident took place in an area where the RSS-BJP enjoys influence, the report added.

The incident comes amidst reports of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) urging Hindus to refrain from celebrating festivals of other religions, including Christmas. Christian missionaries want to exploit the tolerant nature of Hindus to carry out conversions, and the appeal to stop celebrating Christmas was a step to stop this, the right-wing group has said.
Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir who was suspended from Trinamool Congress (TMC) for laying the foundation stone for Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district on December 6, floated his new party on Monday from the stage in Beldanga called Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) Kabir also went on to announce his party candidates for the 2026 Assembly elections in the state.

Kabir himself will contest from two seats in Murshidabad district. I will contest from Rejinangar and Beldanga and I will win, he said.

Imran Haji, the partys district president, will contest from a seat in West Midnapore district, Mudhaira Biwi will contest from Malda district and Nisha Chatterjee will contest from TMC MLA Babul Supriyos Ballygunge constituency in South Kolkata, signalling that his party is not just limited to minority-dominated rural districts.

Kabir will announce candidates for other constituencies gradually, giving prospective alliance partners, a glimpse of the seriousness in being a dominant force to combat the BJP and TMC.

I will make Mamata zero. Added the former TMC leader confident his party, will be a king decision maker in forming the next government as he believes no party will be able to cross the 194 mark and come into power without his partys MLAs. Kabir has extended an invitation to the Left Front, Congress and Indian Secular Force(ISF) to join hands with his newly launched party. Kabir believes that it will be beneficial for both the Congress and the Left to form an alliance with his party as in the current scenario, both established political parties do not have seats in the state and the JUP is their answer to bagging some seats in the upcoming elections.

However, both the Congress and the Left are tight-lipped on their plans, while the ISF says they will closely watch developments post the launch of Kabirs party and are not completely averse to the alliance. ISF, however, does not support the politics of religious places and the Babri Mosque vision of Kabir.

Kabir had hoped Asaduddin Owaisis party AIMIM will join hands for a political fight in West Bengal, but the latter declined. For now, with the launch of the JUP, the Bharatpur MLA has a challenging road ahead as he is looking to field candidates in 135 of the 294 constituencies along with alliance partners or is even willing to fight alone, if others are not willing to join hands with his vision to be a formidable force in Mamata Banerjees turf.
The CPI(M) has alleged that the RSS-BJP is behind the mob lynching in Palakkad, Kerala, which resulted in the death of a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, Ram Narayan Baghel. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan said RSS activistswho, he claimed, have criminal backgrounds and are ready to commit condemnable actswere responsible for Baghels death. Meanwhile, state minister M.B. Rajesh alleged that Sangh Parivars hate politics led to the lynching.

The minister said the 31-year-old Baghel, who had come in search of work, was subjected to a so-called trial by a group that included known RSS activists and was brutally attacked. Labelling him as Bangladeshi stems from racial hatred and communal politics. Ram Narayan is a victim of the communal and racial poison that the Sangh Parivar is spreading across the country. Even now, the media largely describes the incident merely as a mob lynching. Why is there such a deliberate attempt to conceal the identities of those responsible? Rajesh said.

Police have arrested five suspects so far. According to the CPI(M), four of them are RSS-BJP workers. Rajesh further alleged that those arrested are also accused in a case involving an attempt to storm a house and kill two CPI(M) workers. Their political affiliations and criminal backgrounds are well known. Yet there is a concerted effort to hide the fact that hatred-driven politics lay behind the attack. Had there been even a remote connection to the CPI(M), this lynching would have been loudly sensationalised. Not a single question is being raised at the Sangh Parivar leadership, he said.

Though the shocking incident took place on December 17, the Kerala Chief Ministers first statement on the matter came this morning. Justice will be ensured for the family of Ram Narayan Baghel, who was killed following a mob assault in Walayar, Palakkad. Strict action will be taken against the accused, the CM said, adding that a special investigation team led by the Palakkad Superintendent of Police is probing the case.

Notably, the victims family had refused to accept the body as a form of protest. They demanded 25 lakh in compensation from the state government and sought the inclusion of charges related to mob lynching and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused. A protest committee of activists also appealed to the family and put pressure on the government.

Notably, the state government has agreed to provide immediate compensation of Rs 10 lakh. Instructions have been given to examine the details of the case and initiate all necessary legal proceedings. The government will review the matter and ensure appropriate compensation, the CM said, adding that such acts, which tarnish the reputation of a progressive society like Kerala, are completely unacceptable.

The government has also accepted the demand to extend all legal protections applicable under provisions relating to mob lynching and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The government has also accepted responsibility for taking the body of the deceased back to his native place. That these outcomes were achieved is due to the peaceful and patient intervention of the family and the protest committee. Though delayed, the governments decisions are welcome, noted Ambika, activist and editor of the monthly Maruvakku.
Holy city status has been granted to Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib, places much revered among Sikhs, following a Punjab government notification.

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the decision to grant holy city status to Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib has come into effect. The decision, which was unanimously passed, was taken during a special session of the Punjab Assembly commemorating the 350th anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom.

#WATCH | Chandigarh | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "... Punjab government has decided to grant the status of 'Holy City' to three cities associated with Sikhism. This decision was announced from Shri Anandpur Sahib on the occassion of the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh pic.twitter.com/O1tDU0PnqF  ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2025

The sale and consumption of meat, liquor, tobacco and other intoxicants will be prohibited in the notified limits of these cities. The demand of devotees for holy city status dates back several decades. It was advocated by several religious and political groups, notably the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Earlier administrations limited themselves to token measures or selective curbs, but this Assemblys unanimous resolution decisively enshrined the status for all three cities in law. The cities were chosen because three out of the five takhts (the seats of temporal authority in Sikhism) were located in the respective cities. The three cities, being Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar (Ropar district), Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the 'Galiara' area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar (Walled City of Amritsar), have immense socio-cultural and historical significance.

Sri Anandpur Sahib, the City of Bliss, was founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1655. A place meant for Sikhs to gather and meditate, the city was known as Chakk Nanaki. It is home to the Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, the site where the Khalsa Panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh through the Khande di Pahul and the initiation of the Panj Pyare in 1699. Spirituality and history intersect in this city. Incessant threats from the Mughals led to the fortification of the city where Guru Gobind Singh constructed five strategic forts, namely Anandgarh, Lohgarh, Holgarh, Keshgarh and Fatehgarh. Today, it is all set to be developed as a heritage city.

Takwandi Sabo houses the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. First established by the Thathar tribe in the eleventh century, it was later under Rai Sabo Brar that the settlement developed. Guru Gobind Singh sought refuge in this city after battles at Anandpur Sahib, earning it the name Damdama Sahib, meaning Abode of Respite.

Guru Gobind Singh undertook the mammoth task of compiling the Adi Granth into its final form (Guru Granth Sahib) during his stay. This caused the city to be known as Guru ki Kashi. The annual Baisakhi celebrations are very famous here.

Home to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) and memories of the Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, meaning Pool of Nectar, was founded by Guru Ram Das. Originally known as Ramdaspur, Sri Akal Takht Sahib was established in 1606 by Guru Hargobind. It signifies the inseparable union of miri (temporal authority) and piri (spiritual authority).

The city played an important role in our nations history, as it served as a transit point for refugees amid widespread violence and partition riots.

The two other Takhts, located outside of Punjab are Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar and Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib in Maharashtra.

The home affairs department, along with the departments of excise, health, animal husbandry, local government, and deputy commissioners of Amritsar, Rupnagar and Bathinda, are tasked with enforcement and implementation.

As stated by CM Mann, These cities are not only religious centres but also symbols of Punjabs cultural heritage, and further extended congratulations to the Sikh Sangat.

However, what hangs in the balance is a debate between religious sanctity and individual freedoms. Criticism emerged stating legislative lapses wherein the label of holy city is not clearly outlined in law, policy or administration, even terming the decision an attempt to Brahminise Sikhs. Amritsar has seen multiple PILs demanding better sanitation facilities, arguing that symbolic designations must be accompanied by concrete improvements in civic infrastructure and public services.

Amidst the public debate, CM Mann has described the move as a historic decision inspired by faith, gratitude and responsibility. The decision also opens doors for development as the government plans to provide facilities such as e-rickshaws, mini-buses and shuttle services to ensure that devotees from across the globe face no inconvenience.

The government has also called for the formation of an interfaith committee comprising representatives from all religious institutions to address any related issues.
U.S. role in Gaza -- not peacemaker, but war-enabler

Xinhua) 08:17, December 22, 2025

People walk among rubbles in the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, Nov. 27, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- By the end of 2025, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding, a development many credited to the United States. Yet a closer look at the whole year and the two-year war reveals a different reality.

From unsettling remarks about taking over Gaza to widely criticized arms supplies to Israel, observers say, Washington was complicit in prolonging the war and deepening the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

WAR COULD HAVE BEEN SHORTER

While possessing significant leverage to influence the course of the war, Washington did not exercise that power, analysts have pointed out, noting that through bias and indulgence, it instead allowed the fighting to drag on.

"Throughout 2024 and 2025, the USA has continued to support Israel militarily through arms supplies and deployments of its own forces. Arms deliveries in 2024 included missiles, bombs and armoured personnel carriers," shows a study published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in October.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration accelerated this support. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in March that "Since taking office, the Trump Administration has approved nearly 12 billion U.S. dollars in major FMS (foreign military sales) sales to Israel."

This photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows the burial of the unidentified bodies of Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Gazans bore the cost. Yahya Abu Harbeid, a 37-year-old from the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, lost his brother and his sister's husband during a bombing. "The United States supplied Israel with weapons during the war," and this support "translated into direct fire on civilians," he told Xinhua.

The United States also repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council draft resolutions demanding a Gaza ceasefire, and sanctioned International Criminal Court staff members investigating Israel. As the war faced a global backlash, these moves exposed Washington's isolation on the world stage.

In interviews with Xinhua, Palestinian analysts said that U.S. support for Israel during the war went beyond the traditional framework of a political alliance, enabling Israel to prolong the conflict and inflict massive losses on Palestinians.

"Washington provides Israel with political, diplomatic, and military support, along with grants, technical assistance, and logistical support," said Mustafa Ibrahim, a Gaza-based political analyst. "American weapons sales have directly fueled the conflict, enabling large-scale destruction and civilian casualties."

To Eyal Zisser, vice rector at Tel Aviv University, Israel's dependence on the United States has only deepened. "Israel's strategic freedom of action, diplomatic backing, and military operations are closely tied to American support, more so than at any previous point," said the Middle Eastern affairs expert.

SUFFERING COULD HAVE BEEN LESS

During the Gaza war, Gazans were forced to flee their homes en masse, many repeatedly. Before the latest ceasefire, the displacement crisis had reached catastrophic levels.

When Trump said in February that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip and repeated that claim in May, not just the Gazans were startled. Countries in and outside the Middle East strongly rejected this forced displacement plan.

"Such statements, though framed as planning or reconstruction proposals, amount to propaganda and further threaten Palestinians. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu exploited these suggestions to justify displacement, while Palestinians face limited options for resettlement," Ibrahim said.

"This underscores how U.S.-endorsed initiatives can inadvertently -- or deliberately -- facilitate dispossession and undermine Palestinian rights," Ibrahim added.

The humanitarian damage did not stop there. Since May, despite widespread opposition, a U.S.-backed mechanism to distribute humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip came into operation, sidelining the long-standing UN aid distribution network.

Two displaced Palestinian children suffering from malnutrition and cerebral palsy are seen inside a school-turned shelter in the northwest of Gaza City, July 25, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Soon Gazans found the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to be a "death trap." Thousands were killed or injured while seeking aid this year, many near GHF sites. This drew sustained criticism from the international community.

"The flawed distribution system (GHF) is not designed to address the humanitarian crisis. It's serving military and political objectives. It's cruel as it takes more lives than it saves lives," Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said on social media in July.

Akram Atallah, a Gaza-based political analyst, told Xinhua that Washington's alignment of humanitarian efforts with Israeli political interests suggested "that U.S. intentions are less about impartial aid and more about advancing strategic objectives that support Israel."

AMERICA FIRST: HEGEMONY OVER JUSTICE

Gaza's story, analysts say, reflects the broader U.S. pattern in the Middle East: alliance over justice, and self-interest over other countries' sovereignty and legitimate rights.

In the West Bank, Israeli policy continues with U.S. backing. "The ceasefire agreement applies exclusively to Gaza and does not alter Israel's long-standing approach in the West Bank, which it maintains despite international criticism. For Israel, American political and diplomatic support remains the decisive factor overriding external opposition," Zisser said.

Iran offers another stark example. In June, U.S. forces bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities, joining Israeli strikes that triggered a 12-day conflict, even as Washington and Tehran had been conducting indirect talks on Iran's nuclear program.

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran. (Xinhua)

"U.S. pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, combined with unwavering support for Israeli military actions, demonstrates a broader pattern of coercion and hegemony," noted Ibrahim. "This includes threats, sanctions, and strategic maneuvering that prioritize American and Israeli interests while disregarding regional sovereignty or civilian safety."

In fact, the Middle East is no stranger to and has long been a victim of such U.S. schemes. "U.S. policies, including sanctions and military interventions, have historically caused widespread suffering in the Middle East," Atallah said.

"Washington's pursuit of strategic interests -- supporting allies, maintaining regional dominance, and controlling resources -- has often prioritized political objectives over human welfare," Atallah added. "Across the region, these policies have deepened economic crises, human suffering, and political instability."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Amid the Save Aravalli protests, the Union Environment Ministry said it was wrong to conclude that mining is permitted in all landforms below 100 metres. The ministry rejected what it described as alarmist claims that defining the Aravalli hills as areas 100 metres and above would open 90% of the range to mining. In a detailed factsheet, the ministry said this was not the case. It said it had instead ensured that all critical landforms, slopes and connecting habitats remain under statutory protection. According to the ministry, this protection would prevent ecological degradation.

ALSO READ | Aravallis back in Supreme Court spotlight as activist seeks review of 100-metre rule

Last month, the Supreme Court accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges based on the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Union Environment Ministry. Under this definition, any landform located in the Aravalli districts with a height of 100 metres or more is classified as an Aravalli hill. This triggered widespread protests, especially in Rajasthanhome to a majority of the 37 Aravalli districtsamid concerns that the new definition could open up nearly 90% of the range to mining.

What the Centre says about the Aravalli definition

In its factsheet on Sunday, the Environment Ministry stated that during the committees deliberations, it emerged that only Rajasthan had a formally established definition for regulating mining in the Aravalli region, which it has been following since January 2006. During deliberations, all States agreed to adopt the aforementioned uniform criterion of 100 metres above local relief for regulating mining in the Aravalli region, the Ministry said.

All the landforms enclosed within the lowest binding contour encircling hills of height 100 metres or more, irrespective of their height and slopes, are excluded for the purposes of granting a mining lease, it said.

ALSO READ | The uphill battle for Aravalli range: Crossing the valley between research and policy

Meanwhile, the Aravalli range has been defined as two or more Aravalli hills located within a proximity of 500m of each other. All landforms existing within this 500-metre zone, irrespective of their height and slopes, are excluded for the purposes of granting a mining lease, the Ministry added.

What the Supreme Court has said

Along with a uniform definition for the Aravalli, the Supreme Court had also accepted the committees recommendation that mining in core/inviolate areas would be prohibited, except in the case of critical, strategic and atomic minerals and minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule of the MMDR Act 1957. These include minerals such as lithium, copper, gold, silver, and platinum, among others.

The apex court had also accepted recommendations for sustainable mining in the Aravalli hills and ranges, and steps to prevent illegal mining.

No new mining leases until sustainable mining plan

Because the definition is now operational, the Supreme Court has ordered that no new mining leases be issued until a Mining Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) has been prepared, the Union Environment Ministry said. Contrary to alarmist claims, there is no imminent threat to the Aravallis ecology. Ongoing afforestation, eco-sensitive zone notifications, and strict monitoring of mining and urban activities ensure that the Aravallis continue to serve as a natural heritage and ecological shield for the nation, it added.

ALSO READ | Why the SCs redefinition of the Aravalli Range is a threat to life in north India

Among Indias oldest landforms, the Aravallis stretch from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan into Gujarat. The range acts as a natural barrier against the Thar Desert and helps regulate air quality in Delhi NCR.
Indians flocking to the UAE, especially Dubai, has been a decade-old trend. But, this migration isnt anymore about just about seeking better pastures. Rather, a general trend has evolved wherein Indian millionaires of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), are opting to buy residences in the Emirate.

As per a study by the Dubai Sothebys International Realty, Indian HNWIs were the third biggest buyers of luxury homes in the Emirate during the first half of 2025, followed only by the UK and US citizens. Another study by Knight Frank, a property consultant, hints that Indian buyers spent close to USD 44.6 million in the first few months of 2025.

Not just Indian millionaires, even property developers are now diversifying to major UAE cities, especially Dubai, thanks to clear regulations, high demand from global customers and disciplined banking systems, low default rates, and access to HNIs.

So, what draws Indians to the UAE:

1) Golden Visa programme: The expansion of the Golden Visa programme in 2022, wherein it was made available to more talents, including healthcare pros, educators, digital creators, e-sports pros, gave UAE realty a major push as it lowered property investment thresholds and allowed longer family stays. In 2022, the UAE introduced a nomination-based Golden Visa scheme that allows eligible Indian nationals to secure lifetime residency without the need to invest in property or business. More benefits came in 2025. The means Indians can purchase an AED 2 million (4.8 crore) property for a renewable five- or ten-year residency permit.

2) Lifestyle and prestige: Owning a property in the Emirates comes with a certain set of aspirational lifestyles. Dubai is one of the safest countries in the world, and there is a certain accountability to the authorities. With the government giving focus on the higher education sector, world-class education is within reach. It is also strategically placed, with just four hours of travel to India, and even closer to Europe, which makes it an economic powerhouse.

3) Tax regime: The biggest allure of the UAE is its tax regime. It was one of the first places with no annual property tax, making it one of the world's most investor-friendly real estate markets. Though there is a 5 per cent Value Added Tax on goods and services, the country charges no income tax on individuals in the city, irrespective of a UAE citizens or foreign residents.

4) Attractive ROI and rental yields: Thanks to its booming economy, the UAE ensure profitable returns to investors, including in property. Its robust infrastructure, good governance and strategic location will ensure that there are abundant opportunities for trade and commerce to flourish through its commercial ports and airports.

There is also a high rental yield due to the high demand and inadequate supply of housing units in the country. The booming employment market means that the city witnesses a great migration rate from people across the globe, and since buying properties is not feasible for them, they prefer rental options.

5) Financial options: The countrys financial institutions serve as a backbone for supporting its investment opportunities, offering mortgage options, even to those who earn salaries of Dh15,000 and Dh20,000 a month. The banks have been fuelling the property demand in the country by offering mortgages below 4%.
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA) has several unique aspects that can accelerate not only India-Oman commercial relations but also strategically position Oman as a gateway to the Gulf region. While India and Oman shared a robust, centuries-old relationship rooted in maritime trade, the bilateral relations could not fully capitalise on the opportunities emanating from Omans strategic location or the deep regard the Omani leadership had for India. Oman has a 1,200-km coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, and its major ports are outside the choke point of the Strait of Hormuz. Due to its strategic location, Oman has been a more significant energy supplier for China than its more resource-rich neighbours, such as the UAE or Kuwait, for several decades. China began to invest substantially in the China-Oman Industrial Park in 2016.

Sultan Qaboos, the longest-reigning Arab leader, fondly remembered his student life in India and his mentor, Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma, Indias ninth president. The link that could have strengthened the IndiaOman relations could not be sustained through high-level political engagements. There was no prime ministerial visit to Oman for nearly a decade, following Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit in 2008, until Narendra Modi visited Oman in February 2018. An invitation extended to Sultan Qaboos to serve as the Chief Guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations in 2012 did not result in a visit, and no state visit took place for the remainder of his regime. While India's relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia accelerated, progress in Indo-Omani relations was relatively slow and could not realize its full potential, despite several unique bilateral economic collaborations.

Oman was also the only GCC country to establish a joint-venture refinery in India. Bharat Oman Refinery in Bina, Madhya Pradesh, was commissioned in 2011. However, in 2021, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited of India. A nearly US$1 billion joint venture in Sur, Oman, the Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO) has been a cornerstone of industrial cooperation between the two countries since its establishment in 2006. OMIFCO supplied the bulk of its urea and ammonia production to India under a long-term take-off agreement for nearly 15 years, which expired in 2020. A new agreement, signed in 2022 for three years and covering an annual supply of one million tonnes of fertilizer, shifted to more flexible market-based arrangements. The global fertilizer price surges of 2021-22 and attendant impact on Indias fertilizer imports underscored the value of production assets as strategic hedges.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

Oman was also the first Gulf country to have a joint investment fund with India. The Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) was established in 2008 by the State Bank of India and the State General Reserve Fund of Oman with US$100 million. The third tranche, valued at US$300 million,was announced during Sultan Haithams visit in December 2023. For several years, among the Gulf countries, Oman had been the second-largest source of FDI in India, despite its relatively small economy. However, in recent years, the annual FDI inflows have been much lower.

Sameena Hameed

In recent years, there have been notable initiatives that can spur India-Oman economic ties. In 2022, Oman signed an MoU to integrate digital payment systems (RuPay and UPI), thereby facilitating real-time cross-border remittances and reducing transaction costs for the 700,000 Indian community remitting approximately US$2 billion to India. Omani ports like Duqm and Salalah are emerging as competitive transshipment alternatives due to lower handling charges and tax incentives, and the Indian Navys access to Duqm for docking and maintenance is a strategic advantage.

India-Oman bilateral trade is about US$10 billion, and India imports both oil and gas from the Sultanate. Oman has emerged as an important LNG supplier in recent years. Indias principal exports to Oman include petroleum products, textiles, garments, machinery, chemicals, and food staples like basmati rice, tea, and spices. Collaboration has recently moved into green energy, with Indias ACME Group investing US$2.5 billion in a green hydrogen and ammonia project at the Duqm Special Economic Zone. Thus, energy and food security underpin economic ties. The recently signed India-Oman FTA provides duty-free access to about 98 percent of Indias exports to Oman by value.

First of its kind in Oman, CEPA encompasses ambitious commitments to open 127 sub-sectors in the services,including computer-related services, business services, professional services, audiovisual services, R&D services, education services, and health services. Indias share in Omans global services imports, amounting to US$12.52 billion, is only 5.31 percent, underscoring significant untapped potential. First of its kind by any country, Omans commitment to promoting traditional medicine creates a significant opportunity for Indias AYUSH and wellness sectors to showcase their strength in the Gulf region. The agreement also enhances mobility for Indian professionals and, for the first time, Oman has made commitments to liberalise entry and stay for professionals across several key categories.

There are currently more than 6,000 Indian companies and joint ventures operating in Oman, with an estimated investment of approximately US$7.5 billion. The CEPA is not merely any Free trade agreement but is well-positioned to capitalise on Oman's strategic location and the depth of bilateral relations. This also pits Oman as a prospective flank in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. As of October 2025, the UAE and Omans ambitious cross-border Hafeet Rail project is under construction and is poised to change freight transport across the Gulf region. India needs to utilise the emerging competitiveness of Omani ports for transshipment services and regional trade. The CEPA is the strategic reset for IndiaOman Relations and can position Oman as a flank in the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC).

Professor Sameena Hameed teaches at the Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
More than a month after the UAE stopped issuing visas to Pakistani citizens, the country's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that beggars and people with incomplete documents will not be allowed to fly abroad.

In November, Pakistani interior ministry's additional secretary Salman Chaudhary said the UAE was issuing visas only to Pakistanis with blue (government officials) and diplomatic passports.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

Pakistani Senator Sameena Mumtaz Zehri, who heads the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, had also admitted last month that the UAE and Saudi Arabia stopped issuing visas as many Pakistanis were "getting involved in criminal activities".

Following the visa curbs, ordinary passport holders from Pakistan were finding it difficult to gain entry permits as they face prolonged procedures and require special approvals.

Earlier this month, the UAE passed a federal law to punish illegal infiltrators and those who shelter them. The fine starts from Dh 1,00,000 and goes up to Dh 5 million for cases involving organised trafficking and multiple offenders. They could also get a minimum of two months in jail.

In case foreigners use their visa for purposes other than intended, including working while on visit or tourist visa, they can attract a minimum fine of Dh 10,000. Depending on the offence, they could also get imprisoned.
The Israeli security cabinet approved on Sunday the formalisation of 19 new outposts in the West Bank, marking a sharp expansion of Jewish settlements and further undermining the prospects of a future Palestinian state. The move, strongly promoted by the far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, is part of a wider surge in settlement construction that has seen dozens of new communities authorised in recent years, the highest number recorded under any Israeli government.

Although presented as an administrative step, the decision appears to be a deliberate political strategy. Smotrich has been clear that the goal is to advance what he calls de facto sovereignty over the West Bank to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. The approval of the outposts gives them official status, access to state funding and connection to national infrastructure, although many were originally built without government authorisation and are considered illegal even under Israeli law.

The policy also includes reviving settlements that were dismantled nearly two decades ago. Two communities in the northern West Bank, Ganim and Kadim, were evacuated in 2005 during Israels disengagement from Gaza. The current government has repealed the legislation that barred Israelis from returning to these sites, signalling a clear reversal of earlier withdrawals and reinforcing the sense that past compromises are being undone.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

Since the governing coalition took office in late 2022, the number of settlements in the West Bank has risen dramatically. Figures show an increase of almost 50 per cent, from 141 recognised settlements to more than 200. This growth is not limited to existing blocs but extends deep into the territory, reshaping the geography in ways that make the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state increasingly difficult. The government has also reactivated the long-stalled E1 development plan, which would place thousands of new homes between Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim, a project that many diplomats argue would effectively split the West Bank in two.

The impact of the expansion has been severe for the Palestinians as more checkpoints, gates, and barriers restrict movement and isolate communities. Nearly a thousand such obstacles now crisscross the West Bank, cutting off villages from farmland, workplaces and essential services. The resulting economic damage has been profound, with Palestinian output falling back to levels last seen more than a decade ago and years of development effectively erased.

Adding to the Palestinians' woes, settler violence has increased sharply. Human rights groups and United Nations agencies report record levels of attacks on Palestinian communities, often taking place in the presence or with the protection of Israeli soldiers. Entire villages have been forced from their homes after repeated assaults, while crops, mosques and water sources have been damaged or destroyed. In 2025 alone, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank during military operations and settler violence. Many more have been displaced, especially to refugee camps. The situation is even worse in rural areas designated as Area C, which remains under full Israeli control as entire families are expelled.

International law considers most West Bank settlements illegal, a position reaffirmed by the United Nations and most governments worldwide. The UN Secretary General has warned recently that the Netanyahu governments expansion policy is hurting Palestinian rights and making the two-state solution almost impossible to achieve. Such open flouting of international law has led to tensions between Israel and some of its traditional allies, including several Western countries. Many of them, such as the UK, France and Canada, have taken steps to recognise a Palestinian state, and keep on warning that the settlement expansion could carry serious diplomatic consequences.

The Israeli government, however, appears determined to press ahead. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the settlement expansion is a historic and spiritual mission integral to the idea of a greater Israel. Unless the United States decides to step in and read the riot act, Netanyahu is unlikely to budge.
Amid the tensions from the death of Osman Hadi in Bangladesh, Motaleb Shikdar, 42, the Khulna divisional chief of the National Citizen Party, was shot in the head and suffered critical injuries on Monday.

Shikdar was a key figure in the organisation of the 2024 protests that led to the deposing of former leader Sheikh Hasina. He is the chief of the Khulna division of the NCP and the central organiser of Shramik Shakti.

Miscreants opened fire, aiming for his head at the citys Sonadanga area at around 11:45, the Daily Star reported.

He has been taken to Khulna Medical Hospital, Sonadanga Model Police Station investigation officer Animesh Mondol said. The bullet entered through one side of the ear and exited through the other side of the head.

Police were deployed to the scene after Shikdar was taken to the hospital by locals. Details of his current condition and the motive behind the attack are unknown.

Hadi, was also shot in the head on December 12. He succumbed to his injuries on December 15, as he was undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a youth political leader who was known for forming the Inqilab Manch. He quickly built support for his group by organising rallies and demanding recognition of the July uprising against the Sheikh Hasina government. He was also known for his anti-India and anti-Awami League statements.

His killing triggered protests and unrest in several parts of the country
As Bangladesh experiences a fresh wave of violence following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a sharp attack on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government over the worsening law and order situation.

Hasina, who has been living in exile in India ever since she was removed from office following a massive youth agitation in the country, stated that the "lawlessness" that led to her ousting has only escalated under Yunus's leadership.

"This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government, and it has only multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm, while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it," she said in an interview with the ANI news agency.

Hasina also remarked that the violent incidents have destabilised Bangladesh's relations with neighboring countries.

"India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunus's Bangladesh," the former prime minister said.

Hadi, a spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha, was shot in the head on December 12 by masked gunmen during an election campaign in the Bijoynagar area of central Dhaka. He succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in Singapore on Thursday.

His death triggered attacks and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-throwing at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner in Chattogram.

Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu garment factory worker, was lynched to death by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Baluka, Mymensingh.

In her interview, Hasina also expressed concern about the release of convicted prisoners in Bangladesh and the lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.

"Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life," she said.
An Indian-origin Singaporean national is now facing up to ten years in prison after he reportedly caused an alarm over a bomb threat to a church. The man reportedly made an IED lookalike using wires, stones and tape and left it inside the place of worship, reports said.

The accused has been identified as 26-year-old Kokulananthan Mohan. Singaporean investigators learnt that Kokulananthan allegedly filled three cardboard rolls with pebbles before fitting red wires to their fringes and surmounting them with black and yellow adhesive tape. He then left the fake "bomb" inside St Joseph's Church in the Upper Bukit Timah area on Sunday morning, reports said.

The youngster was done with his vile deed by around 7:10 am, and the entire Sunday service was called off as a consequence of his actions, reports said. However, the picture became clear soon after the Singapore Police Force (SPF) began a probe. They now believe Kokulananthan Mohan intended to make churchgoers believe the box could explode or ignite, potentially causing injury or property damage. The accused reportedly told the police that he was working night shifts and his behaviour was influenced by a "lack of sleep".

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the man had allegedly staged the incident by placing a self-fabricated item which resembled an improvised explosive device within the church premises," news agency PTI quoted the SPF as saying in a statement on Monday. "He is believed to have acted alone, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror," it added.

What next for the accused?

He was remanded for three weeks for psychiatric evaluation and will return to court on 12 January, according to the Channel report. When informed that the prosecution sought to have him remanded for medical evaluation, Kokulananthan initially said there was a "miscommunication" as his previous admission to the hospital was alcohol-related and that issue had been resolved. The judge said that the psychiatric evaluation requested was in view of the investigation officer's observations of Kokulananthan's conduct and behaviour during the arrest and police operations, a PTI report said.

If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years' jail, a fine of up to SGD 500,000 (Rs 3,46,65,885.00), or both.
A Russian general was killed after a bomb was planted under his car in southern Moscow.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was the the head of the Russian general Staffs army operational training directorate.

According to Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, an explosive device was planted under the generals Kia Sorento car on Yasenevaya Street.

A Russian general was killed Monday morning after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in southern Moscow, investigators said. pic.twitter.com/K9wY4HlW88  The Associated Press (@AP) December 22, 2025

Some reports say that the bomb detonated after the car had started moving several meters.

Shrapnel damage from the explosion damaged at least seven nearby cars.

Russian investigators say that they are exploring multiple probable angles of the killing, including the involvement of Ukrainian special services.

Kyiv has not yet commented on the killing.

Security services in Russia have reported the murder to President Vladimir Putin.

Fanil Sarvarov is not the first Russian military leader to die in an explosion.

On April 25, 2025, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, 59, was killed by a car bomb near Moscow. Moskalik was deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff.

In December 2024, Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside a Moscow apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden inside an electric scooter went off.

On November 13, 2024, a car bomb killed a Russian serviceman in Sevastopol in Russian-annexed Crimea. Ukraine named the man as Valery Trankovsky, a naval captain.

A Russian military blogger, Maxim Fomin, was killed after a statuette exploded in a Saint Petersburg cafe in April 2023.

In August 2022, a car bomb killed Daria Dugina, the daughter of ultranationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin.
Wall Street Zen cut shares of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Sunday.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $62.00 to $59.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 11th. Morgan Stanley set a $62.00 target price on Brookfield Asset Management in a report on Monday, October 13th. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Brookfield Asset Management from $67.25 to $65.75 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, UBS Group set a $59.00 price target on Brookfield Asset Management in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $63.86.

Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts:

Read Our Latest Research Report on BAM

Brookfield Asset Management Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:BAM opened at $52.18 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. Brookfield Asset Management has a 1-year low of $41.78 and a 1-year high of $64.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $85.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.62, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.39. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $53.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.61.

Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM  Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.34 billion. Brookfield Asset Management had a return on equity of 33.77% and a net margin of 58.25%. On average, equities analysts expect that Brookfield Asset Management will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Brookfield Asset Management Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.4375 per share. This represents a $1.75 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Brookfield Asset Managements dividend payout ratio is currently 109.38%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Asset Management

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. PDS Planning Inc boosted its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 4,054 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $231,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 1.4% in the third quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 13,240 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $754,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Brookfield Asset Management by 9.5% during the second quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 2,180 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $121,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 2.1% in the third quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 11,010 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. grew its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 38.0% in the third quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 846 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.41% of the companys stock.

About Brookfield Asset Management

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Asset Management is a global alternative asset manager headquartered in Toronto, Canada, that specializes in investments in real assets and related private equity and credit strategies. The firm acquires, manages and develops assets in sectors such as real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity, seeking long-term value through active asset management and operational improvements. Brookfield structures and manages commingled funds, listed partnerships and separate accounts for institutional and retail investors.

The companys products and services include fund management across equity and debt strategies, direct asset ownership and operations, property and facilities management, and capital markets solutions.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Interview: Global South seeks just, equal seat at world's table, says Belarusian expert

Xinhua) 08:54, December 22, 2025

This photo taken on Aug. 30, 2025 shows an exterior view of the main venue of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A growing sense of justice is motivating Global South nations to become equal architects of the future international system, says Belarusian expert.

MINSK, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The pursuit of justice is driving Global South countries to seek equal participation in shaping the future of the world, said Anastasia Savinykh, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Savinykh said that a growing sense of justice is motivating Global South nations to become equal architects of the future international system.

She said the world is undergoing a profound transformation, noting that the Global South is no longer satisfied with merely responding to agendas set by the West. Instead, these countries are increasingly shaping their own development paths based on fairness and mutual respect.

Savinykh connected this modern pursuit to the revival of foundational ideas like the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence -- mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence -- which she said are gaining renewed relevance in the current global context. In her view, true justice entails rejecting the notion of a single global leader and advancing a genuinely multipolar world order.

She cited major multilateral gatherings, including the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit, as proof of this trend, describing the SCO as a crucial platform for advancing a more inclusive global vision. She also praised China's Global Governance Initiative, noting that Belarus fully supports it as a constructive approach to building a more balanced world. Savinykh further pointed to the rapid expansion of the BRICS bloc as a clear indication of the growing influence of the Global South.

Amid fragmented global relations, these mechanisms offer a more legitimate and effective model for development -- one where Global South countries define progress on their own terms, transforming geographical and economic ties into the foundation of a more just world order.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Horace Mann Educators (NYSE:HMN  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Sunday.

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Horace Mann Educators in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $46.75.

Get Horace Mann Educators alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on HMN

Horace Mann Educators Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of Horace Mann Educators stock opened at $46.47 on Friday. Horace Mann Educators has a 1 year low of $36.20 and a 1 year high of $48.33. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $45.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.27. The company has a market cap of $1.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.77 and a beta of 0.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

Horace Mann Educators (NYSE:HMN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 3rd. The insurance provider reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter. Horace Mann Educators had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 15.69%. The firm had revenue of $330.60 million during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Horace Mann Educators will post 3.87 EPS for the current year.

Horace Mann Educators Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Horace Mann Educatorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.44%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Horace Mann Educators

In other Horace Mann Educators news, SVP Mark R. Desrochers sold 3,000 shares of Horace Mann Educators stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.00, for a total transaction of $141,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 20,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $966,132. The trade was a 12.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Beverley J. Mcclure sold 1,082 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.40, for a total value of $49,122.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 16,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $759,678.20. The trade was a 6.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 20,398 shares of company stock worth $921,348. Insiders own 3.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Horace Mann Educators

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in Horace Mann Educators during the third quarter worth $820,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 156.7% in the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 110,417 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,988,000 after purchasing an additional 67,408 shares in the last quarter. Mariner LLC grew its holdings in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 16,641 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $752,000 after purchasing an additional 1,316 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators during the 3rd quarter worth about $219,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its position in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 310.0% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 275,109 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $12,427,000 after purchasing an additional 208,014 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.28% of the companys stock.

Horace Mann Educators Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Horace Mann Educators Corporation, based in Springfield, Illinois, specializes in insurance and retirement solutions tailored to educators and school employees across the United States. Founded in 1945, the company partners with public school districts to deliver property and casualty insurance productsincluding auto, home and liability coveragethrough a network of dedicated local agents. Its targeted approach focuses on understanding the unique needs and schedules of teachers, administrators and other school staff, distinguishing its services within the broader insurance market.

In addition to property and casualty offerings, Horace Mann provides life and disability insurance, annuities and retirement plan products designed to help educators plan for financial security beyond their teaching careers.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Horace Mann Educators Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Horace Mann Educators and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of ReposiTrak (NYSE:TRAK  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Sunday.

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of ReposiTrak in a research report on Monday, December 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold.

Get ReposiTrak alerts:

Read Our Latest Research Report on ReposiTrak

ReposiTrak Stock Performance

Shares of TRAK opened at $13.00 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $14.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.52. The stock has a market cap of $237.77 million, a P/E ratio of 36.11 and a beta of 0.39. ReposiTrak has a one year low of $12.16 and a one year high of $23.72.

ReposiTrak (NYSE:TRAK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter. ReposiTrak had a return on equity of 14.37% and a net margin of 30.52%.The business had revenue of $5.97 million for the quarter.

Insider Transactions at ReposiTrak

In other ReposiTrak news, CEO Randall K. Fields sold 7,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.01, for a total value of $112,575.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $300,200. This represents a 27.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders sold 86,500 shares of company stock valued at $1,259,097 over the last three months. Insiders own 41.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of ReposiTrak

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ashford Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in ReposiTrak by 93.7% in the 2nd quarter. Ashford Capital Management Inc. now owns 792,154 shares of the companys stock worth $15,566,000 after buying an additional 383,283 shares during the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of ReposiTrak by 7.1% in the second quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 1,654,348 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,508,000 after acquiring an additional 110,000 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its stake in shares of ReposiTrak by 302.4% in the third quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 71,548 shares of the companys stock worth $1,060,000 after acquiring an additional 53,766 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ReposiTrak during the second quarter worth approximately $818,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ReposiTrak during the second quarter worth approximately $802,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.35% of the companys stock.

ReposiTrak Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ReposiTrak, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TRAK, is a provider of cloud-based supply chain compliance and transparency solutions. The companys platform enables retailers, suppliers and manufacturers to manage, share and validate product data throughout the supply chain. Through its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering, ReposiTrak helps organizations ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, industry standards and retailer-specific guidelines for food safety, sustainability, labeling and quality assurance.

At the core of ReposiTraks offerings is its DataHub, a centralized repository that captures critical information such as product specifications, certifications, catch-weight data, temperature logs and recall notifications.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for ReposiTrak Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ReposiTrak and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Air Lease Corporation (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $59.50.

AL has been the topic of several research reports. Cowen cut shares of Air Lease from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of Air Lease from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $65.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Zacks Research lowered Air Lease from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Air Lease in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered Air Lease from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd.

Get Air Lease alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Report on AL

Insider Buying and Selling at Air Lease

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Air Lease

In other news, Director Steven F. Udvar-Hazy sold 19,000 shares of Air Lease stock in a transaction on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.12, for a total transaction of $1,218,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 1,391,366 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $89,214,387.92. The trade was a 1.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, EVP Kishore Korde sold 20,662 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.10, for a total value of $1,324,434.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 50,091 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,210,833.10. This represents a 29.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . In the last three months, insiders have sold 760,593 shares of company stock valued at $48,668,588. Insiders own 6.80% of the companys stock.

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Air Lease by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,591,387 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $419,540,000 after buying an additional 41,975 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in Air Lease by 7.9% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,619,226 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $211,797,000 after acquiring an additional 265,423 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Air Lease by 0.8% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,459,048 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $203,084,000 after purchasing an additional 28,227 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Air Lease by 930.1% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,283,492 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $145,321,000 after purchasing an additional 2,061,817 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pentwater Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Air Lease in the 3rd quarter valued at about $140,030,000. 94.59% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Air Lease Price Performance

Air Lease stock opened at $64.16 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $63.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.43. Air Lease has a 1 year low of $38.25 and a 1 year high of $64.40. The company has a market capitalization of $7.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.43 and a beta of 1.19.

Air Lease (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The transportation company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.13. Air Lease had a net margin of 35.08% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The firm had revenue of $725.39 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $744.59 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.82 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Air Lease will post 5.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Air Lease Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 4th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Air Leases payout ratio is currently 10.20%.

About Air Lease

(Get Free Report)

Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) is a leading aircraft leasing company that acquires commercial jet aircraft and leases them to airlines worldwide. The firms core business activities include direct aircraft acquisition, lease management and portfolio remarketing. By structuring sale?and?leaseback transactions, operating leases and secured loans, Air Lease provides flexible financing solutions that enable carriers to modernize their fleets without committing large amounts of capital to ownership.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Air Lease Corporation serves a diverse customer base spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Air Lease Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Air Lease and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the fifteen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $161.0769.

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of D.R. Horton from $175.00 to $165.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Barclays increased their price target on D.R. Horton from $110.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. BTIG Research began coverage on D.R. Horton in a report on Monday, December 1st. They set a buy rating and a $186.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on D.R. Horton from $190.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of D.R. Horton from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th.

Get D.R. Horton alerts:

Get Our Latest Report on DHI

D.R. Horton Price Performance

DHI opened at $147.12 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $151.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $151.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.83 billion, a PE ratio of 12.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.38. D.R. Horton has a 52 week low of $110.44 and a 52 week high of $184.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 6.48.

D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by ($0.25). The company had revenue of $9.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.44 billion. D.R. Horton had a return on equity of 14.39% and a net margin of 10.47%.D.R. Hortons quarterly revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.92 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that D.R. Horton will post 13.04 earnings per share for the current year.

D.R. Horton Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. This is a positive change from D.R. Hortons previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. D.R. Hortons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.53%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On D.R. Horton

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 159.8% in the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 30,252,842 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $5,126,995,000 after purchasing an additional 18,607,545 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of D.R. Horton during the second quarter worth about $494,278,000. Capital International Investors acquired a new stake in D.R. Horton in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $395,179,000. Boston Partners bought a new stake in D.R. Horton in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $274,784,000. Finally, Berkshire Hathaway Inc bought a new stake in D.R. Horton in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $191,491,000. 90.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About D.R. Horton

(Get Free Report)

D.R. Horton, Inc is a national homebuilding company that designs, constructs and sells new residential properties across the United States. The companys core operations focus on building single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominiums for a range of buyer segments. In addition to home construction and sales, D.R. Horton provides complementary services through subsidiaries that support the mortgage, title and closing processes for its customers, enabling integrated transaction workflows from inventory development to home delivery.

Founded in 1978 by Donald R.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for D.R. Horton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for D.R. Horton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) (NYSE:ELP  Get Free Report) announced a special dividend on Friday, January 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 24th will be paid a dividend of 0.5732 per share by the utilities provider on Friday, January 9th. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 24th.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) has decreased its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years. Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) has a dividend payout ratio of 38.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) to earn $0.13 per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $0.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 184.6%.

Get Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) alerts:

Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) Stock Down 2.7%

Shares of NYSE:ELP opened at $9.69 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 1.43. Companhia Paranaense de Energia has a 52-week low of $5.72 and a 52-week high of $11.23. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $10.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.48. The firm has a market cap of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 80.78, a PEG ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 0.76.

Institutional Trading of Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL)

Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) ( NYSE:ELP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The utilities provider reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.02). Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) had a return on equity of 7.77% and a net margin of 8.66%.The firm had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $972.33 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Companhia Paranaense de Energia will post 0.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) by 14.9% during the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 15,509 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $142,000 after buying an additional 2,016 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) by 68.9% during the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 14,171 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 5,782 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its position in Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) by 18.4% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 121,104 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,106,000 after buying an additional 18,844 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) by 6,683.1% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 13,227 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $121,000 after buying an additional 13,032 shares during the period. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) by 876.7% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 11,730 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $107,000 after buying an additional 10,529 shares during the last quarter. 3.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL)

(Get Free Report)

Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) is a leading integrated electric utility based in the state of Parana, Brazil. Established in 1954 and headquartered in Curitiba, COPEL operates across the full value chain of the power sector, including generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of electricity. The companys operations are organized to serve residential, commercial, industrial and rural customers, making COPEL one of the primary energy providers in southern Brazil.

In its generation portfolio, COPEL leverages a diverse mix of hydroelectric, thermal and renewable resources.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Foster Group Inc. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT  Free Report) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 492,769 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 15,471 shares during the period. Foster Group Inc. owned about 0.17% of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF worth $21,775,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 244.0% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 829 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 588 shares in the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $42,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 312.1% during the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,125 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 852 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the second quarter valued at about $61,000.

Get iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF alerts:

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $45.17 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $13.22 billion, a PE ratio of 18.86 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $44.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $43.75. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a one year low of $35.51 and a one year high of $45.74.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed countries, outside of the US. The index is selected and weighted for exposure to fundamental quality metrics. IQLT was launched on Jan 13, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
J2 Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 13,536 shares of the asset managers stock, valued at approximately $965,000. Moelis & Company accounts for about 0.7% of J2 Capital Management Incs holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MC. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Moelis & Company by 89.5% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 597 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. eCIO Inc. bought a new position in Moelis & Company during the first quarter worth about $50,000. Canton Hathaway LLC acquired a new stake in Moelis & Company during the second quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Moelis & Company during the second quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Moelis & Company by 73.8% in the 2nd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,602 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 680 shares during the period. 91.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Moelis & Company alerts:

Moelis & Company Stock Up 0.1%

Moelis & Company stock opened at $70.09 on Monday. Moelis & Company has a twelve month low of $47.00 and a twelve month high of $82.89. The company has a 50 day moving average of $66.14 and a 200-day moving average of $67.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.49 billion, a PE ratio of 23.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.90.

Moelis & Company Announces Dividend

Moelis & Company ( NYSE:MC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The asset manager reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.11. Moelis & Company had a return on equity of 45.62% and a net margin of 15.98%.The firm had revenue of $356.89 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $336.14 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.22 EPS. The companys revenue was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Moelis & Company will post 2.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.7%. Moelis & Companys dividend payout ratio is 86.96%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Moelis & Company from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their price target for the company from $78.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Moelis & Company in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. They set a buy rating and a $80.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Moelis & Company from $74.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Moelis & Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Moelis & Company in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $70.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.63.

Get Our Latest Report on MC

About Moelis & Company

(Free Report)

Moelis & Co operates as a holding company. It engages in the provision of financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a client base including corporations, governments, sovereign wealth funds and financial sponsors. The firm focuses on clients including large public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and governments. The company was founded by Kenneth David Moelis, Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Jeffrey Raich and Elizabeth Ann Crain in July 2007 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Moelis & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moelis & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Private Client Services LLC acquired a new stake in AZZ Inc. (NYSE:AZZ  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 8,481 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $926,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AZZ. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new stake in AZZ in the third quarter worth approximately $1,671,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AZZ by 22.7% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 4,298 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $406,000 after buying an additional 795 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its holdings in shares of AZZ by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 23,989 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,266,000 after buying an additional 1,744 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in shares of AZZ in the 2nd quarter worth $2,950,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of AZZ in the second quarter worth $573,000. Institutional investors own 90.93% of the companys stock.

Get AZZ alerts:

AZZ Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AZZ opened at $107.57 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.73. The firm has a market cap of $3.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.34 and a beta of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $102.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.15. AZZ Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $70.90 and a fifty-two week high of $119.95.

AZZ Dividend Announcement

AZZ ( NYSE:AZZ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The industrial products company reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter. AZZ had a return on equity of 15.01% and a net margin of 19.69%.The business had revenue of $129.87 million during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that AZZ Inc. will post 5.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 16th were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 16th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. AZZs dividend payout ratio is currently 7.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have issued reports on AZZ shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on AZZ from $128.00 to $121.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 10th. B. Riley increased their price objective on shares of AZZ from $131.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of AZZ in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of AZZ from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, September 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AZZ presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $116.33.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AZZ

About AZZ

(Free Report)

AZZ Inc, incorporated in 1956 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of galvanizing and metal finishing solutions alongside electrical equipment and services. The company supports a diverse range of industriessuch as energy, infrastructure, heavy equipment and general industrial marketsby delivering corrosion protection and high-performance electrical solutions designed for demanding environments.

AZZ operates two primary business segments. The Global Coatings & Services segment offers hot-dip galvanizing, metal finishing, painting, powder coating and related value-added services to steel fabricators and original equipment manufacturers.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AZZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AZZ Inc. (NYSE:AZZ  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for AZZ Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AZZ and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wedge Capital Management L L P NC cut its stake in TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD  Free Report) by 16.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 29,130 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 5,713 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC owned approximately 0.10% of TopBuild worth $11,386,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BLD. MAI Capital Management boosted its stake in TopBuild by 28.3% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 118 shares of the construction companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 2,169 shares of the construction companys stock worth $702,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in shares of TopBuild by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 364 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $118,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of TopBuild by 2.0% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,713 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $555,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. Finally, Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in TopBuild by 3.3% during the second quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,111 shares of the construction companys stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.67% of the companys stock.

Get TopBuild alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on BLD shares. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of TopBuild from $370.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of TopBuild from $449.00 to $448.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and issued a $485.00 target price on shares of TopBuild in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on TopBuild from $450.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of TopBuild in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $437.06.

TopBuild Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of NYSE BLD opened at $426.68 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $11.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.66, a PEG ratio of 7.12 and a beta of 1.67. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $432.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $400.01. TopBuild Corp. has a 12-month low of $266.26 and a 12-month high of $461.49. The company has a current ratio of 2.90, a quick ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26.

TopBuild (NYSE:BLD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The construction company reported $5.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.22 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $1.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.38 billion. TopBuild had a return on equity of 27.10% and a net margin of 10.84%.TopBuilds revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $5.68 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that TopBuild Corp. will post 20.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at TopBuild

In other news, VP Luis Francisco Machado sold 1,000 shares of TopBuild stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.40, for a total transaction of $450,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 9,349 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,210,789.60. The trade was a 9.66% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.43% of the companys stock.

TopBuild Profile

(Free Report)

TopBuild Corp. (NYSE: BLD) is a leading installer and distributor of insulation and building material products serving primarily the U.S. construction market. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, the company was formed in 2011 as a spin-off from ABF Freight System and has since grown through a combination of organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. TopBuilds core mission is to enhance energy efficiency and comfort in new residential and light commercial construction projects by providing comprehensive insulation solutions and related services.

The company operates through two main segments.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for TopBuild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TopBuild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Saputo Inc. (OTCMKTS:SAPIF  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on SAPIF. TD Securities restated a buy rating on shares of Saputo in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Saputo in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Saputo in a research report on Friday, October 31st.

Get Saputo alerts:

View Our Latest Research Report on SAPIF

Saputo Stock Performance

Saputo Company Profile

Shares of OTCMKTS SAPIF opened at $30.08 on Monday. Saputo has a 12-month low of $15.67 and a 12-month high of $30.45. The firms 50-day moving average price is $26.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $23.78.

(Get Free Report)

Saputo Inc, trading on OTC Markets under the symbol SAPIF, is a Canada?based dairy processor engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of a broad array of dairy products. The companys portfolio spans cheese, fluid milk, cultured products such as yogurt and sour cream, and a range of dairy ingredients including whey proteins and lactose. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Saputo serves both retail consumers and foodservice clients, supplying branded and private?label offerings in North America and beyond.

Founded in 1954 by the Saputo family, the company has grown from a single cheesemaking facility into one of the worlds largest dairy processors.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Saputo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Saputo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
People attend cultural festival marking Winter Solstice in Mohe, NE China's Heilongjiang

Xinhua) 09:50, December 22, 2025

A drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows people attending a bonfire evening party at a cultural festival on the occasion of the Winter Solstice in Beiji Village of Mohe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. People attended a cultural festival marking the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, here on Sunday. (Photo by Shao Tianli/Xinhua)

People watch a firework show at a cultural festival on the occasion of the Winter Solstice in Beiji Village of Mohe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2025. People attended a cultural festival marking the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, here on Sunday. (Photo by Shao Tianli/Xinhua)

People try local foods at a cultural festival on the occasion of the Winter Solstice in Beiji Village of Mohe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2025. People attended a cultural festival marking the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, here on Sunday. (Photo by Shao Tianli/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows the "water to ice" performance at a cultural festival on the occasion of the Winter Solstice in Beiji Village of Mohe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. People attended a cultural festival marking the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, here on Sunday. (Photo by Shao Tianli/Xinhua)

People pose for a photo at a cultural festival on the occasion of the Winter Solstice in Beiji Village of Mohe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2025. People attended a cultural festival marking the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, here on Sunday. (Photo by Shao Tianli/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Shares of Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSE:GIL  Get Free Report) (NYSE:GIL) have been given a consensus recommendation of Buy by the eight research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$81.00.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on GIL shares. Citigroup downgraded Gildan Activewear from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the company from C$60.00 to C$63.00 in a report on Monday, October 20th. Desjardins set a C$95.00 target price on Gildan Activewear and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. National Bankshares boosted their price target on Gildan Activewear from C$91.00 to C$92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, TD Securities upped their price target on Gildan Activewear from C$73.00 to C$74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th.

Get Gildan Activewear alerts:

View Our Latest Report on GIL

Gildan Activewear Stock Performance

Shares of TSE GIL opened at C$87.48 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$16.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.13, a PEG ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 1.45. Gildan Activewear has a one year low of C$52.77 and a one year high of C$90.06. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$82.12 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$76.19. The company has a current ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.26.

Gildan Activewear (TSE:GIL  Get Free Report) (NYSE:GIL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported C$1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$1.27 billion for the quarter. Gildan Activewear had a net margin of 13.05% and a return on equity of 23.10%. Sell-side analysts expect that Gildan Activewear will post 4.5460385 EPS for the current year.

Gildan Activewear Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.226 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Gildan Activewears dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.39%.

About Gildan Activewear

(Get Free Report)

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Companys product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, and intimates sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters, embellishers, retailers or e-commerce platforms, as well as global lifestyle brand companies. Gildan markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan, Hanes, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, ALLPRO, GOLDTOE, Peds, Bali, Playtex, Maidenform, Bonds, as well as Champion which is under an exclusive licensing agreement for the printwear channel in the U.S.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Gildan Activewear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gildan Activewear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 70.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,232 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after buying an additional 1,746 shares during the period. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $1,461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 685.7% in the first quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 55 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Islay Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 69.4% in the second quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 105 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the companys stock.

Get UnitedHealth Group alerts:

Key UnitedHealth Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:

UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.2%

UNH stock opened at $327.41 on Monday. 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 capitalization of $296.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $336.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $318.32. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $606.36.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.87 by $0.05. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 19.23% and a net margin of 4.04%.The company had revenue of $113.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $113.19 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $7.15 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th were issued a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 8th. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is currently 46.14%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on UNH shares. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $286.00 to $408.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $433.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $267.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $430.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $325.00 to $395.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $385.54.

View Our Latest Research Report on UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Inc is a diversified health care company headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, that operates two primary business platforms: UnitedHealthcare and Optum. Founded in 1977, the company provides a broad range of health benefits and health care services to individuals, employers, governmental entities and other organizations. Its operations span commercial employer-sponsored plans, individual and Medicare and Medicaid programs, and services for customers and health systems in the United States and selected international markets.

UnitedHealthcare is the companys benefits business, administering health plans and networks, managing provider relationships, and offering coverage products for employers, individuals, and government-sponsored programs.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by TD Cowen from $19.00 to $18.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a hold rating on the stock. TD Cowens price objective points to a potential upside of 3.53% from the companys previous close.

CAG has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Conagra Brands from $20.00 to $19.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Conagra Brands from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Conagra Brands in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $19.50.

Get Conagra Brands alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CAG

Conagra Brands Stock Performance

Shares of CAG stock opened at $17.39 on Monday. Conagra Brands has a one year low of $16.60 and a one year high of $28.51. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $17.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -78.57 and a beta of -0.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 1.06.

Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $2.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3 billion. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 7.42% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The companys revenue was down 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.70 EPS. Conagra Brands has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.700-1.85 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Conagra Brands will post 2.35 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Conagra Brands

In other news, SVP Melissa C. Napier sold 13,011 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.19, for a total value of $223,659.09. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Conagra Brands

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quaker Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Conagra Brands by 202.3% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,227 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 2,427 shares during the last quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in Conagra Brands during the second quarter worth about $26,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in Conagra Brands in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of Conagra Brands by 844.4% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,596 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 1,427 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its position in shares of Conagra Brands by 522.1% during the 2nd quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 1,636 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,373 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.75% of the companys stock.

Conagra Brands Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Conagra Brands, Inc is a leading packaged foods company based in Chicago, Illinois, with a broad portfolio of shelf-stable, frozen and refrigerated foods marketed under familiar brands. The company develops, produces and distributes a wide range of consumer food products, serving both retail grocery and foodservice channels. Conagras product lineup includes frozen entrees, snacks, condiments, baking goods and desserts, providing convenient meal solutions for consumers across North America and select international markets.

Among its well-known brands are Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Marie Callenders and Banquet in the frozen foods category, as well as Hunts sauces, Orville Redenbachers popcorn, Slim Jim meat snacks and Reddi-wip toppings.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Conagra Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conagra Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for Wabash National (NYSE: WNC):

12/19/2025  Wabash National had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at DA Davidson. They now have a $9.00 price target on the stock.

12/15/2025  Wabash National had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/8/2025  Wabash National was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating.

12/1/2025  Wabash National had its sell (d+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/25/2025  Wabash National had its sell (d+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/21/2025  Wabash National had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at DA Davidson. They now have a $9.00 price target on the stock.

11/19/2025  Wabash National was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating.

11/13/2025  Wabash National had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/9/2025  Wabash National was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a sell rating to a hold rating.

11/7/2025  Wabash National was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a sell (d) rating to a hold (c-) rating.

11/1/2025  Wabash National was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating.

10/30/2025  Wabash National was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating.

10/23/2025  Wabash National was given a new $9.00 price target on by analysts at National Bankshares, Inc..

Wabash National Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 8th will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 8th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Wabash Nationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.26%.

Get Wabash National Corporation alerts:

Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is a leading designer and manufacturer of transportation equipment and supply chain solutions. The companys product portfolio includes dry freight van trailers, refrigerated vans, tank trailers, platform trailers, flatbeds and composite bodies. Wabash National also offers railcar products and modular building solutions, serving customers in a wide range of end markets such as food and beverage, chemicals, agriculture, waste management and construction.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Wabash National has built a reputation for innovation in lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing processes and telematics integration.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Wabash National Corporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wabash National Corporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. (NYSE:BVN  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $29.88 and last traded at $29.1440, with a volume of 377975 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.35.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on BVN shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Buenaventura Mining in a report on Monday, December 15th. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Buenaventura Mining from $27.50 to $27.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Buenaventura Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Buenaventura Mining from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $27.00.

Get Buenaventura Mining alerts:

Read Our Latest Analysis on BVN

Buenaventura Mining Trading Up 2.0%

The business has a 50-day moving average of $24.40 and a 200-day moving average of $20.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.02 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a current ratio of 2.27.

Buenaventura Mining (NYSE:BVN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The mining company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.25. Buenaventura Mining had a return on equity of 11.76% and a net margin of 30.70%.The firm had revenue of $431.04 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $355.57 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. will post 1.13 EPS for the current year.

Buenaventura Mining Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th were issued a $0.1446 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 19th. Buenaventura Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.12%.

Institutional Trading of Buenaventura Mining

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in Buenaventura Mining by 38.5% in the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 7,196,976 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $175,102,000 after acquiring an additional 1,999,475 shares during the last quarter. Sprott Inc. acquired a new position in Buenaventura Mining in the third quarter valued at $25,647,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Buenaventura Mining by 146.5% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,737,984 shares of the mining companys stock worth $42,285,000 after buying an additional 1,033,045 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Buenaventura Mining by 2,318.6% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 633,036 shares of the mining companys stock worth $10,394,000 after buying an additional 606,862 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership grew its holdings in Buenaventura Mining by 69.4% in the 2nd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 1,217,376 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $19,989,000 after buying an additional 498,585 shares during the period.

About Buenaventura Mining

(Get Free Report)

Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA. (NYSE: BVN) is one of Perus leading precious metals producers, primarily engaged in the exploration, development and operation of gold, silver and base metal mines. Headquartered in Lima, the companys core activities cover the entire mining cycle from concession acquisition and project evaluation to extraction, milling and metal refining. Buenaventura also holds interests in smelting, refining and trading services, enabling it to market its products both domestically and internationally.

The companys principal assets include several operating mines in Peru such as Uchucchacua (silver-lead-zinc), Orcopampa (gold-silver) and the Tambomayo gold mine.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Buenaventura Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Buenaventura Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $50.57 and last traded at $50.4950, with a volume of 1998156 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $50.08.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on TFC shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Truist Financial from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Baird R W downgraded shares of Truist Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Truist Financial from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a neutral rating and set a $52.00 price target on shares of Truist Financial in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Truist Financial from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $49.93.

Get Truist Financial alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Truist Financial

Truist Financial Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $45.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.73. The stock has a market cap of $64.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.90.

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The insurance provider reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.05. Truist Financial had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 8.73%. The company had revenue of $5.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.97 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Truist Financial Corporation will post 4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Truist Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.1%. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 55.91%.

Truist Financial announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, December 16th that authorizes the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the insurance provider to buy up to 15.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Truist Financial

In other Truist Financial news, Director K. David Jr. Boyer sold 5,160 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.45, for a total value of $239,682.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at $471,606.85. This represents a 33.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Truist Financial by 1.3% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 120,440,153 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $5,177,722,000 after acquiring an additional 1,529,478 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in shares of Truist Financial by 0.3% during the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 107,642,731 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,921,717,000 after buying an additional 346,423 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Truist Financial by 0.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 28,191,122 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,205,855,000 after buying an additional 74,728 shares during the last quarter. Amundi raised its position in shares of Truist Financial by 4.6% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 24,774,656 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,019,477,000 after acquiring an additional 1,091,311 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Truist Financial by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,566,519 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $755,185,000 after acquiring an additional 164,034 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.28% of the companys stock.

About Truist Financial

(Get Free Report)

Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company that provides a broad range of financial services through its primary subsidiary, Truist Bank, and other operating units. The company offers traditional retail banking products and services such as deposit accounts, consumer and residential mortgage lending, and credit and debit card services. Truist also serves commercial clients with middle-market and corporate lending, treasury and payment solutions, and specialty finance products.

Beyond core banking, Truist operates wealth management, asset management, insurance and capital markets businesses.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Truist Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Truist Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BBB Foods Inc. (NYSE:TBBB  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $35.20 and last traded at $34.9520, with a volume of 267004 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $33.71.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on TBBB. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of BBB Foods from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of BBB Foods from $35.50 to $39.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of BBB Foods in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded BBB Foods from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Zacks Research raised BBB Foods from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, BBB Foods currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.80.

Get BBB Foods alerts:

View Our Latest Report on TBBB

BBB Foods Stock Up 4.4%

The company has a market capitalization of $4.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -41.89 and a beta of -0.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $30.14 and a 200-day moving average price of $27.50.

BBB Foods (NYSE:TBBB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported ($0.66) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.43) by ($0.23). BBB Foods had a negative return on equity of 44.56% and a negative net margin of 2.61%.The company had revenue of $1.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.06 billion. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that BBB Foods Inc. will post 0.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BBB Foods

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of BBB Foods by 104.5% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 22,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $600,000 after purchasing an additional 11,500 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in BBB Foods during the first quarter valued at $416,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in BBB Foods by 73.2% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,634,417 shares of the companys stock worth $43,606,000 after acquiring an additional 690,560 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in BBB Foods in the 1st quarter worth about $2,284,000. Finally, Walleye Capital LLC acquired a new stake in BBB Foods during the 1st quarter worth about $1,870,000. 8.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BBB Foods Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BBB Foods Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates a chain of grocery retail stores in Mexico. It offers household cleaning, personal hyenine, cosmetics and beauty, pharmacy, and general merchandise products, as well as jellies and desserts, foods and drinks, pet supplies, coffee, tea, chocolates, breads, dry and frozen foods, snacks and sweets, and toilet papers and napkins. The company also provides branded, private label, and spot products. It serves low-to-middle income households through online channels.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for BBB Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BBB Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report)s share price rose 1.8% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $264.63 and last traded at $264.5610. Approximately 5,515,092 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 30% from the average daily volume of 7,862,766 shares. The stock had previously closed at $259.91.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on CRM shares. DA Davidson boosted their target price on Salesforce from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Macquarie raised their target price on Salesforce from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Northland Securities upped their price target on shares of Salesforce from $264.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $325.00 to $315.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-nine have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $326.68.

Get Salesforce alerts:

Read Our Latest Report on CRM

Salesforce Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $247.89 billion, a PE ratio of 35.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $246.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $251.67.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The CRM provider reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $10.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.27 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 17.91% and a return on equity of 14.41%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. Salesforce has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Salesforce Inc. will post 7.46 EPS for the current year.

Salesforce Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 18th will be given a $0.416 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 18th. This represents a $1.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Salesforces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.16%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Salesforce news, insider Parker Harris sold 134,662 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.70, for a total value of $31,605,171.40. Following the transaction, the insider owned 139,767 shares in the company, valued at $32,803,314.90. This trade represents a 49.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director G Mason Morfit bought 96,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $260.58 per share, with a total value of $25,015,680.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 2,994,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $780,309,155.22. This trade represents a 3.31% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 170,784 shares of company stock valued at $40,538,939. Insiders own 3.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Salesforce

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. increased its position in shares of Salesforce by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 87,331 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $23,814,000 after purchasing an additional 3,387 shares during the period. Grant Private Wealth Management Inc bought a new position in Salesforce during the third quarter valued at about $1,458,000. Advyzon Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Salesforce by 57.4% during the second quarter. Advyzon Investment Management LLC now owns 1,884 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 687 shares during the period. Atalanta Sosnoff Capital LLC grew its holdings in Salesforce by 8.5% during the second quarter. Atalanta Sosnoff Capital LLC now owns 206,614 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $56,342,000 after acquiring an additional 16,176 shares during the period. Finally, Country Club Bank raised its position in Salesforce by 337.8% in the third quarter. Country Club Bank now owns 20,632 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $5,057,000 after acquiring an additional 15,919 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.43% of the companys stock.

About Salesforce

(Get Free Report)

Salesforce, founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a global provider of cloud-based software focused on customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise applications. The company popularized the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for CRM and has built a broad portfolio of products designed to help organizations manage sales, service, marketing, commerce and analytics through a unified, cloud-first platform.

Core offerings include Sales Cloud for sales automation, Service Cloud for customer support, Marketing Cloud for digital marketing and engagement, and Commerce Cloud for e-commerce.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Salesforce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salesforce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) recently:

12/17/2025  Pfizer had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Guggenheim.

12/17/2025  Pfizer was given a new $24.00 price target on by analysts at Wolfe Research. They now have an underperform rating on the stock.

12/15/2025  Pfizer had its price target lowered by analysts at Bank of America Corporation from $29.00 to $28.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

12/12/2025  Pfizer had its price target lowered by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $32.00 to $28.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

12/10/2025  Pfizer had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at BMO Capital Markets.

12/10/2025  Pfizer had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at HSBC Holdings plc. They now have a $29.00 price target on the stock.

12/2/2025  Pfizer is now covered by analysts at Citigroup Inc.. They set a neutral rating and a $26.00 price target on the stock.

11/24/2025  Pfizer had its price target raised by analysts at Guggenheim from $33.00 to $35.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

11/13/2025  Pfizer is now covered by analysts at Scotiabank. They set a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock.

11/12/2025  Pfizer was upgraded by analysts at Scotiabank to a strong-buy rating.

11/5/2025  Pfizer had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.. They now have a $26.00 price target on the stock.

10/31/2025  Pfizer had its market perform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein. They now have a $30.00 price target on the stock.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Investors of record on Friday, January 23rd will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.8%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

Get Pfizer Inc alerts:

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas.

Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wild jujube seed spurs growth in N China's Hebei as sleep disorder remedy

People's Daily Online) 15:01, December 22, 2025

Photo shows wild jujube seeds in Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Liu Jidong)

Sleep quality across China remains far from ideal, with more than 65 percent of respondents reporting ongoing problems, according to a 2025 white paper on sleep health among Chinese residents. In Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province, wild jujube seeds, a natural remedy, are quietly finding their way into households across the country.

Wild jujube seeds have been used for medicinal purposes for over 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine. Classical medical texts note their ability to calm the mind, promote restful sleep and regulate sweating, making them an essential ingredient in treatments for insomnia and heart palpitations.

A villager picks wild jujubes at a plantation in Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo/Liu Jidong)

Modern studies support these traditional claims, showing that compounds such as saponins and flavonoids in wild jujube seeds can help improve sleep quality and relieve anxiety.

Neiqiu county is widely recognized as an authentic source region for the herb. It serves as the country's wild jujube seed processing and distribution hub, with more than 500 years of experience in wild jujube processing.

A villager dries wild jujubes at a plantation in Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo/Liu Jidong)

Today, Neiqiu is home to 300,000 mu (20,000 hectares) of wild jujube trees, both cultivated and naturally grown. The county accounts for over 70 percent of China's total wild jujube seed processing volume, generating an annual output value of 5.7 billion yuan ($809 million) and providing jobs for 43,000 local residents.

Its products are sold in bulk to markets in places such as Anguo city in Hebei, Bozhou city in east China's Anhui Province, and Anyang city in central China's Henan Province. They are also exported to South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Photo shows a wild jujube plantation in Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 8, 2025. (Photo/Liu Jidong)

As wild jujube moves through an increasingly sophisticated industrial chain, its value continues to grow. The seeds are used in calming herbal remedies. The fruit flesh is made into juice, preserved snacks and beverages. The tender leaves are brewed into tea. Even the shells find new uses, serving as pillow fillings or as raw materials for furfural and activated carbon production.

Neiqiu has established a complete wild jujube industrial ecosystem encompassing variety selection, seedling cultivation, standardized planting, scientific research, processing, sales and logistics. To date, more than 200 wild jujube products have been developed, along with over 80 creative cultural products.

Villagers package wild jujube seeds at a plantation in Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo/Liu Jidong)

In recent years, Neiqiu has capitalized on rising demand driven by sleep-related issues, combining its distinctive medicinal resources with the legacy of Bian Que, a renowned ancient physician.

By making healthy sleep a key entry point for its wellness industry, the county is advancing the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with modern healthcare and positioning itself as a national hub for better sleep.

A worker makes wild jujube juice at the production workshop of a company in Neiqiu county, Xingtai city, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Liu Jidong)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Okay, actress, diva and Insta hottie Kaley isn't really connected to KC but she still inspire our peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Burning Sensation

KCFD knocks down duplex fire in under 30 minutes on Topping Avenue Early-morning blaze damages 2story duplex on North Topping Avenue. Red Cross assists one adult.

Navigating Treacherous Holiday Week Commute

'A dozen' cars damaged, lanes closed after large pothole forms on I-35 in Lenexa Traffic on southbound Interstate 35, before I-435, has been minimized to two lanes after a large pothole caused damage to about a "dozen" cars, the Lenexa Police Department said.

Golden Ghetto Gets Break

Johnson County offering major expansion of property tax relief Commissioners increased the property appraised value threshold to $500,000 and also removed the age and disabled veteran restrictions.

Celebrating Server Legacy

Popular Kansas City restaurant mourns the loss of longtime employee A popular Kansas City restaurant is mourning the loss of one of its longtime servers on Sunday.

JoCo Carb Debut . . .

Popular Kansas donut shop opening in Overland Park after years of sold-out pop-ups Slow Rise's sourdough doughnuts nearly always sell out at the Lawrence and Overland Park farmers markets. Owner Jessica Dunkel says she hopes to open her Overland Park brick-and-mortar location within a month.

Celeb Sneak Peek

Kaley Cuoco In Undies Congratulated On Her 'Nice Physique' Kaley Cuoco is stunning in her plunging sheer lingerie as she shows off her enhanced curves in an open robe.

Understanding MAGA-NOMICS

How President Trump reshaped capitalism in 2025 His policies are picking winners and losers - and blurring the lines between business and government.

Re-post Amid Criticism

Trump news at a glance: justice department restores Epstein files image featuring Trump after outcry Todd Blanche says removal of images has 'nothing to do' with the president, and removal of 16 photos came at request of victim advocacy groups - key US politics stories from Sunday 21 December at a glance

Bonus For Walking Papers

DHS increases offer for undocumented migrants to $3000 if they voluntarily leave by end of 2025 The Department of Homeland Security has tripled its "exit bonus" offered to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States by Dec. 31, 2025.

Right-Wing Slap Fight Round III

MAGA media mess deepens at Turning Point convention MAGA speakers torched each other as pompous, cancerous cowards at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, accelerating the right's media meltdown.

Progressively Worse Promises

Jeffries says House 'will pass' ObamaCare subsidies extension 'with a bipartisan majority' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) predicted Sunday that an extension of subsidies offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will pass the House with backing from both sides of the aisle. "House Democrats are going to continue to fight to get this extension through the Congress on our side.

No Relief For Blue State

President Trump denies Colorado's disaster declaration request for wildfire, flood recovery efforts, Polis says Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are asking President Trump to reverse his decision after the president reportedly denied disaster declaration requests for major wildfires and flooding across the state earlier this year.

Faithful Stand Up For Christmas

South Carolina Town Committee Keeps Nativity Scene After Mayor Orders It Removed A small town committee in South Carolina kept a Nativity display in a market parking lot in defiance of the mayor's order.

Deuce Detractors Demand Answers

Vance refuses to set red lines over bigotry as conservatives feud at Turning Point Vice President JD Vance says the conservative movement should welcome anyone who loves America. He declined to condemn antisemitism that has divided the Republican Party. This statement came during Turning Point USA's annual convention, where debates raged about excluding figures like Nick Fuente...

MAGA Blow Against Power Play

Trump halts all offshore wind leases for projects under construction It's among the most sweeping broadsides yet against the renewable energy source that's most directly in President Trump's crosshairs.

Euro War Turns To Terror?!?

Russian general killed by bomb under his car and Moscow says Ukraine a possible culprit A Russian general was killed when a bomb detonated under his car in Moscow and investigators said Ukraine could be behind the attack.

New Rules Down Under

Guns, terror symbols, protests and hate speech: NSW is pushing through changes after Bondi - so what are they? The Liberals say they will support the legislation, but parts have been opposed by the Nationals and Greens. Here's what is being proposed

Celeb Vs. Tesla King

Courtney Stodden Reflects On Past Criticism Of Her Body, Calls Out Elon Musk On Friday, Courtney Stodden shared a post on Instagram, in which she opened up about past criticism over her appearance, and called out "powerful men" commenting on women's bodies, naming Elon Musk, while also naming the "only person" who ever issued an apology to her.

Money Still More Effective . . .

There's a Pill to Increase Women's Sexual Pleasure. Why Don't They Know About It? A new documentary, 'The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs and Who Has Control,' explores the fight to bring Addyi, a pill that helps increase women's sexual pleasure, to market.

Your Betters Send Greeting . . .

Happy Holidays from the Downtown Council - Downtown Council of Kansas City We wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with health and prosperity.

Balmy Holiday Ahead

Warmer weather is here with chance for record-breaking Christmas heat Warmer weather is here with chance for record-breaking Christmas heat

Been Stellar - Breakaway is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Quick answer . . .

LOCKTON'S DEPARTURE PRETTY MUCH KILLS MOST HOPE OF THE PLAZA AS ANYTHING BUT THE NEXT CITY HALL DISASTER!!!

The old Country Club district is no more . . . The smart money got out and the future if corporate welfare, public housing and heavily subsidized storefronts all selling local t-shirts & trinkets that couldn't possibly pay the rent.

Take a peek . . .

"Kansas City Council is considering a plan to overhaul the Country Club Plaza, with much taller buildings and a new public square. But not all residents are convinced  and now Lockton Companies is moving its headquarters to Leawood.



"Its no secret that the Plaza has been struggling for years. In 2023, its former ownership group defaulted on nearly $300 million in debt as the shopping center struggled with slumping sales, vacant storefronts and concern about crime. The new owners, Gillon Property Group, reportedly acquired the Plaza for a discounted price of $176 million.



"Now, the Plaza stands at a crossroads."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Country Club Plaza is losing a major employer, frustrating Kansas City's redevelopment plans Kansas City Council is considering a plan to overhaul the Country Club Plaza, with much taller buildings and a new public square. But not all residents are convinced - and now Lockton Companies is moving its headquarters to Leawood.

Port KC to consider $1.4 billion bond framework for major Country Club Plaza redevelopment A special meeting on Monday could move forward a plan that would allow up to $1.4 billion in bonds to support the long-term redevelopment of the Country Club Plaza.

Developing . . .
The Danish foreign ministers gift to his Egyptian counterpart  a Lego recreation of the Great Pyramid  and the portrait of Trump symbolize the success of the company, which, with increasingly complex toys, is now targeting adults

The king of Spain, the chancellor of Germany, and the Dutch prime minister were all present. The Grand Egyptian Museum  the worlds most comprehensive exhibition on the civilization that arose on the banks of the Nile  was being inaugurated in Cairo. After two decades of construction, setbacks, delays, and revolutions, the long-awaited project had finally become a reality. And so Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, decided that such a solemn occasion deserved a gift worthy of it.

Not even protocol could contain the enthusiasm of his local counterpart, Badr Abdel Aty, when he received it: in an official photograph, his smile is the same as that of millions of children  and increasingly, adults  when faced with a new Lego set. Specifically, the Great Pyramid of Giza, a recreation of the ancient wonder that stands near the new museum. The original construction is estimated to have taken at least 20 years. Who knows how long it will take the Egyptian politician to build its Lego replica: he must fit together 1,476 pieces, one of the largest sets in the catalog.

Meanwhile, the Danish company has added another brick to its already impressive reputation. It has been a fixture in many homes, but now its being invited to the most exclusive venues. Even the White House, in its Christmas decorations, is displaying a Lego portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Just eight years ago, the Danish company saw its profits plummet and laid off part of its workforce. Today, it has become one of the most solid and recognized brands on the planet. And not just in the childrens market: the neologism kidults reflects the unprecedented rise in adult consumerism. The company sells kits for building everything from a French-fries truck and a chicken farm to the Trevi Fountain or Van Goghs Starry Night, not to mention the Millennium Falcon or the machines faced by Aloy in the video game Horizon.

Brands such as Disney, Stranger Things and the Spice Girls have authorized it to break down and reassemble their icons. And the little yellow figures now enjoy similar success in clothing, films and board games, such as Brick Like This! or Monkey Palace. A study cited by Bloomberg in 2019 concluded that investing in Lego between 1987 and 2015 had proven more profitable than investing in gold, art or wine.

The company, founded in 1932 by carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen, still upholds its long-standing motto: Inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow. Yet this is also where its main challenges lie: prices that are sometimes out of reach even for builders of today, and a plastic-based production model that threatens that very future.

Their business has always been based on diversification. The founder started with all kinds of toys, initially made of wood. But building with little bricks eventually took center stage, and thats where he decided to focus his energy, reflects Sarah Herman, author of books such as Building a Story: The Lego Group and A Million Little Bricks. To write them, she researched, conducted interviews, and was granted access to the companys headquarters in Billund, a Danish town of around 7,000 inhabitants where the company was founded and still keeps its heart. She left with a surprise: Many people think the bricks and figurines were there from the very beginning, but thats not true.

This was clarified for her by Jens Nygaard Knudsen, the very inventor of the yellow miniatures. The man, it seems, ran a shop before joining the company in 1968, when he was tasked with creating Lego people. The first one, unveiled in 1974, was larger and more detailed than todays version. As a result, the buildings designed to house them also required more space and more pieces. This led to the creation of the so-called extra, a smaller and simpler version. Some 50 prototypes gradually brought it closer to the icon it is today.

We have hundreds of designers [more than 430 in Billund], human inspiration, numerous product tests and studies, and very precise manufacturing, says Pilar Vilella, brand director for France and Iberia, regarding the creative process.

Rok Zgalin Kobe, a designer in the Lego Architecture line, which recreates buildings such as the Eiffel Tower or Himeji Castle, explained on the companys official website the development of one particularly high-profile project: the Colosseum, launched in 2020 with 9,036 pieces, the largest set in the companys history. Among the most stressful moments in a LEGO designers life is when the product of months, sometimes years, of hard work is shoved into an industrial oven, he recounted. After all, the replica aspired to defy the passage of time just like the original Roman monument.

Promotional image of the Lego recreation of the Colosseum, provided by the company.

But the Lego version of the Amphitheatrum Flavium represents much more than the companys ambition. The recommended age is 18 and up  the group that spent the most on toys in the U.S. in 2024, as Herman notes. It has always been an expensive pastime. But the larger, more expensive sets are a more recent phenomenon. And it has a lot to do with adult fans, who have turned collecting them into a status symbol, she explains.

Pilar Vilella acknowledges that some releases come with higher prices, which she links to the number of pieces, the research involved, and the exclusivity. At the same time, she points out that a quarter of the catalog costs less than 19.99 ($23.50). In any case, she celebrates the passion of adults, who are likely to pass it on to their children.

Lego needs to make room for around 800 new releases each year, which is why some creations gradually go out of production. Lego sets dont show a significant correlation to the financial crises and can be seen as an attractive investment with a diversification potential, concluded the analysis of 2,300 sets cited by Bloomberg, carried out by Victoria Dobrynskaya, assistant professor at the Higher School of Economics in Russia.

A girl and her father play with a Lego set inspired by the series Bluey, in an image provided by the company.

The Lego brick has enduring appeal: it transcends language, culture, age, and interests, boasts Pilar Vilella. She maintains that it remains at the center of the companys strategy: any new initiative must follow the brands DNA. Lego already has a presence in film, board and digital games, series, books, and more than 20 licensed properties, selected based on trend studies, fan feedback, longevity calculations, and the complexity of translating them into physical builds. The offering is set to expand: the Lego Play app aims to introduce programming in some sets, and the adult community can already assemble the Mona Lisa, a tropical aquarium, or an orchid.

According to Herman, this approach has yielded good results after decades of uncertainty and uneven performance: Some fans might be drawn in through Star Wars or Harry Potter and buy only the sets from those licenses. This creates a collectors aspect, as well as a certain anticipation for new releases. Theyve also invested heavily in the brand, building trust and a reputation for quality. Video games and films have helped to reinforce this, introducing more humor and characters, and gaining new audiences.

However, there is one area where Lego has struggled. In 2021, the company announced trials to produce a brick made from recyclable plastic instead of traditional, polluting ABS. Ultimately, though, it chose to focus on reducing the carbon footprint of its usual material. We tested hundreds and hundreds of materials. Its just not been possible to find a material like that, admitted CEO Niels Christiansen to the Financial Times in 2023.

Tim Brooks, head of sustainability, described the failed attempts to find alternatives as a disappointment: in some cases, processes to achieve the same strength and performance with other materials ended up being even more polluting. As a result, the initial goal of eliminating all petroleum-based plastic from its creations by 2030 has been postponed to 2032, alongside a 37% reduction in emissions compared with 2019.

Its complicated because the new bricks have to meet standards for safety, quality, and durability, Vilella explains. She notes that more than 600 materials have been tested, from artificial marble to sugarcane, fishing net waste, and recycled oils. Meanwhile, this year marks the deadline for another Lego commitment: eliminating all single-use plastic from its packaging.

Image from the Lego video game based on the movie by the same company.

The very nature of these global brands is antithetical to reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, Herman emphasizes. She suggests that the company focus more on a path it is beginning to explore: the free  or even incentivized  return of old sets so they can be reused by others. The writer adds: In its defense, the enduring nature of Lego means that one persons collection can be passed on to another generation and have several more lives. It turns out the little bricks can build just about anything. Even tributes to memories.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. The Baku Network expert platform rolled out the next part of the analytical video series "Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov," Trend reports.

The guest of the program was Chairman of the Board of the Mediation Council, Doctor of Philosophy in Law, and Associate Professor Nadir Adilov.

He spoke in detail about the dynamics of appeals and the real trends in this legal area.

According to Adilov, the law on mediation hands over to citizens some of the powers that were once kept back for the courts. Family and labor disputes are now being worked through the conciliation process, while civil and commercial disputes, although optional, are starting to pick up.

"The state gives people the chance to obtain the decision they would like to hear from a judge, but only by mutual agreement of the parties. It's only important that citizens are aware of their rights and understand the mechanism," he emphasized.

According to him, in the first three quarters of 2025, the mediation system received nearly 38,000 requests.

"The mainstream is family conflicts, followed by labor disputes. Voluntary civil and commercial cases are already creating a steady trend of trust. Of the total number of requests, more than 34,000 cases have already been concluded. However, almost half of these cases were cases where one party shied away from participating, leaving the mediator to work essentially unilaterally," the expert pointed out.

Adilov said that during the same period, the parties signed 620 conciliation agreements.

"Most of these agreements relate to family disputes, a significant share are labor cases, and the rest are commercial and civil conflicts," he explained.

According to Adilov, many long-standing conflicts stem from outdated traditions: twenty-year-old dowries, gold, and household items. All of this creates legal dead ends and draws dozens of relatives into the conflict. He sees a solution in a mandatory prenuptial agreement, which should become the norm when registering a marriage.

Adilov recalled that Azerbaijan co-founded the Union of Mediators of the Turkic World. Work is underway to join the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which will ensure the enforcement of agreements in cross-border commercial disputes.

"At the same time, a test launch of a digital mediation portal has been completed and is expected to become fully operational in the coming months. This will allow for online sessions and reduce the need for citizens to travel.

Mediators are trained through the Academy of Justice: basic and specialized courses, along with mandatory refresher courses every two years. Currently, approximately 400 mediators work in the system, but more than 300 have been expelled for failing to meet standards," he said.

According to Adilov, mediation has already become more than just a legal tool but a social mechanism that helps remove destructive conflicts from everyday life.

"We've come a long way, but there's still more to come. Only through the joint efforts of the media, the expert community, lawyers, and government agencies can we transform a potential conflict into an opportunity to reach an agreement," he concluded.

The Union of Mediators of the Turkic World (TDAB) serves as a comprehensive consortium dedicated to enhancing synergies among mediators across Turkic nations, including Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, etc. Its mission is to elevate mediation as a viable alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism, with the objective of establishing a prestigious, internationally acknowledged mediation framework.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The reasons for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyevs non-participation in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held on December 21 in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as in the informal summit of CIS heads of state scheduled for today, have been disclosed.

The Presidential Administration told AZERTAC that, as Azerbaijan is not a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, President Ilham Aliyev did not take part in the December 21 meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. The head of state was also unable to attend todays informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg due to a tight work schedule.

It was recalled that the Republic of Azerbaijan regularly participates in official CIS summits as a member state and attaches great importance to cooperation within the CIS framework, including the development of bilateral relations with member states.

President Ilham Aliyev participated in the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council held on October 910 this year in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The meetings held within the framework of the session, both bilaterally and multilaterally, were productive.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanovic has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his birthday, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

I extend my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your birthday. I wish you good health and much success in both your personal and professional life.

I am confident that Croatia and Azerbaijan will continue to strengthen and deepen their mutual friendship and bilateral cooperation, with our joint efforts to improve economic relations being of particular importance.

Wishing you all the best, and progress and prosperity for the citizens of your country, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

I heartily congratulate you on your birthday. Please accept my best wishes on this joyful occasion.

On this significant day, I wish you, above all, good health, happiness, and every success in your state activities for the benefit of the further progress of the fraternal Azerbaijani people and the strengthening of the country's authority on the global stage.

It is gratifying that the Republic of Azerbaijan, under your leadership, is today confidently following the path of sustainable and comprehensive development.

Your achievements as head of state have earned you great authority and respect both in your country and beyond its borders.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to particularly note your consistently attentive approach to the further strengthening of various aspects of Tajik-Azerbaijani friendly and cooperative relations.

I am confident that, building on the trust-based political dialogue and close friendship that have developed between us, we will continue to jointly advance the entire range of relations between our countries in the spirit of strategic partnership," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Colombia, Luis Fernando Cuartas Ayala, on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic tenure today, Trend reports via the country's MFA.

The minister commended the ongoing progress in bilateral relations between the two nations, expressing gratitude to the ambassador for his dedicated efforts in fostering these ties.

During the meeting, the significance of mutual visits, regular contacts, and political and consular consultations was emphasized as essential for maintaining and further advancing the political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Colombia.

Bayramov recalled with satisfaction his recent meeting with his Colombian counterpart, Luis Gilberto Murillo, on the sidelines of the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), underscoring that such engagements are vital for strengthening both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The minister highlighted the importance of collaboration not only on a bilateral level but also within international platforms such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, further reinforcing the multifaceted nature of the partnership between Azerbaijan and Colombia.

Bayramov also praised Ambassador Ayala's significant contributions to the development of Azerbaijani-Colombian relations, wishing him continued success in his future endeavors.

The parties exchanged perspectives on a range of other bilateral issues of shared interest, marking a productive dialogue for future cooperation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Director-General of ICESCO, Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik, sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

''Excellency,

On the occasion of Your Excellency's birthday, I have the honor, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), to convey our sincere congratulations and highest expressions of esteem.

This occasion offers an opportunity to acknowledge Your Excellency's distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to the progress, stability, and international standing of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Under Your Excellency's guidance, Azerbaijan has continued to play an active and respected role within the Islamic world and beyond, greatly contributing to intercultural dialogue, peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

ICESCO attaches a great importance to its close and productive cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan, particularly in the fields of education, artificial intelligence, culture, and heritage. We remain committed to further strengthening this partnership in pursuit of our shared objectives and common values.

On this honorable occasion, I extend my best wishes to Your Excellency, and to Your esteemed family, for good health, continued success, and lasting prosperity. I also wish the friendly people of Azerbaijan further progress and well-being under Your Excellency's leadership.

Let me avail myself of this opportunity to extend to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem,'' the letter reads.
Photo: Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The 12th meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye was held in Baku today, the Cabinet of Ministers said in a statement, Trend reports.

Prior to the meeting, Azerbaijans Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Turkiyes Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz held a one-on-one meeting.

Afterwards, the 12th meeting of the commission was held, co-chaired by Asadov and Yilmaz, with the participation of the heads of relevant state institutions of both countries.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that Azerbaijan and Turkiye share a profound cultural and historical bond that is based on friendship and fraternity.

The meeting noted that the historic Shusha Declaration, signed on June 15, 2021, by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, elevated bilateral relations to the top level of alliance.

Besides, the meeting mentioned that the personal relationship and close contacts between the heads of state are the main factors ensuring the consistent development of the strategic partnership.

The sides spotlighted the fact that this year, seven mutual visits between the presidents have taken place.

The meeting highlighted that during President Ilham Aliyevs most recent visit to Turkiye on June 19, the opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan neighborhood was held in Kahramanmaras, and that President Erdogan participated in the military parade in Baku on November 8 dedicated to the 5th anniversary of Victory in the Second Karabakh War. The sides described these events as evidence of the high level of political dialogue.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the traditional close cooperation and mutual support between Azerbaijan and Turkiye within the framework of international organizations.

The sides underlined that the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is of special importance for both countries and noted that Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are carrying out determined efforts to strengthen unity in the Turkic world and increase the organizations international standing.

The meeting recalled that the 12th Summit of the OTS was held in Azerbaijan's Gabala in October and that the chairmanship passed to the country, as well as expressed confidence that during Azerbaijans chairmanship, the organization will continue its development and further enhance its influence.

The sides pointed out that this year a new format was created within the organizationthe meeting of heads of government/vice presidentsand noted that after the first meeting held in Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan will host the next meeting in 2026.

Touching upon bilateral relations in the economic and trade sphere, the meeting noted that Turkiye is one of Azerbaijans main trading partners. The sides stated that the existing economic potential and geographic advantages of both countries demonstrate real opportunities to increase trade turnover.

The meeting emphasized the importance of analyzing the results of the Preferential Trade Agreement and expanding its scope.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation in the investment sphere.

The meeting stated that the mega energy projects jointly implemented by Azerbaijan and Turkiye are of great regional and global significance.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor, the meeting noted that the number of countries to which Azerbaijan exports gas has recently reached 14, including 10 European countries.

The sides also emphasized that joint efforts have already enabled the start of gas transportation to Syria and noted that for the first time Azerbaijani gas is reaching the Middle East region via Turkiye.

The meeting drew attention to the fact that the IgdirNakhchivan Natural Gas Pipeline, put into operation in March of the current year, has strengthened the energy security of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Region.

The meeting reported that mutually beneficial cooperation has also been established in the field of electricity and noted that active work is currently underway on the NakhchivanTurkiye energy hub project. The sides emphasized that exporting green energy to Turkiye and Europe by utilizing Nakhchivans renewable energy potential is among the key goals.

Among the meeting's top priorities for Azerbaijan and Turkiye's cooperation was the transportation industry. Transportation of goods between the two nations via road and rail was a hot topic of discussion between the two parties.

It was highlighted at the meeting that Azerbaijan's investments improved the carrying capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a crucial link in the Middle Corridor, from one million tons to five million tons last year.

Asadov stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to attract additional cargo flows to the BTK railway.

The sides announced the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor development for both countries.

Meeting participants emphasized the importance of the Washington accords aimed at bridging the gap between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Region and the rest of Azerbaijan.



All parties involved have stressed that the Zangezur corridor, with its initial cargo capacity of 15 million tons, will take center stage as the Middle Corridor's primary route.



As part of the Zangezur corridor, the gathering emphasized the significance of the August foundation-laying for the Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu railway line.

The meeting said that Azerbaijan and Turkiye also attach great importance to humanitarian relations, with special attention given to cooperation in education.

The sides described the TurkiyeAzerbaijan University, which began operating in the 20242025 academic year, as a clear example of successful cooperation in education.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the opening of a new branch of the Turkish Anatolian Lyceum in Baku in September and noted that an Azerbaijani school will be established in Istanbul starting from the next academic year.

The sides praised the results of cooperation in vocational education and expressed hope that Turkiyes experience in this field will be beneficial for Azerbaijan.

Environmental protection and the fight against climate change were also topics of discussion at the gathering.

Asadov congratulated Ylmaz on Turkiye being selected as the host of COP31 and noted that Azerbaijan is ready to provide comprehensive support to its brotherly country during the preparation process.

During the meeting, the sides heard reports by members of both delegations on issues on the agenda.

At the end of the meeting, Asadov and Ylmaz signed the Protocol of the 12th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye and approved a 110-point Action Plan covering key areas of bilateral cooperation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

On the occasion of your birthday, please accept my warm congratulations and sincere wishes for strong health and continued success in your responsible state activities for the benefit of the people of Azerbaijan.

You tirelessly and devotedly serve your native country, ensuring its consistent socio-economic and socio-political development and stability, while steadily implementing important strategic initiatives.

May all your plans be successfully realized with the unanimous support of your fellow citizens, and may the high authority you enjoy both in the Republic of Azerbaijan and in the international community serve as a guarantee for achieving the most significant and ambitious goals.

I take this opportunity to express my hope for the further strengthening of the fraternal ties between the peoples of Tatarstan and Azerbaijan, in the interests of a multifaceted Russian-Azerbaijani partnership and universal peace.

I wish you and your loved ones happiness and every success," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan has begun implementing a nationwide amnesty announced under the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev to mark the "Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty," Trend reports.

The measure will initially be carried out at Penitentiary Institution No. 4, where 22 female inmates will be released from the remainder of their sentences. Two of the women are serving time while caring for young children, highlighting the human dimension of the initiative.

According to the preliminary list under the amnesty act, nearly 5,000 people are set to be released from prison, while the sentences of more than 3,000 others will be reduced by six months. The measure also extends to over 10,000 individuals serving non-custodial sentences.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been sent to Hasanriz village in the Aghdara district, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

In line with President Ilham Aliyevs instructions, the Great Return to the liberated territories is underway, as 10 families (54 people) begin a new chapter in the village.

At this stage, families are being relocated to Hasanriz from the Tartar district.

Residents returning to their native lands expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided. They expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for their role in liberating the territory, paying tribute to the courage and valor of the soldiers and officers. They also honored the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service to the cause, offering prayers in their memory.

The families heading to the village had previously been settled in various parts of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

The "Great Return" in Azerbaijan is a national program focused on rebuilding and repopulating the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, liberated after the 2020 war, to facilitate the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral lands by restoring infrastructure, creating jobs, and developing modern, sustainable settlements. Key elements include massive reconstruction (roads, housing, schools), economic revitalization through new industrial zones, and integrating social services to ensure long-term prosperity for returning families, aiming for a cultural and physical rebirth of these territories.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The script for the current political crisis in Venezuela rests on two central arguments, regularly invoked by the Venezuelan opposition and the United States government: the alleged links between the Chavista regime and terrorist groups and criminal networks, and the illegitimate nature of Nicolas Maduros presidency following accusations of fraud in the 2024 presidential elections. In recent days, Washington has put forward a third reason. U.S. President Donald Trump himself has openly alluded to the importance of Venezuelan oil and the supposed existence of liabilities and energy rights seized from U.S. companies in previous litigation with the Venezuelan state. You remember, they took all of our energy rights, Trump stated, referring to Chavismo and its dispute with the multinational Exxon Mobil, which resulted in the companys departure from Venezuela in 2007. They took all of our oil from not that long ago, and we want it back.

Contrary to what some believed, Venezuelas vast natural resources are part of the subtext of this geopolitical crisis, which is escalating to new levels of tension on a daily basis. Aware of this, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado recently released a video titled Land of Grace, in which she invites Venezuelans to envision a republic capable of overcoming the bankruptcy of Chavismo and calls on investors to consider the business opportunities and growth potential of the country based on its immense natural resources.

The shore of Lake Maracaibo, in Venezuela, covered in oil. Gaby Oraa (Bloomberg)

The socioeconomic shipwreck of the last decade has created a paradox: a country with abundant and coveted riches, a still considerable infrastructure, and acceptable installed capacity, yet mired in collapse. This abundance in an impoverished society has fueled a persistent myththat of the poor rich countrywhich has become one of the great torments of the Venezuelan national project.

In addition to possessing the worlds largest oil reserves, Venezuela boasts enormous gas depositsthe sixth largest globally; vast gold reserves, the most significant in Latin America; iron, ranking 12th worldwide; bauxite, 15th; and diamonds. Before the collapse of the Chavista regime, the country had made significant progress in the exploitation and export of several of these commodities, particularly oil, gas, iron ore, and processed aluminum and steel products, cornerstones of contemporary Venezuela. Furthermore, it possesses a substantial supply of so-called rare earth elements, especially coltan and thorium, chemical elements with magnetic and conductivity properties essential for modern technologymobile phones, electric vehicles, weaponry, and renewable energy. These riches are nestled within a geography of high biodiversity, abundant water resources, and privileged access to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Between 2014 and 2015, when the oil industry hit rock bottom and the country suffered years of brutal shortages of food and medicine, Chavismo relied on mining resources south of the Orinoco River to survive. It did not do so by revitalizing the iron, bauxite, aluminum, and steel companies, which, under Chavismo, suffered the same fate as Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), plagued by underinvestment and mismanagement.

In 2016, Nicolas Maduro signed the decree creating the Orinoco Mining Arc, an area of approximately 112,000 square kilometersequivalent to 12% of the national territorylocated south of the Orinoco River. This area is considered strategic for the exploitation of gold, primarily, but also diamonds, coltan, nickel, and rare earth elements, in a context of favorable international prices. The government has maintained that the Orinoco Mining Arc contains more than 8,000 tons of gold, which would place Venezuela among the countries with the largest reserves of the mineral. It has also spoken of the possibility of exploiting up to one million carats of diamonds, 12,000 tons of nickel, 35,000 tons of coltan, and significant copper deposits. A decade later, far from becoming a development hub, the Orinoco Mining Arc has transformed into a dangerous hotbed of crime, political and military corruption, and smuggling, all against the backdrop of a major environmental disaster. There is no large-scale mining, but chaotic and uncontrolled exploitation.

Venezuelan fishermen near an oil plant in Cabimas. Gaby Oraa (Bloomberg)

In gold trading, Chavismo has partnered with Turkey and South Africa. In production, however, it operates a network of strategic alliances with companies close to the ruling elite, under the auspices of the Venezuelan Mining Corporation. These alliances coexist with irregular actors such as the Colombian guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN), FARC dissidents, and criminal gangs like the Tren de Aragua. Official projections from the governments mining plan indicate that 79 tons of gold should be produced in this region by 2025. The data, however, is opaque and difficult to verify. Multilateral organizations and journalistic investigations have documented that a large portion of the extracted gold is smuggled out of the country, with only a fraction entering the national treasury, at a high cost in violence, labor exploitation, and human trafficking. A report by Transparency Venezuela estimated that in 2024 only 14% of the value of the extracted minerals reached the coffers of the Central Bank, while the rest was divided between strategic alliances and criminal groups.

In 2023, the Venezuelan government declared cassiterite, nickel, rhodium, titanium, and other rare earth minerals as strategic resources for exploration, extraction, and commercialization of this key raw material for the technology industry. The so-called black sandsa market largely dominated by Chinaare emerging as another prize that the U.S. president hopes to wrest from his trade rival through the pressure he has exerted on Venezuelas resources. An investigation published in November called Amazon Underworld by the Venezuelan media outlet Armando.info revealed that, although there are official records of rare earth exports through Venezuelan ports, a substantial portion of the minerals extracted in Guayana is illegally traded to Colombia, where their origin is laundered before ending up in the hands of Chinese companies, the worlds leading processors of the material.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, December 22. New resettlement groups have been dispatched to villages in the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, including Aghdara's Vengli and Kolatagh, as well as Khojaly's Dashbulag and Badara, Trend reports.

Azerbaijan continues its Great Return process to territories liberated from occupation under the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Families returning to their ancestral homes had been temporarily living in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings across the country.

During this stage, six families (14 people) were relocated to Vengli, seven families (31 people) to Kolatag, four families (11 people) to Dashbulag, and 15 families (66 people) to Badara. The Aghdam district was the starting point for the planned departures, and the authorities ensured that the inhabitants could return home in safety and order.

Previously, permanent returns included 28 families (220 people) in Badara, 34 families (133 people) in Dashbulag, 124 families (482 people) in Vengli, and 33 families (120 people) in Kolatag, marking significant progress in repopulating these liberated areas.

Will be updated

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. An Azerbaijani delegation led by Fuad Naghiyev, chairman of the State Agency for Tourism, visited the People's Republic of China as part of the CITM 2025 (China International Travel Mart) international tourism exhibition, Trend reports via the State Agency for Tourism.

Meanwhile, it is noted that during the visit, at the capital of the People's Republic of China, between the chairman of the State Agency for Tourism, Fuad Nagiyev, and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Sun Yeli, the directions of development of tourism relations between Azerbaijan and China were discussed.

The parties noted that the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnerships between Azerbaijan and China in recent years, thanks to the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping, has contributed to the development of tourism relations, including in all areas.

Speaking at the meeting, Fuad Naghiyev noted the dynamic and positive development of tourism relations between Azerbaijan and China in recent years and emphasized the positive impact of the mutual abolition of visas on tourist flows.

The agency's chairman said that large-scale marketing and advertising campaigns aimed at promoting Azerbaijan's tourism potential in China will continue, noting that the opening of Azerbaijan's representative office in China is planned as a new stage in the development of tourism relations.

He also provided information about the China is Ready program, designed to increase the readiness of the local tourism industry to receive Chinese tourists, and noted that the China Tourism Summit event held in Baku last month was one of the important steps in deepening cooperation between representatives of the tourism industry of the two countries.

In turn, Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli noted the strengthening of economic and political ties between Azerbaijan and China in recent years, their positive impact on tourism, the importance of promoting Azerbaijan's tourism opportunities in the Chinese market to attract Chinese tourists to Azerbaijan, and stressed the importance of joint activities in this direction and the expansion of bilateral relations between representatives of the tourism industry. Minister Sun Yeli noted that in the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Azerbaijani-Chinese relations have developed as a mutually beneficial partnership, and that the Azerbaijani tourism market is of interest to Chinese tourists.

The Azerbaijani delegation also included Bunyad Huseynov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the People's Republic of China.

At the CITM 2025 exhibition, where Azerbaijan's tourism opportunities were presented, Azerbaijan was represented at the national stand by the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, the Shahdag Tourism Center, and other local partners. The Azerbaijani national stand was nominated for Best Stand at the exhibition.

Chairman of the State Agency for Tourism Fuad Naghiyev attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which took place in Haikou, People's Republic of China.

In addition, a meeting was held between Gao Zheng, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, who visited the Azerbaijan stand, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and Fuad Naghiyev.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree declaring 2026 the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The decree aims to preserve Azerbaijans centuries-old traditions of urban planning and architectural culture, as well as to promote and expand the application of progressive approaches in the field that address new challenges facing the country.

According to the document, the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan is tasked with preparing and submitting proposals to the President regarding an action plan for the implementation of the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture within one month.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. One-time financial aid will be provided to low-income families on the occasion of World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year holiday, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, as of December 30, 2025, each family receiving targeted state social assistance will be given a one-time financial aid of 200 manat ($118).

For the implementation of the decree, 15.3 million manat ($9 million) will be allocated from the funds intended for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population must ensure the payment of the one-time financial assistance to the families specified in Part 1 of this decree.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Decree "On providing one-time financial assistance to low-income families" signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will cover 76,000 low-income families, Trend reports via the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population.

The decree stipulates the provision of a one-time financial grant of 200 manat (approximately $118) to each family currently benefiting from targeted state social assistance, timed to coincide with World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year holiday, effective from December 30, 2025.

As outlined in the document, a total of 15.3 million manat (around $9 million) has been earmarked for the implementation of this initiative.

This decree is set to benefit 76,000 families, comprising 335,200 individuals, who are presently receiving targeted social assistance, offering them one-time financial relief to support their holiday expenses.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection will directly deposit this assistance into the accounts of the eligible families.

The targeted social assistance program plays a pivotal role in alleviating financial strain for low-income households. Since 2018, the average monthly aid has increased by a substantial 2.4 times, now reaching 425 manat (approximately $250). Moreover, the income threshold for eligibility has risen by 2.2 times during this period, reaching 285 manat (roughly $168), and is set to rise further to 300 manat (around $176) in the upcoming year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. A total of 1,299 hectares of land were cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance from December 15 through 22 in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) said in a weekly statement on humanitarian demining operations, Trend reports.

As many as 145 anti-tank mines, 46 anti-personnel mines, and 525 unexploded ordnance (UXO) were found and neutralized 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.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. A meeting has been held at the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan with the U.S. Charge d'Affaires Amy Carlon, the ministry said in a statement, Trend reports.

Welcoming the guests, Minister of Health Teymur Musayev noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Washington between Azerbaijan and the U.S. laid the foundation for a new strategic stage of bilateral partnership.

The meeting noted that attention and care for the families of martyrs and war veterans in Azerbaijan is one of the main priorities of state policy. Emphasizing the significance of the healthcare system digitalization, Musayev highlighted the importance of establishing relevant cooperation between the two countries.

At the same time, the importance of exchanging experience in the fields of medical education, enhancing the competencies of medical practitioners, and healthcare management was brought to attention.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Baku hosted a conference on Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence, and Media Literacy, Trend reports.

The conference featured presentations by Ahmad Ismayilov, executive director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Laman Isgandarova, director of the Media Development Agencys department.

The executive director of the Media Development Agency, Ahmad Ismayilov, stated that for the fourth consecutive year, systematic and consistent work on the topic of media literacy has become an important tradition in Azerbaijan. In a period of rapid digitalization and significant growth in the production and consumption of information, the concept of media literacy, which combines the principles of security, responsibility, and reliability, is becoming particularly relevant.

He noted that this approach forms an important value and model of behavior not only for participants in the information sphere, but also for society as a whole.

This year, we are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani national press. In accordance with the decree of President Ilham Aliyev, the widespread celebration of this anniversary is important in terms of a thorough analysis of the historical role of the national press, its place in shaping public opinion, and its significance in preserving and developing educational traditions and ideas of statehood. This anniversary also creates ample opportunities to reflect on the development of the national press, founded by the Akinchi newspaper, and to define new tasks facing the media against the backdrop of the challenges of the global information environment. The rich historical heritage of the national press in the modern period requires even greater responsibility," he said.

Ismayilov noted that the rapid expansion of the digital media environment, the prevalence of speed over accuracy, and the growing influence of social media platforms on public opinion are transforming the exchange of information into a process based on collective responsibility.

"In these conditions, regardless of the source of information, preserving its reliability, objectivity, and public benefit comes to the fore as a priority task. Against the backdrop of existing global information threats and new realities, protecting our country's information environment and ensuring citizens' access to accurate, reliable, and objective information is of particular importance. The responsible and comprehensive provision of meaningful information to society by media entities and the process of improving media literacy among the population are complementary and mutually reinforcing mechanisms. Especially at the current stage of rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, maintaining a healthy information environment, complying with ethical standards, and promoting reliable information are of strategic importance," he said.

According to him, strengthening media literacy should be seen as the responsibility not only of professional journalists, but also of the general public, who are consumers of information. Critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate the source and purpose of information are among the key factors determining the sustainability of modern society.

In the fight against disinformation, which ranks among the most serious threats on the global agenda, improving media literacy and implementing ongoing and systematic educational activities to evaluate media content have been identified as one of the priority areas in our country. The consolidation of the concept of media literacy in the legal sphere for the first time in the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan On Media, which came into force in 2022, as well as the assignment of the implementation of state measures in this area to the Media Development Agency are important institutional steps in this direction," he noted.

Ismayilov stressed that improving media literacy is a multifaceted and complex process. In this context, coordinated and targeted cooperation between the family, the education system, state bodies, non-governmental organizations, and media entities is a necessary condition for achieving effective results.

The events held as part of Media Literacy Week also serve to strengthen this cooperation, increase initiative, and promote a responsible approach in the media environment. As part of an internal strategy based on successful international experience, the Media Development Agency is gradually and consistently implementing measures aimed at increasing media literacy in society. As a result of the programs implemented in this area, more than 2,000 young people from more than 25 regions have been involved in the process to date, information sessions have been organized for more than 3,000 students from over 20 secondary schools to expand the coverage of media literacy in secondary schools, and educational and promotional materials have been prepared and presented to the public in cooperation with media entities," he said.

The conference continued with an intense discussion on the topic Where does media literacy begin? A look from different perspectives.

Following the conference, the winners of the intellectual competition were awarded.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Media literacy is a shared responsibility of both professional journalists and the audience, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov said at the "Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence and Media Literacy" conference today, Trend reports.

"For four years now, organizing systematic, consistent, and united activities around the topic of media literacy in the last days of the year has become an important tradition in our country. In an era when digitalization is rapidly deepening, and the scale of information production and consumption is significantly increasing, the concept of media literacy, which incorporates the principles of security, responsibility, and reliability, is of particular relevance," he explained.

He noted that this approach not only holds value for participants in the information sector but also shapes an important value system and behavior model for society as a whole.

"In the modern information environment, where data reaches wide audiences within seconds in real time, we are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national press this year. Based on President Ilham Aliyev's relevant decree, marking this anniversary widely is of great importance in analyzing the historical role of the national press, its position in shaping public opinion, and its role in preserving and developing enlightenment traditions and state-building ideologies.

This anniversary also provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the development path of the national press, which began with the 'Ekinchi' newspaper, and to define new tasks for the media in the context of global information challenges. The rich historical heritage of the national press requires greater responsibility in modern times," the official also said.

Ismayilov emphasized that the rapid expansion of the digital media environment, the growing speed of information exchange often surpassing accuracy standards, and the increasing influence of social media platforms on public opinion, make information exchange a collective responsibility.

"In this context, ensuring the accuracy, objectivity, and public benefit of information, regardless of its source, has become a priority. Given the current global information threats and new realities, safeguarding our countrys information environment and ensuring citizens access to reliable, accurate, and objective information is of particular importance.

The media's responsibility to provide the public with significant and reliable information, along with efforts to increase media literacy, creates mutually reinforcing mechanisms. Especially with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, protecting a healthy information environment, adhering to ethical standards, and promoting accurate information are of strategic importance," Ismayilov announced.

He emphasized that the strengthening of media literacy should be viewed not only as a responsibility of professional journalists but also as a shared duty of the broader audience that consumes information. The capacity to critically analyze and assess the source and intent of information is a fundamental component in fostering societal resilience.

"In the face of significant global challenges, combating misinformation stands as a foremost concern. In this regard, enhancing media literacy and fostering continuous education on how to evaluate media content have emerged as national priorities. Azerbaijan legally defined the concept of media literacy for the first time in the 2022 Media Law, with the Media Development Agency tasked with overseeing its implementation. This represents a substantial institutional advancement," the official stated.

He further noted that media literacy is a multifaceted and intricate process, necessitating coordinated and purposeful collaboration across various sectors, including family institutions, the educational system, governmental bodies, NGOs, and media organizations, to achieve meaningful outcomes.

"The activities held during Media Literacy Week are designed to enhance this cooperation, stimulate initiative, and promote responsible engagement within the media landscape. Following a domestic strategy inspired by successful international models, the Media Development Agency has launched a series of progressive initiatives aimed at improving the media literacy competencies of the public."

"To date, over 2,000 young people from more than 25 regions have participated in these programs, and over 3,000 students in more than 20 schools have taken part in awareness-raising sessions focused on media literacy. Furthermore, in collaboration with media organizations, a range of informational and promotional materials has been produced and distributed to the public," Ismayilov added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijani diaspora activists Rahil Ahmadova and Aydan Abdullayeva have distinguished themselves in South Korea and Belgium, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora said in a statement, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijanis living abroad successfully integrate into local societies and play a very active role in their public, political, and social life. They contribute to building spiritual bridges between nations, forming multicultural values, and promoting joint activities for the future. As a result, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora are awarded various awards in the countries where they live.

Ahmadova, who lives in South Korea, and Aydan Abdullayeva, who lives in Belgium, also distinguished themselves in this regard.

She has been presented the Grand Prize of the 15th LG & Dong-A Multicultural Award for her contributions to shaping a positive public opinion toward multicultural families. Speaking at the award ceremony, she said that this award encourages multicultural families living in South Korea and that she'll continue to act as a bridge between South Korea and Azerbaijan in the future. The activist, who has been living in the country for 17 years, contributes to the proper recognition of multicultural families in society through her public activities and international projects.

Dong-A Ilbo is one of Koreas leading national newspapers, published since 1920. The LG & Dong-A Multicultural Award was established in 2010 by LG Corporation and the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper. The award aims to support individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to transforming Korea into a multicultural, friendly society. This year, nine individuals and three organizations received the award. The event was also covered in the South Korean press.

https://n.news.naver.com/article/020/0003680940?sid=102

Meanwhile, Abdullayeva has been selected as a Young European Ambassador (YEAs) for 20262027. The YEAs initiative was launched in 2016 within the framework of the European Unions EU Neighbours East Regional Communication Programme. This initiative is a non-political, volunteer-based, and dynamically operating communication network that brings together and connects young people from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Armenia, as well as EU member states and the UK. The network aims to raise awareness about the EUs cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries, support political dialogue on various topics, and promote joint action for a better future.

Abdullayeva, who studies social sciences at Vrije Universiteit, was a participant of the 5th Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth held in Lachin and is a member of the Azerbaijan Diaspora Youth organization.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The US-led battle against cargo ships off the coast of Venezuela, and Ukraines attacks on Russian vessels have brought to light an illegal industry of shadow ships

To trace the path of the Skipper, a ship that was intercepted on December 10 by the United States off the coast of Venezuela, is to follow the trail of a piece of the illegal oil industry. This single cargo ship was representative of the many actors and practices involved in an illicit trade that keeps the crude oil flowing even where international sanctions are trying to shut it off.

The vessel, which has been operational for 20 years, was flying the Guyanese flag, although this South American country has denied having any records of it. Its last cargo was 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. Three years ago, the U.S. Treasury had already sanctioned the ship, then named Adisa, for smuggling cargo on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah. The ship was the property of Triton Navigation Corp., owned by the 50-year-old oil magnate Viktor Artemov, who was born in Ukraine and now resides in Switzerland. Washington justifies its capture as part of an offensive against drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea: it alleges that Venezuela finances the drug trade with money from oil.

According to data from the analytics service TankerTrackers.com, a few hours after the seizure of the Skipper, at least 38 of the 75 tankers located off the Venezuelan coast were included on Washingtons sanctions lists. This was not the case for the tanker Centuries, intercepted this Saturday in a similar U.S. operation when it was outside Venezuelas exclusive economic zone. And it did the same with a third vessel this Sunday: the Bella 1, this one subject to sanctions, flying the Panamanian flag and heading to Venezuela to load cargo.

Satellite image of the cargo ship 'Skipper', north of the island of Guadeloupe, on December 12. Satellite image 2025 Vantor (via REUTERS)

The Skipper was undoubtedly part of the thriving international phantom fleet, a vast and elusive network of aging vessels used to circumvent international sanctions generally imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations against individuals, groups, or companies as coercive measures to prevent acts of war. These ships are used primarily for trading oil, but not exclusively. EL PAIS has detected the use of these cargo ships to smuggle stolen grain from occupied Ukraine or transport scrap metal from war zones. The exact number of these ships at sea is unknown. The EU includes 597 on its list of sanctioned Russian vessels. These ships are prohibited from entering EU ports and receiving services within the EU.

According to data provided to EL PAIS by the monitoring platform Kpler, around 3,300 vessels currently make up the phantom fleet. In 2025, they transported approximately 3.6 billion barrels of crude oil, notes analyst Ana Subasic, representing between 6% and 7% of global flows. Among the countries involved, Russia, Venezuela, and Iran are at the forefront, although others such as North Korea, Syria, and China (even for fishing in prohibited waters) have benefited from these practices.

A few years ago, the phantom fleet consisted of just a couple dozen ships. But now it has grown enormously, notes Yoruk Isik, a Turkish maritime consultant. Other players are also trying to take advantage of what it offers: a cheaper, albeit more dangerous, way to operate oil tankers. They use obscure insurance companies, old ships, and dont question maintenance... It has become an industrial sector in itself.

Opaque companies

This maritime network hides behind opaque corporate structures, rooted in places like the Marshall Islands or the United Arab Emirates, which afford protection for owners. They constantly change their name and flag. Isik explains that these ghost ships used to fly flags of convenience from countries with lax ship registration laws, such as Liberia, Bolivia, or Panama. Now they dont even do that. The latest ships attacked by Ukraine, this expert continues, referring to the offensive launched against Russian smuggling vessels, were flying false flags, and their entire registration was falsified.

In fact, in recent months, Gambia, Benin and East Timor have written to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, to report that at least 113 ships are illegally using their flags.

French soldiers aboard the Russian ship 'Boracay', on October 2, off the French coast. Mathieu Pattier (AP)

The IMO maintains that these tankers continue to engage in risky practices, such as ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea, and employ evasive tactics like disabling their transpondersthe Automatic Identification System they are required to use to pinpoint their locationto conceal their position. This is how the tanker Adrian Darya, detained for 44 days in Gibraltar in 2019 on suspicion of illegally trading Iranian crude, made its journey to the Syrian coast.

Shadow navigation

The Skipper acted similarly in the past. According to monitoring by MarineTraffic and TankerTrackers.com, this cargo ship turned off its transponder for 83 days at the end of 2024. Satellite images of the vessel also confirm that its crew spoofed the radio frequency signal to appear on digital maps in a location where it was not. A few days before the Skipper was targeted, the transponder placed the ship off the coast of Guyana. Satellite photographs located the vessel in mid-November in the Venezuelan port of San Jose, at coordinates that the ship never transmitted. The Centuries, recently intercepted, also loaded cargo in San Jose during the second week of December.

The IMO estimates that more than 300 ships sail the worlds oceans under false flags, although the long-established London-based trade publication Lloyds List believes the number is even higher. This publication has uncovered numerous websites selling fake flags while impersonating nonexistent institutions, such as the Maritime Administration of the uninhabited Matthew Islands or the General Directorate of Marine Service of Malawi, where more than 40 Russian vessels have registered.

These vessels also lack adequate insurance. According to the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), Russian oil tankers, for example, do not have policies accepted by the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs, which poses a serious threat in the event of an accident. Its a problem. Not only in the Bosphorus and the Black Sea but also in the Baltic. There are just as many oil tankers passing through the Danish straits and sometimes the English Channel, Isik emphasizes.

Battle in the Black Sea

Faced with the lack of clear results through sanctions, it is not only the U.S. Navy that has gone on the offensive in the Caribbean Sea; Ukraine has also joined the offensive to strike at the Russian invader. According to a confidential report from a country allied with Kyiv, Moscow is using its phantom fleet to fund the offensive against Ukraine launched in February 2022. This same source indicates that the Kremlins fleet of pirate ships, estimated at between 600 and 1,400, is responsible for 69% of Russias oil exports. Crude oil sales cover 40% of the funds needed to maintain Russias war machine, according to these calculations.

The Russian ship 'Qendil' was transiting the Bosphorus on October 27th. Yoruk Isik (REUTERS)

Furthermore, the report states, there is a risk that Moscow could use these ships for espionage or sabotage. It was the latter that France suspected in early October when it detained the Boracay. After a boarding operation, Paris had to release the vessel due to a lack of evidence.

The Ukrainian government of Volodymyr Zelenskiy has kept the fight against this illegal trade at the top of its list of demands to Brussels and Washington. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia receives around $100 billion a year from the illegal sale of its crude oil on the high seas.

The latest example of Ukraines battle on the high seas against this phantom fleet took place on Friday, when an aerial drone struck the deck of the tanker Qendil as it sailed through the Mediterranean Sea, south of Greece. There is no precedent for an attack from so far from Ukrainian territory (1,240 miles or 2,000 kilometers). The tanker was traveling from India, one of Moscows main trading partners, to the Russian port of Ust Luga on the Baltic Sea. In 2025 alone, the Qendil has changed flags five times, its name three times, and its ownership twice. This is just the beginning, as it is with the attacks on Russian energy facilities, notes Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko. Even if someone disagrees with it or feels compromised, he continues, Ukraine will continue to do it.

This has been the case, with particular intensity, in recent weeks: on November 28, barely an hour apart, underwater drones exploded near the oil tankers Kairos and Virat, which were sailing in the Black Sea toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The Turkish coast guard, the country closest to the attack, launched a rescue operation to bring the crews to safety, although the ships did not sink. On December 2, aerial drones damaged another tanker, this one from Russia and loaded with sunflower oil, which sought refuge in a Turkish port. The following day, the Romanian Navy had to detonate a Sea Baby naval drone that was adrift, probably after a failed operation. Seven days later, the oil tanker Dashan was attacked as it approached Novorossiysk after delivering crude oil in India.

A video shared by Ukraine's security services, showing the impact of a drone on the Russian vessel 'Qendil' in the Mediterranean Sea on December 19.

These actions have been attributed to joint operations by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Navy. The Kairos, Virat, and Dashan were sanctioned by the EU, the United Kingdom and other countries. The goal is to block illegal Russian trade in the Black Sea, Kovalenko continues. This analyst states that Kyiv wants to curb the smuggling not only of crude oil but also of military components.

Moscow has been taking measures against this maritime battle for months. Since July, ships entering Russian ports have had to obtain permission from the FSB, the intelligence service, which has taken over entry controls previously handled by the Ministry of Transportation. On December 16, the Swedish Navys Chief of Operations, Marko Petkovic, also reported the presence of Russian military personnel aboard ships of the phantom fleet. Some of these vessels are sailing off the Scandinavian coast toward Russian ports such as Ust Luga.

Beyond the seas

A special case is that of the Turkish oil tanker Mersin. Anchored in late November about ten miles from the port of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, awaiting the delivery of the 39,000 tons of Russian crude it was carrying, it was rocked by four explosions. The vessel was rendered unusable and partially submerged. It is unknown whether it was an attack bearing the signature of Ukrainian espionage, but the Turkish shipping company Besiktas Shipping, owner of the tanker, announced that it was ceasing all routes related to Russia.

Perhaps as a precautionary measure, fearing these attacks will continue, a company source said. But we dont belong to the phantom fleet. Before loading any cargo, we carry out all the necessary checks regarding potential sanctions. And its important to remember that not all products exported from Russia are sanctioned.

The list of damage suffered by large Russian ships continues to grow. At the beginning of summer, the Eco Wizard was attacked while loading ammonia in Ust Luga, as was the Vilamoura, which departed from Zueitina, Libya, with one million barrels of crude oil. Previously, between the end of January and mid-February, four other vessels experienced explosions: the Seacharm, off the coast of Ceyhan, Turkey; the Grace Ferrus, off the coast of Libya; the Koala, after completing its loading in Ust Luga; and the Seajewel, in the port of Savona, Italy.

Of these ships, only the Koala is considered part of the ghost fleet. However, all of them had loaded oil or other chemicals in Russian ports, and all suffered attacks with the same method: Explosives were placed on the ships hull, but in a way that would damage the vessel and render it unusable without causing an oil spill, says Tomas Alexa, senior analyst at the maritime risk management company Ambrey, who has participated in the investigation of these incidents: These are very sophisticated and professional operations. They had to be carried out outside of port, because it is very risky inside, especially in Russian ports, and when the ships were at anchor or sailing at less than two knots, by approaching them in smaller boats and after that with divers.

Although there is no evidence directly implicating any government, there is little doubt about who is responsible. Those who perpetrated them are, most likely, the Ukrainian state or actors aligned with the state, wrote the maritime security consultancy Vanguard Risk in a statement.

Consequences

One thing is clear: there is a strong correlation between the surge in these attacks and the peace negotiations in Ukraine. The wave of attacks around February occurred in the weeks leading up to the first and highly publicized meeting between Washington and Moscow envoys in Saudi Arabia. According to Lloyds List, U.S. authorities asked Kyiv to cease these acts of sabotage, and this was the case until the end of June. Then, two more attacks took place while, at the Istanbul negotiations, the Russian delegation refused to discuss a ceasefire. The attacks resumed in late November, just before Donald Trumps envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Moscow to present his proposed peace plan, which was highly favorable to the Kremlins interests.

The Biden administration was much more reluctant to allow Ukraine to carry out attacks on oil ships or infrastructure, for fear of the shocks it could cause to oil prices. But right now, with the United States as an exporter and with whats happening around Venezuela, Trump is much more ambivalent, Alexa argues. I think the attacks will continue until a ceasefire is achieved, she concludes.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The open court hearing in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia  Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasian, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others  accused of war crimes, crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, including planning and waging an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, illegal seizure of power, unlawful retention of authority, and numerous other offenses committed as a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan  resumed on December 22, Trend reports.

The session was held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, and reserve judge Gunel Samadova.

Each of the accused was provided with interpreters in their preferred language and defense attorneys, ensuring full compliance with procedural rights.

The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense lawyers, some victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors representing the state prosecution.

Presiding judge Zeynal Aghayev stated that the court proceedings continue with final statements from accused.

It was mentioned that due to the adjournment of the previous hearing, accused David Babayan will continue his statement during the current hearing.

David Babayan presented his counterarguments in response to the prosecutions statements. He said that the accused were innocent. I do not consider myself guilty under any article, Babayan added.

In his statement, David Babayan expressed gratitude to the defense attorneys and translators.

Accused Levon Mnatsakanyan requested the court to make his final statement in Russian, with the court granting the request.

The accused said: Garabagh (the illegal regime- ed.) requested Armenia to act as its security guarantor, and starting from that period, all operations on the line of contact have been carried out in accordance with the plans prepared by the general staff of the Republic of Armenia (the general staff of the armed forces - ed.).

"I mentioned during the hearings that I was conscripted to the military service in 1992. Given my officer rank, I was appointed deputy commander of the battalion. Nothing else was required to be appointed to this position. However, the prosecution claims that I was appointed based on some other parameters."

The accused also touched upon the prosecution's claims that mercenaries fought on behalf of Armenians in the war: "As far as I know, they were not mercenaries. They were all volunteers and no one had recruited them for service, and they were not paid for it."

Mnatsakanyan also responded to the claims made by victim Ilham Mammadov. (During the hearing on October 2, Ilham Mammadov noted that Armenian soldiers beat him and subjected him to torture. He described one officer as particularly cruel and later learned his name was Levon. Responding to questions from the state prosecutor, Mammadov identified accused Levon Mnatsakanyan as the perpetrator). Mnatsakanyan noted that no torture was inflicted on the victim.

He also denied the claims of the state prosecution regarding his participation in the planning of the attack on Shushakand during the 44-day War, in 2020, adding that he was not involved in any military operation in 2020-2023. The accused noted: Yes, I was there (The meeting in the school in Shushakand- ed.). However, I joined the meeting late after it had already started. I had nothing to do with the meeting. I was not invited there. I was discussing civil defense issues with the heads of civil defense of the surrounding villages in one of the classrooms of that school. We were discussing the evacuation of the civilians. They (the meeting participants-ed.) also came there and requested a room to hold a two-hour meeting. The chairman, in turn, allocated that room for them. In other words, he took advantage of my absence and allocated the room I was working in. When I arrived, a meeting was already taking place there. I entered that room and sat down with Artur Aghabekyan. It was just a coincidence.

It became clear to me from the meeting that three reserve battalions, one tank battalion, and one artillery division were prepared for battle. As a result of that operation, the road was to be blocked. The supply work was being done, that is, the military was being provided with supplies. It was Samvel Babayan, who was in charge of the armed forces preparing the attack on Shusha. They discussed all the issues. They set the time for that operation and left. The time was set for 5 o'clock the next day. After the organizers left, the participants began to express their dissatisfaction that the preparations had not been fully carried out, that they were not fully ready. They were not given time to prepare for this operation normally, and that is why they refused to participate. I asked why they were saying this now, why they had not said this at the meeting to what I could not get an answer, and I did not interfere in their business. I thought it was their own business, he further noted.

Speaking about the April battles that took place in 2016, the accused stated that he was an army commander (the commander of the largest unit of the Armenian armed forces  ed.) at the time. He denied the prosecutions evidence and the victims statements regarding the April battles, noting that they did not attack Azerbaijani military positions.

The court proceedings will resume on December 23.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals - Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan - are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The volume of Uzbek cargo transported via the Middle Corridor is expected to reach 1.5 million tons in 2026, a source at the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan told Trend.

The ministry noted that over the past two to three years, transit transportation across the Caspian Sea has been growing particularly dynamically, driven by changes in global logistics and the reorientation of international supply chains.

"Uzbekistan is investing in the development of major highways and railway lines leading to the Caspian region in order to ensure uninterrupted connectivity along the Middle Corridor route," the ministry said.

The source also underscored that Uzbekistan holds full integration into Azerbaijans Caspian transport and logistics infrastructure in high regard, seeing it as a cornerstone in broadening the countrys transit potential.

The Middle Corridor is a transport and trade route linking Asia and Europe and passing through several countries of the region. The route originates in China and runs through Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then crosses the Caspian Sea and continues through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The corridor provides a land-based connection linking the eastern regions of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing longer maritime routes.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 22. Uzbekistans Fergana region and Irans Mazandaran province have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish direct business contacts and expand trade and economic cooperation, Trend reports via the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The agreement was formalized during a meeting between the Governor (Hokim) of the Fergana region, Khayrullo Bozorov, and a delegation headed by the Governor of Mazandaran province, Mehdi Rostami, who was on a working visit to Uzbekistan. The discussions were also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Uzbekistan, Mohammad Ali Iskandari.

During the meeting, both sides underscored that the expansion of mutually beneficial partnerships would serve as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and heightened business activity in the two regions.

In parallel with the official talks, a business forum was convened to facilitate deeper economic engagement. The forum provided a platform for exchanging views on priority areas of cooperation and for presenting concrete proposals aimed at establishing practical and results-oriented collaboration in the near term.

Over the past five years, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Iran has doubled, rising from approximately $250 million to nearly $500 million. Investment cooperation has likewise gained momentum: in 2025 alone, around 250 Iranian companies either initiated or expanded their operations in Uzbekistan, reflecting a growing interest among Iranian businesses in the Uzbek market. Building on this positive trajectory, the two sides have set an ambitious target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $2 billion.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 22. Uzbekistan has signed the Protocol on Bilateral Market Access Negotiations with Russia as part of its accession process to the World Trade Organization, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan on WTO, Azizbek Urunov wrote on his social media account, Trend reports.

On the margins of the working visit of H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Saint Petersburg, we signed, together with the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Maksim Reshetnikov, the Protocol concluding our bilateral market access negotiations within the WTO accession process, Urunov stated.

He noted that the negotiations were continuous, substantive, and constructive, ultimately resulting in a positive outcome.

While some work still remains, we are now fully focused on advancing multilateral negotiations, completing the necessary legislative upgrades, and successfully concluding the accession process next year, he emphasized.

Earlier in December, Uzbekistan also announced the signing of a Protocol on Bilateral Market Access Negotiations with Ecuador, further advancing its WTO accession effort.
Iran unveils blueprint for nationwide motorway expansion

Iran plans to commission hundreds of kilometers of new motorways by the end of the current Iranian year, significantly expanding its national highway network, according to the countrys transport authorities.

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Iran and Russia have emphasized the importance of accelerating work on the Rasht-Astara railway as part of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC), Trend reports.

This issue was emphasized during a meeting between Ali Larijani, Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and Russias Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev. Both parties acknowledged the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a pivotal element in the regions geopolitical dynamics.

Iran has expressed a firm commitment to activating the corridor, with Larijani affirming that all existing obstacles will be swiftly addressed. He further noted that necessary legal and operational agreements will be finalized, ensuring the timely implementation of the project. Under the supervision of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the government aims to secure the land along the Rasht-Astara railway route by the end of the Iranian fiscal year, ensuring continued progress on schedule.

Savelyev welcomed Irans resolve and reiterated Russias readiness to expedite the construction and initiate the railway project. The two nations also agreed to establish regular coordination between the relevant authorities within the framework of the corridor.

The foundation of the International North-South Transport Corridor was established through an intergovernmental agreement signed by Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000. To date, 13 countries, including Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Russia, and Turkey, have ratified the agreement. The primary goal of the corridor is to reduce the delivery time of cargo between India and Russia, as well as to Northern and Western Europe. Currently, the transport route takes over six weeks, but it is anticipated that this time will be significantly reduced to just three weeks once the corridor is operational.

The Qazvin-Rasht railroad (175 km) was put into operation on March 6, 2019, to connect Azerbaijan's railroads with Iran's railway network within the corridor. The Rasht-Astara railroad is to be built on Iranian territory.

The North-South Corridor has three directions within Iran. The eastern direction is Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries; the middle direction is Russia and other countries across the Caspian Sea; and the western direction is Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern European countries.

Meanwhile, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on May 17, 2023, to build the Rasht-Astara railroad in Gilan province in northern Iran. Nine stations will be built on the Rasht-Astara railroad line, which is about 163 kilometers long. With the completion of this railroad, the North-South international corridor will be improved, and Iran's railroad network will be integrated with the Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern European countries. According to the agreement, the Russian side is expected to spend 1.6 billion euros for the construction of this railroad. This railroad will be built and completed within 48 months.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 22. Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with Japan on the supply of aviation equipment to the country, Trend reports via the Uzbek Ministry of Transport.

An agreement was concluded during a meeting in Tokyo between representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and ITOCHU Corporation. The discussions focused on plans to modernize navigation equipment within Uzbekistans aviation infrastructure and initiatives to strengthen the professional training of aviation specialists.

Following the talks, the parties signed an agreement aimed at fostering cooperation in these areas and ensuring the phased execution of the planned improvements.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the Central Asia + Japan Summit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan met with Jun Inomata, Executive of ITOCHU Corporation. The meeting underscored the significance of long-term partnerships, including those involving the export of critical minerals to Japan.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 22. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov made a working visit to Russia to participate in an informal meeting of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The discussions will focus on regional stability, economic cooperation, transport and logistics development, energy diplomacy, environmental security, and cultural and humanitarian initiatives within the CIS.

Earlier, on December 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Turkmenistan to participate in the 30th-anniversary celebrations of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality.

In 2026, Turkmenistan will take over the chairmanship of the CIS, and I wish our Turkmen colleagues every success in this regard. Russia will provide all necessary support, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Iran has not yet gained access to $6 billion that was released from South Korea, said the countrys Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, Trend reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei clarified that the funds, previously frozen in South Korean banks and later transferred to Qatari banks, remain inaccessible to Iran.

The spokesperson noted that the U.S. had committed to ensuring Irans access to these funds, but so far, the other side has not fulfilled its obligations, and the situation continues.

The frozen assets trace back to 2018, when U.S. sanctions on Iran resulted in the blocking of $7 billion in South Korea. Following a 2023 agreement between Iran and the United States, these funds were transferred to banks in Qatar, although the total amount had decreased to $6 billion by that time. Despite the relocation, Iran remains unable to fully access the funds.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Iran and Russia has created opportunities to enhance cooperation across economic, trade, transportation, logistics, energy, and other sectors, said Esmaeil Baghaei, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Trend reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei stated that both countries are working to maximize the benefits of the agreement, which entered into force a few months ago.

Baghaei highlighted recent high-level visits, including Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyevs trip to Tehran and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchis visit to Moscow, as examples of the close diplomatic relations between the two nations. There are very close ties between the two countries, and reciprocal visits by diplomatic delegations are a natural part of this relationship, he said.

On January 17, 2024, the presidents of Iran and Russia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in Moscow. In addition to trade and economics, the agreement covers innovative technologies, peaceful nuclear energy, information and cyber security, the fight against terrorism, cooperation in the Caspian Sea, and the field of environmental protection etc.

Last week, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev visited Tehran, and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi visited Moscow.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Application from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, seen on the cell phone of a Venezuelan migrant in a camp in Mexico City on January 20.

Some criminals pose as consultants or specialists offering shortcuts to obtain residency, work permits, asylum, and even U.S. citizenship

Digital scammers are taking advantage of both hope and fear. The dream of the Latino community in the United States to obtain legal immigration status is bait for criminals through the instant messaging app WhatsApp. The method is detailed in the second of three installments of the report WhatsApp as a weapon: how scammers target Latinos in the United States, by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA).

Many scammers are unfortunately tailoring their schemes to exploit Latinos working to acquire legal status, preying on often-complicated immigration processes and pathways for accessing traditional banking, stable housing, health insurance, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) deadlines and full-time employment.

In this second installment, the DDIA examined more than 18,400 unique suspicious messages that were shared in 3,300 public Spanish-speaking groups on the instant messaging platform between January 1 and September 1, 2025. Hundreds of these messages appear with the caption forwarded several times, which is a sign of how fast and dangerous this content can be, the institute points out.

Gaining legal status

Some criminals pose as consultants or specialists offering shortcuts to obtain residency, work permits, asylum, and even U.S. citizenship. These services are mainly aimed at Venezuelan migrants. Im not a lawyer, they say to feign transparency.

According to the DDIA, scammers first fuel fear and urgency by spreading alarmist information about unverified immigration raids or inventing requirements or deadlines that appear official; when anxiety reaches its peak, they move on to offering hope and solutions.

Job offers

The need for financial stability is the second category that scammers focus on to target Latinos in the United States. The study found at least 83 unique messages related to fake job offers that could have reached 22,000 users on WhatsApp.

Two schemes stand out in this area. The first is remote work opportunities and/or those requiring minimal experience (e.g., remote packager or product tester). The main attraction of these offers is above-average salaries.

The second type involves recruiter training programs: criminals pose as companies in the insurance or energy sectors, promising comprehensive training and flexible schedules, and constantly emphasizing that no experience is necessarya message that raises suspicion.

Rentals and insurance

On the topic of housing, the institute found that groups on the instant messaging platform have names of specific locations in Florida, such as Davenport, Kissimmee, and Haines City. Scammers share information about cheap room rentals, but request an advance deposit on Zelle or Cash App so that the interested person can view the place.

Need insurance... Are you worried about your family? This is the hook that criminals use to offer life insurance or credit repair with plans that are too good to be true. The same thing happens with legal assistance in the event of accidents. The study also includes testimonials such as: Hes trustworthy, speaks your language, and is there to help you, Reliable, committed, and always willing to support you, to build trust in an agent.

The study

In the first nine months of 2025, the investigation uncovered at least 4,400 unique messages that appear to promote fraudulent immigration services to the Latino community. According to data obtained through Palver, a technology company specializing in social trend analysis, this content reached more than 31,000 users in 101 groups, making this type of scam one of the most prominent and widely circulated in the Latino community.

The first part of the study was published in November this year and focused on unrealistic discounts, giveaways, and fake stores. Scammers pose as brands such as Shein, Temu, Apple, or Walmart, to name a few, and ask users to fill out forms or play games on an app with the promise of winning a mystery box or gift cards. Other topics covered included the sale of smartphones and extremely cheap internet plans, as well as large last-minute discounts.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan plans to implement a horizontal monitoring mechanism in tax control starting next year, aiming to create a more business-friendly environment and simplify tax administration, Trend reports, citing the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy.

The reform will replace traditional electronic audits with a model widely used internationally, focusing on transparent cooperation between tax authorities and medium- to large-scale taxpayers.

Under this system, taxpayers with medium or large business status who use automated accounting and internal control systems will disclose potential tax risks in advance. Mobile tax inspections will be conducted only in exceptional cases, and financial penalties will be avoided if risks are pre-declared. Undisclosed risks may result in a financial sanction of 25%.

"The new approach is expected to reduce administrative burdens, strengthen trust and transparency, enhance financial discipline, and support long-term, stable budget revenues. Taxpayers will also have the option to calculate depreciation of main assets using either the declining balance or straight-line method.

The reform aims to establish a modern, trust-based tax management model that benefits both taxpayers and the state," the statement said.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr discussed the development of economic and energy cooperation, the Minister's publication on X said, Trend reports.

"During the videoconference with Caleb Orr, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs of the United States, we discussed key aspects of the AzerbaijanU.S. economic partnership and underscored the strategic importance of cooperation in the energy and business sectors.

We exchanged views on energy projects implemented in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region, gas transportation initiatives, and opportunities to further diversify joint activities in this field," the publication reads.

The volume of trade between Azerbaijan and the U.S. from January through November of this year amounted to $1.3 billion.

Azerbaijan carried out trade operations with foreign countries worth $44.5 billion from January through November of this year. This is $1.48 billion, or 3.4%, more than the same period last year.

Of the total foreign trade turnover, $23.4 billion is accounted for by exports and $21.1 billion by imports. Over the past year, exports decreased by $937 million, or 3.8%, while imports increased by $2.416 billion, or 12.9%. This resulted in a positive foreign trade balance of $2.2 billion, which is $3.3 billion, or 2.5 times less than the annual figure.
Subscription to paid content

Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 22. The Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Sydykov, and Japans Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshimitsu Motegi, signed an Agreement on the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance between the two countries, Trend reports.

The agreement was signed on December 18-20, 2025, during the working visit of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov to Japan, in which Bakyt Sydykov took part, within the framework of the First Summit of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue as well as the Business Forum of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue (CA+JAD).

The document is aimed at regulating tax relations between the partner countries by assigning to each state the right to tax certain types of income and provides guarantees for the elimination of double taxation. The agreement also creates favorable conditions for increasing bilateral trade volumes and attracting foreign direct investment into the economy of Kyrgyzstan.

Furthermore, on the sidelines of the Business Forum of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue, Minister Bakyt Sydykov and the Chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Norihiko Ishiguro, exchanged an Action Plan to develop the capacity of the Kyrgyz Export Development and Promotion Center (Kyrgyz Export) under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with JETRO.

The document was signed to ensure the practical implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Kyrgyz Export Center and JETRO, concluded on August 10, 2024, in Astana.

During the visit, the sides also agreed to establish an intergovernmental commission between Kyrgyzstan and Japan on trade, economy, culture, and human resources exchange.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Mobile banking user numbers in Turkmenistan rise slightly in Dec. 2025

Photo: Artificial Intelligence

The distribution suggests that mobile banking adoption is concentrated among the larger banks, while smaller institutions serve a relatively limited customer base. This pattern indicates uneven usage of mobile banking services across financial institutions.

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 22. Uzbekistan and Serbia have discussed deepening interparliamentary dialogue and identifying new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, Trend reports via the Uzbek Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

These issues were reviewed during an online meeting of the interparliamentary cooperation groups UzbekistanSerbia and SerbiaUzbekistan, held at the Senate.

Moreover, it was noted that in recent years, political dialogue and economic ties between the two countries have been developing steadily, while regular high-level contacts have given additional momentum to bilateral relations.

Special attention was drawn to the official visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Uzbekistan in October 2025, which participants hailed as a significant milestone in elevating bilateral cooperation to new heights. The visit underscored a concerted focus on enhancing interparliamentary relations, with a particular emphasis on strengthening connections between parliamentary committees and friendship groups.

Following extensive discussions, proposals were made to streamline the operations of interparliamentary groups, ensure ongoing dialogue, and develop a comprehensive action plan to further deepen bilateral collaboration.

On October 28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan held pivotal talks with President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia, culminating in the signing of a Joint Declaration that outlined areas of cooperation across key sectors. From January to September 2025, bilateral trade between the two nations increased by 2.5%, reflecting a broader trend of intensifying investment partnerships.
Azerbaijan sheds light on oil exports to Czech Republic in 11M2025

Azerbaijans oil exports to Czechia declined year on year in both value and volume during the JanuaryNovember period, according to data from the State Customs Committee.

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
Azerbaijan releases data on oil exports to Croatia for 112025

Exports of crude oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Croatia in January-November of this year decreased in both value and volume compared to the same period last year.

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
Romania increases oil imports from Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's exports of oil and oil products to Romania increased significantly from January through November of this year, allowing the country to become one of the leading destinations for these exports.

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan can play a vital role in applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to energy, Anton Aristov, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

Aristov noted that one of the areas in which Azerbaijan has advantaged expertise is the energy sector.

And so, when you combine AI with deep knowledge and expertise in energyparticularly in oil and gas and the broader energy transitionyou create a powerful market opportunity. This is where Azerbaijan can play a vital role in advancing the application of AI.

The second idea we had when establishing the Caspian AI Institute was to embed into its very DNA a principle: 70% of its resources should be dedicated to practical use cases in energy, while the remaining 30% should be devoted to research that pushes the boundaries of cutting-edge technologies relevant to the global community.

The logic behind this is simple. If you focus exclusively on use of cases relevant to a national energy company, you will quickly end up with an institute that is, in essence, just another AI department, no different from those found in many organizations. By contrast, committing 30% of resources to research projects of global interest allows you to stay relevant internationally and earn the right to engage with leading institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, and Imperial College. It gives you a foot in the door.

This is the approach that guides our selection of innovative and forward-looking research projectsone of which is AutonomousLab.AI, though it is certainly not the only one, he explained.

Aristov went on to add that recently in Dubai, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and the Caspian AI Institute unveiled a breakthrough: an AI-designed carbon-capture solvent that can significantly improve emission-reduction efficiency.

 Yet the innovation goes far beyond identifying a single solvent. It demonstrates AIs ability to generate entirely new chemical compounds. The system relies on a sequence of pre-trained models capable of understanding the existing chemistry within a specific domain  in this pilot, carbon-capture molecules. These interconnected models were trained on all scientifically documented ionic liquids used for CO capture. Today, science has described the properties of roughly 4,000 such liquids.

Once trained on this dataset, the AI was tasked with designing new candidates  and it produced around 400,000 molecules, nearly 100 times more than what is currently known to science. This enormous reservoir of novel, AI-designed molecules enables researchers to predict properties computationally and carefully cherry-pick the most promising options  compounds that have never been synthesized before and may offer significantly higher CO absorption capacity, he explained.

Aristov noted that there has been identified a portfolio of roughly 40 candidates that are supposed to capture 50% more CO2 than what's used in the industry.

Out of that, we selected a few and synthesized them in laboratory in Spain. And laboratory confirmed their ability to outperform the molecules that are used in the industry. On one hand, you have a great example of something that actually captures the CO2 much better. But on the other hand, you have a mechanism that can generate novel chemistry across various domains. Think of, for example, corrosion inhibitors, lubricant additives, or other chemical domains that are used in the industry.

You can essentially go domain by domain: train the model on everything that is already known, generate novel molecules, select those predicted to outperform, synthesize them, test them in the laboratory, and then scale to production. This is the engine that has been built at the Caspian AI Institute. It can now move systematically  chemical domain by chemical domain  to support energy companies. The ambition is, in a sense, to create a Chemistry 2.0 for Energy Companies framework: a step change across multiple chemical domains within the energy sector, he said.

Aristov noted that the product is very novel, it is now being tested it on dedicated modeling tools.

If these tests go well, we can move to the next step  engaging the engineers and seeing whether they are willing to test it in actual production. While inventing a new chemical compound typically takes around ten years, we have compressed this cycle to roughly three months. Looking ahead, we see that the next major bottleneck is laboratory experimentation. That is why we are working to automate these processes, aiming to establish a fully robotic laboratory operating 24/7, synthesizing molecules and feeding back results  whether success or failure  in real time.

We believe that combining AI-driven generation with robotic automation will dramatically accelerate the development of novel materials, he added.

Turning Azerbaijan into innovation regional hub

In order to turn Azerbaijan into a regional hub of innovation, our first priority is to build a bridge to the global AI ecosystem. We are working with Silicon Valley investors and seeking to attract venture capital so that this project can grow independently, at scale, and ultimately serve other energy companies. Once we succeed and have our first pilot proven, we will be in a position to export the knowledge created in Azerbaijan  developed here and tested on Azerbaijani energy challenges  to the global community, he said.

Aristov believes the process could also work in reverse.

Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult for international talent to obtain work permits in the United States. In this context, we can create local opportunities for AI specialists by establishing an innovation hub in one of the most attractive regions of Azerbaijan and inviting global talent to work from here. It could become a true two-way corridor between Baku and one of the major global AI centers. To achieve this, we need to be recognized within the Silicon Valley community: set up several startups there, build visibility, and establish Azerbaijan as a source of promising innovation. In other words, create a real bridge between Baku and Silicon Valley, he said.

Aristov noted that Azerbaijan now stands shoulder to shoulder with other global innovators in AI, proudly presenting its research at the ADIPEC Tech conference.

Konstantin Polunin, Partner and Director at BCG, for his part, pointed out that Europe is lacking the speed of changes in the sphere of innovations, while Azerbaijan, Central Asian countries are doing really fast moves.

Europe could potentially learn from these fast movers, which propose interesting solutions. I think Azerbaijan has a right to win, just because it's faster, it's agile, and the state could do a lot to support this entire process. One of the ideas would be to focus on such centers of excellence and centers of innovation, which is a hub attracting talent, capital, scale, and also technological application possibilities. I think SOCARs Caspian AI Institute, could be a prototype for this type of center, he said.

Aristov highlighted the fact that Azerbaijans liberated territories have now the status of special economic zone: And given that there is a strong push in making it a green and innovative location, I think it's difficult to name a place where the first hub could be better organized than this one. If we allow data scientists, data engineers to work in Azerbaijan with some privileges of that type, I think that could be an interesting spin, especially if we have a bridge to the global hub.

Accelerating decarbonization with the help of AI in refining and chemicals

Aristov pointed out that SOCAR has made a significant leap over the past two years  not only by setting clear emission-reduction targets but also by developing a deep understanding of where those emissions originate.

I believe there is another important area we can address: the chemistry we use. Our goal is to reduce the energy required to produce these chemical materials, making them less carbon-intensive and more cost-efficient. This transformation can begin in Azerbaijan and eventually extend far beyond its borders, he said.

Transitioning experimental AI into practice

Polunin noted that the entire path to get to commercially viable, applicable in industry takes years.

I think that with radical speed-up of the first stage, there's a chance to get to commercially viable products, not only in chemistry, but also in exports of this chemistry, and in exports of these capabilities. It might be that Azerbaijan will not decide to go to develop own application, but will work together with industrial partners around the globe who would be willing to develop pragmatic technical solution, because they have capabilities, and scale-up of a new chemistry is a lengthy process where you need a lot of technical competence. But funding right partners, right network, right licensing model, putting the first product on the shelf, would create a momentum in Azerbaijan to go ahead and to test other capabilities and other molecules.

We have a molecule, it proves that this is viable, and there is a longer path to scale-up to technological applications, but that's a question of partners, and that's a question of opening up own capacities to test this technology, and then making a commercially viable export product worldwide. That could be the path much faster than if Azerbaijan would decide to go for scale-up with own capabilities, he said.

Compression of time required for seismic

Aristov noted that one of the projects focuses on dramatically compressing the time required for seismic work.

Were reducing the routine workload of subsurface engineers who operate complex professional software. AI agents run directly over the interface of this software  entering data, pressing buttons, identifying mistakes, making decisions, and taking the same paths a human expert would, but doing so relentlessly and at high speed. With this novel interface-level approach, we are not replacing the professional software; rather, we are eliminating the repetitive operational tasks that humans must perform to use it, he explained.

Aristov emphasized that this opens a tremendous opportunity for human specialists to focus on the most complex and intellectually demanding aspects of their work.

It also enables experts to transfer their knowledge into the AI system. When a seasoned expert is preparing to retire, the question becomes: how do we preserve decades of accumulated insight? A well-trained AI agent can essentially inherit this expertise and continue the work, applying the full depth of the experts knowledge. And once trained, it can be replicated across multiple workstations.

Aristov noted that the first prototype of this project is already complete. Our next step is to expand it and create a marketplace of AI agents that accelerate different steps of the seismic processing workflow  allowing professionals around the world to download the specific agent they need at each stage of their process, he said.

Methane.AI

Aristov noted that Methane.AI, the joint project of BCG and SOCAR, is a platform that collects data, analyzes it, and identifies the sources and volumes of methane emissions, while also forecasting the abatement curve required to reduce them.

The key aspect of Methane.AI is that it is designed for companies with limited digitalization. It enables these organizations to conduct sampled, on-the-ground measurements and then extrapolate the findings across the rest of their infrastructure. It is highly tailored to the realities of post-Soviet countries, where legacy assets often remain non-digitalized.

We have established the Caspian Methane Accelerator, essentially a roundtable that brings several companies together. SOCAR, KazMunayGaz, and Uzbekneftegaz have already confirmed participation, with more expected to join. The goal is to work collectively on methane reduction now that Methane.AI platform give the right framework and tool-set.

We use the Accelerator to build a common baseline  understanding where methane is emitted and in what quantities  and to jointly determine what types of measurements are needed, as well as the level of investment required to replace parts of the infrastructure. Investors are increasingly interested in this kind of coordinated effort. For local Caspian companies, this Accelerator may become a powerful mechanism to jointly lower the cost of reducing methane emissions, he concluded.
EBRD funds construction of food supplement plant in Kazakhstan

Photo: EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has granted a loan of up to 25 million euro to Orzax Central Asia to fund the construction and operation of a new food supplement production plant in Kazakhstans Turkestan region

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 22. Kazakhstan and Russia have no complicated or disputed issues, said Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports via the Kremlin website.

The meeting took place at the end of an informal gathering of CIS leaders in Saint Petersburg.

Putin emphasized that, overall, the cooperation is developing positively in almost all areas.

For his part, Tokayev noted that the two sides were able to address a number of issues within the framework of the EAEU and reach decisions, while very important and relevant matters of their cooperation were discussed in the CIS format. He pointed out that the CIS remains an authoritative international organization, which is clearly in demand.

As for bilateral cooperation, this year has been successful. There is no doubt that bilateral relations have developed positively. My state visit to Russia on November 12 was a full success, said Tokayev.

The president added that cooperation within the framework of strategic partnership and alliance with Russia is an unquestionable priority for Kazakhstan.

This cooperation and our efforts to develop strategic partnerships fully align with the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries, added Tokayev.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Iran has confirmed that no instructions have been issued to inspect its nuclear facilities damaged by U.S. and Israeli military airstrikes, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports.

He noted that such inspections have yet to take place. Iran had previously negotiated an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to address these concerns, which was formally signed by both parties. However, reports indicate that Western nations have hindered progress by attempting to misuse the "snapback" mechanism under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) at the United Nations (UN) Security Council, thereby imposing sanctions on Iran.

Baghaei further emphasized that Iran maintains ongoing dialogue with the IAEA and remains fully committed to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), recognizing the importance of its safeguards responsibilities.

Regarding the persistent issue raised by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Baghaei stated that it is the director's responsibility to hold accountable the parties responsible for creating the current impasse.

This statement follows the series of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities carried out by Israel and the United States in June, which prompted Iran to scale back its cooperation with the IAEA and enact legislation governing its engagement with the agency.

On June 13, Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran, resulting in 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.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Iran's position on its peaceful nuclear program is completely clear and transparent, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference in Tehran today, Trend reports.

According to him, there is no legal basis for the U.S. military airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Baghaei noted that the proud declaration by U.S. officials of the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities increases the responsibility of the U.S. every time.

"The United States will inevitably be held accountable for this unlawful maneuver in due course," he pointed out.

On the morning of June 13, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting Iran, resulting in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other senior figures.

That same evening, Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise III, a large-scale missile and drone assault on multiple targets, including Tel Aviv, which caused civilian casualties and extensive damage.

On June 22, the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, with reports indicating the destruction of these sites.

The following evening, June 23, Iran launched airstrikes on a U.S. military base in Qatar, further escalating tensions in the region.

On June 24, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump. In response, Irans Supreme National Security Council issued a statement confirming the cessation of hostilities.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Authorized delegations from South Korea and Russia recently held closed-door talks in Moscow on North Koreas nuclear program and other pressing regional security issues.

According to Ukrinform, Yonhap reported this, citing diplomatic sources.

It is noted that a South Korean Foreign Ministry official handling North Korean nuclear issues recently visited Moscow for meetings with Oleg Burmistrov, the Russian foreign ministry's ambassador-at-large for the North Korean nuclear issue, and other relevant officials.

The South Korean official asked Russia to play a constructive role in ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula, as Seoul seeks to resume dialogue with North Korea as soon as possible and is also making efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

Given Russias close ties with North Korea, Seoul may hope that Moscow can play a decisive role in ensuring Pyongyang's return to dialogue.

The latest meeting in Moscow between authorized officials on North Koreas nuclear program was the first since October last year, when relations between South Korea and Russia deteriorated following Pyongyangs deployment of its troops to fight on Russias side in the war against Ukraine.

The South Korean side also used the meeting with Russian representatives to voice its concern about the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which Seoul views as a potential threat to security on the Korean Peninsula.

South Koreas Foreign Ministry said last week that it is closely monitoring talks on ending the Ukraine war and, in this context, is seeking a constructive role for Russia on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, while simultaneously making efforts to restore ties with Moscow.

The ministry also said it would continue diplomatic efforts to halt military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which it described as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

As reported by Ukrinform, North Korean hackers stole a record $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, significantly exceeding figures from 2024 and highlighting the countrys growing ability to carry out large-scale cyberattacks.

Photo: DR
Cyprus will continue to support Ukraine during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on January 1, 2026.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides said this on Sunday ahead of his country assuming the EU Council presidency, Ukrinform reports.

Our strong, unwavering support to Ukraine will continue, on all fronts. We will work decisively to strengthen our security and defence, our crisis preparedness, and effectively address migration in a comprehensive way, he said.

According to Christodoulides, EU enlargement is a geostrategic necessity and an investment in Europes future.

Together, we must continue to work for the reunification of Europe. The Cyprus Presidency will work diligently on advancing enlargement [of the bloc], he emphasized.

The president added that Cypruss presidency of the EU Council will also focus on promoting and safeguarding core values: democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

As reported by Ukrinform, during a recent visit to Ukraine, President Christodoulides underscored the resilience of the Ukrainian people in resisting Russias criminal aggression and expressed Cypruss readiness to support Ukraine during its EU Council presidency.
PYONGYANG, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said that Japan's attempt to go nuclear must be prevented, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday.

Japan has revealed its ambition to seek nuclear weapons, crossing a red line for a war criminal state, the news agency said, citing a press statement by the director of the Institute for Japan Studies under DPRK's foreign ministry.

The ministry said Japan is revising its military security policies, as evidenced by the strengthening of its preemptive-attack capability, the easing of arms export restrictions, and the reexamination of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

"This is not a misstatement, but clearly reflects Japan's long-cherished ambition for nuclear armament," said the press statement. It added that this constitutes an open challenge to Japan's Constitution as well as to all international laws that stipulate the duties of a defeated nation, referring to Japan's loss in World War II.

"Such reckless remarks made by a high-ranking official in charge of recommending security policies to the government prove that the Japanese political circle is trying hard to possess nuclear weapons, and clearly show Japan's bellicose and aggressive nature," it said.

The history of aggression of Japan clearly proves that if the country were to possess nuclear weapons, Asian countries would suffer horribly, and humanity would face a great disaster, the statement said, noting that peace-loving people should resolutely check Japan's military ambitions. 
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Monday started deliberating a draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress.

The draft was submitted to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for a second reading. 
Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the man identified by authorities as the suspect in the Brown University shooting and the subsequent killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, has been described as socially awkward, frustrated, and prone to anger by his old friend.

Scott Watson, a physics professor at Syracuse University, stated that he was acquainted with Valente during their time at Brown University as doctoral students in 2000 and 2001.

'During orientation he was sitting alone, and I walked up and said hello. He was terse at first, but we eventually broke the ice and became close,' Watson said in an email to MassLive.

Watson was surprised upon hearing about the attack, but admitted that, looking back, there were certain warning signs that were evident.

Past Behaviour Allegedly Showed Red Flags

Watson said Valente frequently felt out of place, expressing clear dissatisfaction with both Brown University and the city of Providence. He added that Valente would also complain about relocating to the United States.

Describing Valente as exceptionally bright, Watson noted that he often found classes beneath his abilities.

'He would say the classes were too easy  honestly, for him they were. He already knew most of the material and was genuinely impressive,' he said. Yet, Valente faced difficulties in social interactions and sometimes exhibited aggression towards his classmates.

Watson noted that Valente's unfriendly attitude occasionally stirred reactions among other students. In an interview with CNN, he mentioned one incident where Valente bullied a Brazilian classmate, persistently calling him a 'slave,' prompting Watson to step in and resolve the argument.

Watson reflected on their last conversation where he tried to convince Valente to stay at the university. Valente stated his plans to return to Portugal instead.

The Attacks: From Classroom to Suburban Home

On the afternoon of 13 December, Valente reportedly entered the Barus & Holley Building at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. During a study session, he opened fire, resulting in the death of two students  19-year-old sophomore Ella Cook and 18-year-old freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov  and injuring nine others. The incident reportedly happened in a building where he once took classes during his time as a physics student.

The shooting sent shock waves through the campus community, leading to an immediate lock down and a nationwide search for the suspect.

However, the violence did not end there. Just two days later, on 15 December, Valente allegedly made his way to Brookline, Massachusetts, where he shot and killed 47-year-old MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in his home.

Authorities have confirmed that both shootings were conducted with firearms later found with Valente's body. Forensic examinations have connected one weapon to the Brown incident and the other to Loureiro's murder.

Despite extensive investigation, officials have not publicly identified a clear motive. The connection between Valente and the victims, aside from a long-ago academic association with Loureiro, remains under investigation.

Shooter Found Dead as Investigation Continues

Following the shootings, a coordinated search involving multiple agencies tracked Valente's route from Providence to Massachusetts and ultimately to a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire. There, he was discovered dead on 18 December.

An autopsy revealed that he succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, likely on 16 December, the day following Loureiro's murder.

Officials acknowledged the importance of a crucial lead provided by a witness known only as 'John.' His report of a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity played a key role in connecting Valente to the shootings via surveillance footage and license plate tracking.

Investigators continue to probe Valente's motives and the influences that may have driven him to commit these heinous acts. Rhode Island's attorney general has recognised that there are still many uncertainties, particularly regarding why these specific locations and individuals were targeted.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
A man known only as "John" is being hailed as a hero after posting information on Reddit that helped solve the Brown University mass shooting.

NBC News reported that "John" began making posts on Reddit about a strange encounter he had with the suspected gunman, who turned out to be Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, on the day of the shooting that killed two students and injured nine. "John" was able to provide key information related to Valente's vehicle.

"He blew this case right open," Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told reporters.

On Saturday, in the midst of final exams, a gunman dressed in all black entered a classroom and opened fire on students and faculty at Brown University in Providence. The gunman was able to avoid law enforcement and escape, despite a massive manhunt. Investigators began releasing footage of the gunman, wearing a mask, walking to and from the crime scene. They also offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

"John" began posting on Reddit three days after the shooting that police needed to look at a grey Nissan with Florida plates, NBC News reported.

The Guardian reported that "John's" posts on Reddit caught the attention of investigators who wanted to talk to him. Others on Reddit also urged him to go to the police. According to authorities, "John" approached a Providence police officer and said, "I think you are looking for me." His subsequent interview effectively solved the case.

"He came in and was fully forthcoming, provided key details ... We had disparate pieces of information, and we had strong suspicions that these pieces of information fit together but it hadn't been corroborated, and he was able to do that for us, and so it was really a critical turning point," Brett Smiley, the mayor of Providence, said in an interview with CNN.

In the interview, "John," told police about running into the suspect in the bathroom of the Barus Holley building at Brown on the day of the shooting, NBC News reported.

According to the network, he told police that the man's clothing was light given the harsh New England weather and that he was acting weird. He followed the man outside the bathroom into the parking garage, where he was confronted: "Why are you harassing me?"

"John's" information about the man's car allowed them to identify Claudio Manuel Neves Valente as a suspect. On Thursday he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a New Hampshire storage unit, Fox News reported.

According to Fox News, Valente also is suspected of killing MIT professor Nuno Loureiro on Monday near his home. Loureiro lived in Massachusetts, about 50 miles from Brown University.

Fox reported that Valente had studied at Brown from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001, but withdrew after a leave of absence in 2003. Authorities also believe that Valente was terminated from a monitor position at the Instituto Superior Tecnico in Portugal in 2000, a university that Loureiro once attended.

Originally published on Latin Times
Something fundamental has shifted in American attitudes toward higher education. In a startling reversal, 63% of registered voters now believe a four-year college degree isn't worth the cost, according to recent NBC News pollinga dramatic increase from just 47% in 2017 and 40% in 2013.

The numbers tell a story of eroding confidence. Only 33% now agree that a degree is worth the cost, down from 53% just over a decade ago. Even more telling: this sentiment isn't confined to those without degrees. College graduates themselves have flipped, with only 46% now saying obtaining a degree is worth the cost versus 63% in 2013.

"The cost overwhelms the value," explained Jacob Kennedy, a 28-year-old Detroit resident with a two-year degree who now works in the service industry. "You go to school with all that student debtthe jobs you get out of college don't pay that debt, so you have to go find something else that can pay that debt."

"63% of Americans now believe a four-year college degree isn't worth the costup from just 40% in 2013"

The Economics Behind the Skepticism

The mathematics of higher education have fundamentally changed. Tuition has doubled at public colleges and surged 75% at private schools since 1995, while starting salaries for many graduates haven't kept pace.

Research reveals the financial strain is real. Degree holders are spending 23% of their increased earnings on student loan payments, according to new Brookings Institution analysis. For master's degree holders, the burden is even heavier57% of their earnings premium goes toward student debt in the early years after graduation.

Current students feel the pressure acutely. Only one-third (33%) of enrolled students say college is worth the cost, while 29% say it's not worth it and 38% are uncertain, according to a BestColleges survey. Among those graduating, 57% of the Class of 2025 have low expectations for their future after graduation, largely tied to a competitive job market and student loan debt.

The job market has compounded anxieties. Students in the Class of 2024 submitted about 64% more applications per job compared to the Class of 2023, and the Class of 2025 increased applications by another 24%a frenzied response to shrinking opportunities in formerly reliable sectors like technology.

When Degrees Don't Deliver

Not all college investments yield positive returns. Federal Reserve research shows that 25% of college graduates see little return on investment, making less than $10,000 more annually than the median high school graduate. Their rate of return sits at just 2.6% compared to the average of 12.5%.

Field of study matters enormously. Humanities students are less likely than others to expect post-graduation salaries above $60,000 (45% vs. 67%), and they're nearly twice as likely to have no clear salary expectations after graduation.

Sarah Burns, a public policy professional, captured the paradox facing graduates: "It's not valuable because it's brought a bunch of value added, it's valuable because it's the key to even getting in the door. Our society needs to figure out that if we value it, we need to make it affordable."

The Skills-First Alternative

As confidence in traditional degrees wanes, a parallel revolution is underway: the rapid rise of skills-based hiring and alternative credentials.

Research shows that 96% of employers say microcredentials strengthen candidate applications, and 90% are willing to offer higher starting salaries to candidates with recognized credentials. More importantly, 87% of employers have hired someone with microcredentials in the past year.

The salary premium is significant. Employers are willing to offer 10-15% higher starting salaries for credit-bearing credentialseven higher for GenAI skills. Among professionals who earned microcredentials, 28% received a pay raise and 21% earned a promotion after completing their program.

"In 2025, the combination works best: foundational training for core skills plus microcredentials for specific competencies that match your target roles," notes a recent industry analysis.

Employers offer 10-15% higher starting salaries for candidates with recognized microcredentials

The Microcredential Advantage

Microcredentialsfocused certifications that prove competency in specific tools or methodologiesare filling gaps that traditional education left behind. Ninety-two percent of employers note that graduates with microcredentials boast skills that can be immediately applied on the job.

Students are responding enthusiastically. Eighty-five percent of students with microcredentials reported greater confidence in their skills, while 94% said microcredentials fast-track skill development.

Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn, and Indeed have integrated skills assessments directly into job profiles, while bootcamps and online learning providers offer accelerated pathways to employment. Major employers have taken notice: In 2022, IBM reported that 50% of their U.S. job roles no longer required a four-year degree, with improved diversity and retention as a result.

Trade Schools and Apprenticeships Surge

Traditional trades are experiencing a renaissance. Employment in electrical work is expected to grow by 11% this decade, with about 80,200 yearly openings for electricians. Solar and renewable energy fields are creating particularly strong demand.

The appeal is straightforward: earn while you learn, avoid debt, and enter high-demand fields quickly. Trade school programs typically last 6 months to 2 years and cost significantly less than four-year degrees. Graduates often transition directly into paid apprenticeships that serve as continued education.

Jonathan Kibirige's story illustrates the pathway. After moving to the U.S. from Uganda in March 2025, he earned two microcredentials through a biomanufacturing training program. "I got an offer to fully work on a contract [for] one year," Kibirige said. "It's a blessing. The training and the program was a good step for me to get into it."

The Degree Still MattersBut Context Is Everything

Despite the skepticism, data shows degrees still provide significant lifetime value for most graduates. Workers with a bachelor's degree earn on average 61% more than high school graduates (compared to 40% more in 1990), while those with graduate degrees earn 89% percent more.

California workers with a bachelor's degree earn a median annual wage of $90,000, while typical college graduates nationwide earn roughly $80,000 versus $47,000 for those with only a high school diplomaa 68% premium.

But the value equation depends heavily on three factors:

Institution type: About a quarter of CSU and UC students took out loans in 2022-23, compared to 43% at four-year nonprofit private colleges and almost two-thirds at four-year for-profit colleges. Students from for-profit colleges are most likely to default on loans and have lower wages even when they graduate.

Time to completion: Taking an extra one to two years to get your degree adds considerably to the cost, both in additional tuition and higher opportunity costs from delayed career entry.

Field of study: Returns vary dramatically by major, with STEM and business fields generally outpacing humanities and social sciences.

A Generational Divide on Debt

Views on college affordability differ sharply by age and experience. Only 22% of Americans say the cost of a four-year college degree is worth it even if someone has to take out loans, while 47% say it's worth it only without loans, and 29% say it's not worth it at all.

Young adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely than older counterparts to say the cost is worth it only without loans (55%), compared with 48% of those 30 to 49 and 44% of those 50 and older.

The sentiment reflects lived experience with debt. More than four-in-ten adults who attended college took out student loans, and many are still paying them off years or decades later.

What Students Are Choosing Instead

Faced with mounting costs and uncertain returns, students are pursuing alternatives:

Accelerated programs: Students are racing to complete degrees in three years instead of four, trimming costs by 25% and entering the workforce faster.

Community college transfers: Starting at community colleges and transferring to four-year institutions saves thousands in tuition while providing the same credential.

Gap years with purpose: Rather than enrolling immediately after high school, more students are working, earning credentials through bootcamps, or pursuing apprenticeships before deciding whether to pursue a degree.

Hybrid pathways: Combining work experience, microcredentials, and selective coursework to build portfolios that demonstrate capability without the four-year commitment.

The Confidence Crisis

Beyond economics, higher education faces a deeper crisis of legitimacy. According to a Gallup poll, only 35% said going to college is "very important"a record lowdown from 51% in 2019 and 75% in 2010.

Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, observed that the traditional view about bachelor's degrees paying off has eroded. Students are now more interested in pathways that get them into the labor force quickly rather than taking on the risk of multi-year degree programs.

The life sciences sector exemplifies the shift toward skills verification. "A lot of the work in the life sciences, you don't need a degree to do," said Jared Auclair, dean of Northeastern's College of Professional Studies, who advocates moving toward skills-based resumes.

What Employers Really Want

The labor market is evolving faster than higher education can adapt. The World Economic Forum predicts that 59% of workers will require retraining by 2030 as artificial intelligence, automation, and technological advancement transform industries.

Ninety-two percent of employers are more likely to hire a candidate with a GenAI microcredential than one without one, reflecting how quickly skill priorities are changing. Traditional four-year curricula struggle to keep pace with these rapid shifts.

Skills-based hiring removes barriers for diverse talent. By focusing on demonstrated competency rather than credentials, employers access candidates from non-traditional backgrounds including bootcamps, self-learning, and industry certifications. This approach also supports diversity, equity, and inclusion goals while expanding talent pools.

The Path Forward

The skills revolution doesn't signal the death of higher educationit represents its transformation. The most successful educational pathways in 2025 and beyond will likely combine elements of traditional and alternative approaches:

Stackable credentials that build progressively toward degrees while providing immediate workforce value

that build progressively toward degrees while providing immediate workforce value Industry partnerships that align curriculum with real employer needs and provide guaranteed pathways to employment

that align curriculum with real employer needs and provide guaranteed pathways to employment Flexible formats including online, hybrid, and competency-based models that accommodate working adults

including online, hybrid, and competency-based models that accommodate working adults Transparent ROI data helping students make informed decisions about which programs offer genuine value

Most California parents (71%) want their children to graduate from college with at least a bachelor's degree, yet about seven in ten (69%) worry about being able to afford a college education. This tensionbetween aspirations and affordabilitydefines the current moment.

A New Definition of Educational Success

The question is no longer simply "Is college worth it?" but rather "Which educational pathway will provide the best return for this individual student, in this field, at this institution, leading to these outcomes?"

For some, traditional four-year degrees remain the optimal choice, particularly in fields requiring deep theoretical knowledge, professional licensure, or graduate school preparation. For others, alternative pathwaystrade schools, apprenticeships, bootcamps, or microcredentialsoffer faster, more affordable routes to rewarding careers.

The skills revolution recognizes a fundamental truth: there are multiple pathways to success, and the credential should match the career goal rather than following a prescribed formula.

As one recent graduate put it, success should be measured not by the pedigree of your degree, but by whether your education equipped you with skills that employers value, at a cost that doesn't cripple your financial future.

The revolution isn't about abandoning higher educationit's about demanding it deliver on its promises of opportunity and mobility. In 2025, that increasingly means proving value through skills, not just diplomas.
KABUL, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have thwarted attempts to smuggle a total of 5,198 sheep out of the southern Kandahar province in the past three months, the official media outlet Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday.

Dozens of individuals were arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle the livestock through the Spin Boldak border crossing, Bakhtar quoted Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, spokesman for the provincial department of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, as saying.

Animal smuggling remains a frequent issue along Afghanistan's borders, driven by profit motives, but security forces continue to intercept such operations as part of efforts to combat illegal cross-border trade. 
Celebrating New Year in Rome: events, parties and traditions

Rome will ring in 2026 with a free New Years concert at the Circus Maximus with a line-up including Alessandra Amoroso, Fabri Fibra and Tananai.

The concert kicks off at 21.00, with djs set to keep the party going into the wee hours.

For those who want to see out 2025 by combining sport with the sights of the Eternal City, the We Run Rome event takes place through the streets of the capital on New Years Eve afternoon.

From a cultural point of view, the city hosts the Roma Gospel Festival at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, with a performance by the Bronx Gospel Choir on New Years Eve.

New Years Eve clubbing and parties

Capodanno parties will be held in bars, night clubs and hotels across the city but bookings should be made as far in advance as possible.

Some of the best places to dance the night away include Cosmo Festival at Palazzo dei Congressi, Piper Club, Palazzo Brancaccio, Lanificio, Micca, ShariVari, Rashomon and Room 26.

New Years Eve traditions in Italy

Other venues worth checking out for New Years Eve include Alcazar Live, Casina Valadier, Baja, Orion Club, Amore Festival at Cinecitta World and the Hilton Rooftop.

The Capodanno Roma 2025 website provides ample listings of New Years Eve parties in Rome.

There are also plenty of parties at popular bars and diners such as Drink Kong, Hard Rock Cafe, Scholars Lounge, Abbey Theatre, Finnegans and the Race Club Speakeasy.

New Years food

The traditional Italian New Years Eve meal consists of cotechino (similar to salami), zampone (stuffed pigs trotters), and lentils which are meant to bring luck for the coming year, all washed down with a glass or two of prosecco or spumante.

Dining out

If you wish to dine out on New Years Eve it is best to reserve your table well in advance  and be prepared to pay more than usual.

Restaurant guide Puntarella Rossa offers a good list of suggestions of where to eat in Rome on New Years Eve. For more inspiration see Wanted in Romes restaurant listings.

Fireworks

The best places to watch fireworks light up the skies over Rome include the Gianicolo, over Trastevere, and Pincio, over Piazza del Popolo.

Every year the city issues an order prohibiting the use of firecrackers, bangers and other explosive material on New Years Eve however the ban is widely ignored.

New Years Eve traditions

A well-known but almost-extinct Capodanno tradition (in Rome at least) involves people throwing old objects out the window, symbolising their readiness to welcome in the new year.

Another Italian superstition holds that wearing red underwear when the clock strikes midnight will bring good luck for the year ahead.

Getting home

Metro services run until 02.30 on New Years Eve (early hours of 1 Jan) before being substituted with nightbuses. On New Years Day, Romes public transport network resumes at 08.00 and follows the normal festivo timetable.

New Years Day Parade

Some of Americas best-known high school marching bands will stage a free, family-orientated parade in central Rome on 1 January to celebrate New Years Day.

The annual event involves US marching bands joining forces with Italian musical folk groups to perform alongside majorettes, street performers, dancers and historical re-enactors, starting in Piazza del Popolo at 15.30.

Capodarte

Rome will mark New Years Day with Capodarte 2025, a programme of dozens of cultural events, including two free concerts, taking place across the city.

Plunge into the Tiber?

One of the citys most unusual spectacles on New Years Day is the Tuffo nel Tevere at midday when daredevil divers take the 18-metre plunge off Ponte Cavour into the icy waters of the river Tiber.
Trevi Fountain entry fee sparks shakeup of Rome's city-run museums.

Rome is to make its municipal museums free for residents of the Italian capital from 1 February 2026, the same day that a new entry fee takes effect at the Trevi Fountain. Under the new system, tourists and non-residents of the city will be obliged to pay 2 entry fee to get close to the landmark fountain which will remain free to those resident in Rome.

In a statement, the city described the initiative as "a more equitable, sustainable and accessible model, strengthening the protection and enhancement of the capital's cultural heritage, which is increasingly at the centre of international attention".

Also from 1 February onwards, Rome will start charging admission to five city-run cultural sites that have been free until now: the Giovanni Barracco Museum of Ancient Sculpture, Carlo Bilotti Museum, Pietro Canonica Museum, Napoleonic Museum, and the Villa of Maxentius.

At the same time, the city will make around a dozen municipal-run museums and archaeological sites free for residents of the capital, and the greater Rome area, who will be able to gain access simply by showing their identification card.

Among the list of municipal museums that will become free to Roman residents from 1 February are the Capitoline Museums, Trajan's Market, the Ara Pacis Museum, Centrale Montemartini and the Villa Torlonia Museums as well as the archaeological areas at Largo Argentina and the Circus Maximus.

Describing the move as "a measure of social justice", the capital's culture councillor Massimiliano Smergilio said in a Facebook post: "Rome is a city inhabited by people who have the right to free access to the great beauty that the city holds."

Photo credit: MikeDotta / Shutterstock.com.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a State Council leading-group meeting on the formulation of the draft outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025. Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for further efforts to formulate a draft outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.

Li, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday while presiding over a State Council leading-group meeting on the formulation of the draft outline.

Noting that solid foundations for the formulation of the draft outline have been laid, Li said the next step is to concentrate efforts to refine and improve the draft with the utmost care.

Efforts should be made to better leverage the guiding role of the plan, and set targets, arrange policies and plan projects with the aim of promoting high-quality economic growth, achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, Li said.

He also stressed the importance of developing new quality productive forces, making breakthroughs in the advancement of sci-tech innovation, accelerating the cultivation of new growth drivers, and improving and upgrading China's economic structure.

More efforts should go into planning major projects and platforms that can drive overall development, which would accumulate new growth drivers, foster competitiveness for future development, and provide support for the expansion of domestic demand and the continuity of stable economic operations, Li added.

He emphasized the necessity of combining policy support with reform and innovation, focusing on the removal of bottlenecks, planning new policies and measures thoroughly, and ensuring the new policy mix will deliver greater outcomes.

The premier also called for solid work in responding to social concerns, the launch of a number of major policies and projects that benefit the people, and the cultivation of new economic growth drivers alongside the enhancement of the people's well-being.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. Also present at the meeting were He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Liu Guozhong, Wang Xiaohong and Wu Zhenglong. 
A manipulative monster with a history of violence against women smiled directly into his partners face as he held their eight-year-old child in front of him and cut the little girls throat, the Central Criminal Court heard.

Aisha Al Katib (32) told the court on Monday of her daughter Malikas final moments at the hands of Muhammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi, who has pleaded guilty to the childs murder and was sentenced to life in prison for his crime.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a consecutive 10-year sentence on Al Tamimi for Aisha's attempted murder. He will serve the 10-year sentence before beginning the life sentence.

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 Malikas 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 10-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.

Wanted to dominate

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 10-year sentence expires.

Det Gda Donal Doyle told the 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.

Not allowed leave home

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.

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 didnt 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 Aishas 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 doesnt have to be angry all the time. They sat down to watch Im 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, hadnt hugged him when she arrived home.

Stabbing

He accused Aisha of sleeping with someone else and hit her on the head with her phone. She told him she wasnt afraid and wasnt going to be intimidated by him. She decided to return to her mothers 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 girls 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: Thats 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 couldnt 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 Malikas 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 pathologists report.

Aisha had suffered 10 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.

Previous convictions 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.

Mother's Anguish

In her statement, Aisha said her daughters 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 didnt 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 shouldnt have believed that he would change, but added: I was not raised with good examples of men and I didnt 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 daughters 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 its all part of his manipulation. He cannot feel compassion, he is a monster. Aisha said she dyed her hair because when she looks in the mirror, she doesnt 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 doesnt kiss or hug me or laugh with me. I know she hears me when I speak to her but its 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.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Six Waterford communities are to receive a total of 1.2 million in funding under the Towns and Village Renewal Scheme.

Waterford TD and Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, John Cummins, welcomed the allocation which will benefit communities across the county.

I am thrilled for the six communities benefitting from todays announcement and I believe it is money well spent.

The success of these applications is testament to the work these communities do in partnership with Waterford City and County Council and I want to commend all involved for their tireless work which is leading to the betterment of communities across the county, said Minister Cummins.

An Rinn is to receive 283,386 for the development of supporting infrastructure and green space amenities.

300,000 has been allocated to create additional office capacity, supporting individuals and small businesses in Dunhill Eco Park.

Dunmore East will see 300,000 to upgrade of the existing childrens play area at Counsellors Strand.

Portlaw Park Regeneration Project will receive 300,000 to help with the redesign and delivery of upgraded outdoor facilities for Portlaw.

In Villierstown , 37,800 has been allocated the development of a project that includes the construction of a riverside facilities centre with parking, public lighting and landscaping.

And Lismore will see a boost for the development of Dervla Murphys home with 50,000 to aid design and assessments for the creation of an arts and literacy centre.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and since then it has funded over sixty projects across the county to the tune of over 6million.

The scheme aims to rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and town footfall, combat dereliction and vacancy, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in rural Ireland.
A man described as being very high in the drug dealing chain in Waterford has been jailed.

The man was known to have distributed large quantities of drugs to young people at festivals.

41 year old David Hamm, with an address at 68 St Herblain Park, Waterford, pleaded guilty to a number of offences in a multicount indictment, and was sentenced last week at Waterford Circuit Court.

Evidence

Following periodic Garda surveillance of Hamms residence, an intelligence-led search was carried out in March 2023.

22,000 of drugs were found, including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and diamorphine.

1,000 grams of benzocaine, a common cocaine mixing agent, was also found.

Drug paraphernalia and 12,410 in cash were seized.

Whilst giving evidence in Waterford Courthouse last week, an investigating garda member described Hamm as being very high up in the chain of drug dealing.

Hamm's defense counsel, Mr. Colman Cody SC, told the court that his client cooperated with gardai and made full admissions to the offences.

Judge Eugene O'Kelly outlined that there is significant evidence of the man's attempts to rehabilitate.

He was sentenced to six years in prison with the final two years suspended.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A retrial has been called for a case involving a Waterford man in his late 50s who was on trial last week for six counts of sexual assault.

The charges stem from allegations made by a woman who is now in her 30s.

The complainant described how she knew of the accused since she was just seven years old.

She had attended an organisation where the accused worked in a senior role.

The complainant alleges that the man sexually assaulted her across multiple locations in Waterford when she was between the ages of 15 and 16.

During the trial at Waterford Circuit Court recently, the jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours before informing Judge O'Kelly that a decision could not be finalised on all of the charges.

The matter subsequently was raised for mention on Friday at Waterford Courthouse to determine the next steps of the trial.

Tara Geoghegan, BL, who is representing the accused, indicated to Judge Eugene OKelly that a retrial has been directed.

The matter has now been adjourned until January 13, to determine a venue and timescale for the retrial.

The accused has been remanded on continued bail until that date.

Reporting restrictions are in place to protect the identities of the parties involved and the accused cannot be named.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme

More on this story is available HERE
A man has been fined 200 after a pub patron saw in his bag what they thought was a handgun.

Thomas Cullen (41), of Prospect House, Coolfin, Portlaw, Waterford, was before Judge John Cheatle at Waterford District Court for having a realistic imitation firearm in a public place and possession of a knife on August 23, 2025.

Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that on the day of the incident, gardai responded to a report of a man with a handgun at J&K Walsh on George's Street, Waterford.

A patron at the pub had seen what they believed to be a real gun.

Gardai searched the defendant on arrival and found two imitation firearms, a multitool with a blade and 140 worth of cannabis.

Acting for the defendant solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client had purchased two BB guns that day.

He said his client had them in his bag and they were not being waved around.

But the bag was open, and a patron saw them and quite rightly contacted the gardai.

The solicitor said his client did not know he was not allowed to carry them in a public place because they are legal to own without a license if under one dual.

The multitool was something a tradesperson would carry but the solicitor did acknowledge his client is not employed in such an area.

Sergeant Hickey pointed out that under the act, if the imitation firearm required a closer look to see that it wasnt real, it must not be carried in public.

In this case, it appeared to the good citizen that the BB gun was real.

The sergeant applied for a destruction order for the BB guns, which the defence did not object to as they had brought nothing but trouble.

However, Judge Cheatle pointed out that the defendant was allowed to own them and that he had only just bought them.

Sergeant Hickey responded that while the defendant may have just purchased them, he went for a couple of pints.

The gun could have fallen out of his bag.

The sergeant said gardai would return the multitool if the defendant collected it from the garda station.

Judge Cheatle fined the defendant 200 and gave him four months to pay for the knife, and took the imitation firearm matter into consideration.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
40 years in Garter Lane with 40 different craft makers. Waterford Crafts and their annual residency in Garter Lane have slowly become a key tenant of a Waterford Christmas.

The group wrapped up the sale on December 22.

Mauney Doyle, pictured with her silk scarves, at the Christmas Craft Fare at Garter Lane. Photo: Joe Evans

Mauney Doyle, who sells silk scarves at Garter Lane, said the craft sale was originally the brainchild of Gloria Collins.

She was a member of the social services here in Waterford, and in those years, they were differentthere were a lot of people unemployed, Doyle said.

She started something that people will have something to do in their own home.

It's local industry, and people are in their own home. A lot of them are doing it as a hobby, but we also have people that are commercial. It's a variety of crafts, Ive got too many to mention.

Tom Larkin, who makes woodwork crafts, said the quality of offerings has grown exponentially since he first became involved with the project in 1991.

The whole quality has increased 100-fold since the early days. The displays, the standsThe professionalism of the class of people now is phenomenal, Larkin said.

[Waterford Crafts] only accepts people that have good productsVacancies are few and far between, but its only the people with good products that show.

Liz Weston captured beside her daughter's mixed media artwork collection at the Christmas Craft Fare. Photo: Joe Evans

Liz Weston, originally from South Africa but with Irish roots, is at Garter Lane showcasing her daughters mixed media artwork.

Pointing to her daughters collection, she shows how her daughter creates art with South African beads and is now using polymer clay in her work.

Weston, who arrived in Ireland in 2005, said the annual event that weaves Waterford together makes the craft sale special.

Meeting people from Australia and America and Limerick and all over, it's lovely.
Olivia Kelleher

A sexual health specialist at St Jamess Hospital in Dublin has urged revellers not to let their guard down when it comes to contracting STIs over the festive period.

Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine, Dr Aisling Loy, told Newstalk that the period leading up to Christmas and early New Year is an extremely busy time at their clinic.

Mainly because I guess its that social time of year; when people go out, they take too much to drink and sometimes other substances and maybe make decisions that they normally wouldnt make.

And then wake up with symptoms or regret or worry or concerns and then come into us.

Dr Loy says that there was a huge peak in people contracting STIs after the pandemic with the numbers declining in recent yers.

However, she warns that we are still up 30 percent on STI diagnoses in Ireland from pre-pandemic figures.

But theres been a decrease in the last year of around 10 percent which is a great thing.

That could be because weve introduced lots of new measures, increased testing.

Some people will be on DoxyPEP, that will prevent in the GBMSM (Gay, Bisexual, Men who have sex with Men) community.

That might be adding to some of the decrease.

Dr Loy stressed that while many people become symptomatic after two weeks of contracting an STI, some do not display any symptoms whatsoever.

You could have something and not have any symptoms at all, so dont let that put you off getting tested.

But most appear within two weeks; if you were to get a symptom - unusual discharge, a lesion, a bump, a lump, pain on urination or having intercourse - mostly theyll come up within two weeks.

You can get symptoms sooner than that - a few days - but mostly within two weeks.

But again, most STIs have no symptoms.

Free STI home testing kits can be ordered from the HSE at https://sh24.ie/.
Li Jiayang, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) academician and chief scientist of "Precision Seed Design and Breeding" program, speaks at a press conference of CAS in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025. Chinese scientists have announced a series of major breakthroughs in developing "precision-designed" seeds that can increase crop yields while reducing fertilizer use and enhancing disease resistance, marking a significant advance for food security and sustainable agriculture. At a press conference held on Monday, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the scientific achievements of its strategic priority research program, "Precision Seed Design and Breeding." Launched in November 2019, this flagship initiative has brought together experts from over 30 institutions to address pressing challenges in agriculture, including excessive fertilizer use, frequent crop diseases, and limited arable land. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have announced a series of major breakthroughs in developing "precision-designed" seeds that can increase crop yields while reducing fertilizer use and enhancing disease resistance, marking a significant advance for food security and sustainable agriculture.

At a press conference held on Monday, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the scientific achievements of its strategic priority research program, "Precision Seed Design and Breeding." Launched in November 2019, this flagship initiative has brought together experts from over 30 institutions to address pressing challenges in agriculture, including excessive fertilizer use, frequent crop diseases, and limited arable land.

"Over the past six years, the program has created 37 pilot crop and livestock varieties, enhancing their superior traits. These varieties have been cultivated across nearly 14.48 million mu (about 965,000 hectares), delivering substantial social and economic benefits," said Li Jiayang, CAS academician and chief scientist of the program.

Researchers have identified key genes that govern valuable crop traits such as higher yield, improved nutrient use efficiency, and enhanced resistance to pests, drought and diseases. By leveraging advanced technologies like genome editing, they have developed new crop varieties that achieve both high performance and environmental sustainability.

A standout achievement is the discovery of the OsTCP19 gene, which enables rice to maintain stable yields even when nitrogen fertilizer application is reduced by 20 to 30 percent. "This could help resolve the longstanding issue of excessive fertilizer use in Chinese agriculture," said Chong Kang, CAS academician and researcher at the Institute of Botany under CAS.

In wheat research, scientists have identified genes providing broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew. They also developed a new variety named "Zhongke 166," which exhibits strong resistance to Fusarium head blight, a destructive disease. "This variety has already been planted across nearly 1.5 million mu (about 100,000 hectares) and helps reduce pesticide usage," Chong added.

Chinese researchers have also made remarkable progress in breeding technology. Using a homegrown genome-editing tool, they have created new wheat lines that are both high-yielding and disease-resistant, a combination previously difficult to achieve through conventional breeding. In 2024, this work earned China's first biosafety certificate for a gene-edited staple crop, a major milestone in agricultural regulation.

Another pioneering effort involves the rapid domestication of a wild rice species. By "reprogramming" this wild plant, scientists developed a new rice type in a significantly shorter timeframe than traditional breeding methods allow. "This achievement has gained international recognition as a breakthrough that could open new avenues for global food security," Li said.

The program has also yielded results in other crops and in aquaculture. For example, scientists have developed 10 new soybean varieties with higher yield and improved nutritional value, addressing China's heavy dependence on soybean imports. In fish breeding, researchers created a new crucian carp variety, "Zhongke 6," which grows 25 percent faster, has high survival rates, and improves feed use efficiency by 20.1 percent compared to existing breeds. They have also successfully bred a boneless strain suitable for farming.

Among the most acclaimed outcomes is the "Zhongkefa" rice series. One variety, "Zhongkefa 5," delivers yields more than 20 percent higher than popular local varieties in northeast China, performs well in saline-alkaline soils, and ranks among the top five most widely cultivated conventional rice varieties in the country. Another variety, "ZKFZG1," is China's first early-season japonica rice for double-cropping systems, allowing new-season rice to reach markets two to three months earlier than usual.

"These advances represent a fundamental shift in China's crop breeding paradigm, moving from traditional, experience-based methods to precise, predictable and efficient 'molecular design,'" Li explained. "This approach not only shortens breeding cycles but also enables the development of crops tailored to specific needs, such as enhanced nutrition, stress tolerance, or resource use efficiency."

The success of the seed program demonstrates China's growing strength in agricultural science and technology. These innovations are poised to reinforce China's food security, facilitate the shift toward greener farming practices, and provide new solutions to global agricultural challenges, he added. 

A rapidly domesticated wild rice species is pictured at a press conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025. Chinese scientists have announced a series of major breakthroughs in developing "precision-designed" seeds that can increase crop yields while reducing fertilizer use and enhancing disease resistance, marking a significant advance for food security and sustainable agriculture.

At a press conference held on Monday, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the scientific achievements of its strategic priority research program, "Precision Seed Design and Breeding." Launched in November 2019, this flagship initiative has brought together experts from over 30 institutions to address pressing challenges in agriculture, including excessive fertilizer use, frequent crop diseases, and limited arable land. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A corn species is pictured at a press conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025.

Chinese scientists have announced a series of major breakthroughs in developing "precision-designed" seeds that can increase crop yields while reducing fertilizer use and enhancing disease resistance, marking a significant advance for food security and sustainable agriculture.

At a press conference held on Monday, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the scientific achievements of its strategic priority research program, "Precision Seed Design and Breeding." Launched in November 2019, this flagship initiative has brought together experts from over 30 institutions to address pressing challenges in agriculture, including excessive fertilizer use, frequent crop diseases, and limited arable land. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
CANBERRA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday issued an apology to the nation's Jewish community following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach as he announced new laws that will target hate speech.

Albanese said at a press conference in Canberra on Monday afternoon that he feels the "weight of responsibility" for the fatal shooting of 15 people at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Dec. 14.

"I'm sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole have experienced," he said.

He said that his government would work "every day" to protect Jewish Australians and would not let the Islamic State-inspired terrorists responsible for the attack win by dividing Australian society.

Albanese said that his cabinet met on Monday for the second time following the attack and agreed to move forward with a legislative package designed to combat hate speech and its consequences.

The new laws, which will be introduced to parliament in 2026, will increase existing criminal penalties for hate speech, make hate motivation a factor in sentencing crimes, and grant the minister for home affairs the power to cancel the visa of a person who engages in hate speech promoting violence or displaying hate symbols.

Additionally, a new aggravated criminal offense will be introduced for adults who seek to influence and radicalize children.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that 10 of the 120 people convicted of terrorism offenses in Australia since 2001 were children, but that 17 of the 33 people currently before the courts on terrorism charges are minors.

"This unprecedented radicalization of our youth must stop. We will not allow extremists to groom and brainwash our children into hate or terrorism," she said.

Albanese said that the government would consult across federal parliament on the new laws to ensure urgency and unity. 
Leesville, LA (71446)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. Thunder possible. High around 65F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy and damp with rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Thunder possible. Low 43F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Ballina Municipal District will be represented when the city of Scranton in the United States holds its St Patricks Day celebrations next year.

Last weeks municipal district meeting heard that the Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly had received correspondence from Ray Lynady, the executive director of the St Patricks Parade Association of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, extending an invitation to members of Mayo Co Council for the St Patricks Day celebrations in Scranton in 2026

Mr Lynady said the association was looking forward to hosting representatives from Ballina as it has done for more than a quarter of a century.

One of the highlights we look forward to is hosting representatives from Ballina, a tradition which started over 25 years ago when Cathaoirleach PJ Downey and his wife Peg travelled to Scranton, he wrote. The Downeys' visit began our long affiliation with Ballina as a sister city.

Mr Lynady expressed condolences on the recent passing of Peg Downey.

She was well loved by all and we looked forward to her yearly visits.

It was agreed that two councillors will be sent to Scranton along with two members of the council executive staff.
Tune in on Christmas night on TG4 at 7 p.m. to watch the 2025 Geantrai Christmas Special filmed at Mount Falcon.

"We are proud to be helping Geantrai celebrate nearly 30 years on air as they bring the finest traditional music sessions to the estate. Join host Pauline Scanlon for a festive feast of Irish talent with performances and collaborations from the cream of Irish traditional and folk music. The lineup includes legendary performers such as Paul Brady performing two of his most celebrated folk songs - Arthur McBride and The Lakes of Ponchartrain, the powerhouse that is Brendan OBeaglaoich, the much-loved Tommy Fleming, and the brightest new voices in traditional and folk music.

"And if you're looking for a way to come to Mount Falcon to enjoy all that's on offer, or want to gift a memory to a loved one, be sure to check out Mount Falcon gift vouchers. Give someone an experience to remember with a voucher for our rejuvenating spa, a visit with a beautiful and wild falcon, a fabulous dining experience in Tom Doyle's Kitchen Restaurant, or the ultimate getaway with an overnight in the old manor house. Whatever you're looking for, we've got a voucher for you."
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nine terrorists were killed in two intelligence-based operations in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, four terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire in Dera Ismail Khan district. Five others were neutralized in a separate operation in the Bannu district. Both operations were conducted on Dec. 19.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed militants, who were involved in attacks on security forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians, the statement said.

Clearance operations are being conducted to eliminate the remaining terrorists in the area, the ISPR added. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine; the closest to freezing (32) we've been in a week and a half. .

Tonight

Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78.
CANBERRA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia have uncovered a biological process that could explain some stillbirths and pave the way for early detection and prevention.

The study reveals that the placenta, the vital lifeline between mother and baby, can age too quickly during pregnancy, compromising its ability to nourish the baby and increasing the risk of stillbirth, a media release from Australia's Flinders University said Monday.

The team, led by Flinders University researchers, discovered that molecules called circular RNAs, which normally accumulate in ageing tissue, build up in the placenta far earlier than expected in cases of stillbirth, causing breaks and triggering cellular ageing, it said.

This premature ageing reduces the placenta's capacity to support the growing baby, raising the risk of stillbirth, according to the study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The team found that in stillbirth cases, the placenta appeared biologically older than expected for its gestational age, showing damaged DNA, worn cell structures, and high levels of circular RNAs, said lead author Anya Arthurs from the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute.

"When we reduced one of these molecules in placental cells, the damage slowed and ageing was delayed, showing these molecules aren't just bystanders, but active drivers of the process," Arthurs said, adding some of these circular RNAs can be measured in maternal blood as early as 15 to 16 weeks into pregnancy, suggesting potential for an early screening test.

Stillbirth affects about two million pregnancies worldwide each year, yet prevention has stalled as molecular placental ageing remains invisible under a microscope, the researchers said.

They said the findings could lead to new screening tools to prevent stillbirth and offer broader insights into how ageing processes, including those linked to diseases like Alzheimer's, affect human health. 
This photo shows the venue of the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025. The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. (Bernama via Xinhua)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) - The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting serves as a platform for the grouping to consider possible steps to support de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities, in the interest of peace and regional stability.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who chaired the meeting, reminded those present that ASEAN stands at a critical juncture in regional and global affairs, as geopolitical disruptions challenge the very foundations of the region's order.

"This threatens ASEAN's credibility as one of the most peaceful and successful regional organizations and integration projects in modern history. And in a highly interconnected ASEAN and world, a security shock is an ASEAN matter and a global concern. This is why everyone must make cessation of hostilities and peaceful resolution a top priority," he said. 

Participants of the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting pose for a group photo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. (Bernama via Xinhua)

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn attends the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. (Bernama via Xinhua)

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. (Bernama via Xinhua)

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow attends the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. (Bernama via Xinhua)

This photo shows the venue of the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. (Bernama via Xinhua)
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Monday began reviewing a draft law on childcare services -- the first law of its kind proposed -- designed to regulate services, enhance legal protections for children under the age of 3, and strengthen policies supporting childbirth and parenting.

The draft law builds on policy guidance with legal protections, aiming to address development bottlenecks and systematically regulate relevant services to foster a childbirth-friendly society and promote high-quality population development.

It was submitted to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the national legislature, for its first reading.

As family dynamics shift, many dual-income households in China are struggling to balance work and caregiving, making nursery services for children under 3 increasingly essential.

Recent official data shows that there are 126,000 childcare service institutions across the country, offering 6.66 million places. But with approximately 30 million children under the age of 3, the gap in demand is more than just palpable.

The draft initiative began in 2023, according to Luo Shugang, chairman of the NPC's Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, who introduced the draft to the lawmakers.

Shortly after, extensive field visits took place across regions like Beijing and Inner Mongolia in the north, Guangdong in the south, and Heilongjiang in the northeast, offering insights into local childcare services and practices. The goal was clear: tackling the most pressing issues head-on with targeted legislation.

The draft law comprises eight chapters and 76 articles, and adopts a demand-driven, problem-focused approach to tackling key challenges in the field of childcare services, including service quality, provider qualifications, and the regulation and oversight of institutions.

It aims to expand affordable childcare options, reduce the cost of raising children, strengthen oversight, and establish a diverse, safe, high-quality, reasonably priced and accessible public childcare system, Luo said.

Should the draft become law, childcare institutions must meet various conditions, including those related to staffing, facilities, and funding, before they obtain approval from authorities.

The draft would also mandate that institutions establish a public information system, displaying key documents such as licenses, registration details, safety protocols, meal plans, fee policies, and staff qualifications and health certificates.

It proposes a national qualification exam and registration system for childcare workers, setting educational and professional standards.

A strict "blacklist" has also been outlined, barring individuals with a criminal record from working in the industry, including those with a history of violence, human trafficking, abuse, or substance abuse, as well as those who have violated ethical standards or engaged in behaviors deemed harmful to the well-being of children.

The draft also details rules related to promoting play-based activities to those banning screen time for young children and ensuring food safety. It also calls for the establishment of health management systems and enhanced disease-prevention efforts.

Additionally, it would require institutions to install video surveillance in key areas such as activity zones and food preparation spaces and to retain footage for at least 90 days.

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.

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 (about 2.84 billion U.S. dollars) in this autumn semester alone.

According to the National Health Commission, proper care and health management during infant and toddler years are critical for early childhood development, which not only shapes individual well-being but also the country's long-term social and economic prospects.

The legislators will deliberate on the draft law during the ongoing session, which runs from Monday to Saturday. 
A major police operation was conducted last Thursday in the middle of Liverpool, a southwestern Sydney working-class centre. It was a graphic example of the kind of repressive conditions being imposed by Australian governments, on the pretext of responding to the December 14 terrorist shootings at Bondi Beach.

Counter-terror police arrest men in Liverpool, southwest Sydney, December 2025 [Photo: Facebook/Unknown]

New South Wales (NSW) tactical operations police dressed in military-style camouflage outfits and drawing heavy weapons pulled seven men from two cars, then handcuffed them with zip ties. Police vehicles had dangerously rammed one of the cars at a busy intersection. On Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson described it as a high-risk vehicle stop.

Vision from the scene showed handcuffed men face-down on the ground. Later, they were seen sitting on the footpath facing a fence as heavily armed police and riot squad officers stood over them.

Beanbag bullets were reportedly used to detain the men, aged between 18 and 24. At least one sustained an injury to the head, even though the men, who had driven hundreds of kilometres from the state of Victoria, had told police they were on their way to a short-term holiday rental property.

This operation was all based, according to police commanders, on unproven allegations that the men had similar views to the Bondi Beach gunmen who killed 15 people at a Chanukah by the Sea event on December 14. The police said the men might have been intending to travel to Bondi Beach, even though it is 40 kilometres from Liverpool, and one of the men had been under surveillance by ASIO, the federal domestic intelligence agency.

After holding the seven men overnight without charge, last Friday the police released them all, saying there was no evidence to lay charges against them. The police said no weapons were found in the cars, just one knife.

As well as the deliberate display of force, the men were reportedly detained under draconian state and federal terrorism laws that allow police, with the consent of a magistrate, to detain people for investigation for up to a week without charge.

Speaking to reporters after their release, one of the men said there had been a misunderstanding and the group held no extremist beliefs. We just told [police] we were here for a holiday, he said. Another told Nine News: They target us because were Muslims.

In a video posted on Friday, one of the men showed a plaster on his head and said he had received a cut during the arrest that was 2 centimetres in. Another man stated: If they turned on the (police) lights we would have stopped, but they just smacked the car. He added that he had been bashed during the arrest and two of the boys got tasered.

Despite the lack of any evidence against the men, NSW Premier Chris Minns immediately backed the police. You can see that theyre [police] not mucking around, he told the media. I dont think anyone in NSW wants them to muck around. If they perceive a threat, now and in the future, they will take immediate action.

The police operation is a sharp warning of what Premier Minns intends with the raft of anti-democratic laws that he foreshadowed straight after the Bondi mass shootings. The legislation being rushed through parliament this week would give the state government and the police powers to ban all political demonstrations, of any kind, for three months once they had issued a terrorist alert.

Minns said the laws would also give police greater powers to force people to remove face coverings at protests, to order them to move on or face arrest and to swoop on anyone carrying a flag or sign allegedly supporting a group proscribed by federal law as terrorist. Minns declared that the legislation would specifically outlaw the phrase globalise the intifada, which refers to uprisings against oppression, as hate speech.

No public assemblies in a designated area will be able to be authorised, including by a court, Minns told reporters. He boasted: These are obviously extraordinary powersnot seen before in any jurisdiction in the country.

As the state and federal Labor governments have done for the past two years, Minns conflated the mass anti-genocide marches in Australia, such as the 300,000-strong march over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on August 3, with antisemitism, even though thousands of Jews have joined the demonstrations, as they have internationally.

The anti-protest laws are not only seeking to outlaw demonstrations against the Gaza genocide. According to media reports, they will empower the state government and the police to issue public assembly restriction declarations to ban any gathering that they declare could cause fear of harassment, intimidation or violence, or cause a risk to community safety.

Such provisions could be used to criminalise meetings or protests expressing any political dissent, whether it be against soaring social inequality, the climate disaster, or war preparations.

Minns legislation, together with similar plans by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other state and territory government leaders, will also place certain limits on gun licences. Yet Minns revealed this week that he has been involved in talks with an Israeli-linked organisation, the Community Security Group (CSG), to permit its forces to carry weapons at Jewish events in particular.

Minns said the CSG was already permitted to be armed at Jewish places of worship and Jewish schools. This creates an environment in which hundreds of Zionist supporters, reportedly including some ex-Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, are effectively licensed to shoot to kill.

In 2019, CSG NSWs head of security, Matthew Meyerson, told the Jewish Communal Appeal (JCA) that the CSG had more than 300 volunteers across its various divisions, with hundreds training together every week. Last week, the Victorian state Labor government gave $900,000 to the CSGs Victorian chapter in the wake of the Bondi attack.

The federal Labor government is also preparing to bolster already far-reaching hate speech laws that his government pushed through in February, and create new powers to cancel or reject visas of people who spread hate and division. It plans to implement far-reaching measures to promote Zionist propaganda under the guise of combatting antisemitism.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese went further. He announced a review of the powers, structures, processes of the federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, headed by Dennis Richardson, a former head of ASIO and of the departments of defence and foreign affairs. This is clearly intended to further strengthen the already extensive powers of surveillance, detention and interrogation and to whitewash the role of intelligence and police in the Bondi Beach shootings.

The terrorist attack on the Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach is being exploited by state and federal governments to dramatically increase the strength and powers of the police and intelligence apparatus that will be used not only to crack down on anti-genocide protests but on growing resistance to the threat of wider wars, social austerity and anti-democratic methods of rule.
The Trump administration last Thursday approved an $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwanthe largest single US weapons sale to the island in history. The package, the second since Trump was installed in office this year, is a calculated escalation in US imperialisms war preparations against China.

A US Marine HIMARS system at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. [Photo: US Marines]

The huge arms package is not defensive in any meaningful sense, but features long-range offensive strike systems capable of carrying out precision strikes on the Chinese mainland. These include:

82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, which have been extensively used by Ukrainian military in its US-NATO backed war against Russia. The HIMARS system consists of a heavy-duty truck loaded with a single missile pod capable of firing with six GMLRS rockets or a single ATACMSclass tactical missile.

420 ATACMS missiles and more than 1,200 GMLRS pods, each with six rockets. The ATACMS missile has a range of about 300 kilometres while the GMLRS rockets have a range of between 70-80 kilometres. Both are precision-guided. An unnamed senior official told the Taiwan News that the US was also supplying Taiwan with newer ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometres.

At its narrowest point, the distance between the main island of Taiwan and the Chinese coastline is just 130 kilometreswell within the range of the ATACMS missiles. Taiwan, moreover, controls a series of heavily fortified islets, the closest of which are just kilometres from the Chinese mainland.

The stationing of such weaponry on Taiwan is a calculated provocation designed to undermine the One China policy to which Washington nominally continues to adhere. In establishing diplomatic relations with China in 1978, the US ended diplomatic and military ties with Taiwan and withdrew all US military forces from the islandeffectively recognising Beijing as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan.

The latest US arms package is in clear breach of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act that has long provided Washington with a flimsy legal justification for selling defensive, but not offensive, arms to Taiwan.

Trump, following on from the Biden administration, is using arms sales as well as closer ties with the Taiwanese government of President Lai Chingte in a bid to heighten tensions across the Taiwan Strait and goad China into attacking Taiwan. Trump is well aware that China has repeatedly warned that it will reunify Taiwan by force if Taiwan ever declares formal independence.

While US naval vessels and military aircraft have not taken the step of visiting Taiwan, US warships provocatively transit through the Taiwan Strait with increasing frequency. High-level US political visits are also increasing. In August, US Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker made a trip to Taipei, which he used to push for joint US-Taiwan arms manufacturing in a bid to tie Taiwans economy and arms industry more tightly into US war planning.

The US is seeking to exploit Taiwan as a means of drawing China into a war that would significantly weaken the Chinese military and government of President Xi Jinping. It has pressed the Taiwan government to adopt a porcupine strategy of asymmetrical warfare to inflict maximum deaths and damage on Chinese forces.

The arms sales to Taiwan are determined largely by the Pentagon rather than Taipei. The latest package includes 60 propelled howitzers, and large qualities of Javelin and TOW antitank missiles. It also includes Altius loiteringmunition drones, which have a range of 400 kilometres and have multiple functions, including making precision strikes.

Under the guise of military advisers, the US is steadily building up a military presence on Taiwan and its outlying islets. Since 2021 when Washington first acknowledged that 30 US special forces troops were in Taiwan, the numbers built up to 200 advisers by early 2023 and by 2024 included elements of the US Armys 1st Special Forces Group attached to amphibious bases on frontline Taiwanese islets such as Kinmen.

By this year, the scale of the US presence has grown again. In May, retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery testified that about 500 US military personnel are in Taiwan as trainers, more than 10 times the number previously disclosed. These forces are not simply teaching Taiwanese troops how to use and maintain equipment. They are engaged in exercises, operational planning, and the integration of HIMARS, drones and other systems into war plans against China.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei has fully aligned itself with the Trump administration and embraced its demands for a huge increase in military spending to above 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) next year with plans for a boost to 5 percent of GDP. President Lai last month announced a $40 billion supplementary defence budget to run from 2026 to 2033, saying there was no room for compromise on national security.

The 2025 annual Han Kuang war games in April and July were the longest and largest in the islands history, with two weeks of aroundtheclock computerised wargaming and 10 days of continuous livefire drills built around fullscale invasion scenarios. Taiwans military rehearsed not just coastal defence but urban warfare, infrastructure protection, and wholeofsociety mobilisationexactly the kind of protracted proxy conflict that US planners envisage as a means of bleeding and destabilising China.

The Lai administration has already extended the compulsory military conscription for 19-year-olds from four months to one year, beginning last year. Moreover, the training is not only extended but more rigorous, going beyond basic drills to include the use of modern technology like anti-tank missiles and drones in line with the overall US-dictated military strategy.

The ruling DPP is based on sections of the Taiwanese ruling class that regard the islands ambiguous international status as a barrier to its economic ambitions. While the DPP in office has stopped short of declaring independence and directly provoking war with China, President Lai is aligned with the partys more hardline, separatist layers.

The announcement of the latest US arms sales to Taiwan provoked an angry response from Beijing. Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and to stop the dangerous actions of arming Taiwan. He said that large US arms sales to Taiwan constituted a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs, seriously undermined its sovereignty and security interests, jeopardised stability across the Taiwan Straits, and sent a wrong signal to the separatist forces in Taiwan.

The Trump administration, however, has not the slightest intention of halting its provocative moves. In October, Washington was forced to reach a one-year truce in its escalating economic war with Beijing when China imposed restrictions on the export of critical minerals to the US. The latest arms sale, however, makes it clear that US imperialism is continuing to accelerate its war planning against China, which it regards as the chief threat to its global domination.
The recent award of a $1.6 million unsolicited, single-source grant to the Bandim Health Project for a clinical trial in the impoverished West African country of Guinea-Bissau marks a significant shift in federal research priorities, directing US public funds to investigators, who are deliberately withholding life-saving treatment from children.

The study is a randomized controlled trial that intentionally delays a proven, life-saving hepatitis B vaccine for newborns in a region with high endemic prevalenceestimated in some populations to affect up to one in five peoplethereby exposing infants to a known and preventable risk. From the standpoint of medical ethics, it is more than dubious. It is potentially criminal.

The CDCs unsolicited grant supports a five-year randomized controlled trial involving approximately 14,000 newborns in Guinea-Bissau, comparing vaccination at birth with a delayed first dose at six weeks to assess purported non-specific effects on mortality and development. Critics, including virologist Angela Rasmussen, have described the award process as blatant cronyism, citing its circumvention of standard review mechanisms.

The trial violates the principle of clinical equipoise by knowingly assigning infants to a delayed-vaccination arm despite the existence of a proven, life-saving intervention. This violation is magnified in a region with high endemic hepatitis B prevalence, where delay increases the risk of lifelong, irreversible infection. Compounding the ethical travesty, the studys five-year follow-up window cannot capture the true disease trajectory, as the most severe consequences of hepatitis Bcirrhosis and liver canceroften emerge decades later.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 to consider changes in hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for infants. [AP Photo/Ben Gray]

Any claim of scientific validity is further undermined by Guinea-Bissaus own policy commitments. The government has formally pledged to implement a universal birth-dose program beginning in 2027. Internal CDC communications have compared the study to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, noting the shared structure of government-funded researchers observing preventable disease in a vulnerable population while withholding an established intervention.

Dr. Robert Steinbrook, Health Research Group Director at Public Citizen, issued the following statement:

Everything is wrong with awarding this unsolicited single source grant, including the approval process, concerns about conflict of interest and the dubious ethics of the research. Newly born children, regardless of where they live, should be protected against hepatitis B by receiving the first dose of the vaccine within 24 hours after birth, as recommended by the WHO, leading medical professional organizations worldwide, and, until earlier this week, by the CDC. The benefits of the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine extend throughout life; they are not limited to five years after birth.

The CDC should not fund a study involving children in another country that would be unethical to conduct in the US. The award should be paused; the full study protocol should immediately be made public and receive independent scientific and ethics review in both Guinea-Bissau and the US. Bioethicists and medical professional organizations must demand that the CDC reconsider this outrageous grant award.

These events cannot be understood without reference to the ethical frameworks created explicitly to prevent such abuses. The Nuremberg Code (1947) established that human experimentation must be voluntary, scientifically justified and designed to avoid unnecessary suffering. The Declaration of Helsinki (1964) affirmed that the well-being of the research subject must always take precedence over scientific aims, forbidding inferior interventions when effective ones exist. The Belmont Report (1979) embedded these principles into US governance, warning explicitly against the exploitation of vulnerable populations for administrative convenience.

Under Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC is systematically dismantling these guardrails. The dismissal of the entire 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) panel and its replacement with figures hostile to a genuinely scientific framework institutionalized this shift.

By replacing rigorous evaluation with a process engineered to deliver preordained outcomes, the administration is trashing science. The Guinea-Bissau trial is the worst manifestation of this anti-science, anti-human perspective. It sacrifices participant welfare to ideological propaganda value, in direct defiance of long-settled ethical norms.

In sum, the Guinea-Bissau study functions not as a good faith search for knowledge but as a mechanism for deliberately manufacturing doubt, providing cover for dismantling public health protections at home. Children in Guinea-Bissau are being used as instruments to rationalize US policy reversals, most notably the abandonment of the hepatitis B birth dose.

By subordinating scientific infrastructure to a preexisting anti-vaccine ideology, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has transformed the HHS into an instrument of foreseeable harm. His policies invite the return of diseases once controlled and will predictably result in preventable illness and death. In this context, it is no exaggeration to describe Kennedy as a secretary of sickness and death.

This funding decision coincides with a major domestic policy reversal, as acting CDC Director Jim ONeill formally approved the abandonment of the 34-year-old universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination policy for infants born to mothers not known to be infected. Dismantling this birth-dose safety netcredited with reducing pediatric hepatitis B infections by approximately 99 percentignores persistent gaps in maternal screening, including the fact that nearly one in five pregnant women in the United States are not screened during pregnancy.

These developments unfold alongside a directive from President Trump to fast-track a reassessment of US immunization policy using international comparators, most prominently Denmarks childhood vaccine schedule, which includes significantly fewer routine vaccinations than the US standard. Public health experts warn that reconfiguring the US schedule on ideological groundswithout Denmarks universal healthcare system, national registries and near-universal maternal screeningwould predictably lead to renewed outbreaks of preventable disease, including measles, whooping cough, and hepatitis Brelated liver cancer.

Adopting the so-called Danish schedule would eliminate several routine US childhood immunizations, withdrawing established protections against serious infectious diseases, such as influenza, rotavirus, chickenpox and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in the United States. Experts emphasize that this comparison is medically indefensible, because Denmarks reduced schedule is viable only within structural safeguards that the United States does not possess. Absent those conditions, rolling back routine immunization would foreseeably increase preventable illness, disability and death.

The Guinea-Bissau trial itself is led by Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn, longtime affiliates of the University of Southern Denmark and central proponents of the non-specific effects hypothesis. For more than 25 years, they have argued that while live vaccines may confer broader benefits, non-live vaccinesmost notably diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP)may paradoxically increase all-cause mortality, particularly among girls. This claim collapsed under systematic review. A 2025 analysis published in Vaccine found that in 22 of 23 analyses, the purported harms disappeared once appropriate statistical corrections were applied, leading reviewers to conclude that the findings reflected systematic over-interpretation of fragile observational data.

Professor Henrik Stvring, who led the systematic review of their DTP study at Aarhus University, stated,

The group [had] systematically selected and highlighted results that supported their theories, while downplaying the fact that they did not confirm the primary hypothesis the trials were actually designed to test. ... When you look at the overall picture, there are almost no real findings left.

The policy influence of this research has been mediated through Tracy Beth Heg, a dual USDanish citizen and senior federal health official with advisory roles at HHS and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), who previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Denmark. Heg has collaborated closely with Benn, including co-hosting the podcast Vaccine Curious, which promotes skepticism toward established vaccine schedules, and authoring articles that challenge the evidentiary basis for universal immunization policies.

That influence became explicit when the reconstituted ACIPwhose members were selected by Kennedyrepeatedly cited the Bandim groups Guinea-Bissau research during its September 2025 public meeting. These citations formed a key intellectual foundation for arguments suggesting that the United States should move toward a more restrictive, Denmark-style vaccine schedule.

The political utility of the Bandim research reached its apex when Kennedy publicly singled out a single 2017 observational DTP study to justify canceling more than $1 billion in previously committed US funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This reliance persisted despite the fact that the DTP formulation studied has not been used in the United States for over 30 years, and despite the studys rejection by mainstream scientists as a non-replicable outlier. Nevertheless, the administration claimed Gavi had neglected vaccine safetyan assertion unsupported by the scientific record.

The consequences of defunding Gavi are severe and foreseeable. According to Gavis own projections, the funding withdrawal will result in approximately 75 million children missing routine vaccinations over the next five years, leading to more than 1.2 million preventable deaths. The disruption has already undermined disease surveillance and emergency stockpiles in nearly 50 countries, increasing the risk that outbreaks of measles, yellow fever and Ebola will spread across borders.
Strikers picket The New School in 2022

The administration at the New School for Social Research (NSSR) in New York City has launched a sweeping assault on its faculty and academic programs, targeting 40 percent of full-time professors for elimination under the guise of a voluntary separation program. In early December, 169 full-time faculty received letters offering buyouts and early retirement and giving them barely two weeks, until December 15, to respond.

The administrations letter threatened involuntary reduction if faculty didnt voluntarily accept termination, adding, the severance package under an involuntary program would not be as substantial as the package offered through the voluntary option. The voluntary severance package includes a payout of six months salary.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), whose membership includes NSSR faculty, has described this as the largest attempted firing of faculty currently taking place in the nation.

In addition, nearly all doctoral admissions for the 202627 academic year have been paused, and several undergraduate majors have been slated for elimination.

The administration is justifying these necessary attacks with reference to a $48 million budget deficit. In a November email announcing the need for extreme austerity measures, President Joel Towers told the NSSR community that every area of the university will need to prepare for changes. Alternative economic proposals, without mass layoffs, submitted by faculty members and even multi-million-dollar offers of donations to continue PhD programs, have reportedly been rejected by Towers, who said this would only kick the can down the road.

Widespread opposition among students, faculty, and staff has erupted and a rally of several hundred was held last week before the end of semester. Many community members insist that the cuts strike at the very foundations of the New School as a haven for critical social research and thought. What was once the University in Exile for scholars fleeing fascism and political persecution in 1930s Europe is now a university where the well-paid administrators are exiling their own faculty out of their jobs.

Austerity measures at the NSSR arent new, however. In 2020, the university laid off 122 administrative staff, eliminating 13 percent of these workers with just one weeks notice, even as it maintained a presidents salary in excess of $1 million and a $15 million townhouse for the executive residence. In 2022, 1,700 part-time facultywho made up nearly 87 percent of the instructional staff but only around 8 percent of the budgetwent on strike after years without raises, demanding living wages, health coverage and job security.

What is posed at the New School is a political fight in defense of academic freedom and higher education as a whole, not simply a local campus dispute. The same capitalist crisis that drives the Trump administrations dismantling of the Department of Education, the ideological takeover of universities and the destruction of academic freedom is behind the demolition of jobs, programs, and conditions at institutions like the New School. To oppose these attacks, NSSR students and workers must link their struggle with educators, students and workers across New York, the United States, and internationally in a unified fight against the capitalist system itself.

The WSWS interviewed students at the New School outside the University Center on Wednesday about these issues.

A masters student in philosophy, who wanted to remain anonymous, said, I dont know if my adviser will be here next year. If he isnt here, I dont know if the other professor I could work with will be here. I really have no idea. I have spent a lot of time and money at this institution and am very close to everyone here and its really devastating. It is not just affecting me academically, but personally. People who have become my close friends and mentors do not know what their next step will be. My very close friends who are PhD students dont know if they are going to have to leave to be with their PhD adviser, move across the country? Its crazy.

I know that the faculty supports us in any way they can. Many of my professors were at the rally were at our town hall where Provost Kessler came and where we asked him questions that straight away he refused to answer. He refused to face them. He was rolling his eyes at us.

We will continue to voice our concerns, continue to talk to each other. Not just accept this, right? Because they are trying to tell us, Oh no, dont worry, its going to be reversed, once the changes are reversed, once we get enough money. I think that we really need to keep doing and what we are doing; not accept this ambiguity.

Asked about the broader attacks by Trump, she responded, I think we need to get together and rally against this and connect it all back to education. Trumps attacks are about getting control of education. Kessler and Towers are using as an excuse that they are not actually funded by Trump. But the fact is they are scared and trying to bow down in front of him, just as a precaution.

Two BA/BFA students also spoke out on the faculty cuts. Orion told the WSWS, Theyre cutting my major. They got rid of the entire anthropology department. They tell you you can still take classes but its not going to be as good because they fired all the teachers. Theyre also isolating PhD students because theyre going to get rid of their programs that theyre under and the teachers that are mentoring them. What are we doing guys?

Theyre saying were here for the new wave thinkers, the individuals, and then theyre like, Oh well, I dont think this is very important anymore. Getting rid of programs, its telling what they arent valuing.

Wynn added, Its disappointing as a school. The admins salaries are unreasonably crazy compared to everyone else. Its corrupt. Its against everything that the New School stands for. Theyre directly inhibiting what they claim to stand for as an administration. I think its important for all of us to protest. Its our school, we should have a say. If I knew of a protest that students could be involved in, I would be a part of it.

Asked about how to oppose these attacks, Orion said, Im a big believer in strikes. Theyre hard because it takes away jobs and money and things people need. So not everyone can always participate, but I think strikes hit at the root of what you have to take away. The things that they care about in the end, when theyre not listening, the only thing they care about is money. So, striking and preventing them from making money is the only thing theyll listen to sometimes.

On what message theyd like to send to the faculty, Wynn replied, What Id say is thank you because the faculty at the school make the school what it is. People come here for the teachers. I found that all the professors Ive had have been incredibly supportive, and I know that everyone has that experience. They make the school, so they deserve to have better resources and get treated better. And well fight for them.

A third-year fashion student at Parsons told the WSWS, I think the handling of the situation is atrocious. Im really sorry to see whats happening to the New School. I think it has a history of both political thought, economic thought and progressivism. Its just horrible to see it die in this way.

A fifth-year BA/BFA student said, Its ridiculous. First and foremost, its just sad for these people who have committed their lives to this institution and educating young people about things they care about. Especially a place like this, a research school thats focused on how society is structuring in a time where humanities are being devalued. Schools like this should stand up and increase the value. Its very strange. Its like the millionth terrible thing the school has done in my time here and as a student, it feels super stressful and like the next semester is so unclear, let alone the future of the school we all really care about.

I hope the professors feel how much student support were sending their way, and were ready to do whatever they want and need us to do.

Asked if she would support a broader movement of students uniting with the working class against layoffs and austerity, she replied, Im all for it. I think that weve seen student movements have to happen before in history, and I think this might be a time where that happens again. When we see universities liquidating intellectuals, we know whats going on, and its not a good thing.

A fashion design student in his first semester decried the cuts to the faculty. I definitely think its crazy. I heard the head of the school was getting a major pay increase and they were taking Lang and COPA [College of Performing Arts] and turning them into Parsons, like merging them for monetary reasons, not for good reasons.

For me, my tuition is kind of high because I pay out-of-state tuition. I think that a lot of schools, especially like ours, could have lower costs in all areas because a lot of the people running it could take pay cuts, stop putting so much money in their pockets, or get out of their nice, fancy mansions or their luxury apartments, and try to actually make it a school worth going to, rather than only a school for people who can afford it.

Maybe I have a glass half empty view, but unless there is true change, with young people having more influence of power, it is just going to get worse until it reaches a bubbling point. Young people have to get up and were not there yet. Were the ones who are starting to make waves; we should have something that is ours, where we can make an actual difference.

People have to get mad enough. I think you can fight it with more knowledge, learning the information surrounding it. But in any revolution it has been people getting tired enough to actually do something. While marches and walks are effective in some waysthey bring visibilityI dont think they can get further than that. Im all for protests but its got to be everyone getting behind it, like Ill be willing to miss classes and do it, and understanding the point of what they are doing.
Juveniles in Baltimores Youth Detention Center were forced to endure weeks without central heating after the facilitys system malfunctioned between late November and mid-December. The facilitys 60 detainees, all under the age of 18, were forced to use thin hospital blankets as temperatures dropped to nearly 50 degrees Fahrenheit following the Thanksgiving holiday last month.

A prisoner transport van departs from the Baltimore City Detention Center in Baltimore. [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky]

On December 12, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), which oversees the states prison system, stated it had fixed the heating situation. This means that for over two weeks the centers youth inmates were forced to huddle in blankets to remain warm. During the same span of time, temperatures plunged in the US Mid-Atlantic into the teens, remaining at below-freezing temperatures for nearly two weeks.

The facility houses juveniles charged as adults and awaiting trial. When the heat failed, children were left freezing. The state acted with no urgency, said Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue at a press conference outside the facility on December 8. The DPSCS later brought in four industrial-grade electric heaters in the affected male housing unit.

Dartigue was joined by officials from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1427, which represents correctional workers, and a few criminal justice reform organizations, who have echoed calls to end the practice of charging youths as adults.

At the press conference, James Dold, who spoke on behalf of Human Rights for Kids, a non-profit organization focused on child imprisonment in the United States, shed more light on the conditions in the facilities.

He noted that the facility is overcrowded and that many of the detainees have experienced physical or sexual abuse. They are the most vulnerable and victimized children in our community, Dold pointed out. Dold added that the Democratic governor Wes Moore has to own this. The Moore administration has to own this.

This incident has increased calls to stop the practice of charging juveniles as adults in the state of Maryland for committing certain offenses. State law currently lists 33 offenses, including murder and rape, that automatically send accused children as young as 14 to adult detention centers and criminal court.

Heat was eventually restored on December 12, after the department secured a necessary replacement part for the heating system through an emergency procurement. This was eight days after the department publicly stated the system was down.

According to advocates, over 80 percent of the minors charged as adults have their cases dismissed or are sent back to juvenile court. Over 85 percent of the children charged as adults are black, exemplifying the racial disparities in Baltimore policing.

These disparities extend throughout Marylands criminal justice system. According to a 2021 report published by the ACLU, from 2015 to 2019, 91 percent of corrections officers use of force was targeted toward black residents.

While black people comprise 31 percent of Marylands population, they make up 70 percent of those in prison.

This incident reflects the systemic underfunding and neglect that characterizes the ruling classs approach to youth incarceration. According to a 2025 state legal briefing, the state of Maryland ranks second, behind Alabama, for the number of teens between the ages of 14 and 17 who are automatically sent to adult court.

Instead of addressing poverty, housing insecurity and the worsening mental health crisis, which all contribute to juvenile delinquency, both the Democrats and Republicans have responded with criminalization and incarceration nationally. This is a far cheaper political solution for the ruling class than expanding social programs.

In an attempt to appease the fascistic Trump administrations attack on immigrants and working people under the cover of supposedly fighting crime, the Moore administration in September surged state law enforcement into Baltimore. As of November, the surge was ongoing and based on regular analysis between [Maryland State Police] and [Baltimore police], indicating Moore has no intention of withdrawing state forces from the city.

This attitude is reflected in the austerity budget advanced by Governor Moore for the current fiscal year ending in June 2026.

Moores proposal calls for $2 billion in cuts to address a $3 billion deficit. This includes $116 million in cuts to healthcare programs, including $25 million in funding for Marylands 988 hotline, which is meant to help prevent suicide by providing counselors for callers experiencing mental distress. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 14 and third for people ages 15 to 24 nationwide, per the most recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data.

Moores budget proposal also has $90 million in cuts in funding for school mental health services, even though demand for mental healthcare has been increasing in recent years, especially among young people. Over 28 percent of Maryland high school students reported their mental health was not good at most or all times, according to findings from the 202223 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

In addition, according to the National Association of School Psychologists, Maryland does not have enough school psychologists, with 1,066 students per school psychologist in 2024. Their recommended ratio is one school psychologist per 500 students.

This lack of mental health resources compounds the financial challenges facing Marylands urban communities. Baltimore City, which has historically been run by the Democrats, has a 20.3 percent poverty rate and a per capita income of just $34,378, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.

The heating system failure is a small but revealing expression of the ruling classs real attitude toward the poor, working population and youth of Baltimore. Far from representing a more enlightened wing of American capitalism, the Democratic Party is fully prepared to employ the same criminal methods as the Republican Party.
Elevenlabs AudioNative Player

On Friday, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that Tesla CEO Elon Musk should keep a 2018 pay package valued at $150 billion despite deliberately misleading shareholders and violating securities laws in obtaining it.

Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump, right, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, from left, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, listen in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

The ruling sent Musks wealth surging to $749 billion, putting him three-quarters of the way to becoming the worlds first trillionaire. According to an estimate by Forbes, Musks net worth stood at $195 billion at the start of 2024, meaning that he has appropriated half a trillion dollars in just two yearsa figure larger than the GDP of Vietnam, the Philippines or Malaysia.

The ruling marks yet another breakdown of legality in the US under the pressure of vast and soaring social inequality. None of the institutions of the state, whether legal or political, are capable of restraining the parasitic wealth and criminality of the financial oligarchy that Musk embodies.

Was the richest person in the world overpaid? This was the opening line of the January 2024 ruling by judge and Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who voided Musks 2018 Tesla compensation package after finding that the billionaire had manipulated a compliant board stacked with close personal friends and business associates.

The process, McCormick wrote, was deeply flawed. The directors never negotiated, and material facts were hidden from shareholders. The judge observed that the 2018 plan is the largest potential compensation opportunity ever observed in public markets by multiple orders of magnitude250 times larger than the contemporaneous median peer compensation plan. McCormick rescinded the package in its entirety.

Musk launched a vicious campaign of denunciation against the judge, calling her on X, which he owns, a radical far-left activist cosplaying as a judge. The corporate media joined in, with the Wall Street Journal editorial board declaring, How much Mr. Musk deserves to be paid isnt for ... the judge to decide.

On Friday, the Delaware Supreme Court sided with Musk, completely ignoring his contempt of court and his insults against Judge McCormick.

Critically, the five-judge panel did not overturn McCormicks findings of factthat Musk and Teslas directors breached their fiduciary duties, that the board was improperly influenced, that shareholders were misledall of which stands as the legal record.

Yet in overturning the remedy, the court concluded that total rescission leaves Musk uncompensated for his time and efforts over a period of six years. Musk was entitled to keep the proceeds, the justices ruledeven though the contract itself was the product of fiduciary breaches.

The court declared, We reverse the Court of Chancerys rescission remedy and award $1 in nominal damages. The very dollar amount of the fine was intended to send a message aimed at legitimizing corporate criminality.

This is the logic of the dictatorship of the criminal oligarchy: Yes, the law was broken, but it would be unfair to deny the perpetrator of the fraud the proceeds of his efforts.

The decision comes just weeks after Tesla shareholders approved an even larger compensation package for Musk, potentially worth $1 trillion over the next decade. The scale of Musks compensation defies comprehension. At $100 billion per year under the new package, Musk would earn roughly $50 million per houra sum approximately three million times greater than the $18-per-hour starting wage at a Tesla factory.

This staggering transfer of wealth to a single individual takes place amid a social catastrophe for tens of millions of American workers, fueled by falling real wages and the worst series of mass layoffs since at least 2020.

A Politico poll conducted in November found that nearly two-thirds of Americans would struggle to pay an unexpected $1,000 expense or could not cover it at all.

The same survey found that more than one-quarter of Americans27 percenthad skipped a medical checkup due to cost within the past two years. Nearly one in four23 percentreported skipping prescription medication doses because they could not afford them. More than half of respondents said they worry about being able to afford an unexpected healthcare cost.

The expense that Americans said they struggled most to afford was groceries.

The housing crisis has reached such severity that 29 percent of those surveyed said they worry about becoming homeless within the next five years. More than one-quarter reported that within the past five years, they had stayed in a place not intended for long-term habitationsuch as a vehicle or a friends couchbecause of housing costs.

These figures mirror the findings of the World Inequality Report, published December 10, which found that the richest 10 percent of individuals globally now control three-quarters of all wealth, while the bottom 50 percent4 billion human beingspossess just 2 percent. Within the US, the bottom half of the population owns less than 5 percent of total wealth.

Tesla embodies the speculative mania gripping the American stock market. On December 16, the companys stock closed at an all-time high of $489.88. There is an inverse relationship between Teslas share price and its sales. US sales are on track to fall 9 percent this year, and fourth-quarter sales have plunged 22 percent compared to the same period last yearyet its share price hit a new record this week.

Musk is the representative figure of an entire social layerthe financial oligarchy that has accumulated unprecedented wealth over the past four decades and now dominates every aspect of American political life. The courts defend Musk because to challenge his fortune is to challenge the legitimacy of the system that produced it.

Since the November 2024 election, the 10 richest men in America have seen their combined wealth increase by $779 billion. Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin saw their fortunes grow by $111 billion and $102 billion respectively, while Oracles Larry Ellison added $59 billion.

The Delaware ruling arrives as President Donald Trumphimself a billionaire who assembled the leading figures of this oligarchy at his January inaugurationhas consolidated executive power to an unprecedented degree. The Trump administration is, in the most direct sense, a government of the oligarchy, by the oligarchy and for the oligarchy.

The New York Times observed this week that Trump has established a new, more audacious version of the imperial presidency, and noted that nearly 250 years after American colonists threw off their king, this is arguably the closest the country has come during a time of general peace to the centralized authority of a monarch.

This observation embodies the fact that the political forms of American society are being brought into alignment with its social reality. The return to monarchical, aristocratic modes of rule is not an aberrationit is the political form in alignment with a society in which wealth has been concentrated in the hands of a tiny oligarchy to a degree not seen since the age of kings.

The Democratic Party offers no opposition to this transformation. It has accepted Trumps authority, collaborated with his attacks on immigrants and provided the votes for his cabinet of billionaires. The Democrats represent a different faction of the same ruling class, and they will not challenge the social interests that both parties serve.

The massive consolidation of wealth in the hands of the financial oligarchy is the social basis of the drive toward dictatorship. Inequality this extreme cannot be maintained through democratic meansthere is immense popular opposition to a social order in which one man accumulates $500 billion in two years while tens of millions skip meals and medical care. The ruling class knows this, and responds by dismantling the democratic structures that might serve as a checkhowever minusculeon its power.

The Delaware Supreme Courts ruling demonstrates that the struggle against social inequality cannot proceed through the courts or the Democratic Party or any institution of the capitalist state, which have been completely subordinated to the predations of the financial oligarchy.

The solution lies not in appeals to the courts but in the independent political mobilization of the working class. The vast fortunes accumulated by Musk and his fellow oligarchs must be expropriated, and the commanding heights of the economythe banks, corporations and major industriesplaced under public ownership and democratic control. Only through such a transformation can the productive resources of modern society be directed toward meeting human needs rather than enriching a handful of billionaires while millions struggle to afford food, housing and medical care.
25 years ago: Fire kills over 300 people in China

On the evening of December 25, 2000, a devastating fire ripped through the fourstory Dongdu Building in Luoyang, Henan province, killing more than 300 people. The blaze began at approximately 9:35 p.m. in a basement where construction workers were welding. According to reports, the work was carried out without proper safety procedures or licenses. Flammable materials ignited and quickly consumed most of the building.

Carbon-monoxide poisoning was the primary cause of death. Witnesses said the toxic smoke spread rapidly, reaching the top floor in seconds. The suffocating fumes overwhelmed the patrons of an unlicensed nightclub that was holding a Christmas Eve disco, and within a few minutes the entire building was filled. Fire crews were eventually able to extinguish the blaze at about 12:45 a.m. with enormous difficulty, but the scene left was catastrophic: hundreds of bodies and only a small number of survivors. Many of the victims on the top floor showed signs of dying by inhaling toxic fumes; others managed narrow escapes by jumping to air cushions below or by staying near windows for fresh air until rescuers finally arrived.

Aftermath of the fire at the Dongdu Building [Photo by NamuWiki / CC BY-SA 2.0

The Dongdu Building had long been known as a hazard. It had been listed among the 40 most dangerous buildings in Henan province, had repeatedly failed firesafety inspections over the previous three years, and had been inspected just a week before the disaster receiving another abysmal safety record. Despite these warnings, required safety upgrades such as sprinklers and alarm systems had not been installed, and authorities refused to condemn the building. Emergency exits were inadequate or inaccessible: the roof exit from the disco was reportedly locked, other exits were blocked by construction materials or merchandise, and small windows prevented effective escape. Street stalls, parked equipment and other obstructions also hampered fire engines and emergency response, allowing the fire time to spew its deadly smoke.

This tragedy was not a mere accident, nor did it happen in isolation, apart from social and economic conditions. It was a product of changes that followed the Stalinist Chinese Communist Partys embrace of market reforms and its restoration of capitalism in the preceding decades: a rapid, profitdriven development of urban areas, lax enforcement and curtailing of safety and labor regulations, and the transformation of workplaces and public spaces into sites of private profit. Luoyangs population had surged as rural migrants arrived seeking employment, yet urban planning and regulatory oversight failed to keep pace. The result was a climate in which business owners and developers operated with minimal accountability, prioritizing profit over basic safety standards. These socioeconomic preferences turned the Dongdu Building into a scene of shock, horror and working class anger.

50 years ago: First congress of the Cuban Communist Party held in Havana

On December 22, 1975, the First Congress of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) concluded in Havana. The five-day event, attended by over 3,100 delegates, marked the formal institutionalization of the Cuban Revolution, moving it from rule by Fidel Castros revolutionary decrees to a Stalinist-style state apparatus.

The centerpiece of the congress was an 11-hour report delivered by Castro, the partys First Secretary. While the speech celebrated the revolutions survival against US-backed subversion and blockade, it was also forced to address deep-seated economic failures. Castro admitted the ambitious 10-million-ton sugar harvesta project that had drained the countrys resources between 1965 and 1970had failed. He declared reality proved stronger than our plans, announcing a retreat from economic diversification and industrial development back to sugar exports dependent on subsidies from the Soviet Union.

Castro delivering his remarks to the Congress

The proceedings formalized Cubas integration into the Soviet blocs economic and political orbit. Castro expressed gratitude to the Kremlin for paying inflated prices for Cuban sugar and continuing to supply raw materials and fuel despite Havanas shortfalls. Simultaneously, the congress signaled a desire for normalization with the United States. Castro indicated readiness to negotiate with Washington should its blockade be relaxed, while also praising Western capitalist leaders like former French President Charles de Gaulle and Britains Labour government for their openness to economic ties.

The overture to Washington came despite the fact that the US government had repeatedly attempted to assassinate Castroplots that had recently become public through congressional investigations into the CIA. Castro acknowledged these revelations but did not alter his willingness to make a deal with imperialism.

The congress approved a draft of a new constitution to be implemented in 1976. It legally established the PCC as the superior guiding force of society and created a new National Assembly of Peoples Power. It also consolidated the Castro familys domination of the state, with Raul Castro, Fidels brother, confirmed as Second Secretary and head of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

The 1975 congress was labeled the First because it did not continue the lineage of the original Communist Party of Cuba, founded in 1925 by Julio Antonio Mella and Carlos Balino. That earlier organization, rooted in the urban working class and peasantry, had transformed into the Popular Socialist Party (PSP) in 1944, functioning largely as a Stalinist appendage of Moscow. The party that held the 1975 congress was formally a new entity, created in 1965 from the merger of Castros 26th of July Movement, the student-led Revolutionary Directorate, and the PSP. This merger consolidated petty-bourgeois nationalist tendencies, in alliance with Stalinism, over the independent interests of the working class.

The socialism proclaimed in Havana in 1975 was a fiction, disguising the actual nature of the Castro regime, which lacked any genuine connection to the working class. Despite the hosannas of the Pabloites and other renegades from Trotskyism, the Cuban Revolution had not produced a workers state. Nationalization was imposed from above by the PCC, not through soviets or workers selfrule. The working class did not exercise political power. On the contrary, the police-state regime suppressed all independent working class activity, outlawed Trotskyism, and had actually welcomed Trotskys assassin, Ramon Mercader, when he was released from a Mexican prison in 1960.

75 years ago: US pledges to finance Frances colonial war in Vietnam

On December 23, 1950, the United States signed the Pentalateral agreement, committing itself to supporting the French war against the Viet Minh. The other signatories of the Pentalateral agreement were France, the kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia, and the State of Vietnam, the French-backed semi-colonial regime established in 1949. The United States agreed in this pact to supply France with roughly $1.2 billion worth of military equipment over a period of four years.

The French war against the Viet Minhthe nationalist front of the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP) led by Ho Chi Minhwas an imperialist war of repression in which France attempted to reimpose control over Vietnam after World War II. The war began in 1948 with the occupation by French troops of the formerly French colony of Indochina.

French-marked USAF C-119 flown by CIA pilots over Dien Bien Phu in 1954

The pact was signed amid a period of French escalation of the war, marked by the appointment of General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny as commander-in-chief of the French forces. Only one day prior to the agreement being signed, the general had ordered the French Air Force to bomb a group of Viet Minh fighters with napalm, in the first use of the deadly compound in Vietnam. Scorched-earth tactics, including the burning of crops, would also be overseen by de Lattre during his command.

By supplying vast quantities of US equipment to France and its puppet state in the region, Washington obtained a legal and practical lever for continued presence in Indochina after the withdrawal of French forces in 1954. Much of the material was to revert to US title at the conclusion of hostilities.

During the initial stages of the Vietnam War in early 1960s, the Pentalateral agreement remained a significant document outlining the legal status of US material and personnel in Vietnam, with Washington using the retrieval of its equipment as a pretext for deploying troops.

100 years: Communist Party of India holds founding congress

On December 25, 1925, the founding congress of the Communist Party of India (CPI) opened in the industrial center of Cawnpore in the British Raj, now the city of Kanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India.

The number of delegates present differs according to various accounts but lies somewhere in the range of 300 to 500, among them representatives from Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Lahore. Many, according to British intelligence reports, were workers and peasants. Delegates represented several local Marxist currents from British-ruled India, the territory that now comprises Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The new CPI adopted the basic Bolshevik understanding that only a proletarian vanguard party, independent of bourgeois nationalism, could lead working class emancipation. Yet the party began its life in a very hostile environment: legal repression by colonial authorities, weak industrial base relative to population, and intense competition from bourgeois-nationalist currents. To this must be added the political dangers posed by the Stalinist degeneration of the Third International, which would accelerate over the next few years.

Satyabhakta (Chakhan Lal) [Photo: Satyabhakta, Gorilla, p. 1; (b). ACH, JNU, Index of Photographs, No. 55]

The congress was convened by Satyabhakta (Chakhan Lal), who had been inspired by the Russian revolution and had corresponded with leading British communists, and had broken with Gandhismthough not Hinduismin 1920.

The congress rejected Satyabhaktas proposals to constitute the new party under his conception of National Bolshevism, independent of international influence, and instead voted to apply for membership in the Communist International.

The program adopted by the congress included the abolition of landlordism without compensation to the landlords, nationalization of all key industries and transport by the state, universal suffrage, compulsory and free primary education for all.

Significantly, the congress called for complete national independence from British imperialism, a position not yet taken by the bourgeois Indian National Congress, which was instead calling for dominion status within the British Empire.
A Russian Federal Bailiffs Service employee patrols around the court building with the words reading, "Palace of justice," on the front in Yekaterinburg, Russia. [AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky]

A Russian military district court in Yekaterinburg has convicted five members of a Marxist circle in Ufa to draconian sentences of between 16 to 22 years in prison and high-security penal colonies for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Russian government through terrorist means. The case marks a significant intensification of the crackdown on democratic rights in Russia and attempts to vilify Marxism and any left-wing opposition to the Putin regime.

The defendants were found guilty of having organized or participated in a terrorist association, having planned a violent seizure of power, of having seized weapons and explosives, as well as of having publicly justified or propagandized terrorism.

The five defendants were Dmitry Chuvilin, a former deputy for the Stalinist Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF); Rinat Burkeev, his aide; Yuri Efimov, a pensioner; Alexei Dmitriev, a doctor; and Pavel Marisol, a former member of the state security services. The latter two had previously served as volunteers in the Donbass in East Ukraine, where a civil war between Russian-backed separatists and the NATO-backed Ukrainian army raged after the pro-Western coup of February 2014 in Kiev.

According to the prosecution, in addition to meeting for weekly discussions of Marxist texts at the local Stalin museum, they were conducting shooting drills and had concrete plans for seizing weapons and explosives in an attack on military buildings in Ufa. Their alleged goal was to establish a dictatorship of Soviet power. The prosecution claims that the group was active since 2016. The arrests took place on March 25, 2022, just over a month after the Putin regime initiated the invasion of Ukraine.

All of the defendants denied the charges. The prosecution heavily relied on testimony by a former member of the group, a native of Ukraine, who was working with the Russian secret service (FSB). The defendants claimed that the case against them was fabricated to destroy Russian communist ideas, that they had not engaged in any terrorist organization and that all their talk was drunken chatter. After the announcement of the verdict, they shouted fascists in the courtroom. All of them claimed to have been subject to torture and other forms of coercion.

The connections of these individuals to the Russian state and military and the KPRF, a right-wing state-embedded party, raise questions about the nature of this group and indicate that conflicts within the state apparatus may have played a role in this case. However, the media coverage and the extreme prison sentences make clear that the Russian state seeks to use this case, above all, to intimidate left-wing opposition to the Putin regime.

In the courtroom and media coverage, a heavy emphasis was placed on the fact that the defendants read classical Marxist texts by Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin, the co-leader of the 1917 Russian Revolution. In the Russian media coverage, the defendants were deliberately described as Marxists, creating the false impression, given the indictment, that Marxism is linked to terrorism.

Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable growth of youth groups and other circles that have expressly sought to study classical Marxist texts. While manyapparently such as the one in Ufahave been under the dominant influence of Stalinism, others have been marked by an interest in the ideas of Leon Trotsky, the principal socialist and internationalist opponent of Stalin. The draconian prison sentences for the members of the group in Ufa were clearly meant to slander, criminalize and intimidate workers and young people involved in these circles and, more broadly, those interested in classical Marxism and, specifically, Trotskyism.

This included, most notably, the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), a Trotskyist youth group with members from across the former Soviet Union who have turned to the International Committee of the Fourth International. Its leader, the Ukrainian Trotskyist, Bogdan Syrotiuk, has been imprisoned in Ukraine on trumped-up charges of state treason because the YGBL took a principled, Marxist stance in opposition to the war in Ukraine, fighting for the unity of workers in Russia and Ukraine.

The significance of the case of the Ufa group can only be understood in the broader political context of an escalating campaign of censorship and historical falsification. Over the past year, in particular, the Putin regime has systematically intensified media and internet censorship, while continuing to promote Joseph Stalin, the gravedigger of the revolution, and undermining historical research into the Stalinist terror, when hundreds of thousands of revolutionaries were murdered.

Since the spring, there have been rolling internet blackouts in many regions of Russia which have resulted in people being cut off from the internet sometimes for weeks at a time. Many of the most important social media platforms that people in Russia use to learn about international developments and discussions and communicate with people outside of Russia, such as YouTube and WhatsApp, have been blocked entirely or partially. As a recent article on the WSWS noted, Russian workers are deprived of almost any information regarding the reactionary policies of the Trump administration, which Vladimir Putin is praising regularly as he seeks to negotiate a deal in the Ukraine war with US imperialism.

While increasingly suppressing any means to access information from the outside world, the Russian oligarchy has also intensified its campaign of historical falsification and efforts to rehabilitate Joseph Stalin. Coinciding with the 108th anniversary of the October Revolution, Russian state TV released a major television series, entitled Chronicles of the Russian Revolution, which is filled with the most vile and outrageous historical slander and falsifications. Its principal funder and producer was Alisher Usmanov, one of Russias wealthiest oligarchs with an estimated net worth of $14.4 billion in 2023.

An overview by Memorial, the organization principally associated with research on the Great Terror which was banned in December 2021, found a noticeable growth in the erection of Stalin monuments in 2025. Thus, between January and November 2025, 17 new monuments and memorial plaques honoring Stalin were established, more than in all of 2024. According to Memorial, the Stalinist KPRF, which defends the Great Terror to this day and functions as a loyal opposition to the Putin regime, as well as veterans of the war in Ukraine, has been the driving force behind many of these initiatives.

At the same time, the Kremlin has moved to dramatically limit the ability of researchers, Russian and foreign alike, to access vitally important information about the history of the Communist International and the Great Terror. Thus, most archival holdings on the history of the Communist International, which include vast materials on the history of the workers movement in Asia, Europe and Latin America, have been re-classified as state secrets and are no longer available to researchers. The Russian state has also re-introduced an older rule, according to which the personal files on victims of the terror can only be accessed if a relative of that victim expressly agrees to it. In cases when there may be no living relatives at all or no known relatives, this rule makes it all but impossible to access archival material.

All of these moves are motivated above all by the fear of the Kremlin that, under conditions of the war in Ukraine and a growing social crisis in Russia and internationally, access to information about the situation facing workers abroad, as well as the historical truth about the crimes of Stalinism against the October Revolution, will provide the basis for the resurgence of the powerful internationalist and Marxist traditions of the Russian working class.
OSLO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that they expect respect for the Kingdom of Denmark's territorial integrity from the U.S. side.

"We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the USA should not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity," the two leaders said in a joint statement.

The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Sunday the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Danish Realm.

"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies," said Trump on social media platform "Truth Social."

Landry wrote on social media X that it was an honor to serve in the role "to make Greenland part of the USA."

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark would summon U.S. Ambassador Ken Howery for talks, demanding respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

"I am upset, especially about the envoy's statements about making Greenland part of the United States. We find that completely unacceptable," Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV 2.

Since taking office in January this year, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, stating he would not rule out the use of "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.

Greenland, a former Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains authority over foreign affairs and defense. 
Artists, musicians and senior cultural administrators appearing before a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry in Sydney on December 10 delivered a damning indictment of the state Labor governments cost-cutting measures. Their testimony exposed the destructive impact on cultural life of deep funding cuts and bureaucratic restructuring being implemented by federal and state governments.

Art Gallery of NSW workers strike in Sydney on August 27, 2025 [Photo: PSA]

The evidence revealed not isolated administrative failures, but a systematic undermining of publicly funded arts organisations. Across disciplinesvisual art, music, performance, craft, design and dancewitnesses described worsening job insecurity, unpaid labour, collapsing institutions and the silencing of dissent within a funding regime that increasingly treats artists as expendable.

Independent visual artist Stephanie Peters told the inquiry that despite more than 14 years of professional experience across public art, community engagement and cultural programs, her working life remains extremely precarious. Like most independent artists, she survives on short-term contracts, unpaid development work and uncertain grant cycles, without access to a living wage, affordable workspaces or basic professional protections.

These are working people essential to delivering cultural outcomes for NSW communities, Peters said, yet artists are routinely excluded from decision-making processes that directly shape their livelihoods. She said that artists who speak publicly about funding failures risk being labelled difficult and quietly excluded from future work.

Professional jazz musician and academic Darren Heinrich described similar conditions. Despite four decades of professional experience, international recording credits, multiple albums and the worlds first PhD in jazz organ improvisation, Heinrich told the inquiry it remains extraordinarily difficult to earn a viable income as a working musician. Nearly half of professional musicians earn less than $15,000 per year.

Both Peters and Heinrich detailed the demanding character of competitive grant systems. Peters applied for 17 expressions of interest in a single year, many requiring days or weeks of unpaid preparation. Heinrich said individual grant applications can demand 40 to 50 hours of work, diverting musicians from practising, teaching or performing. Applicants often wait months for decisions, only to receive generic rejection emails without meaningful feedback. In some cases, Peters said, Create NSW did not even publish the names of successful applicants, preventing artists from understanding what work was being funded and why.

This lack of transparency has produced a climate of fear. Artists are reluctant to request feedback or criticise funding bodies such as Create NSW or Sound NSW for fear of being informally blacklisted. Heinrich warned that even seeking clarification can result in artists being viewed as troublemakers within a tightly controlled funding ecosystem.

Leaders of small and medium arts organisations described the sector as being in open crisis. Lisa Cahill, Executive Director of the Australian Design Centre (ADC), told the inquiry the organisation will be forced to close by June 30 next year unless emergency funding is secured. Founded in 1964, ADC supports about 1,000 artists annually and reaches up to 350,000 visitors through exhibitions, touring, publishing and digital platforms.

Despite operating with just five full-time staff, ADC has had its core operational funding progressively slashed. Four-year state funding of $300,000 per annumalready cut by more than 50 percent in 2016will be reduced to $150,000 per year from 2026. Operational support from the Albanese Labor government has also been withdrawn.

As a result, 18 annual exhibitions in Sydney will cease, the Object Shop supporting 150 makers will close, touring exhibitions will end, and initiatives such as Sydney Craft Week may collapse. If ADC closes, New South Wales will become the only Australian jurisdiction without a government-funded craft and design organisation.

Justine Shih Pearson, CEO of PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, described a similar crisis. Founded in 1964, PACT supports hundreds of young and emerging artists through theatre, dance and performance. Despite receiving four-year funding from Create NSW, PACTs allocation this year was cut by 50 percentfrom $200,000 to $100,000 per year. Pearson said the organisation has been forced into crisis restructuring, cutting staff by a third and reducing creative opportunities for emerging artists by more than 50 percent.

Carl Sciberras, general manager of Dance Makers Collective, described the human toll of the cuts. After the governments funding announcements, he spent hours on the phone speaking with arts workers beside themselves, some of whom were borderline suicidal, unable to reach anyone at Create NSW for days. Those sorts of things are disgusting, he told the inquiry.

Sciberras explained that Dance Makers Collective leverages nearly $9 for every dollar of state funding yet will receive just $150,000barely enough to employ two staff. He condemned the chronic underfunding of the arts as a political choice, driven by the false premise that culture is a nice to have rather than an essential social need.

The funding crisis extends to major cultural institutions. State Labor budget cuts forced the Art Gallery of NSW to eliminate nearly 12 percent of its workforce amid a $7.5 million revenue shortfall. The Museum of Contemporary Art cut 20 percent of staff and introduced adult entry fees to remain solvent.

Regional arts organisations outside Sydney reported severe funding problems. Witnesses rejected the portrayal of regional arts as secondary. Despite COVID, natural disasters and rising costs, regional New South Wales produces nationally significant work, but this is being hollowed out by the restructuring of Create NSW funding.

At the centre of the crisis is the dismantling of Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs), previously treated as essential service bodies. Forced into competitive funding pools, at least one RADOservicing Dubbohas been completely defunded, shedding staff and ceasing services. Tracey Callinan of Regional Arts NSW warned defunding a RADO punishes entire communities, depriving artists of mentoring, advocacy and professional development.

As funding contracts, exhibitions are cancelled, commissions eliminated and community programs abandoned. First Nations engagement and youth pathways are often the first to go.

Arts funding at both state and federal levels has fallen to historic lows, with federal arts spending under the Revive program at just $25 million for 202527below pre-2013 levels. Meanwhile, governments are committing hundreds of billions to military expansion and maintaining vast tax concessions for corporations and the wealthy.

These developments are mirrored nationally. In Victoria, the state Labor government has ordered Museums Victoria to axe 55 jobs and is raising entry ticket prices. The Australian Ballet reported losses of $21.5 million, offset only by private philanthropy. Melbournes La Mama Theatre has suspended programming for a year after unsuccessful federal funding applications.

The destruction of cultural infrastructure is not accidental. It is the product of cost-cutting policies aimed at shifting the burden of economic crisis onto working people. Artists, cultural workers and regional communities are told to accept insecurity, unpaid labour and institutional collapse while tax concessions and other measures to boost private profit are offered to big business.
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting serves as a platform for the grouping to consider possible steps to support de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities, in the interest of peace and regional stability. 
Some celebrity deaths feel tragically straightforward. Others linger for decades because the facts never fully settle into something that makes sense. Conflicting reports, missing evidence, sealed files, and unanswered questions have turned certain losses into cultural mysteries that refuse to fade. These are the famous deaths where official explanations exist  but doubt never really disappeared.

1. Matthew Perry

iStock

Matthew Perrys death in October 2023 shocked fans who believed he had finally found stability after decades of public struggle with addiction and recovery. Authorities later confirmed that Perry drowned at his Los Angeles home, with acute effects of ketamine listed as a primary contributing factor, alongside coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine. While ketamine therapy is legally prescribed for depression, questions immediately arose about dosage, supervision, and how the substance interacted with his physical condition.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, Perrys death was ruled an accident, not a suicide, but that classification did little to quiet public unease. Experts noted that ketamines dissociative effects can impair consciousness and motor control, making water immersion particularly dangerous. Fans and addiction specialists alike pointed to the broader conversation about celebrity access to experimental therapies and the thin line between treatment and risk.

2. Amy Winehouse

iStock

Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning after a period of sobriety. Toxicology confirmed lethal blood alcohol levels. The relapse stunned fans and clinicians alike.

Advertisement Advertisement

Addiction specialists note relapse vulnerability after abstinence. Her death underscored treatment gaps. While medically clear, the tragedy feels preventable. Questions linger about support systems.

3. Marilyn Monroe

Shutterstock

Marilyn Monroes death was officially ruled a probable suicide, but inconsistencies have haunted the case for generations. Missing phone records, delayed emergency calls, and conflicting witness statements created immediate suspicion. Her close ties to powerful political figures only intensified speculation.

According to investigations referenced by the Los Angeles District Attorneys office, evidence gaps prevented a definitive conclusion. The lack of preserved forensic materials further complicated reassessment. Even experts disagree on whether her death was accidental, intentional, or something else entirely. The unanswered questions have become inseparable from her legacy.

4. Princess Diana

Shutterstock

Princess Diana died in a 1997 car crash in Paris, officially attributed to reckless driving and paparazzi pursuit. However, inconsistencies in surveillance footage and vehicle damage raised eyebrows. Conspiracy theories proliferated almost immediately.

Advertisement Advertisement

Multiple official inquiries concluded the crash was accidental. Still, public distrust lingered due to institutional secrecy. Experts note that transparency failures fueled suspicion. Her death remains emotionally unresolved worldwide.

5. Heath Ledger

Shutterstock

Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose involving prescription medications. Toxicology reports confirmed drug interactions rather than intentional misuse. Still, confusion over prescribing practices raised concerns.

Medical experts cited by the CDC emphasize how easily overlapping prescriptions can become lethal. Questions about oversight and accountability remain. Ledgers death highlighted systemic failures in pain and sleep medication management. The tragedy reshaped Hollywoods conversation about mental health.

6. Elvis Presley

Shutterstock

Elvis Presley officially died of cardiac arrhythmia, but his prescription drug use complicated the narrative. Autopsy findings were sealed for decades. Conflicting medical opinions emerged afterward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Experts later linked his death to long-term substance abuse and health decline. Still, secrecy around records fueled speculation. His passing remains clouded by withheld information. Fans still debate what really happened.

7. Bruce Lee

Shutterstock

Bruce Lee died suddenly from cerebral edema at just 32 years old. Official explanations cited a reaction to medication. Others suggested heatstroke or exhaustion.

According to medical historians, documentation gaps hinder clarity. Cultural myths further blurred understanding. While science offers plausible explanations, uncertainty persists. His death remains deeply unsettling.

8. Brittany Murphy

iStock

Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia complicated by anemia and drug intoxication. Her husband died under eerily similar circumstances months later. Environmental factors were investigated but dismissed.

Advertisement Advertisement

The overlapping deaths raised serious questions. Experts cited mold exposure as a possible contributor. However, definitive conclusions were never reached. The case still unsettles fans.

9. JFK Jr.

Shutterstock

John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash attributed to pilot error. Weather conditions and spatial disorientation were cited. Yet the loss shocked a nation already familiar with Kennedy tragedies.

Investigators found no evidence of sabotage. Still, the Kennedy name invited speculation. Emotional context intensified suspicion. The tragedy remains culturally symbolic.

10. River Phoenix

Shutterstock

River Phoenix collapsed outside a nightclub after ingesting multiple substances. Toxicology reports detailed lethal combinations. Friends described chaos and confusion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Witness accounts varied widely. Legal outcomes provided little closure. His death exposed Hollywoods darker underbelly. The tragedy remains haunting.

11. Michael Jackson

Shutterstock

Michael Jackson died from acute propofol intoxication administered by his personal physician. The doctor was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Yet oversight failures were widespread.

Medical ethicists cite Jacksons case as a cautionary tale. Private medicine blurred boundaries. Accountability came too late. The loss still feels systemic.

12. Bob Marley

Shutterstock

Bob Marley died from melanoma that spread aggressively. Early treatment refusal fueled debate. Some questioned the delayed diagnosis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Medical experts confirm melanomas lethality if untreated. Cultural myths persist nonetheless. His death remains medically tragic but socially debated. The legacy endures.

13. Tupac Shakur

Shutterstock

Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas in 1996, yet the case went unsolved for decades. Witnesses refused to cooperate, and investigative missteps compounded confusion. Rumors of survival fueled endless speculation.

In 2023, authorities arrested a suspect, but questions persist about the motive and accomplices. According to legal experts, the absence of evidence limits the prosecution's clarity. The case remains culturally unresolved. Tupacs death still feels unfinished.

14. Anne Heche

Shutterstock

Anne Heches death in August 2022 unfolded in a way that left the public deeply unsettled and confused. After a series of erratic driving incidents, Heche crashed her car into a Los Angeles home, sparking a massive fire that dominated headlines for days. Early reports described her condition as unsurvivable, yet she was later declared brain-dead and remained on life support, creating widespread confusion about her actual status. The rapid shifts in official statements fueled speculation and distress among fans.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ultimately ruled her death an accident caused by inhalation and thermal injuries, with cocaine listed as a contributing factor. Still, lingering questions remain about the timeline, her mental state, and how multiple collisions occurred without earlier intervention. Experts later discussed how head trauma, substances, and psychological distress can combine to produce extreme dissociative behavior. While the cause of death is medically documented, the chaotic sequence of events and delayed clarity left Anne Heches final hours feeling hauntingly unresolved.

15. Natalie Wood

Shutterstock

Natalie Woods death in 1981 remains one of Hollywoods most enduring and unsettling mysteries. The actress drowned off the coast of Catalina Island while vacationing on a yacht with her husband, Robert Wagner, and co-star Christopher Walken, yet the circumstances have never fully aligned. Conflicting witness statements, reports of a heated argument, and unexplained bruises raised questions almost immediately. The fact that Wood was famously terrified of water only deepened public suspicion.

Decades later, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department reopened the case. In 2012, the coroner amended her cause of death to drowning and other undetermined factors, a rare and telling revision. Investigators have acknowledged that unanswered questions remain about what happened on the boat that night, including why help was delayed and how Wood ended up in the water. Wagner was later named a person of interest, though never charged, keeping the case suspended in a limbo of implication without resolution.

16. Bob Saget

Shutterstock

Bob Sagets sudden death in January 2022 stunned fans and colleagues who described him as healthy, optimistic, and in the middle of a creative resurgence. He was found unresponsive in his Florida hotel room after performing a stand-up show the night before, with no signs of drugs, alcohol, or foul play at the scene. Initial reports offered little clarity, fueling widespread confusion and speculation.

The medical examiner later ruled Sagets death accidental, concluding he suffered blunt head trauma consistent with a fall, possibly followed by him going to bed unaware of the severity of the injury. Still, questions lingered about how such a fatal injury occurred without obvious signs of distress or a call for help. Neurologists noted that delayed symptoms from head trauma can be deceptively mild before becoming catastrophic. While the case is officially closed, the quiet, inexplicable nature of his final hours has left many unsettled.
Dianne Holechek, who was married to actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, has died at the age of 84. Their son, Mike Norris, confirmed she has died from a long battle with dementia.

According to TMZ, their son reported the news of his mother's death, and that she had died peacefully in her Texas home. Further details have not been released, with Mike commenting she was the "greatest mom."

"We are thankful she is no longer suffering. She was the best, the greatest mom. We were so lucky to have her," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Norris has also publicly mourned the death of Holechek in a Facebook post and spoke of their close friendship after their divorce.

"I am deeply saddened to share that my ex-wife, Dianne, has passed away. After being married for 30 years, we were able to find a way to remain close friends, and those years of friendship meant the world to me," he said.

"Dianne was an incredible person. She was kind, intelligent, and lived life to the fullest. Her presence in my life will never be forgotten. She was also a loving and devoted mother to our sons, Mike and Eric, who were always her greatest pride."

Holechek was born on November 27, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. She and Norris met in the late '50s when they both attended North High School in Torrance and became high school sweethearts. By the time they were 18 and 17, they decided to tie the knot and got married in 1958.

Advertisement Advertisement

As Norris rose to fame in Hollywood as an actor and martial artist, Holechek stayed by his side, maintaining a more private life than he did. The couple welcomed two sons, Mike, an actor, and Eric, a former NASCAR driver.

Their marriage faced turmoil when, in 1963, Norris had an affair while he was serving in the United States Air Force. According to reports, he didn't tell the woman that he was married, and it led to the birth of his daughter Dina.

After 30 years of marriage, Holechek and Norris separated in 1988 before their divorce was finalized in 1989.

Whether or not Holechek remarried after the divorce is unknown, seeing as she preferred to stay out of the spotlight despite her ex-husband's well-known fame. She's survived by her two sons and seven grandchildren.

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Gwyneth Paltrow said on a December episode of the goop podcast that her husband Brad Falchuk "is a little bit of a Grinch" over the winter holidays each year

"He looks forward to it being over," she said of Falchuk's distaste for the Christmas season

Paltrow and Falchuk began dating in 2014 and got married in 2018

As it turns out, Gwyneth Paltrow's husband Brad Falchuk is not a major fan of Christmas.

The Marty Supreme actress, 53, shared during the Tuesday, Dec. 2 episode of the goop podcast that her husband, 54, is not fond of the winter holiday season, as she discussed all things Christmas to wrap up 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

"I love Christmas; my husband is a little bit of a Grinch, so he's the opposite. But I love the decorations," she said, while discussing her own holiday traditions. "I love the Frank Sinatra Christmas album. I really get into the holiday spirit. I love decorating and we have a traditional menu that we do every year."

Paltrow said in the interview that she makes Martha Stewart's perfect roast turkey recipe every year for Christmas, as well as a traditional stuffing and sweet potatoes. "We never really deviate that much. One year, we added fried chicken to the mix, which I thought was weird, but Brad really was into the idea. But this year I think we're going traditional."

When Paltrow was asked whether Falchuk brought any new holiday traditions to their relationship when they began dating in 2014 and married in 2018, she said, "Are you kidding? Brad is the worst. He hates Christmas music. He hates Christmas decorations. He hates roast turkey. He hates the traditional dinner. He looks forward to it being over. I feel very alone in my house in my love for Christmas; although, all the kids love it, so they're on my side."



Best Image / BACKGRID Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk on Sept. 24, 2024 Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk on Sept. 24, 2024

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.

Paltrow and Falchuk first met when she guest-starred on the musical comedy series Glee in 2010 as substitute teacher Holly Holliday. Falchuk co-created the series, and Paltrow ultimately appeared in five episodes over the series' run. The pair share a blended family with children from previous marriages: Gwyneth shares daughter Apple, 21, and son Moses, 19 daughter Apple, 21, and son Moses, 19  with ex-husband Chris Martin.

Advertisement Advertisement

As the Academy Award-winning actress noted on the goop podcast, her family has a Jewish background and celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas in December. Falchuk also grew up with Jewish parents; his mother, Nancy Falchuk, told Moment magazine back in 2010 that he grew up "with very activist people involved in the organized Jewish community" in Massachusetts.



Paltrow shares photos to her Instagram each Christmas. Falchuk only appeared in the blurry background photo of a picture she shared on Dec. 25 last year, in which she wished "A very merry Christmas to all."



"Yes, oh my God," she added on the podcast, when asked if she puts up a Christmas tree each year  and when is most appropriate to put it up. "I know people that do it after Thanksgiving. I think that's pretty acceptable. I think before Thanksgiving, then you're dealing with a dead tree. I usually do it like the first week in December, I would say. My grandmother used to keep the Christmas tree up until Easter, so talk about a dead tree."



Read the original article on People
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China has taken a step toward formulating a foundational and comprehensive law on state-owned assets as a draft was submitted Monday to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for the first deliberation. 
Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus shared the screen for years, and now Brent is shining on his own on Queer Eye and Say I Do.

While Brent is famous for his love of neutrals (and so is Berkus!), he approaches design in a personalized way, tailoring it to what makes each client feel at home in a space. But for Brent himself, aesthetics are secondary.

"Its simplefor me, home is wherever my husband and children are," he told Interior Design. "As passionate as we are about design, our lives are rooted in each other." (Awww!)

Advertisement Advertisement

Brent's career began in fashion, but interior design is where his heart always was: When he was a kid, he'd peer into model homes he and his mother passed and imagine what the families inside were like. He channeled that curiosity and passion into his career and can't imagine doing anything else now.

Its how I show love," he told Interior Design. "Its how I communicate, its how I express beauty.

It's also how he found love and how the world found him! Get to know all about Jeremiah Brent, his career, his marriage to Berkus and more.

SIGN UP for the Dengarden / Parade Home & Garden newsletter for a weekly dose of our favorite house hacks, decor trends and shopping deals

How Did Jeremiah Brent Get Famous?

Photo by Marleen Moise on Getty Images (Photo by Marleen Moise on Getty Images)

Born Jeremy Clevenger Johnson in Modesto, Calif., Brent had an interest in acting and debate from a young age, participating in both in high school. When he turned 19, he moved to Los Angeles, and in 2011 got his big break as one of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe's staffers on The Rachel Zoe Project. In fact, it was Zoe who Brent says encouraged him to go into interior design.

Advertisement Advertisement

She was the one who looked at me and told me I was doing the wrong thing, he told Interior Design.

Shortly after that conversation with his boss, Brent began taking steps to launch his interior design business, and it took off both quickly and beautifully.

He became host of Home Made Simple and later co-starred with Berkus in Nate & Jeremiah by Design and The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project. He replaced Bobby Berk as the interior designer for Queer Eye in Season 9 and returned for Season 10, which will be (sadly!) the series' last.

If he hadn't become a designer, Brent says he would've gone into a field that may surprise a lot of his fans.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Little known fact: if I wasn't in design, I would have loved to have gone into politics, which most people would say right now, 'What is wrong with you?'" he told Gold Derby. "The backdrop of the Capitol and what D.C. has represented, and still represents? It's gonna be an important moment at the right time."

Related: Who Is Nate Berkus? All About the Star Designer

Who Is Jeremiah Brent's Husband?

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent attend the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David H. Koch Theater on Oct. 22, 2025 in New York City.Photo by Bryan Bedder on Getty Images (Photo by Bryan Bedder on Getty Images)

Brent is married to fellow designer and TV personality Berkus.

When they first met, however, they were both involved with other people.

"To be honest, Nate had a serious boyfriend the first time [we met]," Brent told HGTV. "I had a lot of boyfriends. The timing was just never really right like that."

Advertisement Advertisement

Three years later, they finally had their "forever meeting" at a party for Zoe when they were both single. They recalled, Rachel did say to us, You guys would be absolutely in love with each other.

Berkus invited Brent to go antique shopping that weekend, and that was the beginning of their forever after, with Berkus calling it "the date that never ended."

Our date was magic," Brent said. "I had never felt so safe and so exactly where I was meant to be. We stayed up until four in the morning looking through design and travel books, sharing what we found beautiful, what we found special.

They got engaged atop Machu Pichu in 2013 and married on May 4, 2014, in New York City. You can relive some of the sweet moment below (be ready to cry!).

Related: Jeremiah Brent Shares the Most Common Rug Mistakes and What to Do About Them

What Is the Age Difference Between Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus?

Brent's birthday is Nov. 24, 1984, making him 41 at the time of this writing. Berkus was born Sept. 17, 1971, making him 54 years old. Their age difference is 13 years (and two months, but who's counting?).

Are Nate and Jeremiah Biological Fathers?

Nate Berkus, Oskar Michael Brent-Berkus, Jeremiah Brent and Poppy Brent-Berkus snuggle at a release party for Brent's book "The Space That Keeps You" on March 2, 2024, in Montecito, California.Photo by Eric Charbonneau on Getty Images (Photo by Eric Charbonneau on Getty Images)

Yep! The couple are parents to daughter Poppy, born March 23, 2015, and son Oskar, born March 26, 2018. Both of their children were born via surrogate. Brent told USA Today that he and Berkus have "lovely relationships" with their children's surrogates and that they'd be "thanking them forever."

Advertisement Advertisement

Brent told PEOPLE in 2022 that he didn't really have plans on being a parent, in part because he didn't see many same-sex couples with kids. That changed when he met Berkus.

"Within 10 minutes, I wanted to create a life and a family with him," he recalled. "And it was the first time that I really believed that we could and I could. He was the first person that made me feel safe enough to go, 'Okay, we can do this together.' "

Jeremiah Brent and his daughter attend the Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2026 runway show for New York Fashion Week at Macy's Herald Square on Sept. 12, 2025, where they sat together in the front row.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano)

Related: Nate Berkus & Jeremiah Brent Share Their Simple Rule For a Neat Home With Children, and It's Genius

Are Nate and Jeremiah Still a Couple?

Yes! Brent and Berkus are still together and as in love as ever.

Advertisement Advertisement

They honored one another with super-sweet Instagram posts on their 11th anniversary.

Loving you  and being loved by you  is the greatest gift of all. Happy anniversary, Brent captioned a snapshot of the pair hugging. (In the comments, Berkus wrote, Its my greatest gift. Aww!)

In a post of his own, Berkus shared a photo from their wedding day and a video highlighting all of Brent's hair makeovers through the years and wrote, Happy Anniversary my love. You make everything better. (Spoiler alert: Yes, he was pretty much always this handsome.)

Related: Who Is Jonathan Knight?

Where Do Nate and Jeremiah Live Now in 2025?

Berkus and Brent live in a Fifth Avenue apartment in New York City, and the story of their Big Apple home is a particularly sweet one.

Advertisement Advertisement

Brent and Berkus lived in the property from 2013 to 2016, then sold it to move to Los Angeles to be closer to their families. They eventually moved back to New York City and were living there for three years when the broker of their 2013 apartment called and let them know the space was available. Brent recalled in his bookThe Space That Keeps You that he cried when he found out and told Berkus they had to go back to the first home where they wrote their wedding vows, welcomed their daughter Poppy and really made a life together.

We got a second chance at a first look, and we wanted to go big and really change it up, Brent recalled in an interview with Domino. They made some big changes to the space when they moved back in, including expanding it to include the apartment below theirs, putting new statement marble on their kitchen island, painting their kitchen cabinets, changing Poppy's nursery to their home office and generally making the space cozier and more like home.

One particular change is inspired by another one of their properties and is Brent's "favorite thing" in their home.

"During this renovation, we bought a farm in Portugal, and it really is where Im the happiest (aside from New York)," Brent said. "I found this wallpaper that reminded me of being in Portugal and looking out at the trees."

Advertisement Advertisement

You can take a virtual tour of their Greenwich Village home below.

Related: Who Is Michel Smith Boyd?

What Is Nate and Jeremiah's New Show Called?

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent in "The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project"HGTV (HGTV)

Berkus and Brent's most recent show was The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project on HGTV.

Brent told Us Weekly in February 2025 that he and Berkus likely wouldn't team up on TV again anytime soon.

We did it for so long. I need a break, Brent said. I see him every day. I mean, I would do anything with him, but to be honest with you, doing this show, Queer Eye, has changed my life.

He added, I love Nate more now than I did from the day I met him. I think the beautiful thing about our relationship and something we work really hard to protect is the idea of growing together while we both grow individually. Its a thing that a lot of married couples have to navigate and its hard, but we both really respect each other.

Related: Who Is Keith Bynum? Get to Know the Bargain Block Star

Is the Show Nate and Jeremiah Canceled?

Nate & Jeremiah By Design wrapped after three seasons on TLC. The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project wasn't officially canceled by HGTV, but it appears it wasn't picked up for a third season as of this writing in December 2025.

This story was originally published by Parade Home & Garden on Dec 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebrity Homes section. Add Parade Home & Garden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JoJo Siwa and her boyfriend, Chris Hughes, hinted at potentially getting engaged ahead of their first Christmas together.

You always get people [who] get engaged on Christmas or Christmas morning, I see on Instagram every year youre going to see somebody who gets engaged, Hughes told the Sun in an interview published Saturday.

I kinda like the idea of [an engagement] being at a time where it could be expected.

JoJo Siwa and her boyfriend, Chris Hughes, hinted at an upcoming engagement. BACKGRID

You always get people [who] get engaged on Christmas or Christmas morning, the Love Island alum told the US Sun in an interview published Sunday. John Salangsang/Shutterstock for Gala of the Stars

Alright, Siwa responded. Keep me guessing, arent ya?

Advertisement Advertisement

The 22-year-old dancer also admitted that she has considered purchasing a ring for Hughes, 32, and proposing to him.

However, the Love Island alum, 32, shared he felt uncomfortable by the idea.

I kinda like the idea of [an engagement] being at a time where it could be expected, he added. John Salangsang/Shutterstock for Gala of the Stars

Keep me guessing, arent ya? Siwa responded. itsjojosiwa/Instagram

Ive spoke[n] to people about it, before you, obviously. And I actually said, I think if I was proposed to, that would make me really uncomfortable, he told Siwa.

The only way the J Team star would pop the question is if Hughes didnt ask her to marry him in seven years.

I dont feel like anyone should take seven years, Hughes said. It shouldnt take seven years to work out if you want to marry someone, do you know what I mean?

The dancer explained that she considered purchasing a ring for her beau and proposing. Instagram/itsjojosiwa

However, Hughes wasnt a fan of the idea. Instagram/itsjojosiwa

Advertisement Advertisement

So yeah, you can go off that and then that wont ever happen, the TV personality continued.

Siwa then quipped that she would be down on one knee on May 27, 2032, if Hughes hadnt popped the question.

I will not wait one extra day, she joked.

The couple met while filming Celebrity Big Brother UK in April.

Over the summer, Hughes shared that he would marry the internet personality. Getty Images

The couple first met while filming Celebrity Big Brother UK in April and reportedly got super cozy on set.

An insider told the US Sun that they spent their time at the hotel holding hands and looked like a giddy couple in the early throes of love.

The following month, the duo confirmed their relationship while packing on the PDA in Mexico, and Hughes told the Suns Fabulous Magazine in July that he would love to marry Siwa.

the black, white, and yellow logo for page six radio

This story was featured on a recent episode of Page Six Radio, a daily morning show serving up the hottest celebrity headlines, exclusives, and behind-the-scenes buzz. Catch Danny, Evan and Ian chat with celebrity guests every weekday on SiriusXM from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on Stars Ch. 109.

SiriusXM service required. See Offer Details.
Another holiday season is nearing, and Prince Harry is reportedly in a dilemma about where to celebrate Christmas. While Christmas in the UK was all about family traditions and longheld routines at Sandringham, Harrys life in California now revolves around creating new memories with Meghan Markle and their young children. A royal expert claims this mix of old and new leaves the Duke of Sussex with complicated emotions as the holiday approaches.

Prince Harrys family life in California could make desire for Royal Christmas fade  expert

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond spoke to The Mirror and explained why Christmas can stir up mixed feelings for Prince Harry. Bond said, Hes on record as saying he misses elements of his UK life, including the banter, pub culture, friends, and family gatherings. She added that seeing photos of the royal family walking to church at Sandringham could tug at him.

However, she noted, When hes enjoying Christmas in the warm Californian sunshine, with his wife, children and mother-in-law, the attraction of an often grey, damp Norfolk might fade a little.

Advertisement Advertisement

Harry and Markle plan to spend the holidays in Montecito with Doria Ragland. Their focus remains on giving Archie and Lilibet a relaxed and happy Christmas, away from the formality of royal traditions. Bond stated she would not expect Harry to trade that for a return to Sandringham, even if he is nostalgic.

Through Netflixs With Love Holiday Special, Markle talked about the small details that make the holidays meaningful for their family. Her emphasis on togetherness comes at a time when Harrys relationship with his family remains tainted, especially with Prince William, who will spend Christmas in Sandringham with Kate Middleton and their children.

Bond believes King Charles likely feels the absence of his younger son and grandchildren at this time of year, calling it a lingering sadness for the monarch. Even so, she pointed out that Prince Harry seems settled into his American Christmas routine now.

Originally reported by Ishika Mishra for RealityTea.

The post Prince Harrys Heart Divided Between Christmas in UK & California  Expert appeared first on Mandatory.
Another holiday season is nearing, and Prince Harry is reportedly in a dilemma about where to celebrate Christmas. While Christmas in the UK was all about family traditions and longheld routines at Sandringham, Harrys life in California now revolves around creating new memories with Meghan Markle and their young children. A royal expert claims this mix of old and new leaves the Duke of Sussex with complicated emotions as the holiday approaches.

Prince Harrys family life in California could make desire for Royal Christmas fade  expert

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond spoke to The Mirror and explained why Christmas can stir up mixed feelings for Prince Harry. Bond said, Hes on record as saying he misses elements of his UK life, including the banter, pub culture, friends, and family gatherings. She added that seeing photos of the royal family walking to church at Sandringham could tug at him.

However, she noted, When hes enjoying Christmas in the warm Californian sunshine, with his wife, children and mother-in-law, the attraction of an often grey, damp Norfolk might fade a little.

Advertisement Advertisement

Harry and Markle plan to spend the holidays in Montecito with Doria Ragland. Their focus remains on giving Archie and Lilibet a relaxed and happy Christmas, away from the formality of royal traditions. Bond stated she would not expect Harry to trade that for a return to Sandringham, even if he is nostalgic.

Through Netflixs With Love Holiday Special, Markle talked about the small details that make the holidays meaningful for their family. Her emphasis on togetherness comes at a time when Harrys relationship with his family remains tainted, especially with Prince William, who will spend Christmas in Sandringham with Kate Middleton and their children.

Bond believes King Charles likely feels the absence of his younger son and grandchildren at this time of year, calling it a lingering sadness for the monarch. Even so, she pointed out that Prince Harry seems settled into his American Christmas routine now.

The post Prince Harry Torn Between Christmas in UK & Sunny California  Expert appeared first on Reality Tea.
The Gist

Princess Dianas niece Lady Eliza Spencer got engaged to longtime boyfriend Channing Millerd over the summer.

Millerd proposed in July on a romantic getaway to Santorini, Greece.

On December 20, the couple hosted around 50 of their closest family and friends for an engagement party in Cape Town, South Africa, the bride-to-be in a white minidress for the occasion.

Princess Dianas niece Lady Eliza Spencer and Channing Millerd, who have been a couple for the better part of a decade now, celebrated their engagement party over the weekend roughly five months after Millerd got down on one knee in July.

Eliza Spencer/Instagram Channing Millerd and Eliza Spencer at their December 20, 2025 engagement party Channing Millerd and Eliza Spencer at their December 20, 2025 engagement party

Wearing white, the bride-to-be looked stunning at the December 20 engagement party, which was attended bynaturallySpencers identical twin sister Lady Amelia Spencer, her older sister Lady Kitty Spencer, and a number of friends and family. Spencers custom Galia Lahav white minidress was covered in applique flowers, featured a square neckline, and an A-line skirt. She paired the dress with matching white heels and accessorized with drop earrings, her blonde hair worn in loose waves gathered into a half-updo.

Eliza Spencer/Instagram Amelia Spencer and Eliza Spencer at Eliza's engagement party Amelia Spencer and Eliza Spencer at Eliza's engagement party

The party was held in Cape Town, South Africa, where Spencer and her family moved to in the mid-1990s, when she was young. As seen in photos and video from Spencers Instagram Story, the soiree took place on a rooftop beachside location.

Advertisement Advertisement

It was in South Africa where Spencer and Millerd met, at a dinner party 15 years ago. Their meeting, per Hello!, was arranged by Amelias now-husband Greg Mallett, who was a longtime friend of Millerds.

Eliza Spencer/Instagram Eliza Spencer in a white minidress at her engagement party Eliza Spencer in a white minidress at her engagement party

Id been single for about two years and wasnt really socializing much, Spencer told Hello! as part of her engagement interview. I didnt plan to go, but Amelia and my best friend dragged me there. Thats where I met Channing for the first time.

Eliza Spencer/Instagram Eliza Spencer with her mother and siblings on December 20, 2025 Eliza Spencer with her mother and siblings on December 20, 2025

The couple got engaged in Santorini, Greece over the summer; Millerd proposed with a 2.5-carat pear-cut diamond ring that he purchased at a Cape Town jeweler. Spencer, for her part, said the ring was perfectthe most beautiful ring everand so special that its from South Africa.

Spencer told Hello! that it was an out-of-body experience when Millerd proposed, adding, I laughed and I cried. I dont know how he pulled it all off, but it was so special. He did the most amazing jobabove and beyond. I couldnt have dreamt of such a beautiful setting. It really was a dream come true. Millerd added that there were happy tears shed at the moment.

Advertisement Advertisement

The pair hosted around 50 of their closest friends and family at their engagement party, and are still working out where their destination wedding will be held. Some of our best memories have been made in the Mediterranean, Spencer said. Then, at the same time, all of our friends and family have done weddings in Cape Town.

Ive never been to Lake Como, but it looks so beautiful, she added. I think that would be my dream destination, but we still have to visit it first.

Getty Eliza Spencer on September 17, 2025 Eliza Spencer on September 17, 2025

When InStyle exclusively spoke to the Spencer twins earlier this year, Spencer said of her recent engagement, I feel like were living in a bubble of just happiness and overcome with a love bubble that we are just living in. And honestly, I get why everyone says its the best time of your life.

It really is its own honeymoon phase, and we are just so, so happy, Spencer continued. We feel so much love from all our friends and family, and we couldnt feel luckier at this time.

Read the original article on InStyle
Oliver Widger, known by his social media name "Sailing with Phoenix," recently headlined Google's 2025 Year in Search video.

Google's Year in Search is an annual video released in December, recapping some of the year's biggest moments and highlighting the topics people searched for most throughout the year.

The video opens with Ozzy Osbourne's song "Crazy Train," with shots of Widger and a voiceover from him say "I'm the guy who quit his job, sold everything except for my cat to buy a boat and sail around the world."

Advertisement Advertisement

The video also ends with a shot of Widger's boat. The video had been viewed 373 million times on YouTube as of Dec. 21.

Here's what to know about Sailing with Phoenix and how to watch the video.

Oliver Widger prepares to set sail from Oregon to Hawaii.

Who is Sailing with Phoenix?

Widger, or Sailing with Phoenix, is an Oregon man who gathered more than 2 million followers on social media while sailing from Oregon to Hawaii with his calico cat, Phoenix.

When Widger was diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome, a condition where two or more neck vertebrae fuse together, and was told it could one day lead to full paralysis, he knew he didn't want to spend his life working for a corporation.

Advertisement Advertisement

"That reality kind of shook up my world," Widger said in a social media post. "I became incredibly aware of mortality, and I grew to absolutely despise my job and the corporate machine. I quit my job rather abruptly with the goal of sailing around the world."

Widger had little to no experience sailing a year before setting sail from the Warrenton Marina on April 30 with Honolulu as his destination.

What made people interested in 'Sailing with Phoenix' in 2025?

Widger created his online name "Sailing with Phoenix" and spent a year filming his journey. From the day he left his job, he documented every step, including purchasing his boat, fixing it up, teaching himself to sail and ultimately sailing across the Pacific Ocean.

More than 2 million people became enamored with Widger's story in different ways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Some were drawn to the hope he inspired in anyone dreaming of leaving their job to do something they love, while others were intrigued by his inexperience and bravery, and followed to watch him complete his journey.

How long did it take Sailing with Phoenix to arrive in Hawaii?

Widger reached the Ala Wai Harbor in Oahu on May 24 after a 2,400-mile voyage that took 25 days. He arrived to crowds of onlookers and fans who had followed his journey since leaving Oregon.

He was led into the harbor by a U.S. Coast Guard escort and was welcomed with cheers and Hawaiian leis.

Where is 'Sailing with Phoenix' going next?

After reaching Hawaii, Widger had originally intended to sail to French Polynesia. However, he recently decided that the next part of his journey will be to sail across "every ocean on Earth in one swing," a voyage he said will take approximately eight to nine months, according to his social media page.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Fewer than 200 people in all of human history have ever completed a solo circumnavigation without stopping," Widger said in a social media post.

Widger is currently outfitting a new boat for the journey and plans to leave between September and October 2026.

He expressed in the comment section of his social media that he hopes to begin his journey back on the West Coast, preferably from the Columbia River.

How to watch Google's 2025 Year in Search video

Google's 2025 Year in Search video can be found on the Google Trends page at trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2025/

It can also be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv_sjpclsZ8

Advertisement Advertisement

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oliver Widger Sailing with Phoenix makes Google's Year in Search video
Stop me if youve heard this one before: Two lovers who are officially Going Through It decamp to a Cabin in the Woods to work things out. 2025 featured a series of sweaty, intimate thrillers about couples therapy exercises gone dangerously wrong. Both Osgood Perkinss Keeper and Drew Hancocks Companion center on wolves in cozy lambswool sweaters shepherding their girlfriends on not-so-perfect getaways. Meanwhile, Michael Shankss Together and Lynne Ramsays Die My Love orbit long-tenured couples trying to solve their co-dependency issues by cozying up in the middle of nowhere. The conceptual connections between these films are so pronounced that you could almost swap around their titles and cast members without arousing suspicion. After all, if an awards-season release featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson loudly copulating in the forest comes out and nobody sees it, does it really make a sound?

Not all two-handers are created equal: Let the record show that Die My Lovethe one with J-Law and R-Patz and a soundtrack eclectic enough to juxtapose John Prine, Raffi, and Toni Basilis the only Keeper (sorry) in that particular bunch. Thats because Lynne Ramsay is a fearless filmmaker, accountable only to herself. Thats her warbling Joy Division over the end credits; the closing image of a forest ablaze could represent $20 million of distributor funds going up in smoke.

The collection of isolation movies widens considerably when you factor in the strange proliferation of movies set in and around ominous, out-of-the-way compounds. Theres Opus (a reclusive pop star lures visitors to a VIP listening party in the desert); Death of a Unicorn (a dying millionaire lures visitors to a secret laboratory in the Rockies); and Bring Her Back (a foster mother lures visitors to her place as potential sacrifices for an occult ritual). The deliriously satirical plotline of Japanese master Kiyoshi Kurosawas Cloudan internet reseller pursued to the boonies by his vengeful clientelerhymes with the brain-wormed insinuations of Yorgos Lanthimoss Bugonia, about a ruthless CEO shanghaied into flyover country by an angry employee. In the sticks, nobody can hear you scream.

Advertisement Advertisement

Shooting in a remote, self-contained location can be good for more than atmosphere: Its a way for filmmakers to keep costs down and maintain formal control. (Exhibit A: Sam Raimis 1981 masterpiece The Evil Dead, the primal scene of the cabin-in-the-woods genre.) But this setup has been in vogue beyond horror movies recently. Two fine new French films, Suspended Time and Misericordiaone a neurotic comedy of manners; the other a perversely funny Hitchcock rifffeature city-slicker prodigal sons revisiting their provincial hometowns (Ive spent a lifetime running away from this house, sighs Suspended Times hero as he surveys his new-old digs). In French-Canadian director Philippe Lesages skillful ensemble drama Who by Fire (named for noted Quebecois recluse Leonard Cohen), a well-manicured summer home serves as a cozy perch for a group of culture vultures to squawk and peck the days away.

Two very different movies about real-life musical icons were styled as exercises in self-containment: Richard Linklaters Blue Moon strands Lorenz Hart in a corner booth at Sardis, while Scott Coopers Deliver Me From Nowhere documents Bruce Springsteens shut-in period during the recording of Nebraska. The protagonists of Anemone and One Battle After Another have opted for self-imposed exile, in an attempt to evade the consequences of their past political activism; encounters with comparable free-radical types punctuate movies as disparate as The Running Man and The Mastermind (which also could have switched titles, while were at it). Even Ryan Cooglers adrenaline-pumping, blood-soaked summer box-office champ Sinnerstechnically a horror movie, although far more ambitious beneath its B-movie surfacesfits the bill; the juke joint erected by the identical twins played by Michael B. Jordan is located well off the main drag in Clarksdale, Mississippi, a lone outpost that Coogler styles as a microcosm of Black solidarity (and cultural expression) in the segregated Jim Crowera landscape.

Retreating to sparsely populated and remote settings, these films did not attempt to build dense webs of social relations or to show their characters moving through the world.

The plot points and dramatic contexts of these movies are varied and distinctive, as are their respective historical backdrops. But their shared focus on and fascination with isolation suggests something blowing in the proverbial wind. Retreating to sparsely populated and remote settings, these films did not attempt to build dense webs of social relations or to show their characters moving through a world shaped by the constantly changing interplay of class, race, intersecting regional cultures, affinities, or subcultures. They were at best close-up studies of individuals on the brink; studies of firsthand experience rather than its ripples through a community or culture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Welcome to the headquarters of the human resistance, says Jesse Plemonss black-pilled kidnapper to Emma Stone as she awakens from a drug-induced stupor in his basement early on in Bugonia; of all the carefully engineered ironies in Will Tracys screenplayadapted from the 2003 Korean sci-fi comedy Save the Green Planet!the fact that a guy whose mission is ostensibly to protect the human race doesnt seem interested in interacting with friends or neighbors is probably the cleverest.





Self-imposed solitude might just be the most important social fact of the 21st Century in America wrote Derek Thompson earlier this year in The Atlantic. The individual preference for solitude, scaled up across society and exercised repeatedly over time, is rewiring Americas civic and psychic identity. Thompsons essay rounds up the usual suspectsencroaching political conservatism, the lingering specter of Covid, the hypnotic thrall of smartphones, the strange pressurization of downtime by regular doses of dopaminewithout necessarily taking anybody into custody. Trying to pin the global loneliness epidemic on a single culprit is a mugs game, of course, but the fact that movies, mainstream and independent alike, seem reluctant to depict social relations except as a structuring absence hints that artists are aware of this lack of fellow feeling. Whether the pile-up of stories set in the middle of nowhere represents an attempt at diagnosis or capitulation is hard to say.

Its telling, perhaps, that the only two end-of-year Hollywood movies with something like a social vision are set on the far side of the uncanny valley. The superficial resemblances between Wicked: For Good and Avatar: Fire and Ash are there for the taking: mysterious witchcraft; rebellious animal uprisings; and, lurking at the edges of the crowd-pleasing spectacle, subplots about manufactured consent under the flag of militarized authoritarianism. (If Jeff Goldblum hadnt been available, James Cameron would have made a great Wizard of Oz; hes also probably the only working filmmaker ruthless enough to get the yellow brick road built in real life.) Both of these movies are conscious of race, caste, and class, albeit in ways that serve their storylines (and flatter their audiences); theyre able to evince that panoramic perspective thanks to the freedom (and artifice) of digital world building. If For Good and Fire and Ash reflect realityhowever successfullyits by doing an end run around it.

Advertisement Advertisement

For actual steel-and-glass cityscapesand characters whose trajectories intersect at ground levelthe pickings were slim. The title of Spike Lees underrated Akira Kurosawa remake, Highest 2 Lowest, summarizes the descent of Denzel Washingtons slick, complacent rap-world power broker from his ivory tower into the MTA to chase down the extortionists trying to separate him from his fortune. Leave it to a loud-and-proud New Yorker like Spike to stay focused on the cosmopolitan cacophony of his hometown (a chase through a Puerto Rican Pride parade in the South Bronx represents the filmmaker at his carnivalesque best).

The stratification of big-city living was also present in Celine Songs much-maligned romantic comedy Materialists, which tried to deconstruct matters of economic inequality in the form of the two princesone rich, one poorkneeling before Dakota Johnsons mercenary-minded matchmaker; that the film felt more otherworldly than anything on Pandora suggests either a filmmaker too spaced-out for her own good or else one in control of her alienation effects (a crossover sequel between Materialists and Avatar, wherein Pedro Pascals deep-pocketed short king custom-orders a nine-foot-tall Navi avatar could be a classic).

There was one 2025 movie that seemed to have it both ways: Ari Asters Eddington, which serves simultaneously as a despairing diagnosis of twenty-first-century solipsism and a richly detailed work of local portraiture. Joaquin Phoenixs embattled Sheriff goes from standing up for the downtrodden residents of his New Mexico backwater to shooting them down; the best joke, though, is how the residents of Eddington go from taking comfort in their literal and figurative distance from major American citiesa good geographical position during the early days of the pandemicto believing that their Main Street represents the center of the universe, at which point the neighborly behavior they prize so highly goes out the window.

The critics who accused Aster of playing both sides against the middle were so triggered by Eddingtons cheaper shots that they didnt clock (or concede) that such top-down manipulation was its real subject. The closing image of the SolidGoldMagikarp data center blinking away in the darkness at the edge of town serves nicely as a punch line to Eddingtons plot. It could also be an emblem of a global loneliness industrial complex designed to divide and conquer under the banner of connectivity. Love will tear us apart, sings a female voice over the end credits of Die My Love; seems its already too late.


NEW YORK  Wagner Moura cant stop breaking records.

First Brazilian to be nominated as a lead actor at the Golden Globes. First South American to win best actor at the Cannes Film Festival. First Latino to win best actor in the New York Film Critics Circles 90-year history.

Of course, Im so proud of it, Moura  best known for playing Pablo Escobar on the Netflix hit Narcos  says when I call to catch up after first meeting him for decaf coffee at a hotel near Central Park in late September. Its like, Wow, I am the first Latino! But also I go like, Really?  There were many great performances from that part of the world in these past 90 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, Moura cant help but marvel at the incredible run hes been having as star of The Secret Agent  Brazils highest-grossing film this year, and arguably the most universally adored movie of 2025. The political thriller opens at a gas station outside Recife in 1977, a time of great mischief, during Brazils military dictatorship. Carnival is in full swing, and the authorities are too busy collecting bribes to pick up the dead body thats been rotting in the dirt parking lot for days, the manager tells a traveler, Marcelo (Moura), whos filling up his tank. When the police do roll through, its to shake down Marcelo, whos savvy enough to get away with just handing over his pack of cigarettes.

Even in those opening moments of Kleber Mendonca Filhos visionary film, Moura is able to convey the duality of a man walking a dangerous tightrope, amid a swirl of samba music and colorful characters. We learn that Marcelo is a scientist who ran afoul of the dictatorship and is now trying to flee the country with his young son.

Ultimately, Moura plays three characters  Marcelo, the man we meet under an assumed identity; Armando, the man he once was; and a third man in the future who cant remember the brutality of the regime but whose trajectory was forever altered by it. Its a powerhouse performance in a movie that has grown increasingly relevant over the course of a year that has seen thousands of Mouras fellow Latinos ripped away from U.S. cities and into Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention.

And it has many wondering if this Brazilian superstar might have the Oscars juice to upset one of the most competitive best-actor races in ages.

Advertisement Advertisement

It also doesnt hurt that the main promotional still of the movie, which features him leaning against a pole in an unbuttoned 70s polo shirt, is so swoon-worthy that a friend grabbed my phone when she saw it and demanded to know who I was texting.

Wagner is an interesting man, hes an attractive man  but I did tell hair and makeup, Just make him look good, Mendonca tells me, laughing.

Cary Grant in North by Northwest was an inspiration, as a dapper everyman who doesnt understand, as Mendonca puts it, what the f--- is going on around him. But, Mendonca continues, Were with him because hes not playing dumb or naive. Hes just doing what any sensible, intelligent person would do finding himself in a completely bizarre situation, an unfair and unjust situation.

Kirsten Dunst, Mouras co-star in 2024s Civil War, understands his ineffable magnetism. She didnt hesitate to hop on the phone to talk about the weeks the cast spent snacking and trading stories while crammed into an SUV for Alex Garlands apocalyptic journalism-road-trip thriller. Before the shoot, she says, she had seen only clips of him playing Escobar (I was like, Damn, hes powerful), but she walked away a big admirer. He had so much goofy energy and excitement about the movie, but she also saw him as a very, very deep, kind person that really cares about how youre doing, and is ready to talk about anything meaningful if you need to.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mostly, she recalls how much he loved talking about Brazil and all the music and food he wanted to introduce to them. If I were Brazilian, hed be my hero, she says. I feel like its a beautiful thing for his country, all the attention hes getting, and I think he wears that with a lot of pride and responsibility, in a beautiful way.  Im excited for Wagner. He deserves it.

For Moura, these accolades take on a different weight. The 49-year-old was just a baby during the events of The Secret Agent, but the 21-year dictatorship, which ended in 1985, lasted for much of his early childhood and kept his parents and grandparents generations living in a constant state of fear.

There were certain words that were off-limits, says Moura, who remembers adults speaking at a whisper, even at home. Everybody was afraid, because you could disappear.

Then it happened again, with the 2018 rise of far-right military leader Jair Bolsonaro, whos now in prison for a coup attempt that included a plot to kill the man who defeated him in the 2022 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

To be honored for acting, Moura told me recently, is beautiful, because the far right in Brazil was very effective under Bolsonaro [in] transforming artists into enemies of the people.

Brazilian director Klebee Mendonca Fillho and star Wagner Moura during the standing ovation for THE SECRET AGENT, the longest and most enthusiastic of any Ive seen so far  15 minutes (with speeches) and tons of French ladies shouting Bravo! from the balcony #cannes2025 pic.twitter.com/uePRou7I31  Jada Yuan (@jadabird) May 18, 2025

In person, Moura is less hirsute and more gentle-seeming than in O Agente Segreto (the movies Brazilian name). The first thing you notice is his deep, mellifluously accented voice  half the comments on a video of him in the Criterion Closet are breathless odes to it. His characters black hair and beard have been replaced with a tightly sheared salt-and-pepper haircut. Hes traded shirtlessness and 70s trousers for an elegant and roomy lime-green suit picked out by his stylist. When Mendonca runs into him at the hotel and makes fun of how spiffy he looks, Moura gives a cheeky shrug, seemingly resigned to this weird new necessity as an Oscars contender.

The two men first met at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. Both felt an immediate bond because theyre from Brazils northeast, known as poorer, more diverse and more left-leaning than the affluent cultural centers of Rio and Sao Paulo in the southeast. For years they kept in touch, as Moura developed a reputation for explosive performances in Narcos, Civil War and Apple TVs Dope Thief.

But Mendonca felt that his friend had never been able to pay a classic hero, a good man being persecuted for sticking to his values in a corrupt society. So he began writing The Secret Agent with Moura in mind.

Advertisement Advertisement

I really felt I wanted to try something he hadnt done before, Mendonca tells me. I was very confident that he would carry the film with his charisma.

Moura has been politically outspoken his entire life. Search the internet, and youll find his TV news debut at age 11, when he decried the purposeful flooding of his home city of Rodelas  a tiny place in the countryside with, like, three streets in the northeast state of Bahia  due to a dam that diverted the Rio Sao Francisco for a hydroelectric project.

Out of high school, he headed to journalism school in the predominantly Black city of Salvador, where he met the friends he still plays with in the post-punk band Sua Mae (translation: Your Mom), as well as his partner, photographer Sandra Delgado. They got together during Carnival  she was covered in feathers, he was shirtless with a tutu around his neck and dyed flaming-red hair  and are raising their three sons (Jose, 13; Salvador, 15; and Bem, 19) in Los Angeles, where they speak only Portuguese at home.

I wanted to do something that would make a difference, he says, but he quickly discovered he didnt have the patience to sit around police stations sniffing for scoops.

Advertisement Advertisement

He worked at a newspaper in the afternoon and acted in plays at night. A stint on a television program interviewing businessmen and celebrities followed. It didnt stick. But the skills he acquired do serve him in The Secret Agent, where silent observation is key to survival, and also led to him getting cast as a war journalist in Civil War.

Moura assumed he would spend his career as a stage actor, due to what he describes as a well-known xenophobia in Brazils movie and TV industries against actors from the northeast. I would never think that I would work in television in Brazil because those characters were reserved for people that didnt have my accent, he says. The way he describes the divide between the north and the south, it sounds a little like if someone with a thick Cockney accent tried to play a barrister in a courtroom thriller for Masterpiece Theater.

But then came 2007s Elite Squad, the brutal police thriller that made him a household name in Brazil. Its director, Jose Padilha, went on to cocreate Narcos. Moura wasnt the obvious choice to play Colombian drug lord Escobar, but Padilha pushed for him from the start and convinced Moura he could handle not knowing how to speak Spanish. He gained 40 pounds and lived in Medellin for six months studying Spanish for the role, which earned him lavish praise and sparked countless Reddit discussions about his obviously non-native accent.

Listen, Im a Brazilian guy that learned Spanish to play one of most notorious personalities in the history of Colombia, he tells me. Its like if they were like, Lets hire a Colombian to play Pele. So, I totally get the criticism. I did the best I could.

Advertisement Advertisement

Over time, hes accepted that the way he speaks is part of his selling point. Its what got him a delicious part voicing the villainous wolf in 2022s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, a portrayal that Ryan Coogler recently told him inspired the vampires in Sinners.

Hes okay if he doesnt get cast as a Texan or a native New Yorker; he would question the sanity of the casting director. Many times, people go, like, Could you do a standard American thing? And I go, No, because my accent is also who I am  and who I am is who many other people who live in the country are, he says. Many people here speak with an accent. I want to represent them.

He loved  LOVED!  for instance, when he first heard Diego Luna keep his accent while playing rebel leader Cassian Andor in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the TV series Andor.

I was like: Thats it! A Mexican guy in Star Wars speaking with his accent! Moura says. I think thats so politically important.

Advertisement Advertisement

Every time Moura goes back to Brazil, he finds himself in a demonstration: Four days before we met in New York, he told me, he was on a loudspeaker on a truck protesting Brazils conservative-led Congresss attempt to pass an amnesty law that would shield its members from prosecution for coup-related offenses. (Last week, lawmakers voted to drastically reduce Bolsonaros prison time.)

The Secret Agent is Mouras first time acting in Portuguese in 12 years, partly because, he says, his outspoken criticism of the right wing made him a target of Bolsonaros wrath.

While filming his directorial debut, Marighella, a portrait of an Afro-Brazilian guerrilla leader from the 60s who led an armed resistance against the military dictatorship, Moura had to keep his Sao Paulo shooting locations secret and hire heavy security because the production office kept receiving death threats. At restaurants or on the street, Moura would have strangers get into his face and call him a communist.

Though the movie premiered at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, it didnt come out in Brazil until late 2021. A government agency that promotes national cinema in Brazil withheld money for its distribution, citing a problem with the films producer.

Advertisement Advertisement

They used the system, and they just made it impossible for me to release my film, economically, sort of like what happened to Jimmy Kimmel, says Moura. Its not that the president said, Out! But he pressed the buttons that he had to press to make that happen.

At the moment, though, Moura is delighted about the state of Brazilian democracy. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made it a Day 1 priority to restore state funding of the arts, alongside the Ministry of Culture, which Bolsonaro had disbanded.

The heartening atmosphere at home, though, stands in stark contrast to whats happening in Los Angeles, where Moura says one of his friends  a Brazilian filmmaker married to an American man  was seized by ICE agents. (He asked she not be named for privacy reasons.)

Im not saying that were living in the U.S. in a dictatorship, Moura says. But I think that when you study history, you see those tendencies, like attacks on press, attacks on universities, attacks on free speech, attacks on artists. This is how it begins.

That first day we met, just before the New York Film Festival premiere of The Secret Agent, Moura was reeling. No one knew where his friend was. Later, he told me that she had gone into a federal immigration office to finalize her green card, been separated from her husband under the pretext of getting her passport photocopied and suddenly found herself handcuffed, then transported to San Bernardino County, then Arizona, then Louisiana. Her lawyer couldnt reach her, and her husband managed to stop her deportation only hours before she was to be flown out of the country. Shes now back home.

It reminds me of horrible moments in [Brazilian] history where masked people were going in the streets doing that sort of thing, says Moura, who became a U.S. citizen during President Joe Bidens administration.

Its a very sad side effect of the escalation of authoritarianism in the U.S., he says.

He worries that Americans take democracy for granted, he says, and just wants to do what he can as a proud American to impart wisdom from Brazils hard-earned lessons.

Democracy is something you have to fight for, he says. Its a daily fight, man.
Lifetime has released the official trailer for a new movie dramatizing the high-profile case of Karen Read, the Mansfield woman who was acquitted of murder in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe.

Katie Cassidy stars as the acquitted cop killer in Accused: The Karen Read Story, which is slated to premiere on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. OKeefe is played by Luke Humphrey.

Read had been accused of striking OKeefe with her Lexus SUV in January 2022 in Canton and leaving him in the snow to die. She faced two criminal trials, with a jury in her retrial finding her not guilty this past summer after a mistrial was declared a year earlier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Based on the real events that gripped national attention, the Lifetime movie is billed as an unrelenting pursuit of justice to clear Reads name.

Watch the trailer:

Since the acquittal, Read filed a sweeping civil lawsuit that accuses multiple Massachusetts State Police troopers and several Canton residents of conspiring to frame her.

Read is also battling a wrongful death lawsuit previously filed by OKeefes family.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
BERLIN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nearly half of Germans believe the governing coalition will not survive until the next scheduled federal election, according to a poll published on Monday.

A survey conducted by YouGov for the German news agency dpa found that 49 percent of respondents do not expect the so-called "black-red" coalition between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) to last until the regular election date in 2029.

Of those surveyed, 17 percent anticipate a coalition breakdown as early as next year, while a further 32 percent believe the alliance may endure through 2026 but collapse before completing the full legislative term.

Only 34 percent of respondents said they expect the coalition to remain intact until the next election.

The coalition ended up with a narrow 12-seat majority in the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, following the election on Feb. 23. Since then, however, both governing partners have seen their public support decline. Recent polls put the conservatives at between 24 percent and 27 percent, and the SPD at 13 percent to 14 percent.

With five state elections looming in 2026, only 9 percent of respondents believe the coalition will see fewer conflicts next year, while most expect tensions to remain the same or worsen.

The YouGov survey was conducted between Dec. 12 and Dec. 15, with a nationwide sample of 2,116 respondents. 
Rock band Tool made its highly anticipated return after 14 years since their last Hawaii concert.

The 90s American band entertained the crowd at the Blaisdell Arena with their two sold-out shows in Honolulu last Friday and Saturday.

However, with the long-awaited comeback, fans excitement was sky-high, but the thrill was tempered by an unexpected incident.

In a story cited by Live Nation, a fan reportedly collapsed during the concert. The individual was allegedly found bleeding from the mouth and was also administered chest compressions in hopes of stabilizing his condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Police also searched the scene for evidence or possible drugs, the report cited.

Moreover, officials are investigating the incident to uncover what caused the collapse and learn more about the individual, Blunt Magazine reports.

Vocalist Maynard James Keenan, bassist Paul DAmour, guitarist Adam Jones, and drummer Danny Carey perform in Tool at the bands Zoo Entertainment signing celebration at Club Lingerie Hollywood on December 12, 1991 in Los Angeles.

Amid the investigation, Reddit users expressed their observations regarding the incident.

In the same report by Live Nation, one fan mentioned Tool member Adam Jones, who seemed to be the only one who visibly acknowledged the incident during the concert.

The other members appeared dismissive or insensitive at the height of the crisis.

Adam [Jones, guitarist] actually went to the corner of the stage and played guitar directly to the guy as he was getting compressions. Like he was trying to bring him back or send him off. . . . He seems to be the only one in the band who acknowledged the incident, a user mentioned in a post. Maynard [James Keenan, vocalist] just kept doing his dumb little dance moves and Justin [Chancellor, bassist] almost seemed to want to keep the crowd distracted from the chaos. . . . . I think the band should have recognized the moment and not just ignored the fact that a fan just died at the show, the commenter pointed out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Others also raised their speculations that the medical team purposely withheld the situation from the band to avoid drawing attention and to keep the concert going.

My guess is the medic team chose to withhold the outcome from the band to keep the show moving forward. Probably also didnt want to acknowledge how long it took them to get to the guy. Nobody gets compressions for over ten minutes like that and survives. Very tragic and sad. And traumatic for that whole side of the venue. The fact that some people continued to sing and dance in the same section that guy just died was a gross display of how awful we are as humans. . . . How out of touch we are. Even if it was a drug overdose . . . it was a tragic night and I feel the people at the show deserve to know the outcome. Lot of people got traumatized last night, the comment reads.

Prior to their Hawaii concert, Tool concluded a three-night stint in Australia from Dec. 4 to 6 and a successful performance in Japan, hitting Kanagawa on Dec. 11 and Kobe on Dec. 13.

Related: Iconic 90s Rock Band Performs Song for the First Time in 23 Years

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A family feud is brewing between Chip and Joanna Gaines and their eldest daughter, Ella Gaines, as they put the finishing touches on their vacation home in the finale of "Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House."

On the new Magnolia Network spinoff series, which premiered earlier this month, Chip, 51, and Jo, 47, purchase a 1960s cabin compound in Colorado that they envision will be a destination for their extended family for generations to come.

The parents of five credit many "ski trips and spring breaks over the last decade" that were spent in the Centennial State for inspiring them to carve out a place of their own in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

The "tucked away and hidden" property sits just a short distance from a flowing river and comprises a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom main house with a wraparound deck and two guest cottages. The couple quickly dream up grand plans to reconfigure the layout to accommodate their family of eight better.

On the new Magnolia Network series, "Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House," Chip and Joanna Gaines renovate their own 1960s cabin compound in Colorado. (Magnolia Network)

The parents of five credit many ski trips and spring breaks over the last decade that were spent in Colorado for inspiring them to carve out a place of their own in the area. (Magnolia Network)

In addition to the two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom main house with a wraparound deck, the property contains two guest cottages. (Magnolia Network)

Chip and Joanna enlist their 19-year-old daughter, Ella Gaines, to help revamp the smallest of the two cottages. (Magnolia Network)

Advertisement Advertisement

Having spent 25-plus years renovating homes and building their business in and around their home base in Waco, TX, the Gaineses find this project marks their first out-of-state fixer-upper.

To ease the challenge of managing such a massive undertaking from hundreds of miles away, Chip and Jo hire a local general contractor, Steve, to be their boots on the ground for the six-month project.

They also enlist 19-year-old Ella to help revamp the smallest of the two cottages, which consists of a loft space for a mattress, kitchenette, and full bathroom, as her "first design project.

Though Ella and her siblings have been largely kept out of the spotlight since 2018 as Chip and Jo focused on family life away from the cameras, Ellas participation in this series alongside her parents before she headed off to college is something Jo fully embraces.

Advertisement Advertisement

The idea that my daughter, who is now an adult, has decided to take on what her mother does and I get to teach her, I dont know, it just feels like this beautiful full-circle moment, says Jo, whose biggest hope with letting her tackle this cottage is [that] it builds confidence in her.

Joanna describes Ella's "first design project" and participation in the series as a "beautiful full-circle moment." (Magnolia Network)

Ella is tasked with overhauling the interior of the tiny guest cottage. (Magnolia Network)

The small cottage has a loft space for a mattress. (Magnolia Network)

There is also a kitchenette in the unit. (Magnolia Network)

Advertisement Advertisement

Ella reveals plans to use moody greens and blues throughout the cottage. (Magnolia Network)

In the first two episodes of the three-part series, Ella lays out her plan to use moody greens and blues for the tiny space, and Jo backs up every design decision her daughter makes.

Theres really no wrong answer. You get to do whatever you want, says Jo. If you want to paint it black, Im going to let you paint it black.

Later in the series, she explains the strategy shes taken to let Ella lead the way.

For me, its stepping back. And where she wants help or she wants a suggestion, Ill step in, but Ive really tried to shut my mouth, she says.

Yet, in the series finale, due to air on Dec. 23 at 9 p.m., Chip just cant keep quiet about his disapproval of at least one of Ellas choices.

Advertisement Advertisement

In an exclusive clip shared with Realtor.com from the episode titled Mountain Dreams Come True, Jo greets Chip inside the cottages bathroom as he lays the tile Ella selected in a checkerboard pattern, and both parents are a bit taken aback by what they see.

Oh, wow, its cubes, notes Jo.

Shes not alone in feeling shocked by the selection, as Chip offers his initial impression while kneeling in front of a row of cabinets across from a corner shower unit.

As I got to unpacking this, I am not going to lie: I was a tad surprised about the color palette, I mean, literally maroon, he says disapprovingly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Jo retorts, its burgundy. The clarification on the colors hue doesnt soften the blow for Chip.

The proud Baylor University alum is displeased that Ellas chosen aesthetic invokes the official school colors of his rival college, Texas A&M University.

A&M Aggies have no place in any project that Ive ever been a part of in my life, he states. I think these arent ours.

Fellow Bayor graduate Jo appears amused, but shes able to separate her school allegiance from her commitment to supporting her daughters debut design endeavor.

This is Ellas project, explains Jo. She wanted some color.

Advertisement Advertisement

Unmoved by his wifes defense of their daughter, Chip continues with his criticism.

Ellas tile selection, shes got maroon, baby blue, mixed into this template, he describes. Theres no Baylor green, theres no Baylor gold. She didnt go to Baylor University, her mom and Is alma mater.

When Jo chimes in about how her husband might be interpreting Ellas design direction, Chip declares he feels betrayed.

Jo checks in with Chip as he lays the tile Ella selected for the cottage's bathroom. (Magnolia Network)

Ella has directed her parents to install the tile in a checkerboard pattern. (Magnolia Network)

Chip admits he is a "tad surprised" by Ella's choice of color. (Magnolia Network)

As a proud Baylor University alum, along with Joanna, Chip is displeased that Ella's chosen aesthetic invokes the official school colors of their rival college, Texas A&M University. (Magnolia Network)

Advertisement Advertisement

In an effort to bridge the divide, Jo makes a video call to Ella.

Hi, Ella, do you have a second? she asks. Hes laying your tile. Do you like it?

Just as soon as Ella responds that she thinks it looks good, her dad brings up his issue with it.

But you know whats not right? Maroon tile, babe, he tells her.

When Ella and Jo appear to laugh off Chips complaint, he pushes back.

Ella, for real, says Chip.

Jo points out to Ella that the burgundy shade reminds him of a certain college, and Chip confronts his daughter about her choice.

Ella, do you feel guilty at all? he asks.

Unfazed, Ella stands her ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

No, I like it, she says, and all Chip can do is respond with a silly face expressing his displeasure.

At this point in the playfully tense exchange, Jo plays referee and calls time on their conversation.

Oh yeah, shes gotta go, says Jo.

Before they hang up, Chip quickly drops his facade and reveals his negative reaction was all in jest.

OK, I love you, Ella Rose, he shouts. You did great. Im only kidding!

Jo reminds Chip that "this is Ella's project" and "she wanted some color. (Magnolia Network)

In an effort to bridge the divide, Jo makes a video call to Ella. (Magnolia Network)

Chip makes a silly face to express his displeasure, but quickly drops the facade and admits his negative reaction was all in jest. (Magnolia Network)

With the disagreement firmly behind them, the Gaines crew moves forward united in their goal of making the remodeled mountain abode a place where they can make many happy new memories together.

And when it comes to the family business, Jo seems to acknowledge her temporary role reversal with Ella during the accessory staging phase of the renovation.

I feel like Im the design intern, she teases in another preview of the final episode.

Of course, the fact that Ella specifically requests additional candlesticks from her mom only makes the symbolic passing of the torch seem all the more real.

The series finale of Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House airs on Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. on Magnolia Network and HGTV.
Here are brief spoilers on what Portal Charles residents are up to on General Hospital this week. While everyone gears up for the holidays, Willows trial takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Sidwell is making some big plans to achieve his goals.

So, heres a preview of General Hospital episodes between December 22 and 26.

General Hospital spoilers preview for what happens this week

Monday, December 22

Jason and Danny take a head start on the holidays by bringing gifts for everyone. Ava and Nina are taking the opportunity to fix their strained relationship. Elsewhere, Curtis is opening up to Jordan about his long-kept secrets, and Emma gives Trina information about something important. Cody turns to Tracy for wise words, who, with her experience, offers him exactly what he needed to hear.

Tuesday December 23

Alexis and Turner continue to go head-to-head in Willows trial at the court, and Chase is taken aback by the news that he learns. While Laura and Tracy stumble upon each other, Portia seeks Ava to share and discuss her current problems. Alexis gets her hands on new intel that might help her with the trial.

Wednesday, December 24

Everyone in the city begins their holiday celebrations, while Carly is busy executing her plans to take down Jack. Meanwhile, Trina is looking forward to fixing some things amid the good vibes all around. Obrecht and Nina are spending some much-needed time together, and Sonny shares heartfelt advice with Dante.

Thursday, December 25

The network is preempting its show on Christmas, so no new episodes of General Hospital on this day.

Friday, December 26

Tracy feels sad after feeling Monicas absence during the holidays, and Sidwell hosts a party at Wyndemere, hoping to build stronger relationships in the city. Kevin expresses that hes thankful for everything in his life. While Jordan makes an important discovery, Willow tries to change Drews mind about a key thing.

The post General Hospital Spoilers Preview: What Will Happen This Week (December 22-26)? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
As many European countries face shrinking populations, aging communities, and labor shortages, governments and local municipalities have begun offering financial incentives to attract new residents. These programs are designed to revive small towns, stimulate local economies, and preserve cultural heritage that is at risk of disappearing. For individuals willing to relocate, especially remote workers, families, and entrepreneurs, these offers can provide a unique opportunity to start a new life abroad with financial support. While requirements vary, many programs are surprisingly accessible and offer more than just money.

The incentives range from direct cash payments and housing grants to tax breaks, relocation bonuses, and business subsidies. In many cases, the cost of living in these areas is already significantly lower than in major European cities, making the financial support even more impactful. These countries often offer high quality of life, strong public services, and beautiful natural surroundings. Moving incentives are not just about money, but about joining communities that genuinely want new residents.

Below are eleven European countries that actively offer financial incentives to encourage people to move, settle, and contribute to local life. Each destination comes with its own lifestyle, climate, and cultural appeal. Some focus on rural villages, while others target entrepreneurs or skilled workers. Together, they show how Europe is creatively addressing demographic challenges.

Italy

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Italy has gained international attention for its initiatives aimed at repopulating rural villages that have seen decades of decline. Many municipalities offer cash grants, housing subsidies, or even symbolic home purchases for a small fee to attract new residents. These programs often require participants to renovate abandoned properties or commit to living in the town for a certain number of years. The goal is to preserve historic villages while injecting new energy into local economies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Financial incentives vary by region but can reach tens of thousands of euros when renovation grants and relocation bonuses are combined. In some areas, families with children receive additional support to encourage long-term settlement. The cost of living in small Italian towns is significantly lower than in cities like Rome or Milan. Daily life often includes affordable fresh food, strong community ties, and a slower pace of living.

Beyond financial benefits, Italy offers an unmatched cultural experience shaped by history, cuisine, and regional traditions. Residents enjoy access to public healthcare, walkable towns, and rich social life centered around local events. Many villages are located near mountains, coastlines, or vineyards, offering stunning scenery. For those seeking both beauty and opportunity, Italy remains one of the most attractive relocation options in Europe.

Spain

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Spain has introduced several regional programs to combat rural depopulation, particularly in inland villages and smaller towns. Local governments offer relocation grants, housing assistance, and support for entrepreneurs willing to open businesses. These initiatives aim to revive communities that have lost younger generations to major cities. Some programs specifically target remote workers and families.

Financial incentives in Spain often include monthly stipends, reduced rent, or grants for starting small businesses. In certain regions, families receive additional bonuses for each child who moves with them. Living costs in rural Spain are notably low, especially for housing, utilities, and food. Combined with the countrys climate, this makes relocation particularly appealing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Spain also offers a relaxed lifestyle, strong public healthcare, and excellent infrastructure even in smaller towns. Social life tends to be community-focused, with festivals, markets, and shared public spaces. The mild winters and warm summers add to everyday comfort. Spains balance of affordability, culture, and climate makes it a standout option.

Portugal

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Portugal has actively encouraged migration to its less populated interior regions through financial incentives and tax benefits. Programs focus on attracting families, entrepreneurs, and professionals willing to relocate away from major coastal cities. Incentives often include relocation grants and reduced tax obligations. These efforts aim to rebalance population growth across the country.

The financial support may include direct payments for moving, housing subsidies, or business startup assistance. Living costs in inland Portugal are significantly lower than in Lisbon or Porto. Everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and transportation remain affordable. This makes the incentives even more impactful for long-term residents.

Portugal offers political stability, safety, and a high quality of life. The country is known for its welcoming culture and strong expat communities. Public healthcare and infrastructure are reliable and accessible. For those seeking affordability and comfort, Portugal remains a top destination.

Ireland

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Ireland has launched initiatives focused on revitalizing remote islands and rural areas experiencing population decline. Some programs provide grants to renovate vacant homes or relocate permanently to designated areas. The government aims to preserve island communities while encouraging sustainable living. These incentives are part of broader regional development strategies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Financial support often targets housing renovation rather than direct cash payments. Properties are available at low cost, with grants covering substantial portions of restoration expenses. Living costs outside major cities like Dublin are considerably lower. These areas offer peaceful surroundings and close-knit communities.

Ireland provides a strong sense of cultural identity, rich traditions, and natural beauty. Residents benefit from public healthcare and strong social services. The landscape offers coastlines, hills, and historic villages. For those who value community and nature, Ireland presents a compelling option.

Greece

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Greece has introduced relocation incentives to encourage people to move to small islands and rural villages. These programs often include monthly stipends, housing assistance, and support for families. The focus is on maintaining local populations and supporting essential services. Many programs are designed for long-term settlement.

Financial incentives can include monthly payments for several years, along with subsidized housing. The cost of living in these areas is significantly lower than in tourist hotspots. Daily life remains affordable, especially when relying on local produce and services. These benefits create a stable foundation for new residents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Greece offers a Mediterranean climate, strong community ties, and a slower pace of life. Public healthcare is available nationwide, even in smaller communities. Cultural traditions play a major role in daily life. Greece combines natural beauty with tangible financial support.

France

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

France offers regional incentives aimed at revitalizing rural areas suffering from population decline. Local governments provide grants, tax reductions, and housing support to attract new residents. These programs often focus on families and professionals willing to integrate into local communities. The goal is to preserve services and schools in small towns.

Financial support varies by region but can include relocation assistance and reduced property taxes. Housing costs in rural France are significantly lower than in Paris or coastal cities. Daily expenses remain manageable, particularly for food and transportation. This makes long-term living financially sustainable.

France offers high-quality healthcare, excellent infrastructure, and strong worker protections. Life in small towns emphasizes community, culture, and tradition. Residents enjoy access to nature, local markets, and historic architecture. France remains an appealing blend of support and lifestyle.

Germany

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Germany provides incentives through regional programs aimed at attracting workers and families to less populated areas. These often include relocation bonuses, housing assistance, and support for skilled professionals. Local governments seek to address labor shortages and demographic imbalances. Programs are particularly strong in eastern regions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Financial incentives may include moving grants and employment support. Living costs in smaller German towns are much lower than in major cities like Munich or Berlin. Public transportation and services remain highly efficient. This creates a strong value proposition for newcomers.

Germany offers economic stability, excellent healthcare, and strong social safety nets. Education and childcare systems are well-funded and accessible. Life is organized, predictable, and secure. Germany appeals to those seeking long-term stability.

Croatia

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Croatia has introduced programs to encourage people to move to rural areas and smaller towns. Incentives include housing support, tax relief, and grants for families and entrepreneurs. These efforts aim to counteract migration to larger cities and abroad. Local governments actively promote relocation opportunities.

Financial support often focuses on housing and family assistance. The cost of living in inland Croatia is significantly lower than in coastal tourist areas. Daily expenses remain affordable year-round. This allows newcomers to build stable lives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Croatia offers beautiful landscapes, from mountains to coastline. Public healthcare and infrastructure are widely available. Communities are tight-knit and welcoming. Croatia provides both affordability and natural beauty.

Switzerland

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Switzerland has small municipalities that offer financial incentives to attract young families and professionals. These programs are designed to keep alpine villages alive and economically active. Incentives often focus on families with children. Long-term residency commitments are usually required.

Financial benefits can include cash payments spread over several years. Living costs in these villages are lower than in major Swiss cities. Local services and schools benefit directly from new residents. The incentives help offset Switzerlands generally high costs.

Switzerland offers exceptional quality of life, safety, and public services. Nature is a defining feature, with mountains and clean environments. Education and healthcare systems rank among the best globally. Switzerland combines support with unmatched stability.

Austria

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Austria encourages relocation to rural regions through grants and housing incentives. Local governments aim to strengthen small communities and preserve traditional ways of life. Programs often target families and skilled workers. These initiatives support regional balance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Financial incentives include housing subsidies and relocation assistance. Living costs in rural Austria are far lower than in Vienna. Public services remain efficient and accessible. This creates a comfortable transition for newcomers.

Austria offers clean environments, strong healthcare, and excellent education. Cultural life remains vibrant even in small towns. Outdoor activities are part of daily life. Austria delivers both support and high living standards.

Finland

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Finland has introduced incentives to attract residents to remote and northern regions. Programs focus on workforce needs and population sustainability. Relocation bonuses and housing support are common. The aim is long-term settlement.

Financial assistance often includes moving grants and employment support. Living costs outside major cities are significantly lower. Public services remain high quality regardless of location. This ensures security and comfort.

Finland offers safety, innovation, and strong social systems. Nature and space define everyday life. Education and healthcare are universally accessible. Finland provides a modern yet peaceful relocation option.
As housing costs continue to rise and remote work becomes more common, several U.S. states are actively offering financial incentives to attract new residents. These programs are designed to boost local economies, fill workforce gaps, and revitalize smaller cities and rural communities. For individuals and families willing to relocate, these incentives can significantly reduce the cost of moving while offering a higher quality of life. From cash grants and tax credits to housing assistance and student loan relief, these states are making relocation more appealing than ever.

Many of these programs target remote workers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and skilled laborers, although some are open to a wide range of applicants. In addition to financial benefits, these states often offer lower living costs, affordable housing, and access to outdoor recreation or tight-knit communities. The combination of economic incentives and lifestyle advantages has made these locations increasingly attractive to Americans seeking a fresh start. Below are eleven U.S. states that are actively paying people to move there.

West Virginia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

West Virginia offers one of the most well-known relocation incentive programs aimed at remote workers. Qualified applicants can receive cash payments, outdoor recreation perks, and access to professional networking opportunities. The program focuses on attracting individuals who can work remotely while contributing to the local economy. This initiative has helped revitalize communities that were previously losing population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Beyond financial incentives, West Virginia offers affordable housing and a significantly lower cost of living compared to many coastal states. Residents enjoy access to mountains, rivers, and national parks, making outdoor recreation a daily part of life. Small towns and cities provide a slower pace without sacrificing modern amenities. The natural beauty of the state adds to its long-term appeal.

The states central location along the East Coast also makes travel relatively convenient. Internet infrastructure has improved significantly to support remote workers and digital professionals. Community engagement is a key part of the program, encouraging newcomers to integrate locally. West Virginia combines financial support with lifestyle value in a compelling way.

Oklahoma

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Oklahoma offers a relocation incentive program that provides cash grants to remote workers who move to certain cities. The program is designed to attract professionals who can work from anywhere while stimulating local economies. Participants also gain access to co-working spaces and community events. This structured approach helps newcomers settle quickly.

Housing in Oklahoma is among the most affordable in the country, allowing incentive payments to go further. Cities like Tulsa offer vibrant arts scenes, growing tech communities, and modern infrastructure. Everyday expenses such as groceries, transportation, and utilities remain well below the national average. This affordability makes long-term relocation sustainable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Oklahomas central location allows easy travel to other parts of the country. The state has invested heavily in revitalizing downtown areas and improving quality of life. New residents often find a strong sense of community and opportunity. Oklahoma offers financial incentives paired with urban growth and affordability.

Arkansas

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Arkansas provides relocation incentives aimed at attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs to specific regions. These incentives may include cash payments, housing support, and access to outdoor recreation memberships. The state emphasizes economic development through population growth. Programs often focus on professionals who bring long-term value to local communities.

The cost of living in Arkansas is significantly lower than the national average, particularly in housing. Many towns offer affordable homes with generous space and proximity to nature. Outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and biking are easily accessible. This blend of affordability and natural beauty appeals to many movers.

Arkansas has invested in broadband expansion and small business support. Cities like Bentonville and Fayetteville have experienced cultural and economic growth. New residents often benefit from lower stress and a balanced lifestyle. Arkansas combines financial incentives with long-term livability.

Vermont

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Vermont offers financial incentives to remote workers and professionals who relocate to the state. Programs often reimburse relocation expenses or provide grants for individuals working for out-of-state employers. The goal is to strengthen the local economy while preserving Vermonts rural character. These incentives are particularly appealing to professionals seeking a quieter lifestyle.

Advertisement Advertisement

While Vermonts cost of living is higher than some other states on this list, the incentives help offset initial expenses. The state is known for its natural beauty, clean environment, and strong sense of community. Residents enjoy access to outdoor recreation year-round. Quality of life remains a major draw.

Vermont also emphasizes sustainability, local agriculture, and community engagement. Internet infrastructure continues to improve to support remote work. Many newcomers appreciate the slower pace and civic involvement. Vermont offers incentives for those seeking balance and purpose.

Maine

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Maine provides incentives primarily through student loan repayment programs for eligible professionals. This approach targets individuals who commit to living and working in the state. The program is especially attractive to young professionals carrying education debt. It serves as both a financial benefit and a workforce development tool.

The cost of living in Maine varies, but many inland and smaller coastal towns remain affordable. Housing options include historic homes and scenic rural properties. Residents benefit from access to nature, including coastline, forests, and national parks. The lifestyle emphasizes well-being and community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Maines economy continues to diversify beyond traditional industries. Improved broadband access supports remote work opportunities. New residents often find a welcoming environment. Maine offers long-term financial relief combined with scenic living.

Iowa

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Iowa offers a variety of local incentive programs designed to attract new residents. These may include cash grants, housing assistance, and tax abatements. The programs often focus on smaller cities and rural areas seeking population growth. Iowas approach is community-driven and flexible.

Housing costs in Iowa are among the lowest in the Midwest. Families and individuals can purchase homes at prices far below national averages. Everyday expenses remain manageable, allowing for financial stability. The affordability supports long-term relocation decisions.

Iowa also offers strong education systems and low crime rates. Communities are known for being welcoming and family-friendly. Infrastructure and healthcare access are reliable. Iowa combines affordability, incentives, and stability.

Kansas

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Kansas offers relocation incentives through local governments and employer-sponsored programs. These incentives may include tax waivers, housing support, and student loan assistance. The goal is to attract skilled workers to underpopulated regions. Kansas focuses on long-term economic sustainability.

Advertisement Advertisement

The cost of living in Kansas is significantly lower than the national average. Housing remains affordable in both urban and rural areas. Transportation and utilities are also inexpensive. This allows new residents to stretch incentive funds further.

Kansas communities emphasize safety, education, and quality of life. The states central location supports logistics and travel. New residents often find strong local support networks. Kansas offers incentives paired with practicality.

Alaska

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Alaska offers a unique incentive through its annual dividend program, which pays residents a cash amount each year. While not a relocation bonus, it provides ongoing financial benefit. The program is funded through state resource revenues. This makes Alaska distinct from other states.

Living costs in Alaska can be higher, but many residents offset expenses through dividends and wages. The state offers unparalleled natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Residents enjoy a strong sense of independence and community. Alaska attracts those seeking a unique lifestyle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Remote work has made Alaska more accessible than ever. Infrastructure improvements continue across the state. Many communities actively welcome newcomers. Alaska offers financial benefits with unmatched scenery.

New Mexico

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

New Mexico offers relocation incentives aimed at remote workers and entrepreneurs. Programs often include cash grants and business development support. The state focuses on attracting creative professionals and tech workers. These incentives help stimulate innovation and growth.

The cost of living in New Mexico is relatively low, particularly in housing. Cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe offer cultural richness and affordability. The state is known for its food, art, and history. This combination creates a unique living experience.

Outdoor recreation and warm climate add to the appeal. New residents benefit from expanding infrastructure and community programs. New Mexico blends culture, affordability, and incentives effectively.

Michigan

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Michigan provides relocation incentives through city-based programs and employer partnerships. These incentives may include cash grants, housing assistance, or job placement support. The state targets skilled workers in growing industries. Michigans strategy focuses on urban revitalization.

Advertisement Advertisement

Housing remains affordable in many Michigan cities. Residents enjoy access to lakes, parks, and cultural institutions. The state offers a strong balance between urban life and nature. Cost savings make relocation attractive.

Michigan continues to invest in infrastructure and economic diversification. New residents often find ample job opportunities. Community redevelopment is ongoing. Michigan offers incentives with long-term potential.

Tennessee

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Tennessee offers relocation incentives through local economic development programs. These may include tax benefits, job incentives, and housing support. The states lack of income tax adds to its appeal. Tennessee actively recruits new residents.

The cost of living is lower than the national average. Cities like Chattanooga and Knoxville offer affordable housing and growing job markets. Outdoor recreation and cultural amenities are widely available. Quality of life remains high.

Tennessees central location and strong infrastructure support mobility. Communities are welcoming and diverse. New residents benefit from economic opportunity and affordability. Tennessee offers a compelling relocation package.
Traveling as an American in Europe often comes with unexpected advantages, especially in countries where U.S. culture, tourism, and investment are genuinely appreciated. In many parts of the continent, Americans are viewed as friendly, generous, and curious visitors, which often translates into warmer service, extra attention, and subtle perks that make travel feel effortless. While Europe is known for its diversity, certain countries stand out for how welcoming and accommodating they are toward American travelers. These destinations consistently offer smoother experiences, stronger hospitality, and a sense of being genuinely valued.

Beyond tourism, Americans are often associated with economic contribution, cultural exchange, and long stays, which many European countries actively encourage. From restaurants and hotels to landlords and local communities, Americans frequently receive preferential treatment simply because of their reputation as respectful and enthusiastic visitors. Language familiarity, shared media, and historical ties further strengthen these connections. In the countries below, being American often feels like having a quiet VIP pass.

Portugal

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Portugal is widely regarded as one of the most welcoming countries in Europe for Americans, both tourists and expats alike. Locals are known for their warmth, patience, and eagerness to help, especially when they hear an American accent. English is spoken fluently across much of the country, making communication effortless even outside major cities. Service staff often go out of their way to ensure Americans feel comfortable and informed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Restaurants and cafes frequently provide more attentive service to American visitors, including menu explanations and personalized recommendations. Landlords and real estate agents tend to view Americans as reliable, long-term tenants, which can lead to smoother rental experiences. In hotels and guesthouses, Americans are often offered room upgrades or extra amenities without asking. The hospitality feels genuine rather than transactional.

Portugals growing American expat community has also strengthened this positive perception. Locals are accustomed to Americans settling in Lisbon, Porto, and coastal towns, which creates a sense of familiarity rather than suspicion. Bureaucratic processes are often more flexible and accommodating toward Americans than expected. Portugal consistently delivers an experience that feels welcoming, respectful, and quietly privileged.

Italy

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Italy holds a long-standing fascination with American culture, which often translates into especially warm treatment for American visitors. Many Italians associate Americans with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine love for Italian food, history, and traditions. This appreciation frequently results in friendlier conversations and more engaging service. Americans are often welcomed as guests rather than just tourists.

In restaurants, Americans commonly receive extra attention, longer explanations of dishes, and occasional complimentary items like desserts or digestifs. Shop owners and local guides tend to be more conversational and accommodating when they realize someone is American. Hotels often make an extra effort to personalize the stay, especially in smaller towns. These gestures create a feeling of being genuinely appreciated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Italys strong cultural exports to the U.S. have built a sense of connection that locals recognize immediately. Many Italians enjoy practicing English with Americans, making interactions smoother and more relaxed. Americans are also perceived as generous tippers, which subtly enhances service quality. The result is a travel experience that feels warmer and more personal than expected.

Ireland

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Ireland is famously friendly, but Americans often receive an even warmer reception due to deep historical and cultural ties. Many Irish people have family members in the United States, creating an immediate sense of familiarity. American accents frequently spark conversations rather than suspicion. Visitors often feel welcomed like distant relatives rather than strangers.

Pubs, cafes, and hotels tend to offer exceptionally friendly service to Americans, often with storytelling and humor added to the experience. Locals are quick to give directions, travel tips, and personal recommendations without being asked. Americans are often included in conversations and social settings with ease. The atmosphere feels open and inclusive.

Irelands strong appreciation for American tourism also plays a role in this treatment. Americans are seen as respectful visitors who take time to explore culture and history. Service providers often go above and beyond to ensure a positive experience. Ireland consistently makes Americans feel valued and at home.

Spain

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Spain offers Americans a relaxed yet enthusiastic welcome, particularly in cities and coastal regions. Locals generally view Americans as friendly, curious, and open-minded, which leads to warmer interactions. English is widely spoken in hospitality settings, making travel smooth and stress-free. Americans often find service more attentive than expected.

Advertisement Advertisement

In restaurants and bars, staff are usually happy to explain menus, recommend local dishes, and adjust meals to preferences. Americans are often given extra patience and guidance, especially in smaller towns. Hotels frequently provide added assistance with transportation and sightseeing. These details combine to create a sense of priority treatment.

Spains tourism industry values American visitors for longer stays and higher spending patterns. This reputation encourages businesses to invest more effort in service quality. Cultural curiosity from Americans is often met with enthusiasm from locals. Spain delivers a welcoming experience that feels both relaxed and rewarding.

Greece

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Greece is exceptionally welcoming to Americans, often treating them with warmth and genuine hospitality. Many Greeks admire American culture and view Americans as respectful travelers. English is spoken fluently in most tourist areas, eliminating common travel barriers. Visitors frequently feel immediately at ease.

In tavernas and family-run hotels, Americans are often treated like honored guests rather than customers. Complimentary drinks, desserts, or extended conversations are common. Locals enjoy sharing stories, traditions, and recommendations with American visitors. These moments create a deeply personal travel experience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Greeces positive view of Americans is reinforced by tourism and historical alliances. Americans are often perceived as generous and appreciative, which encourages attentive service. This mutual respect shapes interactions throughout the country. Greece offers a travel experience filled with warmth and subtle privileges.

Croatia

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Croatia has developed a strong appreciation for American travelers in recent years. Locals often associate Americans with curiosity and respect for culture and nature. English proficiency is high, especially along the coast and in historic cities. Americans frequently experience seamless communication.

Hotels and tour operators often provide personalized attention to American guests. Restaurant staff are attentive and willing to explain regional cuisine in detail. Locals are generally eager to help with directions or travel advice. The service feels thoughtful rather than rushed.

Croatias tourism economy values Americans as long-stay visitors who explore beyond major hotspots. This reputation results in consistently positive treatment. Americans often feel welcomed rather than processed. Croatia delivers comfort, beauty, and hospitality with ease.

Hungary

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Hungary, particularly Budapest, is surprisingly welcoming to Americans. Locals tend to view Americans as interesting and friendly visitors. English is widely spoken in service industries, reducing friction for travelers. Interactions are typically polite and engaging.

Advertisement Advertisement

Hotels and cafes often provide extra assistance and detailed recommendations to American guests. Service staff are patient and accommodating, especially when explaining local customs. Americans often receive attentive service without needing to ask. This creates a relaxed and positive travel environment.

Hungary values American tourism and cultural exchange. Americans are perceived as respectful and appreciative of history and architecture. This perception influences service quality throughout the country. Hungary offers an unexpectedly VIP-feeling experience.

Czech Republic

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

The Czech Republic, especially Prague, treats American visitors with noticeable friendliness. Locals are accustomed to Americans and often enjoy interacting with them. English is widely spoken, making navigation and communication simple. Americans often feel immediately comfortable.

Restaurants and hotels tend to offer attentive and efficient service. Staff are happy to explain dishes, beer selections, and local traditions. Americans are often given extra guidance and recommendations. The experience feels smooth and welcoming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Americans are viewed as enthusiastic travelers who value culture and history. This reputation positively influences service standards. Visitors often feel appreciated rather than tolerated. The Czech Republic delivers consistent hospitality and ease.

Poland

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Poland has a notably positive perception of Americans, rooted in historical alliances and cultural admiration. Locals often express genuine warmth and respect toward American visitors. English is commonly spoken in cities and tourist areas. Americans rarely feel like outsiders.

Hotels and restaurants frequently offer friendly and attentive service. Locals are eager to help with directions, travel tips, and cultural insights. Americans often experience patience and understanding in everyday interactions. This creates a comfortable travel atmosphere.

Poland values American tourism and investment. Americans are often seen as respectful and appreciative guests. This perception leads to positive treatment across services. Poland feels welcoming and refreshingly genuine.

Romania

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Romania is one of Europes most underrated destinations for American travelers. Locals often view Americans with curiosity and admiration. English is widely spoken among younger generations and service workers. Interactions are friendly and open.

Advertisement Advertisement

Hotels and guesthouses frequently provide personalized service to American guests. Restaurant staff are patient and eager to explain traditional dishes. Locals often go out of their way to assist visitors. The hospitality feels sincere.

Americans are associated with opportunity and cultural openness. This perception shapes a welcoming attitude throughout the country. Romania offers warmth, value, and surprising VIP treatment. It feels authentic and generous.

Montenegro

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Montenegro treats American visitors with exceptional friendliness, especially along the coast. Locals appreciate American interest in their culture and landscapes. English is widely spoken in tourism settings. Communication is rarely an issue.

Hotels and tour operators often provide extra attention to American guests. Restaurants are welcoming and relaxed, encouraging conversation. Americans frequently feel prioritized without overt favoritism. The service feels natural.

Advertisement Advertisement

Montenegro values American tourism for its economic and cultural impact. Americans are seen as respectful and curious travelers. This perception enhances service quality. Montenegro delivers warmth and ease in a stunning setting.

Albania

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Albania is famously pro-American, often displaying visible admiration for the United States. Americans are treated with genuine enthusiasm and respect. English is widely spoken among younger Albanians. Visitors frequently feel instantly welcomed.

Restaurants and hotels often go above and beyond for American guests. Locals are eager to help, share stories, and offer recommendations. Americans often receive exceptional hospitality without expecting it. The warmth feels heartfelt.

Albanias positive view of Americans is deeply cultural and historical. This translates into consistently friendly treatment across the country. Visitors feel appreciated and respected. Albania offers one of Europes most welcoming experiences for Americans.
I hate to break it to you, but it is indeed true that positive energy produces good vibes...and thats especially true when it comes to a new year. Theres nothing like a fresh 12 months to cut ties with any and everythingfrom people to subscription servicesthat arent really doing it for you anymore.

This brings me to superstitions. Yeah, they may sound a little random at times, but wouldnt you rather be safe than sorry? Even if that does mean carefully avoiding cracks on the sidewalk and never ever splitting the pole? Some may call it paranoia, but we like to call it precaution.

So when it comes to ushering in a new 365 days, there are plenty of popular traditions from around the world that might just bring you good luck and positive energy in the new year. From foods you should eat to garments you should wear, 2026 should be in pretty good shape if you sample some of these global beliefs and practices. Trust, theyre all minimal effort with a potentially high payoff! So read on and start visualizing all that happiness youll be receiving in the few short weeks (!) to come.

Literallybe born on January 1.



Thats it. Thats the story. Congrats on having good luck forever, all you New Years Day, bbs!

Step with your right foot first.

Many cultures think that if you step into the New Year leading with your *right* foot, youll start it out, well, on the right foot. Hehe.

Look out your bedroom window.

Calling all the single ladies out there! If youre hoping to get cuffed, its said that if you peer out your bedroom window as soon as you wake up on New Years Day, and you see a man walk by, you could expect a ring before the end of the year.

Hop over 7 waves.

Do you happen to live by the ocean? Youre in luck. Its customary in Brazil to dress in all white and jump over seven beach waves after midnight. With each wave, youre supposed to make one wish. This tradition comes from the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda, and it is said that the Iemanja, Goddess of the Sea, will make those wishes come true.

Bang bread against your walls.

Stock up on those loaves. An Irish superstition is that hitting bread on your doors and walls can fend off evil spirits and bad luck. Just keep a broom on hand for any crumbs.

Smash a pomegranate.

No, not pumpkins. Poms, baby. Greek tradition says that the pomegranate is a symbol of abundance, fertility, luck, and prosperity. So if those are themes that youd like to dominate your new year, throw a pomegranate down at your homes entryway.

Choose a special first guest.

Speaking of the entryway, the first person who walks through your door on New Years Day is very important in Scotland. The so-called First Footer should be someone with generally good vibes. It doesnt hurt if they come with gifts either.

Sprinkle some sugar outside.

In Puerto Rico, people dash a bit of sugar outside of their homes to bring good luck in. Come on...we know you have some leftover from all of those holiday pastry attempts.



Burn a scarecrow.

Not sure if you have any of these lying around, but if you do, throw them in the bonfire. In Ecuador, some burn any lingering bad vibes from the previous year.

Take 7 laps around the house.

Listen, I know cardio doesnt sound ideal, but its a thing! You can also run around your room if youd rather keep this one short.

Throw on some polka dots.

Got a cute fit with a polka-dot pattern? December 31 is the day to whip it out. In the Philippines, some believe that the dots, which look like coins, will bring wealth, abundance, and success in the new year. We love those things.

Keep an eye on the weather.

I said what I said. So, allegedly, if the wind blows from the south in the wee early hours of New Years Day, the next year will bring prosperity. But if its coming from the north, gird your loins for a year of bad weather. Meanwhile, wind coming from the east brings, uh, famine and calamities. But wind from the west means the year will witness plentiful supplies of milk and fish but also see the death of a very important person. Woof, okay. Anyone remember which way the wind was blowing on January 1, 2020?

Dont cry.

No crying on January 1! I dont care how hungover you are. But for real, crying on the first day of the new year is thought to set the tone for the next 12 months.

Wake up early on New Years Day.

I know, I know. Its literally the last thing you want to do on January 1, but a Polish tradition suggests that waking up early on New Years Day means youll easily wake up early for the rest of the yearno snoozing those alarms!

Kiss someone at midnight.

Im guessing youre already extremely familiar with this superstition since everyone makes such a big freakin deal about it every year. But, apparently, the midnight smooch is more than just an excuse to lock lips. Superstition says that if you kiss someone who gives you goosebumps when the clock hits 12, your love will last all year long.

Carry an empty suitcase.

If one of your New Years resolutions is to use your passport more often, listen up. In Colombia, some walk around with an empty suitcase on New Years Eve, as its believed to ensure youll travel throughout the next 12 months.

Eat black-eyed peas and collard greens.

Southerners will probably be familiar with this New Years Day menu. Eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on the first day of the new year is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity (aka that $$$, honey). Honestly, doesnt sound like a bad combo for your hangover either.

Dont clean your house.

Looking for an excuse not to tidy up? According to Chinese lore, tidying on New Years Day is thought to clean away the good luck youve stored up for the new year. Seriously, youre not supposed to sweep the house or even do your laundry. Finally, a superstition that gives back.

Eat 12 grapes at midnight.

If youre in Spain for New Years this year (how cool are you?!), dont be surprised when everyone tosses back a dozen grapes at 12 a.m. The midnight snack is supposed to bring good luck for every month of the new year.

Toss some dishes at your neighbors house.

This Danish tradition is lowkey a popularity contest, as the superstition encourages you to break dishes on the doorsteps of all your friends and family for good luck. The more doorsteps you have to hit up, the luckier youll be. But if you live in America, Id give your loved ones a heads-up before you bring this custom across the pondthey might not, uh, appreciate it otherwise.

Throw furniture out of a window.

In Italy, people toss their belongingsincluding furnitureout the window (literally) as soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 1, as its thought to help make room for only positive vibes in the new year.

Snack on some soba at midnight.

In Japan, its traditional to eat buckwheat soba noodles at midnight because the long, skinny noodles signify prosperity and longevity.

Make sure you *dont* loan your friends any cash.

People think that loaning money out on New Years Eve serves as a preview of what the rest of your year will look like. So if you dont want to be shelling out money to your friends all year long, wait until January 2 to lend them a few bucks.

And make sure your wallet is full too.

Full wallet on New Years Eve = rolling in the dough all year long. Its probably not actually an indicator of next years wealth, but hey, do you really want to risk it?



Get loud.

Firecrackers and noisemakers became part of New Years Eve celebrations around the world because folklore says the loud sounds will ward off evil spirits. This superstition is cool and all, but it probably wont work on your neighbors.

Stock your cupboards.

Tradition says that empty cabinets on New Years Day could indicate youll struggle in the next 12 months, particularly financially, so hit up the grocery store before everything closes for the holiday just in case.

Pop the door open at midnight.

In the Philippines, some open all the doors and windows in their homes at midnight to clear out the bad vibes and allow good luck to come on in. Sure, letting a bunch of cold air into your home in the middle of winter might not sound super fun, but do it for just a minute to make the magic work.

Steer clear of lobster and chicken.

As delicious as they are, eating lobster and chicken on January 1 might mess with your luck in the new year. The thinking goes that because chickens have wings, your luck could fly away, and since lobsters walk backward, consuming em might hold you back. It sounds a bit kooky but cant hurt to stick to a vegetarian menu just in case.

Eat king cake when the clock strikes 12.

King cake is that delicious doughnut-like dessert famous in New Orleans (or in France, where its called galette des rois), and eating it signifies youre satisfied with the end of the Christmas season and ready for a new year. If youre lucky enough to get served the slice with a gold coin (or in some cases, a tiny plastic baby) tucked away in the batter, youll have an especially wealthy and prosperous new year. In other words, eating this cake could make you lucky. Do it.

Whip out your red underwear.

If youre hoping 2026 will be a spicy year for you, make sure to slip on some red panties before heading out for any celebrations. In Latin America, wearing red underwear on New Years is believed to bring passionate relationships for the next 12 months. Its up to you if anyone else gets to know youre wearing them ;).

You Might Also Like
Travel has gotten expensive. Everything from flights, hotels and even that morning coffee with an ocean view all seems to cost more than ever.

But heres some good news. Prices are starting to shift, and a few dream destinations that once seemed out of reach could actually become affordable in 2026. From the turquoise waters of Bora Bora to the mountains of Colorado, there are places where your travel budget might finally stretch a little further.

If youve been holding off on that big trip, nows the time to start planning, because these four destinations are about to give you a lot more vacation for your money.

French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora)

Tahiti and Bora Bora are dream vacation spots for many people. Unfortunately, getting there has always been extremely expensive. Not only are they in a remote location of the world, but there have been limited flight options and expensive luxury resorts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Things are changing. With new routes from the United States to French Polynesia and more budget-friendly accommodations, this luxury destination is becoming more attainable to a wider number of people. Plus, when you book your trip during the shoulder season months of April to June or September to October, youll be able to boost your savings even more.

French Polynesia will always be bucket-list material, but its about to be easier and cheaper to reach, said Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club. United is moving San Francisco-Tahiti to daily service for summer 2026, and Hawaiian is adding a second weekly Honolulu-Papeete flight starting March 2026. More nonstop seats typically mean better sale fares and award space, especially if you target shoulder weeks.

Trending Now: 5 Ways To Travel Like a Millionaire Without Spending Like One

For You: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Greece

Greece has long been a classic travel destination, but due to demand, prices have always been higher than in many other European locations. Unfortunately, the country is experiencing an economic downturn, which is driving prices down. Thats good news for those looking to book vacation plans in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

If your plan includes visiting some of the Greek islands, consider small, lesser-known places like Naxos or Paros. These are much cheaper alternatives to Santorini.

Greece crushed it post-pandemic, but 2026 looks more buyer-friendly, said Neugarten. A pipeline of new hotels from Athens to the islands, plus early signs of softer growth, set the stage for promos and less sticker shock if you look at late spring and September.

Romania

Romania is one of Europes best-kept secrets. However, because of increased demand from digital nomads over the past few years and high airfare costs, its been an expensive travel destination.

With tourism infrastructure expanding and more direct flights from Western Europe, things are starting to change. 2026 could make it possible to explore Transylvania or the Carpathian Mountains for less.

Advertisement Advertisement

Romania is a European country that also holds some of the most beautiful architecture, beaches and art museums, but at half the cost of Italy, said Amanda Lima, founder and CEO of Sereni Journeys. Spend a day or two in Bucharest and visit the Romanian Athenaeum and the National Museum of Art. Then spend another day in a small beach village called Vama Veche. The most affordable flights round-trip to Romania next year start around $340.

Summit County, Colorado

Colorado is a year-round travel destination. Skiers and boarders love the fluffy white powder in the winter. But the hikers and bikers love taking advantage of the hundreds of miles of trails during the summer months.

Summit County is home to several popular resorts, including Keystone, Breckenridge and Copper Creek. And while prices, especially during ski season, have always been expensive, things might look better in 2026. New hotels like the Kindred Resort, along with additional vacation rental supply, could make it more affordable, especially during the spring and fall.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2026
Key Takeaways

Panama tops International Livings 2025 Global Retirement Index, offering an easy Pensionado visa, dollarized economy, and broad retiree discounts.

Mexico ranks in the top 25 worldwide for retirement finances in the 2025 Natixis Global Retirement Index, thanks to its affordable healthcare, proximity to the U.S., and well-established retiree hubs.

Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru deliver some of the lowest costs of living and most accessible pension visas in Latin America, where a typical $2,000 monthly Social Security check can comfortably cover housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses.



Your Social Security check will reach $2,056 come 2026. Head south, though, and it can fund a comfortable lifestyle. Across Latin America, several countries offer low living costs, quality healthcare, and warm climates, making retirement both affordable and adventurous.

Panama claimed the top spot in International Livings 2025 Global Retirement Index, while Mexico ranked highest among major Latin American nations. Ecuador has healthcare scores that beat Spain and Norway, while Colombia and Peru offer visa programs that let Americans live comfortably for a fraction of U.S. prices.



Panama

Panama's pensioner visa, which you can earn after just six months there, requires only a $1,000 monthly incomeor just $750 if you buy $100,000 in property. Retirees there also get mandatory discounts: 50% off movies and sporting events, 25% off restaurant bills and domestic flights, 15-20% off doctor visits and prescriptions, and 25% off utilities. Permanent residency is granted immediately with the visa; citizenship is achieved after five years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Panama uses the U.S. dollar and doesn't tax foreign income. The catch: couples need closer to $2,400 monthly, according to International Living's 2025 data. Mercer's 2024 rankings place Montevideo as Latin America's priciest city, ranking it at No. 42 globally; however, Panama offers more established banking and expat services.



Mexico Shoots / Getty Images The lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico. The lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico.

Mexico

Mexico ranked fourth globally in International Living's 2025 index, and is among the top 25 countries for retirement finances in the Natixis index for the best countries for retirement. A comfortable lifestyle is possible in many regions on about $2,000 to $2,500 a month for a couple, particularly outside the major tourist zones.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment can start around $500 to $1,200, depending on the city. Groceries, local transit, and utilities are all significantly less expensive than in most U.S. metros.

Healthcare costs are also far lower than in the U.S. The Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) public health system is open to legal residents for a modest annual premium that varies by age, about $35 to $100 per month per person, covering most routine care and medications. Many foreign retirees also purchase private insurance for $150 to $300 monthly to access private hospitals and English-speaking doctors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Residency is straightforward but income-based. A temporary resident visa generally requires proof of about $4,100 in monthly income or a bit more than $70,000 in savings, though amounts vary by consulate. Permanent residency is available after four years, or immediately for higher-income applicants. Flights home are short and frequent, and large communities of foreign retirees make it easy to adjustwhether youre drawn to the coast of Puerto Vallarta, the art scene in San Miguel de Allende, or the slower pace of Merida.



Mike Matthews Photography / Getty Images Bright colored homes dot Quito, Ecuador's capital. Bright colored homes dot Quito, Ecuador's capital.

Ecuador

If you want low day-to-day costs without currency headaches, Ecuador is a standout. It uses the U.S. dollar, which simplifies budgeting from Social Security income and American IRAs. Healthcare access is broadpublic options exist through the IESS system for legal residents, and many foreign retirees add an affordable private plan for faster specialist care.

The Jubilado (pensioner) visa pegs its income requirement to a multiple of Ecuadors basic salary (about three times the minimum salary), with an additional amount per dependent. The visa typically begins as a temporary residency and can be converted to permanent after meeting time-in-country rules.

Outside premium tourist zones, many retirees report living comfortably on about $2,000 a monthcovering rent for a modest apartment (often in walkable historic districts), groceries, utilities, local transport, dining out a few times a week, and basic insurance. Higher-altitude cities (like Cuenca) offer spring-like weather year-round, while coastal towns trade mild temps for beach life and fresh seafood.



Javier Ghersi / Getty Images Cabo San Juan del Guia Beach in Tayrona Park, Colombia. Cabo San Juan del Guia Beach in Tayrona Park, Colombia.

Colombia

If youre chasing warm weather, mountain-city living, and low day-to-day costs, Colombia belongs on your shortlist. American retirees tend to cluster in Medellin, Bogota, and the Coffee Region, where youll find modern apartments, walkable neighborhoods, and a good supply of private clinics and hospitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Colombia runs a mixed publicprivate system. Legal residents can access the national health program and then supplement it with private insurance for faster specialist access and English-speaking providers. Out-of-pocket costs for routine care and prescription drugs are typically far below U.S. levels.

The pension-style visa ties eligibility to a multiple of Colombias monthly minimum wage (the exact peso amount is updated annually). In practice, many U.S. retirees qualify using Social Security or pension income.

Gustavo Ramirez / Getty Images Punta Sal beach in Tumbes, Peru. Punta Sal beach in Tumbes, Peru.

Peru

If you're looking for low costs and a straightforward pension-based residency, Peru is worth a good, hard look. The Rentista route is designed for retirees with a stable, lifetime income: show about $1,000 per month in pension or passive income, and you can qualify for residency without an age limit. Many retirees later convert to permanent residency after maintaining their status and meeting the time-in-country requirements.

Legal residents can access public systems, and many foreign retirees add an affordable private plan to use well-regarded clinics in Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo. Routine visits, diagnostics, and prescriptions are typically a fraction of U.S. prices, but shop plans carefullybenefits and networks vary by city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Outside of prime Lima districts and high-end beach towns, couples typically allocate about $2,000 a month for housing, groceries, transportation, dining out, and basic insurance, with room for travel. Cities like Arequipa (milder climate, mountain views) or Trujillo (coastal, sunny) offer good value; the Sacred Valley and Cusco deliver lifestyle appeal, but the high altitude isnt for everyone.

Tax note: Once you become a Peruvian tax resident (domiciled), your worldwide income is generally taxable; non-residents are taxed only on Peruvian-source income. Plan accordingly with a cross-border tax pro.



Read the original article on Investopedia
Fact checked by Betsy Petrick

Alvaro Gonzalez / Getty Images If Christmas is your favorite holiday, consider moving to a town where you can enjoy the spirit year-round. If Christmas is your favorite holiday, consider moving to a town where you can enjoy the spirit year-round.

Key Takeaways

Small towns may offer favorable tax treatment on Social Security and retirement income.

Average home values in towns like Branson, Missouri, or Frankenmuth, Michigan, are often moderate, making homeownership more attainable for retirees.

Towns with strong holiday traditions or year-round festive activities create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for retirees.

Affordability and comfort are two of the most important qualities retirees seek, and some small towns deliver both with an extra touch of holiday magic. Across the country, these communities transform their quiet main streets into celebrations of tradition and togetherness each December, often carrying the spirit well beyond the holidays.

Advertisement Advertisement

From twinkling lights and cozy markets to neighborly gatherings, these towns bring warmth and cheer all winter long. Many also offer favorable tax treatment of retirement income, helping your dollars go further.

Here are five small towns with exceptional holiday cheer that's perfect for a joyful retirement.

Santa Claus, Indiana

The small town of Santa Claus, Indiana truly lives up to its name, offering a year-round Christmas spirit that defines the town. Visitors can explore attractions like Holiday World & Splashin Safari, Santas Candy Castle, and the Santa Claus Museum & Village. In December, the town comes alive with a festive celebration, featuring a parade and a drive-through lights display.

With an average home value of $294,208, Santa Claus is a comfortable, small-town option for retirees. The states tax structure can also benefit retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed at the state level, while pension income and withdrawals from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are treated as ordinary income and subject to Indianas 3.05% income tax. As a result, Indiana is particularly favorable for retirees relying mainly on Social Security, though those drawing mostly from tax-deferred retirement accounts should plan for state taxes when budgeting for retirement.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth radiates Christmas cheer, thanks largely to Bronners Christmas Wonderland, the worlds largest Christmas store. The town is also home to the Silent Night Chapel, which is where Silent Night was first sung in 1818 on Christmas Eve. Beyond the attractions, shopping, and activities, the towns German-inspired architecture and festive decor create an unmistakable holiday atmosphere to be enjoyed all year long.

Note

Frankenmuth is known as Michigans Little Bavaria.

Advertisement Advertisement

With an average home value of $310,671, Frankenmuth offers retirees an affordable small-town option. Social Security benefits arent taxed, while income from pensions, traditional IRAs, and 401(k)s are taxed as ordinary income at the states 4.25% rate. Some deductions are available through a tiered system, but beginning in 2026, all retirement income will be fully exempt, making Michigan especially appealing for retirees seeking major tax breaks.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, or Christmas City, is famous for its festive holiday spirit that fills the town each winter. The beautifully decorated streets, lively events, and walking tours allow residents and visitors to experience the towns rich history and seasonal cheer.

The average home price is $344,320, though more affordable options are available depending on the neighborhood. Pennsylvania doesn't tax Social Security or retirement accounts, including IRAs and 401(k)s, and pensions are fully exempt for seniors 60 and up, helping retirees maximize their income.

North Pole, Alaska

North Pole, Alaska is a small town, but its holiday spirit is big, as it leans fully into the Christmas fantasy. Its most iconic site is the Santa Claus House, a gift shop full of clothes, toys, and ornaments. Nearby is a Santa statue, a giant Christmas tree that's decorated year-round, and Antler Academy, where you'll find Santa's reindeer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Overall, retiring in North Pole, Alaska offers a peaceful lifestyle within a close-knit community. The average home value is around $315,254, providing budget-friendly housing options for retirees. With no state income tax, Social Security, pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are not taxed at the state level, allowing retirees to keep more of their income while enjoying the quiet beauty and simplicity of life in Alaska.

Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri, America's Christmas Tree City, is known for its vibrant Christmas spirit, transforming into a winter wonderland each holiday season. Branson embraces the warmth and magic of the holidays with dazzling light displays, live music shows, and holiday events. This festive environment makes it a wonderful place for retirees who want to immerse themselves in community celebrations and a welcoming seasonal spirit.

Beyond its festive offerings, Branson's financial benefits may appeal to retirees. Missouri does not tax Social Security benefits, and retirement account distributions are generally taxed as regular income at state rates between 2% and 4.8%. Additionally, the average home value in Branson is around $245,174, making homeownership attainable for many retirees seeking comfort without the burden of high housing costs.

Read the original article on Investopedia
This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the site of an Israeli drone strike targeting a car on the Aaqtnait-Quneitra-Maamariyah road in the Sidon, Lebanon. Three people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike deep in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike deep in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources.

Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that the strike "targeted a car on the Aaqtnait-Quneitra-Maamariyah road in the Sidon district," killing three people inside it. The Public Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Center also confirmed the strike and the death toll.

A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the three victims were "Hassan Issa, Ali Abdallah, and Mustafa Ballout," declining to mention their party affiliations.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that the Israel Defense Forces "struck several Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Sidon in southern Lebanon."

A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel has been in force since Nov. 27, 2024.

Despite the deal, Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah threats.

Earlier this month, the two countries held their first direct talks in southern Lebanon's Naqoura, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "a first attempt to lay the groundwork for relations and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon."

On Friday, the two sides held talks again as part of a security dialogue, focusing on Hezbollah's disarmament and the return of residents to their homes in Lebanon's southern border villages, according to Israeli and Lebanese sources. 

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the site of an Israeli drone strike targeting a car on the Aaqtnait-Quneitra-Maamariyah road in the Sidon, Lebanon. Three people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike deep in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the site of an Israeli drone strike targeting a car on the Aaqtnait-Quneitra-Maamariyah road in the Sidon, Lebanon. Three people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike deep in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the site of an Israeli drone strike targeting a car on the Aaqtnait-Quneitra-Maamariyah road in the Sidon, Lebanon. Three people were killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike deep in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
Americans can avoid a stressful European trip by brushing up on local etiquette and travel tips. Avoiding common clothing mistakes and this luggage packing mistake can make your journey more enjoyable, but you should also understand how to use public self-cleaning toilets. These toilets are popular in major European cities and offer a quick and convenient bathroom break. Just be sure you know exactly how they operate before you use one  otherwise, you might face a messy and humiliating accident in the way of its wash cycle.

This type of self-cleaning toilet is single-use, and a self-cleaning process runs between uses. The restrooms have a 15-minute time limit. After this has elapsed, or after the bathroom is vacated and the door closes, the toilet bowl automatically retracts into the wall, and water is pressure-sprayed on the floor multiple times. If you are still inside the toilet when the door closes, you will get wet. Influencer Caroline of @rivieradreamer shared on TikTok that her friend learned about this mistake the hard way in Italy, saying they got "totally drenched" from this type of public restroom.

Read more: Rick Steves' Most And Least Favorite Places In Europe

Tips for using public toilets in Europe

Americans are often surprised at having to pay to use the bathroom in Europe. Many restrooms, including these self-cleaning toilets, charge an entry fee per person. While the fee is low  often 50 cents to 1 euro  no change is given. It's helpful to carry small coins for situations like this, and always pay for these self-cleaning toilets in exact change. While holding the bathroom door open for a friend to save money may seem like a clever hack, it'll backfire when the cleaning cycle starts.

Advertisement Advertisement

There are a number of toilet etiquette tips for Americans to be aware of when traveling to Europe. For example, many public toilets in Italy don't have seats, so you may choose to hover over the bowl or line the seat with toilet paper or tissues, if available. In Greece, you'll want to avoid flushing toilet paper. Pipes in Greece are narrower, and throwing used paper in the garbage bin provided next to the toilet puts less pressure on the plumbing system. Whichever destination you choose to visit in Europe, be sure to keep these tips in mind when using public restrooms.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
Identifying tourists is as easy as pie, mostly based on their actions and behavior. If the maps or guidebooks in their hands don't give them away, their frequency of taking photos here and there will. They might also look confused or lost. But still, one more thing that easily tells everyone you're a visitor is your choice and style of clothing. In Sweden, if you're dressed in loud, or brightly-colored fabrics, or you're not appropriately dressed for the ever-changing weather, then you'll definitely have trouble blending in with the locals  and, yes, you should be ready for a shower of awkward stares.

When it comes to fashion, the Swedes are known for their "lagom" approach, which essentially means "not too much, not too little." As such, they prefer subtle colors and practicality, hinting that loud logos or flashy patterns are rare sights among the locals. Additionally, the Swedes have a culture of dressing in layered styles, especially due to their unpredictable weather, which can change rapidly even within the same day. It could be sunny, and the next minute, the breeze is chilly.

So, in addition to their preference for muted palettes (like grey, black, tan, white, and navy blue), the Swedish locals are big on functionality when it comes to what they wear. And it's crucial that you take note of that as a tourist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: The Biggest Tourist Traps In Europe, According To Rick Steves

What you should know about the Swedish way of dressing

Smiling young women wearing jackets while holding their bicycles - Vorda/Getty Images

First off, trips to Europe often require certain clothing etiquette to watch out for. The Swedes, specifically, don't necessarily try too hard to look chic; rather, they mostly dress to fit into, and survive, their erratic northern climate. This means that the kinds of materials that the residents dress in are key. While tourists might wear synthetic fabrics, to trap sweat, Swedish locals would rather go for natural and breathable materials like wool, cotton, and linen, which would largely work in any weather. Likewise, they always ensure to layer their clothes, utilizing lightweight jackets, cardigans, and the like to tackle the unpredictable weather. Moreover, residents of cities like Stockholm (which is one of the world's friendliest places) or Malmo are fond of wearing more polished outfits even when casually dressed.

This is unlike tourists, who typically dress slightly too informally  walking around in gym shorts, worn-out graphic tees, flip-flops, etc. Locals instead opt for tailored jeans, fitted chinos, crisp white sneakers, button-up shirts, and fitted coats, even when they're only popping out to get groceries. Also, the Swedish population is not the "fast fashion" kind, preferring high-quality basics that last for years. Rather than relying on trendy or pop-culture-inspired pieces, the locals choose timeless, vintage, and well-made clothes.

How to pack smartly to mix in well with the Swedish locals

smiling young woman packing clothes into her suitcase - Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

To avoid sticking out awkwardly as an obvious tourist during your visit to Sweden, the number one move is to avoid obnoxious colors, or clothes featuring large logos or bold slogans. Instead, opt for neutral basics such as classic black jeans, grey or white t-shirts, simple button-downs, and a well-tailored jacket. Don't forget to bring items that can layer easily too, like a waterproof jacket, a light wool sweater, and a scarf  even during summer. Since the weather is fickle, you have to be prepared, just like the locals.

Advertisement Advertisement

As for the right footwear, clean and practical is the way to go once again. Given that many Swedes walk or cycle on a daily basis, the most common footwear is sneakers, ankle boots, and casual leather shoes. It's generally better to avoid sandals, unless it's very warm, and worn-out or overly sporty footwear unless you're on a literal hiking trail.

In case you're going to experience Sweden during winter, consider it an absolute must to put on insulated boots and thermal underlayers. As for accessories, a simple beanie is fine in winter, and sunglasses in summer. Ditch the flashy jewelry and finally, smart-casual dressing fits nicely for visits to churches, cultural venues, and upscale restaurants.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Explore.
Dec. 21At last count, I've visited some 50 countries. The majority of that travel has occurred  curiously enough  since my 50th birthday.

Until that auspicious birthday, I had been only to Canada, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom countries of England, Scotland and Wales. And that's aside from a 14-month tour of Vietnam (1968-69) that I enjoyed courtesy of the U.S. Army.

When thinking back on my travels, the question that I often ponder concerns my favorite experiences. Which ones, in other words, do I recall most pleasantly? So let me try to run down my Top 10 countries to visit. I'll go in descending order.

Advertisement Advertisement

10. Mexico: My earliest memories involve Mexico. Early on I lived with my parents in San Ysidro, Calif., a district located south of San Diego and just a few miles from the Mexican border. My mother had a disability that caused her to depend on a number of Mexican woman to help out around the house, and it was they who taught me my first Spanish words.

Since then, I've been to Mexico several times. I used to drive regularly with my first wife, Freddie Jenkins, down the coast of Baja California to eat dinner in Rosarito Beach. And a few years ago my wife Mary Pat Treuthart and I shared time with our friends Megan and Greg in Mexico City and the town of Oaxaca.

My favorite memory, though, is the summer of 1973 when I attended a Guadalajara language school in what has been a lifelong attempt to learn Spanish.

9. Morocco: From the Atlantic seaside town of Essaouira to the Mediterranean city of Tangier, Morocco is a blend of geographical and cultural wonders. I rode a camel in the fading light of a Sahara Desert sunset, slept in yurt and rose to greet the sunrise over those same Sahara dunes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Our stay included taking a tour through the Atlas Mountains, drifting through the marketplaces of Marrakesh, nearly getting lost in the twisty, narrow streets of Fez and successfully making a dinner reservation in French while staying in the Blue City of Chefchaouen.

Yet the high point had to have been having dinner at Rick's Cafe in Casablanca, a spot-on replica of the establishment owned and run by the character played by Humphrey Bogart in the 1942 film of the same name. We'd gone to Casablanca, of course, for the waters (and enjoyed them because, contrary to what the movie would have you believe, the real city of Casablanca fronts the Atlantic Ocean).

8. Hong Kong: Some years before the Chinese central government took over control of this former British colony, Mary Pat, I and our friends Ann and Matt spent a few days together here. Other than enjoying a couple of good dinners, I remember how much fun we had riding in a cable car to the Big Buddha.

Well, fun is one word for it. The wind was blowing so hard that the cable car stalled at a couple of points. As well as a theme-park thrill, the ride gave us a chance to enjoy a spectacular view of the city itself and the sea beyond.

Advertisement Advertisement

I was even more impressed, though, at our riding a ferry to the mainland just so we could see the city of Kowloon. I've always enjoyed telling people that, yes, being in Hong Kong was nice, but then asking them, "Have you ever been to Kowloon, China?" I've yet to meet a person who's said yes.

7. Nicaragua: Early in the 1990s, Lisa Brown  long before she became Spokane mayor  visited Spokane's Unitarian Church, which was then located in the Glover Mansion. She talked about her experience monitoring the Nicaraguan elections, a fact that got some church members interested in going on a Witness for Peace delegation to the country.

So a group of us did go, traveling from the capital of Managua  which was still battered from the devastating 1972 earthquake  to the Atlantic coast where we stayed with a village of Miskito tribal families. The trip ended up being one of the most eye-opening travel experiences I've ever had.

And that was because even though Witness for Peace is a determinedly left-leaning organization, our two tour leaders arranged for us to meet up with a range of Nicaraguan groups of all political persuasions. Listening to Sandinista supporters on one day and conservative business leaders the next gave us a good feel for what problems the country was facing (and likely still does).

Advertisement Advertisement

6. Guatemala: A year after visiting Nicaragua, I joined a Spokane Habitat for Humanity group that was headed to this other Central American country. Along with a dozen other Washinton residents, I spent time helping to build houses for needy families in a village just outside the city of Quetzaltenango.

I also accompanied a Spokane couple who were intent on visiting the mountain village at which they'd once served as Peace Corps volunteers. I recall going to sleep one night heading gunshots and wondering who or what was being hunted.

My most profound memory, though, involves being at a public market in the city of Huehuetenango watching a group of Guatemalan woman, garbed in their native dress, rolling their eyes at a German couple, dressed in short-shorts and tank tops. It was a textbook example of culture clash.

In my next post, I'll run through my top five. And along with adding in a few honorable mentions, I'll share some final thoughts about blogging in general. As for this post, I'll just say that it's a big world, and though I've seen only a part of it, the memories I have would fill a book. Maybe even two.

But I'll settle for a couple of blog entries.
Many have traveled to Idaho's popular escapes, such as the "playground of the Pacific Northwest" that is Coeur d'Alene, with its mountain hikes and buzzing downtown energy, or the artsy city of Idaho Falls, a gateway to Yellowstone and the Tetons. But few have given much thought to rural and isolated Southern Idaho, near the border with Utah. If you're seeking tranquility and rugged splendor, away from the hustle and bustle of more well-known destinations, this may be just the spot. One town in the middle of it all is the hidden gem of Albion.

Albion is a tiny town with a population of just 260, in an out-sized landscape with immense access to outdoor recreation. Sitting amid the Albion Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,724 feet, when looking at a map, the town is a dot encircled by a ring of towering peaks. This isolation and the fact that it is little known lead to perhaps the town's best quality of all  virtually no crowds, hikes with only you and the wildflowers, and lake paddles free from jetskis and wakeboarders.

The town itself is quaint, walkable, and the epitome of a picturesque mountain enclave. There's a small grocery store, a convenience store with gas, a coffee joint, a bank, and a library. You'll also find two restaurants, PiggySue-Bar-B-Que, a Texas-style outdoor barbecue food truck, and DiamondField Jack's, offering hand-tossed pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and more. Let's just say you'll be refueled and satisfied after whatever outdoor adventure your day brought.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: How To Pack Just One Carry-On For A Week-Long Vacation

Outdoor activities in Albion, Idaho

Lake Cleveland at sunset near Albion, Idaho - Tana86Rachel/Shutterstock

When talking about outdoor activities around Albion, the question is where to start. Pomerelle Mountain Resort, a mere 13 miles outside of Albion, is known for having the deepest snow in Idaho. It has two ski lifts, a bunny-slope conveyor belt, 31 ski runs from black diamond to beginner slopes, and three terrain parks where you can practice your butters, grinds, and grabs. In the summer, the mountain is open for lift-accessed mountain biking, with challenging downhill trails and long XC sweepers. Possibly the best feature of Pomerelle Mountain is the lack of crowds, leading to minimal wait times at the lifts and wide-open runs.

If waterborne adventure is more your style, Lake Cleveland is adjacent to Pomerelle Mountain at the base of Mount Harrison. This alpine lake sits at an elevation of 8,300 feet and provides an idyllic location for hiking, fishing, camping, wildlife watching, and non-motorized boating. It is also a prime spot for wildflower viewing, including two of the rarest plants in the world, Christ's Indian paintbrush and Davis' springparsley. Note that the availability of access to the lake and campgrounds is dependent on weather and snow conditions, so be sure to plan ahead.

Another highlight is the hike to Independence Lakes. This 7.7-mile trek will take you to three spectacular lakes located high on Mount Independence, and can be done as a day hike or a multi-day with a backpack and the right equipment. Be prepared to see fields of wildflowers in the summer and dramatic views of the Snake River Plains below. A bit farther away but well worth the 29-mile drive is the spectacular City of Rocks, where you'll find world-renowned rock climbing and unmatched stargazing.

Planning a trip to Albion, Idaho

Snow-capped peaks in the Albion Mountain Range in spring - Jeffrey Wiles/Shutterstock

The closest commercial airport to Albion is Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF), 62 miles away in Twin Falls, Idaho. It services only Delta and Breeze Airlines with direct flights to Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Orange County. Car rentals are available at the airport and in Twin Falls, including Enterprise and Hertz. If roadtripping, Albion is 174 miles north of Salt Lake City and 177 miles southeast of Boise. To the west is the vast high desert of Idaho and Oregon, and to the due east are hundreds of miles of rugged wilderness leading into Wyoming.

Advertisement Advertisement

For its size, Albion has a surprising number of lodging options. The Marsh Creek Inn offers 12 rooms in addition to a two-bedroom suite with a kitchenette. They also have a fire pit, hot tub, picnic tables, and a horseshoe pit! Then there is the interesting Albion Campus Retreat, which is set up more for larger groups of 15 to 75 individuals. However, they do also offer six RV sites with full hook-ups. A few vacation rentals are also available in and near town. For a wider selection, the larger town of Heyburn is about 18 miles away. There you'll find hotels such as the Marriott and Hampton Inn, as well as a Super 8 motel.

Albion is a year-round adventure destination. Mid-summer can get warm, approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit; however, the high elevation of the region keeps a lid on the temperatures from rising to scorching. During the shoulder seasons of summer, you'll have the best chance of ideal weather, with highs in the 70s degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is perfect for cold-sport enthusiasts with average temperatures from 38 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit and a good chance of significant snow.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban opened up about the unique challenges his children encounter as a result of his significant wealth.

Cuban, who has an estimated net worth of more than $5.7 billion, expressed his concerns about the expectations his wealth sets for his children.

The comments were made during a discussion with TikToker Bobbi Althoff on "The Really Good Podcast."

Don't Miss:

Advertisement Advertisement

Cuban, a father of three children aged between 13 and 20, stated that his wealth often leads to assumptions about his children. He hopes that his children will establish their own careers and paths without constant comparison to him.

"Sometimes I think [the money is] the part they don't like," Cuban said during the discussion. "Not that they want to be poor, but it sets an expectation, it's how other people see them."

Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and investments, Cuban encourages his children to achieve their own successes, rather than relying on his reputation or wealth.

He motivates his children to use their own money, earned from chores or jobs, for purchasing non-essential items.

Advertisement Advertisement

He also disclosed that his 13-year-old son is following his entrepreneurial footsteps, selling candy bars to classmates and learning about business costs.

Trending: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth  Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro

Cubans remarks underscore the unique challenges faced by the children of wealthy individuals. The expectations set by their parents success can often lead to undue pressure and scrutiny.

Cubans approach to parenting emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and individual success, values he hopes will guide his children in their own journeys.

Advertisement Advertisement

His sons entrepreneurial endeavors suggest that Cubans values are already influencing the next generation of business leaders.

Read Next:

Buffett's Secret to Wealth? Private Real Estate Get Institutional Access Yourself

Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors  Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen

Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market.

Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga:

This article Mark Cuban Says His Children Struggle With the Downsides of His Wealth: 'It's How Other People See Them' originally appeared on Benzinga.com
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban opened up about the unique challenges his children encounter as a result of his significant wealth.

Cuban, who has an estimated net worth of more than $5.7 billion, expressed his concerns about the expectations his wealth sets for his children.

The comments were made during a discussion with TikToker Bobbi Althoff on "The Really Good Podcast."

Advertisement Advertisement

Cuban, a father of three children aged between 13 and 20, stated that his wealth often leads to assumptions about his children. He hopes that his children will establish their own careers and paths without constant comparison to him.

"Sometimes I think [the money is] the part they don't like," Cuban said during the discussion. "Not that they want to be poor, but it sets an expectation, it's how other people see them."

Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and investments, Cuban encourages his children to achieve their own successes, rather than relying on his reputation or wealth.

Also Read: Mark Cuban Says This Is The Job-Hunting Advice I Give My Own Kids In The Age Of AI

Advertisement Advertisement

He motivates his children to use their own money, earned from chores or jobs, for purchasing non-essential items.

He also disclosed that his 13-year-old son is following his entrepreneurial footsteps, selling candy bars to classmates and learning about business costs.

Cubans remarks underscore the unique challenges faced by the children of wealthy individuals. The expectations set by their parents success can often lead to undue pressure and scrutiny.

Cubans approach to parenting emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and individual success, values he hopes will guide his children in their own journeys.

Advertisement Advertisement

His sons entrepreneurial endeavors suggest that Cubans values are already influencing the next generation of business leaders.

Read Next

Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time'

UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets.

Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga:

This article Mark Cuban Says His Children Struggle With the Downsides of His Wealth: 'It's How Other People See Them' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
There's taking a quick mountain retreat away from the city for a change of scenery, and then there's leaving everything behind to adventure through the middle-of-nowhere wilderness. Nebraska offers up that kind of remote wilderness in spades. In fact, the Niobrara National Scenic River  in the northeastern wedge of the Cornhusker State  is often considered one of the quietest places on Earth, where backpackers can hike and splash without ever seeing another human being. And not far south of the Niobrara River is Keller Park State Recreation Area, a slice of hilly woodland where you'll find creekside adventures amidst the Nebraska prairies.

Clinging to the edges of the lonely Highway 183, stepping into Keller Park feels like entering a world where time has slowed down. A previous visitor called it "one of Nebraska's best-kept secrets" in a Google review. Known for its well-stocked waterways, anglers will be particularly thrilled to head out fishing amidst Keller Park's quiet landscape. Cast a line for rainbow trout in Bone Creek, or cross the bridge to reach three tranquil ponds tucked within the grassy meadows and stocked with catfish and largemouth bass. Two larger lakes are situated closer to the highway, offering excellent opportunities to canoe and kayak through the landscape while fishing the depths.

Hikers can also venture into the quiet wilderness, where dusty trails unfold across the windswept plains and meander along the creekside. As evening falls, sleep beneath the stars at Keller Park's picturesque campgrounds, where fire pits will keep you toasty through the night and the sunrise glow over the bluffs will be an unforgettable way to start the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: The Most Dangerous Spots To Swim In The World

Enjoy the outdoors in Keller Park State Recreation Area

Close-up of a fisherman casting a line near a lake - Dmytro Sheremeta/Shutterstock

Travelers from out of state should fly into Lincoln Airport in Nebraska's capital city, then prepare for a roughly four-hour drive to reach Keller Park. Meanwhile, locals in South Dakota can reach the park in just over two hours by car from Pierre, the state capital. Make sure to pack all the equipment you'll need for your adventure, since there aren't any rental sites near the park.

The babbling creek beckons paddlers, while the lakes await anglers. Winding trails framed by wizened trees lead hikers on an adventure through the Nebraska prairies. Take a leisurely stroll, stopping at the picnic tables along the way to enjoy an al fresco meal, or bring mountain bikes to cycle across the meadows. Follow the trails over Bone Creek, cresting grassy hills until you reach scenic overlooks of the wilderness where flocks of cranes fill the sky and timid deer peek through the trees. Cool off in the creek after the day's adventures, and you might even come across prehistoric fossils buried in the silt.

In such a remote slice of wilderness, camping overnight is all part of the experience. Tents can be set up at the rustic campsites near the park entrance, while motorhomes can be pulled into the electric hookups closer to the creek. Fire up the campsite grills to cook dinner, and enjoy your meal amidst the hushed serenity of the prairies. Once you've packed up the next day, more adventures in the Nebraska wilderness can be found just a short drive away in Long Pine, a hidden recreation haven for fishing and hiking. Alternatively, drive up to Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge before continuing on to Valentine, an underrated paradise of hikes, rivers, and canyons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
Cleveland, Ohio, is known for iconic sites like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the house from A Christmas Story, and even a chocolate kingdom with whimsical pink silos that's home to Ohio's "best dessert." But did you know it's also home to one of America's best Little Italy neighborhoods, too? That's right: Cleveland's Little Italy has been around for over 100 years and was originally established as an Italian hub by immigrants in the mid-1800s who flocked here to work for Italian sculptor Joseph Carabelli.

Today, it remains a vibrant, dynamic, and walkable neighborhood with a rich history, numerous thriving businesses, and (of course) delicious and authentic Italian cuisine. You won't want to miss this charming slice of Italy on your next trip to Cleveland, and luckily, it's easily reachable from both downtown Cleveland and the lively cultural hub that is the University Circle neighborhood. If you're driving to Little Italy, fear not: there's ample street and garage parking in the area, as well as a valet service that you can utilize. The Cleveland Airport is also just a 30-minute drive away or just over 50 minutes by public transportation.

Read more: The 14 Most Mouth-Watering New York Eateries You Didn't Know Are Owned By Celebrities, According To Reviews

Where to eat in Cleveland's Little Italy

Gelato at Rosso Gelato in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood - gabeatsandtreats/Instagram

If you're a fan of Italian food, this neighborhood is certainly the place to be  it is one of the best Little Italy's in America, after all. You'll need plenty of time (and plenty of room in your stomach) to sample all the delicious eats this neighborhood has to offer. For a fine dining experience, book a table at Valerio's. Husband-and-wife team Valerio and Stella immigrated to Cleveland from Italy, where Valerio trained at culinary school. Since 1996, the duo has been serving up authentic dishes in their popular restaurant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Or snag a seat at Etna, a restaurant and wine bar offering modern Italian cuisine, including fresh and tasty seafood specials, in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Looking for something more casual? Head to local pizza joint Mama Santa's for a slice or pie to remember. There are a variety of toppings on offer, and even gluten-free crust available on the menu.

If you can, save your appetite for dessert. Rosso Gelato scoops up authentic Italian-style gelato and sorbetto that will leave you wanting more. Seeking a lighter, refreshing treat in the summertime? At Mount Granita Italian Ice, you'll find Sicilian-style granita made from scratch with unique and tasty local ingredients. Stick to a classic flavor like chocolate or lemon, or branch out with an unusual offering like matcha, Kyoho grape, spiced apple cider, or Jeju tangerine, if you're feeling adventurous.

Shops in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood

People walking down the street in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood - pluckyneon/Instagram

Beyond the culinary sphere, Cleveland's Little Italy also has myriad shops full of locally-made, one-of-a-kind items. Embrace the Italian theme at Crazy Cannoli, a custom print shop for apparel which (as the name suggests) specializes in cannoli-themed custom designs. Pop in to purchase the cartoon cannoli-emblazoned crewneck you never knew you needed, making for the perfect wacky and wonderful souvenir. If something more traditional is what you're after, look no further than La Bella Vita, where you'll find a vast array of serve-ware, dinnerware, and other household gifts and items for entertaining. Whether you're buying for your own home, or as a gift, you're sure to find a gem in this sprawling yet meticulously curated 2,000-square foot emporium.

For edible goodies, shop at Murray Hill Market, a local treasure that harkens back to the legacy of old-school neighborhood grocery stores with an elevated twist. Stock up on local baked goods, condiments, pantry items, and even the aforementioned Mount Granita Italian Ice to take a taste of Little Italy home with you. Don't forget to make a pit stop at Little Italy Wines, owned by the Silvaggio family, to pair your other goodies with. T

Advertisement Advertisement

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
Cruises with an Alaskan itinerary are some of the most beautiful, adventurous and equally relaxing cruises that you could ever take. Popular cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and others all offer various ships and itineraries in and around Alaska. For many people, choosing which ship to sail on is one of the hardest decisions to make. From larger ships that come with every bell and whistle imaginable to smaller, more luxurious shipstheres a lot to consider.

When it comes to the itinerary, most ships stop at popular spots like Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Straight Point and Sitka. You can most likely find your ideal ship to cruise on that hits all of those ports. There is one stop, however, that not every ship can go to. This special place isnt technically a port, but its a day at sea where you can experience a very special route that only some ships can do.

I worked as a cruise ship crew member for 5 years, and spent one contract doing an Alaskan itinerary. While I loved all of the ports that we went to, this one specific stop was my absolute favorite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Related: The Worst Time To Go On a Cruise, According to Cruise Experts

Only Sail On Ships That Go Through Glacier Bay

If you are searching up various ships and their itineraries in Alaska, you will notice that some will have Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve on the itinerary. This isnt an actual port, but instead, its a bay that ships can sail through. This bay is very narrow, and there are many twists and turns that the cruise ships have to make so safely sail through. The catch isyou can only visit Glacier Bay if you are sailing on a smaller sized ship.

Glacier Bay National Park, AlaskaG (G)

Only certain cruise lines have permits to sail through Glacier Bay, and to limit environmental impact as well as to ensure a safe route, only mid to small sized ships are allowed through. The cruise ship actually picks up park rangers at the beginning of the bay before heading in, and they come onboard the ship. These rangers give the guests onboard the experience of spending the day in a visitors centersharing facts and information over the intercom system, hosting theatre presentations, stamping passports, and sometimes they even host a ranger program for children.

Related: The One Cabin Cruise Experts Say You Should Never BookNo Matter the Deal

Why Is Glacier Bay So Special?

After spending months sailing from one Alaskan port to another, Glacier Bay is a place that will forever be burned into my memory. As you sail through, you will be surrounded by mountains on all sides. As someone who grew up in New Jersey and has lived in New York City for almost half my life, I was completely blown away by that in itself. The mountains are dusted with snow on top, almost looking like a screensaver from an old Windows computer.

Advertisement Advertisement

The wildlife that you get to see in Glacier Bay is also unbelievable. If you look closely at many of the mountains, you can see mountain goats scaling the cliff sides. Closer to the coast, you might see grizzly bears, brown bears, and moose. As for marine life, you may get the chance to see both humpback and orca whales, and with the glass-like water of Glacier Bay, you wont get a clearer view anywhere else! Sea otters and seals can often be spotted as well, usually near icebergs floating in the water.

Getty Images (Getty Images)

What makes this trip particularly special on a cruise ship is that you can experience all of this from the comfort of the cruise ship. Many of these ships are built for their Alaskan itineraries, so there are multiple observation lounges throughout the ship that offer wonderful views. You can stay warm and cozy inside with the heat turned on, lounge on comfortable chairs inside the ship, and can enjoy a coffee or spiked beverage while you take in all of the views. I personally think its the best way to see the sights while still having a relaxing, recharging day at sea. Especially with all of the other Alaskan ports that can be more adventurous and tiring, a day sailing through Glacier Bay is a must-do on your itinerary.

Related: 7 Cruises Every Woman Over 50 Should Consider, From a Cruise-Savvy Travel Pro

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Its no secret that raising children is expensive these days. The Brookings Institution estimates that a middle-income family with two children spends over $300,000 to raise one child born in 2015 through age 17.

Find Out: 8 Smart Ways Frugal People Are Living Like Theres Already a Recession

Read Next: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Because these expenses are so high, people have come up with lots of money-saving hacks geared toward parents. But will these hacks actually help you save money after having kids?

Advertisement Advertisement

In a recent YouTube video, personal finance influencer Rachel Cruze broke down some of the top hacks and whether she thinks theyre effective.

Open a College Fund and Ask For Contributions Instead of Traditional Gifts

The idea behind this move is to avoid receiving lots of toys and baby clothes that your children will outgrow quickly, while still allowing people to give your kids gifts. Cruzes opinion, though, is that this hack is a little tacky.

It involves sharing an online link to the college fund so friends and family can conveniently contribute to your childs college savings. Cruze said, It just feels funny to me  sending out links. The approach she prefers is to allow anyone who wants to gift your child cash to do so, and then you can set that aside in a 529 account or other dedicated savings account for your childs future.

Check Out: 5 Frugal Habits Suze Orman Still Follows Even Though She Can Afford Almost Anything

Participate in Babysitting Swaps

A babysitting swap is when two or more families agree to exchange child care services. For example, one couple may watch the other familys children on the first Saturday of the month so they can go out, and then they swap the next weekend. The idea is to avoid costly babysitting fees while still getting some time off.

Advertisement Advertisement

With the average hourly rate for babysitting just one child over $20 an hour in some areas, these babysitting swaps can save families plenty of money.

Cruze said she loves this hack: Weve done this before, and its so great.

Keep Character Stickers in Your Kitchen

Kids snacks that feature their favorite characters can be significantly more expensive than the generic versions. This hack suggests buying the latter to save money and adding your kids favorite characters to products at home with stickers. That way, you still get the effect of the fun versions without the higher price tag.

Cruzes view is that it may be a little bit more work, but if having products with their favorite characters is something your kids are excited about then go for it.

Stuff Your Car Seat When Traveling by Plane

Many airlines, including Delta and American Airlines, allow you to check a car seat for free when youre traveling with a child. So, this hack suggests packing some extra items in with your car seat to save space in the rest of your luggage and, hopefully, save on baggage fees. Since checked bags often cost $35 or more, this could help you save quite a bit, especially if you travel often.

Advertisement Advertisement

Cruze has used this hack herself. We would throw some stuff in there 100% to save room, so I love that tip.

Do a School Supply Audit

The cost of school supplies adds up fast, especially when you have to buy new items at the start of every school year. This money-saving tip is to do a school supply audit at the end of every year, comparing what your child still has to what they need for next year. Then, set aside the supplies you already have so theyre ready for the start of the school year and make a narrower list of what you still need to buy. Cruze gives this hack a yes, too.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Rachel Cruze Weighs in on Money Hacks To Save After Having Kids
Artists perform at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Gao Jianzhong/Xinhua)

Tourists watch a local opera performance at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Zhao Yongtao/Xinhua)

Tourists watch a folk performance at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Miao Yucai/Xinhua)

Tourists watch a drama performance at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, on Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Zhao Yongtao/Xinhua)

Children try a traditional printing technique by hammering on a sachet of local herbs at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Duan Erping/Xinhua)

Tourists visit a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Niu Shupei/Xinhua)

Tourists enjoy their time at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by He Wuchang/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows the traditional Dikengyuan residences in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Ma Xiaoran/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows tourists watching a folk performance at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Niu Shupei/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Zhao Yongqiang/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows the traditional Dikengyuan residences in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by He Wuchang/Xinhua)

Tourists visit a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Li Heng/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows tourists visiting the traditional Dikengyuan residences in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Huang Fuxing/Xinhua)

Tourists visit a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Wang Linfeng/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 21, 2025 shows tourists visiting the traditional Dikengyuan residences in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

A tourist tries a stone mill at a traditional Dikengyuan residence in Beiying Village, Zhangbian Township, Shanzhou District, Sanmenxia City of central China's Henan Province, Dec. 21, 2025.

The Dikengyuan residence, a traditional residential construction in west Henan featuring a sunken courtyard, is of high value in the study of local history, architecture, geology and sociology. It was listed in the third batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

In recent years, Sanmenxia has continuously advanced the restoration of these peculiar dwellings, turning them into tourist attractions to further boost development in their neighborhood. (Photo by Zhao Yongqiang/Xinhua)
If you're on the hunt for a vibrant and fun destination to visit in South Dakota, you may consider the likes of Canton, a hidden Midwest city that's a nature lover's dream, with scenic trails, rolling hills, and seasonal festivals. Or, you may opt to head to Brookings, a South Dakota college town serving foodie finds and craft beer. But there's one place that brings fun for everyone, thanks to its outstanding downtown and charming amusement park: Aberdeen.

Not to be confused with the infamous city in Scotland, Aberdeen in South Dakota boasts a lively college-town energy, thanks to it being the home of Northern State University. Its compact and vibrant downtown is full of local character, boasting shops, cafes, and plenty of historical architecture. Thanks to the combination of students and long-time residents, there's a comfortable vibe here that creates the perfect blend of laid-back and exciting atmospheres.

Those seeking out some fun during their stay should be sure to head to Storybook Land. This charming, family-friendly amusement park boasts plenty of classic rides, including a tea cup ride, a small rollercoaster, and even a carousel. The park is open seasonally between April 15th and October 15th, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the spring and fall, and between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the summer season. Admission to the park is free, with rides costing $3 for a single ride or $25 for 10 rides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: The Rick Steves-Approved Checklist To Always Do Before Vacation

Downtown, Culture, and Things to do in Aberdeen, South Dakota

ariel view of aberdeen at dusk - Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Aberdeen is home to plenty of great boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops, and also has quite a vibrant nightlife scene. Those looking for a great place to dine should be sure to check out Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine, an upscale restaurant located right in the heart of downtown, before hitting the streets for a night out. Plenty of bars and nightlife spots in Aberdeen boast live music, including Zoo, where you can enjoy a DJ, yard games, and music bingo!

Those on the hunt for a little more culture can enjoy a visit to Centennial Village, a spot with stunning outdoor spaces and rich history. Here, you can find a range of fun family-friendly events, stunning walkways that run between historical buildings that showcase the 1880s and 1890s. It's a great spot for uncovering fun festivals and concerts.

Another top attraction is the Dacotah Prairie Museum. Boasting a range of permanent and temporary exhibits, you can find showcases of prairie history and local artworks alike. Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Things to Know Before Visiting Aberdeen, South Dakota

lake and clouds at Wylie park near Wylie campsite - Sammy Graphiking/Shutterstock

Aberdeen is super easy to get to, especially for those traveling in from out of state, thanks to it being the home of Aberdeen Regional Airport, which sits less than 4 miles from downtown. Those heading into the city by car can do so via either US-12 or US-281, which makes it a great detour point for those heading to the nearby town of Mobridge on this breathtaking road trip through wilderness and history. That said, if you're a city dweller, you may want to fly in, as the closest large city is Minneapolis, which sits around 300 miles away.

Advertisement Advertisement

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in both the downtown area and by the airport. One great choice is The Alonzo Ward Hotel & Plaza, situated in the downtown area, which boasts cozy, homely rooms that start at around $142 per night. Those planning a visit to the aforementioned Storybook land, or traveling with an RV, can also opt to stay at the adjacent Wylie Park Campground, but it must be noted that this is only open seasonally.

Those planning a trip to Aberdeen should aim to visit between mid-June and late August. At this time of year, the temperature falls between 50F and 85F, making it the perfect temperature for camping, visiting the amusement park, and taking a scenic stroll around downtown. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and layers, since the temperature can vary throughout the day here.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
Tunnels are used to carry traffic through some of the most extreme terrain on the planet and they help ease journeys with reduced travel time.

While most tunnels offer a short underground burst of driving, some are much longer. Here are the worlds 10 longest road tunnels that use cutting edge technology to make their construction possible and to keep drivers alert while passing through their extended subterranean length.

Ryfylke Tunnel, Norway  8.98 miles (14.46km)

Ryfylke Tunnel, Norway  8.98 miles (14.46km)

The Ryfylke Tunnel is the longest undersea road tunnel in the world at present and stretches some 8.98 miles between Stavanger and Ryfylke. Norway developed the Ryfylke Tunnel to reduce reliance on ferries. It is now part of its Rogfast project to connect several islands with undersea tunnels, and this means Ryfylke is likely to relinquish its title as this building work continues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Opened in 2019, the Ryfylke Tunnel took seven years to build and a toll is charged to help recoup the cost of construction.

By the time the Ryfylke Tunnel started operating, it had cost 6.4 billion Norwegian Kroner (460 million) to complete. Electric cars are subject to a 50% discounted toll charge.

Descending to 285-metres under the sea at its deepest, the Ryfylke Tunnel consists of two separate tubes to carry traffic in opposite directions. Each tube has two lanes and the tunnel is capable of carrying up 10,000 vehicles per day.

Zigana Tunnel, Turkiye  8.99 miles (14.48km)

Zigana Tunnel, Turkiye  8.99 miles (14.48km)

Close to the northern coast of Turkiye, the Zigana Tunnel runs through rugged mountain rock to bypass the Zigana Pass that becomes blocked by snow in the winter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Work started on the Zigana Tunnel in 2016 and it was finished in 2023. It is Turkiyes longest road tunnel at 8.99 miles long and it reduces the journey via the exposed Zigana Pass by five miles. It also cuts the journey time in summer months by around 20 minutes.

Consisting of two separate tunnels to keep traffic flows apart, the Zigana Tunnel was built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. This system adapts to the rock as excavation continues and uses a spray-on concrete to create the walls.

There are 16 laybys in each of the tunnels tubes, as well as six ventilation shafts. It was also built with 40 connecting tunnels between the pair of tubes, plus nine transformer rooms to house the Zigana Tunnels electric power.

Muzhailing Tunnel, China  9.46 miles (15.22km)

Muzhailing Tunnel, China  9.46 miles (15.22km)

A great many challenges faced the designers and builders of the Muzhailing Tunnel in Chinas Gansu Province. For starters, its built at high altitude and also in an area of active seismic activity, which means its prone to earthquakes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Although not ideal conditions for creating one of the worlds longest road tunnels, the build used a technology called NPR anchor cabling. This secures the structure into the surrounding rock and allows the tunnel to withstand deformation as the ground moves.

In common with most modern road tunnels, the Muzhailing Tunnel consists of two separate tubes, each carrying the stream of traffic in the opposite direction to the other.

Construction work on this tunnel started in 2016 and reached its finish in 2024, with further complications to the build caused by the thin air at its high altitude and its effect on the workers.

Now complete, the Muzhailing Tunnel is widely studied by tunnelling experts for the way it deals with such difficult terrain.

Tiantaishan Tunnel, China  9.67 miles (15.56)

Tiantaishan Tunnel, China  9.67 miles (15.56)

It cost 2.75 billion Chinese Yuan (300 million) to complete the Tiantaishan Tunnel, which is something of a bargain in the world of road tunnels. Started in 2016, the Tiantaishan Tunnel was finished and working by 2021, which is again something of a record when it comes to build time.

Advertisement Advertisement

All of this is even more impressive when you consider the high altitude of the tunnel and the bitterly cold weather in Shaanxi Province in northwest China.

Tiantaishan Tunnel, China  9.67 miles (15.56)

Tiantaishan Tunnel, China  9.67 miles (15.56)

When construction started in November 2016, there were 2000 workers spending their shifts underground in the Qinling Mountains. They also lived there for the duration of the build work.

As part of the construction of the Tiantaishan Tunnel, a new smart lighting system was developed that delivers a more natural light inside its depths. This set-up also provides different light patterns and designs on the tunnels walls to ward off boredom as drivers traverse its 9.67-mile length in either of the three-lane tunnel tubes.

Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland  10.46 miles (16.84km)

Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland  10.46 miles (16.84km)

Previously the longest road tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland has slipped down the ranking as new projects have overtaken for length. However, the Gotthard has been in operation for much longer than any other in the top 10 as it opened in 1980.

Advertisement Advertisement

Work started on the Gotthard Road Tunnel in 1970 and it carries traffic to a maximum height if 1175-metres (3855-feet), which is higher than Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in Wales.

Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland  10.46 miles (16.84km)

Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland  10.46 miles (16.84km)

It takes around 13 minutes to drive through the Gotthard Road Tunnel as the 80kmh speed limit is strictly enforced. There is also a toll charge to pay for using the tunnel and its capable of carrying up to 24,000 vehicles per day.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel is unusual in modern road tunnelling for using a single tube to carry both directions of traffic. In 2016, 57% of the Swiss population voted in favour of building a second Gotthard road tunnel in a referendum.

Jinpingshan Tunnel, China  10.90 miles (17.54km)

Jinpingshan Tunnel, China  10.90 miles (17.54km)

While all of the other road tunnels in the top 10 are open to the public, the Jinpingshan Tunnel restricts what traffic can use it. This is because the tunnel was built to provide access to the Jinping Dam, which is the worlds highest dam, and access between this and another hydropower dam.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Jinpingshan Tunnel runs through an area noted for its geological activity in south-west China. This is partly why access to the tunnel is limited, and also because of security surrounding the hydroelectric complex at the dam.

Jinpingshan Tunnel, China  10.90 miles (17.54km)

Jinpingshan Tunnel, China  10.90 miles (17.54km)

At its deepest point, the Jinpingshan Tunnel runs 2375-metres beneath the earths surface, and more than half of the tunnels entire length sits at more than 1500-metres deep.

It took five years to build the Jinpingshan Tunnel and, at the time, was the longest tunnel made with a blind heading. This is where each end of the tunnel is started simultaneously and meet in the middle. Total cost of Jinpingshan Tunnel came to 1.3 billion Chinese Yuan (146 million).

Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China  11.21 miles (18.04km)

Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China  11.21 miles (18.04km)

The Zhongnanshan Tunnel is not far from the Tiantaishan Tunnel but outdoes its near neighbour in overall length and how deep it travels under the Earths surface. With a maximum depth of 1640-metres, the Zhongnanshan Tunnel is among the deepest in the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite this, it still took only five years to complete the tunnel. Work started in 2002 on the Zhongnanshan Tunnel, and it was the longest tunnel in Asia when it opened to traffic in 2007.

Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China  11.21 miles (18.04km)

Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China  11.21 miles (18.04km)

It cost around 3.2 billion Chinese Yuan (350 million) to complete the Zhongnanshan Tunnel. This makes it one of the most expensive road tunnels to date in China. Three ventilation shafts provide fresh air to each of the two tunnels, and each tube carries traffic in the opposite direction to the other, so the streams are never together.

Along its 11.21-mile length, there are different coloured lights and patterns projected onto the tunnels roof, and artificial plants to provide stimulation for drivers and prevent fatigue.

Yamate Tunnel, Japan  11.3 miles (18.20km)

Yamate Tunnel, Japan  11.3 miles (18.20km)

The Yamate Tunnel in Tokyo, Japan is like Londons Blackwall Tunnel but on a grand scale. Where the Blackwall Tunnel is a mere three quarters of a mile long and is as close as 1.7-metres from the riverbed, the Yamate Tunnel runs to 11.3 miles and passes as much as 30-metres beneath the Japanese capital citys population.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Yamate Tunnel still holds the honour of being the longest urban tunnel in the world.

Yamate Tunnel, Japan  11.3 miles (18.20km)

Yamate Tunnel, Japan  11.3 miles (18.20km)

It took 15 years for the Yamate Tunnel to be completed, with delays due to objections from residents and environmental concerns. However, the tunnel was given the go-ahead as it would ease traffic on Yamate Street that runs above the tunnel.

Both of the 11-metre diameter tubes that form the Yamate Tunnel have emergency telephones positioned every 100-metres along their length. There is also a sophisticated filtration system to remove particulate emissions from the air extracted from the tunnels.

WestConnex, Australia  13.67 miles (22.0km)

WestConnex, Australia  13.67 miles (22.0km)

The WestConnex Tunnel was finished in November 2023 and is part of a plan to ease congestion in the city of Sydney. To date, the tunnel is the largest road infrastructure project ever undertaken in Australia and the 13.67-mile tunnel is part of a longer overall 20.5-mile stretch of traffic-reducing motorway.

Advertisement Advertisement

This will eventually link Sydneys suburbs, airport, north shore, and city centre. The land above the WestConnex Tunnel has mostly been given over to parks, playgrounds, and open space for the citys inhabitants to relax.

WestConnex, Australia  13.67 miles (22.0km)

WestConnex, Australia  13.67 miles (22.0km)

The WestConnex Tunnel is the longest underground stretch of public road in Australia, and its thought to have cost A$10 billion (5.1 billion).

This figure set a new record for transport spending by the New South Wales Government, and its estimated the fully completed project will come in at A$45 billion (23.1 billion). However, the government also states the tunnel contributes to A$22 billion (11.3 billion) in savings due to reduced travel time and journey reliability.

Lrdal Tunnel, Norway  15.23 miles (24.51km)

Lrdal Tunnel, Norway  15.23 miles (24.51km)

Topping the longest road tunnels in the world is the Lrdal Tunnel in Norway. This 15.23-mile underground construction was started in 1995 and opened to the public in 2000. It took some 20 years to agree to the construction of the tunnel, which cost 1.1 billion Norwegian Kroner (85 million) to complete, which represents great value in the world of roads tunnelling.

It was so much cheaper to build than most tunnels as the nature of the rock means the tunnel doesnt need to be lined  and nor does it have to be made earthquake proof as they no not occur with any severity in Norway. The tunnel connects Lrdal and Aurland and consists of two tubes, each carrying traffic in a single direction for safety.

Lrdal Tunnel, Norway  15.23 miles (24.51km)

Lrdal Tunnel, Norway  15.23 miles (24.51km)

While its the longest road tunnel in the world, the Lrdal Tunnel is also one of the most lightly used. On a typical day, it carries around 2050 vehicles, which is largely due to its remote location 180 miles to the northwest of Oslo.

To alleviate the monotony of driving through the worlds longest road tunnel  which is also straight throughout - this Norwegian project is divided into four sections, each separated by a large cave with parking areas. The caves have blue and yellow lighting to give the feel of a Norwegian sunrise, which is thought to give drivers brains a boost when they are tired. Police cameras have also been installed to combat speeding.

If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar

Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

]]>
As family and friends come together this holiday season, some may wonder, "What's the most popular festive drink in South Dakota? "

Well, Coffeeness, a specialty espresso company, conducted research to find the answer.

Coffeeness analyzed Google Trends data to discover which drinks were most searched relative to the Christmas season in each state.

The recipe: How to make delicious hot chocolate from scratch

Advertisement Advertisement

Hot chocolate was named the most popular festive drink in 13 states, including South Dakota, according to the Coffeeness report. Apple cider and the espresso martini tied for second, both are top ranked in 11 states.

However, the espresso martini is the top performer in Minnesota, the only state to pick that drink.

"The espresso martini's performance in this year's data represents one of the most significant shifts in American festive drinking culture we've seen in recent years," Coffeeness CEO Arne Preuss wrote in the report. "Having seen a revival in popularity just a few years ago, it's now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with beverages that have defined American holidays for generations."

What to know about hot chocolate

Hot chocolate has been around since before the mid-1800s, according to USA TODAY.

Advertisement Advertisement

The drink was first made by Aztec and Mayan cultures in South and Central America by grinding up cocoa seeds, USA TODAY reports. Hot chocolate was more bitter in its early days, as sugar hadn't made it to the region yet.

USA TODAY reports that Europeans brought cocoa beans and chocolate back from the Americas, and the drink evolved in Spain to more closely resemble the modern-day hot chocolate beverage.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Hot chocolate named South Dakota's most festive winter drink
Home may be where the heart is, but not the suitcase. That's because some travelers visiting family for the holidays are opting for their own hotel room rather than mom's place.

New York-based Eric Katzman used to stay with his friends and family when he and his wife had only one child, but now that his kids are about to turn 13 and 10, he realized his family needs more space and privacy.

For either Thanksgiving or Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, his family heads down to a small coastal town in Florida to visit his in-laws, but now they book a nearby hotel for more room and privacy.

Advertisement Advertisement

"When they were little, it was a little easier," he told USA TODAY. "As the kids got older, they need more space."

According to HotelTonight's first-ever holiday trend report, 61% of Americans would rather shack up in a nearby hotel instead of at the homes of friends or family during their holiday trips.

It can seem harsh at first, given the mainstream notion that the holidays should be spent with loved ones. However, that bit of privacy goes a long way for holiday travelers and can help avoid the dreaded family tensions that often surface during this time of year, the report found.

"With the joy of the holiday season comes the hustle of packing, crowded airports, and limited time off, so its understandable that travelers may be seeking personal space to escape the chaos," Ron Sandel, HotelTonight's general manager, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

For Thanksgiving or MLK Jr. weekend, Eric Katzman visits his in-laws with his two kids and wife.

Ultimately, some travelers have found that extra space for themselves leads to a happier, more restful holiday season with their families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Here's why some travelers are picking a hotel over staying with loved ones.

Flying for the holidays? Traveling with kids can be rough. Especially if they're not yours.

Seeking out more privacy

In the HotelTonight report, over half of travelers choosing a hotel room over their family's house are seeking more privacy.

Katzman and his family used to stay at his in-laws' house, their guest room leaves much to be desired.

"I didn't think it was a real thing, I only saw it in movies and television shows, but they have a Murphy Bed," he said. "If we do stay there, no matter the configuration, it's about pulling out air mattresses, folding out the couch, moving coffee tables."

Advertisement Advertisement

About three years ago, he started booking a hotel room instead  and found it works better for his kids.

There are additional benefits to staying in a hotel during the holidays. "We also asked our users what hotel perks were an absolute must during their stay," Sandel said. "We found that they appreciate the unmatched hotel experience  57% just want their own bed, 41% want high-quality linens and sheets, and 36% enjoy the on-site restaurants and bars."

Katzman agrees, adding that the pool gives the kids something to do and "you can't beat" the continental breakfast included at his hotel for his family of four. "Having free breakfast is a huge help," he said.

What's one way to feel happier? Go on a trip.



According to G Adventures' recently released Happiness List 2026, 89% of the 8,000 adults intending to travel in 2026 across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand agree that purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Those trips offer a sense of wonder along with a chance to decompress and find connection.



Here are 10 travel experiences that G Adventures' travelers said made them feel happiest: Panama's San Blas Islands are ideal for unplugging while enjoying turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Travelers can stay in Indigenous-owned accommodations, including traditional huts, and explore the archipelago by boat. Witnessing a solar eclipse is one way to experience wonder. G Adventures offers five trips for the Aug. 2027 eclipse, including an exclusive viewing party in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Travelers can dive into Guatemala's history and culture, from learning how to make beloved local dishes to exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal. Exploring the wild, remote landscapes in the Arctic aboard an expedition cruise can leave travelers with a newfound appreciation for Mother Nature. Imagine having a close encounter with Africa's wildlife while also supporting ethical travel and conservation. G Adventures offers a trip to Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, where travelers can see Victoria Falls, track elephants and cruise rivers looking for hippos. Sail down Sri Lanka's South Coast on a seven-day trip on a 54-foot catamaran for the chance to swim at remote beaches, explore fishing villages and more. Ecuador offers much more than being a gateway to the Galapagos. Travelers can go chocolate tasting, learn more about Indigenous culture and explore the wild jungle. Rather than falling into the typical tourist traps, travelers can try to live like a local and go off the beaten path. On G Adventures' East Iceland trip, guests go to a remote hamlet, enjoy geothermal pools and hike coastal trails. The Stans  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan  offer a rich history steeped in the Silk Road trade along with stunning nature, like Kaindy Lake's otherworldly sunken forest. Moldova may not be on everyone's radar, but this underrated Eastern European destination is perfect for foodies. Travelers can sip wine, taste local cuisine and visit spots like an eco-friendly cheese factory. 10 destinations where travelers feel happiest 1 of 10 What's one way to feel happier? Go on a trip.



According to G Adventures' recently released Happiness List 2026, 89% of the 8,000 adults intending to travel in 2026 across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand agree that purpose-driven travel contributes to their long-term happiness. Those trips offer a sense of wonder along with a chance to decompress and find connection.



Here are 10 travel experiences that G Adventures' travelers said made them feel happiest: Panama's San Blas Islands are ideal for unplugging while enjoying turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Travelers can stay in Indigenous-owned accommodations, including traditional huts, and explore the archipelago by boat.

'It feels counterintuitive'

Every Christmas, Chris Oberman, his wife, and their two-year-old son head back to the Netherlands, where they're from, splitting time between their sets of parents. Only this year, for about half of the trip, the South Korea-based family will stay in a hotel near Oberman's parents' house rather than with them.

This Christmas, Chris Oberman, his wife and toddler will stay in a hotel when they see family for the holidays.

"After two trips of disrupted sleep and constantly making sure (our son) doesn't throw breakable items  our parents' houses aren't exactly toddler-proofed anymore  we realized we needed our own space," he told USA TODAY.

Advertisement Advertisement

Previously, the couple would set up a camping bed for their son at their families' houses and fold it away when he wasn't using it. It was easier when his son was younger, Oberman added, but it's trickier to handle his bursts of toddler energy in a full house. By the end of those trips, the couple has felt more drained than relaxed.

The hotel stay will run them about $620 extra, but Oberman said it's worth the extra cost.

"Its not an easy decision, it feels counterintuitive, but weve been able to enjoy our time with family more, we've had more energy ourselves, and it's made the entire trip for our son a bit easier," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Holiday travel trend: Skipping the guest room for a hotel stay
The Chester County Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that happened Sunday night.

Police say shots were fired around 9 p.m. on York Street.

A young man was killed, investigators said. No other details about the victim or suspect have been released.

ALSO READ >> Police investigating double homicide in south Charlotte

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is helping the department investigate the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Anyone with information is urged to call police.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police investigate two deadly shootings early Saturday morning
No one took home the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot on Dec. 20, but one store in Nyeland Acres sold a hefty runner-up lottery ticket.

With just one number shy of the jackpot, a $2.3 million ticket was sold at Wright's Market just outside of Oxnard, according to the California Lottery. The winner of the ticket matched all numbers except the final Powerball.

The corner store at 2691 Ventura Blvd. in unincorporated Ventura County also won itself a bonus worth about $11,500 for selling the ticket with five of the six picks, state lottery officials said in a news release.

Advertisement Advertisement

The store had not been contacted by the lottery as of 8 a.m. Dec. 22, said Bharat Pal, a cashier at the market. He said the million-dollar winner had not come in to claim the winnings either.

A California Lottery ticket for the Powerball jackpot with five of six picks was purchased at Wright's Market in Nyeland Acres, outside Oxnard, for the drawing on Dec. 20.

The store's total winnings in 2024 were $708,951, a sign in the shop window reads. The publicity from the recent win has brought an influx of new faces to the store to buy Powerball tickets, Pal said.

The next Powerball drawing was set for Dec. 22, according to the California Lottery's website. The jackpot has grown to $1.6 billion, with a cash value of $735.3 million.

A California Lottery ticket for the Powerball jackpot with five of six picks was purchased at Wright's Market in Nyeland Acres, outside Oxnard, for the drawing on Dec. 20.

Now the fourth-largest amount in Powerball's history and the fifth-largest in the country, the record-breaking streak of 45 winnerless drawings has contributed approximately $100 million to public education in the state, lottery officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: $2.3 million ticket sold at Nyeland Acres market
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An investigation into extensive poaching in Middle Tennessee has led to guilty pleas and a lifetime hunting ban for one suspect.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said game wardens in Wilson and Rutherford counties began investigating allegations regarding extensive wildlife poaching in the fall of 2024 after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen.

During the initial investigation, game wardens said they determined two peopleidentified as Robert Comer and Carson Smithwere engaging in the illegal hunting of whitetail deer, as well as the illegal sale and bartering of whitetail deer meat.

Advertisement Advertisement

First case of CWD reported in Wayne County. Heres what you need to know

The TWRA added that Comer was serving a three-year hunting license revocation due to previous illegal wildlife poaching violations in Tennessee.

Following multiple search warrants, game wardens reportedly seized 50 white-tailed deer heads and antlers, one wild turkey head, and one illegally possessed fox squirrel. In addition, one rifle, one muzzleloader and one crossbow, which was allegedly used during multiple hunting violations, were also taken.

Courtesy: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

According to the TWRA, Comer pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession/traffic of protected wildlife, one count of illegal take, possession, or destruction of wildlife, and two counts of hunting on revocation.

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result of the guilty plea, Comer was reportedly banned for life from hunting, fishing and trapping. Additionally, Comer received a lifetime ban from any TWRA-controlled lands, was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution and ordered to serve a 60-day term of incarceration.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Meanwhile, officials said Smith pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal take, possession, or destruction of wildlife; one count of Statewide Bag Game Hunting Season and Bag Limit Violation, and one count of Big Game Tagging Violation. He also received a three-year hunting privilege revocation.

The TWRA is urging anyone with knowledge of hunting violations contact the Poaching Hotline at 800-831-1174. No additional details were immediately released.

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Three people are dead after a multi-vehicle crash in Butler County on Sunday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The crash was reported around 4:30 p.m. in Hamilton at the intersection of Hooven Avenue and River Road, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Photos show several vehicles sustained heavy damage. The crash scene is surrounded by yellow caution tape.

The Butler County Coroner responded to the crash, according to Butler County dispatchers.

Hamilton Police told WCPO that three people died in the crash.

The Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (START) and Hamilton detectives were also requested to the crash scene, WCPO reported.

The crash remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
TWENTYSHILLING BARROW as it was first uncovered. (photo credit: GUARD Archaeology)

Archaeologists from GUARD Archaeology uncovered the unusual Bronze Age burial site near Twentyshilling Hill, Dumfries and Galloway, while working on a wind farm project.

A groundbreaking discovery at an archaeological site in southwest Scotland has revealed a poignant moment in prehistoric times, uncovering a mass burial site that suggests a community was struck by a devastating crisis over 3,000 years ago.

Archaeologists from GUARD Archaeology uncovered the unusual Bronze Age burial site near Twentyshilling Hill, Dumfries and Galloway, while working on a wind farm project. The site, dated between 1439-1287 BCE, contains five ceramic urns holding the cremated remains of at least eight individuals, likely from the same family or social group. The area is known for previous signs that bodies were left exposed for a significant amount of time ahead of cremation or burial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Burial mounds were reopened and reused, researchers reported, but showed no evidence of ritual activity. This led researchers to believe that the deaths were sudden, occurring in a concentrated episode.

The sudden and concentrated burial suggests a catastrophic event, such as famine or disease, wiped out a significant portion of the community. This differs from typical Bronze Age practices, where bodies were often left exposed before cremation and burial mounds were reused over generations.

Archaeologists on the project called the discovery a rare snapshot of prehistoric life and death. The findings echo evidence of hardship and population decline in the region, painting a picture of a community under extreme stress.

THE CENTRAL PIT beneath the barrow contained five tightly packed burial urns. (credit: GUARD Archaeology)

Returning to the landscape over centuries

Nearby excavations revealed a small group of earlier pits from the late Neolithic period, dated to around 2867 and 2504 BCE. These features prove that long before this time, the landscape was extremely important, as people returned to the same location over many centuries, possibly by ancestral memory, as opposed to continuous settlement.

The discovery provides a unique insight into the lives of Scotland's ancient inhabitants and their deep connection to the land.
Five people are facing charges in connection with organized retail theft, marking the first success of a new task force aimed at combating this growing issue in the Dayton area.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Tactical Crime Suppression Unit (TCSU) Organized Retail Crime Task Force was established to address the impact of organized retail theft, which costs Ohio businesses approximately $3 billion annually, according to Attorney General Dave Yost.

Advertisement Advertisement

This task force was established under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is led by the Kettering Police Department.

TRENDING STORIES:

The problem is much worse than petty theft  organized fraudsters are ripping off businesses for billions of dollars every year, Yost said.

Seth Davison, 39, of Columbus, faces serious charges with one count of organized retail theft and two counts of theft, revealing his alleged theft of over $7,500 worth of goods. Police arrested him on Sept. 29 while he was concealing stolen merchandise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Davisons accomplice, Jacqueline Tackett, 39, of Reynoldsburg, has also been indicted on charges of complicity to commit organized retail theft, reflecting the collaborative effort of the task force in combating these crimes.

Three other suspectsChristopher Lee, 43, Dathan McCurdy, 44, and DeMarco Turbolt, 42, all from Cincinnatiwere indicted for theft after being caught bagging unpaid merchandise, with authorities recovering over $1,100 in stolen goods from them.

The TCSU task force collaborates with multiple agencies, including the Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Germantown, West Carrollton, Springboro, Centerville, Miami Township police departments, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
SYDNEY, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The men accused of killing 15 people in a fatal mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach had conducted firearms training in a regional area and had recorded a video about plans for the attack, according to a police fact sheet released on Monday.

The facts, which were released publicly by a Sydney court on Monday, revealed the police allegation that 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid, threw four improvised explosive devices into a crowd during the attack at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, but they did not detonate.

Police on Wednesday charged Naveed Akram with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, over the attack that targeted a Jewish event. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene.

The police facts said that officers investigating the attack found a video dated October 2025 showing Naveed and Sajid Akram conducting firearms training in a countryside location.

"The accused and his father are seen throughout the video firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner," the document said.

In another video mentioned in the document, Naveed and Sajid Akram appear to "summarize their justification for the Bondi terrorist attack" and recite political and religious views.

Authorities previously said that the mass shooting was motivated by Islamic State (IS) ideology.

The police documents allege that the two men placed IS flags on the front and rear windscreen of their vehicle upon arrival at Bondi Beach on the evening of Dec. 14. 
Months before a Newark woman allegedly beat her 6-year-old daughter to death in March, concerned tipsters called the states child abuse hotline three times, accusing the woman of harming the girl and her three younger siblings.

In each instance, the agency took no action and deemed the complaints unfounded  including after a worker from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency visited the child at school just three days before she died, according to the agencys first report on the case. The report, which has not been previously disclosed to the public, was obtained by NJ Advance Media last week.

These were missed opportunities to intervene before tragedy struck, state Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer told NJ Advance Media in her first public statements about NeMiya Duncans violent death on March 10. The childs mother, Zyrihah Hall, 26, was indicted on murder and child endangerment charges in June.

Advertisement Advertisement

The decisions that were made in the investigation and then the subsequent follow-up goes against our policy and practice, Norbut Beyer said, calling the actions shocking and upsetting.

Deeming the allegations unfounded was just wrong, the commissioner said.

The fallout from the months-long internal investigation into how the child welfare agency handled the case has been dramatic. The state filed disciplinary charges against eight employees and transferred the manager to the main office in Trenton. (That manager has since retired.)

In April, Norbut Beyer ordered a statewide look at all active cases that have had at least three calls to the hotline in less than a year and dispatched staff to visit 1,400 families to verify workers made proper decisions to protect the childrens safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

The agency found a problem with decision-making in 42 cases, or 3% of the 1,400 families, the commissioner said. Confidentiality laws prevent the agency from discussing specific cases unless they involve a child abuse death or a near-fatalty injury, department spokesman Jason Butkowski said. But, he added: the 42 cases with questionable findings did not result in adverse outcomes.

Most visibly, Norbut Beyer closed the divisions Newark South office Oct. 30, and transferred its 87 employees to other offices, with most working from the remaining two division offices in Newark, East Orange and other offices in Essex County.

In a statement through her spokesman in October and in comments at a public meeting last week, she said she had been planning for about a year to close the Newark South office because of declining call and case volumes.

But in the interview with NJ Advance Media this week, she acknowledged the Duncan case helped confirm her decision and accelerated the timetable for closure.

Advertisement Advertisement

It made sense that it was Newark South because of them not having a manager, and because they had started out as the smallest office and we had started to move staff. And then after the child death, we ended up doing a deep review, looking at the Duncan case, she said.

Zyhirah Hall of Newark, indicted for murdering daughter, 6

Yet even as Norbut Beyer pledges reform, questions persist about the handling of the investigation and communication with the victims family.

Some DCCP employees have also sharply criticized Norbut Beyers oversight, suggesting shes used the case to advance her own leadership agenda.

Alexus Duncan of Newark, NeMiyas paternal aunt and former foster parent, said she and her brother and the childs father, Vymeer Duncan, had not been informed of the agencys findings.

Advertisement Advertisement

She said they have been trying to get information about the case since March and found out on her own that a caseworker had visited her niece at school three days before she died.

A school employee called out of concern about the childs safety, she said.

Thats news to me, Duncan said of the reports findings. We, the family, feel like everyone forgot too soon and there was not any justice served.

NeMiya was a funny, energetic child who loved to dance, take photos and be photographed, her aunt said.

She could light up a room. I know a lot of people say that, but she really could change the energy in a room.

Advertisement Advertisement

She is very missed, Alexus Duncan said. We fought for her.

A long family history

Zyrihah Halls history with the child welfare system began in 2020, according to the Comprehensive Child Abuse and Prevention Act report, which the agency is obligated to compile after a child dies from maltreatment.

Three anonymous callers to the hotline alleged the mother had physically abused NeMiya in 2020 and 2021 but investigators deemed two complaints unfounded and the other not established, meaning the investigator could not determine who had harmed the child.

In April 2023, a caseworker sent to the home found NeMiya with a black eye and a knot on her forehead, the report said. The worker also found scratches on the backs of her siblings, ages 2 and 1. The state substantiated the abuse complaint against Hall and placed the children with relatives, according to the report.

Advertisement Advertisement

By May 2024, a judge ordered Halls children be returned to her custody after she participated in therapy and parenting and anger management classes, according to the report. The division continued to supervise the family.

In August 2024, a caller reported Hall was still abusing her kids. A caseworker who visited the family found NeMiya with a swollen lip  an injury she suffered when she and her siblings intervened as their mothers partner attacked her. The agency deemed the complaint against the mother unfounded and took no action.

In October, a caseworker investigated a complaint Hall had spanked her son with a shoe or slipper. In February 2025, a school employee reported the family because the boy had bruises and scratches on his face. Workers also declared the complaints unfounded.

The last time a caseworker made contact with the children was on March 7, when the worker came to their school, according to the report.

Advertisement Advertisement

The employees involved should have taken some action, given the familys extensive child welfare history, Norbut Beyer said.

Theres a chain of command thats meant to be in place so that these things dont happen... That chain didnt help in this case, she said. When it fails, its really heartbreaking and tragic because we do have systems in place to keep these failures from happening.

The experience with the case prompted Norbut Beyer to convene a committee of national child protection experts to discuss ways to improve child abuse and neglect investigations. A new policy that will go into effect in January will require the agency flag and investigate any frequently encountered families with at least three complaints called into the hotline over 12 months, she said.

State oversight continues

NeMiya Duncans death is the first major public controversy for the Department of Children and Families since it emerged from 20 years of oversight by a federal judge in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

The oversight began in 2003, when Gov. Jim McGreevey settled a class-action lawsuit with a national childrens advocacy organization that had accused the state of running one of the most mismanaged and cash-starved child welfare systems in the nation.

It took two decades, but the court and the plaintiffs agreed that after spending billions of dollars to modernize the agency and maintaining a long list of improvements, New Jersey had vastly improved its ability to protect children and assist families in crisis.

Now the divisions work is overseen by the Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Under state law, the subcommittee monitors the agencys performance with a focus on employee caseloads.

Norbut Beyer closed the Newark South office without informing the panel, Lisa Chapland, the subcommittee co-chairwoman, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Certainly it is important for us to know they are reallocating staff, said Chapland, an attorney and employee with the New Jersey State Bar Association. I will give a little grace, as we are still feeling our way on how the panel and the division will work together, she said.

At the subcommittees request, Norbut Beyer discussed the office closure at a Dec. 9 meeting, explaining that they had stopped backfilling vacant jobs over the last year because caseloads were unusually low.

The agency has worked to minimize the impact on families, by providing transportation to the new location, the commissioner said.

Permanency workers, who monitor children who are at home or are expected to return to their parents from foster care, were averaging three and four cases a month, far below the goal of no more than 12, the commissioner said. That was happening in other Essex County offices as well and other places across the state, but specifically with regard to Newark.

There was no discussion at the Dec. 9 meeting about the findings of the internal investigation involving the Duncan family and its influence on the decision to close the office.

Upon reviewing the Duncan case report at NJ Advance Medias request, Chapland said, My disappointment with what is contained in this report cannot be overstated, noting that the subcommittee had raised issues about what the department terms frequently encountered families.

Two DCPP employees with direct knowledge of the Duncan case who requested anonymity because they feared losing their jobs, said Norbut Beyer was determined to close the office and replace senior staff. She is using this case as pretext, they said.

Some of targeted employees were interrogated without their union representatives present and have dragged out the disciplinary proceedings in violation of contract rules, the employees said.

Butkowski, the department spokesman, said: DCF adheres to all fair labor practices and honors workers right to be represented, when requested.

As for the criticism about the decision to close the Newark South office, he said, Weve been transparent that the decision to restructure the local offices began a year prior to the outcome in the Hall case.

Norbut Beyer and her office have declined to comment on anything involving the pending disciplinary cases.

The agency has never closed an office as a result of mistakes in a child abuse investigation, the employees said.

East Orange had to expand its coverage area, adding 150 streets in Newark that were handled by the now-shuttered office, one employee said. About a dozen workers from Newark were assigned there, but employees are feeling very overwhelmed, another employee said.

It makes no friggin sense to close an office which has seen the largest concentration of cases in the state, one of the affected workers said.

NJ Advance Media asked but did not receive caseload data for the three Newark offices, which are housed in one building on Halsey Street.

Data on the departments website, however, suggested intake worker caseloads in the Newark South office exceeded limits every month from April through August 2025.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Rebecca Everett contributed t o this report.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
UPDATED with latest: CBS News 60 Minutes on Sunday pulled a planned segment on the Trump administrations deportation of migrants to a harsh El Salvador prison, a move that the correspondent characterized as political.

The broadcast lineup for tonights edition of 60 Minutes has been updated. Our report Inside CECOT will air in a future broadcast, the network announced this evening, just hours before the planned broadcast.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

CBS News said of the segment, We determined it needed additional reporting.

The correspondent on the story, Sharyn Alfonsi, criticized the networks move in an email to colleagues, according to the note reviewed by Deadline and first reported by the New York Times. She wrote that it was Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, who made the decision to spike the story.

In her note, Alfonsi wrote that the piece had been screened five times and cleared by standards and practices and network attorneys. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one, Alfonsi said.

In the note, Alfonsi suggested that the reason for pulling the segment was that the administration had refused to participate. We requested responses to questions and/or interviews with DHS, the White House and the State Department. Government silence is a statement, not a VETO. Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver destined to kill the story.

Advertisement Advertisement

She protested such a rationale for delaying it, writing, if the administrations refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a kill switch for any reporting they find inconvenient.

She wrote, We have been promoting this story on social media for days. Our viewers are expecting it. When it fails to air without a credible explanation, the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship. We are trading 50 years of gold standard reputation for a single week of political quiet.

A network spokesperson had no comment on Alfonsis note.

Its a highly unusual move for the show to pull a segment so close to its airtime.

Advertisement Advertisement

CBS News announced the segment on the 60 Minutes schedule last week. Per the network, the segments logline was: Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a country most had no ties to, claiming they were terrorists. This move sparked an ongoing legal battle, and nine months later the U.S. government still has not released the names of all those deported and placed in CECOT, one of El Salvadors harshest prisons.

The segment was to feature Alfonsi speaking to deportees who told of brutal and tortuous conditions, per the network. In its place is a segment from Nottingham, England, where correspondent Jon Wertheim interviewed a family of celebrated classical musicians.

In her note, Alfonsi wrote that those she interviewed risked their lives to speak with us. We have a moral and professional obligation to the sources who entrusted us with their stories. Abandoning them now is a betrayal of the most basic tent of journalism: giving voice to the voiceless.

The segment also was covering a topic that has been documented elsewhere, including in court hearings and records. One deportee, Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, was detained for more than four months before being released, and has given multiple interviews where he described sexual and physical abuse in the notorious prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

In October, new Paramount CEO David Ellison purchased center-right site The Free Press and hired its founder, Weiss, to lead the news division. While the CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings have been in third place, 60 Minutes has long been one of the networks crown jewels, consistently leading in the ratings.

Trump has continued to rail against 60 Minutes, most recently for Lesley Stahls interview with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), now one of the presidents high profile critics from the right.

Trump wrote on Truth Social, My real problem with the show, however, wasnt the low IQ traitor, it was that the new ownership of 60 Minutes, Paramount, would allow a show like this to air. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP, who just paid me millions of Dollars for FAKE REPORTING about your favorite President, ME!

Last year, Trump sued 60 Minutes over edits made to an interview with his 2024 presidential rival, Kamala Harris. Although CBS had initially dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, its parent company Paramount Global settled the litigation for $16 million, as it sought Trump administration approval for its merger with Skydance.

Advertisement Advertisement

At a ceremony earlier this month to receive a Walter Cronkite Award, 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley said of the networks new owners, We were all concerned at 60 Minutes about what that meant. Its early yet, but what I can tell you is we are doing to same kinds of stories with the same kind of rigor, and we have experienced no corporate interference of any kind. Pelley pointed out that they had been able to get their stories on the air.

In April, the previous executive producer of 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, resigned, saying that he no longer was able to run the show as I have always run it, and to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience.

Paramount has made a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a transaction that would also require approval from the Trump administration. The president has said that he will be part of the regulatory approval process, breaking the norm of keeping an arms length from the Justice Department review.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
60 Minutes abruptly pulled a segment Sunday on the Trump administration deporting hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to a megaprison in El Salvador, a stunning move that comes on the heels of President Donald Trump complaining that the CBS newsmagazine has treated him far worse under new management.

For days, CBS had been promoting Sundays segment, Inside CECOT, which promised to reveal brutal and torturous conditions inside El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi had spoken to now released deportees, according to a Friday press release. But the segment was pulled Sunday evening, around two hours before it was to set to air.

The 60 Minutes report on Inside CECOT will air in a future broadcast, CBS told TheWrap in a statement. We determined it needed additional reporting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Alfonsi sent an indignant internal memo to colleagues saying that pulling the segment is not an editorial decision, it is a political one. The memo was immediately leaked.

She wrote: If the standard for airing a story is that the government must agree to be interviewed, then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast. We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state.

Here is Sharyn Alfonsis email to her 60 Minutes colleagues in full: pic.twitter.com/ilGoSROQEs  Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) December 22, 2025

Alfonsi said the segment had been screened and fact-checked by CBS lawyers and Standards and Practices. Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who watched it Friday, decided to hold it.

Weiss responded on Sunday: My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that arent ready for whatever reasonthat they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voiceshappens every day in every newsroom. I look forward to airing this important piece when its ready.

Advertisement Advertisement

But the decision to pull such a heavily promoted and presumably hard-hitting segment on the Trump administration is sure to come under intense scrutiny given the presidents recent comments about 60 Minutes and his relationship with David Ellison, who now runs CBS News-parent Paramount.

Social media exploded on Sunday night with criticism of Weiss, declaring that she had failed her own standard that she announced in ascending to the role of running CBS News, to seek the truth and tell it plainly.

If this decision is not reversed, if CBS News will only run a piece if WH comments, giving them veto power over journalism, any staff member w integrity will likely quit, bc it isnt a news division anymore. Its TASS, said veteran reporter Bill Carter, referring to the Soviet-era news agency.

If this decision is not reversed, if CBS News will only run a piece if WH comments, giving them veto power over journalism, any staff member w integrity will likely quit, bc it isn't a news division anymore. It's TASS. https://t.co/RjjZNX7nHm  Bill Carter (@wjcarter) December 22, 2025

But 60 Minutes has lately run afoul of Trump yet again. Earlier this month, after 60 Minutes aired an interview with his former ally turned critic Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump referenced the settlement in taking aim at ownership.

Advertisement Advertisement

Last week, Trump unloaded again, For those people that think I am close with the new owners of CBS, please understand that 60 Minutes has treated me far worse since the so-called takeover, than they have ever treated me before. If they are friends, Id hate to see my enemies.

Trump sued CBS last year over how 60 Minutes edited an interview with his then-2024 rival, Kamala Harris. The network initially dismissed Trumps suit as without merit and vowed to vigorously defend itself. But CBS-parent Paramount settled with Trump for $16 million in July as the company was seeking FCC approval to merge with Ellisons Skydance.

Since the merger, Ellison appointed Weiss, the co-founder of the Free Press, to serve as editor-in-chief. Trump has praised Weiss in the past, as well as Ellison, who is now vying to takeover Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN. Ellisons father, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is a Trump supporter.

Trump returned to 60 Minutes last month for his first interview since the settlement. I see good things happening in the news. I really do. And I think one of the best things to happen is this show and new ownership, CBS and new ownership, Trump said. I think its the greatest thing thats happened in a long time to a free and open and good press.

Watch a teaser for the 60 Minutes segment below:

Here's the deleted trailer for the now-"delayed" segment. It's almost impressive how much damage Bari Weiss has done to CBS News in such a short period of time.



Someone quickly schedule a prime-time Town Hall with Alan Dershowitz to rectify the harm:pic.twitter.com/382gRG5Lgp https://t.co/3gHRKNES2y  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) December 21, 2025

The post 60 Minutes Abruptly Pulls Segment on Trump Deportees Sent to El Salvador Megaprison appeared first on TheWrap.
A decade ago, the University of Washington (U.W.) adopted an official statement that "acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations." Four years later, the Seattle university's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering began recommending that instructors include that statement in their syllabi.

Stuart Reges, a critic of such "land acknowledgments" who had taught an introductory computer science course, CSE 143, in that school since 2004, responded with a syllabus statement mocking the concept: "I acknowledge that by the labor theory of property the Coast Salish people can claim historical ownership of almost none of the land currently occupied by the University of Washington." That parody resulted in an internal investigation, a reprimand, and threats of disciplinary action. Those responses violated the professor's First Amendment rights, a divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled last Friday in Reges v. Cauce.

"A public university investigated, reprimanded, and threatened to discipline a professor for contentious statements he made in a class syllabus," Judge Daniel A. Bress, a Donald Trump appointee, writes in an opinion joined by Judge Milan D. Smith Jr., who was nominated by George W. Bush. "The statements, which mocked the university's model syllabus statement on an issue of public concern, caused offense in the university community. Yet debate and disagreement are hallmarks of higher education. Student discomfort with a professor's views can prompt discussion and disapproval. But this discomfort is not grounds for the university retaliating against the professor."

Advertisement Advertisement

The decision is "a resounding victory for Professor Stuart Reges and the First Amendment rights of public university faculty," says Gabe Walters, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which represented Reges. "The Ninth Circuit agreed with what FIRE has said from the beginning: Universities can't force professors to parrot an institution's preferred political views under pain of punishment."

Reges, who sued university administrators in July 2022, argued that they had violated the First Amendment by targeting him based on his viewpoint and by retaliating against him for constitutionally protected speech. He also argued that the university's Executive Order 31, which prohibits faculty conduct that "is deemed unacceptable or inappropriate, regardless of whether the conduct rises to the level of unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation," was unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.

Last year, U.S. District Judge John H. Chun ruled in favor of the defendants, concluding that their treatment of Reges was justified by concerns about the disruptive impact of his speech. That judgment relied on the U.S. Supreme Court's 1968 ruling in Pickering v. Board of Education, which held that the First Amendment requires "a balance between the interests of the teacher, as a citizen, in commenting upon matters of public concern and the interest of the State, as an employer, in promoting the efficiency of the public services it performs through its employees." Chun also narrowly construed the rule that Reges challenged, saying it was constitutional if understood as applying only to "conduct that resembles or is akin to discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct."

Writing in dissent, 9th Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas, a Bill Clinton appointee, agreed with Chun that "the disruption Reges's speech caused to Native students' learning outweighed his own First Amendment interests." Thomas also thought Chun's "limiting construction" of Executive Order 31 was permissible. But Bress and Smith concluded that Chun had attached too much weight to the university's claims of disruption and not enough to Reges' right to express his views on an issue of public concern. The majority also ruled that Chun's reading of Executive Order 31 contradicted its "plain text" and instructed him to address its constitutionality as written.

Advertisement Advertisement

The context of Reges' syllabus statement was the public debate about the value and propriety of land acknowledgments. "Reges believes that land acknowledgments are part of 'an agenda of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" that treats some groups of students as more deserving of recognition and welcome than others on account of their race or other immutable characteristic,'" Bress notes. "He therefore did not think it was appropriate for the Allen School to recommend the inclusion of this 'political statement' in syllabi. Reges also disagreed with the factual premise of the land acknowledgment, as he believed that 'most of the land currently occupied by UW was densely forested before the land was cleared to make way for the campus.' He thought the land acknowledgment expressed 'that UW's presence is somehow illegitimate, shameful, morally wrong, or unlawful,' and considered it 'an empty, performative act of moralism' ripe for parody."

Administrators were not amused. Reges' syllabus statement came to the attention of Magdalena Balazinska, director of the Allen School, on January 4, 2022, when a colleague shared a Reddit thread about it with her. That same day, she emailed Reges, demanding that he remove the statement from his online syllabus "immediately" because it had created "a toxic environment" in a course that all computer science majors had to take. When Reges refused, Balazinska instructed I.T. staff to expurgate the offending statement.

The controversy attracted media attention, including an interview with Reges on a local conservative talk show and coverage in the student newspaper. Reges stood his ground, saying he planned to "continue this protest when I teach the CSE142 course in spring and will have the opportunity to distribute a syllabus on paper," which he noted would be "more difficult to censor."

On March 2, 2022, Balazinska launched an investigation of Reges for possible violations of the faculty code, university policy, and the school's collective bargaining agreement. When Reges again refused to desist, College of Engineering Dean Nancy Allbritton, who oversees the Allen School, convened a special faculty committee, which that October issued an oral report averring that Reges' statement had a "significant impact"

on the "morale of Native American students" and "their learning," describing "the level of disruption" as "extraordinary." As evidence of that disruption, the committee claimed one Native American student had taken a leave of absence while another had dropped out of the university.

Advertisement Advertisement

The first student, Bress notes, was not even enrolled in Reges' course and "described other factors influencing the decision to take a leave of absence, including the lack of available tutoring services, the Allen School's focus on testing, and feeling 'used' after meeting with Balazinska to discuss Reges." Bress adds that the university "could not explain whether this student's mental health problems began with or pre-dated Reges's speech." As for the student who supposedly had dropped out, "it appears undisputed that this student does not exist."

Unfazed by those complications, Allbritton informed Reges in June 2023 that the investigative committee concluded he probably had violated university policy by causing "significant disruption." She declined to impose sanctions in light of the possibility that Reges' statement was "intended to generate discussion." She noted that Reges had been allowed to express his opinion by posting the syllabus statement on his office door and including it in his email signature.

That tolerance of Reges' dissenting views, Allbritton implied, showed that the university was cognizant of his First Amendment rights. But it also undermined the claim that his opinions were intolerable in the context of his course syllabus because of the consternation they provoked. Allbritton nevertheless warned Reges that if he caused "significant disruption" by including his statement in future syllabi, "I will have no option but to conclude that your intent is to cause deliberate offense and further that disruption," thereby violating the faculty code and Executive Order 31. In that case, she said, she would have to "proceed with next steps."

In addition to the student who took a leave of absence in ambiguous circumstances and the apparently nonexistent student who allegedly had left the university, administrators cited complaints from students who were offended by Reges' syllabus statement. They also noted that about a third of Reges' 500 students transferred to a CSE 143 section taught by a different instructor after the university offered that option in January 2022. But as Bress notes, "the record does not indicate why they did so."

Advertisement Advertisement

Although "these students were informed that the grading system would not change for this alternative section, the new instructor had a preexisting reputation for more lenient grading and a different lecture style," Bress writes. "There are many reasons why students would leave one class for another, including general dislike for the professor (or, as may be the case here, his expression of other unpopular views that UW does not claim are unprotected). None of this demonstrates disruption sufficient to justify limiting or punishing Reges's academic speech."

At bottom, Bress says, the disruption that Reges allegedly caused is inseparable from the content of his constitutionally protected speech. "It is readily apparent that the disruption that occurred at UW after Reges included his land acknowledgment in his Winter 2022 syllabus is attributable to one irreducible source: student discomfort and anger with Reges's views," he writes. "The First Amendment's protections for academic freedom in public universities will necessarily lead to disagreements on campus. Student unrest is an inevitable byproduct of our core First Amendment safeguards in the higher education context. This unrest therefore cannot be the type of disruption that permits restricting or punishing a professor's academic speech."

The 9th Circuit's ruling "recognizes that sometimes, 'exposure to views that distress and offend is a form of education unto itself,'" says FIRE Legal Director Will Creeley. "As we always say at FIRE: If you graduate from college without once being offended, you should ask for your money back."

The post The 9th Circuit Upholds a University of Washington Professor's Right to Mock 'Land Acknowledgments' appeared first on Reason.com.
The Scoop

A key organ of Democratic politics is starting to invest its money in building up a broader progressive media ecosystem.

In recent months, ActBlue, the go-to payment platform for online donations, has quietly stepped up its investment in left-leaning online media and content creators through grant-like sponsorships.

The nonprofit organization has given money to help Tim Fullerton, a former Democratic strategist-turned-podcaster and one of the organizers behind White Dudes For Harris, jumpstart a new company. In recent months, Fullerton has been fundraising to launch a new podcast network around his show , and plans to debut several new podcasts next year meant to reach men. ActBlue has also had conversations about supporting Courier Newsroom, the Democratic-aligned digital media organization that has grown its creator and podcast business in recent years. ActBlue was also one of the major sponsors earlier this year for CrookedCon, the Washington, DC conference hosted by Crooked Media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Courier Newsroom and Fullerton declined to comment. In a statement to Semafor, an ActBlue spokesperson broadly acknowledged that it was looking for new ways to expand its reach, but did not address Semafors specific questions about its recent financial support for Democratic party-aligned media.

ActBlue is a nonprofit organization that has been trusted to serve our democracy for decades. We take that responsibility seriously and are always exploring new ways to expand our community impact and support, a spokesperson told Semafor.

Maxs view

ActBlue hardly needs to sponsor to raise awareness within the Democratic Party; it is by far the largest digital service provider of its kind on the left, and the grassroots fundraising infrastructure it provides is a vital part of the partys campaign apparatus. Its importance to Democratic campaigns is obvious enough to have gotten the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans attention; earlier this year, the president called on the Department of Justice to investigate whether any foreign donors made financial contributions through ActBlue.

Semafor has heard in recent months that party activists muted response when President Donald Trump singled out the organization underwhelmed ActBlue staff, prompting the nonprofit to look for new ways to improve its image among party die-hards.

The organization is also well aware that many people in Democratic politics are annoyed by the most effective fundraising techniques, which involve spamming supporters inboxes with texts and emails begging for money. Supporting Democratic podcasters and creators will create additional, possibly less irritating potential vectors for future campaign donations.
The holidays are packing runways and highways alike, with a potential new record number of Americans on the move in late December.

An estimated 122.4 million people are expected to travel over the busy holiday period  between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, according to AAA, which projects that the number of flyers will jump 2.3% over last year despite the potential of winter weather in parts of the U.S.

"People need to have a plan B, at least an idea," said AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. "If you get canceled, are you gonna rent a car and drive to a different airport? Are you just gonna drive back home? Are you gonna postpone your trip?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Airlines expect 52.6 million passengers to pass through U.S. airports.

Meanwhile, 110 million Americans are predicted to hit the roads and will find gas prices hovering around $2.86/gallon nationally, according to AAA. The average price is down almost 20 cents from last year.

As the holiday rush kicks off, some days will see heavier travel than others. Here's what you need to know.

Busiest air travel days

This year has already seen eight of the busiest travel days in TSA history, and a December date could join them. Dec. 1, 2024, is the only December date to make the top 10 list with 3,088,836 passengers screened.

Advertisement Advertisement

These are expected to be the busiest travel days this holiday period, according to Airlines for America, a trade association that represents the airlines:

Friday, Dec. 19Saturday, Dec. 20Sunday, Dec. 21Friday, Dec. 26Sunday, Dec. 28.

American Airlines said Friday, Dec. 19, would be its busiest travel day, operating more than 6,400 flights. Meanwhile, United Airlines expects the Saturday after Christmas to be its busiest, flying more than 10 million passengers.

About 2.9 million passengers will fly daily over the next two weeks, Airlines for America estimates.

Watch out for holiday travel scams

Lawmakers are issuing a dire new warning about travel-related scams, where fraudsters are creating fake websites and impersonating airlines and hotels. The goal is to trick you into paying for fake reservations  or even to steal your identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Some of these bad actors are using links that appear to be from a major airline with a link to rebook your travel. Don't click on any links sent from unknown parties or visit any third-party sites that aren't reputable.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from scammers:

Use your airline's official apps for the latest information or phone numbersBe on the lookout for fake customer service numbersBe mindful about what you post on social media, as scammers can easily pose as customer service representatives to try to trick you

"Criminals are persistent during the holiday season, targeting travelers with scams involving fraudulent car rentals, airline tickets, hotel reservations, and more. Recognizing these schemes is an important step toward protecting millions of Americans and safeguarding billions of dollars," Kathy Stokes, AARP senior director of fraud prevention, said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

If you are being pressured to act quickly, and if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

A New Mexico monastery where the silence calls

Kevin Hassett says $2,000 tariff checks for Americans will depend on Congress

The enduring message of "It's a Wonderful Life"
If youre hoping to skip the kitchen this Christmas, youre in luck.

While many restaurants close on Christmas Day, several national chains in Alabama will open their doors, serving food whether youre traveling, scrambling up a last-minute meal or just want a stress-free meal.

Before heading out, keep a few things in mind: not all locations of a chain may be open on Christmas, and some might close earlier than usual, so its a good idea to check local restaurants for hours and if they require reservations.

When is Christmas Day 2025?

Christmas Day 2025 is on Thursday, Dec. 25

Is Starbucks in Alabama open on Christmas?

Starbucks store hours vary by location. You can find store hours using the Starbucks app or the store locator here.

Is McDonalds open on Christmas?

Hours will vary by location, but most Alabama locations will be open on Christmas. Check your local store hours before heading over to the Golden Arches.

Is Dunkin open on Christmas?

Dunkin hours will vary by location on Christmas Day. You can find hours for a specific Alabama location using the Dunkin Rewards app or using the Dunkin store locator.

Is Cracker Barrel open on Christmas?

No, all Cracker Barrel locations will be closed on Dec. 25.

Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas?

All Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Dec. 25, according to the company's website.

Is Chipotle open on Christmas?

No, Chipotle restaurants will be closed on Christmas, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is Wendy's open on Christmas?

Most Wendy's restaurants will be open throughout the holidays; however, hours vary by location. The company recommends checking with your local restaurant for specific holiday hours.

Is Taco Bell open on Christmas?

No, Taco Bell locations in the U.S. will be closed on Christmas, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Is Burger King open on Christmas?

According to the company, holiday hours vary by location, so it is best to check with your local restaurant for its specific hours. You can find the closest restaurant to you using Burger King's store locator.

Is Subway open on Christmas?

Subway restaurants are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers should check with their local restaurant regarding specific holiday hours.

Is IHOP open on Christmas?

Yes, IHOP locations will be open on Christmas. Hours vary by location, so check with your local store regarding their specific hours before visiting.

Is Texas Roadhouse open on Christmas?

All Texas Roadhouse locations will be closed on Christmas, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is Outback Steakhouse open on Christmas?

No, Outback Steakhouse restaurants will be closed on Dec. 25, the company confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is Applebee's open on Christmas?

Select Applebee's locations nationwide will be open on Christmas, although hours may be reduced, the company told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location, so customers should contact their local restaurant for specific holiday hours before visiting.

Is Red Lobster open on Christmas?

Yes, Red Lobster restaurants will be open on Dec. 25, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location, so customers are encouraged to check Red Lobster's website for specific holiday hours.

Is Chili's open on Christmas?

No, Chili's restaurants will be closed on Dec. 25, the company confirmed to USA TODAY.

Advertisement Advertisement

Gabe Hauari contributed to this article

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Where can you eat in Alabama on Christmas? Starbucks, McDonalds open
By Colleen Howe

BEIJING, Dec 22 (Reuters) - A revamp of China's electricity market is boosting the economics of storing power just as international demand surges, sparking a boom for the Chinese energy storage manufacturers that already dominate globally.

Chinese firms are on track for a 75% jump this year in global shipments of lithium-ion battery cells for energy storage, according to one estimate.

Advertisement Advertisement

They have exported more than $65 billion worth of storage and electric-vehicle batteries this year, cementing their dominance in a sector vital to backing up wind and solar and keeping power coursing through artificial-intelligence data centres.

The surge in sales is driven by data centres and renewables domestically, as well as by Chinese reforms and subsidies that are boosting general demand for energy storage. International demand is rising in tandem with the surging growth in data centres, a need to back up Europe's ageing grid and China's burgeoning renewable energy business in the Middle East, analysts say.

GOING GLOBAL

"These leading energy storage cell makers, they have full orders. Many of them are basically working double shifts now to try and meet demand," said analyst Cosimo Ries at policy research firm Trivium China. The boom "is one of the biggest surprises of the year, I think, in China's energy space."

Advertisement Advertisement

UBS last month raised its 2026 forecast for global battery-energy storage installations by 25%.

The International Energy Agency forecasts global investment in battery storage facilities will rise 16% this year to $66 billion. Much of that is set to be captured by Chinese firms because while Tesla is number one in energy storage systems, China dominates production of the tiny cells inside them.

All of the six top global cell suppliers - Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), HiTHIUM, EVE Energy, BYD, CALB and REPT BATTERO - are Chinese, according to a January-to-September ranking by consultancy Infolink. Of the top 10, only Japan's AESC is not from China.

EVE's energy storage sales volumes rose 35.51% in the first three quarters from the same period last year. REPT BATTERO's third-quarter shipments of all batteries set a record high. Top EV players CATL and BYD did not break out energy storage shipments through the third quarter. Storage has historically made up less of their revenue than automotive batteries and EVs, although the proportion is growing.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Pairing solar with storage has effectively become the only solution for meeting U.S. AI data-centre power needs," UBS analyst Yishu Yan told a media briefing. "U.S. AI data centre power demand is very robust, but power is the biggest bottleneck, and U.S. baseload power - gas, nuclear, thermal - they won't grow much in the next five years."

However, Yan said, Chinese manufacturers face risks from U.S. restrictions on projects receiving investment tax credits that involve designated "foreign entities of concern", which include China.

POWER MARKET SHAKE-UP

China's battery exports, including for EVs and energy storage, hit a record $66.761 billion in the first 10 months of the year, according to data from energy think tank Ember. Batteries have been China's most lucrative clean-technology export since 2022, surpassing solar photovoltaics.

Advertisement Advertisement

That is likely to grow again next year, as consultancy Infolink anticipates global energy storage cell shipments could rise to 800 gigawatt-hours, a 33% to 43% increase from this year's forecasts.

China's exports of energy storage and other non-automotive batteries rose 51.4% in the first 11 months from the same period last year, faster than the 40.6% growth in EV battery exports, according to the China Electric Vehicle Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance.

China already has the world's largest battery energy storage fleet - some 40% of the global total - driven in part by local government mandates for developers to add storage to wind and solar projects. China's battery storage this year overtook its capacity of conventional pumped hydro, a geographically more limited technology that uses water stored behind dams to generate electricity when needed.

However, much of that battery storage capacity has sat idle because it was not profitable to operate.

Advertisement Advertisement

That model is changing with reforms in June that required newly built projects to sell their power through market-based auctions, instead of at a fixed rate. As a result, it has become more profitable to run a storage plant that profits by recharging when prices are low and discharging when prices are high.

Energy storage plants ran longer in the third quarter, after the reforms passed, hitting an average 3.08 hours per day, up 0.78 hours from a year earlier and up 0.23 hours from the previous three months, according to the China Electricity Council.

This is happening against the backdrop of a new $35 billion government plan to nearly double battery storage by 2027 as well as new provincial-level subsidies. Since late 2024, 10 Chinese provinces have rolled out capacity tariffs - special payments for providers to keep capacity on standby - in addition to other subsidies, according to Jefferies.

It is "the most decisive policy shift for energy storage in over a decade", Jefferies analyst Johnson Wan wrote in a note.

(Reporting by Colleen Howe; Editing by William Mallard)
The genetic evidence is consistent with a father-daughter union, making it one of the clearest and earliest documented cases of such extreme parental consanguinity in the archaeological record.

A groundbreaking genetic study has uncovered evidence of extreme parental consanguinity within a Bronze Age community in southern Italy, offering rare insight into prehistoric social structures and family dynamics.

The research, published this month in Communications Biology, analyzed ancient DNA from human remains found at Grotta della Monaca, a cave site in Calabria used for burials during the Middle Bronze Age, roughly between 1780 and 1380 BCE. By reconstructing genome-wide data from 14 individuals, researchers mapped kinship, ancestry, and population history with unprecedented detail for this region.

Advertisement Advertisement

The most striking finding centers on one individual whose genetic profile revealed extraordinarily long stretches of identical DNA, known as runs of homozygosity. These patterns indicate that the person was the child of a first-degree incestuous relationship. According to the researchers, the genetic evidence is consistent with a father-daughter union, making it one of the clearest and earliest documented cases of such extreme parental consanguinity in the archaeological record.

A documented incestuous relationship from the Bronze Age

While incest taboos are deeply rooted in most known societies, the authors caution against assuming this case reflects broader social norms. Instead, it may represent an exceptional circumstance within a small, tightly knit community. The study notes that background relatedness among individuals was already high, a common feature in small or relatively isolated Bronze Age populations.

Beyond this exceptional case, the genetic data reveal that many of the individuals buried in the cave were closely related, including parent-offspring pairs. This suggests the burial site was likely used by a single community or extended family group over multiple generations, rather than by unrelated individuals from a wider region.

DNA (illustrative) (credit: Courtesy)

The study also sheds light on the ancestry of Bronze Age southern Italians, a population that has long been underrepresented in ancient DNA research. The Grotta della Monaca individuals share ancestry typical of Bronze Age Italy, largely derived from early European farmers, with smaller contributions from Steppe pastoralist and western hunter-gatherer populations. Their genetic profile places them between early Bronze Age groups from Sicily and those from central and northern Italy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Notably, the researchers found little evidence of genetic input from the eastern Mediterranean or North Africa, in contrast to influences observed in some other Bronze Age populations in the region. This suggests that communities in southern Italy may have followed distinct demographic paths, shaped by local networks rather than extensive long-distance migration.

Taken together, the findings offer a rare glimpse into both the biological and social realities of a prehistoric community. By combining genetic analysis with archaeological context, the study demonstrates how ancient DNA can illuminate not only where people came from but also how they lived, organized families, and navigated life in small-scale societies thousands of years ago.

The authors emphasize that while the incest case is exceptional, it underscores the power of archaeogenetics to uncover aspects of human behavior that rarely leave visible traces in the archaeological record.
(NewsNation)  Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida expressed some frustration with the latest Epstein files but emphasized the need to protect victims and avoid circulating pedophilic information.

The Department of Justice began releasing documents related to its Jeffrey Epstein investigation Friday afternoon, at least partially meeting a deadline mandated by Congress. The files included photos of celebrities including Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger, and political figures such as President Trump and former President Bill Clinton, but left many with more questions than answers.

I will always weigh on the side of caution and protecting victims and obviously not wanting that information circulated as well as not wanting pedophilic information, Luna told Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

300K Epstein files released: Who are the celebrities in the photos

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News the department would not release the full Epstein files Friday as required by law, and will instead release a partial batch. Blanche attributed the delay to the need to redact identifying information about witnesses.

According to Blanche, once identifying information is secured, he expects more documents to be released over the next couple of weeks.

I will say this, no other administration was willing to even bring this information forward, and after talking to several of the victims myself, as well as being in the oversight hearing where you had both Democrats and Republicans present, victims had stated that they had actually asked for their information under the Biden administration and didnt even receive information back, or were outright denied, Luna added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Thousands of people gathered at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to mark one week since a fatal mass shooting claimed the lives of 15 innocent people there. #GLOBALink
Oregon officials and members of Newport's fishing community take a tour of the city's municipal airport in November. (Photo by Shaanth Nanguneri/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newports airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction.

Lawyers for the state sought an injunction from U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in an amended complaint filed last week as part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the U.S. Coast Guards removal of a rescue helicopter from its Newport Municipal Airport facility in late October. They argued that the federal government is skirting federal environmental and coastal land use regulations which would require more notice for Oregon leaders should an ICE facility be constructed in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Defendants have engaged in these efforts behind closed doors, with no transparency or public process, ignoring direct requests for information from local officials and members of Congress, the new filing reads. As a result, the state has been forced to piece together defendants plans for the ICE detention facility based on public reporting, inquiries to and information from federal contractors, the second-hand account of a U.S. Coast Guard witness, and related evidence.

Much of the evidence in Attorney General Dan Rayfields updated lawsuit has been previously reported. Jenny Hansson, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Justice, referred to the amended complaint in response to a request for additional information or evidence.

We will not allow federal agencies to sidestep the law or build detention facilities where they dont belong, including along our coast, Rayfield said in a statement. The federal government has to follow the same laws everyone else does when operating in our communities.

Representatives for the homeland security department and ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. An unnamed DHS spokesperson responded two days after this article published and called the lawsuit another example of demonizing rhetoric from sanctuary state politicians.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Department of Homeland Security reserves the right to use its own property to support its own operations in the mission given to it by the American people to uphold the laws they passed through Congress, the spokesperson said. No lawsuit is going to stop us from fulfilling that mission.

On Monday, Newports lawyers filed a similar lawsuit in federal court asking a judge to require compliance with federal environmental regulations mandating impact assessments before any construction of an ICE detention facility in the city. The U.S. Coast Guards deed from 1992 for its Newport Municipal Airport facility specifically mentions its purpose as an aviation site, a purpose the suit says should be honored.

State attorneys, a local Newport-based fishing nonprofit and Lincoln County officials had sued for the rescue helicopters return from a base in North Bend in November ahead of a dangerous crabbing season in the coastal city, home to one of Oregons largest commercial fishing industries. The U.S. Coast Guard went on to station a rescue helicopter in Newport following a temporary court order for its return, and federal lawyers have since committed to leaving the helicopter in place until spring 2026.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Advertisement Advertisement

Aiken on Monday, however, issued a broader preliminary injunction that ordered the chopper to remain at Newports Municipal Airport as the lawsuit over its relocation continues to play out. While Oregons two U.S. senators previously received written Dec. 12 promises from U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Kevin E. Lunday that the helicopter will stay at the citys municipal airport, Lunday did not rule out more long-term changes to the Coast Guards Newport facility.

Oregon is one of a few states in the nation that does not have a large-scale, long-term immigration detention facility. People held by ICE in the state are allowed to be detained in processing facilities in cities such as Portland for up to 12 hours, often transferring to a center in Tacoma, Washington, for longer detentions.

According to the states updated lawsuit, though, ICE informed potential facility contractors that it would hold most detainees in Newport for less than 72 hours to avoid triggering federal rules regarding heightened space, services and standards of care. The suit alleges the federal agency then acknowledged stays may exceed the 72-hour threshold, even though doing so would violate its own standards.

In a Monday newsletter to his constituents, state Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, who represents Newport, praised the states move.

Advertisement Advertisement

Now we have a tool to do something. When all we have are rumors, we cant plan and we cant have a real dialogue that helps us convey our communitys concerns, he wrote. I hate that it took a lawsuit to get our government to simply talk to us.
ASHEVILLE - An Asheville father has filed a lawsuit against Mission Hospital and one of its employees after the employee allegedly struck and killed his son on Swannanoa River Road while driving a company vehicle.

Michael Rozos, the father of Alexander Rozos, filed the lawsuit Dec. 18 in Buncombe County Superior Court against the driver, Mauricio Roberto Melgar Delgado, HCA Healthcare, Mission Hospital and its parent companies.

An Asheville Police Department investigation showed Alexander Rozos was riding a bicycle west along Swannanoa River Road around 11:42 a.m. July 18, 2024, while a driver identified as Delgado, 48, was driving a white box truck in the same direction behind him. After both Rozos and Delgado passed through the intersection of South Tunnel Road, Delgado overtook Rozos, fatally striking and running him over, an APD incident report confirms.

Advertisement Advertisement

The lawsuit reveals that at the time of the crash, Delgado was driving a 2019 Kenworth truck  owned by HCA  within the course and scope of his employment with Mission Hospital. Rozos' attorney, Thomas Killoren Jr., described the vehicle as a "20,000-pound, large delivery vehicle."

Delgado drove the truck away before officers arrived, and Alexander Rozos died at the scene of the collision, the Citizen Times previously reported.

Alexander Rozos

Rozos was a Haw Creek resident, cyclist and athlete who had been recruited by the military on a fast track to the United States Army Special Forces, his father previously told the Citizen Times. An avid climber, Rozos was riding to a climbing gym when he was struck, Michael Rozos said.

"He was riding his bike to work and was hit and killed for absolutely no reason. Where do you start to describe the loss that these parents have experienced? It's just devastating and it must stop," Killoren Jr. told the Citizen Times Dec. 19.

Advertisement Advertisement

The lawsuit claims negligence and wrongful death by Delgado, along with vicarious liability and negligent hiring and supervision by Mission Hospital and HCA. The lawsuit cited a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, which holds an employer legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee.

HCA Defendants are vicariously liable for the negligent, careless, and reckless acts and omissions of their employee/agent, the lawsuit said.

The HCA defendants were negligent in hiring and supervision by either failing to have policies in place to train and monitor their drivers or failing to enforce them, the lawsuit claims. The suit also alleges the company failed to have or enforce drivers compliance with motor vehicle laws and failed to have or implement an adequate safety program for the safety and protection of the motoring public.

More: Asheville police find, charge driver in hit-and-run death of cyclist; victim named

Alexander Rozos rock climbing with his father Michael Rozos in Rumbling Bald near Lake Lure.

The lawsuit goes on to further claim that HCA and Mission Hospital failed to properly investigate Delgados driving record and ensure he had the right training, credentials and skills to drive a company vehicle. HCA and Mission Hospital knew or should have known Delgado could not drive a vehicle safely and effectively, the lawsuit claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

By his actions, the lawsuit claims Delgado was negligent, careless, and reckless by violating state law regarding the safe passing distance from a cyclist, following too closely and reducing a vehicles speed to avoid a collision. The suit says Delgado failed to follow the standard of care for professional drivers, as detailed in the North Carolina Commercial Drivers Manual.

The lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and damages to cover hospital bills, funeral expenses and compensation for pain and suffering.

Mission Hospital spokesperson Nancy Lindell did not respond to Citizen Times questions sent Dec. 19, including whether Delgado is still employed by Mission and what guidelines the hospital and HCA have in place for hiring and training drivers.

Delgado was indicted to Buncombe County Superior Court on Nov. 4, 2024, under a charge of felony hit and run inflicting serious injury or death. The Citizen Times attempted to reach Delgado.

Advertisement Advertisement

More: 'Deeply flawed:' Asheville ranks 1st in North Carolina for bicyclist deaths per capita

More: Asheville woman demands road safety changes after fiance killed in NC 251 bike crash

More: Restrict skateboards, bikes downtown Marshall? Some residents say no

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Mission Hospital sued after Asheville cyclist's hit-and-run death
As Atlanta moves into Christmas week, the city is likely to experience one of the warmest Christmas Days on record in Georgia.

Temperatures could soar into the 70s, forecasts show, making much of the southeast feel like spring has sprung.

Atlanta may not be known for it's wintery weather, but when was the last time this city's residents got to celebrate a true "White Christmas"?

December 25, 2010

Just before Christmas Day 15 years ago, a strong storm system forced a low pressure system to move across the Gulf Coast, according to records from the National Weather Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

It started to rain on Christmas Eve, but as the temperature dropped in north Georgia, the rain slowly turned to snow.

By Christmas morning some parts of the mountains had inches of snow, eventually hitting a high of 8 inches recorded that day.

The Atlanta metro area varied between 1 and 3 inches of snow accumulation, continuing into Dec. 26 as cold temperatures caused the roads to freeze overnight.

The storm eventually moved up the East Coast, and the snow melted in Georgia.

First snow in more than a century

The 2010 snowstorm was the first measurable Christmas snow in Atlanta since 1881, marking the end of 129 years of dry Christmas Days.

Advertisement Advertisement

The National Weather Service considers it a "White Christmas" when there is at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning.

With temperatures trending warmer this winter, Atlantans will have to wait at least one more year for snow on Christmas.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Todays Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is the last time there was snow in Atlanta on Christmas Day?
A member of the Atlanta Housing Authority leadership is accused of fraud, improperly getting government housing and pandemic relief funds, according to a Monday press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of Georgia.

Tracy Denise Jones, a senior vice president at the Atlanta Housing Authority, has been charged with fraudulently collecting Section 8 housing assistance payments for her own rental property and family members. She is also accused of making fraudulent applications for pandemic relief funds. The allegations suggest she improperly obtained more than $36,000 in Section 8 funds and more than $27,000 from COVID-19 relief programs.

A longtime senior executive of one of the largest housing authorities in the nation, Jones was entrusted to deliver vast sums of government assistance to our communitys neediest members, said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. But Jones allegedly exploited a variety of assistance programs and chose to line her own pockets using an alternate identity, multiple business entities, a false affidavit, and a cadre of associates willing to lie on her behalf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Jones is accused of using falsified documents to allow her family members into the Section 8 program, allowing her to receive funds for their housing in her own rental home. The U.S. Attorneys Office said she allegedly used a false name and shell business to conceal her identity. She is also accused of obstructing investigations by submitting a false affidavit and encouraging acquaintances to lie for her.

Jones also allegedly exploited COVID-19 pandemic relief programs, claiming more than $27,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration by presenting her business as operational with multiple employees. In her appeal to the SBA following a denial of her application, Jones stated, I am truly a[n] honest business owner. In another part of her appeal, she mentioned, I hear the stories how people abused the PPP loans to establish a lavish lif[e] style. That is not me.

Jones is also charged with mortgage fraud related to her rental property refinancing. She claimed on her loan application for $219,780 that the property was her primary residence while concealing it was a rental.

Jones was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge John K. Larkins III on federal charges including conspiracy to commit theft of government funds and wire fraud. The investigation into her actions is being conducted by the HUD Office of Inspector General, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Garrett L. Bradford.

Advertisement Advertisement

Early Monday, Jones still appeared on the website as a part of the housing authoritys senior leadership team. But by Monday evening, Atlanta Housing had named an interim leader as her replacement.

Atlanta Housing released a statement in response to a Channel 2 Action News request for comment.

As this is an active legal matter, Atlanta Housing is unable to comment at this time. We will follow all appropriate protocols related to both internal and external reviews of all claims. Atlanta Housing

Channel 2 Action News has also reached out to Jones for comment on the charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
An attorney claimed the Shin Bet policy of relocating violent settlers into Israel proper has led to rising threats in mixed cities like Jaffa, endangering residents safety.

An attorney has urged the Shin Bet to act after three Jews linked with the Hilltop Youth movement allegedly attacked a pregnant Arab woman in Jaffa, warning that settler violence is being shifted from the West Bank into Israels cities.

Attorney Omer Nahmani, head of the Returning with Wisdom NGO and former spokesman for Democratic Union chairman Yair Golan, sent a letter on Sunday to Shin Bet chief David Zini.

Advertisement Advertisement

He claimed the agencys policy of relocating violent settlers into Israel proper has led to rising threats in mixed cities like Jaffa, endangering residents safety.

Woman, children targeted in attack

The letter followed an incident in which a woman was allegedly attacked while sitting in her car with her five-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter. According to the family, three Jewish youths sprayed pepper spray into the vehicle, shouted threats and obscenities, and fled. The woman was evacuated to Wolfson Medical Center in light condition.

Police arrested three suspects two days later. A Magistrates Court extended its remand by five days. During questioning, the suspects admitted being at the scene but claimed they acted in self-defense. Police said their version of events was inconsistent with security footage, forensic evidence, and eyewitness accounts.

An attorney has urged the Shin Bet to act after three Jewish hilltop youth allegedly attacked a pregnant Arab woman in Jaffa, warning that settler violence is being shifted from the West Bank into Israels cities. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

Suspects linked to Hilltop Youth

Investigators determined the suspects are affiliated with Hilltop Youth and are barred from the West Bank. The suspects claimed they were on a Saturday morning outing in Jaffa, felt threatened by nearby vehicles, and fled the area. After giving identical statements, they invoked their right to remain silent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Attorney Asaf Gonen of the Honenu legal aid group, who represents the suspects, told the court that police had interrupted the suspects during questioning and were not allowing them to respond fully. He described the event as a spontaneous altercation, not a premeditated attack.

'Jewish terrorists must be treated the same'

In his letter, Nahmani wrote: As a resident of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, a secular person and a member of the LGBTQ community, I wish to emphasize that the Shin Bet is responsible for my personal security and that of all the citys residents.

He warned that the ideology of radical settler youth poses a danger to diverse communities across Israel. It cannot be that Jewish terrorists, who are removed from the West Bank due to the threat they pose, are transferred into Israel proper only to continue endangering lives in civilian population centers, he wrote.

Just as a non-Jewish terrorist would not be relocated from the West Bank into Israel proper out of concern for public safety, the same standard must apply to Jewish terrorists. Mixed cities cannot become dumping grounds for violent extremists, Nahmani added.

Family reports intimidation

The letter was also sent amid concern that the family had been targeted again, after their car was broken into days after the attack. Another violent incident that deepens the sense of fear within our family and within Arab society as a whole, said Fadi, the partner of Hanan, the woman injured in the assault.

Advertisement Advertisement

It seems there are those trying to intimidate and silence us so that we stop demanding enforcement and justice. But we will not be deterred.

The incident came as Hanan was expected to give birth, further amplifying the family's sense of vulnerability. We dont feel safe in our home, the family said.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Attorneys for detainees at an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz want a federal judge to make an unscheduled, in-person visit to the facility to see firsthand if they are getting sufficient access to their lawyers.

Attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on Friday to make the visit within the next two months to help assess whether detainees are allowed to meet with their attorneys in a confidential and regular manner. The facility was built this summer at a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration.

The detainees' federal lawsuit claims that their attorneys have to make an appointment to visit three days in advance, unlike at other immigration detention facilities where lawyers can just show up during visiting hours; that detainees often are transferred to other facilities after their attorneys had made an appointment to see them; and that scheduling delays have been so lengthy that detainees were unable to meet with attorneys before key deadlines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Federal courts routinely conduct site visits as a valid fact-finding tool, especially in cases involving conditions of confinement, the detainees' attorneys wrote in their request.

But attorneys for the state of Florida strenuously objected to a visit, saying a federal judge doesn't have authority to inspect a state facility and a visit would pose significant security risks.

It would also impose a large burden on facility staff and significantly interrupt the facilitys operations, attorneys for the state of Florida said.

As of Monday, the judge hadn't ruled on the request.

The judge, who is based in Fort Myers, Florida, ordered the detainees lawyers and attorneys for the state and federal government to meet last week in an effort to resolve the case. But they were unable to reach a resolution despite nine hours of talks.

Advertisement Advertisement

The case over access to the legal system is one of three federal lawsuits challenging practices at the immigration detention center. Another lawsuit brought by detainees in federal court in Fort Myers argues that immigration is a federal issue, and Florida agencies and private contractors hired by the state have no authority to operate the facility under federal law. A judge last week denied a request by the detainees for a preliminary injunction to close the facility.

In the third lawsuit, a federal judge in Miami last summer ordered the facility to wind down operations over two months because officials had failed to do a review of the detention centers environmental impact. But an appellate court panel put that decision on hold for the time being, allowing the facility to stay open.

Detainees at the facility have complained about toilets that dont flush, flooding floors with fecal waste, and mosquitoes and other insects that are everywhere. President Donald Trump toured the detention center last summer, suggesting it could be a model for future lockups nationwide as his administration races to expand the infrastructure necessary for increasing deportations.

___

Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social
Six tenants at a mobile home park in Aztec, New Mexico, are suing their landlord, alleging the Tennessee-based company imposed illegal fees, rules and lease terms. (David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record)

Six homeowners at a mobile home park in Aztec, New Mexico, allege in a new lawsuit that a Tennessee-based company violated state laws when it abruptly imposed new park rules, fees and lease terms on tenants and then used those illegal measures to threaten eviction.

The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, a nonprofit legal aid organization, filed the lawsuit late last week on the tenants behalf against Capital Communities PM LLC, which owns mobile home parks across the country, including the San Juan Mobile Home Park in Aztec.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the lawsuit, Capital Communities bought the 85-lot property in April and then a month later issued a notice saying rents would increase from $260 a month to $450 a month for most tenants. In the same notice, the landlords said they would pave the park this summer, though they never did so, according to the lawsuit.

Shortly after buying the property, the owners sent park residents a 10-page document called community standards that imposed new prohibitions on residents, including on certain pets; which items are allowed on patios; and on cars that management deems against the appearance of the Community, according to the lawsuit.

The state Mobile Home Park Act requires landlords to give tenants 60 days notice for new rules like those, including a 30-day comment period. Instead, the notice to tenants said the new rules are effective as of the date they are provided to you, even if you refuse to sign and acknowledge receipt, according to the lawsuit.

Many of the violations in the new rules carried fines of $25 a week, and the lawsuit alleges several tenants received generic notices that they had violated the rules.

Advertisement Advertisement

Along with the community standards, the owners issued new lease agreements containing fines and fees for a number of measures that extend beyond what is allowable under state law, according to the lawsuit. The agreement lists $25 fees for party permits, along with parking and trash violation fees. The lease also includes other unspecified service and labor fees, even though state law only allows landlords to impose incidental charges for services actually performed.

Management and owners did not respond to Source New Mexicos phone call or email Monday. Court records show the defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit or been served summonses.

Neil Lobato, one of the plaintiffs, has lived in the park with his family for 16 years, he told Source NM. The affordable rent made it an attractive place to live, but that all changed with the abrupt and dramatic rent increase when the new company came in, he said.

I just know what they are doing is wrong, he said. People with money pushing around people that didnt have money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Lobato faces eviction due to lack of payment, court records show. Hes tried to pay for the rent increase through a loan on his tax return. Moving would be expensive and would disrupt his 16-year-olds school year, he said, among other issues.

Neil Lobato, top left, stands with his family outside their home in Aztec, including wife and daughter Brandy and Isla, front, and future son-in-law Tristan King. Rent increases at the San Juan Mobile Home Park in Aztec are making it unaffordable to live in his home of 16 years, he said. (Courtesy Neil Lobato)

Ive been stressing so bad, he said, after 16 years and never having to worry about a place to live.

The lawsuit seeks damages, attorney fees and court orders nixing the new rules, fees and leases, as well as injunctions preventing evictions of the defendants. According to the lawsuit, three have received eviction notices, and the others may soon.

Riley Masse, attorney at the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit that the court should intervene to protect the rights of tenants at the mobile home park, since parks like the one in Aztec are the backbone of affordable housing in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

These residents are long-time homeowners who contribute to the strength and character of Northern New Mexico, Masse said. This corporation is trying to exploit them with illegal rent increases and misinformation that preys on fear. But New Mexico law protects these families and says out-of-state park owners cant bully residents out of their homes.

The Center on Law and Poverty has recently pushed for reforms in the state Mobile Home Park Act, first enacted in 1983, including empowering the New Mexico Attorney General to enforce the act, create pathways for tenants to buy the mobile home parks where they live and increase funding for civil legal services to force compliance with the law.
Calls grow to disarm the militias in Iraq, but Kataib Hezbollah refuses to comply.

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are in the spotlight as there appears to be growing momentum seeking to disarm them and place their weapons in the hands of the state. This is part of a broader trend in the region that seeks to end the reign of Iranian-backed proxies, terrorists, and militias that have wreaked havoc in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. The only major success so far has been in Syria, when the fall of the Assad regime forced Iranian-backed militias to flee the country. In Gaza, Hamas is weakened, but continues to control around half the enclave.

Reports in Iraq suggest that some Iranian-backed militias are ready to comply with an order to place their weapons under state control. However, two powerful militias have openly refused. At the same time, rumors are swirling in Baghdad that if the militias do not disarm, those militias could face airstrikes. The Iraqi National Intelligence Service issued a statement late Saturday night clarifying what media outlets had reported about Iraq about to be subjected to military strikes. But the intelligence agency said it was categorically denying this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Numerous members of the newly elected Iraqi parliament have affiliations with the Iranian-backed Shiite militias. These militias are often categorized as the Popular Mobilization Forces or Hashd al-Shaabi. This is supposed to be an official Iraqi parliamentary force.

Much like Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, it often seeks to supplant the state and act independently. The militias in Iraq include dozens of groups. Some are stronger than others. The Badr Organization, for instance, has numerous large militia affiliates; it also has a strong role in Iraqs Interior Ministry. However, it is not sanctioned by the US.

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim men from the Iranian-backed group Kataib Hezbollah wave the party's flags as they walk along a street painted in the colours of the Israeli flag during a parade marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Baghdad (credit: THAIER AL-SUDANI/REUTERS)

Other militia groups, such as Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, are sanctioned by the US. As such, some of these militias are seen as terrorist groups. Many have engaged in terrorism and human rights abuses over the years. Some of them have also targeted American forces and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

One report at Al-Sumaria TV says that some of the militias may agree to place their weapons under state control. This comes after a judicial order to do so. Asaib Ahl al-Haq, the Kataib Imam Ali militia, and Harakat Ansar Allah Awfiya appear to be willing to comply.

Iraqs judiciary and militias test the states sovereignty

However, there is controversy about Iraqs judiciary and whether it will do the right thing. US Congress member Joe Wilson wrote on social media on December 21, today, the corrupt president of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council publicly thanked armed factions for their stated intention to disarm. This language does not reflect the conduct of a state institution nor that of a neutral judiciary. Instead, it clearly shows a communication channel and an ongoing relationship between the judiciary leadership and militia factions. An independent judiciary does not thank armed groups for following its advice nor assess their political or military actions. Such conduct is completely outside its constitutional role.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Shafaq News in Iraq, a source within the [Shiite] coordination framework revealed on Saturday evening that the political forces involved in the framework have requested some international mediating parties to provide actual guarantees that armed factions will not be targeted during the steps to dissolve and integrate them into security institutions.

The report added, the political forces within the coordination framework have asked some international parties (mediators) to provide real guarantees in exchange for dissolving the armed factions and disarming or confining their weapons to the state. The guarantees are that they will not be attacked or targeted, and that the matter of dissolution and integration will be left without a specific time frame, because the movement will be internal.

It also appears that other parties want to encourage Baghdad to continue with its policy of reigning in its militias. An informed government source revealed on Sunday that the US Presidents envoy, Mark Savaya, will soon visit Baghdad at the head of a delegation from the US administration to discuss a number of issues related to the nature of the relationship between Washington and Baghdad in the next stage, as well as to discuss solutions to the crises, Shafaq said.

What do we know about the current crisis in Baghdad? Rudaw Kurdish media reported that a report by Asharq Al-Awsat had said a friendly country had warned Baghdad that strikes could occur if the militias dont comply with demands to put their weapons under state control. Potential targets could include government institutions linked to Shiite factions and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), military figures, drone and missile depots, and training camps. It also claimed Israel had received a green light from the United States to act inside Iraq.

Advertisement Advertisement

Kataib Hezbollah is the main militia now threatening to cause trouble. Al-Ain media in the UAE notes that its refusal to put weapons under state control restricts Iraqs sovereignty. The report stated, Kataib Hezbollah, one of the most prominent armed factions linked to the Iranian axis in Iraq, has renewed its explicit rejection of the principle of disarmament or confining weapons to the state.

The Al-Ain report notes that Kataib Hezbollah, which is among the closest militias to the Iranian IRGC, wants to see foreign forces leave Iraq before it disarms. The Kataib Hezbollah brigades consider their weapons not their property, but rather a trust that cannot be relinquished.

Al-Ain said, The brigades linked any potential understanding with the Iraqi government to the withdrawal of all foreign forces, including the international coalition and NATO forces, in addition to the Turkish forces, thereby exceeding the powers of the Iraqi state in managing its military and security relations, and enshrining the logic of armed veto over sovereign decisions.

The group also included vague threats related to what they called dangers to the people and holy sites in an attempt to justify their continued possession of weapons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Al-Ain notes that this is the same policy as Hezbollah and Hamas. These positions are seen as part of a broader strategy by armed forces linked to Iran, based on retaining weapons as a tool of political and security influence, and using them to pressure national governments, rather than integrating into state processes and building institutions.

The report concludes: the insistence of Kataib Hezbollah on imposing its conditions, and its prior rejection of any path to disarmament, undermines the Iraqi governments efforts to restore its monopoly on force, weakens the chances of stability, and keeps the country hostage to regional equations that transcend the national interest.
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss defended her decision to pull a segment that had been scheduled for Sundays 60 Minutes, telling staff at the network during the morning editorial call Monday that the story did not advance the ball and that the show needed to get the principals on the record and on camera.

I want to say something about trust: our trust for each other and our trust with the public, Weiss said on the call. The only newsroom Im interested in running is one in which we are able to have contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters with respect, and, crucially, where we assume the best intent of our colleagues. Anything else is absolutely unacceptable.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Advertisement Advertisement

I held a 60 Minutes story because it was not ready, she continued. While the story presented powerful testimony of torture at CECOT, it did not advance the ballthe Times and other outlets have previously done similar work. The public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment at this prison. To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more. And this is 60 Minutes. We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera. Our viewers come first. Not the listing schedule or anything else. Thats my north star and I hope its yours, too.

60 Minutes had been slated to run the segment, which featured Sharyn Alfonsi as the correspondent and Oriana Zill de Granados as the producer speaking to Venezuelans who had been deported by the Trump administration to El Salvadors notorious CECOT prison.

Alfonsi sent an email to her fellow correspondents Sunday blasting the decision.

Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct, Alfonsi wrote. In my view, pulling it nowafter every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.

Advertisement Advertisement

60 Minutes, of course, is the most-watched news program in all of television, and the stories it presents carry meaningful weight. While the show routinely features newsmaking interviews and groundbreaking investigations, it is also known to have segments that build off the reporting done elsewhere like at The New York Times, in many cases introducing its audiences to the subject through its vast TV reach.

The show has been at the center of a firestorm before, one that was dramatized in Michael Manns 1999 thriller The Insider. A tobacco executive agreed to be interviewed as part of a 60 Minutes expose into the industry led by Mike Wallace. CBS killed the story citing legal concerns, as well as a pending sale of the network.

Alfonsi referenced the moment in her note to colleagues.

CBS spiked the Jeffrey Wigand interview due to legal concerns, nearly destroying the credibility of this broadcast, Alfonsi wrote. It took years to recover from that low point. By pulling this story to shield an administration, we are repeating that history, but for political optics rather than legal ones.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss defended her decision to pull a controversial 60 Minutes segment on an El Salvador prison, telling staff Monday the piece wasnt ready and needed more reporting  pushing back on accusations that the last-minute move was politically motivated.

Weiss addressed the backlash during a network-wide editorial call, saying she held the segment because we simply need to do more, according to a recording reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

Bari Weiss became editor-in-chief of CBS News in October. Getty Images for Uber, X and The Free Press

I held a 60 Minutes story and I held that story because it wasnt ready, Weiss told CBS News staffers on Monday. When reached by The Post, CBS News confirmed the accuracy of the Journals reporting.

Inmates in their cell at El Salvadors notorious CECOT prison. AFP via Getty Images

Weiss said the story has already been reported on by places like the [New York] Times, the public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment in this prison. So to run a story on this subject, two months later, we simply need to do more.

A prison agent guards inmates at CECOT. via REUTERS

She said the only newsroom she wants to run is one where editors can have contentious disagreements while assuming the best intent of colleagues  an implicit criticism of 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi.

Advertisement Advertisement

The only newsroom that Im interested in running is one where we are able to have contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters and do so with respect and crucially where we assume the best intent of our colleagues, Weiss said on the editorial call on Monday.

Gang members wait to be taken to their cells at CECOT on Feb. 24, 2023. via REUTERS

Alfonsi blasted the decision in a Sunday email to top correspondents, writing that she learned just a day earlier that Weiss had spiked our story and arguing the move was political, not editorial.

The segment had been promoted heavily and was scheduled to air Sunday before CBS abruptly pulled it just three hours before broadcast  an unusually late programming change that triggered an internal uproar, according to the New York Times.

60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi criticized the stations decision to yank the CECOT segement. Facebook / Sharyn Alfonsi

Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices, Alfonsi wrote, according to the Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Pulling it now  is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.

The Times reported that Weiss first reviewed the segment Thursday and requested numerous changes over the following days, including asking producers to seek a fresh interview with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller or another senior Trump administration official.

Weiss also raised concerns about referring to the deported Venezuelans as migrants, noting they were in the US illegally, people familiar with the discussions told the Times.

Alfonsi countered internally that her team had sought comment from the White House, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, warning that allowing an administrations refusal to participate to delay a story would hand officials a kill switch over coverage, according to the Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

CBS said the segment would air at a later date.

Guards hold a weapon to a CECOT prisoners back. REUTERS

Weiss rejected Alfonsis characterization during the morning call on Monday, saying the prison conditions had already been reported by the Times and others and that airing a similar story months later required additional reporting, including making every effort to get key principals on the record and on camera.

To me, our viewers come first, not a listing schedule or anything else, Weiss said on Monday.

That is my North Star and I hope its the North Star of every person in this newsroom.

The Post has sought comment from the White House and CBS.
This undated combo photo shows front, back and side views of a stone artifact unearthed from the Tsungqen Co site in Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute/Handout via Xinhua)

CHENGDU, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese archaeologists have uncovered a significant Paleolithic site at an unprecedented altitude on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, offering fresh insights into early human migration and adaptability, according to the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration.

Located near Tsungqen Co, a highland lake in Daocheng County, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, Sichuan Province, the site represents the highest-altitude evidence of ancient human presence in the region to date.

Detailed findings were published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology by a research team from Peking University and the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute.

Tsungqen Co, meaning "big lake" in the local language, is one of numerous glacial lakes that formed after the Last Glacial Maximum through melting glaciers. These water bodies have long attracted diverse fauna, providing vital resources for ancient hunter-gatherer communities.

The newly discovered Tsungqen Co site, situated at an elevation exceeding 4,300 meters, forms part of the renowned Piluo site complex, which was honored as one of China's top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2021.

While the main Piluo site, located at an average altitude of 3,750 meters and dating back over 200,000 years, is recognized as the earliest, largest and most prolific Paleolithic site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Tsungqen Co site occupies an even higher elevation, with its earliest cultural layers dating to approximately 12,000 years ago.

Archaeologists unearthed over 190 stone artifacts at the Tsungqen Co site, with the assemblage predominantly comprising small-to-medium-sized tools. This collection reflects a sophisticated microlithic industry, showcasing refined manufacturing techniques that suggest specialized technological adaptations to the high-altitude environment.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, often referred to as the "Third Pole" due to its extreme elevation, low oxygen levels and frigid temperatures, has traditionally been regarded as a formidable challenge for human survival and expansion. The discovery of the Tsungqen Co site marks a pivotal breakthrough in Paleolithic archaeology on the eastern flank of the plateau, significantly advancing our understanding of human activity in high-altitude zones.

"This was not merely a temporary camp. More likely, it was a habitation site revisited repeatedly," said Zheng Zhexuan, lead archaeologist of the Piluo site project and head of the Paleolithic Archaeology Institute at the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute.

"It suggests that over ten thousand years ago, ancient populations already took advantage of warmer climatic phases to settle by highland lakes. They penetrated and persisted in this high-altitude region, demonstrating a relatively stable capacity to adapt to the plateau environment," Zheng added.

Experts describe the Tsungqen Co site as a crucial "spatiotemporal key," bridging a critical gap in the evidence chain of human activity on the "roof of the world." This discovery provides invaluable material for investigating the dispersal routes of early modern humans in East Asia and their adaptive survival strategies under diverse ecological pressures.

Excavations and multidisciplinary research at the Piluo site are currently underway. Scientists are conducting comprehensive analyses in chronology, environmental archaeology, and related fields on the unearthed remains, aiming to reconstruct a more precise and nuanced understanding of ancient lifeways in this region. 

This photo taken on Oct. 6, 2023 shows a view of the Tsungqen Co site in Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated combo photo shows front and back views of a stone artifact unearthed from the Tsungqen Co site in Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute/Handout via Xinhua)
Following the news 60 Minutes pulled a segment about Venezuelans being deported by the Trump administration, Bari Weiss addressed the CBS News staff on Monday. The editor-in-chief called the story not ready and said that it failed to advance the ball, TheWrap learned from a person who attended the meeting.

I held a 60 Minutes story because it was not ready, Weiss said. While the story presented powerful testimony of torture at CECOT, it did not advance the ball  the Times and other outlets have previously done similar work. The public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment at this prison. To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more.

Weiss also said that the news program needed to get the principal interview subjects on the record and on camera. The EIC then added that the viewers of 60 Minutes come first, not the shows scheduling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats my north star and I hope its yours, too, she said.

The Inside CECOT episode promised to dive into the brutal and torturous conditions inside El Salvadors megaprison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center, which is where the Trump administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants. The episode was supposed to premiere on CBS Sunday night but was abruptly pulled. The scheduling change happened about two hours before the episode was set to air.

The pulled segment has raised a great deal of attention thus far. Though CBS told TheWrap the report was pulled because it required additional reporting, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi disputed the claim, calling the removal a political one in a leaked memo. She also revealed that the segment had been checked by CBS lawyers as well as the networks Standards and Practices division. Weiss, who watched it on Friday, was the one who ultimately decided to hold the story.

If the standard for airing a story is that the government must agree to be interviewed, then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast. We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state, Alfonsi wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

CBS decision to pull the story was immediately met with outrage from many in the media, including veteran reporter Bill Carter. Many also pointed to the suspicious timing around pulling a story thats critical of the Trump administration. Last week, Trump took to Truth Social to say that he was not close with Paramount Skydance  CBS new parent company. He went on to write please understand that 60 Minutes has treated me far worse since the so-called takeover, than they have ever treated me before. If they are friends, Id hate to see my enemies.

The post Bari Weiss Tells 60 Minutes Staff She Pulled Deportation Story Because It Did Not Advance the Ball appeared first on TheWrap.
Voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5, 2024, at a polling location in Edmond. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

For the first time in years, no recognized political party in Oklahoma will allow independent voters to participate in their partisan primaries. And while thats their choice, its probably going to have some pretty oversized implications in the new year.

Independents, a rapidly growing bloc of voters in Oklahoma, may find themselves feeling disenfranchised during our states key partisan primaries that have turned into winner-take-all contests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans have long excluded independents from casting critical votes in their primaries, but for the first time in a decade, independents now are barred from voting in Democratic primaries as well.

I suspect the decision to prohibit nearly 500,000 independent voters from all three parties (Libertarians being the third) primaries is going to be a major headache for establishment Republicans who are already attempting to fend off a state question that seeks to allow all voters to cast a ballot during primaries.

Its also likely to pose a major problem for both supporters and opponents of a separate nonpartisan state question that is set to appear on Junes primary ballot that seeks to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029. Both sides, Im certain, were relying on independents, who often lean more moderate and tend to stay engaged politically, to weigh in.

But it is impressive, in a sad sort of way, that the party leaders inaction  or incompetence  has simultaneously managed to aggravate independent voters while pretty much guaranteeing our states already abysmal voter turnout rates will be even worse than normal.

Advertisement Advertisement

I didnt think any such thing was possible, but thats exactly what the political elites in the Democrat, Republican, Libertarian parties have done by refusing to open their primary elections to unaffiliated voters.

Oklahoma is among nearly a dozen states that have a closed primary system, unless the members of a political party vote to open it to independent voters and notify the state Election Board within specified deadlines.

In many legislative races in Oklahoma  and elsewhere  general elections have largely become irrelevant. Races are won and lost during closed primaries. As our state legislative districts have become more politicized, primary winners on both sides of the aisle often dont have a general election opponent, which is unfortunate because those are the contests that are open to all voters and have higher turnouts.

Earlier this month, the state Election Board announced no political party had notified them by the deadline that they had decided to open their primaries to independents.

Advertisement Advertisement

In response, Oklahomas Democrat party leaders frantically insisted that they had intended to do so or thought they had done so, and blamed a miscommunication on the state Election Board not being notified. They said they were exploring their legal options.

But as Paul Ziriax, Oklahoma Election Board secretary put it, state law is very clear and unambigious on how and when that notification needs to happen. Democrats, he said, only notified him they wanted to change their partys symbol from a rooster to a donkey on the ballot, not open their primaries.

The miscommunication on Democrats part coincidentally comes as a bipartisan group of Oklahomans is collecting signatures on the constitutional state question that would overhaul how Oklahomas partisan primary system operates.

If supporters can gather 172,993 signatures by Jan. 26, all voters will have the opportunity to determine if they like the current closed primary system. The state question would allow voters to choose one candidate for each office and the top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, would advance to the general election. Supporters believe it will increase voter engagement and create a more moderate slate of candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Republican party leaders, of course, oppose the plan, arguing that it will water down the elections. They argue that if this was important it could have been done years ago when Democrats controlled our state government. Republicans, by the way, control all Congressional seats, statewide elected offices and hold huge majorities in the Legislature.

Democrats  or the Election Board, depending on who you ask  may give the citizen-led campaign a shot in the arm as they enter the home stretch of signature collection. And if Republicans want to stop this effort, the Legislature may have to take matters into their own hands and propose an alternative option.

Meanwhile, I suspect barring independents is going to dampen voter turnout during the upcoming primary election on June 16. That will likely hurt a nonpartisan state question also on the ballot that day asking whether voters want to approve gradually increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2029.

Because state questions are nonpartisan, all registered voters can cast votes about them.

Advertisement Advertisement

But who wants to stand in line for hours during early voting or drive to a polling place on primary election day to vote on a sole issue?

As an independent voter, I know that Im already thinking about sitting out the upcoming election even though Id still be eligible to vote on one state question.

It takes time to vote, and unless Im particularly passionate about an issue, I generally sit out elections where a single issue appears on the ballot.

I suspect Im not the only voter thinking about avoiding the hassle.

So its going to require a lot of heavy lifting for both opponents and proponents of the issue to mobilize independent voters to weigh in. Based on their sheer numbers alone, I suspect those independents could be a deciding factor in the outcome of that issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

I, for one, will be sitting on the edge of my seat watching as the political drama unfolds. It will be fascinating to see what happens over the next few months as a result of this accidental miscommunication and to watch how the dominos begin to fall.

Buckle up Oklahoma. Welcome to the start of what is already shaping up to be a messy election cycle.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Organised by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), the forum aims to enhance collaboration across Brazil's cotton industry and related supply chains.

At the recent meeting, over 50 representatives approved a new governance framework with two key structures.

One is the board of directors, which includes members from diverse sectors such as cotton growers, traders, suppliers, and the textile industry. It also has representatives from retailers, civil society organisations, indigenous communities, educational institutions, and logistics professionals.

Advertisement Advertisement

The other structure is the executive secretariat, which will support the board and ensure the implementation of decisions made by the Plenary Session.

The board will meet bi-monthly, supported by an executive secretariat led by Better Cotton Initiatives local team.

According to the Better Cotton Initiative, the Dialogues Plenary Session retains its role as the primary decision-making entity.

Better Cotton Initiative large farm programmes and partnerships senior manager Alvaro Moreira said: This second meeting has cemented the Dialogues critical role as a vehicle for collaboration and action within Brazils cotton sector.

Advertisement Advertisement

With the new governance structure, we'll be ready to support the sector with new initiatives in 2026, making further progress in areas such as traceability, protection from climate change, cross sectoral cooperation, and the promotion of cotton as a natural fibre. All topics of the Dialogue are defined collectively by its members."

Inaugurated in March 2025 with support from the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa), the Dialogue aims to foster cooperation among farmers, businesses, researchers, civil society, and government representatives. It seeks to address shared challenges within Brazil's cotton sector while enabling the exchange of experiences and strategic improvements.

Abrapa institutional relations director Silmara Ferraresi said: When we gather, in the same forum, links that complement each other and rely on each other, to discuss common issues, this is important for the future. I believe in collective action. We only work as a chain when everyone comes to the table, and we put on the table everyones interests and challenges.

Participants at the Brasilia meeting proposed candidates for the board of directors, with further nominations accepted until 20 January 2026. A public webinar focusing on traceability is planned for 2026. This event will provide external parties involved in Brazils cotton sector an opportunity to engage directly with the Dialogues initiatives and objectives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Initiated by the Better Cotton Initiative in late 2024, the Brazil Cotton Multistakeholder Dialogue is part of broader efforts to expand the non-profit, multistakeholder governance groups influence within Brazil's cotton sector.

Last month, the non-profit organisation announced that more than half of cotton volumes supplied through its initiative are traceable within global fashion and textile supply chains.

"BCI-backed Brazil cotton forum establishes governance, 2026 event" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




An investigation is underway after a bicyclist was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on the South Coast of Massachusetts on Sunday, authorities said.

Officers responding to a report of a crash involving a bicyclist on Stafford Road in Fall River around 5:15 p.m. found a 34-year-old man seriously injured in the roadway, according to the Bristol District Attorneys Office.

The victim, 34-year-old Jordyn Lyttle, of Fall River, was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Initial investigation revealed that Mr. Lyttle was riding a bicycle on Stafford Road when he was struck from behind by a green 2005 Subaru Legacy that fled the scene, a spokesperson for the DAs office said in a statement.

A second vehicle involved in the crash remained at the scene, authorities noted.

There were no additional details immediately available.

State police detectives assigned to the DAs office are assisting Fall River police with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The 84-year-old man killed in a serious crash in Stoughton has been identified, the Norfolk District Attorneys Office announced.

John G. Smith has been identified as the person killed in yesterdays crash.

The crash occurred around 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, when Brockton police were attempting to stop a pick-up truck. A pursuit ensued, which led into Stoughton. The truck then collided with a sedan near the intersection of Pleasant St and Prospect St.

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result of the crash, Smith was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The passenger of the sedan, Smiths wife, was transported by Stoughton fire to a Boston hospital with serious injuries.

Two male suspects abandoned the pick-up truck immediately following the collision. Stoughton police were able to apprehend the first one, while the driver of the pick-up truck, 26-year-old Jason Ortiz of Brockton, fled from the scene but was eventually found by authorities.

Ortiz is being charged with the following:

motor vehicle homicide

leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death

leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury

leaving the scene of an accident with property damage

failing to stop for police

Advertisement Advertisement

Smiths neighbors say he and his wife were devoted to one another. They were shocked to see that their quiet neighbor was killed in such a tragic crash.

Musab Alemian moved into the neighborhood a few years ago. He says Smith and his wife have lived in Stoughton together for about 40 years. Alemian said Smith offered to help him build a deck.

He came and introduced himself. We had a very long talk for almost two hours," Alemian said. Hes a very quiet, very nice neighbor.

Alemian and others on their street say detectives went door-to-door looking for information on Smith and his wife. Alemian says the neighborhood wont be the same without him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Its a big loss to us. Its very sad to lose someone like him, Alemian said. Im going to miss saying hello to him.

The crash is being investigated by the Stoughton Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section.

Ortiz is scheduled to be arraigned at Stoughton District Court on Monday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this year made banning cellphones in schools a priority of his final year in office. (StockPlanets/Getty Images)

Students using their phones or smart watches during school hours could soon be a thing of the past in New Jersey under a bill approved by both legislative chambers Monday.

Supporters of the legislation say they are driven by concerns over the mental health of students and over disruptions to the learning environment caused by internet-enabled devices. It passed unanimously in the Senate, and in the Assembly, it passed 63-3 with five abstentions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Students benefit from having a bell-to-bell prohibition on cellphones. I think its that clear and that simple, and I think thats what we did today, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) told reporters.

The Department of Education would be required to develop new guidelines barring cellphones during the school day under the bill, which is now headed to the governors desk for his signature or veto. Gov. Phil Murphy, who leaves office on Jan. 20 after two terms, has made banning cellphones in schools a priority of his final year as governor.

The New Jersey effort is part of a national trend. Nearly half of states now have restrictions on students use of phones during classroom instruction.

Bill critic Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris) said regulating tech in schools should be left to local districts instead of being driven by lawmakers who belong to what he called a dinosaur caucus. Bergen compared the bill to stupid efforts decades ago to criminalize pagers in schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Heres another attempt to do that. And this isnt the first, or second, or third time. Calculators back in the day were going to make kids stupid. How could they do basic math? he said. If it was up to youd probably bring back the slide rule.

Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth), a supporter of the bill, said she has visited schools with different cellphone policies and said students who cant access their phones during class are less anxious and more engaged with their work.

The data is pretty clear. Its been screaming at us that we have to do something about it, said Flynn, a former school board member in Nutley and Holmdel.

Under the bill, state education officials would release guidelines aimed at student use of internet-enabled devices like cellphones and smartwatches during regular school hours and on school grounds. It would apply to all students from kindergarten through grade 12 in public, charter, and renaissance schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

The state education commissioner would have 90 days after the bill is signed into law to release the guidelines. The new rules would go into effect the following full school year, so the soonest would be the 2026-2027 school year.

At a minimum, the state guidelines would have to: prohibit non-academic use of internet-enabled devices on school grounds; provide rules that are age- and grade-appropriate; be consistent with state and federal laws for accommodations and student health plans; and address how students can use phones during emergencies.

The guidelines would permit cellphone use for some uses, like for translation services.

School boards would have the option to allow students to store their devices in locked pouches or lockers during the day. And schools would also receive guidance on establishing network-based restrictions to block access to social media.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Cows mill around a field in Mora County in Northern New Mexico in July 2022. New Mexico Land Grant Council Program Manager Arturo Archuleta said the intent behind the legislation to strengthen relationships between the federal government and land grants is ensure the federal government takes traditional land uses into consideration, including livestock grazing, fuel collection, gathering of traditional herbs and community cemeteries. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

A federal bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) to strengthen federal and local land grant community cooperation in New Mexico passed through its first committee last week.

Lujan introduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act in April to establish better communication and cooperation between the federal government  specifically the U.S. Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture  with land grant communities and the New Mexico Land Grant Council.

Advertisement Advertisement

The council works as a liaison between land grant communities or pueblos and local, state and federal governments. New Mexico currently recognizes 27 land grant-mercedes under state law as political subdivisions of the state.

According to a statement from Lujans office, the federal bill would require a memorandum of understanding between the two federal departments and the New Mexico Land Grant Council to clarify agency processes that qualified land grant-mercedes may use when seeking authorization for historical or traditional use of federal public lands. The bill also notes that the federal departments must communicate with tribes when the MOU is entered into, extended, renewed or revised; describes procedures to ensure land grant-mercedes, the council and tribes are able to contribute to agency land management planning decisions; and requires the DOI and USDA to evaluate the impacts of federal land use planning on historical or traditional uses of the land.

Im proud that my legislation to strengthen cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities, which are an essential part of New Mexicos history and culture, has passed through committee and is one step closer to becoming law. These communities have cared for our land for generations, and preserving that connection is crucial for our land and cultural heritage, Lujan said in a written statement, adding that the bill will also help preserve the land and cultural traditions for the next generation.

New Mexico Land Grant Council Program Manager Arturo Archuleta told Source New Mexico that the council has worked with Lujan on this legislation for over a decade, beginning when Lujan was a U.S. representative. He said they have had success in the past with passing the bill through each chamber, but not with enough time to pass during the same Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Were hopeful now that it passed early on, Archuleta said. We still have a whole other year to hopefully get it to the floor of the Senate and over to the House.

He said the bills intent is ultimately to ensure the federal government takes traditional land uses into consideration, including livestock grazing, fuel collection, gathering of traditional herbs and community cemeteries.

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, who represents New Mexicos 3rd Congressional District, is leading the legislation in the House of Representatives and said in the news release that land grant communities represent farmers and ranchers, families, and elders, who care for and sustain our lands.
A Brevard man has been convicted on seven counts of sexual offenses against a child.

Eric Randall Mahaffey, 42, was found guilty Dec. 19 on five counts of statutory rape and two counts of sexual offense of a minor under the age of 15, according to a Dec. 22 news release from District Attorney Andrew Murrays office.

He was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Carla Archie to between 20 to 29 years in prison, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mahaffey was arrested in 2023 and indicted in February 2024 for raping a child more than 100 times over the course of two-and-a-half years, from June 2021 to December 2023, when the victim was between 13 and 15 years old, according to the release and court documents.

Soon before his December 2023 arrest, Mahaffey called 911, confessed to the acts he was convicted of and said he intended to kill himself, according to the release. The date of his arrest wasn't clear from court documents and the news release.

Under cross-examination, Mahaffey admitted to all seven crimes of which he was accused and further stated that he believed he was in a mutual loving relationship with the underage victim. The jury returned quick guilty verdicts on all seven counts, the release said.

The victim, a relative and their shared therapist all testified against Mahaffey during the eight-day trial, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Robert Beaver and Michael Van Buren, it said.

Mahaffeys attorney Matthew Schofield couldnt be reached for comment by press time.

More: Edneyville man charged with child sex crimes after search warrant

More: Georgia man enters guilty plea in Hendersonville kidnapping, rape

George Fabe Russell is the Henderson County Reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Tips, questions, comments? Email him at GFRussell@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Brevard man found guilty of child sexual abuse
Theology with a Twist is holding a program, Breaking the Chains of Human Trafficking, on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main St.

The speaker is Joseph Birli, president and CEO of Bethany Childrens Home near Womelsdorf. Bethany provides trauma care to youth, specializing in helping children who have experienced sex trafficking. Birlis memoir on the subject, From Pottsville to President, was published in July.

The program takes place in the upper room of the tavern. The event is free. Food and drink can be purchased in the restaurant downstairs and brought up to the event space. Parking is available in the community lot behind the tavern or on Main Street

Advertisement Advertisement

Holiday market

The Antietam Valley Farmers & Artists Market is holding a holiday market, its final event of the year Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. indoors at Carsonia Park, 905 Byram St., Pennside. Markets will resume in the spring. Learn more at antietamvalley.org/.

New years hike

The Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society is hosting a New Years Day hike at 9:30 a.m. at the barn of its historic farm near Virginville. Hikers will take the Maiden Creek Nature Trail and back lanes on the farm. This hike will be led by historian Becky Hughes. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes. Snow will cancel this event. Watch the Dreibelbis Farm Facebook page for information. To learn more, email dreibelbisfarm@gmail.com or call 610-969-5682.

Advertisement Advertisement

Pork & sauerkraut

A pork and sauerkraut dinner will be held Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 4125 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring. Meals are $14 each and are available for takeout or eating at the church. To learn more, call 610-678-1088.

Sale in Barto

A 50-cent sale and indoor flea market will be held Jan. 17 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto.

Pet loss support

A Christian pet loss support group will be held Jan. 5 at 6:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall at St. Johns Reformed Church, 4001 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring. Sessions are led by Dr. Becky Frank, associate veterinarian with Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice.

Advertisement Advertisement

This group is open to the public and is offered at no charge. Direct questions to office@stjohnsss.org. RSVP to that email if you are planning to attend. Parking is located behind the church, and the fellowship hall is on the lower level.

New Years Blessing

Huffs Union Church is holding a New Years Blessing program on Jan. 11 during the 10:30 a.m. worship. Mike & Linda Hertzog will share Nei Yaahrs Winsch in Pennsylvania Dutch along with other lively music. Hot dog and soup lunch is available for donation.

Order takeout soup by Jan. 7 for pickup from noon to 1 p.m. Available flavors are seafood chowder, cheesy broccoli and ham, and sausage soup. Cost is $10 for a quart and $6 for a pint. Call 610-845-2626 to order.

Advertisement Advertisement

The church is located at 540 Conrad Rd., Hereford Township.

History class

Historic Ephrata Cloisters annual Winter History Class lecture series runs Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 6 through Feb. 26. The class features 16 speakers exploring topics related to Ephrata Cloister, the American Revolution and local and regional 18th- and 19th-century history.

The course is designed for adult audiences. Participants may attend in-person or virtually via Zoom. Tuition is $55 for Ephrata Cloister Associates members and $65 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required. See www.storepatrailsofhistory.com/2/#/Admission or stop by the Visitor Center during operating hours. Single-day registration also is available. Contact the site for details.

Advertisement Advertisement

For more information, go to ephratacloister.org or call 717-733-6600.

Golden retriever rescue

Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Open House on Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Meet and greet dogs available for adoption. No admission charge. (No photos please, and do not bring other dogs to this event.) For more information, email info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799 or visit dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse/.

Herb society

The Pennsylvania Heartland Herb Society invites the public to a program on Jan. 15 at Bern Evangelical Lutheran Church, 820 W. Leesport Road, Bern Township. Social time begins at 9 a.m., with the program at 9:30. Sarah Linsenmaier from Iron Rabbit will discuss Herbal Culinary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Polar Bear 5K

Runners and hikers are invited to participate in the Lancaster Group of the Sierra Clubs Polar Bear 5K Trail Run/Hike on Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. in Lancaster County Central Park. Participants may bring their dogs (on a leash) to run or walk with them. The route winds through the park on well-maintained trails with some hills. Race day registration and check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Pavilion 22 (Kiwanis Lodge).

Fees are $30 through Thursday, Dec. 25. After that the fee is $35, including walk-ins on race day. The deadline for online registration is Jan. 2 at noon. A packet pick-up will be available from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at That Pet Place, 237 Centerville Road, Lancaster.

To register and for all race info, visit runsignup.com/ or lancastersierraclub.org/, email sierraclubevent@gmail.com, or see the club Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sierraclublancaster.

Advertisement Advertisement

Sketching program

The Berks Art Alliance is hosting a public talk and demonstration, Sketching an animal portrait with St. Lawrence artist Zoungy Kligge on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn.

Attendees will observe and ask questions as Kligge sketches a portrait of an animal from photo reference. Those attending are welcome to bring their own photo references, sketchbooks and pencils to sketch if they want.

The event is free. In the event of severe weather the meeting will be broadcast via Zoom. See berksartalliance.com for a link on the day of the meeting.

Submit items to news@readingeagle.com.
Clay County School Board Member Robert Alvero (District 2) is facing calls for his resignation after posting a video on Facebook in which he says 80 percent of his experience with African Americans has been rude, nasty, and problematic.

Theyre good decent people, thats the 20 percent of the people I have met that are African Americans, Alvero said. The other 80 percent, theyve been nasty, theyve been rude, theyve been problematic.

The since-deleted video also includes comments from Alvero endorsing philosophies espoused by White Nationalist Nick Fuentes, and he openly admits to being racist against people sharing his own Cuban heritage.

Advertisement Advertisement

I think the words that he spoke about the Black community is disrespectful, Pastor Jeffrey Dove with the St. James African American Methodist Episcopal Church in Orange Park said. Were living in a very hostile political environment, and this just fuel to the fire.

Dove is among the growing choir of community and state leaders calling for Alveros resignation.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Clay GOP Chair Rhonda Jett issued a statement demanding Albertos resignation immediately.

The remarks that were made do not reflect what our community exemplifies, Jett wrote.

Clay School Board Chair Erin Skipper (District 1) also issued a statement saying she hopes Alvero does the right thing and considers resigning.

Advertisement Advertisement

She added during the next school board meeting on January 8th, This matter will be addressed appropriately.

State Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) posted on Facebook Monday, calling for Alveros resignation as well.

He clearly doesnt have the best interest of ALL CHILDREN in his heart, Nixon wrote.

State Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) also called for Alveros resignation and described his comments as beyond the pale and unfitting of his position of public trust with our children.

Bradley brought the issue to the attention of Floridas Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, who has called for Alvero to appear before the State Board of Education during its next meeting scheduled for January 21st.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a letter to Alvero posted by Kamoutsas on social media, the Education Commissioner stated he wants Alvero to explain his conduct and added, I can only pray that the children of Clay County have been protected from your discriminatory content.

In addition to his role on the school board, Alvero is also a firefighter with JFRD and a member of the Florida State Guard.

According to a JFRD spokesperson, hes been reassigned to administrative duties pending a thorough investigation.

Bias of any kind has no place in our department or the delivery of public safety services, the JFRD spokesperson wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Action News Jax reached out to Alvero directly, but has not heard back.

In a new video also posted this weekend, Alvero claimed his goal was to disavow stereotypes and share his experiences growing up in downtown Jacksonville as a Cuban immigrant.

I was saying that during my time there, I faced many negative interactions, including being called names and even physically assaulted, but I also met many good, decent people, Alvero said. I am sorry if I offended you. It wasnt my intention.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Dove described Alveros apology video as watered down but said hes happy with the response from state and local leaders.

Advertisement Advertisement

And I think all people, not just Black people, but white people, have to stand up against whats wrong. And Im pleased to see that, said Dove. But I think that Clay County has a long way to go. I think were moving in the right direction, but we must continue to fight against racism here in Clay County.

Pastor Dove said hes hoping Alvero does the right thing and resigns, but hes also hoping Alvero considers meeting with him one-on-one.

I want him to have enough gall to look me in my face and call me that, but more so as a Christian, I believe I need to pray with the brother, said Dove.

Action News Jax has reached out to the Florida State Guard and asked if Alvero is facing any disciplinary action as a result of his comments, waiting for a response.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
HONG KONG, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen people were arrested after 1 billion yen (about 6.35 million U.S. dollars) was robbed from a currency exchange shop earlier in Sheung Wan of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong police said on Monday.

Among those arrested, seven have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. The police described the case as very serious, and they are tracing the whereabouts of the robbed funds. The investigation is still ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out, the police said at a press conference.

On Dec. 18, two employees of a Japanese company engaged in cryptocurrency and luxury goods business traveled to Sheung Wan, intending to exchange 1 billion yen packed in four suitcases. When they got out of their vehicle at 33 Wing Lok Street, a private car suddenly appeared. Three robbers got out, one brandishing a knife, and seized the four suitcases containing the money.

According to police, the arrested suspects include 11 men and 4 women, aged between 20 and 69, all of them are local residents, and some have triad backgrounds. The police believed the mastermind had already been apprehended. 
Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday announced business executive Mark Wiseman will become ambassador to the United States.

Wiseman, 55, is president and chief executive officer of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and chairman of the board of directors of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation.

He will replace Kristen Hillman on Feb. 15, the Canadian prime minister's office said in the announcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

He is a close friend of Carney, CBC reported.

Wiseman was born in the border town of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and studied law at Yale University in Connecticut.

Canada's Prime Minister Mike Carney prepares to pull Canada during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on December 5, 2025. He selected business executive Mark Wiseman to serve as his nation's ambassador to the U.S. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"Mark Wiseman brings immense experience, contacts, and deep commitment at this crucial time of transformation of our relationship with the United States," Carney said in a statement. "As a core member of our negotiating team, he will help advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses, and institutions, while building opportunities for both Canada and the United States."

He will seek to advance Canada-U.S. priorities, "including secure borders, a strengthened trade and investment relationship, and cooperation between Canada and the United States on global challenges," according to a news release from the prime minister's office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Wiseman's appointment comes as relations are tense with U.S. President Donald Trump, including tariffs he levied on the neighbor to the north. They include 35% duties on most goods, but with a lower 10% rate for Canadian energy products and potash.

Trump called off trade talks aimed at easing tariffs after Ontario's provincial government paid for an anti-tariff ad broadcast in the United States between a Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers game during the World Series in October. It quoted former President Ronald Reagan.

Trump said he would impose an extra 10% tariff on Canadian goods.

Carney apologized for the ad, though the federal government was not responsible for it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada since April, also has criticized Canada, saying: "You do not come into America and start running political ads, government-funded political ads, and expect that there will be no consequences or reaction from the United States of America and the Trump administration."

Wiseman will lead review talks of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement in January. It was implemented in July 2020 for a 16-year term, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump's trade representative, Jamieson Greer, told Congress that CUSMA has been "successful to a certain degree," but changes are needed before Trump agrees to extend it for 16 years or revert to yearly reviews.

Canada prefers a long-term extension.

Advertisement Advertisement

More than $3.5 billion of goods and services cross the Canada-U.S. border every day.

More than 85% of Canada-U.S. products are tariff-free.

When Carney was sworn in earlier this year, he named Wiseman to the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, a body first created by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Trump was about to be sworn in as president for the second time in January.

Wiseman has been criticized for opposing the supply management system, mainly the dairy sector, but said the policy is safe when he is the ambassador.

Wiseman has said it benefits a "group of settled players," impedes innovation and keeps "prices artificially high for Canadian consumers, including in the dairy industry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Pascal Paradis, a member of Quebec's National Assembly, said at a news conference last month in Quebec City: "The Parti Quebecois will never accept the nomination of Mark Wiseman as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Why? Because Mark Wiseman is not a friend of the Quebec nation."

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, a conservative, worked with Wiseman when he was the head of Alberta Investment Management Corporation, a Crown corporation that invests tens of billions of dollars worth of funds from the province's oil resources and public pension plans.
Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A senior Russian general in charge of training was killed by a car bomb outside his home Monday morning in the Moscow suburbs. Authorities said the attack may have been carried out by Ukrainian intelligence.

Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head of the Operational Training Directorate at the General Staff, died of his injuries after a device planted beneath his vehicle detonated at an apartment building in south Moscow, Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko told TASS.

She said investigators were on the scene and a murder investigation had been launched, as well as an explosives trafficking probe, with multiple lines of inquiry being pursued.

Advertisement Advertisement

"One of them is that the crime was organized by the Ukrainian security agencies," said Petrenko.

The decorated general had led the General Staff's Operational Training Directorate since 2016. Prior to that he was involved in the planning and execution of the Russian Armed Forces' military operations in Syria.

In April, general staff colleague, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed by a car bomb as he left his apartment in Balashikha, just east of Moscow. Moskalik headed the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff.

The investigative committee said the explosion that killed Moskalik was caused by an improvised explosive device packed with shrapnel and that Ukrainian involvement was suspected.

Advertisement Advertisement

The attack came on the same day U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Two days later, the Federal Security Service arrested 41-year-old Ukrainian national Ignat Kuzin and accused him of planting the IED. However, Russian officials said the bomb was remotely detonated from Ukrainian territory.

Kuzin appeared in a military court in Moscow last month on charges of preparing an act of terrorism.

In August 2022, Darya Dugina, daughter of a staunch supporter of Putin and Russian nationalism, was killed by a car bomb in a village 25 miles southwest of Moscow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine quickly sought to distance itself, blaming "various political factions" for the death of Dugina, daughter of influential Ukraine hawk and ultra-nationalist Alexander Dugin.

The pair were sanctioned by the United States and Britain for their efforts to undermine Ukraine, with Britain's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation calling Dugina a "frequent and high-profile contributor of disinformation in relation to Ukraine and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on various online platforms."

Dugin's Eurasianist philosophy was said to have helped inform the expansionist foreign policy being pursued by Putin.

Ukraine has mostly neither admitted nor denied attacks on individuals but has openly targeted Russian cities with drones, on and off, and more recently run a sustained campaign targeting Russia's energy infrastructure, mainly oil refineries and logistics, with the aim of disrupting Russia's fighting capability.

It has also hit military targets on Russian territory, occupied Crimea, and in the Black Sea.
CBS News abruptly pulled a 60 Minutes investigation featuring Venezuelan men deported to El Salvadors CECOT prison on Sunday, sparking swift backlash within the newsroom, including from the storys veteran correspondent.

The canceled segment, yanked at the behest of newly appointed editor in chief Bari Weiss, focused on the notorious El Salvador prison that President Donald Trump has deported immigrants to despite reports of human rights violations within the prison. Several men now released from the prison were featured in the segment describing the conditions they endured within CECOT.

But Weiss nixed the segment just hours before it was set to air after calling for multiple additions, according to The New York Times, including an interview with top Trump adviser Stephen Miller or another top official in the Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

CBS said in a statement that the segment will air at a later date, and Weiss defended the decision to hold the segment in a statement to POLITICO.

My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be, Weiss said. Holding stories that arent ready for whatever reason  that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices  happens every day in every newsroom. I look forward to airing this important piece when its ready.

But Sharyn Alfonsi, the veteran correspondent on the story, condemned Weiss decision.

In an email obtained by The New York Times and later shared on social media by Times reporter Michael M. Grynbaum, Alfonsi told her CBS colleagues that reporters on the segment had requested comment from the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. She added that the segment had also already undergone a rigorous review and fact-checking process.

Advertisement Advertisement

To pull the story so close to airtime, Alfonsi said, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.

Government silence is a statement, not a VETO, Alfonsi wrote. Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story.

She continued, If the administrations refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a 'kill switch' for any reporting they find convenient.

Alfonsi added that if CBS new standard for airing a segment requires government interviews, then the government effectively gains control over the '60 Minutes' broadcast.

Advertisement Advertisement

We have been promoting this story on social media for days. Our viewers are expecting it, Alfonsi wrote. When it airs without a credible explanation, the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship. We are trading 50 years of Gold Standard reputation for a single week of political quiet.

During an editorial call on Monday, Weiss spoke of "trust" between members of the newsroom and the public.

"The only newsroom I'm interested in running is one in which we are able to have contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters with respect, and, crucially, where we assume the best intent of our colleagues. Anything else is absolutely unacceptable," Weiss said on the call. Multiple news outlets reported on the call and CBS confirmed Weiss' comments to staff to POLITICO.

She also reiterated that she held "Inside CECOT" because "it was not ready."

Advertisement Advertisement

"While the story presented powerful testimony of torture at CECOT, it did not advance the ball  the Times and other outlets have previously done similar work," said Weiss. "The public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment at this prison. To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more. And this is '60 Minutes.' We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera."

The viewers, Weiss added "come first."

"That's my north star and I hope it's yours, too," she said.

The cancellation of Inside CECOT is the latest in a string of controversial moves made by the media giant this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

In July, CBS announced a $16 million settlement with Trump, who sued the company as a private citizen following his own appearance on 60 Minutes. It was after that settlement that the Trump administration approved Paramount Skydances acquisition of CBS.

Weiss, founder of The Free Press, was appointed as editor in chief by Paramount owner David Ellison in October to overhaul the newsroom.

Trump has continued to express his displeasure with CBS, but that hasnt stopped Ellison from courting the administrations favor as he seeks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
Dec. 21Colfax Economic Development Corporation, or CEDCO, has formally requested the Jasper County Board of Supervisors to donate up to $500,000 towards the upcoming child care center project in Colfax. The request was made at the end of a 25-minute presentation during the Tuesday morning supervisors meeting.

Tim Salmon, superintendent of the Colfax-Mingo Community School District and vice-president of CEDCO, told supervisors that CEDCO received a $1.7 million grant from Iowa Workforce Development to build a new child care center. The center will be operated by the school district when fully constructed.

The facility  which has already broken ground  directly addresses an issue many rural communities face: a lack of available and affordable child care.

Advertisement Advertisement

State data shows Jasper County is short more than 1,000 spots for daycare.

"From my perspective as superintendent of a school district, we struggle with our parents finding places for their kids to go," Salmon said. "And the other big thing is the affordability of child care because child care is extremely expensive. We set goals if we can get this opened up we'd keep our prices as low as we could."

In total, the Colfax-Mingo Child Care Center is estimated to cost $3.4 million. The plan is to construct a more than 12,000-square-foot building with a capacity of 140 children, from newborns to school-age kids. It will also have before- and after-school care. Colfax-Mingo was one of nine centers approved by the state.

CEDCO, the recipient of the grant, is still in the process of raising funds for the project. There is still around $850,000-$900,000 left to fundraise.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our big thing to you guys is to say, hey, this is something that's going to benefit not only Colfax and Mingo, but this is something that is going to benefit the entire county and see if you guys are interested in helping us out and looking and what this could do," Salmon said to the county board of supervisors.

Supervisor Doug Cupples asked what would happen if the money does not come in through additional donations. Salmon said CEDCO gets that question a lot.

"We look at other options," Salmon said. "We talked to some private investors that said, 'Hey, we'd invest in your project.' We've also talked with some banks that said, 'Hey, we could give you a loan,' and we get a short-term loan to pay this off as we continue to raise."

People have already signed up to get their kids enrolled, which means the facility will generate money. The child care center's rates will be some of the lowest across the county. Which is why Salmon said CEDCO does not want to take a loan, because that means the costs get passed down to the parents.

CEDCO noted the county could also donate funds over time. So their $500,000 request would be stretched out over a period of a few years. The board of supervisors appreciated CEDCO making a presentation but agreed they could not make a decision at the moment, but possibly could in the next few weeks.
Changes are ahead for one of the only affordable housing developments in Gig Harbor, according to the company behind the project.

The Gateway reached out to the owner of Norwegian Wood, an apartment complex at 3405 Erickson St., after a resident and affordable housing advocate recently told The Gateway that they were worried that their apartment hasnt finished paperwork required to remain in compliance with a federal subsidy program.

The affordable housing developer overseeing the property, meanwhile, told The News Tribune that the apartment is actively working on the paperwork, that they have no plans to remove the apartment from affordable housing programs, and that they have plans to renovate the units.

Advertisement Advertisement

Jay Worley, 41, has lived at Norwegian Wood since 2014. Worley, who uses the pronouns they/them, told The News Tribune that the apartment management hasnt completed the annual certifications required to ensure that residents living at Norwegian Wood are still eligible to remain there, based on their income. Worley worried that the apartment will lose its federal subsidy if it fails to complete the certifications, though the property is legally bound through multiple agreements to remain affordable for decades.

Shelter Resources, Inc., an affordable housing developer based in Bellevue, is listed in Washington Secretary of State records as the governor for the limited partnership that owns Norwegian Wood. Shelter Resources, Inc. recently consolidated with its southeast U.S. affiliate, Blue Ridge Atlantic Development, to form Blue Ridge Cascade, according to the Blue Ridge Cascade site.

SRI founder Len Brannen told The News Tribune in a phone call this month that SRI has no plans of removing Norwegian Wood from affordable housing programs, but rather the opposite, he said.

Apartment complex Norwegian Wood is pictured on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

In fact, what were going to be doing is a renovation of this project hopefully within the next year or two, probably in the next year, which will enhance the apartments considerably, he said. And so were working on that financing as we speak, and part of that will be extending the affordability period.

Advertisement Advertisement

He also forwarded a statement from the propertys Asset Management Department via email.

Management continues to process all tenant certifications in accordance with USDA Rural Development requirements, the statement read. While they strive to submit certifications as quickly as possible, timing can be affected by several factors, including resident cooperation, needed corrections, USDA system issues, and delays related to the recent federal government shutdown. These circumstances can occasionally cause certifications to appear late even when management is actively working on them.

Norwegian Wood is part of a multisite portfolio with efforts underway to coordinate longterm funding needed to affect renovation improvements & preserve these communities as affordable housing for the long term (50+ years). There is no plan or intention to remove the property from the affordable housing programs. On the contrary, the goal is to secure resources that will ensure the property remains affordable and can be revitalized for the continuing benefit of current and future residents.

Norwegian Wood has 40 units and caters to extremely low income (tenants) first, charging rent at 30% of an eligible tenants income, according to aptfinder.org.

Jay Worley, a Gig Harbor resident and affordable housing advocate, speaks with The News Tribune on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

In Gig Harbor, where RentCafe.com reports the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is over $1,800, Norwegian Wood is one of the citys few options for low-income renters. Norwegian Wood is the only rental property in Gig Harbor subsidized through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development program, receiving subsidies for 37 of 40 total units, according to the program website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Colvos Terrace Apartments, at 2601 Hollycroft St., has 27 units and houses adults aged 62 and older who earn up to 50% of area median income (AMI), per an overview of affordable and transitional housing projects owned by the nonprofit Multi-Service Center.

The News Tribune reported that Fira Apartments was once a subsidized apartment complex called Laurelwood, housing low-income residents as well as older adults and residents with disabilities. The property owner at the time, Shelter Resources, Inc., paid off the federal loan theyd received from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Housing Service and negotiated a sale of the property in 2018 to a private owner who wasnt required to keep rents low, The News Tribune reported in 2018. Department of Revenue tax records show that the private buyer, an LLC, sold the property to another LLC in 2021.

Worley serves on the advisory board for the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA3P) and has been vocal about the need for more affordable housing in Gig Harbor and Pierce County. They stressed that their statements to The News Tribune are their own opinion and do not represent SSHA3P or any other organization theyre affiliated with.

Concern about annual certifications for low-income residents

Worley said it seemed like the apartment management wasnt making steady progress on paperwork necessary to receive financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development Program. Norwegian Wood is one of many properties that receive payments from the USDA to keep rents low for certified low-income tenants.

A sign marks the entrance to apartment complex Norwegian Wood on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

 ... the paperwork wasnt right, and from the paperwork not being right, we moved into having issues getting a hold of the management, and then our certification didnt come back, Worley said. And so I started talking to other tenants, and found out that none of the certifications for most of the tenants had been done yet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Around July, Worley reached out to the USDA office. A USDA representative confirmed that none of the certifications had been completed, Worley said.

The News Tribune reached out to the USDA Rural Development Program to ask if Norwegian Wood has failed to complete the required certifications, if any deadlines are in place and what the consequences are for failing to meet the requirement. USDA Rural Development spokesperson Amee Andreason confirmed via email Dec. 1 that owners of USDA-financed Rural Rental Housing projects must work with tenants on certifications to verify tenants incomes.

The certification process is ongoing, Andreason wrote. USDA is aware of the concerns and is collaboratively working with the borrower on a corrective plan to meet program compliance.

Jay Worley, a Gig Harbor resident and affordable housing advocate, flips through paperwork related to their apartment complex Norwegian Wood, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

The News Tribune followed up Dec. 8 to ask more specifics about the corrective plan, the deadline for making the required corrections, the company involved and the frequency of non-compliance issues for USDA-financed rural rental housing projects. The department sent a response Dec. 11 stating: USDA Rural Development does not publish project-level data regarding certification non-compliance, nor does it release information about individual applicants or borrowers due to privacy requirements. Therefore, Rural Development is unable to provide public statistics on how frequently certification issues occur or what percentage of properties may require correction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Washington State Housing Finance Commission spokesperson Margret Graham told The News Tribune via email that Norwegian Wood submitted certifications required to comply with a federal tax credit program overseen by the commission on-time for 2024. She noted that USDA Rural Development may require certifications on a different schedule.

Norwegian Wood legally obligated to remain affordable

Norwegian Wood must remain affordable for several decades, under existing agreements with multiple agencies.

The property participates in several affordable housing programs. Besides the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development Program, Norwegian Wood also receives public funding through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, according to Graham. Jason Gauthier, manager for South Sound Housing Affordability Partners, told The News Tribune in a phone call that Norwegian Wood is legally bound to remain affordable for some 40 years. He forwarded a copy of an October 2003 regulatory agreement confirming that timeline under the state Housing Finance Commission.

A view stretches out past the entrance of apartment complex Norwegian Wood on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. (Liesbeth Powers/lpowers@thenewstribune.com)

Gauthier also forwarded an email thread showing city, county and state representatives confirming Norwegian Woods affordability requirements. According to Washington State Department of Commerce staff included in the exchange, the property must remain in the USDA Rural Development portfolio until at least 2033, and isnt scheduled to pay off the federal Section 515 loan used to finance the property until 2042.

Further, Commerce has a covenant in place (expires 12/31/2044) that reflects a total of 39 low income units restricted; 29 units at 50% AMI and 10 units at 60% AMI, a staff person wrote.
A charter flight organized by the German government brought 141 Afghans to Germany on Monday.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry confirmed that the plane landed in Hanover. The arrivals had received a promise of admission after the Taliban took power and have now travelled from Islamabad to Lower Saxony. From there they will later be distributed among the German federal states.

Pakistan has given the German government until the end of the year to complete the admission procedures. After that, it said, the people would be deported to Afghanistan. However, the border with the neighbouring country is currently largely closed.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Taliban regained power in the Afghan capital Kabul in August 2021. The German government promised former local staff of German institutions and other people considered to be particularly at risk that they would be accepted into Germany.

However, the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD states: "We will end voluntary federal admission programmes as far as possible (e.g. Afghanistan) and will not launch any new programmes."

After a number of people from the so-called Federal Admission Programme Afghanistan successfully sued for visas, entry into Germany was once again organized for these people and for people in similar situations.

Around 650 people from Afghanistan who had received commitments recently received a final rejection from the federal government  along with an offer to help them return to Afghanistan or leave for another country willing to accept them, including financial assistance.

There are now around 45 people in Pakistan who are still in the local staff procedure and 264 people in the federal admission programme.
Chicago police are searching for three teen suspects after a 62-year-old victim was beaten on a CTA bus last week on the city's West Side.

The crime happened around 5:40 p.m. Dec. 16 in the 700 block of South Cicero Avenue, as the bus approached I-290 from Roosevelt Road, police said.

The beating lead to "extensive and ongoing hospitalization of the victim," CPD said.

Investigators have released a description of the three suspects and surveillance images: One male, late teens, in a blue jacket; another male, mid-late teens, in a red jacket with a fur hood; and a third male, early-mid teens, in a gray jacket and white hood. They are all wanted for aggravated battery on public transit.

No arrests have been made as Chicago police continue to investigate.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
Two teenagers have been charged in connection with a violent attack on a CTA bus.

The girl and boy are both just 15 years old. Police say they beat up a 62-year-old passenger on the Cicero Avenue bus last Tuesday, Dec. 16.

The crime happened around 5:40 p.m. in the 700-block of South Cicero Avenue, as the bus approached I-290 from Roosevelt Road, police said.

The beating lead to "extensive and ongoing hospitalization of the victim," CPD said. The victim's nephew, Tavarris Harvey, shared pictures, taken in happier times, with ABC7.

Advertisement Advertisement

He told ABC7 that his uncle, Larry Gilkey, suffered severe head injuries in the attack and had to be put in a medically induced coma.

"He's awake now. He's able to communicate very little. He doesn't remember a lot. He doesn't know how he got where he is," he said.

Harvey says the doctors told him his uncle will have to undergo rehab. And whenever he returns home, he will need daily assistance.

The teens are facing multiple felony battery charges.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood


China has imposed preliminary tariffs on EU dairy imports following an anti-dumping probe launched in August 2024.

The investigating authorities have preliminarily determined that imported dairy products originating from the European Union were subsidised, causing substantial damage to the relevant dairy industry in China, and that there is a causal relationship between the subsidies and the substantial damage, the Ministry of Commerce announced today (22 December).

China said the import tariffs will take effect tomorrow following a proposal submitted to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, which has agreed to impose provisional anti-subsidy duty deposits.

Advertisement Advertisement

China kicked off its investigation in August last year to ascertain whether the EU was guilty of exporting dairy products to the Asian country at prices that put local producers at an unfair advantage.

The probe followed similar enquiries launched by China for pork and brandy shipped from the European trading bloc that commenced in June and January of 2024, respectively.

Last week, China went ahead and slapped import duties on EU pork for five years but at lower rates than the preliminary tariffs announced three months ago.

The Ministry of Commerce imposed duties ranging from 4.9% to 19.8% on EU pork and pork by-products. That anti-dumping probed stretched back to June 2024 and had widely been seen as tit-for-tat measures by China in retaliation for the European Commissions decision to impose tariffs on imported Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEV).

Advertisement Advertisement

In terms of EU dairy imports, China extended its anti-dumping investigation in August this year to February 2026.

The European Commission noted "concern" on China's imposition of tariffs, assessing the anti-dumping decision today as based on "questionable allegations" and "insufficient evidence".

It added the measures are "unjustified" and "unwarranted" ahead of China's definitive decision on the duties due on 21 February.

China said today the affected dairy products include fresh and processed cheeses, milk and cream.

All interested parties may submit written comments to the investigating authority within 10 days from the date of this announcement, the Ministry said today.

Advertisement Advertisement

The tariffs will range from 21.9% to 42.7%, Reuters reported. The news agency added that Lurpak butter brand owner Arla Foods, headquartered in Denmark, will pay rates of 28.6% to 29.7%, while Netherlands-based FrieslandCampina will be hit with 42.7%.

Just Food asked the Danish Dairy Board for comment on behalf of Arla.

"The Danish Dairy Board will now look into the announcement regarding the provisory tariffs on specific dairy products from the EU to understand the details," it responded.

"In general, high tariffs and differentiated rates increase the complexity of international trade, so of course we still have a hope that the matter can be resolved without tariffs in the longer term."

Advertisement Advertisement

FrieslandCampina said it "has taken note of the preliminary decisionand is committed to constructive interaction" with the Chinese Ministry.

"China hits EU dairy imports with preliminary tariffs" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




China has imposed provisional import tariffs on certain dairy products in the latest stage of its trade dispute with the European Union.

The Commerce Ministry in Beijing announced on Monday that this was a preliminary decision in an investigation that has been ongoing since August 2024. The duties are to apply from December 23.

China accuses the EU of significantly subsidizing its dairy industry.

Imports from Europe had noticeably harmed Chinese producers, it said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The provisional tariff rates being imposed now are between 21.9-42.7%, according to the statement.

Trade tensions between China and the EU have been growing for several years.

In 2023, Brussels launched an investigation against electric cars manufactured in China, accusing Beijing of helping the industry with excessive state subsidies.

Beijing subsequently responded with its own investigations and tariffs on imports from the EU, including spirits, pork and dairy products.

The Commerce Ministry pointed out that Beijing had not initiated any new investigations against the EU since 2025, but had only concluded three existing anti-dumping proceedings.

The EU has pursued numerous proceedings against China in the same period, it said.

China's investigation into dairy products is to continue until a final decision is made, the ministry said.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Separate U.S. talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials over the weekend in Florida were "productive and constructive," U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday.

"Over the last two days in Florida, the Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings with the American delegation to advance President Trump's peace plan on Ukraine," Witkoff said in a post on social platform X.

"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine," he said. "Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security."

Earlier on Sunday, Witkoff also described separate talks held over the past three days among the United States, Ukraine and Europe representatives in Florida as "productive and constructive."

According to Witkoff, the U.S.-Ukraine discussions focused on four key documents: further development of a 20-point plan, alignment of positions on a multilateral security guarantee framework, alignment of positions on a U.S. security guarantee framework for Ukraine, and further development of an economic and prosperity plan.

"Particular attention was given to discussing timelines and the sequencing of next steps," he said.

"Ukraine remains fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace," Witkoff said. "Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity."

Witkoff noted the Ukrainian delegation included Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, and Andriy Hnatov, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The U.S. delegation in separate talks with Russia and Ukraine included Witcoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum.

"Key European National Security Advisors also joined the discussions to align on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe," Witkoff noted, saying Ukraine would continue "close coordination" with both the United States and Europe.

During his annual year-end press conference in Moscow on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia agrees to end the Ukraine crisis through negotiations, while underscoring Russia's battlefield advantages in Ukraine. He added that now "the ball is entirely in the court of Ukraine and its European sponsors." 
Chinese workers are returning to Africa in their thousands, reversing a decade-long decline and signalling a renewed focus on strategic mega-projects across the continent.

In 2024, there were 90,793 Chinese workers on contracted projects and labour services on the continent, an increase of about 4 per cent over the 87,078 recorded the previous year, according to data from the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

The upturn marks the end of a downward trend that had persisted since 2015, when the workforce peaked at a record 263,696. This milestone coincided with China's era of extensive bilateral lending, but it cooled as Beijing started adopting a more cautious approach to its financing for the Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Now, as investment flows accelerate, mostly driven by Chinese state-owned enterprises, worker numbers are once again increasing in key countries across Africa.

Last year, nearly half of all Chinese workers on the continent were concentrated in five nations, namely Guinea (11,071), the Democratic Republic of Congo (9,694), Egypt (8,170), Angola (7,444) and Nigeria (6,035).

CARI clarifies that these statistics track personnel on formal state contracts, while excluding the broader population of informal migrants, including traders and shopkeepers.

Advertisement Advertisement

The recent increase in Chinese workers is largely driven by major resource projects such as Guinea's US$20 billion Simandou iron ore venture - an ambitious consortium-led operation that requires substantial skilled labour for its final construction phase.

Deborah Brautigam of CARI said this reflected the changing nature of Chinese overseas contracting, which was increasingly focused on large-scale, state-backed projects.

She noted that the high number of Chinese workers for Tanzania was likely related to the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.

In contrast, Angola, which has historically been the biggest recipient of Chinese loans in Africa, often collateralised by oil, serves as a case study for earlier models of engagement.

Advertisement Advertisement

From hosting more than 50,000 workers in 2013, the boom collapsed following the 2014 oil price crash and the subsequent tightening of Chinese credit. As a result, formal worker numbers fell to just 6,484 by 2023, with a modest rebound to 7,444 last year thanks to new energy projects.

Meanwhile, worker exits from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Niger follow the completion of major infrastructure phases and the ripple effects of political instability.

Brautigam said she was in Ethiopia in September and was told the exodus of Chinese investors and workers was significant due to ongoing conflicts and the government's precarious finances.

Similarly, in Niger, the departure of workers was closely linked to conflict and multiple attacks from insurgent groups following the 2023 military coup that ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, according to Brautigam.

Advertisement Advertisement

Brautigam suggested a similar pattern in Nigeria. "I imagine this is also true for Nigeria where the security challenges have been ratcheting up."

Looking ahead, the modernisation of the historic Tanzania-Zambia Railway, or Tazara, is expected to draw a further influx of skilled Chinese personnel. It required a workforce of about 50,000 Chinese workers when it was first built in the 1970s, marking the beginning of China's long-term infrastructure legacy in Africa.

The high number of Chinese workers for Tanzania is likely related to the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, according to researcher Deborah Brautigam. Photo: Reuters alt=The high number of Chinese workers for Tanzania is likely related to the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, according to researcher Deborah Brautigam. Photo: Reuters>

Kai Xue, a Beijing-based investment lawyer, observed that despite the recent uptick, reported worker numbers remained in a "post-Covid plateau" well below 2019 levels.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said this was not due to a loss in market share, as Chinese firms still secured 56.3 per cent of Africa's international contractor revenue in 2023, citing a report by Engineering News-Record.

"A more plausible explanation for the lower worker numbers since Covid is labour localisation. Chinese construction firms have increasingly relied on local African labour rather than importing Chinese workers," Xue said.

Official data sets only captured dispatched personnel, saying broader population estimates for Nigeria and Kenya had risen since 2017, he added.

Present estimates suggest there are 100,000 Chinese people in Nigeria and roughly 50,000 in Kenya - up from 2017 levels of about 40,000 in both nations - indicating a rise in long-term residents and independent migrants.

Advertisement Advertisement

"The total Chinese population may still be growing through entrepreneurs and longer-term residents who are not captured in the NBS worker statistics," Xue said, referring to China's National Bureau of Statistics.

He said this shift towards independent migration was likely positive for community relations, as entrepreneurs were viewed as creators of local opportunity rather than competitors for technical roles.

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.
Federal employees will get to enjoy a couple of extra days of holiday after a new executive order was signed by President Donald J. Trump.

The executive order signed on Dec. 18 provides for the closing of executive departments andagencies of the federal government on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26. The order only guarantees the non-work days in 2025 and would have to be reissued next year to be in effect.

But what does that mean for the average American? Most workers won't get the days off, as they are not permanent federal holidays. Some services like banks and the post office will remain open on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, but will be closed on the 25th.

Are Christmas Eve, Dec. 26 federal holidays?

Christmas Eve and Dec. 26 have been declared federal holidays in 2025, but have not been permanently added to the holiday schedule.

Advertisement Advertisement

A permanent federal holiday must first pass through Congress and be signed into law by the president, as done by former President Joe Biden in 2021, adding Juneteenth.

This is not the first time Trump has included Christmas Eve on a temporary holiday order. He previously did it during his first term in 2019 and 2020. Former President Barack Obama declared Dec. 26 a holiday in 2014.

Who gets Christmas Eve, Dec. 26, off?

Many workers are used to having federal holidays off, but it's rare for non-government offices to give workers paid time off for temporary additions. Those who didn't already have these days off are likely still expected to show up to the office like any other day.

Only federal agencies will be closed on those days. Some employees may still have to report to work, at the discretion of agency leaders, according to Trump's order. Private businesses can decide to give their employees time off, but they are not obligated to by law.

Do state employees get federal holidays off?

Usually, but sometimes a state's calendar of holidays can differ from the federal holiday calendar.

Advertisement Advertisement

For example, Oklahoma's holiday calendar lists nine holidays, but the federal holiday calendar lists 12 because that calendar includes Inauguration Day, Juneteenth, and Columbus Day.

In Oklahoma, state employees will have Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Dec. 25, off this year, as well as in 2026.

Will banks, stores, post offices be closed on Christmas Eve, Dec. 26?

While federal government offices may close their doors the days before and after Christmas this year, banks and post offices should remain open.

U.S. Postal Service post offices will be closed on Christmas Day, and mail will not be delivered, according to the agency's website. However, they will operate regularly on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26. USPS recommends checking your local office for specific hours of operation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Similarly, according to the Federal Reserve, banks will follow the typical schedule of being open for business on Dec. 24 and 26 and closed on Christmas Day.

Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Is Christmas Eve now a federal holiday? What to know about Trump order
Dec. 21MITCHELL  The city is requesting a change of terms to use state funds before a grant expires.

The Mitchell City Council, during its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, approved a grant amendment letter to be sent to Jerry Soholt, chairman of the South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources, to request updated terms of a Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program (CWFCP) grant set to expire soon. The grant is part of a series of grants approved by the state for the South Wastewater Treatment Facility project at the Mitchell Regional Landfill.

The letter requests the grant percentage to be changed from 5.1% to 10% of eligible costs up to the max grant award at $1.5 million of a $31 million project with contractor John T. Jones Construction. This will allow the grant to be spent in full prior to the grant expiration, according to Public Works Director Joe Schroeder. The grant expires on April 13, 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

A decision on the city's request is expected at the Jan. 8, 2026, water board meeting, which is open to the public. Schroeder told the Mitchell Republic that the request for a percentage increase was recommended by the state.

The city has spent roughly $19.5 million so far on the wastewater facility, and has about $14 million left, according to Schroeder.

The city is seeking to double the amount approved within the grant max award limit, which would allow more grant funds to go toward each contractor bill. The city is requesting to use funds on a shorter timeline. The grant covers construction and engineering costs, and may not exceed the award amount.

"We just have to have the full amount requested prior to a loan expiration," Schroeder said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The letter states that due to the scope of the project and preparatory work, construction did not begin until the summer of 2024. The grant was awarded in 2022.

"It does not appear we will be able to draw the full amount of the grant by the April 2026 expiration date," the letter says.

The project has been averaging $1 million in pay out requests for contractors, following the recommendation by the project engineer. A total of up to 5% of these pay requests have been covered by the grant funds, according to Schroeder.

The state doesn't write the city a check until after the city pays the contractors.

Advertisement Advertisement

"You have to spend the money first," Schroeder said.

The South Wastewater Treatment Plant has a completion date of Sept. and is on schedule, according to Schroeder.

"We need to average more than a million dollars of pay requests in order to get us to the end of the contract by September," Schroeder said.

The city received roughly $17 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds for the project. The ARPA dollars had to be spent first, according to Schroeder.

"We've gotten a lot of grants," Schroeder said.

After grant funds, the city is paying for the project with loans and city sewer rate dollars, according to Schroeder. $4.12 of each city utility bill is earmarked for the South Wastewater Treatment Plant project.

Advertisement Advertisement

The $39.2 million total south wastewater treatment complex includes a $6.74 million blower building, a $11.53 million dewatering facility, and an equalizing storage basin for $2.77 million.

In April, prefabricated concrete walls were installed at the dewatering building, and concrete was poured for the storage basin.

Before the project is complete, earthen dykes will need finished, and piping and equipment will need to be installed at the blower and dewatering buildings.
WASHINGTON  Former President Bill Clintons spokesperson called for the Justice Department to release all of its documents about the investigation of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, to avoid insinuating wrongdoing against people "who have been repeatedly cleared."

Pictures of Clinton, including one in a hot tub and others with celebrities, were among documents the Justice Department released Friday, Dec. 19, under a new law.

But the department was criticized for withholding hundreds of thousands of pages of additional documents by women who accused Epstein of abuse, by lawmakers and by Clinton's deputy chief of staff Angel Urena.

Advertisement Advertisement

Clinton needs no protection from releasing all remaining documents that mention or contain a photograph of him, Urena said in a social media post on Monday, Dec. 22.

But selective releases to imply wrongdoing would confirm the widespread suspicion that releases are about insinuation implying wrongdoing rather than transparency, Urena said.

Congress approved a law, which President Donald Trump signed, demanding the release by Dec. 19 of all department files that didnt name alleged victims, portray child sexual abuse or hurt the prosecution of cases.

But in releasing hundreds of thousands of documents, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged Friday, Dec. 19, that hundreds of thousands more documents were still being reviewed. He also told Congress some documents might be withheld under legal privileges covering the internal deliberations of lawyers or communications with clients.

Former President Bill Clinton appears in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Blanche said more documents would be released within weeks. The law directs the department to list the documents withheld from public release and explain the reasons within 15 days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Two House members threatened to seek to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt for the partial release of documents. But Bondi has said the Trump administration is the most transparent in history.

Trump called in November for the Justice Department to investigate Clintons ties to Epstein. The former president faces a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee.

Former President Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

But Urena pointed to a Vanity Fair interview published Dec. 16 with Trumps White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, that said Trump was wrong to say Clinton visited Epsteins private Caribbean island, Little Saint James.

There is no evidence those visits happened, Wiles told Vanity Fair. The president was wrong about that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clinton calls for release of all Epstein docs to avoid 'insinuation'
CNBCs Joe Kernen on Monday suggested that the Trump administration was in the midst of a socialist creep with its approach to the economy.

During the 7 oclock hour of Squawk Box, Kernen was joined by Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) to discuss President Donald Trumps economic policy. Citing the governments increased involvement in a number of industries, Kernen asked McCormick if that policy was pushing too close to socialism systems like those seen in China.

The conversation continued:

KERNEN: Is anything that youve seen President Trump do, in terms of statism, is it similar to what happens in China? Is it similar to a socialist creep where the government is too involved in the means of production? Or is it MCCORMICK: I think its a slippery slope when you get the government more and more involved in the economy KERNEN: Are we slipping with President Trump?

In his response, McCormick explained that the federal government should get involved in certain industries if national security is at risk. He specifically named steel and pharmaceuticals among then. Still, the senator cautioned that we dont want the government involved by and large.

Advertisement Advertisement

And its the old Reagan line, McCormick continued. The scariest words you could ever hear is, Im here from the government and Im here to help you. We dont need too much help.

Watch above via CNBC

The post CNBCs Joe Kernen Pushes GOP Senator on Trump Admin Slipping Toward Socialism With Economic Policy first appeared on Mediaite.
Ginther, Bryant refuse to be complicit

Mayor Andrew Ginther's and Police Chief Elaine Bryant's joint Dec. 18 statement was welcomed news.

With so many of our state leaders giving in to pressure from Washington, it's encouraging to see Columbus leaders refusing to be complicit in ICE's raids, arrests, detentions and deportations.

Thank you for standing up for Columbus residents.

Deborah Manofsky, Columbus

In a video published to Youtube, Columbus Mayor Ginther and Chief Bryant shared tips to staying safe if federal agents arrive in the city.

Idle time

Ohio is called the heart of it all, but lately, central Ohio has been the heart of poor air quality.

Advertisement Advertisement

Columbus continues to earn failing grades for smog and particle pollution, and that isnt just a statistic  its something were breathing every day.

One of the easiest problems to fix is unnecessary vehicle idling.

We see it everywhere: cars running in school pickup lines, parking lots and driveways while warming up.

According to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your car and the average driver wastes up to two tanks of gas a year by idling. Worse, that exhaust goes straight into the air around our homes and schools.

Those fumes make asthma worse, damage lungs and hit children the hardest because their bodies are still developing. Parents idling near schools may not realize theyre exposing kids and staff to toxic exhaust  but the harm is real.

Advertisement Advertisement

At the same time, Ohio has loosened idling enforcement and is considering ending mandatory emissions checks. Rolling back clean-air protections when our air quality is already failing makes no sense. Cutting unnecessary idling wont fix everything, but its a simple, immediate step we can take right now.

Clean air shouldnt be optional  its something all of us deserve.

Emily Arbogast, Powell

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus mayor, police chief standing against awful Ice raids | Letters
Congress has adjourned for the holidays having made no tangible progress toward funding the government ahead of a shutdown looming less than six weeks away.

The most conspicuous sign that Congress faces real obstacles before the Jan. 30 funding deadline came late Thursday, when Senate leaders gave up on passing a spending package and sent members home for two weeks, despite working for more than a month to appease senators who had objections.

But the impediments to reaching a deal that can pass both chambers are more extensive, starting with the fact that Republicans and Democrats on both ends of the Capitol have yet to start negotiating the details of the nine pending funding bills. The lack of bipartisan offer-trading is raising the likelihood of another short-term punt  or another shutdown.

Advertisement Advertisement

We wasted a lot of time because the Senates not negotiating yet, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said in an interview last week. When they're ready to negotiate, we can move fast.

Cole and his counterpart, Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), just reached an agreement over the weekend on overall totals for the remaining spending bills Congress needs to pass. Lawmakers already passed three as part of the package that ended the shutdown last month  funding veterans and agriculture agencies, federal food aid and the Food and Drug Administration, along with Congress itself, through Sept. 30.

For more than a month Cole and Collins had been trying to bridge differences on key numbers while Senate leaders tried to advance a funding package that reflects consensus from only their side of the Capitol. Last weeks heave failed, but senators expect to try again in early January.

We have different dynamics in our caucuses that we need to deal with, Collins said this month as she left a meeting with Cole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats have been growing impatient. They wasted all that time during the summer, said Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Houses top Democratic appropriator, about House Republicans spending the better part of this year crafting partisan funding bills.

Then Democrats had to wait for their GOP counterparts to strike the majority to majority deal on funding totals that finally arrived Saturday.

Democrats are prepared. We're ready to move. Let's go, DeLauro said.

Even if top appropriators can manage to agree on the nine remaining funding bills, other thorny dynamics threaten to complicate final passage in each chamber. The pitfalls include the mismatch between what appropriators want to spend and the demands of House fiscal hawks seeking flat funding for agencies  as well as the fact that Democrats will need to help pass any spending bills in the Senate, as they acutely illustrated with this falls record 43-day shutdown.

Advertisement Advertisement

The totals top Republican appropriators just agreed upon are not public. But Cole said the deal will ensure overall funding would be below the level laid out in the stopgap funding patch enacted last month.

Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, chair of the House Freedom Caucus and a top Republican appropriator, said last week that he wants funding for the Pentagon and the largest nondefense agencies to be no more than what was enacted for the fiscal year that ended in September.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has the same idea: I don't want any spending higher than current-level spending, he said. If they're busting the current levels, then they're going to have to demonstrate to me why.

If House hard-liners arent appeased when the funding bills come together, they could start making threats to Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders, who already are on the outs with House Republicans over their handling of health care assistance this month.

Advertisement Advertisement

You can expect the smoke to start coming up from over that hill and that hill and that hill, said Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), who chairs the Homeland Security spending panel. And there might even be some open flame.

Amodei said some of his colleagues are openly talking about the potential for another shutdown. But many others think it is more likely that Congress is headed for another punt at current funding levels for the remaining nine bills.

Last week, Johnson told his conference in a closed-door meeting that he wants to pass those bills by the Jan. 30 deadline  a goal that many in the GOP ranks consider aspirational at best. One House Republican granted anonymity to describe the private meeting said he turned to one of his colleagues and whispered, I wouldn't bet on that on Polymarket, referring to an online prediction market.

Senate leaders have their own conflicting demands to manage. Fiscal conservatives repeatedly objected to starting debate on a five-bill funding package in recent weeks, citing opposition to earmarks as they also sought promises related to other legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

But it was Democrats who blocked movement in the final days before the Senate adjourned Thursday. One late-breaking demand by Colorados senators was to reverse the White Houses move last week to dismantle a federal center in the state that supports research in climate and weather science.

Still, following the acrimony of the shutdown this fall, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are at least projecting a unified front on government funding ahead of the January deadline.

Both Thune and I are in agreement that were going to work through the process and get the appropriations bills done, Schumer told reporters late Thursday after Senate leaders decided to adjourn without passing the funding package.

Since top Republican appropriators reached an agreement on overall totals after Congress adjourned, lawmakers hope some negotiating can be done before they return to town Jan. 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Staff has been instructed to  whatever they're doing  take their laptops with them, DeLauro said.

When Congress reconvenes, both chambers are only scheduled to be in session for three weeks before the shutdown deadline  with the House slated to be out of session the week immediately before.

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican appropriator, said he was hopeful his partys leaders would keep lawmakers in town to pass any deal that might come together.

This is people's political livelihood on the line, he said. Weve got to get this done. Nobody leaves.

Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
By Helen Coster

NEW YORK, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Cait Conley kicked off her congressional campaign with a series of cellphone videos in which she addresses affordability, healthcare and other policy initiatives -- while lifting weights in her garage.

She calls the series Reps and Real Talk, a nod to the dual identity the former Army special operations officer hopes will carry her to a 2026 election win and flip her congressional district in New York, one of the countrys most politically competitive, from Republican to Democrat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Conley is part of the Hellcats, a group of four Democratic women with military backgrounds running for Congress in next year's midterm elections. Democrats need to flip three Republican seats to win a House majority, which would give them the firepower to frustrate Trump's legislative agenda and investigate his administration.

The Hellcats, a name that pays homage to the first female Marines of World War One, include a retired Marine Corps drill instructor, a former Navy helicopter pilot, a former Marine captain and a former Army special operations officer. They are campaigning as a bloc from the outset, inspired by the so-called badass caucus of five Democratic women with national security credentials who flipped Republican-held seats in 2018.

Unlike that group, which branded itself after taking office, the Hellcats are leaning into their identity early. They came up with the moniker in the spring after months of texting on a group chat.

They face challenges. Conley, 40, must win a crowded June primary in her suburban New York district before taking on Congressman Mike Lawler, who defeated a Democratic incumbent in 2022. Joanna Mendoza, a retired Marine running for Congress in Arizonas 6th district, trails Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani in overall fundraising. Maura Sullivan, who lost in a crowded New Hampshire primary in 2018 after moving to the state in 2017, must overcome the carpetbagger label that dogged her previous campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Republican National Committee Regional Communications Director Delanie Bomar said none of these Democrats can defeat "battle-tested candidates, who are delivering real results for their districts.

"Should any of these Democrats escape their toxic primaries, theyll be forced to deal with their controversial pasts, which range from carpetbagging to deleting crazy tweets, Bomar said in a statement.

In the early weeks of campaigning, each of the Hellcats has embraced a similar message: Their military training and ethos of service make them uniquely suited to break through Washingtons dysfunction.

Veterans are mission-focused, said Mendoza, 49. You dont ask the person to your left or right what their political affiliation is. You work through issues, find compromise, and accomplish the mission."

Advertisement Advertisement

Campaign strategists say the candidates' backgrounds could help them cross partisan divides and neutralize gender stereotypes that have sometimes dogged female candidates  proving toughness without sacrificing likability. They point to the success of Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, and Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer, who won tough congressional races in New Jersey and Virginia in 2018.

Both were elected governor of their states last month.

Three of the four candidates have children, which can help make the candidates relatable and effective messengers when it comes to campaigning on affordability, they said.

The campaign website for Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot running in New Jersey's 7th congressional district, features a photo of Bennett standing in front of a helicopter at her promotion ceremony. She's holding her baby daughter.

Advertisement Advertisement

I have led missions in some of the most challenging environments that exist on this earth, led missions in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night, where there's no margin for error, and I got the job done every single time, said Bennett, 38.

And also, I'm a mom, and I understand the challenges that we are facing in my district because my family is dealing with them too.

"SERVANT LEADERSHIP"

The Republican Party itself has recent history of supporting female candidates with military and national intelligence credentials, including Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, an Air Force veteran, and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel.

Advertisement Advertisement

And Republican candidates have long held advantages with veteran voters. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey showed that 63% of veteran voters identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, while 35% are Democrats or Democratic leaners.

This election, however, the Hellcats believe they can leverage Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths policies toward women in the military to win over veterans. Those include Hegseth's decision to disband a committee that provided recommendations for female military members well-being and treatment and his move to cancel a program that sought to increase the role of women in national security sectors.

Its heartbreaking to see the Secretary of Defense undoing something so many of us worked hard on, said Sullivan, 46, who is hosting house parties across New Hampshire, including with independents and first-time voters, and organizing playground meetups for parents who cant attend evening events.

The men and women of the U.S. military deserve a leader who believes in them.

Advertisement Advertisement

In Arizona, Mendoza is campaigning on lowering costs for families, strengthening national security and bringing stability to public office. She emphasizes servant leadership, likening the trust troops place in their commanders to the trust voters place in elected officials.

It's very hard to argue that if you have flown combat missions or have served in Afghanistan or Iraq that you may not be strong enough and tough enough to serve in Congress or to be the chief executive of the state, said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

Democratic Congressman Jason Crow of Colorado, a veteran who co-chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees recruitment efforts, described the candidates as fierce fighters who are well-suited to resist attacks from the Trump administration.

"There's no one demographic or one group that we are targeting in races like this," Crow said. "Which is exactly the point, which is exactly why combat veterans and servant leaders are the candidates we need."

(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York; editing by Paul Thomasch and Alistair Bell)
President Donald Trumps overhaul of federal homeless services faced a setback on Friday that could jeopardize Utah Gov. Spencer Coxs top priority for 2026: funding Utahs massive central homelessness campus.

A federal judge temporarily blocked an executive order from July that redirected nearly $4 billion in grant money away from housing first programs and toward states like Utah with a focus on public safety and mandatory treatment.

Lawyers from 20 mostly Democratic-led states, local governments and nonprofit groups argued the changes risked undermining programs that provide housing for around 170,000 people, Reuters reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

If the program went into effect, Utah could also lose programs that house up to 1,000 people, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness . Around 37% of Utahs permanent housing beds are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program.

But the court ruling could jeopardize federal funding that Utahs governor has repeatedly said will be critical to powering the states latest attempt to counter chronic homelessness in the state, which reached record levels in 2025.

Bill Tibbitts, the deputy executive director of Crossroads Urban Center, a local nonprofit that provides food and clothing to low-income families, said the ruling could force the state to switch gears on how it intends to fund homelessness services.

Crossroads Urban Center urges our state leaders to recognize that extra federal funding may never be available for building the controversial campus and to pause any plans that were contingent on receipt of those funds, Tibbitts told the Deseret News in a statement.

Funding the central campus

Office of Homeless Services

From the beginning, Cox has framed Trumps policy shift as an opportunity. The past few years have seen Cox and his incoming homelessness adviser, state Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, distance the state from the housing-first approach it once exemplified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of pouring millions into long-term, low-barrier-to-entry housing, the Utah Legislature has followed Clancys lead in cracking down on drug use in and around shelters, connecting first responders with mental health resources and expanding a statewide homelessness database.

But the backbone of the states reimagined strategy to homeless services has been a so-called transformational campus, which recently broke ground just north of the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The 16-acre, 1,300-bed facility, modeled after successful campuses in Reno, San Antonio and Miami, would seek to create a centralized, one-stop location for Utahs chronically homeless population to receive mental health treatment and addiction recovery help.

The program would prioritize high utilizers, according to Coxs fiscal year 2027 budget recommendations. These are the repeat criminal offenders who may require involuntary commitment to become sober and progress toward self-reliance.

Advertisement Advertisement

The central campus is intended to work in tandem with Salt Lake Countys dispersed service-centers model that was established over the past half-decade, according to Clancy. It will also approximately double the amount the state spends annually on homeless services.

Legislators already appropriate roughly $20-30 million each year to support homeless shelters. In the upcoming legislative session, Cox will pressure lawmakers to set aside $25 million, on top of last years $25 million, to complete construction of the campus.

The governor will also lobby for $20 million in ongoing funds to operate the campus. Coxs requests fall short of the total expected costs of the campus: $75 million to build, and at least $30 million annually to operate.

He told the Deseret News he is counting on municipalities, private donors and the federal government to pick up the rest of the tab and called the central campus the perfect project for Trumps revised federal grant process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Cox met with Trumps housing secretary in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 10, just after the administration withdrew its newly revised grant program. The states application for funding under the new rules had not progressed because of the November government shutdown, Cox said.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development said it remains committed to program reforms, The New York Times reported. But it is unclear whether the administration will try again to change homelessness funding for fiscal year 2027, or whether Utah will have to wait for future funding opportunities.
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is under fire over her decision to pull a 60 Minutes segment on the Trump administrations deportation of Venezuelan migrants to a prison in El Salvador, with one critic calling it government-controlled TV.

Weiss reportedly made the decision to pull the segment, which promised to reveal brutal and torturous conditions inside El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, due to a lack of administration voices. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi said in a note to staffers that the White House, Department of Homeland Security and the State Department were given an opportunity to respond to questions or provide an interview.

Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices, Alfonsi wrote in an email to correspondents. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it nowafter every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.

Weiss said in a statement to the New York Times on Sunday that her job was to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be.

Advertisement Advertisement

Holding stories that arent ready for whatever reasonthat they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voiceshappens every day in every newsroom, she said. I look forward to airing this important piece when its ready.

CBS News and the White House did not respond to immediate requests for comment.

Weiss decision follows Donald Trump claiming last week the 60 Minutes had treated him far worse under new management. David Ellison, whose father, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is a supporter of Trump, took over CBS News-parent Paramount this summer when the company merged with Skydance. Paramount bought Weiss site, the Free Press, in October and appointed her editor-in-chief of CBS News. Ellison is currently seeking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent-company of CNN.

Several critics interpreted Weiss move as intended not to upset the Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

This is what government-controlled TV looks like, liberal commentator Brian Tyler Cohen wrote on X.

If this decision is not reversed, if CBS News will only run a piece if WH comments, giving them veto power over journalism, any staff member w integrity will likely quit, bc it isnt a news division anymore, veteran media reporter Bill Carter wrote on X, comparing CBS News to the Russian state-controlled outlet TASS.

This CBS thing does merit an explanation right away, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) wrote on X. Its a pretty big deal to pull a story at the request of the White House. And if thats not what happened everyone should know that too.

Travesty, writer James Surowiecki wrote on X. Trump dumping people in CECOT without any trial or hearing, and without any authority to do so, was one of the very worst things hes done as president (which is saying a lot). The fact that this story was spiked is truly egregious.

Advertisement Advertisement

This is really bad, author Don Winslow wrote on X. For the country. For the legacy of @CBSNews and @60Minutes. For the memory of Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow. And for the train wreck that is @bariweiss.

Some political and media figures came to Weiss defense. Conservative podcaster Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, slammed Alfonsi for going public with her frustrations.

When you want to become the story, youve lost any shred of journalistic integrity, she wrote on X over a post with Alfonsis full email. The Legacy Media loves talking about themselves and is openly hostile to anyone who dare question their utter righteousness. 60 Minutes is a clear partisan program masquerading as impartial journalism.

The Dispatchs Jonah Goldberg said he wanted to see what the final piece looked like, arguing on X that Weiss may have had a valid reason to pull it.

Advertisement Advertisement

I know lots of folks are freaking out about this, he wrote. I think Bari Weiss deserves the benefit of the doubt. 60 Minutes, contrary to a lot of people around here, is not flawless and beyond reproach. Its swung and missed more than once. Well all be able to judge the segment when it airs. And lord knows anything legitimately significant that ends up being cut, will also end up being leaked.

The post Critics Blast CBS Bari Weiss for Pulling 60 Minutes Report on Trump Deportations: Government-Controlled TV appeared first on TheWrap.
The Brown University shooter has been found dead by his own hand in a storage locker in southern New Hampshire. The entire officialdom of Providence, Rhode Island celebrated by throwing "the most worthless, uninformative, cover-your-ass press conference I have ever seen in my entire life".

You'll be glad to hear that the DEI Mayor of Providence has declared "we believe that you remain safe in our community." He said this at 11pm last Sunday, but his statement was technically true because at that point the shooter was driving out of "our community" up to someone else's community to kill an MIT professor, who would assuredly be alive today had not everybody in Providence bungled everything that could be bungled. The storage-locker guy and the Boston guy are both Portuguese nationals of the same age who are believed by the FBI to have attended the same university in Lisbon at the end of the last century. What that means, who knows? A random mass-shooting as prelude to something more personal and targeted? As is now traditional, I doubt we shall ever know, but it has faint echoes of our recent serialisation of The Murder on the Links.

However, we do know how the forty-seven genius law-enforcement agencies "cracked the case". An Internet user saw this post on Reddit, and brought it to the attention of one of the forty-seven agencies, who shortly thereafter swung into what passes for action. Here's what the Redditor wrote:

I'm being dead serious. The police need to look into a grey Nissan with Florida plates, possibly a rental. That was the car he was driving. It was parked in front of the little shack behind the Rhode Island Historical Society on the Cooke St side. I know because he used his key fob to open the car, approached it and then something prompted him to back away. When he backed away he relocked the car. I found that odd so when he circled the block I approached the car and that is when I saw the Florida plates. He was parked in the section between the gate of the RIHS and the corner of Cooke and George St.

That's it. That's the entire "investigation". "He blew this case right open. He blew it open," cooed the Rhode Island Attorney-General, Peter Neronha. "That person led us to the car, which led us to the name, which led us to the photographs of that individual renting the car, which matched the clothing of our shooter here in Providence, that matched the satchel which we see here in Providence."

Great. His name is "John", and he had multiple interactions with the killer on the day of the shooting - both in the bathroom of the building two hours beforehand and by the car to which the killer kept circling back to see if "John" had ended his apparent stakeout of the vehicle. He spoke to the man long enough to determine that he had an "Hispanic" accent. In fact, Portuguese. But close enough. Or closer than the forty-seven kick-ass agencies.

But here's the thing: "John" only wrote his post on Reddit because nobody on the scene was interested in what he'd seen that day. "John" is apparently a homeless man who lives in the basement below the scene of the shooting.

Come again? Brown University lets the homeless live in its faculty buildings? You might want to bear that in mind if you're thinking of taking on six-figure debt to be gunned down at the Ivy League.

Oh, wait, no, relax: "John" is not any old homeless man but a graduate of Brown. They're not all working as baristas. So it's some grandfathered-in alumni legacy racket.

Which brings us to the other thing: He was generally known to be living there. So, on Saturday or at the very latest Sunday, why did no-one from the forty-seven kick-ass agencies seek to interview him? His would surely have been a unique perspective: neither teacher nor pupil, but someone who knows the building after-hours and observes the comings and goings. One expects the three-mil-a-year DEI president's "campus security" to totally suck, but how can you call in the FBI and then the elite best-of-the-best G-men not be aware that there's a guy living in the basement under the scene of the crime who had multiple interactions with the perp?

As I have had cause to remark a thousand times, nothing works anymore. When I observe that of the UK, English readers get mildly peeved. When I observe it of the Fifth Republic, French readers start gabbling and waving their Gauloise-stained hands around so animatedly their strings of onions fall from their shoulders. And, when I observe it of the United States, American readers get particularly chippy. But I'm an equal-opportunity civilisational doom-monger: we're all going over the falls, and arguing that the canoe of the Euro-pussies or the tight-assed Brits is a foot-and-a-half ahead isn't really much consolation. Police-wise, the Aussie constabulary bollocksed Bondi Beach and the forty-seven Yank agencies bollocksed Brown and MIT.

The question is how much bollocksing any nation can take. On the evidence of the last week, the leadership class of Brown University, the town of Providence and the state of Rhode Island are all way over-promoted. The boob of a municipal police chief is addressed as "colonel", so he ranks just a smidgeonette below Admiral Rachel Levine. I noted re this viral essay that the author is mainly talking about peripheral fields such as sitcom writers' rooms and newspaper op-ed pages. We now know that it extends also to law-enforcement and Ivy League administrations. Has it also advanced to airline pilots and emergency-room surgeons?

Exit question: the twin-state killer was admitted to the US on a "student visa". That presumably ended when he formally withdrew from Brown in 2003. Fourteen years later, he obtained a green card under the "diversity lottery":

The Brown University shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente entered the United States through the diversity lottery immigrant visa program (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card. This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country. In 2017, President Trump...  Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) December 19, 2025

Obviously, any such thing as a "diversity lottery" is an absurd and self-mutilating public policy. But was he in America for that decade-and-a-half between 2003 and 2017? In a country on supposed "orange alert"?

It's all bollocks. But bollocks that will get you and your entire civilisation killed. I mourn the death of tragic, doomed Ella Cook, even as I know she will be erased by the next Ella Cook, in however many weeks or days.

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)
BERLIN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- German exports to the United States fell sharply in the first three quarters of 2025, with automotive shipments down around 15 percent, as U.S. tariffs weighed on Europe's largest economy, according to a German Economic Institute (IW) analysis published Monday.

Overall German exports to the U.S. declined by nearly 8 percent year-on-year in the first nine months, ending years of steady growth. Between 2016 and 2024, exports had risen by an average of about 5 percent annually. The latest figures put German exports to the U.S. below their 2022 level.

The downturn was concentrated in Germany's core industrial sectors. Almost 70 percent of the decline came from automotive, chemical, and mechanical engineering industries, the IW reported. While automotive exports fell the most, mechanical engineering and chemical shipments each dropped by just under 10 percent.

High U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, currently at 50 percent, were a key factor behind the weakness in mechanical engineering exports, the institute said. Chemical exports were also affected by domestic factors, including lower production in Germany due to high energy prices.

With a swift rollback of Trump-era tariffs unlikely, Germany needs to diversify its trade ties, IW economist Samina Sultan said.

Germany should expand into new markets in South America, India and Indonesia, while reducing trade barriers within the European Union, she added. 
New CBS News boss Bari Weiss was bashed by a number of media critics on Sunday night, immediately after 60 Minutes abruptly postponed a report on a brutal El Salvador prison that President Donald Trump deported suspected gangsters and illegal immigrants to.

60 Minutes announced the segment was dropped at 4:31 p.m. ET  about two and a half hours before it was set to air. The segment was titled Inside CECOT, referring to El Salvadors Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo; the maximum-security prison was opened by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele in 2023 as part of his push to arrest more gang members.

President Trump said he was very impressed with the prison earlier this year and that he would love to send American crooks there.

Advertisement Advertisement

60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed some of the now-released deportees and they described the brutal and torturous conditions they endured, according to a press release teasing the segment. A CBS spokesperson told Puck reporter Dylan Byers the segment was pulled because its editors determined the segment needed additional reporting.

But a lot of X users were not buying that.

The Intercept co-founder Glenn Greenwald shared the teaser for the report  a trailer that was yanked from the official CBS website  on X. He also ripped Weiss for the move.

Its almost impressive how much damage Bari Weiss has done to CBS News in such a short period of time, he said.

Here's the deleted trailer for the now-"delayed" segment. It's almost impressive how much damage Bari Weiss has done to CBS News in such a short period of time. Someone quickly schedule a prime-time Town Hall with Alan Dershowitz to rectify the harm:pic.twitter.com/382gRG5Lgp https://t.co/3gHRKNES2y  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) December 21, 2025

This is the now deleted teaser for the 60 Minutes report that was supposed to air tonight on the CECOT torture prison in El Salvador that Donald Trump sent hundreds of migrants to. CBS is officially a mouthpiece for the Trump administration thanks to Bari Weiss https://t.co/uRoFh2YdFo pic.twitter.com/aE1cbOXxAl  Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) December 21, 2025

Political analyst Tom Sherwood was confused by the last minute move and said the public needs to know why it happened.

The public needs to know why. The 60 Minutes segments are not thrown together at the last moment. Where is the CBS statement saying why? https://t.co/oDH1DWPi5k  Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) December 22, 2025

The New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush shared Byers X post and wondered Has this ever happened before?

Has this ever happened before? https://t.co/fAq3s7nmSS  Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) December 21, 2025

Advertisement Advertisement

There was also a lot of criticism if you searched Weiss or 60 Minutes on X:

This is the now deleted teaser for the 60 Minutes report that was supposed to air tonight on the CECOT torture prison in El Salvador that Donald Trump sent hundreds of migrants to. CBS is officially a mouthpiece for the Trump administration thanks to Bari Weiss https://t.co/uRoFh2YdFo pic.twitter.com/aE1cbOXxAl  Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) December 21, 2025

Bari Weiss is a government media censor, trying to make sure that nothing critical of the Trump admin aires on CBS when anybody is looking. Thats her role. https://t.co/dI6Ud9ZDNa  austerity is theft (@wideofthepost) December 21, 2025

60 minutes does not exist anymore. this is an empty shell using its name. https://t.co/3UDnP32j7J pic.twitter.com/6mj488ZjNb  endora bullshit (@collectdust) December 21, 2025

60 Minutes is a crown jewel of journalistic integrity and quality. The fact that its now under the thumb of Bari Weiss who is pulling pieces for political reasons, is a heinous betrayal of the 4th Estate. I hope the incredible team there can find ways to push back and continue https://t.co/NnABHhcd76  Adam Cochran (adamscochran.eth) (@adamscochran) December 21, 2025

Advertisement Advertisement

CBS parent company Paramount Skydance summed up the report on Friday:

Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a country most had no ties to, claiming they were terrorists. This move sparked an ongoing legal battle, and nine months later the U.S. government still has not released the names of all those deported and placed in CECOT, one of El Salvadors harshest prisons.

Journalist Adam Cochran called 60 Minutes a crown jewel of journalistic integrity and quality, before launching into Weiss.

The fact that its now under the thumb of Bari Weiss who is pulling pieces for political reasons, is a heinous betrayal of the 4th Estate. I hope the incredible team there can find ways to push back and continue to make their work heard! Cochran wrote.

YouTuber @KyleKulinski wrote, Bari Weiss just CENSORED AND BANNED a 60 Minutes episode exposing how Trump sent immigrants to be TORTURED AND RAPED in a concentration camp.

Advertisement Advertisement

Journalist Peter Twinklage posted, a source inside CBS News tells me a move like this is effectively unprecedented in the history of 60 Minutes. 60 stories often take several weeks, if not MONTHS, to produce. the idea of killing a finished piece (that youve already been promoting) hours before air is insane.

Other critiques follow:

At one time, The New York Times referred to 60 Minutes as "one of the crown jewels of American broadcast journalism".

Now that the right-wing extremists have gotten their dirty, grubby, pedo loving claws into it its become a sick propaganda network.  Luke (@JDLuckenbach) December 21, 2025

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! Under the fascist authoritarian Trump regime, America has devolved into a banana republic. So fearful is the media of the pedophile fuhrer, CBS News cut an upcoming 60 Minutes report at the last minute on Trump's CECOT concentration camp in El Salvador.  pic.twitter.com/a1hMspcEyL  Bill Madden (@maddenifico) December 22, 2025

The post Critics Lash Out at Bari Weiss After 60 Minutes Yanks Segment on Trump Deportations Last Minute: SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! first appeared on Mediaite.
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  On Friday, Colorado State Patrol (CSP) released its results of Operation Silent Night, a multi-agency surge operation in Mesa County aimed to reduce traffic fatalities and crashes during a busy travel weekend.

The one-day surge operation on Friday resulted in contacting 76 motorists, issuing 56 citations for various traffic violations and arresting a motorist for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

CSP credited the DUI arrest to the community for reporting dangerous driving behaviors, as a citizen called in to report the driver.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Grand Junction Police Departments (GJPD) report of the operation, officers had also pulled over individuals for speeding 110, 90, and 86 mph in zones with a 65 mph speed limit.

During the operation, the CSP Port of Entry had also increased its commercial vehicle enforcement, which included:

13 commercial driver inspections

Seven commercial vehicle inspections

Three commercial vehicles were taken out of service for safety-related violations.

We want to thank the community for their help and vigilance in keeping our highways safe. Calling in dangerous drivers makes a tangible difference. This surge operation was made possible through the collaborative efforts of participating agencies, the dedicated communications center, and the community, stated CSP in a press release.

Advertisement Advertisement

The agencies that participated in the surge operation were CSP, GJPD and the Fruita Police Department.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Dec. 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1785, the American Continental Navy fleet was organized, consisting of two frigates, two brigs and three schooners. Sailors were paid $8 a month.

In 1894, French Capt. Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason by a military court-martial on flimsy evidence in a highly irregular trial and sentenced to life in prison for his alleged crime of passing military secrets to the Germans. Dreyfus was released from prison in 1899 and officially exonerated in 1906.

Advertisement Advertisement

In 1944, ordered to surrender by Nazi troops who had his unit trapped south of Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division replied with one word: "Nuts!"

In 1984, "subway vigilante" Bernhard Goetz shot and injured four would-be holdup men on a New York City subway. He served eight months in prison for carrying an illegal weapon but was cleared of assault and attempted murder charges.

On December 22, 2001, American Airlines passengers and attendants overpowered a man -- Richard Reid -- trying to light a match to detonate powerful explosives hidden in his sneakers on a flight from Paris to Miami. File Photo courtesy of the FBI

In 1986, political dissident and Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov and his wife, Yelena Bonner, were allowed to return to Moscow after seven years of internal exile.

Yelena Bonner, wife of Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, waves goodbye as she passes an American flag at Bostons Logan Airport on May 24, 1986. File Photo by Jim Bourg/UPI

On December 22, 1984, "subway vigilante" Bernhard Goetz shot and injured four would-be holdup men on a New York City subway. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI

In 1989, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu, the last hard-line communist holdout against East Bloc reforms, fell from power in the face of massive demonstrations.

Advertisement Advertisement

In 1992, all 157 people aboard Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 1103 died when the jetliner crashed, apparently following an in-flight collision with a military plane.

On December 22, 1944, ordered to surrender by Nazi troops who had his unit trapped south of Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division replied with one word: "Nuts!" File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

In 2001, American Airlines passengers and attendants overpowered a man, Richard Reid, trying to light a match to detonate powerful explosives hidden in his sneakers on a flight from Paris to Miami. As a result of the incident, U.S. airports began requiring passengers to remove their shoes for screening.

In 2005, Walmart was ordered to pay more than 100,000 California employees $172 million for depriving them of breaks to eat.

Protesters demand Walmart provide a living wage and full-time work as part of a nationwide Black Friday strike outside a Walmart store in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles on November 29, 2013. On December 22, 2005, Walmart was ordered to pay more than 100,000 California employees $172 million for depriving them of breaks to eat. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

In 2006, rape charges were dropped against three former members of the Duke University lacrosse team after the alleged victim said she couldn't be sure she had been raped.

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians from openly serving in the U.S. military. The so-called "Don't Ask Don't Tell" legislation was signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in 1994.

File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI

In 2020, FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi scored his 644th career goal for the La Liga squad, surpassing Brazilian legend Pele's all-time record for most goals with a single club.

In 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the average U.S. life expectancy was 76.4 years, the lowest since 1996. The agency blamed the decline on the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in fatal overdoses from illicit drugs such as fentanyl.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A quiet Sunday afternoon in South Caddo Parish turned grim when a body was discovered beneath a bridge, prompting an active death investigation.

According to the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office, patrol deputies were called to the scene around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, after two fishermen reported finding a deceased individual under a bridge along Ellerbe Road near Gayle Red Bluff Road.

Caddo deputies, along with Caddo Parish Fire District 5, responded to the call, where they confirmed the presence of an adult individual and officially pronounced the person deceased. The individuals identity is being withheld at this time, pending notification of the next of kin.

Advertisement Advertisement

19-year-old Shreveport woman found unresponsive at home identified

Investigators say the cause and manner of the death have not yet been determined. The area surrounding the bridge has been temporarily secured as investigators conduct a preliminary examination.

The case remains under investigation, and additional updates will be provided as they become available.

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office or Crime Stoppers.

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 KTALnews.com.
By Nate Raymond

Dec 22 (Reuters) - A coalition of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to prevent President Donald Trump's administration from defunding the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by refusing to request money from the Federal Reserve.

Democratic attorneys general from 21 states and the District of Columbia filed the lawsuit in federal court in Oregon, arguing that the administration's decision not to seek additional funding for the U.S. consumer watchdog is unlawful and undermines Congress' authority under the U.S. Constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

"The administration's actions are a handout to those who drive up costs by cheating hardworking Americans, and I will keep fighting to ensure they follow the law and our Constitution," New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said in a statement.

The CFPB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump, a Republican, has sought to dismantle the CFPB since returning to office in January and has installed Russell Vought, his budget director, as the acting head of the agency. While efforts to fire most of its employees are tied up in litigation, Vought has effectively halted most CFPB activities.

The agency, which is tasked with protecting consumers in the financial sector, began operations in 2011 under Democratic President Obama following the 2008 financial crisis. It has since returned more than $21 billion improperly taken from consumers, its supporters say.

Advertisement Advertisement

It receives its funding directly from the Fed, unlike federal agencies for which Congress appropriates money annually.

Last month, the CFPB under Vought's leadership said it could not request more money from the Fed because the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 requires that funding come from the central bank's "combined earnings."

Since the Fed had been operating at a loss since 2022, the Trump administration said no earnings were available. The CFPB in a November 10 court filing said it expected its funds would run out in early 2026.

States led by California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Oregon said in Monday's lawsuit that denying funding would prevent the CFPB from meeting a legal obligation to provide them with consumer complaints.

Advertisement Advertisement

They said the administration's actions also violate the Constitution's principle of separation of powers, since Congress created the agency and the process by which it is funded.

A federal employees' union and several nonprofits are seeking in two separate lawsuits in Washington, D.C., and California to similarly force the CFPB to resume requesting funding.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by David Bario and Nia Williams)
DHR Health and the City of Brownsville in the US have signed a Chapter 380 Grant Agreement for the expansion of a new hospital, aiming to increase medical services, create new jobs, and upgrade patient care facilities.

The collaboration will add approximately 14,000ft to the citys hospital, including new emergency and surgical capacity.

DHR Health will invest $17.3m in the project, further broadening its presence in Brownsville and supporting new access points for emergency and specialty care.

Advertisement Advertisement

The expansion aligns with ongoing city efforts to support economic development, employment opportunities, and improve healthcare access for local residents.

The project will add six new surgical suites, six emergency room (ER) bays, an expanded ER waiting area, installation of a Siemens 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), two cardiac catheterisation labs, expanded radiology services, and a dual source computed tomography (CT) scanner.

It will create 20 new full-time jobs for medical professionals and support staff.

The new construction covers 9,200ft with a further 4,800ft remodelled area. Plans also include a driveway extension and more than 34,000ft of landscaped campus improvements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Construction will begin after permit approvals and is anticipated to conclude in two years. The city will incentivise DHR Health with a $2m grant under the Texas Chapter 380 Grant Agreement.

DHR Health board chairman Dr Carlos Cardenas said: This partnership is proof that great things happen when we all come together in the best interest of our community. We are thankful that we will be able to further increase access to specialty healthcare services and elevate patient care.

Brownsville City Mayor John Cowen, Jr said: The DHR Brownsville expansion strengthens our healthcare services in our city and gives our healthcare professionals the opportunity to better serve patients with compassion and efficiency.

The expansion of DHR Health Brownsville directly supports our vision for a healthier, more resilient community, while creating good jobs and supporting sustainable growth through our community.

Advertisement Advertisement

In October 2025, the University of Houston and DHR Health Hospital System agreed to establish the UH Tilman J Fertitta Family College of Medicine and DHR Health Medical Research and Education Center in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

"DHR Health, City of Brownsville collaborate to upgrade medical services" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




WASHINGTON  The Department of Homeland Security is tripling its payments to undocumented immigrants who deport themselves for the holidays to $3,000 per person.

Under President Donald Trumps stricter immigration enforcement, the department has been offering $1,000 and free travel to persuade people without legal authority who remain in the United States to leave.

The advantage to the government is avoiding the average cost of $17,121 to arrest, detain and remove immigrants, officials have said.

Advertisement Advertisement

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said U.S. taxpayers are "generously" tripling the exit bonus through Dec. 31.

"Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they dont, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return," Noem said in a statement.

Those who are deported are barred from ever returning. But by leaving voluntarily, undocumented immigrants could potentially return to the United States eventually through legal channels.

The department invites undocumented immigrants to use Customs and Border Protections CBP Home app to process their self-deportations.

Advertisement Advertisement

An estimated 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have left the country this year, according to DHS officials, although the figure is difficult to corroborate because of people leaving voluntarily. Tens of thousands have used the CBP Home app, officials said.

The right-leaning Center for Immigration Studies estimated a decline of 2.2 million foreign-born people during the first six months of the year, based on projections in the Current Population Survey of the U.S. Census. The figure represents the largest drop in one year in decades.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DHS increases self-deportation payment to $3,000 per person
Every year, Santa Claus races around the globe in a matter of hours to bring presents to children all over the world.

This is how countless films and stories describe it - but scientists have always enjoyed calculating why this is actually impossible.

Now, a physicist in Germany says Christmas does not have to be cancelled after all: All Santa needs to do is make use of modern quantum physics, Metin Tolan.

Advertisement Advertisement

For the calculations, the existence of Santa Claus is assumed to be certain, "because the whole world simply cannot be wrong," writes Tolan in a German-language book that translates as "Silent Night, Hasty Night."

He recalls one of the first recorded stories in which the existence of Santa Claus was questioned: in 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun with the words: "Please tell me the truth: is there a Santa Claus?'

Air Force instead of Santa Claus

Yes, was the response, couched in many poetic words  which is still one of the most frequently reprinted articles in English-language newspapers today. Another event in the US continues to have an impact to this day: On Christmas Eve 1955, the US Air Defence red telephone rang. Harry Shoup, a colonel in the United States Air Force, answered the phone, expecting an emergency  and a little girl asked: "Are you really Santa Claus?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Numerous other calls followed. A mail order company had published what it believed to be Santa Claus's number  but it was actually the Air Force's top-secret emergency number.

"The colonel proved that he was also in control of this special situation and assigned a few men to answer the children's questions," the book says. This event is the basis for the tradition of the North American Aerospace Defence Command NORAD announcing Santa Claus's position every year. The project called NORAD Tracks Santa and can be viewed at www.noradsanta.org.

2,708 visits per second  is that possible?

Tolan calculates how many households Santa Claus would have to visit according to a study on Christmas films  assuming that he only delivers to Christian children up to the age of 10 who have been good during the year. In 24 hours, he would have to make 2,708 visits per second to reach 234 million households. If he flew against the Earth's rotation, he would have a total of 32 hours  and thus "only" about 2,000 visits per second to complete.

Advertisement Advertisement

That is 40 times higher than the maximum frame rate that a human being can see  which is why we have no chance of observing him at work. However, Santa Claus would be dead anyway  burned up and crushed, as Tolan explains. He would have to cover a total distance of about 82 million kilometres with a sleigh weighing well over 200,000 tons, if every child received only one gift weighing about 1 kilogram.

Reindeer after reindeer would incinerate

To accelerate the sleigh to the required speed, Santa Claus would need more than six times the amount of energy consumed in Germany in an entire year, Tolan calculates. He explains the conditions under which one reindeer after another and then Santa Claus and his sleigh would evaporate in a fraction of a second, and why flying around corners also poses deadly risks.

But survival is possible if quantum theory and the so-called energy-time uncertainty principle come into play, Tolan says. Quantum theory states that matter also has wave properties.

Advertisement Advertisement

"For Santa Claus, this means that he must be replaced by a matter wave that exists throughout space and describes all the states he can occupy at the same time." Instead of one Santa Claus, there is a whole Santa Claus wave consisting of superpositions of all his states.

Quantum theory requires a radically different way of thinking

"These individual states are then given by the fact that he delivers his presents to a specific house in each case."

Santa Claus is therefore in all houses at the same time. Delivery, according to the rules of quantum theory, makes it impossible for Santa Claus to ever be seen, Tolan writes.

Advertisement Advertisement

A sighting would immediately lead to the collapse of the Santa Claus wave at that location  and thus to the end of the Santa Claus story.

The theory of the Santa Claus wave ensures the survival of Santa Claus until the end of the universe, but it requires a radical rethinking

Santa Claus doesn't just show up one night every year. "He has been on his way for an eternity of 20 octillion years." An octillion is a 1 followed by 48 zeros.

Modern quantum physics is not only reshaping our understanding of reality, time and consciousness, but also making a valuable contribution to saving Santa Claus, Tolan concludes. Incidentally, the professor also calculates how long it takes to work off a single 100-gram chocolate Santa Claus. Unfortunately, that's six hours of walking  or two weeks of non-stop kissing.

Ultimately, the book imparts completely useless knowledge, according to Tolan. "After reading it, you will realize that the new insights you have gained will not really help you in any situation in life."

But: "You can now shine among your loved ones at Christmas with truly amazing facts and lighten up the contemplative festivities with scientifically sound remarks."

To deliver that many presents, Santa Claus would be burned up at the sheer speed he would need to hit. But there is a way it's possible, one physicist has calculated. This theory also explains why Santa Claus is never seen. Christoph Reichwein/dpa

Santa Claus and his reindeers would evaporate in a fraction of a second if they were to accelerate his sleigh to the required speed needed to visit all homes on the planet in one day. Matthias Bein/dpa
Washington  The Justice Department is facing continued backlash over its partial releases of files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with lawmakers and survivors denouncing the limited scope of the disclosures.

The Trump administration faced a Dec. 19 deadline to release most of the government's records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed and President Trump signed into law last month. But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the files will be released on a rolling basis over the coming weeks due to the volume of the materials and the need to shield the personal information of survivors.

A first tranche of records was made public Friday, followed by a second batch Saturday. Many of the documents contained significant redactions, including whole pages of records that were blacked out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Early Tuesday, the department released tens of thousands of additional documents from the files. It wasn't immediately clear what impact that release would have on the criticism of the earlier releases.

The Justice Department also removed more than a dozen of the earlier files without an initial explanation. The department said on X on Saturday that files would continue to be "reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information."

One of the removed files was an image of a group of framed photos, including two that appeared to show Mr. Trump. The department said on Sunday that the file was "temporarily removed" out of an abundance of caution after federal prosecutors in New York flagged it "for potential further action to protect victims." The department reposted the photo after it said a review determined that "there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph." Mr. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein.

A group of survivors of abuse by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate who was convicted of sex trafficking, called on Congress to hold hearings and take legal action to demand compliance with the law. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Advertisement Advertisement

"It is alarming that the United States Department of Justice, the very agency tasked with upholding the law, has violated the law, both by withholding massive quantities of documents, and by failing to redact survivor identities," they said in a statement Monday.

The survivors said the government released "a fraction of the files," and said the material that was disclosed was "riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution Monday that would direct the upper chamber to "initiate legal actions" against the Justice Department to demand that it comply with the law. The New York Democrat is expected to force a vote on the measure when the Senate reconvenes in the new year.

Schumer called the Justice Department's rollout a "blatant cover-up," claiming Attorney General Pam Bondi and Blanche "are shielding Donald Trump from accountability, and the Senate has a duty to act."

Advertisement Advertisement

"The law Congress passed is crystal clear: release the Epstein files in full so Americans can see the truth," Schumer said in a statement.

Bondi said in a post on X on Sunday that the Justice Department "will bring charges against anyone involved in the trafficking and exploitation of Jeffrey Epstein's victims," and urged any survivors with information to come forward.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attend a news conference on Nov. 19, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

But in July, the Justice Department and FBI released a memo stating that a review of the government's files related to Epstein "did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."

Meanwhile, Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna expressed dissatisfaction with the release on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday. Khanna, a California Democrat, and Massie, a Kentucky Republican, authored the Epstein legislation and worked together on the discharge petition to force a vote on the measure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Massie said he and Khanna are "talking about and drafting" a resolution to hold Bondi in "inherent contempt" of Congress, which he called "the quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims."

Inherent contempt is a rarely used tool that Congress can use to enforce compliance with its directives. A 2017 report from the Congressional Research Service called it a "long dormant" power that allows lawmakers "to detain and imprison a contemnor until the individual complies with congressional demands." The report noted that while there "may be an argument for the imposition of monetary fines" as an alternative, there's no precedent for Congress imposing a fine for contempt.

Last year, a push by GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida to hold then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in inherent contempt fell short in the House. Though she had initially signaled that she was pursuing a resolution to hold Garland in custody, the final measure would have imposed a fine of $10,000 per day on Garland for defying a congressional subpoena.

Khanna said he and Massie are "building a bipartisan coalition, and it would fine Pam Bondi for every day that she's not releasing these documents." To force a vote on the House floor upon the chamber's return next month, the resolution would likely be offered as a privileged motion, which would require leadership to schedule a vote within two legislative days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the attorney general had 30 days from its enactment to make public "all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials" in the Justice Department's possession that related to Epstein and Maxwell.

The law prohibited the government from withholding, delaying or redacting records "on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary." But it did allow the attorney general to redact certain portions of documents, including personally identifiable information of survivors or depictions of child sexual abuse.

The law also requires the Justice Department to provide written justification for any redactions to Congress.

The president, asked about the Epstein documents at an event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida Monday, voiced frustration that there is still so much attention focused on them.

Advertisement Advertisement

"I believe they gave over 100,000 pages of documents," he said. "And there is tremendous backlash, it's an interesting question, because a lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released of other people that really had nothing to do with Epstein. But they're in a picture with him because he was at a party. And you ruin a reputation of somebody. So a lot of people are very angry that this continues."

Epstein was under investigation in South Florida in the early 2000s, but ultimately reached a deal with federal prosecutors in Miami to escape federal charges. He agreed to instead plead guilty to state prostitution charges and serve 18 months in prison.

He was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in New York in 2019 and died by suicide at a Manhattan correctional facility weeks later.

A New Mexico monastery where the silence calls

Kevin Hassett says $2,000 tariff checks for Americans will depend on Congress

The enduring message of "It's a Wonderful Life"
TOKYO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Hiroshima Prefecture on Monday urged the government in a written opinion to uphold the country's non-nuclear principles, after a security official recently suggested the country should possess nuclear weapons, local media reported.

The Hiroshima prefectural assembly on the day unanimously adopted the statement, citing local concerns about reviewing the long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibit possessing, producing or permitting the introduction of nuclear arms into Japanese territory, Kyodo News reported.

"It is our duty, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, to continue striving toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons," the statement said.

The statement comes after an official, who is involved in devising security policy under the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, recently said that Japan should possess nuclear weapons, inciting backlash from locals, including atomic bomb survivors.

It is the first written opinion by the prefectural or city assemblies of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, both devastated by U.S. atomic bombs, regarding the country's reconsideration of the non-nuclear principles, the report said.

Itsunori Onodera, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's security research council, said on a TV program on Sunday that Japan needs to debate the future of its non-nuclear principles.

Last month, Japanese media quoted government sources as saying that as the Takaichi administration gears up to revise the country's key national security documents by the end of 2026, Takaichi was considering reviewing the third of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibits nuclear weapons from entering Japan's territory, raising strong doubts and concerns at home. 
White men want to be oppressed so bad, while having all of the power, political analyst Reecie Colbert told theGrio.

Vice President JD Vance is being slammed for remarks he made about white people in America, while delivering a speech at Turning Point USAs AmFest on Sunday.

Vance praised Nicki Minaj, who participated in a sit-down interview with Turning Point USAs CEO Erika Kirk. During the exchange, the 43-year-old rapper argued that empowering Black Americans came at the expense of white peoples feelings.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the media, its almost been like a push tonot just making young Black children feel proud of themselves, but its almost like doing that and at the same time, telling other children not to be proud of themselves. And I dont want any child feeling that way, said Minaj, who has recently praised the Trump-Vance Administrations anti-trans and foreign policies.

Minaj, real name Onika Maraj-Petty, continued, If, as Black women, we felt that we were not being represented, and not being admired for our beauty, if we felt like that as Black women, why would we want to do that to other women? Why would we now need to make other people downplay their beauty?

During his remarks, Vance used Minajs comments about race to justify white grievance.

I love what Nikki said about this. We dont treat anybody different because of their race or their sex. So we have relegated DEI to the dustbin of history, which is exactly where it belongs in the United States of America, said the Vice President. You dont have to apologize for being white anymore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Reecie Colbert, a political analyst and host of Sirius XMs The Reecie Colbert, said of Vances remarks, White men want to be oppressed so bad, while having all of the powerthe disconnect between reality and this white grievance that theyre selling is just astounding.

Colbert took particular issue with Minaj, telling theGrio, [Its] disgusting and unconscionable to provide this kind of fuel for literal white nationalists at a time when JD Vance and Trump are attacking the Black community, attacking our citizenship, attacking our humanity, attacking our economic viability.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA  DECEMBER 21: Erika Kirk and Nicki Minaj high-five during an interview on the final day of Turning Point USAs annual AmericaFest conference at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 21, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Caylo Seals/Getty Images)

She added, She is giving them the cover to say, look, its coming from a Black person.

Vances remarks about white Americans come after a year of policy actions taken by the Trump White House that civil rights leaders and Democrats have slammed as deliberately anti-Black. Those actions include eliminating racial equity programs throughout the federal government, including decades-old executive orders intended to enforce civil rights laws that protected Black Americans from racial discrimination in employment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Last week, Trumps chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a PSA specifically to white men.

Are you a white male whos experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex? You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws, said Andrea Lucas in a video.

Despite the administrations insinuation of white discrimination, the Black unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 8.3%, which is disproportionately higher than the national average of 4.6%, while the unemployment rate for white men is ironically below the national rate at 3.6%.

The Trump-Vance administration has also embraced white grievance in its foreign policy, like accepting white Afrikaners from South Africa, which President Donald Trump has falsely claimed is committing a genocide against white farmers. By contrast, most of the administrations travel bans and revocations of Temporary Protected Status have impacted African nations and Haiti.

Advertisement Advertisement

Colbert said Black and other marginalized groups, including poor white people, will ultimately suffer from Trumps policies and their lack of effectiveness in addressing Americas affordability crisis.

What JD Vance is trying to do is to distract white people from their insurance premiums, from the lack of affordability, from all the carnage that that Big, Ugly Bill is going to cause in their lives next year, she said of Trumps signature tax and spending bill that experts say will only benefit the nations wealthiest Americans and corporations, while making historic cuts to social programs like Mediciad and SNAP.

They actually do not want to solve those things. And so to the extent that they can distract white peopleto get white people to feel like were on your side, then that allows them to continue looting the United States and looting the world of resources with very little pushback, said Colbert.

More must-reads:
In January 2017, the New York City restaurant Eleven Madison Park was nearing the apex of its meteoric rise. Though it had already won most significant accolades available to a restaurant  three Michelin stars, several James Beard awards, a drawer full of AAA five-diamond plaques  it was only a few months away from earning the one it most coveted.

Come April, it was named the worlds best restaurant.

To reach that goal, every day was a manic sprint for the staff. The hundred or so employees completed thousands of tasks, each requiring absolute precision. Anything that didnt meet the standard was trashed or done again. The next day, as it does for Sisyphus, the grind started over.

Advertisement Advertisement

For Byron Gomez, an aspiring chef originally from Costa Rica who just started that month, his daily preparation took place in obscurity. He spent his days isolated, a floor away from the rest of the team in a freezing cold walk-in refrigerator off a distant kitchen. I was the restaurants service director at the time, and wed only see Gomez when he shuttled ingredients and tools up in the morning and the finished product back down in the evening.

Byron Gomez, a Michelin-starred chef originally from Costa Rica, shares a laugh with other chefs while working in the open kitchen at Brut restaurant in downtown Denver, Colorado. Gomez, a DACA recipient and immigrant himself, argues that the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking, law-abiding, tax-paying, active participants in society who should be allowed a path to citizenship and stability in the United States. Gomez is backing and putting a face behind Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans' proposed Dignity Act which would not provide immigrants with citizenship but instead would give those who arrived in the U.S. before 2021 a pathway to legal status, allowing them to stay and work. | Marc Piscotty for the Deseret Ne

Bundled up under oversized chefs jackets due to the cold, Gomez  now a former Top Chef contestant, Food Network personality and chef of Brut, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Denver  spent all his working hours that winter on a single dish. It was a chilled pate made from duck liver called a foie gras torchon.

The cold ensured the foie  as we affectionately referred to it  did not melt as Gomez cured, softened and shaped it. He formed the liver paste into perfect discs that were later filled with maple syrup. That surprise molten center was only revealed once guests cut into the torchon.

Gomez worked hard to earn that spot on the team. His career started at Burger King, then hotels and other storied NYC kitchens before arriving at Eleven Madison Park. His efforts were not only directed toward culinary aspirations though. Just to be allowed to pursue his goals, Gomez had to first navigate the intimidating, complicated bureaucracy of American immigration law.

Tortillas for a staff meal sit by the hearth of the wood-fired oven just before being warmed and served with tacos for the staff before the evenings service at Brut restaurant in downtown Denver, Colorado. | Marc Piscotty for the Deseret Ne

Gomez arrived in the U.S. when he was 8 years old. He traveled with his parents, who were factory workers on 10-year work visas. When they lapsed on the yearly requirement to return home, the familys legal status lapsed, too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Now Gomez is a dreamer, the colloquial term for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA, as the 2012 policy is known, does not provide a path to citizenship, but allows the children of undocumented parents to gain legal status for two-year windows.

Today, amid Americas broad immigration crackdown, DACA is in limbo. Gomez and the more than 500,000 current recipients can reapply for their status, but no new applications are being processed due to various court decisions and the Trump administrations immigration policies. Though hes legally allowed to be in the U.S., Gomez has been counseled not to leave the country as his dreamer status may not be solid enough for him to return.

That uncertainty and fear isnt just felt by dreamers, either. For the approximately 10 million hard-working, law-abiding immigrants who do not fit the murderer, rapist and criminal descriptions commonly invoked by the current presidential administration, theres no legal pathway to keep contributing to the society that theyre already paying taxes toward and integrated into.

Byron Gomez, a Michelin-starred chef originally from Costa Rica, works in the open kitchen at Brut restaurant in downtown Denver, Colo. | Marc Piscotty for the Deseret Ne

Its in this environment that Gomez, the chef once sequestered to an upstairs refrigerator, has become an outspoken proponent for actual, lasting reforms to Americas immigration system. He opposes open borders, believes the U.S. should protect itself from criminals and freeloaders but says its paramount that the government create options for those that play by the rules.

Advertisement Advertisement

(Immigration) affects me on a personal level, but now its effects are at a community level, Gomez said. Ive been in this country for over 28 years, and yet there hasnt been any pathway to a better, more sustainable solution of my immigration status.

Its why he traveled to Capitol Hill this fall in support of the Dignity Act, a bill sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, D-Fla., and Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., that is drawing bipartisan support.

What is the Dignity Act?

The Dignity Act is a revolutionary bill that offers the solution to our immigration crisis: secure the border, stop illegal immigration, and provide an earned opportunity for long-term immigrants to stay here and work, Salazar said in a statement. No amnesty. No handouts. No citizenship. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future.

Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar speaks at a Republican campaign rally in West Miami, Fla., Oct. 19, 2022. | Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press

The bill addresses both sides of the immigration debate. Not only does it fund border security and greater internal enforcement, it also provides opportunities for the millions of long-term immigrants that are integral to the economy and communities of the U.S. to stay in the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

If youre a freeloader, youre a criminal, youre a bad guy, youre a cartel, youre one of these 13,000 convicted murderers? No, absolutely not, not a chance. Get out, Evans told the Deseret News. But if youve been here for years, youve never been in trouble, youre working hard, you came here as a kid  how do we have some sort of actually viable pathway forward for individuals like that?"

Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans talks to well-wishers before the first Republican primary debate for the state's 8th Congressional district seat, Jan. 25, 2024, in Fort Lupton, Colo. | David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Evans said he believes the Dignity Act is the best way forward. Though hawkish on immigration, hes the only Latino in the Colorado delegation and the grandson of Mexican immigrants. His first civics lesson was learning how his grandfather earned his citizenship by fighting for General Patton in World War II.

Discussing that heritage of service to your chosen country, he reminded me how all American coins are stamped with the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum.

Were a nation of immigrants, he said. Out of many one.

Is there a way for dreamers to stay in the country?

The language of the bill isnt finalized and the draft will change substantially, Evans said, if and when it reaches the House floor. Even more changes will follow in the Senate. For now, sponsors and supporters have outlined its primary objectives.

Advertisement Advertisement

The measure would bolster border security, funding the federal governments complete operational control of the border. It requires employers to comply with immigration laws, mandating the use of E-Verify, the Department of Homeland Securitys program that confirms employment eligibility.

Then theres the Dignity Program, which does not offer a pathway to citizenship, but creates a viable system for dreamers and other long-term immigrants with clean histories to stay for seven years.

The application is tough. People need to have been in the U.S. since before 2020, to have never received welfare benefits, and be up to date on their taxes. Theyll go through a thorough background check, which includes both a U.S. criminal history review as well as a security check extending to their home countries. Therell be repercussions, too, for those that arent accepted.

If you cant enter the program within a certain amount of time, then its presumed that youre not qualified or you didnt try hard enough to enter the program, so you have to self-deport, Evans said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Once approved, recipients would pay $1,000 annually as restitution. That amounts to $7,000 paid to the federal government each application window in addition to their regular tax burden.

This is truly a work permit overhaul piece of legislation so that those folks who have been here for years-to-decades, working hard, not causing problems, have ... second chances, Evans said. Im a cop. Im all about accountability, but Im all about second chances for people who honestly deserve (one).

Evans said those that employ illegal workers also have a large role to play in correcting the U.S. immigration issue.

Weve got to flip that script. We have to reward the people that do it the right way, and we have to hold accountable the people that do it the wrong way, Evans said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Dignity Act is looking to cut through the 40 years of mess that weve had in this space  where trying to do it the right way gets you bogged down in bureaucracy for decades, and doing it the wrong way gets you a job immediately under the table in cash.

Migrants seeking asylum line up while waiting to be processed after crossing the border Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in San Diego, Calif. | Eugene Garcia, Associated Press

Do we need immigration reform?

The last time Congress enacted any kind of immigration reform was 1986, with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo. and Sen. Romano Ron Mazzoli, D-Ky., worked across the aisle in a genuine bipartisan effort to get the bill signed by President Ronald Reagan.

Among a few changes it made, the bill is most remembered for something hard to imagine from the vantage of the last few years of American culture: The bill legalized the status for some 2 million undocumented people who had entered the country illegally.

There have been many federal and state actions taken since that time to try and steer the countrys immigration policies, but nothing by Congress. That inaction, Gomez said, allowed an already big issue to fester and become too large to ignore.

Advertisement Advertisement

The situation about immigration here in this country has gone on for decades, Gomez said. And every administration  and everybody in every industry  has just swept it underneath the rug and said, We wont deal with this right now because there have been other pressing issues.

Derek Miller, CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, shares that perspective.

We often hear people on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that our immigration system is broken. I actually think that does not fully explain how bad the system is, he said. I like to say its upside down and backwards. Its worse than broken.

It has been clear for a long time that the immigration system needs to be overhauled, Miller said. Thats why he and several other religious, academic, and business leaders in Utah wrote and published the Utah Compact on Immigration in 2019.

Advertisement Advertisement

The compact requested elected officials to do what they could to create lasting immigration practices in the state and support larger federal reforms. And, in the meantime, it detailed five principles that Utahs leaders should prioritize with regards to immigration.

Those include a recognition that immigration is a federal policy issue, not a state issue; that supporting families should come ahead of policies that separate them; that Utahs economy is dependent on immigrants as workers and taxpayers; and that Utah is, ultimately, a free society.

Its a document steeped in the same kind of decency that the authors of the Dignity Act are trying to bring to Americas immigration policy.

Miller points out, however, that addressing the issue of immigration required a secure border, and he understood why people were frustrated when there was no end in sight. That frustration made unemotional, intelligent action on immigration all but impossible, he said.

But now that the border is much more secure, he said that he believes Americans sentiment toward reform will change too.

Because people in America, they know these people as their neighbors, their friends ... and then it becomes real, and its not just something they see on the nightly news, Miller said. I really do have faith in the American people that theyll say, We need a solution for this, and the solution is not just to round everybody up and quote unquote, send them back.

How can policy changes impact the labor force?

Byron Gomez, a Michelin-starred chef originally from Costa Rica, talks with a coworker while working in the open kitchen at Brut restaurant in downtown Denver, Colorado. Gomez, a DACA recipient and immigrant himself, argues that the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking, law-abiding, tax-paying, active participants in society who should be allowed a path to citizenship and stability in the United States. Gomez is backing and putting a face behind Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans' proposed Dignity Act which would not provide immigrants with citizenship but instead would give those who arrived in the U.S. before 2021 a pathway to legal status, allowing them to stay and work. | Marc Piscotty for the Deseret Ne

Evans agreed that America could not consider reform before it admitted it had a problem. Now, theres finally room for consideration.

Aside from Evans civics lesson that the country is rooted in people willing to sacrifice all to participate in the American experiment, therere more tangible benefits from reform like increased economic activity and a larger workforce.

One stark example of Americas economic reliance on immigration is the agriculture industry. While there are many sectors that rely on immigrant labor  like Gomezs business of restaurants  Evans cited a USDA study that found over 40% of U.S. agriculture workers are undocumented.

If those workers are pulled out, Evans said, then the American farmer is broken overnight.

So when we start talking about all these other big national priorities we have, how are we gonna have energy dominance? How are we gonna fix the economy? How are we gonna have national security? All of that stuff comes back to food, Evans said.

If you dont have food security, you cant do any of the other stuff ... I wish that wasnt the hand we were dealt, but ... we gotta find a way to solve that issue.

As for immigrants taking Americans jobs, Evans highlighted how certain sectors are struggling to find workers. The CEO of Ford recently said that it has 5,000 openings for mechanic jobs that pay six-figure salaries.

Were not talking about them taking American jobs. Were talking about we need more, we cant fill the jobs we have, Evans said, Even the jobs we have are insufficient. We need to be creating even more jobs.

Can reform honor those who honored the system?

Byron Gomez, a Michelin-starred chef originally from Costa Rica, sautes mushrooms in the open kitchen at Brut restaurant in downtown Denver, Colorado. Gomez, a DACA recipient and immigrant himself, argues that the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking, law-abiding, tax-paying, active participants in society who should be allowed a path to citizenship and stability in the United States. Gomez is backing and putting a face behind Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans' proposed Dignity Act which would not provide immigrants with citizenship but instead would give those who arrived in the U.S. before 2021 a pathway to legal status, allowing them to stay and work. | Marc Piscotty for the Deseret Ne

Gomez has never thought that DACA was a perfect solution for his immigration status. He also did not think DACA was passed in a fair way, but without it he would have never had the opportunity to keep working in kitchens, let alone having personal aspirations.

After being told no by the system throughout my entire life, that was the only branch that I saw that was being handed out to me and I was willing to take it so I could start building my life, Gomez said.

I got a Social Security number. Therefore, Im able to get a bank account. Therefore, Im able to build credit. Therefore, Im able to get a license. Therefore, Im able to travel within the country. Therefore, I dont have this kind of fear of being integrated in society and contributing to this country.

Removing that fear allowed him to pursue his dreams  ones that Ive witnessed take Gomez far. He was a contestant on national television, received a Michelin star, and  more substantially  employed legal Americans in three Colorado cities, paid personal and payroll taxes and subsequently fed thousands of people over the years.

I have the platform that I have right now because of DACA, he said.

Gomez does not think that the Dignity Act is a perfect solution, either. It can still be kicked down the road. It could get pulled out from under you at any point still  especially in this administration, Gomez said.

But it is, Gomez said, another step in the right direction.

And while he is not in control of that direction, he gets comfort from his faith in God  he grew up Baptist and Evangelical, but now is a member of a nondenominational church in Denver  and can trust what has become a very long process, full of uncertainty.

All the cooking at Brut takes place in a wood-fired oven. Byron Gomez, a Michelin-starred chef originally from Costa Rica, says it forces them to focus and get things right because there is no plan B. Gomez, a DACA recipient and immigrant himself, argues that the vast majority of immigrants are hardworking, law-abiding, tax-paying, active participants in society who should be allowed a path to citizenship and stability in the United States. Gomez is backing and putting a face behind Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans' proposed Dignity Act which would not provide immigrants with citizenship but instead would give those who arrived in the U.S. before 2021 a pathway to legal status, allowing them to stay and work. | Marc Piscotty for the Deseret Ne

No immigrant wants to be here illegally, he said. Knowing that there is a need for the labor and an economic and social benefit, its frustrating to him that theres such an appetite to hunt people down and kick them out rather than find a way to fix the system.

Which is why hes on board with Evans and supporters of the Dignity Act. Evans called the bill a very thoughtful, far-reaching piece of legislation, and Gomez agrees.

As an immigrant living his entire life as an American, having the country reach back out to him in any tangible way really means a lot  imperfect as it may be.

I have the faith and the hope that eventually theyre going to honor those that have honored this system, that have honored this community, this country, Gomez said.

At the end of the day, I have faith that cases like myself will be honored and well see what it looks like on the other side of the road.
According to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the town of Yater, adding that one person was killed in the strike.

In separate incidents, the IDF struck two Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Yater in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the military stated.

According to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the town of Yater, adding that one person was killed in the strike.

Advertisement Advertisement

IDF has been engaged in ongoing operations to eliminate Hezbollah targets within Southern Lebanon.

Multiple IAF airstrikes have been conducted over the past month in Lebanon, primarily targeting Hezbollah artillery launch sites, weapons storage facilities, and military training camp sites.

Israel has publicly condemned Hezbollah, regarding a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, stating that it has been ignoring calls for disarmament and committing violations.

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of al-Mjadel on December 4, 2025. The Israeli military said it would strike what it described as Hezbollah military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and warned people in two villages to evacuate immedia (credit: KAWANT HAJU / AFP via Getty Images)

Peace talks continue to move forward.

Despite the ongoing border tensions, peace talks between Israel and Lebanon continue to progress.

Lebanons Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced in a statement on Saturday that the first phase of the plan to confiscate weapons from Hezbollah south of the Litani River will end in a few days.

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US hoped negotiations between Lebanese authorities and Israel would lead to a strong Lebanese government and see Hezbollah disarmed.

We are hopeful that talks between Lebanese authorities and Israelis will create outlines and a way forward that prevents further conflict, Rubio told a press conference.

A day prior, officials from France, Saudi Arabia, and the US held talks with the head of the Lebanese army in Paris aimed at finalizing a road map to enable a mechanism for Hezbollahs disarmament.
Affixing Donald Trumps name to the Kennedy Center (rebranded as The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts) is the pathetically needy move of an insecure leader and is just the latest affront to common decency and good taste stemming from that man in the White House.

Never mind that the move by Trump-appointed stooges on the Kennedy Center board has no bearing in law, which would require an act of Congress to alter the name of the D.C. music, dance and theater complex, which is the formal memorial to the slain Jack Kennedy.

Saying a name has changed isnt the same as really changing a name, like Trump did with the Department of Defense, to be known as the Department of War or the Gulf of Mexico to be the Gulf of America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Adding his own gold-plated moniker to the Kennedy Center is in line with his renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace as the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace and slapping his name on the HQs building in D.C., which is an odd one, as Trump wanted to shut down the Institute of Peace.

As we approach his first year since he returned to power, Trump is very active in putting his mark everywhere he can, like his tacky Presidential Walk of Fame in the White Houses West Colonnade, with portraits of all the presidents in gold frames.

There is insulting, ahistorical and pro-Trump nonsense written in the plaques beneath the portraits of all the men who served, going back to George Washington. Well, almost all. Instead of Joe Bidens likeness, Trump hung up a gold framed photo of an autopen. Funny, if you are in grade school.

Said his press secretary of the plaques, As a student of history, many were written directly by the president himself. Trump clearly failed history as a student.

Advertisement Advertisement

Barack Obama is called a community organizer, one term Senator from Illinois, and one of the most divisive political figures in American History.

Under Bill Clintons portrait it concludes: In 2016, President Clintons wife, Hillary, lost the Presidency to President Donald J. Trump!

But at least Trump has not yet torn down the West Wing. On the other side of the White House is his demolition of the entire East Wing for a gaudy ball room (what other kind of ball room would Trump have?)

Trump has been tearing down norms and laws and customs and traditions since last Jan. 20, why not historical structures as well? Trump only cares about Trump, not public service, not the Constitution, not the people, which is something that his allies always fail to understand. Being loyal to Trump will get you nothing; to Trump, everyone is disposable, yet there is a steady stream of new allies lining up to try to please him.

Advertisement Advertisement

A lifelong con man, Trump knows that there always will be a new sucker, theres one born every minute.

As for what else he can mess with, Trump still has three years and one month remaining. Dont be surprised should he try to add his own bust to Mount Rushmore or put Dishonest Don in a chair in the Lincoln Memorial next to Honest Abe.

___
(NewsNation)  The U.S. Department of Justice on Sunday restored an online photo that includes images of Donald Trump to the agencys public archive of Epstein files after Democrats accused prosecutors of trying to shield the president.

The photo first surfaced Friday as part of the DOJs congressionally mandated dump of documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the well-connected financier who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

The picture in question had vanished by Saturday, according to The Associated Press, which said more than a dozen items were pulled.

Advertisement Advertisement

DOJ releases more Epstein files on Saturday

This photograph of a desk and credenza shows a variety of celebrities in the orbit of Jeffrey Epstein; it includes two snapshots of Donald Trump. (DOJ)

The photograph shows a desk and drawer filled with snapshots of famous people. It included at least two images of Trump, who was a celebrity developer and friend of Epstein. In one image, a younger Trump is seen surrounded by women. A second, partially covered photo shows Trump with first lady Melania Trump, Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000.

Justice Department officials went into damage-control mode after Democrats on the House Oversight Committee cried foul and alleged a coverup. Saturday, a DOJ post on social media suggested any removals were made to protect the identity of Epsteins victims: Photos and other materials will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information.

On Sunday, the agency announced the photo including Trump had been restored after review.

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans look to unify the party on last day of AmericaFest

The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims. Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review. After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction, the DOJ said on X.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said earlier on Sunday his office removed the photo because of concerns about women in the photo. It has nothing to do with President Trump, Blanche said during a Sunday morning appearance on NBCs Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

The Justice Department released hundreds of thousands of documents on Friday, under a measure passed by Congress and signed by Trump. But it has drawn criticism, including from some Republicans, over extensive redactions and few documents mentioning Trump despite his well-publicized friendship with Epstein.

Advertisement Advertisement

During an ABC News interview on Sunday, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for a full and complete investigation as to why the document production has fallen short of what the law clearly required.

Trump, a Republican serving his second term as president, has not been accused of wrongdoing. He has said he was friends with Epstein until the early-2000s, when the two had a falling out, and did not know about the crimes he committed.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
This story originally published in Sept. 2025.

As the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to take center stage with Congress returning from break Sept. 2, some members of the public haven't stopped clamoring for what they believe the federal government is holding back: a client list.

The Department of Justice on July 7 announced that there is none, and at the same time said there would be no more records released. This has infuriated President Donald Trump's MAGA base and Democrats alike.

Advertisement Advertisement

Where would a client list be? Four women who worked for Epstein in the 2000s might know. At least one scheduled massages with minors that reportedly turned into sexual abuse, according to court documents. Another put them on planes to his properties in the U.S.

They were all named and given immunity in the infamous plea deal Epstein got in which federal prosecutors agreed to drop a 60-count indictment and allowed him to plead guilty to two state prostitution-related charges.

It's not clear whether anyone has spoken to law enforcement or members of Congress recently.

Here's where they are now:

Sarah Kellen Vickers, survivor who scheduled Epstein appointments

Sarah Kellen Vickers scheduled most of the appointments at Epstein's Palm Beach mansion, according to a mass of documents from the 2006-08 case. She also paid the girls who came to the house between $200 and $300 for the "massages."

Advertisement Advertisement

Several witnesses called her out by name when they testified in Ghislaine Maxwell's trial. The judge during Maxwell's sentencing called her a "criminally responsible participant," but Vickers has never been charged. She also has been named in several civil suits as a defendant.

Vickers started work in 2002 at Epstein's Manhattan mansion as well as at the Palm Beach mansion. This was nearing the end of Maxwell's role of procuring girls for Epstein as Maxwell was not investigated in the early case.

One Epstein survivor, Carolyn Andriano, testified at Maxwell's trial that Vickers at least once took nude photos of her before an appointment that turned into sexual abuse by Epstein and that she was paid hundreds of dollars for. Andriano was found dead of an accidental overdose in a West Palm Beach hotel room in 2023.

Vickers, 46, has described herself as a victim of Epstein and Maxwell who was "raped and abused weekly." Epstein paid many of his victims to recruit other girls. He reportedly required three a day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Vickers scheduled appointments with many of the victims recruited from schools in Palm Beach County, including Royal Palm Beach High, where at least 15 students were victims.

Today, she is married to NASCAR champion Brian Vickers, but he filed for divorce in February, according to Miami-Dade County court records. The case remains open. Brian Vickers owns a $6.5 million home in Miami Beach but has put it up for sale.

Nadia Marcinko was called Epstein's 'sex slave'

Nadia Marcinkova, now Marcinko, visited Jeffrey Epstein 67 times in the Palm Beach County jail.

Epstein bragged about buying model Nadia Marcinkova from her family as a 15-year-old and he dubbed her his Slovakian "sex slave," according to Palm Beach police records.

The records also indicate she had sex with some of the young girls while Epstein watched. Her lawyers told CNN in 2019 that she had been "severely traumatized" as yet another Epstein victim.

Advertisement Advertisement

She signed the visitation sheet at the Palm Beach County stockade 67 times to visit Epstein on the weekends while he was incarcerated for 13 months from 2008 to 2009. She was still living at his home on El Brillo Way in Palm Beach in 2010 when she was cited for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle at PGA Boulevard and State Road A1A.

Epstein put her on his visitors list, but a spokesperson from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said the only physical contact allowed there was a hug or a handshake and that "there's no alone time."

Marcinko got a pilot's license in 2012, though it's now expired. It's not clear whether she ever flew any of Epstein's planes, though she was on the flight logs as a passenger.

She has never been charged criminally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Now she's featured on the website of her company, Aviloop LLC, which does branding and marketing for aviation firms. She goes by the last name Marcinko.

Lesley Groff set up meetings with high-level execs

Lesley Groff, 58, worked as an executive assistant for Epstein for 20 years, mainly out of New York.

One survivor who testified in the Maxwell trial under the pseudonym "Kate" said Groff booked her flights to Epstein's many properties in the U.S. He owned homes in New York, Palm Beach, New Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Groff reportedly worked for Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s.

Her attorneys say she "never witnessed anything improper or illegal."

Advertisement Advertisement

Groff's job included "making appointments for Epstein as directed by him, taking his messages, and setting up high-level meetings with CEOs, business executives, scientists, politicians, celebrities, charitable organizations, and universities," her attorneys also said.

In a lawsuit filed in 2021 but later dropped, "Jane Doe" claimed that in some of these ways Groff facilitated Epstein's sexual abuse. Jane Doe claimed Epstein abused and trafficked her from 2017 right up until he got arrested in 2019. Groff paid her cash after the abuse, Doe alleged.

Both Doe and Groff agreed to dismiss the lawsuit after Maxwell was found guilty.

Two other survivors filed suit against Groff, but the litigation was dropped after they received money from Epstein's estate as part of a compensation fund.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a 2005 New York Times story, Epstein described three of his executive assistants as a "social prosthesis," making them indispensable to his success as a businessman.

"They are an extension of my brain," said Epstein, who rarely talked publicly. "Their intuition is something that I don't have."

When Groff became pregnant in 2004, Epstein reportedly bought her a Mercedes-Benz and agreed to pay for a full-time nanny so that she could keep working for him.

"There is no way that I could lose Lesley to motherhood," Epstein told The Times.

Adriana Ross, took Epstein flights next to Bill Clinton

Adriana Ross (also known as Mucinska) was a Polish model and has been the most silent among Epstein's "potential co-conspirators" named in his 2007 non-prosecution agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

She moved to Florida in 2002 at age 19 and took a job at Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach.

Asked during civil litigation about Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton, Ross, now 41, repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. She flew alongside Clinton in Epstein's jet.

She is reportedly living in Miami.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Epstein files: Women who might know about any client list
Ukraine has received an additional 2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) in financial assistance from the European Union to support the country's finances and public administration, the European Commission announced on Monday.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for nearly four years.

Since Russia launched its attack in February 2022, the EU and its member states have pledged hundreds of billions of euros in assistance, including military aid, financial support and help for Ukrainian refugees.

Advertisement Advertisement

One of the EU's main funding instruments is the Ukraine Facility, which has a total budget of 50 billion. According to the commission, the facility is designed to support Ukraine's "recovery, reforms and path towards EU membership."

In addition, the EU is providing about 18.1 billion via the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative, a joint effort by G7 countries to support Ukraine financially.

This funding is generated from interest earned on frozen Russian state assets held within the EU.
Farmers in Afghanistan are struggling with the local impacts of drought as the worsening crisis devastates key crops.

What's happening?

Pajhwok Afghan News reported that the climate is rapidly changing in Afghanistan, leading to droughts and other severe weather events, including heavy rainfall and flooding. For instance, farmers and orchard owners in Ghazni Province recently reported poor yields due to a drought this year, and they are asking the government to construct dams to address water shortages.

One source told the news site that the drought caused his apple orchard yields to plummet from 5,600 kilograms last year to just 2,100 kilograms this year. Many of the region's remaining crops were also plagued by disease.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Crop yields and quality have declined due to the dry spell," another farmer named Zabiullah told Pajhwok. "In previous years, I sold seven kilograms of apples for 200 afghanis, but this year, the same quantity was sold for only 40 afghanis."

Why are changing weather patterns concerning?

More than 80% of Afghans rely on agriculture as their primary source of income, according to Pajhwok. But agricultural woes related to a warming planet are a global concern. In Bangladesh, extreme weather recently damaged vegetable fields, for instance. Meanwhile, Indian grape farmers projected a 50% decline in harvests this year due to adverse weather.

Poor harvests make it difficult for many farmers worldwide to stay afloat. At the same time, crop shortages cause price increases that are passed on to consumers. One example is the spike in olive oil prices over the last few years, which is linked to olive shortages caused by droughts and heat waves across the Mediterranean.

What's being done about food security?

As the weather becomes more erratic across the globe, researchers are looking for ways to make crops more hardy. One answer is what some are dubbing "super potatoes," different varieties of these spuds that would be able to withstand different climatic conditions. Other researchers are looking into the development of drought-proof melons and heat-tolerant apples.

Advertisement Advertisement

It's also important that we do what we can to try to slow the rise in global temperatures, which are driving many extreme weather patterns, droughts, and heat waves. One way we can help is by relying less on gas-guzzling vehicles. More planet-friendly options include walking when possible, riding a bike, taking public transportation, and driving an electric vehicle.

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.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of the 19th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Monday began a regular session to review a raft of documents, including reports and draft laws.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presided over the first plenary meeting of the committee's 19th session.

Lawmakers reviewed a slew of draft laws, including a draft environmental code and draft laws on promoting ethnic unity and progress, national development planning, the safety management of hazardous chemicals, state-owned assets, childcare services, and activities and environmental protection in Antarctica.

They deliberated draft revisions to several laws, including the fisheries law, the civil aviation law, the law on the standard spoken and written Chinese language, the foreign trade law, the law on banking supervision and regulation, and the trademark law.

The lawmakers also reviewed a bill on draft interpretations of certain provisions of the criminal procedure law, as well as a draft decision on convening the fourth session of the 14th NPC.

They also reviewed a report on deputy qualifications and personnel-related bills.

Zhao on Monday also attended the standing committee session's second plenary meeting, during which the lawmakers heard reports on multiple issues, including inspection reports on the implementation of the energy conservation law and the law on promoting the circular economy, and a report on the rectification of problems identified in the audit of the implementation of the 2024 central budget and other fiscal revenues and expenditures. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends the second plenary meeting of the 19th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
U.S. Border Patrol agents mistakenly detain a man before releasing him at a construction site Dec. 3, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. This comes on the first day of Operation Catahoula Crunch in Louisiana, launched by the Department of Homeland Security as a part of the immigration enforcement surge on undocumented immigrants in the United States. (Photo by Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)

On Dec. 3, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security officially launched an immigration operation in New Orleans. It follows President Donald Trumps xenophobic rhetoric broadly painting immigrants as criminals and in other dehumanizing ways.

Gov.Jeff Landry also requested the Pentagon support his deployment of the state National Guard in Louisiana to target people he claims are criminal. Yet New Orleans Police Department data show major reported incidents of violence are down in 2025 compared with 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Similar federal deployments in Memphis, Tennessee; Los Angeles; Chicago; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Washington, D.C., have resulted in major abuses of Black and brown people. Residents report harassment by federal law enforcement. Border Patrol agents are openly stating they stop people based on how they look. Federal officers have turned their weapons on activists and journalists documenting government abuse. Immigration authorities have arrested U.S. citizens, often through the use of violence.

In Jefferson Parish, families are keeping their kids home for fear of immigration raids at schools.

New Orleans officials must step up to protect their residents from similar abuse.

Black and brown communities make up more than 50% of the citys population. And while New Orleans immigrant communities are smaller than some, they are vibrant and critical to the citys fabric, having contributed significantly to the city and countrys economy, history and culture.

Advertisement Advertisement

After Hurricane Katrina, immigrants were crucial to the rebuilding effort. Deploying the National Guard to New Orleans recalls for many residents its time in the city after the hurricane, when the guards ability to assist was hampered by bureaucratic failure and resulted in more harm than good.

And now, todays abusive federal and state actions stand to irreparably damage not only our immigrant communities but the whole city, creating more fear and undermining safety for all New Orleanians and its visitors.

New Orleans has become safer because of community involvement and investment in programs such as youth services, approaches that actually work. In contrast, local coordination with federal immigration enforcement can undermine safety, discourage domestic violence survivors from seeking assistance and even incentivize employers to exploit immigrant workers.

Given all this, it is troubling that New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has not been clear about her departments commitment to protect residents and visitors from potential federal abuses. Although she has claimed her officers will not participate in civil deportation operations that are beyond the scope of their duties, she has said they will cooperate with federal agents, which in other cities has resulted in abuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

All this will divert money from helping New Orleans residents, despite the citys $160 million budget crisis and city officials halting overtime pay for NOPD, firefighters and emergency medical service employees.

In Memphis, recent local cooperation with federal law enforcement has led to continuing use of pretextual stops that can be discriminatory, as well as intimidation and harassment of residents.

In Illinois, state officers and federal agents used violence against peaceful protestors and arrested journalists. Local police appeared to single out and violently arrest religious leaders.

Kirkpatrick has implied NOPD may similarly assist federal agents in response to dissent when they claim it poses a safety threat. Research from 2020 has shown that protesters participating in racial justice demonstrations were met with an escalated police presence and more likely to face arrests and police violence than other protesters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Concerns are especially heightened in New Orleans, where a federal court recently ended a 12-year consent decree that provided court oversight of NOPD activity after the U.S. Department of Justice found in 2011 that the department engaged in excessive use of force, unconstitutional stops and arrests, and discriminatory policing.

Kirkpatrick and New Orleans officials must do more to protect all residents from federal abuse. NOPD should fully enforce city laws and protect peoples rights. The mayor and city council should more vigorously defend and speak out against the federal attack on the city. Elsewhere, in Minneapolis the police chief recently required officers to intervene in federal agents excessive use of force. In Chicago the mayor issued executive orders that protect residents by prohibiting the use of city property for immigration enforcement purposes. These actions should serve as a model for New Orleans.

State government will not make this easy. In June, Louisiana passed a dangerous law, Act 399, to criminalize obstruction of federal immigration enforcement, punishable by hard labor. Act 399s author stated that one purpose of the bill was to force assistance with federal immigration officers. It has already been challenged in court.

Regardless, city leaders have a duty to protect their residents from federal abuses that have occurred in other cities. Like the local groups stepping up and providing resources for impacted residents, New Orleans officials must use every tool at their disposal to protect our community.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Chequamegon Family Restaurant, also known as the Ashland Family Restaurant, where two workers were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Monday, Dec. 15. (Photo by Frank Zufall/Wisconsin Examiner)

Federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested two individuals at the Chequamegon Family Restaurant (also known as the Ashland Family Restaurant) Monday, Dec. 15 in the city of Ashland in far northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior.

The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation.

This is the second arrest ICE agents have made in the Ashland/Bayfield area since July when an individual was arrested at Washburn Iron Works in the city of Washburn.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Ashland City Police Department issued a statement Friday, Dec. 19 saying that ICE and U.S. Border Patrol officers had informed the police department that federal officers had a federal warrant for two individuals at the Ashland Family Restaurant.

The police department noted the federal officers had picked up one employee in the morning, and then returned after requesting that a city police officer be present because the restaurant staff was very upset with them the first time they were there.

A Dec. 15 police dispatch report notes that Officer Mark Campry was requested at 12:04 p.m. to the restaurant.

According to the police statement, when the federal officers returned with the local police officer there was a request to open the doors and a second person was taken into custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

The police did not say what type of warrant ICE had to make the arrest. ICE has not yet responded to a request for that information.

Alexandra Guevara of Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant workers rights organization, says there is an important difference between judicial warrants, signed by judges in cases where individuals are wanted for a crime, and ICE administrative warrants, which lack the same force.

Nobody should open their doors for an ICE warrant. Its an illegal instrument, Guevara said. When we do our Know Your Rights trainings, its the first thing we tell people  you have to be able to get a warrant that is actually signed by a judge, that includes your address, that includes your name, your official name, and you have the ability to get that warrant, send it to a lawyer, send a picture to a lawyer, and ask, Should I open the door or not?

Reporters for the Ashland Daily Press said they also were told by an employee of Deltco, a plastics manufacturer, that an employee at the plant was taken in custody by the federal officers Monday. Deltco management did not return calls from the Wisconsin Examiner attempting to verify whether an employee had been arrested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Voces de la Frontera has identified one of the restaurant employees, a cook, as Luis Davids Coatzeozon Gomes, but has not been able to find out where he is being held.

One of the things that happens with some of these detentions is that theyre detained and immediately sent somewhere else, said Guevara, so they dont need to report them. And I mean, that creates a lot of confusion, that makes it impossible for their families to find them. It also makes it very difficult for lawyers to represent them, because they need to be in one place to be represented by a lawyer who can have access to them.

She added, We know that the ACLU has been dealing with that, talking all over the nation about how difficult it is now to trace where people are being taken because theyre being moved every two to three days, sometimes crossing state borders, like even being sent to places as far as Florida from here. And that makes it very, very difficult to know exactly how many people have been detained because theyre not being reported here.

Guevara said most ICE detainees in Wisconsin are held, at least temporarily, in the Dodge County Jail. However, nearby Douglas County also has an agreement to hold ICE detainees. The ACLU reported in September that the Douglas County Sheriffs Office had billed ICE for detaining 111 persons since the beginning of 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

State Rep. Angela Stroud, (D-Ashland) questioned why a city police officer accompanied the federal officers making an immigration arrest.

My view on this is, if theres probable cause that someone committed a crime, then you know, thats a reasonable thing for the police to be involved in, because clearly, fighting crime is part of what we want to happen in our communities, she said.

In answer to a question about the police involvement in the arrest, Ashland City Police Chief Bill Hagstrom sent the Ashland Daily Press a citation from the citys police manual, 416.6 Federal Request for Assistance that states: requests by federal immigration officials for assistance from this department should be directed to a supervisor. The Department may provide available support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts.

Rep. Stroud also expressed concern about taking workers from employers struggling to maintain adequate staffing during a labor shortage in a city of fewer than 8,000 people.

Advertisement Advertisement

We have problems finding people to work generally around here, she said, and you know, we have an aging population. We have a lot of workforce shortages. What is the big picture goal here, and how does it help our community? How does this help our community? I would like someone to explain that. And I recognize people need to, you know, follow immigration laws, but were seeing more and more that even people who do follow the law are being deported. And its just irrational. I dont understand the big picture goal, except maybe to terrorize communities, and thats, needless to say, is completely unethical.

She added, Unfortunately, were seeing these large raids and sweeps of people who are working and, you know, sometimes were even finding people who are American citizens getting caught up in that. So I recognize that people have a lot of strong feelings on this topic.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A federal judge in Washington state on Dec. 19, 2025, ruled the United States Department of Education illegally cut funding for mental health counselors in high-need schools across the country, a move attorneys general across the country, including NM Attorney General Raul Torrez, challenged. (Justin Garcia/Las Cruces Bulletin)

A federal judge last week ordered the federal Education Department to resume funding mental health services for more than 5,000 New Mexico students, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced Monday.

Torrez was among 18 attorneys general nationwide who sued President Donald Trumps administration in June over the Education Departments abrupt late-April announcement that it would cease funding multi-year federal grants to expand the number of mental health professionals in high-need schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Congress in 2022 approved more than $1 billion for the effort in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act after the school shooting in rural Uvalde, Texas, that year that left 19 students and two teachers dead.

The legislation aimed to place 14,000 counselors in schools nationwide and showed early signs of success. According to early results of a study Torrezs office cited from the National Association of School Psychologists, participating schools saw a 50% reduction in suicide risk, as well as better attendance and improved engagement between students and staff.

School districts in seven New Mexico counties, including Silver Consolidated School District in Silver City, received funding through the program. Another recipient was the Central Region Educational Cooperative, a group of rural school districts in central New Mexico, according to court records.

The congressional legislation enabled the districts to re-apply for the funding every year based on their performances and other federal requirements, according to Torrezs office.

Advertisement Advertisement

But on April 29, the Education Department issued boilerplate notices to recipients, saying that they were discontinuing the funding because the program reflected the prior Administrations priority preference and conflict with those of the current Administration, according to court records.

The lawsuit Torrez and other attorneys general filed argued the Education Departments basis for ending the program was illegal, saying differing political priorities are not adequate reason to stop funding a program Congress approved.

On Dec. 19, U.S. District Judge Kymberly Evanson in the Western District of Washington granted the plaintiffs motion for summary judgment, agreeing the Education Department had acted unlawfully and ordering parties to agree on a timeline for the department to legally consider each grant recipients application for renewal.

She concluded in her ruling that nothing in the law allows that multi-year grants may be discontinued whenever the political will to do so arises.

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), who spearheaded legislation creating the counseling program, called Evansons ruling a major victory in a statement.

It restores funding that never should have been taken away in the first place, he said. School-based mental health services are essential to helping our kids learn, stay safe, and succeed.

Torrez in a statement also touted the ruling as proof that, No oneregardless of politicswants to deny our kids access to the mental health support they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Chesapeake Sheriff David Rosado in an official portrait released by the Chesapeake Sheriffs Office. (Photo courtesy Chesapeake Sheriffs Office)

By Yiqing Wang/WHRO

Federal prosecutors have alleged Chesapeake Sheriff David Rosado of abusing his authority to coerce employees into supporting his 2025 campaign.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel filed a complaint last week with the Merit Systems Protection Board, alleging Rosado violated the federal Hatch Act by using his official position to influence an election and by pressuring sheriffs office employees to contribute money, time and labor to his campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

This is the first time in at least a decade the federal ethics watchdog has brought this kind of disciplinary case against a state or local official, according to the Washington Post . The Hatch Act applies to federal employees, as well as state and local employees who are federally funded.

Federal prosecutors alleged Rosado repeatedly relied on sheriffs office employees to advance his campaign, including assigning supervisors fundraising ticket quotas based on rank and expecting employees to personally cover the cost of unsold tickets.

The complaint also alleges employees were directed to staff campaign fundraisers, install campaign signs across the city, canvass neighborhoods and work polling locations  sometimes using personal leave during the workday.

The allegations stem from Rosados unsuccessful bid to retain his seat. He lost the Republican primary in June 2025 and later ran as a write-in candidate in the general election after leaving the Republican Party. He lost to the partys nominee, Wallace Chadwick.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Post also says the complaint could result in Rosados removal, but thats unlikely as he has less than two weeks left in office. Chadwick will take over on Jan. 1.

WHRO contacted the Chesapeake Sheriffs Office for comment but did not receive a response.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Despite a delay by Flagler County seeking extra funding, the Board of County Commissioners has given the green light for the County Road 205 widening and resurfacing project to begin next year.

The Board on Monday, Dec. 15, approved a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of $3.1 million, with the countys match expected to be around $868,000.

The project, estimated to cost around $4 million, will include road improvements along approximately 2 miles of County Road 205  from the intersection with State Road 100 to a defined point along the roadway described as private dirt, according to a document prepared by staff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Improvements include repair, reconstruction, widening and resurfacing to include 11-foot travel lanes, 4-foot paved shoulders, stabilized sod shoulders, guardrail, striping, signage and stormwater improvements (including box culvert extension and installation).

Map shows extent of County Road 205 in Flagler County where road resurfacing and widening is anticipated to being in 2026.

Current condition of the roadway will require reconstruction of the pavement along some parts of the nearly 2-mile segment, according to staff.

Upcoming Fire Station 51: Flagler County breaks ground on 2nd fire station in less than a month

County Road 205 connects State Road 100 to the Espanola neighborhood, northwest of Bunnell. Earlier this month, officials broke ground on the new Fire Station 51, which will be located near S.R. 100's intersection with County Road 305, a couple of miles to the west.

Why did Flagler need to seek additional funding for the CR 205 project?

The delay in the construction bidding process was due to the loss of the county's Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) designation.

Advertisement Advertisement

REDI is a state program that helps fund major economic development projects in rural communities, which according to state statute includes counties with a population of 75,000 or fewer, or a county with a population of 125,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer.

Due to the increase in Florida's population over the past few years, Flagler County no longer qualifies for the program, meaning the county is required to provide a 25% match in grants from FDOT.

Flagler County sheriffs deputies helped push a plane off County Road 205 after a pilot made an emergency landing there Wednesday when the aircraft ran out of fuel. [Photo provided by Flagler County Sheriffs Office]

The county had previously been awarded a $2 million grant for the project; but with the additional financial obligation, along with an increase in construction costs, the current total cost estimate is around $4 million.

It is still unclear how much the countys contribution will be.

Advertisement Advertisement

At present, $500,000 has been designated in the budget to cover the local share, according to staff. While the local share is currently estimated at $868,396, the actual amount remains unknown until bids are received.

Staff will come back to the Commissioners when bids for construction come in, so that the county can decide on how to address any funding shortfalls.

According to the countys development tracker dashboard, the project is estimated to begin by the end of April 2026 and be completed by October.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler approves $3.1M grant agreement for CR 205 improvements
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is so rotten she should not only be booted from Congress  she should be kicked out of the United States, too.

Fine ripped his Democratic colleague during an appearance on Newsmax on Sunday, telling host Lidia Curanaj he agreed with President Donald Trump that the U.S. would be better off without Omar  and Somalis more generally.

Ilhan Omar is a walking example of everything that is wrong with our legal immigration policy, Fine said. We imported tens of thousands of people who hate America, add no value to it, rob and steal from us, and were supposed to be okay with it?

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont think Ilhan Omar should be expelled from Congress, I think she should be expelled from the United States, and that is something that I am working on, he continued.

Fine said he was spurred to take action against Omar after she said he should be kicked out of congress in fundraising emails. He also said last week he was actively considering forcing a vote to remove Omar from Congress.

His push to deport Omar comes a few weeks after Trump called Omar garbage, an antisemite, and a terrible person. The president also said he did not want more Somalis like Omar coming to the U.S. because they were ripping off the American taxpayer.

They contribute nothing. I dont want them in our country, Ill be honest with you, Trump said. Some will say that is not politically correct. I dont care. Their country is no good for a reason.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trumps comments were made a few days after The New York Times reported some Somalis living in Minnesota orchestrated a fraud scheme that, according to federal prosecutors, stole more than $1 billion in taxpayers money. Fox News reporter Garrett Tenney later reported that several whistleblowers believe the total amount of fraud could reach more than $8 billion.

Omar has ripped Trump in return, saying he has a creepy obsession with her and Somalis.

Watch Fine above.

The post Florida Republican Pushes to Expel Ilhan Omar Back to Somalia Amid Trump Feud first appeared on Mediaite.
Former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss appears for a Dec. 19, 2025, recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast to talk about the new Alliance of Former Chief Justices. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss joined about 50 counterparts around the country to establish the Alliance of Former Chief Justices, a nonpartisan group dedicated to promoting the rule of law and judicial independence.

In a conversation for the Kansas Reflector podcast, Nuss outlined the mission of the new alliance and talked about threats he faced before retiring from the bench in 2019.

Advertisement Advertisement

The alliance is designed to repair whatever damage there may have been done to the rule of law in the United States, and were going to try to repair that by speaking on podcasts such as this, giving speeches, writing op-eds, aligning with some civic organizations and giving presentations to remind people about our three branches of government and how they all work, Nuss said.

Nuss said the alliance was interested in restoring the balance of power among judicial, executive and legislative branches. The alliance is supported by Keep Our Republic, which works to preserve democracy.

The dangers range from threats of physical violence, like one left on a voice mail for Nuss while he served on the court, to public comments about how judges should rule, to efforts by other branches of government to exert their influence.

There are pressures brought to bear on courts, judges, Nuss said. Somebody may be trying to poison things or to influence the judge before the decision is made by spouting off to the media or sometimes writing letters to the judge in chambers, or an example that is very terrible in my mind is the judge gets a pizza delivered to the judges home, and the message is, I know where you live.

Advertisement Advertisement

Nuss is a Salina native and Marine Corps veteran who earned his law degree from the University of Kansas. He practiced law in his hometown for 20 years before Republican Gov. Bill Graves appointed him to the Kansas Supreme Court in 2002. He became chief judge in 2010, during an era when Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and the Legislature repeatedly clashed with the judicial branch.

Nuss pointed to several examples where he believed Brownback and the Legislature presented a danger to the rule of law.

In one example, the Legislature passed a law to change the way chief judges were selected for district courts and threatened to defund the judicial branch if it was struck down. A chief judge filed a lawsuit, the Supreme Court found the law unconstitutional, and the Legislature had to hurriedly pass a funding bill.

In another example, the Legislature considered a proposal to expand the grounds for impeaching Supreme Court justices. The law would have allowed justices to be removed for trying to take power away from other branches, reckless conduct or poor performance reviews.

Advertisement Advertisement

As I read that in the media, I thought, Thats a new one on me, and Im not sure where this is going to end up,  Nuss said.

The bill didnt pass.

The Legislatures threats became a topic of conversation at national conferences Nuss attended.

I would have other chiefs come to me and say: Lawton, you need to clarify this. Im hearing from our colleagues here that this and this and this and this is going on in Kansas. Certainly that is just a rumor, and thats too ridiculous to be true. And I would say, No, thats whats going on. And then theyd want to talk about it, and theyd shake their heads and say, I dont get it,  Nuss said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this month, the Alliance of Former Chief Justices issued a founding statement that outlined the importance of preserving judicial independence and keeping judges separate from the politics of the other two branches of government.

The justices said people with strong policy views chafe under this system. But attacks on the system, their statement said, undermine the integrity of the rule of law and upset the careful balance the Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote the U.S. Constitution.

Elected members of the executive and legislative branches serve the public by seeking to enact or implement their campaign promises, the statement said. Judges, however, have only one constituent: the rule of law. By their oath, judges promise equal justice to all without regard to means, position, background or social standing  and certainly without regard to politics.
A former Massachusetts Senator pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and making false statements in federal court on Friday, December 19.

50-year-old Dean Tran of Fitchburg pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and one count of making a false statement.

In June 2024, Tran was indicted alongside his sister, Tuyet T. Martin. In September 2024, he was convicted of fraudulent collection of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and tax evasion. He is currently serving an 18-month sentence for those prior convictions.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to charging documents, it is alleged that Tran misrepresented key information during interviews with federal law enforcement agents concerning a letter he provided to unemployment agency officials after his benefits were suspended.

During questioning, Tran falsely claimed that his sister was the sole author of the letter and that her signature appeared on it, despite having signed the letter himself.

The potential sentence for obstruction of justice can be up to 20 years in prison, with three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. The charge of making false statements carries a potential sentence of up to five years, with three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the court.

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
An unusual political figure made headlines this week: a chief of staff.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles became national news when she candidly weighed in on her colleagues, including President Donald Trump, in a two-part series published Tuesday by Vanity Fair.

The brutal honesty about Trump, Vice President JD Vance and some of the biggest political moves over the year shook Washington, but to a selective group of people, it may not have been entirely groundbreaking.

Advertisement Advertisement

But several former chiefs of staff say its normal to disagree with your boss  encouraged, even.

Your names not on the door

Among Wiles surprising statements to Whipple include criticism of the way the Department of Government Efficiency shuttered USAID, alleged ketamine use by Elon Musk, questions about Trumps tariff policies, and what she believes lies behind Vances change of heart on Trump.

Peter Loge, the director of George Washington Universitys School of Media and Public Affairs, served as the chief of staff to former Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., and served in several other senior advisory positions, including at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Loge acknowledged that, like Wiles, he didnt always agree with his boss decisions, but as a chief of staff, he said, you are there to make good ideas better and bad ones improved. The difference between him and Wiles, Loge said, is that he didnt tell Vanity Fair about those disagreements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ive argued with just about all of my bosses behind closed doors. I have not won all the arguments, and when the door opens, the decision is theirs and my job is to help implement it, he said.

No matter what went on behind that closed door, the chief of staff must remember that its not your name on the door, Loge said.

Good chiefs of staff recognize that their name isnt on the door, he said. Nobody voted for Wiles for president. They voted for Donald Trump, and her job is to make sure that Donald Trump is able to advance the policies that his voters want him to advance.

I think it boils down very simply to, she made one mistake and one mistake only, and that one mistake was that she agreed to sit down for 11 interviews. I just think the mistake was that she talked too much, plain and simple. Matt Waldrip, former chief of staff to Sen. Mitt Romney, on White House chief of staff Susie Wiles' decision to be interviewed by Vanity Fair

Matt Waldrip, a former chief of staff to former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, completely agreed. During his time working for Romney, Waldrip said that the former senator expected his employees to push back on him.

Advertisement Advertisement

The worst thing you could have ever done for Mitt Romney is be a yes man and not challenge him, Waldrip said, noting that theyd often have meetings where both sides of an issue was debated thoroughly.

That tactic not only helped Romney do his homework on many topics, but also gave him tremendous sympathy and understanding of those that he would be talking to that shared a different viewpoint.

Waldrip, like Loge, also agreed that as a chief of staff, the job is purely about supporting the person whose name is on the door.

With that being rule No. 1, remembering that its not your name on the door, thats what makes the article that came out in Vanity Fair all the more interesting because its put the focus on her, Waldrip said of Wiles.

Why did Wiles do it?

Over the course of 11 months, Wiles was interviewed by Chris Whipple, a reporter with expertise in covering White House chiefs of staff dating back to the Nixon administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

After publishing the profile of Wiles  which includes snippets examining everything from Trumps Liberation Day tariff announcement to recent strikes on Venezuelan drug boats  virtually every high-ranking member of the Trump administration stood firmly united behind the chief of staff. It became clear that amid the fallout, Trump and others were going to back Wiles.

But why she agreed to sit down with Whipple 11 different times and bluntly offer up so much is unknown. To Waldrip and others in political circles, its quite a head scratcher.

Waldrip said that there are theories out there that Wiles is looking to play some sort of 4-D chess that is clearly calculated since there was no way she would have not expected some of the farfetched comments to make it to publication.

You can understand why that would be the line of thinking because she is clearly a very bright person. Shes clearly an extraordinarily calculated person, and so I think it would be correct to immediately assume that this was all calculated, that these statements that have come out as part of the article were all very intentional and it was all part of some ploy that she has, Waldrip said.

Advertisement Advertisement

There are several flaws in that theory, he said, noting that Wiles likely didnt know when the Vanity Fair articles were going to be published and what exactly the reporter was going to include over the course of 11 different interviews.

The only other explanation, Waldrip believes, is that no matter if youre the worlds most calculated person, over the course of those 11 interviews, youre going to eventually say something you may not have wanted to say.

To me, I think it boils down very simply to she made one mistake and one mistake only, and that one mistake was that she agreed to sit down for 11 interviews, Waldrip said. I just think the mistake was that she talked too much, plain and simple.

Loge said that the criticism from the piece is interesting because it seems like Wiles is getting in trouble for talking like a person, which is a weird thing to get in trouble for, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the Vanity Fair pieces, Whipple notes how comfortable he and Wiles were together, interviewing her over sandwiches in her office and then again another time at her Washington rental home while she was doing laundry.

Waldrip noted how much work goes into being a chief of staff for a senator and believes itd be 20 times that in the White House. A chief of staff sifts through such extraordinary amounts of information, of requests, and of possibilities.

For whatever reason, this reporter got her comfortable, got her talking, and letting off a little bit of steam, I think, and sharing some pretty candid thoughts, Waldrip said. If you look at her defense, it was that it was taken out of context, that there was so much more that was said than what was included.

Im sure thats right, but you got to be on your game because you know that all the reporters are looking for is those couple of nuggets that you put into and in 11 hours, youre going to give some nuggets, he continued.

The aftermath

Shortly after the Vanity Fair articles were published, Wiles, who has not posted on her X account in over a year, said online that she believes it was a disingenuously framed hit piece that lacked significant context.

The article published early this morning is a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history.



Significant context was disregarded and much of what I, and others, said about the team and the President was left out of the  Susie Wiles (@SusieWiles) December 16, 2025

Other Trump allies and Cabinet members, notably those that Wiles commented on in the articles, came to her defense. They sang her praises and said shes worked hard in the administration. Trump also doubled down, saying that shes done a fantastic job.

Ive argued with just about all of my bosses behind closed doors. I have not won all the arguments, and when the door opens, the decision is theirs and my job is to help implement it. Peter Loge, chief of staff to former California Rep. Brad Sherman

Loge argued that some of her comments aside, Wiles seems like she is performing her duties as chief of staff correctly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Every executive, every senior leader needs somebody who can pull them aside and say, Hey, I dont think this is a good idea, Loge said. Every senior leader needs somebody who will give them honest advice. And it sounds like thats what Ms. Wiles is doing.

To Waldrip, the response from other administration officials signals that Wiles has a lot of power.

The skeptic in me says that (the response) is because theres tremendous unity and theres a kumbaya moment  I think people are motivated by two things in politics. Theyre motivated by fear and power, Waldrip said. And in this case, to me, I see this as tremendous fear and there is nobody who is going to cross her.
Forget a white Christmas in Fort Collins this year. Instead, the city will flirt with a record-high temperature, as Colorado continues an unusually long warm stretch through Dec. 25.

The National Weather Service's forecast calls for a high of 65 degrees Dec. 25.

The record high temperature for Christmas Day in Fort Collins is 67, set in 1980, according to Russ Schumacher, professor in CSU's Department of Atmospheric Science and Colorado's state climatologist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Denver and cities along the Front Range are forecast for highs in the 60s with some 70s through Christmas Day.

The strong wind that blasted Colorado last week has finally subsided for the most part for the Interstate 25 corridor and Eastern Plains but not for the foothills and Larimer County on Dec. 22.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 for the foothills stretching from the Wyoming border to south of Colorado Springs and including most of Larimer County and Fort Collins.

The forecast for the warned area calls for wind gusts of 35 mph to 55 mph and relative humidity 8% to 15%.

Critical fire weather conditions along the Front Range. The strongest winds will occur in the foothills with gusts of 45-60 mph, peaking by mid afternoon. Humidities will be very low through the day, with minimums as low as 8%. #cowx pic.twitter.com/0VrizvcYdU  NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 22, 2025

Here's a look how balmy it's been in Fort Collins this December

According to the Colorado Climate Center:

Advertisement Advertisement

The city reached 60 degrees or warmer 11 of the past 13 days through Dec. 21, which was the winter solstice.

The city reached 71 degrees Dec. 19, smashing the record of 65 degrees.

The city's average daily high temperature for December is 44 degrees. Dec. 9-21, the city averaged 63 degrees.

Fort Collins forecast calls for continued well-above average temperatures through Christmas

According to the National Weather Service:

Dec. 22: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. South wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Low around 33.

Dec. 23: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. West-northwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Low around 34.

Dec. 24: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64 and low around 37.

Dec. 25 (Christmas): Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Dec. 26: Partly sunny, with a high near 59 and low around 28.

Dec. 27: Partly sunny, with a high near 49 and low around 23.

Dec. 28: Sunny, with a high near 50.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Christmas Day forecast downright balmy for Colorado cities
BEIRUT, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Italy plans to maintain a military presence south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon after the withdrawal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 2027, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crossetto said here on Monday, adding that other European countries intend to take a similar step.

During a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, attended by Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Crossetto emphasized that Italy's presence aims to support the Lebanese Army in maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon, according to a statement released by Lebanon's presidency.

Crossetto said Italy is also keeping up diplomatic contacts to help stabilize southern Lebanon and is closely monitoring Lebanon's ongoing negotiations, stressing that continued tension in the south benefits no one and that Israel must acknowledge this reality.

Aoun said Lebanon welcomes the participation of Italy and other European countries in any force that may replace UNIFIL after its withdrawal in 2027, noting that such a force would help the Lebanese Army maintain security and stability along the southern border following Israel's withdrawal.

On Aug. 28, the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate for the final time ahead of its planned withdrawal. Resolution 2790, which was unanimously adopted by the 15-member council, extends the UNIFIL's mandate until Dec. 31, 2026, before a year-long drawdown and withdrawal.

A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel has been in force since Nov. 27, 2024.

Despite the deal, Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah threats.

Earlier this month, the two countries held their first direct talks in southern Lebanon's Naqoura. On Friday, the two sides held talks again as part of a security dialogue, focusing on Hezbollah's disarmament and the return of residents to their homes in Lebanon's southern border villages, according to Israeli and Lebanese sources. 
Four men have been arrested following a multi-year human trafficking investigation linked to On The Border, a strip club in Franklin.

The arrests occurred Dec. 18 after investigators executed search warrants at several locations, the FBI said in a news release.

The four defendants all made their first appearances in court on Friday, Dec. 19, WISN-TV, WITI-TV and WTMJ-TV reported. The prosecutor repeatedly referenced On the Border in court, citing allegations that victims performed sex acts in VIP lounges at the strip club, the station reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Those arrested include Jimmy L. Durant Jr. III, Brian Hopkins, Dantavia Vernard Rule and Maurice Russell, according to a criminal complaint.

Durant declined to comment when reached by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Dec. 21.

Hopkins, Rule and Russell did not respond to the requests for interviews from Journal Sentinel.

The investigation began in 2020 after someone told law enforcement that employers at On The Border "were benefitting from commercial sexual acts in the club," the criminal complaint said.

Durant faces four felony counts on human trafficking charges, the complaint said.

Rule faces two felony counts on human trafficking charges, victim intimidation and domestic abuse charges, and is accused of receiving compensation for human trafficking, a felony, according to the complaint

Advertisement Advertisement

Russell is charged with receiving compensation for human trafficking, and Hopkins, a manager at On The Border, is charged with keeping a place of prostitution, a felony, the complaint said.

The complaint said that On The Border is "notorious for pimps to recruit girls from OTB and these girls continue to work at OTB while under the direction of a pimp."

On The Border could not immediately be reached for comment.

People with ties to other Wisconsin strip clubs, including Silk Exotic and the Hardware Store, have previously been charged in separate cases linked to sex trafficking investigations.

Advertisement Advertisement

The FBI said the investigation was ongoing.

The agency said its partners in the case include the Milwaukee Police Department, the Franklin Police Department, the Oak Creek Police Department and the IRS.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Four arrested in sex trafficking case linked to On The Border strip club in Franklin
Should the government's decision pass, Army Radio, which has been broadcasting for 75 years, would cease its operations at the very latest by March 1.

The government's decision to close Army Radio is part of a broader effort to undermine public broadcasting in Israel and to restrict freedom of expression, said Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Monday morning.

She added that the decision is not supported by the required factual and professional basis, raises concerns that it is tainted by improper considerations, and its advancement is contrary to the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Her comments and the accompanying advisory opinion come ahead of a scheduled government meeting on Monday, during which the proposal was presented by Defense Minister Israel Katz, and unanimously approved. Several petitions have already been submitted to the High Court of Justice.

Army Radio  which has been broadcasting for 75 years  would cease its operations at the very latest by March 1.

An illustrative image of a reporter for Army Radio (Galei Tzahal) taken in 2019. (credit: MOSHE SHAI/FLASH90)

The accompanying advisory opinion, penned by Deputy Attorneys-General Dr. Gil Limon and Avital Sompolinsky, warned that the government is not legally empowered to order the closure of Army Radio through a cabinet decision alone, and that the proposed move is unlawful in both authority and substance.

The opinion stresses that while the stations anomalous status as a military unit operating a major public broadcaster has long been debated, this is the first time the government has sought to shut it down entirely - a step with far-reaching constitutional consequences.

Advertisement Advertisement

The advisory emphasizes that Army Radio is one of only two nationwide public radio stations broadcasting news and current affairs, and that its closure would significantly narrow the range of viewpoints and sources of information available to the public. As such, the opinion states, shutting down the station would constitute a serious infringement on freedom of expression and freedom of the press - rights that belong not only to journalists and broadcasters but to the public itself.

According to the Attorney-Generals Office, earlier legal opinions that left open the possibility of closing Army Radio by executive action were premised on the existence of a stable, functioning public broadcasting system that could absorb the loss.

That factual premise, the opinion argues, no longer exists. Public broadcaster KAN is currently institutionally weakened and subject to ongoing political and legislative pressures that cast doubt on its long-term independence and stability. In this context, the advisory concludes, the harm to freedom of expression resulting from Army Radios closure would be substantial rather than marginal.

The opinion further identifies serious defects in the decision-making process itself. It criticizes the advisory committee whose recommendations underpinned the proposal, citing its political composition, lack of sufficient professional expertise, reliance on questionable data, and indications that non-relevant considerations - including dissatisfaction with the stations news and current-affairs coverage - influenced its conclusions.

Advertisement Advertisement

These flaws, the Attorney-Generals Office warned, undermine the factual foundation of the decision and render it unreasonable in the extreme.

Special weight is given to the timing of the proposed closure. Army Radio is slated to cease broadcasting just months before national elections, silencing one of Israels most listened-to news outlets during a period when freedom of political expression enjoys heightened constitutional protection. Closing the station at such a moment, the advisory cautions, would further intensify the democratic harm.

In light of these considerations, the Attorney-Generals Office concluded that the government cannot lawfully proceed by executive decision. Any move to close Army Radio, it states, would require primary legislation adopted by the Knesset following a comprehensive public debate on the future of public broadcasting in Israel - and even then, only if grounded in a solid factual, professional, and constitutional foundation.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday formally opened a bridge on a key north-south motorway route which was suddenly closed four years ago due to fears that it would collapse.

The first section of the new Rahmedetal Bridge is on the A45 motorway in the Sauerland region of western Germany.

Merz cut a symbolic ribbon together with Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. He thanked the people of Ludenscheid, who had to endure four long years of disruption.

Advertisement Advertisement

"From a transport policy perspective, however, we are only talking about four years," said the chancellor. The normal timeframe for such construction projects is eight to 10 years, he said.

The sudden closure of the Rahmedetal Bridge, which was in danger of collapsing, came as a huge shock to the Sauerland region four years ago.

The A45 is the only north-south axis connecting the region with the Ruhr area and Hesse. According to trade associations, the four-year closure had a significant impact on supply chains, with companies reporting double-digit declines in sales.
The head of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Munch, said more than 1,000 suspicious drone flights had been recorded in Germany so far this year up to mid-December.

The agency has been compiling a nationwide assessment of suspected cases since the start of the year, drawing on all available data and involving the armed forces, Munch told the Bild newspaper in remarks published on Sunday.

The BKA boss said the incidents most frequently involved military facilities and airports, but also other critical infrastructure such as defence companies and port facilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Asked whether the drone flights could always be attributed to Russian actors, Munch said this could not be determined with complete certainty, citing the difficulty of identifying and questioning drone operators.

Germany on Wednesday inaugurated a Joint Drone Defence Centre (GDAZ) in Berlin to better detect and neutralize unauthorized drones in the future, with operations set to commence in January.

Earlier this month, Germany's federal police were also assigned a drone defence unit that is set to comprise around 130 specialist officers.

The unit will be deployed at airports, in the capital and nationwide near sensitive sites, and is expected to use AI-supported jamming systems and automated interceptor drones.
German prosecutors have charged a former Syrian security official with crimes against humanity, accusing him of torturing dozens of prisoners at a Damascus jail while ex-President Bashar al-Assad was in power.

Germanys Federal Public Prosecutor Generals office announced the indictment on Monday, alleging the ex-prison guard, named only as Fahad A, took part in more than 100 interrogations between 2011 and 2012 in which prisoners were subjected to severe physical abuse.

The abuse included electric shocks, cable beatings, forced stress positions and suspensions from the ceiling, according to a statement by the prosecutors office.

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result of such mistreatment and the catastrophic prison conditions, at least 70 prisoners died, said the statement, noting the former guard is also charged with murder.

The official was arrested on May 27 and formally indicted on December 10.

He is being held in pre-trial detention, the German prosecutors office added.

Syrians have demanded justice for crimes committed under the decades-long rule of al-Assad, who was removed from power in December 2024 after a rapid rebel offensive.

The Assad regime, which was accused of mass human rights abuses, including the torture of detainees and enforced disappearances, fell after nearly 14 years of civil war.





Universal jurisdiction

In Germany, prosecutors have used universal jurisdiction laws to seek trials for suspects in crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Based on these laws, several people suspected of war crimes during the Syrian conflict have been arrested in the last few years in Germany, which is home to about one million Syrians.

In June, a court in Frankfurt handed a life sentence to a Syrian doctor convicted of carrying out acts of torture as part of al-Assads crackdown on dissent.

The doctor, Alaa Mousa, was accused of torturing patients at military hospitals in Damascus and Homs, where political prisoners were regularly brought for supposed treatment.

Witnesses described Mousa pouring flammable liquid on a prisoners wounds before setting them alight and kicking the man in the face, shattering his teeth. In another incident, the doctor was accused of injecting a detainee with a fatal substance for refusing to be beaten.

Advertisement Advertisement

One former prisoner described the Damascus hospital where he was held as a slaughterhouse.

Presiding judge, Christoph Koller, said the verdict underscored the brutality of Assads dictatorial, unjust regime.
Winter storms on the Great Lakes have a habit of briefly giving things back  from exposed reefs and forgotten shorelines to shipwrecks that have sat underwater for more than a century.

Over multiple cold seasons, powerful winds have pushed water away from parts of Lake Erie, temporarily lowering water levels enough to reveal features that are usually hidden beneath the surface.

One of the most striking examples happened over Thanksgiving, when a shipwreck that had rested beneath Lake Erie for more than a century reappeared off Kingsville, Ontario  not because it moved, but because the water around it did.

Advertisement Advertisement

Strong winds pushed lake water out of the western basin and toward the east, exposing parts of the lakebed and the top of a sunken vessel believed to be the Demming. The moment was brief, but it raised a familiar question across the Great Lakes: are shipwrecks and long-submerged features more likely to resurface during winter?

More: Lake Erie's displaced water uncovers shipwreck likely from 1800s, historians say

Why cold weather makes the Great Lakes give things back

Winter is when the Great Lakes are most susceptible to dramatic water-level swings. Stronger storms, tighter pressure gradients and longer stretches of sustained wind are more common in the cold season, increasing the likelihood that water will be pushed from one end of a lake to the other.

In late November, a powerful low-pressure system produced sustained southwest winds across Lake Erie, forcing water from the shallow western basin into the deeper eastern basin. Water levels near Kingsville dropped by several feet, temporarily exposing the lakebed  including the shipwreck  before slowly returning once winds relaxed.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Thanksgiving exposure near Kingsville was not an isolated event. Similar winter weather setups have produced dramatic lakebed exposures elsewhere along Lake Erie in recent years.

For example, in January 2024, Ohio photographer Paul Koehler drew widespread attention after sharing images from an excursion onto a normally submerged reef near Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Photos he posted on Facebook showed massive boulders topped with trees  features that would typically sit several feet underwater. Koehler told Great Lakes Now that a storm just before Christmas 2022 caused a similar retreat in water levels, though conditions in January 2024 were even more extreme. He estimated the features he photographed would normally be six to nine feet below the surface.

In the 2024 storm, the unusually bare lakebed also revealed what locals believed might be the remains of an old sunken barge or pier near the James A. Haley Boardwalk in Oregon, Ohio. After reviewing images of the site, archaeologists with the National Museum of the Great Lakes determined the cylindrical objects were not a ships cannons, and the lack of other curved structural elements made it unlikely to be a shipwreck, according to Great Lakes Now. And before researchers could examine the site in person, the water had already reclaimed the lakebed.

Lake Erie is especially vulnerable to these swings because it is the shallowest of the Great Lakes. Even small changes in wind speed or direction can result in outsized changes in shoreline water levels, making winter the prime season for rare glimpses of shipwrecks, stone piers and forgotten shoreline features.

Advertisement Advertisement

These are the same weather conditions that made the Great Lakes so dangerous during the height of commercial shipping in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Powerful winter storms, long-fetch winds and rapidly changing pressure systems were responsible for many of the regions most notorious shipwrecks  particularly during late fall and early winter, when cold air outbreaks intensified storms and reduced visibility.

Fox News reported that thousands of shipwrecks sit at the bottom of the lakes  including 6,000 in Lake Michigan alone  largely from late-year storms.

Are seiche events more likely in winter?

Seiches can occur at any time of year, including during summer storms, but winter more often produces the conditions that lead to the strongest and most disruptive events on the Great Lakes.

Seiches form when strong, sustained winds and rapid pressure changes push water toward one end of a lake, according to the National Weather Service. When those winds weaken or abruptly shift, the displaced water rushes back, sometimes oscillating for hours. Large, enclosed lakes  especially shallow Lake Erie  are particularly sensitive to this process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Late fall through winter storms are more likely to generate these setups, as deeper low-pressure systems and longer periods of consistent wind can displace greater volumes of water across a lakes basin.

One of the most infamous examples is known as the October Surprise of 1844. In the days leading up to Oct. 18, a strong northeast wind pushed water toward the western end of the lake. That evening, the wind suddenly shifted and blew violently from the opposite direction, sending a massive surge of water back toward Buffalo. The resulting seiche overwhelmed the harbor and lower parts of the city, destroying buildings, damaging ships and killing at least 78 people, according to the Buffalo History Gazette.

Historical accounts estimate the water rose as much as 22 feet  breaching a 14-foot seawall  and forcing ice into the Niagara River to such an extent that the flow over Niagara Falls was temporarily reduced.

More recently, water levels in Buffalo rose about 4.5 feet on Jan. 13, 2024, when a blizzard-driven storm system produced a seiche-like surge that temporarily pushed water out of parts of western Lake Erie.

Advertisement Advertisement

Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. Find her on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Great Lakes shipwrecks revealed in cold snaps. Here's why
Investigators are still looking into the plane crash that claimed NASCAR legend Greg Biffle's life ... and, new video shows them looking for clues in the wreckage.

The National Transportation Safety Board released video of agents combing through the debris ... taking photos of the plane and looking in the woods surrounding the crash area.

NTSB

The plane's a wreck ... broken into pieces both large and small and burned to a crisp in places. It's unclear what investigators might be able to glean from the crash site.

Advertisement Advertisement

At a press conference held Saturday morning, officials essentially said they've not yet determined the cause of the crash.

However, the NTSB did confirm someone on the plane sent a text to a family member with the words "emergency landing" in it.

Greg Biffle Jet Crash Caught On Camera

We published video of Biffle's jet crashing near a runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina ... looking like a large ball of fire as it crashed to the earth. The aircraft was supposed to fly to Florida, but turned back shortly after takeoff before the tragic crash.

Biffle, his wife Cristina, his two children -- Emma, 14, and Ryder, 5 -- Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton and Jack Dutton all perished in the crash.

RIP
Grocery stores in Ithaca received food safety grades this year following surprise visits by inspectors with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

In Ithaca alone, more than 30 restaurants, grocery stores, corner stores and local food joints were inspected.

Following a sanitary inspection, the state inspector assigns the location an "A", "B", or "C" letter grade. An "A" grade means no critical deficiencies were found. A "B" grade means deficiencies were found, but were corrected during the inspection.

Advertisement Advertisement

To get a "C" grade, the business has sanitary deficiencies that could not be corrected despite the "need for immediate corrective action," according to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. C grades are considered a critical deficiency that requires a second, unannounced visit.

If you want to know how your go-to grocery store did, here are the grades for Ithaca's largest chain grocery stores in recent data.

Trader Joe's Ithaca location at 744 S. Meadow St. received an "A" grade from the state inspectors.

Inspection grade for Ithaca Wegmans

The Ithaca Wegmans at 500 S Meadow St. was last inspected on March 28, 2024. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspector.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Aldi

The Aldi in Ithaca located at 505 3rd St., was inspected twice, once on March 11, 2024, and again on Jan. 21. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspector both times.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Tops

The Tops market in Ithaca located at 2300 N Triphammer Road was inspected twice, once on Jan. 9, 2024, and again on Dec. 5, 2024. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspectors on both occasions.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Trader Joe's

The Trader Joe's in Ithaca located at 744 S Meadow St. was inspected twice, once on Nov. 15, 2023, and again on Aug. 12, 2024. The store received an "A" grade from the state inspectors on both occasions.

Inspection grades for Ithaca Walmart

The Walmart in Ithaca located at 135 Fairgrounds Memorial Pkwy. was inspected three times.

Advertisement Advertisement

On Dec. 12, 2023, the store received an "A" grade. It received another "A" grade on Oct. 3, 2024.

More recently, the store was given a "B" grade on Aug. 6. Inspectors noted finding mislabeled bread and poor temperature control in the deli area.

More: Holiday deer hunt is last chance for venison in New York. What to know

Inspection grades for Ithaca BJ's

The BJ's Wholesale Club in Ithaca located at 40 Graham Road W. was inspected three times by the state.

On Oct. 23, 2023, the location received an "A" grade. The store was again given an "A" on July 22, 2024.

More recently, the store received a "B" grade on July 7. Inspectors noted finding an inadequate automated sanitizing system and a soiled floor in the meat room walk-in.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Ithaca Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Walmart, Tops, Aldi get sanitary grades
MOSCOW, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia will respond in kind if the United States resumes nuclear testing, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Monday.

The minister noted that the United States has so far failed to respond to Russia's initiative to continue observing the core limits of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) after its expiration.

In late September, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Security Council meeting that if the U.S. refrains from actions undermining the existing balance, Russia would continue to observe the core limits of the New START treaty for one year after its expiration.

Signed by Russia and the United States in 2010, the treaty imposes caps on the number of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems. It remains the only active nuclear arms control agreement between the two nuclear superpowers. Moscow and Washington officially extended the treaty by five years in February 2021. 
Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Chalkbeat. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Growth stalls for school choice program

New Jerseys Inter-district Public School Choice Program has remained steady over the years, offering the option to a relatively small and consistent number of students, mostly from affluent districts, rather than expanding its access on a broader scale, state data obtained by Chalkbeat shows.

The states choice program was created to allow students to attend public schools outside their home district, but it has been stalled for more than a decade due to a lack of funding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Participation in the program has stayed consistent, averaging around 5,000 students annually, according to a Chalkbeat analysis of the programs data over the last 10 years. That figure has been largely unchanged even as some school districts across the state experience declining enrollments.

There are 119 participating choice districts spanning counties such as Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Burlington, but no Essex County districts, including Newark, currently participate. Traditional public school districts must opt in as choice districts and can set limits on the number of students they accept.

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has expressed support for expanding the program, mainly as a way to desegregate the states public schools. The program is currently budgeted for $62 million and in 2012-13, Gov. Chris Christies administration capped the program at 5% growth annually. Some participating superintendents said that left the program underfunded and incapable of meeting the demand for seats.

To operate the program, the state provides the receiving district with money to cover the cost of educating a student. But experts have warned that paying for students isnt the same everywhere because of differences in tax levies across cities and towns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Supporters of the program say scaling up would help desegregate schools, support districts facing enrollment declines, and give students more options to specialized programs.

In many cases, the sending and receiving districts are close neighbors, suggesting that families are choosing districts that are close to home, according to Chalkbeats analysis. Sending school districts must pay for up to 20 miles of a students transportation. After that, parents must cover the cost to send their child to school, which shapes who is able to take advantage of the program and determines where a student can go.

In 2024, Winslow Township Schools in Camden County sent 473 students to other districts, the highest of any sending district in the program, followed by Jersey City Public Schools in Hudson County and Middle Township Public Schools in Cape May County, which both sent 134.

Also in 2024, Hammonton Public Schools in Atlantic County received 224 students, the highest of any choice district in the program, followed by the Englewood Public School District in Bergen County that received 215, and the Folsom School District in Atlantic County that received 207.

Advertisement Advertisement

The data also shows that participation is concentrated among a few communities. While some districts send or receive hundreds of students, many others see little to no movement through the program. Lawrence Township Public Schools stands out as a choice-neutral district because it sent and received 80 students in 2024, while several smaller districts showed a similar trend but on a much smaller scale.

Although the program has been around for more than two decades, theres little data available about how it is currently working, which students are participating, and the financial impact on sending and receiving school districts.

Supporters of the program have signaled that an expansion into Essex County could be next. That could have implications for Newark Public Schools, where enrollment has increased by nearly 20% over the last five years.

The latest state figures show Newark enrolled roughly 44,000 pre-K through 12th grade students in the 2024-25 school year, up from roughly 36,600 in 2019.

Advertisement Advertisement

Education experts also said that expanding the choice program could strain district budgets, especially in districts like Newark, where state aid makes up 84% of its budget this school year. But in affluent districts with higher property taxes, the program has yielded positive results.

In the Glassboro Public School District in Gloucester County, former Superintendent Mark Silverstein previously told Chalkbeat that the state cap set by the Christie administration in 2012-13 prevented his district from growing the choice program.

During Silversteins tenure, about 200 students from neighboring school districts participated. That program helped boost student achievement and strengthen academic programs, Silverstein added.

Jessie Gomez is a reporter for Chalkbeat Newark, covering public education in the city. Contact Jessie at jgomez@chalkbeat.org.

Advertisement Advertisement

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dec. 22LEWISTON  While the cats and dogs of Helping Hands Rescue may not notice the change of address, volunteers are eager to begin a new chapter at a different location.

The Lewiston nonprofit moved its weekly adoption event to a spot at the corner of Bryden Avenue and Thain Road in November. The new space is at 1107 Bryden Ave., next door to the Idaho State Liquor Store.

Folks may be familiar with its previous spot at the shopping center off Thain Grade Road where Shopko was once located. Polly Benson, president of Helping Hands Rescue, said the community has surprised them with more visitors since making the move.

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's busier than we thought it would be," she said. "It's great  people found us."

The animal rescue has been connecting pets in need with their forever families since being incorporated in 2000. Benson said the volunteer-run nonprofit works to spay or neuter, provide medical care and give the unhoused animals of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and surrounding areas a better life.

While Helping Hands holds its weekly adoption events, the rescue isn't a shelter. Benson said animals live with volunteer foster families until those pets are adopted out. She added that the nonprofit supplies fosters with everything they need from food to toys.

This way of providing care benefits pets, Benson said, because they're socialized, can be trained and foster parents learn their personality to better match a pet with the right home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"It's really a team effort," she said. "I think we're up to 50 volunteers."

Lori Thorson, treasurer at Helping Hands, has been volunteering since 2012 because she said there will always be animals in need of a safe space.

"There's just always another one," she said. "There's always more to do."

Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM

Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers bring pets to the nonprofit's location so that the community can interact with them and possibly adopt them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Benson said only a fraction of animals are brought to each adoption event. The rescue relies heavily on social media, like its Facebook page, facebook.com/HelpingHandsRescue, to spread the word about available pets.

As of this weekend, the organization had 90 cats and around 25 to 30 dogs up for adoption; however, Benson said that number fluctuates regularly.

The work the nonprofit is able to do is made possible by the generosity of the community.

Benson said they're immensely grateful for the new location that was donated by Steve and Fonda Carlton. Its previous space was also charitably given by Bill and Lori McCann.

Advertisement Advertisement

Helping Hands operates solely on donations, fundraisers and adoption fees. Benson said the nonprofit receives no government support, and even small contributions go a long way.

The rescue's Bingo and Brews is a monthly fundraiser event at Clarkston's Riverport Brews. Those who attend can win prizes, and they support the organization by buying bingo tickets.

Helping Hands' biggest fundraiser is the annual Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction, which is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2026. Benson said those who would like to help can donate items and services for the event.

She added that donations like pet food and supplies can always be dropped off at the rescue's Saturday adoption events.

Those who want to learn more about the group can go to helpinghandsrescue.org or call (509) 743-3157.

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.
The filing deadline for the 2026 congressional primaries is months away but candidates are taking steps to run.

Here's who plans to run for Congress in Greater Cincinnati.

The Enquirer's list includes major party candidates who have filed with the Federal Election Commission. The Enquirer will update this list as candidates file with federal or local officials.

Ohio Senate seat

Ohio's 1st Congressional District

Ohio's 1st Congressional District

Ohio's 2nd Congressional District

Incumbent Republican Rep. David Taylor is the only candidate who has filed thus far.

Ohio's 8th Congressional District

Ohio's 8th Congressional District

Democratic Madaris Grant Grady Marin

Republican Incumbent Rep. Warren Davidson



Kentucky Senate seat

Incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell announced he would not seek reelection earlier this year, after nearly half a century in office,

Advertisement Advertisement

Kentucky's 4th Congressional District

Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com or @eringlynn on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Greater Cincinnati congressional races: here's who's running
Nearly the entire legal and economic policy staff of the Heritage Foundation is departing the conservative think tank, and many will be taking up posts at Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a nonprofit founded in 2021 by former Vice President Mike Pence. The mass exodus represents a dramatic rebuke of Heritage President Kevin Roberts in the wake of his refusal to retract an October video defending Tucker Carlson for conducting a friendly interview with the antisemitic influencer Nick Fuentes.

"Why these people are coming our way is that Heritage and some other voices and commentators have embraced big-government populism and have been willing to tolerate antisemitism," Pence told The Wall Street Journal.

At least 16 people* at the Heritage Foundation's Institute for Constitutional Government, Ed Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, Center for Data Analysis, Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, and Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget have resigned or were fired in the last few days. Those departing include Amy Swearer, who told Roberts he had lost her confidence as a leader during an all-staff meeting in November that leaked to the press, and John Malcolm, a Heritage vice president and the foundation's top legal scholar, who was fired last Thursday after Roberts caught wind of the plan to leave for AAF, according to multiple sources. E.J. Antoniwho was briefly President Donald Trump's nominee for Commissioner of Labor Statisticsis staying on and will serve as acting director of several of the aforementioned teams.

Advertisement Advertisement

The departures follow resignations by three Heritage Foundation trustees: Princeton professor Robby George, businessman Shane McCullar, and philanthropist Abby Spencer Moffat. Sources say Moffat, who serves as president and CEO of the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, has also withdrawn millions of dollars in funding from Heritageand that she's not the only one. (Some of that money may have been redirected to Pence's group; "AAF said it was able to raise more than $10 million in a few weeks to make the new hires," the Journal reports.) And last month an antisemitism task force cut ties with the think tank.

Over at The Volokh Conspiracy, Josh Blackman shares a letter he wrote to Roberts explaining his decision to step down as senior editor of the latest edition of The Heritage Guide to the Constitution. "Your actions have made my continued affiliation with Heritage untenable," Blackman writes. "First, your comments were a huge unforced blunder, and gave aid and comfort to the rising tide of antisemitism on the right. Second, in the wake of your remarks, jurists, scholars, and advocates have made clear to me they can no longer associate with the Heritage Guide they contributed to. Third, and perhaps most tragically, your actions have weakened the ability of the storied Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies to promote the rule of law. My resignation is effective immediately."

The personnel changes are the latest of many recent incidents that together show serious instability on what is often called the New Right. Other examples include reformicon wonks like Henry Olsen and Oren Cass publishing blistering critiques of Roberts' judgment as a leader and Ben Shapiro unloading on Carlson, Fuentes, Megyn Kelly, and Candace Owens at last week's Turning Point USA confab.

The conservative movement has undergone something of a sea change over the last 12 months. Heading into 2025, the conventional wisdom was that the New Right and its muscular, grievance-fueled political approach were the GOP's future. A jubilant atmosphere surrounding Trump's second inauguration did little to foreshadow the cracks that have since broken open (although those with ears to hear were noticing tremors a year ago involving the Tech RightNew Right divide).

Advertisement Advertisement

Today, the divisions on the right are not just between pro-Trump and anti-Trump conservatives (or pro-Trump conservatives and never-Trump former conservatives). There is now a schism within the MAGA coalition over how big the tent should be and what exactly it should stand for.

One of the key sources of disagreement has to do with whether "legacy" or "heritage" Americansthose who can trace their bloodlines to the land for many generationshave more of a claim to belonging and status than do relative newcomers and others without an Anglo-Protestant pedigree. Carlson and Fuentes have both pushed versions of that line, as have large numbers of "very online" young conservatives, particularly in recent weeks.

But not everyone on the right is comfortable with such notions. Last month, while accepting an award at the American Enterprise Institute's annual gala, the Revolutionary Warera historian Gordon Wood pointedly rejected the idea that American nationhood is rooted in blood, soil, religion, or race. More recently, both Ben Shapiro ("we are, in fact, a creedal country, and there is no other definition of Americanism that tends to hold historical water") and Vivek Ramaswamy ("you are an American if you believe in the rule of law, in freedom of conscience and freedom of expression, in colorblind meritocracy, in the U.S. Constitution, in the American dream, and if you are a citizen who swears exclusive allegiance to our nation") have echoed the same theme.

Although some of the emerging critics of Carlson's wing of the movement support deregulation and free trade, this is not merely an ideological proxy battle over the role that libertarian economics should play in the Post-Trump GOP. Ramaswamy's op-ed calls for the creation of a new multibillion-dollar entitlement, while Cass has made his bones imploring Republicans to reject what he derisively calls "market fundamentalism." Yet both men have broken with many erstwhile MAGA allies over the movement's identitarian turn.

Advertisement Advertisement

After Carlson interviewed Fuentes in October, Bulwark journalist Will Sommer wrote that the American right "has no immune system against hatemongers and grifters." But that no longer seems correct. The immune response over the last two months has been ferocious.

It may not be enough to overcome the Black Death of bigotry and conspiracism that has festered in the conservative movement for the better part of the last decade. And it's fair to note the many ways in which figures like Shapiro (who chose to employ Owens at The Daily Wire despite her long history of disturbing comments) and Ramaswamy helped create the problems they're now decrying. But it's a relief to know there are, in the end, limits to what a prominent swath of the conservative movement will stand for.

"Heritage has always welcomed debate, but alignment on mission and loyalty to the institution are non-negotiable," reads an emailed statement from the think tank, the full text of which was published this morning at National Review. Unfortunately for Robertsbut perhaps fortunately for the health of American politicsmany of his own people seem to feel a loyalty to something higher than the ideas and ethos with which he has aligned that institution.

UPDATE 12/23/25: Sources in and around Heritage initially put the number of recent resignations and firings at more than 30, including the 13 listed in an AAF press release, as well as "many others" who "chose to go quietly" and preferred not to be named. A Heritage spokesman disputed that number but declined to provide a list of those who resigned or were fired in the last week. There were at least three additional resignations on Monday, including the two people initially chosen to run the Meese Center following the weekend exodus. This story is developing.

The post Heritage Foundation Undergoes Mass Staff Exodus as Cracks Open on the New Right appeared first on Reason.com.
The city of Bloomington will close a downtown north-south thoroughfare that a city official said will have a major impact. Heres what you need to know.

What downtown Bloomington street will be closed?

College Avenue, south of Third Street. Both the road and sidewalk will be closed.

College Avenue, south of Third Street, will be closed for two weeks starting in late January 2026.

When will the road be closed?

The road will be closed from Jan. 26, 2026, to Feb. 12, 2026.

Why is the road being closed?

A rendering of the planned Bloomington Convention Center.

Weddle Brothers, the contractor building the Bloomington Convention Center expansion, recently asked the city that it be allowed to close the road. The company will use that closure to install the skybridge between the existing convention center and the expansion to the east. The skybridge will span College Avenue to connect the center's two sections.

Which city agency approved the closure?

The Bloomington Board of Works unanimously approved the closure this week. Public Works Director Adam Wason said city officials are aware the closure will have major impacts to the area and the corridor but said the closure is necessary for a generational project: the $71 million convention center expansion.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said city officials are not aware of ever having had a full closure of College Avenue for this long of a period.

Wason said city employees are working on a substantial communications plan to make sure traffic participants, residents and business owners in the area know what to expect. Signs are scheduled to be installed three weeks before the closure.

Is there an official detour?

Yes. Kyle Baugh, an engineering field specialist with the citys engineering department, said the vehicular detour will take drivers from Third Street to Rogers Street and back over on Second Street. Pedestrians will head east down Walnut Street and then back over via Second.

Officials said they will install lots of signs to make sure people know what to expect, though Wason said the city is aware that local residents likely will find shortcuts and different work-arounds.

How will the closure affect nonprofits, businesses, residents?

My Sister's Closet on College Avenue on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Sandy Keller, executive director of My Sisters Closet, said she hopes the city and county will cooperate with nonprofits, businesses and residents in the area to make sure people are aware of alternate routes.

Advertisement Advertisement

My biggest concern is clients getting here, she said.

My Sisters Closet is a nonprofit that helps vulnerable women living in poverty and at-risk circumstances toward economic success.

Keller said people still can come to the My Sisters Closet block from the south, Second Street, and drive around the back (east) of a couple of buildings.

Keller said that as the nonprofit is moving to 1204 W. Second St., and still hopes to raise nearly $1 million, she said My Sisters Closet cannot afford to lose two weeks of sales. People who want to support the nonprofit can contact Marci Hibbard at vpdevelopment@sisterscloset.org or 812-320-8926.

Advertisement Advertisement

Keller said that she hopes the short closure wont dampen sales too much, and she looks forward to the expanded convention center, which she hopes will create jobs from which the nonprofits clients can benefit.

Will there be any overnight work?

City officials said crews will work at night only as a last resort to keep the closure to two weeks.

What will happen after the downtown Bloomington road closure?

College Avenue will be restricted to one lane through June 26, 2026. The eastern lane will be closed.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington official says closure of downtown road to have 'major' impact
Passengers filled terminals at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday as families, couples, and solo travelers headed out for end-of-year trips.

For some, the journey is all about spending time with loved ones.

"We're here to visit my grandma," said Percy Smith, who was traveling from Bend, Oregon to Philadelphia. "She lives in Delaware."

Others opted to plan strategically, scheduling trips outside the peak holiday window to avoid the crowds.

Advertisement Advertisement

"We made sure it's going to be after the new year," said Elsie Jolade of Williamstown, New Jersey. "By January 1st, we'll be back here again on our way out to another trip. We intentionally did that because during the holidays there's a lot of people."

Despite those efforts, Jolade admitted the airport was still busier than expected.

"I thought I was trying to avoid it, I guess I'm not," she said.

Airport officials say the crowds are no surprise. More than one million passengers are expected to fly in and out of PHL between December 23 and January 4, a five percent increase compared to last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

The busiest travel days are projected to be the Friday, Saturday, and Monday following Christmas.

Many travelers are heading to nearby destinations, like Angela Pastor, who was traveling from Toronto.

"We're on our way to Cape May," Pastor said. "We're going to go see my boyfriend's parents who live there."

Despite the record-breaking numbers, most travelers said their trips went smoothly.

"I came from Toronto, my daughter came from Los Angeles, so everything went off without a hitch today," said Lucian Cucchiarella. "We were concerned because we wanted to make sure I didn't get delayed and leave her in the airport by herself."

Advertisement Advertisement

For Cucchiarella, the long journey was well worth it.

"Being home with my mom and dad," he said. "And home cooking and mom's making lasagna."

Airport officials say travelers bringing gifts should consider packing them in gift bags rather than wrapping them, which can help speed up the security screening process.
The civilians were recovered and transferred to Israel Police for further handling. The same civilians attempted to cross the border yesterday, a security source noted.

Several Israeli civilians crossed the border from the Golan Heights into Syrian territory on Monday, the IDF said.

The civilians were recovered and transferred to Israel Police for further handling.

Israel Police later clarified that seven suspects were detained.

Advertisement Advertisement

A security source stated that the individuals who tried to cross the border today also attempted to do so yesterday.

They were intercepted yesterday by IDF soldiers, who transferred them to the police, who released them later in the day.

Police are investigating and will consider requesting a hearing to extend the detention of the seven suspects.

The police also emphasized that crossing the border illegally is a "prohibited and dangerous serious criminal offense punishable by up to four years imprisonment."

This is a developing story.
Troops operating under the Northern Commands 91st Division eliminated four terrorists in southern Lebanon over the past week, the IDF added.

The IDF struck two Hezbollah terrorists near Yater in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one who was involved in attempts to rehabilitate the groups military infrastructure in the area, the military announced on Monday.

According to the IDF, the targeted operative was linked to efforts to restore capabilities in southern Lebanon after previous Israeli strikes. The military said such activity threatens Israeli communities in the north and contravenes cross-border understandings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Troops operating under the Northern Commands 91st Division eliminated four terrorists in southern Lebanon over the past week, the IDF added.

The IDF said it will continue to act against threats emanating from Lebanon. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat against the State of Israel, the military stated.
A Chinese man who was detained in New York and separated from his 6-year-old son for weeks has been deported to China, along with his son, according to an advocate who worked closely with him.

Fei Zheng and his son, Yuanxin, arrived in China on Friday night, according to Jennie Spector, a community activist who was in touch with Zheng before and during his detention. She said she confirmed with Zhengs friend in China that the father and son had arrived there.

We are happy to report we were able to remove the family back to their home country, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told The New York Times in an email. DHS did not respond to NBC News questions about his deportation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Spector previously told NBC News that both were detained during a routine check-in at ICE offices in New York City on Nov. 26. It was Zheng's third time being detained after he crossed into the U.S. from the Mexican border with his son in April, she said, adding that he expressed fear of returning to China. Spector did not offer specifics on what he feared.

Zheng was placed in immigration detention at the Orange County Correctional Facility, and Yuanxin was transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which holds unaccompanied immigrant children, according to the DHS.

Their case drew backlash from community activists, who voiced their outrage over the fact that the Trump administrations immigration policies had led to the separation of the father and son; the boy had just started first grade at a public school. Over 200 people, many of them members of Yuanxins school community, attended an anti-ICE protest in Astoria, Queens, earlier this month, according to Devora Fein, a leader of the western Queens chapter of Indivisible, a group that organized the rally. Some at the rally were seen holding signs that read: Kids Arent Pawns and Kids Belong In School Not In Detention. Spector said the father and son had no other family in New York.

Fei Zheng and his son, Yuanxin. (Courtesy of Zheng family) (Courtesy of Zheng family)

When asked about the Zheng case, McLaughlin said in an email statement on Sunday that ICE does not separate families. This is consistent with past administrations immigration enforcement. 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.

Advertisement Advertisement

McLaughlin said Zheng and his son were given a lawful order of removal as a family unit.

Mr. Zheng refused to board the plane and was acting so disruptive and aggressive that he endangered the childs wellbeing. He even attempted to escape and abandon his son, McLaughlin said in a statement. Mr. Zheng had the right and the ability to depart the country as a family and willfully choose to not comply. To be clear, refusing a judges deportation order is a crime.

Spector said that while Zheng was at the detention center and away from his child, he decided to stop fighting his immigration case and comply with a deportation order because he wanted to be reunited with his son.

Its very sad, Spector said in a phone interview on Friday. Both he and his son had a lot to offer us. They were both very intelligent people and would have provided a lot to us as a country and also as a community here in New York, and they were just seen as sort of criminals.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
If properly constituted, the probe can help Israel understand how a catastrophe of this scale was allowed to happen, and how to ensure it does not happen again.

The country wants an independent investigation into the colossal failures of October 7. So the Ministerial Committee for Legislations decision on Monday to advance a new investigative framework is a step forward, right?

Wrong.

Instead of moving Israel closer to answers, the governments decision has once again dragged the country back into a corrosive fight  not over the findings of an investigation that has yet to begin, but over the identity of those who would conduct it.

Advertisement Advertisement

A commission of inquiry is not a panacea. It will not heal the wounds of October 7. It will not bring back the dead, restore the sense of security shattered in the border communities, or erase the trauma now etched into the national psyche.

But it is one of the essential tools in the countrys toolbox necessary for national healing. Properly constituted, it can help Israel understand how a catastrophe of this scale was allowed to happen, and how to ensure it does not happen again.

Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the establishment of a political commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, December 22, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Improperly constituted, it risks becoming just another front in Israels never-ending domestic battles, which, unfortunately, is precisely where things now appear headed.

The legislation, sponsored by Likud MK Ariel Kallner and expected to come up for a preliminary Knesset reading this week, would establish what it calls a national state investigation committee, as opposed to a formal state Commission of Inquiry under existing law.

The makeup of the committee is yet unknown

Under the proposal, the investigative body would be established by the Knesset and the government, not by the president of the Supreme Court, as is the case with a state Commission of Inquiry.

Advertisement Advertisement

The committee would be made up of six members. The bill first gives the Knesset two weeks to appoint them by broad consensus, requiring the support of 80 MKs. If that effort fails, the coalition and opposition would each appoint three members. And if the opposition refuses to participate  as it has already indicated the authority to complete the appointments would fall to the Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, a Likud member.

Critics argue that this fallback mechanism could ultimately leave the committee entirely in the coalitions hands.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been clear about why he rejects a state Commission of Inquiry appointed by the president of the Supreme Court. Such a body, he argues, would be rejected by at least half the country as biased and predetermined. In todays Israel, that is not an imaginary concern. Years of unrelenting political attacks on the judiciary  attacks Netanyahu himself has led  have deeply eroded public trust among large segments of the Right.

Add to that the role of Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, whose appointment earlier this year was itself politically charged, and the lines harden even further still. On the Right, the argument is that Amit and the judiciary must also be examined, given court rulings over the years touching on security, Gaza, and the army, and therefore cannot be mandated to select the committee members.

Advertisement Advertisement

On the other side, opponents of a government-appointed committee also make a compelling case: the subject of an investigation should not choose his own investigators. Netanyahu was the prime minister on October 7 and has been in power for roughly 15 of the last 17 years. Any inquiry whose mandate or composition is determined by the current coalition will inevitably be suspected of self-interest, whitewashing, or deflection.

And yet, for all the force with which both sides make their case, they share a blind spot.

Is Netanyahu correct in distrusting the judiciary?

The real question is not whether Netanyahu is right to distrust the judiciary, or whether the opposition is right to insist that those under investigation cannot appoint their own investigators. The real question is whether any inquiry whose very composition is contested from the outset can serve the role the country needs it to serve.

A commission of inquiry is not meant to settle political scores; it is meant to restore a measure of trust in a system that has failed catastrophically. That trust cannot be rebuilt if half the country will reject the findings before the investigation even begins. Even the most sweeping investigative powers will mean little if the findings are dismissed as partisan from day one.

Advertisement Advertisement

There are, however, ways out of this impasse  if both camps are willing to accept that compromise is not surrender.

One proposal gaining attention would be to establish a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court or District Court judge, with members appointed by a small committee representing the judiciary, the government, the coalition, and the opposition. Every appointment to the commission would require unanimous approval by the appointment committee, so each side would feel that its perspective is represented.

Such a framework would frustrate ideologues on both sides. It would deny both the Right and the Left exclusive control over the process. And thats precisely the point. A commission accepted reluctantly by both camps is far more valuable than one embraced enthusiastically by one and rejected outright by the other.

Lessons learned from October 7

This is not a technical debate about how to construct a commission of inquiry. It is a test of whether Israeli society has absorbed one of the most important lessons of October 7.

Advertisement Advertisement

Author and philosopher Micah Goodman once framed Israels prewar judicial crisis as a clash between two supreme values. For one camp  the pro-reform camp  Israels Jewish character was paramount. For the other, its democratic character was non-negotiable. Compromise was viewed as weakness because only the weak and lily-livered compromise on core values.

Then October 7 happened.

In the immediate aftermath, a different virtue emerged: unity. Protesters who had been screaming at each other weeks earlier found themselves in the same tanks, sleeping in the same tents, confronting the same enemy. For a moment, it became clear that without unity, there might be neither a Jewish state nor a democratic one, because there might not be a state at all.

As the war dragged on, however, that insight and sentiment faded, and pre-October 7 divisions reasserted themselves. That is perhaps inevitable. But the lessons must not be forgotten, especially the critical need to compromise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Compromise on the structure of a commission of inquiry is not a betrayal of values. It is recognition that in a deeply divided society, getting to the truth requires legitimacy. If each side insists on total control of the process, the result will not be accountability; it will be paralysis.

The question now is whether Israels leaders  and its rival political camps  understand that healing does not begin with winning an argument over who appoints a committee. It starts with establishing a committee that enjoys the confidence of the overwhelming majority of the country. And to get there, compromise is needed.
Chen Zhong, deputy general manager of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) speaks during the signing ceremony of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in Jahra Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 22, 2025. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works and CCCC on Monday signed an EPC contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in northern Jahra Governorate. (Xinhua/Yin Ke)

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works and China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) on Friday signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in northern Jahra Governorate.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, cabinet ministers, and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait and Chinese enterprises attended the ceremony.

In his remarks, the Kuwaiti prime minister described the project as a symbol of the strong Kuwait-China friendship and cooperation. The relations between the two countries are built on a long-standing and solid historical foundation, he said, adding that the Kuwaiti-Chinese strategic partnership is constantly being translated into concrete outcomes.

Liu Xiang, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy, called the signing a milestone for implementing bilateral cooperation agreements and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries. Liu said the project would support Kuwait's economic diversification and its 2035 vision.

Chen Zhong, deputy general manager of CCCC, noted that this is the company's first Middle East port project partially built to Chinese standards, incorporating CCCC's technology and expertise from the outset. He added that CCCC would ensure the port becomes a model of China-Kuwait cooperation.

The Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is central to Kuwait's plan to develop a regional trade hub and diversify its economy. The project is regarded as a flagship initiative under Kuwait Vision 2035. 

Liu Xiang, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, speaks during the signing ceremony of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in Jahra Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works and China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) on Monday signed an EPC contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in northern Jahra Governorate. (Xinhua/Yin Ke)

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (C) views a project model at the signing ceremony of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in Jahra Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works and China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) on Monday signed an EPC contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in northern Jahra Governorate. (Xinhua/Yin Ke)

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (2nd L) visits the site of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project following the signing ceremony of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first phase of the project on Boubyan Island in Jahra Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 22, 2025.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works and China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) on Monday signed an EPC contract for the first phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island in northern Jahra Governorate. (Xinhua/Yin Ke)
In a 103FM interview, ex-navy commander Marom says Irans missile threat demands a postOctober 7 shift to active defense, a forward perimeter, and readiness for preemptive action.

Irans threat is still very real, and Israel must overhaul its postOctober 7 security doctrine to prioritize active defense and preemptive action, said retired admiral Eliezer Chayni Marom, a former Israel Navy commander and member of the IDF General Staff Forum, in an interview with 103FM on Monday morning.

Marom said Israel long relied on an unwritten cycle of early warning and decisive victory, mobilizing reserves to defeat the enemy when needed. He noted that a defensive leg was added before October 7, but it was not stable. Given Israels small size and the lack of warning time for border communities, he argued that reactive defense alone is insufficient.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said Israel cannot remain behind the border and wait for threats to grow on the other side, including from a third-ring state such as Iran. We will have to respond offensively to such events, he said.

Marom added that since October 7, Israeli forces have operated beyond the border line and that home-front defense must change accordingly. We will no longer defend from the rear for the communities. There will be a perimeter, he said, emphasizing forward presence and buffers to protect civilians.

Irans ballistic missiles and the need for repeated strikes

Addressing Irans ballistic capabilities, Marom said Israel destroyed a significant portion of launchers, but the threat persists. He said Iran planned barrages of 500600 ballistic missiles but failed due to Israels combination of offense and defense, although some missiles penetrated and caused damage.

The scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage at the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, June 19, 2025. (credit: Yair Tirosh/Flash90)

He warned that a large-scale barrage would hit Israel hard, kill many, disrupt the economy, and halt flights. We have no choice. If we sit and wait, this threat will grow, he said, adding that complacency about degraded Iranian air defenses would recreate a dangerous conceptzia.

Advertisement Advertisement

The method of early warning and decisive victory no longer works. We need active defense, Marom said. He cautioned that recent years in Gaza and Lebanon showed recurring rounds, while Iran itself was not openly at war with Israel. He said Tehran suffered heavy blows and has not restored its nuclear project, but is heavily focused on rebuilding its ballistic missile force.

We must avoid outdated assumptions and keep pressure on Iranian capabilities while maintaining offensive and defensive readiness in parallel, he said.
US Envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, posted on X overnight between December 21 and 22 that the steps being taken by armed groups in Iraq are welcome and encouraging.

The Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are increasingly in the spotlight as Iraq moves toward selecting a new prime minister, with the militias also being a center of focus in the US.

US Envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, posted on X overnight between December 21 and 22 that the steps being taken by armed groups in Iraq are welcome and encouraging.

Advertisement Advertisement

He didnt mention Iran or call the groups militias, but his post was clearly referring to recent reports that various groups within the Popular Mobilization Forces are considering disarming or at least placing their arms in the hands of the state.

The PMF is already ostensibly a state paramilitary force, though many of the militias within it also act independently and work with Iran.

The reported steps by Iraqi armed groups toward disarmament are a welcome and encouraging development. This move represents a positive response to the longstanding calls and aspirations of the Marjaeya and our respected religious authorities," Savaya wrote.

"I extend my deep appreciation for their wisdom, moral leadership, and principled guidance, which continue to serve as a compass for the nation. The Marjaeya is a Shiite religious authority and institution in Iraq.

Advertisement Advertisement

He went on to note that at the same time, statements of intent alone are not sufficient. Disarmament must be comprehensive, irreversible, and implemented through a clear and binding national framework. This process must include the full dismantling of all armed factions and ensure an orderly, lawful transition of their members into civilian life.

Disarming Iranian militias will allow for a more stable Iraq

Disarming the militias or getting them to put their extensive arms in the hands of the state is a key way to make sure Iraq is more stable and secure. In the past, the militias have targeted US forces and also carried out drone attacks in the Kurdistan region.

Savaya added in his post that in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution and the rule of law, no political party, organization, or individual has the right to possess or operate armed formations outside the authority of the state. This principle applies uniformly across all parts of Iraq, without exception. The exclusive authority to bear arms and use force must reside solely with the legitimate federal and regional institutions entrusted with organizing, commanding, and managing the nations armed forces to protect the Iraqi people and defend national sovereignty.

He added, Iraq stands today at a decisive crossroads. It can move forward on a path of sovereignty, stability, prosperity, unity, and the rule of law, or it can remain trapped in a cycle of fragmentation and insecurity, where illegal armed groups exploit national resources for personal benefit and external agendas, further undermining the authority of the state.
The report notes that the likelihood of an attack is below 50%, but an Israeli source said that "nobody is willing to take the risk and just say it is only an exercise."

Israel warned the United States that a missile exercise by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could be used as a screen to prepare a possible missile strike against the country, Axios reported on Sunday.

"The chances for an Iranian attack are less than 50%, but nobody is willing to take the risk and just say it is only an exercise," an Israeli source said, according to the report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Axios cited three Israeli and US sources with knowledge on the issue, assuring that the Israeli government has "lowered the tolerance bar after the October 7 attacks and will not allow any type of threats."

The American source told Axios that US intelligence has not received any indication that Iran is preparing for an attack against Israel.

The sources also warned that the biggest risk is a war breaking out due to a miscalculation, with both sides believing they will be attacked first and launching a preventive strike as a countermeasure.

Members of the IRGC step on US and Israeli flags during the 46th anniversary of the U.S. expulsion from Iran, in Tehran, November 4, 2025. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

Zamir tells Cooper about Iranian exercises

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly told US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, about the IRGC missile exercises, urging CENTCOM to prepare for a possible rapid response against a surprise attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Axios said that both the IDF and CENTCOM refused to comment on the matter.

According to these same sources, Iran's missile capabilities are still below the 3,000 missiles and 400 launchers that it had before the 12-day war in June, but it has started rebuilding its force in recent months.

This growing threat was confirmed by US Sen. Lindsey Graham (R - South Carolina) in an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Sunday, who assured that the Iranian missile capabilities now pose as grave a threat as its nuclear program.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
Army Radio commander Tal Lev-Ram has said that he would fight the closure, which Defense Minister Israel Katz has pushed for, before the High Court of Justice.

On Sunday, the government unanimously approved Army Radios closure to go into effect on March 1, 2026, after 75 years of broadcasting.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has been pushing for its closure for months, but it became apparent from his public statements on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully supported the motion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Army Radio commander Tal Lev-Ram, who had previously served as the military correspondent for Maariv, has said that they would fight the closure before the High Court of Justice, with many groups filing to the courts shortly after the governments decision.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara has said that the move raises concerns about political interference in public broadcasting and raises questions regarding the violation of freedom of expression and the press.

The Israel Press Council, headed by former supreme court justice Hanan Melcer, has called the decision to close Army Radio illegitimate and illegal, and said that the station can be closed only through legislation by the Knesset.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel also vowed to petition the High Court and declared the defense ministers decision a continuation of the dangerous trend of systematically attacking the free press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi recently succeeded in moving along a Knesset bill that critics have cautioned will give the government greater control over the media.

The NGO stated, The claim that the station harms morale is a pathetic excuse for a political maneuver whose purpose is to silence criticism. Government ministers must not be allowed to close media outlets based on political considerations.

Katz issued two major directives following the government vote.

First, he directed the IDF Manpower Directorate to cease recruiting for Army Radio and to start calibrating any individuals who had been readied for Army Radio to other tracks within the military.

Advertisement Advertisement

Second, he directed IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram to begin the process of moving current army personnel at the outlet to other military roles; they must also grant severance package deals to dozens of civilian Army Radio contractors.

Katz said that he wanted most of these processes to be completed by February 15, ahead of the March 1 deadline.

It is unclear how the High Court will rule given the many legal issues in play and the unprecedented nature of Katzs motion to close Army Radio.

In the past, the High Court has slowed the governments attempts to eliminate Army Radio, but has allowed them to make staggering alterations, including the mass firings and new hirings (which led to the formation of KAN).

Advertisement Advertisement

The defense minister and the governments decisions were based on the recommendation of a professional committee, but critics have said that the committee was hand-picked to ensure Katzs desired result.

The committee had described the very existence of a military radio station broadcasting to the general public as a democratic anomaly that has no equal in the world, and said its involvement in current affairs and news harms the IDFs status as the peoples army.

Katz argued that the stations original purpose  as a platform serving IDF soldiers and their families  has been overshadowed by political content that, in his view, undermines the army.

As I have made clear, what was is not what will be. Army Radio was established by the Israeli government as a military station to serve as a mouthpiece and an ear for IDF soldiers and their families  and not as a platform for voicing opinions, many of which attack the IDF and the IDF soldiers themselves, he has said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The defense ministers committee said it considered multiple alternatives, including transferring the station to another public body, privatization, or simply canceling the chapter dealing with political coverage.

It recommended two options: either convert Army Radio into a Soldiers Home model, broadcasting only music and brief news flashes without current affairs or political content, or close the station entirely.

No explanation why Army Radio cannot be privatized

Katz has not explained why Army Radio could not be partially privatized or why the political coverage arm could not be eliminated, as many experts have suggested.

Multiple former defense ministers talked about closing the station when it was critical of them or their governments policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Katz is not the first to object to the strange model of having Army Radio being ready to criticize any party, including the IDF, but also acting as an arm of the IDF.

This model is precisely why Army Radio has, at times, pitted itself against government officials on both sides of the aisle.

Katz selectively quoted from past criticism of Army Radio by former IDF chiefs Gadi Eisenkot, Aviv Kohavi, and Herzi Halevi  and failed to note that none of them have supported his solution of outright closing Army Radio.

In the past, former defense ministers have either balked at trying to close Army Radio or navigated toward a compromise. Usually, such compromises entailed changing some of the outlets top personnel or seeking other reforms, such as diversifying the broadcast programs.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the end, other defense ministers had decided that despite its idiosyncrasies, Army Radios reputation as a valued member of the independent media was too great to wipe out entirely.

Galgalatz  the music and transportation station operated by the IDF  is expected to continue operating in its current format.

Lev-Ram said the station had learned of the move with complete surprise back in November, adding that Army Radio had not even gotten to respond to the committee report.

He cited numerous flaws in the panels work, including conflicts of interest, the premeditated selection of members, and what he called manipulation of the facts. A heavy shadow hangs over the committees work, which from the outset operated under the premise that what was will no longer be, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Katz said a professional team will be established within the Defense Ministry to oversee the implementation of the decision, ensuring that civilian employees at the station can end their employment under proper arrangements while safeguarding their rights.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
The Israeli government's decision to close a popular army radio station, known also for its news coverage, has been sharply criticized by opposition parties.

Israeli media reported on Monday that the cabinet voted in favour of a proposal by Defence Minister Israel Katz to close Galei Zahal by March 1 next year.

Katz justified this by saying that the station conveys "political and divisive content that is not in line with the values of the Israeli army."

Advertisement Advertisement

The boss of the station, Tal Lev-Ram, has signalled his intention to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court, television station i24news reported.

The army radio station has been broadcasting for 75 years, and has a reputation for impartial journalism as well as being an important source of information and public debate. Regular soldiers are used in its operations as reporters and editors, as well as civilians.

The news portal ynet reported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that having a public news radio channel that broadcasts under the authority of the military only existed in "North Korea and maybe a few other countries, and we certainly don't want to be like them."

Political accusations

The opposition, on the other hand, has criticized the decision as a violation of freedom of expression and an attempt to control the media. The government is also currently pushing for the closure of the respected public broadcaster Kan.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a post on X the Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the decision to close the army channel "part of the government's strategy to abolish freedom of expression in Israel in an election year."

A new parliament is scheduled to be elected in Israel on October 27 next year.

"They can't control reality, so they try to control consciousness," Lapid wrote, and warned against the closure of other critical media outlets. "They won't stop. Wherever there is a truth that is uncomfortable for the government, they act to eliminate it."
Israel tourism to Japan in April increased by 88% from 2024 to 2025, according to Eshet Tours VP Shirley Cohen-Orkaby.

The weakening of the yen against the shekel has made prices in Japanvery attractive for Israelis, observes Eshet Tours VP Shirley Cohen-Orkaby. "Although flights are not cheap," she says, "the vacation in Japan itself is certainly affordable."

Israelis are voting with their feet. "The peak of the tourist season in Japan (for Israelis) is in April, the cherry blossoms there and the Passover holiday here, and for that month we see an increase of 88% between 2024 and 2025."

Advertisement Advertisement

Cohen-Orkaby believes Israeli tourism will continue even if the shekel-yen exchange rate changes. "Israeli demand for tourism in Japan is based on other factors: direct flights, culture, personal safety, the absence of anti-Semitism, and the combination of tradition and progress."

Broader policy aspects also impact tourism

This also relates to broader policy aspects.

In 2023, the Japanese government launched a plan to position the country as a tourist destination, with the aim of reaching 60 million tourists annually by the end of the decade, generating $100 billion.

People walk underneath cherry blossoms blooming in Tokyo, Japan, March 31, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Manami Yamada)

In the first ten months of 2025, 35.5 million tourists entered Japan, and in October alone, the number was 3.9 million- an increase of 17.6% compared with October 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Tensions with China may also come into play.

In October 2025, Chinese tourists accounted for about 18% of Japan's total tourist arrivals. In November, amid escalating tensions between Japan and China, China issued a travel warning for Japan, and if this continues, Japanese tourism could suffer significant damage. It is therefore expected that the government will accelerate the assistance it provides to the industry, and that this support will be reflected in the number of tourists visiting the country.

Why hasn't this happened until now?

"Japan has always been a desirable destination," notes Cohen-Orkaby, "but it was very expensive, and it was awkward to get to. Today, with the opening of direct flights and the reduction in prices in terms of the Israeli currency, a vacation there is much more accessible."
Italys competition authority has fined Apple, Apple Distribution International and Apple Italia 98 million for exploiting its position of absolute dominance through the App Store, accusing the company of unfairly burdening app developers with its tracking rules.

Regulators said Apple abused its dominance in the iOS app distribution market by imposing App Tracking Transparency rules that unfairly burden third-party developers.

The authority found that Apple forced developers to seek duplicate user consent for advertising data  going beyond what privacy law requires  undermining ad-based business models without delivering proportionate privacy benefits.

Advertisement Advertisement

This duplication, the Antitrust Authority concludes, "results in a lack of proportionality in the ATT policy rules, given that Apple should have guaranteed the same level of user privacy by providing developers with the option of obtaining consent for profiling in a single step."

Related

The ruling follows a lengthy investigation carried out in coordination with the European Commission and Italys data protection regulator, the Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali, examining the impact of Apples App Tracking Transparency framework.

Advertisement Advertisement

Scrutiny of the policy has intensified across Europe: in March, Frances competition authority fined Apple 150 million, finding that the way the feature was implemented placed an undue burden on app developers without being strictly necessary to protect user privacy.

App Tracking Transparency, introduced by Apple in 2021, requires apps distributed via the App Store to request explicit user permission through a standardised pop-up before tracking activity across other apps and websites.

If consent is refused, developers lose access to data commonly used for targeted advertising.

Competition authorities have raised concerns that the system, imposed unilaterally by Apple, may disadvantage third-party developers and advertising intermediaries, while Apple continues to benefit from its own advertising business within the iOS ecosystem
Jarrard, a US-based healthcare strategic communications and change management consultancy, has announced the launch of a dedicated specialty in childrens hospitals and paediatric healthcare.

The move broadens the companys academic health systems practice to address the specific needs of paediatric healthcare organisations.

This new focus supports paediatric health service organisations, independent childrens hospitals, and system-owned paediatric hospitals, guiding them in areas such as brand development, Medicaid funding, community health, philanthropy, and communications.

Advertisement Advertisement

The new division will provide expertise in strategic positioning, public affairs and advocacy, and change management.

It builds on Jarrards existing work in health services and technology, academic medicine, and regional health systems.

Senior vice president Tricia Geraghty, former chief marketing and experience officer at Childrens Wisconsin, leads the specialty. Her team includes vice president Julie Ashby, previously a marketing leader at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital, and associate vice president Elizabeth Middleton, who has experience in philanthropic development and donor relations at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago.

Jarrard founding partner and president Anne Hancock Toomey said: Childrens hospitals are highly trusted and sit at the heart of their communities. They face intense pressure: complex Medicaid policy, expectations around community benefit and philanthropy, and an evolving competitive landscape.

Advertisement Advertisement

Our new specialty ensures these leaders have a mission-driven partner who understands both the nuance of paediatric care and the broader healthcare environment.

This launch is supported by insights from Jarrards recent national consumer research into public perceptions of childrens hospitals.

Findings from its Childrens Hospitals and Public Trust survey indicate that the level of trust in childrens hospitals is substantially greater compared to hospitals in general.

The research also indicated that the public has limited awareness of the wider community initiatives and non-acute services provided by childrens hospitals, which affects how people view their community contributions and not-for-profit role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Jarrard recently collaborated with the Childrens Hospital Association on a webinar for member organisations, sharing findings from its survey and discussing the implications for policy, philanthropy and community impact.

"Jarrard launches dedicated specialty for childrens hospitals and paediatric healthcare" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




Kilmar Abrego Garcia  who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March  will remain free on supervised release until at least the end of the year, after a Maryland judge on Monday extended her order barring the government from detaining and deporting him again.

Abrego Garcia was released from federal immigration custody earlier this month. At a hearing on Monday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis extended a temporary restraining order from earlier this month that prohibits the Trump administration from again taking Abrego Garcia into custody as she considers how to rule next in the case.

Xinis ordered the Justice Department to inform her by Dec. 26 on what the Trump administration's definitive plans are for how it intends to move forward with moving to deport Abrego Garcia. The Salvadoran national's attorneys will have until Dec. 30 to respond to the government's position. At least until then, Abrego Garcia will remain with his family in Maryland.

Advertisement Advertisement

In Monday's hearing, Xinis pushed Justice Department attorney Ernesto Molina on what specific steps the administration plans to take on Abrego Garcia, whom the Trump administration has indicated it plans to deport. Until she gets specifics, she suggested she is not going to allow the Trump administration to detain him.

"Why should I give the respondents the benefit of the doubt?" she asked, referring to the Trump administration.

Molina said he needed to talk to representatives at the Department of Homeland Security before giving her an answer.

"I need something to say, 'okay, they're not just going to pick Mr. Abrego Garcia up without lawful authority,'" Xinis said to Molina. "That's a real question. He was deported without lawful authority, he was detained without lawful authority."

Advertisement Advertisement

Abrego Garcia has been in legal limbo for months. The Maryland resident, who first came to the U.S. unlawfully in 2011, was deported to El Salvador and held in a supermax prison, despite a 2019 immigration court order barring him from being sent to his home country and an order from Xinis to fly him back. The Trump administration described his deportation as an "administrative error." He was ultimately brought back to the U.S. in June to face human smuggling charges.

He was then held in pre-trial detention in Tennessee, released after two months, and then re-arrested days later and held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention while the government seeks to deport him a second time. He was released from federal custody earlier this month, after Xinis found that he had been detained unlawfully.

Abrego Garcia appeared in-person in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, for the first time since he was released from ICE custody.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys said they are deciding how to handle his ongoing immigration case, as he simultaneously faces a looming criminal prosecution on charges of alleged human smuggling in Tennessee in January. Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty and has moved to dismiss the case on the grounds that the prosecution is selective and vindictive.

Advertisement Advertisement

"If the government were to say today, we're going to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica," one of Abrego Garcia's attorneys Jonathan Cooper said, his client is prepared to go "as soon as this afternoon."

Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, another of Abrego Garcia's attorneys, said that his client is "literally in a double bind in which he has two ankle bracelets on him," barring him from self-deporting.

A New Mexico monastery where the silence calls

Kevin Hassett says $2,000 tariff checks for Americans will depend on Congress

The enduring message of "It's a Wonderful Life"
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and 71 others wounded in a bus accident early Monday morning near Bloemfontein, South Africa's judicial capital, local media reported.

The bus, which had a trailer attached, overturned with 70 passengers on board, said Sipho Towa, chairperson of the Road Accident Management Systems.

The bus was reportedly traveling from South Africa's Cape Town to Zimbabwe when the accident took place.

The injured have been transported to hospitals, according to a local emergency service company, which responded to the scene at around 1:20 a.m. local time (2320 GMT Sunday).

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident, said Towa.

South Africa has in recent months recorded a series of deadly bus crashes. On Oct. 12, an overloaded passenger bus traveling from Eastern Cape Province to a neighboring country overturned in Limpopo Province, killing 43 people, including seven children.

Authorities blame the recent road accidents on driver fatigue, excessive speed, drunk driving, unsafe pedestrian conduct, and poor vehicle conditions. 
A juvenile is in custody after Pittsburgh Police said she fled from them in a stolen vehicle and ended up crashing into a home.

At around 12:30 a.m., officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that was speeding without headlights on at the intersection of East Carson Street and Arlington Avenue on the South Shore.

The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed, and police said officers deactivated their emergency lights and sirens after determining the driver was not stopping.

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver eventually lost control while turning from Bradish Street onto South 12th Street in the South Side Flats, colliding with a parked vehicle before crashing into the first floor of a home. The two people inside the home were not hurt.

Officers confirmed that the car was reported stolen. The driver, a juvenile female, was taken into custody. Two other juveniles were also in the car at the time. One of them was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections responded to the scene to assess the damage to the home.

Pittsburgh Police continue to investigate.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Christi Smith, executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas, is the nominee of Gov. Laura Kelly to serve as the first director of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. The agency will launch in July and consolidate programs scattered among several state agencies. (Submitted)

TOPEKA  Gov. Laura Kelly nominated the leader of a Kansas organization working to connect families with quality and affordable child care to serve as the first director of the states Office of Early Childhood.

Kelly recommended the Kansas Senate confirm Christi Smith, who works as executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas. The organization leads a statewide child care resource and referral network. She has been in the early childhood and family service field for more than two decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

I am confident that Christis years of impressive experience along with her passion will provide the leadership necessary to ensure the office successfully delivers on its charge, Kelly said. I look forward to her work to align our early childhood investments, develop a world-class early childhood system that benefits Kansas children and families, and secure a brighter economic future for our entire state.

The Office of Early Childhood begins operation July 1, 2026, and Smith would serve in an acting capacity pending Senate action. The Senate is likely to take up the nomination after the 2026 session begins in January.

Under a bipartisan state law adopted in 2025, the Office of Early Childhood would be responsible for administration of the states early childhood care and education system. House Bill 2045 outlined a path to greater efficiency and better service delivery in areas that included child care licensing, child care assistance, home visiting programs and the Kansas Childrens Cabinet and Trust Fund.

The law signed by Kelly would consolidate into one office nearly 20 existing state programs serving young children and families. One of the offices duties would be to develop a statewide strategy for expanding access to child care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Working alongside families, the child care workforce and leaders across the state, I will focus on breaking down silos and strengthening partnerships to ensure our early childhood system helps children and families thrive, Smith said.

Before leading Child Care Aware of Kansas, Smith was executive director of Alpha Delta Kappa, a nonprofit professional association for women educators. She also worked as director of family preservation at DCCCA, a Douglas County-based social services organization.

She earned a bachelors degree at Missouri State University and a masters degree in organizational leadership from Ellis College of New York Institute of Technology.

In April, Kelly signed the compromise bill assembled during negotiations with members of the House and Senate. The bill cleared the House on a vote of 99-23 and passed the Senate by a 30-10 margin.

Advertisement Advertisement

The governor called it the most consequential early childhood education and care legislation enacted in Kansas in 15 years and vowed the states early childhood system would no longer be bogged down by inefficiencies and bureaucratic red tape.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican running for state insurance commissioner, said Kansas had an urgent need for affordable child care. He said the reform law would address bottlenecks in the system that quite frankly suppress availability and drive up cost.

These are real solutions that will immediately increase slots by reducing overly burdensome regulations, streamlining support services for providers and families, and addressing underserved and rural shortages by increasing flexibility for home-based providers, he said.

The consolidation was among recommendations of the Early Childhood Transition Task Force established in 2023 by an executive order issued by Kelly. A bill related to the Office of Early Childhood was debated by the 2024 Legislature, but wasnt approved.
Assemblyman Kenneth Blankenbush (R-Black River) plans to retire when his eighth term in the New York State Assembly ends at the end of 2026.

He made the announcement that he will not seek re-election on the morning of Dec. 18 at a press conference at 1812 House in Lowville. He also endorsed his chief of staff, Tammie Nabwaniec, who will run for his seat.

He just wants to spend time with his family, Nabwaniec said on Dec. 19. And he has respectfully and dutifully served as a representative for 15 years at the end of this year and it will be 16 full (years), that would be eight terms, at the end of next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Blankenbushs family includes his wife Sheila, two children and six grandchildren.

New York State Assemblyman Kenneth Blankenbush, R-Black River, has announced that he will retire at the end of his eighth term in 2026.

Blankenbushs 117th District includes portions of Oneida, Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

Im running, Nabwaniec explained, because the North Country and the Mohawk Valley deserve experienced leadership with a strong, steady voice in Albany  someone who knows the region, understands the work and is ready on day one.

During his years in office, Blankenbush became a strong advocate for a number of issues, which his office described as including:

North Country, rural and upstate issues such as fair state funding formulas that recognize the special needs of those areas.

Fiscal responsibility including the end of unfunded mandates.

Support for veterans and military families, including legislation he sponsored and/or supported to expand educational opportunities and services for both veterans and active duty service members.

Public safety issues, including local control.

Measures to support family farms and small businesses in part by protecting them from expensive mandates and burdensome regulations.

Reforms to maintain election integrity and to increase government accountability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Blankenbush, a native New Yorker, graduated from Henrietta-Rush High School and then from Monroe County Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh. He served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, including in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He then worked in insurance and financial services before founding his own firm, BEL Associates, in Watertown.

Before his election to the Assembly, Blankenbush served as a Town of LeRay councilman and a Jefferson County legislator (including two terms as chairman).

Nabwaniec said that if shes elected, shell focus on a number of priorities, which are similar to Blankenbushs: affordability for families, seniors, farms and small businesses; advocacy on issues affecting the North Country and Mohawk Valley; constitutional rights; public safety, including support or the military as well as first responders and law enforcement; and strong families and communities, including access to essential services and support for local programs.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Kenneth Blankenbush retiring, not running for state Assembly in 2026
Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a number of high-profile attacks against prominent Russians since Moscow invaded its neighbor nearly four years ago.

While Kyiv has hinted at its involvement in some cases, Ukrainian officials have often stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility. In other cases, they have denied all involvement.

On Monday, a Russian general was killed by a car bomb in Moscow, and investigators say they are looking into whether Ukraine was behind the attack. Ukraine has not yet commented on the death of Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Other attacks that Russia has blamed on Ukraine include:

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov

Kirillov, head of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed alongside his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, when a bomb planted on a scooter exploded outside an apartment building in Moscow in December 2024.

Kirillov had been charged in absentia a day earlier by Ukraines Security Service, the SBU, with ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraines Defense Forces. The SBU later claimed responsibility for the attack. An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Kirillov on the security services behalf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik

Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department of the General Staff, was killed in April 2025. A bomb had been placed underneath his car, which was parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow.

Several days after the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement that the countrys Foreign Intelligence Service had informed him of the elimination of senior command personnel of Russias armed forces, but gave no further details.

A Russian man who previously lived in Ukraine pleaded guilty to carrying out the attack and said that he had been paid by Ukraine's security services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Stanislav Rzhitsky

Rzhitsky, a former submarine commander, was gunned down in July 2023 while jogging in Krasnodar, Russia.

Ukrainian media reported that Rzhitsky was one of six submarine commanders able to launch the long-range missiles that hit Vinnytsia, Ukraine, a year earlier, killing 23 people and wounding over 100.

When he died, Rzhitsky was deputy head of a military mobilization office in Krasnodar.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys main intelligence directorate, denied Kyivs involvement in the death. However, the agency also released details about the killing, including the time of the attack and the number of shots fired. A dual Russian-Ukrainian citizen was convicted in the killing in October 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Zakhar Prilepin

Prilepin, a nationalist Russian writer, narrowly avoided death in a car bombing in Russias Nizhny Novgorod region in May 2023. His driver was killed, while Prilepin was hospitalized with broken bones, bruised lungs and other injuries.

Prilepin, known for his support of the war, was sanctioned by the European Union.

A Ukrainian was found guilty of the attack in a Russian court and sentenced to life imprisonment. Russias Investigative Committee accused him of working on orders from Kyiv.

In an interview with Ukrainian journalists in March 2024, SBU chief Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk declined to take responsibility for the attack, but said he could provide some details, such as Prilepin's injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Vladlen Tatarsky

Tatarsky, a military blogger, was killed in April 2023 when a bomb tore through a cafe in central St Petersburg where he had been speaking.

Tatarsky supported the war in Ukraine and filed regular reports from the front for his Telegram followers.

Darya Trepova was convicted of the bombing and sentenced to 27 years in prison after she was seen on camera presenting a small statue to Tatarsky that exploded shortly afterward. Trepova testified she didnt know the gift contained a bomb.

In the March 2024 interview, SBU chief Maliuk also declined to take responsibility for Tatarsky's death, but describing the blogger as a mouthpiece for Russia who had "paid a karmic price before the Ukrainian people. He also provided details on the bomb that killed Tatarsky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Illia Kyva

Kyva, a Ukrainian lawmaker who fled to Russia shortly after the full-scale invasion, was found dead near Moscow in December 2023 with a gunshot wound to the head.

A controversial political figure in Ukraine before the war, Kyva often appeared on pro-Kremlin TV talk shows. A month before his death, a Ukrainian court found him guilty in absentia of treason and sentenced him to 14 years in prison.

Russias state Investigative Committee accused an Armenian-born businessman of passing on details about Kyvas movements to the SBU, state news agency Tass said. However, no charges have been brought directly related to the killing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraines military intelligence, said after Kyvas death that the same fate will befall other traitors of Ukraine, but did not say who was behind the killing.

Darya Dugina

Dugina was killed in August 2022 when a remote-controlled bomb planted in her SUV blew up as she drove on Moscows outskirts.

Her father, Alexander Dugin, was widely believed to be the intended target. The philosopher, writer and political theorist is an ardent supporter of the war.

Ukraine denied responsibility for the attack, with Zelenskyy saying Dugina was not our responsibility" and Kyiv was "not interested in her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Russias Federal Security Agency, the FSB, publicly identified two Ukrainian citizens as suspects, but said they had escaped abroad.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Kirby Medical Center in Illinois, US, has entered into an enterprise partnership with Switchboard, MD for automating patient communication workflows.

The collaboration aims to support Kirbys service standards, improve access to care, and enhance operational efficiency.

Earlier in 2025, Kirby engaged with Switchboard, MDs Contact Center solution with a targeted assessment focused on prescription refill request intake.

Advertisement Advertisement

The team routed recorded calls to an AI voice agent and assessed the way classification, sentiment analysis, and transcription could accelerate and streamline communication.

The assessment identified clinical urgency, opportunities to improve response times, and reduce repeat calls.

Under the latest collaboration, Kirby will deploy Switchboard, MDs platform organisation-wide to improve service access and further streamline patient communication.

The solution includes multi-agent orchestration and conversational AI to direct callers, enable self-service for routine needs such as scheduling, and route requests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Further capabilities include wayfinding assistance, autonomous scheduling for high-volume visit types, and appointment reminders and confirmations.

Kirby Medical Center chief operating officer and chief information officer Mark Fred said: In the critical access hospital world, teams are accustomed to wearing many hats.

Switchboard, MD will enable us to reduce unnecessary administrative burden while preserving the level of care our patients deserve. This partnership will help ensure that our patient communications and EHR work as hard as our talented people do.

Switchboard, MD chief commercial officer Ankit Tiwari said: The past several months collaborating with Kirby have shown us how extraordinary their team truly is. They approach their work with a deep sense of mission and an unwavering commitment to their patients and staff, and were honoured to be part of their continued journey.

Advertisement Advertisement

The partnership will continue to focus on building sustainable automation, improving operational throughput, and expanding staff capacity to support Kirbys initiative and patient care priorities.

"Kirby Medical selects Switchboard for patient workflow automation" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is offering a last-minute holiday deal to incentivize migrants in the U.S. illegally to self-deport.

The DHS on Monday announced it was boosting the payout for immigrants to self-deport from $1,000 to $3,000 through the end of the year. The new payout is being dubbed a holiday stipend by the DHS and includes a free flight back to their home country.

Noem went on Fox & Friends on Monday morning to discuss the plan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Raise your hand, well help you get home, well facilitate it and you might get the chance to come back the right way, Noem said. If you wait until we detain you and arrest you and deport you ourselves, youll never get the chance to come back.

She said the $3,000 offer is available to people who both have and have not been detained by DHS or have criminal charges against them. Noem said migrants can go on the CBP Home app to get the information they need and that DHS will do its part to get you home in time for Christmas.

The increased payout come as President Donald Trumps administration has made cracking down on illegal immigration a key focus in his first year since returning to office.

It was a big topic at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest over the past weekend, with Vice President JD Vance drawing cheers from the Phoenix crowd for saying the Trump Administration has essentially eliminated crossings at the U.S-Mexico border.

Advertisement Advertisement

ICE boss Tom Homan also fired the crowd up when he said ICE will soon have 10,000 new officers in January and that 2.5 million illegal aliens have been removed or self-deported from our country.

Trump has sent ICE and Border Patrol agents to several major cities this year, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Charlotte, for raids.

Those raids have often been met with protestors and rioters. Anti-ICE rioters at one raid in Manhattan last month threw planters and chased federal agents during an operation targeting a parking garage in Chinatown, leading to multiple arrests. And last week, dozens of people were arrested for chaining themselves to ICEs main building in San Francisco.

Watch Noem above.

The post Kristi Noem Triples Holiday Stipend to $3,000 for Migrants in US Illegally to Self-Deport first appeared on Mediaite.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Two senior Democratic lawmakers on Monday asked the U.S. Commerce Department to disclose details and any approvals of ongoing license reviews for potential sales to Chinese firms of Nvidia's second-most powerful AI chips.

President Donald Trump this month said he would allow sales of Nvidia's H200 chips to China, with the U.S. government collecting a 25% fee. Trump said the sales would help keep U.S. firms ahead of Chinese chipmakers by cutting demand for Chinese chips.

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Gregory Meeks in a letter asked the Commerce Department to disclose all license applications for the H200 chips for Chinese companies and disclose any approved licenses within 48 hours of the approval date. The lawmakers also want a briefing on the issue before approvals are issued, including "an assessment of the military potential of the chips approved for export and the reaction of allies and partners to the decision to export these chips," according to the letter, which was seen by Reuters.

Warren earlier this month called on Congress to compel Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to testify before lawmakers, and said Trump's decision to allow H200 sales to Chinese companies "risks turbo-charging China's bid for technological and military dominance and undermining U.S. economic and national security."

The Commerce Department and Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump's announcement represented a major policy shift from the Biden administration, which banned advanced AI chip sales to China due to national security concerns. Last week, Reuters reported that the Commerce Department has launched a review that could result in the first shipments of H200 chips to China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Warren and Meeks also want to see the text of any government-to-government agreement the Trump administration signed to allow the shipments as well as the Commerce Department's "assessment of the performance of the most advanced chips (China) is producing indigenously, as well as how many chips (China) has the capacity to produce."

Reuters, citing sources, reported earlier on Monday that Nvidia told Chinese clients that the company aims to start shipping the H200 chips to China before the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February. Reuters reported that Nvidia plans to fulfill initial orders from existing stock, with shipments expected to total 5,000 to 10,000 chip modules - equivalent to about 40,000 to 80,000 H200 AI chips.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Franklin Paul and Paul Simao)
Russian overnight bombing killed at least four people and injured 19 across Ukraine in the past 24 hours, regional authorities reported.

Russia launched one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 97 drones from positions in Rostov, Kursk, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and occupied Crimea, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

Ukrainian air defences intercepted 75 drones while another 19 hit eight locations across the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the northeastern Kharkiv region town of Izium, Ukrainian rescue services recovered the bodies of two people from rubble after their building collapsed on Saturday.

Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said two people had been injured and many homes across the region, as well as a residential building, had been damaged.

One person was killed, and four people were injured in the eastern region of Donetsk, authorities reported.

In the Kherson region, seven people were injured as a result of Russian attacks, including damage to private homes, four multi-storey buildings, an administrative building and a gas pipeline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post that Russia has launched approximately 1,300 attack drones, nearly 1,200 guided aerial bombs and nine missiles in the past week alone.

Odesa region was particularly badly hit, with its port, transport and industrial facilities targeted, according to Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa Oblast military administration.

The attacks came as US and Russian envoys held talks in Miami aimed at ending Russia's nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Lee County has the distinction of being the home of the first Veterans Memorial Reef dedicated to all U.S. veterans using a military ship.

On July 2, 2012, the USS Mohawk was towed from Fort Myers some 30 miles off of Sanibel Island before being scuttled in 90 feet of water by six strategically placed charges meant to allow it to rest upright.

The 165-foot vessel played a part in World War II combat operations, serving U.S. Naval forces in the North Atlantic; during the war the ship was named the USS Mohawk CGC.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Lee County website, in order to ensure no negative environmental impacts from its aging equipment, experts cleaned and prepared the ship prior to sending it on its last voyage.

In May of 2013, the USS Mohawk was transformed into an underwater art gallery.

Andreas Franke, an Austrian photographer, and a team installed 12 images within the USS Mohawk to create a gallery that ran through Sept. 14 of 2013.

The images were based on the history of the USS Mohawk, which survived 14 Nazi U-boat attacks and is the last remaining ship of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Franke superimposed images of models in period clothing onto original photos from the ship in present-day to envision the lives of the sailors who were once aboard it. He previously hosted other underwater exhibitions of his work, including on the USS Vandenberg, which rests off the Key West coast.

What is an artificial reef?

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, and artificial reef is one or more objects of natural or human origin intentionally placed on the seafloor to enhance marine life for human use through the creation of new reef habitat.

Artificial reefs in Florida: What to know

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, Florida has one of the most active artificial reef programs among the 15 Gulf and Atlantic coastal states involved in artificial reef development. Since the 1940s, more than 4,300 planned public artificial reefs have been placed in state and federal waters off Floridas coast. The FWC Artificial Reef Program provides financial and technical assistance to coastal local governments, nonprofit corporations and state universities to construct, monitor and assess artificial reefs.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: What are the artificial reefs in Lee County, Florida?
I have informed the Lee Health board of directors that I will not renew my contract when it concludes on Sept. 30, 2026. This was not an easy decision, but I am confident in Lee Healths incredibly strong foundation.

Our health system is resilient, and our teams across every corner of the organization are united by our mission and empowered by a bold, focused strategy that positions us well for the future.

Over the next year, I will continue to lead with full commitment to ensuring a smooth and wellplanned transition. I have complete confidence in the Boards ability to identify the right leader to carry forward our long legacy of communityfocused care  just as I have worked to do since becoming president and CEO in 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

It has been one of the great honors of my life to build my career in Southwest Florida. My years as an OB/GYN were profoundly meaningful, and I have always been touched when someone shares that I delivered them or their children. As I moved into leadership roles, including president and CEO, I found new ways to impact lives through the delivery of healthcare in our community.

Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health

Together with our exceptional leaders and teams throughout Lee Health, we have:

Strengthened quality across the health system and achieving 4- and 5-star CMS ratings, placing Lee Health among the top 15% of hospitals nationwide.

Cared for this community through the extraordinary challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responded with unwavering commitment during multiple hurricanes and times of crisis.

Successfully converted from a public entity to a private nonprofitone of the most significant milestones in our history.

Advanced our journey toward Magnet designation and elevating nursing excellence across the health system.

Strengthened the health systems financial performance, stability, and long-term sustainability, enabling Lee Health to continue investing in patient care, expanding access, supporting our workforce, and advancing our mission to improve the health and well-being of our community.

I plan to remain active in healthcare advocacy and mentoring, and I will continue serving on boards, including Florida Gulf Coast University and several civic organizations. My work with state and regional groups  such as chairing the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida  has deepened my passion for shaping policies that protect access to care and support the future of healthcare in our region. I look forward to continuing that work.

Teddy bears and stuffed animals rain down on the ice at Hertz Arena after the Florida Everblades scored a goal on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The Annual Teddy Bear Toss benefits children at Lee Health Golisano Childrens Hospital.

In the meantime, I am grateful to continue leading Lee Health and the teams who care for our community every day and night. Together, we will continue building on our nearly 110year legacy of delivering the leadingedge, compassionate, patientcentered care that our community deserves and expects from Lee Health.

Advertisement Advertisement

More: Lee Health: A Lifesaving Gift  Donate blood this holiday season

And: Lee Health: A decade of wellness  Celebrating the Healthy Life Center

Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Floridas major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee Health: A thoughtful transition; a confident future
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's automotive exports logged a double-digit growth thanks to strong demand for eco-friendly vehicles, government data showed Monday.

Car shipments gained 13.7 percent from a year earlier to 6.41 billion U.S. dollars in November, after sliding in double digits in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

The upturn stemmed from solid demand for eco-friendly sedans, of which the shipments soared 26.3 percent to 2.32 billion dollars last month.

Auto exports to the United States grew 5.1 percent to 2.70 billion dollars, while shipments to Asia and Latin America expanded in double figures to 728 million dollars and 299 million dollars each.

The number of exported vehicles was 236,653 in November, up 5.3 percent from a year earlier. Auto parts shipments tumbled 11.2 percent to 1.57 billion dollars.

The number of vehicles manufactured in local factories grew 2.9 percent to 354,243 in November on a yearly basis.

The number of cars sold inside the country, including locally-made and imported vehicles, was 146,241 in November, down 1.1 percent from a year earlier. 
Sleigh rides in the park, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and ... fireworks? OK, maybe pyrotechnics don't fit into the classic idea of Christmas-time festivities in Michigan.

But if you wanted to, is it legal to set fireworks off on Christmas?

In Michigan, the answer is likely no, as state law grants local communities power over when to allow fireworks with the exception of a few major holidays, Christmas and Christmas Eve not included. A review of local ordinances on fireworks in major Michigan cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and others found no yuletide exceptions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Those looking to light it up in the wintertime aren't completely out of luck, though, as state law allows fireworks to be set off on private property from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1 to celebrate the new year.

When can you legally set off fireworks in Michigan?

As mentioned above, state law grants local governments the authority on when to allow fireworks in their communities. However, there are certain dates that Michigan law allows for fireworks, regardless of local rules:

11 a.m. Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Jan. 1

The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.

June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.

July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday, until 11:45 p.m.

The Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day until 11:45 p.m. on each of those days.

If you're unsure if you live in an area where fireworks are allowed, check with your local government on restrictions. Violating a local firework ordinance can be punishable by a fine up to $1,000.

What kind of fireworks are legal in Michigan?

Michigan law allows for consumer-grade fireworks to be set off on personal property on permissible dates. Consumer-grade fireworks are the pyrotechnics available for purchase at a store, like sparklers, smoke bombs, Roman candles and aerials, which launch up into the air to explode. It's illegal to sell fireworks to a minor in Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

It's against state law to set fireworks off on public property, including schools and sidewalks, as well as churches and another person's private property without their permission. Violating this is punishable by up to a $500 fine.

Aerial fireworks, including Roman candles, cannot be used at Michigan state parks, trails and harbors. However, smaller fireworks like sparklers and fountains are permitted, per the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Tips for firework safety

The DNR shares a handful of tips for having safe fun with fireworks:

Do:

Supervise kids with fireworks and sparklers. Keep fireworks away from your face.

Use fireworks only on a flat paved or gravel surface. Spray down the area with water before you start and when you're done.

Toss used fireworks and sparklers into a bucket of water.

Keep a water source ready to spray embers from fireworks.

Don't:

Don't try to reignite dud fireworks that dont go off. Wait 15 minutes, then place them in a bucket of water.

Don't launch fireworks into forests or fields where dry grass or leaves could ignite.

Is it legal?

"Is it Legal?" a recurring feature on freep.com that aims to help readers understand laws in Michigan and in their communities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Do you have a question about what's legal and what isn't in Michigan? Email isitlegal@freepress.com and we'll investigate for you.

You can reach Arpan at alobo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Is it legal in Michigan to set off fireworks on Christmas?
A new threat assessment for Times Square on New Year's Eve is pointing to lone wolves and small groups.

ABC News has obtained a copy of a report which was compiled by the FBI and Homeland Security. It says domestic extremists and violent actors who support foreign terror groups remain the two most persistent threats.

"Lone offenders remain a particular concern due to their frequent ability to avoid detection until operational," the assessment said. "al-Qa'ida and ISIS, and their supporters, continue to demonstrate an interest in targeting special events in the Homeland, as well as US officials and other perceived enemies."

Advertisement Advertisement

The document said New York remains an "aspirational target" and the Times Square celebration "an opportunity for obstruction and violence" because of its attendance and global audience, estimated at a billion people.

Law enforcement is being told to watch in particular for vehicle-ramming attacks.

The assessment says there are no specific threats.

---------

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More New York City news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube



Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Those living in vulnerable areas, including burn scar zones, are doing everything they can to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding as a storm heads to Southern California this week.

The rain is expected to move in on Tuesday, but the biggest concern is what happens late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

That's when rain could fall fast enough to flood streets, overwhelm storm drains and trigger mud or debris flows, especially near hillsides and recent burn areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

It's expected to be one of those storms where the total rain matters, but how quickly it falls matters even more.

SEE ALSO: Christmas week storm: Timeline of when atmospheric river will hit SoCal

An atmospheric river will bring heavy rain to the Southland, which will be the wettest region in the world during Christmas week. Here's a breakdown of the storm's timing.

Even after the midweek peak, rain is expected to linger.

Showers could continue into Christmas Day and possibly beyond, making way for saturated ground, standing water and conditions that can change fast.

That's why emergency officials are urging people not to wait until the rain is falling to prep.

Advertisement Advertisement

If you live near a hillside, a burn area or a street that floods easily, now is the time to get sandbags, clear storm drains and think about where water tends to go around your home.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service (NWS) say the worst of the storms could hit while you're sleeping overnight, so it's best to prepare while you can.

"There is a high risk of rock and mudslides through those canyon roads, but any canyon mountain, any roadway can see flooding," said Kristan Lund, a meteorologist with the NWS. "We're looking at widespread strong winds Tuesday into Wednesday, with downed trees and power outages possible."

Sandbags are already being distributed at sites in fire-impacted areas.
From their origins in the seedy underbelly of the internet, the white supremacist, anti-Semitic group known as the Groypers has emerged as a disturbing political force.

Republican figures are wary, if not outright scared, of drawing the ire of an army of online trolls who have time to spare and take joy in savaging reputations.



Fact can be hard to separate from fiction when it comes to the groups influence.

But some estimate up to four in 10 young Republicans are Groypers, while Nick Fuentes, its leader, claims his group has sympathisers all over government.

Nick Fuentes, said to be a Hitler-praising firebrand, claims his group has sympathisers all over government - Nicole Hester/Ann Arbor News via AP

Much of the organisations ascendancy can be put down to Fuentes himself, a firebrand media personality who has praised Adolf Hitler, claims he wants a 16-year-old wife, and generally delights in saying the unsayable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Being banned from almost every mainstream platform seems only to have helped his rise, just as being part-Mexican hasnt stopped him from pushing white supremacist views.

JD Vance, the vice-president, may be the only who can rid Fuentes influence from the Republican Party, it is suggested.

Usha, his Indian-American wife, has often been the subject of racist trolling by Fuentes.

JD Vance is the only person who can stop Nick Fuentes and exorcise his influence from the Republican Party, some suggest - Jon Cherry/AP

Groyperism took root some time in the 2010s in the marshy recesses of the internet, and draws its name from Groyper, a racist version of a frog meme featuring a character called Pepe.

It was in 2019, at the tail end of Donald Trumps first term in the White House, that the group started to filter into the political mainstream as it waged the so-called Groyper Wars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Members would pack events run by Charlie Kirks Turning Point USA groups, aggressively questioning figures they viewed as tracking too close to the political mainstream. Donald Trump Jr was heckled off the stage at an event promoting his new book.

Brian Levin, an extremism expert at the Centre for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, noted Fuentes talent at tapping into the discontent felt by many young men.

It just feels right for those males who feel theyve been stepped on for too long, he said, although he condemned the podcaster as a bigoted carnival barker and racist Wizard of Oz.

Michelle Malkin is said to shown public support for Nick Fuentes - NurPhoto via Getty

Many others would help build the Groypers into the force they later became, like Patrick Casey, the former leader of the white nationalist American Identity Movement (AIM), who connected Fuentes to the wider white nationalist movement, and Michelle Malkin, the Right-wing commentator who promoted him as a leader of the America First movement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Some, like Mr Casey, who accused Fuentes of fostering a cult-like atmosphere, eventually split from the group and denounced the Groyper leader in the process.

But it is still his show: quite literally. America First with Nicholas J Fuentes gets hundreds of thousands of views per episode on Rumble, almost the only platform which will still host him, branding itself immune to cancel culture.

Soft launch

Not that he has anywhere really left to go. Fuentes has been banned from YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch and Spotify, along with payment services including PayPal, Venmo, Patreon and Stripe.

So it was notable, last month, when the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson chose to interview him on his podcast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Many called it a soft launch: one of the biggest names in Maga conservatism sitting down for a convivial chat with someone whom much of the Right has kept at arms length

Just over a week later, Fuentes popped up again on Piers Morgan Uncensored. The interview, in which Morgan mocked the 27-year-old self-proclaimed virgin, was less friendly, but it was another sign of Groyperism creeping into the fringes of the mainstream.

Mr Trump defended Carlsons decision to host the racist podcaster. If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes, I dont know much about him, but if he wants to do it, get the word out, the US president said.

Thank you, Mr President! Fuentes responded on X, one of the rare platforms he can still use thanks to the intervention of its owner, Elon Musk.

Potent political force

The Groyper leader is beyond the pale for most of America, but there are some figures within the Republican Party who will stomach him. They are perhaps fearful of his influence  or genuine sympathisers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Fuentes and his movement of like-minded young people are a potent political force, not because the views are popular in wider society but because theyve been able to garner sympathy and exert pressure on power players in the Republican Party, said Jared Holt, an expert in Groyperism.

I am sceptical that his fanbase is actually growing at this moment, but he is successfully earning the attention of decision makers in Washington, who appear fearful of attracting the anger of his fans.

Rod Dreher, the conservative writer and a friend of Mr Vance, suggests up to 40 per cent of Republican staffers under the age of 30 are Groypers, citing multiple accounts of DC insiders.

Senator Ted Cruz is concerned with his own party for tolerating a Hitler fan - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty

Ted Cruz, the Texas senator, has sounded frustrated with his own party, warning those who say nothing to someone who says Adolf Hitler was very, very cool are complicit in that evil.

Advertisement Advertisement

Nick Fuentes hateful rhetoric is dangerous and has no place in our public discourse, Roz Rothstein, chief executive of the pro-Israel group StandWithUs, told The Telegraph.

His shameful comments must be unequivocally rejected by all people of good faith, particularly those within his own party, because silence in the face of extremism only empowers it.

And many fear senior figures in the party, wary of the Groypers bare-knuckle approach, will stand back and stand by as its influence among younger Republicans increasingly takes hold.

Conservative writer Rod Dreher reckons only JD Vance can keep the Groypers from taking over the Right - Geoff Pugh

Mr Dreher believes the vice-president, as the Republicans heir apparent, is the only figure in this country who can keep the racist, Nazi-positive Groyper movement from taking over the Right.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Vance needs to condemn them without dismissing the legitimacy of the despair that drives young men into their ranks, he argued.

Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist, agrees with that tactic and suggests the move could only help Mr Vances presidential ambitions.

It would be nothing but beneficial for JD Vance, he said.

Groypers arent 50 losers in their basements, but theyre also not an organised political force in early nominating states like Iowa or New Hampshire, he said.

I recognise the disagreements the party is having but I dont think Nick is a part of that national conversation, Mr Bartlett added.

Total loser

He compared Fuentes to Milo Yiannopoulos, the Right-wing provocateur, whose popularity among Republicans quickly fizzled out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Others put David Duke, the former KKK grand wizard, in that conversation too.

Mr Vance has little love for Fuentes, who repeatedly mocks the vice-presidents weight and hurls racist attacks at his wife.

But although he last year called the 27-year-old a total loser who has no place in the Maga movement, he has also suggested the best response is to ignore the Groypers.

One Republican strategist, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals by the group, said the same.

Nick Fuentes wants JD Vance to attack him, he said. Youre just going to feed into his business plan, which is creating chaos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Vance also keeps a watchful eye on the youth vote and in October defended a leaked Young Republicans Telegram chat, in which users praised Hitler, cracked jokes about gas chambers and called black people monkeys.

Kids do stupid things, he said of the group. Some of them were in their 30s and held posts in local, state and federal government. The offending members of the group chat have since left the Young Republicans movement.

It may not be a fight Mr Vance is looking for as he navigates a perilous course towards the Republican presidential nomination and tries to hold together Mr Trumps Maga base.

But Fuentes apparent dislike for the vice-president and relish for scorched earth tactics means its a fight hes likely to get anyway.

For some, it wont come a moment too soon.

Groyperism is a threat, but it is a manageable one at this point, Mr Dreher said. It wont be forever.
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked the island nation of Papua New Guinea on Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake struck at 10:31 a.m. UTC (5:31 a.m. ET) in the city of Goroka, the USGS reported.

Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. It's located just north of Australia.

So far, no tsunami warning has been issued for the region.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Papua New Guinea on Monday morning, December 22, 2025, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at 10:31 a.m. UTC (5:31 a.m. ET), the USGS reported.

Goroka is "a thriving busy city" with about 25,000 residents, and a major coffee producing region of the country renown for its Goroka Show and Goroka Coffee Festival, according to information from UN Habitat.

Advertisement Advertisement

As of early Monday, no injuries or damage had been immediately reported by local emergency officials.

Denmark summons US ambassador: Trump appoints Greenland special envoy

Earthquake registered nearly 68 miles deep

Data provided by USGS showed the earthquake was just over 68 miles deep.

Officials of the Banda Aceh prison examine the damage to a wall a day after an 8.6 magnitude earthquake hit the west coast of Indonesia in Banda Aceh on April 11, 2012. The 1906 EcuadorColombia Earthquake was recorded as a 8.8 magnitude earthquake. A magnitude 8.7 earthquake in the Rat Islands, which is part of the Aleutian Islands in southwestern Alaska struck on Feb. 4, 1965. An 8.6 magnitude earthquake struck Assam, Tibet, on Aug. 15, 1950. The Maule Earthquake struck Chile on Feb. 27, 2010. It was measured as a 8.8 magnitude earthquake. The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake struck off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The 9.0 magnitude earthquake resulted in a tsunami. This image shows a flooded Street on Midway Island. Two women walk through the rubble and devastation on March 20, 2011, in Rikuzentakata, Japan, after the Tohoku Earthquake. On March 11, 2011, the 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck and triggered a tsunami wave of up to 10 meters which engulfed large parts of north-eastern Japan. The 2004 Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami, also called the Indian Ocean Earthquake, is the third largest earthquake ever recorded. This aerial view shows Meulaboh, Indonesia, under water on Dec. 28, 2004, after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and tidal waves hit Aceh province early on Dec. 26, 2004. The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, also known as the Prince William Sound Earthquake, struck Alaska on March 28, 1964. The 9.2 magnitude earthquake originated in Prince William Sound and is the second largest earthquake ever recorded. This photo shows the damage to Seward, Alaska, as a result of the earthquake and the resulting tsunamis that also spread burning oil throughout the town. A boat and the roofs of homes are seen sitting on the ground. Valdivia Earthquake was a 9.5 magnitude earthquake that rocked Chile on May 22, 1960. It is the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. This image from June 5, 1960, shows the remains of Corral harbour, in the province of Valdivia, Chile, after the earthquake and the tidal waves that struck the area. Top 10 largest earthquakes around the world since 1900 1 of 10 Officials of the Banda Aceh prison examine the damage to a wall a day after an 8.6 magnitude earthquake hit the west coast of Indonesia in Banda Aceh on April 11, 2012.

Earthquake magnitudes

Here are the effects of earthquakes of various magnitudes, according to Michigan Technological University:

Below 2.5: Generally not felt

2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage

5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings

6.1 to 6.9: Serious damage

7.0 to 7.9: Major earthquake, serious damage

8.0 or greater: Massive damage, can destroy communities

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Papua New Guinea struck by magnitude 6.5 earthquake
The originally reported luring of a child in Ridgewood turned out to be a "misunderstanding" where no malicious act was intended, officials said.

Ridgewood police were investigating a report of an attempted luring of a child that occurred on Dec. 21.

Officers responded at about 11:37 a.m. to a residence on Ellington Road after receiving a report that a man in a silver vehicle stopped in front of a home and offered candy to a child who was playing in the front yard, police said in a statement posted to the department's social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

The person who reported the luring and child provided a description of the person and the vehicle to the police, which led officers to start the investigation. Police then located the person who was involved in the interaction with the child.

After interviewing everyone involved, officials concluded the investigation saying the interaction and report came from a "miscommunication," according to the Ridgewood Police Department.

"The individuals intent was confirmed to be non-malicious and no criminal activity occurred," police said in an updated post on Facebook.

It was originally reported that an adult from the residence quickly made their presence known, prompting the suspect to flee the area without making further contact with the child, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Police also reminded residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Attempted luring in Ridgewood was 'misunderstanding,' police say
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey on Monday denounced the U.S. Department of the Interiors decision to issue a stop-work order on five offshore wind projectsincluding Vineyard Wind 1that are near completion.

The move, Healey asserts, would hurt consumers and threaten local jobs.

Energy costs are already too high. It makes absolutely no sense for the Trump Administration to halt construction on a project that is bringing more affordable energy to our region. This puts people out of work during the holidays, Healey said in a statement shared with Boston 25 News. Vineyard Wind has been producing power for a year, bringing down costs for residents and businesses, while creating nearly 4,000 jobs right here in Massachusetts.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump administration said the pause will give the Interior Department, which oversees offshore wind, time to work with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess the possible ways to mitigate any security risks posed by the projects.

Healey called the move dangerous and unlawful.

Vineyard Wind turbine departs New Bedford

FILE - Three wind turbines from Deepwater Wind stand in the water off Block Island, R.I, the nation's first offshore wind farm, Aug. 15, 2016. Another planned offshore wind farm, by Revolution Wind, moved a step closer to construction on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, with the Department of the Interior announcing it has approved the project, to be located in federal waters about 15 miles southeast of Point Judith, R.I, and south of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Advertisement Advertisement

Construction of the nations first large-scale wind farm now underway off the Massachusetts coast

Advertisement Advertisement

Donald Trump should be embracing an all-of-the-above approach to American energy, not shutting down critical sources like wind, Healey said. It is dangerous to halt construction in the middle of a project, and I will stand up against this unlawful action by the Trump Administration to protect Massachusetts ratepayers and workers. We are working closely with impacted states and developers to ensure the projects are completed and continue to provide affordable power to our communities.

In addition to Vineyard Wind 1, the administration said leases are also paused for Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and two projects in New York: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the car explosion site on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow, Russia. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee said. According to the committee, an explosive device was planted under a car and detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning. Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from injuries. An investigation has been launched into the murder, with authorities examining multiple possible motives, including alleged involvement by Ukrainian special services, it said. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

MOSCOW, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

According to the committee, an explosive device was planted under a car and detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning. Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the murder, with authorities examining multiple possible motives, including alleged involvement by Ukrainian special services, it said. 

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the car explosion site on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow, Russia. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

According to the committee, an explosive device was planted under a car and detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning. Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the murder, with authorities examining multiple possible motives, including alleged involvement by Ukrainian special services, it said. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the car explosion site on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow, Russia. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

According to the committee, an explosive device was planted under a car and detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning. Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the murder, with authorities examining multiple possible motives, including alleged involvement by Ukrainian special services, it said. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the car explosion site on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow, Russia. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

According to the committee, an explosive device was planted under a car and detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning. Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the murder, with authorities examining multiple possible motives, including alleged involvement by Ukrainian special services, it said. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025 shows the car explosion site on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow, Russia. Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

According to the committee, an explosive device was planted under a car and detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday morning. Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the murder, with authorities examining multiple possible motives, including alleged involvement by Ukrainian special services, it said. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)
Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie isn't satisfied with the U.S. Department of Justice's release of the files related to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And hes planning to do something about it.

The DOJ on Dec. 19 released photos and hundreds of thousands of documents about Epstein, who pleaded guilty to state charges in 2008 and was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. But not all the documents were disclosed, and many of them that were are heavily redacted.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Kentucky congressman said Attorney General Pam Bondi is "breaking the law" and hes dissatisfied with the incomplete and redacted files. Alongside Democratic U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, who represents California, Massie is drafting "inherent contempt" charges against Bondi and wants to fine her for not complying with the law.

.@RepThomasMassie & I announce that we are bringing inherent contempt against Bondi. DOJ cowers & re-releases the 119 page document, now with "minimal redactions."



Massie & I are different.



We do not just do memes or speeches.



We take action to fight a corrupt system. https://t.co/seH4Ipjdv6  Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) December 21, 2025

Massie and Khanna led the charge for the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the DOJ to release all the Epstein files by Dec. 19. While President Donald Trump had initial opposed the act, he signed the bill into law after it passed Congress.

Not all of the documents were released by the deadline, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said it could take several weeks to produce the remaining documents because lawyers are still sifting through materials, according to reporting from USA Today.

The law lets the Justice Department withhold documents that name victims, portray child sex abuse or that could hurt criminal prosecutions. However, records cannot be withheld, delayed or redacted "on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Passing an inherent contempt" resolution would require a simple majority of the U.S. House. That would require some Republicans to vote in favor, as there are 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats in the chamber.

Massie and Khanna appeared on CBS News's "Face the Nation" Dec. 21, where Massie said the measure would fine Bondi "for every day that shes not releasing these documents."

"The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, and that doesn't require going through the courts and  basically Ro Khanna and I are talking about and drafting that right now," Massie said.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Massie plans to bring inherent contempt charges against AG Bondi
The clock is ticking on the five days that Mayor Brandon Johnson has to decide whether or not he is going to veto the alternate budget passed by Chicago City Council on Saturday.

So far, he has remained mum on the matter, other than calling the proposal morally bankrupt. One of the items in the budget that he is against is the legalization of video gaming.

Nearly 50,000 video gaming terminals are in use in bars, restaurants and other businesses across Illinois today.

Advertisement Advertisement

But those terminals are not in Chicago, where they have remained illegal. That could soon change if, and it is still a big if, the budget approved by 30 alderpersons on Saturday becomes law.

"I border the suburbs. You could go to a pizza place in my ward, and right across the street, you could go to the same pizza place, and you could play video games. So, my businesses have been crying for it," said 38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato.

Johnson opposes video gaming as it was approved. His budget proposal would limit terminals to Chicago Midway International Airport.

Bally's, whose temporary location at the Medinah Temple has been underperforming, also opposes legalization, saying video gaming terminals have already cut into casino profits elsewhere across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Those losses they say, could soon become the city's, partly because the Chicago's share of the pie would also be lower, especially once Bally's permanent location in River West is opened.

According to state law, the city gets around 22% of all revenue generated from casinos, but only around 5% of the money earned by VGTs.

"Bally's staffs to demand. If we're seeing fewer people come into the casino, we hire fewer people," said Bally's Governmental Relations Vice President Elizabeth Suever. "You're spreading these machines all over the city in ways that doesn't create jobs, but is also returning a far smaller percentage of the revenues back to the city."

Several alderpersons told ABC7 on Monday that they believe they have the 34 votes needed to override a mayoral veto if it comes. A meeting of the full city council was preemptively scheduled just in case.

Advertisement Advertisement

"I hope we hear soon. This is very important for the stability of our colleagues in the city, city workers. We want to make sure they know what's happening as we go into the holiday season," said 39th Ward Ald. Samantha Nugent. "We do believe we have the votes to override a veto. You know, I think this really comes down on stability for the city."

For now, it all hinges on the mayor's signature. Earlier Monday, a spokesperson for the mayor's office did not give anything away, and simply said they will have an update during their regular press availability at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Megyn Kelly said there are times when she still looks to the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk for advice following his death in September.

Speaking to far-right activist Jack Posobiec at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix on Friday, Dec. 19, Kelly, 55, mentioned Erika Kirk's recent sit-down with conservative podcaster Candace Owens, claiming that Erika had called her to ask if she wanted to moderate the conversation.

Erika, 37, and Owens, 36, met on Monday, Dec. 15, and ended up having a 4 1/2-hour-long discussion, the latter shared on X at the time. In recent months, Owens has been sharing multiple conspiracy theories about who was responsible for Charlie's death, which has allegedly caused a rift between the two, per CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Kelly spoke about the supposed "feud" between Erika and Owens during her SiriusXM show last week, insisting, "It's been going on now for a while," before giving her take on the whole thing.

She then said during Friday's TPUSA event, I've prayed so many times to Charlie, and to God, to give me the right guidance on how to handle this whole thing..." mentioning that there has been a "fracture" within the conservative party amid the tensions.

Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Megyn Kelly speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025 Megyn Kelly speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025

Earlier in her Q&A with Posobiec, Kelly paid tribute to Charlie, saying, "I miss him so much  he was always so great."

"He always knew exactly what question to ask, how to get you up and down in a story. He had a very good judgment for what was interesting to the audience too and was always so generous with his time and, you know, his approach," Kelly continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

The political commentator went on, "So that of course I'm going to miss, but I can't believe it's been three months. In some ways it feels like yesterday and in some ways it feels like another lifetime that we've seen him, right?"

TPUSA's AmericaFest event began on Thursday, Dec. 18, and concluded on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Meghan McCarthy / USA TODAY NETWORK Charlie Kirk speaks to Megyn Kelly during the Turning Point Action general session in West Palm Beach, Florida in July 2023 Charlie Kirk speaks to Megyn Kelly during the Turning Point Action general session in West Palm Beach, Florida in July 2023

Ahead of the conference, a recreation of the booth in which TPUSA founder, Charlie, was shot and killed, was installed as a photo op for attendees.

At the time he was fatally shot on Sept. 10, the 31-year-old was manning his signature "Prove Me Wrong" table as part of his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University.

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.

Brandy Zadrozny of MS NOW reported from the conference, "This is a recreation of the tent where Charlie Kirk lost his life at Utah Valley University in September, and people are taking selfies with it," adding, "You can see all around, people are saying like, 'For Charlie,' they're wearing replicas of the shirt that Charlie Kirk was wearing when he was killed."

Advertisement Advertisement

The second thing that's happening is really a passing of the torch, Zadrozny continued.

And that torch, as you mentioned, was being passed to his widow, Erika Kirk. Erika Kirk is now in charge of a political organization that brought in $100 million and that, you know, Donald Trump and JD Vance credit [it] with swinging some of the youth vote to Donald Trump, she added, referring to Erika becoming TPUSA's CEO.

Following a manhunt for the suspect after the shooting in September, Tyler Robinson, 22, was later taken into custody, and is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with the late right-wing political commentator's death.



Read the original article on People
In an unexpected series of events in mid-November, Congress easily approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, giving the Justice Department just 30 days to disclose voluminous evidence related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The intended goal was to force full transparency by Friday, December 19.

As the deadline arrived, proponents had reason to be disappointed: Donald Trumps DOJ, facing accusations of a systemic cover-up, released a variety of documents late last week, but the disclosures were incomplete; the materials were heavily redacted; and then the Justice Department subsequently removed a handful of photos from its online collection, including one showing Trump with unidentified women.

Among the many questions on the table is what the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act intend to do next. The answer is quickly coming into focus. NBC News reported:

Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said Sunday they are committed to holding Justice Department officials accountable for their failure to release all eligible Jeffrey Epstein files by Fridays deadline, saying theyre speaking with members of Congress about holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt.

The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, the Kentucky Republican said on CBS Face the Nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

While theres some recent precedent for people facing contempt of Congress charges (see Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, for example), inherent contempt isnt quite the same thing.

In theory, Khanna and Massie could try pushing a resolution to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress, but in practice, such an effort would almost certainly end in failure: Not only would the measure need approval from the Senate, but it would also go to the Justice Department for possible prosecution. The idea that Bondi would allow her own team to prosecute her is unrealistic.

Inherent contempt proceedings in the House, however, can be approved by majority rule in the chamber; they would not need the Senates or the presidents approval; and, perhaps most importantly, they wouldnt require the administration for enforcement.

Instead, under this approach, Khanna and Massie are eyeing a plan in which House members would vote to punish the attorney general themselves. Its theoretically possible that their resolution could call on the House sergeant at arms to try to arrest Bondi, but its far more likely that it will seek to impose financial penalties on the attorney general unless and until she agrees to full transparency on the Epstein files.

Advertisement Advertisement

If inherent contempt resolutions sound unfamiliar, its because theyre quite rare. There was some talk among GOP lawmakers last year about targeting then-Attorney General Merrick Garland with such a measure  they wanted audio recordings of Joe Biden they could use in the presidential race  but the effort fell short.

To find an example of the House actually pulling the trigger on this maneuver, one has to go back to 1934, when the Senate sergeant at arms arrested William MacCracken, the first federal aviation regulator, who refused to participate in a congressional investigation. (Its kind of a long story.)

As for whether the GOP-led House in the coming weeks might actually pass such a resolution against Trumps attorney general, its too soon to say with confidence. Four House Republicans broke ranks on the discharge petition on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but one (Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene) is set to resign in two weeks, and its far from clear whether any GOP members, other than Massie, will endorse such a bold move against Bondi.

Watch this space.

The post Members eye inherent contempt against Bondi after incomplete Epstein disclosures appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has assured the victims and relatives of the attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market of the government's continued support.

"We stand by your side, today and in the future. And if there is a lack of support, then we are still called upon today to correct and improve this," the conservative politician said at a memorial event one year after the incident.

In shared mourning, there could be comfort and strength, he said. However, Merz stressed, "Anger and fury are also permissible in the face of cruel crimes, like this one was."

Advertisement Advertisement

He said that Germany is a country "that values nothing higher than the individual, each person, than the life of a human being."

It is about offering unconditional sympathy where injustice occurs, standing together where violence erupts, and persistently supporting those who experience violence, Merz said.
School districts across the Valley are downsizing, repurposing buildings or closing schools entirely to adapt to shifting demographics.

Declining birth rates, the growth of Arizona's school voucher program, and high home prices are among the reasons districts cite for declining student numbers.

Closing schools can be the most effective solution for districts to address budget shortfalls as a result of fewer students, but closures present significant challenges. In Kyrene School District, school closures meant separating families between two different schools and forcing students to leave behind trusted teachers and friends.

Advertisement Advertisement

School closures are typically a last resort for the district, according to Matthew Strom, superintendent of Mesa Public Schools. Mesa Public Schools is the largest district in Arizona with over 53,000 students across 82 schools. To stave off school closures, the district is leasing its land and partnering with community groups and businesses to address budget shortfalls.

However, not every school district in the Valley has been able to avoid this trend.

Roosevelt Elementary School District closes five schools

In Dec. 2024, Roosevelt Elementary School District voted to close five schools by the 2025-26 school year. According to Dani Portillo, the districts superintendent, the closures were in response to a years-long trend of declining enrollment and a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

The district closed Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Maxine O. Bush Elementary, C.J. Jorgensen Academy of Service Learning, V.H. Lassen Academy of Science and Nutrition and John R. Davis Elementary.

Advertisement Advertisement

The district planned to repurpose Lassen, Davis and Jorgensen and reopen Bush as a magnet school for either the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school year. District officials said they also hope to turn MLK Jr. into an early childhood center.

Cave Creek Unified School District closes one school

In Feb. 2025, Cave Creek Unified School District decided to close Desert Sun Academy in July of that year.

The school district lost about a quarter of its students over the past five years, partially due to the expansion of Arizonas universal voucher program.

Before the voucher program was expanded in 2022 to all Arizona students, about 100 kids living in Cave Creek Unified's boundaries received vouchers. That number has since ballooned to about 1,000, according to state data.

Phoenix Elementary School District closes two schools

In March 2025, the Phoenix Elementary School District announced it will have to close schools to avoid being taken over by the state. The board voted unanimously to close two elementary schools: Heard Elementary and Dunbar School the following school year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Enrollment has declined by nearly 29% over the past decade due to "lower birth rates, limited affordable housing, and a decrease in families" in downtown Phoenix, according to the district.

Dunbar School was built in 1925 specifically for Black students during a policy of school segregation. The school is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Phoenix Historic Property Register.

Scottsdale Unified School District announces two school closures

In Dec. 2025, Scottsdale Unified School District school board decided to close two elementary schools, Pima Elementary School and Echo Canyon Elementary School, citing shifting demographics as part of the reason for the closures.

Scottsdale Unifieds demographic study found that multifamily housing thats being built in south Scottsdale  where Pima and Echo Canyon are located  is unlikely to attract families.

Advertisement Advertisement

The board announced plans to repurpose the schools and assign new boundaries for the district.

Kyrene School District closes six schools

In Dec. 2025, Kyrene School District voted to close six schools by the 2027-28 school year, making it the first time the district has closed a school in its 137-year history.

The districts decision was spurred by a steady decline in enrollment for over two decades, with an estimated $7 million funding loss over the next five years due to the decline.

Three elementary schools will be closing in the upcoming 2026-27 school year: Kyrene de la Colina, Kyrene de la Estrella, and Kyrene de las Manitas. Kyrene Traditional Academy, Kyrene Akimel A-al and Kyrene del Pueblo will close in the 2027-28 school year.

Reporters Madeleine Parrish and Alexandra Hardle contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Which Arizona school districts are closing schools in 2026?
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at Dec. 21, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 5-3-6

Evening: 8-7-7

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 9-6-1-3

Evening: 7-5-1-1

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

11-24-27-38-46, Lucky Ball: 15

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

JC-3C-4C-6H-2S

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

10-11-19-24-31

Advertisement Advertisement

03-05-14-16-30

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

01-02-03-06-07-12-24-26-29-30-36-37-44-46-53-56-57-67-68-75-78-79

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

Advertisement Advertisement

Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

Advertisement Advertisement

Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 21, 2025
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Former Vice President Mike Pence did not mince words about the mass exodus from the influential Heritage Foundation to his own group, Advancing American Freedom, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Monday.

The Journal reported that AAF was slated to hire about 15 of Heritages employees including several of its prominent leaders on Monday, and Pence told the outlet that he believes Heritage has fallen and abandoned its principles in recent years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Why these people are coming our way is that Heritage and some other voices and commentators have embraced big-government populism and have been willing to tolerate antisemitism, submitted Pence.

From the story:

Among those joining AAF are John Malcolm, the head of the foundations legal and judicial studies center, Kevin Dayaratna, the head of the foundations data analysis center and Richard Stern, the director of the foundations economic policy studies institute. AAF said it is bringing on about a dozen other staff members. Malcolm is taking seven members of his centers team.

Edwin Meese, the conservative legal elder who served as Ronald Reagans attorney general, also announced that AAF will house the Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law. Heritages own legal studies center is presently named after Meese.

The high-profile departures from Heritage are part of the continued fallout from Heritage President Kevin Robertss fiery defense of Tucker Carlsons chummy interview with Nick Fuentes, during which he condemned Carlsons venomous critics. Roberts later walked back his comments, but the weeks since have nevertheless seen three members of Heritages board of trustees resign.

Advertisement Advertisement

One of those former board members, Abby Spencer Moffat, argued that Heritages handling of recent challenges reveals a drift from the principles that once defined its leadership in her resignation letter.

When an institution hesitates to confront harmful ideas and allows lapses in judgment to stand, it forfeits the moral authority on which its influence depends, continued Moffat, who said she could not remain on a board unwilling or unable to meet this moment with the clarity and courage it requires.

The post Mike Pence Slams the Fallen Heritage Foundation Amid Mass Exodus to His Own Think Tank first appeared on Mediaite.
Then-Gov. Jim Justice speaks at the groundbreaking of the Charles Calvin Rogers Veterans Nursing Facility in Beckley, West Virginia on Oct. 23, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Jim Justice)

On a sunny fall day in 2023, then-Gov. Jim Justice pushed a silver shovel into the ground, ceremoniously throwing dirt in the air to celebrate the groundbreaking of a veterans nursing home in Beckley, West Virginia.

This facility is long, long overdue, Justice said in an interview at the event. Honest to goodness, this one I wanted really bad.

Advertisement Advertisement

At the request of Justice, state lawmakers set aside around $23 million in 2021 for the facility. Federal Veterans Affairs funds were supposed to pay for the rest of the project.

Construction was expected to be completed by 2025.

Now, the site remains empty. Nothing has been built due to missing federal funds from the VA.

Justice, a Republican now serving in the U.S. Senate, is frustrated by the situation, his spokesperson told West Virginia Watch.

The issue has been raised with the VA, Will OGrady, communications director for Justice, said Dec. 17. Its not going away until we get a firm answer.

Advertisement Advertisement

The facility was supposed to house 90 to 120 veterans in four separate communities on-site. It would include a library, chapel, physical therapy room and a unit dedicated specifically to veterans battling dementia and Alzheimers disease.

Then-Gov. Jim Justice attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Charles Calvin Rogers Veterans Nursing Facility in Beckley, West Virginia, on Oct. 23, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Jim Justice)

Then-Gov. Jim Justice attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Charles Calvin Rogers Veterans Nursing Facility in Beckley, West Virginia, on Oct. 23, 2023.



The project was initially expected to cost $44 million.



  Although earmarked as a Priority 1 project within the VAs State Home Construction Grant Program, the federal money hasnt been released, Randy Coleman, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance, said in an email.

Coleman said there were a high number of Tier 1 projects also awaiting federal funding.

Advertisement Advertisement

The VA hasnt given us  or any other state, I am told  an indication of when funding might be disbursed, he said.



So far, $3.2 million has been spent designing the nursing home, state Department of Veterans Assistance Secretary Ryan Kennedy told lawmakers in February.

In 2023, Justice ceremoniously signed architectural and engineering contracts with SFCS Architects and Thrasher Engineering to oversee the architectural and engineering work for the Beckley facility. The companies didnt return inquires about the project.

Daniel Hall, a Raleigh County commissioner, served in the state Legislature while Beckley-area lawmakers worked to bring a VA nursing home to Southern West Virginia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Im surprised that the feds havent stepped up to do their part. Were supplying our match, and why are they not doing theirs? he asked.

Renderings of the proposed Charles Calvin Rogers State Veterans Nursing Facility in Beckley, West Virginia, by SFCS Architects and Thrasher Engineering. ( Renderings courtesy of the State of West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance)

Beckley lawmakers asked for VA nursing home more than a decade ago

More than a decade ago, veterans told lawmakers that a Beckley nursing home was needed. In the aging state, West Virginias only VA nursing home is in Clarksburg.

I know theres a lot of [veterans] who worked on this have since passed on, Hall said. Maybe their work wont be in vain.

In 2014, state senators passed a bill mandating the construction of the facility. The veterans nursing home would sit adjacent to Jackie Withrow Hospital.

The Legislature finds that nearly 200,000 veterans in this state have distinguished themselves with the highest level of participation per capita of any state in the wars fought by this nation, the legislation said.   An aging veterans population which suffers from wartime disabilities and illnesses are, or will be, in need of skilled nursing care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed the bill into law, but it didnt come with any funding. Years passed without any movement on the project.

Then, Justice made it a passion project and, with the Legislatures support in 2021, he earmarked millions in the budget bill that would serve as a match for federal grant dollars to build the facility.

We just thought for sure it was going to happen. Obviously, it wasnt. Hall said.

And money from a 2016 bill that generated taxes on certain high-powered fireworks was also supposed to help pay for the Beckley VA nursing home.

OGrady said Justice would continue looking to the holdup on needed federal funding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Justice, while governor, said in 2023 the new nursing facility would mean the world to our veterans and their families who have needed this facility in Southern West Virginia for a long time.

The hospital will be named in honor of a Vietnam Veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Charles Calvin Rogers, who died in 1990.

President Richard Nixon awarded Rogers, a Fayette County native, the Medal of Honor in 1970, making him the highest ranking African American servicemember to receive the honor.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
SIDON, Mississippi  Malissa Whitehead is known for making tea cakes and blueberry pies during the holidays  but as Christmas approaches, shes uneasy about baking anything in the house shes lived in for 40 years.

The kitchen ceiling wood is peeling, revealing small holes and chipped paint. On the outside, the roof is covered with black plastic tarp. It leaks during every storm.

When a tornado swept through Sidon, Mississippi, more than a decade ago, Whiteheads home was among the casualties. Inside, the walls are still exposed and the cracks reveal the homes rocky foundation. In every room, the unstable floors, boarded up with wood, creak and sink with every step. The 61-year-old works two jobs and only makes $1,200 a month, and has spent thousands of dollars on costly repairs that dont seem to last.

Outside Whiteheads home, storm damage from a tornado more than 10 years ago is still evident. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B)



Advertisement Advertisement

One day soon, she fears the house will collapse while shes in it.

My neighbor said, Yall better come out there before that house fall on you. That scared me even more because it looks like its split open, Whitehead told Capital B.

For many Black families, homeownership represents the American dream and a pathway to generational wealth  but for some, like Whitehead, that dream has become a prolonged struggle for survival.

For at least 10 years, she has tried to get housing grants through her local government, written letters to state and congressional leaders, and even reached out to celebrities to no avail. She said she reached out to Oprah Winfrey, Steve Harvey, Ellen DeGeneres, and the reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She also tagged Rickey Smiley, Tyler Perry, and Morgan Freeman in Facebook posts. Now, she faces an agonizing choice: let it all go or be displaced. Determined not to leave the place she calls home, where her children, sister, and mother live, she is turning to her community, asking for help to rebuild and hold on to what remains of her American dream.

Advertisement Advertisement

Across the tracks, where Whitehead lives, many of the homes are dilapidated in Sidon, a majority-Black town of 300 people south of Greenwood. As she rides past a row of houses, she points at the ones that are boarded up one by one. People still live there.

In rural areas, households are taking home lower wages than their more affluent neighbors and live in persistent poverty counties, or places with a long history of high poverty.

Research suggests people living in high poverty areas experience significant barriers to well-being whether or not theyre poor themselves, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The longer poverty exists in an area, the more likely the community lacks adequate infrastructure and support services.

Whiteheads co-worker, Brandice Brown-Williams, a teacher at Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, created a GoFundMe for her, which has raised $6,521. She also published a video of the unsafe housing conditions, which has 2,300 views and 1,000 shares. After learning of Whiteheads quality of life earlier this year, Brown-Williams knew more needed to be done than writing letters to elected officials to get immediate help.

Advertisement Advertisement

But, Whitehead said she felt ashamed to ask others for support. It gave her anxiety and made her physically ill, she said. Until her pastor encouraged her to do it.

He said, Whitehead, I see your house. Youre not begging. I thought itd be begging, she said. When I got that confirmation from him, then thats what made me feel much better. When people I saw started embracing me, and praying for me, thats what lifted me up.

Brown-Williams acknowledged Whiteheads courage to speak out.

This is one of our elders, whos working two jobs to pay her bills and is scared to sleep in her own home at night, Brown-Williams said. We still have a great number of people in our community that are living below the poverty line in 2025 that work. Thats an issue.

The other side of homeownership

Malissa Whitehead gives a tour of her house. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B)

Advertisement Advertisement

By the time the straight-line winds hit Mississippi in 2011, Whitehead had no home insurance.

A super outbreak of tornadoes spread across the Southeast, killing more than 320 people and injuring more than 3,200 others. In Mississippi, the disaster resulted in 30 injuries and a fatality. The state received two of the four EF5 tornadoes, the highest category on the scale used to rate tornado intensity.

The winds, running at 80 mph, snapped trees and tore off shingles and roofs on homes and churches in Leflore County, where Sidon is located. When the winds hit Sidon, it uprooted and snapped a couple dozen trees  some falling on houses  as it moved to the northeast.

One of those homes belonged to Whitehead.

Advertisement Advertisement

The front porch fell in and the foundation cracked, she said. She recalled receiving about $2,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and a few repairs, but it didnt help much. She has tried to get assistance from the town government in the past, but couldnt because her sister Johnnie Neal was the mayor.

In the absence of funding, Whitehead has tried to keep her house from falling  using metal blocks here and boards there to sturdy the foundation. Shes endured cold winter nights, and creepy crawlers roaming around her home. One day she found two possums in her bedroom.

Shes not the only one enduring such living conditions.

Many families are living in homes without floors and are literally walking on the ground, said Neal, who served as mayor for 16 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

During her tenure, which ended this year, its been more difficult to improve housing, she said. The town has received some grant money to build or rehabilitate homes, but it hasnt been enough.

Oftentimes, the grants  from Mississippi Home Corp. or the United States Department of Agriculture  arent guaranteed. Some years, theyd receive enough to improve one or two homes. Other times, they didnt get approved because funding may not be available that year or due to the competitiveness of the grants, which puts small towns at a disadvantage.

She said shes sounded the alarm to the grant providers, but they responded with: Good application, but we just didnt have enough money.

It just broke me down. I would be crying for the town because families need [help], Neal said in a phone call. Sometimes people dont see this firsthand. They dont have a clue how they are living. Its heartbreaking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Of the more than 300 persistent poverty counties in the U.S., 86% were rural and concentrated in poor areas, including the Mississippi Delta, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. It is more dire for Black and Native rural residents. In Sidon, which is situated in the Delta, about 25% of people live below the poverty line and the median income is $15,000.

The residents search nearby cities to find employment.

Only 300 people live in Sidon, Mississippi, alongside a post office, a community center, and a few churches. (Aallyah Wright/Capital B)

Today in Sidon, theres only a post office, a community center, and a few churches in town. Although there are recent reports of Delta Grain, a grain elevator and merchandiser, expanding to the town, it wont be enough to lift the residents out of poverty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres a model that, if you follow it, youll be successful. You matriculate through school, you go to college, you get a degree, you get a job, you own a home, you raise a family, you retire, Brown-Williams said. That model is perfectly fine, but lets be real, thats not realistic for Black folks in the Delta.

Since 2000, Whitehead has worked full time at her alma mater Amanda Elzy High School, shuffling from working in the classroom to now an office assistant. She also works a part-time job at a local car dealership.

She always dreamed of opening a day care center, even graduating from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational management in 2022.

But, shes still struggling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Whether you work or rely on government benefits, there is still a need for outside help to maintain your home, Neal added.

It only takes one catastrophe to come in and put you behind. How do I pay for this roof? Or how do I feed my family? Or how do I go back and forth to work? she said. I hope that people realize that there is a great need  not only in the Mississippi Delta  for a better economic system and more available help for those who are trying to help themselves.

Whitehead isnt focusing her energy on what her home lacks.

Despite the challenges, shes built her life there and doesnt want to give up her home, plot of land, or the proximity to her family. Many people have offered to move her someplace else. One person offered her a trailer in the nearby city of Lexington. She doesnt have the money to pay a mortgage or rent. Shed rather build something new on her land.

Shes hoping national attention on her story will not only help her, but her entire community.

Maybe, when I get blessed for a house, maybe somebody else might see that and come out and then look at the town, and then theyll see that all it needs, fixing it up and working to help, she said.

She added: I got a vision, Whitehead said of rebuilding her home. I just hope it comes to pass.

The post This Mississippi Delta Home Could Collapse Before Help Arrives appeared first on Capital B News.
MOSCOW, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russian and Venezuelan foreign ministers on Monday voiced grave concern over "increasing escalatory actions" by Washington in the Caribbean Sea, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

During a phone conversation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said that the developments have far-reaching consequences for the region and pose a threat to international shipping.

Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's comprehensive support and solidarity with the leadership and people of Venezuela under the current circumstances, said the ministry in a news release.

The two sides agreed to maintain close bilateral cooperation and coordinated actions on international platforms, primarily at the United Nations, to ensure respect for state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, the ministry said. 
Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, speaks against proposed Senate rule changes during the special session for redistricting in September (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Its been a bruising year to be a Missouri Democrat.

Even setting aside the broader tumult of Trump 2.0, life inside the Missouri Capitol has been especially unforgiving for Democrats.

After years of infighting, Senate Republicans finally learned how to work together this year. Early in the 2025 legislative session, that newfound discipline broke through longstanding gridlock and cleared the way for a slate of high-profile bills to move swiftly through the chamber.

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats, who hold just 10 of the Senates 34 seats, admit they were caught flat-footed early on, reacting too slowly to the cohesion of the GOP supermajority and squandering what little leverage they had in negotiations. And when Republican leadership needed Democratic votes on key bills dealing with utilities and license fees, and they got them with few long-term concessions.

It was a mistake that would haunt Democrats by sessions end.

In May, Republicans invoked a rarely used rule to break a Democratic filibuster, clearing the path to repeal an expansion of paid sick leave and place a constitutional amendment banning abortion on the ballot.

That steamrolling resumed in the fall, when Republicans again voted to end a Democratic filibuster  this time to advance a gerrymandered congressional map and a constitutional amendment making dramatic changes to the initiative petition process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Emerging from the wreckage, many expected Senate Democrats to close ranks and prepare for procedural trench warfare in 2026, using the few tools available to them to slow the chamber to a crawl and exact some measure of payback.

That strategy requires party unity and coordination. Instead, with the next legislative session just weeks away and Republicans rallying behind an agenda that includes eliminating the state income tax, Democrats appear more divided than ever.

Last week, the Senate Democratic caucus split evenly over whether to keep Sen. Doug Beck of Affton as minority leader or replace him with Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia.

Webber initially secured six votes, but a last-minute switch left the caucus deadlocked, five to five. The impasse was resolved with an uneasy compromise: Beck will remain minority leader for another year, while Webber will assume the role of leader-elect and take over in 2027 (unless the caucus changes course again).

Advertisement Advertisement

The complaints aired during the meeting went beyond personality or ideology. Beck faced criticism over allegedly poor communication and the absence of a clear, shared strategy for a caucus with little margin for error. Ironically, the gathering had been scheduled as a strategy session for the coming year  a conversation that never happened because of the leadership fight.

So Democrats enter another session in the superminority, not only outgunned, but uncertain about how to fight back. After the meeting, the caucus put on a happy face, posting a group photo on social media pledging to focus on lowering costs for Missouri families and making sure our state is an affordable place to live, work and raise a family.

Beck declined to comment on the upcoming session, saying in an emailed statement that he plans to spend the holidays with family and will be happy to talk about session once it begins. As for what that session will look like, he added, everyone will have to wait and see.

For a party trying to claw its way back to relevance, waiting may be the one luxury it can least afford.
NEED TO KNOW

A California mother is grieving her two young daughters following a fire at their mobile home on Saturday, Dec. 20

According to Murrieta Fire & Rescue, the mobile home, a carport, three vehicles, and two outbuildings were all fully engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene

A local news outlet identified the mom as Stacey Hales, citing a fundraiser organized by a "close friend"

A mother is grieving two of her young children after a fire engulfed their California home just days before Christmas.

At around 4:42 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 20, Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) received reports of a residential structure fire on the 41000 block of Knight Drive, MFR said in a news release. Upon arrival, first responders found that five individuals were inside the burning property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Two occupants and "multiple household pets" died due to the blaze, while three occupants were accounted for and transported to a local area hospital.

The deceased were identified as the young daughters of Stacey Hales, local outlet My Valley News reported, citing a GoFundMe.

GoFundMe Stacey Hales and her two children. Stacey Hales and her two children.

The fundraiser was created by Andrea Raikoglo, who claims to be a "close friend" of Hales. Raikoglo wrote in the description of the page that Hales is currently in the hospital and "doesn't have any eyesight."

All her belongings are destroyed along with her vehicle, Raikoglo wrote, appealing for donations towards her $24,000 goal.We are reaching out to please help them if you can, she has nothing it would really mean a lot. She was renting the trailer she was staying in and had very little as it was. If we can please share and help this poor family, it really means a lot.

Advertisement Advertisement

The fundraiser was shared by several people on Facebook, including a woman who claimed to be an extended relative of Hales. She said the children's father is also receiving hospital treatment, while their surviving 12-year-old daughter is staying with her uncle.

"Now that the family's names have gone public... It's my sister-in-law, Stacey Hales and her family," Jessica Hales wrote on Facebook. "We lost her eldest child, Braden R Hales, in a tragic car accident 3 yrs ago, and now Stacey has lost 2 of her 3 daughters. The pain is unimaginable."

Alongside the family's mobile home, MFR discovered a carport, three vehicles, two outbuildings, and a large pine tree "all fully engulfed in flames" when they arrived at the scene.

Firefighters immediately entered emergency rescue mode and initiated an aggressive attack against the blaze, but the buildings structural integrity was rapidly compromised.

Advertisement Advertisement

While firefighters transitioned to a defensive firefighting operation, others simultaneously searched the structure for trapped residents. It took around 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control, according to MFR.

Officials have stated that an ongoing fire investigation is underway, involving Murrieta Fire & Rescue and the Murrieta Police Department, to determine the origin and cause of the tragic fire.

Read the original article on People
Happy Holidays from Native News Online. Here are some of the stories you may have missed over the weekend:

Native America Celebrates the Winter Solstice

The winter solstice officially in the Northern Hemisphere begins Sunday, December 21 at 10:03 am - EST. Its the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year and summer will start.

Please support our year-end campaign. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

As the sun reached its lowest arc in the sky, tribal nations across Turtle Island celebrate the winter solstice, a sacred turning point that carries teachings of balance, endurance and renewal.

For many Indigenous peoples, the winter solstice is more than a date on the calendar.

Read the entire article.

Michigan Attorney General Opens Criminal Investigation into Indian Boarding Schools

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Thursday announced the launch of a statewide criminal investigation into Indian boarding schools and related institutions that once operated in Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Department of Attorney General will work to identify, document and investigate potential criminal conduct at the schools and pursue prosecutions when warranted.

The department is asking survivors, witnesses and others with firsthand knowledge to come forward with information that could assist the investigation.

This investigation seeks to bring truth and accountability to a painful chapter in our states history, Nessel said. My office is committed to ensuring that survivors voices are heard and that any criminal acts uncovered are thoroughly investigated and, when possible, prosecuted.

Read the entire article.

Native News Weekly (December 21, 2025): D.C. Briefs

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has introduced the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025, legislation to place three tracts of land from the former Albuquerque Indian School campus and surrounding land into trust for the benefit of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.

Advertisement Advertisement

Heinrichs Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and led in the House by U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.).

My legislation expands on decades of bipartisan work to put the former Albuquerque Indian School campus and surrounding tracts of land in to trust for the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico. This land, in particular, will be used by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to scale Native-owned businesses, create jobs, and expand business services for local and Native-owned businesses  an economic win for everyone, said Heinrich.

Read the entire article.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
NEED TO KNOW

Thieves stole a large sum of money from a charity Christmas display in Norfolk, England, on Monday, Dec. 8

Tristan Cork, who named the charity after his late son, said the incident was "really disheartening"

Its to remember Finnbar, but also for the community," he said of the festive display

A father in England is in shock after a large sum of money was stolen from the Christmas display honoring his late son.

Between 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, and 7:30 a.m. local time the next day, thieves targeted a wishing well in Hethersett, Norfolk, that Tristan Cork had displayed to raise money for Finnbars Force.

Advertisement Advertisement

The charity, named after his son who died from a brain tumor in 2016, supports children whove been diagnosed with cancer.

That money on a daily basis raises enough money for children to have therapy, play therapy, support for parents and siblings," Cork, 43, told the BBC.

Tristan Cork / SWNS Tristan Cork and Finnbar Cork Tristan Cork and Finnbar Cork

The annual festive display in Park Green has had over $40,000 donated over the last five years, according to the Eastern Daily Press.

The wishing well was made by hand and decorated with help from volunteers.

We start at the beginning of October and the switch-on is in November, Cork told the outlet. Its to remember Finnbar but also for the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

The father emphasized that the display has been loved by children in the neighborhood ever since it was first set up in 2017.

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.

Norfolk Constabulary / SWNS The wishing well The wishing well

Following the recent theft, the wishing well was badly damaged.

It costs us money to put the display on, it costs us money to buy lights, Cork told the BBC. It is really disheartening, really disappointing that someone from this community or further afield has just come here and done this to spoil our event."

Advertisement Advertisement

Norfolk police said in a news release that they are appealing to witnesses or anyone with doorbell camera footage amid their investigation into the theft.

Cork said he was initially feeling quite down after the incident and was unsure about continuing with the annual display. However, hes received an outpouring of support from the local community.

We've had offers from about four welders to fix the well, and a lot of offers to replace the cash," he told the BBC. We've got back now probably what's been taken."

Read the original article on People
More than a dozen staffers at The Heritage Foundation are leaving the conservative think tank to join a nonprofit led by former Vice President Mike Pence as the embattled organization continues to reel from ongoing turmoil.

Advancing American Freedom  founded by Pence in 2021 to defend liberty and advance policies that build a stronger America  announced Monday that three senior officials who led the legal, economic and data teams at Heritage would be joining the group next year, along with several members of their teams.

The departures, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, mark the latest sign of upheaval at Heritage, which has seen dozens of staffers flee the organization since it became engulfed in a scandal involving Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and the ongoing debate within the conservative movement over antisemitism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, the architect behind the Project 2025 blueprint for President Donald Trumps second administration, drew sharp rebukes from conservative voices, including commentator Ben Shapiro, after standing by conservative commentator Tucker Carlsons friendly interview with Fuentes in October.

In the wake of the initial backlash, Roberts told staffers hed make a mistake, but asked for the chance to clean it up during a November all-staff meeting, according to a leaked video first published by the Washington Free Beacon.

The hires by Advancing American Freedom signal that the organization is looking to position itself as a key player within the broader conservative movement.

AAF is honored to welcome these principled conservative scholars to the team, Pence, who has been the target of Trumps ire since the former vice president certified the 2020 election results, said in a statement. They bring a wealth of experience, a love of country, and a deep commitment to the Constitution and Conservative Movement that will further the cause of liberty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Andrew Olivastro, chief advancement officer at The Heritage Foundation, said in a Monday statement that the think tanks mission is unchanged, and our leadership is strong and decisive.

"Heritage has always welcomed debate, but alignment on mission and loyalty to the institution are non-negotiable. A handful of staff chose a different path  some through disruption, others through disloyalty, Olivastro said.

In his statement, Olivastro said several of the departing staffers were terminated for conduct inconsistent with Heritage's mission and standards last week, adding that Their departures clear the way for a stronger, more focused team.

Former Heritage Vice President John Malcolm is slated to lead AAFs new Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law, which is being relocated from Heritage. Jessica Reinsch, formerly deputy director of programs at the Meese Center, will serve as director of programs, and five other former employees at Heritage will also join AAFs Meese Institute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Five staffers from Heritages economic policy institute and its federal budget center will join AAFs Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise, and former Heritages Chief Statistician Kevin Dayaratna will lead its Center for Statistical Modeling & Scientific Analysis.

Josh Blackman, a legal scholar who contributed to Project 2025, also resigned his post as senior editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution on Sunday. In his resignation letter, Blackman wrote that Roberts remarks were a huge unforced blunder, and gave aid and comfort to the rising tide of antisemitism on the right, in addition to undermining the work of the Meese Center.

Your initial remarks were indefensible. Your apology was underwhelming. And the lack of any meaningful followup over the past three months has been telling, Blackman wrote in his letter to Roberts.

Still, some Heritage staffers have remained loyal to the organization, with conservative activist Robby Starbuck sharing Monday that he would be extending his stay as a visiting fellow at the think tank. Starbuck wrote on social media that these resignations have a lot more to do with 2028 than it does with anything else, accusing Blackman and others who stepped down of yearning for a return to the Pence/Ryan GOP.

The shock waves from the infighting at Heritage, once a key player in the MAGA coalition, have continued to reverberate throughout the GOP, with Republican firebrands like Carlson, Shapiro, Vivek Ramaswamy and Steve Bannon sparring over Fuentes and whether he had a place in the party this weekend at Turning Points AmericaFest in Phoenix.


A mother in Sherman Oaks made a frantic dash to confront burglars attempting to break into her home while her children were inside with their grandmother, leaving the family shaken and fearful for their safety.

The incident occurred Saturday afternoon while the couple was out, leaving the grandmother to watch the children. According to the family, two masked men wearing gray hoodies appeared outside the back sliding door. The grandmother immediately called her daughter, frantically warning that the suspects were trying to break in.

Prior to hopping the front fence, the burglars likely disabled the homes surveillance cameras, as the couples sophisticated security system went dark, the family said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The mother, who was out at the time, returned quickly in her G-Wagon. She said the adrenaline of the moment caused her to unintentionally strike the suspects white Honda. Surveillance footage shows two men immediately fleeing on foot, followed moments later by a third man who struggled to exit the passenger side, likely the getaway driver, because the driver-side doors were jammed.

Tow truck driver acquitted after towing ICE vehicle during downtown L.A. arrest

While the thieves escaped, they left behind a significant amount of evidence. Los Angeles Police Department officers collected radios and walkie-talkies, a crowbar, wallets, and identification from the damaged vehicle.

Advertisement Advertisement

The family said they are now fearful of leaving the house, even for short trips or holiday gatherings.

The homeowners said they hope that with the suspects names and addresses, police will be able to make significant progress in the investigation.

Rachel Menitoff contributed to this article.

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.
More than 240 members of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang, were sentenced to hundreds of years in prison in El Salvador.

In a post on social media, the Central American country's attorney general's office said that 248 members of the gang had received "exemplary sentences" for 42 homicides and 42 disappearances, among other crimes.

The statement did not specify the date of the sentences or whether the accused had been tried en masse.

Advertisement Advertisement

One individual, identified as Marvin Abel Hernandez Palacios, was sentenced to 1,335 years in prison, while 10 others received prison terms ranging from 463 to 958 years, the post said. The attorney general's office said the crimes were committed between 2014 and 2022.

Since March 2022, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has been cracking down on gangs under a state of emergency that allows for arrests without warrants.

More than 90,000 people have been detained, and some 8,000 have been released after being found not guilty, according to official sources.

Bukele's campaign against gangs has reduced homicides to historically low levels in the country, but human rights groups accuse the security forces of committing abuses.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Salvadoran government, MS-13 and another gang, Barrio 18, are responsible for the deaths of approximately 200,000 people over the course of three decades.

The two gangs once controlled an estimated 80 percent of the country, and El Salvador had one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

The groups extorted "victims who owned businesses, demanding different amounts of money in exchange for not harming them," the Attorney General's office said.

"Some people had to close their businesses out of fear of the threats," it added.

The MS-13 gang was formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s by Salvadoran immigrants who fled the civil war in their home country.

Advertisement Advertisement

The brutal gang has since spread to Guatemala and Honduras, turning the region into one of the most violent in the world. Its violent grip in Central America is one of the forces driving thousands of migrants to flee to the United States.

Earlier this year, the U.S. designated MS-13 a terrorist organization, with President Trump calling it "probably the meanest, worst gang in the world" and "an evil group of people. They're sick and deranged."

A New Mexico monastery where the silence calls

Kevin Hassett says $2,000 tariff checks for Americans will depend on Congress

The enduring message of "It's a Wonderful Life"
HAWAII KAI (KHON2)  Honolulu Police are still investigating a murder after a body was found during a welfare check at a home in Hawaii Kai on Saturday, Dec. 20.

On Sunday, investigators were still at the home and had the street taped off in the afternoon.

HPD said a welfare check was requested for a 60-year-old woman at her Upolo Place home around 10:20 a.m. on Saturday.

HPD finds stolen car linked to Halawa murder investigation

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers arrived and saw she was obviously deceased and during the course of the investigation, they saw the 29-year-old male, who is identified at this point as her son, and arrested him for murder in the second degree, Honolulu Police homicide detail Lt. Deena Thoemmes said. A female was also present, and they also arrested her for murder in the second degree.

Police said the woman suffered fatal injuries that appear to be blunt force trauma.

As of Sunday afternoon, the victims identity was still being withheld until the medical examiner determines a cause of death.

The two suspects have also not been charged as of Sunday afternoon, but friends and sources said the female was the victims niece who has been homeless for the last several years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Court documents show she was cited 51 times since August 2019 for numerous crimes relating to park closures, harassment, littering, and criminal trespass. Many of the citations state she refuses shelter services. She does not have any felony convictions.

People who know the victim said she recently brought her niece into her home because of the rainy weather this past week.

According to sources, it was the victims son who answered the door and spoke to police when they arrived on Saturday.

Man, 40, arrested following attempted murder incident in Kapolei

The investigation is active, its ongoing, were trying to find out as much information as we can from family and friends, Lt. Thoemmes added. At this point, what we do know was that she was supposed to go to work but didnt show up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Friends of the victim said they are in shock but describe the victim as a loving, caring woman who tried hard to help her niece and son.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Last week, lauded theoretical physicist and director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center Nuno Loureiro was murdered in his home in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Since then, investigators have made several breakthroughs in the unusual case, linking the prime suspect to a separate deadly mass shooting at Brown University earlier in December.

The suspected shooter, Claudio Neves Valente, was found dead in a storage unit in New Hampshire on Thursday following a six-day manhunt. But as bizarre twists add up in the case, investigatorsand the surviving loved ones of his victims are left with more questions than answers.

Advertisement Advertisement

As the Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend, Neves Valente, a physics graduate from Portugal, had a reputation for being difficult in class, despite being remembered fondly by others.

Perhaps most bafflingly, Neves Valente attended the same school  Lisbons Instituto Superior Tecnico  as his future victim, Loureiro, where they were both students between 1995 and 2000, CNN confirmed. Neves Valente eventually pursued his graduate studies at Brown, linking him to the second institution where hes suspected of committing a deadly shooting.

Former Brown physics professor Scott Watson, who spent a lot of time with Neves Valente at Brown, said he became sometimes angry about life at Brown in esoteric ways  complaining about the quality of the fish he was served, for instance.

He would say the classes were too easy  honestly, for him they were. He already knew most of the material and was genuinely impressive, Watson told the Associated Press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Neves Valente left Brown in early 2001 and returned to Portugal to work for a telecom.

Classmates have suggested he may have become jealous of Loureiros illustrious career.

Roughly an hour before Neves Valente opened fire on students in a Brown lecture hall, a witness noticed he was wearing a mask and flimsy clothing, leading to an altercation, per the WSJ.

Why are you harassing me? he told the witness angrily after being followed and confronted.

All told, Neves Valenete killed three individuals and injured nine.

Its a tragic story that still leaves plenty of questions unanswered. Why did Neves Valente single out his former classmate? Was there more to his desire to inflict harm on others?

Advertisement Advertisement

Claudio was obviously one of the best, but in class he had a great need to stand out and show that he was better than the rest, former classmate Felipe Moura wrote in a Facebook post, as quoted by CNN.

I never expected he would be capable of such a thing, he added.

More on the murder: MIT Fusion Physicist Murdered in His Home
Hackensacks effort to redevelop the former Sears building on Main Street is facing a court challenge from the propertys owners, who say the city is wrongly trying to seize land that is not blighted.

The lawsuit was brought by Arcolo Hackensack LLC and related entities, which own the property in the 400 block of Main Street, long known as the Sears Roebuck and Co. building.

The site sits within Hackensacks Main Street Rehabilitation Area and was placed in a redevelopment plan approved by the Hackensack City Council earlier this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

The plan envisions a mixed-use project with up to 325 apartments, retail space, and other uses, and would preserve the buildings historic facade and its 105-foot tower as part of the new development.

But the owners filed a lawsuit on Nov. 26 in Bergen County Superior Court arguing that the citys plan to use eminent domain violates both the New Jersey and U.S. constitutions.

The lawsuit claims the property is economically viable and does not meet the legal standard for condemnation.

At issue is a Hackensack City Council resolution adopted in February that declared the property an area in need of redevelopment with condemnation.

Advertisement Advertisement

The city later approved a redevelopment plan specifically for the former Sears site.

The owners claim the decision was driven by redevelopment goals, not evidence of blight.

They claim the city used the threat of eminent domain to force private redevelopment, which they say is unconstitutional.

In a statement, Hackensack Mayor Caseen Gaines, who was sworn in on July 1, said the city is investigating claims that his predecessor, former Mayor John Labrosse, illegally designated the site as an area in need of redevelopment.

The city will respond to the lawsuit after our investigation into the previous administrations actions is complete, the statement said.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the suit, Hackensack relied largely on claims that the building had been vacant since 2020 to justify condemnation.

The citys planning department cited an inspection, media reports and a phone call with the building department, according to the suit.

The owners dispute that finding, saying the investigation ignored important facts, including a long-standing ground lease dating back to 1946 and an active tenant still operating in the building.

The complaint says the city failed to meet legal requirements under the states redevelopment law, including showing credible evidence that the property had been vacant for more than two years or explaining why it was allegedly vacant.

Advertisement Advertisement

The owners also accuse the city of acting arbitrarily and in bad faith, claiming the outcome was predetermined and that they were not given a meaningful chance to participate in the process.

In addition, the lawsuit alleges Hackensack failed to follow required notice procedures, saying the owners were never properly informed of the redevelopment designation.

The owners are asking the court to invalidate the condemnation designation, block the city from enforcing it, and award damages, legal fees and other relief.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The News in Brief Monday, December 22, 2025

Zurab Japaridze, leader of the Coalition for Change, returned to the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue after spending seven months in prison, warning that authorities are steadily narrowing the space for public dissent and could soon extend restrictions to online speech.Speaking to journalists at the rally, Japaridze said ongoing protests remain the only visible sign that citizens reject the current political course."Protest today is the only public demonstration that people do not accept what is happening in this country," he said. "It shows every day that we do not accept the dictatorship that has been imposed here."Japaridze argued that recent actions by the authorities suggest a gradual strategy to push dissent out of public view. He said protesters were first forced off the roadway, then confined to sidewalks, and are now being told to leave those areas as well."If we move off the sidewalk, the next step will inevitably be social networks," he said. "They push you from the street to the sidewalk, from the sidewalk into your home, and from home, you speak only online. After that, they will push you out of social networks, too. That means censorship."He pointed out that arrests over social media posts and comments have already begun, which he described as a warning sign of further restrictions.According to Japaridze, the effectiveness of newly adopted laws will depend on how far authorities are allowed to go without resistance. He said sustained public participation is essential, calling protest the minimum form of resistance that must continue, even as opposition groups explore other strategies."Bidzina Ivanishvili knows very well that the strength of the Georgian people will drive him away," Japaridze said.Asked about unity within the opposition, Japaridze said democratic forces must act together in a visible and coordinated way so citizens feel there is a real alternative."People must genuinely feel that there is a united, cohesive force that is fighting," he said, adding that agreement is needed on a shared strategy, a common political vision, and leadership choices.Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the Georgian government should not be blamed for the risk of losing visa-free travel with the European Union, accusing Brussels of treating the issue as a political instrument rather than a legal or technical process.Speaking to journalists, Papuashvili argued that visa liberalization and European integration are increasingly being used to exert pressure on countries that do not align politically with the EU."Visa-free travel is no longer about procedures or people-to-people ties," Papuashvili said. "It has turned into a cold-blooded political weapon against other states."He claimed that discussions in Brussels about restricting visa-free travel for specific groups, such as officials or public servants, amount to discriminatory treatment."If some groups are allowed to travel freely while others are not, this is legally segregation," he said, comparing such approaches to practices Europe experienced in the past. "Labeling people as offenders without court decisions and imposing restrictions is leading Europe back toward a dark chapter of its history."Papuashvili said that decisions coming from Brussels should not be expected to follow logic or fairness, arguing that political agendas have replaced legal standards."We should not look for justice or rationality in Brussels' decisions," he said. "For some time now, they have acted not on principles, but on political objectives, using different issues as leverage."He also accused EU officials and diplomats of attempting to interfere in Georgia's internal political processes in the past, including elections, claims that Brussels has repeatedly denied."Those attempts failed due to political immaturity and incompetence," Papuashvili said, adding that the EU overestimates its ability to pressure Georgia. "They want to act as a global policeman, but they lack the qualifications to do so and cannot seriously harm the Georgian people."
Key Points

Don't rush to take benefits because you're worried the program is running out of money.

Don't assume you can't work if you're getting benefits.

Don't write off the idea of a delayed claim just because you have some savings.

The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook 

There's a good chance Social Security will play a big role in your retirement finances, the same way it serves as a key source of income for millions of older Americans today. For this reason, it's important to make sure you're making a smart filing decision.

You may be gearing up to claim benefits once 2026 arrives. But if so, it's important that you not buy into these big myths.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Social Security is going bankrupt, so you should claim benefits as early as possible

One major fear among workers and retirees alike is that Social Security is running out of money and won't be able to pay benefits for much longer. If you buy into that myth, you may decide to claim Social Security as early as possible -- which is age 62 -- to get your money before it runs out.

But one thing you need to know is that Social Security is not on the verge of bankruptcy. In fact, the program can't run out of money because it has an ongoing revenue stream -- payroll taxes.

The one thing that is true about Social Security's shaky finances is that benefit cuts are a possibility in the future. But filing early won't make that situation better. If anything, it might make it worse.

Let's say you're entitled to a $2,000 monthly Social Security benefit at a full retirement age of 67. But let's say you turn 62 in 2026 and sign up for benefits then. If so, you'll reduce your monthly checks to about $1,400.

If Social Security then cuts benefits broadly by 20%, you'll get 80% of your $1,400 monthly check -- not 80% of $2,000. So all told, you'll be shorting yourself on monthly income either way.

And also, Social Security cuts are not a given. Lawmakers recognize how disastrous they have the potential to be, so there's a good chance they'll do whatever it takes to prevent them. Or at least we can hope.

2. You need to stop working as soon as you start getting your Social Security checks

You might assume that once you start collecting Social Security, you're no longer allowed to bring home a paycheck from a job. But that's not true at all.

If you work and collect Social Security before reaching full retirement, you'll be subject to an earnings test. And exceeding its limits could mean having some benefits withheld and repaid to you later. But you shouldn't necessarily rush to quit your job if you'll be claiming Social Security in 2026, especially if you won't be filing ahead of full retirement age.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers. July 16, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has sued tech company Resideo, alleging deceptive and unfair business practices.

He argues that some of the video surveillance cameras the company sells risk leaving Nebraska consumers intimate images and private locations vulnerable to exploitation and intrusion by foreign actors.

Advertisement Advertisement

The 33-page lawsuit filed in Lancaster County District Court on Monday alleges the company has deceptively marketed security products that have major security vulnerabilities, including deceptive statements and material omissions when advertising and selling products manufactured by Chinese equipment makers Hikvision and Zhejiang Dahua Technology.

The lawsuit argues that Resideo and its global distribution network, ADI, failed to disclose the vulnerabilities and national security risks associated with products made by the Chinese companies. The lawsuit cited a British Broadcasting Corp. investigation that showed that Hikvision engineers embedded backdoors which allowed unauthorized access to camera feeds.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

When a company tells Nebraskans that their video cameras are private and secure, when in fact those cameras have known security flaws that tie back to the Chinese Communist Party, that is both a violation of state law and a national security risk, Hilgers told Fox News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Hikvision and other Chinese surveillance equipment are banned from being used by federal agencies. The Federal Communications Commission pushed to tighten its restrictions on Chinese electronics due to national security risks.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said earlier this year that internet-connected cameras made in China are giving the Chinese government the ability to conduct espionage or disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure.

An ADI spokesperson on Tuesday said the company doesnt comment on pending litigation but it takes the safety of our customers and compliance with all laws in all jurisdictions in which we operate very seriously.

According to the Attorney Generals Office, the lawsuit seeks to stop Resideo and ADI from misleading consumers and address the serious privacy and security risks posed by the cameras sold in Nebraska, and seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties and other relief for violations of Nebraskas Consumer Protection Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Advertisement Advertisement

Hilgers has sued other tech companies with ties to China, including Chinese e-commerce platform Temu and security camera manufacturer Lorex.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Amid high-profile arrests in its Spanish cell, the American-born and designated neo-Nazi terrorist group the Base  once a major preoccupation of FBI counter-terrorism efforts  has all but faded from US headlines. But a flurry of online activities shows the group is still active stateside and considers the US an operational nerve center.

Headed by Rinaldo Nazzaro, an ex-Pentagon contractor turned alleged Russian intelligence asset, the Base has been busy of late pursuing European expansion: besides its heavily armed members in Spain, its Ukrainian wing is linked to multiple acts of terrorism inside the country and claimed the high-profile July assassination of an intelligence officer in Kyiv.

But the Bases online footprint also paints a picture of a more careful, yet active, American presence: videos from November show masked men shooting military-style rifles and pistols in what they claim is an Appalachian forest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Another June photo, from the same Appalachian cell, shows five armed men in skull masks, holding rifles and brandishing the Bases black flag, while a cell from the mid-Atlantic captures three members performing sieg heil salutes, with another from the midwest showing two men firing pistols.

In the shifting political climate of the second Trump administration, where the FBI has openly rerouted resources away from investigations of far-right extremists, the Base appears free to organize and prepare for their stated objective of fomenting an armed insurgency against the US government.

At the same time, its recruitment has continued to funnel through a Russian email address and has not ceased since the 2020 FBI crackdown against it.

Nazzaro has also matched this new American law enforcement environment with emboldened rhetoric.

Advertisement Advertisement

Our long-term strategic goal is to accomplish something similar to what al-Qaida and IS accomplished in Syria, bragged Nazzaro in an audio recording he released in early December over a Russian-controlled app, reviewed by the Guardian. Form an organized, armed insurgency to take and hold territory. And establish a white homeland which we control and govern.

Nazzaro concludes, in the same recording, how only two traditionally white nations currently possess all of these necessary prerequisites  Ukraine and the United States.

Steven Rai, an analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), who monitors the Bases every online move, described with alarm how Nazzaros latest words and European actions illustrate its growing ambitions of openly fomenting new US operations.

Nazzaros recent statements mark a troubling escalation that has been unfolding over the past several months, said Rai, who pointed out that Nazzaro initially suggested over the summer Ukraine would be the only country where he was sanctioning attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

More recently, however, he [Nazzaro] has explicitly expanded this endorsement of violence to other contexts, including the United States, where he has called for the establishment of so-called acceleration teams aimed at destabilizing society and weakening government authority through attacks on critical infrastructure.

In a post on VKontakte, the Russian knockoff of Facebook where it maintains an account, the Base was explicitly calling for cells to use targeted attacks on essential infrastructure and resources which could contribute to the political fragmentation of the country over time if the attacks remain consistent.

Its Ukraine cell is seen within the Base as a model of active insurgency against the Ukrainian government, which is more preoccupied with resisting the full-scale Russian invasion. In the US homeland, however, with access to firearms and rugged wilderness terrain, Nazzaro and the Base believe the same opportunity exists.

Europol and Spanish police, who executed the raid against the Spanish cell in early December, did not say if American authorities had any contact with them during or before their takedown of the Base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Several sources have told the Guardian that the FBI under Kash Patel has intentionally looked away from far-right extremism, even openly mocking what is statistically the most dangerous domestic terrorist threat facing the US, as merely part of a woke agenda.

But Rai thinks Nazzaros calls for violence against Americans could act as a wake-up call to authorities, who might now have the legal space to crack down on what is designated a terrorist organization in several allied countries.

[By] providing Base operatives in the United States with explicit strategic guidance centered around violence, Nazzaro may have inadvertently increased the groups exposure to intervention by law enforcement, he said.

Theres reason to believe the Base has also become a broader intelligence and security target in countries with capable spy agencies willing to devote resources to disrupting it. With legitimate questions surrounding its links to Russian sabotage operations  a top security concern among European countries  the Base is no longer considered an obscure American problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Along with Spain, there were recent arrests of members in the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom, with the European Union declaring it a terrorist group in the league of Islamic State and al-Qaida.

Nazzaros recent audio clip also notably mentions how he saw the instability in Canada or the European Union as promising for the Bases recruitment, in his first explicit mention of Canadian activities in years. The former Canadian cell leader of the Base, Patrik Matthews, is currently sitting in a US prison for his part in illegally entering the US and plotting a 2020 terrorist attack on a Virginia gun rights rally, meant to incite a neo-Nazi revolution.

The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.

If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.

Secure Messaging in the Guardian app

The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.

Advertisement Advertisement

If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging.

SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post

If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.

Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing to refuse setting up an independent investigation into the unprecedented attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and other extremist militants in Israel two years ago.

Instead of setting up a state commission of enquiry, Netanyahu is in favour of appointing a government commission.

A ministerial committee approved a draft bill on the commission by a member of parliament from Netanyahu's right-wing party Likud, the ynet news portal reported on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

A preliminary vote on the bill is scheduled to take place in parliament on Wednesday.

The move has been sharply criticized by experts, the opposition and relatives of former hostages and victims of the October 7 attacks, who accuse the government of a cover-up.

Critics accuse Netanyahu and his coalition of not taking personal responsibility for political and military failures that led up to the Hamas terrorist attack.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said in a statement that the proposed bill was "full of significant flaws" that would make it impossible for investigators to get to the bottom of the events of October 7, 2023 and draw reliable conclusions.

Advertisement Advertisement

In her view, the bill in its current form does not fulfil the requirements to produce an effective and credible report.

Netanyahu, in contrast, has argued that a state commission of enquiry would not have the support of the public.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has demanded that an independent state commission be set up. This should happen "if not now, then in the first week of our government," he said with a view to new elections next year.

Jonathan Polin, the father of a hostage who was murdered while in Hamas captivity, is among those who have called for an independent investigation, according to ynet.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a democracy, state and political decision-makers cannot investigate themselves, he said.

Having an enquiry is about ensuring that "nothing that happened to my son should ever happen again," he said.

About 1,200 people were killed in the massacre on October 7, 2023 and more than 250 others were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip.

The attack provoked a massive Israeli retaliation with air raids and a subsequent ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since early October.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war began.
(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Never Trumper and former Republican George Conway filed Monday to run for Congress in Manhattan as a Democrat.

According to the New York Post, Conway will seek election in New Yorks 12th Congressional District, the reliably blue Manhattan seat currently held by outgoing veteran lawmaker Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who announced in September he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Co-founder of The Lincoln Project, Conway became a fixture among conservative anti-Trump critics, skewering what he argued were constitutional violations, ethical breaches and democratic backsliding.

Conway was married for 22 years to President Donald Trumps former campaign manager-turned-first term White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. The pair, who have four children, divorced in 2023. Conway himself was considered for several positions in the presidents first term administration, but ultimately decided not to take any role. Instead he became one of Trumps most vocal critics.

He will now target a district considered one of the safest Democratic seats in the country, meaning the real contest will unfold in a crowded and competitive primary rather than a general election.

Conway will face a field heavy with declared contenders including Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, and Cameron Kasky, a leading organizer with March for Our Lives. Also running are New York state assembly members Alex Bores (D) and Micah Lasher (D), as well as City Council member Erik Bottcher (D).

The post Never Trumper George Conway Seeks Democratic Nomination for Manhattan Congressional Seat first appeared on Mediaite.
Update, Monday, 11:16 p.m.: Winning numbers for the Dec. 22 Powerball drawing are: 3, 18, 36, 41 and 54. The red Powerball is 7 and the Powerplay is 2X. Monday's jackpot was estimated to be worth $1.6 billion, with a cash value of $735.3 million.

Previous reporting: There's still time to get your tickets for one of the largest Powerball jackpots of all time.

The current jackpot is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion, with a cash value of $735.3 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

The current Powerball jackpot now ranks as the fourth-largest prize in U.S. lottery history, according to the lottery website.

No one has won Powerball since Sept. 6, when tickets in Montana and Texas won the lottery's $1.787 billion grand prize. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, the lottery website adds.

Want to try your luck? Here's how to play Powerball and what to know about the next drawing.

The current jackpot is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion.

What is the Powerball jackpot up to?

The current jackpot is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion, with a cash value of $735.3 million, according to Powerball.com.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing is Dec. 22.

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings take place three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Powerball winning numbers for the 12/20/2025 lottery drawing

The winning numbers for the Dec. 20 drawing were 4, 5, 28, 52 and 69. The red Powerball was 20, and the Power Play was 3x.

Did anyone win Powerball?

There was no grand prize winner from the Dec. 20 Powerball drawing. There were also no $2 million Match 5 plus Power Play winners. However, there were eight Match 5 $1 million winners in California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan (2), New Hampshire and Ohio.

Where to buy Powerball tickets

The Powerball is played in 45 states, including Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, and in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball.

Advertisement Advertisement

You can purchase tickets at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Sales cut-off times vary by one to two hours before the drawing, depending on the selling jurisdiction.

You can also purchase tickets in Ohio through the Ohio Lottery website, www.ohiolottery.com.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

A single Powerball ticket costs $2. Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. Players can also add the Double Play for an additional $1 to have a second chance at winning $10 million.

How late can you buy Powerball tickets?

In Ohio, the cutoff time to buy a Powerball ticket is 10 p.m. ET on the day of a drawing.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

Advertisement Advertisement

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.

5 white balls = $1 million.

4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.

4 white balls = $100.

3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.

3 white balls = $7.

2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.

1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.

1 red Powerball = $4.

There's a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Advertisement Advertisement

All prizes are set cash amounts, except for the Grand Prize. In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel, meaning it's determined by the sales and the number of winners.

How to watch the Powerball drawing

The drawing, which takes place at the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Florida, will broadcast live on the Powerball website at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Powerball top 10 lottery drawing jackpot results

$2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022 (California). $1.787 billion: Sept. 6, 2025 (Montana and Texas). $1.765 billion: Oct. 11, 2023 (California). $1.60 billion: Dec. 12, 2025 (current). $1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee). $1.326 billion: April 6, 2024 (Oregon). $1.08 billion: July 19, 2023 (California). $842.410 million: Jan. 1, 2024 (Michigan). $768.4 million: March 27, 2019 (Wisconsin). $758.7 million: Aug. 23, 2017 (Massachusetts). $754.6 million: Feb. 6, 2023 (Washington).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What were winning numbers for the Monday, Dec. 22 Powerball drawing?
MINNA, Nigeria (AP)  Nigerians on Monday got their first look at 130 children and teachers released after being seized in one of the largest mass abductions in the country's history.

Some of the children appeared to be malnourished or in shock as they arrived at a government ceremony. Police said they were freed Sunday, a month after gunmen stormed their Catholic school in Niger states Papiri community in a predawn attack.

Authorities said plans were underway to reunite the children with their families before Christmas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities earlier said 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were seized and 50 of them escaped in the hours that followed. But on Monday, Niger state Gov. Mohammed Bago indicated that 230 had been taken and all had now been released.

School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africas most populous country.

Officials did not say whether a ransom  common in such abductions  had been paid. No group has claimed responsibility, but residents blamed armed gangs that target schools and travelers in kidnappings for ransom across Nigerias conflict-battered north.

Most of those seized in the attack were aged between 10 and 17, the school said. One of the children released earlier told The Associated Press that gunmen threatened to shoot them during the attack.

Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, national coordinator at Nigerias Center for Counter Terrorism, told Monday's event that Nigeria will work with community leaders to boost safety in high-risk areas.
For years, a rumor has claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump secretly paid tens of millions of dollars to settle multiple allegations that he sexually assaulted minors.

A frequently shared version (archived) of the claim has appeared as a meme, titled, "TRUMP RESUME FOR THE PRESIDENCY." Under that heading is list of six named children, each paired with a specific age, location, year, description of alleged abuse, and an alleged settlement amount:

1: Michael parker, 10-years old, oral rape Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, FL, 1992. Trump paid his parents a $3 million settlement. 2: Kelly Feuer, 12-years old, $1 million settlement paid in 1989, allegations of forced intercourse, Trump Tower, NY, NYC. 3: Charles Bacon, 11 years old, $3 million, allegations of oral and anal intercourse, 1994, Trump Tower, NY, NYC. 4: Rebecca Conway, 13 Years old, claimed intercourse & oral sex. Trump Vineyard Estates, Charlottesville, VA, 2012, $5 million settlement. 5: Maria Olivera, 12 years old. Her family was paid $16 million to settle allegations of forcible intercourse - occurring in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, FL, 1993 6: Kevin Noll: 11 years old, anal rape, Trump Tower, NY, NYC, 1998. Settlement details unknown.

(Facebook page Don't Be Weird)

The image ends with a caption reading "ANY OTHER JOE WOULD BE ROTTING IN PRISON BUT MAGA SAID ... THIS DUDE WILL MAKE A GREAT PRESIDENT!"

Advertisement Advertisement

It has circulated on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit and X, often shared as evidence that Trump is a "child rapist" whose wealth and political power have allegedly kept him out of prison.

In short, there was no credible evidence that any of the six named children exist as accusers, that any such lawsuits were ever filed, or that Trump paid the settlements described in the meme. The origin of the rumor is an uncorroborated list published on a blog, not a court document or credible news investigation.

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said the claims were "obviously false."

We investigated a similar meme in 2020 that claimed Trump had paid at least $35 million to settle child-rape allegations and likewise found no evidence that such settlements existed.

Where the rumor came from

The rumor traces back to a Jan. 16, 2019, blog post (archived) on Legal Schnauzer, titled, "Donald Trump has paid about $30 million to settle child-sex complaints, including a 2012 incident at Albemarle Estate in Charlottesville, Virginia."

Advertisement Advertisement

That post in turn cites an article at Wayne Madsen Report (WMR), a blog run by American writer Wayne Madsen, titled, "Why is Trump so afraid of [ex-Trump lawyer Michael] Cohen's testimony?" (In 2020, the article was only available to members.)

The Legal Schnauzer piece quotes WMR as saying that Trump had paid roughly $30 million to settle "child-sex complaints" since 1989, and that the alleged settlements extended "beyond those widely reported in the mainstream press."

WMR claimed it had received a list of child-sex settlement claims "from a reputable Republican source," but it presented no documents, court filings, or corroborating evidence for these purported cases. The only stated basis was an unnamed Republican source. As such, we were unable to independently verify it.

WMR is not a reputable, mainstream investigative outlet and has been frequently described as being run by a conspiracy theorist or spreading conspiratorial views. Fact-checking organization Lead Stories, which investigated a similar meme in 2021, likewise described WMR as "a blog which was described by the Encyclopedia of American Loons as an 'utterly deranged nutter with a mind unclouded by facts, evidence, or reason.'"

Advertisement Advertisement

We contacted Legal Schnauzer and WMR seeking supporting evidence, and we will update this story if we receive a response.

Six cases, zero evidence

The six names most often cited online: Michael Parker, Kelly Feuer, Charles Bacon, Rebecca Conway, Maria Olivera, Kevin Noll. For each name, the meme specifies the child's age (10-13 years old), a Trump-owned property and year, a description of alleged sexual assault and a specific settlement amount (or "unknown" for one case).

If any of these were real lawsuits in U.S. courts, there would be some record of them, such as a case docket, court filings, media reports, or later mentions in books or legal databases  even if the specific terms of any settlement were kept confidential. However, no public records, credible news reports or court documents corroborate the existence of any of the six alleged child victims or the multimillion-dollar settlements listed.

The Katie Johnson lawsuit

WMR also pointed to two pseudonymous accusers, "Katie Johnson" and "Maria P.," who allegedly were raped as minors at the Manhattan townhouse of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a one-time friend of Trump, in 1994.

Advertisement Advertisement

In fact, there were two related lawsuits filed in 2016 by the same anonymous woman, first as "Katie Johnson" in California and then as "Jane Doe" in New York, accusing Trump and Epstein of raping her when she was 13. Both cases were ultimately dismissed or withdrawn, with no trial, no public finding of guilt and no announced settlement.

In 2020, we reported the lawsuit was promoted by figures such as former TV producer Norm Lubow, who told us he helped file it under a false name, Al Taylor. As we've reported, it "does not disprove that Johnson is a real person, but it does show that those claims were aggressively promoted and aided by someone who has a professional history of using individuals to create fictional salacious drama, and that is a fact both he, and lawyers working for the plaintiff, attempted to downplay or hide."

Bottom line

All in all, claims that Trump paid about $30 million to settle child-sex complaints brought by six named minors is unsupported by any credible evidence and rests entirely on an unverified list from a blog.

In July 2024, PolitiFact, a fact-checking organization, published a fact check of a Threads post sharing the same list, concluding, "We found no evidence of these cases or settlements." LeadStories similarly stated in a 2021 article that "there is no evidence of the cases ever having been filed against Trump and no proof the listed legal actions exist."

Advertisement Advertisement

The in-question list was not the only social media claim asserting that Trump has been charged with, or paid to cover up, child rape. In 2024, Reuters debunked a rumor that The Associated Press (AP) had reported prosecutors were "reconsidering" bringing child rape and molestation charges against Trump. Reuters confirmed with the AP that no such story had ever been published and noted that "there are no credible news reports about any child molestation charges against Trump."

Sources:

Details Emerge On Anti-Semitic Gathering In Tehran. 2 Oct. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20191002225811/https://www.adl.org/blog/details-emerge-on-anti-semitic-gathering-in-tehran.

Fact Check: There Is NO Proof Donald Trump Settled Multiple Child Rape Cases For Millions Of Dollars | Lead Stories. 15 Jan. 2021, https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2021/01/fact-check-no-evidence-donald-trump-settled-multiple-child-rape-cases-for-millions-of-dollars.html.

Fact Check: There Is NO Proof Donald Trump Settled Multiple Child Rape Cases For Millions Of Dollars | Lead Stories. 15 Jan. 2021, https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2021/01/fact-check-no-evidence-donald-trump-settled-multiple-child-rape-cases-for-millions-of-dollars.html.

Advertisement Advertisement

G.d. "Encyclopedia of American Loons: #1919: Wayne Madsen." Encyclopedia of American Loons, 5 Nov. 2017, https://americanloons.blogspot.com/2017/11/1919-wayne-madsen.html.

Kasprak, Alex. "Unsubstantiated Trump Child Rape Allegations Originated with 'Jerry Springer' Producer." Snopes, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/08/01/trump-child-rape-epstein/.

. "What We Know About Origins of Trump Child Rape Allegations." Snopes, 3 Sept. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/09/03/trump-epstein-katie-johnson/.

Legalschnauzer. "Legal Schnauzer: Donald Trump Has Paid about $30 Million to Settle Child-Sex Complaints, Including a 2012 Incident at Albemarle Estate in Charlottesville, Virginia." Legal Schnauzer, 16 Jan. 2019, https://legalschnauzer.blogspot.com/2019/01/donald-trump-has-paid-about-30-million.html.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mikkelson, David. "Did Trump Pay $35M to Settle Child Rape Claims Against Him?" Snopes, 18 Aug. 2020, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-child-rape-settlements/.

. "Did Trump Pay $35M to Settle Child Rape Claims Against Him?" Snopes, 18 Aug. 2020, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-child-rape-settlements/.

Report, Wayne Madsen. "January 14-15, 2019 -- Why Is Trump so Afraid of Cohen's Testimony?" SubHub Site. Www.Waynemadsenreport.Com, https://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20190114. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

Tuquero, Loreben. "No Proof of Settlements by Donald Trump for Child Sex Crimes." @politifact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/jul/12/threads-posts/no-proof-donald-trump-made-settlements-to-10-to-13/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.
Authorities in Northwest Oregon ordered the evacuation of several thousand people in a flood-ravaged county just south of Portland. Officials with Clackamas County issued the Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation notice as a major river in the region spilled its banks.

A Level 3 evacuation notice is the highest and most urgent level used by many U.S. emergency management agencies.

The Clackamas River  only a few miles south of Portland  rose by nearly 12 feet in Estacada, Oregon, in under 16 hours Thursday afternoon into the early morning hours of Friday. The river level soared from minor to major flood stage in less than five hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

"They realized this morning when they woke, started to get it up, that there was water around their tents, and one of their tents floated away," firefighter Dallas Oja told Portland's KATU-TV.

"There is extreme danger in your area and you should evacuate now," evacuation notices for areas along the Clackamas River warned. "Leave immediately, it is unsafe for you to stay in the area. Your life could be in great danger. Do not stop to gather your belongings or protect your home. Follow your emergency plan. Leave as fast and as safely as possible."

A KATU-TV reporter witnessed three people who were living under an overpass being rescued from floodwaters in Canby. The flooding in Oregon is the result of several atmospheric river-fueled storms that have slammed the Pacific Northwest over the past several days.

A flood watch will remain in effect for Portland and the surrounding suburbs through Saturday afternoon. "Flood potential remains high today even though much less rain is forecast," the Portland National Weather Service Office cautions. "Many area rivers and streams are rising this morning, and slow-responding rivers could see rises into Saturday afternoon. With the saturated soils and high rivers and creeks, any additional rain will slow receding of the water and continue the potential for flooding."

Advertisement Advertisement

Nearly 8 million people across portions of California, Oregon, and Washington remained under a flood watch on Friday. The heaviest rain is now expected to slip southward from Washington and Oregon with a series of atmospheric rivers targeting northern California through at least Tuesday.

Over 6 million people in Northern California face a marginal risk  level 1 out of 4  of excessive rainfall capable of producing flash flooding today, the Weather Prediction Center reported.

By the end of the weekend, the number of people at risk more than doubles. The WPC excessive rainfall outlook for Sunday places more than 14 million people at a marginal-to-slight risk of flash flooding, level 1 and 2 out of 4, respectively.

"Atmospheric rivers are ribbons of moisture carried by strong winds in the lower atmosphere," the nonprofit Climate Central explained. Scientists say our overheating planet is supercharging atmospheric rivers, raising the risk of extreme weather events.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Climate change can create conditions that make extremes more likely or more intense," researchers with Climate Central added. "More moisture in warmer air can boost total atmospheric river precipitation. Research suggests that this thermodynamic relationship could drive future increases in total precipitation during atmospheric river storms in California."

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
A judge in Cuyahoga County has been charged after allegedly filing a fraudulent journal entry, according to our CBS affiliate WOIO-19 TV.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze, 54, was charged with one count of tampering with records, a Felony 3, on Monday.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Integrity on the bench is not optional. Anything less erodes the foundation of our courts and our justice system, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. OMalley said in a press release obtained by WOIO-19.

Celebrezze filed a journal entry on Jan. 19, 2023, saying she had been randomly assigned to a case.

WOIO-19 reported that Celebrezze was the Administrative Judge and had manually assigned herself to that case.

The entry didnt reflect Celebrezzes manual assignment, therefore contained false information.

The Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office conducted the investigation.

Celebrezze has been immediately suspended from the judicial bench as a result of this charge, WOIO-19 reported.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
7Eleven has confirmed that president and CEO Joe DePinto will step down at the end of this year, concluding more than 20 years in the top job.

Following his departure, the retailer will be led on an interim basis by two senior executives.

Stanley Reynolds, currently president of 7Eleven, and Douglas Rosencrans, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO), will take on the positions of interim coCEOs.

Their appointments will commence upon DePintos retirement and will continue until a permanent CEO is appointed.

Commenting on his departure, DePinto said: Serving as 7-Eleven's CEO for the past 20 years and working alongside such an incredibly talented team has been the honour of my professional life. I want to sincerely thank all our Franchise Owners, company team members and business partners for their extraordinary commitment to 7-Eleven over the years.

I'm grateful to all who have supported 7-Eleven and me the past two decades and helped grow this brand and our business into what it is today.

The company, which represents the North American convenience retail operations of Japans Seven & i Holdings, said its board of directors has launched a formal succession process.

The board is working with a globally recognised executive search firm to identify DePintos long-term replacement.

Reynolds has been president of 7Eleven since 2023. He previously served as CFO from 2005 and has been with the business since 1997.

His remit covers finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, real estate, information technology and the integration of the Speedway chain.

Rosencrans has held the role of executive vice president and COO since 2022.

He is responsible for driving store expansion and profitability across more than 13,000 outlets in the US and Canada.

Rosencrans joined 7Eleven in 2010 and has previously held senior positions in franchise operations, fuel operations and the companys Canadian division.

Seven & i Holdings president and CEO Stephen Hayes Dacus said: On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Joe for his more than two decades of dedicated service and wish him well in the future. As CEO of SEI, he has led the significant expansion of the Group's International and US store network and its digital and logistics transformation, helping grow 7-Eleven into the world's largest convenience store chain.

Based in Irving, Texas, 7Eleven operates, franchises and licenses over 13,000 convenience stores in the US and Canada under the 7Eleven, Speedway, Stripes and Laredo Taco Company banners.
The grand opening of the Edwena L. Crowe Grand Ballroom, the centerpiece of the newly constructed Oak Ridge Conference Center, is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22.

A special unveiling ceremony of the plaque, followed by a light reception, will take place at the center, 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The ballroom, named in honor of longtime community leader Edwena Crowe, features state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, elegant architectural design, and flexible space for meetings, banquets, and large-scale events, a news release said. Crowe died on Jan. 13, 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Edwena L. Crowe Grand Ballroom will not only serve as a premier gathering place for our residents but will also attract conferences, events, and visitors that will boost our local economy, Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch said.

The newly renovated 10,834-square-foot Oak Ridge Conference Center, which houses the ballroom, also includes two equipped breakout rooms, fully ADA-compliant restrooms and showers, improved access to the existing kitchen and Recreation Center, and a comprehensive sprinkler system upgrade to enhance safety throughout the Recreation Center, making it one of the most versatile venues in East Tennessee, the release said.

For more information, call the Oak Ridge Conference Center and Events Supervisor Drew Jurad at (865) 425-3442.

Oak Ridge Conference Center logo

Edwena Crowe

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Opening reception for Edwena L. Crowe Grand Ballroom is tonight
Since the federal government got involved in the Epstein scandal in 2019, the case has been shrouded in mysterious leniency, cover-up and stonewalling. Now, with many of Epsteins victims, the American people, and a virtually unanimous Congress calling for transparency, the scandal has become a confrontation that should end Attorney General Pam Bondis career  and Donald Trumps presidency.

Why Bondi? Because the nations highest law-enforcement official has violated the law with her willful contempt of Congress. Its not just any law. Congress passed it 527-1, requiring the Justice Department to release all its files on the Epstein case by midnight last Friday. Eighty percent of American adults support it. So do many of the victims of Epsteins alleged sex-trafficking operation.

The deadline passed without a full release of the files and without a suitable explanation to Congress. Bondi reportedly did not ask for more time. An unapologetic deputy attorney, Todd Blanche, announced a partial release of documents, without a schedule for producing the rest.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a recent appearance before Congress, Bondi refused to answer questions, showing utter contempt by berating members with a prepared list of insults. Her behavior with the Epstein files was another middle finger.

Why Trump? What does this have to do with the future of his presidency? Apart from anything that might be in the files about him, Bondis violation of the law is merely the latest example of how Trump and his team are openly usurping the powers of Congress, ignoring laws and violating the Constitution. Trump does not treat the judicial and legislative branches as co-equal. He regards them merely as inconveniences.

Nearly every executive order and decision is evidence that the insurrection Trump and his allies conducted after the 2020 election is still underway. The attack on the Capitol was only the most visible part. Trumps second impeachment ended five weeks after the insurrection with an acquittal in the Senate. In the months and years after, a grand jury indicted Trump for trying to steal the election with a fake electors plot, but he managed to delay trial until he won back the presidency. Although the charges were arguably the most serious and despicable in presidential history, they were eventually dismissed.

Back in the White House, Trump has claimed and weaponized authorities presidents do not have, declared nonexistent national emergencies to gain even more extraordinary powers, withheld funds appropriated by Congress, used its appropriations to extort the policies and behaviors of non-government institutions, killed programs and agencies Congress created by law, committed unauthorized acts of war, profiteered from the presidency, violated the Constitutions prohibition against foreign gifts, used the Justice Department to harass and prosecute his perceived enemies, manipulated programs to punish citizens in states that didnt vote for him, misused the U.S. military against civil society, fired thousands of civil servants without cause or the protections afforded them by law, denied due process to immigrants and spirited them away to foreign prisons, conspired with red states to rig future elections by gerrymandering their electoral districts, endangered the health and safety of the American people by ignoring environmental pollution and climate change, abused his pardon power, and much more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trumps record gives credibility to those who claim his behavior is the ongoing culmination of a plan laid out in Project 25 to remake the United States in the image of ultra-conservatives, white nationalists, and evangelical Christians.

So, what should a patriotic, self-respecting Congress do? Impeachment is an option, though largely symbolic given that the current Senate would not convict anyone from a Republican administration.

It would be mathematically possible to change that dynamic with the 2026 midterm elections, but candidates committed to putting country and the Constitution above political party would have to win all 33 Senate seats on the fall ballot, including 20 now held by Republicans.

There is another option, never used before: the Constitutions insurrection clause, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. It says that any public official who has taken the oath to defend the Constitution and then participates in or aids an insurrection or rebellion is barred forever from holding public office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Early in 2024, the Colorado Supreme Court cited this clause in ruling that Trumps name could not appear on the states primary election ballot. The Supreme Court overturned that decision on March 4, 2024, saying only Congress, not states, could disqualify federal officials.

After the 2020 election, 147 Republicans in Congress collaborated with Trumps plot to delay and overturn the certification of the Electoral College vote  the scheme for which Trump was indicted and charged but never tried. The so-called sedition caucus consisted of 139 House and eight Senate members. All the Senators and most of the House members are still there.

Congress could pass a resolution to remove Trump from office based on his involvement in the January 6 insurrection and his illegal actions since, and to remove Bondi for aiding and abetting the president. The remaining members of the Sedition Caucus would have to recuse themselves due to their obvious conflicts of interest. The resolution could pass.

It would be unprecedented, historic and hotly contested. Given their recent records, its hard to imagine that this Congress or Supreme Court would have the character or spine. But its even harder to imagine that our Republic can survive three more years of Donald Trump. And what better way to recognize the 250th anniversary of American independence than a bloodless revolt against the current would-be king.

Advertisement Advertisement

William S. Becker is co-editor of and a contributor to Democracy Unchained: How to Rebuild Government for the People, and a contributor to Democracy in a Hotter Time, named by the journal Nature as one of 2023s five best science books. He previously served as a senior official in the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He is currently executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project, a nonpartisan climate policy think tank unaffiliated with the White House.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An Orlando woman claimed a $1 million prize from a scratch-off ticket, according to an announcement by the Florida Lottery.

Jeaquelinne Lizarazo, 56, of Orlando, claimed a $1 million prize from the 500X THE CASH Scratch-Off game on Dec. 8. Lizarazo chose to receive her winnings as a one-time lump-sum payment of $640,000.

Lizarazo purchased her winning ticket at the Publix located at 5240 W. State Road 46 in Orlando.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Florida Lottery encourages players to check their tickets, as significant prizes remain unclaimed

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Firefighters and animal control officers teamed up in California to rescue a great horned owl found longed in the front grille of a vehicle.

Scott Safechuck, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said on social media that firefighters responded to assist animal control officers in the Amethyst Drive area in Orcutt.

They found a great horned owl was "lodged in the front grill of a vehicle."

Advertisement Advertisement

"The vehicle owner noticed the owl in the grill this morning; it is unknown when the incident occurred and may have happened the previous day," Safechuck wrote.

Firefighters cut away portions of the vehicle's grille and the owl was freed after about 30 minutes. The bird was taken by the Wildlife Care Network to be assessed by veterinarians.
A Palestine Action hunger striker has complained that her prison is refusing to supply her with a vital vitamin.

Six protesters belonging to the proscribed terrorist group are on hunger strike across the UK while facing charges related to alleged break-ins or criminal damage.

Among those on strike is Heba Muraisi, a 31-year-old lifeguard and florist, who has not eaten since Nov 3.

Ms Muraisi, who has family in the Gaza Strip, is currently on remand in HMP New Hall, West Yorkshire, facing charges regarding 1m worth of criminal damage at the Elbit Systems UK factory, near Bristol, in August 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Francesca Nadin, a spokesman for Prisoners for Palestine and Ms Muraisis next of kin, told The Telegraph that she was weak, dizzy and could not stand for very long.

Supporters of the hunger strikers hold up a picture of Heba Muraisi - Guy Smallman/Getty

Ms Nadin claimed that the prison was refusing to provide Ms Muraisi with thiamine, one of the water-soluble B vitamins, which is normally obtained from food and helps to keep the nervous system healthy.

The body does not produce thiamine on its own.

She said: The problem we have at the moment is that theres a minimum thats necessary for good brain function.

The prison is refusing to test her thiamine levels. And the prison wont give it to her or test her levels and we are pushing for her to get taken to hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mentally, shes very strong, determined and stubborn, and always remembers why shes doing this, and its this mental strength that physically helps keep her going.

The protesters have complained about alleged mistreatment in prison  claiming heavy restrictions on post, calls and visits  and have made a series of demands including that a defence firm with links to Israel be shut down and the ban on Palestine Action be lifted.

Hunger striker Kamran Ahmed, 28, has said dying for the cause is worthwhile

Speaking of the hunger strikers, Ms Nadin added: They are not doing this out of choice  They have no other choice, every other legal avenue has been exhausted.

Earlier this month, lawyers representing the protesters staging the hunger strike warned that they were likely to die without intervention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Four have already had to visit hospital, including Amu Gib, who is on remand at HMP Bronzefield, Surrey, and has refused to eat for 50 days.

Kamran Ahmed, 28, who is in HMP Pentonville and has not eaten since Nov 8, suggested this week that dying for the Palestinian Action cause was worthwhile.

Ahmed, from north London, told The Sunday Times: Every day, Im scared that potentially I might die. Yes, this may have lifelong implications. But I look at the risk versus reward. I see it as worthwhile.

The vandalism attack is captured at Elbit Systems factory in 2024

Three High Court judges are expected to rule on the lawfulness of the Palestine Action ban within weeks after the courts granted permission for Huda Ammori, the groups founder, to challenge the decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Government has refused to negotiate with the strikers legal team but denies allegations that the six were being mistreated and has restricted access to basic healthcare, as claimed by supporters.

Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, has refused to negotiate with their legal team, saying that he does not treat any prisoners differently to others.

The strikers are demanding immediate bail, that the Government reverse its ban on Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist organisation, immediate closure of all weapons factories in the UK linked to Elbit Systems and improved communications with their legal team.

A still from a video showing the attack at the Elbit premises

Dave Rich, head of policy at the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors anti-Semitism against the UKs Jewish community, said on X: Palestine Actions whole shtick is that they are so moral and just, the normal rules that everyone else lives by shouldnt apply to them. This hunger strike is just an extension of the same entitlement.

Advertisement Advertisement

They are trying to change policies passed by Parliament through emotional blackmail.

They may disagree with those policies but they do not have the right to subvert the democratic process. And they are being treated like every other remand prisoner.

Prisons minister Lord Timpson wont negotiate with the activists legal team - Paul Grover

In response, Lord Timpson said: While very concerning, hunger strikes are not a new issue for our prisons.

Over the last five years, weve averaged over 200 a year and we have long-standing procedures in place to ensure prisoner safety.

Prison healthcare teams provide NHS care and continuously monitor the situation. HMPPS [Her Majestys Prison and Probation Service] is clear that claims that hospital care is being refused are entirely misleading  they will always be taken when needed and a number of these prisoners have already been treated in hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage.

Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients.

Ministers will not meet with them  we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.

A spokesman for Practice Plus Group, which manages the healthcare on behalf of the NHS at HMP New Hall, said: We provide compassionate care in prison and manage any patients who are refusing food in accordance with all the relevant policies and protocols, and in partnership with prison teams and the wider NHS.

Advertisement Advertisement

NHS England was contacted for comment.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
Israel has demanded that southern Syria be demilitarized, and this has caused a power vacuum as Syria seeks to see how it can police an area without creating tensions with Jerusalem.

The Syrian government has been increasing raids on ISIS and also on weapons smugglers in the wake of the December 13 deadly attack on US forces near Palmyra, in which two American soldiers and one interpreter were killed.

The US then launched a major anti-ISIS operation over the weekend, including attacks by warplanes, helicopters, and precision artillery. Syria wants to show that it can also dismantle ISIS networks and other armed groups that may pose a threat.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Syrian state media SANA said on December 21 that Syrian internal security units, in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate, carried out a security operation on Sunday in the Daraya area, southwest of Damascus, targeting a hideout of the ISIS terrorist group.

The report added that Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, head of internal security in Damascus countryside, said in a statement that the operation led to the dismantling of the cell and the arrest of its leader, along with six other members. Various weapons and ammunition, intended for planned attacks, were also seized.

The SANA report concludes with Al-Dalati noting, the raid was based on detailed investigations, accurate intelligence, and continuous surveillance of the cells movements over the past several weeks. He concluded that the operation is part of the Interior Ministrys broader strategy to eliminate sources of terrorism, prevent threats to community security, and ensure peace and stability in the country.

Dalati also said he sent forces, in coordination with the Internal Security Command in Daraa Province, to conduct a high-profile security operation in the Qudsaya area.

Advertisement Advertisement

This is important because it indicates that Damascus is seeking to reduce the power vacuum in Daraa. Israel has demanded that southern Syria be demilitarized, and this has caused a power vacuum as Syria seeks to see how it can police an area without creating tensions with Jerusalem.

That has allowed some armed groups and smugglers to infiltrate areas in Daraa near Jordan and the Golan. Jordan joined the US strikes on ISIS because Jordan wants security near its border and wants to help Syria.

The operation against smugglers is important. However, Damascus has also claimed that the smugglers are operating in Daraa in cooperation with Druze groups in Sweida and also the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which Syrian state media calls QSD militias.

Integrating SDF with Syrian security forces

This is part of a whisper campaign that aims to make it seem like the SDF and those in Suwayda are part of the problem in Syria. Damascus seeks to integrate the SDF with its security forces. It also wants the US to agree that Suwaydas attempts to break away from Damascus are creating a power vacuum and tensions.

Advertisement Advertisement

The anti-smuggling operation was "launched following precise and reliable intelligence about suspicious activity at a farm in the area. Security forces swiftly moved to the location, imposed a tight cordon, and carried out a raid. During the operation, security units seized FPV-type drones with all their accessories, approximately 1.5 tons of TNT explosives, and anti-personnel explosive devices weighing two kilograms each, which had been prepared for use in suicide drones, SANA said.

All seized items were confiscated, and the suspects were referred to the competent authorities to complete investigations ahead of their transfer to the judiciary to take the necessary legal measures, al-Dallati added.

Meanwhile, on December 20, Syrias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed Syrias commitment to combating ISIS and ensuring that the organization has no safe havens on its territory, calling on the US and member states of the International Coalition to join in supporting Syrias efforts against terrorism.

In another update from Syria, the North Press news group in eastern Syria has noted that The eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, witnessed on Saturday evening intensified military activity by the US-led Global Coalition forces, marked by low-altitude aerial movements and the deployment of ground military convoys, amid ongoing security operations in the area.

The report stated that North Press correspondent reported that Coalition warplanes flew at unusually low altitudes over the region, with the sound of aircraft clearly audible across the towns of al-Busayrah, Shuhail, and Diban, extending as far as the border town of Baghuz. Baghuz is on the Euphrates River and was the site of the last stand of ISIS in Syria in 2019.
Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are attempting to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt and fine her for every day she doesnt release the full Epstein files.

The representatives bipartisan bill requiring the Justice Department to release the files passed through Congress, leading to the release of hundreds of thousands of heavily redacted images and documents on Friday. But the DOJ didnt release all of the files by the deadline. Khanna is worried about the DOJs selective concealment of documents that may implicate President Trump, who was a good friend of Jeffrey Epstein. The DOJ has already been criticized for redacting many names from the files, including Trumps, a move totally devoid of transparency.

The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, Massie told CBSs Face the Nation. Ro Khanna and I are talking about and drafting that right now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Our goal is not to take down Bondi, Khanna told The Washington Post. Our goal is to get the documents out for the survivors. Our goal is to take down the rich and powerful men who went to rape island and covered up the abuse.

It is unclear whether Massie and Khannas effort to hold Bondi in contempt will be fruitful, as the Justice Department and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have already rejected the notion.

What is clear is that both parties are tired of the dawdling, the dishonesty, and the redactions.

The administration has struggled for months and months with something that they initially ginned up, and then sort of tried to tamp down, Republican Senator Rand Paul told ABC on Sunday. So any evidence or any kind of indication that theres not a full reveal on this, this will just plague them for months and months more. So my suggestion would be: Give up all the information.
NEED TO KNOW

Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida, died by suicide at age 26 on Dec. 15, his family announced

Donovan was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a mass shooter killed 17 people on Feb. 14, 2018

"The loss of our family's youngest child is a sorrow beyond words  one that will echo through our lives, forever," his family wrote

Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida, has died, his family said. He was 26.

In a post shared on Facebook, Donovan's sister, Nancy Metayer Bowen, wrote that Donovan, of Coral Springs, Fla., died by suicide on Dec. 15, following a seven-year battle with schizophrenia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Donovan, an IT professional, was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland when a mass shooter opened fire, killing 17 people on Feb. 14, 2018.

"The loss of our family's youngest child is a sorrow beyond words  one that will echo through our lives, forever," his family wrote on a GoFundMe page, created to help cover the 26-year-old's funeral expenses, as well as help fund an organization that assists people with behavioral health conditions in Florida.

"Yet even in our grief, we are choosing to speak Donovan's truth, so that other families do not have to suffer in silence the way we have," the family continued.

GoFundMe Donovan Metayer Donovan Metayer

"The baby of the Metayer family, 'Donny,' as he was affectionately called, was a radiant child. Brilliant and curious, he always excelled academically, with an intellect matched only by a magnetic humor and warmth that could light up any room, effortlessly," the family said of Donovan, who was born on Sept. 16, 1999.

Advertisement Advertisement

The family went on to candidly detail how Donovan's final year of high school was marred by the shooting that left 17 dead and at least 17 others injured  and how he "carried unimaginable sorrow" that left him dealing with severe mental health issues, including "depression, guilt, emotional instability, and long periods of isolation [which] replaced the vibrant young man we once knew."

"Though he had dreamt of college and a future in computer science, his worsening mental health made those dreams difficult to reach," the family said. "Over the years that followed, he would be hospitalized multiple times for suicidal ideation. Like so many young people, he struggled to accept a mental health diagnosis."

GoFundMe Donovan Metayer Donovan Metayer

According to his loved ones, Donovan underwent years of treatment that included therapy and medication, and one mental health episode in 2021 resulted in him receiving involuntary treatment under Florida's Baker Act  meaning a law enforcement official, health professional or judge placed him on a temporary, involuntary mental health hold for crisis evaluation and stabilization. The Baker Act also temporarily barred him from purchasing a firearm.

"Donny often masked his pain to not burden those he loved, even as our family fought alongside him," his family wrote. "Finding care through limited resources, systemic barriers, and the realities of navigating mental health crises as a young Black man made his path all the more steep."

Advertisement Advertisement

Donovan and his family eventually became involved with the Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic, as well as a private psychiatrist  which both became "a lifeline, offering guidance, compassion, and hope for his future."

"With their support, Donny began to heal, earning an IT certificate and joining the team at Office Depot in Coral Springs, where he was quickly promoted," the family wrote on the GoFundMe. "After years of challenges, he was beginning to carve out a sense of independence and a future he could believe in. His progress was a source of immense pride for our family."

Despite the progress made, Donovan's Risk Protection Order  a civil court order that prohibits a person from purchasing a firearm  lapsed earlier this month, his family said, and the 26-year-old was allowed to purchase a handgun.

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.

"A week later, he would use that same handgun to take his own life in our family home," the family wrote.

GoFundMe Donovan Metayer Donovan Metayer

"Donnys passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the mental health crisis plaguing our youth and the lasting trauma of gun violence on our community," the family said. "As we grieve his loss, we are breaking the code of silence in his memory."

Advertisement Advertisement

Donovan's sister also shared the GoFundMe on Facebook, thanking the community for their support following her brother's death.



"I see your messages, hear your voicemails and [am] deeply grateful for every expression of remorse," Bowen wrote.

The Metayer family plans to use some of the money raised to endow a fund at the Henderson Clinic "that will provide healthcare, housing and hope for people of all ages with behavioral health conditions throughout Florida."



"Though Donnys life was brief, his impact will be everlasting," the family's GoFundMe message concluded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Donovan's visitation and funeral service will take place on Saturday, Jan. 3, in Coral Springs.



As of Sunday, Dec. 21, the GoFundMe has raised $20,000 toward a $70,000 goal.



If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

Read the original article on People
(WHTM)  A Pennsylvania man will spend six years in prison for trafficking stolen human remains, according to officials.

The Department of Justice said Jeremy Pauley, 43, of Thompson, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Matthew Brann for conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property.

Enola man charged with allegedly buying, selling human remains on Facebook

Pauley will also serve three years on supervised release following his sentence, and he has to pay a $2,000 fine, the DOJ said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Pauley was living in Enola, Cumberland County, in August 2022 and was arrested by East Pennsboro Township Police after a report of him buying body parts on Facebook.

According to prosecutors, Pauley admitted to working with others who bought and sold human remains from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary. Pauley bought some of those remains despite knowing they were stolen and he also sold some to others.

Some of the remains were meant to be cremated and were donated to and used for research purposes, prosecutors said.

Police say they located 15-20 human skulls that came from a legitimate purchase, however, further investigation found 3-5 gallon buckets containing various human organs and bones.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to court records, the buckets contained two human brains, skin, a heart, a kidney, a spleen, fat, a skull with hair, two livers, six pieces of skin/fat, a trachea, a child mandible with teeth, and two lungs.

Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack said at the time of Pauleys arrest that the case was one of the most bizarre he has seen in his career.

Prior report -> Woman pleads guilty in stolen remains scheme involving Pennsylvania men

Several others have entered guilty pleas in the case and have already been sentenced to prison, according to the DOJ.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Advertisement Advertisement

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

abc27 Evening Newsletter

The trafficking of stolen human remains through the US Mail is a disturbing act that

victimizes already grieving families while also creating a potentially hazardous situation for

Postal employees and customers, Inspector in Charge of the Philadelphia Division of the Postal Inspection Service Christopher Nielsen said. I hope our efforts, and these sentencings, bring some amount of closure to those affected by this terrible crime.

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.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is included among the 13 Top Tech Stocks Paying Consistent Dividends.

Accenture and Palantir Form New AI Partnership to Accelerate Enterprise Transformation

Pixabay/Public Domain

On December 16, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) and Palantir Technologies announced a new partnership called the Accenture Palantir Business Group. The goal is to speed up the rollout of advanced AI and data solutions that help global clients create value and drive growth. As part of the deal, Accenture was named Palantirs preferred global partner for enterprise transformation.

The new group brings together teams from both companies. Palantir will provide dedicated forward-deployed engineers. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is contributing more than 2,000 professionals trained on Palantirs platforms, along with its own forward-deployed engineers. The idea is to move faster, especially when companies need to rethink how their core business processes work.

Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture, made the following statement:

With this significant expansion of our ecosystem partnership with Palantir, our clients can accelerate advanced AI across the enterprise and deliver business outcomes faster. In our focus areas, the combination of Accentures broad industry and functional experience with Palantirs powerful platforms will help enable organizations to build AI and data solutions and develop scalable enterprise AI systems that drive reinvention, create value and foster growth.

A key focus will be on large, complex programs tied to data centers and AI infrastructure. These projects matter for economic resilience and tend to be messy in practice. The joint team will help clients use Palantir Foundry and Palantirs Artificial Intelligence Platform in environments where security and reliability are critical.

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services firm that works with large enterprises on digital transformation. The company helps clients rebuild their digital core and apply AI across operations to create value at speed.

While we acknowledge the potential of ACN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Long Term US Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Dogs of the Dow to Invest in.

Disclosure: None.
ST. NAZIANZ  A 15-year-old boy sustained minor injuries Dec. 22 after being struck by a man driving a pickup truck while the boy was attempting to board a school bus near St. Nazianz.

Emergency Medical Service and deputies from the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the 700 block of County Highway J at 7:23 a.m. Dec. 22 for the report of a child being struck by a vehicle while attempting to board a school bus.

Read more: Here's what to expect on your Manitowoc County property tax bill

Advertisement Advertisement

During the investigation, deputies learned the school bus was stopped in the 7000 block of County Highway J with flashing lights and the stop arm extended. The 15-year-old was crossing the street when he was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old man from St. Nazianz.

The child received minor injuries and was taken to a nearby medical facility.

A second bus from the Valders Bus Company arrived on scene to transfer the students from the first bus and take them to school.

The truck driver was cited for failure to stop for school bus and inattentive driving.

Read more: Manitowoc police stepping up impaired driving patrols through Jan. 1

Advertisement Advertisement

The news release from the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office states: "The safety of our children is a shared responsibility. We would like to remind all drivers to remain alert and cautious around school buses. This includes stopping when required, slowing down around school buses, watching for children and being patient."

The following agencies assisted with the incident: Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Center, Wisconsin State Patrol, St. Nazianz Fire Department and First Responders, Valders School resource officer, Valders Ambulance and Valders Bus Company.

Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc County. She can be reached by email at aschafer@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc County teen struck by pickup truck while boarding school bus




The plane that crashed last week in North Carolina, killing retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and the six other people on board, had engines made by Connecticut-headquartered Pratt & Whitney, according to federal investigators.

The Cessna 550 that crashed upon landing last Thursday at the regional airport in Statesville, North Carolina, had Pratt engines that were manufactured in Canada, a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said this week. Technical advisers from the company are assisting the agency's investigation of the crash, the spokesperson added.

Advertisement Advertisement

"NTSB investigators are on scene documenting the wreckage, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses," states an update on the crash investigation posted on NTSB's website. "All aspects of this accident remain under investigation."

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash. The preliminary report will "contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash and any contributing factors will come in the final report, which is expected in 12 to 24 months," the update added.

Pratt & Whitney officials declined to comment on the crash and the investigation.

While Pratt & Whitney is headquartered in East Hartford, it has a significant presence north of the border, including the Pratt & Whitney Canada head office and main manufacturing facility in Longueuil, Quebec.

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators are trying to figure out why the Cessna 550 tried to return right after takeoff to the Statesville airport, which is about 45 miles north of Charlotte. The plane erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground, about a third of a mile from the airport's runway.

In addition to the 55-year-old Biffle, his wife, five-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter, and three other people were killed in the crash, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Investigators have not yet determined the lead pilot. Biffle was one of three people on board with a pilot's license.

A cockpit voice recorder has been recovered, a remnant of the plane that could provide important information. Investigators are not aware of any emergency calls from the jet, NTSB member Michael Graham said at a news conference last Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

While it remains to be seen whether the Cessna 550's engines had any role in the crash, there have been several non-fatal aviation incidents involving issues with Pratt engines in the past few years. Among them, in February 2021, a Boeing 777-200 operated by United Airlines that was bound for Hawaii returned safely to Denver International Airport, after experiencing "right-engine failure shortly after takeoff," according to Federal Aviation Administration officials.

Pratt's engines have also faced scrutiny related to the discovery in 2023 of a rare condition in powder metal used in certain parts, affecting the company's Geared Turbofan fleet. For 2023, Pratt incurred a pre-tax charge of $2.9 billion, which reflected its anticipation of increased aircraft groundings, its expectation of compensation to customers for the disruption, as well as maintenance costs resulting from increased inspections and shop visits.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.

This article originally published at Plane crash that killed NASCAR's Biffle, six others had engines made by CT-headquartered Pratt & Whitney.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  A man accused of killing 15 people at Sydneys Bondi Beach conducted firearms training in an area of New South Wales state outside of Sydney with his father, according to Australian police documents released on Monday.

The documents, made public following Naveed Akrams video court appearance from a Sydney hospital where he has been treated for an abdominal injury, said the two men recorded footage justifying the meticulously planned attack.

Officers wounded Akram at the scene of the Dec. 14 shooting and killed his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram.

Advertisement Advertisement

The state government confirmed Naveed Akram was transferred Monday from a hospital to a prison. Authorities identified neither facility.

The 24-year-old and his father began their attack by throwing four improvised explosive devices toward a crowd celebrating an annual Jewish event at Bondi Beach, but the devices failed to explode, the documents said.

Police described the devices as three aluminum pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb containing an explosive, gunpowder and steel ball bearings. None detonated, but police described them as viable IEDs.

The pair had rented a room in the Sydney suburb of Campsie for three weeks before they left at 2:16 a.m. on the day of the attack. CCTV recorded them carrying what police allege were two shotguns, a rifle, five IEDs and two homemade Islamic State group flags wrapped in blankets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Police also released images of the gunmen shooting from a footbridge, providing them with an elevated vantage point and the protection of waist-high concrete walls.

The largest IED was found after the gun battle near the footbridge in the trunk of the sons car, which had been left draped with the flags.

Authorities have charged Akram with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to the wounded survivors and one count of committing a terrorist act.

The antisemitic attack at the start of the eight-day Hanukkah celebration was Australia's worst mass shooting since a lone gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania state in 1996.

Advertisement Advertisement

The New South Wales government introduced draft laws to Parliament on Monday that Premier Chris Minns said would become the toughest in Australia.

The new restrictions would include making Australian citizenship a condition of qualifying for a firearms license. That would have excluded Sajid Akram, who was an Indian citizen with a permanent resident visa.

Sajid Akram also legally owned six rifles and shotguns. A new legal limit for recreational shooters would be a maximum of four guns.

Police said a video found on Naveed Akram's phone shows him with his father expressing "their political and religious views and appear to summarise their justification for the Bondi terrorist attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

The men are seen in the video condemning the acts of Zionists while they also adhere to a religiously motivated ideology linked to Islamic State, police said.

Video shot in October shows them firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner on grassland surrounded by trees, police said.

There is evidence that the Accused and his father meticulously planned this terrorist attack for many months, police allege.

An impromptu memorial that grew near the Bondi Pavilion after the massacre, as thousands of mourners brought flowers and heartfelt cards, was removed Monday as the beachfront returned to more normal activity. The Sydney Jewish Museum will preserve part of the memorial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Victims' funerals continued Monday with French national Dan Elkayam's service held in the nearby suburb of Woollahra, at the heart of Sydney's Jewish life. The 27-year-old moved from Paris to Sydney a year ago.

The health department said 12 people wounded in the attack remained in hospitals on Monday.
An Ohio father was arrested last week in connection with a case where his teenage son allegedly shot and killed his 11-year-old cousin.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Columbus Division of Police arrested 33-year-old Matthew Seymour on Friday after he was indicted on involuntary manslaughter and endangering children charges, our news partners WBNS-10 TV reported.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Seymours teenage son is charged with reckless homicide after prosecutors say he accidentally shot and killed Amya Frazier.

The shooting happened Dec. 5 in the 200 block of South Wheatland Avenue in the Hilltop neighborhood, WBNS-10 TV reported.

Seymour spoke with WBNS-10 TV last week after his sons first hearing.

My son made a mistake, and hes going to pay for it  and hes probably not the only one whos going to pay for it, Seymour said outside of the juvenile courtroom.

Seymour told WBNS-10 TV that around 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 5, he woke up to his dogs barking and thought someone was outside his home. He said he grabbed his gun from a locked box to check, but found no one there.

Advertisement Advertisement

I placed the gun on top of a mini fridge on the floor and forgot about it, he said. I went to pick up my niece and take her to the house. Then I went to my grandfathers home.

Later that morning, Seymour said he got a call that his son had shot a friend, then moments later, he learned the victim was his niece, WBNS-10 TV reported.

Prosecutors told the court that 10 to 11 children were in the home at the time of the shooting.

According to their account, the 14-year-old cocked back the hammer once and pulled the trigger, which resulted in the weapon clicking. The juvenile then cocked back the hammer and pulled the trigger a second time. This time, the weapon discharged.

Seymour is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
A Myrtle Beach pastor was in the national spotlight after the death of his wife gave rise to controversy and suspicion about his possible involvement. Now, more than a year later, he faces federal charges surrounding her death.

This is how he got here.

When Mica Miller took her life in a North Carolina state park in April 2024, her husband, John-Paul Miller, came under scrutiny. It began when he announced her death from the pulpit of his then church, Solid Rock.

Mica Miller was found dead in her vehicle in a North Carolina state park. Her death has garnered national attention regarding its circumstances. She and her husband, the pastor of a Myrtle Beach area church, had been in the beginning of divorce proceedings.

Mica Miller had filed for divorce several times before her death, and the couple was estranged at the time. Mica Miller contacted the police several times about being followed and harassed by her husband, telling them she feared for her life.

Advertisement Advertisement

John-Paul Miller denied wrongdoing, blaming his wifes death on her mental health, but protestors and law enforcement suspected there was more to the case.

Federal indictment places additional suspicion on John-Paul Miller

Before his wifes death, Miller was known in the community primarily as the pastor at Solid Rock Church in The Market Common. Following the discovery of Micas body in 2024, suspicions arose among community members and Micas family that Miller had something to do with the death.

Theories and rumors swirled on the internet, and the couples tenuous relationship was picked apart and talked about in the media and podcasts.

Now, a federal grand jury in Columbia has brought a two-count indictment against Miller, 46, for cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators related to Mica Miller, according to a press release sent Thursday from the office of the United States Attorney District of South Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

The indictment claims that Miller engaged in harassment of Mica beginning in November 2022 up until her death, including calling her more than 50 times in one day and posting a nude photo of her online without consent. It also alleges that he interfered with her finances and her vehicles tires.

When Miller was interviewed about these occurrences, he lied about all of them, the indictment says. He had purchased a tire deflation device despite claiming that he did not interfere with Micas tires, and hired a private investigator, whom he claimed was hired to prevent her from purchasing firearms, to cyberstalk Mica over alleged adultery.

The defendants alleged actions were predatory, measured, and inflicted profound trauma to the victim, her family, and loved ones, FBI Columbia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore said in a statement about the indictment. While this indictment marks the first phase of the criminal process, it represents a crucial step toward accountability. We hope this step offers a measure of peace as the healing continues for the family.

When asked if the FBI plans to pursue further criminal charges against Miller, FBI Columbia Field Office spokesperson Kevin Wheeler said he was unable to comment. He noted that the U.S. Attorneys Office makes determinations on charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

The FBI has not outright said that Millers actions may have caused Mica Miller to take her life, however, it has long been an accusation by her family and those protesting for justice in the case.

In November 2024, crowds gathered to watch as the FBI searched John-Paul Millers Azalea Lakes Boulevard home in The Market Common area. The reasons for the search remain unknown. The Sun News requested the incident report related to the search, but never received it.

John-Paul Millers attorney Nathan Williams declined to comment on the indictment prior to court proceedings. His other attorney, Andrew Moorman, did not immediately respond for comment on Friday.

Another of Millers attorneys, Russell Long, stated in a text message on Friday that he will not be commenting on the case anytime soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

A current phone number for John-Paul Miller could not be located.

Millers arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026, in federal court in Florence. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years in prison for giving false statements. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000.

Robeson County Sheriff suspected more behind Mica Millers death

On April 27, 2024, Mica Miller contacted Robeson County, North Carolina, police expressing concern that she might harm herself.

Deputies with the Robeson County Sheriffs Office responded to Lumber River State Park near Orrum, North Carolina, to conduct a welfare check on her. They found her dead in the water with a gunshot wound that appeared self-inflicted, and the firearm nearby.

Advertisement Advertisement

The death was later ruled a suicide.

Mica Miller was captured on surveillance cameras purchasing a gun at Dicks Pawn Shop in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on April 24, 2024. Photo released by Robeson County Sheriffs Office.

Earlier that day, Mica could be seen on surveillance footage released by the Robeson County Sheriffs Office entering Dicks Pawn Shop in Myrtle Beach and leaving after buying a firearm and ammunition. It remains unknown why afterward she traveled more than 65 miles to the North Carolina state park to take her life.

However, in the ensuing investigation, authorities uncovered information that warranted further review of the victims husband, John-Paul Miller, according to a statement released Thursday by the Robeson County Sheriffs Office. The police suspected that this information was informative of the broader circumstances around Micas death, the statement reads.

On May 6, 2024, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins reached out to the U.S. Attorneys Office in South Carolina and requested that federal authorities step in to investigate allegations reported in the Robeson County Sheriffs Offices jurisdiction. The suspicions of Wilkins and his team ultimately led to the indictment of cyberstalking and making false claims to federal investigators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Wilkins said in the statement that during the investigation, conspiracy theories and rumors ran wild, but his office made decisions based solely in facts and verified information.

This case underscores the seriousness of domestic violence abuse and related offenses and serves as a reminder that such behavior has no place in our society, Wilkins said in the statement.

The statement does not share details about what information led to the request for federal assistance, but police reports show that on March 11, Micas tires were slashed when she was at the Springmaid Pier around 1:30 a.m. She reported this to Horry County Police, The Sun News previously reported.

Later that morning, around 11:30 a.m., she again called the police about harassment, saying a man whom she has been avoiding came up to her at a gas station and tried to speak with her. He had also allegedly been calling and texting her despite the fact she had blocked his number. She told police she feared for her life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Mica Miller said she had tried to get a restraining order against the suspect, who was not named in the police reports. A mechanic also found a GPS tracker on her car, The Sun News previously reported.

Mica Millers family raised suspicious about abusive relationship

Mica Millers family made it known that they did not approve of Mica and John-Pauls relationship. Sierra Francis, Micas sister, previously told The Sun News she believed that John-Paul Miller abused Mica and had groomed her since she was a younger member of the church.

The couples romantic relationship began as an affair when Mica was 20, in 2015, according to a previous interview with John-Paul. They were both married at the time and later divorced their spouses to marry each other. They married in 2017.

Mica filed for divorce in October 2023, but later dismissed it. In February 2024, John-Paul filed for separation, but also dismissed it. Mica filed for separation once more in April 2024, serving the papers two days before her death, according to family court records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Records also show that at the time of John-Pauls separation filing in 2024, the couple had been living apart since early February.

Mica Millers family also filed a lawsuit against John-Paul Miller following her death. The suit was settled in July 2024, and the terms of the settlement were sealed under a confidentiality agreement.

Regina Ward, the attorney representing Mica Millers family, was unavailable for comment on Friday as her office was closed.

Friends and family gathered on the beach in North Myrtle Beach Sunday, May 5, 2024, to conduct a memorial for Mica Miller, who was found dead in a North Carolina state park. Her death has gained national attention. She was married to John-Paul Miller, the pastor of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach.

Micas family were not the only ones who felt that John-Pauls involvement in his wifes death ran deep. Micas story became a national conversation topic, sparking TikToks, Facebook groups and more that circulated around the hashtag #JusticeForMica. The tag became a rallying cry among those who wanted justice served in Micas case.
Police are searching for a suspected DUI driver after the person crashed into a home in Highland Park and took off running.

The incident happened around 1:15 a.m. Sunday, when officers were in pursuit of a possible DUI suspect.

Police told Eyewitness News that a few minutes later, the driver crashed into the front of a home near Piedmont Avenue and N Ave 60.

The suspect, who was not immediately identified, took off running and remains at large.

Police don't believe there was anyone else in the vehicle. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Most of Pope Leo's appointments for Catholic bishops in the U.S. have called for better treatment of immigrants in the country, in a trend that may shape how the national Church responds to the Trump administration's divisive anti-immigration policies.

At least ten of the 13 selections made to date by Leo, including the new Archbishop of New York, announced on Thursday to replace the leading conservative Cardinal Timothy Dolan, have spoken publicly on the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

In diverse statements, some have called the Trump policies cruel; others have urged the administration to use due process before deporting immigrants.

One of Leo's closest U.S. advisors told Reuters the pope's appointments show that treatment of immigrants is now a firm part of the Church's position that life is sacred from conception until death, one of the 1.4-billion-member denomination's strongest teachings.

"It signals a maturing of our understanding of what it means to be pro-life," said Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who is part of a Vatican office that advises Leo on which Catholic priests to appoint as bishops.

LEO BROADENS MEANING OF 'PRO-LIFE' TEACHINGS

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. bishops' pro-life agenda focused for decades on ending legal abortion in the country, with their national conference supporting an annual march in Washington, D.C. and lobbying to end the now overturned 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling.

Leo appeared to broaden the pro-life umbrella in September, when he questioned whether U.S. President Donald Trump's policies were in line with the Church's teachings, drawing a heated backlash from some prominent conservative Catholics.

"Someone who says I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life," the pope said in response to journalists' questions outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, in Italy.

In his first seven months as pope, Leo has appointed new Catholic bishops in cities across the U.S., from San Diego to Austin to Pittsburgh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, who Leo named on Thursday to replace Dolan in New York in a leadership shake-up, gave his first remarks in Spanish that day at a press conference about his appointment before switching to English.

Hicks, who will lead 2.8 million Catholics in New York, is a former missionary in El Salvador. He reiterated an earlier endorsement of a November statement by the U.S. bishops' conference, which decried Trump's immigration crackdown.

BISHOP APPOINTMENTS 'MOST LASTING LEGACY' OF POPES

Since Catholic bishops normally only retire for health or age reasons, and can serve until age 80, many of the new bishops appointed by Leo could be expected to stay in their roles for decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Certainly the most lasting legacy of any pope, is the episcopal appointments he makes," said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a U.S. Church expert and professor at Fordham University. "Every appointment is important, and every one means something."

Trump, who once called the late Pope Francis "disrespectful" for criticizing the president's immigration policies, has not responded directly to Leo's criticisms.

The administration's crackdown has included deployment of National Guard troops in cities across the country and raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at workplaces, businesses and on city streets.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, told right-wing outlet Breitbart in November that he was aware of Leo's comments and said the administration's policies were humanitarian.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Every nation has the right to control its borders," said Vance.

BISHOPS ATTEND PROTESTS, ACCOMPANY IMMIGRANTS TO COURT

Four of Leo's choices as U.S. bishops are immigrants themselves. A fifth was born in Texas but spent most of his childhood in Mexico.

San Diego Bishop Michael Pham, a former Vietnamese refugee appointed by Leo in May, has accompanied asylum seekers to court, in an attempt to prevent ICE agents from arresting them as they go to their hearings.

Bishop Ramon Bejarano, who grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico and will soon lead the Church in Monterey, California, took part in a February protest with thousands in downtown San Diego against the immigration crackdown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman, appointed by Leo in June, called immigration policies "cruel and inhumane" in a November open letter.

Imperatori-Lee said the pope "is putting into practice what the Gospel invites us all to do, by appointing men who have  forcefully defended immigrants and stood up for human dignity."

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
A car crashed into a transmission pole Sunday night, leaving residents without power for several hours.

Anne Nesbit, spokesperson for Key Peninsula Fire, told The News Tribune the accident happened at 31st Street Northwest and Key Peninsula Highway. It happened at roughly 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, and power was out in nearby areas until 8 a.m. Monday.

Initial Facebook posts from Key Peninsula Fire said the driver took off, but they issued a correction in later posts.

Advertisement Advertisement

The occupant had to wait until [the Peninsula Light Company] cut power and then they were safely extricated and not injured, Nesbit told The News Tribune.

Nesbit said the driver was not arrested, and that there was no evidence pointing to them being intoxicated.
Weather experts say an atmospheric river-fueled storm system could bring heavy rain, flooding, wind and snow to Southern California during Christmas week.

The storm system should move through the area beginning Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Saturday, Dec. 27, according to the National Weather Service.

Weather experts believe an atmospheric river-fueled storm could bring heavy rain, flooding, wind and snow to Southern California during Christmas week.

Rainfall times and amounts could change, but for now, the heaviest rain is expected early Christmas Eve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Because of the storm, roadways and airports could be negatively impacted from Tuesday to Thursday.

Flood watch

During the storm, the High Desert is expected to receive between .5 to 2.5 inches of rain or more, with heavy rainfall in the Cajon Pass, Hesperia, Oak Hills, Phelan and Pinon Hills.

The mountains are expected to get 4 to 8 inches of rain, with the coast and valleys getting 2 to 6 inches.

A flood watch goes into effect late Tuesday through Wednesday across Southern California. Heavy rainfall may result in flooding of rivers and other low-lying areas.

Mud and debris flows are possible in the mountains near burn scars, the weather service reported.

A Flood Watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening for Apple and Lucerne Valleys, the San Bernardino County Mountains, and the San Bernardino Valley.  



An Atmospheric River is expected to bring widespread moderate to heavy rain to the area late pic.twitter.com/PXY6SE4eWZ  SBCounty (@SBCounty) December 21, 2025

Wind and snow

Windy conditions, with gusts up to 35 mph, are expected late Tuesday night into Wednesday, with possible property damage, weather experts stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Snow levels are expected to remain above 8,000 feet between Christmas Day and Saturday.

Residents are encouraged to pick up sandbags in advance of the storm. Sand and sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis at San Bernardino County Fire stations. Visit sbcfire.org/sandbags for more information

San Bernardino County officials suggest the public visit prepare.sbcounty.gov to view helpful resources and tips on how to prepare and stay safe.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Powerful storm expected to slam Southern California on Christmas week
Sen. Rand Paul is not jumping on the JD Vance bandwagon for president in 2028. (Watch the video below.)

The Kentucky Republican strongly suggested he would not back the vice president, even as Vance tracks fairly well in early polling to succeed President Donald Trump.

Politics: Comedy Writer Exacts Hilarious Revenge Over New Trump-Kennedy Center Name

Jonathan Karl on ABCs This Week Sunday noted to Paul that Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already backed Vance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Is JD Vance the heir apparent here? the newsman asked.

Paul at first danced around the question, criticizing the administrations trade wars, before Karl elicited a more definite answer.

I think there needs to be representatives in the Republican Party who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes, Paul said. It used to separate conservatives and liberals that conservatives thought it was a spending problem  we didnt want more revenue, we wanted less spending.

Politics: Trump Gives His Strongest 2028 Endorsement Yet, Revealing Possible MAGA Heir

But now all these pro-tariff protectionists, they love taxes. And so they tax, tax, tax, and then they brag about all the revenue coming in, Paul continued. That has never been a conservative position.

Advertisement Advertisement

So Im going to continue to try to lead a conservative free-market wing in the party, and well see where things lead over time.

And thats not JD Vance? Karl asked.

Paul hesitated for a moment. No, he replied.

Rand Paul on Erika Kirk and Marco Rubio endorsing JD Vance: "I think there needs to be representatives in the GOP who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes."



Karl: "And that's not JD Vance?"



Paul: pic.twitter.com/nAMp7FIWzm  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 21, 2025

Paul has opposed Trump and Vance on several issues lately beyond tariffs, including the legally questionable strikes on suspected drug smugglers at sea, the administrations attacks on six congressional Democrats who made a video reminding service members they can reject unlawful orders and the presidential pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a convicted drug trafficker.

JD Vance is not No. 1 in the eyes of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). TOM BRENNER via Getty Images

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
By Patturaja Murugaboopathy

Dec 22 (Reuters) - Global technology companies have ramped up debt issuance this year to record levels, as an intensifying race to build artificial intelligence capacity forces even cash-rich firms to borrow heavily to fund that investment.

According to Dealogic data, global tech companies issued $428.3 billion of bonds in 2025 through the first week of December. U.S. firms accounted for $341.8 billion, while European and Asian tech companies issued $49.1 billion and $33 billion, respectively.

More from Yahoo Scout What risks do rising debt levels pose? How is AI investment changing tech financing strategies? How are credit markets responding to increased leverage? Why are tech companies issuing record debt levels?

Traditionally reliant on internal cash flows, large tech firms have increasingly turned to debt, as borrowing costs are low and investor demand is strong.

Michelle Connell, president at Portia Capital Management, said debt-funded AI capex reflects a structural shift, as rapid technological obsolescence and short chip lifespans force companies to reinvest continuously.

The heavy issuance, however, has begun to lift leverage and weaken coverage ratios for some firms, raising questions about how balance sheets would hold up if AI investments fail to deliver expected returns.

That said, the biggest tech firms are generally profitable, have large cash buffers and a number of them rank among the world's most valuable by market capitalisation.

A Reuters analysis of more than 1,000 tech firms with market capitalisations of at least $1 billion shows their median debt-to-EBITDA ratio rose to 0.4 at the end of September, nearly double the level seen during the 2020 debt surge. While leverage remains below levels typically viewed as alarming, the increase suggests debt is rising faster than earnings, which can pose a risk if cash flows fail to keep pace.

The median operating cash flow-to-total-debt ratio also fell to a five-year low of 12.3% in the second quarter before recovering modestly later in the year.

Credit markets have begun to reflect rising investor caution. Five-year CDS spreads on Oracle have nearly doubled to 142.48 basis points over the past two months, while Microsofts spreads have climbed to about 35 basis points from around 20.5 at the end of September.

"I view this phenomenon as the result of an overheated marketplace that has created its own self-serving narrative  go big or go home in terms of stock price," said Scott Bickley, an advisory fellow at Info-Tech Research Group.

"This is neither sustainable nor repeatable as a permanent shift in operating modes for the hyperscalers."

(Reporting By Patturaja Murugaboopathy; with additional reporting by Gaurav Dogra in Bengaluru; Editing by Amanda Cooper and Alexandra Hudson)
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong talks about the impact of the state's property tax relief efforts at a Dec. 19, 2025, press conference at the Capitol. To his right are Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus and Rep. Craig Headland. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

Roughly 50,000 North Dakota households will pay nothing in property taxes for the 2025 tax year, but some county officials are concerned about how limiting property taxes will affect their budgets.

This years Primary Residence Credit program offers up to $1,600 per household in property tax relief for tax years 2025 and 2026, up from $500 per household offered in 2024. That zeroed out property taxes completely for about 30% of eligible households, Gov. Kelly Armstrong said in a press conference last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

We know the legislation isnt perfect, and there will be minor tweaks that are needed, but the impact is clear and unmistakable, Armstrong said during the press conference.

The expanded subsidies were passed by the Legislature earlier this year as part of a property tax relief package, which at the time was estimated to cost $473 million. That bill also increased funding for a disabled veterans tax credit and a renters refund.

Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, said he hopes the program makes home ownership more affordable to first-time buyers.

This may be the difference between buying a house and maybe renting, Nathe, who sponsored the property tax relief package during the 2025 session, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a random sample of 50 property tax statements across 15 counties, the state found the household had its property taxes reduced by 46%.

The Office of State Tax Commissioner received 145,000 applications for the credit for the 2025 tax year, which represented about 95% of eligible households.

The primary residence tax credit is paid for with earnings off the state Legacy Fund, so local governments dont lose out on any tax revenue due to the program. The Legacy Fund, recently valued at $13 billion, invests a portion of the states oil and gas taxes.

The legislation also limits the amount local governments can raise property taxes each year at 3%. If a local government doesnt use the full 3%, officials can tap into unused percentage increases for up to five years. The first time the cap will apply will be on 2026 property tax statements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Applications for the 2026 residential property credit open Jan. 1 and close April 1.

The program is generally open to anyone who owns a home in North Dakota and lives there a majority of the time. Those unable to live in their homes for health reasons  like those residing in a rehabilitation center or nursing home  can also apply, as long as theyre not renting the residence out while theyre gone.

Homeowners can apply for the credit at tax.nd.gov/prc. Those who need help applying can call the Office of State Tax Commissioner at 701-328-7988.

Impact on counties

Many county officials are worried about how their governments will fare under the cap, said Donnell Preskey, government and public relations specialist for the North Dakota Association of Counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

The association recently conducted a survey asking county commissioners and auditors how their budgeting process for 2026 was affected by the cap. Officials from 47 of North Dakotas 53 counties responded, Preskey said.

In light of the cap, some county governments have had to tighten their budgets, Preskey said. That includes cutting pay increases for staff, delaying road projects and equipment purchases, and reducing funding for law enforcement, she said.

Survey respondents from 30 counties said their governments dipped into reserves to fund their 2026 budgets, she said. Of those 30, 12 increased property taxes by the full 3% allowable under the cap.

Notably, the tax cap doesnt account for election costs, Preskey said. The 3% cap assumes year-to-year budgets for counties will be roughly the same, but counties must add in election expenses every other year  a significant line-item, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Preskey said the Association of Counties may advocate for making election costs exempt under the 3% cap.

She said the association may also push for exemptions for costs like health insurance for county employees.

The counties have no control over how much that increases or not, said Preskey.

Counties are also worried about expenses related to running jails, she added.

Again, its a service to their areas that they have to provide, but yet they cant control the costs that increase with it, she said.

About 50% of survey respondents said they were not confident their county can meet the needs of their citizens in the next five years under the tax restrictions. Another 37.5% said they felt somewhat confident.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A 37-year-old Detroit man faces a murder charge following the death of a Salvation Army bell ringer one week before Christmas at a Westland Kroger.

Rene Zambrana was arraigned on Monday, Dec. 22, on charges of first-degree murder and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the death of Alvin Echols, 47, of Westland, on Dec. 18, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Ahead of the court appearance, Wayne County prosecutors emphasized that the two men knew each other, and this was not the case of a bell ringer being shot at random. A sibling of Echols also reported this to the Free Press, saying prior to the Monday court appearance that the accused was a longtime family friend.

Advertisement Advertisement

More: Westland Kroger shooting victim identified, GoFundMe set up for family

Echols was volunteering as a bell ringer, seeking donations to be placed in a Salvation Army kettle, at about 6:20 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Kroger on Ford Road, when Zambrana walked up, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Zambrana fired multiple shots, then fled.

Echols ran into the store, collapsed near the self-checkout area and died of a single gunshot to his chest.

Westland police arrested Zambrana in the early morning hours the next day.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in a news release, raised concerns with a false narrative she said was spread, indicating that the incident was random.

Advertisement Advertisement

The evidence will show that this was likely a complicated interpersonal relationship dispute, she said. These allegations are nonetheless extremely tragic and criminal."

Zambrana was remanded to jail during his arraignment at the 18th District Court in Westland, prosecutors said. He's scheduled to return to court on Dec. 30.

His heftiest of charges by far  the first-degree murder charge  is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole upon conviction.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit man charged in Salvation Army bell ringer's death
The search for the 57-year-old Fort Myers attorney and his 33-year-old nephew continued late Sunday after the pair was reported missing Dec. 19 after a fishing trip off the coast of Naples.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported it would continue the search overnight.

A new grid search by volunteer searchers was expected to start Monday morning, Dec. 22, 70 miles west of Naples, family members reported on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

"USCG crews and partner agencies are continuing the search through the night by air and by sea," the Coast Guard posted on X at 8:34 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the search along with partner agencies to find attorney Randall Spivey and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, who were reported missing at about 9 p.m. Friday. The boat they'd been using for their trip had been scheduled to return at about sunset.

The pair went out in a 42-foot Freeman boat named "Unstopp-A-Bull," according to Luis Garcia, the supervisor on watch for the Coast Guard sector in St. Petersburg. The Coast Guard found the boat floating upright in the Gulf about 70 miles off the coast of Naples, with no signs of the missing boaters.

Now, one of the largest searches in Southwest Florida history is underway, with a large community effort behind it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier: Fort Myers attorney missing after fishing trip, search underway in Gulf

Were the missing Florida boaters from Fort Myers found? Boater's wife provides updates

As of late Sunday, Dec. 21, Spivey and Billmaier, the Florida boaters reported missing Dec. 19 after a fishing trip off the coast of Naples, had not been found, according to Billmaier's wife, Deborah.

Deborah and other family members of the missing men continued to ask for prayers and for volunteers to help search.

"We are asking for vessels capable of a 225-mile range to assist in a major offshore search," Deborah Billmaier said in a Facebook post.

"Thank you to all the local heroes who are working to bring my husband Brandon and uncle Randy home," her post said. "They have not yet been found, but we are staying positive."

To volunteer in the offshore seach for the missing boaters:

Deborah Billmore's Facebook post asked volunteer searchers to text to Paul at 239-634-3400:

Advertisement Advertisement

Departure location

Vessel name

Captains name and cell number

First mate's name and cell number

Vessel range

She said vessels will depart from their own location (ranging from Fort Myers to Marco Island) and search grids would be assigned after updated information is received at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22.

'Still not sure exactly what occurred'

Deborah Billmaier had posted earlier Sunday:

"Updates after speaking with the U.S. Coast Guard this morning," Deborah Billmaier wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. "The EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) was unfortunately still on the boat. They were bottom fishing when the incident occurred (still not sure exactly what occurred.)"

Advertisement Advertisement

The post also mentioned that a couple of life jackets were not found on the boat, indicating that Spivey and Billmaier may be wearing them.

Who is involved in the Florida missing boaters search?

The U.S. Coast Guard sector in St. Petersburg posted news of the search on social media Saturday morning, Dec. 20.

According to the Facebook post, air and surface crews from the agency and partner agencies U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami and Lee County Sheriff's Office are involved in the search.

"The search effort support features an 87-foot boat on water, 45-foot boat, 60-foot helicopter, 144 plane, 6130 Air Force from Patrick Air Force Base and an 144 continuing through the day (not sure if this is a boat or a plane)," Deborah Billmaier wrote in her post the following morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

An urgent marine broadcast has also been issued to all vessels in the area to help expand the search range, said Billmaier.

Community steps in to help in missing boater search in Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated one of the largest search parties in Southwest Florida history Sunday morning, Dec. 21, starting at first light, according to Deborah Billmaier.

Florida Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman shared the post on X.

Erin Shaw Harrel of Facebook group SWFL Boaters urged people Saturday to take to the water to search for the missing boaters, providing these coordinates for the search: 25-51.67N 083-12.16W.

Fort Myers attorney Randy Spivey (pictured) and his nephew, Brandon Billmaier, have gone missing off the coast of Naples during a Dec. 19 fishing trip.

Brent Stokes, owner of Stokes Marine, also asked for volunteers to help search.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Stokes, anyone willing to help with the search could call the U.S. Coast Guard at 727-322-4180.

Capt. Corrie Sergent of the Coast Guard's Sector St. Petersburg posted on X Sunday morning, Dec. 21, noting crews were "pursuing all leads and saturating the (search) area."

"Thank you to this amazing community for their support,' Sergent said in the tweet.

The Coast Guard found a 42-foot Freeman boat, named "Unstopp-A-Bull," floating upright in the Gulf , but no signs of the missing boaters, attorney Randall Spivey, 57, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier.

Who are Randall Spivey, Brandon Billmaier ? Florida attorney and nephew missing off Fort Myers

Attorney Randall Spivey, 57, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier were reported missing at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Tricia Spivey reported her husband and nephew missing Friday night, said Luis Garcia, supervisor on watch for the Coast Guard sector in St. Petersburg. They were going to fish about 102 miles offshore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Spivey is a white male, 61, 245lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark in color shirt, according to Lee County Sheriff's Office. Billmaier is a white male, 62, 250lbs, with strawberry hair and brown eyes.

Where was the boat of the missing fisherman found?

The pair went out in a 42-foot Freeman boat named "Unstopp-A-Bull," Garcia said. The Coast Guard later found the boat floating upright in the Gulf about 70 miles off the coast of Naples, but no signs of the missing boaters.

Tricia Spivey says GPS coordinates from the boat's spot tracker led them to that location near Marco Island and Flamingo. That's where the search has been concentrated.

Where to call with information, help with search for missing Florida boaters

The Coast Coast asked anyone with pertinent information to contact the agency's St. Petersburg sector at 866-881-1392.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Lee County Sheriff's Office also requested the public's help in locating Spivey and Billmaier.

If anyone knows about the pair's whereabouts, they can call 911, if applicable, or call the sheriff's office at 477-1000. To remain anonymous, you can also call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.

Contributing: Cindy McCurry-Ross

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Missing Florida boaters update: Coast Guard continues air & sea search
After a raccoon broke into a Virginia liquor store and had a fun night, another creature in Wisconsin dropped in for dinner and had a small bite.

A raccoon dropped onto diners at a Wisconsin restaurant on Dec. 14 as they were trying to enjoy their dinner. The animal fell through a roof tile at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa around 7:30 p.m. local time, according to reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. The resort is located in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, some 41 miles southwest of Milwaukee.

Officers with the Walworth County Sheriffs Office who responded to the resort said the raccoon bit a guest before they arrived on scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

One of the patrons tried to catch the raccoon, and he was the one that got bit, Lt. Pete Krueger told the outlet.

More: Drunk raccoon inspires merch, raises $150K for Virginia animal shelter

By the time officers arrived at the hotel, the raccoon was contained in a room where animal control caught the uninvited guest and removed it from the property.

This is unique, and its kind of funny, Krueger said.

See the video here

From biting to drinking

The incident in Wisconsin isn't the only recent case of a raccoon causing havoc. Authorities responding to a break-in at a Virginia liquor store last month apprehended a drunk raccoon.

The raccoon crept into an ABC store in Ashland, Virginia, in the early morning hours on Nov. 29. After ransacking the shelves, the raccoon passed out intoxicated in the bathroom, the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

When officials arrived on scene, they secured the animal and transported him back to a shelter. After a few hours of sleep and no signs of injury, "other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices," the raccoon was safely released back to the wild, the statement said.

A raccoon broke into a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, in the early morning hours on Nov. 29, 2025. After ransacking the shelves, the raccoon passed out intoxicated in the bathroom, the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter said in a statement.

USA TODAYs Melina Khan contributed to this report.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch video as raccoon drops into restaurant and crashes dinner
Climatologists have confirmed that the August deluge in southeastern Wisconsin was the largest rainfall event ever recorded in the state. It surpassed the previous record set nearly 80 years ago by about three inches.

Between Aug. 9 and 10, a rain gauge on top of James Madison High School in northwest Milwaukee recorded 14.55 inches of rain in under 24 hours. The gauge is maintained by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. The previous state record was 11.72 inches on June 24, 1946, near Mellen in Ashland County.

The 24-hour rainfall record was confirmed by scientists with the State Climate Extremes Committee, which includes representatives with the National Weather Service, the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, the Midwestern Regional Climate Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Several of these agencies have felt the impact of cuts from the Trump administration, raising the specter of whether this kind of data will be available in the future.

The disastrous August deluge was so rare that it's classified as a thousand-year event. Thousand-year flood events don't refer to time, as is commonly misperceived. They refer to probability, meaning there is a 1-in-1,000 chance of it occurring in any given year.

Several rounds of thunderstorms drenched southeast Wisconsin during the August flood event, leading to widespread flooding, in which at least two people died.

The Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management estimated that damage from the flood event surpassed $50 million.

Marty Honel helps his neighbors push Linda Bradshaws daughters car out of the flood waters on Menomonee River parkway in Wauwatosa, August 10, 2025. Milwaukee had 14.55 inches within a 24-hour period causing widespread flooding and millions of dollars of damage.

Throughout Milwaukee County, more than 2,200 homes sustained major damage or were destroyed. A significant number of those homes were concentrated in the city of Milwaukee, especially on the north and west sides, as well as in the suburban municipalities of Glendale, West Allis, Wauwatosa and Brown Deer, according to data from Milwaukee County's Office of Emergency Management. In the city of Milwaukee, 54 homes were reported as "uninhabitable" as a result of flooding.

Advertisement Advertisement

In Wauwatosa, first responders rescued about 70 people, including two rescues from the Menomonee River, during and in the aftermath of the storm. Flood damage to public property surpassed $4 million, including Hart Park, which lies on a floodplain and is surrounded by a flood levy.

The flood event also forced the largest combined sewer overflow since the Deep Tunnel was installed in 1993. About 5.14 billion gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged into nearby waterways and Lake Michigan.

The Trump administration granted a request for $29.8 million in FEMA Individual Assistance for Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties, but later denied a $26 million request for Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

More: After historic flood and devastating losses, Milwaukee begins a new path forward

Advertisement Advertisement

Bridget Fogarty, Claudia Levens, Vanessa Swales, Alison Dirr and Gina Lee Castro contributed to reporting on this story.

Caitlin Looby covers the Great Lakes and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com and find her on X @caitlooby. All of her work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors.

Caitlin is an Outrider Fellow whose reporting also receives support from the Brico Fund, Fund for Lake Michigan, Barbara K. Frank, and individual contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rainfall that caused August flood was largest in Wisconsin history
Red Sneakers for Oakley (RSFO) hosted its eighth annual benefit on Nov. 24 at Club Colette in Palm Beach. The event raised close to $500,000 to expand the organizations mission of educating families, spreading awareness, and advocating for lifesaving access to epinephrine. The funds will strengthen RSFOs Ambassador Program, expand outreach in schools and communities, and continue vital awareness initiatives nationwide.

Founded by Merrill and Bobby Debbs in memory of their 11-year-old son Oakley  who died tragically in 2016 due to a severe allergic reaction to walnuts  RSFO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with lifethreatening food allergies. RSFOs mission is to increase awareness, provide education, and advocate for children and families living with food allergies.

The evenings program featured remarks from new RSFO Executive Director Lindsey Spangler. Dr. Ashley Devonshire, a pediatric allergist and immunologist from Cincinnati Childrens Hospital, shared with guests updates regarding the ongoing strides being made battling food allergies. And in a heart-wrenching tale of a mothers triumphant enduring love, Sherry Lin Isler shared how  over a two-year struggle against the odds  she successfully helped champion the passage of SB 1514 in Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Sponsored by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, SB 1514 mandates training for K-8 school staff on responding to anaphylaxis and ensuring emergency action plans (EAPs) are effective, aiming to protect students with life-threatening allergies. It was signed into law and took effect on July 1.

Together, the three women underscored the urgent need for awareness, advocacy, and access.

The evening was led by co-chairs Hilary Dick, Karen Klopp, Jack Lynch, and Wilder Regalbuto, whose leadership ensured the events success. The evening was further enhanced by sumptuous party decor designed by Meg Braff Designs, which added to Club Colettes elegant atmosphere. And as always, guests heeded the sartorial dictum to don red in memory of Oakley.

This year also marked a milestone in RSFOs advocacy: For the first time, the program menu was labeled for the Top 9 allergens, mirroring Californias newly passed SB 68 bill, which RSFO helped support. The law mandates that restaurants with 20 or more locations label the Top 9 allergens, a groundbreaking step toward protecting families nationwide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Funds raised at the event will go directly toward RSFOs mission of educating and empowering families living with food allergies. Through its dynamic social media presence, RSFO has already reached more than 42 million views, helping amplify its message and continue the education of families and communities globally.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Red Sneakers for Oakley benefit raises nearly $500K for allergy awareness
Repeat atmospheric rivers continue to point relentless streams of rain and gusty wind toward the West Coast.

The current system over the Northwest has diminished, but it is still raining in Washington and Northern California and more significant precipitation is on the way later this weekend.

Another Flood Watch is in effect for parts of western Washington and western Oregon until Saturday afternoon for lingering flooding and some spotty rain that could add to it.

ABC News - PHOTO: flood alerts map

The ground remains saturated in these areas and streams remain elevated. This will lower the threshold for additional flooding in the days ahead.

Kimberly Lohr - PHOTO: Strong winds shake a power line in Lyons, Colorado, on Dec. 19, 2025.

The next atmospheric river will focus primarily on northern California this time, beginning later Saturday and continuing through Sunday.

ABC News - PHOTO: storm track map

A Flood Watch is up for much of Northern California, including Redding and Sacramento. Some areas could get up to 4 to 6+ inches.

Advertisement Advertisement

The extreme Pacific Northwest wont see as much rain but wont be completely spared, with a widespread 1 to 2 inches likely. Mountain snow in the Cascades will also come in the order of feet.

ABC News - PHOTO: rain snow forecast map

On Christmas Eve Wednesday, another coastal storm will set its sights on the West Coast, but this time Southern California will bear the brunt.

Places like Los Angeles and San Diego are facing the threat of over 4 inches of rain, as well as gusty winds. The Sierra Nevada mountains are also looking at 2 to 4 feet of snow, which would render many mountain passes impassible.

Wrentham Police Department - PHOTO: In this video posted on Dec. 19, 2025, by the Wrentham Police Department, a downed tree and downed power lines are shown after high winds hit the area, in Wrentham, Mass.

Meanwhile, the Northeast has quieted down after being battered by rain and wind on Friday. This made life difficult for those beginning to travel for the holidays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Many spots saw wind gusts greater than 60 mph, knocking down trees and power lines as well as causing flight delays.

ABC News - PHOTO: Christmas Eve - Thurs - weather map

In the storm's wake, chilly but quieter weather has moved in. Winds have also eased, making for improved travel conditions.

Much of the holiday week will be well above average temperature-wise across the country, with dry and quiet conditions apart from the West Coast.

Dozens of cities are facing record high temperatures across the center of the country. This list includes St. Louis, Kansas City, Tulsa, Amarillo, Sioux Falls, Amarillo and Albuquerque.
Multiple law enforcement agencies across the state are sending support and thoughts for the family of Tara-Marysa Guting, a Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper killed in the line of duty on Friday.

Guting was standing outside her patrol vehicle while responding to a collision when she was hit by another vehicle just before 7:30 p.m. on SR 509 near the Port of Tacoma.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Guting was the 34th trooper to be killed in the line of duty in WSPs 105-year history.

Support from local police agencies to county law enforcement in Washington state have been flowing in.

Many law enforcement departments, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, have changed their social media profiles to have a black line through their logo or emblem to signify mourning of a law enforcement officer.

Our thoughts are with our Washington State Patrol family during this incredibly difficult time. We are deeply saddened by the loss of another law enforcement officer and honor their service, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting others, the Gig Harbor Police Department wrote on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Our agency extends its deepest condolences to the Washington State Patrol, Trooper Tara-Marysa Gutings family, loved ones, and colleagues during this profound loss. We honor her service, sacrifice, and memory. Badge #720 will never be forgotten. ," the Chelan County Sheriffs Office wrote.

The Tacoma Police Department stands with the Washington State Patrol after the line-of-duty loss of one of their own here in Tacoma. This is a reminder of how quickly a routine moment can turn into heartbreak and of the quiet courage it takes to put on the uniform everyday. To the troopers family, loved ones, and WSP colleagues: you are not carrying this alone. We mourn with you, we honor the life lost, and we hold space for your grief. With respect and solidarity, Tacoma Police Department.

The Snohomish Fire Department mourns the loss of Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting #720, who was tragically killed in the line of duty Friday evening. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and our partners at the Washington State Patrol during this incredibly difficult time. Her service, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We honor her memory, Snohomish County Fire District #4 wrote.

Our deepest condolences to the Washington State Patrol and to the family, friends, and loved ones of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting #720. Trooper Guting tragically lost her life Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle in Tacoma. She was just 29 years old. We honor her service, mourn this profound loss, and hold her family and the Washington State Patrol family close in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. Her sacrifice will never be forgotten. #GoneButNeverForgotten," The Renton Police Department wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

To the Washington State Patrol: Were heartbroken over the loss of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting. Our thoughts are with you and your team during this incredibly tough time. Were sending love, strength, and gratitude for her service. Rest in peace, Trooper Guting, wrote the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office.

These are just a few of the dozens of messages that have been posted online by agencies.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Timothy, Taras extended family, her friends, her academy classmates, to District 1 Captain Gundermann, and his entire team, said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. We will never forget Badge #720  Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting. The sky has poured rain on us all for the past two weeks And with this loss, now tears flood our souls.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has changed her voting address back to her Ottumwa home outside southeastern Iowa's 1st Congressional District, Wappello County voting records show.

That means she won't be able to vote for herself in her coming race for reelection  or for any other 1st District candidate.

Miller-Meeks, who has been registered to vote in Scott County since 2022, changed her address on her voter registration in July, the Quad-City Times first reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

She was first elected to represent southeastern Iowa in Congress in 2020, serving a district that included her Wappello County home.

Iowa's four congressional districts.

When Iowa redrew its congressional districts after the 2020 census, Miller-Meeks' Ottumwa home became part of south-central Iowa's 3rd District represented by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.

"Dr. Miller-Meeks moved her residency back to their property in Ottumwa to be by her husbands side," her campaign manager Peter Owens said in a statement. "Miller-Meeks has lived in Southeast Iowa for almost 40 years and remains committed to serving the people of Iowa's 1st Congressional District, having held over 280 events in all 20 counties this year alone."

In October 2022, Miller-Meeks changed her voter registration from her Ottumwa address to the address of now-Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, a LeClaire Republican who was then a state senator and lives in the 1st District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Miller-Meeks in 2024 changed her voter registration address to an apartment in Davenport.

Federal law requires members of Congress live in the state they represent, but they don't have to live in the district.

Iowa law defines a voter's residence as "the place which the person declares is the person's home with the intent to remain there permanently or for a definite, or indefinite, or indeterminable length of time."

Property tax records list Miller-Meeks and her husband owning land in Ottumwa.

She reported a mortgage on her "personal residence in Ottumwa" in her 2024 congressional disclosure report. And Miller-Meeks lists Ottumwa as her address on campaign forms filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks speaks during a town hall Nov. 10, 2025 at Roberts Memorial Center in Keosauqua, Iowa.

After redistricting, Miller-Meeks said she would not sell her house in Ottumwa but would take up residence in the redrawn 1st District.

Advertisement Advertisement

Miller-Meeks responded to questions about her legal residency during a televised debate in October 2024, saying she was "honest" when she said after redistricting that she would not sell her Wapello County property.

"In Iowa, land is valuable and we hold onto it, so I have a property there," Miller-Meeks said.

Miller-Meeks is seeking a fourth term in 2026, with the 1st District race among national Democrats' top targets in their bid to gain control of Congress.

In an episode of Iowa Press taped Friday, Dec. 19, Matt Paul, principal and director of Cornerstone Public Affairs lobbying firm who has worked for state-level Democrats and ran Hillary Clinton's victorious 2016 Iowa caucus campaign, was asked what Democrats in the state have to do differently in 2026 to flip seats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Paul said Democratic candidates must outline their vision to improve Iowans' lives and tackle issues such as water quality, health care and cost of living. He signaled Democrats could look to make questions surrounding GOP candidates' residency an issue.

I think we've got to be prepared for Republicans to get really strong and real negative in these races," Paul said. "But there's a lot of opportunity around just plain and simple residency. There are these questions about where Rep. Miller-Meeks lives and where she's registered to vote.  There are all kinds of these residency questions that have to be sorted out as we move forward. But I think we've got to be able to capitalize on what is a really good environment.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks' new voting address not in her district
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy and Hold for 2026. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is making advancements in open-source AI models. Recently, on December 17, the company launched its open-source CosyVoice 3 model, which is a multilingual speech synthesis model that generates high-fidelity voices without prior training on specific speakers. The company highlighted that the model has been trained on more than 1 million hours of audio and supports nine languages.

In addition, the same day, the company also announced a significant upgrade to its AgentScope, which now supports building and deploying enterprise-grade AI agents with enhanced apps, infrastructure, and runtime. Management noted that AgentScope now features ready-to-use agents, including Alias and EvoTraders, along with customizable tools, prompts, and workflows.

That said, a recent report by Reuters published on December 10 suggests that Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) and other Chinese companies are looking to get H200 chips from Nvidia. This comes as the Trump administration gave the green light to the American chipmaker to export its chips to China. However, Alibaba and other companies are waiting for approval from the Chinese government. The government recently met with the representatives of these companies to estimate their demand for H200 chips. If the deal goes through, it will be a significant development for Alibaba, as it will allow the company to train, launch, and deploy its AI models faster.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is a multinational tech giant focused on e-commerce, retail, cloud computing, and digital services. It aims to make it easy to do business anywhere by connecting buyers and sellers globally through platforms like Alibaba.com (B2B wholesale).

While we acknowledge the potential of BABA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
A new report suggests that energy bills are up by more than 10% since Donald Trump took office with his "energy dominance" agenda.

What's happening?

Climate Power, a climate advocacy organization, used data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to uncover that Americans experienced a 13% increase in electricity costs in 2025, as ABC News reported. For full disclosure, Climate Power's national advisory board includes well-known Democratic activists and political figures.

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill drew a sharp rebuke from the report's authors, who wrote it is "driving up utility costs and destroying jobs by removing cheaper, cleaner energy sources from the grid, all while funding new tax breaks for the oil and gas industries."

Advertisement Advertisement

"What's happening behind the scenes is the Trump administration is doing everything it can to squash clean energy," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said. "Clean energy is almost always low-cost."

The projects halted or put on hold since Trump's election are preventing enough power to electrify 13 million homes, per the report. Meanwhile, demand is rising for electricity, with data centers guzzling an increasingly large proportion of energy.

Why are surging electricity prices important?

Financial strain from high energy costs can limit access to essential resources for individuals and families, driving them into debt. Protect Borrowers revealed that nearly 1 million Texas households are in utility debt, per ABC News.

The report also asserted conditions are getting worse, not better. Data center growth is picking up, and extreme heat is putting increased pressure on the grid.

Advertisement Advertisement

David Spence, a professor of energy law and regulation at the University of Texas, echoed the report's concerns to ABC News and listed the growth of bitcoin mining and electric vehicles as other factors.

"We're just not able to bring new supply on as quickly as demand is growing, and that's driving prices up," Spence said.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, isn't backing down from its stance on clean energy and is pointing fingers elsewhere for rising costs.

Do you think your energy bills are too high? Always Usually Only in certain months Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"Joe Biden's green energy policies sent electricity prices soaring more than 30% over four years, and blue states that refuse to adopt President Trump's energy-dominance agenda continue to have sky-high energy prices," a spokesperson told ABC News while defending Trump's energy policies.

What's being done about rising electricity costs?

It's pretty clear from those comments that Trump is staying the course on his energy stances, which exclude many forms of clean energy. That is, notwithstanding some legal setbacks, like a judge's rejection of his executive order banning new wind projects.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump is looking to accomplish lower energy prices instead through moves like expanding oil drilling in the Arctic. His administration has also expressed support for nuclear, hydropower, and biofuels as part of a proposed energy mix.

Consumers can take matters into their own hands by putting up their own solar panels and pairing them with batteries to achieve a measure of energy independence. They can also cut down on energy usage with efficient household technology and money-saving moves.

Meanwhile, politicians and clean energy advocates can continue to fight for green products that increase energy generation and create jobs.

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.
Oak Bluff Natural Area in Door County, which was protected by the Door County Land Trust using Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds in 2023. (Photo by Kay McKinley)

At a Wisconsin Assembly committee meeting in November to consider a proposal to extend the widely popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant program, Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) complained that too much land in his district has been conserved through the program.

That sentiment has become increasingly common among a subset of Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, most of them representing the far northern reaches of the state. The complaint they often make is that Knowles-Nelson has taken too much land off local property tax rolls, depriving already struggling local governments of important revenue.

Advertisement Advertisement

These complaints also go hand-in-hand with laments that the Wisconsin Supreme Court undermined the Legislatures authority to conduct oversight of the grant program by ruling the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Finance was unconstitutionally blocking stewardship grant projects proposed by the Department of Natural Resources. These Republicans say that their districts have borne the burden of Wisconsins land conservation goals for too long and some of that work should shift to southern parts of the state.

Because of this groups objections in the Republican legislative caucus, the stewardship program is facing its demise next year.

Popular program hits roadblocks

The Knowles-Nelson program was started in 1989 to fund land conservation in the state. Grants from the program to local governments and non-profits help cover some of the costs for purchasing and conserving land that can be used for recreation, preserving animal habitats and supporting local industries such as forestry. Polls have shown an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites support the program.

Despite that support, it is set to expire next summer and, so far, legislative efforts to extend the program have failed.

Advertisement Advertisement

In his initial 2025-27 state budget proposal, Gov. Tony Evers asked to extend the program for ten years with $100 million in annual funding. Republicans stripped that provision from the budget immediately.

Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) have authored a bill that would extend the program for four years at $28 million per year. The bill also includes a provision that would require the full Legislature to approve any land purchases that cost more than $1 million  a proposal that critics say would be far too slow for the speed at which real estate transactions need to move.

A separate proposal from Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin (D-Whitefish Bay) would re-authorize the program for six years at $72 million per year and create an independent board made up of members appointed by the Legislature to approve large land purchases through the program.

Separately, Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) has introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the full Legislature to approve any state spending on land conservation.

Data contradicts lawmakers complaints

The complaints that Knowles-Nelson has conserved too much Northwoods land may prove fatal to the program in a Legislature that has been unable to find common ground on environmental issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

But an analysis of public lands data shows that the Knowles-Nelson program plays a comparatively small role in Wisconsins conserved land portfolio. Despite the claims of critics, the programs land purchases have been made in all corners of the state.

knowles nelson by assembly district

Knowles-Nelson becomes like sort of the straw man argument, says Charles Carlin, director of strategic initiatives at the land conservation non-profit Gathering Waters. If legislators stood up and said, I dont think that we should have public land in the way that we do, we should reduce our public land portfolio, that would be a terribly unpopular position.

The program has widespread support, he says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Public lands are the prized heritage of Americans, right? Carlin says. Its one of the only things that we just largely agree on as a country, is that we are really proud of our public lands. And this is part of our national identity, and I think its certainly part of our Wisconsin identity.

Swearingens 34th district, which covers north central Wisconsin from Rhinelander up to the Michigan border, has more land conserved by the DNR than any other district in the state  almost 335,000 acres, nearly 24% of the district. That includes land set aside for state parks, natural areas, forests and similar uses.

But only 4.7% of the district is conserved through Knowles-Nelson. Another 4.6% of his district is conserved by the federal government, and 8.6% is conserved county forest land.

Despite the claims that Knowles-Nelson has devoured valuable land across the state, no Assembly district has had more than 5.1% of its land conserved through the program, data shows. The average amount of Knowles-Nelson conserved land across all 99 Assembly districts is 1.13%.

Many small purchases

Ron Eckstein, a board member of Wisconsin Green Fire, says Knowles-Nelson is best equipped to help the state purchase smaller tracts to connect already conserved land across the southern part of the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Many state fish and wildlife areas, state parks, and state natural areas across the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin have private land inholdings within their property boundaries, he said in an email.

It is very important to continue to purchase these inholdings so these state properties can meet their intended purpose: fish and wildlife habitat, rare species, game species, public access, recreation and recreational trails, Eckstein said. This means continuing the long-term, slow process of purchasing a 20-acre tract here and an 80-acre tract there to complete these state-owned areas and fulfill their public purpose.

state land by assembly district

Other DNR land and federal land take up hundreds of thousands more acres across the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

The 74th District, represented by Rep. Chanz Green and Sen. Romaine Quinn has the most Knowles-Nelson land at 5.1%. Nearly 11% of the district is other DNR land while 14.5% is federal land and 23.8% is county land.

Twenty Assembly districts have more general DNR conserved land than the 74th has Knowles-Nelson land.

Across the five Assembly districts with the most federal land, 1,596,129 acres have been conserved. Across the five districts with the most Knowles-Nelson land, 413,453 acres have been conserved.

The data also contradicts Republican claims that the northern parts of the state unfairly get too much land conservation attention.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Dane County districts represented by Reps. Mike Bare (D-Verona), Alex Joers (D-Waunakee) and Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) are all among the 10 districts with the highest percentage of land conserved through Knowles-Nelson. Rep. Karen DeSantos Baraboo-area district, Rep. Chuck Wichgers suburban Waukesha County district and Rep. Scott Krugs district south of Stevens Point are also in the top 10.

When divided by dollar amount, Knowles-Nelson is similarly disbursed. Since its inception, $1.2 billion has been given out through the program to all but one of the Assembly districts; the Milwaukee district of Rep. Supreme Moore-Omukunde (D-Milwaukee) is the only district to not receive any money.

The 36th district, represented by Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz), has gotten the most of that money  $102 million, which amounts to 7% of the total Knowles-Nelson purchases over the programs lifetime. But districts have received an average of $13 million through the program.

federal land by assembly district

Advertisement Advertisement

While weve done some really cool things with Knowles-Nelson, its largely been a drop in the bucket of our sort of overall public lands portfolio, Carlin says. While some critics complain about the states total public land portfolio, he adds, Knowles Nelson investments are really targeted and strategic, and cumulatively not actually that big.

Republicans defend focusing on Knowles-Nelson because they have limited control over the land conserved by the federal and county governments. Legislators have authority over the program through the biennial budget process and the confirmation of members of the Natural Resources Board, but despite that, have put the stewardship program in the crosshairs.

In the last several years, Republicans on the Legislatures Joint Finance Committee began using passive review  an anonymous veto system  to selectively block some Knowles-Nelson projects, to the wide condemnation of members of the public and conservation groups. A 2024 state Supreme Court ruling, in a lawsuit filed by Gov. Tony Evers against the committees co-chair, Sen. Howard Marklein, found that the legislative veto was unconstitutional.

Until the Evers v. Marklein decision by the liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court, there was a good process in place for new stewardship land purchases, Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) told the Wisconsin Examiner in a statement. Those checks and balances between the executive branch and the Legislature ensured that it was a collective decision, and that the state did not overpay for stewardship land. Unfortunately, since this process was destroyed, the Legislature is forced to put even more scrutiny on the stewardship program.

Advertisement Advertisement

County Forest by Assembly District

Carlin says the program has played an important role in helping local governments in more rural parts of the state invest in projects that help the local economy in the long term. Dane Countys recently passed 2026 budget includes $20 million for land conservation, which is not an expense most counties can afford.

But if collectively, we choose as a state to say this is an important priority, were all going to work on this together, then we can make meaningful investments in rural communities that wouldnt otherwise be able to do it themselves, Carlin says.

At a time when there is such incredible inequality of wealth and opportunity, he adds, what the data tells us is that Knowles-Nelson has been a really good democratizer of investments in conservation and recreation.
Editor's note: For information about restaurants' operations on Christmas Day 2025, click here.

Christmas is this week, which means people across the country will be traveling or preparing to host family and friends for the holiday.

Whether you are looking for a sit-down meal, a quick trip through a drive-thru, or a cup of coffee to get you through the day, diners will have plenty of options on Christmas Eve this year. While most restaurant chains will be closed on Christmas Day, most will remain open on Christmas Eve, albeit under adjusted hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Here's what you need to know about restaurants and fast food chains on Christmas Eve, including whether they'll be open and their hours. Some companies have hours that vary by region or location, so it is always a good idea to check online or call your nearest location for their specific hours.

It's Midtown Manhattan at its most lit.

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, an annual tradition that signals the start of the holiday season, arrived live on NBC and Peacock Wednesday night, complete with performances from Brad Paisley, Laufey and Michael Buble. Country icon Reba McEntire is serving as host, aided by NBC "TODAY" anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Savannah Guthrie.



Follow along for the best photos of the night, from the stars to the lights, starting with McEntire performing on Dec. 3, 2025. Reba McEntire and Kristin Chenoweth perform during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City. The Radio City Rockettes perform for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. The Christmas tree is lit during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025. Kristin Chenoweth performs during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City. Carly Pearce and Michael Buble perform during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City. Halle Bailey Gwen Stefani Brad Paisley The Radio City Rockettes New Edition Reba McEntire Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin New Edition Laufey Marc Anthony Reba McEntire Laufey Marc Anthony Reba McEntire Halle Bailey The Christmas tree is pictured before being lit up during the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City on Dec. 3, 2025. People take photos near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree hours before it will be lit. People look from a window on the day of the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in New York City on Dec. 3, 2025. Kristin Chenoweth, Gwen Stefani and more light up Rockefeller Center Christmas tree 1 of 24 It's Midtown Manhattan at its most lit.

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, an annual tradition that signals the start of the holiday season, arrived live on NBC and Peacock Wednesday night, complete with performances from Brad Paisley, Laufey and Michael Buble. Country icon Reba McEntire is serving as host, aided by NBC "TODAY" anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Savannah Guthrie.



Follow along for the best photos of the night, from the stars to the lights, starting with McEntire performing on Dec. 3, 2025.

When is Christmas Eve 2025?

Christmas Eve is on Wednesday, Dec. 24, this year.

More holiday news: Disney World or Universal for the holidays? Here's how to choose

Is Starbucks open on Christmas Eve?

Most Starbucks locations should be open on Dec. 24, but Starbucks coffeehouse hours vary by location. You can find hours for a specific store using the Starbucks app or here.

Is Dunkin' open on Christmas Eve?

Dunkin' hours vary by location, however a majority of locations should be open on Christmas Eve. You can find hours for a specific store using the Dunkin' store locator or the Dunkin' Rewards app.

Is McDonald's open on Christmas Eve?

Hours vary by location but most McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. are open on holidays, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. You can check the hours for your local restaurant here.

Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas Eve?

Chick-fil-A restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve, although some locations may have limited operating hours. Customers are encouraged to check with their local restaurant for specific hours of operation.

Is Chipotle open on Christmas Eve?

Chipotle restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve, however, they will close at 3 p.m. local time, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Is Burger King open on Christmas Eve?

According to the company, holiday hours vary by location, so it is best to check with your local restaurant. You can find the closest restaurant using Burger King's store locator.

Is Wendy's open on Christmas Eve?

Most Wendy's locations will be open on holidays, however hours vary by location, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. Customers are encouraged to use the company's location finder for the most up-to-date information on your nearest Wendy's location.

Is Taco Bell open on Christmas Eve?

Hours vary by location, but you can check your local Taco Bell's hours here.

Is Whataburger open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Whataburger restaurants will be open on Dec. 24, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is Shake Shack open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Shake Shack locations will be open on Christmas Eve, according to the company's website, however locations will close early. The company recommends checking with your nearest location regarding their hours.

Is Zaxbys open on Christmas Eve?

Some Zaxbys restaurants may choose to close early on Christmas Eve, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location and the company recommends customers contact their local Zaxbys for specific holiday hours.

Is Subway open on Christmas Eve?

Subway restaurants are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers should check with their local restaurant regarding specific holiday hours.

Is Firehouse Subs open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Firehouse Subs locations will be open on Dec. 24 with limited hours, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Is Panera Bread open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Panera Bread restaurants will be open on Dec. 24, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location so customers are encouraged to check online or call their nearest location for specific holiday hours.

Are Hardee's or Carl's Jr. open on Christmas Eve?

Hours for both Hardee's and Carl's Jr. vary by location, so customers should check with their local restaurants regarding specific holiday hours.

Is Cracker Barrel open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Cracker Barrel restaurants will be open on Dec. 24. However, they will close at 2 p.m. local time, the company told USA TODAY.

Is IHOP open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, IHOP locations will be open on Christmas Eve. Hours vary by location, so check with your local restaurant regarding their specific hours before visiting.

Is Waffle House open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Waffle House restaurants will be open on Dec. 24.

Is Krispy Kreme open on Christmas Eve?

Krispy Kreme locations will open on Dec. 24 but will close at 6 p.m. local time, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is Outback Steakhouse open on Christmas Eve?

Most Outback Steakhouse locations will be open on Dec. 24 with hours varying by location, the company told USA TODAY. Customers should check with their local restaurants regarding specific holiday hours.

Is Carrabba's Italian Grill open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Carrabba's Italian Grill locations will be open on Dec. 24 with hours varying by location, the company told USA TODAY. Customers should check with their local restaurants regarding specific holiday hours.

Is Bonefish Grill open on Christmas Eve?

Bonefish Grill hours vary by location, so customers are advised to check with their local restaurants regarding specific holiday hours.

Is Texas Roadhouse open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Texas Roadhouse restaurants will be open their regular hours on Dec. 24, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is Applebee's open on Christmas Eve?

Select Applebee's locations nationwide will be open on Christmas Eve, although hours may be reduced, the company told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location, so customers should contact their local restaurant before visiting.

Is Red Lobster open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Red Lobster restaurants will be open on Dec. 24, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location so customers are encouraged to check Red Lobster's website for hours for the location nearest you.

Is Maggiano's open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Maggiano restaurants will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 24, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Is Fogo de Chao open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Fogo de Chao restaurants will be open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Is Chili's open on Christmas Eve?

Chili's restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve but will close at 4 p.m. local time, the company confirmed to USA TODAY.

Is First Watch open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, First Watch locations will be open regular hours on Dec. 24, the company told USA TODAY.

Advertisement Advertisement

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Restaurants open Christmas Eve include Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, more
Schools are facing a growing problem of students using artificial intelligence to transform innocent images of classmates into sexually explicit deepfakes.

The fallout from the spread of the manipulated photos and videos can create a nightmare for the victims.

The challenge for schools was highlighted this fall when AI-generated nude images swept through a Louisiana middle school. Two boys ultimately were charged, but not before one of the victims was expelled for starting a fight with a boy she accused of creating the images of her and her friends.

Advertisement Advertisement

While the ability to alter images has been available for decades, the rise of A.I. has made it easier for anyone to alter or create such images with little to no training or experience, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said in a news release. This incident highlights a serious concern that all parents should address with their children.

Here are key takeaways from AP's story on the rise of AI-generated nude images and how schools are responding.

More states pass laws to address deepfakes

The prosecution stemming from the Louisiana middle school deepfakes is believed to be the first under the states new law, said Republican state Sen. Patrick Connick, who authored the legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

The law is one of many across the country taking aim at deepfakes. In 2025, at least half the states enacted legislation addressing the use of generative AI to create seemingly realistic, but fabricated, images and sounds, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some of the laws address simulated child sexual abuse material.

Students also have been prosecuted in Florida and Pennsylvania and expelled in places like California. One fifth grade teacher in Texas also was charged with using AI to create child pornography of his students.

Deepfakes become easier to create as technology evolves

Deepfakes started as a way to humiliate political opponents and young starlets. Until the past few years, people needed some technical skills to make them realistic, said Sergio Alexander, a research associate at Texas Christian University who has written about the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, you can do it on an app, you can download it on social media, and you dont have to have any technical expertise whatsoever, he said.

He described the scope of the problem as staggering. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said the number of AI-generated child sexual abuse images reported to its cyber tipline soared from 4,700 in 2023 to 440,000 in just the first six months of 2025.

Experts fear schools arent doing enough

Sameer Hinduja, the co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, recommends that schools update their policies on AI-generated deepfakes and get better at explaining them. That way, he said, students dont think that the staff, the educators are completely oblivious, which might make them feel like they can act with impunity.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said many parents assume that schools are addressing the issue when they arent.

So many of them are just so unaware and so ignorant, said Hinduja, who is also a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University. We hear about the ostrich syndrome, just kind of burying their heads in the sand, hoping that this isnt happening amongst their youth.

Trauma from AI deepfakes can be particularly harmful

AI deepfakes are different from traditional bullying because instead of a nasty text or rumor, there is a video or image that often goes viral and then continues to resurface, creating a cycle of trauma, Alexander said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Many victims become depressed and anxious, he said.

They literally shut down because it makes it feel like, you know, theres no way they can even prove that this is not real  because it does look 100% real, he said.

Parents are encouraged to talk to students

Parents can start the conversation by casually asking their kids if theyve seen any funny fake videos online, Alexander said.

Take a moment to laugh at some of them, like Bigfoot chasing after hikers, he said. From there, parents can ask their kids, Have you thought about what it would be like if you were in this video, even the funny one? And then parents can ask if a classmate has made a fake video, even an innocuous one.

Advertisement Advertisement

Based on the numbers, I guarantee theyll say that they know someone, he said.

If kids encounter things like deepfakes, they need to know they can talk to their parents without getting in trouble, said Laura Tierney, who is the founder and CEO of The Social Institute, which educates people on responsible social media use and has helped schools develop policies. She said many kids fear their parents will overreact or take their phones away.

She uses the acronym SHIELD as a roadmap for how to respond. The S stands for stop and dont forward. H is for huddle with a trusted adult. The I is for inform any social media platforms on which the image is posted. E is a cue to collect evidence, like who is spreading the image, but not to download anything. The L is for limit social media access. The D is a reminder to direct victims to help.

The fact that that acronym is six steps I think shows that this issue is really complicated, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
A Rootstown man will spend at least five years behind bars after he was sentenced on a drug trafficking charge from earlier this summer.

Cody Baldwin-Neiswanger, 31, was sentenced to five to 7.5 years in prison by Judge Becky Doherty in Portage County Common Pleas Court in Ravenna Dec. 22. Doherty said five years is the minimum sentence Baldwin-Neiswanger will serve, and the Ohio Department of Corrections can impose up to half of the original sentence, depending on his conduct in prison.

Methamphetamine trafficking poses a serious threat to public safety, devastates families, and fuels crime in our communities, Portage County Prosecutor Connie J. Lewandowski stated in a news release. This sentence holds Baldwin-Neiswanger accountable and sends a clear message that those who profit from distributing these dangerous drugs will face serious consequences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Prosecutor Sean Scahill requested a six- to nine-year sentence, which he said was based on a presentence investigation, Baldwin-Neiswanger's prior prison record, and the fact that he had about 35 grams of meth when he was arrested by Ravenna police in July.

According to a Ravenna police report, an off-duty Ravenna police officer saw Baldwin-Neiswanger entering the Subway restaurant on East Main Street about 1 p.m. July 5. The officer recognized him from previous encounters and knew the Ohio Adult Parole Authority had issued a warrant for his arrest.

The officer contacted an on-duty K-9 officer on patrol, who responded to the area and saw Baldwin-Neiswanger standing at Main and Chestnut streets. Baldwin-Neiswanger continued walking west on Main Street and the officer stopped him between Park Way and Meridian Street. The officer said he warned Baldwin-Neiswanger that he had K-9 Drago with him. Shortly after, two other officers arrived.

Baldwin-Neiswanger eventually was handcuffed as the third officer arrived with a cruiser to detain him. He continued to resist, the report said, and the officers had to restrain him by holding him against the cruiser as they searched him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Three plastic bags containing suspected meth, weighing a total of 35.27 grams, and $612 in cash were found in his pants pockets, according to the report.

He pleaded guilty in October to second-degree felony aggravated trafficking in drugs, with a forfeiture specification for $612. Other charges spelled out in an indictment earlier this year were dismissed in a plea deal.

Baldwin-Neiswanger's attorney, Joe Mesuri, asked that the prison sentence be limited to two or three years, and that he be sent to drug treatment after the prison term ends. According to the plea agreement, the minimium sentence imposed could have ranged from two to eight years in prison.

"He understands if he wants to stop going to prison he's going to need to change his life, and I think he's finally at the point where he wants to do that and make that change for himself."

Advertisement Advertisement

Baldwin-Neiswanger asked Doherty to reduce his sentence to two years, and send him to drug rehabilitation after his sentence is over.

"I was ruining my own life," he said, adding that he has battled addiction throughout his adult life. "To be honest, I'm lost and I need help  I know I can change for the better but I need help, and I think it all starts with facing my drug addiction."

Doherty said she has heard him say similar things before. "To be honest, it kind of sounds like a broken record," she said, adding that he had "so much meth" while on parole.

"That's part of my problem," she said. "You've had other opportunities, and you haven't taken advantage of them."

Advertisement Advertisement

She encouraged him to take advantage of opportunities to pursue treatment in prison.

The Ohio Department of Corrections, she said, would make the decision on whether Baldwin-Neiswanger is released after five hears or serves additional time, based on factors such as his behavior in prison, whether he takes advantage of programming in prison, and whether he is a danger to the community if he is released. He will be randomly drug tested, she said.

He also will face a $7,500 fine, which he will have to pay upon his release from prison, Doherty said.

The $612 he was carrying at the time of the arrest will be forfeited to the Ravenna Police Department, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Portage County court records, Doherty sentenced Baldwin-Neiswanger to four years in prison in May 2021 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of fourth-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and fifth-degree felony interference with custody, all involving a girl who was 14 at the time of the offenses.

Doherty also determined that Baldwin-Neiswanger is a Tier II sex offender, which requires him to register with the sheriff of any county he lives, works or goes to school in every six months for 25 years.

In a plea deal, additional charges in a grand jury indictment were dismissed, including five counts of rape and a single count of kidnapping, all first-degree felonies, and two additional counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The dismissed charges involved the same victim.

He was released this past May and placed on five years probation under the supervision of Adult Parole Authority, according to Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Record-Courier reporter Jeff Saunders contributed to this story. Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Rootstown man sentenced to 5 years in prison for drug trafficking
Credit: X/@bayraktar_1love

Russia has sent the cavalry to the front line in its latest low-tech attempt to claim land in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region.

Video footage shared by Ukraines 92nd Brigade shows drones hunting down Russian soldiers as they race through an open field on horseback.

In the clip, a Russian soldier is seen riding as a drone tracks his movement. Moments later, the drone strikes, hitting the soldier as he attempts to escape. The explosion spooks another horse, which unseats its rider before making a charge in another direction. A third rider is seen, but his fate is unknown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Russian occupiers lose so much equipment during their meat-grinder assaults that theyre forced to move on horseback, the 92nd Brigade wrote in a post accompanying the footage.

Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine has been defined by rapid technological advances on the front lines, in particular in drone warfare. Small, off-the-shelf explosive drones have proved effective at defending against mechanised units and infantry.

Russia recently introduced motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles as a way to speed across open countryside monitored by drones.

The moment a drone locks on to its target in eastern Ukraine

Horses could offer yet more flexibility  agile on off-road terrain and less likely to trigger modern landmines equipped with magnetic sensors. The first horse-mounted casualty was reported by observers of the war in Ukraine in October.

Advertisement Advertisement

At the same time, The Telegraph reported that the Storm unit of Russias 9th Brigade of the 51st Army had been preparing horse-mounted assault teams to operate in the Donetsk region.

Before this, there had been numerous reports of Russia utilising donkeys, horses and even camels to transport ammunition and other heavy equipment to the front line through muddy conditions not suitable for regular vehicles.

Throughout the ages, horseback cavalry charges have provided speed, shock and flexibility on the battlefield.

Tanks and other heavily-armoured fighting machines are rarely seen on the battlefields of Ukraine and, when they do appear, they are almost instantly disabled by a wave of drones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Russias Kommersant newspaper said of the return of cavalry: In armed conflicts that have become arenas for showcasing technological innovations, participants are once again forced to rely on basic tools  from analogue telephone lines to pack animals and carts  when modern technologies prove vulnerable.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
MOSCOW (AP)  A car bomb killed a Russian general on Monday, the third such killing of a senior military officer in just over a year. Investigators said Ukraine may be behind the attack.

Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, the spokesperson for Russias Investigative Committee, the nation's top criminal investigation agency. He was 56.

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, Petrenko said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them. It has not yet commented on Mondays death.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about the killing of Sarvarov, who fought in Chechnya and had taken part in Moscow's military campaign in Syria.

Russia has blamed a series of other apparent assassinations on Ukraine.

Just over a year ago, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. Kirillov's assistant also died. Ukraines security service claimed responsibility for the attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.

Putin described Kirillovs killing as a major blunder by Russias security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.

In April, another senior Russian military officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested.

Days after Moskalik's killing, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received a report from the head of Ukraines foreign intelligence agency on the liquidation of top Russian military figures, adding that justice inevitably comes" although he didn't mention Moskalik's name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine, which is outnumbered by Russias larger, better equipped military, has frequently tried to change the course of the conflict by attacking in unexpected ways. In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk region even as they struggled to stem Russian offensives on many parts of the front line. Moscow's troops eventually drove them out, but the incursion distracted the Russian military resources from other areas and raised Ukrainian morale.

Ukraine has also launched repeated attacks on the Russian navy in the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles, forcing it to relocate its warships and limit the scale of its operations.

And in June, swarms of drones launched from trucks targeted bomber bases across Russia. Ukraine said over 40 long-range bombers were damaged or destroyed, although Moscow said only several planes were struck.

Meanwhile, Western officials have accused Russia of staging a campaign away from the battlefield, accusing it of orchestrating dozens of incidents of disruption and sabotage across Europe as part of an effort to sap support for Ukraine. Moscow has denied the claims.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Sarvarovs killing is the third such killing in just over a year, not within a year.
Two Russian Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters have been damaged in an overnight arson attack on the military airfield at Lipetsk in the region of the same name in southwest Russia. According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), the raid was launched by a representative of the resistance movement in Russia. If thats the case, it underscores the varied tactics being used to strike Russian military aircraft on their bases, coming soon after two separate drone attacks on Belbek Air Base in Russian-occupied Crimea.

 Two Russian aircraft, a Su-30 and a Su-27, were destroyed at a military airbase near Russian Lipetsk  Ukrainian Defense Intelligence.



The aircrafts were set on fire inside a hangar after several weeks of preparation.



They can be worth up to $100 million.



Glory! pic.twitter.com/VOa4ASHA5s  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) December 22, 2025

In its initial statement, the GUR said that a Russian Su-30 Flanker multirole fighter and a Su-27 Flanker interceptor were damaged in a fire at Lipetsk Air Base (also known as Lipetsk-2) on the night of December 20-21. The agency later clarified that both targeted aircraft were two-seat, more advanced Su-30s.

Servicemen prepare a Russian Su-30SM fighter before a a mission at the Russian Khmeimim military base in Latakia province, in the northwest of Syria, on December 16, 2015. Photo by PAUL GYPTEAU/AFP via Getty Images PAUL GYPTEAU

While the GUR claims that it masterminded the operation, which required two weeks of planning, the agency also says that the sabotage was directly implemented by a representative of the resistance movement to the criminal Russian regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a statement, the GUR explained: Studying the patrol route and guard change schedule allowed them to infiltrate the aggressor states military facility unnoticed, hit the Russian jets in their protective aircraft hangar, and then leave the airfield unhindered.

The GUR has released a video that purports to show the attack, which it describes as the result of careful preparation, composure, and professionalism. The airbase is located around 200 miles from the Ukrainian border.

Fire starts on the main undercarriage leg of a Su-30SM. YouTube screencap

Fire spreads to the engine intake of the Su-30SM. YouTube screencap

The footage includes a view inside the cockpit of an apparent Su-30SM, as well as a fire being started at one of the main undercarriage legs of the same type of jet, which then spreads to engulf one of the engine intakes. One Su-30SM is also armed with underwing air-to-air missiles. Clearly visible is one of the canard foreplanes on the Flanker, confirming it is a Su-30SM, rather than a Su-27UB or a Su-30M2.

Also seen in the video are close-ups of the aircrafts individual red-painted Bort numbers, 12 and 82.

YouTube screencap

YouTube screencap

Advertisement Advertisement

The GUR puts the estimated total cost of the two affected fighters as up to $100 million, although this is presumably based on them being totally written off, something which remains unclear. Indeed, the agency only states that the jets were disabled. Ukrainian media reports also state that the aircraft were put out of action, but once again we dont have any concrete evidence about their current state.

Lipetsk Air Base has a very significant role within the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS).

The approximate location of Lipetsk Air Base. Google Earth

The 4th State Air Personnel Preparation and Military Evaluation Center at the base is tasked with conducting military evaluation of initial batches of new tactical combat aircraft, training pilots in the combat application of the aircraft, and developing air force tactics, which are then used by operational units.

A satellite image of Lipetsk Air Base, dated 2024. Google Earth

At Lipetsk, the 4th Center is responsible for the 968th Research Instructor Composite Aviation Regiment (968 IISAP, in Russian), which receives the first batches of new tactical aircraft. The regiment was first to receive the Su-34 Fullback, in 2010, the Yak-130 Mitten, in 2013, the Su-30SM Flanker, in 2014, and the Su-35S Flanker, in 2019. It was to also the first to receive Su-57 Felon fighters, so that pilots could undergo theoretical training on the new type.

Four Su-57s (and four Flanker-series jets) on the Lipetsk flight line, in May 2025. Google Earth

The regiment has squadrons of Sukhoi fighters (Su-27, Su-30SM, and Su-35S), tactical bombers (Su-24 Fencer and Su-34) and attack aircraft (Su-25 Frogfoot), as well as a detachment of An-26 Curl transport aircraft.

Advertisement Advertisement

Lipetsk Air Base has two runways; the main runway is around 9,800 feet long, while the second, shorter runway has long been unused and is used for storage of several dozen MiG-29 Fulcrums, and smaller numbers of MiG-31 Foxhounds, and Su-27s.

The video evidence available suggests that at least the Su-30SM that was targeted was very much an active aircraft, based on its armament as well as its relative modernity.

There is also a strong suggestion that the aircraft targeted were part of the VKS effort to combat Ukrainian long-range one-way attack drones, including those headed toward Moscow.

Su-30SMs Red 82 and Red 12 belong to the 14th and 31st Fighter Aviation Regiments, not normally based at Lipetsk. The presence of these jets at the base, at least one of them armed with air-to-air missiles, would be consistent with a forward deployment for quick reaction alert (QRA) duties.

A burning Su-30SM with R-73/74 series air-to-air missiles below the wing. YouTube screencap

This would not be the first time that a Russian airbase has been targeted by pro-Ukrainian or Ukrainian saboteurs.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the aftermath of reported explosions at Russian airbases in occupied Crimea, in the summer of 2022  most dramatically, the blasts at Saki Air Base that left at least 10 jets seriously damaged or destroyed  there were reports citing Ukrainian officials claiming that a team, possibly made up of Ukrainian special operations forces, local partisans, or a mixture of both, had attacked the installations.

In October 2022, we reported on an apparent sabotage raid against a Russian airbase in the Pskov region, in the far west of the country. This was filmed by the operatives before they detonated explosives placed on attack helicopters at Ostrov Air Base. The explosions destroyed two Ka-52s and one Mi-28N, according to the Ukrainian defense intelligence service.

#Russia: A video surfaced allegedly showing the planting of explosive charges on a Russian Ka-52 helicopter by a saboteur on Veretye Air Base, Pskov Oblast  according to Russian media two helicopters there were damaged due to unknown explosions at 30th October. pic.twitter.com/Ks85KxgVNu  Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) October 31, 2022

In May 2023, meanwhile, Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed a sabotage attack against a Russian strike or reconnaissance aircraft at an aircraft factory in Siberia. This was reportedly an arson attack, although its unclear if the aircraft in question was actually airworthy at the time.

In September 2023, there were reports that one of Russias most important airbases, Chkalovsky, located less than 20 miles from Moscow, was struck by saboteurs. In a statement on the raid, the GUR said that unidentified saboteurs were responsible for the attack on what it described as a heavily guarded airfield, which left three aircraft badly damaged.

A satellite image supposedly taken of Chkalovsky Air Base after a 2023 sabotage raid. Its not possible to confirm whether some of the aircraft shown were indeed attacked, let alone to determine the level of damage. Ukrainian government

As we have noted in the past, the ability of saboteurs to penetrate frontline Russian airbases clearly points to major security loopholes.

Advertisement Advertisement

On the other hand, even Russian airbases housing other strategic assets have been subject to incursions in the recent past, by apparent criminal elements, while other airfields have been penetrated by drunken soldiers in command of an armored vehicle, for example.

What remains far less clear, and something we are unlikely to learn more about for the foreseeable future, is how the Ukrainian military and intelligence services work or at least coordinate with partisans in Russia. We do know that Ukraine conducts extensive activities, including sabotage efforts, in areas of the country that Russia occupies, as well as inside Russia proper. Most prominent was this summers Operation Spiderweb, the large-scale Ukrainian drone strike against airbases across Russia, which you can read about in our coverage here. This used more than a hundred short-range drones that were launched from trucks against at least four bomber airfields.

In recent days, there have been other notable attacks on VKS aircraft by Ukrainian using drones, too.

As we reported last week, Belbek Air Base, a key Russian facility in occupied Crimea, was targeted by a Ukrainian drone strike on December 18, according to Ukraine. Authorities in Kyiv claim that drones hit a MiG-31BM, as well as elements of an S-400 air defense system.

Minus russian MiG-31 jet 

Last night, the warriors from the @ServiceSsu Alpha Special Operations Center struck a russian MiG-31 fighter jet with a full combat load at the Belbek military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea.

An S-2 Pantsir air defense system, an S-400 air pic.twitter.com/qEsjJwrd0o  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 18, 2025

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the governments main internal security agency, reported that the Belbek drone strike was carried out overnight by forces from its Special Group Alpha.

Advertisement Advertisement

Just two days later, Alpha was reportedly responsible for another drone strike on Belbek. This time, the SBU said its operatives hit two Su-27s. Like the MiG-31, these were also parked out in the open.

An SBU composite image shows drone strikes at Belbek alongside Soviet-era Su-27s. SBU

Whatever the results of the apparent partisan raid on Lipetsk, the operation once again highlights the fact that Russian military aircraft and other assets are not safe, even if relatively far from the Ukrainian battlefields, and that drones are by no means the only threat they face.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
When a Tennessee woman called The Ramsey Show to ask when she and her boyfriend should buy a house, hosts Ken Coleman and George Kamel hit the brakes fast.

The couple lives in her parents home, the boyfriends truck loan is nearly as big as some mortgages and a baby is arriving in days (1).

Must Read

On the surface, the caller wanted insight into timing, affordability, and next steps, but the real story wasnt about investing in real estate planning for Coleman and Kamel. It was about priorities, maturity and laying down the financial foundation every family needs before taking on a mortgage.

When you can afford it, Coleman said. If youre not married, you should not be buying a house together.

A young couple, living with family and bringing a baby into the world, shouldnt be quick to steer into homeownership. Heres what Coleman and Kamel suggested instead.

One-income and a $36,000 truck loan

Claires boyfriend earns about $3,600 a month as a second-year construction apprentice. His income will grow as he progresses toward journeyman status, but for now they rely on a single paycheque.

He also has a significant debt: a $36,000 truck loan at $770 a month that includes the warranty. It eats up more than 20% of his take-home pay.

You guys cant even afford to go rent, let alone buy a house, Kamel said.

Exactly, Coleman added. Why? Theyre living in the basement.

The hosts zeroed in on the mismatch between their lifestyle and their reality. A large car payment, video game habits and a baby due any day while relying on her parents for housing created a picture of financial imbalance.

Why the hosts say marriage before mortgage

Coleman and Kamel repeated a mantra: There is no we.

Because the couple is not married, their finances are legally separate. If they bought a home and later broke up, sorting out ownership could get complicated fast.

Their stance aligns with concerns raised by many financial experts about unmarried buyers. According to MassMutual, unmarried couples face unique risks (2). Only one partner may be on the mortgage and both may be on the deed. If the relationship ends, property rights arent automatically protected like they are for married spouses (3). Courts typically treat them like business partners, not a household.
Last December after Luigi Mangione was arrested for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, headlines from publications like CBS, People, and Newsweek shouted that his own mother had implicated him in the crime. Fox News ran the story with the headline, Luigi Mangiones mom made shocking admission to police.

The headlines came after NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny held a press conference a week after Mangiones arrest in which he said Kathleen Mangione told law enforcement the crime might be something that she could see him doing.

More from Rolling Stone

Advertisement Advertisement

However, there hasnt been any evidence Mangiones mother ever said this to law enforcement.

Mangiones lead defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo brought the comments up last week on the final day of his suppression hearings in New York City. She asked either the New York Police Department, the San Francisco police department, or the Manhattan district attorneys office to correct this very prejudicial statement that was never said. (Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges against him.)

The SFPD, who had conversations with Mangiones mother when she filed a missing persons request for him in November 2024, has so far stayed quiet about these comments attributed to her. But on Friday, Rolling Stone spoke with a San Francisco police officer to clarify their conversations with the Mangione family.

San Francisco Sergeant Michael Horan was the detective who first identified Mangione as the prime suspect in the United Healthcare shooting. Horan was looking through Mangiones social media photos while investigating a missing persons case filed by Mangiones mother, Kathleen, who lives in Maryland. In November 2024, she filed the report in San Francisco, because shed lost touch with her son earlier in the year and thought his employer was headquartered in the city. On Dec. 5, Horan was going through Mangiones case file when he was struck by how much the young man looked like the crime photos that were circulating by the NYPD. (He detailed this surprising discovery in a conversation with Rolling Stone last spring.)

Advertisement Advertisement

In an interview with Rolling Stone on Friday, Horan says he and his colleagues never spoke with Mangiones mother at all after he identified Mangione as resembling the UHC shooter. When specifically asked if he knew anything about Kathleen saying that to police at all, Horan adds, That was never from us.

After we made the connection between our case and the New York case, we never spoke with the mother again, Horan says. I do believe that the FBI spoke with the mother that weekend while they were trying to confirm, so that might have been a conversation that they had with her.

Horan says the only Mangione family member the SFPD spoke with once Horan raised his suspicions was one of Mangiones sisters, and they did not mention during that conversation anything about the crime photos that were circulating. We were just kind of curious if she would have volunteered it, since [the crime photos were] all over the news, but it just never came up, Horan says.

Its unclear where NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny received this information that Kathleen supposedly said she could see her son doing something like that. (The NYPD did not respond to requests for comment.)

Advertisement Advertisement

During his 2024 press conference, Kenny also said, Part of that vetting process was that they reached out to Mangiones mother in San Francisco, very late on the seventh. They had a conversation where she didnt indicate that it was her son in the photograph, but she said it might be something that she could see him doing.

Kenny mentions law enforcement reached out to Kathleen late on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024 in San Francisco, but Mangiones mother lives in Maryland, not California. He is also unclear if the they he is referring to is SFPD, FBI, or NYPD.

Kenny added that the information theyd gathered would be passed along to detectives the next morning  which would have been Dec. 8  but Mangione was apprehended before they could act on it. However, Mangione wasnt arrested until Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Kenny also said there are NYPD officers embedded with the FBI, but NYPD Detective David Leonardi testified last week that he hadnt even heard of Luigi Mangiones name until the Altoona arrest, days after the FBI received the tip and began vetting it.

Horan reiterated to Rolling Stone that he doesnt know the specific details of Kathleen Mangiones conversation with the FBI over that December 2024 weekend. The SFPDs interactions with Kathleen in November of that year were purely about her search for her son. She was just a concerned mother that just really wanted to find her son, Horan said back in the spring. He said Kathleen had called the SFPD repeatedly to ask for updates on the missing persons case.

Advertisement Advertisement

In court, Friedman Agnifilo said that Kathleen had told the SFPD that her son was not a risk to himself or others, and Horan clarified this was not a conversation that happened after the Thompson crime. Instead, it was likely a conversation the SFPD had with Mangiones mother when she first filed the missing persons report on Nov. 18. Horan explains that asking someone if a person is a risk to themselves or others is standard operating procedure when filing a missing persons report.

After Mangione was apprehended on Monday, Dec. 9, Horan remembers speaking once again with Special Agent Gary Cobb, the FBI agent hed given the tip to on Thursday the 5th. Cobb told him, Good job, remembers Horan. Thats also when Cobb told Horan theyd spoken to Mangiones family over the weekend, before he was detained.

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Researchers have introduced a new temperature dataset that incorporates nearly seven more decades of climate data. Scientists said this more complete picture of our world's climate could reshape how we understand the total human impact on our planet's climate system.

"It changes our perception of how far we have already pushed the climate system in important ways," Peter Thorne, a Maynooth University professor and ICARUS Climate Research Centre director, told CNN.

The groundbreaking temperature dataset was recently released by a team of scientists based in the United Kingdom. It incorporates climate data dating back to 1781, further into the past than most conventional datasets. Scientists usually measure modern climate change using datasets that begin in 1850, the benchmark behind estimates of nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming.

Advertisement Advertisement

The new dataset, referred to as GloSAT, indicates that heat-trapping gases rose by 2.5% between 1750 and 1850, possibly responsible for more warming than previously thought. GloSAT suggests humans are responsible for 0.09 degrees Celsius of warming over the 100-year period.

A second study published last month in the Institute of Physics journal Environmental Research Letters estimates that an additional 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius of warming was caused by early increases in carbon dioxide.

"Climate simulations of the industrial era typically start in 1850, using the first 50 years as a baseline for 'preindustrial' climate," according to the authors of the study. "However, the period immediately prior to 1850 is of particular interest due to early human influence and heightened volcanic activity, the latter of which led to cooler global temperatures than those observed in the subsequent historical period."

"As the authors themselves make clear, there is larger uncertainty prior to 1850," commented Thorne. "But it is cooler; it's undoubtedly cooler." The climate scientist cautions that we need to carefully consider the implications of these findings.

Advertisement Advertisement

GloSAT indicates the planet was far cooler from the late 1700s through 1849 than during the 1850-1900 preindustrial baseline, in part due to cooling from two major early-1800s volcanic eruptions.

While the data shows more warming than once thought, scientists said it doesn't alter climate targets or hasten expected impacts.

"It does mean we warmed the Earth more, but it doesn't mean the impacts are suddenly going to occur sooner," Thorne added, per CNN. "They are where they are. And they've almost invariably been calculated relative to a much more recent reference period."

In Thorne's view, the research fits into a broader picture that points to rising concern over worsening impacts. "It changes our perception of how far we have already pushed the climate system in important ways," he explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's global climate report uses the conventional 176-year record that begins in 1850. The agency's global climate report for November revealed that with an average temperature of 1.18 degrees Celsius (2.12 Fahrenheit) above average for the first 11 months of this year, there is a 99.9% chance that 2025 will rank among the five warmest years on record.

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.
In June 2024, off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, a team of scientists aboard the research vessel Pacific Storm made a discovery that had been five years in the making.

As The Guardian reported, after years of tracking mysterious whale calls, they finally spotted a pair of ginkgo-toothed beaked whales, an incredibly elusive species never before seen alive.

"I can't even describe the feeling because it was something that we had worked towards for so long," Elizabeth Henderson, a lead researcher on the project, told the publication.

Advertisement Advertisement

The discovery came after countless hours of observation and innovation. Using hydrophones to listen for underwater calls and high-powered binoculars to scan the horizon, the team was able to locate the whales, which spend most of their lives deep underwater and are notoriously shy.

The breakthrough was nearly spoiled by a cheeky albatross that swooped in to steal a tiny skin sample collected for study, but the scientists managed to secure the evidence, confirming the whale's identity.

While these rare whales live far from most human eyes, their protection has real benefits for people and communities. Understanding where these whales live can help reduce harm from military sonar, which can cause injuries or death to the animals.

Protecting these deep-sea giants also supports healthy ocean ecosystems, which in turn sustain fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities that rely on a thriving marine environment.

Advertisement Advertisement

This sighting reminds us that even the most secretive creatures matter to everyday life.

By studying and safeguarding species like the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, scientists are not only preserving the ocean's incredible biodiversity but also helping to ensure cleaner, safer, and more resilient oceans for generations to come.

It's a story of persistence, teamwork, and wonder, proof that the ocean still holds surprises that can inspire and benefit all of us.

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.








Top Senate Democrats said Monday that they were freezing negotiations over legislation to overhaul permitting rules with Republicans after the Trump administration halted five offshore wind power farms that were already under construction.

That move from Democrats comes just days after the House passed the bipartisan the SPEED Act, which seeks to update the permitting and environmental requirements that energy developers must navigate to build pipelines, clean energy projects and transmission lines. That infrastructure will be critical for the country to meet fast-rising power demand driven in part by artificial intelligence data centers that are already driving up electricity prices.

There was a deal to be had that would have taken politics out of permitting, made the process faster and more efficient, and streamlined grid infrastructure improvements nationwide, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a joint statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

While Republicans have emphasized the need to remove the red tape that slows the development of fossil fuel pipelines and export facilities, Democrats have favored power grid investments they say are needed to expand the reach of renewable power sources like solar and wind power.

But a key stumbling block for Democrats has been the Trump administration's aggressive attacks against offshore wind power, an industry the Biden administration had sought to develop to deliver clean power to help fight climate change.

The Trump administration on Monday halted leases for all five large-scale offshore wind projects currently under construction in the United States, citing national security concerns.

The illegal attacks on fully permitted renewable energy projects must be reversed if there is to be any chance that permitting talks resume, the top Democrats added. There is no path to permitting reform if this administration refuses to follow the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

In a statement, the White House reiterated its opposition to building and wind power in the United States.

President [Donald] Trump has been clear: wind energy is the scam of the century. For years, Americans have been forced to pay billions more for the least reliable source of energy. The Trump administration has paused the construction of all large-scale offshore wind projects because our number one priority is to put America First and protect the national security of the American people, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement.

Whitehouse and Heinrich thanked EPW Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and ENR Chair Mike Lee (R-Utah) for their good-faith efforts to negotiate a permitting reform bill that would have lowered electricity prices for all Americans. A spokesperson for Capito declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Lee didn't immediately respond to a comment request.

But any deal would have to be administered by the Trump Administration. By sabotaging U.S. energy innovation and killing American jobs, the Trump Administration has made clear that it is not interested in permitting reform, Whitehouse and Heinrich said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Previous attacks on the sector  including a stop work order for the Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island  have been at the center of concerns from Democrats.

The Interior Departments order comes just days after House GOP leaders made concessions to appease foes of offshore wind on the right. House Republicans had hoped the action would spark the Senate to move quickly on permitting reform in the new year before Trumps latest attacks crippled talks.

The White House and Interior Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
After a hiatus of more than a half decade, a sobriety pow wow is returning to Milwaukee this New Years Eve.

It is a free, family-friendly and alcohol-free event thats open to the public and is especially helpful for anyone recovering from alcohol addiction (or trying to recover) and looking to avoid the pressures of drinking that evening.

Alcohol has devastated generations of Indigenous peoples in the Americas ever since it was introduced by colonizers. High rates of alcohol and substance use disorders continue to affect Indigenous peoples at rates disproportionally higher than the rest of the U.S. population, according to the Indian Health Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

The sobriety pow wow had been a staple for decades for Milwaukee County's Indigenous community, which is as high as 20,000 people by some estimates.

Every year you knew you were going to the New Years Eve Pow Wow, said Deanna Porter, president of the Milwaukee Intertribal Circle. Its what we had growing up.

The Milwaukee Intertribal Circle was formed in the summer of 2024 by a group of Native folks who grew up in Milwaukee in the 1990s and remembered all the Indigenous community events their parents and grandparents paticipated in. Their mission is to bring those kinds of events back, and to create a stronger sense of community.

The last sobriety pow wow in Milwaukee was held in 2019, and Porter and other Intertribal Circle organizers wanted to bring it back.

Advertisement Advertisement

It was how we would bring in the new year in a good way with community and culture, said Lana Schocko, who will be donning her jingle dress and other regalia as the head female dancer at the Sobriety Pow Wow this year.

I feel like its a safe space for our community.

Brian Jackson will be the emcee for the event. He grew up in Milwaukee and is a member of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Nation in northern Wisconsin. Today on the reservation, Jackson leads the Family Circles program, which involves mentoring and assisting families in practicing traditional culture as a way to curb alcohol and substance abuse.

Advocates believe many of the problems in Indian Country, including alcohol and substance abuse, stem from a loss of culture. Sobriety pow wows are a step toward healing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Tena Quackenbush, a nurse and a Ho-Chunk Nation tribal member whos been sober for more than a decade, said sobriety pow wows have helped her stay on the Red Road, a nickname for living a spiritual life of healing inspired by Indigenous teachings.

I find it really encouraging for my long-term recovery to be around others, especially our Native people, who all share the same goal  to stay sober and clean, she said. I find great inspiration in seeing others who have started their journey on the Red Road before me.

In addition to those looking to stay sober, Porter said, therell be activities for the entire family, from babies to elders. Non-Natives are invited, as well.

It will be held at the Tthigwe Gymnasium, 3232 W. Kilbourn Ave., starting at 5 p.m. with a feast, followed by a grand entry at 7 p.m. with dancing and activities and games until 1 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

More: Sobriety pow wows help celebrate New Year's without the allure of drugs, alcohol

Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox

Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@usatodayco.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on X at @vaisvilas_frank.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sobriety Pow Wow returns to Milwaukee this New Year's Eve after hiatus
Just two days before Christmas Eve, Spain's iconic Christmas lottery delivered an unprecedented pay out of 2.77 billion ($3.25 billion) on Monday - 70 million more than last year, making it the largest sum in the lottery's history.

Founded more than 200 years ago, the lottery is considered the oldest in the world and is also known as the largest raffle due to the amount of money involved.

The main prize alone, called El Gordo ("the fat one"), which awards 4 million for a single ticket, will be paid out 198 times this year  five times more than in 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

El Gordo took about an hour and a half to appear this year. At exactly 10:44 am (0944 GMT), the lucky number 79,432 was drawn at Madrid's historic Teatro Real opera house and sung by two students from the San Ildefonso boarding school to loud cheers and applause from the audience.

Local media reported the big windfall went to several lottery ticket buyers in Madrid, but also to several poorer villages in the Leon region, which had also been severely affected by forest fires this year.

One such village, is La Baneza, with a population of 10,000. There, four young girls whose families had purchased several tickets for the main prize cheered in front of the RTVE cameras. "We've had a really hard time here. But now it's time to celebrate!" exclaimed one of them, beaming with joy.

The second prize of 1.25 million had already been drawn 15 minutes after the lottery began. It went to number 70,048.

Advertisement Advertisement

Cheering people with bottles of sparkling wine promptly gathered in front of the sales outlet in Madrid's Chueca district, which had sold all 198 copies of the lucky ticket.

"It's amazing, most of the buyers are just ordinary people from the neighbourhood," said the shop owner in front of the RTVE cameras.

Jesus Huerta, head of the Spanish lottery company Loterias y Apuestas del Estado said that the lottery promotes redistribution and somewhat compensates for social inequality, as every year there are many people in need among the winners.

Indeed, in Madrid, unemployed clerk Juan Manuel was delighted to win 20,000. "I'm going to use it to pay off debts and maybe take my first holiday with my wife in five years," the 44-year-old told dpa in the capital.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Christmas lottery is not just a game of chance in Spain, but a ritual that is an integral part of the pre-Christmas season for Spaniards.

There was a lively party atmosphere around the Teatro Real and elsewhere on the streets  even among those who came away empty-handed this time.

A total of 70% of the sales revenue goes to the winners. This revenue has risen steadily in recent years and now stands at just under 4 billion.

A whole ticket can be bought for 200 euros, or settle for one or two tenths of a ticket can be bought for 20 each.

Statistically, each Spaniard spent 76.08 this year, 2.20 more than last year.

Foreigners can participate according to Spanish law. However, they must either be resident there or be in the country at the time of purchase.

Staff and relatives of the AFADLA residence who won ticket number 79432 in the special draw for the Spanish "El Gordo" Christmas Lottery 2025 celebrate their good fortune. Carlos Castro/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
Special elections Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, will two seats in the South Carolina House and one in the Senate. (File photo by Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  Voters in parts of Lexington, Greenville, and Spartanburg counties will fill three vacancies in the Statehouse on Tuesday.

But ballots for only one of the three special elections indicate an actual contest.

In an email blast last week, state Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain called the upcoming Statehouse elections  three on Tuesday and a fourth on Jan. 6  our chance to show real power.

Advertisement Advertisement

She pointed to the Dec. 2 special congressional election in Tennessee as an example for Democrats. In a race that attracted millions of dollars and national attention from political heavyweights in both parties, Republican Matt Van Epps ultimately won by nearly 9 percentage points for a district, as Spain said in her email, few wouldve called competitive.

That momentum, she said, is what Democrats are building right here in South Carolina.

But in South Carolina, theres no Democrat on the ballot in two of the four special elections.

In Lexington County, Democrat J. Chuck Hightower and Republican John Lastinger are vying for the state House seat spanning the area between Cayce, Red Bank and Gaston.

Advertisement Advertisement

The winner of the ruby red district will replace ex-Rep. RJ May, who resigned in August ahead of pleading guilty to distributing videos of children being sexually abused.

The other two elections Tuesday feature Republican Dianne Mitchell for a Greenville County seat in the House and former Sen. Lee Bright returning to the Senate seat he lost in 2016 representing parts of Spartanburg and Greenville counties.

Their wins are nearly guaranteed, though two Democrats have recently launched write-in campaigns: Dexter Reaves in the House and Steve Evered in the Senate.

Asked about the lack of a contest on those ballots, Spain encouraged Democrats to support the write-in candidates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Voting is the best way to send a message to Republicans, loud and clear, Spain told the SC Daily Gazette. Every vote counts, and this is the way to make your voice heard.

Special elections are generally low-turnout events anyway. Lastinger, pastor of The Edge church in Springdale, acknowledged that the timing of this weeks race, just two days before Christmas, presents extra challenges.

It also required some changes to his normal Christmas schedule: His familys annual Christmas breakfast was Monday instead of Dec. 23.

Were doing the same thing weve done for the primary and runoff, but just a little harder, he said of his campaigns get-out-the-vote efforts. Were conscious of the challenges and trying not to leave one stone unturned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Hightower did not return messages from the SC Daily Gazette.

Lastinger won the GOP nomination in a runoff last month in what started out as a four-way race. Hightower, a retired Army colonel, was the only Democrat to file, so no primary was needed in that party.

May was a founding member and spokesman for the hardline Freedom Caucus that has been feuding with the majority House GOP Caucus. He remains in the Edgefield County jail ahead of his sentencing next month. He faces between five and 20 years in prison for each of five counts.

Lastinger again said Monday he hasnt made a decision on whether to join the Freedom Caucus that May helped launch in 2022, should he win.

Advertisement Advertisement

Im hoping to bring unity and not division, he said.

As for May, Lastinger said, the healing process for the people of District 88 begins with the election.

We may not forget the past, but it doesnt have to be an anchor that holds us back either, he said.

A special election Jan. 6 for a state House district representing Dorchester County will ensure the 2026 session opens a week later with all 170 Statehouse seats filled.

That race features two Air Force veterans: Republican Greg Ford and Democrat Sonja Ogletree-Satani.

Republicans hold supermajorities in both Statehouse chambers.
A man suspected of car theft who police say was fleeing on foot on an Interstate 94 onramp was shot and injured Sunday afternoon by officers after he pulled out a handgun and allegedly pointed it at police officers, according to the St. Paul Police Department.

St. Paul police gave the following details:

About 3 p.m., General Motors notified police that a vehicle stolen out of Minneapolis was heading towards St. Paul on I-94. The car company was monitoring the car and at about 3:15 p.m. was able to remotely slow the vehicle to a stop on the westbound I-94 onramp from U.S. Highway 52.

Advertisement Advertisement

A man who was driving the car and a female passenger exited the vehicle and began to run away on foot. As the man ran, he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at officers.

Officers fired their service weapons and the man was struck once in the leg. He was taken to Regions Hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury. The female was taken into custody a short time later. No officers or bystanders were injured.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.

Related Articles
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller threw a tantrum for the stupidest reason imaginable.

A federal jury Sunday refused to convict Bobby Nunez, a 33-year-old tow truck driver in Los Angeles charged with stealing government property after he moved an SUV belonging to ICE that was blocking a driveway.*

Federal prosecutors alleged that Nunez had interfered with ICEs violent arrest of Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a 23-year-old Colombian woman suspected of being in the country illegally, who was later released. They claimed he had pressed the door of Mafla-Martinezs car against one of the officers, before towing their car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Lawyers for Nunez argued that federal agents were blocking the buildings driveway, and noted that Nunez had only moved the vehicle one block away. The SUV was reportedly returned to agents within 13 minutes. Nunez faced up to 10 years in prison.

Miller fumed over the ruling in a post on X Sunday. Another example of blatant jury nullification in a blue city. The justice system depends on a jury of peers with a shared system of interests and values. Mass migration tribalizes the entire legal system, he wrote.

Of course, there was no evidence to suggest that the ruling was so-called jury nullification. It is the latest in a string of weak cases brought forth by the Trump administration against protesters and civilians tied to immigration arrests.

* This story has been updated to reflect Nunezs acquittal.
Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) is one of the best healthcare AI stocks to buy now. On December 16, Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) disclosed that board director J. Eric Evans would retire in 2026. The company said Evans intended to not stand for reelection at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. He will retire from the Board effective at the conclusion of that meeting.

Barclays Initiates Coverage on Teladoc (TDOC) with Equal Weight at $8.50

Source: Unsplash

Separately, on December 9, Barclays initiated coverage on Teladoc with an Equal Weight rating and an $8.50 price target. This debut note has a neutral stance on the state of the US healthcare technology and distribution industry.

Earlier on November 25, Bank of America Securities analyst Allen Lutz reiterated a Hold rating on Teladoc and lowered the price target to $8. Lutz said this update was a result of mixed results in user growth metrics. For instance, BetterHelp showed some sequential improvement in monthly active users (MAUs), yet faced a year-over-year decline. On the brighter side, Livongos MAUs hit their highest levels since early 2024. However, these figures are below 2022 peaks, meaning the rebound isnt strong enough yet to fuel big revenue gains in the near term, stated Lutz.

Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) provides virtual healthcare services across general medical, chronic condition management, mental health, and specialty care. The company integrates AI-enabled features in its Virtual Sitter solution, which uses motion detection and pose estimation to identify patient movements that may precede falls.

While we acknowledge the potential of TDOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Consumer Goods Stocks Billionaires Are Quietly Buying and Goldman Sachs Penny Stocks: Top 12 Stock Picks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
For Elicia Grant, moving to Florida brought great hope. She imagined new opportunities, a fresh start, and a brighter future for her children. But settling into a new place has come with challenges she didnt expect.

Transportation was one of the first hurdles. Relying on Uber quickly became too expensive, and although she eventually purchased a car, the monthly payments have added pressure to her budget. Housing has also been difficult to navigate. The higher rental costs and unfamiliar requirements made searching for stable housing more stressful than she anticipated.

One meaningful source of support has been Food Brings Hope. Her son, a student at Palm Terrace Elementary in Daytona Beach, attends the Lemerand Center of Excellence after-school tutoring program, and the academic help he receives has made a noticeable difference. The Learning Specialist works closely with him, helping build his confidence in reading and math and encouraging him to stay motivated. Elicia has seen his skills improve, but even more importantly, she has seen his excitement about returning to school.

Advertisement Advertisement

The programs field trips have been another highlight. They give her son the chance to explore new places, learn outside the classroom, and spend time with friends he has made through the program. These experiences have helped him feel more connected and supported, something Elicia is especially grateful for as they adjust to life in a new state.

Through FBH Communitys Fresh Market, Elicia also receives fresh fruits, vegetables, and other groceries. This support has helped stretch her budget and brought some much-needed relief during a difficult transition.

While the journey has not been easy, Elicia continues to do everything she can to build a stable life for her family. The support she has received has made a meaningful difference, helping her feel a little more grounded and giving her son opportunities to grow, learn, and feel part of a caring community. For Christmas, both Mya and Michael wish for a Snuggy wearable blanket and gift cards for clothes.

About this series: FBH Community fosters programs that tackle the root causes of generational poverty. Its initiatives include Food Brings Hopes KidsZone, TeenZone, FBHonors, Change the Code, and the Lemerand Center of Excellence at Daytona State College. Other FBHC programs include VCan, focused on ending hunger and homelessness among youth and families with children; Homes Bring Hope, which creates homeownership opportunities for working families; and the Prosperity Initiative, helping families achieve stability and advancement. Because the Hosseini Family Foundation covers the overhead costs, 100% of donations directly support programs and families. This holiday season, The News-Journal is spotlighting FBH Community by sharing stories from its participants and families. To contribute or donate a holiday gift, visit FBHCommunity.org, email info@FBHCommunity.org or call 386-317-5767.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stories of Hope: Move to Florida softened by FBH Community
WASHINGTON  More than a dozen Jeffrey Epstein accusers criticized the Justice Departments release of documents about their investigation of the alleged sex trafficking operation as riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.

One example was a grand jury document that a federal judge allowed to be released, but all 119 pages were blacked out. No financial documents were released and hundreds of thousands of pages remain unreleased.

These are clear-cut violations of an unambiguous law, the group wrote in a two-page letter demanding oversight and accountability from Congress.

(L-R) Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Diana Ross in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. (L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell and Mick Jagger in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. (L-R) Mick Jagger, an unidentified woman and Bill Clinton in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. (L-R) Richard Branson and Jefferey Epstein in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Jefferey Epstein in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Jefferey Epstein in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Bill Clinton with an unidentified woman in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. A book titled "Massage for Dummies" is seen in this image released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from the Jefferey Epstein files. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Sarah Ferguson, at the time Britain's Duchess of York, is seen in this image released by the Department of Justice as part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. What do the Epstein files show? See photos released by DOJ 1 of 9 (L-R) Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Diana Ross in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context.

'No permission for delayed disclosure' of Epstein files

Two House members who wrote the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which directed the department to release its records by Dec. 19, accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of breaking the law through the partial release of documents and threatened to hold her in contempt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Bondi reaffirmed on social media that the department would bring charges against anyone involved in Epsteins alleged trafficking and exploitation of girls as young as 14 years old. Bondi asked victims to step forward. She called the Trump administration the most transparent in history.

Congress approved a law, which President Donald Trump signed, demanding the release by Dec. 19 of all department files that didnt name alleged victims, portray child sexual abuse or hurt the prosecution of cases

It afforded no permission for delayed disclosure, the group said in the letter. Instead, the public received a fraction of the files, and what we received was riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.

But in releasing hundreds of thousands of documents, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged Dec. 19 that hundreds of thousands more documents were still being reviewed. He also told Congress some documents might be withheld under legal privileges covering the internal deliberations of lawyers or communications with clients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Blanche said more documents would be released within weeks. The law directs the department to list the documents withheld from public release and explain the reasons within 15 days.

Annie Farmer, whose sister Maria Farmer, shown in the photo with herself, was the first woman to file a criminal complaint against accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein in 1996, speaking on Nov. 18, 2025 along with survivors.

'No guidance on how to locate materials' in Epstein files

Epstein accusers and lawmakers have advocated for the release of documents to find suspects who may have helped Epstein in his alleged trafficking or in covering it up.

But besides the delay and redactions, the accusers criticized the department for how the documents were released, which they said made it difficult or impossible for survivors to find materials that would be most relevant to our search.

There has been no guidance for survivors on how to locate materials pertaining to our own cases, nor have we been provided with copies of our own files despite repeated requests, the group wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

The signatories of the letter are Jess Michaels, Rachel Benavidez, Danielle Bensky, Lara Blume McGee, Marijke Chartouni, Anouska de Georgio, Maria Farmer, Annie Farmer, Teresa J. Helm, Marina Lacerda, Lisa Philips, Ashley Rubright, Amanda and Sky Roberts, Sharlene Rochard and Liz Stein. Three others identified as A.W. and two Jane Does were also included.

Lawmakers threaten Bondi with contempt over partial Epstein release

Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, D-California, each accused Bondi of breaking the law by not releasing more documents. They threatened to hold her in contempt of Congress.

Massie said Dec. 21 on social media, Epstein survivors arent satisfied with the DOJs incomplete and redacted disclosures that began Dec. 19. Massie said that "unfortunately," Bondi is "breaking the law."

Congress should assert its ability to hold Bondi in inherent contempt to get justice for the survivors, Massie said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York proposed a resolution on Dec. 22 to force the Justice Department to release more documents. But its prospects are uncertain because Democrats are in the minority. "This Administration cannot be allowed to hide the truth," Schumer said on social media.

(This article has been updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Epstein files are 'riddled with abnormal' redactions, accusers say
Jessica Swartz, a Kalamazoo-based attorney who is running in 2026 for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's 4th Congressional District. (Courtesy of Jessica Swartz for Congress)

Updated 9:15 a.m. on 1/2/26

Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Swartz announced she is ending her campaign for Michigans 4th Congressional District and will instead run for a state House seat.

Swartz made the announcement in a statement posted to Facebook Saturday, saying she will seek election to Michigans 41st state House District, currently held by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), who declared her intent in July to seek the 19th Michigan Senate District seat in 2026. Also in the race for the 41st District is Kalamazoo County Commission Chair Jen Strebs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Swartz pointed to rising costs for families and criticized Republicans in Lansing, accusing them of prioritizing the extreme wing of their party over working people.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) speaks at the Mackinac Policy Conference, June 1, 2022 | Laina G. Stebbins

No matter what seat Im running for, Ill always fight to make sure Michiganders choose their politicians  not the other way around, Swartz wrote.

She thanked volunteers, donors and supporters who backed her congressional bid over the past three years and said she will continue serving southwest Michigan despite no longer running for federal office.

Following Swartzs announcement, state Sen. Sean McCann, a Democrat from Kalamazoo who is running for the 4th District seat, released a statement praising her campaign and commitment to public service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Im deeply grateful to Jessica for stepping up to run and her desire to serve our community, McCann said. I greatly admire her dedication to fighting to protect our health care, support our veterans, and look out for Southwest Michigan families.

State Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), March 14, 2023 | Laina G. Stebbins

McCann said he looks forward to working with Swartz in the coming year as Democrats seek to flip the seat, currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland Township). McCann said he remains committed to earning voters support and bringing change to the district.

The race for the 4th Congressional District has drawn attention from state Democrats, who see the seat as a potential pickup in their bid to regain a majority in Congress.

Also seeking the nomination is former congressional staffer Diop Harris. However, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer previously endorsed McCann, effectively giving him front-runner status in the contest.

This story was updated with further information on both the 7th Congressional District race and the 41st Michigan House District race.
Update: The Lee County Sheriff's Department reported that a missing 17-year-old paddleboarder had been located and was safe.

Earlier, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the United States Coast Guard, was searching the south Fort Myers area where the missing 17 year old was last seen.

The sheriff's office requested the public's assistance in locating a 17-year-old.

He is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weights 125 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes, the sheriff's office said in a post on its Facebook page.

Advertisement Advertisement

The teen was last seen paddle boarding on a blue and white paddle board wearing a navy blue shirt and orange backpack near Bunche Beach, the sheriff's office said on Facebook Sunday, Dec. 21.

The Coast Guard post to X Sunday night, Dec. 21, saying that agency was assisting LCSO with the ongoing search.

Anyone with information about the missing boy is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 239-477-1000, or 911 as applicable.

You may also call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS to remain anonymous.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Was the missing teen paddleboarder in Fort Myers, FL found?
A shoplifting scheme that recently netted a group of Atlanta teenagers more than $16,000 in merchandise mushroomed into high-speed chases through multiple counties, wrecked cars, dog bites and foot pursuits.

The teens executed their plan at the Target store on Atlanta Highway shortly before 2 p.m. Dec. 12, according to a recently released Athens-Clarke police report.

Four of the five suspects were apprehended, and all are from the metro Atlanta area. A fifth suspect escaped.

Advertisement Advertisement

The situation began after employees at Target called to report that the shoplifting suspects were leaving the store. Videos showed that five young males entered the store at staggered times, then four started breaking the glass cases in the electronics section and loading the merchandise into carts and a storage tote, according to a report by police Sgt. Nathaniel Franco.

A fifth had pulled their vehicle, a stolen Honda CRV, to the rear of the store where the four exited a fire door and loaded the merchandise, the report shows.

Suspect Apprehended: Suspect in downtown Athens slaying arrested in Newton County

By this time, store officials called police to report the theft in progress, and several police officers responded and spotted the Honda before it left the parking lot. A high-speed pursuit began as the Honda fled in a reckless manner and made its way out of Clarke County and into Oconee County, then Walton County.

Advertisement Advertisement

The vehicle wrecked along U.S. Highway 78 at the Highway 138 intersection in Walton County, where four suspects fled on foot. It was determined later that the fifth suspect waited until officers were chasing the four, then he also exited and fled.

During the foot pursuit, one suspect was captured, but not before he was bitten by a K-9 unit dog from Walton County. In the stolen vehicle, police recovered the Target merchandise valued at $16,293.

As officers searched for the other three suspects, an officer was waved down by a Uber driver who said three males in masks had stolen his vehicle.

A Georgia State Patrol trooper spotted the Uber driver's vehicle, which resulted in another pursuit that went into Decatur, where it wrecked near Interstate 20. Two of the suspects were bitten by GSP K-9 dogs, and one was also taken down with a stun gun, the report shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Two of the suspects, all teenagers, were turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice as they were 16 years old.

Police also recovered cellphones, one of which police think might belong to the one suspect who escaped capture in Walton County.

Before hitting the Athens Target, Franco received a video from the Target store in Winder showing the same suspects inside the store earlier that day. They were browsing in the electronics section. However, because there were employees and several customers in the section, the officer believes the teens decided to leave and drive to the Target in Athens, the report shows.

The damage to the merchandise display cases at Target was estimated at $1,337.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Shoplifting in Athens leads to chases, dog bites and crashes
It's been 10 years since former German chancellor Angela Merkel opened the country's borders to what became millions of refugees, many from war-torn Syria.

The welcoming culture complete with Germans waiting in train stations and clapping for the newcomers is long gone as many, especially in eastern Germany, turn to the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD).

But for established companies like global logistics firm DHL, life without immigrant workers would be unimaginable

Advertisement Advertisement

The company relies on an international workforce at its Nohra parcel centre near Erfurt in eastern Germany, with about 40% of staff having a migration background, personnel manager Steven Schley says.

Hasan Sulaiman, from Qamishli, Syria right on the border with Turkey, thinks everyone should be welcome in Germany  "provided you work straight away."

With that view he is not far from the positions of some migration-policy hardliners. But he also knows how challenging it is for an asylum seeker to get a job.

Sulaiman, 47, has been working since 2018 at the DHL parcel centre in Nohra. Countless consignments hurtle over the fully automated conveyor belts in the vast hall.

Advertisement Advertisement

"We are a team, all friendly," he says about his job.

When Sulaiman came to Thuringia, a state in what was formerly communist East Germany, in December 2014, before Germany's so-called refugee crisis officially began.

But at the end of August 2015, after Merkel opened the borders and uttered her now famous phrase: "We can do it." Ever since, politicians and the wider public have increasingly argued over whether that promise would hold true.

Back then, Sulaiman feared for the fate of his family, who were on their way to Germany in 2015. For him, staying in war-torn Syria was out of the question.

Advertisement Advertisement

"The army told me, you must come," he recalls. In the civil war, that would have meant having to shoot at friends and acquaintances for the troops of the now-deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad.

DHL: Big bureaucratic burden for employing refugees

The city of Weimar has become home for him, his wife and his three children. Around 21,600 of his compatriots were living in Thuringia at the end of last year, according to the state statistics office.

The number of people without German citizenship in Thuringia has more than doubled since 2015 to around 174,600.

The Institute for Employment Research estimates the employment rate among refugees eight years after their arrival at 68%. As personnel manager at the DHL parcel centre in Nohra, Schley knows all the bureaucratic hurdles that have to be overcome to hire asylum seekers.

Advertisement Advertisement

The bureaucratic burden is still huge, he says. Residence permits have to be renewed regularly. Even positive references, successful integration and the prospect of a permanent contract could at times not prevent deportation, he says.

As a German personnel manager, that is something he had to learn too.

While politicians debate immigration as a problem, Schley sees it as a stroke of luck.

Without its international workforce, the DHL parcel centre in Nohra would face an acute staffing crisis - without them, nothing would work anymore, he says.

About 40% of the staff have a migration background, he says. People from 30 nations work here. From entry-level helper to team leader with personnel responsibility, many have been with them for years and now have a German passport, he says.

Advertisement Advertisement

"We could keep the barrier down if we did not have the people who do the work for us every day," Schley says. Those who do not speak sufficient German at first communicate with body language, he says. Colleagues who speak the same language help each other learn the job and the language, he adds.

What applies to DHL in Nohra also applies to the parent company as a whole, spokesman Thomas Kutsch says. Since 2015 DHL has integrated more than 30,000 refugees into the primary labour market, most of them from Syria, Afghanistan and most recently from Ukraine.

This could "relieve the social systems and dampen the effects of demographic change," HR director Thomas Ogilvie says with some pride.

For Sulaiman, a return to Syria is unthinkable. There is nothing left there of his former life - plus he is now a part of a community in Weimar. His brothers are now in Germany as well.

One of them works at DHL, the other is a bus driver.

Then-German chancellor Angela Merkel takes a selfie with a refugee after visiting an initial reception centre for asylum seekers in Berlin in 2015. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Hasan Sulaiman, came to Germany at the end of 2014 - months before former German chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed what would become millions of refugees. He's been working at a DHL package centre in Thuringia where 40% of the staff have a migration background. Martin Schutt/dpa
A judge in Texas who refused to perform weddings for same-sex couples has filed a lawsuit asking federal courts to overturn marriage equality.

Dianne Hensley filed the suit against the State Commission on Judicial Conduct on Friday, claiming that the 2015 ruling that established marriage equality nationally, Obergefell v. Hodges, is somehow unconstitutional. The lawsuit states, via The Texas Tribune, that "the federal judiciary has no authority to recognize or invent fundamental constitutional rights."

Related: Meet the Texas Judge Who Refuses to Marry Same-Sex Couples

Hensley's lawyer, Jonathan Mitchell, acknowledged in the filing that federal courts do not have the authority to overturn marriage equality but that they are hoping the case will get picked up by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Hensley stopped officiating weddings altogether in 2015 in response to Obergefell, as she said performing same-sex marriages would be incompatible with her conservative Christian faith. She resumed performing marriages the next year for opposite-sex couples, while giving same-sex couples who came to her office a list of alternative officiants, some that were cities away.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct began an investigation of her actions in 2018, which concluded the next year with the commission reprimanding her and putting out a warning that she might not be impartial when it came to matters of sexual orientation.

Hensley then filed a lawsuit against the commission, accusing it of violating her rights under Texass religious freedom law, and again stopped performing marriages. A trial court dismissed her suit, and the Texas Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in 2022, finding that the commission was acting within its rights and was shielded from lawsuits by sovereign immunity.

The Texas Supreme Court rewrote the code of conduct that Hensley was found to have violated in October, adding the single line, It is not a violation of these canons for a judge to publicly refrain from performing a wedding ceremony based upon a sincerely held religious belief. Under the rule, states judges can refuse to perform same-sex weddings.

Related: U.S. Supreme Court denies hearing in Kim Daviss marriage equality challenge

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct responded in a December filing by stating that the rule does not give judges permission to continue performing opposite-sex weddings while refusing to marry same-sex couples. It wrote, The comment only gives a judge the authority to opt out of officiating due to a sincere religious belief, but does not say that a judge can, at the same time, welcome to her chambers heterosexual couples for whom she willingly offers to conduct marriage ceremonies."

Advertisement Advertisement

Hensley's newest suit seeks to circumvent the legal battle entirely by overturning marriage equality. It is a similar case to that of Kim Davis, a former county clerk in Kentucky who was sued by a same-sex couple for refusing to issue them a marriage license. Davis appealed the verdict against her to the Supreme Court, and included in her filing a petition to overturn Obergefell, both of which the court refused to hear in November.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Texas judge who refused to officiate same-sex weddings sues to overturn marriage equality

RELATED
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to resume talks on a permanent ceasefire following renewed fighting on their shared border.

The negotiations are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, according to Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times reported in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

The newspaper said the initial proposal was made by Cambodia.

The Thai minister announced the talks after a special meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia's capital. The meeting dealt with the border conflict between the two member states.

Advertisement Advertisement

The planned talks were confirmed by ASEAN. The group's foreign ministers welcomed the agreement on a meeting of the border committee and "reaffirmed the shared commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for [an] international boundary and of international law."

Fighting in several areas along the Thai-Cambodian border is now entering its third week. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides.

The conflict stems from a decades-long dispute over territorial claims. Both countries accuse each other of being the first to violate the most recent ceasefire.
Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Thai and Cambodian officials plan talks next week to discuss reviving a cease-fire amid ongoing border clashes, Thailand's foreign minister announced Monday.

The announcement arrived as border fighting continued for its third week. The two nations agreed to a U.S.-brokered cease-fire deal in July under President Donald Trump, but fighting resumed earlier this month, with each side blaming the other.

On Monday, senior officials held their first in-person talks since the clashes, meeting at a summit in Malaysia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Thailand's foreign minister later said the July cease-fire was rushed to meet the U.S. goal of finalizing it before Trump's visit.

"We were sometimes in a rush because the U.S. wanted it signed by the visit of President Trump," Sihasak Phuangketkeow told the BBC.

Phuangketkeow announced that Thai and Cambodian military officials would meet on Wednesday, a necessary step before any cease-fire deal.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has not responded.

The renewed clashes this month left at least 41 dead and displaced nearly 1 million.

On Monday, Malaysia's foreign chief pressed members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to address the issue urgently.

Advertisement Advertisement

"We must consider the wider ramifications of the continued escalation of the situation for the people we serve," Mohamad Hasan said.

Both the United States and China have sought to broker a new cease-fire.

The clash marks the most severe dispute among ASEAN members since its 1967 founding, dealing a major setback to the bloc's credibility.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing has been pursuing its own approach to mediating the renewed conflict and will share details "in due course."

The truce brokered by Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Trump administration collapsed by December as both nations accused each other of reigniting firing exchanges.
Canada-based oil and gas producer Baytex Energy has completed the sale of its US Eagle Ford assets for a total of $2.14bn (around C$2.96bn), after adjustments.

The company said that it will use part of the proceeds to pay down its outstanding credit facilities and redeem its 8.5% Senior Notes due 2030.

In addition, Baytex has launched a cash tender offer for its $575m of outstanding 7.37% Senior Notes due 2032.

The strategic sale is expected to strengthen Baytex's financial position and enhance its focus on a high-return Canadian energy platform and long-term value creation.

Baytex stated that it is committed to returning a substantial share of the net proceeds (following debt repayment) to shareholders and plans to restart purchases under its regular course issuer bid.

Last month, Baytex announced the agreement to sell its Eagle Ford assets to an undisclosed buyer for $2.305bn in cash.

The companys Canadian inventory includes more than 2,200 drilling locations, supporting a targeted annual production growth rate of 3-5% at $60-65 per barrel WTI (West Texas Intermediate).

The sale is part of the companys broader portfolio optimisation strategy, which allows it to focus on Canadian heavy oil and the Pembina Duvernay position.

Baytex reported production from its Canadian portfolio of 65,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) for the first nine months of 2025, with crude oil and natural gas liquids accounting for 89% of the total. This represents a 5% increase in production compared to 2024, excluding volumes from non-core asset sales.

The companys heavy oil assets include 750,000 net acres and 1,100 identified drilling locations, which could support around a decade of drilling.

In the Pembina Duvernay area, Baytex has secured 91,500 net acres and identified approximately 212 drilling locations.

Baytex plans to shift to a single-rig drilling programme in the Pembina Duvernay over the next two years, with an annual target of 18 to 20 wells.

The company aims to achieve production in the range of 20,000 to 25,000boepd in this area by 2029 to 2030.

In 2023, Baytex Energy signed an agreement to acquire US-based independent oil and gas company Ranger Oil for approximately $2.5bn, including debt.

"Baytex completes sale of Eagle Ford assets for $2.14bn" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A man drove his car into a bus stop in Giessen in western Germany on Monday, injuring three people, one of them seriously, police said.

According to initial investigations, the 32-year-old man from Azerbaijan who lives in Giessen had previously crashed his car into two vehicles at a traffic light. He continued driving and then crashed into the bus stop.

The man then drove on and later stopped his car. He was detained by the police.

Advertisement Advertisement

"The exact circumstances of the incident are currently unknown and are the subject of the investigation," a police spokesperson said.

The spokesperson declined to comment on whether investigators believe the incident was an accident or deliberate behaviour on the part of the driver.

The police have cordoned off the area.
Screenshot of the clash between settlers and Palestinians on December 22, 2025 near route 437 in the West Bank. (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA MAARIV ONLINE)

MDA evacuated five of the wounded individuals, including two of the Palestinians, to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah-University Medical Center for further medical treatment.

In a clash between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank, Palestinians hurled stones at the Israelis, one of whom responded by opening fire on the stone throwers, according to Israeli media and Israel Police.

Three settlers and three Palestinians were wounded in the exchange, police confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the police, who did not specify the identity of the stone-throwers, the incident occurred near Route 437. The scene of the clash took place near a farm that was established by settlers in recent months with the intention of pushing Palestinians out of the grazing areas, Walla reported.

The police added that the firearm involved was a military weapon.

Under the command of the Maaleh Adumim station commander, [police officers] are currently operating at the scene, and an investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the incident, the police stated.

An Israeli flag flutters, with Ma'aleh Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN/FILE PHOTO)

Following the incident, Israeli emergency medical service Magen David Adom stated that it had evacuated five of the wounded individuals, including two of the Palestinians, to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem for further medical treatment.

Advertisement Advertisement

The two Palestinians were a man in his 30s and a 62-year-old man with serious injuries, MDA added. The other wounded Palestinian, a 33-year-old man who suffered light injuries, was evacuated by the Palestinian Red Crescent.

According to Walla, the Ben Yishai Farm, near where the incident occured, sits on a hill overlooking Route 437 and is in an area where Bedouins have lived for many years.

The Bedouins have repeatedly complained about harassment from the farms residents, the outlet added.
The United States created many famous and formidable warplanes in the second world war.

These included the B-17 Flying Fortress, P-47 Thunderbolt, B-29 Superfortress and Corsair. While hardly obscure, weve chosen a collection of 10 aeroplanes that are suitable for the more discerning connoisseur of aviation during the war:

10: Consolidated PBY Catalina

Consolidated PBY Catalina

First flying in 1935 the Consolidated PBY was a flying boat designed for the US Navy to patrol the Pacific in the face of rising Japanese power. To minimise drag and keep it clear of spray the wing was mounted above the fuselage on a pylon. For improved aerodynamic efficiency the wing-tip floats were retractable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Built for endurance, the PBY was neither fast, nor especially glamourous, it did though have an impressive range of over 2000 nautical miles allowing the crew of eight to cover a vast area in a single sortie. It could also carry up to 4,000lb of bombs, depth charges, or torpedoes.

10: Consolidated PBY Catalina

Consolidated PBY Catalina

The PBY first saw combat with the RAF, who named it Catalina, where aside from hunting U-Boats, it would also locate the battleship Bismarck on 26 May 1941, allowing the Royal Navy to destroy it before it could reach Brest in France.

In US service, a Catalina would score the US Navys first air-to-air kill of the war, shooting down a Zero over the Philippines. At the important Battle of Midway, Catalinas would locate the approaching Japanese fleet, and conduct the only successful torpedo attack of the Battle, sinking an oil tanker. Meanwhile, black-painted aircraft would engage in night bombing and strafing attacks throughout the Pacific Theatre.

9: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Frequently overlooked in favour of the P-51 and P-47, the Curtiss P-40 was the third most-produced US fighter of the war. Based on the earlier radial engine P-36 Hawk, the P-40 aimed to get more performance out of the same basic airframe by using a more streamlined Allison V-12.

Advertisement Advertisement

First flying in 1938 the prototype XP-40 failed to live up to expectations, only reaching 315mph. Using the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics wind tunnel, Curtiss evaluated a range of positions for the radiator, eventually moving it from just behind the wing to the very front of the aircraft. This modification enabled the P-40 to reach 366 mph.

9: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

First seeing combat with the RAF, P-40s were used by the Desert Air Force in North Africa from 1941. Here, they were able to meet German and Italian aircraft on broadly equal terms, with 46 pilots becoming aces on the type with five or more victories.

Shortly after the RAF received their aircraft, the American Volunteer Group in China received P-40Bs. There they proved to be a match for Japanese fighters, when flown by pilots trained to fully exploit the Warhawks advantages. With US entry to the war Warhawks would join the battle eventually claiming 973 victories in the China-Burma-India theatre with 40 more pilots becoming aces on the type.

8: Grumman F4F Wildcat

Grumman F4F Wildcat

Post-war coverage of the Pacific theatre often focuses on the Vought Corsair and Grumman Hellcat, the latter of which accounted for around 75% of the US Navys victories. However, before either of these entered service in December 1942, the line was held by the diminutive Grumman F4F Wildcat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Originally losing out to the Brewster Buffalo in the competition to supply the US Navy with a new fighter a comprehensive redesign was undertaken. The wings and tail were replaced, and a supercharged Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engine fitted. This led to orders from the Americans, as well as France and Britains Royal Navy.

8: Grumman F4F Wildcat

Grumman F4F Wildcat

Learning from European combat experience, self-sealing fuel tanks and armour were added to the Wildcat. This meant it was suitably mature when war broke out in the Pacific. Although not as manoeuvrable as the Mitsubishi Zero, the Wildcat could absorb much more punishment, allowing its pilot to fight another day.

Even after the Hellcat was introduced, Wildcat production continued in order to equip the smaller Escort Carriers. This resulted in the General Motors-built FM-2 Wildcat with an extra 150hp, taller fin, and greater ammunition capacity. Despite these upgrades, like all other Wildcats, the undercarriage was retracted by the pilot cranking a handle in the cockpit.

7: Curtiss C-46 Commando

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Overshadowed by the Douglas C-47, the Curtiss C-46 was a more advanced design. Work on the C-46 had begun in 1937, two years after the first civilian version of the C-47 flew. Designed to be pressurised for flight at higher altitudes, the C-46 had a distinctive, streamlined, double-bubble fuselage with a crease running along its sides.

Advertisement Advertisement

The first prototype was purchased by the USAAF, which, during evaluation, decided to order it as a cargo transport. These aircraft would be unpressurised and modified with enlarged cargo doors at the rear of the fuselage, a strengthened floor, and, ultimately, an internal winch.

5: Curtiss C-46 Commando

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Despite not being pressurised, the C-46 proved suitable for flying The Hump route over the Himalayas enabling much needed supplies to be transported from India to China. This perilous route had mountainous terrain, limited navigation aids, and often atrocious weather. Unlike other transports, the C-46 proved able to handle everything the route could throw at it.

Able to move 8000kg of cargo, three times the load a C-47 could, the Commando would carry artillery, ammunition, aircraft parts, Jeeps, and even livestock into China to support the fight against Japan. It would continue to serve into the Korean War, where it was used to drop paratroopers.

6: Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher

Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher

The Kingfisher was developed before the war to fill the role of observation floatplane. Embarked in the USNs cruisers and battleships, it was intended to scout for enemy shipping and, when found, direct its own ships fire. This required a crew of two, with the observer in the rear cockpit calling corrections to the ship.

Advertisement Advertisement

The first monoplane to serve in the role in the US Navy, the Kingfisher was also the first production type to be welded rather than riveted together. Powered by a 450hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engine, it could manage a respectable 170mph and was armed with two 0.30-inch M1919 machine guns and up to 650lb (295kg) of bombs and depth charges.

6: Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher

Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher

Launched from its ship by a short catapult, recovery onboard was achieved by taxiing onto a sled towed in the ships wake. A hook on the underside of the float engaged with the sled, which was then winched back to the ship before the Kingfisher was craned on-board.

In the Pacific, it directed gunfire in all the USNs major battles. It became most famous for its rescue work. Most notably, in May 1944, a Kingfisher rescued 10 airmen from Truk. Too heavy to fly with them, they were carried on its wings while it taxied to the submarine USS Tang.

5: North American P-51A Mustang

North American P-51A Mustang

Typically, tales of the P-51 Mustang focus on the B model and later, which were fitted with a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine with a two-speed supercharger. This enabled it to fight at the high altitudes typical of air warfare in the European theatre. This overlooks the low-level brilliance of the original P-51A.

Advertisement Advertisement

Powered by an Allison V-1710 V-12 engine the P-51A had superlative performance up to 18,000 feet, above which its single-speed supercharger struggled to supply enough air. At ultra-low level, it was in many ways superior to the Merlin, able to run smoothly at slower speeds, giving lower fuel consumption while also being more reliable.

5: North American P-51A Mustang

North American P-51A Mustang

Following the RAFs example, the USAAF would fit many of their P-51A with sideways facing K-24 cameras. This allowed them to excel in the Fighter-Reconnaissance role, operating in pairs one would fly a pre-planned route taking a series of overlapping photographs while the other provided cover. The Allison engine allowed them to outrun virtually every German fighter at low-level.

If necessary, the P-51A could also take on the best German fighters when intercepted allowing them to roam all over occupied Europe with relative impunity. Perhaps their most crucial role was helping map Normandy prior to the invasion of June 1944.

4: Sikorsky R-4B

Sikorsky R-4B

The Sikorsky R-4B was the first mass-produced helicopter. Powered by an 185hp radial piston engine, its performance was far from stellar. On a good day, it could carry a crew of two with a casualty in an external litter. Top speed was only 75mph, with a rather small range of 130 miles.

Advertisement Advertisement

The R-4B wasnt easy to fly either, with high vibration levels from the rotors feeding back through the controls to the pilot. While dealing with this they also had to manually operate the throttle to compensate for the changing aerodynamic loads and maintain a constant rotor speed.

4: Sikorsky R-4B

Sikorsky R-4B

Despite these challenges, the R-4 B proved to be a lifesaver, carrying out multiple rescues in the China-Burma-India theatre. Here, its performance was eroded by the high altitudes and humidity, and flights on occasion passed through 10,000 feet across high mountain passes. When loaded with casualties, running take-offs became necessary as the aircraft was too heavy to lift off vertically.

In the Pacific, the R-4B was used to move spare parts between aviation repair ships. However, these too would be pressed into rescue operations when required, including a six-week period from June to July 1945, when 75 soldiers were evacuated from the jungles of the Philippines under fire. Impressively at the start of the operation, some of the pilots had only 25 hours experience flying helicopters.

3: Lockheed Ventura

Lockheed Ventura

Developed from the Lockheed Lodestar passenger aircraft, the Ventura was initially proposed to the RAF as a light bomber and patrol aircraft replacement for the Lockheed Hudson. Faster than the earlier aircraft and able to carry 3000lb (1364kg) of ordnance, the first order was placed in early 1940 with deliveries beginning two years later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Due to heavy losses on daylight raids it was soon relegated to use by Coastal Command. This could have been the end for the Ventura; however, when the USAAF ended its objection to the US Navy operating land-based bombers, an aircraft was urgently needed. Consequently, the PV-1 model was developed with extra fuel and a nose mounted search radar.

3: Lockheed Ventura

Lockheed Ventura

The USNs first combat use of the Ventura was from the Aleutian Islands after they had been retaken from the Japanese. Flying from here they would carry out strikes against Paramushir in the Kuril Islands, studiously avoiding Soviet air space as they were still neutral in the Pacific theatre. Thanks to their radars, the PV-1s were also able to guide B-24 formations to the island.

The Ventura would operate as a night fighter with the US Marine Corps. Assigned to VMF(N)-531 the unit deployed to the Russell Islands in the South Pacific in September of 1943. Two months later, the squadron scored its first of twelve victories, downing a Japanese Betty bomber on November 13.

2: Vultee BT-13 Valiant

Vultee BT-13 Valiant

Training to become a pilot in World War II was a long process using primary, basic, and advanced training aircraft before proceeding to an operational type. While large numbers of the Boeing-Stearman primary trainer and North American Harvard advanced trainer are still flying today, much rarer is the Vultee Valiant basic trainer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Designed as part of a family of three trainers, the Valiant was the only one to win a production contract. Originally equipped with a retracting undercarriage, this was dispensed with for the basic trainer role. It was felt that the fledgling pilots would have enough to deal with learning to operate constant-speed propellers, flaps, and a two-way radio.

2: Vultee BT-13 Valiant

Vultee BT-13 Valiant

Over 9500 BT-13s were built, 2000 going to the USN, dominating the basic trainer role so completely it is rare to find a US aviator from the war who didnt fly it. Although it had a few faults (including fuel leaks if snap rolled), the Valiant was generally vice-free.

After the war, the War Assets Administration sold Valiants for only $450, with the majority bought purely for their engines. A handful survive in airworthy condition, and a few were modified to appear in the 1970 film *Tora! Tora! Tora!* as Japanese Val dive bombers, at least one being re-used for the filming of *Pearl Harbor* in 2000.

1: Martin B-26 Marauder

Martin B-26 Marauder

Known by some as The Widow Maker, and The Flying Coffin the Martin Marauders reputation was based on first impressions rather than any underlying issues with the aircraft. Designed to fill a US Army Air Corps requirement for a bomber with the same payload as a B-17 but able to fly at over 300mph, Martins aircraft was ordered off the drawing board in 1940.

To achieve the required performance the B-26 had a relatively small wing and a pair of 2,000hp Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp engines. The small wing gave the aircraft much higher take-off and landing speeds than was typical for the time leading to multiple accidents during training and the unflattering nicknames.

1: Martin B-26 Marauder

Martin B-26 Marauder

After a review of the types operations by Colonel James Doolittle, leader of the first raid against Japan, pilot training was overhauled to give trainees more experience before converting to the B-26. Meanwhile, combat experience was starting to demonstrate the Marauders advantages.

In the Pacific, the 22nd Bombardment Group lost only six aircraft to Japanese Zeros in the first year of combat while shooting down 96 in return. B-26s in Europe were safely returning to base with significant damage, demonstrating the types impressive ruggedness. Ultimately, a B-26, Flak Bait, would survive the most missions over Europe of any American type, 207, demonstrating that the early nicknames had no basis in reality.

Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here.

If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar

Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

]]>
Police officers turned up at Topeka High School this month and demanded phones and passcodes from multiple students. They didn't notify families before, or after. (Getty Images)

Tamika Zollicoffee said her 16-year-old son had never had a run-in with police, but now he may have a record floating in the system because he attended a party near a homicide scene.

Students should not lose their rights when arriving at school, but when police appeared Dec. 8 at Topeka High School with a warrant, they pulled him from class, seized his phone and demanded the passcode.

Advertisement Advertisement

Zollicoffee said administrators fell short of their duty and that a law enforcement officer abused her sons trust. Her son wasnt alone. The warrant listed the names, race and other personal information of 20 students.

I felt in my soul that this couldnt be right, she said during a phone interview. This is so upsetting to me.

The presence of the warrant likely protects police, but repercussions may yet exist for the students. For parents, it appears that police with warrants can question your child at school without notifying you.

Neither the school nor the police department informed her about this incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

During the public statement portion of a Dec. 16 city council meeting, Zollicoffee expressed frustration with the police department and the school district.

What happened on Dec. 8th  was totally in my opinion, sloppy, unprofessional and disrespectful to the parents involved, she said, adding later, The ball was totally dropped, and I feel totally disrespected. (The police) did it behind our backs.

Kansas Reflector contacted the city and the school district for comment. Kimberly Qualls, spokeswoman for the city, said, Due to the pending judicial process related to the case, the Topeka Police Department is unable to provide additional comment at this time.

The school district did not respond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Kansas Reflector has not yet seen the warrant.

Lauren Bonds (Submitted)

Lauren Bonds, a civil rights lawyer and executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, said that unfortunately, there really arent strong Fourth Amendment protections in cases like this.

While some states have passed protections above those set by courts because of how easily police can coerce students into false confessions and wrongful convictions, Kansas is not among those states, Bonds said.

The warrant gave police cover in this instance, and courts likely would find that school officials had no choice but to comply with police entering the school and waving a warrant.

Advertisement Advertisement

But that doesnt mean everything that happened was OK.

Bonds said it was reasonable to wonder if being named on a first-degree murder warrant might follow the students around for years. Also, including all the names on one warrant placed students in danger. Again, this was a homicide investigation.

Its very much a possibility, Bonds said.

She added: The uncertainty here alone is a problem. It is also imposing a burden. Thats incredibly disconcerting.

Zollicoffee feared this.

The safety of those students was jeopardized, she said. This could be considered a snitch list. 

Zollicoffee asked the officer shed tracked down why he would put all the students names, race and other personal information in one document.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said, It was easier this way,  she said.

Tyshika Jones, mother of two students who were questioned, doesnt think so.

If you would have come and talked to me, Jones said of the police, I could have told you that my kids didnt even have working phones at the time (of the homicide being investigated). I have receipts and everything.

Jones said the intimidation her daughter faced made matters worse.

My daughter said she asked three times to speak to me, Jones said. She kept asking to talk to me, but the officer snatched the phone out of her hand, because she wasnt giving it to him, and told her to call her on your own time. 

Advertisement Advertisement

Zollicoffee said by not contacting parents, the school district violated its own policy. She quoted 2350-01, the policy that prefers students be questioned outside of business hours and parents to be notified before interrogation.

Parents should have been informed after the questioning as well, Zollicoffee said. That policy has been in place since 1980, and the last revision, she said, was in 2018.

Police attempted to question Jones son at Eisenhower Middle School, but administrators didnt let the officer question him until theyd notified Jones.

Zollicoffee worries about police digging for new cases against the students as they wander through the confiscated phones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Couldnt they just say that they found something and set it aside for a later investigation? she said.

She believed race and social class played a role in how police behaved. She said the students seemed to be rounded up like cattle and left alone with police. Almost every student on the list was Black, she said.

If that was a white school, I dont think they wouldve walked in, grabbed phones and questioned kids without calling their parents, she said. We are Black and working class. They just dismissed us.

Had these been white students from wealthy families, she said, it wouldnt have happened this way. Police would have called and spoken to them and given them the respect they deserved.

Advertisement Advertisement

She still has not heard from the school system.

Mark McCormick is the former executive director of the Kansas African American Museum, a member of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and former deputy executive director at the ACLU of Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Traveling this week to see friends and family in time for Christmas? Before you hit the road to the airport, it's important to keep in mind the changes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) made in 2025.

With a battery ban enacted, Real ID requirements kicking in weeks before Memorial Day, and a restrictions on certain haircare tools, it has been a year of change for TSA.

The recent TSA rule changes enhance flight safety and security screenings, but they can be hard to keep track of if you're not a frequent flier. Let's take a look at what's new and what's changed.

Check out TSA's travel tips

TSA shared 10 travel tips for air travel:

Advertisement Advertisement

Pack smart and start with an empty bag Arrive to the airport early Bring an acceptable ID Do you carry a firearm? Prepare, pack and declare Be aware of new checkpoint screening technology Travel with ease with TSA PreCheck Call ahead to request passenger support Text or @AskTSA on X before heading to the airport Listen to and respect frontline employees Remain aware

Read more details on their tips from their website here.

TSA may charge a fee to get through security if you forget Real ID, passport

In November 2025, TSA revealed it would start requiring non-Real ID travelers to pay an $18 fee to get through security at the airport. Now, the administration has increased the cost to pass without a valid ID, and it will officially take effect next year.

This fee will increase from $18 to $45, effective Feb. 1, 2026, according to the TSA website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Under a the new rule proposed by the TSA, travelers without the required identification, such as a Real ID or passport, will have their identity verified at a new biometric kiosk system to pass a checkpoint. The fee would also cover the costs and resources used for the new technology.

This fee and new technology will allow passengers to pass through a checkpoint without ID for 10 days if they travel again within that timeframe.

TSA bans cordless hair tools from checked luggage

Do you use cordless hair devices for your hair routine? It might be best to keep them at home, because they may contain potentially hazardous materials, like gas cartridges and butane, which are banned by TSA.

The Federal Aviation Administration says that these kinds of cordless hair tools are banned in checked luggage:

Advertisement Advertisement

Cordless curling irons or flatirons containing gas cartridges

Butane-fueled curling irons or flat irons

Gas refills (spare cartridges) for curling irons or flat irons

If TSA finds these banned items in your checked bags, the items will be taken away.

These items are allowed in your carry-on if they have safety covers to prevent activation.

Hair tools with cords are fine for checked or carry-on bags.

Portable batteries, power banks banned by TSA before summer travel season

Just as TSA began mandating Real ID for security checks, it banned portable chargers and power banks containing lithium-ion batteries from checked luggage. External chargers can only be packed in carry-on bags and kept inside the aircraft cabin, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's latest guidance. Lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged.

Advertisement Advertisement

The rule applies to electronics and external battery chargers that contain a lithium-ion battery, which cannot be stored inside checked bags. This includes:

Power banks

Cell phone battery charging cases

Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries

Cell phone batteries

Laptop batteries

External batteries

Portable rechargers

TSA got rid of its shoes-off policy

In July 2025, travelers arriving at TSA checkpoints at airports across the country would no longer have to remove their shoes as part of the screening process. Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA, announced in a press conference on July 8 that the longstanding policy requiring most passengers to remove their shoes is no longer in effect.

TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoint," Noem said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Only passengers in the TSA PreCheck line were previously allowed to keep their shoes on. However, travelers who set off the alarm at scanners or magnetometers may be required to remove their shoes for additional screening.

Noem said other steps in the multilayered security screening process, such as identification checks and screening of carry-on bags, will continue. Some travelers may still be asked to remove their shoes for additional screening, and passengers who trigger the alarm at scanners or magnetometers will be required to remove their shoes for additional screening as well.

TSA will keep its 3.4-ounce liquids rule

TSA may have dropped its shoes-off rule at security checkpoints, but its rule limiting liquids to 3.4 ounces won't change anytime soon.

TSA clarified why it got rid of the shoes-off rule but kept the liquid 3.4-ounce rule in a July 2025 Facebook post. According to the post, explosives in liquid form can be disguised as everyday products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Some aviation security experts caution that the TSAs infrastructure isn't ready to drop the 3.4-ounce rule, as scanning liquids requires different technology compared to scanning passengers' shoes, according to The Detroit News.

Scanning liquids requires some of the most sophisticated technology available in the security industry. TSA has been installing computed tomography (CT) scanners (an imaging device that scans your baggage) at a steady rate, but not fast enough to handle another policy change.

To get rid of the 3.4-ounce rule, airports would first need to see significant advancements in scanning technology or a decrease in threats to air travel safety.

What TSA does if there's an 'SSSS' on your boarding pass

If your boarding pass has "SSSS" on it, TSA will pull you aside for additional screening.

Advertisement Advertisement

"SSSS" stands for "Secondary Security Screening Selection." It is seemingly randomly applied to boarding passes, per Travel + Leisure, and means you'll have to take an extra few steps beyond regular security protocols, which can add significant time to your security screening process.

This is not just for regular boarding pass holders. Even those with Global Entry and TSA Precheck, or a CLEAR access purchase, may also be pulled for additional screening if they find those four letters on their boarding pass.

The code can appear on anyone's boarding pass. A few common reasons for this group of letters include:

Purchasing a last-minute ticket

Booking a direct one-way flight and paying in cash

Flying to or from a country flagged by the U.S. State Department

Raising suspicions at the airport

Selected at random

Advertisement Advertisement

If you do find this quartet of letters on your boarding pass, allow 1545 minutes of extra time to get through security at the airport.

TSA announces family-friendly checkpoints at select airports

In July, TSA's new Families on the Fly campaign aimed at easing airport security lines for families.

Perks include special "family lanes" at select airports, $15 discounts on TSA PreCheck enrollment fees for families (fees can cost around $80 per person), and the introduction of dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families.

The program will roll out at select airports before expanding. No Ohio airports are on the initial list.

9 unique items you can bring through TSA security checkpoints

If you're a cowboy who likes Harry Potter and you want to celebrate Christmas with festive lights and a live lobster, you should have little trouble getting through TSA at the airport.

Advertisement Advertisement

These bizarre and unexpected items are TSA-approved:

Live lobsters: Live lobsters are allowed through security, but TSA says your lobster friend must be transported in a clear, plastic, spill-proof container. A TSA officer will visually inspect your lobster at the checkpoint. Christmas lights: If you're feeling a bit of holiday cheer, TSA allows Christmas lights in either carry-on or checked bags. Cowboy spurs: Cowboy spurs are allowed, but they must be off your boots and placed in carry-on or checked bags. Antlers: Antlers are allowed on board as a carry-on or can go inside your checked bags, but there's a snag  you need to ensure that the item will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane if you're bringing it as a carry-on. Harry Potter wands, light sabers: Both your Harry Potter wands and Star Wars light sabers are safe to fly. "Sadly, the technology doesn't currently exist to create a real lightsaber. However, you can pack a toy lightsaber in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you," TSA adds. Coffee and espresso makers: Need an extra jolt of energy? TSA says that coffee and espresso makers are allowed, but you should carefully pack it and make sure all cords are wrapped. TSA recommends packing them in your carry-on. Magic 8 ball: While your fortune-telling ball can't go in carry-on bags, it's good to fly in checked bags. According to TSA, "For carry-on bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us  Outlook not so good! For checked bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us  It is certain!" Sewing machines: Sewing machines are allowed to fly in your checked luggage or carry-on, but TSA says you should check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the plane's overhead bin or underneath the seat. Waffle irons: Waffle irons will go through TSA checkpoints as a carry-on or in checked baggage, but make sure that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

Not sure what's allowed or prohibited to bring on board? See the complete list on TSA's website.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: New TSA bans, security rules, policies. A look at recent changes for Christmas travel
President Donald Trump announced that hes nominating a MAGA ally to serve as U.S. special envoy to Greenland in a move that drew immediate anger from Denmark.

The 79-year-old president has long harbored ambitions to take over the Danish semi-autonomous territory. On Sunday, Trump announced that he would appoint Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as the envoy to the island, apparently the first time the U.S. government would have such a role.

Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World, Trump said in a statement.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has taken up the (Pacific Press)

Landry, who only took office as governor in January 2024, and whose term ends in January 2028, described it as a volunteer position.

Advertisement Advertisement

Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S., Landry wrote on X. He added, This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!

In reaction, the Danish foreign minister said on Monday that the United States must respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Lars Lkke Rasmussen said in a brief statement emailed by his ministry to ABC News that the appointment confirms the continued American interest in Greenland.

Vice President JD Vance tours the US military's Pituffik Space Base on March 28. / Pool / Getty Images

However, we insist that everyoneincluding the U.S.must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

He struck a decidedly more irritated tone in separate comments made to the Danish TV channel TV2. Calling Trump and Landrys comments completely unacceptable, he said hed be demanding an explanation from the U.S. ambassador.

As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty, he said.

Greenlands Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, meanwhile, said Landrys appointment doesnt change anything for us here at home.

We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country, he wrote on social media, adding: Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in a report earlier this month that the United States is leveraging its economic clout to assert its will and is willing to threaten military force against both allies and adversaries.

The report highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Arctic amid the intensifying conflict between Russia and the West.

And thats exactly why Trump wants it. During his presidential transition and the opening months of his second term, Trump repeatedly pushed for the United States to assume jurisdiction over Greenland, and he has declined to rule out using military force to seize control of the strategically important, mineral-rich island.

For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, he wrote on Truth Social exactly a year ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

In March, Vice President JD Vance traveled to a remote U.S. military installation in Greenland, where he accused Denmark of failing to invest adequately in the territory.

While the dispute later faded from public view, it resurfaced in August when Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador after reports that at least three individuals with ties to Trump had conducted covert influence operations in Greenland. Denmark is a NATO ally of the United States.

Trump made Ken Howery, a co-founder of PayPal, the U.S. ambassador to Denmark last year.
PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec 22 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump announced on Monday plans to build a new Trump-class of battleships  larger, faster and 100 times more powerful than any before  aimed at cementing U.S. naval dominance, starting with two vessels as part of an expanded Golden Fleet.

He said the project would eventually be expanded to encompass 20 to 25 new vessels.

The planned build-out of warships will ultimately result in "more tonnage and firepower under construction than at any time in history," U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan said, adding that components would be built in every U.S. state.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said the battleships would not only feature the "biggest guns" ever carried on a U.S. warship but also would carry nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missiles. The first of the new battleships will be christened the USS Defiant.

In addition to the new battleship class, the Golden Fleet envisions an increase in the number of other types of war vessels, including a smaller, more nimble frigate class previously announced by the U.S. Navy, Trump said.

(Reporting by Steve Holland in Washington; Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Chris Reese and Howard Goller)
President Donald Trump has announced the construction of two new "Trump-class" battleships that would be the first in a "Golden Fleet" of Navy ships in the latest instance of Trump naming things after himself.

"Each one of these will be the largest battleship in the history of our country, the largest in the history of the world," Trump said, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Dec. 22. Three pictures of ships labeled with the name "USS Defiant" stood behind him.

Trump said "20 to 25" ships eventually would make up the new class of ships. Construction of the first two ships would begin "immediately," he said.

President Donald Trump walks past a rendering of the 'Trump Class' USS Defiant, at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. on Dec. 22, 2025. A rendering of 'Trump Class' USS Defiant is displayed, on the day U.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement about the Navy's "Golden Fleet", at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. on Dec. 22, 2025. President Donald Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L), Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, announces the creation of the "Trump-class" battleship during a statement to the media at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Dec. 22, 2025 in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump announced the new class of battleship will become the centerpiece of his "Golden Fleet" program to rebuild and strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry. A rendering of the 'Trump Class' USS Defiant is displayed, on the day U.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement about the Navy's "Golden Fleet", at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. on Dec. 22, 2025. President Donald Trump announces the creation of the "Trump-class" battleship during a statement to the media at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Dec. 22, 2025 in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump announced the new class of ship will become the centerpiece of his "Golden Fleet" program to rebuild and strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry. President Donald Trump takes questions from journalists after announcing the US Navy's new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. on Dec. 22, 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks about the US Navy's new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. on Dec. 22, 2025. President Donald Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L), Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, announces the creation of the "Trump-class" battleship during a statement to the media at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Dec. 22, 2025 in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump announced the new class of ship will become the centerpiece of his "Golden Fleet" program to rebuild and strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Trump unveils new Trump class fleet of battleships 1 of 8 President Donald Trump walks past a rendering of the 'Trump Class' USS Defiant, at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. on Dec. 22, 2025.

The ships would be equipped with hypersonic weapons, lasers, cruise missiles and nuclear weapons, Trump said. Artificial intelligence would also play a "big factor" in the ships' capabilities, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Navy will lead construction of the ships, along with the president, who called himself "a very aesthetic person."

The announcement comes a few days after Trump's name was added to the outside of the iconic Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on Dec. 19, less than 24 hours after the center's board of trustees voted to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center.

President Donald Trump announced the construction of a new "Trump-class" of battleships.

Trump has criticized U.S. warships since his first term as "terrible-looking" and pressed to revamp the fleet.

The Trump-class ships will upgrade Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers  named after a World War II and Korean War-era admiral. The class was commissioned in 1991 and is still in production.

Advertisement Advertisement

Phelan announced Dec. 19 that he had directed the construction of a new frigate class as part of the "golden fleet." The Navy aims to "launch the first hull in the water in 2028," he said.

The new class of ships will be heavier than current Navy destroyers, officials told The Wall Street Journal, which first reported Trump's announcement.

Phelan announced late last month that the Navy was ditching plans to build the last four ships in the Constellation Class Frigate program as part of a "strategic shift." That program was bogged down by construction delays and design issues.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump announces new 'Trump-class' battleships for his 'Golden Fleet
US President Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for the self-ruling Danish territory of Greenland.

"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network late Sunday.

Since returning office in January, Trump has revived an idea from his first term of gaining control of the island, which is largely autonomous but part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Advertisement Advertisement

The US president believes Greenland is strategically important both for defence and as a source of mineral wealth.

Greenland - the world's largest island - is four-fifths covered in ice and home to just under 57,000 people.

Danish media recently reported that the US government is seeking to establish direct contacts with the Greenlandic government. However, it is political practice in Denmark to have both Danish and Greenlandic representatives present at talks concerning foreign, security or defence issues affecting island.

Landry said in a post on social media platform X that it was "an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S."

Advertisement Advertisement

The Republican, who has been governor of the south-eastern state since early 2024, stressed that the new job "in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"

It was initially unclear why Trump named Landry as special envoy to the island. Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, is about 4,600 kilometres south-west of the Arctic island's capital Nuuk.
Richard Holohan, on the same panel as Lentz, said the freight recession had made reaching a consensus on company valuations a tough task. But I think in the last six to nine months, weve kind of gotten past a lot of those dislocations, and thats unleashed a lot of activity, he said.

The size of multiples in deals that are getting done, he said, are inching up. Theyre not going to dramatically go up, he said, adding that I think the activity is there.

And he noted another sobering factor in a market well into another year of freight recession: growing a business is a challenge. It is next to impossible to grow your business organically, so the next best option is through acquisitions, Lentz said.

Lentz was likely the most optimistic voice heard from the stage about the M&S outlook next year. Besides private equity raising funds for acquisitions, Lentz said, strategic buyers, who often are publicly-traded companies, have a ton of cash sitting on their balance sheet.

The one-day conference, always held in New York in early December, isnt lengthy; it starts not long before lunch and ends before a round of evening libations. But if a person is a mover and shaker in the logistics M&A field, he or she is likely to be in attendance.

Lentz noted that the room at the conference, sponsored by the transportation practice at the Benesch law firm, was populated with people who have either just raised a new fund or are in the process of raising a fund. So from the sponsor point of view, theres a ton of capital and theyve got to spend that capital.

I think its going to be a banner year, Lentz said on the Benesch panel entitled M&A Outlook 2026. Theres way too much capital out there.

Lentz did talk about various strong points in the logistics M&A market this year. But it was looking toward 2026 that the talk of a very, very, very difficult market turned far more positive.

At the annual Benesch Investing in the Transportation & Logistics Industry Conference here earlier this month, Logisyn said of 2025, I almost cant give away asset-based trucking companies this year. Its been a very, very, very difficult year for asset-based trucking, and that doesnt make a difference if its asset-based trucking with transportation brokerage along with it. I cant do it.

New YorkRon Lentz is the managing partner of Logisyn Advisors, a logistics merger and acquisition advisory firm. And he recently had two widely divergent views of the year that is about to end and the one that is coming up.

Story Continues

Tariffs make one type of brokerage a desired acquisition

Both Lentz and Ryan Cech, the chief strategy officer of the Imperative Logistics Group, said customs brokerages and freight forwarders have been hot items in the logistics M&A landscape, as they are designed to help importers or exporters work their way through the tariffs maze.

We spent a lot of time in the last year looking at customs brokers, Cech said on the same panel as Lentz. Theyre certainly having a moment in that tariff environment. Their skills, Cech said, enable an importer to appropriately classify import documentations, which can often result in lower tariffs. Thats a value added service these days and can solve a very acute pain point for shippers, Cech said.

While the fog of tariffs may have helped customs brokerage and similar areas of expertise, Cech made clear it has not been a boon overall to the logistics M&A field.

There were some investment committees that were hesitant to deploy capital in such an uncertain environment, Cech said. The worst of that has probably passed, he said. But that doesnt mean there wont be an impact.

Once the dust settles, it will just be different, Cech said.

If the dust has settled, Cech said he sees an industry that might be ready to see heavy M&A action.

Benesch co-chair of the transportation group Marc Blubaugh kicks off the conference.

NYCCORPORATEEVENTPHOTOGRAPHER.COM | LANA DUBKOVA

On the sell side, he said, are owners and founders who have been waiting several years for a freight market to turn around. But it hasnt, and it may not happen next year. Their conclusion, Cech said, might be to say you know what, now is the time and go ahead with a sale.

Holohan expressed a similar sentiment. Some transactions are often driven by something more powerful than the market cycle, he said. Its often succession.

If its a family business being sold, those drivers of that type of transaction typically outweigh where the spot rate for truckload at this very moment, so that part of the market has been fairly stable.

On the buy side, Cech echoed Lentz in that the inability to grow organically may be a spur to more deals. The financials have been flat for the last three years, he said. So you have buyers that have had lackluster growth and they are seeking to pursue M&A as a growth alternative.

Now what?

If some of those sellers are founders, it can present a separate set of issues. The post-acquisition landscape was discussed in a separate panel that asked the question Now What? following the consummation of a deal.

Rebecca White, executive vice president of strategy and corporate development at KAG, said about three-quarters of the transactions the company does are with owners who say the reason for the sale is they are retiring. (KAG describes itself on its website as the largest tank truck transporter and logistics provider in North America.)

We like for them to stick around for a transition, White said. That period is usually six to 12 months, she added, and they are usually very open to doing that.

Sometimes the temporary bridging period works out better than expected. Those founders, White said, might say things are going pretty well. I think Im really going to stick around. She added that its been an interesting aspect of some acquisitions.

But thats the founder. Spencer Tenney, president of the Tenney Group, a merger & acquisitions advisory group, said the management team of an acquired company also is a concern. He discussed a recent recapitalization of a company steered by the Tenney Group that also allowed the simultaneous promotion of four managers.

Every employee wants to know, how is this going to affect me, good or bad? Tenney said. But in the transaction he discussed, Tenney said the steps taken by the private equity company involved in the deal to elevate the four executives set up that transaction for a generation of success.

Given that any sort of sale always comes with the fear of layoffs and job losses, Tenney said its notable that hes been seeing a little bit more restraint as it relates to eliminating some of the head count.

Rather than just taking a machete to it all, I think buyers are just taking a few extra months to understand whos actually doing the work, what should we actually eliminate, and who are some of the best players that we want to be part of the future, Tenney said. Theyre being a bit more long-term focused on how they integrated to maximize success.

More articles by John Kingston

As dealmakers gather in New York, logistics merger activity holding up

Strange bedfellows as states say brokers not protected under safety exception

Logistics startup founder loses appeal on conviction, 20-year sentence

The post Benesch panelists: Why 2026 could be a strong year for logistics M&A appeared first on FreightWaves.
President Donald Trump bragged about demanding a massive payout as a result of two complaints he brought against the Justice Department over the federal investigations into him.

After Trump left office in 2021, the Justice Department launched a pair of probes that looked into his handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump later filed two complaints  one in 2023 and one in 2024  through an administrative claim process, which could lead to a lawsuit, demanding the Justice Department pay him $230 million in compensation the New York Times reported in October.

In a wide-ranging speech in North Carolina on Friday, which was billed as remarks on the economy, the president digressed into his complaints, now inflating that potential sum to $1 billion.

Advertisement Advertisement

We have all the evidence, and we have to do something about it, Trump boomed as the crowd erupted in claps and cheers. I brought a lawsuit, and Im winning the lawsuit. Theres only one problem. Im the one who has to settle it. In other words, I am suing, and Im the one thats supposed to settle it.

So, maybe I'll give myself $1 billion and give it all to charity, he then suggested before changing his mind. Actually, maybe I shouldn't give it to charity. Maybe I should keep the money.

Speaking in North Carolina Friday, Trump boasted about his demands that his own DOJ give him a massive payout after the previous administration launched federal investigations into him (Getty Images)

He then recounted the series of events as if he were reading aloud newspaper headlines: Donald Trump sues the United States of America. Donald Trump becomes president. And now Donald Trump has to settle the suit. The president then said: I hereby give myself $1 billion.

Trump once again appeared to waver about what to do with the potential sum. Actually, maybe I shouldnt give it to charity. Maybe I should keep the money. No? A lot of people say: Do it. I dont wanna do it, he told the crowd.

Advertisement Advertisement

But whatever happens, its all going to good charities. Is that ok? All going to good charities. But isnt that a strange position to be in? Ive gotta make, Ive gotta make a deal. I negotiate with myself, the president concluded.

Jack Smith, the DOJ special prosecutor charged with leading the federal probes, dropped the cases against the incoming president after Trump won the 2024 election.

Smith told members of Congress this week that his investigative team had developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump had criminally conspired to overturn the 2020 election results and had collected powerful evidence that he had violated the law related to the handling of classified documents.

Earlier in his speech Friday, Trump slammed the FBIs raid of Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 as part of the Justice Departments classified documents case. The president called the raid illegal and disgusting, alleging the raid extended to his wife Melania Trumps panties drawer.

Its not immediately clear what Trump meant by having all the evidence. However, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley published emails this week between FBI and DOJ officials in the months leading up to the August 2022 raid, which suggested that the bureau didnt believe it had probable cause to execute the search warrant on Trumps property, while the Justice Department insisted it did.
Jeff Landry, President Trumps newly appointed special envoy to Greenland, says his goal is to make the autonomous Danish territory part of the U.S.

Landry, the sitting Republican governor of Louisiana, made the comment in a post Sunday night thanking Trump for naming him to the position of special envoy.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump! Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana! Landry said on the social platform X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump in his post announcing Landrys appointment said the governor understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland expressed concern following Trumps announcement, emphasizing in a joint statement that another country cannot be annexed.

We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a joint statement, according to The Associated Press. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.

Trump floated the idea of purchasing Greenland during his first administration and ramped up such rhetoric during his 2024 campaign. He has argued that the territory, which is part of Denmark, is essential to U.S. national security.

Advertisement Advertisement

After taking office in January, Trump did not rule out using military or economic force to take control of Greenland.

The U.S. Space Force operates a base on the northwest coast of the Arctic island. Vice President Vance visited the base in March and said the U.S. is not likely to use military force to take over the territory.

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.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  President Donald Trump on Monday delivered a new warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the U.S. Coast Guard steps up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Republican administration's escalating pressure campaign on the government in Caracas.

Trump was surrounded by his top national security aides, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as he suggested that he remains ready to further escalate his four-month pressure campaign on the Maduro government, which began with the stated purpose of stemming the flow of illegal drugs from the South American nation but has developed into something more amorphous.

If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, itll be the last time hell ever be able to play tough, Trump said of Maduro as he took a break from his Florida holiday vacation to announce plans for the Navy to build a new, large warship.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump levied his latest threat as the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday continued for a second day to chase a sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration describes as part of a dark fleet Venezuela is using to evade U.S. sanctions. The tanker, according to the White House, is flying under a false flag and is under a U.S. judicial seizure order.

Its moving along and well end up getting it, Trump said.

It is the third tanker pursued by the Coast Guard, which on Saturday seized a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries that U.S. officials said was part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet.

The Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, seized a sanctioned tanker called Skipper on Dec. 10, also part of the shadow fleet of tankers that the U.S. says operates on the fringes of the law to move sanctioned cargo. That ship was registered in Panama.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump, after that first seizure, said the U.S. would carry out a blockade of Venezuela. Trump has repeatedly said that Maduro's days in power are numbered.

Last week, Trump demanded that Venezuela return assets that it seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, justifying anew his announcement of a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from the South American country.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency oversees the Coast Guard, said in a Monday appearance on Fox & Friends that the targeting of tankers is intended to send a message around the world that the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand, he needs to be gone, and that we will stand up for our people.

Russian diplomats evacuate families from Caracas

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Russias Foreign Ministry started evacuating the families of diplomats from Venezuela, according to a European intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information.

The official told The Associated Press the evacuations include women and children and began on Friday, adding that Russian Foreign Ministry officials are assessing the situation in Venezuela in very grim tones. The ministry said in an X posting that it was not evacuating the embassy but did not address queries about whether it was evacuating the families of diplomats.

Venezuelas Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on Monday said he spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, who he said expressed Russias support for Venezuela against Trumps declared blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

We reviewed the aggressions and flagrant violations of international law that have been committed in the Caribbean: attacks against vessels and extrajudicial executions, and the unlawful acts of piracy carried out by the United States government, Gil said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

The scene on a Venezuelan beach near a refinery

While U.S. forces targeted the vessels in international waters over the weekend, a tanker that's considered part of the shadow fleet was spotted moving between Venezuelan refineries, including one about three hours west of the capital, Caracas.

The tanker remained at the refinery in El Palito through Sunday, when families went to the towns beach to relax with children now on break from school.

Music played on loudspeakers as people swam and surfed with the tanker in the background. Families and groups of teenagers enjoyed themselves, but Manuel Salazar, who has parked cars at the beach for more than three decades, noticed differences from years past, when the countrys oil-dependent economy was in better shape and the energy industry produced at least double the current 1 million barrels per day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Up to nine or 10 tankers would wait out there in the bay. One would leave, another would come in, Salazar, 68, said. Now, look, one.

The tanker in El Palito has been identified by Transparencia Venezuela, an independent watchdog promoting government accountability, to be part of the shadow fleet.

Area residents on Sunday recalled when tankers would sound their horns at midnight New Years Eve, while some would even send up fireworks to celebrate the holiday.

Before, during vacations, theyd have barbecues; now all you see is bread with bologna, Salazar said of Venezuelan families spending the holiday at the beach next to the refinery. Things are expensive. Food prices keep going up and up every day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Venezuelas ruling party-controlled National Assembly on Monday gave initial approval to a measure that would criminalize a broad range of activities that could be linked to the seizure of oil tankers.

Lawmaker Giuseppe Alessandrello, who introduced the bill, said people could be fined and imprisoned for up to 20 years for promoting, requesting, supporting, financing or participating in acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal acts against commercial entities operating with the South American country.

The Defense Department, under Trump's orders, continues its campaign of attacks on smaller vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that it alleges are carrying drugs to the United States and beyond.

At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and that the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.

___

Garcia Cano reported from El Palito, Venezuela, and Burrows reported from London.
US President Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for the self-ruling Danish territory of Greenland.

"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network late Sunday.

Since returning office in January, Trump has revived an idea from his first term of gaining control of the island, which is largely autonomous but part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Advertisement Advertisement

The US president believes Greenland is strategically important both for defence and as a source of mineral wealth.

Greenland - the world's largest island - is four-fifths covered in ice and home to just under 57,000 people.

Danish media recently reported that the US government is seeking to establish direct contacts with the Greenlandic government. However, it is political practice in Denmark to have both Danish and Greenlandic representatives present at talks concerning foreign, security or defence issues affecting island.

Landry said in a post on social media platform X that it was "an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S."

Advertisement Advertisement

The Republican, who has been governor of the south-eastern state since early 2024, stressed that the new job "in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"

It was initially unclear why Trump named Landry as special envoy to the island. Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, is about 4,600 kilometres south-west of the Arctic island's capital Nuuk.

Louisiana was once part of France and purchased by the US in 1803 in a $15-million deal that gave the union a large north-south swath from New Orleans on the Gulf of Mexico to Wyoming and North Dakota. Today, the Louisiana Purchase encompasses all or some of 15 US states.

During his first term in office Trump had already floated the idea of purchasing Greenland for the United States. Denmark and the Greenland's autonomous government reject these efforts.

Trump's predecessors customarily have appointed special envoys primarily for difficult negotiations and crisis situations. Relations with allies, such as NATO partner Denmark, are traditionally managed by US ambassadors.
Deputy US attorney general Todd Blanche said on Sunday that removing photos from the Jeffrey Epstein files release, including one of Donald Trump, had nothing to do with the president, as the justice department restored an image it had removed a day earlier that included within it a photo of Trump.

The US justice department said on Sunday it restored the image after concluding that the photograph posed no risk of public exposure to victims of the late convicted sex offender. Its unexplained removal on Saturday triggered a chorus of accusations from Democrats of political interference in favor of the president, a former friend of Epstein.

Blanche said a total of 16 removals had come at the request of victim advocacy groups. Blanche maintained that an investigation into the photos was ongoing and that images would likely go back up after it was determined whether they needed redactions.

Advertisement Advertisement

We dont have perfect information, Blanche told NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday. And so when, when we hear from victims-rights groups about this type of photograph, we pull it down and investigate.

The 'system has failed the survivors', says victims' rights advocate

Victims rights advocate Gloria Allred told CNN on Saturday that the system has failed the survivors, including with the release of files that may have been under-redacted.

I saw a number of survivors names which should never have been published, because the whole point is to protect the survivors, she told the outlet.

The other concern I have also has to do with the images of some of the potential victims and survivors, that some of those images were not redacted, should have been redacted, and in some cases, the images may be of women unclothed. And that is completely unacceptable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read the full story

Sister of Epstein victim reported him in 1996, but FBI failed to investigate, files reveal

While Donald Trumps justice department did not deliver on a legal requirement to disclose all Jeffrey Epstein-related files by Friday, one document in an otherwise underwhelming disclosure lifted the veil on authorities inaction  and its dire consequences for dozens of teen girls.

That document is an FBI report from Maria Farmer, a painter who worked for Epstein around 1996.

Farmer, whose sister Annie Farmer was abused by Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell at age 16, told authorities in 1996 that the late financier stole nude images of her siblings.

Read the full story

The DoJ failed to comply with Epstein files law  can Congress do anything?

Multiple Congress members have threatened legal action after Donald Trumps justice department failed on Friday to release all documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as required by law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Several attorneys told the Guardian that those making the legal threats do have tools with which to try to follow through. But theres a major obstacle: those with legal authority in this case are the ones accused of failing to follow the law.

Read the full story

US Coast Guard pursuing another oil tanker off coast of Venezuela

US Coast Guard officials said on Sunday that they are tracking an oil tanker in international waters close to Venezuela, according to Reuters, marking the second such action over the weekend  and the third within the past week.

One official indicated that the tanker is subject to sanctions. The officials, who requested anonymity, did not disclose the precise location of the pursuit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read the full story

Gripes and infighting on display at Turning Point gathering

Turning Point USAs first annual gathering since its leader Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on a college campus has made headlines for public infighting as the stars of Maga conservatism hashed out its future direction. Kirks widow Erika said it feels like a Thanksgiving dinner where your familys hashing out the family business.

Read the full story

Louisiana nursing student speaks out during her six-month ICE detention

A recent graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, who has been held in an ICE processing center for the past six months, has spoken of her hopelessness following her arrest.

The only thing now that I want is my freedom back, Palacios told Nola.com. I dont want to be enclosed in a space where everything is controlled. I have no power to do anything. I feel hopeless all the time. And nothing is moving to help me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened Saturday 20 December 2025.
This piece was written by the Trussville Tribune staff.

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (TRIBUNE)  Police in Trussville have charged Kanen Isaac Harper, 24, of Moody with felony murder in the shooting death of Christian Scott White early Saturday morning.

After a thorough investigation of the shooting death of 32-year-old Christian Scott White in the 1900 block of Gadsden Hwy in the early morning hours of December 20th, 2025 the Trussville Police Department has obtained a felony murder warrant through the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office on Kanen Isaac Harper a 24-year-old male of Moody Alabama, TPD Lt. Clint Riner said. Kanen Harper will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail where he will be held without bond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Riner said Trussville Police answered the call at 1:05 a.m. Saturday of a person shot.

When officers arrived, they found a shooting victim in a grassy area adjacent to the Velmas parking lot. First aid was being rendered at the time.

The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the veterinarians office next door, according to Velmas owner Tammy Butler.

Riner said one person was pronounced dead at the scene and one person is in custody. Both the victim and the person in custody are males.

At around 0105 hrs the Trussville Police department received a call of a person shot in the 1900 block of Gadsden Hwy, Riner said. Police arrived on the scene and secured the area while emergency medical assistance was being provided.

Advertisement Advertisement

Saturdays homicide was the second of 2025 in Trussville. Riner said the city had a homicide related to a fentanyl overdose in March. A manslaughter warrant was issued in June for that case.

A tragic loss of life occurred in our community last night and we are thankful that incidences such as this are rare in our community, interim Trussville Police Chief Dave Morrette said. Trussville is a safe community and we will strive for this to remain the case. Our prayers are with the family who is experiencing this tragedy.

Morrette expressed appreciation to the Irondale Police Department, as well as the Argo Police Department who responded for mutual aid during the incident.

The iconic roadhouse opened in 1938 and was the only licensed bar in Trussville for many years. The first incarnation closed in 2012 and the building was later home to an oyster house and candy shop. In December of 2022, the City Council approved a liquor license for a new Velmas Place in the original location.

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
PHOENIX (AP)  Vice President JD Vance said Sunday the conservative movement should be open to everyone as long as they love America, declining to condemn a streak of antisemitism that has divided the Republican Party and roiled the opening days of Turning Point USAs annual convention.

After a long weekend of debates about whether the movement should exclude figures such as bigoted podcaster Nick Fuentes, Vance came down firmly against purity tests.

I didnt bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform, Vance said during the conventions closing speech.

Advertisement Advertisement

Turning Point leader Erika Kirk, who took the helm after the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, has endorsed Vance as a potential successor to President Donald Trump, a helpful nod from an influential group with an army of volunteers.

But the tension on display at the four-day gathering foreshadowed the treacherous political waters that Vance, or anyone else who seeks the next Republican presidential nomination, will need to navigate in the coming years. Top voices in the Make America Great Again movement are jockeying for influence as Republicans begin considering a future without Trump, and there is no clear path to holding his coalition together.

Defining a post-Trump GOP

The Republican Partys identity has been intertwined with Trump for a decade, but he's constitutionally ineligible to run for reelection despite his musings about serving a third term. Tucker Carlson said people are wondering, who gets the machinery when the president exits the scene?

Advertisement Advertisement

So far, it looks like settling that question will come with a lot of fighting among conservatives. The Turning Point conference featured arguments about antisemitism, Israel and environmental regulations, not to mention rivalries between leading commentators.

Ben Shapiro, co-founder of the conservative media outlet Daily Wire, used his speech on the conference's opening night to denounce charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty."

These people are frauds and they are grifters and they do not deserve your time, Shapiro said. He specifically called out Carlson for hosting Fuentes for a friendly interview on his podcast.

Carlson brushed off the criticism when he took the stage barely an hour later, and he said the idea of a Republican civil war was totally fake.

Advertisement Advertisement

There are people who are mad at JD Vance, and theyre stirring up a lot of this in order to make sure he doesnt get the nomination, he said. Carlson described Vance as the one person who subscribes to the core idea of the Trump coalition, which Carlson said was America first.

Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet framed the discord as a healthy debate about the future of the movement, an uncomfortable but necessary process of finding consensus.

Were not hive-minded commies, he wrote on social media. Let it play out.

If you love America, youre welcome in the movement, Vance says

Vance acknowledged the controversies that dominated the Turning Point conference, but he did not define any boundaries for the conservative movement besides patriotism.

Advertisement Advertisement

We dont care if youre white or black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between, he said.

Vance didnt name anyone, but his comments came in the midst of an increasingly contentious debate over whether the right should give a platform to commentators espousing antisemitic views, particularly Fuentes, whose followers see themselves as working to preserve Americas white, Christian identity. Fuentes has a growing audience, as does top-rated podcaster Candace Owens, who routinely shares antisemitic conspiracy theories.

We have far more important work to do than canceling each other, he said.

Vance ticked off what he said were the accomplishments of the administration as it approaches the one-year mark, noting its efforts at the border and on the economy. He emphasized efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion policies, drawing applause by saying they had been relegated to the dustbin of history."

Advertisement Advertisement

In the United States of America, you dont have to apologize for being white anymore, he said.

Vance also said the U.S. always will be a Christian nation, adding that Christianity is Americas creed, the shared moral language from the Revolution to the Civil War and beyond."

Those comments resonated with Isaiah White-Diller, an 18 year-old from Yuma, Arizona, who said he would support Vance if he runs for president.

I have my right to be Christian here, I have my right to say whatever I want, White-Diller said.

Turning Point backs Vance

Vance hasn't disclosed his future plans, but Erika Kirk said Thursday that Turning Point wanted Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible. The next president will be the 48th in U.S. history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Turning Point is a major force on the right, with a nationwide volunteer network that can be especially helpful in early primary states, when candidates rely on grassroots energy to build momentum. In a surprise appearance, rapper Nicki Minaj spoke effusively about Trump and Vance.

Vance was close with Charlie Kirk, and they supported each other over the years. After Kirks assassination on a college campus in Utah, the vice president flew out on Air Force Two to collect Kirks remains and bring them home to Arizona. The vice president helped uniformed service members carry the casket to the plane.

Emily Meck, 18, from Pine City, New York, said she appreciated Vance making space for a wide variety of views.

We are free-thinkers, were going to have these disagreements, were going to have our own thoughts, Meck said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump has spoken highly of both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors, even suggesting they could form a future Republican ticket. Rubio has said he would support Vance.

Asked in August whether Vance was the heir apparent, Trump said most likely.

Its too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job, and he would be probably favorite at this point, he said.
LANSNG, Mich. (WLNS)  A Hillsdale County crash between a pickup and an Amish buggy sent three to people to the hospital Sunday afternoon.

Hillsdale County Sheriff Department reports on Facebook two of the occupants of the buggy were transported by helicopters and one by ambulance from the crash location.

The report said a 32-year-old male was transported by Promedica Air Ambulance to Michigan Medicine. A juvenile was transported by Life Flight to Mott Childrens Hospital. A second juvenile was transported to Hillsdale Hospital by Reading Emergency Unit.

Crash investigation report from the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department. The image has been edited to remove names. (Courtesy Hillsdale County Sheriff Department. WLNS)

Sheriff officials reported deputies were dispatched to Mead Rd. north of W. Territorial Rd. at about 1:49 p.m. Sunday for a crash report.

When law enforcement arrived a crash between a 2026 Chevy Silverado and the buggy was discovered. The initial investigation determined the Silverado, driven by a 31-year-old from Montgomery, Mich. resident, was traveling southbound on Mead Rd. when he struck the buggy.

Advertisement Advertisement

The buggy was occupied by the 32-year-old male who was transported by helicopter to Michigan Medicine, a 31-year-old woman and five juveniles from Montgomery, Mich.

Deputies from the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department was assisted by the Michigan State Police, the Montgomery Fire Department, the Camden Fire Department, Steuben County EMS out of Indiana, and the Reading Emergency Unit.

The crash remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors has bid farewell to two of its members.

The board's Dec. 17 meeting marked the final session for members Glenna Plotts and Linda Schumacher, according to a community announcement. Plotts concluded 10 years of service, while Schumacher completed two years.

MOESC's Dec. 17 Board of Governors meeting marked the final board meeting for members Glenna Plotts (left) and Linda Schumacher.

Glenna and Linda have both given their time and talents in service to our districts, educators and students, and we are grateful for their commitment to Mid-Ohio ESC, Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said in the announcement. Their leadership and dedication have helped strengthen our organization, and we thank them for the positive impact they have made.

Advertisement Advertisement

The board and administration expressed appreciation to Plotts and Schumacher for their years of service and wished them well in their future endeavors.

Also during the recent meeting, the board set its organizational and regular meeting for Jan. 21.

The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and more than 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland counties.

This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mid-Ohio ESC board honors members and plans January meeting
It's a race to the finish. Despite concerns that a K-shaped economy could derail holiday spending, Americans are on pace to set yet another record for spending through Christmas, providing a windfall for retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

91% of Americans celebrate the holidays and are budgeting an average of $890 in holiday spending, according to the National Retail Federation.

If you're like me, a lot of that shopping has been happening since mid-December. As presents get wrapped and lists get double-checked, I always find myself online or heading to the store hunting for last-minute hard-to-get items. Often, the item isn't available, or if it is, the prices vary from location to location, making it tough to get the best deal. Even worse is finding the perfect item only to discover it won't arrive in time.

Holiday shopping at-a-glance (2025):

Holiday sales are expected to surpass $1 trillion.

Retail sales are expected to increase by 3.7% to 4.2% year over year in November and December 2025.

As of early December, shoppers had completed 51% of their holiday shopping.

Source: NRF.

To help, Bank of America conducts an annual survey in December that ranks major online retailers. Its survey reveals it's not just prices that separate major retail rivals. While Walmart has the edge on prices, Amazon came out on top when it comes to selection, delivery, and shipping times. Meanwhile, Target trailed behind Walmart and Amazon, offering slightly higher prices and slower shipping times.

The findings suggest that last-minute shoppers may still have an opportunity to shop on Amazon, because of one-day shipping on many items. However, in-person shopping is your best bet at Target, and likely at Walmart as well.

Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Bank of America survey shows Walmart price edge

Walmart is known for its low-price approach, and despite tariffs causing it to raise prices on select items, the big box retailer has rolled back prices on many items this year to win customer wallet share.

The big-box retail chain's "hold the line" mentality on prices was on clear display in Bank of America's 17th Annual Holiday Pricing Survey, which was shared with me via email.

Bank of America compiled a list of recommended gifts and products from top sites such as Verge, CNET, Sahara, The Toy Insider, Vogue, L'Officiel, in mid-December across five categories:

Electronics

Toys

Beauty & Fashion

Gaming Hardware

Other

It compared prices and shipping times for those items at top online retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and eBay.

Of the 28 items available at Walmart, Amazon, and Target, Walmart had the lowest total price for the basket, clocking in at $5,325. The same items cost $5,401 at Amazon and $5,414 at Target.
Gilead Sciences pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) formula of lenacapavir has been approved in the UK as a preventative option for HIV, offering patients a twice-yearly injection to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

As per the authorisation by the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), lenacapavir will be available to adults and adolescents for the prevention of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection.

The drug, taken as an injection once every six months, will be sold in the UK under the brand name Yeytuo, as it is across Europe.

Advertisement Advertisement

A formulation of lenacapavir was already approved in the UK under the brand name Sunlenca in 2022, which is for the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other antiretrovirals.

There were 6,402 new diagnoses of HIV in the UK in 2023, with 107,949 people receiving HIV care that year. The UK Government aims to stop new HIV transmissions and end AIDS-related deaths by 2030.

The greenlight as a preventative option in the UK follows similar decisions in the US and Europe earlier this year. In June, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the twice-yearly treatment under the brand name Yeztugo, while the European Commission (EC) approved Yeytuo in August.

Yeytuo works by reducing the risk of the HIV-1 virus multiplying and spreading throughout the body if a person is exposed to the virus. The drug binds to the HIV-1 viruss outer layer, interfering with multiple steps in the viral lifecycle. The MHRA recommends Yeytuos use alongside safer sex practices, such as condoms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Julian Beach, interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, stated: The approval of Yeytuo marks the introduction of a six-monthly long-acting preventative option for sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection.

Blocking the virus from multiplying if exposure occurs, lenacapavir offers an additional choice alongside existing safer sex practices.

It is unclear whether the National Health Service (NHS) will offer the drug as a preventative option to patients. As per a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) entry, a provisional committee meeting is scheduled for March 2026. NICE did not immediately respond to Pharmaceutical Technology when approached for comment on the progress of UK reimbursement for the drug.

Dr Paul Martin, chief executive of LGBT Foundation, a UK charity, said: This approval [in the UK] is a game-changer for HIV prevention. Yeytuo gives people more choice, more control, and more hope. But we know progress cannot happen in isolation  ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 will take national collaboration, shared resources, and sustained investment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Yeytuos approvals this year have been hailed as a momentous step for HIV prevention. Currently, most PrEP therapies require daily oral administration, which often leads to poor adherence.

However, the drugs cost has been a source of concern for accessibility. The US list price for Yeztugo is $28,218 per year for each patient. Gilead has allowed generics of the drug to be manufactured in 120 low- and middle-income countries to ensure that accessibility in areas of high risk is not a challenge, should the drug be approved in these countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the use of the PrEP treatment in the fight against HIV earlier this year, citing the drugs high efficacy, long-acting nature, and improved convenience. WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the shot was the next best thing after a vaccine, the latter remaining elusive in pharma so far.

The UK approval came alongside Gilead, in addition to eight other pharma companies, reaching a drug pricing deal with the Trump administration. Gilead will reduce the price of its Hepatitis C medication, Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir), from $24,920 to $2,425 for patients purchasing directly through TrumpRx. In September, the drugmaker already agreed to deliver Yeztugo for up to two million people in the US as part of a partnership with the US State Department and the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Advertisement Advertisement

GlobalData forecasts that lenacapavir, under all its brand names, will generate $5.3bn in global sales in 2031.

GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology.

"UK approves Gileads twice-yearly HIV PrEP drug" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Ukraine said it destroyed two Russian jets inside a hangar by sneaking in undetected.

It adds to a long string of Ukraine's claimed kills against Russian jets.

Aircraft have proven vulnerable in this war even while at bases, sparking some concern for the West.

Ukraine said it destroyed two more Russian fighter jets by sneaking into an airfield hangar over the weekend, estimating the destroyed aircrafts' combined worth at up to $100 million.

The hits add to the large haul of Russian jets Ukraine says it has been able to strike even at bases hundreds of miles from the front lines. Business Insider was not able to independently verify Ukraine's claim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine's destruction of aircraft has hampered Russia's ability to be effective in the air in its invasion of Ukraine. It has also caused concern among Western militaries about how well they can protect their own assets if potential adversaries like Russia and China were to use similar tactics against them.

Ukraine says it took down 2 Russian Su-30 aircraft

Ukraine's military intelligence directorate (GUR) reported the kill on Monday, saying its operation put two Russian Su-30 aircraft out of action.

It shared video footage that appeared to be filmed inside a hangar, showing two aircraft tail numbers, the inside of a cockpit, and flames inside at least one aircraft.

The GUR said an agent was able to enter an airfield near the city of Lipetsk in western Russia, attack the jets in the hangar, and then leave the airfield unnoticed as a result of studying its patrol route and guard change schedule.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Su-30 is a Soviet-designed, twin-engine fighter jet. The GUR originally said that a Su-30 and a Su-27 were hit, but later revised its information to say that it was two Su-30s.

The GUR did not give details on how the attack was carried out.

It said the attack was planned for two weeks and conducted by an agent connected to the resistance movement that opposes Russia's invasion. There are multiple resistance groups in Russia and in Russian-occupied Ukraine that oppose the war and that have claimed sabotage attacks on Russia.

Ukraine has previously been able to destroy Russian jets by getting personnel close to Russian air bases. Earlier this year, it sneaked more than one hundred drones into Russian territory and launched them near key airbases, hitting dozens of aircraft in its Operation Spiderweb.

Advertisement Advertisement

That sparked concern over how the West can protect its air assets, including ones close to China.

Russia's Su-30 is a Soviet-designed, twin-engine fighter jet. Mihail Siergiejevicz/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Ukraine also claimed another big win this weekend, with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Saturday saying that drones struck two Russian Su-27 jets on an airfield. Business Insider was not able to independently verify Ukraine's claim of this attack.

Battling for control of the air

The war in Ukraine has been a fierce battle for control of the air, with neither side able to gain full air superiority. That has contributed to the war now being a slow-moving battle, with neither military able to easily launch large attacks on or bomb the other's positions.

Ukraine has used new and innovative means to hit Russian aircraft, including by developing long-range drones and naval drones, which it said have destroyed Russian jets in a historic first.

Ukraine and Russia have destroyed each others' fighter jets throughout the war. Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russia has also been able to destroy Ukrainian jets throughout the war, and it has demonstrated its own capability to conduct long-range attacks. It sends huge barrages of drones and missiles across Ukraine, hitting both military and civilian targets.

Advertisement Advertisement

The war has also been a wake-up call for the West. The West has not fought a war like this in decades and instead has been in conflicts, like counter-insurgency operations, where it has had big advantages over its adversaries, particularly in the air.

The West, since the end of the Cold War, has not heavily invested in the kinds of ground-based air defense that are key to stopping the attacks common in this war. Investment in them is now a priority for NATO.

Another problem for the West is that this war shows how cheap drones, worth thousands of dollars, can destroy aircraft and other advanced weaponry worth millions.

The types of air defenses that the US and its allies have focused on for decades are unsustainable. For example, one interceptor missile for the US-made Patriot air defense system costs $7 million. Firing dozens of those to stop an attack by cheap drones is a position no Western military wants to be in.

NATO is eyeing up far cheaper defenses to stop drone attacks and protect assets like bases, learning from some of the tech Ukraine has developed.

Read the original article on Business Insider
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Initial drafts of U.S. proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyiv's demands, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday, although he suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.

Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage, the Ukrainian leader said of recent talks with U.S. officials who are trying to steer the neighboring countries toward compromises.

There are some things we are probably not ready for, and Im sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either, Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv.

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. President Donald Trump has for months been pushing for a peace agreement, but the negotiations have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday he held productive and constructive talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives, though Trump was less effusive the following day, saying, The talks are going along.

We are talking. It's going OK," Trump said Monday while on vacation at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Asked if he planned to speak to Zelenskyy or Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump didn't say, offering only of the fighting, I'd like to see it stopped.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said nearly 90% of Ukraines demands have been incorporated into the draft agreements.

Advertisement Advertisement

The backbone of the proposed deal is a 20-point plan, he said. There is also a framework document on security guarantees between Ukraine, European countries, and the United States, as well as a separate document on bilateral security guarantees granted to Ukraine by the U.S.

Zelenskyy mentioned several key points, such as the Ukrainian army remaining at a peacetime level of 800,000; membership in the European Union; and European forces, under the leadership of France and the U.K. and with a backstop from Washington, ensuring Ukraines security in the air, on land, and at sea.

Some key countries will provide presence in these domains; others will contribute to energy security, finance, bomb shelters, and so on, the Ukrainian president said.

Ukraine is arguing that the bilateral document with the U.S. should be reviewed by the U.S. Congress, with some details and annexes kept classified, Zelenskyy said.

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. team is now in talks with Russian envoys, and Washington has asked that no details be released, he added.

Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia

Zelenskyy said Monday he met with his military commanders who reported that defensive lines are holding firm against the Russian onslaught.

In (recent) weeks, the Russian army has significantly increased the intensity of attacks, and the number of Russian losses has increased accordingly, he said in a post on Telegram.

Ukrainian forces hit an oil terminal, a pipeline, two parked jet fighters and two ships in a series of strikes on Russian soil, officials said Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

The attacks are part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt the Russian war effort and sow fear behind the front line, where outnumbered Ukrainian troops are straining to hold back Russias bigger army.

The strikes also seek to undermine Putins attempt to portray Russia as negotiating from a position of military strength in U.S.-led peace efforts, which have yet to make a breakthrough on key points.

The killing of a top Russian general by a car bomb in Moscow on Monday, with investigators suspecting Ukraine was behind it, could be another instance of Kyiv picking surprise targets.

Ukrainian partisans burn Russian fighter jets

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian forces struck the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal, an ammunition depot and a launch site for attack drones inside Russian territory and Russian-held Ukrainian territory, Ukraines General Staff said in a statement Monday.

A pipeline, two docks and two ships were damaged in the southern Krasnodar region, and a large blaze broke out, the statement said, without specifying what kind of weapons were used in the attack.

It added that a Ukrainian-made missile also hit a temporary base for Russia's 92nd River Boat Brigade in Olenivka, in the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

A separate strike targeted an ammunition depot in a Russian-controlled portion of the Donetsk region, aiming to slow the Russian advance there, the General Staff said. A Russian launch site for attack drones was also hit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian partisans set fire to two Russian jet fighters in an operation on Sunday evening at a base near Lipetsk, a city in western Russia, according to Ukraines military intelligence.

Russias Ministry of Defense said only that its forces shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight, three of them over the Krasnodar region.

Russia targets the power grid again

Meanwhile, Russian forces kept up their targeting of Ukraines energy sector, aiming to deprive civilians of heat and running water during the frigid winter. Russia has tried to knock out power in Ukraine throughout the war, in a tactic that Ukraine refers to as weaponizing winter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Energy infrastructure across five regions were attacked during the night, Ukraines Ministry of Energy said.

Russia struck Ukraine with 86 drones of different types overnight, Ukraines air force said. Ukrainian forces stopped 58 of them, it said.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Grenades are an easily overlooked weapon that is key in Ukraine.

They're vital in close-quarters trench combat and are being dropped by drones.

A US veteran who fought in Ukraine said grenades are "your best fucking friends."

Grenades  a standard but often unglamorous part of modern infantry combat  have become indispensable in Ukraine's close-quarters and grueling fight against Russia's invasion.

The war blends advanced technologies like drones and electronic warfare with grinding, World War I-style fighting, where soldiers sometimes battle at arm's length in muddy trenches and bunkers. In those confined spaces, Ukrainian and Russian troops alike rely heavily on grenades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Western officials and war veterans in Ukraine told Business Insider about the important role they play in Ukraine's trench warfare. Their use has also evolved, with grenades increasingly getting tactical upgrades, including adaptations for drone drops and components made with 3D printing.

Ukraine is dropping grenades from drones. Scott Peterson/Getty Images

The experience has highlighted a lesson for Western militaries less accustomed to modern trench fighting, the kind of combat that drives enormous demand for basic infantry munitions like grenades.

A lifeline for soldiers

Ukraine's battlefield is littered with trenches unlike anything the West has seen for decades, with soldiers needing hides and defenses from the attack and surveillance drones that fly overhead, and the brutal fighting involves defending and taking these earthworks from the enemy.

Trenches litter Ukraine, sparking a resurgence in old tactics. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images

A US veteran who fought in Ukraine and spoke with Business Insider on the condition of anonymity said that "when you go through these trenches, hand grenades are your best fucking friends."

Advertisement Advertisement

He said the fights are so close-quarters that in some engagements with the Russians, "you could literally touch them with the muzzle of your rifle at times."

Trenches are messy, uneven, and difficult to capture. "You're basically trying to take the home of another individual who's lived there for days, weeks, months at this point," the vet said. "So they know every nook and cranny; they know every turn."

A British man who fought for Ukraine previously told Business Insider that he carried grenades for both assault and reconnaissance missions and described the US and UK-made grenades as "prized" among Ukrainians.

Lt. Col. Davidson, a leader in the UK-led training program for Ukrainian soldiers called Operation Interflex, told Business Insider last year on the condition that only his rank and last name be used that "Ukrainians have got a heavy use of grenades." That usage was worked into the training in response.

Advertisement Advertisement

There is a wide range of grenades in use in battle, everything from fragmentation and explosive to flashbang and chemical.

A Ukrainian officer recently told Business Insider that smoke grenades can help to create poor visibility so injured soldiers can be evacuated, though it can also risk drawing unwanted Russian attention.

Combat video footage shared by Ukrainian units often shows grenades in action, including footage of US volunteers using them in an assault on a Russian trench.

Scale, supply, and adaptation

Ukraine's grenades come from multiple sources, from old Soviet-era stocks to those of partner nations.

A January 2025 Department of Defense update said the US had provided "more than 50,000 grenade launchers and small arms" and "more than 500,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades" to Ukraine. And the US isn't the only supplier. The volume supplied reflects how central these weapons are to front-line combat. Ukraine also makes its own grenades.

Advertisement Advertisement

It's not alone, though. Russia is also heavily using these weapons, including in the booby traps it sets up in trenches and urban environments.

Ukraine feels it when it has shortages of grenades. Another US veteran told Business Insider on the condition of anonymity last year that, with US aid stalled and Ukraine suffering weaponry shortages, he was often told to be "careful practicing with grenades" so as not to waste too many.

And when it was time to swap positions, troops taking over would ask those departing to leave any remaining grenades and ammunition.

"That's how desperate that situation got to where it's like guys were literally getting ammo and grenades off of dudes leaving the area so that they could keep fighting."

Grenades are still proving their worth

Grenades have long been a staple of infantry combat, including in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Ukraine's conflict has pushed their use to levels more typical of large-scale, attritional warfare, where trench systems stretch for miles and fighting drags on for months and years.

Grenades are key in the close-quarters fighting that trenches force. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images

Western militaries did not anticipate the return of large-scale trench warfare, and in Ukraine that fighting has pushed grenades to the center of daily front-line combat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Long a standard tool in close-quarters fighting, they have become especially prominent amid widespread trenches, ammunition shortages, and evolving tactics.

While they're being used in close-quarters combat, grenades are also being dropped from drones in battles all along the front lines, hitting soldiers, bunkers, hideouts, and even vehicles.

Very recent footage from Novopavlivka front, drone dropping grenade RIGHT INTO RUSSIAN TANK HATCH.



It falls right into the hatch, destroying the tank from the inside.



Honestly, tanks were so rare this year at the battlefield, and this is just BEAUTIFUL to watch. pic.twitter.com/Ns4NKBH2Qp  Dimko Zhluktenko  (@dim0kq) December 17, 2025

A US Army Colonel said doing this has "proved dramatically effective" for Ukraine. The Army first tested dropping a live grenade from a drone this year. It's catching up.

Ukrainian units and engineers are also 3D-printing parts to make old grenades work better with drones while printing plastic casings to fill with explosives to make custom grenades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Worried about Russia sparking a wider war with Europe, much of the West is watching to see what lessons it can learn from Ukraine.

Maj. Maguire, a British military officer who led part of the Operation Interflex training and helped document lessons from Ukraine, told Business Insider that the scale and importance of grenade use in trench fighting have stood out. He spoke on the condition that only his rank and last name be used.

"There's a massive demand for grenades," he said.

The West is looking at trench warfare more, too, and rethinking how messy and dangerous trenches can be and the weapons needed for a fight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine's war has shown that even on a high-tech battlefield, sustained close combat in trenches still depends on basic infantry weapons and on having enough of them.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Israel Police said an illegal protest blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Monday afternoon, prompting closures and traffic diversions.

An unlawful protest is blocking Highway 4 near Bnei Brak, Israel Police said on Monday afternoon.

The protest is reportedly being led by Peleg Yerushalmi, a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) movement that regularly protests the IDF draft.

Police attempt to clear Highway 4 near Bnei Brak during a haredi anti-draft protest, December 22, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Advertisement Advertisement

Police closed Highway 4 from the Aluf Sade interchange to the Em Moshavot interchange in both directions, directing southbound traffic via Petah Tikva.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak during an anti-draft protest, December 22, 2025. (credit: ERIK MARMOR/FLASH90)

Lapid denounces protests, calls on immediate draft for all, cutting off haredi funding

Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the protest in a post on his official X/Twitter, commenting that "923 have fallen in the past two years to protect a group of draft evaders who block roads and shout 'the army is worse than death.'"

"There is only one possible answer: stop transferring them money and draft everyone, immediately!" he added.

On Thursday, the same group held a protest in Ashkelon, leading to police arresting at least eight.

In August, it called on individuals who received IDF draft notices and did not report for enlistment to attend a protest, where participants will have the opportunity to enter a raffle with a prize of up to NIS 15,000.

Who is the Peleg Yerushalmi faction?

The Peleg Yerushalmi faction follows a more conservative ideology than the mainstream Lithuanian Haredi community, though it is less extreme than groups such as Neturei Karta. A key point of dispute is the factions directive for yeshiva members not to report to the IDF recruitment bureau to obtain his art and teaching status, which exempts them from military service.

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result, many faction members are considered to be evading recruitment, and from time to time, some are arrested. The faction holds demonstrations whenever someone who does not show up is arrested and has even established dedicated support organizations for these young men.

Regarding student entry into the labor market, the faction takes a conservative stance relative to the mainstream, and its male members are less likely to participate.

Although in the pre-split Lithuanian world, it was customary to receive government budgets for educational institutions, some of the factions educational institutions oppose receiving State funding for fear of government intervention in the curriculum.

Peggy Cidor and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
The US Justice Department has put back online a photograph of President Donald Trump that had been removed from a public database related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The department said in a post on X on Sunday that the image was taken down "out of an abundance of caution" to determine whether any Epstein victims appeared in the photograph. After no such indications were found, the image was reposted "without any alteration or redaction."

The image shows a drawer containing stacks of photographs, including one of Trump taken before his presidency in which he is posing with women in bikinis. Trump was friends with Epstein at one time, but there is no evidence linking the Republican president to Epsteins criminal activities.

Advertisement Advertisement

The financier moved for years within elite social circles and cultivated ties with powerful figures from the worlds of politics and business. Prosecutors say he ran an abuse network in which dozens of young women and minors were victimized. Epstein himself is accused of sexually abusing women and girls in locations including New York and Florida.

The financier was found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Late on Friday, the Department of Justice uploaded thousands of heavily redacted files  including photographs and documents  to its website following intense pressure from the public and Congress. Several files were subsequently removed, including the image that included Trump.
By Stephen Nellis

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 22 (Reuters) - A group of nine U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urging the Pentagon to add a slew of Chinese technology firms to a list of entities allegedly assisting the Chinese military.

The letter, sent late on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $1 trillion must-pass military spending bill into law, asks Hegseth to place AI firm DeepSeek, smartphone maker Xiaomi and electronic display maker BOE Technology Group on what is known as the Section 1260H list.

Advertisement Advertisement

That list includes major Chinese firms such as Tencent Holdings, one of China's largest tech companies, and CATL, a major battery maker in the electric vehicle industry.

While the 1260H list does not formally impose sanctions on Chinese firms, it sends a message to suppliers to the Pentagon and other U.S. government agencies about the U.S. military's opinion of the firms, some of which have sued the U.S. over their inclusion.

In a statement, Xiaomi said there was no basis for putting it on the 1260H list.

"Xiaomi is not a Chinese military company nor is it affiliated with any Chinese military entities," its statement said. "The Company has always been and continues to be a consumer products company. It provides products and services for civilian and commercial use only."

Advertisement Advertisement

Reuters in June reported a senior U.S. official had said DeepSeek aided China's military and evaded U.S. export controls. BOE, a supplier to iPhone maker Apple, was also among a number of Chinese display firms that the U.S. lawmakers are asking the Pentagon to strip from its supply chain by 2030.

The lawmakers - all Republicans and several of them the heads of key congressional committees - recommended also adding WuXi AppTec, GenScript Group, RoboSense, Livox, Unitree Robotics, CloudMinds, Hua Hong Semiconductor, Shennan Circuit Co and Kingsemi Co.

The lawmakers signing the letter were Senator Rick Scott of Florida and Representatives John Moolenaar of Michigan, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Rob Wittman of Virginia, Bill Huizenga of Michigan, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Darin LaHood of Illinois and Andy Ogles of Tennessee.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco, Editing by William Maclean)
Dec 22 (Reuters) - The Trump administration suspended leases on Monday for five large offshore wind projects that are under construction off the U.S. East Coast over what it called national security concerns, sending shares of offshore wind companies plunging.

The suspension was the latest blow for offshore wind developers that have faced repeated disruptions to their multi-billion-dollar projects under U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said he finds wind turbines ugly, costly and inefficient. State officials, offshore wind companies, and industry trade groups slammed the move as unjustified.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said the move was the result of complaints by the Pentagon that the movement of huge turbine blades for offshore wind projects, as well as the highly reflective towers that hold them up, cause radar interference that can make it hard to identify and locate threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

The pause will give relevant federal agencies "time to work with leaseholders and state partners to assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects," the department said in a press release.

"The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people," Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in the release.

STATES CONSIDER THEIR OPTIONS

The pause will affect Orsted's Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners' Vineyard Wind 1 project, Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and Equinor's Empire Wind 1 project, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in separate statements on Monday that states affected by the freeze were reviewing their options.

"The Trump administration will look for any excuse to continue its assault on clean energy  and the thousands of good-paying jobs these projects bring  but there is no credible justification for this stoppage," Hochul said.

The National Ocean Industries Association, a trade group representing offshore wind developers, also urged the administration to end the pause quickly, pointing out that the Pentagon had been involved in approving the projects under past administrations.

"The regulatory process involves a rigorous framework for assessing the national security implications of proposed projects, and every project under construction has already undergone review by the Department of Defense with no objections," NOIA President Erik Milito said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Shares in Danish energy firm Orsted, which owns two of the affected projects, traded down more than 12% by late morning, with other companies such as Dominion and Equinor also trading lower.

Dominion said the suspension will threaten grid reliability for its Virginia customers, including military bases and data centers powering artificial intelligence.

"These electrons will power the datacenters that will win the AI race, support our war fighters, and build the nuclear warships needed to maintain our maritime supremacy," the company said in a press release.

Orsted, Equinor, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners were not immediately available for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

TRUMP'S ANTI-WIND INDUSTRY STANCE

In August, the administration had ordered Orsted to halt already advanced construction on the Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island, though a federal judge later lifted the ban.

Earlier in the year, the administration lifted a stop-work order on Equinor's Empire Wind in a compromise with New York state that paved the way for a natural gas pipeline Trump supports.

Trump campaigned for the White House on a promise to end the offshore wind industry - saying "windmills" are too expensive and hurt whales and birds - while promoting oil and gas.

Advertisement Advertisement

The uncertainty has taken a financial toll on developers. Orsted raised $9.4 billion earlier this year to help fund U.S. projects after potential partners were deterred by Trump's hostility to wind power.

Interior Secretary Burgum has previously said the administration is concerned that offshore wind installations can make the United States more vulnerable to attacks by swarms of drones.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto and Stine Jacobsen in CopenhagenWriting by Richard ValdmanisEditing by Doina Chiacu, Toby Chopra, Frances Kerry, Rod Nickel)
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  The U.S. government has signed health deals with at least nine African countries, part of its new approach to global health funding, with agreements that reflect the Trump administrations interests and priorities and are geared toward providing less aid and more mutual benefits.

The agreements signed so far, with Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda among others, are the first under the new global health framework, which makes aid dependent on negotiations between the recipient country and the U.S.

Some of the countries that have signed deals either have been hit by U.S. aid cuts or have separate agreements with the Trump administration to accept and host third-country deportees, although officials have denied any linkage.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump administration says the new America First global health funding agreements are meant to increase self-sufficiency and eliminate what it says are ideology and waste from international assistance. The deals replace a patchwork of previous health agreements under the now-dismantled United States Agency for International Development.

U.S. aid cuts have crippled health systems across the developing world, including in Africa, where many countries relied on the funding for crucial programs, including those responding to outbreaks of disease.

The new approach to global health aligns with President Donald Trumps pattern of dealing with other nations transactionally, using direct talks with foreign governments to promote his agenda abroad. It builds on his sharp turn from traditional U.S. foreign assistance, which supporters say furthered American interests by stabilizing other countries and economies and building alliances.

A different strategy

Advertisement Advertisement

The deals mark a sharp departure from how the U.S. has provided health care funding over the years and mirrors the Trump administration's interests.

South Africa, which has lost most of its U.S. funding  including $400 million in annual support  due in part to its disputes with the U.S., has not signed a health deal, despite having one of the world's highest HIV prevalence rates.

Nigeria, Africas most populous country, reached a deal but with an emphasis on Christian-based health facilities, although it has a slight majority Muslim population. Rwanda and Uganda, which each have deportation deals with the U.S., have announced the health pacts.

Cameroon, Eswatini, Lesotho, Liberia and Mozambique also are among those that have signed health deals with the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Center for Global Development, a Washington think tank, the deals combine U.S. funding reductions, ambitious co-financing expectations, and a shift toward direct government-to-government assistance.

The deals represent a reduction in total U.S. health spending for each country, the center said, with annual U.S. financial support down 49% compared with 2024.

A faith-based deal in Nigeria, a lifeline for several others

Under its deal, Nigeria, a major beneficiary of USAID funds, would get support that has a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based health care providers.

The U.S. provided approximately $2.3 billion in health assistance to Nigeria between 2021 and 2025, mostly through USAID, official data shows. The new five-year agreement will see U.S. support at over $2 billion, while Nigeria is expected to raise $2.9 billion to boost its health care programs.

Advertisement Advertisement

The agreement "was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritize protecting Christian populations from violence and includes significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities, the State Department said in a statement.

The department said the president and secretary of state retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest, urging Nigeria to ensure "that it combats extremist religious violence against vulnerable Christian populations.

For several other countries, the new deals could be a lifeline after U.S. aid cuts crippled their health care systems and left them racing to fill the gaps.

Under its deal, Mozambique will get U.S. support of over $1.8 billion for HIV and malaria programs. Lesotho, one of the poorest countries in the world, clinched a deal worth over $232 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the tiny kingdom of Eswatini, the U.S. committed to provide up to $205 million to support public health data systems, disease surveillance and outbreak response, while the country agreed to increase domestic health expenditures by $37 million.

No deal for South Africa after disputes

South Africa is noticeably absent from the list of signatories following tensions with the Trump administration.

Trump has said he will cut all financial assistance to South Africa over his widely rejected claims that it is violently persecuting its Afrikaner white minority.

The dismantling of USAID resulted in the loss of over $436 million in yearly financing for HIV treatment and prevention in South Africa, putting the program and thousands of jobs in the health care industry at risk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Health compacts with countries that signed deportation deals

At least four of the countries that have reached deals previously agreed to receive third-country deportees from the U.S., a controversial immigration policy that has been a trademark of the Trump administration.

The State Department has denied any linkage between the health care compacts and agreements regarding accepting third-country asylum seekers or third-country deportees from the United States. However, officials have said that political considerations unrelated to health issues may be part of the negotiations.

Rwanda, one of the countries with a deportation deal with the U.S., signed a $228 million health pact requiring the U.S. to support it with $158 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Uganda, another such country, signed a health deal worth nearly $2.3 billion in which the U.S. will provide up to $1.7 billion. Also Eswatini, which has started receiving flights with deported prisoners from the U.S.

___

Associated Press writers Evelyne Musambi in Nairobi, Kenya, Dyepkazah Shibayan in Abuja, Nigeria, Mark Banchereau in Dakar, Senegal, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
The News in Brief Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The Coalition for Change announced on Friday that it has compiled extensive documentation regarding alleged chemical abuse and torture by government authorities during demonstrations last November and December and is forwarding the material to international bodies. The coalition said it hopes the submissions will prompt the creation of an international investigative mechanism."At the moment, we have identified nine international structures where requests will be sent to establish an investigative mechanism regarding this issue," said Zurab Girchi Japaridze, a coalition leader, at a briefing. "These documents have already been sent electronically to some organizations. Others will be sent today and tomorrow. Representatives of non-governmental organizations are also participating, which is important because some international bodies do not allow political parties to submit applications directly. We are coordinating fully with civil society. Everyone who can contribute to this process is involved, and this cooperation is critical to achieving results."Japaridze described the effort as one of the coalition's main initiatives in recent weeks. He said the focus is on gathering verified facts and presenting them to institutions capable of conducting an independent investigation. "This is about systematically documenting the alleged torture and chemical poisoning of citizens. We are ensuring that all information is submitted where it can have real impact," he said.Several Georgian NGOs have already submitted joint appeals to the Director-General of the UN Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), UN Special Rapporteurs, and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. The appeals cite "alleged serious human rights violations and possible use of chemical and experimental agents by law enforcement agencies" during protests. The NGOs called on the OPCW to consider sending a fact-finding or investigative mission to Georgia to examine the claims.The coalition said its submissions aim to complement the work of civil society and provide international actors with the necessary documentation to pursue an independent inquiry. Japaridze emphasized that the process involves both political actors and NGOs to maximize accountability and transparency.The Georgian Interior Ministry has ordered protesters to confine rallies on Rustaveli Avenue to the parliament steps and nearby areas, warning against obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The instructions cover demonstrations from December 21 through January 9.The move follows recent amendments to anti-protest laws that expand restrictions on road and pedestrian blockages and allow police to change the location or route of assemblies. Violations can result in 15 to 20 days of administrative detention, with repeated offenses carrying up to one year in prison. Assemblies are also required to occur without marches.Police have recently warned demonstrators in person and ordered them off sidewalks, but protests have continued without reported detentions under the newest rules. Georgian Dream has tightened protest laws several times over the past year, making repeated acts of road obstruction or covering faces subject to criminal penalties.Protesters and civil society groups have criticized the legislation as "unconstitutional," arguing it criminalizes the right to peaceful assembly. Demonstrations on Rustaveli Avenue have continued for nearly 400 days, with protesters adapting to evening marches downtown after police pushed them onto sidewalks.
Fervo's Cape Station geothermal development in Beaver County. (Courtesy of Fervo)

An ongoing geothermal project in southern Utah has the eyes and the money of big companies searching for cleaner energy sources  including tech giant Google.

Fervos Cape Station project has been under construction in Beaver County since 2023, drilling whats expected to become the largest enhanced geothermal system in the world. The first phase of the project goes online in 2026, and a $462 million private investment announced this month is keeping that goal on track.

Infrastructure supporting about 500 megawatts of energy is currently under construction in the state. However, Sarah Jewett, senior vice president of strategy at Fervo, said the companys permit with the Bureau of Land Management allows it to build to produce two gigawatts.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Not only do we love Utah, we love southwest Utah, really, specifically, its been a really terrific place to construct a project, Jewett said. And I think more and more were leaning into Utah being the hub of the geothermal revitalization that is happening right now.

The company has already signed contracts with California customers for the planned 500 megawatts after the California Public Utilities Commission mandated utilities to procure 1,000 megawatts of geothermal and 1,000 megawatts of long-duration storage.

In 2024, Fervo announced two 15-year agreements with Southern California Edison for 320 of those megawatts, which have the capacity of powering 350,000 homes in the area. Another 31 megawatts are committed to Shell, and 18 megawatts to Clean Power Alliance.

While Google isnt on that public list of energy customers from the Cape Station project, the company has been drawn by the potential of a carbon-free energy resource that could be turned on and off on demand. In 2021, Google announced a partnership with Fervo to help launch its commercial pilot in Nevada.

I think Googles interest is really materializing now as its first-time contribution to the corporate equity at Fervo because they are really showing their long-term interest in geothermal, and their belief that geothermal is going to be a big part of their energy future, Jewett said.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has expressed deep interest in geothermal, especially after launching Operation Gigawatt, his plan to double the states energy production in a decade. According to Jewett, the project fits into his goal of exporting energy from the state.

Let us know what you think...

We would be excited to ultimately sell power into the state of Utah once weve been able to bring down costs, she said. But there are really high volume power demands all over the American West and I think Utah understands that being the source of the generation is not a bad thing.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  The white dome of Boudhanath rises like a silent guardian over the chaotic sprawl of Nepals capital, Kathmandu, crowned by a golden spire that pierces the sky. Painted on each of the spires four sides are the benevolent eyes of the Buddha  wide, calm, and unblinking  said to see all that unfolds below.

Those eyes have served as a symbol of sanctuary for generations of Tibetans fleeing the Chinese crackdown in their homeland. But today, Tibetan refugees are also watched by far more malevolent eyes: Thousands of CCTV cameras from China, perched on street corners and rooftops to monitor every movement below. This intense surveillance has stifled the once-vibrant Free Tibet movement that had resonated around the world.

Nepal is just one of at least 150 countries to which Chinese companies are supplying surveillance technology, from cameras in Vietnam to censorship firewalls in Pakistan to citywide monitoring systems in Kenya. This technology is now a key part of Chinas push for global influence, as it provides cash-strapped governments cost-effective, if invasive, forms of policing  turning algorithms and data into a force multiplier for control.

Advertisement Advertisement

The irony at the heart of this digital authoritarianism is that the surveillance tools China exports are based on technology developed in its greatest rival, the United States, despite warnings that Chinese firms would buy, copy or outright steal American designs, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.

For decades, Silicon Valley firms often yielded to Beijings demands: Give us your technology and we will give you access to our market. Although tensions fester between Washington and Beijing, the links between American tech and Chinese surveillance continue today.

For example, Amazon Web Services offers cloud services to Chinese tech giants like Hikvision and Dahua, assisting them in their overseas push. Both are on the U.S. Commerce Departments Entity List for national security and human-rights concerns, which means transactions with them are not illegal but subject to strict restrictions.

AWS told AP it adheres to ethical codes of conduct, complies with U.S. law, and does not itself offer surveillance infrastructure. Dahua said they conduct due diligence to prevent abuse of their products. Hikvision said the same, and that they categorically reject any suggestion that the company is involved in or complicit in repression.

Advertisement Advertisement

Chinese technology firms now offer a complete suite of telecommunications, surveillance, and digital infrastructure, with few restrictions on who they sell to or how theyre used.

China pitches itself as a global security model with low crime rates, contrasting its record with the United States, said Sheena Greitens, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin.

Its got a set of solutions that its happy to share with the world that nobody else can offer, she said. (But) theyre certainly exporting the tools and techniques that are very important to authoritarian rule.

The AP investigation was based on thousands of Nepali government procurement documents, corporate marketing material, leaked government and corporate documents, and interviews with more than 40 people, including Tibetan refugees and Nepali, American and Chinese engineers, executives, experts and officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

While thousands of Tibetans once fled to Nepal every year, the number is now down to the single digits, according to Tibetan officials in Nepal. In a statement to AP, the Tibetan government in exile cited tight border controls, Nepals warming ties with China and unprecedented surveillance as reasons for the drastic plunge.

A 2021 internal Nepali government report, obtained by AP, revealed that China has even built surveillance systems within Nepal and in some areas of the border buffer zone where construction is banned by bilateral agreements. In a statement to AP, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied coercing Western companies to hand over technology or working with Nepal to surveil Tibetans, calling it a sheer fabrication driven by ulterior motives."

Attempts to use Tibet-related issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs, smear Chinas image, and poison the atmosphere of China-Nepal cooperation will never succeed, the statement said.

The Nepali government and the Chinese-controlled Tibetan authorities did not respond to requests for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Under pressure, many Tibetans are responding the only way they can: Leaving. The Tibetan population in Nepal has plunged from over 20,000 to half that or less today.

Former activist Sonam Tashi gave up protesting years ago. Now 49, today he's just a father trying to get his 10-year-old son out  before the net pulls tighter. The boy was born in Nepal but has no document proving he is either a refugee or a citizen, a result of Chinese pressure.

Tashi described how those considered likely to protest are picked up in advance around key dates  like March 10, which marks the 1959 Tibetan uprising, or July 6, the Dalai Lamas birthday. In 2018, Nepal's police magazine confirmed that it was building predictive policing, which allows officers to watch peoples movements, identify in advance who they think will protest and arrest them preemptively.

There are cameras everywhere, Tashi said, sitting on a bus winding toward the Indian border. There is no future.

Advertisement Advertisement

They gave us all the hardware

After China crushed a Tibetan uprising in 1959, thousands fled across the Himalayas to Nepal, carrying only what they could: Religious paintings, prayer wheels and the weight of families left behind.

Their exodus, led by the charismatic Dalai Lama, captured the American imagination, with Hollywood films and actor Richard Geres congressional appeals putting Tibet in the spotlight. Washington trod a careful line, defending the rights and religious freedom of Tibetans without recognizing independence.

Today, the future of the Free Tibet movement is in question. Without refugee cards that grant basic rights, Tibetans in Nepal can no longer open bank accounts, work legally or leave the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Cameras are now everywhere in Kathmandu, perched on traffic lights and swiveling from temple eaves. Most link back to a four-story brick building just a few blocks down from the Chinese embassy, where officers watch the country in real time.

The building hums with the low breath of cooling fans. Inside, a wall of monitors blinks with feeds from border towns, busy markets and clogged traffic crossings.

Officers in crisp blue uniforms and red caps sit in the glow, scanning scenes. Beneath the screens, a photo published in a Nepali daily shows, a sign in English and Chinese reads: With the compliments of the Ministry of Public Security of China.

Their reach is vast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Operators can track a motorbike weaving through the capital, follow a protest as it forms, or patch an alert directly to patrol radios. Many cameras are equipped with night vision facial recognition and AI tracking  able to pick a single face out of a festival crowd or lock onto a figure until it disappears indoors. The system not only sees but is learning to remember, storing patterns of movement, building a record of lives lived under its gaze.

A 34-year-old Tibetan cafe owner in the city watched the city change in quiet horror. Now you can only be Tibetan in private, he said. He and other Tibetans in Nepal spoke to AP anonymously, fearing retaliation.

The first cameras in Boudhanath were installed in 2012, officially to deter crime. But after a Tibetan monk doused himself in petrol and set himself ablaze in front of the stupa in 2013, police added 35 night vision cameras around it.

The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu worked closely with the police, said Rupak Shrestha, a professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada who studied surveillance in Nepal. He said the police received special training to use the new cameras, identify potential symbols associated with the Free Tibet movement and anticipate dissent.

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2013, a team of Nepal Police officers crossed the northern border into Tibet for a seemingly straightforward mission: Collect police radios from Chinese authorities in Zhangmu, a remote border town, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kathmandu. A truck was loaded with equipment and a few handshakes later, they were driving back to Kathmandu.

The radios  made by the partly state-owned Chinese firm Hytera  looked like walkie-talkies but ran on a digital trunking system, a scaled-down mobile network for police use. Officers could talk privately, coordinate across districts, even patch into public phone lines. The entire system  radios, relay towers, software  was a $5.5 million gift from China.

They didnt give us the money, recalled a retired Nepali officer who made the trip. They gave all the hardware. All Chinese.

He remembered not the border guards but the tech  sleek, reliable, and far ahead of anything theyd used before. He spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal discussions.

Advertisement Advertisement

He said Nepal had initially considered buying the technology from the U.S. and only wanted to deploy the system in its two biggest cities. Hytera was a fraction of the cost and performed comparably, but China also wanted coverage near the border with Tibet. Nepal acquiesced.

They installed the technology in Sindhupalchowk, a border district with a key road to China used by Tibetan refugees. We understood their mindset, the retired officer said. A secure border.

A police envoy from the Chinese embassy began making regular visits to the Nepal Police headquarters. Hed chat over coffee, flip through brochures from Chinese companies. Hed say, You want anything? the retired officer recalled.

China began donating tens of millions in police aid and surveillance equipment, including a new school for Nepals Armed Police Force. Hundreds of Nepali police traveled to China for training on policing and border control, according to Chinese government posts.

Ahead of a summit of South Asian leaders in 2014, among the goods on offer were ones from Uniview, Chinas pitch for an all-seeing eye.

The company was the Chinese surveillance business of what was then Hewlett Packard, or HP, before it was spun off in a 2011 deal. Since 2012, Uniview has been selling mass surveillance solutions to the Tibetan police, such as a command center, and developed cameras that track ethnicities such as Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Uniview installed cameras in Kathmandu for Nepals first safe city project in 2016. It started with the citys roads, then went up across the capital  in tourist areas, religious sites, high-security zones like Parliament and the prime ministers home.

The cameras didnt just record. Some could follow people automatically as they moved. Others were designed to use less data, making it easier to store and review footage.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise, or HPE, a successor company to HP that sells security solutions, has no ownership in Uniview and declined to comment. Hytera and Uniview did not respond to requests for comment.

Nearly all the cameras installed in Nepal are now made by Chinese companies like Hikvision, Dahua and Uniview, and many come bundled with facial recognition and AI tracking software.

Hikvision's website and marketing materials advertise camera systems in Nepal linked via Hik-Connect and HikCentral Connect, cloud products that rely on Amazon Web Services. Hikvision sells to the Nepali police and government, and a template for Nepali tenders indicates CCTV cameras procured for the government are required to support Hik-Connect.

In return for Beijings support, top Nepali officials have thanked China repeatedly over the years, promising never to allow anti-China activities on Nepali territory.

The Nepali police head offices arent far from the now-forlorn Tibetan reception center, which used to shelter tired, hungry Tibetans fleeing across the border.

The building is nearly empty. The gates are locked. Those who do escape, like Namkyi, arrested at 15 for protesting Chinese rule, often have to wait for weeks confined indoors until theyre smuggled out again to the Tibetan capital in exile in India.

Silence has become survival.

They know they are being watched, she said. Even though we are free, the surveillance cameras mean were actually living in a big prison.

From clients to competitors

From the start, U.S. companies eager for Chinas vast markets exchanged technology for entry.

Many were required to start joint ventures and research operations in China as a precondition for being allowed in. Dozens, if not hundreds, complied, transferring valuable know-how and expertise  even in sensitive areas like encryption or policing.

Little by little, Chinese companies chipped away at the lead of American tech companies by luring talent, obtaining research, and sometimes plain copying their hardware and software. The flow of technology continued, even as U.S. officials openly accused China of economic espionage and pressuring American companies for their technology.

China is by far the most egregious actor when it comes to forced technology transfer, Robert D. Atkinson, then-president of a think tank focused on innovation, warned Congress in a 2012 hearing.

American tech resistance came to a final, definitive end later that year with Edward Snowdens revelations that U.S. intelligence was exploiting American technology to spy on Beijing. Spooked, the Chinese government told Western firms they risked being kicked out unless they handed over their technology and provided security guarantees.

After companies like HP and IBM agreed, their former partners became their fiercest global competitors  and unlike American firms, they faced few questions about the way their technology was being used. Companies like Huawei, Hikvision and Dahua have now become global behemoths that sell surveillance systems and gear all over the world.

American technology was key to this:

- Uniview, the Chinese AI-powered CCTV camera supplier, supplied the first phase of Nepals safe city project in 2016, installing cameras in Kathmandu. Uniview was carved out of California-based HPs China surveillance video business.

- Hytera provided data infrastructure for the Nepali police, such as walkie-talkies and digital trunking technology, which enables real-time communication. Earlier this year, Hytera acknowledged stealing technology from U.S. company Motorola in a plea agreement, and had acquired German, British, Spanish, and American tech businesses in their growth phase.

- Hikvision and Dahua, Chinas two largest surveillance camera suppliers, sell many of the cameras now in Nepal. They partnered with Intel and Nvidia to add AI capabilities to surveillance cameras. Those ties ended after U.S. sanctions in 2019, but AWS continues to sell cloud services to both companies, which remains legal under what some lawmakers call a loophole. AWS has advertised to Chinese companies expanding overseas, including at a policing expo in 2023.

- Chinese tech giant Huawei has become one of the worlds leading sellers of surveillance systems, wiring more than 200 cities with sensors. In Nepal, they supplied telecom gear and high-capacity servers at an international airport. Over the years, the company benefited from partnerships with American companies like IBM, and has been dogged by allegations of theft  including copying code from Cisco routers wholesale, a case which Huawei settled out of court in 2004.

Huawei said it provides general-purpose products based on recognized industry standards. Intel has said it adheres to all laws and regulations where it operates, and cannot control end use of its products. Nvidia has said it does not make surveillance systems or work with police in China at present.

IBM and Cisco declined comment. Policing gear maker Motorola Solutions, a successor company to Motorola after it split, did not respond to requests for comment.

U.S. technology transfer to Chinese firms has mostly stopped after growing controversy and a slew of sanctions in the past decade. But industry insiders say its too late: China, once a tech backwater, is now among the biggest exporters of surveillance technologies on earth.

Few realized the U.S. shouldnt be selling the software to China because they might copy it, they might use it for these types of surveillance and bad stuff, said Charles Mok, a Hong Kong IT entrepreneur and former lawmaker now living in exile as a research scholar at Stanford. Nobody was quick enough to realize this could happen.

The great big eye in the sky

Inside a 15th-century monastery in Lo Manthang in Nepals Mustang district, light slants through wooden slats, catching motes of dust and the faded faces of bodhisattvas.

Crumpled notes of Chinese currency lie at the feet of deities in the walled city along the Tibetan border. Here, shops stock Chinese instant noodles and cars with Chinese plates rumble down mountain roads.

A gleaming white observation dome just inside Chinese territory looms over the city. Visible from 15 kilometers (9 miles) away, its trained on the district that has long been a refuge for Tibetans, including a guerrilla base in the 1960s.

The dome is just one node in Chinas vast 1,389-kilometer (863-mile) border network with Nepal  a Great Wall of Steel of fences, sensors and AI-powered drones.

Chinese forces have barred ethnic Tibetans from accessing traditional pastures and performing sacred rites. They have pressured residents of Lo Manthang to remove photos of the Dalai Lama from shops. And a China-Nepal joint command mechanism meets several times a month on border patrols and repatriations, according to a post by the Chinese-run Tibetan government.

The result is that the once-porous frontier is now effectively sealed, and Chinas digital dragnet reaches deep into the lives of those who live near it.

In April 2024, Rapke Lama was chatting with a friend across the border on WeChat when he received an invitation to meet. He set out from his village and crossed into Tibet  only to be arrested almost immediately.

Lama believes his WeChat exchange was monitored; Chinese police appeared with unsettling precision, as if they knew where to look. After accusing him  wrongly, he maintains  of helping Tibetans flee into Nepal, the police seized his phone, which had photos of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan music. Then came months in a Lhasa prison, where isolation and inadequate medical care hollowed him out.

Lama did not return to Nepal until May 2025, gaunt and shaken. He later said he entered Tibet to harvest caterpillar fungus, valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Another friend who crossed the border remains in custody.

Even now, Im scared, Lama says. He wears masks when wandering the streets, he says, because of that lingering fear.

The Chinese observation dome is a giant symbol of the same fear, towering over the border.

Its the great big eye in the sky, said a 73-year-old Tibetan hotel owner in Nepal, who spotted the installation during a trip near the border last year. For Tibetan refugees, Nepal has become a second China.

__

Associated Press journalists Niranjan Shrestha and Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Manish Swarup and Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi, Ashwini Bhatia in Dharamshala, India, and David Goldman in Washington contributed to this report.

-

Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/.
The Utah Department of Commerces Division of Consumer Protection and the Office of the Utah Attorney General on Monday joined a coalition of 50 states announcing a $149.6 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG for violating state laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices by marketing, selling and leasing vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed emissions defeat devices designed to circumvent emissions standards.

Beginning in 2008 and continuing to 2016, the states allege Mercedes manufactured, marketed, advertised and distributed nationwide more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans equipped with software defeat devices that optimized emission controls during emissions tests, while reducing those controls outside of normal operations.

The states allege the defeat devices enabled vehicles to far exceed many legal limits of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, a harmful pollutant that causes respiratory illness and contributes to the formation of smog.

Why this matters in Utah

Mercedes allegedly engaged in this conduct to achieve design and performance goals, such as increased fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance that the company could not meet while complying with emission standards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Tailpipe emissions are the biggest contributor to air pollution along the Wasatch Front. It is estimated those emissions are 50% of the problem that helps stoke inversions and create advisories such as red air days that encourage people to drive less, take public transit and avoid burning wood as a heating source.

Utah announces nearly $150 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG over deceptive practices, in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Mercedes concealed these defeat devices from state and federal regulators and the public. At the same time, Mercedes marketed the vehicles to consumers as environmentally friendly and in compliance with applicable emissions regulations.

The settlement requires Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG to pay $120 million to the states immediately upon the effective date of the settlement. An additional $29.6 million will be suspended and potentially waived pending completion of a comprehensive consumer relief program.

Utah will receive $535,654 through the settlement. Approximately 1,857 impacted vehicles were sold or registered in Utah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Utah stands for the rule of law and a level playing field in the marketplace, said Utah Attorney General Derek Brown. Mercedes-Benz undermined fair competition by installing illegal emissions defeat devices. Free enterprise works only when the same rules apply to everyone, and Utah will enforce the law to protect the integrity of our markets.

The consumer relief program extends to the estimated 39,565 vehicles, which as of Aug. 1, 2023, had not been repaired or permanently removed from the road. Mercedes must bear the cost of installing approved emission modification software on each of the affected vehicles.

The company must provide consumers with an extended warranty and will pay consumers $2,000 per vehicle.

The company must also comply with reporting requirements and reforms to their practices, including a prohibition on any further engagement in unfair or deceptive marketing or sale of diesel vehicles, misrepresentations regarding emissions and compliance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Deceptive claims like the ones Mercedes made to its customers will not be tolerated in Utah, said Margaret Woolley Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce.

The work done to achieve this settlement is proof that our state will do whatever it can to ensure that consumers get what they pay for. If a company does not make good on their representations, we will hold them accountable.

This is not the first time states have had to go after automobile manufacturers that skirt the law.

A similar settlement was reached between the states and Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler and German engineering company Robert Bosch GmbH over its development of the cheat software.

Advertisement Advertisement

Automaker Fiat Chrysler and its subsidiaries paid $72.5 million to the states in 2019.

Bosch paid $98.7 million in 2019. Volkswagen reached a $570 million settlement with the states in 2016.

The impact of this latest cheat went far and wide beyond Utah.

The attorneys general of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas led Mondays settlement, joined by Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.
NEED TO KNOW

On Friday, Dec. 19, Mia Bailey was sentenced to up to life in prison for the deaths of her parents

Joseph, 70, and Gail Bailey, 69, were fatally shot when she broke into their family home on June 18, 2024

Bailey is set to serve two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life for each of their murders and up to five years for aggravated assault

A Utah woman could spend the rest of her life in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting her parents.

On Friday, Dec. 19, Mia Bailey was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life for the murders of her parents, Joseph and Gail Bailey, and up to five years for aggravated assault, KUTV, ABC4 and The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Bailey, 30, allegedly shot her 70-year-old father twice in the head and her 69-year-old mother four times after breaking into their Washington City home on June 18, 2024, KUTV and KSL.com previously reported.

Bailey then went downstairs to shoot through her brothers bedroom, where he was locked inside with his wife at the time. She allegedly told police that she didnt care if the shot killed her brother, per KUTV.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Bailey was arrested on June 19, 2024, and charged with 11 felony counts for the double homicide of her parents and the attempted murder of her brother, according to the Washington City Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Her sentencing comes after she pleaded guilty to the murders of her parents in November 2025, admitting that she intentionally shot and killed them, according to court documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.

Attorney Ryan Stout asked the judge to give Bailey concurrent sentences rather than consecutive due to having no prior criminal activity and her mental illness, which he argued left her functioning at the cognitive and emotional level of a young child."

Stout said she was diagnosed with autism, psychosis, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and may also have bipolar disorder, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Washington City Police Dept. Mia Bailey Mia Bailey

Bailey's mental illness was also recognized by her brother Dustin as he spoke in court. He alleged that she committed the crimes as a result of powerful hormones and other drugs he believed were irresponsibly prescribed during her transgender treatment, per The Salt Lake Tribune.

Advertisement Advertisement

We support LGBTQ rights fully. This has nothing to do with identity, said Dustin, according to the outlet. Providing powerful hormones to a person in a psychiatric crisis without proper psychiatric safeguards is not affirming care. It is reckless ... it acted as an accelerant, intensifying instability, impairing judgment and compounding risk. That failure harmed Mia and it endangered our parents."

Bailey said in a statement during sentencing that she was sincerely, deeply sorry to her family for the crime and that she couldnt live with herself, per ABC4.

The final decision on the length of Bailey's term will be made by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole after sentencing, according to KUTV.

PEOPLE has contacted the Washington County Attorneys Office for comment.



Read the original article on People
The Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation filed a federal lawsuit Friday against Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and the heads of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks & Wildlife, alleging a state law unlawfully denies the Tribe equal access to ancestral lands.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on Dec. 19, 2025, challenges the constitutionality and application of House Bill 25-1163, now codified as C.R.S.  33-12-103.8. The law provides free access to Colorado state parks for members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, but not the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.

Please support our year-end campaign. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

The Tribe argues the exclusion is discriminatory and ignores its deep historical and cultural ties to lands that include many of Colorados state parks. According to the complaint, much of the land covered by the legislation lies within the historic aboriginal territory of Ute bands that today comprise the Tribe.

The filing follows the Tribes public condemnation of the bill in May 2025, when leaders described it as perpetuating cultural and historical genocide. The Tribe says it requested inclusion during the legislative process and proposed amendments documenting its longstanding connection to the land, but the Colorado General Assembly declined to incorporate those changes.

The lawsuit alleges violations of multiple federal laws, the U.S. Constitution and the Brunot Agreement, a federal agreement signed by all Ute bands that reserved hunting, fishing and gathering rights in ceded lands that now include Colorado state parks. The complaint also argues the law places an undue burden on Tribal members seeking access to sacred sites in their traditional homelands.

Advertisement Advertisement

The Ute people are the oldest continuous residents of what is now Colorado, according to the Tribe. In 1880, bands that now make up the Ute Indian Tribe were forcibly removed at gunpoint to the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah.

Tribal Chairman Shaun Chapoose said the legislation fails to acknowledge that history.

"Colorado's parks bill is a broken promise codified into law. It is shameful. It acknowledges the profound ties to our homelands while demanding our exiled Tribe pay an entrance fee to visit our own sacred grounds from which they drove us. We will not stand idly by and pay for the same privilege to access our places to pray, to hunt, to fish, we will not be erased by Colorado from these lands," Chapoose said.

The lawsuit seeks a court declaration requiring the state to revise C.R.S.  33-12-103.8 to include the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.

Advertisement Advertisement

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, pictured from the Eastport neighborhood in September 2025. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters)

In a bipartisan move, U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, Jennifer Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, together introduced a bill to reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Chesapeake Bay Office. Marylands Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Annapolis, also joined the effort to maintain support for the agency.

The Bay office conducts critical research on climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration and other information key to helping the Bay and related industries flourish.

Advertisement Advertisement

The bill also authorizes an education and training program for the first time, which will help Virginia meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Research shows Virginia previously fell behind on the educational aspect of the last agreement.

By allowing NOAA to coordinate with community stakeholders, monitor restoration activities, and authorizing the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training program, the WATERS Act will help protect the Chesapeake Bays health for generations to come, Wittman said in a statement.

The Chesapeake Bay Office, which is based in Annapolis, manages the interpretive buoy system that collects real-time data on water quality, weather, and fish migrations. This data is then used when planning restoration efforts and can help assist in maritime safety.

When Congress authorizes an agency, it essentially reaffirms federal lawmakers interest in its work and shows support for continuing its operations. The reauthorization effort comes as the administration of President Donald Trump has pledged to roll back funding for NOAA, including a proposal to cut 28% of NOAAs operating budget, or $1.33 billion, and slash 75% to the agencys climate science work.

Advertisement Advertisement

The last time the Chesapeake Bay Office was reauthorized was in the early 2000s. The move to sustain the office highlights the Virginia congressional delegations desire to see research into oyster habitats, weather patterns, and ways to assist the fishing industry continue.

By reauthorizing NOAAs Chesapeake Bay Office, supporting science-based restoration, and expanding education and workforce training throughout the watershed, this bill strengthens long term stewardship of the Bay, Kiggans said.

The states that have waterways that feed into the Chesapeake Bay recently signed an updated agreement that puts each on the path towards reducing pollution, rebuilding habitats and increasing education around the Bays environment. NOAAs data helps states shape related policy and resiliency efforts.

The bill will be considered when Congress returns to work after the holidays.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Vice President Vance lashed out at white nationalist Nick Fuentes and former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki for attacking second lady Usha Vance, saying they can eat s.

Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s. Thats my official policy as vice president of the United States, Vice President Vance said in an interview published on Monday with the British outlet UnHerd.

Fuentes has used racial slurs to attack the second lady, who is Indian American, and has referred to the vice president as a race traitor for marrying her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Psaki, who has her own show on MS NOW, joked in October that Usha Vance needs saving from her husband.

I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times, well  come over here. Well save you, Psaki said.

The vice presidents comments come as the MAGA movement has been rocked by divides having to do with Fuentes over his antisemitic rhetoric.

Antisemitism, and all forms of ethnic hatred, Vice President Vance told the outlet, have no place in the conservative movement. Whether youre attacking somebody because theyre white or because theyre black or because theyre Jewish, I think its disgusting.

Advertisement Advertisement

The fissures within the movement were on full display over the weekend at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest gathering in Phoenix.

Conservative media figure Ben Shapiro repeated his criticism of fellow right-wing talk show host Tucker Carlson for platforming Fuentes over the weekend, accusing Carlson of an act of moral imbecility.

Carlson later hit back at the criticism at the conference, calling it denouncing and deplatforming.

Vice President Vance walked a fine line amid the criticism during his remarks to the conference on Sunday, instead seeking to strike a unifying tone.

When I say that Im going to fight alongside of you, I mean all of you  each and every one, the vice president said. President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The victim in a fatal crash in Stoughton over the weekend has been identified.

On the morning of Dec. 20, Brockton Police were in pursuit of a pick-up truck that entered the Stoughton area, which was reportedly driving erratically and evading police, according to the Stoughton Police Department.

The pursuit ended when the truck collided with a sedan, driven by John G. Smith, 84, of Stoughton, who was pronounced deceased. There was also a passenger in the sedan, a 78-year-old Stoughton woman, who was injured and hospitalized, according to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

"Dispatch notified Stoughton Police that the wanted vehicle, which was being pursued by a Brockton Police cruiser, crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of Pleasant and Prospect streets," the Stoughton Police Department said in a prepared statement.

The driver of the pick-up truck was identified as Jason Ortiz, 26, of Brockton.

3rd fatal crash on North Cary in 2025 Double-fatal crash on North Cary Street in Brockton. Victims ID'ed

"After the crash, Ortiz ran from the scene but was subsequently apprehended following a search by Stoughton, Brockton and Massachusetts State Police," the Norfolk District Attorney's Office said in a prepared statement. "Ortiz has been charged with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, and failing to stop for police."

Advertisement Advertisement

Ortiz was scheduled for arraignment at Stoughton District Court for Dec. 22.

The crash remains under investigation.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Victim identified. Brockton police chase ends in fatal Stoughton crash
Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a Veterans Day program in Mankato on Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor)

As scrutiny intensifies over how fraudsters in recent years bilked Minnesota safety net programs out of hundreds of millions of dollars, officials in Gov. Tim Walzs administration have been meeting monthly to share data and develop best practices in an effort to prevent fraud in public programs, they said during a briefing Monday.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension highlighted the duties of the Office of Inspector General Coordinating Council, which Walz established through a September executive order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Officials held the briefing days after a federal prosecutor estimated that fraud in state-run Medicaid programs since 2018 could total over $9 billion. Since then, Walz and officials with the Department of Human Services  which administers the Medicaid programs  have cast doubt on the prosecutors estimate.

On Friday, Walz said the $9 billion fraud estimate was sensationalized, publicized without evidence and a number created by the Trump administration.

Youre seeing a weaponization. Well continue to fix (the fraud). Theyre going to continue to come up with numbers that dont have it there, and its sensationalized. I dont expect anything different from this administration, said Walz, whose campaign for a third, four-year term has been severely complicated by all the fraud revelations in the past 18 months or so.

BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, who chairs the new council, said they are facilitating better communication among state agencies, discussing emerging issues that the departments are seeing and creating statewide improvements.

Advertisement Advertisement

The goal of this work and this council is to really look towards a prevention framework, Evans said.

DHS Inspector General James Clark was also on the call, and reporters asked him about the estimated $9 billion in fraud since 2018 throughout 14 high-risk Medicaid programs being audited by the state.

Nothing Ive seen indicates the $1 billion of fraud or the $9 billion of fraud figures that have been cited, Clark said. I do have concerns that people will repeat that figure as fact.

In July, the Reformer asked Walz at a news conference whether he agreed with the federal prosecutors then-$1 billion fraud estimate, and the governor said yes.

Advertisement Advertisement

State agencies, according to a new state law, must report incidents of suspected fraud involving state-funded programs with losses of $10,000 or more to the BCA.

Evans said the BCA since last year has received about 200 reports of suspected fraud from state agencies. Most are related to Medicaid, Evans said, and the BCA is actively investigating about a dozen of those cases.

This year was the first year this reporting requirement was in place, and a report will be published in February documenting more about these incidents, according to the BCA.
New details have emerged about a search for an evading suspect in north Harris County on Saturday, according to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.

Herman told ABC13 that the wanted suspect has been identified as James Willis, 35, of Dallas, Texas.

Constable Herman said Willis came to the area, allegedly assaulted his significant other and was arrested on a family violence charge.

After the arrest, Herman said Willis complained of chest pain, which prompted officers to take him to the hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

During medical testing, Herman said a nurse requested that Willis' handcuffs be removed. Officials said that's when Willis took off and escaped from HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest.

The search first started Saturday around 3:40 p.m. on Westfield Place and the North Freeway.

About two blocks away, Herman said Willis carjacked a driver without using a weapon.

According to Herman, the driver took Willis several blocks before he jumped out and fled again.

Willis is currently facing charges of family violence, evading arrest, and carjacking, according to Herman.

Law enforcement searched for him for about five hours on Saturday, and Herman said teams are continuing the search on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that investigators believe Willis may have returned to the Dallas area, and authorities there have been notified.

As for the alleged victim, Constable Herman said deputies are providing security and he confirmed she is safe.
Importantly, Broadcom's custom AI accelerators compete with Nvidia GPUs as the engines that power training and inference workloads in data centers. ASICs are generally cheaper, which has led to robust demand from certain hyperscale customers. "We see momentum continuing in Q1 and expect AI semiconductor revenue to double," CEO Hock Tan said in the press release.

Broadcom reported strong financial results in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 (ended in November), beating estimates on the top and bottom lines. Revenue increased 28% to $18 billion, driven by particularly strong demand for AI semiconductors. Meanwhile, non-GAAP net income increased 37% to $1.95 per diluted share.

Additionally, Broadcom is the leading supplier of custom AI accelerators, sometimes called ASICs. The company has long designed AI chips for Alphabet 's Google and Meta Platforms , but its clientele has more recently expanded to include TikTok parent company ByteDance, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The company also has other major customers in the pipeline, including Apple and xAI.

The investment thesis for Broadcom centers on its strong presence in networking chips and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The company builds the fastest Ethernet switching and routing chips, and it holds over 80% market share. The buildout of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure should drive demand for high-speed networking platforms in the coming years.

Druckenmiller is an excellent source of inspiration, but the trades mentioned above took place in the third quarter, which ended several months ago. Here is a more current look at Broadcom and MercadoLibre.

In the third quarter, Druckenmiller sold his entire stake in Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) and bought shares of MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI), a stock often overlooked by investors despite returning 6,910% since its 2007 IPO.

Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller was one of the most successful hedge fund managers in history, generating returns of 30% annually over three decades without a single down year. He closed his hedge fund in 2010, and now exclusively manages his own money through Duquesne Family Office.

MercadoLibre operates the largest commerce and fintech ecosystem in Latin America, and the company is making smart investments in its logistics and credit businesses that should reinforce its dominance.

Broadcom is benefiting from demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure due to its strong market position in networking solutions and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Story Continues

However, while ASICs themselves are often cheaper than Nvidia GPUs, system-level costs are generally higher because custom AI chips require custom software tools that must be built from scratch. ASICs also use more expensive optical interconnects. Consequently, most analysts expect Nvidia to maintain its dominant market position. That could explain why Druckenmiller sold his position.

Regardless, Wall Street expects Broadcom's adjusted earnings to grow 42% annually over the next two years. That makes the current valuation of 50 times adjusted earnings look reasonable. Indeed, among 53 analysts, Broadcom has a median target price of $461 per share, which implies 35% upside from its current share price of $342.

MercadoLibre: The stock Stanley Druckenmiller bought

MercadoLibre operates the largest commerce and fintech ecosystem in Latin America. Its e-commerce marketplace accounted for 28% of online retail sales in the region in 2024, and its market share is projected to reach 30% in 2026. The company has been successful due to its first-mover status, as well as its ecosystem of adjacent services.

To elaborate, MercadoLibre reinforces the network effect inherent to its business model by providing adjacent solutions for advertising, payments, and logistics. In fact, it is the largest advertiser and the largest fintech payment processor in Latin America. The company also has the "fastest and most extensive delivery network" in the region.

MercadoLibre reported decent financial results in the third quarter, despite missing the consensus estimate on the bottom line. Revenue increased 39% to $7.4 billion, driven by solid sales growth across the commerce (33%) and fintech (49%) segments. That was the 27th consecutive quarter in which revenue growth exceeded 30%, according to management.

Meanwhile, MercadoLibre's operating margin dropped 70 basis points and GAAP earnings increased just 6% to $421 million. But those disappointing numbers were due to strategic investments that strengthen its market position and lay the foundation for stronger growth in the future. For instance, MercadoLibre lowered its free shipping threshold in Brazil and launched its credit card in Argentina.

Indeed, those investments are already paying off to some degree. Unique buyers in Brazil increased 29% in the third quarter, the fastest pace in over four years. Also, the number of items sold in Brazil increased 42%, meaning the average buyer made more purchases. Finally, 60% of Argentine adults do not have a credit card, giving MercadoLibre a chance to pull a large percentage of the population onto its fintech platform.

Looking ahead, Wall Street expects MercadoLibre's earnings to increase at 32% annually over the next three years. That makes the current valuation of 49 times earnings look quite reasonable. Investors should feel comfortable buying a position today. Among 27 analysts, MercadoLibre has a median target price of $2,842 per share, implying 42% upside from its current share price of $1,998.

Should you invest $1,000 in Broadcom right now?

Before you buy stock in Broadcom, 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 Broadcom 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 $509,039!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,109,506!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 972%  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.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of December 15, 2025

Trevor Jennewine has positions in MercadoLibre and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, MercadoLibre, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller Sells Broadcom Stock and Buys an Overlooked Stock Up 6,910% Since Its IPO was originally published by The Motley Fool
From a grizzly murder and dismemberment to the homicides of a pair of young children, Pueblo and the 10th Judicial District saw several high profile cases in 2025.

Here are some of the biggest cases from this year, and what may be coming in 2026.

Man who had woman's severed hand

Homicide victim Renee Portillos, third from left, pictured with her family.

Solomon Martinez, 27, was convicted in March of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with human remains in the death of Renee Portillos, whose headless and dismembered body was found in Fountain Creek after an eyewitness reported it to law enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Martinez was arrested with Portillos' hand in his coat pocket on Jan. 10, 2024, while he was working as a security guard for a private security company.

Martinez was arrested after two witnesses came forward, including a friend of Martinez's roommate and the roommate himself.

In interviews with police, the two witnesses said Martinez had asked them to help him dispose of a dismembered body early in the morning at a car wash on Troy Avenue and Constitution Boulevard. Martinez arrived in a distinctive red sedan, with blood and dirt on his clothes, the deputy DA said.

Initially, one of the witnesses told police he did not help Martinez dispose of the body in the bed of Fountain Creek, but he later admitted to having helped cut off a hand and a portion of Portillos' arm, claiming Martinez had forced him to do so at gunpoint. The eyewitness also maintained that the victim's head was missing before he ever saw the body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Portillos' DNA was found inside Martinez's vehicle and on a condom that also had Martinez's DNA on it, according to the deputy DA.

During two phone calls between Martinez and his mother made from prison, Martinez allegedly admitted to killing Portillos, although he continued to claim that an acquaintance of his dismembered her body.

Meanwhile, the defense claimed Martinez assisted in dismembering the body and may have abused Portillos' corpse, but stated Martinez did not kill her and instead blamed the eyewitness who first reported the incident to police.

The defense also claimed during the trial that Portillos shot herself while high on fentanyl, according to 10th Judicial District Attorney Kala Beauvais.

Advertisement Advertisement

After being found guilty, Martinez was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Cathy Peralta, Renee Portillos' sister, expressed relief that justice was served with the verdict in March.

"I cried, and he deserves life (in prison)," Peralta said. "He was an evil man, and hearing all the evidence, I couldn't believe how sick and demented he is. It's bittersweet, we can't get her back. But we finally got justice. Now, what happens to him in prison, he made his bed and he can lie in it. Now my sister can rest."

Father, girlfriend tied to case of children's remains found in storage unit

The remains of Jesus Dominguez Jr. (left) and Yesenia Dominguez were discovered by Pueblo police in early 2024.Two people, including their father, were later arrested and charged with murder.

Corena Minjarez, 37, was found guilty in August of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jesus Jr. and Yesenia Dominguez, 5 and 3, respectively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Minjarez was immediately sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in the Colorado Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.

The Pueblo Police Departments investigation began in January 2024 after a childs remains were discovered in a Pueblo storage container.

At a preliminary hearing in October 2024, Sgt. Steven Jesik of Pueblo's Crime Scene Investigations Unit said Minjarezs mother called police on Jan. 20, several hours before her daughter and Jesus Dominguez were set to be evicted from a storage unit in the 600 block of West Sixth Street.

Jesik said the woman told the responding police officer there was a suspicious trash can full of concrete in the storage container and that she had a bad feeling since she had not seen the two children  Dominguez's from a previous relationship  since June 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

The trash can was recovered by police, who cut into the concrete and found the badly decomposed remains of a child, later identified as Yesenia, wrapped in layers of trash bags.

Minjarez's mother also told police that at one point in the summer of 2018, she noticed a "foul smell" in Minjarez's vehicle. She said she jokingly asked her daughter if something had died in it, to which Minjarez responded defensively, Jesik testified.

That account led police to locate the vehicle on Feb. 6 at a scrapyard in Pueblo. In a suitcase in the trunk, the remains of a young boy, later identified as Jesus Jr., were recovered.

The body was wrapped in layers of garbage bags, surrounded by a comforter stuffed with cat litter and baby powder, according to Jesik.

Advertisement Advertisement

The remains were later identified by the Pueblo County Coroner's office as belonging to the two young children, and their cause of death was ruled as "homicidal violence."

Jesus Dominguez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his two children in July, ahead of Minjarez's trial. In exchange, he testified against Minjarez during the trial on Aug 21, detailing how the two children were found unresponsive and their deaths later concealed by the couple. He was sentenced to an agreed-upon term of 32 years in the Department of Corrections in September.

District Attorney Kala Beauvais called the decision to offer Dominguez a plea deal in exchange for his testimony "tough but necessary" in September.

The only two people around the children during their time of death were Jesus Dominguez and Corena Minjarez," Beauvais said in an emailed statement to the Chieftain.

Advertisement Advertisement

"This created the difficult position for the District Attorneys Office to make an incredibly tough decision in making Dominguez an offer in his case to secure his testimony, which ultimately was a necessary move to secure the conviction on Minjarez.

"Given the terrible facts of this case, this was certainly not a concession we wanted to make, but was something we had to do within legal confines to secure convictions on both defendants.

In December, the remains were returned to family members, and the siblings were honored along with every child that has been the victim of violence in the Pueblo Community with a memorial caravan from the coroner's office to the Pueblo County Courthouse.

"These kids had a really rough life, and a lot of bad things happened to them. The whole community was shocked at the atrocity of it all, the heinous nature of the acts, said Interim Coroner Gregory Grahek in an interview with the Chieftain. By giving these children a respectful end to their short lives, it does some justice for the community," he said.

Mother in case of malnourished toddler's death

Mythia Latka's case started in February 2023 with the death of a 2-year-old boy that a doctor told police was "entirely preventable."

Advertisement Advertisement

Latka, 26, was sentenced in early April to life without the possibility of parole in the Colorado Department of Corrections, following a March 13 conviction for one count of first-degree murder, knowingly causing the death of a child under the age of 12 while in a position of trust, in connection to the death of her toddler.

An autopsy determined that the child died of acute dehydration, which led to a lack of oxygen in the body. He was also covered head-to-toe in bruises, according to law enforcement.

An in-home caregiver had also previously reported Latka to the Department of Human Services, noting that the child's health "did not look good," prosecution told the jury during closing statements in Latka's trial.

That caregiver was fired by Latka in October 2022, and the next month, Latka did not order any food for the child, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney David Dingess.

Advertisement Advertisement

Latka made the choice to switch from feeding the child through a gastronomy tube to feeding him with sippy cups, according to testimony given during the trial. A search warrant of the home after the child's death also revealed that the sippy cups in question were often half full of rancid, congealed milk.

Another caregiver later noted that the child was lethargic, his legs shook when he walked, and he was severely underweight, exhibiting signs of malnourishment, Dingess said.

Dingess also stated that the child's tracheotomy tube was dirty and obstructed, and a doctor at the hospital said ventilating the child did not work until the tube was replaced.

Latka was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in April. During sentencing, Latka declined to speak on her own behalf, while Ian King, an attorney representing her in the case, stated he had nothing to say except that he maintained his client's innocence and intended to appeal the conviction. Throughout the trial, King framed his client as being "poor, alone, and desperate," but otherwise a good mom who was exhausted from taking care of three children with little money.

However, Fisher Cross, the father of Latka's second child, told the Chieftain he objected to that characterization of Latka's situation, stating he had tried to be there, especially for his son.

Davis Mortuary scandal

No formal charges have yet been filed against former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter, but the Colorado Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate, CBI spokesperson Rob Low told the Chieftain on Dec. 17.

Davis Mortuary, the private funeral practice owned by Brian Cotter and his brother, Chris Cotter, was suspended and has since surrendered its license following the discovery of 24 bodies during an inspection earlier this year.

Inspectors from the office of Funeral Homes and Mortuary Science Services within the Colorado Department Of Regulatory Agencies' Division of Professions and Occupations conducted an annual inspection at Davis Mortuary, located at 128 Broadway Ave., on Aug. 20.

When inspectors entered Davis Mortuary, they noted a strong odor of decomposition and a door hidden by a cardboard display, DORA officials said in an emailed statement to the Chieftain.

Cotter allegedly admitted to state inspectors that some of those bodies had been in the secret room for up to 15 years, and said some decedents' families may have been given fake cremains.

The mortuary was summarily suspended, and in October, agreed to relinquish its license to operate its license to operate as a funeral home and crematory in Colorado.

The relinquishment of licensure has the same effect as a revocation, according to documents obtained by the Chieftain. That means the Cotters and the funeral home have agreed to never apply for any registration or licensure with the Colorado Office of Funeral and Mortuary Science Services at any point in the future.

Six of the 24 bodies so far have been identified  all of which came to the mortuary between 2010 and 2012, according to CBI.

Cotter served as Pueblo County Coroner since 2014. He officially resigned from the position on Aug. 28, the same day he and Davis Mortuary were evicted from the property by the owners, the Masonic Temple Annex.

Cotter was replaced by interim coroner Gregory Grahek on Sept. 16 after a vote from Pueblo County Commissioners. Grahek will serve as coroner until the next official election in 2026.

Families of the six identified victims have also filed suit against Davis Mortuary, Cotter, and his brother Chris, seeking damages for the alleged mistreatment of the remains by a person in a position of trust.

Claims against Cotter include breach of contract, negligence, negligence per se (violating Colorado's mortuary science code designed to ensure dignity and respect towards the deceased), fraud/misrepresentation, civil theft, conversion, violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, extreme and outrageous conduct, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment.

The suit also names the Pueblo Masonic Temple Annex Association as a defendant in its capacity as the building owner. The Masonic Temple Annex Association owns both 126 Broadway Ave. and the adjoining Davis Mortuary at 128 Broadway.

In a press conference on Oct. 1, 10th Judicial District Attorney Kala Beauvais said that charges for Cotter are still likely months away due to the nature of the investigation and the constraints of the law.

"I understand that the community wants legal action now, we are being as transparent as possible when we tell you this complex investigation and identification process means we are likely months away from reaching a state where charges can be filed. It's not possible to predict an exact timeline at this point."

Beauvais assured the community that the DA's Office, in partnership with CBI and local law enforcement, is committed to building the strongest case possible and filing all appropriate charges once the investigation is complete.

More: Accidental or intentional? Judge hears arguments in Lawton murder

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo's biggest cases of 2025, and a look at 2026
Approximately two out of every five students in the United States cannot read at a basic level. Literacy rates have been declining for more than a decade, but since the COVID-19 pandemic those rates have gotten worse.

The ability to read and write is fundamental. Without these necessary skills, students are falling behind, and their future success is a concern. In Monroe County, less than 40% of third to eighth grade students are proficient in reading.

For Carol St. George, these arent just numbers, they reflect the deeper issues within education. St. George directs the literacy teacher education program at the University of Rochester Warner School of Education and Human Development.

Advertisement Advertisement

As a veteran K-12 teacher, a mother of three and current professor, St. George has watched the conversation and instructional strategies change over the years. Recently, she has noticed the lack of literacy recognition in kids regular routine.

St. George recalls a day she was reading with a first-grade class. While the group was reading, one student in particular, Leah, stuck with St. George.

If they came to a word they didn't know as we were reading together, they'd look at me  that was their strategy, St. George said. They were afraid to take a chance, to take an educated risk. You can't blame them. People are afraid. I'm afraid to be embarrassed if I don't know something, right?

Carol St. George directs the literacy teacher education program at the University of Rochester Warner School of Education and Human Development. Photo provided by Carol St. George.

Leah used this very strategy when she came upon the word saw. St. George explained what the word meant, but realized many of the students did not know the word. Leah made a hand gesture in a sawing motion. To these students, saw was a tool, not something you witness or perceive.

Advertisement Advertisement

I realized that it wasn't in her vocabulary, it was I seen it, St. George said. It was like an epiphany for me. I find now, literacy starts pre-birth, St, George said.

Babies cry in the melody of their native language, St. George said. Many studies such as this one from a set of French and German scientists show that human fetuses are able to recognize sounds in their environment during the last trimester.

This blew St. George's mind.

I was wild by it, St. George said. ...that proves that language is developing in utero. It's not too early to start reading to your baby. And I'm saying, day one, start reading with your kid.

Advertisement Advertisement

"People say to me, why would I talk to my baby? They can't talk to me. But that whole idea of developing language is what in my opinion, in large part is contributing to the crisis that we're seeing," St. George said.

The 'Belief Gap' in teaching kids to read

The state Education Department assessment data on English Language Arts shows 46% of students from public and charter schools are proficient. In Monroe County, many central school districts outperformed state and county averages including Honeoye Falls-Lima, Penfield and Fairport. Other districts fell well below this average, including Wheatland-Chili and Rochester.

More: See where your school district stands in terms of reading scores

Education Trust New York is a statewide policy and advocacy organization of educational justice for those of color and those experiencing poverty. It cites research saying the vast majority of children have the cognitive ability to read and write regardless of background. Locally, however, these outcomes are well below the 95% threshold, according to Education Trust-New Yorks report on early literacy in Monroe County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Some educators point to a belief gap, which normalizes low expectations and unjustly accepts poor reading outcomes as a defining characteristic of students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

Every single person should see the importance, the value and the idea that your ZIP code should not determine the quality of your education or the access to materials, St. George said. She suggests connecting families with teachers so they know how to support their kids at home.

Reading wars and the blame game

There has been a longstanding discussion surrounding the reading wars since the 1950s. The novel Why Johnny Cant Read by Rudolf Flesch critiqued American reading instruction, which produced widespread discourse across the country.

Flesch examined the decline in reading skills among American children. He believed the failure to include phonics as a core reading skill was at the root of the issue. Flesch argued phonics was more effective than the look-and-say method (the whole language approach) because students learn the basic sounds of letters rather than memorizing entire words.

Advertisement Advertisement

Although the conversation is still greatly centered around phonics, it has taken a new shape  Balanced Literacy versus the Science of Reading. Balanced Literacy emphasizes memorization of whole words, whereas the Science of Reading emphasizes literacy skills such as phonics.

Balanced Literacy emphasizes memorization of whole words, whereas the Science of Reading emphasizes literacy skills such as phonics.

Tina Carney, co-leader of Dyslexia Allies of Western New York and the coordinator for the Rochester area Student Success Project, is also a Gates-Chili parent. She is a graduate of the Greater Rochester Parent Leadership Training Institute and has longstanding concerns about the foundational concepts in the curriculum.

When my oldest was in elementary school, it was balanced literacy. And at the time, I didn't know what that was, Carney said.  It was the three-cueing approach that we know is not evidence based. Unfortunately, years later when my child was struggling, teachers didn't know what they didn't know. Families put a lot of trust into schools, and this was one example of, well, multiple systems failures -- it definitely didn't serve my child.

The three-cueing approach also known as MSV (meaning, structure and visual) emerged from the Whole Language approach and is now seen in Balanced Literacy. This is a commonly used framework to help develop students' reading skills. The three-cueing system essentially asks students: Does it make sense, sound right and look right?

Tina Carney, a Gates-Chili parent, is co-leader of Dyslexia Allies of Western NY and the coordinator for the Rochester area Student Success Project.

Demario Strickland is the former interim superintendent in Rochester. and current superintendent in the Mount Vernon school district downstate. He sees a need to put a larger focus on research-based practices throughout Monroe County schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

If we continue to provide the professional development, give updates to our teachers that are in house and give the new learning to the teachers that are coming from our higher education institutions, I think we'll be in a good spot, Strickland said.

Carney has kept up on the changes within her own district. While she thinks there is still a long way to go, she is hopeful, in part because she sees teachers being retrained.

I see the difference between my oldest and my youngest who are currently in elementary. It is a 180-(degree) change that has happened over the last four years and for that, I'm really grateful, Carney said.

While this dispute focuses on teaching methodologies, the conversation extends to who is to blame for declining literacy rates.

Advertisement Advertisement

I've been doing this a long time, St. George said. I remember when it was a parent's fault. Why can't kids read? The parents don't read to their kids. Then it shifted, it's the teacher's fault and now it's teacher preparation schools don't teach teachers how to teach reading. So, I think that there's misunderstanding, a lack of trust and I think there's a lack of time.

Declining reading skills: 'This blame game has to stop'

St. George has been in each position. She believes no one group should face criticism.

This blame game has to stop, she said. This isn't a matter of the parents not doing their job. Can they do it better? You bet. And it's not a matter of the teachers not doing their job. Can they do it better? Yes, you bet. Can we all do better? Yeah, and I think that it's a matter of listening.

A large part of St. Georges dissertation work involved workshops for teachers and parents. While the work was aimed to build bridges, she found it shocking that parents and teachers didnt realize theyd be learning together.

Advertisement Advertisement

That's why a lot of my work is in communities showing people how to build relationships, working and being visible. My relationship with families is crucial for childrens success, St. George said.

New York state ELA curriculum and its impact

New York States (NYS) public school curriculum is clearly defined in the NYS School Boards Association Curriculum Guide. What is taught in schools is directed by the state and then shaped by school boards and educational policy.

More: Learn more about New York state's English Language Arts standards

For example, the state requires the annual English Language Arts test under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. This test measures student progress through listening, speaking, writing and reading to gauge the mastering of these skills used in classroom instruction.

Advertisement Advertisement

To align with the changing standard of learning objectives the state initiated a gradual removal of the ELA Common Core Standards in 2022. The Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards Instruction are to be gradually implemented.

Some educators believe the best way to combat students falling behind in reading is through literacy initiatives like vocabulary development and text comprehension.

Strickland has seen the changes in curriculum and is working toward a better foundation of literacy for students future success. Hes observed gaps in the curriculum pertaining to the five pillars of literacy such as phonics. To combat this, RCSD has adopted a curriculum called Amplify for pre-K and K-2.

Its extremely beneficial because it is research-based, really helping students to understand phonemes, how letters sound, how sounds make words, how to decode, you know, bringing the sounds together to make words," Strickland said.

Looking at higher grade levels, Strickland believes the best way to combat students falling behind is through literacy initiatives like vocabulary development and text comprehension. Strickland finds new professional development approaches like LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) for teachers is necessary to keep up with current changes.

I'm pretty pleased with where we're going with that," Strickland said. "All of our teachers are trained on the modules. It's ongoing."

'There needs to be more transparency about how you're teaching our kids to read'

While literacy proficiency rates differ across districts in Monroe County, these outcomes concern many local parents. Carney is a mother of children who are neurotypical and neurodiverse. Carney believes she has learned much from both experiences but has noticed a lack of communication between the schools and families.

There needs to be more transparency about how you're teaching our kids to read, how you're assessing our kids and where they are in comparison to their peers and the state as well," Carney said. "This provides opportunities for parents to come to visit the school and learn a little bit about what you're teaching the students so we can reinforce it at home.

Today, Carney works alongside many parents with a variety of lived experiences to better advocate not only for their children but all students. She recognizes its not easy as there are many barriers for school districts to do more but she believes the first step is engagement.

Ask your district questions. What's in your district? How are you teaching our kids to read? Is it aligned with the science? Is it aligned with what we know is the best? Stay curious, Carney said.

Strickland sees the importance in transparency but realizes its not always done right. He finds the best way to help students is through the parents.

Even though we're the experts, that doesn't mean we're the experts of those children," Strickland said. "We have to understand that the parent is the first teacher. The parent is the expert of the childOnce they [parents] are at the table, they will fight tooth and nail for you and for what you're trying to do."

A new way forward? Advocate calls for community-focused reading approach

St. George is a proponent for a culture that is welcoming and enthusiastic about literacy as it would not just help students but the larger society to thrive. While she understands discussion about phonics and what frameworks are best to use, she yearns for a larger community-based approach.

Without vocabulary building, without building a passion and a love and without allowing for motivation, then it's going to be banging your head against the wall," she said. "You might give them the tools to decode, but decoding is not the same as reading.

"I want to saturate the area. I want billboards like, have you read with your child today? Those are the kinds of messages that we as a community need to foster and support, St. George said.

The ability to read and write is a fundamental skill that provides access to knowledge. This crisis is shaped by many factors, but a renewed attention to find sustainable solutions like adaptive curriculum, literacy initiatives and parent-teacher collaboration is under way.

These solutions might well give rise to a more literate society, but the road to combat this issue is continually changing, and it demands a community effort to navigate. Although the future of literacy success is unknown, educators like St. George and Strickland and parents like Carney are bringing the conversation outside classroom doors.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Why reading and literacy levels declining for students
Did anyone else notice that unemployment has been ticking up, especially among the native-born, while the federal government is detaining and deporting a record number of immigrants, most of whom have no criminal record? Meanwhile, American manufacturing is sputtering, construction costs are rising, and health care premiums are skyrocketing.

By now, most Americans understand that immigrants arent taking their jobs. So, the Trump Administration has pivoted to claims about immigrants driving spikes in violent crime, pushing up the cost of health care, adding to the federal debt, and raising rents. These claims are absurd, false, backwards, and partially true, in some places.

Thankfully, nearly 80 percent of Americans think immigration is still good for the country, even if the president doesnt. Indeed, support for immigration has bounced back among Republicans and Independents after a dip during the second half of the Biden Administration, when a chaotic asylum process allowed in several million immigrants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Opinion: You'll pay more in property taxes. Thank Wisconsin lawmakers.

Even while holding favorable views about immigrants, many Americans might still be wondering whether it's time to pause immigration. After all, about 15 percent of the countrys population is foreign-born, just as it was at the peak of European migration over a century ago.

Midwest saw remarkable growth from immigrants

Of course, that was a time of remarkable economic growth and progress for the country, especially here in the Midwest. The cities of the Midwest were growing rapidly, productivity soared, and the region emerged as Americas heartland, projecting both industrial strength and cultural self-confidence.

Interestingly, the rise of the Midwest as the cultural and industrial heart of America coincided with a wave of immigration to the region that far exceeded today's levels. When Wisconsin became a state in 1848, immigrants made up over 35 percent of the states population.

Advertisement Advertisement

That number slowly declined as the many children of those early settlers, given the fertility rates of the time, made up a larger share of the population, even as a new, larger generation of immigrants arrived. As late as 1890, 87 percent of Milwaukees residents were either immigrants or the children of immigrants. Not until 1920, just as the country was slamming the door shut on new immigrants, did the level of foreign-born Wisconsinites drop below 15 percent of the states population.

Today, even after the recent surge of asylum seekers, just over five percent of Wisconsins residents are foreign-born. Immigrants make up about seven percent of the states labor force. Meanwhile, the Midwest has become the least foreign-born region of the country, and thats a problem.

Demographic winter settling on Wisconsin's workforce

Without immigrants, the regions labor force will contract, schools will close, and budgets will dry up. Demographic winter is setting in.

As any college administrator knows, we are looking over the edge of a demographic cliff of declining numbers of high school graduates. Eighteen years ago, the Great Recession contributed to a drop in immigration and fertility rates. Fertility rates have never recovered and remain well below the level needed to sustain the population. Meanwhile, the youngest baby boomers are getting set to retire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Opinion: Trump is too sleepy to focus. We deserve competent leaders.

It took more than three years for the Midwest to recover its labor force after the pandemic, longer than any other region in the country. It finally did so thanks to a wave of migration that crashed on the southern border and rippled across the region.

Now, facing stepped-up immigration enforcement and a decline in legal immigration, the Midwestern labor force is starting to shrink. According to labor force estimates, Wisconsin appears to have 51,000 fewer workers than a year ago!

Its hard to imagine a manufacturing renaissance in the region, much less lower health care and construction costs, with fewer workers, when those very industries have been facing worker shortages for years.

Advertisement Advertisement

When the dust settles on Trumps immigration crackdown, after hundreds of thousands of families are needlessly torn apart, we can get back to work on building a fair immigration policy. One that takes illegal immigration and border security seriously while recognizing that the countrys power and prosperity rest on the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of a diverse workforce.

Jonathan Burkham is Associate Professor of Human Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His forthcoming book, "Migrant Midwest: The Case for Immigration and Economic Growth in the American Heartland" (Bloomsbury Publishing), traces the Midwest's population growth and projected decline to highlight the need for increased international migration to the region.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: We need a fair immigration policy to stem aging workforce | Opinion
Worshippers and Catholic leaders claim St. Susannas Parish, well-known for their controversial nativity scene demonstration, had Dedham Police move their prayer off church property.

Those reciting the rosary told Boston 25 on Monday they were across the street on a traffic island, praying around a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

During the prayer, Catholics like Patrick Oser were allegedly met with police.

Advertisement Advertisement

I couldnt believe it, he said. They asked us to leave the island, and said it was church property.

He continued, A Roman Catholic church is asking us to leave their property because were praying the rosary... Theyre the one bringing all this attention on.

Father Stephen Josoma, the pastor of the parish, told Boston 25 off-camera that one of his secretaries called the police. He said she didnt know what was happening outside the church.

Josoma also said that island is parish property.

A sign that says ICE WAS HERE still shines in their nativity scene outside the Dedham church, despite the archdiocese calling for its removal earlier this month.

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the churchs website, theyve received roughly $24,000 in donations in light of their nativity demonstration against ICE activity across the country.

Theyve also received hundreds of phone calls, emails, letters, and more that they claim are overwhelmingly positive.

However, some Catholic leaders like CJ Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, called it a political stunt that went too far.

The hypocrisy here is stunning, he said. Theyre willing to welcome illegal aliens into the country, but having a group of faithful Catholics reciting the rosary on their property is unacceptable.

Advertisement Advertisement

He directed Josoma, Stop using the parish as your personal political platform.

Boston 25 reached out ot Dedham Police about the incident and is waiting to hear back.

The archdiocese said it didnt have any comment regarding the incident or the nativity scene still standing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The U.S. Air Force has formally designated Northrop Grummans Project Talon drone as the YFQ-48A and described it as a strong contender to be part of its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) fleets. This follows news that the service has handed contracts to nine companies to refine a wide array of designs under Increment 2 of its CCA program. Northrop Grumman, together with its subsidiary Scaled Composites, only lifted the lid on Project Talon earlier this month, as you can read more about in our initial report here.

YFQ-48A is the third fighter drone designation the U.S. military has now applied to a CCA-type design. The service announced in March that the drones General Atomics and Anduril have been developing under Increment 1 of the CCA program had received the designations YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A, respectively. However, the Project Talon design is not part of Increment 1, as we will come back to later on.

The MDS designation highlights the ongoing partnership between the Air Force and Northrop Grumman and acknowledges the continued progress of the YFQ-48A as a strong contender in the CCA program, according to an official Air Force release.

A top-down look at the Project Talon drone. Northrop Grumman

We are encouraged by Northrop Grummans continued investment in developing advanced semi-autonomous capabilities, Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Voorheis, the services Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, said in a statement. Their approach aligns with our strategy to foster competition, drive industry innovation, and deliver cutting-edge technology at speed and scale.

Advertisement Advertisement

Northrop Grummans commitment to innovation, low-cost manufacturing, and calculated risk-taking aligns perfectly with the CCA acquisition strategy and the Secretary of Wars Acquisition Transformation Strategy, Air Force Col. Timothy Helfrich, Director of the Agile Development Office, also said. Project Talon is a testament to their ability to push boundaries and experiment with new technologies, ultimately advancing solutions that could enhance the future of airpower.

While details about the Project Talon drone itself remain limited, Northrop Grumman has made clear that it is based on lessons learned from its losing entry in the Increment 1 competition. The company has said that its Increment 1 design was at the higher end of the performance and capability spectrum, and had a price to match. Talon, by extension, has been described as cheaper and better and significantly different from the Increment 1 offering, and a first flight is now targeted for late next year. You can learn more about what TWZ has been able to glean so far here.

Project Talon is here. This next-gen autonomous aircraft is made to adapt fast.



 Modular by design

 Mission-ready

 Built for the challenges ahead pic.twitter.com/6UOhLSBHKn  Northrop Grumman (@northropgrumman) December 4, 2025

Northrop Grumman remains in a vendor pool that can compete for future efforts, including the Increment 1 production contract and subsequent increments, an Air Force spokesperson told TWZ when asked about the current relationship of Northrop Grumman and Project Talon to the CCA program.

As the Air Force continues to advance the CCA program, the ongoing collaboration with Northrop Grumman and the defense and aerospace industry will ensure that the Air Force remains at the forefront of airpower innovation, the Air Forces release today also noted. These types of partnerships will help the Air Force meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and competitive global security environment while maintaining the technological superiority necessary to prevail in future conflicts. 

General Atomics YFQ-42A, one of the two designs now in development under Increment 1 of the Air Forces CCA program, seen during a test flight. GA-ASI

Andurils YFQ-44A, also known as Fury, the other design now being developed under the CCA programs Increment 1. Anduril Courtesy Photo via USAF

TWZ has also reached out to Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites have also previously said that Project Talon, which has been described so far as a demonstrator effort, is not explicitly aimed at a particular contract opportunity, such as the Air Force CCA programs Increment 2.

Advertisement Advertisement

As mentioned, the Air Force has separately confirmed that nine companies have now received initial concept refinement contracts under the CCA programs Increment 2, which were all awarded earlier this month. The service is presently declining to name any of those companies, one of which could be Northrop Grumman. An Air Force spokesperson told TWZ that the vendor details are currently protected by enhanced security measures.

These designs [being refined under Increment 2 now] represent a broad spectrum, ranging from more affordable, attritable concepts to higher-end, more exquisite designs, that same spokesperson also told TWZ. This variety ensures that the program explores different approaches, optimizing for cost-effectiveness while maintaining the flexibility and capabilities necessary to enhance operational effectiveness.

That the Air Force is again considering a mix of lower and higher-end designs for Increment 2 is a notable development. The service had indicated previously that it would focus heavily on less exquisite and cheaper designs for the second tranche of CCA drones based on its experience with Increment 1. Its also worth remembering here that Increment 2 has also long been expected to include foreign participation, which would have impacts on the requirements. In October, the Netherlands announced it had formally joined the Air Forces CCA program.

The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy also have their own CCA programs, which are formally intertwined with the Air Forces effort, including in the development of common command and control and autonomy architectures. However, the Marines and Navy have been pursuing specific airframe designs to meet their respective needs independently. The Marine Corps is moving to field an operational version of Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drone following extensive testing with that design. The Navy has four companies under contract now for conceptual aircraft carrier-based CCA designs.

A US Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, one of a number of these drones the service has been using for test and evaluation purposes. USAF Master Sgt. John McRell

The next competitive contract award will occur after the Concept Refinement Phase, as the Air Force evaluates the technical and operational merits of the submitted designs for prototyping, the Air Force spokesperson added. Increment 2 will be structured similarly to Increment 1, where more than one awardee may be selected for prototyping. This approach allows for competitive development and ensures that the Air Force can evaluate various solutions before selecting the final designs to move into production.

Advertisement Advertisement

For CCA Increment 2, following concept refinement, the Air Force will proceed with prototyping, with plans for a future competitive award leading to production awards, they continued. The specific timeline for these milestones will depend on the results from Concept Refinement and the vendors performance during testing.

Many questions remain about the Air Forces CCA plans, including exactly how many drones the service is set to acquire under Increment 1, and whether that initial fleet will be all YFQ-42As or YFQ-44As, or a mix of both. The Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy are all still very much refining their core concepts of operations for future CCA fleets, including deployed, launched, recovered, supported, and otherwise operated on a day-to-day peacetime basis, let alone employing them tactically.

In the meantime, the Air Force is clearly pushing with the development of additional CCA types, including Northrop Grummans and Scaled Composites Project Talon design. With Increment 2 now underway, more insights into the new field of CCA competitors may begin to emerge.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Get the day's news.

Sign up for our Daily Headlines newsletter  delivered to your inbox every morning at 7 a.m.
BioMarin Pharmaceutical has agreed to buy rare disease biotech Amicus Therapeutics, adding three approved or late-stage lysosomal storage disorder therapies to its portfolio.

Under the terms of the agreement, BioMarin will pay cash for all of Amicus shares for a total consideration of $4.8bn. This deal will set BioMarin back $14.50 per share, constituting a 33% premium on Amicus $10.89 18 December stock value at market close.

BioMarins stock has increased 17.71% on the acquisition, from an 18 December close of $51.95 to a 19 December close of $61.15.

This multi-billion-dollar deal, which is the biggest in BioMarins history, will give the pharma rights to Amicus Fabry disease therapy, Galafold (migalastat), which has been on the US market since 2018. In 2024, the drug brought in $458.1m for Amicus, an 18% increase on 2023.

Galafold is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved chaperone therapy for Fabry disease  a rare genetic disorder characterised by the buildup of fatty substrates in the cells of an affected patient.

Following a US patent litigation with generics giant Teva Pharmaceuticals, Galafold now holds market exclusivity until January 30, 2027.

BioMarin will also acquire the rights to Amicus FDA-approved Pompe disease combination, Pombiliti (cipaglucosidase alfa-atga) plus Opfolda (miglustat), which got the FDA go-ahead for use in patients who are not responding to standard enzyme replacement therapy back in 2023. The drug generated $22m in 2024.

Like Fabre disease, Pompe disease is a lysosomal storage disorder that prevents the metabolism of glycogen, leading to its harmful buildup within the cells. This can lead to progressive muscular weakness and heart problems.

Alongside these approved therapies, BioMarin will take ownership of the US rights to the late-stage, investigational oral small molecule, DMX-200, which is currently in Phase III trials for rare kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSCS). Amicus originally purchased the US rights to DMX-200 from the drugs creator, Dimerix, for up to $105m in May 2025.

BioMarin eyes future growth

Over the last couple of years, BioMarin has been looking to further its growth in the pharmaceutical sector.

In a bid to achieve this, the company underwent a significant restructuring in 2024, which saw it let go of 225 employees.

Moving into 2025, BioMarin has employed a strong dealmaking strategy, which saw the company sign 10 deals in 2025. According to GlobalDatas Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center, this is the highest number of deals to be signed in one year since 2010.
In Brazil, cryptocurrency adoption isnt being led by traders betting big on volatile tokens. Its being shaped by younger, more cautious investors, often using stablecoins and tokenized bonds as a way to protect their wealth.

According to new data from local cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin, shared with CoinDesk via a report titled Raio-X do Investidor em Ativos Digitais, the fastest-growing cohort of the investor base this year was under 24.

Participation among that age group increased 56% from the previous year, with many opting for low-volatility assets, such as stablecoins and digital fixed-income products, as their entry point, the report said.

These products, offered on the platform as Renda Fixa Digital (RFD), which translates directly to "digital fixed income," allow investors to buy tokenized slices of real-world income-generating assets. Their naming is part of Mercado Bitcoins invisible blockchain approach.

In 2025 alone, RFD volume more than doubled, with Mercado Bitcoin distributing 1.8 billion reals (roughly $325 million) to users. On average, those products delivered 132% of Brazils risk-free benchmark rate, the Certificado de Deposito Interbancario (CDI).

Other protocols in Brazil also offer similar blockchain-based products. Real-world asset (RWA) platforms offering fixed-income products in the country include Liqi and AmFi.

The exchange also reported a 43% year-over-year increase in overall crypto transaction volume, with Mondays emerging as the busiest day for both new investors and trading activity.

That pattern suggests a shift in how cryptocurrency is being used: from a speculative vehicle to a more integral part of a weekly financial routine.

Investing based on income

Investor strategy differed sharply by income bracket.

Middle-income users were more likely to allocate funds to stablecoins, up to 12% of their portfolios, while keeping 86% in less volatile assets, presumably tokenized bonds.

Important events, like the crypto regulation by the Central Bank and the rise of stablecoins, have further boosted Brazilian interest in digital assets, Fabricio Tota, VP of Crypto Business at Mercado Bitcoin, said in the report.

Brazils central bank introduced new cryptocurrency rules last month, requiring crypto service providers to obtain licenses and establishing specific capital requirements.

Lower-income investors placed over 90% of their funds in traditional cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, likely seeking higher returns and accepting the added risk, per the report.
With the number of motorways and expressways built under the current government over the last 15 years, Hungary's motorway network, relative to the size of the population, has reached the level of the most developed western European countries, the prime minister said at the inauguration of a section of the M4 motorway linking Tornyiszentmiklos and Kisujszallas, in eastern Hungary.

Whereas in 2010 the total length of motorways in Hungary was 1,273km, in 2025 it is just 35km shy of 2,000km, Viktor Orban said in his speech. In addition, eight bridges have been built over the rivers Danube and Tisza, and 22 cities with county seat status are accessible via motorway, he said.



Overall, this means that 90 percent of Hungarians now live within a half-hour drive from a motorway, Orban said. If all investment projects were completed, he added, all Hungarians would be within a 20-minute drive from a motorway.



He said that once the motorway was extended until Berettyoujfalu, and Romania also carried out the necessary works on its side of the border, the motorways linking to Oradea-Cluj-Napoca (Nagyvarad-Kolozsvar) would become directly accessible.



According to the most conservative estimates, this would reduce the driving time between Budapest and Cluj-Napoca by an hour to an hour and a half, the prime minister said, calling the inauguration of the M4's new section "an important moment in the unification of the nation".



Orban: Inauguration of new M4 motorway section another key moment in nation-building



The inauguration of a new 34km section of the M4 motorway between Torokszentmiklos and Kisujszallas on Monday morning on the outskirts of Kenderes, in eastern Hungary, is another key moment in nation-building, the prime minister said in a post on Facebook.



"We deliver on our promises step by step, even against headwinds," Viktor Orban said. The total length of motorways in Hungary has increased to almost 2,000km by 2025 from 1,273km in 2010, he said.



This means 90 percent of Hungarians now live within a half-hour drive from a motorway, he added.



"It has been tough," the prime minister said. "We have dealt with the financial and migration crises, Covid, and now we are dealing with the war."



Orban said that last week alone, the government had saved Hungary from "400 billion forints in war reparations" by obtaining an exemption from "the Brussels war loan".



The prime minister said the motorway section inaugurated on Monday had cost less than half of this sum, allowing for the motorway construction to continue to Berettyoujfalu, in the east.



"And it will continue," Orban said. "Because Hungarians' money is in a better place in the asphalt of a four-lane road in the Great Plain than shot up in the Donbas or in the gilded bathrooms of Ukrainian oligarchs. This is our plan: peaceful nation-building instead of destruction under Brussels's war plan."



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com



*********************************************************************************************



You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page:



Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary



You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters



Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.
The government has set December 31, 2025 as the final deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar for eligible individuals. Failure to do so will make PAN inoperative from January 1, 2026, disrupting tax filing and financial transactions. Taxpayers may face higher TDS rates and service restrictions. Those missing the deadline can still link later by paying a Rs 1,000 penalty after correcting any data mismatches.
The suspension of the Indus water treaty has raised hopes in Kashmir for addressing water shortages for agriculture and power, driven by climate change impacts like glacial retreat and erratic river flows. Kashmir for the suspension, with farmers and residents hoping for a fair share of water to combat the crisis.
Russia has proposed to provide India with three fully refurbished Kilo-class submarines. The offer came right after President Putins visit to New Delhi. It aims to provide immediate relief to the Indian Navys shrinking fleet.
Maharashtra Local Body Polls: The run-up to the polls was also marked by internal frictions within the Mahayuti, with alliance partners contesting against each other in several regions. Notably, the Maharashtra local body trends come nearly a year after the Mahayuti secured a thumping victory in the 2024 Assembly elections.
According to diplomatic and security sources, Islamabad and Dhaka have constituted a joint mechanism involving officials from their defence ministries and representatives of the army, navy, and air force. The purpose of this mechanism is to draft and evaluate a possible defence agreement, which is being compared in scope to Pakistans existing defence cooperation framework with Saudi Arabia.
Should you cash out your 401(k) to buy a home?

Raiding your retirement savings may seem like a no-no, but Ryan from North Carolina recently called The Ramsey Show to say hes thinking about doing exactly that (1). His reason: His ex-wife used the share of his 401(k) she got in the divorce to buy a home, then sold it for a solid profit and used that money to buy a second property. Now shes urging him to do the same, saying real estate will outperform the stock market.

Must Read

Ramsey and co-host George Kamel responded with a firm no. Their reasoning went beyond the risks of the housing market. Cashing out a 401(k) comes with heavy penalties, taxes and a major loss of compound growth.

Heres the breakdown on why sacrificing your future for a house today is usually poor planning and whether there are any situations where tapping your retirement savings makes sense.

Ryans limited retirement savings

Why would anyone ask their ex-wife for financial advice? Ramsey joked, adding he was so confused by Ryans reasoning.

Ryans situation was also more precarious than it sounded. While it might seem like he had a large balance to consider cashing out, he told the hosts he has only $85,000 in his 401(k) despite earning $130,000 a year at age 50. That puts him well behind the typical savings target for his age, which is about six times his income, and below the average 401(k) balance for his age group, which is $313,220, according to Edward Jones (2, 3).

Ramsey didnt mince words about the risks of pulling money from a retirement account to buy a home.

When she cashed out half of that 401(k), she got charged a 10% penalty plus her tax rate. She borrowed that money at 35% interest, Ramsey said. By the time she flipped that house and made money, she didnt even make money.

When Ryan pushed back, saying he saw what she made from the sale, Ramsey cut him off.

You didnt see all the penalties and taxes she paid on the stupid withdrawal from the 401(k) that negated any profit she made on the flip, Ramsey said. Shes so full of crap, shes a Christmas turkey.

If you cash out your money, theyre going to charge you a 10% penalty plus a 25% tax rate, he added. Thats like saying, Dave, I want to borrow at 35% interest to buy a house. Please dont do that.
BEIJING, Dec 22 (Reuters) - China's Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang and Apple's (AAPL) Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan discussed the U.S. firm's business operations in China in a meeting on Friday, a commerce ministry statement said on Monday.

In the meeting, Li said China will provide greater opportunities to foreign companies including Apple and he hoped Apple would continue to work with Chinese partners and develop the Chinese market, according to the statement.

More from Yahoo Scout What opportunities did China offer to Apple? How does China view Apple's business operations? What did China discuss with Apple's COO? How will China support foreign companies like Apple?

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Coty Inc. (COTY) is among the best fundamentally strong penny stocks to buy according to analysts. On December 19, Reuters reported that Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) had sold its remaining 25.8% ownership in Wella, a multinational hair care and cosmetics brand, to KKR in a $750 million transaction, while retaining a share of proceeds from any sale or IPO in the future.

Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) stated that it is entitled to 45% of any proceeds from a sale or IPO of the business after KKRs preferred return is achieved, and intends to utilise the upfront cash to pay off its debt. Due to intensifying competition from newer brands, the company went through challenges over the last few years, particularly in the mass beauty segment. With that said, the company initiated a strategic review and considered selling the business to fully concentrate on its fragrances segment earlier this year. This refocus stems from the continuously declining demand for colour cosmetics, Reuters noted.

"I am Impressed," Says Jim Cramer About Ralph Lauren (RL)

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Thus, the company stated that the divestiture brings an end to the 5-year-old program to streamline both its offerings and operations. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) acquired Wella from Procter & Gamble in 2015, as part of a $12.5 billion agreement for P&Gs beauty business.

On December 17, Citi slashed the price target on Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) to $3.50 from $4.25 and maintained a Neutral rating, according to TheFly. The firm revised several targets in the beverages, household, and personal care sectors to better reflect its 2026 outlook.

Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) is a New York-based provider of branded beauty products worldwide. Founded in 1904, the company operates through two segments: the Prestige and Consumer Beauty.

While we acknowledge the potential of COTY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
Coty has agreed to dispose of its remaining 25.8% stake in professional haircare group Wella to investment funds and accounts managed by US investment firm KKR.

The move completes the divestment plan the beauty group launched in 2020, and under the disclosed terms Coty will receive an upfront cash payment of $750m.

In addition, Coty will retain the right to 45% of any proceeds from a future sale or initial public offering of Wella, once KKR has achieved its preferred return.

Coty stated that, considering Wellas recent and projected performance and prevailing market valuations, there is scope for further cash inflows from this arrangement.

These additional proceeds could bring the total gross return from the Wella transaction closer to the book value of Cotys investment.

Coty said it anticipates that the transaction will contribute to lowering its financial net leverage to around 3x by the end of CY25, supporting its objective of moving towards a leverage ratio of 2.0x.

The company plans to allocate the bulk of the upfront cash, after tax, towards paying down both short- and long-term borrowings.

It added that the Wella-related proceeds, combined with expected free cash flow of more than $350m in the first half of FY26, in line with recent guidance, should underpin its deleveraging efforts.

Coty CFO Laurent Mercier said: This transaction marks a pivotal milestone for Coty  both in our transformation and in our long-running deleveraging commitment. Our strategic partnership with KKR has proven highly value accretive. We have benefited from Wella's strong growth by progressively monetising our stake, allowing us to strengthen Coty's financial foundations year-after-year.

Coty is a beauty company founded in Paris in 1904, offering fragrance, cosmetics, and skin and body care brands sold in more than 120 countries.

In October, Coty embarked on a strategic review of its consumer beauty segment, stating that it aimed to unleash its full potential.

The review focused on the companys $1.2bn revenue mass colour cosmetics business, which included brands such as CoverGirl, Rimmel, Sally Hansen and Max Factor.

The review also considered its Brazil business, which encompassed local Brazilian brands generating close to $400m in revenue.

"Coty to exit Wella with sale of remaining stake to KKR" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Donation of container, logistics support helps deliver critical supplies following Hurricane Melissa

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / DP World Employees and Community Volunteers Prepare Hurricane Relief Shipment for Jamaica

When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica earlier this fall, the response from the Jamaican diaspora in eastern Canada was immediate - and deeply personal. At the center of that effort was a DP World employee who helped mobilize a community-led relief initiative to deliver urgently needed supplies to impacted communities across western Jamaica.

Through close collaboration with local partners and volunteers, DP World provided warehouse space, loading support, and the donation of a 20-foot shipping container to help transport relief supplies from Port Saint John in New Brunswick to Jamaica.

A Community Effort Born from the Diaspora

The initiative, organized under the Jamaicans in the Diaspora Hurricane Relief Initiative (Saint John-NB Region), quickly gained momentum as individuals, churches, and businesses across Atlantic Canada stepped forward to contribute.

Donations poured in from across the region - and beyond - including support from:

Irving Tissue

Brunswick Credit Union

Home Depot

Marine Partners

Atlantic Superstore

Ironwood Homes

Mission Point Church

Woodstock Wesleyan Church

Community members in Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, and Woodstock

At one point, organizers questioned whether a single container would be sufficient to hold the volume of donated goods. Through careful coordination and hands-on teamwork, the group made it work - ensuring every available inch of space was used efficiently.

Logistics Expertise Accelerates Humanitarian Response

DP World played a critical role in turning generosity into action. In addition to donating the container itself, the team provided secure warehouse space and hands-on support to load and prepare the shipment for export.

The container was fully packed with 12 pallets of supplies and dispatched on December 4, 2025. While weather-related delays slowed transit, the shipment successfully arrived in Jamaica on December 13.

To support rapid delivery on arrival, the Jamaican government authorized a duty-free import window, helping remove barriers for disaster relief shipments. Local churches and community organizations in western Jamaica will serve as distribution hubs, with KAM Custom Brokerage supporting customs clearance to ensure supplies reach families quickly.

Turning Global Trade Capabilities into Local Impact

For DP World, the effort reflects a broader commitment to supporting communities in moments of need - leveraging logistics expertise not only to move goods, but to move help where it matters most.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has allocated 8m ($9.3m) to Sparkasse Bank Skopje for the green finance facility (GFF) in North Macedonia.

The funding will be used to offer loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The GFF pools resources from the Joint SDG Fund, the government of North Macedonia, the EBRD, and various local banks.

The programme is delivered through partnerships involving the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, International Organization for Migration, EBRD, government agencies in North Macedonia, and support from the UN Resident Coordinator.

The GFF aims to make financing accessible to SMEs and under-represented groups seeking to undertake projects that cut greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

These activities align with national climate strategies and follow the EBRDs Green Economy Transition (GET) approach.

The project complies with the Paris Agreement and includes technical assistance alongside investment incentives.

To date, the EBRD has invested over 3bn ($3.5m) across more than two hundred projects in North Macedonia.

EBRD North Macedonia head Fatih Turkmenoglu said: This new loan under the Green Finance Facility demonstrates our commitment to empowering SMEs to adopt renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

With this facility extension, we are proud to mark a milestone: the EBRD will have allocated 37m to support SMEs and their investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency through the GFF.

Sparkasse Bank Skopje is ranked as North Macedonias fifth-largest bank, channelling these funds into SME projects to support sustainability.

Sparkasse Bank Skopje management board deputy president Nina Nedanoska commented: With the new Green Finance Facility credit line, we once again confirm our role as a reliable and long-term partner of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises  the backbone of the economy of North Macedonia.

As a bank that stands shoulder to shoulder with businesses at every stage of their development, we remain focused on providing financial solutions that create long-term value  for our clients, for the economy and for the community as a whole.

Earlier this month, EBRD prepared an unfunded risk-sharing guarantee of 25m ($29m) for Crnogorska komercijalna banka (CKB), enabling lending capacity for MSMEs in Montenegro.

"EBRD allocates $9.3m to Sparkasse Bank Skopje via green finance facility" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand.
Laman Ismayilova



The book "Asaf Zeynalli: Selected Works", prepared by the Culture Ministry's Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEM?M) has been released, Azernews reports. The presentation of the book took place at the Music College of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory.

The event was attended by Vugar Humbatov, MEM?M Acting Director, PhD in Art Studies and Associate Professor; Nazim Kazimov, director of the Music College, Honored Art Worker, and researcher of Asaf Zeynalli's heritage, professor; and Alovsat Aghalarov, chief editor of the Azerneshr publishing house and Honored Journalist.

Speakers highlighted the significant contribution of Asaf Zeynalli (19091932), a prominent representative of Azerbaijan's compositional school, to the country's musical culture. The book was described as an important contribution to popularizing the composer's legacy.

The edition, created based on materials from the State Literary and Artistic Archive named after Salman Mumtaz, includes notes on folk songs and dances in the composer's works. Additionally, the musical community is presented with the composer's "East" piece for violin and piano, as well as the work "Layla, be?iyim, layla" for cello and piano for the first time.

The book's foreword author and event organizer, PhD in Art History and Honored Cultural Worker Saadat Takhmirazgizi, provided information on the works included in the publication.

During the artistic part of the event, a documentary film titled "Asaf Zeynalli" (2016) was shown. The composer's works were performed by the faculty, students of the Music College, and students of the Central Art School named after G. Garayev, as well as MEM?M staff member Lala Khalilli.

Relatives of Asaf Zeynalli  Elshana Aghasiyeva, Associate Professor at Baku Slavic University, and Elmira Yusufova, who joined the event online from Sydney, Australia expressed their gratitude to the project organizers.

The book project, published by Azerneshr with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry was led by Vugar Humbatov, a PhD in Art Studies and Associate Professor. The editors were the MEM?M team members: sector head and Honored Artist Neymat Mursalov, lead methodologist and PhD candidate at Baku Music Academy Lala Khalilli, editor Elvin Guliyev, a member of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union, and designer Vugar Bakhtiyarov, the center's lead specialist.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
Containers are loaded onto a train at the Yingkou Container Terminal in Liaoning Province, a major international trade gateway serving northeastern China. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Beijing unveiled tariffs as high as 42.7% on imports of European Union dairy products on Monday, saying the subsidies Brussels provided to producers in the 27-country bloc were the cause of "substantial damage" to China's dairy industry.

The import taxes of between 21.9% and 42.7%, which come into force Tuesday following a 16-month-long anti-subsidy probe by China's Ministry of Commerce, will affect France's famous Roquefort, other blue, fresh and processsed cheeses as well as whole and unsweetened milk and cream.

"The investigating authority has preliminarily determined that imported dairy products originating from the European Union were subsidized, causing substantial damage to the relevant dairy product industry in China, and that there is a causal relationship between the subsidies and the substantial damage," the ministry said in a statement.

It said that the highest levy would be applied to the products of firms that had failed to cooperate with the investigation with firms that had been cooperative only subject to a rate of 28.6%.

Firms named in the ministry list hailed from across the bloc with France, the Netherlands and Belgium heavily represented. Italian and Spanish producers also feature. Most companies were hit with a rate of 28.6% or 29.7%.

The Netherlands' Friesland Campina and its subsidiary in neighboring Belgium were both hit with the top 42.7% rate along with an "Other EU Companies" grouping, which is not specified. It is unclear if this group is all EU companies not named in the document that export to China.

The EU criticized the action, saying it was neither justified nor warranted.

The move came just over a year after the EU hit China's massive EV sector with import tariffs of as high as 36.3%, alleging unfair competition due to subsidies provided to the industry by the Chinese government.

Among the big three EV makers -- BYD, Geely and SAIC -- BYD and Geely were slapped with duties of 17% and 19.3% respectively, along with a 21.3% tariff on other "cooperating companies."

The top rate was applied to SAIC together with other EV makers deemed not to have cooperated with the EU's investigation.

The EV tariffs also saw Beijing launch anti-competition probes into Europe's brandy and pork products industries, leading to accusations the EU was dumping surplus pork production in the Chinese market.

In September, Beijing imposed short-lived tariffs of between 15.6% and 62.4% on EU pork and pig by-product imports, but revised them down to between 4.9% and 19.8% on Tuesday.
Key Takeaways

The November sale of Peak Mining, the Bitcoin mining subsidiary of Northern Data, has raised concerns.

The sale was made to three companies, two of which are directly owned by two of Tethers founders.

This was the second attempt, following an earlier deal for the Peak Mining sale that had collapsed.

When Northern Data sold its Bitcoin mining subsidiary, Peak Mining, in November, the transaction appeared straightforward.

A strategic exit from mining as the company doubled down on artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC).

Weeks later, the deal is drawing renewed attention.

A new investigative report has raised questions about who ultimately bought the assetand whether the sale created a conflict of interest involving Tethers top executives.

At the center of the controversy is the ownership structure of the buyers, several of whom are now reported to be directly linked to Tethers leadership, at a time when Tether itself holds a controlling stake in Northern Data.

Who Bought Peak Mining?

Northern Data sold Peak Mining for a total consideration of up to $200 million to a group of three companies:

Highland Group Mining Inc., registered in the British Virgin Islands.

Appalachian Energy LLC, based in Delaware.

2750418 Alberta ULC, incorporated in Canada.

Corporate filings reviewed by the Financial Times show that at least two of these entities are controlled by Giancarlo Devasini, Tethers co-founder and chairman, and Paolo Ardoino, Tethers chief executive.

Devasini and Ardoino are listed as directors or controlling figures across the ownership structures, while details around Appalachian Energys control remain less clear.

The connections matter because Tether already holds roughly 54% of Northern Data, making it the companys controlling shareholder.

Tether has also provided Northern Data with a 610 million loan, further tightening the financial relationship between the two firms.

In that context, the sale of a major asset to companies tied to Tethers leadership shifts the transaction into the realm of related-party dealingssomething that was not explicitly disclosed when the deal was announced.

The Twist: Timing, Structure, and Disclosure

Northern Data trades on a secondary German market with lighter disclosure requirements than a main exchange listing.

As a result, the company was not required to publicly identify the buyers or flag the transaction as related-party at the time of the sale.

The identities of the acquiring entities only became clear through filings in the British Virgin Islands, the United States, and Canada, weeks after the transaction closed.
Dec 22 (Reuters) - Nvidia has told Chinese clients it aims to start shipping its second-most powerful AI chips to China before the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The U.S. chipmaker plans to fulfil initial orders from existing stock, with shipments expected to total 5,000 to 10,000 chip modules - equivalent to about 40,000 to 80,000 H200 AI chips, the first and second sources said.

More from Yahoo Scout What approval challenges could delay Nvidia's China shipments? How do H200 chips compare to China's domestic alternatives? What is Nvidia's timeline for H200 chip shipments to China? How does Trump's policy differ from Biden's AI chip restrictions?

Nvidia has also told Chinese clients that it plans to add new production capacity for the chips, with orders for that capacity opening in the second quarter of 2026, the third source said.

Significant uncertainty remains, as Beijing has yet to approve any H200 purchases and the timeline could shift depending on government decisions, the sources said.

MAJOR POLICY SHIFT

"The whole plan is contingent on government approval," the third source said. "Nothing is certain until we get the official go-ahead."

The sources declined to be identified as the discussions are private.

Nvidia said in a statement to Reuters "we continuously manage our supply chain. Licensed sales of the H200 to authorized customers in China will have no impact on our ability to supply customers in the United States."

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The planned shipments would mark the first deliveries of H200 chips to China after U.S. President Donald Trump said this month that Washington would allow such sales with a 25% fee.

Reuters reported last week that the Trump administration had launched an inter-agency review of license applications for H200 chip sales to China, making good on his pledge to allow the sales.

The move represents a major policy shift from the Biden administration, which banned advanced AI chip sales to China citing national security concerns.

The H200, part of Nvidia's previous-generation Hopper line, remains widely used in AI despite being superseded by the firm's newer Blackwell chips. Nvidia has focused production on Blackwell and its upcoming Rubin line, making H200 supply scarce.

Trump's decision comes as China pushes to develop its domestic AI chip industry. Local firms have yet to match the H200's performance, raising concerns that allowing imports could slow domestic progress.

Chinese officials held emergency meetings earlier this month to discuss the matter and are weighing whether to allow shipments, Reuters reported this month. One proposal would require each H200 purchase to be bundled with a set ratio of domestic chips, according to the report.
Western nations are stepping back from electric vehicle commitments just as Chinese automakers surge ahead in the global market, reported Bloomberg News.

What's happening?

In a pair of setbacks for the EV industry, the European Commission walked away from its planned prohibition on new gas-powered cars by the mid-2030s. Ford Motor Co. also said it would record charges of $19.5 billion while scaling back its electric vehicle plans.

These moves open the door wider for Chinese manufacturers. Automakers such as BYD and Xiaomi keep building out features like interior tech, automated driving tools, and rapid charging systems.

"It's really sinking in that the U.S. or E.U. can't catch up," said Daniel Kollar, head of the automotive and mobility practice at consultancy Intralink Group.

Analysts at BloombergNEF expect U.S. sales of plug-in vehicles to drop by 30% during the last three months of 2025, reaching their lowest point since 2022. Looking ahead to 2026, they forecast minimal growth as buyers lose access to tax credits from the federal government.

Why is the EV slowdown concerning?

When the U.S. and Europe retreat from EV commitments, it hands a competitive edge to Chinese manufacturers who are already leading in EV production.

Cost remains the biggest hurdle for drivers thinking about going electric. Chinese automakers hold an advantage here. BYD sells its Dolphin Surf, a battery-powered hatchback, for under 23,000 (around $27,000) across European markets.

"There's some real inefficiency in terms of European carmakers moving quickly and getting things done, and Chinese automakers going global shines a light on that," said Colin McKerracher, BloombergNEF's head of clean transport.

By 2026, China is on track to account for close to two-thirds of worldwide EV sales. Without competitive offerings from Western automakers, buyers across Latin America, Middle Eastern countries, and Asian markets will have fewer options to choose from.

What can be done about the EV slowdown?

If you're looking to buy a new car, explore electric options. This move helps drive demand and push automakers to stay competitive.

Can the U.S. catch China in manufacturing EV batteries? Absolutely Not anytime soon Doubtful No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Contact your elected officials and voice support for policies that back clean transportation, including EV tax incentives and charging infrastructure investments.

You can also support local and state-level efforts that promote EV adoption even when federal policies change. Many states continue to offer their own rebates and incentives for electric vehicle purchases.

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.
Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Radiopharm Theranostics Limited (ASX:RAD), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.

Radiopharm Theranostics Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The Independent Non-Executive Director Ian Turner made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$87k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.029 each. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of AU$0.026. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

Radiopharm Theranostics insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Check out our latest analysis for Radiopharm Theranostics

ASX:RAD Insider Trading Volume December 22nd 2025

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. If investing in lesser known companies is your style, you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Radiopharm Theranostics Insiders Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen a bit of insider buying at Radiopharm Theranostics. MD, CEO & Director Riccardo Canevari purchased AU$38k worth of shares in that period. We like it when there are only buyers, and no sellers. However, in this case the amount invested recently is quite small.

Insider Ownership

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Insiders own 7.2% of Radiopharm Theranostics shares, worth about AU$6.7m, according to our data. Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing!
Key Points

The pole position in the GLP-1 weight loss space is currently held by Eli Lilly.

Novo Nordisk was the early leader, showing that being first doesn't always mean you stay at the head of the pack.

Pfizer's internal candidate flamed out, and it's now making aggressive moves to re-enter the GLP-1 race.

10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk 

Shares of Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) surged after the company introduced its GLP-1 weight loss drugs to the market. Investors correctly recognized the desirability of a weight loss drug, but, as often happens, the excitement on Wall Street overstated the opportunity. At this point, the stock has lost over two-thirds of its value since mid-2024.

Could high-yield Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) be a better investment opportunity?

The nature of the drug industry

Finding new drug candidates is hard and expensive. Developing and testing a promising candidate is hard and expensive. Navigating the regulatory process to bring a promising candidate to market is hard and expensive. Throughout the entire process, companies are in a race with other pharmaceutical companies to be the first to market with novel treatments.

Image source: Getty Images.

However, simply being first in a space doesn't guarantee a win. Drugs are unique, and sometimes drugs that basically have the same purpose have very different side effects, use conditions, costs, and outcomes. This is why Novo Nordisk being first to market with a GLP-1 weight loss drug wasn't enough.

Eli Lilly's (NYSE: LLY) weight loss drug tirzepatide is the big winner right now, with sales of Zepbound rising 185% year over year in the third quarter, and sales of Mounjaro (technically approved only for treating type 2 diabetes) increasing 109%. By comparison, Novo Nordisk reported 12% sales growth in its obesity treatment and diabetes care operations for Q3. Sure, the obesity side of that rose 37%, but it still pales in comparison to what's going on at Lilly.

It's little wonder that Eli Lilly's stock is soaring, while Novo Nordisk's shares are retreating from the emotionally driven peak they saw in 2024. If you're looking at Novo Nordisk as a turnaround story, however, you might want to broaden your search to an even more contrarian opportunity: Pfizer.

They will all survive, but Pfizer is making giant moves

Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer are all highly respected drug companies. It's highly likely that each of these industry giants survives in the long term. However, Pfizer is currently facing more pressure to get its business back on track. That's translating into aggressive action.
Global coal production in 2026 is expected to remain flat with an annual growth of 0.2% to 9,355.8 million tonnes (mt), marking a slower pace of growth compared with 2025, as structural pressures intensify across major producing regions. The outlook reflects continued weakness in China, persistent oversupply conditions in Indonesia and the US, and sustained price softness across the value chain, which together limit incentives for large-scale production expansion.

Chinas coal output is projected to decline by 0.8% in 2026, the first fall since 2016, driven by excess supply, stagnant downstream demand, and elevated inventory levels throughout the domestic market. Despite coals strategic role in ensuring energy security, weaker electricity demand growth and improved renewable generation capacity are expected to reduce coal burn. Elevated stockpiles at power plants and ports are likely to keep production disciplined, even as prices remain under pressure.

This marks a structural shift rather than a cyclical slowdown, signalling a more constrained production environment going forward. Indonesias coal production is also expected to decline, falling by 3.9% in 2026 as inventory pressures, softer export demand, and weaker international prices continue to weigh on producers. Persistent oversupply in key Asian markets, particularly China and India, is likely to limit export volumes, while lower benchmark prices reduce margins and discourage output growth. Although domestic demand provides some support, it is insufficient to offset declining exports, especially for higher-cost producers operating under price caps.

In the US, coal production is forecast to contract by 5.1% in 2026 as utilities accelerate their transition away from coal-fired generation. Coals share in the national power mix, which fell below 20% in 2024, is expected to continue declining as renewable capacity expands and natural gas remains cost-competitive. The structural retirement of coal-fired power plants, combined with limited export growth, is expected to outweigh any short-term supply-side support, leading to continued production declines.

"Global coal production growth to slow in 2026, amid shifting supply dynamics" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Italian luxury fashion brand Golden Goose has reached an agreement that will result in Hong Kong investment firm HSG becoming its majority shareholder.

Temasek is set to acquire a minority interest, while existing investor Permira will retain a strategic minority stake.

Financial details of the transaction have not been made public.

Completion is subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory clearances, with the deal expected to finalise in summer 2026.

The company said the new investment is aimed at accelerating its international expansion plans while preserving its Made in Italy production base.

Chief executive officer Silvio Campara will remain at the helm of the business, supported by the current management team.

Board member Marco Bizzarri is to take on the role of non-executive chairman.

Golden Goose CEO Silvio Campara said: We are delighted to welcome HSG and Temasek as strategic partners to Golden Goose as we step up our global ambitions as a leading international luxury brand. Their investment is yet another vote of confidence in the success of our model at the intersection of luxury, lifestyle, and sportswear, beloved by a growing, global community of Dreamers.

Golden Goose reported revenues of 655m ($768.52m) for the 2024 financial year, compared with 266m in 2020.

For the nine months to the end of September 2025, revenue rose 13% year-on-year, driven by 21% growth in direct-to-consumer sales and an enlarged directly operated retail network of 227 stores, up from 97 in 2019.

The capital injection is intended to support Golden Gooses international growth strategy alongside continued investment in its Italian operations.

HSG partner Jiajia Zou added: Golden Goose stands for love, empathy, authenticity and a powerful sense of community in todays luxury landscape. We feel deeply privileged to partner with Temasek and Permira, together with Silvio and his talented team to support the brand as it enters its next exciting chapter of growth  especially internationally  while preserving and celebrating what makes Golden Goose so uniquely Italian.

Earlier this year, Hong Kong-based investment company Blue Pool Capital secured a 12% stake in Golden Goose.

The transaction was negotiated and agreed shortly after Golden Goose decided to postpone its initial public offering and was closed on 28 January 2025.

"Golden Goose agrees deal to bring in HSG as majority shareholder " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Jamaican conglomerate GraceKennedy has signed an agreement to acquire Fonterras shareholding in the equally split joint venture Dairy Industries (Jamaica).

GraceKennedy Group, which operates in food and financial services, declined to disclose the terms of the deal with Just Food as it confirmed the business will now have full ownership of Dairy Industries (Jamaica).

New Zealand-headquartered dairy giant Fonterra announced in May 2024 that it planned to quit the consumer-facing parts of the business to focus on ingredients in what it called a step-change in strategic direction.

Another dairy major, Lactalis in France, confirmed in August that it had acquired the Fonterra assets.

Dairy Industries (Jamaica) started out in 1964 and added cheese processing to its repertoire in 1968.

Its products include processed cheese in cans, cheese spreads under the Tastee label, This Is Really Great yogurt, and the powdered milk brand Anchor.

The company supplies the US and Canadian markets and countries across the Caribbean, including Guyana and Belize, GraceKennedy confirmed. Its 2024 annual report shows the company also markets its products in the UK and Europe.

GraceKennedy and Fonterra have jointly managed Dairy Industries (Jamaica) under a formal joint venture arrangement since 1996, according to a statement announcing the buyout.

That agreement, involving Fonterras predecessor the New Zealand Dairy Board, was the co-operatives first joint venture outside its home market.

Commenting on the takeover, Frank James, group CEO of GraceKennedy, said: Dairy Industries has delivered consistent growth and profitability over the years, supported by a strong culture of innovation, an expanded product portfolio, and growing its export markets.

This move positions us to build on this momentum, scale the business further, and deepen our leadership in the dairy segment."

GraceKennedy posted group revenue of J$167bn ($1.04bn) in 2024, up 7.8% on 2023. Food accounted for 79% of its sales.

Profit before tax surpassed J$12.3bn for the first time, rising 8.6%.

Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 8.1% to J$8.4bn, with earnings per share climbing to J$8.52 from J$7.86 in 2023.

Pre-tax profit for food increased 22% to J$7.92bn.

When it released its 2024 results in February, GraceKennedy said its food division recorded robust growth during the year.

Andrea Coy, CEO of GraceKennedy Foods, said in the statement that although GraceKennedy will take complete ownership of Dairy Industries (Jamaica), its ties with Fonterra will remain in place through ongoing commercial arrangements.
By Nell Mackenzie

LONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Hedge funds last week sold more U.S. healthcare stocks than they bought for the first time in 14 weeks, Goldman Sachs said in a note on Friday, as expiring subsidies leave lawmakers scrambling to curb costs.

About 24 million Americans buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare after Democratic President Barack Obama. Subsidies boosted during the COVID pandemic expire on December 31 unless Congress acts, leaving users facing sharply higher costs.

Mas de Yahoo Scout Which healthcare subsectors attracted the most short positions? How will expiring Obamacare subsidies impact healthcare costs? Why did hedge funds turn net sellers of healthcare stocks? What are the implications of Trump's healthcare price discussions?

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he wanted to meet health insurers in coming weeks to discuss ways to lower prices.

Hedge funds finished the week net sellers of healthcare providers and services, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, Goldman said in a client note seen by Reuters on Monday. Life sciences and healthcare technology were the only sub-sectors with net purchases.

Short bets outweighed long positions by more than eight to one, the bank said. Short positions anticipate price declines, while long bets expect gains.

Healthcare holdings remain relatively high versus the past year and five-year averages, Goldman said.

Rising healthcare costs and other consumer prices have fueled public discontent and could loom large at the 2026 midterm elections.

House Republicans this week passed a Trump-backed bill to cut premiums for some while reducing subsidies and raising costs for others from January 2027, two months after voters go to the polls.

In November, telehealth firm Him & Hers and scientific instrument maker Bruker were the top short picks among mid-sized U.S. stocks, according to Hazeltree, which tracks 700 asset managers and 15,000 stocks globally.

Bruker and Him & Hers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Nell Mackenzie. Editing by Amanda Cooper and Mark Potter)
While battles are going on in the political sphere of Armenia and age-old ideological structures have already been covered with noticeable cracks due to the course of the current authorities, peace and grace reign in the scientific and propaganda plane. Everything is the same there - quiet, dusty and stuffy.









The Monumentwatch website, led by the "tigranakert" seeker Hamlet Petrosyan, made an amazing publication. Without finding any reasonable arguments to the statements from Baku regarding the destruction of the spiritual heritage of the Azerbaijani people in Armenia, the website accused Azerbaijan of "appropriating the Islamic cultural heritage located on the territory of the Republic of Armenia." Such arguments have never been heard before. Archaeology's forgers have been thinking for a long time about how to fend off the accusations, and have found an argument that should distract discussions from the natural question: where have thousands of mosques and other monuments of Islamic heritage gone?









As it turns out from the publication of the website, local scientists began working on evidence of the "Persian" origin of religious sites and tombstones in Armenia back in Soviet times. First of all, intensive work was carried out on monuments in Western Zangezur, where, despite all the repeated deportations and massacres, a fairly large Azerbaijani community remained. After the transfer of Zangezur to Armenia, an active search for arguments in favor of historical "Armenian rights" to this territory began.









Poghosyan and his team refuse to use the term "Azerbaijanis" and refer to the indigenous Azerbaijani population of the territories of present-day Armenia by the Royal Russian term "Tatars". Armenian scientists cannot refute the total destruction of the Islamic heritage, so they want to focus all their attention on the fact that this heritage is "not Azerbaijani." Otherwise, in the end, you will have to answer uncomfortable questions. Azerbaijan raises them very persistently, and whenever Armenian circles working against peace start talking about a certain "legacy of Artsakh," counterarguments are put forward from Baku very specifically and in terms of facts, and it becomes more and more difficult to circumvent these reefs.









After the Second Karabakh War, the Diaspora launched a campaign to monitor the "Armenian heritage" in the liberated territories. At the end of 2020, scientists from Cornell University and Purdue University, using funds from the diaspora, organized the so-called Caucasus Heritage Watch platform, where the word "Caucasian" served only as a distraction. In fact, the Diaspora did not pay for the Caucasian heritage, but for satellite monitoring of the alleged "Armenian heritage." Simply put, scientists from two American universities are spying on what is happening in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan via satellites. Initially, their publications attracted a lot of attention, but over time, everyone got tired of looking at the pictures. The so-called research, which, if there was an Internet connection, could be carried out by any schoolboy today, attracts the attention of only lobbyists and revanchists.









Monumentwatch was created in 2021. Hamlet Poghosyan, who had been conducting illegal excavations in the occupied Aghdam region for many years, claimed that he had already found an unknown "Tigranakert", having managed to involve foreign colleagues in falsification, and fled with the offensive of the Azerbaijani army, illegally exporting a large amount of valuable archaeological material and artifacts. Petrosyan is considered a hero in pseudoscientific circles because he got his bearings in time and managed to commit theft. And the Armenians were unable to remove the exhibits from the museums of Shusha due to "incorrect information." Fortunately, the results of illegal excavations carried out by the occupiers on the territory of Azykh for many years also remained in Azerbaijan. After the war, Petrosyan, like the rest of the nationalist mass, also initially expected that everything was about to return to the old. When hopes for a return to the former status quo collapsed, he came up with Monumentwatch. The activities of the black digger are funded by diaspora foundations.









In addition to claiming that the Islamic heritage in Armenia has nothing to do with Azerbaijanis and Turks in general, Armenian falsifiers also dispute the number of mosques recorded in archival documents. According to archival data, in 1915 there were 38 Shiite mosques in the Zangezur district alone, and 382 Shiite and 9 Sunni mosques throughout the Irevan province. Today, according to the state list of historical and cultural monuments, only 6 have been preserved, of which 5 are in the form of remains. On this basis, Armenian experts who call themselves scientists claim that there were only 6 mosques in Armenia, not almost 400. That is, what is not visible does not exist.









A WORD TO THE EXPERT









Rizvan Huseynov, historian, political scientist, Director of the Center for the History of the Caucasus:









"Monumentwatch is an Armenian organization that allegedly monitors the alleged Karabakh heritage. It began its activities after the 44-day war and became especially active after September 2023. Although their website lists an extensive team, the main ones are archaeologists who searched for "Tigranakert" in Aghdam and falsified the history of Karabakh, and now receive grant support from the Western Armenian Diaspora.









Their current alleged concern for Armenia's Islamic heritage is funded by the American Charles and Agnes Ghazaryan Foundation. If you monitor it, you can find out interesting details. The Ghazaryan Foundation is an Armenian lobbying organization based on Armenian business. The Foundation promotes the interests of Jewish Christians. In other words, such a structure cannot possibly be interested in the fate of the Islamic heritage. If you look at their website, the hair stands on end from the caveman religious racism and caveman Armenian nationalism. And it becomes clear for what purpose this foundation allocates funds to such crooks as Hamlet Petrosyan and others who conducted illegal archaeological excavations in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and stole a large number of valuable artifacts while fleeing in November 2020.









It is touching when Armenian figures and foreign hangers-on who live on Armenian money refer to the Islamic heritage of Karabakh and Armenia as Persian or Kurdish, although the names of most religious monuments in these territories are Turkic or Azerbaijani, which is recorded in archival documents. But this is probably not a problem for forgers. They don't realize that they're only deceiving themselves and their kind.









And what is especially touching is that they take care of the Islamic heritage, turning to Islamic organizations, and telling stories about how they are trying to protect it. Who are they talking to? Organizations such as the OIC and ISESCO have repeatedly adopted resolutions at summits and conferences condemning Armenian vandalism, including against the Islamic heritage in the formerly occupied territories and in Armenia. Who are these crooks turning to, then?









This is just an informational throw-in to show that they are seriously engaged in something. But in fact, it's just eating up American taxpayers' money. This is an attempt to hide the fact that, in fact, we are talking about an attempt to transfer large sums from the United States to Armenia through front persons like archaeologists and other crooks under the guise of charity.









I think our relevant authorities can study the schemes of this grant fund. The Kazaryan Foundation allocates $100 million for grant projects for the study of Islamic and other heritage. Isn't it too much money to study the "insignificant", as Armenians claim, Islamic heritage in Armenia? Studying the movement of these huge amounts will allow us to draw some conclusions. Despite the fact that our countries are moving towards peace, there are still enough forces within Armenia, the Armenian Diaspora and the church that will try to destabilize this process. As we can see, the diaspora does not spare money for these purposes."




Hilbert Group (HILB), a Swedish investment firm specializing in algorithmic trading within the cryptocurrency market, has acquired the high-frequency trading platform Enigma Nordic in a $32 million deal.

The move grants Hilbert access to Enigmas proprietary trading system, which executes market-neutral strategies across global cryptocurrency exchanges, the companies stated in a press release.

Enigma said it has handled over 50 billion Swedish krona (around $5.4 billion) in trading volume so far in 2025 and reports a Sharpe ratio above 3.0, a performance the firm claims is rarely achieved in scalable, market-neutral digital asset strategies globally.

While the $5.4 billion trading volume indicates high activity, it does not inherently signal profitability. High-frequency strategies often require massive turnover to generate thin margins. On top of that, these strategies often face whats known as alpha decay, where returns diminish over time over capital deployment inefficiencies.

Hilbert Group appears to be mitigating these risks through performance-based clauses. The deal includes $7.5 million in newly issued Hilbert shares and up to $17.5 million in performance-based earn-outs, with $10 million of those being in cash.

To receive the full earn-out, Enigmas strategies must generate $40 million in net income. The shares issued to Enigmas founders are subject to a three-year lock-up.

Hilbert CEO Barnali Biswal said the acquisition strengthens the firms ability to offer systematic crypto products to institutional investors.

"Enigma brings both cutting-edge technology and an entrepreneurial team with a proven track record of building and scaling public companies, Biswal said. Their market-neutral strategies have delivered very high Sharpe ratios and naturally complement our own quantitative platform.

Hilbert plans to integrate the platform into its hedge fund offerings and proprietary trading desk, with new investment products expected to launch in the coming quarters.

Hilbert Groups asset management arm, Hilbert Capital, began managing a bitcoin-denominated hedge fund last year with an initial capital of $200 million.
Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino Motors announced that it has agreed to sell six domestic sales subsidiaries, ahead of its planned merger with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) on 1April 2026 to form Archion Corporation.

Hino confirmed that it plans to transfer 80% of the shares in five of the subsidiaries, including Higashi Hokkaido Hino Motors, Hokkaido Hino Motors, Miyagi Hino Motors, Fukushima Hino Motors and Minami Kanto Hino Motors, to its Taiwanese distributor Ho Tai Motor Company. Hino confirmed it will retain a 20% stake or less in these sales companies.

Taiwan Stock Exchange-listed Ho Tai Motor has been Hinos Taiwanese distributor for more than 70 years. The company also distributes Toyota and Lexus vehicles, Taiwans two leading automotive brands, across its extensive distribution network.

In a separate transaction, Hino has also agreed to transfer 88.5% of the issued shares of Shizuoka Hino Motors to Aichi Hino Motors Ltd, a long-standing Hino dealer operating in Aichi Prefecture.

Hino confirmed it expects to book a one-off gain from the sale of these shares in the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year (FY26), which starts in April. The company confirmed that the sale of these six subsidiaries is linked with its plans to merge with MFTBC.

Hino said that while its merger with MFTBC is aimed at strengthening product and service competitiveness, the two companies will continue to compete in the marketplace, adding that to ensure continued service quality for customers, maintain a fair competitive environment and address potential competition law concerns arising from the integration, Hino decided to transfer managerial control of certain domestic sales companies to partners with no capital relationship to either Hino or MFTBC.

"Hino to sell six sales subsidiaries in Japan" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Company Logo

Market opportunities in Hungary's construction industry include growth potential from 2026-2029 driven by investments in transport, renewable energy, and housing infrastructure. Key projects such as the M1 motorway expansion and a push for renewable energy targets bolster prospects despite short-term economic challenges.

Dublin, Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Hungary Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2029 (H2 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The construction industry in Hungary is expected to contract slightly in real terms by 2% in 2025, due to a slowdown in real estate and industrial construction activity. This decline is being driven by rising political uncertainty ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections and an increasing shortage of labour.

According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the total value added of real estate activities in the country fell marginally by 0.2% year-on-year (YoY) in the first half of 2025, compared to an annual growth of 0.2% in 2024.The Hungarian construction industry is also expected to be impacted by elevated budget deficits and fluctuating economic growth in the short term.

The budget deficit is placing significant pressure on the economy and the 2026 budget, with the year-to-date deficit already reaching 70% of the full-year target by September 2025. Ongoing disputes with Brussels overrule of law issues continue to cloud access to European Union (EU) funding, a critical source of infrastructure financing.



However, The analyst expects Hungary's construction industry to rebound, recording an average annual growth rate of 4.7% between 2026 and 2029. This recovery will be supported by increased investment in transport, renewable energy, and housing infrastructure projects. Construction began on the M1 main line motorway project in September 2025, which involves widening a 78km section of the M1 motorway between Budapest and Gyor.

The project is expected to be completed by August 2029.Growth over the forecast period will also be driven by the government's goal of achieving a 20% share of renewables in the national energy mix by 2030, along with a one-gigawatt (GW) energy storage capacity target by the same year.



Report Scope
Indonesias Financial Services Authority, known as OJK, has formally published a whitelist of 29 licensed crypto and digital financial asset trading platforms, officially noting a public record of companies that are legally allowed to operate in the country.

The move is part of a broader regulatory effort to tighten oversight, strengthen consumer protection, and bring order to one of Southeast Asias fastest-growing crypto markets.

Who Made the Cut? A list of crypto platforms that made the OJK Whitelist

The whitelist, released on December 19, 2025, names platforms that have either received full licenses from OJK, referred to as PAKD, or are registered as prospective traders under the CPAKD category while completing their approval process.

OJK said the list is intended to serve as an official reference point for users, allowing them to verify whether a crypto platform or application is properly licensed and operating under regulatory supervision before trading.

Among the fully licensed platforms are some of Indonesias most established crypto exchanges, including Indodax, Pintu, Pluang, Reku, Upbit Indonesia, Stockbit Crypto, Tokocrypto, Triv, Nanovest, Bittime, CoinX, Cyra Exchange, BTSE Indonesia, and Ajaib Kripto.

Source: OJK

OJK also listed several prospective traders still undergoing the licensing process, including Luno Indonesia, Fasset, Digitalexchange.id, and Crypto Warehouse, which remain under regulatory supervision.

Beyond trading platforms, the authority confirmed the core infrastructure supporting the digital asset market.

PT Bursa Komoditi Nusantara, operating as CFX, is listed as the licensed digital asset exchange, while PT Kliring Komoditi Indonesia serves as the clearing and settlement institution.

Custody services are handled by PT Kustodian Koin Indonesia and PT Tennet Depository Indonesia, which are responsible for safeguarding user assets.

OJK Takes the Helm as Indonesia Tightens Control Over Crypto Markets

The publication follows the formal transfer of regulatory authority over crypto and digital financial assets from Indonesias commodities regulator, Bappebti, to OJK, a shift mandated under Law Number 4 of 2023 on the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector.

Under the law, all digital financial asset service providers must meet licensing requirements set by OJK or Bank Indonesia, with unlicensed operations subject to criminal penalties, including prison sentences and substantial fines.

The regulator warned that platforms operating outside the list are not licensed or supervised and therefore present heightened risks to consumers.
Raymond Vermolen, INGs global head of media relations, opened its first media insight event, outlining the days agenda, which included presentations, Q&A sessions, and arranged interviews with senior management.

A Legacy of Innovation

The event highlighted INGs history of challenging traditional banking. A video from the late 1990s recalled the launch of ING Direct, the banks branchless model designed to cut costs and offer higher savings rates. Over the years, ING expanded this low-cost, primarily digital approach to Spain, Australia, France, the US, and the UK, long before smartphones and digital onboarding became the norm.

Global Footprint and Retail Ambitions

ING now employs 60,000 people worldwide, including 20,000 engineers, and operates in over hundred of countries. The banks balance sheet exceeds 1.1trn, with more than 700bn in customer lending and nearly 740bn in deposits. Profits for 2025 surpassed 7bn.

The retail business, responsible for half of INGs capital and two-thirds of its profits, serves over 40 million clients. ING is a stellar mortgage lender in Europe, financing over 300bn in housing loans, and supports entrepreneurs with 100bn in loans to SMEs.

Digital Growth and AI Innovation

Digital innovation remains central to INGs strategy. Last year, 1.2 million clients joined digitally without human interaction. Almost 70% of loans were processed through straight-through digital workflows, while 90% of sales occurred online. The mobile app receives 170 million visits weekly. Generative AI is already applied in customer contact centres, marketing, kyc, lending and coding, and ING plans agentic AI integration in mortgage operations, starting in Germany and the Netherlands and voice agents starting in Spain and Germany.

Financial Literacy and Generational Wealth Transfer

Matteo Pomoni, head of investments & wealth for ING in Italy highlighted the challenges and opportunities of financial literacy amid Europes upcoming generational wealth transfer. It is a fantastic opportunity for the whole European financial system, he said, cautioning that it is not going to be a walk in the park.

Pomoni noted that European households lag behind Americans in investment growth, with countries like Italy showing particularly cautious behaviour. Italians are prudent investors, with less than 10% of their portfolio in equity, leading to a deterioration of personal wealth, he explained.

To address low financial literacy, ING uses a three-pillar approach: innovation, personalisation, and transparency. Instead of blaming clients, we should ask what we can do more and better to help them in this process, Pomoni said. ING leverages technology to make investment advice accessible remotely, with 91% of proposals now delivered through digital channels. The bank emphasises goal-oriented advice, noting that products are just instruments. They are the last mile.
Italys Treasury has finalised an agreement for the sale of digital payment unit, PagoPA, to the state mint and postal operator Poste Italiane for up to 500m ($586m).

To address objections from both banks and Italys antitrust authority, the agreement allocates 51% of PagoPA to the state mint, with the remaining 49% going to Poste Italiane.

According to Reuters, the valuation comprises variable components and future payments, though the mint did not provide additional specifics.

Earlier this year, PagoPA encountered disagreements over its valuation in the planned sale to Poste Italiane.

In recent months, Italian banks have expressed concerns that the sale could intensify competition in the digital payments sector, particularly for smaller lenders.

Sources previously informed Reuters that banks had expressed worries to the Treasury that Poste Italiane could leverage PagoPA to further strengthen its position in the digital payments sector, where it already holds a notable presence, potentially increasing competition with banks.

Banks in Italy are said to be facing increasing competition in payments from global technology companies such as PayPal, Apple, and Googles Alphabet, Reuters noted.

Poste Italiane has diversified its operations, moving beyond postal services into payments, energy supply, mobile services, insurance, and investment products.

The company operates 12,800 post offices and employs about 119,000 staff, with total financial assets of 601bn.

Poste Italiane delivers financial, payments, logistics, insurance, telecommunications, utilities, and digital services to households, businesses, and public administrations across Italy.

PagoPA processed 97bn in payments to Italys public administration in 2025. It is anticipated to play a central role in the governments digital wallet initiative via the IO mobile app, which enables Italians to store official documents and make payments to public entities.

PagoPA is said to operate technology platforms that underpin Italys public administration digital transformation, providing advanced solutions that connect citizens, private enterprises, and the public sector.

"Italys Treasury agrees to sell digital payments unit PagoPA to Poste Italiane" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Jim Beam, one of the largest makers of American whiskey globally, is shutting down bourbon production at one of its Kentucky distilleries for a year.

The move comes amid President Donald Trumps trade war with Canada, which has contributed to a significant decline in U.S. liquor sales after the country ushered in a boycott of American booze, and as more young adults are cutting back on drinking.

Jim Beam, owned by Suntory Global Spirits, is one of Kentuckys biggest bourbon producers.

The Bluegrass states $9 billion whiskey bourbon industry has been struggling to manage its abundant supply of liquor against the drop in demand.

In a statement, the company said it was shutting down production at its Clermont distillery on January 1, 2026, though the visitors center on the site is to remain open, according to the Lexington Herald Leader.

Jim Beam, one of the largest makers of American whiskey globally, is shutting down bourbon production at one of its Kentucky distilleries for a year (Getty)

We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss our volumes for 2026, the statement said. Weve shared with our teams that while we will continue to distill at our [Freddie Booker Noe] craft distillery in Clermont and at our larger Booker Noe distillery in Boston, we plan to pause distillation at our main distillery on the James B. Beam campus for 2026 while we take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements.

There were nearly 1,500 employees at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Kentucky last year, according to the newspaper. The company said it was assessing how best to utilize our workforce during this transition in a statement to the outlet, and added it was in discussions with the union.

In March, following sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump, many Canadians decided to boycott American liquor in protest.

Industry group Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said that U.S. spirits exports plummeted 85 percent, falling below $10 million in the second quarter of 2025, which CEO Chris Swonger blamed on persistent trade tensions.

President Donald Trumps trade war with Canada has contributed to a significant decline in U.S. liquor sales (Getty)

Swonger warned the figures signaled a shift away from our great American spirits brands and urged Trump to help facilitate a lasting return to tariff-free trade with our longstanding trading partners.

Trump suspended trade talks with Canada in October after an ad shared by Ontario premier Doug Ford featured spliced clips from Ronald Reagans 1987 address, where the late president said tariffs caused trade wars and economic disaster.

Canada and the U.S. have since agreed to launch formal discussions to review their trade agreement in mid-January, according to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Doughnut company Krispy Kreme has agreed to sell its Japanese operations to private equity firm Unison Capital in a deal valued at about $65m.

The transaction, described as Krispy Kremes first international refranchising agreement since it set out a turnaround plan in August, is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2026.

Krispy Kreme currently operates 89 outlets in Japan, alongside around 300 fresh delivery points in Tokyo, Osaka and other major urban areas.

The company said cash proceeds, after fees and associated costs, are earmarked for reducing debt.

Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said: We are pleased to announce our first international refranchising agreement since launching our turnaround plan in August, marking meaningful progress on a key pillar of the plan.

Unison is a proven, skilled operator with deep expertise in the retail beverage and restaurant sectors, and we believe they are an ideal long-term partner to operate and grow Krispy Kreme in Japan. The sale of our Japan business is an important step in advancing our refranchising initiative, supporting greater financial flexibility and reducing debt.

Buyer Unison Capital, founded in 1998, focuses on investments in consumer, healthcare and B2B services.

The company has secured roughly $5bn in capital through six investment vehicles in Japan and a further three in South Korea.

Its portfolio includes food and drink operators such as a bubble tea chain, a noodle concept, a sushi business and a wine retailer.

Unison co-founder and managing partner Tatsuya Hayashi said: We are excited to assume ownership of Krispy Kremes operations in Japan and to be joining forces with such an iconic global brand. For two decades, Krispy Kremes fresh doughnuts have brought joyful experiences to communities across Japan and we look forward to building on that tradition.

We share their commitment to excellence and growth and are proud to represent Krispy Kreme as a trusted partner in operating and expanding the brands footprint in Japan.

In June, Krispy Kreme and fast-food giant McDonalds USA announced the termination of their partnership over profitability concerns.

"Krispy Kreme to sell Japan business to Unison Capital in $65m deal" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




Company Logo

Opportunities in Latvia's defense market include modernization of military equipment, increased contribution to NATO, and strategic procurement programs for air defense systems and armored vehicles. Emerging tech trends and geopolitical dynamics underscore investment areas, driving demand in various defense segments.

Dublin, Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Latvia Defense Market - Size and trends, budget allocation, regulations, key acquisitions, competitive landscape and forecast, 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Latvia Defense Market - Size and trends, budget allocation, regulations, key acquisitions, competitive landscape and forecast, 2025-2030 report provides the market size forecast and the projected growth rate for the next five years. The report covers industry analysis including the key market drivers, emerging technology trends, and major challenges faced by market participants. It also offers insights regarding key factors and government programs that are expected to influence the demand for military platforms over the forecast period.



Latvia's defense budget is forecast to grow significantly, to $2.9 billion by 2030 from $1.7 billion in 2025. This follows a general trend of increased expenditure over the historic period, with more substantial growth beginning in 2023 and accelerating again in 2026. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Latvia began making historic investments in its military spending, rising from $0.9 billion in 2022 to $1.5 billion in 2024.

Projected spending in the forecast period (2026-30) is set to continue this trend, producing a CAGR of 4.6%. Latvia's defense expenditure is driven by its unique geopolitical circumstances as a former Soviet state bordering the Russian Federation. Along with the other Baltic states-Lithuania and Estonia-Latvia has aligned with the Western sphere of influence through EU and NATO membership, creating tensions with Russia. The invasion of Georgia in 2008, the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have worsened this situation, driving an increase in Latvia's defense spending.

A large presence of NATO personnel in the country also increases expenditure on requisite facilities and has incentivized Latvia to invest further in infrastructure to better host NATO allies in the future. The overall size of the Latvian military, however, remains small, and procurement projects are thus limited in scope. Nevertheless, Latvia is currently procuring armored vehicles, tactical trucks, missile-defense systems, helicopters, and other platforms as part of its plan for increased defense expenditure over the coming decade.



Key Highlights
MEDIPOST has announced a multi-year exclusive partnership with Teikoku Seiyaku to commercialise CARTISTEM, an allogeneic stem cell therapy for moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, in Japan.

The agreement covers the promotion license, sales, and distribution of CARTISTEM.

MEDIPOST will supply the drug substance and retain manufacturing rights, while the exclusive rights for the Japanese market will be managed by Teikoku Seiyaku.

Under this agreement, MEDIPOSTs Japanese subsidiary receive a short-term regulatory milestone payment of $10m, an upfront payment of $8m, and additional undisclosed sales-based long-term milestone payments.

Teikoku Seiyaku intends to use its network of orthopaedic clinics and hospitals to support the adoption and distribution of CARTISTEM among patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.

The company is preparing to expand its medical representative division in advance of regulatory approval, with the aim of addressing unmet medical needs in knee osteoarthritis treatment in Japan.

CARTISTEM is designed to regenerate cartilage in patients with knee osteoarthritis and holds the potential as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD).

Since its regulatory approval in South Korea in 2012, CARTISTEM has been used in more than 35,000 patients over 13 years. The therapy is based on allogeneic human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hUCB-MSC).

MEDIPOSTs integrated operations includes cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing; research, product and clinical development; and cord blood banking. The company introduced CARTISTEM, the first allogeneic hUCB-MSC therapy product to receive regulatory approval for treating knee osteoarthritis in patients of all ages.

Teikoku Seiyaku is focused on transdermal drug delivery and pain management. The company has also signed a basic sales agreement with ReqMed Company for exclusive distribution rights in Japan for a sodium pentosan polysulfate subcutaneous injection, which is in Phase III clinical trials.

It intends to grow its orthopaedics team to 100 members and enhance efforts to provide therapies for conditions with significant unmet medical needs.

"MEDIPOST, Teikoku Seiyaku partner for CARTISTEM commercialisation in Japan" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Lhasa wetland reserve recognized as world's highest altitude wetland

08:58, December 22, 2025 By Palden Nyima in Lhasa ( Chinadaily.com.cn

The Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, has officially been recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland, authorities announced on Saturday in Lhasa. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, has officially been recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland, authorities announced on Saturday in Lhasa.

Often referred to as the "Lungs of Lhasa", this ecological landmark highlights China's achievements in high-altitude wetland protection and serves as a global model of sustainable conservation.

Spanning 12.2 square kilometers at an average altitude of 3,649 meters, the Lhalu Wetland is not only a rare urban ecological resource, but also a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, according to the local authority.

The Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, has officially been recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland, authorities announced on Saturday in Lhasa. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

In recent years, rigorous ecological protection efforts  including scientific planning, meticulous management, and stringent supervision  have greatly enhanced the wetland's ecological functions and biodiversity, it added.

This international certification underscores the region's accomplishments in promoting ecological civilization and provides a crucial reference for the global community on preserving high-altitude wetlands.

A view of the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Kelsang Norbu, head of the Lhasa Forestry and Grassland Bureau, said that over the past 20 years, the Lhalu Wetland has established a protection and management mechanism led by the government, coordinated by various departments, and involving community participation.

"The government has invested over 900 million yuan ($127.8 million) in total for wetland restoration, boundary delimitation, biodiversity monitoring, and other protection and management efforts," Kelsang Norbu said.

A bird painting and photography exhibition, opened on Saturday in Lhasa, on the same day the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve was recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland.

Through years of systematic protection and scientific management, the ecological functions of the Lhalu Wetland have continuously improved, biodiversity has increased, and ecological protection has developed in tandem with the improvement of local livelihoods, he said.

The vegetation coverage of the Lhalu Wetland has reached over 95 percent, making it a biological paradise nurturing 435 plant species, 167 bird species, and 80 insect species.

"It has become a warm haven for many migratory birds, such as the black-necked crane, to safely overwinter," he added.

In conjunction with the recognition, a Bird Painting and Photography Exhibition themed, "The Beauty of Feathers in Lhalu Wetland", opened in Lhasa the same day.

A bird painting and photography exhibition, opened on Saturday in Lhasa, on the same day the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve was recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland.

The exhibition showcases vivid artistic images and paintings of various species found in the wetland, including the iconic black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, and ruddy shelducks. By illustrating the intricate interactions of wildlife within the wetland, the event aims to spread ecological awareness and inspire public appreciation of nature's beauty.

A bird painting and photography exhibition, opened on Saturday in Lhasa, on the same day the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve was recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland.

A bird painting and photography exhibition, opened on Saturday in Lhasa, on the same day the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve was recognized by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the world's highest-altitude urban natural wetland.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Garegin II was once again reminded that the patience of the Armenian authorities is not unlimited, and it is likely that he will soon be forced to leave Echmiadzin.

This time, the Catholicos received a message from the Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Rubinyan.

Rubinyan pointed out that just days earlier, evidence had emerged revealing that the brother of Catholicos Yerzas, who now heads the Armenian Church in Russia, had worked for the Soviet KGB under the alias "Karo."

Rubinyan accused both the Catholicos and the opposition of effectively protecting a former secret service agent. The message was clearfirst, there are no "former" Chekists, and second, the agent is still active in Moscow, with his brother leading the Armenian Church. This situation is convenient for the special services but undeniably ambiguous for Armenia.

"No senior lieutenant can save him," Rubinyan concluded.

He accompanied his statement with a photo of Yerzas with Samvel Karapetyan, who is currently in jail and had also relied on Moscow's support.

Interestingly, Ruben Vardanyan is not in the photoperhaps because even he didnt need any lieutenants.
Metaplanet stock rose 4.16% during closing hours on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Dec. 22 after the company announced changes to its capital structure.

The firm plans to raise funds through dividend-paying preferred shares, aiming to attract institutional investors.

Metplanet Stock Saw a Healthy Bounce on New Capital Structure

Metaplanet stock reclaimed the 450 JPY level during trading on Dec. 22 as shareholders approved five major proposals, including issuing dividend-paying preferred shares to raise capital and expand the companys Bitcoin holdings.

Dylan LeClair, the companys Bitcoin strategy director, stated that the approved measures allow Metaplanet to reclassify capital reserves to support preferred share dividends and potential buybacks, which is double the authorized issuance of both Class A and Class B preferred shares.

The measures also revise dividend structures to include floating and periodic payouts. The company also received approval to issue Class B preferred shares directly to international institutional investors.

At the time of writing, Metaplanet held approximately 30,823 Bitcoin , valued at about $2.75 billion.

This makes it the fourth-largest corporate holder of BTC worldwide, and the largest in Asia.

The governance changes mark a strategic shift away from a pure growth-through-dilution model toward a more traditional capital markets approach.

Instead of offering direct Bitcoin yield, Metaplanet is using preferred equity to package exposure to its Bitcoin holdings in a structure more familiar to institutional investors.

Key Changes With Class A and Class B Preferred Shares

One of the major amendments is in the companys Class A preferred shares to introduce a monthly, floating-rate dividend known as the Metaplanet Adjustable Rate Security.

This will provide investors with predictable income streams that cater to institutional cash-flow requirements.

Class B preferred shares were also revised to include quarterly dividends, a 10-year issuer call option at 130% of face value.

Theres also an investor put option that can be exercised if a qualifying IPO tied to the security does not occur within one year. This structure allows Metaplanet to repurchase the shares at a premium after a decade.

These features mirror protections commonly found in private credit and structured equity markets. It also reduces the downside risks for long-term capital providers.

As a result of this development, Metaplanet stock has seen a healthy bounce. The stock has bounced from the support of 338 JPY seen last month in November.
Midas Minerals has completed the acquisition of the Otavi copper project located in Namibia.

The transaction followed the achievement of key conditions, including licence transfers in August and approval from the Namibian Competition Commission in October.

In May 2025, Midas announced its intent to acquire the Otavi project from base metals producer Nexa Resources.

The project comprises ten exclusive prospecting licences over 1,776 square kilometres (km) near the town of Otavi, about 360km northeast of Windhoek, Namibias capital.

Otavi hosts two key deposits, including T13 and Deblin, that are pending resource definition, along with multiple underexplored targets.

To date, modern exploration has been conducted over only 36% of the licence area.

Drilling activities are already underway at the Otavi project.

Midas has deployed two diamond drill rigs on the high-grade T-13 copper-silver deposit for resource drilling.

A second reverse circulation (RC) rig is slated to begin work in early January 2026.

The company also intends to commence drilling at the Deblin copper-gold-silver deposit in early 2026.

Midas managing director Mark Calderwood said: "With the final steps of this process now achieved, we have completed our acquisition of the exciting and highly prospective Otavi Project in Namibia, which is transformational for our company.

We plan to rapidly explore and grow a resource base at Otavi, which we have already commenced with three rigs in operation on T-13 and Spaatzu and a fourth rig to arrive after the short Christmas break. We are well funded to accelerate drilling and exploration on Otavi and South Otavi, enabled by strong support from our Shareholders.

Midas has also obtained the nearby South Otavi project, located close to the main Otavi area and about 25km north of the Otjikoto gold mine.

At South Otavi, the company has drilled 140 holes totalling roughly 3,600 metres (m).

Preliminary assay results from this drilling campaign are anticipated in January 2026.

The company has conducted extensive soil sampling and mapping over new prospects at Otavi to define targets for 2026 follow-up, complementing its ongoing intensive drilling.

Midas reported about A$15.3m ($10.11m) in cash in September 2025, which is sufficient to fund continued exploration at both Otavi and South Otavi into 2026.

"Midas Minerals completes Otavi copper project acquisition in Namibia" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




With Chinas strong control over rare earths and other key minerals, its export restrictions this year exposed the dependence of global automakers, electronics manufacturers and energy producers on Chinese capacity, says Gayathri Siripurapu, associate project manager at Mining Technologys parent company, GlobalData.

What began with Trump announcing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports in February and China retaliating with 10%-15% tariffs on certain US goods, alongside export controls on 25 rare earths, spiralled into a wave of stricter tariffs which culminated in a 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods from the US and a 125% counter rate from China. When the US showed no signs of backing down, China expanded its export restrictions to include not only more rare earths but also lithium-ion batteries and graphite anode materials  all critical for the energy transition.

Recognising the risks associated with over-reliance on China, countries have been rushing to diversify their supply chains this year. The US led in this effort, which unravelled into a full-blown trade war.

The Asian nation also accounts for 40% of the globes rare earth reserves, including neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium and terbium. Its influence is even greater in separation and refining, representing about 91% of global capabilities.

China is the gatekeeper of some of the worlds largest mineral supplies. It dominates the production of over 15 critical minerals, many of which are critical to the energy transition. For some, such as gallium and magnesium, China's share of global production is so dominant (98% and 95%, respectively) that there is virtually no competition.

The mining industry has been subject to the fallout of ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts throughout 2025, with trade relations reshaping supply dynamics as countries compete for transition minerals.

As the demand for global critical minerals soars, mining operators are also increasingly using transformative technologies to optimise productivity and address challenges across the value chain.

Eagle-eyed on critical minerals essential to the energy transition, including copper, lithium and rare earths, countries ramped up efforts this year to secure supply and strengthen supply chains against geopolitical risk. The West is keen to challenge Chinas market dominance through protectionist policies, as well as strategic alliances involving foreign minerals.

This year marked a significant change for the global mining industry as it navigated the impact of growing geopolitical tensions on commodity markets while racing to meet calls to decarbonise operations.

Story Continues

As the year draws to a close, the US and China have de-escalated their tensions, with the US reducing the overall tariff on Chinese goods to around 47% and China suspending export bans and issuing new licenses.

However, Siripurapu believes that theres further potential for trade-related conflict, with the USChina rivalry expected to continue to shape most supply chain disruptions in 2026.

The US represents countries across the world that have sought to not only invest more in domestic production but also establish new trade partners to overcome dependence on Chinese minerals.

For instance, the US and another industry leader, Australia, signed a rare earths deal in October 2025 to build on existing investments and policies to establish a competitive and diversified minerals market. A key component of the deal involves both countries identifying priority projects to secure supply chains. The US and Australia have agreed to finance $1bn (A$1.54bn) for projects in both countries within six months.

The US has also sought investment opportunities in Africa while Australia has looked towards Brazil and Indonesia.

Rebecca Campbell, global head of mining and metals at law firm, White & Case, says that other critical mineral-producing nations such as Indonesia, Chile and many African countries are becoming much more assertive about value capture, pushing for local processing and higher participation from government to build up their industries as a Chinese alternative.

Value capture is the process of recovering some or all of the value public infrastructure creates for private landowners.

Campbell says: Add conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, raising the cost and complexity of shipping, and you have a world where supply chains are no longer neutral, but increasingly shaped by political alignment.

Siripurapu adds that mining and downstream industries are prioritising security of supply over lowest-cost sourcing, prompting diversification into new regions, long-term offtake agreements and investments in regional refining capacity.

Copper, coal and precious metals reflect worlds shift in focus

As the wider energy industry made further headway in its decarbonisation ambitions this year, copper demand remains strong, as another critically important material for the energy transition, but whether supply can keep up is to be seen.

Global copper mine output is projected to grow by 2.1% by the end of 2025 to 23.4 million tonnes (mt), up from 22.9mt in 2024. The modest growth is primarily due to production declines in key regions.

Global copper production, 2011-2030. Source: GlobalData, CODELCO.

Copper production experienced several hits this year, including a mud rush at Freeport-McMoRans Grasberg block cave mine in Indonesia, which caused seven fatalities, after which it paused operations. Antofagasta also announced in October that production for 2025 would only reach the lower level of its previous forecast due to operational issues such as increasing input costs for diesel and water shortages in Northern Chile.

In 2026, production levels are expected recover slightly, with GlobalData expecting a 4.7% growth to 24.5mt mainly from increased output from Chile, Peru, DR Congo, Indonesia and China. However, Siripurapu notes that even with this new output, the market is still projected to be tight, and supply risks, including permitting delays, grade declines and social instability, will continue to weigh on the industry.

Renewables overtook coal in power generation for the first time, signifying a pivotal point in the energy transition.

Coal production only increased marginally this year, with GlobalData projecting a 1.2% output from 2024 to reach 9,333mt.

However, it is notable that a net increase in capacity is still forecast over the next decade, which will continue to buoy coals role within the power mix.

Siripurapu says that while many advanced economies are moving away from coal and scaling up renewables, the shift is uneven across the world.

Countries like India, China and those in Southeast Asia will continue to rely on coal for affordable, round-the-clock power, which will keep demand and production from falling sharply, she explains.

Looking toward 2026, GlobalData projects that global coal production will continue to increase, though reflecting continued weak output from China, alongside oversupply in Indonesia and the US.

Siripurapu adds: On the supply side, production growth is likely to come from India, Australia, South Africa and Russia, offsetting declines in China and the US. With investment in new coal mines slowing due to environmental, social and governance pressures, the market is unlikely to become oversupplied, which means prices will soften but remain supported by persistent demand.

Meanwhile, historic gains for gold and silver, viewed as safe-haven assets by investors, also defined 2025.

Gold prices soared to a peak of around $4,380 per ounce in October and by more than 50% this year. The surge was driven by growing investment demand amid factors such as geopolitical tensions, dollar weakness and expected US Federal Reserve cuts.

Source: GlobalData.

Silver surpassed its previous record of $49.45 set in 1980, reaching over $60 per ounce in 2025.

Source: GlobalData.

In summary, Campbell says: Unprecedented levels of demand in copper and precious metals reflect where the sector is concentrating its strategic attention.

Electrification, grid expansion and energy-transition infrastructure will continue to drive intense interest in copper projects, slow interest in coal, while geopolitical uncertainty and growing industrial demand are keeping precious metals firmly in focus.

The expansion of electric and autonomous vehicles

The decarbonisation of the mining industry is no easy feat. Campbell explains that operators are dealing with constrained access to charging systems, power supply and batteries for ultra-class trucks.

Nevertheless, many leading companies are continuing to push forward to align with the global target of reaching net zero by - the latest - 2050, and electrification is at the heart of these efforts.

Mining companies are now planning their replacement cycles around electrification rather than treating it as an experiment, Campbell says. This year has seen considerable progress in the industrys electrification, with a continued rise in the use of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) on mining sites.

Source: GlobalData Mines & Projects Database.

As of March 2025, GlobalData recorded in mines across the globe 271 trolley-assist trucks operating on surface mines compared to 239 a year ago; 293 electric loaders in underground mines, up from 269; and 89 electric trucks in underground mines, up from 69 a year ago. The number of battery-powered surface trucks, meanwhile, increased from 129 to 387.

Electrification is becoming a practical operational choice, says Campbell.

She notes that the technology has matured this year, with major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) investing heavily in improving BEVs.

Its not a revolution overnight, but the needle is clearly moving faster than it did even a year ago.

Siripurapu points out that generally, the pace of transition will not be uniform across regions, as the cost of BEV technology and the lack of charging infrastructure continue to be major barriers  particularly for remote operations and in emerging markets.

In 2026, the sharpest growth in BEV deployment is expected in Australia, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Chile, where national policies, renewable-energy availability and strong miner-OEM collaboration are creating conducive adoption environments. Australia is likely to remain the global frontrunner, she adds.

Also crucial to the industry's technology upgrade this year is autonomous equipment. GlobalData reveals that the percentage of autonomous, autonomous-ready or tele-remote mining equipment adopted has increased rapidly in recent years to over 4% from less than 1% in 2020.

Source: GlobalData Mines & Projects Database.

As of July 2025, GlobaData found 3,832 autonomous haul trucks operating on surface mines across the globe. This figure includes both those that are running autonomously and those that are autonomous-ready.

In May, XCMG announced the roll-out of the first 100-unit fully autonomous, all-electric trucks at Inner Mongolian Huaneng Yimin open-pit coal mine, in China. Epiroc and Hancock Iron Ore also launched a landmark project in October at the Roy Hill open-pit iron mine, in the Pilbara region of Australia, converting 78 haul trucks, 60 of them allocated to autonomous operation, to create the worlds largest fully agnostic autonomous mine.

Campbell comments: Large open-pit operations have already shown how powerful autonomy can be: higher productivity, fewer safety incidents and the ability to run consistently in remote locations where attracting labour is getting harder every year.

The technology is improving quickly, and importantly, companies are getting more comfortable with the legal and operational frameworks such as data ownership, liability and cyber risk. Governments are also catching up with clearer regulatory rules.

In 2026, we expect to see autonomy spread beyond the usual Pilbara-style pioneers into big copper and gold operations across the Americas and Africa. It won't be universal, but it will be significantly more mainstream.

"Mining in 2025: emerging trends and predictions for 2026 " was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Portuguese conglomerate company Semapa has agreed to sell its entire share capital in cement maker Secil to Spains Molins for an enterprise value of 1.4bn ($1.63bn).

The transaction is part of Molins ongoing growth plan focused on profitability and long-term sustainability.

The move expands the Spanish companys operations in Europe and establishes its first presence in Brazil, which was previously the only large market in Latin America where Molins did not operate.

Molins CEO Marcos Cela said: This agreement is a key milestone in Molins strategy. Secil brings a solid international presence and a strong culture rooted in its family-owned industrial legacy, with values that we deeply share. Combining our strengths will allow us to grow with a more diversified and resilient profile, while reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.

Together we will expand our offer of high-value, circular and low-carbon solutions for our customers, creating new opportunities for our people. I look forward to welcoming Secils 2,900 employees to Molins.

Secil, established in 1930, operates within the cement sector both in Portugal and internationally.

The company has maintained its presence through expansion and operational activity in the industry.

Semapa CEO Ricardo Pires said: Secil is part of Semapas origins and will always hold a special place in our history. I would like to express my appreciation to the Secil team for their remarkable journey of growth and value creation over the past years.

This transaction is a strategic step for the Group, enabling us to strengthen our ability to invest, innovate and accelerate the strategy we have been implementing.

We are pleased to see Secil join a relevant cement group with global presence and also owned by a family with a long-term vision, ensuring the companys future development.

The sale also forms part of Semapas ongoing portfolio management strategy designed to support industrial diversification and pursue long-term value creation.

Semapa plans to use proceeds from the transaction for further investment within its defined strategic framework and to strengthen its position across its portfolio.

With this divestment, Semapa will continue to focus on supporting its remaining subsidiaries and seeking new lines of growth.

The sale is positioned as a significant development in Semapas approach to resource allocation and investment priorities.

Molins plans to fund the transaction using its available cash, along with money from a syndicated credit facility and proceeds from a bond issue.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) is included among the 13 Top Tech Stocks Paying Consistent Dividends.

Motorola Solutions (MSI) Upgrade Reflects Valuation Reset, Says Morgan Stanley Analyst

On December 17, Morgan Stanley analyst Meta Marshall upgraded Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) to Overweight from Equal Weight. The firm set a new price target of $436, down from $471. Even with the lower target, Morgan Stanley said the stock now offers a more attractive entry point.

The analyst described Motorola Solutions as a profitable compounder. At current levels, its valuation sits closer to the S&P 500, which changes the risk-reward setup. Morgan Stanley also sees room for growth as the company keeps investing in public safety technology and integrates its Silvus acquisition.

Back in May, Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) announced plans to buy Silvus Technologies for $4.4 billion. The deal closed in the third quarter of 2025. Silvus makes wireless radios, and the acquisition strengthens Motorolas position as demand for secure communications rises. That demand has been picking up alongside higher geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts. Silvus also adds depth to Motorolas hardware portfolio. It gives the company more tools to meet growing orders for radios and related equipment, especially from government and defense customers.

The balance sheet stayed solid during the recent quarter. Motorola paid $182 million in cash dividends and repurchased $121 million of its own shares. It spent $66 million on capital expenditures and retired $70 million of 6.5% debentures that came due during the period.

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) is a US-based technology company focused on safety and security products and services, serving customers across public safety and enterprise markets.

While we acknowledge the potential of MSI 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: 12 Best Long Term US Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Dogs of the Dow to Invest in.

Disclosure: None.
Nexi has declined a 1bn ($1.17bn) offer from investment firm TPG for its digital banking solutions unit, reported Bloomberg.

Last month, TPG submitted a binding offer for the digital banking solutions division of Italian payments technology company Nexi, after several months of negotiations.

This follows earlier efforts to sell Nexis digital banking business with discussions involving mooted 800m deal with Italian fund F2i, which also did not result in a sale.

The Italian digital payment company said that its board of directors reviewed TPGs proposal and, after assessment, decided not to move forward with the transaction.

Nexi stated: Following the analysis carried out, and after careful consideration, the Board resolved not to proceed with the proposed transaction.

After TPG submitted its bid, the Italian financial service provider Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) was stated to be opposed to the proposed transaction.

CDP, which holds a 19.14% stake in Nexi, alongside senior Italian officials, had opposed a sale based on the strategic importance of the digital banking division.

Nexis division includes Italys national interbank network spanning more than 200,000km.

It supplies technology for open banking, corporate banking services and interbank clearing systems. The unit generated core earnings of 155m last year.

Bloomberg quoted Banca Akros analyst Gabriele Venturi as saying that the move represented a missed opportunity to accelerate balance sheet deleveraging.

The report said that this outcome adds to a series of unsuccessful banking transactions in Italy, with some deals affected by regulatory or political factors.

This includes UniCredits decision to drop a bid on Banco BPM following restrictions from the Italian government.

Assicurazioni Generalis plan to merge its asset management business with BPCEs Natixis Investment Managers also did not progress.

Nexi has expanded in recent years through a series of acquisitions, including Nordic payments company Nets and several domestic transactions in 2020.

In 2023, Nexi signed an agreement to purchase Spanish bank Banco Sabadells payments subsidiary, Paycomet.

"Nexi rejects 1.2bn TPG bid for digital banking solutions unit- report " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




The CEO said the offerings were built for the age of AI reasoning and said models like DeepSeeks R-1 would run far better on Nvidias latest and greatest.

During his speech, Huang debuted Nvidias Blackwell Ultra chip, the successor to its Blackwell GPU, and the GB300 superchip, which combined two Blackwell GPUs and one of Nvidias Grace CPUs.

Nvidias annual GTC event, held in San Jose, used to be a moderately sized tech conference. But this years GTC was far different . Huangs keynote filled the SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks hockey team, and Nvidia took over a large swath of downtown San Jose, which included an enormous collection of food tents and stalls that covered the 2.3-acre Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Markets eventually settled down as more companies agreed with the assumption, but Nvidias stock price didnt return to pre-DeepSeek levels until June.

Despite the initial blowup, fears that AI companies would no longer need high-powered chips seem to have been overblown. Thats because training AI models and running them are two different operations, and according to Nvidia, running models with more powerful chips improves overall performance.

Nvidia had an incredible year by seemingly every measure, but it started out with a shock. In January, DeepSeek released its R-1 model, which the company claimed it trained using less than state-of-the-art processors. That sent the AI trade into a meltdown, with the company shedding nearly $600 billion from its market cap in a single day.

Nvidia rang in the new year with a series of product announcements ranging from a new pint-sized AI chip to more powerful gaming cards at CES 2025. Huangs keynote touched on an array of topics, including physical AI, otherwise known as robots; desktop-based AI systems; and a litany of AI software updates that set the stage for the companys 2025.

There were plenty of major highs and deep lows throughout the year, but these 15 were among the biggest moments of Nvidias 2025.

Nvidias revenue soared in 2025, bringing in $187.1 billion, and its market capitalization continued to climb, briefly eclipsing the $5 trillion mark before settling back in the $4 trillion range.

Investors scrutinized CEO Jensen Huangs every move, whether that was his meetings with President Trump or a night out with the heads of Samsung and Hyundai for fried chicken and beer.

Its difficult to think of any single company that had a bigger impact on Wall Street and the AI trade in 2025 than Nvidia ( NVDA ).

Story Continues

April 2: 'Liberation Day'

Trumps decision to implement a series of tariffs on countries and goods on April 2, which he called Liberation Day, sent the stock market into such a nosedive that the president had no choice but to walk some of them back just a week later.

President Donald Trump comments after stepping off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nvidia wasnt immune to the drop. The company saw its stock price decline from $110 on April 2 to $94.31 on April 4. Shares returned to pre-"Liberation Day" numbers by April 9, but continued to waffle until breaking out of their slump on April 25.

April 15: H20 effectively banned

Nvidias April didnt get much better when the Trump administration implemented new chip restrictions that called for Nvidia to receive a license to ship the H20 chip to China, effectively banning sales of the processor to the country.

Nvidia designed the GPU to meet restrictions set up during President Joe Bidens administration. Trump, however, blocked the China-specific chip on security grounds. The company ended up writing down $4.5 billion in charges related to the H20 in Q1 and took an additional $4 billion in Q2.

July 9: Nvidia hits $4 trillion

Despite taking a hit from the DeepSeek meltdown and Trumps China ban, Nvidia stock continued to perform, and in July the company became the first to see its market capitalization pass the $4 trillion mark.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks on how AI infrastructure and AI factories that generate intelligence at scale are powering a new industrial revolution, at Washington Convention Center, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nvidia topped $1 trillion in 2023 and took just three years to add another $3 trillion, thanks to its leadership position in the AI chip market.

July 14: Nvidia can sell H20 in China again

In July, the on-again-off-again relationship between Washington and China was back on, with Nvidia announcing that the Trump administration had assured the company that it would allow sales of H20 chips to China.

Huang successfully made the case that America would benefit from selling its technologies to China and risked falling behind if it completely cut itself off from the market, convincing Trump to allow Nvidia to sell to the country again.

Aug. 11: Nvidia to pay 15% cut on China sales

Although the White House assured Nvidia it would approve the sale of its chips to China, the administration later announced that it would take a 15% cut of the sales. The same rule applied to Nvidia rival AMD (AMD).

Despite the potential revenue haircut, investors on Wall Street werent too bothered by the announcement, figuring that 85% of the revenue from sales to the country was better than the 0% Nvidia was bringing in before.

Sept. 22: Nvidia says it will invest $100 billion in OpenAI

In September, Nvidia announced it would invest upward of $100 billion in ChatGPT developer OpenAI. The partnership would let OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) build out 10 gigawatts or more of data center capacity, allowing it to train and run its GPT models.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Open AI CEO Sam Altman speaks during Snowflake Summit 2025 at Moscone Center on June 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Snowflake Summit 2025 runs through June 5th. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Nvidias deals have raised eyebrows among analysts who warn that such circular investments, where a company (Nvidia) invests in a customer (OpenAI) and uses that cash to purchase chips from the investor (Nvidia), artificially boost AI spending.

Nvidia has faced criticism for a similar deal with CoreWeave (CRWV). Nvidia invested in the company, which then turned around and bought Nvidia chips. Such deals have driven at least part of the discussion around an AI bubble.

Oct. 17: Nvidias first Blackwell chip built in US

The Trump administration, like the Biden administration before it, has made reshoring chip manufacturing a national imperative. And while Nvidia doesnt build its own chips  it outsources that to TSMC  it did celebrate that companys completion of the first Blackwell chip built in the US in October.

Oct. 29: Nvidia hits $5 trillion

Nvidias market capitalization hit $5 trillion in late October, just a few months after crossing the $4 trillion mark.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang makes a keynote speech during the special session at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

The exuberance came as the company announced a number of new deals with companies like Uber at its first GTC event in Washington, D.C. It also followed word that Huang would meet with Trump in South Korea ahead of the presidents meeting with Xi Jinping to discuss a trade deal.

The hope was that Trump and Xi would reach an agreement to allow Nvidia to sell its chips in the country, but a deal never materialized.

Oct. 30: Viral fried chicken photo with leaders of Samsung and Hyundai

Huangs star exploded throughout 2025, so much so that in October, reporters and onlookers swarmed a South Korean fried chicken restaurant to catch a glimpse of him dining with the heads of Samsung and Hyundai. An image of the trio subsequently went viral.

Nov. 19: Nvidia to ship chips to the Middle East

Nvidia received authorization to ship the equivalent of more than 60,000 Blackwell chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in November as the company continued to vie for the opportunity to sell its processors to a wider array of countries.

Elon Musk speaks with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, as they attend the Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

The company has pushed the concept of sovereign AI throughout 2025, saying that it allows countries around the world to get access to their own AI data centers without having to rely on other nations.

But China hawks said the move could give the US adversary access to Nvidia chips, due to that countrys close relationship with the UAE.

Nov. 25: Nvidias Google tweet

Nvidia has faced threats from its own customers, including Microsoft (MSFT) and Amazon (AMZN), building their own chips to power their AI platforms, but in November, a report that Google could provide Meta (META) with its own tensor processing units (TPUs) for the social media giants data centers seemed to spook Nvidia.

The company sent out a viral tweet in response to the story, congratulating Google on its chips performance, but pointed out that its own GPUs were a generation ahead of Googles and noted that its the only chip that can run all AI models.

Dec. 9.: Nvidia H200 approved for China

After a year of will he, wont he, Trump wrote in a post on the Truth Social platform that he was greenlighting the sale of Nvidias H200 chips to China. The H200 is two generations behind Nvidias current Blackwell Ultra processors.

Trump said that Xi responded positively to the deal, which, if fully approved by the countries, could provide a boost to Nvidias bottom line.

Still, theres no guarantee that the arrangement wont fall apart. Nvidia has become a negotiating chip for the two countries, just as Apple was before, and could see its chips banned again.

Sign up for Yahoo Finance's Week in Tech newsletter.  yahoofinance

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Nvidia (NVDA, Financials) plans to begin shipping its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China by mid-February, according to people familiar with the matter. The U.S. chipmaker expects to deliver 5,000 to 10,000 modules, equivalent to about 40,000 to 80,000 H200 chips, sourced from existing inventory.

The shipments would be the first since Washington eased restrictions on AI chip sales to China, allowing exports with a 25% tariff. The policy shift marks a reversal from prior limits under the Biden administration, which had barred advanced chip sales citing national security risks.

Nvidia has informed Chinese clients that it will open new production capacity for H200 orders in the second quarter of 2026, though the plan still requires Chinese regulatory approval. The H200, part of Nvidia's Hopper line, remains widely used across AI data centers despite being succeeded by the company's newer Blackwell chips.

The company's move comes as Chinese technology firms, including Alibaba Group and ByteDance, seek access to high performance processors amid a domestic shortage. Approval from Beijing would provide them with significantly more powerful AI computing capabilities than current local alternatives.
It's not surprising that the leading fast-food chains build their menus around burgers, chicken, and other beef-based offerings. The drinks-based chains and one pizza chain are, of course, exceptions, but most of the QSR 50 2025: Top 50 FastFood Chains, Ranked by Sales have a menu based on those staples.

McDonalds : $53.5 billion in U.S. sales (rank #1)

Starbucks : $30.4 billion (rank #2)

ChickfilA : $22.7 billion (rank #3)

Taco Bell : $16.2 billion (rank #4)

Wendys : $12.6 billion (rank #5)

Dunkin : $12.5 billion (rank #6)

Chipotle Mexican Grill : $11.1 billion (rank #7)

Burger King : $10.98 billion (rank #8)

Subway : $9.65 billion (rank #9)

Dominos: $9.50 billion (rank #10)

Notice that there's no seafood chain on the list. Overall, across all restaurant categories, seafood dining has been down.

"It was not a good year for the seafood segment. Even if you factor out Red Lobster, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May of 2024 and saw sales decline by 20.2%, the other 21 seafood chains within the Top 500 brought in $63 million, or about 1.6%, less than they did in 2023, according to Technomic. Thats compared to 3% growth for the industry as a whole," Nation's Restaurant News reported.

Only three standalone Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips locations remain.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Iconic seafood chain has nearly gone out of business

There was a time when Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips brought British-style fish and chips all across America. The brand has fallen a long way since its peak with only three standalone restaurants left, but its new ownership has plans.

The brand was acquired by Nathan's Famous in 2006, according to QSR Magazine. It has attempted to bring it back under a new model selling its food via ghost kitchens.

"Arthur Treachers, which was founded in 1969, offers hand-dipped fish, chicken, and French fries. The menu, which has been revamped by Nathans Famous, will highlight the brand's traditional menu items while also featuring upgraded proteins, more contemporary builds, and includes a focus on shrimp," the company shared in a press release.

More Restaurants

The ghost kitchen brand still exists, and a handful of locations offer it, according to a search on DoorDash.

In addition, Pat Franchise Systems, which operates the three remaining Arthur Treacher Fish & Chips locations Ohio, license the name back from Nathan's Famous.

A brief history of Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips

Founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio , Arthur Treachers grew rapidly as a Britishstyle fish and chips fastfood chain popular in the 1970s. At its peak in 1979 the chain had roughly 826 restaurants nationwide , according to Money Digest.

Over subsequent decades, the chains footprint shrank dramatically as changing consumer tastes and supply challenges hit its business. By the 2010s only a handful of restaurants remained, with reports indicating just a couple of locations before recent revivals, added Mashed.

The chain saw a dramatic contraction over decades after the 1970s due to rising costs, ownership changes, and shifting consumer tastes, reported Money Digest.

As of 2025, there are only three standalone Arthur Treachers locations remaining in the U.S., all in Northeast Ohio: Cuyahoga Falls, Garfield Heights, and Cleveland Heights, the franchised version of the brand shared on its website.

It's fair to say that the brand competed with McDonald's and Burger King. It was also an alternative to traditional fast food like Chick-fil-A or Taco Bell, but it did not have the staying power of either of those brands.

Amazon Prime members: Do not miss this bonus deal from our sponsor (it could be worth hundreds)

Here's why Arthur Treacher's failed

Arthur Treacher's fell victim to challenges that were somewhat out of its control.

"Just a few years after its rapid rise, however, Arthur Treacher's was in trouble due to overseas politics. A territorial dispute over fishing rights between Iceland and the U.K. sent the cost of cod soaring, and this drastically affected the price of the chain's signature dish," Mashed reported.

That marked the beginning of the chain's demise.

"As Arthur Treacher's complicated history reveals, this moment marked the beginning of its long decline. Like many other seafood chains that are disappearing across the country (among them Kona Grill and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.), this restaurant chain couldn't withstand rising costs and shifting diners habits," the food website added.

How Arthur Treacher's responded to rising cod prices also hurt its brand.

"The company made a fateful  and now arguably infamous  move when it replaced the brands cod fillets with pollock. The decision saved money, but, according to some, deteriorated Arthur Treachers core equity and turned off loyal guests," QSR Magazine reported.

Related: Judge tosses plus-sized retailer's bankruptcy, liquidation likely

Arthur Treacher's lingers on

Ben Vittoria, an Arthur Treacher's owner, closed one of his stores in June 2021.

I did not close because business was bad, Vittoria shared with Cleveland Scene. Whatever Covid couldnt do and whatever corporate mismanagement couldnt do, the recent labor crunch was able to do. It has become increasingly difficult to operate our restaurants.

New owner Nathan's Famous has high hopes for its ghost kitchen revival.

"We are thrilled to provide operators across the country with the opportunity to add Arthur Treachers to their portfolio, Senior Vice President James Walker shared in a press release. Nathans Famous and Arthur Treachers have a long-standing relationship, and we have worked diligently to keep the brands traditional menu items."

Related: Another U.S. liquor brand files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

=

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In todays CEO Daily: Geoff Colvin applies Porters Five Forces to OpenAI vs Google.

The big story: Hassett says no refunds if Supreme Court strikes down tariffs.

The markets: Asia up, Europe down, U.S. futures up.

Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.

Good morning. Businesss buzziest battle at the moment is OpenAI vs. Google, sparked by Googles mid-November release of its advanced Gemini 3 AI model; for an insightful deep dive, check out Fortunes recent feature story about OpenAIs code red to fend off the competition.

The sudden shift in the industrys landscape got me thinking about a classic tool for understanding any industry. Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter created the Five Forces framework in 1979, and it still stands as a brilliant way to grasp a given industrys big picture. Note that its a way to characterize an industry, not an individual company.

So, for example, the first force, threat of new entrants, means, Is this an industry in which new entrant companies could easily compete, or not? If the answer is, This force is weak, it would mean there is little threat of new entrants coming into that industry, which would be good news for incumbents. We asked expert analysts Charlie Dai of Forrester and Arun Chandrasekaran of Gartner and our own Fortune AI experts for context about how each force might affect Google Gemini and OpenAI.

Force One: Threat of new entrants. Chandrasekaran sees the industry becoming a three-horse race with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic; he cant see how a new company could be on a par with these three. Dai sees formidable barriers to new entrants in compute cost, talent scarcity, and regulatory complexity. Conclusion: This force is weak which bodes well for the incumbents. Google may be better positioned than OpenAI given how much more of the AI value chain it controls.

Force Two: Bargaining power of suppliers. Dai says suppliers of chips hold strong power because only a few companies, especially Nvidia, AMD, and Huawei, design the best chips and cant supply them fast enough. The picture here is similar to the vast amounts of AI cloud capacity that AI providers must buy or build. Chandrasekaran notes that the major LLM companies train their models by crawling the internet and scooping up databut some data providers are now demanding money. This force is strong. Google may be better protected by its control of its own chips, its own cloud, and nearly all its needed infrastructure.

Force Three: Bargaining power of buyers. Its tempting to think that buyers arent super-strong in bargaining because over time theyll get effectively locked into a providers system. If [OpenAIs] ChatGPT is integrated into your workflow and processes, extricating out of an application like ChatGPT is not really easy, Chandrasekaran says. But buyers are increasingly using multiple models and finding they can be compatible. This force is moderate to strong. Google has stronger structural lock-in, but OpenAI has more brand affinity from consumers.
Qabil Ashirov

The court proceedings in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia continued on December 22 at the Baku Military Court, with the hearings moving into the stage of final statements by the defendants.

According to Azernews, defendants David Babayan and Levon Mnatsakanyan delivered their final addresses to the court.

During their statements, the defendants presented arguments they said contradicted the claims put forward by the prosecution.

It should be noted that the trial concerns Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the planning and waging of an aggressive war, genocide, and violations of the laws and customs of war. The charges also include terrorism, financing of terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, as well as other serious criminal offenses committed as a result of Armenias military aggression.

The court proceedings are ongoing.
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is included among the 13 Top Tech Stocks Paying Consistent Dividends.

Oracle Says Michigan Data Center Deal Moving Ahead Without Blue Owl

On December 17, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) said talks around an equity deal for a major data center project in Michigan are on schedule and will move forward without Blue Owl Capital. Blue Owl has played a role in financing large data center projects for companies such as Oracle and Meta Platforms in recent months, but it will not be involved in this one.

The company explained that its development partner, Related Digital, selected the best equity partner from a competitive group of options, which in this instance was not Blue Owl. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) was responding to a report from the Financial Times that cited people familiar with the matter who said Blue Owl would not back the roughly $10 billion project. The Financial Times also reported that discussions with Blue Owl had stalled during negotiations.

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)s heavy spending on large-scale data centers to support artificial intelligence workloads has put the company at the center of a growing debate around whether the AI boom is starting to look like a bubble. In recent months, investors have become more cautious, worried that the massive amounts of capital pouring into AI infrastructure could eventually lead to excess capacity.

That concern showed up in the stock. Oracle shares fell as much as 3.7% in New York trading on December 17. The stock is down nearly 40% over the past three months, giving back a portion of the sharp gains it posted earlier after securing multibillion-dollar computing deals with high-profile customers, including OpenAI.

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) develops and sells enterprise software, cloud computing services, and database technology.

While we acknowledge the potential of ORCL 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: 12 Best Long Term US Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Dogs of the Dow to Invest in.

Disclosure: None.
A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, 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 begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

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 .

Does the December share price for PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad ( KLSE:PETDAG ) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

The RM20.98 analyst price target for PETDAG is 40% more than our estimate of fair value

Story Continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.7%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM1.3b (1 + 3.7%)  (10% 3.7%) = RM21b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM21b ( 1 + 10%)10= RM7.8b

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 RM15b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM19.7, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

KLSE:PETDAG Discounted Cash Flow December 22nd 2025

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at PETRONAS Dagangan 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 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.112. 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 PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad

SWOT Analysis for PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Currently debt free.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. 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. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad, we've put together three essential elements you should assess:

Risks: Be aware that PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... Future Earnings: How does PETDAG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every 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.
This is not an easy solution, however, as non-reference countries will have a lower population and lower revenue. That would be more of a strategy to preserve the US core of price and revenue, Vargas adds.

Companies may want to avoid or delay countries that might fall into the reference basket for MFN, which then makes countries that are outside that reference basket much more attractive, Vargas explains.

As MFN utilises reference pricing from other developed nations, there are questions as to pharmas strategy for new drugs coming to the market. Dr Maximilian Vargas, VP of evidence and access strategy at Certara, a drug and device modelling solution company, believes that pharma companies may rethink their launch strategies to retain higher prices in the US to gain return on R&D expenditure.

Big candidates that are coming off patent certainly drive a need to develop new blockbuster drugs and spend money, while at the same time, these drug companies are potentially under pressure for pricing. These companies still have a lot of money from these blockbuster drugs, but it's how they fund development, says Riddle.

John Riddle, managing director of healthcare investment at Brown Gibbons Lang (BGL), an independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, believes that MFN is set to be one of the more impactful developments. He believes that policies that bring down drug spending are shaping key industry trends, prompting companies to be more selective in their investments, especially considering the upcoming patent cliff.

Arguably, one of the biggest developments in the US space in 2025 has been MFN . The executive order, which aligns drug prices in the US with other developed countries, would see drugs put onto TrumpRx,gov, a government-led direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform.

I don't have to educate executives about policy issues anymore. It's been an eye-opening year for CEOs and senior leaders at pharma companies and medical device companies.

Given the scale of these developments, CEOs and executives are closely monitoring the news, says Kit Conklin, senior vice president of Risk & Compliance at Exiger, and an advisor involved in the creation of the BIOSECURE Act.

From tariffs and onshoring initiatives to Most Favored Nation (MFN) agreements, companies are adjusting their practices to strengthen their position in the lucrative US market.



Another strategy, which has already been implemented by companies like Eli Lilly, is to increase the price in reference countries to preserve some of that US price. After the announcement of MFN, Lilly increased the price of its diabetes and weight loss drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in the UK.

While Lilly has managed to do this, Vargas said it is difficult to increase the price of existing products, but it could be an avenue that pharma considers with new candidates.

If you launch high outside the US in a reference market, or what's perceived as high by the HTA system, you could just give a confidential discount, to bring that down to a level that maintains access for that market, but then there's some questions around whether these prices would need to be disclosed which would breach that agreement, Vargas says.

One of the main areas in which MFN is likely to impact is rare disease, Vargas adds, stating that due to low patient numbers and high R&D costs associated with the development of these candidates, partially due to needing a higher volume of sites to recruit patients, it is vital that companies are able to recuperate those costs, which will be more difficult if they fall into MFN and reference pricing.

Onshoring efforts by all-sized pharma

Another huge movement in the US has been the push for onshoring manufacturing, a movement spurred by calls by both the administration and tariffs.

While onshoring is something which is being undertaken by pharma companies of all sizes, Matt Flath, SVP of Northeast Science and Technology Center, a science and technology campus in New Jersey, does not believe this is solely related to the Trump administrations requests.

This is something that has been brewing for a while, but the Trump administration has pushed it by combining the company's concerns over BIOSECURE with potential tariffs and more direct financial kind of impacts of not manufacturing onshore in the US, Flath explains, adding that even contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) are also seeking onshore options in the US.

Dr Maximilian Vargas, VP of evidence and access strategy at Certara

This opinion is also held by Peter Walters, a fellow in advanced therapies at CRB, a firm which offers engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting for life science companies. It is very unlikely that tariffs were announced and those organisations chose to pivot on a dime to invest billions and billions. I think those investments were already planned, and theyre taking that pre-planned investment and rebranding all of that smartly to curry favour with the administration, Walters says.

Flath views the move to onshoring as positive for the industry, making it more resilient to global supply chain interruptions, especially considering BIOSECURE, which is now part of the US National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA).

Looking ahead to 2026, Flath expects more companies to conduct more rigorous due diligence in identifying locations and establishing onshore facilities, but many are still erring on the side of caution due to uncertainty.

The actual decision to build the facility will probably be dragged out a little bit until there's more clarity about what the final shape of the laws and the tariffs will be, Flath adds.

This is not just something that is impacting manufacturing for the market, Flath notes, stating that companies are also seeking to onshore research and development in response to the administration's request.

While some may use a third-party to run certain research processes, some are now bringing that in-house. This shows there is concern over not just the supply chain, but also the research chain, Flath concludes.

Hesitancy remains over BIOSECURE Act

Conklin agrees that BIOSECURE is aligned with onshoring efforts, stating that incentives are likely to encourage companies to align manufacturing with Western values, as financially it will be difficult for them to compete.

There is going to be a period of one to five years for some of these medications and some of these precursors to be reassured. Western companies cannot economically compete against [Chinese] companies that use forced labour or have no environmental standards and that do not comply with global health standards for clinical trials or other things, Conklin says.

Matt Flath, SVP of Northeast Science and Technology Center

Riddle said that there is still hesitancy by investors and lenders as moves are being made away from China while they await more clarity on the impact.

R&D left vulnerable?

Questions remain over which parts of pharma businesses will be most affected by reduced revenues from lower drug prices and higher costs due to onshoring manufacturing.

While many believe that R&D is safe due to its importance for future-proofing companies, some believe this could be a space that is under threat.

We're pulling dollars out of the system, so where is pharma going to find those dollars? They could think about it in two ways. There's taking the using the innovation argument and saying, well, our most costly piece is probably the innovation engine, R&D, because there are a lot of lost bets there, and you never get those dollars back".

"I suspect that the long strategic view is going to prevail, and that pharma and biotech know they need to be producing or purchasing innovation. Therefore, I believe we will see preservation of the R&D dollars and cuts will be made somewhere else, Vargas says.

This investment, however, will likely be more considered as to what kinds of assets pharma looks to develop. We will see more focus on projects where there's true clinical innovation that is taking a completely underserved population, says Vargas. This will reduce the number of me too products because cost pressures may make companies consider whether it is worth venturing into an established market. They will want to focus R&D dollars on true game changers.

Others believe the impact could be harder on R&D, with Walters saying that it could be the hardest squeezed, but this will be balanced, as Vargas says.

Walters concludes that while pharma companies are making efforts to avoid passing income losses onto patients, there are clear limits to what can be cut. You cant just squeeze R&D, as companies rely on developing new pipeline products. I think that in the next five years, we will see a decrease in clinical trial programs, especially in Phase I, which is unfortunate, because thats the level where you really see the great innovations.

"Pharma positions itself for 2026 amid an evolving US landscape" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talking at St. Teresa Catholic School in Lincoln on Sep. 29. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  On the same day the Greater Omaha Chamber released a report seeking updates to Nebraska business incentives, Gov. Jim Pillen announced plans Monday to restore funding to a state program that invests early in local startups.

Pillens proposal to restore funding to $15 million for the states Business Innovation Act  which provides seed capital for local businesses  reverses course on state money he previously proposed cutting. He originally proposed trims of $5 million a year and directed his Department of Economic Development to evaluate the programs effectiveness.

Earlier this year, the Legislature accepted most of Pillens proposed cut. During budget negotiations, lawmakers restored about $1.25 million a year after statewide testimony from business leaders.

The state also briefly paused grants under the program late this year, spurring concerns from Nebraskas startup community.

Research backs funding

Pillen on Monday said his teams research now backs up what many in the business community had told him about the return on state investment, which strengthened his support for the program.

One twist: He wants to shift the state support for the program from general funds to cash funds earmarked for workforce development, which would help the state avoid increasing bottom-line spending tallies in a tight budget cycle. The general fund is the states main checkbook, mainly sales and income taxes.

Pillen said he wants the state to take a greater role in seeding such public-private partnerships with solid returns. The program returns nearly $6 private investment dollars for every $1 of state funds spent, he said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

A 2020 study of the program by the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Bureau of Business Research found that the programs investments had created more than 1,100 jobs at an average wage of $67,000.

Its important to continually assess the performance of any government program to ensure it is making good use of taxpayer dollars, Pillen said. We did so, and the result is that we are going to significantly enhance and strengthen this program.

Chamber grateful

Heath Mello, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, applauded the states embrace of the program. His group released a report this week calling on the state to modernize its business tax incentive programs, including this one.
Piramal Finance has signed an agreement to offload its 14.72% equity interest in Shriram Life Insurance to Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius), a part of South Africa-based Sanlam Group, for about Rs6bn ($66.5m).

The stake sale is subject to regulatory approvals, including Indias Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. It is anticipated to conclude by the quarter ending 31 March 2026.

This transaction is aligned with our focus on monetising non-core assets and we will continue doing the same for our other residual non-core assets. The proceeds from the transaction will further strengthen our balance sheet, Piramal said in a statement to the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Shriram Life Insurance is operated as a joint venture between Shriram Capital and Sanlam Group.

Shriram Life recorded a 17% increase in individual new business premium for the first half of financial year 2026, reaching RS6.35bn. This compares to an 8% growth rate for the overall sector, reported local newspaper Mint.

Once Piramal Finances divestment is completed, Sanlams stake in Shriram Life Insurance will reach nearly 38%, according to the publication.

Shriram Life Insurance contributed Rs126.8m in dividends to Piramal Finance for the financial year ending 31 March 2025, which represented approximately 0.12% of Piramal Finances total revenue.

Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) is fully owned by Sanlam Emerging Markets and forms part of the larger Sanlam Group.

The ownership is not connected to the companys promoters, promoter group, or any affiliated entities.

Sanlam Group provides financial services across more than 30 countries, with its main offices in South Africa and operations in several developing economies including India.

"Piramal Finance to sell 14.72% stake in Shriram Life to Sanlam " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Swedish automotive manufacturer Polestar has secured a $300m equity injection aimed at shoring up its liquidity and capital structure.

The funding came alongside a separate debt-for-equity move by shareholder Geely Sweden Holdings.

The equity investment is being provided in equal tranches of $150m by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) and Natixis.

In conjunction with their investment, both banks have reached put option deals with a wholly owned subsidiary of Geely Sweden Holdings.

These options give the institutions the right to exit the position after three years, subject to defined return terms under the financing structure.

In a separate step, Geely Sweden Holdings has reached an agreement with the carmaker to swap roughly $300m of unpaid principal and accumulated interest for shares.

The liabilities arise from a term facility agreement that was put in place on 8 November 2023.

The conversion remains subject to any required regulatory clearances.

Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said: These transactions significantly enhance our liquidity position and help strengthen our balance sheet.

We are grateful for the continued support shown by Geely Holding and their confidence in Polestars vision.

Polestar said that, on completion of the deals, no individual financial institution participating in the equity raise will hold more than 10% of the companys issued share capital.

The purchase price for the Class A American Depositary Shares (ADSs) to be issued at closing has been set at $19.34 per ADS.

The amount is calculated from the average trading price over the preceding three months, weighted by volume, prior to the signing of the definitive agreements, and then adjusted upward to the next cent.

The Class A ADSs received by BBVA and Natixis will be freely tradable, subject to securities law requirements, with no contractual lockup specified.

The company anticipates the transactions with the financial institutions to close by 23 December 2025, noting that these steps do not require regulatory approvals.

BofA Securities is serving as exclusive financial adviser to Polestar on the equity transaction.

The funding moves follow Polestars recent results for the nine months to 30 September 2025, when the company posted revenue of $2.17bn, compared with $1.45bn in the same period a year earlier.

It reported a net loss of $1.55bn, widening from $867m year-on-year.

Announcing the results in November, Lohscheller said: As market conditions remain challenging, we continue to take steps to make our organisation and operations more efficient.
Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison is helping raise the profile of the 400-resident island town of Manalapan, Fla. The multibillionaire has already made a cumulative $450 million real estate investment in the town and has taken over its biggest structure, the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, which offers memberships to town property owners without initiation fees or dues.

Known for his tech feats as cofounder and chief technology officer of Oracle, Larry Ellison is instead flexing his developer experience in South Florida as he pours millions of dollars into real estate and helps transform an exclusive island town 20 minutes from Mar-a-Lago into a haven for the mega-rich.

The worlds fifth-wealthiest man started buying properties in the 400-resident town of Manalapan, Fla., in 2022, and since then has pumped $450 million into two landmark properties, Bloomberg reported. Ellison set a Florida record for the purchase of a $173 million estate spanning 16 acres that includes both beachfront and lakefront property. And in August 2024, he paid $277 million for the towns biggest structure, a hotel with more than 300 rooms, the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, according to Bloomberg.

The hotel stands on the grounds of the original La Coquille Club, which in the 1950s reportedly hosted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor as well as members of the Ford and Vanderbilt families. In the 80s the original club was razed, but it still exists in name and is part of what is now the Eau Palm Beach hotel. Manalapan property owners can become members of the beach club without paying initiation fees or annual dues, according to the Town of Manalapans website.

For years, the ultrarich have increasingly homed in on Florida properties. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has bought three properties on the Florida island Indian Creek, near Miami. Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of investment firm Citadel, has also spent an estimated $450 million over the years amassing a 25-acre spread in Palm Beach.

In Manalapan, several beachfront homes along the same road as Ellisons property have sold for tens of millions of dollars, according to Zillow. Yet, Manalapans Mayor John Deese told Fortune that the recent high-price purchases as well as Ellisons investments in the town are more than welcome.

Manalapan has for many years been one of the highest-ranked communities in terms of home sales prices in the United States. The recent sales have just added to the overall success of the real estate market in South Florida. We feel very fortunate that Mr. Ellison and others chose Manalapan for their residential and commercial property investments, Deese said in an email.
To support organic growth, the sector should industrialise this strategy. Historically, only about one-third of assets under management growth came from net new money. Firms who embed next best action analytics, straight-through-onboarding, pricing guardrails and incentives for sticky inflows have tended to outperform.

Additionally, firms should look to build an ecosystem that supports private markets investments. These include educating advisors and clients, curating product shelfs as well as introducing engineering liquidity tools, such as gates, secondaries and prudent NAV lines, which are compatible with client portals and standardising their suitability to make allocation durable.

JR : To drive cost improvements, businesses should simplify and reduce complexity within their footprints, product and market offerings. They should also look to re-architect core platforms before modernising and automating tasks by shifting work from people to platforms. Doing this can help leaders unlock gross savings of up to 10 to 25%.

"Finally, clients with a network of $1-10 million have become a key group. This core high-net-worth group holds approximately $38 trillion in investable wealth, with roughly 6% of per annum growth. They also generate more stable revenue yield, accounting for 90 to 100 basis points, than the ultra-wealthy segment, provided that delivery is tiered and digitally scaled.

At the same time, alternative and semi-liquid investments have entered the mainstream. Fuelled by the growth of interval funds, non traded vehicles and evergreens, these semi-liquid formats have grown the market by 41% year-over-year in 2024. As such, it has made the private market more accessible as a core differentiator in retail and high-net-worth channels.

Consolidation has moved from a theory to a reality, with deal activity holding strong at approximately 210 transactions per year since 2022. This trend is actively setting the competitive agenda and puts the industry on a path to having up to 20% fewer asset and wealth managers by 2029.

Joao Miguel Rodrigues : "Wealth management firms have generated lower revenue margins. Throughout 2024 and into the first half of 2025, this trend, driven by cash sorting and rising deposit betas, has reversed the rate tailwind, with revenue margins falling by around six basis points in 2024 and a further three basis points in the first half of 2025. Three-quarters of leading wealth managers saw this margin compression, with only half managing to offset this through cost-saving measures.

Story Continues

Trends and Industry Dynamics

AS: How are client demands evolving, particularly around sustainability, alternatives, and digital solutions?

JR: Alternatives are increasingly emerging a core investment approach. Affluent and high-net-worth individuals are closing the gap to institutional clients. Vehicles including evergreen and interval structures are being preferred by these investors, while private equity and private credit are seen as the entry point.

Elsewhere, we are seeing the growth of digital first solutions. Clients expect to have self-serve portals, onboarding within 24 hours, proactive nudges, industrialized reviews as well as a senior adviser who can help guide clients with high-stake choices.

AS: What emerging trends are likely to impact the financial services industry?

JR: We expect to see approximately 1,500 transactions by 2029 across asset management and wealth management. This trend will be driven by banks reprioritising their onshore footprints and by independent firms consolidating, often backed by private equity. The rise of tokenisation, such as stablecoins and deposit tokens, will also reshape deposit economies by pulling client cash funds off bank balance sheets. As a result, net interest income is becoming more cyclical and cash management is migrating towards a fee and custody economics-based model.

Beyond this, AI will continue to operate as both a spine and talent disruptor. Firms are integrating AI to help drive personal productivity to enterprise efficiency and redesigning apprenticeship models and supervision to reflect AI-augmented research and advice. Synthetic fraud is becoming more sophisticated, with deepfakes and AI-enabled scam, driving the need for multichannel verification mandates and client education initiatives."

AS: What macroeconomic or market scenarios are top-of-mind for 2026?

JR: Wealth growth but tighter economic conditions will define 2026. Global household financial wealth is projected to grow around 5.5% per year to 2029; yet revenue margins gained by firms continue to shrink. For instance, the reversal in Net Interest Income between 2024 and 2025 highlight a greater reliance on fees and the lending mix. Across regions, absolute wealth growth will be concentrated in North America and the APAC region. For cross-border wealth, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore remain the favoured locations, while the US and the UAE will gain a larger share.

AS: Which investment themes, sectors, or strategies do you expect to gain traction next year?

JR: Through investments including evergreen and interval vehicles that are tailored to HNW clients, the private credit, real asset and secondaries market will continue to perform well and there will be continued demand for yield-plus with controlled access points in 2026. Beyond this, portfolios will increasingly use tokenised cash for yield retention and for spend, collateral mobility and automated cash sweeps.

AS: How do you see private banking evolving over the next 3/5 years to meet changing client expectations and industry dynamics?

JR: The industry will move from providing bespoke, manually created financial advice to an industrialised model. In this new model, a central, automated "advice engine" acts as the brain of the business, with the system automating more than 90% of processing. The involvement of human advisors is now rationed, reserved only for complex situations such as market volatility or significant client life events.

Additionally, firms will develop specialised propositions, designed specifically for high-net-worth individuals with a network of up to $1-10 million in assets with explicit service entitlements, transparent pricing bundles, and a hybrid team model that can safely double advisor capacity. These propositions will offer different service levels based on the client's wealth; for example, clients in the $13 million tier receive model-led automated advice. Alternatively, those in the $310 million tier will receive deeper financial planning.

Banks will provide greater access to private markets in the form of platform capabilities. Banks will institutionalise curation, suitability, pacing and plumbing through private markets portals and deliverables. An organic growth machine will also be introduced to support the day-to-day operations. The system will adopt next best action analytics, disciplined pricing, and incentives to bring in high-quality net new money on a weekly operational basis.

Lastly, security and identity verification table stakes should be introduced as a standard requirement for clients. Features including dual channel verification, liveness checks and provenance signals should be embedded into client communications. Regular staff and client training will also become a standard part of business-as-usual operations.

"Q&A with: Oliver Wyman" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Rhode Island's budget office projects a $101 million deficit for fiscal 2027, less than half of prior forecasts. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Call it an outsized example of finding spare change between the couch cushions.

Extra revenue and lower expenses for Medicaid services and government agencies have shrunk Rhode Islands projected fiscal 2027 deficit by more than half, according to new estimates published by the Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget on Wednesday.

Budget crunchers now expect a $101 million deficit now forecast for the fiscal year that starts July 1, versus the $237 million gap projected six months ago.

What changed?

The improved outlook reflects a variety of increases in revenue and decreased expenses. Among them: nearly $54 million in increased tax revenue for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 combined, based on new estimates adopted at the biannual November Revenue and Caseload Estimating Conference. The same weeklong review of the government ledger also cut state expenses for medical and cash assistance programs for low-income residents, along with support for people with disabilities, by more than $56 million.

This is primarily because of federal budget cuts under H.R. 1 which will kick 33,500 Rhode Islanders off of Medicaid by the end of next year due to stricter eligibility rules, according to estimates from the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).

Add in an extra $20 million more from fiscal 2025, identified as surplus in audited closing statements completed in October, and a $10 million drop in expected government spending for fiscal 2026, and the states financial future is looking up, even after transferring an extra $4.2 million to the reserve fund.

But, the rosy picture might be fleeting.

While the November updates improve the fiscal picture for FY 2027, Rhode Islands structural budget challenges persist, the report states. Economic conditions and federal budget uncertainty present additional risks. Delays in Congressional appropriations, recent federal shutdown activity, and continued review of federal grant programs heighten the possibility of further impacts on State revenues and expenditures.

Indeed, overhauls to federal programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Affordable Care Act, alongside bigger business tax breaks, are expected to have major financial impacts for Rhode Island through the end of the decade, according to a series of state reports published in October.

Many of the changes dont take effect for several years. However, the wallet strain starts now.
Key Points

There could be several headwinds pushing against the stock market next year.

Now can be a pivotal time for investors to re-evaluate their portfolios.

Pivoting into more modestly priced investments and ones that pay dividends can help reduce risk for investors.

10 stocks we like better than Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF 

If you're a retiree who's invested in the stock market, you may be worried about remaining invested in 2026. The S&P 500 has been hitting record highs this year, expensive tech stocks continue to rise higher, the economy doesn't look to be doing too well, and on top of it all, there may be a big change in who's running the Federal Reserve next year. All in all, it can make for a troubling picture, one that may suggest a crash is coming.

The natural question at this stage may be whether to simply pull your money out of the stock market and put it in your bank account, where you know it will be safe. While that might be the way to eliminate your risk, is that really the best decision to make for your finances in the new year?

Image source: Getty Images.

Reducing risk, not eliminating it, should be a goal for all investors in 2026

All investors, not just those who are in or nearing retirement, should be taking some time right now to consider the stocks in their portfolios. Even if you're not worried about a market crash, it's always a good idea to evaluate your holdings periodically, and to identify where there are opportunities to reduce risk.

Simply taking all your money out of the market can result in missing out on gains if the market doesn't crash as you might expect it to. Crashes can come without a whole lot of warning. Even if valuations are high, there's no way to know whether a correction or crash will come in a few weeks, months, or years.

That's why taking efforts to reduce your risk, such as pivoting out of expensive stocks and into more modestly valued investments, can be the better and safer approach. Investing in blue chip stocks that might be less vulnerable to a crash is an example of how you can reduce risk. This can include selling Costco Wholesale, which trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of nearly 50, and buying Home Depot instead, which trades at a P/E of just 24. Both are blue chip stocks in retail, but one is drastically less expensive than the other.

An even better strategy may be to focus on income-generating ETFs

If you're not comfortable with picking individual stocks or simply don't have the time to do so, it may be easier to invest in a quality exchange-traded fund (ETF) that offers a solid yield. You can get some strong diversification and generate some dividend income along the way.
By Alimat Aliyeva

India and New Zealand have announced that they have reached a free trade agreement (FTA) expected to boost bilateral trade by hundreds of millions of dollars and deepen economic ties between the two countries, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

New Delhi and Wellington confirmed the breakthrough on Monday, stating that the agreement is scheduled to be formally signed in the first quarter of next year, following a final legal review of the negotiated text.

The announcement comes at a time when governments worldwide are seeking to diversify their trade relationships amid uncertainty caused by sweeping U.S. tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump. These policies have accelerated a global push toward bilateral and regional trade deals as countries attempt to reduce exposure to protectionism.

Under the agreement, India will gain zero-duty access for all of its goods exports to New Zealand. In return, Wellington will receive duty concessions and market access for approximately 70% of Indias tariff lines, covering nearly 95% of New Zealands exports to India on a phased basis, according to officials.

New Zealand aims to significantly expand exports of dairy alternatives, fruit, wool, and wine to the Indian market, with strong growth also expected in horticulture, wood products, and sheep wool. On the Indian side, sectors set to benefit most from tariff-free access include textiles and apparel, engineering goods, leather and footwear, and marine products.

As part of the broader partnership, New Zealand has committed to investing $20 billion in India over the next 15 years, Indias Ministry of Commerce and Industry said. The agreement is also expected to ease access for skilled Indian professionals to New Zealands labor market, addressing workforce shortages in key sectors.

India has intensified efforts to diversify its export destinations as part of a wider strategy to protect its economy from global shocks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored this approach earlier this month during trade talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi, alongside discussions on geopolitical tensions.

Despite expanding ties with multiple partners, India continues to pursue a careful balance between Eastern and Western economies. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated on Monday that, in addition to the New Zealand deal, India is also working on trade agreements with the United States and Canada.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a post on X that exports to India are projected to rise by $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion annually over the next two decades as a result of the agreement. Boosting trade means more Kiwi jobs, higher wages, and greater opportunities for hard-working New Zealanders, he said.

However, the deal has faced domestic criticism. New Zealand First, a right-wing populist party, warned that the agreement gives too much away, especially on immigration, according to a statement cited by The New Zealand Herald.

The agreement also touches on sensitive areas for India. In response, New Delhi excluded dairy importssuch as milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, and cheesefrom the deal, along with several animal and agricultural products including goat meat, onions, and almonds.

Indias chief negotiator, Petal Dhillon, said the agreement will be signed once the legal review is completed, marking what both sides describe as a significant milestone in Indo-Pacific economic cooperation.
Australian miner S2 Resources has announced the divestment of the Fosterville tenement, transferring exploration licence EL007795 to a 100% owned subsidiary of Agnico Eagle Mines.

S2 Resources received A$17m ($11.23m) from Agnico Eagle through its subsidiary Southern Star Exploration, as part of the deal.

All conditions tied to the transaction have been met, the company said.

Combined with its existing A$4.54m in cash, S2 Resources now holds total cash of more than A$21.5m.

This improved cash position enables the company to advance its exploration programmes without needing to raise equity in the near-term.

S2 Resources near-term priority is the Warraweena project in northern New South Wales (NSW), where it has commenced initial reconnaissance drilling to assess geophysical targets.

The company is earning up to an 80% interest in tenure owned by Oxley Resources and is also progressing work on adjacent ground.

In Western Australias Jillewarra region, discussions are advancing with the traditional owners to allow the grant of tenements and start exploration on its gold targets within the Jillewarra joint venture (JV), where S2 is earning an initial 51% stake.

Discussions also include an adjacent exploration licence application that is 100% owned by S2 Resources.

These pending applications encompass an untested 60km stretch of the structure believed to host Westgolds Big Bell gold mine and Ramelius Resources Never Never gold mine to the south.

S2 Resources is additionally assessing new exploration opportunities in Australia and abroad to expand its project pipeline.

In February this year, S2 Resources signed an earn-in agreement with Valkea Resources (formerly Outback Goldfields) to acquire a 51% interest in the Glenfine joint venture (JV) in central Victoria.

"S2 Resources divests Fosterville tenement to Agnico Eagle subsidiary" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Shanghai Electric has officially commenced construction on the Euphrates combined-cycle extension in Iraq, aiming to 625 megawatts (MW) of capacity and boost overall plant efficiency by roughly 50%.

Serving as the contractor, the company is modernising plants in four Iraqi governorates by converting simple-cycle units into combined-cycle systems.

Earlier this year, a Shanghai Electric-led expansion was launched across the governorates of Najaf, Karbala, Babylon, and Al-Qadisiyyah.

The project will be delivering an extra 5 billion kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity each year without increasing fuel use.

The initiative is expected to substantially address Iraqs persistent power shortages.

Shanghai Electric spokesperson said: "The pressing need for energy security and development in Iraq is clear. We are honoured that our efficient combined-cycle technology is recognised as instrumental in modernising this critical infrastructure. This project exemplifies our commitment to supporting the energy security and green development of Belt and Road countries through technological innovation."

Iraq, a key oil producer in the Middle East, has faced acute electricity shortages for more than 30 years.

Although, most of its power plants run on natural gas, domestic gas development has fallen behind, leading to significant reliance on imports, said Shanghai Electric.

This persistent shortfall has undermined livelihoods and hindered national reconstruction and economic growth.

Core equipment has arrived at the project sites, and construction is progressing through joint efforts by Chinese and Iraqi teams.

Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadel said: "This initiative is highly significant for improving Iraq's power supply and optimizing its electricity infrastructure. Once operational, it will effectively reduce Iraq's reliance on imported natural gas and lower its fuel costs for power generation."

At the Najaf power plant, the upgrade harness the high-temperature exhaust from existing gas turbines as the heat source.

The exhaust flows through heat recovery steam generators to produce high-pressure steam, which powers a new steam turbine to generate extra electricity.

This combined-cycle approach boosts output and efficiency without additional fuel and lowers thermal pollution from the original units.

At the Karbala facility, key components, including heat recovery steam generators and direct air-cooled condensers, have arrived.

The stage represents one of Iraqs first combined-cycle upgrades to fully adopt Chinese equipment and standards, with core systems engineered and built in China.
Key Takeaways

Rocket Lab stock surged Monday, extending its recent rally after another successful launch this weekend.

The launch helped Rocket Lab reach a new company record for the year.



Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares surged Monday after another successful launch this weekend, adding to Friday's gains following a U.S. Space Force deal.

The shares were up nearly 9% in recent trading, after jumping close to 18% Friday. (Read our daily markets coverage here.)

Rocket Lab said Sunday that its Electron rocket took off successfully from a New Zealand spaceport this weekend. The Wisdom Gods Guide mission involved deploying satellites for Japan-based Earth imaging firm Q-shu Pioneers of Space, or iQPS.

The launch helped Rocket Lab reach a record 21 Electron rocket launches over the past year, with a 100% success rate, the company said.

Why This News Matters

The recent surge in Rocket Labs stock could point to growing confidence in its track record after a series of successful launches and a new Space Force contract.

On Friday, Rocket Lab announced a contract for up to $816 million to build a missile-defense satellite constellation for the U.S. Space Force. The agreementmarking the largest contract in the companys historywill have Rocket Lab design and manufacture 18 satellites, Rocket Lab said.

With their recent gains, Rocket Lab shares have roughly tripled in value in 2025.

Read the original article on Investopedia
Stord, a provider of turnkey e-commerce fulfillment services and logistics technology, has committed $40 million over five to 10 years to expand and modernize its largest shipping center, located in Hebron, Kentucky, to keep up with growing demand for online shopping.

Stord gained ownership of the 520,000-square foot Hebron facility in 2024 with the acquisition of Pitney Bowes e-commerce fulfillment business. The facility is the largest warehouse in Stords network and ships more than 5 million packages annually. It includes significant climate control storage, a pick mezzanine with 120,000 square feet of extra space, pallet racking and robotic automation.

Atlanta-based Stord said Thursday it will lease a 525,000 square foot warehouse with 49 dock doors capable of offering a comprehensive suite of value-added services for brands, including kit assembly and embroidery. The facility is located near two interstate highways and Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, where Amazon and DHL Express have their primary U.S. air transport hubs and other freight airlines operate. The company also plans to outfit the building with automated handling equipment, proprietary AI-capable warehouse and transportation management systems, and other capabilities.

The current Hebron fulfillment center is operated by more than 300 employees and 300 contractors. Stord said order processing there during the Black Friday-Cyber Monday period doubled year over year.

Stord, which calls itself the Consumer Experience Company, was founded in 2015. It supports hundreds of direct-to-consumer and B2B brands, including Seed Health, Native, Jolie (shower filter), Quip (oral wellness), True Classic and Goodr (sunglasses) with $10 billion in annual gross merchandise value. Stord says it delivered more than 30 million packages to around 11.5% of U.S. homes last year.

In 2025, Stord raised $200 million in funding, created a partner network of outside e-commerce technology providers and acquired Ware2Go, an on-demand warehousing and fulfillment network, from UPS.

It recently acquired Penny Black, a startup software-as-a-service solution that provides hyper-personalized post-purchase inserts to enhance a brand experience and generate new revenue. With Penny Black, brands can easily provide specific product recommendations, unique coupon codes, custom videos, gift messages or more addressed to an individual consumer based on marketing data and purchase history. The personalized inserts are printed on-demand at pack stations to give a differentiated experience when the customer opens the box.
Hugo Boss AG (ETR:BOSS) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 10% in the last quarter. Looking further back, the stock has generated good profits over five years. After all, the share price is up a market-beating 36% in that time. While the long term returns are impressive, we do have some sympathy for those who bought more recently, given the 16% drop, in the last year.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free.

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During the last half decade, Hugo Boss became profitable. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd hope to see the share price to rise. Given that the company made a profit three years ago, but not five years ago, it is worth looking at the share price returns over the last three years, too. In fact, the Hugo Boss stock price is 31% lower in the last three years. During the same period, EPS grew by 2.3% each year. It would appear there's a real mismatch between the increasing EPS and the share price, which has declined -12% a year for three years.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

XTRA:BOSS Earnings Per Share Growth December 22nd 2025

Dive deeper into Hugo Boss' key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Hugo Boss's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Hugo Boss, it has a TSR of 50% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 17% in the last year, Hugo Boss shareholders lost 13% (even including dividends). However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 8%, each year, over five years. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Hugo Boss better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example - Hugo Boss has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.
GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) is one of the best growth stocks to buy in 2026. On December 11, Citi initiated coverage of GE Aerospace with a Buy rating and $386 price target. This decision was made as Citi launched coverage on the aerospace and defense sector and predicted that current industry megatrends would lead to a trillion-dollar market cap leader (potentially GE Aerospace) within half a decade.

Earlier on December 4, Susquehanna also initiated coverage of GE Aerospace with a Positive rating and $350 price target. According to the firm, the company maintains a dominant global presence, powering 75% of all commercial flights through its proprietary engines and its CFM International joint venture with Safran. The company boasts a massive installed base of more than 45,000 commercial and 25,000 military engines, with both segments currently expanding at mid-single-digit rates.

Trillion-Dollar Market Leader to Emerge from Aerospace and Defense Sector Within 5 Years, According to Citi

In other news, on December 10, GE Aerospace announced that it secured orders to supply eight LM2500 marine gas turbine engines to power the US Navys newest Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. These engines will be installed on the future USS Intrepid (DDG 145) and USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146), with each vessel requiring four turbines for its propulsion system. This contract reinforces the LM2500s status as the primary mover for the Arleigh Burke class, which has served as the core of the US Navys surface fleet for over 30 years.

GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems. The company operates through two segments: Commercial Engines & Services and Defense & Propulsion Technologies.

While we acknowledge the potential of GE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Oil tankers are diverting from their route to Venezuela; some are sitting idle at ports instead of setting off for Asia; discounts on Venezuelan crude are deepening; and PDVSA may soon start shutting down wells for lack of storage space. President Trumps military campaign against Venezuela is threatening an $8-billion market.

It started with one tanker seizure, a week ago. Then Trump escalated the rhetoric, threatening a blockade on Venezuelan tanker traffic and demanding that Venezuela returned Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us, most likely referring to oil assets nationalized by the Hugo Chavez government back in the 90s. The U.S. president also wrote on his social network that U.S. military presence off the Venezuelan coast would only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before.

In response, Venezuela assigned Navy escort to oil tankers, with several vessels setting off this week, hours after President Trump issued his latest threats, carrying urea, petroleum coke, and other petroleum by-products, according to the New York Times, which cited ship-tracking data and unnamed sources.

According to the Wall Street Journal, however, as many as 75 tankers are idling off the Venezuelan coast, even though only half of these are on the U.S. sanction list, per data from TankerTrackers.com. Some, as mentioned already, have turned away from their original course to Venezuela to avoid seizure. According to one Venezuelan economist that the Wall Street Journal cited, the clampdown on sanctioned tankers could cost Venezuela $8 billion in oil revenues.

Related: Ukraine Hits Russian Shadow Tanker in Mediterranean for First Time

Sanctioned tankers, which media like to call shadow fleet because they use different tactics to either conceal the origin of the crude or their location at any given time, account for as much as 70% of Venezuelan oil trade, the WSJ report noted. In absolute numbers, the tanker fleet carrying Venezuelan crude abroadmainly to Asiastands at some 900 vessels.

These vessels employ moves first tested by Iran, after Trump reinstated U.S. sanctions on Tehran during his first term. Ship-to-ship transfers at sea are one such move to avoid sanctions; sailing under a false flag is another. Turning off transponders to conceal locations is also a tactic used by sanctioned vessels to avoid detection. However, with the U.S. Navy right off the Venezuelan coast, all of this has become more difficultand so has trade in Venezuelan crude.
We also like Southern Company (NYSE: SO) , another major Southeastern utility with regulated operations and predictable cash flows. Entergy (NYSE: ETR) stood out as well, particularly because of its footprint across Louisiana and the broader Gulf region, where major new data center construction is already underway. Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) rounded out the list as a high-quality dividend payer with a strong regional monopoly and a yield north of 4%.

Lee and I agreed that geography matters. Many of the largest and fastest-growing data centers are concentrated in the Southeast and Eastern United States, making utilities in those regions especially attractive. Among our preferred names is Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) , which has significant exposure to fast-growing population centers and enterprise demand.

Lee noted that utilities were one of the strongest-performing sectors earlier this year. Traditionally viewed as conservative, income-focused holdings, they suddenly surged as investors recognized the scale of incremental power demand coming from AI. More recently, utilities have pulled back roughly 10% during the broader market drawdown, pushing many names close to oversold levels.

We discussed how even large technology companies are being forced to work directly with utilities. Microsofts effort to restart Three Mile Island is a perfect example, and notably, it is being done in partnership with a utility, not independently. That reality is why utilities have moved from being an afterthought to becoming a core AI infrastructure investment.

Lee and I discussed one of the most overlooked realities of artificial intelligence. None of it works without electricity. For a while, there was a belief that data centers could simply generate their own power through wind or small localized grids. As Lee quickly pointed out, that idea does not scale. Wind energy cannot reliably power a data center, let alone meet residential heating and lighting demand at the same time.

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

Story continues

The monopoly advantage investors underestimate

I emphasized why utilities occupy such a unique place in the market. Unlike AI software companies, utilities are monopolies within their service territories. There is no competitive bidding war for customers once a utility controls a region. Lee summed it up perfectly by calling utilities the widest business moat in the history of the world. Nobody competes with them once they are established.

That monopoly status makes utilities fundamentally different from AI developers, where six or seven major players are all competing aggressively. Even if AI adoption takes longer than expected, utilities still benefit from secular demand drivers like population growth, extreme weather, and baseline residential and commercial usage.

How to approach buying now

We both agreed that investors should not rush in all at once. Legging into positions makes sense. Start with a partial position, watch how the stock trades, and add on weakness. Utilities are no longer just defensive holdings. The industrys entire landscape has changed over the last five years, and AI has only accelerated that shift.

The takeaway was straightforward. Utilities are no longer boring. They are essential infrastructure for the AI economy, protected by regulation, supported by dividends, and positioned for long-term demand growth. For investors looking for a more stable way to participate in the AI buildout, this sector deserves serious attention.

Transcript:

[00:00:04] Doug McIntyre: Lee, we've talked a lot about the fact that one of the plays, the big AI plays are utilities. Data centers have to have electricity. There was this idea that they were gonna make their own, they'd sort of put a, some sort of wind energy close by and you create your own tiny grid.

[00:00:22] That's not

[00:00:23] Lee Jackson: wind energy is, doesn't do power for heating people's homes or lighting them, let alone a data center

[00:00:31] Doug McIntyre: or they'll do what Microsoft is doing and that is restart three mile island, which is gonna take right, right. Take. But it, but by the way, they're doing that with the utility, right? So if, you're looking at utilities as your AI play, who are you looking at?

[00:00:47] Lee Jackson: Well, I think one thing, and probably some of our viewers noticed it this year, they were on fire this year and it, I mean, it was incredible to see the old stodgy, utilities that have sat there for years and grandmother and, yeah. Orphans accounts. It was not, the hottest sector on Wall Street and the utility index EtF, which just exploded higher, but the utilities got sold off here in this kind of fall draw down that we had, and they've drawn back about 10% and they've really.

[00:01:21] They're almost at an oversold level, and I think it makes sense for anybody that thought, Rats, I'm late to the party so I'm not gonna do it. I think there's some you can look at now and some of the ones that we really like are some of the bigger ones. They're located in the Southeast or the Eastern United States where a lot of the current data centers sit.

[00:01:41] So we're pretty big fans of Duke Energy, which is symbol DUK. Alright. We like Southern Company, which is symbol SO. We like Entergy. Quite a bit. they're, they cover a lot of the south and they're building, and they cover Louisiana, where they're building a huge data center in northern Louisiana.

[00:02:04] And another one I think is good to consider, and it's one of the top dividend pain stocks is Dominion Energy. Oh, yeah. And based in the southeast, the symbol there is D and I think the, because of the, recent pullback, I think the dividends four and a quarter. four forty something in that neighborhood.

[00:02:23] Doug McIntyre: Oh, no, no. You get a lot of good dividends from these and also keep something in mind. Absolutely. Yeah. If you're a utility, you're a monopoly for the most part

[00:02:34] Lee Jackson: in your area. You certainly are,

[00:02:35] Doug McIntyre: Right? If you're Google and you're open ai, you're in a business where you're not in a monopoly at this point, there's 6, 7, 8 big AI providers.

[00:02:48] I love monopoly stocks. I love Yeah, me too. Once you buy into them, one of the things you know is that they, people are not going to compete with them. The it, the, moat at a utility is the widest business moat in the history of the world. Nobody can it,

[00:03:06] Lee Jackson: it really is. So, and I think those are four good.

[00:03:10] And the, names we throw, I mean, Vistra had a huge run and, but again, it doesn't pay as much of a dividend. It's a $300 stock. So the average investor, I mean, when stocks trade in the $300 range, you can't get a lot of leverage when a hundred shares cost you 30,000 bucks. So some of these other ones are more reasonably priced, like Entergy and Duke and the ones we mentioned.

[00:03:32] And like you said, if everything doesn't play out with the AI as fast as expected and the power consumption isn't as great as expected, like next year, it will be the year after, but they'll still have demand for their product. Yeah, because we have hot summers, we're gonna have a cold winter.

[00:03:50] I hear some cold weather's coming our way now, and you can only bet that electric and gas use will be up huge. So yeah, I think it's something to consider. And also, if you're not quite ready to buy yet, make a list of stocks that you can follow on your stock screen or whatever you use. Yahoo Finance or whatever is the vehicle for you,

[00:04:11] and keep an eye on 'em. And if you see one of the ones you like, take another 5% dip, then you go in and buy some. And again, you don't ever have to buy your whole position at once. Buy some leg into it. if you're gonna buy a thousand, let's start with 300. Yeah. And then see how it trades.

[00:04:28] If it starts to trade higher, well you can leg in a little bit more and then if it comes back in, you can finish up. But don't go all in at once. But utilities, you can be an all in for all the time now because the whole landscape for that industry and that sector has totally changed in the last five years.

The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans

You may think retirement is about picking the best stocks or ETFs, but youd be wrong. Even great investments can be a liability in retirement. Its a simple difference between accumulating vs distributing, and it makes all the difference.

The good news? After answering three quick questions many Americans are reworking their portfolios and finding they can retire earlier than expected. If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, take 5 minutes to learn more here.
On December 21, the presentation of the documentary film Harmony, which reflects the traditions of coexistence and tolerance among representatives of different religions in Azerbaijan, took place at the Nizami Cinema Centre. The film is a joint project of the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Work with Religious Organisations, the Fund for the Promotion of Moral Values, and the Baku Media Centre.

Azernews reports via Azertag that Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Centre, attended the presentation of the film.

The film was screened first, followed by remarks from Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, who shared his views on the production. He noted that through the example of three close friends representing different religions, the film demonstrates the attitude of the Azerbaijani people towards diverse faiths and nations. He said that for centuries and millennia, the Azerbaijani people living in this region have preserved multicultural values, mutual respect, living side by side, and the tradition of passing these principles on to future generations. Today, representatives of different religions live, work, and create together in Azerbaijan, which he described as one of the clearest examples of the wisdom of the Azerbaijani people. The committee chairman also emphasised that as a result of the policy pursued by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, multicultural values did not remain merely a tradition of the Azerbaijani people. He further highlighted that in the territories liberated from occupation, all places of worship have been restored through the joint efforts of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.

Fuad Mammadzade, the director of the film and one of its scriptwriters, said that through the characters of Nigar, Jamila, and Sofia, who are the main protagonists of the film, they sought to convey a reality that is natural for Azerbaijan.

He stated that Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries in the world where Muslims, Jews, and Christians live together as one family. Through the stories of these women, the filmmakers aimed to deliver the message that such coexistence is truly possible.

It should be noted that the documentary film produced by the Baku Media Centre was created to highlight the opportunities established in Azerbaijan for the coexistence of followers of different religions and to promote harmony among faiths. The films chief producer is Arzu Aliyeva, the producer is Orman Aliyev, the director is Fuad Mammadzade, the scriptwriters are Fuad Mammadzade and Ramil Alakbarov, the cinematographer is Ziya Babayev, and the composer is Hafiz Ibrahimli.

Filming took place at religious places of worship in various regions of Azerbaijan, as well as at the festival Colours of Difference, held in Baku on 5 November, which aimed to promote and encourage the exemplary environment of tolerance, multiculturalism, harmony among religions, solidarity, cultural diversity, and values of coexistence that have developed in the country.

The film highlights the tolerant environment in Azerbaijan through the daily lives and interpersonal relationships of three friends belonging to different religions. Against the backdrop of their lifestyles, family relations, religious practices, and friendships, the film conveys to the audience the atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust, and cultural diversity prevailing in Azerbaijan.

The family lives, religious practices, and long standing relationships of the protagonists demonstrate how they live in conditions of cultural diversity and peace. Through this documentary, the promotion of tolerance, mutual respect, and multicultural values in society is emphasised, along with the essence of the state policy implemented by Azerbaijan to preserve and develop harmony among religions.

Preserving the history of Azerbaijan and conveying the truth as it is has been a priority for the Baku Media Centre since its establishment. During this period, the centre has produced a number of films that have attracted wide public interest, including Target is Baku, Heritage, Taghiyev, The Final Meeting, Eternal Assignment, We, and Shusha, You Are Free. Following the documentary Under One Sun, Harmony is another production that reflects the manifestations of Azerbaijans tradition of multiculturalism in everyday life through real human stories.
Key Points

VGT holds a much larger asset base and slightly more holdings than FTEC, but both funds track the same sector with near-identical allocations.

FTEC comes in with a marginally lower expense ratio, while VGT offers a slightly higher dividend yield.

Recent returns, risk metrics, and top holdings are strikingly similar, making cost and liquidity the main differentiators.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

The Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (NYSEMKT:FTEC) and the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT:VGT) are both passively managed funds that aim to mirror the U.S. information technology sector, with each offering broad, diversified exposure to the industry.

For investors comparing these two, the choice often comes down to cost, size, and subtle differences in holdings and liquidity, rather than differences in sector or performance profiles.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric FTEC VGT Issuer Fidelity Vanguard Expense ratio 0.08% 0.09% 1-yr return (as of Dec. 19, 2025) 21.66% 21.65% Dividend yield 0.40% 0.41% Beta (5Y monthly) 1.32 1.33 AUM $16.7 billion $130.0 billion

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

FTEC is very slightly more affordable thanks to its lower expense ratio, while VGT edges ahead on dividend yield, offering a slightly higher payout for income-focused investors.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric FTEC VGT Max drawdown (5 y) -34.95% -35.08% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $2,181 $2,165

What's inside

VGT tracks U.S. tech stocks and, with 322 holdings, is one of the largest sector ETFs by assets under management at $130 billion. It has been in the market for over two decades and spreads its assets across the same sector mix as FTEC: 98% technology, with small allocations to communication services and financials. Its top holdings are Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, each making up a relatively significant portion of the fund. There are no leverage, ESG, or other quirky features to note.

FTEC offers nearly identical sector exposure, with 288 holdings and similar weightings to major tech names, led by Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft. Both funds track broad-based tech benchmarks and lack any unusual structural or trading quirks.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investors

FTEC and VGT are virtually identical in most ways. They both track the broader technology industry, with the same top holdings and sector allocations. VGT offers a slightly higher dividend payout, while FTEC boasts a marginally lower expense ratio. Both figures are so similar, however, that most investors won't notice a meaningful difference between the funds in those regards.
Visa and Mastercard have agreed to a combined payment of $167.5m to resolve a class action lawsuit concerning ATM access fees.

The proposed settlement was submitted to a federal court in Washington, US, and awaits judicial approval, reported Reuters.

The settlement is intended to benefit potentially millions of individuals who paid unreimbursed access fees for cash withdrawals at independent, non-bank automated teller machines (ATMs).

Visa is set to provide around $88.8m, while Mastercard will contribute nearly $78.7m to a fund that will be distributed to eligible users with qualifying ATM transactions dating back to October 2007.

According to Reuters, neither the payment firms nor the lead attorneys for consumers provided immediate comment to requests for comment.

The case, filed in 2011, is said to be one of three related lawsuits in the D.C. federal court.

According to Reuters, consumers challenged Visa and Mastercards industry rules, which allegedly prevented independent ATM operators from offering lower prices.

Both firms have denied any wrongdoing, Reuters reported.

In 2024, the two firms were said to have agreed to pay $197.5m to settle claims from another group of ATM users who said they were overcharged at bank-operated ATMs.

In 2021, multiple banks agreed to pay $66m to settle their part in the litigation, Reuters added.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs described the latest settlement in a court filing as an excellent result in light of the risks of continued prosecution.

They noted their intention to request up to 30% of the fund, or nearly $50m, in legal fees.

A third related lawsuit, brought by independent ATM owners and operators, remains unresolved in the same court.

Visa is also a defendant in other antitrust actions, including a case brought by the US Justice Department that accuses the company of monopolising the US debit card market. Visa has denied those allegations.

Last month, Visa and Mastercard reportedly reached a revised $38bn settlement with US merchants who alleged the card networks imposed excessive charges for processing credit card transactions.

"Visa, Mastercard agree to pay combined $167.5m in ATM fee lawsuit" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Key Points

VYM costs less and holds a much broader basket of stocks than FDVV.

FDVV delivers a higher dividend yield and is more concentrated in technology.

VYM has seen lower volatility and a shallower drawdown over the past five years.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

Both the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT:VYM) and the Fidelity High Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT:FDVV) aim to provide exposure to U.S. companies with above-average dividend yields, but they approach this goal in different ways.

FDVV uses a sector-constrained approach, while VYM tracks a broad, rules-based index of high-yielding stocks -- resulting in some notable differences in cost, portfolio makeup, and risk characteristics. Here's how the two funds stack up.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric FDVV VYM Issuer Fidelity Vanguard Expense ratio 0.15% 0.06% 1-yr return (as of Dec. 18, 2025) 10.62% 9.99% Dividend yield 3.02% 2.42% Beta (5Y monthly) 0.82 0.74 AUM $7.7 billion $84.6 billion

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

VYM is more affordable on fees, charging a much lower expense ratio. FDVV, however, offers a higher dividend payout, which may appeal to those prioritizing income over cost savings.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric FDVV VYM Max drawdown (5 y) -20.17% -15.87% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,754 $1,567

What's inside

VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index and holds 566 stocks. Its largest sector exposures are financial services (21% of total assets), technology (18%), and healthcare (13%), with top holdings including Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, and Exxon Mobil. The funds passive, full-replication approach aims for consistent tracking.

FDVV, by contrast, concentrates more heavily in technology (26%) and consumer defensive (12%) stocks, with just 107 holdings. Its top positions are Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. FDVVs methodology seeks higher yield through sector tilts, which can lead to more concentrated bets but also higher payout potential.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investors

VYM and FDVV have experienced similar one- and five-year total returns, but they do have notable differences in fee structure, dividend payout, and overall risk.

FDVV offers the higher of the two dividend yields, at 3.02% compared to VYM's 2.42%. For investors seeking the highest possible dividend payout, FDVV has the clear edge.

That said, its higher expense ratio (0.15% compared to 0.06%) will eat away at some of that income. In terms of take-home earnings, after accounting for fees, these two funds will likely be fairly similar for most investors.
Consumers across the country need to be careful of whos calling.

A nationwide robocall scam involving fake Walmart employees is pressuring Americans to share sensitive information, according to federal regulators and telecom security experts.

Must Read

The automated calls, explains a press release (1) from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), claim that a Walmart account has been charged for a purchase the victim didnt authorize. Victims are then urged to quickly act to cancel the order by pressing a number to speak with a live representative.

This is where things get dangerous.

The FCC says the calls have already reached hundreds of thousands of Americans and could target tens of millions more. Heres what you need to know.

Why this scam is so effective

Scammers are taking advantage of a powerful fear for everyday consumers: unauthorized charges.

"It's too easy to get tricked when you feel pressure to act right away to address a problem that might cost you money," YouMail CEO Alex Quilici told CBS News in an email (2). YouMail makes technology to block robocalls and scam texts and has been working with the FCC to track calls associated with the phishing campaign.

Heres an example of a script the scammers follow, according to Quilici:

"Hi, this is [NAME] from Walmart, and this is not a telemarketing call. We have detected a pre-authorized purchase of $919.45 for a PlayStation 5 and 3D headset, recently placed through a Walmart account registered to your name and phone number. If you did not authorize this purchase, press 1 to speak with a Walmart representative immediately."

To sound legitimate, the scammers rotate through fake employee names and use artificial intelligence to sound like real automated retail calls.

Once the consumer is hooked in by the fake call, they get transferred to fraudsters posing as customer service agents who then ask for personal information, including credit card Social Security numbers.

Cybersecurity expert Iskander Sanchez-Rola, director of AI and innovation for Norton, told CBS that Walmart is a target because its one of the most trusted retailers in the country, with millions of shoppers  and thats not the only reason.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is one of the most widely held stocks by hedge funds in 2025. Reuters reported on December 19 that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) announced on Friday that audits of its health services and pharmacy benefit units conducted by outside consulting firms would lead to operational changes, including increased automation and standardization of internal processes.

UnitedHealth Exits South America With Banmedica Sale

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) CEO Stephen Hemsley stated that he committed to conducting a comprehensive examination of the key policies and processes within the companys approaches to managed care practices and pharmacy benefits and services, and risk assessment, and told stakeholders in a letter sent on Friday that the work is already well underway, adding that several action plans have already been completed, and that there are 23 such plans.

Of the remaining actions, more than half will be finalized by the end of this year, and 100% will be finalized before the end of the first quarter next year, he added.

Hemsley further stated in the letter that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) would share the results of the HouseCalls visit review in fiscal Q1 2026.

In a separate development, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) reported on December 18 that Optum Rx is continually modernizing the ways pharmacies are reimbursed for drugs, with three additional Pharmacy Services Administration Organizations (PSAOs), representing more than 17,000 community pharmacies, partnering with Optum Rx to employ cost-based contracts.

Management reported that the initiative marks the latest effort from Optum Rx to better support the role of community pharmacies, and that 100% of community and independent pharmacies in the Optum Rx network have shifted to the new reimbursement model.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) provides healthcare coverage, data consultancy, and software services. It operates through the OptumRx, OptumInsight, OptumHealth, and UnitedHealthCare segments.

While we acknowledge the potential of UNH as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Federated Hermes disclosed completion of a buyback tranche from Jul. 1, 2025 to Sep. 30, 2025, repurchasing 3,855,685 shares, roughly 5% of shares outstanding, for about $155.96 million under its previously announced repurchase program.

The firm broadened its ETF lineup with the Federated Hermes MDT Market Neutral ETF, which seeks long-term capital appreciation while limiting general market exposure by drawing on Federated Hermes MDT Advisers established market neutral capabilities.

Federated Hermes launched the Federated Hermes Enhanced Income ETF (CBOE: PAYR), an options overlay equity strategy designed to generate relatively consistent monthly cash flow and high current income for income oriented and near-retirement investors.

AmeriServ Financial Bank and Federated Hermes formed a strategic alliance that gives AmeriServ wealth clients access to Federated Hermes research, PCS tools, and a full suite of wealth products, expanding Federated Hermes regional distribution reach in Western Pennsylvania.

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!

TD Cowen, which moved its target to $53 from $51, highlights limited residual value after the stocks recent move, pointing to valuation and upside already priced in as key constraints on a more constructive stance.

JPMorgan maintains a Neutral rating and TD Cowen a Hold rating, underscoring that, in their view, much of the near term improvement is already reflected in the share price.

Both JPMorgan and TD Cowen raised their targets into the low to mid $50s, indicating that, even with Neutral and Hold ratings, analysts see Federated Hermes as fundamentally sound with credible growth momentum embedded in their models.

JPMorgan lifted its price target to $56 from $55 after a Q3 earnings beat, signaling recognition that recent execution and earnings delivery support a somewhat higher valuation.

Federated Hermes' fair value estimate has nudged up to about $53.29 from roughly $52.43 as analysts factor in stronger expected revenue growth of around 5.06% versus about 3.94% previously, reflecting greater confidence in the companys ability to build on its Q3 execution. A slightly lower discount rate of approximately 8.36% from about 8.43% further supports a higher present value for future cash flows, even as research houses remain measured in their overall stance. Stay tuned to learn how you can track these evolving assumptions and keep up with the shifting narrative around Federated Hermes in the months ahead.

Story continues

How This Changes the Fair Value For Federated Hermes

The fair value estimate has risen slightly to about $53.29 from roughly $52.43, reflecting a modestly higher intrinsic value assessment.

The discount rate has fallen marginally to approximately 8.36% from about 8.43%, modestly increasing the present value of projected cash flows.

The revenue growth assumption has increased meaningfully to around 5.06% from roughly 3.94%, indicating higher expectations for top line expansion.

The net profit margin has edged up slightly to about 20.81% from approximately 20.80%, signaling a nearly unchanged but slightly more optimistic profitability outlook.

The future P/E multiple has declined modestly to roughly 10.16x from about 10.35x, implying a slightly more conservative valuation multiple despite higher earnings expectations.

 Never Miss an Update: Follow The Narrative

Narratives are simple stories that connect your view of a company with the numbers behind it, from future revenue, earnings, and margins to an estimated fair value. On Simply Wall Sts Community page, millions of investors use Narratives to link Federated Hermes' business outlook to a forecast and fair value, then compare that to todays price to decide when to buy or sell. As news and earnings arrive, these Narratives update dynamically so your thesis can evolve in real time.

Read the original Federated Hermes Narrative on Simply Wall St and stay on top of how the story and valuation evolve over time.

Track how expansion into digital assets, alternatives, and ESG strategies could diversify FHIs revenue and support higher long term margins.

Follow how money market strength, demographic shifts, and rising global wealth feed into revenue, EPS, and fair value estimates through 2028.

Monitor key risks like fee pressure, regulation, and competition that could challenge the thesis and signal when FHI looks over or undervalued.

Follow the full Federated Hermes Narrative on Simply Wall St to see how the story, numbers, and fair value evolve together.

Curious how numbers become stories that shape markets? Explore Community Narratives

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include FHI.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Doximity (NYSE:DOCS) is one of the most promising mid-cap healthcare stocks under $50.

On December 16, Bank of America analyst Allen Lutz reiterated his bullish stance on Doximity (NYSE:DOCS). He assigned a Buy rating to the stock with a $82 price target. This implies a highly attractive 88% upside potential for investors within the prevailing trading range.

Lutz attributed such upside to accelerating growth within the healthcare provider (HCP) budgets, as Doximity (NYSE:DOCS) has also been raising its budgetary allocation towards HCP advertising. He noted that such a shift towards HCP comes on the back of meager growth within direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. Another area of focus for Doximity (NYSE:DOCS) is the digital video initiatives, which are also a growth catalyst, as per experts.

As of December 19 closing, the consensus estimates reflect a positive analyst sentiment for Doximity (NYSE:DOCS), after the stock has dropped more than 18% in 2025. Of the 15 analyst ratings assigned to the stock, 8 were Buy calls, 5 were Hold calls, and only 2 were Sell calls. Analysts forecast a 1-year average price target of $66.62 per share, implying 52.6% upside from the current level.

Doximity (NYSE:DOCS) is a digital platform that provides online networking services for healthcare and medical professionals. The company has an extensive network currently covering around 80% of U.S.-based physicians. Their AI-powered application helps in efficient HIPAA-compliant communication among healthcare professionals.

While we acknowledge the potential of DOCS 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.
Key Points

D-Wave Quantum stock more than tripled this year.

The company plans to present its technology at CES 2026 in January.

10 stocks we like better than D-Wave Quantum 

Shares of quantum computing company D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) soared 13.5% through 10:40 a.m. ET Monday. And why?

This morning the company announced it will participate in CES 2026 on Jan. 7, 2026, presenting there "its award-winning annealing quantum computing technology, hybrid quantum-classical solvers, and real-world customer use cases." Vice president of quantum technology evangelism Murray Thom will also explain the "potential for synergy between quantum, AI and blockchain."

Spherical quantum computing chip.

Image source: Getty Images.

D-Wave in 2025

D-Wave stock soared nearly 230% in 2025. In the company's Q3 report, CEO Dr. Alan Baratz said that "the world is watching quantum, and specifically D-Wave, as we deliver quantum computing's value to businesses, researchers, and governments now."

Last month, D-Wave announced 100% growth in Q3 revenue and offered its improvements in "gross profit, bookings, and cash balance" as evidence of the company's "success in accelerating global quantum computing adoption."

Is D-Wave stock a buy in 2026?

Yet D-Wave stock is something of a work in progress. Did revenue double in Q3? Yes, but the company's still doing barely $24 million in annual business, which isn't a lot for a stock valued at $9.6 billion.

That works out to a price-to-sales ratio of 400 times. And D-Wave, of course, has no price-to-earnings ratio at all, because it has no earnings. Even Wall Street analysts who recommend the stock (and there are a lot of them) don't anticipate D-Wave turning profitable before 2030 at the earliest, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. To achieve this, they say D-Wave must first reach an annual revenue of more than $590 million.

There's a long way to go between here and there. In the meantime, investors should expect D-Wave stock to trade like the momentum stock that it is.

Should you invest $1,000 in D-Wave Quantum right now?

Before you buy stock in D-Wave Quantum, 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 D-Wave Quantum 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 $509,039!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,109,506!*
Key Points

Redwire won an eight figure contract from Europe's TEC last week.

The stock has been moving higher ever since.

10 stocks we like better than Redwire 

Redwire (NYSE: RDW) stock jumped as much as 10% this morning before retracing to about a 3.9% gain as of 1:50 p.m. ET. It's a shame the space stock couldn't hold onto its gains, but it doesn't change the fact:

This is the third day in a row that Redwire stock has moved higher.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Redwire stock keeps going up

Redwire first started moving higher on Thursday last week, after the company announced it had won an "eight-figure deal" to build two International Docking System Standard (IDSS) compliant docking systems for privately held The Exploration Company (TEC).

For a company that generated less than $300 million in 2025 revenue, the eight figures -- meaning at least $10 million in revenue -- is a significant sum, accounting for at least 3.4% of annual revenue. It also helps Redwire to expand further in what's already its most successful business, selling space infrastructure parts to European space firms.

Is Redwire stock a buy?

The contract also brings Redwire in on the ground floor, supplying docking systems to TEC, which is still a start-up company, and has only one vehicle, Nyx, that it hopes to use as an orbital service vehicle. If Nyx proves successful and TEC expands and grows its fleet, this could mean more contracts for Redwire over time.

That remains to be seen, however. In the meantime, a more immediate catalyst for Redwire stock to move higher would be if the company succeeds in turning free cash flow-positive next year, as analysts have forecast. Redwire's still not a "profitable" company, and analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence don't predict GAAP profits before 2028.

Achieving positive free cash flow in 2026, though, would be a step in the right direction.

Should you buy stock in Redwire right now?

Before you buy stock in Redwire, 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 Redwire 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 $509,039!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,109,506!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 972%  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.
Qabil Ashirov

The disposal of expired and unusable ammunition will be carried out between December 22 and 26 at designated military facilities, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense.

According to the ministry, the destruction process will take place in strict compliance with safety regulations at a military training ground near the Pir?k??kul settlement, as well as at a training center located in the Aghdara district.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the operations are planned and controlled, and pose no threat to the public.

The ministry also urged residents not to be alarmed by the sounds of explosions during the specified period, stressing that there is no cause for concern.
Some Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) shareholders are probably rather concerned to see the share price fall 37% over the last three months. On the other hand the share price is higher than it was three years ago. In that time, it is up 76%, which isn't bad, but not amazing either.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 3 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During three years of share price growth, Wolverine World Wide moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd expect the share price to be up.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

NYSE:WWW Earnings Per Share Growth December 22nd 2025

It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. This free interactive report on Wolverine World Wide's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Wolverine World Wide's TSR for the last 3 years was 93%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

Wolverine World Wide shareholders are down 18% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 16%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 6% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Wolverine World Wide better, we need to consider many other factors. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Wolverine World Wide you should be aware of.
Spot XRP ETFs in the United States have continued to show strength, clocking $82 million in inflows over the past week. The significance of these net flows is even more pronounced as Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs bled.

XRP ETFs Cross $1.2 Billion in AUM

Spot XRP ETFs in the US have crossed $1.2 billion in total assets under management (AUM). Since its launch in mid-November, this investment product has seen six weeks of continuous inflows. This shows that the institutional interest remains intact even when the Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs have been seeing consistent outflows.

During a recent podcast discussion with Ripple CTO David Schwartz, Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg, and Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, Token Relations founder and CEO Jacquelyn Melinek praised the healthy early growth seen by spot XRP ETFs.

The panel said the initial inflows into XRP ETFs were largely driven by retail investors. But McClurg explained that the institutional interest was quick to follow up amid the rising demand coming from pension funds and insurance funds, outside of the United States.

McClurg added that XRP is often easier for traditional investors to understand compared with other digital assets. This is because its role in payment rails and cross-border liquidity aligns more closely with familiar financial infrastructure.

Bitwises Matt Hougan noted that hes seeing growing engagement from financial advisers seeking crypto assets with long-term viability. He pointed to XRPs lengthy operating history as a factor that reduces concerns about longevity.

According to him, advisers tend to favor assets with clear, explainable use cases, citing XRPs role in cross-currency liquidity and stablecoin-related flows.

Despite these inflows, the XRP price has remained under pressure following the broader market moves. XRP slipped under $2.0 last week, showing underlying weakness among the bulls.

Bitcoin ETFs, Ethereum ETFs, See Major Outflows

As Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) continued to face strong selling pressure last week, amid macro developments like BoJ rate hikes, outflows from their respective ETFs have also surged simultaneously. ETFs for both these assets saw outflows at $497 million and $644 million last week, according to the SoSoValue data.

Apart from XRP, Solana ETFs have also recorded $66.5 million in inflows last week. This shows a clear shift in institutional trend, as capital flows out of the top two assets and moves into the ETFs of other altcoins in the market.

Read original story XRP ETFs Show Strength, Bitcoin ETF, Ethereum ETFs Bleed $490-$650M Last Week by Bhushan Akolkar at Coinspeaker.com
A Ripple engineer recently explained how XRP could gain a utility boost through the upcoming XRPL lending protocol  Source: CoinGape

Edward Hennis stated that XRP holders could earn institutional-grade yield once the XRPL lending protocol launches.

The Ripple engineer highlighted how the protocol differs from the native crypto lending protocol.

Ripple's RLUSD is also expected to benefit from the protocol's launch.

Ripple engineer Edward Hennis has provided key details about the upcoming XRP Ledger (XRPL) lending protocol. As part of the details, he mentioned how the protocol could provide XRP holders with institutional-grade yield even as Ripple looks to onboard institutions onto the XRPL.

XRPL Lending Protocol To Give XRP Holders Institutional Grade Yield

In an X post, the Ripple engineer stated that the upcoming XRPL Lending Protocol will unlock productive on-ledger lending for institutions and create a pathway for XRP holders to earn institutional-grade yield. This came as he explained that the protocol is a new protocol-native system for fixed-term, fixed-rate, and underwritten credit.

Hennis went further to explain how the protocol differs from the native crypto lending protocols. He noted that crypto lending typically relies on pooled collateral and volatile rates, both of which are difficult for institutions.

However, with the XRP Ledger, each loan sits in its own Single Asset Vault (SAV). This segregated pool holds only one asset, such as XRP or RLUSD, thereby isolating risk to that specific credit facility. The pool admin, which serves as the underwriter and operator, manages the vault, and third-party platforms can build UIs on top.

Meanwhile, the Ripple engineer highlighted the use cases of this lending protocol, stating that market makers can borrow XRP or RLUSD for inventory and arbitrage. Furthermore, payment service providers can borrow RLUSD to pre-fund instant merchant payouts, while fintech lenders can access short-duration working capital.

For XRP holders, this provides an opportunity to lend to institutional credit facilities to generate yield, rather than have their coins sit idle. Providing a timeline on when the protocol could launch, Hennis stated that the relevant amendments are expected to enter validator voting in late January, a move that he remarked marks a major step toward activating protocol-native credit markets on XRPL.
" " You'll quickly notice a theme in the places on this list. Ethan Daniels / Shutterstock

When most people dream of travel, they think of popular tourist destinations packed with iconic landmarks and crowded attractions. But the least-visited countries in the world offer something different: raw natural beauty, rich culture, and a chance to explore without the tourist crowds.

Here are the countries where few tourists gobut maybe you should.
Just three days before officials announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) had popped up in a Wisconsin dairy herd, 23 senators sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins urging the federal government to continue its prioritization of strategies to fight the virus. The pathogens detection in a Badger State cow brings the total of states thus affected to 19 since first official reports that it had made the jump to dairy cattle in March 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control.



The letter was signed by a bipartisan contingent of senators from 17 states, most of which have been affected by HPAI in commercial and backyard poultry flocks and several in their dairy cattle populations. It exhorts USDA to expedite the departments review process for a poultry vaccine, noting that avian flu detections have picked up with the onset of winter. The senators expressed concern about livestock as well, emphasizing that a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should follow immediately on the heels of the poultry vaccine approval.

The lawmakers also called for transparency and science-based research within an overall strategy that allows for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders, including producers, veterinarians, and state animal health officials.

Dairy state case

Wisconsins first case of HPAI in a dairy cow was confirmed by USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Dec. 14; the announcement noted that the virus was confirmed by both polymerase chain reaction tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. (The former assesses for active infections, and the latter confirms the presence of antibodies which indicate a prior infection.)

Confirmation of the virus on a dairy farm in Dodge County, Wis., came as part of the state and national governments efforts; the National Milk Testing Strategy is a federal initiative that went live in Wisconsin in May. Samples from each of the states dairy farms have been tested at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) at least monthly, with about 5,000 samples passing through the lab each month. Wisconsin Public Radio has reported that the impacted farms five prior samples had tested negative, and that State Veterinarian Darlene Konkle has affirmed that there was no recent animal movement to the farm and the herd showed no signs of illness. The farm is now under quarantine and its cattle are being monitored, with plans to separate cows from the herd if they exhibit symptoms.



Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) assistant state veterinarian Elisabeth Patton said that more than 24,000 statewide samples had tested negative previous to the Dodge County case.

Research inroads

With HPAI detections in commercial and backyard flocks to the tune of nearly 185 million birds affected since the first reports in February 2022, researchers are working to learn from outbreaks and apply that knowledge toward vaccination breakthroughs. And that doesnt just hold true for winged specimens: University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Veterinary Medicine researchers are working on a universal influenza vaccine for dairy cattle. They must take into account that emerging data shows that HPAI can infect cattle through the mammary glands, not just via the respiratory system  a challenge for scientists, said UW pathobiological sciences professor Marulsiddappa Suresh in an October UW Campus Story. Udder infections ramp up the symptoms, he noted  but the scientists immunogenicity studies have yielded promising indicators that two-pronged immunity, as he called it, is possible. Both antibodies and T-cell responses have been triggered by the teams immune response tests, which shows potential for fighting the disease before it can spread to cells as well as killing already-infected cells.

At Michigan State University (MSU), researchers have confirmed that milk is the best way to test for the presence of HPAI, rather than nasal or vaginal swabbing. In addition, MSU scientists have noted that viral shedding is possible for up to 40 days. As one of the first states to experience a dairy cattle HPAI outbreak, Michigan has been on the front lines, forming policy and collecting data in real time. In fact, their breakthrough regarding the reliability of milk samples drove protocol decisions for the National Milk Testing Strategy, according to a recent MSU Today article.

Other institutions working on the disease include Penn State, Colorado State University, and the University of Minnesota, all of which are researching and collecting data. On the commercial front, a major animal health company announced in a February 2025 press release that it had partnered with Medgene to commercialize an HPAI vaccine for dairy cattle, stating the drug had met USDAs platform technology guidelines and was at that point in the final review stages for conditional approval. The senators letter to USDA urged the department to advance the review process for the draft proposal of a vaccine strategy for poultry and stressed that once a poultry vaccine is deemed safe and effective, dairy cattle should be prioritized.

To date, all 50 states have had confirmed cases in commercial or backyard poultry flocks; 19 states have seen cases of HPAI in dairy cattle herds.
Nazrin Abdul



On December 22, 2025, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, received the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Azerbaijan, Luis Fernando Cuartas Ayala, on the occasion of the conclusion of his diplomatic mission.

As reported by Azernews, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bayramov expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations between the two countries and thanked Ambassador Cuartas Ayala for his contributions in strengthening these ties.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of maintaining and developing political dialogue through mutual visits, contacts, and political and consular consultations.

Minister Bayramov recalled with appreciation his recent meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo at the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), emphasising that such interactions play a crucial role in advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The parties underlined the significance of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Colombia, both bilaterally and within international platforms such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Minister Bayramov highly valued Ambassador Cuartas Ayalas contributions to the development of AzerbaijanColombia relations and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
         

                     .                                           . ( )
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

The Democratic National Committee will not publicly release its autopsy of the 2024 presidential campaign, party officials said, a reversal intended to avoid a contentious reckoning over the party's failure.

Operatives involved in drafting the autopsy worried that revisiting Kamala Harris's loss to Donald Trump would reignite the fiery internal debates that consumed the party in the wake of the 2024 loss at a time when Democrats are eager to celebrate a string of wins in 2025 and focus on the 2026 midterms, the officials said.

But by declining to make the report public, the party is also keeping the lessons learned from its 2024 failures limited to a small group of insiders and dodging a public accounting that many Democrats believe is necessary to avoid repeating past mistakes.

There remain sharp internal debates, for example, over the party's stance on transgender rights, its handling of generational change and whether Harris's selection as President Joe Biden's replacement on the ticket was properly conducted.

"We completed a comprehensive review of what happened in 2024 and are already putting our learnings into motion," Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement that did not directly address the committee's decision to shield the report. "In our conversations with stakeholders from across the Democratic ecosystem, we are aligned on what's important, and that's learning from the past and winning the future. Here's our North Star: does this help us win? If the answer is no, it's a distraction from the core mission."

Democratic officials briefed on the report's contents said the autopsy chastises the party for failing to adequately listen to voters in 2024. The report describes a feeble response to concerns about public safety and immigration in particular, allowing Republicans to dominate the issues, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private findings. That amplified the Democrats' credibility problem on the election's central issue: the economy.

Another key takeaway, officials said, was that the party took young voters for granted, neglecting a group that normally supports its candidates in overwhelming numbers. As a result, they swung toward Trump, with the president winning a majority of first-time voters and increasing his share of youth voters by double digits. The report faults a party wedded to traditional media that often bypasses these voters. It calls for greater engagement with nontraditional media, something that vexed the Harris campaign.

The report, generated based on hundreds of interviews with Democrats in all 50 states, also highlights missteps in how Democrats contact voters, the officials said, noting that while the party reached more voters than ever last year, the outreach was ineffective, led to poor-quality conversations with swing voters, and came too late in pivotal states. The changes suggested by the party, the officials said, include measuring the success of an outreach program by the impact of the conversations, not the number of attempted calls, while also investing in more long-term party building so voter contact does not begin weeks before Election Day.

Democratic officials have struggled to craft and discuss the report for much of the year amid internal debates over the party's direction and leadership.

They were in the final stages of preparing it in October and began briefing top operatives and donors on its contents. But the expected public release was delayed until after off-year elections in November, with the party hoping to keep the focus on races they eventually swept in New York, New Jersey and Virginia.

Those preliminary briefings did not include any reflection on the handling of Biden's late withdrawal from the race, his perceived infirmity and the lack of a competitive process used to select Harris as his replacement, which many Democrats have said was central to their party's defeat. Members of the Democratic committee, including Martin, argued that little could be learned from those reflections, given that it is unlikely the party will face a similar situation again. Still, the lack of any reflection on Biden or Harris led some party insiders to criticize the report as intentionally avoiding what many saw as the most decisive issue in the 2024 loss.

The delays in releasing the report have spurred internal Democratic grumbling, and the committee's decision to keep it private was already stirring up Democratic anger.

"A handful of wins is not the same as the rehabilitation of the Democratic brand, which is required to build real governing majorities and a national coalition," said Alyssa Cass, a Democratic operative in New York. "Achieving that requires real soul-searching and new ideas, and it would be nice for candidates and campaigns to know they had a partner in that hard work, instead of an institutional structure buried in the sand."

Other Democrats echoed Cass, casting the decision as the Democratic National Committee looking to obscure its own failings in 2024.

But some Democratic operatives, especially those close to the committee, praised the decision as prudent. "Democrats don't need to engage in a hand-wringing exercise about last year's elections when we're winning this year's elections," said Xochitl Hinojosa, a former top spokesperson for the DNC.

How the party handles learning from the 2024 loss could prove critical for years to come. Democratic officials and campaign operatives from winning campaigns this year have already said they used lessons from the 2024 campaign to strengthen their operations. And some of the party's most high-profile members, including Harris, have begun to break from the policies that defined the Biden administration.

In a speech Friday night at the Democratic National Committee meeting in Los Angeles, Harris argued that both Democrats and Republicans have failed to address Americans' deep financial anxieties and lack of confidence in government.

"Both parties have failed to hold the public's trust. Government is viewed as fundamentally unable to meet the needs of its people," Harris said in an implicit condemnation of the Biden administration, which she served in for four years as his vice president and defended throughout her unsuccessful presidential campaign.

Trump "is not the only source of our problems," Harris said, arguing that the rise of his political movement is "a symptom of a failed system that is the result of years of outsourcing and offshoring, financial deregulation, growing income inequality, a broken campaign finance system and endless partisan gridlock."



(COMMENT, BELOW)




SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

Former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz met with President Donald Trump this week and said the constitutionality of his serving a third term was "not clear," the Wall Street Journal reported.

According to the Journal, Dershowitz met with Trump in the Oval Office and offered a draft of his upcoming book, "Could President Trump Constitutionally Serve a Third Term?," which is expected to be published in 2026. Dershowitz previously served on Trump's legal team during his first term when he was impeached by Congress.

"I said, It's not clear if a president can become a third term president, and it's not clear if it's permissible,'" the Journal quotes Dershowitz as saying. His publisher describes the book as an "astute constitutional analysis" that "lays out exactly how Trump could become the forty-eighth president of the United States."

In 2020, as Trump's lawyer, Dershowitz asserted that a president's action, even if taken for personal or political gain, does not warrant impeachment so long as it is done in the public interest.

Dershowitz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The 22nd Amendment explicitly bans any president from seeking more than two terms, either in consecutive or nonconsecutive sequence. It states: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." The amendment, passed by Congress in 1947, became part of the Constitution in 1951.

Since returning to office for a second term, Trump has not flatly ruled out the idea of running for a third term. The mixed messages have made it hard to know how seriously he is toying with the idea.

In February, he raised the prospect by asking the attendees of a White House reception whether they would support him running for a third term. The next month, in a phone interview with NBC News, Trump suggested that multiple plans had begun to circulate for him to run again. In an interview in October, Trump acknowledged the constitutional two-term limit prohibiting a 2028 run, saying it's "not allowed" but that he "would love to do it."

He has also doled out "Trump 2028" hats inside the Oval Office during official meetings and sold them through his private company, adding fuel to speculation of any potential plans to stay in power.

Asked for comment Wednesday evening, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said: "There has never been an Administration that has accomplished as much in less than one year than the Trump Administration. The American people would be lucky to have President Trump in office for even longer."

One scenario that has been discussed is for him to run for vice president and then assume the top role after the election, though that appears to run contrary to both the 22nd Amendment and the 12th Amendment, which states that no person ineligible to be president can become vice president.

His allies have openly encouraged the idea.

During a White House Hanukkah ceremony, Trump invited top Republican donor Miriam Adelson onstage. Adelson said she had spoken to Dershowitz about the issue, and as many in the crowd chanted "four more years," Adelson turned to Trump to say: "Think about it."

Adelson and her late husband gave $658 million to influence elections between 2015 and 2024, according to a recent Washington Post analysis. As they hugged, Trump told the gathering, "She said, 'Think about it, and I'll give you another $250 million.'"



(COMMENT, BELOW)




Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Physician advocate and physical therapist Kim Downey and counselor Shari Morin-Degel discuss their article, Why burnout prevention starts with leadership. Shari shares her personal journey from a trauma-exposed mental health professional to a burned-out leader who initially expected her team to just push through. The conversation highlights how she reached a breaking point and realized that true recovery requires more than just individual resilience, it requires systemic support. Kim and Shari explore the data behind the My Work BALANCE initiative, revealing that employee engagement with wellness tools soars only when leaders actively model participation and provide paid time for it. They discuss critical research on behavior change and argue that tools alone are useless without a culture of visible norms and psychological safety. Learn how to shift from a culture of survival to one where teams can actually thrive.

Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot.

Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can.

Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and its part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust.

Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow.

VISIT SPONSOR  https://aka.ms/kevinmd

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST  https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD  https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi. Welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome back Kim Downey, a physician advocate and physical therapist. She introduces me to Shari Morin-Degel, a counselor. Their KevinMD article is Why burnout prevention starts with leadership. Kim and Shari, welcome to the show.

Kim Downey: Thank you, Kevin.

Shari Morin-Degel: Thank you.

Kevin Pho: All right, Kim, I always ask you: How did you find Shari, and what about her writing and her resonated with you?

Kim Downey: Sure. So I am part of the Medicine Forward team, and they recently asked me to interview Shari for their new podcast. Shari sent me some information ahead of time, and I realized what an important, informed perspective she has about the responsibility that leadership shares in supporting employees. For Shari, it comes from a place of having been there. I am hoping to amplify the messages of health care leaders making a positive impact, and Shari is a great example of that.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kevin Pho: All right, Shari, why dont you briefly share your story and journey, and then talk about the KevinMD article for those who didnt get a chance to read it yet.

Shari Morin-Degel: OK, great. Thank you so much. Wonderful to be here. Thank you, Kim, for inviting me to collaborate, and thanks for accepting our article. I am a counselor by trade, and so that is how I started in my career. Then I spent a little over 15 years in executive leadership. I really got to understand burnout from both perspectives, having been in direct care and then having supervised direct care, and having experienced burnout myself. I also worked with hundreds of employees who have experienced burnout at one time or another.

For me, my journey was sort of having been burnt out but not knowing it. It was early enough in my career that we werent talking about that. There really wasnt a mechanism for addressing it. Then I took it into my role and just expected others to carry it the same way that I had. Then I sort of hit a wall eventually because enough stacked up that there was finally a straw. I wasnt happy with who I was as a person. I wasnt happy in my career. I was sort of running out of options. Leaving my career was not an option, so I was sort of forced to face it.

In the article, I share that I am a nature lover. I think you can see trees and a creek behind me. I have horses in my life. For me, I had great friends, and we took our horses every Saturday for three months and went out and rode in the woods. I didnt take a sabbatical; I didnt have to leave. I just took the time. We took a lunch and just got away. That refreshed me. It reminded me again of what it felt to feel good and that I needed to protect that. That was sort of the beginning. That wasnt the end of my recovery; that was sort of the beginning of my recovery.

So now, that is what I do. That is where I focus: with individuals and organizations, helping them with burnout. I created an app to try to support that work because it is really about creating habits. You dont get a one-time training and youre fixed, or a one-time tool and youre fixed. Preventing burnout is a long process. Getting there took a long time, so recovering takes a long time.

Kevin Pho: Shari, you mentioned earlier that you felt symptoms of burnout even before we started talking about it recently. So tell us exactly what you were feeling, and how did it affect the people around you and the work that you did?

Shari Morin-Degel: The work that I did, what I noticed is either over-identifying with clients or under-identifying with clients. That compromised my work with them. So I was either so fully invested that it was like: Oh, this is terrible. I dont know how there is hope for you. I cant see a path forward. Or it was: Get over it. Just stop. Finding that balance impacted the quality of my work with them.

For me personally, I was very irritable. I was very short-tempered, spontaneously angry, and emotionally eruptive. I was prickly, so I was not approachable. In my leadership, I was more defensive. So challenging the status quo was not safe with me. I was trying to push all of those things as far away as I could.

Kevin Pho: Kim, as you hear Sharis story now, and as you talked to her before, what are some common threads from her story that you could relate to the other stories of burnout and moral injury that youve heard from other health professionals that youve interviewed?

Kim Downey: Well, one thing is she shared her specific symptoms, and that resonates. I have heard other doctors talk about the same things, even somatic symptoms like physical symptoms. Shari has gone through multiple periods of burnout, and other doctors have too. One thing they spotlight is that the symptoms could be different within themselves, even in their different periods of burnout. Shari might be able to speak to that a little bit more; her first period of burnout might not have looked like her second period of burnout.

Also, at first, I love that she is willing to talk about these things. That is another thread that other doctors relate to because, on one hand, you think: Well, youre a counselor. Shouldnt you be aware of that? Or doctors, youre smart people. But that is so true when it is yourself. It also kind of relates to, say, youre a parent and youre a physician and you have to bring your kid to the emergency room. In that situation, youre a parent, right? You dont have your doctor brain on; you have your parent brain on.

So I just love the threads. So much of this is unique to each person, but there are so many similarities. Every time we share these stories, we are just chipping away at the stigma and saying: Youre not alone, and it is OK to seek help. Youre not weak. Just all of those messages are so important.

Kevin Pho: Kim, you highlight a certain irony here because Shari is a counselor who has to deal with burnout from people that she works with, but then she is burnt out herself. In the article, Shari, you mentioned a breaking point being an electronic medical record rollout. So tell us more about that.

Shari Morin-Degel: Yeah. So in my role, I was responsible for bringing in an EMR. It was really our first. So it required having to change everything and trying to fit it into this mold. EMRs were still fairly new at the time, so they werent really ideal. We had a combination of residential and community services, and it was really only designed for residential. So we were trying to make community fit. There was just a year solid of being forced to make this system work, and then the rollout, the training, and the complications meant it was so challenging.

I was also doing my full-time job in addition to it. It was sort of like: Just figure this out. Just add this once it gets implemented. What we did not know was really the depth of what it took to do that. It is sort of like: Oh, we are going to invest in this technology because it is going to save us from having to hire people, or it is going to save more time. That is not the truth. I mean, it takes more manpower to do that.

So, we just didnt know upfront what it would take. It was just piling that on. In a lot of the work that I do, technology and workflow efficiencies are significant contributors to burnout, in addition to the secondary trauma. That is sort of its own piece. But we do not recognize the impact of what it takes to adapt to advances in technology.

Kevin Pho: And Shari, did you get any support from leadership during this rollout when they just added these administrative burdens to your plate?

Shari Morin-Degel: I got empathy in terms of, I am sorry this is so challenging, but I also got deadlines: Sorry, it hurts, but get it done. So that was also really frustrating. Then even with colleagues among other departments, getting feedback and dissatisfaction that I took personally. It was dissatisfaction with the technology and the limitations of that, but I felt like I wasnt able to find those answers. So, yeah, that was challenging.

Kevin Pho: Kim, youve talked to a lot of health care professionals who undergo burnout, and sometimes leadership papers over these symptoms with empathy, but very rarely do they offer some structural change to fix their burnout. So, Kim, how common is that, that leadership fixes burnout with like pizza parties and yoga and kind of superficial responses to burnout rather than real structural change?

Kim Downey: That is very common, and that is why doctors tend to mock that on social media, right? That the answer isnt a pizza party or doing more yoga. Again, which we might have talked about before but is so important to reiterate, that is why some doctors understandably hate the term resilience. They feel like, You guys are some of the most resilient people on the planet, and that makes it seem like an individual problem. If you could just be more resilient, you could fix this, when it is really the systems that are the problem.

However, some organizations are doing a very good job with this. Dr. Apo Gupta is working on this; he found what he calls a loving organization. He has found that there are some organizations around the country who are doing a very good job with this and that they are caring for their employees so their employees can care for the patients. So that is what I am really starting to focus on now: trying to amplify leaders who are doing it right and creating an impact to help all of us, which in the end helps doctors and patients.

Kevin Pho: So, Shari, tell us what happened next in the story. What were some of the things that you did to climb out of that pit of burnout, and some of the lessons that youve learned and could share with us today?

Shari Morin-Degel: I think some of the biggest lessons that I learned were, and I hate to bring back the word resilience, but this was again sort of the foundation of my story, learning what a healthy nervous system looks like. In returning to a healthy place, then I was able to impact the environment.

So sort of like: OK, what is health again? Finding that, learning what a healthy nervous system is. That was not a part of my training at all. That came many years into my practice. But learning about that, and then once I found that, protecting that. Being able to build some self-awareness around the stress response so that then I was like: Oh, wow, that is a trigger. OK.

Before, I would have just fought it, fled it, avoided it, or gone into people-pleasing mode. I would have had one of those reactions that in the moment feel completely justified, and that is why we are not aware of it. That is part of the mechanism: we feel justified in that response.

So being able to build awareness around that, and then I could recognize by my reaction what were those chronic stressors. Then be able to either advocate for myself or try to build real solutions around that. Whether it was just needing authenticity, needing autonomy, or whether it was way too complicated. Just being able to identify what those problems were, then I could actually implement something. But as long as I continued operating from that sort of triggered state, I wasnt ever solving a problem.

You know what? I found that in that process, when I was not coming from a triggered state, I was getting more support from my leadership. I was getting more support from the people that I supervised, and I was able to be more supportive of them. I was able to role model how to just stay calm, how to feel safe, and how to talk about that.

So, I think it is not about taking breaks. I mean, yes, we have to take breaks; that is a part of it. But when you come back to what you are working with, you have to have a system. You have to have a way for solving the chronic stressors.

Kevin Pho: Kim, youve again talked to a lot and heard a lot of stories. You talked to a lot of clinicians about their burnout and how to get leaders to buy in. So Shari talked to us about one way that she did it. What are some other ways that youve heard other health care professionals share in terms of getting health care leaders to buy in and really implement that cultural change that is really needed?

Kim Downey: Well, I think you really have to show how it affects their bottom line. They need to deeply understand how supporting employees is less costly than turnover, health care expenses, and disengagement. Because I think a lot of it is they think, Well, we dont have the money to support our employees. So I think that is what it has to come down to: show them.

I am sure you have shared the statistic before that every time a doctor leaves a system, it costs the hospital $500,000 to a million dollars to replace them. And then, of course, when you have doctors that go so far that they take their own life, the ripples that has on all of the patients that dont get seen and their families mean the replications are horrific.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Kim Downey, physician advocate, and Shari Morin-Degel, counselor. Their KevinMD article is Why burnout prevention starts with leadership. Now I am going to ask each of you just to end with some take-home messages that you want to share with the KevinMD audience. Shari, why dont you go first?

Shari Morin-Degel: I think the take-home message is that while we are still sorting out big system things, like pay structures and systems, we still have to survive in the meantime. We cant wait for those big system things to change. Absolutely, I dont want to take away from the importance of having to figure those out, but we still have to survive in the meantime. So I think being able to know not just what works for you in your personal life, but what works for you at work, what works for you in your professional life, and protecting those things, being able to advocate for those things, and finding balance at work, not just in your personal life.

Kevin Pho: And Kim, as always, we end with you. Please share your take-home messages.

Kim Downey: So I liked what Shari shared today about what is a healthy nervous system and learning about that and figuring that out. Because when I went to PT school, we have some of the same stressors and burnout and moral injury, and we didnt have any classes on that. So I feel like for all health care professionals, that does need to be embedded in the curriculum. So I think that is really important.

And then also, I thought of the quote this morning that I think is attributed to Maya Angelou: When you know better, you do better. That is not always the case. That is why I wanted to spotlight Shari because she is a good example of that. I feel like we need to amplify good leaders so what they are doing can be replicated.

Shari shared her important story of not understanding how her own unprocessed secondary trauma was affecting how she was showing up as a leader. Once she realized it, she acted on it. As I said before, she came to deeply understand that supporting employees is less costly than turnover, health care expenses, and disengagement. She transformed as a leader. Well-being is a shared responsibility between individuals, leaders, and teams. Leadership buy-in and support is the right thing to do and the sustainable thing to do for both individuals and organizations to thrive.

Kevin Pho: Shari and Kim, thank you so much for sharing your perspectives and insight. Thanks for coming on the show.

Kim Downey: Thank you, Kevin.

Shari Morin-Degel: Thank you. It is great to be here.
Ive been thinking about choice a lot lately, not the rich, ethically grounded version we teach in medical school, rooted in autonomy, informed consent, and shared decision-making, but a thinner, more selective version now circulating in political and legal discourse. The kind that sounds principled until you read the fine print.

The message goes like this: You may choose, just make sure you choose correctly.

Its the literary equivalent of Animal Farm: All choices are equal, until some are deemed more equal than others.

That tension sharpened for me after reading a recent investigation describing how U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi personally intervened to drop federal charges against a Utah surgeon who knowingly falsified government medical records, undermined public health surveillance, destroyed federally supplied COVID-19 vaccines, and deceived children and families about what was being injected into their bodies, all explicitly reframed as acts of medical freedom.

I couldnt help but wonder what this logic looks like when applied evenly across medicine.

Or rather: What it would look like if I were still practicing.

Because I, too, believe in patient choice. I support abortion care. I support gender-affirming treatment for transgender patients. I practiced medicine grounded in evidence, ethics, and professional consensus. I documented meticulously. I obtained informed consent. I stayed squarely within established standards of care.

Yet somehow, I suspect Pam Bondi would have questions about my version of choice, which now comes with an asterisk.

Choice as a one-way street

Lets be clear about what kind of choice is being celebrated here.

The acts committed by the physician in this case would ordinarily be called fraud, deception, and serious ethical violations, all carrying substantial prison time. Instead, these actions were reframed as moral courage. The physician, we are told, gave his patients a choice.

Apparently, that choice included:

Choosing to misrepresent vaccination status

Choosing to sabotage public health systems

Choosing to lie to children for their own good by injecting them with saline

And crucially, choosing in a direction politically favored by those in power.

This is not autonomy. This is alignment.

ADVERTISEMENT

And it doesnt stop with one surgeon. According to the reporting, the dismissal of charges has already emboldened other clinicians facing similar cases (some reconsidering guilty pleas, others seeking pardons, and still others newly confident that what was once prosecuted as fraud may now be celebrated as conscience).

This is how precedent works. Not quietly or abstractly, but contagiously.

When the system signals that certain violations will be forgiven, so long as they align with the correct version of choice, it invites repetition. The rules dont disappear; they simply reveal whom they were never meant to bind.

The emerging rule seems to be this: Choice is sacred, provided it runs downstream from ideology.

My patients are choosing too

So let me ask (sincerely), what would Pam Bondi say about my choices?

When a pregnant patient chooses to terminate a pregnancy after careful counseling, evidence-based discussion, and personal reflection, am I empowering autonomy, or suddenly a dangerous radical undermining society?

When a transgender adolescent, together with parents and a multidisciplinary care team, chooses gender-affirming treatment consistent with every major medical association, am I honoring informed consent, or corrupting children?

When I respect my patients identity, lived experience, and carefully considered decisions, am I practicing medicine, or committing a thought crime?

Because heres the uncomfortable symmetry: My patients are choosing, too.

Yet selective tolerance for choice appears everywhere we look. We see it when physicians hesitate to provide emergency pregnancy care despite federal obligations; when FDA-approved medication abortion becomes inaccessible through telemedicine; when patients seeking medical aid in dying are told autonomy ends at the edge of suffering; and when harm-reduction strategies for substance use are discouraged despite overwhelming evidence of effectiveness.

In each case, the patient may choose (and the physician may agree) until that choice collides with a political boundary. Then autonomy yields, not to science or ethics, but to power.

The difference is not ethics. The difference is politics.

Freedom for me, not for thee

We are told this is about resisting government overreach. About standing up to mandates. About restoring the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship.

But watch closely where that rhetoric stops.

It stops at abortion. It stops at transgender care. It stops at reproductive autonomy.

It stops the moment choice threatens a preferred moral order.

Suddenly, the same voices celebrating medical freedom begin issuing bans, restrictions, criminal penalties, and professional sanctions. Suddenly, doctors are told that this choice is illegal, that conversation is prohibited, and that evidence-based treatments endorsed by consensus are forbidden.

Apparently, the doctor-patient relationship is sacred, unless the patient chooses wrong and the doctor agrees.

The real test of principle

If medical freedom were a genuine ethical stance, it would be consistent. It would defend:

A womans right to make reproductive decisions

A transgender patients right to medically appropriate care

A physicians obligation to follow evidence rather than ideology

But consistency is precisely whats missing.

Instead, we get a version of freedom that operates like a velvet rope:

Step through if your beliefs align

Bounce off if they dont

This isnt principled libertarianism. Its selective permissiveness masquerading as moral courage.

What choice actually requires

True respect for choice is demanding. It requires humility. It requires tolerating decisions you personally dislike. It requires trusting evidence over instinct, process over passion. Most of all, it requires accepting that other peoples bodies are not your ideological battleground.

If falsifying vaccine cards is heroic because it honors choice, then so is providing abortion care. If deceiving public health systems is valorized because it resists authority, then so is resisting laws that criminalize gender-affirming medicine. If the doctor-patient relationship must be protected from government intrusion, then protect it everywhere, or stop pretending.

A final question

So Ill ask plainly, in the spirit of transparency: Pam Bondi, do I get to practice medical freedom too? Or is freedom only freedom when it flows in one ideological direction?

Because from where I sit, this isnt about choice. It isnt about autonomy. It isnt even about medicine. Its about deciding which patients deserve agency and which doctors deserve protection.

And once choice becomes conditional, it stops being a principle at all.

Arthur Lazarus is a former Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. He is the author of several books on narrative medicine and the fictional series Real Medicine, Unreal Stories. His latest book, a novel, is Standard of Care: Medical Judgment on Trial.
Adapted from Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress and Neurodiversity. (Penguin Random House Canada/Signal, 2025.)



February 1992. Im in the consulting-room side of a one-way mirror divide. Opposite us in the room are four people: thirteen-year-old Sofia, her older sister Julieta, and their mother and father. The parents speak with a strong Spanish accent. The girls mother has an anxious look on her face. She has one hand on Sofias knee. Sofia looks away perhaps in embarrassment or disgust (at herself or her mother?), Julieta is looking at Sofia with a sharpness that suggests annoyance, occasionally rolling her eyes when Sofia or their mother speaks. Their father, physically separate (his chair being out of touching distance with the rest of his family), only answers questions if specifically asked. He seems somewhat peripheral to the charged relational dynamic in the room. They are here because Sofia has recently taken an overdose of paracetamol.

Im feeling overwhelmed. I have recently started my first placement in a child and adolescent psychiatry service. This is the first time I am in front of the one-way mirror. Interviewing a whole family where intense emotions are swirling is new to me.

Im learning that in child psychiatry the identified patient (in this case Sofia) is not the only, or even the main, focus of therapeutic efforts. Sofia exists within a relational network, and working with this network may be more impactful than trying to treat something in her mind. At the time, I dont recall any questions of diagnosis. We were more interested in the face-value descriptions of what led to a referral. There were behaviour problems, eating issues, self-harm, suicidal feelings, overdoses, and occasionally psychotic presentations. We didnt categorize anyone as having ADHD, or autism, or childhood depression. This was how I was taught child psychiatry.

In adult psychiatry, I concluded that you spend most of your time as a glorified pharmacist. All I could see from adult psychiatry practice was a conveyer belt of changing or adding medications until patients had cycled through the limited number of drugs a psychiatrist can prescribe. The patients you see in clinic become numbers in a system, living a chronic relapsing course, spending year after year in psychiatric services. The gift of child psychiatry to the rest of psychiatry, and indeed to health care in general, is twofold.

First is development: Development broadly helps us appreciate that life is in constant motion, that change is the one predictable aspect of living. When dealing with young people you know their bodies change, so will interests, relationships, emotional depth, what they view as significant and important, their ambitions, sleep patterns, social and political beliefs, the music they like, their sexuality, and so on. The only thing I can predict with certainty when I see a young person is that they will change. However, none of us know in what way they will change. Theres something marvelous about that.

Development broadly helps us appreciate that life is in constant motion, that change is the one predictable aspect of living. When dealing with young people you know their bodies change, so will interests, relationships, emotional depth, what they view as significant and important, their ambitions, sleep patterns, social and political beliefs, the music they like, their sexuality, and so on. The only thing I can predict with certainty when I see a young person is that they will change. However, none of us know in what way they will change. Theres something marvelous about that. The second gift is understanding that life exists in contexts: Most of the important decisions that affect childrens lives are not made by them but by various people in caring relationships to them. Our life contexts simultaneously provide possibilities and limitations. There are material contexts, social contexts, historical contexts, cultural contexts, and relational contexts, and our understanding of what is happening in our lives will be influenced by all of these. Each context contributes to the nature of the meaning-making frameworks through which we scaffold our experience and interpret the significance of all that happens to us.

I consider myself to be a traditional child psychiatrist. Respecting the twin pillars of development and context has allowed me to view what we consider as mental health problems through the lens of the ordinary and extraordinary, rather than normal and abnormal. This means thinking systemically and developmentally about the dilemmas that people face at certain points in their lives. All we can do is generate various subjective hypotheses about the situation of a person/family, and the nature of that hypothesis will carry implications for how we then intervene. We cannot know the truth about their experiences.

Little did I know, when I first stepped into the world of child psychiatry three decades ago, how far and deep the tentacles of diagnostic mental health ideology would reach. Diagnostic ideologys pathologizing, labelling, and medicating is strangling my adopted profession. There has never been a generation of young people so colonised by mental health propaganda.

These days practice in child and adolescent mental health has been expunged of the curiosity and openness of a developmental and contextual backdrop, in favour of treatment pathways. In the treatment pathway model, you get a diagnosis, which then informs you about the correct treatment. This individualized model has facilitated the growth of certain therapies, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), on the one hand, and medication use on the other. The idea of seeing young people, like Sofia, in the context of their family and community, is now relegated to a side show, where the young person might be referred to a family therapy clinic. This is a model that sees the patient as the location of the problem when things dont improve after receiving what is considered the correct treatment for their diagnosis. When this happens you become at risk of accumulating new diagnoses, being labelled as treatment-resistant, and having medications added to whatever has already been prescribed.

Now people cling to their diagnoses. They have become woven into their identities. The medical establishment has long been selling the story that each problem has a cause (a diagnosis) and a technical solution, whether pharmaceutical or psychotherapeutic. In a strange contortion of logic, its not unusual to hear I thought it was just me, but now I know it was my ADHD, with ADHD then simultaneously occupying a role as an identity and the function of something thats not me.

It seems a lifetime since the days I first encountered and found sanity in child and adolescent mental health. I can hardly picture those times any more.

Sami Timimi is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist and author of Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress and Neurodiversity.
If your house is hit by a major storm or natural disaster, your roof may pay the price. If so, you'll probably find yourself scrambling. While dealing with a roof emergency will always be stressful, understanding what to do ahead of time can help you stay calm and make smart decisions in the moment.

This article lays out the specific steps you should take during a roof emergency to protect your home, prevent further damage and keep yourself safe. We'll also cover questions about home insurance claims and connecting with an emergency roofing contractor.

For even more help, consider reading our explainer on how to prepare for and prevent winter roofing emergencies. Solid preparation is often the best approach to emergency management.

Here's exactly what you should do during a roof emergency

Storm damage can happen fast, especially when it comes to roofs, and keeping a heavy-duty tarp on hand is a good way to mitigate some of the worst initial damage (hapabapa via Getty Images)

You may not have time to do much research if you're dealing with major roof damage from a storm, so consider saving this article for the future when you may need it.

Make sure you, your family and your pets are safe

When it comes to severe roof damage, safety first is the best motto. If the underlying structure of your roof, ceiling or walls has been damaged, this can create serious risks for anyone still inside your home. You may also be exposed to the elements if the damage to your roof is significant enough.

Before you take any other steps to deal with your damaged roof, keep yourself, your family and your pets safe by moving everyone into a dry, stable and well-protected part of the home. In some cases, you may need to make arrangements to leave the home altogether, but be careful about venturing outside in dangerous weather.

While situations like this can be scary and overwhelming, try not to panic as you move to safety and begin tackling the next steps.

Safely assess the damage from the ground

Staying well clear of any unstable areas, assess the damage from a safe distance, both inside and outside. This will help you accurately report the situation to your home insurance company.

While assessing the situation, take note of whether the damage is affecting any power lines, and consider turning off your home's circuit temporarily to reduce electrical risks. If the damage is significant enough, this may be a clear sign that you and your family need to evacuate the home.

It's also smart to take photos of what you see, so that you can send them to your insurance company. For more, check out our guide to spotting roof damage after a storm.

Call your home insurance company

Your insurance company is an important resource when you're dealing with damage from a roofing emergency (miodrag ignjatovic via Getty Images)

When we checked in with Melanie McGovern, Director of Public Relations and Social Media for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus (BBB), she said the first thing a homeowner should do during a roofing emergency is call their home insurance provider. "Just like with a car accident," McGovern said, who shared this insight with us for Yahoo Local's explainer on roofing storm chasers.

Your home insurer will be able to recommend emergency roofers, walk you through the steps of what to do, and help you start the process of filing an insurance claim (if your policy covers the damage).

Recommended reading from Yahoo Local: Should I let my roofer handle my insurance claim?

The best way to find out if you'll be covered is to review your policy or speak to an insurance agent directly. You can also check out our guide to determining whether your insurance policy covers roofing damage.

Call a roofer that offers emergency services

After checking in with your insurer, the next call you make should be to a roofing contractor that offers emergency repair services. You may receive recommendations from your insurance provider, which can make the process of finding a roofer easier, but you may also need to do the research yourself.

Since finding a trustworthy roofing contractor requires time and effort, McGovern recommends doing this homework ahead of time so you already know who to call during an emergency. "Take an afternoon when you have nothing to do, and list out everything you would possibly need," she said, "like a tree company, a plumber, a roofer, a general contractor."

If you don't know who to call, Yahoo Local is a great place to find vetted and reliable roofing companies, using our guides to the best roofers in towns and cities across the U.S. You can find these guides, plus other helpful roofing resources, in the Yahoo Local roofing hub.

Cover your roof with a tarp (without creating additional risks)

Some roofing companies offer emergency tarping services to help homeowners stave off water damage as they wait for roof repairs (EvergreenPlanet via Getty Images)

If your roof has been damaged, it will be especially vulnerable to water damage, wind damage and leaks. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may even be dealing with serious water leaks inside your home. Even if the weather is dry and calm, that could change in an instant, and the last thing you want is for your home to be left wide open to leaks and water damage.

Without climbing on top of your roof, secure a heavy-duty tarp over the affected areas, if possible. Be careful during this process, especially if the weather is bad, and don't attempt to tarp your roof if this would create an obvious risk for you. For example, if it involves climbing on your roof. Asking others for help is wise, as properly securing a large tarp is difficult to do alone.

Tarping can be a good way to mitigate further damage while you wait for roofers to arrive and assess the damage. However, it also comes with risks. While many roofers recommend temporary tarping to prevent water damage  like Lyons Roofing in Arizona, GP Martini Roofing Co. in Pennsylvania and Greenway Roofing of Florida  and others recommend against it. For example, IKO North America, a major manufacturer of roofing products, advises homeowners not to attempt to tarp a leaking roof for safety and insurance reasons.

Remove vulnerable items from the affected area

If any part of your home is exposed to the elements, you could be facing costly or even heartbreaking damage to your home and belongings. Save your stuff by moving vulnerable items out of affected areas, like attics and crawlspaces.

You may also want to consider tarping certain areas inside your home too, if the water intrusion is bad enough to damage floors, furniture and other belongings.

Remember that electronics, wood and fabric are most affected by water damage, so these items should be moved to safety first. Check out our guide to safely moving heavy furniture for tips.

File an insurance claim

If you haven't already started the process, file an insurance claim through your homeowners' insurance (HOI). This will involve contacting your insurer, submitting your claim details, providing documentation if possible and possibly providing an estimate of how much the repairs will cost.

Not all roofing damage is covered by HOI, but if your roof has been damaged by a storm, natural disaster or fallen tree, you'll most likely be covered. Receiving the payout from your claim can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, according to Policygenius.

For more help, see our step-by-step guide to filing an insurance claim for roofing damage

Document the process (safely)

Documenting roofing damage is an essential part of filing a successful insurance claim (elenaleonova via Getty Images)

Throughout the process, be sure to take photos of the damage to your roof, as these will be important for your insurance claim. Use a smartphone to take photos of any obvious exterior or interior damage, including roof holes, damaged gutters, debris or water leaks.

Label the photos and save them in a designated folder so you'll know where to find them when you need them. Depending on your insurance company, you may be able to add these photos to your claim directly from your phone when you have time.

Chad Conley, CEO and co-founder of Complete Roofing in Woodstock, Ga., told Yahoo Local that routinely documenting your roof is important regardless of whether or not you're dealing with damage. "The more you document now, the easier it is to prove your case later, said Conley, who understands how much some homeowners struggle to receive adequate coverage from insurers.

Yahoo Local interviewed Conley for this article about home insurers dropping policyholders over minor roofing issues.

Beware of scam roofers and storm chasers

Homeowners dealing with roofing emergencies are at increased risk of being targeted by storm chasers, some of whom offer fraudulent roofing services at exorbitant rates. Storm chasers target homeowners in storm-rattled areas because it's easier to target unsuspecting customers when they're feeling panicked and rushed to protect their homes.

Luckily, if you're the one reaching out to a roofing contractor (not the other way around), the chances of dealing with a storm chaser are lower. Many storm chasers offer services door-to-door or via cold calling, which are often considered roofing scam red flags.

You can read more about common roofing scams in this guide.

Make plans to stay elsewhere if necessary

Once your insurance claim is filed, your roof is protected, and your roofing crew is on its way, keeping yourself warm and dry should be your main focus. If that's not possible in your home's current state, find another place to stay, if possible, while you wait for repairs.

If you can't find alternate accommodations, try blocking off the affected part of your home using tarps or blankets so that the rest of your home won't be as exposed to drafts and water intrusion.

For those who have children or pets, staying at a friend or family member's house for a few days may be especially helpful, as dealing with a roofing emergency can be stressful and scary.

Stay calm and prioritize safety during roofing emergencies

Large trees and tree limbs are common culprits for roofing emergencies, especially during heavy wind storms and hurricanes (AwakenedEye via Getty Images)

No matter how you slice it, roofing emergencies are majorly stressful, especially if they cause significant damage to your home's underlying structure. While there's no way to eliminate the stress of dealing with a situation like this, being prepared and taking the right steps forward can help you stay grounded.

Start by doing whatever you need to do to keep yourself, your family and your pets safe, especially if you're in the midst of a storm. While roofing emergencies are serious, the health of your roof should take a backseat to the health of the people underneath it. Once you know you're safe, connect with your insurance company, start filing a claim, and find a reliable roofing contractor to call.

While not all roofers offer emergency services, many do  especially those based in areas with severe weather. Many of Yahoo Local's best roofing company guides feature roofers who offer round-the-clock emergency services.

See more Yahoo Local-approved U.S. roofers

Best California roofers

Bakersfield / Fresno / Los Angeles San Diego / San Jose / San Francisco

Best Florida roofers

Cape Coral / Clearwater / Fort Lauderdale / Fort Myers / Jacksonville / Lakeland / Miami / Orlando / Pensacola / Sarasota / St. Augustine / St. Petersburg / Tallahassee / Tampa / West Palm Beach

Best New York roofers

Brooklyn / Buffalo / New York City / Rochester / Staten Island

Best Texas roofers

Arlington / Austin / Dallas / Fort Worth / Houston / Katy / Lubbock / San Antonio / Sugar Land / Tyler
> <

23:51 SKM announces all India protest against G RAM G law on Jan 16 The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday announced an 'All India Resistance Day' on January 16 against the passing of a new law that replaces the rural employment scheme MGNREGA.SKM leaders held a press conference on Monday where they demanded that the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and... Read more >

23:40 Over 500 flights delayed at Delhi airport on Monday More than 500 flights were delayed, and at least 14 flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport due to bad weather and low visibility conditions.An official said that 14 flights, including 6 arrivals and 8 departures, were cancelled. These also include international flights.DIAL operates the... Read more >

22:58 Delhi Police files FIR in assault of flyer by AI Express pilot incident A first information report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the alleged assault of a passenger by an off-duty Air India Express pilot after the police received a complaint from the victim, an official said on Monday.The complaint was received from Ankit Dewan via email, following... Read more >

22:34 Chinese Embassy in India to accept visa applications online The Chinese Embassy in Delhi has launched the 'China Online Visa Application System' for Indian passport holders to apply for visas online, a social media report in Beijing said on Monday.The process is easier than the previous one, where applicants were required to present many paper documents... Read more >

22:20 Bangladesh suspends consular, visa services in New Delhi The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi said on Monday that all consular and visa services have been temporarily suspended until further notice.'Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular and visa services from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until... Read more >

22:09 Nadda warns of rise in Influenza cases Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Monday directed that preparedness and response activities, including surge capacities, be ensured to contain influenza, cases of which are expected to rise this season.He was speaking at the two-day 'Chintan Shivir' on 'strengthening interministerial and... Read more >

21:25 Rupee slips 1 paisa to close at 89.68 against US dollar The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day in the negative territory, slightly down by 1 paisa at 89.68 against the US dollar on Monday, as the support from positive domestic equities was negated by a recovery in crude oil prices.Forex traders said the lack of progress in the US-India... Read more >

21:06 HC concludes hearing of PILs over Messi event fiasco Hearing of three PILs over the fiasco during Argentine football legend Lionel Messi showcasing event last week that saw spectator rampage at the Salt Lake stadium here concluded before the Calcutta High Court on Monday.The petitioners sought investigation into the incident by central agencies as... Read more >

21:04 Doctor assaults patient at Shimla hospital A doctor allegedly assaulted a patient at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla on Monday, triggering protests after a video of the incident surfaced on social media.Rahul Rao, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said action against the accused doctor has been initiated and a... Read more >

19:57 UP woman, lover arrested for killing husband, dismembering body A woman and her lover have been arrested for allegedly bludgeoning her husband to death and dismembering the body with a wood grinder, a senior officer said on Monday.Superintendent of Police K K Bishnoi said the accused have been identified as Ruby and Gaurav, who were arrested on December 20... Read more >

19:39 Delhi records zero days of below-200 AQI in December so far There was little respite for residents from the capital's hazardous air this December, as the city has not recorded even a single day of 'moderate' air quality, while nearly 20 days so far have seen pollution levels hover in the red zone.The 'moderate' category -- marked by Air Quality Index... Read more >

19:38 Bangladesh student leader 'out of danger' now Photo: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters The National Citizen Party (NCP)-affiliated Jatiya Sramik Shakti leader Motaleb Shikdar, who was earlier shot in the head in broad daylight on Monday in Bangladesh's Khulna, is now out of danger, according to officials, bdnews245 reported.According to bdnews24, citing Khulna Medical College... Read more >

18:21 BSE Sensex: Top gainers today Among Sensex firms, Trent rose the most by 3.56 per cent.IT shares Infosys jumped 3.06 per cent, Tech Mahindra by 2.09 per cent, HCL Tech by 1.67 per cent and TCS by 1.28 per cent.Bharti Airtel, Bharat Electronics, Tata Motors, Reliance and Maruti were among the major movers. Read more >

18:05 Trial begins in Zubeen Garg death case The trial of the seven accused in the Zubeen Garg death case began on Monday in a court in Guwahati, with all of them appearing virtually.The Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court, after examining the accused via video-conferencing, fixed the next date of hearing on January 3, 2026. It will... Read more >

17:49 Sensex jumps by 638 pts, settles at 85,567.48 Benchmark Sensex jumped by 638 points on Monday following heavy buying in IT, auto and metal shares amid foreign fund inflows and a rally in global markets on hopes of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.Building on the previous session's rally, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 638.12... Read more >

17:31 Goa fire: Police remand of Luthra brothers extended A Goa court on Monday extended by five days the police custody of Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub where a devastating fire on December 6 resulted in 25 deaths.The siblings had fled to Thailand after the incident and were deported from that nation on... Read more >

17:29 HC protects actor R Madhavan's personality rights The Delhi high court on Monday protected the personality rights of Bollywood actor R Madhavan by restraining several websites and online platforms from illegally using his name or images for commercial gain without his consent.The high court also restrained several defendants from using the... Read more >

17:27 Man pushes woman from running local train in Navi Mumbai A 50-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly pushing a teenage student from a running local train in Navi Mumbai after she objected to his unauthorised boarding in a coach reserved for women, police said on Monday.The student, identified as Shweta Mahadik (18), fell on the tracks.She was... Read more >

16:51 Man attacks Christmas carol group in Kerala's Pakakkad A man was arrested for allegedly attacking a Christmas carol group in Pudussery in this district, police said on Monday.The incident took place when the carol group comprising children was visiting the houses of the faithful on Sunday night.The accused was identified as Ashwin Raj.The police said... Read more >

16:23 Yogi's 'do namoone' dig at Rahul, Akhilesh amid codeine row Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, without taking names, took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying there are two namoone who flee the country whenever a serious matter comes up in the nation. He made these remarks while... Read more >

16:20 Microphone glitch during TMC meet prompts Mamata to suspect 'sabotage' A microphone failure briefly stalled West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's address at a meeting of TMC booth level agents here on Monday, drawing an angry reaction from the CM, who suspected sabotage and warned of action.As the technical snag surfaced during the meeting, Banerjee reacted... Read more >

15:32 Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir floats new party West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday floated a new outfit, Janata Unnayan Party, days after he was suspended by the TMC for laying the foundation stone for a Babri-style mosque in Murshidabad district.Addressing a public meeting in Beladanga, Kabir named a few candidates that his new party... Read more >

15:13 National Herald case: HC seeks Gandhis' reply on ED plea against trial court order The Delhi high court on Monday asked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others to respond to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging a trial court order refusing to take cognisance of its chargesheet against them in the National Herald case. Justice Ravinder... Read more >

15:12 After Hadi, another B'desh student leader shot in head Motaleb Shikder, a second leader of Bangladesh's violent student-led 2004 uprising, was shot in the head on Monday.The attack took place in southwestern Khulna city, days after the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The Khulna Division head of NCP (National Citizen Party)... Read more >

14:44 Ajay Devgn-starrer 'Drishyam 3' to release in October 2026 Drishyam 3, featuring Ajay Devgn, is set to release in theatres on October 2, 2026, the makers announced. Written and directed by Abhishek Pathak, the film is presented by Star Studio18. It is produced by Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek.The film features Ajay in... Read more >

14:32 Plea in SC against PM offering chadar' at Ajmer dargah A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to restrain Prime Minister Narendra Modi from offering a ceremonial 'chadar' at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The matter was mentioned before a vacation bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.No... Read more >

14:25 Lavasa project: HC dismisses PIL seeking probe against Sharad, Ajit, Supriya The Bombay high court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking a CBI probe against NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar, his daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule as well as his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for alleged illegal permissions given to the Lavasa hill station project... Read more >

14:22 Maoist arms-manufacturing facility busted in Chhattisgarh's Sukma Security forces have destroyed a weapons manufacturing facility operated by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district and seized eight rifles and a large cache of materials used in making firearms and explosives, police said on Monday.Based on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the 150th... Read more >

14:11 Asim Munir conferred with Saudi's highest civilian honour Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has been awarded Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence.Munir is currently on an official visit to the Kingdom.Under a Royal Decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King... Read more >

13:06 MGNREGA bulldozed, right to work demolished: Sonia Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday said the demolition of the historic Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will have catastrophic consequences for crores of people across rural India and called upon all to unite and safeguard the rights... Read more >

12:51 Woman missing for almost a month found dead in sugarcane field in UP The decomposed body of a woman was recovered from a sugarcane field here, 26 days after she was reported missing, with police saying that she was strangled to death by her alleged lover. According to police, the 40-year-old woman, a resident of the Nebua Naurangia area, had gone to the... Read more >

12:46 Relief for ex-Maha minister Kokate as SC stays conviction The Supreme Court on Monday stayed conviction of former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate in a cheating and forgery case. A vacation bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Maharashtra government on Kokate's plea.Issue notice. In the meanwhile,... Read more >

11:50 India, New Zealand seal trade deal; tariffs cut New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday said the negotiations for a free trade agreement with India have been concluded. The free trade agreement (FTA) reduces or removes tariffs on 95 per cent of our exports to India, he said in a social media post. It's forecast... Read more >

11:41 Indian-origin Amazon veteran Anand Varadarajan named Starbucks CTO Starbucks has appointed Indian-origin technology executive Anand Varadarajan as its new executive vice president and chief technology officer (CTO), tapping a nearly two-decade Amazon veteran to lead its global technology operations. Varadarajan will take charge on January 19,... Read more >

11:15 Mumbai-bound AI flight returns to Delhi due to engine issue A Mumbai-bound Air India's Boeing 777 aircraft returned to the national capital due to a right engine issue on Monday morning, according to sources. The plane, carrying around 335 people, was airborne for nearly an hour before returning to Delhi. The aircraft made an emergency... Read more >

11:04 Pregnant woman killed over inter-caste marriage in K'taka Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com A pregnant woman died at a private hospital in Karnataka's Hubballi, after her parents' family allegedly attacked her over inter- caste marriage, police said on Monday.Police have arrested three persons, including the victim's father, in connection with the incident that occurred on Sunday... Read more >

10:27 Delhi's air quality 'very poor'; AQI at 366 Thick grey haze shrouded Delhi on Monday morning, with the air quality remaining in the 'very poor' category with a reading of 366, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).The Air Quality Index (AQI) at seven air quality monitoring stations was 'severe', with Narela logging the... Read more >

09:41 US Justice dept restores Trump's removed photo to Epstein Files The United States Department of Justice restored a photograph from the recent batch of Jeffrey Epstein files featuring President Donald Trump, stating that no Epstein victims were depicted in the photograph. The DOJ had temporarily removed the image for review after the Southern District of... Read more >

09:23 Banks Asked To Offer Basic Services At ALL Branches Commercial banks have been asked to offer basic services to customers from all branches, and not just home branches, said a senior banker aware of the development. Also, the lenders have been prodded to cut service charges levied by them and maintain uniformity, the banker added.Currently, many... Read more >

08:44 SHANTI bill that opens up nuclear sector for private players gets Prez assent President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, passed by Parliament during the Winter Session. A government notification said that the President granted assent to the SHANTI bill on... Read more >

08:36 'Violence a norm': Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus over violence As an uneasy calm prevails over Dhaka after days of violent protests last week, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina slammed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and said that violence destabilises relations with neighbouring countries. In an e-mail interview with ANI, Sheikh... Read more >

08:27 IAF's MI-17 helicopter transports Pench tigress from MP to Rajasthan A tigress that had been eluding the authorities of Pench Reserve in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni for the last 24 days was finally captured and successfully airlifted to Rajasthan in an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter on Sunday, officials said. After being surrounded by elephants several... Read more >
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday, December 18, assured citizens that the countrys forthcoming general elections would be free and fair, calling on voters to participate in large numbers as the Jan. 15 polling approaches.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Rakai District in Ugandas Central Region, Museveni, who is seeking re-election, said maintaining peace remains the governments foremost priority and the bedrock of national development. He pledged that voters would be allowed to cast their ballots freely, stressing that security agencies were fully prepared to safeguard calm before, during and after the elections.

The President credited Ugandas relative stability to the rejection of sectarian politics, a disciplined national Army and resilient State institutions, while cautioning that political unrest could reverse economic and social progress, as witnessed in other countries.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo announced on 18 December the launch of plans for the Maputo Surgical Centre, set to become one of the largest surgical facilities in Africa, with construction slated to begin in April 2026 and financed by the Chinese Government.

During his first State of the Nation Address to the Assembly of the Republic, Chapo also unveiled plans for an Oncology Institute and a Maternal and Child Hospital, funded through a US$220 million (187.6 million) strategic partnership with Brazil, following President Lula da Silvas recent visit.

These infrastructures will drastically reduce the need for medical evacuations abroad and allow complex cases to be treated in our country, Chapo stated, highlighting the governments commitment to developing reference hospitals and specialised units in Mozambique.

The President confirmed efforts to settle the overtime debt owed to health workers, totaling 810.6 million meticais (10.8 million) from 2023 to mid-2025, and announced new regulations governing organ, tissue, and cell donation and transplantation, aimed at improving life expectancy.

Mozambiques health sector, long affected by strikes from the Association of United and Supportive Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUSM) and the Medical Association of Mozambique (AMM), currently operates 1,778 health units, including 107 health posts, 3 specialized hospitals, 4 central hospitals, 7 general hospitals, 7 provincial hospitals, 22 rural hospitals, and 47 district hospitals.

Chapo described the past year as a period of profound effort to build, strengthen and dignify the social sectors of the country, stressing that sustainable economic progress depends on tangible improvements in citizens lives.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Over a roughly three-year period beginning in March 2020, 1,564 Alaskans died from COVID-19.

That's according to a new report from the Alaska Department of Health, which provides a detailed review of data on how the state fared dealing with the coronavirus between March 2020 and the end of the federal public health emergency in May 2023.

"This report ... represents the first comprehensive, retrospective analysis that brings together epidemiological data across the full course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska," Department of Health spokesperson Shirley Sakaye wrote in an emailed response to questions.

"While the pandemic's impacts extended far beyond what can be captured in an epidemiological summary, this report provides a consolidated, data-driven account of Alaska's COVID-19 experience."

Epidemiologists looked at death records, hospitalizations, demographics, infections, vaccination rates and public health responses, producing an analysis that evaluates the different phases that played out as Alaska weathered the pandemic.

Approximately one in every 500 Alaskans who died in the period of review were killed by COVID-19, they concluded.

"74% of those who died and were eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine had opted not to receive it," states the report, published earlier in December by the state's Section of Epidemiology.

The report provides a chronological review of how the virus impacted Alaska, broken down into seven distinct phases determined by developments in the public health response and viral mutations.

"Over time, it became clear that simply aggregating numbers across multiple years did not adequately reflect the reality of the pandemic, because the context was continually changing," Sakaye wrote of the impetus for the analysis.

"To better capture that complexity, the report organizes Alaska's experience into distinct pandemic 'eras.' This approach more accurately reflects how conditions, risks and public health responses shifted over time. One of the key takeaways is that a pandemic is not a single event, but an extended and evolving experience."

Alaska's former chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, who helmed the state's response to the coronavirus, said the report is valuable for public health officials and policymakers.

"I think it's really for the future," said Zink, who no longer works for the state. During the pandemic, she said, she regularly consulted old epidemiological reports on Alaska's response to previous epidemics like influenza, which informed public health measures to COVID-19.

Zink did not author the new coronavirus report but did review it and provide feedback. She said she found the delineation between phases to be particularly useful.

The first era, for example, was the "pandemic onset," from March until May 2020, a time when the state saw a low number of cases and people were still largely obeying government public health orders such as business closures, physical distancing and limited travel.

"Alaska's geographic location and the implementation of (non-pharmaceutical interventions) prior to the first detected case prevented widespread community transmission. This resulted in a smaller initial COVID-19 wave and lower rates of morbidity and mortality compared to many areas in the contiguous U.S. for the same period," wrote report author Katherine Newell with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology, who no longer works for the state.

Alaska started seeing more infections in the summer of 2020, as prevention measures started to be relaxed in some jurisdictions. The state and its health care partners were aggressive about virus testing for critical infrastructure employees, travelers and the public. By August of that year, Alaska was "the most tested state (per capita) in the nation," according to the report.

Later eras are defined by rising levels of viral transmission and hospitalization, the arrival of effective vaccines and subsequent waves of coronavirus variants that pushed Alaska's health care system close to collapse.

Two points of interest highlighted in the report are the disproportionately high toll the disease inflicted on particular groups of Alaskans, and the severity of the delta variant, which caused almost half of the state's total COVID-19 deaths within a six-month period between July and December 2021.

"Despite these increases in statewide testing and contact tracing capacity, COVID-19 community transmission continued to increase during this era, resulting in Alaska's first notable surge in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths," the report continues.

Many of those outbreaks spread through congregate settings like "seafood processing plants, correctional facilities, long-term care and assisted living facilities, and health care institutions."

As the virus spread, it hospitalized and killed two groups at a particularly high rate. "American Indian/Alaska Native persons, and Asian/Pacific Islander persons," according to the report's review of state demographic data on death and hospitalization records.

Prior to the arrival of widespread vaccination in January 2021, the disparities in health outcomes grew large.

"Mortality rates among AI/AN and Asian/PI persons were 5.5 and 3.6 times as high as the rate among white persons," the report states. "These racial disparities in both COVID-19 mortality and hospitalizations continued for the entirety of the pandemic in Alaska."

Zink said she wished there had been more demographic nuance in reporting the results. Even though Asians and Pacific Islanders are assessed as part of the same group, the Pacific Islander community in Alaska fared far worse, she said.

The report does not explain the reasons for the disparities. Zink said many of the patterns that played out from the coronavirus mirror trends from other diseases that have spread through Alaska.

"Alaska Natives have worse health outcomes," Zink said, offering several socioeconomic factors that likely play a role, including household overcrowding, lack of water and sewer infrastructure in many communities, and inconsistent access to emergency medical care.

But, she added, much about the coronavirus's transmissibility and pathology is still being studied.

"I don't want to pretend we know what we don't know," Zink said.

Delta devastation

Once vaccines arrived, Alaska vaccinated early and rapidly. At least at first. In a five-month period, 289,287 Alaskans got their primary vaccine dose.

"This marked the largest state vaccination campaign ever undertaken," the report states.

By July of 2021, though, the delta variant had become the dominant coronavirus strain in Alaska, and it devastated many communities. By the end of the year, 719 people died of COVID-19, 46% of the total killed during all three years of the pandemic in Alaska.

The virus was the "leading cause of death in Alaska during this era," more lethal than cancer, heart disease or other common killers. Those who died were overwhelmingly older: The median age of death during the delta era was 75. They were also overwhelmingly unvaccinated: 80% of those who died, 575 people, "were unvaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of their death," according to the report.

In that same six-month period, 2,021 Alaskans were hospitalized because of COVID-19, putting "unprecedented strain on staff and bed capacity" at hospitals around the state, and prompting officials to coordinate bringing more than 400 health care workers up from outside to assist.

When the omicron variant replaced delta as the dominant strain, it proved far more transmissible, but less potent. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased, but hospitalizations and death rates declined.

The data included in the report's analysis has limits, particularly when it comes to the efficacy of certain public health measures, and the disease's relationship with other lethal health factors. The author steers away from attributing COVID-19 deaths that might have technically been caused by factors like heart disease, underlying conditions or drug overdoses, but were exacerbated by pandemic conditions like social isolation or restricted health care access.

"These excess deaths reflect the broader consequences of the pandemic on the public's health. Further research is necessary to fully understand the factors driving excess mortality and the broader public health impact of the pandemic in Alaska," the report states.

Fully vaccinated Alaskans still got sick with COVID-19 and some, particularly those who were older or in poor health, still succumbed to the disease. But one of the repeated conclusions in the analysis is that the state's early vaccine uptake helped protect residents during the later waves of highly transmissible variants.

"Based on the significant difference in age-adjusted mortality rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, high vaccine uptake during this era likely saved numerous lives in Alaska," the report notes.

2025 Anchorage Daily News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Picture of a human pyramidal neuron. Credit: Florey Institute, University of Melbourne.

Gliomas are cancers that originate directly in the brain, instead of spreading to the brain from other parts of the body. These cancers cannot be cured with conventional cancer treatments, as they spread into healthy brain tissue and cannot be removed via surgical procedures.

Recent studies suggest that glioma cells do not exist in isolation, but that they instead gradually become part of neural networks, connecting with other cells in the brain. Understanding the relationship between neurons and glioma cells could develop new treatments for brain tumors that are so far untreatable.

Researchers at University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital recently probed this relationship by investigating how less aggressive (i.e., low-grade) and more aggressive (high-grade) gliomas influence the activity of nearby neurons, and how the neuronal activity affects tumor development.

Their findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that the severity and aggressiveness of gliomas is also influenced by their interaction with brain networks.

"This study stemmed from a strong collaboration between neurosurgeons at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and neuroscientists at the Florey Institute, University of Melbourne," Lucy Maree Palmer, senior author of the paper, told Medical Xpress.

"This project started when a trainee neurosurgeon, Dr. Heidi McAlpine, pursued her Ph.D. research in the Palmer Laboratory under joint supervision with Professor Kate Drummond. Heidi's project aimed to understand what sets brain cancer apart from other cancers, given treatment for brain cancer has not improved survival, unlike for other cancers."

Probing the link between gliomas and brain cells

The main objective of the recent work by Palmer and her colleagues was to shed new light on the so far poorly understood connection between the human brain and tumors originating in the brain. To do this, the researchers collected and examined brain tissue from patients diagnosed with less aggressive and more aggressive forms of glioma.

"We recorded the electrical activity directly from both brain cells and cancer cells embedded in the brain to assess how different brain cancer grades influence cellular activity and brain processes," explained Palmer. "We observed that brain cells within the high-grade cancers are more excitable, which we then showed (using molecular techniques) leads to cancer growth."

Essentially, the team found that neurons in proximity to more aggressive glioma tended to fire electrical signals more easily than those found near less aggressive glioma. The greater electrical activity exchange between nearby neurons and high-grade tumors appeared to in turn facilitate the tumor growth.

Identifying new targets for brain tumor therapies

The results gathered by Palmer and her colleagues suggest that the development of brain cancers is influenced by neurons. Further studies could further test this hypothesis to validate the team's observations.

In the future, these efforts could pave the way for the development of new treatment strategies designed to slow the growth of brain tumors by breaking down communication between neurons and glioma cells. Meanwhile, Palmer and her colleagues plan to further investigate the neural processes that could support the growth of brain tumor cells.

"This study illustrates the role that the brain plays in brain cancer growth, with increased neural activity leading to greater cancer growth," added Palmer.

"Our results unveiled new neuroscience-based drug targets that could slow cancer growth in the brain. We are now conducting further research probing the neuroscience of brain cancer, specifically looking deeper into the cellular mechanisms driving cancer growth and proliferation."

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, 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 Heidi McAlpine et al, Increased neural excitability and glioma synaptic activity drives glioma proliferation in human cortex, Nature Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-02149-0. Journal information: Nature Neuroscience

Key medical concepts GliomaNeuronsTumor Progression

Clinical categories OncologyNeurology

 2025 Science X Network
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The Uvira outbreak signaled a major shift in MPXV transmission, with household-driven spread disproportionately affecting children. Credit: Eurosurveillance

Mpox is a viral disease usually transmitted from animals to humans and symptoms include fever and skin rashes. In 2023, a new variant of monkeypox virus (MPXV), called clade Ib, emerged in Kamituga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In their rapid communication published in Eurosurveillance, Mark McLoughlin and colleagues describe, to their knowledge, the first reported transmission of MPXV clade Ib in a health care setting outside of the African continent.

In total, four epidemiologically linked mpox cases were identified in an outbreak in Ireland during August and October 2025. One person in this mpox cluster was a health care worker who treated an mpox patient in hospital before mpox was considered as a differential diagnosis.

The hospitalized patient had no travel history and the initial clinical presentation did not include skin lesion counts or respiratory symptoms typically expected with mpox. This complicated early recognition of the disease. Once mpox was included as a differential diagnosis, infection prevention and control measures included isolation under airborne/contact/droplet precautions and identification of contacts in the community to offer vaccination.

Whole genome sequencing analysis confirmed MPXV clade Ib for the three cases with available sequences which were genetically identical, confirming an epidemiological link between these cases. The genomic results also showed mutations consistent with human-to-human as opposed to zoonotic transmission from animals.

Needed: High level of clinical suspicion of mpox

Based on the travel history (from Pakistan via Eastern Mediterranean Region) of the initial case, the authors note that "this cluster highlights the ongoing possibility of mpox transmission from travel-associated cases and emphasizes the need for a high level of clinical suspicion of mpox in cases with relevant clinical symptoms associated with travel to countries where mpox is currently circulating."

In the same Eurosurveillance issue, Patrick Musole Bugeme and colleagues describe a shift from sexual to predominantly non-sexual transmission in their surveillance study on community transmission of mpox clade Ib in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during 2024.

They hypothesize that overcrowded housing likely accelerated the spread during this mpox outbreak, which primarily affected children and adolescents below the age of 15 years and showed limited reported sexual transmission.

Anyone who presented with a rash or skin lesions during the study period was considered a suspected mpox case and eligible for the analysis by the authors.

Between June and October 2024, 973 suspected mpox cases were recorded at the mpox treatment center in Uvira (DRC), half of them were females. The majority of mpox cases were found among children and adolescents, with 68% (n = 620) aged <15 years and 35% (n = 344) younger than 5 years of age.

The proportion of cases aged < 15 years increased as the outbreak progressed until mid-July 2024 and severe to very severe clinical presentation of mpox with more than 100 lesions was observed in 22% (n = 191/858) of suspected cases.

Bugeme found that two-thirds of patients (68%) reported exposures primarily within their own households, and among these, the majority (67%) involved exposure to multiple suspected mpox cases. Reported exposure within a health care facility was relatively low in comparison (14 of 439 respondents).

The authors conclude that "several factors likely contributed to the high incidence of MPXV clade Ib among children: (i) cryptic transmission; (ii) prior smallpox immunity in older individuals; and (iii) age-related differences in MPXV susceptibility, exacerbated by child malnutrition."

Based on this, they advocate for speeding up the development of mpox vaccines for children and supporting prevention efforts in homes and communities.

More information et al, Nosocomial transmission in a monkeypox virus clade Ib outbreak, Ireland, August to October 2025, Eurosurveillance (2025). DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2025.30.50.2500926 Patrick Musole Bugeme et al, Community transmission of mpox clade Ib not driven through sexual exposures, Uvira, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, June to October 2024, Eurosurveillance (2025). DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2025.30.50.2500280

Provided by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
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:

Graphical Abstract. Credit: Open Forum Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf737

Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). But over the past decade, direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have proven effective against HCV, curing more than 95% of those who complete treatment. Traditionally, patients have had to wait at least 12 weeks after finishing treatment to find out if they are cured.

For the populations most affected by HCV, such as people who inject drugs (PWID), barriers to accessing care remain one of the biggest obstacles to eliminating hepatitis C in the United States. For many people, especially those facing unstable housing, transportation challenges, stigma, or financial insecurity, returning for multiple clinical visits is difficult or impossible. As a result, cures may go undocumented, and ongoing infections may remain undiagnosed and untreated.

To address these issues, a team of researchers from UC San Francisco examined whether providing HCV treatment at the time of diagnosis in a non-clinical community setting could improve antiviral treatment uptake for medically underserved populations.

In a study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, the researchers found that in a sample of PWID patients receiving an accelerated HCV test-and-treat protocol, results at the completion of treatment and 4 weeks post-treatment predicted those at 12 weeks post-treatment.

"This study shows that we can simplify hepatitis C care without compromising accuracy," said study senior author Meghan Morris, Ph.D., MPH, UCSF Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics. "Earlier testing doesn't just confirm cure sooner. It also helps identify the small number of people who don't clear the virus, so they can be quickly linked back to care instead of being lost in a system that is hard to access."

The researchers' findings were the result of a single-arm, non-randomized controlled trialthe No One Waits (NOW) study (NCT03987503)assessing the effectiveness of HCV treatment initiation at the point of HCV infection diagnosis in a non-clinical community setting. Their population included 89 people, most of whom injected drugs and were experiencing homelessness, recruited via convenience sampling, targeting people at high risk for HCV through street outreach and community-based referrals.

Participants who tested positive for a chronic HCV infection (reactive antibody and detected HCV RNA) were offered to immediately start a standard-of-care, 12-week course of the DAA Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir (SOF/VEL). Blood serum was collected to quantitatively test for HCV RNA at treatment completion, and at four and twelve weeks post-treatment. (An HCV cure is currently determined by an HCV RNA viral-load test at twelve or more weeks after treatment has been completed {SVR12}.)

Among the 69 patients who completed treatment and had an HCV RNA result at SVR12 and at least one earlier time point, undetectable HCV RNA at treatment completion predicted cure at 12 weeks in 96.6% of cases, and undetectable HCV RNA at four weeks post-treatment predicted a cure in all cases. When the virus was still detectable at either earlier time point, all such individuals were correctly identified as not yet cured.

"Large clinical trials have previously shown that viral suppression four weeks after treatment strongly predicts long-term cure," said Morris. "However, those studies largely included participants with stable access to health care and reliable follow-up. This study extends that evidence to real-world community settings and to populations most affected by hepatitis C, who are often underrepresented in clinical research."

While national guidelines have defined a cure at 12 weeks post-treatment, the findings support a growing body of evidence that earlier assessment can be a reliable and practical option in many care settings.

"This study demonstrates that point-of diagnosis direct-acting antiviral initiation was feasible, acceptable, and safe," said Jennifer C. Price, MD, a hepatologist and UCSF Professor of Medicine. "These results support current efforts to apply SVR4 as an alternative endpoint for uncomplicated cases of HCV and highlight why treatment completion may also be seen as a reasonable endpoint in some contexts."

More information Claire C McDonell et al, Assessment of RNA at SVR4 and treatment completion as alternative measures of hepatitis C cure for people who inject drugs, Open Forum Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf737

Key medical concepts Hepatitis C viruses
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: Maksim Goncharenok from Pexels

Six days after a senior FDA official sent a sweeping internal email claiming that COVID vaccines had caused the deaths of "at least 10 children," 12 former FDA commissioners released an extraordinary warning in the Dec. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

They wrote that the claims and policy changes in the memo from Vinay Prasad, the head of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, pose "a threat to evidence-based vaccine policy and public health security" and break sharply from long-standing scientific norms.

What is unfolding inside the FDA is not a narrow dispute over COVID vaccines. It is an attempt, according to critics and vaccine scientists, to rewrite the rules governing the entire U.S. vaccine systemhow risks are weighed, how benefits are proved, and how quickly lifesaving shots reach the public. Former agency leaders warn that if these changes take hold, the consequences could be lasting: fewer vaccines, slower updates, weakened public trust, and more preventable outbreaks.

Prasad made clear he sees the moment as corrective. "Never again will the US FDA commissioner have to himself find deaths in children for staff to identify it," he wrote, telling employees the agency's mission, and its "worldview," would change.

Prasad's email reopened old arguments about COVID vaccines, using what is generally considered weak and misleading science in the peer-reviewed research community. He claimed that FDA staff had found "at least 10" deaths in children that happened "after and because of" COVID vaccination, using reports from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

The VAERS system is notoriously crowdsourced, meaning anyone can contribute, and scientists say it serves only as a clearinghouse for reports. For example, a person could file a report saying that after getting a flu shot, their hair turned purple.

Though that report would remain in the database until it was reviewed, it cannot prove the cause of medical events. But Prasad argued that the true number of deaths was likely higher because many cases go unreported.

On Substack, Inside Medicine reported Dec. 11 that Prasad used incomplete information and that a Dec. 5 internal FDA memo set the pediatric death toll from COVID shots as somewhere between zero and seven. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard wrote, "The FDA's investigation into deaths caused by COVID vaccines is still ongoing and there's no final count yet of those deaths."

Prasad also accused the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of downplaying the risk of heart inflammation, called myocarditis, in young men; criticized the agency for approving shots for teenagers; and suggested that school and workplace vaccine mandates may have "harmed more children than we saved," adding that "we do not know if we saved lives on balance."

By comparison, more than 2,100 American children died of COVID itself since the pandemic began, the CDC reported.

Based on his erroneous and misleading claims about COVID vaccines, Prasad proposed a major overhaul of how vaccines are approved. He said the FDA should stop relying on immune markers to establish the efficacy of shots, such as antibody levels, and instead require large placebo-controlled randomized trials that track hospitalizations and deaths before approving most new vaccines.

Many immunologists and vaccine experts say it's unethical to test vaccines known to be effective against disease with a control group that would receive a placebo, exposing them to infection.

"There is a rock-solid principle in bioethics that it is unethical to test any drug or vaccine against a placebo if it is known to be safe and effective. The reason is that such placebo-controlled trials would effectively deny patients access to a vaccine that could prevent a dangerous infectious disease," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University.

Prasad called the current flu vaccine system an "evidence-based catastrophe," questioned the approval of vaccines for pregnant women based on immune response alone, and raised concerns about giving multiple vaccines at once. He told staff to rewrite FDA guidelines to match his new "worldview" and said anyone who disagreed with his "core principles" should resign.

The former FDA leaders expressed alarm in the NEJM article. They said Prasad is exploiting public frustration over the federal response to COVID to spark doubt about the entire childhood vaccine system, which could undo decades of success in protecting children from deadly diseases.

"This is really different. And it's really dangerous. And people will be hurt, particularly by the vaccine decisions," former FDA commissioner Robert Califf said in an interview. He also warned that Prasad's proposed policieswhich he noted echo positions on vaccines held by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activistcould shake the entire vaccine market.

"The goal of RFK seems to be to make it impossible for vaccines to be available in the U.S.," he said. If the proposals advance, he added, "it won't be a viable business."

Hilliard pushed back sharply on those concerns, writing: "The American people deserve evidence-based science. Prasad's email lays out a philosophical framework that points us toward that higher standard. We will soon release documents laying out that framework and data confirming how the COVID vaccine resulted in children's deaths that previous leadership failed to properly investigate."

For generations, the childhood vaccine program has depended on clear rules, strong safety systems, and public trust. Experts say Prasad's ideas, based on claims they argue are not supported by real evidence, could make it much harder to test, approve, and deliver vaccines to families.

Fueling parental doubt

Prasad's memo indicates he considers VAERS reports as proof that vaccines caused children's deaths. The system, though, is designed to be only an "early warning system" for potential safety issues with vaccines that can be investigated further.

"VAERS signals should never be taken as proof of true vaccine risks without careful, confirmatory studies," said Katherine Yih, an epidemiologist and longtime investigator with the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a CDC program.

Doing so, scientists say, directly feeds public fear at a time when many parents are already unsure whom to trust.

"Causation requires converging evidence, not just one report or coincidence," said Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Prasad's framework, however, treats uncertainty as a reason to halt development entirely.

Experts fear this doubt won't stay limited to COVID vaccines. Once parents start to question the FDA's honesty, they may begin doubting long-standing vaccines for measles, polio, or whooping coughshots that have protected children for decades.

"Science must be transparent," Gostin said. If families believe the FDA is misusing data or silencing experts, confidence in the entire vaccine system can collapse, he said.

"There's a public narrative that people have lost trust in science, but that's not true. The vast majority want the FDA to make decisions based on the best scientific evidence. Once they believe that the agency is marginalizing scientists and cherry-picking evidence, their trust will plummet."

Delicate vaccine pipeline

Prasad's new framework will likely make it far harder for companies to produce or update vaccines. The 12 former FDA commissioners warned that requiring clinical trials for all new or updated shots would slow vaccine improvements and leave people unprotected. His plan, they wrote, "would impede the ability to update vaccines in a timely fashion, especially for respiratory viruses."

For fast-changing viruses like flu and COVID, this could be disastrous. There's simply not enough time to run full clinical trials every time a virus mutates.

There are also major business effects. Vaccine development is costly, and companies may decide the U.S. is no longer worth the risk. If companies slow down or leave the market, families could face shortages, fewer innovations, and fewer protections for their kids.

'Checks and balances'

Science depends on open and public debate. Prasad's memo warned his employees against it. In addition to demanding that FDA staff members who disagree with him resign, he said their disputes should stay private and called leaks "unethical" and "illegal."

Susan Ellenberg, a former director of the FDA's Office of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, warned that Prasad risks destroying the process that makes science credible. "If disagreement is treated as disloyalty, you lose the only mechanism that keeps science honest," she said.

Without strong internal debate, safety reviews become weaker. "You lose the checks and balances that make vaccine safety science credible," said Kathryn Edwards, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who served on the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Network during the COVID pandemic.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Gln metabolism remodels macrophage functions and atherosclerotic lesions. Credit: Nature Metabolism (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-025-01354-2

Two complementary studies reveal how an insufficient supply of energy in macrophages, key immune cells in artery walls, drives the progression of atherosclerosisand how this knowledge could lead to better diagnostics and future therapies. The University of Eastern Finland was centrally involved in both studies.

Atherosclerosisthe buildup of fatty plaques inside arteriesis the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes worldwide. Although the role of cholesterol in plaque formation has long been a central focus, scientists increasingly recognize that the immune system plays a decisive role in determining whether plaques remain stable or become unstable and thus prone to rupture, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

In two newly published studies, an international team of researchers showed that poor availability of the amino acid glutamine in macrophages can determine the worsening of artery plaques. The researchers also identified new ways to detect dangerous plaques.

Immune cells need fuel to repair damaged arteries

Macrophages are the body's clean-up crew. Inside artery plaques, they ingest fats, remove dying cells, and help repair damaged tissue. But to perform these protective tasks, macrophages require energy.

In the first study, published in Nature Metabolism, the researchers discovered that macrophages rely heavily on glutamine uptake from their environment to fuel their restorative functions. A specific transporter protein, SLC7A7, acts as a gateway that allows glutamine to enter the cell. When this gateway is blocked, macrophages lose energy and perform poorly, resulting in plaques that are larger and more unstable, which is a known risk factor for heart attacks and strokes in people.

Reduced activity of this pathway was linked to more dangerous plaque features also in human artery samples.

"These findings suggest that restoring or supporting macrophage metabolism could one day help stabilize plaques and prevent heart attacks or strokes," says Professor Minna Kaikkonen-Maatta from the University of Eastern Finland.

New tools to identify high-risk plaques

The second study, published in Cardiovascular Research, builds on this biological insight and moves toward the clinic. By studying macrophages with advanced single-cell technologies, the researchers identified protein markers such as TREM2, FOLR2, and SLC7A7 that highlight high-risk plaques.

Based on these markers, PET imaging could be used to detect inflammatory plaque activity rather than just the size of the plaques.

The researchers also found that soluble TREM2 in blood may help distinguish between stable and symptomatic plaques, raising the possibility of a future blood test to identify patients at highest risk.

The research reflects close international collaboration, with the University of Barcelona contributing to both studies, among others. The first study was led by Universite Cote d'Azur, while the second was co-led by the University of Turku.

Publication details Saloua Benhmammouch et al, Slc7a7 licenses macrophage glutaminolysis for restorative functions in atherosclerosis, Nature Metabolism (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-025-01354-2 Tiit Ord et al, Single-cell to pre-clinical evaluation of Trem2, Folr2, and Slc7a7 as macrophage-associated biomarkers for atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular Research (2025). DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaf210 Journal information: Cardiovascular Research , Nature Metabolism
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:

Nurses gained skills through a new educational program that used clinical-based scenarios. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

To reduce mortality rates, fall and tumble rates, and delirium incidence among hospitalized patients, it is crucial for nurses to learn Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). To achieve this, developing effective EBP education programs is essential. However, traditional EBP education programs have faced challenges, such as not covering all aspects of the EBP process and lacking rigorous evaluation methods for these programs.

Dr. Hideaki Furuki and colleagues at Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Nursing have developed a new educational program incorporating instruction on all processes of EBP. They conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the program's effectiveness, dividing 87 nurses working at hospitals in Japan into an intervention group (44 nurses) that received the program and a control group (43 nurses) that did not.

Results published in the Japan Journal of Nursing Science showed that the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher scores in EBP knowledge and skills, as well as EBP practice, compared to the control group immediately after the intervention and two months later.

"This finding suggests that this program is an effective approach for enhancing nurses' knowledge and skills in EBP and promoting its implementation, potentially leading to improvements in patient mortality rates and fall incidence rates," stated Dr. Furuki.

More information Hideaki Furuki et al, Development and evaluation of a clinical scenariobased education program to enhance evidencebased practice knowledge, skills, and implementation among hospital nurses: A randomized controlled trial, Japan Journal of Nursing Science (2025). DOI: 10.1111/jjns.70030

Clinical categories Allied health
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: University of Queensland

Australians living in consistently hot and humid northern regions are at greater risk of kidney failure than their compatriots in more temperate and less remote locations, researchers have found.

The University of Queensland study published in BMC Medicine investigated the influence of climate zones and geographic disparities on the incidence of patients needing kidney transplants or dialysis.

Dr. Darsy Darssan from UQ's School of Public Health said higher incidences were identified in locations with hot temperatures and greater humidity.

"These areas were also likely to be located in rural or remote areas and have a lower socioeconomic status, highlighting the complex interplay of the driving factors," Dr. Darssan said. "There are serious inequities in these disadvantaged and remote populations with hotter climates that need to be addressed through improved access to care and expanded prevention programs."

The study looked at data from almost 50,000 Australian adults who started treatment for kidney failure between 2000 and 2020, within the 6 zones of the Bureau of Meteorology's climate classifications.

Associate Professor Nick Osborne said variations in incidents of kidney failure were also apparent across climate zones withinand betweenmajor cities, with Darwin at highest risk.

"Dehydration can increase kidney stress and potentially accelerate the progression of kidney disease," Dr. Osborne said. "Remote areas may mean reduced access to health care, further exacerbating the risk.

"Patients requiring dialysis are particularly vulnerable during extreme weather events, and it is critically important that they have reliable health care access. By taking advantage of Australia's large size, it enables an assessment of the impact of variations in climate on the incidence of kidney failure."

Royal Melbourne Hospital Nephrologist Dr. Mark Tiong said the findings reinforced the value of viewing health holistically and considering bio-psycho-social and environmental factors. "As the climate continues to change, incorporating these broader factors into our understanding of kidney disease will be important for planning equitable, practical, and sustainable care," Dr. Tiong said.

The data was provided by the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) registry.

Publication details Lijalem M. Tesfaw et al, Climate effect on the incidence of kidney failure patients in Australia, BMC Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-025-04532-x Journal information: BMC Medicine
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

From left to right: The authors of the study, Jose Gonzalez, Ruben Armananzas, and Aitor Oviedo. Credit: Manuel Castells

University of Navarra (Spain) researchers have developed RNACOREX, a new open-source software capable of identifying gene regulation networks with applications in cancer survival analysis.

The tool, created by scientists at the Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DATAI), members of the Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra, has been validated with data from 13 tumor types from the international consortium The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Published in PLOS Computational Biology, RNACOREX analyzes thousands of molecules simultaneously to detect key interactions that often remain undetected using conventional analytical approaches.

The tool provides researchers with an interpretable molecular "map" that improves the understanding of tumors and opens new venues for revealing the mechanisms that drive tumor progression.

Decoding cancer's hidden genetic structure

Inside our cells, different types of moleculessuch as microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNA (mRNA) communicate through highly complex regulatory networks. When these connections break down, cancers and other diseases can emerge.

"Understanding the architecture of these networks is crucial for detecting, studying, and classifying different tumor types. However, reliably identifying these networks is a challenge due to the vast amount of available data, the presence of many false signals, and the lack of accessible and precise tools capable of distinguishing which molecular interactions are truly associated with each disease," says Ruben Armananzas, head of the Digital Medicine Laboratory at DATAI and one of the study's lead authors.

RNACOREX addresses this problem by combining information from international databases with real gene-expression data analysis to rank the most biologically relevant miRNAmRNA interactions. Using this information, it derives increasingly complex regulatory networks that could also serve as powerful probabilistic models.

Better interpretation and prediction

To assess its performance, researchers evaluated RNACOREX on 13 cancer typesfrom breast and colon to lung, stomach, melanoma, and head and neckusing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) consortium.

"The software predicted patient survival with accuracy on par with sophisticated AI models, but with something many of those systems lack: clear, interpretable explanations of the molecular interactions behind the results," adds Aitor Oviedo-Madrid, a researcher at the Digital Medicine Laboratory of DATAI and first author of the study.

RNACOREX not only identifies regulatory networks associated with clinical outcomes, but also uncovers molecular patterns shared across tumor types and highlights individual molecules of particular biomedical interest. These findings open the door to new hypotheses about the mechanisms that regulate tumor growth and suggest valuable clues for future diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

"Our tool provides a reliable molecular 'map' that helps prioritize new biological targets, speeding up cancer research," he concludes.

An evolving open-source tool

RNACOREX is an open-source program available on GitHub and PyPI (Python Package Index), and includes automated database downloads to streamline its use in laboratories and research centers.

"As artificial intelligence in genomics accelerates, RNACOREX positions itself as an explainable, easy-to-interpret solution and an alternative to 'black-box' models, helping bring omics data into biomedical practice," says Armananzas.

The University of Navarra is already developing new functionalitiesincluding pathway analysis and additional interaction layersto develop models that better explain the mechanisms driving tumor growth and progression.

These advances reflect the institution's commitment to interdisciplinary research that integrates biomedicine, AI, and data science to improve understanding and management of cancer through personalized and precision medicine.

Publication details Aitor Oviedo-Madrid et al, RNACOREX - RNA coregulatory network explorer and classifier, PLOS Computational Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013660 Journal information: PLoS Computational Biology

Clinical categories OncologyClinical genetics
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

As South Carolina faces climbing measles cases, a lawmaker wants to ban all vaccine mandates for children under two-years-old.

The bill is one of several proposed policies for 2026 that reflect the priorities of President Donald Trump and his administration.

Some vaccines, including measles, are mandatory for children attending daycare or public school in South Carolina. Religious, medical and special exemptions are available for required immunization schedules. Infants are required to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles. The first dose is generally given after their first birthday.

The proposed bill would restrict all requirements for infants under 24 months to receive any vaccine. But South Carolina doctors have encouraged recommended immunizations as a measles outbreak has left hundreds, including schools, quarantining in the Upstate.

The Trump administration's health department, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been critical of childhood vaccines. Earlier this month, a panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to abandon a longstanding recommendation to vaccinate all newborns against hepatitis B. The administration also warned against "overmedication" and "vaccine injury."

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has promoted several policies he says could reduce chronic diseases, dubbed Make America Healthy Again. In addition to state Sen. Carlisle Kennedy's, R-Lexington, proposed vaccine mandate ban, South Carolina lawmakers have prefiled several bills that take cues from the second Trump administration.

Another vaccine-related bill would require the state Department of Public Health to further publicize available exemptions for childhood immunizations.

State lawmakers return Jan. 13. Over 812 pieces of legislation were prefiled last year, and many were only read and never discussed. Of the almost 2,250 bills and resolutions introduced last year, only 94 bills were signed by the governor.

The Make America Healthy Again bills

Some South Carolina House and Senate members proposed policies promoted in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA report. The report is aimed at reducing chronic diseases, particularly in children.

A Senate bill, prefiled by Kennedy, would restrict fluoride from being added to the public water systems or bottled water. Fluoridation helps reduce rates of tooth decay, according to dentists and public health experts. Despite public health support for fluoridation of public water, the MAHA report calls for more research into its safety.

Another target of the health secretary: restricting junk food purchases with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. State Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York, filed legislation that would ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exempt soda and candy from food stamps. Gov. Henry McMaster signed a similar executive order over the summer, and the USDA approved the state's request.

State agencies and institutions could also be banned from purchasing the same food and drinks restricted from SNAP, under a bill filed by state Rep. Annie McDaniel, D-Fairfield.

The MAHA report also calls for children to spend more time exercising and outside. A bill would mandate 60 minutes of daily physical outdoor activity for children in grades K-8, rather than the current 30 minutes.

Other Trump administration-inspired bills

Other proposed bills prop up priorities of the second Trump administration, including curbing some imports and cracking down on people living in the country illegally.

South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said South Carolina's legislative agenda would be partially driven by Trump administration priorities.

"Now that we have the Trump administration in place, they are partnering with us and how we're moving legislative agendas forward," Smith said at a press conference Friday.

Enforcing immigration laws is a priority for House Republican lawmakers next year, according to a handout from its caucus. A bill with broad House Republican support would require law enforcement agencies with correctional facilities to enter into 287(g) agreements with federal immigration enforcement agencies.

The agreement gives local police the ability to perform immigration enforcement actions with some federal oversight. In early September, 26 South Carolina agencies had entered into such agreements, up from three at the beginning of the Trump administration.

Another proposed bill would remove state funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions," which would be determined in court. No South Carolina cities or counties were included in the U.S. Department of Justice's May 2025 list of sanctuary jurisdictions.

The State Law Enforcement Division would also have to compile an "Immigration Compliance Report," under the proposed bill. State and local law enforcement would also have to transfer custody of all people determined to be in the U.S. illegally to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The H-1B visa, which allows people from other countries with higher education training to work in the U.S., has also drawn criticism and new steep fees from Trump. State Rep. Jordan Pace, R-Berkeley, filed legislation to cut off economic development incentives for companies with employees with H-1B visas.

Another proposed bill from state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, would require public works projects to use domestic steel and iron, with some exceptions. A similar bill was also filed by two House lawmakers. Trump placed steep, 50%, tariffs on steel imports this summer.

Lexington County's Kennedy also proposed two bills dealing with protests he defines as "riots." One bill places financial responsibility on "funding entities" to deal with financial damages associated with a "riot." Another removes criminal or civil liability in some instances from a person that flees a riot in their car and injures or kills another person in the process.

2025 The State. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will soon deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor street dogs in order to manage their health and control their population. As part of the initiative, 10,000 stray dogs will be brought under AI-based surveillance.

Officials said the system would also help identify behavioural or mental health deterioration in dogs.

The planned project will be implemented on a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with support from private companies and non-governmental organisations. The civic body is working with a startup to design and roll out the technology-driven solution. The initiative comes amid growing concern over the high number of dog bite cases reported in Mumbai every year.

Rising cases of dog bites

Mumbai is estimated to have around 95,000 stray dogs. On average, between 75,000 and 80,000 dog bite cases are reported annually. No comprehensive assessment has yet been conducted to determine why dogs exhibit aggressive behaviour in certain areas.

How the AI system will work

A senior official from the BMCs Public Health Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the project would begin with the creation of a detailed database. Photographs of 10,000 dogs will be taken and uploaded to the system to enable individual identification. After vaccination and sterilisation, each dog will be fitted with a special sensor.

Officials compared the system to biometric attendance, where each animal can be identified and tracked digitally. At present, it is often difficult to determine visually whether a dog has been sterilised.

Data from CCTV cameras, drones, mobile applications, and manually captured images will be analysed to identify wards with high stray dog populations and areas where the risk of attacks is increasing. The system will study movement patterns and flag potential hotspots. This will help the civic body plan sterilisation and vaccination drives more effectively.

By linking citizen complaints to the AI platform, officials said response times could be significantly reduced. The BMC believes AI-based monitoring will enhance public safety while also improving the overall health and management of stray dogs.

We cant make an official announcement yet, but our pilot project will be ready by May 2026. This will provide relief to Mumbaikars as well as stray dogs, a senior BMC officer said.


Prompt action by alert security guards has exposed what could turn out to be an inter-state operation to allegedly smuggle out blood plasma from the civic-run Dr RN Cooper Hospital, even as patients struggle to access platelets and plasma critical for their treatment.

Late on Saturday, security staff at the hospital stopped a group of men loading boxes of blood products into a vehicle at the hospital gate. Inside the vehicle were 19 boxes containing around 680 units of plasma collected using the hospitals facilities and infrastructure and ostensibly meant for its patients.

On questioning, the group said the consignment was on its way to Gujarat, but they could not produce any documents authorising the transport. The guards immediately prepared a panchanama to document the incident. The consignment was eventually allowed to leave after discussions within the hospitals administration.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the functioning of a blood bank at the hopsital operating under a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) model, and whether patient care was being compromised for commercial gain.

I stopped them as per protocol, because there was no prior intimation or paperwork, said on-duty security guard Saroja Holkar. Later, the loading was allowed after the matter was discussed with the Dean.

Patients lives may be at risk

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and platelets are critical for patients suffering from liver failure, kidney disease, burns, trauma, and dengue. Yet doctors and hospital insiders say Cooper patients are frequently told these components are unavailable, forcing families to desperately search for them at other blood banks  often at high cost and risk.

The reason, sources allege, is that plasma collected at Cooper is routinely separated but not fully processed into platelets or FFP for local use. Instead, it is packed in bulk and sent to pharmaceutical companies in Gujarat for plasma fractionation. Sources suggest that such consignments are not rare. Nineteen boxes in one go are massive. These are not occasional transfers  they are routine, said a senior hospital source, pointing out that most large hospitals cannot afford to send plasma away in such quantities because their own patients need it.

The financial incentive is significant. While locally supplied FFP fetches about Rs 300-400 per unit, plasma supplied for fractionation earns around Rs 1,600 per litre at government-approved rates. Blood bank insiders allege that unofficial payments can push this figure to Rs 5,000-6,000 per litre.

The layers of malpractice starts with the blood donation camps, experts allege. Conducted under the banner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), using Cooper Hospitals name and logo, donors are given to believe their blood will be used for Coopers patients. The blood bank is run by a private entity under PPP, which is accused of using public infrastructure  electricity, water, space  while diverting blood components elsewhere. There is a constant shortage of platelets here, especially during the monsoon, said a hospital insider. But plasma with commercial value is handled carefully and sent out. Patients are the ones taking the risk.

There are also regulatory concerns. Under government rules, blood products cannot be transported out of a public hospital without proper written permissions and documentation from authorities such as the State Blood Transfusion Council. The absence of papers at the time of transport has raised red flags. Maharashtra is also currently facing an acute shortage of albumin, a plasma-derived drug essential for ICU patients.

When Mumbai Mirror tried contacting Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sharad Ughade and R N Cooper Hospital Dean Dr Devidas Shetty, neither responded to calls or messages.


After courting controversy for constructing unauthorised buildings in Thane that were protected from court-ordered demolitions following the visit of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, former Shiv Sena corporator from Thane, Bhushan Bhoir, has landed in trouble for illegal construction yet again.



A Thane court on December 20 passed an order for a trial to proceed against Bhushan and two others for allegedly forging a commencement certificate (CC) for an unauthorised building. The order was issued following an investigation by Kapur Bawdi police.



Bhushan, Laxman Jadhav, and Navin Singh, were previously involved in the illegal construction of Sai Darshan complex at Majiwada, which the Bombay High Court ordered to be demolished. Bhushan, along with his elder brother Sanjay and father Devram, are party to the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and wield significant influence in Thane.



The impugned CC pertains to Durvankur apartment, a G+5 building at Balkum in Thane, constructed in 2010 allegedly by Bhushan, Jadhav, and Singh.



The complaint was filed by Rahul Bhoir, whose father and uncle transferred the development rights of the 471 sqm plot at Balkum to Sai Jalaram Builders and Developers  a firm in which Bhushan and others were partners. In return for the development rights, Rahuls father and uncle received two flats  in Durvankur apartment and Sai Darshan Complex. Police investigation revealed a Jain family as the owners of the land and not late Pandit Bhoir, named by Singh as the owner of the land in his statement.



Rahul Bhoir initiated the complaint upon realising that they received flats in unauthorised buildings in return for their ancestral plot. Investigation revealed the CC annexed to the sale agreement was indeed fake. Moreover, Ramesh Jain, the lawful owner of the land, told the police that neither him nor his cousins had sold the plot to anyone. The investigation revealed that Durvankur apartment was constructed without an agreement with the landowner or prerequisite permission from the TMC.



Bhushan, in his statement, claimed that Sai Jalaram Builders and Developers is a proprietary firm owned by Singh, which constructed Durvankur, and a partnership firm of the same name entered into an agreement with the family members of Rahul Bhoir. Thus, he claimed to have nothing to do with the unauthorised construction.



However, finding no truth in this argument and upholding the police investigation, a Magistrate court in Thane ordered ordered criminal proceedings against the three accused under section 204 (1) of CrPC. Bhushan, Singh, and Jadhav will face trial under sections 420, 465, 468, and 471 for forgery and cheating.
Nidheesh Jain



For years, Indians have treated traffic as a part of urban life  an irritation to be joked about, a familiar villain in everyday conversations. But somewhere between Mumbais 29-minute travel times per 10 km, Bengalurus frozen IT corridor, and the 32-hour Indore-Dewas jam that left three dead, our traffic problem quietly crossed a line. Once a headache, it has now become a full-blown economic and social emergency. The worrying part? Much of the damage is invisible until you join the dots  especially the enormous economic cost rarely acknowledged.

Congestion today is bleeding the economy. A Boston Consulting Group-supported analysis estimated that Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata together lose Rs 1.47 lakh crore every year due to congestion-related delays, wasted fuel, and lost productivity. Even if we take this as a conservative benchmark and account for growth since 2018, the scale of economic loss is staggering. Delayed cargo movement continues to inflate logistics inefficiencies. The cumulative outcome is predictable: businesses lose efficiency, supply chains become slower and less reliable, and economic competitiveness erodes. Traffic is no longer just an urban inconvenience. It has become an economic drag that directly undermines growth.

Behind the macroeconomic losses lies deeper human cost. Congestion forces millions to lose meaningful hours  hours that could have been spent working, resting, or with family. City-level mobility reports show commuters in Indian metros lose dozens of hours annually to peak-hour slowdowns. Additionally, traffic jams can contribute up to 30 per cent of Particulate Matter (PM) emissions in major cities and increased fuel burn by 20-40 per cent according to the CPCB.

The traffic crisis isnt the product of a single failure but of many misaligned systems. Indias rapid urbanisation is worsening the crisis. With the UN projecting 600 million urban residents by 2030 and most urban local bodies spending 1-1.5 per cent of their budgets on traffic management, the gap is inevitable. Roads are being constructed far too late in comparison to how fast demand is increasing, upgrades are fragmented, and demand outpaces capacity. Flyovers push bottlenecks a little ahead, new corridors fill quickly, and Metro systems suffer because last-mile links remain weak.

Second, public transport in big cities remains unreliable, over-crowded, and slow. The predictable result was a shift towards private mobility, especially two-wheelers. This created a feedback loop: more private vehicles slowed buses, making buses unattractive, pushing even more commuters toward private modes. The dominance of two-wheelers turned urban traffic into a constant negotiation rather than a predictable flow.

In addition to that, Indias traffic problem isnt about missing rules  its about weak enforcement. Violations are common, but only a small share ever face consequences. Enforcement remains fragmented across municipal bodies, police forces, and transport departments. Technology exists, but operating cultures lag behind it.

If the stakes are so high, why have solutions not worked? Because India has treated traffic as an engineering  and not a governance  challenge. For two decades, cities responded with flyovers, underpasses, and wider roads  but globally and in India, these measures trigger induced demand. The National Urban Transport Policy (2014) urged cities to prioritise people over cars, yet most continued expanding road space rather than managing demand. The Smart Cities Mission promised integrated traffic systems, but ended up with patchy beautification. With traffic police, municipal bodies, development authorities, and state transport departments all pulling in different directions, execution collapses long before design.

However, some examples show that with proper planning and coordination things can be turned around. Countries like Singapore used congestion pricing, strict parking limits and dependable transit to keep traffic smooth. Londons congestion charge reduced central traffic by almost 30 per cent, while Seoul replaced an elevated highway with transit-focused public space to improve flow and air quality.

Manila, which once faced traffic worse than todays condition in Bengaluru or Kolkata, showed us Information Technology can be used to solve severe traffic problems. Its turnaround began when the World Bank and Grab  a major ride-hailing company  created a OpenTraffic system, streaming anonymised GPS data to identify slowdowns in real time. Consequently, authorities could target enforcement, tweak signals and fix choke points precisely where problems emerged.

India too can partner with Google Maps to turn live congestion feeds into unified traffic dashboards that generate real-time reports on sudden speed drops, density spikes and bottlenecks. These dashboards can trigger immediate root-cause investigationwhether it is an obstruction, signal failure or lane violationand guide the rapid deployment of traffic police to the exact hotspots. With such live reports, enforcement could become proactive rather than reactive.

Finally, enforcement must be rebuilt with AI-based cameras, penalty recovery linked directly to vehicle registration, and the elimination of manual corruption loops. Public transport must be prioritised not in speeches but on the street. This is not futuristic; it is implementable tomorrow morning.




A warm wind shift is unfolding in a remote part of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. And despite its geographical isolation, it could signal the start of a planetary change in ocean temperatures and weather patterns.

This change has scientists concerned that the planet could break temperature records in the years to come - because it raises the odds of a planet-warming El Nino in 2026.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said that if a significant El Nino event develops, global temperatures could be well above the long-term average for two years.

This is concerning, because that would probably mean that we set another new global temperature record and possibly by a significant margin, Swain said.

Typically, winds blow from east to west across the tropical Pacific Ocean, forming the predictable trade winds. These trade winds cause some of the planets warmest ocean water to pile up in the western Pacific, near Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. But a few times a year on average, winds weaken and reverse direction, blowing from west to east at about 15 mph for a few weeks, forming a westerly wind burst.

This wind shift can bring changes in rainfall and temperatures across the tropical Pacific islands and spark tropical cyclones.

Importantly, it can also trigger the beginning of a shift from La Nina to El Nino, with important consequences for the planets weather patterns. El Nino and La Nina are opposite phases of the natural climate pattern called the El Nino-Southern Oscillation - Earths most important source of year-to-year climate variability. The planet is currently experiencing La Nina conditions, during which cooler-than-average ocean waters pool in the eastern and central Pacific. Thats been the case for five out of the past six years.

A shift to El Nino in 2026 could spell rising global temperatures, humidity and moisture levels as storm-steering jet stream winds change. During El Nino, warm ocean waters build in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific. Eventually, this warmth is transported out of the tropics and toward the poles, influencing weather patterns worldwide.

Winds from a westerly wind burst push warm water east from an area south of Guam called the West Pacific Warm Pool, home to the planets warmest ocean waters. This happens as the phenomenon spurs slow-moving and large oceanic waves called Kelvin waves.

Unlike the waves you see at the beach, Kelvin waves do not curl over and then crash. They are more like the waves in your bathtub, which slowly slosh around, said Michelle LHeureux of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kelvin waves take two to three months to cross the Pacific. So, if this westerly wind burst causes one, it would be sometime in early 2026 that warmer ocean water reaches the eastern Pacific, near Peru and Ecuador in South America.

For an El Nino event to develop next year, several more westerly wind bursts would probably need to occur, with each shifting more heat from west to east across the Pacific.

One key cause of westerly wind bursts is the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a pulse of clouds and rain that rotates around the global tropics every one to two months on average. Although the westerly wind burst is an important first step toward steering the climate system in the direction of El Nino, Swain cautioned that its too early to know whether an event would develop next year.

According to the latest outlook from NOAA, neutral conditions are favoured to develop early next year, before odds for El Nino grow steadily, reaching higher than 40 per cent next summer. It can sometimes take longer to develop than the models think, Swain said. The Washington Post


The Venezuela crisis: the need to reckon with US moral accountability

09:01, December 22, 2025 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

The US' escalating actions against Venezuela have sparked widespread concern in the international community. On December 20, the US seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. On the same day, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned that "an armed intervention in Venezuela would be a humanitarian catastrophe for the hemisphere and a dangerous precedent for the world." Prior to this, US allies such as the UK, France, and the Netherlands reportedly paused or limited intelligence-sharing with the US regarding the region. The international response clearly indicates that the US actions have not gained support; rather, they have placed the US in opposition to global moral standards.

Oil is the lifeblood of Venezuela's economy, with a production of approximately 1 million barrels per day. The US blockade has led to a sharp decline in Venezuela's oil exports, with many oil tankers full of crude oil stranded in Venezuelan waters, unable to set sail. This "chokehold" targeting a nation's economic lifeblood will have disastrous consequences for the lives of ordinary Venezuelans. The Venezuelan government has already indicated that it is ready to declare a state of emergency over the threat of "aggression" by the US, which suggests that the situation may escalate further. Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Palestine conflict, there are growing concerns that a new storm is brewing in the Caribbean.

Looking at the history of US-Latin American relations, the negative consequences of the Monroe Doctrine are evident. From launching the Mexican-American War and the Spanish-American War to directly occupying Cuba, imposing a long-term embargo on the country, and seizing control of the Panama Canal; from instigating proxy rebellions to overthrow the legitimate governments of Guatemala and Chile to sending troops to "capture" the head of state of Panama, the US exploited natural resources and pursued profits in Latin America, resulting in catastrophic consequences for the region and severely violating the basic human rights of the Latin American people, including their right to survival and development. Latin American countries have long been aware of and deeply dissatisfied with US interference in their sovereignty and independence. The more the US suppresses them, the deeper their animosity toward the US grows. The estrangement between the US and Latin America will continue to accelerate, deepen and extend in the future.

The right to development is an inherent right of every nation. Venezuela has the right to choose its own development path and seek mutually beneficial cooperation with its partners. This is a consensus shared by the countries of the Global South.

When Venezuela called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, many Latin American countries expressed their support. Brazil even offered to mediate between US and Venezuela. It is not difficult to see that the international community generally understands and supports Venezuela's position in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, while also wishing to prevent US from setting a detrimental precedent. Such a precedent would mean a serious violation of international law; any country's overseas assets could be jeopardized by the US' abuse of domestic laws. The international community should further unite to jointly uphold multilateralism and international fairness and justice, supporting Venezuela's efforts to maintain its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Currently, Latin American countries are prioritizing economic growth, social stability, and improving the welfare of their citizens. In 2014, Latin American and the Caribbean was declared a Peace Zone region. If the US takes military action against Venezuela, it would undermine the people's noble aspirations in the region. If the US continues to stoke tensions, interfere in other countries' elections, and even deploying "the largest military presence in decades" in the southern Caribbean, it will only disrupt the developmental pace of regional countries and lead to economic regression. Consider a hemisphere plagued by economic recession, internal turmoil, and even war - how can it become a "stable perimeter" for the US? The large-scale humanitarian crisis, widespread waves of immigration, and organized crime that result from a loss of effective government control will inevitably have spillover effects that impact the US itself.

Military intervention often breeds more problems. The uncontrolled influx of migrants, the growth of transnational crime networks, and the collective fermentation of anti-American sentiment in the region are all draining US diplomatic resources and strategic credibility. There is a growing awareness of this within the US.

According to a Quinnipiac poll published on Wednesday, 63 percent of American respondents oppose military action against Venezuela, with just 25 percent expressing support. The new National Security Strategy places the Western Hemisphere at the core of US interests, but it is evident that a Latin America that feels "alienated" from the US, or even harbors animosity toward it, will only weaken America's appeal and influence in the region. US influence in Latin America should not come from abuse of force but should be built on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The US in the early 19th century once supported the Latin America countries' resistance against European colonial powers, generating certain goodwill among the Latin American people toward the US at that time. However, as the US rose to power, it has become a major external factor for instability and underdevelopment in Latin America. The US now faces another major strategic choice. History has repeatedly demonstrated that "a just cause rallies abundant support while an unjust one finds little." Only mutual respect and equality can bring lasting peace and development, which aligns with the common interests of all countries, including the long-term well-being of the American people.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  California regulators are threatening to suspend Teslas license to sell its electric cars in the state early next year unless the automaker tones down its marketing tactics for its self-driving features after a judge concluded the Elon Musk-led company has been misleading consumers about the technologys capabilities.

The potential 30-day blackout of Teslas California sales is the primary punishment being recommended to the states Department of Motor Vehicles in a decision released late Tuesday. The ruling by Administrative Law Judge Juliet Cox determined that Tesla had for years engaged in deceptive marketing practices by using the terms Autopilot and Full Self-Driving to promote the autonomous technology available in many of its cars.

After presiding over five days of hearings held in Oakland, California in July, Cox also recommended suspending Teslas license to manufacture cars at its plant in Fremont, California. But California regulators arent going to impose that part of the judges proposed penalty.

Tesla will have a 90-day window to make changes that more clearly convey the limits of its self-driving technology to avoid having its California sales license suspended. After California regulators filed its action against Tesla in 2023, the Austin, Texas, company already made one significant change by putting in wording that made it clear its Full Self-Driving package still required supervision by a human driver while its deployed.

Tesla can take simple steps to pause this decision and permanently resolve this issue  steps autonomous vehicle companies and other automakers have been able to achieve, said Steve Gordon, the director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

In a post on Musks X service, Tesla brushed off the decision as regulatory overkill. This was a consumer protection order about the use of the term Autopilot in a case where not one single customer came forward to say theres a problem. Sales in California will continue uninterrupted, the company said.

The automaker has already been plagued by a global downturn in demand that began during a backlash to Musks high-profile role overseeing cuts in the U.S. government budget overseeing the Department of Government that President Donald Trump created in his administration. Increased competition and an older lineup of vehicles also weighed on Tesla sales, although the company did revamp its Model Y, the worlds bestselling vehicle, and unveil less-expensive versions of the Model Y and Model X.

Although Musk left Washington after a falling out with Trump, the fallout has continued to weigh on Teslas auto sales, which had decreased by 9% from 2024 through the first nine months of this year.

Despite the slump and the threatened sales suspension in California, Teslas stock price touched an all-time high $495.28 during Wednesdays early trading before backtracking later to fall below $470. Despite that reversal, Teslas shares are still worth slightly more than they were before Musks ill-fated stint in the Trump administration  a somewhat successful assignment he recently said he wouldnt take on again.

The performance of Teslas stock against the backdrop of eroding auto sales reflects the increasing emphasis that investors are placing on Musks efforts to develop artificial intelligence technology to implant into humanoid robots and a fleet of self-driving Teslas that will operate as robotaxis across the U.S.

Musk has been promising Teslas self-driving technology would fulfill his robotaxi vision for years without delivering on the promise, but the company finally began testing the concept in Austin earlier this year, albeit with a human supervisor in the car to take over if something went awry. Just a few days ago, Musk disclosed Tesla had started tests of its robotaxis without a safety monitor in the vehicle.

California regulators are far from the first critic to accuse Tesla of exaggerating the capabilities of its self-driving technology in a potentially dangerous manner. The company has steadfastly insisted that information contained in its vehicles owners manual on its website have made it clear that its self-driving technology still requires human supervision, even while releasing a 2020 video depicting one of its cars purportedly driving on its own. The video, cited as evidence against Tesla in the decision recommending a suspension of the companys California sales license, remained on its website for nearly four years.

Tesla has been targeted in a variety of lawsuits alleging its mischaracterizations about self-driving technology have lulled humans into a false of security that have resulted in lethal accidents. The company has settled or prevailed in several cases, but earlier this year a Miami jury held Tesla partly responsible for a lethal crash in Florida that occurred while Autopilot was deployed and ordered the automaker to pay more than $240 million in damages.

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE

AP Technology Writer
President Trump delivered a Christmas message from the White House.

Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

Melania and I send our warmest greetings to those celebrating Christmas in the United States and around the world. During this joyous time of year, we join a grateful Nation in thanking God for His abundant blessings and boundless love.

As families, friends, and communities come together to rejoice in the birth of Christ, we are reminded of the divine message from the first Christmas: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. While the challenges that face our country are great, the bonds that unite us as Americans are much stronger. Together, we must strive to foster a culture of deeper understanding and respecttraits that exemplify the teachings of Christ.

As we celebrate Christmas, we remember the precious religious liberties our forefathers so righteously fought to secure. We also pause to pay tribute to those courageous men and women of our Armed Forces who continue to fight for our cherished freedoms. As Commander in Chief, I salute them for their service and thank their family members for their shared sacrifice in this noble mission, especially during the holiday season.

We hope your heart is filled with the love and joy of your faith, family, and friends this Christmas. We send our best wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  President Donald Trump on Sunday announced he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump has said the U.S. needs to take over.

Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World, Trump said in announcing the appointment.

Trump during his presidential transition and in the early months of his return to the White House repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.

The issue had drifted out of the headlines in recent months, but in August, Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.

Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote U.S. military base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there.

Trump has said that Greenland is crucial for U.S. security and hasnt ruled out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.

Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028.

Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S., Landry wrote in a posting on X in which he thanked Trump for the appointment. He added, This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!

Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. The U.S. push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe.

The Embassy of Denmark in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Landrys appointment.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to assert its will and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.

The service, in its annual assessment, said Washingtons greater assertiveness under the Trump administration also comes as China and Russia seek to diminish Western, especially American, influence.

The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments, the report said.

By AAMER MADHANI

Associated Press
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP)  Inside a storage room at the Clark County Health Department are boxes with taped-on signs reading, DO NOT USE. They contain cookers and sterile water that people use to shoot up drugs.

The supplies, which came from the state and were paid for with federal money, were for a program where drug users exchange dirty needles for clean ones, part of a strategy known as harm reduction. But under a July executive order from President Donald Trump, federal substance abuse grants cant pay for supplies such as cookers and tourniquets that it says only facilitate illegal drug use. Needles already couldnt be purchased with federal money.

In some places, the order is galvanizing support for syringe exchange programs, which decades of research show are extremely effective at preventing disease among intravenous drug users and getting them into treatment.

In others, its fueling opposition that threatens the programs existence.

Republican-led Indiana passed a law allowing exchanges a decade ago after the tiny city of Austin became the epicenter of the worst drug-fueled HIV outbreak in U.S. history. Unless lawmakers extend it, that law is scheduled to sunset next year, and the number of exchanges has been dwindling. State officials told remaining programs to comply with Trumps order  and even to discard federally funded supplies such as cookers and tourniquets.

For now, Clark County health workers have found a way to keep distributing cookers and other items: buy them with private money and package them in mystery bags, assembled by employees who arent paid with state or federal funds.

Democratic-led California, meanwhile, has continued using state funds for supplies such as pipes and syringes. California is home to a rising number of exchanges, with 70 of the more than 580 listed by the North American Syringe Exchange Network.

Some public health experts lament that syringe services programs have become subject to growing politicization and dissent.

Clark County Health Officer Dr. Eric Yazel says IV drug users will likely inject themselves with or without clean supplies. Exchanges prevent people from sharing needles and spreading disease, he said, decreasing the public health risk for the whole population.

But Curtis Hill, a Republican former Indiana attorney general, is among critics who raise the same concern Trumps order does: We dont want to get into a situation where were promoting drug use.

Help without judgment

When participants arrive at the Clark County health department, they look down at a list of services and say they are there for No. 1.

They choose from a cart with needles, bandages, sharps containers and the overdose reversal drug naloxone. They can receive testing for HIV and hepatitis C; information on drug treatment; and fliers on food banks, housing, and job placement. There are even handmade knit hats with encouraging notes like, Youve got this!

We spend a half hour, 45 minutes or so talking to them about where they are, if they want treatment, if theyre ready, Program Director Dorothy Waterhouse said. These are our brothers, our sisters, our mothers, our fathers.  We need compassion to make sure theyre getting into treatment.

Its the closest exchange to Austin, a 35-minute drive away. Scott County, where Austin is located, already ended its program.

Joshua Gay lived in an apartment across the street when he used the Clark County exchange. He shot up meth daily.

The addiction, it took away everything. It took away my life. It took away my job, took away my health. I mean, it made my mind so bad that I wouldnt even shower, said the 44-year-old, who now lives in Austin. God was telling me, You need to do something, and he led me to the needle exchange.

Hes sober today. He sought drug treatment at LifeSpring Health Systems after encouragement from health workers and now encourages others in recovery to stay healthy.

He believes the syringe exchange not only saved him, but helped him save someone else, providing the naloxone he used to revive a friend who overdosed on heroin.

Keeping the program going

After Trumps order  which focused on homelessness  Indiana health officials told exchanges that certain items they provided were now off-limits, citing a letter from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Although Clark County workers have found ways to provide privately funded items for now, they worry about Indianas exchange law expiring on July 1. Six counties have exchanges  down from nine in 2020  despite the programs successes.

Statewide, exchanges have made more than 27,000 referrals to drug treatment and provided naloxone that reversed nearly 25,000 overdoses, according to information collected by the nonprofit Damien Center in Indianapolis.

Since its 2017 start, Clark Countys program alone has given out more than 2,000 doses of naloxone; made more than 4,300 referrals to drug treatment; and made more than 4,400 referrals for HIV or hepatitis C testing. Its syringe return rate is 92%.

Local and national public health and addiction experts point to research showing exchanges dont increase syringe litter, crime or IV drug use  and that every dollar invested returns an estimated $7 in avoided health care costs.

Exchanges are associated with an estimated 50% reduction in the incidence of HIV and hepatitis C, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last year. Scott County  where the HIV outbreak ultimately sickened 235 people  had fewer than five new cases a year in 2020 and 2021, just before that syringe program ended. The numbers have stayed low.

When these programs first started, I was like, I dont know. I didnt get it, Yazel said. And then I took a deep dive and started to understand the impact.

Elsewhere, a mix of support and opposition

Indiana is among 43 states with syringe services programs, according to health care research nonprofit KFF.

Support remains strong in many places. This year in Hawaii, for example, legislators passed a law allowing people to get as many clean needles as needed rather than only one for one.

But bills elsewhere, including two introduced in West Virginia this year, propose eliminating syringe programs.

This month, West Virginias Cabell-Huntington Health Department stopped giving out needles. Naloxone and fentanyl test strips remain available, along with services such as education, disease testing and links to care.

The folks who come in to see us are going to get the same smiles and the same hugs, said Health Officer Dr. Michael Kilkenny. Were just not going to be dispensing syringes or the other things that are in disfavor.

Andrew Nixon, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stressed in an email that federal funds can still be used for life-saving services like education and naloxone, reflecting a commitment to addressing the addiction and overdose crisis impacting communities across our nation.

A murky future

Yazel expects a difficult path ahead in Indiana.

To be very blunt, he said, we have an uphill battle coming up this legislative session.

Damien Center CEO Alan Witchey, whose organization runs a syringe program, said he and a group of advocates created a website with information and a way to contact lawmakers. Theyve met with elected officials, and a state senator introduced a bill to extend the sunset date to 2036.

Without these programs, there will be one less tool to address the diseases of substance use disorder, hepatitis C and HIV, Witchey said. And that could lead to a very dangerous place for us. We have seen where this leads.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

By LAURA UNGAR

AP Medical Writer
DENVER (AP)  A state judge on Monday accepted plea agreements for the owners of a Colorado funeral home for the abuse of 191 corpses, many of which languished in a room-temperature building for years, over the objections of relatives of the victims.

Authorities say Carie and Jon Hallford, who owned and operated Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, maintained a lavish lifestyle and gave fake ashes to some families of the dead over four years.

The latest plea agreements would have Jon Hallford sentenced to between 30 and 50 years and Carie Hallford to between 25 and 35 years. The sentences would be served at the same time as their prison terms for related federal charges. Victims family members wanted each of them sentenced to 191 years  which would include one year for each victim. Some also said the Hallfords shouldnt be able to serve both the state and federal sentences at the same time.

Jon Hallford is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 6, 2026. Carie Hallford is set to be sentenced April 24.

A statement by a group of victims family members had said they wanted to have the cases proceed to trial.

This case is not about convenience or efficiency, said Crystina Page, whose sons body was among those found. It is about human beings who were treated as disposable. Accepting a plea agreement sends the message that this level of abuse is negotiable. We reject that message.

Kelly Schloesser said her mother, Mary Lou Ehrlich, looked peaceful after she died in 2022, but her final memories have been haunted after learning a year later that Ehrlichs body had been left to decompose.

I apologize to my mother every day for trusting these people, she told state District Judge Eric Bentley.

Lawyers for both Hallford urged Bentley to accept the plea agreements, which will also ban them from working in the funeral home industry. Carie Hallfords lawyer, Beau Worthington, noted that she would be eligible to be sentenced to probation if she was convicted after a trial.

In a rare decision, Bentley earlier this year rejected previous plea agreements that called for up to 20 years in prison, with family members of the deceased saying the proposed punishments were too lenient.

Bentley praised families of the victims for their advocacy in court, which he said resulted in the sentence ranges being lengthened dramatically.

These are really meaningfully changes from where I sit, he said.

Bentley said he could not legally stack the state sentences on top of the federal ones because that would amount to punishing the Hallfords twice for the same conduct.

The Hallfords are accused of dumping bodies and giving families fake ashes between 2019 and 2023.

Investigators have described finding the bodies in 2023 stored atop each other in a bug-infested building in Penrose, a small town about a two-hour drive south of Denver. The scene was horrific, officials said, with bodies stacked atop each other in various states of decay  some having been there for four years.

While Jon Hallford was accused of dumping the bodies, authorities said Carie Hallford was the face of the funeral home.

During a hearing in November, Bentley said he considered the need for deterrence in rejecting the plea agreement. Colorado, for many years, had some of the weakest funeral home industry regulations in the nation, leading to numerous abuse cases involving fake ashes, fraud, and even the illegal selling of body parts.

In August, authorities announced that during their first inspection of a funeral home owned by the county coroner in Pueblo, Colorado, they found 24 decomposing corpses behind a hidden door.

That investigation is pending as authorities have reported slow progress in identifying corpses that, in some cases, have languished for more than a decade.

The Return to Nature case has helped trigger reforms, including routine inspections.

The Hallfords also have admitted in federal court to defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration of nearly $900,000 in pandemic-era aid and taking payments from customers for cremations the funeral home never performed.

By COLLEEN SLEVIN

Associated Press
Like many young girls, Mara Berton and June Higginbotham both knew from an early age they wanted families and to become mothers. But as lesbians, they were excluded from accessing the same fertility treatment insurance benefits offered to heterosexual peers.

Instead, like many other same-sex couples, Berton and Higginbotham, who live in Santa Clara County, had to pay $45,000 out of pocket to conceive while heterosexual colleagues with the same insurance plan had many of those costs covered.

We knew it wasnt right, Berton said in an exclusive interview with CalMatters. She joined a class action lawsuit challenging the policy. What were fighting for is about family building and having kidsIt was really important to both of us, I think, that other couples not have to do this.

Last week, in a landmark settlement, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California Haywood Gilliam, Jr. approved a preliminary agreement for the class action lawsuit requiring Aetna to cover fertility treatments for same-sex couples  like artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization  as they do with heterosexual couples. It is the first case requiring a health insurer to apply this policy nationally across all of its enrollees. An estimated 2.8 million LGBTQ members will benefit, including 91,000 Californians.

Under the settlement, Aetna will also pay at least $2 million in damages to California-based members who qualify. Those who may be eligible must submit a claim by June 29, 2026.

I truly hope that this is the first of many insurers to change their policy, said Alison Tanner, senior litigation counsel for reproductive rights and health at the National Womens Law Center. We were looking at that as an issue of inequality  that folks who were in same-sex relationships were being treated differently.

Roughly 9 million additional Californians will soon have access to mandated fertility benefits under a new law taking effect in January. The law applies to state-regulated plans  which Aetna is not in this case  and amends the definition of infertility to include same-sex couples and single people.

Previously, Aetnas policy required enrollees to engage in six to 12 months of unprotected heterosexual sexual intercourse without conceiving before qualifying for fertility benefits, according to the class action complaint. The policy allowed for women without a male partner to access benefits only after undergoing six to 12 cycles of artificial insemination unsuccessfully depending on age.

Lawyers argued that the policy fundamentally treated LGBTQ members differently and effectively denied them access to the benefit, which can be prohibitively expensive for many people.

In an email, Aetna spokesperson Phillip Blando said the plan provides infertility benefits in accordance with each members plan, coverage rules and applicable law.

Aetna is committed to equal access to infertility coverage and reproductive health coverage for all its members, and we will continue to strive toward improving access to services for our entire membership, Blando said.

Medical infertility definition includes LGBTQ

Berton, who was the lead plaintiff in the case, said she was blindsided by the policy. She had consulted with a fertility clinic and decided to move forward with donor sperm and artificial insemination, when a representative from Aetna called and said she did not meet the definition of infertility.

She appealed the decision multiple times; she was rejected. The experience felt dehumanizing, her wife Higginbotham said.

Insurance had dictated Berton attempt 12 rounds of artificial insemination before she would be eligible for benefits. Her doctors recommended no more than four rounds.

Sean Tipton, chief advocacy and policy director for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said a policy like that could only be designed to dissuade people from accessing their health benefits. Doctors typically recommend three to four cycles of artificial insemination before IVF, but Tipton said there have also been studies showing it is more efficient and cost effective to go straight to IVF.

In 2023, the society updated its medical definition of infertility to include LGBTQ folks and individuals who dont have partners. They did so in part to stop insurers from denying claims like Berton and Higginbothams.

The driving force was a realization that it takes two kinds of gametes to have kids, Tipton said. Regardless of the cause of that absence, you have to have access in order to be treated for a fertility issue.

Since the definition changed, Tipton said more employers and insurers are covering benefits for LGBTQ folks or single people. They have also leveraged the definition to enact statewide benefits expansions, including Californias upcoming fertility benefits mandate.

Berton and Higginbotham said they also worried about running out of donor sperm that matched Higginbothams Jewish and Native American heritage  and was limited in supply.

I dont feel like your insurance should be involved in those types of decisions and kind of determine your journey, Berton said.

The couple pulled together money from family members and decided to proceed even without coverage. After four unsuccessful rounds of intrauterine insemination, they moved on to IVF, partially to give themselves the best chance of conceiving with the donor they chose.

The experience was all consuming and emotionally difficult as Berton endured hormone injections, egg retrievals and a miscarriage. But today, she and Higginbotham have two healthy twin girls whose favorite thing is to play on the swings and take every book off of their shelf for their mothers to read.

The couple achieved their family dreams before the lawsuit concluded. Even so, Higginbotham said she hopes the settlement will help other LGBTQ couples across the country.

I know people that dont have children, that wanted children, because the stuff isnt covered. I know people that their timeline was delayed and maybe they have fewer kids than they wanted, Higginbotham said. The settlement is such a huge step forward that is really righting a huge wrong.

___

This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By KRISTEN HWANG/CalMatters

CalMatters
Two NATO-nation intelligence services suspect Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon to target Elon Musks Starlink constellation with destructive orbiting clouds of shrapnel, with the aim of reining in Western space superiority that has helped Ukraine on the battlefield.

Intelligence findings seen by The Associated Press say the so-called zone-effect weapon would seek to flood Starlink orbits with hundreds of thousands of high-density pellets, potentially disabling multiple satellites at once but also risking catastrophic collateral damage to other orbiting systems.

Analysts who havent seen the findings say they doubt such a weapon could work without causing uncontrollable chaos in space for companies and countries, including Russia and its ally China, that rely on thousands of orbiting satellites for communications, defense and other vital needs.

Such repercussions, including risks to its own space systems, could steer Moscow away from deploying or using such a weapon, analysts said.

I dont buy it. Like, I really dont, said Victoria Samson, a space-security specialist at the Secure World Foundation who leads the Colorado-based nongovernmental organizations annual study of anti-satellite systems. I would be very surprised, frankly, if they were to do something like that.

But the commander of the Canadian militarys Space Division, Brig. Gen. Christopher Horner, said such Russian work cannot be ruled out in light of previous U.S. allegations that Russia also has been pursuing an indiscriminate nuclear, space-based weapon.

I cant say Ive been briefed on that type of system. But its not implausible, he said. If the reporting on the nuclear weapons system is accurate and that theyre willing to develop that and willing to go to that end, well it wouldnt strike me as shocking that something just short of that, but equally damaging, is within their wheelhouse of development.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov didnt respond to messages from the AP seeking comment. Russia has previously called for United Nations efforts to stop the orbital deployment of weapons and President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow has no intention of deploying nuclear space weapons.

Weapon would have multiple targets

The intelligence findings were shown to the AP on condition that the services involved were not identified and the news organization was not able to independently verify the findings conclusions.

The U.S. Space Force didnt respond to e-mailed questions. The French militarys Space Command said in a statement to the AP that it could not comment on the findings but said, We can inform you that Russia has, in recent years, been multiplying irresponsible, dangerous, and even hostile actions in space.

Russia views Starlink in particular as a grave threat, the findings indicate. The thousands of low-orbiting satellites have been pivotal for Ukraines survival against Russias full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.

Starlinks high-speed internet service is used by Ukrainian forces for battlefield communications, weapons targeting and other roles and by civilians and government officials where Russian strikes have affected communications.

Elon Musk s SpaceX, which operates Starlink, did not respond to a request for comment.

Russian officials repeatedly have warned that commercial satellites serving Ukraines military could be legitimate targets. This month, Russia said it has fielded a new ground-based missile system, the S-500, which is capable of hitting low-orbit targets.

Unlike a missile that Russia tested in 2021 to destroy a defunct Cold War-era satellite, the new weapon in development would target multiple Starlinks at once, with pellets possibly released by yet-to-be launched formations of small satellites, the intelligence findings say.

Canadas Horner said it is hard to see how clouds of pellets could be corralled to only strike Starlink and that debris from such an attack could get out of control in a hurry.

You blow up a box full of BBs, he said. Doing that would blanket an entire orbital regime and take out every Starlink satellite and every other satellite thats in a similar regime. And I think thats the part that is incredibly troubling.

System is possibly just experimental

The findings seen by the AP didnt say when Russia might be capable of deploying such a system nor detail whether it has been tested or how far along research is believed to be.

The system is in active development and information about the timing of an expected deployment is too sensitive to share, according to an official familiar with the findings and other related intelligence that the AP did not see. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the nonpublic findings.

Such Russian research could be simply experimental, Samson said.

I wouldnt put it past some scientists  to build out something like this because its an interesting thought-experiment and they think, you know, Maybe at some point we can get our government to pay for it,' she said.

Samson suggested the specter of a supposed new Russian threat may also be an effort to elicit an international response.

Often times people pushing these ideas are doing it because they want the U.S. side to build something like that or  to justify increased spending on counterspace capabilities or using it for a more hawkish approach on Russia, she said.

Im not saying that this is whats happening with this, Samson added. But it has been known to happen that people take these crazy arguments and use them.

Tiny pellets could remain undetected

The intelligence findings say the pellets would be so small  just millimeters across  that they would evade detection by ground- and space-based systems that scan for space objects, which could make it hard to pin blame for any attack on Moscow.

Clayton Swope, who specializes in space security and weaponry at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based security and policy think tank, said if the pellets are not trackable, that complicates things but people would figure it out.

If satellites start winking out with damage, I guess you could put two and two together, he said.

Exactly how much destruction tiny pellets could do isnt clear. In November, a suspected impact by a small piece of debris was sufficient to damage a Chinese spacecraft that was meant to bring three astronauts back to the Earth.

Most damage would probably be done to the solar panels because theyre probably the most fragile part of satellites, Swope said. Thatd be enough, though, to damage a satellite and probably bring it offline.

Weapon of fear could threaten chaos

After such an attack, pellets and debris would over time fall back toward Earth, possibly damaging other orbiting systems on their way down, analysts say.

Starlinks orbits are about 550 kilometers (340 miles) above the planet. Chinas Tiangong space station and the International Space Station operate at lower orbits, so both would face risks, according to Swope.

The space chaos that such a weapon could cause might enable Moscow to threaten its adversaries without actually having to use it, Swope said.

It definitely feels like a weapon of fear, looking for some kind of deterrence or something, he said.

Samson said the drawbacks of an indiscriminate pellet-weapon could steer Russia off such a path.

Theyve invested a huge amount of time and money and human power into being, you know, a space power, she said.

Using such a weapon would effectively cut off space for them as well, Samson said. I dont know that they would be willing to give up that much.

___

Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.

By JOHN LEICESTER

Associated Press
Treasury CS John Mbadi issues hardline warning to divided ODM: Back Rutos 2027 re-election or join GachaguaKalonzo camp

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has thrown down the gauntlet to wavering Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders, warning that continued fence-sitting over President William Rutos 2027 re-election bid risks tearing the party apart as Kenya edges closer to the next General Election.

Speaking on Saturday in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, the former ODM chairperson delivered a blunt political reality check, arguing that the 2027 presidential contest is effectively settled and that ODMs strategic focus should shift to positioning itself for 2032.

Mbadi cautioned that internal divisions over ODMs working arrangement with President Ruto could weaken the party at a critical moment, undermining its relevance in national politics.

The President of 2027 Is Already Decided

Mbadi did not sugarcoat his assessment of the political landscape, dismissing the idea that ODM or any new political entrant could realistically unseat Ruto in 2027.

We must strategise, we must be tactful, we must form alliances which make sense. And you cannot talk about we are with you up to 2027. After 2027, where are we going? The president of 2027 is already decided, said Mbadi.

He went further to pour cold water on speculation about a fresh presidential contender emerging to disrupt the race, insisting that such claims amount to self-deception.

There is no new candidate who will come and make an impact. That is a lie. This is a time now to prepare ourselves for 2032, he added.

A Clear Choice: Ruto or the GachaguaKalonzo Alliance

In remarks that laid bare growing tensions within ODM, the Treasury CS challenged party members uncomfortable with the Ruto partnership to openly declare where they stand instead of quietly hedging their bets.

Mbadi framed the choice as binary and unavoidable: stand firmly with the sitting president or align with the opposition bloc led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

And you cannot prepare yourself for 2032 if you want to work alone. You must work with other people. Either we work with that united opposition of Gachagua, Kalonzo, or we remain behind Ruto. We give him a second chance as we plan for 2032. That is the only thing, the Treasury CS added.

Mbadis warning targets ODM leaders who have publicly suggested that the partys cooperation with President Ruto ends in 2027, a stance he says undermines trust and weakens the partys influence within government.

According to the CS Mbadi, political survival demands consistency, loyalty to agreements, and partnerships with leaders who have demonstrated the capacity to work with ODM in government.

And we cannot work with people who have gone down previously. We can only work with people who have demonstrated that they can work with us, stated Mbadi.

His declaration carries a clear subtext: ODM must choose between the access and influence that comes with supporting the sitting president or risk political irrelevance by joining opposition forces that have repeatedly failed to capture the presidency.
Levis Wandera reveals explosive details about working for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua  tribalism, mistrust, and refusal to take security advice forced his exit months before DCP tour

In a bombshell interview that pulls back the curtain on Kenyas VIP protection dynamics, Levis Wandera, a former bodyguard to ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has disclosed that the ex-second-in-commands unwillingness to accept advice made his job nearly impossible.

Speaking candidly during a Sunday, December 21, 2025 podcast interview, Wandera painted a picture of a principal who operated on his own terms, regardless of security concerns raised by his professional protection team.

The former close protection officer revealed that during the four months he served Gachagua, the former DP proved exceptionally difficult to advise and consistently demanded that situations unfold according to his preferences, creating dangerous security vulnerabilities.

It Was Hard Advising Gachagua

It was hard advising Gachagua; he would always want things to go his way, Wandera said.

This fundamental clash between professional security protocols and Gachaguas insistence on personal control became the primary factor that drove Wandera to resign from the security team months before Gachagua launched his high-profile Democracy for Citizens (DCP) continental tour.

Wandera explained the impossible position that bodyguards face when protecting stubborn principals who dismiss professional security advice.

He pointed out that dealing with such individuals creates an untenable situation because when the boss refuses to take advice and insists on dictating security arrangements, personal protectors automatically shoulder all responsibility if any security lapse occurs or if anything happens to the VIP.

The former bodyguard stressed that bosses must take their bodyguards advice seriously, and that protectors should feel empowered to voice concerns without fear of dismissal or retaliation.

Wandera challenged the traditional hierarchy that places VIP preferences above security expertise, arguing that in protection scenarios, the bosss word should not automatically override professional security assessments.

He observed that security lapses involving VIPs typically occur when protection teams deal with difficult bosses who insist on maintaining control rather than trusting their trained security personnel.

Tribalism and Mistrust: The Hidden Security Threat

Wandera dropped another revelation and rarely discussed problem in Kenyan VIP protection: tribal considerations often trump professional qualifications when principals select their security teams.

He disclosed that people who did not understand the security industry surrounded the former DP, creating an environment poisoned by mistrust and tribalism.

According to Wandera, Gachagua demonstrated a clear preference for working with people from his own tribe and those from his home region as part of his security team, a practice he notes cuts across the board with most Kenyan VIPs preferring their kinsmen to handle their protection.

There were a lot of issues; he was also surrounded by a lot of people who never understood the industry. I am also sorry to say this tribalism in Kenya has a long way to go. Someone says, This guy doesnt speak my mother tongue; I cant trust him, and that is why most VIPs prefer people who are from their own tribes or closer to where they live.

Evacuating Under Fire: The Shamata Incident

Despite the challenging working conditions, Levis Wandera provided insight into his professional capabilities by recounting how he successfully evacuated his former boss from multiple attacks during political rallies.

He specifically cited a harrowing incident in Shamata, Nyandarua County, where attackers fired a teargas canister directly at Gachagua, immediately disrupting the public meeting and forcing the security team into emergency evacuation protocols.

Wandera recalled that the atmosphere in the area felt palpably dangerous throughout the event, requiring the protection team to maintain maximum alertness even before the actual attack materialized.
Individuals bearing the name Aethelred are typically associated with a profound sense of nobility, tradition, and historical consciousness. They often carry themselves with natural authority and dignity, possessing a contemplative nature that values careful deliberation over impulsive action. This thoughtful approach can manifest as wisdom and strategic thinking in leadership roles, though it may also lead to perceived indecisiveness when facing complex challenges. Their noble bearing tends to inspire respect and loyalty from others, but may create emotional distance in personal relationships due to the weight of expectations associated with such a historically significant name.



The historical legacy of thelred the Unready adds complex layers to the personality profile, suggesting individuals who, despite noble intentions and good counsel, may struggle with the practical execution of their plans under pressure. This creates a character type marked by resilience in adversity and deep commitment to principles, even when these qualities lead to difficult outcomes. Aethelreds are often seen as guardians of tradition with a strong sense of duty, but they may face challenges in adapting to rapidly changing circumstances. The name suggests someone who embodies the eternal tension between idealistic vision and pragmatic effectiveness, making their personal journey one of balancing noble aspirations with the realities of implementation.
Individuals named Aiekin typically exhibit characteristics of strength, reliability, and deep-rooted principles. They are often perceived as steadfast and dependable, much like the oak tree their name references. These individuals tend to be patient, methodical thinkers who approach challenges with determination and resilience. Their strong moral compass and consistent nature make them natural leaders and trusted confidants in both personal and professional settings.



Aiekins are known for their quiet confidence and inner strength, rarely seeking attention but commanding respect through their actions and integrity. They possess a grounded perspective on life and often demonstrate remarkable endurance during difficult times. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their deep loyalty and the strength of their commitments. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual depth makes them excellent counselors and mentors, particularly in matters requiring long-term perspective and ethical consideration.
Individuals named Anntoin are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and innovative thinking, reflecting the name's cross-cultural origins. They typically demonstrate strong loyalty to family and community, coupled with an intellectual curiosity that drives them to explore beyond conventional boundaries. This combination makes them natural bridge-builders between different groups or ideas, often serving as mediators or cultural interpreters in diverse settings.



Anntoins are frequently described as having a quiet confidence and determination, with a deep-seated sense of personal integrity that guides their decisions. They tend to be reflective individuals who value meaningful connections over superficial relationships, often serving as trusted advisors or mentors within their social circles. Their approach to challenges is typically methodical and persistent, showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity while maintaining their core principles and compassionate nature toward others. This balance of strength and sensitivity makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both leadership and empathy.
Individuals named Ardel are often characterized by their keen observation skills and quick thinking, mirroring the alert nature of the hare from which the name derives. They tend to be intuitive and perceptive, with a natural ability to read situations and people accurately. This mental agility allows them to respond effectively to changing circumstances, much like the hare adapts to its environment. Their quick wit is typically balanced by thoughtful consideration, making them both responsive and reflective in their approach to life's challenges.



Ardels typically demonstrate adaptability and resourcefulness, able to navigate challenging circumstances with grace and intelligence. Their connection to the 'dell' or valley suggests a grounded nature, often showing humility and a strong connection to their roots while maintaining the swiftness and awareness associated with their namesake animal. This combination creates individuals who are both practical and visionary - able to see the bigger picture while attending to immediate details. They often possess a quiet confidence that comes from their connection to nature and tradition, making them reliable and insightful companions who value both action and contemplation in equal measure.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Bupe holds profound cultural importance among the Nyakyusa people, for whom hospitality (ubgeni) represents a core cultural value that defines social relationships and community identity. In traditional Nyakyusa society, which inhabits the fertile plains around Lake Nyasa, the practice of hospitality was not merely a social nicety but a fundamental aspect of survival and community cohesion. Women bearing this name were historically expected to embody these values, often taking leadership roles in community gatherings, conflict resolution, and maintaining the social networks that connected different villages and clans. The name reflects the matrilineal aspects of Nyakyusa culture where women serve as pillars of social organization and cultural transmission.



Throughout Nyakyusa history, the concept of hospitality has been integral to their famous age-village system and elaborate ceremonial life. The name Bupe connects its bearer to this rich cultural heritage, serving as a living reminder of the traditional values that have sustained Nyakyusa communities through generations. Even as modernization affects traditional practices, the name continues to symbolize the enduring importance of community, sharing, and mutual support that characterize Nyakyusa cultural identity. It represents a cultural anchor in a changing world, preserving the essence of what it means to be Nyakyusa in contemporary Tanzania.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Constantin carries profound cultural weight across European history, particularly in regions with Roman and Byzantine influence. Originating from the Latin 'Constantinus,' meaning 'steadfast' or 'constant,' it became prominent through Emperor Constantine the Great, who legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire and established Constantinople as a new capital. This historical connection imbued the name with imperial dignity and religious significance throughout medieval Europe.



In Italian culture specifically, while the form 'Costantino' is more common, Constantin appears in historical contexts and among families with Byzantine or Eastern Orthodox connections, reflecting Italy's complex relationship with the Eastern Roman Empire. The name symbolizes endurance, tradition, and historical continuity, often chosen to honor family heritage or religious devotion. Throughout the Renaissance and into modern times, Constantin has maintained its association with strength of character and unwavering principle.
People named Duwayne are commonly associated with a combination of strength, reliability, and quiet depth. The 'dark' meaning of their name often translates psychologically into individuals who possess substantial emotional depth and the ability to handle serious matters with composure. They tend to be perceptive observers who think carefully before speaking or acting, giving them an air of wisdom beyond their years. Duwaynes typically exhibit strong protective instincts, especially toward family and close friends, and they often become the dependable center of their social circles. Their grounded nature makes them excellent in crisis situations, where their calm demeanor and practical problem-solving skills shine. While they may not seek the spotlight, Duwaynes often find themselves in leadership positions due to their natural authority and the trust others place in their judgment. They balance traditional values with adaptive thinking, making them both stable and progressive in their approaches to life's challenges.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Fulton carries significant cultural weight, particularly in American and Scottish contexts. Originating as a Scottish surname from the lands of Fulton in Ayrshire, it evolved into a given name that symbolizes innovation and progress, largely due to Robert Fulton's groundbreaking work in steam navigation. In Christian communities, the name gained prominence through figures like Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who brought Catholic teachings to mainstream media, making the name synonymous with both technological advancement and spiritual leadership.



The name's journey from Scottish geography to American innovation reflects the transatlantic cultural exchange that characterized the 18th and 19th centuries. Its adoption as a first name represents the American tradition of honoring influential figures and their contributions to society, while maintaining its Scottish heritage through clan associations and historical roots in the Lowlands. This dual heritage makes Fulton a name that bridges Old World traditions with New World ambition, embodying the spirit of progress that defines modern Western civilization.
Women named Galen typically embody a unique blend of intellectual depth and emotional stability. They often display a calm, observant nature that allows them to assess situations thoughtfully before acting. This tranquility shouldn't be mistaken for passivityrather, it reflects an inner strength and confidence that enables them to navigate challenges with remarkable poise. Galens tend to be naturally curious and analytical, with strong problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to obstacles. Their emotional intelligence makes them excellent listeners and trusted advisors, while their sense of fairness ensures they treat others with respect and compassion. In social settings, they bring a calming presence to gatherings, able to both enjoy festive occasions and provide grounding energy when needed. Their combination of wisdom and warmth makes them valued members of any community.
Women named Gericka are often perceived as strong-willed yet compassionate individuals who balance traditional values with modern perspectives. They typically exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a nurturing spirit, making them effective in both professional and family settings. Their personality often reflects the name's dual nature - possessing the strength and determination suggested by the 'geri' element while maintaining the gentle, natural qualities associated with 'erica'.



This combination frequently results in individuals who are resilient in facing challenges yet remain deeply connected to their spiritual and emotional foundations. Gerickas are often seen as pillars in their communities - reliable, principled, and caring, with an ability to adapt to changing circumstances without compromising their core values. They tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach life with both determination and grace, inspiring confidence in those around them.
Individuals named Hehewuti are typically perceived as possessing a unique blend of protective strength and nurturing compassion. They often demonstrate remarkable resilience in facing challenges while maintaining deep empathy for others. This combination makes them natural leaders who can make difficult decisions when necessary but always with consideration for the wellbeing of their community or family.



Their personality often includes a strong sense of responsibility toward protecting those who are vulnerable and preserving cultural traditions. They tend to be fiercely loyal to their principles and loved ones, showing courage in adversity while providing steady emotional support. This balance of warrior spirit and maternal instinct allows them to navigate complex situations with both determination and wisdom, making them trusted advisors and guardians who embody the ideal of strength tempered by compassion.
In contemporary naming practices, Luvenia occupies a unique niche as a name that is both classic and distinctive. While it has never achieved mass popularity, it maintains a steady presence among families seeking names with historical depth and cultural significance. The name appeals particularly to parents in Spanish-speaking communities who want something traditional yet uncommon, offering an elegant alternative to more popular vintage names. Recent years have seen a modest resurgence as part of the broader trend toward reviving historical names, though it remains outside the top naming charts in most Spanish-speaking countries. Its usage is most prominent in Mexico, Spain, and among Hispanic diaspora communities, where it serves as a marker of cultural pride and family tradition. The name's relative rarity in modern times adds to its appeal for parents seeking distinctive names with substantial cultural heritage.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Magd holds deep cultural significance in German-speaking regions as a diminutive of Magdalena, which traces back to Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' most prominent followers in Christian tradition. In German culture, the name evolved from its religious origins to represent qualities of purity, devotion, and feminine strength. Historically, the name was particularly popular in Catholic regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where saints' names held significant cultural weight. During the Middle Ages, 'Magd' was often used as a standalone name for girls born into families with strong religious convictions, symbolizing both spiritual devotion and the ideal of maidenly virtue. The name's connection to Mary Magdalene also carries themes of redemption and transformation, as she was traditionally portrayed as a reformed sinner who became one of Christianity's most important female figures.



In regional German folklore, names derived from Magdalena often appeared in folk tales and local traditions, particularly in Bavaria and Austria where the name maintained strong cultural ties. The name Magd specifically gained prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries as German naming conventions shifted toward more familiar, shortened forms of traditional names. This period saw the emergence of Magd as both a given name and a term of endearment within families, reflecting the intimate, personal nature of the name in German domestic life. The cultural legacy of Magd persists in family naming traditions, where it continues to be passed down through generations as a connection to German heritage and religious history.
Women named Massassi are traditionally believed to embody the pioneering spirit and nurturing wisdom of their legendary namesake. They often display strong leadership qualities combined with deep empathy, making them natural community builders and caretakers of tradition. Their personality is characterized by a profound connection to their roots and a sense of responsibility toward preserving cultural heritage, often serving as bridges between generations.



These individuals typically exhibit remarkable resilience and practical wisdom, approaching challenges with the same innovative spirit attributed to the first woman. They are known for their ability to create harmony in diverse situations while maintaining strong personal boundaries and cultural identity. The name suggests someone who balances traditional values with progressive thinking, often becoming pillars of their communities while quietly influencing positive change through example and guidance.



In interpersonal relationships, Massassi-named individuals are often described as deeply intuitive and spiritually grounded. They possess a natural authority that commands respect without being authoritarian, and they frequently become confidantes and advisors within their social circles. Their strength lies in their ability to honor tradition while adapting to modern circumstances, making them effective agents of cultural continuity and positive evolution.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Pierce carries significant cultural weight as an Anglo name with ancient Greek origins through the name Piers, derived from Petros meaning 'rock'. This connection to Saint Peter, whom Jesus called the 'rock' upon which he would build his church, gives Pierce profound religious significance in Christian traditions. During the Norman Conquest, the name gained popularity in England and became associated with nobility and strength. Throughout English literary history, Pierce appears in various forms, most notably as Piers Plowman in William Langland's 14th-century allegorical poem, where the character represents the common man seeking truth. The name's aristocratic connotations were reinforced during the Tudor and Stuart periods when it was favored among the gentry. In America, the name gained presidential prestige through Franklin Pierce, further cementing its status as a name of authority and leadership. The modern era has seen Pierce maintain its sophisticated, strong image while adapting to contemporary naming trends.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Sebestyen holds deep cultural significance in Hungary as the Hungarian form of Sebastian, derived from the Greek name Sebastianos meaning 'from Sebaste.' The name gained prominence through Saint Sebastian, the 3rd-century Roman martyr who became one of Christianity's most venerated saints. In Hungarian culture, Sebestyen represents a connection to both Christian heritage and national identity, particularly through historical figures like Sebestyen Tinodi Lantos, the 16th-century poet and chronicler who preserved Hungarian history through his epic poems. The name carries connotations of resilience, artistic expression, and national pride, embodying the Hungarian spirit of perseverance through adversity.



Throughout Hungarian history, bearers of this name have often been associated with intellectual pursuits, artistic talent, and strong moral character, making it a name that conveys both tradition and distinction. The name appears in various cultural contexts, from literature to historical records, always maintaining its association with reverence and cultural preservation. In modern times, Sebestyen continues to symbolize the enduring nature of Hungarian identity and the importance of maintaining cultural traditions while adapting to contemporary life.
Individuals named Shem are often perceived as traditional, wise, and deeply connected to their heritage. They tend to exhibit strong leadership qualities and a natural inclination toward preserving family traditions and cultural values. The biblical association with being the firstborn son of Noah suggests characteristics of responsibility, reliability, and a protective nature toward those in their care. Many Shems demonstrate intellectual curiosity and philosophical depth, often showing interest in spiritual matters and historical continuity. They typically possess a quiet dignity and moral compass that guides their decisions, making them respected figures in their communities.



While sometimes reserved, they form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their loyalty and commitment to principles they hold dear. The name's meaning of 'renown' or 'name' suggests that individuals bearing this name often have a strong sense of identity and purpose. They may feel a connection to legacy and how they will be remembered, driving them to achieve meaningful accomplishments. Their approach to life tends to be thoughtful and deliberate, with an appreciation for history and tradition balanced with a forward-looking perspective. The combination of these traits often results in individuals who serve as pillars of their communities and families.
Individuals named Sid typically project an image of approachable confidence and practical intelligence. They tend to be observant and perceptive, often noticing details others miss, which contributes to their reputation for wisdom and good judgment. Their communication style is typically direct and unpretentious, valuing honesty over diplomacy, which can make them trusted advisors and confidants. Many Sids possess a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor that endears them to others while masking deeper emotional or intellectual depths.



In social settings, Sids often serve as stabilizing forcesthe friends who remember birthdays, offer sensible advice, and maintain group cohesion during conflicts. They tend to be loyal and consistent, valuing long-term relationships over fleeting connections. Professionally, they excel in roles that require both analytical thinking and people skills, often becoming respected managers, creative directors, or technical experts. Their combination of reliability and unexpected creativity makes them particularly effective in innovation-driven fields where traditional methods meet new approaches. While they may appear conventional at first glance, most Sids harbor unconventional interests or perspectives that emerge gradually, creating an intriguing contrast between their straightforward exterior and complex interior world that continually surprises those who think they have them figured out.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Struan is deeply rooted in Scottish Highland culture, originating from the Gaelic word 'sruthan' meaning 'stream' or 'small river.' The name carries significant historical weight as it was originally a Scottish clan name - Clan Struan Robertson, one of the oldest Scottish clans tracing back to the 13th century. The Struan Robertsons were traditional chiefs of the Clan Donnachaidh and played crucial roles in Scottish history, particularly during the Jacobite uprisings. The name evokes images of the rugged Scottish landscape, with its flowing streams and rivers that have sustained Highland communities for centuries. In Scottish tradition, names derived from natural elements like water sources were believed to carry the essence and strength of those elements, making Struan a name associated with resilience, continuity, and natural power.



The cultural significance extends beyond Scotland through the Scottish diaspora, particularly in Canada, Australia, and the United States where Scottish immigrants carried their naming traditions. The name represents a connection to Scottish identity and Highland heritage, often chosen by families wanting to maintain cultural links. In modern Scottish culture, Struan remains a symbol of traditional values while adapting to contemporary usage, reflecting the Scottish characteristic of honoring history while embracing the future. The name's association with flowing water also connects it to Celtic spiritual traditions where water sources were considered sacred and believed to possess healing properties.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Tantalus stands as one of the most significant figures in Greek mythology, representing the ultimate punishment for hubris and transgression against divine order. As a wealthy king of Lydia and son of Zeus, he was privileged among mortals but committed unforgivable crimes including stealing ambrosia from the gods, revealing divine secrets, and most horrifically, killing his own son Pelops and serving him as a meal to test the gods' omniscience. His eternal punishment in Tartarusstanding in a pool of water that receded when he tried to drink, with fruit-laden branches lifting away when he reached for themcreated the English word 'tantalize' and became a universal symbol of unreachable desires.



The Tantalus myth explores profound themes of mortal limitations, the consequences of testing divine boundaries, and the nature of eternal punishment, influencing Western literature, psychology, and philosophy for millennia. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overreaching ambition and the importance of respecting natural and divine laws. The cultural impact extends beyond mythology into modern psychology, where 'tantalizing' describes any situation where desired objects remain frustratingly out of reach, and into literature where his torment has been referenced by writers from Homer to contemporary authors.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Witton has deep roots in English Christian tradition, originating as a surname that later transitioned to a given name. The name carries significant historical weight in British Christianity, particularly in regions where Anglo-Saxon Christian communities flourished. Many early bearers of the name were associated with church estates and monastic properties, reflecting the name's meaning of 'wise man's estate.' Throughout medieval England, Witton became associated with families of learned clergy and scholars who maintained religious institutions.



During the Protestant Reformation, the name continued to be used among educated clergy who valued both scriptural knowledge and practical wisdom in managing church affairs. The Victorian era saw Witton adopted as a first name among Anglican families, particularly those with connections to church lands or academic institutions. In contemporary Christian contexts, the name maintains its association with wisdom and stewardship, often chosen by parents who value both religious tradition and intellectual heritage.
Guwahati: A political controversy has erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the memorial of Assams most loved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, during his two-day visit to the state, triggering sharp reactions from opposition parties and civil society.

Prime Minister Modi visited Assam on December 20 and 21, during which he inaugurated the new terminal building of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, visited the newly built Swahid Smarak Kshetra, interacted with students during Pariksha Pe Charcha, and took part in a massive BJP roadshow.

However, despite a packed political schedule, Modi neither visited Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur nor mentioned Zubeen Garg even once in any of his speeches or public interactions. This was Modis first visit to Assam after the death of Zubeen Garg, whose passing had sparked massive public outrage and statewide protests demanding justice.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister, accusing him of deliberately ignoring the cultural soul of Assam.

Addressing a gathering in Majuli, Gogoi said, Lakhs of Assamese people came out on the streets demanding justice for Zubeen da. The Prime Minister stayed in Assam for two days, attended several programmes, but could not find a few minutes to visit Zubeen Kshetra. He had time for party events and roadshows, but not for the place that holds the deepest emotional value for the people of Assam.

Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi also slammed Modi, saying the Prime Ministers priorities were clear. He came, handed over the airport to Adani, remembered martyrs selectively, spoke to BJP workers about elections, discussed exams with studentsbut had no time for the beloved Zubeen of Assam, he said.

Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi expressed disappointment, saying, The Prime Minister visited Assam for the first time after the death of Ishwar Zubeen Garg. We hoped he would at least remember the artist who lives in the soul of Assam. But he remained silent. This silence hurts.

The controversy has further intensified as this is not the first time senior BJP leaders have avoided Zubeens memorial. Earlier, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her Guwahati visit on November 7, did not visit Zubeen Kshetra or meet his family.

In contrast, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited Zubeen Gargs cremation site and residence in Guwahati on October 17, 2025. He paid tribute by offering a Gamusa, laying a wreath, lighting candles, and planting a nahor sapling at the cremation ground in Sonapur.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also visited Jorhat on October 1, 2025, to meet Zubeen Gargs family and convey condolences on behalf of the Congress leadership.

International leaders, too, showed respect. Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck sent a special envoy to Guwahati to pay tribute, while a Bangladesh government delegation led by Deputy High Commissioner Priti Rahman visited Zubeen Kshetra in late October.

Yet, despite all this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not spare time to visit the memorial of Assams cultural conscience.

This has raised uncomfortable questions: Was Zubeen Garg ignored because he was openly critical of the BJP? Was it because he identified himself as a socialist, a Left-leaning voice, and a rebel who never aligned with power? Or is dissenting art simply unacceptable in Modis India?

For many in Assam, Modis silence is not accidentalit is political. And it has deepened the growing perception that the BJP respects culture only when it bows before power.
Sign up now for SIUs 2026 Illinois Conference on Teaching Mathematics

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Southern Illinois University Carbondales Illinois Conference on Teaching Mathematics, celebrating 40 years of helping math educators succeed, is set for Feb. 19, 2026, and registration is now underway.

The southern section conference offers pre-kindergarten through college mathematics education professionals a chance to connect, learn about strategies for inspirational teaching and more. It all takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hancock Conference Center, F-wing, on the John A. Logan College campus in Carterville.

Sign up now

Sign up online now and save. The early bird registration is $100 until Jan. 9. After that date, the cost is $120. The fee covers the conference, a continental breakfast, lunch and 4.5 professional development units for those who attend all sessions.

Participants can also sign up by calling 618-536-7751 or completing the online form and faxing it to 618-453-5680 or mailing it to Events and Outreach, Mail Code 6705, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901.

After Feb.10, anyone wishing to participate must register on-site at the event, and they are not guaranteed meals.

Premier math event

This renowned math conference for Illinois southern section was established four decades ago by the late Jerry Becker, an acclaimed SIU math professor, as a way for anyone involved with math education in the region to share innovative teaching ideas and effective practices, along with materials for enhancing math education. The statewide Illinois Conference on Teaching Mathematics, established in 1949 to enhance interest in mathematics teaching at all grade levels, is the leading math educators organization in Illinois and offers a variety of resources to the general public as well as to members.

Learn more

For additional details, visit the website, email Cheng-Yao Lin at cylin@siu.edu or Events and Outreach at conferenceservices@siu.edu or call 618-536-7751.
Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 21 (ANI/WAM): The UAE''s education sector witnessed a wide-ranging set of development measures throughout 2025, including curriculum updates, a strong focus on future technologies, and major enhancements to higher education and scholarship systems. The year 2025 was marked by the launch of initiatives aimed at nurturing talent and stimulating scientific research, most notably the Zayed Education Foundation, which seeks to support 100,000 young talents by 2035 and prepare them to lead global economic, social and environmental progress. The year also saw the introduction of artificial intelligence as a compulsory subject from kindergarten through Grade 12, positioning the UAE among the first countries worldwide to integrate AI into school curricula. The Ministry of Education announced updated educational streams for Cycle 3 students in public and private schools following the national curriculum. The advanced stream enables students to pursue higher education in engineering, medicine, pharmacy and sciences, while the general stream allows specialisation in humanities, literature, business administration, law, arts and social sciences. The ministry also approved a mandatory framework for teaching Arabic language, Islamic education and social concepts in kindergartens at private schools, covering all approved curricula. Meanwhile, the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD) adopted new criteria for students pursuing higher education abroad, aimed at enhancing their readiness for the labour market and regulating scholarship programmes in line with national priorities and key economic sectors. The Council also approved an update to the student age cut-off date for Kindergarten and Grade 1 admissions. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, the official age cut-off will shift to 31st December of the admission year for all schools and kindergartens whose academic calendars begin in August or September. Previously, the cut-off date was 31st August. These dates will apply to new students in kindergarten and Grade One from the 2026-2027 academic year. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) launched its Pre-Departure Week programme to prepare 300 students from ADEK Scholarship programmes for their upcoming academic journeys abroad. The 2025-2026 academic year also saw qualitative reforms. Centralised tests at the end of the second semester have been removed and replaced with school-based summative assessments, with centralised tests remaining only in the first and third semesters. The updates also included the approval of the second phase of the project-based learning and assessment (PBLA) system, now covering all Cycle 2 students in public and private schools applying the MoE curriculum, alongside the development of the national assessment system, increased Arabic language instruction time in kindergartens, and the allocation of daily hours for Cycle One students to strengthen language skills. In the educational development sphere, the Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher, in coordination with the Emirates College for Advanced Education, has launched a pioneering development programme titled "Executive Educational Excellence Pioneers". This strategic partnership aims to empower an elite group of teachers who have won the award, enhancing their role in driving educational transformation and creating a positive impact, equipped with the best educational skills, tools, and internationally recognised practices. The year 2025 also saw the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Scholarships initiative, which encompasses a package of programmes. Its first phase includes scholarships for a Master''s degree in Economic and Public Policy and a Master''s degree in Artificial Intelligence in the Government Sector. In October, a new campus of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities was inaugurated in Madinat Zayed in the Al Dhafra region as part of the university''s strategic plans for local expansion. The branch will offer specialised programmes in Islamic and social studies and humanitarian work, reinforcing the values of citizenship, tolerance and coexistence. (ANI/WAM)
Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev on Sunday expressed deep concern over "growing anti-India sentiment" in Bangladesh, warning that foreign agencies could exploit the situation to fuel tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Reacting to the recent mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das, he described the situation as "absolutely alarming". He warned that hostile external forces like Pakistan could exploit this . "The situation in Bangladesh is absolutely alarming for India. The recent incident of the lynching of a Hindu person and the Bangladesh government saying it has arrested 10 of the accused is a small welcome step. We hope that the Bangladesh government takes more action going forward, but our basic hope is that no such incident should ever happen... We are seeing a growing anti-India sentiment," Sachdev said. "There are agencies or agents, foreign, especially let''s say Pakistan, and there could be some others also, who are obviously taking advantage of this anti-India sentiment because it is to their benefit that there be more tensions between Bangladesh and India," he added. Sachdev also highlighted the declining percentage of the Hindu population in Bangladesh, calling it a matter of "huge concern" for India, stressing the need for stronger measures to protect minorities and maintain communal harmony in the country. "The percentage of Hindus has been declining in Bangladesh... It is a matter of huge concern for India," the foreign affairs expert added. Sachdev''s remarks come after heightened tensions between the two neighbours following the recent killing of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh''s Mymensingh, triggering international concern over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Das was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges, and his body was subsequently hanged and set on fire on December 18. After the widespread outrage and condemnation, Bangladesh''s Interim Government said there is "no space for such violence in the new Bangladesh" and that "the perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared." "We wholeheartedly condemn the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh. There is no space for such violence in the new Bangladesh. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared," the interim government said in a statement. Meanwhile, ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Dipu Chandra Das, as per a statement by the Chief Adviser of the Interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 21 (ANI/WAM): The UAE Aid Agency has signed a cooperation agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support the delivery of urgent humanitarian and relief aid to the Sudanese people impacted by the repercussions of the ongoing conflict in the country. According to the agreement the Agency will provide a total of US$15 million for the implementation of the project "Protection and Assistance for People Affected by the Conflict in Sudan", which is scheduled to begin on 1st January 2026 and continue until the end of the year. The project is aimed at strengthening humanitarian response efforts for displaced people and those impacted by the conflict in Sudan, by providing life-saving measures, including protection,shelter, healthcare, and education. Rashid Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the UAE Aid Agency, and Dr. Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR Senior Advisor and Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, signed the agreement, in the presence of Dr. Tareq Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency. Dr. Al Ameri affirmed that this agreement is part of the UAE''s continuous efforts to alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan since the outbreak of the conflict, highlighting that UAE has so far allocated US$784 million in humanitarian aid and urgent relief in support of the Sudanese people. Furthermore, Dr. Al Ameri said, "The UAE will continue to be at the forefront of global efforts to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Sudan, founded on our moral and humanitarian obligation to stand by people affected by conflicts and natural disasters. These efforts align with the approach established by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and reflect the directives of the UAE''s wise leadership." The UAE''s efforts have always been humanitarian first, reflecting our longstanding commitment to providing relief to the Sudanese people. Over the past decade (2015-2025), the UAE has provided US$4.24 billion in aid to the Republic of Sudan. Additionally, and since the outbreak of the ongoing crisis, over two and a half years ago, the UAE has contributed US$784 million in humanitarian assistance. The UAE is the second biggest donor to Sudan, after the US, since the conflict started according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The UAE affirms its steadfast and unwavering commitment to support all efforts to address this catastrophic crisis, and to work alongside regional and international partners, particularly in Africa, to ensure stability and peace for the brotherly Sudanese people, demonstrating the unwavering values of humanitarian solidarity deeply rooted in the UAE''s leadership and people. (ANI/WAM)
Amid intensifying political debate over the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, Pakistan''s federal government on Saturday rejected claims of outstanding dues to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province (KP), stating that it has transferred PKR 7.8 trillion to the province over the past 15 years, including more than PKR 1.4 trillion in excess of its NFC share, The Express Tribune reported. Pakistan''s Ministry of Finance said there are no pending liabilities towards the KP government and confirmed that the latest NFC tranche of PKR 46.5 billion was released on December 17. "The federal government releases provincial NFC shares on a fortnightly basis, and no outstanding liabilities exist in this regard," the ministry said in a statement, as quoted by The Express Tribune, a day after KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi demanded immediate clearance of alleged pending payments. The dispute largely centres on expenditures for the newly merged districts, which remain outside the NFC framework until the population of over five million in these areas is formally incorporated during deliberations of the 11th NFC Commission. KP has claimed that the Centre owes between PKR 850 billion and PKR 1.3 trillion due to a four per cent population increase following the 2018 merger, The Express Tribune reported. Rejecting these claims, the finance ministry said all dues have been paid regularly since the 7th NFC Award became operational in 2010. It noted that from July 2010 to November 2025, PKR 5.9 trillion was transferred to KP from the divisible pool, and an additional PKR 705 billion was provided as compensation for the war on terror, according to The Express Tribune. The finance ministry further said over PKR 117 billion was allocated to support internally displaced persons affected by terrorism-related operations, while PKR 482.8 billion was transferred during the same period under various heads, including oil and gas royalties, gas development surcharge and excise duty on natural gas. Under the 7th NFC Award, KP''s share was fixed at 14.62 per cent of the provincial share in the divisible pool, along with an additional one per cent of the undivided pool in recognition of the province''s role in the war on terror, as reported by The Express Tribune. Due to the lack of consensus on subsequent awards, the 7th NFC framework continues to be implemented. The ministry said that beyond NFC transfers, over PKR 1.4 trillion -- around 18 per cent of total transfers -- has been provided as additional federal support to KP. Following the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) regions, the federal government has also financed expenditures for the newly merged districts from its NFC share, transferring PKR 704 billion since 2019, as reported by The Express Tribune. To resolve outstanding issues, the Centre has formed committees under the 11th NFC, including one focusing on the merged districts. The first meeting of the relevant subgroup is scheduled for December 23, 2025, with the KP finance minister serving as convener. The finance ministry added that despite constitutional devolution, the federal government has continued to invest in the province, allocating PKR 115 billion from the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) over the past 15 years. Additionally, PKR 481.4 billion has been spent in KP under the Benazir Income Support Programme between FY2016 and FY2025, The Express Tribune reported. Reaffirming its stance, the ministry said the federal government remains committed to equitable resource distribution, fiscal federalism and sustained financial support for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in light of the province''s security challenges and post-conflict rehabilitation needs. (ANI)
The injured boy, aged 17 years, was moved to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital for treatment.

According to Dawn, the suspect was identified as a resident of Bizan Khel and fled the scene after the incident. Police registered a case under Sections 302 (murder) and 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of one of the victim''s relatives.

The bodies were sent for a post-mortem. The Township police have launched raids to arrest the accused.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, Township police said.

Last week, Lahore police found that a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) had killed his wife and 19-year-old daughter.

DSP Usman Haider Gujjar was the head of the Kahna police circle (investigation) when he registered a kidnapping case about two months ago, saying that his wife and daughter went missing, Dawn reported.

The FIR stated that the DSP''s wife and daughter went missing on September 27, while a formal application for the registration of the kidnapping case was submitted on October 18, The Express Tribune reported.

Following this, the police launched an investigation, after which a case was registered, and suspicions deepened when the victim''s sister approached authorities, alleging possible involvement of the officer.

Forensic teams later recovered blood samples from the suspect''s residence, including from a bed and a door. Laboratory results strengthened doubts, leading senior officers to confront the DSP during a high-level inquiry.

"After being presented with the forensic findings, the suspect confessed to the crime," a police officer said, as quoted by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], December 22: Roca Group announces the opening of the Roca Delhi Gallery, a flagship cultural space that becomes part of the Group's international network of design-led galleries across Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, London, Shanghai, Beijing and So Paulo. Conceived as a hub for architecture, design and innovation, the new Roca Delhi Gallery reflects Roca Group's long-term commitment to India, one of its most dynamic and strategic global markets. The building also houses a dedicated LAUFEN space, creating a dual-brand showcase under one roof. The RDG (Roca Delhi Gallery) opening evening was graced by H.E. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to India. He shared his vision, highlighting the shared values, creative dialogue, and strong cultural connections between Spain and India. The Architectural Language Designed by the architecture studio Ultraconfidentiel, the Roca Delhi Gallery is built around a concept inspired by the kaleidoscope, understood as a symbol of diversity, transformation and multiple perspectives. This conceptual reference informs the entire spatial experience and is translated into a serene architectural language defined by clean lines, refined surfaces and controlled illumination. Within this neutral envelope, subtle interventions of colour introduce shifts in perception, creating a dynamic yet balanced atmosphere. Custom acrylic rod partitions enhance this effect, acting as chromatic filters that respond to movement and light, bringing rhythm and fluidity to the space. Complementing these contemporary elements, handmade tiles produced by Indian artisans introduce a tactile, local dimension that reinforces the relationship between global design culture and regional craft traditions. Roca Delhi Gallery - A Forum for Creative Dialogue The Gallery presents Roca's most advanced bathroom solutions through a curated sequence of environments. The displays highlight the brand's emphasis on design, technology and innovation, inviting visitors to explore new approaches to contemporary living, from high-performance ceramic technologies to integrated solutions that combine comfort, efficiency and aesthetics. Beyond its product displays, the Roca Delhi Gallery is conceived as a platform for exchange, reflection and cultural engagement. The space will host exhibitions, talks and professional encounters that explore the evolving role of architecture and design in contemporary society. As the eighth Roca Gallery worldwide and the first in India, the Delhi project strengthens the Group's global constellation of Roca Galleries and LAUFEN spaces across Europe, Asia and the Americas, contributing to an international dialogue on sustainability, design culture and future-oriented innovation. "The Roca Delhi Gallery is an important milestone for the Group in a country that plays a central role in our global strategy, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the best bathroom experience to our customers. This new space brings together Roca and LAUFEN under one roof, reflecting our strong commitment to India and our ambition to contribute to the evolution of design and innovation across the market," stated Nirmal Kumar, Managing Director at Roca Group India. LAUFEN Space One floor of the building is dedicated to the LAUFEN Delhi space, which offers a distinct atmosphere that complements the main Gallery. Defined by a darker, more intimate palette, this area enhances the sculptural qualities and precision of LAUFEN's premium collections. The result is a differentiated yet harmonious experience that presents the identities of both brands while reinforcing their shared commitment to design excellence. Roca and LAUFEN in India Roca Group's presence in India began in 2006. Today, the Group leads the country's bathroom industry, with seven advanced manufacturing plants and a nationwide distribution network. Roca Group has consistently invested in sustainability, technology and design, combining global expertise with a deep understanding of Indian lifestyles. Its two global brands, Roca and LAUFEN, collaborate with architects, designers and educational institutions across the country, supporting talent development and driving innovation within the sector. For Best Bathroom Experience Visit - https://www.roca.in/To Explore Laufen visit - https://www.laufen.com About Roca Group Roca Group is the global leader in the design, manufacturing and sale of bathroom products for architecture, construction and interior design. Founded in 1917, it combines tradition and expertise with a passion for innovation and a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, meeting the evolving demands of customers while contributing to the well-being of society. With renowned global brands such as Roca and LAUFEN, and with sustainability as a key element across all its manufacturing processes, Roca Group promotes a responsible corporate culture in the 170 countries where it operates and across its 78 production centres, supported by the daily commitment of its 20,000 professionals. This approach has been recognised with the Platinum Medal from EcoVadis, a global standard in corporate sustainability assessments, in recognition of its outstanding performance. This family-owned business is a market leader in Europe, Latin America and India, with a significant presence in China and the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. As a result, it is a global leader in its sector. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2848568/Roca_Delhi_Gallery.jpgPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2848569/Xavier_Andrea_RDG.jpgPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2848570/Product_Display_RDG.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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 22: The World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025, a two-day conference themed "Innovation, Self Reliance and Prosperity", was formally inaugurated in Mumbai on Friday by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis. The inaugural session was attended by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mohan Yadav, Swami Vigyananand, Founder of WHEF, Shri Rajesh Sharma, Chairman of the WHEF Organising Committee, and leading industrialists including Shri Hari Mohan Bangur, Chairman, Shree Cement Ltd, and Shri Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, along with policymakers, startup founders, business leaders and investors. A key highlight of the opening day was the address by Shri Hari Mohan Bangur, who emphasised India's inherent strengths in talent, resources and technology, asserting that the country does not need to look outside for leadership or inspiration. On the occasion, Shri Bangur also handed over a letter of intent to invest 2,000 crore in Maharashtra to Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Highlighting the ethical foundation of Indian economic thought, Shri Bangur stated that 'dharma guides artha' in Indian culture and that profit must always be accompanied by responsibility. "We must get out of the Macaulayan education system and reinvest in our old values. For centuries India alone accounted for nearly 30 per cent of the world economy. But something negative happened with the coming of Europeans who successfully looted the country. A Hindu Economic Forum was necessary and it has been created and is working fine. The Forum may take a year or 10 years, but it will surely be successful," he said. Speaking on innovation, Shri Bangur shared Shree Cement's experience of technological advancement in energy efficiency. "Power plants in India usually shuts down below 60 per cent capacity utilisation. Our engineers made some innovative changes and brought down the capacity utilisation threshold and we could run our power plants at 30 per cent capacity. This reduced lot of coal from unnecessary burning. The energy ministry noticed this innovation and came to inquire from our engineers how we did it." Calling for a mindset shift, he added, "We should unshackle ourselves and bring innovation in our thinking and in our education." Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, described the World Hindu Economic Forum as a vital platform for collaboration and dialogue. "World Hindu Economic Forum is a great medium to forge connections. We believe there is an underlying Hindu philosophy at the core of our economic system. If we understand this philosophy we will stand up as a very prosperous nation, create a harmonious society and effectively contribute to the world vision that we have," he said. [Industrialist Hari Mohan Bangur, Chairman, Shree Cement, handing LoI to invest Rs 1000 to 1500 cr in MP to CM, Mohan Yadav, at the World Hindu Economic Forum 2025] Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mohan Yadav, highlighted India's growing global stature and the role of states in driving economic growth. "India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has created its own space and identity in the global affairs. As our country moves towards becoming the third largest economy in the world, every state has an important role to play. When we talk of innovation and rapid economic growth, Madhya Pradesh is one of the frontal states in the country having garnered 8.5 lac crores of investment. Madhya Pradesh is moving ahead in the mining sector, energy, tourism, religious tourism and others," he said. (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.)
SMPL Pune (Maharashtra) [India], December 22: Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (SCMS), Pune, a premier undergraduate management institute and a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), has announced the opening of admissions for its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Honours / Honours with Research programmes and Global BBA programme for the academic year 2026-30. Admissions to SCMS Pune will be conducted through the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) 2026. The last date for online registration and payment for SET is April 15, 2026. The SET-General examination will be conducted on May 02 and May 10, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. The SET results will be declared on May 20, 2026, followed by the shortlist announcement on May 25, 2026. The online Personal Interaction (PI) process will take place from June 01 to June 13, 2026, and the final merit list will be published on June 18, 2026. The last date for payment to SCMS Pune (online/offline) is May 18, 2026, and the programme will commence on July 31, 2026. Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable and non-transferable SET registration fee of 2,250 per test, along with a programme-specific registration fee of 1,000, exclusive of applicable government taxes, as per the instructions on the registration portal. Programme Offerings & Academic FrameworkSCMS Pune offers a four-year BBA programme with Honours/Honours with Research, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP). SCMS Pune offers Major and Minor pathways in Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Accounting and Finance, International Business, and Entrepreneurship, along with Minor specialisations in Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Accounting and Finance, International Business, Sustainability Studies and Environment Management, Entrepreneurship and Business Analytics. In addition, SCMS Pune offers a Global BBA Programme in collaboration with Deakin University, Australia, following a 1+1+2 structure comprising one year at SCMS Pune, one year at SIU Dubai, and two years at Deakin University. The Global BBA is designed to integrate the strengths of existing programmes across campuses and present them on international platforms, ensuring learners receive a world-class, future-ready business education. Eligibility CriteriaApplicants must have passed Standard XII (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent grade, or 45% for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories. Candidates are required to appear for the SET-General, followed by a Written Ability Test (WAT) and online Personal Interaction (PI). Students opting for the Honours with Research pathway must secure a minimum CGPA of 7.5 at the end of Semester VI, in line with university norms. Eligibility for multiple or lateral entry options will be governed by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) FYUG regulations. For the Global BBA programme applicant must have passed Standard XII (10+2) or equivalent examination from any recognised Board with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent grade (45% Marks or equivalent grade for Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribes). The conditions to transition to Deakin University, Australia are: a) Students successfully completing the first two years at SCMS-Pune and Department of Management, SIU, Dubai with a Weighted Average Marks (WAM) of 55 (CGPA of 6.25).b) IELTS minimum score of 6. Campus Life, Global Exposure & Career OutcomesSCMS Pune is set on a modern, fully residential campus with technology-enabled classrooms, a well-equipped library, collaborative learning spaces, auditoriums, and recreational facilities, fostering an immersive learning environment. The institute hosts a diverse student community, including 60 international students, enabling cross-cultural learning and global exposure. Campus life extends beyond classrooms through student-led clubs and committees, cultural festivals, management conclaves, industry interactions, workshops, live projects, internships, and community engagement initiatives. SCMS Pune continues to demonstrate strong career outcomes, supported by a growing alumni network of over 5,500 alumni. For the academic year 2024-25, the highest international package reaching 17.00 LPA and the highest domestic package at 10.00 LPA. The median package stood at 6.89 LPA. Recruiters during the placement season included TresVista LLP, Accenture, KPMG, DeltaX, ICICI Bank, MyGate, Calvin Klein & Tommy Hilfiger, Ditto by Finshots, PlanetSpark, BVUR Innovations, United Way, Preferred Square, Fathom Marine Consultants, and several others. Interested candidates may apply through the SCMS Pune website and the SET registration portal. Links: https://scmspune.ac.in/ | https://www.set-test.org/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon as the two leaders jointly announced a landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The leaders agreed that the FTA would serve as a catalyst for greater trade, investment, innovation and shared opportunities between both countries The leaders also welcomed progress in other areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, sports, education and people-to-people ties. With negotiations having been Initiated during New Zealand PM Luxon's visit to India in March 2025, the two leaders agreed that the conclusion of the FTA in a record time of 9 months reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen ties between the two countries. The FTA would significantly deepen bilateral economic engagement, enhance market access, promote investment flows, strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries, and also open up new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students and youth of both countries across various sectors. With the strong and credible foundation provided by the FTA, both leaders expressed confidence in doubling bilateral trade over the next five years as well as an investment of USD 20 billion in India from New Zealand over the next 15 years. The leaders also welcomed the progress achieved in other areas of bilateral cooperation such as sports, education, and people-to-people ties, and reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the India-New Zealand partnership. Christopher Luxon, said in a post on X, "I've just spoken with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement. The FTA reduces or removes tariffs on 95% of our exports to India. It's forecast that NZ exports to India could increase $1.1B to $1.3B per year over the coming two decades. Boosting trade means more Kiwi jobs, higher wages and more opportunities for hard working New Zealanders. The agreement builds on the strong friendship between our two countries. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers. Our Government is relentlessly focused on fixing the basics and building the future - with new trade deals like this helping to grow our economy so all Kiwis can get ahead." The agreement will significantly deepen cooperation across services, mobility, goods, investment and trade facilitation. As part of the deal, New Zealand has committed to invest USD 20 billion in India over a 15-year period, broadly on the lines of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) model. This investment commitment will be backed by a rebalancing mechanism, under which trade concessions may be suspended if the agreed investment targets are not achieved. A major highlight of the agreement is services and mobility. New Zealand has offered market access in 118 services sectors and sub-sectors, along with Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment in 139 services sectors. An annex on health and traditional medicine services has also been included to facilitate trade in health-related and traditional medicine services, marking the first time New Zealand has signed such an annex with any country. The FTA places special emphasis on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with provisions aimed at enhancing cooperation, strengthening institutional business linkages and improving access to trade-related information. The agreement also establishes a balanced and robust Rules of Origin (ROO) framework, incorporating product-specific rules and safeguards to prevent circumvention, while ensuring the integrity of preferential market access. On mobility, New Zealand has signed an Annex on Student Mobility and Post-Study Work Visas for the first time with any country. The arrangement includes no numerical caps and locks in 20 hours per week work rights for Indian students. Post-study work visas have been agreed for up to three years for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) bachelor's graduates, up to three years for master's graduates, and up to four years for doctorate holders. In addition, a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway has been created, allowing up to 5,000 Indian professionals at any time in skilled occupations to stay in New Zealand for up to three years. These include Indian iconic occupations such as AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs and music teachers, as well as sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education and construction. A Working Holiday Visa with multiple entry for 1,000 young Indians annually for 12 months has also been agreed. India, for its part, has offered market access to New Zealand in 106 services sectors and extended MFN treatment in 45 services sectors. In goods trade, India's simple average MFN tariff of 16.2 per cent will reduce to 13.18 per cent upon entry into force of the FTA, further to 10.30 per cent after five years, and to 9.06 per cent by the tenth year. Market access has been offered on 70.03 per cent of tariff lines, while 29.97 per cent have been excluded, largely covering sensitive sectors such as dairy, select animal and vegetable products, sugar, fats and oils, arms and ammunition, gems and jewelry, and copper and aluminum products. India-New Zealand economic engagement has shown steady momentum. Bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25, while total trade in goods and services stood at approximately USD 2.4 billion in 2024, with services trade alone reaching USD 1.24 billion. The India-New Zealand FTA is expected to enhance trade flows, improve regulatory certainty and strengthen long-term strategic and economic ties between the two countries. (ANI)
VMPL Gurugram (Haryana) [India], December 22: Under the aegis of the Health Department, a unique initiative has been launched in collaboration with Population Services International India (PSI India) and Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company to provide quality healthcare services at the doorsteps of people living in remote rural areas. Under this initiative, a Mobile Medical Unit was inaugurated on Thursday from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon, Gurugram. Flagging off the Mobile Medical Unit equipped with doctors, healthcare staff, and modern medical equipment for rural areas, Chief Medical Officer and Civil Surgeon Dr. Alka Singh said that this initiative has been undertaken with the vision that no one should be deprived of healthcare services. The initiative has been launched initially in the Sohna and Pataudi development blocks of the district. One Mobile Medical Unit will be deployed in each of these two blocks. On this occasion, Dr. Alka Singh said that the Mobile Medical Unit will visit selected villages as per a fixed route chart and provide screening for common illnesses along with medical consultation to villagers. Referral services will also be provided whenever required. The focus will be on screening for blood pressure, diabetes, and other common diseases, along with maternal and child health counseling. Assistance will also be provided at the community level for the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs. This initiative will help people avoid spending their hard-earned money on treatment and will also save their valuable time. It will strengthen the public healthcare system, and timely screening and treatment will prevent illnesses from becoming severe. Along with promoting health awareness, special emphasis will be placed on publicizing the arrival of Mobile Medical Units in rural areas so that maximum people can benefit from this service. Villages with limited access to healthcare facilities will be given priority under this initiative. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anuj Garg said that Mobile Medical Units will prove to be extremely helpful in bridging the gap in access to healthcare in remote and underserved areas of Haryana. Along with being highly beneficial for rural residents, these units will also help in organizing regular health camps and spreading awareness about hygiene management during menstrual periods. On this occasion, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company's Vice President and Head (HRBP/Sustainability) Priyanka Sharma said that under the project, OPD services, primary treatment, screening for diabetes, hypertension, and anemia, and consultation services will be provided through the Mobile Medical Unit. In addition, awareness activities related to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH), adolescent counseling, hygiene, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases will also be conducted. PSI India's Deputy Director Samarendra Behera and others were also present on the occasion. Sarpanch Praises the Initiative: After departing from the Chief Medical Officer's office, the Mobile Medical Unit reached Rithoj village in the Sohna development block. Village Sarpanch Captain Ramveer Singh highly appreciated the healthcare facilities being provided to villagers through the Mobile Medical Unit. He said that this initiative would make it possible to easily diagnose health problems faced by rural residents. (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.)
Maharashtra continued to lead the country in terms of registered stock market investors as of November 2025, but it saw a gradual decline in share of the national investor pool, which fell from 19.5 per cent in calendar year 2020 to 15.9 per cent as of November 2025, highlighted a report by National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). Whereas, Uttar Pradesh retained its position as the second-largest contributor with strong growth momentum, the state's share in the national investor pool has gone up over the years, from 7.7 per cent in 2020 to 11.6 per cent by November 2025. According to the report, Maharashtra remained the top state with a registered investor base of 2.0 crore as of November 2025. It stated "As of Nov'25, Maharashtra continued to occupy the top position among all the states, with a registered investor base of 2.0 crore registered investors". During the eleven months of calendar year 2025, from January to November, Maharashtra's investor base expanded at an average monthly run-rate of 0.8 per cent on a month-on-month basis. This growth rate is nearly half of the 1.6 per cent MoM pace recorded during the same period last year. The sustained moderation in growth has also led to a gradual decline in Maharashtra's share of the national investor pool, which fell from 19.5 per cent in calendar year 2020 to 15.9 per cent as of November 2025. Uttar Pradesh continued to retain its position as the second-largest state in terms of registered investors, with a total base of 1.4 crore as of November 2025. The report highlighted that the state's share in the national investor pool has steadily increased over the years, rising from 7.7 per cent in calendar year 2020 to 11.6 per cent by November 2025. This trend points to Uttar Pradesh's growing prominence and stronger growth momentum compared to Maharashtra. Between January and November 2025, Uttar Pradesh's investor base grew by 15.8 per cent, significantly outpacing Maharashtra's growth of 9.2 per cent during the same period, the report noted. Following Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat ranked third with a registered investor base of around 1.1 crore. West Bengal followed with 72.6 lakh investors, while Rajasthan stood fifth with 70.4 lakh registered investors. Collectively, these five states accounted for 47.7 per cent of India's total registered investor base as of November 2025, highlighting the continued regional concentration of stock market participation even as new growth centres emerge, the NSE report said. (ANI)
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the FTA signed with New Zealand is comprehensive and will elevate relatiions betwen countries to a strategic level. "This is a free trade agreement with New Zealand which is both comprehensive and forward looking, reflecting the vision of our leaders, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Luxon to elevate the relations to much higher strategic levels, much more comprehensively, which will not only include trade, education, R&D and innovation, services Sector, tourism, sports," Piyush Goyal said. The Commerce Minister also highlighted that the India-New Zealand FTA is expected to deliver a significant boost to India's exports, with New Zealand offering zero-duty market access on 100% of its tariff lines covering all Indian exports from the date of entry into force. The Minister informed that as per the provisions of the FTA, Indian students going to New Zealand for studies will now be eligible for 2 years work visa. He said the India New Zealand FTA will provide students and professionals with greater avenues for mobility and enhanced opportunities for education and employment. "For those taking a degree course or a bachelor degree with honours, they will be eligible for a 3 years work visa, while those graduating in STEM or taking a post-graduation degree, then they will be eligible for a 4 years work visa," he said. Cooperation has been agreed in AYUSH, culture, fisheries, audio visual tourism, forestry, horticulture and traditional knowledge systems. The FTA promotes India's AYUSH systems internationally, encourages medical value travel, and positions India as a global wellness hub. "Around 5000 of yoga instructors, chefs, AYUSH professionals, nurses will get professional work visas. We have also been able to open up 118 sectors which will give us opportunity to participate in tourism, IT, telecom, Audi-Visual etc." Labour-intensive sectors are among the biggest gainers. With New Zealand eliminating tariffs that earlier peaked at up to 10 per cent, Indian exporters of textiles and clothing will receive zero-duty access across 1,057 tariff lines. India's textile and apparel exports rose to USD 36.9 billion in 2024-25, while exports to New Zealand increased to USD 103 million, a trend expected to accelerate given New Zealand's annual global textile imports of nearly USD 1.9 billion. (ANI)
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal on Monday said the negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), strategically with countries with countries having significant incomes, large market opportunities are playing a key role in India's vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focused approach, and guidance to make India a global player at world stage in the farming, agriculture and services sector, and International player of relevance, we are negotiating these FTAs, CEPAs," Minister Goyal said. While speaking with the reporters after the signing of the FTA, Goyal said, "This is the seventh FTA signed under PM Modi's leadership in the last four years. All FTAs signed under PM Modi's leadership have been with countries that are not in competition with India but offer opportunities for India to grow." "In an increasingly protectionist world, India is trading more and concluding FTAs, resulting in a rise in exports, leading to prosperity for our farmers, traders, exporters & MSMEs," he said. Speaking on the India-New Zealand FTA, the minister said it's a "win-win" situation for both the countries. "While signing the FTAs, we have secured the interests of our farmers, fishermen and dairy sector, MSME, small and medium-scale industries, among others..." He said through this FTA, Indian farmers are going to gain significantly through market access as well as technology collaboration. Another key announcement was for the Indian students going to New Zealand for studies will now be eligible for 2 years work visa. Minister Goyal said the India New Zealand FTA will provide students and professionals with greater avenues for mobility and enhanced opportunities for education and employment. "For those taking a degree course or a bachelor degree with honours, they will be eligible for a 3 years work visa, while those graduating in STEM or taking a post-graduation degree, then they will be eligible for a 4 years work visa," he said. India-New Zealand economic engagement has shown steady momentum. As per the government data, bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25, while total trade in goods and services stood at approximately USD 2.4 billion in 2024, with services trade alone reaching USD 1.24 billion, led by travel, IT and business services. The FTA provides a stable and predictable framework to unlock the full potential of this relationship. (ANI)
As cyber threats intensify globally, and nations navigate an evolving cyber threat landscape marked by rising digital vulnerabilities and an urgent need to safeguard the future of digital trust, CyberPeace, a Global non-profit headquartered in India delivered its stakeholder intervention during the United Nations General Assembly WSIS+20 High-Level Plenary, which featured statements from over 80 UN Member States, UN entities, and a broad range of global stakeholders. The United Nations General Assembly has adopted the WSIS+20 Outcome Document by consensus on 17th December, 2025. Speaking at the meeting, Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President of CyberPeace, said, "CyberPeace is honored to participate in this high-level meeting and to contribute to the collective reflection on two decades of progress towards an inclusive, secure, and people-centered information society. The WSIS process and its implementation mechanisms, including the IGF, remain among the most important global platforms for multistakeholder dialogue and cooperation. They have demonstrated that effective digital governance requires the meaningful engagement of governments, civil society, private sector, the technical community, and academia. As we approach the WSIS+20 review, it is essential that this multistakeholder approach is not only preserved but further strengthened, particularly in responding to emerging and increasingly complex cyber-related challenges." As WSIS+20 marks 20 years of the WSIS process, the High-level Meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) took place at UN Headquarters in New York on 16-17 December, 2025. It consisted of plenary meetings which included statements in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/277 and the adoption of the outcome document of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the WSIS. Over twenty years since WSIS, digital technologies have become integral to sustainable development, international cooperation, and social well-being. At the same time, this transformation has been accompanied by a significant expansion of cyber threats, now further intensified by AI and other emerging technologies. Addressing the gathering, Vineet highlighted that while digital technologies now underpin sustainable development, governance, and social well-being, rapid digitalisation has also driven a sharp rise in cyber threats, further intensified by AI. Over the past decades, the cyber threat has evolved. It has been observed targeted attacks against hospitals and critical infrastructures, online exploitation of children, CSAM, ransomware, attacks affecting schools and small businesses, DNS abuse, misuse of deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation, cyber-enabled human trafficking, and the proliferation of organized scam operations in several regions. He also draws attention towards the growth of organized crime centres and cyber-human trafficking-related issues. These developments represent not only security concerns but also broader human social development challenges as they disrupt essential services, undermine education, and weaken social cohesion. This recognition celebrates CyberPeace's pioneering leadership in driving cyber awareness, online safety, and digital trust, placing these issues firmly at the forefront of global dialogue. CyberPeace, an internationally recognized organization working with governments, corporates, and educational institutions to promote cyber literacy and resilience. CyberPeace has empowered millions of citizens to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. These challenges undermine trust in digital systems, constrain digital inclusion, and disproportionately affect communities with limited capacity to prevent or respond to cyber harm. CyberPeace was established based on the conviction that peace and stability in cyberspace are essential preconditions for the achievement of sustainable development goals and for ensuring that the benefits of digital transformations are shared equitably. Looking ahead to the WSIS+20 and beyond, recognising that peace and stability in cyberspace are essential preconditions for inclusive and equitable digital development, Vineet urged the plenary to focus on four priority areas: 1. Strengthening global cyber resilience through sustained capacity building and cyber exercises; 2. Enhancing protection for the most vulnerable online, including children, senior citizens, humanitarian actors, and frontline public services; 3. Embedding trust and respect for human rights at the core of internet governance; and 4. Advancing inclusive, participatory approaches to cybersecurity that empower individuals and communities alongside governments and institutions. According to a statement, CyberPeace encourages the development and strengthening of global network of cyber ambassadors and cyber first responders, trained individuals embedded within communities, schools, civil society, and local institutions. Government and institutions alone cannot fully address the scale and the pace of evolving cyber threats. Empowering individuals and communities is therefore essential. These factors can contribute to early warning, promote digital literacy, online safety, support survivors, and help connect communities with national and international response mechanisms. Such an approach strengthens resilience at the community level, builds trust from the ground up, and reflects the people-centered vision of the WSIS process. It also complements the role of IGF as a platform of dialogue, cooperation, and shared learning. As we look towards the review of the 2030 Agenda, CyberPeace affirms its commitment to work constructively with all stakeholders to advance a cyberspace that is peaceful, resilient, inclusive, and humane, where digital technologies serve human development and dignity, and where no one is left behind. WSIS+20, a United Nations-led global process, high-level meeting brings together heads of UN agencies, governments, civil society, the private sector, and technical communities to review progress and chart the next phase of the World Summit on the Information Society process, shape how the world uses, governs, and benefits from information and communication technologies (ICTs), with a strong focus on inclusion, trust, and human-centric digital development. (ANI)
New Delhi, December 22 (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed 26 websites being used by a pan-India syndicate to cheat gullible investors from across the country and abroad by creating fake cryptocurrency investment platforms that mimics genuine investment platforms advertising astronomical returns. The accused targeted foreign nationals as well as Indian citizens and collected funds in the guise of investment majorly in the form of cryptocurrency through the websites designed by them. These websites are goldbooker.com, fincorp.com, wozur.com, theapexpower.com, mygoldrev.com, cryptobrite.com, cryptexify.com, goldxcapital.com, hawkchain.com, cubigains.com, paymara.com, bitcodeals.com, hackandpool.com, turbominers.com, growmore.com, bitminerclub.com, bitrobix.com, primetrades.com, zylotrade.com, cryptobtctrade.com, cryptogames24hrs.com, hydrominers.com, bitleeds.com, bixotrade.org, jumboticket.network, and metaaibox.com. ED investigation reveals that the accused target gullible investors from India and abroad promising quick returns. ED said that the accused use photos of reputed crypto experts, famous personalities without consent for promotions. As per the modus operandi, ED said, initial investors were paid some returns to gain trust and attract more investors like a classic MLM scheme. Offers referral bonuses and used social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram etc. to market their schemes and increase the scale of the fraud, the agency investigation reveals. Besides, the accused created multiple crypto wallets, foreign bank accounts and companies to gather the Proceeds of Crime (POC), and the modus operandi involved transfer of funds to India through hawala, accommodation entries as well as through Peer to Peer (P2P) crypto transfer to others. "The accused also utilised the POC to create assets in India and Abroad," said the ED, pointing "some of the (26) websites were created and used by the accused for executing their above-mentioned modus." The modus was used by the accused since the 2015 and the POC generated in the form of cryptocurrency was utilised by the accused directly in crypto transactions wherever possible, converted into cash and bank balance using peer-to-peer crypto transaction using certain crypto platforms, it further said. "The POC generated in this way has been utilized by the accused persons in acquiring movable and immovable properties in India and abroad." (ANI)
FRI, it said, underscored the growing impact of coordinated inter-agency action and citizen participation in combating digital financial crimes. Launched on May 22, 2025, FRI is being implemented through DoT's Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).

Achievements of the FRI are driven by active support of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), leading to large-scale onboarding of banks, financial institutions, and Third-Party Application Providers, (TPAPs) on the Digital Intelligence Platform, the release said.

As on date, more than 1,000 banks, TPAPs, and Payment System Operators (PSOs), have onboarded the DIP and started adopting FRI actively, it added.

India's cybercrime landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with fraudsters operating like well-organized digital cartels. From digital arrest scams to sophisticated SIM-box networks bypassing legal telecom routes, the threat is evolving faster than ever, the ministry highlighted.

"Yet, amid this complexity, one factor has emerged as the most decisive force in combating cybercrime: Jan Bhagidari. Citizens, through Sanchar Saathi, which has emerged as India's most powerful crowdsourced cyber-intelligence tool, are providing continuous inputs for Financial Fraud Risk Indicator," it said.

Sanchar Saathi, DoT's citizen-facing platform, has played a central role by functioning as a crowdsourced cyber-intelligence tool. Inputs from citizens reporting suspected fraud communications, fraudulent connections taken in their names, and lost or stolen mobile handsets are continuously feeding into the FRI framework.

DoT acknowledged the contribution of vigilant citizens and "Cyber Warriors" using the Sanchar Saathi web portal and mobile application. Recent trends in app downloads and usage, the department said, reflect growing public trust and proactive engagement in preventing cyber fraud.

DoT further urged all the citizens to utilize Sanchar Saathi web portal and Mobile App for availing the citizen centric services, and reiterated its commitment to fostering a secure digital payments ecosystem through inter-agency collaboration, proactive fraud detection, and intelligence-driven policy interventions.

The continued cooperation of RBI, NPCI, SEBI, PFRDA, all banks, financial institutions, payment operators and Jan Bhagidari remains crucial to safeguarding India's rapidly expanding digital economy, the release said. (ANI)
Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late father, remembering him on his 85th birth anniversary. Taking to Instagram, Shilpa shared old pictures with her dad, capturing the strong bond between the father-daughter duo. The post also featured a priceless moment showing Shilpa's father with her son, Viaan. https://www.instagram.com/p/DSiSPNDjEYX/ She concluded the series with a group picture of herself and her sister, Shamita Shetty, with their father. "Cheers to 85, Dad! I hope you are enjoying your single malt up there," she wrote in the caption. Shilpa and Shamita's father passed away in October 2016 after suffering a cardiac arrest. Shilpa Shetty, who got married to businessman Raj Kundra in November 2009, welcomed her first child, son Viaan, in 2012. The couple welcomed their daughter, Samisha, in February 2020, who was born via surrogacy. The actor has lately been in the headlines for the wrong headlines. After being named in an alleged Rs 60-crore fraud case, Shilpa broke her silence with a strongly worded statement and refuted the claims. "I am deeply saddened by the baseless attempt to link my name to this matter. My association with the company was strictly in a non-executive capacity, with no role in its operations, finances, decision-making, or any signing authority. In fact, like several other public figures, I had endorsed certain products for the home shopping channel, in a professional capacity, for which payments due to me remain outstanding," the statement read. Shetty further alleged that her family had loaned a substantial amount to the company, adding that nearly Rs 20 crore was extended as a loan and that the amount remains "unpaid." "I want to put it on record that almost Rs 20 crore has been loaned to the company by us as a family, and the said amount remains unpaid. The mischievous attempt to impute criminal liability on me, particularly after an unexplained delay of nearly nine years, is legally unsustainable and contrary to settled principles of law," she said. In August, a case was filed against Shilpa Shetty, her husband Raj Kundra, and another individual for allegedly cheating a businessman of over Rs 60 crore. (ANI)
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu was mobbed by fans during her recent public appearance, just days after fellow actor Nidhhi Agerwal also faced a similar situation, drawing attention to issues surrounding celebrity safety and crowd management in such spaces. In videos going viral on social media, Samantha could be seen struggling to make her way through the crowd as the security team made efforts to escort her safely to her vehicle. Samantha appeared visibly calm and composed despite the chaotic crowd, which made movement nearly impossible. The actor was present at an event as a special guest when her exit from the venue triggered a rush among fans. The incident has sparked strong reactions online, with many criticising the lack of civic sense displayed by the fans. Others pointed out how organisers and team management need to work toward strengthening security arrangements. During the launch of the song 'Sahana Sahana' from her upcoming film 'The Raja Saab', Nidhhi faced a difficult situation as she was mobbed and pushed by fans while exiting the venue in Hyderabad. Videos circulating on social media show the situation at the venue turning chaotic, with Nidhhi struggling to reach her car as a large crowd closed in around her. Despite the presence of people escorting her, the actor appeared uncomfortable and terrified as she tried to move through the tightly packed group. Before long, clips from the event began spreading on social media, drawing strong reactions from users who raised concerns over safety at public events. Cyberabad Police have registered a suo motu case against the organisers of the 'Raja Saab' song-release event. The case was registered under the jurisdiction of the KPHB police station. Meanwhile, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who became a recent target of the chaotic crowd, has yet to react to the situation. On the work front, Samantha recently commenced the shoot of her next film, 'Maa Inti Bangaram'.Produced by Raj Nidimoru, Samantha and Himank Duvvuru, the film marks yet another exciting collaboration between Samantha and director Nandini Reddy, following their much-loved blockbuster Oh! Baby. (ANI)
Alec Baldwin has opened up about experiencing suicidal thoughts after charges were filed a second time in connection with the fatal shooting on the set of his film 'Rust', according to The Hollywood Reporter. Speaking on the podcast, hosted by Dave Manheim, Baldwin described the emotional toll of the case, which involved the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. He said the case, which was ultimately dismissed, left him in a severely distressed mental state. "The people I was most concerned about, the people that I had the deepest pain for, were my wife and my kids," Baldwin said. "Because my kids would see me sitting in a corner, you know, I couldn't even move." He added that he spent a year taking daily naps due to his mental state. Baldwin described the ordeal as physically, spiritually, and financially draining. "And I don't want to dwell on this, I just want to say that this was very painful for my wife and my family, my sisters and brothers and so forth, my colleagues. ... And I can tell you, it broke every nerve in my body, spiritually, financially ... work-wise, my career, my wife, my kids, my friends, my health. I mean what it's done to my health. I mean, if I told you what my health conditions have been since October 21st of 2021 ... it's taken 10 years off my life. It's taken at least 10 years off my life," he added, noting the date of the fatal shooting, as per The Hollywood Reporter. He credited his wife, Hilaria, and family for helping him navigate the darkest moments, saying, "When you get to that point where you go, 'I don't want to wake up another day, I'm gonna go' -- I swear to God, I mean, to talk about it, and it's really kind of unappealing to me because to talk about killing yourself and to actually kill yourself are two so profoundly distinctive things. I think a lot of people, I think countless people think about killing themselves and ending their life, and then very few do. And for me, I remember, I used to lay there in bed and go, 'Oh God, I can't wake up another day and have it be the same. It's the same every day. And I can't do it.' And but somehow I found the faith in God to, you know, not kill myself tomorrow. Let's wait one more day." Baldwin also expressed frustration with the New Mexico prosecutors, claiming the production had followed Hollywood guild regulations, but the prosecutors applied different rules after the fact. "No one came to me in the first week we were handling firearms ... it was after the fact. All the rules were changed after the fact, and that was very scary to me," he said. He further alleged that the prosecutors "wanted to get their names in the paper," but praised the judge who called out their actions as "reprehensible," as per The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), and Isha Ambani of India's Reliance Industries have signed a five-year strategic partnership between the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) and QM. The collaboration will establish a series of Museum-in-Residence educational programmes in both India and Qatar, designed to introduce playful, museum-based learning experiences for children and provide educators with new tools to inspire creativity nationwide. The ceremony took place at the National Museum of Qatar in Doha. Connected by a shared belief in the power of education to spark creativity and the importance of cross-cultural exchange, QM and NMACC are jointly developing programmes to enrich early childhood learning. While centred on the needs of young learners, these initiatives also equip teachersand volunteers with new tools, materials, and playful methodologies that empower them to innovate in the classroom. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said, "Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre share the belief that creativity and cultural exchange are key to shaping a new generation of confident, empathetic young learners. Through this collaboration, led by Isha Ambani, a legacy of our Year of Culture with India, Qatar Museums will contribute its skills and experiences to the outstanding educational programmes of the Centre's already robust history and ever-expanding roster, providing educational tools and insights, helping them extend their reach in classrooms throughout India." In India, NMACC will partner with Reliance Foundation (RF) to implement the programming across multiple regions, guided by QM specialists, including experts from the Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, who will deliver masterclasses and hands-on mentoring. In keeping with NMACC's mission to bring the best of the world to India and share the best of India, with the world, each programme will be adapted to diverse learning contexts, strengthening the Centre's broader commitment to education and the arts. Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries Limited, noted, "We are pleased to partner with Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Qatar Museums on this meaningful collaboration focused on children and education. At the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, we are committed to bringing global ideas to India while sharing India's rich cultural heritage with the world and creating world-class educational experiences for young people." "Both Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre believe that culture is where imagination begins, and education is where potential becomes real. Through this partnership, we aim to spark new forms of learning that empower every child to dream boldly and to learn confidently," added Isha Ambani. QM and NMACC will also work together to develop additional initiatives that encouragecreativity, empathy, and discovery. These programmes will be implemented in schools,anganwadis, and community centres across India, including in rural and underservedregions. Maha Al Hajri, Acting Director of Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, said, "We are proud to launch this collaboration as part of Dadu's Museum-in-Residence programme, bringing the Light Atelier to new audiences in India. The Light Atelier, developed for children aged three to seven, creates immersive, hands-on learning environments that reflect Dadu's commitment to learning through play. As part of our learning-through-play philosophy, this Museum-in-Residence programme allows us to share Dadu's approach beyond our walls while creating meaningful cultural exchanges with partners like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre." This partnership marks a milestone in Qatar Museums' ongoing commitment to advancing education and cultural exchange globally, reflecting Qatar National Vision 2030's mission to invest in human and cultural development. For NMACC, it is another step forward in identifying and bringing the best of global ideas to India's leading cultural centre. (ANI)
Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) custodian Jitan Ram Manjhi reiterated his party's demand for a Rajya Sabha seat, recalling assurances made during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as part of the NDA alliance in Bihar. Speaking to reporters, Manjhi said his party had been promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat during seat-sharing talks ahead of the 2024 general elections. "In the 2024 elections, we were promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. At that time, we were given one Lok Sabha seat, which we won, and we thank the Prime Minister for appointing us as a minister; however, the Rajya Sabha seat is still pending. When the Rajya Sabha elections happen in April, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) should get one seat. This is our demand, and this is what we were saying to our party officials," Manjhi stated, The Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is a Dalit-centric regional party in Bihar founded by Jitan Ram Manjhi in 2015 after his split from the Janata Dal (United). Manjhi, a prominent Mahadalit leader, served as Bihar's Chief Minister for a brief period from 2014 to 2015 and has since positioned HAM(S) as a key voice for marginalised communities. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, HAM(S) aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. Following the NDA's victory at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Manjhi was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers. Earlier in November, following NDA's landslide victory in Bihar Assembly polls, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had said there was "kanjoosi" (miserliness) within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to give more seats to his party, still, he did not protest as he was "disciplined within the alliance." He said his demand for more seats is linked to his efforts to obtain recognition as a "recognised political party" from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Without that status, he says he faces "humiliation at many places." "Our party has been in existence for 10 years, but we are yet to become a recognised party; we're a registered party, and due to this, we have to face humiliation at many places," Manjhi told reporters. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh has strongly criticised Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, asserting that the issue falls squarely within the domain of the Union government and not state or opposition parties. Speaking with the media, Ghosh said the TMC disagrees with the RSS chief's views. "... Our views do not align with Mohan Bhagwat's views." If he wants to say anything about Bangladesh, he should speak with the central government. BJP's government is there at the centre, and RSS is the soul of BJP," Ghosh said. Emphasising that Bangladesh is a separate country in itself, the TMC leader added, "Bangladesh is a separate country. TMC has condemned this. But, TMC cannot do anything there, and this is the responsibility of the central government..." Meanwhile, Congres MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also reacted to Bhagwat's comments, cautioning against what he described as a "narrow mindset." While expressing concern over developments in Bangladesh, he added that the security of Indians abroad was the responsibility of the Indian government and stressed the need for a harmonious social environment. Speaking to ANI, he said, "I think that even today, there should not be a narrow mindset... If you are separating someone based on religion, then it is not a good sign. It is the duty of the government of that country to protect every citizen... Today, developments in Bangladesh are very concerning to us... I would like to say to the country, especially to the PM, that without power, there is no peace. We need to use power for security... And I am not just talking about Bangladesh; everywhere where there are Indians, their security becomes the responsibility of the government... There should not be a hostile environment in society; there should be a harmonious one. This becomes the responsibility of the government." Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday urged the central government to "take cognisance" of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, and urged the Hindus in the neighbouring country to stay "united for maximum protection." He also called on the global Hindu community to help them in times of need. Bhagwat further expressed confidence in the government's ability to address the issue, noting that while some details have been disclosed, others cannot be. "The Indian government will have to take cognisance of this. They will have to do something. They might already be doing something. Some things are disclosed, some cannot be. Sometimes there are results, sometimes there aren't. But something has to be done," he said here in Kolkata at an RSS event. While claiming that the "only country for Hindus is India," Bhagwat urged the Hindus in Bangladesh to stay united. "They (Hindus) are a minority there, and the situation is quite difficult. Even though it's difficult, for maximum protection, the Hindus there will have to stay united. And Hindus worldwide must support them. We must help them as much as we can, within our limits. We have to do everything we can, and we are. The only country for Hindus is India," he said. Replying to a question from BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari about "Islamic fundamentalism" in West Bengal, Bhagwat said that if Hindu society stays united, "it won't take long to change the situation in Bengal." "If the Hindu society stands united, it won't take long to change the situation in Bengal. Regarding my thoughts on political change, I want to say that thinking about it is not my responsibility. We are working for social change through the Sangh," he said. Bhagwat's comments come four days after a 27-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally killed in Bangladesh's Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy, and his body was subsequently set on fire on December 18. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. Chief Adviser of the Interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, confirmed on Sunday that 10 individuals were arrested in connection with the murder. (ANI)
At a press conference held at Guwahati, All India Congress Committee (AICC) National Spokesperson Ragini Nayak criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the renaming of the MGNREGA scheme. She said that instead of claiming to work for "18 hours a day", if the Prime Minister had even worked sincerely for "18 months in the last 11 years.", there would have been no need to rename the schemes implemented by their party. She said in the press conference, "Those who do no work themselves are the ones who spend their time renaming the work done by others. If the person who claims to work 18 hours a day had actually worked sincerely even for 18 months in the last 11 years, there would have been no need to rename the schemes implemented by the Congress," criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the renaming of the MGNREGA scheme. Nayak said, " If one were to prepare a list of the number of Congress-implemented schemes whose names have been changed by the Modi government and then projected as its own, the exercise would take the entire day from morning till evening." Addressing an important press conference held on Sunday at the Manavendra Sharma Complex in Guwahati, she said, "The BJP renamed the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan of the Manmohan Singh government as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The symbol of Swachh Bharat was Gandhiji's spectacles. The BJP could appropriate Gandhiji's spectacles, but it has never been able to adopt Gandhiji's vision. The BJP and the RSS are filled with hatred towards Gandhiji, Nehru and other great national leaders. That is why the BJP did not hesitate to remove Mahatma Gandhi's name from the MGNREGA scheme." Stating that "Lord Ram" is being used to cover up the government's failures, Nayak also targeted the BJP over the new name of MGNREGA. She said, "After renaming MGNREGA as VB-G RAM G, no one can even properly remember its full meaning. The full name is Viksit Bharat-Guarantee Rozgar Aajeevika Mission Gramin. Modi has reduced Hindi and English to such a state that only someone with an entire political science degree can understand what it means." Nayak said that behind the removal of Gandhiji's name and the forceful addition of the word 'Ram' lies the deceitful politics of Modi and the BJP. "Now Modi will say that Congress cannot tolerate the name of Ram. Let us make it clear that Congress has no objection to the name "Ram". Our problem is with those who chant Ram's name while stabbing the people in the back. Our problem is with the party that repeatedly drags Maryada Purushottam Ram into politics," she said. The Congress leader further explained at the press conference what kind of political game the Modi government is trying to play with the country's ordinary people by removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from MGNREGA. She said the Modi-led NDA government is not limiting itself to renaming the scheme; it is also attempting to weaken MGNREGA itself. "Under the UPA government, the right to guaranteed employment was recognised as a legal right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Through MGNREGA, crores of people across the country benefited from this right. Now, under VB-G RAM G, the right has been removed and reduced to a mere promise," said Nayak, adding that there is no bigger "deceiver" than PM Modi when it comes to making promises and failing to fulfil them. She further said that earlier, MGNREGA was fully funded by the Central government, but under the new scheme, states will now have to bear 40 per cent of the expenditure. "The same Central government has not cleared GST arrears amounting to up to Rs. 10,000 crore to several state governments till date. From where will these states now arrange additional funds for 'VB-G RAM G'? This has become a million-rupee question," she said. Nayak alleged that, "Although Prime Minister Modi speaks of increasing guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days, even payment for 25 days may soon become impossible. Earlier, MGNREGA could not be stopped by directions from either the Centre or the states. However, under 'VB-G RAM G', provisions have been made to stop work for various reasons. In this manner, the Modi government is engaged in a conspiracy to destroy the world's largest employment guarantee law and scheme." She asserted that Congress will not allow such an important law and scheme, which represents " Mahatma Gandhi's dream of India", to be destroyed so easily. At the press conference, Nayak also exposed what she described as the BJP and Modi government's lies regarding the National Herald case. "The BJP and the Modi government turned a molehill into a mountain. But the special court has clearly established that the entire case was baseless and built on a mountain of lies. By turning investigative agencies into puppets, the Modi government staged this drama for years to suppress the opposition. Now that the truth has come out, they are unable to hide their embarrassment," she said. Nayak said that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have become rattled by Rahul Gandhi's lone fight against the BJP's divisive politics, carrying the Constitution in his hands and opening a 'shop of love' in the 'market of hatred' to unite the country. "To run the country, one does not need a 56-inch chest; one needs a leader like Rahul Gandhi who understands the pain of the people," she said. Referring to Rahul Gandhi being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for 55 hours, she said, "They found nothing. This is the true example of the courage and patience of an honest leader." She added that since 2014, only one per cent of the cases pursued by the ED have been proven true, clearly exposing how Modi is misusing investigative agencies against the opposition. "No matter how much one tries to suppress the truth, truth ultimately prevails. That is exactly what has happened in the National Herald case. How the CBI and ED were misused is now out in the open," she said, adding that despite thousands of obstacles, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress will continue to raise their voice against the anti-people policies of the Modi government. Modi's dream of a Congress-mukt Bharat, she said, will remain nothing more than a fantasy forever. Responding to a journalist's question regarding the Prime Minister's remark that "Congress did not accord due honour to Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi", AICC General Secretary in charge of Assam, Prithviraj Sathe, said it was shocking that a person holding the office of the Prime Minister could make such false statements. "I am astonished that a Prime Minister can be so ignorant of history. Everyone knows who ran the government in West Bengal in alliance with the Muslim League before Independence; it was the RSS-backed forces. And now Modi is blaming Congress. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claims that Assam has been flooded with Bangladeshis because of Congress, but why does he not say that one of his own party's MLAs is of Bangladeshi origin?" Sathe said. He further said, "Modi is saying whatever comes to his mind about Gopinath Bordoloi. At that time, the principal leader of the Congress in Assam was Gopinath Bordoloi himself. He was our leader. We have always been proud of him. We always remember his struggle to protect Assam's identity. Even today, the Congress continues to fight to protect the identity of the Assamese people, be it the anti-CAA movement or the demand for ST status for six communities. We have always worked for the future of Assam and the Assamese people. It was for the protection of Assamese identity that our then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed the Assam Accord." The APCC Media and Communication Department Chairperson, Bedabrata Bora and the department's Coordinator, Harshad Sharm, were also present at Sunday's press conference. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has launched a political attack on former chief minister and BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), accusing him of causing "irreparable damage" to the state's water rights, economy and irrigation sector, and branding him an "economic terrorist" who destroyed Telangana's financial system. Responding to KCR's press conference earlier on Sunday, Revanth Reddy, during an informal interaction, said KCR was "speaking recklessly" and had forgotten that it was the Mahabubnagar district that gave him his political life. "The very foundation of the Telangana movement was laid for securing our rightful share of Krishna waters. KCR betrayed that foundation," the Chief Minister alleged. Revanth Reddy accused KCR of signing away Telangana's permanent rights over Krishna river waters to Andhra Pradesh. "By agreeing to just 299 TMC, KCR wrote a death warrant for the state. He accepted a 64 per cent share for Andhra Pradesh and only 29 per cent for Telangana, selling out the state for commissions," he alleged, claiming that three districts were severely affected due to the decision. The Chief Minister alleged large-scale "water loot" during KCR's tenure, saying KCR remained silent while Andhra Pradesh constructed projects such as Pothireddypadu and Muchumarri. He further accused the previous government of committing a grave injustice to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme by opting to draw water from Srisailam rather than Jurala, resulting in delays and legal complications. "Even the DPR was returned by the Centre because it was prepared incorrectly," he said. Revanth Reddy claimed that despite spending nearly Rs. 2 lakh crore on irrigation projects over a decade and paying bills worth Rs. 1.80 lakh crore, the BRS government failed to complete even a single project. "Projects like SLBC, Dindi, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima and Palamuru-Rangareddy remain unfinished. He did not even release Rs. 12 crore to break a boulder at Sangambanda or provide funds for land acquisition in Kalwakurthy," he said, adding that the present government has already spent Rs. 6,800 crore on irrigation works since taking charge. Taking personal aim at KCR, Revanth Reddy alleged that the former CM had "destroyed the economy" and called him an "economic terrorist" who committed atrocities on the state's financial system. He also questioned the filing of NGT cases against the Palamuru-Rangareddy projects, noting that former MLA Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy, who filed the cases, was himself given a ticket by KCR from Kollapur. On political issues, Revanth Reddy challenged KCR to face a two-day discussion in the Assembly. One day on Krishna waters and another on Godavari waters. "If KCR agrees, we are ready to convene the Assembly from January 2. Instead of coming to the Assembly, he prefers public meetings. We welcome him to act like a responsible Leader of the Opposition," he said. The Chief Minister alleged that internal conflicts within the BRS had forced KCR to reappear in public. "The son and the son-in-law are fighting within the party. KCR fears the party will fall into his son-in-law's hands. The son is striving for the chair, the son-in-law for assets," he alleged, claiming that party assets worth Rs. 5,000 crore were at stake. He further alleged that KCR's family had sidelined MLC K. Kavitha to avoid responsibility. Revanth Reddy also questioned KCR's claims of electoral success, asking whether the Lok Sabha, Cantonment and Jubilee Hills elections were not fought on party symbols. He challenged KCR to a fact-finding committee on Sarpanch elections and proposed visiting any village to determine which party actually won. While stating that he respects KCR's age, Revanth Reddy said the former CM was not "active" in politics unless he was performing his legislative duties. "In 10 years, KCR only sold lands and benefited from the ORR built by the Congress. Let him show one major thing he built in Hyderabad," he said. The Chief Minister demanded that KCR apologise to the people of Telangana for signing away water rights, arguing that completion of projects like SLBC could have enabled the state to draw significantly more water. He also mocked the collapse of the Kaleshwaram project, calling it "Kooleshwaram," while claiming that despite this, the Congress government made Telangana number one in paddy production. Revanth Reddy further recalled that KCR had once described paddy cultivation as a "noose around the neck" and accused him of opposing the use of technology in urea distribution. He alleged that KCR's proximity to the BJP leadership was the reason why the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) was not granting permission to investigate Arvind Kumar in the Formula E race case. Earlier, on Sunday, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) launched a scathing attack on both the Telangana and Central governments, alleging that they are jointly betraying Telangana's interests, particularly those of the drought-prone Palamuru region. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, KCR asserted that Telangana is not inherently a backward region but has been "deliberately pushed backward" over decades of injustice. He accused successive Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) governments of discriminating against the Palamuru district during the united Andhra Pradesh era, noting that the region was once reduced to running "gruel centres" due to neglect and a lack of development. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary Nainar Nagendran addressed the media in Tiruchirappalli and made several remarks targeting the DMK government. He said that in the elections scheduled for April next year, the people would deliver an "appropriate verdict" to the ruling party. Speaking to the media, he took a jibe at Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, saying the Chief Minister had been camping in Tirunelveli for the past two days and inaugurating hospitals, with 60 per cent of the funding coming from the Central Government. He added that it would have been appropriate to invite Union Ministers to the hospital inauguration ceremonies. Nainar Nagendran alleged that the DMK had promised to extend the 100-day employment scheme to 150 days if it came to power, but instead, several irregularities have occurred. He said that, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts, the court has ordered 125 days of employment, with an assurance that work will be provided during the non-agricultural seasons. He criticised the DMK for alleging that the name of Mahatma Gandhi had been changed and questioned whether the ruling party truly follows secularism. He accused the DMK of pursuing flawed policies in the name of secularism. He said that in the elections scheduled for April next year, the people would deliver an appropriate verdict. He stressed that providing 100 days of employment is more important than the scheme's name and that renaming the programme is not a significant issue. He added that it is sufficient if leaders' names are remembered in some form. Stating that conducting the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list properly is the Chief Minister's responsibility, he said that only the people can decide during elections what kind of "power" actor-turned-politician Vijay represents. He alleged that Vijay's objective is to ensure that the DMK does not remain in power and said that if Vijay understands how multi-cornered contests can defeat the DMK and acts accordingly, it would be better. He remarked that not everyone who starts a party can come to power like M.G. Ramachandran. He asserted that the upcoming elections would not be "unfavourable" to the BJP but would be "advantageous". He claimed that in the last polls their alliance won 75 seats and said that, given the current political situation, the "wind blowing in Bihar will reach Tamil Nadu as well." Calling the BJP the largest party in the world, he said the party does not invite anyone into an alliance. Still, he added that if the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) wishes, it may join the BJP-led coalition. He alleged that schools have been granted holidays to conduct the Chief Minister's programmes and claimed that 208 schools in Tamil Nadu have not admitted any students. He further alleged that the state cannot even appoint a Director General of Police (DGP). Referring to the Tirupparankundram issue, he said a resolution was passed using forged signatures against a judge. He assured that those responsible would be identified and that action would be taken. He also claimed that Tiruchirappalli has become the capital of suicides, and alleged that 17 ministers in Tamil Nadu are facing cases. He said that when verdicts are delivered in these cases, they should be broadcast prominently on Sun TV so that Dayanidhi Maran can see them. Nainar Nagendran made these remarks during a media briefing in Tiruchirappalli. (ANI)
The lawyer of Captain Virender Sejwal, who was involved in an altercation with a passenger at the Delhi airport, said on Sunday that the incident between the two passengers was "resolved" in the presence of CISF officials at the airport and both parties had "voluntarily signed a statement" confirming that they did not wish to pursue any legal action. In a statement, Sejwal's lawyer claimed that the recent reports and social media posts have "misrepresented a personal incident" and that the "distorted social media portrayal is based on a one-sided, incomplete misrepresentation of facts." The statement reads, "Recent reports and social media posts have misrepresented a personal incident that occurred in IGl airport terminal 1 on 19/12/25, unfairly projecting it as a 'pilot vs passenger' dispute. In the interest of transparency and to prevent further misinformation, the following facts are being clarified on behalf of Capt. Virender Sejwal." It further alleged that Ankit Dewan "selectively presented facts to create a false narrative." "Capt. Virender Sejwal was travelling as a passenger. He was not on flight duty, nor was the incident connected in any manner to his professional responsibilities. It was a purely personal matter between two passengers. Distorted social media portrayal is based on a one sided, incomplete misrepresentation of facts. Mr. Ankit Dewan has selectively presented facts to create a false narrative, wrongly implying a professional conflict and attempting to sensationalize a settled issue. Whereas castiest remarks were made against Capt Sejwal, and absolutely unfathomable threats were made to female members of his family including a child," the statement claimed. "Ankit Dewan initiated the confrontation by verbally abusing Capt. Virender Sejwal without provocation and continued using abusive, degrading and threatening language even after being asked to stop. The situation escalated into a physical altercation in which Capt Sejwal was also hurt; he also sustained injuries during the scuffle. CISF personnel intervened promptly, repeatedly told Mr. Dewan to calm down and stop abusing, yet he refused to relent and continued his misconduct in their presence," it added. As per the statement, the incident between the two passengers was resolved in the presence of CISF officials at the airport. "The incident between the two passengers was resolved in the presence of CISF officials at the airport. Both parties "voluntarily signed a statement" confirming that they did not wish to pursue any legal action. Contrary to misleading claims, Mr. Ankit Dewan signed willingly there was no coercion or pressure involved. The CISF has publicly confirmed on "X" that their officers acted promptly, offered the gentlemen the opportunity to file formal complaints, and that it was voluntarily declined. Allegations of any force or bias against CISF are incorrect and unfounded," it said. The lawyer further said that Sejwal has "full faith" in authorities that he will not be denied justice and the incident will be looked at impartially considering all facts and without the overbearing social media narrative. The statement reads, "This personal incident has no connection whatsoever with his employer or professional duties. Attempts to associate the company's name are unwarranted and appear aimed solely at gaining social media attention on an otherwise settled personal issue. Capt Sejwal has full faith in authorities that he will not be denied justice and the incident will be looked at impartially considering all facts and without the overbearing social media narrative. Capt. Sejwal requests that the media and public rely only on verified facts and refrain from circulating one-sided or misleading content that may harm reputations or distort true facts." Earlier, Ankit Dewan, who alleged that he was assaulted by an Air India Express pilot at Terminal-1 of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, said the incident occurred during security checks while he was travelling with his family. Air India expressed had regret over the incident and condemned the pilot's behaviour. In a tweet, the airline stated that the pilot has been removed from his official duties and said that appropriate action will be taken pending a thorough investigation. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, accusing him of causing "irreparable damage" to the state, particularly on the issue of Krishna river water sharing and stalled irrigation projects. Speaking to ANI, Revanth Reddy alleged that KCR was making "reckless statements" and said Mahabubnagar district had given him his political life. He underlined that the very foundation of the Telangana movement was laid on the demand for a fair share of Krishna waters, but claimed that KCR had betrayed the state's interests during his tenure. "KCR did more injustice to Telangana than what happened in the United States. There was a massive water loot under his reign. By signing for a 299 TMC share in Krishna waters, KCR wrote a 'death warrant' for Telangana. He permanently signed away our rights over Krishna waters to Andhra Pradesh, severely affecting three districts," the Chief Minister said. Revanth Reddy further alleged that injustice was done to the Palamuru-Rangareddy project by opting to draw water from Srisailam instead of Jurala, and accused KCR of remaining silent when Andhra Pradesh went ahead with projects such as Pothireddypadu and Muchumarri. Targeting the previous government's handling of irrigation works, the Chief Minister claimed that despite spending nearly 2 lakh crore on irrigation projects over ten years and paying bills worth 1.80 lakh crore, not a single project was completed. He said major projects, including SLBC, Dindi, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima and Palamuru-Rangareddy, remain unfinished. "KCR did not even release the 12 crore required to break a boulder at Sangambanda or provide funds for land acquisition in Kalwakurthy. Since our government took over, we have already spent 6,800 crore on these projects," he said. Reddy also accused KCR of destroying the state's economy, calling him an "economic terrorist" who committed "atrocities on the economic system." He said the Centre had returned the Palamuru-Rangareddy Detailed Project Report because it was not prepared properly. Referring to National Green Tribunal cases related to Palamuru-Rangareddy, the Chief Minister questioned KCR's role, noting that former MLA Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy, who filed the cases, was given a ticket by KCR from Kollapur. He further alleged that KCR agreed to a 64 per cent share for Andhra Pradesh and only 29 per cent for Telangana in Krishna waters. The Chief Minister said the Congress government was ready for a detailed discussion in the Assembly. "We are prepared for a two-day discussion--one day on Krishna waters and one day on Godavari waters. If KCR agrees, we can convene the Assembly from January 2," he said. Revanth Reddy accused KCR of avoiding legislative debate and preferring public meetings instead, and urged him to behave like a responsible Leader of the Opposition. He also questioned KCR's criticism of local body elections, saying Lok Sabha, Cantonment and Jubilee Hills elections were fought on party symbols, and challenged him to a fact-finding committee on Sarpanch polls. "I respect KCR's age, but he is not active in politics unless he performs his role in the legislature. In ten years, he only sold land and benefited from the ORR built by Congress. He should show one major thing he built in Hyderabad," Revanth Reddy said. He also demanded that KCR apologise for signing away Telangana's water rights, adding that had projects like SLBC been completed, the state could have drawn much more water. (ANI)
On his visit to Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, on Monday, said, "We go every year. We went last year, too. I will pray that all people and our country prosper, and that harmony and peace prevail. May we all move towards a developed India..." Rijiju also shared a post on X about his visit, stating, "A warm reception at Jaipur Airport. Heading to Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, to offer chadar & seek prayers for peace & compassion across the world. As lakhs gather during Urs, we remain committed to facilitating their pilgrimage & upholding the spirit of harmony that binds us all." The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is one of the most revered Sufi shrines in India. Every year, millions of devotees from all over the world gather here to celebrate the Urs festival, a significant event that commemorates the death anniversary of the Khwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chishty. Kiren Rijiju on Sunday met a Buddhist delegation from Himachal Pradesh at his residence in New Delhi. Sharing glimpses of the interaction on X, Rijiju said he met representatives of the Buddhist community from Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur and Dharamshala, describing the interaction as "a warm and meaningful exchange rooted in harmony, culture and shared values." The interaction came a day after the Union Minister extended warm greetings to the people of Ladakh on the occasion of Losar, the traditional Tibetan New Year. He participated in the cultural celebrations at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) in Ladakh. Sharing a post on X, Rijiju said, "On the auspicious occasion of Losar (New Year), I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Ladakh. May the New Year usher in happiness, prosperity and peace for all. Tashi Delek & Julley!" The post was accompanied by a video showing the Union Minister dancing to the rhythmic beats of traditional dhol and trumpet along with students and faculty members of the CIBS. Celebrated across Ladakh, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Losar symbolises the victory of good over evil and the renewal of hope. The festival spans a week or two and blends religious ceremonies with vibrant cultural festivities. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Working President Nitin Nabin on his new responsibilities and elevation to the post during a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. Expressing confidence in the new appointment, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Nabin's experience, energy, and organisational skills will further strengthen the party and give new momentum to the organisation. He extended his heartfelt best wishes for a successful tenure. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Nitin Nabin and congratulated him on his new role in the party. He expressed confidence that Nabin's organisational and administrative experience would prove to be an asset for the party. In a post shared on X, PM Modi said, "Met BJP National Working President Shri Nitin Nabin Ji. Congratulated him on his new responsibility and wished him the very best in his endeavours to strengthen the Party at the grassroots. I am confident that his organisational and administrative experience will be an asset for our Party as we all work together to fulfil people's aspirations." Meanwhile, Nitin Nabin chaired his first meeting of the party's General Secretaries on Friday at the BJP Headquarters in New Delhi, an introductory session. In the meeting, BL Santhosh (General Secretary, Organisation), Vinod Tawde, Sunil Bansal, Tarun Chugh, Dushyant Gautam, Arun Singh, Radha Mohandas Aggarwal and Shivaprakash were present. This maiden meeting under Nabin's leadership was seen as a significant organisational exercise, aimed at reviewing the party's ongoing programmes, organisational preparedness, and future strategy. Senior leaders and all national General Secretaries attended the meeting. Discussions were also held on organisational programmes. Preparations for election-bound states were also discussed. 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.Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Delhi BJP Chief Virendraa Sachdeva and other party senior leaders were also present on the occasion. Nabin, the Minister of Road Construction of Bihar and a five-time MLA, is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. A young face for the BJP, Nitin Nabin brings experience in governance, having served as a Minister in the Bihar Government multiple times. He has served as Minister for the Road Construction Department, the Urban Development and Housing Department, and the Law Department in the Government of Bihar. In 2008, in the BJP, he served as a National Executive Committee Member of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and Co-in-charge of the Youth Wing. From 2010 to 2013, he served as the National General Secretary of the Yuva Morcha. From 2016-19, he served as the Yuva Morcha State President in Bihar and was the BJP Election In-Charge in Sikkim in 2019. In June 2019, he was made the Sikkim State BJP Organisation In-charge. (ANI)
According to sources, Hyderabad's Airport experienced a security scare when a bomb threat email targeting a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam was received around midnight.

Authorities swiftly implemented the standard safety protocols in place, leading to the flight's safe landing at 1 AM, with all passengers and crew secure.

The KLM flight from Amsterdam touched down safely, and standard procedure was followed for the passengers to ensure safety.

Earlier on December 6, two international flights received bomb threat emails at the Hyderabad Airport. It was received on the customer support ID, and safety protocols began after the landing.

According to the Hyderabad Airport GMR, British Airways flight 277 and Kuwait Airways flight 373 received the email threats.

The BA 277 landed safely early morning, but the other flight to Hyderabad returned to the departure airport.

"On 6th December 2025, a Bomb threat email was received on Hyderabad airport customer support ID for flight BA 277 (Heathrow to Hyderabad). The Flight landed safely in HYD at 5:25 am. Standard safety protocols were initiated," said Hyderabad Airport GMR.

"On 6th December 2025, a Bomb threat email was received on Hyderabad airport customer support ID for flight KU 373/ (Kuwait to Hyderabad) KWI-Hyd. The Flight returned to the departure airport," Hyderabad Airport GMR added.

A similar incident took place on December 5 when an email threat for Emirates flight EK526 from Dubai to Hyderabad had arrived at 7:30 AM.

The flight continued its journey with heightened monitoring. As it touched down safely at 8:30 AM, the atmosphere changed instantly.

Security teams directed the aircraft to an isolated bay. Passengers were safely deboarded, following standard operating procedures. (ANI)
TVK President Vijay attended the Christmas celebrations on Monday in Tamil Nadu, which were organised at Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort & Convention Centre. TVK leader Sengottaiyan was also present at the party-organised event. TVK President Vijay addressed the people at the event and emphasised that love, equality and compassion for one another are core values and Tamil Nadu is of a similar nature. He listed several festivals and stated that in Tamil Nadu, people greet one another in a show of unity. "Love, equality and compassion are the foundation of everything. The soil of our Tamil Nadu is also of that nature. In Tamil Nadu, during all festivals like Pongal, Deepavali, Ramzan and others, people share greetings with one another in a spirit of unity.", he said. He assured the crowd that the TVK party will stay dedicated to their welfare and work towards safeguarding religious harmony. "On the occasion of these festivals, I give this assurance: both me and the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) will remain 100 per cent committed to safeguarding social harmony and religious amity, with firm secular principles. Praise the Lord.", he added. A bishop present at the event shared his thoughts on political parties participating in these celebrations. When talking to ANI, he agreed that political parties organise these kinds of events with an element of politics, but also stated that these are also the requirements to stand against hate. "Political parties organising a celebration of this nature have certain political elements in it, yet at the same time, we recognise that this is the need of the hour where hatred against other religions is voiced and people try to divide people.", he stated. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also shared Christmas greetings with the people. He called the festival hopeful and peaceful and emphasised that Christmas is not confined to one religion, but everyone can celebrate the greetings and goodwill. "Christmas is a festival that instils hope. It is a celebration that leads us towards peace and happiness. That is why people of all religions extend Christmas greetings," he said. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday told the state Assembly that no deaths have occurred in the state due to codeine-based cough syrup and asserted that the case is being pursued strictly under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Addressing the House, the Chief Minister said, "No deaths have occurred in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup. Secondly, action will be taken in this case under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has won this case in court. Thirdly, in Uttar Pradesh, the biggest wholesaler, who was first apprehended by the STF, was issued a license by the Samajwadi Party in 2016." Providing details of the action taken so far, Yogi Adityanath said the government has registered 79 cases, named 225 accused, and arrested 78 people in connection with the matter. He added that raids have been carried out on 134 firms. "The government has registered 79 cases so far. 225 accused have been named in these cases. 78 accused have been arrested so far. Raids have been conducted on 134 firms," he said. The Chief Minister further alleged that links to the Samajwadi Party may emerge as the investigation progresses. "I think if you delve deeper into this matter, you'll find that ultimately, some leader or individual associated with the Samajwadi Party is involved. The High Court has ruled that this entire case should be prosecuted under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has fought this battle and won." he stated. Issuing a strong warning to those involved, the Chief Minister said the government would ensure strict action against all accused. "No accused in this case will escape. And don't worry, when the time comes, preparations will also be made for bulldozer action. Don't complain then," he added. Targeting Akhilesh Yadav indirectly, CM Yogi said, "...'Desh ke andar do namune hain' (There are two specimens in this country). One sits in Delhi and the other in Lucknow. When there is any discussion in the country, they immediately flee the country, and I think the same thing is happening with your 'Babua'. He will also leave the country again for a trip to England, and you people will keep shouting here." On Saturday, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, at a press conference, addressed the Codeine syrup controversy, claiming that the racket originated from the Prime Minister's constituency. "...A state's Chief Minister lies, and those standing with him also lie. You can't imagine that an illegal cough syrup business is operating from the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency... And it's worth thousands of crores. This is an international issue...," Yadav said. He alleged that the racket was far bigger than projected and called for a bulldozer-style action against all "mafias", even if they belong to the Samajwadi Party, referring to everyone involved in the business as "Codeine Bhaiya". (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday reserved a judgment in a 1984 Sikh riots case against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar. This case is linked to FIRs registered with the Janakpuri and Vikas Puri Police Stations. The court has listed the matter for the pronouncement of judgment on January 22. Sajjan Kumar was discharged of murder charges in 2023. The Janakpuri case pertains to the killing of two Sikhs, Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, on November 1, 1984. The second case was registered in the Vikaspuri police station related to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh reserved the judgment after hearing the final arguements by the counsel for accsued Sajjan Kumar and the additional public prosecutor. Additional public prosecutor (APP) Manish Rawat appeared for the prosecution. Advocate Anil Kumar Sharma, alongwith Apoorv Sharma and S A Hashm,i appeared for Sajjan Kumar. Advocate Surpreet Kaur appeared for the riot victims. On July 7, during recording of his statement Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar denied the charges leveled against him in 1984 Anti Sikh riots case. He had stated before the court that he was not present at the site of riots and was falsely implicated. The court had discharged Sajjan Kumar from the offence of murder on August 23, 2023. The Court had framed Charges against Sajjan Kumar under sections of IPC 147 (Punishment for rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (offence is committed by any member of unlawful assembly in prosecution of the common object of that assembly), 153 (promoting enmity between different groups), 295 (Injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class), 307 (attempt of murder), 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide), 323 (deals with punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 395 (Punishment for Dacoity) and 426 (Punishment for mischief) etc. The Special court while ordered framing of charges stated that, "this court is of prima facie view that the oral and documentary evidence placed on record by prosecution is sufficient to hold that an unlawful assembly or mob consisting of hundreds of persons and armed with deadly weapons like dandas, iron rods, bricks and stones etc. had gathered near the Gurudwara situated in Gulab Bagh, Nawada on 01.11.1984. Court had noted that the accused Sajjan Kumar was also a part of the said mob and common object of the said mob was to put the above said Gurudwara on fire and to burn and loot the articles lying therein and also to burn and destroy the houses of Sikhs situated in the said locality, to da mage, destroy or loot their articles or property and to kill the Sikhs residing in that locality, to avenge killing of the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. Hence, a prima facie case is held to be made out against the accused/Sajjan Kumar, for the commission of the offences punishable under sections 147, 148, 149, 153A, 295, 307, 308, 323, 395, 436 IPC and charges are accordingly directed to be framed against him for the said offences. Further, in alternative, a charge for the offence of abetment defined by Section 107 IPC and made punishable by Section 109 read with 114 IPC in relation to the above-said offences is also directed to be framed against the accused as the accused, being the principal abettor was present at the scene of crime, when the other unknown offenders committed the offences abetted by him. However, as far as the offences committed during the incident dated 02.11.1984 and which relate to the murder of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh at the hands of members of the mob or crowd, which had gathered on that date near or outside the Congress party office in Uttam Nagar, and also the injuries suffered by complainant Harvinder Singh in the said incident, are concerned, the accused is being discharged for the offences Under section 302 and 325 IPC respectively committed in the said incident for the reasons already discussed in this order, court had said. (ANI)
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accused the ruling BJP government of not holding a discussion in Parliament on the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM-G Bill). He alleged that the bill is not meant to bring development but destruction, the cost of which will be borne by Indians through the loss of their livelihoods. "No public discourse, no discussion in Parliament, no consent from the states - the Modi government has run a bulldozer over both MGNREGA and democracy. This is not development, but destruction - the cost of which millions of toiling Indians will pay by losing their livelihood. Be sure to read this article by the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi Ji, which exposes every aspect of this serious issue," wrote Gandhi. The Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill on December 18, and it received the President's assent on December 21. The 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. As per Section 22 of the Bill, the fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and the states will be 60:40. For the Northeastern states, Himalayan states, and Union Territories, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the ratio will be 90:10. Section 6 of the Bill allows state governments to notify in advance a period aggregating up to 60 days in a financial year, covering peak agricultural seasons such as sowing and harvesting. Meanwhile, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in a recent op-ed in a leading English daily, launched a sharp attack on the Central government, accusing it of dismantling the rights-based legislative framework through its proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other key laws. In the article titled 'The Bulldozed Demolition of MGNREGA', Sonia Gandhi argued that the weakening of the rural employment scheme represents a collective moral failure, with long-term financial and human consequences for crores of working people across the country. She wrote that MGNREGA was not merely a welfare initiative but a rights-based programme that provided livelihood security and dignity to rural households. According to her, the erosion of the scheme is "collective moral failure. "MGNREGA realised the Mahatma's vision of Sarvodaya (welfare of all) and enacted the constitutional right to work. Its death is our collective moral failure - one that will have financial and human consequences for crores of India's working people for years to come. It is imperative, now more than ever, to unite and safeguard the rights that protect us all," she wrote. (ANI)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [ndia]: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that the Congress party high command remains the ultimate authority on leadership matters, stressing that individual ambitions are secondary to the organisation. "The High Command's decision is final. What Kharge ji said is right, that the party is bigger than any individual," Siddaramaiah said on Monday. Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sought to dispel speculation about a leadership tussle in Karnataka, asserting that there is no confusion at the central leadership level and that any such perception is limited to the state unit. Amid renewed speculation about power sharing in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reiterated that he would travel to New Delhi only when called by the Congress high command, and that too along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday when asked whether he and the Chief Minister would visit Delhi to meet the party leadership. "I won't travel to Delhi secretively. I will travel with the CM when the High Command calls us. We will inform you (media) if we are travelling," DK Shivakumar said. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah had firmly rejected claims of a "two-and-a-half-year" power-sharing agreement, asserting that he continues to be the Chief Minister until the party leadership decides otherwise. "First, the people must bless us. Then the legislators elect the leader in the Legislative Party meeting, and after that, the high command decides. That is all I have said. Even now, I am the Chief Minister, and I will remain the Chief Minister until the high command decides otherwise," Siddaramaiah stated. Speculation over whether DK Shivakumar would be appointed Chief Minister by the Congress high command had persisted for a few days, before the party moved to quell the buzz after the two leaders met for breakfast at each other's residences and later addressed a joint press conference to project unity. Earlier, DK Shivakumar dismissed speculation about a reported dinner meeting. "Who said? There was no dinner meeting or anything. I had gone for dinner to my former DCC president to pay respect, as they contributed a lot to Karnataka, Belgavi. So to honour them, I went along with my friends. There is no other politics," Shivakumar said. Meanwhile, BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged that amid the tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over the top post, the interests of the state have been ignored. (ANI)
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the UP Police probing the codeine cough syrup smuggling case has submitted its report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with the findings pointing to a cross-border syndicate involving diversion of pharmaceutical consignments, hawala transactions and links to criminal networks. According to the SIT report, the alleged kingpin of the racket, Vibhor Rana, was granted a licence in 2016. The report claims that licences to the firms involved in the manufacture and distribution of the cough syrup were issued during the tenure of the previous Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav. The SIT stated that enforcement action against madrasas near the Nepal border directly affected smuggling operations, prompting Vibhor and his associates to temporarily halt cross-border trafficking. The report further notes that following intensified scrutiny by authorities, Vibhor had approached pharmaceutical company Abbott, requesting it to take back nearly one crore bottles of cough syrup. Investigators have found that large consignments linked to Vibhor''s associates, identified as Saurabh and Pappan, were also seized in western Uttar Pradesh. The report alleges that part of Vibhor''s stock was deliberately diverted by the company to Shubham Jaiswal for the purpose of smuggling. A significant cache of cough syrup was later recovered from a warehouse in Varanasi belonging to Manoj Yadav, an associate of Shubham Jaiswal. The SIT report highlights the role of a hawala network in the syndicate, stating that both the diversion of consignments and the financial transactions were routed through illegal hawala channels. The smuggling routes allegedly extended through Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand, before being channelled through Uttar Pradesh districts bordering Nepal. The investigation has also flagged the involvement of a network led by an individual identified as Chhangur Baba, who is accused of running a religious conversion racket in Nepal-bordering areas of Uttar Pradesh, and whose network was allegedly used for facilitating cough syrup smuggling, as stated in the SIT report. The SIT noted that several accused were apprehended during the course of the probe initiated after reported deaths in Madhya Pradesh linked to the consumption of illicit cough syrup. Increased vigilance along the border disrupted the trafficking routes, and in the process of attempting to offload the stock in other regions, key players of the syndicate were exposed and caught, the report added. Meanwhile, addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister Yodi Adyanath said, "No deaths have occurred in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup. Secondly, action will be taken in this case under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has won this case in court. Thirdly, in Uttar Pradesh, the biggest wholesaler, who was first apprehended by the STF, was issued a license by the Samajwadi Party in 2016." Providing details of the action taken so far, Yogi Adityanath said the government has registered 79 cases, named 225 accused, and arrested 78 people in connection with the matter. He added that raids have been carried out on 134 firms. "The government has registered 79 cases so far. 225 accused have been named in these cases. 78 accused have been arrested so far. Raids have been conducted on 134 firms," he said. The Chief Minister further alleged that links to the Samajwadi Party may emerge as the investigation progresses. "I think if you delve deeper into this matter, you''ll find that ultimately, some leader or individual associated with the Samajwadi Party is involved. The High Court has ruled that this entire case should be prosecuted under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has fought this battle and won." he stated. Issuing a strong warning to those involved, the Chief Minister said the government would ensure strict action against all accused.(ANI)
Karimganj Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, on Monday, alleged that Bangladesh's interim leader Mohammad Yunus has joined forces with the Islamic fundamentalists of Bangladesh, following ex-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's statement. Comparing Bangladesh with Pakistan, the MLA called for action on India's western neighbour as stern as the one taken against Pakistan. Infuriated by the attack on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, in the wake of the recent mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Purkayastha told ANI that Islamic fundamentalism is increasing in Bangladesh and attributed the rise to Yunus. Furthermore, he supported Sheikh Hasina's recent statement about the role of the Yunus-led government in fueling Islamic influence in the country, saying that "this is a serious statement." Purkayastha expressed his concerns about these pressing matters, urging the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take cognisance of them. The Congress MLA's remarks come after Sheikh Hasina's statement from ANI's email interview in which she raised her concerns on Islamic influence in Bangladesh, urging international intervention. She accused the Yunus-led government of "placing extremists in cabinet positions, releasing convicted terrorists from prison, and allowing groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life." "He is not a politician and has no experience governing a complex nation. My fear is that radicals are using him to project an acceptable face to the international community while they systematically radicalise our institutions from within," she said. She further called for South Asian nations to take note of the situation, urging strong measures to restore stability in the nation. "This should alarm not only India, but every nation invested in South Asian stability. The secular character of Bangladeshi politics was one of our greatest strengths, and we cannot allow it to be sacrificed at the whim of a few idiotic extremists," Hasina stated. Responding to remarks by some Bangladeshi leaders referencing the Siliguri Corridor or "Chicken's Neck," Hasina termed such statements "dangerous and irresponsible." "No serious leader would threaten a neighbour upon whom Bangladesh depends for trade, transit, and regional stability," she said. Despite these allegations, Hasina said she continued to believe in Bangladesh's constitutional foundations. "My faith is not lost in Bangladesh's institutions, however. Our constitutional tradition is strong, and when legitimate governance is restored and our judiciary regains its independence, justice will prevail," she said. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh government minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Monday described the launch of the new flight service between Indore and Rewa as both a developmental milestone and an emotional moment, as he facilitated the first-ever air journey for 40 economically weaker people from his Indore-1 Assembly constituency. Vijayvargiya added that the travellers would also visit Chitrakoot and Maihar Mata temple upon reaching Rewa and after that they would return to Indore on the next day with the same flight. Speaking on the occasion, Vijayvargiya told reporters, "A new flight from Indore to Rewa has begun with the special efforts of our Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla. It used to be a bit difficult to reach Rewa. I'm the minister incharge of Satna district and I too felt quite difficult travelling there. Now, with the operation of this flight it would be easy to travel Satna for me." "The Deputy CM wished I could visit there by flight, so I thought why should I travel alone instead I should travel with economically weak people of my assembly constituency, who have never travelled by flight. Therefore, we are traveling on this flight with 40 economically weaker people from my assembly constituency. With this, they will have an experience of flight travel as well as have darshan at Maihar Mata temple and Chirakoot. On the next day, everyone will return to Indore with the same flight," the Minister said. He further stressed, "Those who were economically weak and could never even dream of traveling by flight, today we are working to fulfill their dreams. It will also greatly benefit the business of Indore as well as Rewa." Meanwhile, sharing his experience on social media, Minister Vijayvargiya described the moment as deeply emotional, emphasising his Assembly constituency was like a family to him. He added that seeing the excitement, smiles and joy on the faces of people boarding an aircraft for the first time was one of the most fulfilling moments of his life. "My Assembly is my family, and with this feeling, today was a day filled with immense joy and satisfaction for me. With the launch of the new IndiGo flight service from Indore to Rewa, enabling 40 dedicated workers from my Indore Assembly constituency to undertake their first-ever air journey became one of the most emotional moments of my life. When the workers boarded the plane for the first time, there was a sparkle in their eyes, smiles on their faces and immense excitement in their hearts. Their happiness at that moment was beyond words, and seeing it filled my heart with deep warmth and affection," Vijayvargiya wrote in a post on X. All these companions will reach Rewa and then complete a two-day pilgrimage to Chitrakoot and Maihar and will then return to Indore, he added in the post. (ANI)
Granting relief to the senior leader from Maharashtra's Sinnar, a vacation bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stayed Kokates' conviction to the limited extent that he shall not be disqualified as an MLA.

The bench also issued notice to the Maharashtra government seeking a response on Kokates' plea challenging his conviction and sentence awarded by a Nashik court in February this year.

"Issue Notice. Meanwhile, the conviction of the petitioner shall remain stayed to the extent that there shall be no disqualification as an MLA", the Court noted.

Kokate is booked for misusing a government housing scheme that operated from 1989 and 1992 and was meant for economically weaker sections. The scheme was applicable only to those with an annual income of up to 30,000. It is alleged that Kokate and his brother Vijay submitted false affidavits understating their income to qualify for the scheme and were illegally allotted two government flats.

A sessions court in Nashik recently upheld Kokates' conviction. Subsequently, the Bombay High Court, in an appeal, also rejected Kokates' plea challenging his conviction.

The senior leader has now moved the Supreme Court against his conviction and sentence. The top court, on an initial hearing in the matter today, has granted limited relief to Kokate, protecting him from disqualification as an elected MLA. (ANI)
After hearing detailed submissions by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to all respondents, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, on the ED's appeal challenging the trial court order that declined to take cognisance of its money-laundering complaint in the National Herald case. The Court has scheduled a further hearing on March 12, 2026. Justice Ravinder Dudeja heard the matter. Appearing for the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta placed a detailed factual chronology before the Court. Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and R.S. Cheema represented the Gandhi family during the proceedings. Addressing the Court, the Solicitor General argued that the trial court erred in law by failing to appreciate that cognisance taken by a competent court on a private complaint carries a higher legal standing than a mere FIR, where cognisance may still be refused even after a chargesheet is filed. He submitted that in the present matter, cognisance of the private complaint constituting the scheduled offence had already been taken by a competent court and upheld up to the Supreme Court, placing it on a far firmer footing than a simple police FIR. Mehta further contended that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) does not prescribe the mode or manner in which a scheduled offence must be registered. What is required under the statute, he said, is the existence of an allegation of criminal activity relating to a planned offence, without mandating that it must arise from an FIR rather than a criminal complaint. Emphasising that the issue warrants examination, he stated that he was prepared to satisfy the Court and sought the issuance of notice. During the hearing, the Court asked whether cognisance had been taken of the private complaint after the complainant was examined. Responding in the affirmative, the Solicitor General informed the bench that witnesses had also been examined. He urged that the matter be finally adjudicated on the return date and requested that it be heard. However, Senior Advocate Singhvi stated that some respondents had yet to be served. In its appeal, the ED has challenged the Rouse Avenue Court's order declining to take cognisance of its prosecution complaint in the National Herald case. The agency has argued that the trial court erred in holding that proceedings under the PMLA cannot be maintained in the absence of an FIR for the scheduled offence, contending that such a requirement is not provided for in the Act's statutory framework. According to the ED, criminal proceedings can be initiated either through a police case or a private complaint. Once a competent court has taken cognisance of the scheduled offence, and the higher courts have upheld the order, the origin of the offence becomes immaterial. The agency has further submitted that cognisance taken on a private complaint reflects judicial application of mind at the threshold stage and therefore stands on a higher footing than a mere FIR. The appeal arises from the trial court's refusal to take cognisance of the ED's complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd and others. While the trial court clarified that it was not examining the merits of the allegations and permitted further investigation following a subsequent FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Delhi, it held the prosecution complaint, as filed, to be legally unsustainable. (ANI)
The Bihar Governor has condemned the the mob lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh amid widespread violent protests all over the country. Arif Mohammad Khan, on Monday, condemned all forms of oppression, calling for an "end to it." Speaking to ANI, the Governor said, "Oppression is oppression, no matter who it is inflicted upon. It is reprehensible and cannot be accepted in any way... The world must raise its voice against this oppression and put an end to it..." Underscoring the United Nations' Charter of Human Rights, Khan said that every individual deserves to be treated as a human being, and any act against them should be called out. His remarks come as Hindu religious organisations and minority rights groups staged a demonstration in Dhaka earlier on Monday to condemn the lynching and killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a young Hindu man in Mymensingh, alleging growing religious extremism, attacks on minorities and administrative inaction. The demonstration was held at the National Press Club premises, where several organisations that have long campaigned against attacks on minority communities gathered, linking the killing of Dipu Das to what they described as a broader pattern of violence and impunity across the country. Explaining the reason for the protest, one of the demonstrators said, "Although we have been protesting for a long time, today's gathering has a specific context. Today, a completely innocent person from a religious minority community was brutally murdered by religious fanatics." Referring to the victim, the protestor said, "Dipu Chandra Das worked in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. He was recently promoted because of his hard work and dedication." Anger was also directed at what the protestors described as silence from authorities and political actors. "The brutal murder of Dipu Das was not properly covered by the media, nor did any political party raise its voice against it. Even the chief advisor has not issued any statement on this yet," a protestor said. "This shows his inhumanity as a chief advisor and how his actions are leading the country to ruin. We demand his immediate removal from his position," the protestor added. (ANI)
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh was also present on the occasion.

https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/2003035569182659070?s=20

In a post on X, Bihar Deputy CM Choudhary said, "Following the resounding mandate of the NDA in Bihar, today in New Delhi, a courtesy meeting took place with the world's most popular leader, the Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, alongside Bihar's popular Chief Minister Shri @NitishKumar ji. Under the guidance and leadership of the esteemed Modi ji, the country and Bihar are continuously progressing. During this time, valuable guidance was also received on the goals of a developed Bihar."

In November, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar took the oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The NDA registered a historic landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, winning 202 of the 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan managed to secure only 35 seats.

The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats.

In the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 89 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 85, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJPRV) won 19, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAMS) won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four seats. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya on Monday rejected Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's criticism of the VB-G RAM-G law, asserting that the legislation is not a "demolition" but an "overdue repair" on employment guarantees. Responding on social media platform X, Malviya said Sonia Gandhi's recent article in an English daily reflected political speculation rather than a factual or legal assessment. He claimed her arguments were based on misrepresentations and selective interpretation, suggesting that she had not examined the provisions of the new Act. "Sonia Gandhi's recent article on MGNREGA reads less like a serious engagement with law or data and more like a flight of political fancy. It is evident that she has not read the VB-G RAM G Act, because her arguments rest on mischaracterisations, selective memory, and outright falsehoods," Malviya wrote on 'X'. Malviya disputed Gandhi's claim that the demand-driven nature of employment has been undermined under the new law, stating that the legal right to employment remains intact. According to him, the only change is in the budgeting mechanism, which has shifted from an open-ended approach to a norm-based framework similar to those used in other government schemes. He further said that the employment guarantee has been strengthened, with the maximum number of workdays increased from 100 to 125. He added that during FY 2024-25, planned allocations closely matched actual demand, indicating effective fiscal planning. "Sonia Gandhi next claims that demand-based employment is being dismantled, thereby destroying the employment guarantee itself. The facts say otherwise. The legal right to employment remains untouched. What has changed is the budgeting framework--from an open-ended, reactive model to a norm-based system, which is how virtually all government schemes function," he said. "Far from weakening the guarantee, employment has been strengthened from 100 days to 125 days. In FY 2024-25, planned allocations closely tracked actual demand, demonstrating that disciplined planning works," the BJP leader said. Addressing concerns that changes to the MGNREGA framework would negatively impact the poorest sections, Malviya termed such claims misleading. He pointed to a sharp decline in rural poverty and a significant rise in MSME credit since 2014, arguing that these trends have expanded self-employment and non-farm livelihood opportunities. The claim that the poorest will be abandoned if the old framework changes is equally misleading. Rural poverty has fallen sharply--from 25.7% to 4.86%. MSME credit has tripled since 2014, enabling self-employment and non-farm livelihoods. Public policy cannot be frozen in the conditions of 2005 when India has demonstrably moved forward," he said. On funding patterns, Malviya rejected the opposition's assertion that the Centre is shifting the financial burden to states by moving from a 90:10 to a 60:40 funding ratio. He said MGNREGA was never fully funded at a 90% central share in practice, noting that states already bore substantial costs, including material expenses, administrative overheads, and unemployment allowances. He added that the new model formalises these arrangements, making states active partners rather than passive implementers. "Another repeated allegation is that the Centre is shifting the financial burden to states, moving from a supposed 90:10 model to 60:40. This, too, is false. MGNREGA was never funded at 90% by the Centre in practice. States already bore 25% of material costs, major administrative expenses, and 100% of unemployment allowance--often without predictability or transparency. The new model simply formalises and rationalises funding, making states equal partners rather than passive implementers of top-down mandates," he said. Malviya described the VB-G RAM-G Bill as a long-overdue reform aimed at modernising social protection mechanisms. He said the legislation seeks to replace symbolic guarantees with a more effective, responsive framework suited to India's evolving economic conditions. "The bottom line is clear. This is not demolition--it is overdue repair The real choice is not between compassion and reform, but between paper guarantees that under-deliver and a modern framework that actually works. VB-G RAM G is not a retreat from social protection; it is its renewal and expansion for a changing India," Malviya wrote on 'X'. (ANI) Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in a recent op-ed in a leading English daily, launched a sharp attack on the Central government, accusing it of dismantling the rights-based legislative framework through its proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other key laws. In the article titled 'The Bulldozed Demolition of MGNREGA', Sonia Gandhi argued that the weakening of the rural employment scheme represents a collective moral failure, with long-term financial and human consequences for crores of working people across the country. She wrote that MGNREGA was not merely a welfare initiative but a rights-based programme that provided livelihood security and dignity to rural households. According to her, the erosion of the scheme is "collective moral failure". (ANI)
According to the Ministry of Defence, the systems are: SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System, used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars; and CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.

The agreement was signed by CMD, IOL Tushar Tripathi and Head of the Defence Global Business Unit for Safran Electronics & Defense, Alexandre Ziegler, in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar in New Delhi on December 22, 2025.

Building on the MoU signed in January 2024, this new agreement confirms the commitment of both partners to manufacture and support these advanced systems in India.

Under the partnership, IOL will be responsible for manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and full life-cycle support, ensuring the systems meet the operational needs of the Indian Army.

According to the release, by combining IOL's industrial capabilities in India with Safran Electronics & Defense's recognised expertise in high-end inertial navigation and fire-control technologies, the partnership contributes to strengthening India's defence manufacturing ecosystem while enhancing the readiness and performance of its land forces. (ANI)
The International Working President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Alok Kumar, on Monday condemned the violence against minorities in Bangladesh, and said that Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government, is challenging India's sovereignty. Saying that a "proper reply needs to be given" to such a challenge to India's sovereignty, secularism and the principle of religious harmony, the VHP is going to hold nationwide protests across every district on December 23 and 24. "As the head of a nation, he (Muhammad Yunus) is challenging India's sovereignty. A proper answer must be given to this. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad will hold protests in every district across the country tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," the VHP leader told ANI. Speaking on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a young Hindu man in Mymensingh, Kumar quoted other reports which said that the man had only said all religions are equal, and whether such a statement is blasphemous. "I saw some reports which stated that Dipu had only said that all religions are equal. If this is considered blasphemy, then it is a challenge to India's secularism and the principle of religious harmony. Later, a statement clarified that Dipu had not made any blasphemous statement. If that is the case, then why was he murdered? Bangladesh will have to answer this," he said. On the murder of political leader Sharif Osman Hadi, the VHP working president asked whether Chief Advisor Yunus agrees with him, showing a map of Greater Bangladesh, which also includes Northeast India, since he went to the leader's funeral. "Hadi (student activist Sharif Osman Hadi) was murdered, and Muhammad Yunus attended his funeral. Before his death, Hadi had shown a map of Greater Bangladesh, which included the entire Northeast India, West Bengal, and parts of Bihar. Is Muhammad Yunus supporting this? As the head of a nation, he is challenging India's sovereignty. A proper answer must be given to this." Sharif Osman Hadi was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area. On December 15, he was airlifted to Singapore by air ambulance for advanced treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries on December 18. Following his death, protests broke out in Dhaka, as the activists called for justice for their slain leader. On the death of Dipu Charan Das, Hindu religious organisations and minority rights groups staged a demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday, alleging growing religious extremism, attacks on minorities and administrative inaction. As an uneasy calm prevails over Dhaka after days of violent protests last week, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, also weighed in, sharply criticising the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in the wake of violence that followed Hadi's killing and warning that continued instability was damaging Bangladesh's relations with neighbouring countries. In an email interview with ANI, Hasina alleged that "lawlessness" that uprooted her government has multiplied under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Hasina also raised concerns over the growing influence of radical Islamist forces in Bangladesh, alleging administrative complicity under the interim government. (ANI)
Minister of Water Resources and other departments, Government of Assam, Pijush Hazarika, today attended a series of foundation stone-laying ceremonies in Cachar district, marking significant progress in flood and erosion control, water security, and policing infrastructure in the region. According to a press release, at Lakhipur, the Minister laid the foundation stone of the scheme titled "Anti-erosion measures to protect Lakhipur (Binnakandi Pt-II) area from the erosion of River Barak on its left bank", in the presence of Minister Kaushik Rai. The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 400 lakh and will involve the use of A-type geo bags, porcupines, and geosynthetic fabric sheets to protect a large stretch of the Lakhipur Legislative Assembly Constituency from recurring river erosion. Speaking on the occasion, Hazarika said that the present government has adopted a systematic, scientific, and mission-mode approach to flood and erosion management. He stated that nearly 1,000 km of embankments have been constructed in the last four and a half years, compared to about 4,500 km built over more than seven decades after Independence. He further noted that annual embankment breaches, which earlier ranged from 40-60 and sometimes exceeded 100, have been reduced to just 2-5 breaches during the last four years, reflecting the effectiveness of the government's focused efforts. The Minister reaffirmed that the Government of Assam remains firmly committed to minimising the impact of floods and erosion, while ensuring long-term protection of lives, land, and livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable riverine areas. During the day, Hazarika also laid the foundation stones of Kachudaram Police Station and Sonai Police Station under Cachar district, in the presence of Minister Kaushik Rai, MP Parimal Suklabaidya, and MLAs Nihar Ranjan Das and Karim Uddin Borbhuyan. The police stations are being newly constructed under the MOITRI (Mission for Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image) scheme, aimed at strengthening policing infrastructure and improving public service delivery. In addition, the Minister laid the foundation stone of a Water Resources Department project titled "Anti-erosion measures to protect the urban water supply intake plant under AMRUT at Uttarkrishnapur Pt-II", with an estimated cost of Rs 2.20 crore, which will play a vital role in safeguarding urban drinking water infrastructure. Hazarika stated that "under the dynamic leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam continues to move decisively towards resilient infrastructure, public safety, and sustainable development." (ANI)
The district court on Monday sentenced lifetime imprisonment to all five convicts of the 2016 Bulandshahr NH19 gangrape case. Additional District Government Counsel Varun Kaushik said that the court has sent a message that such criminals should be kept away from society. He mentioned that in 2016, a rape and robbery incident took place on the Dostpur highway. "All five convicts have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the court today, and the court has also sent a message that such criminals should be kept away from society... In 2016, a rape and robbery incident took place on the Dostpur highway," Kaushik told ANI. The ADGC stressed that the convicts commited a heinous crime and the most crucial evidence in this case was that the DNA of one of the criminals was found on the victim's mother's clothes. A charge sheet was filed against six criminals, one of whom died in jail during the trial in 2019. "In 2016, a rape and robbery incident took place on the Dostpur highway... The perpetrators committed the heinous act of gang-raping the mother and daughter. The most crucial evidence in this case was that the DNA of one of the criminals was found on the victim's mother's clothes. A charge sheet was filed against six criminals, one of whom died in jail during the trial in 2019," he said. The Special Judge POCSO Case, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday held all five accused, namely, Juber @ Sunil @ Parwej; Sajid; Dharamvir @ Jitender; Naresh @ Sandip Baheliya and Sunil Kumar @ Sagar guilty in the Bulandshahr Gang Rape Case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the instant case in compliance with the Order dated 12.08.2016 of the Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, whereby the investigation of FIR No. 838 of 2016 of Police Station Kotwali Dehat, District Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, was transferred to CBI, the probe agency said in a statement. The case pertains to a heinous incident involving rape, dacoity, wrongful confinement and penetrative sexual assault on a child. As per allegations, a group of 5-6 armed assailants forcibly took a family of six at gunpoint, looted cash and jewellery and subsequently held them captive in adjoining fields. During captivity, the two victims were raped and subjected to sexual assault by the accused persons, CBI said. After completion of the investigation, CBI filed a charge-sheet on 05.11.2016 against three accused persons before the Court of the Addl. District & Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (POCSO Cases), Bulandshahr.Subsequently, a supplementary charge-sheet was filed on 18.04.2018 against three additional accused persons. During the pendency of the trial, one of the accused expired in judicial custody, the statement added. After the conclusion of the trial, the Court found the accused persons guilty and will pronounce the sentence on 22.12.2025, CBI said. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue court on Monday reserved an order on the application moved by the accused Christian Michel James. He has sought a direction to modify the bail conditions in the AgustaWestland chopper CBI case. James, a British National, is an accused in the CBI case concerning the AgustaWestland VIP Chopper deal. He has been in custody since December 4, 2018, after his arrest by the CBI on his extradition from Dubai. Special Judge (CBI) Sanjay Jindal reserved the order after hearing the submissions of counsel for the accused and Special Public Prosecutor D P Singh, assisted by Advocate Manu Mishra. The court is to pronounce an order on December 23. On Saturday, the court had ordered the release of Christian Michel James in the money laundering case linked with the AgustaWestland chopper case. It is mentioned on behalf of Christian Michel James that he has served the maximum sentence of 7 years for the offences alleged against him and for which he was extradited. On the other hand, it is the arguements of the CBI that James has also been charged sheeted for the offence of forgery under section 467 of the IPC. The maximum sentence in this section is upto life imprisonment. Advocate Aljo K Joseph appeared for James and submitted that, as per the extradition rules, a person cannot be charged for an offence for which his extradition is sought. It was also argued that the offence under Section 467 of the IPC was not mentioned in the extradition request. The Central authority to send an extradition request is the Ministry of Home Affairs. In this case, the request was sent by the Ministry of External Affairs. This fact was not mentioned by the Prosecution to the court. Counsel for the accused also argued that the question of life and liberty is also at stake. The accused is in custody for a prolonged period without a trial, even without being framed with charges. On the other hand, the SPP D P Singh and Manu Mishra contended that all the submissions raised by the counsel for the accused were answered upto the Supreme Court. The offence under section 467 IPC can be dealt with at the stage of framing of charges. The CBI also submitted that the accused is in custody of his own will as he has not furnished a bail bond despite the grant of bail. After hearing the submissions, the court reserved the order on the application. The court also asked the investigation officer to file on record the communication made to the FRRO. The counsel for the accused had raised a submission that if the Accused is released from custody, he can be arrested again, as he has no valid visa or other documents. It is a case linked to the Rs. 3600-crore VVIP helicopter deal. It is alleged that in order to enable the supplier to get the bid, the condition of flying height was reduced. It is alleged that a kickback of Rs 200 crore was paid. The CBI registered an FIR in 2013. (ANI)
Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Jully on Monday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government is "trying to loot the wealth of the state," by reclassifying the definition of the Aravalli hills. Earlier, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav had dismissed such claims, saying that less than 1 per cent of the Aravalli range will be open for mining, and that too will be allowed only after the government forms a Mining Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire region. "90 per cent of Aravalli hills in Rajasthan are less than 100 meters in height. Please inform and tell us which hill will come under this scope and which one will not. You should also put out an advertisement specifying which hills will fall under this category and which ones will not," the Congress leader told ANI. "You want to loot the wealth of Rajasthan, and we will not let that happen. We will launch a public movement against this," he added. However, the central government has denied such claims, and assured that a majority of the hills will remain protected. Out of 277.89 sq km, about 0.19 per cent, of the total Aravalli landscape is open to mining, and no new mining leases will be granted until a detailed scientific study is completed, according to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Addressing a press conference to allay concerns over the revised definition, Yadav said the Modi government remains firmly committed to the Green Aravalli mission and that fears of large-scale ecological dilution are misplaced. "This definition related to the Aravalli hills is applicable only for mining purposes. It will be used solely in the context of mining. Mining is permitted only in 277.89 sq km out of the total 1,43,577 sq km of the Aravalli area," Yadav said. The Environment Minister, however, declined to comment on any timeline for the report being prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), which is mandatory before any fresh mining lease can be considered. "The matter is in court. I cannot comment on the timeline as of now," he added. Yadav's remarks come amid sharp political criticism following the Supreme Court's acceptance of the Centre's definition of the Aravalli hills and its approval of recommendations for sustainable mining. The opposition has alleged that the move would benefit mining interests, an allegation the minister categorically rejected. Yadav said mining activity in the Aravalli range would be allowed only in a very limited area, stressing that the mountain range continues to enjoy robust ecological protection. He also said that the apex court had appreciated the government's Green Aravalli movement. The Union Environment Ministry has also issued a detailed clarification, stating that no new mining leases will be allowed until a comprehensive study is undertaken, in line with the Supreme Court's November 20 order. The Supreme Court has directed the Environment Ministry to prepare a Mining Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli range before granting any new leases. With the definition now operational, the court has ordered that no fresh mining leases be issued until the MPSM is finalised, a move officials say acts as a preventive shield against immediate ecological damage. The approach, the government says, ensures landscape-level conservation by treating the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge, preventing fragmentation, protecting groundwater recharge zones, checking desertification from the Thar, conserving biodiversity habitats, and safeguarding the Delhi-NCR region's critical green lungs. (ANI)
BJP leader V Muraleedharan on Monday accused the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala of attempting to deflect responsibility for the Palakkad mob lynching incident by blaming the BJP and the RSS, after the conclusion of state local body elections. Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan said, "The ruling Communist Party of Kerala is trying to put the blame for the mob lynching in Palakkad on the BJP and RSS. Kerala is a state ruled by the CPM. The incident happened at a place where CPM has an absolute majority." He pointed out that out of 21 seats in the local body concerned, the CPM holds 14, while the BJP has only one elected member. Refferring to the incident, Muraleedharan said around 15 to 20 people gathered at the spot, during which a migrant labourer was killed. "Many CPM workers are involved in that, and the FIR will bring the details of that," he alleged, adding that a former gram panchayat member belonging to the Congress was also involved. The BJP leader demanded a fair investigation into the incident, calling for the state to book the responsible individuals and let the people decide who is to blame for the incident. Meanwhile, ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected local body representatives across Kerala, Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday said the party's performance in the local body elections marks the beginning of a new political chapter in the state. Speaking at the Municipal Corporation office in Thiruvananthapuram, Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed happiness over the developments and termed the occasion a long-awaited moment for the party in Kerala. He said the support from the public reflects a growing acceptance of the BJP's development-oriented politics. "We are all very happy. What we have been unable to do for so many years, we are able to do today. The people of Thiruvananthapuram have supported for 45 years, and hopefully today is the beginning of a new sunrise," Chandrasekhar said. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said Vande Mataram is not merely a song but the soul of India's freedom struggle, adding that the national song of the country became the first and biggest victim of Congress' appeasement politics. Participating in a discussion marking 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' in the State Legislative Assembly during the winter session, CM Yogi said, "Vande Mataram became the first and biggest victim of Congress's politics of appeasement. Was limiting Vande Mataram to two stanzas the result of a religious compulsion or a planned conspiracy against national consciousness?" The UP Chief Minister claimed that Muhammad Ali Jinnah objected to Vande Mataram and that the Congress in 1937 decided to remove parts of the song to appease the founder of Pakistan, as a "gesture of goodwill". "As long as Jinnah was in the Congress, Vande Mataram was not a decisive point of contention. The moment he left the Congress, Jinnah made it a tool of the Muslim League and deliberately gave the song a communal colour. The song remained the same, but the agenda changed. On October 15, 1937, in Lucknow, Mohammad Ali Jinnah raised his voice against Vande Mataram, and at that time, Pandit Nehru was the Congress president. On October 20, 1937, Nehru wrote a letter to Subhas Chandra Bose and said that the background was making Muslims uncomfortable," CM said. "On October 26, 1937, the Congress decided to remove parts of the song. This was called a gesture of goodwill, while in reality, it was the first official instance of appeasement. The 'desh-bhakts' protested against it. Jinnah raised demands to change the song. At the time, Congress remained silent on this, which, as a result, emboldened the Muslim League. This laid the foundation of India's partition," he added. The 150th anniversary of India's National Song, Vande Mataram, was observed on November 7 this year. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, 'Vande Mataram' was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875. Later, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee incorporated the hymn into his immortal novel 'Anandamath', published in 1882. It was set to music by Rabindranath Tagore. It has become an integral part of the nation's civilisational, political and cultural consciousness. (ANI)
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Incharge for Goa, Manikrao Thakare, on Monday, expressed joy after his party registered significant electoral gains in the Zilla Panchayat elections here. Manikrao Thakare said, "With Congress securing key seats across the state, we have built on our momentum from recent elections and demonstrated that the tide is turning. In the 2020 ZP elections, Congress won just 4 seats, but this year we have increased our tally to 9 seats amid ongoing counting, showcasing our growing support base, particularly in South Goa. This improvement follows our resounding victory in the South Goa Lok Sabha seat in 2024, where the people of Goa sent a clear message against the BJP's mismanagement, corruption, and neglect of local issues like unemployment, environmental degradation, and rising costs of living," he said. He said that this Zila Panchayat election success is just the beginning. "The voters of Goa are fed up with the BJP's empty promises and divisive politics. From crumbling infrastructure to failed economic policies, the current government has let down every Goan. Our gains in these rural body polls reflect the grassroots resurgence of Congress, powered by dedicated leaders and a vision for inclusive development, sustainable tourism, and empowerment of panchayats," he said. "Looking ahead, we are confident that this momentum will propel us to a decisive win in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. The people are ready for change, and Congress is prepared to deliver a government that truly works for all - restoring Goa's glory as a beacon of harmony, prosperity, and progress," he further said. He extended his gratitude to the voters. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to the voters, PCC President Amit Patkar, LOP Yuri Alemao, MP, MLA's and party workers, who made this possible. Together, we will reclaim Goa!," he further stated. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) workers for securing huge wins in the zilla panchayat polls and beating their previous record of 20 seats in the 2022 assembly polls. As of 7 PM, in the 50-member Zilla panchayat body, Bharatiya Janata Party, in alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, has won in 30 seats, while Congress won 9, and Goa Forward Party, Aam Aadmi Party, and the Revolutionary Goans Party have won 1 seat each. (ANI)
Visuals from the spot showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulfed a large portion of the warehouse.

Fire tenders rushed to the site soon after the incident was reported, and firefighting operations are currently underway to bring the blaze under control.

"Six godowns have been engulfed in flames. It has been one and a half hours since the firefighting operations began," said Fire Officer Jaydeep.

Multiple fire engines have been deployed, and efforts are being made to prevent the fire from spreading further. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. No casualties have been reported so far.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
An assistant professor in the Department of Trauma and Emergency Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal, Dr Babu Lal, has been conferred the prestigious Young Scientist Award 2025 in the Health Sciences category for his pioneering research aimed at promoting organ donation. According to an official release, the award was presented during the National Biomedical Research Competition (NBRCOM 2025) held at AIIMS Jodhpur. Dr Lal received the honour for developing an innovative technique that addresses a major concern among families of deceased organ donors regarding physical disfigurement following tissue and organ retrieval. At present, there is no standard system to restore the natural appearance of the body after organ donation procedures. To resolve this issue, Dr Babu Lal developed an innovative solution using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing technology. He designed anatomically analogous prostheses that closely resemble the natural form of human bone and eye structures. These prostheses can be implanted in the body after tissue retrieval, helping to restore the body's natural appearance. This technology is the first of its kind in the world, and Dr Babu Lal has also been granted a patent for it, marking a significant breakthrough in the field of medical research and organ donation. The Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Prof (Dr) Madhwanand Kar, extended greetings to Dr Babu Lal on this remarkable achievement and praised the innovation. He further described it as a significant contribution to the field of health research and technology. (ANI)
Ahead of the BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin's visit to Bihar, state BJP President Sanjay Saraogi on Monday expressed warm greetings and said Nabin's visit to the state marks a "golden day" in the history of Bihar's BJP, adding that "there is a lot of enthusiasm among the people of Bihar." Speaking to reporters, Saraogi said, "23rd December is the golden day in the history of Bihar's BJP. Nitin Nabin is coming here for the first time after taking up the responsibility. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people of Bihar. He will have a 5 km long road show. Thousands of hoardings and banners have been made. He will go to the Raj Bhavan at 4 pm and meet the governor." Expressing enthusiasm, Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal, who arrived at Miller High School Ground to inspect the preparations, said, "There is enthusiasm among the workers. Our National Working President is also the esteemed MLA from Patna's Bankipur. Tomorrow, the workers will welcome him. For Bihar, there cannot be a greater fortune than this--that a son of this Bihar soil has become the Working President of the world's largest political party." BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin is set to visit Bihar on December 23, where he will participate in various party programs and interact with workers and elected representatives. This marks his first visit to the state after being elected as the party's National Working President. Nabin is the youngest working president ever elected in the party, at 45 years old. He also serves as the Minister of Road Construction in the Bihar Cabinet. According to a statement from the party, on the first day of his visit, Nabin will visit the famous Hanuman Temple at Rajbanshi Nagar, Patna at 1:05 pm for darshan and puja. He will then pay floral tribute to Bharat Ratna Baba Sahab Bhimrao Ambedkar's statue at Bailey Road at 1:50 pm, followed by paying floral tribute to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan's statue at Income Tax Roundabout at 2:00 pm. At 2:15 pm, a welcome and felicitation ceremony will be held in his honour at Miller High School, Veerchand Patel Marg, where he will address the gathering. In the evening, he will call on Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan at 4:00 pm, and hold a crucial meeting with BJP MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and state party officials at the Atal Auditorium, Party Office at 7:30 pm. The BJP appointed Nitin Nabin as the National Working President on December 14, marking a significant generational shift in the party's leadership. According to BJP sources, his selection is closely linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The BJP leadership aims to ensure that, by 2047, when India becomes a developed nation, the party has a mature, experienced leadership in place. With this objective, the party has begun grooming young leaders well in advance. The source further added, "The party is also promoting several young leaders at the state level. In Chhattisgarh, Vijay Sharma has been appointed Deputy Chief Minister, while in Gujarat, Harsh Sanghavi has been elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister." This move is seen as a strategic decision to strengthen the party's organisational structure and recognise talent from various states. Nabin, a 45-year-old Bihar minister and five-term MLA, brings rich experience in governance and party organisation to the role. (ANI)
Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, termed the Ukrainian delegation's meetings with American and European counterparts, in the backdrop of discussions on a peace deal in Miami, "productive and constructive." In a statement issued on X, Umerov stated that a separate meeting over further development of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan, aligning positions on a multilateral security guarantee framework, and aligning positions on a US Security guarantee framework for Ukraine. Rustam Umerov wrote, "Over the last three days in Florida, the Ukrainian delegation held a series of productive and constructive meetings with American and European partners. The Ukrainian delegation included Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Andriy Hnatov." "The American delegation included Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as White House staff member Josh Gruenbaum. Key European National Security Advisors also joined the discussions to align on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe," the statement added. "A separate constructive meeting was also held in a US-Ukraine format, during which four key documents were focused on: further development of a 20-point plan, aligning positions on a Multilateral security guarantee framework, aligning positions on a US Security guarantee framework for Ukraine, and further development on an economic and prosperity plan," the statement said. https://x.com/rustem_umerov/status/2002826563906097589 Ukraine stated it discussed timelines and the next steps for peace. Umerov stated, "Particular attention was given to discussing timelines and the sequencing of next steps. Ukraine remains fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace. Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity. "Peace must be not only a cessation of hostilities, but also a dignified foundation for a stable future. Ukraine highly values the leadership and support of the United States and the continued close coordination with its partners in the next stages of this important work," the statement read. Earlier, special envoy of the Russian President and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, stated that the discussions on a settlement for a peace deal in Ukraine were being held constructively, TASS reported. The negotiations were held between Russia and the United States as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Washington to increase pressure on Moscow. The meeting included Dmitriev, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as reported by TASS. Speaking to reporters following the meeting on Saturday, Dmitriev said, "Discussions are being held constructively," as quoted by TASS." Trump's envoys have been negotiating a 20-point peace plan with Ukrainian, Russian, and European officials over the past few weeks. Russia, meanwhile, has shown little willingness to compromise on its territorial ambitions in Ukraine, believing it can consolidate its position as the war continues and divisions emerge among Ukraine's European allies, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Interview: Africa can draw lessons from China's development model, says Senegalese economist

Xinhua) 09:45, December 22, 2025

DAKAR, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Africa can draw lessons from China's development model, particularly in technology, education, and long-term planning, a Senegalese economist said on Sunday.

In an interview with Xinhua, Cherif Salif Sy, director of the Third World Forum and former technical adviser to the President of Senegal on economic affairs, shared his insights from a recent visit to China.

Sy said his visit to Shanghai left a strong impression on him. "The futuristic skyline reflects a spectacular leap achieved in just a few decades," he said, referring to landmarks such as the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower.

He highlighted the Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, a hub bringing together start-ups, large technology companies, and research laboratories in fields, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and semiconductors.

"I observed young, highly motivated engineers working in modern and collaborative spaces," he said.

Sy also observed China's attention to human and environmental dimensions.

"Beyond technological progress, there is also attention to green spaces and well-being initiatives," he said, which, in his view, reflects a search for harmony.

Sy believes these lessons are relevant for Africa, a continent rich in natural resources with a predominantly young population, yet still facing structural challenges.

Focusing on Africa's youth, he emphasized promoting perseverance and merit while considering social and community values.

"Effort can be transformed into collective progress," he said, citing the emergence of technology hubs in African countries, including Kenya, as encouraging examples.

The economist also emphasized the need for greater investment in education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"China trains large numbers of engineers," Sy said, adding that cooperation with international partners should place a stronger emphasis on skills transfer to support local talent development in Africa.

On infrastructure and industrialization, he noted that China's technology clusters are the result of long-term planning.

"Industrial development is based on planning and sustained investment," he said, adding that African countries could benefit from similar approaches, adapted to their own realities.

Sy also highlighted the importance of reconciling modernization with cultural roots.

"China integrates tradition with technology," he said. "Africa, drawing on concepts such as Ubuntu, can also pursue development while preserving social cohesion and respect for nature."

"The objective is not to copy, but to be inspired," Sy said, expressing optimism about Africa's potential to achieve sustainable development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
At least 11 Afghan nationals were killed and nine others injured after a pick-up vehicle collided with an oil tanker near the Nokundi area of Chagai district in Pakistan's Balochistan province, Dawn reported. According to officials, the Afghan nationals were travelling in a pick-up while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe via Iran with the assistance of an organised human smuggling network. The vehicle, identified as an Iran-made Zamyad pick-up, was carrying 21 Afghan nationals who had crossed into Pakistan through a route commonly used by smugglers. Police said the accident occurred late at night when the pick-up reached a remote Katcha area around 35 kilometres from Nokundi and collided head-on with an oil tanker travelling in the opposite direction. Eleven passengers died on the spot, while nine others sustained injuries. Local residents and rescue teams rushed to the scene after being alerted in the early hours and recovered bodies from the wreckage. The injured and deceased were shifted to a nearby medical facility, Dawn reported. "We received 11 bodies and nine injured in the district hospital of Nokundi," Medical Officer Dr Nadir Khan of Nokundi hospital confirmed, adding that the injured were provided treatment in the hospital. He further said the condition of all the injured was now stable. Police officials said that all those killed and injured in the accident, except the driver, were Afghan nationals. After completing legal formalities and initial medical procedures, the injured and the bodies of the deceased were sent to Afghanistan through the Afghan border authorities. Superintendent of Police of Chagai Mohammad Sharif confirmed the deaths and said the driver of the pick-up, identified as Khudanazar, son of Abdullah, was a resident of Taftan and died on the spot. "After necessary legal procedures, the body of the driver has been sent to Taftan, while the remaining deceased and injured, all Afghan nationals, have been repatriated to Afghanistan," he said. Sharif added that investigations into the cause of the accident are underway, with preliminary findings indicating that speeding may have led to the collision. Police are examining all aspects to determine responsibility, Dawn reported. The accident has once again drawn attention to the dangers of high-speed travel and heavy vehicular movement on highways in the border areas of Chagai, where fatal accidents have been reported with increasing frequency. Meanwhile, two other people were killed in separate road accidents in Bolan and Sibi. Police said that in the Bolan Pass area, a truck struck a motorbike, killing both riders on the spot. Their bodies were later shifted to a nearby health facility. (ANI)
The Chinese Embassy in India will officially launch the China Online Visa Application System, a move aimed at simplifying and streamlining the visa application process for Indian travellers, from Monday. The announcement was shared by the Chinese Ambassador to India earlier in a post confirming that, from December 22, 2025, applicants can complete visa application forms and upload required documents online. The new system allows users to access the service through the official website, visaforchina.cn/DEL3_EN/qianzh, offering greater convenience and efficiency. With the launch of the online platform, applicants are expected to save time during the initial stages of visa processing, as much of the documentation can now be submitted digitally. The Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in New Delhi will continue to assist applicants alongside the online system. The centre operates from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. It is located on the Concourse Floor of Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Applicants can also reach the centre by phone at +91-9999036735. The information was shared by the envoy on his post on X, too. According to an important notice issued by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in New Delhi, applicants must now visit the official website of the centre to create or sign in to their accounts. After logging in, applicants are required to fill out the visa application form online and upload all necessary supporting documents through the portal. The notice clearly states that applicants should carefully follow the step-by-step instructions provided on the website. Crucially, before submitting their physical passport and other required documents at the Visa Application Centre, applicants must ensure their application status shows "online review completed" and that they have received a confirmation email. The introduction of the online visa application system is seen as a step toward enhancing people-to-people exchanges and facilitating travel between India and China. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that the visa regime for tourism and business purposes for Chinese nationals is now "fully functional, "marking the end of a five-year suspension imposed after the 2020 border clashes. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the weekly media briefing, said, "Visas for tourists are being given to Chinese nationals and business visas were being given earlier. So you know, all those visas are now in place. The visa regime of tourism and business, etc, is fully functional. "India officially resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals worldwide in November 2025, expanding on a limited reopening that began in July 2025. Business visas were already being issued prior to this recent announcement, and that process remains in place. The resumption of visas is part of a series of "people-centric" confidence-building measures agreed upon by both sides in 2025, which also included the resumption of direct commercial flights in October 2025 and the revival of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrimage. This decision is expected to boost tourism and trade and enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two most populous countries in the world.
US President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, signalling renewed attention to the strategically significant Arctic territory. Announcing the decision in a social media post, Trump said the Louisiana Republican "understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World." https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115760829286615399 The appointment comes against the backdrop of Trump's long-standing interest in Greenland, which he first publicly expressed during his first term when he floated the idea of purchasing the island from Denmark. Greenland, located between Europe and the United States, has long been viewed as strategically important for US security, particularly in relation to deterring a potential attack from Russia, and is also rich in rare earth minerals. During his second term, Trump has again raised the prospect of expanding US control over the territory. In May, he said, "I don't rule it out." Emphasising Greenland's strategic value, he added, "We need Greenland very badly." Referring to the island's population, Trump said, "Greenland has a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of, and we'll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security." Earlier, in January, Trump did not rule out the use of military or economic force to take control of Greenland, reinforcing the administration's focus on the Arctic region. The United States already maintains a military presence on the island, with the US Space Force operating a base on Greenland's northwest coast. Vice President Vance visited the base in March, during which he indicated that Washington was unlikely to pursue a military takeover. Outlining the administration's position at the time, Vance said, "What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then we're going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there." Trump's remarks, along with Vance's visit, have drawn criticism in both Greenland and Denmark. Greenland's leadership has rejected the notion of the island being transferred or sold. In April, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the island "will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought." Historically, Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony until 1953, after which the island gained expanded powers of self-governance. In 2009, Greenland acquired further authority over minerals, policing and courts of law, while Denmark retained control over security, defence, foreign affairs and monetary policy. Greenland also benefits from Denmark's membership in the European Union and NATO. (ANI)
Former Indian diplomat Mahesh Sachdev has backed former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, saying that recent developments in Bangladesh support her claim that law and order has deteriorated under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Speaking to ANI, Sachdev said facts on the ground justify Hasina's criticism of the Yunus administration, particularly over the handling of violence following the killing of Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi. "I think facts speak in support of what Sheikh Hasina has said. Bangladesh's home authorities have admitted that they don't know where the alleged killer of Hadi is hiding. Earlier they had claimed without any evidence that he has fled to India," Sachdev said. "Now they say that they don't know where he is. So, that allegation which spurred a wave of anti-India sentiments, is not corroborated. And Sheikh Hasina has done the right thing to say that in public," he added. Sachdev also criticised repeated statements by Bangladesh's current political figures, which he said had contributed to tensions with India. "Bangladesh under the current dispensation has often made either through the leadership or through the so-called political leaders. The windbags and hotheads have claimed a greater Bangladesh comprising certain areas of India. And have made ill-concealed references to chicken neck being broken or seven sisters being isolated," he said. He warned that such remarks were reckless. "They should not forget that India is a far bigger and quite competent country politically and militarily. Such statements are counterproductive," Sachdev added. However, the former diplomat noted that tensions between Hasina and Yunus were not new. "Historically, it is well known that Sheikh Hasina and Muhammad Yunus have had a difficult relationship. They have competing claims to leadership in Bangladesh, and this has spurred their mutual antagonism," he said. Sachdev said Hasina's latest remarks also reflected a broader attempt to highlight the decline in Bangladesh since her removal from office. "The statement also seems motivated by her attempt to show that the current situation has deteriorated since she left power. This is borne out by objective indicators such as a decline in growth and rising unemployment," he said. Hasina, who has blamed the Yunus-led interim government for the recent violence, said the killing of Osman Hadi exposed a breakdown of governance. "This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it. Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with neighbours who are watching with justified alarm. India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunus' Bangladesh," she said. Hasina also accused the interim administration of empowering extremist elements. "I share this concern, as do millions of Bangladeshis who prefer the safe, secular state we once were," she said. "Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life," Hasina alleged, adding that radicals were using Yunus as a cover to gain legitimacy while "systematically radicalising our institutions from within, " she added. (ANI)
Tara Chand, President of the Baloch American Congress (BAC), has issued a sharp condemnation of the Balochistan provincial administration, alleging systemic corruption and lack of democratic legitimacy, while also paying tribute to veteran human rights activist Mama Qadeer Baloch following his death. In a post on X, Chand described the current Balochistan government as "imposed" and claimed it was a product of Pakistan's secret agencies rather than a mandate of the people. He alleged that ministers, advisers and officials were handpicked through appointments, leading to what he termed widespread corruption across all levels of governance. According to Chand, public development funds meant for the people of Balochistan are being openly misappropriated, while jobs are allegedly sold through bribery and recruitment processes remain corrupt. He claimed that essential public services have collapsed, stating that hospitals exist only in name due to the absence of doctors, and that many children are unable to attend school because of a lack of functioning schools or teachers. He further alleged that the province does not have a meaningful budget and that whatever limited funds are allocated are looted by officials seeking favour with security agencies rather than serving the public. Calling on the people of Balochistan to protest, Chand urged citizens to expose members of what he termed the "imposed government" before the international community. He also appealed to global institutions and watchdog organisations to prepare a comprehensive report on corruption in the province. In a separate post on X, Chand paid tribute to Mama Qadeer Baloch, a prominent figure in Balochistan's human rights movement, who passed away due to ill health. Describing him as an inseparable part of the painful history of Balochistan, Chand said that while Mama Qadeer is no longer physically present, his ideas, sacrifices and lifelong struggle would remain etched in the collective memory of the Baloch people. Mama Qadeer Baloch rose to prominence after his son, Jalil Reki, was allegedly forcibly abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies, later killed, and his body dumped. Chand said this personal tragedy transformed Mama Qadeer into a leading voice for thousands of families of forcibly disappeared persons in Balochistan. For years, Mama Qadeer led what was described as a historic and peaceful movement, including long protest marches from Quetta to Karachi and from Karachi to Islamabad, to draw attention to the issue of enforced disappearances. Under his leadership, a long-running protest camp in Quetta became a symbol of resistance, where families of the disappeared, including women, children and elderly parents, gathered to voice their demands for justice, stated the post on X. Chand stated that through Mama Qadeer's efforts, international attention was drawn to the plight of the Baloch people and their demand for the recovery of loved ones allegedly taken by Pakistani security forces. He added that Mama Qadeer's struggle demonstrated the resilience and determination of the Baloch people to pursue their rights through peaceful resistance. Ultimately, Chand said the Baloch nation salutes the courage, sacrifices and lifelong struggle of Mama Qadeer Baloch, asserting that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. (ANI)
The bus was travelling from Jakarta to Yogyakarta when the accident occurred at a highway interchange in Krapyak, near the city of Semarang.

According to search and rescue authorities, the bus was moving at a fairly high speed when it approached a turn, lost control and struck the barrier before flipping onto its side.

Rescue teams evacuated 34 people from the scene. Fifteen passengers were declared dead on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries after being taken to the hospital. Several others were rushed to medical facilities in Semarang for treatment.

Video footage released by rescue officials showed emergency workers carrying bodies away as the damaged bus lay overturned beside the road, Jakarta Post reported.

In recent years, multiple serious incidents have highlighted these risks. In September, at least eight people were killed when a bus carrying hospital workers and their families crashed on a steep road near Mount Bromo in East Java.

In 2024, 12 people died in a collision involving a car and a bus during Idul Fitri travel, while in 2019, at least 35 passengers were killed after a bus plunged into a ravine in West Sumatra.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of Monday's crash. (ANI)
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced on Saturday that its combatants killed six soldiers from the Pakistani military in three distinct assaults conducted in the Quetta, Kachhi, and Kech districts of Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). In a public statement, BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch stated that their fighters executed a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the Daghari region on the outskirts of Quetta on Friday. He mentioned that the explosive targeted military personnel who were "assembled after clearing a railway track," resulting in the immediate deaths of four soldiers and injuries to two more. An explosion occurred near Sherdil Stop, close to Daghari Cross, affecting a team engaged in clearing the railway track. Initial reports indicated that multiple personnel suffered fatalities or injuries in the blast. According to the BLA, a second attack transpired that same evening in the Kalamuddin region of Dhadar, Kachhi district. The statement claimed that BLA fighters employed automatic firearms and rockets to assault soldiers as they departed their posts, resulting in "casualties among the enemy army," as referenced in the TBP report. A third assault was executed late Friday night when BLA fighters targeted a Pakistani Army post in Saami, located in the Kulag area of Kech district. The group reported the use of several rockets and automatic weapons, leading to the deaths of two Pakistani soldiers and inflicting further casualties and property damage. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for four separate attacks in Nushki, Tump, and Dasht between December 18 and 20. BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch stated that their fighters targeted a vehicle belonging to Pakistani forces with an IED in the Zarrin Jungle area of Nushki on December 18, killing three personnel and injuring two others. The group asserted that the vehicle was "destroyed," according to the TBP report. He noted that BLF fighters were patrolling the Malant area of Tump on December 19 when Pakistani forces attempted to monitor them using a quadcopter. The statement revealed that the fighters successfully shot down the drone. The spokesperson further added that BLF fighters subsequently fired multiple rounds from grenade launchers at a military camp in Malant, leading to "casualties and material losses" for the Pakistani forces. In a different attack on December 19, the BLF reported that its fighters set fire to and obliterated equipment at a Ufone mobile tower situated in the Shay Zangi area of Dasht, claiming the equipment was utilised for surveillance purposes. In another incident, the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) announced an attack on police in the Bhit Shah area of Hyderabad district in Sindh, according to a TBP report. In a media statement, BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch indicated that fighters targeted a police station with a hand grenade explosion, which caused what he referred to as "human and material losses" to the police. He affirmed that the organisation took responsibility for the attack and added that such operations would persist "until the freedom of Balochistan," as cited in the TBP report. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday described the newly concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark step that will significantly boost trade, investment and economic collaboration between the two countries. In a post on X, Jaishankar said the agreement marked a new phase in bilateral ties. "A landmark in India-New Zealand ties. The India-NZ FTA, concluded in record time under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi and PM Christopher Luxon, places our partnership on an accelerated growth trajectory. It will surely boost trade, investment and economic collaboration across sectors," he wrote. https://x.com/drsjaishankar/status/2003000011077136815?s=46 Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, as the two leaders jointly announced a landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The leaders agreed that the FTA would serve as a catalyst for greater trade, investment, innovation and shared opportunities between both countries. In an X post PM Modi wrote, "My friend PM Christopher Luxon and I had a very good conversation a short while ago following the conclusion of the landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Concluded in just nine months, this historic milestone reflects a strong political will and shared ambition to deepen economic ties between our two countries." The leaders also welcomed progress in other areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, sports, education and people-to-people ties. With negotiations having been Initiated during New Zealand PM Luxon's visit to India in March 2025, the two leaders agreed that the conclusion of the FTA in a record time of 9 months reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen ties between the two countries. The FTA would significantly deepen bilateral economic engagement, enhance market access, promote investment flows, strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries, and also open up new opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, MSMEs, students and youth of both countries across various sectors. With the strong and credible foundation provided by the FTA, both leaders expressed confidence in doubling bilateral trade over the next five years as well as an investment of USD 20 billion in India from New Zealand over the next 15 years. The leaders also welcomed the progress achieved in other areas of bilateral cooperation such as sports, education, and people-to-people ties, and reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the India-New Zealand partnership. Christopher Luxon, said in a post on X, "I've just spoken with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement. The FTA reduces or removes tariffs on 95% of our exports to India. It's forecast that NZ exports to India could increase $1.1B to $1.3B per year over the coming two decades. Boosting trade means more Kiwi jobs, higher wages and more opportunities for hard working New Zealanders. The agreement builds on the strong friendship between our two countries. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this gives Kiwi businesses access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers. Our Government is relentlessly focused on fixing the basics and building the future - with new trade deals like this helping to grow our economy so all Kiwis can get ahead." The agreement will significantly deepen cooperation across services, mobility, goods, investment and trade facilitation. As part of the deal, New Zealand has committed to invest USD 20 billion in India over a 15-year period, broadly on the lines of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) model. (ANI)
Numerous individuals, including many women and children, took part in the "Save Sindh's Existence and Resources" march in Larkana, despite the enforcement of Section 144 and what the organisers described as "false FIRs," according to a report by The Express Tribune (TET). The event, organised by Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek, was held to protest against the 27th Constitutional Amendment, proposed corporate farming initiatives, the construction of new canals and dams on the Indus River, the alleged exploitation of Sindh's resources and the rise in banditry. Demonstrators marched from Bakrani Road to Jinnah Bagh Chowk, where they staged a sit-in, TET reported. The march was led by Advocate Vasand Thari, Central President of Awami Tehreek, Umra Samoon, President of Sindhyani Tehreek, Senior Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiar, and Central General Secretary Advocate Sajid Hussain Mehesar, along with several political and social figures. Addressing the gathering, Advocate Vasand Thari claimed that Parliament had been reduced to a rubber stamp and alleged that major national decisions were being taken outside the country. He criticised the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, corporate farming schemes and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), calling them unconstitutional and harmful to Sindh. He also demanded a judicial inquiry into the distribution of weapons to bandits and accountability for their alleged backers, according to the TET report. Umra Samoon said that Sindhi women have consistently resisted authoritarianism and would continue their struggle against what she termed constitutional dictatorship. She described the enforcement of Section 144 as a symbol of oppressive governance, as reported by TET. Separately, business leaders have raised concerns that economic activity in the port city and across the province could be disrupted. They warned that local production could come to a halt due to a cargo transporters' strike that has continued for nine days, Dawn reported. Representatives of various business groups have urged the Sindh government to resolve the ongoing strike, saying it is severely affecting industrial production and supply chains. In a letter to the Sindh Chief Minister, Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), said the situation was highly alarming for the country's industry and commerce. He said he raised the issue with the chief secretaries of Punjab and Sindh on December 12, which led to some relief in Punjab. However, he added that conditions in Sindh and at the Karachi port, for both inbound and outbound goods, have yet to improve, Dawn reported. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to visit Sri Lanka on December 23 as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister, where he will meet the country's leadership, MEA said in a statement on Monday. The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit highlights India's Neighbourhood First Policy and comes amid ongoing relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to assist Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Jaishankar's engagements are expected to strengthen ties between the two countries further, as India continues to coordinate humanitarian assistance and reinforce bilateral cooperation as Sri Lanka recovers from the cyclone's impact. "The visit underscores India's Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, " said MEA. India has extended strong support to Sri Lanka by providing relief and assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. As part of this humanitarian outreach, the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy, under Operation Sagar Bandhu, distributed dry ration packets to 86 families affected by the cyclone last week. In a post on X, the AHC said, "As part of India's continued assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, AHC Saranya VS, distributed dry ration packets to 86 Cyclone Ditwah affected families of Dickwella estate of Badulla Distrct in the presence of Hon. Member of Parliament, Kitnan Selvaraj, Member of Parliament, Ambika Samuel, along with local officials and estate management. India continues to support Sri Lanka and its people as they rebuild and move forward." The disaster relief medical assistance provided by the Indian Army's 60 Parachute Field Hospital in the wake of the devastating Ditwah Cyclone was formally commended on 14 December 2025 at the Army Cantonment, Panagoda, in recognition of its exceptional humanitarian impact and professional excellence, a statement by the Sri Lankan Army said. An 85-member medical team from the Indian Army Medical Services (IAMS), led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, was deployed to the cyclone-affected Mahiyanganaya area in Sri Lanka's Uva Province from 2 December to 12 December 2025. During this period, the team provided comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care to over 7,000 civilians affected by the natural disaster, as per the statement. (ANI)
The bipartisan US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has released a new report titled "Ten More for Taiwan", outlining urgent steps to strengthen deterrence against potential Chinese aggression toward Taiwan and to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Released jointly by Committee Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, the report builds on the committee's earlier "Ten for Taiwan" framework, which identified deterring CCP military action against Taiwan as central to the committee's mandate. The latest document warns that developments driven by Beijing since the initial report have significantly increased the risk of conflict, making immediate and comprehensive action necessary. The report underscores that the United States' primary objective is to prevent war, stressing that effective deterrence will require the urgent use of all elements of national power, including military, economic, political, and diplomatic tools. It calls for deeper US-Taiwan cooperation across defence, trade, technology, and political engagement. Chairman Moolenaar said the timeline for action is narrowing, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed the People's Liberation Army to be prepared to take Taiwan by 2027 if required. "This makes 2026 an urgent year to build deterrence in the Taiwan Strait," he said, emphasising the need to increase weapons stockpiles, strengthen logistics, and create strategic challenges that would deter any attack on Taiwan. He added that the US must take decisive steps to reinforce its partnership with Taiwan "before it is too late". Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi highlighted the political significance of the report, stating that it makes clear Taiwan is not a bargaining chip in dealings with Beijing. He said the document demonstrates that deterrence goes beyond military strength and depends on clear political messaging, robust economic ties, and a firm commitment to shared democratic values. He also noted that US responses to coercion and aggression worldwide directly influence Beijing's calculations regarding Taiwan. The report provides a near-term roadmap with ten key recommendations. These include reaffirming America's commitment to Taiwan's security, advancing trade, tax, travel, and technology agreements, and passing legislation to deter and respond to potential Chinese economic coercion. It also urges the expansion and streamlining of security assistance to Taiwan, the development of joint defence industrial cooperation, and the rapid strengthening of US defence production and logistics capabilities. Additional recommendations focus on improving air and missile defence, enhancing forward-deployed force sustainment, accelerating regional basing and intelligence-sharing initiatives with allies such as Japan and the Philippines, and integrating allied forces along the First Island Chain. The report also calls for cooperation with Taiwan to diversify energy supplies, strengthen cybersecurity, improve civil defence preparedness, and expand training opportunities for Taiwanese military personnel. Beyond security measures, the committee advocates for increasing Taiwan's participation in international organisations, reinforcing global partnerships, and supporting economic resilience through multilateral initiatives. It also recommends imposing costs on Beijing for its "no-limits" partnership with Russia and strengthening NATO's readiness to deter authoritarian threats across multiple regions. (ANI)
A group of five NGOs, including the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet, Gu Chu Sum Movement Association of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet India, vehemently denounced China's unlawful gold mining activities in Kashi village, Kham Zachuka, during a photo demonstration at McLeod Ganj's Main Square in Dharamshala on Friday morning, as reported by Phayul. The Chinese government initiated an unauthorised gold mining operation in Kashi village, Kham Zachuka, Sershul County, in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on November 5, without gaining consent from the local Tibetan residents. When community members tried to peacefully halt the project and filed appeals to the authorities, they faced intimidation and disregard, followed by harassment and oppression. On November 6, over 80 Tibetans were arbitrarily detained, and seven individuals went missing under coercive circumstances, according to Phayul. "The conditions in Kashi village are dire and require prompt international focus and intervention. Remaining silent and inactive will only facilitate further environmental destruction and human rights abuses in Tibet," the five prominent NGOs declared in a collective statement, as referenced by Phayul. The organisations highlighted that since the 1980s, the Chinese government has conducted widespread extraction of valuable minerals, including gold, silver, copper, and zinc, throughout Amdo, U-Tsang, and Kham. They stated that rigorous state secrecy, surveillance, and oppression have obscured much of the resultant environmental damage from the global audience. Although the recent disclosure of gold mining activities in Kashi has attracted renewed international attention, the groups cautioned that many mining operations throughout Tibet likely remain undisclosed and unknown to both the Tibetan exile community and the broader international community. "It is evident," the statement further noted, "that the ongoing, systematic, and severe degradation of the Tibetan Plateau's delicate natural environment poses threats not only to Tibetans but also to the ecological equilibrium of the entire region," as quoted by Phayul. They proposed five key demands. They requested an immediate cessation of the destruction of the Tibetan Plateau's environment and called for its protection. They demanded the unconditional liberation of all detainees and imprisoned Tibetans. They insisted that authorities provide accountability for all individuals who have disappeared and return them safely to their families. They urged an end to mining and large-scale development projects on Tibetan territory conducted without informed consent and called for the safeguarding of Tibetans' basic rights. They also called on the international community to focus on Tibet's vulnerable ecosystem and to safeguard the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people, as reported by Phayul. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday evening landed in Colombo and was received by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ruwan Ranasinghe, upon arrival in the country. His visit comes amid ongoing relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to assist Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. In a post on X, EAM said that he would meet Sri Lankan leadership on Tuesday. "Landed in Colombo this evening. Thank Deputy @TourismMin Ruwan Ranasinghe for the warm reception. Look forward to my meetings with Sri Lankan leadership tomorrow." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2003099524571840657?s=20 The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit highlights India's Neighbourhood First Policy and comes amid ongoing relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to assist Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Jaishankar's engagements are expected to strengthen ties between the two countries further, as India continues to coordinate humanitarian assistance and reinforce bilateral cooperation as Sri Lanka recovers from the cyclone's impact. "The visit underscores India's Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, " said MEA. India has extended strong support to Sri Lanka by providing relief and assistance in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. As part of this humanitarian outreach, the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy, under Operation Sagar Bandhu, distributed dry ration packets to 86 families affected by the cyclone last week. In a post on X, the AHC said, "As part of India's continued assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, AHC Saranya VS, distributed dry ration packets to 86 Cyclone Ditwah affected families of Dickwella estate of Badulla Distrct in the presence of Hon. Member of Parliament, Kitnan Selvaraj, Member of Parliament, Ambika Samuel, along with local officials and estate management. India continues to support Sri Lanka and its people as they rebuild and move forward." The disaster relief medical assistance provided by the Indian Army's 60 Parachute Field Hospital in the wake of the devastating Ditwah Cyclone was formally commended on 14 December 2025 at the Army Cantonment, Panagoda, in recognition of its exceptional humanitarian impact and professional excellence, a statement by the Sri Lankan Army said. An 85-member medical team from the Indian Army Medical Services (IAMS), led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, was deployed to the cyclone-affected Mahiyanganaya area in Sri Lanka's Uva Province from 2 December to 12 December 2025. During this period, the team provided comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care to over 7,000 civilians affected by the natural disaster, as per the statement. (ANI)
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH in a major push to bring traditional Indian healthcare systems to the global stage, organised a two-day Technical Project Meeting on Traditional Medicine (TM) intervention code set development in the national capital, aimed at developing a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). According to a Ministry of AYUSH release on Monday, the meeting, held from December 20 to 21, follows the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Donor Agreement signed between WHO and the Ministry on May 24. The agreement lays the foundation for integrating Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems into global healthcare standards, with India providing both financial and technical support. The release stated that the meeting aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of consistently emphasising such initiatives, enabling AYUSH systems to reach a wider global audience in a scientific and standardised manner. In his recent Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister noted that the development of a dedicated ICHI module would help AYUSH systems gain international recognition and scientific credibility. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH, highlighted that the module would facilitate global recognition and strengthen WHO's efforts toward inclusive, evidence-based, and safe healthcare, the release added. The technical sessions were chaired by Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, who led the Indian delegation in developing National Health Intervention Codes for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine. Distinguished experts such as Prof Rabinarayan Acharya (Director General, CCRAS), Prof. NJ Muthukumar (Director General, CCRS), and Dr Zaheer Ahmad (Director General, CCRUM) contributed to the discussions. The meeting saw participation from representatives of all six WHO regions - AFRO, AMRO, EMRO, EURO, SEARO, and WPRO - ensuring a global perspective. Key officials from WHO Headquarters in Geneva, including Robert Jakob, Nenad Kostanjsek, Stephane Espinosa, and Dr. Pradeep Dua, led the classification discussions. Indian representatives included Dr. Geetha Krishnan from the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), Jamnagar, and Dr. Pawan Kumar Godatwar from WHO SEARO in Delhi. Member states such as Bhutan, Brazil, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, the UK, and the USA participated to align their national practices and harmonise intervention descriptions. The release emphasised that integrating traditional medicine into ICHI is crucial, as it provides a common language for health interventions across countries and medical systems. Standardised codes will help healthcare providers document, report, and analyse the use and effectiveness of traditional treatments more effectively. The WHO-led project will follow strict timelines and a scientific approach, enabling clinical research, policy support, and the expansion of traditional medicine within national health information systems globally. This development marks a significant step in placing India's AYUSH systems on the international health map, promoting their recognition and adoption in global healthcare frameworks. (ANI)
Kolkata on Monday witnessed a wave of protesters surrounding the High Commission of Bangladesh there, expressing intense anger over the mob lynching and burning of the Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district. Led by BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, along with other party leaders and supporters, demonstrators staged their protest in front of the High Commission, condemning the killing and demanding accountability from the Bangladeshi authorities. Speaking during the protest, Adhikari stated that Dipu Das was brutally killed and warned of intensified agitation, noting that the incident had deeply angered the Hindu community. He further announced a one-hour border blockade on December 24 in protest of the murder, and that another demonstration will take place outside the Bangladesh High Commission on December 26. "Dipu Das was burnt alive. We will not allow them to sit here (Bangladesh High Commission). They will have to lock this up. The whole Hindu community will not spare them," Adhikari said. "On 24th December, there will be a one-hour blockade at the border and on 26th December, we will protest here again," he added. The protests came in the backdrop of a mob lynching of the Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, a worker in a garment factory, in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district. According to reports, Dipu Das, who was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges, had his body hanged and set on fire on December 18. The Daily Star, citing Mymensingh's Additional Superintendent of Police, Abdullah Al Mamun, stated that a factory official had informed Bhaluka police that a group of workers attacked Dipu inside the factory, accusing him of making "derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)" in a Facebook post. Factory sources told The Daily Star that the assailants later took Dipu out of the factory premises, where residents also joined the attack, resulting in his death. However, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-14 Company Commander in Mymensingh, Md Samsuzzaman, told The Daily Star that investigators found no evidence suggesting the deceased had posted or written anything on Facebook that could have hurt religious sentiments, adding that neither residents nor fellow garment factory workers could point to any such activity by the victim. The victim's brother, Apu Chandra Das, also filed a case at Bhaluka Police Station on Friday, naming 140 to 150 unidentified individuals as accused. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation among political leaders, religious organisations and minority groups in Bangladesh and India. In Delhi, Delhi State Haj Committee chairperson Kausar Jahan strongly condemned the killing, calling it "reprehensible and barbaric". She said minorities, particularly Hindus, were being targeted in Bangladesh and urged the government there to ensure their safety. Jahan also stressed that such violence could harm the traditionally friendly relations between India and Bangladesh. "This incident is extremely reprehensible and barbaric. Minorities, specifically Hindus, have been targeted in Bangladesh, and the government there must ensure their safety. This violence is a result of the influence of extremism in Bangladesh, and it should not be forgotten that India and Bangladesh have friendly relations. Such incidents must be prevented so that they do not adversely affect these relations," she stated. In Dhaka, Hindu religious organisations and minority groups also staged demonstrations in front of the National Press Club to protest the lynching. Protesters demanded justice for Dipu Das and called on the authorities to protect minority communities. Explaining the reason for the protest, one of the demonstrators said, "Although we have been protesting for a long time, today's gathering has a specific context. Today, a completely innocent person from a religious minority community was brutally murdered by religious fanatics." Referring to the victim, the protestor said, "Dipu Chandra Das worked in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. He was recently promoted because of his hard work and dedication." Meanwhile, in Mumbai, International Working President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Alok Kumar questioned the circumstances surrounding the killing, citing reports that Dipu had made no blasphemous remarks. He said if the youth was killed despite clarification, Bangladesh must provide answers and also raised concerns over alleged extremist narratives and announced that the VHP would hold protests in districts across India over the next two days. "I saw some reports which stated that Dipu had only said that all religions are equal... If this is considered blasphemy, then it is a challenge to India's secularism and the principle of religious harmony. Later, a statement clarified that Dipu had not made any blasphemous statement. If that is the case, then why was he murdered? Bangladesh will have to answer this... The Vishwa Hindu Parishad will hold protests in every district across the country tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," Kumar said. Earlier on Sunday, the Law Enforcement agencies in Bangladesh stated they had arrested two more individuals in connection with the mob lynching of Dipu Das, taking the total number of arrests to 12. According to the Daily Star, citing sources from the Bangladesh police and RAB, the latest arrests were made on early Sunday. Al Mamun stated that the two individuals were identified as Ashik, aged 25 and Kaium, aged 25, The Daily Star reported. All 12 detainees had been handed over to the Bhaluka Police Station in Mymensingh. On Saturday, the Chief Adviser of the Interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, in a statement, stated that ten individuals were arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Dipu Chandra Das, noting that the RAB apprehended seven suspects, while the police arrested three others. According to the statement, the individuals arrested by RAB are Md Limon Sarkar (19), Md Tarek Hossain (19), Md Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain (38) and Md Miraj Hossain Akon (46). The three arrested by the police are Md Azmol Hasan Sagir (26), Md Shahin Mia (19) and Md Nazmul (21). The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das has triggered widespread outrage, with calls growing louder for justice, protection of minorities, and restraint to prevent further deterioration of regional harmony. (ANI)
Thirty-one individuals have already been identified in connection with the recent attacks on the offices of two national dailies and two cultural organizations in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country during a high-level meeting held on Sunday and was informed that operations have been conducted in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, leading to the arrest of at least six people in connection with the attack on dailies and cultural organisations. "On behalf of the police, it was reported to the Chief Adviser that, based on video footage, 31 individuals have already been identified in connection with the recent attacks on the offices of two national dailies and two cultural organizations," , according to a post on X by the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh. In these incidents, as of Monday morning, operations have been conducted in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, leading to the arrest of at least six people. Those arrested are-- Md. Kashem Faruqi, Md. Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md. Naim, Md. Sohel Rana, and Md. Shafiqul Islam. Operations to arrest the remaining identified suspects are ongoing, the post said. The meeting was held on Sunday at the State Guest House Jamuna under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. It was attended by Home Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, along with top officials from various security and law enforcement agencies. The meeting discussed in detail various issues, including the return of BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman to the country, security measures taken for the upcoming Christmas and English New Year celebrations. There was discussion on the progress of arrests and investigations into those involved in the murder of Inkilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Three individuals who attempted to create disorder near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram have been identified based on video footage. At Sunday afternoon's meeting, the Chief Adviser directed the swift arrest of those involved in the murder of Osman Hadi and others connected to various illegal activities. At the meeting, the Chief Adviser stated that the law and order situation must be kept normal at any cost ahead of the upcoming national elections. Prothom Alo Executive Editor Sajjad Sharif had said on Friday the vandalism of the newspaper's office in Dhaka's Karwanbazar was a direct assault on freedom of speech and the news media in Bangladesh, forcing the newspaper to halt print publication for the first time in its 27-year history since its establishment in 1998. The attack on the news outlets came after Inqilab Moncho spokesperson, Sharif Osman Hadi, one of the prominent figures behind the July protests last year, was pronounced dead after he was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka's Bijoynagar area A group of people gathered in front of the offices of the newspapers and resorted to attack, as per Nagorik. The miscreants also attacked another media outlet, the Daily Star, in the same area. Mohhamud Yunus had earlier condemned the violence on the media outlets and expressed his support for journalists. "To the journalists of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, and New Age: we stand with you. We are deeply sorry for the terror and violence you have endured. The nation has witnessed your courage and tolerance in the face of terror. Attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself. We promise you full justice," he said in a statement. (ANI)
Inqilab Moncho has demanded that the killers of its convenor Osman Hadi be brought to justice before the 13th national election and the referendum takes place in Bangladesh, as reported by BDNews24 on Monday. According to BDNews24, Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber of the group said at a media briefing on Monday that it will protest in the streets until justice is delivered. "You can't get away without informing [the people] who the murderer of Hadi was by just holding an election -- this is not done. Justice [for Hadi] must be ensured before the election. Otherwise, no election will take place," Inqilab Moncho leader was quoted as saying by BDNews24. "Inqilab Moncho will not leave the streets until the murderers and their backers are brought to justice." As per BDNews24, the group also demanded the formation of a "judicial tribunal" involving foreign intelligence agencies like the FBI and the Scotland Yard. "You have to form a judicial tribunal soon and in that case, you must involve intelligence agencies like the FBI and Scotland Yard." BD News further reported that the platform placed three demands which include the formation of a fast-track judicial tribunal to try the killing of Hadi, with the investigation involving international intelligence agencies, including the FBI and Scotland Yard, identification and prosecution of Awami collaborators allegedly hiding within civil and military intelligence structures and the home advisor, Chief Advisor's Special Assistant Khoda Baksh, and the law advisor to provide explanations and then resign from their posts. Earlier, Inqilab Moncho concluded its protest at the Central Shaheed Minar after issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to the government, seeking justice for the killers. The platform also announced it would hold a "Shaheedi oath" ceremony at Shahbagh at 3pm on Tuesday, according to Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber. BDNews24 also mentioned, citing a Facebook post by the Law Advisor Asif Nazrul, who said Hadi's killing will be tried at the Speedy Trial Tribunal, with proceedings expected to be completed within 90 days. The case will be handled by a tribunal under the Speedy Trial Tribunal Act 2002 once police submit their investigation report, he said in a Facebook post. (ANI)
Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri on Monday said that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is absolutely correct in her assertion that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is fostering anti-India sentiment. Sikri, who earlier served as Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, responded to remarks by Hasina in a recent ANI interview about the recent developments in Bangladesh. She highlighted how Hasina's replies showed how concerned she was about Bangladesh. "The kind of speech he (Muhammad Yunus) gave and naming a hall after him (Osman Hadi), he was just an election candidate... This shows Dr Muhammad Yunus's own political pre-elections. Osman Hadi was known for his anti-Indianism and making claims on Northeast India. This means that Muhammad Yunus shares his views. Sheikh Hasina is fully right in saying that it is Muhammad Yunus who is perpetrating this anti-Indianism," Sikri told ANI. Sikri continued, "People have realised that the Yunus interim regime, which has no legitimacy at all, is trying to install itself by undemocratic means." Former diplomat further said that the interim regime of Muhammad Yunus owes an apology to the Indian government made following the killing of Osman Hadi. "You can't just make accusations like that." "She (Hasina) spoke about the lawlessness and the killing of Osman Hadi. It is being shown how foolishly the interim regime of Muhammad Yunus tried to blame India for it, and then they called our High Commissioner, they arranged demonstrations against the High Commission in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions. Now they themselves have made a statement that the person who has come under suspicion as being the killer had been seen in the last few days in the same political rally as Osman Hadi. So he was sharing a political platform with him," she said. "Obviously, it is an internal issue, and the police have said we have no evidence he has gone to India. So everything they said to the Indian High Commission is wrong. I think the interim regime of Muhammad Yunus owes an apology to the Indian government because you can't just make accusations like that," Sikri added. With Bangladesh grappling with unrest after a fresh spell of violence last week, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mounted a strong critique of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, accusing it of empowering extremist elements, stoking anti-India sentiment and weakening democratic structures, developments she said endanger both domestic stability and regional security. In an email interview with ANI, addressing concerns over growing hostility towards India and the safety of Indian diplomats, Hasina alleged that recent tensions were deliberately engineered. "This hostility is being manufactured by extremists who have been emboldened by the Yunus regime," she said. Referring to incidents targeting Indian and domestic institutions, she added, "These are the same actors who marched on the Indian embassy and attacked our media offices, who attack minorities with impunity, and who forced my family and me to flee for our lives." She further alleged that Yunus had "placed such figures in positions of power and released convicted terrorists from prison."Hasina said New Delhi's worries about the security of its diplomatic staff were well-founded. "A responsible government would protect diplomatic missions and prosecute those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus grants immunity to hooligans and calls them warriors," she said. In response to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) verdict against her, Hasina dismissed the ruling as politically motivated. "This verdict has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with political elimination," she said. (ANI)
IDF forces rushed to the spot, located the citizens and returned them safely to the territory of the State of Israel.

The IDF said the suspects who were captured will be transferred to the Israel Police for further processing.

"The IDF strongly condemns the incident and emphasises that this is a serious incident that constitutes a criminal offence that endangers civilians and IDF forces," it said.

According to the Israel Police, there were seven people who crossed the border. (ANI/TPS)
Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated his commitment to hold general elections on February 12 and said "the nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights". Yunus made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, at around 7:30 pm (local time) "The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which were stolen by the autocratic regime," Yunus said. "The discussion, which lasted about half an hour, focused on trade and tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States, the upcoming general election, the country's democratic transition, and the murder of young Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi," Yunus said in a post on X. Sergio Gor, who is the US Ambassador-Designate to India, congratulated Yunus "for his leadership during recent tariff negotiations", the post said, adding that Bangladesh succeeded in reducing US reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 per cent. It said that the US Special Envoy also discussed the "massive funeral" of Osman Hadi. "Chief Adviser noted that supporters of the ousted autocratic regime were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process and that their fugitive leader was inciting violence. However, he said the Interim Government was 'fully prepared' to deal with any challenges," the post said. "We have roughly 50 days to go before the election. We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election. We want to make it remarkable," Yunus said. The post said that Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present during the call. Earlier on Monday, Inqilab Moncho demanded that the killers of its convenor Osman Hadi be brought to justice before the 13th national election and the referendum takes place in Bangladesh, according to a report in BDNews24. The report said the group also demanded the formation of a "judicial tribunal" involving foreign intelligence agencies like the FBI and the Scotland Yard. BD News further reported that the platform placed three demands which include the formation of a fast-track judicial tribunal to try the killing of Hadi, with the investigation involving international intelligence agencies, including the FBI and Scotland Yard, identification and prosecution of Awami collaborators allegedly hiding within civil and military intelligence structures and the home advisor, Chief Advisor's Special Assistant Khoda Baksh, and the law advisor to provide explanations and then resign from their posts. Earlier, Inqilab Moncho concluded its protest at the Central Shaheed Minar after issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to the government, seeking justice for the killers. The group also announced it would hold a "Shaheedi oath" ceremony at Shahbagh at 3pm on Tuesday, according to Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber. BDNews24 also cited a Facebook post by the Law Advisor Asif Nazrul, who said Hadi's killing will be tried at the Speedy Trial Tribunal, with proceedings expected to be completed within 90 days. Inqilab Moncho on Monday warned of launching a mass movement to oust the current interim government of the country if justice is not delivered in the killing Hadi, Daily Star reported. The warning was issued by Abdullah Al Jaber, the organisation's member secretary, during an emergency press conference at Shaheed Hadi Chattar earlier today. According to the Daily Star, the Inqilab Moncho had issued a 24-hour ultimatum following Hadi's final funeral prayers on Saturday but alleged that the deadline had elapsed without any concrete steps taken by Bangladesh's Home Adviser or the relevant authorities to arrest those responsible for the killing. (ANI)
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday (local time) raised the self-deportation stipend from USD 1,000 to USD 3,000 for illegal immigrants who self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year. Immigrants will also receive a "free flight home," according to a statement from Homeland Security. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, "Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the US taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a USD 3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year." The Homeland Security Secretary added that the illegal immigrants will be arrested if they do not self-deport. "Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return," Noem said. Immigration crackdown has been one of the top agendas for US President Donald Trump since he took office. Earlier in May, the Department of Homeland Security announced financial and travel assistance to facilitate illegal immigrants to travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App. Any illegal immigrant who used the CBP Home App to self-deport received a stipend of USD 1,000, paid after their return to their home country was confirmed through the app. DHS called self-deportation a "dignified way to leave the US" and said that it would allow them to avoid being encountered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS also said in a statement that it is projected that the use of CBP Home will decrease the costs of a deportation by around 70 per cent. As of May, the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal immigrant was USD 17,121. (ANI)
Nigeria has introduced a comprehensive ban on the export of wood and allied products as part of a renewed strategy to curb illegal logging and deforestation, local media reported on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

The policy, anchored in a presidential executive order, will see all previously issued export licences and permits revoked. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment held in Katsina State, north-western Nigeria.

Mr Lawal said the measure reflects the governments commitment to safeguarding the countrys forest resources, which he described as critical to environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and the protection of livelihoods. He added that security agencies have been instructed to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging nationwide.
Egypts Armed Forces have dismissed social media claims alleging that military officers were granted unlawful privileges, describing the reports as a coordinated misinformation, drive by hostile actors abroad.

In a statement issued on Sunday, 21 December, the military said the circulating documents were falsely attributed to the institution and deliberately included names of retired or long-serving former officers to give the allegations unwarranted credibility.

The Armed Forces stressed that the claims contradict its core principles of upholding citizens dignity, national security, and the equal application of the law. It urged the public to rely solely on official statements from the military spokesperson, reaffirming its commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law as a people-centred institution safeguarding Egypt and its citizens.
Libyas Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of National Unity, Taher Al-Baour participated, over the week-end, in the Ministerial Conference of the RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum in Cairo, a meeting aimed at shaping a common vision ahead of the third RussiaAfrica Summit scheduled for 2026.

Addressing the Conference, Al-Baour described the gathering as a reflection of the enduring diplomatic ties between African states and the Russian Federation, anchored in mutual respect and shared interests.

He underscored the growing necessity for collective action in response to global challenges, calling for a fairer and more cooperative international order free from polarisation and double standards.

He noted that as Africa advances into the second decade of implementing Agenda 2063, the continent is sharpening its strategic priorities around self-reliance and inclusive development. Al-Baour emphasised the urgency of accelerating infrastructure projectsparticularly roads, railways, dams, manufacturing and clean energyto confront food insecurity, climate change and rising costs.

The Libyan minister also highlighted Africas historical injustices and ongoing efforts, alongside the international community, to address long-standing imbalances. He further stressed Russias potential role, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, in supporting Africas demand for equitable representation within the Council.
More than 107,000 Sudanese civilians have been displaced from El-Fasher and surrounding villages in North Darfur amid worsening insecurity, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday, December 21.

According to the UN agency, an estimated 107,294 people, representing about 24,221 families, fled the area between Oct. 26 and Dec. 8, after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the city and security conditions sharply deteriorated.

About 72% of those displaced remained within North Darfur, mainly in the northern and western parts of the State, while around 19% moved to other states, including Central Darfur, Northern State and White Nile State.

IOM field teams reported that roughly 75% of those displaced since Oct. 26 had already experienced previous displacement, having earlier fled camps such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk or neighbourhoods within El-Fasher during earlier bouts of violence. The organisation warned that continued insecurity and movement restrictions could further reshape displacement routes as the situation evolves.

The agency described the figures as preliminary, noting that the situation remains highly volatile and subject to rapid change. Meanwhile, intense fighting between the army and the RSF has persisted for weeks in North, West and South Kordofan, forcing tens of thousands more to flee.

Of Sudans 18 states, the RSF controls four of the five Darfur states, with only parts of North Darfur still under army control. The army holds most areas across the remaining 13 states, including Khartoum. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced millions across the country.
Lucia Jimenez, a Spanish journalist and human rights activist who spent decades campaigning for recognition of Canary Islands victims of terrorist attacks by the Polisario Front, died suddenly at the age of 60 from a heart attack in Malaga.

Jimenezs name became synonymous with efforts to give voice to civilians targeted during terrorist attacks against civilians by the Algeria-backed Polisario militias in mid-1970s.

Her activism was deeply personal: her father was killed in an armed attack by Polisario militants against Canary Island fishermen operating near the Sahara coasts. That tragedy marked a turning point in her life, transforming grief into a lifelong mission for justice.

In the late 1980s, Jimenez founded and chaired the Canarian Association of Victims of Polisario Terrorism, a platform that evolved into a legal and advocacy hub.

Under her leadership, the group reopened forgotten cases of attacks on fishermen and other civilians, pressing Spanish and European institutions to acknowledge these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.

Jimenezs efforts resonated beyond Spain. She became a familiar figure in diplomatic circles in Madrid and Brussels, where she successfully pushed for the inclusion of victims of the Polisario in European debates on terrorism and historical memory.

Her advocacy often drew sharp criticism from Polisario supporters, but she remained steadfast, arguing that justice for victims is not negotiable.

The Polisario has long adopted terrorist tactics and has a blatant record of targeting civilians in Morocco and seeking a safe hideout in Algiers.

Its ties to terrorist groups in the Sahel and to Iran-backed militias earned a notoriety as a source of instability in North Africa.

US Representative Joe Wilson has introduced earlier this year bipartisan legislation in Congress- titled the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act- urging the US government to list the Polisario as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing its ties to Iran and its proxies such as Hezbollah.
When Zitouna TV aired secret clauses of the October 7 defense agreement between Tunisia and Algeria, the revelations sounded less like routine military cooperation and more like a blueprint for tutelage and vassalization.

The leaked text grants Algerian forces the right to conduct incursions of up to 50 kilometers inside Tunisian territory and to intervene to protect legitimate authorities and ensure continuity of the state, all under the guise of fighting terrorism.

Tunisian opposition and intellectuals decry humiliation and a loss of national sovereignty.

Kais Saied, however, rushed to denounce the documents as fabricated. Yet, in a country where opacity has become a governing method, secrecy signals intent. And in Tunisias current climate of economic collapse and political isolation, intent matters.

The North Africa Post has long warned of Tunisias slide into dependency on Algeria. This pact, shrouded in silence, looks like the culmination of that drift. Algiers has leveraged gas lifelines, cash injections, and informal trade to tighten its grip on a fragile neighbor.

Algeria has already tested the limits of Tunisian sovereignty. Cases abound, including the abduction of Kabyle refugee and activist Slimane Bouhafs by Algerian security services in the heart of Tunis in 2021, or the diplomatic rupture with Morocco after Kais Saied hosted the Polisario leader Brahim Ghali as a head of state.

Now, Tebbounes regime appears to have secured what pundits in Algiers openly fantasize about: a Tunisia reduced to an Algerian wilaya.

Days before Saieds denial of the document in question, thousands of Algerians reportedly joined pro-Saied rallies in Tunis, in a show of solidarity that opposition voices rightly called interference.

Whether orchestrated or spontaneous, the message was clear: Algeria is no longer just a neighbor; it is a pillar of Saieds survival strategy. Faced with mounting protests and whispers of a coup, the Tunisian president seems ready to trade sovereignty for regime insurance.
NATO Defense College (NDC) has commended Moroccos role as a strategic and trusted partner for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The comment was made by the Alliances premier academic institution on its X account on the occasion of a working visit paid to the Kingdom over the weekend by a high-level NDC delegation.

During this visit, the NDC mission, led by Commandant and Lt. General Max NIELSEN, met in Rabat separately with M. Lahjomri Abdeljalil, Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy and Director of the Royal College, Brigadier-General Youssef El Mehdi, Head of the Military History Directorate, General Mohamed Gle Gadih, Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, and Colonel Major Lahcen El Hajjami, Director of the Royal College of Higher Military Education.

Discussion focused on ways of strengthening mediterranean dialogue and academic partnership. According to NDC, talks fostered in-depth dialogue on academic approaches, strengthened collaboration between NDC and the Royal College of Higher Military Education.

Based in Rome, NDC is the Alliances top academic and research institution, focused on developing strategic-level leadership for civilian and military officials. Its mission is to foster strategic thinking, multinational consensus-building, and human interoperability among NATO member states and partners.

It offers flagship courses and programs for senior officers on MENA security issues and provides strategic analysis for NATO leadership in addition to high-level networking and security policy sessions.
The Algerian regime has suffered another humiliating diplomatic setback after Moscow excluded again Polisario from the Russia-Africa cooperation forum held over the weekend in Cairo.

By excluding the separatist group from such an international event, Russia confirms its unwavering position that participation in its forums is open only to sovereign States recognized by the United Nations. The move dealt a hard blow to the Algerian military junta and deepened their international isolation.

Moscow had refused the participation of the Algeria-backed Polisario militia in the Russia-Africa Summits organized in St. Petersburg in 2023 and Sochi in 2024, despite pressures exerted by some African countries.

After failing to secure Polisario participation in Cairo, the Algerian diplomacy tried to no avail to rally African support for its separatist agenda as only Namibia and Zimbabwe backed an Algerian proposal seeking to divert the forum debate from Russian-African economic cooperation to a lost separatist cause.

The Sahara is handled exclusively by the United Nations. The latest UN Security Council resolution 2729 endorses the Moroccan Autonomy plan under the Kingdoms sovereignty. It also calls upon the parties to the conflict (Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Polisario) to engage in discussions without preconditions, taking as basis Moroccos Autonomy Proposal, with a view to achieving a final and mutually acceptable political solution.

But Algeria, the main party to the Sahara issue, refuses so far to comply, challenging the international community and threatening regional stability.
Photo: Mark Peterson/Redux Pictures

This article was featured in New Yorks One Great Story newsletter. Sign up here.

This summer, the podcaster Candace Owens says, she had a pair of dreams about one of the most significant moments of 21st-century political history. The first dream came on September 1, and by morning the details were foggy: she remembered being swarmed by bees; the setting was, for reasons she didnt understand at the time, a school. When she woke up she was convinced that something very dangerous was about to happen, so much so that her husband joked she was going insane. Ten days later, Owenss friend and onetime colleague Charlie Kirk was murdered at a school in Utah, whose nickname is the Beehive State. Distraught over his death, Owens put her podcast on hiatus and, soon after, had a second dream. Charlie was sitting in a chair, and I wont say where he was or where we were, but he said he was betrayed. And then I said, By who? Then the dream did that thing  Owens started mumbling to me, as if underwater. I saw one person who I recognized in that dream, who is at Turning Point. I woke up and I texted him immediately, and I said, I just had a dream and Charlie told me you betrayed him. He never responded, she says, but so began her latest crusade.

Its very weird. Its like the universe is shouting at me, Owens told me one afternoon this November. Thereve been moments in my life where something comes on and its so overwhelming that I have to act. She described them as her Thats So Raven moments, the Spidey-sense inklings that have led her to publicly claim, among other things, that Charlie Kirks murder is a cover-up; Kamala Harris isnt Black; Zionists and pedophiles control, well, everything; and the First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, is a biological man  a conspiracy theory that has gained so much traction that the French president is currently suing Owens for defamation in the U.S. (Australia, meanwhile, recently denied her a visa, citing concerns she would incite discord in the country.) Conspiracy theories, Owens has said, are mind yoga, mental exercises that make you question the narrative. Owens is constantly talking about the narrative. By which she means: everything the government and mainstream media are telling us.

For safety reasons, Owens had requested we meet in the private dining room of a fusty steakhouse not far from her home in Nashville. She arrived in a Cadillac SUV with two bodyguards; one stayed in the car, and the other kept sentry at the exit, occasionally peeking into the restaurant to surveil all the diners. Owens wore a black turtleneck and jeans and carried her signature merch, a Standace cup that reads CIA (for Candace Intelligence Agency) on one side and We Dont Know-Know But We Know on the other.

Though we were there to discuss, in part, her friends recent assassination, Owens was in a cheery mood. Youre a wizard, Harry! she cracked at one point, still talking about her pseudo-psychic hunches. There was reason to celebrate. The day before, her podcast had become the most downloaded show in the U.S., ranking above shows hosted by Joe Rogan and Oprah Winfrey. Her viewership spiked dramatically after she started talking about Kirks murder, which she does not believe was committed by the 22-year-old lone shooter Tyler Robinson. Her first show after Kirks death, titled They Are Lying About Charlie Kirk, has been watched over 9 million times on YouTube. Owenss working theory of who actually did it is maddeningly convoluted, but at various points since September 10, she has accused Kash Patel, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Mossad, the Macrons, and Turning Point itself of somehow participating in or hiding the truth about Kirks death.

Over the past three months, Owens has fully devoted her life to this investigation, and it has alienated her from former allies. The night before we met, Megyn Kelly conducted a live interview with Owenss onetime colleague Ben Shapiro, who said she was faulting Kirks widow, Erika, the newly installed CEO of Turning Point. (Owens had, at that time, never done so; lies often beget more lies.) Shapiro joined a growing chorus of right-wing influencers, activists, and commentators accusing Owens of opportunistically capitalizing, including financially, off Kirks murder and also exaggerating the nature of their friendship. Still, Owenss reach is so large, her conviction so unshakable, that the whole news cycle soon torqued around her theories anyway. Robinson appeared in court early this December, but the eyes of the media and internet were trained not on the official investigation but instead on Owenss informal probe. Erika Kirk has repeatedly been asked to respond to Owens. Stop. Thats it. Thats all I have to say. Stop, she told Bari Weiss on CBS this month. Within the week, Kelly, whod largely been defensive of Owens, brokered a meeting between the podcaster and the widow. (The meeting was calm, Owens later told me. Thats all I will say for now.) It didnt seem to stop Owens; the next day, on her podcast, she kept talking about the Egyptian planes  what have, thanks to her, basically become this generations grassy knoll.

Owens also spent the year burning bridges with President Donald Trump, the man who once called into Fox & Friends to describe her as the hottest thing out there. She says her displeasure with Trump stems primarily from his handling of the war in Gaza and the Epstein files. (If I sense theres any sort of a cover-up regarding children being harmed, youre going to get the bull, Owens told me.) Trump, in turn, has reportedly been unhappy with Owenss so-called transvestigation of Brigitte Macron. According to Owens, he called her in February to express his concern that she would jeopardize the White Houses relationship with the Elysee. I said, Mr. President, respectfully, I told the truth, Owens told me. The president said, Well, she doesnt look like a man. She says it was the last time she spoke to Trump.

Now divorced from the two forces that made her most famous  Turning Point and Trump  Owenss reach is nevertheless the widest its ever been, with 5.7 million subscribers on YouTube. In the conservative media ecosystem, she plays the role of the tea-spilling Real Housewife, and her willingness to frustrate her party, she thinks, has drawn a new wave of unexpected fans, allies, and reluctant reposters. This summer, the prominent progressive commentator Mehdi Hasan wrote online that he was surprised to find himself agreeing with Owenss critiques of Israel. Anecdotally, her conspiracies about Kirks murder have even seeped into the brains of Zohran-voting Brooklyn lefties. What has helped me in this grieving process is knowing that it helped people on both sides to actually meet and say: Theres a true evil manifesting, and were stuck within this left-right paradigm, and Im kind of thinking its the government? Owens told me.

Fully unleashed, Owens gives the impression she is guided, more than anything else, by her gut. Her superpower, she says, is reading people; the source of her intel: Not being born yesterday. I think by this time next year were going to be having a very different discussion about what happened to Charlie Kirk, Owens told me at the steakhouse, as confident as ever, still talking about the dreams she believes turned into a real-life nightmare. Obviously, I wish we could go back and this thing never happened, but you do have to try and see the light. The light, as Owens sees it, is that people are buying her narrative for once.

Photo: Candace Owens/YouTube

Most weekdays, Owens walks down to her basement to put out her show. She goes live shortly before dinnertime, which is, she says, when her audience of mothers are picking up their kids for school or prepping dinner. She moved to Tennessee in 2021 when she was hired to podcast for the Daily Wire. In her studio, the setup is always the same: Owens in full hair and makeup sitting behind a desk with her Standace cup and riffing, usually for an hour, about the topics of the day. There is no formula, she says, just doing hood-rat stuff with my friends  a small team that includes a producer, an editor, and her manager, Savanna, who is also sometimes her nanny (Savanny).

The way Owens always saw it, she and Kirk, who hired her in 2017 as Turning Points communications director, served two distinct but complementary roles in the conservative movement. He was the boy wonder (her overly bright and sometimes annoying kid brother, shes called him) who could charm donors and swing votes; she was the social-media-savvy millennial whose guiding belief is that culture is upstream from politics. On her show, she has perfected that mix of culture-war politics and tabloid gossip that has turned many women with podcasts and newsletters into celebrities during Trump 2.0 (Jessica Reed Kraus, a.k.a. House Inhabit, once accused Owens of copying her while both were covering Justin Baldonis feud with Blake Lively; Owens was recently subpoenaed by Livelys lawyers.) On Candace, she covers the Epstein files and the Diddy trial with equal intensity, with a smattering of parenting advice in between. Occasionally, she brings on special guests, including Harvey Weinstein, who dialed in from prison, and cancel-culture-critical celebrities such as Russell Brand and M.I.A.

As in her new book, an anti-feminist polemic called Make Him a Sandwich, she slips easily from blandly anti-woke cultural commentary (about such things as body positivity and Lena Dunham) to more blatant bigotry, usually on transgenderism or Judaism. Owens says there are no red lines shes unwilling to cross. Just asking questions is her M.O.

Like any reality-TV star, she knows how to keep listeners hooked by promising more drama, constantly saying that she is getting close or that something is just stinkin to high heaven! One Monday in November, for instance, she posted on Instagram: Today is going to be a big day  This is not an exaggeration. Not much was revealed on the show that evening, but it was reason enough for the audience to tune in come Tuesday. Owens sources often come from her own tipline, whose inbox has become so glutted that shes considering hiring a fifth employee to vet it. Occasionally, to provide a sheen of authority, Owens presents screenshots and graphics (like a list of TPUSA Verified Lies) for those watching at home.

Her self-confidence alone can make even the most inane details sound crucial to the case. One example: The fact that Brigitte Macron is often dressed by Louis Vuittons Nicolas Ghesquiere, who has sent gender-bending looks down the runway, is somehow proof of Macrons transness. In another YouTube series this year, Owens attempted to debunk details of Weinsteins sexual misconduct. She brought no new information to the table; for hours and hours she reread already public court transcripts, including his victims testimonies. Still, her tone  mocking, skeptical, saucy  somehow made everything sound suspicious and freshly newsworthy.

Owens presents herself as a mama bear on a mission to create the world she wants for her four children, whom she shares with George Farmer, the former CEO of the now-defunct conservative social-media app Parler. She does not believe in the public-school system, so all of them are homeschooled. (Every lesson with Mrs. Owens begins with a Hail Mary, she tells me.) When I ask her how shell teach her children about American history, she summons one of her favorite podcast catchphrases: Everything is fake and gay 101. But she says she will encourage them to read both sides: her book and Lena Dunhams.

Americas youth, Owens clearly believes, is in danger  from the trans agenda, from pedophiles, from their left-wing elementary-school teachers. Now that shes a mother, shes especially convinced the culture is deeply pedophilic, like QAnon come to life. Its one of the reasons she became so interested in Brigitte Macron. As Owenss narrative goes: Because Brigitte famously met Emmanuel when she was his high-school teacher, shes a trans groomer.

Owens first heard about this conspiracy, which had been circulating among the French alt-right for years, from an article in the Daily Mail while at a UFC fight in Miami. She became so titillated that she didnt even pay attention to Jared or Ivanka, also in attendance. Months later, when the Macrons wanted to know why the conspiracy was gaining traction in the U.S., they approached Clare Locke, a high-profile law firm known for taking on the media for defamation and that notably helped win a settlement for Dominion Voting Systems against Fox in 2023. Clare Locke retained an investigative firm, which soon zeroed in on Owenss podcast as the source. In the month after releasing the first episode in February, Owens claimed her YouTube series Becoming Brigitte racked up 58.2 million views and 11.8 million hours of watch time and earned her nearly 500,000 new subscribers.

In December 2024, Clare Locke sent Owens a warning on the Macrons behalf. Owens doubled down and soon after began to sell merch: a T-shirt with Brigitte Macrons face cropped onto a Time Man of the Year cover, which was for a time available to purchase at Walmart online. This July, in an extraordinary move for a foreign dignitary, the Macrons sued Owens. This is not some vanity project by the president and the First Lady because their noses are out of joint by somebody saying things on the internet, Tom Clare, the Macrons attorney, told me. The lawsuit, though, has only brought more attention to the conspiracy, and the tabloidization of the drama has taken on increasingly lurid undertones. When news broke that the Macrons would provide scientific evidence of the First Ladys sex this fall, the right-wing internet laughed itself into a meme cycle about the idea that Brigitte Macron would present nudes in court. (The Macrons intention was to provide photos of the First Lady when she was pregnant with her three children.) What has been overlooked in the press, but not by the Macrons suit, is that Owens has not only accused Brigitte of being trans but also claimed that the couple has engaged in incest and murdered journalists. As the Macrons suit states: Candace Owens is not in the pursuit of the truth, but the pursuit of fame. Earlier this year, the Macrons declined an offer by Owens to fly to Paris with her team to interview them.

In 2026, the Macrons suit will move into discovery. Owens, meanwhile, has responded with more accusations, going so far as to say the Macrons hired an assassination squad to kill her. If she loses the suit, shell likely call it a conspiracy. If she wins, shell likely say the same. They were probably betting I would at least shut up until we got to court, Owens told me, giggling and clearly pleased with the trouble shes caused. Wrong bet.

One reason, among others, that Owens says she was suspicious about Kirks murder is that the activist, she claims, was beginning to question his support for Israel. For most of their careers, she and Kirk had both been vocally supportive of Netanyahus government, even attending the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem during Trumps first term. Last year, though, Owens switched her stance, calling the decimation of Gaza a genocide and bringing Norman Finkelstein on her show to discuss Palestinian history.

In the wake of the assassination, certain Kirk allies seemed anxious to affirm his support for Israels war. Benjamin Netanyahu even released a letter Kirk sent him expressing his deep love for the country, also calling any claims of Kirks wavering position, backed at the time by Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, a monstrous big lie. Owens accused him of bastardizing Kirks legacy. As she is prone to do, she took all of this as evidence that Israel, Netanyahu, and/or Mossad was involved in Kirks death. (Owens has also said an Israeli national is on the Macrons assassination squad.)

In Nashville, Owens attempted to convince me the real reason for her coming out as pro-Palestine was a moral one. During her third pregnancy, she says, she became horrified by what she was seeing on Instagram. I remember looking at this trending video of this Palestinian girl that was pulled from the rubble and she looked like my daughter, Owens told me. Up until this point in our conversation, she had been poised, her hands in her lap, never once touching the ice water in front of her. She now adopted the persona more familiar to her YouTube viewers  sterner, louder, more riled up. There are children that are dying and there are politicians speaking about them on the other side of the world like theyre rodents, she said.

Like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, Owens is a central figure in a growing faction of conservatives leading a crack-up of the MAGA coalition that is ostensibly about Trumps continued support for Israel. Their concerns about funding this foreign war, though, have been clouded by other things theyve said and done. In 2018, Taylor Greene accused the Rothschilds of starting California wildfires with lasers from space, which gave rise to the Jewish space lasers conspiracy; Carlson caused much consternation this fall when he interviewed the neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes.

Owens, too, has long courted antisemitic ideas. She resigned from Turning Point in 2018 after a panel with Kirk in London at which, while bumbling through a thought about the difference between globalism and nationalism, she ended up complimenting Hitler. (If Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, okay, fine.) She was fired from the Daily Wire for similar reasons, and afterward peddled in antisemitic tropes about Ben Shapiro, the founder of that outlet, saying that he cannot serve God and money. She has long been in alliance with Kanye West, who famously tweeted, in 2018, I like the way Candace Owens thinks; in turn, she liked his infamous Defcon 3 on Jewish People tweet. Pressed on these issues, Owens has often brushed away accusations of antisemitism by saying she once worked for Jewish men, currently employs one, and even dated one once. (Similarly: Shes not homophobic because she has a gay publicist.)

Between her newfound distance from Turning Point and the White House and party infighting over Israel and the Epstein files, Owens says she no longer identifies as a Republican, even promising to not vote for anyone within the party for the time being. In fact, she told me, she thinks of herself as a moderate now. I think to be moderate is always an extreme position, she explained, arguing that when emotions arent so high  will they ever not be?  people will come to think of her as sensible. She seems excited to tell me this. Do you think Im a moderate? she asked, raising an eyebrow. I didnt know what to say. It did occur to me that claiming that label is a good ploy for sanitizing her image and expanding her coalition. She believes shes converting liberals to her cause. I think when people saw me through the lens of Trump, they didnt think that my perspectives were moderate, she told me.

Notably, in a series of focus groups conducted by The Bulwark and The Focus Group Podcast in swing states this year, Owens came up several times among female voters when asked who they believed should be president. We need to see more representation from highly educated, unapologetic women that speak their minds that can honestly go toe-to-toe with the men, said one Black woman, a Biden-to-Trump voter, in North Carolina. If we wouldve swapped Candace for Kamala, they wouldve had this in the bag. Another voter, in Pennsylvania, said, Theres just some things were not being told. And its just not adding up. Shes really the only one whos willing to ask those hard questions and get to the bottom of it. The others on the Zoom nodded along.

As Trump seemingly begins to lose his grasp on the base, maybe the party is heading in Owenss direction. Although she doesnt know him personally, she believes Vice-President J.D. Vance and she are probably more ideologically aligned. They may represent whatever MAGA might look like after Trumps cult of personality is dissolved. Frankly, the cult is embarrassing more than anything else, Owens told me. Her critics on the right have argued shes committing the lefts most mortal sin: eating your own. Owens disagrees.

Theres always a chance that if the countrys paranoias start drifting in another direction, shell happily and emphatically abandon her beliefs and allies in favor of new ones. Theres an equally possible chance shell have another dream and will it into our reality.
The Maritime province of Nova Scotia is known for its lighthouses, lobster, Celtic/Acadian vibe, and Canadian history like the UNESCO heritage site of Old Town Lunenburg.

Now it could be put on the map for an entirely different reason: low-carbon, sustainable jet fuel.

CBC News reported this week that a proposal for an industrial plant on Nova Scotias Eastern Shore has passed its first regulatory hurdle: environmental approval from the province.

The proponent, Nova Sustainable Fuels, backed by European energy giant Octopus Energy, plans to build a $4-6 billion facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable ethanol, using solar and wind power and biomass. The company describes the products as two critical low-carbon fuels for decarbonizing the transportation sector.

The project would proceed in two phases. The first phase is building a production facility near the mouth of Isaacs Harbour, NS. In the second phase, wind and solar farms would be built to connect to the plant. That, says CBC, would require another environmental assessment, which the company said it plans to submit in 2027.

The jet fuel plant would require 60 truckloads of biomass (wood waste) per day and 586 cubic meters of fresh water per hour, which would be pulled from two nearby lakes.

Related: $60 Oil Is No Longer a Floor

Nova Sustainable Fuels expects it will take two to three years to construct and have a 50-year lifespan. Nova Scotias environment minister, Tim Halman, has put a few conditions on the project, including that it must be built within two years.

Nova Scotia has recently turned toward traditional oil and gas sources, despite strategizing a shift from fossil fuels to renewables focused on wind power. In July the province announced it is returning to offshore petroleum exploration for the first time since 2018, offering 13 new parcels covering 3.3 million hectares near the Scotian Shelf.

Energy Minister Trevor Boudreau said offshore natural gas presents a major economic opportunity.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel, made from sustainable sources such as biofuels, biomass, and captured carbon from oil and gas operations. It is said to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and can be used in existing aircraft and infrastructure without modifications.

SAF has another Canadian connection in Parkland Corporation, which in 2024 produced the first batch of made-in-Canada low-carbon jet fuel from its facility in Burnaby, British Columbia, just outside of Vancouver.

The 10,000 liters of fuel were sourced from non-food-grade canola and tallow. The entire batch of the production run was bought by Air Canada.

Previously, the Canadian aviation industry purchased SAF from other countries and imported it into Canada.

SAF is being employed at major airports including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.

Airlines are collaborating with fuel suppliers, airports and industries like tech and agriculture to boost SAF supply chains. They are also signing multi-year agreements with fuel producers like Neste and World Energy.

Despite these developments, the ramp-up of Sustainable Aviation Fuel has been slower than expected due to high costs and economic uncertainty, putting global clean jet fuel supply off course to reach the 2030 targets, according to a March report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Airlines and airports globally invest just 1-3% of their revenues or capex on SAF, per the report cited by Reuters.

High production costs remain the key barriers to faster adoption of SAF, according to BCG's findings.

Last year, for example, Shell paused on-site construction work at a biofuels plant in Rotterdam amid weak market conditions. The plant is designed to produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel made from waste.

In 2023, Willie Walsh, director general at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said that the airline industry would be ready to embrace the fact that SAF would always be more expensive than oil-based jet fuel.

In 2024, SAF production volumes reached 1 million tons, double the 500,000 tons produced in 2023. However, SAF accounted for just 0.3% of global jet fuel production and 11% of global renewable fuel, according to IATA's latest estimates.

By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Last Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump posted a striking message on Truth Social calling for a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. In the post, Trump cited asset theft, terrorism, and human trafficking, and asserted that Venezuela should be treated as a foreign terrorist organization.

The statement immediately sparked confusion across energy markets and political media. Trump offered no details on how such a blockade would be enforced, under what legal authority it would operate, or whether the U.S. military would be involved. But the language marked a sharp escalation from sanctions enforcement to what would amount to a direct economic and potentially military action.

Shortly after the post appeared, I began receiving messages asking what Trump was referring to. I believe I understand the context that is largely absent from the initial coverage. What follows is an attempt to explain what many are missing. In a nutshell, a corporate expropriation that involved my employer nearly two decades agohandled through courts and arbitrationnow appears to be resurfacing as a geopolitical flashpoint.

Before going further, it is important to be clear about intent. The following is not an argument in support of President Trumps position, nor an endorsement of the language he used. It is an attempt to explain the historical and legal context that helps clarify what he may be referencing.

Why Trump Is Likely Referring to Chavezs 2007 Oil Seizures

Based on the wording of Trumps post, particularly his demand that Venezuela return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us, the most plausible reference is the 2007 expropriation of U.S. oil assets by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

At that time, oil prices were rising and Chavezs government nationalized major oil projects operated by foreign companies, including ConocoPhillips, which was my employer at that time. The company had invested heavily in the country and its stakes in three large venturesPetrozuata, Hamaca, and Corocorowere seized without compensation. For those of us working in the industry at the time, it was an event that reshaped how companies viewed business risks in Venezuela.

What began as a corporate dispute became one of the largest unresolved U.S. claims against a foreign government.

The Legal Case Behind the Rhetoric

ConocoPhillips pursued international arbitration for years and ultimately won multiple awards. Most recently, in January 2025, arbitration rulings were upheld totaling approximately $8.7 billion plus interest. Venezuela has consistently refused to pay.

The U.S. Treasury has authorized ConocoPhillips to pursue enforcement actions worldwide, including the seizure of Venezuelan assets held abroad. Some assets have been targeted over the years, but full recovery has remained elusive.

Trumps framing of Venezuela as having stolen American oil aligns directly with this legal history. While Venezuela claims sovereign authority over its resources, international tribunals ruled the expropriation illegal under international law. Trump appears to be elevating that unresolved legal judgment into a matter of U.S. foreign policy enforcement.

From Arbitration to Blockade: A Major Escalation

What makes Trumps post extraordinary is not the underlying dispute, but the proposed response. A naval or economic blockade would represent a dramatic shift from legal remedies to coercive state action.

Such a move would carry enormous implications. Venezuela remains an oil exporter, and interference with tanker traffic could disrupt global energy markets, strain relations with U.S. allies, and provoke retaliation from Venezuela and its partners. It would also raise questions about international law, freedom of navigation, and congressional authorization.

What Comes Next

At this stage, it is unclear whether Trumps post signals imminent policy action or rhetorical pressure aimed at forcing negotiations. What is clear is that the claim of stolen oil is rooted in a documented, adjudicated legal case involving U.S. corporate assets seized without compensation.

As this story develops, separating legal fact from political theater will be essential. Whether Trumps threat leads to meaningful asset recoveryor instead deepens geopolitical conflictremains an open question. But the underlying dispute he is invoking is real, unresolved, and now very much back at the center of U.S.Venezuela relations.

By Robert Rapier

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The prospect of a peace deal in Ukraine has been gaining momentum in the global oil market over the past few days, stripping away part of the geopolitical risk premium that has kept prices elevated since Russias invasion on 24 February 2022. Following meetings last week in Berlin with Ukrainian and European officials, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stated that consensus was reached on around 90% of the issues within a 20-point peace plan. Ukraine has indicated that it may drop its NATO membership bid in exchange for legally binding U.S. and European security assurances, similar to NATOs Article 5. This states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, obligating other members to assist, potentially with armed force, to restore security. The U.S. has now said that it is offering Article 5-like assurances, with President Donald Trump now reportedly willing to submit to the Senate for approval. Meanwhile, Russia has indicated it could accept Ukraine joining the European Union (E.U.) of 27 countries as part of a settlement, a major shift from its earlier stance. However, it continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from parts of Donetsk still under Kyivs control, while Ukraine rejects ceding territory. Talks continue, with Trump saying in the last few days that were closer now [to a peace deal] than we have been, so what would it mean if such an agreement was reached tomorrow?

Even if a full peace agreement were reached tomorrow  freely agreed by both Ukraine and Russia -- it would likely take months for any significant rolling back of U.S. sanctions on Russia to occur, and years before all such prohibitions were removed. Literally thousands of sanctions have been imposed on Russia since [24 February] 2022, involving codification through multiple executive orders, Treasury designations, and sometimes congressional legislation, so removing them doesnt just mean a signature, a senior Washington-based source who works closely with the U.S. Treasury Department exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. Removing each one will require a formal review process, inter?agency coordination, and sometimes Senate approval if treaty?level commitments are involved, he noted. Dont forget that these sanctions often also feed into similar ones on third-country firms and individuals that are connected to Russia, so getting rid of those would require another level of legal process and negotiations with allies in Europe and Asia, which would be very time consuming, he underlined. And on top of that any major rollback could be challenged every step of the way by the lawmakers, which would take it out of the control of the executive, he told OilPrice.com. Ultimately, sanctions are seen as the tangible sign of U.S. resolve, and any rapid removal  absent a clear milestone achieved by Russia  would risk being read by allies and adversaries alike as a reward for aggression. Given this, any substantive longer-term effects on the global oil market would likely be muted.

Related: Oil Prices Jump 2% on Fear of Supply Disruptions in Russia and Venezuela

Even more so, as it is highly likely that such an initiative would involve a graduated process, as with Iran, according to the Washington source. Indeed, once the U.S. had agreed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, or colloquially the nuclear deal) on 14 July 2015, sanctions relief for Iran was phased in over years, contingent on verified compliance milestones, with Treasury and State monitoring implementation before easing restrictions, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. Its pretty clear that the Europeans would want to see this sort of a rollback, and Ukraine too, with [sanctions] relief charted against benchmarks, not a blanket lifting overnight, said the Washington source. In this case [Ukraine], wed be looking for proof that Russia is not continuing with military support for its occupied territories, or a further build-up of Russian military in those regions, and this would require international monitoring, he observed. Moreover, as seen in the E.U.s recent Sanctions Snapback on Iran, any relief programme for Russia would almost certainly contain a similar mechanism to re?impose measures if Moscow breached peace terms. Judging from the Snapback on Iran, and the likely terms for Russia of any peace deal, such a snapback for Moscow would involve a quick and broad-based reimposition of sanctions on it and third parties relating to military hardware, dual-use (civilian and military) technology, and finance as monitored through the lens of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF enforces 40 standards against money laundering and nine against terrorist financing, with sweeping powers to sanction individuals, firms, or states that fall short. Its grey? and black?list designations trigger escalating restrictions, making it an aggressive enforcement tool.

In any event, Europe  both the E.U. and other countries, including Great Britain  looks even less likely than the U.S. to start rolling back sanctions on Russia any time soon. After years of effectively bankrolling the Russian war machine through vast imports of the countrys oil and gas, the message finally appears to have sunk in: the rest of Europe is in President Vladimir Putins sights after Ukraine. He laid the groundwork for what was to come back in his second state?of?the?nation speech after his 2004 re?election, broadcast live on Russian television, when he said: The demise of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century. As for the Russian people, it became a genuine tragedy. Tens of millions of our fellow citizens and countrymen found themselves beyond the fringes of Russian territory. Following that, his tentative first military incursion into a sovereign European country  Georgia in 2008  showed him that he could get away with more, in the classic salami slicing strategy of territorial advancement that he has used since. This was because of the ineffectual response from Europe to this aggression  itself a result of the fact that the continent, particularly Germany, was unwilling to jeopardise its cheap Russian gas and oil supplies, as also detailed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. When the same meek response met his 2014 invasion of Ukraine, and subsequent annexation of Crimea, it was game on for the full invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte laid it out bare for Europe just over a week ago: We are Russias next target. And we are already in harms way. With this view now widespread among Europes top leaders, the meaningful rollback of sanctions on Moscow looks unlikely, with the corollary lack of long-term follow-through in the global oil market.

President Trump has further fuelled Europes determination to take its own path on Russia, having made it clear early in this presidency that NATO members who did not dramatically increase their defence spending could not rely on U.S. military support in the event of attack from Russia. The last time NATO met, members agreed to increase their defence spending to 5% of their gross domestic product, up from an average of 2% last year. Against this backdrop, it would be too obscene even for Germany to advocate the resumption of oil and gas imports in size from Russia. Indeed, around two weeks ago, the E.U. fully agreed to implement its REPowerEU Roadmap, which European Commission (E.C.) President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted as enabling the continent to: Enter the era of Europes full energy independence from Russia [as] Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. She underlined: By depleting [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector. E.C. Commissioner, Dan Jrgensen, put it even more plainly: We [the E.U.] will never go back to our dangerous dependence on Russia, we will never go back to volatile supplies and market manipulation, and we will never go back to energy blackmail and economic exposure. As such, the agreement contains bans on E.U. imports of pipelined natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and oil from Russia, as analysed fully by OilPrice.com. As one senior source in the EUs security complex exclusively told OilPrice.com last week: Regardless of what the Americans do, and regardless of any peace deal in Ukraine, were not rolling back anything on Russia.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The reliance on LFP batteries has simply traded a dependence on Congolese cobalt for a new total reliance on Chinese-refined graphite, which is the essential anode material for the technology.

China controls over 98% of the worlds LFP cathode material and nearly 100% of the cells, giving it a strategic and near-total command over the future of global energy storage.

The rapid adoption of cheaper Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries has allowed China to capture nearly half of the global electric car market, largely due to its scale and lower manufacturing costs.

The marketing deck for the next decade of energy storage has a favorite protagonist: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP).

Its the "sensible" chemistry. No cobalt, no nickel, no ethical hand-wringing over mines in the DRC, andcrucially...no thermal runaway that turns an electric SUV into a roadside bonfire.

This isn't just a story about a safer batteryts a story about the strategic surrender of the Wests "premium" battery lead to Chinas industrial floor...

In 2024, LFP had already captured nearly half of the global electric car market. That is a staggering jump from less than 10% just four years ago. The "official" logic is that LFP is cheaper, and it is.

By 2025, LFP pack prices hit a record low of $81/kWh, compared to $128/kWh for Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC).

The $47-per-kilowatt-hour gap is the reason your neighbor can afford a Tesla Model 3. It is also the reason North American and European manufacturers are sweating through their tailored suits.

The Geography of the "China Price"

When we talk about LFP growth, we are actually talking about Chinese domestic policy disguised as a global market trend.

The data is brutal.

China currently produces over 98% of the worlds LFP cathode material and nearly 100% of the cells. While North American and European startups are busy chasing the "holy grail" of solid-state or high-nickel chemistries to squeeze out an extra 50 miles of range, China has been busy perfecting the "good enough" battery at a scale that defies standard economic modeling...

Consider the "China Price" vs. the world.

In 2025, an EV battery pack in China averages $84/kWh. In North America, that same pack costs 44% more. In Europe, the premium is 56%.

We are seeing a bifurcated world: a high-cost, high-performance West trying to build a wall of tariffs against a low-cost, high-volume East.

The Stationary Storage Mirage

The "energy storage boom" is often cited as the second pillar of LFP growth. It makes sense on paper. If youre building a grid-scale battery to soak up solar power in the desert, you dont care about weight. You care about cycle life and safety.

LFP delivers 2,000 to 5,000 cyclesroughly four times what youll get from the high-density NMC batteries found in luxury EVs.

But here is the audit of that "abundance" promise: stationary storage pack prices plummeted 45% in 2025 alone, hitting $70/kWh. This sounds like a win for the green transition...

Until you realize this price crash is driven by massive Chinese overcapacity.

Chinas production capacity for stationary storage cells in 2025 is estimated at 557 GWh. To put that in perspective, that is more than double the entire global installation demand for the sector. We aren't seeing an "efficiency miracle"; we are seeing a strategic liquidation of oversupply that makes it nearly impossible for any Western competitor to stand up a factory without permanent government life-support.

The Graphite Bottleneck

The move to LFP was supposed to be a "de-risking" exercise. By removing cobalt and nickel, manufacturers thought they were escaping the volatility of the mining sector.

Ive spent enough time looking at balance sheets to know that risks don't disappear; they just relocate.

Graphite is the silent anchor of the LFP battery. It makes up the largest segment of the LFP type market because it is the essential anode material.

And guess who controls the graphite supply chain?

China currently refines over 90% of the worlds graphite.

Weve traded a dependence on Congolese cobalt for a total reliance on Chinese carbon...

The industry is now facing a looming deficit in purified phosphoric acid (PPA)...the "P" in LFPas early as 2030. The "limitless" chemistry is hitting the same physical wall as every other heavy industry: you cannot build a digital future if you don't control the acids and rocks.

The Reality of the $23 Billion Projection

So, we have a market projected to grow at a 16% CAGR, reaching $23.55 billion by 2031.

Who actually collects the equity on that growth?

Right now, the list of key players is a roll call of Chinese giants: BYD and CATL lead the pack, with A123 and Gotion filling the gaps. Western firms like Ford or Volkswagen are no longer the innovators here; they are the customers. They are shifting from being manufacturers of high-value drivetrain technology to being integrators of a Chinese-designed platform.

The shift from public service (utility-led energy security) to private platform (battery-as-a-service) is well underway.

The "safety and cost advantages" mentioned in the marketing reports are real, but they come with a geopolitical price tag that isn't included in the $81/kWh quote. Every percentage point LFP gains in market share is another knot tied into the Chinese supply chain.

The Final Audit

The LFP surge is a maintenance bill for the 21st century. Its the hardware that keeps the lights on when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining.

Is it a leap forward? In terms of safety and cycle life, absolutely. But it is also a massive financial transfer. We are building the infrastructure of the future on a foundation of Chinese overcapacity and specialized mineral dominance.

Abundance is a lovely word, but in the battery world, it usually just means someone else owns the factory.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The Kremlin maintained its hard line on a Ukraine peace deal, rejecting undisclosed changes proposed by Kyiv and its European allies, as separate US-Russia and US-Ukraine talks wrapped up in Florida.

The remarks on December 21 came on the same day that Ukraine accused Russia of abducting civilians from a village in Ukraine's Sumy region and taking about 50 of them across the border into Russia.

The situation in the Sumy region remained unclear and details could not immediately be confirmed.

In Florida, all sides continued to characterize the various negotiating sessions as "constructive," but there were no apparent signs of progress in either the US-Russia or US-Ukraine discussions.

No announcements were made on possible future meetings.

Reporting To Putin

As Russian chief negotiator Kirill Dmitriev concluded the second day of talks with US counterparts, Yury Ushakov, foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters in Moscow to expect no breakthrough.

Dmitriev, he said, would simply return to Moscow and make a report to Putin on December 22.

"The Americans are celebrating Christmas in these days. Not many people are going to be working," Ushakov said.

"He [Dmitriev] will bring back some signals, which the Americans received from the Europeans and the Ukrainians," Ushakov was quoted by Russian media as saying.

After Dmitriev reports to the Russian leadership, "we will formulate the position with which we will proceed, including in our contacts with the Americans," Ushakov said.

Ushakov claimed that changes proposed by Kyiv and its European allies would not improve the chances of peace, although he said he had not yet seen the exact proposals.

"I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace," he said.

Late on December 21, US special envoy Steve Witkoff posted on X that the talks with Russia were "productive and constructive."

"Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine. Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security," the statement read.

'Productive And Constructive'

Separately, Rustem Umerov, who has led Ukrainian diplomats in Florida, met with the US team -- also led by Witkoff and President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared ?Kushner. Umerov also held talks with key European allies during his trip to the US state.

"Over the past three days in Florida, the Ukrainian delegation has held a number of productive and constructive meetings with American and European partners." Umerov wrote on social media.

"Key national security advisers from European countries also joined the discussions to agree on a common strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe."

"Separately, a constructive meeting was held in the US-Ukraine format," he said, citing talks on a 20-point peace plan; security guarantees, including those with the United States; and economic development issues.

"Peace should not only be a cessation of hostilities, but also a worthy basis for a stable future," he added.

Trump in November began pressing Kyiv to accept a 28-point proposal that critics said was heavily skewed in Russia's favor.

Ukraine and its European backers scrambled to make amendments to protect Ukraine's interests on territory, security guarantees for Kyiv, and other issues, with reports suggesting the plan now consists of 20 points and takes in more of Kyiv's concerns.

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally but who has taken a harder line on Russia, told NBC's Meet The Press program on December 21 that it remained unclear if Putin would accept the current deal.

But he added that, if he does not, the US administration should take an approach similar to its recent actions with oil tankers near Venezuela and "seize ships that are carrying sanctioned Russian oil.

Whereabouts Unknown

On the ground in Ukraine, Russian military attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure showed no signs of easing.

Authorities were evacuating people from part of Ukraine's Sumy region bordering Russia, amid reports that the Kremlin's forces had abducted civilians and taken them to Russia.

"Its unclear whats going on there. They keep coming at us," one evacuee, who gave her name as Tetyana, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on December 21.

Ukraine's ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said he had written to his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, demanding information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Ukrainian citizens.

He has also appealed to the International Red Cross for help.

"I call on the international community...to stop the illegal deportations of the civilian population of Ukraine," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said most of those taken were "elderly women."

"Russian invaders have stolen five dozen civilian people, mostly elderly women, from a tiny Ukrainian village, Hrabovske, right across the state border in the Sumy region," he wrote on social media.

"This particular war crime is already being prosecuted in Ukraine and should receive an appropriate response at the international level as well," he added.

"It also underscores the permanent threat of living next to Russia. That is why Ukraine needs a real, lasting peace. Living next to terrorists requires strength and robust security guarantees," he added.

Elsewhere, authorities in Russia's Krasnodar region said early on December 22 that a Ukrainian drone strike damaged at least two vessels and piers in a village on the Black Sea coast. There were no injuries reported, but a fire was blazing at the Volna terminal early in the morning, officials said.

Ukraine has regularly hit the Krasnodar region, targeting energy assets that Kyiv says fund and fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

By RFE/RL

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Harbour Energy has agreed to buy Louisiana-based privately-held LLOG Exploration Company for $3.2 billion in a strategic deal that will establish a foothold for the UK-based oil and gas producer in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Harbour Energy on Monday announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire LLOG Exploration Company LLC from LLOG Holdings LLC for a total of $3.2 billion, comprising $2.7 billion of cash and $500 million Harbours voting ordinary shares.

The Acquisition marks Harbours strategic entry into the US Gulf of America, strengthening its global portfolio and establishing another core business unit alongside Norway, the UK, Argentina and Mexico, said the UK-based company.

Harbour Energy has recently moved to consolidate its UK presence in the face of the very high windfall tax which the UK government refused to revise in its latest budget.

Establishing a presence in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico would give Harbour Energy a foothold in a market where the Administration is currently very friendly toward oil and gas exploration and development.

The transaction positions us as a leading player in a region with well-established infrastructure, a supportive fiscal and regulatory environment and opportunities for additional growth, said Harbour Energys chief executive Linda Cook.

Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here

The oil-weighted, deepwater LLOG portfolio enhances our production profile, provides significant operational control, extends reserve life and improves our margins.

The acquisition, which Harbour expects to complete at the end of the first quarter of 2026, would add low breakeven assets with production of 34,000 boepd, operating costs of $12 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), and a blended federal and state tax rate of about 23%, the company said.

Earlier this month, Harbour Energy announced an acquisition in the UK North Sea as the industry seeks to weather the crippling effects of the UK windfall tax, which makes total tax on UK oil and gas production at 78%--one of the worlds highest.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Oil and gas producer Indonesia has put up for tender eight new blocks to award to companies as Southeast Asias biggest economy looks to boost domestic hydrocarbon reserves and production.

Interested parties can submit bids by February 5, 2026, for the onshore and offshore blocks Tapah, Nawasena, Mabelo, Arwana III, Tuah Tanah, Rangkas, Akimeugah I, and Akimeugah II, according to a document of the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry published on Monday and seen by Reuters.

These blocks are estimated to hold billions of barrels of crude oil and billions of cubic feet of gas as Indonesia looks to reduce its import dependence and reverse a years-long decline in its oil production.

Indonesia looks to unlock its upstream potential by offering more than 100 previously untapped oil and gas basins to global investors for exploration.

The country targets to nearly double its oil production to 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil. Currently, Indonesia pumps about 600,000 bpd of crude.

Indonesia has developed only 20 out of 128 identified oil and gas basins across its archipelago, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resource, Yuliot Tanjung, said in November at the launch event to attract investments in Indonesias energy future.

The government is allocating resources to its Geological Agency to conduct advanced 2D and 3D surveys, paving the way for exploration to unlock the potential of these resources, the official said.

Our shared vision is clear: by 2029, Indonesia will achieve its production target of 1 million barrels of oil per day, boost energy security, and advance sustainable development, Yuliot said at the event.

Indonesia has also prepared 75 oil and gas blocks across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, and offshore areas for auctions and concessions. Nine of these oil and gas blocks have been awarded to business entities, with several more blocks to follow, the deputy energy minister said at the end of November.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Oil prices jumped in early Monday trading after the U.S. intercepted a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a "total and complete" blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, while Ukraine has launched a drone strike on a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Mediterranean.

Venezuela accounts for 1% of global oil supply.

Brent crude for February delivery rose 2% to trade at $61.68 per barrel at 12:24 pm ET on Monday, while WTI crude for January delivery was up 2.03% to trade at $57.67 per barrel.

Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) is currently engaged in talks with the Trump administration over its Venezuelan operations, with Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth emphasizing that its continued presence there is beneficial to U.S. interests, while Washingtons military buildup in the Caribbean seeks to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Back in August, Chevron resumed shipments of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. after a 4-month hiatus, averaging just over 100,000 bpd. Whereas the oil giant is the only American energy company that has been authorized to operate in Venezuela, it can only export half of the estimated 240,000 barrels of crude it produces per day. The Treasury Department also banned payments in any currency to Maduros government. PDVSA, Venezuelas state-owned oil company and Chevron's key partner, controls the barrels delivered to comply with in-kind payments, export some, and use the rest in the domestic market.

Chevron produces and exports heavy crudes in Venezuela, primarily from the Orinoco Belt, upgrading extra-heavy crude into lighter, higher-value synthetic oil (like Hamaca) and also handling Boscan crude, sending these to U.S. refineries for processing.

A potential shift in Venezuelas political trajectory adds another layer of uncertainty to Chevrons long-standing position in the country. Any transition away from Maduro could initially tighten global crude supply if instability disrupts output, before triggering a longer-term surge in volumes if a new government courts foreign investment and opens the sector to broader participation.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
An LNG tanker has loaded fuel from a sanctioned Russian export project on the Baltic Sea, vessel-tracking data showed on Monday, as Russia and China are boosting their mutually beneficial LNG trade unfazed by the Western sanctions.

The Kunpeng tanker, which is not blacklisted, has loaded LNG from Portovaya, a small export plant on the Baltic Sea run by Russias gas giant Gazprom, and departed with the cargo on December 21, according to ship-tracking data from analytics firm Kpler and from LSEG cited by Reuters.

Portovaya, Gazproms only LNG export facility, and its Russia-based operator, Gazprom SPG Portovaya Limited Liability Company, were sanctioned by the United States in January 2025 in one of the last actions of the Biden Administration in a barrage of sanctions to degrade Russias energy sector.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that the Kunpeng is now linked with companies in China and the Marshall Islands and docked at Portovaya for the first time a China-linked tanker has been sent to ship LNG from the export facility sanctioned by the United States.

Earlier this month, China received the first shipment from Portovaya on a U.S.-blacklisted vessel, as Russia and China continue to flaunt Western sanctions on their LNG trade.

Russia has been stepping up efforts to sell its sanctioned LNG supply in China in recent months.

Clear evidence of these efforts is the rising exports from Russias Arctic LNG 2 project to China in defiance of U.S., UK, and EU sanctions on the project and tankers serving its exports.

China is estimated to have received more than a dozen LNG cargoes from Arctic LNG 2 this year.

The increased shipments from Portovaya come as thick ice hinders LNG exports from the Arctic project.

Russian liquefied natural gas exports to China broke a record set earlier this year, overtaking Australian shipments in November, according to customs data cited by Bloomberg. The data showed that Russian LNG flows to China in November rose more than twofold from a year earlier to reach 1.6 million tons, making the country Chinas second-largest LNG seller after Qatar.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Russian liquefied natural gas exports to China broke a record set earlier this year, overtaking Australian shipments in November, according to customs data cited by Bloomberg.

The data showed that Russian LNG flows to China in November rose more than twofold from a year earlier to reach 1.6 million tons, making the country Chinas second-largest LNG seller after Qatar.

Earlier this year, in September, Russian LNG exports to China hit an all-time high of 1.3 million tons, customs data from China showed at the time. The amount was an increase from 751,000 tons a year before that.

Trade in liquefied natural gas between China and Russia is on the rise this year despite Western sanctions on Russias LNG producers. Shipments of superchilled gas from the Arctic LNG 2 facility in Western Siberia started earlier this year and have continued despite the sanctions.

Since June, the operator of Arctic LNG2, 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.

China is estimated to have received at least ten LNG cargoes from Arctic LNG 2 as Beijing and Moscow appear bolder in defying U.S. and other Western sanctions on Russias energy exports. All exports from Arctic LNG 2 have been shipped to China, after China stopped buying U.S. LNG amid the two countries trade spat.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported on Friday that a Chinese LNG tanker had docked at Gazproms Portovaya LNG terminal in the Baltic Seathe first such move on the part of China. The Portovaya terminal was sanctioned by the Biden administration in January but China has indicated repeatedly that it does not recognize the unilateral sanctions.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Russia is expected to deliver 25% higher volumes of natural gas via pipeline to China this year, compared to 2024, an anonymous source with knowledge of the flows told Reuters on Monday.

Russia has been boosting both its pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China this year, as its sales are being shunned in Europe, Moscows previous top export market.

The EU, earlier this month, even managed to reach an agreement on how to phase out imports of Russian gas.

As a result of lost markets in Europe, Russia is pivoting to China and other Asian markets to ship its gas.

This year, Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, is set to ship 38.6-38.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas via the Power of Siberia pipeline to China, up from 31 billion cubic meters last year and above the planned annual capacity of 38 billion cubic meters, according to the source who spoke to Reuters.

Russia wants to have a second natural gas pipeline to China and the two countries earlier this year signed a legally binding memorandum to move forward with a second pipeline to carry gas from Russias huge Siberian fields to China via Mongolia.

Russia has tried for years to get China to commit to the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, without success. Now a legally binding memorandum has been signed, but key sticking points remain  including the price China will (be willing to) pay for the supply. Its not clear who and how will finance the huge multi-billion-dollar project, either.

The construction of the second Power of Siberia gas pipeline from Russia to Northern China could take up to 10 years because it involves tremendous work, jobs and negotiations, the president of the research division of China's state energy giant CNPC said earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Russian LNG flows to China in November jumped more than twofold from a year earlier to reach a record high 1.6 million tons, making the country Chinas second-largest LNG seller after Qatar.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Da'wa in Doha: Qatar's 21st century Muslim Brotherhood strategy By Tirza Shorr

web posted December 22, 2025 On November 24, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order designating Muslim Brotherhood chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Three weeks later, Qatarconsidered the world hub for the Muslim Brotherhoodhosted two major international conferences. The 23rd Doha Forum drew 6,000 participants, including Bill Gates, Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump, Jr., Hillary Clinton, and Tom Barrack. One week later, the United Nations' Eleventh Conference on Corruption (CoSP11) brought representatives worldwide to discuss transparency and ethical governance in Doha. The inconsistency is plain. Despite Qatar's glamorous public image, the state hosts and funds terrorists, serving as the Muslim Brotherhood's de facto headquarters. In 2012-2013, Qatar provided $8-10 billion to Egypt's MB government under Mohamed Morsi and hosted Imam Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who justified suicide bombing, until his 2022 death. Qatar maintains Hamas leadership in luxury Doha accommodations and has destabilized Libya, Syria, and Tunisia through support for MB-aligned factions. While hosting international events for the UN and platforming liberal Western politicians, Qatar continues to operate the kafala system holding hundreds of thousands of its populationmigrant workersin conditions akin to slavery, with wage theft and deportation threats, per the 2025 U.S. State Department Trafficking Report. The paradox reveals the success of Doha's da'wathe Muslim Brotherhood's nearly century-old methodology for power. Originally an Arabic term meaning "invitation" or "call," referring to the Islamic practice of inviting people to understand and embrace Islam, often through preaching, teaching, or missionary work, the MB's political Islam has transformed this concept into a political act. As the Foundation for Defense of Democracies observed in its October 2025 report, the Brotherhood has "matched its rigid Islamist ideology with tactical flexibility." Beyond its economic power in real estate and business buyouts in the West, Qatar has mechanized soft power there by using sophisticated media, political, and diplomatic operations to capture world leadership and the publics now willfully blind to its da'wa operation. Al-Banna's Blueprint: The Three-Stage Strategy Hassan al-Banna founded the Muslim Brotherhood in March 1928 with the motto: "Allah is our goal. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Death in the service of Allah is our highest desire." His 1943 Risalat al-Taalim formalized three stages: At-Tarif  Introduction through da'wa (invitation/outreach)

At-Takwin  Formation through tarbiya (education) and tanzim (organization)

At-Tanfidh  Execution through 'amal (action) Qatar utilizes all three. The Qatar Debate Center (2008) exemplifies ta'rif under the guise of critical thinking. Exemplifying takwin, Qatar invested $1.07 billion in Georgetown over 20 years. ISGAP's June 2025 report documents how Qatari-funded education produces Foreign Service Officers with "academic knowledge of Frantz Fanon" and other radical anti-Western texts. Qatar's investment of $6.5 billion in American higher education since 1986 in Cornell ($1.95B), Carnegie Mellon ($1.05B), Northwestern ($770M), and Harvard ($358M+) was not motivated by charity, but by interest. Qatar's educational dawa extends to campus activism itself. Lenny Ben-David documented how Qatar's Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who heads the multi-billion-dollar Qatar Foundation, registered as a foreign agent in 2009 to launch campus influence operations. The Sheikha's Al Fakhoora campaign explicitly targeted American students for "advocacy skills" at Doha conferencesall expenses paid. Justice Department documents revealed goals including "pitching stories to university and mainstream press," "recruitment of student leaders on U.S. and international campuses," and "developing a spokesperson and leadership development curriculum." Qatar funds Al Jazeera and linked English venues amplifying Islamist narratives globally, while the Doha Forum programs create the appearance of openness, gaining international legitimization. Ben-David's research reveals Qatar's influence machine through interlocking institutions. The Arab Center Washington (ACW) and Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies in Doha, both Qatar Foundation-funded, provide "a steady stream of 'experts' to editors, media, publications, and speaking occasions in the United States," promoting narrative control while maintaining the veneer of independence. From Hitler to Hamas Al-Banna openly admired totalitarian power, having Hitler's Mein Kampf translated into Arabic as My Jihad. He adapted Der Sturmer, Julius Streicher's antisemitic newspaper, for Arab audiences with cartoons intact. From 1935, the Brotherhood sent delegations to Nazi rallies. In October 1938, they hosted the Parliamentary Conference for Arab and Muslim Countries in Cairo, distributing Mein Kampf and the Russian origin forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. In 1939, MB bombed a Cairo synagogue. When King Farouk granted Nazi war criminal and British Mandate "Grand Mufti" Haj Amin al-Husseini asylum in June 1946, al-Banna hailed him as "hero and great jihadist." Hamas's 1987 covenant as MB's armed wing demonstrated an unbroken ideological chain of eliminationist antisemitism fused with Islamist theology. Dissimulation: The Refusal to "Stay Put" Historian Martin Kramer identified a fatal Western flaw: "Fundamentalist Islam remains an enigma precisely because it has confounded all attempts to divide it into tidy categories. 'Revivalist' becomes 'extremist' (and vice versa) with such rapidity and frequency that the actual classification of any movement or leader has little predictive power. They will not stay put." This unpredictability appears in the Brotherhood's "simultaneous resort to political and violent means, through the creation of political and military wingsthe classic strategy of the Muslim Brotherhood throughout the Arab world." The movements use "bullets and ballots" simultaneously in Kramer's words. The FDD report reinforces this: "Some branches engage in domestic politics, others maintain armed wings, and many operate in the gray zone between activism and militancy." As FDD notes, "Since its early days, the Muslim Brotherhood has deflected blame for violence committed by its members or affiliates," maintaining plausible deniability while pursuing the same goals. Qatar operates at this intersection of flexibility and principle. As Kramer warns: "For dissimulation to succeed, it must be consistent and seamless." Qatar achieves this through compartmentalizationfunding left-wing academics while backing Tucker Carlson; hosting Al Udeid Air Base while sheltering Hamas leadership; hosting anti-corruption conferences while operating kafala slavery. Da'wa in Doha: Winning Both Sides The 2025 forum theme"Justice in Action"appeals to the Left. Nearly half the panels referenced Israeli "crimes" with no mention of Qatar-backed Hamas's October 7, 2023, massacre that killed over 1,200 Israelis. Forum attendees validated Qatar's power: Hillary Clinton, Tucker Carlson, Bill Gates, Donald Trump Jr., Saudi Foreign Minister (ending a four-year boycott), Syria's Islamist president, Iran's former foreign minister, and Turkey's current foreign minister. The forum epitomized al-Banna's tanfidhfollowing decades of dawa, tarbiya, and tanzim, Western elites signal legitimacy through presence. The "Red-Green Alliance" between Left and Islamists seemed to merge with MAGA's "woke right"isolationists and Israel critics. Tom Barrack, Trump's ambassador to Turkey and Syria envoy, declared: "I don't see a democracy" in the Middle East. "Israel can claim to be a democracy, but in this region, what has worked best is a benevolent monarchy." He argued against imposing democracy: "Every time we interveneit has not been successful." Tucker Carlson interviewed the Qatari foreign minister onstage, deflected claims Qatar supported terrorism, announced plans to buy Qatari property, and later posted that Qatarnot Israelshould be America's primary Middle Eastern ally. Ironically, in Doha, Donald Trump Jr. discussed "patriotic capitalism" weeks after his father's MB terrorist designation. Why No One Stops Qatar Qatar hosts both the U.S. military and Hamas. It aligns with Iran despite being a Sunni monarchy. Al Udeid Air Base houses 8,000 U.S. military personnelAmerica's largest Middle Eastern installation. The $500 billion sovereign wealth fund and natural gas reserves make Qatar indispensable. Yet Qatar and Turkey, both seeking F-35 fighter jets from Washington, also "host Hamas leaders and offices and have both been vocally opposed to Israel's war in Gaza," as reported recently. Qatar's renewed request for F-35safter a similar bid was rejected in 2020now proceeds with "contacts between Qatari and US officials already underway." The paradox is complete: the Muslim Brotherhood's unofficial headquarters is now negotiating for America's most advanced weapons while hosting the terrorist organization Trump just proscribed. Qatar follows al-Banna's methodology: pursuing power through any means, refusing to be pinned down, using dissimulation as doctrine. Qatar transformed da'wa into soft power, tarbiya into institutional capture, tanzim into media empire, and tanfidh into diplomatic theater where Western elites legitimize the Brotherhood by their presence at international diplomatic events. Qatar has achieved the willful blindness of the West due to its updated MB methodology. Twenty-first century da'wa is not conversion, but capture; not force, but influence; not overnight, but methodicallyover decades, billions in academic funding, diplomatic forums, and F-35 negotiations that continue even as the U.S. designates the MB as terrorists. Tirza Shorr is a senior researcher and program coordinator at the Jerusalem Center. Her research specialty is the ideology of leftist movements and the Red-Green alliance. Home

Home





Print this page
Shell and INEOS Energy have struck oil at a deepwater exploration well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, confirming a new discovery in the high-pressure Norphlet formation. Shell and INEOS Energy said the Nashville exploration well encountered high-quality oil more than 26,000 feet below the seabed, according to industry reporting

The well was drilled in deepwater acreage targeting the Norphlet play, a technically demanding formation associated with extreme pressure and temperature conditions that require advanced well design, specialized drilling fluids, and careful completion techniques to manage reservoir risks and costs.

This is a good result for INEOS Energy and an important step in building our presence in the U.S. Gulf where world-class resources are to be found and developed responsibly, INEOS Energy CEO David Bucknall said in a company statement.

INEOS Energy entered the U.S. offshore sector through its acquisition of upstream assets in the Gulf of Mexico, while Shell remains one of the basins largest operators with a long track record in deepwater exploration, development, and production. The Nashville well adds to ongoing exploration activity aimed at extending the commercial life of existing offshore infrastructure.

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico remains the countrys primary offshore oil province, hosting large, long-life deepwater developments operated by Shell, BP, and Chevron. Recent exploration results have underscored the continued role of ultra-deep, high-pressure drilling as operators pursue complex reservoirs at greater depths.

U.S. oil supply growth has increasingly tilted toward offshore production as shale basins mature and capital discipline tightens, with long-cycle deepwater projects gaining relative weight compared with shale

Shell and INEOS Energy did not disclose estimated recoverable volumes or a development timeline for the Nashville well, noting that further appraisal work will be required.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

During the 2025 Legislature, there were 15 major tax threats. Each of these tax threats had a public hearing and organizational support. The Taxpayers Association of Oregon was involved in opposing all 15 of these tax threats. Some of the tax threats ($122 million Google tax, Kicker theft, etc.) it was the Taxpayers Association as among the few who spoke out against them.

We defeated the 2025 Legislature gas tax (HB 2025) only to have it re-surface in a September Legislative Session as HB 3991. Even though it passed, Jason Williams of the Taxpayers Association was among the three chief petitioners (Senator Bruce Starr, Representative Ed Diehl) who launched the campaign to force the issue to go to the ballot. In a way, the Tapxyaers Association was involved in defeating this gas tax bill twice!!!!

IF YOU APPRECIATE OUR HARD WORK AND SUCCESS, THEN PLEASE MAKE A DONATION.

 Support our journalism. Make a donation at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Amelia Frank, June 1930. Credit: University of Wisconsin

In 1977, an American physicist named John H. Van Vleck won the Nobel Prize for his work on magnetism. In his Nobel lecture, amid a discussion of rare earth elements, one sentence leaps out:

"Miss Frank and I made the relevant calculations."

Who was Miss Frank? Van Vleck credits her with key work on the quantum mechanics of magnetism, but she is almost absent from the history books.

Amelia Frank published a handful of scholarly papers that are well-cited for the time. Yet histories of physics mostly mention her only as the wife of Eugene Wigner, who was himself awarded the physics Nobel in 1963.

Why don't we know more about Frank, and why aren't her contributions recognized? When we searched through the archives, we found a remarkable scientific life unfolding at the dawn of quantum mechanics.

A bright beginning

Born in 1906, Amelia Z. Frank grew up a junkyard owner's daughter in Adrian, Michigan. Local newspaper reports paint her as a bright, accomplished teen and an independent thinker.

As an undergraduate at a leading women's university, Goucher College, Frank joined the physics club. Her senior yearbook relates that her presentation on the Compton effecta description of how light interacts with electrically charged particles, named after Arthur Comptonwas both highly technical and engaging.

Nine months later, Compton gained wide public recognition with the award of the 1927 Nobel Prize for demonstrating that X-rays could behave like particles. Frank clearly had her finger on the pulse of the quantum mechanical revolution then occurring in physics.

Where many scholars intrigued by the quantum frontier pursued their study in Europe, Frank went to the University of Wisconsin. There, she met the recently recruited Van Vleck.

Quantum innovation

Arriving in Madison in 1928, Frank had placed herself at the American center of quantum innovation.

At that time, quantum mechanics could describe isolated particles or atoms, but puzzling out the behavior of solid materials was proving difficult.

Magnetism was the perfect testbed, as it can only be explained by quantum mechanicsnot classical physics. Frank, supervised by Van Vleck, turned to rare earth elements, where magnetism is strong and existing theories were insufficient. Could quantum physics resolve this conundrum?

Frank's thesis, partially published in Physical Review in 1932, focused on the element samarium. It showed quantum mechanical corrections were needed to explain the experimental data and contains a plot that appears in Van Vleck's Nobel lecture, labeled "V.V. & F."

Hard times

After her Ph.D., Frank worked as a tutor at the University of Wisconsin and continued her research. Her 1935 article on crystal field theory showed how samarium's energy levels shift due to neighboring atoms.

Colleagues described her as a promising scholar and her publication record was good. But she faced barriers that slowed her work.

Money was one issue. Frank was supporting her younger sister, an undergraduate chemistry student, and it was the middle of the Great Depression.

In an unpublished 1935 letter we found in Box 12, Folder 214 of the J. H. Van Vleck papers held by the American Institute of Physics in the Niels Bohr Library and Archive, Frank told Van Vleck she'd had to take another job to survive:

"Our finances were in such bad shape that I suggested to various people that I'd be interested in typing [] and so I have taught classes, tutored, typed and cooked, but I have not finished my paper."

Van Vleck was seeking positions for Frank, but jobs were scarceand as a Jewish woman in that era, Frank would have faced multiple forms of discrimination.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Marriage and death

Ultimately, Frank left physics, resigning from the University of Wisconsin around October 1936. When Van Vleck asked why, Frank let him in on a then-closely guarded secret: she had started a relationship with new colleague Eugene Wigner.

The pair married shortly before Christmas. Wigner described himself as astonished by his love for her.

But their happiness didn't last. Just weeks after the wedding, Frank fell ill.

Wigner said it was her heart, others said it was cancer. Either way, Frank's condition was grave.

After months in hospital, she returned to Michigan. She passed away in her parents' home on August 16 1937. She was 31.

An enduring contribution

Frank's untimely death is one reason why she is under-recognized today. But it is not a sufficient one.

Frank kept company with other trailblazing women across the country. Her flatmate in Wisconsin was Mary Bunting, who was later president of the women-only Radcliffe College and oversaw its integration with Harvard.

Frank's ambition, intellect and drive took her to the frontiers of knowledge. There, Van Vleck's support kept her in physics long enough to make lasting, if overlooked, contributions.

Ninety years have passed, but Frank's life exemplifies women's ongoing experiences in physics, good and bad.

Women remain drastically under-represented in quantum physics. To take one example, a 2023 survey found 87.5% of full-time Australian quantum researchers were men.

Women remain more likely than men to have caring responsibilities that increase financial stress and reduce research time. And mentorship and purposeful community-building remain vital to bring women into the fieldand keep them there.

In the end, this may be Frank's most enduring contribution to quantum physics. Recovering her story is important because it allows her scientific contributions to be appropriately recognized. Perhaps more importantly, her story reminds us that women have belonged in quantum physics from the beginning.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

This facial reconstruction represent a male individual of Homo georgicus (from the Dmaisi excavation). Credit: Cicero Moraes et alii (Luca Bezzi, Nicola Carrara, Telmo Pievani) via Wikimedia. CC BY 4.0

The textbook version of the "Out of Africa" hypothesis holds that the first human species to leave the continent around 1.8 million years ago was Homo erectus. But in recent years, a debate has emerged suggesting it wasn't a single species, but several. New research published in the journal PLOS One now hopes to settle the matter once and for all.

The debate centers on the Dmanisi fossils, five skulls found in the Republic of Georgia between 1999 and 2005, which belong to some of the oldest humans ever found outside Africa. The problem is that they don't look alike. Some are larger than others, particularly Skull 5, which has a tiny braincase but a massive, protruding face. Some researchers explain this as a difference in sexes within the same species, while others argue that it represents two distinct species living together.

Ancient teeth

To provide much-needed clarity, researchers led by Victor Nery at the University of Sao Paulo studied the teeth of three Dmanisi specimens. The reason is that, generally, skulls are not always the best species identifiers because bone is fragile and can be warped and crushed. Dentition is far more useful because enamel is the hardest biological substance produced by humans, and everything from the shape and size of individual teeth can be used to identify a species.

Morphological affinities of Dmanisi compared to other hominin species based on the first two discriminant functions calculated from maxillary dentition areas. Credit: PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336484

The team focused on the surface area (dental crown) of the back teeth (premolars and molars) of the Dmanisi specimens that had sufficient dental remains for analysis. They compared these to a database of 122 other fossil specimens, including Australopithecus and several other Homo species. Then, using a statistical sorting tool, they analyzed 583 teeth to create a biological map and determine whether the Dmanisi fossils belonged to a single family or to other branches of our family tree.

Two species instead of one?

The map revealed that these ancient remains were not from a single group. Skull 5, with its large jaw, was grouped with Australopiths, a more primitive ape-like ancestor. The other two specimens were more human-like. Because of this, the study authors support using the names Homo georgicus for Skull 5 and Homo caucasi for the human-like group.

To ensure the differences weren't just between males and females, the team compared the fossils with those of great apes. In some animals, like gorillas, males are much larger than females but still have the same basic teeth. The differences between the Dmanisi teeth were so great that male-female differences within the same group couldn't explain them.

"The postcanine dental crown area analysis of the Dmanisi hominin fossils... supports the hypothesis of distinct species coexisting temporally at the site (Homo caucasi and Homo georgicus). This possibility challenges the prevailing model of Homo erectus migration out of Africa..." commented the researchers in their paper.

While the research lends weight to the idea that two species left Africa at roughly the same time, more specimens may be needed before a consensus is reached.

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 Victor Nery et al, Testing the taxonomy of Dmanisi hominin fossils through dental crown area, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336484 Journal information: PLoS ONE

Key concepts Biological Evolution

 2025 Science X Network
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Authors of a new study are calling for stronger protection of insects in wildlife law, after the conviction of four men in Kenya for smuggling rare ants out of the country highlighted the need for more effective deterrents for criminals.

The research, carried out by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Nottingham Trent University and published in the journal Laws, argues that insect trafficking is a growing but overlooked aspect of global environmental crime that is not adequately countered by legal systemsbe that through insufficient laws or weak enforcement.

The authors urge governments to expand legal protections to include species such as ants, beetles and butterflies.

In the case mentioned in the paper, the men were ordered to pay a fine of 5,800 for trying to export ants in test tubes, or face prison. The authors argue that the headlines made by this case, when court cases involving wildlife in general are extremely common, show that prosecutions for insect trafficking are notably rare.

Insects play a key role in pollination, soil health and biodiversity, yet they are declining in number globally. The authors note that insect trafficking is part of a wider transnational wildlife trade, often driven by demand for exotic pets or collectors' items. However, their removal from habitats can have a significant impact on ecosystems.

Insect trafficking has the potential to introduce non-native species to new places, potentially resulting in them becoming invasive species, destroying habitats of native creatures, competing with them for food, and potentially bringing new diseases to a country.

The paper examines the dominance of "charismatic megafauna," such as elephants and rhinos, in discussion about wildlife crime. The authors argue that this focus marginalizes smaller species and influences public and policy priorities.

The researchers also call on justice systems to better consider environmental harm and the rights of non-human species. The study recommends a shift from traditional human-centered approaches to "ecological and species justice," where insects are seen as victims of crime and environmental degradation.

The paper puts forward three approaches to reform: strengthening legal enforcement, expanding regulatory frameworks to include NGOs and civil society, and promoting social action through public engagement and education.

Co-author Angus Nurse, Professor of Law and Environmental Justice at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, "Despite the scale of this issue, insect trafficking remains under-researched and poorly understood and there is limited data on the methods that criminals use, the markets they look to utilize, and the impacts on species and the ecosystems around them.

"Insects play a vital role in these ecosystems, yet they are routinely excluded from conservation policy and legal definitions of wildlife. This anthropocentric bias means species that are less visible or less valued by humans receive little protection, despite their ecological importance."

More information Angus Nurse et al, Insect Trafficking: A Green Criminological Perspective, Laws (2025). DOI: 10.3390/laws14050074

Key concepts Introduced Species
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The fossil replica of Deinosuchus schwimmeri on display in the Tellus Science Museum. Credit: Tellus Science Museum

Dr. David Schwimmer, an expert on the giant North American crocodilian genus Deinosuchus and a Columbus State University geology professor, has contributed his research to the creation of the first-ever scholarly accurate, mounted skeleton replica of the species Deinosuchus schwimmeri. Known for decades as a "dinosaur-killer," Deinosuchus was almost certainly the apex predator of its day.

Deinosuchus schwimmeri, which walked the eastern United States 83 million to 76 million years ago, was a dinosaur-eating, school-bus-sized relative of modern alligators. Measuring up to 31 feet (9.45 meters) long, the new Deinosuchus schwimmeri prototype was commissioned by the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, and recently installed there. It marks the culmination of two years of Schwimmer's consulting with Triebold Paleontology Inc., a leader in fossil skeleton models for museums, universities and attractions around the world.

"Each year, we have thousands of students visit us from across Georgia and neighboring states," the Tellus Science Museum's director of education, Hannah Eisla, explained. "Many of these students come on school field trips specifically to learn more about the region they call home and how it has changed over time. The addition of Deinosuchus schwimmeri allows us to provide a more detailed picture of this area's ecosystem in the Cretaceous Period."

"Tellus is currently the only museum to have a cast of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, so this is an experience our visitors can't get anywhere else," added Rebecca Melsheimer, the museum's curatorial coordinator. "The scale of the dinosaurs and other creatures that lived during [the Late Cretaceous epoch] is hard to capture in words or pictures. We can tell you that Deinosuchus is 30 feet long, but seeing it is far more impactful."

"Reaper in Paradise," an artist's rendering showing Deinosuchus schwimmeri emerging from the water and preying on an Appalachiosaurus. The rendering demonstrates how its size and scope, compared to those of its prey, earned it its dinosaur-killer "terror croc" reputation. Credit:  Bob Nicholls, 2003 (supplied with the artist's permission for use only in conjunction with this media release)

An artistic rendering of Deinosuchus schwimmeri swimming underwater, from Schwimmer's 2002 book, "King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus." Credit: David W. Miller

A group of paleontologists classified the new species of "terror croc" and named it Deinosuchus schwimmeri for Schwimmer in 2020, after years of Schwimmer's meticulous fossil study, journal publications, conference presentations and a 2002 book on the giant North American Cretaceous crocodilian genus. In their article, published by the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology in July 2020, they explained that naming it after Schwimmer honored "his tireless work on the Late Cretaceous paleontology of the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard, U.S.."

For more than 40 years, Schwimmer has searched for and excavated fossil evidence of Deinosuchus schwimmeri. The fossil artifacts he's recovered are now permanently cared for and preserved by leading national "repository" museums, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Tellus Science Museum.

Creating a science-informed, life-sized fossil replica is a meticulous process, Schwimmer explained. In the case of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, the two-year project involved the Triebold Paleontology team capturing high-resolution 3D scans of Deinosuchus fossil records to rearticulate the creature's detailed dermal armor and skeletal structure. He pointed out that the newly assembled replica better informs the field of paleontology.

"These replicas are more than just creating a 'scare factor,'" Schwimmer explained. "Understanding dinosaurs' predatory habits helps us decode some of nature's greatest survival strategies. By studying these ancient apex predators, we are essentially looking back in time to see exactly how life adapted and dominated a changing world."

Dr. David Schwimmer in his Columbus State University lab. Credit: Columbus State University

Research decades in the making

Schwimmer grew up in New York City just 10 blocks from the American Museum of Natural History, and it was there that a terrifying skull display sparked his fascination with Deinosuchus. Since finding his first Deinosuchus fossil remains in 1979a year after joining Columbus State (then Columbus College)his research has focused on piecing together the life and environment of this creature.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Today, his research on Deinosuchus has made him a worldwide expert on life in the Late Cretaceous epoch (100.5 million years ago to 66 million years ago) in the Southeast U.S. His research, dating back to the 1980s, led to the discovery of evidence for specific "firsts" in Georgia: flying reptiles (pterodactyls), the first dinosaurs and the first Deinosuchus.

Schwimmerwho once worked as a science writer for pioneering ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteaudetailed the first two decades of his research findings in his popular 2002 book, "King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus." It was an Amazon top-seller in its category for several weeks and a popular book-of-the-month selection by science-oriented reading clubs, such as one organized by the Discovery Educator Network.

The book, which Schwimmer is currently updating, has helped shape the understanding of Deinosuchus and other Mesozoic animals in Georgia and garnered him international recognition as a top paleontology scholar. Since then, respected museums like Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the University of Texas' Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory, and the Tellus Museum have sought his expertise on their fossil collections and educational displays.

In 2010, Schwimmer drew international attention for two published fossil studies linked to Deinosuchus: his research on dinosaur-bone bite marks, and research on fossilized dung (coprolites) by 2010 undergraduate environmental science and geology major Samantha (Harrell) Stanford, whom he supervised. Those studies appeared in the special symposium volume of the "New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin," a publication with an international reputation, and at the March 2010 Geological Society of America Northeastern-Southeastern Annual Meeting. Harrell was cited as contributing to both studies.

Schwimmer pointed out that specialties like paleontology and other natural, Earth and space sciences offer students opportunities to conduct "backyard research" with faculty at regional universities like Columbus State. He said that locally based research opportunities are plentiful for students wishing to get their hands dirty, as well as offering other benefits."

"[Harrell] came out in the field and collected fossils with me. At most universities, undergraduates rarely collaborate on or publish peer-reviewed research. Institutions of our size provide undergraduate students like Samantha with greater one-on-one access to faculty mentors and field-based research opportunities like this that, while local, are still quite impactful on the field," Schwimmer said.

Installation of the Deinosuchus schwimmeri replica in the Tellus Science Museum by Jon Wagar of Triebold Paleontology Inc., Tellus' Cultural Coordinator Rebecca Melsheimer, and Ryan Roney, the museum's curator. Credit: Tellus Science Museum

With several Deinosuchus sites within 40 miles of Columbus, the area has been a rich bed of discovery for Schwimmer and the student researchers who have tagged along on his expeditions. Schwimmer said that proximity is also what makes the Tellus Science Museum a natural place for one of the first Deinosuchus fossil replicas.

"Bones and fossils tell us only part of the story," Schwimmer concluded. "Fully assembled, life-size replicas become a blueprint for better understanding the dynamic animals that creatures like Deinosuchus really were."

Key concepts vertebrate paleontology
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:

Female brown-headed cowbird singing at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York. Credit: Rhododendrites/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Cowbirds are special among songbirds for the "watery" timbre of their singing, which resembles the sound of falling droplets striking water, a quick burst followed by a fading ripple.

University of Utah biologist Franz Goller and colleagues investigated how cowbirds pull off this vocal trick and discovered the answer is surprisingly complex.

Birds produce sound using the syrinx, a vocal organ with two separate sound sourcesone on the left and one on the right. To create the gurgling, bubbling quality in their songs, cowbirds rapidly switch between these two sides, according to new research led by Goller, a U professor emeritus of biology.

But the researchers discovered the watery effect is also associated with the way these birds control their breathing.

"What's striking about the cowbird syrinx is that the left pair of vocal folds is much bigger than the right pair. One idea is that the high frequencies are made on the right side only. The portions of these introductory notes that have the watery timbre are alternations of left and right contributions," said Goller, who has long studied birds' vocalizations. "We were able to pinpoint the exact mechanism by which this sound coloration is generated."

His findings were reported last month in the journal Current Biology.

Listen to the sounds brown-headed cowbirds make.

Goller's interdisciplinary research team, which included a physicist and psychologist, focused its study on brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater, one of six species in its genus and the one common in Utah. They also studied starlings that they raised with cowbirds in an experiment to see how they imitate cowbird songs.

Cowbirds belong to the Icteridae family, whose other members, such as blackbirds, can also produce sounds with an unusual timbrea musical term that refers to the character or feel of a note as opposed to its pitch.

"Typically, when we talk about timbre, we often think of the upper vocal tract, so above the sound source. There are filter qualities that we use in speech all the time. That you recognize a voice of an individual is based exactly on these filter qualities," Goller said. "But a lot of sound coloration features are also generated at the source, and we know very little about that. Here we managed to study in detail how this watery quality of cowbird song comes about through rather complex interactions between respiration and cowbirds' two sound sources."

What exactly is timbre?

Timbre is a powerful component of the sounds animals and humans produce, but it is not well understood, according to co-author Brenton Cooper, a neuroscientist who studies speech and language.

"You can hear the difference between an 'A' and an 'I.' The perceptual difference between those two sounds is largely timbre. The frequency is pretty much the same, the amplitude can be the same, yet you hear those two vowels very differently," Cooper said.

The timbre of cowbird song is best characterized as droplets falling on water. This sound comes in two stages.

"The first sound is the water hitting the surface, and the second, more audible sound is 50 milliseconds later when an air bubble implodes and different-sized water droplets will generate different frequencies like strings on a guitar," said Cooper, now a professor of psychology at Texas Christian University. After completing his Ph.D. in psychology at the U, Cooper joined Goller's lab as a postdoctoral researcher in the early 2000s.

The researchers had long been intrigued with cowbirds' tendency to hold their breath, which turns out to be a key element behind the timbric qualities of their singing. They generate strong pressure in the syrinx while not producing sounds.

"It's not normal. If birds are generating a positive expiratory pressure, they're generating sound the whole time," Cooper said. According to the research findings, cowbirds briefly close their syrinx while building up air pressure, then release it suddenly to produce a splash-like burst of sound.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Precision airflow and a double voice box

"What that allows is what we call rapid attack, a really rapid onset of sound production that mimics the striking of the water droplet onto the surface of water, and then that slow decay. The two alternating sound sources then give you this perception of different water droplet sounds because different-sized water droplets generate different frequencies."

The team conducted experiments with captive starling hatchlings that were raised with cowbirds in the laboratory, which raised the young birds. These starlings learned to replicate their cage mates' unique vocalizations using the same unusual breathing-and-valve control observed in cowbirds.

"Being raised next to a cowbird is what gave them the auditory experience so they could memorize that song and reproduce it," Cooper said. "Birds are vocal learners and they learn just like we learn human speech. That's what got me into this. It's the best animal model system for understanding human speech and language."

The study shows that timbre is shaped by intricate interactions between physiology and motor control. And birds, it turns out, are even more sophisticated sound engineers than previously known.

Publication details Franz Goller et al, Water-like timbral quality in birdsong arises from complex motor control of two sound sources, Current Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.10.045 Journal information: Current Biology

Key concepts birdsornithology
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Research conducted in East Antarctica using glacial isostatic adjustment modeling and Global Navigation Satellite System observations. Credit: Yuichi Aoyama

Though ice sheet melting is widely talked of and debated, there is limited knowledge about what happens after the period of melting. Researchers dig into this "after" period and see how it relates to previous patterns.

To understand the present and try to predict the future, the past is a valuable tool. Researchers aim to understand the dynamics of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet in the Lutzow-Holmbukta region with the goal of determining if rapid ice sheet thinning (from approximately 9,000 to 6,000 years ago) was followed by stabilization or re-thickening.

This information is key to helping predict future responses to ice sheet thinning, as well as to get a clear picture of the current behavior of ice sheet thinning across the Antarctic. With this, future responses to climate change can be improved.

Key findings and research methods

The researchers published their results in Scientific Reports.

"Our findings demonstrate that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet in this region experienced complex mid-Holocene dynamics, with scenarios incorporating modest ice-sheet re-thickening (65100 m) following rapid thinning providing statistically significant improvement over global deglaciation models," said Jun'ichi Okuno, researcher and author of the study.

Using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and glacial isostatic adjustment modeling (a simulation of Earth's response to changes in ice and water mass distribution), researchers used an integrated approach to explore different scenarios.

This approach featured models developed using ice-loading history with an incorporated rapid ice-sheet thinning documented in the Skarvsnes area of Lutzow-Holmbukta in East Antarctica, along with evidence from previous researchers' studies.

This integrated approach allows researchers to better constrain their understanding of past ice-sheet behavior, providing crucial baseline data for future climate projections.

Discrepancies and implications for future research

However, researchers found a significant discrepancy. The glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA)Earth's crustal rebound after ice sheet melting, predicted by previously published global ice models for the last deglaciation, could not explain the crustal movements measured in the Lutzow-Holmbukta region.

"This highlights that regional ice-sheet histories can differ markedly from continental-scale trends, and the ice sheet possesses mechanisms for both rapid change and subsequent stabilization, which provides important insights into ice sheet behavior under changing climate conditions," said Okuno.

While further research is needed to understand the current behavior of the ice sheet, this study highlights the importance of incorporating the knowledge from past dynamics to better understand the ebb and flow of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Broader impacts and future directions

Beyond ice sheet dynamics, this research yielded valuable insights into the structure of Earth's interior. While the study successfully constrained Earth's interior parameters that align with observed data, the three-layer Earth model used here may have limitations when applied across Antarctica, as the Earth structure parameters derived from the East Antarctic region may not be representative of the entire continent.

However, researchers have ideas for the future of this study, including extending the integrated approach to other East Antarctic regions and lengthening the GNSS time series. The advancements will enhance predictions of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet's response to ongoing climate change, providing more accurate data for sea-level rise projections and strategies for adapting to the changing climate.

Okuno of the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research at the Research Organization of Information and Systems with Akihisa Hattori, Koichiro Doi and Yuichi Aoyama of the National Institute of Polar Research and the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, along with Yoichi Fukuda of Kyoto University, contributed to this research.

Publication details Jun'ichi Okuno et al, Mid Holocene rapid thinning and rethickening of the East Antarctic ice sheet suggested by glacial isostatic adjustment, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-24176-4 Journal information: Scientific Reports

Key concepts ice sheetglaciation

Provided by Research Organization of Information and Systems
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:

This conceptual illustration shows the contrasting responses of a low-latitude highlands ecosystem in China to a drought versus a heat wave. The image at left depicts the severe ecosystem collapse and dry soil during the 2010 drought, whereas the one at right shows the resilient, thriving vegetation during the 2019 heat wave, enabled by hydrological memory. Credit: Wei Pan, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The low-latitude highlands region of southwestern China experienced two major climate events in recent years: a severe drought in 20092010 and an extreme heat wave in 2019. Though both sprang from similar large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, the events produced different responses, raising questions about how multiple stressors can push ecosystems toward contrasting outcomes.

Southwestern China's highlands system offered scientists a chance to study the ways a sensitive ecosystem reacted to both a once-in-a-century drought and an exceptional heat wave. In their article published in AGU Advances, Wei Pan and colleagues analyzed soil moisture, vegetation productivity, and temperature using remote sensing data and nonlinear structural equation modeling. They discovered a distinct "personality switch" in the way the ecosystem responded to the second event versus the first.

In 2010, when drought left the soil very dry, the ecosystem's productivity was limited by the amount of available water. During that drought, plant growth slowed as vegetation operated in survival mode and restricted water to its roots. In 2019, when the soil was moistened by previous rains, water was not a limiting factor. Instead, the hot temperatures served as an energy source and caused plant growth to thrive.

Wetter antecedent conditions helped the ecosystem better weather the heat, the research showed. This concept of "hydrological memory" helps explain why the ecosystem reacted so differently to two extreme events. Such a nonlinear effect can be hard to capture in traditional modeling, so these findings have important implications for future modeling and climate change projections, the authors say. Untangling seemingly unpredictable ecosystem behaviors, they continue, could help improve understanding of our planet and its future.

Publication details Wei Pan et al, Why Hydrological Memory Dominates in LowLatitude Highlands: A Mechanistic Shift in Ecosystem Response to Extremes, AGU Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025av001973 Journal information: AGU Advances

Provided by Eos

This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The failure of governments to agree with leading scientists on a major United Nations' report "risks impeding timely action on environmental goals," UCL and other academics say in a new article.

In December, the UN published its latest Global Environment Outlook (GEO) report, the result of six years' work, which connects climate change, nature loss and pollution to unsustainable consumption by people living in wealthy and emerging economies.

It warns of a "dire future" for millions unless there's a rapid move away from coal, oil and gas and fossil fuel subsidies.

Previous iterations of the report1,100 pages long this year and now in its seventh editionall came with a summary of the report's findings to make it easier for policymakers and others to digest.

But at a meeting with government representatives to agree the findings in Kenya in October, representatives from some countries said they could not go along with the proposed summary.

As governments could not agree to approve a summary, the report has now been published without the summary and without the support of governments, weakening its impact.

Researchers say that criticism of the report is part of a broader trend in global environmental negotiationsone that also surfaced at the recent COP30 talks.

Now, writing in the journal Nature Sustainability, several of the authors of the report have warned that the failure to agree summaries of the conclusions of major environmental reports like thiswhich are known as a Summary for Policymakers (SPM)"risks diminishing the assessment's weight, reducing the political legitimacy needed to inform collective action and impeding timely action on environmental goals."

They are recommending a number of changes to the process by which these summaries are agreed to try to avoid another failure.

Professor Catalina Turcu (UCL Bartlett School of Planning), who was a coordinating lead author for one of the report's chapters, said, "The failure to approve the GEO-7 Summary for Policy Makers is not the first collapsed negotiation this yearand should serve as a warning.

"Rising nationalism and geopolitical tensions are making global cooperation more and more difficult, just as environmental crises grow more complex, more interconnected, and more urgent than ever.

"Intra-governmental governance structures that were built for a different era are under strain as times are changing fast. We need to change the process by which we agree these summaries to reflect that."

Professor Gail Taylor (Dean, UCL Life Sciences), also a report-chapter coordinating lead author, said, "GEO-7 is an important step forward that is focused on identifying solutions to ensure future generations can live within planetary boundariespeople in harmony with nature, for example as part of a circular economy.

"We very much hope that policymakers examine these solutions and enact them for future generations."

The researchers are proposing three key changes to the process. Firstly, assessment authors should be given the explicit authority to decline edits in summaries that are unsupported in the overall scientific literature, protecting the scientific authority of the statements.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Secondly, the different drafts with each edit attributable to an author should be made public, along with mandatory references to the text for each to enhance transparency.

And finally, an independent review of procedures to identify bottlenecks should be commissioned which can recommend improvements and reforms to approval procedures.

The UN GEO-7 assessment was written by 287 scientists from 83 countries over three years for the UN Environment Programme, drawing on extensive peer-reviewed research and expert input.

SPMs are considered an important output of these assessments as they represent a blueprint for policy actions.

Standard for major UN assessments, SPMs are first drafted by the report's scientific authors, then reviewed and negotiated line-by-line by governments to produce a document that all participating countries must agree on to be published.

It's believed to be the first time that a major, multilateral global environmental assessment has been published without an SPM.

Other multilateral assessments, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have encountered similar difficulties, but have been able to reach consensus and publish a summary for policymakers.

Publication details Peter Alexander et al, Protecting science in multilateral environmental assessments, Nature Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01727-1 Journal information: Nature Sustainability

Key concepts Environmental researchSustainability
Some thoughts on the traditional context of romance, marriage, and sexuality (Part Five) By Mark Wegierski

web posted December 22, 2025 It could be argued that the embrace of monogamy is not necessarily conditioned by traditional Christianity, as some imagine it to be. There are women of Christian background who mostly loathe Catholicism or other forms of Christianity, yet who insist on strict monogamy within marriage. The possibility of civil marriage  which had been historically so ferociously opposed by the Catholic Church  allows men and women to embrace a married life without necessarily requiring them to be practicing Christians. It could be argued that one of the main results of the victory of so-called sexual liberalism is the dissolution of the link between virtue and beauty in women. In the past, beautiful women were typically closely guarded by their family and by their own sense of propriety. Their gifts and charms were reserved, in theory at least, for one special man, the man who would promise to love, cherish, and protect her. Today, the most beautiful woman is often probably the most promiscuous woman. It was also once commonly considered that an "easy" woman would not be very good looking (as for example in the stag-movies of the Fifties). Women today (and especially good-looking women) have no built-in defenses against male sexual rapacity (although some grasp at some variant of feminist ideas for this protection), and at the same time lack any comprehension of what the truly worthwhile male should be like. An ideology has been created which often leads to the debasement of the most beautiful women. Repudiating the supposed "oppression" and "slavery" of faithful marriage and family life, those women who are still interested in men have in many cases been thrust into something far worse, a "new slavery" of often-fleeting associations with venal "movers-and-shakers", or ravenous, hyper-sexual "studs". In a climate marked by the elimination of traditional virtues, those women still thinking of marriage have often been deprived of the possibility of the true discernment of their "marriage prospects", and they all too frequently end up choosing "the wrong man". On the other hand, some women (probably out of a certain type of desperation) have become overly-committed to their partners, whereas their partners, instead of respecting them, have become coarsened by prevailing mores into "violent monsters". For all the conditioning by radical feminists, many women still like to look pretty, and to appear and act in ways attractive to men. (A humorless, prominent feminist theorist has complained that, even today, women have a tendency "to smile too much.") In fact, it might be argued that a modern dualistic opposition exists between what could be called "the radical feminist", and "the actress-model" type of woman. The "businesswoman" (especially as portrayed in film and television) -- who is both independent and attractive -- is the supposed reconciliation of the two images, and probably "the ultimate" women can aspire to today. There is also the phenomenon of so-called "lipstick lesbians", which is lesbian women who like to appear in highly feminine, "sexy" fashions. Indeed, it has been acerbically noted that many women in North America increasingly dress outwardly in superficially enticing and highly risque ways, while internally maintaining the attitude of feminist harridans. Feminists themselves are divided on these issues: on the one hand, they valorize women "taking control of their sexuality" (i.e., what amounts to advocating that women simply jump into bed with anyone -- male or female -- they want to); while on the other hand, others see most (or all) heterosexual relations as invariably "tainted" -- arguing that nearly all male-female sexual relations are effectively "rape." It may be observed that it is likely that the more the radical feminists deny femininity, the more certain women will probably gravitate to excesses of fashion, make-up, etc., to somehow re-assert their femininity. This will also possibly extend to promiscuity as a desperate attempt to recover some missing portion of their sexual identity. Camille Paglia, the controversial "postfemininist" theorist, has argued that women -- who have, all-too-often, been traditionally considered as "the weaker sex" -- are, in fact, quite effective at obtaining the results they desire through playing upon a series of so-called feminine wiles, which defeat even the most formally rigorous patriarchal systems. The give-and-take of the sexes has been fundamental to earlier human societies, and they were generally a lot less nightmarish than current radical feminists portray them. What is even more troubling is that it is radical feminism itself that is now politicizing male-female sexual relations to the extent that it makes successful interaction between the sexes increasingly difficult. If extreme patriarchy (by which is meant something like the truly severe regimes of some earlier, premodern societies  or those of some Islamic societies today -- not 1950s America) is unnatural, so too are the excesses of the currently regnant feminist "political correctness", especially on such issues as "date-rape" and "sexual harassment", which are defined so broadly as to collapse into ridiculousness. Some might pointedly see radical feminism in general as a thoroughly disruptive and unnecessary revolt by some disgruntled women, who are fundamentally jealous of most women's comparative happiness and successful family life. So, they have tried to ruin it for as many other women as possible, and stirred them into hating men. Such matters as the fact that some rape-crisis hotlines and battered-women shelters have staffs with considerable numbers of radical feminists and lesbians, or that women whose marriages are in crisis are going to psychological counselors who are radical feminists or lesbians, are simply not permitted to ever become an issue. It could be argued that there is a highly-conflicted discourse running through much of feminism. Do feminists really want to be in every way like men. There are enough examples of feminists arguing that there is no innate instinct of a mother protecting her child, that women can be just as good combat soldiers as men, that women should be introduced into the toughest, most brutal, physical labor jobs, or that women should approximate the voracious sexual habits of the stereotypical male. Or do feminists now have some special project of constructing a distinctive, "more sharing, more nurturing" female identity  provided that it is done clearly outside of, and probably, against men. The fact that radical feminists have essentially made a female serial killer (of men) (played, incidentally, by one of the most attractive actresses in Hollywood) into a virtual "culture hero" -- is enormously troubling. The whole message of the movie appears to be that she is not a monster. The various conflicts over different definitions of feminism means that almost any public statement (especially by a white male politician) can be accusatorily construed as "sexist". The psychologist C.G. Jung used to be somewhat popular among some types of feminist thinkers  but now it is considered that any discussion of "the feminine" by a man is simply a horrific appropriation and a tool for the enslavement of women. Ironically, the radical feminist theorists, while ranting against something so apparently innocuous as the mathematical work of Isaac Newton (incoherently described as a "rape manual"), have little to say  as far as the author of the article is aware  about the lyrics of gangsta-rap. Indeed, it is rather ironic that what is conventionally considered "the feminine" and "the feminist" are in virtual opposition to each other. Some feminists try to claim  to some extent at least -- to be voices of "the feminine" (though they may personally dislike the latter word). However, their attitudes could often be seen as contradictory. It would seem, for example, that a professedly "life-affirming" stance would also include some degree of concern for the unborn, as bearing a child is possibly, speaking from the standpoint of biology, virtually the definitional female act. Though one might not expect feminists to be hardcore anti-abortionists, one finds a positive zeal for abortion (the pro-choice position often being viewed as the ultimate touchstone and moral litmus-test  indeed, a virtual "sacrament") among some committed feminists that verges on the obsessive. Indeed, they seem to have taken onto themselves the imperative of waging a war against motherhood, against having children, against homemakers, and against the family in general. Generally-speaking, one would wish to embrace some variant of the high Romantic spirit -- rather than excessively dogmatic fundamentalist neopuritanism -- in opposition to the various contemporary sexual correctitudes. We exist in a society of comparative wealth, advanced levels of medicine and hygiene, the near absence of war (in any of its more usual senses), as well as the comparatively wide availability (thanks mainly to the Internet) of all sorts of information and viewpoints. Conceivably, we could achieve something approaching a neo-Romantic, "sexual paradise" of a deliciously different sort than that envisioned in the Sixties' revolutions. Thoughtful, intelligent persons, do not necessarily have to be stupefied by the current-day climate of consumerism, idiotic pop-culture, and political correctness. The ideas expressed above, although they would have, to some extent, been traditionally associated with the Christian churches, do not require the buttress of any one religion or denomination  they can stand coherently on their own without the need for religious sanction. They simply represent what may be seen as the main tendencies of human nature, and the distillation of centuries, if not millennia, of the best available thinking on the subject, both Western and non-Western. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home

Home





Print this page
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A bluefin purse seiner in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Mexico. Credit: Andre Boustany

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have already leveraged the vast troves of geolocation data from vessel-tracking systems to pinpoint where whales and other large marine species are endangered by ship traffic and industrial fishing.

Now, in a new study led by Heather Welch at UC Santa Cruz's Institute of Marine Sciences, researchers show how the geolocation data generated by satellites for the global Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) can reveal where marine heat waves are affecting the behavior of ecologically and economically valuable species.

In a PNAS article, the authors describe how tracking data on fishing reflected low albacore abundance in the North Pacific in 2023 due to a marine heat wave.

The year 2023 is important because that was when unusually warm ocean temperatures dispersed albacore more widely and made them cost-prohibitive to target. The following year, state governors requested a federal fisheries disaster be declared to provide economic assistance to the albacore fishery in light of the low harvests in 2023.

The request was made over a year after the 2023 season ended. In their study, the researchers say that the poor fishing season may have been recognized sooner if the near real-time VMS data had been recognized back then as a way to detect anomalies in marine conditions. And that, the study's authors emphasize, is their most significant finding: that fishing fleets can serve as ecosystem sentinels.

"We have so much data on fishing vessel activity," said Welch, an associate specialist at the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS). "These data are traditionally used for surveillance, and it is exciting that they may also be useful for understanding ecosystem health."

Human ecosystem sentinels

The concept of "ecosystem sentinels" as living sensors of changing conditions in their surroundings has been gaining traction among researchers seeking to better understand the impact of humans and climate change on natural habitats that are difficult to directly observe. The concept has been applied to animals ranging from birds to whales, and at UC Santa Cruz, the sentinel strategy may best be embodied by the elephant seals of Ano Nuevo.

"Animals have been forewarning risk going back to the canary in the coalmine," said Elliott Hazen, adjunct professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "So when sentinels help us get out in front of ecosystem change, that both helps protect species and can save time and money."

But if marine apex predators make for ideal ecosystem sentinels, the team behind this new study say fishermen fit that bill perfectly. They are highly tuned to changes in their environment, especially because those fluctuations can seriously impact their bottom line.

"Fishermen can have wide-ranging movements, allowing them to effectively sample large portions of the seascape," the authors state. "Importantly, fishermen are conspicuous and their activities are actively monitored via several near real-time, high-resolution data streams including vessel tracking systems, satellite mapping, and shoreside landing receipts."

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Ocean warming's toll on fisheries

More precise ecosystem monitoring could also help avert fishery collapses that hurt local economies and communities. Over the past few decades, long-term warming due to climate change and short-term spikes associated with El Nino and marine heat waves have led to clashes among competing fleets, strain on fish-processing infrastructure, and overfishing.

For instance, a 2012 heat wave in the Gulf of Maine drove lobsters into shallow waters, leading to a record catch that outpaced processing capacity and consumer demand. Lobster prices fell to 70% below normal and the market crashed.

In another case, failure to recognize the impact of long-term warming on Gulf of Maine cod about a decade ago resulted in catch quotas that overestimated population levels and ultimately led to overfishing. The authors say that insights from fishing fleets as ecological sentinels may help accelerate management action to lessen the socio-economic and ecological harms of ocean warming.

Albacore and bluefin, the species at the heart of this study, are migratory temperate tunas that are seasonally targeted by West Coast fishermen during the summer and fall. Both species have been observed shifting northward and inshore during warm water conditions.

In their analysis, the researchers found that VMS-tracked fleet movements mirrored the movements of the tunas. For example, the tunas and the fishery shifted north during a 20142016 marine heat wave, but remained in their normal distributions during subsequent heat waves in 2019 and 2023.

A new approach for a changing climate

This new study found that VMS was six times better at predicting shifts in tuna distribution than sea-surface temperature anomaliesa measurement traditionally used by researchers to correlate changing environmental conditions to ecological disruptions. Climate change is disrupting the relationship between environmental indices and ecosystem state, explained co-author Allison Cluett.

"As warming produces unexpected ecological responses to environmental variability, real-time observations of ecosystem healthsuch as those provided by fishing vesselsare increasingly important," said Cluett, an assistant project scientist at IMS.

However, the authors acknowledge that confounding factors such as fishery-management actions like closures or quota changes can interfere with the strategy of employing fishermen as ecosystem sentinels.

"Noise isn't a reason to disregard this incredibly rich volume of data," Welch said. "But it does mean we need to carefully review inferences from fishery sentinels to prevent noise from causing harm."

Other members of the research team at UC Santa Cruz included Michael Jacox, Joshua Cullen, Rachel Seary, and Steven Bograd.
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: Markus Spiske from Pexels

2025 has been a year of setbacks for Canada's climate policy. In November, the federal and Alberta governments signed a memorandum of understanding to remove strict climate policies in the province and to support the construction of a new pipeline from Alberta to northern British Columbia.

The government also canceled the federal carbon tax this year, while ending funding for home energy-efficiency programs and delaying sales mandates for zero-emission vehicles.

These steps have pushed Canada even further from meeting its climate goals, which were already too weak to limit global warming to 1.5 C, as outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.

What's behind these changes and why is Canadian progress on tackling climate change so slow? Put simply, it's because climate action threatens the profits of the fossil-fuel industry, and they've spent the past 50 years doing everything they can to prevent it.

While the industry has used many tools in this endeavor, perhaps its most effective has been its propaganda machinea global network of foundations, think tanks and lobbyists known as the Climate Change Counter Movement.

In our newly published study, we review the academic and non-academic literature to map how this movement has used its influence to delay climate action in Canada.

The Climate Change Counter Movement

For years, the movement's main strategy was to deny that climate change was happening or to claim that humans weren't causing it. However, as summers got hotter and wildfires, floods and hurricanes became increasingly common, this narrative became less convincing.

The propaganda machine then adopted a new tactic. Rather than denying climate science, it exploited legitimate debates about how climate policy should be designed to sow confusion, cause political deadlock and suggest policies that don't threaten their profits.

Three examples of these new narratives are particularly widespread in Canada: fossil-fuel solutionism (that fossil fuels can be part of efforts to tackle climate change), "whataboutism" and appeals to well-being.

Together, they uphold the claim that fossil fuels are a necessary and unavoidable part of everyday life and that Canadian fossil fuels are less carbon-heavy than those produced in the rest of the world, meaning that supporting the Canadian fossil-fuel industry would supposedly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

These arguments are logically flawedfossil fuels are incompatible with a world below 1.5 C warming. They're also based on a falsehood, because oil from the Canadian oilsands is roughly 21% more polluting than conventional crude oil.

Another common argument is that fossil fuels are essential to the Canadian economy, but this narrative overstates the costs of transitioning away from fossil fuels and understates the enormous costs of allowing climate change to continue unmitigated.

While these narratives do originate from elite members of the Climate Change Counter Movement, our case study found evidence that they're already being repeated by members of the general public and might even explain why many Canadians falsely believe that a clean energy future could include fossil fuels.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

How can we tackle false fossil-fuel narratives?

1. Know ourselves

If we want to challenge false narratives about fossil fuels, we should begin by reflecting on how the Climate Change Counter Movement might have affected us already. Fossil-fuel propaganda is everywhere, and it's hard to avoid internalizing some of it. It's also important to consider whether challenging the fossil-fuel industry might expose us to physical or financial danger before taking action.

2. Know our enemy

Next, it's important for us to learn as much as we can about the Climate Change Counter Movement. Who are its members? What propaganda are they spreading, and where are they spreading it? Which narratives work and which don't? Answering these questions will be the work of academics, journalists and citizen researchers, who can take cues from efforts like the Corporate Mapping Project in their approach.

3. Target them directly

Once we have that information, we can use it to hold the fossil-fuel industry legally (and thus financially) accountable for its role in delaying climate action. Examples of these kinds of lawsuits are appearing all over the world, including in Canada, where the Sue Big Oil campaign is uniting B.C. municipalities in suing fossil-fuel companies for their role in the escalating costs of climate change.

These campaigns not only discourage future meddling, but also move funds directly from the fossil-fuel industry to the communities they've affected, allowing them to build their own defenses against future attacks.

4. Heal our wounds

However, even if lawsuits successfully discourage future activity by the Climate Change Counter Movement, we'll still need to undo the damage they've already done to our society. Their efforts have left the public polarized, untrusting of governments, confused about fact versus fiction and feeling hopeless. We must reinvest in our communities and heal these societal wounds. Climate assemblies, an approach to government which emphasizes public engagement, offer a promising pathway towards many of these goals.

5. Pick our battles

It's also vital for governments to continue advancing climate action, even when public appetites have been damaged by propaganda campaigns. They can do this by strengthening policies that are relatively unknown, yet still effective and popular.

These policies have not been exposed to the same levels of propaganda as others like the carbon tax and are therefore still popular, while also being effective enough to account for the majority of emission reductions in Canada, the United Kingdom and California.

6. Challenge the structural roots of their power

Finally, we need to remove the root of the fossil-fuel industry's economic and cultural power. Within our current economic system, this means redirecting financial flows away from the industry by removing fossil-fuel subsidies and implementing stringent compulsory policies to realign markets with climate goals.

The Climate Change Counter Movement is several steps ahead of us, but it hasn't won yet. If climate change is to be stopped, we have to stop ignoring the elephant in the room and unite against the fossil-fuel industry.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Two different types of centromeres evolved from a monocentromere, a macro-monocentromere in Cha. luteum and a holocentromere in Chi. japonica. Micrographs show mitotic chromosomes. Credit: IPK Leibniz Institute

The centromere is necessary for the transport of chromosomes during cell division and, therefore, for the correct transmission of genetic information. Most plants and animals have chromosomes with a single centromere, known as a monocentromere.

However, around 350,000 organisms, including nematodes, butterflies, and plants such as nutmeg and papyrus, have a different type of centromere. In this case, there is not only one localized centromere per chromosome, but rather several small centromeres distributed along its entire chromosome length. This is called a holocentromere.

This type of centromere has the advantage that chromosomes with multiple centromeres can respond more effectively to chromosome breaks and rearrangements, since chromosome fragments are not lost during cell division. However, the mechanism underlying the transition between centromere types remains unclear.

In their study published in the journal Nature Communications, an IPK research team analyzed the genomes and centromere organization of two closely related lily-like plant species: a species with an unusually large monocentromere, and a holocentric species. This comparison provided new insights into the evolution of different chromosome types.

Immunostaining of CENH3 (magenta) and spindle microtubules (green) in metaphase chromosomes of Cha. luteum. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67524-8

"We expected a large centromere to form first and then evolve into a long, elongated centromere in a linear process," says Prof. Dr. Andreas Houben.

"However, we found that the second type, the holocentric chromosomes, developed independently of chromosomes with a macromonocentric centromere," explains the head of IPK's research group Chromosome Structure and Function.

"In our study, we demonstrated that the evolution of centromere types is driven by a complex interplay of gene mutations, epigenetic changes, and centromeric DNA expansion," explains Dr. Yi-Tzu Kuo, the study's first author. Over time, a single large centromere formed in the species Chamaelirium luteum, whereas a long, elongated centromere developed in Chionographis japonica.

"For the first time, we have succeeded in accurately describing the giant monocentromere of Chamaelirium luteum through sequencing."

The IPK team found that, although the centromeric proportion of the total genome is similar in both species at around 15%, it is distributed differently.

"This study expands our knowledge of centromere diversity and demonstrates the value of researching non-model species for evolutionary comparisons," says Dr. Pavel Neumann, a co-author from the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Ceske Budejovice. "This makes it possible to discover new features, even in structures that have been well studied, such as the centromere."

Publication details Yi-Tzu Kuo et al, Kinetochore mutations and histone phosphorylation pattern changes accompany holo- and macro-monocentromere evolution, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67524-8 Journal information: Nature Communications

Key concepts flowering plants
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A drone (center) begs worker bees for food. HHU researchers found that the associated complex interaction pattern is genetically specified. Credit: HHU/Steffen Kohler

Is complex social behavior genetically determined? Yes, as a team of biologists from Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf (HHU) together with colleagues from Bochum and Paris discovered while studying bees.

They identified a genetic factor that determines the begging behavior of drones, which they use to obtain food socially. They have published their findings in Nature Communications.

Male bees, or "drones," do not have an easy time obtaining essential proteins. This is because they cannot digest pollen, the most important source of protein for bees.

To avoid starvation, they depend on worker bees feeding them a pre-processed food that the workers make themselves from pollen. However, to obtain this paste, the drones must convince workers to provide the food by performing a series of behaviors.

"Such cooperative behavior is a complex matter in the animal kingdom, as it requires close coordination between social partners. In our research, we ask ourselves what is required to orchestrate this interaction," explains Professor Dr. Martin Beye from the Institute of Evolutionary Genetics at HHU.

In order to evaluate the behavior of the drones automatically, QR codes are attached to their backs. A camera system then records their movements. Credit: HHU/Institute of Evolutionary Genetics

Genetic and neural mechanisms in bees

A research team led by Professor Beye investigated the genetic and neural basis for the cooperative behavior of bees. The biologists searched for regulators that wire the male honeybee's brain during development in such a way that the animals display their innate social behavior for this food exchange. Researchers from Universite Paris-Saclay and Ruhr University Bochum participated in the study.

The researchers determined that the behavioral interactions necessary for food transfer can be traced back to a transcription factor called the "fruitless" or "Fru" protein. A transcription factor is a protein that can switch many other genes in the genome on and off. This factor is only active in male bees.

Using genetic technologies (CRISPR-Cas9), the researchers introduced a green fluorescent protein encoding gene into the Fru gene. This enabled them to label the cells in which the transcription factor is active.

Microscopic view of the drone's brain (purple): The neurons belonging to the Fru circuit, which is involved in the animals' begging behavior, are marked in green. Credit: HHU/Institute of Evolutionary Genetics

Dr. Sven Kohnen, lead author of the study, said, "We detected it in neurons in the nervous system, which process sensory information and are used for decision-making. From this, we concluded that Fru can determine the innate behavior of males."

Overall, Fru influences a neural network of around 1,800 neurons that is closely related to cooperative behavior.

Behavioral effects of gene knockout

The team then created so-called knockout mutants in which they switched off the transcription factor Fru. The researchers attached QR codes to the bodies of the mutant drones and observed their behavior using an automated camera system developed in Dusseldorf.

Kohnen said, "The decision-making behavior of these bees was disrupted. They were unable to approach their conspecifics properly, begged for food less frequently and interacted in such a way that they received less food."

Co-author and doctoral student Pia Ulbricht adds, "However, other typical behaviors of the drones were not affected. Only in the context of food intake did the knockout mutants behave conspicuously."

The mutants were also not distinct in their odor profile, as co-author Dr. Thomas Eltz from Ruhr University Bochum noted. Individual odors are determined by the body's own hydrocarbons, which are important for animal interaction. The olfactory center, where odors are processed, was also unaffected, as research partners Professor Julie Carcaud and Professor Jean-Christophe Sandoz from Paris noted.

Professor Beye concludes, "Our study shows that these cooperative behaviors are specified by a genetic program that has been newly formed in the course of evolution. This program defines the neural controls, which determine whether and for how long the behavior sequence is executed based on perceived sensory information. Such mechanisms enable the necessary behavioral adaptations to social partners."

Publication details Sven Kohnen et al, The fru gene specifies male cooperative behaviors in honeybee colonies, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67392-2 Journal information: Nature Communications
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The basics of photosynthesis are something that every student learns in school: carbon dioxide, water and light in; oxygen and sugar for growth out. In a world where atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are rising, it is plausible to think that trees and other plant life growth will rise in lockstep.

But that is not what observations have borne out. As global levels of carbon dioxide have risen, measurements of tree growthand how much carbon they are storing for the long-termhave varied greatly. How much of that variance can be attributed to carbon dioxide levels has long been unknown.

Challenging old assumptions

In a paper published online on December 1 in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers led by Duke University and Wuhan University describe a model that answers many of these questions. By looking at the trade-offs between taking in more carbon dioxide to grow and losing water to evaporation, they show how an engineer's view of this delicate balance in the pores of a tree's leaves can explain and predict its growth over decades and centuries.

"There used to be a common assumption that higher levels of carbon dioxide will cause trees to grow more and store more carbon," said Gaby Katul, the George Pearsall Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke. "But benchmark experiments showed that while this may be true in isolation, other environmental factors also play a large role. We have now uncovered some of the underlying mechanisms at work."

The benchmark experiments Katul is referring to took place at Duke University and ETH Zurich to investigate how much carbon the world's forests might capture in a future carbon-rich atmosphere. Over the course of 16 years, the Duke site fed groups of trees excess carbon dioxide while the ETH Zurich site increased their local humidity levels. By closely measuring tree growth and carbon sequestration, and monitoring many other variables, researchers showed that trees in general would not take in nearly as much carbon as previously conjectured.

Understanding the tree's internal trade-offs

But the reasons why were still not fully understood. To help explain these results, and dozens of others from around the world, Katul and his collaborators turned to an engineer's view of water movement in a tree.

For a tree to take in carbon dioxide, it must open pores on its leaves called stomata. With more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the working assumption has been that proportionally more carbon dioxide would enter these pores.

However, in warmer and drier environments, water evaporates from these pores into the atmosphere more quickly. To keep their internal water systems balanced, trees compensate by making their stomatal pores smaller, which in turn leads to them absorbing less carbon dioxide.

This dynamic causes a direct trade-off between gathering more carbon dioxide to grow and losing water needed to survive. And to complicate matters further, there is a delicate balance of water tension held throughout a tree's roots, trunk and limbs that risks disruption if too much water is lost too quickly, especially as trees reach their mature heights.

"Stomata are like valves that control how much water is drawn up into the leaves and released into the air," said Katul.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Modeling and future implications

Looking at the interplay between stomatal opening, carbon levels and water loss as an optimization problem is a new approach to complement physiological theories, Katul explained. But it has proven accurate in describing results from the benchmark experiments at Duke and ETH Zurich.

During those studies, researchers captured incredibly rich data about stomatal activity. By encapsulating individual leaves and tightly controlling and monitoring variables such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, stomatal size and more, the long-term experiments gave Katul's team all the ammunition they needed to build their model.

Once finished, the researchers then used their approach to analyze dozens of reports of tropical tree growth that showed large amounts of variability. Despite levels of carbon dioxide rising in the atmosphere for the past half-century, some studies found increases, some found no change at all and some even found decreases. Using their new model, the researchers were able to finally offer an accurate explanation as to why.

There are, of course, plenty of other mitigating factors that can be added to the new model to increase its accuracy. Soil nutrients, water availability, surrounding plant and animal life, and changing seasonal patterns all come to mind. And while this model can describe behavior on a tree-by-tree basis, work must be done to incorporate these findings into large-scale regional climate models.

"There is a lot of value in looking at these environmental and biological questions from an engineering perspective," Katul said. "Figuring out how best to ameliorate climate change using nature-based green technology in the decades to come is going to take contributions from many disciplines."

Publication details Quan Zhang et al, Increased efficiency of water use does not stimulate tree productivity, Nature Climate Change (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-025-02504-w Journal information: Nature Climate Change

Key concepts photosynthesis
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Every year, Santa Claus races around the globe in a matter of hours to bring presents to children all over the world.

This is how countless films and stories describe it, but scientists have always enjoyed calculating why this is actually impossible.

Now, a physicist in Germany says Christmas does not have to be canceled after all: All Santa needs to do is make use of modern quantum physics, Metin Tolan.

For the calculations, the existence of Santa Claus is assumed to be certain, "because the whole world simply cannot be wrong," writes Tolan in a German-language book that translates as "Silent Night, Hasty Night."

He recalls one of the first recorded stories in which the existence of Santa Claus was questioned: in 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun with the words: "Please tell me the truth: is there a Santa Claus?"

Air Force instead of Santa Claus

Yes, was the response, couched in many poetic wordswhich is still one of the most frequently reprinted articles in English-language newspapers today. Another event in the US continues to have an impact to this day: On Christmas Eve 1955, the US Air Defense red telephone rang. Harry Shoup, a colonel in the United States Air Force, answered the phone, expecting an emergencyand a little girl asked: "Are you really Santa Claus?"

Numerous other calls followed. A mail order company had published what it believed to be Santa Claus's numberbut it was actually the Air Force's top-secret emergency number.

"The colonel proved that he was also in control of this special situation and assigned a few men to answer the children's questions," the book says. This event is the basis for the tradition of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announcing Santa Claus's position every year. The project is known as NORAD Tracks Santa.

2,708 visits per secondis that possible?

Tolan calculates how many households Santa Claus would have to visit, according to a study on Christmas filmsassuming that he only delivers to Christian children up to the age of 10 who have been good during the year. In 24 hours, he would have to make 2,708 visits per second to reach 234 million households. If he flew against the Earth's rotation, he would have a total of 32 hoursand thus "only" about 2,000 visits per second to complete.

That is 40 times higher than the maximum frame rate that a human being can seewhich is why we have no chance of observing him at work. However, Santa Claus would be dead anywayburned up and crushed, as Tolan explains. He would have to cover a total distance of about 82 million kilometers with a sleigh weighing well over 200,000 tons, if every child received only one gift weighing about one kilogram.

Reindeer after reindeer would incinerate

To accelerate the sleigh to the required speed, Santa Claus would need more than six times the amount of energy consumed in Germany in an entire year, Tolan calculates. He explains the conditions under which one reindeer after another and then Santa Claus and his sleigh would evaporate in a fraction of a second, and why flying around corners also poses deadly risks.

But survival is possible if quantum theory and the so-called energy-time uncertainty principle come into play, Tolan says. Quantum theory states that matter also has wave properties.

"For Santa Claus, this means that he must be replaced by a matter wave that exists throughout space and describes all the states he can occupy at the same time."

Instead of one Santa Claus, there is a whole Santa Claus wave consisting of superpositions of all his states.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Quantum theory requires a radically different way of thinking

"These individual states are then given by the fact that he delivers his presents to a specific house in each case."

Santa Claus is therefore in all houses at the same time. Delivery, according to the rules of quantum theory, makes it impossible for Santa Claus to ever be seen, Tolan writes.

A sighting would immediately lead to the collapse of the Santa Claus wave at that locationand thus to the end of the Santa Claus story.The theory of the Santa Claus wave ensures the survival of Santa Claus until the end of the universe, but it requires radical rethinking.

Santa Claus doesn't just show up one night every year.

"He has been on his way for an eternity of 20 octillion years," says Tolan. An octillion is a 1 followed by 48 zeroes.

Modern quantum physics is not only reshaping our understanding of reality, time and consciousness, but also making a valuable contribution to saving Santa Claus, Tolan concludes. Incidentally, the professor also calculates how long it takes to work off a single 100-gram chocolate Santa Claus. Unfortunately, that's six hours of walkingor two weeks of non-stop kissing.

Ultimately, the book imparts completely useless knowledge, according to Tolan, who says, "After reading it, you will realize that the new insights you have gained will not really help you in any situation in life."

However, he concludes, "You can now shine among your loved ones at Christmas with truly amazing facts and lighten up the contemplative festivities with scientifically sound remarks."

2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A man paddles a boat next to flooded buildings after Lake Naivasha swelled and inundated homes, displacing hundreds in Kihoto Village in Naivasha, Kenya's Rift Valley region, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku

When Dickson Ngome first leased his farm at Lake Naivasha in Kenya's Rift Valley in 2008, it was over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from shore. The farm was on 1.5 acres (0.6 hectares) of fertile land where he grew vegetables to sell at local markets.

At the time, the lake was receding and people were worried that it might dry up altogether. But since 2011, the shore has crept ever closer. The rains started early this year, in September, and didn't let up for months.

One morning in late October, Ngome and his family woke up to find their home and farm inside the lake. The lake levels had risen overnight and about a foot of water covered everything.

"It seemed as if the lake was far from our homes," Ngome's wife, Rose Wafula, told The Associated Press. "And then one night we were shocked to find our houses flooded. The water came from nowhere."

Climate change caused increased rains, scientists say

The couple and their four children have had to leave home and are camping out on the first floor of an abandoned school nearby.

Residential buildings are submerged after Lake Naivasha swelled and flooded homes, displacing hundreds in Kihoto Village, in Naivasha, Kenya's Rift Valley region, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku

Some 5,000 people were displaced by the rise in Lake Naivasha's levels this year. Some scientists attribute the higher levels to increased rains caused by climate change, although there may be other factors causing the lake's steady rise over the past decade.

The lake is a tourism hot spot and surrounded by farms, mostly growing flowers, which have gradually been disappearing into the water as the lake levels rise.

Rising levels have not been isolated to Naivasha: Kenya's Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru and Lake Turkanaall in the Rift Valleyhave been steadily rising for 15 years.

"The lakes have risen almost beyond the highest level they have ever reached," said Simon Onywere, who teaches environmental planning at Kenyatta University in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

Rising lake levels displaced tens of thousands

A study in the Journal of Hydrology last year found that lake areas in East Africa increased by 71,822 square kilometers (27,730 square miles) between 2011 and 2023. That affects a lot of people: By 2021, more than 75,000 households had been displaced across the Rift Valley, according to a study commissioned that year by the Kenyan Environment Ministry and the United Nations Development Program.

A man salvages his belongings after Lake Naivasha swelled and inundated homes, displacing hundreds in Kihoto Village, in Naivasha, Kenya's Rift Valley region, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku

In Baringo, the submerged buildings that made headlines in 2020 and 2021 are still underwater.

"In Lake Baringo, the water rose almost 14 meters," Onywere said. "Everything went under, completely under. Buildings will never be seen again, like the Block Hotels of Lake Baringo."

Flower farms taking a beating

Lake Naivasha has risen steadily too, "engulfing three quarters of some flower farms," Onywere said.

Horticulture is a major economic sector in Kenya, generating just over a billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2024 and providing 40% of the volume of roses sold in the European Union, according to Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Significant research has gone into the reasons behind the rising lakes phenomenon: A 2021 study on the rise of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes was coauthored by Kenyan meteorologist Richard Muita, who is now acting assistant director of the Kenya Meteorological Department.

People use a boat to cross floodwaters as residential buildings remain submerged after Lake Naivasha swelled and inundated homes, displacing people in Kihoto Village, in Naivasha, Kenya's Rift Valley region, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku

"There are researchers who come up with drivers that are geological, others with reasons like planetary factors," Muita said. "The Kenya Meteorological Department found that the water level rises are associated with rainfall patterns and temperature changes. When the rains are plentiful, it aligns with the increase in the levels of the Rift Valley lake waters."

Sedimentation is also a factor. "From the research I have read, there's a lot of sediment, especially from agricultural related activities, that flows into these lakes," says Muita.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

'A mess' made by the government years ago

Naivasha's official high water mark was demarcated at 1,892.8 meters (6,210 feet) above sea level by the Riparian Association in 1906, and is still used by surveyors today. That means this year's flooding was still almost a meter (3 feet) below the high mark.

It also means that the community of Kihoto on Lake Naivasha where the Ngomes lived lies on riparian landland that falls below the high water mark, and can only be owned by the government.

"It's a mess established by the government  towards the late 1960s," said Silas Wanjala, general manager of the Lake Naivasha Riparian Association, which was founded some 120 years ago and has been keeping meticulous records of the lake's water levels since.

Residential buildings are submerged after Lake Naivasha swelled and flooded homes, in Kihoto Village, in Naivasha, Kenya's Rift Valley region, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku

Back then, a farmer was given a "temporary agricultural lease" on Kihoto, said Wanjala. When it later flooded and the farmer packed up and left, the farmworkers stayed on the land and later applied for subdivisions, which were approved. In the 60-odd years since, a whole settlement has grown on land that is officially not for lease or sale.

This also isn't the first time it's been flooded, said Wanjala. It's just very rare that the water comes up this high. That's little consolation for the people who have been displaced by this year's floods and now cannot go home without risking confrontations with hippopotamuses.

To support those people, the county is focusing its efforts on where the need is greatest.

"We are tackling this as an emergency," says Joyce Ncece, chief officer for disaster management in Nakuru County, which oversees Lake Naivasha. "The county government has provided trucks to help families relocate. We have been helping to pay rent for those who lack the finances."

Scientists like Onywere and Muita are hoping for longer-term solutions. "Could we have predicted this so that we could have done better infrastructure in less risk-prone areas?" Onywere said.

Muita wants to see a more concerted global effort to combat climate change, as well as local, nature-based solutions centered on Indigenous knowledge, such as "conservation agriculture, where there is very limited disturbance of the land," to reduce sedimentation of the lakes.

But all of this is of little help to Ngome and Wafula, who are still living at the school with their children. As the rest of the world looks forward to the holidays and new year, their future is uncertain. Lake Naivasha's continuous rise over the past 15 years does not bode well: They have no idea when, or if, their farm will ever be back on dry land.

Key concepts limnology

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

When a ship sinks, it is often in tragic circumstances. Beneath the waves, however, a different story unfolds: shipwrecks become the foundations of new life.

Rusting hulls, broken masts and even piles of wartime munitions can, through time, be transformed into rich ecosystems. Scientists call this "shipwreck ecology," and it offers a fascinating lens through which to view both the adaptability of marine life and the unexpected ways humans shape the seascape.

This is illustrated vividly by a recent scientific study of a Second World War munitions dump in the Baltic Sea near Germany. What many would see as hazardous waste has, over the decades, become home to diverse communities of mussels, crustaceans, fish and plant life. Even corroding shells and explosives are now teeming with life.

Although leaking toxic compounds can be risky, the site demonstrates how marine organisms repurpose human-made structures into thriving habitats.

The ecological transformation of a shipwreck begins almost immediately after it settles on the seabed. Metal, wood or concrete provide rare hard surfaces in otherwise sandy or muddy seafloors.

Marine microscopic algae, bacteria and fungi are the first colonizers, forming slimy biofilms within days. These in turn attract barnacles, tube worms and sponges, followed by larger organisms such as soft corals, sea fans and crustaceans.

As complexity increases, wrecks begin to function like artificial reefs. Nooks and crannies provide refuge for small fish, which attract larger predators. Over time, wrecks become islands of life in relatively barren seascapes, often rivaling natural reefs in their biodiversity.

Shipwreck nations

The British Isles might be Europe's shipwreck capitaltheir waters are littered with an estimated 40,000 wrecks, with each telling its own ecological story. As a marine ecologist and licensed scuba dive instructor, I've been able to explore merchant ships, warships and fishing vessels, all slowly becoming habitats in their own right.

Some of the most famous include the Scapa Flow wrecks in Orkney, off the north coast of mainland Scotland, where a scuttled German fleet from the first world war has become both a mecca for divers and a haven for marine life. Their steel hulls are now draped in colorful soft corals, while pollock, wrasse and conger eels patrol the shadows.

Off Dorset in southern England lies the Aeolian Sky, a cargo ship that sank in 1979. Its twisted structures now support shoals of bib or pout fish (a small relative of cod), while lobsters and edible crabs shelter in its cavities.

Nearby, the Kyarra, sunk in 1918, is decorated with jewel anemones and sponges. There's also the HMS M2, a submarine aircraft carrier wrecked in 1932 and now cloaked in plumose and jewel anemones, hydroids and sponges. Shoals of bib and pollock circle the submarine, while wrasse, gobies and seasonal cuttlefish use the hull for breeding.

Further west along the southern English coast, some of my favorite wreck dives are around Plymouth Sound in Devon. The HMT Elk and James Eagan Layne, both sunk in the Second World War, have become vibrant oases for pollock, wrasse and crustaceans, while soft corals and anemones cloak their steel frames.

The most striking is HMS Scylla, deliberately sunk in 2004 to form an artificial reef but now indistinguishable from a "natural" wreck. Its lobsters, sea slugs and shoals of fish showcase how ecology, conservation and human history can come together beneath the waves.

Further afield, the Thistlegormanother British merchant shipin the Red Sea near Egypt's Sinai Peninsula has become one of the world's most celebrated dive sites, brimming with snapper, groupers, and even turtles.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Life will quickly colonize a new habitat

Shipwrecks demonstrate the extraordinary capacity of marine life to adapt, turning human detritus into ecological opportunity. Hard structures are valuable in many parts of the ocean, especially where overfishing, coastal development and overheated waters have damaged natural reefs.

A wreck offers stability and a complex mix of speciestwo things ocean animals find hard to come by. Over decades, a wreck can support entire food webs, from bacteria to apex predator sharks.

But these ecosystems tell us something else: they are accidental laboratories for understanding how marine species respond to environmental change. Wrecks show how quickly life will colonize and exploit a new habitat, providing lessons for restoration work elsewhere.

A cultural and ecological legacy

For the UK, with its extraordinary maritime history, wrecks also form part of the national story. They are reminders of war, trade and exploration, but also of the sea's capacity to transform and regenerate. Divers get to experience the wonder of swimming through history as thriving marine life reclaims metal, wood and cargo.

As coral reefs decline worldwide, shipwrecks and artificial reefs will likely grow in importance. They will never replace the coral giants of the tropics, and nor should they be used as an excuse to neglect the protection of existing habitats. But shipwrecks can act as sanctuaries, research sites and beacons of resilience in a changing ocean.

They also invite us to see the sea differentlynot as a dumping ground, but as a realm where even loss and ruin can be reshaped into new life. The challenge for humanity is to move from accidents of history to intentional acts of restoration, creating a future where marine ecosystems are given the protections they need to thrive.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Three special Aurignacian sitesCardina-Salto do Boi, Abrigo de la Malia, and Lapa do Picareiroare also indicated. Credit: PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0339184

Using a specially developed simulation model, researchers at the University of Cologne have traced and analyzed the dynamics of possible encounters between Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans on the Iberian Peninsula during the Paleolithic period for the first time.

Between approximately 50,000 and 38,000 years ago, the first anatomically modern humans arrived in Europe, where they encountered Neanderthal populations. The team analyzed the respective settlement areas and the movement patterns of both groups. Were there any interactions between the groups, and did they mix? And how were population dynamics influenced by climatic events?

The results of the study, "Pathways at the Iberian crossroads: Dynamic modeling of the Middle-Upper Paleolithic Transition," led by Professor Dr. Yaping Shao from the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology are published in the journal PLOS One.

This study was conducted within the framework of the HESCOR research project at the University of Cologne, in collaboration with Professor Dr. Gerd-Christian Weniger (Emeritus) of the Department of Prehistoric Archaeology.

Simulation model and research approach

The researchers used a numerical model to simulate exploratively the possibility of both groups meeting on the Iberian Peninsula.

The model takes into account the prevailing climate fluctuations and simulates the populations of both groups as well as their connectivity and interaction. It is able to dynamically simulate a wide variety of scenarios, in contrast to more traditional archaeological and genetic methods. It makes it possible to examine different theories and to create a new perspective.

"By linking climate, demography, and culture, our dynamic model offers a broader explanatory framework that can be used to better interpret archaeological and genomic data," says Professor Weniger from the Department of Prehistoric Archaeology.

Population decline and climatic influences

During the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic, Neanderthal populations across Europe, especially on the Iberian Peninsula, experienced a steady decline leading to their extinction.

At the same time, anatomically modern humans spread across Europe. This period was also characterized by strong climatic fluctuations, with alternating cold and warm phases: rapid warming phases occurring over only a few centuries contrast with more gradual cooling periods (so-called DansgaardOeschger events), which are interrupted by severe cold phases caused by massive iceberg discharges into the North Atlantic (Heinrich events).

The precise timing of the Neanderthals' extinction and the arrival of modern humans remains unclear, so a potential encounter between the two species cannot be ruled out.

Genetic analyses of bones from archaeological excavations in comparison with today's population indicate a mixing in Eastern Europe in the early migration phases of modern humans. Later mixing of the two populations on the Iberian Peninsula is possible due to substantial dating uncertainties, but has not yet been proven.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Model scenarios and genetic mixing

"Repeated runs of the model with different parameters allow for an assessment of the plausibility of different scenarios: an early extinction of the Neanderthals, a small population size with a high risk of extinction, or a prolonged survival that would allow mixing," says Professor Shao, principal investigator of the study. In most of the runs, however, the two groups did not meet.

In all three scenarios, the population is highly sensitive to climatic fluctuations. In those cases where the population could remain stable long enough, mixing of the two species was possible. With a low probability (1%), at the end of the simulations, there are small proportions of 26% of the total population that have genes from both groups.

This mixing would have been most likely in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, an area where modern humans could have arrived early enough before the Neanderthal population collapsed completely.

Future research and model improvements

In further studies, the researchers plan to improve both the numerical model and the potential field required for it. In addition to human populations, the model should also include animals that can serve as potential prey. The vegetation data required for this is fed into a potential field, which is calculated separately for humans and animals from a variety of climatic and geographical data.

The researchers are also currently investigating whether a specialized machine learning algorithm can help with this.

Publication details Yaping Shao et al, Pathways at the Iberian crossroads: Dynamic modeling of the middleupper paleolithic transition, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0339184 Journal information: PLoS ONE
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A 400-mile blanket of fog has socked in California's Central Valley for weeks. Scientists and meteorologists say the conditions for such persistent cloud cover are ripe: an early wet season, cold temperatures and a stable, unmoving high pressure system.

But take a stroll through X, Instagram or TikTok, and you'll see not everyone is so sanguine.

People are reporting that the fog has a strange consistency and that it's nefariously littered with black and white particles that don't seem normal. They're calling it "mysterious" and underscoring the name "radiation" fog, which is the scientific descriptor for such natural fog eventsnot an indication that they carry radioactive material.

An X user with the handle Wall Street Apes posted a video of a man who said he is from Northern California drawing his finger along fog condensate on the grill of his truck. His finger comes up covered in white.

"What is this s right here?" the man says as the camera zooms in on his finger. "There's something in the fog that I can't explain ... Check y'all ... y'all crazy ... What's going on? They got asbestos in there."

Another user, @wesleybrennan87, posted a photo of two airplane contrails crisscrossing the sky through a break in the fog.

"For anyone following the dense Tule (Radiation) fog in the California Valley, it lifted for a moment today, just to see they've been pretty active over our heads ..." the user posted.

Scientists confirm there is stuff in the fog. But what it is and where it comes from, they say, is disappointingly mundane.

The Central Valley is known to have some of the worst air pollution in the country.

And "fog is highly susceptible to pollutants," said Peter Weiss-Penzias, a fog researcher at UC Santa Cruz.

Fog "droplets have a lot of surface area and are suspended in the air for quite a long timedays or weeks evenso during that time the water droplets can absorb a disproportionate quantity of gases and particles, which are otherwise known as pollutants," he said.

He said while he hasn't done any analyses of the Central Valley fog during this latest event, it's not hard to imagine what could be lurking in the droplets.

"It could be a whole alphabet soup of different things. With all the agriculture in this area, industry, automobiles, wood smoke, there's a whole bunch" of contenders, Weiss-Penzias said.

Reports of the fog becoming a gelatinous goo when left to sit are also not entirely surprising, he said, considering all the airborne biological materialfungal spores, nutrients and algaefloating around that can also adhere to the Velcro-like drops of water.

He said the good news is that while the primary route of exposure for people to this material is inhalation, the fog droplets are relatively big. That means when they are breathed in, they won't go too deep into the lungsnot like the particulate matter we inhale during sunny, dry days. That stuff can get way down into lung tissue.

The bigger concern is ingestion, as the fog covers plants or open water cisterns, he said.

So make sure you're washing your vegetables, and anything you leave outside that you might nosh on later.

Dennis Baldocchi, a UC Berkeley fog researcher, agreed with Weiss-Penzias' assessment, and said the storm system predicted to move in this weekend will likely push the fog out and free the valley of its chilly, dirty shawl.

But, if a high pressure system returns in the coming weeks, he wouldn't be surprised to see the region encased in fog once again.

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alec Baldwin battled suicidal thoughts in the aftermath of the Rust shooting.

Alec Baldwin has opened up about battling suicidal thoughts after the Rust shooting

The 67-year-old actor was holding a prop gun on the set of the Western in October 2021 when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza, and Balwin was wrapped up in a lengthy legal case as he faced manslaughter charges in connection with the tragedy. The charges against Baldwin were dismissed twice and the case is now over, but he has admitted the stress left him feeling as if he didn't want to live any more.

During an appearance on the Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction podcast, Baldwin explained: "When you get to that point where you go: 'I dont want to wake up another day, Im gonna go - I swear to God, I mean, to talk about it, and its really kind of unappealing to me because to talk about killing yourself and to actually kill yourself are two so profoundly distinctive things.

"I think a lot of people, I think countless people think about killing themselves and ending their life, and then very few do.

"And for me, I remember, I used to lay there in bed and go: 'Oh God, I cant wake up another day and have it be the same. Its the same every day. And I cant do it.' And but somehow I found the faith in God to, you know, not kill myself tomorrow. Lets wait one more day."

Baldwin also hated seeing the affect the tragedy had on his wife Hilaria and their children and he's convinced it has "taken 10 years" off his life.

He added: "The people I was most concerned about, the people that I had the deepest pain for, were my wife and my kids. Because my kids would see me sitting in a corner, you know, I couldnt even move ...

"And I dont want to dwell on this, I just want to say that this was very painful for my wife and my family, my sisters and brothers and so forth, my colleagues. 

"And I can tell you, it broke every nerve in my body, spiritually, financially  work-wise, my career, my wife, my kids, my friends, my health. I mean what its done to my health.

"I mean, if I told you what my health conditions have been since October 21st of 2021  its taken 10 years off my life. Its taken at least 10 years off my life."

It comes after Baldwin's wife Hilaria revealed the actor was diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after the shooting.

Speaking on the couple's reality show The Baldwins', she explained: "Everyone who is close to Alec has seen his mental health decline.

"He was diagnosed with PTSD, and he says in his darkest moments: If an accident had to have happened this day, why am I still here? Why couldn't it have been me?'"
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:

Similarity between soil resistomes and those from other habitats. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61606-3

A study led by researchers at the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has uncovered alarming evidence that soil worldwide is emerging as a significant reservoir and amplifier of high-risk antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which enable bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics, and that their threat to public health has continued to increase over the past decade or so.

Their findings are published in Nature Communications in a paper titled "Global soil antibiotic resistance genes are associated with increasing risk and connectivity to human resistome."

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of bacteria to withstand antibiotics, is a serious global health threat, causing over 1.27 million deaths each year. While hospitals and clinics are often seen as the main battlegrounds against AMR, researchers at HKU have found that soil also plays a significant role in spreading antibiotic resistance.

Soil's role in antibiotic resistance

Led by Professor Tong Zhang from HKU's Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory at the Department of Civil Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Lizhong Zhu and Professor Baolan Hu from Zhejiang University, the research team has discovered that soil can act as the source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are the genetic material that makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Connectivity of Rank I ARGs between soil and other habitats. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61606-3

It is known that ARGs naturally occur in soils around the worldthey have been found in places such as the deepest ocean trenches, undisturbed Alaskan wilderness, and 30,000-year-old permafrost sediments. However, the key concern is that not all ARGs pose a health risk; only those linked to human activity do.

Professor Zhang's team analyzed nearly 4,000 genetic datasets from different environments, including soil, feces, and wastewater, and examined over 8,000 strains of Escherichia coli.

They found that the risk posed by soil ARGs has been steadily increasing from 2008 to 2021. This rise is closely connected to the growing similarity between soil and human bacterial resistance patterns, driven by the transfer of resistance genes between bacteria.

Implications for public health policy

This research has important implications for public health. It suggests that efforts to fight antibiotic resistance should not focus solely on hospitals, but also on environmental sources, such as soil.

A comprehensive approach, which experts call the "One Health" strategy, must involve better waste management to prevent antibiotics and ARGs from entering soils, stricter rules and regulations on antibiotic use in farming, and ongoing monitoring of soil environments.

Potential HGT events between soil and other habitats. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61606-3

Dr. Yuxiang Zhao, a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering at HKU, said, "Our findings provide robust evidence that soil bacteria are becoming more connected to the resistance we see in humans. This highlights the need to integrate environmental surveillance into the One Health framework to effectively control the spread of AMR."

Publication details Yuxiang Zhao et al, Global soil antibiotic resistance genes are associated with increasing risk and connectivity to human resistome, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61606-3 Journal information: Nature Communications
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The new species of beetle has been named Macratria durrelli as a tribute to the famous naturalist Gerald Durrell. Credit: Telnov, D.

A museum scientist has paid homage to the renowned British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, whose stories inspired him to become a researcher when he was growing up in what was then the Soviet Union.

The new species of beetle, named Macratria durrelli, is found in Madagascar, a country closely linked to Gerald's conservation work.

Growing up in Latvia during the height of the Cold War, Dmitry Telnov had little access to published material from outside the Soviet Union. But among the few books he could get his hands on were some of the works by Gerald Durrell.

Recounting Gerald's adventures as he traveled through exciting places such as West Africa and South America in search of wildlife, these books made huge impression on Dmitry's early life. The books spurred Dmitry on to become an expert in beetles, who now himself explores remote regions in search of wildlife.

"Traveling outside the Soviet Union was banned," Dmitry recalls. "So Gerald's stories provided a way for many of us to peer from behind the Iron Curtain into the wider world."

Gerald Durrell was a successful author and pioneer in wildlife conservation. Credit: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Dmitry now cares for and researches our collection of beetles, and has chosen to honor Gerald by naming a new species of Madagascan beetle after him.

The new species is part of the genus Macratria, which is a large group of beetles containing over 320 species. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, but mainly live near the tropics. Astonishingly, Dmitry has described almost half of these beetles, giving official names to over 150 species in this group alone.

The Macratria are part of a larger group known as the antlike flower beetles. Their name likely comes from the way they move their heads, using their antenna to feel their environment in a similar way to ants.

A description of the new species and other newly described Madagascan beetles has been published in the journal Annales Zoologici.

"Gerald Durrell has been a huge inspiration to me throughout my life," says Dmitry. "He helped me realize, as a scientist, that we have to use our knowledge to help conserve nature and not just study it."

Dmitry's copies of Gerald Durrell's books translated into Russian. Credit: Dmitry Telnov

"This new species of beetle is from Madagascar, a country where Gerald worked for a long time. It was part of his work here that made him realize that species were disappearing and we had to do something about it."

"This year also marks 100 years since the birth of Gerald Durrell, so I felt it was a perfect time to honor his extraordinary legacy."

Who was Gerald Durrell and what is his legacy?

Gerald Durrell was born in India in 1925 but spent much of his childhood on the Greek island of Corfu.

This period of his life ignited Gerald's passion for wildlife. He collected and studied all the animals and plants he could find, from snakes and scorpions to butterflies and tortoises, often keeping them in an array of containers around the house. He would eventually document this period of his life in the popular book My Family and Other Animals.

Shortly after the breakout of the Second World War, Gerald and his family moved back to Britain. He eventually got a job as a student keeper at Whipsnade Zoo. But he always dreamed of setting up his own zoo one day.

At the age of 21, Gerald went on his first expedition to collect animals, choosing to travel to West Africa.

To help fund more expeditions, Gerald decided to write and publish stories about his adventures, as he trekked through rainforests and camped on remote savannas. The books proved hugely popular, and he was eventually able to open his own zoo in Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Throughout his travels, Gerald became increasingly aware of the plight of many animals he encountered. He turned his attention to conserving these threatened species and went on to establish the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, which is known today as the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

"Gerald Durrell really changed our understanding of the role of zoos," says Dmitry. "He understood from very early on that they can play an important role in conservation."

"He brought species that were on the brink of extinction to Jersey Zoo, he bred them and released them into the wild."

Gerald Durrell passed away on 30 January 1995. A memorial celebration to honor his extraordinary life was held at the Natural History Museum later that year and attended by many important figures, including Sir David Attenborough.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Gerald Durrell and the Soviet Union

Growing up in Latvia as it was occupied by the Soviet Union, Dmitry had been interested in nature from a very young age. He would often ask his parents for books about the natural world.

But at the time, Latvia was under the shadow of the Iron Curtain. This was a physical and political boundary that snaked across eastern Europe following the Second World War. It separated European nations in the west from the states controlled by the Soviet Union in the east.

It also meant that books were heavily censored and frequently banned, with tight restrictions on publications from foreign countries and the west.

This meant that getting hold of books in Latvia at this time wasn't easy, with most people relying on the few that made it into the public libraries. But some books did become publicly available for people to buy, and among those were Gerald Durrell's stories.

Dmitry read his first Gerald Durrell book at the age of 13 and was instantly hooked. He asked his parents for more, which he collected one by one as they became available in the shops.

This helped Gerald's books to become hugely popular in the Soviet Union. Many of his stories were translated into Russian, and millions of copies were sold.

"People were desperate for books that weren't about politics," says Dmitry. "Gerald Durrell captured many of us with his unique writing style, combining humor with popular science and nature conservation."

"As I read more, I became obsessed with becoming a scientist and working with animals. I was already collecting insects in my local area, but his stories made me dream of going to the tropics."

"After the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, I eventually managed to become a scientist and live out my dream of working with tropical insects."

More information Dmitry Telnov, Anthicidae (Coleoptera) of Madagascar: The Faunal Composition, New Descriptions, Rediscoveries, and an Annotated Checklist, Annales Zoologici (2025). DOI: 10.3161/00034541anz2025.75.3.003

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here
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:

An African easterly wave over the coast of western Africa on 12 September 2006 was the precursor to Hurricane Helene. New research suggests that climate change could intensify storm precursors like this one. Credit: EUMETSAT

An existing body of research indicates that climate change is making tropical cyclones wetter and more powerful. Now, a new study is indicating the same thing may be happening to the precursors of these storms: the wet weather systems that sometimes give rise to destructive hurricanes and often cause hazardous rain and flooding. The findings are published in the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems.

Tropical cyclones don't spring into existence fully formed. Around 85% of Atlantic hurricanes, for instance, originate from African easterly waves, westward-moving disturbances of low pressure over Africa in which warm, humid air rises into the atmosphere from below and forms rain clouds. Despite these weather systems' critical role as "seeds" for tropical cyclones, however, it's not fully understood how climate change may affect their development.

Nunez Ocasio and team recently investigated how African easterly waves might behave differently in the future because of climate change. To do this, Nunez Ocasio first developed a new regional weather model configuration that allowed for more realistic representation of possible rainfall extremes.

Using this improved model, the team focused on the formation period of the wave that would become 2006's Hurricane Helene and simulated how the storm might have played out differently in a warmer, more humid environment.

Under a scenario of high greenhouse gas emissions, the researchers found that by the end of the century, waves like the one that became Helene will grow significantly more intense, spinning faster and holding a greater amount of water vapor relative to their surroundings. At the same time, the waves will travel more slowly across Africa. Altogether, this means they will linger for longer periods while dumping heavier rain over affected areas, exacerbating the risk of extreme flooding.

Given that risk, the authors call for the use of high-resolution models like those in the present study to further research how African easterly waves will respond to climate change. Such studies may provide vulnerable communities with the information they need to prepare for extreme weather.

The authors also note that although forecasts with short lead timesthe time between a weather forecast and the actual weather eventtend to offer higher accuracy, longer lead times may better account for the slower movement of future African easterly waves.

More information K. M. Nunez Ocasio et al, Response of African Easterly Waves to a Warming Climate: A ConvectionPermitting Approach, Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025ms005146

This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here.
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:

Urban forests in parks and mixed-use spaces are typically not insured to cover the replacement cost of trees downed by storms and other high-risk events. Credit: University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz

From offsetting higher temperatures as cities heat up and cultivating healthier communities, to contributing to local economies and delivering other critical services, the range of benefits of trees in urban settings are detailed in a new report co-authored by scientist Heather Tallis at UC Santa Cruz's Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR).

The publication, "California Urban Forest Insurance," is a feasibility report that translates these benefits into monetary terms in order to make the business case for insuring these resources. The report identifies storms as a primary insurable risk and outlines stakeholders who might have an incentive to purchase insurance that helps protect and restore urban trees and green spaces.

"The reality of climate impacts is becoming completely unavoidable for a lot of communities in the state right now," said CCCR Senior Fellow Heather Tallis. "We need novel approaches. We need different ways to respond to climate impacts as they happen, and we need different ways to fund responses."

The economic value of urban trees

The financial benefits identified in the study are significant:

California's 173.2 million urban trees represent a $181 billion asset, generating $8 billion in services per year. For comparison, the combined financial value of California's highway infrastructure, buildings and other depreciable property in 2023 totaled $143.4 billion.

A study of 5 million Northern California residents found that those living in the greenest areas paid $374 less per year in adjusted health care costs, compared to those living in areas with fewer trees.

Planting, caring for and maintaining urban and community forests contributed $12.9 billion to California's economy in 2021, supporting 78,560 jobs.

According to Tallis, these numbers likely underestimate the true value of urban forests.

"(These estimations) only capture a small subset of the things we have the methodologies to account for in current economics," Tallis noted. "It's very important to translate what's going on in the natural environment into benefits someone is responsible for providing, whether that's in health care costs or in stormwater-treatment terms, or in dollar savings, whatever the metrics are that people make decisions around."

Aligned with state insurance office

Tallis, whose career focuses on conservation policy and innovative nature-based solutions, has worked on efforts to quantify how natural systems affect human well-being and how those contributions can influence investments.

"I have worked on mechanisms that quantify how nature's affecting things that people care about in ways that can help us design investments that provide those benefits," Tallis said.

That focus aligned closely with the work of California Department of Insurance (CDI) Special Advisor Deborah Halberstadt, who has been examining how insurance tools can help protect natural assets. Their partnership helped drive the development of the report, which highlights the ecological, social, and economic value of urban forests and frames them as long-term investments.

Previous research by Tallis has also shown that access to green space can improve educational outcomes for elementary students in California. Other studies indicate that even views of greenery from a window can accelerate patient recovery times.

Those health-related benefits are one reason the report identifies health care providers and insurers as key stakeholders who have financial gains from healthier, greener environments.

"The health insurance industry is definitely a beneficiary of urban green space of urban forests, and so they're really important in this conversation. They will see savings, both in health care costs and in claims, if people are living in a healthier, greener environment," Tallis said.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

A proven model

Stormsincluding atmospheric rivers and high-wind eventspose the most immediate threat to urban forests in California. A single storm in 2023, for example, felled more than 1,000 trees in Sacramento. The report explores how tiered parametric insurance could be structured to provide different payout levels based on sustained wind speeds, precipitation intensity, or soil saturation.

To build out the model, the research team convened a workshop with potential stakeholders, including state and local urban foresters, nonprofit and community-based organizations, academic researchers, and health care professionals. Their perspectives helped shape how an insurance policy could operate in practice.

As Tallis explained, a forest insurance model would rely on stakeholders purchasing policies that would contribute to a pooled fund. When a qualifying storm event occurs, the policy would pay out funds that cities could use to restore and recover their urban forest systems.

The concept draws inspiration from the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef insurance model. In 2019, CCCR Director Michael W. Beck and co-leads from The Nature Conservancy worked with Swiss Re to develop a parametric insurance policy for a stretch of reef along Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. This policy was triggered and paid out when winds during Hurricane Delta surpassed 100 knots (115 mph). This approach has been expanded to reefs in other Mesoamerican countries and Hawai'i.

"That definitely was a basis for this idea and that model is a very useful example to learn from," Tallis said. "There's just no question that we need new ways to act and new ways to respond and new ways to move money in a timely fashion so that people can respond and build more resilience in order to protect themselves."

Looking ahead

As for what's next, Tallis said that conversations with stakeholders and potential insurers are needed to refine the design of a potential policy, followed by partnerships with pilot cities to implement the policies. The researchers emphasize the need to better understand the costs counties face after climate-related disasters and determine what forms of coverage and payout thresholds would be most effective.

Success, Tallis noted, would mean cities, counties, and stakeholders recognizing the benefits of nature and building the financial and governance structures needed to protect those assets. She envisions a world where policies insuring natural assets is commonplace, offered by big insurers to cover different kinds of natural assets.

But beyond the mechanics of insurance, she hopes for a broader shift in mindset.

"I hope that beyond insurance as a tool, the report adds to people's recognition that nature really matters to our daily lives," Tallis said. "We have a lot of tools across our entire economy to use differently and make nature a much more present and important part of our reality."

More information California Urban Forest Insurance. bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/wordpres  eport-2025-FINAL.pdf
KATHMANDU, NEPAL  The Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) officially announced on Tuesday the signing of two landmark contracts totaling US$23.66 million, aimed at enhancing road maintenance under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact. These agreements mark a critical juncture in the modernization of Nepals transport network, serving as a strategic catalyst for the nations long-term economic expansion and infrastructure resilience.

The primary component of this investment is a US$20 million contract awarded to the SharmaKumar Joint Venture for the extensive rehabilitation of the DhankholaLamahi section of the East-West Highway. Situated in the Dang District of Lumbini Province, this project will introduce cutting-edge engineering standards to the region. Specifically, the rehabilitation will utilize Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR)a sustainable method that recycles existing road materialsand Superpave technology, a high-performance asphalt grading system designed to withstand heavy traffic loads and Nepals diverse climatic conditions.

Complementing the construction phase, a second contract valued at US$3.66 million was signed with Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Ltd. (ICT). This agreement mandates the firm to provide rigorous technical supervision for the ongoing rehabilitation works. Furthermore, the contract includes provisions for the periodic maintenance of the NarayanghatMugling road section, which remains one of Nepals most vital arteries for domestic and international trade.

The formal signing ceremony brought together high-ranking officials from the Government of Nepal and the United States, including U.S. Ambassador Dean Thompson, MCA-Nepal Executive Director Khadga Bisht, and MCC Deputy Country Director for Nepal Sanjay Poudyal. During the event, Ambassador Thompson lauded the progress of the Compact, noting that the project represents far more than a simple financial injection. He emphasized that the initiative reflects the enduring strength of the U.S.Nepal partnership and a mutual commitment to delivering timely, tangible results that benefit both the Nepali populace and the broader business community.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Hundreds of thousands of people attended the funeral Saturday of a leading Bangladeshi activist who died of gunshot wounds sustained in an attack in Dhaka earlier this month, as political tensions gripped the country ahead of elections.

Sharif Osman Hadi, who took part in last years political uprising that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas 15-year rule, died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday after being shot Dec. 12 in Dhaka.

Police said they had identified suspects and that the shooter had most probably fled to India, where Hasina has been in exile. The development sparked a new diplomatic squabble with India and prompted New Delhi this week to summon Bangladeshs envoy. Bangladesh also summoned the Indian envoy to Dhaka.

Security was tight in Dhaka on Saturday as the funeral prayers were held outside the nations Parliament complex.

Hadis body returned on Friday night, and Saturday was declared a national mourning day.

Hadi was a spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho culture group, which said he would be buried on the Dhaka University campus beside the countrys national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Mourners carried Bangladesh flags and chanted slogans, such as We will be Hadi, we will be fighting decades after decades, and We will not let Hadis blood go in vain.

The news of his death on Thursday evening triggered violence, with groups of protesters attacking and torching the offices of two leading national dailies. The countrys interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has urged the people to stay calm.

Hadi was a fierce critic of both neighboring India and Hasina, who has been in exile since Aug. 5, 2024, when she fled Bangladesh. Hadi had planned to run as an independent candidate in a major constituency in Dhaka in the next national elections in February.

Bangladesh has been going through a critical transition under Yunus in a bid to return to democracy through the upcoming elections. But the government has been Hasinas Awami League party, which is one of two major political parties. ,

Hasinas archrival, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party is the other key party, which hopes to forms the next government. The Jamaat-e-Islami party, the countrys largest Islamist party with a dark history involving the nations independence war in 1971, is leading an alliance to carve out a bigger political space in the absence of Hasinas party and its allies.

Hasina has been sentenced to death on charges of crimes against humanity, but India's has not responded to repeated requests by the Yunus-led government for her extradition.
JERUSALEM (AP)  President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy on Friday will host top officials from Middle Eastern countries mediating the Gaza ceasefire, a State Department official said, in a bid to push the tenuous agreement into its next phase.

The envoy, Steve Witkoff, is Trump's key delegate for handling peace negotiations. He will meet in Miami with officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, said the State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview a meeting that has not yet been publicly announced.

There, the officials will review the implementation of Phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S.-brokered truce took effect on Oct. 10, pausing more than two years of war.

In the first phase, Hamas returned the hostages it was holding while Israel returned thousands of Palestinian prisoners and allowed greater quantities of humanitarian aid into war-battered Gaza. The ceasefire has since stalled, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

The second phase, one far more challenging, is supposed to involve the deployment of an international security force, an internationally supervised technocratic governing body for Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and further Israeli troop withdrawals from the territory. The process is to be overseen by a Board of Peace chaired by President Donald Trump.

Neither the board nor the international force have yet assembled. Israel has expressed opposition to the potential participation of various countries, including Turkey.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry confirmed the participation of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at Friday's talks in Miami. The Qatari prime minister, who doubles as the country's foreign minister, said in an interview in Al Jazeera that he, too, would be joining the meeting.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani added that there was an urgent need to advance to the next phase and form a Palestinian civil administration in Gaza. He said that the international force must not protect one party at the expense of another.

He also accused Israel of repeated violations, saying they risk undermining the agreement and placing mediators in an embarrassing position.

Hamas is calling for more international pressure on Israel to open key border crossings, cease deadly strikes and allow more aid into the strip. Israel is demanding the militants return the remains of a final hostage, Ran Gvili.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza are struggling with a lack of aid. Food remains scarce as the territory struggles to bounce back from famine, which affected parts of Gaza during the war.

The initial Hamas-led Oct. 7, 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 70,660 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.
Kathmandu, Nepal, 22 December 2025: Although the date for the House of Representatives election is drawing near, a favorable electoral environment has failed to materialize; instead, the political crisis is deepening.

A group of Gen Z activists has announced a protest against the current government led by Sushila Karki. Ironically, the Karki administration was originally formed on the strength of the Gen Z movement. Similarly, major political parties not only appear suspicious of the government but also seem unwilling to cooperate in creating a conducive environment for the polls.

The situation has escalated further due to CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Olis "rock-solid" stance in refusing to provide a statement to the Commission of Inquiry. The party has signaled that if the Commission attempts to proceed with legal actionwhether by arrest or other means to force a statementstreet protests will be intensified across the country.

During an interview on Himalaya Televisions program Yaksha Prashna on Sunday, Oli reiterated his firm position, stating he had already refused to give a statement multiple times.

"I will not give a statement. If they want to shoot me because I refused, they can. Theyve already decided the verdict before the investigation is even complete, so why should I give a statement? They can imprison me for life for not complying," Oli said during the interview.

These combined factors signal that the likelihood of holding elections on the scheduled date remains slim.
Chris Pratt has revealed that seeing his son "fight for his life" led him to devote his life to God.

Anna Faris, Chris Pratt and their son Jack Pratt

In 2012, the 46-year-old actor and his 49-year-old ex-wife, actress Anna Faris' boy, Jack, was born nine weeks prematurely and spent a month in intensive care, and the youngster's high-risk start to life made Chris feel "compelled" to talk about his faith - which stems from his childhood.

The Guardians of the Galaxy star - who has just been to Rome, where he filmed a documentary on St. Peter, and met Pope Leo - wrote in a personal essay for 70-year-old journalist Maria Shriver's The Sunday Paper: "I was baptised in a Catholic Church and have believed in God since childhood.

"I attended various religious institutions, including Catholic, Lutheran, and Evangelical churches. I knew little about the distinctions between denominations, but so much about the healing power of Grace.

"Mine was a broken road marked by cycles of sin and forgiveness; a pattern of rebellion, shame and grace on repeat, leading to increased extremes of emotional highs and lows.

"Then, when my son Jack was fighting for his life, I found myself back on my knees, pleading to God for a miracle. I promised that if Jack survived, I would devote my life to sharing Gods message. This time I meant it."

Jack is now "healthy", and Chris - who is also dad to daughters Lyla, five, and Eloise, three, and son Ford, 13 months, with his 36-year-old spouse, author Katherine Schwarzenegger - thanks God every day for saving his eldest son's life, as well as for the existence of his other children.

The star - who described the trip to Rome as a "profound experience", which allowed him to delve deeper into exploring his faith - added: "I know how fortunate I am.

"I know there are countless parents who pray those same prayers and dont receive the answer I did. My heart is with them always.

"Ever since that moment, Ive been trying to understand how best to speak of my faith - especially knowing that not everyone shares it. But whenever I can, I feel compelled to talk about the light my faith has brought into my life."

Chris also wrote about light and darkness as a way to describe the struggles he sometimes has with his spirituality.

The Jurassic World actor explained: "Darkness is not a presence. Darkness is simply the absence of light.

"Naturally, I want to share that light. But I struggle with how to speak publicly about my faith, knowing that brighter light casts darker shadows.

"I want to share the beauty of the light that changed my life. But the louder I shine, the more sharply some people see their own shadows - and instead of turning, they recoil."
No tax forgiveness in anti-corruption battle: Mexico collects over 500 billion in unpaid taxes with another 51 billion due payable

Mexico City, Mexico  President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government has collected approximately 500 billion pesos in unpaid taxes. That money has been collected during her administration due to her anti-corruption battle against tax forgiveness.

Mexicos president says the fight against corruption lead to the payments since tax forgiveness is prohibited. She made the comment Friday during a press conference where she noted another 51 billion is due payable at the state of the New Year by Mexican company Grupo Salinas.

Sheinbaum says the companys appeals to pay were overturned and they have been ordered to pay 51 billion pesos in unpaid taxes dating back to 2008.

People need to know that these are debts dating back to 2008, that there are court rulings. The law also states that the amounts are being updated. If they (the company) dont pay, then another process will follow which would be a separate issue.

Its important to understand that this is a legal, juridical and administrative matter, she explained regarding Grupo Salinas. She also noted that the companies that make up Grupo Salinas have the right to request the discounts established by the Federal Tax Code after the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) ruled that they must cover the debt with the Tax Administration Service (SAT).

President Sheinbaum says her government has collected over 500 billion in unpaid corporate taxes fighting tax forgiveness corruption.

Sheinbaum stated that the recovered funds will be used to benefit the Womens Welfare Pension, who alone provides 59 billion pesos to Mexican women aged 60 to 64.

The criteria for conducting audits and tax credits will be made public so that no one can say that there is something that is outside the law, she stated.

Sheinbaum said that thanks to the fight against corruption, since tax forgiveness is prohibited, the federal government has collected an additional 500 billion pesos today.

Furthermore, the budget is executed transparently based on the new policy of helping the people and not those at the top, as happened during the neoliberal period with the Fobaproa case or the bailouts of companies.

Now its different, she said. What is collected goes to welfare programs, education and health. Now we are allocating housing, the fundamental rights of Mexicans, and public projects which is also historic in how the capacity of the Mexican State to reinvest in strategic works has been recovered.

Today the Dos Bocas Olmeca refinery is producing 300,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel per day that were previously imported. Isnt that a strategic project? Of course it is, she explained.

Antonio Martinez Dagnino, who heads Mexicos SAT (Servicio de Administracion Tributaria) recalled that the SCJN (Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nacion) dismissed the consortiums appeals, thus confirming the resolutions previously established by the courts.

Antonio Martinez Dagnino of SAT December 19, 2025.

He explained that debtor companies can request downward adjustments of up to 39 percent in accordance with the law and court rulings.

However, following the judicial resolution, the tax authority has the obligation to continue the collection procedure, so next month, in January 2026, payment of 51 billion pesos will be required in accordance with the Federal Tax Code, he said about Grupo Salinas.

Mexico continues to fight tax corruption with companies. December 19, 2025.

Grupo Salinas was formed in 2001 and consists of TV Azteca, Grupo Elektra, Mazatlan F.C., Telecosmo, Total Play, Banco Azteca, and Italika among several others.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your online newspaper
Puerto Morelos averaged 73 percent hotel occupancy rate during slow 2025 tourist season

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  In a scenario of normalization of regional tourism activity, Puerto Morelos consolidated its tourist vocation. Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz says after the high levels of influx recorded in previous years, the municipality is heading into 2026 with expectations of gradual recovery and moderate growth.

According to figures from the Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association, Puerto Morelos held an average annual hotel occupancy rate of 73.6 percent.

That annual average included the municipalitys 7,900 rooms, reflecting a solid and competitive performance within the Mexican Caribbean, she reported.

Mayor Blanca Merari said this consolidation process was marked by stability in hotel occupancy, diversification of the tourism offer and the arrival of new investments.

Puerto Morelos December 21, 2025.

Among the main achievements in tourism, Blanca Merari highlighted the stability of the destination despite high regional competitiveness, as well as the promotion of new areas such as sports, gastronomic and nature tourism.

In addition, the municipality held national and international events that generated economic benefits and helped to maintain occupancy outside of peak seasons.

We have peak occupancy rates like the ones we expect for this end of the year with levels above 90 percent which represents a significant economic benefit for the entire tourism sector, she said.

She highlighted the strengthening of Puerto Morelos image as a safe, peaceful destination with its own identity, characteristics that differentiate it from large tourist urban centers and position it favorably among national and international visitors.

Raul Guadarrama Garcia, the Secretary of Sustainable Tourism, explained that the variation in hotel occupancy compared to 2024 is mainly due to the redistribution of tourist flows in the region, the growth of the supply of accommodation and a greater diversification of destinations within the state.

He added that, according to the Como Vamos report for the month of September, Puerto Morelos closed 2025 with 73 lodging establishments in addition to the supply in vacation rentals.

In total we have approximately 7,900 rooms, which consolidates the municipality as one of the destinations with the greatest orderly growth within the Mexican Caribbean, he pointed out.

Puerto Morelos December 21, 2025.

Guadarrama Garcia reported that the Dreams Spa & Resorts Puerto Morelos and Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancun (Puerto Morelos area) hotels opened during 2025.

He said that investment projects from international groups such as Hyatt Collection and The Excellence Collection are ongoing, confirming the private sectors confidence in the destination and anticipating a strengthening of the tourism offer in the coming years.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your online newspaper
Quintana Roo Santa police deliver treats and toys to underprivileged kids

Chetumal, Q.R.  Police around Quintana Roo delivered gifts to underprivileged children over the weekend. Officers arrived in decorated police trucks to areas where kids waited for the early arrival of Santa.

The collection and subsequent delivery of Christmas treats and toys was made as part of efforts to strengthen social peace and citizen trust, the SSC (Secretary of Citizen Security) of Quintana Roo reported.

In the spirit of the Christmas celebrations, members of the Operational Group of the Quintana Roo State Secretariat of Citizen Security, assigned to the Othon P. Blanco base, carried out a heartwarming collection drive.

Police trucks in Chetumal escorted Santa to deliver gifts Sunday. December 21, 2025.

Thanks to this initiative, sweets and gifts were distributed to children in various neighborhoods of Chetumal, bringing smiles, hope, and moments of joy during this special time of year because building a better future also begins with small but significant gestures.

Over the weekend, the magic of Christmas also reached Cozumel neighborhoods.

In coordination with personnel from the GEAVIG unit of the municipality of Cozumel, we toured the San Gervasio, Emiliano Zapata, and 10 de Abril neighborhoods, bringing smiles, sweets and gifts to children.

These actions strengthen community spirit, joy, and the holiday season in our neighborhoods. We continue working closely with the people, sowing smiles!

Dozens of children met the Santa police unit to receive free treats and gifts. December 21, 2025.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your online newspaper
Road rage gets pair of brawling Playa del Carmen drivers jailed

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two men involved in a street brawl were arrested by PDC police after they began to fight after a collision. Both men, drivers of vehicles, were taken into custody after they participated in a physical altercation after crashing into one another.

The incident happened Sunday night near Mision del Carmen where a bus and motorcycle collided. Tempers quickly flared when both men began to argue.

Words quickly turned to punches that landed both men in jail.

The motorcycle and bus collided Sunday night in Playa del Carmen.

Officers from the Playa del Carmen Citizen Security Secretariat arrested 34 year old Francisco Javier N from Yucatan and 20 year old Mauricio Miguel N from Morelos.

Police also seized the bus and motorcycle. Both were vehicles damaged during the collision. Police did not comment on driver responsibility.
Wanted for murder in Yucatan: Heavily armed group with over 100,000 in cash detained outside Cancun mall

Cancun, Q.R.  Four heavily armed people have been arrested for drug and firearm violations outside a Cancun mall. Police say one of the detained is currently wanted in the state of Yucatan for murder.

The Centurion Group of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) and Mexican Navy arrested three men and one woman, members of an organized crime group, during patrols focused on crime prevention.

All four are on state most wanted lists between Yucatan and Quintana Roo. One of the men arrested has a current outstanding warrant for aggravated homicide in the state of Yucatan.

Their arrests were made Sunday near the Cancun Outlet Plaza where authorities seized over 200 street doses of narcotics, three loaded guns, nine cell phones and more than 100,000 in cash.

Police say their arrests were the result of intelligence and investigative work of the Quintana Roo Peacebuilding Task Force. That task force, authorities said, consists of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE), the Secretariat of the Navy, the Secretariat of National Defense and National Guard

In a statement, police reported seizing 268 small transparent plastic bags containing a green plant material resembling marijuana, three 9mm handguns with magazines loaded with 15, 14, and 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition and three identification cards.

The arresting officers reported also seizing 102,000 Mexican pesos in bills of various denominations, nine cell phones, a copy of the Unique Population Registry Code (CURP) certificate and a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with license plates from the State of Mexico.

Police said it is important to note that the detainees are high-priority targets in the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo linked to a criminal group involved in drug trafficking and firearms possession.

According to government databases, one of the detainees has an outstanding arrest warrant for aggravated homicide in the state of Yucatan.

The detainees, Cristian N, Alejandro N, Jaqueline Anahi N, and Jaime Richard N and/or Shamir N, were turned over to the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Drug Trafficking.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your online newspaper
I will never forget my encounter with Maria Corina Machado, in Lima, Peru, in 2014. Upon landing in that city she learned that the Venezuelan government, which had been persecuting her, had stripped her of her parliamentary immunity and that if she returned to her native land she would not be able to leave again. Maria Corina did return to Venezuela, and I had to wait more than 11 years to hug and congratulate her in person. It was upon her arrival in Oslo to receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Maria Corina arrived one day late due to the challenges of leaving her country. Many aspects of her harrowing extraction from Venezuela are now public. In addition to the psychological challenge of going through such a dangerous trip, she also suffered physically and has stayed in Europe for medical treatment.

Maria Corina and her team are well known to Acton. In 2018 she was the keynote speaker at our Acton University. Due to government persecution, the speech was delivered online, followed by a conversation with Fr. Robert Sirico, Actons co-founder. Fr. Sirico had been following the efforts of Venezuelan freedom fighters, including yearly exchanges with the Venezuelan Catholic hierarchy. During all these years of dictatorship and election stealing, the Venezuelan church maintained its status as the most respected institution in the country.

Maria Corinas path to the Nobel Peace Prize started at the beginning of the 21st century, when she was leading Sumate, a civil education organization. I first met her through Rocio Guijarro, the long-time executive director of CEDICE Libertad, the pro-freedom think tank in Venezuela. Long before Maria Corina captured international attention, she was quietly walking the streets of Caracas, where her mother, Corina, was caring for abandoned children through the Atenea Foundation.

She then moved into politics; hers was constant, principled, ongoing work. Although she does not speak often about religion, during rallies Maria Corina usually wears a rosary and a simple cross. Her fans frequently give her rosaries, which she collects and keeps in her office. Her rosary necklaces are not a fashion statement but an expression of her true identity. As a young girl she attended Sunday Mass at the Iglesia de la Coromoto, a church dedicated to the Virgin of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela. Coromoto was a male Indian tribal leader. It might be inconsequential, but I do not know any virgin named after a man. Her office also has multiple statues and carvings of the Virgin Mary.

Given the many shared principles, the Acton Institute continued to help Maria Corinas allies build intellectual and moral support for Venezuelas liberation and recovery. In 2019, although Acton was determined to host a training program in Venezuela, security concerns led it to move the program to Panama. Several members of Maria Corinas team attended that event. One of them, Pedro Urruchurtu, was and is her key aide in policy topics and alliances. Pedro continued to serve as a go-between for Acton and Maria Corina. He attended Acton University on a couple of occasions with other Venezuelan allies; some are still in that country, so I will not mention them.

When the dictatorship issued an arrest order for Pedro and several others on Maria Corinas team, it was another Acton ally who jumped to their aid: Pablo Viana, at the time a young congressman from Uruguay who is also an Argentine citizen and the founder of FREE, a think tank that counted on good allies in the Argentine government. The quick action of his group allowed Pedro and the rest of Maria Corinas team to receive protection at the Argentine embassy in Caracas. It is not the place here to describe the difficulties they faced during the 412 days they spent there. Their extraction, thanks to Operation Guacamaya, was as movie-like as that of Maria Corinas. (Still, hers was a much longer journey and required more behind-the-scenes help from the U.S. and other governments.)

Several of Maria Corinas allies attended the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies. They represent different groups and ideological currents. At the start of her political career, Maria Corina seemed like a talented but typical conservative, a member of Venezuelas elite. Yet her constant dedication and real closeness to the popular classeswalking through almost all the neighborhoods of Caracas and the countryand her effort to broaden her dialogue with other forces finally allowed her to win the support of most Venezuelans.

There were times when Maria Corina and her team felt very alone. On January 5, 2019, Juan Guaido was elected president of the Venezuelan National Assembly. The opposition considered the May 2018 presidential elections illegitimate, declared that power had been usurped, and affirmed the existence of a presidential vacancy. Under the Venezuelan constitution, Guaido took the oath as interim president at an open town hall assembly in Caracas on January 23, 2019. More than 50 countries (including the U.S., most of Latin America, and Europe) recognized him as president. The United States took the lead, providing full support to Guaido and his closest allies. Little, if any, of that support went to other pro-freedom forces like the one led by Maria Corina, despite Guaidos failure to gain support among the majority of Venezuelas conservative and liberal forces. It is common in many bureaucracies, such as the State Departments, to put all their efforts into their preferred strategy. Visa issues prevented Guaido from being at the Oslo events, but other members of the opposition in exilesuch as Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezmawere able to attend. Some, like Henrique Capriles, were not invited, as they are seen as instrumental to the current regime.

Lacking the support of the United States and without access to the funds seized from the Venezuelan regime, Maria Corina and her team accepted modest help and collaboration from think tanks and organizations of diverse ideologies, especially on social issues. Maria Corina moderated her stance on these topics, which earned her criticism from more conservative sectors.

Several conservatives were present at the events organized around the main Noble Peace Prize ceremony. The most well known, at least to me, were members of the Disenso Foundation, associated with Vox, the conservative political party in Spain. On the night before the prize presentation, they screened the film Maria Corina Machado: La Conquista de La Libertad, which will soon be subtitled in English. In just one week it became the second-most-viewed video produced by their foundation. Almost everyone who attended that premiere ended up in tears, including me.

The last Nobel event I attended, organized by the Oslo Freedom Forum with support from the Reynolds Foundation, was called The Nobel Is Ours. Thor Halvorssen, the programs leader, told me with his typical energy: This is the first Nobel Peace Prize won by someone aligned with classical liberalism. Since Maria Corina is now, at least for a while, competing with Javier Milei on the podium of fame in Latin America, I am sure that more-liberal conservatives from the Americas will be competing with Europes and the rest of the worlds progressive liberals to bring her closer to their camps and ideas.

In the field of economics, which I know best, Maria Corina has presented solid economic programs that are aligned with classical liberalism. In geopolitics, I do not doubt that she will associate more with the conservative side of the U.S. political spectrum. Machado did not mention Trump during her speeches in Norway, but she did not rule out support for an eventual military or quasi-military operation to overthrow the usurping tyrant in Venezuela along with his accomplices.

The cinematic odyssey of Maria Corinas journey to Oslo, and the uncertainty about how and when the U.S. government will help reinstate a legitimate government in Venezuela, captures more attention, at least for now, than the impact the Nobel Peace Prize will have in promoting Maria Corinas ideas in the Americas. But those of us who love and admire Maria Corina have the duty to present our thoughts to her and to give her and her eventual team the space and tools needed to choose the best ideas and policies to rescue Venezuela from the horrors of a criminal regime.

Her Nobel Peace Prize marks not the end of a struggle but the dawn of a rebirtha Venezuela where families can be reunited, where elections are honest, where faith guides public life toward human dignity and human integral development.

Maria Corina Machados legacy is bigger than politics. She stands with other leaders of conscience who prove that moral courage can defeat fear. But her fight is not yet finished.

And that is precisely why this moment matters so much. Venezuelaand the worldneeds witnesses like her.
Buying a house is an exciting but stressful moment in many people's lives. Buying one with a solar lease attached can be a great perk and be fully worth it, but it can also make things a little more complicated.

That's especially so if the leasing company is not a prominent one that has been in business for many years. Thankfully, a California realtor has advice on how to make sure you don't end up with buyer's remorse.

The scoop

In a TikTok video, Patricia Holter (@realtorpatricia_01) explained that if you are buying a home with an existing solar lease, taking on that lease could be part of the purchase agreement.

If that's the case, Holter stresses doing your due diligence to make sure the terms are something you're comfortable with and to immediately let your loan officer know about the lease.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Make sure it's not going to mess up your qualifications," Holter says. "Because if you're shopping around at the max of your preapproval letter, you might not qualify for this house with also having to take on that solar lease." The lease would actually be saving you money over your utility bills if the company is legitimate, often over $100 per month, but the loaning bank or credit union may not view it that way, and you don't want to run into surprises.

Rooftop solar panels are one of the best ways to lower your energy bills while reducing your reliance on fossil fuels that emit loads of air pollution. But solar options can feel overwhelming, which is why The Cool Down launched its Solar Explorer, a one-stop hub to connect you with partners who can make the process easier while also saving you money.

Palmetto's LightReach, for example, is one of the nation's best leasing programs that can get you solar panels with no money down, and Palmetto, a TCD partner, has been in business since 2010, so that's an example of a company you could trust. Another partner in the Explorer, EnergySage, does not oversee installs itself but can help you save thousands on buying solar panels by providing curated bids from local, vetted installers.

While many panels on a home may be bought outright and others are leased, some contracts for solar panels may be under what's called a power purchase agreement, too. A PPA is similar to a lease, but instead of paying a fixed monthly rate, the homeowner pays for the electricity generated by the panels at a fixed, lower rate than the local utility company would charge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

While it comes with a transferable contract, a PPA may be less likely to influence a mortgage approval since it is more tantamount to replacing the utility company rather than a committed lease.

Palmetto's LightReach, for example, offers either option plus free maintenance of the panels since it retains ownership, and either one can save the homeowner money. But prospective home buyers should do their diligence about any contract to understand the terms and whether it may affect their approval in any way, regardless, even if the panels should easily prove to be a money-saving perk once living in the home.

How it's helping

Holter's advice is particularly salient in California, where solar panels are required on most new construction homes.

If those panels are leased, Holter says buyers should ask to see the lease agreement and to know information like how many years the lease will last.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"Make sure to really dive into the documents of the solar agreement to make sure it's something you're comfortable with," she says. Leasing has become a more popular option in recent years for those who want to experience the benefits of solar energy without the upfront cost of buying solar panels.

What everyone's saying

Commenters thanked Holter for her video, saying it was especially useful given the prevalence of solar panels on many homes.

"Great information!" one commenter wrote. "It's becoming so common."

Solar panels are even better when paired with other electric appliances, like a heat pump, to bring utility costs down further. TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you find the right heat pump (or another energy-efficient heating and cooling system) for your home and budget.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If you really want to save money, check out the free Palmetto Home app, which can unlock thousands of dollars in savings (up to $5,000) via simple actions in your everyday life.

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.
Xinhua News Agency: Recently, a senior official in charge of security and defense at the Japanese Prime Ministers Office told reporters that Japan should have nuclear weapons. Japanese Defense Minister later said that they left open the possibility of Japan reviewing its non-nuclear principles in the future. These remarks were met with strong criticism from various sectors in Japan and its neighboring countries, including Russia. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: China is shocked that a senior official from the Japanese Prime Ministers Office who is close to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi brazenly claimed that Japan should have nuclear weapons. Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary declined to make clarifications on the remarks. Asked about possible revisions to the three non-nuclear principles, Japans Defense Minister said all options would be discussed. Given previous Japanese media reports that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to revise the three non-nuclear principles, the above-mentioned statements amount to a blatant challenge to the postwar international order and the nuclear non-proliferation regime, a serious threat to regional and international peace and stability, and a U-turn from Japans commitment to peaceful development. Stressing that the idea is a personal view is not convincing at all. The international community should be on high alert and firmly against it.

First, relevant remarks seriously violate Japans due obligations under international law. Instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, clearly stipulate: Japan should be completely disarmed and not maintain such industries as would enable the country to re-arm for war. As a non-nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Japan must fully abide by the provisions of not receiving, manufacturing, acquiring or transferring nuclear weapons. These are non-negotiable obligations under international law that Japan must fulfill and should not be used as bargaining chips for political gains.

Second, relevant remarks severely undermine peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. The international nuclear non-proliferation regime is an important part of the postwar international order. Japans attempt to possess nuclear weapons gravely challenges the authority and effectiveness of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, risks undermining countries effort of upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and sabotages the hard-won peace and stability after WWII. Japans statements have been met by opposition from many countries. LDP senior officials, members of both ruling and opposition parties and civil groups were shocked and said that such remarks shall never be tolerated and the three non-nuclear principles shall be strictly observed.

Third, Japanese right-wing forces remilitarization ambition is rather apparent. Former Japanese political leaders claimed Japan is capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons. Japan has long been manufacturing and possessing plutonium stocks far beyond what is needed for civilian nuclear power programs. Japan is a non-nuclear-weapon state capable of producing weapon-level plutonium. If Japan further pushes the envelope and continues to challenge international justice and test the bottom line of the international community, Chinas response will be a firm No. Over the years, the Japanese right-wing forces have been advancing Japans military buildup. The latest statement by the senior official from the Japanese Prime Ministers Office of possessing nuclear weapons is an example of how Japanese right-wing forces are trying to remilitarizing and rearming Japan. It also says a lot about why Prime Minister Takaichi could make such erroneous and dangerous remarks concerning Taiwan on November 7. After coming into office, Prime Minister Takaichi has hyped up the survival-threatening situation and kept blurring policy boundaries. She has taken a number of steps to cross the red line and played deaf to domestic and international criticisms. Many with vision in Japan have warned against that. We cannot but ask: Where exactly is the Takaichi Administration taking Japan?

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japanese militarists waged a war of aggression and committed inhumane atrocities, creating the darkest page in human history. Despite the defeat, Japan has never been able to fully eliminate the scourge of militarism in the country. Some forces inside Japan have not only failed to reflect on Japans history of aggression, but also been extremely unhappy about the postwar international arrangement. If the right-wing forces in Japan are left free to develop powerful offensive weapons, or even possess nuclear weapons, it will again bring disaster to the world. China and all peace-loving countries in the world are on high alert and firmly opposed to the dangerous tendency Japan has shown on the issue of nuclear weapons, and strongly urge Japan to abide by international law and its Constitution and stop the venturing and provocative moves towards owning nuclear weapons. Japan must not seek to challenge the postwar international order, and stop plunging further down the wrong path.

RT TV: Following the 11th China-ROK vice foreign ministerial strategic dialogue, what specific diplomatic strategies or frameworks is Beijing proposing to facilitate a rapprochement between the DPRK and the ROK?

Lin Jian: Weve released a readout on the 11th China-ROK high-level strategic dialogue between the two countries foreign ministries. Chinas position and policy on the Korean Peninsula issue maintain continuity and consistency. China will continue playing a constructive role in its own way to keep the Peninsula peaceful and stable and promote the political settlement of the Peninsula issue.

Global Times: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on December 21 that the U.S. Coast Guard seized an oil tanker on the early morning of December 20, local time. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the tanker was operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: By arbitrarily seizing other countries vessels, the U.S. has seriously violated international law. China stands against unilateral illicit sanctions that lack basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, infringes upon other countries sovereignty and security, and constitutes unilateralism and bullying. Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. We believe Venezuelas position of defending its legitimate rights and interests has the understanding and support of the international community.

CNR: Its reported that foreign ministers of ASEAN countries gathered for a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today with a focus on the border situation between Cambodia and Thailand. The two countries have yet to reach a consensus. Whats your comment? How does Deng Xijun, the Chinese Foreign Ministrys Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, play his role in promoting peace between the two sides?

Lin Jian: Both Cambodia and Thailand are important members of ASEAN. China commends and supports the effort of ASEAN, in particular Malaysia, to secure peace. China, as the two countries friend and close neighbor, sincerely hopes the fighting will stop and peace will be rebuilt at an early date, which is in the larger interest of peace and stability along their border and the fundamental interest of the people of both countries.

Since the latest escalation between the two countries, China has been engaging the two sides for peace through its own way. Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked to Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers over the phone. MFA senior official has maintained communication with Cambodia, Thailand and relevant ASEAN countries. MFA Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun is on a shuttle-diplomacy trip to facilitate talks. On his shuttle-diplomacy trip, relevant information will be released in due course. China will continue working actively for peace and playing a constructive role for deescalation.

Yonhap News Agency: The ROK and the U.S. will launch the discussions next year on implementing agreements between their leaders on the ROK building nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment and other issues. Some Chinese military experts said on domestic media outlets that this move will disrupt the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Whats Chinas comment on this issue?

Lin Jian: On the submarine cooperation between the U.S. and the ROK, China has articulated its position more than once. We hope the ROK will handle the matter with prudence.

Bloomberg: A high-level LDP official from Japan is visiting Taiwan today. Hes on a three-day visit, and he is expected to meet Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment?

Lin Jian: Taiwan is a province of China and there is no such thing as president. Let me stress that Japanese LDP lawmakers visit to Chinas Taiwan region violates the one-China principle, the four political documents between China and Japan and Japans own commitments made to China. China firmly opposes the visit and has protested to the Japanese side.

There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. We once again urge the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its wrongdoings, retract Prime Minister Takaichis erroneous remarks, and not to interfere in Chinas internal affairs. The DPP authorities will not succeed in seeking Taiwan independence by ingratiating themselves with Japan. Their disgraceful acts will only lead to a dead end.
Kunal Nayyar likes to "pay random families' medical bills".

Kunal Nayyar uses his wealth to help others

The 42-year-old actor - who earned an estimated $1 million per episode of the Big Bang Theory - insisted his wealth does not "weigh heavy" on him because he and wife Neha Kapur like to use their fortune to help other people in various ways, including funding university scholarships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He told the i newspaper: Money has given me greater freedom and the greatest gift is the ability to give back, to change peoples lives...

We also support animal charities because we love dogs.

"But what I really love to do is go on GoFundMe at night and just pay random families medical bills. Thats my masked vigilante thing!

So, no, money doesnt feel like a burden. It feels like a grace from the universe.

The Christmas Karma actor noted not everyone has such a luxury but helping those less fortunate will always make people feel better.

He said: Right now people are not happy because we are all expecting someone else to be kind. We are expecting a president or a politician, some leader, to come and bring us world peace.

But there is no world peace if your neighbour comes to your door wanting some sugar for their tea, and you lock it against them and say get away.

He hopes audiences who see his latest movie, Christmas Karma, a re-telling of the classic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol, learn an important lesson.

He said: That no one is going to come and change the world for you. You have to do it for yourself.

Meanwhile, Kunal admitted he has experienced racism "all over the world".

He said: Ive experienced it all over the world. I cannot crawl out of my skin and change its colour. It is the suit I have to wear for the rest of this life.

And the actor is concerned overt racism "is coming back now".

He added: "With the flag-waving, the far right, the recent march of 300-400 people in central London. We cannot sugar coat that. We are living in a divisive world...

People experience racism and sexism, all kinds of isms in this life, because of how narrow-minded people are.

For me, whenever I face hardship, I try to approach it with compassion and understanding, because I dont believe you can change someones mind by beating them in the mouth. I think that, with grace, you can help heal their inner child. Whatever is screaming out inside of them, you can hold that and say: I am here with you.
Pay Dirt is Slates money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Kristin and Ilyce here. (Its anonymous!)

Dear Pay Dirt,

My husband Andrew and I have a 2-year-old daughter. Recently my parents sold some stock and have gifted her $30,000 to be used toward her education. The money is currently in a trust that I control. Yesterday we received the news that Andrews neer-do-well brother assaulted a cop during an arrest for driving drunk with a suspended license. As we speak, he is sitting in jail and needs $15,000 for bail money. My husband and my in-laws are now pleading with me to put up the money so my brother-in-law wont have to spend Christmas behind bars.I know with every fiber of my being that Andrews brother will never pay us back. We helped him out of one scrape with the law before, right after we got married six years ago, to the tune of $5,000 (which we never saw again), so this isnt mere speculation. As far as Im concerned, hes had his chance. This is really becoming a source of conflict between us. What can I do to prevent this from ruining the holidays?

Wont Pay for Another Get Out of Jail Free Card

Dear Wont Pay,

There are so many things to say, but lets start with the simplest: No. Not maybe, not lets discussabsolutely not! And frankly, your husband asking you to raid your daughters education fund to bail out his brother (who assaulted a cop while driving drunk with a suspended license) is outrageous.

He (and his extended family) needs to understand that this money isnt yours to give. Its in a trust for your daughters education. (I wonder if your parents had an inkling this might happen, and thats why they placed the money into a trust rather than a 529 account or some other investment that could be more easily liquidated. If so, good on them.) Your parents gifted it specifically for her future, not to fund your brother-in-laws bail after his third (fourth? fifth?) legal disaster. Using trust funds meant for education to bail out a repeat offender isnt just bad judgmentit may violate the terms of the trust itself.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

But even if this were your joint savings, the answer should still be no. Your BIL has proven he wont pay you back. He burned you for $5,000 six years ago, and now your inlaws want you to fork over $15,000 that may never be repaid? Thats half of your daughters college fund for a man who assaulted a police officer.

Heres what you tell your husband: This money is in a trust for our daughter. Its not ours to spend. Even if it were, my answer would be no. Your brother made his choicesdriving drunk, with a suspended license, then assaulting a cop. Those are his consequences to face, not ours, and certainly not if it means sacrificing our daughters education.

If your in-laws are so concerned their son might miss Christmas, they can post bail. If they wont, that tells you everything about whether this is a good use of money. It also speaks to whether they believe he will ever learn his lessons.

Advertisement

Heres something else to consider: Your husband appears to be choosing his brother over his daughter. Thats the real conflict. And he needs to hear it plainly: Your brother spending Christmas in jail is the result of his choices. Our daughter losing her college fund would be the result of yours. Which do you want to live with?

This will be a real test of your marriage. Stand firm. Your daughters future has to be your top priority.

Get answers to your money questions! 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 Pay Dirt, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Pay Dirt following up) Submit

Dear Pay Dirt,

I am a 26-year-old autistic substitute teacher. I dont make a lot of money because I dont work full-time, but thats by choice, and I am happy and able to support myself. I am saving up to go on my first international trip as an adultmy partner and I are going to a nearby country in the spring, and Im so excited!

Advertisement

Advertisement

I am also struggling with trying to support someone, we can call him Martin, who has reached out to me. Martin is a member of a persecuted people undergoing a genocide. Martin reached out last year, and his family is in constant danger of not having enough food or even enough money to stay housed during the winter. I have many reasons to believe his campaign is legitimate; thats not what I need help with. I have a monthly donation set up to his campaign and send more basically whenever he reaches out (from $5 often all the way to a one-time $200 donation), because I cant imagine how embarrassing and difficult it must be to have to fundraise from strangers to keep your parents fed and warm. I post about his campaign every day and have shared it to anyone I think could possibly help.

Advertisement

Advertisement

However, Im deeply torn. On one hand, I am really not in a place to be a support for Martin. I have a small savings, but it would only see me through one major emergency, and I dont know for sure if any of it will be left after our trip. It is unsustainable to keep giving the way I have been. Every few nights he asks if I can help, and if I say no he asks when I can (Id do the same for my family). He tells me how he cries for his parents and his extended family and has no one to talk to, and thanks me profusely and calls me a dear friend. His messages often come right before I need to sleep for work, and I am more inclined to make unreasonable financial decisions. I know I could block him and his sister or stop responding to his messages, but in what world is my standard of living and my vacation and my peace of mind more important than someones right to survive annihilation? How can I tell someone whose most loved ones are living through hell on earth that I cant be there for him the way I have been? I have tried to explain I cant continue this way, but more requests always come, of course, because his parents are enduring a genocide. I have people in my immediate life that need my emotional and often financial support and I only have so much to go around; cost of living is very very high where I am. I cant continue this way but I cant stop either. Im just kind of at a loss.

Guilty Giver

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Dear Guilty Giver,

I know you believe Martin is real, so this will be difficult to process: you need to consider that who youre talking to may not actually be Martin or his family members. Even if his crisis is real, and lets assume it is, he may not be. Everything youre describing matches known charity fraud tactics exactly.

The pattern is textbook: late-night messages when youre most vulnerable, high-pressure emotional manipulation, and creating urgency to prevent clear thinking. When you say no, he doesnt accept your boundaryhe asks when instead. These scams are especially prevalent after high-profile disasters and humanitarian crises erupt, exploiting compassion precisely when people want to help most.

Whether Martin is real, or someone is taking on this personna, or the emails and images are all AI-generated, the truth remains: you cannot personally solve a genocide. Youre a 26-year-old substitute teacher with minimal savings. Your $200 donations arent stopping whats happening in that part of the worldtheyre destroying your own financial security.

Advertisement

No one will ever care about your personal financial security as much as you do. So, send one final message to Martin: I can no longer provide financial support. Im directing my donations to established humanitarian organizations working in your region. I wish you and your family safety. Then block them.

Advertisement

Advertisement

You may initially feel a tremendous amount of guilt, but later, after this has had a chance to settle, I hope you feel relieved. Even if you dont, remember your vacation, emergency fund, and mental health arent luxuriestheyre necessities for your life here. Legitimate aid organizations have infrastructure and scale you dont. The truth is youve already given far more than you should have.

Advertisement

Make any future donations through vetted 501(c)(3) organizations instead: Research charities at Charity Navigator or Guidestar. Look for transparency about how donations are used, what programs they fund, and what the expense ratios are. Give what you can actually affordmaybe $20/month, not whatever someone demands at midnight.

Advertisement

If, after stepping back, you suspect that Martin might be perpetrating a fraud, you can report your interactions to the FBI and FTC.

Ilyce

Classic Prudie

I was the maid of honor in my best friends wedding a few weeks ago and I gave a toast. My friend and I have known each other for over 20 years. It was a beautiful wedding, but during my toast I apparently said something the groom took great offense to, and he and the bride ended up fighting because of it, which then caused the bride to yell at me in the hallway outside the reception, saying that her new husband was mad at her because of what I had said in my toast.
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

Ever since he returned to the White House, President Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to the federal workforce, attempting to purge tens of thousands of civil servants and shutter entire agencies. The Supreme Court has largely rubber-stamped these mass layoffs, even when they frustrated congressional commands expressly intended to direct, structure, and constrain the executive branch. Last month, however, Congress struck back in a little-noticed move that shifted power away from the Trump administration by outlawing further illegal firings and reversing those already underway. And on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued an injunction enforcing the new law, rejecting the governments brazen attempt to defy it.

On this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, co-hosts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discuss the ruling and its encouraging implications for the separation of powers and a bolstered Congress subject to a president who refuses to acknowledge most limits on his authority. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: Judge Susan Illston has been battling the administration over these layoffs for months now. Why was this latest round different?

Mark Joseph Stern: Because Congress did something that was long overdueit wrote a statute that tightly constrains the executive branch. And Illston actually enforced it as written against the Trump administration.

Recall that during the shutdown, the president moved forward with mass layoffs across a bunch of federal agencies. They were euphemistically called reductions in force. People lost their jobs, their paychecks, their housing, even overseas postings. It was a disaster. And Trump claimed that the shutdown gave him broader leeway to purge the civil and foreign service and also to use those layoffs to inflict pain on Democrats because they were refusing to capitulate and reopen the government.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

When Congress finally did end the shutdown on Nov. 12 and reopened the government, the funding bill that it passed included a provision that directly reversed Trumps layoffs in two ways. First, the bill declared that no federal funds may be used to initiate, carry out, implement, or otherwise notice a reduction in force through late January, when funding expires again. That language clearly bars any further steps to lay off federal employees through the end of next month. Second, the bill said that any reduction in force proposed, noticed, initiated, executed, implemented, or otherwise taken during the shutdown shall have no force or effect. That language clearly reinstates any federal employee who was either told theyd be laid off during the shutdown or actually laid off.

To no ones surprise, the administration immediately tried to repeal that language by reinterpreting it to mean almost nothing. Russell Voughta Project 2025 author and now the director of the Office of Management and Budgetdecreed that the first provision barred the government only from sending additional RIF notices through January but would allow it to complete the many, many layoffs that had already been initiated. Vought then said that the second provision applied only if a layoff notice went out during the shutdown. He claimed that if the employee had been warned earlier in the year that they were going to be fired and the actual firing happened during the shutdown, then the layoff was still lawful. The Trump administration tried to exploit that ridiculous interpretation by rescinding layoff notices that had been sent during the shutdown and immediately reissuing them to say: You have a new notice that came after the shutdown, so we can legally fire you.

Advertisement

Advertisement

On Wednesday, Illston shut this down. First, she said that there can be no layoffs through January, period. The bill announced that no federal funds can be used to carry out or implement RIFs. That means what it says. It does not allow the administration to fire people who previously received a notice that theyd be fired. Second, the judge ordered the reinstatement of everyone who was either told theyd be fired or actually fired during the shutdown. Remember, Congress reversed any RIF that was noticed, executed, or implemented during the shutdown. That covers everybody who was subject to any aspect of the RIF process. So, thanks to Illstons order, all of those people now get their jobs back. That covers hundreds of employees right now, and possibly thousands more in the coming month, given the plans that Vought was developing for another round of the purges that Congress had outlawed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

How is it that congressional Republicans allowed this language? Did it just escape their notice? Were they secretly opposed to the RIFs as well?

Nothis was a bargain struck by Senate Democrats. Republicans needed their help to end the shutdown, and a group of Democrats conditioned their votes on statutory language that would halt the RIFs. All Illston is doing here is enforcing that language in the face of the Trump administration brazenly defying Congress. I know that her decision will prompt another round of allegations that Illston is a resistance judgeespecially since she tried to halt the RIFs earlier this year and the Supreme Court reversed her on the shadow docket. But theres a difference between what happened in July and whats happening now: The law has changed! Democrats in Congress saw that the existing law gave too much discretion to the executive branch. And they decided that if they were going to end the shutdown, they would at least force Congress to reassert its power and end that discretion.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

That was, I think, a hugely successful move, not just for the Democratic Party and the civil service, but for Congress standing as a coordinate branch of government. We have been waiting for this since Trump came back into the White House. Congress has ceded the field to the presidency for nearly 11 months. It has handed over all of these powers to Trump, and the Supreme Court has overturned almost any judge who tries to kind of protect Congress prerogatives. Here, finally, we have Congress saying, in the most explicit language possible: We have the power of the purse. The money that we are appropriating may not be used by the Trump administration to purge the civil service. That gives me the first glimmer of hope Ive had in a very long time that Democrats will be able to use their leverage to reassert Congress primacy over funding, rein in some of the White Houses abuses of power, and give SCOTUS no choice but to enforce the laws that they enact against him.

Advertisement

Advertisement

In one sense, this is a preliminary injunction from a single judge in a blue state that some will write off as Trump derangement syndrome. But for you, this is a masterclass in what Democrats can dofrom the minoritywhen they theoretically have no power. This is, as you say, a flex for Congress. Its a flex for text and statutory language. Its a flex for using negotiations to leverage congressional prerogatives that have just been ceded to the executive branch.

And lets also take a step back: Senate Democrats shouldnt have been in this position in the first place. Trumps mass layoffs were illegal. Congress did not allow him to dismantle these agencies by purging their workers. The courts should have been able to stop that. But the Supreme Court consistently stepped in and reversed them on the shadow docket, seemingly on the grounds that the executive branch has a lot of discretion and the statutes dont tell us exactly what Congress wanted.

Advertisement

So the problem wasnt just Trump abusing his power. It was also SCOTUS taking advantage of ambiguous statutory language and gaps that nobody had previously thought to exploit in the law. Congressional Democrats correctly identified that as one of the foundational issues here: not just Trumps abuses, but the way the court was able to green-light those abuses. So they wrote language that would explicitly block Trump from misusing his power and force the courts, including SCOTUS, to implement congressional prerogatives. I do think that Illston will be upheld on appeal; Im not even sure that the administration will try to appeal this to the Supreme Court. This is cut-and-dried, because Democrats in Congress saw the gaps that needed to be plugged and plugged them.
China-Africa cooperation urged to boost livestock sector

Xinhua) 09:45, December 22, 2025

A herder feeds cattle with alfalfa fodder at a pasture, which was built and upgraded under the guidance of experts from the Livestock Technology Demonstration Center in Tiguent, Mauritania, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Officials and experts on Friday called for deeper China-Africa cooperation to unlock Africa's vast animal resources potential, highlighting science and technology as key drivers for transforming the sector.

ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Officials and experts on Friday called for deeper China-Africa cooperation to unlock Africa's vast animal resources potential, highlighting science and technology as key drivers for transforming the sector.

The call was made at the Forum on Science and Technology for African Animal Resources Management, held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event was jointly organized by the Mission of China to the AU and the AU's Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources.

Addressing the forum, Moses Vilakati, AU commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, said "livestock agriculture is a crucial livelihood for Africa's rural populations and is of major strategic importance for the continent's food and nutritional security, as well as intra-African and international trade."

Vilakati warned that failing to transform the livestock agriculture sector would slow local industry growth, reduce job opportunities, and lower incomes for pastoralists.

The forum, he said, will foster collaboration between African and Chinese experts and institutions in experience sharing and knowledge transfer, and contribute to the advancement of Africa's livestock sector.

Jiang Feng, head of the Mission of China to the AU, speaks at a high-level seminar at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Jiang Feng, head of the Mission of China to the AU, said that China's livestock industry has not only achieved leaps in production efficiency and industrial quality, but also demonstrated strong momentum in technological innovation and value creation.

He called for enhancing cooperation across various areas, including improving governmental mechanisms, strengthening technology exchange, and supporting market-driven enterprise collaboration.

The forum aimed to align continental priorities with technological innovation, focusing on sharing AU goals in animal health, production and trade, while showcasing China's advanced technologies to identify concrete areas for future collaboration.

A Chinese expert in Mauritania checks on cattle feeding and growth conditions at the Livestock Demonstration Center in Idini Village, Mauritania, July 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

The Chinese delegation, which consisted of livestock experts from various enterprises, universities and research institutes, shared a set of technological solutions and collaborative pathways on smart animal farming utilizing artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, the latest advances in zoonosis prevention and control technologies, as well as the design of bio-safety vaccine factories.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
Mandy Patinkin "didn't sleep at all" after Rob Reiner's murder as he "just kept wailing and crying" all night long.

Mandy Patinkin has remembered Rob Reiner

The Homeland actor, 73, worked with the director on his 1987 fantasy film The Princess Bride and he was left devastated after hearing Reiner and his wife Michele had been found dead at their home in Los Angeles on December 14.

Speaking in TV special CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life - which aired on Sunday night (21.12.25), Patinkin recalled the moment he heard news of the couple's death. He said: "I heard this news at about 11-something on Sunday night. I was in bed. I was in shock. I didnt sleep at all.

"I just kept wailing and crying. I didnt know what to do. I didnt know how to process it. I still dont know how to process it and Im not looking for how to process it."

Patinkin broke down in tears as he spoke about starring in The Princess Bride - declaring Reiner made his "dream" become reality by casting him in the movie.

The actor wiped away tears as he said: "Rob worked hard to try to get me to be the best human being I could be.

"One time he said to me, I just wish you could get out of your own way, and I havent been able to achieve that to this day, but I wont quit trying.

"He cared about my nature. He showed it to me over and over again."

He went on to insist he will never forget the couple, saying: "I believe that we can connect with Rob and Michele, and every time were thinking about this or talking about it or anyone tells a story, hes here. He will not be forgotten."

Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were found stabbed to death at their home in Los Angeles last weekend and their son Nick Reiner, 32, has since been charged with first-degree murder.

The couple were remembered by their children Romy, 27, and Jake Reiner, 34, in a statement which read: "Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.

"The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.

"They werent just our parents; they were our best friends."

The siblings went on to thank people for their love and support and appealed for "compassion and humanity" when discussing the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

They added: "We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.

"We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave."
Air Force Grad, a grey fan favourite and barn pet of veteran outrider Sherry Cushing, was paraded in front of the fans to kick off the exhibition of Au Revoir Day at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, Dec. 20, which honoured 12 individual harness horses on the eve of their official retirements at age 14.

The Standardbred breed found strong ambassadors of its stamina and durability in the dozen foals of 2011 with Maine connections that were recognized for their racing achievements and longevity during the all-day presentations.

Cushing, longtime outrider at both Monticello and Cumberland Raceways, said, "One of my favourite drives on [Air Force] Grad was on Mothers Day [2018], when I had just graduated from nursing school. He came from way back to pull off the win at Scarborough Downs.

Cushing, the owner, trainer and part-time driver of the son of The Panderosa-Congress Hill Roan, has had the horse since he was three. She said that his new job in retirement will be dressage and driving classes at local horse shows.

In addition to Air Force Grad, the other retirees were Archetto Hanover, Bali, Dancin Hill, Diabando, Frankandjoanne, Mr Bo Diddley, One Swan For All, Pembroke Scorpio, Royal Reception, Skyful Of Lighters and Warrawee Preferred. All horses paraded in front of the stands, with many being swarmed by friends and well-wishers in the winner's circle.

Among the group, whose combined earnings are more than $3.5 million, there are a few horses with distinctions worth noting.

"Archetto Hanover may be the Standardbred who has competed at more extended pari-mutuel tracks (26) than any other horse in recent history," said Derick Giwner, editor of DRF Harness.

The son of Bettors Delight-Arts Masterpiece is also the richest among the retirees with $593,169 in earnings and has the most starts in the group, having gone to post 421 times.

Local trotting warhorse Warrawee Preferred has the highest win rate of 22 per cent and is tied with pacer Bali as having the most wins with 68.

Dancin Hill is the groups fastest pacer at 1:50.1 and One Swan For All is the swiftest trotter with a mark of 1:54.1.

Overall, the group has been behind the starting car a combined 3,501 times, with an average of 292 starts per retiree.

In addition to the Au Revoir ceremonies, Cumberland also hosted the $13,699 Prancer Pop-Up Series final, which was handily captured by Jax Spratt in a wire-to-wire triumph in 2:03.4. Trained and driven to victory by Aaron Hall for owner Bill Phipps, the five-year-old son of Devious Man-Jackie Newlands won his third straight start at Cumberland and now has 11 scores this season in 28 outings. He returned $2.80 to his backers. Ghetto Boy (Hunter Lofthus) finished second and J S Peyton (Nick Graffam) was third.

The $8,219 Comet Pop-Up Series consolation went to Calvin K ($16.40) in 2:01. Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Dalton Lee, the 11-year-old son of Classic Card Shark-Road To Pandalay scored for owner Bob Kluchevitz.

In the $6,849 Cupid Pop-Up Series consolation, it was Just Aftermidnight ($3.80) who timed his move perfectly to swoop past rivals down the backside and score in 2:03.2. Andy Harrington drove the three-year-old son of Thirty Two Red-Dovetail for owner-trainer-breeder Christine Holt.

Driver Nick Graffam enjoyed a driving triple on the nine-race card, with Kevin Switzer Jr. and Aaron Hall each picking up a pair of victories.

Mandatory payouts originally scheduled for Sunday will now be must-pays on Monday, Dec. 22 card, which was postponed from Friday. Post time remains 10:55 a.m.

(Cumberland; photo of Air Force Grad's retirement ceremony on Dec. 20)
Five-year-old pacing stallion El Rey, a Grand Circuit stakes winner, has been retired and will stand stud in 2026.

El Rey p,2,1:49.2, 3,1:48.3 ($949,271) will stand stud at Schwartz Boarding Farm in Indiana.

Boasting a career record reading 11-11-8 from 61 starts, the son of Captaintreacherous and Mystery Game was the winner of the Governors Cup and multiple Kentucky Sire Stakes events at two. As a sophomore, the pacer won an elimination of the Breeders Crown, two legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series and was stakes-placed multiple times, including in a division of the Bluegrass Stakes as well as in the Tattersalls Pace and Progress Pace. During his aged campaign, he added more Kentucky Sire Stakes victories to his resume as well as a leg of the MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series along with a top three finish in the Breeders Crown.

He was purchased during his three-year-old season for $525,000 USD by current owners William Pollock, Bruce Areman and Andrew Harris after being trained by Tony Alagna.

El Rey was a true professional, had a great turn of foot with an impeccable gait," said trainer and co-owner Harris. "Truly a gifted animal with the heart of a champion.

Schwartz Boarding Farm has reported that fertility testing was recently conducted at Walnridge Farm and El Rey was approved for a full book of 140 mares.

Alvin Schwartz of Schwartz Boarding Farm is excited to bring the son of Captaintreacherous to Indiana, noting the stallion will provide a great opportunity for Indiana breeders.

Ive been looking for the right pacing sire for a while now and El Rey fits the bill," said Schwartz. "The Pollock, Areman and Harris ownership team has been great for our sport and Schwartz Boarding Farm is proud to partner with them as they enter the breeding side of the market in Indiana.

El Rey will stand for a fee of $3,500 USD, with discounts available for multiple mares, and will be arriving at Schwartz Boarding Farm soon. Interested breeders should contact Schwartz Boarding at 260-525-2997.

(With files from Schwartz Boarding Farm)
Meadowlands Racetrack has two more nights of harness racing in 2025 on Friday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 27, when the New Jersey oval will host Fan Appreciation Night.

Post time for both nights is 6:20 p.m.

On Fan Appreciation Night, the Cafe will be offering $1 USD hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and soda, and $2 USD draft beer from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Racing returns at The Meadowlands in 2026 on Friday, Jan. 2. The 2026 live racing calendar, event calendar and updated dining menus are available on the track's website at playmeadowlands.com.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)
HTC's VIVE Eagle AI smart glasses, launched in August, are displayed at the company's headquarters, in Xindian, New Taipei City

By Wen-Yee Lee

TAIPEI, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Taiwans HTC is betting its open platform strategy will allow it to build market share in the fast-growing smartglasses industry, as its newly launched AI-powered eyewear lets wearers choose which AI model they want to use, its executive said.

"AI is advancing very fast, and large language model developers are engaged in an arms race that requires massive resources, Charles Huang, senior vice president of global sales and marketing at HTC, told Reuters in an interview.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We want to leverage the strengths of different platforms instead of building a closed ecosystem."

Its VIVE Eagle smartglasses support multiple AI platforms including Google's Gemini and OpenAI, allowing users to benefit from improvements across various models, Huang said.

By contrast, Metas smartglasses are supported by Meta AI, while Chinese smartglasses from brands such as Xiaomi and Alibaba are built around domestically developed AI models.

HTC launched the VIVE model, priced at HK$3,988 ($512), earlier this month in Hong Kong. It plans to expand sales to Japan and Southeast Asia in the first quarter of next year and to Europe and the United States later in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Huang said the Asia-first strategy reflects regional design considerations, noting that many smartglasses on the market were built around a Western fit that might not suit Asian wearers.

Asked whether the Hong Kong launch was a step towards entering China, Huang said China's market was more complex, as foreign AI services were restricted and local data regulations required standalone servers within the country.

With all these requirements in place, we need to be cautious and it will take some time to prepare, he said.

Global shipments of smartglasses soared 110% in the first half of this year, with Meta taking 73% of the market, according to research firm Counterpoint.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Meta and partner EssilorLuxottica's "smart" Ray-Bans and Oakleys, which first launched in 2023, have captured the tech world's attention by answering calls, taking pictures and playing music.

Analysts, however, have warned that privacy could become a growing concern. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is leveraging user data to power AI tools, a move that has drawn scrutiny over data practices.

Huang added that user data was not used to train HTC's AI models, and that it considered privacy and data security key differentiators from its rivals.

The launch of the VIVE AI smartglasses marks a renewed push by HTC into consumer-facing hardware, after it sold part of its extended reality headset and glasses unit to Google for $250 million earlier this year.

($1 = 7.7806 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Kate Mayberry)
1 min read

Extreme IX announced that it has been acquired by Megaport (Megaport), the worlds leading Network as a Service (NaaS) provider. The transaction will see Extreme IX become the foundation of Megaports expansion into one of the worlds fastest-growing digital infrastructure markets, while continuing to serve and grow its established ecosystem of partners and customers across India.

Tech News Of The Day

Extreme IX carries the highest Internet Exchange trafc in India exceeding 4 Tbps, and interconnects more than 400 networks across seven cities and 49 locations. Through this acquisition, Megaport gains Internet Exchanges in the major Indian metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune  and a seasoned in-country team spanning operations, support, sales, nance, and leadership. By combining Extreme IXs neutral, engineering-driven platform with Megaports global software-dened network (SDN), customers in India and around the world will gain access to new capabilities  from cloud connectivity and data center interconnects to automated, scalable networking options across borders.

Raunak Maheshwari, Country Head  India at Extreme IX, said, This is an important milestone for Extreme IX and for the Indian internet ecosystem. Over the years, our partners have trusted us with a signicant share of Indias internet trafc and helped us build a truly neutral, community-driven Internet Exchange across multiple cities and data centres. Joining Megaport is the next chapter in that journey.

By bringing Extreme IX into Megaports global platform, we can give our existing ecosystem continuity and stability, while opening the door to new services, automation, and reach. Our priority remains the same: protect what already works well for our members, and then build on it to deliver even more value.

Michael Reid, Chief Executive Ofcer of Megaport, said, Through the Extreme IX acquisition, Megaport is combining Indias most trusted Internet Exchange platform with our global SDN. This expands our reach, accelerates our entry into India, and gives customers seamless, high-performance connectivity across one of the worlds largest economies.

The Extreme IX network across India will be integrated into Megaports global platform, enabling a phased rollout of Megaport services over the coming months, including cloud connectivity, data center interconnects, virtual edge, and compute services. This integration will expand Megaports global footprint to 27 countries and further strengthen its presence across the Asia Pacic region, bringing together two complementary platforms to deliver enhanced capabilities for customers in India and worldwide.

What this means for Extreme IX customers and partners

For existing Extreme IX customers and partners, day-to-day operations remain unchanged:

All existing Extreme IX services, ports, and peering relationships will continue without interruption

Megaport will continue operating the Internet Exchange and is committed to maintaining everything that already works well today.

The entire Extreme IX team remains in place; customers will continue working with the same people for support and operations

As integration progresses, new services, automation, and network expansions will be introduced gradually, with clear communication ahead of any changes

Extreme IX will continue to operate as a carrier-neutral and data-centre-neutral Internet Exchange, focused on helping India move further up the global broadband rankings by improving speed, reliability, and affordability for millions of users.
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:

Regulators worry that an app tracking privacy feature puts third-party developers at a disadvantage versus Apple.

Italy's competition authority said Monday it had fined the US tech giant Apple 98 million euros ($115 million) for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the mobile app market.

The AGCM said in a statement that Apple had violated privacy regulations for third-party developers in a market where it "holds a super-dominant position through its App Store."

Apple said it would appeal the decision and defended its "strong privacy protections for our users."

But Italy's antitrust body said its investigation had established the "restrictive nature" of the "privacy rules imposed by Apple... on third-party developers of apps distributed through the App Store."

The rules of Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) "are imposed unilaterally and harm the interests of Apple's commercial partners," according to the AGCM statement.

French antitrust authorities earlier this year handed Apple a 150-million euro fine over its app tracking privacy feature.

Authorities elsewhere in Europe have also opened similar probes over ATT, which Apple promotes as a privacy safeguard.

The feature, introduced by Apple in 2021, requires apps to obtain user consent through a pop-up window before tracking their activity across other apps and websites.

If they decline, the app loses access to information on that user which enables ad targeting.

Critics have accused Apple of using the system to promote its own advertising services while restricting competitors.

Apple in its statement said its privacy rules "have been embraced by our customers and praised by privacy advocates and data protection authorities around the world."

 2025 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Fiber particles caught by the Goodside Project washing machine filter. Credit: Flinders University

A single laundry load containing synthetic clothing can release thousands of plastic microfibers from nylon, acrylic and polyester materials. Lab testing of an SA-made washing machine filter at Flinders University shows it can be a useful new way to help protect waterways from polyester and other synthetic microparticles.

Flinders researchers are also developing a novel approach to enhance nanoplastic capture on cellulose filters using a plasma polymer coating.

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm wide, and they break down further to nanoparticles.

The testing confirmed the device's ability to remove nanoparticles down to 20 micrometers in sizeinvisible to the naked eyeas well as larger microplastic pieces.

"Polyester fibers are among the most common microplastics polluting our environment. Their main source is the textiles we wash every day in households and commercial laundries," says Dr. Anastasiia Snigirova, from the Nano and Microplastics Research Consortium (NMRC) at Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering.

"Our initial trials showed a dramatic reduction of fibers in wash water, demonstrating the strong potential of this technology."

Further testing at the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) at Flinders University found a large number of fiber particles between 5mm and 20 m (micrometers) in a regular wash, with the filter able to catch many of these polyester and cellulose fibers.

Flinders University scientist Dr Jason Gascooke discusses the washing machine filter test results with Adelaide entrepreneur Karen Jones Hauser, from The Goodside Project. Credit: Flinders University

Regulations and industry responses to microplastics

In Europe, new regulations are already addressing this problem, preventing hundreds of tons of fibers from entering waterways each year. Since January 2025, all washing machines sold in France must include microplastic filters under the 2020 Anti-Waste Law regulations. Australia is taking a range of steps under the National Plastics Plan.

Adelaide-based environmental company, The Goodside Project, has responded by designing the washing machine filters that capture microplastics before they reach our rivers and oceans.

Founder and CEO Karen Jones Hauser says the company is keen to combat the rising problem of plastic pollution in oceans and local watercourses with its invention, including a new collaboration with another SA startup, Alkany, which is developing new biotechnology that uses bacteria to break down synthetic polymers into compost and biogas.

Washing machine filters are commonly used in many overseas countries. Credit: Flinders University

Alkany chief scientist David Thompson says breaking down plastic waste biologically creates multiple reuse opportunities, rather than sending plastics to landfill or incineration.

In South Australia, degrading plastic waste is progressively building up in local coastal areas, including Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent, which covers vital marine park areas and commercial fisheries.

Microplastic pollution in local waterways

A previous study from Flinders University on microplastics flowing from urban freshwater streams in Adelaide into the Gulf St. Vincent found fibers were the leading cause of plastic pollution. Microplastics were present in all of the studied freshwater streams tested, with the fibers the most abundant microplastics found in the samples (72%), followed by fragments (17%) and then beads (8%).

As well as the large amount of microplastics polluting the environment, scientists are also focused on fragmentation of plastics down to a very small scale below 1 mm.

In the new research article, they say the persistence of nanoplastics in the environment "and their potential to enter the food chain as well as to cross cellular membranes, underscore the urgency of developing more efficient mitigation technologies."

The new article, "Affinity capture of nanoplastics and their thermogravimetric quantification on plasma polymer coated filters," has been published in Analytica Chimica Acta.

More information: Manpreet Kaur et al, Affinity capture of nanoplastics and their thermogravimetric quantification on plasma polymer coated filters, Analytica Chimica Acta (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2025.345008 Journal information: Analytica Chimica Acta
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:

Radiation testing at ANSTO's Center for Accelerator Science. Scientists Dr Zeljko Pastuovic and Dr Stefania Peracchi undertake research into the effects of space radiation on electronics. Credit: ANSTO

In late November, airlines around the world were told to urgently ground planes within their Airbus A320 fleets. Investigators had found that intense bursts of solar radiation could corrupt data inside a flight-control computer, potentially causing an aircraft to pitch unexpectedly. Pitch is the movement of the aircraft nose upward or downward.

Approximately 6,000 aircraft from the A320 family, about half of all A320s flying globally, needed immediate software changes before they could carry passengers again.

In Australia, Jetstar canceled around 90 flights and disrupted travel for more than 15,000 passengers, while engineers worked through the night to install the fix.

This time the system worked as it should. A serious incident on a JetBlue flight prompted an investigation, airlines took precautionary action, and no one was killed.

But the episode is a clear signal that space weather and natural radiation are now a practical engineering and economic challenge for the aviation, transport, telecommunications and defense industries.

Australia has a powerful but not widely known tool to manage that risk: radiation testing at the Center for Accelerator Science.

Modern Airbus aircraft are a "fly by wire" technology. When a pilot moves the sidestick, computers interpret those movements and command the control surfaces. There is no direct mechanical linkage. This brings some safety benefits, but it also means that the integrity of the electronics is critical.

In October, a JetBlue A320 flying from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, suddenly lost altitude, injuring multiple passengers. Subsequent analysis showed that a particular flight control computer, the system that manages the aircraft's pitch, was vulnerable to corruption of its data when exposed to intense solar radiation, in combination with a recent software update. Regulators ordered airlines to roll back that software or replace affected hardware before carrying passengers again.

The investigation is ongoing, and causes have not been confirmed. But the mechanism being discussed, energetic particles from the sun or from cosmic rays upsetting microelectronics, is well-known among members of the community, who study the effects of radiation.

At typical cruising altitudes of 10 to 12 kilometers, the flux of secondary particles produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere is hundreds of times higher than at sea level.

For most passengers this just means an extra dose of a few micro-sieverts per hour. This exposure is small compared with natural background radiation, but for sensitive electronics it can be enough to cause a single-event-upset: a random bit flip or transient error caused by a single high-energy particle.

Most of these "soft errors" are caught by redundancy, error-correcting codes, and careful software design. Occasionally, as earlier incidents have shown, such as Qantas Flight 72 nosediving over the Indian Ocean before recovering, a rare combination of bad data and software malfunctions can lead to abrupt maneuvers and injuries.

As electronics are pushed to be smaller, faster and lower voltage, they generally become more sensitive to this kind of radiation.

"The Airbus recall should therefore be read less as a one-off glitch, and more as a warning shot for the future," said Dr. Mitra Safavi-Naeini, Acting Leader, Center for Accelerator Science.

Radiation testing is a design requirement

Earth is entering the peak of Solar Cycle 25, the current 11-year cycle of solar activity. Sunspot counts and strong flares over 202425 have already exceeded earlier forecasts, and agencies like NASA and NOAA are warning that the current era may bring more frequent extreme space weather events than the past two decades.

Every critical system that depends on microelectronics in a radiation environment will be vulnerable during major storms. This includes commercial and military aircraft operating at cruising altitude, especially on polar routes, satellites and space vehicles in Earth orbit and beyond, high-altitude drones, uncrewed aircraft and future autonomous air taxis and ground-based community and power infrastructure.

The engineering question becomes: "What level of radiation can my system tolerate, how often will it see something worse, and what happens when it fails?"

"These are the questions radiation-hardness testing is designed to answer," said Dr. Safavi-Naeini.

The Center for Accelerator Science is a national user facility built around four high-voltage ion accelerators, capable of delivering beams of particles. In practical terms, accelerators can reproduce many of the radiation environments an aircraft, satellite or chip will experience; but, on the ground, under controlled conditions.

For space and aviation electronics, ANSTO's broader space-radiation program can provide single events testing, total ionizing dose testing, displacement damage dose testing, local ionizing dose mapping, integrated circuit decapsulation and characterization and end-to-end modeling.

Recent case studies include testing a prototype radiation-hardened chip designed by Australian and international collaborators, which withstood doses up to tens of megarads and very high particle rates, a performance sufficient for both space missions and CERN's Large Hadron Collider.

Through the National Space Qualification Network, ANSTO and partners also provide a broader ecosystem of environmental testingfrom thermal vacuum and vibration to mission designdelivered entirely within Australia.

Radiation testing benefits the aviation industry, regulators and most importantly, passengers.
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

With the Christmas trading period peaking, traditional surveillance technologies like CCTV can help reduce job stress caused by customer aggression, but QUT research has found wearable devices may increase stress levels among frontline employees, especially those uncomfortable with technology.

The study, "Reducing the Impact of Customer Aggression: Examining the Interaction of Technology, Employee Job Stress and Technology Discomfort," was led by Professor Gary Mortimer and Dr. Shasha Wang from the QUT School of Advertising, Marketing & PR and is published in the International Journal of HumanComputer Interaction.

The researchers explored the relationship between customer aggression and frontline workers' job stress, and how CCTV and "innovative technologies" like Duress Watches might mitigate the effect of customer aggression on job stress. They also examined non-technologies, specifically the use of uniformed security guards, which were categorically found to make employees feel safer at work.

It follows a 2023 Australian survey of retail and fast-food workers which found 87% of them had experienced customer abuse, up from 56% in two years. "The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Union report" also noted workers had experienced increasing physical abuse, sexual harassment, and in 24% of cases, racially motivated abuse.

Drawing on sociomateriality theory, which covers the intersection of technology, work and organization, the study highlights how technology not only supports but also shapes human behavior in service environments. Professor Mortimer and Dr. Wang are also currently looking at low-cost, scalable solutions to reduce customer aggression in the first place.

"Since the pandemic, we have seen rates of customer aggression increase across the retail and fast food sectors. During the busy Christmas period, customer aggression really peaks, driven by frustration, car park chaos, crowding and busy shopping centers," Professor Mortimer said.

"Our findings show that while extra CCTV can act as a visual deterrent and reduce stress, wearable technologies like Duress Watches may backfire for employees who feel overwhelmed by tech.

"Retailers, workers unions and industry associations have invested heavily in technologies to keep workers safe, including the use of Facial Recognition Technology and Body Worn Cameras."

Dr. Wang said a 2023 study she conducted with Professor Mortimer found sustained exposure to customer aggression led to increased emotional exhaustion and higher rates of job stress, which in turn increased rule breaking and employee turnover.

"In our 2025 study, we reconfirmed customer aggression increased job stress, so we wanted to understand what types of technologies could be used to reduce the impact of aggression on job stress, essentially making workers feel safer," Dr. Wang said.

The research comprises three studies involving more than 600 frontline employees across retail and service industries. It found that:

Exposure to customer aggression significantly increases job stress.

CCTV surveillance helps mitigate this stress.

Duress Watches, despite their advanced features, can amplify stress for employees with high technology discomfort.

Dr. Wang said the findings have important implications for workplace safety strategies.

"Technology isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Managers need to consider individual employee traitsespecially their level of comfort with technologybefore implementing wearable surveillance devices," she said.

A 2024 study by Dr. Wang, Professor Mortimer, and colleagues explains the backfire effect as resulting from failing to build a cognitive foundation during the early stages of technology adoption, leading to frustration of autonomy and competence needs.

The study also examined the role of human interventions, such as uniformed security guards, and found they may offer a more universally accepted alternative to high-tech solutions.

"Respondents were told their manager had employed a uniformed security guard and we found just the presence of a guard lessened the impact of customer aggression and made workers feel safer," Professor Mortimer said. "This research is a wake-up call for businesses investing in innovative surveillance. It's not just about the tech; it's about how people interact with it."

More information: Gary Mortimer et al, Reducing the Impact of Customer Aggression: Examining the Interaction of Technology, Employee Job Stress and Technology Discomfort, International Journal of HumanComputer Interaction (2025). DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2587242
Michael Douglas spent "a lot" of time talking to Rob Reiner about his son Nick Reiner's drug problems.

Michael Douglas has remembered his friend Rob Reiner

The director and his wife Michele were found dead at their home in Los Angeles on December 14 and their 34-year-old son Nick - who has been open about his struggles with addiction - is now behind bars after being charged with the double murder.

Douglas also suffered drug problems within his family as his son Cameron Douglas spent years battling addiction issues and the actor has revealed he bonded with The Princess Bride director over their shared struggle.

Speaking in TV special CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life - which aired on Sunday night (21.12.25), Douglas said: "With this terrible tragedy were realising how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son.

"I also had a son who had had drug issues. Im happy to say hes overcome them and living a prosperous life.

"We did talk a lot about that and what you can do as a parent, what you cant do. Knowing with all of that going on behind the scenes, this was a man who always gave it his best."

The Oscar-winner revealed he also bonded with Reiner over their similar experiences in Hollywood as they both grew up in the shadow of their famous fathers with Douglas as the son of Spartacus actor Kirk Douglas and Reiner as the child of comedian/actor Carl Reiner.

Douglas said: "Well, my experience watching him was that I could never be the man that my father was. He can do everything. I mean, he was Spartacus ...

"Once you go into the same business, it stares you in the face. And in Robs case, are you as funny as your father?

"I think that also created his tenacity, his strength and thats something thats not really talked about enough with Rob about his endurance."

In the TV special, Reiner was also remembered by his Misery star Kathy Bates, who compared landing the role in the Stephen King adaptation to the plot of Frank Capra's 1946 movie classic It's a Wonderful Life because it took her life in a totally different direction.

She said: If I hadnt done Misery, it would be like [It's a Wonderful Life character] George Bailey going back and seeing what his life would have been like if he had never been ther.

"Ive always wanted to be an actress and if it wasnt for Rob, I dont think I would have ever been able to make that dream come true in such a dramatic and incredible way.

"Rob changed the course of my life, and if he hadnt, I wouldnt be sitting in front of you now."

Annette Bening became a close friend of the director after starring in his 1995 movie The American President and she revealed Reiner would send the cast and crew home at a reasonable time every day because he wanted them to be able have dinner with their families.

She said: "[He was a] family man. The leader sets the tone. He would insist that the day ended at a sane time, which in show business is kind of unusual.

"But, he said: 'No, we want everyone to be able to have dinner with their kids.' He knew how to create a great atmosphere' ...

"He loved his kids and Michele. They were very much companions to each other. And we all respected that about them and their relationship."
Intel urged to expand chip packaging, testing operations in Vietnam

By Hai Yen Mon, December 22, 2025 | 3:37 pm GMT+7

Vietnam has urged Intel to step up investment in semiconductor packaging and testing operations in the country, as Hanoi accelerates efforts to build a domestic chip ecosystem aligned with global supply chains.

Intel plant at Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the company.

During a visit last Wednesday to Intel Products Vietnam's (IPV) assembly and test facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong said Vietnam wants to deepen cooperation with the U.S. and major technology corporations, particularly Intel, under the country's semiconductor development strategy.

Phuong urged Intel to expand assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) activities in Vietnam while playing a larger role in implementing the countrys semiconductor roadmap. This includes workforce training, development of specialized laboratories and testing infrastructure, research and development of semiconductor products, and support for start-ups and local chip design centers.

He also called on Intel to accelerate microchip technology transfer to Vietnam, share experience in building high-value semiconductor ecosystems, and cooperate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies in rolling out tech-related strategic initiatives.

Vietnam also expects Intel to consider expanding its R&D footprint and partnering with local institutions to establish labs focused on chip design, simulation and testing, particularly for application-specific chips serving digital transformation, the Vietnamese official stressed.

Phuong encouraged Intel to participate in training programs for chip design engineers, internships and scholarship schemes, and deeper cooperation with universities and research institutes.

Kenneth Tse, general manager of Intel Products Vietnam, lauded Vietnams proactive policies in the semiconductor sector. He said Intel would continue to accompany Vietnam in implementing its semiconductor strategy, including ecosystem development, high-quality workforce training, and the development of specialized chips for digital applications.

Officials of Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology meets with Intel Products Vietnam executives on December 17, 2025. Photo courtesy of the ministry's news portal.

Intel Products Vietnam operates Intels largest assembly and testing facility globally, accounting for more than half of its global output and employing over 6,000 workers.

In an October meeting with Chairman of the HCMC Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Duoc, Tse said that Intel plans to shift its assembly, packaging, and testing operations from its Costa Rica facility to potential markets such as Vietnam. This is part of Intels ongoing global strategic transition and adjustments to optimize its manufacturing operations, thus enhancing its efficiency and competitiveness, he added.

After nearly 20 years of operation in Vietnam, IPV had exported more than 4 billion units, contributing over $100 billion to Vietnams export turnover as of Q2/2025.
(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.
You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber.



Not a subscriber?



Subscribe today for access to:

Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles).


The Wire star James Ransone has passed away at the age of 46.

James Ransone has died at the age of 46

According to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, the actor - best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka, the Baltimore dock worker and son of union leader Frank Sobotka (Chris Bauer) in the second series of the HBO crime drama - died by suicide on Friday (19.12.25).

The place of death was recorded as a shed, and the medical examiner's office noted that James' body is ready for release.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children.

Tributes from fans have been pouring in since the news of James' death broke on Sunday (21.12.25).

One user said on X: "Wow. This really f****** sucks. Rest in peace James Ransone, you were an absolute horror legend and delivered so many great characters."

A second person penned on the same social media platform - referencing his role of Eddie Kaspbrak in 2019's It Chapter Two: "Rest in Peace James Ransone.

"You portrayed Eddie Kaspbrak so well. A character so loved and important in my childhood. You will always be EDDIE. Rest in eternal peace. (sic)"

A third fan wrote on X: "I can't believe this. To think he nailed and aced all of his acting roles, when in reality, he was facing demons and pain. My sincere condolences to his family."

And a fourth supporter shared on the social media platform: "James Ransone was a magnetic force of nature on and off screen.

"The way he openly spoke about his addiction and sexual abuse fundamentally changed the way I processed my own f***** up life, and hes the sole reason I decided to get sober a few years ago. I'm f****** crushed."

In 2021, James - who appeared in 12 episodes during The Wire's 2003 run - publicly shared that he was a survivor of sexual abuse.

And in 2016, the star, who also appeared in the HBO war miniseries Generation Kill, revealed that he got sober at the age of 27 after years of heroin use.

James told Interview magazine: "People think I got sober working on the Generation Kill. I didnt. I sobered up six or seven months before that.

"I remember going to Africa, and I was going to be there for almost a year. I was number two on the call sheet, and I was like, 'I think somebody made a mistake. This is too much responsibility for me.'"

James was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Joyce (nee Peterson) and James Ransone II - who was a Vietnam War veteran.

He studied at the George Washington Carver Centre for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, before he studied film at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York, for one year.

He also told Interview magazine in 2016 that he "failed out" of film school because he "didnt show up to class".

Instead, he "kicked around for a couple of years" and went on to work for photographerPatrick McMullan, who used to shoot the back covers of the magazine.

James attended parties - his first being 74-year-old painter-and-filmmaker Julian Schnabels art show, where the late music icon David Bowie, 69, was also in attendance - and would take photos under Patrick's name.

As well as The Wire and Generation Kill, James starred in HBO drama Treme, and also had a role on Amazon Prime Video's police procedural series, Bosch.

He also appeared on the big screen in genres such as horror and indie drama. Roles included Sinister (2012), Sinister 2 (2015), Mr. Right (2015), The Black Phone (2021) and the upcoming Black Phone 2 (2025).

James' final TV appearance came in June, when he starred in a season two episode of the Peacock comedy-drama series, Poker Face.
The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations.

The building brings the Banks Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institutions presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region.
Anok Yai has been diagnosed with a congenital defect which has been "slowly destroying" her lungs.

Anok Yai has undergone surgery

The 28-year-old model has undergone surgery for the undisclosed condition after her health began to decline, with symptoms including struggling for breath and coughing up blood.

She wrote on Instagram: "For the past year Ive been dealing with this silent battle

"I incidentally found out I had a Congenital defect overworking my heart and slowly destroying my lungs.

"What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times struggling to breathe.

"I chose to work through this while trying to find the right doctor and the right time. I quickly realized there was never going to be a right time - my health would continue to worsen.

"Ive always thought I could outwork or outrun anything but the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up.

"So yesterday I had a successful Robotic Lung Surgery thanks to Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his gracious and talented team who I am forever indebted to for giving me more time."

Anok wll be "forever grateful" for her medical team and those around her who have offered her care and support.

She added: "And I am forever grateful for Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and everyone at the @beverlyhillsconciergehealth for discovering my condition.

"Thank you to all the doctors and amazing nurses at @nyulangone

"And thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up

"For now Im healing  but Ill be back. See ya [heart emoji] (sic)"

Anok's surgery came just a few weeks after she was named Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards in London.

She said: "Being named Model of the Year is such an honour.

"My journey from Egypt to South Sudan to the US is one of resilience and community.

"This recognition is for everyone whos ever seen their story in mine. Thank you for celebrating us.

Anok has been open in the past about the racism she faced "growing up dark-skinned in New Hampshire".

She previously told Elle magazine: "There was a lot of racism. A lot of kids made fun of me for my skin colour.

"I was the kid in the corner who didnt talk to anybody.

"I never really had a set friend group. I was more of a floater. I was always on the outside looking in.

She always strived "for bigger things than the small town" she grew up in, and she has been able to "feel comfortable with my separation from my peers".
If I asked you (the reader): do you think most people can be trusted? Would you answer yes o
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

Explained: Apples New MIE Security Feature

While MTE is a hardware feature that is exclusive to the iPhone 17 series, some of the other improvements that Apple includes in MIE are implemented in iOS 26, and they will be accessible to older devices

Apple released their new iPhone 17 series a few months ago, but aside from the new features and improvements, the most exciting security feature of these new phones was not even mentioned in its keynote or really advertised at all.

And I think it significantly raises the bar in terms of security for everyone.

With Apples new A19 chip being based on the ARMv9A architecture, iOS now supports the memory tagging extension feature. And this comes from an announcement on the Apple security research blog in September.

Apple calls their implementation Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE) and published a technical breakdown on their security blog.

It combines some existing memory safety features in iOS with ARM's Memory Tagging Extension (MTE), which has been seen in some Android smartphones for a few years now.

Lets explore how it aims to make cyberattacks on iOS devices significantly more difficult.

What is MTE?

MTE is a hardware feature introduced by ARM as part of the ARMv8.5-A architecture in 2019. ARM built it as a debugging tool for software developers.

Apps need to store data in your phone's memory (RAM), and they reserve this space through a process called memory allocation.

Unfortunately, if these allocations are not strictly validated, apps can inadvertently or maliciously access memory outside of what they were assigned.

What MTE does is essentially tag every single memory allocation with a secret code.

The hardware then ensures that every future request to access that memory is only granted if the request contains that same secret.

If the request does not contain the secret code, for example, because it came from an app other than the one that was allocated in the first place, then the app that is making the request crashes and the event is logged by the operating system.

The goal behind this was to help developers identify these fatal errors immediately. Why is this a big deal for security?

According to reports from both Microsoft and Google, over 70% of security vulnerabilities identified in their products are attributable to issues related to memory safety.

And many of the high-profile vulnerabilities that we have seen over the years were caused by a lack of memory safety.

Security researchers identified that MTE could function as a continuous tool for monitoring and preventing security exploits, in addition to its use as a debugging tool.

The Google Pixel has actually been using MTE in some capacity since the Pixel 8.

Hardware Advantage

Most exploits against iOS devices rely on memory corruption bugs. These are bugs where, because of faulty system logic, an attacker can write to out-of-bounds memory or type-confuse objects to corrupt important parts of the process data and ultimately take control of the system.

Memory corruption bugs have been around forever and are unlikely to go away completely. Even with the latest iOS versions, we see many bugs of this category being fixed in patch updates regularly.

It would be infeasible to aim for a bug-free iOS. So instead, Apple has focused on making these bugs as difficult as possible to exploit.

They have already done a great job at this in their software and hardware enhancements over the years, with features like pointer authentication codes to mitigate control flow hijacking, zone sequestering, and other proprietary hardware mitigations like Kernel Text Read and Write (KTRR) and Page Protection Layer (PPL).

Apple's MIE is supposed to be the final nail in the coffin, potentially ending memory corruption exploitation in iOS completely.

Apple uses MIE to secure the kernel and over 70 userland processes in its operating system.

They also make MIE available as an opt-in feature for app developers, meaning that it is very likely the apps you use, which need the highest levels of security, hopefully as instant messengers or web browsers, will probably enable it on their own soon.

This usage is a step above the typical MTE configuration on Android, which uses it less substantially across the operating system itself.

It works much like an address sanitizer, a common software debugging tool.

The problem with software-based address sanitizers is that they have a significant overhead due to the inefficiency of performing extra logic on every single memory access. It would not be a good idea to ship a production device with a software-based address sanitizer active because performance would take too much of a hit.

The cool thing about the MTE feature is that it leverages new hardware instructions available in the ARMV9A architecture that implement the functionality of a software address sanitizer, but in a hardware-backed way.

These new CPUs have built-in circuitry to handle the sanity checks. So, performance takes no real hit.

If you inspect the kernel itself on the iPhone 17 running the latest iOS version, you can see these new MTE instructions present in the kernel cache binary.

The first new instruction you will see is the IRG instruction, which inserts a random tag into a pointer.

Now, much like pointer authentication codes, the IRG instruction generates a random 4-bit tag and inserts it into the top, unused bits of a given pointer.

The STG instruction takes that tag and writes it into a special private shadow memory region that holds tags for every 16-byte chunk of memory.

Once a pointer and its corresponding memory are tagged, any subsequently executed memory access instruction will trigger an exception if the tags are ever found to be mismatched.

Checking for mismatched tags does not require any new logic to be implemented in software. The typical ARM 64 load and store instructions have new circuitry hard-coded in these latest ARM CPUs, which validates the pointer and memory tags almost instantly with no noticeable performance overhead.

So, in practice, how would this prevent exploitation? For typical use after freeing bugs, a program mistakenly uses a pointer to already freed memory.

But with MIE enabled, as soon as a memory access is made, the ARM hardware will recognize the tag mismatch and trigger an exception. Similarly, for buffer overflows, the very first out-of-bounds write will fail due to the address and memory tag mismatch.

One small caveat is that since these memory tags are only four bits, separate allocations can have the same tag, but this still provides a strong defence since the reliability of an exploit will drop to a 1 in 16 chance of success.

Protection vs Performance

With all that power built into the hardware, you are probably wondering, why is MIE not enabled everywhere on iOS. It comes down to a choice between protection and performance, which are defined by the two modes in which MTE operates.

MTE comes in two modes, synchronous and asynchronous.

Synchronous mode is optimized for protection over performance, and it is the only mode the Android open-source project claims can act as a true security mitigation.

Asynchronous mode offers higher performance but does not necessarily crash the application immediately, and it does not record some information about the memory that is being improperly accessed.

If you look at how MTE is used in GrapheneOS, for example, they enable MTE on the kernel in synchronous mode.

But for userland apps, they use a hybrid approach where they use synchronous mode when apps are writing to memory, but they use asynchronous mode when apps are reading from memory.

And the Android open-source project refers to this as asymmetric mode. They claim that this provides a balance, but it is still not as robust as purely operating in synchronous mode.

iOS, on the other hand, uses synchronous mode exclusively in all the areas where it uses MIE.

According to Apple, in asynchronous mode, memory corruption does not instantly trigger an exception, which may result in a period during which exploitation is possible.

Even though Apple has made synchronous MTE more efficient thanks to the new hardware, the performance impact of enabling it is why they have enabled it selectively.

MTE also makes existing memory safety bugs much more visible to users. The likelihood that an existing bug causes an app crash increases when MTE is enabled.

For this reason, many would probably be unlikely to put up with broadly enabled MTE across the entire system right now.

But hopefully, this becomes less of an issue over time as developers improve their apps thanks to this new debugging ability.

Why This New Feature Matters

Getting back to cybersecurity on mobile devices, all of this is of particular relevance to people who are being targeted by mercenary spyware like Pegasus.

Attackers rarely use a single exploit; they chain many smaller exploits together.

If an attacker gains even a limited access through a vulnerable application, they can leverage that privilege to compromise additional applications, potentially reaching the highest levels of your operating system.

Since the majority of problems are memory-related, many of the links in these chains are memory corruption bugsbugs which could potentially be stopped by MTE.

As Apple puts it, "inevitably, attackers must face memory integrity enforcement at a stage where their capabilities are still very limited, leaving very few viable avenues for exploitation." Breaking just one step invalidates the entire attack strategy.

The protections MIE gives against malware and spyware that rely on these exploit chains are enormous because they dramatically reduce the probability of a successful chain of attacks.

On Apple's own research blog, they state that they believe memory integrity enforcement represents the most significant upgrade to memory safety in the history of consumer operating systems and that even with substantial effort, their internal research team could not rebuild any of their sample exploit chains to work around this mitigation on iOS.

As an iPhone user, this should be a very comforting statement, and for the hacker community, it presents a daunting challenge.

MIE vs. Lockdown Mode

So, how does this compare to lockdown mode?

Lockdown mode is very effective at preventing exploit chains, just like MTE is. But the approach that it takes is very different.

Ultimately, what lockdown mode is doing is reducing your attack surface dramatically by disabling apps and features that you are unlikely to need in the name of security.

If there were an exploit in the iMessage link preview generator, it could now be blocked by MIE, and it would happen without needing to disable link previews because MIE is always enabled.

If MIE blocks an exploit attack, it is detected immediately. MIE crashes the exploited app and logs the details, making it more likely you will receive a threat notification quickly.

If an exploit is blocked simply because you didnt use link previews, that could be harder to spot after the fact.

For the highest levels of security, these features should be working in tandem.

That is the basics of defence in depth to dramatically reduce the likelihood of an exploit.

I hope Apple soon introduces a feature that lets Lockdown Mode enable MTE system-wide for both the OS and apps.

As I mentioned earlier, MTE is only enabled selectively outside the kernel on iOS for both performance and stability reasons.

Lockdown Mode users are far more likely to accept app crashes and performance drawbacks for improved security. If they added per-app toggles like GrapheneOS, where you could decide which apps this gets enabled on or not, that would be even better for these advanced users with very high-risk threat models.

Conclusion

This is a massive leap forward in terms of security for iPhone users, and frankly, it is the first time in a long while that I have been genuinely thrilled about an Apple product.

While MTE is a hardware feature that is exclusive to the iPhone 17 series, some of the other improvements that Apple includes in MIE are implemented in iOS 26, and they will be accessible to older devices.

The other thing is that most casual users aren't exploited by Pegasus. However, the likelihood that you could face a threat like mercenary or commercial spyware should not be understated.

If your work puts a target on your backMIE is not a feature; it is an insurance policy that considerably raises the bar on your personal security posture.

Take a moment to breathe on that. Your digital safety just got a massive upgrade.

[The writer, Md Zahurul Al Mamun, is a Tech Enthusiast. The above article is first published by The Dhaka Tribune.]

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic
Jimmy Kimmel is to deliver the UK's Alternative Christmas Message this year.

Jimmy Kimmel is giving the UK's Alternative Christmas Message this year

The US comedian has filmed a speech for Channel 4 as an alternative to King Charles' traditional Royal Christmas message which is broadcast annually on Christmas Day (25.12.25) and Kimmel is expected to address his tumultuous year in which Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly taken off the air following pressure from US President Donald Trump's administration after Kimmel made controversial comments on the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

In the speech, Kimmel says: "From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year."

Kimmel is also expected to address the issue of press freedom and urge UK viewers to resist attacks on free speech.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: Donald Trumps return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025 and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the frontline of Americas battle over free speech."

The Alternative Christmas Message has been broadcast on Channel 4 since 1993 and often features a contrasting viewpoint to the monarch's annual speech.

Previous speakers have included whistle-blower Edward Snowden, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as well as actor Danny Dyer, chef Jamie Oliver, comedian Adam Hills and Sir Stephen Fry.

The Alternative Christmas Message will be broadcast on Christmas Day at 5:45pm - two hours after the King's Christmas speech.

It comes after Kimmel shed tears as he reflected on "a hard year" at Jimmy Kimmel Live! during the last episode of 2025.

The 58-year-old comedian - who was suspended for a week by ABC, before his show was reinstated - said: "Its been a hard year. Weve had some lows, weve had some highs. For me, maybe more than any year of my life. Im crying already, Im sorry.

"On behalf of all of us at the show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and not just for watching - this year, you literally pulled us out of a hole. And we cannot thank you enough personally, professionally."

Kimmel subsequently reflected on the current state of the TV industry in the US. He said: "When I hear from people who tell me that they watch our show, and the shows that my friends and colleagues do on the other channels, and that it makes them feel less crazy, it makes me feel less crazy too, and I think that's an important thing."

Kimmel also addressed viewers living outside the US saying: "A lot of us are not okay with what is happening. There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that were in the middle of."

Kimmel made the comments shortly after extending his contract with ABC. The TV star will continue to host Jimmy Kimmel Live! until at least 2027, and he confessed to being delighted by the agreement.

He said: "Our shows been renewed until May of 2027 or until the world ends, whichever comes first."

Kimmel then jokingly added: "I gave it a lot of thought and decided I would like to spend less time with my family.

"So to our audience here and at home, Im honoured and humbled to be a part of your routine, whether its in bed at night or during your morning toilet time. It means a lot to me to have your attention and to work with this great group of people for another year."
A total of 145 ethnic minority students, university graduates, and youth were honored this year for outstanding achievements in academics, research, arts, and sports - a powerful testament to the growing success of inclusive education across Vietnams remote and mountainous areas.

Leaders of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs meet with outstanding ethnic minority students and youth, 2024.

The 2025 Ceremony to Honor Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth is organized by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, in coordination with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Ministry of Education and Training. VietNamNet is the lead media agency for the event, which takes place December 2627 in Hanoi.

Now in its 12th year since launching in 2013, the program has reached its largest-ever ethnic representation, with honorees from 52 ethnic groups across 30 provinces and cities nationwide. This record diversity demonstrates the increasing reach and impact of educational development in ethnic minority communities.

Among the honorees are national and international award winners in academic competitions, science fairs, arts, and sports. Many have been admitted to top universities with high entrance scores.

Notably, 2025 marks the first year that valedictorians are formally included as a recognized category - broadening the scope of the celebration and acknowledging a wider range of exceptional accomplishments.

Compared to previous years, the 2025 cohort shows clear improvement in both the quantity and quality of achievements. The growing enthusiasm for learning, self-development, and community involvement among ethnic minority youth is contributing to a new generation of socially engaged and academically driven citizens.

These young individuals are living proof of the transformative power of education in ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

The award ceremony serves as both recognition and a reflection of long-term investment in highland education.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam currently has 1,213 semi-boarding schools for ethnic minorities in 20 provinces, serving approximately 245,800 students; 316 full-boarding schools in 31 provinces with about 115,333 students; four university preparatory schools; and one high school with a preparatory program, collectively enrolling around 3,000 students each year.

Alongside growth in school infrastructure, the quality of education in ethnic regions has steadily improved. Over the past five years, average enrollment rates for ethnic minority children have reached near parity with national averages: 98% for 5-year-old preschoolers, 97.25% for primary school-aged children, 98.24% graduation rate at lower secondary, and 98.16% at upper secondary level.

These figures reflect the effectiveness of nationwide education policies and the critical role of long-term investment in building human capital in ethnic communities.

Thanks to this strong educational foundation, learning and achievement among ethnic minority students has become a growing movement, with each years honorees serving as an inspiration for peers across the country.

As a result, the awards ceremony is more than just a celebration of individual accomplishments - it is a symbol of the nations steadfast commitment to inclusive education and long-term sustainable development.

Award recipients at the 2024 ceremony sign the Golden Book at the Temple of Literature.
A 35-meter-tall Christmas tree made from nearly 3,000 traditional Vietnamese conical hats has become the centerpiece of this years holiday festivities in Dong Nai.

Each evening at 6:30 p.m., thousands of lights elegantly tucked beneath the hats illuminate the tree in a dazzling display, transforming the church grounds into a luminous winter wonderland.

Located at Ha Phat Church in Long Binh Ward, the conical hat Christmas tree - the tallest of its kind in Vietnam - features a four-tiered design. Its widest base measures almost 15 meters in diameter and gradually tapers toward the top.

To ensure safety during strong winds, the structure is reinforced with an external system of supporting cables.

The tree is adorned with shimmering tinsel and hundreds of colorful ornaments, further enhancing its vibrant, festive feel.

By late afternoon, crowds begin to gather to witness the moment the lights come on. Nguyen Thu Ha, a visitor from Binh Minh Commune, said her family returns every year to see the tree, yet each lighting still feels fresh and moving.

Its not just the size that impresses me, Ha shared. The use of non la makes it deeply Vietnamese. When the lights come on, the whole courtyard glows, and it truly feels like Christmas has arrived.

From young couples to families with children and the elderly, people from all walks of life have flocked to Ha Phat Church to take photos and enjoy the early holiday atmosphere. As night deepens, the area becomes one of Dong Nais most popular seasonal check-in spots.

Le Thi Minh Hang and Nguyen Minh Hieu, two young residents from Ho Nai Ward, arrived early to capture perfect photos.

According to Hang, the tree stands out not just for its scale but for its symbolism - a creative fusion of Vietnams cultural heritage with Catholic Christmas tradition.

A church representative said the tree will remain lit throughout the Christmas season, with lights temporarily turned off for 10 minutes each evening to allow a water-cooling system to operate and maintain safe, stable functioning.

Now in its eighth year, Ha Phat Church continues its tradition of crafting Christmas trees from conical hats. While this years tree features one fewer tier than in 2024, its size, brightness, and originality continue to attract crowds from near and far.

Back in 2020, the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) officially recognized the Ha Phat Church tree as Vietnams tallest Christmas tree made from conical hats, measuring 35 meters and constructed from 2,360 hats.

Hoang Anh
Image of the foreign woman performing a motorcycle "circus act." Screenshot from video.

On December 21, the Traffic Police Department of Khanh Hoa Province reported that it had forwarded the case of a Russian woman accused of reckless motorbike riding to the provincial Criminal Police Division for further investigation.

The incident began circulating online on December 18, when videos emerged showing the woman riding a motorcycle with license plate 79N2-552.54. In the footage, she could be seen lying flat on the seat while the vehicle was in motion and striking provocative poses - acts deemed hazardous and inappropriate in public spaces.

After receiving the tip-off, the local traffic police, in coordination with other relevant departments, launched a probe to verify the incident.

Through investigation, authorities found that the motorbike involved was previously owned by a Russian man identified as V.I., who confirmed he had given the vehicle to a compatriot named Nikitina, 34, currently residing in an apartment complex in Bac Nha Trang Ward.

On December 20, law enforcement visited her residence and brought her in for questioning. At the police station, Nikitina admitted to being the woman in the video. She said she had performed the stunt - lying on the seat while riding - along various roads in Cam Lam District (formerly part of Khanh Hoa) during January and June of 2025.

Believing that the act showed signs of disrupting public order, the traffic police finalized the preliminary case file and handed it over to the Criminal Police Division of Khanh Hoa Province for legal processing under the appropriate statutes.

Xuan Ngoc
Giang and her husband, Tran Ngoc Chung (born 1992, Hanoi), held their wedding on December 1314, 2025.

The wedding of Huong Giang and Ngoc Chung welcomed 60 unexpected guests. Photo: Provided by family

Giang admitted she has a relatively small circle of close friends. One day, while scrolling TikTok, she got the idea to invite people from the online community to come enjoy the feast.

She followed through immediately. Once she received her wedding photos, she posted her favorite one to TikTok with a caption: Hey everyone! Im getting married on December 13 but dont have many friends. Im in Chuong My, Hanoi. Want to come to the wedding? Im inviting you!

I was being completely sincere, she said. I truly wanted people to come celebrate this important day with me.

To her astonishment, the post reached 5 million views, over 100,000 likes, and more than 11,000 comments.

A group of "internet guests" added lively energy to the celebration. Photo: Provided by family







Thousands of users left well-wishes in the comments, and many sent direct messages to accept the invitation.

Giang shared the idea with her parents, who were not only supportive but also excited to help prepare the feast for their internet guests.

I created a group chat with everyone who messaged me, so I could personally invite them again, she said.

Before the big day, Giang met the group once in person to break the ice. Then I got busy with wedding preparations, but they continued meeting a few more times on their own to plan for the day, she laughed.

The group came from various districts in Hanoi - Soc Son, Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Thuong Tin, and Thach That - and even from farther provinces like Thai Binh (now part of Hung Yen) and Hoa Binh (now Phu Tho).

Among them was a professional wedding MC and a DJ, who both offered their services, saving Giang from hiring an emcee.

Guests grouped up for photos to remember the special day. Photo: Provided by family

The brides house hosted the wedding on December 13. The 60 guests - now affectionately known as internet friends - arrived early to help with the preparations. Because they had already met, the group felt like old friends rather than strangers.

Giangs family prepared thoroughly to ensure every guest felt welcome. The group filled 10 entire tables at the reception. After the meal, they turned up the celebration with singing and dancing that made the wedding truly unforgettable.

The wedding was so fun, Im still buzzing from it, Giang said. They even brought gifts like bowls, brooms, dustpans, and trays - we all laughed so hard!

After the celebration, the group has stayed in touch and continues chatting in their group chat. Theyve even gone out together for meals and coffee.

Giang said shes delighted to have gained new friends who are fun, genuine, and easy to connect with.

Her story quickly spread on social media forums, attracting countless heartwarming and amused reactions:

I saw the video of the bride inviting guests online and thought it was cute - didnt expect people to actually show up, let alone fill 10 tables!

I was there! one guest commented. People kept asking, Which table is the TikTok one? and it was hilarious!

Thanh Minh
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of December 22, cold air over the region had temporarily weakened but remained stable in strength. However, the system is expected to intensify again late on December 24 and into the 25th.

From tonight through December 24, areas in Northern and North Central Vietnam will see light rain in some places, with fog and light mist in the early mornings. The Northeast, in particular, may experience scattered light rain during night and morning hours. The weather will remain chilly.

Photo: Northern Vietnam likely to turn cold around Christmas. Credit: Hoang Minh

Following that, from the night of December 24 to 25, scattered rain is expected to return to these regions, easing to light showers in some areas. Morning mist may occur, and temperatures will continue to drop, especially in the mountainous regions of the Northeast, where intense cold is possible.

In Hanoi, around December 25, the incoming cold front is forecast to bring light showers, with northeasterly winds of level 3, and a marked shift to cold weather.

Temperatures in the capital are expected to fall from a high of 27C to just 20C, with lows dipping to 16C, and potentially dropping further to 14C in the following days.

Rain is expected to taper off afterward, but the cold will persist until the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, from Quang Tri to Da Nang, and the eastern parts of Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, showers and scattered thunderstorms are forecast, with moderate to heavy rainfall possible between December 25 and 26, along with isolated very heavy downpours and thunderstorms. The north of this region will experience cold weather at night and in the early mornings, with temperatures shifting to cold conditions from December 26 onward.

Other regions of the country will see isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening and night, and sunny weather during the day. In the South, starting the evening of December 24, scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected, with localized heavy rain in some areas.

Cold spells and frost risk ahead

Looking ahead, meteorologists predict that during the one-month period from December 21, 2025 to January 20, 2026, average temperatures across most of the country will remain near historical norms, with Northern and North Central Vietnam expected to be 0.5 to over 1C warmer than average.

Total rainfall is likely to be lower than normal nationwide, though widespread rain events may still occur in areas like Quang Tri to Da Nang, eastern Quang Ngai, and Gia Lai.

No storms or tropical depressions are expected to form over the East Sea during this period.

Although this winters cold air is forecast to be weaker than in previous years, authorities still warn of potential cold snaps in January 2026, including intense cold spells with the possibility of frost, freezing temperatures, and fog in high-altitude areas.

The meteorological agency emphasized that in the context of climate change, weather patterns are becoming increasingly complex and extreme-from sudden heavy rains, to flash floods, landslides, and cold spells.

Therefore, local governments and residents are urged to stay updated on short-term (13 day) forecasts, to better adapt and adjust both production plans and daily life to changing weather conditions.

Bao Anh
Illustrative photo.

Associate Prof Huynh Quyet Thang, Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), said the development of technology and AI in recent years has significantly changed many professions. However, fields that require high craftsmanship and rely less on AI and automation still maintain their stability.

HUSTs view remains consistent with core science and technology disciplines, which are indispensable for the country. The schools nearly 55 majors cover all of the nations important technology sectors, Thang said.

Instead of rushing to create new majors, the school focuses on adjusting program content to align with technological development trends and new technical requirements.

The school focuses on training engineers with interdisciplinary knowledge, such as integrating robotics with AI or fashion and textile technology with AI.

This is the best way to respond to technological changes while enabling learners to quickly apply knowledge and contribute to national development, Thang said.

He believes that concerns about certain professions disappearing in the near future are largely speculative and unfounded. Business fields do not disappear but rather change in nature and work philosophy.

A clear example is computer science. Previously, students focused mainly on programming, but now the important skill is the ability to test and verify code generated by AI. This shows that traditional fields still exist, but the competency requirements have changed.

Therefore, we must accept challenges, be ready to acquire new knowledge and skills, and use technology to keep pace with technological development, Thang said.

Associate Prof Tran Quang Tien, Director of Vietnam Womens Academy, said that instead of looking for majors immune to unemployment, learners should understand the pillar trends shaping the global labor market. These pillars are more sustainable than the names of specific majors and are the key to helping learners remain resilient amid change.

According to Tien, the first pillar is digital technology and AI. Jobs involving the ability to operate, manage, or create with technology, from data analysis and programming to operations optimization and digital content production, will continue to have high demand.

Even though automation is advancing quickly, technology still creates more new jobs than it eliminates; but workers must constantly update their skills, he said.

The second pillar concerns fields that train social and humanistic skills. These are areas where humans outperform machines, including complex thinking, caregiving and support, counseling, community engagement, social policy design, risk management, leadership, and working in multicultural environments.

Tien believes that amid technological expansion, soft skills and human understanding will become the safest zones.

The third pillar is adaptive economic, legal, and management capabilities. As cross-border trade, digital economies, and new business models flourish, those who understand economic structures, business management, and laws related to digital transactions and data protection become increasingly essential.

The ability to combine economic, legal, and technological knowledge creates a competitive advantage.

From that perspective, Tien emphasized that non-obsolete fields are those continually renewed, agile in applying technology, and grounded in human value.

In addition, whether a field becomes outdated depends on training methods and students continuous learning rather than the name of the major. If programs integrate technology, align with real-world social needs, and foster lifelong learning capability, they will be sustainable over the next decade, Tien said.

HUSTs leaders emphasized the importance of English skills in the new era. A HUST survey found that students with good English proficiency may earn salaries about 20 percent higher than others when starting their careers.

He said that each year about 7580 percent of HUST graduates seek work immediately after graduation. The rest may pursue higher education. For those entering the workforce, two important strengths of the universitys students are their ability to handle heavy workloads in high-pressure environments and their adaptability and compliance with company regulations such as labor safety and workplace culture.

He also noted two skills that students still lack and need to improve: English proficiency and confidence in their own abilities.

If students improve in these two areas, their job prospects will be very strong, he said.

According to the 2024 graduate survey, starting salaries that HUST graduates received were around VND1212.5 million per month. The highest salaries for new graduates were mostly for those working in Japan, averaging VND3942 million, with some receiving VND48 million, not including allowances.

Thuy Nga
With just over 10 days left before the transition from presumptive tax to declaration-based tax, Le Van Tuan, Director of Keytas Accounting and Tax Consulting, offered suggestions to help business households deal with inventory during the transition period.

The first step for business households is to establish clear principles for classifying goods. First, goods should be classified based on invoices and supporting documents. Accordingly, inventory is divided into two groups.

The first group consists of goods with complete invoices and documents as required by regulations. For this group, cost accounting, proving the origin of goods, and entering data into software for sales and issuance of electronic invoices can be done smoothly.

The second group includes inventory that lacks invoices or has incomplete documentation. For this group, determining reasonable costs will be more difficult, but business households are still required to issue invoices when selling the goods. When tax authorities or market management agencies inspect the origin of goods, business households must be honest in their explanations.

Second, goods should be classified based on the criteria of genuine versus counterfeit goods. In addition to genuine goods lacking invoices or documents, there is in reality a considerable amount of counterfeit, harmful, or origin-unknown goods. If not strictly controlled, there is a high risk of legitimizing the origin of such goods when issuing invoices, posing risks to consumers.

Therefore, business households need to classify goods into two groups. Genuine goods should continue to be divided into those with or without invoices and documents for normal sale in the coming period. Counterfeit or harmful goods should be handled and destroyed.

Tuan stressed that a written commitment of honesty to tax authorities or market management agencies does not carry legal value, but serves as a reminder of the responsibility of business households. In cases where genuine goods are sold without invoices or documents, this is not considered a violation.

After preparing, business households need to carry out specific steps.

First, conduct a full inventory count as of December 31, 2025. The inventory must clearly record the name of goods, unit of measurement, quantity, value, and condition, and be documented in a written record with signatures for confirmation and careful storage.

Based on the inventory record, business households need to prepare a list of goods to be entered into the software system to serve normal sales activities from 2026 onward. The inventory record serves as a basis for internal cost-of-goods tracking and for explanation when necessary.

For goods with large value, business households should use professional valuation services. Valuation results will serve as the basis for accounting records and be included as reasonable expenses.

He said that business households need to form the habit of obtaining input invoices when purchasing goods, expenses, tools, equipment, or assets for business activities. This not only helps prove the origin of goods but also benefits the determination of tax obligations based on actual profits.

The Law on Tax Administration 2019 stipulates that business households are only required to notify the bank account used for paying taxes electronically.

However, in the draft decree regulating tax declaration, calculation, withholding and payment, and the use of electronic invoices for business households and individual business operators, the Ministry of Finance proposes that business households and individual business operators must notify tax authorities of all bank accounts related to production and business activities.

The draft decree also clearly states other rights and responsibilities of business households and individual business operators, such as the obligation to self-declare fully and accurately all arising revenue to determine tax obligations in accordance with regulations.

At the same time, they are responsible for using and providing accounting books, invoices, sales management software, and related documents when requested for inspection by tax authorities.

For business activities conducted on e-commerce platforms, the draft requires resident households and individuals to declare and pay taxes such as special consumption tax, environmental protection tax, natural resources tax, environmental protection fees, and other revenues payable to the state budget that are managed and collected by tax authorities in accordance with tax and tax administration laws.

In addition, individuals and business households conducting business on e-commerce platforms must provide complete and accurate identification information, including tax identification number or personal identification number for Vietnamese citizens; passport number or identification information issued by foreign authorities for individuals who are foreign nationals.

Nguyen Le
Multiple sources suggest that Apple is planning to launch its first foldable iPhone model in fall 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.

However, while the launch announcement may stay on schedule, the actual product rollout could tell a different story.

Production challenges and delays in scaling up manufacturing could result in iPhone Fold arriving much later than originally hoped.

Limited supply expected after launch

According to leaks, Apples iPhone Fold will feature an unusually wide aspect ratio. Photo: iPhone-Ticker

In a new research note, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is behind schedule in the iPhone Folds development process.

Although the company is likely to introduce the foldable phone in the second half of 2026, shipments may be impacted due to low component yields and difficulties in ramping up mass production.

These manufacturing issues could lead to an extremely limited supply of iPhone Fold units in the initial months following release.

According to Kuo, a combination of low output and very high demand may leave the iPhone Fold in short supply until at least the end of 2027.

For a completely new and iconic product like Apples first foldable phone, this is a scenario the company is desperate to avoid.

Kuos latest assessment contrasts with previous reports, which had painted a more optimistic timeline.

Earlier sources claimed the iPhone Fold had already passed the prototype testing phase and was moving toward pre-production validation.

Leaked CAD drawings even revealed detailed dimensions of the device, fueling speculation that it was close to being finalized.

But if Kuos analysis holds true, Apple may still be facing major technical hurdles that were previously underestimated.

A unique foldable design with no visible crease

Rumors suggest that the iPhone Fold will feature a book-style design, with a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.7-inch main display on the inside.

What sets it apart is Apples ambition to eliminate the visible crease seen in most current foldables - a challenge Android competitors have yet to solve fully.

This ambitious design may also be whats complicating production. Creating a durable, ultra-flat foldable display that meets Apples high quality standards is no easy feat - especially in the early stages of mass production.

Unsurprisingly, iPhone Fold is expected to be Apples most expensive smartphone yet, with prices ranging from USD 2,000 to USD 2,500.

Fierce competition in a crowded foldables market

While Apple works through its supply chain puzzle, competitors are forging ahead.

Huawei, currently the market leader for foldables in China, recently launched the Mate X7 and plans to release the Pura X2 early next year.

Samsung is preparing for its next flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, following the success of the Z Fold 7.

Motorola is also rumored to be developing a foldable book-style phone for 2026.

Apple will be entering a competitive arena where users already have several choices - and sky-high expectations.

Any early missteps in supply or quality could erode Apples edge before the race even begins.

iPhone Fold is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2026. But if Apple cant deliver enough units to meet demand, its grand entrance could quickly become a missed opportunity.

Especially as the company continues to recover from underwhelming responses to Apple Intelligence and iPhone Air, another setback could damage its image as an innovation leader.

In this context, Apple may prioritize product stability and perfection over a rushed release. With iPhone Fold, theres simply no room for mistakes.

Hai Phong
On December 22, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a decision to appoint Le Manh Hung - Chairman of the Members Council of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (now known as the National Industrial and Energy Group) - to serve as the acting Minister of Industry and Trade.

Hung was born on October 24, 1973, in Hung Yen Province. He holds a degree in petrochemical organic technology, a PhD in petrochemical science, and has completed advanced political theory training.

Before taking on this new ministerial post, Hung held several key leadership positions at the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN), including Deputy General Director, General Director, and Chairman of the Members Council. He also held leadership roles at PVNs subsidiaries.

His appointment comes following a Politburo decision to assign Nguyen Hong Dien - Central Party Committee member and former Minister of Industry and Trade - as Deputy Party Secretary in charge of the Party Committee of the National Assembly.

As of now, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is supported by four deputy ministers: Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Phan Thi Thang, Truong Thanh Hoai, and Nguyen Hoang Long.

Tran Thuong
Strictly Come Dancing professional Jowita Przystal has shut down speculation she has quit the show.

Photo: BBC

The 31-year-old Polish dancer confused her fans when she posted a picture with her celebrity partner on this year's series, Ross King, on the dancefloor one last time for Saturday night's (20.12.25) final with the caption last dance partner on strictly floor x. (sic)"

She was then inundated with messages from her followers asking if she was leaving the BBC One Latin and ballroom contest.

The choreographer - who has been on the programme since 2021 - later clarified: So grateful for being part of the best show on tv.

And just to clarify my last post, it was about my last dance with Ross, not me leaving the show.

Hopefully far from my last dance on that dance floor. (sic)"

It would be a further blow to the show, given that departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman filmed their final live show that night.

As part of an emotional farewell for the pair, judge Craig Revel Horwood read out a letter written by Queen Camilla thanking them for being "The Greatest Strictly Couple of All".

The 78-year-old royal - who is a huge fan of the show - wrote: "Dear Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.

"Ive often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships, the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the shows success."

The letter continued: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous.

"I wish you both every success in wherever lifes journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, you promise us one thing: Keeeeeep dancing!

"With warmest gratitude and admiration Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla."

Although the final marked Tess and Claudia's last live programme on Strictly, the pair will be seen hosting the pre-recorded festive special, which will air on Christmas Day (25.12.25).
Hanoi will organize fireworks displays at five locations for New Years Eve 2026. Photo: The Dai

To welcome the New Year 2026, Hanoi is expected to organize 15-minute fireworks shows from 11:45 p.m. on December 31, 2025, to 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026, at five key locations. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City will hold displays at four sites across the city.

Hanois Peoples Committee has submitted to the Standing Committee of the City Party for approval of its plan for fireworks on both New Years Eve 2026 and the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse.

According to the proposed plan, the New Years Eve celebration will include six fireworks sites across five locations in Hanoi. These will feature a combination of high-altitude and low-altitude fireworks alongside theatrical pyrotechnics, lasting for 15 minutes starting at 11:45 p.m.

This years plan reflects a new mindset - enhancing both the scale and quality of the performances. It includes the integration of modern light show technology with traditional fireworks to create a more impactful visual experience.

Hanoi will also host a Countdown 2026 program themed Opening true connections, which will run from 7:00 p.m. to midnight on December 31 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake.

For Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026, which will fall on February 17, 2026 (Tuesday), Hanoi plans to organize fireworks at 31 locations, with a total of 32 launch sites. These will include 11 high- and low-altitude combined fireworks shows and 21 low-altitude-only displays, all taking place at midnight on Lunar New Years Eve.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the fireworks plan for New Years Eve 2026 includes three high-altitude shows and one low-altitude show. High-altitude fireworks will be launched at the Saigon River Tunnel area in An Khanh Ward, the new Binh Duong City Center, and Tam Thang Square in Vung Tau Ward. A low-altitude show is planned at Dam Sen Cultural Park in Binh Thoi Ward. All shows will begin at midnight on January 1, 2026, and last for 15 minutes, with funding entirely sourced from private contributions.

Dinh Hieu
Some scientists never stand on award stages.

They appear as humble individuals, bearing physical pain, mental pressure, and years of uncertainty - all for one pursuit: knowledge that truly benefits their nation.

In every countrys history of development, science is measured not just by the number of published papers or prizes won, but by the individuals who quietly dedicate their entire lives to the hardest, most enduring path, creating tangible value for society.

This was the storytelling approach of Reflected Light, a program aired on December 21, 2025, produced by Vietnam Television in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Rather than glorify fame or metrics, it focused on journeys. It celebrated determination over decoration.

In that light, the featured scientists emerged not as icons of success, but as steadfast souls - people who gave up comfort and certainty, choosing instead the painful road of building scientific knowledge for their homeland.

Choosing the hardest road to put Vietnamese rice on the world map

Engineer and Labor Hero Ho Quang Cua.

For more than 40 years, Ho Quang Cua devoted his life to rice cultivation. He chose not the safer path of a lab or research institute, but started from the bottom - by his own admission, as an amateur - at a time when Vietnam felt deeply inferior to rice powerhouses like Thailand.

He chose the hardest road: to develop a rice variety that could fairly compete on the global market.

Without a strong starting point or major institutional backing, Cua and his team advanced slowly and patiently, improving generation after generation of rice - learning by doing, step by step, over two decades.

Even now, as degenerative spine disease prevents him from standing upright, he refuses to leave his chosen path. What has kept him going, he says, is not fame or awards, but his responsibility to farmers and his dream of seeing Vietnamese rice respected on the global stage.

He drew inspiration from Professor Luong Dinh Cua and learned how to create rice varieties with regional identity from north to south. From Thailand, he studied how to build brand value and protect intellectual property to survive global competition. None of this came from books - it came from the brutal realities of the international marketplace.

The turning point came when his ST25 rice was recognized globally. From think rice, think Thailand, the world began to associate high-quality rice with Vietnam. For Ho Quang Cua, this wasnt just a product breakthrough - it was the realization of a dream that had stretched over decades for millions of Vietnamese farmers.

Strikingly, most of his breakthroughs came after retirement. It wasnt until he was 66, 67, and then 72 years old that he was formally recognized internationally, including by the FAO. Success came late, but as he says, when the path is right and perseverance is strong, no effort is ever wasted.

A lighthouse lit by the tears of children

Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem understands well the harsh reality behind scientific glory in biomedicine.

While engineer Ho Quang Cuas journey was rooted in rice fields, Professor Nguyen Thanh Liems began in hospital wards - where he confronted the suffering of sick children and their families.

As the pioneer of pediatric endoscopic surgery in Vietnam and one of the worlds top 2% most influential scientists, Nguyen Thanh Liem understands the brutal distance between scientific glory and the harsh realities of biomedical research.

He points out that society often sees only the final result of success - rarely the storms that preceded it.

His biggest challenge came when researching cell therapy for children with cerebral palsy and autism - a highly sensitive, controversial, and risky field. Alongside technical difficulties, he faced intense backlash, particularly online. The criticism and suspicion led to sleepless nights, and at times, he questioned whether he should give up.

But what kept him going, he said, wasnt scientific ambition - it was the look in the eyes of disabled children, and the cries of parents begging: Please save my child. Those images became his lighthouse, pushing him to risk personal safety and continue the research.

After 11 years, his work began to show results. Some children once completely unresponsive were now able to attend school. Others progressed slowly, but a single word - Mom - spoken after years of silence could bring families to tears.

To him, science may not always produce miracles, but it gives hope. And that hope alone is enough to keep people moving forward.

When science enters the marketplace and becomes national strength

Huy Pham, high-tech engineer and entrepreneur, founder and CTO of Gremsy.

What set Reflected Light apart was its portrayal of not just past pioneers, but also a new generation - those extending the value chain of science into practical markets, turning knowledge into competitiveness.

One such figure is Associate Professor Nguyen Minh Tan, known for her applied agricultural research. She represents a generation of scientists bringing lab results into real production - improving agricultural value and creating sustainable livelihoods.

With her Jeva technology in smart agricultural processing, Minh Tan helped preserve the flavor and quality of fruits and vegetables to meet export standards - significantly increasing economic value. She sees her research into Vietnams fruit map not just as science, but as a promise - a reminder of a scientists responsibility to society.

There are still many localities, many farmers desperately seeking safe, effective agricultural processing solutions, she said. Her greatest aspiration is to integrate green technology into agriculture - so that Vietnams produce can reach the world while preserving its unique flavor and quality.

Beyond her research, she also focuses on training the next generation of engineers. She believes that the youth - better educated and more globally minded - will surpass the current generation in advancing sustainable development.

Also featured in the program was Huy Pham, a high-tech engineer and entrepreneur, founder and CTO of Gremsy. He represents the Vietnamese tech generation mastering core UAV technology, with gimbal and payload products now recognized in global markets.

Phams journey wasnt easy. He left a U.S. company in 2011 to start Gremsy with just a few engineers in a small lab. By the end of 2013, the company shipped its first product to the U.S., making a dream come true: high-tech products Make in Vietnam reaching global markets.

At times, fierce competition from Chinese firms brought Gremsy to the brink of collapse. Financial pressure collided with his creative passion. He recalled a saying: Be passionate, be foolish. And over time, that passion bore fruit.

I want to build a tech unicorn by 2030, he said. And I want to tell young people: when you hold fast to your will, that will becomes your lighthouse - guiding you to compete on the global stage.

Phams story reflects a new face of Vietnamese science - when knowledge evolves into products, brands, and national competitiveness.

From rice to medicine to technology, science becomes duty

From grains of rice to hospital wards to cutting-edge factories, each lighthouse profiled in this program shared one trait: treating science as a national duty. Their journeys were long and lonely, but their unwavering commitment brought lasting value to Vietnam.

As Vietnam puts science, technology, and innovation at the heart of its national development strategy, their stories serve not only as inspiration - but as a reminder: when nurtured with perseverance and a spirit of service, knowledge will always find its path, no matter how unpaved that road may be.

Thai Khang
A woman from Thanh Hoa Province who had been declared dead for five years stunned officials when she reappeared at the Quang Trung Ward Peoples Committee earlier this week, asking to revoke her death certificate - revealing a sophisticated insurance fraud scheme.

Thu and her mother, Mrs. Thap, plotted the fake death to collect insurance payouts. Photo: CACC

According to Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, on December 17, 2025, authorities in Quang Trung Ward received a report from a woman identifying herself as Nguyen Thi Thu (born 1984, resident of Group 3, Phu Son). She requested to annul her death registration. However, records showed that a person with the same name and address had been officially declared dead five years earlier, raising serious suspicions.

Initial investigations confirmed that the woman requesting the reversal was indeed the person who had been issued a death certificate. Police immediately transferred the case to the Provincial Criminal Investigation Division for further legal action.

Investigators discovered that in 2017, after divorcing her husband, Nguyen Thi Thu returned to live with her mother, Tran Thi Thap (born 1955), in Quang Trung Ward. During this period, Thu worked in the southern provinces and purchased four life insurance policies.

In 2020, after being diagnosed with cancer and experiencing constant arguments with her mother, Thu devised a plan to fake her death in order to collect insurance payouts.

Together with her mother, she orchestrated an elaborate ruse. They even hired a local shaman from Hoat Giang Commune to help stage a fake funeral. The shaman has since passed away in 2022.

On the morning of June 7, 2020, Thu staged a death scene at home. Her family then informed local authorities and relatives that she had died suddenly and requested assistance in organizing a burial.

The funeral was carried out quickly and discreetly. Only Thu, her mother, and the hired funeral assistant were aware that it was all a setup.

A fake grave was constructed to complete the illusion. Photo: CACC

Late that night, Thu left home and stayed temporarily with the person who had helped conduct the funeral before relocating to Dong Nai Province for work. With the plan flawlessly executed, even local officials and extended family were convinced. A full funeral was held for someone presumed dead.

On June 8, 2020 - the day after the staged death - Mrs. Thap went to the Phu Son Ward office to register her daughters death, citing "sudden death" as the cause. She also contacted various insurance companies to file claims.

A search of Mrs. Thaps residence revealed numerous payment notices from insurers, showing that she had collected close to 1.3 billion VND - equivalent to nearly USD 53,000 - in payouts.

During police questioning, Nguyen Thi Thu admitted to faking her death due to fears that her illness might prevent insurance eligibility. She claimed she wanted to ensure her mother would be financially cared for.

Authorities have now initiated criminal proceedings. Both Nguyen Thi Thu and her mother, Tran Thi Thap, are being held for investigation on charges of insurance fraud, in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Le Duong
Da Nang is one of two cities selected to host Vietnams international financial centers. Photo: Dieu Thuy

The Vietnamese government has officially issued Decree No. 329/2025/ND-CP, setting forth detailed regulations on banking operations, foreign exchange management, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism financing, and the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, all within the framework of the countrys international financial centers.

One of the key provisions limits the purchase and sale of foreign currency-denominated bonds issued overseas by 100% domestically owned commercial banks to no more than 7% of their equity capital.

Core principles of foreign exchange management

The new decree mandates that members, foreign investors, and all related parties involved in remittance transactions - as referenced in Clause 1(a) and Clause 3, Article 84 - must clearly state the purpose of each transaction. This requirement ensures that member banks providing account services can reconcile, verify, store transaction records, and process transfers in compliance with the law.

Member banks are required to review and maintain appropriate documentation for each transaction to ensure compliance and proper purpose alignment. These banks must also establish internal procedures and take full responsibility for developing risk management and operational guidelines related to foreign exchange activities.

Foreign investors are required to transfer funds via their designated capital accounts held at member banks when conducting investment transactions into the financial centers. Likewise, repatriation of capital, profits, and legally earned income from the centers must follow this same route.

For transactions involving investments from the international financial center into other parts of Vietnam, transfers must also be processed via these accounts, as per legal regulations governing such inward investment flows.

Any enterprise member must comply with regulations applicable to foreign investors, as guided by the State Bank of Vietnam, particularly in cases involving direct or indirect foreign investment into Vietnam.

For outbound direct investment from the financial centers, if the investing entity is not 100% foreign-owned, it must register its foreign exchange transaction with the governing authority in its respective city prior to any fund transfers.

Changes in investment-related forex transactions must also be registered with the city-level authority whenever there is a material update.

Repatriation of investment capital, profits, and other legitimate income from abroad to the financial center must also be conducted through registered accounts.

For outbound indirect investment, entities not entirely foreign-owned must route transactions through accounts designated under Clause 1(a), Article 84 of the decree.

Cap on foreign currency bond trading abroad

Under Article 96, foreign-owned commercial banks and foreign bank branches that are members of the financial centers must comply with reporting obligations to city authorities, follow the account usage rules in Clause 2, Article 84, and adhere to the reporting format stipulated in Article 98.

Domestic commercial banks seeking to buy or sell foreign currency-denominated bonds abroad must meet the following conditions to obtain certification from local authorities:

They must have posted profits for three consecutive years prior to the application year, with these results confirmed by independently audited financial statements without any exceptions.

They must have fulfilled all financial obligations to the state under current tax laws (except in their first year of operation).

They must comply with safety ratios and operational limits as detailed in Chapter V of the decree.

Only after meeting these conditions and securing authorization can domestic banks trade foreign currency bonds abroad. Even then, these transactions must not exceed 7% of their equity capital.

Banks must independently balance their capital sources to engage in such transactions while fully adhering to safety requirements under the decree.

Additionally, all foreign currency-denominated bonds purchased or sold abroad must carry credit ratings from internationally recognized agencies, specifically Standard & Poors, Moodys, or Fitch Ratings.

PV
PM Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged that the journey toward the centers establishment had been long, cautious, and full of debate - but also marked by determination and bold reform-oriented thinking by the Party and State.

A newly issued legal framework is expected to remove long-standing bottlenecks, introducing controlled capital flow liberalization, a regulatory sandbox for new technologies, preferential tax regimes, special visa policies for talent, and efficient logistics for goods circulation.

Avoiding the trap of merely replicating existing models, Vietnam has chosen a distinctive one center, two destinations approach, guided by the philosophy of building a smart, digital, and green financial hub.

This dual-city model allows Vietnam to leverage the unique advantages of each location.

Ho Chi Minh City is positioned as the core hub, focusing on capital markets, including stock exchanges, bonds, banking, asset management, and listings. It will serve as the engine connecting global capital flows directly with enterprises.

Meanwhile, Da Nang is designated as a specialized financial center, concentrating on fintech, wealth management, and green finance - acting as a laboratory for future financial models.

Vietnam does not intend to compete head-on with other global or regional financial hubs. Rather, this model is designed to serve the country's own needs for sustainable growth while tapping into distinct competitive advantages and learning from international best practices.

Vietnam, once known mainly as a manufacturing hub, is now positioning itself as a key link in the global financial security chain and value ecosystem. We will shift from being a capital user to a player in managing, directing, and regulating both domestic and foreign capital flows, said the Prime Minister.

The center is expected to unlock vast financial resources, creating an efficient, large-scale, low-cost funding channel for strategic infrastructure development - without increasing public debt ceilings. It will also serve as a launchpad for Vietnamese enterprises to expand globally.

To ensure the centers success, the Prime Minister urged ministries, agencies, and local governments - particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang - to reform administrative thinking, transitioning from control to facilitation and service. He called for an end to outdated ask-give mindsets and bureaucratic red tape.

All investor issues must be resolved swiftly through an on-site one-stop-shop system with sufficient authority, and escalated directly to the Prime Minister if needed.

He also called on these cities to develop international-standard ecosystems for healthcare, education, insurance, culture, and sports, so that foreign experts and investors can settle and thrive in Vietnam.

To the business community and investors, the Prime Minister sent a powerful message: Dont think of yourselves as small, nor make yourselves small in front of giants. Stand on the shoulders of giants to become giants yourselves. Dont be complacent in success or pessimistic in challenge. Use every opportunity to learn, grow, and expand. This financial center is your springboard to the region and the world.

Tran Thuong
Vietnams tourism industry marked a triumphant year in 2025, setting new records and earning widespread recognition in some of the worlds most prestigious travel and culinary rankings.

20 millionth international visitor welcomed - a historic milestone

On December 15, Vietnam officially welcomed its 20 millionth international visitor of the year - a first in the 65-year history of the countrys tourism industry.

With an estimated annual growth rate of 21%, Vietnam was recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) as one of the fastest-growing travel markets globally. This is especially notable considering that global tourism in 2025 only averaged a 5% increase, with the Asia-Pacific region at 8%, and worldwide recovery reaching just 90% of pre-pandemic levels.

16 global awards at the 2025 World Travel Awards

International tourists enjoying a farm experience in Ninh Binh.

Vietnam made a stunning impact at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) - often referred to as the Oscars of the travel industry - by securing 16 top-tier global honors.

Among the highlights, Vietnam was named Worlds Leading Heritage Destination for the sixth time. Individual locations also earned accolades: the Dong Van Karst Plateau as Worlds Leading Local Cultural Destination 2025; Moc Chau won Worlds Leading Local Nature Destination for the third time; Tam Dao claimed Worlds Leading Town Destination for the fourth time; and Phu Quoc retained its title as Worlds Leading Nature Island Destination for the fourth year running.

Phu Quoc also swept several other global awards, including Worlds Leading Iconic Tourism Bridge for the Kiss Bridge, Worlds Leading Beach 2025 for Bai Kem, and Worlds Leading Iconic Scenic Spot for Sunset Town.

In the hospitality and resort sector, Vietnam earned multiple prestigious distinctions such as Worlds Leading Green Resort 2025 and Worlds Leading Luxury Wedding Resort 2025.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, these global accolades not only affirm the countrys position on the global travel map but also highlight the sectors dynamic progress amid intensifying global competition.

Earlier, at the WTA Asia-Pacific Awards in October, Vietnam was named Asias Leading Destination for the seventh time and Asias Leading Heritage Destination for the third time.

Two Vietnamese villages honored as Best Tourism Villages 2025

At Quynh Son Community Tourism Village.

On October 17, in Zhejiang, China, the United Nations World Tourism Organization announced the Best Tourism Villages 2025 awards. Among the winners were Lo Lo Chai Cultural Tourism Village in Lung Cu (Tuyen Quang Province) and Quynh Son Community Tourism Village in Bac Son (Lang Son Province).

Selected from more than 270 entries across 65 countries, the recognition reflects the exceptional cultural and natural values of these destinations and their commitment to sustainable tourism development.

To date, Vietnam has five villages recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Tan Hoa (Quang Binh), Thai Hai (Thai Nguyen), Tra Que Herb Village (Da Nang), Lo Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang), and Quynh Son (Lang Son).

Vietnamese cuisine gains global acclaim

Vietnamese cuisine gains global acclaim in international rankings.

Vietnam ranked 4th in the 2025 list of the worlds top culinary destinations, as voted by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller. With a score of 96.67%, Vietnam placed just behind Thailand (98.33%), Italy (96.92%), and Japan (96.77%).

At the 6th World Culinary Awards, Vietnam was named Asias Leading Culinary Destination 2025, while Hanoi received the title of Asias Leading Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025.

In December, TasteAtlas ranked Vietnamese cuisine 16th globally - three places higher than the previous year. Dishes like pho, banh mi, banh xeo, cha gio, bun bo Hue, bun cha, and com tam were highlighted as must-try foods for visitors.

The global popularity of Vietnamese cuisine also helped secure Vietnam a spot on Time Out magazines list of Top 20 Winter Destinations Worldwide 2025-2026, under the category Best for food.

Linh Trang
The ASEAN Special Foreign Ministers Meeting on the ongoing situation between Cambodia and Thailand was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. On behalf of Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang led the Vietnamese delegation at the event.

ASEAN foreign ministers voiced serious concerns over the prolonged tensions that have caused civilian casualties, material damage, and infrastructure losses-severely affecting local communities and posing a significant threat to peace, security, and stability across the region.

Participants in the ASEAN Special Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the situation between Cambodia and Thailand. Source: ASEAN Secretariat

The ministers emphasized the urgent need for both countries to exercise maximum restraint, take immediate steps to end the conflict, enforce a ceasefire, and create conditions for citizens to return to normal life.

They reaffirmed their support for ASEANs central role, especially the leadership and coordination by the ASEAN Chair, in narrowing differences, building trust, and creating a favorable platform for dialogue.

The ministers also encouraged Cambodia and Thailand to continue utilizing bilateral mechanisms while taking full advantage of the mediation efforts by the ASEAN Chair and the support of ASEAN member states and partners to pursue a long-term peaceful solution in accordance with international law.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed Vietnams support for Malaysias active, consistent, and effective leadership as ASEAN Chair.

He conveyed Vietnams deep concern over the current situation and its detrimental impact not only on CambodiaThailand relations and their people, but also on ASEANs unity, centrality, and credibility.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of fostering ASEAN solidarity, collective action, and shared responsibility in matters of regional peace and security.

Vietnam welcomed the goodwill gestures from both Cambodia and Thailand as reflected in prior agreements, including the 28 July accord, the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement on 26 October, the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), and new ceasefire proposals presented at the meeting.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang leads the Vietnamese delegation at the meeting. Source: ASEAN Secretariat

He emphasized that Vietnam urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from the use of force, fully implement their commitments, and resolve disputes peacefully in line with international law, the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Vietnam hopes that both sides will soon reach a ceasefire agreement.

Vietnam stands ready to actively support and closely coordinate with ASEAN member states to promote appropriate initiatives and approaches, including utilizing ASEANs existing mediation and reconciliation mechanisms to help Cambodia and Thailand restore peace and stability in their relations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Malaysia, on behalf of ASEAN, issued a Chairmans Statement summarizing the discussions. The statement acknowledged that Cambodia and Thailand had resumed ceasefire talks and would convene a Joint Border Committee meeting on December 24 to discuss specific issues.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang also held separate talks with foreign ministers from several ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General. These partners commended Vietnams constructive role, diplomatic efforts, and valuable contributions to fostering dialogue and easing tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

Deputy Minister Giang reaffirmed Vietnams readiness to serve as a bridge to support the parties involved in advancing dialogue and resolving the conflict in a spirit of cooperation.

Tran Thuong
Portuguese director Miguel Gomes, winner of the Best Director award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for Grand Tour, was brought to tears by a haunting a cappella performance of the Vietnamese folk song Da co hoai lang by artist Linh Huyen.

Director Miguel Gomes. Photo: ABC

In an interview with In Review Online, Gomes recounted the extraordinary moment during the final week of filming in Vietnam when the unexpected song changed the very ending of his film.

While preparing to wrap up Grand Tour, a Vietnamese woman approached him during lunch and said, I have a song. Its a tragic love ballad written in 1918.

Initially dismissive, Gomes joked with his crew, You guys are crazy. Im finishing this film. I dont have time for new songs.

But his colleagues insisted. Reluctantly sacrificing his lunch break, Gomes listened as the woman - Linh Huyen - began to sing. Unaccompanied, her voice carried the mournful melody of Da co hoai lang, a song that embodies longing and separation.

Ten seconds in, I was crying, Gomes recalled. I knew immediately this was the ending. Not the literal last scene, but the moment just before Mollys death. It was perfect.

The experience, he said, taught him an important lesson: Sometimes, luck presents itself through music. Even in your final days on set, you have to be ready to listen.

Linh Huyen and director Miguel Gomes on set. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

In an interview with VietNamNet, Linh Huyen explained how she came to sing in the film.

Initially, she auditioned for a minor role as an Asian woman in a puppet show scene. The assistant director noticed on her resume that she was a Vietnamese traditional stage performer and mentioned that Gomes was looking for culturally specific music from the Vietnam setting, circa 1917.

In the film, as the character Molly recalls her travels across Asia, her memories of Vietnam include a domestic worker humming a song while doing chores.

Linh Huyen suggested Da co hoai lang, a foundational song in the Vietnamese vong co tradition. Instead of appearing as a background extra, she was invited to the set to record the folk song.

After her impromptu performance, Miguel Gomes embraced her and said she had made him cry. Huyen responded: It wasnt me - it was the soul of my people that moved you.

For Linh Huyen, contributing to Grand Tour was not only an artistic honor - it fulfilled a lifelong mission: to share traditional Vietnamese music with global audiences.

A song that shaped an award-winning film

Grand Tour, directed by Miguel Gomes, won Best Director at Cannes 2024 and continued its winning streak across international film festivals. It earned the Silver Hugo for Best Direction and Best Editing at the Chicago International Film Festival, the Jose Salcedo Award for Best Editing at Valladolid, and took home Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Editing at Portugals Premios Sophia. It also won the Grande Otelo Award for Best Ibero-American Film from the Brazilian Film Academy.

The film was selected as Portugals official submission for Best International Feature at the Oscars.

Set in the early 20th century, Grand Tour follows Edward, a British colonial officer in Asia, who flees just before his wedding. His fiancee, Molly, refuses to accept his disappearance and sets out to find him - resulting in a poetic chase that spans Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and beyond.

Through two parallel journeys - Edwards flight and Mollys pursuit - the film weaves a tale of longing, loss, and memory, much like the mournful refrain of Da co hoai lang.

Gia Bao
Buildings like HH Linh Dam were approved for fire safety more than a decade ago under standards designed for internal combustion vehicles. Traditional Spinkler fire-fighting systems can extinguish gasoline vehicle fires, but for electric vehicles, they only provide temporary cooling. The fear of the management board is understandable, even though their ban faces legal objections.

Singapore, with a population density and condominium model very similar to Hanoi and HCMC, does not ban EVs in basements. Instead, it issued the extremely stringent TR 25 Standard. Any charging station to be installed must have an emergency disconnect switch located within 15 meters. The logic is pragmatic: when a fire occurs, the first thing firefighters need to do is cut off all power to safely access the scene.

In the case of HH Linh Dam, the Hoang Liet Ward People's Committee said the law does not prohibit EVs.

It is true that current laws dont prohibit EVs, but no agency specifies what buildings and EV owners have to do to ensure safety.

The National Technical Regulation QCVN 06:2022/BXD and the Circular issuing Amendment 1:2023 QCVN 06:2022/BXD, the National Technical Regulation on fire safety for houses and constructions currently do not have a separate chapter detailing regulations on EV charging stations in underground basements.

Vietnam also lacks specific regulations on safe distance between charging vehicles, and mandatory requirements for fire-resistant load-bearing partitions between charging compartments, and especially, regulations on insurance liability.

This gap has forced condominium management board to play safe by prohibiting EVs. They fear criminal responsibility if a fire occurs more than they fear an administrative fine for illegal prohibition. This is a reality that authorities need to acknowledge: when the law lacks specific guidance, people will create their own "customs" to protect themselves.

Solutions

To solve the problem, Vietnam needs a clear policy roadmap, based on international experience but suitable for its infrastructure, which has not been modernized over many years.

First, it is necessary to clarify that for old condominiums like HH Linh Dam, a complete ban is unconstitutional and runs against the trend. The solution is to establish a "Safety Buffer Zone." Building management boards should plan electric vehicle charging areas near basement exits or near forced ventilation locations, keeping them far from gasoline vehicles.

In this area, mandatory specialized firefighting equipment, such as fire blankets, an inexpensive yet highly effective solution widely adopted by Malaysia and South Korea to isolate initial fires, must be added.

Second, fill the legal gap. The Ministry of Construction needs to urgently issue supplementary technical standards for indoor charging stations. Instead of waiting for overly sophisticated research, appropriate agencies can immediately refer to the US NFPA 88A standard or Singapore's TR 25, which require the installation of emergency power disconnect systems, increased density of sprinkler nozzles in charging areas, and mandatory fire-resistant partitions to prevent fire spread.

With technical standards, management boards will have grounds to require residents to comply or refuse non-standard vehicles, instead of banning everything.

Third, solve the problem of "Whose responsibility is it?" One of the biggest fears of residents is that a fire will burn down the entire building and no one will be held accountable. Learning from the US and Brazil, Vietnam needs to legalize liability insurance.

EV owners wishing to charge in the condominium basement should be required to purchase an extended civil liability insurance package, where the beneficiaries include the building management board. This shifts financial risk from the community to insurance companies, reducing the psychological burden on residents.

Fourth, high technology can cure fear. It is advisable to use monitoring technology. Instead of costly patrol personnel, condominiums should invest in AI thermal camera systems. This technology is no longer overly expensive, allowing for the detection of hot spots on the vehicle battery dozens of minutes before ignition, providing enough time for intervention. Residents should also share this cost with the condominium management board since safety benefits everyone.

Banning EVs from basements is a step backward for civilization. But to open the basement doors to EVs, it is impossible to rely solely on slogans or administrative orders. The involvement of the entire system to upgrade infrastructure, issue technical standards, and ensure fairness in insurance is needed.

Hoang Hiep
ITV bosses have slapped episodes of Trigger Point with an alert to viewers.

Vicky McCulure stars in Trigger Point

The broadcaster's streaming platform, ITVX - of which series two of the show was streamed 30 million times on - has warned that the award-winning crime thriller series is "high tension.

Also, it has informed people that multiple episodes of the drama - which follows Metropolitan Police bomb squad Lana Washington (Vicky McClure) and her team of bomb disposal officers, known as EXPOs, risk their lives to protect London - have "themes of peril" and "threats".

Guidance states: "Graphic scenes of injury and death. Frequent strong language."

The 2022 series one finale - which focuses on a bomb plot - has an alert for terrorist danger.

Reacting to the trigger warnings on the episodes, Lord Toby Young, 62, of the Free Speech Union, told The Sun: "Talk about stating the bleedin obvious. Its not called Trigger the Wonder Horse, is it?"

In June, it was confirmed that the successful bomb squad drama - executive produced by Jed Mercurio - has been recommissioned for a fourth series.

And Vicky - who filmed the upcoming season of Trigger Point over the summer - "cannot wait" to see what is in store for her character when the show returns in 2026.

She said: "Were all buzzing ITV have such faith in this series to commission a fourth before the third has even aired.

"I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show, and I cannot wait to continue Lanas journey on Trigger Point.

Earlier this year, Trigger Point - which won the National Television Award for Most Popular New Drama in 2021 - got the royal seal of approval from Queen Camilla.

She visited the set of the show, accompanied by Jed, 59, and Dame Carolyn McCall, 64, the chief executive of ITV, as part of the celebrations for ITV's 70th year.

Queen Camilla, 72, tried being a camera assistant, taking charge of the clapperboard before she watched a scene being shot on location.

Vicky, 42, asked the royal - who was surprised at the 30lb weight of the bomb disposal suit worn by the actress - if she likes Trigger Point.

Queen Camilla replied: "I have watched it. I'm just getting through the first (series), so I've got a bit more. It's really good."
Signed on December 19, the package targets women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and includes $100 million from ADBs ordinary capital resources, $20 million from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA), a $50 million syndicated parallel loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and an $80 million syndicated commercial parallel loan from Cathay United Bank, CTBC Bank Singapore Branch, and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, with ADB acting as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner to mobilise private capital into the SME sector.

This transaction represents an important milestone in ADBs partnership with BIDV and in encouraging climate-smart, inclusive growth in Vietnams agriculture sector, said ADB country director for Vietnam Shantanu Chakraborty. By blending commercial and concessional capital and providing technical assistance, this project will help strengthen BIDVs capacity for farmers and agribusinesses, especially women entrepreneurs, while supporting Vietnams transition towards a green and resilient economy.

Agriculture plays a vital role in Vietnams economy, employing about 45 per cent of the labour force. However, the sector faces challenges from fragmented production, limited technology adoption, and increasing climate risks. As Vietnam pursues its goal of becoming a top 15 global agricultural exporter by 2030, substantial investment  estimated at nearly $100 billion will be needed to enhance climate resilience, reduce emissions, and maintain competitiveness.

The facility will provide sub-loans to agribusinesses engaged in sustainable agricultural production, climate adaptation, and resource efficiency. It will also help BIDV develop new financial products that utilise green and inclusive lending, enhance credit assessment for agriculture, and expand access to finance for WSMEs in rural areas.

This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing Vietnams development goals, said BIDV executive vice president Pham Vu Thien Nga. "Through the medium- and long-Term facilities with ADB, JICA and the commercial lenders, and together with concessional funding from CANPA, BIDV will strengthen its support for customers in developing sustainable agricultural models and expand access to finance for women and business owners in rural areas, thereby contributing to inclusive and resilient economic growth of Vietnams economy."

The financing is accompanied by technical assistance that will strengthen BIDVs capacity in environmental and risk management. It will enhance the skills of BIDV staff and clients  including female-run SMEs  to identify and capitalise on sustainable agriculture investment opportunities, and raise awareness of sustainable agriculture finance.

Through the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative grant, the scheme will support the development of gender-responsive financial products, implementation of a sex-disaggregated management information system, and a gender assessment of BIDVs corporate policies and services.

Established in 2024, CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB, supported by a commitment of Can$360 million (approximately $261 million) from the government of Canada. The fund builds on the success of the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia II and its predecessor CFPS. CANPA supports private-sector projects in Asia-Pacific that focus on climate and nature-based solutions, while also promoting gender equality.

Founded in 1957, BIDV is the largest bank in Vietnam in terms of total assets and is listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, with multiple subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint ventures. In 2019, KEB Hana Bank acquired a 15 per cent strategic stake in BIDV.

Swedfund invests in MSME growth and climate action in Vietnam Swedfund announced on December 18 an investment in Vietnamese EVF General Finance JSC (EVF) through a loan of up to $20 million.

SeABank secures $80m from Proparco and FMO for inclusive, green growth SeABank has received $80 million in funding from Proparco and FMO to expand support for SMEs, women-led businesses, and green finance initiatives.
Photo: VGP

The names of the first 10 members, including a bank, were disclosed during the government-organised conference announcing the establishment of the IFC on December 21.

The first members named are Makara Capital Vietnam Holdings One Member Co., Ltd.; APEX; Vietnam IFC Services Co., Ltd; Bybit Technology Vietnam Co., Ltd; DTC Pay Vietnam JSC; Valverde Investment Partners Pte. Ltd.; 9Pay One Member Co., Ltd; Danang Fintech Lab Co., Ltd; Siglaw IFC One Member Co., Ltd; Verichains Solutions JSC; and Vietcombank, the state-owned lender.

Danang Peoples Committee said the city received 70 letters of interest from organisations seeking IFC membership, underlining the models appeal amid Vietnams push to develop its financial sector.

In addition, the city signed more than 20 memorandums of understanding across areas including training, consulting, communications, ecosystem development, and investment promotion. Partners include Binance, Tether, Bybit, Abu Dhabi Global Market, DTCpay, APEX Group, and Frankfurt Main Finance, among others.

Under the plan, the Ho Chi Minh City hub in the Thu Thiem area will serve as a large-scale financial gateway, focusing on equities, bonds, banking, fund management, and listing services, while connecting global capital flows with Vietnamese enterprises.

Meanwhile, Danang will be developed as a niche financial centre, leveraging its living environment and tourism infrastructure to focus on fintech, wealth management, and green finance, and serving as a testing ground for future financial models.

Investor confidence key to attracting capital The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank (WB) have praised Vietnam's growth prospects and the growing confidence of investors following numerous positive reforms.

Vietnam Future Economy Summit to outline strategies for sustainable growth A conference is on the horizon to explore strategies for Vietnam to sustain high growth and achieve sustainable development amid global uncertainties.

Vietnam urged to elevate standards to advance IFC ambitions Vietnam is well-positioned to develop an International Financial Centre (IFC), supported by its fast-growing economy, youthful talent pool, and strong manufacturing base. However, experts note that significant legal, regulatory, and administrative reforms are still needed to turn this potential into reality.

Ho Chi Minh City taps Ant International to strengthen fintech and IFC ambitions Singapore online finance firm Ant International is boosting support for Ho Chi Minh Citys bid to become an international financial centre, focusing on digital innovation and talent development.
The move was unveiled at a conference chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 21, where the Ministry of Finance (MoF) declared the IFC a strategic institutional initiative aimed at mobilising resources, accelerating economic restructuring, and lifting productivity, efficiency, and national competitiveness.

"The government reaffirms its commitment to building a stable, transparent, safe and investor-friendly financial environment. Vietnam stands ready to accompany, cooperate and share development opportunities," the MoF stated in the press release.

At the event, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang announced the Decision to establish the Governing Council of the IFC. The chair of the council is Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh.

The vice chairs of the Governing Council include ministers, heads of agencies, and leaders of local authorities, namely: Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang; Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong; Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Duoc; and Chairman of the Danang Peoples Committee Pham Duc An.

Members of the council include Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Tinh; Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Manh Khuong; Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan; and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep.

The IFC in Vietnam was established pursuant to a National Assembly Resolution dated 27 June. On 18 December, the government issued Decree No.323/2025/ND-CP on the establishment of the IFC in Vietnam.

The IFC operates under a one centre, two destinations model, located in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. Ho Chi Minh City will serve as a large-scale financial hub, with a strong focus on capital markets, including equities, bonds, banking, fund management and listing services. Danang will concentrate on financial services linked to logistics, maritime activities, free trade and industrial-agricultural supply chains. The planned area of the IFC is 899 ha in Ho Chi Minh City and 300 ha in Danang.

According to the governments decree, the operating regulations of the IFC are approved by the Governing Council and applied uniformly across both locations. All standards, regulations, procedures, operational rules, professional forms and licensing criteria are likewise applied simultaneously at both sites.

The Governing Council is tasked with conducting a preliminary review, evaluating operations and reporting to the government on the performance of the IFC. Where necessary, restructuring plans may be proposed towards a more streamlined and unified model, subject to safety and efficiency conditions and ensuring uninterrupted operations at both locations.

In parallel, the peoples committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Danang will update and integrate relevant provisions into regional and urban planning to ensure sufficient land allocation for the establishment and operation of the IFC within their jurisdictions.

KPMG Vietnam and ACCA partner to support development of IFC KPMG in Vietnam and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants have joined forces to support the development of Vietnams international financial centre.

Vietnam urged to elevate standards to advance IFC ambitions Vietnam is well-positioned to develop an International Financial Centre (IFC), supported by its fast-growing economy, youthful talent pool, and strong manufacturing base. However, experts note that significant legal, regulatory, and administrative reforms are still needed to turn this potential into reality.
American rapper Wiz Khalifa, 38, has been sentenced in absentia to nine months in prison by a Romanian court for smoking marijuana on stage during a festival last year.

The ruling, issued Thursday, December 18, follows an appeal by the Romanian authorities after an initial lighter punishment.

Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was arrested in July 2024 during the Beach Please! Festival in Costinesti for allegedly smoking cannabis while performing. He was found with over 18 grams of marijuana in his possession.

Romanian police confirmed at the time that he faced charges of "illegal possession of high-risk drugs for personal use."

Khalifa was quickly released, later apologizing on social media for any disrespect caused to the country.

The Constanta Tribunal fined Khalifa 3,000 lei (about $690), RollingStone reported.

However, Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) appealed the decision, seeking a stricter penalty.

The Constanta Court of Appeal ultimately sentenced the rapper to nine months in prison.

According to Romanian law, the decision is final, though it remains unclear whether authorities will attempt to extradite Khalifa from the United States. At present, there appears to be little risk that he will serve the sentence.

Wiz Khalifa Sentenced to Nine Months in Prison for Smoking Cannabis on Stage in Romania pic.twitter.com/2BowsVa0wJ  Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) December 18, 2025

Wiz Khalifa Apologizes for Smoking

Despite his legal troubles abroad, Khalifa has remained active in the US, appearing at Gunna's concert in Los Angeles and streaming on Twitch, where he was seen smoking marijuana on December 17.

Representatives for the rapper have not immediately responded to requests for comment, and DIICOT also did not provide a statement.

Romania maintains strict cannabis laws, prohibiting both recreational and medical use.

Possession of illegal drugs can result in fines or prison sentences ranging from three months to two years, depending on the quantity and classification.

Cannabis is considered a high-risk substance in Romania, and even medical prescriptions from local doctors are not allowed, though those with prescriptions from other EU countries may enter the country legally with documentation.

According to USA Today, Khalifa expressed regret at the time of his arrest, writing on X, "I didn't mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up onstage. They were very respectful and let me go. I'll be back soon. But without a big ... joint next time."

Originally published on Music Times
The company announced on December 17 that its board approved a plan to invest about KRW28.5 billion ($19.25 million) in a rare earth metal business, targeting mid- to long-term growth. LS Eco Energy plans to raise roughly KRW10.7 billion ($7.23 million) by selling 297,303 treasury shares, all of which will be acquired by its largest shareholder, LS Cable & System.

The move accelerates the establishment of a rare earth permanent magnet value chain, moving from raw ore and rare earth oxides (Global Mining Firms) to rare earth metals (Vietnam, LS Eco Energy) and onward to permanent magnets (the US, LS Cable & System).

LS Eco Energy plans to install rare earth metallisation facilities at its production subsidiary in Ho Chi Minh City (LSCV). There, the company will produce rare earth metals by refining rare earth oxides supplied by mining firms.

A spokesperson of LS Eco Energy stated, "The company is currently in negotiations with global mining firms regarding the supply of rare earth minerals and the establishment of joint ventures, with the final investment amount subject to adjustment based on joint venture equity ratios and business progress."

Rare earth metals are essential raw materials for the permanent magnets used in drive motors for robots, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. As the technical barriers to rare earth metallisation are high, commercial production outside of China is limited to only a few countries, such as Japan and the United States.

"With this investment, we will transition our rare earth business from the planning phase to actual investment and the construction of a base for production," said Lee Sang-ho, CEO of LS Eco Energy. "We intend to expand our business portfolio significantly, beyond our existing focus on cables, into the sector of core strategic materials."

LS Eco Energy diversifies its rare earth supply to Vietnam On January 10, South Korea's LS Eco Energy announced that it has signed a rare earth oxide purchase agreement with Vietnamese mining company Hung Thinh Minerals.
Photo: AI-generated image

Speaking at a national conference reviewing the ministrys 2025 performance and setting priorities for 2026 on December 20, the PM said, The railway is strategically critical to the countrys long-term development, not only for improving transport efficiency but also for unlocking new development corridors, strengthening national competitiveness, and supporting sustainable growth. Vietnam must move decisively from planning to implementation, starting with the urgent selection of an investment approach for this flagship project.

An immediate review of technical standards, regulations, and readiness conditions is needed by the end of December, paving the way for investor mobilisation and technology selection based on clearly defined national standards. Choosing the right investment model is essential to effectively implement resolutions adopted by the politburo, the National Assembly and the government, he said.

PM Chinh noted that 2025 was the first year the Ministry of Construction operated under a newly restructured organisational model, following a merger between the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Transport that significantly expanded its responsibilities. Despite the heavier workload, the sector delivered major results in national infrastructure development.

Previously, in late October, the Ministry of Finance proposed that the government establish an advisory council to select investors for the $64.9 billion North-South high-speed rail scheme

Approved by the National Assembly in November 2024, the mega project will stretch 1,541 km from Ngoc Hoi Station (Hanoi) to Thu Thiem Station (Ho Chi Minh City), passing through 15 cities and provinces after recent administrative reorganisations.

Designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, the dual-track railway will use standard gauge (1,435 mm) and accommodate 23 passenger stations and five freight stations. The undertaking is planned to use public investment capital and be implemented in phases, with feasibility studies beginning in 2025 and targeted completion by 2035.

So far, at least two major domestic conglomerates, Vingroup and Thaco, have formally expressed interest in investing in the mega project.

Criteria for investors of North-South Expressway disclosed The investors selected to develop the North-South Expressway will have to have successfully developed at least one similar project in an overseas market.

List of interested investors in North-South Expressway disclosed Almost all 36 investors who are interested in developing subprojects of the big-ticket North-South Expressway are South Korean and Chinese enterprises, with two coming from France.
Pham Tan Tien, (centre) managing director of the Investment Banking Division, represented RongViet Securities at the Vietnam M&A Forum. Photo: Le Toan

The award was presented at the 2025 Vietnam M&A Forum, organised by VIR on December 9, reaffirming RongViet Securities strong position and proven capabilities in providing M&A advisory services in Vietnam.

The Vietnam M&A Forum is an annual, high-profile event under the direction of the Ministry of Finance, bringing together policymakers, experts, and leading domestic and international enterprises. The forum highlighted Vietnams evolving market landscape, characterised by improved legal transparency, deeper capital markets, and increasing demand for corporate restructuring and M&A activities.

An independent selection by the organising committee recognised noteworthy M&A advisory firms for the 20242025 period. RongViet Securities was among only three securities companies named, alongside leading advisory and law firms. The company was also honoured as an 'Outstanding M&A Advisory Firm for the 20092023 Period' highlighting its long-term and consistent contributions to Vietnams M&A market.

The awards were selected based on stringent criteria, including transaction scale and complexity, advisory quality, execution capability, and value creation for clients and the broader market. RongViets continued presence among the award recipients reflects the markets strong confidence in the quality and effectiveness of its investment banking services.

RongViet Securities is one of the few securities firms in Vietnam that provides a comprehensive investment banking service platform, supporting enterprises throughout their entire development lifecycle with three core services including Corporate Finance Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory, and Capital Raising and Underwriting, along with customised advisory solutions designed to meet the specific needs and development stages of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In line with global integration trends, RongViet Securities continues to strengthen connectivity with international investors. In 2025, the company launched the vDragon website for foreign investors at vdragon.vdsc.com.vn, which is available in English and Japanese, helping international investment communities more effectively access Vietnams capital market.

With extensive experience across multiple sectors such as finance and banking, real estate, technology, energy, consumer goods, and healthcare, RongViet Securities Investment Banking Division has advised on numerous significant transactions. Supported by its head office in Ho Chi Minh City, a nationwide branch network, and RongViet Asset Management, the firm currently serves more than 150,000 individual clients and 800 institutional clients, and cooperates with over 150 domestic and international partners, including investment funds, law firms, auditing firms, and major corporate groups.

The sixth consecutive Outstanding M&A Advisory Firms award at the Vietnam M&A Forum underscores RongViet Securities expertise and long-term presence in Vietnams mergers and acquisitions market. The recognition reflects the companys ongoing role in supporting clients and contributing to the development of the countrys financial and investment ecosystem.

Vietnams M&A market opens new opportunities amid strong economic momentum The Vietnam Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Forum 2025, themed New Position, New Momentum, took place with the economy on track to complete the government's 2025 targets and the entire 2021-2025 socioeconomic plan.

Vietnam enters defining phase of M&A growth As Vietnam accelerates legal reforms, modernises its markets, and stabilises the investment landscape, global capital is returning with conviction, positioning the country at the forefront of Southeast Asia's next wave of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.
Several products from Saigon BeerAlcoholBeverage Corporation (SABECO) were recognised at established international beer competitions, a development analysts view as a positive signal as the brewer upgrades its portfolio and expands its presence in higher-value segments.

At the Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 in Belgium, with results announced on November 18, 333 Pilsner won a Gold Medal in the Light Lager category, while Saigon Chill secured Gold in the Ice Lager category. Saigon Export Premium also received a Silver Medal in the same category.

The accolades continued in Asia, as Saigon Export Premium secured a Silver Medal at the Japan International Beer Cup 2025, a competition with more than 25 years of history and participation from brewers in over 30 countries. This marked the third year, and the second consecutive year, that SABECO products have been recognised in the Japanese market.

According to the company, the award-winning beers are part of the product lines prioritised for upgrades during the 20212025 period, when SABECO accelerated its strategy towards the mid- to high-end segments in line with changing urban consumption trends and international standards. While 333 Pilsner and Saigon Chill are designed to meet demand for more diverse drinking experiences, Saigon Export Premium is positioned as an international-standard premium lager.

SABECO noted it has collected more than 50 international awards in recent years, reflecting the outcomes of sustained investment in technology and operational improvements. The company is pursuing a three-pillar strategy encompassing people development, operational standardisation, and efficiency enhancement. Among these, improving efficiency is viewed as critical to cost optimisation and margin expansion, metrics that investors are closely monitoring as competition in the beer market intensifies.

According to Lester Tan, CEO of SABECO, the brewer is strengthening its product portfolio through diversification and clear positioning across price segments. We aim to offer consumers more choice, from heritage brands to modern products. Each plays a strategic role in SABECOs growth structure, he said.

Tan added that the groups ambitions extend beyond consolidating its domestic position. As Vietnam sets its sights on stronger regional competitiveness, SABECO seeks to grow alongside the country, he noted.

Market conditions show domestic beer consumption has been affected by stricter road safety regulations, evolving consumer behaviour, and broader economic pressures. However, the premium segment is expected to maintain solid growth, particularly in major cities. Analysts believe SABECOs newer product lines could help the company strengthen its presence among younger consumers who favour more contemporary beer-drinking styles.

Industry experts suggest that the increasing presence of Vietnamese brands, including SABECO, at international competitions highlights a clear improvement in the quality of domestic beer. This trend could enhance investor confidence and raise brand visibility in export markets.

Over the longer term, SABECOs portfolio upgrade strategy is expected to support gross margin improvement and provide a foundation for sustainable growth as Vietnams beer market becomes increasingly polarised between mass-market and premium segments.
Retired consultant warns of NHS struggle in North Wales amid surge in flu cases

A retired consultant fears the NHS in North Wales will struggle to cope if super flu cases continue to surge due to a lack of community beds.

Jonathan Osborne, a retired consultant, has been leading the Facebook BEDS campaign to end corridor care in North Wales A&Es.

Mr Osborne, a former ear, nose, and throat surgeon at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, says he fears Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) will struggle to cope during flu season.

Mr Osbornes fears have been backed by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who called for an inquiry after a freedom of information (FOI) request revealed 1,027 people died waiting for treatment in North Wales A&E departments over two years.

His warning follows flu numbers surging across the UK, with health secretary Wes Streeting warning of enormous and unprecedented case numbers.

Whilst Public Health Wales says flu is currently at medium levels, the body is warning the trend is increasing, with experts expecting a winter surge.

North Wales health board is now asking people to wear masks in all clinical areas of its hospitals.

Mr Osborne contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service to raise his fears A&E units would struggle to cope, with patients dying in corridors waiting for a bed.

He said: Why do we find ourselves in this position? The political mantra for the past 20 years has been that old-style community hospital provision is outdated and that, with modern medicine, patients can be treated in their own homes.

Health boards have driven the policy of closing down community beds to achieve artificial savings. The problem with this is that when patients are well enough to leave the hospital but not well enough to go home, they still need somewhere to go.

It is clear to most of us that while a few patients can be monitored at home, in the real world, recovering patients need nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy to regain their independence

Providing this at home would be impractical and hugely expensive. The most cost-effective and practical solution is a community hospital close to home.

In September BCUHBs chairman acknowledged that emergency care in North Wales was in crisis.

In November a BCUHB board report also stated that overcrowding in emergency departments was having a significantly detrimental impact on the NHS being able to provide safe care.

Mr Osborne claimed: Most senior doctors and nurses would support this solution to relieving the pressure on A&E; however, the politicians behind this twenty plus years of policy are having difficulty facing todays reality: the strategy has failed and A&E is in crisis.

Instead, they repeat the dogma that patients would like to be treated in their own homes, while ignoring the reality that councils have no resources to do this, and that hospital at home for every patient is not within the budget. Dissent is not tolerated. Even from those at the top.

Reality will overwhelm rhetoric and the strategy will have to be revised. But the delay in admitting that the policy has not worked is costing lives.

We need to push for the government and the health board to change tack and rethink their approach before many more loved ones lives are lost. The situation in North Wales cannot be allowed to continue.

Speaking about the recent FOI she raised in the Senedd, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: In the 24 months leading up to 30 September 2025, 297 patients died in Ysbyty Gwynedd while waiting for treatment in A&E, 385 patients in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, and 345 in Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Questions need to be asked about the role that long waiting times are having on these statistics. Even in my own constituency, I have heard from residents that some who need to seek medical treatment decline going to hospital as a result of these long waits.

She added later: I agree with what Mr Osborne has stated. It is a fact, following a number of FOI responses from the health board, that the numbers of people dying in A&E departments and waiting in ambulances is unacceptable. The points he makes about the super flu that is in circulation is also a correct assumption. This has the potential to increase the numbers of deaths that we are seeing.

She added: Ive been elected as a Member of Welsh Parliament for 14 and a half years, and the problems in Betsi with special measures have been around for about 10 years of that 14 years.

While some improvements are being made, the fundamental flaws in the Betsi board continue. The health board declined to comment on the claims.

Previously, the health boards executive director of nursing and midwifery Angela Wood said: We have seen an increase in the number of cases of flu and other winter viruses in recent days and are now introducing face masks in all clinical areas of our hospitals to help reduce the potential for illnesses to be passed on.

We do not take this step lightly. We know that wearing masks can be uncomfortable for our patients, their families, and our staff  but believe it is necessary to introduce this measure now to help us mitigate the risk of outbreaks of potentially serious illness.

She added: It is critical that people in North Wales continue to support us by following simple advice, which will help to keep vulnerable patients in our hospitals safer this winter.

By Richard Evans  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Prestigious literary award for Wrexham Library team

Staff at Wrexham Library have been recognised with a prestigious award for their work promoting the Welsh language and celebrating local heritage.

They were crowned Welsh Library Team of the Year Award after wowing judges at The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

Throughout 2025, the Wrexham Library employees have been showcasing the Welsh language to visitors. One of the ways they did this was by exhibiting the National Eisteddfods crown and chair prior to this summers event.

The library also ran a promotional campaign of Welsh authors throughout the build up and run of the festival who were previous and current Eisteddfod winners, along with Welsh language story time sessions for children visiting the Eisteddfod.

Across the county, the library service held many Welsh language author talks and featured them at the popular Wrexham Carnival of Words in April. This saw local and Welsh language authors come together to discuss their work, favourite literature and the shared passion for both Wrexham and North Wales.

Events have also taken place throughout the year to shine a light on Wrexhams history and heritage, with several hundred people visiting a special exhibition on the Gresford Mining Disaster in September.

The event marked the 91st anniversary of the tragedy and displayed previously unseen documents, including newspaper clippings, letters from family members of the victims and petitions.

A screening of short film A Pack of Five based on the life of Welsh language poet, Hedd Wyn, was also screened at the Wrexham Library. The film and music score was written and produced by BAFTA Cymru Qualifying Director John Parr.

The screening was introduced by Parr himself, alongside Hedd Wyns niece, who also took part in a post-screening Q&A session.

Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones, Lead Member with responsibilities for libraries said: The team at Wrexham Library Service always works hard for our customers and to be recognised for our contribution to growing the Welsh language and preserving our Welsh heritage is phenomenal.

The team always comes together, particularly in challenging times, for the benefit of our communities  offering activities and library stock to increase knowledge and understanding of our Welsh language and culture.

This year has seen new and successful partnerships being formed which will continue for years to come. The dedication of the team is simply amazing  always creative, going beyond what is expected of them and always ready for a challenge.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Welsh Language Champion, added: The work undertaken to uphold and celebrate the Welsh language in our community by our library services is tremendous. Their dedication to our beautiful language is very admirable.

Thanks to the work they do, we are assuring that our culture and heritage gets the recognition it deserves.

I would like to congratulate them on receiving the Welsh Library Team of the Year Award as it is thoroughly deserved. Long may their successes continue. I extend my sincere thanks to them for their tireless efforts.
Threads of Cefn celebrates success of heartwarming Christmas advert

Threads of Cefn is celebrating the success of its recent Christmas advert.

The advert highlights Threads of Cefn as the village charity shop, offering first class Christmas gifting and opportunities for the community to come together and thrift, shop and chat.

The star of the story was Lili-Wen, a pupil at nearby Ysgol Min-y-Ddol and John, a long time Cefn resident. It reflects the age old tale of generosity, kindness and caring for others at Christmas.

The video connected with its audience and went viral with over 80,000 views, with 874 likes, and 445 shares on Facebook to date. People have watched from across the globe, including Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Indonesia.

Feedback from viewers has been overwhelmingly positive and deeply nostalgic. Comments reflected fond memories of Cefn as it once was, with people reconnecting to their roots, sharing personal stories, and tagging family members and friends.

At the heart of the response is a strong sense of Cefn community pride. The advert has sparked nostalgia, and enduring memories of Cefn Mawr and the people and businesses within it.

Carol Davies, a local resident who Directed the video and said: The response has been astonishing. We hoped the video would resonate locally, but to see it embraced by so many people has been incredible. Its clear that Cefn connects people, wherever they are.

Threads of Cefn was delighted with the success of this community collaboration and would like to thank all the residents and businesses who supported it to make it happen, particularly Lili-Wen and John.

Thank you also to Cefn Community Council, the Canal & River Trust and Kruger Films Llangollen for their ongoing support.

And remember, Threads of Cefn offers affordable first class shopping, thrifting and chatting. You are guaranteed a warm welcome, come and see us soon! 

Further information including opening hours can be found to those on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfCefn
Unpaid carers in Wales facing distress and lack of support, charities warn

Harrowing levels of distress have become the norm for unpaid carers in Wales, a committee has heard, with charities warning of a support system set up to fail.

Kate Cubbage, director of Carers Trust Wales, told the Senedds health scrutiny committee: There are too many carers who are reaching crisis point without any support.

Ms Cubbage explained that most councils are supporting fewer than 500 carers, warning: There are really, really high levels of unmet need within our communities.

She told Senedd members that staff are receiving trauma training to support their mental health due to the levels of distress they are seeing among carers.

Ms Cubbage pointed to a University of Birmingham study which found an increased suicide risk among unpaid carers akin to that of veterans who have seen active service.

Deepening poverty

One in eight carers has made a plan to end their own life, she said, calling for carers to be specifically considered in the Welsh Governments suicide prevention strategy.

One in 10 has made an attempt at a time when the average local authority has support plans for less than 0.5% of the caring population.

Warning of deepening poverty in Wales, the witness expressed concerns about a 31% poverty rate among carers  far higher than the 22% in the wider population.

Ms Cubbage added that young carers miss more than six full school weeks each year, compared with pupils without caring responsibilities who miss nearer two weeks.

She told the health committee: Its no wonder young carers are achieving less at school. They are less likely to go on into further and higher education.

And if they do make it to university, theyre less likely than their peers to actually graduate.

Things are getting worse

Reflecting on a personal note, Ms Cubbage, a parent carer, said her autistic son has accessed services from ophthalmology to audiology over the past 16 years.

I have never once been signposted to anything that would suggest that I am an unpaid carer or that I can access support That kind of lived experience is really important.

Rob Simkins, head of policy at Carers Wales, added: Things are getting worse: anecdotally, we see that through our services but also thats what the research tells us.

He pointed to a Carers Wales survey which has shown a shocking 53% increase in the number of carers cutting back on food and heating.

Giving evidence on Wednesday (December 17), Mr Simkins warned of a 39% increase in the number of carers reporting bad or very bad mental health since 2023.

Set up to fail

All the evidence that were collecting shows that this is going in one direction, he told the committee, adding: And thats the wrong direction. Its a bleak context.

Mr Simkins said census data shows about 310,000 unpaid carers in Wales but research indicates the number could be nearer 500,000  roughly 15% of the population.

He cautioned that charities across the country, including Carers Wales, are seeing real-terms cuts in funding from the Welsh Government every single year.

Mr Simkins warned of a shocking lack of data and a system set up to fail more than a decade on from the then-Assembly passing the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act.

Warning some councils cannot quantify how many carers assessments they could carry out over 12 months, he asked: How on earth are you meant to collect data from unpaid carers and plan services if you cant even figure out how many you can assess?

Pitifully low

Asked about carers assessments, he highlighted a lack of capacity within councils as he warned a pitifully low number of carers go on to get any support at all.

Greg Thomas, chief executive of Neath Port Talbot Carers Centre, told Senedd members the voluntary sector is being increasingly asked to plug gaps without necessary funding.

He warned the jam is having to be spread ever-more thinly, creating a tension between reaching as many people as possible and not wanting to compromise quality of support.

Were not quite saying no to people, he said. But were having to say a qualified yes about what were able to offer Were massively overstretched, massively oversubscribed.

Mr Thomas told the committee the carers centre has the required reach and expertise, concluding: Its almost give us the tools and we can do the job.

If you have been affected by anything in this story, the Samaritans can be contacted for free, 24/7, on 116 123, or by email at jo@samaritans.org.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Benghazi , Libya (PANA) - Three ministers of Libya's eastern-based government appointed House of Representatives have discussed humanitarian aspects related to the situation of the Sudanese refugees at a meeting in Benghazi
A car crashed into a building, causing life-threatening injuries to a driver. An eight-year-old child is also facing injuries, but non-life threatening.

This happened at approximately 8:57 a.m. at the intersection of Silverada Boulevard and Fantastic Drive on Sunday morning.

According to authorities, the driver was sent to a local hospital. It's unclear what happened to the child.

Speed or impairment doesn't seem to be a factor, authorities say.

Police say the intersection remained closed during the investigation, but reopened at approximately 1 p.m.

Authorities say the Reno Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) is handling the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Reno Police Department's non-emergency line at 775-334-2677. They can also contact Secret Witness at 775-322-4900, or visit secretwitness.com
A nationwide settlement is set to reshape how certain diesel cars are fixed, marketed, and compensated after states said hidden software let pollution levels soar beyond legal limits.

A coalition of 50 attorneys general announced a $149,673,750 settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG over claims the companies violated state laws that prohibit unfair or deceptive trade practices.

The agreement centers on diesel passenger cars and vans sold or leased with undisclosed emissions defeat devices.

States allege that from 2008 through 2016, Mercedes manufactured and sold more than 211,000 diesel cars nationwide equipped with software designed to adjust emission controls during testing, while reducing those controls during normal driving.

According to the states, that design allowed nitrogen oxides emissions to exceed legal limits, contributing to smog and respiratory illness.

In Nevada, about 3,109 impacted cars were sold or registered.

Nevadans deserve honest information about the products they purchase and the air they breathe, said Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford. This settlement holds Mercedes-Benz accountable for misleading consumers and evading emissions standards, while delivering meaningful relief for impacted vehicle owners and reinforcing that companies cannot put profits ahead of public health and environmental protections.

States allege Mercedes used the software to meet design goals like better fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance that could not be achieved while following emissions standards.

The company is accused of concealing the software from regulators and the public, while marketing the cars as environmentally friendly and compliant with emissions rules.

Under the settlement, Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG must pay $120 million to the states immediately.

An additional $29,673,750 is suspended and could be waived if the companies complete a consumer relief program.

That program applies to an estimated 39,565 cars nationwide that, as of August 1, 2023, had not been repaired or permanently removed from the road. Mercedes must cover the cost of approved emissions software updates, provide extended warranties, and pay people $2,000 for each affected car.

The settlement also requires reporting and changes to business practices, including a ban on deceptive marketing or misrepresentation of diesel car emissions.

The agreement follows earlier state settlements involving Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler, and Robert Bosch GmbH, tied to similar emissions software issues.


Carpentaria-5H Flow Testing Update

Sydney, Dec 22, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited ( ASX:BTL ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) announced that Carpentaria-5H has achieved a peak gas flow rate of 11.2 TJ/day, the second-highest 30-day average flow rate in the basin of 7.1 TJ/day and an exit flowrate of 6.3 TJ/day, confirming a very low rate of decline over the 30-day clean-up test.



Beetaloo Energy has implemented basin-leading flowback methodologies to preserve fracture conductivity and maximise long-term well productivity. This approach utilises a restricted choke that extends the clean-up period, which has delivered a more than five-fold increase in fracture conductivity compared with the previous Carpentaria wells.



Clean-up of the frac fluid from the fracture system is ongoing with the gas-to-water ratio continuing to improve throughout the 30-day test period with over 23 percent of the frac fluid recovered to date. Once frac fluid clean-up was achieved at the prior two Carpentaria wells, materially higher gas flowrates were observed, with Carpentaria-3H recording a 30 percent increase in gas flow rate during the post clean-up IP30 flow test.



Independent resource certifiers Netherland, Sewell & Associates have estimated 10 PJ of 2C recoverable gas resources per well location in the area surrounding Carpentaria-5H.



Based on flowback data analysis conducted by Subsurface Dynamics, a North American shale reservoir engineering specialist, Beetaloo Energy estimates that the Carpentaria-5H well has developed an effective fracture network, characterised by materially longer effective half-lengths relative to the previous two Carpentaria wells and higher apparent shale permeability in the Carpentaria region. Beetaloo Energy believes these outcomes may support improved gas recovery and overall project economics.



A further extended flow test is expected to commence in Q1 2026 to fully assess well deliverability once clean-up is complete.



"We are highly encouraged to have achieved one of the highest flow rates in the history of the Beetaloo Basin while C-5H is still cleaning-up, demonstrating that the well is likely to be a strong long-term producer. We have deployed a disciplined flow-back strategy with a consistent choke setting since the second day of the test period, to maintain fracture conductivity for long-term well performance while the well dewaters. Total gas recovery is also likely to be enhanced by the 60% increase observed in permeability across the Carpentaria region.



As has been seen with C-2H and C-3H, there is the potential for a material uplift in flow rates once the well is further cleaned-up.



Clean-up is continuing and we intend to commence a second flow test in Q1 2026.



Civil construction works at the Carpentaria Gas Plant are now well advanced, and we look forward to commencing gas plant installation in Q2 2026.



With all required approvals now in place, we look forward to commencing pilot gas sales into the local NT market in 2026.



As 2025 comes to a close, we express our gratitude to the Beetaloo Energy team, our shareholders and all stakeholders, and we look forward to a big year ahead as we bring the Beetaloo Basin into pilot gas sales next year, which will benefit all Territorians."



- Alex Underwood, Managing Director



Carpentaria 5H Clean-Up Flow Testing Update



Carpentaria-5H ("C-5H") was reopened on Sunday, 16 November 2025 after ~46 days of shut-in following previous periods of clean-up. Gas rates have continued to significantly increase between phases of well clean-up in Australia's largest ever hydraulic stimulation. Since reopening, a thirty-day average gas rate of 7.1 TJ/day has been achieved through 5 1/2" casing without the aid of production tubing.



Independent resource estimation by Netherland Sewell and Associates attributes 10 PJ of recoverable gas (2C) to the C-5H drill location. Early flowback data indicates the shale permeability is 60 percent higher than previous estimates, which may improve Estimated Ultimate Recovery ("EUR") per well. A highly effective stimulated rock volume has been observed at C-5H, with interpreted 20 percent longer fracture half-lengths and indications of an effective natural fracture system, underpinning strong long-term productivity potential.



Over the C-5H well clean-up periods, a total of ~23% of the pumped fluid has been returned. In the prior two wells, 30% or more of Carpentaria-2H ("C-2H") and Carpentaria-3H ("C-3H") pumped fluid was returned prior to a cleaned-up IP30 test (EPT 2).



In those two wells an uplift in gas rate of up to 30% was observed over prior flowback test periods, with greater production uplift attributed to declining fluid rates with ongoing flowback.



C-5H produced an average 2,635 barrels of fluid per day to the start of the current clean-up test, with the rate declining to 677 barrels per day at the end of the period. The volume of water returned is in line with many North American shale analogues and reflects the large volume of fluid pumped into the generated fracture network.



The volume of fluid pumped at C-5H is several multiples of C-2H and C-3H due to the longer horizontal section and larger fluid intensity. The materially greater pumped volume has extended the duration of produced fluid during flowback required to obtain a "cleaned-up" gas rate. With ongoing production, the gas-water-ratio has continued to improve toward optimal levels for IP30 testing.



Beetaloo Energy has utilised a managed choke and flowback strategy to maintain fracture conductivity for long term well productivity. C-5H has been flowing back on a constant choke setting since the second day of the 30-day clean-up flow testing period.



This has resulted in a more than five-fold increase in fracture conductivity maintained compared to the previous two Carpentaria wells which supports Beetaloo Energy's strategy to prioritise long-term productivity over short-term gas rates.



Carpentaria 5H Ongoing Clean-Up and Second EPT



Flowback operations are continuing to clean-up the well. C-5H will be shut-in once fluid flowback storage capacity is reached taking into consideration the freeboard that must be maintained throughout the wet season. Beetaloo Energy intends to carry out a second extended production flow test with a likely commencement date in Q1 2026.



Carpentaria Pilot Project Update



As recently announced, Beetaloo Energy now has all regulatory and Board approvals required to construct the Carpentaria Pilot Project and sell gas into the local NT market under the ten-year gas sales agreement with the NT Government, subject to the relevant conditions within this agreement.



Civil construction works for the Carpentaria Gas Plant are well advanced to support pile and mechanical equipment installation in 1H 2026. Minor refurbishment works on the gas compression facilities are underway in Roma, Queensland. Beetaloo Energy will be relocating the gas plant to site for re-construction and commissioning commencing in Q2 2026.



Gas sales are expected to start in H2 2026 with production from C-5H, C-3H and C-2H.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/8DL7WSN6





About Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited





Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited (ASX:BTL) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) holds 28.9 million acres of highly prospective exploration tenements in the McArthur Basin and Beetaloo Sub-basins, Northern Territory. Work undertaken by the Company since 2010 demonstrates that the Eastern depositional Trough of the McArthur Basin, of which the Company holds around 80%, has enormous conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon potential. The Beetaloo Sub-basin, in which Beetaloo Energy holds a substantial position, has world-class hydrocarbon volumes in place and a ramp up in industry activity to appraise substantial discoveries already made by major Australian oil and gas operators is accelerating.

Related Companies
Sarah Dennis, head of international at Towergate Employee Benefits, says: When employers fail to plan ahead and take expert advice, they put at risk the success of the assignment itself and the wellbeing of employees being sent overseas. Becoming au fait with the issues in each area is fundamental to providing the best possible support. Towergate Employee Benefits highlights some of the key areas where employers need to focus on. Civil unrest and political uncertainty Civil unrest can break out at any time so it is vital for employers to keep abreast of the political climate in any overseas location. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides guidance on where it is safe to travel, and specialists can advise on how to support staff in the event of conflict, such as if they need to be evacuated in an emergency. The message for employers is to make sure they stay fully up to date and to seek specialist advice. Natural disasters Adverse weather may be more predictable in some countries, such as monsoon season in India. But, of course, it can also be unforeseen, such as Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico in 2024, which demonstrated one of the most extreme examples of rapid storm intensification on record, with wind speeds increasing by approximately 90 mph in just 24 hours. Research from Towergate Employee Benefits shows that employers need help in this area, with only a third (32%) of UK employers saying employees relocating abroad are fully prepared for the change in climate.1 Putting arrangements in place for the possibility of natural disasters will help employees to be prepared and to know exactly what to do and how to access assistance if required. Local specialists can help with this and provide plans for evacuating or sheltering in situ. Personal security risks Personal security must be paramount for all employees overseas but in particular for anyone travelling alone. Employers need to consider destination awareness training and, for higher risk locations, even hostile environment awareness training. Employers need to be aware of the specific risks and have knowledge of the local area to help mitigate the risks. Cultural risks Misunderstandings based on different cultures and values can be damaging to the assignment and the business, and its an area employers need to improve on, with just 39% of UK employers saying their employees relocating abroad are fully prepared for the change in culture.1 It is vital that employers provide employees with a good understanding of the culture they will join. Seemingly innocuous things may be very rude in other cultures. For example, tipping in Japan may be seen as degrading, and completely clearing your plate in China can suggest that your host did not provide enough food. For the individual employee, not understanding cultural differences can lead to isolation and ultimately mental health issues. As with all risks for overseas employees, employers can help to guard against this with forward planning, and training and mentoring employees before they travel. Health and wellbeing Employees with long-term health conditions will need to be sure that they can access the appropriate care while overseas. Many drugs available in one country may be unavailable, illegal, or strictly controlled in others due to differences in regulation, safety concerns, and cultural attitudes. Overseas staff are likely to need additional support, yet 57% of UK companies say they offer overseas employees the same health and wellbeing support as those based in the UK1 and this may not be enough. Employers need to consider employees dependants too if they are travelling with them. If, for example, a child suffers from asthma, this could mean that certain high-pollution locations are unsuitable. Such matters could mean an overseas assignment is over almost before it has started so this needs to be advised and considered well before deployment. Sarah Dennis says: The basis of a safe and successful overseas assignment is to do the homework first  know before you go, take expert on-the-ground advice, plan for emergencies, and ensure all of this is carefully communicated so the employee knows exactly how to access support when it is needed.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Ministry of Local Communities of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) on Sunday discussed the Local Peacebuilding and Resilience Project with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and several international partners and support agencies
The Rs 38-Crore Jumbo COVID Centre Scam: When Emergency Became Opportunity, and Silence Became Strategy 2

The COVID-19 pandemic was Indias darkest hour in recent memory. Hospitals collapsed, oxygen ran out, and municipal corporations scrambled to create makeshift treatment centres overnight. In Mumbai, Asias most expensive and densely populated city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rushed to set up jumbo COVID centreslarge, centrally managed facilities meant to absorb the overflow of patients and save lives. Speed was essential.

Oversight, unfortunately, was sacrificed at the altar of urgency. It is in this chaos that the seeds of what later came to be known as the 38-crore Jumbo COVID Centre scam were sown, with Sujit Patkar emerging as the central figure and Kirit Somaiya as the man who lit the fuse.

The story begins not in 2022, when the scandal became public, but in early 2020, when BMC began awarding contracts to private operators to manage these jumbo centres. One such contract went to Lifeline Hospital Management Services (LHMS), a consortium that included Sujit Patkar. On paper, LHMS projected itself as an experienced medical services provider capable of handling a crisis of unprecedented scale. In reality, according to investigators, it was anything but.

The core allegationnow part of formal police and Enforcement Directorate recordsis brutally simple: LHMS allegedly secured the jumbo centre contracts using forged documents, exaggerated credentials, and false claims of experience. Once the contracts were obtained, the consortium is accused of grossly under-deploying doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, while simultaneously raising bills as if full staffing norms were met. In other words, Mumbai paid for a fully staffed emergency hospital; what it allegedly received was a skeleton operation dressed up with inflated invoices.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police later estimated the wrongful loss to the BMCand the corresponding gain to the accusedat approximately 38 crore, though public claims ranged from 32 crore to over 100 crore depending on who was speaking and when. Numbers aside, the moral weight of the allegation was immense: profiteering during a pandemic, when citizens were dying without beds or oxygen, is not merely corruption; it is a civilisational crime.

Yet for nearly two years, this remained buried under files and fatigue. Then, in August 2022, Kirit Somaiya, a BJP leader known for his relentless, sometimes abrasive anti-corruption campaigns, filed a formal complaint at Azad Maidan police station. Somaiya accused LHMS and Sujit Patkar of forging partnership deeds, misrepresenting experience, and cheating the municipal corporation during a national emergency. His complaint was not casual activismit named documents, pointed to discrepancies, and demanded criminal action.

That complaint changed everything. Within weeks, the case was transferred to the EOW. Scrutiny of BMC files began. Statements were recorded. Financial trails were examined. What started as a municipal fraud case soon acquired national significance when the money trail appeared complex enough to attract the attention of the Enforcement Directorate. Once ED steps in, the language of the case shiftsfrom cheating and forgery to proceeds of crime and money laundering.

By mid-2023, the investigation reached its most dramatic moment. In July 2023, the ED arrested Sujit Patkar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency alleged that funds obtained through inflated billing and fraudulent contracts were layered and concealed through various transactions. A PMLA chargesheet followed in September 2023, cementing the cases seriousness. This was no longer a political allegation; it was a live criminal prosecution backed by documentary and financial evidence, at least according to the investigating agencies.

Parallel to the legal process ran a political narrative that made the case explosive. Sujit Patkar was widely described in the media as an associate of Sanjay Raut, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and one of the BJPs most vocal critics in Maharashtra. This association ensured that the case was framed not merely as corruption, but as proof of moral rot within the rival camp. BJP spokespersons amplified it. Television debates thrived on it. Somaiya himself became the public face of the expose.

And then, something changed.

As Maharashtra politics realignedfractures within Shiv Sena, defections, new alliancescritics began asking an uncomfortable question: why had Kirit Somaiya gone quiet on some alleged corrupt figures once they were no longer politically inconvenient? Opposition leaders and commentators accused him of selective outrageaggressive when targets belonged to rival parties, restrained when equations changed.

To be clear, there is no evidence that Somaiya withdrew his complaint, interfered with the investigation, or pressured agencies to go slow in the Sujit Patkar case. The record shows the opposite: his complaint triggered the entire chain of events that led to arrests and chargesheets. Investigations proceeded under EOW and ED independently of his later public posture. Courts examined evidence, not tweets.

However, politics is not judged only by files; it is judged by perception. And the perception that emerged was damaging: that anti-corruption crusades in Maharashtra, like elsewhere in India, often burn brightest when they serve immediate political ends and dim when alliances shift. Whether fair or not, Somaiyas relative silence after the initial phase fed into a larger national debate about the selective application of investigative pressure.

This debate cannot be dismissed as cynical whining. Across cases and states, citizens have noticed a patternleaders raided aggressively when in opposition, suddenly finding relief or inertia once aligned with the ruling dispensation. The Sujit Patkar case became part of this larger mosaic, even though its legal trajectory continued.

In 2024 and 2025, the case entered a quieter but crucial phase: court proceedings. Bail applications, legal arguments on parity and procedural compliance, and judicial scrutiny replaced headline-grabbing raids. In 2025, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Sujit Patkar on legal grounds. Predictably, this was interpreted in two extremesproof of innocence by supporters, proof of systemic failure by critics. In reality, bail is neither. It is a constitutional safeguard, not a verdict.

What remains undeniable is this: during a moment of collective national suffering, Mumbais emergency healthcare system was allegedly exploited for private gain. Whether the final number is 32 crore or 38 crore matters less than the principle involved. Emergency procurement without oversight is an open invitation to fraud. And fraud during a pandemic is not just financialit is ethical bankruptcy.

The role of Kirit Somaiya, therefore, must be judged with nuance. He was the whistle-blower who forced the system to act. Without his complaint, the scam may never have surfaced. At the same time, his case illustrates the limits of personality-driven anti-corruption politics. When crusades appear selective, even genuine exposures lose moral authority.

Ultimately, the Sujit Patkar saga is not just about one businessman, one BJP leader, or one Shiv Sena MP. It is about governance under stress, institutions under pressure, and a political culture that treats corruption as a weapon rather than a disease. The courts will decide guilt or innocence. History, however, will judge something broader: whether India learned anything from the pandemic, or merely added another file to the archive of forgotten scandals.

In crises, character is revealed. For individuals. For institutions. And for politics itself.
Pro-nuclear rhetorics expose perilous ambitions of Takaichi administration

Xinhua) 09:57, December 22, 2025

Cartoon: Dangerous game for Sanae Takaichi (Xinhua/Yu Aicen)

The pro-nuclear outburst by a senior Takaichi government official constitutes not only a grave challenge to Japan's non-nuclear principles, but also to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and to the postwar international order.

TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A senior Japanese official, who is involved in devising the Japanese government's security policy, has reportedly told media that Japan should possess nuclear weapons, a controversial stance in opposition to the country's constitutional non-nuclear principles.

The shocking openness of a senior official from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to discussing nuclear armament is not a gaffe; it is a signal. It reveals a swelling ambition within Japan's right-wing conservative forces to cast off the constraints of the postwar order and accelerate a march toward remilitarization.

As the only country that suffered atomic bombings, Japan built its postwar identity on a pacifist constitution, and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibit possessing, producing or permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory.

In recent years, under the banner of becoming a "normal country," Japan has embarked on a path of rearmament. Even so, nuclear armament has long been regarded as an absolute red line. When then Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Shingo Nishimura floated similar ideas in 1999, he was promptly dismissed.

People attend a protest in front of the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

The pro-nuclear outburst by a senior Takaichi government official constitutes not only a grave challenge to Japan's non-nuclear principles, but also to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and to the postwar international order.

Whether the latest pro-nuclear rhetoric is a trial balloon or an effort to pave the way for dismantling the non-nuclear principles altogether, it reveals a clear intent within the Takaichi government to step by step trample the bottom lines of postwar international justice.

If Japan were to abandon its sacred vow never to arm itself with nuclear weapons, the damage would extend far beyond its shores. The global bulwark against proliferation would be critically weakened.

Confronted with this dangerous shift, the international community must respond with a clear and firm voice. It is imperative to establish unequivocal red lines against any move by the Japanese government that would undermine nuclear non-proliferation and the hard-won foundations of postwar peace.

(Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun)
China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will examine a draft law on childcare services during its 19th session running from December 22 to 27 in Beijing.

The draft law represents a major policy shift as China confronts mounting pressure to boost its declining birthrate and build a more comprehensive system for supporting families with young children. The Standing Committee, which serves as China's top legislative body, will conduct the first reading of the draft during this session, marking an important milestone in transforming childcare into a legal and institutional framework.

China Law on Childcare Services

This legislative push follows several government initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden on families. In July 2025, China launched its first national childcare subsidy program, providing 3,600 yuan annually per child under three years old, according to the Global Times. The central government allocated approximately 90 billion yuan for the subsidy program in 2025, signaling a strong commitment to supporting parents.

The timing of the draft law review comes as China has made significant progress in expanding childcare capacity. According to recent government data, China has surpassed its 14th Five-Year Plan goal ahead of schedule, providing more than 4.7 childcare places per 1,000 people as of October 2025. The number of childcare institutions has more than doubled since 2020, growing from 50,000 to over 126,000 facilities nationwide.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The proportion of affordable inclusive childcare services approaches 50 percent, but many facilities operate below capacity, China Daily reported. The enrollment rate stands at approximately 12 percent despite about 35 percent of families expressing interest in childcare services, indicating a gap between supply and demand. Rural areas particularly face shortages of accessible and affordable childcare options.

A Shift in Policy

Government researchers have recommended increasing the enrollment rate to above 20 percent and improving utilization rates to 70 percent during the 15th Five-Year Plan period spanning 2025 to 2030. The draft law is expected to address these gaps by establishing clearer standards for childcare services, improving accessibility, and strengthening regulatory frameworks.

The Standing Committee's December session will include several other legislative items on its agenda, including an environmental code and revisions to the foreign trade law. The outcome of the first reading on the childcare services draft law will inform subsequent revisions before lawmakers potentially vote on the measure in future sessions, as per China.










English News Early-season mangoes drive income growth, green development in Yuanjiang in SW China

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 22 Decembre 2025



As the number of mango orchards continues to expand and fruit quality improves, Yuanjiang has hosted a Golden Mango Cultural and Tourism Festival for consecutive years. The region is now home to more than 13,500 mango-growing households, with over 52,000 people employed in the industry. In 2024, mango orchards covered 242,000 mu, producing 264,000 tons of fruit and generating 1.16 billion yuan in agricultural output.

By Li Maoying, People's Daily In the dry-hot valley of Yuanjiang, located within Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai autonomous county, southwest China's Yunnan province, mango orchards are experiencing a brief winter respite. Farmers are actively engaged in pruning and tending to the trees, preparing for the upcoming growing season.



In recent years, mango cultivation has become a pillar industry in Yuanjiang, significantly increasing farmers' incomes while contributing to ecological restoration efforts along the Red River basin. The region, under the administration of Yuxi, sits on a low-latitude plateau with abundant sunshine and warmth. Known as a "natural greenhouse," the area remains frost-free for most of the year, making it an ideal environment for tropical agriculture.



Given the region's thin, rocky soils that limit grain cultivation, local authorities have focused on the cultivation of tropical cash fruit trees, particularly mangoes, as a strategic development initiative.



"Mangoes thrive in relatively high temperatures," explained Li Jianqi, a senior agronomist with the county's bureau of agriculture and rural affairs. "With an average annual temperature of 24.1 degrees Celsius and about 2,291 hours of sunshine each year, Yuanjiang offers optimal conditions for mango cultivation, including sugar conversion and nutrient accumulation, making Yuanjiang well-suited for producing high-quality fruit."



In the Ganzhuang community of Yuanjiang, farmer Bai Xue oversees more than 100 mu (approximately 6.7 hectares) of mango orchards. The harvest season, which begins in May, fills the air with a sweet fragrance of ripe, plump mangoes.



"Yuanjiang mangoes ripen early, have excellent taste, and possess an appealing appearance," Bai remarked. In her community, every household cultivates nearly 20 mu of mangoes on average, generating a per capita annual income of about 25,000 yuan ($3,550).



Even before the harvest begins, Su Yongren, head of the Yuanjiang Qinnong Fruit Cooperative, is inundated with orders. "Mangoes picked during the day are shipped out the same night," he explained. "Through a cooperative-plus-e-commerce model, we integrate both online and offline sales channels. During peak times this year, we processed nearly 4,000 orders in a single day."



This success has not been achieved overnight. In the past, mango sales were hindered by factors such as limited technical knowledge, an unbalanced mix of varieties, and weak sales channels. Despite favorable natural conditions and a wide array of mango varieties, Yuanjiang faced challenges in competing with other mango-producing regions.



"During the mango harvest, we often saw large volumes from other regions flooding the market, which drove prices down," Su recalled.



Yuanjiang's distinctive topography, with elevations ranging from 327 meters to 2,580 meters, creates a pronounced vertical climate ideal for growing different types of tropical fruits.



"Mangoes from Hainan mature the earliest, while those from Guangxi typically come onto the market in July and August," Su explained. "From early May to late June, there used to be a market gap."



Guided by experts, Su and other farmers leveraged Yuanjiang's vertical agricultural conditions to diversify and adjust mango varieties. Through scientific and technological support, the region has developed early-ripening varieties such as Xiaojinfeng, which now reach maturity in May. This enables Yuanjiang mangoes to be among the earliest to hit the market nationwide after Hainan.



By capitalizing on the timing gap, we can sell in large volumes when supply elsewhere is limited," Su said. "Our mangoes are shipped as far as Xinjiang and northeast China."



Today, Yuanjiang's mango germplasm nursery preserves more than 100 varieties, with harvest seasons extending from May to September. "Early-ripening mangoes remain the mainstay, while mid- and late-season varieties are being developed in mountainous areas," Li noted. "This continuous variety optimization helps to enhance the county's overall mango production."



Each year, technical training sessions are held in Yuanjiang, covering topics such as optimal fertilization, irrigation, fruit-setting techniques, and pest management. Experts from across Yunnan and beyond provide hands-on guidance to local farmers. Additionally, advanced tools such as agricultural drones, smart irrigation systems, and integrated water-and-fertilizer equipment have become increasingly common in the orchards.



Through close cooperation with research institutes and universities, the county has established primary-level expert workstations and on-site training schools for mango cultivation. New varieties and advanced planting techniques are regularly introduced, while local standards have also been issued to promote standardized, green production, improving both quality and efficiency across the industry.



As the number of mango orchards continues to expand and fruit quality improves, Yuanjiang has hosted a Golden Mango Cultural and Tourism Festival for consecutive years. The region is now home to more than 13,500 mango-growing households, with over 52,000 people employed in the industry. In 2024, mango orchards covered 242,000 mu, producing 264,000 tons of fruit and generating 1.16 billion yuan in agricultural output.



Today, the mango industry in Yuanjiang not only drives economic growth but also contributes to environmental sustainability and green development in the region.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Reading China's modernization through 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail New landscape of opening up reflected in world's first port to handle 1.4 billion tons 'Food banks' mirror China's new approaches to food conservation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News From algorithms to action: embodied intelligence transitions into real-world application

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 22 Decembre 2025



The medical and eldercare scenario highlighted the balance between "precision" and "gentleness." In a rehabilitation setting, a robot assisted a hemiplegic patient with limb exercises. Using force-feedback technology, it dynamically adjusted its assistance based on real-time monitoring of the patient's exertion, ensuring effective training while minimizing the risk of secondary injury.

By Shen Wenmin, People's Daily The Global Developer Pioneers Summit 2025 and the International Embodied Intelligence Competition (GDPS 2025) were held in Shanghai from December 12 to 14. This event explored the integration of artificial intelligence from theoretical algorithms to tangible real-world applications.



Embodied intelligence, steadily making its way into diverse aspects of human life, was prominently showcased across multiple sectors. With three primary competition tracks, namely industrial production, daily-life services, and professional services, the event highlighted significant technological advancements and the industrial potential of embodied intelligence.



Industrial production: competing in millimeters and milliseconds



At the industrial manufacturing competition, the air was filled with the hum of high-frequency motors. During the industrial assembly competition, a humanoid robot efficiently completed a precision assembly task: equipped with high-definition visual sensors, its robotic arm could identify three different components in just 0.3 seconds. Its fingertips adjusted gripping force with an accuracy of 0.01 millimeters, completing eight processes, including positioning, insertion, and tightening, without flawless precision.



"By reducing each servo cycle by 0.5 milliseconds, the entire grasping process is accelerated to match human speed," explained a developer from Generation-Z, who was fine-tuning parameters with their team. The team's real-time motion control algorithm enabled the robot to achieve significant breakthroughs in both efficiency and precision despite limited computing resources.



Yao Qizhi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized that for embodied intelligence to advance, it must evolve from isolated skills to full-body coordination. "At present, robots' mobility and manipulation are managed by two separate systems. The future will demand unified control over whole-body movement and fine motor skills to support complex, multi-step, general-purpose actions," he explained.



Daily-life services: more personalized forms



The daily-life services track focused on practical applications in everyday settings. In a simulated community environment, an intelligent service robot assisted elderly participants. Through voice interaction, it identified individual needs and delivered relevant information about community events. When interacting with those with limited mobility, the robot offered a support handrail and guided them gently across ramps, providing reminders to "walk slowly."

"The robot understands my dialect and responds quickly. Having such a helper in the community would make life much easier," remarked an elderly participant.



The home services track demonstrated even more personalized solutions. A household service robot autonomously planned its movements to avoid obstacles, identified food items in kitchen cabinets, and reminded users of expiration dates. It also recommended recipes based on health data and flexibly adjusted cleaning modes to avoid areas where infants were crawling.



According to its developer, the robot is powered by a multimodal large model capable of deeply understanding nonverbal human behavior, such as facial expressions and movements, to better understand user needs and deliver more personalized services.



Intelligent technologies should not only exhibit technical sophistication but also possess a human touch. From community services to in-home companionship, and from daily chores to health management, embodied intelligence is transforming life services by offering flexible and personalized solutions. This shift is opening new opportunities for industrial innovation and growth.



Professional services: a test of real-world capability



The professional services track covered two major scenarios -- emergency rescue and medical/elderly care -- challenging embodied intelligence in extreme, high-stakes environments.



In the emergency rescue simulation, a disaster site was recreated with collapsed debris blocking roads, and thick smoke reducing visibility to less than one meter. Upon activation, a tracked rescue robot rapidly synthesized sensor data to determine the optimal route. It traversed rubble, continuously adjusted its posture to maintain balance, and successfully navigated the obstacles. The robot precisely located trapped individuals and transmitted their vital signs. Engineers onsite celebrated as the robot completed the task in just a few minutes, a feat that reflected extensive testing in rigorous conditions.



The medical and eldercare scenario highlighted the balance between "precision" and "gentleness." In a rehabilitation setting, a robot assisted a hemiplegic patient with limb exercises. Using force-feedback technology, it dynamically adjusted its assistance based on real-time monitoring of the patient's exertion, ensuring effective training while minimizing the risk of secondary injury.



Additionally, a surgical-assistance robot demonstrated its capabilities in minimally invasive procedures. With its mechanical arm, the robot performed precise cuts and sutures on simulated human tissue, maintaining an error margin of just 0.1 millimeters.



"Medical applications place extraordinarily high demands on precision and stability. This represents the critical test for embodied intelligence to move from simply 'capable' to 'exceptionally proficient,'" remarked a medical expert at the event.



Jiang Lei, chief scientist of the Shanghai-based National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, noted that technological breakthroughs in professional services reflect the core mission of embodied intelligence: to serve humanity. The collective oath taken by robot competitors -- "Strictly follow instructions, serve humanity, and pay tribute to technology" -- encapsulated this mission, underscoring the human-centric goals driving technological advancements.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Reading China's modernization through 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail New landscape of opening up reflected in world's first port to handle 1.4 billion tons 'Food banks' mirror China's new approaches to food conservation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
On Sunday, December 14, a thousand revelers were gathered at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, for a Hanukkah celebration when shots rang out.

Advertisement

A pair of gunmen  Pakistani Muslims who had lived in Australia for decades, a father and son  drove to the event (in a car containing ISIS flags and homemade explosives) to commit mass murder. Together, they killed at least sixteen of the innocent partygoers, injuring forty more.

The one bit of good news from this horror was the Syrian immigrant civilian who rushed into the action, unarmed, tackling Navid Akram (the son) and disarming him, while taking fire from Sajid Akram (the father). The courage of an unarmed civilian taking on armed mass murderers is inspirational.

Advertisement

But the story has more bad news than just the awful killings themselves. In the aftermath of the attacks, we have learned of two other problems in Australia.

First, why was it necessary for the Syrian immigrant fruit stand operator, Ahmed al Ahmed, to jump in at all? Why werent there police or security guards to do the dangerous heroics?

Advertisement

Well, there were police there. Video confirmed the presence of at least four uniformed policemen not just during the shooting, but before. Why didnt they respond immediately?

There will of course be an inquiry, so details in this first week are preliminary, but it appears that at least some of the police were unarmed. If so, whats the point?

Advertisement

With multiple police at the event, they should have been able to stop the carnage before 55 people were shot  but if the armed ones are on the other side of the crowd and the ones close by are unarmed policewomen, theres a limit to what we can hope for.

Second, we have the longstanding problem of the global lefts advocacy of disarming honest people in the deranged hope that unarmed victims will result in fewer attacks.

Advertisement

Its not enough that every major dictatorship of the past century has practiced gun bans  from Hitler to Mao, from Stalin to Castro, every dictator disarms his civilian population first, so that the government police and army are the only ones with lethal power. One would think enough evidence was in, that no more argument could result.

But no, the thoughtless multitudes who vote for the parties of the left  call them Labor, call them Liberal, call them Democrats, call them Green, it doesnt matter, theyre all the same  foolishly believe that as long as they support the other policies of Marxist dictators, such as high taxes, huge bureaucracy, nationalization of industry, and suppression of free speech, they may as well adopt this policy, too. So the leftist parties go in for gun bans. Every time.

Advertisement

Australia is an interesting case. The government there doesnt completely ban the private ownership of guns  the large number of dangerous wild animals in their ecosystem and the huge distances between population centers have made absolute gun bans illogical, though Australia has banned certain classes of weapons, like semiautomatic rifles. So its done with shame and red tape. The Australians try to discourage the ownership of weapons by decent folks and make gun permits complicated, naturally resulting in a system in which guns are eventually more concentrated in the possession of criminals.

Australia has engaged in a number of gun buyback programs, most famously a 1996 project that resulted in talking law-abiding citizens into selling 650,000 perfectly good firearms to the government, for the government to destroy.

Wonder why a couple of ISIS supporters could shoot 55 people at a public event without fear that the people they were shooting at might shoot them back? The answer is simple: Because they knew that their target audience had long ago been shamed out of self-defense.

First, the government told them guns are yucky, that self-defense is an embrace of violence, that guns are dangerous in the hands of civilians, so you shouldnt want one, you shouldnt buy one, you should have to jump through hoops to get permission to have one.

And then the government filled its police departments with unarmed women...so that when you find yourself the target in a shooting gallery and you turn to your nearest policeman for protection, that policeman is cowering behind a car, trying to figure out how her baton and her 140 lb frame will stand up to a homicidal jihadist with guns and ammunition.

Sometimes, when horror strikes, society comes to sudden realizations  September 11, 2001 for the United States, October 7, 2023 for Israel. Sometimes reality is clarified, and the public wakes up, at least for a while, demanding that its government remember who the good guys are and who the bad guys are, and demanding that government stop punishing the good guys while leaving the bad guys alone.

But sometimes, when horror strikes, the wrong party is in power, and reality itself is the first of the casualties.

It is being reported that the irresponsible government of Anthony Albanese intends to use this mass murder as an excuse for another huge gun buy-back scheme.

There are at least four million legal firearms in private hands in Australia, virtually none of which is ever used to commit crimes. Albanese wants to melt some of them down anyway, even though everyone whos ever studied the issue knows that it wont make an ounce of difference in terms of the risk of future mass shootings.

Perhaps Australian leftists should learn from our experience in the USA, where countless studies confirm that guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens deter or outright thwart crimes, to such a degree that the net result of firearm possession by the general public is undeniably a societal benefit. (See John Lotts groundbreaking work on the subject, More Guns, Less Crime, for specifics.)

Gun buy-backs have been used here in the States, too, by the way, usually by very blue cities in very blue states. They often offer one or two hundred dollars for each gun turned in, or thereabouts, no questions asked.

In the USAs experiences, the result of such schemes is usually a mixture of fool heirs getting rid of their fathers or husbands valuable collections for a fraction of their value, intelligent gun owners getting paid for their nonworking or unsafe old guns, and criminals getting paid to see the evidence of their past crimes melted down.

Will the people of Australia wake up, and overrule their misguided government? Will the public recognize that their real problems are Islamic jihad, suicidal immigration trends, and a criminally unprepared police force?

We can pray for wisdom, but we probably shouldnt hold our breath.

John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation manager, trade compliance trainer, and speaker. Read his book on the surprisingly numerous varieties of vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel), his biting political satires on the Biden-Harris years (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I, II, and III), and his 2024 collection of public policy essays, Current Events and the Issues of Our Age, all available in eBook or paperback, exclusively on Amazon.

Image via Pexels.
Delaware AG Jennings Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

DOVER, Del., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Kathy Jennings, Attorney General of Delaware, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Jennings' Gift Card PSA

Delaware AG Jennings Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

"State attorneys general remain committed to holding scammers accountable for gift card fraud and crimes against consumers. Attorneys general take these crimes very seriously and will continue to use the full range of their authorities to investigate, prosecute, and prevent this conduct," said Karen White, Executive Director, Attorney General Alliance (AGA). "By working collaboratively with law enforcement and with other stakeholders, attorneys general want to send a clear message that fraudulent activity will not be tolerated and hope to give consumers the tools and the confidence to recognize and prevent these crimes."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Delaware Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:

Arkansas: Tim Griffin Delaware: Russell Coleman Delaware: Kathy Jennings Michigan: Dana Nessel District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb Nevada: Aaron Ford Georgia: Chris Carr Oregon: Dan Rayfield Illinois: Kwame Raoul Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday Iowa: Brenna Bird South Dakota: Marty Jackley Kentucky: Kris Kobach Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Earlier this year, on June 5, 2025, the Supreme Court rendered a major victory for religious freedom in Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission. In a unanimous judgment authored by Justice Sotomayor, the Court reversed an earlier order in favor of Wisconsin. The justices reasoned that Wisconsin violated Catholic Charities First Amendment rights in denying it a tax exemption because it thought the services provided were not primarily religious insofar as its employees do not proselytize or serve only Catholics in the course of performing charitable work.

Advertisement

On remand, Wisconsin officials ignored the Supreme Court, again denying Catholic Charities request for an exemption. However, on December 15, 2025, in Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission, on appeal, the states high court summarily ruled that Catholic Charities is entitled to the requested exemption from unemployment taxation. As such, this column reviews Catholic Charities judicial history before reflecting on its impact on religious freedom.

History

Advertisement

In 1972, Wisconsin exempted religious organizations from paying unemployment taxes if, as Catholic Charities did, they provided coverage through their own funds. Also in 1972, though, Wisconsin denied Catholic Charities requested exemption because officials regarded its operations as charitable, educational, and rehabilitative, not religious.

When Wisconsin officials refused to exempt Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Superior from unemployment taxes in 2016, Catholic Charities unsuccessfully filed suit. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin thought the assistance diocesan employees offered the needy through four sub-entities failed to qualify as religious activities at the heart of the Churchs mission because staff members did not attempt to convert clients to Catholicism. When Catholic Charities sought further review, the Supreme Court agreed to hear its appeal, unanimously reversing in its favor.

Advertisement

Justice Sotomayors Majority Opinion

Justice Sotomayor began her rationale by noting that

Advertisement

the clearest command of the Establishment Clause is that the government may not officially prefe[r] one religious denomination over another. This principle of denominational neutrality bars States from passing laws that aid or oppose particular religions or interfere in the competition between sects. ... Wisconsins exemption, as interpreted by its Supreme Court, thus grants a[n impermissible] denominational preference by explicitly differentiating between religions based on theological practices.

Reviewing Wisconsins action, Justice Sotomayor applied strict scrutiny. When courts apply strict scrutiny, the highest level of review applicable, they ordinarily invalidate state limits on fundamental rights such as religious freedom unless those are justified by compelling governmental interests and narrowly tailored to achieve their goals. Finding that Wisconsin failed to meet this standard, Sotomayors powerful statement is worth quoting:

Advertisement

It is fundamental to our constitutional order that the government maintain neutrality between religion and religion. ... When the government distinguishes among religions based on theological differences in their provision of services, it imposes a denominational preference that must satisfy the highest level of judicial scrutiny when officials seek to limit a fundamental constitutional right such as religious freedom.

Sotomayor added that because state officials transgressed that principle without the tailoring necessary to survive such scrutiny, the judgment of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is reversed.

Advertisement

Justice Thomass Concurrence

Justice Thomas join[ed] the Courts opinion in full but wrote separately in agreeing that Wisconsin erred in treating Catholic Charities as an entity entirely distinct and separate from the Diocese of Superior because under canon law, it and its sub-entities are an arm of the diocese. He also noted that Wisconsin contravened the church autonomy doctrine, which grants religious leaders the sole authority to define their missions without state interference.

Justice Jacksons Concurrence

Justice Jackson cited The Federal Unemployment Tax Acts exempting any organization which is operated primarily for religious purposes and which is operated, supervised, controlled, or principally supported by a church or convention or association of churches from state unemployment coverage laws. Observing that Wisconsin treat[ed] church-affiliated charities that proselytize and serve co-religionists exclusively differently from those that do not, she concurred that it violated the neutrality principle of the Constitutions

Religion Clauses ... [and so] join[ed] the Courts opinion in full.

Supreme Court of Wisconsin

On December 15, 2025, in Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission, Wisconsins highest court summarily ruled that [i]n light of the Supreme Courts holding that this court impose[d] a denominational preference that does not survive strict scrutinywe determine that Catholic Charities [and its sub-entities are] eligible for the religious purposes exemption to [state] unemployment taxation.

Reflections

Catholic Charities is noteworthy because members of the Supreme Court, including separationists Justice Sotomayor, author of its unanimous opinion, with fellow separationist Justice Jackson penning a separate concurrence, put aside their ideological differences in rectifying Wisconsins having trammeled Catholic Charities First Amendment rights.

Justice Sotomayors analysis emphasized that Wisconsin jurists and officials overstepped their boundaries by intruding in defining what constitutes religious activities Catholic Charities offers the needy in denying its exemption from state unemployment taxes. The Court thereby recognized the significance of safeguarding religious freedom because Wisconsin overstepped its boundaries in not deferring to Catholic Charities officials, who explained that serving the needy involves freely providing aid not premised on their converting to Catholicism.

By initially intruding on matters of faith it was unqualified to address, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and lower tribunals, displayed judicial hubris in upholding the actions of officials who misunderstood that Catholic social teachings do not condition aid on accepting the Churchs teachings. Wisconsin thereby impermissibly entangled itself in the Catholic Churchs internal affairs, violating both the First Amendment Religion Clauses and the related church or religious autonomy doctrine. Rather than respecting the First Amendments prohibition against inhibiting the free exercise of religion, Wisconsin courts and officials initially violated it. As the Supreme Court held, Wisconsin exceeded its authority in trying to direct how leaders of Catholic Charities could, or should, carry out their mission at the risk of being denied a tax exemption that was generally available to other, similar faith-based groups.

For perspective, Justice Sotomayors rationale must be viewed in light of the Supreme Courts jurisprudence on aid to faith-based schools advocating judicial non-interference. The Court has stressed that if the government makes benefits generally available, it must treat all recipients equally and cannot interfere by telling religious institutions what they can or must do. In fact, in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, Chief Justice Roberts emphasized that denying aid, here participating in a Missouri program offering grants to nonprofit organizations to purchase playground surfaces made from recycled tires, simply because of their faith is odious to our Constitution ... and cannot stand.

In sum, Wisconsins Supreme Court finally applied precedent properly in protecting Catholic Charities religious freedom rights. In so doing, Wisconsins judges acknowledged that because secular jurists lack the authority, and expertise, to interpret what qualifies as being at the heart of the Catholic Churchs or any other churchs mission, they must defer to the judgments of religious leaders who define their missions.

Charles J. Russo, M.Div., J.D., Ed.D. is the Joseph Panzer chair in education in the School of Education and Health Sciences and research professor of law in the School of Law at the University of Dayton, Ohio.

Image: Matt Popovich via Flickr, CC0 1.0, public domain.
Anybody remember Election Day?

Advertisement

It used to be the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. It started in some places as early as 6 a.m. and closed in most around 9 p.m. In 15 hours, Americans voted. It also used to be that the votes got counted that night and, usually by midnight, almost always by dawn, we knew who was president, senator, congressman, governor, state legislator, mayor, and dogcatcher.

Ah, those days gone by!

Advertisement

Why do I remember them? Because, apparently, it was a slow news weekend, so the New York Times felt the need to post a scare story on its Sunday front page: what will a Supreme Court case do to extended voting?

The Court will hear Watson v. Republican National Committee. Its a Mississippi case about whether a state may accept mail-in ballots received after election day. The Magnolia State counts ballots that arrive up to five days after the election. (They must be postmarked by election day). Mississippi contends it is within its rights under federal law as long as there is a designated election day. The Court should strike Mississippis approach down.

Advertisement

Defenders of late voting say it empowers Americans and makes every vote count! It also opens the door to fraud or at least temptations towards it. Counting ballots after the majority of votes have been counted and the results announced is a potential opportunity to stuff the ballot box. That temptation is enhanced when razor-thin margins separate winners from losers, a growing phenomenon in our polarized land.

What defenders of this system never explain is why all Americans cannot vote at once. Yes, there will be mail-in absentee ballots, from soldiers stationed away from home, students studying out-of-state, and shut-ins incapable of leaving home. Thats a limited demographic pool.

Advertisement

I know that: I voted as a New Jerseyan at a Michigan college. But, back then, when I applied for an absentee ballot, New Jersey had statutory criteria (including studying out-of-state) to be eligible for an absentee ballot. In other words, the legal and social expectation was: get thee to a polling station on Election Day. And it was clear: the completed ballot had to be in the county clerks hands by 8 p.m. election night. Apply early and mail on time, deliver it in person, or forever hold your peace.

Voting is a right. It is also a responsibility. And responsibilities include complying with reasonable rules that foster the common good. That common good includes a political community knowing the outcome of an election, conducted under procedural safeguards that protect its integrity, in a timely fashion. The temporal blob currently on offer in many states is contrary to the common good.

Advertisement

Last time around, there were seats in the House of Representatives that took a month to be decided because California kept receiving votes and checking ballots (e.g., signature verifications) dragged on. In the meantime, the country waited to know who controlled the House because California found it inconvenient to require its voters to show up at a polling booth and vote November 5.

Back in the 1970s and 80s, some western states were demanding federal legislation to ban announcement of presidential voting results because the outcome might already be decided in the East and Midwest before Pacific coast states closed their polls. That happened, for example, in the 1972, 1980, and 1984 Nixon/Reagan landslides. But now many of those same states hold America in suspense for a month while they tally results like third-world countries.

Advertisement

The Supreme Court case only affects post-election day vote collection. Lets also ask about pre-election day voting.

We no longer have election day. We have election week(s), election month, election season. In Virginia, early voting was already underway before the first gubernatorial debate occurred. This is not democracy or expanded voting rights. Democracy demands intelligent voting. This is ballot stuffing, using modern technology, to influence electoral outcomes.

The Times story is probably a liberal twofer. Its first purpose is protecting the morass into which American voting has devolved by assertions of disenfranchisement. Its second goal is a hit job on the current Supreme Court, delegitimizing it as a Republican tool to make a Democrat case for court packing should that party ever regain the power to do it.

Ill concede one point to those who say voting on election day is hard for some people because of work schedules: lets then simply declare federal election days national holidays so that work schedules dont interfere. Or, at least guarantee four paid hours off to vote. European countries solve the problem by having national elections on Sundays, i.e., a day off.

With that reform, there should be no excuse why Americans cannot return to a national electoral snapshot, with appropriate procedural guardrails in place, on one day: the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Image: Tony Webster
I popped over to Tims Somalian Cafe yesterday in the hope of hearing Keith Ellison say that he was shocked, shocked, that Medicaid fraud was happening in Minnesota. But I was disappointed.

Advertisement

But at least we found out what the fraud was all about. Because now theres this from Oilfield Rando:

Democrats allow Somalis to commit welfare fraud in exchange for Somalis engaging in election fraud. Advertisement

Tell me it aint so, Rando! Needless to say, the county prosecutor declined to charge the case.

Politics, you see, is all about rewarding your supporters for helping you get elected -- with other peoples money.

Advertisement

And last week we were all reading the real story of racial quotas and DEI in the professions, courtesy of Jacob Savage and The Lost Generation at Compact magazine. If you are a millennial white male professional, fuggetaboudit:

Because the mandates to diversify didnt fall on older white men, who in many cases still wield enormous power: They landed on us, [white male millennials]. Advertisement

In academia, Hollywood, tech, and corporate bureaucracies, Jacob writes, millennial white males need not apply.

And as for Gen-Z

Advertisement

Ever wonder why educated women and POCs vote for the Democrats? Its the jobs.

Politics, you see, is all about rewarding your supporters for voting against the enemy.

Advertisement

Then there is climate change. I dont know if climate change is real, but it sure pays to get on the climate change wagon if you are a scientist or a manufacturer or an affluent liberal professional that feels like running an electric cable across the sidewalk to charge his subsidized EV and trip up the geezers walking their dogs.

But lets go bigger.

Im reading a three-part series by Liberal Patriot Ruy Teixeira on The Future of the Left in the 21st Century. He writes how the left needs to get with the following issues:

Energy realism

Growth realism

Governance realism

Immigration realism

Merit realism

Biological realism

Patriot realism

Ruy, old chap. If you want to understand the problem, it is Real Simple. It is that the only interest of lefty politicians is buying the support of the voters and the interest groups. As in:

Energy: to heck with cheap gasoline; gift the Climate Industrial Complex.

Growth: to heck with prosperity; just redistribute to reliable Democrat interest groups.

Governance: to heck with getting things done; just fund the Democrat interest groups.

Immigration: to heck with U.S. citizens; just dish out grants to migrant-adjacent NGOs.

Merit: to heck with white middle-class men; just hire women and POCs.

Biology: to heck with normies; just fund the LGBTQ+ Industrial Complex.

Patriotism: to heck with the nation state; just fund the Globalist Industrial Complex.

By the way, do you notice what is missing on Ruys list? Its education. So let me help you, Ruy:

Education: to heck with the kids, just hire more administrators.

I will pass over the question of healthcare in respectful silence, because I cannot believe that the whole point of healthcare is to fund the Obamacare Industrial Complex so that the Obamacare Industrial Complex will fund politicians.

You see, the question of governance is not about liberal vs. conservative, or socialist vs. capitalist, or Keynesian economics vs. Friedman economics. It is this:

Politics is about funding your supporters. To do that and fool the normies you need to rile up your supporters with an enemy: robber barons, economic royalists, racists, sexists, climate deniers, oligarchs. Whatever.

But your educated-class supporters are a bit more delicate. For them, it is not enough just to rile them up against Trump and dish out benefits. You need to fool them into believing that your government program to gift your supporters -- and especially the educated -- is really all about bending the arc of history towards justice: helping helpless migrants, fighting racism, ending the patriarchy, saving the climate.

For over 200 years we have been governing on the principle that we need to get the political theory right, whether it was Adam Smith or Karl Marx or Thorstein Veblen, or Keynes or Hayek or Friedman or Foucault or Marcuse.

Ever since my twenties I have been all-in for Mises and Hayek. But that is missing the point.

The point is that we cannot trust politicians to direct the economy or health care or education. Their skill-set is winning elections; on every other issue they are only competent at funneling loot and plunder to their supporters.

The politicians dont have a clue about the economy, except to benefit themselves: They loot the successful and they regulate the economy to force special interests to fund their campaigns.

The politicians dont care about education. They are interested in getting teachers and professors and administrators to support them.

The politicians are not interested in making things work. Nor do they know how to make things work.

And then theres making healthcare work. How come Ruy Teixeira didnt write anything about healthcare realism?

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

Image: Emmanuel Wyttenbach
Personal redemption is a vital part of our humanity, but putting a convicted killer on a police oversight board defies common sense. Yet thats exactly what has happened in Salem, Oregon.

Advertisement

Critics are, naturally, livid, noting that the move ignores public safety concerns and warnings from law enforcement who called his early release shocking and irresponsible, Fox News Digital reports.

Kyle Hedquist, 47, was reappointed to the seat by the Salem City Council on a 5-4 vote earlier this month. He was freed after then-Oregon Gov. Kate Brown granted clemency in 2022.

Advertisement

Reformed or not, Hedquists crime was especially disturbing: He was convicted of aggravated murder in the 1995 death of 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher. The then-18-year-old Hedquist feared Thrasher would turn him in to police for hiding stolen property, and shot her in the head, dumping her body on a remote road, according to prosecutors.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin slammed the decision to release Hedquist, writing, I am absolutely opposed to the Governor granting executive clemency to Kyle Hedquist, and that the killing was calculated, cold-blooded, execution-style.

Advertisement

Hedquist was originally appointed to the Salem Police Oversight Board a year ago, with normal background procedures apparently not followed. When the nature of his crime was discovered, the Boards and Commissions Appointments Committee voted on December 3 not to reappoint him. But the city council reversed that decision five days later.

Kyle brings a perspective that most of us dont have, Council Member Mai Vang wrote on Facebook. As someone whos been through the criminal justice system, he understands community safety from a different angle. Hes one voice among nine  hes not running the show, but his experience matters.

Advertisement

She continued: I believe people can change. Kyles recent work shows hes genuine about turning his life around and using his experience to help others. And honestly? If any of us needed a second chance, wed want the same consideration.

That may be true, but Hedquists crime resulted in the death of a human being. She can never be brought back, no matter how much Hedquist now regrets his youthful act and would wish to take it back. He is lucky to have been released from prison by a liberal governor. To put him on a police oversight board is insulting to the memory of his victim, her family, and friends.
Colleges long ago abandoned the motto of being a place to teach young minds how to think rather than what to think. No new news there. But Metropolitan State University of Denvers Writing Center has become the latest offender with a directive to abandon Standard American English in student papers.

Advertisement

The instruction has since been removed from the schools website, which is concerning not only for academic standards but also for academic freedom. Professors were encouraged to reject Standard American English (SAE), labeling it a form of Linguistic White Supremacy.

In fact, the Anti-Racist Practices for Your Classroom guidance denied that SAE really even exists, reports National Review Online.

Advertisement

The writing center said it fully support[s] students in using their English (whatever that may be) in communicating their thoughts and ideas, and that SAE assumes there is a correct writing method and that SAE is a social construct that privileges white communities and maintains social and racial hierarchies.

The writing center said its directive was based on compliance with the Conference on College Composition and Communications June 2020 statement DEMAND[ing] Black Linguistic Justice.

Advertisement

We demand teachers stop using academic language and standard English as the accepted communicative norm, which reflects White Mainstream English, says the statement. We demand teachers develop and teach Black Linguistic Consciousness that works to decolonize the mind (and/or) language, unlearn white supremacy, and unravel anti-Black linguistic racism!

The university told National Review it has removed that content and is working with the Writing Center to review it to ensure alignment with the institutions mission, values and academic best practices. MSU Denver remains committed to rigorous academic standards and preparing all students for success in life and careers.

Advertisement

If an individual professor chooses to follow such rules, thats academic freedom, misguided or not. But such rules from the school itself serve to remove academic freedom.

The writing center still has this message on its website:

Advertisement

The Writing Center is committed to celebrating and respecting diversity. We want you to bring your whole self to our sessions. Your unique perspective, thought processes, and experiences are assets. Were here to help you express your ideas in your authentic voice. We meet you where you are. Whether youre neurotypical or neurodivergent, we tailor our support to your unique needs, strengths, and preferences. Our tutors are trained to adapt their communication styles and strategies to best serve you. Advertisement We are neurodiversity affirming. We recognize and honor the diverse ways that individuals think, learn, and communicate. Our approach is rooted in the belief that neurodiversity is a natural and valuable form of human variation. All forms of neurodiversity are welcomed and respected. Whether you have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or any other neurodivergent trait, were here to support your writing journey in a way that works for you. We believe that embracing diversity of all types, including neurodiversity, leads to richer, more innovative writing and a more inclusive academic environment.

Thats perfectly fine if thats how the school chooses to run itself. But the abandonment of standards on purpose teaches nothing. Many of us were taught to learn the rules of writing first, and then we would know when and how to break them.
Ironically, the U.S. was a critical player in an initiative seeking to establish the International Criminal Court (ICC). The foundation treatythe Rome Statutewas adopted on July 17, 1998 and laid the legal framework for a permanent court to prosecute international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, etc. with President Bill Clinton signing it in 2000.

Advertisement

However, Clinton never sought Senate ratification for the treaty as required by the Constitution, citing significant flaws. On May 6, 2002, President George Bush renounced U.S. obligations under the statute, withdrawing its signature. By July 1, 2002, an idea the U.S. had initially helped perpetuate was ratified by sixty nations, but not the U.S.

The U.S. had withdrawn its support over concerns the treaty would be an open door for the ICC to prosecute those in the U.S. military. Later in 2002, Bush signed the American Servicemembers Protection Act to protect U.S. personnel and restrict cooperation with the ICC.

Advertisement

While the wisdom of the U.S. decision to withdraw its support has been demonstrated by the international organizations historical anti-West bias, it is further justified by what is going on today.

The ICCs top prosecutor, Karim Khana Muslim born in the UKhas been accused of being a serial sexual assaulter. Initially accused by a junior ICC employee eighteen months ago, Khan suggested his accuser had been influenced by Israeli intelligence. He reportedly took action against the whistleblower and anyone supporting the victim. Khan has since been accused of sexual assault by a second victim from a previous professional relationship.

Advertisement

But what is most ironic about Khans claim of Israeli influence is that according to Fox, his initial accuser is not only a Muslim, but she is also anti-Israel.

Khan was put on paid leave in May of this year. The ICC announced on December 12 that it had completed the fact-finding stage of its confidential investigation of the accusations and would undertake a legal analysis phase requiring thirty days to complete.

Advertisement

We will have to wait until next month to see what the ICCs legal experts rule. However, Khan may wish he had given more thought to his outrageous claim about Israel influencing an employee of a mostly anti-West international organization that has historically been anti-Israel.

Advertisement

Image: UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
A bad take from the New York Post:

Advertisement

Robin Hood-style thieves dressed as Santa and elves steal $3K worth of goods from Canada grocery store Several masked and disguised individuals entered a Metro grocery store in Montreal and began snatching items off shelves around 9:15 p.m. on Monday, a Montreal police spokesperson told CBC. Advertisement On social media, a Robin Hood-style activist group called Robins des ruelles  or Robins of the Alleys  claimed responsibility for the seemingly festive heist, the outlet reported.

While the Post seemingly wants to give these thieves credit for being Claus for a cause, its important to remember the actual Robin Hood tale, lest we lionize immorality and celebrate Marxism.

Advertisement

Everyone knows that Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but of course that needs context: Robin Hood returned wealth to the people who had rightfully earned it, after it had been wrongfully seized by an illegitimate authority via exorbitant and unjust taxation. It was not a redistribution of wealth, but a restoration of wealth. The real Robin Hood would be anyone who returned the stolen grocery goods to the grocery store.

As the Post also reports, the theft was justified as a great food drive, an act of righteousness against the greedy corporate, capitalists:

Advertisement

A handful of corporations are holding our basic needs hostage. They continue to exploit the population, siphoning off as much money as possible, simply because they can. For us, thats what constitutes theft, and they are the real bandits, the group wrote in a statement on an Instagram page, Les soulevements du fleuve.

Theyre not Robin Hoods, theyre Fidel Castros.

Advertisement

Grocery stores operate on notoriously slim profits: somewhere between 1% and 3%. Now, Im not Canadian and I dont know the specifics of the situation, but what I do know about rising prices is that they always stem from government policy, and I can make some educated speculations. Maybe its Canadas big push to switch from diesel freight trucks to green electric ones, which drive up the cost of transport in myriad waysperhaps thats adding to rising prices? If it costs more for these goods to get to the stores, naturally those costs are reflected in the prices. Could it have anything to do with the millions and millions of foreigners receiving social assistance to buy food? From Canadas own federal government, at least 65% of refugees show up and take welfare benefits.

Whats ironic is that theft loss from grocery stores always gets passed on to the consumersand eventually with enough theft, the store will just close up shop and leave, making it even harder for people to get food (a food desert as they say).

Advertisement

Theyre just Marxists pretending theyre do-goodersfaking altrusim is their modus operandi.

Image: Public domain.
Following a string of scandals and payouts, CBS News brought The Free Press's Bari Weiss in to clean up the news operations at that battered, biased, mainstream media outlet as its editor in chief.

Advertisement

She did that.

She pulled a one-sided 60 Minutes report on the CECOT prison in El Salvador from its lineup as substandard reportage, not even spiking it, as some claimed, just postponing it until it met news standards. That is what editors do.

Advertisement

Obviously, that was humiliating for the reporters, because well, they are used to doing what they like, and it had been advertised on social media. It was pulled just two hours from broadcast time.

Now they're having a cow.

Advertisement

According to TVInsider:

Journalist Sharyn Alfonsi has called out CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss for pulling a report that was set to air on Sundays (December 21) 60 Minutes in what Alfonsi referred to as a political decision. Advertisement The 60 Minutes correspondent sent an internal memo to the CBS News team on Sunday, claiming Weiss abruptly yanked her report on the El Salvador mega-prison CECOT, focusing on men deported to the infamous facility under President Donald Trumps administration. I learned on Saturday that Bari Weiss spiked our story, INSIDE CECOT, which was supposed to air tonight. We (Ori and I) asked for a call to discuss her decision. She did not afford us that courtesy/opportunity, Alfonsi wrote in the memo, first shared by The Wall Street Journal. Advertisement

Now, one thing is sure in this Alfonsi meltdown: The only politics here was Alfonsi's politics, because she did a biased, left-wing, one-sided story and got told to go back and do better.

Here is Weiss's very polite memo:

Advertisement

These are thoroughly reasonable editorial questions and the idea they are anything but is absurd. People leaking on this are telling on themselves. https://t.co/wxYvTFMBo9  Benjamin Domenech (@bdomenech) December 22, 2025

Knowing what I know about the news business, I am sure she was warned before that not to do what she did, too. Unless you're covering real Nazis, or cannibals, or serial killers, you always cover both sides of an issue in a straight news report. That's Journalism 101.

But according to Mediaite, the beef of the issue was a great big whine-a-thon:

Weiss reportedly raised concerns about the absence of an on-camera response from the Trump administration. Alfonsi countered that the network had repeatedly sought comment from the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department and been met with silence. Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story, Alfonsi wrote. If the administrations refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a kill switch for any reporting they find inconvenient. Alfonsi noted the segment had been screened five times and cleared by both legal counsel and standards editors, adding the story is factually correct and withdrawing it was a betrayal of the men who risked their lives to come forward and speak. In her own statement Weiss defended the move, insisting it was routine editorial caution. My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be, she said, adding that holding stories lacking critical voices was standard practice. CBS itself said the piece required additional reporting.

It's such a stupid argument. One, reporters are supposed to get even their enemies to go on camera, through their great persuasive skills. They are dogged, they are determined, they develop and work their sources, and they do what they can to get that big interview even with someone whose politics they don't like. Obviously, Alfonsi's team wasn't so successful. (The Vanity Fair team might consider showing them how it's done. And note that the New York Times and the Washington Post regularly claim they speak with "dozens" of sources inside the Trump administration.)

Did it occur to Alfonsi that her previously one-sided reporting might just have had a knock-on bad effect for deterring sources from speaking to her in future stories? I'm gonna guess 'no.' But that's why reporters always need to develop a reputation for fairness, which Alfonsi clearly did not. That's why she couldn't get anyone to come to the phone.

Meanwhile, as any good reporter will tell you, or any good Journalism 101 class will teach -- there are ways to get such footage anyway to explain the other side of things for an on-screen report. Videos from other broadcasts can be used. Videos from past encounters with the president's aides, from previous reports, can be used. Pals of the president, or ex-officials, can be used. There's always a way, and reporters get creative for those elusive 'gets.'

The point being, the other side's view needs to be laid out, and laid out fairly and accurately. There's more than one way to do it, and journalists don't need a sit-down interview with the president himself to declare they have finally gotten the point of view of the other side. Sometimes, the president or his desired lieutenants are just too busy, after all.

The claim that Stephen Miller not wanting to come to the phone gives him a 'veto' is pure hyperbole. Get someone else if you can't get Stephen. Once again, Journalism 101.

The reporters and their media allies are having a cow, but Weiss was just trying to do the right thing by normal journalism standards:

Here's what Bari Weiss said on the CBS 9am call, per a source who transcribed it:



"I want to say something about trust: our trust for each other and our trust with the public.



The only newsroom Im interested in running is one in which we are able to have contentious  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 22, 2025

Weiss sounds pretty based, assuming Stelter's transcript is accurate.

So instead of just fixing their report to CBS standards, they are out making fools of themselves.

And does the public really care about this ridiculous tantrum? I don't think so.

Image: X screen shot.
Venezuela's illegitimate dictator, Nicolas Maduro, has now lost a third oil tanker, which was taken by U.S. forces at sea as it headed into port to pick up sanctioned Venezuelan oil. There are scattered reports that they may be taking a fourth.

Advertisement

Which is very bad news for Maduro, who pays his army through the oil trade, cocaine sales largely being gobbled up by his generals who have formed a bloc known as the Sun Cartel, and worse still, coming against Madurio's bombastic claims that he would send the Venezuelan navy to guard the ships in transit to natand presumably from nations such as Iran and China. Based on the last two or three captures, they didn't seem to be around for the job.

Maduro himself is slinking around with his Cuban Praetorian Guard, operating without cell phones, presumably because they understand that tracking the cell phones of guards is how the Israelis tracked Iran's terrorists in order to strike their leaders in the past year.

Advertisement

Cellphone-less Cuban agents guard Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as US boards a third oil tanker https://t.co/ubUKi2y0bK pic.twitter.com/oDyl68ZREA  New York Post (@nypost) December 21, 2025

According to the New York Post, citing available reporting:

Advertisement

Cuban agents are protecting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as tensions flare with the US  as American forces seized a third oil tanker in the Caribbean on Sunday. The counterintelligence forces from Cuba have been making sure the embattled Maduro is surrounded by security around the clock and no one around him carries phones or other electronic devices, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal. Advertisement

... and ...

But behind closed doors, Maduro has taken precautions. He rarely schedules his public appearances and has been rotating sleeping locations, according to sources who spoke with the New York Times. Its unclear how many Cuban counterintelligence agents have been deployed to Venezuela. Advertisement

All the same, it's hard for a goon to operate these days without a cell phone. Some Venezuelans have said that he's hiding in the Caracas sewers.

But it hasn't made him any less lethal. There's this report that is worth paying attention to for potential developments:

Advertisement

Update: Rumors are circulating in Mexico that Dictator Maduro has put out a hit on President Trump, offering $20 million dollars to the Cartel hitman that does it! pic.twitter.com/huLDEeyEcN  US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) December 21, 2025

Which, if true, would contradict his ridiculous claims that he's no drug dealer. Seems he's pretty comfortable with drug dealers. Who wouldn't call a drug dealer or cartel hitman when he wanted something to go his way?

He has said this:

 JUST IN: Nicolas Maduro promises to "PUNISH" the United States after President Trump and SecWar Pete Hegseth seize another oil tanker



LMFAO!



"This [is] a serious act of piracy...these acts will NOT remain unpunished!" Venezuela said



Maduro is BEGGING for more FAFO.  pic.twitter.com/apYHnXhIlH  Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 20, 2025

And while I can't find the reference, I recall reading on X a couple days ago that Chavista official did suggest they would target more dissidents to kill off.

Shocking escalation in Venezuela: Regime strongman Diosdado Cabello publicly directs Alexander Granko Arteaga, head of the notorious DGCIM intelligence agency and widely accused by the UN and human rights groups of overseeing torture and abuses, to ramp up operations against pic.twitter.com/qD6CUoFGBa  Cartel Watch (@CartelWatchNet) December 21, 2025

A few months ago, similar threats were made against Venezuela's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, when flagless drug boats from Venezuela were starting to be obliterated at sea by U.S. forces.

He's also got a lot of Iranian terrorist connections, meaning, violence and terrorism are pretty much a way of life for him:

 Maduros terror island: Hezbollah and IRGC operatives move in as tourists



U.S. officials say Venezuela's Margarita Island has turned into Hezbollahs most important base of operations in the Western Hemisphere, strengthened by Irans growing footprint and the Maduro pic.twitter.com/3wVcTdXAdl  Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) December 21, 2025

He's sent Venezuelan hitmen abroad to assassinate dissidents, which happened to a Venezuelan dissident in Chile.

Most pertinently, his top military lieutenant, Diosdado Cabello, has been caught sending out a hit squad against then-Sen. Marco Rubio, which was apprehended by U.S. lawmen. This is pretty reflexive stuff for them, and I am surprised it hasn't gotten more press attention.

Now he's vowing to strike President Trump.

Trump has all the justification he needs to hit the Caracas narcostate as hard as he is now hitting ISIS installations in Syria, following their murder of U.S. servicemembers. It needs to be done before Maduro can get away with it. And one hopes that he and his cabinet members have the ultimate in state-of-the-art security and are actively looking for Maduro's cartel hitmen.

This is a dark, dirty, dangerous regime whose main instrument of power is murder. It needs to be treated accordingly.

Image: Screen shot from X video.
The European Union's head honcho, Ursula von der Leyen, recently said that Donald Trump should not get involved in European democracy, according to the left-leaning Politico.

Advertisement

The unelected president of the European Commission was referring to remarks Trump made in which he worried that Europe was facing civilizational erasure due to unfettered immigration, low fertility rates, and a loss of will.

She also stated, It is not on us, when it comes to elections, to decide who the leader of the country will be.

Advertisement

Which is hilarious considering the EU has put great pressure on member nations to rein in allegedly far-right parties or even declare them illegal. To a rational person, that would seem to be meddling in sovereign nations democracies and elections on an extreme and massive scale.

It is political censorship of the worst kind. The mainstream medias incessant use of the almost always inaccurate term far-right is itself meant to conjure up images of Nazis -- and criminalize populist and nationalist movements and parties.

Advertisement

I wonder if the E.U. would reject any and all aid that the U.S. provides to it, whether monetary or military? Guessing not. Seems to me the US saved European democracy twice last century  three times if you count the Cold War. Nor does the E.U. want the U.S. to stop involving itself in NATO. Weird.

All of the top E.U. officials are unelected, and all of them -- EU Council President Antonio Costa, top diplomat Kaja Kallas, and Commissioner von der Leyen - oppose Trumps new National Security Strategy (NSS), which objects to the rule of the unelected Euro-globalist bureaucracy and supports the popular patriotic parties in individual nations across Europe.

Advertisement

Von der Leyen claims this is in large part why the E.U. has proposed the so-called Democracy Shield, which is supposedly intended to counter foreign interference online and in elections. Ironically, the E.U. leaders real goal is to shield themselves from rising popular movements, meaning, European citizens.

The EU itself is shielding its member nations  and their citizens -- from democracy and free will.

Advertisement

The American far-left watches and cheers.

That said, the United States is a republic, and for good reason. Pure democracies always destroy themselves, as soon as 51% or so of the people realize they can negate the rights of the minority. Always. The Founders knew this, because they studied history and government.

Advertisement

Progressives are in the process of building that 51% coalition of the entitled, incapable, slothful, illegal, and anti-American that they know would help them retake and retain power for the foreseeable future.

Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service // public domain dedication
Michigan AG Dana Nessel Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Dana Nessel, Attorney General of Michigan, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Nessel's Gift Card PSA

Michigan AG Dana Nessel Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Gift cards are a popular holiday present, but they are also a target for organized criminal networks that steal, tamper with, and drain their value. My office is proud to partner with the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance, retailers, gift card networks, and attorneys general from across the country to share information and best practices, protect consumers, and dismantle the criminal operations behind these schemes," said Attorney General Nessel.

"Gift card scams are attractive to organize retail crime networks because they are easily accessible and hard to trace," said Bill Hallan, President of the Michigan Retailers Association. "Retailers are constantly innovating to prevent gift card fraud and working with law enforcement on gift card cases. We appreciate AG Nessel's leadership and commitment to keeping gift cards safe and holding organized retail crime networks accountable for these scams."

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Michigan Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:

 Arkansas: Tim Griffin



 Delaware: Kathy Jennings



 District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb



 Georgia: Chris Carr



 Illinois: Kwame Raoul



 Iowa: Brenna Bird



 Kansas: Kris Kobach  Kentucky: Russell Coleman



 Michigan: Dana Nessel



 Nevada: Aaron Ford



 Oregon: Dan Rayfield



 Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday



 South Dakota: Marty Jackley



 Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
One event last week that failed to get the legacy media attention it deserved was the conviction of Mrs. Judge Hannah Dugan on charges of obstructing federal officers. Dugan, youll recall, is the svelte and ravishing jurist who abandoned her bench last April to assist criminal defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz in eluding ICE officers sent to pick him up for deportation. (His second go-around.)

Advertisement

Dugan herself was arrested by the FBI a week later and arraigned a few days later. At the same time, she was suspended from the bench by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13.

Its somewhat surprising that the trial occurred only a little over seven months after the offense, particularly since Dugans lawyers went through the standard rigmarole of calling for dismissal, including a claim that she possessed some kind of judicial immunity equivalent to the executive immunity possessed by the president. (In fact, her lawyers went so far as to cite last years Supreme Court decision Trump v. United States. I kid you not.)

Advertisement

And so, on Dec. 18, after a three-day trial, Dugan was found guilty on one felony count of obstruction. The jury also found her innocent of the charge of harboring a fugitive, which she didnt really do.

It remains to be seen what her sentence will be. One thing for sure, she cant stay on the bench. In fact, its a little strange that she hasnt yet resigned to spend more time with her family. But thats what lefties are like.

Advertisement

Dugan failed to testify in her own defense, so it remains something of a mystery exactly what she thought she was doing. She must have known that Flores couldnt escape and that ICE would catch up with him one way or another. Its likely that this is simply one more case of left-wing performance art, in which the results dont matter just as long as a public statement is made. Lefties have been doing this kind of thing and getting away with it for so long that its become a Pavlovian response. Ring a bell, and here they come, blocking cars, gluing themselves to things, and getting arrested.

Its refreshing to see that Dugan did not in fact get away with it. This conviction is close to being a first as regards out-of-control judges. Will it have any effect on jurists now engaged in the judges revolt against Donald Trump and his administration? That remains to be seen. Its unlikely to influence fanatics like James Boasberg, a combination of Savonarola and Roland Freisler, but it may cool the jets of the myriad minor-league judges who lose their minds every time a federal agency orders a tree pruned. In any case, the Dugan conviction is a pleasant surprise going into the Christmas season. We look forward to more like it in the new year.

Advertisement

Image: AT via Magic Studio
As the father of three sons, I've tried to raise my boys with a proper sense of what masculinity means. I feel proud of the three because they've turned into really good men. Nevertheless, it is tough raising boys today and watching this mad assault on masculinity. Therefore, I was thrilled see this from Jemina Kelly:

Advertisement

Sunday December 14 was a day of horrific male brutality: a father and son slaughtering 15 innocent people including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor on Sydneys Bondi Beach. But it was also a day of astonishing male courage. Two men (one of them the Holocaust survivor) died while protecting their loved ones; another was killed while trying to disarm the attackers before they began shooting. Still another, an unarmed 43-year-old shop owner and father of two named Ahmed al Ahmed, has become a global hero after being filmed managing to wrestle one of the gunmens weapons away, saving the lives of an unknown number of people. Im going to die, he said before taking on the attacker, according to his cousin. Please see my family [and tell them] that I went down to save peoples lives. He was shot five times in the arm and shoulder, but survived. Advertisement Our largely peaceful, rather decadent age offers few opportunities for such acts of great physical courage and heroism. We spend as much time talking about psychological safety as physical safety; silence is equated with violence on issues in which only one opinion is deemed morally acceptable. Yet when physical bravery is needed, it is often one particular group of people who are ready to risk their lives and sacrifice their bodies for the sake of others: men.

That's right: men! The same men who fought and died for our freedom. The same men who into the Twin Towers to save people on September 11th. The same men who rushed to a military recruiting to sign up to fight for their country.

Advertisement

These are the values of true men, the kind of men we call heroes. Our society is so anti-male these days that it doesn't understand that a man fights and protects instinctively. And we saw that again in Bondi.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Advertisement

Image: Pexels
As a slight gloss to John Grondelskis excellent piece on Robert E. Lee, its worthwhile to say a word or two about Lees military reputation.

Advertisement

For many decades Lee was held to be possibly Americas leading military commander, in some ways outshining George Washington himself. In an early 20th-century edition, the Brittanica saw fit to claim that Lee was the greatest general ever of Anglo-Saxon origin. (A strange formulation, I know, but typical of the times.)

But Lee had a problem. While a superb tactician  victories such as Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg make it clear that, aided by able lieutenants such as Stonewall Jackson and James Longstreet, Lee was unmatched as a battlefield commander  Lee was no strategist. In fact, it would scarcely be an exaggeration to say that, thanks to the tenor of the times and his military education, Lee had no real grasp of military strategy at all.

Advertisement

The grand strategy of the Confederacy was straightforward  to hold on, protecting Confederate territory from invasion by the North until the government in Washington D.C. became exhausted and gave up the effort. (Recognition and possible aid from European government was also a factor, but not the crucial one.)

The major strategic conception of the early- to mid-19th century was that of decisive battle. (See Russell Weigleys The American Way of War for a detailed discussion of this.) Derived from the Napoleonic wars, decisive battle held that the aim of a commander should be to put all efforts into confronting his opponent in an all-or-nothing battle that would destroy the enemys forces in one blow. Proponents cited such Napoleonic victories as Jena, Wagram, and, in particular, Austerlitz, as examples.

Advertisement

What they failed to mention was that these decisive battles failed to decide anything. Although they inflicted serious defeats and occasionally broke apart the national coalitions ranged against France, Napoleon was unable, due to his own personal flaws as well as the fears of the European elites, to transform his military victories into diplomatic solutions that would guarantee the survival of his empire. The only truly decisive battle of his career turned out to be Waterloo.

Decisive battle was taught as standard doctrine at West Point for decades following Napoleons final defeat, where Robert E. Lee and almost every other American officer destined to fight in the Civil War encountered it. The fact that Lee accepted the doctrine as gospel isnt up for debate. The first years of the Civil War follow a clear pattern: Lee would gain a stunning defensive victory against Federal forces, but then follow it with an incursion into northern territories that ended with massive defeats (Antietam/Sharpsburg, September 1862; Gettysburg, July 1863) that sent him reeling back to Virginia. By 1864, this method was history, leaving him with no choice but to stand on the defensive with far less in the way of resources and men than had existed previously.

Advertisement

Union commander Ulysses S. Grant, in comparison  and unlike almost every other American officer of the time  didnt think in terms of battles, but of campaigns. Grant would set an objective  opening up the Mississippi Valley, for instance  and then take whatever steps were necessary to seize it  sieges, marches, odd detours that sometimes seemed to make no sense and accomplish nothing, and when necessary, open battle. Every last element was subordinated to his overall strategy, which Grant never lost sight of until he at last, without anything resembling a decisive battle, forced his opponent to surrender.

This strategy culminated in the Overland Campaign of the spring of 1864, when Lee watched in disbelief as Union forces repeatedly suffered what to all appearances looked like crushing defeats at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, and Cold Harbor, but kept heading south toward Richmond. By the time they reached the railhead at Petersburg, it should have been clear to Lee that he was dealing with a strategic conception he did not understand and had no hope of defeating, and that he should urge Jefferson Davis to sue for peace. He couldnt see his way to it, and instead used his tactical genius to continue a losing conflict for another ten months, at the cost of tens of thousands of casualties.

Advertisement

Theres no point in denying the Souths adulation of Robert E. Lee. Every region needs its heroes, and in many ways -- in most ways -- Lee was an admirable and noble figure. But he was not a great commander in the only sense that truly matters in war. Like many others, like Napoleon, or Eisenhower, or Westmoreland, he was flawed, and flawed in a way that rendered the achievement of victory impossible. Southerners began the war with a very poor hand. They needed a Caesar. I think we can agree that its fortunate for all of us that they didnt find one.

Advertisement

Image: Public Domain
Turning Point USAs AmFest, held over the past week, is proving to be Ground Zero in the showdown that Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens are forcing on the conservative movement in America. On the one side is the Republican Partys long-standing and deep support for Israel; on the other side is an increasingly ugly and virulent antisemitism.

Advertisement

Image created using AI.

Advertisement

This is a battle that Tucker and Candace must lose if conservatism is to survive in America. Indeed, they must lose it if America is to survive. This is not something I say only because Im Jewish, although that obviously means I have a dog in the fight. I say it because no good ever comes from embracing antisemitism. One doesnt have to look further than the Islamic takeover of Europe and the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world to connect the dots.

If you havent focused a lot on where Tucker and Candace have been going (and I should say that I used to like them both, especially Tucker, whose show I once watched religiously) let me give you a short primer. Here are a few of Tuckers most recent opinions:

Advertisement

Per @TuckerCarlson, Christians have it better in Qatar than Israel.



The truth? There are 2x as many Christians in Qatar (~400K vs 188K), but they're almost all migrant workers.



Despite Tucker's claim of "so many Christian churches in Qatar," there are SIX. Total. For 400K pic.twitter.com/iQLPzbYqcc  Joel Mowbray (@joelmowbray) December 12, 2025 Tucker Carlson, speaking in Qatar, questioned why the United States prioritizes Israel over Gulf states such as Qatar, arguing the strategic value is one sided.



He said Israel is a completely insignificant country with no resources and 9 million people, adding that the pic.twitter.com/HvDsGTFCZ8  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 17, 2025 Tucker Carlson says he hates Christian Zionists more than anybody.



Tens of millions of American Christians are proudly standing with Israel and the Jewish people because they have moral clarity and also follow the Bible.



Tucker, you're a disgrace.pic.twitter.com/cHb1KcMbBc  Vivid. (@VividProwess) December 13, 2025 Tucker Carlson said it is more peaceful for Christians in Qatar than in Israel.



Pastor @SedraAndrew: That is a lie.



Preach the Bible in the streets, critique Islam, and you can be jailed for years or killed in the street. pic.twitter.com/FKqFsnP3ie  The Eric Metaxas Show (@EricMetaxasShow) December 19, 2025 Mossad Commentary may have the answer to Tuckers newest obsession: Tucker Carlson was just named Antisemite of the Year.

And while I cant argue with the reasons, I do disagree on one point.



Yes, his obsession with Israel.

Yes, the double standards.

Yes, blaming Jews for everything from killing Jesus to running the world.



All of that is pic.twitter.com/mMIEVeOP0T  Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) December 21, 2025 And then theres Candace, whos moved from Brigette Macrons alleged penis to an obsession with the Mossad: Pro tip, @BillAckman: most people generally accept that the New York Post is an outfit of the Mossad. If youre going to share your text messages and send out the attack dogs, Id reccomend choosing a different publication so that this all looks more organic.



DMS still open! Xx pic.twitter.com/qx1Ecdc9Qk  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) September 18, 2025  URGENT

Two days ago I was contacted by a high-ranking employee of the French Government. After determining this persons position and proximity to the French couple, I have deemed the information they gave me to be credible enough to share publicly in the event that something  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 22, 2025 They are blackmailing President Donald Trump in broad daylight.

The slow release of the e-mails is intentional. Now he will give them whatever they want.



For those who struggle with context clues, THEY=Israel, who Jeffrey Epstein worked for.



This is how our nation is run.  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 13, 2025 Mossad Commentary may have the answer to Tuckers newest obsession:And then theres Candace, whos moved from Brigette Macrons alleged penis to an obsession with the Mossad:

These are not healthy people.

So, let me say something about antisemitism and the self-destruction built into it. In Genesis 12:3, God told Abram, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. Whether one believes this Biblical narrative or not, theres no doubt that those societies that have treated Jews well (at least by the standards of their time) have thrived, while those that did not have failed.

Advertisement

America, since its founding, has certainly been evidence of a country that treated its Jews well. England, the most important nation in the world in the 19th century, had also abandoned virulent antisemitism by that time. There was no Dreyfus case in England. By contrast, England is now a nation in serious decline and, not coincidentally, a dangerously antisemitic one, too.

Moreoverand this is the important pointthose societies that turned violently on Jews invariably turned violently on everyone else. The Nazis, the Muslims, the Tsars, the Soviets...Jews are always their first victims, not their last. Jews are the canaries in the coal mine, the test case to see how far the government can go in persecuting its own citizens. It starts with the Jews, but it never ends with them.

Advertisement

Please note, though, that I dont demand that society wallow in philosemitism; that is, love of the Jews. Jews ask only to be left alone, like any other law-abiding citizens.

Naturally, antisemites hate Israel, the worlds only, very tiny Jewish nation. As Tucker makes plain, he thinks that Israel costs us the love of the Arab-Muslim Gulf states.

Advertisement

What he seems to have missed is that Islam (like Mikey) hates everything. Jews are at the top of the list, but when there are no Jews, Muslims slaughter Christians (hello, Nigeria and large swaths of Africa!), and when there are no Christians, they slaughter each other (hello, Sunnis and Shias!). They do not see caving on Israel as earning a pass; they see it as a sign of weakness that practically invites attack.

Thus, Israel is not the cause of the Muslim worlds hostility to us. (In the Iranian lexicon, Israel is merely the Little Satan, while America is the Great Satan.) Instead, Israel is our front line in the battle. Because Israel takes the heat, we can be its backup, rather than sending our own troops into war. Israel is the Pentagons good friend because it takes our weapons, tests them in battle conditions, and improves them. And the Mossad is undoubtedly the worlds best spy agency, so its helpful to have it on our side.

Those in the conservative movement who have turned on Israel are weakening the movement and putting America at great risksomething that becomes an exponentially greater risk if they join forces with the antisemites in the Democrat party. If we become an antisemitic party and nation, we will be cursed, whether because God wills it or because weve chosen the wrong side in an epic existential war. When Ben Shapiro called out Tucker and Candace and Megyn Kelly, he wasnt acting as a self-appointed gatekeeper; he was acting as a standard bearer, righteously demanding that we be better than the leftists, the Nazis, and the Islamic radicals.

Ill leave you on a light (and very effective) note:
No matter if you've been a plant lover all your life or if you're just starting to get into plants now, if you're a pet parent, you have to be careful which ones you choose. While a lot of people probably think of houseplants as nothing more than decorationspets can mistake them as food or toys. Seeing how they like to explore things with their mouths, certain plants can be dangerous as there are several plants that are toxic to dogs and cats. Because of that, if they take a bite out of a plant that is not pet-friendly, it can make them very sick, or even send them to the emergency vet. To help you advoid this from happening, we rounded up 10 houseplants that are safe for dogs and cats and included pictures.

Once you go through our list of plants that are not toxic to dogs and cats, you'll see that there are still tons of beautiful options you can bring into your home if you want to add some live greenery to it. In fact, you may be surprised by how many pet-safe houseplants and non-toxic indoor plants are available. From lush, leafy varieties to compact decorative favorites, these pet-friendly plants allow you to create a pretty and inviting space without worrying about your pets getting into something harmful.

Though the full list of pet-friendly plants is an extensive one, here are ten popular ones to get you started. Whether you're searching for cat-friendly houseplants, dog-friendly houseplants, or just easy, low-maintenance indoor plants safe for pets, theres no shortage of stunning choices that can brighten your home while keeping your furry companions safe.

10 Houseplants Safe for Cats and Dogs

Discover beautiful indoor plants that are safe for both cats and dogs, so you can enjoy a greener home without worry. Each of these pet-friendly houseplants offers style, charm, and peace of mind for every pet parent.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

A pet-friendly Spider Plant on a side table.

The Spider Plant might be considered the quintessential beginners houseplant. Best of all, Spider Plants are not toxic to dogs and cats, so your pet will be OK if they sneak an exploratory nibble! Besides being safe for your adorable dog or cat to be around, its pretty, easy to care for and can tolerant of different light levels (although partial shade is ideal). A loose potting soil and moderate watering are recommended for this low-maintenance plant. Usually a weekly watering schedule will suffice, so long as youre keeping the soil moist.

African Violet (Saintpaulia)

A bunch of African Violets, which are pet-friendly plants.

How pretty is this pet-friendly plant? African Violets are another popular variety of dog-and-cat-safe plants, with eye-catching flowers and dense, fuzzy leaves. This pet-safe plant evolved to grow through the dense foliage of Eastern Africas rainforests, so they thrive and bloom in fairly low-light conditions. Of course, your African Violet will still need some sunlight to grow, but make sure to put it in a spot where it wont be hit directly by the afternoon sun, as that can hurt it. Getting water on its leaves can cause spotting, so be careful when watering it. In fact, watering from the bottom is recommended, though not necessary.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata)

Two Boston Ferns hanging from an outdoor trellis.

If you're looking for plants non-toxic to dog and cats, this is one! With its long, arching green leaves, the Boston Fern is an eye-catching houseplant that wont pose a health risk to your pets.

When it comes to taking care of them, Boston Ferns prefer bright, indirect light and consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Watering your Boston Fern once or twice a week should suffice, depending on your homes humidity levels. If you live in a particularly low-humidity area, you may also want to consider misting your Boston Fern daily or placing it next to a humidifier, as low humidity can cause its leaves to turn yellow.

Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

A pet-friendly Pink Polka Dot Plant.

One more adorable plant that is colorful to consider when you're searching for plants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs is this one! With cute green leaves spattered with bright pink or purple splotches, the Polka Dot Plant resembles a Jackson Pollock painting brought to life. However, keep in mind that while the Polka Dot Plant is classed as non-toxic, it can still cause mild digestive upset if large quantities of it are eaten by your pup, so dont let your dog or cat go to town on it!



Polka Dot Plants enjoy partial sunlight, well-draining soil, and moderate moisture. A good rule of thumb is to water this pet-safe plant whenever the first half-inch of soil has dried out.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

A Chinese Money Plant in a terracotta pot.

Not only are Chinese Money Plants not toxic to cats and dogs, but theyre also fast-growing, easy to care for, and beginner-friendly! That's why no matter if you have a calm pet or a curious one, this is a great option for your home. Originating from the mountainous Yunnan Province in southern China, a healthy Chinese Money Plant will grow an abundance of rich green coin-shaped leaves (hence its name).

This pet-friendly plant also prefers bright indirect sunlight and high humidity, though theyre fairly tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels. Theres no hard-and-fast rule to watering them, but you should plant them in well-draining soil and allow that soil to mostly dry out between waterings. Tip: If the leaves start to droop, that means your plant is getting thirsty!

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

A potted Venus Flytrap, which is pet-friendly.

Though the Venus Flytrap may be the bane of pesky household insects everywhere, it poses no threat to your furry friends. In fact, ther are houseplants safe for cats and dogs, though they are a little more tricky to care for than some of the other plants on our list. You see, Venus Flytraps natively grow in the acidic, sandy soils of the coastal Carolinas, so as houseplants, they prefer full to partial sun and lots of humidity. They are also very sensitive to the chemicals in tap water, so you can only use distilled water or collected rainwater on them, and you should only water them from the bottom.

Venus Flytraps dont need traditional fertilization, though. However, if your home is pest-free, you can feed yours a bug (live or freeze-dried) once every 2-6 weeks to give it the nutrients it needs to thrive.

A Venus Flytrap can certainly make a fun housewarming gift for another pet parent with a fondness for the macabre if you want to give them something unique this Christmas as well.

Echeveria (Echeveria)

Lilac and jade-colored Echeveria Rosettes, which are plants not toxic to dogs and cats.

While not all succulents are pet-safe plants, many of the most popular varieties are, including the ever-popular Echeveria. Their fleshy leaves form tight rosettes in a rainbow of different colors, from silvery jade-green to blues and lilacs tipped with rosy pinks. A water-retaining plant native to the arid regions of Central America and South America, Echeverias love warmth, full sunlight and infrequent watering, as too much moisture can cause them to rot. Because of this, only water them when their soil is completely dried, so once every couple of weeks, to keep your Echeveria happy!

Air Plant (Tillandsia)

Air Plants hanging, which are houseplants safe for cat and dogs.

If youve ever lamented your lack of a green thumb, then its time to give Air Plants a try. Not only are all Air Plants not toxic to dogs and cats, but as pet-friendly houseplants, theyre just about as low-maintenance as they come. Air Plants are epiphytes, meaning that they get all of their water and nutrients from the air, not the soil, and only need a little more than partial sun to thrive.

That being said, since your homes air is likely drier than what theyre used to in nature, you should still keep your Air Plants moist either by spritzing them throughout the week or by submerging them in water once every 1-2 weeks for 30-60 minutes at a time. Also, since Air Plants can look a little bit like cat toys, you may want to hang them out of reach of prying paws. Not because yoru cat will be harmed by playing or eating one, but

Zebra Cactus (Haworthia)

A Haworthia Fasciata alba plant that is not toxic to dogs and cats.

Not to be confused with the Calathea or Zebra Plant (though Calathea is also another pet-safe plant species), the Zebra Cactus or Haworthia is a type of slow-growing succulent with spiky green leaves decorated with bright white stripes. Like other succulents, it has fairly low care requirements. Just give it full to partial sunlight, keep it warm, and only water it whenever the first inch of its sandy soil has dried out.

They are a great alternative to Aloe Plants, as they are toxic to cats and dogs. Just remember that their spiky leaf tips can still poke your pets if played with!

Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

A pet-friendly Bromeliad with a big orange blossom.

Should you want a pet-friendly houseplant that also makes a big impression, the Tropical Bromeliad is precisely what you need. From the center of its arching green leaves bursts a brightly-colored, trumpet-shaped blossom. They're beautiful, fairly hardy, and non-toxic, making them a favorite of avid horticulturalists and first-time plant parents alike!

Bromeliads can also be grown without soil. If you do pot your Bromeliad in soil, use an acidic, well-draining soil, and fill its tank (the cup at the center of the flower) about every 2 weeks in the warmer months and every 3-4 weeks in the winter. If you grow your Bromeliad in a moss basket or as a true air plant, mist it throughout the week and give it a good soaking once every 1-2 weeks.

Yellow Flag Pet-Safe Houseplants

A Maidenhair Fern (a pet-safe variety) growing on a windowsill.

The question of whether or not certain houseplants are pet-friendly can be a tricky one, especially if were discussing certain groupings of plants rather than a few specific species. While many of the following plants are technically pet-safe, pet parents should still be cautious when choosing them. When in doubt, check the ASPCAs list of non-toxic plants to see if the plant youre curious about is on there. If not, you should opt for a safer alternative.

Bamboo: Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) is perfectly safe to have around cats and dogs. The trouble is that Bamboo has many look-alikes (including ones that may even have Bamboo in their names), which are toxic. Many varieties of "Bamboo" grown as indoor plants aren't true Bamboo, so proceed with caution, and be on the lookout for such dangerous dopplegangers as Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana) and Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina Domestica).

Ferns: True ferns (members of Class Polypodiopsida) are generally pet safe. However, much like with Bamboo, not all ferns are true ferns, and some are unsafe to have around your pets. Foxtail Ferns (which go by several alternate names, including Asparagus Ferns or Emerald Ferns) are particularly poisonous to pets, containing cytotoxic (red blood cell-destroying) saponins. Even if the plant youre looking at is called a fern, cross-reference it with the ASPCA list first.

Succulents: There is a wide variety of succulents you can find at any given plant nursery. Some, like the Aforementioned Echeverias and Haworthias, are perfectly innocuous, while others, including Aloes, can pose a real threat to your pet's health if consumed. You should never take it as a given that your succulent will be pet-safe without double-checking first!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet Ownership section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.

The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.

At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 kilometers (210 miles) from where the mass shooting took place on Dec. 6.

An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.

The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis, police said in statement.

The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.

Police have since launched a search for the suspects.

The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024  an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.

The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.

According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
At the end of a year thats felt a little lacking in glad tidings, at least theres no shortage of Christmas movies to escape into. Whether youre running back the entire Home Alone saga, revisiting one of the many, many iterations of A Christmas Carol or simply relaxing with a formulaic rom-com about a woman with a Big City job falling for a charming small-town Christmas tree salesman, you could easily watch festive films back-to-back all December and still have plenty of movies to spare.

If, however, youve reached the point where the sight of yet another real-life Santa is enough to have you reaching for the off switch, there are still plenty of darker, stranger alternatives on offer. Beyond the perennial debate about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie (Macaulay Culkin says no), there are plenty of other great movies ripe for a rewatch, thanks to a latent Yuletide theme or just because splattering the walls with blood is their idea of putting up the decorations.

Here are five underrated dark comedies and festive horrors worth enjoying this Christmas:

1. In Bruges (2008)

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell in Martin McDonagh's In Bruges (Universal Pictures)

Almost a decade before the Oscar-winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, writer-director Martin McDonagh made his feature directorial debut with this sublime tale about a pair of hitmen hiding out in the lovely Belgian city of Bruges. The hilarious, sweary dialogue is endlessly quotable, as Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrells Ken and Ray potter around the fairytale town like an Irish update of The Odd Couple.

But is it a Christmas movie? Of course it is! Not only does the holiday provide the setting, with Ray lamenting of one of his victims that theres a Christmas tree somewhere in London with a bunch of presents underneath it thatll never be opened, but the whole story is deeply infused with religious themes. Its no accident that Ken and Ray go to visit a church said to contain a vial of birthday boy Jesus Christs blood. This is ultimately a film about transgression, forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. What could be more Christmassy than that?

2. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr in Shane Blacks Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Warner Bros)

Robert Downey Jr famously made his comeback from Hollywood exile in this highly enjoyable comic take on a hardboiled detective neo-noir, starring opposite the late, great Val Kilmer and a memorably Santa suit-clad Michelle Monaghan. The film was the directorial debut of Shane Black, a blockbuster screenwriter with a penchant for setting films, including Lethal Weapon, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Iron Man 3, during the holidays.

Speaking to Empire in 2022, Black traced his obsession back to watching Christmas-set Seventies spy thriller Three Days of the Condor as a child, recalling: It struck a spark, to take a holiday and make it not just a backdrop but a character itself. As for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, he added: Christmas helped a lot. The idea of this lonely guy in a brand new city at Christmas, wandering... Its a bizarre, ironic take on Christmas in LA.

3. Krampus (2015)

The shadow of Krampus in Krampus (Universal Pictures)

Horror-comedy Krampus sets itself up as a conventional Christmas delight. The film opens with Bing Crosby crooning Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas while families squabble over toys in supermarkets and sweet-looking grandmothers bake cookies in front of A Christmas Carol. Its only after a forbidding storm gathers and the power goes out that things take a turn for the mythologically terrifying.

A great cast led by Adam Scott and Toni Collette makes this a likeable watch, as their family does battle with adorable but deadly CGI gingerbread men and a truly horrifying child-eating Jack in the Box. The film also features an endearing animated sequence explaining the origin of Krampus, the shadow of St Nicholas, who comes not to reward, but to punish. A good reminder to make sure youre nice, rather than naughty, this year.

4. Trading Places (1983)

Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy in Trading Places (Paramount Pictures)

Christmas, huh? spits Dan Aykroyds Louis in this screwball rags-to-riches and riches-to-rags comedy. Ill give him a Christmas present hell never forget! Thats shortly before he turns up drunk to the company holiday party dressed in a disheveled Santa suit, shoveling beef into his pockets, attempting to plant drugs on Murphys character, Billy Ray, and waving a gun around. Despite this, director John Landis has revealed he never meant Trading Places to be seen as a movie for the holidays. The image of Dan Aykroyd as a reprobate, drunken, suicidal Santa is indelible, and we wanted to make it seem like Christmas, he told Forbes in 2020. But it was not my intention to make it a Christmas movie.

Whether Landis intended it or not, the film has become an annual tradition for many. In Italy, the film is regularly aired on Christmas Eve, and it isnt hard to see why. Beyond the holiday setting, theres more than a touch of Dickens A Christmas Carol to the way Aykroyds character is forced to learn whats really important in life by being shown an alternate reality, even if in this story its because hes the victim of an elaborate wager between his wealthy bosses. Not everything about the film has aged well: Murphys character uses the same homophobic slur that gets Fairytale of New York in trouble, and another scene features Aykroyd disguised as a Jamaican in Blackface. Beyond that, however, the film remains a consistently hilarious and quotable festive treat and a welcome reminder of the talent that made Murphy the biggest comedy star of the era.

5. Terrifier 3 (2024)

David Howard Thornton in Terrifier 3 (Dark Age Cinema)

Even if you really want to shake up your Christmas movie list this year, a word of warning: Do not, under any circumstances, show Terrifier 3 to small children. It may feature mute serial killer Art the Clown dressed up as Santa Claus, but this unrelentingly gory slasher sequel is definitely not fun for all the family (just wait until you find out how Art got hold of Santas beard).

For those who are prepared to dive into the bloody mess this December, you may be wondering whether you need to have seen the first two Terrifiers. While it might be helpful to know a little of the fantastical backstory, particularly that Art was decapitated by our hero Sienna at the end of Terrifier 2, frankly, the whole thing operates under the sort of nightmare demon logic that you just have to go along with. One things for sure: Youll never look at snow angels the same way again.
Washington AG Brown Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Nick Brown, Attorney General of Washington, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Brown's Gift Card PSA

Washington AG Brown Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Gift cards are a holiday favorite and safe to buy, but organized retail crime groups are out there committing gift card fraud," said Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. "Here's what you can do: Inspect packaging to ensure it's sealed and the PIN is covered, only check balances at the official retailer site, never pay a debt or claim a prize with a gift card, and report gift card fraud to my office."

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Washington Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Participating AGs include:

Arkansas: Tim Griffin Kentucky: Russell Coleman Delaware: Kathy Jennings Michigan: Dana Nessel District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb Nevada: Aaron Ford Georgia: Chris Carr Oregon: Dan Rayfield Illinois: Kwame Raoul Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday Iowa: Brenna Bird South Dakota: Marty Jackley Kansas: Kris Kobach Washington: Nick Brown

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
A six-year-old boys separation from his father after a check-in appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement one day before Thanksgiving drew outrage from New York officials and advocates who rallied for their reunion.

His son Yuanxin, who was enrolled in first grade in Astoria, Queens, was missing for more than a week after his fathers arrest, according to immigrants rights advocates who fought for their release.

The father and son were deported to China last week, according to Homeland Security officials.

Yuanxin was among the youngest immigrants taken from ICE officials during a routine check-in appointment in New York, drawing scrutiny into an apparent tactic used by Donald Trumps administration to pressure undocumented migrants into leaving the country by separating them from their families.

His father Fei Zheng was arrested and jailed in upstate New York, according to ICE records. After more than a week of attempts to determine Yuanxins whereabouts, lawyers and advocates confirmed he was in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which takes control of unaccompanied children separated from their families by ICE.

A Chinese father and son in New York have been deported to their home country after they were separated for nearly a month following an ICE check-in appointment (REUTERS)

Fei Zheng was eventually able to speak with his son twice over the phone while they were separated, though officials did not tell him where he was, according to Jennie Spector, an immigrants rights advocate who maintained contact with the father while he was in custody.

This was a family who wanted to contribute to their community, a child who was bright and wanted to get a good education, a father who wanted the best for his child and wanted to work hard, Spector told The City. They were denied that opportunity because of our broken and punitive immigration system, a system that is now set up to cause as much harm as possible.

An initial statement from Homeland Security said Fei Zheng refused to board a plane and was acting so disruptive and aggressive that he endangered the childs wellbeing.

He even attempted to escape and abandon his son, Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent at the time. Mr. Zheng had the right and the ability to depart the country as a family and willfully choose to not comply.

The agency later reported that he hit his head against a wall and said he wanted to die during his arrest at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, according to The New York Times, citing internal records.

ICE has arrested at least 140 children younger than 18 years old in the New York City area since Trump's inauguration through mid-October (Getty Images)

Zheng and his son entered the United States without legal permission earlier this year and sought asylum in the United States over fears of torture in China. They were briefly detained inside an ICE facility for families in Texas.

After their release, they began to settle in New York, with Yuanxin starting first grade, as they continued legal proceedings to remain in the country.

They had only been free for a few weeks before they were arrested again in November.

Zhengs wife had learned about her husbands deportation from a lawyer in New York, according to a family friend who spoke to The City.

She sounded hopeless  unsure of what to do next, the person said. But she also sounded very clear-eyed about this. Shes just worried about what life would look like in the future. What her husband would do, how to make a living, how to support her husband when he returns, how to deal with his despair.

Advocates fear ICE arrests targeting families in the countrys interior are forcing them to make an impossible choice: leave their children behind with other caregivers or none at all, which could mean moving them into foster care systems or shelters, with imminent threat of removal from the country (Getty Images)

ICE has arrested at least 140 children younger than 18 years old in the New York City area since Trump's inauguration through mid-October, according to federal data reviewed by the Deportation Data Project at the University of California, Berkeley.

Nationwide, federal immigration authorities have arrested more than 3,800 minors, including 20 infants, since Trump took office.

Hundreds of children have been sent to government-run shelters since Trump took office as the administration arrests a growing number of immigrant families to keep pace with the presidents demands for mass removals.

The actions recall the infamous zero tolerance era of Trumps first administration that separated thousands of migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, a policy that was effectively blocked by a settlement in a federal court case.

But his second administration has launched an unprecedented return of family separation across the United States, including targeting mixed-status families who have lived in the United States for years, according to legal advocates who spoke to The Independent.

Advocates fear immigration enforcement arrests targeting families in the countrys interior are forcing them to leave their children behind with other caregivers or none at all, which could mean moving them into foster care systems or shelters, with imminent threat of removal from the country.

New York City comptroller Brad Lander and other officials rallied for the release and reunion of 6-year-old Yuanxin and his father Fei Zheng after their arrest one day before Thanksgiving (Getty Images)

New York Citys elected public advocate Jumaane Williams said the familys story is tragically emblematic of the cruel trauma of family separation, a lack of due process for asylum seekers and others, and inhumane conditions. Enough.

Diana Moreno, who is running for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanis vacant seat representing Queens in the state assembly, called the news of the familys removal devastating and renewed her demands to abolish ICE once and for all.

Hundreds of people rallied in Queens this month to support the family, including one of Yuanxins teachers.

He has amazing handwriting both in English and Mandarin. He loves to sing and dance to our Good Morning song during our morning meetings. He is great at making friends and he is an important part of our classroom community, the woman said. Our class feels his absence every single day.

Advocates in New York also are pressing the Department of Education to speak up to defend the tens of thousands of immigrant students in this city who are being targeted by ICE.

No student should be held in ICE custody separately from their family, according to a statement.
A campaigner said: This stolen music is almost certain to end up training AI models. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters (Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters)

An activist group has claimed to have scraped millions of tracks from Spotify and is preparing to release them online.

Observers said the apparent leak could boost AI companies looking for material to develop their technology.

A group called Annas Archive said it had scraped 86m music files from Spotify and 256m rows of metadata such as artist and album names. Spotify, which hosts more than 100m tracks, confirmed that the leak did not represent its entire inventory.

The Stockholm-based company, which has more than 700 million users worldwide, said it had identified and disabled the nefarious user accounts that engaged in unlawful scraping.

An investigation into unauthorised access identified that a third party scraped public metadata and used illicit tactics to circumvent DRM [digital rights management] to access some of the platforms audio files, said Spotify.

Spotify does not believe the music taken by Annas Archive has been released yet. Annas Archive, which is known for providing links to pirated books, said in a blog it wanted to create a preservation archive for music.

The group claimed the audio files represented 99.6% of all music listened to by Spotify users and would be shared via torrents, a means of sharing large digital files online.

Of course Spotify doesnt have all the music in the world, but its a great start, said Annas Archive, which describes its mission as preserving humanitys knowledge and culture.

With your help, humanitys musical heritage will be forever protected from destruction by natural disasters, wars, budget cuts and other catastrophes, said the group.

Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and campaigner for protecting artists copyright, said the leaked music would probably be used for developing AI models.

Training on pirated material is sadly common in the AI industry, so this stolen music is almost certain to end up training AI models. This is why governments must insist AI companies reveal the training data they use, he said.

The Annas Archive site makes references to LibGen, a vast online archive of pirated books that has allegedly been used by Mark Zuckerbergs Meta to train its AI models. According to a US court filing, Zuckerberg, Metas founder and chief executive, approved use of the LibGen dataset despite warnings within the companys AI executive team that it was a dataset we know to be pirated.

Meta successfully defended a claim for copyright infringement by authors, but the plaintiffs in the case are seeking to amend their claim.

The co-founder of an AI startup wrote on LinkedIn that members of the public could in theory create their own personal free version of Spotify. Yoav Zimmerman, a co-founder of Third Chair, said it could also allow tech companies to train on modern music at scale.

He added: The only thing stopping them is copyright law and the deterrent of enforcement.

Spotify said it had put in place new safeguards for these types of anti-copyright attacks since the Annas Archive announcement and was actively monitoring for suspicious behaviour.

Copyright has become a battleground between artists, authors and creatives on one side and AI companies on the other. AI tools such as chatbots and music generators are trained on vast amounts of data taken from the open web, including copyright-protected work.

In the UK, creative professionals have protested against a government proposal to let AI companies use copyright-protected work without permission unless the owner of the copyright-protected work signals they do not want their data to be taken. Almost every respondent to a government consultation on the proposal has backed artists concerns.

Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, told parliament this month there was no clear consensus on the issue, adding that ministers would take the time to get this right. The government has pledged to make policy proposals on AI and copyright by 18 March next year.
A man suspected of killing 15 people during a shooting in Bondi Beach "conducted firearms training" with his father before the attack on a Jewish event, Australian police have said.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, allegedly attacked people at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach on 14 December, killing victims aged 10 to 87 and injuring 40 others.

Fifty-year-old Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene, while Naveed was injured and treated in hospital. He has been charged with 59 offences and was transferred to a prison on Monday.

New South Wales Police have released pictures of Naveed Akram and his father holding guns, as they "conducted firearms training in a countryside location, suspected to be NSW" in late October, according to a fact sheet seen by Sky News.

"The accused and his father are seen throughout the video firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner," police said.

'Homemade bombs'

On the day of the attack, the pair allegedly threw homemade bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the gathering, but these did not detonate.

An analysis indicates that both were "viable" IEDs, according to the police file.

The fact sheet was released after a suppression order was lifted by an NSW court.

Police allege the men had stored the explosives - three pipe bombs, one "tennis ball bomb" and one large IED - in a silver Hyundai car, alongside two single-barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle and two Islamic State flags.

The Hyundai was parked near the scene of the shooting, with the Islamic State flags allegedly displayed in the front and rear windows.

'Justification' video found

A phone belonging to Naveed Akram was also found in the car, on which officers identified several videos, including the alleged firearms training video.

Another video shows Naveed Akram and his father sitting in front of an image of an Islamic State flag, with four long-arm guns with rounds attached seen in the background, police said.

The men "appear to summarise their justification for the Bondi terrorist attack" in the footage, according to the fact sheet.

Their Hyundai was previously seen on CCTV entering the car park at Bondi Beach before Naveed Akram and his father walked around the area at around 10pm on 12 December - two days before the shooting.

Police said this was reconnaissance and planning for the attack.

On the day of the shooting, CCTV showed the pair carrying bulky items wrapped in blankets to their car in the early hours of the morning.

Police allege these hidden items were the rifles and homemade bombs.

They went back inside the AirBnB rental property, in the suburb of Campsie, before leaving in the afternoon to head to Bondi.

Police said a search of the property discovered a firearm scope, ammunition, a suspected IED, 3D-printed parts for a shotgun speed loader, a rifle, a shotgun, numerous firearms parts, bomb-making equipment and two copies of the Koran.

Naveed Akram's mother said she believed her husband and son were on a fishing trip when they allegedly launched the attack, according to police.

She said Naveed had been calling her every day from a public phone at around 10.30am.

New gun laws

Meanwhile, the NSW government announced new draft gun laws on Monday, which the state's premier, Chris Minns, promised would be the toughest in Australia.

The new restrictions would include making Australian citizenship a condition of qualifying for a firearms licence.

But a law like this would have excluded Sajid Akram, who was an Indian citizen with a permanent resident visa for Australia.

Read more from Sky News:

On the ground in Venezuela as US threatens military intervention

NHS reported to police after 'butcher surgeon' evidence destroyed

He also legally owned six rifles and shotguns, which would be limited to a maximum of four guns under the new legal limit for recreational shooters.

This comes as Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his government would introduce a new offence of adults trying to influence and radicalise children after already introducing legislation to criminalise hate speech and doxing.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen (left) with Mette Frederiksen in April. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, they said on Monday. Photograph: Mads Claus Rasmussen/AP (Photograph: Mads Claus Rasmussen/AP)

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland have demanded respect for their borders after Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to the largely self-governing Danish territory, which he has said repeatedly should be under US control.

We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law  You cannot annex other countries, Mette Frederiksen and Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement.

The two leaders added that fundamental principles were at stake. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the US should not take over Greenland, they said. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity.

Trump on Sunday appointed the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as US special envoy to the vast, mineral-rich Arctic island. The US president has on several occasions said the US needs to acquire Greenland for security reasons, while refusing to rule out the use of force.

The US president wrote on social media: Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.

Later on Monday, Trump reiterated that the US needed Greenland for national security, not for minerals, adding that there were Russian and Chinese ships all over the place and Landry would lead the charge.

Landry, a former state attorney general who took office as Louisiana governor in January 2024, thanked Trump, saying it was an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.

Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, told Danish television on Monday he would summon Washingtons ambassador to Copenhagen, Ken Howery, to the ministry in the coming days to get an explanation.

Rasmussen said he was deeply upset by this appointment of a special envoy, and particularly upset by Landrys statement, which he said Denmark had found completely unacceptable.

He added: As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty.

Arctic security remained a key priority for the EU, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, Antonio Costa, said on Monday. Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. These principles are essential not only for the European Union, but for nations around the world, they posted on X.

Von der Leyen and Costa added that the EU stood in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

Sweden will always stand guard over international law, the Swedish foreign minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, said. Her Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, said Oslo stands 100% behind Denmark.

He said it was clear that the appointment underscored Trumps intention to make Greenland part of the US. The purpose of this job, which Jeff Landry is to perform, is to make Greenland American, Barth Eide said.

The vast majority of Greenlands 57,000 inhabitants want to become independent from Denmark but have no wish to become part of the US, according to a poll in January. The territory has had the right to declare independence since 2009.

Frederiksen said in a social media post that Denmarks ally of a lifetime was putting it in a difficult situation. But she said the Nordic country would not deviate from our democratic values.

Nielsen said in a separate post that the appointment may sound big, but does not change anything for us at home. We have our own democracy, our own decisions and a strong community that stands firm. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said the appointment of a US envoy was not in itself a problem. The problem is that hes been given the task of taking over Greenland or making Greenland part of the US, she said.

Theres no desire for that in Greenland. There is a desire to respect the future that a majority in Greenland wants, namely to remain their own country and develop their independence over time.

Strategically situated between North America and Europe at a time of increasing US, Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic, Greenland is also on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the US.

Denmark summoned the US charge daffaires in August for an urgent meeting over an alleged influence campaign after at least three US men with ties to Trump and the White House were accused of trying to infiltrate Greenlandic society.

Several high-profile American politicians and business people have travelled to Greenland since Trumps election. Donald Trump Jr visited the capital, Nuuk, in January and the vice-president, JD Vance, toured a US military base in March.

Earlier this month, the Danish defence intelligence service said in its annual report that the US was using its economic power to assert its will and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.
Singer-songwriter Chris Rea found fame in the late 1970s and 80s with huge hits such as Driving Home For Christmas, Fool (If You Think Its Over) and Lets Dance.

Known for his gravelly voice and latterly for his slide guitar playing, he was nominated for a slew of top awards, including Brit Awards, at the height of his success and sold millions of records.

The musician, who has died at the age of 74, returned to his blues roots after a string of health problems including pancreatic cancer.

I wasnt frightened of dying, he once said in an interview.

Chris Rea at the London Film Festival in 1996 (PA Archive) (MICHAEL STEPHENS)

It did look like the end but what got me through was the thought of leaving a record that my two teenage daughters could say, Thats what Papa did  not the pop stuff, but the blues music. Thats what he was about.

Born to an Irish mother and Italian father in Middlesbrough in 1951, Rea took various labouring jobs after leaving school and helped out in his familys ice cream business.

He came late to the guitar, not picking one up until he was 21.

But Rea proved to have a talent for the instrument, performing with various bands and artists, including guitar legend Hank Marvin.

His debut album Whatever Happened To Benny Santini? was released in 1978 but it was in the mid-1980s that his fame soared.

By the time his eighth album On The Beach was unveiled in 1986, Rea was a star in the UK and Europe.

Singer-songwriter Chris Rea arrives at the Hammersmith Palais for Elton Johns 50th birthday party in 1997 (PA) (PEARCE SAMANTHA PEARCE)

Two of his studio albums  The Road To Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991)  went to number one in the UK.

Rea had his pancreas removed in 2001 and went on to describe the operation as a life-changing experience that caused bouts of depression.

Once theyve taken your pancreas away, the rest of your life is dealing with not having a pancreas, which is pretty awful sometimes, but Im still here, he said in 2014.

Following his health scare, Rea started taking forays into swampy blues, which injected new life into his career.

Several bluesy records followed, including Hofner Blue Notes and Blue Guitars.

Rea said in an interview: I feel Ive had three careers in one, really.

There was the Benny Santini stuff, that came with a general sense of, Who the hell is he? And then there was The Road To Hell stuff and now theres the blues stuff I feel very lucky.

More health troubles came in 2016 when he suffered a stroke.

Chris Rea sold millions of records (PA) (Ian West)

However, Rea recovered to launch a new album, Road Songs For Lovers, in 2017.

He later took the album on tour but had to cancel a number of shows after he collapsed mid-song while performing at the New Theatre in Oxford.

In December 2020, he featured in Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing where he talked about his classic festive song.

Rea was with his wife Joan since they met at 16 in their native Middlesbrough and they have two daughters, Josephine and Julia.

He credited his family with helping him to cope after his ill health.

Its music and family with me. Im only one of four, thats how I am. Im 25% of a unit. Its always been that way and we like it that way. In between that theres music, Rea once said.
A photo showing Donald Trump surrounded by women in swimwear was one of many of the Epstein files that has suddenly been withdrawn this weekend, prompting accusations of a cover-up.

More than 300,000 pages relating to the late paedophile financier were released on Friday, but dozens of them have now been removed by the US Justice Department.

(DOJ)

Of those still on view, many have been heavily redacted, with almost 700 pages entirely blacked out, as well as women's faces obscured in photos, leading to concerns that the public is not being shown the full picture.

Some of the photos were taken by Jeffrey Epstein himself, and others were taken by the FBI when they raided his properties.

One showed an open desk drawer which held two pictures of President Donald Trump, and in one, he poses with four bikini-clad women.

Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general last night justified the decision to remove the photo from public view, citing concerns around the women's identities, but denied any suggestion that they were among Epstein's victims.

In a turn of events, hours later, the Justice Department announced they had restored the photos.

President Trump features in several photos in the latest cache of Epstein files released by the Justice Department (via REUTERS)

The department wrote on social media: The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review.

Todd Blanche (right) defended the decision to remove the documents, saying it was out of an abundance of caution for victims (Getty Images)

After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction.

Mr Blanche said: We learned after releasing that photograph that there were concerns about those women... so we pulled [it] down. It has nothing to do with President Trump. If we believed the photograph contained a survivor, we would not have put it up... without redacting the faces.

He added the caveat that Department was still investigating the picture and as yet, does not have perfect information.

He said: The photo will go back up, the only question is whether there will be redactions,

If there are survivors in any of the photos, we will redact them.

It has been suggested that the photo of the President surrounded by women in swimwear may have been taken as part of a Miss Hawaiian Tropic swimsuit contest, which he judged on multiple occasions.

It has been suggested that the photo may be from a bikini contest which President Trump used to judge (DOJ)

Other photos taken out of the cache were almost all of paintings of naked women on display in Epstein's home.

Marina Lacerda, one of Epsteins survivors who was abused from age 14 until she was considered too old at 17, labelled the redactions a slap in our faces.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: We were just in shock... there is nothing there that is transparent.

The President has long denied links to the late billionaire, despite moving in the same circles as Epstein in New York and Florida for decades.

Epsteins most famous Epstein victim, the late Virginia Giuffre, was procured to work for the paedophile from Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach.

The former Prince Andrew pictured alongside Epsteins most prominent accuser, the late Virginia Giuffre (PA Media)

However, Democrats have continued putting pressure on the Republican President, even leading to changed opinions from some Trump supporters who began to question why the President would not release the full official investigation files as promised.

After the files were released on Friday, there was still public outcry about the contents of the documents. One grand jury document, comprising of 119 pages, was almost entirely redacted. Last night it was released after mounting pressure.

The Justice Department posted on X: Documents and photos will continue to be reviewed consistent with the law and with an abundance of caution for victims and their families.

Whilst appearing in the photos is not necessarily evidence of wrong-doing, redactions in pictures may give the wrong impression.

One such example was a photo released of Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, alongside three blacked-out figures who turned out to be Jackson's own children, Michael Jr and Paris, and Ross's son, Evan. The image was, in fact, already publicly available.

The redacted faces in the photo of Michael Jackson and Diana Ross turned out to be their children (via REUTERS)

Senator Dick Durbin, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would look into the overuse of redaction, saying: The Trump administration is violating federal law to protect the rich and powerful.

Republican Thomas Massie condemned it, saying the release 'grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law'.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee questioned the removal of the photograph of Trump, asking: 'What else is being covered up?'

But according to the White House, the administration is co-operating with Congress and has ordered the release of thousands of pages of documents. They claim their administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.

Mr Trump has not made any comment on the latest files.
Here are the dos  and don'ts  when it comes to roasting turkey. (Getty Images) (Jonathan Knowles via Getty Images)

When you're cooking a festive feast for lots of people and you have to navigate a hot kitchen, in-laws making not-so-helpful suggestions and various timers going off, it can be easy to mess up a key component of Christmas dinner: the turkey.

Not only do you have to make sure you defrost it well ahead of time, you then have to stay on top of basting and roasting it for several hours. One wrong move, and it's game over  especially if you send your guests home with food poisoning.

But it's not all doom and gloom. There are some fail-safe ways to ensure you cook your Christmas turkey to perfection  and avoid making your loved ones sick.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Annabel Kyle, technical director at Food Alert, explain all.

How to cook a turkey safely

Make sure you check the packaging for cooking instructions and start defrosting your turkey in advance. (Getty Images) (Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)

Step 1: Defrost

While some turkeys can be cooked from frozen, you should only do this if the label says it's OK to do so.

In some instances, turkeys can take between three to five days to thaw all the way to the middle, and so it's imperative you start defrosting your meat ahead of the big day, to avoid it cooking unevenly and to prevent harmful bacteria surviving during the cooking process.

Read our full guide on defrosting your turkey safely.

Step 2: Prepare

Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.

Remove all the packaging and place the defrosted turkey into a deep baking tray, making sure to remove any giblets.

Pat excess moisture off with a kitchen towel and preheat the oven.

Wash your hands again and any surfaces to avoid cross-contamination.

Step 3: Cook

To determine the cooking time, check the label for the advice given by the manufacturer.

If, for whatever reason, you don't have cooking instructions available, the FSA recommends placing into a preheated oven of 180C (160C fan, 350F or gas mark 4), and using the following timings:

allow 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes for a turkey that weighs under 4.5kg

allow 40 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs between 4.5kg and 6.5kg

allow 35 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs over 6.5kg

It's worth investing in a cooking thermometer to check the meat is cooked all the way through. (Getty Images) (Donna-Duncan Robertson via Getty Images)

Step 4: Check it's fully cooked

In addition to periodically basting the meat to prevent dryness and achieve a golden-brown skin, you'll need to check that the bird is cooked through and piping hot before serving.

To do this, you'll need to cut the thickest part of the meat to check there aren't any pink bits and that the juices run clear.

It's a good idea to purchase a food thermometer if you're cooking turkey, just to be safe. The FSA outlines the following temperature and time combinations:

60C for 45 minutes

65C for 10 minutes

70C for 2 minutes

75C for 30 seconds

80C for 6 seconds

And remember to clean the probe between checks to avoid contamination.

Step 5: Pack away leftovers

Cool cooked food to room temperature before placing it in the fridge or freezer within 1-2 hours.

If you do freeze your leftover turkey, be sure to label it so you know what it is and when it will expire.

Once you've defrosted your cooked leftovers  which, again, should be done in the fridge or by using your microwave's defrost setting  ensure it's piping hot before eating and consume it within 24 hours. Do not refreeze.

6 mistakes to avoid

You should also look out for these common mistakes when cooking your Christmas turkey. (Getty Images) (Drazen Zigic via Getty Images)

1. Your fridge isn't cold enough

Your fridge should be set to 5C or below before you store food in it. You should also allow for extra room in your fridge and/or freezer ahead of time, as your turkey will take up a lot of space, and you don't want it to touch and contaminate other foods.

Kyle says: "You should keep your turkey in the fridge until you're ready to cook it. Make sure your turkey is stored below ready-to-eat foods (foods which are not going to be cooked before eating) in the fridge and that it is within the use-by date before cooking."

2. Not covering raw meat or fish

If you don't cover raw meat or fish, there is a greater risk of cross-contamination, which occurs when bacteria is transferred from one food to another, as well as from food to surfaces. This, in turn, can cause food poisoning. Kyle says that if it is not possible to keep them completely separate, you should keep them well covered.

3. Defrosting your turkey outside of the fridge

"If your turkey is frozen, make sure you defrost it in the fridge, ensuring it is covered and in a tray that can hold any defrost juices/spillages, not outside the fridge at room temperature, allowing enough time for it to defrost fully, all the way through," Kyle advises.

"Large birds can take several days to defrost so it's important to leave plenty of time for defrosting to complete. If a turkey isn't fully defrosted before cooking, it can result in undercooked meat, which can cause illness," she says.

4. Or not defrosting it ahead of time

As outlined above, some turkeys can take days to fully defrost, and a common mistake people make at this time of year is leaving it too late to start the process.

5. Washing your turkey

The FSA and Kyle also warn against washing your turkey  or any raw meat  before cooking.

"There's no need to do so, and washing it spreads bacteria around your kitchen where it can spread onto other foods, clothing, utensils, appliances, surfaces, and ingredients," Kyle adds.

6. Cooking the stuffing inside the turkey

Cooking the stuffing inside the turkey increases the overall cooking time, so it takes longer for it to cook and can result in an undercooked bird, which can cause illness, Kyle warns.

"Plus, cooking guidelines for turkeys are generally for unstuffed birds, making it harder to understand how long it needs to safely cook your turkey. Cooking the stuffing in a separate roasting tray can help avoid this, or you can purchase a meat thermometer to measure the core temperature of different parts of your turkey to check it is cooked to a safe core temperature of 75C," she concludes.

Read more about Christmas cooking:
A Texas senator who was once Donald Trumps strongest opposition during the latters first bid for the presidency could make a return in 2028 to do battle with MAGAs chosen successor.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Ted Cruz, 55, is gearing up for a potential second presidential run in 2028 as his party eyes the first election cycle without Trumps name in the running for the top job in more than 10 years.

According to the Post, one of Cruzs top allies in Washington and a leader on the pro-Israel right, Morton Klein of the Zionist Organization for America, believes that Cruz is seriously considering a White House bid. The Texas senator is already fielding calls from other allies urging him to run, Klein told the Post.

Another person close to the senator was quoted as saying that Cruz is eyeing a bid.

It comes as Cruz continues to publicly feud with Tucker Carlson, often seen as another potential figure in a hypothetical 2028 Republican primary. Carlson, now an independent media host after leaving Fox News, has emerged as one of the rights most vocal critics of Israel and U.S. neoconservative policy in the Middle East, something Cruz is seen as championing both in the present and during his unsuccessful 2016 bid for the presidency.

A report in the Washington Post indicates that Ted Cruz is preparing for a second try at the White House (Getty)

Cruz, in the years since his failed run, has launched his own podcast and poured his time and effort into building his brand as a commentator with younger audiences. Its a strategic move: those younger Republicans spurned Cruz for Trump in 2016, and will be key to winning a 2028 primary if Cruz is up against the most likely successor to Trumps MAGA White House brand, Vice President JD Vance.

Vance, who leads all available polling on the 2028 Republican side, is a veteran of the podcasting and right-wing independent media circuit. Even with Cruzs own foray into expanding his brand beyond older Republicans who latched on to him during the Tea Party movement, the vice president has a running head start among the partys younger, more politically extreme MAGA base.

It makes the potential for a matchup all the more interesting, however, given the aversion of some of Trumps allies to Vance taking over the mantle given the vice presidents strong ties to Peter Thiel and the conservative wing of Silicon Valleys elite. The likes of Steve Bannon could end up caught in the middle or endorsing a third choice if asked to pick between Vance and Cruz, who represents an interventionist wing of the party the War Room host and former insider has relentlessly sought to quash.

JD Vance, Trumps vice president, continues to lead polling of the hypothetical 2028 GOP primary (AP)

Commentator Tucker Carlson is one of Cruzs top critics and opposes his calls for military action against Iran and Venezuela (AFP via Getty Images)

Cruz could be a longshot candidate in 2028 for the reasons above. His on-camera clash with Carlson resonated loudly across conservative media earlier this year as the right-wing host grilled the senator on topics including Iran and generally portrayed his opponent as inept and unknowledgable about foreign policy positions he claimed to support.

"How many people live in Iran, by the way?" Carlson asked Cruz in one exchange during the interview, prompting the senator to say he didnt know.

"At all?" Carlson shot back. "You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple?"

Cruzs pro-intervention stances have often translated to policies and actions that are some of the least popular of the presidents decisions among his MAGA base, including the buildup of military forces near Venezuela and escalation of a military campaign against small boats in the Caribbean the U.S. says are ferrying drugs.

The Texas senator has accused critics of the presidents military strikes, which many experts say are blatantly illegal, of supporting the socialist regime in Venezuela led by Nicolas Maduro.
Childrens author and comedian David Walliams has been removed from the line-up for the Waterstones Childrens Book Festival, the book chain has said.

It comes after the 54-year-olds book publisher HarperCollins dropped him last week, following an investigation into allegations he had harassed young women.

Walliams strongly denies allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

A statement from Waterstones said: HarperCollins have confirmed that David Walliams will no longer be appearing at our festival in Dundee.

Walliams has been removed from the listed speakers list on the festival website (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

The festival will span across three locations, including Lincoln, where it held its inaugural event earlier this year, and Taunton.

Walliams has been removed from the listed speakers list on the festival website.

The TV star, known for appearing in comedy shows including Come Fly With Me and Little Britain alongside Matt Lucas, is also an award-winning childrens author whose books have sold more than 60 million copies globally, according to the HarperCollins website.

Last week, the publisher said that after careful consideration, they would not be releasing any new titles from Walliams.

They added: HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns. To respect the privacy of individuals, we do not comment on internal matters.

The 54-year-olds book publisher, HarperCollins, dropped him last week following an investigation into allegations against him (James Manning/PA) (James Manning)

Walliams has written books including The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny, the latter of which was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.

He was a judge on Britains Got Talent, but left the role in 2022 after he apologised for making disrespectful comments about auditioning contestants during filming breaks in January 2020 at the London Palladium.

In 2023, Britains Got Talent producer Fremantle apologised and reached an amicable resolution with Walliams after the remarks he made while on the show were leaked.

Walliams, who appeared on the ITV talent show between 2012 and 2022, was suing the company for misuse of private information and for breaching UK General Data Protection Regulation (UKGDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The comedian, actor and presenter was made an OBE in 2017 for services to the arts and charity, having raised 2 million for Sport Relief by completing a 140-mile swim down the River Thames.

Earlier in the year, it was reported that he had made Nazi salutes while recording BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?.

Walliams has been approached for comment about the festival.

A spokesperson for Walliams said in a statement to the Press Association on Friday: David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins.

He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.
The Prime Minister has selected Mary-Ann Stephenson to lead the Equality and Human Rights Commission - Jonathan Brady/PA

The new head of the equalities watchdog has attacked those who describe migration as a risk to Britain.

Mary-Ann Stephenson, the chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), used her first major intervention since taking the job at the beginning of December to warn against the demonisation of immigrants.

Dr Stephenson, who was chosen by Sir Keir Starmers administration to succeed Baroness Falkner of Margravine, also said that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)  the treaty that has been blamed by critics for blocking migrant deportations  would be a mistake.

Her comments signal a shift in approach from her predecessor, who warned last year that integration in Britain appeared to be failing.

Record levels of both legal and illegal migration in recent years have led to concerns about their impact on community cohesion, with protests taking place outside migrant hotels this summer, as well as their cost to the taxpayer.

Reform UK, which has a double-digit poll lead that puts it on track to form the next government, has promised a complete freeze on all non-essential migration.

Labour has responded by toughening its own stance on the issue. In September, the Prime Minister admitted that his party had previously got it wrong on migration, while legislation introduced by Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, requires migrants to prove their social worth.

In her second interview since being appointed, Dr Stephenson suggested that people should limit negative descriptions of migrants.

She said: I think its really important that we have honesty in the way that we talk about human rights, and that we also have a recognition that the demonisation of migrants, the creating [of] this idea that migration causes huge risks for the country, can make the lives not just of migrants to the UK, but of ethnic minority UK citizens, very, very difficult.

Before her appointment, Dr Stephenson previously lobbied the Government to abandon its smash the gangs policy and allow more asylum seekers into the country, comparing criticism of refugees to hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past.

Nigel Farage, Reforms leader, led a backlash to her comments on Sunday night. He said: Reform believes we should deport terrorists, rapists and serious foreign criminals. The vast majority will agree with me that we must prioritise the rights of British people, whatever their ethnicity.

Nigel Farages party has promised a complete freeze on all non-essential migration if it enters government - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

Earlier in the year, protests took place outside migrant hotels across the country after the arrest of Hadush Kebatu, a migrant who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Kebatu, who came to Britain on a small boat and was housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was eventually deported to Ethiopia, but not before his accidental release from jail.

Public concern about migration is now at its highest level in a decade, according to YouGov polling, with 51 per cent of respondents saying it is one of the most important issues facing Britain.

Police stand guard outside the Bell Hotel in Epping during a protest against the decision to house migrants there - Carl Court/Getty

The cost of operating the UKs asylum system currently exceeds 5bn a year, with 2.1bn of this allocated to housing and supporting tens of thousands of migrants in about 200 hotels.

More than 1.2 million foreigners now claim Universal Credit, while modelling suggests a low-wage migrant who arrives in Britain at the age of 25 will pose a net cost of about 187,000 by 65.

Elsewhere, Dr Stephenson issued a thinly veiled swipe at politicians who want to leave the ECHR  which is now a policy of both the Conservatives and Reform.

The convention has been blamed for the scale of the current asylum crisis amid criticism of how Article 8 of the treaty, the right to a family life, is being applied by immigration courts.

But in a staunch defence of the ECHR, Dr Stephenson told the Press Association: Its embedded in UK law through the Human Rights Act, and it provides rights that protect all of us.

Migrants board a boat in the Channel in an attempt to reach the UK from Gravelines, in France - Sameer Al-DOUMY/AFP via Getty

She went on to praise the Human Rights Act  which embeds the ECHR into UK law  for having forced police to investigate crimes against women and girls properly after failings in the case of John Worboys, the black cab rapist.

Citing a second example of where the Act stopped the separation of an elderly couple when one needed to go into residential care, she continued: These are all sorts of cases where most people would think thats the sort of thing we would want to see.

Those are the sorts of rights we would want to have. And so I think leaving the European Convention is a mistake. It weakens the rights that all of us depend on.

Downing Street defended the Governments crackdown on illegal migrants but acknowledged there was a balance to be struck between helping those in genuine need and tackling abuses of the system.

The Prime Ministers spokesman said the Government wants to help those in genuine need, whilst keeping out people who pose a risk to public safety.

He said: We have a long and proud history of welcoming migrants, but equally we must restore control and order to a system that weve inherited that is clearly broken.

And that is why youve seen some of the most sweeping reforms in a generation from this Home Secretary.

Pressed on whether he thought the migration strategy demonised migrants, he said there is a balance to be struck.

EHRC chief called for wealth tax

Dr Stephenson is a Left-wing economist who called for a wealth tax last year.

As chairman of the Womens Budget Group, she signed an open letter to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, which urged her to ensure the rich were taxed more on their assets to fund net zero schemes.

However Dr Stephenson has also supported the right of women who oppose gender ideology to speak out.

In an appearance before MPs and peers in July, she said freedom of speech was very important to her and criticised transgender rights activists efforts to no platform womens rights groups as part of attempts to close down debate.

Earlier this month, she told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that everybody should follow the rules when guidance on single-sex spaces is finalised.

The EHRC is working to finalise guidance in response to a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year which ruled that the words sex, man and woman in the Equality Act 2010 should refer to biological sex.

In a recent interview given after leaving her post, Lady Falkner claimed Labour was no longer the party of feminism following its failure to address grooming gangs and transgender rights.

Sir Keirs choice of Dr Stephenson to lead the equalities watchdog comes in the wake of his own about-turn on gender identity issues.

During his time as leader of the opposition, Sir Keir claimed that 99.9 per cent of women did not have a penis and said it was not right that only women could have a cervix.

By last years general election, however, he said that biological men who did not have gender recognition certificates should not have the right to enter women-only spaces.
Iowa AG Bird Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa, together with Attorneys General from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday seasona prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

Watch AG Bird's Gift Card PSA

Iowa AG Bird Joins National PSA Campaign to Encourage Reporting of Gift Card Fraud Speed Speed

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Watch the National PSA

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

"Scammers prey on Iowans, especially during the holiday season, through gift card fraud. As attorney general, I take these crimes very seriously," said Attorney General Bird. "I'm happy to collaborate with law enforcement, other attorneys general around the country, and the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance to send the message that gift card fraud is illegal, we won't tolerate it, and we are here to help Iowans recognize and avoid it. If you are a victim of gift card fraud, please reach out to my officewe are here to help."

"By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we're sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones," said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. "It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it's critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them."

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Iowa Attorney General's Office immediately. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

 Arkansas: Tim Griffin  Kentucky: Russell Coleman  Delaware: Kathy Jennings  Michigan: Dana Nessel  District of Columbia: Brian L. Schwalb  Nevada: Aaron Ford  Georgia: Chris Carr  Oregon: Dan Rayfield  Illinois: Kwame Raoul  Pennsylvania: Dave Sunday  Iowa: Brenna Bird  South Dakota: Marty Jackley  Kansas: Kris Kobach  Washington: Nick Brown

Participating AGs include:

For more information about the PSA campaign and resources on preventing gift card fraud, please visit the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance website or your state attorney general's official page.

The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance formed in 2024 and is part of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Communities Foundation (RCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with a mission to promote, foster, and encourage the vibrancy of communities in which retailers operate by supporting efforts to advance economic health and public safety. RCF leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance (GCFPA) which was created to educate lawmakers and the public about gift card fraud, enhance collaboration among the private and public sectors to investigate criminal activity, and drive innovation to combat fraud.

SOURCE Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance
Donald Trump Jrs ex-fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle is reportedly not convinced that the Trump heirs relationship is the real deal, following the news of his engagement.

According to insiders, Guilfoyle, 56, only wants the best for Don and thinks that socialite Bettina Anderson, 39, is not well suited for her ex-fiance.

"Kimberly has a hard time seeing the headlines about their relationship because she doesnt believe its built to last, a source close to Guilfoyle told People. "She feels Bettina is more interested in the prestige and attention that comes with being connected to the Trump family and doesnt think shed be with Don if it werent for that.

Kimberly Guilfoyle is reportedly very bitter about her ex-fiances engagement (Getty Images)

The insider also said that Guilfoyle has only recently moved her belongings out of 47-year-old Trump Jrs home.

As recently as not that long ago, Kimberly and Don still hadnt completely moved out of each others places, and Don still had many of his belongings at Kimberlys home, including clothes and shoes, the source said.

Don Jr. and Guilfoyle ended their six-year relationship in 2024, with the pair claiming they parted amicably.

However, the source told People that Don Jr had been introducing Bettina Anderson as his girlfriend months before he divorced Guilfoyle.

Don Jr. has always wanted to look good in his fathers eyes, a source said. Someone like Bettina, who is and has been a model, and is in Waspy circles of Palm Beach, is something that would impress him.

Anderson is the daughter of Harry Loy Anderson Jr, who became the youngest bank president in the United States at the age of 26.

A source told People that she had initially struggled to adapt to the Trump family but eventually learned to look beautiful, stand still and be subordinate to anything the Trumps do.

Donald Trump announced the pairs engagement during a White House Christmas Party, during which Don Jr gushed about his fiancee and publicly thanked her for agreeing to marry him.

Don Jr is now engaged to model and socialite Bettina Anderson (AFP/Getty)

An insider claimed that Don Jr was less complimentary about Guilfoyle during their relationship, though. One particularly sore spot for the ex-couple was reportedly Don Jrs thoughts on Guilfoyles fashion sense.

Don Jr. has been telling people for months that Kim is so uptight and always dresses so professionally in these kinds of dresses and high heels, and never looks relaxed or casual, another source told People last year. The tight dresses need to go and she has been told that.

Despite the behind-the-scenes breakup, Guilfoyle was handed a prestigious role when her ex-fiances father won the 2024 presidential election.

President Trump nominated the 56-year-old to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, with Guilfoyle being confirmed by the Senate a year later.

Guilfoyle is married to California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of Trumps nemeses (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

However, insiders revealed to People that the Trumps had allegedly given Guilfoyle the job to get her out of the country.

They are trying to send Kim abroad, a source said. They waited for the election to pass, but they didnt want the split to get in the way of anything to hurt Donald in the election.

Authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman claimed in their book The Hill to Die On that the elder Trump also joked about Guilfoyles ex-husband, who is one of the presidents arch-nemeses.

From 2001 until 2006, Guilfoyle was married to the now-California Governor Gavin Newsom.

According to People, Palmer and Sherman wrote that Trump awkwardly pointed this out during a 2024 fundraising event while tearing into Newsoms policies.

Kimberley, you know him, right? Trump jabbed.

His joke received awkward, tepid laughter, according to Palmer and Sherman.

However, a State Department spokesperson dismissed the claims, stating that Trump had his full faith in her.

As President Trump stated in his nomination, Ambassador Guilfoyle was selected as Ambassador to Greece due to her extensive experience and leadership in politics, the spokesperson said. She is the most qualified person to serve as our Ambassador to Greece.

President Trump has his full faith in Ambassador Guilfoyle and trusts her to strengthen the U.S.-Greece bilateral relationship and advance U.S. interests in the region, the spokesperson continued. Since arriving in Athens, Ambassador Guilfoyle has already taken our relationship to new heights including through the signing of the historic U.S.-Greece Economic Security Declaration.

The Independent has contacted Donald Trump Jr and Kimberly Guilfoyle for comment.

This article was amended on 22 December 2025 to include the comment from the State Department.
The demonisation of migrants can hurt UK citizens and make their lives very, very difficult, the new chair of Britain's equalities watchdog has warned.

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said those from ethnic minorities were being affected as she also warned against the mistake of leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a policy backed by Reform UK and the Conservatives.

Nearly 250 refugee charities called for a move away from the demonising language of the past as they condemned the anti-migrant violence of last August, which saw rioters storm hotels housing asylum seekers.

Protests outside an asylum hotel in Rotherham (Getty Images)

Dr Stephenson said: "I think it's really important that we have honesty in the way that we talk about human rights, and that we also have a recognition that the demonisation of migrants, the creating this idea that migration causes huge risks for the country can make the lives not just of migrants to the UK, but of ethnic minority UK citizens, very, very difficult."

She hit out at what she said was a "real risk of people using, quite often, cases where human rights arguments were made in court but were not successful", in an interview with the Press Association.

She pointed to research from the University of Oxford earlier this year that highlighted "several high-profile examples of misleading coverage, including the so-called chicken nuggets case  widely reported as the prevention of an individual's deportation on the basis of his child's dislike of foreign food, despite the decision not being based on this detail and having already been overturned".

She also highlighted positive cases of the use of ECHR, including the John Worboys black cab rapist case, in which the Supreme Court ruled that police can be held liable for serious failures in their investigations.

Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have said they would quit the ECHR as part of efforts to tackle immigration, amid claims it hampers efforts to deport illegal migrants.

The government has rejected calls to leave the treaty but ministers are reviewing human rights law to make it easier to deport people who have no right to be in the UK.

Earlier this month the head of the body that oversees the ECHR said member states had taken an "important first step by agreeing to look at reform of the treaty to tackle migration.

Sir Keir Starmer had urged Europes leaders to re-examine how the major human rights treaty was interpreted to tackle illegal migration and see off the rise of the far right.

Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset said that the treaty, which he described as a "living instrument", is possible to adapt and work will begin to adopt the new political declaration in Moldova in May 2026.
Mikel Arteta hinted he was ready to hand Gabriel Jesus his first start in 345 days in Arsenals Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace.

Arsenal will take on Oliver Glasners side at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday in a competition Arteta hopes will end his near six-year wait for a trophy.

Jesus struck a hat-trick in Arsenals last-eight win against Palace last season before they fell to Newcastle in the semi-finals.

Gabriel Jesus made his comeback against Club Brugge earlier this month (PA Wire via Belga) (PA Wire via Belga)

The Brazil international then spent 11 months on the sidelines after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

But following three substitute appearances in Arsenals wins against Club Brugge, Wolves and Everton, Jesus could be unleashed from the start against Palace, with Arteta set to rotate a side which will face six fixtures in 20 days.

Chelsea await Arsenal in the last four if they can see off Palace.

Yes he is (ready to start), and you can tell, said Arteta of the former Manchester City forward.

You can see now, not only in games but every day in training how much he wants it so hes going to deserve a chance soon.

It has been a real intense journey. When he joined us he lifted the belief, the spirit and the energy of the team and he gave something very different to what we already had and was very impressive.

Arsenals Viktor Gyokeres is without a goal from open play in his past six matches (Peter Byrne/PA) (Peter Byrne)

Then he had some very bad injuries and that hasnt allowed him to have the consistency we need from a very important player.

He is back and his fighting spirit, his desire to always prepare in the best way is unbelievable. The team is together now and we need to use it.

Jesus could take the place of Viktor Gyokeres, who, despite scoring from the penalty spot in Arsenals 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday, has not found the back of the net from open play in his last six appearances.

In midfield, Declan Rice continues to impress for Arsenal and he has been hailed by Wayne Rooney as the natural successor to Harry Kane as England captain.

Rooney saw Rice deliver another statement performance against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and  speaking on the BBCs The Wayne Rooney Show  the former England skipper said: I have to say, Declan Rice is incredible and it was a pleasure watching him (on Saturday).

Wayne Rooney believes Declan Rice (centre) is a future England captain (Peter Byrne/PA) (Peter Byrne)

He was all over the pitch and his decision making, when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to, his detail on his pass, he was absolutely incredible.

Obviously Harry Kanes the captain, but he (Rice) is the future captain of England. Hes the one whos probably waiting for Harry to hang his boots up at some point.

Then hes the right one to take over because just his drive, his personality, everyone seems to love him, who knows him, whos close to him. Hes irreplaceable for England.
Injectable vitamins are being illicitly sold on the e-commerce platform Etsy, with one seller even surprising customers by including loose erectile dysfunction pills in their orders, a new investigation has revealed.

Consumer choice organisation Which? uncovered multiple listings featuring generic, AI-generated packaging for products such as "Vitamin C 10 x 5ml" or "Multivitamin infusion 10 x 10ml".

Crucially, many of these items lacked legally mandated nutritional information, including ingredient lists, the precise quantity of active ingredients, and vital dosage warnings.

Which? staff purchased four products from two different vendors, noting that Etsy, a company known for handmade and vintage goods, failed to intervene in any of these transactions.

Both shops have since closed and Which? said it reported its findings to Etsy.

Sue Davies, head of consumer policy at Which?, said: "The dangerous lack of oversight on Etsy is putting people's health at risk and allowing injectable vitamins to be sold illegally.

"Buying these items is risky as they could be counterfeit or even if they are genuine, shouldn't be used without medical oversight.

"The Government and regulators need to crack down on these illegal listings and ensure that any sellers who break the law are properly held to account so they cannot continue to put people's health at risk."

Sue Davies, head of consumer policy at Which?, said: "The dangerous lack of oversight on Etsy is putting people's health at risk and allowing injectable vitamins to be sold illegally.

Investigators bought injectable vitamin C, vitamin D3 and multivitamins from seller MummyWorldTreasures in October 2025.

Vials of the latter two solutions arrived in boxes that said "not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner", they reported.

The vitamin C bottles said the dosage should be set by a physician, according to Which?.

Three loose, unnamed pills also came with the MummyWorldTreasures order, as well as a note saying it also sells "100mg 'Blue' Tablet - Famous diamond-shaped" and "80mg Yellow Tablet - Slim, elongated oval", Which? added.

When asked what the received pills are, MummyWorldTreasures responded: "Free sample of Men's enhancement supplement to help with blood flow and stamina. Sorry I didn't realise it was addressed to a female. Apologies."

Lab tests revealed both pills contained an active ingredient used in erectile dysfunction medications: the blue had sildenafil and the yellow included tadalafil.

It is illegal to sell either substance without a prescription or a pharmacist's supervision and Which? reported the seller to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates prescription-only medicines.

The multivitamin box had also leaked, Which? said, meaning the contents of at least one vial had been exposed to air and contaminants.

It added: "The packaging said the products came from India and Spain, which means they are not authorised for sale in the UK.

"Either these items are real and illegally imported and sold, or, like some other items Which? has previously found on online marketplaces, they are counterfeit and therefore illegal to sell."

The team also ordered vials labelled as vitamin B12 from seller LuminaSkin.

They arrived in a box with only Spanish instructions, including a prescription drug warning in bold capitals that said: "MEDICAMENTO SUJETO A PRESCRIPCION MEDICA".

Many UK buyers would not be able to translate the phrase, Which? said.

However, investigators found injectable vitamin B12 listings have since appeared on the shopping site.

It added: "This shows just how easily these listings are slipping through the net online. Even when they are caught and removed, another listing pops up in its place just days later.

"It is extremely worrying that sellers are not being stopped from selling products that are clearly illegal."

A spokesperson for Etsy said: "Medical drugs, medical devices, and any other items that claim to treat, prevent, mitigate, cure or diagnose a disease or medical condition are prohibited on Etsy.

"The listings flagged by Which? are no longer available on our marketplace, and our team is actively monitoring for any injectable supplements that violate this policy."

An MHRA spokesperson said: "In the UK, a number of vitamin products are prescription-only medicines (POMs) and these must be prescribed by a relevant healthcare provider.

"In the absence of medicinal claims to treat or cure an adverse medical condition, vitamin injections are not necessarily medicinal products and MHRA reviews products on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are caught by the definition of a medicinal product in the relevant legislation.

"IV drips which are not intended for a medical purpose are not medicines, and these products fall outside the MHRA's remit."

MummyWorldTreasures did not respond to Which?'s request for comment and the company said it could not contact LuminaSkin because the store has been closed.
A British woman held with her husband in Iran has read out a moving poem from inside Tehrans notorious Evin jail ahead of Christmas.

It is the first time that Lindsay Foreman has been heard in public since being detained with her husband Craig in January.

She recited the verse during a phone call to her son Joe.

At a time when we should be connected, we find ourselves alone, it started.

Mrs Foreman, 53, was speaking in a noisy area of the prison in northern Tehran, so the full poem is difficult to hear.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been detained in Iran (PA Media)

But it refers to a hole in our heart and wishing to be together.

The Foremans were taken into custody at the start of the year during a motorcycle tour around the world and were later charged with espionage.

The couple, from East Sussex, deny the allegations.

The couples son Joe Bennett, 31, told of the hardships his parents are having to endure inside the prison at the foot of the Alborz Mountains where London mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was also held.

They are in unimaginable conditions, he said.

They are cooking and there are rats and vermin running around.

Its unsanitary. They dont get enough food. Its bad, to say the least, its hard.

The calls make it slightly easier... the poem that has just been read out brings a lot of emotion.

Mr Bennett, from Folkestone, Kent, urged the Foreign Office to do more to get his parents released.

Something has got to change, he told BBC radio.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman have faced court in Iran (PA Media)

We have tried to allow this judicial process to go through and we are almost three months down the line from their last court visit and its just been kicked down the road and it isnt a fair process on them.

Once we take a stance as a nation and a Government and call it for what it is which is arbitrary detention, hopefully there are mechanisms that can be unlocked at that point to be able to move the dial and the end goal is getting them home.

Mr Bennett accused the UK Government of not coming out to defend his parents.

If they were caught shoplifting or if it was a crime that they committed, a petty crime that they were going through it might make sense, he added.

But they are being accused of espionage for the UK Government. Its a state-level accusation.

Its the highest level of accusation that you can have and yet their own Government are not coming out and defending them and denying the allegations against them which I just find bizarre.

They know they are not spies, they dont work for the UK Government and yet they are not defending them.

The detained couples family met Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier this month, but Mr Bennett has described the approach of the UK Government as deeply concerning.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe returning to Britain after being detained for almost six years in Iran (via REUTERS)

The Foremans case has echoes of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes detention.

She was held in Iran for almost six years on what was widely seen to be bogus spying charges.

She was released in March 2022 and allowed to fly back to Britain after the UK Government agreed to settle a 400 million debt to Tehran for military equipment including tanks which were not delivered after the Shah was toppled in 1979.

The Foreign Office (FCDO) warns all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran because of a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.

In a statement, a Foreign Office spokesman said: We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran.

We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.

The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan has suggested Tess Dalys husband Vernon Kay could be a good choice to take over her hosting job.

Daly and Claudia Winkleman signed off from presenting the live show in the final episode of the series on Saturday night, which was won by former Lioness Karen Carney.

Their last appearance as hosts will be in the pre-recorded Christmas special on Christmas Day.

The duo signed off from the live show in the final (Guy Levy/BBC) (Guy Levy/BBC)

Jordan, who appeared as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2013, said he thinks Dalys husband, Radio 2 broadcaster Kay, could be a good choice as her successor.

He told ITVs Good Morning Britain: Id love to see Zoe Ball be part of it. I think shes amazing.

I worked with her for many years, she did It Takes Two back in our day. Shes fantastic.

I like people like Bradley Walsh and I even threw into the mix Vernon Kay, that would be quite interesting, because I think hes a brilliant presenter, and taking over from Tess would be quite nice.

James Jordan was a professional dancer and, since leaving, has described himself as a super fan of the show (Yui Mok/PA) (Yui Mok)

Jordan added that he is confident the show will continue to thrive even after the departure of the long-serving hosts.

The duo announced in October that they would be leaving the BBC dancing competition after more than a decade co-hosting the main show together.

Daly, 56, presented the series alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth when it launched in 2004, while Winkleman, 53, fronted its weekday companion show, It Takes Two.

Tess Daly originally presented the show with Sir Bruce Forsyth (Guy Levy/BBC) (Guy Levy/BBC Children in Need)

Winkleman eventually moved on to host the Sunday night results show alongside Daly and joined the main show every Saturday from 2014, after Sir Bruce stepped down.

Jordan said: Theyre lovely human beings, always very warm, always very kind, and they worked brilliantly well together and it is a shame.

However, when Brucey left, the show still continued. When they leave, the shows still going to continue.

It is very sad, and I think theyre brilliant, and Im gutted theyre going but the shows such a juggernaut.

You have your hardcore Strictly fans that will continue to watch it no matter who is hosting. So I just hope they pick the right person for the job.

Jordan defended Amber Davies, who was paired with Nikita Kuzmin (Guy Levy/BBC) (Guy Levy/BBC)

The dancer said he hopes the change in presenters also prompts some other tweaks to the format.

He said: I do think there needs to be some changes. I think it needs to go back a little bit.

This is just my personal opinion. Since I left the show, I became a bit of a super fan. So I love watching it, I do a blog on it every week, but I think its lost a little bit of its authenticity, like with the VTs and things like that.

I want to see actuality. I want to see how theyre getting on in the training room, learning routines and things like that, rather than going to a pub and talking about things, or going to a fair and going on a roller coaster, because its going to get them over the fear of their waltz.

Jordan also came to the defence of Strictly finalist and West End star Amber Davies, who was criticised for taking part in the show despite her dance training background, and pointed out that Carney also trained as a competitive street dancer as a child.

Karen Carney won the series with Carlos Gu (Guy Levy/BBC) (Guy Levy/BBC)

Discussing Carney and her professional partner, Carlos Gu, he said: I think they were brilliant. I loved them. I was so happy for Carlos that they won.

But please dont think that you can be that good and not be a trained dancer, because when she came out week one, do you remember the double spin in the air and landed it. None of us can do that, so Im just putting it into perspective.

I just feel that for me, Strictly is supposed to be about taking someone thats a non-trained dancer and watching them go through the journey like, for example, George (Clarke, the social media star who also reached the final), for example.

Thats why I wanted him to win. Im not saying that Im right, because the public are never wrong. But I just felt sorry for Amber, really, because she was getting such a hard time being trolled.

She was a fully trained dancer, but shes not going to say no to being asked to do the show.

And I just felt really sorry for her, and its not like Im saying I wanted Karen to be trolled, but she was also a trained dancer.
I know Ill love you again: James Ransones wife leads tributes after The Wire actors death at 46

James Ransones wife, Jamie McPhee, has led tributes to her husband following his death, aged 46.

In an emotional post on Instagram, she wrote: I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again... You told me... I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me  and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts  you, Jack and Violet. We are forever.

Ransone died by suicide on Friday (19 December), the Los Angeles Medical Examiners Office said. The Baltimore-born actor was known for his performances in The Wire and horror movies, including It: Chapter 2, Sinister, Sinister 2, The Black Phone, and its 2025 sequel, which was his final project.

The actors big break arrived in 2003 when he played hotheaded dock worker Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of acclaimed HBO drama The Wire.

Ransones The Wire co-star Wendell Pierce wrote on X: Sorry I couldnt be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone.

Director Spike Lee, who worked with Ransone on two occasions, paid tribute to the star in a post on Instagram, writing: Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother, MR. JAMES RANSONE. We Rocked Together On RED HOOK SUMMER and INSIDE MAN.

Ill miss you dearly my friend, added Sean Baker, who directed Ransone in Starlet and Tangerine.

Mya Taylor, who also starred in Tangerine, said in a post on Instagram: RIP James Ransone. This hurt me so bad. Such a sweet and funny guy. He helped me deal with fame. He could light up a room with his smile and dimples. So funny and sweet and he will be missed. Love this man so much.

Ransone and Sean Baker at Sundance Film Festival in 2015 (Getty Images)

Heated Rivalry actor Francois Arnaud remembered the actor on his Instagram Story as a unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.

We are saddened by the passing of James Ransone, reads a post from horror film production company Blumhouse. We are grateful to have worked with him on The Black Phone and Sinister movies. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Many fans have shared their condolences online too, with one hailing the actor as such an integral part of giving both grit and soul to Sean Baker's early films.

He's one of those actors who always made the project around him more interesting, they added.

Ransone at the It Chapter Two premiere in 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

Another said: First time you watch The Wire, you think Ziggy is one of the most annoying characters you've ever seen. Second time you watch The Wire, his pathos is unmistakable and you see the depth of the role he is stuck playing in the decaying world he was born into... RIP James Ransone.

In a piece of writing left on his website, Ransone, who had two children, said before his death: Fatherhood cracked me wide open. It made me see myself with a level of honesty Id been avoiding. It made me want to become someone my child could look up to. And with that came shameshame I didnt even know was still living in me.

He previously opened up about mental health struggles and addiction issues, telling Interview in 2016 that he sobered up at the age of 27.

The actor also spoke publicly in 2021 about having been sexually abused as a child by one of his teachers.

Ransone is survived by his wife and two children.

In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna are once again teaming up to ensure the release of the Epstein files, this time by pressuring Attorney General Pam Bondi to comply with their legislation or face contempt of Congress charges.

Massie and Khanna, who co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, said Sunday they were in the process of drafting inherent contempt against Bondi and building a bipartisan coalition in the House of Representatives to punish her for not releasing the full files by the December 19 deadline.

Todd Blanche is the face of this, but it's really the Attorney General's Office, Pam Bondi, who is responsible, Massie told CBSs Face the Nation. The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi.

Inherent contempt is a congressional power that allows lawmakers to arrest and hold individuals until they comply with a congressional subpoena or punish them for obstructing investigations. Its a self-enforcing power that gives Congress the ability to circumvent the typical civil or criminal court process.

Bondis office released hundreds of thousands of pages of redacted documents in the Epstein files Friday to comply with the laws deadline. However, it was only a partial release of the materials in the Justice Departments possession, which arguably defies the laws language. Trump administration officials aid they would release more information from the files at a later date.

Attorney General Pam Bondis department said it needed more time to redact sensitive information in the Epstein files and would release more documents in the coming weeks, angering lawmakers. (Getty)

The DOJ said it could only release the files in batches because they required redactions to protect survivors, the integrity of ongoing litigation, national security and omit details of physical or sexual abuse.

But Massie said the departments decision to only release some now and some later was a very troubling posture.

Khanna called it a slap in the face to survivors, claiming one had their name accidentally released, but information about the people who abused her remained with the DOJ.

The lawmakers told CBS their contempt measure would only need to pass in the House to take effect and would fine Bondi every day the remainder of the Epstein files were not released. Khanna told the Washington Post, they would likely give the attorney general a 30-day grace period before they implemented the punishment.

Massie (center) broke from Republicans to co-sponsor the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Khanna (left) (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Its unclear how much support Massie and Khanna could drum up in the House to pass the measure.

Blanche, the deputy attorney general, told NBC Newss Meet the Press that he is not taking lawmakers threats seriously and insisted the DOJ was doing everything were supposed to be doing to comply with this statute.

In the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday morning he would introduce a resolution directing the Senate to initiate legal action against the department for its blatant disregard of the law.

But Democratic Senator Tim Kaine indicated any punishment against Bondi was premature.
A London borough leader has spoken out after one of his Labour councillors was ordered to pay 40,000 for hiring a worker illegally.

Hounslow councillor Hina Mir employed a nanny in her west London home who had no right to work in the UK and paid her in cash to perform household chores.

The qualified solicitor, who represents Feltham West, has been suspended by Labour Party and earlier this month had her attempt to overturn her fine rejected by the City of London County Court.

The former Hounslow deputy mayor is also reportedly being investigated for parking her BMW in a disabled bay at the council offices without a blue badge.

Hounslow council leader Shantanu Rajawat insisted that he and other senior members of his administration did not know about the Ms Mir's court case or her fined that was issued in January.

Councillor Hina Mir (.)

Before her suspension, Ms Mir was selected to run again as a Labour candidate in the May 2026 local elections.

Asked why the council was not aware of the illegal worker case for a year, Mr Rajawat told the LDRS: "I don't necessarily have an answer for that, except to say once we know about something like that happening, we will take action, or the [Labour] party will take action.

"We're a large group. And there is a number of people there, so we rely on people self-referring.

"With the best will in the world, as much as I'd love to sit there and search through court papers and stuff, it's just not possible for us to do."

Ms Mir was suspended by the Labour Party on December 9 but remains a councillor and is still Chair of Hounslow's Housing and Environment Scrutiny Panel, a role that adds an extra 7,089-a-year to her basic allowance.

While she has not been convicted of a criminal offence, here colleague councillor Farhaan Rehman did resign his chairmanship of the borough's Licensing Committee after it emerged that he parked his Lamborghini in a disabled bay without a blue badge.

Mr Rajawat added: "There is a subtle difference between Cllr Rehman's position and Cllr Mir's position, and it is more a technicality than anything else in so far as Cllr Rehman was appointed by me as Chair of Licensing whereas Hina is elected by council - scrutiny is completely independent of the executive."
Luke Humphries admitted he had mixed feelings about his emphatic 3-0 win over Paul Lim in the third round of the PDC World Championship.

The world number three was in ruthless form as he won the first eight legs of the match before Lim, at 71 the oldest player in the draw, found tops to avoid a complete shut-out.

Humphries, the 2024 world champion, said he had great respect for Lim, who was roared on by the capacity crowd throughout as he looked to build on his history-making first-round win over Swedens Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace.

Luke Humphries was in ruthless form as he thrashed Paul Lim (John Walton/PA) (John Walton)

Humphries told Sky Sports: The third set wasnt great, but I didnt want to destroy him 9-0. Im glad he got a leg in the end.

I knew the crowd were going to be on his side. For me it was a game I had to win and that was the most important thing. Hes just a legend and I love him to bits.

Humphries will return after Christmas to take on former world semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens, who shrugged off disappointing form in 2025 to upset Wessel Nijman, the number 31 seed, 3-0.

Ricky Evans in action during his victory over James Wade (John Walton/PA) (John Walton)

Ricky Evans held his nerve to claim a dramatic 3-2 win over four-time world semi-finalist James Wade.

Evans missed seven match darts before winning the final set 6-4, after Wade  who becomes the highest seed to depart this years tournament  missed his own match dart at double five when 4-3 ahead in the final set.

The colourful Evans is known for his festive shirts and walking out to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin Stevens, and he took to the stage this time holding a Santa-dressed dancing toy.

EVANS KNOCKS OUT WADE  It is an absolute THRILLER at Alexandra Palace as Ricky Evans beats James Wade in a tie-break! Drama to the last dart!  https://t.co/59TualjgND#WCDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/MIx7QfEmhk  PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 22, 2025

The fast-throwing 35-year-old from Kettering said: The problem is now Im (playing) after Christmas.

Im going to have to walk on to something not Christmas, arent I? Im going to have Like A PrayerMadonna. Who cares? Im still going.

Gian van Veen underlined his status as a genuine title contender as he summoned a 108 average  the highest of the tournament so far  in wrapping up a 3-1 win over Scotlands Alan Soutar.

The fast-rising 23-year-old, who nailed a 170 finish to win the third set, was joined in the last 32 by Nathan Aspinall, who was equally impressive in completing a 3-0 win over Leonard Gates.

Seventh seed Wade is the highest-ranked player to be knocked out of this years tournament (John Walton/PA) (John Walton)

Kenyan hero David Munyuas historic run was ended by a 3-0 defeat to Kevin Doets.

Munyuas first-round victory over world number 18 Mike de Decker had delighted African darts fans and earned a congratulatory message from Kenyas president William Ruto.

But despite throwing five 180s, Doets power scoring and consistency meant there would be no upset this time.

Latvian number one Madars Razma beat Scotlands Darren Beveridge 3-1, while 20-year-old qualifier Charlie Manby continued his dream run into round three by brushing aside American Adam Sevada 3-0.
BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CGTN published an article on how China's coordinated regional development drives the country's technological innovation. Through a comprehensive introduction of the development of tech innovation in China's key city clusters  the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area  the article highlights that innovation in China has entered a new stage marked by regional coordination, multi-level advancement, and nationwide impact.

According to the newly released "Nature Index 2025 Science Cities" supplement, Chinese cities now make up more than half of the world's top ten scientific research hubs for the first time. In particular, Beijing continues to lead as the top global science city  a position it has maintained since 2016.

Innovation in China today is no longer confined to a handful of major cities. Instead, it has entered a new stage marked by regional coordination, multi-level advancement, and nationwide impact.

Coordinated regional development

Instead of developing alone, Beijing has fully leveraged its role as a hub of technological innovation and strengthened coordination with Tianjin and Hebei, driving the continuous upgrading of innovation capacity across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, a regional city cluster known as "Jing-Jin-Ji."

The coordinated development of the Jing-Jin-Ji region, a national strategy put forward in February 2014, has led to a steady increase in technological innovation in the region.

Today, the region has seen the establishment of 14 innovation platforms and seven national advanced manufacturing clusters. In 2024, the region's combined GDP reached 11.5 trillion yuan (about $1.6 trillion).

At the Zhongguancun Science Park in Xiong'an New Area, 11 platform institutions from Beijing, covering science and technology, finance and industrial research, have been integrated into a one-stop service system, enabling enterprises to access high-quality innovation resources without leaving the area.

The Jing-Jin-Ji region is not an isolated case. Located around the mid-point of China's coastline, the Yangtze River Delta, encompassing the Shanghai Municipality and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, remains rooted in its profound industrial history while its strong innovation capability is today lending fresh steam to the development of new quality productive forces.

Today, high-tech enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta region account for over 30 percent of the national total. The National Innovation Center par Excellence, a comprehensive national technology innovation center based in the delta, has set up strategic partnerships with more than 200 domestic and foreign universities and research institutes and has established joint innovation centers with nearly 600 leading enterprises.

In the southern part of China, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has seen a leap in its technological innovation capacity. The country has established nine major technological infrastructure projects in the area. A total of 31 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint labs have been established, forming the foundation for the GBA's technological innovation.

Driving high-quality development

Attaching great importance to promoting high-quality, coordinated regional development, Chinese President Xi Jinping has traveled to various regions and chaired symposiums, charting the course for how different regions can better leverage their comparative advantages, achieve complementary advantages, and enhance the balance and coordination of regional development.

In recent years, China has deepened its implementation of the coordinated regional development strategy, with clusters such as the Jing-Jin-Ji, the Yangtze River Delta and the GBA driving the country's overall innovation level and high-quality development.

For instance, the GBA, with less than 0.6 percent of the country's total land area, has generated one-ninth of the nation's total economic output, making it one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in the country.

Currently, the GBA, focusing on new sectors such as the low-altitude economy and biomanufacturing, is set to create five more emerging industrial clusters worth 100 billion yuan (about $14.2 billion) each and promote the high-end and intelligent transformation and upgrading of advantageous industries, such as electronic information and advanced equipment manufacturing.

During an inspection tour in Guangdong in November this year, Xi urged the province to focus on developing new quality productive forces, strengthen the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, and build a modernized industrial system with international competitiveness, calling for advancing the development of the GBA with sustained efforts.

In the just-concluded annual Central Economic Work Conference, China pledged to develop international technological innovation centers in Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region), Shanghai (Yangtze River Delta), and the GBA.

"The expansion of the three international technological innovation centers  from individual cities to broader city clusters  marks a strategic upgrade, showing that China's efforts to build innovation hubs now place greater emphasis on regional coordination," said Gong Chao, a researcher at the National Institute of Innovation and Development at Tongji University.

For more information, please click:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-22/How-China-drives-high-quality-development-through-tech-innovation-1JjihOzBpvi/p.html

SOURCE CGTN
The co-founder of Lush has said those who oppose his views on key issues such as Gaza shouldnt shop in his stores.

Mark Constantine OBE, who led a shutdown of Lush stores earlier this year in solidarity with people in Gaza, said people shouldnt come into my shop if they disagreed with his stance.

Speaking on the BBCs Big Boss Interview podcast, Mr Constantine said he believed in being kind, sympathetic and compassionate, and said people are not going to get on very well with me if they are unkind to others.

He said: Im often called left wing because Im interested in compassion. I dont think being compassionate has a political stance. I think being kind, being sympathetic, being compassionate is something were all capable of and all want to do in certain areas.

When asked whether his stances could impact business, for example, if someone decided not to shop at Lush due to his stance on Gaza, he said: Absolutely, thats what you [the shopper] should do. You shouldnt come into my shop. Because Im going to take those profits youre giving me and Im going to do more of that  so you absolutely shouldnt support me.

The only problem is, who are you going to support? And what are you supporting when you do that? What is your position?

In September, the cosmetics chain shut all of its UK stores and closed its website for the day in solidarity with people starving in Gaza (PA)

He added: I think its up to people if they want to fox hunt and shoot pheasants, its up to them, but I dont approve of it.

In September, the cosmetics chain shut all of its UK stores and closed its website for the day in solidarity with people starving in Gaza.

In a statement on its website, the company said: Across the Lush business we share the anguish that millions of people feel seeing the images of starving people in Gaza, Palestine.

Constatine: I think being kind, being sympathetic, being compassionate is something were all capable of and all want to do in certain areas (PA)

The business, which trades in more than 50 countries, said it had put messages in the windows of closed shops which read: Stop starving Gaza, we are closed in solidarity.

Speaking on the BBC podcast, Mr Constantine also criticised changes made by the government on inheritance tax, from 6 April 2026, which will see the removal of the full exemption for family businesses, with only the first 1m to be tax free.

They dont understand the strength of family businesses  and they have been sold a belief in a greedy culture, he said, adding there was a risk people would sell businesses rather than pay inheritance tax bills.
Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris last month - Anadolu

The former chief butler of the Elysee has been charged with stealing valuable porcelain from the French presidential palace.

Thomas M, whose last name has not been released, is accused of stealing more than 100 pieces from the Elysees historic collection over the past two years and selling them to a collector in Versailles.

The items included cups, saucers and porcelain plates used by heads of state and kings and queens at official dinners hosted by the French president. Although an official figure has not been released, it is estimated that they were worth tens of thousands of euros.

Many of the porcelain pieces were produced by the state-owned Manufacture National de Sevres, the national porcelain maker founded under King Louis XV.

In his role as the chief butler and silversmith, Thomas M was in charge of the precious cutlery and silverware used to set the table. To cover up his tracks, he allegedly falsified inventory documents until the missing dishware caught the attention of Elysee staff.

Thomas M was in charge of the cutlery and silverware used to set the table - Antoine Gyori/Corbis

News of the thefts at the palace follows the Louvre heist in October, when thieves made off with the countrys crown jewels, worth 88m (76.8m) in a brazen theft that shocked the world.

Le Parisien noted that Ghislain Mondon, the Versailles collector said to have purchased the items from Thomas M from the internet, also worked as a guard at the Louvre museum. His lawyer claims Mr Mondon was also duped in the affair.

My client is not at the origin of this case, Thomas Malvolti told Le Figaro. Initially, he was offered coins that were not of great value, and he did not ask questions. Then, the quality rising in range, he ended up suspecting something.

In a separate interview with TF1, Mr Malvolti described his client as a history buff who was passionate about porcelain from the Manufacture de Sevres and was going to write a book about it.

The lawyer added: He has unfortunately allowed himself to be blinded by his passion and regrets it today.

More than 100 pieces from the Elysees historic collection have been stolen over the past two years - Kristy Sparow/Getty

This month, the 30-year-old collector presented 300 pieces of silverware, crystal and porcelain from his private collection for his first exhibit at the Henri II Pavilion of Villers-Cotterets, a former royal pavilion in Aisne.

The show, called Sevres Imperial et Royal sinvite a Villers-Cotterets, is described as a panorama of pieces produced for imperial and royal tables, ranging from 1763 with a Louis XV sugar bowl for the Palace of Versailles to 1870 with Napoleon IIIs Capraire service.

Organisers of the exhibit told Le Figaro they were not aware of the investigation when they agreed to host the collection and that they would cooperate with the authorities if required.

The show was originally scheduled to run until Jan 11, but bookings are currently unavailable.

One of the pieces in the Sevres Imperial et Royal sinvite a Villers-Cotterets exhibit

During a court appearance last week, the Paris criminal court banned Mr Mondon from continuing his work at the Louvre.

Thomas M. had been working at the Elysee over five years and left in November. The Elysee is still looking for his replacement.

An advertisement for the post describes the silversmith and butler being someone who guarantees the effectiveness and efficiency of the operation of the main office by ensuring the establishment of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and buffets organised by the Presidency, as well as the maintenance of silverware, glassware and dishes.

Police said most of the dishware had been recovered. Thomas M and his companion, also an antiques collector, who is accused of being an accomplice, were arrested in their home in the Loiret, and Mr Mondon in Versailles on Dec 16.

A court hearing will be held on Feb 26.
Tragedy on Rayners Lane, Pinner (Google Maps)

An elderly man has died after being hit by a car in northwest London.

The 79-year-old pedestrian suffered serious injuries in a collision while crossing Rayners Lane, Pinner.

Metropolitan Police officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service at around 1pm on Friday.

He was taken to hospital where he sadly died on Monday.

A force spokesman said: His family are aware and continue to receive support from specialist officers.

An investigation into the collision remains ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has any information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0207 960 8042 , quoting CAD 3513/19DEC.
Paperboyo's London Art (@paperboyo )

A viral British photographer is celebrating ten years of transforming iconic landmarks across the world with humorous cutouts to put a smile on peoples faces.

London is the city that Rich McCor, @paperboyo on Instagram, first used as his artistic playground to hone his niche craft. But now Mr McCor, 38, travels the world adding amusing and thought-provoking stencils to famous buildings.

Mr McCor lived in London for 15 years before moving to Brighton three years ago. He was mainly based near Battersea Park.

In 2015 one of the first vignettes Mr McCor made was adding a bow shooting through an apple to the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus. Since then he has travelled across the globe to places including New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The spire of St Martin Ludgate Church becomes Professor McGonagalls hat (@paperboyo/Instagram)

He has shared his favourite photos he took in London over the past two years with the Standard, from Harry Potters Professor McGonagall on a building that looks like a witchs hat to Santas legs coming down a chimney (Tower Bridge).

Scroll up to view the gallery of 12 pictures at the top of this article.

Mr McCor told the Standard: This year marked ten years since I started my style of photography, and London is where it all began for me.

And even today, every time I explore the city with my camera, I'm constantly inspired by the cityscape and the energy that London seems to conjure up.

I love celebrating the new architecture such as Fulham Pier but I'm equally as excited by returning to London's classic scenes such as the Lions at Trafalgar Square and finding a new way to look at those icons.

A DJ playing on top of a modern building in Fulham Pier (@paperboyo/Instagram)

I set myself a challenge of finding architecture and statues around London to transform for Halloween, a couple of my favourites are my shots of Professor McGonagall and Wednesday Addams with Hyde Park's Bandstand as her umbrella.
Small businesses are booming in one American city and its not New York City, Los Angeles or Chicago.

Indianapolis is the fastest-growing metro area for small businesses, according to a report published last week from commercial lender Bluevine. The reports rankings are based on a year-on-year comparison of the total number of Bluevine funding applications in a given metropolitan area.

The company surveyed 1,067 company stakeholders at small businesses with annual revenue between $50,000 and $5 million and more than 200,000 active Bluevine accounts. Bigger cities such as New York and Los Angeles brought in the most applications, but it was the smaller cities that showed the most growth, Bluevine Senior Public Relations Manager Rob Pursell wrote in an analysis of the results.

As expected, the massive cities that have historically led business growth continued to drive small business activity. New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago finished in the top six of the most total Bluevine account applications for 2025, Pursell wrote. But as we looked deeper, a more interesting trend emerged - small metros saw meteoric growth in Bluevine account openings.

The study also found that while funding applications are on the rise in some cities, theres an overall feeling of uneasiness and stress among small business owners.

Small metropolitan areas were home to some of the best year-on-year small business growth in the country. (AFP via Getty Images)

Indianapolis far ahead of other cities

The study found that Indianapolis Bluevine small business funding applications increased 361 percent, or 161 percentage points higher than the second-fastest growing small business city, Columbus, Ohio.

Washington, D.C.s, 175 percent growth rate was third on Bluevines list. The lender noted it saw a significant uptick in applications from the D.C. metro area in the wake of the government shutdown.

Washington, D.C., saw application levels explode at roughly the same time large-scale federal layoffs were announced, finishing 2025 as the metro with the third-most applications behind New York and Los Angeles, the report said.

Indianapolis ranked first on a list of fastest-growing metro area for small businesses (Getty Images)

Small businesses are still struggling

Bluevines study found that many of the small businesses that applied for loans in 2025 are facing strong financial headwinds. More than four in 10 said they were dealing with high operating costs, Bluevine said.

Another 31 percent said they found the rising cost of goods sold a challenge.

Business owners seem to be managing the pressures as best as they can, with many respondents saying they question if running their company was worth it, dont take a full day off every week, delay paying themselves and sacrifice important areas of their lives.

Some surveyed participants noted a more personal toll from day-to-day ownership: Nearly half (49.2 percent) of respondents said they regularly questioned whether running their business was worth it, 21.6% said they don't take a full day off per week, 60.3. percent reported delayed paying themselves, and 77.5 percent reported major sacrifices affecting their health, relationships, and financial stability, Bluevine said.
Alan Michael Mellow, 33, allegedly shot 30-year-old Hannah Lee Blizard multiple times in the head at close range after a fight over his coin collection. (Barry County Sheriff's Office)

A Missouri man is accused of executing the mother of his child over a dispute about coins from his collection, authorities say.

Alan Michael Mellow, 33, allegedly shot 30-year-old Hannah Lee Blizard multiple times in the head at close range in front of their baby on Saturday, according to a probable cause statement obtained by Law & Crime.

The shooting stemmed from an argument over coins that Mellow believed Blizard had taken from his collection to buy alcohol.

He told us [the woman] had a severe alcohol addiction that he was trying to help her with, police said in the statement.

He said that today they were arguing about her alcohol use and the fact she had stolen coins from his coin collection, which he believed she used to purchase alcohol. He said [the woman] decided to call her mother and leave with the child. Mellow said he would not allow that and decided to leave himself with the child.

Alan Michael Mellow, 33, allegedly shot 30-year-old Hannah Lee Blizard multiple times in the head at close range after a fight over his coin collection. (Barry County Sheriff's Office)

Mellow told police that he carried their three-month-old baby outside to his Nissan, placed the child in the backseat, and then got into the drivers seat.

Blizard then ran to the passenger side and got inside to prevent him from leaving, the statement says. Thats when Mellow said his handgun was in the vehicle, and when [the woman] got in he shot her a couple of times in the head.

Mellow told police he then went over to the passenger side to move Blizard from the car and flee the scene.

He said he intended to dump her out and leave the scene, but instead took [the child] out of the vehicle and went back inside his apartment, where he was later contacted by [police], according to the statement.

Blizard was pronounced dead at the scene. The child was not physically injured.

Mellow was arrested and faces murder and child endangerment charges. He is being held at Barry County Jail on no bond.
Islamic University of Gaza in December 2025. Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images)

Good morning. The higher education system in the UK is a global beacon, drawing hundreds of thousands of international students to its universities lecture halls and libraries each year.

For many students, getting a spot at a coveted university is incredibly difficult. For students in Gaza, it is almost impossible.

Gazas education system was already struggling before October 2023, constrained by an almost 20-year blockade by Israel that sealed off its two million inhabitants from land, sea and air. Now, after Israels two-year war, which a UN inquiry designated as a genocide, the education system is on the brink of collapse, according to Unicef.

And yet, amid such devastation, students still tried to stitch together their futures. A small number were able to escape to study abroad. Among them is 27-year-old Aseel Mousa, who spent the earliest months of the war reporting from inside Gaza before arriving in the UK to study in Leicester. Palestine has dominated global headlines this year, yet we still too rarely hear from Palestinians themselves.

For this First Edition, it felt right to step aside and let Mousa speak in her own voice. Thats after the headlines.

In depth: I crossed a border  but the war followed me

Aseel is one of fewer than 100 students who managed to reach the UK during Israels war in Gaza. Before her remarkable essay, its worth pausing to take in the scale of what she fled.

This war has deep roots, but its most recent iteration began after an attack by Hamas and other Palestinian factions in October 2023, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 taken hostage. When Israel launched its ground operations a week later, most expected a short campaign. Instead, the fighting dragged on for two years, and Israel is now facing charges of genocide.

The vast majority of people that Israel killed in Gaza were civilians. The death toll exceeds 70,000, with almost 170,000 injured. Entire family lines have vanished in single Israeli strikes. The reported casualties amount to roughly a tenth of Gazas prewar population of 2.3 million, and many more lie beneath the rubble that blankets much of the territory.

While both sides agreed to a ceasefire, Israel is still killing Palestinians in Gaza (and in the West Bank). The humanitarian situation remains dire, as a result of Israels continued blockade of aid.

This is the reality Aseel documented in her journalism before securing a visa that allowed her to leave the enclave and continue her studies. Although she crossed a border, the conflict followed her, darkening every new moment she experienced in the UK. This is only a snapshot of the brutality that defined her life, and the prolonged effects of the blockade and Israels illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.

***

In her own words: a Gaza student on being unable to escape the war

My masters year in the UK has been a year of achieving my dreams and ambitions, and a year of guilt, pain and helplessness.

It has been a year filled with achievements that I am ashamed to share with my family or friends in Gaza. How can I tell them about my high marks on the assignments I submit to the university while they cant even access the internet to continue their studies or work because Israel repeatedly cuts off telecommunications in Gaza during the genocide? How can I show them pictures of the meals I try to cook in my student accommodation, when people back home are being shot by Israeli snipers while trying to secure flour? How am I supposed to balance the need to live with the need to share in their suffering?

I have long dreamed of studying in the UK. I knocked on every door, applied for highly competitive scholarships, and though each rejection or postponement to the next year left me frustrated, I kept working on my skills and expanding my network in journalism. My dream was a big one: to write for international news agencies, especially the Guardian. I dreamed of visiting the Guardian office in London.

And today, I am in central London, living that dream. I go to the Guardian office whenever I want. I have close relationships with colleagues. I earned my masters in international relations from the University of Leicester. I have travelled to seven countries in one year.

My UK student residency opened up my world, enabling me to secure a Schengen visa and an electronic visa to visit Istanbul. It allowed me to see my displaced family in Egypt without needing Israeli permits, a freedom that still feels miraculous. In Gaza, such simple planning is impossible; thousands of Palestinians have lost opportunities for study, work, or attending conferences due to Israels occupation and blockade, and many have died waiting for Israeli exit permits for life-saving medical treatment in the West Bank or Jerusalem.

But while I was fulfilling my dream of studying in the UK, I have lost everything in Gaza. My home in Tel al-Hawa, my friends who were killed by Israeli airstrikes, and my city  the place I dream of day and night to return to. And yet I am terrified of that day as much as I long for it, because deep down I know that nothing I loved still exists.

I remember being in Barcelona, calling my younger brother on video to show him the sea. I kept saying, Hamoud, look! This is like al-Rashid street!  the beach road in Gaza.

When Anas al-Sharif and five journalists were killed, it was one of the darkest days for Gaza, and for my heart. The next morning, I wore black to mourn them and walked through the streets of Leicester, watching life go on completely normally. No one talked about the massacre of five of Gazas most extraordinary journalists who sacrificed their lives to be the voice of the voiceless. No one cared.

I often look at peoples faces here and wonder what life feels like when a person is born a global citizen  with a British, American, or German passport. What does it feel like to have security, stability, a proper health system, strong education, job opportunities, a functioning airport and seaport? The injustice feels overwhelming. Palestinians dont deserve this suffering.

I never planned to settle outside Gaza. But with the genocide, I was forced to seek asylum. Whenever I remember that I might be prevented from entering Gaza for at least seven years, I feel as if I am losing my mind.

The UK is a beautiful country. I wish I could have collected beautiful memories during my time here: something to take home and share with the people I love in Gaza. But I find myself always talking about bombing, killing, destruction and genocide.

If you are reading this on the app, over the Christmas period the headlines and sport will not appear. To get the full First Edition experience in your inbox every morning please sign up here.
More than 10 people have been rescued after a huge sinkhole opened in a canal in Shropshire, leaving several narrow boats stranded in the hole or teetering on the edge of a drop.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident after the significant breach on the Shropshire Union Canal in Chemistry, Whitchurch, on Monday morning.

Three boats were caught up in the developing sinkhole, measuring 50m in length and width, according to the service, which said its officers rescued more than 10 people. Aerial images showed one boat partly hanging over the drop into the hole.

Crews were working in difficult conditions, dealing with unstable ground and fastmoving water escaping into the surrounding land, said a spokesperson. Meanwhile, safety zones have been opened around the sinkhole, and people have been asked to avoid the area.

The sinkhole in the Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch (Andy Kelvin/PA Wire)

The fire service said it was working with West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency at the site.

West Mercia Police said in a statement: There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service.

The Canal and River Trust said it had dammed off the impacted section of the canal, and had closed off the area while an investigation was carried out into the cause of the breach. The trust said it was also providing support to boaters who had been impacted.

An aerial image shows the damage caused by the sinkhole  and the water that has flooded nearby land (Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Andy Hall, a councillor in Whitchurch, told the BBC that people thought there had been an earthquake. He said: Weve got two boats at the bottom of the sinkhole that have fallen down, and weve got two boats that are teetering on the edge that could go in at any time.

He added: The most important thing is that the canal itself has been secured by fire and rescue. Their biggest worry was that the canal was going to burst even more and flood residents in the town.

Jason, who works at the nearby Whitchurch Marina, told The Independent that efforts to pull the boats from the sinkhole could be tricky. He said: The issue is going to be getting the equipment to the site [to remove the boats stranded]. Road access is tricky  a lot of sections of the canal are  so that might be a sticking point.

The fire service said it first received reports of a canal bank collapse with large volumes of water escaping into the surrounding land.

It said: Three boats had been caught in a developing sinkhole approximately 50m by 50m in size and crews helped more than 10 members of the public to safety.

Fire service area manager Scott Hurford said: We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported. Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch Police Station.

A major incident was declared at 5.17am  however, as of 8.30am, the situation was stable with water flow reduced, and there is no ongoing search and rescue activity. Multi-agency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety.

According to the British Geological Survey, sinkholes can appear in a variety of different shapes and settings depending on the composition of the rocks and different interacting processes.

Heavy rain and flooding, as well as building works, changes in water levels and natural weathering processes can all trigger sinkholes.
A mother who thought she would not live to see another Christmas after being diagnosed with mouth cancer is celebrating being cancer-free.

Clare Davis-Eaton, 51, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, found a lump on her neck the size of a frozen pea in December 2015 and, after further tests, she was diagnosed with metastatic base of tongue cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes in March 2016.

The community support officer underwent a horrendous six-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment before she went into remission in November 2016  saying it felt like Christmas had come early.

Then Clare found another lump on her neck in June 2019 and was informed three months later that the cancer had returned to her lymph nodes, which were later removed during an operation.

She began more chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but was unsure whether she would make it to Christmas  opting to put up her tree in October that year instead.

Clare was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2016 (Collect/PA Real Life)

Clare remained determined and positive to pull through, and, in August 2024, on her 50th birthday, she was given the news that she was officially cancer-free.

Clare said her family, including her son, Dominic, 31; her daughter, Georgia, 29; her mother, Helene, 69; and her grandmother, Eunice, 97; played a massive part in her cancer journey, and she also credited Macmillan Cancer Support for keeping her afloat.

Im so appreciative to be able to have Christmas with my family because, in 2019, I didnt think I was going to see it, Clare said.

Going through cancer twice has taken me back to the meaning of Christmas and what Christmas is all about.

Its not the presents under the tree, its who is around it.

You cant buy happiness, you cant buy your health  those gifts are priceless.

Clare had an operation to remove the affected lymph nodes (Collect/PA Real Life)

Clare was first diagnosed with base of tongue cancer in 2016 after finding a lump the size of a frozen pea on her neck.

She went to the doctors in December 2015 and was referred for further tests, including a biopsy, in January and February 2016.

Upon being told its cancer on March 11 2016, Clare said it broke her whole world.

Clare said the cancer was also metastatic, and it had spread to her lymph nodes at the time of her diagnosis.

She started a six-week daily course of radiotherapy, Monday to Friday, accompanied by one day of chemotherapy throughout  describing the process as horrendous.

It wasnt just scary for me, it was scary for my kids, she said.

It takes everything out of you, the chemo made me feel sick, I was drained.

Clare was told she is officially cancer-free in August 2024 (Collect/PA Real Life)

Clare finished her last round of treatment on June 15 2016, and went into remission on November 23 2016, saying it felt like Christmas had come early.

It wasnt an easy journey and I had to keep going back for more checks  but it was amazing, I felt on top of the world, she said.

She added her feeding tube, which she used throughout her treatment, was removed just before Christmas that year, and her ability to eat and swallow had not yet returned.

Christmas wasnt the same  I couldnt eat meat, I couldnt do the dinners, I had no finances to do Christmas because of all the knock-on effects, she said.

But it showed me that Christmas is about the people you share it with, not what presents youre opening.

In June 2019, Clare said she was feeling knackered all the time and she discovered another lump on her neck.

After seeing her doctor and explaining her symptoms, Clare was referred for further scans and tests for about three months, and she was informed the cancer had returned to her lymph nodes in September 2019.

Clare tried to remain 'positive' during her second round of treatment (Collect/PA Real Life)

Clare then underwent an operation to remove the affected lymph nodes on the right side of her neck.

Unfortunately, the procedure did not remove all the cancer cells, Clare said, but she added her oncologist pushed for her to receive further treatment.

They dont normally do a second round of radiotherapy on the same place, so I was so privileged, she said.

When weighing up her treatment options, Clare said she was told there was a 20 per cent chance the radiotherapy treatment could kill her.

I asked what would happen if I didnt undergo any treatment and I was told, six months, Clare said.

I didnt want the rest of that sentence  it could have been six months until I started to feel unwell  but I just said, where do I sign?'

Clare said she felt so poorly and so bad during her second round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, which lasted another six weeks.

Clare said Christmas 'is about the people you share it with' (Collect/PA Real Life)

At the time, I felt like I couldnt do it, I was just ready to give up, she said.

I didnt think I was going to see that Christmas, to be totally honest.

If I saw it, I felt it would be my last.

She added that she put up her Christmas tree in October that year.

It was a real fancy one that snowed from the top  we had a real daft day playing Christmas music full blast and watching movies, she said.

Clare said she tried to remain positive and she was hospitalised for the last three-and-a-half weeks of her treatment.

I was determined to fight and get home for Christmas no matter what, she said.

Clare finished her treatment on December 9 2019, and she rang the bell in hospital to mark the occasion  but she said her treatment side-effects peaked all over Christmas.

Clare has a newfound appreciation for life (Collect/PA Real Life)

On Clares 50th birthday, on August 23 2024, she was told she was officially cancer-free.

It was a present no one could buy, she said.

After spending eight years fighting, in one way or another, it was a very bizarre feeling.

Clare now lives with some side effects from her treatment, and she struggles to swallow food, she can have choking risks, and she cant enjoy flavours.

I dont mind having side effects; theyre my free gifts because Im here to have them, she said.

She added that she continues to receive mental health support, as she said her cancer journey has affected every step of her life.

Cancer isnt just a physical illness, its a mental illness as well, she said.

Main symptoms of mouth cancer

NHS

Symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth, including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips.

Symptoms can include:

a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than 3 weeks

a red or white patch inside your mouth

a lump inside your mouth or on your lip

pain inside your mouth

difficulty swallowing

difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice

a lump in your neck or throat

losing weight without trying

It does have positives in that it brings life appreciation  I now know tomorrow isnt a given, its a privilege.

Due to her health, Clare said she had to leave her job as a community support officer for those with learning disabilities, where she worked for 10 years.

She said she misses the job massively, but she equally enjoys working at a local pub.

She also now volunteers for Macmillan Cancer Support, and she praised the charity for the help and advice they provided to her throughout both diagnoses.

Macmillan came into my life when I was at my lowest, they kept me afloat and theyre still in my life now, she said.

They were also there for my family and no one was forgotten about  what they do is amazing and I just cant say enough about them.

Macmillan is there to provide essential support to people living with cancer across the UK through its Support Line (0808 808 00 00), chat service, online community and Macmillan centres.

For more information and support, visit: community.macmillan.org.uk
Betty Reid Soskin, who became a national figure as the oldest-serving National Park Service ranger and used her platform to illuminate the African American experience during the Second World War, has died at the age of 104.

Her family and the park service confirmed her passing via social media, stating she was surrounded by loved ones at her California home on Sunday. Her cause of death was not disclosed.

The park service paid tribute, saying, "She was a powerful voice for sharing her personal experiences, highlighting untold stories, and honoring the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II Home Front. Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty."

A long-time community activist, Soskin was 85 when she was hired as an interpretive ranger at the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California.

This site, located at a former shipyard, commemorates American civilians, including the women who contributed to war-related industries on the home front. Soskin played a crucial role in the park's development, working as a state legislative aide to ensure the often-overlooked contributions of Black men and women were included in its narrative.

Her advocacy highlighted events such as the July 1944 explosion at Port Chicago, where 202 Black sailors, assigned to a segregated unit loading munitions, were killed.

The subsequent refusal of 50 survivors to continue working under unsafe conditions led to their court-martial and mutiny convictions, exposing systemic racial inequality within the Navy. Soskin, who worked as a clerk for an all-Black boilermakers union in Richmond, championed the stories of the "non Rosies"  those who were denied the opportunity to build battleships due to their skin color.

Rosie the Riveter represents the white womans experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work, she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

"Rosie the Riveter represents the white womans experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work," she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek. "I had never understood that I had been involved in the building of the ships. Because at the time, I was 20 years old. I didnt realize what my role was until I began to go back and recount it for others. It was rather amazing."

Her weekly lectures at the park drew significant audiences and garnered national attention, including an invitation to introduce then-President Barack Obama at the 2015 Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In 2008, Glamour Magazine named her one of its women of the year.

Social media tributes poured in following her death, with many describing her as an "amazing woman" and a "jewel of the park system."

Born in 1921, Soskin led a remarkably varied life, described by her family as a mother, musician, author, political activist, wife, record store owner, songwriter, painter, grandmother, great-grandmother, and prolific blogger. Her family posted that she had led "a fully packed life and was ready to leave."

Rosie the Riveter represents the white womans experience on the homefront during the war, but as a woman of color, I was never recognized for my work, she wrote in an October 2020 essay for Newsweek (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Her 2018 autobiography, "Sign My Name to Freedom: A Memoir of a Pioneering Life," explored her nine decades of living through extraordinary historical moments. These included opening Reids Records, an influential Black-owned record store in Berkeley with her first husband, Mel Reid, and becoming the first Black family to live in suburban Walnut Creek. Despite a cross being burned on their lawn, her family refused to move.

She noted that the same community later elected her as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention, remarking: "That is how fast social change occurred."

Soskin retired on March 31, 2022. "I became a ranger when most people retire so I had no idea what it required of me, but it opened up a lot of opportunities that would have been closed to me otherwise," she wrote in her essay. While a public memorial has yet to be announced, her family has suggested donations to the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante, California, which was renamed in her honour.

She had visited the school in September for her birthday, greeted by cheering children. Soskin is survived by two of her four children, Bob and Dorian Reid.
Tripmasters' booking platform lets travelers bundle flights, hotels, and tours across 12+ cities to save more

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As consumers search for cheap travel online in 2026, Tripmasters, a U.S.-based online travel company founded in 1984, is seeing bundled vacation packages emerge as one of the most effective ways to reduce total trip costs, particularly for international and multi-city travel. By packaging flights, hotels, ground transportation, and optional sightseeing into a single itinerary, Tripmasters enables travelers to access pricing structures unavailable through standalone bookings while significantly simplifying the planning process, especially for more complex, multi-city trips.

According to Yahoo Finance, U.S. travel spending is projected to reach $1.2 trillion in 2026, with international travel expected to grow 3.7% year over year, indicating that travelers are increasingly relying on online platforms that bundle flights, accommodations, and experiences to manage costs and simplify trip planning.

Bundled vacation packages support this shift by offering travelers:

Access to negotiated airfare and hotel rates unavailable through standalone bookings

Simplified planning by combining flights, hotels, transportation, and activities into one itinerary

Improved cost visibility through consolidated pricing and fewer surprise fees

Greater flexibility for multi-city travel, especially for complex international itineraries

Travelers interested in building cost-efficient, multi-city vacation packages for 2026 can explore Tripmasters' customizable booking platform at Tripmasters.com, where flights, hotels, transportation, and tours can be bundled into a single itinerary. Travelers may also speak with a U.S.-based travel specialist for personalized assistance.

"Bundled travel packages unlock negotiated rates and airline pricing that simply aren't available to consumers booking piece by piece," said Paula Galeano, Chief Operating Officer at Tripmasters. "For travelers planning multi-city vacations, the savings add up quickly, while the convenience of managing everything in one place is another added convenience."

Beyond cost savings, bundled booking improves the traveler experience by reducing payment friction, minimizing confirmation errors, and offering centralized customer support. Tripmasters supports its itineraries with U.S.-based travel specialists, secure payment options, and consistently high customer satisfaction ratings, including a 4.8-star Trustpilot score and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Founded in 1984, Tripmasters.com is a leader in customizable, multi-destination travel. With a pioneering online platform, Tripmasters empowers travelers to design flexible, personalized itineraries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Canada, the Pacific, and beyond. Whether planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a luxury escape, customers can choose from thousands of destinations, mix and match flights, hotels, and activities, and build trips with up to 12 citiesall in one seamless booking process. Tripmasters combines the convenience of technology with expert customer support to deliver exceptional value and unforgettable travel experiences.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Merrithew

Product and Marketing Coordinator

[email protected]

SOURCE TripMasters
Passengers say grandmother who died on easyJet flight looked dead while boarding

A London-bound easyJet flight was delayed by over 11 hours following the death of an elderly passenger on Thursday.

The 89-year-old woman was travelling on flight EZY8070 from Malaga, Spain, to London Gatwick when she required medical assistance onboard.

A Malaga Civil Guard spokesperson confirmed that officers had responded to an elderly British woman who died just after 11am on 18 December.

Several fellow passengers claimed on social media that the woman was already dead when boarding the Airbus A319 aircraft in a wheelchair.

However, according to easyJet, it was only after boarding the flight that the customer required medical assistance, then sadly passed away.

The airline added that the woman was flying in the care of two medical professionals with a fit to fly certificate.

The flight from Malaga to Gatwick departed 11 hours and 15 minutes late (Getty/iStock)

Passenger Petra Boddington told The Sun: Anybody with eyes could see that she was not fit to fly, and it wasnt just me that thought it, it was everybody else that she went past.

People sat in front of me even said theyd seen the people that were with her holding her head up.

We all thought that she looked dead.

Witnesses said that the plane had begun taxiing to the runway when the cabin crew were alerted to the passengers death and returned to the gate.

The Gatwick flight had been scheduled to depart from Malaga airport at 11.15am.

Flight EZY8070 departed the Spanish holiday hotspot at 10.30pm  11 hours and 15 minutes late  following the incident.

An easyJet spokesperson said: Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the customer who sadly passed away, and we are offering support and assistance at this difficult time. She was permitted to fly because she had a medical fit to fly certificate and was being supported by medical personnel during her journey.

It was only after boarding that the customer then required medical assistance and she sadly passed away. The wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJets highest priority and we would ask customers for their understanding in these circumstances.

Read more: Elderly passenger dies after falling overboard on Disney cruise
Political debate underway in Brussels, as farmers protest against the Mercosur integrated market plan - Wiktor Dabkowski/Bloomberg

O, wad some Power the giftie gie us / To see oursels as others see us! wrote Burns. How well his words fit the current debate about the EU Customs Union.

Back and forth go the arguments, with the pot freshly stirred over the weekend by Wes Streetings remarks on the enormous economic benefits that came with being in the single market and the customs union. On the one hand, those for it claim that membership would help trade with the EU by eliminating checks on rules of origin. On the other, those against it counter that it would harm trade with the rest of the world by signing us up to the blocs tariffs (over which we would have no say).

But look at it all another way and take a cue from Burns. See ourselves as others see us  those others being, in this case, the EUs Commission and member states. Why would they want to have us?

Consider the facts from their point of view.

Begin at the beginning in 1951, in the wake of World War Two. Six Western European countries establish the Coal and Steel community  pooling their resources. Britain decides to stay out. The then Labour Government, led by Clement Attlee, champions the countrys sovereignty, prizes its links with America and the Commonwealth, and fears that our neighbours want to get their hands on our coal. Its much the same story at the Messina Conference four years later when the idea of a Common Market gains traction.

However, the Conservatives have different instincts to Labour, and in 1961 Harold Macmillan turns British policy on its head by trying to get in. De Gaulle then vetoes UK membership  picking up Attlees case about Britains relationship with the United States, and arguing that, until or unless it ends, the country will never be truly European.

Then, under Harold Wilson, Labour turns turtle six years later and applies to join. Once again, De Gaulle wields his veto. But by 1972 hes gone and the Conservatives are applying again. Its a case of third time lucky  if thats quite the right of putting it. At any rate, Edward Heath takes Britain in.

These years see a high water mark of enthusiasm for Europe among the countrys ruling class. In 1975, Wilson holds a referendum to resolve Labours internal divisions and the UK votes to stay in. 1n 1986, Margaret Thatcher takes Britain into the Single Market. She sees the initiative as a means of boosting trade. But it also prepares the way for the absorption of European nations into a superstate.

And by 1993, to the bafflement of the continents elites, Britains main parties have swapped places. Now its the Conservatives who wish to keep their distance and Labour that wants to get closer. The Maastricht Treaty is signed and the Common Market becomes the European Community. John Majors Conservative Government gains op-outs from the Single Currency and the Social Chapter.

But in 1997, Major is out and Tony Blairs New Labour comes in. And the tide of governmental enthusiasm for the European project, having ebbed, now begins to flow again. Blair scraps the Social Chapter opt-out. He itches to junk the Single Currency one, too. Then comes the to-and-fro over the European Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty. At one point, Blair promises a referendum on the former. David Cameron, the new Conservative leader, pledges one on the latter.

However, it comes into effect before he can gain office. And the EU breathes a sigh of relief. But not so fast. In 2011, Cameron vetoes an EU treaty change over protection for the City of London. And, five years later, seeks to put the European issue to bed by holding a referendum. He loses. Britain, having first stayed out and then gone in, is now out again.

Or is it in? For the losing side wants a second referendum to reverse the decision of the first. A new Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, settles the whole business. He negotiates a deal, wins a general election, and, finally and decisively, takes the UK out.

That is, perhaps, until now  if the proponents of the Customs Union have their way. Were they to get it, we would move on to the next phase  going the whole hog and rejoining the EU.

In, out, shake it all about. This is where Burns comes in, and where one should look hard at the UK from the EUs point of view.

Will those pesky Brits  one can hear our neighbours asking  please make up their minds? One can come in. Or one can stay out. But what one cant do is keep chopping and changing  decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, as Churchill put it. It would be a formula for economic, social and political paralysis: the Brexit dispute as a forever war.

During those referendum years, Leavers were panned for insularity  for not taking a wider view of the world and seeing ourselves as others see us. But when it comes to the Customs Union, the boot fits tightly on the other foot. Given the story of the last three quarters of a century, why would the European Union want us?
Trade bodies say one pub will have closed its doors every single day in 2025 (Getty)

When Jo Loring started running the Cosy Dove pub in Newcastle 11 years ago, he would have to usher his customers out of the doors at 11pm so he could close up over Christmas.

Now, after a year of relentless financial challenges, he says hell probably be closing early this year, with fewer punters there to hear the bell ringing out for last orders.

Well be closing early because theres virtually no one around, he tells The Independent, adding that he thinks hell be around 20 per cent down on sales from last year. Its what youd call a perfect storm, he says. Its a very different landscape, and its ever-changing  all the pubs around me are saying a similar thing.

Loring is one of countless pub owners across the UK who fear this will be one of the most challenging festive seasons the industry has ever seen.

Max and Jo Loring, who run the Cosy Dove in Newcastle (Supplied)

Dawn Hopkins, 56, who runs the Rose Inn in Norwich, described having to cope with a tsunami of cost rises that have hit independent businesses hard. Like many other pub owners, she will be serving more expensive pints this Christmas, with most looking at an increase of between 30p and 50p a pint.

Hopkins, who is also the vice-chair of the Campaign for Pubs, says: Im hearing from people who say they are really quiet and they are a bit worried. Some hope theyre going to get to Christmas Day, but dont know if they will.

Figures from trade bodies reveal that one pub will have closed its doors every single day in 2025, with more than 400 having closed down in 2024. The closures come amid a continued struggle in the years since the pandemic, alongside what many pub owners believe to be hostile financial measures brought in by successive governments.

Alastair Scoular took over his family pub The Steam Packet Inn in 1995, but says he has never known the situation for pubs in rural Scotland to be as tough as it is right now.

Dawn Hopkins, 56, who runs the Rose Inn in Norwich, describes having to cope with a tsunami of cost rises (Supplied)

Usually Christmas in Scotland tends to be a lot busier around the new year, and wed get quite a few parties in the run-up  but weve certainly not had the same number of bookings, he says.

Were going to take what we can, but it wont be a golden time that will help us get through the winter. I used to bank on a certain amount of income to get through January and February, but Im not this year.

Tom McNeeney has run The Oxford in Rochdale for 13 years, but says the last 12 months have been disheartening. He says his pub, which employs 21 people and serves around 1,800 customers a week, is seeing a return in footfall following Covid  but is still struggling to make a profit.

The pubs that are still open are busier than ever  but profitability is lower than its ever been, he says. What were seeing is almost impossible to comprehend, because pubs that are busier than theyve been in six years are closing up shop because profitability is at an all-time low.

Alastair Scoular took over his family pub The Steam Packet Inn in 1995, and says this is the toughest things have ever been (Supplied)

He adds: In December we are going to be busy, and seen on the face of it as thriving, but thats part of the problem. Its easy to look at a busy business and assume its doing well, but the reality underneath is that theres a real problem with keeping open.

McNeeney explains that young people, who are likely to go out and socialise at Christmas, have been particularly affected by the loss of approximately 89,000 jobs in the sector. He says reforms to business rates, as well as higher rates of pay for 16- to 21-year-olds, mean the sector will see this epidemic of unemployment reach new highs.

Tom McNeeney has run The Oxford in Rochdale for 13 years but says the last 12 months have been disheartening (Getty)

Most people in that under-25s bracket are the people who go out and discover places in the local area, but if they dont have part-time jobs or disposable income, theyre not investing in the local businesses and communities around them, he explains.

He also notes that December, once considered a profitable time of year, is now just a downpayment for January, when he will have to reduce his pubs opening hours and close for a week.

Wesley Birch, 40, who runs a catering company and two pubs in Stroud, says he and his wife have had to waive their salary for the first time (Supplied)

Wesley Birch, 40, who runs a catering company and two pubs in Stroud, tells The Independent he and his wife have had to waive their salary for the first time since they began running Birch Catering 15 years ago.

Birch, who runs the Ship Inn and The Old Neighbourhood Inn, says that although there has never been much profit in hospitality, this year they have had to work for nothing.

Were really well supported by the community  but the problem is theres no profit margins, he says, adding that there are concerns that people will tighten their belts once more following the tax rises in this years Budget.

He says: Having as much turnover this Christmas is vital, whereas in previous years I didnt even think about it. I used to have enough profit in the business to give people time off, but this year its not possible at all.

Chris Welch, 39, who runs the Fishnet Tavern in North Tyneside, says his pub almost had to close last January, and fears being in a worse position this time round.

Im terrified this year. I feel like Im personally trying to do a good deed by employing five staff and creating local employment, but Im dreading it. Every month feels like an uphill battle. I dont even take a wage, he says.

Keir Starmer has described pubs and bars as the beating heart of our communities, and said that the government is backing them to thrive.

Chris Welch, 39, who runs the Fishnet Tavern in North Tyneside, says every month feels like an uphill battle (Getty/iStock)

But Welch says his business rates evaluation is set to increase by an extra 4,000 each year following the Budget, and calls it a disgrace. Its dark times for pubs, and I doubt we will survive past August next year, he says.

In Crewe, Jacqui Ayling and her husband Sean believe this could be their last Christmas running Toms Tap and Brewhouse. The pair have already had to close on Mondays and Tuesdays, and are planning to close on Wednesdays and Sundays as well through the colder months.

We cannot afford the overheads incurred by opening the pub for a session in the cold months, when our customers are less likely to come out on those days, says Jacqui.

Fiona Hornsby, 45, runs three pubs in Liverpool, and says trying to attract customers over Christmas is getting harder (Getty/iStock)

This Christmas, the pair have had to think much more about getting people through the door  having noticed a sharp drop in the number of Christmas parties being booked.

We were maybe doing one or two a week, eight or so in December  but not one this year, she says. Companies are cutting down as well, so they cant afford staff parties any more. Its had a knock-on effect.

Fiona Hornsby, 45, runs three pubs in Liverpool, and she is also finding it harder to attract customers over Christmas. We are decorating the exterior this year, too, so we stick out a bit more so people can see you, she says. Youve got to be everywhere now... Its getting harder.

Gary Timmins, pub and club campaigns director at Camra, says extra footfall over the festive period is vital and helps to see businesses through the quieter months at the start of the year. But he adds: Government also needs to play their part to reduce costs and give our locals a fighting chance, by making the business rates, VAT and beer duty systems fairer. Otherwise, we risk losing more pubs for good.

Business minister Kate Dearden said: Pubs are essential parts of our communities and vital to our economy. Running them takes hard work and dedication. We know that pubs need our support to deliver, and weve begun that work by capping business rates for most properties at 15 per cent, when they were facing a 45 per cent hike.

Were slashing red tape so that more pubs can offer al fresco dining, and more funding to support rural pubs. At the Budget, we made the decision to ask online giants and the wealthiest properties to pay more, so local pubs and communities get the backing they deserve.
Rowan Scott will join David Egan as a retained rider to the Amo Racing operation throughout the 2026 season.

The jockey is already well acquainted with Kia Joorabchians racing enterprise, riding Hollywood Treasure to success in the Listed St Hughs Stakes at Newbury this season for Amo and their salaried trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy.

The partnership will now become more regular and formalised via a retainer, with Scott and Egan forming a team to which Amo can turn throughout the 2026 season.

Scott said: Im really looking forward to the year ahead with Amo Racing. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team last season and we were able to achieve some good results together.

Working alongside David has been great, and Im excited to build on that success with the opportunity to ride some very nice horses as the team continues to grow. I also want to thank Nigel (Tinkler) for all the support he has shown me.

Joorabchian, founder of Amo Racing, said: We are absolutely thrilled to have Rowan formally joining us.

Over the last few seasons, he has become a growing and increasingly important member of the team. A person weve been able to rely on.

He has delivered some excellent performances. Always dedicated and professional, he fully deserves this contract, and were very much looking forward to what the future holds together as we continue to build the Amo Racing team.

I would also like to thank Nigel Tinkler, who has been a great support to Rowan and has given his blessing for him to take this next step in his career.

Egan added: I have known Rowan ever since I moved to England. We work very well together, hes a great person, a very talented rider and an asset to Amo, its great to have him officially part of the team.
The two top Trump officials are at odds over peace talks, according to reports - Eva Marie Uzcategui

A power struggle has emerged between the two men Donald Trump has dispatched to end the war in Ukraine, according to reports.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, is understood to have become frustrated with Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps peace envoy, for attempting to cut him out of peace talks.

In November, Mr Witkoff, a former New York real estate developer turned high-level diplomat, travelled to Geneva earlier than scheduled to begin peace talks with Ukrainian officials, officials told NBC News.

Mr Witkoff did not tell Mr Rubio or state department officials about his plans, the sources said, which was interpreted as an attempt by Mr Witkoff to negotiate with Ukraine alone.

Mr Rubio, who was at a wedding in North Carolina when he found out, made it to Geneva in time so Mr Witkoff would not meet with Kyivs delegation without him.

It is so clear that Rubio has been cut out of this. He should be the one leading all of this, a senior administration official told NBC News.

They seem to be singing off of a different sheet of music, Alexander Vershbow, the former ambassador to Nato, said.

And if you dont have a common understanding of the problems and of your adversary in a negotiation, it cant be good.

Heavily damaged residential area of the front-line town of Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine - Oleg Petrasiuk

In April, Mr Rubios team discovered Mr Witkoff had arranged a one-on-one meeting with Emmanuel Macron during peace talks in Paris in April.

Mr Rubio requested to join the meeting but was told by the French foreign ministry Mr Witkoff would need to approve his inclusion.

The former Florida senators team reportedly struggled to reach Mr Witkoff but when they did he eventually agreed Mr Rubio could join the meeting.

Mr Rubio reportedly only heard about talks with Ukrainian officials in Florida when the Ukrainian delegation reached out to his office.

Posting on X following discussions with Ukraine in Miami at the weekend, Mr Witkoff said the US delegation had included himself, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum, a White House staff member, but did not mention Mr Rubio.

Some administration officials are also said to have raised concerns over Mr Witkoffs security practices, such as using his own jet to fly to Russia instead of a government aircraft.

Mr Witkoff came under scrutiny in November after a leaked call with Yuri Ushakov revealed he had advised Russia on how to flatter Mr Trump in peace negotiations.

At the time, Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, said Mr Witkoff has secure communications on his plane and follows all guidelines provided by Diplomatic Security and White House Information Technology.

Tommy Pigott,a state department spokesman, said there is no rift between the two and has never been.

He added: Secretary Rubio and special envoy Witkoff have a close working relationship and are personal friends. They are both fully aligned on the presidents goals and each is carrying out President Trumps vision on how to end the war and achieving peace in complete cooperation.

He said claims Mr Witkoff had attempted to block Mr Rubio from meetings in Paris as absurd, adding: The secretarys multiple meetings in Paris, both with and without the special envoy, and their close cooperation before, during, and since then, speak for themselves.

On Friday Mr Rubio described Mr Witkoff as a phenomenal person, very smart, very talented who does not get paid for his efforts as Mr Trumps envoy.

He added: Steve doesnt do anything independently. He relies on the interagency... he is staffed in many of these visits by state department folks, and including the ones in Miami, especially as we get to the technical parts of these agreements. So the synergy there is very tight across the board.

On Monday, Ms Kelly said the reports of a rift were inaccurate, adding that Mr Witkoff and Mr Rubio work totally in sync on everything  including ending the war in Ukraine.
The wreckage of the car bombing in a car park in the south of Moscow (via REUTERS)

A Russian general has died in a fatal car bombing in Moscow, according to officials.

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov was reportedly killed on Monday morning after an explosive device that was attached to the underside of his car detonated, Russia's Investigative Committee says.

The 56-year-old was the head of the armed forces' operational training department, the committee added.

Speculation surrounds the case, with theories circling about Ukrainian intelligence services planting the bomb.

The explosion appears to have taken the doors off the car (via REUTERS)

Ukraine has not responded.

Sarvarov was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries, where he died.

The committee added that it had launched an investigation into murder and the illegal trafficking of explosive devices.

Investigators have set upon the scene of the explosion, which took place in a car park near an apartment block in the south of Moscow.

Images from the scene depict a badly damaged white car, which has its doors blown out, parked near other vehicles.

Russian media say that Sarvarov previously participated in combat operations during the Ossetian-Ingush war and the Chechen wars in the 1990s and 2000s. He is also understood to have led operations in Syria between 2015-2016.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of Sarvarov's death, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, said.

Darya Dugina, 29, was the daughter of a Putin ally who was killed in a car bombing in 2022 (via REUTERS)

Ukraine never claimed responsibility for the death of Igor Kirillov (AFP via Getty Images)

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, several senior military officials and high-profile individuals have been assassinated in Moscow.

One of whom was Darya Dugina, the 29-year-old daughter of a Putin ally and high-ranking Russian was killed in an alleged car bombing in 2022.

Last April, Gen Yaroslav Moskalik was also killed by a car bomb, followed by Gen Igor Kirillov in December 2024, when a device attached to a scooter was remotely detonated.

According to a Ukrainian source for the BBC, Kirillov was assassinated by Ukraine's security service.

However, this claim was never officially confirmed. Ukraine never officially admits or claims responsibility for targeted attacks as a matter of policy.
The ruins of a car believed to belong to Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov - Investigative Committee of Moscow via AP

A senior Russian general has been killed in a car bomb attack in Moscow, Russian investigators have said.

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staffs operational training directorate, was murdered in the explosion on Monday morning, the countrys investigative committee said.

It added that it was investigating the possibility that the bomb was planted by Ukrainian special forces.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have engaged in cross-border assassination attempts throughout the war, targeting military generals and senior political figures in an attempt to gain the upper hand.

Lt Gen Sarvarovs Kia Sorento exploded at 6.55am local time on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow, close to the homes of several other officials from Russias military intelligence agency.

Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov was in charge of training the Kremlins armed forces

The force of the explosion was such that at least seven cars parked nearby also sustained damage, according to local Russian Telegram channels.

Footage posted online showed multiple emergency service vehicles at the scene and pieces of metal scattered across the floor. A separate photo also shows a heavily damaged car, which is believed to have belonged to Lt Gen Sarvarov.

The 56-year-old general worked in the Russian ministry of defence and was in charge of training the Kremlins armed forces.

Lt Gen Sarvarov participated in combat operations in Chechnya, Syria and Ossetia as well as Ukraine, according to a public database of Russian generals.

He won an Order of Courage, one of the highest state decorations, and was awarded the military rank of Lieutenant General by presidential decree in 2024.

Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman for Russias investigative committee, told reporters on Monday that Lt Gen Sarvarov had been wounded by an explosive device planted under his car and later died as a result of his injuries.

Kyiv said earlier this year its intelligence operations on Russian soil targeted individuals involved in war crimes against Ukraine, describing them as legitimate targets.

A spokeswoman said the car was blown up by an explosive device planted underneath - Shutterstock

Russian investigators are yet to determine whether Ukraines special forces were behind the attack - Maxim Shipenkov/Shutterstock

Kyivs focus has shifted from propagandists to the architects and operators of Vladimir Putins war machine, including senior military figures.

Among the most striking assassinations was the killing of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov on Dec 17 last year. The officer, who was in charge of Russias nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, was killed by a remotely detonated device hidden inside an electric scooter.

Days prior to Kirillovs death, Mikhail Shatsky, an engineer involved in missile and drone production, was shot dead. In April 2025, car bombs killed two senior figures linked to electronic warfare and operational planning, including Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, a key figure in Russias General Staff.

Acled, a global conflict monitor, has also recorded apparent suicide bombings in Russia, including the killings of Armen Sarkisian, the founder of the Arbat battalion, and Zaur Gurtsiev, who oversaw the devastating bombardment of Mariupol.

Since 2022, at least five high-profile killings have taken place in Luhansk, the eastern region of Ukraine, including that of Igor Kornet, the Russian-installed interior minister.

In December 2024, Ukrainian operatives also killed the head of the Olenivka prison in Donetsk, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war died in a 2022 bombing.

Research shows that the rate of Ukraines assassination war is far outpacing Russia.

In the first eight months of 2025, the number of assassination attempts by Ukraine inside Russia had already exceeded the annual totals for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The attacks show no sign of abating despite peace talks continuing in Miami on Sunday, which Ukrainian and US envoys hailed as productive and constructive.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trumps son-in-law, held separate meetings with Rustem Umerov, Ukraines top negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian envoy.
The crash happened at Edinburgh Airport (PA Wire)

Passengers have been evacuated after a Ryanair plane crashed into a fuel truck at a UK airport.

The incident occurred at 10am this morning at Edinburgh Airport.

The planes wing collided with the truck while taxiing to the runway.

Passengers on the Faro-bound flight were then taken off the plane to safety. Officials at the airport said no fire broke out.

One person onboard told the Sun: It was scary  the pilot came on the intercom and tried to pretend it wasnt as serious as it looked.

They cant use the plane anymore. It was just starting to move and was driving to the runway when it crashed into the fuel tank.

Thankfully, we werent going at a fast speed.

The crash is not thought to have affected other flights arriving and departing Edinburgh Airport.

There have also been no reports of injuries from the incident.

The Ryanair flight to Portugal has now been rescheduled from 10:05am to 12:15pm, according to tracking website FlightRadar24.

Scottish Fire and Rescue said it received reports that aircraft collided with a fuel truck.

Evacuated passengers were reportedly given 3 vouchers to spend at the airport while they waited to board their delayed flight.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: This flight from Edinburgh to Faro (22 Dec) was preparing for departure when the wing tip came in contact with the cab of a fuel truck.

Passengers disembarked normally and a replacement aircraft was arranged to operate this flight to Faro.

Edinburgh Airport was contacted for comment.
Saturday Night Live's cold open mocked President Donald Trump over the heavily redacted Epstein files and his renaming of the Kennedy Center in a scathing Christmas episode.

James Austin Johnson continued his streak as the president and ridiculed the Trump administration over its claim to be the most transparent in history after hundreds of pages of the long-awaited documents were redacted when they were partially released Friday by the Justice Department.

Trump only appeared in the tens of thousands of documents a handful of times, and one of the photographs that appeared to show the president was removed by the DOJ Saturday, Democrats said. Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing.

With regard to files, we're being very transparent, Johnsons Trump began. Because Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible man, and I didn't know him, and I liked him a lot.

We released all the files, and I come out looking, frankly, very good, he parodied. We had to redact a few sensitive things, but you'll get the gist here

Saturday Night Live's cold open mocked President Donald Trump over the heavily redacted Epstein files (SNL/NBC)

Johnson then turned to a giant file beside him that was redacted, apart from the words: Trump Didnt Do Nothing Bad.

See, it's all there. Can you believe it? he said.

The comic version of Trump joked that he was renaming so many government buildings after himself because we had to take it off of so many files.

We had to put them somewhere, Johnson said.

The December 20 cold open also ridiculed Trumps hand-picked board that voted to rename the iconic Kennedy Center: The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

We are renaming the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which will now be called the Trump-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts No Homo, Johnson said.

I'm actually going to be renaming a number of our other monuments as wellTrump-Washington Monument...Trump Lincoln Memorial, Johnson reeled off, holding up mocked-up images of the historic sites with the presidents name plastered across them.

The near-five minute skit mimicked the style of Trumps meandering speeches, where he has often bragged about his cognitive test scores.

The cold open also skewered Trumps hand-picked board voting to rename the Kennedy Center The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

I'm doing my own version of Nativity now, where kings from the Middle East bring gifts for me, like gold and airplane and casino deal in Dubai, the actor said. But unlike nativity, they're not showing up on camel. And I know camel, I know it very well. I know it from my mandatory daily cognitive test.

I always get camel right. It's bumpy horse, he went on. That's how I know camel bumpy horse.

Saturdays show, hosted by Ariana Grande, marked Bowen Yangs last as he earlier announced his mid-season exit after seven years.

The actor and comedian, 35, shared a carousel of images on Instagram that showed him at 30 Rock alongside his fellow cast members.

I loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people. i was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile, his lengthy caption began.

Im grateful for every minute of my time there, he added.
The Government has announced plans to ban trail hunting in England and Wales. (Getty Images)

Trail hunting is expected to be outlawed under new animal welfare measures being brought in by the Government.

Ministers have today published the governments Animal Welfare Strategy, which also targets practices viewed as inhumane, including the use of shock collars and cages or crates for farm animals.

Trail hunting has become one of the most controversial countryside activities in the UK, frequently making headlines amid protests, police investigations and calls for tougher enforcement.

Supporters argue it is a legal alternative to fox hunting, while critics claim it is often used as a cover for illegal activity.

But what exactly is trail hunting, and why has it been banned in some areas?

What is trail hunting?

Trail hunting involves riders on horseback following a scent trail that has been artificially laid along a predetermined route. The scent, usually animal-based or synthetic, is dragged across the ground for hounds to follow, rather than pursuing a live animal.

It was introduced as a legal alternative after fox hunting was banned in England and Wales under the Hunting Act 2004. In theory, trail hunting allows traditional hunts to continue riding with hounds while complying with the law.

Organised hunts claim routes are planned carefully to avoid wildlife and livestock, and that the activity is about maintaining rural traditions rather than killing animals.

Why is it so controversial?

Animal welfare groups argue that trail hunting is often indistinguishable from illegal fox hunting. They claim that hounds regularly pick up the scent of live foxes during trail hunts, leading to chases that result in injury or death.

Campaigners also point to repeated incidents where hunts have been filmed pursuing foxes, trespassing on private land, or intimidating hunt monitors and protesters. These groups argue that trail hunting provides plausible deniability, making prosecutions difficult even when illegal hunting is suspected.

Police forces and prosecutors have acknowledged that enforcing the Hunting Act is challenging, as proving intent, whether hounds were deliberately set on a live animal, can be difficult.

What does the law say?

Under the Hunting Act 2004, hunting wild mammals with dogs is illegal, with limited exemptions. Trail hunting itself is not explicitly banned in England and Wales, but it must not involve the deliberate pursuit of a live animal.

Scotland has gone further, introducing stricter hunting laws that make trail hunting far more tightly regulated, while Northern Ireland does not have equivalent legislation.

Why is trail hunting being banned?

In recent years, trail hunting has been banned by several landowners, councils and organisations. The National Trust announced a ban on trail hunting on its land in 2022, citing animal welfare concerns and reputational risk.

Forestry England followed suit, ending licences for trail hunting across its land.

Some local authorities and private estates have also withdrawn permission, arguing that trail hunting causes disruption, conflict, and environmental damage.

Now, the Government are looking to ban trail hunting completely under new animal welfare reforms.

What happens next?

The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out plans for implementation by the end of 2030. This gives a broad timeframe for when the trail hunting ban and other reforms could come into force.

Ahead of full legislation, the Government plans to hold a public consultation on how best to craft the ban, with that process expected to open in early 2026. Responses from the consultation will then inform the details of the legal changes.
SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an increasingly digital era, modern life and economic activities heavily rely on networks. Network stability directly impacts public 'digital well-being' and 'sense of social participation.' As the brain of the network, the core network must remain stable, since any service interruption can affect tens of millions of users, causing immeasurable societal impact. Huawei's ICNMaster MDAF solution builds an intelligent high-stability system based on MoM (Mixture of Models), multi-agent collaboration, and network digital twin technologies. It enables proactive risk prevention, rapid fault recovery, and service restoration within minutes, helping global operators accelerate their journey toward L4 high-stability and ensuring service continuity experience.

As 5G and cloud technologies evolve, services become more diversified. Alongside their emergence come software-hardware decoupling, multi-generation coexistence, complex inter-generation APIs, signaling surges, transport network faults, and data center failures, all of which exert greater pressure on operators to maintain carrier-grade reliability of the core network. According to GlobalData statistics, 42% of operators have experienced core network service interruptions in the past three years, with the frequency increasing annually, drawing widespread industry concern. To guide global operators in progressively improving core network reliability, TM Forum has released a core network high-stability assessment standard. Dozens of operators have already participated in evaluations. Core network reliability enhancement has become an industry consensus.

To meet global operators' demands for core network high stability, Huawei launched the ICNMaster MDAF intelligent high-stability system. Building upon earlier innovations like the "Fault Management Agent" and "Complaint Handling Agent," it introduces breakthrough technologies: the MoM architecture, multi-agent collaboration, and agent-network digital twin synergy. This enables automated problem closure, reduces incident probability, achieves service recovery in minutes, and empowers core network L4 high stability.

From 'Single-Model Architecture' to 'Multi-Model Architecture': Compared to traditional single-model architectures, the MoM architecture achieves scenario breakthroughs. It fully integrates the advantages of the fast inference model with the deep reasoning model like DeepSeek. An intelligent model traffic routing framework dynamically allocates tasks: routine, high-frequency events are handled instantly by fast, accurate models, while complex anomalies requiring deep reasoning are assigned to reasoning models. This ensures lightning-fast responses to common issues and deep reasoning for complex faults, achieving optimal efficiency and precision.

From 'Single-Agent Automation' to 'Multi-Agent Collaborative Self-Closure': Traditional single agents only automate isolated individual scenarios. Multi-agent collaboration technology can orderly unite multiple agents, performing agent orchestration, conflict resolution, and more. Recovery actions are validated through the network digital twin system, ensuring corrective measures are accurate and effective before being applied to the live network, ultimately achieving a self-closing loop of "perception-analysis-decision-execution."

Huawei's ICNMaster MDAF MoM-based multi-agent collaborative high-stability solution goes beyond an enhancement; it is a crucial step toward fully autonomous networks. It enables operators to provide not just connectivity, but a future-oriented, resilient, and intelligent digital foundation. It successfully resolves the long-standing conflict between network stability and operational efficiency and marks a fundamental strategic shift in the telecom industry's operational model from network-centric to user-centric. The 'Agent + Digital Twin' collaboration paradigm validated by this system lays a solid technical and practical foundation for realizing fully autonomous driving networks in the future.
Donald Trump has targeted mainly political appointees in his second term - Getty Images/Tasos Katopodis

Donald Trump has recalled dozens of ambassadors and senior diplomats as part of a major shake-up of his international agenda.

The chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their tenures would end in January, according to two state department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The US president is looking to reshape the countrys presence abroad and stack positions with personnel deemed supportive of hisAmerica First priorities.

All of the recalled ambassadors had taken up their posts during the Biden administration but had survived an initial purge in the early months of Mr Trumps second term that targeted mainly political appointees.

That changed on Wednesday when they began to receive notices from officials in Washington about their imminent departures.

Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president, although they typically remain at their posts for three to four years.

Those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they wish to take them, the officials said.

The state department declined to comment on specific numbers or ambassadors affected, but defended the changes, calling them a standard process in any administration.

It noted that an ambassador is a personal representative of the president and it is the presidents right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.

Recalls draw concern

Africa is the continent most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.

Second is Asia, with ambassadorial changes coming to six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam affected.

In Europe, Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia are affected, as are two each in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt); South Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka); and South and Central America (Guatemala and Suriname).

The recalls have drawn concern from some politicians and the union representing US diplomats.

On Sunday, Mr Trump named Jeff Landry, the Louisiana governor, as his special envoy to Greenland, reigniting alarm over US plans for the Arctic island.

Jeff Landry, the Louisiana governor, has been appointed as US special envoy to Greenland - AP/Gerald Herbert

Trump has said several times that Greenland, a Danish territory that is now largely self-governing, should become part of the US, citing security reasons and an interest in the islands mineral resources. Mr Landry has praised the idea.

Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World, Mr Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.

On Monday, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, said he would summon the US ambassador to Copenhagen, saying he had been particularly upset by Mr Landrys support for Trumps aim of making Greenland part of the US.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenlands prime minister reiterated that the island would decide its own future.
Tucker Carlson has been named Antisemite of the Year by a Jewish civil rights group in response to his interviews with a series of controversial speakers over the course of 2025, most notably white supremacist Nick Fuentes.

The former Fox News host interviewed Fuentes in late October, in the course of which his guest attacked organized Jewry in America, stressed the importance of being pro-white, and said he was a fan of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, who persecuted Russian Jews.

Carlson himself attacked Christian Zionists on the American right for supporting Israel during the same conversation, singling out former president George W Bush, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Sen. Ted Cruz for particular criticism.

By an overwhelming vote margin, Tucker Carlson has been named StopAntisemitisms 2025 Antisemite of the Year, StopAntisemitism founder and executive director Liora Rez told The New York Post.

Carlsons divisive, hateful, and dangerous rhetoric and his repeated glowing interviews with bigots and Hitler apologists have made him the most reviled Jew-hater over the last 12 months.

Conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson has been Antisemite of the Year by StopAntisemitism (AFP/Getty)

The same organization also attacked the host immediately after the Fuentes episode aired, commenting: He uses his platform of millions to normalize antisemitism, from downplaying white supremacy to promoting the antisemitic great replacement theory, turning dog whistles into a megaphone for hate.

The Independent has reached out to Carlson for comment.

In addition to Fuentes, the host has sat down with several others this year who have expressed views the group objected to, including Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac and Darryl Cooper, a revisionist historian of the Second World War.

When influential figures normalize antisemitic narratives, it contributes to a climate where threats, harassment, and violence against Jews become more and more common, Rez told the Post.

Antisemitism is surging in the U.S. and abroad, and it is increasingly driven by people with powerful platforms not just by fringe extremists.

Nick Fuentes rages against Tucker Carlson earlier this month, a matter of weeks after their friendly interview, saying he's never met a faker human being (Rumble)

Words dont kill, but they dig the graves by inflaming hatred and inspiring unstable actors. Words have consequences, and in todays environment, they can and do pave the way to real-world violence and deadly attacks on Jews.

Carlsons decision to platform Fuentes inspired a huge backlash among American conservatives, with Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine, who styles himself the Hebrew hammer, calling the broadcaster the most dangerous antisemite in America and accusing him of taking on the mantle of leader of a modern-day Hitler Youth.

Amid the immediate fallout, the conservative think-tank the Heritage Foundation was accused of attempting to distance itself from Carlson by removing his name from an online donation page it sponsors.

Its president, Kevin Roberts, subsequently defended him in a video message, saying, Christians can critique the state of Israel without being antisemitic. And, of course, antisemitism should be condemned.

Conservatives should feel no obligation to reflexively support any foreign government, no matter how loud the pressure becomes from the globalist class or from their mouthpieces in Washington.

MAGA pundit Ben Shapiro launched into a scathing attack on both men at a Turning Point USA event last week (Reuters)

Carlson himself was dismissive of the furore, telling fellow Fox alumni Megyn Kelly his critics can buzz off, adding that he does not need to prove that Im a good person and was just doing my thing, which is I want to understand what people think.

President Donald Trump also defended Carlson over the interview, saying he had said good things about me over the years and that people could make up their own minds about Fuentes, who, notoriously, dined at Mar-a-Lago in November 2022 after being invited along to meet Trump by troubler rapper Kanye West.

Fellow right-wing pundit Ben Shapiro was far less sympathetic, blasting Fuentes at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest conference last week by calling him a Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving, anti-American piece of refuse and saying Carlson had built Nick Fuentes up.

More surprisingly, Fuentes himself has changed his tune on Carlson since their meeting, saying in a livestream rant earlier this month: I want this guy to stay the f*** away from me. I dont know who he is, but Ill tell you one thing: He is not who he says he is.

He went on to declare that he had never met a faker human being in my life.
Donald Trump announced plans on Monday for the U.S. Navy to construct a new class of warships that will be some of the largest vessels of its type the service has fielded.

The battleships, which are part of an effort to develop a new Golden Fleet, will be 100 times more powerful than any battleships ever built, declared Trump.

Details first learned by The Wall Street Journal indicate the ships will replace the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and cost around $5bn each.

The ships will be 30,000-40,000 tons, according to the president, and will carry the capacity for hosting futuristic technology like directed energy lasers and railguns, a U.S. official claimed to the Journal. The newspaper reported that the new fleet, which will also include new frigates announced by the service last week, was the product of the work of a joint Navy-White House team to counter Chinas influence.

Trump, on Monday, denied that it was the fleets specific aim, claiming instead that it would counter everybody and talking up his administrations relationship with Beijing.

The president spoke from Palm Beach, Florida, where he is staying for the Christmas holiday into the new year. Signs next to the president depicted artistic renderings of the first ship of the new line, the Trump-class USS Defiant.

Donald Trump announced plans for a new warship named after him on Monday as he stays in Florida for the holidays (AFP via Getty Images)

As commander-in-chief, it is my great honor to announce that I have approved a plan for the Navy to begin the construction of two brand new, very large, largest weve ever built, battleships, the president announced.

"There's never been anything like these ships, Trump said. These have been under design consideration for a long time. And it started with me in my first term, because I said, 'Why aren't we doing battleships like we used to?'

We used to build a ship a day, during World War 2. And now we dont really do ships anymore, the president complained on Monday before praising his first administration on the issue of constructing and revolutionizing the Navys submarines. During his first term, U.S. naval shipbuilding missed targets set by the Obama administration.

He was flanked by top Cabinet officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

The Navy secretary, John Phelan, claimed that the Trump administration would make battleships great again and would build the best-looking ships on the planet.

An artist's rendering of the new 'Trump-class' battleships announced by the president on Monday (Getty Images)

Mondays announcement follows a months-long escalating military campaign against small boats in the Caribbean, which U.S. officials claim are ferrying drugs bound for American shores. The Trump administration has offered little outside of classified briefings to Congress as the death toll from the operations passes100 people slain in what was once treated by the U.S. government as a law enforcement matter requiring prosecution rather than the application of lethal military force.

A major naval buildup continues off Venezuelas shores and U.S. forces have begun interdicting and seizing oil tankers sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for alleged involvement with illegal organizations. The president said Monday that the U.S. would keep oil and vessels seized as part of the sanctions enforcement operations, but didnt say for certain whether it would be sold or added to the U.S. Strategic Reserve.

"Maybe we'll sell it, maybe we'll keep it, maybe we'll use it in the strategic reserves. We're keeping it. We're keeping the ships also, the president said.

The U.S. government continues to insist that Venezuelas government, run by Nicolas Maduro, is controlled by a criminal cartel led by Maduro himself. The Maduro government remained in power after the 2024 elections, many U.S. and international election monitors said were fraudulent.

On Monday, Trump repeated his insistence that the U.S. will begin ground operations targeting Venezuelan drug smuggling groups, while also claiming to reporters that those operations would be expanded anywhere where drugs were supposedly pouring in to the United States.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered another defense of the strikes against small boats, which international experts say constitute extrajudicial killings of alleged criminals and may have even killed innocents in the mix: There are no fishing poles, no fishermen and no fishing boats, just drug dealers and narco terrorists. And with every strike, we're saving American lives. No other President is willing to do real deterrence, that's exactly what's happening.

Trump did not go as far as saying that Maduros removal from power was his aim; however, in a blow to members of his party, such as Sens. Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, who are ardent supporters of U.S.-led regime change in the South American country.

"He can do whatever he wants. It's alright. If he plays tough, it'll be the last time, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough, though, said Trump of Maduro.
The UK car industry is on track to meet the governments electric vehicle (EV) sales requirement for 2025, according to new analysis.

Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank found that flexibilities in the zero-emission vehicle (Zev) mandate mean the sector is on track to achieve this years demands.

The mandates headline target is for at least 28 per cent of cars sold by each manufacturer to be zero-emission, which generally means pure battery electric.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show these vehicles achieved a market share of 22.7 per cent during the first 11 months of the year.

However, the ECIU said the actual Zev mandate sales requirement is just 20.4 per cent, as companies also get credit for selling large numbers of lower-emission petrol and diesel cars.

The think tanks head of transport Colin Walker said: Despite claims that sales targets would not be hit, it seems clear that in 2025, just as last year, the industry is on track.

Figures suggest EV vehicles achieved a market share of 22.7 per cent during the first 11 months of the year (PA)

British drivers are increasingly choosing to switch to electric, so much so that, of the worlds largest car markets, the UK is now second only to China in the proportion of drivers buying new EVs.

Be they new cars or regular families going electric on the second-hand market, British EV drivers are saving hundreds, even thousands, of pounds a year.

Last week, the European Commission watered down its total ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035.

The new plan is for 90 per cent of new cars sold from that date to be zero-emission.

The UK Government has pledged to outlaw sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, with only zero-emission models permitted from 2035.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will abandon the policy if it wins the next election.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, she described electric vehicle quotas as economic self-harm.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will abandon the policy if it wins the next election (PA)

Mr Walker said: Were the UK Government to follow the EUs lead and weaken its own Zev mandate, it would risk slowing new EV sales and stunting the growth of the second hand EV market, leaving people stuck driving dirtier and more expensive petrol cars for longer.

This is the big risk now being faced by drivers in the EU. Its clear the world is only going in one direction on electric cars.

Slipping into the slow lane is a recipe for getting left behind.

Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of EV buying advice website Electrifying.com, said Brexit gives the UK the freedom to take a different path from the EU, particularly where the latters policy risks slowing progress.

She continued: Diluting the 2035 policy now would hand an even greater advantage to competitors in China and South Korea, who are accelerating their EV transition.

Ben Nelmes, chief executive of environmental consultancy New AutoMotive, said the UKs electric car targets are pragmatic and ambitious.

He added: It would be a profound mistake for UK ministers to repeat the EUs mistake by abruptly changing these rules.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said carmakers have made massive efforts to comply with the mandate including discounting EVs, which has had a huge cost to the industry and is unsustainable in the long term.

He urged the Government to ensure the UKs transition to electric motoring supports consumer confidence, the UKs attractiveness as a place to invest, and overall economic growth.

A government spokesperson said the analysis clearly shows our approach is working to encouraging the switch to EVs.

She added: Our commitment to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 is giving industry the certainty it needs.
The Ursid meteor shower peaks on 22 December 2025 (Getty/iStock)

The final meteor shower of the year is set to peak on Monday night, bringing shooting stars to skies across the northern hemisphere.

The Ursid meteor shower, which occurs when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by the comet Tuttle, is active from 13 December until 24 December, with a sharp peak on 22 December.

The meteor shower is only visible in the northern hemisphere due to the position of its radiant, with the shooting stars appearing to originate from the constellation Ursa Minor  also known as the Little Bear, or Little Dipper.

The American Meteor Society describes the Ursids as the least observed of the major annual showers due to December nights being cold and often cloudy.

Astronomers advise any hopeful viewers of the spectacle to face toward the northern half of the sky and look up at a 45 degree angle.

Meteor activity is notoriously variable and if you view for only a short time, it may occur during a lull in activity, Robert Lunsford from the American Meteor Society wrote in a blog post about the 2025 Ursid Meteor Shower.

Viewing for at least an hour ensures you will see several peaks and valleys of activity... At maximum activity this source normally adds five to 10 medium velocity meteors to the 10 or so that are normally seen each morning hour from dark sky sites.

The Moon will be a slender waxing crescent phase in the evening sky on 22 December and will not interfere with observing the Ursids this year.

Current forecasts from the Met Office suggest there will be patchy cloud across large parts of the UK during the Ursids peak, however most of the US has favourable conditions for the display.

The next major meteor shower will take place in early January when the Quadrantids arrive to deliver 40 meteors per hour when they peak on the night of the 3-4 January.

The Quadrantids meteor shower coincides with a full Moon supermoon, meaning visibility will be severely hindered by the light emitted from our celestial neighbour.

The best meteor shower of 2026 will likely be the Perseids, which will produce up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak on 12 August.

The peak comes on the same day as a total solar eclipse, with the path of totality passing directly over parts of Europe.
Win a full Tate Britain experience  including a London hotel stay courtesy of Dis-loyalty, lunch for two, a year-long Tate plus guest membership, and the Lee Miller catalogue  just in time to see the largest retrospective of her work ever staged in the UK.

The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner for Tate Britains Lee Miller retrospective, celebrating the career of the trailblazing surrealist photographer.

The exhibition, running until 15 February 2026, is the largest retrospective of Millers work ever held in the UK.

Around 230 vintage and modern prints are on display, including previously unseen works, spanning her time as a model in New York, her pre-war photography in Paris and Cairo, her World War II photojournalism, and post-war work including a rare self-portrait from Austrian artist Oscar Kokoschkas studio in 1950.

To celebrate this landmark exhibition, were giving one lucky reader a special Tate Britain prize, which includes:

A one-night stay at any London hotel of your choice within the Dis-loyalty Collective (up to the value of 250), plus a one year Dis-loyalty membership (valued 144) with additional perks across stays, food and drinks worldwide

A one-year Tate plus guest Membership

Lunch for two at the Tate Britain cafe

The Lee Miller exhibition book

This competition has now ended.

Lee Miller Model with lightbulb, Vogue Studio, London c. 1943  Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. Leemiller.co.uk

Lee Miller Fire masks, Downshire Hill, London 1941, printed 2007 Victoria and Albert Museum. Gift of Mark Hayworth-Booth, 2010 Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk

Terms and Conditions

1. The Independents Standard Promotion Rules apply. See - Competition Ts & Cs and Promotion Rules | The Independent | The Independent

2. The winner will receive a one-night stay at any of the participating Dis-loyalty Collective hotels in London, operated by Ennismore International Management Limited (Ennismore) for two people up to the value of 250 plus a one-year Dis-loyalty membership valued at 144 (together, the Dis-loyalty Prize). See below Dis-loyalty Prize Terms for details of participating hotels.

3. Separately from the Dis-loyalty Prize, The Independent will provide the winner with a One-year Tate plus Guest Membership, Lunch for two at the Tate Britain cafe, and The Lee Miller catalogue. Please note these prize elements are provided independently of Ennismore and the Dis-loyalty Collective and are subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant providers.

4. The competition will close on 16th January 2026.

Dis-loyalty Prize Terms

5. The following Dis-loyalty Prize Terms govern the Dis-loyalty Prize only and for the avoidance of doubt, these Dis-loyalty Prize Terms do not apply to, and Ennismore has no responsibility for, any other prize elements provided by The Independent or any third party.

6. The Dis-loyalty Prize must be claimed and used before 15th February 2026, subject to availability. After this period, the Dis-loyalty Prize will automatically expire.

7. Winner may redeem the Dis-loyalty Prize at any one of the following participating hotels in London: The Hoxton Holborn, The Hoxton Shepherds Bush, The Hoxton Shoreditch, The Hoxton Southwark, Sanderson, St Martins Lane, Hyde London City and Mama Shelter London (provided such hotels remain part of The Dis-loyalty Collective when such Dis-loyalty Prize is redeemed) subject to availability. For the avoidance of doubt, in relation to the Dis-loyalty Prize, any stay must take place on or before 15th February 2026, when Lee Miller closes at Tate Britain.

8. The Dis-loyalty Prize shall be for the winner and up to one additional adult guest over the age of 18. The Dis-loyalty Prize does not include any travel costs or other expenses. Any expenses incurred by the winner (or their guest) in making use of the Dis-loyalty Prize must be borne by that winner.

9. In order to make bookings at the hotels when claiming the Dis-loyalty Prize, the winner must book themselves via www.dis-loyalty.com. The value of the hotel-stay component of the Dis-loyalty Prize (up-to 250) will be deducted from the total bill at checkout. The winner will be required to pay the difference between the hotel-stay value and the total bill amount themselves.

10. No responsibility is accepted if the winner is not able to take up, receive, or use the Dis-loyalty Prize.

11. The winners use of the Dis-loyalty Prize at a hotel shall be governed by the applicable hotels terms and conditions.

Photographs used in our advertising:

Lee Miller Model with lightbulb, Vogue Studio, London c. 1943  Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. Leemiller.co.uk

Lee Miller Fire masks, Downshire Hill, London 1941, printed 2007 Victoria and Albert Museum. Gift of Mark Hayworth-Booth, 2010 Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
Yahoo and Yahoo mail down as users report outages

Yahoo! and Yahoo! Mail both left users frustrated Monday afternoon with outages reported at both ahead of the holiday season.

Outages on spiked shortly after 12:00 p.m. on Monday, according to DownDetector, a site that tracks online interruptions around the world.

Yahoo, headquartered in California, serves around one billion global users everyday, according to the company.

We are currently aware of technical difficulties affecting mail access for some users, Yahoo said in a Monday statement. Our team is actively investigating the cause, and we will provide further updates as they become available. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience.

A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

Yahoo and Yahoo Mail users reported outages on Monday afternoon, according to DownDetector. (AFP via Getty Images)

A number of social media users voiced their frustration with the outages on other social media sites, with one writing I cant access any of my mail!

I'm one of the thousands, wrote another. Not happy!

Its the latest in a string of internet issues that have disrupted users over the past few weeks. On December 5, Cloudflare briefly went down, taking many popular sites offline, including X, Substack and Canva.

Visitors to a series of sites were met with a 500 internet server error warning, The Independent previously reported.

Two-and-a-half weeks earlier, much of the internet went down after another technical problem hit Cloudflare - which is a company that hosts a variety of websites.

Cloudflare is aware of, and investigating an issue which potentially impacts multiple customers, the company said at the time. Further detail will be provided as more information becomes available.

Other notable outages in 2025 include major disruptions to YouTube in October and Whatsapp in February.
The Salmon River central school district in Fort Covington, New York. Photograph: Google Maps (Photograph: Google Maps)

A school district board in upstate New York is investigating school officials amid accusations that the district may have confined elementary school students inside wooden timeout boxes.

Images of the boxes, which resemble tiny padded cells, first spread on social media last week, after a former member of the Salmon River school district school board accused officials of building them to seclude children with disabilities. The images unleashed an immediate uproar in the small district, which teaches about 1,300 children and lies on the border between New York state and Canada.

In addition to investigating the officials, the Salmon River central school district board of education announced last Thursday it had placed three officials, including an elementary school teacher, on leave. It also reassigned the districts superintendent to home duties and is cooperating with a New York state department of education investigation.

While the district superintendent acknowledged that the district had set up three of the wooden crates at two elementary schools, he also said that the district had removed the boxes and that no student had ever been confined inside them. However, at an emotional and tense community meeting last week, multiple parents said they suspected their children had been inside the boxes, the Albany-based Times Union reported.

One parent of a minimally verbal child said his son told him: If you are happy or if you are sad, this is the place you have to go to calm down.

More than 60% of Salmon River students are Native American. For several community members, the controversy over the boxes evoked memories of abusive residential schools, the US governments boarding school system that sought to force Native American students to assimilate to white society. Nearly 1,000 students died at those schools, which operated as recently as the 1960s.

Sixteen of my family members, at least, have gone to residential schools; its not generations removed, Sarah Konwahahawi Herne, whose first-grader attends a school where a box was placed, told the Times Union. This is not history. This is contemporary times in our family.

Kathy Hochul, New Yorks Democratic governor, has called the allegations highly disturbing.

School should be a place where every child is safe, respected and supported, Hochul said in a statement on Saturday. These allegations are alarming and entirely unacceptable and the states independent education department must take swift action to investigate and rectify this situation.

The districts superintendent office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, in a statement, the school board apologized profusely.

We recognize the pain, concern, and distress these events have caused, and we are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community, said Jason Brockway, the boards president. We want to be clear: the circumstances surrounding these allegations do not reflect the values and standards of care that guide this district.
Labour should follow Australias lead and ban children under 16 from social media because of the anxiety, depression and insomnia it causes, one of Britains most eminent paediatricians has said.

Baroness Cass, a former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, has joined two other senior peers to table an amendment to the Governments schools bill that would require all tech and social media firms to introduce age controls barring children under 16 from becoming users.

Australia introduced its social media ban on children under 16 earlier this month, which means they cannot set up new accounts and existing profiles are being deactivated across platforms including Tiktok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads.

The British law change has also been proposed by Lord Nash, the former schools minister, Baroness Benjamin, the former childrens presenter, and Simon Bailey, who headed the National Police Chiefs Councils efforts to combat child sexual exploitation.

Baroness Cass, who wrote a landmark report on the treatment of gender-questioning children, warned that society had carried out a deliberate social experiment by allowing children to be exposed to several hours of screen time a day including potentially harmful content.

She said smartphone use was linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression and insomnia, particularly affecting those who already struggled with their mental health or experienced bullying.

I think weve just got to be really creative and think about multimodal ways  many schools are doing the right thing and have very good policies in place [on phone use], but our stats are still problematic. And so I think having that alone is not proving to be enough, she told The House magazine.

On Monday Sir Keir Starmers spokesman said the Government had no plans to replicate Australias blanket ban, saying its more about how you control the content. However, he said Sir Keir would closely monitor the measures in Australia.

Mr Bailey urged the Government to adopt the under-16 ban to prevent social media companies from continuing to facilitate child sexual abuse content on their platforms.

He said the scale of child abuse imagery on the internet had multiplied in the last three decades from just 10,000 images to between 70 million and 80 million. This was being further fuelled by AI technology, which meant any paedophile could create pictures of any form of child sexual exploitation.

He also highlighted new research showing a significant link between social media use at the age of 12 and 14-year-old childrens subsequent use of cannabis.

The peer-reviewed study of nearly 8,000 children showed heavier users of social media at 12 were 20 per cent more likely to be taking cannabis at the age of 14.

Data published this month revealed that 16,212 children were in drug and alcohol treatment in 2024-25  up 13 per cent on the previous year and 47 per cent higher than four years ago. For the first time, 14 to 15-year-olds have overtaken 16 to 17-year-olds as the largest group in treatment.

b'

'

Mr Bailey said: I believe we have a responsibility and a duty to protect our children from the harms social media firms are facilitating, causing and ultimately exploiting.

I dont think anyone in the world is saying enough is being done to stop social media companies facilitating and encouraging, with the use of algorithms, the most appalling abuse and exploitation.

Social media is fuelling a drug crisis among our children. These platforms normalise drug use, serve as marketplaces, and are used by county lines gangs to recruit and control children across the country. Banning social media for under-16s protects children and keeps communities safe. The Government must act.

Lord Nash said: This is a hugely significant study, with nearly 8,000 children tracked over two years, and its conclusions are clear  social media changes how children think about drugs, making them view cannabis more positively and driving them to experiment.

The Government should back my amendment to save generations of children and prevent a drug crisis spiralling out of control.
Keelan Swords had a childhood dream of becoming an officer within the British Army

An aspiring Army officer with dyslexia sued the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after being described as intellectually challenged.

Keelan Swords failed the commissioning course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst twice, meaning he could no longer retake the exam to become an officer.

The assessment at the Berkshire institution, which was attended by Princes William and Harry, is mandatory for would-be officers and tests writing, reading and numeracy skills.

Assessors described Mr Swords as polite but intellectually challenged following his second failed attempt, which left him feeling upset and embarrassed.

He then tried to sue the MoD for disability discrimination and harassment relating to his dyslexia, but his claims were dismissed because an employment tribunal ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to consider them.

The tribunal, held in Reading, heard that Mr Swords started working as a university officer training corps cadet at Sandhurst on April 1 2023. He had been an officer cadet in the University of London Officers Training Corps and a Group B reservist between the ages of 19 and 23.

He failed the Army officer selection board assessment (AOSB) twice  in August 2022 and October the following year.

The assessment tests writing, reading and numeracy skills in only one format. Physical skills are also looked at during the selection process.

Self-esteem and self-worth undermined

The tribunal heard Mr Swords had always [had] assistance and support during exams throughout his education because of his dyslexia.

This has included additional time within an examination, a calculator, a laptop to record notes rather than handwriting and extra paper, the hearing was told.

The aspiring officer argued that it would have been reasonable for various adjustments to the process to be made during his AOSB tests.

Mr Swords produced a copy of his service complaint form, describing the treatment he received after his second AOSB assessment.

In particular, he describes the upset at being labelled polite but intellectually challenged and significantly below the standard required for an Army officer, which he describes as undermining all of his academic and military achievements within the OTC [Officers Training Corps], the tribunal heard.

Took away childhood dream

In his complaint, Mr Swords said: My self-esteem and self-worth were undermined within my peer and social circles.

However, the single most detrimental impact was that it took away my childhood dream and the vision of becoming an officer within the British Army, which had been supported and encouraged and supported every single step of my development outside and inside the Army.

He added that it was embarrassing and upsetting when he was asked by colleagues who did not know about his failed tests whether he was going to apply to become an officer.

The tribunal accepted that being blocked from progressing to an officer affected his social and professional reputation. However, his claim was dismissed by Employment Judge Sarah George because the relevant part of equality law has an exclusion for service with the Armed Forces, so the tribunal did not have jurisdiction to consider it.

Mr Sword and the MoD were approached for comment.
TOKYO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kawaguchi City, located just north of Tokyo and easily accessible from the city center, is home to a 400-year tradition of bonsai and horticultural culture known as "Chitose Midori."

This rare cultural landscapewhere urban convenience meets centuries-old craftsmanshiphas fostered generations of artisans whose techniques have earned the "Kawaguchi brand" international recognition.

Bonsai is one of Japan's most iconic living art forms, expressing landscapes, time, and respect for nature within a single vessel.

Leveraging its Tokyo-near location, Hachisuha BONSAI-Art, under the supervision of the fifth-generation head bonsai master of Bonsai Kirakuen, is reimagining bonsai as an accessible, globally minded cultural experiencerooted in tradition yet designed for contemporary lifestyles.

Tourism Media Service spoke with the organizers about the upcoming bonsai workshop, exploring its appeal, objectives, and future plans.

 Experience Living Japanese Art in the Heart of Tokyo

As a special New Year program, a Small Bonsai-Making Workshop will take place on January 24 (Sat.) and 25 (Sun.), 2026, at AZLM TOBU Ikebukuro, located inside Ikebukuro Station, one of Tokyo's busiest transportation hubs.

Designed for international visitors and first-time participants alike, the workshop offers a rare opportunity to engage with Japanese traditional culture inside a major urban terminal, making it ideal for short stays and flexible travel itineraries.

The workshop is organized under the concept "BON-Kei | Stillness and Movement  BONSAI-Art."

The program is planned and operated by Hachisuha BONSAI-Art, with technical supervision provided by Bonsai Kirakuen, blending classical bonsai techniques with modern design sensibilities and a global perspective.

All materialsincluding bonsai trees, pots, and toolsare provided. Guided by professional bonsai artisans, participants learn the fundamentals of tree selection, repotting, shaping, and daily care, completing their own bonsai by hand.

Each finished piece can be taken home, allowing participants to continue cultivating their bonsai and reconnect with their Japan experience long after returning home.

Live koto (traditional Japanese string instrument) performances are scheduled between workshop sessions, gently shaping the atmosphere between experiences.

The alternating rhythm of focused bonsai-making and reflective moments accompanied by music introduces participants to the Japanese aesthetic concept of "Ma"the beauty of space, pause, and silencethrough multiple senses.

Workshops are held three times daily at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:30 PM, with a maximum of 10 participants per session, ensuring an intimate, hands-on experience with close guidance from artisans.

 Quiet Luxury and Mindfulness in the Middle of the City

Despite its location within one of Tokyo's busiest stations, the workshop offers a calm, mindful environment where participants can slow down, work with soil and living trees, and rediscover Japanese values of simplicity, balance, and restraint.

This contrastserenity within motiondefines the experience and resonates strongly with culture-driven U.S. travelers.

 Upcoming Premium Experiences for the International Market

Following the Ikebukuro workshop, Hachisuha BONSAI-Art (BON-Kei | Stillness and Movement  BONSAI-Art) plans to introduce a lineup of high-value cultural experiences for the international market beginning in February.

These programs reinterpret bonsai and horticultural culture as immersive experiences to create, understand, and connect with Japanese tradition, rather than simply observe it.

One highlight is the Export-Ready Bonsai Premium Workshop, where participants shape export-ready bonsaieligible for overseas shipment after two years of plant quarantine managementunder the direct guidance of master artisans. Each bonsai is paired with a one-of-a-kind vessel crafted by Kawaguchi-affiliated artists, including Kunimasa Aoki, recipient of the LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize 2025 Grand Prize, creating a refined intersection of living art, craftsmanship, and time. Optional cultural elements, such as shogunal-era cuisine and live traditional music, may be added to enhance the experience.

Another program offers a guided cultural walking experience through the AngyoAkayama area, exploring bonsai, horticulture, and local history. Visitors tour historic sites including Akayama Jinya and the Kawaguchi Green Center, guided by bonsai masters and local residents with multilingual support, emphasizing dialogue and cultural immersion beyond conventional sightseeing.

 Reservations and Contact

The Ikebukuro workshop is available via VELTRA, a leading experience booking platform.

While the listing page is in Japanese, reservations can be completed in English.

For inquiries and updates, please contact the official Facebook page operated by Hachisuha BONSAI-Art (BON-Kei | Stillness and Movement  BONSAI-Art):

Living Art  Bonsai Sacred Land Kawaguchi

~ Bonsai is Living Works of Art ~

Official Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiKawaguchiJapan

Upcoming programs and premium international experiences will be announced through this page and the reservation platform.

About Tourism Media Service:

An online news platform specializing in the tourism industry. It provides the latest news on regional development and travel information, as well as feature articles on topics such as trends and observations, contributed by over 100 experts, every day.

CONTACT: For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Contact person: Toshimichi Nagaki

SOURCE Tourism Media Service
A tractor at a protest by UK farmers opposing the Governments inheritance tax reform plans in London last week - Toby Melville

The Labour Party has always been keener on the city than the countryside.

Even so, Sir Keir Starmers multi-pronged assault on rural life since he won the general election last year has surpassed even the most pessimistic predictions.

From trail hunting to inheritance tax to animal-rearing regulations, the Government has repeatedly introduced legislation that strikes at the heart of life in the countryside. At the same time, they have failed to offer badly-needed support in the way of the improvements to roads, railways, broadband and other infrastructure that it so desperately needs. Between this and a drought-afflicted summer, many farmers are feeling despair.

On Monday, Labour followed up on a manifesto promise and announced plans to outlaw trail hunting, in which hounds hunt an animal-based scent trail rather than a real fox with horse riders and walkers following the pack.

Critics say trail hunting is a smokescreen for many cases in which a real animal is killed, and that the high burden of proof under existing legislation means convictions are vanishingly rare. But the hunts vehemently deny this and many people living outside of Britains cities say Labours move is an attack on their way of life.

Twenty years ago, Labour banned fox hunting, now theyve announced plans to outlaw trail hunting too - David Rose for The Telegraph

The Labour party is the party of hate, spite and envy, says Adam Thomas, 64, from Lyndhurst in Hampshire, who has hunted for his whole life and happily trail hunted since the ban on fox hunting came into force in February 2005.

It seems bizarre that they want to ban something that has a knock-on effect into parts of rural Britain that theyve never thought of. Trail hunting  and shooting  pulls together a massive number of activities, businesses and industries. It is vital for the fabric of the countryside and an outlet for lots of people to come together, connecting rural folk in the darkest months.

Indeed, the Governments move has reopened an ancient argument in British life, one which epitomises a feeling that legislators in Westminster do not understand vast swathes of the country they are governing.

Tony Blair, who spearheaded the fox hunting ban, later wrote in his memoir that it was one of the domestic legislative measures I most regret. The ensuing protests attracted more than 300,000 people to Westminster. Blair said that such was the strength of feeling he felt like the damn fox.

People who are working and earning a living off the land, farming in all weathers, feel entirely forgotten about, says George Wade, a farmer from Shaftesbury and chairman of the Portman Hunt. Hunting is the glue that keeps rural life together, in the darkest months, and our countryside is shaped by these activities that have gone on for centuries.

On top of the urban/rural divide, there is a real disconnect between people who earn a living from the land and those who live in the countryside and have no real relationship with what goes on with its management. The Government certainly has no idea and is just serving up the politics of spite and envy.

As part of the animal welfare reforms, the Government also announced plans to outlaw hen cages and pig farrowing crates, which some farmers fear could lead to food shortages. Although battery farming was outlawed in 2012, an estimated 21 per cent of hens in the UK are still kept in larger colony cages of up to 90 birds. Farrowing crates, meanwhile, are designed to stop pigs rolling and crushing their young but mean the mothers cannot turn over or move around. Critics say these are both cruel practices; others argue they are vital for keeping food affordable.

The Governments plans to outlaw hen cages and pig farrowing crates could lead to foot shortages - Alamy

I think the hunting ban is wrong, says Richard Morris, 62, who farms free-range hens for eggs outside Market Harborough. But whats more worrying is the ban on farrowing crates and colony cages. That seems quite concerning based on the availability of food. The supermarkets were [banning cages] anyhow, but theyd gone back on that because there is a certain proportion of the population that struggles to feed itself. And colony-produced eggs do satisfy that demand.

Adding to the sense of injustice is that foreign producers (including those in Europe) are not being held to the same standards, meaning that British farmers could lose out to competitors from Poland, for instance, where large numbers of hens are raised in colony cages. Britain currently produces around 88 per cent of its own eggs. As with Australian beef, British farmers now fear being undercut in British supermarkets.

Its a Government of liars, says Morris. I think theyve lost all credibility with the working public. Youve got to point finger at the Conservatives for a lot of this. They lost their way and ended up with a record Labour win. But weve got five years of pain, and were halfway through it.

The new measures come less than a month after the outpouring of rural fury on November 26, when thousands of farmers defied a last-minute police ban and drove their tractors to Westminster ahead of Rachel Reeves Budget, leading to several arrests.

Last year, Reeves used her first Budget to remove long-standing inheritance tax (IHT) exemptions for farm estates over 1m, starting from April 2026. Farmers, who might be asset-rich but often live right on the margins of profitability, reacted with bewilderment. Almost a third of British farms do not make money, with many unable to generate enough income to support a household, according to a recent Government-commissioned review headed by the former head of The National Farmers Union (NFU). The threat of inheritance tax also disincentivizes farmers from making large capital investments that could affect what their children have to pay.

I detest this Government with every fibre of my being for what theyre doing to the farming community, one farmer from Shropshire told The Telegraph at the protests.

Before Keir Starmer was elected he lied and said farmers deserve better. Then [Labour] got into office and went back on their word. There was no inkling this was going to happen.

A protester makes his feelings clear during a rally at Westminster in November 2024 - Tolga Akmen

In December, Starmer even admitted he was aware that some farmers were considering suicide over the proposed changes. But to no avail. There is every sign that Labour is intending to push through with its reforms despite the obvious strength of opposition.

Then there are changes to grants and subsidies which leave farmers short of cash and forced to farm their land at an ever greater intensity. In March, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stopped accepting Sustainable Farming Initiative grant applications, which supported farmers to farm in a wildlife-friendly way, only to have to reopen them after admitting as many as 3,000 applications were wrongly blocked. Capital Grant applications were temporarily closed last November and reopened in July.

There has been a lot of upheaval, says Mark Wycherly, 64, a seventh-generation dairy farmer from Shropshire. We dont mind the change, its the volatility [thats tricky]. As farmers, we take public money and that then goes back into the system locally, with merchants for feed or machinery or builders. So whats happened is that weve stopped investing at the moment. Were ticking over but were not looking at growing our businesses.

Nobody wants to throw money at the countryside unless its to build houses, he adds. I think thats a shame because we have a lot to offer society generally. But were expected to keep everything tidy so everybody can come at the weekend and walk and enjoy the local pub or whatever. But what they dont realise is that we have to live here to provide that service, but they expect us to do it for nothing. I dont want to feel like a second-class citizen in my own country.

If there is a glimmer of hope for farmers, it comes from the Batters review, led by former NFU president Baroness Batters, which last week delivered a scathing attack on the current and previous administrations over their treatment of the industry.

In her report, Batters said farmers were bewildered and frightened by changes to IHT. She made 57 recommendations designed to improve relations between the Government and farmers and make farming robust, calling for a new deal for Britains beleaguered agriculture sector, although she added there was no silver bullet.

Former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters has called for a new deal for Britains beleaguered agriculture sector - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph

It remains to be seen if her advice will be heeded. Apart from Labours specific policy measures on farmers and hunting, it is also what they are not doing that is causing consternation. Even those who do not farm or hunt feel increasingly neglected when it comes to infrastructure investment and day-to-day spending.

Our village has one way in and one out, dangerous roads that are not fit for purpose, there is no mobile reception and there is no longer any public transport, says Jane, 64, who lives in a village on the border of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. As she works for a local authority, she doesnt want to give her full name, but she articulates a fury felt by many.

Under Labour, the countryside has been confined to an oubliette, she adds. The whole attitude of this Government to the countryside, the farmers and the people who live here is shocking and disgraceful. Theyre treating the rural population of this country as collateral damage. It saddens me to see swathes of agricultural land ploughed up for houses. Theres no infrastructure, no doctors, no dentists, no sewage, no more schools. Everything is at capacity.

Millions of city-dwellers will head to the shires for Christmas this week. There, they will eat delicious British-grown food, go to church, take long walks, perhaps admire a sheep or two. For a few days they will live a different kind of life, one made possible by those who live and work in the countryside year-round. It is a life that this Labour government seems determined to make as difficult as possible.
The US has signed a multibillion-dollar health deal with Nigeria tied to the West African country protecting Christians from persecution.

Barely two months ago, Donald Trump threatened to intervene with guns a-blazing to stop what he said was an existential threat to Christianity from Muslim militants.

But now, Washington has agreed to contribute nearly 1.6bn ($2.1bn) to help prevent HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and polio and to protect maternal and child health.

Nigeria has, at the same time, committed to increasing its national health spending by nearly 2.2bn ($3bn) over a five-year period, with a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.

The US state department said the new agreement was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations from violence.

A video grab from footage distributed by Boko Haram, the Islamist militants who seized schoolchildren from a mostly Christian town

Nigeria at first strongly rejected Mr Trumps accusation that the country was turning a blind eye to Christian persecution, and said he had oversimplified security dynamics where bandits, extremists and insurgents preyed on Christians and Muslims alike.

But after the deal was announced, Nigeria said the diplomatic bust-up had been largely resolved.

The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through a firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria, said the information minister, Mohammed Idris.

Washington has overhauled Americas lavish aid spending since Mr Trump took power, dismantling the vast agency USAid and cutting back donations to large global health bodies.

The Trump administration says that instead it wants to forge direct deals with African governments, to cut out using inefficient international aid agencies as middlemen.

Washington says that three-fifths of health aid goes to technical assistance, program management, and overheads while only two-fifths ever reaches frontline services.

Kenya, Lesotho, Eswatini and Uganda have already signed similar deals, as well as Nigeria.

In another boost for Nigerias Christians, authorities announced that all of the children kidnapped last month from a Catholic school had now been freed.

Hundreds of students and staff were kidnapped by gunmen from St Marys co-educational boarding school in north-central Niger state in a wave of mass abductions reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Boko Haram kidnapping of schoolgirls in the town of Chibok.

The exact number of children taken at the time has remained disputed, as some escaped immediately and some of those thought to have been seized had run off home.

A United Nations source told AFP that all those taken appeared to have now been released.
Key Points

Rising smartphone adoption in Latin America supports Nu Holdings' digital-first banking model.

Nu has disrupted the traditional banking system and now has more than 110 million customers in Brazil.

With a huge customer base, Nu is focused on increasing profitability through cross-selling financial and other services.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) is making waves in the fintech investment sector. Since the start of the year, the Latin American financial services company has surged 58%. The bank has done a stellar job of serving regions starved for quality, affordable banking services, leveraging its digital platform to connect with hundreds of millions of customers.

The company's stock performance reflects investor optimism about Nu's growth trajectory and future prospects. The bank has a large customer base to sell to and is targeting other markets ripe for disruption. Here are three reasons to invest in Nu Holdings today.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks 

1. Nu has seen tremendous growth in Brazil

For many years, Brazilian consumers faced a concentrated and predatory banking system dominated by just five banks. The situation was so severe that credit card interest rates reached 160%, and former finance minister Paulo Guedes described it as a "cartel."

Changes paved the way for Nu's neobank model. By operating a digital-only platform, Nu challenged the traditional banking model by offering free digital accounts and credit cards with no annual fees, attracting tens of millions of customers. Today, Nu serves more than 110 million customers in Brazil, or roughly 60% of the country's adult population.

The Nu Holdings logo on a smartphone.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nu currently holds multiple regulatory licenses, letting it offer products and services in payments, credit, financing, investments, and securities. However, Brazil has made regulatory changes restricting the use of the term "bank" by those without a banking license, so Nu is aiming to acquire a small bank in Brazil sometime next year.

Being a fully licensed bank provides legitimacy with consumers, especially in a market where trust in financial institutions is paramount. This license could also make it easier for Nu to access markets reserved for banks, thereby lowering its cost of capital.

2. It has a huge customer base to cross-sell to

Nu has a huge customer base of 127 million, and sees this as an opportunity to create value and cross-sell to those customers. It views this as a means to enhance the profitability and economics of its overall business. Nu offers a range of financial services, including lending, investments, and insurance. It also offers travel and cellular services, along with an integrated marketplace platform.

One way to assess how effective Nu is at cross-selling is to look at its average revenue per active customer (ARPAC). As customers adopt more of its products, the revenue per active user climbs. In the third quarter, Nu's ARPAC was $13.40, a 20% year-over-year increase on a foreign-exchange-neutral basis. For Nu's long-term customers who have been on the platform for eight years or more, the ARPAC was $27.30 as of the second quarter.

Nu's growing ARPAC demonstrates the long-term monetization potential as its customer base grows, matures, and adopts more of its products. This is a critical component that helps Nu grow efficiently and cost-effectively.

NU Revenue (TTM) Chart

NU Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts.

3. Positive trends should fuel future growth

A positive trend for Nu is smartphone adoption, which is projected to reach 400 million users across Latin America. This digital-native population increasingly prefers mobile apps to physical bank branches, a trend Nu leverages through its low-cost, digital-first model.

Nu's growth in Brazil has been excellent, and the company has begun its expansion into Mexico and Colombia. These are two of the largest regions in Latin America, with significant numbers of unbanked or underbanked consumers. In Mexico, Nu has over 13 million customers, representing about 14% of the country's adult population. It is also approaching nearly 4 million customers in Colombia.

Nu Mexico has been approved to convert into a bank in Mexico and is currently completing the final steps. It previously operated as a Popular Financial Society (SOFIPO). Once fully authorized as a bank, it will be able to offer a broader product portfolio, including payroll accounts. It will also increase its deposit insurance coverage by 16-fold, allowing Nu to attract high-net-worth individuals.

But that's not all. In September, Nu Holdings applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a charter to establish a de novo national bank in the U.S. The charter would let the company offer a range of products, including deposit accounts, credit cards, loans, and potentially digital asset custody, under a single federal regulator.

Nu has demonstrated excellent growth across Brazil and is making strides in Mexico and Colombia. The company is effectively leveraging its scale and cross-selling to drive efficient growth. If you're looking for an attractively priced growth stock, Nu Holdings, trading at 20 times next year's earnings, appears to be an excellent buy today.

Where to invest $1,000 right now

When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisors total average return is 972%*  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 193% for the S&P 500.

They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of December 22, 2025.

Courtney Carlsen has positions in Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool recommends Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Rows of data center equipment and server racks inside an industrial facility. Photo: Ismail Enes Ayhan / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Businesses and colleges continue to advance semiconductor research and development in Texas.

So far, four colleges are advancing semiconductor initiatives with the help of a taxpayer-funded Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant.

The latest is the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), a member of The Texas A&M University System. The historically Black college and university is collaborating with the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute to launch a strategic workforce development initiative in partnership with the Next-Generation Microelectronics Manufacturing program.

The program will provide specialized training in 3D Heterogeneous Integration (3DHI) process capabilities, Electronic Design Automation and digital twins, and 3DHI microelectronics microsystems. The program will teach 3DHI technologies, the process of stacking manufactured components, chips or wafers containing different semiconductors and materials, within a single package to improve functionality and performance.

PVAMU received a $1.98 million TSIF grant to launch the initiative.

Texas is investing in the workforce of tomorrow today, Gov. Greg Abbott said. Prairie View A&M University, the second-oldest public higher education institution in Texas, has built an unparalleled reputation for empowering scholars. This specialized workforce training program will further Texas leadership in cutting-edge microelectronics, enhance national security by strengthening domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and expand the path to better jobs and bigger paycheck opportunities for Texans for years to come.

Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar said Prairie View A&M University is preparing students for the most complex and in-demand jobs in the industry. This grant is an investment not only in Texas economic future, but also in the men and women whose skills will keep our state at the forefront of innovation for decades to come."

PVAMU is the fourth Texas college and university system to receive a TSIF grant to advance semiconductor technology training and skills programs, The Center Square reported. The first was the Austin Community College District (ACC), followed by Temple College in partnership with Texas A&M University  Central Texas (TAMUCT) and the Texas Quantum Institute at The University of Texas-Austin.

The grants are an outworking of the governor and legislature prioritizing Texas leading the U.S. in chip manufacturing. In 2023, the state legislature passed Texas CHIPS Act, which created a new Texas CHIPS Office, the TISF fund and grant, and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, The Center Square reported. Nearly $700 million is being awarded through the TSIF. Prior to the Texas CHIPS Act, Texas already ranked first in the country for semiconductor manufacturing.

Texas Instruments also broke ground at its new 300 mm semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Sherman last week, expanding its semiconductor operations there. In 2022, it also broke ground on a new semiconductor plant. At the time, Texas Instruments said it was making a $30 billion investment to expand its manufacturing capability long term. Since then, that total has increased to $40 billion over the next few decades, it says.

Texas Instruments commitment is the largest private-sector economic investment in Texas history.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas Instruments invented the worlds first commercial silicon transistor in 1954; Jack Kilby invented the integrated circuit in 1958.

The Fortune 500 company and one of the top 10 semiconductor companies in the world, designs, manufactures and sells analog and embedded processing chips for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, enterprise systems, and communications equipment markets.

Together, TI and Texas have formed the foundation of modern technology, Abbott said.

Several other multi-billion-dollar companies are also expanding semiconductor manufacturing and technology in Texas, The Center Square reported.

The future is forged by microchips and Texas will lead the way in bringing the world into the next century, Abbott said.
Becca Tilley/Instagram Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley; Hayley Kiyoko's 2019 journal entry

NEED TO KNOW

Becca Tilley revealed that her December proposal to Haley Kiyoko had an unintentional connection to one of her fiancees journal entries from six years ago

I can definitely see myself with Becca forever. Getting married, the Lemonade Mouth star wrote in a 2019 journal entry while on vacation in Japan

Tilley proposed to Kiyoko in Japan in December, five months after her fiancee initially popped the question

Becca Tilleys proposal to Hayley Kiyoko was written in the stars.

On Dec. 20, the Bachelor alum, 37, revealed that her proposal to the Lemonade Mouth star, 34, just weeks prior had an unintentional connection to a journal entry her fiancee wrote six years ago.

Hayley and I went to Japan in 2019 before we were out publicly and during our trip to Kyoto, we stayed at the Four Seasons and had the best couple of days, Tilley wrote alongside several photos from the dreamy trip on Instagram. Weve always talked and dreamed about coming back."

She continued, "Earlier this year, Hayley mentioned to me that it was on that trip, at this hotel  in the exact spot of the first photo  where she had a moment of realizing she wanted to spend forever with me."

Becca Tilley/Instagram Hayley Kiyoko's 2019 journal entry

Indeed, a photo of the entry, written on Dec. 6, 2019, featured Kiyokos handwriting documenting that the trip felt like my honeymoon with Becca and that she could definitely see myself with Becca forever. Getting married.

I feel that so strongly right now, she concluded on the page.

Tilley went on to explain in the caption that, ever since the magical trip, she had always dreamed about getting the chance to propose there.

With the help of the team @fskyoto & @ssgoldtravel, we pulled it off, she wrote, referring to the couples second engagement. It was the most special experience! The craziest thing is I did not plan the day I proposed around any significant date, but I proposed to her on December 6 2025. Look at the date of her journal entry from 2019.

Becca Tilley/Instagram Becca Tilley and Hayley Kiyoko

Five months before Tilley got down on one knee in Kyoto, Kiyoko had already popped the question by a body of crystal-blue water in July.

"My dream girl said yes to forever" Kiyoko captioned their engagement photos at the time. In other snaps, the couple could also be seen lovingly embracing each other while showing off the reality stars new bling.

After the pair began dating in late 2018, Kiyoko told PEOPLE five years later that Tilley had changed the way she viewed relationships.

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.

Becca Tilley/Instagram Becca Tilley proposes to Hayley Kiyoko

"Our journey has been wonderful and beautiful. I think I've [also] healed a lot of my younger self in my relationship with Becca," she said in May 2023. "I realized that we're all on so many different parts of our [coming out] journeys."

"Just because we're in two different places in our journey doesn't mean that we can't still coexist and love each other and have an incredible relationship, until she's ready to share that with everyone, she continued. "I've been so grateful for our relationship and our journey, and our decision to keep our relationship private for so long. I also love being able to share our relationship as well."



Read the original article on People
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued Level 2 travel advisories for several countries experiencing outbreaks of chikungunya virus, a lesser-known but potentially debilitating mosquito-borne illness that continues to spread across Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The affected countries currently under advisory include Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cuba, and Guangdong Province in China, with several other destinations marked as having an elevated risk of exposure for American travelers.

According to Fox5, health officials are particularly concerned about the viruss capacity to cause severe joint pain that can persist for months after initial infection. This symptom distinguishes it from other mosquito-transmitted diseases. While most cases resolve within a week, the CDC warns that vulnerable populations such as young children and older adults with underlying health conditions face higher risks of severe symptoms and, in rare instances, death.

Understanding Chikungunya Symptoms And Transmission

Chikungunya virus, primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, typically begins showing symptoms within three to seven days after exposure. The most common indicators include fever and joint pain, often accompanied by headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. The CDC reports that while most people recover completely within a week, some individuals may experience lingering joint pain that persists for months or even years, particularly affecting the hands, feet, knees, and spine.

The World Health Organization notes that severe symptoms and deaths from chikungunya remain rare, typically occurring in more vulnerable populations such as infants or older adults with existing health conditions. Unlike some other mosquito-borne illnesses, chikungunya rarely causes asymptomatic cases  most infected individuals develop noticeable symptoms requiring rest and care.

Countries At Risk And CDC Recommendations

Beyond the nations currently experiencing outbreaks  Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cuba, and Guangdong Province in China  the CDC is actively monitoring several additional destinations with an elevated risk of chikungunya exposure. These include popular travel destinations such as Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. The travel advisories come with specific recommendations for travelers visiting affected regions.

The CDC suggests vaccination against the virus for those visiting areas with current outbreaks and recommends considering vaccination for travelers planning extended stays in regions with elevated risk. Notably, the agency notes that there have been no locally acquired cases of chikungunya in the United States or its territories since at least 2019. However, the situation abroad continues to warrant caution for international travelers venturing into affected areas.

How Travelers Can Protect Themselves

For travelers planning trips to regions affected by chikungunya, preventive measures extend beyond vaccination considerations. The CDC recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 on exposed skin.

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants treated with permethrin offers additional protection, particularly during peak mosquito activity times at dawn and dusk. The CDC regularly publishes both country-specific and global health advisories to alert travelers to concerns worldwide, including recent guidance on increased rabies cases in Haiti and India, and updated global travel alerts on polio affecting destinations like the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and Kenya.

The Level 2 alert for chikungunya advises enhanced precautions. Still, it stops short of recommending travel cancellations, unlike the more severe Level 3 and Level 4 warnings, of which none are currently in effect for chikungunya or other health concerns.







The post CDC Issues Level 2 Alert For Mosquito-Borne Virus  What Travelers Need To Know appeared first on Travel Noire.
A pair of Florida boys will be tried as adults for the shocking murder of a teen girl they allegedly gunned down and then set on fire after luring her into the woods over an online dispute.

The baby-faced suspects, Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, will be treated as adults in the eyes of the law when they go to trial for the murder of 14-year-old Danika Troy, the State Attorneys Office announced Friday, according to WEAR News.

The teens were indicted the same day on charges of first-degree premeditated murder in the grisly killing.

Kimahri Blevins, 14, and Gabriel Williams, 16, face charges of first-degree murder and will be tried as adults. Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office FL

Both are accused of luring Troy to a walking path in Pace, Fla.  near Pensacola, in the panhandle  where they allegedly shot her dead with multiple gunshots before torching her body on Nov. 30.

She was reported missing by her mother early the next morning, and her corpse was found by a passerby the following day, on Dec. 2 around 11 a.m., investigators said.

Troys badly burned body was identified only by the shoes she was wearing and her electric scooter, which shed ridden to the alleged trap and was found nearby.

The boys were arrested within days and have been held at a juvenile detention center since. They were transferred to the Santa Rosa County Jail to be held without bond after being indicted on Friday.

This is what major crimes [unit] calls a ground ball, Sheriff Bob Johnson previously said after the arrest. The evidence pointed to them immediately. They took them into custody immediately.

Its bad enough that you kill a 14-year-old. Youre 14, youre 16, you shoot her multiple times, and then you set her on fire, he said.

Troys heartbroken mother, meanwhile, said she is struggling to accept the fact that her daughter is no longer with her.

I dont know how Im holding up, really, Ashley Troy told The Post Sunday. Every other day, every new wave of pain and denial of how this could be real  my baby, killed. Its nothing I ever imagined. My worst nightmare.

Despite overwhelming support from the community and their church, the mom and the slain girls sister have been left reeling as they prepare to celebrate Christmas with one less stocking.

Theres an emptiness where we were once three and are now just two, she said.

Danika Troy, 14, was found dead and torched on a wooded walking path in early December. Facebook/Ashley Troy

A motive in the killing remains unclear, but police believe the attack was planned after the three teens had some sort of disagreement over social media in November, with Troy allegedly calling Williams a worthless and a gang-banger.

They have been interviewed, but the motive that were getting doesnt fit the forensics or any facts of the case, the sheriff said.

Troys mother said her daughter had been friends with her alleged killers before the online dispute and claimed one of the boys cruelly tricked her teenager into meeting them by pretending to have a crush on her.

Gabe [Williams] pretended to have feelings for her. Thats how she was lured, Ashley Troy told The Post earlier this month. I still need answers. Im just left asking why. She just wanted to be in love.

The mom blamed the influence of evil for the heinous killing of her daughter.

I dont blame those boys. I blame evil influence. I dont hate them, I hate what they did to my baby, she said.

The boys allegedly used a gun stolen from Williams mother, though none of the boys parents are facing charges as of yet.

Neighbors to the crime scene said they were shocked by what happened.

Its always been so quiet here, and its getting bad. Its terrifying, in fact, neighbor Sue Petrisch told WEAR.

Being tried as adults, Blevins and Williams could face life in prison or death if convicted.

I pray they get the maximum penalty, Ashley Troy told The Post Sunday.
Signage is seen at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 14, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

By Nate Raymond

Dec 22 (Reuters) - A coalition of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to prevent President Donald Trump's administration from defunding the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by refusing to request money from the Federal Reserve.

Democratic attorneys general from 21 states and the District of Columbia filed the lawsuit in federal court in Oregon, arguing that the administration's decision not to seek additional funding for the U.S. consumer watchdog is unlawful and undermines Congress' authority under the U.S. Constitution.

"The administration's actions are a handout to those who drive up costs by cheating hardworking Americans, and I will keep fighting to ensure they follow the law and our Constitution," New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said in a statement.

The CFPB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump, a Republican, has sought to dismantle the CFPB since returning to office in January and has installed Russell Vought, his budget director, as the acting head of the agency. While efforts to fire most of its employees are tied up in litigation, Vought has effectively halted most CFPB activities.

The agency, which is tasked with protecting consumers in the financial sector, began operations in 2011 under Democratic President Obama following the 2008 financial crisis. It has since returned more than $21 billion improperly taken from consumers, its supporters say.

It receives its funding directly from the Fed, unlike federal agencies for which Congress appropriates money annually.

Last month, the CFPB under Vought's leadership said it could not request more money from the Fed because the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 requires that funding come from the central bank's "combined earnings."

Since the Fed had been operating at a loss since 2022, the Trump administration said no earnings were available. The CFPB in a November 10 court filing said it expected its funds would run out in early 2026.

States led by California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Oregon said in Monday's lawsuit that denying funding would prevent the CFPB from meeting a legal obligation to provide them with consumer complaints.

They said the administration's actions also violate the Constitution's principle of separation of powers, since Congress created the agency and the process by which it is funded.

A federal employees' union and several nonprofits are seeking in two separate lawsuits in Washington, D.C., and California to similarly force the CFPB to resume requesting funding.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by David Bario and Nia Williams)
Forget snow boots. Ask Santa for flip-flops instead.

Christmas 2025 will be memorable for tens of millions of Americans because of the record warmth forecast for much of the central United States, where highs could approach 75 degrees as far north as Kansas City, Missouri.

Meanwhile, for Californians this week, memories of a wetter sort are likely as a pair of potent storms known as atmospheric rivers take aim on the Golden State, where widespread flooding rain is in the forecast.

And as for dreams of a white Christmas, folks in the Great Lakes and Northeast could still see some snow on the ground this week from a pair of fast-moving storms.

NFL weather games: Football played in adverse conditions  Dec. 7, 2025: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) communicates between plays against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium. Despite a heavy snowfall, the Bills and Bengals played a high-scoring game, which was won by Buffalo, 39-34.

Record warmth in central U.S.

The warmth will be widespread this week, forecasters said. "Close to two dozen states, from parts of the Rockies to portions of the Appalachians, northward through much of the Plains and part of the Midwest, are forecast to experience temperatures that are 15-30 degrees above the historical average by Christmas Day," AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said in an online forecast. "At this level, the warmth will be comparable to late April or early May."

How warm? In Missouri, Kansas City and St. Louis are forecast to see highs in the mid-70s on Christmas Day, according to a National Weather Service forecast map (below).

In the southern Plains, "Oklahoma City will challenge or break record highs over multiple days in a row for the middle and latter part of this week," Glenny said. "For this city in particular, highs are forecast to be roughly 30 degrees above the historical average, which is in the upper 40s. Highs this week are projected to be in the upper 70s."

Though the lack of cold means frozen precipitation will be lacking, persistent low clouds and fog from the Gulf Coast to the Appalachians and Atlantic Coast could reduce visibility, disrupt road travel and cause flight delays, AccuWeather warned. Dense fog advisories were in effect on Monday, Dec. 22, in the Houston and New Orleans metro areas.

The national high temperature forecast map for Thursday Dec. 25, Christmas Day, shows unusually warm temperatures across a wide swath of the central and southern U.S.

Rain and snow for California

A pair of powerful systems known as atmospheric rivers will soak California through Christmas Day, bringing widespread flooding, dangerous travel, damaging winds and several feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada, AccuWeather warned.

Two such systems will funnel Pacific Ocean moisture into California. The first was expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain across the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.

More: Christmas forecast warns of an onslaught of rain, snow on West Coast

Flash flooding is possible, the weather service warned. "In addition, many streams may flood, potentially affecting larger rivers. The flooding may include debris flows in or near recently burned areas," the weather service said.

A second atmospheric river through Christmas Day will bring 4 to 8 inches of rain in the Los Angeles Basin and up to 12 inches in the Transverse Ranges across Southern California, according to AccuWeather.

Heavy snow is likely in the mountains: Snow levels will drop at midweek, leading to 1 to 2 feet at Donner Pass and up to 10 feet over Sierra ridges, creating whiteout conditions and extended road closures.

The chances for a white Christmas in the northern and northeastern U.S.

Could Northeast see a white Christmas?

At least two fast-moving storms will bring a mix of rain, snow and ice to the northeastern United States through Christmas Day, affecting travel and business operations, AccuWeather said.

The first storm will arrive Monday, Dec. 22, into Tuesday, spreading snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Ice accretions up to 0.10 of an inch are possible in parts of central and south-central Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, 1 to 3 inches of snow will accumulate across northern New York and much of New England, and 3 to 6 inches in the Adirondacks and Green and White Mountains, according to AccuWeather.

A second storm late Christmas Eve into Christmas Day will bring mainly rain from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with brief wintry mixes possible on higher ridges early Christmas Day.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christmas week forecast ranges from record heat to feet of snow
A worker connects a transfer hose to unload liquefied natural gas from a trailer at a storage site on Alaskas North Slope. Photo: Interior Gas Utility / Used with Permission

(The Center Square)  Energy Transfer LP said it is suspending development of its proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwest Louisiana as it reallocates capital toward a backlog of natural gas pipeline infrastructure projects expected to offer better risk-adjusted returns.

In a news release, the company said the continued development of its Lake Charles terminal is not warranted at this time. It remains open to discussions with third parties that may be interested in developing the project, the news release said. The company did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

The Dallas-based midstream operator owns and operates roughly 140,000 miles of pipelines across 44 states and holds ownership interests in Sunoco LP and USA Compression Partners.

The Lake Charles LNG suspension could affect customers including Chevron, which signed a five-year deal with Hungary's state-owned MVM Group to provide 400 million cubic meters of LNG annually. The gas had been expected to be sourced from the Lake Charles facility under long-term agreements for 3 million tons per year as Hungary seeks to diversify from its primary supplier, Russia.

The terminal, designed to export up to 2.33 billion cubic feet per day once fully built, had been granted additional time to begin exporting LNG to non-free-trade-agreement countries.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the extension was intended to ensure projects are positioned to meet rising global demand for American LNG.
The campaign reinforced the power of real connection during the holiday season

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Momcozy today announced the successful conclusion of its 2025 Cozy Holiday campaign, a season-long initiative designed to remind families that the most meaningful gift is not something wrapped, but something shared. Centered on the simple yet powerful act of a hug, the campaign brought together art, community, and real-life experiences to celebrate connection, warmth, and togetherness during one of the busiest times of the year.

Momcozy's Cozy Hugging Spot Pop-Up at American Dream Mall

Throughout the holiday season, Momcozy activated a series of touchpoints that invited families to slow down and reconnect  from its collaboration with BIG HUGS, the globally recognized art IP by artist Christopher David Ryan (CDR), to the launch of the Momcozy  BIG HUGS 14 Days of Cozy Christmas Advent Calendar . Each moment was thoughtfully designed to encourage presence, reflection, and shared rituals rather than perfection or excess.

The campaign came to life offline with the Cozy Hugging Spot, a week-long pop-up experience hosted at American Dream Mall from December 17. More than 200 families stepped into a warm, art-filled environment inspired by BIG HUGS, to take photos, share hugs, and create memories together.

Online, Momcozy's #CozyHugsChallenge further amplified the message of connection. In just one week, the campaign inspired more than 1,000 user submissions from Momcozy's brand communities, ultimately generating over 2,700 pieces of content as families shared stories, photos, and moments that captured what the holidays truly meant to them.

Lastly, Momcozy brought BIG HUGS to the streets, engaging in spontaneous conversations with more than 20 members of the public through simple yet meaningful holiday questions.

When asked, "If you could give anyone a warm holiday hug, who would it be?" The answers revealed stories of love, gratitude, and longingreminding everyone that meaningful connection often begins with a simple gesture. Another question "This holiday season, would you rather receive the perfect gift or a warm hug?" The responses were honest and deeply emotional, underscoring a shared belief: a hug is never just a hug. It represents care, connection, and the feeling of being seen.

"At Momcozy, we believe that the holidays aren't about creating picture-perfect moments  they're about creating real ones," said Eden Cali, Global PR Lead at Momcozy. "Seeing families pause, hug a little longer, and share their stories reminded us why we do what we do. Cozy Holiday was about showing up for moms and families in a way that feels human, warm, and meaningful."

By bringing BIG HUGS into real-world spaces, digital communities, and everyday conversations, Momcozy transformed its holiday message into a lived experienceone rooted in authenticity, warmth, and human connection. This campaign reaffirmed Momcozy's commitment to supporting families not only through products but through moments that matter most.

About Momcozy

Since its founding in 2018, Momcozy  Global No.1 Wearable Breast Pump* brand  has rapidly emerged as a leader in the FemTech space, offering a groundbreaking range of products designed to support mothers and babies from pregnancy through postpartum and beyond. With a commitment to innovation and comfort, Momcozy has redefined maternal care with its wearable breast pumps, nursing bras, and other essential products that integrate seamlessly into the lives of modern mothers. Loved by over 4.5 million mothers across 60 countries, Momcozy's products are sold directly on the brand's website and by major retailers such as Babylist, Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Momcozy's mission is to offer comprehensive solutions that empower mothers with the comfort and support they need at every stage of their journey.

Based on global market share of wearable breast pumps, Grand View Research 2024.

SOURCE Momcozy
President-Elect Trump Meets With Republican Governors At Mar-A-Lago

European countries are railing against President Donald Trumps decision to tap Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly floated annexing the self-governing territory under Danish control throughout the first year of his second term, citing its strategic security and economic assets. Landry, a close Trump ally who said he would remain governor, vowed to make Greenland a part of the U.S. in his volunteer role. (RELATED: Democrat Senator Thinks Average Middle American Is Too Dumb To Find Greenland On Map)

We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again: you cannot annex other countries, Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement Monday.

Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the US should not take over Greenland, the two leaders added. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity.

Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish television Monday that he was deeply upset by Landrys appointment. Rasmussen said he planned to summon PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, to register his disapproval.

Preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviability of its borders is essential for the European Union, European Union spokesman Anouar El Anouni said Monday.

Germanys Foreign Ministry also slammed Landrys appointment  which appears to have caught European nations by surprise.

The future of Greenland lies in the hands of Greenlanders, German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer said in a statement.

US Vice President JD Vance (2R) and Second Lady Usha Vance (2L) listen to Col. Susan Meyers (L), commander of the US militarys Pituffik Space Base, as they tour base in Greenland on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States has not appointed a special envoy to the resource-rich Arctic island in modern times. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance traveled to Greenland in March in an effort to improve relations between the United States and the less than 60,000 Greenlanders who live in the territory.

In August, Denmarks foreign ministry summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen over reports that the United States was conducting an influence campaign in Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly argued that acquiring Greenland  strategically located between the United States and Europe  is vital for the United States security.

Greenland is geographically larger than Alaska and constitutes 98% of Denmarks landmass.

Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Countrys Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World, Trump wrote on Truth Social announcing the appointment Sunday evening.

Though Landry has no apparent connection to Greenland, he applauded Trumps interest in acquiring the strategic Arctic territory in January.

We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States, Landry wrote on X the week prior to Trumps inauguration. GREAT for them, GREAT for us! Lets get it done!

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.
TOTOWA, NJ  A New Jersey police chief has been arrested and is now being held on felony charges stemming from a domestic violence incident in Massachusetts, officials and prosecutors said on Dec. 21.

Carmen Veneziano, who was the chief of the Totowa Police Department in northern New Jersey, was arrested on charges tied to an incident that occurred in Boston in September, Totowa Mayor John Coiro announced on Dec. 21. The Boston Police Department confirmed it was a domestic violence incident.

Veneziano was indicted on Dec. 18 on one count of kidnapping and three counts of domestic assault and battery, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office in Massachusetts told USA TODAY. Prosecutors allege Veneziano "confined and assaulted a woman" in the early hours of Sept. 14 in a hotel room in Bostons Back Bay neighborhood.

The police chief was arrested without incident on Dec. 19 by officers assigned to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey. Prosecutors said Veneziano waived extradition proceedings and will be transported in custody.

Veneziano is expected to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Dec. 22. Further details will be disclosed at the arraignment, according to prosecutors.

Louisiana visa scheme: Louisiana police chiefs took bribes to help foreign nationals get visas, feds say

'We were quite surprised'

Following the arrest and extradition hearing on Dec. 19, Coiro said Veneziano was transferred to the Bergen County jail. Veneziano will be transported to a detention center in Massachusetts, according to the mayor.

We dont actually know the exact charges, because they havent been shared with us, but we do know from the prosecutors office that they would be felonies, if hes convicted, Coiro said on Dec. 21, according to NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. We were quite surprised.

In a statement on social media, the mayor said prosecutors had described the charges against Veneziano as "serious in nature and considered felonies."

After consulting two senior members of the borough's Public Safety Committee, Coiro said Veneziano was suspended without pay "until the legal process is concluded."

Coiro said the Totowa Borough Council will appoint an interim chief before the end of the year.

Death, a 'criminal enterprise': How an entire police department was put on leave

Who is Carmen Veneziano?

Veneziano, a 1996 graduate of Passaic Valley Regional High School, began his career in Woodland Park  then West Paterson  only days before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. In January 2005, he was on security detail for the second inauguration of President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C.

In June of that year, he transferred to the Totowa Police Department. He succeeded Chief Robert Coyle, who retired at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 after four decades of service.

Philip DeVencentis is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. Email: devencentis@northjersey.com. For access to the most important news in your community, subscribe or activate your digital account.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Jersey police chief charged with domestic assault and battery
A filing case filled with labeled folders, including bank account and automobile records, sits beside tax documents and forms on a desk. Photo: Sarah Pflug / Burst

(The Center Square)  Maine Republicans are calling for an investigation into whistleblower claims that Maines welfare system has been overbilled by millions of dollars by a nonprofit that works with Somali immigrants.

The Maine Republican Party announced they have filed a public records request with State Auditor Matt Dunlap seeking information about recent complaints, tips and other information related to fraud or overbilling by nonprofits and other third-party groups.

MaineGOP Chairman Jim Deyermond cited recent claims by a whistleblower that the Lewiston-based Gateway Community Services overbilled MaineCare  the state's Medicaid program  and submitted false claims for behavioral health services it didn't provide. He claimed the group, whose CEO is from Somalia, is being protected by Democratic lawmakers.

After seeing reports of millions of dollars in overbilling in Maines welfare system and hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts, the taxpayers of Maine deserve to know what measures have been taken to protect them," Deyermond said in a statement. "Look, just because these folks are politically connected doesnt mean theyre above the law."

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said recently that two audits revealed Gateway was overpaid by $662,608, and the state is seeking to recoup that money. The agency said it refers suspected fraud to the attorney general's office.

But Christopher Bernardini, who worked as a program coordinator at the company between 2018 and 2025, told NewsNation in a recent interview that his former employer billed taxpayers for services that werent provided and falsified records to cover up its tracks. He also claimed that he submitted a complaint to Dunlap about the allegations, but said the office took months to respond.

To be sure, Gateway has denied the whistleblower's claims and pointed out to media outlets that neither of audits conducted by the state DHHS accused the group of billing for service services it didn't provide. The group said it has also fueled threats to the Somali community, which has been criticized by President Donald Trump.

"These allegations are false. Gateway Community Services maintains strict billing, documentation, and compliance protocols and has cooperated with state oversight agencies," the group said in a recent statement. "At no point during his employment did he raise any concerns-formal or informal-related to inaccurate billing, fraud, or impropriety."

But Maine Republicans have also taken aim at Dunlap, who is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination to run for Maine's Second Congressional District in next year's midterm, accusing him of failing to act on the whistleblower complaint.

From what we can see in news reports, the biggest concern from Maine Auditor Matt Dunlaps office was not the fraud being reported, but whether the whistleblower had told the feds, said Deyermond. "The people deserve to see the numbers and decide for themselves if anyone, anyone at all, is investigating these allegations and looking out for their interests."
Catherine Rampell Gives Jasmine Crockett Chance To Outline Policy Agenda  It Doesn't Go Well Screenshot/Rumble/MS NOW

MS NOW host Catherine Rampell provided Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett a chance to outline her policy platform for her Senate campaign on Sunday.

Crockett launched her Senate campaign on Dec. 8, delivering a roughly 40-minute speech the same day. Rampell said on The Weekend Primetime that Crocketts speech was light on policy and requested that she expand with a couple of other examples on what she would focus on if she were to win her race, but the candidate named only one concrete example despite rambling for two minutes. (RELATED: Rep. Jasmine Crockett Still Wont Retract Accusation Lee Zeldin Took Money From Jeffrey Epstein)

WATCH:

I think we need to raise the minimum wage. Um, we have not done that in a national way, and so Texas is not taking it upon themselves. So the minimum wage is still $7.25, Crockett said. We can start to go ahead and put more money into working peoples pockets. And whether youre a minimum wage worker or otherwise, we know that once you raise the minimum wage, everyone elses wages go up.

We know that costs are going up to the extent that we know that when people were showing up in those food lines as the president was sending $40 billion over to Argentina instead of making sure that people that are supposed to get their SNAP benefits had their money, she continued. We know that there were a lot of working-class people.

Crockett then criticized her states senators for voting to make President Donald Trumps 2017 tax cuts permanent and for opposing healthcare subsidies. She also denounced Trumps tariffs and said the Senate needs to push back on them, but did not explain how.

We also know that we are in Texas and we do trading big. We are one of the largest trading states in this entire world. And with that, we know that we are experiencing record bankruptcies from a lot of our small businesses because of the tariff policies that this president has decided he wanted to implement, Crockett said. It is time to reign him in. It is time to implement some sort of checks and balances because he has exceeded his power.

We also know that ultimately when I came down to making this decision, the Senate is the one that actually has oversight over the Supreme Court, she added. It is time for us to actually exercise some oversight, and this is the only court, the highest court in the land  its the only one that does not have any type of ethics that they have to follow. I think that we need to look at that.

Moreover, Crockett claimed she has the qualifications to choose the right judges as a senator due to her courtroom experience.

Crockett also failed to clarify her position on reparations during a Thursday episode of REVOLT News The Peoples Brief, delivering a meandering response lacking specific details.

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.
We are once again litigating whether a colonial-era flag is actually a hate symbol, thanks to our friends in the esteemed Fourth Estate.

The flag, which depicts a green pine tree against a white background and bears the caption An Appeal to Heaven, is displayed outside Education Department official Murray Bessettes D.C. office, USA Today reported this week.

That is the whole story. A federal official you have never heard of has displayed a flag you likely dont recognize. This is bad because supposed experts cited by USA Today  often referred to in the journalism business as McPaper  say so.

This really goes back to a recent effort to demonize a Supreme Court justice  but lets take a step back first and acknowledge what we know to be true: Milk is not a symbol of white supremacy, punctuality is not anti-black and having babies is not racist, despite the claims of credulous journalists.

Based on the selective application of moral panic, news outlets such as the New York Times have tried to launder and pass off as reasonable claims that the okay hand gesture is a secret symbol of white supremacy. Meanwhile, they can be counted on to claim in the same breath that the South African song Kill the Boer has a deeper, richer meaning beyond its explicit bloodlust against white Afrikaners.

We should have outgrown all of this loony-tune nonsense. It is now 2025, after all. But USA Todays reporting this week, if it can really be called that, suggests otherwise.

The Appeal to Heaven flag dates back to at least 1775, when General George Washington commissioned its use for a squadron of navy ships. The motto on the flag refers to the political philosophy of John Locke. The idea is that earthly justice sometimes fails, in which case one must appeal to a higher power.

This is a genuine piece of Americana. There is a reason this flag featured so prominently in HBOs 2008 miniseries on the life and times of John Adams.

The Pine Tree flag, which appeared in many places during the American War for Independence, symbolizes the desire for self-rule and determination, much like the Dont Tread on Me Gadsden flag. It bears an evergreen (pun intended) message, which is why the flag has not been lost to time.

In fact, the Pine Tree flag is still the official naval and maritime ensign of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The flag played a key role in the creation and development of Maines official iconography (The Pine Tree State). The central symbol on Maines Merchant and Marine flag is a green pine tree.

The Appeal to Heaven flag also flew outside San Franciscos City Hall for 60 years before being quietly taken down in 2024 in order to provide cover for a very specific and stupid political controversy.

The too-online crowd, and those intent on destruction through association, have decided to construe this flag as a symbol of extremism. Why? Because some rioters carried it at the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot. Others carried the American flag, the U.S. Marine Corps flag, and even a flag with the interlocking blue-and-gold ND of the University of Notre Dame.

No word yet on whether these flags are also problematic.

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 agencys union and a department employee who has observed it, USA Today reported, citing the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. For context, this group, launched by alumnae of the discredited Southern Poverty Law Center, claims that far-right extremism has exploded in the U.S. thanks to Project 2025s commitment to undermining the rule of law and growing an authoritarian state.

The symbols emergence at the agency responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in federal funding for the nations schools is already raising concerns about the separation of church and state, the USA Today report adds.

Then came the expected: A Democratic lawmaker amplified this report, claiming that it is further proof of the administrations extremism. That lawmaker, Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is the junior senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, whose naval units still fly the Appeal to Heaven flag. The man is clearly a genius with a very strong grasp of his states history.

This entire idiotic narrative is a holdover from summer 2024, when activists attempted to smear Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito because his wife sometimes flew the Appeal to Heaven flag outside their vacation home. The flag is proof of his extremist sympathies, they argued, impotently and with overt malice. That silly story quickly faded away.

Yet here we are in December 2025, having to explain to people that this flag isnt suddenly evil just because a few people you dislike may have some distant connection to it.

Everyone already believes that journalists are unserious buffoons. If only we would stop proving them correct.

Becket Adams is a journalist and media critic in Washington.

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.
This image taken from video provided by Investigative Committee of Moscow on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, shows the scene where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed under his car in Moscow. (Investigative Committee of Moscow via AP)

MOSCOW (AP)  A car bomb killed a Russian general on Monday, the third such killing of a senior military officer in just over a year. Investigators said Ukraine may be behind the attack.

Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, the spokesperson for Russias Investigative Committee, the nation's top criminal investigation agency. He was 56.

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, Petrenko said.

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them. It has not yet commented on Mondays death.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about the killing of Sarvarov, who fought in Chechnya and had taken part in Moscow's military campaign in Syria.

Russia has blamed a series of other apparent assassinations on Ukraine.

Just over a year ago, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. Kirillov's assistant also died. Ukraines security service claimed responsibility for the attack.

An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.

Putin described Kirillovs killing as a major blunder by Russias security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.

In April, another senior Russian military officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested.

Days after Moskalik's killing, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received a report from the head of Ukraines foreign intelligence agency on the liquidation of top Russian military figures, adding that justice inevitably comes" although he didn't mention Moskalik's name.

Ukraine, which is outnumbered by Russias larger, better equipped military, has frequently tried to change the course of the conflict by attacking in unexpected ways. In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk region even as they struggled to stem Russian offensives on many parts of the front line. Moscow's troops eventually drove them out, but the incursion distracted the Russian military resources from other areas and raised Ukrainian morale.

Ukraine has also launched repeated attacks on the Russian navy in the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles, forcing it to relocate its warships and limit the scale of its operations.

And in June, swarms of drones launched from trucks targeted bomber bases across Russia. Ukraine said over 40 long-range bombers were damaged or destroyed, although Moscow said only several planes were struck.

Meanwhile, Western officials have accused Russia of staging a campaign away from the battlefield, accusing it of orchestrating dozens of incidents of disruption and sabotage across Europe as part of an effort to sap support for Ukraine. Moscow has denied the claims.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Sarvarovs killing is the third such killing in just over a year, not within a year.
Investigators and forensic experts from the Moscow Investigative Committee work at the scene of the car explosion that killed Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov in Moscow, Russia on Dec. 22, 2025. Credit - Sefa Karacan - Anadolu via Getty Images

A Russian general has been killed after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in Moscow Monday morning, with Ukraine suspected of being behind the attack.

Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate at the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was named as the high-ranking officer killed in the explosion. He oversees combat training for Russias war in Ukraine.

The highly decorated Sarvarov is the third Russian general to be killed in such an attack since December last year.

Russian Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said that a criminal case has been opened, investigating a murder committed in a socially dangerous manner and the illegal trafficking of explosives, according to Russian state media TASS.

Petrenko added that investigators are pursuing a number of possibilities regarding the explosion, including Ukrainian involvement. One of them is that the crime was organized by the Ukrainian security agencies, Petrenko said.

The explosion occurred at around 7 a.m. local time (11 p.m. ET Sunday) according to first responders who spoke to Russian media at the scene. The incident took place on Yasenevaya Street, southern Moscow, as General Sarvarov entered his car, close to an apartment block. TIME has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment.

Images from the scene of the explosion show a severely damaged white car, with its doors blown open and most of the damage appearing at the front of the vehicle, as investigators inspected the scene.

What appears to be blood could also be seen on the driver's seat. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin was informed immediately of Sarvarovs death.

Mondays attack on Sarvarov, 56, follows similar recent deadly attacks. Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head in the general staff of the Russian army, was also killed by an explosive device placed in his car last April, just outside of Moscow.

In December 2024, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed outside his apartment in the Russian capital by a bomb hidden in a scooter.

Kirillov, who was killed alongside his assistant, saw a criminal investigation opened against him the day prior to his death by Ukraine's security service, SBU, which accused him of using banned chemical weapons during Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The SBU claimed responsibility for Kirillovs death, but is yet to comment on Mondays incident.

Kirillov was also under sanctions from Canada and the United Kingdom, accused of involvement in deploying the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Sarvarov was a highly decorated general, having received the Order of Courage, the Suvorov Medal, and the Order For Merit to the Fatherland, according to Russian state media. The 56-year-old was also head of Russian operations in Syria in 2015 and 2016.

The explosion in Moscow comes days after the European Union approved a 90 billion euro loan package for Ukraine to be paid across 2026 and 2027. While the deal does not include frozen Russian assets currently held by the EU, President of the European Council Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that Ukraine would not need to begin paying back the loan until it had received Russian reparations.

Until then, the [Russian] assets will remain immobilised. And the Union reserves its right to make use of the cash balances to finance the loan. This is the solution we found together, said von der Leyen on December 19.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the loan agreement an important victory following its confirmation.

It is a signal to the Russians that there is no point for them to continue the war because we have financial support, and therefore, we will not collapse on the front line, said Zelensky on X.

On Monday, Zelensky also confirmed that Ukraine was working with Europe to implement an additional round of sanctions, after a 19th set of such measures was introduced by the E.U in November, alongside a U.S. package targeting Russias top oil firms.

Talks have also taken place over the weekend between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, as well as separate negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, both in Miami, Florida.

Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev, calling talks over the weekend productive and constructive, in a post on X Sunday.

Russia remains fully committed to achieving peace in Ukraine. Russia highly values the efforts and support of the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and re-establish global security, said Witkoff, who was also joined by President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Dmitriev gave a brief remark on the talks. Thank you, Miami. Next time: Moscow, the CEO of Russias Direct Investment Fund posted on X.

In separate meetings with Witkoff, Ukrainian representative and former Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said that the talks ended with both sides discussing positions on a multilateral framework agreement on security guarantees as well as positions on a bilateral agreement on security guarantees from the U.S., in a post on Telegram.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Police emergency lights flash red and blue at night. Photo: Scott Rodgerson / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Texas continues to lead in targeting Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members.

In the Southern District of Texas, four TdA members have been indicted for the first time on terrorism charges in Texas, including two of TdAs top three leaders.

Under the Trump administration, the transnational criminal organization originating from a Venezuelan prison was designated as a foreign terrorist organization in February.

This was after a record number of more than one million Venezuelans illegally entered the U.S. under the Biden administration and TdA crime expanded in at least 22 states, The Center Square reported.

Trump made the designation after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated TdA as an FTO last year. Texas law enforcement officers continue to arrest TdA members statewide in targeted operations, including prison escapees, in major Texas cities and in rural counties.

In the Southern District of Texas, four Venezuelan nationals, including TdAs top leaders, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Houston and charged with one count of conspiring to provide material support to TdA in the form of personnel (including themselves) and one count of providing material support to TdA. Two were also indicted with one count of international drug distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the U.S.

Tren de Aragua poses a direct threat to our national security, to our communities, and to our American way of life, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei said. These defendants allegedly conspired to support a highly-structured foreign terrorist organization by smuggling bulk quantities of cocaine across our southern border and funneling the proceeds back to their fellow terrorists in Venezuela.

TdA grew from a prison gang to a transnational criminal organization to a foreign terrorist organization, Department of Justice Joint Task Force Vulcan co-director Christopher Eason said. Gold and drug trafficking, and violence and extortion to support TdAs terrorist activities will not be tolerated.

The FBI and DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Colombian National Police and the Colombian Attorney Generals Office, among others.

According to court records, two of the four charged, Yohan Jose Romero, 48, and Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, 37, are two of TdAs top three leaders.

Jose Romero, an alleged TdA cofounder based in Venezuela, exercises command and control over its criminal operations, according to the indictment. It alleges hes ordered, directed, facilitated and supported acts of violence and terrorism, including murders, kidnappings, extortions, and maiming against victims located in and out of the U.S.

Under Jose Romero, TdA members and associates allegedly committed extortion, kidnappings, murders, drug and gun trafficking, prostitution and sex trafficking, robberies, bank burglaries and money laundering, according to the indictment. He charges lower-level TdA members and others to work under his control to allegedly enrich TdA leadership and provide financial support to TdA, authorities maintain. Those who dont or cant pay are threatened, beaten or killed, according to the indictment.

Mosquera Serrano, a senior leader, oversees TdA criminal operations across Colombia, Central America and the U.S., the DOJ said.

Two others indicted, Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez, 44, and Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, 24, also high-ranking TdA leaders, operate out of multiple South American countries and direct operations to include gold smuggling, narcotics export and violent crime, according to the indictment.

If convicted, they each face life in prison and up to $10 million in fines, the DOJ said.

Colombian authorities arrested Martinez Flores March 31. Mosquera Serrano is on the FBIs 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. Jose Romero and Rivas Nunez are also fugitives.

A reward of up to $4 million is being offered for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Jose Romero and of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Mosquera Serrano by the State Departments Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.

Anyone with information about them is encouraged to contact the FBI via WhatsApp or Telegram at 281-787-9939, go to their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or submit an online tip.

Texas is also offering rewards of up to $5,000 leading to the arrest of TdA members. Tips are to be made through Texas Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or online.
The Texas State Capitol dome rises in Austin. Photo: Clark Van Der Beken / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  A Texas mayor appears to be the first to issue a proclamation banning Islamic Sharia law.

Keller Mayor Armin Mizani signed a proclamation affirming constitutional supremacy, American sovereignty, and rejection of foreign legal systems, stating that the U.S. and Texas constitutions alone define the lawful framework for governance, justice, and civil order within this city.

In Keller, we are governed by American law, NEVER foreign legal systems like Sharia law or Sharia courts, Mizani said in an X post. As Mayor, I take my oath to the Constitution seriously. Thats why I have issued a proclamation affirming a simple principle: one U.S. Constitution, one legal system, and equal justice under the law. No competing legal systems have authority here.

Keller is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Tarrant County and has a population of about 50,000.

The city affirms that no foreign law, religious law, or external system of governance shall have any legal force or recognition within its jurisdiction and sharia law, sharia courts, and any other foreign or religious based systems are not recognized, authorized, or permitted to operate as civil or judicial authority within the city  and shall have no standing in municipal governance, adjudication, or public policy, the proclamation states.

It also affirms the First Amendment rights of every individual to freedom of religion, belief, expression, and peaceful worship, while making clear that religious belief does not confer authority to establish parallel legal systems or supersede civil law.

Mizani said issuing the proclamation was just the first step. He plans to work with city council members to permanently codify these principles, he said. Mizani previously served on the city council from 2014 to 2020, when he was elected mayor.

He is now running for Texas House District 98, whose incumbent, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, announced his retirement. Capriglione won 68% of the vote in the last election in the Republican-dominant district.

In total, three Republicans and two Democrats are running for the seat in March primaries.

Mizani, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, said, Texans should never apologize for our heritage or our values; instead, we should fight for them.

The proclamation was issued as Texas lawmakers are leading an anti-Sharia law movement at the state and federal level, The Center Square reported.

U.S. Reps. Chip Roy and Keith Self, both Texas Republicans, last week launched a new Sharia-Free America Caucus in the U.S. House to counter the alarming rise of Sharia Law in the United States, they said. Sharia is a dominating force that is not compatible with the U.S. Constitution.

This is after they filed the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act in October to prevent foreign nationals who follow Sharia law from entering the U.S. or from remaining in the country, The Center Square reported. Roy, who is running for attorney general, argues, America is facing an existential threat - the spread of Sharia Law.

Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for reelection next year, issued three directives targeting Islamic groups, first designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on Islamic American Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations. CAIR sued and maintains it is not a terrorist organization and doesnt fund terrorism.

Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch criminal investigations into the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR and ordered an investigation into an Islamic Tribunal operating in north Texas in Selfs district that claims to make judicial rulings.

One week after Abbotts FTO designation, President Donald Trump designated the Muslim Brotherhood as an FTO. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also refiled a bill hes filed multiple times over 10 years to ban all Muslim Brotherhood members from the U.S.

Abbott also requested the Treasury Department to investigate CAIR for its alleged terrorist ties and suspend its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status, The Center Square reported.

Last week, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced legislation to allow the Treasury Department to terminate the tax-exempt status of groups that provide material support to terrorism, which he argues includes CAIR.

CAIR is a radical group of terrorist sympathizers with a long history of undermining American values and trying to unconstitutionally impose Sharia Law on Texas, which is why I stand behind Governor Abbotts decision to designate it as a foreign terrorist organization, Cornyn, who is running for reelection in a tough primary race, said in a statement.

He also called on Trump to designate CAIR as an FTO at the federal level to ensure this breeding ground for anti-American hate is starved of funding and forced to close its doors once and for all.
The Trump administration is pausing leases for five offshore wind projects due to "national security concerns" identified by the Department of Defense, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on Monday.

"Todays action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers," Burgum said in a press release about the move.

Energy bills in US have increased 13% since Trump took office, new report finds

The administration did not disclose what national security risks the wind farms posed, saying that the Department of Defense found the threats in "completed classified reports."

"As for the national security risks inherent to large-scale offshore wind projects, unclassified reports from the U.S. Government have long found that the movement of massive turbine blades and the highly reflective towers create radar interference called 'clutter.' The clutter caused by offshore wind projects obscures legitimate moving targets and generates false targets in the vicinity of the wind projects," the Department of the Interior said in its press release.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images - PHOTO: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on October 06, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The action affects projects off the coasts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia and New York.

According to the Department of the Interior, that five leases that will be affected are: Vineyard Wind 1 (OCS-A 0501), Revolution Wind (OCS-A 0486), CVOW - Commercial (OCS-A 0483), Sunrise Wind (OCS-A 0487) and Empire Wind 1 (OCS-A 0512).

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont called the move "yet another erratic, anti-business move by the Trump administration that will drive up the price of electricity in Connecticut and throughout the region."

"This project is nearing completion and providing good-paying clean energy jobs," Lamont said in a statement.

Burgum wrote in an X post about the move that the projects were "expensive, unreliable, heavily subsidized offshore wind farms."

Trump has made clear his distaste for windmills in many public events and on the campaign trail.

Fact-checking what Trump said about climate change during the UN General Assembly

"Wind is the worst," Trump said in a speech in Pennsylvania earlier this month. He added in his remarks, "We don't want -- we don't approve windmills. We don't approve it. I'm sorry."

During an overseas trip to Scotland in July, Trump told Europe to "stop the windmills."

"You're ruining your countries. I really mean it. It's so sad. You fly over and you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds. And if they're stuck in the ocean, ruining your oceans. Stop the windmills," Trump said.

Wind is the country's largest source of renewable energy, accounting for about 10% of electricity generated in the United States, according to the Department of Energy. Proponents say renewable energy is instrumental in reducing the global reliance on fossil fuels, and the industry continues to grow worldwide despite political challenges.

The Sierra Club, an environmental organization, criticized the Trump administration's action on Monday.

"The Trump administrations vengeance towards renewable energy knows no end. Instead of progressing us forward as a nation, they are obsessed with attacking a growing industry that provides good clean energy jobs and affordable, clean electricity. Americans need cheaper and more reliable energy that does not come at the expense of our health and futures," Melinda Pierce, the group's legislative director, said in a statement.
Power outage in San Francisco affects 130,000 households

Xinhua) 10:16, December 22, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A large-scale power outage struck San Francisco on Saturday, affecting about 130,000 households and businesses, or roughly one-third of all customers served by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in the city.

According to PG&E's website, the first outage was reported at around 9:40 a.m. (1740 GMT), cutting electricity to approximately 15,000 residential and commercial customers.

A second outage began around 10:10 a.m. (1810 GMT), with PG&E's online outage map initially showing that about 25,000 customers were affected.

The company later updated the map, indicating that the scope of the outages continued to expand.

The San Francisco Fire Department said that a fire broke out inside a PG&E substation in the city on Saturday afternoon, triggering at least some of the power outages.

In a post on social platform X, PG&E said it was "working with first responders and city officials on an outage in San Francisco affecting 130,000 customers."

As of 5:30 p.m. (0130 GMT Sunday), a PG&E spokesperson said the company was still unable to provide an estimated time for the restoration of power in any part of the city.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New Gold's Board of Directors Recommend that Shareholders Vote "FOR" the Transaction

(All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated)

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - New Gold Inc. ("New Gold" or the "Company") (TSX: NGD) and (NYSE American: NGD) is pleased to announce that it has filed and commenced mailing of the management information circular (the "Circular") and related proxy materials for the special meeting (the "Meeting") of New Gold shareholders to be held on January 27, 2026 to approve the previously announced plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary (the "Purchaser") of Coeur Mining, Inc. ("Coeur") (NYSE: CDE) will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of New Gold (the "Transaction"). Under the terms of the Transaction, New Gold shareholders will receive 0.4959 shares of Coeur common stock for each New Gold common share held. Immediately following completion of the Transaction, New Gold shareholders will own approximately 38% of the combined company. The Circular can also be accessed online at www.VoteNewGold.com and under New Gold's issuer profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

New Gold's Board of Directors recommends that New Gold shareholders vote their common shares "FOR" the Transaction.

"This acquisition will create a unique, one of a kind North American precious metals mining company," said Richard O'Brien, the Chair of New Gold's Board of Directors. "The Transaction will crystalize the value created for our New Gold shareholders over the past few years and unlock the next level of potential, with exploration upside from both New Afton and Rainy River. At the same time, the combined company will diversify our asset base by adding five high quality precious metals operations with significant upside, a strengthened balance sheet, and is expected to generate significant free cash flow and higher levels of shareholder returns."

Strategic Rationale

Creates a Leading, All North American-Based Precious Metals Producer: The Transaction creates a 100% North American senior mining company with an implied pro forma combined equity market capitalization of approximately $20 billion as of the signing of the arrangement agreement dated November 2, 2025 between New Gold, Coeur and the Purchaser (the "Arrangement Agreement"), seven high-quality operations with estimated production of approximately 1.25 million gold equivalent ounces in 2026, including 20 million ounces of silver, 900,000 ounces of gold and 100 million pounds of copper, over 80% of its revenue generated from the U.S. and Canada, and sector-leading free cash flow.

The Transaction creates a 100% North American senior mining company with an implied combined equity market capitalization of approximately $20 billion as of the signing of the arrangement agreement dated November 2, 2025 between New Gold, Coeur and the Purchaser (the "Arrangement Agreement"), seven high-quality operations with estimated production of approximately 1.25 million gold equivalent ounces in 2026, including 20 million ounces of silver, 900,000 ounces of gold and 100 million pounds of copper, over 80% of its revenue generated from the U.S. and Canada, and sector-leading free cash flow. Strengthened Financial Position: The combined company is expected to have a strong free cash flow profile and a net cash position at closing with a rapidly growing cash balance, creating a clear path toward a potential investment-grade credit rating and to higher levels of shareholder returns.

The combined company is expected to have a strong free cash flow profile and a net cash position at closing with a rapidly growing cash balance, creating a clear path toward a potential investment-grade credit rating and to higher levels of shareholder returns. The Combined Company is Expected to Have Significant Combined EBITDA and Free Cash Flow: The combined company is expected to generate approximately $3.0 billion of EBITDA 1 and approximately $2.0 billion of free cash flow 2 in 2026.

The combined company is expected to generate approximately $3.0 billion of EBITDA and approximately $2.0 billion of free cash flow in 2026. Greater Exposure to Long Life, Low Risk North American Assets and Increased Reserve and Resource Profile: The combined company provides shareholders with exposure to a portfolio of long-life operations with mine life and resources expected to extend well beyond the current mine life of New Gold's existing two mines. This enhances resilience, reduces exposure to any single asset, and supports sustainable free cash flow going forward.

The combined company provides shareholders with exposure to a portfolio of long-life operations with mine life and resources expected to extend well beyond the current mine life of New Gold's existing two mines. This enhances resilience, reduces exposure to any single asset, and supports sustainable free cash flow going forward. Enhanced Sector and Capital Market Profile and Liquidity : The combined company is expected to rank among the top 10 largest precious metals companies and top five global silver producers with silver representing approximately 30% of the combined company's total mineral reserves. This enhanced scale is expected to provide investors with significantly enhanced daily trading liquidity of over $380 million with the potential for inclusion in key major U.S. indexes. Shareholders will also receive enhanced trading liquidity and capital markets exposure with a New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listing combined with the new Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") listing of the Coeur shares.

: The combined company is expected to rank among the top 10 largest precious metals companies and top five global silver producers with silver representing approximately 30% of the combined company's total mineral reserves. This enhanced scale is expected to provide investors with significantly enhanced daily trading liquidity of over $380 million with the potential for inclusion in key major U.S. indexes. Shareholders will also receive enhanced trading liquidity and capital markets exposure with a New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listing combined with the new Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") listing of the Coeur shares. Valuation Re-rating Potential: The strategic and financial benefits from the Transaction (i.e., greater free cash flow, longer reserve life, lower risk and improved liquidity) are expected to position the combined company for a valuation re-rating.

Board Recommendation

The New Gold Board of Directors appointed a special committee of independent directors (the "Special Committee") to consider the Transaction. Based on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, and after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, the New Gold Board of Directors has unanimously approved, and recommends that New Gold shareholders vote FOR, the Transaction.

Meeting and Voting Details

In accordance with the Interim Order (as defined below), New Gold will hold the Meeting on January 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to seek approval of the Transaction, the details of which are set forth in the Circular. The Meeting will be held in person at the offices of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP at 155 Wellington Street West, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3J7 and virtually via live webcast at https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-332-821-927, password "newgold2026" (case sensitive) at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on January 27, 2026.

Proxy Deposit Deadline

If you were a shareholder of record on December 17, 2025, you are eligible to vote today. The deadline for shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting is 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, January 23, 2026. Shareholders holding New Gold common shares through an intermediary may have an earlier deadline by which the intermediary must receive voting instructions. Shareholders that hold New Gold common shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary should follow the instructions provided by the intermediary. New Gold shareholders eligible to vote at the Meeting will receive a copy of the Circular, accompanied by a form of proxy or voting instruction form, and can access the Meeting materials at www.VoteNewGold.com.

Whether or not you expect to attend the Meeting, New Gold shareholders are encouraged to vote well in advance of the voting deadline. Prior to voting using the instructions below and in the Circular, shareholders are encouraged to confirm whether they are a registered shareholder (you hold a share certificate registered in your name), or a non-registered (beneficial) shareholder (you hold shares through a bank, broker, or other intermediary).

If you have any questions or require more information on how to vote, please contact New Gold's strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors, by telephone at 1-866-581-1477 (toll-free in North America) or 1-437-561-5022 (text and call enabled outside of North America) or by email at [email protected]. If you have any questions or require more information with respect to the procedures for completing your transmittal documentation, please contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, please call Computershare Investor Services Inc. toll-free at 1-800-564-6253 (toll free within North America) or 1-514-982-7555 (outside of North America).

Vote Online

Registered Shareholders : Go to Computershare Investor Services Inc.'s website at www.investorvote.com and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need your 15-digit control number, which can be found on your form of proxy.

Non-Registered (Beneficial) Shareholders : Visit www.proxyvote.com with your 16-digit control number.

Vote by Telephone

Registered Shareholders : Call Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 1-866-732-8683 (toll-free in North America) or 1-312-588-4290 (outside of North America) from a touch-tone phone and follow the instructions. You will need your 15-digit control number, which can be found on your form of proxy.

Non-Registered (Beneficial) Shareholders : Call 1-800-474-7493 for English or 1-800-474-7501 for French (in Canada) or 1-800-454-8683 (in the United States) with your 16-digit control number.

Vote by Mail

Registered Shareholders : Complete, sign and date your form of proxy and return it to Computershare Investor Services Inc., Attention: Proxy Department, 320 Bay Street 14th Floor, Toronto ON M5H 4A6 in the postage prepaid envelope provided.

Non-Registered (Beneficial) Shareholders : Complete, sign and date your voting instruction form and return it by mail in the postage prepaid envelope included in your package in accordance with the instructions thereon.

For further information on voting your New Gold shares at the Meeting, please refer to the Circular under the heading "The Meeting".

Circular

As set out in the Circular, at the Meeting, New Gold shareholders will be asked to consider, and if deemed advisable, pass a special resolution approving the Transaction. Upon completion of the Transaction, existing New Gold shareholders will own approximately 38% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company. Additionally, upon closing of the Transaction, Patrick Godin and one other current New Gold director will join Coeur's board of directors.

In order to become effective, the Transaction must be approved by: (a) at least two-thirds of the votes cast by New Gold shareholders present (virtually or in-person) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting; and (b) a simple majority of the votes cast by New Gold shareholders present (virtually or in-person) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, excluding the votes of certain related parties (as required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions).

Mailing of the Circular and related meeting materials has commenced and shareholders of New Gold should expect to receive their meeting materials shortly. In the meantime, the meeting materials can be downloaded from New Gold's website at www.newgold.com or at www.VoteNewGold.com. The meeting materials can also be accessed on New Gold's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

In addition to approval of the Transaction by New Gold shareholders, the issuance of shares by Coeur pursuant to the Transaction (the "Coeur Stock Issuance") and an amendment to the Coeur certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Coeur stock (the "Coeur Charter Amendment") are subject to approval by the Coeur stockholders at a special meeting (the "Coeur Meeting"), which will be held on the same date as the Meeting. In addition to the New Gold and Coeur shareholder approvals, the Transaction is subject to the approval by the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court"), applicable regulatory approvals, approval of the listing of Coeur shares of common stock to be issued under the Transaction on the NYSE and the TSX and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, all as more particularly described in the Circular. Subject to the satisfaction of such conditions, the Transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026.

Interim Order

New Gold is pleased to announce that it has been granted an interim order (the "Interim Order") from the Court authorizing various matters, including the holding of the Meeting and the mailing of the Circular. The Meeting is to be held in accordance with the terms of the Interim Order.

Competition Act Approval

New Gold is also pleased to announce that on December 5, 2025, the Commissioner of Competition under the Competition Act (Canada) (the "Competition Act") issued an advance ruling certificate under Section 102 of the Competition Act, which constitutes the Competition Act approval required under the Arrangement Agreement.

Shareholder Questions and Assistance

If you have any questions or require more information on how to vote, please contact New Gold's strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors, by telephone at 1-866-581-1477 (toll-free in North America) or 1-437-561-5022 (text and call enabled outside of North America) or by email at [email protected]. To obtain current information about voting your New Gold shares and the Transaction, please visit www.VoteNewGold.com.

If you have any questions or require more information with respect to the procedures for completing your transmittal documentation, please contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, please call Computershare Investor Services Inc. toll-free at 1-800-564-6253 (toll free within North America) or 1-514-982-7555 (outside of North America).

Financial Advisors and Counsel

National Bank Financial Inc. is acting as financial advisor to New Gold and CIBC World Markets Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee. Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP are acting as New Gold's legal advisors, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as counsel to the Special Committee.

About New Gold

New Gold is a Canadian-focused intermediate mining Company with a portfolio of two core producing assets in Canada, the New Afton copper-gold mine and the Rainy River gold mine. New Gold's vision is to be the most valued intermediate gold and copper producer through profitable and responsible mining for our shareholders and stakeholders. For further information on the Company, visit www.newgold.com.

Endnotes

"EBITDA" is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the information under the heading "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Circular for further information. "Free cash flow" is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the information under the heading "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Circular for further information.

Non-GAAP and Non-IFRS Financial Measures

This press release contains certain non-GAAP and non-IFRS financial measures, which management believes may enable investors to better evaluate New Gold's performance, liquidity and ability to generate cash flow. These measures do not have any standardized definition under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or IFRS, as applicable. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements

Certain statements in this press release concerning the proposed Transaction, including any statements regarding the expected timetable, the results, effects, benefits and synergies of the Transaction, future opportunities for the combined company, future financial performance and condition, guidance and any other statements regarding New Gold's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts. The words "anticipate," "believe," "ensure," "expect," "if," "intend," "estimate," "probable," "project," "forecasts," "predict," "outlook," "aim," "will," "could," "should," "would," "potential," "may," "might," "likely," "plan," "positioned," "strategy," and similar expressions or other words of similar meaning, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding New Gold's plans and expectations with respect to the proposed Transaction and the anticipated impact of the proposed Transaction on the combined company's results of operations, financial position, growth opportunities and competitive position, including maintaining current New Gold and Coeur management, strategies and plans and integration; the timing for the mailing of the Circular; the timing of various steps to be completed in connection with the Transaction, including the anticipated dates for the holding of the Meeting and the Coeur Meeting; the solicitation of proxies by New Gold and Kingsdale Advisors, New Gold's strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent; the ability of the parties to satisfy the other conditions to the closing of the Transaction; and other statements that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, the possibility that New Gold shareholders may not approve the Transaction or Coeur stockholders may not approve the Coeur Stock Issuance or the Coeur Charter Amendment; the risk that any other condition to closing of the Transaction may not be satisfied; the risk that the closing of the Transaction might be delayed or not occur at all; the risk that the Arrangement Agreement could be terminated by the parties in certain circumstances, including those in which New Gold would be required to pay a termination fee to the other party; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships of New Gold, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the diversion of management time on Transaction-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of New Gold and Coeur; the effects of the business combination of New Gold and Coeur, including the combined company's future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe expected or at all; changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected; the risk that New Gold or Coeur may not receive the required stock exchange and regulatory approvals for the Transaction; the expected listing of shares on the NYSE; the listing of Coeur common stock on the TSX; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed Transaction; the risk of changes in governmental regulations or enforcement practices; the effects of commodity prices; life of mine estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; the risks of mining activities; and that operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected following the public announcement or consummation of the Transaction. Expectations regarding business outlook, including changes in revenue, pricing, capital expenditures, cash flow generation, strategies for the combined company's operations, gold and silver market conditions, legal, economic and regulatory conditions, and environmental matters are only forecasts regarding these matters, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may prove incorrect.

Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in the Circular under the heading "Risk Factors", including those incorporated by reference therein, New Gold's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is on file with the SEC and on SEDAR+ and available from New Gold's website at www.newgold.com under the "Investors" tab and in other documents New Gold files with the SEC or on SEDAR+.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. New Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by applicable securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

SOURCE New Gold Inc.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks with Soldiers from Task Force Security during security operations for Super Bowl LIX in the French Quarter of New Orleans, La., Feb. 7, 2025. Photo: Sgt. Joseph Barber / U.S. Army National Guard via DVIDS / Public Domain

(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump, continuing his pursuit of Greenland, has named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the territory.

Trump announced the appointment in a Truth Social post on Sunday, describing Greenland as strategically important to U.S. national security. Landry, in a post on X, thanked Trump for the assignment and said it would not interfere with his duties as governor.

"Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.," Landry wrote.

The new envoy role lands amid renewed friction between Washington and Copenhagen over Trumps repeated public interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Danish and Greenlandic officials have previously rejected any suggestion that the territory is for sale, and reiterated that Greenlands future is for Greenlanders to decide.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Facebook that Trump's announcement of the envoy appointment "may sound big, but it does not change anything for us."

Nielsen said Greenlands future is decided by ourselves, calling Greenland our country and insisting that Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and that its territorial integrity must be respected. He said Greenland is willing to cooperate with countries, including the U.S., but only with respect for us and our values and wishes, adding that there is no need for insecurity because Greenlanders stand together and we stand firm."

Trump told Congress earlier this year the U.S. needs Greenland "for national security and even international security, and we're working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it, really, for international world security."

The U.S. military operates Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northwest Greenland, a key site for missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance. The bases radar capabilities feed U.S. and NATO early-warning architecture.

The island is also seen as a potential source of critical minerals and hydrocarbons as Arctic access expands. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated large undiscovered oil-and-gas potential in Greenland-related Arctic provinces, including tens of billions of barrels of oil equivalent in East Greenland rift basins.

On the minerals front, a Greenland-to-Louisiana supply chain is already taking shape.

In August, Reuters reported that Critical Metals Corp., which is developing Greenlands Tanbreez rare earth project, signed a 10-year deal to send up to 10,000 metric tons a year of rare-earth material to Ucore Rare Metals processing facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, a project backed by the U.S. Defense Department.

As The Center Square previously reported, Louisiana is positioning itself as a major processing hub for rare earths and battery materials, with one critical-minerals plant operating and seven more under construction statewide, as the U.S. tries to reduce reliance on China.

Landry, a Republican, served in Congress and as attorney general before he was elected governor in 2023.

A spokesperson told USA Today Network the envoy role is unpaid and does not conflict with state law. Details about how much time or travel the position will require have not been released.

Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said Landry did not inform him about the appointment beforehand. Its up to him and the people of Louisiana to decide if he can effectively serve both positions, Nungesser said.

Republican House Speaker Phillip DeVillier voiced support, telling The Shreveport Times that Landry is passionate about our state and can balance both roles effectively.
 Paul Thompson/FPG / Archive Photos via Getty Images

When you think about more recent military history, its unsurprising that World War II is the centerpiece of most conversations. The last true global conflict, the battles of the Second World War, are undoubtedly the most memorable. However, World War I was just as dangerous, and had the result turned out differently, World War II could have looked very different.

15. Battle of Caporetto

"WWI - Battle of Caporetto - New Italian Line at the Piave River - trenches near Case Ruei" by Italian Army Photographers 1915-1918 is licensed under BY 2.5. - Original / License ("WWI - Battle of Caporetto - New Italian Line at the Piave River - trenches near Case Ruei" by Italian Army Photographers 1915-1918 is licensed under BY 2.5.)

Italys defeat at the Battle of Caporetto undoubtedly resulted in the war continuing for many months. With Germany and Austria-Hungary facing down Italy, Italian forces were overwhelmed, and the Italian Second Army collapsed.

Around 300,000400,000 Italian troops became casualties, including over 10,000 killed, 30,000 wounded, and up to 300,000 taken prisoner. with Around 300,000 Italian troops became casualties, including over 10,000 killed, 30,000 wounded, and up to 275,000 taken prisoner. The Allies diverted troops from the West to prevent a complete Italian defeat. This reinforcement effort undeniably delayed other offensives that might have ended the war sooner.

14. Battle of Cambrai

"Battle of cambrai 1 - front lines" by Schlacht_von_Cambrai.png: Schaengel89 derivative work: Uv1234 (talk) is licensed under BY-SA 3.0. - Original / License ("Battle of cambrai 1 - front lines" by Schlacht_von_Cambrai.png: Schaengel89 derivative work: Uv1234 (talk) is licensed under BY-SA 3.0.)

While not as decisive as other battles on this list, the Battle of Cambrai was notable for being the first action during the conflict in which tanks, as many as 476 of them, played a major role. It was during this battle that the tank showed its worth by crushing enemy trenches, which had defined prolonged stalemates on the battlefield.

13. Second Battle of the Marne

"C-2364 - After the bloody Battle of the Marne in the last war, the French people erected this monument to the men who lost their lives, including the men of the American Rainbow Div." by Signal Corps Archive is licensed under PDM 1.0. - Original / License ("C-2364 - After the bloody Battle of the Marne in the last war, the French people erected this monument to the men who lost their lives, including the men of the American Rainbow Div." by Signal Corps Archive is licensed under PDM 1.0.)

In the wars final days, Germany made one last attempt to turn the tide during the Second Battle of the Marne. Allied forces sought to resist Germanys final offensive of the conflict and to counterattack. It might have succeeded had German forces been better organized, but the Allies pushed Germany back across the Marne, which allowed them to launch the Hundred Days Offensive.

12. Battle of Amiens

"Canadian soldiers having a quiet game of cards during the Battle of Amiens / Soldats canadiens jouant tranquillement aux cartes durant la bataille d'Amiens" by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives is licensed under BY 2.0. - Original / License ("Canadian soldiers having a quiet game of cards during the Battle of Amiens / Soldats canadiens jouant tranquillement aux cartes durant la bataille d'Amiens" by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives is licensed under BY 2.0.)

With Allied forces once again aligned against Germany at the Battle of Amiens, this battle kicked off the Hundred Days Offensive, which ended with the Battle of Meuse-Argonne. The Battle of Amiens significantly damaged German morale and laid the groundwork for defeating it in the next 100 days. The Allies advanced hard and fast, supported by tanks, artillery, and air support, overrunning German lines. For this reason, Germany calls August 8 the Black Day of the German Army.

11. German Spring Offensive

John Warwick Brooke / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain - Original / License (John Warwick Brooke / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain)

Between March and July 1918, Germany attacked Western forces to end the war on this front. Germany attacked British and Allied forces with artillery, infantry, and gas, allowing it to gain a significant upper hand.

After defeating Russia on the Eastern Front, Germany hoped that Western forces would be worn down after three years of fighting. While Germanys tactics were initially successful, the Allies ultimately stopped Germany and avoided what would have been a crushing blow to morale.

10. Battle of Tannenberg

"WW1" by Numerius is licensed under BY-ND 2.0. - Original / License ("WW1" by Numerius is licensed under BY-ND 2.0.)

The Battle of Tannenberg, fought between Russia and Germany in August 1914, was a complete failure for Russia and almost destroyed its Second Army. The battle is famous for Germanys use of rail lines to take on not one but two Russian armies and to continuously reinforce its own troops with supplies and reinforcements by train.

9. Battle of Cantigny

U.S Army / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Public_domain - Original / License (U.S Army / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Public_domain)

Until this point, the US was not a major factor in the First World War, as it took America months to raise its army and ship it overseas. The arrival of American forces culminated on May 28, 1918, when the US and French troops attacked and took control of the town of Cantigny. Even after Germany counterattacked seven times, the US held fast, and Germany realized that Americas involvement would prevent the easy victory it had hoped for.

8. Battle of Meuse-Argonne

Record Group 111 / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Public_domain - Original / License (Record Group 111 / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Public_domain)

The largest American military offensive of World War I, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, incorporated the efforts of 1.2 million US troops battling for 47 days in 1918. During this time, 1.2 million US troops, though inexperienced, along with 800,000 French forces, took part in a battle that saw more than 26,000 Americans killed.

However, the German Second Army was cut off, and American forces pushed the Germans back 30 miles. The battle was a major factor leading to the armistice that ended the First World War.

7. Brusilov Offensive

  / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain - Original / License (  / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain)

While the Germans and French battled west, the Eastern Front allowed Russia and the Central Powers to fight. This battle, the Brusilov Offensive, was Russias greatest military victory. It defeated Austria-Hungary and forced Germany to transfer troops from the West to the East to avoid being pushed back by Russia. General Aleksei Brusilov ordered various Russian attacks, many of which were surprise offensives that broke through enemy lines, even at a high cost.

6. Third Ypres Campaign

One of the most horrifying battles of the war, the Third Ypres Campaign, took up most of the second half of 1917. The goal was to capture the area around the Belgian city of Ypres, allowing the Allies to continue building a line that could hold back German advances. The British had hoped this battle would end the war quickly, but even without a decisive victory, German general Ludendorff is often quoted as saying that the Battle of Amiens marked the black day of the German Army, but the Third Ypres Campaign also contributed to German exhaustion.

5. Battle of the Somme

"Burial ground of soldiers who died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 / Cimetiere ou reposent de nombreux soldats morts durant la bataille de la Somme en 1916" by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives is licensed under BY 2.0. - Original / License ("Burial ground of soldiers who died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 / Cimetiere ou reposent de nombreux soldats morts durant la bataille de la Somme en 1916" by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives is licensed under BY 2.0.)

The Battle of the Somme, which took place between July 1 and November 18, 1916, was a horrific battle that resulted in more than a million casualties. While the battle itself weakened Germany, it came at a heavy cost, even if it was the first battle to see the use of tanks. Over the period of the battle, the British only advanced seven miles, owing to Germanys strong defensive position, though it was a strategic success.

4. Battle of Jutland

Unknown author / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain - Original / License (Unknown author / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain)

Widely regarded as one of the battles that truly impacted the wars end, the Battle of Jutland changed the course of history. British and German ships exchanged fire during the largest naval battle of the war, as 250 ships and 100,000 men engaged in heavy combat.

The British blockade of Germany, which was already in place, continued after the battle and contributed to Germanys eventual defeat.

3. Battle of Gallipoli

"Battle of Gallipoli" by Nvanbourgondien21 is licensed under BY-SA 4.0. - Original / License ("Battle of Gallipoli" by Nvanbourgondien21 is licensed under BY-SA 4.0.)

The Battle of Gallipoli is most remembered as an opportunity for the Allies to gain the upper hand in the conflict. Lasting from February 1915 to January 1916, the UK, France, Australia, and New Zealand tried to knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. Still, the Ottoman resolve was too strong. With poor planning, Allied forces were stuck in the trenches amidst summer heat, with inadequate supplies and disease, and eventually forcing the Allies to retreat.

2. Battle of Verdun

Collection DocAnciens/docpix.fr / Public domain - Original / License (Collection DocAnciens/docpix.fr / Public domain)

The Battle of Verdun, which took place from February 21 to December 18, 1916, involved France and Germany facing off. This battle was essential to show France that it could resist Germanys strength and maintain its morale.

The battle temporarily stripped Germany of its supply lines and weakened its position in the war. With combined French and German casualties totaling around 700,000, the hard-fought French defense at Verdun gave the Allies confidence that they could withstand German offensives.

1. First Battle of Marne

"Anonymes 14 - Bataille de La Marne - Detachement d'un regiment de Zouaves (probable 1er ou 4eme RZ) , Foret Domaniale de Laigue, Compiegne /Vic sur Aisne (France) - 9-10 Sept. 1914" by Vasnic64 is licensed under BY 2.0. - Original / License ("Anonymes 14 - Bataille de La Marne - Detachement d'un regiment de Zouaves (probable 1er ou 4eme RZ) , Foret Domaniale de Laigue, Compiegne /Vic sur Aisne (France) - 9-10 Sept. 1914" by Vasnic64 is licensed under BY 2.0.)

Best known as the Miracle on the Marne, the First Battle of the Marne has been called one of the most critical battles in history. With France and the United Kingdom facing off against Germany, the Allies finally stopped Germanys advance, preventing it from winning the war in its first month. Instead, Germanys loss in this battle, including over 500,000 combined casualties, led to four years of trench warfare and gridlock.

The post Turning Points of the Great War: 15 Battles That Changed History appeared first on History-Computer.
Harmony Gerber/Getty Tyra Banks at Cirque Du Soleil LUDO in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

NEED TO KNOW

Tyra Banks revealed which 90s style trend shed most like to see come back around

So simple, so cheap. Please come back, the former model, 52, said of the item

Banks caught up with PEOPLE at the Cirque Du Soleil LUDO world premiere in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Tyra Banks is sharing which '90s trend shed most like to see come back around.

Banks, 52, recently caught up with PEOPLE at the world premiere of Cirque Du Soleil LUDO in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. During the conversation, the former supermodel revealed that theres one specific '90s-era style she is longing to bring back.

I love the '90s, she said. If I could bring back a '90s trend  [Id] love those tight necklaces, and they had  a little handle on them, and we made them with black string. Like a black ribbon.

Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Tyra Banks in 1993

So simple, so cheap. Please come back. Make it happen, she added with a laugh.

The Americas Next Top Model creator also opened up about the success of her new viral dessert: hot ice cream.

The product, which launched in September via her ice cream brand, Smize & Dream, is described as a warm, sippable, dessert-drink hybrid, and is often topped with things like whipped cream and nuts. The hot ice cream debuted at Smize & Dreams flagship shop in Sydney, Australia, and quickly became a social-media sensation.

Banks called the unexpected viral success of the product insane.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

I never in a million years thought it would be viral. I never in a million years thought I would be in  Mexico and at a Cirque Du Soleil opening of a new show and being asked about it. So it's beyond my expectations, and now I have to live up to it, she said.

She also shared why she thinks the new product has seen such meteoric success.

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.

I realized that when I named it hot ice cream, that it's like playing on opposite  hot, cold, frozen, heat. So it just boggles people's minds, she said, adding, It's pretty amazing.

The entrepreneur went on to explain the inspiration behind Santa Smize, a character she created to help promote the new hot ice cream concept.

[Santa Smize] looks exactly like me, Banks explained. She has problems with me because I invented hot ice cream. She invented cold ice cream and she does not like the attention that hot ice cream is getting  So it's a whole situation. You're gonna be seeing a lot of her  especially next Christmas  because she is also going viral. 'Cause she is in pain.

As for Banks' plans for the holidays? She revealed they will entail a combination of family time and work.

For me, [the] holidays look like hot ice cream and my hot, crazy family," she joked. "So we're gonna work and live and be by the tree, but then have to go and sell some hot ice cream all at the same time.



Read the original article on People
A pair of military dog tags rests on a textured surface. Photo: Sarah Roderick-Fitch / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  Years after 9/11, Islamic terrorists continue to target Americans living and working abroad, including attacking and killing U.S. troops. Theyve also targeted famous pop icons like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, including killing their fans in the U.K.

In former President Joe Bidens first two years in office, U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Syria were attacked at least 150 times by Iran-backed militias. In the Middle East region, nearly 190 U.S. troops were injured or killed after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack against Israel.

The majority attacked suffered traumatic brain injuries, the Pentagon confirmed. TBIs resulting from the blast impacts of missiles, mortars and drones make up 70% of the total number of casualties, Military Times reported. This includes three U.S. soldiers who were killed in a Jan. 28, 2024, attack in Jordan. An Iranian living in Natick, Mass., was charged last December for his alleged role in providing the drone technology used to kill them, The Center Square reported.

In Syria, Islamic State terrorist attacks against Americans continue, including against three Americans who were killed last weekend, including two soldiers from Iowa. U.S. troops have been stationed in Iraq and Syria to counter Islamic State terrorists and others backed by Iranian forces.

The Islamic terrorists arent just targeting U.S. troops overseas. Theyre also targeting U.S. pop icons, including megastar and billionaire Taylor Swift.

Islamic attackers targeted her and her fans twice in two countries last year during her Eras tour. In a new docuseries about the tour, The End of an Era out on Disney+, she briefly discussed both.

Last July 29, an Islamic man stabbed to death two children and critically injured nine children and several adults who attended a Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England. Axel Rudakubana was charged and sentenced to life in prison after the attack. Police found ricin, a toxic poison, and a PDF file of "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual" at his home.

"After his arrest, Rudakubana told police: "I'm glad those kids are dead, it makes me happy, USA Today reported.

One month later, last August, Swifts concerts were canceled in Vienna after police thwarted an ISIS-inspired bomb attack. "Never in my life did I think we would have a terrorist plot. We dodged a massacre, she said.

Two people were arrested for their alleged role in plans to attack major events in Vienna, including Swifts concerts. In response, German Chancellor Karl Nehammer said, The situation surrounding the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious. Thanks to the intensive cooperation between our police and the newly established DSN with foreign services, the threat was detected early, combated, and a tragedy was prevented.

We live in a time when violent means are used to attack our Western way of life. Islamist terrorism threatens the safety and freedom in many Western countries," he said. "That is precisely why we will not abandon our values such as freedom and democracy, but will defend them even more vigorously. These values are the foundation of our society and make us resilient against extremism and terrorism. It is important to remain vigilant, stand together, and resolutely combat Islamism.

Swift is not the only American pop star to be targeted by Islamic terrorists.

On May 22, 2017, a suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, killed 22 people and injured more than 1,000 attending an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. It was the deadliest Islamic terrorist attack in the U.K. since the 2005 London bombings.

Hed been on British intelligence agency MI5s radar more than 20 times, Sky News reported. An official inquiry was later conducted that found that British security services could have taken actions that could have prevented the attack.

Seven years later, this May, Grande reportedly again received death threats from ISIS members, according to RadarOnline.

Islamic terrorist threats continue after nearly 70,000 attacks were committed worldwide in 45 years, The Center Square reported.

In the U.S., between April 2021 and June 2025, there were more than 50 jihadist cases in 30 U.S. states, including dozens of attempts to provide material support to ISIS, Hezbollah and al Queda, according to a U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security terror threat assessment report.

According to Georgetown University's Project on Extremism, 170 individuals have been charged in the U.S. since 2014 for offenses related to ISIS.

According to a Center for Strategic & International Studies analysis, there were "740 terrorist attacks and plots in the United States between January 1, 1994, and January 1, 2025, 140 of which were [Islamic] jihadist attacks and plots."
ny.gov NYSDEC officer with two baby crocodiles found at a home in Westchester County in New York

NEED TO KNOW

Two baby crocodiles were found in a home in New York's Westchester County

The discovery was made on Dec. 9 while police were making an arrest on "unrelated charges"

One of the crocodiles is expected to grow to about 9 feet in length

Two baby crocodiles were confiscated from a New York home after police officers discovered the animals while visiting the residence to make an arrest on "unrelated charges."

The Yonkers Police Department (YPD) told PEOPLE in a statement that officers and detectives discovered "two caimans" in an apartment on Post Street in Yonkers "while on an unrelated investigation" in the late evening hours of Dec. 9.

"The appropriate wildlife specialists were called to the scene to take custody of the animals," the YPD said.

On Dec. 10, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) received a report regarding an individual in possession of reptiles in the City of Yonkers without a license or permit, per a press release from the department.

NYSDEC said the animals were discovered by YPD officers while they were conducting an arrest for unrelated charges, per the release.

ny.gov NYSDEC officer with two baby crocodiles found at a home in Westchester County in New York

The reptiles have since been placed in a properly licensed facility, and NYSDEC officers issued multiple tickets to the individual for illegally possessing reptiles.

Mark Perpetua, a licensed reptile owner and local conservationist, shared that the two crocs are now safely in his possession after being placed with him by authorities.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The two little crocodilians confiscated in Yonkers came today, he said in a Dec. 16 Facebook post. They both look healthy, although the croc has a few marks and is missing half its tail.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

In a previous post on Dec. 11, Perpetua shared that one of the animals is a Morelets crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii). He said they are native to Mexico, Belize and parts of Guatemala, and can grow to about 9 feet in length.

Mark Perpetua's Reptile Encounters/facebook Two crocodiles confiscated from New York home

He said that the second smaller crocodile is a smooth-front caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus), or dwarf caiman. He added that they are native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America and grow to about 5 feet in length.

All 27 species of crocodilians require a special license to keep in New York, Perpetua added.

Read the original article on People
War correspondent Peter Arnett walks in front of a U.S. tank in Vietnam in 1967. (Associated Press)

Peter Arnett, the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who spent decades dodging bullets and bombs to bring the world eyewitness accounts of war  from the rice paddies of Vietnam to the deserts of Iraq  has died. He was 91.

Arnett, who won the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for his Vietnam War coverage for the Associated Press, died Wednesday in Newport Beach and was surrounded by friends and family, said his son Andrew Arnett. He had been suffering from prostate cancer.

Peter Arnett was one of the greatest war correspondents of his generation  intrepid, fearless, and a beautiful writer and storyteller. His reporting in print and on camera will remain a legacy for aspiring journalists and historians for generations to come, said Edith Lederer, who was a fellow AP war correspondent in Vietnam in 1972 and 1973 and is now APs chief correspondent at the United Nations.

As a wire-service correspondent, Arnett was known mostly to fellow journalists when he reported in Vietnam from 1962 until the wars end in 1975. He became something of a household name in 1991, however, after he broadcast live updates for CNN from Iraq during the Persian Gulf War.

Although almost all Western reporters had fled Baghdad in the days before the U.S.-led attack, Arnett stayed. As missiles began raining on the city, he broadcast a live account from his hotel room.

There was an explosion right near me, you may have heard, he said in a calm, New Zealand-accented voice moments after the loud boom of a missile strike rattled across the airwaves. As he continued to speak, air-raid sirens blared in the background.

I think that took out the telecommunications center, he said of another explosion. They are hitting the center of the city.

It was not the first time Arnett had gotten dangerously close to the action.

In January 1966, he joined a battalion of U.S. soldiers seeking to rout North Vietnamese snipers and was standing next to the battalion commander when an officer paused to read a map.

As the colonel peered at it, I heard four loud shots as bullets tore through the map and into his chest, a few inches from my face, Arnett recalled during a talk to the American Library Assn. in 2013. He sank to the ground at my feet.

He would begin the fallen soldiers obituary with this: He was the son of a general, a West Pointer and a battalion commander. But Lt. Colonel George Eyster was to die like a rifleman. It may have been the colonels leaves of rank on his collar, or the map he held in his hand, or just a wayward chance that the Viet Cong sniper chose Eyster from the five of us standing in that dusty jungle path.

Arnett had arrived in Vietnam just a year after joining the AP as its Indonesia correspondent. That job would be short-lived after he reported Indonesias economy was in shambles and the countrys enraged leadership threw him out. His expulsion marked only the first of several controversies in which he would find himself embroiled, while also forging a historic career.

Peter Arnett sits for a portrait in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 18, 1963. (Associated Press)

At the APs Saigon bureau in 1962, Arnett found himself surrounded by a formidable roster of journalists, including bureau chief Malcolm Browne and photo editor Horst Faas, who between them would win three Pulitzer Prizes.

He credited Browne in particular with teaching him many of the survival tricks that would keep him alive in war zones over the next 40 years. Among them: Never stand near a medic or radio operator because theyre among the first the enemy will shoot at. And if you hear a gunshot coming from the other side, dont look around to see who fired it because the next one probably will hit you.

Arnett stayed in Vietnam until the capital, Saigon, fell to the communist-backed North Vietnamese rebels in 1975. In the time leading up to those final days, he was ordered by the APs New York headquarters to begin destroying the bureaus papers as coverage of the war wound down.

Instead, he shipped them to his apartment in New York, believing theyd have historic value someday. Theyre now in the APs archives.

Arnett remained with the AP until 1981, when he joined the newly formed CNN.

Ten years later, he was in Baghdad covering another war. He not only reported on the front-line fighting but also won exclusive, and controversial, interviews with then-President Saddam Hussein and future 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

In 1995, he published the memoir Live From the Battlefield: From Vietnam to Baghdad, 35 Years in the Worlds War Zones.

Arnett resigned from CNN in 1999, months after the network retracted an investigative report he did not prepare but narrated alleging that deadly Sarin nerve gas had been used on deserting American soldiers in Laos in 1970.

He was covering the Iraq war for NBC and National Geographic in 2003 when he was fired for granting an interview to Iraqi state TV during which he criticized the U.S. militarys war strategy. His remarks were denounced back home as anti-American.

After his dismissal, TV critics for the AP and other news organizations speculated that Arnett would never work in television news again. Within a week, however, he had been hired to report on the war for stations in Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium.

In 2007, he took a job teaching journalism at Chinas Shantou University. After his retirement in 2014, he and his wife, Nina Nguyen, moved to Fountain Valley.

Born Nov. 13, 1934, in Riverton, New Zealand, Peter Arnett got his first exposure to journalism when he landed a job at his local newspaper, the Southland Times, shortly after high school.

I didnt really have a clear idea of where my life would take me, but I do remember that first day when I walked into the newspaper office as an employee and found my little desk, and I did have a  you know  enormously delicious feeling that Id found my place, he recalled in a 2006 AP oral history.

After a few years at the Southland Times, he made plans to move to a larger newspaper in London. En route to England by ship, however, he made a stop in Thailand and fell in love with the country.

Soon he was working for the English-language Bangkok World and, later, for its sister newspaper in Laos. There he would make the connections that led him to the AP and a lifetime of covering war.

Arnett is survived by his wife and their children, Elsa and Andrew.

He was like a brother, said retired AP photographer Nick Ut, who covered combat in Vietnam with Arnett and remained his friend for half a century. His death will leave a big hole in my life.

Rogers writes for the Associated Press.

Sign up for Essential California for the L.A. Times biggest news, features and recommendations in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-TRUMP Image not from story. (Photo by Doug MILLS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trumps administration reportedly ordered a number of career ambassadors to leave their overseas posts as part of a sweeping effort to align U.S. diplomacy with his America First agenda.

Two State Department officials told The Associated Press (AP) that mission chiefs in no less than 29 countries received notices beginning on Dec. 17 informing them their tenures would end in January. The officials spoke anonymously to address internal personnel matters. The New York Post also reported on the move.

The recalled diplomats had all assumed their positions during former President Joe Bidens administration, though they were not part of a mass recall early in Trumps second term that primarily targeted political appointees, the AP reported. A State Department official called the move standard in a statement to the Post. (RELATED: Trump Defends Focus On Foreign Policy, Says Those Complaining Probably Arent His Supporters)

This is a standard process in any administration, the high-ranking department official said Monday. An ambassador is a personal representative of the president and it is the presidents right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.

While presidents frequently recall politically appointed ambassadors from previous administrations, the latest recall involves Foreign Service employees who are generally allowed to remain at their posts because they are viewed as career diplomats, Politico reported.

The affected ambassadors will not lose their foreign service jobs and may come back to Washington for different posts if they choose, officials told the AP.

Africa bore the heaviest impact. Ambassadors from 13 countries received recall orders  Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, Senegal and Uganda, according to the outlet.

Asia followed with the Philippines, Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam seeing recalls.

Four European nations  Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia  saw recalls, the AP reported. The Middle East lost ambassadors in Algeria and Egypt. Nepal and Sri Lanka were affected in South and Central Asia. Guatemala and Suriname rounded out the Western Hemisphere changes.

President John Dinkelman of the American Foreign Service Association, the union representing U.S. diplomats, told Politico the organization had received reports of diplomats receiving their notices overseas and claimed they were not provided with a reason. He argued that such moves damaged U.S. diplomatic efforts.

The Daily Caller has reached out to the State Department for comment.

Editors note: This article has been updated with additional reporting from Politico.
President Donald Trump points to a reporter for a question after he signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Washington. - Evan Vucci/AP

Susie Wiles recently published interviews in Vanity Fair are remarkable for a multitude of reasons. But perhaps leading that list was what the White House chief of staff said about Venezuela.

After all, were talking about killing people on the high seas and possibly going to war with another country. And Wiles suggested the administration has obscured its true motivations.

He wants to keep on blowing boats up until [Venezuelas Nicolas] Maduro cries uncle, Wiles said of Trump.

That is  not what the administration has said publicly about its strikes on alleged drug boats. Its said those attacks are about stopping drugs from reaching the United States, not applying pressure on Maduro. And its largely danced around the concept of regime change in Venezuela, even as President Donald Trump has said the leaders days are numbered.

Yet here was Wiles, as far back as early November, saying all of it was tied together, and it was really about bringing Maduro to heel.

The administrations shifting justifications for its actions are no small thing. You dont have to look too far back to see how disastrous it can be to lead the United States into war on false pretenses.

And yet, the administration has taken remarkably little care to craft anything amounting to a consistent message.

Indeed, Wiles comment wasnt even the only shift that emerged in the administrations commentary this week.

Lets review the key examples of its evolving rhetoric.

The purpose of the boat strikes

The administration has been adamant that the boat strikes, which many experts argue are illegal, are about protecting Americans from the scourge of drugs. Theyve labeled their targets narco-terrorists and deemed them worthy of summary execution without due process.

Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America, Trump said when he posted video of the first strikes in early September. BEWARE!

A week later, Fox News asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth what the mission was.

Core national interest, the safety of the American people, stop the killing, stop the poisoning of the American people, Hegseth said. Its as simple as that.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it was about drugs and securing our maritime borders.

Wiles comment to Vanity Fair put a very different spin on this.

He wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle, Wiles said. And people way smarter than me on that say that he will.

Where that first drug boat was headed

If youre going to summarily kill people, you had better know a lot about them.

But when it comes to the strike that we know the most about  that first one  the administration has struggled to tell a consistent story.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the day of the strike, September 2, that the boat was probably headed to Trinidad or some other country in the Caribbean.

But the next day, Trump said it was coming to the United States, while Rubio amended his comment to say it was headed towards, eventually, the United States.

Fast forward to this month. After news broke that this first strike actually left survivors who were later killed  a potential war crime  the administration was forced to explain. CNN reported that the military official who oversaw the mission, Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, told lawmakers in briefings that the boat was actually headed somewhere else. He said it was due to link up with a larger vessel that was headed for Suriname, another country on South Americas northern coast.

Thats a big deal. And not just because it suggests the administration didnt actually know or tell the full story about this boat, but also because Suriname is generally a transit country for drugs headed to Europe, not the United States.

The purpose of the threats to Venezuela

Similar to the boat strikes, the administration initially claimed its pressure campaign against Venezuela  including Trumps repeated threats of land strikes  was geared toward combatting drug trafficking.

But there was a problem with that, and thats that Venezuela is a pretty small player in the drug-trafficking game, at least compared to its neighbors. If your goal is really about drugs, it doesnt make a ton of sense to focus on Venezuela first.

Here too, further developments and the administrations comments undermine that claim. And this time, its not just Wiles.

The administration has alternatively pointed to Venezuela sending criminals and other bad people to the United States. Trump two weeks ago cited how Venezuela had sent us killers, murderers  drug dealers at the highest level  [and] gang members and people from their mental institutions.

And after initially downplaying other motivations  like oil and regime change  the administration now seems to be admitting to them.

For example, after Colombian President Gustavo Petro last month suggested this was really about oil, a State Department spokesman instead emphasized the administrations counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and its commitment to protecting Americans from the Maduro regimes deadly poison.

But in the weeks since, the administration has seized an oil tanker off Venezuelas coast. And now Trump and others are talking frequently about oil.

On Tuesday, the president wrote on Truth Social that he aimed to reclaim the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us. (This was apparently a reference to when Venezuela decades ago nationalized an oil industry that the United States and others helped create.)

They took our oil rights, Trump added at another point. We had a lot of oil there. As you know, they threw our companies out and we want it back.

Similarly, theres been an evolution on how the administration has talked about possible regime change.

Rubio and Hegseth punted on that question when asked earlier this year and after the first boat strike, respectively. And others have declined to take a firm position on it.

But Trump initially downplayed this as a goal.

On September 5, he said of regime change, Were not talking about that.

By September 18, he said there had been no discussions about possible regime change in Venezuela.

But Wiles comment indicates that, just a month-and-a-half later, it was basically the goal.

And Trump leaned into the idea in a Politico interview this month. Asked whether he wanted to see Maduro out, Trump said, His days are numbered.

What it all means

When it comes to things like regime change, its certainly possible that the administrations goals changed over time.

But a skeptic might suggest the administration obscured its goals here because they have not been popular. After all, regime change still has pretty negative connotations in American politics, and war for oil might be even more unpopular.

Stopping drugs sounds a lot better politically, to that extent you can make it stick.

Two recent polls show the boat strikes are double-digits unpopular. And a Quinnipiac University poll on Wednesday showed voters opposed military action in Venezuela 63%-25%.

Clearly, the administration has done a poor job selling both. And a big part of that is the lack of transparency and consistent messaging.

Trump is fond of throwing things at the wall and does it routinely. But thats a terrible way to build a case for war.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
LONDON, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RoboForex has been recognised as the 'Best Copy Trading Platform', and the 'Best Partner Program' globally for the year 2025 at the renowned Global Brand Awards, conducted by Global Brands Magazine (GBM).

The Global Brand Awards celebrate achievements that shape industries worldwide. RoboForex is recognised this year for its consistent progress and its impact on the evolving forex landscape.

Commenting on RoboForex's achievement, Jay Reddy, CEO of Global Brands Magazine, stated, "At Global Brands Magazine, we look to recognise organisations that advance their industries with clarity and consistency. RoboForex has shown steady progress in strengthening its Copy Trading capabilities and developing a partner programme that supports a wide network across global markets. These awards reflect the company's continued focus on delivering practical, well-designed solutions for its users. We are pleased to acknowledge their achievements this year."

"We see this award as a confirmation that our continuous improvements are moving in the right direction. This year, we introduced a significantly upgraded Copy Trading Service that makes discovering and following strategies simpler, faster, and more intuitive. By unifying ratings across MT4, MT5, and R StocksTrader and expanding our partner program, we've built an experience that puts clarity and ease of use first. We're committed to raising the bar even further," emphasised Douglas Abreu, Regional Operations Manager at RoboForex.

Douglas also noted that RoboForex has enhanced the terms of its partnership program this year - swap payouts to partners now reach 30%, which is a unique advantage among partnership programs in the market.

ABOUT ROBOFOREX

RoboForex is a global brokerage company providing traders and investors with access to its proprietary and other industry-leading trading platforms. Operating under brokerage license FSC 000138/32, the company continues to strengthen its reputation as a trusted broker through innovation, advanced technology, and client-focused solutions.

The upgraded Copy Trading Service, evolved from the renowned CopyFX platform, offers a seamless way to discover, analyse, and copy trading strategies across MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and R StocksTrader via a unified public strategy rating. With its flexible commission system, cent accounts, and intuitive interface, RoboForex enables users to trade and invest with greater transparency and convenience. The Copy Trading Partner Program also allows anyone to earn by promoting traders' strategies and attracting new users.

RoboForex's Infinity Partner Program redefines partnership collaboration in online trading. It offers partners up to 85% of the spread and up to 30% of swaps from clients' trades, along with a 10% sub-partner commission, creating a stable and beneficial business model. The program features transparent fixed commissions, detailed analytics, and instant payouts, giving educators, influencers, and financial experts the tools to grow their networks and income effectively.

Through these innovations, RoboForex continues to empower traders, investors, and partners worldwide with simplicity, transparency, and confidence.

Learn more at roboforex.com

ABOUT GLOBAL BRANDS MAGAZINE

Based in the UK, Global Brands Magazine (GBM) is a leading publication delivering insights, news, and opinions on brands shaping their industries. With over 8.4 million annual visitors and 14 million page views, GBM is a premier source of brand-related content. The magazine boasts a strong social media presence, with 35,000+ Facebook followers, 20,000+ Instagram followers and 25,000+ Twitter followers.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL BRAND AWARDS

The Global Brand Awards celebrate excellence in brand performance, recognising companies and organisations that excel in quality, innovation, and customer-centric services across various sectors, including finance, education, hospitality, technology, and more.

The 2025 awards ceremony was hosted at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai, continuing a tradition of high-profile venues including The Address Downtown, Waldorf Astoria, and JW Marriott.

The 2026 ceremony will take place at Address Sky View Dubai on 12 June 2026.

For a complete list of winners, visit:

https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/brand-awards-winners/.

To nominate a company or leader for the Global Brand Awards 2025, visit:

https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648066/5692203/GBM_Awards_2025_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Global Brands Magazine
In partner land, vendors often tell us what they want, but dont ask what we can do, Doncaster noted. One of the beauties of 30 years in partner land is asking what the problems are and being part of the solution.

Helping take partners on the journey, not telling them, is the key. Partners need to learn many things to help customers, and it can be overwhelming.

I want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Consistency for partners

Within the Australian and New Zealand channel, multiple acquisitions and consolidations among resellers and vendors has reshaped the channel landscape, requiring partners to constantly adjust.

Thats why its important for vendors like Nutanix to be consistent, transparent, and humble and open to feedback.

The three are very critical, especially being open to feedback, because maybe partners might not always feel that, Doncaster explained. Weve tried to be very consistent in our dealings with them and with our programs with a long-term view, so partners invest in us.

Anything affecting an end customer is topical for a partner to talk about. In any scenario where a customer wants to change technology, there are different layers.

C-level worries about risk and cost, explained Doncaster. The middle layer focuses on benefits, while the working bees focus on learning new technology.

Partners need to cover all these conversations. When done, customers understand ROI [return on investment], the plan, and value.

The channel must be able to help customers rationalise what belongs where and manage the complexity of disparate environments.

There are many applications that cant or shouldnt move to the cloud. That is why there is a clear shift to hybrid [and] multicloud as the norm, explained Doncaster.

An example of how Nutanix supports partners to have these conversations is the release of its Partner Central platform in October this year, which brings critical resources, insights, and engagement opportunities in one place.

Partner Central was built on feedback directly from partners and we will continue to build on that platform, Doncaster said. The team in Australia and New Zealand continue to help those partners navigate all these changes moving forward so that they can be profitable and give their best service to the customer.

In addition to the platform was the announcement that Nutanix is expanding beyond its hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) roots, which continues to drive Nutanixs strategy to support secure, governed cloud native and AI workloads through new security capabilities in the Nutanix Kubernetes Platform and Nutanix Enterprise AI solutions.

For Doncaster, the changes in the industry and her own career reflect the adaptability and communication skills of someone might develop from studying drama.

I have a degree in drama  a double major, she said. I did arts administration and wanted to run a theatre; I was never going to be an actor.

Like so many people, I fell into IT and absolutely loved it. When I saw what technology could do, I thought I could change the world and I just never left.
Pakistan has reportedly reached a deal worth over US$ 4 billion to supply weapons to the Libyan National Army, despite the UN arms embargo imposed in 2011. This follows a meeting last week in Benghazi between General Munir and the leader of the Libyan faction. The Pakistani defence chief cited the effectiveness shown by the JF-17s in the clashes with India last May.

Karachi (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Pakistan has reportedly reached a deal worth over US$ 4 billion to sell military equipment to the Libyan National Army (LNA), the militia led by General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, this despite the UN arms embargo on the North African country torn by years of war, Reuters reported, citing anonymous statements from four Pakistani officials.

The arms deal, one of the largest ever made by Pakistan, was reportedly finalised in a meeting last week between Pakistans 1st Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and General Saddam Khalifa Haftar in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.

A draft of the agreement seen by Reuters includes the purchase of 16 JF-17 fighter jets, aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft.

One official confirmed the accuracy of the list, while another noted that the final numbers could vary. According to the officials, the agreement would include land, sea, and air equipment, with deliveries spread over two and a half years.

For its part, the LNA's official media channel Al-Hadath reported that a military cooperation pact with Pakistan had been signed, including arms sales, joint training, and military production.

Libya has been subject to a UN arms embargo since 2011, requiring UN approval for any weapons transfer.

A December 2024 UN report called the embargo "ineffective," noting that several states continue to provide military assistance to Libyan factions. It is unclear whether exemptions to the embargo have been requested.

Pakistan is seeking to expand defence exports, relying on its military industry, and promoting the JF-17 as a low-cost, multi-role fighter outside Western supply chains.

With its Libyan partners, Pakistan specifically cited the performance of its Air Force in the clashes with India in May.

Our recent war with India demonstrated our advanced capabilities to the world, Field Marshal Munir said in a speech broadcast on Al-Hadath yesterday.

The agreement with Libya would boost Pakistan's presence in North Africa, amid international competition for influence over the country and its oil resources.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Among the millions of workers abroad in precarious conditions, hundreds die every year. Returning their bodies home is a complex procedure, and local authorities do not always cover the costs. The story of 30-year-old Tajik Dzamila, killed in Russia by her employer, went viral, prompting an online fundraiser.

Dushanbe (AsiaNews) - Millions of citizens from Central Asian countries go abroad in search of work due to unemployment and low wages at home, and every year thousands die for various reasons while in a foreign land.

The return of their bodies home is a complex procedure, and the authorities in their countries of origin are not always willing to ensure repatriation at the expense of the state. When their countries' embassies and consulates offer no answers or solutions, migrants have to organise themselves to raise the necessary funds for their return, or are forced to bury their compatriots in the cemeteries of the places where they had gone to work.

As reported by Radio Azattyk, 30-year-old Dzamila Nurzod had come to Russia from Tajikistan to support her only son, who had been left with his grandparents after her divorce from his father.

One day, she went to clean yet another flat, and upon arrival found it in a state of chaos and filth, so she refused to do the job.

The Muscovite landlord who had called her began to beat her, then set fire to the flat and fled to hide. Neighbours called the fire brigade, and Dzamila was taken to hospital with severe burns and many injuries, but she could not be saved.

The perpetrator, Vladimir Upadysev, was found and arrested, and the young woman's body was returned to her native city of Vakhdat. Her roommate, who had arrived with her from Tajikistan, recalls that Dzamila wanted to return home to take her son with her, but we were only able to repatriate her cold body.

News of Dzamila's murder spread quickly on social media, including among the many Tajik migrants working in Russia, and a collection was organised to bring her body home. Unfortunately, this tragic story is not an isolated case, and many migrants from Central Asian countries die from murders, diseases and various accidents, so much so that in the first six months of this year alone, around 600 bodies were brought back to Tajikistan.

There is also a provision by the government in Dushanbe, according to which the authorities are required to ensure the repatriation of bodies at the expense of the state, even though there is no written decree on the matter, and the return flight is generally offered free of charge.

In addition to Russia, there are other countries that welcome migrants from Central Asia, given the increasingly insistent expressions of xenophobia among Russians. One of these is Turkey, where there is greater religious and linguistic commonality, and every day thousands of people arrive here in search of work, especially from Uzbekistan, the most populous of the five Central Asian countries.

Here too, however, the conditions for migrants are far from ideal, especially for women, and there have been reports of tragic cases in recent years. In the last few months, three young Uzbek women have been murdered in Turkey, one of whom, 32-year-old Malika, was found in her flat with her throat cut.

In April this year, the government in Tashkent also decided to cover the costs of funeral rites and the transport home of the bodies of compatriots who died while working abroad, with around 50 bodies reported to have been brought back from Turkey this year alone.

Kyrgyzstan also covers the costs of these painful necessities, while Turkmenistan imposes more complicated conditions, considering labour migrants in Russia and especially in Turkey as people suspected of participating in actions against the Ashgabat regime, and does not allow them to return home even for burial. About one million Turkmen citizens live in Turkey, most of them illegal immigrants.

Kazakhstan has a stronger economy than its neighbours, mainly thanks to oil and metal exports, and during his thirty years as president, Nursultan Nazarbayev claimed that there was no labour migration for Kazakhs because raw materials go abroad, not labour.

In reality, many Kazakhs, especially from the poorer provinces, travel in search of work, with significant flows in recent times to South Korea, where there have also been cases of sudden death with great difficulties in repatriating the bodies of the deceased, given the greater distances involved. And since it is not considered a mass phenomenon, the Kazakh authorities do not provide much support to their compatriots in cases of extreme need.
Just days before Christmas, a major security operation is underway in a town in the so-called Jerusalem of the East, Zhejiang Province. A Protestant community refused to display the flag of the People's Republic of China, after years of fighting against the removal of crosses. China Aid reports that at least 20 people have been arrested, a disturbing sign for all underground churches.

Milan (AsiaNews)  A fireworks display on the evening of 15 December suddenly lit up government square in Yayang, a town in Taishun County (Wenzhou), Zhejiang Province.

This was unusual since no official holiday or celebration fell on that date, yet local authorities staged a celebration that cost a million yuan.

The incident has raised numerous questions, that found an echo on social media, to which accounts close to the Communist Party of China promptly responded saying that it was a spontaneous celebration by the masses for cracking down on violent crime.

Eventually, the truth emerged. In the previous days, a new violent anti-Christian crackdown was carried out in Yayang, Wenzhou, the city known as the "Jerusalem of the East" due to the long history and faithfulness of local Christians.

Wenzhou is also where an "official" priest appointed by the authorities as head of the diocese, Father Ma Xianshi, is currently on trial on "corruption" charges related to the printing of a book of religious hymns.

For local Christians, this story is entirely implausible, convinced that he is likely paying for not sufficiently towing the party line.

The fireworks display concerns, however, the Yayang Assembly, a local Protestant church, whose situation has been described in detail by China Aid, the best informed US-based website on the life of China's underground Evangelical communities.

Since 13 December, more than a thousand agents from various parts of Zhejiang have reportedly been deployed to Yayang to carry out mass arrests.

In just a few days, hundreds of people were taken away for questioning, and at least 20 have been reportedly detained. The authorities blocked access to the church, confiscated personal property, and imposed strict controls on online information.

Comments linking the fireworks to the arrests were quickly deleted from Chinese social media and replaced with political slogans justifying the operation as a campaign against organised crime.

Two local religious leaders were among the main targets, namely Lin Enzhao (58) and Lin Enci (54), accused of picking quarrels and provoking trouble," an expression used in China to vilify any form of dissent.

The two clergymen are known for defending the autonomy of the Yayang church, and opposing the demolition of crosses in the past. At present, they are said to be opposed to the forced installation of Chinas national flag at the entrances to religious buildings.

According to local sources, the operation is believed to stem from tensions that built up over time between the Christian community and the authorities, particularly in relation to state policies aimed at the "sinicisation" of religion by imposing political symbols and values in places of worship.

Over the past ten years, Christians in Yayang have reportedly distinguished themselves for their staunch resistance to government restrictions, becoming a "sensitive" case for local authorities.

Following the arrests, on 18 December, the government held an official demonstration, displaying armed forces and equipment to intimidate people and justify its crackdown as a public security operation.

Currently, many religious activities have been suspended, communication between believers is hampered, and the situation remains unclear.

For many underground churches in China, events in Yayang this Christmas are another alarming sign of increasingly systematic and covert repression.
22 December 2025 13:58 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

Azerbaijan has been a member of the ADB since 1999, with the bank investing around $5.6 billion in the country - $4.4 billion in the public sector and $1.2 billion in the private sector. Major investments have targeted transport ($1.5 billion) and energy ($1.7 billion), underlining the countrys strategic role as a regional connectivity and energy hub.

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

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
Secures the company's first U.S.-based manufacturing site, strengthening and diversifying its global supply network

Additional investments planned to expand the site's capacity (currently at 60,000 liters of drug substance) and capabilities to support growing manufacturing programs

Underscores Samsung Biologics' long-term dedication to the U.S. biopharmaceutical industry and supply chain

INCHEON, South Korea, ROCKVILLE, Md. and LONDON , Dec. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS), a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced that its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Biologics America, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Human Genome Sciences from GSK (LSE/NYSE: GSK). This strategic move secures Samsung Biologics' first U.S.-based manufacturing site, a significant expansion of the company's global footprint and its long-term commitment to the U.S. market.

Samsung Biologics Expands U.S. Manufacturing Capabilities with Strategic Acquisition of Human Genome Sciences from GSK

Located in Rockville, Maryland, the facility sits at the center of one of the key U.S. bio-clusters and encompasses two cGMP manufacturing plants with a combined 60,000 liters of drug substance capacity, supporting both clinical and commercial production from small to large scale. Existing products will continue to be manufactured at the site, and Samsung Biologics plans to make additional investments to expand the site's capacity and upgrade technology to further support a more resilient U.S. supply chain for critical biologic medicines.

Under the terms of the agreement, with closing anticipated toward the end of Q1 of 2026, Samsung Biologics will acquire the Rockville assets for USD 280 million. The company will also retain more than 500 employees at the site to ensure operational continuity and stability. By integrating this facility into our global network, Samsung Biologics will provide clients with flexible, multi-site options in both the U.S. and Korea to ensure that live-saving therapeutics are reliably available to American patients.

Samsung Biologics has established a proven track record of operational and construction excellence through on-time completion of its Bio Campus I and II, and also recently secured land for Bio Campus III, which will house distinct R&D and manufacturing programs for new modalities. With 785,000 liters of capacity across five plants, the industry's leading capacity, Samsung Biologics continues to advance its diversified portfolio spanning monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), mRNA, organoid-based services, and next-generation therapies.

"This landmark acquisition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing global healthcare and bolstering our manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. The investment will enable us to deepen our collaboration with federal, state, and local stakeholders to best serve our customers and partners while ensuring a reliable and stable supply of life-saving therapeutics," said John Rim, CEO and President of Samsung Biologics. "This marks an important step forward in our mission to achieve a better life through biomedicines, and we look forward to building on the legacy of this facility as we welcome experienced colleagues to the Samsung Biologics family and continue delivering innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact."

Regis Simard, President, Global Supply Chain, GSK, said: "Today's agreement to divest the Rockville manufacturing site to our valued long-term partner, Samsung Biologics, will secure the manufacture of two important medicines on US soil for US patients and further build GSK's supply chain resilience. Along with GSK's recent commitment to invest $30bn in R&D and manufacturing in the US over the next 5 years, this deal enables us to further focus on building the agility, capacity and capability needed in our manufacturing network to deliver the next generation of specialty medicines and vaccines. I am confident in a positive partnership and future for the Rockville site."

About Samsung Biologics

Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), offering end-to-end integrated services that range from late discovery to commercial manufacturing.

With a combined biomanufacturing capacity of 785,000 liters across Bio Campus I and II, Samsung Biologics leverages cutting-edge technologies and expertise to advance diverse modalities, including multispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, antibody-drug conjugates, and mRNA therapeutics.

By implementing the ExellenS framework across its manufacturing network with standardized designs, unified processes, and advanced digitalization, Samsung Biologics ensures plant equivalency and speed for manufacturing continuity.

Samsung Biologics also operates commercial offices in Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Samsung Biologics America supports clients based in the U.S. and Europe, while its Tokyo sales office serves the APAC region.

Samsung Biologics continues to invest in new capabilities to maximize operational and quality excellence, ensuring flexibility and agility for clients. The company is committed to the on-time, in-full delivery of safe, high-quality biomedicines, as well as to making sustainable business decisions for the betterment of society and global health.

For more information, visit https://samsungbiologics.com/

Media Contact at Samsung Biologics:

Claire Kim, Senior Director [email protected]

SOURCE Samsung Biologics
22 December 2025 17:30 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

Azerbaijans diversification story is often told through grand infrastructure projects, but its most durable gains may be emerging in less visible industries. It is not dramatic enough to move oil markets or shake currency charts, yet its implications run deeper than a single industrys balance sheet. The steady expansion of domestic pharmaceutical production signals a broader shift in how the country is positioning itself for a more resilient economic future.

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

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
22 December 2025 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Starting January 1 next year, applications for certificates of origin in Azerbaijan will be accepted exclusively through the E-keyfiyyet.gov.az information system.

As reported by Azernews, the announcement was made by the State Agency for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the President of Azerbaijan.

The agency noted that since August, awareness-raising meetings have been held in Baku and across the regions with more than 300 export-oriented business entities on the use of the Certificate of Origin sub-module. As a result of these efforts, 83% of all submitted certificates of origin have already been processed through the Quality Information System.

To enhance entrepreneurs ability to use the system, a video tutorial on the Certificate of Origin sub-module has been published on the State Agencys official YouTube channel. The tutorial is also available via the Apply for Certificates of Origin subsection under the Electronic Services section of the E-keyfiyyet.gov.az platform.

Currently, applications for certificates of origin are being submitted in a hybrid format through both the Quality Information System [E-keyfiyyet.gov.az]and the website of the Ministry of Economy.
22 December 2025 14:38 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

According to information, this figure represents a 22.6% decrease compared to the same period last year.

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

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
22 December 2025 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

An Azerbaijani delegation led by Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Nagiyev paid a working visit to the Peoples Republic of China within the framework of the CITM 2025 (China International Travel Mart) international tourism exhibition, Azernews reports.

According to the State Tourism Agency, key directions for the development of tourism cooperation between Azerbaijan and China were discussed during a meeting in Beijing between Fuad Nagiyev and Chinas Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli. The sides emphasized that the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and China in recent years, driven by the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping, has created a favorable foundation for expanding cooperation in tourism alongside other sectors.

Fuad Nagiyev highlighted the dynamic growth of bilateral tourism relations and underlined the positive impact of the mutual abolition of the visa regime on increasing tourist flows. He noted that large-scale marketing and promotional campaigns to present Azerbaijans tourism potential in the Chinese market will continue, adding that plans are underway to open an Azerbaijani tourism representative office in China as a new stage of cooperation.

The chairman also briefed his counterpart on the China Ready program, aimed at enhancing the readiness of Azerbaijans tourism industry to host Chinese tourists, and described the China Visitors Summit held in Baku last month as an important step toward strengthening direct ties between tourism industry representatives of both countries.

Minister Sun Yeli, in turn, pointed to the strengthening of economic and political relations between Azerbaijan and China and their positive spillover effect on tourism. He stressed the importance of jointly promoting Azerbaijans tourism opportunities in the Chinese market and expanding cooperation between tourism stakeholders, noting that over the past 33 years, Azerbaijan-China relations have evolved into a mutually beneficial partnership and that Azerbaijan remains an attractive destination for Chinese travelers.

The Azerbaijani delegation also included Azerbaijans Ambassador to China, Bunyad Huseynov. At the CITM 2025 exhibition, Azerbaijans tourism potential was showcased at the national stand represented by the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, Shahdag Tourism Center and other local partners. The Azerbaijani national stand was awarded the Best Stand nomination.

Fuad Nagiyev also attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition held in Haikou. In addition, a meeting took place at the Azerbaijani stand between Gao Zheng, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, and Fuad Nagiyev, focusing on broader international cooperation in the tourism sector.
22 December 2025 15:18 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan has held discussions with the United States on energy projects, gas transportation, and opportunities to diversify joint activities in the South Caucasus and Caspian regions.

As reported by Azernews, Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, shared details of the meeting on his X account.

During a videoconference with Caleb Or, U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, we highlighted various aspects of Azerbaijan-U.S. economic partnership and emphasised the strategic importance of cooperation in energy and business. We also discussed ongoing energy projects, gas transportation, and opportunities to diversify joint initiatives in the South Caucasus and Caspian regions, the statement read.
22 December 2025 11:39 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The book "Asaf Zeynalli: Selected Works", prepared by the Culture Ministry's Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM) has been released, Azernews reports. The presentation of the book took place at the Music College of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory.

The event was attended by Vugar Humbatov, MEMIM Acting Director, PhD in Art Studies and Associate Professor; Nazim Kazimov, director of the Music College, Honored Art Worker, and researcher of Asaf Zeynalli's heritage, professor; and Alovsat Aghalarov, chief editor of the Azerneshr publishing house and Honored Journalist.

Speakers highlighted the significant contribution of Asaf Zeynalli (19091932), a prominent representative of Azerbaijan's compositional school, to the country's musical culture. The book was described as an important contribution to popularizing the composer's legacy.

The edition, created based on materials from the State Literary and Artistic Archive named after Salman Mumtaz, includes notes on folk songs and dances in the composer's works. Additionally, the musical community is presented with the composer's "East" piece for violin and piano, as well as the work "Layla, besiyim, layla" for cello and piano for the first time.

The book's foreword author and event organizer, PhD in Art History and Honored Cultural Worker Saadat Takhmirazgizi, provided information on the works included in the publication.

During the artistic part of the event, a documentary film titled "Asaf Zeynalli" (2016) was shown. The composer's works were performed by the faculty, students of the Music College, and students of the Central Art School named after G. Garayev, as well as MEMIM staff member Lala Khalilli.

Relatives of Asaf Zeynalli  Elshana Aghasiyeva, Associate Professor at Baku Slavic University, and Elmira Yusufova, who joined the event online from Sydney, Australia expressed their gratitude to the project organizers.

The book project, published by Azerneshr with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry was led by Vugar Humbatov, a PhD in Art Studies and Associate Professor. The editors were the MEMIM team members: sector head and Honored Artist Neymat Mursalov, lead methodologist and PhD candidate at Baku Music Academy Lala Khalilli, editor Elvin Guliyev, a member of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union, and designer Vugar Bakhtiyarov, the center's lead specialist.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
22 December 2025 12:23 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A solo exhibition by artist Emil Aziz titled "Pattern and Silhouette" has opened at Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Azernews reports.

Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Honored Worker of Culture Amina Melikova; PhD in Art History and Professor Rabiyat Aslanova; and Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Honored Artist, and Chair of the Nakhchivan Artists' Union Ulviyya Hamzayeva addressed the openning ceremony of the exhibition.

In their remarks, they emphasized the importance of preserving the national carpet heritage, ensuring its continuity in contemporary art, and highlighted the role young artists play in this process. The speakers also noted the relevance of the exhibition's concept and content.t:

The exhibition features a total of 50 artworks, notable for their wide-ranging themes.

Its central aim is to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Garabagh through a contemporary visual language, blending the millennia-old memories embedded in carpet motifs with the artistic sensibilities of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Garabagh horses, depicted alongside traditional carpet patterns, as well as portraits of women, occupy a prominent place in the exhibition. The dynamic movement, strength, and poetic forms of the horses echo the structured rhythm of the ornamental designs. In other pieces, carpet motifs are used to reflect aspects of a womans identity, her inner world, connection to the past, and forms of modern self-expression.

Titled "Pattern and Silhouette," the exhibition merges tradition with modernity, acting as an artistic manifesto that highlights how Garabagh's cultural treasures are both preserved and reimagined for future generations.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum continues to support young artists who draw inspiration from the nation's rich carpet heritage, and "Pattern and Silhouette" stands as yet another significant project showcasing contemporary interpretations of traditional art.
22 December 2025 11:20 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A joyful New Year celebration has been held for students of the Natavan school operating in Paris, Azernews reports.

The festive event was organized by the FranceAzerbaijan Dialogue Association with the support of the Azerbaijani Embassy in France.

The celebration opened on a solemn note with the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, addressed the gathering, warmly congratulating the school's teaching staff, students, and their parents on the upcoming New Year. She extended her best wishes for peace, happiness, and prosperity, emphasizing the importance of preserving national values and traditions abroad.

The event brought together the Natavan school's teachers, students, their families, and embassy diplomats. Dressed in vibrant national costumes, the students and teachers transformed the Embassy's Cultural Center into a true celebration filled with color, warmth, and festive spirit.

A highlight of the evening was a delightful literary and musical program prepared by the students, featuring New Year-themed performances. The arrival of Santa Claus, a beloved symbol of winter festivities, brought smiles and excitement to the children, followed by the performance of a cheerful New Year song.

The celebration concluded with joyful group dancing, after which the children received New Year gifts, making the evening an unforgettable and heartwarming experience for all participants.
22 December 2025 18:09 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Within the third stage of the cooperation memorandum signed between Georgia's Shota Rustaveli National Theatre and the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre, Georgian theatre director David Sakvarelidze has visited Baku, Azernews reports.

A meeting was held with the creative team of a new production of William Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear", to be staged under Sakvarelidze's direction.

During the meeting, Ilham Asgarov, director of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre and Honoured Cultural Worker, outlined that the theatre's international relations are successfully developing in line with the Culture Ministry's roadmap. He noted that memorandums signed with several national theatres abroad are yielding tangible results:

"Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev's successful policies, Azerbaijan has established productive cooperation with many countries. Cultural ties are also flourishing. Our National Drama Theatre has signed cooperation memorandums with a number of prestigious theatres worldwide. The memorandum with Georgias Shota Rustaveli National Theatre was signed on February 22, 2025. In the first stage, the theatre's artistic director, world-renowned Georgian director Robert Sturua, and director Giorgi Tevzadze visited Baku, where Sturua conducted a masterclass. In the second stage, our play Shukriya was performed with great success on the Rustaveli stage. Now, in the third stage, we are honoured to host David Sakvarelidze, a celebrated Georgian director known internationally for his innovative productions."

Asgarov added that in 2026, Azerbaijan will celebrate the 70th jubilee of People's Artist Nureddin Mehdikhanli:

"On this occasion, David Sakvarelidze will stage a benefit performance of King Lear featuring Mehdikhanli. I am confident this production will become a major project of global significance."

Expressing his delight at being a guest of the National Drama Theatre, Sakvarelidze highlighted the strong ties between the two neighbouring nations:

"I am very pleased to be here in this beautiful country and theatre. Georgia and Azerbaijan have always been close, with deep mutual respect and affection between our peoples. The cooperation between our theatres is a source of great joy. This memorandum is a significant step toward the future. I believe King Lear will not only thrive on this stage but also find success on many stages around the world."

People's Artist Nureddin Mehdikhanli expressed gratitude for the attention to his creative work, noting that he has devoted 50 of his 70 years to the theatre:

"Turning to Shakespeare and King Lear is no coincidenceit is both a test and a challenge. I am grateful for the recognition of my work and I believe this production will be highly successful."

The premiere of King Lear, prepared in a new stage adaptation by writer-translator Kamran Naziri, is scheduled for April. That same month, the Rustaveli Theatre troupe will perform Robert Sturua's production of Prometheus on the stage of Azerbaijans National Drama Theatre.

David Sakvarelidze is a renowned Georgian theatre and opera director, arts manager, and composer. He studied at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University before continuing his education in Milan and London.

A student of legendary director Peter Brook, Sakvarelidze has worked with the English National Opera in London, the New York Theatre, and Milans Piccolo Theatre. He has served as artistic director of the Sukhumi State Theatre and general director of the Georgian National Opera Theatre.

He is also president of the Georgian National Centre of UNESCO's International Theatre Institute. In 2011, he was awarded the Georgian Presidential Order of Honour.

The Shota Rustaveli National Theatre in Tbilisi is a cornerstone of Georgia's cultural life. Established in 1887 as the Artists' Society, the theatre quickly became a hub for creativity and performance. In 1921, it was officially named after Georgia's national poet, Shota Rustaveli.

Over the decades, the Rustaveli Theatre has staged both classical works and modern productions, hosting Georgian and international directors, actors, and playwrights. It remains a leading institution for drama and performance in the Caucasus region.

The Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre stands as the country's oldest and most distinguished stage.

Its origins trace back to March 10, 1873, when educator Hasan bey Zardabi and students of the Baku Real School presented Mirza Fatali Akhundov's comedy The Vizier of the Lankaran Khanate. That performance is widely recognised as the starting point of professional Azerbaijani theatre.

By the end of the 19th century, organised groups such as the First Muslim Drama Troupe (1896) and the Union of Artists (1897) helped establish a lasting theatrical tradition. The institution was granted State Theatre status in 1919, and in 1959 it was elevated to the rank of Academic Theatre, underscoring its national significance.

In recent decades, the theatre has broadened its international presence, signing cooperation agreements with leading theatres abroad. It continues to foster cultural exchange through touring productions, creative workshops, and collaborative projects, reinforcing its role as a vital ambassador of Azerbaijani performing arts.
22 December 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the decision to open transit cargo routes to Armenia through Azerbaijan and to create conditions for the launch of bilateral trade, Azernews reports.

Pashinyan made the remarks during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

He stressed the importance of constructive dialogue with member states and observers of the Council in strengthening regional economic integration. According to Pashinyan, priorities for Armenia include the smooth functioning of the internal market, removal of barriers, digitalization, and the simplification of regulatory procedures.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the development of trade and logistics cooperation based on the principles of equality, sovereignty, and national jurisdiction. He described the opening of transit and trade opportunities as one of the first major achievements in establishing peace and stability in the region.

Pashinyan noted that the ongoing constructive changes are creating new opportunities for all countries in the region, contributing to stronger economic stability and the expansion of regional ties.
NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Board is pleased to announce the honorees of its third annual Corporate Citizenship Awards. The recipients will be honored at a special awards dinner on April 22, 2026, in New York City.

This year's honoreesDynex Capital, Nuveen, S. C. Johnson, Ulta Beauty, and WM (Waste Management, Inc.)exemplify leadership in responsible business. Each organization demonstrates excellence in environmental stewardship, corporate governance, and community engagement, reflecting the vital role of business in addressing today's most pressing societal challenges.

"We congratulate this year's Corporate Citizenship Award recipients for setting a powerful example of how companies can lead with purpose," said Brian Campbell, US Governance & Sustainability Center Leader and General Counsel at The Conference Board. "Organizations that integrate sustainability and strong governance into their core business not only mitigate risks and strengthen resilience, but also cultivate innovation, build stakeholder trust, and create long-term value for employees, customers, and communities."

2026 Corporate Citizenship Award Honorees

The Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board proudly recognizes the following companies and their leaders, who will be honored at the April 22 awards dinner:

Byron Boston , Chairman and Co-CEO, Dynex Capital

, Chairman and Co-CEO, William Huffman , CEO, Nuveen

, CEO, H. Fisk Johnson III , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, S. C. Johnson & Son

, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kecia Steelman , President and Chief Executive Officer, Ulta Beauty

, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Fish, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, WM

Additional honorees to be announced.

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. TCB.org

SOURCE The Conference Board
22 December 2025 09:29 (UTC+04:00)

The reasons for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyevs non-participation in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council held on December 21 in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as in the informal summit of CIS heads of state scheduled for today, have been disclosed, Azernews reports.

The Presidential Administration told AZERTAC that, as Azerbaijan is not a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, President Ilham Aliyev did not take part in the December 21 meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. The head of state was also unable to attend todays informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg due to a tight work schedule.

It was recalled that the Republic of Azerbaijan regularly participates in official CIS summits as a member state and attaches great importance to cooperation within the CIS framework, including the development of bilateral relations with member states.

President Ilham Aliyev participated in the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council held on October 910 this year in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The meetings held within the framework of the session, both bilaterally and multilaterally, were productive.
22 December 2025 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A delegation led by the Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye, Cevdet Yilmaz, visiting Azerbaijan, paid a visit to Victory Park, Azernews reports.

A guard of honor was formed in his honor during the visit.

The delegation paid tribute to the martyrs of the Patriotic War who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijans freedom, laying a wreath at the Victory Monument.

The ceremony honored the memory of the sons of the Motherland who gave their lives to protect and restore Azerbaijans territorial integrity.
22 December 2025 13:21 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanovic has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his birthday, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

I extend my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your birthday. I wish you good health and much success in both your personal and professional life.

I am confident that Croatia and Azerbaijan will continue to strengthen and deepen their mutual friendship and bilateral cooperation, with our joint efforts to improve economic relations being of particular importance.

Wishing you all the best, and progress and prosperity for the citizens of your country, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads.
22 December 2025 15:10 (UTC+04:00)

President of Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

"Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

I heartily congratulate you on your birthday. Please accept my best wishes on this joyful occasion.

On this significant day, I wish you, above all, good health, happiness, and every success in your state activities for the benefit of the further progress of the fraternal Azerbaijani people and the strengthening of the country's authority on the global stage.

It is gratifying that the Republic of Azerbaijan, under your leadership, is today confidently following the path of sustainable and comprehensive development.

Your achievements as head of state have earned you great authority and respect both in your country and beyond its borders.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to particularly note your consistently attentive approach to the further strengthening of various aspects of Tajik-Azerbaijani friendly and cooperative relations.

I am confident that, building on the trust-based political dialogue and close friendship that have developed between us, we will continue to jointly advance the entire range of relations between our countries in the spirit of strategic partnership," the letter reads.
22 December 2025 17:57 (UTC+04:00)

Head of the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation, Sergey Melikov, sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Please allow me to warmly and heartily congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday.

Thanks to your tireless efforts, fraternal Azerbaijan has made remarkable progress in the socio-economic sphere, in state-building, and on the international stage.

Your many years of fruitful service, combined with your outstanding professionalism and unwavering devotion to your homeland, have earned you widespread public recognition and undisputed authority both among your fellow citizens and far beyond your country's borders.

In Dagestan, we particularly cherish the long-standing and productive cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is rooted in centuries-old traditions of friendship, good-neighborly relations, and mutual respect.

Dear Ilham Heydarovich, please accept my sincere wishes for robust health, prosperity, and continued success in your vital work throughout the coming year of 2026."
22 December 2025 13:18 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan has approved a program aimed at promoting the therapeutic benefits of Naftalan oil and its derivatives on the international stage and expanding their medical use, Azernews reports.

The country's Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed the decree establishing the program for the period 20262029. Under the decree, the Ministry of Health will coordinate the implementation of the programs activities and provide an annual report to the Cabinet of Ministers on its progress.

The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication will monitor and evaluate the programs execution on behalf of the ministry. The initiative also includes conducting new medical research to further support the therapeutic applications of Naftalan oil.
22 December 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke on the phone with United States President Donald Trump, Downing Street said on Sunday, Azernews reports.

They discussed the war in Ukraine, with Starmer updating Trump on the work of the coalition of the willing "to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities."

Starmer and Trump also spoke about the crisis in the Gaza Strip and the appointment of Christian Turner as the new British ambassador to the US.

"The leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas and looked forward to speaking again soon," the statement said.
22 December 2025 13:30 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

An explosive device planted under a car detonated in Moscow on the morning of December 22.

Azernews reports, citing TASS, that the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the incident. Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, Chief of the Operational Readiness Department of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in the explosion on Yasenevaya Street.

An investigation into the incident has been launched.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 56-year-old Sarvarov was appointed to his current position in 2016. He participated in military operations in Chechnya between 1992 and 2003 and served in Syria in 20152016.
22 December 2025 18:55 (UTC+04:00)

Full digital access to all news for 1 year

Full digital access to all news for 6 months

Full digital access to all news for 3 months

Full digital access to all news for 1 month

Find the plan that suits you best.

Greece is on track for yet another record-breaking year in tourism in 2025, despite persistent labor shortages in the sector, Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloyani said on Sunday, according to AFP and BTA. In an interview with the Greek news agency ANA-MPA, she voiced confidence that the countrys tourism industry will maintain its strong momentum, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

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

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
KEMBLE, UK and EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ZeroAvia today announced that it has completed a further round of financing, led by Barclays Climate Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Horizons Ventures, Summa Equity, and AP Ventures, with participation from the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank.

With additional investment secured, ZeroAvia has extended its cash runway for the next two years and will continue to fully industrialize its hydrogen power and propulsion technology for the aviation and defense markets.

The company is already supplying its SuperStack Flex modular fuel cell power generation system to the defense sector, and there is increasing interest in the systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. The dual-use potential is strong: ZeroAvia is also in active customer discussions with eVTOL and fixed-wing commercial players in relation to deploying the compact, lightweight, flexible systems.

The SuperStack Flex can enable both electric propulsion and enhanced on-board electrical power generation with greater power density than battery systems. It unlocks all of the benefits of electrical operation  lower thermal and noise signatures, reduced maintenance costs, enhanced reliability and zero-emissions  and with significantly enhanced endurance. With Design Organisation Approval granted by the UK CAA in November, ZeroAvia is well positioned to deliver the first fuel cell systems for aviation with regulatory approvals.

As well as a standalone power generation system with a wide variety of defense and civil applications, the SuperStack Flex is a core module of ZeroAvia's first planned full hydrogen-electric powertrain, ZA600, designed for 10-20 seat commercial aircraft. With a prototype extensively flight tested, hundreds of engine orders in place with airline customers (including a launch customer), and funding in place to support the entry-in-service of 15 aircraft in Norway, ZeroAvia's focus is now on pushing towards its first certification to support these opportunities.

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia, said: "The support shown in this investment to power the next phase for the company is a great vote of confidence in the company's technology and roadmap. With this latest financing we are able to progress at pace on the most immediate market opportunities  such as the SuperStack Flex  which will enable us to derisk later stages of our roadmap."

For more information on the SuperStack Flex, download the brochure or get in touch with the team.

About ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia is leading the transition to a clean future of flight by developing hydrogen-electric propulsion technologies for aviation and defense to unlock lower costs and emissions, lower detectability, cleaner air, reduced noise, energy independence and increased connectivity. The company is developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines for existing commercial aircraft segments and also supplying hydrogen and electric propulsion component technologies for novel electric air transport applications (including battery, hybrid and fuel cell powered electric fixed-wing aircraft, novel eVTOL designs, rotorcraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). ZeroAvia has submitted its first full engine for up to 20-seat planes for certification and is working on a larger powertrain for 4080-seat aircraft, with significant flight test and regulatory milestones achieved with the U.S. FAA and UK CAA.

For more, please visit ZeroAvia.com, follow @ZeroAvia on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

SOURCE ZeroAvia
Flood Warnings Extended Into Afternoon Around Oregon, the Coast

Published 12/19/25 at 2:55 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Tillamook, Oregon)  The atmospheric river has been wreaking havoc much of the day around Oregon and Washington, with numerous areas experiencing flooding late Thursday. More of that is expected overnight, as the National Weather Service (NWS) extended flood warnings all over the northwest portion of Oregon. (Photo of flooding along the Siletz River this month courtesy Jenny Nelson)

The southern region has not been hit badly by floods, but high winds made their marks.

Flood warnings remain in effect through Friday afternoon for several rivers across Oregon and Washington. Impacted waterways include the Grays River near Rosburg, Hood River near Hood River, Siuslaw River near Mapleton, Nehalem River near Foss, Siletz River at Siletz, Wilson River near Tillamook, Cowlitz River at Kelso, Clackamas River at Estacada, Trask River near Tillamook, Marys River near Philomath, and the Luckiamute River near Suver.

This is not a complete list.

Among the worst areas at 2 a.m. Friday are around Johnson Creek and Clackamas River, the latter of which has caused a go-now order for some addresses near Molalla.

Forecasters say minor flooding is expected along the Trask River near Tillamook, where water levels are projected to rise above flood stage Thursday evening and crest near 18.9 feet before receding early Friday. Flood stage is 16.5 feet, and at 4 p.m. Thursday the river measured 14.8 feet. Officials warn that once levels exceed 19 feet, flooding is likely along the lower Trask, affecting dairy farms, buildings, and residences near Highway 101.

River levels along the Siletz River at Siletz are expected to rise close to major flood stage late Thursday and into early Friday morning. Should the river reach that threshold, evacuations may be necessary for homes and properties between milepost 2.5 and milepost 5 on State Highway 229, from Sunset Landing downstream to Coyote Rock.



Flooding along the Necanicum in Seaside in recent years - photo Angi D Wildt Gallery

Stay tuned to local media sources and law enforcement information for details, the NWS said. We are also concerned for urban and small stream flooding this evening. Be sure to never drive through flooded roads. If you live along the Siletz River, have an evacuation plan in place.

Some areas of the north Oregon coast also have coastal flood advisories in effect until 4 p.m. Friday, with the addition of tidal overflow being a possible problem in the areas of Florence, Yachats, Newport and Lincoln City into Manzanita, Cannon Beach and Astoria / Warrenton.

Minor flooding and erosion, up to one foot above ground level, during high tides is expected in the low lying areas near bays, sloughs, and the lower reaches of the coastal rivers, the NWS said.

Flooding has already created traffic issues just south of Seaside, and two areas around Tillamook are closed because of high water (as of midnight). Other spots are showing up on Tripcheck.com periodically because of high water creating traffic delays. Oregon Coast Highway, Coast Range Passes Traffic, Road Conditions

On the southern coast, conditions are not as severe, and there are no flood warnings yet. However, the NWS reports that heavy rain is expected across Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Josephine counties, leading to rapid rises on streams, creeks, and rivers in the region.

Smaller streams and creeks are likely to swell, creating nuisance flooding and ponding on roadways during heavier downpours.

Much of this week has not been too bad for the southern region, although heavy winds took down power in the Coos Bay area and Shore Acres State Park had to cancel its holiday lights tours. Oregon State Parks let ticketholders know individually.

Janice Langlinais, executive director of Coos Bay-North Bend-Charleston Visitor & Convention Bureau, said the winds made for one interesting situation.

I almost got blown off my feet coming into the office this morning, she told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

In another somewhat humorous twist of irony, heavy winds at Cape Blanco brought down the wind speed-measuring equipment near the lighthouse, according to Cape Blanco Historical Society's Rebecca Malamud-Evans.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours -

See any and all weather alerts from the NWS:

Inland Oregon Weather

Oregon Coast Weather

Astoria / Warrenton Weather

Seaside Weather

Cannon Beach

Manzanita

Nehalem Bay / Wheeler

Rockaway

Oceanside/Tillamook

Pacific City

Lincoln City

Depoe Bay Weather

Newport

Yachats

Florence

Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston

Bandon Weather

Port Orford Weather

Gold Beach Weather

Brookings Weather

MORE PHOTOS BELOW



















OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews)

Retro Beach Rental in Newport a Tiny, Cozy Oregon Coast Gem

A little vacation rental called View House Cottage. Hotel reviews, Newport lodging, Newport hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Newport vacation rentals



A1 Beach Rentals - in Lincoln City and Depoe Bay

Substantial rate reduction all rentals (50 percent) - click on site. Lincoln City hotel reviews



What's Old is New Again on Oregon Coast: Inn of the Four Winds Reopens As New...

Some of the biggest ocean views in Seaside, historical charm. Seaside hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel review



Nye Beach Condos and Cottages - Vacation Rentals, Newport Oregon Coast

Adorable cottages with a somewhat historic vibe to sleek, modern units ? all with ocean views or at least a quick beach access. They offer a variety of rentals, ranging from studio condos with one king bed or two queen beds, while the cottages vary in size and configuration. Newport hotel reviews









More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright  Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
4.5 Quake Off S. Oregon Coast After A Week of Smaller Ones

Published 12/21/25 at 6:55 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Coos Bay, Oregon)  A magnitude 4.5 underwater quake hit off the south Oregon coast early this morning, and it turns it's just the latest in a string of small ones that shook nearly 200 miles away. Quakes in this region are not uncommon, but it's interesting to see a run of them.

According to the United State Geological Survey (USGS), the most recent was at 1:57 a.m. this morning (December 21). The magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck 174 miles west-northwest of Bandon. The quake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles at 43.785N, 127.769W.

One person in Eureka, California reported feeling it.

On December 20, a magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred off the Oregon coast at 6:05 a.m. PST . The USGS said the event was centered near 43.797N, about 195.5 miles ESE of Bandon and 201 miles east of Coos Bay.

The previous week, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake was recorded 116 miles west-southwest of Port Orford at 5:19 p.m. PST on December 17. It struck at a depth of 6.2 miles at 42.365N, 126.725W.

The first of the recent bunch was a magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred 132 miles west-southwest of Pistol River at 9:26 p.m. PST on Dec. 15. The quake originated at a depth of 6.2 miles.

Offshore quakes in this area are extremely common, going through dozens a year.



Photo Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts

The seismic activity was located about 200 miles from Coos Bay and at least 213 miles from Newport, well offshore and away from populated areas. No damage or tsunami threat was reported.

These quakes occurred within a known cluster of faults near the Gorda Ridge and Blanco Fracture Zone, a seismically active region that experiences multiple events annually. Experts emphasize that activity in this zone is not directly linked to the nearby Cascadia Subduction Zone, a much larger fault system capable of producing catastrophic earthquakes.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours



MORE PHOTOS BELOW



















OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews)

Summer's Surprise Rate Drops in July On Oregon Coast Include Lincoln City Bea...

20 percent some vacation rentals in the heat of July's highest rates. Lincoln City lodging specials, Lincoln City hotel reviews



Where the Cushy and Beachy Collide at N. Oregon Coast's Manzanita: Ocean Inn

Amid truly classy surroundings you have exceptional views. Hotel reviews



Astoria/Warrenton Hotels, N. Oregon Coast

Astoria/Warrenton Hotels, Astoria hotel reviews, Warrenton vacation rentals



What's Old is New Again on Oregon Coast: Inn of the Four Winds Reopens As New...

Some of the biggest ocean views in Seaside, historical charm. Seaside hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel review









More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright  Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
Has the City of Washington, NC been managed by their elected local government, and their bureaucrats, in a fiscally responsible manner to better serve the people who pay their ever advancing property taxes?

8.33% Yes, rising property taxes are a necessity to maintain a progressive city.91.67% No, excessive funding of a poorly managed government can become a shell game of corruption.0% I am afraid to say.
Performers from a Belfast based musical theatre group have described taking part in this years Royal Variety Performance in London as unforgettable.

The 31 cast members from the Belfast Operatic Company joined performers from across the UK and Ireland to mark the 40th anniversary of Les Miserables on one of the worlds most prestigious stages.
A Belfast man who broke into the home of an 81-year-old woman as she slept was jailed for 12 months today.

Connor Martin Gallagher  who has no memory of the burglary due to being "off his face" on heroin  will spend an additional 12 months on licence when he is released from custody.
A schoolgirl severely ill with a rare blood condition will travel to England for a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant, her family have said.

Phoebe Loughrey (11), from Greysteel, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia earlier this year after initially being told she had leukaemia.

Her mum Katherine has opened up on their difficult time, which has seen Phoebe face extended hospital stays and a break from school due to her compromised immune system.

She remains critically ill, with her only hope a bone marrow transplant, Katherine said.

Phoebe was scheduled to have this on December 15. It had to be postponed as she was too ill with a flu infection and it would have been too dangerous to proceed. She spent a week in Belfast Childrens Hospital with it.

Her current treatment is still weekly blood transfusions and platelets transfusions just to try to keep her alive.

Katherine spoke to this newspaper in September, when Phoebe was first on the waiting list for a bone marrow transplant. She has now revealed that the family is hopeful a transplant is possible early in the new year.

The original December donor is not available until February, which is a great shame as they were a 12 out of 12 match and the best outcome for Phoebe, Katherine said.

Unfortunately, Phoebe cannot wait until February. The transplant team have identified another donor and we have a new date of January 12. We will travel to Manchester for the transplant and spend three months there.

Katherine, who fought cancer herself a number of years ago, said she is incredibly proud of Phoebe.

She has a gruelling three months ahead with considerable risk to her life; extensive conditioning and chemotherapy to start the process then the actual transplant.

Phoebe Loughrey

They have warned us about the many side effects of all the medication she will take. A grown adult couldnt be expected to deal with it, let alone an 11-year-old girl.

Its soul destroying and I just keep thinking she has to make this, she has to survive this.

In September, the local community raised thousands to send Phoebe and her family to America to meet Minnie Mouse in Disney World.

Since then, they have continued to support the Loughrey family, and Katherine said they are extremely grateful to everyone who is helping them through this difficult time.

The GoFundMe page response has been phenomenal. I update it with pictures and info on her journey regularly. The hope and courage that page has given Phoebe has been amazing. Not only to her, but for her siblings too, who are also on this hellish journey. I thank everyone so much.

The money raised by our community to cover accommodation costs while we are in Manchester is mind blowing  reaching 5,000.

Paddy [Phoebes dad] cant work while were away and only has limited paid leave, so this money is a true godsend. From all the prayers, good intentions and support weve received, it makes us feel extremely proud to be a part of a community that pulls together through tough times.

You can donate to Phoebes GoFundMe here.
PSNI data breach: 7,500 compensation to be offered to thousands of affected officers and staff
Emergency services at the scene of serious ongoing incident in Belfast city centre

A man has died following an incident in Belfast city centre, police have confirmed.

Police and ambulance were called to reports of an injured person on Stroud Street near Great Victoria Street on Monday morning.

In a later update the PSNI confirmed the individual has died and said they are not treating the death as suspicious.

An eye witness at the scene told this newspaper that the man appeared to take unwell metres from the eye witnesss business at a street corner.

The incident occurred at around 11.30am.

It is also understood bystanders nearby rushed to help the individual.

In a statement a PSNI spokesperson said: Police attended the scene of a sudden death in the Great Victoria Street area of Belfast on Monday 22nd December. The death is not being treated as suspicious.
A man has been rescued from the River Roe following an overnight operation in Limavady,

Emergency services were called to reports of a male in the water close to the Roe Mill Road in Limavady, shortly after 4:15am.

One fire appliance from Limavady Fire Station and one fire appliance from Dungiven Fire Station attended the incident.

Firefighters rescued the man from the water using manual handling and specialist equipment.

Stock Image: Firefighters attended the incident.

Christmas on the streets of Belfast - Flavia Gouveia in conversation with David

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that firefighters attended at around 4.18am after reports that a person was in difficulty in water.

The casualty was transferred to the care of NIAS. Firefighters left the scene at 5.24am
Blog Archive: Feb 2026 (15) Jan 2026 (155) Dec 2025 (126) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
Police are investigating a reported assault on a female staff member at a Ballymena bar.

The incident took place late on Friday, December 19, at the Grouse Bar, according to a police spokesperson.

Police said the alleged assault involved a customer and a member of staff and occurred during the evening.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.

Watch: Co. Antrim school receives gift of magic after winning competition

Officers from Police Service of Northern Ireland are appealing for witnesses as enquiries continue.

A spokesperson said anyone who was in the bar at the time, or who may have seen or heard anything that could assist the investigation, is urged to come forward.

Members of the public with information are asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 801 of 20/12/25.
EXCLUSIVE | Security services put on high alert after dissident groups' ominous merger

Concerns grow bomb makers in talks with Belfast terror chiefsUnion between Republican Network for Unity and Eire Nua raises fears over technical capabilities of former inmates

Police at the scene of a security alert in the Havana Court area of north Belfast (Jonathan Porter / PressEye)

Allison Morris Mon 22 Dec 2025 at 07:30

A merger between two dissident republican factions has put the security services on high alert, with fears that border bomb makers are now in talks with Belfast-based terror chiefs.
Paul Doyle was sentenced to 12 months in jail after the ear-biting incident (Crown Prosecution Service/PA)

A former Royal Navy reservist has described how the Liverpool parade attacker bit through part of his ear, chewed it up and spat it out more than 30 years ago.

Stuart Lucas told the Daily Mail that he stepped in to stop Paul Doyle from assaulting younger Royal Navy Reserve sailors at a service station on the M6.

The altercation had broken out after the younger men challenged Doyle, then in the Royal Marines, over his drunken behaviour, the newspaper said.

Doyle was handed a year-long jail sentence after the attack and it is one of several violent offences that led to him being convicted.

Paul Doyle at Liverpool Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

On Tuesday, Doyle, 54, was jailed for 21 years and six months after he pleaded guilty to 31 offences relating to the crash on May 26, when 134 supporters were injured as he drove into them on Water Street in the city centre.

Recounting the 1994 incident at Charnock Richard services, Lancashire, Mr Lucas told the Mail: It was so painful I let go and then when I did let him go, he bit through it, chewed it up and spat it out.

Doyle was one of two marines on a bus with 28 sailors travelling to Barry, South Wales, to join HMS Dovey and sail her to Glasgow, according to the newspaper.

Mr Lucas said he was a killick, meaning a leading hand, on the trip and witnessed Doyle, then 23, doing a flying kick which laid two of the lads out.

The now 68-year-old then gave him a bear hug, strapping his arms to his sides which stopped Doyle and led to him falling down.

Mr Lucas told the newspaper: I still had him in a bear hug which was good, everything seemed to be going well and he couldnt move apart from swearing.

But he could move his head and at that he promptly sunk his teeth into my ear and said, let go.

The father-of-one, who lives in East Lothian, Scotland, said the technique is called a biter in Liverpool and Doyle could have inflicted it without biting through.

Im sure he was trying to gouge someones eye out as well. It was all very quick and pretty serious what he did, Mr Lucas added.

Paul Doyles car at the start of Dale Street before the parade attack (Merseyside Police/PA)

He said he stood in shock with blood gushing out of his head while other sailors started searching for the missing chunk of his ear.

Once found, Mr Lucas got in an ambulance and took his ear in a bag to hospital where it was reattached.

He said he was discharged and, after getting a train home, went to a hospital in Glasgow where medics unwrapped the bandage to find his ear was beyond recovery.

Mr Lucas, at the time studying for a masters at Strathclyde University, declined to have his ear rebuilt because it would have taken months.

Details of Doyles previous offences were outlined at his sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court for the parade crash.

The crowd at the Liverpool parade (Merseyside Police/PA)

In October 1991, at the end of Doyles 32-week training period at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, he had what he later described as a scuffle with men in a nightclub and, after he was thrown out, punched another person in the face several times.

He was convicted of a section 20 assault and fined by Exeter Magistrates Court.

In February 1992, he was convicted of two military offences: one of using violence to a superior officer and one of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline and, in July that year, he was convicted of a military offence equivalent to criminal damage.

Doyle served in the military for four years, starting with the Royal Engineers before enlisting in the Marines in 1991, but did not see active service, the court heard.

He was discharged with services no longer required in 1993, 22 months after enlisting, the court heard.

He was said to have unsuccessfully challenged the discharge.

In November 1994, while serving with the Royal Marine Reserve, Doyle was jailed for 12 months for causing grievous bodily harm after biting off the ear of Mr Lucas.

When interviewed earlier this year, Doyle said he had become involved in a drunken fight with sailors.

Following his release from prison in 1995, Doyle was said to have taken steps to live a positive and productive life, going to university, working in positions of responsibility and having a family.
A Russian general was killed by a bomb placed under his car (AP)

A car bomb killed a Russian general on Monday, the third such killing of a senior military officer in a year.

Investigators said Ukraine may be behind the attack.

Lieutenant general Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, the spokeswoman for Russias Investigative Committee, the nations top criminal investigation agency.

Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, Ms Petrenko said.

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them but it has not yet commented on Mondays death.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about the killing of Lt gen Sarvarov, who fought in Chechnya and had taken part in Moscows military campaign in Syria.

Russia has blamed a series of other apparent assassinations on Ukraine.

The scene where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed under his car (Investigative Committee of Moscow via AP)

Just over a year ago, Lieutenant general Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building.

Lt gen Kirillovs assistant also died.

Ukraines security service claimed responsibility for the attack.

An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with killing Lt gen Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.

Mr Putin described Lt gen Kirillovs killing as a major blunder by Russias security agencies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.

In April, another senior Russian military officer, Lieutenant general Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside Moscow.

The scene where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed under his car (Investigative Committee of Moscow via AP)

A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested.

Days after Lt gen Moskaliks killing, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he received a report from the head of Ukraines foreign intelligence agency on the liquidation of top Russian military figures, adding that justice inevitably comes although he did not mention Lt gen Moskaliks name.

Ukraine, which is outnumbered by Russias larger, better equipped military, has frequently tried to change the course of the conflict by attacking in unexpected ways.

In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk region even as they struggled to stem Russian offensives on many parts of the front line.

Moscows troops eventually drove them out, but the incursion distracted the Russian military resources from other areas and raised Ukrainian morale.

Ukraine has also launched repeated attacks on the Russian navy in the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles, forcing it to relocate its warships and limit the scale of its operations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described last years attack as a serious blunder (Alexander Kazakov/AP)

And in June, swarms of drones launched from trucks targeted bomber bases across Russia.

Ukraine said over 40 long-range bombers were damaged or destroyed, although Moscow said only several planes were struck.

Meanwhile, Western officials have accused Russia of staging a campaign away from the battlefield, accusing it of orchestrating dozens of incidents of disruption and sabotage across Europe as part of an effort to sap support for Ukraine.

Moscow has denied the claims.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
GREAT BARRINGTON  As the Brien Center prepares to close its only South County location, the behavioral and mental health nonprofit is expanding higher-demand crisis services in Pittsfield.

Reimbursement shortfalls from all health insurance types and rising costs have led the Brien Center to reshape how and where it provides care in the Berkshires, according to CEO and President Diana Knaebe.

Because the Great Barrington location on Cottage Street is one of the least used facilities and has never made money, the Brien Centers board voted to close and sell the building at the end of January.

The Brien Center serves about 9,000 patients at 25 locations across Berkshire County, offering therapy, psychiatry, addiction treatment, crisis services, ongoing support and rehabilitation for all age groups and levels of need.

I feel very good about the Brien Center because care can be accessed the same day, said Jennifer Michaels, the medical director of the Brien Center.

While the closure will leave South County without a physical Brien Center clinic, which is one of the area's only large mental health practices, Knaebe said the organization will continue serving current and prospective patients through telehealth and care at its other locations.

Knaebe described the closure as a shift in resources during a financially straining time. Shrinking reimbursement rates make it increasingly difficult to keep underused outpatient sites while demand for crisis stabilization, psychiatric emergencies and intensive care continues to grow.

FINANCIAL PRESSURES

The Brien Centers primary funding source is Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements from the state and federal governments, which are intended to help low-income residents and older adults access care.

These programs once covered the full cost of providing services, but recently, there have been significant reimbursement shortfalls from all payers. The gap between what it costs to deliver care and what the government reimburses has widened in recent years.

Its not just delayed, its that the reimbursement rate doesnt match what the cost of services are, Knaebe said.

The cost of doing business is not reflected in the rates that are brought in through contracts and grants.

Public filings show that the Brien Center has managed a small annual surplus in recent years, with revenues and expenses being around $30 million. While that has allowed the nonprofit to remain financially stable, margins are tight and costs continue to climb  pressures Knaebe said made the South County closure unavoidable.

Despite those challenges, the organization remains operationally stable, Knaebe and Michaels said. There is broader uncertainty across the nonprofit sector but the Brien Center continues to move forward.

Currently, times are hard financially, Michaels said. I think that's true for all nonprofits, and there's maybe a level of uncertainty that didn't exist before, but we're forging ahead."

The center also is preparing for anticipated federal funding changes, including possible cuts to Chapter 257 rates that support human services agencies statewide. Knaebe said peer organizations across Massachusetts are facing similar financial strain, raising concerns about long-term sustainability if reductions come.

They're not fully sustainable as it is, and so cuts could mean further cuts for organizations like ours, Knaebe said.

This is not the first time the Brien Center has consolidated services. In 2022, it closed Keenan House for Women, a residential treatment program in Pittsfield, citing low enrollment, staffing shortages and financial pressure.

The Great Barrington closure does not signal broader downsizing, said Mary Murphy, executive assistant for the center.

Yes, we did close one site, Murphy said. But we have many programs still in full operation, and we dont anticipate those going away.

WHY GREAT BARRINGTON

Knaebe said the Cottage Street building serves primarily as a small outpatient therapy site and has had light traffic for years. About 500 patients are on medication prescribed by practitioners at the facility and fewer receive therapy, she said, adding the location does not have a waitlist.

We are a nonprofit, so we do need to have some money to keep the lights on, Knaebe said. Sometimes we have to take stock of our entire portfolio, and unfortunately, we had to make a difficult decision that we needed to pull away from that area.

All patient care can continue either via telehealth or relocation to another location. Anyone in South County can still begin care with the center, either at a different location or via telehealth, Knaebe said.

The center purchased the building in 1978 for $34,000 and still has a mortgage on it, according to a mortgage agreement that was updated in 2024. The site has never broken even operationally in nearly 50 years and selling the property will help reduce the nonprofits financial burden.

Our clinicians are in constant touch with patients, and their care will be transferred, moved, rearranged, Murphy said. The building itself and the finances associated with it are the equation that forced what we have here now.

The closure comes at a time when South County has few major mental health providers, particularly those that accept Medicaid or Medicare. Many private practices do not take those plans because they return lower reimbursement rates.

The news that the Great Barrington location would be closing was concerning for many due to the lack of major mental health providers in the area, especially ones that accept Medicaid and Medicare.

The Select Board voted to send a letter to Knaebe and political representatives throughout the state expressing concern about the loss of mental health services in Great Barrington, which is the hub for those services in South County, in hopes of supporting options for care in the community.

The Brien Center announced that they were closing their only center in South County for mental health and that's really unfortunate, because South County seems to take the brunt of things, and losing a service like that is huge, Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove said, crediting board member Garfield Reed with the suggestion to express concern.

Chair Steve Bannon said the Brien Center in Great Barrington was a very large source for many people.

For many people, though it's a short drive, driving to Pittsfield is not practical, and telehealth is not always effective or practical for a lot of people, Bannon said.

EXPANDING SERVICES

Berkshire County continues to have some of the highest rates of suicide and overdoses in Massachusetts and more people are ending up in the emergency room because of substance use.

There's psychiatric issues where they don't meet criteria for inpatient care, and or there is a larger demand for inpatient care than what the Berkshire Medical Center is able to handle at any time, Knaebe said.

To help ease a bit of the burden on emergency rooms by having a place to send those who have been stabilized but aren't ready to go home, two more beds are being added to the Adult Crisis Stabilization Center in Pittsfield, also known as the Pomeroy House, where individuals who need more support than outpatient care but do not require hospitalization can be treated.

One bed will be added in December and another in January.

We'll be increasing to eight beds to help with what we realize and recognize is a mental health and a substance use crisis and especially here in the Berkshires, Knaebe said.

The Pomeroy House is designed to provide short-term stabilization in a residential setting for people who need more support than outpatient care but do not require hospitalization.

It's very homey. It's very comfortable, and the two new beds will not squish people together," Michaels said. "But more, it'll be done very respectfully and very mindfully,

Michaels said the expansion reflects a broader shift toward investing in services that meet growing community needs, even as the organization adjusts its overall footprint.

This illustrates how the Brien Center is accepting that there are some limitations and some things will change, but also growing programs with the community in mind, like more people need the Pomeroy service, and we're going to grow that, Michaels said.
BioVaram to establish Centre for Excellence in Life Sciences in Hyderabad

December 22, 2025 | Monday | News

To house world-class infrastructure enabling AI-integrated development in critical areas

In a path-breaking move, marking a significant leap in Indias journey toward becoming a global innovation hub in line with Vision 2047, BioVaram (UR Advanced Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd.), a rapidly growing biotech startup incubated at ASPIRE-BioNEST, University of Hyderabad, has announced the establishment of a landmark Centre for Excellence in Life Sciences focusing on Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, and Cell and Gene Therapy.

This revolutionary initiative was taken up under the visionary guidance of Padma Bhushan Dr K. I. Varaprasad Reddy, Founder of Shantha Biotechnics and Chairman and Mentor of BioVaram, together with Dr Jaganmohan Reddy, the companys founder & MD.

BioVaram officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana at the Telangana Rising Global Summit, recently, marking one of the most significant publicprivate partnerships in Indias sunrise biotechnology sector.

On its part, BioVaram has committed to bring Rs 250 crore towards building a fully integrated innovation ecosystem dedicated to high-risk, high-impact translational research.

The proposed Centre of Excellence is expected to house world-class infrastructure enabling AI-integrated development in critical areas related to Tissue Engineering and Advanced Biomaterials, Regenerative Medicine, Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT), AI-driven bio analytics, and predictive platforms, among other things.

The initiative is projected to create substantial employment and stimulate the regional innovation economy. This would include 50 positions for world-class scientists in regenerative biology, AI, biomaterials, and CGT, 200 direct jobs across scientific, engineering, regulatory, and operational roles, 500 indirect jobs in construction, logistics, supply chain, ancillary services, and startup ecosystems, to start with.
Biofabri and Bharat Biotech ink technology transfer agreement to advance global access to MTBVAC

December 22, 2025 | Monday | News

MTBVAC is the only live, attenuated Mycobacterium TB vaccine in the pipeline

image credit- freepik

Biofabri, a global human vaccine development company that is part of the Zendal group, and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), a global leader in vaccine innovation and manufacturing, have announced the signing of a Technology Transfer Agreement.

The agreement represents a significant milestone in advancing global efforts to expand equitable access to tuberculosis vaccines in line with World Health Organization (WHO) priorities.

Following the signature of the Licensing Agreement in 2022, this new Technology Transfer Agreement reinforces the collaboration and partnership between the two companies. The Technology Transfer process has already begun to ensure BBIL's manufacturing readiness by the time of MTBVAC licensure in India.

BBIL will guarantee the production and supply of MTBVAC in more than 70 countries across Africa and Southeast Asia, regions with a high disease burden.

MTBVAC has undergone Phase I and II clinical trials in India. The vaccine candidate has demonstrated safety and immunogenicity. Based on these initial results, BBIL is preparing for a pivotal Phase III vaccine efficacy study, which is expected to begin recruiting participants in the first quarter of 2026. Considering the significant disease burden in India, MTBVAC is poised to be a leading candidate in the TB Mukt Bharat initiative championed by th Prime Minister of India.

MTBVAC is the only live, attenuated Mycobacterium TB vaccine in the pipeline and the only vaccine that contains the full complement of the original pathogen's antigenic targets.

MTBVAC is being developed by Biofabri, in close collaboration with BBIL, IAVI, Fundacao Ataulpho de Paiva (FAP), TB Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) and UNIZAR. MTBVAC is being targeted for two key populations: newborns, adolescents and adultsgroups for whom there is currently no effective prophylactic vaccine against TB disease.
"Shared research spaces and translational hubs allow scientists to engage with industry"

December 22, 2025 | Monday | Views

A few weeks ago, Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2025 in six categoriesEconomics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences, where Dr Anjana Badrinarayan, Associate Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, emerged as the winner of the Infosys Prize 2025 in Life Sciences, for her pioneering contributions to understanding mechanisms of genome maintenance and repair. To find out more about her research and its relevance to the life sciences sector, BioSpectrum spoke in detail with Dr Anjana.

Could you explain your award-winning research in simple terms? How is it relevant for the life sciences sector in India?

At the most basic level, my research asks a simple question: how do cells protect and repair their DNA? DNA carries the instructions for life, but it is constantly damaged by normal cellular processes and environmental stresses. Cells must therefore repair this damage efficiently to survive, grow, and pass on accurate genetic information. If this damage is not repaired correctly, it can lead to mutations or cell death and is the underlying cause for many pathologies.

My lab studies how microbes detect DNA damage and repair it with remarkable efficiency. By watching these processes in real time inside living cells, we have uncovered new mechanisms that cells use to find and fix broken DNA. These are fundamental findings that are relevant across all forms of life.

For Indias life sciences sector, such fundamental knowledge is essential. It forms the conceptual foundation for applications in health, biotechnology, and environmental science. Strong basic research also trains skilled scientists and creates ideas that later drive innovation and industry.

You discovered new ways in which microbial cells repair DNA. Why is this important, and what made this work challenging?

DNA repair is essential for survival, yet many of its steps happen extremely fast and inside crowded cells. We discovered that cells actively move repair machineries across the cell to efficiently locate broken DNA and fix it. We also found that DNA Repair can occur in previously unconsidered contexts, shedding light into novel routes for dormant cells to gain new mutations.

This is important because it changes how we think about genome organization and repair - not as passive processes, but as highly dynamic and regulated ones. Such insights help explain how cells maintain genetic stability under stress and how errors can arise when these systems fail or can be programmed when cells need to adapt.

The main challenge was technical. These events occur at very small scales and over seconds to minutes. Capturing them required developing new quantitative live-cell imaging approaches and genetic approaches, as well as integrating biology with physics and computation, often pushing existing methods beyond their limits.

Live-cell imaging played a big role in your findings. How is this technique changing the way scientists study cells?

Live-cell imaging allows scientists to observe biological processes as they occur inside living cells, rather than inferring them from fixed or disrupted samples. This shift has fundamentally transformed cell biology. It is akin to an ecologist observing the natural environment to infer relations and the dynamics of a complex ecosystem. We can now ask when does a protein move, how fast, and in response to what signal? We can also appreciate how heterogenous biological cells are.

In the context of DNA repair, live-cell imaging made it possible for us to track how repair proteins move, interact, and respond to damage over time. Many crucial steps in repair are transient and would be invisible in static images. By following single cells, we could also see how different cells respond differently to the same stress.

More broadly, live-cell imaging enables researchers to study dynamics, timing, and variability - features that are central to how biological systems function. As imaging technologies become more quantitative and accessible, they are allowing scientists to ask deeper questions about cellular decision-making, coordination, and robustness that were previously hidden, and in ways that were not possible even a decade ago.

How might your fundamental discoveries help future research in areas like antibiotic resistance, ageing, cancer, or neurological diseases?

Many human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and aspects of ageing, are linked to failures in DNA repair and genome maintenance. While my research focuses on microbes, the core principles governing DNA repair are conserved across evolution. Understanding these principles in tractable systems often reveals mechanisms that apply more broadly.

In bacteria, DNA repair pathways are also central to the development of antibiotic resistance. These pathways allow bacteria to survive stress and generate genetic diversity, enabling rapid evolution. By understanding how repair is regulated and mobilized, we gain insights into how resistance emerges and how it might be slowed.

Fundamental discoveries provide the conceptual framework for future therapies. They do not translate overnight, but they define what is possible - for example, identifying new targets, predicting resistance mechanisms, or understanding why certain cells survive damage while others do not. They shape the questions that applied researchers ask. They identify new targets, reveal vulnerabilities, and provide frameworks for understanding why some cells survive damage while others do not, which is critical across many areas of medicine.

What does winning the Infosys Prize mean to you personally and professionally?

Personally, winning the Infosys Prize is deeply meaningful. Fundamental research is often slow, uncertain, and driven by curiosity rather than immediate outcomes. Recognition for this kind of work is both affirming and motivating.

Professionally, the prize reflects the collective effort of students, postdoctoral researchers, collaborators, and mentors over many years. It also reflects the importance of the scientific environment that enables the work. In that NCBS is a truly special place for fundamental science. Scientific discoveries are rarely individual achievements, and this award acknowledges the ecosystem that made the work possible.

The prize also brings visibility to basic research being done in India and reinforces the idea that globally impactful science can emerge from Indian institutions. For early-and mid-career researchers, this kind of support strengthens confidence and helps build a culture where risk-taking and originality are valued. For younger scientists and trainees, it sends an important message that pursuing deep, mechanistic questions is valued and supported. I hope it contributes to building confidence in long-term, discovery research as a cornerstone of Indias scientific future.

How does support from the Infosys Science Foundation help scientists in India, especially those working in advanced areas of biology?

The Infosys Science Foundation plays a critical role by recognizing excellence in fundamental discovery research. Such recognition sends a powerful signal - that deep, long-term scientific questions matter. This kind of support is particularly important in advanced areas of biology, where progress often requires long timeframes, sustained funding, and intellectual freedom.

Such recognition helps scientists gain visibility, attract talented students and collaborators, and pursue ambitious ideas that may be considered risky. It also strengthens confidence in the value of fundamental science, which is essential for building a robust research ecosystem. This is especially important in a rapidly developing scientific landscape like Indias, where balancing immediate societal needs with investment in discovery-driven research will determine the countrys ability to lead in science and innovation over the coming decades.

Are there any ongoing collaborations with the industry to take your work forward into the life sciences market?

My lab is primarily focused on fundamental discovery. However, many discoveries in science are serendipitous, and one such serendipity led to the formation of a start-up from some of the research from my lab. This has provided me a unique window into the industry side of research, which is very exciting. I want to highlight that historically; many transformative technologies including antibiotics and genome editing emerged from basic discovery research. Our primary goal will always be to build the knowledge base that can eventually enable such applications.

What are your thoughts on the current gaps that exist between industry and academia, and how can those be bridged?

One of the biggest gaps between academia and industry is the difference in timescales and incentives. Academic research is often driven by long-term questions and open exploration, while industry must focus on deliverables and scalability. Bridging this requires better interfaces - shared research centres, flexible funding models, and people who can move between both worlds. Equally important is mutual understanding. When industry engages early with fundamental science, and academia appreciates real-world constraints, collaborations become far more productive. But it is important to note that this is not an either/ or situation - there is incredible value to both sides of research, and each must be nurtured and sustained. Having had the opportunity to experience both spaces, I see the importance of structured interfaces between the two. Shared research spaces and translational hubs allow scientists to engage with industry without compromising scientific integrity.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
Kate Winslet said she had to direct her latest film, Goodbye June, because she knew she would regret missing out on it.

The 50-year-old also stars in the Christmas movie, which was written by her son Joe Anders and follows four siblings whose lives change when their mothers health takes a turn for the worse during the festive period.

Speaking on an episode of the Kermode & Mayos Take podcast, the Hollywood star expressed her pride in the new film, and said when her son approached her with the script, she couldnt let it go.

The 50-year-old directs and stars in the Christmas movie, which was written by her son Joe Anders (Ian West/PA)

She said: Joe had written this script and actually he still had about 20 to 25 pages to go to finish it.

I said: Look, just finish it and lets have another conversation because I think this could be a film, Joe, really, I do.

Advertisement

Goodbye June is the screenplay debut of Winslets 21-year-old son.

Winslet praised her sons work, and said: I just have to be honest really and truly, he knew what he was doing.

He just does have an understanding of film and of characters and hes always been a very observant person.

Goodbye June is the screenplay debut of Winslets 21-year-old son, Anders (Ian West/PA)

The film is also a first for the Hollywood star, marking her directorial debut.

She said: After about a year of further development and various different iterations of the script and redrafting certain things, there was a screenplay that was ready to be sent out to directors and Netflix had shown some interest in it.

I suddenly realised I couldnt let it go.

I just thought: If I never do this again, if this is the only moment in my life I direct a film, I know Id regret it if it wasnt this one.

Winslet said she couldnt let it go once she read the script for Goodbye June, and knew she wanted to direct the festive film (Ian West/PA)

She added: I feel so proud that I have done it now, and done it at a time that I think the film industry is struggling.

Winslet also mentioned challenges she faced in her new role, saying she felt there was a very strange attitude towards her as an actress taking on the role of a director.

She said: I think theres a different language that is used when addressing female directors to male directors.

With male actors  and this is absolutely no criticism of them at all  its somehow theres this societal assumption that they will automatically know what theyre doing, whereas the same assumption is not made of women.

Thats not right and actually its not fair.

Winslet is best known for her roles in films such as James Camerons Titanic, and The Holiday (Ian West/PA)

Entertainment Kate Winslet wants to play characters with a face thats changing with age Read more

Winslet is best known for her roles in films such as James Camerons Titanic (1997), and festive feature, The Holiday (2006).

The film, which was inspired by the death of Winslets mother, also stars Dame Helen Mirren, Timothy Spall, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, Stephen Merchant and Toni Collette.

Goodbye June is available to watch in Irish cinemas, and will be available on streaming platform Netflix on Christmas Eve.
An Irish grandmother has spoken about her relief after US authorities dropped attempts to deport her and released her from prison.

Donna Hughes-Brown, 59, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Chicago airport after visiting relatives in Ireland and imprisoned for five months before her release.

Her detention was related to two overdrawn cheques, worth less than 80 US dollars (68), made out to a grocery store and a petrol station more than 10 years ago.

Mrs Hughes-Brown is a green card holder who has lived in the US since she was a child.

She has aunts, uncles and cousins in Ireland, but said she would not be visiting them again until she is a naturalised US citizen.

Im still a little bit overwhelmed, she told RTE News after being released.

Advertisement

Its fabulous, but I cant help but think about everybody else who is still waiting.

She said she was fortunate and her case had been resolved, but there were others who were still being detained.

She said that her faith, the support of her family in the US and in Ireland, as well as the Irish consulate in Atlanta, got her through the lowest of the low.

It was a little dicey there for a minute, and when the guards came up and told me that I was going to be released, I wasnt sure why.

I just didnt know why I was getting out that day, when it looked like it was going to, at a minimum, be at least a week before I could get out, and at most, anywhere between a month and six months.

Asked about Donald Trumps presidency, she said: Donald Trumps running platform was different to what the actuality of his presidency is.

There is a lot of work to be done with immigration across the board, there is a huge disconnect.

When Donald Trump served his prior term, I received a letter from him thanking me for taking such great care of a gentleman who is a Korean prisoner of war veteran.

So, I have a personalised letter from Donald Trump telling me what a great person I was for doing this service for a service member of our country.

And then hes the same one that ended up having me detained.
An order of new electric Dart carriages will fully replace the old fleet, which has been in service since 1984.

The order for 100 carriages complements two previous orders, bringing the total investment in new electric-powered Dart trains to approximately 670 million.

The new carriages will enter service from 2027.

Barry Kenny from Irish Rail has said he is confident the new trains will last the test of time, like the original ones.

"Well almost every single Dart that started the service in 1984 is still in service, and I think it shows you the return investment that you get on electric train fleets," he said.

"These new Darts will be an iconic part of Dublin life and, indeed, the expanded Dart network to Drogheda, to Maynooth, Hazelhatch, under the Dart+ programme."

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, said: This order of new Dart carriages is the latest demonstration of the Governments commitment to public transport and to rail in particular.

"It forms part of our NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for transport, which will see over 10 billion of investment in public transport infrastructure, in addition to 2 billion allocated to commence construction of MetroLink from the Infrastructure Climate and Nature Fund, over the period 2026 to 2030.

"The rollout of these carriages will help ensure that we continue to provide a sustainable and reliable Dart service in the years ahead, as we work to expand the Dart network under the Dart+ Programme.
The European Commission believes the Mercosur trade deal can be signed quickly in the New Year.

The deal was due to be signed over the last weekend, but EU leaders delayed it over concerns raised by a number of member states, including Ireland.

Farmers are concerned about different standards being applied in South America and say there will be unfair competition.

Last week, Italy signalled it had reservations, joining the French-led opposition to signing the massive transatlantic free trade deal between the EU and the five active Mercosur countries - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

The deal would progressively remove duties on almost all goods traded between the two blocs over the next 15 years.

European Commission spokesperson, Olof Gill, said work will get underway in the coming days to progress the deal.

Advertisement

"I believe that it's achiveable, as Commissioner Sefcovic often says, the last mile is the hardest," he said.

After 25 years of negotiations, no one's going to lose any sleep if it takes a few extra weeks to get this thing over the line. So, that's where we are.

"We look forward to getting into the details again in the coming days and in the early New Year with a view to sealing agreement so that the Commission can sign the agreement on behalf of the European Union ASAP."

Last week, Farmers in tractors blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels outside a European Union leaders summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against the major free trade deal with South American nations.

Farmers said they fear an agreement with the trade bloc will undercut their livelihoods.

Earlier this month, Tanaiste Simon Harris said Irelands opposition to the Mercosur trade deal could be contingent on whether it has enough allies to form a blocking minority to reject the agreement.

Harris said the Government was taking stock of the positions of other EU states, The Irish Times reported.

Asked whether Ireland would still vote against the deal if it looked certain to be approved, the Fine Gael leader said he had never been interested in performative politics.

Additional reporting: PA
December 21, 2025: In the Imun gun, as the North Korean army is known locally, discipline is strict. This applies to all aspects of a soldier's life, including how long their hair is, how it is cut, where it is cut and who does the cutting. This bizarre situation was demonstrated earlier this year when officers banned their men from going to local towns and villages to have their hair cut by barbers. The troops had been doing this for some time and one particularly strict commander found out about this violation of hair maintenance discipline. Army rules mandate that soldiers have their hair cut on base by a senior soldier using clippers. These official haircuts leave the hair looking ragged and unsightly. The observant disciplinarian commander noticed his troops had neatly trimmed hair and knew that they had violated the hair maintenance regulations. That soldier and his squad sergeant were punished with ten consecutive days of guard duty.

This crackdown was noticed by the local barbers, who saw their income drastically reduced. But they knew that after a few weeks the soldiers would return to the civilian barbers.

Its not just the North Koreas who act like this. Twenty-four years ago, US Army Special Forces troops in Afghanistan were quietly allowed to go native, at least in appearance, once more. When Special Forces first entered Afghanistan in October 2001, they dressed like Afghans, including growing beards or moustaches. But in 2002, Army commanders in Afghanistan ordered the Special Forces to get in uniform and shave. Special Forces commanders complained that the civilian dress was often a matter of life and death, but it wasn't until a new Army Chief of Staff, a former SOCOM commander, came in and cut the Special Forces some slack.
Initial drafts of US proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyivs demands, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

But he suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.

Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage, the Ukrainian leader said of recent talks with US officials who are trying to steer the neighbouring countries toward compromises.



Mr Zelensky said that nearly 90% of Ukraines demands have been incorporated into the draft agreements (Peter Dejong/AP)

There are some things we are probably not ready for, and Im sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either, Mr Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv.

US President Donald Trump has for months been pushing for a peace agreement.

Advertisement

However, the negotiations have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv.

But US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday he held productive and constructive talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives.

We are talking. Its going OK, Mr Trump said on Monday while on holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Asked if he planned to speak to Mr Zelensky or Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Trump did not say, offering only of the fighting, Id like to see it stopped.

Mr Zelensky said that nearly 90% of Ukraines demands have been incorporated into the draft agreements.

The backbone of the proposed deal is a 20-point plan, he said.



US President Donald Trump has for months been pushing for a peace agreement (Alex Brandon/AP)

There is also a framework document on security guarantees between Ukraine, European countries, and the US, as well as a separate document on bilateral security guarantees granted to Ukraine by the US.

Several provisions are being discussed, according to Mr Zelensky.

They include the Ukrainian army remaining at a peacetime level of 800,000; membership in the European Union; and European forces, under the leadership of France and the UK and with a backstop from Washington, ensuring Ukraines security in the air, on land, and at sea.

Some key countries will provide presence in these domains; others will contribute to energy security, finance, bomb shelters, and so on, the Ukrainian president said.

Ukraine is arguing that this bilateral document should be reviewed by the US congress, with some details and annexes kept classified, Mr Zelensky said.

Advertisement

The US team is now in talks with Russian envoys, and Washington has asked that no details be released, he added.



Ruins of buildings in the town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region, Ukraine (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraines 24th Mechanised Brigade via AP)

Mr Zelensky said on Monday he met with his military commanders who reported that defensive lines are holding firm against the Russian onslaught.

In (recent) weeks, the Russian army has significantly increased the intensity of attacks, and the number of Russian losses has increased accordingly, he said in a post on Telegram.

Ukrainian forces hit an oil terminal, a pipeline, two parked jet fighters and two ships in a series of strikes on Russian soil, officials said on Monday.

The killing of a top Russian general by a car bomb in Moscow on Monday, with investigators suspecting Ukraine was behind it, could be another instance of Kyiv picking surprise targets.

Ukrainian partisans also set fire to two Russian jet fighters in an operation on Sunday evening at a base near Lipetsk, a city in western Russia, according to Ukraines military intelligence.

Russias Ministry of Defence said only that its forces shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight, three of them over the Krasnodar region.
What to stream this week: (from top left) Haha, You Clowns; Younger; Born to Be Wild; The New Years; Amadeus; and Irish Blood.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This weeks picks include a new take on the bitter rivalry between composers Mozart and Salieri, the tale of two cubs in a family-friendly wildlife doco and Clueless Alicia Silverstone leads an Irish dramedy. Amadeus  (Binge) Genius cuts both ways in this earthy British period drama. The brilliance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Will Sharpe), the prodigious composer who was the Lennon and the McCartney of the late 18th century, is a wellspring of revelation and inspiration. But for Mozarts lesser peer, Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany), the blow-ins gifts create only agony and uncertainty. As with Timothee Chalamets Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, genius demands cruel, cold sacrifice. Will Sharpe as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Amadeus. Like the previous Amadeus, the Milos Forman movie that won Best Picture at the 1984 Academy Awards, this limited series was adapted from Peter Shaffers 1979 play. Shaffer invented the rivalry between the two composers, but its mix of jealousy and longing feels authentic and contemporary. The blithely arrogant Mozart is a source of private torment to the established Salieri, culminating in the formers controversial death. Editor's pick 

Review It may be darkly violent, but Fallout is a slow-blooming buddy comedy at heart The tone is saucy, not stuffy. Party-boy Wolfgang has a few sharpeners before his 1781 Vienna debut for Emperor Joseph II (Rory Kinnear), while Salieri references an opera he released; the British cast use their natural tones, avoiding Central European accents. Creator Joe Barton, fresh from the bloody espionage follies of Netflixs Black Doves, mixes black comedy and high anguish. He also carves out Mozarts wife, Constanze (Gabrielle Creevy), as a necessary alternate voice.

Advertisement

With Mozarts historic opening nights as punctuation, complete with Salieris crushed but compelled face in the audience, the story has some familiar musical biopic traits. Its a rise and fall tale with Mozart fulsomely indulging his appetites in public and blowing his money while defying the royal court, much to the consternation of his martinet father and former manager, Leopold (Jonathan Aris). Its very much different century, same setbacks. Paul Bettany as Mozarts bitter rival Antonio Salieri. Sharpe has always been very good at impishness with a tormented underbelly, but the crucial role in Amadeus is that of Salieri. Bettany captures a villain whose machinations stem from heartbreak and disbelief: the look on Salieris face when he first sees an original Mozart composition, a perfect first draft in comparison to his stoic revisions, is brutal. Its no wonder the pious Salieri renounces God  defrock me, Amadeus. Bettany finds the depths, operatic and organic, of Salieris struggles, whether in the moment or as a bitter old man still trying to attach his forgotten name to Mozarts growing posthumous legacy. The more you listened, the more the layers presented themselves, Salieri says of an early Mozart commission, and its the same watching this telling of Amadeus. Genius is a good time that ultimately spares no one. Cheetah cubs in Born To Be Wild. Born To Be Wild  (Apple TV) This is the time of year when a family-friendly nature documentary can come in particularly handy, and Apple TV delivers with this six-part series about endangered young animals being prepared by their keepers and carers to return to the wild. Narrated with extra warmth by actor Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington), the show is optimistic and endearing. The high-definition close-ups of tender faces provide hope even as the plummeting numbers quoted put these various species on endangered lists.

Advertisement

Related Article Streaming The biggest moments in TV: Everything that had us talking in 2025 Starting with Sagalee, an orphaned moon bear cub in north-east India, Born To Be Wild follows the rehabilitation and nurturing overseen by dedicated human staff. About 35 minutes long, the episodes are succinct, but capture a process that, in the case of sibling cheetah cubs Kabo and Khumo, will take two years. You can see the warmth in their eyes, the pairs keeper notes, and that intimate connection is what director Tom Berton-Humphreys strives for. Whether its a motley crew of ring-tailed lemurs in Madagascar that have to learn how to work together to survive in the wild or a shy elephant calf that has to become assertive, the narratives provide challenges, a measure of risk (mostly surmounted), and well-composed access that eventually captures the success of these various programs. In other words, respect to the nature reserve springbok that is Kabo and Khumos first successful hunt. Iria del Rio and Francesco Carril in The New Years. The New Years  (Mubi) A global streaming platform that curates new and historical titles from across world cinema, Mubi moves into series with this 10-episode drama from Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen. Opening in 2016, the episodes are set on consecutive New Years Eves and chart the complicated relationship between Ana (Iria del Rio) and Oscar (Francesco Carril). If the format sounds gimmicky, the show has an unforced emotional authenticity and a strong, tactile connection between the leads. The nights are not always overtly eventful, but as they accumulate, The New Years impresses. Haha, You Clowns.

Advertisement

Haha, You Clowns  (HBO Max) This big-hearted, oddly specific comedy might be the most idiosyncratic addition HBO Max has made to its adult animation catalogue. Created by Joe Cappa, the show is about newly widowed television weatherman Tom Campbell (voiced by Cappa), who along with his three teenage sons (all voiced by Cappa), is trying to deal with their grief. The Campbells are big, beefy men with kind hearts and sweet rituals  this could be a 1980s sitcom  but theyre drawn with a muted colour palette and flattened features that take a little getting used to. Alicia Silverstone in Irish Blood. Irish Blood  (Stan*) Alicia Silverstone found teenage fame with Clueless in 1995, but in the decades since, she has never truly clicked as the lead in a series. That changes with her holding-it-all-together performance in this expatriate mystery, in which Silverstone plays Fiona Fox, an American lawyer who returns to Ireland to meet her absent father and instead finds his complicated past and a possible new life for herself. An inherited briefcase of curious objects provides a weekly case for Fiona to crack, so you have a thriller, a cosy procedural and  hot gym owner ahoy!  a budding romance co-existing. In Younger, Sutton Foster plays a woman who lies about her age to get back into the workforce. Stan

Advertisement
Remove items from your saved list to add more.

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Save this video for later

Add videos to your saved list and come back to them anytime.

Got it
Advertisement

Exclusive NationalNSWWater safety You cant remove swimming from water safety: New PE material to be reviewed Julie Power Updated December 22, 2025  2:37pm ,first published December 21, 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

NSWs new Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) school syllabus has been criticised, following concerns that it would encourage schools to run school swimming and lifesaving lessons in the dry of a classroom, without children entering the water. Changes to support material for the kindergarten-to-year-10 syllabus will also be reviewed, after protests by Royal Life Saving Australia chief executive Dr Justin Scarr, teachers and swim schools over the removal of explicit instructions for children to learn basic skills, such as swimming 25 metres. You cant take the wet out of water safety and you cant remove swimming from water safety or lifesaving, Scarr said. Clotilde Doxaras, swim school manager at C&M Aquatic Centre, teaching children to swim. Edwina Pickles The removal of instructions caused several schools to cancel, curtail or postpone bookings for swim classes next year, when the new PDHPE syllabus will be introduced and teachers will use it for planning, he said.

Advertisement

Scarr said school swimming and lifesaving lessons had been a rite of passage for generations. It is how so many of us first learnt to swim, before moving to lifesaving lessons and the bronze medallion in high school  diving for bricks, swimming in pyjamas and learning CPR. At briefings on the new syllabus, teachers asked whether the removal of explicit instructions meant they could cancel school swimming lessons. After meeting Scarr on Thursday the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which develops the school syllabus, said it would work with Royal Life Saving Australia to ensure communications to teachers and school leaders make clear the benefits of swimming lessons as part of the NSW curriculum. Swimming skills and water safety are an important requirement of the new PDHPE syllabuses being taught from 2027, NESA said in a statement.

Advertisement

The new syllabus begins in 2027 but some schools will implement it from 2026. Related Article Water safety The charts that show how we died in the worst year on record for drowning NESA said school swimming was not compulsory but the authority would continue to support school swimming. Many schools have been dropping out of swimming programs because of costs related to buses, pool entry fees, logistics, access to pools, beaches and rivers, and a crowded curriculum. If the trend continued, Scarr said, generations of children, particularly those whose families could not afford private lessons or dropped out early, would not learn to swim or practise water safety, even though drownings in Australia are up 27 per cent on the 10-year average.

Advertisement

Royal Life Saving recognises that NESA has worked to strengthen a focus on safe behaviours

around the water and has agreed to look more closely at the advice in relation to swimming and

lifesaving skills, the organisation said in a statement. Half of all children who finished primary school this year cannot swim or float well enough to save their own lives. Clotilde Doxaras, swim school manager at C&M Aquatic Centre, teaching children to swim. Edwina Pickles Clotilde Doxaras, swim school manager at C&M Aquatic Centre, teaching children to swim. Edwina Pickles The former 2018 curriculum required children to perform water safety and rescue skills, such as freestyle and backstroke, practise swimming survival skills and participate in lifesaving activities, including clothed rescues.

Advertisement

In contrast, the new course asks children to demonstrate an awareness of safety behaviours, such as the need to swim between the flags. While the new syllabus contains explicit instructions on teaching children fundamental movement skills such as running, hopping, striking, catching and side galloping, teaching children to swim is omitted. How can a good side gallop be more essential than being able to swim? Scarr asked. In consultations on the draft syllabus, participants said it lacked content explicitly addressing engagement in the outdoors. Related Article Water safety School swimming carnivals are dying. Its putting a generation at risk

Advertisement

Clotilde Doxaras, swim school manager of C&M Aquatic Centre in Padstow, was alarmed when some schools cancelled or reduced lessons and postponed booking them. One said they may not be going swimming at all because it is no longer in the syllabus, Doxaras said. A lot of kids cant swim. We see kids coming in from year 6 and some can barely dog-paddle. Many parents couldnt afford private lessons, she said. The struggle is real for them and they are finding it hard to finance anything. Swimming lessons go to the bottom of their list of priorities. In a seminar held by the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) a participant who asked whether the requirement for school swimming lessons had been removed was praised for their good detective work.

Advertisement

The instructor replied: There isnt explicit mention of aquatics or swimming in any of the stages. Theres explicit mention of water safety. The syllabus was building in flexibility, the instructor said. Those schools who want to run aquatics and swimming programs can do but those who dont have the facilities or resources to run it, its no longer mandated. Kelly Bell, who runs The Learning Network, an organisation supporting PDHPE teachers, said there was a moral obligation to make teaching water safety skills a priority because so many children fatally drowned. That meant finding money and resources to help parents and schools fund lessons, buses and pool fees, she said. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.

CORRECTION An earlier version of this story said that NESA will review the new PDPHE syllabus. Its been corrected to say that NESA will review the syllabus support materials.
Advertisement

NationalVictoriaWhite collar crime Do what you want, LOL: Boss of collapsed super fund says record keeping was inadequate Sarah Danckert December 22, 2025  6:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The founder of the collapsed First Guardian superannuation fund has been accused of not keeping records of money flowing out of its coffers, including for his personal loans or bonus payments. David Anderson on Monday made his first public appearance since the fund failed in April and wiped out $500 million in superannuation savings of almost 6000 people, as part of examinations by liquidators in the Federal Court. First Guardian co-founder David Anderson (in sunglasses) arrives at the Federal Court on Monday. Chris Hopkins The businessman looked calm seated in the courts gallery before his evidence, drinking from a bottle of Dare Iced Coffee and chatting with one of his lawyers. During the examinations, Anderson was taken to an entry in the First Guardian group accounts which showed millions being transferred from the fund without any record of where it went or why.

Advertisement

Instead, the entry read: DA [David Anderson] says it doesnt matter, you can just do what you want with it  LOL. A barrister for the liquidators put it to Anderson that this type of loose entry was common at First Guardian. Liquidators have found a number of entries where the basis of the payment is inadequately described or not supported by any documentation, Stephanie Hooper said. Anderson agreed this was the case. I would agree that this description is not adequate, not by a long shot. It is simply a function that could have been done better. Asked what policies First Guardian had to ensure its accounts were accurate, Anderson said: To the best of my recollection there was an extensive review conducted to achieve an uplift in our policies and procedures.

Advertisement

Anderson added that improving First Guardians record keeping was a work in progress from 2022 until the funds collapse in April. First Guardians crash came amid an investigation by the corporate watchdog into the activities of the fund and Andersons business, Falcon Capital, which managed the fund. DA [David Anderson] says it doesnt matter, you can just do what you want with it  LOL Staff message in First Guardians books and records The watchdog and liquidators to Falcon Capital allege that Anderson mismanaged the superannuation fund, and spent large sums of its money on his pet projects including hospitality ventures and large payments to the promoters of the fund. Anderson has long denied any wrongdoing and has claimed, through his legal team, that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has misunderstood his business model.

Advertisement

Editor's pick Exclusive

Investigations The quiet partnership behind a $1 billion superannuation collapse During Mondays examinations hearing, Anderson was repeatedly shown examples of First Guardian and Falcons record keeping, described as either extremely limited or non-existent. Usually superannuation funds have extensive documentation of their investments, their funds and the fees charged to members for managing the money. Anderson confirmed in court that First Guardian did not have any sort of formal agreement with the Falcon company regarding what fees it charged the superannuation fund. Instead, he revealed that rather than a formal agreement covering the size of the fees and the frequency of the payments, the First Guardian Master Fund was charged management fees on an ad hoc basis. Anderson also explained that rather than receiving a salary from First Guardian, he was instead paid in residuals taken from the profits of any investments by the funds.

Advertisement

Hooper asked Anderson if any bonus payments were subject to formal documentation. It was an informal agreement, Anderson told the court. It was always a residual figure based on what was available for distribution to directors or stakeholders. Paul Chiodo outside the Federal Court last month. Jason South The once high-flying businessman also confirmed that he held a long and extensive business relationship with the manager of the Shield Master Fund, Paul Chiodo  a partnership first revealed by this masthead in August.

Advertisement

Like First Guardian, the Shield Master fund is in liquidation and subject to a major investigation by the corporate watchdog. Chiodo also faces allegations by ASIC that he mismanaged the Shield Master fund. Anderson confirmed he helped Chiodo establish a property fund more than eight years ago and that First Guardian then invested almost $100 million in it. As previously revealed by this mastheads investigation, Chiodo and Anderson worked together for several years until a dispute over the performance of Chiodos fund. Asked about his relationship with Chiodo, Anderson said: Its been a relatively long-standing one  on a business basis. Were there any specific aspects of the relationship you wanted to focus on? It is a long-standing relationship, which has taken a number of turns over the years. I would describe it as a relatively challenging one.

Advertisement

Editor's pick Exclusive

Food Restaurant empires debts to super fund blow out as celebrity chef eyes new backer Asked to explain what made the relationship challenging, Anderson responded: The primary issue was tension between access to capital and funding and the timely completion of the projects. He also confirmed that despite those challenges, he and Chiodo maintained a business relationship. This included developing the Shield Master fund in 2022 after Chiodos property fund, in which First Guardian had invested, became financially troubled. Asked what the purpose of the Shield fund was, Anderson told the court: Shield was put together by Chiodo to get access to other capital by means of the Master Fund. Anderson said the pair had maintained a business relationship in recent years, but when asked when the last time they spoke was he replied: I havent spoken to him for a number of months. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
December 20, 2025: Last month Indian Maoist rebels operating throughout portions of eastern Maoist leaders sought a three month truce with India so the Maoists widely dispersed units could surrender and join government rehabilitation programs. These programs have been operating for years to help surrendering Maoists and other miscreants rehabilitate themselves and return to a normal life.

A day after this plan was announced, the Maoist Central Military Commission urged the armed Maoist members to resume fighting. But first they must participate in the annual People's Liberation Guerrilla Army/PLGA Week that begins on December 2nd. What follows are small gatherings of Maoists and working with potential new recruits. This years PLGA is the 25th to be observed. This is important for the Maoists because in the last year they have suffered heavy casualties and many defeats while fighting government forces. Meanwhile, those forces are organizing large scale surrenders of Maoist fighters who are dismayed at their lack of combat success and willing to try the government rehabilitation. Maoist leaders are encouraging their armed Maoists to fight to the end. The government believes it will have eliminated the Maoist rebel movement in the next year or two.

Earlier this year in eastern India, the Communist Party of India/CPI was accused of trying to revive its violent radical faction, the recently depleted Maoist communist rebels. The CPI is legal in India. Its leaders do not approve of Maoist violence and have cooperated with Indian efforts to keep the Maoists from rebuilding their strength and ability to launch attacks.

There are still Maoist factions in eastern India, but the Maoists are found in fewer areas. During 2022 and 2023 there were fewer deaths attributed to Maoist activity. That changed in 2024 when terrorism related deaths increased fifty percent to over 600. These numbers declined in 2025. The CPI has less control over its armed radical faction that is responsible for most of these deaths.

Indias communist Maoist rebels were once considered one of the most dangerous terrorist groups worldwide. Total deaths caused by the Maoists was lower in 2023 than 2022 when they were 98. Such deaths were 147 in 2021. Terrorism related deaths in India also include Islamic terrorists in northwest Indian Kashmir and tribal rebels in the northeast. The Maoists operate in eastern India, and the areas where they are active have shrunk considerably over the last decade because of energetic government efforts to eliminate them.

So far in 2025 there have been over 300 deaths. In 2024 there were 828 deaths while in 2023 there were fewer than 400 deaths in India from all forms of terrorism, compared to 434 in 2022, 585 in 2021, 621 in 2019 and 940 in 2018. In 2020 54 percent of the dead were in Kashmir, which was higher than usual. In most years non-Islamic terrorist violence accounts for most of the violence, but in 2020 leftist Maoist rebels in eastern India only accounted for 41 percent of the deaths with five percent caused by tribal separatists in the northeast. The decline in Maoist activity began in 2009 when India assigned 75,000 additional police to deal with the Maoists. Initially this did not increase Maoist losses but did result in more dead policemen. The Maoists did lose many of their rural camps and, in general, were forced to devote more time to security and less to attacking the government or extorting money from businesses. As always, the government had failed to effectively address the social and economic problems i

Eventually the government did address the local social and economic problems, and this is what deprived the Maoists of areas where they could operate. The police efforts continued and now the Maoists are only active in a small portion of eastern India, where they are more concerned with surviving than expanding or attacking the police. Civilians in Maoist-infested areas are less afraid of providing police with information about Maoist movements or joining pro-government militias to resist Maoist operations. It also became easier to recruit Maoist members to become active informants. These spies are paid monthly, and the sudden affluence of their families often alerts Maoist leaders to the presence of police informants. While details about informants are kept secret, the losses suffered because police had inside information is often obvious. The Maoist decline has demoralized leftist leaders, who have not been able to come up with any way to halt or reverse the losses. Maoists are a radical faction of the once mighty Indian communist party. Many Indian communists were slow to understand why all those East European communist governments, including Russia, collapsed between 1989 and 1991. Despite that many Indians still support communism, but not the violent, ineffective, and increasingly unpopular Maoists.

December 20, 2025: Last month Indian Maoist rebels operating throughout portions of eastern Maoist leaders sought a three month truce with India so its widely dispersed units could surrender and join government rehabilitation programs. These programs have been operating for years to help surrendering Maoists and other miscreants rehabilitate themselves and return to a normal life.

A day after this plan was announced, the Maoist Central Military Commission urged the armed Maoist members to resume fighting. But first they must participate in the annual People's Liberation Guerrilla Army/PLGA Week that begins on December 2nd. What follows is small gatherings of Maoists and working with potential new recruits, This years PLGA is the 25th to be observed. This is important for the Maoists because in the last year they have suffered heavy casualties and many defeats while fighting government forces. Meanwhile, those forces are organizing large scale surrenders of Maoist fighters who are dismayed at their lack of combat success and willing to try the government rehabilitation. Maoist leaders are encouraging their armed Maoists to fight to the end. The government believes it will have eliminated the Maoist rebel movement in the next year or two.

Earlier this year in eastern India, the Communist Party of India/CPI was accused of trying to revive its violent radical faction, the recently depleted Maoist communist rebels. The CPI is legal in India and the leaders of the CPI do not approve of Maoist violence and have cooperated with Indian efforts to keep the Maoists from rebuilding their strength and ability to launch attacks.

There are still Maoist factions in eastern India, but the Maoists are found in fewer areas. During 2022 and 2023 there were fewer deaths attributed to Maoist activity. That changed in 2024 when terrorism related deaths increased fifty percent to over 600. These numbers declined in 2025 The CPI has less control over its armed radical faction that is responsible for most of these deaths.

Indias communist Maoist rebels were once considered one of the most dangerous terrorist groups worldwide. Total deaths caused by the Maoists was lower in 2023 than 2022 when they were 98. Such deaths were 147 in 2021. Terrorism related deaths in India also include Islamic terrorists in northwest Indian Kashmir and tribal rebels in the northeast. The Maoists operate in eastern India, and the areas where they are active have shrunk considerably over the last decade because of energetic government efforts to eliminate them.

So far in 2025 there have been over 300 deaths. In 2024 there were 828 deaths while in 2023 there were fewer than 400 deaths in India from all forms of terrorism, compared to 434 in 2022, 585 in 2021, 621 in 2019 and 940 in 2018. In 2020 54 percent of the dead were in Kashmir, which was higher than usual. In most years non-Islamic terrorist violence accounts for most of the violence, but in 2020 leftist Maoist rebels in eastern India only accounted for 41 percent of the deaths with five percent caused by tribal separatists in the northeast. The decline in Maoist activity began in 2009 when India assigned 75,000 additional police to deal with the Maoists. Initially this did not increase Maoist losses but did result in more dead policemen. The Maoists did lose many of their rural camps and, in general, were forced to devote more time to security and less to attacking the government or extorting money from businesses. As always, the government had failed to effectively address the social and economic problems in the countryside, where feudalism and corruption are rampant. These problems provided the Maoists with recruits, and support from many of the locals.

Eventually the government did address the local social and economic problems, and this is what deprived the Maoists of areas where they could operate. The police efforts continued and now the Maoists are only active in a small portion of eastern India, where they are more concerned with surviving than expanding or attacking the police. Civilians in Maoist-infested areas are less afraid of providing police with information about Maoist movements or joining pro-government militias to resist Maoist operations. It also became easier to recruit Maoist members to become active informants. These spies are paid monthly, and the sudden affluence of their families often alerts Maoist leaders to the presence of police informants. While details about informants are kept secret, the losses suffered because police had inside information is often obvious. The Maoist decline has demoralized leftist leaders, who have not been able to come up with any way to halt or reverse the losses. Maoists are a radical faction of the once mighty Indian communist party. Many Indian communists were slow to understand why all those East European communist governments, including Russia, collapsed between 1989 and 1991. Despite that many Indians still support communism, but not the violent, ineffective, and increasingly unpopular Maoists.
Collection

The top-rated airlines of the year

In 2025, Travellers writers flew with all types of airlines around the world, whether it was long-hauls to the US or Europe or short hops to South-East Asia and the Pacific. Here are the flights we rated the best, with a particular shout-out to Emirates, who managed to achieve near-perfect scores across first, premium and economy class reviews this year (business class also received a high score late last year).
David Raleigh

Gardai are investigating a drive-by shooting at a house at Rathkeale, Co Limerick, on Sunday night.

A number of shots were discharged from a firearm at a house located in the west Limerick town.

It is the latest in a string of violent incidents in the community.

Sources said a large garda presence was visible in the town all day Sunday and Monday to keep a lid on tensions.

Uniformed gardai supported by members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit were conducting checkpoints in the town on Sunday prior to the gun attack.

The Garda helicopter was also present in the town providing air support.

A Garda spokesman said: Gardai are investigating the discharge of a firearm in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick on Sunday 22nd December 2025 at approximately 9:15pm.

The Garda spokesman said that no injuries were reported and that a technical examination of the scene has been conducted by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

Investigations are ongoing, they said.

Feuding families

Local gardai supported by armed detective units have been trying to keep a lid on tensions between rival feuding Traveller families.

Local Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey, a former chair of the local community joint policing committee, said he has been repeatedly calling for extra garda resources in the town to assist local Superintendent Michael Fleming and his force.

Rathkeales population has surged in recent days due to an influx of Traveller men and women.

The Traveller clans traditionally descend on Rathkeale every Christmas.

The festive period sees families get together to celebrate marriages and christenings at St Marys Church in the town.

The vast majority of visiting Traveller families are peaceful and have never engaged in violence or public disorder.

International crime links

However, a number of Traveller criminal elements with international crime links and their origins in Rathkeale can case trouble in the town during the festive period.

Over two weeks ago gardai, directed by Supt Fleming, conducted a search and arrest operation in Rathkeale, as part of an investigation into money laundering.

Superintendent Fleming said the focus of the operation was to target "the activities of individuals involved in serious criminality on a transnational basis".

Approximately 400,000 in cash and bank accounts was seized at 11 locations in the town.

Rhino horns

Suspected rhino horns were also recovered during the raids which can fetch large sums of money on the black market.

On November 30th this year, a house was shot up in the town when multiple shots were discharged from a firearm at the property, which was occupied by people including a child.

The shooting at New Road, Rathkeale, occurred around 5am that Sunday morning.

No injuries were reported at the time.

Last October, a van was petrol bombed in the town.

Vehicles have been rammed, houses burnt, and a man shot and seriously wounded as part of feuding in the town over the past twelve months.
Olivia Kelleher

A kitchen assistant at a nursing home who died after his car went off the road and into a river is to be repatriated to his native India following a visitation at a funeral home in Fermoy, Co Cork on Tuesday.

Joice Thomas died after an accident occurred on the R628 Conna Road on Friday evening as he made his way home in heavy rain from Ballincurrig nursing home in Leamlara, Co Cork. The 34-year-old started working at the home just two months ago.

A GoFundMe page was set up over the weekend to help the family of Mr Thomas and to pay for the cost of bringing his body back home for burial.

Over 93,000 has been raised to assist the loved ones of Mr Thomas, who was originally from the state of Kerala in India but was living in Ballynoe, Co Cork.

He lived on the Main Street of the town with wife Ruby Kuriakose, who is a nurse, their four-month-old son Jacques and two-year-old daughter Jacqueline.

In a death notice on Rip.ie Mr Thomas is described as having been a loving and much-loved husband, father and son.

He is survived by his wife Ruby and their children, his parents, Shoshamma and Thomas, and his sister, who is also called Ruby. He will also be much missed by his extended family, loyal friends in Ireland and India, work colleagues and his kind neighbours.

Mr Thomas will lie in repose from 4.30pm to 7pm on Tuesday at Ronaynes Funeral Home in Fermoy. His funeral service and burial will take place in Kambammettu in Kerala in India. A mass of solidarity is also set to be held at Ballynoe Church tomorrow in support of the family and friends of Mr Thomas.

The body of the deceased was discovered on Saturday morning when a passerby noticed his vehicle submerged in the River Bride. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A postmortem was carried out at Cork University Hospital.

Meanwhile, gardai are appealing to members of the public who may have witnessed the accident to contact them.

Road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Conna Road R628 between 10pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fermoy Garda Station on 025 82100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Donations can be made to the GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/18a0b472b.